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

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. [1:01:35]
• 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. [1:10:40]
• 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. [1:08:20]

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
• [1:01:35] - Asking God First, Not Second
• [1:07:51] - Letting God “Cook” in Our Lives
• [1:10:40] - Jesus: The Ultimate Eucatastrophe
• [1:11:30] - What Is God Asking You To Do?
• [1:14:10] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
• [1:18:34] - Closing and Giving Opportunity

1. 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])
2. According to the passage, what specific promise did God make to Paul in his vision at Corinth? (Acts 18:9–10)
3. 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])
4. In the sermon, what is meant by the term “eucatastrophe,” and how did it play out in Paul’s story in Corinth? ([44:22])

1. 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])
2. 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])
3. 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])
4. 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])

1. 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])
2. 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])
3. 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])
4. 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])
5. 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])
6. 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])
7. 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])