ACTS SERIES: "Paul's Defense to the Mob"

Sermon Scripture:  ​Acts 21:37-22:22

Sermon Notes are available for you to follow along below, or are available for download here

Sermon Notes:

“A Misunderstood Missionary”
ONE BIG QUESTION:

• Do we as a church consider the people we are trying to reach as more important than ourselves?
  • Are we so hopeful that God will work in the future that we are willing to be uncomfortable today?
  • Are we willing to say, “This is not about us?”
  • Are we willing to be misunderstood for the sake of reaching lost people?

A Misunderstood Missionary

• Paul was misunderstood in his mission. (21:1-16)
  • His Christian friends tried to protect him from danger.
  • Paul was relentless in his pursuit of Jesus, in spite of danger.
• Paul was misunderstood in his ministry. (21:17-40)
  • The elders in Jerusalem heard about Paul’s work among the Gentiles and rejoiced.
  • The elders then express concern about Paul’s teachings to the Jews that were based on rumors.
    • Some thought Paul was teaching Jews they should no longer follow the OT law.
    • Paul had only taught Gentiles that they were not required to keep the OT law.
      • God’s grace gave the Gentiles freedom to abstain from the law.
      • God’s grace gave the Jews freedom to observe the law.
    • The elders ask Paul to publicly display his unity with the Jewish church by performing a vow.
      • Question: Why would Paul go through with it?
        • Paul loved the Jewish nation. (Romans 9:1)
        • Paul loved the lost. (1 Cor. 9:19-22)
        • Paul desired unity within the church.
        • Paul desired peace between Jews and Gentiles.
      • Question: Did Paul compromise the gospel?
        • Though some may question Paul’s judgment, the motive of his heart was pure.
        • Paul was trying to become all things to all men in order to save some.
        • Paul acted out of love by trying to avoid being offensive to his Jewish brothers.
    • Paul is arrested after some Jews assume he brought a Gentile into the inner courts of the temple.
      • Just like Jesus, Paul was falsely accused.
      • Just like Jesus, Paul was wrongfully arrested.
• Paul was misunderstood in his __________. (22:1-29)
  • He told about his former __________. (v. 1-5)
    • When you share your testimony, tell about your past without glorifying your _______.
  • He told about his miraculous ____________. (v. 6-16)
    • When you share your testimony, make it more about _________ than about _________.
  • He told about his special ____________. (v. 17-21)
    • When you share your testimony, elevate God’s purpose of __________ in the gospel.
• What are the 4 main parts of the Gospel?
  • ________- He is our holy Creator and righteous judge. He created us to glorify and enjoy Him forever.
  • ________- We have all rebelled against God by sinning against his law, and we deserve his wrath.
  • ________- Jesus, fully God and fully man, died the death we deserved and was raised from the dead.
  • ___________- We must repent of our sins and believe in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of our sins.
• Even if we are misunderstood…
  • Let’s be fervent to _________ for the lost.
  • Let’s be faithful to _________ to the lost.