Purposeful "Coincidences" - Pastor Dan Cravillion

Purposeful “Coincidences”

2014-08-03

Pastor Dan Cravillion

Act 23:11-25

“The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

12 When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”16 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.1 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:”

The text this morning contains no doctrinal truths; it merely recounts an event.

·      It reveals much about God’s character that can encourage us. Act 23:12-15

The morning after God promised to deliver Paul safely to Rome, 40 Jews plotted his murder.

·      Justice & spiritual truth corrupted: plan approved with participation of the Sanhedren.

o   Serious: "We'll kill him or God strike us dead."

Things appear to be going from bad (beating & imprisonment) to worse for Paul.

·      God’s purposes always come to pass, often in unexpected and/or unplanned ways.

o   God delivered Paul, not by a supernatural miracle, but a providential ordering of natural circumstances to accomplish His will.  

§  natural events are not an invasion of the miraculous unnatural.

·      It is no less God or supernatural  Act 23:16-22, 1 Cor 1:26-31 

Paul's nephew learned of a plot & revealed it to Paul & the Roman commander.

• God can and does use anyone, of any age (kids/youth).  1 Cor 1:26-31 
• He doesn’t use someone because of their greatness.
• He uses weak, broken, and small people to show He’s not at all dependent on human abilities/achievement.

• When He empowers “weak” Christians for life/ministry it magnifies His glory & turns human boasting into gratitude, praise, & faith. 

·      Even when we fail, His purposes and promises will not.  2 Tim 2:13, Act 23:23-24

·      Jesus uses unbelieving (pagan officials) & laws to further the gospel.

o   We can see the balance in trusting in God's sovereignty & wisely utilizing God-sent provisions -- Roman citizenship, soldiers/prison & information from a relative.

Recognizing the seriousness of the situation tribune immediately removed Paul from danger….deployed 470 soldiers with  a letter to secure his safety to Caesarea!

·      This demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His promise and Word. Rom 3:3, 2 Pet 3:9, 1 Cor 1:7-9; 10:13; 2 Thess 3:3,

o   This conspiracy was Paul’s ticket for safety, and the next step of fulfilling God’s promise to have Paul share Gospel in Rome.

§  60 miles closer to Rome in 1^st day.

God delivered Paul by the providential ordering of circumstances not a miracle.

·      In every big or little circumstance of your life, our Sovereign God is working His plan. 

o    “coincidences” seem to have nothing to do with God. 

Know that seemingly insignificant, even difficult circumstances, are created and used by God to accomplish His purposes for you.

·      When feeling alone or discouraged remember this truth: The Omnipotent, sovereign God is with you no matter what….As He was with Paul in that dark dungeon.

o   Dr. Ironside, "God is never nearer than when we cannot see His face. He is never closer than when we do not hear His voice. He is never undertaking for us more than at those times when His own name isn't mentioned."

We find hope, comfort, & encouragement in the Gospel & God’s character. Rom 4:21, 8:28;  2 Cor 4:16-18; Heb 13:5-6, 10:23

·      Christ is in complete control so trust Him in good, bad, and uncertain times.

o   Know that the Loving Father is in control of the little, seemingly insignificant, details of your life.