God’s Call to Stay, Go, and Trust His Plan

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Surprising Protection in the Midst of Opposition

When Paul faced opposition and expected violence in Corinth, God intervened in an unexpected way, assuring Paul in a vision that he would be protected and that there were many in the city who belonged to God. Instead of the usual pattern of persecution and expulsion, Paul experienced a “eucatastrophe”—a sudden and surprising turn for good—when the Roman official refused to punish him, and Paul was able to remain and minister in Corinth for a year and a half. This story reminds us that God can turn our moments of fear and uncertainty into opportunities for His protection and purpose, even when we expect the worst. [55:48]

Acts 18:9-11 (ESV)
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Reflection: When have you expected the worst in a difficult situation, only to see God provide or protect you in a way you didn’t anticipate? How might you trust Him to bring good out of your current challenges?

Day 2: The Power and Necessity of Christian Community

Paul’s ministry was never a solo endeavor; from the very beginning, he sought out and built deep relationships with fellow believers like Priscilla and Aquila, working alongside them and forming a team for the sake of the gospel. This pattern shows that following Jesus is not meant to be a “lone ranger” experience—real spiritual growth and resilience come from investing time and energy into Christian friendships and community. If you’re struggling to follow Jesus alone, consider how you might intentionally pursue deeper connections with other believers, knowing that God often works through these relationships to encourage and sustain us. [49:48]

Acts 18:1-3 (ESV)
After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.

Reflection: Who are the Christian friends or mentors you can intentionally spend more time with this week? What practical step can you take to deepen your connection with them?

Day 3: Asking God First, Not Second

Many of us are tempted to make our own plans and then ask God to bless them, but the Christian life is about seeking God’s will first—letting Him “cook” and trusting that His plans are better than anything we could order for ourselves. Just as the best meals at a Michelin-star restaurant are chosen by the chef, the most meaningful and beautiful life comes when we surrender our preferences and ask God what He wants us to do before we make our own decisions. This posture of open hands and open heart allows God to lead us into places and purposes we could never have imagined on our own. [01:01:35]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you tend to make plans without first asking God for direction? How can you pause and seek His guidance before moving forward this week?

Day 4: God’s Redemptive Work in Our Suffering

Paul’s repeated experiences of opposition, discomfort, and even suffering were not signs of God’s absence but opportunities for God to do something beautiful and redemptive through him. Sometimes God calls us to remain in difficult circumstances longer than we would choose, using our pain and perseverance to shape us and accomplish His greater purposes. Just as the cross was the ultimate “eucatastrophe”—where apparent defeat became victory—God can transform our hardest moments into testimonies of His grace and goodness if we trust Him and remain faithful. [01:10:40]

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Reflection: Think of a challenging season you are facing or have faced—how might God be working in and through your pain to bring about something good or beautiful?

Day 5: Responding to God’s Call with Open Hands

The heart of following Jesus is a willingness to say “yes” to whatever He asks, whether it means going, staying, serving, or waiting. God invites us to listen for His voice, surrender our own agendas, and trust Him with our lives, knowing that He can take our mess, brokenness, and fears and create something new. Today, take time to be still before God, ask Him what He wants you to do, and be ready to respond with obedience and trust, confident that He is with you and will lead you into His best. [01:14:42]

Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

Reflection: Set aside ten minutes today to quietly ask God, “What do you want me to do?” What do you sense He is inviting you to say “yes” to right now?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to honor our veterans and to reflect on the blessings of freedom and community that God has given us. We celebrated a significant milestone as a church: surpassing our goal of 5,000 gospel conversations for the year, now reaching nearly 8,000. Each of these represents a real person who has heard the hope of Jesus, and it’s a testament to what God can do when we take His mission personally and seriously.

We explored Acts 18, where Paul’s journey in Corinth took an unexpected turn. Paul, often forced to leave cities due to opposition, found himself told by God to stay put, even as the familiar cycle of resistance and threats began. God assured Paul of His presence and protection, promising that no harm would come to him because “I have many people in this city.” This was a eucatastrophe—a sudden, redemptive reversal—where God turned what looked like impending disaster into unexpected victory. Instead of Paul being harmed, his adversaries faced the consequences, and Paul was able to remain in Corinth longer than anywhere else on his missionary journeys.

This story reminds us that God’s protection is intimately tied to His presence. The Christian life is not about following a set of rules or simply asking God to bless our plans. It’s about living in daily relationship with Jesus, asking Him first what He wants us to do, and being willing to go or stay as He leads. Like a master chef who knows how to create a masterpiece, God can do more with our lives than we could ever imagine—if we let Him “cook,” rather than insisting on our own menu.

Sometimes, God calls us to move; other times, He asks us to stay, even in seasons of suffering or uncertainty. What may feel like a setback or a painful delay could be the very thing God uses to bring about something beautiful and redemptive. The ultimate example of this is the cross, where what seemed like defeat became the greatest victory.

So the question for each of us is: What is God asking you to do right now? Are you willing to ask Him first, to trust Him with your life, and to say, “My yes is yours”? Take time to listen, to be still, and to let God lead you into the next step of faith.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Protection Flows from His Presence True safety and courage come not from circumstances, but from knowing God is with us. Paul’s experience in Corinth shows that when God’s presence is near, even the most threatening situations can be transformed. We are called to seek God’s presence above all, trusting that He will provide the protection and guidance we need, even when the path is uncertain. [59:35]
2. Ask God First, Not Second The Christian life is not about asking God to bless our plans, but about seeking His will before making our own. Like ordering from a master chef’s menu, we discover the richness of life when we let God choose for us. This requires humility and surrender, but it opens us to experiences and growth we could never orchestrate on our own. [61:35]
3. God Redeems Catastrophe into Eucatastrophe God specializes in turning apparent disasters into redemptive victories. Paul’s story in Corinth, and ultimately the cross of Christ, reveal that God can flip the script in ways we never expect. When we face suffering or setbacks, we can trust that God is at work, crafting something beautiful even from our pain. [70:40]
4. Obedience Means Going or Staying as God Leads Faithfulness is not just about action, but about listening and responding to God’s direction—whether that means moving forward or remaining where we are. Sometimes God calls us to endure, to wait, or to stay in a hard place because He is doing a deeper work in us and through us. Our role is to keep our hearts open and our “yes” on the table. [68:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[40:11] - Honoring Veterans
[41:13] - Celebrating Gospel Conversations
[43:12] - The Messy Room and Eucatastrophe
[44:22] - Defining Eucatastrophe
[45:32] - Paul Arrives in Corinth
[47:21] - Paul’s Missionary Journey Recap
[48:37] - The Importance of Christian Community
[51:17] - Firsts in the Book of Acts
[52:29] - The Cycle of Gospel Opposition
[55:09] - God’s Surprising Protection in Corinth
[59:35] - Protection Tied to God’s Presence
[61:35] - Asking God First, Not Second
[67:51] - Letting God “Cook” in Our Lives
[70:40] - Jesus: The Ultimate Eucatastrophe
[71:30] - What Is God Asking You To Do?
[74:10] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[78:34] - Closing and Giving Opportunity

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

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### Bible Reading

**Acts 18:1–11 (ESV)**
After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

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### Observation Questions

What was different about Paul’s experience in Corinth compared to other cities he visited on his missionary journeys? (see Acts 18:9–11; [55:09])
According to the passage, what specific promise did God make to Paul in his vision at Corinth? (Acts 18:9–10)
Who were some of the key people Paul met and worked with in Corinth, and what roles did they play in his ministry? (Acts 18:2–3, 7–8; [47:21])
In the sermon, what is meant by the term “eucatastrophe,” and how did it play out in Paul’s story in Corinth? ([44:22])

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### Interpretation Questions

Why might God have told Paul to stay in Corinth when the usual pattern was for him to leave when opposition arose? What does this suggest about God’s guidance? ([55:48])
The sermon says, “God’s protection is tied to His presence.” What does it mean for God’s presence to be more important than our circumstances? ([59:35])
The pastor compared letting God “cook” in our lives to trusting a master chef with the menu. What does this analogy reveal about surrendering our plans to God? ([01:07:11])
How does the idea of “eucatastrophe”—God turning disaster into victory—change the way we view suffering or setbacks in our own lives? ([01:10:40])

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### Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to “ask God first, not second” when making decisions. Think about a recent decision you made—did you ask God first, or did you ask Him to bless your plan after you made it? How can you change your approach this week? ([01:01:35])
Paul was told to stay in a difficult place rather than leave. Is there a situation in your life right now where you sense God might be asking you to stay, even though it’s hard? What would it look like to trust Him in that? ([56:21])
The pastor said, “God can do more with our lives than we could ever imagine—if we let Him ‘cook,’ rather than insisting on our own menu.” What is one area of your life where you need to let go of control and let God lead? ([01:07:11])
The story of Paul in Corinth shows that God’s protection doesn’t always mean the absence of trouble, but the assurance of His presence. How have you experienced God’s presence in a challenging season? ([59:35])
The sermon described the cross as the ultimate eucatastrophe—what looked like defeat became victory. How does this truth encourage you when you face situations that seem hopeless? ([01:10:40])
The pastor encouraged everyone to take time to be still and listen for what God is asking them to do. What practical steps can you take this week to create space for listening to God? ([01:12:34])
The church celebrated nearly 8,000 gospel conversations this year. What is one way you can personally take part in sharing hope with someone in your community this month? ([41:56])

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Sermon Clips

The difference between Christianity and every other religion is that our Messiah, our leader, is still alive. And he still wants to move and he still wants to interact with you and he still wants to change your life. He's not somebody you just read about. He's somebody that you can talk to and has opinions on how you live your life. [01:00:45] (21 seconds) #JesusIsAlive

A lot of us like God to help us achieve our best life now. And we ask first what we want to do and then ask the Lord second what he wants us to do. Does that make sense? So like a lot of us like, hey, I want to be a successful doctor or lawyer or whatever, business owner, and I'm going to go do that. God, would you bless it? God, I want to get married and I want to marry this kind of person. God, would you bring that person into my life? God, I want to have a great experience in this life. God, I want to go on this trip. God, would you bless it? But the Christian life is asking God what he wants first, not second. It's not saying, God, would you bless what I want? But rather, what do you want, God? [01:01:39] (46 seconds) #LetGodLead

When you pick, you kind of just get the same four ingredients. It's very predictable. You can only, you can only get the same four ingredients. You can only get the same see a couple things that could happen with your life. But when God picks, when God cooks, when he chooses, he changes your life. He brings you to places you never thought you would go. He changes the world and will change your life and make it far more meaningful and beautiful than you can imagine. And so we need to let God cook. [01:07:02] (37 seconds) #ObedientFaith

If you want to follow God, you need to understand that God is looking for people who go when he tells us to go and stay when he tells us to stay. That's what God's looking for. And you see Paul doing that in this story. He goes to Corinth because God told him to go and God told him to stay and he stayed anyway, even knowing that it might not all look the way he wanted it to. [01:07:55] (21 seconds) #OpenHandsOpenHeart

He was willing to say, God, my yes is on the table. My hands are open. My heart is open. I have open hands and open heart. God, do whatever you want me to do. I'm going to ask you first, not second. And I'm going to follow you. And in the middle of this, you may do something beautiful and redemptive that I couldn't imagine. [01:08:18] (23 seconds) #KeepMovingWithGod

Why did he go from town to town to town to town? Why was there opposition all the way along the way? Why would God allow him to go through that? And I think the answer is, is that God wanted to keep Paul moving because he could do more through Paul if he kept hitting every one of these towns and didn't get comfortable in any of them. And things that may have been hurtful or painful for Paul was something incredibly beautiful that God was doing through him. [01:08:50] (29 seconds) #WaitOnGodsTiming

Sometimes he may call me to be in a time of suffering longer than I want to be there. But that may be God's kindness for me because he's doing something beautiful that he alone can do. So if you're going through a really hard moment right now, or if you can't get a season of suffering out of your head where your parents did something, you just broke your heart, your children are making bad choices, or you're just going through a mental battle that you can't seem to overcome, God might be doing something really beautiful in it. And he may call you to sit in it a little bit longer until he's ready for you to take over. [01:09:50] (36 seconds) #UltimateEucatastrophe

Maybe God's calling you to be more generous with your time or your talents or your treasure. Maybe God's calling you to go to the mission field. Maybe God's calling you to stay on the mission field here in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Maybe he's asking you to just be patient and wait upon the Lord. Maybe that's what God's asking you to do. But I can't tell you what that is. God can't. So let's ask him first. [01:12:14] (24 seconds) #ListenToGod

Some of us may need to take a little longer time to listen. I encourage you this week, if you feel God is stirring, to take some time to be alone and still and quiet. No phones, no distractions, and just go, God, what is it you want me to do? My yes is yours. [01:13:20] (24 seconds) #MyYesIsYours

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