Standing in Fellowship & Adversity (10/17/23)
Acts 21
Freya
10/18/2023
Life Lesson(s)…
Acts 21 exemplifies standing firm in what you are called to by God, as the apostle Paul chooses the assignment and path with much fellowship and even greater adversity. Jesus displayed a similar struggle during his time at the Garden in Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:36-56; Mark 14:32-50; Luke 22:39–53; and John 18:1–12). As Jesus walked the destiny He was meant to, so did Paul.
When surrounded by fellow believers, apostles and friends, Paul was told the extent of the hardships he would face upon returning to Jerusalem. Paul heard prophetically by those such as Agabus about how he would be bound by the Jews and delivered to the Gentiles. Despite everyone's efforts to dissuade Paul on returning to Jerusalem, Paul remained firm on his decision to return to Jerusalem. Upon his meeting in Jerusalem with James and the elders, Paul was again warned of the dissension among the Jews and given a strategy on how to counter the lies that incited the Jews, which he executed. Yet, nothing stopped Agabus' prophecy from being fulfilled.
Despite being mobbed, bound, and beaten by the Jews and then being taken by the Roman cohort who were trying to disperse the mob, Paul stood firm on his assignment and love for Lord Jesus. He even was prepared to speak to his attackers after gaining permission from the head of the cohort.
Your Thoughts…
Take a look at yourself and your belief system. Pray about your destiny and what you have been assigned and called to do by the Lord.
Do you believe that you are like Paul and that you would continue on the path if you were prophesied to of the perils of your course? If your friends had attempted to dissuade you? If you were told the political, societal, religious consequences and outrage against you? Basically, would you stand firm for Jesus based on warnings?
Would you stand firm in the middle of your adversaries? Would you stand firm if you were being beaten, tortured, or incarcerated?
What's more difficult to stand firm upon: fellowship warnings or actual adversity? Why?
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When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
ACTS 21:12-14 (ESV)