Building the Church (18)
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Roadblocks and Bigger Destinations
Roadblocks and Bigger Destinations
Good morning, hope all had a good week.
How did you see God move this past week?
Ever been on a trip when the route you were taking was unexpectedly changed?
Maybe due to road work or obstructions. It makes you nervous
Colorado to Wyoming - 1 blizzard, switch back , most beautiful vistas and reconcile with father.
One of the major keys to success is to keep moving forward on the journey, making the best of the detours and interruptions, turning adversity into advantage.
John C. Maxwell
Roadblocks and Bigger Destinations
Roadblocks and Bigger Destinations
Last week we saw how God used a split between Paul and Barnabas to enlarge the mission.
That when we obey God's direction and trust even it doesn't make sense, big things happen.
Today, I want to continue on that line.
This again is about God’s sovereignty our ability to trust and obey.
Let’s pray
Paul and Silas are still in Philippi.
They are doing what they have been doing
16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.
The first thing we must remember is the promise is not for ease, for peace
17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
Obedience and faith will lead to unpopular stands and actions
19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
Obedience and faith will lead to unpopular stands and actions
When we and our faith disturb the wallet of the world - it is going to try to disturb us back.
We stood against slavery - for owners it was an economic issue
Stood against child labor turn of the 20 century - economic issue for factories
Sweat shops over seas - economic issue for large corps
Abortion - more ab out the billions then “protecting women’s health”
We will get push back.
20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods.
God will take us where we never thought we would go.
23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
God will take us where we never thought we would go.
Leaving the Army - sent to Colorado??
That was not my plan - prayed and trusted - found out God’s plan
Our response will always show our trust.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
Our response will always show our trust.
They didn’t complain, they praised
When we pray and praise in the midst of a trial - it shakes the world up
26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.
Our response will always show our trust.
That’s not only in the hard stuff, but also when God does amazing things our response matters
27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.
Our response will always show our trust.
They stayed. They could have fled. The doors were open the shackles were off, God freed them.
When God did this for Peter - he had to be told get up and get out of here.
This was different.
Choose the mission over the moment
30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
Choose the mission over the moment
Paul and Silas was in Philippi because people needed the Gospel.
Even a jailer holding them prisoner.
So often we choose the easy out or the escape when God is saying stay, I got a plan
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
Roadblocks and Bigger Destinations
Roadblocks and Bigger Destinations
God always has a plan and nothing ever surprises Him
Don't think for a moment that God will not balance out the scales.
35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.”
I don't know why Paul and Silas did not say this before.
Maybe the Sprit led them not to, but they did now
38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.
Roadblocks and Bigger Destinations
Roadblocks and Bigger Destinations
The strength of patience hangs on our capacity to believe that God is up to something good for us in all our delays and detours.
John Piper
Roadblocks and Bigger Destinations
Roadblocks and Bigger Destinations
Unexpected thing are going to happen,
The question is do we trust and obey?
Next week Acts 17
Let’s pray
