Someday We'll Understand

Acts 21:1-15 6/30/24 A.M.

This is the last day of June. We’re at the MIDDLE POINT of the year. 2024 is half way over. Now how many of you all made a New Year’s resolution? How many of you all RESOLVED to make a change or do something different in 2024? So … how’s that going for you?

Listen, there’s nothing wrong with RESOLVING, MAKING PLANS to do things differently.

This year, back in January, I didn’t WRITE DOWN any RESOLUTIONS but there were some things that I needed to change.

I need to EAT a little bit healthier. EXERCISE a little bit more. And spend more time PRAYING!!! TALKING to my Father ..... ABOUT YOU ALL!!! You know, He’s the ONLY ONE we should be GOSSIPING to.

ILLUS: A lady and her friend were having a conversation after church services. The lady asked her friend, “Did you notice that hat Myrtle was wearing?” The friend responded, “No.” The lady then asked, “Well, what about the coat that Hazel had on?” Again, her friend said, “No.” The lady then said, “Well, a lot of good it does you to go to church.”

I wish more people would RESOLVE to go to CHURCH but for the RIGHT REASON!!!

Listen, there’s nothing wrong with making plans and resolving to do things, but in all of our plans, in all of our resolutions, we need to ALWAYS put God first.

And that’s what I want to bring out this morning. Let’s turn to Acts 21. We’re gonna look at the LIFE of the Apostle Paul. This Chapter is the BEGINNING of his journey to Jerusalem and ultimately to Rome. There he would stand before Caesar. Later on in this Chapter he is PREACHING in the TEMPLE. The JEWS drag him out and begin to BEAT the LIVING DAYLIGHTS out of him. He is then BOUND and ARRESTED by the Romans. Some would say, “Man, if he had only known, he would have made other plans.” But here’s the KEY. HE DID KNOW but he went on, LEAVING IT IN GOD’S HANDS. Let’s read Acts 21, Verses 1-15

“And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.

7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.”

This morning I want to talk to you about something that’s SO EASY to say but often it’s hard to do. Sometimes it comes to the point where we have to GIVE UP on our OWN PLANS. We have to LET GO of what we want. And we have to SHUT OUR MOUTHS until we’re ready to say as Paul did in Verse 14, “The will of the Lord be done.”