Fellowship and Opposition

Sermon Outline:  Sunday, October 5th, 2025

Speaker: Gary Campbell, Jr.

Introduction

Acts 21

I.  Review of Acts Ch. 1-20

     A.  Peter’s Ministry (Acts Ch. 1-12)

Acts 1-2- Peter assumes _____________ , preaches boldly.

Acts 3-5- Working miracles & preaching despite __________.

Acts 6-9- Gospel into _________. Philip & Stephen on scene.

Acts 10-11- Peter’s paradigm shift-Non-Jews saved by faith.

Acts 12- Miraculously freed from prison, leaves ___________.

     B.  Paul’s Ministry (Acts Ch. 8-20)

Acts 9- Radically converted & ___________ what he’d hated.

Acts 13-14- Paul’s first missionary journey with ___________.

Acts 15- Takes part in the Jerusalem ____________.

Acts 16-18- Paul’s second missionary journey with ________.

Acts 18-20- Paul’s _______ missionary journey and Apollos.

Apply- God guides our steps and our stops.

II.  Relational Intimacy Marked Paul’s Ministry

Acts 21:1-19

     A.  Paul “sought out” other believers.

     B.  Intimate fellowship marked each interaction.

     C.  Wrestling with God’s direction is part of serving together.

Apply- Am I just “playing church,” or does intimacy and vulnerability mark my fellowship with other Christians?

III.  Opposition marked Paul’s ministry

Acts 21:21-26; 27-30

     A.  Paul exhibited discernment in responding to opposition from other believers

     B.  Paul exhibited boldness in responding to opposition from non-believers

     C.  Paul’s journey mirrors Jesus’s- Paul has, through suffering, become like Christ

Apply- There is a cost to following Jesus!

Conclusion

Where do I need to get right with God?

Small Group Questions

Sunday, October 5th, 2025

Launch

What kinds of needs or issues do you make decisions on by yourself; for what kinds of things do you seek the input/counsel of others?

READ Acts 21:1-8

Observe

Compare Acts 20:36-38 with Acts 21:5-6. Paul’s effect on others seems to be either violence and riots or tears and prayers? Why the different response?

Respond

Reflecting on Paul's obedience to God's guidance in his journey, where do you sense God leading you currently? How can you respond obediently to both God's steps and stops in your life?

READ Acts 21:9-26

Observe

How does the illustration of Agabus make the warnings about Jerusalem more vivid or clear? What about Paul’s response surprises you, or doesn’t surprise you?

Process

Do you think Paul is disobedient to the Spirit here or that he is obedient, counting the cost?

Respond

In what ways do you see intimacy and vulnerability with other believers reflected in your own life? How can you cultivate deeper relationships with fellow believers to walk in greater intimacy?

READ Acts 21:27-36

Observe

Despite Paul doing exactly what was asked, what is the result?

Process

Does it surprise you that the mob sought to kill Paul, why or why not? How does Paul’s experience here mirror that of Jesus on His way to Jerusalem to suffer? Can you cite Scripture?

Respond

Consider a time when you faced a situation requiring cultural accommodation versus theological compromise. How did you navigate that tension, and how can you apply the principles of discernment and boldness in standing firm for your faith in similar situations today?