Thy Will, Not My Will

Introduction:

Focus is a key characteristic of a Christian. That is, the Christian has to remain focused on “keeping our mind on things above” / “spiritual things” so that our treasures are not planted in this life instead of the life to come.

Without it, our minds can wander. Our actions can swerve of course. Our hearing can be muffled.

(ex: Failing to pay full attention to the instruction to not put grape juice cups away until after the remembrance of the Lord’s supper is over.)

Things as little as the advice we give can be flawed.

This morning, I want to look at an example I have recently gone over in my Bible reading. An example where advice was given, but it didn’t match up with what needed to happen.

Acts 21:4 - The Spirit’s Message

As we come to chapter 21, Paul is making his way back to Jerusalem.

He is delivering relief to the saints in need (seems to be the main reason for returning - Rom. 15:25-27, 1 Cor. 16:1-4, 2 Cor. 8-9)

He wishes to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost (Acts 20:16)

Another reason was that he was “bound in the Spirit” to go (READ Acts 20:22)

Paul was being lead by the Spirit. Jerusalem was the destination given by the Spirit.

Similar to the Spirit’s direction in Acts 16:6

“And they passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;”

Not only the destination was revealed, but the challenge.

Acts 20:23 “except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.”

Paul understood there was difficulty ahead. He didn’t know what all that entailed, but he knew chains and affliction would be a part of the deal.

Seemingly, brethren whom the Spirit chose were given a similar message.

Acts 21:4 “And after looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem.”

“Through the Spirit” tells us this wasn’t a message or worry of their own creation. This was divine revelation.

Notice their response. They kept telling Paul (meaning they were doing this more than once) DO NOT GO!

“Don’t even step foot into that city!”

Was the Spirit giving mixed messages? Did He lead Paul (“bound”) to Jerusalem only to tell others around him, you gotta stop him!?

What I believe we are seeing here is a divine message coming to people who react in a human, emotion driven way.

“I believe this shows it is possible to take what the Spirit reveals & interpret it through the filter of human love or fear while missing something important.” (I believe this happens a lot today)

What are the lessons we can learn from this?

The Spirit revealed word can be misinterpreted by well-meaning people.

These brethren basically begging Paul to keep out of the city cared for him, didn’t they?

Paul had to be a huge part of these Christians lives. And it wasn’t just them!

Examples:

Acts 20:37–38 “And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they were accompanying him to the ship.”

Acts 21:11–12 “And coming to us, he {Agabus} took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” And when we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem.”

This care should be in the heart of every Christian. Care for brothers and sisters in Christ is crucial!

Jesus showed us that! John 13:34–35 ““A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””

We desire the best for one another. We rejoice with one another! We mourn with one another. We care.

These brethren begging Paul to not go where the Spirit was leading him were not the only ones to care for those who were in harms way!

Matthew 16:21–23 “From that time Jesus Christ began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.”

Peter cared for the Lord! Yet his care got in the way of the very purpose Jesus came to earth for.

Jesus’ response was a wake up call for Peter. “This isn’t supposed to work out the way you plan, Peter, but the way the Father has planned.” Jesus says this in such a serious way…

Verse 23 - “But He turned and said to Peter,“Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

Paul gives a similar response to those begging him to stay away from Jerusalem. Acts 21:13–14 “Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!””

Thy will, not my will.

Well-meaning people? 100%! Misguided by love or fear? Yes and Yes

Our human, emotional love and fear can keep us from the Lord’s will. It can keep us from obedience.

Many churches in the world today evangelize by preaching “love.”

“We love who you are because God loves who you are.” or “We will accept you as you are because that is what love is.” or “Judging, rebuke, and correction have no place in our church because that isn’t love.”

Too many times people are taught to skip over scripture or even continue in sin in the name of love.

The question we must ask is, “Is this godly love or emotional?”

We can susceptible to this as well brethren.

Consider some examples of what the Spirit reveals for us to do:

Spread the Gospel (speak the Good News!)

The early Christians did it! Even on the run - Acts 8:4 “Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.”

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

2 Corinthians 4:13 “But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore also we speak;”

Have you ever failed to do that? Why?

Fear of ruining a relationship, fear of being laughed at, fear of not saying the right thing in the right way?

Maybe it was the emotional love we have for them that got in the way of the godly love we should have for them.

Confessing our sins to one another.

We are told by the Spirit to do it right? - James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

Why don’t we (and I mean WE) do it?

Fear of judgement? Shame? Fear being seen as a hypocrite?

The people we love… we don’t want to let down.

When is the last time you told a brother what you were struggling with?

You see, when our emotional love and fears gain our focus, the obedience to the Spirits will can easily be overlooked.

Focus is important! We would be wise to pray for more focus on thy will, not my will.

Sometimes the Spirit’s warning is not meant to make you stop, but to make you prepared.

John 16:32–33 ““Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.””

Did Jesus warn the Apostles of His departure so that they would stop following Him after He was gone? Or was He preparing them for a time when He would not be walking by their side? A time when they would be the ones to speak up, preaching, rebuking, all for the sake of the Kingdom of Christ.

Was He telling them about a coming tribulation so that they would stop before it came? Or was He preparing them to follow Him no matter the cost. To overcome just as He Himself overcame.

Peter warns followers of Christ that there will be times of persecution. His warning is clearly a preparation tactic:

1 Peter 4:12–13 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.”

Warning to stop? Or for you to prepare so that even when those times come, you continue to glorify God in your body?

I believe we see the same lesson learned for those striving to keep Paul from going to Jerusalem.

What was the final remarks made by those disciples?

Acts 21:14 - “The will of the Lord be done!””

Thy will, not my will.

Similar to Paul in Acts 20:22 - I am not sure of what is ahead. But if we continue to live in this world for some time, we can count on difficulties showing their ugly head.

Where is your focus? Will you faith be swayed in these moments due to emotions and fear?

OR — Will our faith be firm in Him who can save?

What a blessing to have a Father who is merciful, gracious, and just.

What a blessing to have a Savior who loved us enough to forfeit His life for ours.

What a blessing to have the Spirit, who has revealed the very Word that can prick our hearts, instill belief, and lead us to know the very things that are pleasing to our Almighty God!

May we be focused enough to hear that word and apply it in the ways that God expects.

And may we always be of the mindset, “Thy will, Not my will”