ACTS 18: 18-23
Walking in the Will of God
Let me ask you something: Are you walking in the Will of God?
As you consider that question, consider that there are two wills out there.
Two ways we can direct our path.
We can walk in GOD's will - or - We can walk in OUR will.
For those of us who have heard the Word of God, believed in our heart and confessed with our mouth that Christ Jesus is Lord and Savior, our desire ought to be walk according to His way.
After all, we have seen the consequence of walking in our own will.
It brought upon us shame and judgement.
Because compared to the righteousness of God, scripture tells us the righteousness of our own will and way is like filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6)
There is a better way to walk and a better will to walk in.
There is a path that leads to judgment – and a path that follows righteousness.
In today's lesson we will continue to follow the path of the Apostle Paul as he sought to walkaccording to the will of God.
We will also look to scripture for guidance on how you and I can do the same.
#1 for your notes: A proper walk accomplishes results
ACTS 18: 18a
Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of the brethren and put out to sea for Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila.
As we saw in last week’s sermon, Paul ended up spending a year-and-a-half in the City of Corinth.
The result of Paul’s commitment to the message and the ministry of Jesus Christ had resulted in persecution.
Stiff necked people did not want to hear it.
Heart-hearted Jews would not tolerate it –
BUT – to those whom God was calling, their ears were open to hear, and their hearts softened to understand.
From these, a church of redeemed, reconciled, believing Christ-followers developed and was growing.
And so, Paul trained up and encouraged those members to carry on the work when he left.
And when it was time – Paul set out, taking Aquila and Priscilla with him.
Back toward Syria. Back to Antioch, where the journey had begun. But he would make stops along the way.
I am sure it was difficult to leave the Corinthian church. But he had trained up and encouraged the new believers in Corinth in the same manner as he would in other churches, as indicated in the letter Paul would later write to the Thessalonian church-
2 Thessalonians 1:3
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater.
I commit to you church family that for myself, and I am sure the rest of the pastoral and elder team, THIS IS OUR DESIRE FOR YOU.
Some may wonder – “WOW.. that wasn’t much training before the church in Corinth was left to itself – couldn’t a lot of things gone wrong?”
But that should not be an excuse for people NOT to step up and step forward in ministry!
WAY to often I believe people use their immaturity in the faith as an excuse for not getting involved in ministry.
Granted, this is a balance – If we are talking about church leaders, elders, pastors and such, then YES – scripture demands a level of maturity-
“… And not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.”
But what about the rest?– for the remainder of the ecclesia – that is the like-mindedgathering of those who have heard, believed, and declared Jesus to be the Christ, our Lord and Savior?
QUESTION:
How long must you be a Christian before you able to serve God, serve the church, serve your community in ministry?
How much training is required?
How much schooling?
Before you can be effective in serving God?
In Luke 2- we read that Mary Magdalene – Was tormented by demons.
Upon Jesus casting them out from her, she immediately became a follower of the Master and was called upon to be among the first to share with the disciples the news of the Resurrection.
In John 9- We read of man blind since birth who was healed by Jesus and soon after interrogated by the Pharisees about Jesus– To them he replied, “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see"
In Mark 5- We read of a man who was tormented by many demons, “Legion” – Once freed, this man immediately went out and proclaimed to others what Jesus had done.
In Luke 4- We read that Jesus healed Peter’s Mother-in-law, who immediately got up and began to serve a meal to Jesus and His disciples.
The Samaritan at the well, the paralyzed man – over and over we see that those who have had a REAL encounter with the healing, forgiving, power of Jesus – are IMMEDIATELY changed – and their IMMEDIATE desire is to proclaim and to serve Jesus.
And I am so thankful for what the Holy Spirit is doing here, at Pine Grove Community church!
In the past year we have seen new members and new believers – Stepping into roles of ministry to be a blessing to this body and to honor the Lord!
Summary #1 for your notes – When we walk according to God’s will – it produces results that glorify and honor God!
Results like: New believers – maturing believers – serving believers – all with a heart’s desire to follow, honor, and serve Jesus – our Lord and Savior.
#2 for your notes: A proper walk takes commitment
ACTS 18: 18b
In Cenchrea he had his hair cut, for he was keeping a vow.
Setting out from Corinth they came to Cenchrea, about 9 miles south of Corinth. From this port city, Paul and his companions would be able to book passage.
Before boarding, Paul got a haircut. Generally a good idea before boarding a ship in those days with all the infestations as such.
But here we are told that Paul had been keeping a vow.
The most likely interpretation of this is that Paul had placed himself under a Nazarite vow, as defined in Numbers 6:1-21.
Such vows were voluntary for a Jew who was committing themselves to some act of service unto God.
A Jew under such a vow would be committed to the act or service for specified period of time.
While under the vow the person could not:
We are not told what the vow was – likely it had something to do with his journey- which is why he was now ending the vow ceremonially by cutting his hair.
Under the law- at the end of the vow, sacrifices were to be offered in the temple, and, as we will see, it does appear that Paul went first to Jerusalem before returning to Syria.
An interesting note here is to remember that Paul was carrying letters from the Christian Counsel in Jerusalem regarding matters of Jewish law and the freedom from these things for the Gentiles.
Even so, Paul presents a balance here for honoring of traditions – not unto salvation, but common to “his” people, the Jews.
Paul’s actions here demonstrate to us that it is acceptable for people to hold onto their culture and still be like-minded Christians and members of the church.
Paul would later write,
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:6
The other thing demonstrated here is Paul’s commitment to the will of God in his life.
Summary of #2 for your notes – To walk in the will of God means to be committed to the will of God.
#3 for your notes: A proper walk requires adirection
ACTS 18: 19-21
They came to Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, but taking leave of them and saying, “I will return to you again if God wills,” he set sail from Ephesus.
Sailing East from Cenchrea, the ship came to Ephesus. This was Paul’s first time entering the city as an Apostle of Jesus Christ.
Ephesus was a large city with a busy port, a large temple to the Greek God Artemis and a thriving trade and commerce community.
Major highways connecting the Roman province of Asia to the inner cities and coast highway went through Ephesus.
The city was also known for its impressive amphitheater which could seat an astonishing 25.000 spectators!
Aquilla and Priscilla chose to settle in Ephesus. To focus on the ministry of reconciliation themselves that they had seen Paul so committed to.
Later, in 1 Corinthians 16:19, we learn that they would continue the work by hosting a church in their home.
Ephesus also had a significant Jewish population and Paul was drawn to the synagogue there to attempt to reason with the Jews there as he had in the previous cities he had visited.
Regardless of what had gone on before – Paul still had a love and a strong desire to the Jewish people.
Romans 10:1 “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they might be saved.”
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Hear me friends – this is an essential understanding to our sharing the gospel with those who are perishing in their sins -
We must commit ourselves to the ministry of reconciliation for which God has reconciled us to.
2 Corinthians 5:18 “all things are from God, who through Christ has reconciled us to himself and has given us the ministry of reconciliation".
This is the will of God for all those whom He has rescued from sin’s judgement by His grace through faith.
We must never back away from or fail to recognize the power of the word of God to rescue from His divine wrath all those who will believe – repent – and call on the name of the Lord in Faith.
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek".
This understanding gives direction, and purpose to our lives and our ministries.
Friends, hear this truth: God DESIRES that people receive salvation from His judgement.
This is the REASON He sent His Son to die on the cross!
God’s will toward SIN and SALVATION-
As it pertains to sin, sinners, and those facing the wrath of God in righteous judgement for rebelling against Him, Rebelling against His will, God declares:
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
God declares:
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
What does the best-known passage in all of scripture declare?
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"
An essential part of walking in God’s will is to understand what the will of God is for us!
That way, when we don’t understand the details of what, why or how God is working – we keep walking.
The ways of man are constantly seeking to measure success – So then it is natural for one to question – “How do we measure success as we proclaim the Gospel in a fallen world?”
While we surely long for and pray for conversions, salvations, and saved lives –
The fact remains – that for those walking in the will of God – our success is not measured by results – but by obedience.
God’s will toward MANKIND
Ecclesiastes 12:13
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
People all over the world are searching, researching, and seeking to understand the meaning of life and to find purpose for their daily tasks.
They are seeking because nothing IN, OF or FROM the world and wisdom of man can answer the question that eternal being of man is asking.
Because that answer comes from the Wisdom of God – found in the Word of God.
Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?
That church – that to anyone hearing this message – is the bottom line of walking in the will of God.
Because that is the bottom line of God’s will for all mankind.
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The Apostle Paul understood all these things – and so found his purpose in obediently following God’s calling in his life.
Finding his way to the synagogue, reasoned with the Jews there from the word of God.
By many convincing truths appealing to them, surely praying for them to see and believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Promised One. The Anointed One. The Messiah. Christ, the Lord.
Surely to his joy – the people heard – and wanted to know more.
Paul had a desire to stay and encourage these listeners in Ephesus more – but he declined.
Paul’s response to their request demonstrates his compassion, his commitment, and his understanding of God’s will directing his life.
“I will return to you again if God wills,”
This is another understanding we must have regarding the Will of God –
Proverbs 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
It is good that we plan. It is good that we prepare. But within our preparing and planning – we should always allow that God’s hand is on the rudder.
James 4:13-15 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” / You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. / Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”
Now some may be tempted to fall into fatalism’s trap by asking- “What then is the point of life if God is just divinely moving me around like a puppet to accomplish His will?”
My answer would be to remind you that while God is certainly sovereign – He has also sovereignly created mankind with an effective will.
UNDERSTAND: Mankind is both condemned and rewarded according to the choices we make.
This has always been the instruction from God in His word.
Job 34:11 For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.
Someone will surely then ask, “How can both be true?”
Friends, scripture contains several ideas, concepts and truths that we in our finite minds and meager understanding are incapable of reconciling.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
Even Jesus the Son, in the Garden of Gethsemane, prayed to God the Father
Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from Me. However, not My will, but Yours be done.”
And that’s the thing – as we plan, as we prepare, we should pray – Father, YOUR will be done.
And here is the encouragement – if we ask that God’s will be done – we know for sure that it will!!
1 John 5:14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Summary of #3 for your notes – When we walk according to God’s will we will have a godly direction in our lives that gives our lives meaning and purpose.
#4 for your notes: A proper walk leads others to walk properly
ACTS 18: 22-23
When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and went down to Antioch.
Again, “went up” – likely meaning that he had gone up to Jerusalem – to give a report of the work that had been done – thus ending the second missionary journey.
And what a journey it had been!!
Summary of #4 for your notes – When we walk properly, according to God’s will, we encourage others and provide an example for others to walk properly.
And having spent some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
Vs 23) The Third Missionary Journey
4 STEPS TO WALKING IN THE WILL OF GOD
1. Obey God's revealed will in Scripture
The first step is to focus on what God has already plainly revealed in the Bible, rather than fixating on unknown future plans.
2. Grow closer to God
An intimate relationship with God is key to hearing his voice and discerning his guidance for your life.
3. Make wise, faith-filled decisions
When facing specific decisions, use your renewed mind and God-given talents to make choices that align with his character.
4. Wait well and trust the outcome
After taking these steps, you may still have to wait for God's timing.