Turning the World Upside Down: God's Provision: Acts 15:34-16:10

I. God’s Provision in Our Failures vs. 34-41

A. The reason it seemed good for Silas to remain, is because he was suppose to go on the second missionary journey (even though no one but God knew that at the time). He may have been Paul’s second choice, but he was God’s first choice. There could have been other reasons also.

B. Paul and Barnabas argued, they were both right and wrong. Paul and Barnabas should have left/split amicably. Instead it took years for healing to take place. (Charles and Andy Stanley ex) I Cor. 9:6 “Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working?”

C. Barnabas was right about restoring John Mark, but should have waited and gotten the church’s blessing, since this indicates that he left in a hurry.

D. Paul was right, but only in the fact that he was not the one to restore John Mark. I often wonder if Paul thought about this when he wrote Galatians later. Galatians was written after the 2nd missionary journey.

II. God’s Provision in Our Victories: 16:1-5

A. Paul goes back to where he had suffered to see victories that had been won. “When you carry the weight of yesterday, it will ruin the power of today, and the progress of tomorrow”- Tony Evans.

B. The reason that Timothy was circumcised is because he was considered Jewish, but the fact that they knew that he had not been circumcised would have been a stumbling block. This would have been Timothy’s decision, not Paul, though his advice was no doubt sought.

C. The difference between Timothy and Mark, was Timothy was all in, Mark wasn’t there yet! Paul needed someone who was all in, whereas Barnabas worked better with the underdog. (Personality Clash ex)

D. God was doing a great work, but He calls them elsewhere.

III. God’s Provision in Our Detours vs. 6-10

A. Paul wanted to go to Asia, or what we call Asia minor today. A place where there was no gospel witness. God said “No!”

B. Paul tried another way. God said “No!”

C. When God directed Paul it was clear. God’s will is always clear (yes, no, or wait), it just doesn’t always make sense to us.