Acts 16:6-10 5/20/07

In the name of him who always embraces and shields us, dear friends in Christ, and especially you, Kayla and Kendall,

A few years ago when the movie “Titanic” came out, more and more people became interested in the ill-fated maiden voyage of the so-called “unsinkable” ship. Human-interest stories often focused on how one person gained last minute passage on the ship, while others, due to circumstances beyond their control, were left on the dock, unable to begin their voyage across the Atlantic. Still today, after a major accident or disaster, the news media will inevitably find at least one individual who says, “I should have been on that plane that went down” or, “I was supposed to be in that building when it collapsed.” Such near-death experiences often cause people to start wondering just what it is that determines a person’s course in life.

So what does determine how your life unravels? How did you end up where you are right now? Who decided how the pages of your life would unfold? Many will tell you that it’s just a matter of fate or chance. But you and I know better. We know there is a God who guides and directs our lives, a Lord who has a purpose for everything that happens.

This morning we’re reminded of a wonderful truth, one that’s even more encouraging for our confirmands as they enter into another stage of their lives. Today from God’s Word I can assure you:

“God Has a Plan for You”

I. Sometimes it may be beyond your understanding
II. But it’s always for your good

We find Paul on his second missionary journey, visiting the churches he had founded on his first journey. He was accompanied by two companions, Silas and the young man Timothy. Soon they would be joined by Luke, the writer of the Book of Acts. Wherever they went, the Word of God was proclaimed.

But Paul and his companions couldn’t go wherever they wanted to. The Lord guided them to the areas where he wanted them to go. And sometimes the Lord kept them from going into certain areas, as we’re told in our text (v 6), “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.” It would have seemed logical for Paul to have continued traveling to the west with his preaching, but this wasn’t God’s plan. Later Paul would return to this area, and he would do a great deal of work in the capital city of Ephesus. But for now God had other plans for Paul and his companions.

Since they couldn’t go west, they looked to the north. There was a large mission field there in the province of Bithynia. But again, the Lord alters their plans (v 7), “When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.” Humanly speaking, it made sense for Paul to take the Word into this area. But, at least for the time being, God had a different plan for Paul and his companions

Does Paul voice any objections? Does he question God’s will? Does he ask for some clarification? Not that we know of. This is what we’re told (v 8), “So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.” The missionary team knew that they were called to preach the gospel, and they knew God would show them where he wanted them to be. So they moved on and waited to see what God had planned for them.

Kayla and Kendall, I’m sure there have been times when your parents have asked you to do something, and you felt the need to ask the question, “Why?” I know I asked my parents that question from time to time. You know what their usual answer was? Probably one you’ve heard from your parents: “Because I said so.” I find it interesting how easy it is for me now as a parent to use the same response. In no way is it an in depth answer, but it’s not meant to be. Instead it’s meant to teach a child not to feel the need to question Mom or Dad, but to simply do what they’re told to do. Children are to trust that what their parents tell them to do is the right thing to do, something that’s for their benefit, for their own good.

In our daily lives we’re often tempted to question God’s ways. It’s so easy for us to say, “Why me, Lord?” And yet our Lord reminds us (Isa 55:8), “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” God knows that for now our understanding is clouded by sin. We don’t always see clearly what he’s doing in our lives. Living in this sinful world is like driving down the road on a warm, Kansas evening when the bugs are thick and keep smacking into our windshield. Hit enough of them and, without using the wipers, our view of the road might be a bit blurred. That’s how it is with sin. Until we reach the perfection of heaven, we’ll have to just trust that our God knows what he’s doing. As Paul tells us (1 Co 13:12), “Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face.” For now, just trust that God has a plan for you! After all, it’s the same God who gave up his Son to pay the punishment for our sins. He will not lead us astray.

Paul listened to his Lord and put his trust in him. Even though he may not have always understood God’s plan, still he believed that what God had planned for him was always for his good.

When the Lord wouldn’t allow Paul to enter certain regions, it wasn’t as if he was telling him to take an extended vacation. He still had work for him to do. There was just a more urgent need for him in a different area (v 9), “During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’” God wanted Paul in Europe. He was needed there. That’s why the Lord didn’t allow him to go elsewhere. The fields were ripe for harvest in Macedonia.

This is where Luke joins up with the missionary team. And with Paul’s vision fresh in his mind, there was no delay (v 10), “After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” When they finally found out where they were supposed to go, they got going right away — “at once.” They were eager to proclaim God’s Word wherever he would lead them.

Kayla and Kendall, you are God’s children. You were both brought into his family at the time of your baptism, and over the years, especially the last three years through confirmation classes, you’ve learned more about how you can serve the Lord with your lives, how you can share your faith with others. But your spiritual education doesn’t end today. It may be your confirmation, but it’s not your graduation. There will soon come a time when Mom or Dad won’t be there to make sure you get up for church on Sunday mornings. That decision will be left up to you, and today you’ll be making a vow to the Lord himself that you will remain faithful to him and his Word – meaning that you will continue to be in his house regularly, you’ll come to Teen Class and EPIC, you’ll read your Bibles at home, and you’ll use whatever other ways are available for you to continue to grow in your faith. Kids always want to grow up so fast. Well, this morning Mom and Dad won’t be holding your hand as you stand before the Lord and make your vows. Today it’s your decision, your promises, your faith that will be on display. In effect you’ll be declaring that you do believe that God has a plan for you, a plan that will always be for your good.

And hopefully a plan that will be good for others too. Somehow God promises to use each of us to reach out to others with his Word. We dare not be indifferent when it comes to souls being lost for all eternity in hell. If it were not for the grace of God, we’d be headed in the same direction. If it weren’t for someone feeling that we were worth the time for them to tell us about the love of our Savior, we too would have no hope of salvation. Someone cared enough to make a difference in our lives. Kayla and Kendall, sometime today take the time to thank your Mom and Dad for raising you as a child of God. That’s the best gift a parent could ever give to a child. In the same way, God wants to use us to let others know that he has a plan for their lives, a plan that will always work out for their good.

Keep in mind that God may have a few detours in store for us as we live our lives on this earth. Kayla and Kendall, there will be times when you still make the wrong choice, when you’ll do things that you know aren’t right. Be thankful you have a forgiving God. We all still get distracted by this sinful world and often stray in the wrong direction. Sometimes God has to get us straightened out by grabbing our attention. All of a sudden, things aren’t going the way we want them to. Sickness, financial woes, family problems, school pressures — we find ourselves crying out, “Why me, God?” Why? Because he wants us to remember to trust him! He wants us to stay close to him! Our Lord is like the shepherd who deliberately broke the leg of one of his sheep. When asked why he had done this, the shepherd said, “This sheep would not stay with the flock. It often wandered far away and paid no attention to my call. So I broke its leg to prevent it from getting lost or destroyed by a bear or lion. Now this sheep stays close to my side and promptly responds to my call.” Cruel? It seems like it. And yet it was done out of love!

Because we are sinful, God may have to break our leg from time to time to keep us from straying. But he also does so out of love. Sure, we may wonder why at the time, but finally let us remember that God’s will is always best. Moses reminds us (Dt 32:4), “His works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” God knows what he’s doing. You can trust him. Here’s why: He’s given us a tremendous promise in his Word (Ro 8:28), “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Even with this promise, we may still be troubled when things don’t go the way we want them to. Sometimes we may try our best to find the good in some affliction, but still come up empty. But remember, God doesn’t tell us that we’ll always be able to see the good. He tells us simply to believe that he is working for our good. He tells us to trust him. In Jeremiah he assures us (Jer 29:11), “I know the plans I have for you, . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Kayla and Kendall, God has a plan for each of you — a plan that you may not always understand, but a plan that’s always for your good. That’s a promise he’s made to each of us. Knowing this, we can help others understand how to handle life, how they can leave everything in the hands of a Savior who loves them. Then they too can have the same confidence we have, confidence that allows us to sing (CW 429:3):

What God ordains is always good;
He is my friend and Father.
He will not let me suffer harm
Though many storms may gather.
Now I may know
Both joy and woe;
Some day I shall see clearly
That he has loved me dearly.

May the Lord give both of you this confidence as you continue to serve him in his kingdom!

Amen

–Rev. Jonathan Rockhoff