After spending two summers in the Book of Acts here at LAC, we come to the final large section of Luke’s report on the Acts of the Apostles (or, more accurately, the Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles). Those who mistakenly think that faith in Jesus always leads to short-term health and wealth will be surprised to discover that Luke’s book about the miraculous breaking forth of the Gospel into the world ends with the Apostle Paul’s facing non-stop opposition and oppression. The challenges Paul faced were a part of God’s plan for him. In fact, in Acts 21:11, God sent a prophet named Agabus to Paul to let him know about what lay ahead of him.
The church people who heard Agabus’ prophecy were deeply concerned for Paul. I find the discussion that Luke described in Acts 21:12–14 to be real to life and heartfelt:
When we heard the prophecy, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
Over the next few weeks, we will read about Paul’s being accused and captured in Jerusalem, tried and imprisoned in Caesarea, sought for assassination, extradited to Rome, shipwrecked, and re-imprisoned in Rome.
How does a person handle such suffering and persecution? Paul remained a faithful witness to Jesus and encountered each situation with peace-filled courage. This weekend, we will focus on the source of Paul’s courage. What God made available to Paul is also available to you.
I will simply tell you now that some of the greatest opportunities for ministry in Paul’s life happened not in spite of these tribulations but because of them. And I give you the advice Paul learned in the midst of his challenges that he passed on to a young man named Timothy:
The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord… Suffering is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what is entrusted to him… (2 Tim 1:7–8a,12).
To His Glory,
Dr. Greg Waybright
Senior Pastor
