Bound for the Gospel
Sermon notes from Andy George at Crossroads Fellowship on being bound for the gospel: willing to go, share the good news, and sacrifice.
Remembering God's goodness
God is good in all circumstances. His goodness is not dependent upon our circumstances. It is dependent upon the cross.
Before we made a move toward God or tried to become acceptable to him, Christ came toward us in our desperate state.
Communion: remembering and examining
Communion remembers Christ's work on the cross on our behalf. The bread reminds us of his body broken for us. The cup reminds us of his blood poured out for us.
Examine your relationship with the Lord. Where have you put up a wall? Where are you withholding something from him?
25 In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
A faith formed in God
Our church desires a resilient faith, strengthened by the message and hope of the gospel.
May our faith depend upon God's character rather than our circumstances. May we be known as his sons and daughters not merely by our words, but by our lives.
Giving with joy
Giving supplies the needs of the saints and overflows in thanksgiving to God. We participate meaningfully in his work, and more people get to hear the gospel.
Generosity is a normal part of the Christian life, an expression of obedience, faithfulness, and trust. We give not out of compulsion, but with joy at what God will do.
Bound for the Gospel
Andy George | Crossroads Fellowship
Paul is seized in the temple, dragged outside, and beaten. Roman soldiers intervene, bind him with two chains, and carry him through the violent crowd.
28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everywhere against our people and against our law and against this place. Furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”
29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
30 The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.
31 While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil.
32 Immediately he took some soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33 The commander came up and arrested Paul, ordering that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.
34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, and some another. And since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks.
35 When Paul reached the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.
36 For the crowd that followed him kept shouting, “Away with him!”
A longing for God to move
“I have been praying and hungering for God for so long just to have a sovereign move of God in our church.”
This is not about a person, a personality, or influence. It is an invitation to pray and pay attention to what God is doing, without manipulating or forcing it.
What would it mean in your life to see God move? What longing, concern, or prayer are you bringing to him?
Paul's journey toward Jerusalem
Paul has been establishing churches, strengthening leaders, and seeing God work in communities.
As he leaves Ephesus, the elders weep and pray over him. They love him, and they fear what awaits him in Jerusalem.
2 After traveling through that area and speaking many words of encouragement, he arrived in Greece,
3 where he stayed three months. And when the Jews formed a plot against him as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.
4 Paul was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
5 These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas.
6 And after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we sailed from Philippi, and five days later we rejoined them in Troas, where we stayed seven days.
7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Since Paul was ready to leave the next day, he talked to them and kept on speaking until midnight.
8 Now there were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered.
9 And a certain young man named Eutychus, seated in the window, was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell from the third story and was picked up dead.
10 But Paul went down, threw himself on the young man, and embraced him. “Do not be alarmed!” he said. “He is still alive!”
11 Then Paul went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate. And after speaking until daybreak, he departed.
12 And the people were greatly relieved to take the boy home alive.
13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, where we were to take Paul aboard. He had arranged this because he was going there on foot.
14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene.
15 Sailing on from there, we arrived the next day opposite Chios. The day after that we arrived at Samos, and on the following day we came to Miletus.
16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.
18 When they came to him, he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia.
19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews.
20 I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house,
21 testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.
23 I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me.
24 But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
25 Now I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again.
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
27 For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.
28 Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
29 I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
30 Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
32 And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.
33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.
35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
36 When Paul had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.
37 They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him.
38 They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Willing to go despite the warning
Along the journey, believers welcome Paul, pray with him, and plead with him not to continue. At Philip's home, a prophet uses Paul's belt to picture the captivity awaiting him.
Their grief breaks Paul's heart, but he remains willing not only to be bound, but to give his life.
In Jerusalem, the brothers rejoice at what God has done among the Gentiles. They also warn Paul about accusations against him and encourage him to take part in purification.
2 Finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we boarded it and set sail.
3 After sighting Cyprus and passing south of it, we sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo.
4 We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they kept telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
5 But when our time there had ended, we set out on our journey. All the disciples, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city and knelt down on the beach to pray with us.
6 And after we had said our farewells, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
7 When we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day.
8 Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven.
9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
10 After we had been there several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14 When he would not be dissuaded, we fell silent and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
15 After these days, we packed up and went on to Jerusalem.
16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us, and they took us to stay at the home of Mnason the Cypriot, an early disciple.
17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us joyfully.
18 The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present.
19 Paul greeted them and recounted one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 When they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.
21 But they are under the impression that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe our customs.
22 What then should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come.
23 Therefore do what we advise you. There are four men with us who have taken a vow.
24 Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law.
25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”
26 So the next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he entered the temple to give notice of the date when their purification would be complete and the offering would be made for each of them.
Everyone. Everywhere.
The crowd's accusation describes Paul as teaching everyone, everywhere. What they intend as a complaint points to his commitment to the gospel.
Are we willing to go anywhere, to anyone, to share the good news?
What would it look like to feel bound by the Spirit to go where he leads, say what he gives us to say, and do what he calls us to do?
What does being bound by the gospel mean and do?
Not just globally, as a church, or as a people group. What does it mean in your life?
- Does the gospel shape your mind and thoughts?
- Does it shape your words and speech?
- Does it shape your actions and what you value?
Our minds and thoughts
Our thoughts should be shaped by Scripture, not by the world around us.
Imagine a screen above your head displaying everything you think. What would it show about your coworkers, classmates, other drivers, God, or yourself?
How we think matters. There may be work to do in bringing our thoughts under Scripture.
Our words and actions
What we say matters. How we say it matters. Our words can build people up rather than tear them down through gossip or slander.
Our values drive what we do. As we examine our thoughts, speech, and actions, are these things marked by the gospel?
1. Being bound means I go
This may mean going overseas, but it may also mean going to a neighbor, coworker, classmate, or someone in your own household.
Are we willing to go to the hard places, not just the easy ones?
Acts shows what happens when believers say yes. What keeps us from saying yes: comfort, fear, or uncertainty about what comes next?
What one yes can become
During sabbatical, Andy attended a family reunion in West Virginia for the first time in more than twenty years.
His cousin Amanda asked him to bring an Acts journal for her son, then asked whether Andy would baptize him in the creek during the reunion.
That one baptism became five family baptisms.
When we say yes to the Lord, who knows how he will use us?
Where is your comfort line?
We can be willing to follow God up to a certain point, then hesitate when obedience becomes challenging.
When the Holy Spirit leads us, he brings us into the brokenness of humanity. That brokenness may be very close to home.
Where is God calling you to say yes?
2. Being bound means I share
It is not only about being there. What will we say when we get there?
We have something greater to share than our own opinions or encouragement. We get to share good news: Jesus loved us so much that he came and died for us, and we have hope for eternity in Christ.
If we are called to go, we are also called to share.
A world that needs good news
Repeated tragedy can leave us numb. Andy reflected on news of a school shooting and how quickly public attention moves on.
Have we become accustomed to what should break our hearts?
The brokenness around us should move us all the more to share the hope we have. The world needs more than false hope or temporary reassurance. It needs the good news of Jesus.
3. Being bound means I sacrifice
Going where God calls and saying what he wants us to say does not mean everything will become easy.
Paul knew what awaited him in Jerusalem, yet he went. Obedience can bring opposition rather than appreciation.
What are you willing to sacrifice: a job opportunity, acceptance in a friend group, invitations, or approval from family?
Will comfort contain our obedience?
Fear of rejection can keep our faith inside a comfortable boundary. We may say we would give our lives for the gospel while surrendering our obedience for far less.
Are we really willing to go and share if we are not also willing to sacrifice?
This challenge applies to churches as well as individuals. We must not avoid hard truths or soften the gospel to stay comfortable.
Willing to be bound
“I'm willing to be bound to the gospel. I'm willing to be bound to the Spirit, to go where you tell me to go, do what you tell me to do, say what you tell me to say in boldness, not in fear.”
What that obedience costs will look different for each of us. It begins with a willingness to say yes.
Where is God at work around you?
Where is he inviting you to join him: to go, to share, and to live with boldness?
Pay attention personally. Who is God working on? What is he doing in your neighborhood, school, workplace, or family?
Accept his invitation to join that work.
A prayerful response
On your prayer card, name where God has placed you, where he is leading you, and where you need boldness.
The staff, elders, and others pray over these requests. Keep a copy on your green card, and bring back stories of answered prayer so the church can celebrate together.
Let this be more than an exercise. Let it be an expression of faith, leaving these people, places, situations, and needs with God.
Prayer for boldness
Spirit of God, where are you leading us? What do you want us to say? Where is the opportunity to share the good news?
Show us where fear has kept us from stepping into the unknown. Challenge us through conviction, not guilt or shame.
Increase our faith. Give us opportunities to walk in what you have called us to do. May we say yes to your invitation and see your hand at work in our lives and all around us.
