How God Prepares Us for What He Has Prepared

Introduction

Have you been shelved by God

Wonder how God is going to use you

Have things come into you life that has messed up your plans

Paul was shelved in Tarsus for almost 10 years

He was too hot to handle so the Christians sent him there to quite things down.

He had so enraged the Hellenistic Jew that they wanted to kill him

His latter letters and his message reveal what God was do to him during that period

He emerged from Tarsus with convictions that became his character

Christ had become Paul’s message, hope, & life

GOD USES EVENTS IN OUR LIFE TO PREPARE US FOR HIS USE

Acts 11:19–21 NIV84

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

Events in our life are to prepare us for God’s ministry

Childhood problems

Addictions

Death

Illness

Financial problems

Family problems

Paul emerged from Tarsus with strong convictions

Christ had become Paul’s message, life, and hope

Paul was now Christ-flled, Christ-captivated, and Christ-motivated

GOD PREPARES EVENTS FOR US

Christian’s had fled to Antioch because of Paul’s persecution of the Jews

Now God sends men from Cyprus and Cyrene to Antioch to minister to the Gentile world

Acts 11:22–24 NIV84

News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Antioch was a place that needed God

It was third only to Rome and Alexandria in prominence

It was known as “sin city”

chariot racing, gambling, and debauchery took priority in their persistent pursuit of please

Five miles from town was the temple Daphne and all her temple prostitutes

Acts 11:25–26 NIV84

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

What a team, 2 very different men

We tend to be drawn to men like us

Their ministry brought a new name for the followers of the Way, They were first called Christians and Antioch

I am sure this was a derogatory term

The Christians would have suffered a good deal for following Christ in such a sin filled city

Paul talked Christ, lived Christ, and preached Christ

GOD PREPARES PEOPLE FOR EVENTS

Acts 11:27–30 NIV84

During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

This indicated not only the gracious self-giving of the indwelling Christ but a unity among his people, regardless of race or geography.

Boy, how unity is needed today

Christ’s people had loyalty to each other.

The Church in America must rediscover the centrality of Jesus Christ

We need preachers and church officers whose first priority is Christ and time alone, and the together, with him

We need church members who are Christ-filled, oriented, and empowered.

Conclusion

Sickness, times of inactivity, or other circumstances which alter our usual schedule and involvements can be used by the Lord to prepare us for what God he has prepared

What we go through, what we face in life’s excruciating disappointments, or what we are forced to learn when we get quiet enough to listen are all preparation for future ministry with people