Acts: Go & Be Chapters 19-28Sample

What is this passage saying?

As Paul travels to Jerusalem, he receives several warnings of the dangers to come.

What is this passage teaching?

We read in Acts 19:21 that Paul “resolved in the Spirit to…go to Jerusalem.” In our passage today, we read of two prophetic situations in which Paul is alerted to the coming imprisonment. First, the believers at Tyre warned him in the Spirit of what awaits in Jerusalem. The second prophetic interaction was more graphic. At Ptolemais, Agabus takes Paul’s belt and binds his own hands and feet, indicating what the Jews will do to Paul in Jerusalem. Paul responds stunningly, saying, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned by even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Even facing the prophetic pronouncements of imprisonment and possibly death, Paul’s reliance on the faithfulness of Jesus gives him incredible freedom.

How do I respond?

One of the most stunning realities of Paul’s life is the incredible amount of freedom he exhibited. By relying on the Spirit and moving forward in his calling, Paul could not be deterred or distracted from his mission. Nothing could stop him! Slander, beating, imprisonment, even death – none of these could stop the man who resolved that “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). The intensity of the persecution to come in Jerusalem could not be compared with the future glory Paul would share with Christ (Romans 8:18). This is the freedom the gospel gives us! If the Spirit bids us follow him into suffering and trial, we walk with joyful boldness, knowing that Jesus will always be enough for us. No matter the weapons arrayed against us by Satan and all his demons, we plunge headfirst into the gates of hell, knowing they will never prevail against God’s people. Freedom is not found in having money in the bank, skills on your resume, or degrees on your walls; ultimate freedom is found in believing Christ will be enough, even if you have none of those things.