After giving his farewell address to the Ephesian elders at Miletus, Paul took his first step in heading toward Jerusalem.  It was like when Jesus made his last trip to Jerusalem, it was a trip of death, there was a dark cloud hanging in front of him on the road. Even so he continued on to Jerusalem because it was the Lord’s will. Today let’s look at 3 things we can learn from Paul who lived in the will of God.

I.            Live your calling  (vs. 1-6)

              First Paul lived for the calling he had received from God. Paul left Miletus and set sail to Co. The next day he “went to Rhodes and from there to Patara.” (1) There they “found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail.” (2) They were headed for Syria and landed at Tyre because the ship had cargo to unload there. When Paul got off the ship there he found the disciples there and “stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.” (4)

              When Paul got to Tyre he found the disciples there and stayed with them.  In Acts 11:19 we are told, “Those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch.”  These disciples were a result of the evangelization that took place by the disciples who had been scattered to the area as a result of the persecution in connection with Stephen’s martyr. The word that is used for “finding” means “going here and there and finally finding” At that time there were no maps of individual homes in the city, no phone books, etc. so it would have been difficult to hunt for the Christians there.  However, Paul went to the trouble to do so because he wanted to meet with them and fellowship with them.  This is Christian fellowship.

              Paul spent one week fellowshipping with them so it must have been a deep fellowship.  Even if we have a polite relationship with someone, if we are with them for 2 or 3 days, we begin to open our hearts to each other.  It was at this time the believers of Tyre the Holy Spirit revealed to the disciples that when Paul went to Jerusalem he was going to face many hardships. Therefore, “they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.” (4) Having been led to the faith by people who had come to Tyre because of the persecutions may have made them feel for and understand the struggles and trials of Christians who are in similar situations.  Therefore, it is very understandable that they would urge Paul so strongly not to go on knowing that trials lay ahead. Even so, Paul continued on towards Jerusalem.

              Even though Paul was urged by the disciples in Tyre not to go on to Jerusalem, Paul continued on towards Jerusalem because that was the Lord’s will.  In Acts 19:21 Paul decided that going to Jerusalem and on was the Lord’s will.  Also in Acts 20:23 Paul said to the Ephesian elders, “I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.” 

              Going to Jerusalem was the Lord’s will.  Paul knew that he would be facing prison and hardships. However, he was compelled to go to Jerusalem not only to bring the offerings from the different churches and to fellowship with the members there, but because he knew in the end that he had to go to Rome.  That was the Lord’s will. He had assurance that no matter what obstacles were put in his path to overcome them was what the Lord wanted.

              In Acts 20:24 right after Paul says that he knows that he will face prison and hardships, he says, “however, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”

              This was Paul’s calling.  If he could fulfill his calling, then he considered his life worth nothing.  A person’s calling is a source of energy that allows you move forward even though you know that there are huge problems ahead.

              What has God called you to do?  It’s ok if your call is not clear, but vague.  It is important to establish it.  It is not what you want to do, but what God wants you to do.  It is what you are living for.  Our greatest calling is heaven, but at the same time to make the rest of the time we have left on this earth meaningful, we need to think thoughtfully about what our calling is.  May we like Paul say, “If only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.” (20:24)  We are really blessed

if we can say decisively what our task is.

II.          Make up your mind.    (vs.7-13)

Paul continued the voyage from Tyre to Ptolemais.  He spent one day there and the next day reached Caesarea. In Caesarea there was a man named Philip, the evangelist whose house Paul stayed at. This is the Philip that appeared in chapter 8 of Acts. In 8:40 we are told, that “Philip traveled about preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.” From then all, he stayed in Caesarea and evangelized.  He had 4 unmarried daughters who were dedicated to serving the Lord.  

              After they “had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.” (10)  Agabus occurs in 11:27.  He came to Paul when he was staying with Philip and “took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it.” (11)  Then he prophesized, “In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.” (11)  Paul was warned in Tyre and now is warned a second time here by Agabus.  Not only that but this warning is “in this way”, it is more real or visual.   When those who were traveling with Paul heard this, they  joined the people there urging Paul not to go to Jerusalem. However, Paul gives his answer in verse 13.  He shook off their pleading and says that he is determined to go to Jerusalem. This is because he was “ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (13) For Paul the important thing was not running from death or being bound, but doing the will of God.

Romans 6:5

Philip. 3:10,11

Paul wanted to be like Jesus. To be like Jesus means to become like Jesus in his death.

Jesus said in Luke 13:33, “In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day-for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!”

Jesus’ words are a response to a Pharisee who came to Jesus and said, “leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” (31) In the same way, Paul must today, tomorrow, and the next day continue towards Jerusalem. He wanted to become like Jesus in his death.

              In reality, Paul must have been really shaken up. Even though Paul was moving earnestly towards Jerusalem. the believers who were close to him, and fellow workers were saying to him, “Don’t go”. What would you do if you were in Paul’s shoes?  Paul responded, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart?” (13)  By his words we can feel that Paul was very shaken up and his heart is wrenched.  Even so he is continuing towards Jerusalem.  This is because “for the name of the Lord Jesus” (13) Paul was living for the name of the Lord Jesus.  Even if there were struggles, trials, even death, he was moving forward because he was living for the name of the Lord Jesus.  He had made up his mind that even if it meant death he was going to live for the name of the Lord.  How strong a commitment we have determines not only our Christian life, but our whole life. Because Paul had made up his mind to live for the name of the Lord Jesus, even if it meant death so he was able to move forward towards Jerusalem even though he knew what he was going to have to face there.

III.         Leave everything to the Lord (vs. 14,15)

              Thirdly, Paul left everything to the Lord.  In other words, Paul didn’t move according to his own decisions or what others advised, but he left everything to the Lord.  As a result of Paul’s decision, the disciples who were with him realized that they couldn’t stop his will and they themselves were able to leave everything to the Lord.  We need to leave everything to the Lord who made us and teaches us. The road of life isn’t one of joy, but for those who leave everything to the Lord, God will be responsible to them.  Our life, our death, the way we live, everything we need to leave to the Lord, and move forward in His will.

              When we look at Acts 20:24 we can see that Paul was controlled by Christ.  He went where he was meant to go.  That was Paul’s life.  Whether he was going to Jerusalem or to Rome no matter where he was running, he kept running the race even when his life was on the line.  He was controlled by and lived for the name of Christ. Therefore, he kept running the race and it became his lifestyle.  Also he left everything up to God. His life was running the road that he was given.          

              No matter what road God has given us, like Paul’s lifestyle, we need to continue down that road, the road of God’s will. Then trusting in God and his love, walk on to our Jerusalem.