Paul’s Arrest in Jerusalem (Acts 22:1-24)

 

Sermon for Milledgeville and Centenary UMC...

[Slide] Paul’s Arrest in Jerusalem (Acts 22:1-24)

 

Last Sunday Paul and Silas were released from jail in Philippi. He left Luke behind to mentor the new congregation there.

 

[Slide] Paul, Silas and Timothy travel to Thessaloniki. Many Jews and Greeks come to faith in Christ at Paul’s preaching, but some turned the people against him and ran them out of town. Paul left for Berea.

 

The Berean Jews were much more open, but Thessalonians followed Paul and stirred up the Bereans against him. Paul left for Athens, but left behind Silas and Timothy to mentor the church.

 

[Slide] At Athens, Paul preached Jesus to a city filled with pagan shrines and idols. They brought him to Mars Hill to speak at the public forum called the Areopagus. Paul masterfully speaks to his Greek audience drawing upon their own poets and philosophers. When he told them of the resurrection of Jesus, however, some scoffed, some were curious to know more, and some believed.  

 

[Slide] Paul then went to the port city of Corinth. He met Aquila and Priscilla, a Jewish couple recently deported from Rome. He stayed with them and supported himself in their tentmaking business. Encouraged by a vision from the Lord, Paul stays in Corinth 1.5 years before heading back home. Silas and Timothy rejoin him at Corinth and they travel to Ephesus in Asia Minor.

 

The Ephesians begged Paul to stay. He left Priscilla and Aquila behind to mentor the Ephesians. Paul returned to Syrian Antioch after a brief visit to Jerusalem.

 

Now begins the third missionary journey of Paul. BTW, What is a missionary’s favorite car? [Slide] A Convertible!

[Slide] Paul returned to Ephesus and found disciples who had never even heard of the Holy Spirit. He laid hands on them. They were filled with the Spirit, spoke in tongues, and prophesied.

 

At the end of Paul’s 2 year stay in Ephesus, a major riot broke out led by silversmiths [Slide] who made a living selling silver statues and miniatures of the temple to Artemis. Because of Paul’s preaching against idolatry, sales had dropped. Paul and his associates barely escaped with their lives.

 

[Slide] Paul sailed to Macedonia, then to Achaia (Greece) for 3 months. It didn’t go well. The Grecian Jews were plotting his death, so he returned to Macedonia and then sailed to Troas. [Slide] While Paul preached into the night, a young man named Eutychus fell asleep. Seated in a 3^rd story window, he plummeted to his death. Paul, miraculously, brought him back to life.

 

[Slide] Paul sailed to Miletus and called the elders of Ephesus to him. He gives a tearful goodbye knowing that he must suffer.

 

[Slide] And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem without knowing what will happen to me there, ²³ except that the Holy Spirit warns me in town after town that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for me. [Slide] But I do not consider my life worth anything to myself, so that I may finish my task and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace. (Acts 20:22-24)

 

[Slide] In Jerusalem, Paul is spotted in the temple courts by Jews from Asia Minor. They stir up the people.

 

“This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people, our law, and this sanctuary! He has brought Greeks into the inner courts of the temple and made this holy place ritually unclean!” (Acts 21:28)

 

It wasn’t true. In fact, Paul made a special effort to make himself ritually clean as well as his companions. His Greek companions stayed outside the temple. [Slide] The Romans rescued Paul from the violent mob. As he ascended the steps to the garrison, Paul addressed the Jews, in Aramaic, their common language. Paul signaled: he was one of them.

 

[Slide] Paul established his history as a Jew, born in Tarsus, educated in Jerusalem as a Pharisee under the revered teacher, Gamaliel. Paul knew how to connect with an audience. He let them know he was no ignorant pagan. He was a thoroughbred Jew, well-versed in the scriptures and traditions of the Jews. He was trusted, at one time, by The Sanhedrin to hunt down Christians to imprison, or even kill them.

 

Paul shared his blinding vision on the road to Damascus. His sight was restored by Ananias, who told him,

 

[Slide] “The God of our ancestors has already chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear a command from His mouth, because you will be His witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.” (Acts 22:14-15)

 

[Slide] Paul told the Jews what his life was like before Jesus, what happened when he met Jesus, and how his life changed because of Jesus. Paul went from persecuting the Church to becoming her greatest witness.

 

The Lord told Paul that the Jews in Jerusalem would not accept his testimony, therefore the Lord sent Paul to the Gentiles. This caused yet another outburst. The Jews screamed, threw off their cloaks, and threw dust in the air in their rage. The Roman guard pulled Paul away from the mob. [Slide] The commander of the garrison ordered Paul to be lashed to learn why the mob wanted him dead. As they were preparing to whip Paul he asked, “Is it lawful for you to lash a Roman citizen without a trial?” That saved Paul from another terrible beating.

 

[Slide] The next day, Paul stood before the Sanhedrin. Paul saw Sadducees and Pharisees in the council. Slyly, he pitted them against one another by saying, “I’m on trial for my belief in resurrection.” The Sadducees don’t believe in angels or spirits or resurrection. The Pharisees did! They protested, “We find nothing wrong with this man!” Things got so heated, the commander removed Paul to spare him harm.

 

[Slide] According to Luke, the following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Have courage, for just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11)

 

It’s easy to skip over this verse. If you were reading a red-letter edition of the Bible, the words of the Risen Lord Jesus would be in red. His words gave Paul confidence in the face of all his trials. Paul knew that whatever threats he might face, nothing will keep him from completing his mission as Christ’s witness all the way to Rome! The Lord Jesus had decreed it.

 

Over 40 Jews made a vow not to eat or drink until Paul was dead. Paul’s young nephew heard about it and alerted the commander to their plot. [Slide] Under cover of night, the commander had Paul escorted by 200 soldiers to Caesarea to stand before the governor Felix.

 

Paul’s defense in Jerusalem exhibits his intelligence and wisdom. That is why Paul was chosen. He was a Roman citizen, versed in Greco-Roman culture, and a highly educated Jew. Paul was the son of a Pharisee and educated by the revered teacher Gamaliel. Paul described himself a Hebrew of Hebrews. (Philippians 3:5)

 

Paul’s defense isn’t just about Paul’s personal abilities. It is our Lord’s victory.

 

The Lord Jesus told His disciples, [Slide]

 

“I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of people, because they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues. [Slide] And you will be brought before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them and to the Gentiles.  Whenever they hand you over for trial, do not worry about how to speak or what to say, [Slide] for what you should say will be given to you at that time.  For it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:16-20)

 

Jesus was speaking through Paul by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave Paul the quick insights to understand his audience, whether it be common Jews, the religious elite, or Greeks or Romans. Paul is with Jesus and Jesus is with Paul. Nothing will break their bond.

 

[Slide] Consider all that Paul suffered for the sake of Jesus’ name! What is God asking you to do? This congregation must re-invent itself if we are going to become a relevant voice of hope.

 

At several points, I’ve encouraged you to work a FRAN plan. Create a list of friends, relatives, associates and neighbors that you know do not have a church home. Pray for them daily and ask the Lord to open opportunities for you to share your faith. 80% Christians never invite anyone to worship. 98% of those invited already belong to another church. 65% never speak to anyone about their faith.

 

We must become a people who share our faith. [Slide] Paul models for us how to share your faith. He first told the Jews in Jerusalem what he was like before He came to faith in Christ. He was a Jew, a Pharisee, zealous and persecuting Christians with the authority of the Sanhedrin. Who were you before Jesus? If you’re like me, you were raised as a Christian. So the question to ask yourself is, “Who was I before I got serious about my faith in Jesus?”

 

Next Paul told them what happened when Jesus happened to Him. Anyone who has a conversion experience has a story to tell. [Slide] I read a book decades ago by Bishop Emerson Colaw. He said that 60% of Christians do not experience conversion as an event, but rather as a slow dawning over a period of years, even decades. Instead of a striking moment of conversion, there is a gradual realization, “My faith in Christ really matters! I truly believe. Faith in Jesus has transformed my life.” I once was lost but now am found; ‘Twas blind but now I see!

 

What happened when faith in Jesus happened for you? [Slide] Did you hear about the electrician who decided to become a preacher? He had a shocking revelation! [Slide] How were you impacted? What changed in your heart and mind?

 

Finally, Paul told the Jews in Jerusalem that the Lord had opened his eyes and sent him to be His witness to the Gentiles. Paul had a new direction in life. He understood His calling and committed himself fully as a witness for Jesus. How has Jesus influenced the direction of your life?

 

[Slide] Soon we will have sign up sheets in the narthex for you to join a small group during The Revival Project. Small groups are a perfect place to practice sharing your faith. It’s a safe place to gain confidence in sharing your story.

 

[Slide] Revival happens by daily attending to your love for God. Consider the sacrifices made by people like Paul for the Church. What will you sacrifice? During The Revival Project, I’m asking for three things. [Slide]

 

·       Give 15 minutes a day to read and reflect with The Revival Project Devotional

·       Commit to a weekly small group meeting

·       Work your FRAN Plan