Warmth and War - Acts 21:17-36

Acts 21:17-36 – Warmth and War

Introduction

            “Heads I win, tails you lose”

 

 

Warmth and Worship (21:17-20a)

 

 

            Gladness and Delight

 

 

 

            Hearing and Praising

 

 

 

Rumours and Requests (21:20b-25)

            The culture of the church

 

            Rumours

 

                        Integrity of the Gospel and individual freedom

 

            Requests

 

                        It was reasonable

 

                        A truly freed man should not be in bondage to his own freedom.

 

 

Shouting and Seizing (21:26-36)

 

 

            The pattern of Jesus and Paul

 

 

 

 

Questions:

1) Where do you see the kind of Spirit-filled warmth, welcome, and affection among believers that Paul experienced in 21:17–20a—and where might God be calling you to help cultivate more of it?

2) When you hear of God blessing someone else’s ministry, gifting, or fruitfulness, do you instinctively rejoice and praise God—or do you compare, envy, or withdraw? What might help you grow in giving all glory to God?

3) Paul travelled to Jerusalem to build unity between Jew and Gentile. What practical steps can you take to bridge divides in your own church—whether cultural, generational, or personal?

4) In what areas do you need to restrain your personal freedoms—not because you must, but because love for weaker brothers and sisters calls you to?

5) What desires, ambitions, comforts, or relationships do you need to surrender in order to be a more faithful witness to Christ? What keeps you from doing so?