Sermon On the Net

 

 

SAUL…SAUL

 

ACTS 21&22: Paul continues his mission and now we find him in Caesarea where he stayed with Philip, the evangelist who had 4 daughters who prophesied. After several days a prophet named Agabus visited Paul and forewarned him of the persecution he would face in Jerusalem. They tried to change his planned visit to Jerusalem but he would have no part in it. He said he was not only ready to be chained, but to die, also, for the work of the lord.

 

When they arrived in Jerusalem they visited James and the elders and informed them of the past events to which they all responded joyously. They knew that thousands of Jews   believed Paul but at the same time certain factions were inciting the people against him. The suggestion was made that Paul take 4 brothers who had taken a vow and have their head shaved which was a sign of living under the law. And so he did.

 

When the seven days of purification were over the crowd seized Paul. Soon the commander of the troops came and put Paul in chains and arrested him. As the soldiers were about to put Paul in the barracks, he persuaded the commander to let him speak to the crowd. Paul was free to do so and he told the crowd in their language what had happened to him on the road to Damascus when the lord spoke directly to Paul and told him what was about to happen to him. When the Lord spoke a very bright light blinded Paul and the Lord directed him to the city where Ananias met him and restored his sight.

He told Paul that God had chosen him to do His work and he prevailed upon Paul to be baptized and wash his sins away which, of course, was merely symbolic of the true forgiveness through Grace. When Paul returned to Jerusalem he was told by the Lord to leave immediately because the people would not accept his testimony and He would send him far away to the Gentiles.

The crowd finally got so angry that the Roman commander was going to have Paul whipped until the commander discovered he was a Roman citizen which stopped him cold in his tracks. The next day the commander brought Paul to the chief priests and the Sanhedrin to try to get to the bottom of the reason why the Jews wanted to kill Paul.

 

We can’t imagine the turmoil created in the formation of the Church. It is indeed a miracle that they were successful. It is so obvious that divine intervention was the hand that dealt the cards, so to speak. I am reminded of the scripture that says, “If God is for us, who can be against us.” When we look to Him and place our trust in Him, then, and only then are we victorious in Him. No matter what confronts us, as did Paul, prayerfully turn it over to God who so graciously wants to help. Ask and it will be. It is God’s wish for us to be content and live a fruitful life here on earth until we are with Him.