Free Press for the Gospel
Free Press for the Gospel
Once again, we need to remind ourselves of the purpose of the Book of Acts. Dr. Luke through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit has documented the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). As we come to Acts 21, we see how God will use circumstances beyond Paul’s control to start the journey that will bring Paul to Rome which was then the world’s capital for the purpose of the gospel. From here on it is going to be hardship and trials for Paul until he gets to Rome. In the meantime, the gospel is getting free press and Paul is offered a platform to proclaim the gospel.
Are the circumstances in your life and my life offering God free press for the spread of the gospel? Or, are we only full of complaints and always seeking for justice to be done? Life is not fair on this side of eternity so let’s take advantage of it for God’s glory to be exemplified in our lives.
Let’s see what happened to Apostle Paul.
Acts 21: 10-20, 27-36
10After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' "
12When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then 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." 14When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done."
15After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples. 17When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly. 18The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20When they heard this, they praised God.
27When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28shouting, "Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple area and defiled this holy place." 29(They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple area.) 30The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. 35When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36The crowd that followed kept shouting, "Away with him!"
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Apostle Paul was warned by the Holy Spirit and it was confirmed by prophecy that he was going to suffer in Jerusalem. By the way, he was in Jerusalem to bring collections from the Asian churches that had been given to take care of the poor in Jerusalem. Paul insisted that he was ready to die for the name of Jesus vs.13. What a commitment! What does it take to reach this level of commitment? Remember Paul, the persecutor and murderer who is now saved by the grace of God. I believe that the full realization of what Christ did for us on the cross would generate the greatest level of commitment to Him and His cause.
2. Notice a little known name, brother Mnason vs.16. Who is he? Commentators say he must have been a brother of substance (rich) for him to have a large home to accommodate the many brothers who accompanied Paul. This makes me feel good. We can all play an insignificant role but to God it is significant. We all have a part to play in building His kingdom.
3. It is testimony time. Paul narrated in detail what God had done among the gentiles – the many who were saved. This was his greatest joy. Paul called the people my “trophy”. Do you have trophies of people in your life or are you only collecting this world’s trophies of career and salaries? The brethren in Jerusalem “praised God” for what God had accomplished through Paul. Let’s thank God and praise him for the things God has accomplished in reaching souls through the brothers and sisters we know. I thank God for Billy Graham and for the little people who reach others on one-on-one. Most of you reading this fall into the category of the “one–on-one” missionaries of God. Please be encouraged and keep at it even when no one else notices.
4. Paul was arrested and accused for baseless charges just as they did our Lord Jesus. Some things will never make sense to us including accusations that may be leveled against us. Are you being unfairly treated right now? Cheer up as Jesus has already told us. Our God has the upper hand in everything.
5. God sent the commander of the army to rescue Paul at the right time vs. 32. God would later use this commander to grant Paul not just protection but also free press to proclaim the gospel. Some one said that every obstacle/problem is a stepping stone for us to further the purposes of God in our lives. Do you have some stepping stones around you and in front of you? If it is for Jesus, it is what dying for. Let’s cast our cares upon Him for He cares for us.
Lord, help us to understand your divine hand in our lives. Help us to understand that you allow things for your purposes in our lives. Help us to endure to the very end for your glory. Lord strengthen and encourage the one who is suffering right now for unknown reasons. Amen.
Once again, we need to remind ourselves of the purpose of the Book of Acts. Dr. Luke through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit has documented the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). As we come to Acts 21, we see how God will use circumstances beyond Paul’s control to start the journey that will bring Paul to Rome which was then the world’s capital for the purpose of the gospel. From here on it is going to be hardship and trials for Paul until he gets to Rome. In the meantime, the gospel is getting free press and Paul is offered a platform to proclaim the gospel.
Are the circumstances in your life and my life offering God free press for the spread of the gospel? Or, are we only full of complaints and always seeking for justice to be done? Life is not fair on this side of eternity so let’s take advantage of it for God’s glory to be exemplified in our lives.
Let’s see what happened to Apostle Paul.
Acts 21: 10-20, 27-36
10After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' "
12When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then 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." 14When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done."
15After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples. 17When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly. 18The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20When they heard this, they praised God.
27When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28shouting, "Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple area and defiled this holy place." 29(They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple area.) 30The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. 35When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36The crowd that followed kept shouting, "Away with him!"
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Apostle Paul was warned by the Holy Spirit and it was confirmed by prophecy that he was going to suffer in Jerusalem. By the way, he was in Jerusalem to bring collections from the Asian churches that had been given to take care of the poor in Jerusalem. Paul insisted that he was ready to die for the name of Jesus vs.13. What a commitment! What does it take to reach this level of commitment? Remember Paul, the persecutor and murderer who is now saved by the grace of God. I believe that the full realization of what Christ did for us on the cross would generate the greatest level of commitment to Him and His cause.
2. Notice a little known name, brother Mnason vs.16. Who is he? Commentators say he must have been a brother of substance (rich) for him to have a large home to accommodate the many brothers who accompanied Paul. This makes me feel good. We can all play an insignificant role but to God it is significant. We all have a part to play in building His kingdom.
3. It is testimony time. Paul narrated in detail what God had done among the gentiles – the many who were saved. This was his greatest joy. Paul called the people my “trophy”. Do you have trophies of people in your life or are you only collecting this world’s trophies of career and salaries? The brethren in Jerusalem “praised God” for what God had accomplished through Paul. Let’s thank God and praise him for the things God has accomplished in reaching souls through the brothers and sisters we know. I thank God for Billy Graham and for the little people who reach others on one-on-one. Most of you reading this fall into the category of the “one–on-one” missionaries of God. Please be encouraged and keep at it even when no one else notices.
4. Paul was arrested and accused for baseless charges just as they did our Lord Jesus. Some things will never make sense to us including accusations that may be leveled against us. Are you being unfairly treated right now? Cheer up as Jesus has already told us. Our God has the upper hand in everything.
5. God sent the commander of the army to rescue Paul at the right time vs. 32. God would later use this commander to grant Paul not just protection but also free press to proclaim the gospel. Some one said that every obstacle/problem is a stepping stone for us to further the purposes of God in our lives. Do you have some stepping stones around you and in front of you? If it is for Jesus, it is what dying for. Let’s cast our cares upon Him for He cares for us.
Lord, help us to understand your divine hand in our lives. Help us to understand that you allow things for your purposes in our lives. Help us to endure to the very end for your glory. Lord strengthen and encourage the one who is suffering right now for unknown reasons. Amen.
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