Not Jerusalem!
Acts 21
Paul Goes to Jerusalem
21 And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.
7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 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.
Paul Visits James
17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 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, 21 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. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;24 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. 25 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.”26 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.
Paul Arrested in the Temple
27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. 31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”
SERMON NOTES
“Save me from the curse that lies dark across the modern clergy: the curse of compromise, of imitation, of professionalism. Save me from the error of judging a church by its size, its popularity or the amount of its yearly offering. Help me to remember that I am a prophet—not a promoter, not a religious manager, but a prophet. Let me never become a slave to crowds. Heal my soul of carnal ambitions and deliver me from the itch for publicity.” - A.W. Tozer, Voice of a Prophet: Who Speaks for God?
- What is the role and definition of the Prophet in the Church today?
- Why do you think Paul still went to Jerusalem?
- The Fruit of Spirit and Spiritual gifts go hand and hand. How?
Scriptures to Consider
1. Ephesians 4:1-11
2. 1 Corinthians 12-14
3. Galatians 5:22-26
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, June 18
9:30 am Outreach Prayer
1:30 pm Women’s Prayertime
7:00 pm Family Badminton
TUESDAY, June 19
7:00 pm Elder's Meeting
WEDNESDAY, June 20
9:45 am Keenagers
10:00 am Park Play Days at Rotary Park in Stony Plain
THURSDAY, June 21
6:30 pm Deeper Life School of Theology
FRIDAY, June 22
6:30 pm Deeper Life School of Theology
7:00 pm Grandparenting Matters Conference
SATURDAY , June 23
8:30 am Deeper Life School of Theology
9:00 am Grandparenting Matters Conference
SUNDAY, June 24
9:15 am & 11:15 am Worship Services
JOURNEY UPDATES
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PHASE 1– Our Sunday School kids raised $11,000 for the future development of their church. Now they are challenging “Big Church” to match their gifts 10-fold before summer...If every adult here gives $170, we’ll raise $110,000 by June 30!
We have 2 weeks left in the challenge and have raised 89% of our goal! Make your gift today – and invest in the next 40 years of Spruce Grove Alliance Church!
TOY CLEANING We need volunteers to help clean toys. It is a big job, however, many hands make light work! Nursery Bins can be picked up at the Nursery kiosk. Contact Janet for further details.
VOLUNTEERS needed to help with summer Discovery Island and VBS, contact a Children's Ministry worker to sign up.
GRANDPARENTING MATTERS CONFERENCE June 22-23.
We believe:
Grandparents are incredibly important to their grandkids. Grandparents are uniquely positioned to spiritually influence their grandkids.
Grandparents have a Biblical mandate to do so.
Join us for the Grandparenting Matters Conference, be encouraged and renewed in your role as a biblical grandparent/aunt/uncle. Visit us online for registration and information.
Josh Thiessen and Hailey Bosser PANTRY SHOWER Wednesday June 27 at 7:00 pm . You are invited to join us as we will fill their pantry before they get married in August! This shower is a Jack & Jill shower ( guys and girls invited) for more info or to RSVP contact Bonny Piska 780-916-3648.
VBS August 13-17 Registration is now open online.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
PRAYER
Please pray for:
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Our International Workers: Shaun & Iris Kelly, Charles & Angela Ibsen, David & Annette Faszer.
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Our Pastoral Team Staff Member: Josh Palsky - Pastor of Youth and Young Adults. Josh is married to Beth and they have one child.
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Our Administrative Team Staff Member: Joanna Halliday. Joanna is married to Joel and they have 2 children ages 11 & 7.
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Our Elders Team Member: John de Steiger. John is married to Melanie and they have one son age 18.
Future Development Updates
