While we may wonder about Paul’s friends and there advice, how should we both give and receive advice.
1. Paul’s friends demonstrated the common inclination of being quick to point out God’s will for someone else’s life.
2. Paul’s friends no doubt meant well but, they were trying to make God’s will conform to theirs.
“To choose to suffer means there is something wrong; to choose God’s will even if it means suffering is a very different thing. No healthy saint ever chooses suffering; he chooses God’s will, as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not.” [Oswald Chambers: My Upmost For His Highest. p. 223]
3. Paul’s friends in urging him not to go to Jerusalem were actually being used by the enemy to discourage him in following the Lord. We have no trouble following the guidance of the Lord, as long as it is leading through blessings and ease. But we cannot imagine God’s will leading us or anyone we love through difficulties or trials.
The truth is that neither the present nor absence of trouble is an indicator of God’s will.
Acts 21:13 "For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" This was the true spirit of a martyr.
TEXT: ACTS 21:15-26
SONGS:
TOUCH OF THE MASTERS HAND (THE VIOLIN), WAYNE WATSON
GOODNESS OF GOD, WORSHIP INITIATIVE
NOT MY WILL, LIZZIE MORGAN
MAKE ROOM, COMMUNITY MUSIC
MAJESTY, DELIRIOUS
