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FRUIT OF FOLLOWING GOD’S WILL (Act 21:10‑15)
03/13/16 Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. REVELATION BY AGABUS (10‑11) A. [10] A prophet by the name of Agabus arrived in Caesarea.
Agabus was the same prophet who prophesied that there would be a great famine
in Act 11:28‑29. 1. On an interesting note, Agabus did not tell the believers how
to handle the impending famine; he simply revealed that there would be a
famine. 2. Prophets do not always reveal instruction
concerning a prophecy. Sometimes they merely reveal a future event. 3. It is in this sense that Act 21:4 can be
interpreted. The prophets revealed the event of Paul’s persecution through
the Spirit, but the instruction forbidding him to go to Jerusalem was most
likely their own (cf. Act 21:10‑15). B. [11] Agabus, in a manner similar to OT prophets, gave his
prophecy through a graphic illustration. 1. Agabus took Paul’s “belt” (zōnę ‑ cloth or
leather band worn around the waist) and bound his “own” (eautou, i.e.
Agabus’) feet and hands. 2. Agabus identified the Holy Spirit as the
source of his prophecy (“the Holy Spirit says” cf. Act 1:16; 28:25; Heb 3:7;
9:8). 3. Similar to the messages of OT prophets
who usedgraphic illustrations, Agabus’ message was a message of impending
suffering and persecution. a) The prophet Ahijah tore his new cloak into twelve pieces
illustrating the division of Israel’s kingdom (1Ki 11:29‑39). b) The prophet Isaiah was instructed to
remove his outer garments and shoes from his feet for three years to
illustrate the humiliation being brought upon Egypt by the Assyrians (Isa
20:2‑6). c) Jeremiah was told to buy a new waistband
and put it in the Euphrates as an illustration of the deterioration of
Judah’s pride (Jer 13:1‑11). 4. Paul was going to be persecuted by the Jews and delivered into
the hands of Gentiles at Jerusalem. This will indeed be fulfilled later in
this chapter (Act 21:27, 31, 33). a) This prophecy about Paul was similar to the prophecy concerning
Christ (Mat 20:19; Mar 10:33). b) However, Agabus’ prophecy was not about
Paul’s death; rather it was about the impending persecution in his ministry. II. REACTION OF THE BRETHREN (12) A. Since Agabus’ prophecy was a familiar theme in Paul’s ministry
already (Act 9:16; 20:23; 21:4), the prophecy was most likely given for the
sake of the church rather than for Paul. This was evidenced by the reaction
of the saints and Paul’s response. B. The reaction came from the “local
residents” at Caesarea as well as from Paul’s companions (“we” included Luke
himself). C. Their reaction was to “beg” (parakaleō
‑ exhort) Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Motivated by the fear for
Paul’s safety, they could not keep silent. D. In all reality, they did not understand
God’s will nor did they did not understand what they were saying and doing to
Paul. Though the reaction of the saints that were with Paul was
understandable and well‑meaning but obviously wrong. III. RESPONSE OF PAUL (13) A. Paul’s response to his companions and the local believers was
an amazing reflection of the apostle’s heart. B. The phrase, “what are you doing?” was a
strong emotional protest by Paul. They were obviously tearing his heart,
testing his loyalty between his God and his beloved companions. C. Those with Paul were not only appealing to
him but they were emotional in their appeal. They were “weeping” which is the
Greek word klaiō and means not only shedding tears, but could
also include any external expression of grief (Mat 26:75; Joh 11:31). D. In essence, they were “breaking his
heart.” The idea of “breaking” (sunthruptō) is to crumble, crush,
or break into pieces. Their weeping appeals were tempting Paul to become
disheartened in determination and weakened in courage. But in the end,
beloved in the Lord or not, he would have none of their emotional appeals. E. For in Paul’s heart of hearts he was ready
not only to be bound, but even die at Jerusalem if it was God’s will. There
was obviously nothing that Paul would not do or nothing he would not endure
for the will, sake, and name of the Lord Jesus. That was the true motive
behind his fearlessness to do God’s will. IV. RESULT OF PAUL’S FEARLESSNESS (14‑15) A. [14] What was the outcome of all of the attempts to persuade
Paul from going to Jerusalem? Paul refused to be persuaded and they could not
persuade him. B. The first result of Paul’s resolve and
fearlessness was they stopped trying to persuade Paul and “fell silent” (hęsuchazō
– be quiet, keep calm). In other words, there was nothing more to be
said. C. The second result was that they committed
the matter to God’s will, “The will of the Lord be done.” In a manner of
speaking, they consigned themselves to the fact that if Paul could not be
persuaded, then it must be God’s will for him to go to Jerusalem. D. [15] The third result was that if it was
God’s will for Paul to go to Jerusalem, and they were his companions, it must
be God’s will for them to go to Jerusalem also. E. If Paul was disobedient in going to
Jerusalem, then his companions with him became disobedient as well. But that
is not the correct way of looking at this event. It was God’s will for Paul
to go to Jerusalem (Act 19:21; 20:22). In fact, the Lord Himself confirmed
that it was His will for Paul to go to Jerusalem (cf. Act 23:11). F. A major result of Paul’s fearlessness in
pursuing God’s will was that it strengthened those around Paul to also do
God’s will. In fact, even more saints joined the missionary entourage (cf.
Act 21:16a). V. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS A. Fearlessness in God’s will 1. In God’s will, Paul was able to obey knowing it was for the
will, sake, and name of the Lord Jesus. 2. In God’s will, Paul was safer in it then
out of it. 3. In God’s will, Paul was wiser to reject
the exhortations of the brethren than to reject God's will. 4. In God’s will, Paul was a better example
to the brethren by rejecting them instead of heeding them. 5. In God's will, God’s will for Paul became
God's will for the brethren. B. Fearlessness of Paul (Php 1:20) 1. Jesus (Mat 16:21‑26; Luk 9:51; Mat 26:51‑54; Heb
12:2) 2. Luther – “on the way to the Diet of
Worms. Spalatin begged Luther not to go on. Luther said: Though devils be as
many in Worms as tiles upon the roofs, yet thither will I go” 3. Anyone who wants to accomplish something
for God must be fearless and undaunted in pursuing God’s will. C. Fearlessness and Prayer 1. In that epistle, he exhorted the
Christians in Rome to pray to God on his behalf. He asked them to pray that
he might be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that his service to the
saints in Jerusalem might be acceptable. And he expected that in answer to
this prayer he might visit the church in Rome (Rom. 15:30‑32). Paul,
then, trusted that the prayers of the saints would be answered and that the
Holy Spirit would guide him through the difficulties he was about to face. In
faith, he accepted the words of the Spirit spoken by Agabus as a detailed
revelation of future events. BAK. |
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Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516 |
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