COURAGE: THE ART OF STEPPING UP WHEN OTHERS STEP BACK (18 OF 22)
by Tim Badal
Scripture: Acts 22:22-30, Acts 23:1-11
This content is part of a series.
Courage: The Art of Stepping up When Others Step Back (18 of 22)
Series: UnStoppable - Acts
Tim Badal
Acts 22:22-23:11
Today we'll be reading in Acts 22, where we will see Paul showing courage. We will also find through this story that the very things that gave him courage are available to us today. But these are things that won't be true of all Christians worldwide. Paul was given advantages that don't apply to some Christians in other places. This reality should cause us to be more courageous and confident than less fortunate believers-yet often their courage surpasses ours in spite of the greater hostilities they experience.
If you recall, last week we left Paul in the middle of a very difficult situation. He was in Jerusalem where he had been looking forward to visiting for some time. He had brought gifts from churches he had planted throughout the Roman Empire, which did not appear to have been greatly appreciated. Also, people in Jerusalem had spread rumors about Paul before he even arrived. So, the Christians in Jerusalem told Paul that the way to resolve some of the issues was for him to go with four other men into the temple and undergo a season of purification for seven days. Paul did what they requested, but all it did was create more trouble for him. Even though he was trying to please the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, the slanderous accusations against him continued.
As a result, Paul found himself in the middle of a mob uprising. Why would so many people be against him? Somehow the word had gotten out that Paul intended to defile the temple by bringing Gentiles into it. The rumor was not true, but it still had taken root to the extent that people were then seeking to kill Paul. While he was being mobbed, the Roman soldiers came and rescued Paul. They then planned to take him to their barracks to question him, but before that happened, Paul asked to be allowed to speak to the crowds. The soldiers agreed and amazingly, as Paul gave his ...
Series: UnStoppable - Acts
Tim Badal
Acts 22:22-23:11
Today we'll be reading in Acts 22, where we will see Paul showing courage. We will also find through this story that the very things that gave him courage are available to us today. But these are things that won't be true of all Christians worldwide. Paul was given advantages that don't apply to some Christians in other places. This reality should cause us to be more courageous and confident than less fortunate believers-yet often their courage surpasses ours in spite of the greater hostilities they experience.
If you recall, last week we left Paul in the middle of a very difficult situation. He was in Jerusalem where he had been looking forward to visiting for some time. He had brought gifts from churches he had planted throughout the Roman Empire, which did not appear to have been greatly appreciated. Also, people in Jerusalem had spread rumors about Paul before he even arrived. So, the Christians in Jerusalem told Paul that the way to resolve some of the issues was for him to go with four other men into the temple and undergo a season of purification for seven days. Paul did what they requested, but all it did was create more trouble for him. Even though he was trying to please the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, the slanderous accusations against him continued.
As a result, Paul found himself in the middle of a mob uprising. Why would so many people be against him? Somehow the word had gotten out that Paul intended to defile the temple by bringing Gentiles into it. The rumor was not true, but it still had taken root to the extent that people were then seeking to kill Paul. While he was being mobbed, the Roman soldiers came and rescued Paul. They then planned to take him to their barracks to question him, but before that happened, Paul asked to be allowed to speak to the crowds. The soldiers agreed and amazingly, as Paul gave his ...
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