Acts 13:1-5 Paul, Barnabus, and John Mark set apart by the Holy Spirit.
- 1st time God called missionaries out of a local church and directed them to other places.
Acts 13:6-12 They encounter opposition form Bar-Jesus, a sorcerer on island of Paphos. - They deal w/him, & the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus receives Christ. They depart.
Acts 13:13-52 Antioch in Pisidia: Successful preaching and fierce opposition. - Acts 13:49-52 Success in preaching: the region heard the Gospel; expelled by unbelievers.
- In spite of opposition, these men are filled w/ joy. They know they’re following God’s plan.
Important for us to know that we are following the right plan in life.
I. They Understood God’s Plan
A. God’s Plan For Them
1. They understood that they were being directed by the Holy Spirit. 13:1-4
2. Not to create something to do, somewhere to go, power to accomplish it.
3. They were to pray & allow their hearts to be directed by God’s Spirit.
4. Their job was to obey the will of God. Yielded vessels.
5. God’s will-revealed to them piece by piece, day by day, hour by hour.
6. “Confirmable”, “measurable” by God’s word. Not opinions or whims. Acts 13
B. People’s Plans
1. Our own plans can be independent of God.
a. We consult the “experts”.
b. We forget or refuse to consult God.
2. People can have plans for us.
a. Well intentioned plans for us or for others.
b. They believe they are correct in planning for us, & in their plans for us.
3. Foolish to think that man’s plans could ever be better than God’s plans.
4. James 4:13-16 13Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
5. It is arrogant for both Christians & non-Christians to make their own plans.
C. God Has A Plan (Desire) For You
1. Christian- Jer. 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
2. Unsaved- 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is…not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
II. They Were Strengthened In God’s Plan
A. Strengthened By Human Response 14:1
1. A great multitude believed.
2. The expected Biblical response was what they saw. Confirmation.
3. Seeing what the Bible says you should hope to see is strengthening.
4. We don’t always see visible confirmation, but usually. (Jeremiah)
B. Strengthened By God’s Response
1. God chose to confirm His plan through miraculous workings in them.
2. Not the norm, but it was a sign of confirmation that strengthened them.
C. What Strengthens You In Your Plans?
1. How do you measure “favorable” progress in your plans?
2. Do your barometers change w/culture, inflation, public opinion, emotions?
3. Christian- are you wise in your own eyes, but foolish in God’s eyes?
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. (Heed God’s counsel)
4. Is. 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
5. Unsaved one- Temporal success doesn’t guarantee eternal benefits.
6. Turn to Luke 12:16-20
III. They Persevered In God’s Plan 14:2,4
A. Opposition Didn’t Derail Them
1. Their confidence was based on God’s leading & presence
2. They endured the “poisoning of minds” against them.
3. They endured threats against their lives
4. They were moved geographically, but not spiritually or philosophically.
5. Their lives continued on the path God had set before them.
6. They were unmoved, and did not depart from God’s plan.
7. Regardless of “failure” or “success”, they were filled w/ joy. 13:52
8. They embraced God’s plan even unto death.
9. Turn to Acts 20:17-24 Finish the race w/joy.
10. Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.