April 23, 2006

Bible Study: Acts Chapter 23

Nothing Can Foil God’s Plan

Introduction:

The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray or something like that. The process of repaving our driveway has confined me to my house. The plan was to have it completed last week while I was at a conference so that it would not inconvenience my patrons. For some unknown reason, it wasn’t accomplished. The workers came on Friday, cut up the pavement, and left. I can’t get my car out of the garage. And, my customers have to park in the yard or risk dropping into a hole. Although it’s a minor inconvenience, the point is we laid the seemingly perfect plan to resolve the problem of repaving our driveway. Life runs a definite course. Without consulting God, we often find ourselves in an unnecessary predicament that is totally out of our control.

Core of the Lesson:

Paul considered the warnings of being placed in chains at Jerusalem and decided to continue on his set path. Did he step out of God’s perfect will for his life? Don’t be fooled by my introduction. God’s perfect will involved more than Paul. The Lord predestined Paul to witness to the Roman officials. His method of accomplishing His plans differs from our expectations, but God’s method always produces the best results.

Luke began chapter 23 with Paul’s address to the Jewish council, which consisted of both Sadducees and Pharisees. After receiving an assault from the high priest, Paul reprimanded him for his disreputable conduct. However, Paul was unaware that Ananias was the high priest. (This Ananias is not the same Ananias who prayed for Paul in chapter 5.) When he realized that he spoke harshly to the high priest, Paul apologized because of the respect due to the office not because he was wrong in his accusation.

Through observation, Paul recognized the two sects of religious leaders present. Good war tactics involve divide and conquer. Satan uses this maneuver in churches constantly; but he’s not the only one that is capable of such devices. I believe that through the prompting of the Holy Spirit Paul manipulated his accusers. Sadducees believed only in the first five books of the Old Testament. These manuscripts mention nothing to affirm the resurrection of the dead or angels/spirits, which were the main points of difference between the two sects of Jewish beliefs. The dissention became so riotous that the commander feared for Paul’s life. He rescued Paul again by sending soldiers to apprehend him and take him to the barracks. Jesus revealed His plan to Paul that night. The Lord told Paul that he was to witness in Rome as he had at Jerusalem.

A band of Jews took an oath to neither eat nor drink until Paul’s death. They commissioned the high priest to summons the commander requesting that Paul appear again for further questioning. The mob planned to ambush the Roman soldiers, kidnap Paul, and murder him. Like the plans for my driveway, the plans to annihilate Paul crumpled when his nephew overheard the scheme and went to Paul. Paul sent him to the commander who immediately arranged to have Paul escorted to Caesarea. He used 470 soldiers to carry out the mission. Because he cared about justice? If Paul had been an ordinary Jew, the commander would have left the Jewish council do whatever they liked with him. However, Paul was no ordinary Jew. He was a Roman citizen. The commander would have paid with his own life had anything happened to a Roman citizen without a fair trial. (Verse 27 tells all we need to know about the commanders motives.)

Paul’s nephew was conducive in thwarting the plans to destroy Paul because he was in the right place at the right time. Coincidence? Not hardly! God planned Paul’s arrest as well as his rescue. Jesus intended to use Paul as His witness to the Roman officials from the beginning. The Lord’s methods puzzle us at times, but we can be sure that they will always achieve God’s desired outcome.

What would have happened to Paul had his nephew not been there that night? I believe that God would have sent someone else to warn the commander. Like repaving my driveway, many of our plans depend on someone else to achieve the task. When that person fails to accomplish his/her assignment, our plans are delayed or permanently ruined. We are dependent on others to do things for us that we are incapable of doing for ourselves. But, God knows no such dependency. His plans are never slowed or foiled. When we refuse or neglect our mission, God places someone else in the position. The only one who loses is the one who failed to do his/her job. God will see to it that task is complete to His satisfaction with or without us.

We forfeit our blessings through disobedience. However receiving blessings here or in Heaven cannot be our motive in doing God’s will. The only acceptable motive is the desire to bring praise, honor, and glory to Jesus Christ.

Melinda & Barry and family, Jenn, Jordan, Joey, Phyllis and husband, Barb, J.J., Nora, Ann, Trinity, Wyatt, Johanna, Irene, Enos, Jace, Sam, Joe, Mona, Erma, Samantha, Ray, Wyoming Ave. Baptist Church, April, Doreen, Mary, Donna, Pat, Homer, salvation for unsaved, offenses received from fellow “Soldiers,” our Monday Bible Study, special unspoken needs, and remember me, Brenda Hendricks.

Jace, a thirteen-year-old who recently had surgery to remove a tumor between his eyes, is recovering. The doctors are very please at the results of his surgery and were able to do far more than they thought they’d be able to do. We are looking forward to your praise reports. Please keep us informed so we can share the wonderful grace of Jesus.

Our next Bible Study is May 8, 2006. Read Acts 24. Paul’s appearance before Felix.

Although we have not chosen to be, we are all born into sin because of the fall of man. Sounds hopeless and unfair, but God in His infinite wisdom and abundant love has provided a choice for us. We can choose to repent of our sinful nature and believe in Jesus Christ. He is faithful and will cleanse us from sin and give us His Holy Spirit to equip us to live for Him. If you’ve made your choice to repent and believe in Jesus, we’d like to hear about it.

If you are free in Christ Jesus, pray for those who remain captive. And tell others, Christians as well as non-believers, what Jesus has done for you. Your testimony will benefit them and help you to strengthen your confidence in Christ’s work in your life and in the future.

If you’d like to participate in our Monday Bible Study, please contact us with your comments, questions, and prayer requests or at twosmallfish@twosmallfish.org.

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May God grant you safety, reassurance of His love, and the revelation of Jesus Christ,