https://youtu.be/re2OsOmwhYc

“Follow Me”

Hello FVC, it’s good to be here again, praise God. We will be in Acts tonight, chapter 21:1-14. In this portion of scripture, we will read about Paul’s journey, Following Jesus, being led by the spirit, to Jerusalem.

1st, I want to make sure we don’t take what the Lord has to speak tonight for granted. God is good right! Prepare to Listen to what God has to say to you. Pray, open your hearts and be ready to receive.

Remember, just as the Pharisees with hardened hearts, they didn’t receive Christ. Let’s not do the same and reject what the Lord has to say. Let’s prepare to receive this message.

My wife always quotes this one particular scripture, around the house, or in the car or wherever…

Proverbs 14:12… There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end, is the way of death. I’m like babe, I know… then I always feel convicted after.

Let’s all Pray and get ready for the sermon.

--Let’s Pray--

Let’s READ -- Acts 21:1-14

Paul travels past many places, Cos – Rhodes – Patara - Tyre – stayed with disciples, hears a prophecy- went to Ptolemais – stayed at Philip the evangelist house.  A man named Agabus came down from Judea, and gave Paul’s 2nd prophecy) saying, so shall the Jews in Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the gentiles. BUT… in verse 13 (Here it is) listen to what Paul says… “For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Paul was adamant, persistent and absolutely sure about dying to self, taking up his cross, following Jesus Christ.

Paul knows what awaits him in Jerusalem…the spirit told him long ago… He knew the cost, of taking up his cross. The two accounts of them prophesying to him was not news. This was just confirmation of what was to come, He knew what he was bound to. The Holy spirit already told him.  

How are you listening to the Spirit?

Inthe previous chapter, says…in Acts 20:22-24

22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Also…. In Acts 19:21… It says..

“When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

We see that it’s a purposeful act on Paul, to do God’s will and follow Jesus Christ, no matter the cost!

Paul walked out, the great commission Jesus gave us all, that we read in… Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus said, 19“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

And we see in…Matthew 16:24 (NKJV)

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Paul walks out his faith, runs towards following Christ, towards his calling, regardless of circumstances, situations, fears, what others say, how he feels, or what he sees. He still Follows Christ.

Why? because he committed to Christ, decided in his heart and his mind, to follow Jesus!

Jesus says…Follow Me!  

We read about Paul, in Acts 9, when he was named Saul - before his name was changed to Paul…  he was traveling to Damascus to jail and persecute more Christians. This was Saul’s mission, to jail and persecute Christians. Where he followed his heart, and decide to follow his own plans (Again - Proverbs 14:12: There is a way th...