Author: remnantinthepass

Good Friday May eighth as we study God’s word to grow in our faith.

Jesus Appears to Paul-

Paul’s desire to speak to the Jews has finally happened, and Paul tries to make the connection with them that he is like them, a Jew from birth, a learned man, a Pharisee one who studied the laws and procedures of their religion. What was Paul’s foundation here? Paul was placing the foundation of their religion as the point where one would find all answers. Understand the scriptures, Gods holy word teaches us who God is and how we can find peace. Find peace many are religious but do not have the peace of God, and why because instead of seeing God with spiritually eyes they are blinded as Paul was on that road, as the mob wanting to arrest and kill followers of Jesus. Paul says to this group I was as you are today but the voice from heaven called me and it was the Lord Jesus who opened my eyes to His truth that I wish now to share with you. Isaiah 42:21 “The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness’ sake; He will exalt the law and make it honorable.” Understand Jesus did not come to abolish the law, rather according Isaiah; He came to honor and magnify the law. Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” By fulfilling the laws Jesus brought the honor to the Father, and by us accepting the Lord, we too honor the law and bring honor to the Father. Let’s read together from Acts 22:17-21 “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ” Please underline this section in your bibles as this answers many questions about Jesus being alive and Paul having been called as an apostle by Jesus Christ. After Paul received both physical and spiritual sight he says he returned to Jerusalem, where he is speaking this day, when again Jesus the same voice from heaven says to him, “‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.” Paul was excited and wanted to share the message when he first came to Jerusalem but Jesus said not yet Paul. Jesus was killed by these same religious men, and then Paul now with the sight of seeing whom Jesus really is, Jesus says, move on not a good place to remain. Paul shares what we have read that he went after followers’ of the Lord and he was the one who gave his consent to Stephen’s death. Paul is sharing that this is who he was, but today he says, I stand corrected by Jesus Himself, who is the Messiah and He is alive and He has called me to share the Good news. Here Paul shares that Jesus sent him to the gentiles. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That statement has just made the religious ears get plugged. Have you received Jesus? Remnant

Good Thursday May seventh as we study from God’s Holy Word.

Now I see-

Paul is giving his testimony as to his conversion to Christianity to the Jews standing in the temple courts. In Acts nine Luke has told the story of Paul’s conversion but now Luke records what Paul remembers that day on the road to Damascus. Understand Paul began by introducing himself as equal to those who he is teaching, meaning having the same motives and drives as these who he stands before. Paul says on this road around noon a light brighter than the sun shined on him coming from heaven. Now Paul does say one thing a little different than Luke recorded in chapter nine. Where Luke said those with Paul feared the voice, Paul says they only heard sounds not words. The Greek word used by Luke translates to the word sound. Paul says these men heard only the sound from heaven not the voice as the voice was directed to him. Either way Paul heard the voice and had a conversation and the men with him were overcome by the light and the sounds from heaven. Let’s read together to hear what Paul heard from the Lord from  Acts 22:12-16 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Paul introduces the man in Damascus whom he was led to, because he was temporarily blind and needed his men to take him to where the Lord told him to go. This man, he is to meet, is Ananias who Paul says is a well respected Jew in Damascus. Again Paul is speaking to Jews and wants to hold their attention. Paul continues, when I was given my physical sight back I starred in the face of this man Ananias. Luke wrote this, Acts 9:17 “Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”Notice what was said by Ananias not just get sight but Paul to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Zechariah 4:6 “So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.”Many have physical sight but are blind to the truth of God’s word. Many follow others who are blind to God’s word, Paul’s eyes were restored yes physically but not just physical sight, he was given spiritual sight as well when Ananias prayed for him to receive this sight by the power of the Holy Spirit. Ananias reveals God’s plan for Paul’s life, Paul is told that God has chosen him to teach the gospel, “For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

The gift of sight is boosted by spiritual sight, do you have spiritual sight? Remnant

Good Wednesday May sixth as we enter this day opening God’s word to learn His will.

The ground work-

Paul on the stairs that overlooks the temple asks permission to speak to the Jews below. Paul begins addressing these Jews first by introducing himself as one of them, being a Jew from Cilicia, a learned man learned under Gamaliel, but then Paul tells them he was just as they are, upset with the way, so upset that he being a Pharisee went and hunted Christians imprisoning and sometimes having them killed. Here is how Paul described his former life, “Philippians 3:4-6 “though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so  circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;  concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” Paul looks at these men and understands them well and why not? He was once one like them, but something changes and he wants to share what changed him, so let’s read together from Acts 22:6-11“Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. So I said, ‘what shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.”So Paul opens and says I had letters to arrest Christians signed by the Jewish authorities in the temple, and this one day on the outskirts of the city of Damascus, at the noon hour as the sun shined in the summer skies, a light brighter than the sun over powered me and I fell to the ground. Understand Paul has their attention; the mob has quieted down and is listening for the moment to one of their brothers 1Corinthians 9:22 “to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” Then Paul says what separated him from the temple guards, who were with them, “And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” I heard this voice but the other men did not but were being over powered by this light radiating from heaven. This voice said I was persecuting him, so under this glory from heaven I asked who He was, “And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.” Paul explains, guys God Himself did the ground work which I recognized as a holy moment, and I listened to the voice of God who said He was Jesus of Nazareth. But there is more,” So I said, ‘what shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus.” Hebrews 11:8 “The Lord called Abraham from Ur and told him to follow Him one step at a time. Abraham obeyed and a nation was born.” Have you heard His voice, obeying? Remnant

Good Tuesday May fifth as we come before the written word of our Lord.

Opportunity to teach the Jews-

Paul is now in the protected custody of Rome, and as he is being taken to the fortress of Antonio, the post for the Roman soldiers built above the temple. As the soldiers carry Paul he startles the commander by speaking to him in Greek, what startled him, the commander believed Paul was a notorious Egyptian leader who had come to Jerusalem to cause trouble with the Roman government. Let’s get the picture; Paul is on the shoulders of the soldiers with a mob scene threatening Paul below, when Paul asks permission to speak to this      mob. What is Paul doing by asking permission? Romans 13:1-2 “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.” Not only does Paul teach us to obey authorities he demonstrates with his life that we are to be at peace as much as we can. Paul does get permission so let’s read together from Acts 22:1-5 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said: “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,  as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.” Paul here begins his defense before the Jewish establishment. The Greek word for defense is the word we use when defending our faith, apologia where we get the English word apologetics. Paul silences the mob speaking Hebrew most likely Aramaic and the crowd now listens intently. Paul first introduces himself calling himself a Jew, Paul says I am from the city of Tarsus which was a city in Cilicia which would be in modern day Turkey. Where Paul was born is relevant, as those who came from Tarsus were Hellenist being both Jew and Greek.

ACTS 6:1 “Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.” This was when the seven deacons were chosen to meet the needs of all, and who Saul had killed one of them Stephen. Paul then says he was raised in Jerusalem which would have given great testimony of his Jewish upbringing. Then Paul says his teacher was “Gamaliel taught according to the strictness of our fathers, law”. Paul looks at these men as says, “And was zealous toward God as you all are today.”Paul says, “I persecuted this Way to the death.” Paul has starred his accusers in their eyes and has shared that he was once just as they are today, seething angered religious zealots. Much like us who are former sinners against God, but now our faith in the cross has changed all that. Are you a changed person? Remnant

Good Saturday May second as we discover God’s will by studying His word.

Door was closed-

Paul wanting desperately to reach his Jewish friends, enters Jerusalem and meets with the leaders and James says to him, some believe that you are teaching against the laws of Moses and are upset with you, maybe you can make this right by taking these four young men who are taking a vow and pay for them and go through the week with them and win them over. Paul chose to do this and he pays with the monies collected from the gentile churches in Asia agreed by the council. What is interesting at least to me is we do not see any arguments made by these four men who represent a group who had supposed Paul was teaching hieratically. Why is this interesting, because Paul went into this to reason with these men and win them over. 1 Peter 3:15-16. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” Paul went into this with a heart’s desire to win his people over, let’s read together from  Acts 21:30-32 “And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.” As we have studied the book of acts and as you have studied from Paul’s other letters one of two things happen when Paul enters a new city with the gospel, either the region is won over to Christ or anger prevails and Paul’s life is threatened. Well the four men may have been opened to listen to Paul but this group from Asia has come bringing their fake news, their lies and they set a flame onto the timbers of others in the temple courtyard. “The people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.” There were gates separating the court of the gentiles from the inner courts of the actual temple, and here the Jews shut the gates to keep the rioters out and to keep the Roman soldiers that would come because the Romans were responsible to keep the city at peace. The commander who is Claudia Lysias took his troops from the fortress of Antonia, which overlooked the northwest corner of this temple, and entered the courtyard and when the rioters saw the troops they stopped rioting. Can you imagine Paul here; he is with four men in the temple as they take their vows, when a mob begins rioting based on lies. What is Paul doing, well we know he is not fighting with the mob he is silent. Paul has a desire to reach the Jews, but his calling is to the gentiles’ kings then the Jews. Acts 9:15-16 “But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” The doors shut again for Paul now protected by soldiers. Who has God asked you to go to? Are you? Remnant

Good Friday May first as we study God’s word to grow in our faith in God.

Separating for peace-

The apostle Paul listens to the elders, and has to make a decision, although Paul does not practice the specific vows, he wants desperately to reach the Jews here in Jerusalem and knows that what he is being asked would be an olive branch to keeping the peace. What is Paul being asked to do? James wants Paul to sponsor four men who wish to take the Nazarite vow, which means that one would separate from others and be consecrated to God. This would mean the person would separate in three areas, not to drink wine or strong drink, not to cut their hair in this period, and not to touch or be in contact with the dead. Purpose to separate, to spend time alone with God and purify their hearts mind souls and spirits. Let’s read together from Acts 21:26-29 “Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them. Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)” Luke writes Paul took the vow with these four men; understand Paul knew he was already righteous by the work completed on the cross but because the elders had asked and he wanted to be able to be received in Jerusalem Paul along with these four men vowed himself. What was Paul actually doing? Paul was being flexible, 1Corinthians 9:20 “and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law.” Paul was keeping the peace, Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Paul was not compromising at all; he was doing the will of God in order to open discussions in the gospel. So this purification period would take one full week to complete and Paul was all in. As this is taking place Luke says Jews from Asia began to speak lies against Paul stirring up others against Paul. We know these evil religionist well, Acts 14:19 “Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.” A group that followed Paul from city to city causing problems instigating lies against him are here in Jerusalem and doing their business again. Look what they accuse Paul of doing while he is with the four men, of course they challenge his teachings but add, “He also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” Gentiles were not allowed in the temple only in the outer courtyard. These men said Paul let gentiles into the temple, causing a disturbance as they grab Paul to harm him. Look again at the words, “they supposed” not witnessed, supposed more lies more fake news. What do you listen to? Remnant

Good Thursday April thirtieth as we come to study from God’s Holy word.

Passing the responsibility-

Paul ended his third missionary journey leaving followers on their knees praying for him as he traveled to Jerusalem to meet with the elders of the faith. The gentiles had come to believe in the Good News, the news that all people are loved by God and are forgiven when they call upon the Lord’s name. Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is LORD,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Paul and Barnabas were given by this council, that Paul is again in front of, their letter addressing the issues or concerns by some who said gentiles needed to be circumcised and follow the traditions of Moses, or the Law, to be saved. Again James stood as the pillar of this council and all agreed that the traditions the customs were not necessary for salvation but the gentiles did need to know though that they needed to be good examples to the world. James began this conversation saying some groups have risen that are still troubled with you Paul that you are weakening the laws of Moses, maybe you can reason with them. Let’s read together from Acts 21:23-25 “Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.” Christianity is the fulfillment of the promises and laws that God had asked man to follow in order to know God and be right before God. Romans 3:20 “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” Some believed Paul was not sharing about the laws of Moses given by God to obey and follow. We need to know what Jesus said about the law, Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Did you get that the gospel message is that Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the Law and that by faith, you and I will have fulfilled them through Christ, did I hear and amen, a thank you Lord? We are to love our God with all our heart mind souls and spirit then Jesus says this, “Matthew 22:39”And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Gentiles are our neighbor’s, right? James says Paul with the money you brought pay for these four young men to complete their Nasserite vow. Custom was the wealthier paid for those who’d leave work for some days, to take the vows. Why ask Paul, so the four, who were probably the most vocal, would know that Paul was not weakening the practices of the traditions, in other words, to win them over. Again James, how weak are you leaders, you are to lead with the word of truth, Jesus’ commands, but instead they throw Paul to the lions. Paul obeyed to keep the peace. Sometimes we need to reason but keep the truth. Are you keeping the truth? Remnant

Good Wednesday April twenty ninth as we open God’s word to learn God’s will.

The meeting with James-

Paul has come to Jerusalem and has been welcomed by the brethren. Staying at the home of a disciple from Cyprus, the team begins to settle in as Paul prepares to meet with the full council including James the brother of Jesus, an apostle who was respected by all because he made sound judgments according to the scriptures. Paul and Barnabas had come and presented once before to this same counsel that gentiles needed not be circumcised or follow the traditions of the Jews to be saved, and it was James after hearing from Peter who made this statement, Acts 15:19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” Paul and Barnabas were sent out with a letter signed by the elders including James that gentile believers needed not be made to follow the traditions of the Jews. Acts 15:28-29 “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.” Paul is ready to meet the counsel members, and remember he has with him the collection from the churches from Asia to present to the elders, let’s read together from Acts 21:19-22 “When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come.” Are you not just a little confused with what James just said to Paul? I am, so let’s see if we can make sense here. James says Myriads which means diversities; James says we all have different feelings how followers are to follow the Lord. If I was Paul I would have pulled the letter signed by this counsel and ask, has God changed His mind? It appears some are having trouble with the work of the Holy Spirit that it does not line up with what they want? Jesus was questioned by John the Baptist, Matthew 11:2-6 “When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Is not the spirit’s evidence what brings glory to God? The word of God is the final answer not men, and because everyone believes they are right, too many opinions weaken the foundation. James says we will discuss this and win those to see the glory of God. Already the foundation has weakened in Jerusalem. Are you standing on firm foundation? Remnant

Good Tuesday April twenty eighth as we open God’s word to learn God’s truth.

Back in Jerusalem

In Caesarea at the home of Phillip, Agabus a prophet is sent to Paul to demonstrate to him what lied ahead when he entered Jerusalem. Phillip lived in Caesarea with his daughters who Luke tells us are Prophets of the Lord. Some scholars believe Phillip may have set up a school to learn about the work of the Holy Spirit and the power of the name of Jesus. Regardless his daughters were being used by the Lord as ones to speak things of God to others. Then Agabus, who we were introduced to by Luke before as being a prophet of God, was one who spoke of a worldwide famine which occurred. Jeremiah 28:9 “As for the prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet comes to pass, the prophet will be known as one whom the Lord has truly sent.” The scriptures teach us how to identify a prophet sent by God, 1 John 4:1-2 “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.” A prophet of God may come to an individual as Agabus, who has a message for Paul, but in the core of their message should be God’s will God’s word, and when a prophets says something it must come to pass. Agabus using Paul’s belt prepares him to be arrested and imprisoned. Let’s read together from Acts 21:15-18 “And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem. Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge. And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.” Luke says after meeting Phillip and having been spoken over by the prophet Agabus Paul and the team pack all their things and travel to Jerusalem. Of course Luke has said in their hearts they had a love for Paul and attempted to stop him but Paul knew the Fathers will to go. Luke says “disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus. Who is this Mnason? Understand the team is introduced to this man but Luke does not give us his name but gives us his Greek title that just means a Christian follower in Cyprus. After they go and meet with the elders in Jerusalem who received them openly and gladly. Remember Paul has brought with him a collection of offerings to be given to the Jerusalem elders from the gentile churches. It’s important to note upon Paul and the team are greeted heartedly here by the leaders by all but one person, the apostle James. A reminder, Christianity is the New Covenant of Judaism, it’s not a new religion rather it is the fulfillment of Judaism. The leaders in Jerusalem are challenged, not being liked by the Jews, and many are filled by the prejudices, that the gentiles hearing Paul are not following the customs that they do. This will ignite a fire between Jews and Christians and between Christian Jews and gentile Christians. Luke sets up a meeting with James and Paul. Sinatra sang it wrong not our way only God’s way. Do you believe? Remnant

Good Saturday April twenty-fifth as we study from God’s holy word.

 Loved by the community-

Paul having left Miletus has taken a couple of island hopers until he comes to a larger port where he and the team then began sailing toward Jerusalem. The ship came to Tyre which was a very important port in trade ‘the port of Phoenicia’. Here the ship docked to get cargo for a seven day period. What would you expect Paul to do for the seven days, that’s right go and teach the gospel. 1 John 2:17 “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 2Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” Vs 4a“And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days” So for seven days Paul taught and fellowshipped and made many new friends in the name of the Lord. Now these disciples had knowledge already concerning Paul, Vs 4b “who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.” Let’s read together from Acts 21:5-6 “When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed. When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.” The ship heading to Jerusalem is finally loaded and ready to sail and so this seven day revival is coming to an end. Paul and the team will say their goodbyes and head toward the port but look again what Luke shares with us in verse five, “we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us.” Who are the all? The entire community husbands wives and their children. Get the picture, Paul and the team hears the all- board and set off to the ship, but an entire community of men women and children walk with him as they go towards the ship. What a beautiful picture, Paul is loved and for what? For being a vessel of the Lord.  2Timothy 2:21”If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and fit for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared to every good work.” Paul has poured his life in teaching the gospel to new believers and disciples of the Lord. Paul himself was not seeking anything but wanting the Son of God to be honored, and because Paul was honest and sincere, people loved being around him. So this train of people is walking with Paul getting the last of the wisdom he would speak. Look at the last part of verse five, Luke says Paul and the team with the disciples along with families stood in front of all the sailors, the fishermen, the merchants, “And we knelt down on the shore and prayed”. What a great witness to all who can see them! Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Afterwards they hugged and said goodbyes and Paul and the team boarded and sailed away. You may ask how you can be a witness to this fallen world, do not be ashamed of the gospel, and pray openly and speak the truth. Are you ready to be the witness? Remnant