Sermon Summary
Big Idea: God unites his people with praise, truth, and love.
When Paul arrives in Jerusalem, James and the elders ask him pay for the purification rituals for four men at the temple. At first it might seem strange, but Paul paying for these haircuts points to what actually holds the church together — love! In this sermon, we trace three moments: Paul is welcomed, warned, and then willing to serve. From this narrative we learn that God unites his people through their praise, commitment to the truth, and self-sacrificial love. In the end, the one who unites the us is Jesus Christ, whose self-sacrificial love made it possible for there to even be a church.
Sermon Outline
Paul is welcomed and God unites his people with praise.
Paul is warned and God unites his people with truth.
Paul is willing to serve, and God unites his people with love.
Sermon Text: Acts 21:15-26
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.
When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified God.
And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.
What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.”
Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.
Applications Questions
What are some ways you can praise God for what he’s doing in your life, in our church, or around the world?
If another church member or church is blessed by God, do you feel joy or jealousy?
What are some bible verses that teach about hearing both sides of a story or making sure there are witnesses before making a judgment?
Have you ever seen someone walk away from a conflict instead of pursuing the truth?
What are the reasons why we should not make the Old Testament our “rulebook”?
What are the reasons why we should still read, meditate on, and seek to apply the wisdom of the Old Testament?
What would costly love for someone in our church look like this week?
