Trumping Prophecy

Text: Acts 21:1-14

Theme: The Spirit gets blamed (and misinterpreted) for a lot of things.

Key verses: “We went ashore, found the local believers, and stayed with them a week. These believers prophesied through the Holy Spirit that Paul should not go on to Jerusalem. When we returned to the shop at the end of the week, the entire congregation…left the city and came down to the shore with us. There we knelt, prayed, and said our farewells. Then we went aboard, and they returned home” (v. 4-6). The next day we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist…He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy. Several days later a man named Agabus, who also had the gift of prophecy, arrived in Judea. He came over, took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, ‘The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.’ When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. But he said, ‘Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.’ When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, ‘The Lord’s will be done'” (v. 8-14).

What I believe God said to me: People often hear what they want to hear. The Holy Spirit would never contradict himself. In the chapter before, Paul said to the Ephesians leaders that he went “bound by the Spirit” toward Jerusalem. He knew he was probably going to die, but that did not taint his interpretation of the Spirit’s leading. The people who prophesied over him in this chapter also heard from the Spirit. The writer of Acts gives credit to the Spirit as the one through whom they received their information regarding Paul. The difference wasn’t in what they heard; the difference was in how they interpreted what they heard. They received the same insights from the Spirit as Paul did. But their hearts and minds were in a vastly different place than Paul’s when it came to Paul. Paul was more than their dear friend. He was their pastor, rabbi, counselor, and overseer. They certainly weren’t ready to see him go away from them and die. They couldn’t fathom such an end for their dearly beloved Paul. Paul, on the other hand, didn’t have such a high view of himself. He wasn’t fixed on his own pain and discomforts or on what his absence might feel like. Paul’s focus was purely on bringing the most glory to Jesus Christ his Savior and Lord. He had died to himself so regularly and repeatedly over the years that disregard for his own health and happiness was deeply ingrained in him. It’s much harder to watch your loved ones go through mistreatment and abuse than it is to go through it yourself. You know this, Dwayne, because you’ve experienced a little of that in your own life, when your family had to watch you go through hard times of rejection and ridicule at churches you served. It bothered them a lot more than it bothered you. So it was with Paul. He did not; he could not allow his personal feelings or sense of wellness to get in the way of what he already knew I wanted him to do. Although the Spirit was indeed saying he could go through trials and even face death, Paul didn’t read into that what he wanted it to mean. And even the tearful concerns and pleadings of those near and dear to him couldn’t deter him from his mission. When the Spirit spoke through those who prophesied over him, Paul knew that the Spirit was simply confirming what he already knew. Apparently the Spirit wanted his friends and followers to accept his potential fate as well. So, what is the take-away for you today, Dwayne? Be very careful not to allow others to misguide you and misinterpret what you know I’m leading you to do. They may have the best of intentions in mind; they may be some of your dearest and wisest friends. Nonetheless, you are responsible for you. I will confirm in your heart what I want you to do, and when you know that you know, don’t let anyone prevent you from moving in that direction–even if it means walking away from friends and toward possible traps and demise.

What I said to God: Thank You, Father, for meeting with me this morning. You are my all in all. I trust You to guide and provide. Our lives are not own. We are bought with a price. We belong to You and You alone. We are indentured servants to do Your will–and I for one am eternally grateful for that. I pray for my family as they support and cheer me on in ministry endeavors. I know it’s difficult for them, especially my wife. Our only real security and confidence comes from You. We know You led us to start Next Level Worship. We know You will continue to sustain us in this ministry. Whether we are in times of want or plenty, may I remain faithful to You and sold out to finishing the course and mission You’ve laid out for me.