ACTS 21:26-40 WHEN YOU PURPOSE TO DO GODS WILL2023 Teaching by Jerry B Simmons

Teaching Transcript: Acts 21:26-40 When You Purpose To Do Gods Will

This morning, as we look at Acts, no, this evening, this evening, as we look at Acts Chapter 21, I've titled The Message. When you purpose to do God's will, it's of course something we should purpose to do. God's will is important for us to pursue. It's part of the prayer, right that the Lord taught us to pray. That the will of God would be done on Earth as it is in heaven, and that we would be part of that in pursuing what God wants and what he wants us to be involved with. The way that he wants us to conduct ourselves. And so we ought to be pursuing the will. Will of God not trying to get God to agree with and pursue our will right? But switching it around just as Jesus did in the garden of Gethsemane, saying not my will be done, but your will be done following the example of Jesus pursuing the will of God. But we also need to understand as we pursue the will of God and seek to do what it is that God wants us to do well, there's some things that may take place. There's some things that we might be involved in. There's some things that may happen that. May not be in our mind when we decide. Yes, I want to pursue God's will. Sometimes we have a little bit of a fantasy in our head that I desire and I make a decision to pursue God's will and then everything goes great and just things fall into place and miracles happen every day and several times throughout the day. And we need to understand. And looking here at the example of the. Apostle Paul. We can be reminded. Yes, we do want to. We need to pursue. The will of. God and we need a purpose to do what it is that he wants us to do. But we need to count the cost. Remember, Jesus taught that right. He if you want to follow me, make sure you count the cost. Don't just try to build the tower without calculating what's going to cost. First, understand Purposing to do God's will pursuing. What it is that he wants? Well, you need to count the cost as you endeavor to do that as you make that decision. To do that, the apostle Paul was determined to fulfill the will of God. He was determined to fulfill the ministry that was given to him and so here, as we look at the apostle Paul, he really is a great example for us and he sets before us an example for us to consider that we might understand what might be involved. When we follow that example, the example of. Jesus, the example of Paul. Now we're kind of jumping into the middle of a chapter, the middle of a passage. As we begin looking at this. And so I want to back up a little bit and just kind of talk through a little bit of the context to set the stage for the things that we need to consider this evening here in Acts chapter 21, we are at the tail end of Paul's third. Missionary journey. And so this is really the the conclusion of that trip. And as he was going around, you might remember from some of the letters he was collecting a donation that was going to be given to the Saints in Jerusalem. And so that was going on and and and there was this. Urgency that he had to get to Jerusalem towards the tail end of it in this missionary journey he hit hit a lot of places. There's a quick map of the journey that he took. He left out of Antioch there, north of Israel, and went through all of Asia Minor, Galicia. All of those regions. But he spent three years in Ephesus, the majority of the time was in Ephesus. There he really establishes the. Search and we got to kind of see a little bit of follow up to that with Paul's letter to Timothy with Roman on Sunday morning. And so good stuff there. And and then as he's there in Ephesus, there's a riot that breaks out. And so he moves on, he goes and hits a few more regions. But then he really sets his eyes back to. Jerusalem and you can see as you follow along in the the chapters there 19 through 21. Paul is making his way. He's making haste to get to Jerusalem. As soon as he can. He's trying to make it there before the feast of Pentecost. And so as you follow along with Paul on that missionary journey, you can understand that for Paul, his understanding of the will of God meant he needed. To get to Jerusalem at this point, and so he set his eyes on that. He fixed his mindset towards that. But what's interesting is you walk through these chapters. Not everyone agreed with the apostle Paul that that was God's will for him. For Paul, he was convinced that's God's will for me. But along the way, he's encountering other believers who do not see it the same way. And so here we get a little bit of a an example of handling apparent differences between believers and sometimes even in the scriptures themselves. And so I want to kind of walk backwards a little bit through. The disagreements here and and and help us consider where Paul's at in his purpose to do the will of God. Acts chapter 21 verses 10 through 14 record for us a prophet named Agavis as Paul's on his way down. He's making these different stops and as he is in one place, agavis the Prophet comes. He is a prophet who has prophesied previously, and the word that he shared was fulfilled. Known to be an instrument of the Lord. And so when he comes and Paul's there, hanging out with the disciples, verse 11 tells us that he takes Paul's belt. He bound his hands and his feet, and he said thus says the Holy Spirit. So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And so the prophecy is given forth now by Agavis. Paul, the owner of the belt, would be bound. Hand and foot. By the Jewish people and turned over to the Gentiles. That's what the Holy Spirit says. And then listen to what the people say in verse 12 when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. We hear what the Holy Spirit has said to the apostle Paul and foretold what is going to happen. And so the people said, No, Paul, don't go to Jerusalem. But Paul is. Purpose in his heart, he's determined. I am going to do the will of God and this is God. 's will for me. In verse 14 it tells us after they've argued for a little bit, they say well. The will of the Lord be done. Well, since I'm willing to die for the Lord being bound and changed, that doesn't scare me. I'm willing to die to fulfill the path that God has set me on. And as they realize that he will not change his mind, they hand it over to the Lord and say the will. Of the Lord be done. But this was it the first time this kind of thing happened earlier in Acts Chapter 21 and verse four, they were up, I think, in the area of tire and verse four, and says in finding disciples we see there's seven days. They told Paul through the spirit not to go up to Jerusalem and so. Prior to the Prophet Agavis, he was there with another group of disciples, and there the disciples were pleading with Paul. It says through the spirit not to go to Jerusalem. And so here you have Paul's dead set determined. God wants me to go to Jerusalem. I'm going to go to Jerusalem no matter what. It costs me. And the people around him, as he's making these stops along the way are saying, please don't go to Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit is moving. There's words of prophecy being given. And the people are saying, Paul, we think God's will for you. Is different than. You think God's will is for you? Hey Richard, I have some cough drops on the back row there if if that helps. In Acts chapter 20, rewinding back a little bit still part of the third missionary journey still, Paul making his way towards Jerusalem, Acts chapter 20, verse 22. Paul tells the Ephesian elders at that time 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. And So what we see in Acts chapter 21, those two examples of the Holy Spirit speaking and people pleading with Paul not to go to Jerusalem. That wasn't the first time it happened, leading up to that, even before that, long before that. And Ephesians, I'm sorry in next Chapter 20, as Paul's talking to the Ephesian elders. He says this is what's been happening everywhere I go. People have been testifying. The Holy Spirit has been testifying that chains and tribulation await me in Jerusalem. But even though chains and tribulation await me Acts 2022, he says, I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem. That's what's ahead for me. I know it's going to be. I know there's going to be difficulty. I know there's going. To be affliction. But I'm bound in. The spirit. I'm determined to do what God has called me to do, and that gives us Acts, chapter 20, verse 24, Paul says. 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. It doesn't matter if. Teams await me or death awaits me. None of that moves me. I have to finish what God called me to do. And everywhere he goes, every city he goes, the Holy Spirit. Is speaking through the disciples that as they gather chains and tribulations away, and so we see that of course, in Chapter 21 with the disciples attire with Agabus. But backing up still a little bit further Acts chapter 19, verse 21. It says when these things were accomplished. Paul purpose in the spirit. When he had passed through Macedonia and a Ki to go to Jerusalem, saying after I have been there, I must also see Rome. We see the root of Paul's. Determination here in Acts chapter 19, verse 21. He's there in Ephesus, he's ministering. He's been there for some time, that there's about to be a right and he's gonna, you know, head out and and start. To make his way back. But even before all those events unfold, it says he purpose in. The spirit. There was a word from the Lord for the apostle Paul, and he knew in his heart the Holy Spirit ministered to him directly. He needed to go to Jerusalem, and then he would go to Rome. He purposed in his spirit. And Acts chapter 19. Go to Jerusalem, then go to Rome and then as he went from there out of Ephesus, into the all of the different stops and ports all along the way. His purpose is already set. I'm going to Jerusalem and. Then to Rome and. Then all along the way, the Holy Spirit is prompting disciples to speak up and say a word from the Lord chains. Contribution await you, and Paul says that doesn't move me. I've purposed in the spirit. I know God's will for me, and I'm going to do it. I'm determined to do what God told me to do. So even in Acts, chapter 20, verse 4. Or 21 verse four. When the disciples at Tyre. Say please don't go to Jerusalem. Paul says that's OK. I understand. Yes, it's going to be difficult when Agavis says you're going to be bound and gives this dramatic illustration, Paul says. Why are you guys trying to? Make me cry. I'm determined. I'm going to do. What God has called me to do? Now as you walk through the events of our versus today, you can see well, apparently it was a bad outcome. There's riots. The Jews almost murder Paul. He's going to be in prison for for many years after this point. He's going to be sent to Rome. But as a prisoner and retained in a Roman prison for some time. It seems like an apparently bad outcome, and of course, looking on the outward without understanding the things of the spirit, we could say that was a bad decision. Paul, all of those people who counseled you all along the way, they were right. You should have never went to Jerusalem. That's not the way that we are called to evaluate things. We are not called to walk by sight, but to walk by faith. And understand that even through the what you might classify as a horrible outcome. The Lord is working something incredible. When you purpose. To do God's will. And you need to understand there has to be that purpose and you need to understand that even people around you believers might. Disagree might have a different perspective, might have a different stance, might think that God's will for you is something different, but you need to learn to hear from the Holy Spirit and to know what God wants you to do. And then you need the purpose in your heart. You need to be determined because there will be. There will be conflicts, there will be difficulty. There will be other opinions and other ideas. And you need to be. Steadfast and immovable and abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that it's not in vain. And that's where Paul's heart was. He was determined to fulfill the will of God. And so that sets the stage for our chapter, our passage tonight. These verses tonight. And as we walk through these, looking at the example of the apostle Paul. Understanding his purpose to do God's will, we want to walk through 4 scenarios. 4 things that might also take place for you as you purpose to do the will of God. When you're determined to fulfill the path that God has. Set for you. You need to understand what it might involve, and so walking through this, we're going to start in just verse 26 for point #1 and that is you might do the unnecessary. To show people love. When you purpose to do the will of God. One thing that that might mean, one kind of practical way that might be expressed in your life, is sometimes doing things that are unnecessary. As an expression of love. To the people that God has set. There around you, verse 26 says this. Then Paul took them in, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification. At which time an offering should be made for each one of them. Again, here in verse 26, we're kind of jumping right in the middle. So hopefully you've been reading along. If not, you can back up a little. Bit there in Acts. Chapter 21 and see what was happening. But. To summarize it here, Paul is. Taking a nazarite vow with a few other guys. The Nazarite vow is recorded for us. The details about it, the guidance for it in numbers, Chapter 6. It was a vow of dedication to the Lord it was dedicating and devoting a certain amount of time to the Lord and the the time could be any amount of time that the worshipper specified. So it was just like not a required set amount. It was whatever was on your heart. In devoting some special time and special service to the Lord, you would make this nazarite vow, and there was protocol that you had to follow and in walking through that. And so here's a few guys that are there with Paul and they have devoted this next seven days in this nazarite vow to the Lord. It was to be a special time of dedication, of walking with the Lord, focusing on the Lord, spending time with the Lord. This wasn't the first time that Paul has done this. We can assume he's probably done it many. Times in his. But we also have it recorded for us at the end of his second missionary journey in Acts, chapter 18, verse 18. It talks about him cutting off his hair because he had taken a vow. And that was part of the Nazarite vow that cut off your hair and and then to let it grow back naturally. And then you would cut it off at the end of the time period of your vow to kind of feel that dedication, that time that had been. Dedicated to the Lord. And so it's interesting. At the end of his second missionary journey. He has this dedicated time, this Nazareth value, that he takes now at the end of his. 3rd missionary journey. He's doing that again, this time with four other guys. Now, why with these other guys and and what's going on here? Well, the situation is as Paul comes to Jerusalem, the elders of the church at Jerusalem are a little bit concerned. They're realizing this is a bit of a tricky situation as Paul comes into town, he meets with the elders and they're rejoicing as the testimonies are being given about all the things that God has done through Paul's ministry and and so they celebrate that they're. They're fully on board and support of the apostle Paul. But they're also looking out at their congregation there in Jerusalem. And they're saying, you know, Paul. We we anticipate some tension here because a lot of the Jews have been saved. They believed in Jesus. But there's this very stubborn tradition of Judaism that they've known all their lives that they just not let go of. There's there's some things that many of the congregation are still wrestling with from from their upbringing and and their heritage and all that they've known. And on top of that, there are lies being told about you and it it's it's well known these lies that that people are saying that you are against. The customs of the Jewish people and you're against it and and you preach against the things that these people hold dear. And so, Paul says. Not Paul. The elders tell Paul. We have an idea. How about you take a nazarite vow with? These guys who are ready to do the same. And in doing so, you will show everybody that you are not completely opposed to the customs of Judaism, that you're not completely opposed to the things that have been previously revealed, that that maybe we can kind of build some bridges and. Resolve some of the lies that have been told by you engaging in this nazarite vow with these guys. You can pay their expenses because there was the time for them to be provided for in that dedicated time, and then there was the offerings that would be offered at the end and the conclusion of the time. And so so just engage with this, Paul. This is our idea. The elders say and. Then you'll be able to kind of show everyone that these lies being told about you are not true. So that was the plan of the elders. That's what they presented to Paul as you read through the passage, you can see the plan goes horribly. But still, Paul was willing to do it. He said, you know, OK, I'll do that and and you can read lots of different, you know, commentaries and hear lots of different teachings about this and people kind of take different sides on whether or not this was a good plan, whether or not Paul should have went along with it, whether or not Paul was compromising. I don't think Paul was compromising at all. Paul was willing to do because this is what he did in approaching opportunities to Minister. He lists that or explains that for us in First Corinthians Chapter 9. Paul says I'm free. From all men. Yet I've made myself a servant to all that I might win, the more. And to the Jews, I became as a Jew that I might win Jews to those who are under the laws, under the law, that I might win, those who are. Under the law. To those who are without law, as without law, not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ, that I might win, those who are without law to the weak, I became his weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Paul explains here the method of his ministry, his approach to ministry. Which explains fully his willingness to participate in. This nazarite vow. In the standpoint of his necessity to do this, to be right with God, or be pleasing to God, it was unnecessary. The Nazarite vow was completely voluntary, never required except for the case of Samson. It was completely voluntary. He didn't need to do this to make up for some failure on his part. This was just a voluntary act of worship. So why did Paul do this? Well, hopefully because he wanted to make a voluntary act of worship. But along with that, he was willing. To say you. Know this is really important to the Jewish people, the Jewish Christians. They're new in the faith, they've they've got a lot of growing to do. They've still got some hangups on some of the the law that they've not really understood the the full expense expanse of the gospel and its reach to their hearts. I'm willing. To behave as if I'm under the law for those who need that kind of example, and for those who need that kind of relationship. Now when I go. To the Greeks. Going to Asia Minor, I'm in Ephesus. I don't operate primarily as a Jewish person because the people there don't understand that they don't relate to that. I'm not going to quote to them from the Torah, you know, in order to try to reach them with the gospel, I'm going to change up my approach and my relationship to them and bring to them. But they can understand and relate to them in a way that they can understand and receive the gospel message that I want to share with them and and when I'm around those who are weak. I'll become weak. I'll relate to them. I'll show compassion and empathy and relate to them in my own weaknesses and and and be able to work with them. Restraining myself. In ways that I know are not necessary but to show love, to demonstrate love, and to build a connection with them. I'm willing. To do that. This was Paul's approach. To doing the will of God as he purposed to do the will of God he understood. There's some things that people are going to want me to do that are unnecessary. Sometimes silly. But because my overall mission is to reach them. With the gospel to help draw them forward in the things of God. I'm willing to do some things that are unnecessary. I think. If we would take the time to consider it, there's. Plenty of examples that we could understand in our lives. Sometimes we're around family. Maybe it's from a Catholic background, some unnecessary things. That are kind of expected and that doesn't mean that you have to be religious and ritual and practicing rituals and all of that, but at the same time. It's appropriate for us to consider. If I make the sign of the cross. Does that build a bridge? It's not changing my worship. It's not changing what I do. I would think about it this way, it's. Like when you go to someone's house. And you kind of pick up, you understand? Oh, this is kind of house where you take. Off your shoes as you enter in. Just as a sign of respect as a method of, you know, being loving to the person that is there, you take off your shoes as you enter in. Now you could look at them. And say listen you. Have tile. This is a stupid rule that you have. I disagree with it. I refuse to take off my shoes. Or you could say I have holes in my socks and I'm. Embarrassed. So I'm. Not gonna take off my shoes because I'd rather me not be embarrassed. Than you not be offended. Well, out of love and respect, we honor. Oh, OK. I I I will take off my shoes. Oh, you want me to put on my shoes in your house? OK, I'll put on my shoes in your house. Neither one has any impact on my salvation or how well my day's going to go. If I insist that you call me. Jedi master Jerry. Saying that jokingly, but also understanding that there are those who. Insist that you. Call them things that are just fantasy. And yeah, you could tell them you're stupid for wanting. To be called that. Or maybe. Maybe there's an unnecessary thing that you need to do. In order. To express love and to have an opportunity to Minister. Paul went through this as well. In the situation of me being sacrificed to idols. First Corinthians deals with that pretty extensively. There was this battle over. Can we eat meat that sacrificed to idols? And Paul made the point there. Yes, we know those false idols that are being sacrificed too are nothing. And so there is no spiritual impact of eating meat that's sacrificed to idols. However, there are people that have that so bounded. Their heart, they they're not free from that, that deception. And so it really impActs them when they see you do that. And so, he says, look, if that's the. Case never eat meat. In their presence? Never, never flaunt that in front of them. Never eat meat again, Paul says. If it's going to cause them to stumble. They're going to abandon the faith because of your behavior, your insistence on doing whatever you want to do because you have the freedom to do it. That's not loving. And so this love for people as we purpose to do the will of God is going to include. Sometimes where we do things that are we know it's unnecessary, but other people see it as so necessary and to them it's important. And so we. Don't do it because it's important to us. We do. It because it's important to them and we. Want to maintain the opportunity? To be an influence. Now, I'm not suggesting that we compromise and that we violate the clear word of God. OK, that's that's a different thing. But at the same time, sometimes we can be so stubborn in our insistence on being what's being right or doing what we want to do, or calling out the stupidity and deception. And, you know, fantasies. Of the world around us that we just cut off everybody and and it's really hard to have an influence and to build a relationship and to share the love of Christ when you're just pointing at people and laughing and telling them how stupid they are for the things that they do and the things that they. On to can't believe you still pray before you eat. You know what a dummy? You don't have to do that you can eat your food anytime. You want to you have to pray first. That's true. You don't have to pray, but oh man, we're so religious. Many times we're like.

Pray it's right eating.

And it's really awkward. At the team, because everybody's looking at this guy was eating and then we didn't pray yet. Yeah, you don't have to. It's not a law. But at the same time. You might want to read the. Room get a. Sense for what is important to the people that you're around. So that you. Can sometimes do what's. Sometimes you can restrain your freedoms and restrain yourself. To become a Jew, to minister to the Jews, to become weak, to minister to the weak, to become as those without law. But Paul makes the point there in the screen design. Not that I'm actually without law. Not that I'm. Violating the law of God. But I just I don't quote from it the same way. I I don't argue from it the same way I I relate to it differently to those who don't have that relationship. With the word of the Lord. And so when you purpose to do God's will understand, you might do unnecessary things. There might be occasion an opportunity for you. To do things that you know they don't actually change your relationship to God, your status before him, they don't actually change anything meaningful but. Because it's important to you. I will honor that. So that I can have the continued opportunity to Minister to you. Moving on to verses 27 through 29, we get point #2 and that is people may be offended by your associations. Listen when you purpose to do God's will. Not everybody is going to be happy with it, and not everybody is going to be happy with what it means in your life when you are determined to do what God. Wants you to do. Let's look at verses 27 through 29. That is. Now, in 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 in this place, and furthermore he's 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. As Paul is walking through this seven days. Of this nazarite vow. It required him to be close. He was there at the temple. Regularly during that time. And that seven days, it says, was almost ended. He almost made it through the whole nazarite vow without an issue. But then right there, towards the end. The Jews from Asia saw him. Now Asia is not Asia of the continent, it's Asia Minor, which is where Paul spent a lot of time. Ephesus is in the region of Asia. That's being referred to here. And the Jews from Asia are there in Jerusalem because it is there the the feast of Pentecost. And so they've gone back to Jerusalem to celebrate this feast. These are unbelieving Jews. They're they don't believe in Jesus. They were against Paul in Ephesus. And now here they are in Jerusalem, and they stumble upon. The apostle Paul. Now, Jerusalem would have been packed during this time. Again, it was right near the feast, and so there was a lot of people there. So not a surprise that Paul could go quite a few days without being seen by them. But here the Jews from Asia, Asia spot him. They didn't like Paul there and so. They stir up the crowd here. This is the man who teaches against. The people of Israel. This is the man who teaches against the law and against the temple. That's what they claimed. And these were all false accusations. Paul did speak about the Jewish people and the temple and the law to the Gentiles, making it clear that they did not have to become Jews and follow the law and worship at the temple in order to be saved. That salvation was by faith in Jesus Christ and that alone. So Paul did speak and teach a deliverance from Judaism for the Gentiles, but he didn't speak against Jerusalem against Judah or or Judaism against the law or against the temple, just that that was not a necessary component to salvation to being born again. A new life that could be found in Christ Jesus, and so these Jews from Asia who don't like Paul, they stir up the crowd, throwing out all of these false accusations. And the last accusation that they give. Is that he brought Greeks into the temple? Now there is a strong. Understanding of the Jewish people that no gentiles were allowed into the temple courtyard. There was a place where they were allowed to the courtyard of the Gentiles, but but there was a divider there where only Jewish people could enter in. And there was a sign on that divider. The sign on the wall. Warned everybody, no foreigner may enter within the barricade which surrounds the sanctuary and enclosure. Anyone who has caught so doing will have himself to blame for his ensuing death. If you pass this line, you're dead. Just be warned. Right now we have no trespassing signs around here, right? But they're not quite this serious. They were serious about. It and they have acted on it previously. If Gentiles entered in. They would do their best to execute immediately as soon as possible, and so this accusation was a serious accusation. Saying that Paul had brought Greeks gentiles into the temple and defiled the holy Place. But what's interesting is verse 29 explains to us. The supposed. That this was the case. Because they had previously seen trophimus the Ephesian with him. Now these were Jews from Asia, probably around Ephesus. They knew Paul as he was there in Ephesus. They knew Trophimus also from the, and so they saw him around the city. They recognized him. But when they saw Paul in the temple, they figured Trophimus must be with him. He supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. We've seen many times already how the Jews felt about association with the Gentiles, even with Peter in Acts Chapter 10 when Cornelius calls him by the leading of the Lord. Peter says, hey, guys, you know. Being a good Jew, I've never entered into the home of a Gentile before. I'm not supposed to do that except for the Lord has just shown me. I'm not to call unclean what the Lord has claims that there are no unclean people I need to. Reach everybody with the gospel. But Peter's transformation was not revelation from the Lord, the Jewish people. Still had this strong bias. Against any kind of association. Between Jews and Gentiles. And so they were offended. That Paul would associate. With trophimus. And they were especially offended at the thought of Paul bringing Trophimus into. The temple area. This might happen. Remember that Peter. Paul talks about this in Galatians. He was hanging out with the Gentiles. At the church. But when other Jews from Jerusalem came. Peter kind of backed away a little bit. He wouldn't have meals with the Gentiles anymore because the other Jews from. Jerusalem were there. There was some intimidation there, there. They're going to be offended if I continue this pattern. I know I'm free. I have the freedom to have this kind of association and fellowship with the Gentiles, but. In fear of. Jewish believers from Jerusalem, Peter withdrew and Paul called him out on it and said, look, you can't be doing that. That's not right. It's hypocrisy. Sometimes we can be more like Peter than Paul. Where we. Are concerned about. The offense. That people might have what the appearance might look like. But you need to understand that when you. Are purposing to do the will of God. God may call you to associate with people to hang out with, people, to love people. That your friends. Don't want you to associate with and don't want you to express any kind of love with that. Perhaps your family doesn't want you to spend anytime with or care about or engage with. You have to purpose to do. The will of God. Because sometimes there's going to be. People around you who don't understand why on Earth would you ever spend even 5 minutes with that person with those people? Again, I'm not suggesting that we violate clear commands in Scripture. At the same time, we have to be careful that we're not so religious that that we're not willing. To pursue. God's will for us. And God's always breaking down barriers. To meet with people. The the. The barriers that we always. Raise up. We always wall ourselves off from other kinds of peoples and other types of nationalities or other types of social classes or other type of people groups and and there's there's always those barriers that as humans we build. And so there there's always segregation, there's always this kind of separation. There's always these kinds of things. In our society. Which means that as believers as we pursue the will of God, when God wants to break down barriers and take us beyond those boundaries that have been set again, not biblical boundaries, but. Social boundaries. There there's gonna be. People who don't like that who get upset and offended by it, Jesus experienced this. Remember in Luke Chapter 7. When the woman. Broke the alabaster flask and she was. Anointing Jesus and weeping and washing his feet with her hair. The religious leaders, the hosts who had invited Jesus over, he was offended by this. How could Jesus? Clearly Jesus must not be a prophet, he must not be of God because he is associating with this woman. He's letting her touch his feet. Must not be from God clear bias against not because she was Gentile. But because. Of her sinfulness. He was offended. But Jesus wasn't he was demonstrating the heart of. And new Chapter 19 with the account of Zachias. We see it again. Jesus says that he is. I'm going to your house. I'm gonna have dinner at your house. Get out of the tree. Let's go. And it says that. They all complained he's gone to be a guest with a man who is a Sinner. How could Jesus hang out with somebody like that? Someone as bad as that? Someone who? Is that kind of way? Has that occupation? How could Jesus associate and they were offended. But Luke chapter 19, verse 10, Jesus makes the point. The son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. His mission wasn't to go hang out with. People who had it all together and knew everything and you know. Had no problems. His mission was to break beyond those social boundaries. To find the lost and minister to them. Listen, when you purpose to do God's will. There will be some people around you in your life and the church perhaps. As you respond to what God puts upon your heart. They may be offended by your associations. Again, just to be clear, I'm not suggesting. We violate the word of God. At the same time, we need to be willing. To violate social norms, sometimes cultural norms, sometimes to go beyond. The gang boundaries, the social boundaries, the the things that have been put there by humanity. To demonstrate love. To people that God wants to reach well, #3 moving on to verses 30 through 36. We get this point. You will love people that want to hurt you. When you purpose to do God's will understand. You are going to love people who don't love you and want. To hurt you, verse 30, we see this play out 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. Now, as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the Garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. So the Jews from Asia are successful stirring up a riot. They say men of Israel help. And the people there around helped. And they attack the apostle Paul. The whole city is disturbed and says together they seize him. They drag him out of the temple. They shut the doors of the gates. And it tells us in verse 30. One that they are seeking to kill him. How do you picture the scene? Angry men. Wanting to kill Paul? Not theoretically. I wish I could. I just don't have the opportunity. No, I want him dead. And here he is. And we have the opportunity. This was an incredibly violent scene. They are seeking to kill him, not to prosecute him, but to execute him right now on the spot. Is that how you picture it? How do you? Picture Paul in this. To picture him OK guys. Here I am. Go ahead. Beat me to death. How do you picture the guys that Paul's with in the Nazarite vow that he's taken with them? There's a brawl going on. There is a fight, there is a battle. In this violence that is going on and and it is so violent, it's such an uproar. It tells us that the commander of the Garrison was notified. In verse 32, immediately he took soldiers and Centurions and ran down to them, and when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul again. They were in the act. They were trying to kill him. They were trying to put him to death, to beat him to death right then. But the commander intervenes now. That happens because understand a little bit of the geography here, the fortress of Antonio is up there at the top. It is attached to the Temple Mount. And so the temple there, that's in the area in the middle, you know, that was where the temple was, the outer part of that was the courtyard. There was a boundary there that's not really reflected here, but but there was a the courtyard and then there was the outer courtyard. And so they dragged Paul to the outer courtyard. So for the commander to get there, all he has to do is just go. Down the steps. This is basically happening in his backyard. So this isn't, you know, 20 minutes later the police show up and stop the fight. They are trying to kill Paul right now. This is all happening in moments. And the uproar stirs up so fast. The soldiers are able to get there quickly cause all they gotta do is run down the steps and as they run down the steps because they were right there at hand because the fortress of Antonio was right there connected to the Temple Mount, they're able to intervene to put a stop. To this murder that's about to take place. Verse 33. The commander came near and took him and commanded him to be bound with two chains. He asked who he was and what he had done. The commander rushes in. He has no idea what's going on. No idea any background. He thinks he's an Egyptian who led a revolt. As we'll see in a couple verses down, but he's first of all, soliciting the crowd. Who is this guy? Verse 34 some among the multitude cried one thing, some another, when he could not ascertain the truth because of the two mult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks, but notice 1st 35 when he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers. Because of the violence of the mob, they haven't given up, even though the soldiers are there. The soldiers had to physically carry Paul. Again, they're pushing back the crowds pushing the soldiers are pushing back. They're threatening that there's great violence happening here against Paul. As the multitude cries out away. With him in verse 36. But in just a moment, Paul is going to say he. Commander, would you mind if I speak to these people? These people that have. Literally just been punching me in the face and kicking me in the gut and trying to crush my head and kill me on the spot right here. Can I? Can I talk to them? Do you mind? Paul here. Loving people. That want to hurt him. Loving people that want him. Pastor David Guzik says at this moment, when his life was in danger from an angry mob and he was suspected of being a dangerous criminal, Paul had one thing on his mind. Let me preach the gospel. Here's my chance. To love to minister. To this crowd. Well, finally point #4 verses 37 through 40, you will speak in a language people understand, verse 37 says. Then, as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander. May I speak to you? He replied. Can. You speak Greek? Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the 4000 assassins into the wilderness? Paul, somehow in the midst of this beating and this violent attempt. At his life. Has enough presence of mind to begin to have a conversation with the commander. Speak to you, Paul says to the commander. And the commander surprised that he could speak Greek because the commander is thinking he's this Egyptian guy who had led her. Revolt that he just kind. Of jumped to some conclusions there as he rushed in to to pull Paul. Out of the mob. He's surprised, Paul explains no verse 39. I'm a Jew from Tarsus. I'm not from a small city, I'm from a a very important city in the Roman Empire. I implore you, permit me to speak to the people. And so he speaks to the commander in Greek, which the commander can understand. He gives him credentials which the commander respects. I'm a Roman citizen from this place and a very important place. I I have status please. He's cashing in on. His rights as a Roman citizen. This is a language that the commander understands. Oh, you're a Roman. You're not an Egyptian. You speak Greek. You're from a respected place. Commander says OK. So when he had given him permission, verse 40. Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people, and when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying in Chapter 22. Have the message that Paul gives but notice he changes the language. Now, when he's addressing the crowd that just tried to kill him, he's not speaking Greek. Now he speaks Hebrew. Paul changes his approach. He changes his language. According to the people. That he's interacting with. I know I've made this point recently and many times previously. But I still find it noteworthy. The the burden and the responsibility. Is on us as believers in Jesus. It's on us who purpose to do. God's will. To learn how. To speak to people who need to. Hear from God. The burden is on us. We can't just be settled in our lingo, be settled in. You know the way that we've always described things the way that we've always explained to God or the gospel and and just expect people. To figure out how. To get it. If they don't get it. The burden is on us. To figure out. How to reach people think. About the example of Jesus. Jesus said if you see me, you've seen the father. No one has seen the father at anytime, but if you see me, you've Seen the father, he is. A language that we can understand, a revelation of the father. In the person of Jesus. Christ, God made the effort. We couldn't understand him. We couldn't reach him. We couldn't understand who he is and what he's like. And so we brought forth something we could understand. The word became flesh and dwelt among us. When you purpose to do God's will, it's going to require some effort on your part because. Notice the points that I've put together here for tonight. Now these are not Bible verses, right? They're my points, but I put them together in this way on purpose. When you purpose. To do God's will. Point #1. We're thinking about the people. Point #2. We're thinking about people's point #3. We're thinking about people's point #4. We're thinking about people. What's most important on God's heart? What's the highest priority of God's? Will for us. It it's always going to come back to his love for people. The highest point of God's will for your life is not anything about financial position or a career path or, you know, some victory or some fame. The highest thing, the most important priority in God's will for your life is always gonna come back to you. The people around you, the people that he places in your life, that's what God cares about most, is people. And so when? You purpose to do God's will. Because his. Agenda is to reach people, to save people, to bring redemption to people. Well, his will for you might involve. Some unnecessary things. Things you know you don't have to do things you know that. Yeah, they're kind of just traditions and we don't have to do them. We have to do them that way, but I know it's important to them. I want to have that opportunity. So, OK, I'll do the unnecessary things. To the Jews, I'll become Jew to the Greeks. I'll become like a Greek. I won't violate the word of God. I'm not going to disobey God, but but I'm willing to be flexible in a lot of other areas. So that I can have that opportunity. Because that's God's will. For me to represent him to the people around me. Now that means some people are going to be offended. And I can't live my life scared trying to please everybody. I have to do what God wants me to do, and if that means that some people are offended because I'm associating, I'm spending time with that person, I'm seeking to have a relationship to build a a bridge, to share the gospel with that group. I'm sorry. So be it that you gotta work that out with the Lord. But I need to do what God's called me to. Do and I have to be willing. To cross over those social boundaries, those man-made boundaries that have not been established by the Lord. Because God wants to reach those people. He used Paul to reach the Gentiles. Paul was a natural fit for the Jews because. He was. The Pharisee of Pharisees. But God bridged. And tore down on social boundaries and barriers and people were offended by that. But Paul had determined I'm going to do the will of God. And that means that some people are gonna hurt you. Some people are gonna hate you. Some people are gonna want to see you destroy. But you are to never count them as an enemy because God doesn't count them as an enemy, and the objective is still that they would believe in Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness and be born again. And the redemption of their soul for all eternity far outweighs any temporary hurts. Or pain or anger or hatred that they might bring. When you purpose to do God's will, you will love people that want to hurt you. And you'll speak in a language that they can understand. You'll work hard, but how can I reach them? How can I learn to understand from their eyes how can I speak this in a way that they can understand it? In my workplace, I I feel like I'm doing this a lot. Not in a gospel way necessarily, but in a creative way. I have graphic designers on my team. I have videographers on my team I have. A writer on my team, it's a creative department. And the business side of the company does not understand creatives. They don't understand how they think or what's important to them or what kind of time frame they need or what they value. And I'm there in the middle and I have to help the creatives. Understand what the business side of things are asking for and requiring. And I have to help the business side understand what the creatives need and how they understand things. And like, I'm just constantly translating between them and I have to be deliberate. And focused on that. In a similar way in spiritual things. We need to learn. To be deliberate. And speak a language that people can understand. And sometimes we're saying the same thing. We're just using a completely different vocabulary. And so we think we're fighting. We're yelling at each. Other but we're actually saying the. Same thing if we'll just take some time to understand. The language. That each one is speaking. When you purpose to do God's will, you're going to. You have to figure out and learn how. To reach people in ways that they can understand, because that's what God does. And that's God's heart. And so this evening, I encourage you let Paul be a great example for you and purpose to do God's will understand. Count the. This doesn't mean everybody's going to love you and everything is going to go great all the time and things are just going to be glorious and fun. There's going to be some silly things that you do unnecessary things. There's going to be some people offended. There's going to be some pain that is brought, there's going to be. Some work that is required. But God cares about the people, and when you purpose to do his will. You will care about the people. Too, Lord, we pray that you would help us to have your eyes and your hearts and Lord, this evening we want. To purpose in our hearts, slowly recognize where we can. We can't make grandiose promises for the rest of our lives. But for today, Lord. Or we want your help. To have your hearts, we want it to be determined. To do what you've called us to do, and so would help us to step forward. And fulfill. The path that you've set us upon may we like may we be like Paul? Where where nothing can move us. Threats, pain, difficulty, challenges, sleeplessness, nothing can move us, Lord. What's important? Is that we honor you. And live the life that you've called us to. I pray this in Jesus name.

Amen.