September 15, 2024 – God Leads Us Home
Acts 23:11
Sermon: 1288 How to Cope with Criticism
Pray Over This
“But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.’”
Acts 23:11
Ponder This
I had a pastor search committee come to me once and ask for help. I said, “I know just the guy you need. He is a fantastic preacher.” Immediately, I had their attention. I told them he is the world’s greatest theologian. “He has a great missionary zeal, and an evangelistic spirit.” They were getting out their pens to write his name and address down, but I said, “He’s got health problems, he’s often sick, and he’s kind of old.” Well, eyebrows went up a little bit. I said, “Another problem with him is he’s been in jail several times.” They began to shake their heads. “He’s been in some street demonstrations and some riots.” They said, “Well, we don’t know whether that’s the man we want or not.” I said, “Don’t worry, you couldn’t get him. He’s already in Heaven. His name is the Apostle Paul.”
Did you know the average pulpit committee would not want Paul the apostle as their pastor? God saw the potential in Paul when no one else did. He gave him a word of courage, “Be of good cheer.” He gave him a word of commendation and a word of confidence: “you must bear witness also at Rome.” If Paul had known the song, “Amazing Grace,” he’d have been able to sing, “Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come: ‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”
- What about Paul’s life stands out to you?
- What are some ways Paul might not fit in your church? What might that indicate about things that need to change with us?
Practice This
Take time to skim through the life of Paul from Acts 9–28. Note the ways Paul lived in honoring God that seem foreign to us today.
For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.
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