“Abstain from fleshly lusts”

• I Thessalonians 4:3-8 – God takes this seriously!
• I John 2:15
• This admonition is for all of us!
• Matthew 18:6 – Jesus cares if we cause others to sin!
• It is certainly possible for us to dress in such a way to cause others to sin.
• Genesis 29:17 – “form and face”
• Genesis 39:6
• Esther 2:7

“aliens and strangers”

• We’re different! We don’t belong here.
• Philippians 3:19-20
• Hebrews 11:13
• When temptations arise, we must remember that we are different. Just because other people in the world are doing something, that doesn’t mean it’s okay for us to do the same.
• Hebrews 13:4
• I Peter 4:2-5

“… they may, because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation”

• I Peter 2:15
• I Peter 3:16

Imprisoned in Jerusalem (Acts 21:18-23:35), continued:

“Brethren and fathers, hear my defense” (Acts 22:1-21), continued:

• Acts 22:17-21 – This is the first mention we have of this trance. It is clear that Paul’s travels were being directed from heaven.

“A Roman and uncondemned” (Acts 22:22-30)

• Acts 22:25 – Paul used a legal defense, which is an example for us today. If we can use legal means to prevent persecution, we are permitted to do so.

“Paul, looking intently at the Council …” (Acts 23:1-11)

• Acts 23:1 – Compare Acts 26:9. Paul thought he was doing right even while he was doing wrong. We must be careful – we can all make the same mistake!
• Acts 23:3 – “Whitewashed wall” is probably referring to hypocrisy on the part of Ananias. A whitewashed wall appears clean, but it is only a superficial appearance.
• Acts 23:5 – This could have been sarcasm on Paul’s part. He is seeing that Ananias was not behaving in the manner of a high priest. Ananias also was not the legal high priest according to the Old Law – Caiaphas was.
• Acts 23:6-9 – This was a clever tactic by Paul that resulted in at least part of the council siding with him. See Acts 4:1-2.

From Jerusalem to Caesarea (Acts 23:12-35)

• Acts 23:16 – This is the only mention we have of Paul’s family. We know that his parents were Pharisees, but not much else.

Imprisoned in Caesarea (Acts 24-26)

Felix (Acts 24)

• Acts 24:1-8 – Yet another version of the events! Compare Acts 23:26-30. Paul is now firmly established as an influential Christian.

The transfiguration

• Mark 8:27-30
• Mark 8:31-33 – Jesus begins teaching them that He would be killed. Peter says no because of his misconception about the Messiah.
• Mark 8:34-38 – They must become living sacrifices for Jesus and the gospel’s sake. Don’t be ashamed of Jesus!
• Mark 9:2-13 – Jesus was talking with Moses and Elijah about His death (see Luke 9:31). Jesus had to die for them to be saved (Hebrews 9:15)!
• Mark 9:30-32 – Jesus again tells them He will be killed.
• Mark 10:32-34 – Again, Jesus tells them He will be killed.

30+ years after the transfiguration, Peter uses it to teach a lesson

• II Peter 1:16-18 – They were eyewitnesses of His majesty!
• Peter and the other apostles were eyewitnesses of and participants in many miracles.
• John 15:27 – They bore witness of what they’d seen.
• I John 1:1 – “seen with our eyes,” “bear witness,” “heard”
• II Peter 1:19-21 – We have a more sure word of prophecy. Prophecy shined in the darkness until Christ came to bring the full light.
• Luke 16:29 – Moses and the prophets had been dead 400-1400 years! Today we still have them, along with Jesus and the apostles.

• God revealed these things to them!

Fulfilled prophecy, including some about Jesus

About Jesus, beyond His ability to “fix”

Reverence

Nathan revered God’s word over his own opinion (II Samuel 7)

• II Samuel 7:1-7, 12-13, 17 – Nathan had to deliver the message that would stop the project David was excited about.
• Ecclesiastes 4:13
• I Peter 4:3
• We are all growing. As we learn more about God’s word, we must have the humility to change.
• Luke 16:18

Courage

Nathan rebuked David after his sin with Bathsheba

• II Samuel 11:27; 12:1-15
• It takes courage to tell someone about their sin face to face.
• Galatians 6:1

Initiative

Nathan took action when Adonijah attempted a coup

• I Kings 1:5-27, 32-35, 49-53
• John 12:6 – Judas had greed that was unaddressed.
• Matthew 5:27-30 – Looking with lust is already a problem!
• Is there something in your life that needs adjusting?

Third preaching journey (Acts 18:23-21:17), continued:

Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia (Acts 20:1-16), continued:

• There has been some debate about exactly when Paul partook of the Lord’s Supper due to questions around whether Luke was using Jewish timekeeping (a day is sunset to sunset) or Roman timekeeping (a day goes from midnight to midnight). From the context, it is clear that the only way this passage makes sense is for Paul to have taken the Lord’s Supper on a Sunday, then preached and talked to them overnight before departing on Monday.

Farewell to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17-38)

• Acts 20:25 – See Acts 9:15-16. Paul knew he was about to suffer and was offering his farewells.
• Acts 20:28 – Compare I Peter 5:1-2. Together, these passages show that elders, bishops, overseers, pastors, shepherds, and presbyters are all the same office or position in the local church.
• Acts 20:35 – We don’t have other records of Jesus saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The help referred to here could be either physical or spiritual.

End: Jerusalem (Acts 21:1-17)

• Acts 21:4 – Did Paul disobey by going to Jerusalem? That seems unlikely. It’s possible that the disciples themselves were concluding that Paul shouldn’t go to Jerusalem because of the prophecies of what would happen to him there.