Paul’s shared the Gospel of Jesus with four men; they reflect
four reasons why people ignore the greatest truth for their lives. 

These are the reasons why non-Christians’ refuse Jesus as the Christ and Christians
refuse to let Jesus Christ reign. Don’t allow fear, materialism, pride or the
temporary pleasure of sin keep you from acting on the truth! Truth demands
faith; faith demands action! Conviction must end in commitment!

The word of the Lord comes to give believing men rest . It rolls away the stone from the door of the grave and reveals resurrection, immortality, and eternal life through Jesus Christ, the Saviour. 

The man who will hear the gospel message, and receive it into his soul, shall know the peace of God.

TEXT: ACTS 21-26

SONGS:

YES WE BELIEVE, PAUL BALOCHE

COME YE SINNERS, WORSHIP INITIATIVE

THERE IS A FOUNTAIN, JOURNEY WORSHIP

O COME TO THE ALTER, ELEVATION WORSHIP

Paul had been in the same place as Agrippa. They were doing their own thing regardless of anyone else’s opinion. Paul had been fighting every impulse inside of him; the spirit had been screaming into Paul spirit that this Jesus was the Messiah; I can only imagine the tension tearing him apart at the Stephens stoning. Then the voice, both strange and strangely familiar, coming from the blinding light of Christ’s magnificence hits the apostle right between the eyes. “Who are you, LORD?” Paul says already knowing exactly who it was. “I am Jesus and I have appeared to you so that I might send you to be my witness and my official to the gentiles”. Paul turns to Agrippa, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision”. The question now was for Agrippa, would he obey the calling of the Holy Spirit? Agrippa turns to Paul and says “almost”, “almost you persuade me to be a Christian!”

Oh how tragic to believe but not have room for Jesus. Oh the grace that call the sinner to repent: Paul knew he was unworthy as did Agrippa but our apostle and the king went different directions. How about you, which way will you go?

Those who chose to reject God during their lifetime on earth will be separated from him for eternity. This is not God's desire, but man's own choice. God holds every man accountable for his rejection of Christ.  Billy Graham. 

TEXT: ACTS 26

SONGS:

YES, WE BELIEVE, PAUL BALOCHE

HERE I AM TO WORSHIP, COVER

MERCY, ELEVATION CHURCH

ALMOST PERSUADED, HYMN

It is the same today. Jews are hated and Christians being spiritual Jews follow close behind. We are the enemy of the enemy of God. We worship a living savior who lived righteously, took our penalty and defied death and hell. Our resurrected Savior calls all men everywhere to repent before the great and terrible day of the Lord when Jesus returns. The Lamb of God comes again as the Lion of Judah and will reign over earth as King of Kings from Jerusalem! Amen! Jesus is alive! 

" The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the ground of the believers standing before God and the hinge of the transformed life."

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single greatest event in the history of the world. It is so foundational to Christianity that no one who denies it can be a true Christian...    A person who believes in a Christ who was not raised believes in a powerless Christ, a dead Christ. 

TEXT: ACTS 25:13-27

SONGS:

IS HE WORTHY, CHRIS TOMLIN

JESUS SAVES, PRISCILLA OWENS

LIVING HOPE, ONE CHURCH COVER

I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED, DANIEL WHITTLE

WE BELIEVE,NEWSBOYS

Even in the face of injustice, you can maintain faith and patience. Paul’s trust in God was unwavering despite his wrongful imprisonment. He used his rights wisely to seek justice and fulfill God's purpose, in declaring his citizenship and by appealing to Caesar. We too can be known for a patient endurance, trust in God, the pursuit of justice, and power in being a witness through adversity in the face of injustice. 

Proverbs 29:25 ¶ The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. 26 ¶ Many seek the ruler's favor, But justice for man comes from the LORD. 

–  Martin Luther King Jr. “As my sufferings mounted, I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation — either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into A CREATIVE FORCE!!. I decided to follow the latter course.” 

TEXT: ACTS 25:1-12

SONGS:

WAYMAKER,  LELAND COVER

FIRM FOUNDATION, HE WON'T, CODY CARNES, COVER

FOR HIS GLORY AND MY GOOD, CITY ALIGHT

HOLD THE LINE, JOURNEY WORSHIP

I WON'T BACK DOWN, TOM PETTY

Today we see another trial of sorts to Paul’s faith, just a day after the mock Sanhedrin trial, two days after the mob’s beating him half to death. Where does Paul’s head go when hears this news? Are the words of His Lord, “you must also bear witness at Rome” enough? Watch what God does as the night unfolds: God, by His sovereign protection orders the details of His plan through human effort. Today, we have become witnesses to the complex providence of God. Paul was going to Rome; Christ had said so! He was NOT going to die on the temple mount!  God used Paul’s demeanor, his nephew’s ear and 470 men through the orders of the Roman Commander Claudius Lysias to send His chosen man to a new ministry in the Capital. 

ISAIAH 41: 9-11  I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you.      Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am you God.

I will strengthen you, I will surely help you. I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness. Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish.…

TEXT: ACTS 23:12-23

SONGS:

THE STORY I'LL TELL, LEE PARK WORSHIP

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION, GRACE COMMUNITY

IT IS WELL, BETHEL

HE WILL HOLD ME FAST, PARK CHURCH

 It would appear from the silence of the text that none of the apostles or elders tried to see Paul in the barracks; nor any of his entourage.  His only visitor was a nephew who came with urgency.  We have no prior record of Paul ever having been imprisoned, alone. Can you imagine the tears of anguish for what must have seemed like failure and missed opportunity to share Jesus with his people? Imagine the man we see as a pillar of strength crumbling! How can we stay strong when everything seems to have gone wrong? When our hopes have been cruelly crushed? When disappointment threatens despair? This I know from the text and my own life; it is in our weakest moments that our Lord comes closest: His comforting words caress our trembling aching souls,  yarsew/tharseo, breathe brother, I am right here, be of good cheer, you’re not finished yet!

Christianity is anything but safe. Jesus made it clear that trouble and persecution stood in the future for His followers.” AH BUT….When Jesus is with a man, troubles have lost their power to trouble him.
― Dillon Burroughs

TEXT: ACTS 22:24- Acts 23:11

SONGS:

RAISE A HALLELUJAH, BETHEL COVER

LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS, BIG HOUSE WORSHIP

THE JESUS WAY, PHIL WICKHAM

I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS, BRANDON LAKE

AS FOR ME AND MY HOME, BRANDON LAKE

The Lord had told Paul in a vision close to 30 years earlier, “they won’t hear you in Jerusalem, Paul; 'Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.'”But here he is, drawn once more by his love for his countrymen and the city of David, coupled with his conviction that the gospel should be offered to the Jew first. This Is The Turning Point when all his will, intellect and energy was completely directed to the world’s masses and the best was yet to come!

Alexander Maclaren wrote, “Though bruised and hustled, and having but a minute or two beforehand looked death in the face, he is ready to seize the opportunity to speak a word for his Master... There is nothing more striking in Paul’s character than his self-command and composure in all circumstances. This ship could rise to any wave, and ride in any storm... It is not easy to disturb a man who counts not his life dear if only he may complete his course... 

TEXT: ACTS 21:27-ACTS 22:24

SONGS:

MY TESTIMONY, ELEVATION CHURCH

AMAZING GRACE, LIBERTY WORSHIP COLLECTIVE

MERCY, ELEVATION CHURCH

I SPEAK JESUS, KING'S PORCH

While we may wonder about Paul’s friends and there advice, how should we both give and receive advice.

1. Paul’s friends demonstrated the common inclination of being quick to point out God’s will for someone else’s life.

2. Paul’s friends no doubt meant well but, they were trying to make God’s will conform to theirs.

“To choose to suffer means there is something wrong; to choose God’s will even if it means suffering is a very different thing. No healthy saint ever chooses suffering; he chooses God’s will, as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not.” [Oswald Chambers: My Upmost For His Highest. p. 223]

3. Paul’s friends in urging him not to go to Jerusalem were actually being used by the enemy to discourage him in following the Lord. We have no trouble following the guidance of the Lord, as long as it is leading through blessings and ease. But we cannot imagine God’s will leading us or anyone we love through difficulties or trials. 

The truth is that neither the present nor absence of trouble is an indicator of God’s will.

Acts 21:13  "For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" This was the true spirit of a martyr. 

TEXT: ACTS 21:15-26

SONGS:

TOUCH OF THE MASTERS HAND (THE VIOLIN), WAYNE WATSON

GOODNESS OF GOD, WORSHIP INITIATIVE

NOT MY WILL, LIZZIE MORGAN

MAKE ROOM, COMMUNITY MUSIC

MAJESTY, DELIRIOUS

There are times in life when we alone know what we are supposed to do. In these times you must simply obey. No one can help you. No one can tell you what the right thing is, for either it is too hard a thing or too strange.  Godly friends will sooth your conscience or comfort you with words like “no one will blame you” or “God can handle this”. 

But, in that time, you alone know what your Father would have you do, in that time; it’s just you and your Father. It was in such a time that Paul said ‘none of these things move me’:   my Father will see me finish: I must go!

TEXT: ACTS 21:1-14

VIDEO: MP3, CALVARY BAPTIST COLUMBUS GEORGIA

SONGS:

THE JESUS WAY, PHIL WICKHAM

THE WONDERFUL CROSS, CHRIS TOMLIN, COVER

NOT MY WILL, I SAY YES, LIZZIE MORGAN

I SURRENDER ALL, SALEM ST. LOUIS COVER

THE CAUSE OF CHRIST, RESOLVED WORSHIP TEAM

If Christ’s sacrifice for man’s redemption was greater than we dare imagine, how should we then live? Paul is just one example of total abandonment; one of many witnesses. We will not find God’s approval living our lives seeking pleasure, prosperity or popularity, nor will we find any joy there; our walk in this world must be about eternal glory and the joy of finishing well.   (Pastor Tim)  

Hebrews 12:1,2  ‘In light of ‘so great a cloud of witnesses’ let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith’  

"Paul's life was bound to Christ" accurately reflects the Apostle Paul's radical transformation and total devotion, summarized in his declaration: "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).    His life had Singular Purpose: Paul's purpose became the advancement of the Gospel of Christ .   Every action, every hardship, and every joy was filtered through his mission to glorify Jesus' name.

His commitment led to immense suffering, including imprisonments, beatings, and shipwrecks, yet he endured it all for the sake of Christ, counting his life as nothing compared to finishing his ministry." 

"There is a golden thread that runs through the Bible which can sometimes go unnoticed by some. It involves this road that we travel on. For all God’s children of all generations, the walk of faith that we are engaged in does notoccur in a vacuum, rather it occurs in an onward and upward motion."

TEXT: ACTS 20:13-38

SONGS:

I LIFT MY EYES UP, HOUSE FIRES

BE THOU MY VISION, BOYCE WORSHIP COLLECTIVE

YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST, CITY ALIGHT

THE JESUS WAY/ I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS, COVER

LIVING FOR JESUS, THOMAS O. CHISHOLM