Keep Pursuing God’s Will
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Scripture
Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can more like You, and more made into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much, that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all to often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possible can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.
21 After we tore ourselves away from them, we set sail straight for Cos, the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 Finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we boarded and set sail. 3 After we sighted Cyprus, passing to the south of it,[a] we sailed on to Syria and arrived at Tyre, since the ship was to unload its cargo there. 4 We sought out the disciples and stayed there seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go to Jerusalem. 5 When our time had come to an end, we left to continue our journey, while all of them, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach to pray, 6 we said farewell to one another and boarded the ship, and they returned home.
7 When we completed our voyage[b] from Tyre, we reached Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day. 8 The next day we left and came to Caesarea, where we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him. 9 This man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.10 After we had been there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 He came to us, took Paul’s belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him over to the Gentiles.’”
12 When we heard this, both we and the local people pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem.13 Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”14 Since he would not be persuaded, we said no more except, “The Lord’s will be done.”15 After this we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us and brought us to Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to stay.
Context
As you will remember, Paul is rounding out his 3rd missionary journey. Now, he is on the home stretch back to Jerusalem, to take the monetary love offering from the churches to the poor church in Jerusalem. In last week’s text, Paul gave a final teaching and charge to the elders of the church in Ephesus, a town and people who Paul loved very much and had spent much time with, charging them ultimately to let Jesus define you and each of their ministries before and above everything else, just as we are to as well. Despite loving this people, and them begging him not leave, knowing they would never see him again, Paul had to tear himself away from them and continue his journey with the representatives of the churches.
Although Paul had already known that a difficult trial was ahead of him, as the Holy Spirit continually revealed to him, he knew Jesus’ will for him was to go to Jerusalem then to make his way to Rome. All along the way, with the Holy Spirit showing to His people that Paul was going to face great difficulty ahead, and now more and more detail of exactly what was going to happen becomes known to the people and to us, the readers, today.
None the less, we see that Paul continues. He knew that as a follower of Christ, he would have trials and difficulties all through his life, a fact that is true for you, for us, for every believer today and will remain until Jesus returns. So, he keeps going, pursuing God’s will and call for himself. That same is true for you too believer as you walk through the difficulties and trial in your life which is filled with trials both spiritual and in the flesh. With, that, I want you to be warned,You must be aware and expect that you will have trials ahead. No Christian is to have or will ever have an “easy go” at following Jesus, if you are, then you can see by just looking at Paul’s example, then you have something critically wrong. So, let’s see what happens to Paul and jump deep in where From the text, I want you to see and prewarn you of these truths about the trials you will face, but despite these trials you must keep pursuing God’s Will.
Message
The first truth about the trials you will face is that: Difficult days will surely come. 1-6
21 After we tore ourselves away from them, we set sail straight for Cos, the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 Finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we boarded and set sail. 3 After we sighted Cyprus, passing to the south of it,[a] we sailed on to Syria and arrived at Tyre, since the ship was to unload its cargo there. 4 We sought out the disciples and stayed there seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go to Jerusalem. 5 When our time had come to an end, we left to continue our journey, while all of them, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach to pray, 6 we said farewell to one another and boarded the ship, and they returned home.
Verse 1, starts with the group leaving the Ephesian elders and boarding a boat that stopped frequently, making 3 stops. Not being content with that, the group boarded a ship that made less frequent stops, they found their way to tyer, which today is in south Lebanon and very near the modern Israel border. While there, they found several disciples, and stayed there for seven days. These disciples had the Holy Spirit show him what was going to happen in Jerusalem, and told him not to go, as they did not want Paul to be arrested. After the seven days, they left warmly with a warm goodbye, the brothers and sisters and their entire family’s going with them to the beach to the ship. There they prayed together, and our benevolence missionary team continued their journey.
Anyone who has ever lived more than one day, knows that tough times are always ahead. Yes, the difficult days will surely come. One day will be a good day, one day a bad, one day great, one day rough, one day happy, one day sad. This is how life goes and the same is true for any follower of Christ. Yes, just because you choose to follow Jesus, does not mean your life will get easier. In fact, as we have seen with Paul all through this book, following Christ probably means your days on earth will get harder. As true as this is, the Christian knows that we have great hope no matter how bleak the situation. Though your body may be harmed, no power on earth or anywhere else can bring harm to your soul, which is of much more worth and importance, because your soul lives on forever. This is true so long as you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior and have accepted his free offer of forgiveness for your sin. As Paul would have written to the Romans not long before the events in today’s text, 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Non the less, difficult times will come. I am reminded of here of Joseph, one of the Patriarchs of the people of Israel, Jacob’s favorite son. While in Egypt, God showed Joseph that difficult times were ahead, a great famine would hit the earth, yet Egypt (where Joseph served as Governor) and Israel (God’s chosen people) would be spared because of God’s care for His children. None the less, the Israelites would suffer for a time, as you do as well, yet their God and your God was and is close at hand and see’s your suffering and hears your cries of pain. Through that trial and difficulty, which you may be going through right now, and if not mark my words another one is around the corner, God is preparing you for and using you for something much bigger and grander than you had ever imagined so that He would be glorified through you and you would learn to love and trust him more. So, You must be aware and expect that you will have trials ahead. The difficult days will surely come to you, do not be disheartened and keep pursuing God’s will.
The next truth about the trials you will face is that their will be: Challenging outcomes for your faith 7-11
7 When we completed our voyage[b] from Tyre, we reached Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day. 8 The next day we left and came to Caesarea, where we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him. 9 This man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.10 After we had been there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 He came to us, took Paul’s belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him over to the Gentiles.’”
From tyre, they went south to Ptolemis, where they were greeted by the brethren there and stayed for a day. Then, they went to Caesarea, which would have been in the region of Samaria (remember the last time we talked about that region, it was a region of people who are related to the Israelites but differed in several areas so they did not get along). Here, Phillip the evangelist, who was one of the 7 chosen to serve in chapter 6 and we last read about when he shared the gospel with the Ethiopian Eunuch, lived with his family. This family was deeply devoted to Christ and his daughters received the gift of prophecy from the Holy Spirit. While their, another prophet that we last read about in Acts 11 came. The Holy Spirit had given him word, as He kept giving about Paul, that he would be bound by the Jews in Jerusalem and handed over to the gentiles.
If you read this, along with the previous section, and that the Holy Spirit had charged Paul to do this a few chapters earlier, it’s easy to be confused here due to a language barrier. Let me make that simple for you. Though the Holy Spirit warned time and time again to Paul about what would happen, never did we see the Holy Spirit (or any of the people he had revealed this to) forbid him or tell him not to go. Rather, out of preference and love for this man (Paul), the brethren did not want him to go. Remember what Paul told the Ephesian Elders, the Holy Spirit warned him of what was to come. Paul knew what he was walking into. He knew that he was about to face a serious challenge because of his faith and commitment to the Savior Jesus Christ the Righteous.
How strange it is here, that while Paul was facing this difficult situation, Paul was in the home of Phillip the Evangelist. As you will remember, when he was called to his commissioning, he was called along with 6 other men, one of which was Stephen, the first Christian Martyr. That is, the first person to have ever died for their faith and following Christ. Stephen and Phillip would have been close ministry partners at least for a time, and here was Paul, who was a part of Stephen’s murder. Stephen knew that could happen to him when he went to preach in the town, Paul knows what will happen to him when he goes to Jerusalem. You believer, must know that you will experience challenges and difficulties for your faith. This charge is to all believers in all places in all walks of life. You will suffer for your savor’s sake. Jesus himself said, to be His follower you must pick up your cross (your difficulties and burdens) and follow Him. So, You must be aware and expect that you will have trials ahead. These trials may shake you to your very core, but keep seeking God’s will and keep your mind on things above and not on the evils of this world.
Another truth about the trials you will face is that God’s will can be difficult 12-16
12 When we heard this, both we and the local people pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem.13 Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”14 Since he would not be persuaded, we said no more except, “The Lord’s will be done.”15 After this we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us and brought us to Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to stay.
Everyone heard about this prophecy from Agabus, and as you would imagine, they did not like this. They had concern for their friend, in fact it was so concerning that Paul’s traveling companions who had been with him for a while at this point and were 100% behind him, begged him not to go. Then look, Paul tells them, look, it hurt me seeing the pain in your eyes. It breaks my heart to know that my actions and resolve are so concerning and fearful for you. However, this is what I am going to do. I love God so much that nothing else matters, I am prepared to die for Jesus if the need arrives when we get to Jerusalem. Everyone, seeing that Paul was going to go through with it, and knew, that this is what Jesus wanted, so this, though we are very much afraid and this is such a difficult thing to endure, this is what Jesus will receive from his servant. So, they went on.
Following and pursuing God’s will, can be very difficult brothers and sisters. In fact, so difficult and troubling was it for our Lord Jesus, that just before his arrest by the Jews led Judas, Jesus prayed fervently to the Father that what was about to happen (His arrest and crucifixion) would not happen. It troubled him so much, that your bible describes Him sweating blood. But, remember how that prayer ended, as Jesus was lonely and His closest friends were so tired they could not comfort Him in His deep despair. He didn’t give up on the Father’s Will. No, instead He said, “Never the less, not my Will but Your Will be done.” This is fortunate for us, as Jesus’ painful pursuit of the Father’s Will provided redemption for mankind, for you, for me, for anyone that would call upon His name.
Think about that, if Jesus Himself, God the Son would suffer and die to fulfill The Father’s Will, You to can rest assured God’s will, whatever or wherever it might be in your will, can and often times will be very difficult for you pursue. Your flesh will fight you all along the way. Your fear will put doubt and lies in your head. Your love of self will make you look for ways out. Your sin will cause you to run the other way. When this happens, when you are feeling over run, I want you to remember this verse that Paul wrote to the Corinthian church. No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it. What does this mean? That your temptation to run and hide or avoid God’s will, has been before and has been overcome before. Furthermore, God has given you this test, knowing full well that you can pass it. So, God is testing you, because he has confidence that you can and will overcome and will succeed and will grow in the love of Him and draw nearer to Him. God wants this for you, at all times, for His children to draw near to Him, and the problem isn’t the perfect Him, but the rebellious people that we are, needing to see that our God is worthy of your trust, so he gives His beloved child (You) these tests to prove to you His faithfulness. So,You must be aware and expect that you will have trials ahead. Though they may be difficult, when you are in them, remember, just ahead is a close relationship with God if you seek His will.
Conclusion
Beloved, pursuing God’s will can be a difficult thing. Because we war against our flesh, Satan, and the Power of sin. So, you must know that every time you pursue God’s will, you are fighting a spiritual battle. As such, these battles can only be fought and won with spiritual weapons. With prayer, with reading/study/meditating/applying God’s Word, with worship, with pursuing righteousness. Putting on the whole armor of God. Without it, you will fail. So, do you find yourself weak brethren in your spiritual battles. Let me help you today. Write this down…….. This is your homework. Read Ephesians chapter 6 in your Bible’s. Look at which weapon or armor piece you have been neglecting lately. Then, look at your life and what is keeping you from either wearing that armor or carrying that weapon, and make changes in your life. It could be all kinds of things that help you like: not watching TV after a certain time at night and devoting that time to study and prayer. Resolving to not pick up your phone each day until you spend some time with God, experimenting with new ways of prayer to keep you interested in the discipline. I could go on and on, but here me believer, do what you must, put aside whatever you must so that you can better pursue God’s will.
With all of that being said, I would be remised if I didn’t share the Gospel (or the Good News) of Jesus Christ with you today, for the benefit of both believer and non-believer in the room. This begins all the way back at the beginning, God created everything, and he created all things good. He gave His most treasured creation (us, mankind) the ability of free will, the ability to choose Him or rebellion. Man was deceived by Satan and desired to be like God and sinned (or rebelled against God). This brought the curse of sin and death into the world and it remains with us to this day; which separates us from God. God though, loved His creation (mankind) so much that He worked through history to redeem all mankind that would turn to Him from sin so that we can experience a full and perfect relationship with Him again. This was through the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the pay for sins. Accepting this free gift from God, makes you new and forgiven. All you have to do accept this free gift by repenting and believing in the Lord Jesus and you will get to experience the good side of God’s justice forever. So, now that you know this, you can no longer plead ignorance. I invite and urge you to respond today non-believer and apply this to every part of your life believers in the audience today.
With that, Let’s conclude. Brothers and Sisters, I love you all. During our last song together, if you need prayer, or want to talk more about Jesus, or have something you want to talk about, I’ll be here, don’t be afraid to come on down. Let’s pray. Father God, we thank You for who You are and what You are doing to us here in this place. May whatever it is that You are doing in each of heart here, continue as we leave go out into the world this week. Change us, mold us, make us, re-arrange us, that we can be both better lovers of You and better showers of You. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.
