TAKING THE FEAR OUT
ACTS 21:10-14 NKJ
ACTS 21:10-14 NKJ
10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'"
12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The will of the Lord be done."
OBSERVATION:
Paul is on his way to Jerusalem and has been stopping in the cities where he had brought the gospel.
There were people who cared about Paul and wanted him to be okay. He had been instrumental in their coming to faith, and many viewed him as a father in the faith.
So, we can imagine how distressed these believers were to hear what the Holy Spirit was saying. Agabus, who was a recognized prophet in the early church, said by the Holy Spirit that Paul would be bound and delivered to the Gentiles. The Holy Spirit did not tell Paul not to go. He just let him know there were some tough times coming.
This is the place where many people would have opted for plan B. Anything but hard times and trouble, but not Paul.
Paul had a very different perspective. He was ready to be imprisoned and even die, if necessary. How do you stop a guy like that? Paul had told the Ephesian elders that he did not count his life as dear to himself (Acts 20:24). Paul was not about protecting his life. He was all about fulfilling his assignment from the Lord.
This attitude pretty much kicks fear out the door. If not being afraid to die is in play, then nothing else can be a threat.
Paul was captured and imprisoned and sent to Rome, where he remained a captive. It was also the place where he wrote more of what we have today as the New Testament.
APPLICATION:
I cannot say that I am right with Paul on not being afraid to die. But I can move in that direction.
I am not afraid of what will happen to me when I die because I know where I am going. But I want to get to the place where the biggest objective of my remaining years is finishing what God has given me to do.
This is not a preacher thing. All of us can develop the perspective that we are not consumed with protecting our lives. We are most concerned with pleasing God and finishing our race. It is this attitude that kicks fear out the door!
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help me develop in Paul's perspective. That kicks fear out and makes me stronger.