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Part 1
Sermon Notes: Acts 20
Practice What You Preach
Intro: “Do As I Say Not As I Do”
“Do as I say not as I do.” The main thought I have for you this Sunday is this: Practice what you preach.
Movement 1: The Mission Is Everywhere (v. 1-6)
In verses 1 through 6 Paul is doing quite a bit of traveling, and I want to show you this here in a moment. But we need to think about what’s happening here for a second. These last few years for Paul have been intense. He’s preaching and everything’s going well in Ephesus, and then God lets him do extraordinary miracles! People touch his skin with a handkerchief and bring it back and heal people. Right after that, the sons of Sceva think they learned the secret sauce and they try and fake it and they are beaten by a demon and stripped naked in the streets. Then there’s this huge revival in Ephesus caused by fear and people burn their books and the word of God prevails mightily. After that a riot breaks out and he could’ve potentially lost his life in it.
And now, after the uproar ceases, he gathers the disciples, encourages them, and leaves. Everywhere he is going he is encouraging people. He realizes before he hops on a boat that a group of people want to kill him, so he takes a walk back the other way from where he came. No sense in losing your life over this. And then we learn he has dear friends, from all over the world he has preached to, and they decide they are going to go with Paul on this journey. I love it! You know who else joins him? Our author of the book of Acts, Luke is back on the scene! How do I know that? Because of our pronouns, church. In verse 6 it says but “WE” sailed away from Philippi and we came to Troas. Luke is back with Paul on this leg of the journey. We get serious details here also that seem to only be possible from an eyewitness account. 5 days we came to them at Troas, we stayed for 7 days and on and on. Very powerful details to prove more of the validity of your Bible as historical truth.
But what’s the point? It’s that Paul takes every opportunity, in every area of his life, to do the work of the ministry. We learn that in every way, on a boat, at port, in houses, in the streets, wherever Paul is, he is living on mission. Practicing what you preach means living out the gospel wherever you go.
I think many people live in the mindset of “I’m going to do my Christian duty, drop a few bucks in the plate at church, wear the right clothes, say the right thing in front of the right people.” And I’m not even knocking that. Hear me clearly in all love and sincerity, church: What I am coming against is the idea that you can live 2 very different lives at one time and say that you represent Christ. It is not okay to say you are a Christian and Jesus Christ is the Lord of your life on Sunday and live like hell Monday through Saturday.
Here’s how you can do that and I’m just calling out the areas where I see it most: I praise Jesus with hands lifted high Sunday morning, and then I don’t work hard with those hands in my place of employment because that doesn’t matter, that’s just my day job, it’s not gospel work. I listen to a sermon Sunday morning, but I don’t listen to my spouse, or my kids. I give to my Amazon cart like it’s a starving kid in Africa but man I don’t tithe because, “We don’t have money for that.” Last one, I use these eyes to watch hours worth of my phone and these lips to speak all sorts of things when it serves me, but I don’t spend any time reading the word or encouraging others.
Look, I’m not here to knock you into the dirt. I’m just speaking from my own experience. Can I remind you that today, if you want to change and make healthy habits and rhythms, Jesus will meet you with such grace for your life? Scriptures are quite radical in how God’s understanding of grace works. Yes! You are free! And you are allowed to fail! Welcome to being a human! I fail all the time, just call my family and ask! But to apologize, ask for forgiveness, and to move forward imitating Christ more, and taking advantage of grace are two separate things. Paul will answer this for us in the book of Romans:
Romans 6:1-4
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
What’s he saying? You are new! Walk in the newness of life! Let those old things die, walk away from stupid habits and walk in the newness of life. Practice what you preach wherever you go and in all circumstances. You are one human being, don’t live different lives around different people and in different circumstances. Live out the gospel wherever you go.
Movement 2: Faith and the Miraculous (v. 7-12)
Let’s keep going in chapter 20. In verses 7 through 12, this is a preacher’s nightmare! Paul preaches such a great sermon that this young guy named Eutychus falls asleep sitting in a window sill, and falls out of a 3-story window to his death. Man, I’ve had some real bang-up days, don’t get me wrong but I’ve never preached such a boring message that some dude falls asleep and literally falls to his death. I cannot wait to corner this dude and Paul in heaven and figure out what the heck happened here.
In all honesty, I do take great comfort when people fall asleep in church. It’s like when you fall asleep when someone else is driving, you have really got to trust the person driving to be able to sleep while they drive. I feel the same way when someone’s had a hard weekend and I can put them to sleep in a pew. Or at least that’s what I tell myself to stop from crying.
So what happens next, is Paul goes down, embraces him in his arms, and I believe that God miraculously heals this Eutychus. To really sink this Bible story in your mind, you’ve got to realize something: Eutychus is the Greek word for lucky. Can you imagine the church telling this story, drenched in irony, about Paul’s luckiest sermon, to the luckiest guy? It’s just too good. They pick him up, he seems to be fine, so they share a meal and they take communion together as they remind themselves of the Lord and how our great God, the Father Almighty sent His son Jesus Christ, who is God the Son, the second person of the Godhead, to take on flesh and dwell among us and to ultimately die on a cross for my sins and for yours that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Communion is us coming together and proclaiming His death until He comes. So now that he has everyone’s attention and people are not wanting to fall asleep and die in church like the lucky fella, he continues to preach. Then, after they are comforted, Paul continues his journey.
Our main point today is clear from this text: DON’T FALL ASLEEP IN CHURCH OR YOU’LL DIE!!! No, I’m kidding, that’s obviously not our main point. Our main point actually is: It takes great faith to practice what we preach. Do you believe that your God can do the miraculous? Do you believe that God has put men and women in your life who love you and are willing to share God’s word and ways with you? Do you believe that God will give you what you need to live out the gospel? I believe all of that, and that, my friends, is faith. Because I don’t think I can do any of these things. I don’t believe any given week I have what it takes to open up this Bible and preach to you. But I do have faith in an amazing God. I have faith that Jesus is who He said He is and did what He said He would do. And I believe that God gives us the strength by faith to practice what we preach.
Movement 3: The Big Break is Now (v. 13-16)
In verses 13 through 16 Paul continues on his journey and we learn he is trying his best to get to Jerusalem for Pentecost. You remember Pentecost? That was when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers in Acts 2. Super powerful time. Had to be there. Well, Paul felt the same way!
I think a quick point here, is that it’d be easy for Paul to dodge all of the work of the ministry and for him to put it on his calendar and just say, “When I get to Jerusalem like the Holy Spirit told me to, that’s when I’m going to really start doing ministry.” He could’ve done that! I think the point is this: Practicing what you preach is the mission! Paul isn’t waiting for Pentecost in Jerusalem as his big break to do ministry. The big break, and get this today, the big break is the life that God gave you. Your relationship with Jesus is your big break! Your spouse is your big break! Your family is your big break! Your church is your big break! The place God has called you to live is your big break! Your job is your big break! This life, whatever it amounts to on whatever platform you have been given, this is it! Give it all for the kingdom of God! This is the gospel work!
I have a dear friend named Kora who’s 100 years old and she famously says, “There is one life to live, it soon will pass. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” I believe that so much. You know what she told me last time I saw her? She has done amazing mission work throughout her life and in the world, and she’s still living for Jesus in a nursing home now as her body isn’t what it once was. You know what she asked me? She said, “Pastor Aaron, I want to use every last breath and moment for the kingdom of God. Is there anything I can do to serve Jesus here?” Man, what I’d give to clone that woman. She has got it! At 100 years old she is still wanting to give it all for the kingdom of God. That is practicing what you preach. This is the mission. Live every day like it is the mission of God, there is no other way.
Movement 4: Paul’s Farewell and Charge (v. 17-38)
His Example and Mission (v. 17-24)
Now in verses 17 through 35 Paul makes it to Miletus, he asks the Elders of the church to come visit him there. And then he drops a bit of a bomb on them. Here’s, in a nutshell, what he says:
- His Example of Ministry (vv. 18–21)
- His Present Mission (vv. 22–24)
- His Final Goodbye (vv. 25–27)
- His Charge to the Elders (vv. 28–31)
- His Commendation and Example (vv. 32–35)
This is just such a hard thing to read and hear. You know, many times I look at the Apostle Paul’s life and forget that he’s just a man, and he’s a pastor. This is one of those times where I read this and thought, Lord I’m just so thankful for the work you’ve called me to do and I’m so thankful for this church family. It is my greatest privilege to be your pastor. And I can see how Paul got so emotional with these people at this moment. He only spent 3 years with them, and that doesn’t sound like a lot of time to me. I’ve been here a year and a half and I believe that God has woven my heart into the fabric of this church.
So let’s walk it through. In verses 18-21 He gives his life as an example. Not an example instead of Jesus, but an example as he followed Jesus. Paul didn’t act like a religious celebrity and expect people to serve and honor him; he just wanted to be serving the Lord with all humility. Is that not our goal? His teaching, his trials, his tears, all of it! He’s practicing what he preaches.
And then in verses 22 through 24 he tells them his current mission. The Spirit is leading me to Jerusalem, and it’s going to be painful. All he knows is there are some really intense things waiting for him. He values life only insofar as it allows him to finish his course and ministry, testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
Not all of us get to see what God has for us ahead. And I think that’s actually the grace of God for many of us because who knows if we’d have the same response Paul does to what’s waiting for him. See here’s the thing about grace I learned: God doesn’t give us grace for made up scenarios in our head. He gives us real grace for our real life. Have you met a Christian that’s just been going through hell? A loss of a family member, a cancer diagnosis, financial hardships, and have you had the thought, man I don’t know what I would do. You’re probably right! You don’t know what you would do. I don’t have the grace to live in that situation because it’s not mine. God gives us real grace in our real lives because he really cares for us. Can you hear the words of Jesus over you today?
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Whatever it is you are facing, know that there is a God that loves you, cares for you, and has grace to offer you as you practice what you preach.
Final Goodbye and Charge (v. 25-31)
Next is his final goodbye to them in verses 25 through 27. He knows he won’t see them again and then shares with them that he declared to them the whole counsel of God. I love this. If you were in the position to not see someone again, the greatest thing you can do is give them Jesus with everything you’ve got and teach them to follow after Jesus. It is my goal to teach you the whole counsel of God, the entirety of the Bible. And you know what we are going to do when we finish? Do it again, and practice more of what we preach until Christ calls us home or until He returns. Which didn’t happen this week by the way. If any of that was shocking to you, I’d love an opportunity to sit and chat with you all about it.
Here’s the big deal in his charge in verses 28-31: Pay careful attention to yourselves and the flock. Shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. Fierce wolves will come in, not sparing the flock. Even from among them, men will arise speaking twisted things. People are going to try and persuade you of the next best thing in Christianity. And if you pray hard enough, and have enough faith, and name it and claim it’s all yours! No, absolutely not! The best thing that happened in Christianity is that the Father sent the Son, Jesus, to live and then to die in your place and lavish you with the free gift of eternal life! That’s already happened! Now we live it out and practice what we preach. Do not allow anyone to persuade you away from Jesus. If it sounds too good to be true outside of the free gift of grace, it IS too good to be true! Therefore, stay alert, remembering Paul’s years of admonition with tears.
His Commendation and Example (v. 32-35)
His last piece is to commend them and share his final example in verses 32-35: let’s read this together as a church:
Acts 20:32
I commend you to God and the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
This is a beautiful verse. God’s word will build you up and teach you of your inheritance. How powerful is that? If you are going to practice what you preach, well, you’re going to need to know what you preach. The Word of God teaches us this. There is no other way than to get into the word. Paul shows how he labored for this church with his own hands so he could be a blessing to that church, notice how he quotes Jesus words, it’s more blessed to give than to receive. That is a thought that only comes from Christ, the world did not reveal that to Him, Jesus did through the word of God. Practicing what you preach means your life becomes the sermon people remember.
The Emotional Farewell (v. 36-38)
Let’s look at verses 36-38 together for a moment. When Paul finished speaking, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And they cried together, they embraced each other, they kissed each other. I don’t think for a moment that Paul was this sort of super emotional guy, but I do see something very clear happen here when they realize they won’t see his face again and they walk him to the ship to sail away: Practicing what you preach is real life. There is no other way to live the gospel without giving your heart, soul, and mind to the work God has called you to. This is just as much your life’s work as it is my life’s work as it was Paul’s life work. We have got to get this right. Now more than ever people are seeing how the church, people of faith are responding to real life. Think about Erika Kirk who told millions of people that she forgives the young man who killed her husband. You know why that’s shocking? Because that is what Christ did! And it is what He calls us to do. Don’t look at me or Erika or anyone else and think man, they’ve got this whole thing figured out. No we don’t! But Jesus does. He’s got this figured out and He calls us to do what we can with what we have.
Conclusion
Your life, my life, is preaching something at all times. Don’t forget that today. Your kids are listening. Your community is listening. This world is listening. My prayer for you today is that your lips, your actions, in your coming and in your going, you would have the aroma of Christ exuding from you. Jesus made it very clear, they will know that you are my disciples by your love for one another. Let’s practice what we preach today.
Let’s worship our King!
Part 2
Text: Acts 21:1-26
Intro:
This journey of the Apostle Paul—destined for Jerusalem—began while he was still in Ephesus.
- (Acts 19:21-22 ESV) Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
- After going through Macedonia, he continued to Jerusalem:
- (Acts 20:16 ESV) For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
Remember that Jerusalem was a hostile environment for the Apostle Paul. Among the Jewish leaders, he was known as a traitor. Before his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, plots were already underway to kill him there.
- (Acts 9:29 ESV) And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him.
Outline:
- The Journey to Jerusalem (21:1-7)
- The Danger in Jerusalem (21:7-14)
III. Becoming All Things to All Men (21:15-26)
Movement 1: The Journey to Jerusalem (V1-7)
- Missionary Journeys: Not Tourism, but Obedience
- The missionary team of the Apostle Paul made extensive travels through what is now Türkiye and Greece, carrying the gospel across cultures and continents. Their journeys were not for sightseeing, but they were on mission with God.
- When I set out in 2019 to serve at a Bible college in Italy, I received an anonymous text accusing me of using God’s money to travel the world. The words stung. Yes, I was enriched through that journey—but not as a tourist. I went in obedience to Christ’s call, pouring out and receiving in return, often at great personal cost. The enrichment I gained from two decades of missionary service was never the goal, but the byproduct of obedience. The Apostle Paul understood this:
a. (Rom. 1:11-12 ESV) 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. - Mission is not about chasing experiences. It is about obedience to the call of Christ, for His glory, and for the good of His people.
- The Hospitality of God’s People (21:4)
And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days.
- Everywhere I have traveled in the world, I have found hospitable Christians. Even in places of deep economic hardship, believers have been eager for fellowship and willing to share whatever they have. Their open doors and generous hearts testify to the love of Christ that transcends culture, language, and circumstance.
- I remember a time in Serbia when we visited a family who were materially poor but spiritually rich…
- When I look back on these experiences, I realize that Christian fellowship is one of the greatest gifts God gives us when we are on mission with Him. We may cross oceans to serve, but along the way we discover that God has His people everywhere—marked not by abundance of possessions, but by abundance of love.
Movement 2: The Danger in Jerusalem (V7-14)
- The Love for the Apostle Paul (Acts 21:4)
(Acts 21:4 ESV) And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
- The Difficulty. This passage presents a difficulty we must address: Was the Apostle Paul being disobedient to the will of God? Some argue that he should not have continued his journey to Jerusalem. Looking ahead, we see that upon his arrival, he was beaten, faced assassination attempts, was arrested, and ultimately spent four years in Roman custody.
- The Principle of Context. Just as in real estate, the mantra is “location, location, location,” in interpreting Scripture, the rule is “context, context, context.” You can take verses out of context to make them mean anything you want them to. To interpret Acts 21:4 correctly, we must view it in context.
a. Previous Prophecies
i. In his farewell address to the Ephesian elders, he declared:
ii. (Acts 20:22-24 ESV) 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (emphasis added).
iii. The Apostle Paul was convinced by the Holy Spirit that he should go to Jerusalem. He understood that the Spirit was warning him of suffering ahead, yet he willingly accepted it.
b. The prophecy of Agabus
i. (Acts 21:10-11 ESV) 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”
ii. When you stop and examine this verse closely, the Spirit doesn’t say not to go, but only that the Apostle Paul would be bound or imprisoned (Acts 20:23).
c. The Apostle Paul was walking into a political firestorm, and he knew it!
i. It makes me think of Charlie Kirk, who became a martyr for his faith…
d. The People’s Interpretation.
i. Because of their love for the Apostle Paul, the people concluded, “Don’t go!” They were afraid of what was going to happen to him…
e. Paul’s Tenacity
i. (Acts 21:13 ESV) Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart?
ii. The Apostle Paul is saying, “You’re breaking my heart. You’re weakening the resolve of my spirit and discouraging me from finishing my course…
f. Apostle Paul’s Decision.
i. (Acts 21:13 ESV) I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
ii. God revealed to the Apostle Paul what awaited him in Jerusalem, yet the choice to go remained his. Compelled by the Spirit and confident in God’s call, Paul pressed forward—not shrinking back from suffering, but embracing whatever lay ahead…
iii.
… I stayed because I wanted to be faithful to finish the course and the ministry I had received from the Lord Jesus (Acts 20:24).
iv. That season taught me this: true authority doesn’t come from position or title—it comes from faithfulness and obedience, even when it costs us something.
g. The Conclusion
i. (Acts 21:14 ESV) And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
ii. After a deeply emotional discussion, the believers came to see that Paul’s path to Jerusalem was not merely his own determination, but the very will of God—and they surrendered him into God’s hands…
iii. The lesson for us is clear: our concern for others can sometimes lead us to urge them away from costly obedience. Faithful obedience may look reckless to people who care for us, but we must resolve to follow God’s plan for our lives. Just as Paul pressed forward despite the warnings, we too must be willing to follow God into difficulty, confident that His call is worth the cost.
Movement 3: Becoming All Things to All Men (V15-26)
- The Jewishness of this Text
The Jewishness of this text can be confusing to us Gentiles. The question arises, why would the Apostle Paul get entangled in all this Jewish ritual? We’ve seen him ministering to Gentiles and making it clear that people can’t be saved by the works of the Mosaic Law. It’s only through the gospel of grace. But now the Apostle is entering an entirely different culture…
- Paul’s Ministry Principle
(1 Cor. 9:19-23 ESV) 19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews…
- This passage reveals the driving force of the Apostle Paul’s ministry: to present the gospel across cultures so people might be saved. As has been said, “If you haven’t preached the gospel so the hearer can understand, you haven’t truly preached the gospel.”
- In our context, the Apostle Paul not only longed to reach the unbelieving Jews, but he also wanted the Jewish Christians to be able to receive his ministry.
a. (1 Cor. 9:20 ESV) 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. - There were aspects of Jewish practice Paul could still participate in without compromising his faith in Christ. For example, we see him take a vow:
a. (Acts 18:18 ESV) At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. - The Nazirite Vow
a. This vow, like the one taken by the four men in Jerusalem, was most likely a Nazirite vow (Numbers 6). It was essentially a vow of separation… At the conclusion of a Nazirite vow, certain offerings were required:
i. Grain Offering – thanksgiving.
ii. Peace Offering – fellowship with God.
iii. Drink Offering – dedication.
b. Of course, Paul would not have offered a Sin Offering, since Christ had already been sacrificed once for all. Yet he could still participate in the offerings of thanksgiving, dedication, and fellowship—expressions of worship that allowed him to identify with his fellow Jews without compromising the gospel. - In Acts 21, Paul even took on the expenses for the four men completing their vows, a tangible act of support that showed his love for his Jewish brothers and his desire to remove obstacles to the gospel.
- We Are All in a Cross-Cultural Ministry
- Cross-cultural ministry isn’t just about traveling overseas—it happens from one generation to another…
- Later, when I became a parent, I had an epiphany…
- That principle carried into how I relate to younger generations… And without conversation, there is no way to influence others with the truth of the gospel.
- Through these interactions, I’ve been enriched and humbled…
Ministry can lead us to difficult situations far from home and even to dangerous places. It can also be challenging to be willing to humble yourself to reach other cultures. But when we surrender to the will of God, it’s the most fruitful and fulfilling experience.
Part 3
Sermon Notes: Acts 21:27-22:29 – The Way of Jesus Disrupts
Intro: Rhythms and Disruption
Anyone still trying to get into the swing of things with their rhythms? It is honest hour in church today! I’m in the process of building out some healthy rhythms STILL as a father of 4. It’s hard! Selah is finally sleeping through the night, David and Nathan are back into the swing of bedtime and school, Zadok is doing great as a 2 and a half year old with his nap time routine, Alexis is just thriving as a mom from my perspective and you know what? I still can’t get my stuff together. And I know time change is just a few weeks away and it’s going to disrupt the rhythms of my life again. My sleep schedule is off, my nutrition is off, my exercise is off, and I’m treading water. Anyone else?
You know what I did just this week because everything felt off? I fasted. And this is not a “holier than thou” moment, this is a “I need Jesus” moment. I know that when I deny the flesh, I’m given an opportunity to rely on the Spirit. I also know that it is a good thing to allow Jesus to disrupt what I may think is right because if He really is God and Lord of my life, then I’ve got to start living like it and let Him be in control. So I fasted. I wish I could tell you I had this “Aha” moment, but I didn’t. I just had a gradual call back to confession of sin, repentance, and steadiness.
Here’s what I’m learning and I believe our text makes it very clear for us today: “The Way of Jesus should disrupt our way of life as it redefines who belongs to God.” I’m going to unpack this for you today. We are in the middle of the big juicy Jerusalem drama here in Acts. Paul makes it to Jerusalem and it’s about to go nuclear. So I want to show you what we are walking through today. Feel free to take your phone out and take a picture for your notes.
Outline
Chapter 21 – Paul’s Accused & Arrested
- V27-31: The Accusation
- V32-40: The Arrest
Chapter 22 – Paul Testifies
- V1-2: The Approach
- V3-5: The Credentials
- V6-16: The Testimony
- V17-21: The Mission
- V22-29: The Response and Cliffhanger
The rest of chapter 21 and 22 are happening at the exact same time up until the last verse which moves to the next day. That’s why we didn’t read it today in church; that’s for next week. So Paul made it to Jerusalem and he reported to James and the Elders of the church in Jerusalem what’s been happening around the world and what Jesus is doing. They are excited that the gospel is going out and Jesus is doing a work! Well, a bit of a problem occurs. People think that Paul is causing apostasy amongst the Jews. So they come up with a plan to have him and 4 other men present themselves at the temple to go through the Jewish purification process and cut their hair and all that good stuff that Pastor Rod told us about last week. Well, we pick up in verse 27 where we realize that this plan backfires. Let’s look at the accusation.
Movement 1: The Accusation and Arrest (v. 21:27-40)
The Accusation (v. 27-31)
So there are Jews from Asia that are here in Jerusalem. These are the ones that were already against Paul in Acts 19 while he was in Ephesus. They started condemning him then, so he moved on to teach in the hall of Tyrannus, remember? They saw the riot, they saw some gentiles get saved, and they know Trophimus and the others who joined Paul’s ministry team in Acts 20. So these guys have been trying to get Paul for some time now. Here’s the Accusation:
Acts 21:28 (Summary)
This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.
Have you ever been wrongly accused before? Here’s Paul, who loves the Jewish people, has such a reverence and understanding of God’s law, and understands the temple traditions better than almost everyone at that time. And on top of that, he didn’t bring Greeks into the temple, they saw Trophimus outside and thought that he had brought them in. All that to say, the accusation, though it feels like it’s about these things, it’s really not.
The truth of the matter is, people will always resort to accusing when they feel that their “thing” is being disrupted. You’ve got to know this as people of the gospel. Christ died for sinners. You know what that means? He died for me, he died for you. He died for literally every person because we are all sinners. That’s not an attack from me on anyone, that’s just the truth of our world how the Bible defines it—we are all sinners.
But here’s the thing, we can say we believe that and then we do something really ugly. Can I call this out in church today? This can happen to you and me, my beloved Christian so let’s pay attention: We can make “our thing” more important than “the kingdom of God thing.” When this happens, we are no different than Paul’s accusers here. Let me show you signs that this may be happening. It hints at spiritual maturity with a real lack of substance: If you’ve grown enough to know that the Bible is our standard and so now you can weaponize it and accuse but you haven’t grown enough in grace to understand that you are fully accepted, fully forgiven, and fully loved in Christ alongside every other believer and it is your glory to overlook an offense, you might be struggling with your thing over the kingdom of God thing. It is a great thing to allow Jesus to disrupt you. It properly defines Jesus as God and me and you as sinners turned saints by His grace and His grace alone. We need this in our lives. So they seize Paul, drag him out of the temple, and they start beating him. Luke tells us that there is confusion because of all of this and I believe it, the whole temple is in an uproar.
The Arrest (v. 32-40)
Let’s look at the arrest in verses 32 – 40. The tribune comes down with soldiers and centurions to stop this. So here’s a little Roman Military Hierarchy to help you understand this better and to understand your Bible better I think.
Roman Military Hierarchy
- Centurion = oversight of 100 soldiers
- Tribune = oversight of around 6 centurions and 600 soldiers
- Legate = oversight of a legion which was around 6,000 soldiers
- Emperor = Supreme Commander who appoints legates
So the tribune, whose name is Claudius Lysias we learn his name from Acts 23, shows up, and they stop beating Paul. He arrests Paul and binds him in 2 chains just like the Prophet Agabus said was going to happen. No one could get the facts straight so the tribune orders the soldiers to carry Paul back to the barracks. We know this whole scene is crazy confusing in the middle of a mob because by the time they get back to the barracks, Paul asks if he can speak to him and the tribune is like wait how do you speak Greek? Aren’t you the Egyptian terrorist? It’s like what is happening here. Paul tells him no, I’m a Jew from Tarsus and the tribune lets him speak to the people. So that’s the connecting piece to Acts 22 which is Paul’s defense and speech to his people.
We see very clearly that the way of Jesus is now disrupting even the government officials of Rome. The systems of religion and government both think they’re managing the situation, but it’s actually Jesus who’s directing the whole scene. The gospel doesn’t get lost in all of the confusion, it creates clarity right in the middle of it. I think the application piece for you and for me to take home today is this: The chaos of the world never cancels the clarity of God’s mission. Crazy things are happening in our world. And guess what, our mission remains the same: go and make disciples and if you’re here at Friends today, the way we do that as a church is we endeavor to love God and love people until the whole valley knows Jesus. If talks of rapture, or the mark of the beast, or Israel vs. Palestine and other wars, or any of these things are concerning to you, then allow the weight of your concern to be met by the wonder of your commission. Jesus has saved you with purpose, to leverage all that you are and all that you have for the kingdom of God! Go and make disciples! Paul knows this, that’s what leads him to do all that he does hear in Chapter 22.
Movement 2: Paul’s Approach and Credentials (v. 22:1-5)
The Approach (v. 1-2)
I think Paul puts on a masterclass on how to communicate the gospel in a tough spot here. Think about this for a second, the gospel has disrupted the temple, it has disrupted the Jerusalem Church to some extent with their failed plan to keep Paul safe, it has disrupted government, and now Paul’s going to communicate how the gospel disrupted his own very way of life and it redefined for him who is God’s people. (Pro-tip in gospeling, everyone is welcome!) So watch how he starts with the approach. His approach is in their language and addressing them as brothers and fathers. This is drenched in as much familiarity as possible and it actually causes them to be quiet and listen to his message. The gospel will disrupt. You don’t need to add to its disruption. Your approach matters so much to reaching people for Christ. If your approach doesn’t have people listening, if loving people to point them to Christ is not more important than “the script” or “being right” we are failing the mission. We have got to care for how we say something as much as we care about what we are saying.
The Credentials (v. 3-5)
So Paul shares with them his credentials next in verses 3 through 5. For the most part, I’m not a credentials guy. Except, I’ve realized that when I’m looking for someone or something that carries weight, I look for certain things. Like, for example, When I needed a knee surgery, I was looking for a surgeon that knew what they were doing not just “the cheapest option.” Well, in the same manner, Paul shares that he’s a Jew, he studied under Gamaliel who was one of the greatest rabbis to do it. He lived a strict life to the law and he’s building up to something. He’s trying to say that he knows what he’s talking about. I believe that God has given you the right credentials for the right people.
The Way of Jesus disrupts our way of life, even our credentials, so that God can use who we were to reach who He’s still redeeming. Think about that for a moment, The gospel doesn’t erase your past; it redeems it to reach others. Paul’s credentials once defined his worth, his identity, and who he thought belonged to God. But now, under the Way of Jesus, those same credentials become tools for mission. What used to separate him from others now positions him to reach them. Isn’t that the beauty of it all? I can look back on my life and say God, why? Why did I do that, or why did you allow that to happen to me? And at some point, after confessing my sins, repenting and turning to the Lord, and then walking in forgiveness, I have to come to a place where I can say I’m not proud of who I once was, but man I’m sure thankful heavens got a spot for people like me.
Movement 3: The Redeemed Testimony (v. 22:6-16)
In verses 6 through 16, Paul recounts the story of how he met Jesus and how Jesus met him. We’ve already studied this moment back in Acts 9, but now it’s deeply personal. It’s no longer just the story of who Paul was; it’s the story of why he is who he is now. This encounter with Jesus didn’t just change his direction, it became the very engine that drives his life and ministry. On the road to Damascus, Jesus confronted Paul with the truth that He is God, the Righteous One. In that moment, Paul put his faith in Jesus, and everything changed. He was humbled, commissioned, healed, called, baptized, and set ablaze for the work of the gospel.
Friends, your testimony is one of the most powerful tools God has given you to reach others. The Way of Jesus turns our greatest disruptions into our greatest declarations of who God really is. I think we need to stop downplaying our testimonies. I’ve heard so many people say, “Oh, mine’s not that exciting, I grew up in a Christian home.” Really? You’re telling me that the God of the universe chose to plant you in a legacy of faithfulness, to be raised in His truth, and to walk with Him all your life? That’s not boring! That’s grace upon grace!
Or others carry shame from their past, things they once did or were known for, or things done to them. But listen: God has delivered you, redeemed you, and now calls you His child. That’s not something to hide; that’s something to declare. Paul, who knew shame better than most, reminds us of this truth in Romans 1:16–17. Can we read this together and prayerfully commit it to memory?:
Romans 1:16-17
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’”
Yes, there are parts of your story that may be hard to share, but there is no part of it that God cannot use. Your testimony of how the good news of Jesus Christ transformed your life may be the very thing someone is waiting to hear so they too can encounter Jesus. Paul shows us that when the gospel disrupts your life, your story becomes the very platform where God’s power is displayed. Don’t forget that today. Your story matters, you matter.
Movement 4: The Redefined Mission & Response (v. 22:17-29)
The Mission (v. 17-21)
Let’s finish Paul’s defense together by looking at the mission in verses 17 through 21. Here, Paul explains why he left Jerusalem in the first place. It wasn’t because he gave up or ran away; it was because Jesus called him out. In a vision, Jesus tells Paul that the people in Jerusalem won’t receive his testimony. But Paul pushes back: “Lord, they know me!” He’s saying, These are my people. They’ve seen my zeal. They know I stood there approving the stoning of Stephen. That’s a raw and painful confession, Paul was complicit in murder. Yet even in that, we see the beauty of God’s grace. The very man who once approved the death of a witness now becomes one himself for Christ.
And then comes the call that redefines everything: “Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.” This wasn’t Paul’s idea; it was God’s. Paul wasn’t betraying his heritage, he was obeying his Savior. The Way of Jesus redefined Paul’s mission, his audience, and even his identity. And now, what once seemed unthinkable, sharing the covenant blessings of God with the Gentiles, became the very center of his calling. The call of Jesus redefines home, not as where we’re from, but where His mission sends us. This is a super disrupting and yet inclusive piece to what we know about the mission of God. I believe God’s heart is for our valley as much as it is for our nation, as much as it is for the whole world. And I think you believe that too! But this should challenge your practical actions as well: How often are you outside of your comfort zone or inner circle for the sake of the gospel? Let God into those moments.
The Response and Cliffhanger (v. 22-29)
So here’s where we close today in verses 22 through 29. We see the response, they shout for his death. Why? Because they could stomach everything until Paul said that God’s salvation included the Gentiles. They listened all the way up to the point where God’s grace broke through their boundaries. That’s when they lost it. And isn’t that part of our problem? We don’t mind God’s grace, until it disrupts our comfort and extends to people we don’t think deserve it. That’s when our hearts get exposed. Paul just told them that the gospel is big enough for everyone. That God’s family isn’t built by lineage, or law, or land, it’s built on the finished work of Jesus. And that message still offends. It offends our pride and our preferences. What’s revealed is their blindness to the heart of God.
Even in the chaos, the Lord is still working. The tribune steps in again, trying to make sense of the riot. He orders Paul to be taken back to the barracks to be examined by flogging which is essentially Paul being tortured for answers. But just as the soldiers stretch Paul out to whip him, Paul says something that stops everything cold: “Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t been condemned?” That one question changes the entire power dynamic. Fear ripples through the soldiers and the tribune backs off immediately. Paul is, in fact, a Roman citizen by birth meaning he holds rights they can’t violate.
Do you see what God is doing here? The same gospel that disrupts religious categories now upends political ones. Rome thinks it’s in control, but the real authority in this story isn’t the crowd, the tribune, or the empire: it’s Jesus. Every chain, every accusation, every law bends the knee to God’s plan. This is where Luke leaves us hanging. The tension isn’t resolved. Paul’s life hangs in the balance and so does the mission of God.
But, remember where we started today, talking about rhythms being disrupted? About how sometimes God allows disruption not to destroy us, but to realign us? That’s exactly what we see in Paul. Every disruption, whether it’s an accusation, an arrest, or a testimony is God’s invitation to depend on Him again. Paul’s rhythm was shattered too, but in that disruption, the gospel advanced. And maybe that’s what God is doing in your life too. Maybe what feels like a breakdown is actually the place where God is breaking through. Here’s what I know: The way of Jesus will disrupt your life, AND it will reveal to you that you belong.
Let’s worship our King!
Part 4
Acts 22:30-23: Love Compels Us to Action
Introduction
Have you ever had the pleasure of teaching a child how to apologize? A proper apology has a few key parts: admitting you’re wrong, expressing remorse, making amends, and asking for forgiveness. Right? You need all of them for it to count.
Well, what a joy it is teaching my boys how to apologize. Lately, David and Nathan have been at each other, and since they’re both in Taekwondo, their kicks now actually hurt. It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. And I live by the phrase, “If you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes.” So Nathan gets hurt, and David tries defending himself instead of apologizing.
We’ve been talking about this, how you don’t need to defend yourself, you need to make it right. And after all that training, I still get: “I’m sorry, Nathan,” and he walks away. Oh, it boils my blood! After all that work, we’ve skipped every step and landed on a half-baked “sorry” just to avoid a healthy confrontation.
But honestly, that’s how we often approach God. We say we love Him, but our lives don’t show it. And that’s what I want to look at today: Love compels us to action. The way you think should absolutely change the way you act.
For some reason, it’s easy for us to sometimes say we believe something and then not actually act like we believe it. I think of two very strong verses in your Bible that should tell you, yes, of course you need to think rightly about God. But if your thoughts don’t affect who you are, and how you respond to the gospel with your manner of life, you’d have to take care that your soul is not jeopardized.
It makes me think of Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” The way you lead your life matters so much. You cannot think highly of God and highly of the scriptures and live as though neither affect how you lead your life. The way you think, worship, speak, and act declares what you truly believe about Jesus.
Let me show you from Acts 23 how love compels us to do certain things.
V30-C23:1-5: Judge Rightly
We continue with the next episode of the big juicy Jerusalem Drama. The tribune wants to know the real reason behind why Paul is being accused. Because the tribune is one of the most powerful men in Jerusalem at this time, he commanded the chief priest and the council to meet, and he put Paul before them on trial.
Paul looks intently at them and makes a very clear statement, “I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” (Acts 23:1)
This is a major theme for Paul that he is going to continue in his defense with Felix and with King Agrippa in Acts 26: that his manner of life, or his good conscience, before God has always been righteous. He has done what is right his whole life. Can you say that today, beloved Christian? I can’t. But I know that Christ still died for me. It doesn’t give me a pass to live in sin, it corrects something in me and calls me to live better for Christ. It reminds me that Christianity is not just a theory or something to think about and make me feel good about. Sometimes, it corrects me and calls me to work harder at being a better person—not because I think I should be, but because my manner of life actually displays Jesus to a watching world.
The drama continues: those who are accusing Paul, specifically the high priest, commands the person closest to Paul to smack him in the mouth to shut him up! And Paul fires back! “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!” That’s an ancient biblical smack of words from the prophet Ezekiel’s day that Paul is now using to show him how backwards he is. He’s supposed to know God’s word and doesn’t live like he knows God’s word. Ezekiel said of false prophets that they built a flimsy wall and just covered it in white wash, a limewash; it makes it look clean and bright on the outside, but it has no substance. What Paul is saying here is, you have this fake exterior that looks clean and bright to everyone else, but the interior, what’s happening inside, is rotten, it’s flimsy, and God will strike you down.
There’s a word in here for us: If that struck a chord in you today, and you’re thinking man, that could be me, repent and turn to the Lord. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He will raise you up. Cast your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.
After Paul says this, they continue by telling Paul that the man who ordered this is the high priest. Paul didn’t know that, and so he admits that and shares from Exodus that he shouldn’t say these things about a ruler that God has put in place.
So what’s happening in our opening scene? A lot of judgment. That’s what’s happening. Paul got smacked, fired up, and then backpedals into an apology of sorts. Can we talk about that for a second?
Paul speaks, they judge him. He judges them. Realizes, even though what he said was true, it was wrong to say it to a ruler, and then sort of takes it back. But I think it’s a healthy thing for us to understand judgment as a church. Have you ever heard someone say this or seen it on their body? It’s kind of true, but not fully.
Have you ever noticed how “Don’t judge me” might be the most quoted Bible verse of our time? Even people who’ve never opened a Bible know “Judge not, lest you be judged.” But most of the time, it’s pulled completely out of context, almost like Jesus was saying, “No one can ever tell anyone they’re wrong.” But that’s not what Jesus meant. In Matthew 7, He says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” But just a few verses later, He says, “Don’t throw your pearls to pigs,” and “You’ll know false prophets by their fruit.” That takes discernment! Jesus isn’t forbidding judgment; He’s correcting the way we judge. The Bible calls us to discern right from wrong, truth from error. It’s not loving to pretend everything’s okay when it’s not. To call sin sin is not being judgmental; it’s actually agreeing with God. Truth isn’t relative; it’s rooted in God’s character.
So what kind of judgment is Jesus warning against?
Judgment Jesus Warned Against:
- Superficial judgment—looking only at appearances. Remember Simon the Pharisee who misjudged the sinful woman? He saw her past, but Jesus saw her repentance.
- Hypocritical judgment—pointing out sin in others while ignoring our own. Jesus said, “First take the log out of your own eye.”
- Harsh and unforgiving judgment—that’s what happens when we forget that mercy triumphs over judgment.
- Self-righteous judgment—This is thinking we’re better than others.
But then Jesus also says in John 7:24, “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” That’s what we’re after: right judgment. Not condemning, but discerning. Not looking down, but looking within first. As followers of Jesus, we must hold both truth and grace. Yes, we speak out against sin, but we do it with tears in our eyes, not pride in our hearts. We confront when necessary, but always to restore, not to destroy.
So when Jesus says, “Don’t judge,” He’s really saying, “Judge rightly, without hypocrisy, without arrogance, with love and truth together.” Because love doesn’t ignore sin. Love compels us to call people to freedom, the same freedom we’ve found in Christ.
V6-11: To Hope Rightly
In verses 6 through 11, we see Paul standing before a divided council, a mix of Pharisees and Sadducees. To clarify, these were sects within Judaism, and Paul himself was a Pharisee. Ironically, of all the sects, Jesus’s beliefs would’ve aligned most closely with the Pharisees. They believed in the resurrection, angels, and the Spirit. And well, He created the angels, rose from the dead, and sent the Spirit!
Paul, in wisdom, discerns the division in the room. He sees an opening. And instead of defending himself, he declares what he truly believes: “It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” (Acts 23:6)
In other words, Paul says, “I’m here because I believe death is not the end.” Church, this is the center of our faith. If we are nothing else, we are a people of resurrection hope. The resurrection is not a side note to our faith, it’s the foundation of it. It’s the reason we love, the reason we endure, the reason we live differently. This is why love compels us to action, because the resurrection reveals love in action.
To hope in the resurrection means I’m all in. It means I’ve bet everything on Jesus: my thoughts, my identity, my worth, my very life. Because if He conquered death, then nothing else deserves my allegiance.
John says it like this: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God… In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:7–10) You see the connection? The resurrection is the fullness of love. It’s God saying, “I’ve gone all in for you.”
And I love how this story ends. The council erupts into chaos, violence breaks out, and Paul is pulled away and thrown back in jail. But then, the risen Jesus Himself stands beside Paul and says, “Take courage… as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” Love Himself stood beside Paul. The same love that conquered death now strengthens Paul to keep going.
Here’s the piece we need to understand: Because love conquered death, love now compels us to live. This is our “why.” There is nothing greater you can do than put your hope in the resurrection.
V12-15: To Speak Rightly
In verses 12 through 15, we see over forty men take an oath that they won’t eat or drink until they kill Paul. That’s commitment, right? But here’s the thing, they never kill Paul. So what happened? Did they starve to death? Die of dehydration? Or, did they just give up when they realized they couldn’t take on the four hundred soldiers escorting Paul later in the story? Yeah, I think it’s option three too.
And that’s a good reminder for all of us: our words matter. These men made a vow they couldn’t keep. They spoke from passion but not truth. They let emotion write a check their obedience couldn’t cash.
Jesus spoke directly to this kind of thing: “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all… Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” (Matthew 5:33-37)
In other words, Jesus is saying: Be trustworthy. Be clear. Be people whose words reflect truth. You’re not in control of every outcome, but you are in control of your integrity.
James, the pastor of the Jerusalem church, reinforces this when he writes: “But above all, my brothers, do not swear… but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.” (James 5:12) He’s echoing Jesus: our words are sacred. They shape trust, build relationships, and reveal our hearts.
It’s easy to get swept up in emotions, to say things we don’t mean, or make promises we can’t keep. But followers of Jesus are called to speak life. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Our words can wound or heal. They can destroy trust or build hope. And as people marked by love, the love of Christ, our speech must reflect the One who spoke life into us.
So here’s the point: Love compels us to speak life. To be a people whose words build up. To say what we mean, mean what we say, and let love be the filter for every word that leaves our mouth. Because when love compels your speech, your “yes” carries weight, your “no” carries integrity, and your words carry life.
V16-22: To Do What Is Right
How intense is this story? It should feel so backwards to us right now. The greatest judges of Israel, men who were supposed to uphold righteousness, are actually so wrong that they’re willing to break their own law to kill a man they disagree with. The prisoner who should be wrong turns out to be the one who’s actually right. The “godly men” of Israel take an oath they should have never taken, and in verses 16–22, we find a surprising twist: a young boy who steps up to the plate and does what is right.
This young boy turns out to be Paul’s nephew. He overhears the men plotting and taking an oath, and instead of staying silent, he reports it to Paul. Paul, in turn, sends him to tell the tribune. The tribune listens carefully and instructs him to tell no one what he heard.
Have you ever been in that kind of situation, where you’ve been given information, and you don’t quite know what to do with it? Sometimes it’s very clear what the right thing to do is. Sometimes it’s not. Sometimes you have everything you need to make the right decision, but it’s still hard to take that step. What if these men had caught the boy? What if the guard had refused to take him to the tribune? What if, before any of that, fear had frozen him, and he decided to stay silent?
Love compels us to act, my friends. Doing what is right isn’t always easy; it often comes with risk, cost, and courage. But it’s what love requires.
The very first piece of advice God gives to man in the Bible is found in Genesis 4, in the story of Cain and Abel. You know the story: Cain kills his brother Abel and becomes the world’s first murderer. But before that happens, God gives him this warning, this invitation to choose rightly: “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:7) Cain was given the best advice possible: if you commit to doing what is right, it’s going to go right. But if you refuse to do what is right, sin will own you.
Millenia later, Pastor James, the same James who led this church in Jerusalem, echoes this same truth in a different way: “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (James 4:17)
We are a people called to live rightly, to be righteous, and to do what is right, even when it’s hard, even when it’s costly, even when no one else is doing it. Doing the right thing may not always change your circumstances, but it will always shape who you are and how the world views the testimony God is producing in your life. And that’s what God is after.
So when fear rises, when silence feels easier, when compromise looks safer, remember this: Love compels us to do what is right. What you do matters deeply to God, and it matters deeply to your church and this watching world.
V23-35: To Fulfill Jesus’ Call on Our Lives
In this last section, verses 23–35, the tribune sends a letter, four hundred soldiers, and Paul to Caesarea under Roman protection. Think about that: a Roman officer defends Paul and the gospel while Israel’s own leaders are plotting to destroy him. Paul finally stands before Governor Felix, who agrees to hear the case once the accusers arrive, and he places Paul under guard in Herod’s Praetorium, a palace prison.
It’s an unexpected ending, but there’s a clear takeaway here: Love is how we fulfill Jesus’ call on our lives. If you want to understand why love compels us to act, this is it. The world may turn against you. People may misunderstand you. Circumstances may confine you. But none of that can stop the love of God from advancing through a surrendered life.
Jesus has already defined the mission: Go and make disciples. So what does success look like in the Christian life? It’s not comfort. It’s not applause. It’s not safety or status. It’s faithfulness to that call.
You’ll know you’re living successfully when others can follow your life and be led closer to Jesus, when they see that you judge rightly, speak truthfully, and act righteously. Not because you’re intense or self-righteous, but because the presence of Jesus in you is magnetic. People wanted to be around Jesus because His love was real, and when they left His presence, they wanted more of Him. That’s the goal. That’s the call.
When the love of God so fills your life that it shapes your thoughts, your words, and your actions, when His love becomes the compass for everything you do, that’s when you’re fulfilling the call of Christ. Love compels you to do what is right, to speak what is true, to hope in the resurrection, to judge rightly, and in doing all this, you live out the very mission of Jesus.
Conclusion
I’m still thinking about those half-hearted apologies my boys sometimes give. “Sorry,” walk away, no ownership, no change. That’s not love in action, it’s avoidance. Too many of us live that same kind of “half-baked sorry” toward God. We say we believe. We say we love Him. But we stop short of letting that love change how we live.
Acts 23 reminds us that real love moves. It doesn’t stay at “sorry.” It judges rightly, hopes boldly, speaks truthfully, acts courageously, and fulfills the call of Christ completely.
So here’s the charge, church: Don’t settle for a half-hearted apology life. Let the love of Jesus compel you to full obedience. Because when your love moves from words to action, your life becomes a living testimony of the risen Christ. That’s what it means to be successful in the Christian life—not to win applause or anything else, but to walk faithfully in love until the world sees Jesus through you.
Part 5
Sermon: God’s Sovereignty in Chaos
Text: Acts 24
Introduction: Constant Sovereignty in Chaotic Moments
Hey, can I get a little transparent with you? [Tell the embarrassing story from childhood.]
You ever look back on moments like that and think, “What was I doing? How did I get myself into that?” It’s funny now, but at the time it felt like total chaos. I was embarrassed, confused, maybe even a little scared — but somehow, looking back, I can see how even in that silly moment, God was shaping me. He was teaching me humility, patience, maybe even a sense of humor.
It reminds me of this simple truth: Even when life feels chaotic, God’s sovereignty remains constant.
The Accusation (Vv. 2-8)
The Chaos of Paul’s Journey
Paul has been arrested, questioned, beaten, and put on trial—all for his faith in Jesus. The detail of his Roman citizenship (Acts 23) is key to protecting Paul and advancing the gospel.
The Formal Roman Trial
Paul waited five days in Caesarea—the center of Roman government in Judea—for the high priest Ananias, elders, and the spokesman Tertullus to arrive.
The high priest Ananias wasn’t appointed through a Levitical calling, but through a political decision by Rome. This meant Felix (the Roman governor) and Ananias had a working relationship fueled by mutual corruption: one wanted power, the other wanted Paul dead. The Jewish leaders genuinely believed they were defending God’s honor, but they were manipulating power and standing in God’s way.
The Three Accusations
Stirs up riots: They call him a “plague” or public menace, a threat to Roman peace and order.
Ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: They mock Christianity, framing it as an unauthorized, rebellious movement.
Attempted to profane the temple: This carried immense religious weight, accusing Paul of dishonoring God.
The Takeaway: God is Sovereign Even in Injustice
This is a formal trial; Felix has no choice but to seriously consider the claims. We see a corrupt high priest and a corrupt governor who care more about themselves than justice. Despite the corruption and injustice Paul faced, God is sovereign over all of it!
God was calling Paul to lift his eyes and look vertical—to focus on Him and the mission. Paul wasn’t meant to put his trust in Rome; God had already spoken: (Acts 23:11) “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
The Defense (Vv. 10-21)
The Setting: Paul’s Defense is Crucial
His goal is Rome, and this trial is one of the ways to get there.
Paul’s Three Responses
Response to “Stirs up riots”
Paul calmly points to lack of evidence (Vv. 11–13)—no witnesses, no riot, no proof. Paul doesn’t panic; he simply brings the truth to light. Truth doesn’t need to shout to be strong.
Response to “Ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes”
Paul affirms it—He admits following “the Way,” but frames it as faithful to God and Scripture (Vv. 14). Paul identifies with them. His faith is their faith brought to completion: he worships the God of their fathers, believing everything written in the Law and the Prophets.
Response to “Attempted to profane the temple”
Paul refutes it (Vv. 17)—He came to bring alms and offerings and to worship, not to defile the temple. Paul’s heart was pure before God. The irony is that those claiming to defend holiness were the ones disrupting it.
The Conclusion: The Best Defense is Truth
Paul didn’t argue or over-defend; he stood in the truth and trusted God. The most important truth is the real reason Paul is on trial: (Acts 24:21) “It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.”
Paul’s life and mission are part of a much larger story: (Acts 20:24) “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
The Delay (Vv. 22-27)
The Two Years of Waiting
Luke slows the story down to show that Paul is now sitting in custody for two years. On the surface, everything has stalled, but God is still working—shaping Paul’s faith and dependence.
The Tragic Contrast: Governor Felix
Felix is curious about the Gospel but becomes afraid when Paul speaks about righteousness, self-control, and coming judgment. Felix wanted a bribe (corruption); Paul wanted salvation (conviction). Felix’s moral weakness and corruption didn’t derail God’s plan; it became part of it by preserving Paul.
The Sovereignty in Delay
The story reminds us about God’s sovereignty even in the waiting seasons. Every piece of Paul’s journey—every setback, every jail cell—is doing two things: Leading him toward Rome (fulfillment of God’s promise) and revealing God’s faithfulness.
It’s less about Paul’s journey to a destination, and more about trusting Someone. Paul’s situation doesn’t get better, yet God’s plan keeps unfolding. God’s faithfulness doesn’t depend on the outcome; it’s steady through every outcome.
Conclusion and Charge
When I look back on that embarrassing moment I shared earlier, I can laugh because I can see it differently. At the time, that was one of the worst things that happened to me, but now I can see that even in the little things—and especially in the hard things—He’s still sovereign and he’s still faithful.
No matter what season you’re in—the silly ones, the painful ones, or the ones that make no sense at all—the same truth stands: Even when life feels chaotic, God’s sovereignty remains constant.
He doesn’t waste a single moment. And every moment is there to remind us of the God who stepped into humanity to save us from ourselves. Let’s worship.
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Part 6
Sermon: You Can Choose Your Response
Text: Acts 25:1-12
Introduction: The Illusion of Control
We are in the last four teachings of the book of Acts. I’m thrilled for today, I’ve already cried my eyes out thinking about child dedications and God doing amazing things in the families of our church; how He is richly growing and preparing us as a church.
It does, however, make me think about something that I believe sooner or later we all have to face whether you are a parent or not: I’m not in control as much as I’d like to think. Have you thought about that? Whether that is health, finances, family, life in general—I’m not in control as much as I’d like to think.
One of my favorite quotes of all time I’ll put on the screen for you while we talk about it is this: “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” -Chuck Swindoll
[Tell the story about David’s diaper changing mishap and the “pissing a rainbow” moment.]
Now look, is it really 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond? You may have your own stories of questioning this quote, but I think the idea still stands, how we respond to life is way more important than what happens to us.
Pastor Jeremy did a great job of showing us God’s sovereignty last week. The idea for this week as we look at the opening of Acts 25 is this: You can’t control God’s sovereignty. But you can choose your response.
Today we are looking at three major responses to God’s sovereignty:
Setting the Scene: The New Governor and the Plot
It’s been two years since Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea. Felix, the previous governor, left him in custody as a political favor to the Jews. Now there’s a new Roman governor in town, Festus.
He’s only three days into the job when he travels to Jerusalem, and the Jewish religious leaders waste no time. They come to him with a request: transfer Paul back to Jerusalem. On the surface, it sounds like a fair judicial move. But Luke tells us their real plan—they’re plotting an ambush to kill Paul on the way. The same hatred that drove them before hasn’t cooled in two years.
Festus, unaware of the plot but wanting to maintain order and protocol, says, “Let’s do this by the book. Come to Caesarea. Present your charges there.” So after more than a week in Jerusalem, Festus returns, and the very next day, the hearing begins. Paul is brought out and surrounded by his accusers. They throw out serious charges, religious, political, personal, but they can’t prove any of them.
Still, Festus is stuck. He wants to keep the Jewish leaders happy, but he also sees there’s no real case here. So he makes a compromise offer: “Paul, would you be willing to go up to Jerusalem for trial, with me overseeing it?”
That sets the stage for our three main responses.
The Three Responses to God’s Sovereignty
The Religious Leaders: Resistance (Vv. 1–5)
The Jewish religious leaders were faced with the reality of God’s sovereignty: Paul was protected by Roman law and was on the move toward Rome, just as God had promised. Their response? Resistance.
They couldn’t accept that the one they hated was being used by God, so they actively worked against the divine plan. Their hatred was so intense they chose to conspire and murder rather than submit to the outcome God had ordained. Their response was one of faithlessness and continued aggression against the work of the Spirit.
Festus: Indifference/Compromise (Vv. 6–9)
Festus is the man in the middle, embodying indifference and compromise. He knows Paul is innocent—the charges are unproven. He knows Paul should be released. But he doesn’t care about justice as much as he cares about his own career and maintaining peace with the local Jewish authorities.
So, when he asks Paul, “Paul, would you be willing to go up to Jerusalem for trial, with me overseeing it?” he is making a choice to compromise justice for political convenience. He saw the truth, but he was indifferent to it, choosing the easy, self-serving path over the righteous one.
Paul: Courageous Trust (Vv. 10–12)
Paul knows what that trip to Jerusalem means—death. He’s not afraid to die if he’s guilty, but he knows what’s waiting for him in Jerusalem, and it’s not justice. So in a moment of clarity and courage, he says, “I’m standing before Caesar’s court, where I should be tried… I appeal to Caesar.”
It’s a bold move, but a faithful one. He’s not running from danger; he’s trusting God’s promise and prophecy “You must testify in Rome.” He is stepping toward the purpose God had laid out for him. Paul’s response is one of Courageous Trust, using the lawful means available to him to align his path with God’s revealed will.
Festus confers with his council and responds, “You’ve appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go.”
Conclusion and Charge
That’s our story. But, from start to finish, there is a healthy reminder that God is in control, and yet life is still happening. God is sovereign, and yet He allows people to respond to His sovereignty in faithlessness or faithfulness. He allows that!
I don’t have a formula for you, I don’t have the silver bullet, but I do know that the more we grow in Christ’s likeness and we understand His word, it becomes easier to trust His sovereignty and respond faithfully.
