February 9, 2025

There are many moments in the Book of Acts that should give us the feeling of déjà vu. As Acts records all that Jesus continued to do and teach through the apostles, we frequently see the apostles following in Jesus’ footsteps, sometimes quite literally.

Jesus and Peter each tell lame men to rise up and walk (Luke 5; Acts 3).

People are healed by touching both Jesus’ and Paul’s garments (Luke 8; Acts 19).

Jesus raises a widow’s son from the dead and we’ve seen Peter raise Tabitha and Paul raise Eutychus from the dead (Luke 7; Acts 9; Acts 20).

This past Sunday, like His Savior before him, Paul set his face toward Jerusalem, knowing great suffering awaited him there.

“And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. (Acts 20:22–23).”

And His resolve to fulfill the Father’s will also echoed the resolve of Jesus.

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).”

And this week we’ll hear him say,

I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 21:13).”

That kind of talk may sound radical to our ears. At some point, we have probably all asked ourselves the question, “Would I be willing to lay down my life for the name of my Lord Jesus?” If left utterly to our own courage and strength, the answer is probably, “No.” But we are not alone. Like Paul, God has given us His Spirit and the Church to enable us to honor Christ in our bodies, whether by life or by death (cf. Phil. 1:19-21).

This Sunday Erik Thoennes’ sermon from Acts 21:1-16 is entitled Following Jesus Together Wherever he Leads. And Kenny Clark will be leading us in sung worship. Would you pray for each as they prepare? And let’s ask the Spirit to help us help one another to “hold our original confidence firm to the end (Heb. 3:14).”

See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!

 

Song of the Week

For the Cause by Keith and Kristyn Getty

Let it be my life’s refrain
To live is Christ, to die is gain
Deny myself, take up my cross
And follow the Son