Plan A or Plan B?
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Intro
Intro
where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
God's plans are eternal. Throughout our lives we have often found that our plans are unreliable, while the Lord’s plans always stand:
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
God has no problems, only plans.
Corrie Ten Boom
Let us therefore be careful to invest in projects that do not come from the Lord: And Jesus told them this parable:
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
Paul’s plans. Despite the clear apostolic ministry given to him by Jesus, Paul also often had to change his plans and therefore move from his "Plan A" to "Plan B.”
Perhaps it was precisely this willingness to adapt to unforeseen circumstances that made Paul, the man we all know and respect.
Sermon’s outline. In this regard I would like to consider some aspects of this precious attitude that emerges in Paul's ministry:
Contingencies for Plan A (Acts 20:3);
Do not regret Plan A (Acts 20:3);
Adapt to Plan B (Acts 20:3).
N.1 - Contingencies for Plan A
N.1 - Contingencies for Plan A
where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.
Open to the unexpected. If there was any man who could claim a direct line of communion with God, it was Paul.
But even though his plan to embark for Syria (Acts 20:3) was animated by holy purposes, that plan was changed.
It is certainly right and praiseworthy to plan our life and stick to the schedule, but we must not depend on our plans, but let's expect changes.
In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.
Midnight unexpected events. Boaz had his Plan A: I will sleep in my field and start working the grain again in the morning.
Yet, around midnight, the unexpected came that changed Boaz's plan:
In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet!
“Who are you?” he asked.
“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.”
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed. The Lord has made everything for his own purposes.
Anonymous
N.2 - Do not regrat Plan A
N.2 - Do not regrat Plan A
where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.
Wasted tears. Someone said that a failed plan turned out to be the greatest gift one could receive.
It is therefore appropriate not to waste our tears on those plans that are not being realized.
Paul does not despair, he does not become depressed, he does not waste time and energy in considering why his journey was interrupted.
A productive wake. There was a king who had a plan: to sleep all night.
This plan failed miserably:
That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
“What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked.
“Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.
Xerxes did not despair, but he tried to make amends and do good to the one who had saved his life.
Has life made us “widows" of our plans? In God we can find our restoration and fulfillment.
N.3 - Adapt to Plan B
N.3 - Adapt to Plan B
where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.
A new journey. Once he learns of the plot, Paul adapts to the challenges that "Plan B" presents.
The boat trip was more comfortable, safer and faster, but Paul adapted to the new circumstances.
Adaptability. We are capable of adapting to every circumstance: in the workplace, in our house, etc.
1478 The wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water molds itself to the pitcher.
Anonymous
Unfortunately, this ability to adapt is not found in the things of God (see the story of Joseph).
Perhaps our Plan B is God's Plan A. Through Plan B, we read that Paul meets Luke (Acts 20:5), who will give us the "Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts".
Thank God therefore for Plan B, because God will be able to make it as effective as Plan A.
Illustration. A man once tried to sail his boat against the wind during a storm. He struggled and fought harder, only to tire himself out. In frustration, he decided to lower his sails and let the wind guide him. To his surprise, he found himself safely reaching the shore. Sometimes, we must lower our sails and let God’s winds blow us in the right direction. When we adapt to His plans, challenges become opportunities for growth.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Our life is not tied to human projects and plans.
Human plans cannot always be realized.
Let us trust in the sovereign and blessed will of God and we will always be able to stand despite adversity.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
