When we arrange our lives around Christ and His gospel, our lives can be misunderstood. We want to be winsome, but the gospel itself is a "stumbling block." Festus responds to Paul's gospel presentation saying, "Much learning is driving you mad!" But Paul is convinced the gospel is the only true, reasonable way of life. If we center our lives on the gospel, we should expect to be misunderstood.
Fear is gripping. How do we find peace when gripped by fear of harm? Paul faced a similar scenario. Having sat in prison for two years, he continues to face Jews who seek to kill him and a ruler who treats him with injustice. He must wonder, “What’s going to happen to me?” Rather than being gripped by fear, Paul trusts the One who grips him. He demonstrates great trust in God’s sovereign care.
Often Christians desire to do something "big" for God. In Acts 24, Paul has an opportunity to share the gospel with the Governor! He explains that the gospel has completely reshaped his thinking. He says he makes it his "aim to please" Jesus. This gospel-shaped living opens the door to testify. The reality is that we prepare ourselves to do "big things" for God by living for Jesus in the details.
Words are powerful. They can result in hurt, division, even war. We've all felt the pain of gossip, slander, and threats. Christians face hate from the world through words. Sinful words in response only add to the problem! But in Acts 23, after Paul's words added to his mess, the Lord Jesus stood by and encouraged him. Though the hateful, threatening words of others attack, words of Jesus prevail.
During suffering, it's easy to turn inward. We think that giving attention to these things will help us feel better. Instead, Jesus gives us a greater purpose. Even our suffering can be leveraged as an opportunity to testify of salvation in Jesus and we find satisfaction and joy in Him. We see this example in Paul's life. Just after taking a beating, Paul takes the opportunity to share the gospel.
People can be so frustrating! They often get in the way of our plans and goals. Problems arise because we have the wrong focus, but other times it happens as we try to do what’s right. Paul faces frustrating scenarios in Acts 21, but he walks through it graciously with his devotion to Christ and the gospel. The gospel frees us to serve others, and the gospel prepares us to suffer with joy!
What is God's will for my life? Often in wrestling with this question, we get distracted from the things we know are God's will for us: to love Him, to love one another, to make disciples, and so forth. We are easily distracted. Paul faces the temptation to avoid God's will because it involves suffering. In the end, he and the other disciples say, "The will of the Lord be done" whatever the cost.