The Gospel of Jesus Christ actually grows faster and in more power among

societies that try to persecute Christians.It has always been this way…

from the very beginning of Christianity.

Acts 9: 15-16“… This man [Saul of Tarsus]

is my chosen instrument to proclaim my Name to the Gentiles and their

kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much

he must suffer for my Name.”

Paul feels compelled to go to Jerusalem

for Pentecost Feast.----------------------------“Warning Signs” about danger in Jerusalem:

Acts 20: 22-23, 25 Acts 21: 4-5 Acts 21: 10-11 * Acts 11: 27-28

The other believers strongly disagreed

with Paul’s decision,but they kept the

“unity of the Spirit.”

-------------------------- Acts 20: 36-38 Acts 21: 5-6 Acts 21: 12-15

God may have been at work in this “bad coincidence”

of Paul being spotted at the temple by the

Ephesian Jews.This incident led to the stopping

of his participation in a questionable purification ritual.

Acts 21: 17-27

1 Corinthians9: 19-23

Paul deeply desired how he communicated and ministered for the Gospel

be “adaptable.”

Act 21: 27-36Paul is seized and beaten by passionate Jews who are stirred up by false rumors

from Ephesian Jewish “agitators.”This leads to Paul being officially arrested.

Acts 21:40 – 22:21

Paul’s Personal Testimony

to the Jerusalem

Crowd

Acts 22: 15-1615 “You will be His witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins

away, calling on His Name.”

Acts 22: 18 & 2118 I saw the Lord speaking to me.

‘Quick!’ he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here

will not accept your testimony about Me.’21 Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go;

I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’

We require balance between being

All things to all people

Fulfilling our personal calling

Acts 22:22

The crowd listened to Paul until he said

this. Then they raised their voices

and shouted, “Rid the earth

of him! He’s not fit to live!”

John 19: 14-15“Here is your king,”

Pilate said to the Jews.But they shouted, “Take him away!

Take him away! Crucify him!”

It’s natural for us to look back

in hindsight and try to determine

God’s Plan for Paul’ life,

but that isn’t our place and it really isn’t as clear-cut

as we might think.

For discerning God’s Will today, we rely on the same methods Paul did:

1.) The Bible (always has “veto” vote!) 2.) Direct revelation to us 3.) Indirect revelation from others

Thankfully, we can see throughout Scripture and in

our own lives that God is still able to bring about His

Plan for our lives… even if we end up

going on a “detour” to get there.

Ephesians 2: 20-2220 [You are] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus

Himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In Him, the whole building is joined together and rises

to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in Him you too are being

built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.