Text: Acts 21:1-16

I. Disciples in Tyre warn Paul about traveling to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1-6)

A. Paul and his travel companions land at Tyre (21:1-3).

B. Paul searches for, and finds, fellow believers (21:4).

C. The believers in Tyre receive a revelation from the HolySpirit that Paul would suffer in Jerusalem (21:4), confirming what Paul told the Ephesian elders (20:23).

D. Paul and his travel companions continue heading toward Jerusalem. The believers in Tyre pray over them as they depart (21:5-6).

II. Agabus warns Paul about traveling to Jerusalem (Acts 21:7-12)

A. In Caesarea, Paul and his travel companions stay with
Philip the evangelist (21:7-8)
1. Philip was one of the seven deacons in Jerusalem (6:5).
B. Agabus the prophet delivers a revelation from the Holy
Spirit that Paul will be bound in Jerusalem (21:10-11).
1. Agabus prophesied a severe famine in Judea (11:27-28).
2. Like Isaiah (Isa. 20:2), Jeremiah (Jer. 13:1-4), and
Ezekiel (Ezek. 4:1-12), Agabus uses a physical sign to illustrate the upcoming danger.
C. At the prophecy of Agabus, the Caesarean believers and
Paul’s travel companions plead with Paul to not travel to
Jerusalem (21:12)

III. Paul still intends to travel to Jerusalem (Acts 21:13-16)

A. Paul is not afraid of being arrested or being killed, for the name of Jesus (21:13).

Acts 9:16 - For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Philippians 1:21 - For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

B. Realizing Paul is going to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading
and still travel to Jerusalem, Paul’s friends trust in the will
of God (21:14).

 

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: Do you see value Christian fellowship as much as Paul and the believers in Tyre? How do you know when/if the Holy Spirit is leading you? What do you value so much you are willing to die for? Why? Are you consciously aware that to die and be with Christ is gain?