Wawasee Bible Podcast Wawasee Community Bible Church

In Acts 22 through 24, Paul's plans are upended by the circumstances he faced. Curiously in 23:11, Jesus made it clear to Paul that Paul's desire to make it to Rome would be fulfilled—in fact, it was God's will as well! But the way Paul had planned to go to Rome was not the same way God had in mind. God accomplished his plan to get Paul to Rome in a way Paul would have never expected, and in the timing he would have never chosen. He does the same with us. So as you plan—do it it pencil, let God be God. Delight yourself in Jesus and trust with open hands as he leads and accomplishes his will in, for, and through you.

In Acts 22:24-23:11, Paul confronts the Sanhedrin, triggering a conflict with accusations and disputes. Despite facing intense opposition and turmoil, he skillfully navigates the situation, using his knowledge and rhetorical abilities to provoke a conflict and divide his opponents while conquering the Sanhedrin's accusations against him. In all of the chaos, Paul finds peace and encouragement in a vision from Jesus, strengthening his resolve and reminding him of God's plan.

On his way to Jerusalem at the close of his third church planning (missionary) journey, the Apostle Paul is warned multiple times about what awaited him once he got there. The warnings were dire, and those accompanying Paul pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Paul's heart and mind were set, though, convinced that that's what God had for him. After making it to Jerusalem with a large financial gift from the Gentile churches, Paul was maligned and beaten by those who took issue with Gentiles Paul's ministry to them. It became so severe that Roman officials stepped in and Paul was arrested. If you choose to follow Jesus, be warned. It won't be easy, and you will suffer. When it does get hard, love those God has sent you to, even when it hurts.

After John tells us about Mary finding the empty tomb and Peter and John's foot race to it in chapter 20, he records three encounters Jesus had with people who had some doubt and confusion after his resurrection: Mary Magdalene, the Disciples, and Thomas. Sometimes we might assume doubt is the opposite of faith, but it's not—disobedience is. The key is what you do with your doubt. The good news is that God welcomes our doubts as we bring them to him. Jesus’s resurrection is often met with doubt, but he graciously meets us in it and left us strong evidence! Pastor Josh ends by listing a number of evidences worth considering as it relates to Jesus's resurrection.

Jesus is not only fully God, but became fully human. Because of this truth he understands us better than anyone else. Everyone has experienced dissatisfaction in life. It's because this life is not all there is, and it's because our lives are broken with sin. Jesus gets our dissatisfaction. He understands our wanting and longing for something more. In fact, he's the one who put those longings and desires in each of our hearts to begin with when he created us. And he knows what will truly fill them and satisfy them, because he designed them. Our desire and dissatisfaction in life is a good thing as we recognize who it's actually pointing to and pursue more of Christ.

Jesus is not only fully God, but became fully human. Because of this truth he understands us better than anyone else. One of the human experiences Jesus knows well is grief. Grief is intense emotional suffering caused by a loss. It's the painful emotion of sorrow caused not only by a loss but even an impending loss of anyone or anything that has deep meaning to you. We often associate it with death, but grief also strikes with the loss of a friendship, a job, health, and more. We all grieve in response to loss in our life, and we must all face it. No one is immune. Where there is loss, there is grief. And like an unwanted guest it comes knocking at the strangest of times. Our best response is to open the door, let it in, give it what it wants, then send it on its way until it comes knocking again. The problem arises when we either refuse to grieve (don't open the door) or when we let ourselves sit with it for too long (never sending it on its way) and begin to find our identity in our suffering. Pastor Josh wraps up this week with a metaphor of a tree, and the knots in a piece of wood. Even with the hardest grief, life does go on, and thankfully Jesus shows us the way through.