To Live is Christ at Any Price

Sunday, March 8, 2026
Pastor Alex Chen

Acts 21:1-16 – To Live is Christ at Any Price

Acts 20:22 -- 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there…
Acts 21:4 -- 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
Acts 21:10-12 -- 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.

Outline

A False Assumption That So Many Have Believed

A false assumption: Suffering, persecution and even death is always to be avoided when possible.

Acts 20:22 -- 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there…
Acts 21:4 -- 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
Acts 21:10-12 -- 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
Mark 6:45-48 -- 45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
Sinclair Ferguson – Sometimes we find ourselves in difficulties because of our own sin and foolishness. But there are times when the Lord himself will lead us into difficulties.

A Firm Conviction That We All Must Hold

21:13 -- 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Luke 9:23-24 -- 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
21:13 -- 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

For Paul, the goal of the Christian life is not to be safe, healthy and comfortable, but to honor the name of Christ by his life no matter the price.

1 Corinthians 10:31 – 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God
Philippians 1:20 -- 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
Luke 9:23 -- 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.