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Introduction
Introduction
I want to welcome you again this morning.
First, to those joining us online, we are so thankful for our online technology that allows you to be a part of our church family today.
I also want to welcome those who may be joining us for the first time today. I hope your time with us today is encouraging and helpful, and I look forward to meeting you.
I would also say if you are new to our church today, it would be helpful for you to know that we practice a form of preaching called “Expository Preaching”. What that means, is we believe the Bible is best taught by taking books of the Bible and then breaking them down from beginning to end, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Our goal, to better understand not only what God’s Word says, but what it means in our lives today.
Over the past couple of years we’ve been doing that through the NT book of Acts. A book written by a First Century disciple named Luke who wrote it for a couple of reasons:
First, to give us a history of how the church started, who was there, and the circumstances that surrounded it.
Second, in a way, to give us a template on how to accomplish the mission that Jesus gave us to take the gospel to the entire world. With that said, if you haven’t been with us I would encourage you to go online to http://www.mcf.life or to our Facebook page where you can watch previous messages.
Today however we are picking back up in Acts 20 as the Apostle Paul continues his journey towards Jerusalem. A journey that will eventually take him to Rome.
However, as we learned last week, along the way Paul is going to make a couple of pitstops. One of those pitstops will be in the port city of Miletus. A pitstop that Paul takes in order to meet with a group of elders from the city of Ephesus before he sails on towards Jerusalem. Luke writes:
And what we’ve learned, is that Paul wanted to meet with these Elders in order to give them a final goodbye.
A final goodbye speech that will consist of four sections.
The first section is a review or recounting of Paul’s history with the church at Ephesus as Paul reminds them of how he approached and led them to faith in Christ. A witnessing focus that we finished out last week.
The second section entails Paul’s prediction of what he believes is going to happen to him in the days to come. Something we are going to look at today.
The third section involves Paul’s words of warning for the church in Ephesus and of what they may face in the days to come.
And finally it will end with a blessing as Paul prays for them and encourages them.
But as we’ve discussed, not only is this a goodbye speech, it’s also meant to serve as a lifestyle model. A model of Paul’s faith journey. A model he hopes the church at Ephesus will be inspired to pattern their faith journey after.
Now, does that mean Paul thinks he has it all together or that he’s some kind of super Christian?
Not at all. Paul is just doing what a mature Christian should do as they challenge others to follow Jesus like they are. Something we should all be able to do as we grow in our walk with Jesus.
Which is why Paul began his speech by referencing his witnessing strategy. A strategy that involved a commitment to sacrificial living, a commitment to declaring the truth, and finally a commitment to proclaiming the Biblical Gospel.
That being said, if you haven’t been with us the last few weeks, I would encourage you to go online to www.mcf.life or our Facebook page where you can watch or listen to messages leading up to today.
Today however we are going to move into the second section of this goodbye speech as Paul focuses in on another important aspect of Christian living. An area of Christian living that not only challenges us to walk by faith, but to also walk boldly into uncertainty, hardship, danger, and possibly personal loss. Something I think most Christians struggle to do.
So, in order to help us get our minds and hearts around our focus today, I want to begin by asking you a question that I think will prepare us for the direction Paul is taking us today.
So, to get us started, here’s the question:
Question - Have you ever felt compelled or convicted to do something even if it could lead to an uncertain or dangerous outcome?
Let me give you some examples of what I’m talking about.
Example #1 - Lets say as a woman you have a deep desire to have a child. But for health reasons, your doctor warns you that having a child at your age or with your condition could lead to health complications and an uncertain outcome possibly for you and the baby.
Let me ask you something mom, knowing that, would you still be willing to try and have a baby, even if your doctors and others were trying to discourage your desire? Even if they were trying to convince you to consider other options, like maybe adoption. What would you do?
I’m going to say some of you would do it anyways. That for a lot of women, the risk is worth the outcome.
Speaking of adoption, another example would be Chuck and Christina Lowery who a couple years ago felt a deep conviction during a Wednesday night prayer meeting to pursue international adoption. A challenging endeavor full of uncertainties.
An endeavor that some looked down on and discouraged.
An endeavor that along the way has presented many road blocks that worked to discourage them.
But because of their compelling conviction, they pressed on despite the emotional wear and tear, despite the financial burden or potential loss, and despite the uncertainty of the outcome.
Another example would be my wife, Denise, who a few years ago felt a strong conviction to leave occupational church ministry, something she had done for 20 years, and pursue a new career.
A line of work she had never done before. Something that she didn’t even know if she would enjoy. Something that even paid less. Something that didn’t have certainty. But something she felt compelled to pursue.
And so she stepped into it. And along the way, there have been challenges. Along the way, there have been uncertainties. There have even been moments where she’s been discouraged. Moments she’s questioned her decision. But her conviction keeps moving her forward because she knows this is the path she is meant to follow.
Let me ask you something, have you ever had something like that happen in your life? A conviction to do something or go a certain direction despite the uncertainty, personal loss, lack of support, or discouragement of others?
I think if we all think about it, we’ve all had experiences like that.
I remember when Denise and I moved from Colby, KS, to Springfield, MO in December of 1999, right before Y2K. Anybody over 25 years old remember Y2K?
To be honest, all our friends and relatives thought we were nuts. Why would we move in such uncertain times? Why would we leave financial security? Why would we pursue a path that may end in personal loss and disaster? And yet we moved anyways.
I ask you to consider a scenario like this, because as we come back to Acts 20, Paul is facing such a scenario. A scenario where he feels compelled to follow a path of uncertainty.
A path that could lead to personal loss and physical harm.
A path that his friends are discouraging him from taking.
But a path he feels compelled to take despite the uncertainty that lays ahead.
And the truth is, on our journey of faith, there are going to be paths like that for us as well.
Paths that we are compelled or convicted to take. Paths that others may warn us against. Paths that may even lead to danger, loss, or harm.
The question then is, “Why would we take such paths?” And maybe a better question, “What purpose do they serve and why are they necessary in our journey of faith?”
As we come back to Acts 20, that’s our focus today.
Because as we jump back into Acts 20 Paul has chosen such a path. A path he feels compelled and convicted to follow. A path of uncertainty they may lead to danger and personal harm.
So, what’s this Path, why has Paul chosen it, and what purpose does it serve in his life?
Let’s find out as we pick back up in verse 22 as Paul transitions from his witness of faith to the new direction God has given him. He says:
22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
What I want you to notice first, is that as Paul continues his speech, and he moves from his witnessing example, he now focuses on a directive that he believes the Holy Spirit has given him. A directive that is leading him to the city of Jerusalem. A directive that according to Paul holds great uncertainty and potential danger.
In fact, Paul says it’s so uncertain, he’s not even sure what will happen to him when he arrives in Jerusalem. And that all he knows is that the Holy Spirit seems to be indicating to him that imprisonment and afflictions await him.
Sounds pretty encouraging, right?
So, what’s going on here? Because if uncertainty and affliction await Paul, why in the world would he still want to go to Jerusalem?
That’s a great question, and based on what Paul says, what I want to suggest to you is he’s going for one reason, and it’s simply this. He’s going because that is where the Spirit is leading him.
In other words, Paul is going to Jersualem because he is committed to living a Sprit led life.
And the truth is, when you lead a Spirit led life, sometimes the path God takes you on isn’t the path you would always choose for yourself. In fact, sometimes it’s the exact opposite.
That being the case, what I’d like to do this morning is walk through this passage and answer three questions concerning the Spirit led life:
Question # 1 -What happens when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us?
In other words, when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, what can we expect from Him?
Question # 2- What will being led by the Holy Spirit require of us?
In other words, what must we be willing to do when the Holy Spirit is leading us?
Question # 3 - Why would the Holy Spirit lead us down a dangerous, uncomfortable, or unfavorable path?
In other words, why would the Holy Spirit take us to a place we intentionally wouldn’t choose. A path that could even be dangerous, harmful, or bring loss into our lives?
That’s a great question, right?
So, with that as our basis, let’s jump into the passage as we answer our first question:
Question # 1 -What happens when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us?
And based on what we see happening with Paul, I would answer that question like this:
Answer - When we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, the Holy Spirit intensifies His leading.
Look again at what Paul says about the Holy Spirit’s leading in his life. He says, “And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit...” Acts 20:22a ESV
In this passage Paul shares with the Ephesian elders that the Spirit is leading him to Jerusalem. You may recall this leading to Jerusalem started back in chapter 19 as Paul began to sense that the Holy Spirit had a new direction for him. Luke puts it like this back in chapter 19:
21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
It’s in this passage that Paul began to sense that the Holy Spirit had a new direction for him. And it’s at that point Paul began to make plans for the journey ahead as he mapped out his journey and sent friends ahead to prepare his way. Because in verse 22 of chapter 19 we read:
22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
So, according to Luke, after sensing a new direction, Paul make plans to go that direction.
Fast forward to chapter 20, and what we now see is the continuation of that plan and with it, a growing desire of Paul’s initial feeling to go to Jerusalem, as he has now moved from “resolved” in the Spirit to “Constrained” by the Spirit.
In other words, his initial spirit led desire to go to Jerusalem has grown from a spiritual inclination to a full blown conviction that he can’t ignore as the Holy Spirit is now compelling him forward.
In fact, Paul uses the word “constrained” here in the Greek is the idea that he is being pulled there. A pull he can hardly resist.
All that to say, the intensity of the Spirit’s leading in Paul’s life has now increased.
So, a great question would be, “What’s this saying to us when it comes to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives?”
I think it implies a couple of things:
First, it implies that when we are obedient to the Spirit’s leading, the Holy Spirit begins to increases His presence and leading in our lives.
In other words, the more obedient we are to the Holy Spirit’s leading, the louder His voice gets and the more He leads.
I think this is what we see happening with Paul. Because the more Paul steps into the Spirit’s leading. The closer he gets to Jerusalem. The more the Spirit compels him. The more the Spirit makes it clear to Paul that he is on the right path.
Second, it implies that the intensity of the Spirit’s leading is often the indicator that we are on the right path.
In other words, if you want to know if you’re on the path God has for you, the conviction or compelling of the Spirit serves as a great indicator for that.
You might say, “Ok pastor, but what does that look like and how does that play out?”
Think of it like this. How many of you growing up played the game “Hot and Cold”?
If you recall the game involves hiding a small object or prize and then having somebody try and find the hidden treasure.
So, how do they find it? They find it as a designated person, who knows where the prize is hidden, calls out hot or cold depending on how close the searcher is to the prize. Pretty simple.
In addition to that, the game involves hints that help the searcher find the prize.
For example, if the searcher is moving further away from the prize, the person directing them would say, “colder”.
Or if they are moving closer to the prize, the person directing would say, “warmer”.
And if the person was right on top if it, the director might say something like, “You are red hot”.
In way, that’s what following the Spirit looks like. In fact, the prophet Isaiah puts it like this as he describes the leading of God in our life:
21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
All that to say, when we step into the leading of the Spirit, He begins to speak and guide us at a greater intensity.
And the truth is, the closer you are to His leading, the hotter he gets in your life. The more intense you sense His presence. The more compelled and convinced that you are on the right path.
But I would also say the opposite is true. Meaning, the further you get away from the Spirit’s leading, the less you hear His voice. The less obedient you are to his leading, the less compelled you feel to stay on the path of righteousness and obedience.
Which is why those who step into obedience often fail to hear His voice and often go in the wrong direction. Why? Because the further you get from the Spirit’s leading, the less in tune you are with the Spirit and the more in tune you are with the world. And to be in tune with the world means you’re not in tune with God. Jesus puts it like this:
47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
Jesus says the person who hears God’s voice is the one who is walking in the Word of God. The one walking in obedience.
And the danger is, if you’re not walking in obedience, and you’re not listening to the voice of the Spirit, you’re listening to the voice of the enemy as you walk further and further away from God’s Word, God’s plan, and His leading in your life.
Now, some might say, “Ok Pastor, I get it, but that sounds so subjective. Like I’m being feeling led.”
Well, in a way you are. Because the truth is, the more obedient you are too God’s leading, the more true you are to His Word, the more you follow the path He has given you, and the more confident and compelled you will feel as the Spirit leads you.
For example, when Denise and I moved from Colby to Springfield, it started with an initial feeling that God might want us to move to Springfield. So, we stepped into that feeling and we planned a trip to Springfield. Why? Because we had never been there before, so we thought going to visit might give us some clarity.
And it did. Because after spending a few days there, I’ll never forget as we drove out of Springfield, the feeling to move there had intensified. In fact, we both looked at each other and said, “We are supposed to move to Springfield.”
And then when we got home and started making plans to move, the feeling grew stronger and intensified. We knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God was leading us to Springfield.
And the same will be true for you as you begin to step into the leading of the Spirit in your life. As you begin to walk in the direction you believe He is leading. Because as you do, the intensity is either going to grow hotter or get colder, both indicators of whether you are headed in the right direction.
This now leads us to the second question:
Question # 2- What will being led by the Holy Spirit require of us?
And I would answer that question like this:
Answer - Being led by the Holy Spirit will require us to walk in the pain of uncertainty.
Notice what Paul says about this:
Paul says that as the Spirit leads him, the journey ahead is uncertain. In fact he says he doesn’t have any idea what is going to happen to him when he arrives in Jerusalem. All he knows is two things:
One, that he’s supposed to go there, and two, that hardship awaits him.
Not only that, he also knows his friends aren’t excited about that possibility.
Because while Luke hasn’t said it yet, on his journey to Jerusalem, his friends are constantly warning him of what he may face in Jerusalem. In fact, one such warning happens in Acts 21 as a prophet named Agabus declares by the Holy Spirit that Paul will be imprisoned in Jerusalem.
All that to say, Paul’s journey towards Jerusalem appears to be full of trouble. And yet, he continues to forge forward. The question then is, “How is Paul able to do that?”
He’s able to do it because he understands what living for Jesus requires. What does it require? it requires us to trust God even when it hurts. A willingness to push past personal pain, worry, and fear. A willingness to trust what we can’t see and believing that a loving God is in control.
Bottom line, it requires greater faith.
And to be honest, we see examples of this all over the Bible as men and women put their trust in God, even when they couldn’t see the outcome, and even when it could have involved personal danger and harm.
A great example would be David as he squared off against a giant named Goliath. A giant who was not only 3x the size of David, but was more seasoned in battle and carried greater weaponry.
And not only that, but everybody thought he was crazy. In fact, one of his own brother’s accused him of false motives and evil intent. In addition to that, when David signed up to go take out Goliath, even King Saul tried to discourage him. Look at what he said to David:
33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.”
Saul says, “David, are you nuts! You’re not capable of taking Goliath out. He’s bigger, he’s stronger, he’s more seasoned. David, if you go out there, you’re dead.”
But despite all the naysayers, despite the discouragement, despite the danger, that didn’t stop David from walking into uncertainty. That didn’t stop David from putting his life at great risk. Why? Because David, led by the Spirit, had confidence in His God. He was convinced God had raised him up for this. He was convinced that as soon as he walked onto the battle field, God would be with him. In fact, he was so confident God was with him, he said this to Goliath:
45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”
Them are fighting words! The writer says David is so confident in His God, that regardless of the personal risk, he proclaims victory in the face of death. He goes as far to tell this giant he’s going to cut his head off.
How can he do that? Well, he said it. Because he nows the battle isn’t his. He knows the battle is the Lord’s!
And for you and I, that’s what we have to remember as we follow the Holy Spirit into uncertainty. that in the midst of the uncertainty we are being Spirit led. To know that as we walk into the unknown, that the Battle is the Lord’s. That because we are following Him, that He is going before us.
I know for Denise and I, moving to Springfield required us to trust God even though we didn’t know how we would afford to live there. Even though we didn’t know what the future would hold. All we knew is that God was going before us, so we put our trust in that. And I’m glad we did, because God went before us, and he opened doors, and He provided, and He led us into His plan and purposes.
But for that to happen, we had to lay down what was comfortable. We had to trust God even when it hurt. We had to walk into uncertainty. And we had to trust that God was going before us.
And what was true for Paul, what was true for David, and what was true for Denise and I will be true for you. In order to follow the Spirit, sometimes we have to walk in the pain of uncertainty. We have to walk trusting that not matter what the circumstance are, how big the enemy looks, or how uncertain the future is, that we follow a God who loves us and wants what’s best for us.
This now leads us to our final question, and maybe the question we are most curious about.
Question # 3 - Why would the Holy Spirit lead us down a dangerous, uncomfortable, or unfavorable path?
I would answer it like this:
Answer - In order to accomplish God’s plan and purpose in our life, personal hardship is necessary.
Look at how Paul describes it:
22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
Paul says he knows the path God has him on is leading to imprisonment and afflictions.
The question then is, “Why would God lead Paul down a path like that?”
Here’s what I’d like to suggest to you. A principe of sorts that I think might surprise some of you. We’ll call it the “Hardship Principle”.
Hardship Principle - The hardship you face on your faith journey is not accidental, a senseless tragedy, and not a judgment on God’s part, but is in fact a part of God’s plan and purpose for your life that will ultimately bring Glory to God and point people to Jesus.
In other words, the challenges you face in life happen for a reason. And generally for two reasons. First, for your own good as God continues to shape and mold you. And second, for the good of others as He uses your difficult circumstances to bring focus and glory to Him.
This is exactly how Paul viewed his life. Because as he considered the hardship they lied ahead, listen to what he says to the Ephesian elders:
24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul basically says here, “My life is a living sacrifice for God. For Him to do whatever he wants in and through me in order to bring glory to Him and testify to the Gospel.”
Here’s what that means for you and me. In our faith journey, there are going to be moments that are hard. Seasons where we will face pain and difficulty for the sake of the gospel. Why? So that God can get glory.
Now, you might be thinking, “Oh pastor, I don’t know if I like that. I mean if I can avoid pain, I’m going to avoid it. If I can avoid hardship, pastor, I’m going to do everything I can to avoid it.”
The truth is, you can try and avoid it. You can run from it. But if you do, you may miss the opportunity that God wanted to use to maximize his glory in and through you.
It’s like the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Joseph faced years of hardship. It started when his brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery. It continued as he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and then thrown in prison.
But in all of that hardship, God had a plan and purpose. Years later Joseph sums it up like this:
20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Joseph realized his hardship happened for a reason.
What I’d like you to consider, is that the hardship you are facing or will face, is meant to bring about good. That its God’s plan for your life as He works in and through you to demonstrate to others the goodness and glory of who He is. As He uses you to point others to Jesus.
Now, some might say, “Pastor, I’m just not sure I like that or agree with your view of hardship.”
You don’t have to agree with me, because I’m not the one who said hardship would come. Listen to how Jesus puts it:
22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Jesus says hardship comes with following Him.
You see, what we need to understand about hardship is that for the Christian this represents a model and pattern that has been true since the crucifixion of Jesus. Paul states it plainly like this in 2 Timothy 1:
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
Paul says we are to share in the suffering for the gospel. In other words, hardship and suffering come with following Jesus.
And the reason it’s so important that we grasp the Hardship Principle, is because it’s our awareness and understanding of hardship that prepares us for what is to come. So that when it happens, we aren’t surprised. So that when it happens, we don’t lose sight of the God who is in control. The apostle Peter states it like this:
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Peter says, “Don’t be surprised when you face trials. It comes with the territory.”
And Paul understood this as well. And its Paul’s awareness of the purpose of his hardship that prepares him for what is to come.
In other words, Paul has accepted that his suffering is necessary in order for God’s plan and purpose to work in and through him. And for Paul, this is a fixed destiny. Meaning, if Paul wants to accomplish God’s plan and purpose in his life, this is the path. Why? Because there is no other path.
It was the same for Jesus the night before his crucifixion, as Jesus cried out to the Father. Matthew writes:
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me...’” Matthew 26:39a ESV
Matthew says in His humanity Jesus cried out to God and asked if there was any other path than the path of the cross. And the answer was, no. And so Jesus accepted that. That’s why He went on to say, “…nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39b ESV
Jesus was willing to accept the path had laid out for Him. Why? Because it as the only way for God’s plan and purpose to be worked through Jesus.
Which means there are some courses for our life that aren’t meant to be changed. They are God’s set plan and purpose for our life.
In other words, some hardships are what God has fated for you. And so knowing it’s God’s plan and purpose is what gives us the strength and courage to embrace it.
What that means is, while some courses can be changed based on warning or course adjustments, some courses are meant to be played out. They are God’s intended purpose. And this is Paul’s comfort. This is his hope.
And as a result, Paul is not afraid of hardship, suffering, or death. Why? Because he is more concerned with fulfilling the duty God has given him. Paul puts it like this in 2 Corinthians 4:
10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
Paul says our lives are a living sacrifice for Jesus.
And the good news is, in such cases, God will affirm, confirm, and give us the confidence we need to stay the course.
Now, some of you might be thinking, “Wow pastor, this is intense and somewhat depressing. Glad I came to church today.”
Listen, I’m not trying to discourage you. What I’m trying to do is encourage you in your discouragement. What I’m trying to do is help you see that the challenges you are facing or will face serve a purpose.
That in the midst of your trial, in the midst of your hardship, in the midst of your persecution, that God is actively at work.
That God has a plan and purpose that ultimately works for your good and His glory.
That the difficulty you are facing right now, may be in fact be something God is using to grow you, lead others to Him, and bring glory to God.
I know for Denise and I, when we moved to Springfield, there were many hardships I didn’t understand. And there were times I wondered why it had to be so hard.
For example one of the hardships we faced was a financial hardship as we went from a steady income to no income.
As a result, along with going to Bible College full time, I had to find work. And thankfully God provided work opportunities, but they were hard.
Hard because my day consisted of getting up at 1am to throw papers for the Springfield News Leader. After that I would hurry to get to class by 7am. After class I would drive across town to get to work at Subway by 11am. And then hopefully home by 6pm where I would spend the rest of the evening studying and trying to spend time with my family, hoping I’d get to bed by 10pm since I had to get up at 1am.
And I did that for three years day after day after day until I was nearly worn out, my eyes were yellow, and I was starting to suffer from anxiety attacks.
And I have to be honest, at that point I was thinking, “God, how long do I have to do this, because this is no fun, and if I keep going like this, it’s going to kill me.”
And it was at that low point that the Lord answered my prayer one day as I ran into the pastor of the church we were attending. A well known church that I would have never dreamed or felt qualified to work at. And he said something that caught me off guard. He said, “Brad, have you ever considered coming on staff as pastor here?”
To be honest, I couldn’t believe he asked it or why he would even consider me. So I said, “Well of course I would love that, but why would you consider me?”
And he said, “Well, it’s not because of your experience, because you have none. But Brad, for the last 3 years I’ve been watching you. I’ve watched how you’ve been faithful to get your education. I’ve watched as you’ve come in on a Sunday mornings to serve with bags under your eyes because you’ve been up all night throwing papers. I’ve watched you as I’ve stood in line at the Subway you manage. And Brad, what I’ve seen is somebody who is willing to give his all to do what God has called him to do. What I’ve seen is somebody who knows how to treat, lead, and serve people. What I’ve seen is the type of person that I want on my staff.”
You see, my hardship served a purpose. My hardship prepared me for what lay ahead. And in the end my hardship opened the door for God’s plan and purpose in my life.
And the truth is, there have been more hardships since then. Hardships I don’t even want to talk about. Hardships and pain that I would not have chosen for myself. But paths that have lead me to God’s plan and purpose in my life.
You see, while you may not face the same hardships that Jesus, Paul, or even Denise and I have faced. What you can be sure of is that you will face hardship. But when you do, what can keep you going is the understanding that your hardship serves a purpose. That in the middle of the storm you are facing, God is at work. And He’s working for your good, the good of others, and ultimately His glory, so that people will come to faith in Jesus.
Because if you’re a Christian, that’s what your life is about. It’s about what God is going to do in and through you in order to lead others to Him.
Let me ask you something church. What do you think would happen if we started living with that kind of mentality? What if we lived for Jesus with the same passion and willingness to endure hardship as Paul did?
What if when the Spirit was leading us into hardship, we embraced it instead of trying to run from it.
What if we saw hardship as an opportunity to bring God glory?
What if we saw not as a negative, but as a positive?
What if for us, like Paul, to live was Christ and to die was gain?
Let me ask you something, do you think that would make a difference in the world you live in?
Do you think that would make a difference in your testimony?
Do you think that would allow you to minister differently?
Do you think it would cause you to pray differently?
Do you think it could give you hope and joy in a way you’ve never known?
I do. In fact, I know it would. Paul puts it like this:
2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Paul says our suffering produces endurance. And endurance produces character. And character produces hope.
The fact is, I don’t know what you are facing today. But what I do know is that God loves you. And He would never allow anything in your life for your harm, but for your good.
The question is, “Do you believe that God has your best in mind? Do you believe that despite what your circumstances say, that God is with you and He’s going before you, and that He has a plan and purpose for what you are facing?”
As we close, I’d like to challenge you to consider how the Spirit is leading you today. And to do that I want to offer you three closing challenges:
Challenge #1 - Are you willing to step into the leading of the Spirit in your life?
The truth is, some of you sense the Holy Spirit is leading you somewhere. Maybe its to a new opportunity. Maybe its too a new job. Maybe its to a new way of thinking. Or maybe for some He’s trying to lead you into a relationship with Jesus. Something you’ve never experienced.
It could also be He’s trying to lead you out of something. Maybe he’s trying to lead you out of your current employment. Or out of an ungodly relationship. Or out of a secular way of thinking that you’ve adopted. Or maybe He’s trying to lead you out of some sort of addiction or bondage in your life.
But whatever it is, He’s trying to lead you, and the question is, “Are you willing to step into the direction He wants you to go?” Because that’s where it starts. It starts as you follow the Spirits leading and take some initial steps forward.
Challenge # 2 - As you step in, are you willing to walk into uncertainty?
In other words, are you willing to trust God even though you can’t see the outcome. Even though there may be some risk involved. Even though you might have to give something up for it to happen. Even though you may have friends and family members telling you your crazy. Are you willing to dive in deep to where God wants to take you. Are you willing to walk out on the battlefield and face a giant that you have no power to overcome. A giant that will force you to trust God in a way you never have.
Challenge #3 - Along the way, are you willing to endure some hardship?
In other words, in order to go where God wants to take you, are you willing to face some pain? Are you willing to endure some suffering? Are you willing to allow God to tear down, reshape, and mold you into the image of Jesus He desires you to be.
Because in the end, that’s what brings God’s best into your life and what allows the name of Jesus to be glorified in and through you. The Apostle Peter puts it like this:
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
So, are you willing to endure some hardship? Are you willing to allow the Spirit to lead you to the place that will bring God’s best, the greatest growth in your life, and the greatest glory to God?
Let’s Pray