Session #20

Acts 21-23:1
"The Road To Jerusalem" • 4.28.09 • The Power Of One: One Man, One Life, One Mission, Session #20
Intro.

- Paul has had a tearful send off by the Ephesian elders and is now headed for Jerusalem.
- Everyone is clearly concerned for Paul's well being and all have expressed that he re-think his position. Paul, not being one to change course easily, continues forward.
• Acts 21:12-14 : "Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, 'What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.' So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, 'The will of the Lord be done.'"
- The Apostle pressed on toward Jerusalem and after a great meeting with Pastor James, Paul and his posse headed for the temple. This is where things begin to go awry.
• Acts 21:27-30 : "Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, 'Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.' (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut."
- The rest of chapter 21 is a bowl of chaos. Nobody can figure out why the riot was started, nor can anyone get to the bottom of who Paul actually was.
- In verse 38, the commander asks Paul if he wasn't the Egyptian who had led a rebellion some time ealier! Paul tells the commander who he is and asks to address the crowd.
- He speaks to the crowd in Hebrew, which stuns the crowd into silence. Most all of chapter 22 is Paul's recounting of his testimony and his ministry. It was going well too, until verse 21.
• Acts 22:21-24 : "Then He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.' And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, 'Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!' Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him."
- Before Paul could be scourged, he revealed to the commander that he was a Roman citizen, which was a "get out of scourging " free card! However, the commander was still curious as to why Paul was detained, so he ordered a special audience with the priests for the next day.
- This brings us to chapter 23:1, which also brings us to the place that I would like to examine today. It's the verse that began this journey into Paul's life and intrigued me from day one.
• Acts 23:1 : "Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, 'Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.'"
- Paul stands clearly before this hostile environment and speaks pointedly, without shame before his accusers. There are three reasons why. We'll discover that Paul had

I. The Right Motive
II. The Right Goal
III. The Right Audience

Text

I. The Right Motive

• Acts 23:1 : "Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council" : Paul has suffered a great deal of "religious persecution" at the hands of the Jewish religious establishment.
- This began quite early in his career and can be followed all throughout the book of Acts.
- Yet, it's fairly clear that Paul maintained a great love and zeal for his people.
- Turn with me to Romans 9. At this juncture in Romans, Paul turns his attention to the people of God and where they fit in the plan of redemption.
• Romans 9:1-5 : "I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen."
- Just a few verses later, Paul declares this about his desire for those that persecuted him.
• Romans 10:1,2 : "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge."
- I don't know about you spiritual guys, but loving my enemies has been a difficult enough chore. Wanting to see them saved, enjoying the benefits of knowing God? That's divine!
- Paul could look back at the case that he had against these people. He had been beaten, imprisoned, driven out of towns and hurt in his reputation by them.
- Yet, it's these men that he wants to be saved. Notice the intensity of this address. He looked "earnestly" at the council.
- He looked intently at them, setting his gaze upon them, seeing in them an opportunity to advance the work of the Gospel.
- Paul always had the right motive: Love mixed with duty to the gospel. Don't misunderstand though, as you cannot have just one characteristic. They must mingle together.
- In this there is a tension, as one wants to be accepting of another, but there must be reciprocation.
- Turn with me to Matthew 23. Jesus, towards the end of his ministry, as He is about to be rejected by the Jews, speaks this amazingly tender sentiment.
• Matthew 23:34-38 : "Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. 'O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate;"
- Paul looked upon the Jews and was burdened in his soul for them, just like Jesus was burdened years before.
- I wonder what contrast might exist between this heart and the heart that we have towards those in our lives who don't know Christ? What is our desire for those who have wronged us?

II. The Right Goal

• Acts 23:1 : "...looking earnestly at the council, said, 'Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God..." : Paul's motive was love for those who persecuted him. But his goal was to live with a good conscience. Let's set the table here:
- We need to recall to our minds that Paul has been justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Further, he has received the Holy Spirit, who has come in and made his home in Paul, to rule and reign.
- That reign is described in believers by Jesus, when He tells us that the Holy Spirit will "convict" of sin, righteousness and judgment."
- Let me offer this illustration that we have all experienced: You sin in action or ommission. You sense God's displeasure and you act to correct that.
- After it's over, you and I say something like, "Good now my...is clean!"
- The conscience that Paul refers to then, is that seat of Holy Spirit rulership. In Pauline literature, the word "conscience" appears 29 times and we can see how the concept is meant to be a measuring rod for action or abstention.
- Dictionary.com, one of my favorite sites on the web, defines conscience this way: "the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action."
- Paul's conscience, that place where God truly rules in our lives, was clean. Everyday he had to answer to this.
- He lived in that daily awareness of what he knew, then examined how he practiced what he knew. His conscience was good.
- Now, let me say that this does not mean that Paul never sinned. That would be a denial of Paul's gospel, and the rest of the counsel of scripture.
- Paul did sin just like you and I. "Living in all good conscience" would never refer to sinless perfection in ourselves or in our work toward the Lord.
- However, the spirit of what Paul is saying is this: "There is nothing that I am currently doing that offends the nature of God or his work through me." This is the negative aspect of sin.
- We must also look at this positively: "Am I participating at the level that God expects from me?" The first is negative, the latter is positive.
- Paul, if he were aware of sin, would deal with it and move back toward the right that the Lord demands of his servants. This is a worthy goal to imitate.

III. The Right Audience

• Acts 23:1 : "Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, 'Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.'" : Paul could talk about his integrity before the most religious people and do so honestly because He did this before God! Paul lived before the right audience! It is for us "The audience of one."
- I know that most of you are thinking: "Of course we live before God!" I know. While that is the right text book answer, consider your own heart.
- How many other influences do you satisfy daily? Who are they? If we are honest, often times we'll admit that it's easy to vascillate between influences.
- I have realized that certain Christians hold sway over my thinking. The church as an institution has laid claim to some influence. Friends, family? The list continues.
- In Paul's climate, there were extra pressures that we need to be grasped. He lived in the shadow of his own tradition. On this side, were people who hated his ministry.
- On the other side, he was forging new ground among the Way. Add to this that wherever he went, he was preaching to unregenerate heathens.
- There were plenty of pressures to live before other audiences, the same pressure that we have today. We must constantly re-orient ourselves to this mindset that God alone deserves our loyalty in this regard.
- This topic is needed as a reminder at very young ages, as well as very advanced ages.
- Turn with me to Genesis 16. Abram, around 84 at this time, has been promised a son. In Genesis 15, God promises Abram and Sarai a son, even ratifying it with a very involved covenant.
- When things did not turn out so quickly, another idea was presented.
• Genesis 16:1,2 : "Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, 'See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.' And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai."
- Note the influences on this decision: Sarai, herself impatient, embarrassed by her own infertility, suggests this creative decision.
- Hagar, a slave, is willing to move up the social ladder, especially considering the fact that her son would be the heir to a very rich man. She was an Egyptian. Surrogacy was an accepted practice among the Egyptians.
- And, of course, Abraham doesn't seem to argue at all! All goes through as planned, but the result turns disastrous as Hagar and Ishmael become a strong nusiance.
- Thirteen years later and God finally comments on what has happened. In context, his comments provide a strong rebuke for Abraham and deep warning for us.
• Genesis 17:1 : "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.'"
- God says that to you and I today! God says "Impress Me!" "Please Me!" As men, we have just as much tendency to please some other influence and then think of God's opinion.
- Paul's example in this statement, prayerfully puts that in perspective.

Conclusion

- Paul had the right motive, namely a deep love and passion to reach his people. Do you love your enemies or the ones around you? Do you desire their conversion for their betterment despite how they may have harmed you?
- Paul lived with the right goal in mind, to live with a clear conscience before God. This may not have been your testimony, but today, we can make that our goal.
- Finally, it's time to get serious about our who our audience is. Who are we living to please today? Anything that's not Jesus, must take second place beginning NOW!

Session #19

Acts 18-20
"Paul's Disciples" • 4.21.09 • The Power Of One: One Man, One Life, One Mission, Session #19
Intro.

- Paul's second missionary journey becomes very focused as we approach chapters 18-20.
- There is less evangelism and more establishment, as that was the need of that time. Paul focuses his attention on the regions of Corinth and Ephesus.
- Acts 18:11 tells us that Paul spent a year and a half in Corinth. In Acts 18:19, Paul left his friends Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus to supervise the activities of the church.
- Acts 19 marks the continuing radical story of Paul's ministry in Ephesus.
• Acts 19:8-10 : "And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks."
- As usual, God's ministry through Paul brought miracles as well as mighty uproars. Finally, it's is time for Paul to move on from the disciples at Ephesus.
- In Acts 20:17, Paul calls his final elders meeting for the church at Ephesus. It's his final face to face address with the elders.
- In my estimation, there is much that can be learned from the things that Paul shares with these men, men he is attempting to influence, men who consider themselves disciples.
- To me, this address is a manifesto. It's a keypoint. It's a time of transference.
- Consider the context. These men have been with Paul for sometime. They have learned from and loved this man. Now, he leaves them with these final thoughts for them to grow on.
- Consider the lessons behind these words. Paul exemplified these ethics.

I. He Was Consistent (v.18-21)
II. He Gave Complete Counsel (v.22-32)
III. He Did Not Covet Riches (v.33-35)

Text

I. He Was Consistent (v.18-21)

• Acts 20:18-21 : "And when they had come to him, he said to them: 'You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." : Paul addresses his elders drawing their attention to his example.
- From day one, Paul kept to the program and the pattern of ministry.
- He served the Lord with all humility. Literally, with lowliness of mind. Turn with me to Philippians 2. Paul speaks to the Philippians about this concept.
• Philippians 2:3,4 : "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."
- This was Paul's modus operandi. This set of scriptures defined how he wanted to live.
- Paul was not a man that was puffed up with his position. He did not Lord his authority over the other guys. He did not push his position on people. He was a fellow worker.
- He served this way in good times and when times were tough. He notes here the many trials that came upon him as a result of the Jewish people that rejected his message.
- In Acts 18:12, the Jews rose up against Paul and took him before Gallio. In Acts 20:3, the Jews again plotted against him. He still served the Lord, unwilling to change course.
- He gave what had been given to him, before any audience that would listen.
- He proclaimed it to them, teaching them about the main thing: repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ.
- One thing that I love about certain men that have walked with the Lord for a long time, is that I always catch them doing the same thing that they were doing the last time I was with them.
- Their example to me is the same as Paul's. There is no pretense. No show. They have just discovered what God wants them to do, they have done it and now they are just repeating!
- Paul was not one to exploit his greatness, commend his own creativity or give credit to his own flesh.
- Turn with me to Micah 6. Micah is writing about a mock trial between the people of Judah and God. Micah says, "What shall I bring to this God?"
• Micah 6:8 : "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?"
- Paul was a man who lived like this. No wonder he said, "Imitate me as I imitate Christ." Let us desire to do the same.

II. He Gave Complete Counsel (v.22-32)

• Acts 20:22-25 : "And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more." : Paul tells the elders of this church, "I'm going and every step that I take from here will be one marked with new sufferings." Paul would be imprisoned and face tribulations. These would be his course.
- This is a man whose walk with God began with this knowledge! Turn with me to Acts 9.
• Acts 9:15,16 : "But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.'"
- Paul always knew that this was his course. He tells the elders that this knowledge does not "move him." Note this: The chains, the tribulations, the heaviness are not great enough motivating factors to make him alter his course! What a phenomenol statement!
- In our world today if a man has a headache and a hang nail, that might be enough to stop him from coming to church!
- Paul tells these boys, neither tribulation, trouble or thought of my own life will keep me from what truly motivates me, namely that he finish the race.
- Guys, do you hear this man's heart? Do you wonder what it takes to be a man of God? Do you want to be a man of impact? If you would be, your heart says a hearty AMEN to Paul's words!
- Paul is going to preach and testify, just as he has always done. He is able to move on because of what he says next because of what he says next.
• Acts 20:26,27 : "Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God."
- Since Paul is leaving them and will not be seeing them again, Paul declares what is the "safety" position of anybody's ministry.
- Paul leaves these men in the best possible position. He has left them as equipped as possible by not failing to declare the whole counsel of God.
- The word "counsel," as I understand it, is to declare all of God's purpose for them, especially in context, the purpose of God in the matters of salvation.
- Remember that at this time, there was less organization when it came to the church. This led to a much more "outreach" focused group of people, so Paul's focus would naturally be on the gospel.
- That was the struggle of their time. Leaving their context for just a moment, this verse remains one of the foundational points for all Pastors and a personal one for me.
- I want to, in the time that I have, to declare to you the whole counsel of God. I don't want to give you my opinion or simply share out of the abundance of my heart.
- It's my job to give you God's heart! It's my duty to give you all of God's counsel that I can. For the first century church though, this was a matter of great consequence.
- From verses 28 and following, Paul tells them about false teachers, both from outside of the church as well as from the inside. These will be men that will not spare the flock of God.
- As the church grew, this became more and more of a concern. Consider this: Most of the books of the New Testament were composed in the 50's and 60's.
- From the mid-60's on, of the 9 books that are written 6 of them deal with false teachers, apostasy or anti-Christ spirits! Two-thirds of the final books contain at least a chapter devoted to that.
- Turn with me to Jude. Historically, most scholars have this book written in the same year as Paul's martyrdom. Listen to Jude's opening.
• Jude 3,4 : "Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ."
- Jude wanted to take up the theme of salvation, just like Paul had. Instead, the times dictated a much different message because of the presence of falsehood.
- Considering that this would be the case, some 14 years earler, Paul tells the Ephesian elders that this was the tide that was coming. What is the cure? What should they do?
• Acts 20:32 : "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified."
- Do you want to be safe? Run into God's Word. Why? Because it is able to build you up.
- Some recommend that we study every cult, all of their arguments and every one of their statements. Paul says no! He commends them to the word of His grace!
- Turn with me to Romans 16. Paul, speaking about this same topic, says,
• Romans 16:19,20 : "For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."

III. He Did Not Covet Riches (v.33-35)

• Acts 20:33-35 : "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" : Paul was dedicated to the work of the Word, both in and out of the church. He gave complete counsel and commended the Word.
- Here we learn that he did so from his own resource.
- Paul was not out to profit from the gospel. He was not looking to drive the nicest car or wear the best clothes.
- Already at this early time in church history, there were men who were beginning to see monetary value in the gospel. You will recall Simon the Magician who offered to buy Peter's power!
- Paul reminds them that he was not a burden to any of them financially. Paul launches into a full explanation of his decision not to receive even a salary from the ministry in I Corinthians 9.
- In Paul's words, there is a rebuke against greed and an exhortation that when possible, the use of any funds received, is to be made available to those who are weak.
- Paul labored like this and supported the weak theologically. He preached to them. He gave them of the riches of Christ.
- It was also true that he labored in this way to help support those who were with him. He showed them that this was the way to live out their ministries.
- Turn with me to Philippians 4. We have looked at these verses before, but in our society, their repetition is very necessary.
• Philippians 4:11,12 : "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."
- What a diametric difference in the message of today, which is often that the gospel will give you all that you need and want! Paul's message was the opposite. "What I've gained I've gained to give away!"
- What I have is yours. Paul understands that God has given TO him, so that He might now give THROUGH him!
- God would now support the weak through Paul's work, Paul affirming the words of the Lord, that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
- Where did Jesus say this? We understand that Jesus said and did a lot more than was written, but here, Paul gives us this little nugget that is more than a matronly admonition.
- This is the very heart of God and Paul is tapped in. He knows that the way to be blessed is to be a blessing! He knows that if he wants to receive, he will give away.
- He knows that if he loses his life for the sake of Christ, then and only then, will he find it!

Conclusion

- Paul was dedicated to the Work of the Word, consistently modeling this in humility.
- Paul was dedicated to giving the fruit of the Word in it's totality, not skipping anything.
- Finally, Paul was dedicated to living out the Word, looking to others over and above himself.