Pastor Fred started a new series called What’s Next and his preaching passage was Acts 13:1-12. The crux of the series is that we are going to be going over Paul’s three missionary journeys. Not only does the Holy Spirit show up throughout the book of Acts but is the star of the entire book. Without the Holy Spirit leading and guiding, we either wouldn’t have a church or it would look completely different. So as we go through the book of Acts pay attention to how the Holy Spirit moves and works through people.
My favorite verse of the chapter is verse 10, which Paul asks the question of “will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?” I can’t be the only person who gets snarky from time to time and take what someone has said to either get a rise out of them or to even manipulate them to get what we want. In essence, we do the same with God. How often do we try to manipulate or even pervert Gods law or Gods best for us. How often do we want to do things our way because we think it is easier, better or that we want to put on a show for other people and have all the attention on us. In essence we are rebelling against God. We are essentially telling God off when we are doing thins and we become like that toddler in Wal Mart having a tantrum that the whole store can hear because they can’t get what we want. We never grow out of our tantrums, they just look different as we age. So what are the ways are we perverting or replacing Gods ways with ours?
My first observation is that we shouldn’t oppose God because our ways are not Gods ways. How often do we go to God in prayer time and have all these great ideas for God to tell us no. Or how about paying attention to what is being taught and promoted in our schools and culture. As an Orthodox Christian, when one opposes or have a different view on such things as pronouns, abortion or immigration, we get labeled a bigot and a whole host of other words that are not nice. Just remember, Jesus telling His disciples and us that if the world hated Him, it’s going to hate us too.
Another side to this coin is that we are seeking God and trying to follow His will, but God has a change of plans because He knows what is better and He created us for a particular purpose. In Acts 16, Paul is on his missionary journey and the Holy Spirit shows up in a dream and gives Paul a change of plans. The change of plans and the Holy Spirit led Paul and his traveling party to go to Macedonia to preach the Gospel. Because of Paul’s obedience, people were saved and the church of Phillipi was started. This is where we get Paul’s letter to the Phillipians because it was to the Believers in Phillipi.
My second observation is that we should never let our past hinder our future. How often do we think that Gods grace can’t cover our sin or stupid choices we have made. Or thinking that God can’t use us because we aren’t that talented in our eyes and we don’t have any of those magical abilities or gifts. When we do this, we down play Gods grace and power. In essence, we are letting our past hinder what God can’t use us do in our lives. Now there are consequences for our actions, but God still can work through those consequences so that Has name will be made known and others can receive that same grace we can. Sometimes our lives can either be an example to others of what not to do, or having an understanding of what others are going through when they made the same bonehead choices. You can jump in the hole with them because you have been there and know the way out
My final observation is do not neglect the Word of God. If our ways are not Gods ways, how do we find out what Gods ways are? It is by spending time in the Bible and being obedient to the Holy Spirit. This means we shouldn’t turn off our brains either. Some of the smartest people I know are deeply committed Christians who use their brains. Some of them have advanced degrees, and others Got their education from the school of hard knocks. One of the most prolific Christian writers, A.W. Tozer didn’t have much more than a high school education, but he spent time in Gods word and he used the brain that God gave him to impact the world. There was a popular phrase at one time of God said it, I believe it, and that settles it. It is a good phrase and all, but if we are turning off our brains and blindly following it, we a fall for anyone who is charismatic enough or a smooth talker. I’m essence most of these people are false teachers and don’t know God. So when we come to church or open our Bibles, to we use our brains either and reading that God gave us, or do we turn it completely off and focus on feelings?
To close out, our church just celebrated a century worth of being Gods light in Cloquet. Do we sit on our accomplishments and hope we survive another century, or do we move forward and tap into the Holy Spirit for another century worth of being Gods light in a dark wold?
Grace and Peace
Tom Boustead
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