When God Changes Your Plans
When God Changes Your Plana • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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When God Changes Your Plans
When God Changes Your Plans
Good morning and welcome.
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Open your Bibles, tablets, phones to Acts 16
How many planners out there? I mean you want to have every thing all mapped out. Contingencies planned, your back up has a back up.
I am old Army Sergeant. We deal with task, condition, standard.
Here is what needs to done, here is the environment, here is the standard of doing it right
It’s funny, sometimes we get certain ideas, or a picture of how things should be, and then everything changes.
This happened as I was deciding to leave the Army and go into full time ministry.
Supposed to return to Georgia, near home, work for a Baptist Church.
Introduced to Young Life in Germany made some very close friends
Sent to Colorado - called my Young Life friend to complain.
Young Life National Office in Colorado Springs where we were moving
We like to make plans and strategies, but thing can change.
“God’s plan will continue on God’s schedule.” ― A.W. Tozer
9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
We Plan - God Leads
We Plan - God Leads
So often we make strategies, programs, an on and on, but we find God has a different plan.
Paul experienced this as he was setting off on his second mission journey.
This may feel awkward but I am going to ask you to stand in respect of God’s Word. Nothing I say today is of any importance. It is these words that give authority and the power for change
1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Let’s pray.
We Plan - God Leads
We Plan - God Leads
A little context leading up to Acts 16
Paul and Barnabas protecting the unity of the young Church. Delivering the message from the Jerusalem and Council and planting new churches.
Just coming this fresh victory they decide let’s go and check on the churches.
Nothing stops God’s plan
36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.
Mark had abandoned them on the first trip.
39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
God can use anyone and anything to continue His plan.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Nothing stops God’s plan
It is ironic that the two who fought for unity now split.
They were the dream team
In spite of what could be a huge setback -God expanded the mission
Nothing takes God by surprise.
The work always goes on.
Now there are 2 teams - Barnabas and Mark go to Cyprus, Paul and Silas - Syria
God works in multiplication not addition
1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.
The work always goes on.
Now not only are they checking on the churches they are preparing a future Pastor.
3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
The work always goes on.
Circumcision - benefit of Timothy and Gospel.
When door’s close.
6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
God decides when and where.
When door’s close.
There are many times we want o ask why and in the end we just need to say yes.
God always sees the bigger picture and the whole plan
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
When door’s close.
8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Right place right time
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.
Right place right time
Philippi was a dominant Roman city - small Jewish presence
13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
The impact of our obedience outlives us.
15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Right place right time
Church of Philippi became a main contributor to Paul's work
Beginning of the first church in Europe -
Things like the Reformation , Global exploration and missions.
We Plan - God Leads
We Plan - God Leads
I long to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the glory of God as it pertains to their own life. We need great people who understand that their success is wrapped up in the sovereignty of God. If we can do that, a faith, power, energy and zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of the Holy Spirit. We must become overwhelmed with who God wants to be for us! - Graham Cooke
We Plan - God Leads
We Plan - God Leads
With us or in spite of us God’s plan will go forward
God’s way always works.
The question is do I trust it and will I obey?
Someone here today or watching have realized their plans are not working at all.
It all starts with realizing our need and surrendering to Jesus.
Some of us are asking what’s next, what will happen.
God is bigger than our questions and maybe we just need to surrender to His will His way.
Wherever you are at don’t leave with unfinished business today.
Let’s pray
