In the journey of faith, God's plans often unfold in ways that defy human expectations. The early church's experience, as recorded in the Book of Acts, illustrates this truth vividly. When persecution arose, it seemed like a crisis, yet it became a catalyst for spreading the Gospel beyond Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. This unexpected scattering of believers led to the establishment of new communities of faith in places like Samaria and Antioch. Such divine appointments remind us that God's work often thrives in the unexpected. We must remain open to these moments, trusting that God is orchestrating events for His purposes. [31:08]
Acts 8:4-8 (ESV): "Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city."
Reflection: Think of a recent unexpected event in your life. How might God be using this situation to create a divine appointment for you to share His love or message with someone?
Day 2: Flexibility in Mission Work
In mission work, while planning is essential, flexibility is equally important. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch is a powerful example of how God's work often thrives in the unexpected. Philip was led by the Spirit to a desert road, where he encountered the Ethiopian official. This divine appointment was not part of Philip's plan, yet it resulted in the Gospel reaching a new region. Our willingness to adjust and respond to God's leading can open doors for the Gospel in unforeseen ways. We must be ready to adapt when unexpected situations arise, trusting that God is guiding us. [46:41]
Acts 8:26-29 (ESV): "Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.' This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go over and join this chariot.'"
Reflection: Consider a time when your plans were disrupted. How can you cultivate a heart of flexibility and openness to God's leading in your current circumstances?
Day 3: The Role of Persecution in Spreading the Gospel
Persecution in the early church, though painful, was a catalyst for spreading the Gospel to new regions. This teaches us that challenges and opposition can be used by God to advance His kingdom. The scattering of believers due to persecution led to the Gospel reaching places it might not have otherwise. We should not fear the unexpected but embrace it as a potential turning point for the Gospel. In our own lives, we may face opposition or challenges, but these can be opportunities for God's work to flourish. [19:25]
Acts 11:19-21 (ESV): "Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord."
Reflection: Reflect on a challenge or opposition you are currently facing. How might God be using this situation to advance His kingdom through you?
Day 4: Building Relationships and Trust
In mission work, building relationships and trust is crucial. The unexpected connections and partnerships that arise can lead to significant advancements in ministry. By fostering genuine relationships, we create a foundation for God to work through us in unexpected ways. The early church's expansion was not just about spreading a message but also about forming communities of faith. As we engage in mission work, whether locally or globally, we should prioritize building relationships and trust, knowing that God can use these connections for His purposes. [01:05:53]
Acts 11:25-26 (ESV): "So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians."
Reflection: Identify a relationship in your life that needs strengthening. How can you intentionally build trust and foster a deeper connection with this person today?
Day 5: Embracing God's Sovereignty
Ultimately, we must trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to work through the unexpected. Our plans are limited, but God's vision is infinite. By surrendering our expectations and embracing His leading, we align ourselves with His greater purpose and witness His miraculous work. The early church's experiences remind us that God's plans often unfold in ways we cannot foresee. As we engage in mission work and navigate life's uncertainties, we are called to trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to make a way where there seems to be none. [31:08]
Proverbs 19:21 (ESV): "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's sovereignty? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him and embrace His leading today?
Sermon Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the theme of "Expected and Unexpected" in the context of mission work and the spread of the Gospel. Reflecting on the early church's experiences as recorded in the Book of Acts, we see how God's plans often unfold in ways that defy human expectations. The early church faced persecution, which seemed like a crisis, but it became a catalyst for spreading the Gospel beyond Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. This unexpected scattering of believers led to the establishment of new communities of faith in places like Samaria and Antioch.
We discussed how, in our mission work, we often plan meticulously, aiming to control every aspect to avoid surprises. However, God's work often thrives in the unexpected. The story of Philip being led to the desert to meet the Ethiopian eunuch illustrates how divine appointments can occur outside our plans. Similarly, the persecution that scattered the early believers was not anticipated, yet it resulted in the Gospel reaching new territories and people.
In our own mission efforts, we must remain open to God's leading, even when it disrupts our plans. The unexpected can be a divine opportunity for growth and expansion. We are reminded that our role is to be faithful and flexible, trusting that God is the ultimate way-maker and miracle worker. As we engage in mission work, whether locally or globally, we should prepare for the unexpected, knowing that God can use these moments to advance His kingdom in ways we cannot foresee.
Key Takeaways
1. Divine Appointments in the Unexpected: God's plans often unfold in ways that defy our expectations. The early church's persecution led to the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem, illustrating how crises can become opportunities for God's work to flourish. We must remain open to divine appointments that occur outside our plans, trusting that God is orchestrating events for His purposes. [31:08]
2. Flexibility in Mission Work: While planning is essential, we must be flexible and ready to adapt when unexpected situations arise. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch shows that God's work often thrives in the unexpected. Our willingness to adjust and respond to God's leading can open doors for the Gospel in unforeseen ways. [46:41]
3. The Role of Persecution in Spreading the Gospel: Persecution in the early church, though painful, was a catalyst for spreading the Gospel to new regions. This teaches us that challenges and opposition can be used by God to advance His kingdom. We should not fear the unexpected but embrace it as a potential turning point for the Gospel. [19:25]
4. Building Relationships and Trust: In mission work, building relationships and trust is crucial. The unexpected connections and partnerships that arise can lead to significant advancements in ministry. By fostering genuine relationships, we create a foundation for God to work through us in unexpected ways. [65:53]
5. Embracing God's Sovereignty: Ultimately, we must trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to work through the unexpected. Our plans are limited, but God's vision is infinite. By surrendering our expectations and embracing His leading, we align ourselves with His greater purpose and witness His miraculous work. [31:08] ** [31:08]
"It is not the God School in 18th Street. It is the God School in Golden Gate, Golden Bridge. It is the God School of the United States." [00:19:18](7 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)