Discerning the Lord's Will (Continuing Adventures of Jesus #38)

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Discerning the Lord's Will (Continuing Adventures of Jesus #38)

August 25, 2024 • Toby Sumpter • Acts 21:1–14

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How do you know what the will of God is for you? We pray that God’s “will” would be

done on earth as it is in heaven, but we have many choices to make, some obviously

significant and every choice momentous. Paul said that he was compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem (Acts 19:21, 20:22), and yet, the same Spirit filled disciples urging Paul not to go (Acts 21:4, 11). Does God do this regularly? Does God send mixed signals?

God is not trying to trick anyone, but He does test us. The Holy Spirit drove Jesus into

the wilderness to be tempted (Mk. 1:12). This was not so that Jesus would fail, but so

He would succeed. Christians must trust and obey God’s clear Word, and then we trust

His providence in the gifts, opportunities, and desires He gives us.

More from The (Continuing) Adventures of Jesus

Christian Courage (Continuing Adventures of Jesus #41)

September 15, 2024 • Toby Sumpter • Acts 22:23—23:11

Christian courage is based entirely on the conviction that God is for us, that God is on our side. It is based on the certainty that the resurrection of Jesus Christ means that our sins have been completely paid for. It is based on God’s perfect justice and a completely clean conscience before God. If we are a cowardly people, it is because we are guilty people. So the courage and innocence of Paul is a message we desperately need today. The Text: “And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and three dust into the air, the chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle...” (Acts 22:23-23:11)

Gospel Trouble (Continuing Adventures of Jesus #40)

September 8, 2024 • Toby Sumpter • Acts 21:35—22:22

What is your reaction to trouble? How do you respond when things don’t go the way you planned? Christians are people who have surrendered to Jesus Christ, trusting that His plan is better because He died and rose again to forgive our sins and put us on His mission and therefore, He is worthy. This is now the second time (of three) we will hear Paul’s testimony. Luke is emphasizing the legitimacy of Paul’s apostleship, but it also sets down the bass line of Christian life: we follow Christ and when trouble happens, it is an opportunity to talk about His mission. The Text: “And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people…” (Acts 21:35-22:22)

Bearing His Reproach (Continuing Adventures of Jesus #39)

September 1, 2024 • Toby Sumpter • Acts 21:15–34

As prophesied, when Paul arrived in Jerusalem, false reports were swirling around, and a riot broke out and Paul was nearly killed. No doubt there were critics who thought Paul could have been more careful, clearer in his teaching, but the real reason was the name of Jesus. Jesus promised that if we followed Him, we would be misunderstood, lied about, and sometimes persecuted and killed. But when it happens, we’re still often caught off guard and surprised. While it is always worth double checking our words and actions, we have to be prepared for unjust treatment, and we have to be prepared to rejoice when it happens. The Text: “And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea…” (Acts 21:15-34)