The blessings of divine conviction. (Acts 20:22)
A. The scripture:
NIV translation:
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem,
not knowing what will happen to me there.
ASV translation:
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem,
not knowing the things that shall befall me there.
By the grace of God, I discovered this is a case of divine conviction.
This is how it happen-->
The Holy Spirit takes hold of the spirit of man and in turn
these two take hold of the desires of the flesh of the man!
B. In reality conviction can be very good or very bad!
In highly educated environment, people like to use this word “conviction” to end the discussion!
Such as you can’t use Ro.10:9 to justify your way of salvation for your soul.
You must use Mark 16:16 to justify that.
This is my conviction all of my life, please say no more!
This person is hopeless for salvation in the Lord!
If you are still willing to listen to biblical reasoning, you are blessed!
Such as myself, I am still open to biblical reasoning!
Please ask me questions and I will try my best to answer them one by one biblically!
C. In the case of Apostle Paul!
1. This is the Holy Spirit’s direct operation!
This is why the following verse, that is Acts 20:23 says
the Holy Spirit testifies unto me in every city, saying
that bonds and afflictions are waiting for me in Jerusalem.
2. But I am still going!
This is what exactly happened!
Apostle Paul put it this way-->
But I hold not my life of any account has dear unto myself,
so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry
which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24
3. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom,
shall see my face no more. Acts 20:25
4. We tarried with the disciples in Tyre for seven days. Acts 21:3-4
They said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem.
5. When we were in Caesarea, there came from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
He came to us taking Paul’s girdle, he bound his own feet and hands,
and said, thus said the Holy Spirit, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem
bind the man that own this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
When we heard these things, both we and they of that place besought him
not to go up to Jerusalem. Acts 21:10-12
6. Paul answered:
What do you, weeping and breaking my heart?
For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem
for the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 21:13
7. When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, the Lord’s will be done. Acts 21:14
D. This was what happened in Jerusalem! Acts21:27-22:23
1. Some Jews from Asia saw Paul at the temple.
They stirred up the people and laid hands on him.
They cried out: This is the man teach all men against the people,
the law and defiled the holy temple. Ac.21:27-28
2. The city was moved, people ran together.
They laid hold on Paul, dragged him out of the temple. Ac.21:30
They were seeking to kill him.Ac.21:31
The multitude crying out, away with him. Acts 21:36
3. With the captain’s permission Paul spoke to the people and
there was made a great silence. Acts 21:40
5. They gave him audience until he mentioned the word Gentiles! Ac.22:22
One who has divine conviction is able to say,
there is nothing in the this which can make me depart from the Love of Christ!
May the Lord bless you and keep you forever!
P.S. After you read this sermon and learned how those religious people in Jerusalem treated Apostle Paul,
what do you think about religions in this world?
As for me, I will follow Jesus!