Keep Calm, God is in Control (Acts 23:10-22)

Reflecting on the Passage:

Here at East Point Church, we have begun a new sermon series entitled “Acts: The Spirit and the Church in the World“. This week’s sermon explores the significance of knowing God in Christ. Pastor Carter demonstrates the faithfulness of Christ in preserving His saints. The focus of this sermon is on understanding where God is in the midst of trouble by focusing on His Presence, Promises, and Providence.

The Presence of God

“And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

The following night the Lord stood by him…(Acts 23:10-11;ESV).”

Pastor Carter reminds us from this text that God is present in the midst of the storm. The Lord encouraged Paul in a time where discouragement and depression could have overwhelmed. The Lord stood beside Paul even when it seem as though he had to endure these afflictions (cf. Psalm 34:19).

The Promises of God

“…and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome. (Acts 23:11; ESV).”

Not only does the Lord show up stand alongside Paul, but He also comes with His promise to deliver Paul and send him on another assignment. Pastor Carter argues that there is no greater encouragement than the promises of God, especially in times of great distress, frustration, headache, and heartache. The Word Paul received was backed by the power of God and presence of God.

The Providence of God

“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. There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 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. 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.”

Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul (Acts 23:12-16; ESV).”

What God promises, He provides. He doesn’t need Paul or anyone else to keep His promises for Him. Unbeknownst to Paul and the Jews, the Lord had provided a way for Paul to escape to fulfill the mission He planned and purposed beforehand.

Do you know where the peace of God comes from?

The storms of life are brought about by our own sin, the sins of others, and seeking to be faithful to Christ in a sinful world. Although these were distressing days for Paul, he realized in the midst of the storm, God had never left him alone. For the peace of God comes when we know nothing happens unless God ordains it to be so and nothing will frustrate His plans (cf. Psalm 2; Proverbs 21:30).

Listen to this week’s full sermon for free.