What Can We Learn From These Six Transition Verses☺? (PM Lesson Outline)
GIST: Our lives belong to God, so we should use them for Him.
SCRIPTURE: Acts 18:18-23
Without introduction, let’s just read these six verses tonight.
“18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. 19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 21 But on taking leave of them he said, "I will return to you if God wills," and he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.”
I couldn’t think of an “all-encompassing” title for tonight’s discussion because, in reality, we’re coming to more of a transition passage. That’s why the title is: “What Can We Learn From These Six Transition Verses☺️?” It would be easy to skip over these verses, but I really believe all of God’s Word is inspired and meant to teach us, so there is something to glean from this transition about how we transition through life as well. If I could give us a gist, it would be this: Our lives belong to God, so we should use them for Him. I have three quick points for this evening, and they are our takeaways, as well. ☺️
I. Traditions Aren’t Bad. They’re Just Not God. (18)
“18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.”
Paul’s hair was cut as part of a Jewish traditional vow. This was probably a vow of commitment and thanksgiving to God. Do Christians have to do this? Nope. Why did Paul? Because he was still Jewish. Was there anything wrong with him doing this? Nope. It was a visible way for him to express a commitment we should all be making. It was part of his culture. It made sense for him. Teaching traditions as part of what saves is wrong. Performing them because they are a way of expressing what Jesus has called us to do is absolutely fine. The question we have to ask is this: does this tradition honor God and help His people grow closer to Him? If so, it’s at least generally fine. If not, it needs to be scrapped immediately!
II. God Is Sovereign Over Our Plans. (19-21)
“19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 21 But on taking leave of them he said, "I will return to you if God wills," and he set sail from Ephesus.”
Here he has a chance to stay with people who actually want him to stay! And he leaves...for now. What?! Why? Because he knew God needed him to go somewhere else at this point. He wants to come back, but even with that he says, “I will return to you if God wills”. This is a truth that we need to remember. Melissa and I are planners. We’re not super great follow-throughers, but we love to dream together ☺️. We have all kinds of ideas, but at the end of the day, we have to remember that what God wants has to always supersede what we would like to do—and what God wants is always 100% better!
III. Our Purpose Should Always Align With His. (22-23)
“ 22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.”
These two verses actually cover a lot of travel time for Paul. He went from Caesarea to Jerusalem (up to the church), then back to Antioch (his homebase of operations), and then he began his 3rd (and final) missionary journey. The key truth I want to point out here is that no matter what Paul was doing, his purpose remained staying true to God’s purpose. He left strengthening the churches. Like we discussed this morning, when we’ve been changed by grace, we should long to be used by God to help others experience this change!
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