Disentangled | Acts 21 | Pastor Keith

Let's read verse 18 on. On the following day, Paul went

with us to James. Let's go back.

We'll start up this 15, then we get the better run up.

After those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem.

Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us.

Remember, Paul is on his way back.

He's had his third missionary journey brought with him a

certain nation of Cyprus, an early disciple with whom we were

to lodge. And when we had come to

Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

That's the church in Jerusalem. On the following day, Paul went

in with us to James. That's James.

Remember the half or the the the son of Mary and Joseph.

And all the elders. Were present.

Whom he had. Greeted them, he told in detail

those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his

ministry. When they heard it, the church

there 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've been informed.

There's a, there's a, but you know, it's like, so it's great

to see you. Wonderful.

And then you. Get this, but you go, oh, here

we go. And all that your blood.

Pressure drops, you know, because you know, oh, it's

coming. 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 the children, or to walk according to the customs.

What then? What shall we do?

The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that

you've come. They'll know that you're here.

Therefore, do what we. Tell you here's.

This is what we come up with. We have 4 men who have taken a

vow. It's the Nazarite vow.

Take them and be purified with them.

You, you, you go through the Nazarite.

Vow as well. That's the cutting of the hair.

Pay their expenses, Paul, we want.

You to sponsor them. You.

Finance them during this period that they take the vow you look

after whatever. They need and the.

Sacrifices that they'll need. To make at the end of the vow.

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 concerning the Gentiles who believe we've written and

decided that they should observe no such synthy, except they

should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from

blood eating things that haven't been bled properly, and from

things strangled, and from sexual immorality.

Then Paul took the men on the next day, having been purified

with him, and he entered the temple to announce.

The expiration. Or the completion of the days of

purification, the end of the Nazarite vow, at which time and

offering should be made for each one of them.

And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from

Asia, from Turkey, a new crew arrive.

They've lobbed in Jerusalem. This is that posse.

Remember, wherever Paul goes. He's got people after him.

And they arrive. Seeing Paul in the temple

stirred up the whole. Crowd and laid.

Hands on him, they grab him. Crying out, men of Israel.

Help. This man who?

Teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law.

And this place, and furthermore, he's brought Greeks into the

temple, has defiled. This holy place.

For they had. Previously seen Trophemus the

Ephesian with him in the city. Whom?

Notice they suppose that Paul brought into.

The temple he hadn't. And all.

The city was disturbed. And the people ran together.

Jerusalem's not that big, so it just turns on.

They grab Paul, they drag him out of the.

Temple immediately the doors were shut on him now as they

were noticed they're not just having.

An argument. Notice as.

They were seeking. To kill him.

They're going to beat him to. Death beat him to death.

Mob violence. News came to the commander of.

The Garrison that all Jerusalem was an uproar at the Temple

Mount. Just too opposite was the

Garrison of the Roman soldiers. And he immediately took soldiers

and the centurions and ran. Down to them.

When they saw the commander and the Roman soldiers, they stopped

beating Paul. So they were into him.

He was dying. Gonna die and the commander came

near, took Paul, commanded him to be bound, that Paul's

arrested. He's wrapped in chains.

Remember, he'd just gone to finish the Nazarite vow.

He. Asked who he was and what he had

done, and some of the multitude cried 1.

Thing and some another. So it's just rebels.

He did this, now he did this and he's done this as well.

So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult,

he commanded him that's Paul be taken to the barracks adjacent

to the temple when he reached the stairs.

He had to be carried. So the soldiers had to grab

Paul. Paul wasn't the big guy

according to history. Grab me, they carry.

He's like a mash mosh pit and he's got him over, he said.

And they're carrying Paul upstairs because the crab would

try grab him and punch him and spit on him.

And do all these sorts of things.

Such was the violence of the mob for the multitude of the people.

Followed after crying out away with him.

That doesn't mean oh take him away.

Take him away. That means kill him.

That his poor was about to be LED into the barracks, he said

to the commander, May I speak to you?

He replied, You can speak Greek, are you not?

Notice this. Aren't you the Egyptian who some

time ago stirred up a? Rebellion and LED the 4000

assassins out in the wilderness it's like.

What? Paul said.

I'm a Jew from Tarsus Cilicia, a citizen, a Roman.

No mean. City and I implore you permit.

Me to speak to the people. So when he had given him

permission, Paul stood on the stairs, motioned with his hand

to the people. When there was a great silence,

he spoke to them. In the Hebrew language.

And we stopped. There Wednesday, we continue.

The title of this morning's message is disentangled.

Disentangled in the dictionary means to release.

From entanglement or confusion. So the Apostle Paul's arrival in

Jerusalem, it started. Well.

He met with the elders. Of the church, including James.

Paul then gave a detailed account of his three missionary

travels and the results. The church had been planted,

souls had been saved, had been wonderful.

All throughout Asia, Greece, Macedonia.

And they were growing, and now these churches were planting

other churches. Themselves and sending.

Out missionaries among the Gentile nations.

And when? Paul told this in verse 19.

They. Greeted him and when they.

Heard all that Paul had done. They heard it, it says they.

Glorify the Lord, they went. Oh man, praise the Lord, that's.

Awesome, Paul, but. There were rumours, there's

rumours. Paul.

Some aren't happy with you. Where's this come from?

You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are have

believed, and they're all zealous, but they have been.

Informed about 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 what shall we do? Let's.

Do something about this. Let's calm the schism now, Paul.

Hadn't done any of those things. Paul had told them about

salvation through Jesus Christ. Paul had reference now that.

All those things now that you're saved in Christ, all the rituals

and laws that. They had to do aren't necessary

for salvation. Now Paul still lived the Jewish

life. He was carrying out the Nazarite

vow. Peter and John, remember,

continued to pray. Just as all the Jews had done.

It was. Very Hebrew, but it it's about

salvation. Paul was saying it's

circumcision has nothing to do with salvation and they had

twisted all this rumours. Circulated.

Then you're teaching to forsake Moses.

No, he wasn't also to forsake. The Law of Moses?

No, Paul. Still adhered to the law and the

temple, but nothing to do with salvation.

Not to circumcise the children. Paul was just.

Saying circumcision doesn't save you.

So they came up with what should we do?

Let's do something. So the solution to appease the

problem of the rumours and our rumours.

No truth to them, The elders asked Paul to sponsor 4 men who

would undergo the Nazarite. Vow.

Everyone will see then, that you support the law of.

Moses. Oh, look.

Oh, he's part of the Nazarite. Now, oh, all this other stuff

must be nonsense. And we won't add anything more

to the Gentiles. They just stay the same.

Don't worship idols. Don't eat anything that's been.

Strangled and no fornication. And so Paul did that.

He goes to the temple and the offering is about to be made for

each of them as they've finished the.

Period. But Paul's actions would not

dampen the underlying. Schism of the Legalist.

Jews, the ones who had arrived from Turkey.

They hated Paul. And they had seen Paul in the

temple, and they accused him of taking a fellow.

Called Trophemus. From Ephesus because they'd seen

Paul and. Trophemus in the marketplace in.

Town and they just said. Well, obviously he's taken this

guy into into the temple as well.

He. Hadn't done that at all.

He'd only. Taken the the four men.

That are part of the Nazarite vow he was there to complete.

The sacrifices. So again lies.

And it was this posse of Jews that had come from.

Turkey that brought this assumption, having seen Paul

with Trophymus in the city. And it blew up.

Things got loud and they. Do in the Middle East, there's

nothing. Quiet in the Middle East heavens

going to be pretty. Rowdy, I think, if you're.

Kind of like the. Silent, quiet type.

Yeah, then. You're going to have to.

Change it a little. Everything in Israel.

Is. Loud, loud and so.

The commotion, it just blew up and he got.

Worse and then the. Whole of Jerusalem heard there's

a riot going on at the temple, all run there.

There's this guy and he's been doing this and they're all and

they're trying to kill this guy. Paul.

Paul has been. Grabbed like a rag doll.

Punched. Kicked.

Scratched and they're trying to. Beat him to death.

They locked the doors on the temple as though are seeking to.

Kill him, the commander. Of the Garrison of Jerusalem.

Heard Claudius. Lyceus.

We get his name. It's given to us in Acts 2326.

He hears what's going on, runs down from the Garrison with his

troops, waves into the mob. Violence.

And they grab Paul. And they chain him up.

He's the innocent guy cuffing. Imagine on the ground cuff

chains, chains around his feet, around his hands.

This guy's just gone to the. Temple.

What's this? Man done and.

The multitude, some cried out one thing and some another.

Verse 34 So they couldn't ascertain the truth because of

the tumult. And so he commanded, Let's take

him to the barracks, as they'll take him to the barracks that

people want to. Kill him.

Kelly the Roman. Soldiers, as I said, had to

literally hoist Paul, and he wasn't a big guy.

I think he's about 5253 above the raging.

Angry, angry mob who's still. Striking out at Paul and get him

to the stairs leading to the Garrison.

And Paul, in the midst of this frenzied physical tumult, speaks

to the commander. In Greek, Greek was the

language. Of the intellects and.

He grabbed the commanders. And he said you speak.

Greek. Wow, this is not some dumb guy,

this is a learned man and the Roman.

Guy. Says to him, the commander,

you're the Egyptian guy stirred up a rebellion.

You lead 4000. Assassins in the wilderness.

Talk about like you're Rambo. Paul's just this little guy and

he's gone to the temple and now he's accused of being the chief

assassin of 4000 assassins, and he's an Egyptian.

Talk about it. How far wrong can you be?

Paul says. This is a massive

misunderstanding. You know, no one likes to be

misunderstood. Church bulletins often, and I

know I make a lot of mistakes. Church bulletins are classic

places of things. Written being misunderstood.

Let me. Read you actually.

Some church bulletin notifications don't.

Let worry kill you. Let the church help.

Remember in prayer the many who are.

Sick of our church and community.

For those of you who have children and don't.

Know it. We have a nursery downstairs.

Weight Watchers. Will meet at 7:00 PM at the

First Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double

doors at the side entrance. Thursday night potluck supper,

prayer and medication to follow. 8 new choir robes are currently.

Needed due to the addition of several new members and to the

deterioration of some older ones.

The. Senior Choir invites any member

of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir at the

evening service. Tonight the sermon topic will be

What as Hell? Come early and listen to our

choir. Practise there's there's a lot

more being misunderstood May. Cause us to be annoyed.

That's not what I said, that's not who I am, and it seems

unfair. Doesn't it when you're

misunderstood? It often leaves you with a

feeling of. Helplessness.

What's going on here? Even at times, hopelessness.

Well, they've said I've done this and I.

Haven't done anything like that at all.

Being misunderstood can build resentment.

If allowed, we can grow. Bitter as well for Paul and

Jerusalem. He was misunderstood that he was

teaching against the Law of Moses.

No, he wasn't. He just said the law can't save

you. The law has a.

Purpose for. Paul and Jerusalem, they said he

was defiling the temple, no. He wasn't.

He hadn't taken any gentile in there.

For Paul and Jerusalem, even the Romans misunderstood who Paul

was. Said you're that Egyptian

assassin ahead of 4000 other. Assassins, I mean, that is.

Radically wild Paul had nothing. To do with any of.

This. He just gone to Jerusalem.

Remember, this is the end of the third missionary.

Journey, he's going to say. Hey guys, this is what's been

happening. I'm on my way.

To Jerusalem I. Want to be in?

Jerusalem. Now what do?

You and I, as believers today do.

How should? We deal.

With being misunderstood as Christians, I'm going to give

you 3 points. Today 1 being misunderstood is

going to happen being. Misunderstood is going to

happen. It's going to happen in your

marriage. It's going to happen in a.

Parent child relationship. It's going to happen in

everything. If you desire to have.

Any kind of meaningful relationship with Christ or

connection with people meaningful know this you.

Will at some time be. Misunderstood.

A parent says to the child. I don't want you doing this.

Oh, you don't want me to do it? You never want me to have fun.

No, I just don't. Want you to kill yourself?

Isn't it husband? And wife says something, the guy

who all these years been married to his wife, and he gives her

the. Crust at the end.

You always give me the crust. I don't want the crust.

Never wanted but you just. Hand me the crust all the time.

He says no, no, actually the crust is.

I think it's the best bit of the bread and I've always given it

to you. First oh, however.

If you meander through life just going with the flow,

surrendering to the majority and populist opinion if you.

Avoid. Saying anything or doing

anything of substance. Having an opinion, Speaking of

your faith. You'll never have to deal with

being misunderstood because you just agree.

What do you think? Oh yeah, that's all right.

Oh, yeah. OK.

Dad, can we? Yeah, that's all right.

Mom, can we? Yeah, just go ahead.

All the other parents. Oh OK then.

But if you look to follow Christ to be obedient to His Word.

To be different to the. Mob the majority crowd you.

Will be misunderstood. You being at church today.

People in your family will. Misunderstand you being here

today, What do you have to go to church for?

What's that for? You going tonight?

What's that mean? What's all this stuff?

Let me give you some examples of people who have misunderstood.

Noah He. And his entire family spent.

Years. Labouring and preaching Bible.

Tells us at least 120 building an ark, a giant boat the.

World in which they. Live to do this.

Was worse than. Our world today.

It was totally depraved, God said of the world at the time

that Noah did this. Genesis 65 and the Lord saw that

the wickedness of man. Was great on the.

Earth. All the earth.

And that every intent. Of the thoughts of his heart.

Was only evil continually, that's how bad it was.

But no. Other Bible tells us.

Was a just man Genesis. Says that Bible says he was a

man who walked with God, and the Bible tells us four times in

Genesis. Speaking of Noah, that Noah.

Did all that God? Commanded him.

What a great life. That's why he's one of my

heroes. I.

Can't wait to meet Noah. So glad that.

One of our. Grandkids is called Noah.

There's another kid here. Called Noah.

There's a couple of other Noahs. I like that.

It's a great night. I can't wait to meet Noah.

Noah. Was a preacher of righteousness.

To a. World that was ungodly.

But everyone else? Literally everyone else around.

Him paid no heed. To Noah's preaching, his warning

of the judgement to come, as Jesus tells us looking.

Back to Noah. Speaking of the time of the

second. Coming in Matthew 20. 4 But as

the days of Noah were, and Jesus.

Gives us. Insight on what was happening.

As people, as as Noah was building the ark with his

family, he tells us, so also will be the coming of the Son of

Man. For as in the days.

Before the flood, Jesus tells us what was going on.

They were eating and drinking, marrying, giving and marriage.

Until the. Day that Noah entered the.

Ark and did not know until the flood came and took them.

All away. You know, when I drive to

church, I always see people walking.

And people going to the coffee shop and thinking, I'm thinking

that's exactly the same day things will be happening when

the rapture occurs. People were just.

Down the beach, Golf Club, having their coffee and millions

of people will disappear. How often?

Noah would have been asked. Hey, why are you building this

boat at the middle of nowhere? There's no sails, nowhere for.

Oars. He would have been continually

mocked with his entire family. His three sons.

Curly Larian MO for each. Time he would have warned of the

coming flood and they said you're just an.

Idiot. It's crazy.

And they just went about their business.

See, that's the worst thing. You can do with God.

Is just ignore him. That's a disgrace.

To me, that's blasphemous to ignore that Jesus.

Christ died on the cross. Let's go about my business.

I mean, really. Son of God dies, suffers and

dies, and he just. Who cares?

Anyway, let's have a coffee. Noah was misunderstood by

everybody else in the world except.

His family, because he was. Actually trying to save them.

That's why he preached 120 years.

He could have said, you know what, I'm done with you.

Go ahead and just. Don't answer them, boys.

Just keep. Them Hammond soaring, putting

things. Not not saying a.

Word No. It says he was a preacher of

righteousness. He was warning them of the flood

to come. The Ark can take people.

They misunderstood him. And there's Moses.

Well, he. Expected the enslaved, beaten

Hebrews. And Egypt to know.

God and send him to lead them out of their.

Slavery, didn't he? This was God's purpose for His

life. And so in Exodus chapter 2 verse

Exodus 2:14

14, Moses goes in there. And what did the?

Hebrews say to him. Who made you a Prince?

Who made you a judge? Over us.

What did Moses do? Moses fled from the face of

Pharaoh. Dwelt on the land of many and

he. Took off.

Then there's Joseph. He was.

Absolutely hated by his half. Brothers, he was misunderstood.

By his parents, Jacob and Rachel.

Remember, he has a dream. And his brothers and all the

their, their, their she's. Bowing down and then later on he

has another dream and dad says you're kidding me.

You're. Like, oh, we're going to bow

down to you. Is that what you're?

Saying how misunderstood these were.

Dreams that God gave Joseph. Joseph didn't say.

Hey, this is what I think should happen.

He was just telling them the dreams that God gave him.

Yet even though Joseph lived. An exemplary.

Life before the Lord. One of absolute integrity and.

Purity. Yet Potiphar, his boss, sided.

With his. Wife Potiphar's wife.

When she accused Joseph of rape. Joseph took off, remember.

Joseph, though innocent. Ends up in prison.

Did anyone not misunderstand this exceptional godly man

called Joseph? No one knew.

Just what he was. He was a man of God.

Then there's. The Old Testament prophets.

The Bible tells us all. When they came, Jeremiah,

Isaiah, they were ignored, they were criticised.

They were. Hated even.

Killed as enemies of Israel. Jesus tells a parable about

that, doesn't he? They each were misunderstood as

they were only sent. By God, by God's love for the

people of Israel to. Try and turn the people.

'S hearts back to repent. Come back to God.

But people misunderstood everything the Prophet said.

They just said every. Time they say something.

Something. 'S bad, negative, they just kill

them. Then it's John the.

Baptist and misunderstood was he?

Hailed as a. Prophet by the masses.

And treated. As a madman by the religious

leaders, he's just crazy. These guys, the way he dresses,

what he eats, he. Lives in the wilderness, man.

Who is he? Yet he was the godly.

One, he was the. One chosen by God to.

Prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah.

According to Jesus, He is the greatest of all the prophets of

of Israel. You see misunderstanding, I want

to tell you. This you need to note this.

Misunderstanding is going to happen.

You are going to be misunderstood.

Oh. Great.

And what happened today at church?

I just, there was a misunderstanding, I think.

Second point. You'll see where I'm going the

reasons for being misunderstood. Are unpredictable.

Unpredictable for Paul. I mean, it was lies he.

Hadn't done any of this. It was slander.

Those from Turkey, this lied. Straight out lied they were.

Innuendos he he took this guy into the into the temple.

Falsehoods, outright hatred. Kill him.

That's not like let's have a discussion.

Now, are you doing these things? Let's just kill him.

The reasons why? You and I are misunderstood.

Why Paul was misunderstood? All lie here this you're.

Not going to like this. It's the truth beyond our

control. I'm going to say that again the

reason why we are misunderstood all.

Lie beyond our control. Did you get that?

Note that. The causes are too numerous.

I mean Paul being accused of an assassin.

That's just laughable. You're an Egyptian assassin.

And too diverse to count. In addition, when

misunderstandings occur, as they did to Paul and the others,

there is. Little we can do.

Oh, this is man. This.

Is well, that's great learning. There's little that we can.

Do to resolve them we. Just let us down the.

Rabbit hole no end. Paul will try in addition.

The majority of them, however. Of misunderstandings.

The truth of the matter? Could be fixed.

In a matter of minutes, couldn't I with a simple?

Face to face, but this can happen.

Only. Of course.

If the other party. Wants this or is even.

Willing to listen or Keith? Why tell us this?

I'm just confused, what can we do?

Then we can only. Be responsible to communicate

clearly. This is what I've said.

This is what I've done. Paul would say that God is my

witness. Doesn't matter what you say.

But listen, and this is. The part you need to know the.

Response of others how they. Respond.

It's not up to you. Note that doesn't matter what

they do say, carry on their response.

Is not up to you. You need to write that down.

The response of others is not up to you.

Once we each. Recognise our helplessness in.

These situations that in. Itself is a massive step.

To being disentangled. What do you mean?

With so many things and emotions.

That at present control us and weigh us down because we've been

misunderstood in. The book of Hebrews, chapter 12,

Hebrews 12 · chapter mention

verse one, The writer of Hebrews, who I believe is Paul

doesn't matter, said this. Therefore we also and he writes

Hebrews Chapter 11 is the whole of faith.

Hebrews 11 · chapter mention

All those who live by faith die for their faith.

Therefore, we also since. We are surrounded by so.

Great. A cloud of witnesses and

notices. Hebrews 12 says let.

Us, this is what we can do. Let us lay aside.

Every weight. And then there's a

differentiation. And the sin.

So it's not sin. But things that weigh us down,

the weight and the. Sin.

Now what do they do? They easily ensnare.

Us we get. Trapped, tangled up with and.

Let us run this. Is what we are to do with

endurance the race that is set before us?

How? Take our eyes off the

misunderstanding looking under. Jesus, the author and.

Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before?

Him endured the cross. The greatest travesty in

history. Despising the shame and has.

Sat down at the right hand of the throne of God, then it says

in verse. 3-4 Consider him. Think about what he's done.

Who endured such hostility? Which he need not deserve from.

Sinners against. Himself it was personal lest.

You become weary how? And discouraged where?

In your soul, it's the danger. So because you've been.

Being misunderstood and you want.

Or what they shouldn't say there or how come they've said then

I'll get that, I'll sort that out.

I need to speak to them. I.

Get got to get this sorted out. And what happens is you get

entangled and ensnared and it becomes danger to your soul

instead of you running the race and looking at to the Lord.

And this is where many people in church today, they've come in

and they've come in and they're entangled, she said.

He said dad said mum said the boss said it's danger for

consider him who endured. Such hostility from sinners.

Against himself, Jesus was innocent.

By the way, wasn't. He lest beware.

The warning You become weary, and that's where.

A lot of people were just tired of.

I know what they but I just just wears me out.

But they got away. With this that they said this.

I need to have my peace with them.

Sort them out. And you become discouraged

where? In your soul the deepest.

Part of you, it's called in a turmoil.

That's why so many people. Are in a in a turmoil.

Because they're angry against them.

I've done. Funerals.

I remember 2 specifically. Whereas I was.

Walking in the final part. To the service.

The Sons of. Two of the deceased.

Men different funerals, son each did two different funerals.

Said I hated my father. If anyone says anything good

about him today, they're lying. Whisper that in my ears.

I'm just about to start the service.

Then I'm thinking as the. Eulogies are going on.

Where's the sun? In a turmoil, just raging

hatred. The dad's dead.

Dad can't. They can't fix anything.

You can't go. Hey Dad, I want to.

Talk to you. He's dead.

You can't respond yet this person who is alive is still

entangled with a dead. Person.

Note that you see our. Choices, and these are matters

of choice. Let us lay aside.

You got a choice so often you know people.

Don't like it? But So what?

You got to grow. Up, you know.

We're, we're too mature, immature, the writer of Hebrews

earlier said. I'd like to tell you more stuff.

Give me some meat and veggies and stuff but.

You know, I just got to keep telling you about.

Baby stuff all the time because you just won't grow up, Paul

said to the. Church in Corinth, you're just

carnal, just arguing about stuff.

Oh, where of Apollos? Where of Paul?

Oh, I'll where of Peter? What's this stuff got to do

with? Anything.

You see, our choices are not always between right and wrong.

But can be the difference? Between a.

Hindrance and a help. This recognition of not solving

most misunderstandings, not chasing.

Them down relentlessly. Then gives.

You what? Permission to step away?

OK, don't do anything more about that.

Step away. To leave the matter where God's

hands. That's where they should be, not

your hands. You can't fix anything.

I can't even fix a hole. In the wall.

Hannah will tell you how good a wonderful.

I should have been a surgeon, I know because I'm not a handyman

in an eastern land. A woman repeated a bit of

gospel. About a neighbour.

And within a short time, the whole town.

Knew the. Story The slandered person was

deeply hurt by what the woman had said, and most unhappy.

But then the lady. Responsible for spreading the

rumour. Learned that it was completely

untrue. So she went to a wise old sage

to find out how she could repair the damage she'd caused.

I said this I'm snacks not true after listening to her problem,

he said. Go.

To the marketplace, Buy a chicken, have it killed, then on

your way home, pluck its feathers out one by one and drop

them along the path. The surprise by this unusual

advice? The woman did as she was told.

Chicken gave sacrifice for that the next.

Day she saw the sage. Again and.

Said she had completed his tasks.

I've done what you said, the sage then told the woman.

Now go over your path. Track, backtrack, collect all

those. Feathers and bring them back to

me. So the lady.

Followed her path back, but to a.

Dismay. The wind had blown.

All the feathers away. After searching all day long,

she returned with only two or three.

In a hand. This is all I have.

And the sage said. You see, said the old wise man,

It is easy to drop them, but impossible to bring them.

All back. Likewise.

It does not take much. To spread a false rumour.

But you can. Never completely undo the wrong.

So we've looked at being misunderstood.

It's going to happen. We've looked at the reasons.

Why there? Are many and unpredictable and.

Thirdly, so how are? We to react.

To being misunderstood again. It's a matter of.

Choice too many people seek. Prayer when the answer is.

Will do the right thing. Oh yeah, but.

I I don't want to do I know what the.

Bible says but. No, no.

Just do the right thing. So it's a matter of.

Choice one. Some work themselves, and people

usually do it in three ways. Some work.

Themselves into a frenzy. Trying to get the other.

Person or party? To hear and then.

Acknowledge the truth if you've ever worked in government and I.

Have I've worked in the health department, the education

department and the Police Department.

And man, these days, when someone or.

He said this, she said this, and they have this.

Hole. And now we're going to.

Have this, we're going to have another meeting about that.

They're offended, they're off or they're on stress leave.

You know this. Person's off and.

They're on stress. Well, I'm going on stress leave.

Because they're on stress leave. No, I didn't.

Say that they said this. And it goes on and on and and

and and all the wise. Ones get.

Together and and and just. Stir.

The mess. Some shout.

Some. Plead.

Repeat themselves endlessly and chronically.

Live in an. Anguished desperation to be.

Cleared and heard I'm not coming back to work until she.

Says he says, well, they change. Well, he's gone.

Or I'm out of here. You got to move me.

Shift me. And it becomes the centre.

Of their lives. I've.

Seen that in people. Their whole focus, they're so

bitter. Whilst others turn inward,

retreat to a sulkish existence, determined to play the life of a

martyr. Whilst internally the endless

flowing. Acid of bitterness just pumps

and pumps through their heart. And they burn within.

Both these ways are wrong responses.

So what's the biblical? Response one.

To extend an invitation to discuss the matter and to

continue serving the Lord, Bible tells us that in Matthew 18.

Your brother on here. Let's try it.

And get another one. They want it well.

OK. Secondly, to finally acknowledge

this, we cannot. Live or.

Change another person's life and how they live.

I want I want you to hear this to.

Finally. Acknowledge we cannot live or.

Change another person's life. How they live.

You can't. You can't.

Do that and many of you are trying.

It doesn't work. You can't.

Change me, I can't change you. So we accept.

And here's the good thing to do We.

Accept the helplessness. Well, that's.

That's it and. Then what do we do?

We pray for God's grace and His strength to go on.

Lord, let me move on. And to allow and here's what.

You've got to do God to handle this personal difficulty.

And if it. Raises its head.

Give it to him again. Raises its head.

Give it to him again. But spend or waste, no more

energy trying to solve it. You got that?

Stop trying to solve it. Can't Romans chapter 12 verse

Romans 12:18

18? Paul says if it is possible, so

in some cases. It's not possible as far as it

depends on you. Live at peace with everyone.

Some people you just can't. They're a prickly pair.

You see, behind all this, Ephesians 612, we wrestle not

against. Flesh and blood behind.

All this we're in a spiritual world.

We're spiritual beings. We're children of God behind.

All this. Satan seeks to detour.

Our lives, our passion, our. Energy, our joy and he seeks.

To bring emotional distraction to.

Us so as to affect. Our walk.

With God. They come to church.

They're just angry. Just I can't.

I can't. Can't do Mother's Day.

I can't do Father's Day. I.

Can't do certain things because. Memories that I have connections

and I'm not judging in the regard to that, but The thing is

you're building the. Trap yourself for yourself.

You're. Wrapping the chains around

yourself. And Satan's gone.

Good job. I've got you chained.

You just keep. Holding onto the chains because

you won't give permission. To move on and you are otherwise

forever distracted. In your life trying to.

Rectify being misunderstood Paul Cos.

No, no, I want a council now. Bring, get, let's have a

council. Bring this.

Bring, bring, bring the elders again.

Let's let's have this out. I'm I'm having my say.

You've heard people say that, and that's how.

Churches get split. I want my say in the matter.

Now it's what God says. My opinion and your opinion

don't count what you think. What I think don't count.

It's what the Bible says. That's what counts if.

God tells me to do. Such and such.

Then I need to do that Noah if he just.

Reacted like most people do. He would never have completed

the ark. I'm not building this ark.

This is too hard, you know. It's just I'm not doing it.

Everyone reckons I'm mad. Moses, he would have just.

Stayed in the desert burning Bush.

I don't care. If there's a burning Bush.

I'm not going back down to those people.

I'm not going down to those people.

They told me to get out of here. Who made you Prince who?

Made you water over us. Joseph, he would have just

lived. If he got.

Out of gaol as a. Bitter ex con.

Brothers, family, mum, dad, gaol.

Prison. Didn't deserve any of that.

Why should I? Why should I change?

Not going to get me. Anywhere bitter ex con for.

The rest of his life. John.

Who's this? Who's this guy?

I mean, I'm preaching, preaching here and people are coming to

see me. Oh, I'm a holy man.

But instead, for Noah, it was to finish.

The Ark Why the? Flood was coming.

I've got family. I've got.

Kids, I've got wife. For Moses it.

Was the joy to head. Into the direction of.

Of the promised land with. God in front of him.

Hey, this is awesome. This is why I'm here.

For Joseph, resting in gaol. The door will open soon.

And I I know God will use me. He was going.

To end up Prime Minister of Egypt.

Why God has given me dreams? About this he gave me.

Dreams about this. And for John, John the.

Baptist, he would preach repentance.

Knowing Messiah has come, I don't need to baptise you.

You should. Baptise me he must.

Increase and I must decrease. That's the same.

For all of us. So the question is we.

Close it today. God the Holy Spirit wants to

meddle into your. Lives today, will you?

Today allow God to have now your.

Full attention. Or are you going to carry on

fighting? I was misunderstood.

My dad, my mum, my brother, my sister, my boss, my coach.

This. You can carry on just fighting

and you'll be entangled forever. Will you give up trying to set

things right and leave it with God?

Will you leave it? With God will you?

Finally, cast off those. Cares those and they are.

Hurtful misunderstandings. You think Paul was enjoying

being beaten to death? You think Paul was enjoying

being accused of lying about the word of God?

You think, Paul? Just thought oh this is OK and

now I'm. Accused of an assassin.

They could kill me. You think Paul went, oh, this is

just great. No, on Wednesday, Paul gets up

and what does he talk about? He talks about his relationship

with Christ, because none of that stuff matters.

He doesn't go back over any of the.

Stuff. I'm not an Egyptian assassin.

I never said this about circumcision.

I never did any of that. No, he says.

Let me tell you what happened to me.

I was on. The road to Damascus and Jesus.

Christ met changed my life. We finally cast off those cares,

those hurtful misunderstandings, and put them before His throne

and cast them at His feet. You can do it today.

It's your choice. You can be disentangled today.

You can be free. And instead you can take.

Up your cross. And deny.

Yourself deny your rights, disentanglement,

misunderstanding and follow. Him you can deny yourself.

Give God your wounds. Give God your revenge.

Give God your stubborn pride. You can stop all this.

Now, so that now. You can walk with freedom and

the surrender of Paul, who in Romans Chapter 9 would write of

Romans 9 · chapter mention

the people. Who wanted to kill him and beat

him up? I speak.

The truth in Christ. I'm not lying.

Paul says my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit.

I have great sorrow not over what they.

Said these people, they're idiots.

And unseaching anguish in my heart.

Because the way they treated me. No hear.

What he says, For I could wish that I myself were cursed and

cut off from Christ for the sake of my people.

Wow, those of my own race, the people of Israel who

misunderstood me. Let's pray.

Father, today we pray that we leave at your.

Feet today and walk out of this. Building chains, blocks, wounds.

Situations that have controlled. Us angered us.

We're not doing dealing with them anymore.

We want to be free. We want to be free to live.

A life and serve you that our minds make no peace.

And that we can just. Share the love of the Gospel

with others. Just like Paul.

This we pray you do. Miraculously in our hearts.

Today we ask this in Jesus. Name.

Amen. Just to know you, you must be

his friend, my friend.