Plans Change

Reflections

Where I am, where most of us are, we do a lot of reflecting on the past.

Looking back, I think about all the plans I have made.

Some played out exactly as I had seen them

Others, not so much.

College. I was a business major.

Convo w/ a good friend who was going right to seminary after. Not me. I was going into business.

I would be his key board member and he’d be my pastor.

Then, change of plans. I got the education bug. Teach high school. Business classes. Got a master degree right away.

I graduated and didn’t even get an interview for a teaching job. Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston, Austin, many suburbs. Door closed.

Okay, back to plan A. Get a job in the business world.

Worked for a couple of years, got married. Then, Plan C materialized. I was doing okay in the business, but I wasn’t content. I didn’t feel called to this.

Sara and I are newly married, and I felt God calling me to seminary. Like I said I’d never go when I was in college.

Dallas seminary. Dallas is a great city. I had a plan I’d graduate and get a church in the DFW area. It was my second home, felt comfortable there, understood the culture. A perfect plan.

The way I saw myself, I’d work my way up and no time be the pastor of the largest church in town. Nothing prideful about that.

And, of course, here I am

Hello Minot, ND. It’s not like I didn’t send resumes to churches in the area. No doors opened. Nothing.

Midwest. But, agriculture. I’m business and education. And, Minot is cold! Sara’s from Tucson. Only God could be credited w/ arranging this connection.

Okay, one stop along the way. Some of our best friends we met in Minot. We still keep in touch, vaca together.

But, my plan, back to DFW. The way I saw myself, I’d work my way up and no time be the pastor of the largest church in town. Nothing prideful about that.

And, here I am. My plan? God’s plan. He filed off the rough edges. I grew up. I was humbled.

And now, couldn’t be happier, or more content, to be the pastor of the largest church in town.

We’ve made great friends and are making more here.

We fit. Sara’s close to home. So many of you are/were business leaders and educators.

I never could have planned this.

Law #1 of the 4 spiritual laws:

God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.

Law #1 of my life was:

God loves me and I have a wonderful plan for my life.

Guess whose plan is better and won out?

It’s important to have a plan, but hold it loosely.

Sometimes we come up with our own plan and expect God to bless it and make it happen.

Then, we realize He has a different plan already blessed and ready to go.

Sometimes we think we know God’s destination for us.

Then, we realize what we thought was the destination was only an intersection where God’s plan for us would change direction.

We thought we’d arrived but the journey is just getting started.

Hold you plans loosely. God may change them.

This is the message of to 16:10 where Paul thought he had it all figured out and had a great plan.

It’s Paul. His letters are inspired. And, yet, his plans were not.

Maybe that was part of his growth process so when he wrote he drew on his experiences w/ God.

Whatever. Paul had a plan. God changed his plan. And, it worked out better.

It’s Good to Have a Plan

Acts 15:

Acts 15:36–41 NIV

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Got a plan

Same places, same people

Makes sense. Just like we did it before.

We all do that. It worked in the past so let’s do it the same way again.

Except, maybe, God has something new in mind.

The good ole’ days were behind them. It’s time for something new.

However, Barnabas was into the same old plan and it was one of those details that blew up the plan.

Plan blew up

Over Mark.

Qualified? Worthy? Strong enough?

Restoration? Forgiveness?

During the 1st journey, these same places, the persecution got so intense he ran home to his mother.

They had to be able to count on the people w/ them. The work was too important and opposition too intense. They couldn’t be baby-sitting someone who couldn’t take the heat.

Barnabas wants to take him along and give him a 2nd chance. Restore him. He’s grown more mature, stronger. The experience changed him for the better. He was young. Now, he’s not.

Note, in Paul describes Mark as Barnabas’ cousin. So, maybe there was something else at work here.

Paul didn’t think Mark was worthy, up to the task.

This is an embarrassing argument between leaders. Luke is airing their dirty laundry for all of us to see, and learn from.

So intense, Paul and Barnabas have to split up.

That’s their compromise. Barnabas will take Mark. Paul will take Silas, and a new young protege’, Timothy.

They will go their separate ways.

Compromise

2 different groups, 2 different journeys

Anger. Irritation. Major disagreement. Good men who can’t come together.

Barnabas returns to his home town and takes Mark w/ him.

An easier path to gently restore Mark. Less opposition and he’ll have the opportunity to grow and prepare for more.

Paul takes Silas back to the cities in the Galatian region where they had planted churches during the 1st journey.

So, they set off in their 2 different direction. As they traveled, they also took copies of the letter from the Jerusalem council to the churches they planned to visit.

Remember, keeping the law was no longer necessary. No one else needed t/b circumcised.

That was the plan. But, then, circumstances changed.

Even though it was unnecessary it was the wise thing to do. So, Paul’s plan changed once again.

Wisdom of the Change

Acts 16:1–5 NIV

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Picked up Timothy

Mixed-race parents. Jewish mother, Greek father. They had raised him more Greek than Jewish so he hadn’t been circumcised.

The plan was to go to these cities and start in the synagogues with the Jews.

Familiar.

Easier transition that Jesus is the Messiah.

They missed Him then, but could still accept Him now.

Jewish law frowned on mixed-race marriages. In fact, this made Timothy a Samaritan.

Neither side accepted Samaritans. This was even a derogatory term.

But, in the case of a child from the marriage, he could be raised Jewish and fully accepted.

The Jerusalem council advised leaders everywhere to be sensitive to Jewish legal practices. Even though the law was no longer necessary, don’t fight over this.

This is the Galatian region. These are the recipients of his letter and the subject of the letter is the conflict that led to the Jerusalem council that circumcision is unnecessary.

But, not only was circumcising Timothy wise for being sensitive to this Jewish audience, it was also wise b/c it headed off any related side-issues that would take the focus of their message of Jesus.

The Jews would have wanted to argue with them about Timothy not being circumcised. But, b/c they had done it, they could spend all their energy on the message of Jesus.

They affirmed the Jewish lifestyle while teaching them that Jesus is the Messiah they had been waiting for but missed.

Then, b/c they could do that, the results were significant.

Results

Growth in faith and number.

Fruit of the Spirit, in increasing measure. Perseverance. Character. Maturity. All the characteristics that come from a closer walk w/ Jesus.

And, more came to faith and joined them.

Interesting side note, Paul had rejected Mark for his immaturity and lack of courage. Yet, accepted Timothy, also young and in need of maturation.

When Timothy was the pastor of the Ephesian church he wrote to him to not allow anyone to look down on him b/c of his youth. But, he should stand strong and teach using the gifts God had given him.

Paul, Silas, Timothy, and now Luke are working Paul’s plan and it’s working out great.

They are on their way to Asia. Everything looks good.

Yes, there’s opposition, it’s strong, but God is stronger.

Just when they are ready to walk thru the door to Asia, it slams shut.

But, another unexpected door opens.

Another Itinerary Change

Acts 16:6–10 NIV

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

1 door closes, another opens

God changed Paul’s plan again. No obvious reason why.

One possible reason, simply, is timing. Now is not the right time.

They tried. But God kept closing that door.

Later, it opened up to others. In fact, over the next 300 years there is a strong Christian influence in and out of Asia.

Nicea, where the Nicene Creed came from.

A strong statement on the Trinity, One God in 3 Persons.

Later, amended in Constantinople.

That is, Bithynia, became Constantinople, became Istanbul, Turkey.

Christians are now severely persecuted in Turkey.

A big opportunity opened up

Macedonia opened up. In fact, the ppl were eager for Paul and his companions to arrive w/ the message that would save them.

Macedonia was in northern Greece and had been a world power 4 centuries earlier under Alexander the Great. It was still an influential region.

Philippi was in Macedonia where Paul will visit next. Some years later, while in prison, he will write his letter to them.

As the church established itself in northern Greece, more missionaries were commissioned and sent farther into what is now Europe.

The timing wasn’t right for Asia, but it was perfect for Europe.

Paul thought he saw the destination ahead in Asia. But, the border town turned out to be an intersection where he made a left turn and headed north.

Changes can be frustrating. We make plans and then feel disrespected when changes are forced on us.

Paul’s frustration would have been tempered as he looked back at what happened b/c these changes were made.

There was so much good that my not have happened if God had not changed Paul’s plans.

Unplanned Improvements

Twice as much ministry

2 groups, 2 journeys.

What would have been only 1, the journey into Cyprus would not have happened.

Mark was restored

He would have been left out. Maybe, never to get back into the game.

He failed, bad. Paul faced stonings, floggings, prison, verbal abuse, poverty, and all kinds of rejection. Mark ran home to his mother.

Paul wrote back to the Philippians, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And, “To live is Christ. To die is gain.”

Mark quit.

What would have happened if Barnabas had not reached out and given him another chance.

Mark was restored. He traveled with Barnabas, doing ministry in Cyprus and in Roman-held territory.

He eventually wrote his gospel. His audience was non-Jewish, mostly Roman.

How would he have learned what about Jesus would be important to these people in this culture if he hadn’t spent so much time there teaching and serving them?

Timothy got trained

This young convert with a faithful grandmother and mother was picked up and trained by Paul, Silas, and Luke.

After traveling with Paul he was called to be the pastor of the church in Ephesus.

Again, a church planted by Paul and the group. And, where tradition has it, Mary and John were members.

Galatians and Philippians were encouraged and written to.

Lystra and Derbe were cities in the Galatian region. Paul was there at least twice then later wrote his letter to them as a follow up encouragement. It’ also in our NT.

Then, on to Philippi and later write to them.

We are blessed as God inspired Paul to write these letters that help us mature and discover more of the character of God.

I have had a plan for myself my entire adult life. In my immaturity I thought it was inspired.

I needed to grow up like Mark and Timothy.

An irony; I was hired here because I’m young. Please forgive my youthful mistakes. I’m trying to grow up as fast as I can.

It’s good to have a plan. But, hold onto your plans loosely.

God is not here for us. It’s not up to us to make a plan then ask God to bless it.

We are here for God. He has a plan that He has already blessed and is waiting for us to discover it.

And, just b/c you think you know the next step of God’s plan for your life don’t assume you know the destination.

You may arrive at where you thought your journey ended only to find out it’s an intersection where God will lead you to change directions.

While it may be a little frustrating at the time, His plans always work out for our best.

Hold loosely to your plans. Hold on tightly to God.

Applications

Not working out?

Don’t get discouraged or angry when your plan doesn’t work out.

People have been known to quit on God when they believed He wouldn’t do what they wanted Him to do for them.

We’re here for Him. He’s not here for us. He has the authority to change our plans whenever He wants to.

Has the door you’ve been staring at not opened, yet?

Look for another door.

Maybe the timing is wrong. What you want to do is a good thing but it’s not the right time.

Look for that other door, but don’t necessarily give up on the door that’s not open, yet. It may later.

Look for another door that’s open.

Give up?

How bad do you have to mess up for God to give up on you?

Don’t know. No one has ever messed up that bad, yet.

God always keeps this door open. You can always repent and return.

If you’re a child of God, a believer, you’ll never not be a child of God.

Just like my kids. They may mess up some day. But, they will always be my children and I’ll always love them and welcome them home.

Please don’t be so arrogant to believe that you are so uniquely horrible, no one is as horrible as you. Therefore, you are the only one God has given up on.

Not only will he not give up on you for your big mess up. He won’t give up on you for your arrogance after, either.

Repent and return.

If you’re not a child of God. If you’ve never accepted Jesus’ gracious work on the cross to make things right between you and God, you can now.

Believe. Accept by faith.

It’s never too late in this life.

Wise and unnecessary

There are times when we need to do the wise thing even though technically it is unnecessary.

Apologize. Abstain from Alcohol. Don’t go where you can go but know you shouldn’t b/c of your influence in the lives of others.

What?

Is there something you need to do and you’re arguing w/ yourself b/c you know you technically don’t have to do it but it’s the wise thing to do?

It’s good to have a plan. But, hold onto your plans loosely.

God is not here for us. It’s not up to us to make a plan then ask God to bless it.

We are here for God. He has a plan that He has already blessed and is waiting for us to discover it.

And, just b/c you think you know the next step of God’s plan for your life don’t assume you know the destination.

You may arrive at where you thought your journey ended only to find out it’s an intersection where God will lead you to change directions.

While it may be a little frustrating at the time, His plans always work out for our best.

Hold loosely to your plans. Hold on tightly to God.