God’s Purpose Blueprint
Last week, we saw Saul’s dramatic, extraordinary conversion to “The Way.” The scripture dealt with the importance of purpose, the inate human desire to have purpose, and what purpose means from a Biblical perspective. Today continues that message, showing us that walking in Christ’s purpose is hard. And today, we will see what it means to walk in our purpose, what we can expect, and what God does for us along the way.
Scripture
Acts 9:23-31 ESV When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, (24) but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, (25) but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. (26) And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. (27) But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. (28) So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. (29) And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. (30) And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. (31) So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
Bible Study Questions
The ignition of the light
For some context, we need to go back one verse to last week and see what happens to Saul when he comes to know the truth that Jesus is the Messiah he had been studying all his life. Take a look at Acts 9:22. What is Saul doing, and what has changed in Saul?
Acts 9:22 ESV But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
Acts 4:31 ESV And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Ephesians 3:20 ESV Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
Purpose without Jesus
As we read last week, it is the revelation of Jesus that gives us purpose. We see it in the life of Saul, and we see it in us. Until we realise or accept that Jesus is the Messiah, the King of Kings, the Son of the Living God, all our talents, skills, and provledges are for naught. What happens when we try to live our lives with good intentions but without Jesus?
Acts 8:3 ESV But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
1 Kings 19:10 ESV He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”
2 Chronicles 36:16 ESV But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy.
Resistance against purpose
When Saul is converted and starts living out his purpose and preaching boldly, we immediately see resistance from the Jews. They try to take his life on two occasions. How can you relate to resistance in living out your purpose?
Acts 9:23 ESV When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him,
Acts 9:29 ESV And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him.
2 Timothy 3:12 ESV Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
John 15:18 ESV “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
The many forms of resistance
In Saul’s case, they tried to murder him. But resistance comes in many forms. What sort of forms of resistance can you think of, that stop us from fulfilling our purpose in Christ?
Acts 9:23 ESV When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him,
Acts 9:29 ESV And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 ESV For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Isaiah 53:3 ESV He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Luke 23:11 ESV And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.
The Holy Spirit completes our purpose
On the two occasions where the Jews sought to kill Saul, he escaped. Later on in Acts, we see similar, extraordinary events that determine where Saul goes and doesn’t go, when he fights and when he surrenders. What does this tell you about living your purpose for Christ?
Acts 9:25 ESV but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.
Acts 9:30 ESV And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
John 14:26 ESV But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
1 Corinthians 12:11 ESV All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
Romans 8:14 ESV For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Peace for the journey
Looking at this morning’s scripture, it can again be likened to the wide and narrow roads. Walking without Christ is walking the wide road. It’s easy, but it leads to destruction. Walking the narrow road is hard, but it leads to life. We see after Saul’s rescue that peace came upon the church and likely Saul himself. What does this tell you about walking the hard road?
Acts 9:31 ESV So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
John 14:27 ESV Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Philippians 4:7 ESV And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Trinity at work
In this morning’s passage, we see the Trinity at work in our purposes. God the Father orchestrates our spiritual return to Him through whatever means he deems fit. God the Son is the filter through which, when we realise who He is, shapes our destinies. And God the Holy Spirit guides, strengthens, comforts and equips us to do what the Father calls us to do. How does this apply to your gifts, talents, privileges and purpose?
Psalm 139:13-14 ESV For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Ephesians 1:4 ESV Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
Matthew 28:19 ESV Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,