5/25/25 – Acts 21:1-15 – Church Life Courageous Life

Refuge Church Byhalia exists to share the hope of Jesus, grow together, & love our neighbors in Byhalia, Marshall County, Lewisburg, & surrounding areas. Below is a sermon outline from our Walking it Out Series where we look at the Grit & Grace of life in the church. This sermon from 5/25/25 is from Acts 21  titled, ‘Church Life, Courageous Life.’

Intro

• Good Morning
• Welcome to Refuge Church Byhalia
• So glad y’all are here today
• My name is Michael & I have the honor and privilege of serving as the planting pastor at Refuge Church
• I want to wish you all a Happy & Wonderful Memorial Day Weekend
• On this weekend we honor and remember the men & women who have died in service to this great nation that we call home. 
• Without their courage and sacrifice
• In so many ways, we would not be the nation we are today.
• We praise God for setting the borders and the ways of the USA, & we remember & reflect, & are thankful for the many who have paid the ultimate price to keep it so
• Today we are continuing our ‘Walking it Out’ (series graphic) series
• Where we are examining the Grit & Grace of Life in the Church by following Paul & the early church as they lived out their faith
• We’ve seen Paul recently, with great focus, returning to Jerusalem
• With a love offering from the Gentile Churches for the church in Jerusalem
• A love offering to help the church members that are dealing with great hardship
• A love offering that would help unify the gentile churches and the jewish churches
• And Paul was determined to bring this offering back before going on his Jounrey to take the Gospel to Rome. 
• Last week we found Paul back in Ephesus
• And he gathered the leaders of the church their, called elders
• And they prayed together and wept because Paul said this was the last time they would see his face. 
• And then he charged them to do some things
  • Leaders in the church are to grow in their spiritual disciplines and holy living.
  • Leaders in the church are to know & care for the members of the church.
  • Leaders in the church are to protect the church from wrong teaching & dangerous people.
• And this is the challenge to the 3 elders of RCB
• And the challenge to our delegated decision makers that we call Team Leads that oversee the day to day decisions and activities of the church. 
• And today we find ourselves in ‘Church Life, Courageous Life’ Acts 21 (Page ____) & I want to invite you to turn there now. (note about Bibles) – Let’s read verses 1-15

‘And when ^swe had parted from them and set sail, we ^tcame by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.^{1 2} And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. ³ When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. ⁴ And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And ^uthrough the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. ⁵ When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, ^vaccompanied us until we were outside the city. And ^wkneeling down on the beach, we prayed ⁶ and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home. ⁷ When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted ^xthe brothers² and stayed with them for one day. ⁸ On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of ^yPhilip ^zthe evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. ⁹ He had four unmarried daughters, ^awho prophesied. ¹⁰ While we were staying for many days, a prophet named ^bAgabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ And coming to us, he ^ctook Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, ^d“Thus says the Holy Spirit, ^e‘This is how the Jews³ at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and ^fdeliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” ¹² When we heard this, we and the people there ^gurged him not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ Then Paul answered, ^g“What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For ^hI am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem ⁱfor the name of the Lord Jesus.” ¹⁴ And since he would not be persuaded, ^jwe ceased and said, ^k“Let the will of the Lord be done.” ¹⁵ After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁶ And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.’

• Pray.
• It’s fascinating to me that we find this almost cruise ship itinerary of Paul & His missionary journey
• Luke who wrote the book of Acts, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
• Was somewhat meticulous & quite detailed in writing down the activities of Paul & the early church. 
• Paul finds himself in Tyre
• And for 7 days he met with the church in Tyre
• And we see again
• Paul & the early church did not miss the chance to grow in Christ & grow together.
• But in the midst of this, the church, verse 4 says ‘through the Spirit’ were telling Paul don’t go to Jerusalem
• Paul was getting warnings that something was not going to go well
• But Paul was determined and kept moving towards Jerusalem
• Now as he departed
• In the middle of the uneasiness
• It’s important to see, once again, the actions of Paul & those around him.
• Paul & those around him go to God in prayer all the time, but especially in uneasy times.
• This is a great example for us
• Where do our minds go, where do our actions go
• When things are good
• When things are bad
• When things are in between good and bad
• I know my habit is to get to work and through grit and elbow grease
• Work things out on my own
• But that was not so for Paul & the early church
• Theologian Matthew Henry says ‘He has taught us by example, as well as by rule, to pray always, to pray without ceasing. Their last farewell was sweetened with prayer.’
• And so Paul continues on
• After prayer together with other believers
• And eventuallyw e fin dhim in Caesarea (verse 8)
• With Philip the evangelist.
• Which may have been an interesting interaction because some 20 years before this, Paul, who was then called Saul, was present in the stoning of a friend of Philip’s a guy named Stephen.
• And here they are in the same room together
• Man the grace of God can change things
• Like don’t rush past this
• Saul/Paul was involved in the murder of Philip’s friend Stephen
• And now they are staying in the same house
• Like PHilip is probably asking Paul if he wants Waffles or Pancakes in the morning with his bacon.
• Apart from the work of God in their lives, this makes zero sense. 
• Now while there Philip’s unmarried daughters and a prophet named Agabus prophesied
• By the Power of the HOly Spirit, God revealed things to them
• Pressed things into their mind
• Agabus we get great detail
• Comes down
• Grabs paul’s belt, and binds himself saying ‘the owner of this belt will face this if he goes to Jerusalem.’ 
• And the room is greatly troubled
• They don’t want Paul to go to jail
• They don’t want Paul to face hardship
• They don’t want Pual to face pain. 
• And yet at this point
• From the prophetic statements of many
• Along with Paul’s own words
• Pain & hardship are inbound for Paul
• If Paul were using his iPhone’s GPS the road would be red ahead of him and he would be getting alerts about trouble being ahead
• So what was Paul going to do?
• What would you do?
• What would we as a church body do
• I mean if the collective wisdom and impression of the Lord as we pray is trouble is coming if we reach out in this way
• If we love ourneighbors in that way
• Trouble is coming
• It’s on the way
• Its guaranteed
• You know that’s our reality
• Jesus himself said this in John 16:33 Page ___ ‘I have said these things to you, that ^hin me you may have peace. ⁱIn the world you will have ^jtribulation. But ^ktake heart; ^lI have overcome the world.’
• 1 Peter 4:12-13 Page ___ ‘¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at ^zthe fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice ^ainsofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad ^bwhen his glory is revealed.’
• So we get similar warnings as believers
• Trouble & trial will come for all Christians
• But what should we do with it?
• Matthew Henry ‘The general notice given us, that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God, should be of the same use to us.’
• Let’s see Paul’s example…
• Paul gives us the guiding example and principle. Acts 20:13 Page ___ ‘¹³ Then Paul answered, ^g“What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For ^hI am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem ⁱfor the name of the Lord Jesus.”’
• Paul was ready to die for the sake of the Gospel.
• Literally die
• You see Paul knows
• He had found something so special
• He had found something so valuable
• He had found something so amazing
• That nothing, not even life itself, compared with knowing and being with Jesus
• And so yes, accurate prophesies foretold his pain & hardship
• But the warning of pain, did not persuade Paul to stop
• The cause of Christ was greater than any pain or hardship that had come
• Paul believed he had to labor to personally deliver the love offering from the gentile churches to the jewish churches to promote unity among all churches 
• Which would help bring glory to God & honor Christ
• And our resole should be – whatever pain or trial or hardship may come – standing for Christ & for the expansion of His Kingdom – is absolutely worth it.
• Matthew Henry again ‘when a trouble is come, this must allay (reduce) our griefs, that the will of the Lord is done; when we see it coming, this must silence our fears, that the will of the Lord shall be done; and we ought to say, Amen, let it be done.’
• Look we want to see God save many from Byhalia, Barton & Beyond
• We want to see lives changed in Byhalia, Barton, & beyond
• We want to see the culture change in Byhalia, Barton, & beyond
• We want to see marriages restored
• We want to see addictions broken
• We want to see poverty rectified
• We want to see laziness overcame
• We watn to see purity abound
• We want to see God magnified and worshipped
• And it may cost us something
• It might bring hardship
• It might bring pain
• It might ruin comfort
• We may get mocked
• We may be hated by some
• We may be despised by many
• But like Paul & the early church.
• We must be courageous for the Gospel to go & impact Byhalia, Barton, & beyond, no matter the cost.
• The question is
• Do you treasure Jesus that much?
• Do you love your neighbors that much?
• To say – chains or death – I’m good with it
• As long as the Gospel goes forth.
• I’m good with whatever comes
• So that I can tell people that God loves them & created them to be in relationship with Him.
• But our sins separate us from a Holy God.
• And that separation cannot be overcome, by our own good deeds or efforts. 
• Sins cannot be removed by good deeds.
• But the good news of the Gospel is that Paying the price for sin, Jesus died & rose again!
• So that everyone who trusts in Jesus alone, will have eternal life.
• And life with Jesus starts from the moment of salvation and lasts forever. And that life
• Starts an amazing life of courage and joy and value and significance in Christ
• Do you know Jesus? Do you enjoy Jesus? Do you know you have hope in Him?
• Consider what He did on that cross!
• Consider how he allowed Philip to want to be with the murderer of his friend.
• Consider the power of God to break many free from chains
• And believe in Him today and submit to Him as Lord
• Let today be the day of salvation for you
• Mark it on your care card so we know you want to talk about Jesus with one of our leaders here at Refuge.
• And so begin a life of courage knowing – being with Christ is worth it
• But it may have trials and hardship.
• Eternity with God
• Far outweighs any temporary pain or hardship here.
• Transition*****
• Charles Spurgeon ‘if you receive the Gospel and believe it as the Revelation of God—never blush to admit it, but be brave to avow it at all times and in all places… Be valiant for your Lord and Master!’
• Now that hardship – it’s only temporary
• And God has our eternity in our hands
• Though it may cost us money today
• Friends today
• Respect today (from a worldly sense)
• It is worth it
• John Piper ’Christian courage is the willingness to say and do the right thing regardless of the earthly cost, because God promises to help you and save you on account of Christ.’
• Bible Verses on Being Courageous
  • 2 Timothy 1:7 Page ___ ‘⁷ for God gave us ^oa spirit not of fear but ^pof power and love and self-control.’
  • Romans 8:31 Page ___  ‘³¹ What then shall we say to these things? ^pIf God is for us, who can be⁹ against us? ’
  • 1 Corinthians 16:13 Page ___  ‘^{13 z}Be watchful, ^astand firm in the faith, ^bact like men, ^cbe strong. ^{14 d}Let all that you do be done in love.’
  • Hebrews 13:6 Page ___  ‘⁶ So we can confidently say, ^d“The Lord is my helper; ^eI will not fear; what can man do to me?” ’
• So like Paul and the early church
  • If we are going to walk it out
  • With Grit and by Grace
  • We should look to never miss a chance to grow in Christ & Grow Together
  • And in good times and in bad times – we should pray together and be in prayer for one another
  • And we must be courageous for the Gospel to Go & impact Byhalia, Barton, & beyond
  • This is a call for all of us
  • This is something for everyone to do – not just the Pauls
  • Not just the elders
  • Not just the team leads
  • But for all believers
• Charles Spurgeon ‘We are not called to be idle spectators of the conflict, but to take our share in it. We are to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. Courage, brethren! We are not alone. The legions of heaven are on our side.’
• Let’s Pray.

Matthew Henry

• providence must be acknowledged when our affairs go on well. 
• Foreseeing his troubles, from love to him, and concern for the church, they wrongly thought it would be most for the glory of God that he should continue at liberty; but their earnestness to dissuade him from it, renders his pious resolution the more illustrious.
• He has taught us by example, as well as by rule, to pray always, to pray without ceasing. Their last farewell was sweetened with prayer.
• Paul had express warning of his troubles, that when they came, they might be no surprise or terror to him. The general notice given us, that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God, should be of the same use to us.
• their weeping began to weaken and slacken his resolution Has not our Master told us to take up our cross? It was a trouble to him, that they should so earnestly press him to do that in which he could not gratify them without wronging his conscience.
• When we see trouble coming, it becomes us to say, not only, The will of the Lord must be done, and there is no remedy; but, Let the will of the Lord be done; for his will is his wisdom, and he doeth all according to the counsel of it. 
• when a trouble is come, this must allay our griefs, that the will of the Lord is done; when we see it coming, this must silence our fears, that the will of the Lord shall be done; and we ought to say, Amen, let it be done. 
• It is honourable to be an old disciple of Jesus Christ, to have been enabled by the grace of God to continue long in a course of duty, stedfast in the faith, growing more and more experienced, to a good old age.

Charles Spurgeon

• We are not called to be idle spectators of the conflict, but to take our share in it. We are to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. Courage, brethren! We are not alone. The legions of heaven are on our side.” — Charles Spurgeon, from a sermon on Judges 6:12, “Gideon—By the Well of Harod”
• “Do not pretend to believe if you are afraid of betraying your profession—but if you receive the Gospel and believe it as the Revelation of God—never blush to admit it, but be brave to avow it at all times and in all places… Be valiant for your Lord and Master!” — Charles Spurgeon, Sermon: “Speak For Yourself—A Challenge!”

John Piper

• Christian courage is the willingness to say and do the right thing regardless of the earthly cost, because God promises to help you and save you on account of Christ.”
• “The strength to risk losing face for the sake of Christ is the faith that God’s love will lift up your face in the end and vindicate your cause.”
• — John Piper
• (Nomads You & I)

Warren Wiersbe

• Paul hoped that his visit to Jerusalem with the offering would help to strengthen the fellowship between Jews & Gentiles.
• In Tyre, the believers ‘kept on saying to him’ that he should not et foot in Jerusalem.
• Paul silenced them and told them that he was prepared not only to be bound, but also to die if necessary for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Ababus did not forbid Paul to go to Jerusalem; he only told him what to expect if he did go.