Text: Acts 21:1-14.
Delivered on: December 7, 2008. Streetsboro.
INTRODUCTION.
Paul had taken up a collection for the saints in Jerusalem. 1 Corinthians 16:1-3. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 4 But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.
When his third missionary journey was over, he was on his way to Jerusalem to deliver the money to the saints there.
Acts 19:21. When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
Romans 15:25-26. But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.
This task was very important to him. Romans 15:30-31. Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints.
However, at every turn, he was being warned about troubles that would be waiting for him once he got there.
Acts 20:22-23. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
Acts 21:10-11. And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and 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.’”
I take these statements to mean that the Holy Spirit was preparing Paul for the troubles he was about to face. Not as the Spirit trying to prohibit him from going to Jerusalem.
What about Acts 21:4? And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
The question is: What is “Spirit” referring to?
Is it referring to the Holy Spirit?
Or is it referring to the spirits of those who were telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
I have to believe it is the latter. Otherwise, Paul would be disobeying the Holy Spirit.
And we know that he had always been obedient on other occasions when the Spirit told him where to go and not to go.
Regardless… Paul felt that he must go to Jerusalem and he knew that there were trials there waiting on him.
What a test this must have been for him!
It was also a test for his companions. Acts 21:12-13. Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
I want to focus in on the next statement that is made. Acts 21:14. So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
All of us need to be able to say, “The will of the Lord be done.”
However, in order to be able to say that and really mean it, we need to possess three qualities.
We must have a submissive heart.
We must have a trusting heart.
We must have a determined heart.
BODY.
WE MUST HAVE A SUBMISSIVE HEART.
In order to be able to say, “The will of the Lord be done” we must be willing to submit our will to His.
Submit = to accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another.
His will might not always be the same as ours.
Our Lord did not look forward to going to the cross.
Yet He had submitted to the will of the Father in that matter. Matthew 26:39. He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
Some specific areas where men have had trouble submitting to the will of God:
Worship.
Men want to do it their way.
Matthew 15:9. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
The plan of salvation.
The organization of the church.
Moral issues.
Homosexuality.
Abortion.
Premarital sex.
Consuming alcohol.
It is pride that keeps people from submitting to God.
James 4:6-7. But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
One part of the definition of “submit” is to yield to a superior force.
Many people have a hard time admitting that they are inferior to anyone or anything.
Proverbs 16:17-19. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul. 18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better to be of humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Truly, it is hard to kick against the goads. Acts 9:5. And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
WE MUST HAVE A TRUSTING HEART.
In order to be able to say, “The will of the Lord be done” we must trust in God. Hebrews 11:6. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
As we have already discussed, His will is often not the same as ours.
Sometimes, God allows us to be tried.
1 Corinthians 10:13. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Hebrews 12:5-6. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”
How will we respond when things don’t go the way that we think they should?
Will we get angry?
Will we be disappointed?
Will we feel betrayed?
Or will we trust that the Lord knows what He is doing. Like Paul.
Philippians 1:12-14. But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Philippians 1:19. For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 1:12. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
Isaiah 55:9. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
We may not always understand why things happen the way that they do,
but we must always trust that God is in control and believe what is said in Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
WE MUST HAVE A DETERMINED HEART.
In order to be able to say, “The will of the Lord be done” we must have a determined heart.
Why do we need to be so determined?
As we have already noted, things will not always happen the way we desire. His will is often different from ours.
We will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12. Yes and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Because the work will not be easy.
Because of these things, many fall away. Matthew 13:20-21. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
Are we determined and devoted enough to see God’s will be done even if it brings hardship on us?
Jesus was. Matthew 26:42. Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
Paul was. Acts 21:13. Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Are you? Luke 14:33. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
CONCLUSION.
We often say it in our prayers.
But do we really mean it?
Do we have what it takes to really mean it?
Are we willing to submit to the will of the Lord?
Are we willing to trust the Lord?
Are we determined to stay faithful no matter what the will of the Lord may be?
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