Sermon Summary
Big Idea: God does call, but His callings should be confirmed and conform us to Christ.
In this week’s message from Acts 21:1–16, we trace Paul's final journey toward Jerusalem. Even though he is repeatedly warned by the Holy Spirit that suffering awaits him, Paul resolutely goes anyway. From this story we learn that God really does call his people, both generally and specifically. Yet, a true calling doesn't stop at a private conviction: it must be confirmed by the community of faith, and it must conform us to the image of Christ. If we are willing to pray “not my will, but yours be done,” then the call of God is ultimately not to a place, but to a person — the Lord Jesus Christ!
Sermon Outline
God does call us, both generally and specifically.
God’s callings should be confirmed by the church.
God’s calls us to be conformed to the image of Christ.
Sermon Text: Acts 21:1-16
And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 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.
And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.
When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 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.
Applications Questions
Can your claim that “God is leading me” survive being said out loud to people who might challenge you or give you push back?
Have you ever said “God called me” as a polite way of ending a conversation you didn’t want to have?
Do your life choices and decisions reflect a desire to honor God’s name?
Has anyone in the church ever tested your conviction? Would you be willing to let someone speak into your life?
How do you know that you are following God’s will versus taking a shortcut that avoids becoming more like Christ?
