Out Of Chaos
God's Plan • Sermon • Submitted
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· 13 viewsPaul stands before the Sanhedrin and only escapes because of the chaos of a religious argument. But, Paul receives consolation from Jesus as he is reminded that there is a plan.
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Mom driving through fog and missed the turn.
Life can be like that. You’re just moving forward on a familiar path, and things change.
Sometimes it is sickness, or a job loss, or depression, or just some change.
But, it’s always chaos.
How do we go beyond maintaining in chaos?
Our goal should be growth. Always growth.
Paul gives us some ways to look at our experience of chaos.
Paul’s Chaos
Paul’s Chaos
His trial before the Council / Sanhedrin.
These were his people - his brotherhood - his fraternity. And lost.
Even when he sought to defend himself, he was hit in the face.
But, his distance from them led him to not recognize the high priest!
Paul, again, a man without a tribe.
Under arrest, they had sought to kill him, future uncertain.
But knew God had called him.
Chaos.
This led to a religious debate over the nature of spiritual beings and resurrection.
A lot of shouting, yelling, probably throwing some hymnals.
Until finally the tribune enters in because he’s afraid for Paul’s life.
Chaos.
Ever been there? Chaos?
Are you there now?
Feeling lonely? Feeling helpless? Feeling out of control?
But, tired of feeling adrift and need some direction?
Let’s look at how Paul’s faith kept him moving forward through the chaos.
Paul’s Consolation
Paul’s Consolation
1. Trust His Presence
1. Trust His Presence
Even while Paul was sitting in his cell, had been for over a day, God had not forgotten him.
24 hours of feeling “dejected and despondent; no help or encouragement from the Jerusalem church.” FF Bruce
Jesus goes to him. He didn’t have to get to the temple. Didn’t even have to get to other people.
God met him exactly where he was.
Jesus meets you where you are. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Spiritually.
And I believe that God is often with us and we simply aren’t aware of it.
2 Kings 6: Elisha the prophet was being hunted by the king of Syria. Sent an army to collect him.
Gehazi, his servant, goes out and sees the army and is scared!
Elisha’s response
He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Understandable confusion!
Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
And God struck the army with blindness and they were able to get away!
God is greater than anything you can ever face. Trust that He is with you.
2. Trust His Plan
2. Trust His Plan
God’s plan was for Paul to preach the Gospel in Rome.
This plan was a promise from God to Paul.
At this point, Paul was needing a little reminder!
God isn’t through with you!
“Take courage!” - lift up your chin.
God will not be thwarted, but He will overcome.
Ever wonder how (or if) God’s hands are tied?
Or just despair some because we don’t see how God is going to work through this?
Yet, time and time again, we see God work.
Much like the walls of Jericho in Joshua 6.
A massive city with famous walls. A vagabond nation. A ridiculous plan.
Six days of one lap. Seventh day seven times - blow trumpets.
And, challenge level, have one sliver of the wall stay up!
And God did it.
What has God called you to do?
Serve? Share? Give?
If He has called you to do it (personally or in Scripture) then He will enable you to accomplish it.
3. Trust His Pain
3. Trust His Pain
There is a purpose in the pain.
Paul was learning this what Jesus meant, “Is it hard for you to kick against the goads?”
And Ananias:
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
This suffering would be used for the glory of Jesus!
When we are dealing with hardship, we want to learn from it.
1. Am I experiencing this because of my own sin?
2. Am I experiencing this because of another’s sin?
3. Am I experiencing this because of sin?
4. What is God teaching me through this experience?
We trust that when God permits pain to affect us, it is for a purpose.
I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
If God is bringing you to suffering, He will bring you through the suffering.
And we will be stronger on the other side of suffering.
Which is why we must stay faithful as we endure it.
Connect vertically and horizontally.
Conclusion
Conclusion
When I was a kid and the old hens club. Quilting club.
Usually in our community building, but sometimes we’d gather in someone’s home.
It was great for me. A bunch of grandmas, bringing food, and I could go out and play or read.
Sometimes, I’d sit under the quilt and watch the silhouettes of their hands pulling needle and thread.
The bottom of the quilt was kind of a jumbled mess. But, the top, the perfect rows added on.
From one side, it looks like chaos. From the other, it’s a thing of beauty.
Chaos exists.
Sometimes, we need to adjust our perspective.
