"Travel Plans" TRANSCRIPT
T h e S e rm o n s o f D a n D u n c a n R o m a n s 1 5 :2 2 -3 3
Romans
" T ra v e l P la n s "
T R A N S C R IP T
[M e s s a g e ] O u r te x t th is m o rn in g is R o m a n s 1 5 :2 2 -3 3 . W e 're f in is h in g h e c h a p te r . A n d if y o u 'll r e m e m b e r f r o m la s t w e e k , P a u l, in th e p re v io u s v e rs e s , d e s c rib e d h is m in is try . H e h a d a u n iq u e m in is try . H e d id n o t b u ild o n a n o th e r m a n 's m in is try . H e w e n t to re g io n s o f th e w o rld , o f th e R o m a n E m p ire w h e re th e g o s p e l h a d n e v e r b e e n p re a c h e d . S o in lig h t o f th a t, h e s a y s in v e rs e 2 2 , " F o r th is re a s o n I h a v e o fte n b e e n p re v e n te d fr o m c o m in g to y o u ; b u t n o w , w ith n o fu rth e r p la c e fo r m e in th e s e re g io n s , a n d s in c e I h a v e h a d fo r m a n y y e a rs a lo n g in g to c o m e to y o u w h e n e v e r I g o to S p a in – f o r I h o p e to s e e y o u in p a s s in g , a n d to b e h e lp e d o n m y w a y th e re b y y o u , w h e n I h a v e firs t e n jo y e d y o u r c o m p a n y f o r a w h ile – b u t n o w , I a m g o in g to J e ru s a le m s e rv in g th e s a in ts . F o r M a c e d o n ia a n d A c h a ia h a v e b e e n p le a s e d to m a k e a c o n trib u tio n f o r th e p o o r a m o n g th e s a in ts in J e ru s a le m . Y e s , th e y w e re p le a s e d to d o s o , a n d th e y a re in d e b te d to t h e m . F o r if th e G e n tile s h a v e s h a re d in th e ir s p iritu a l th in g s , th e y a re in d e b te d to m in is te r to th e m a ls o in m a te ria l th in g s . T h e re f o re , w h e n I h a v e f in is h e d th is , a n d h a v e p u t m y s e a l o n th is fru it o f th e irs , I w ill g o o n b y w a y o f y o u to S p a in . I k n o w th a t w h e n I c o m e to y o u , I w ill c o m e in th e f u lln e s s o f th e b le s s in g o f C h ris t. N o w I u rg e y o u , b re th re n , b y o u r L o rd J e s u s C h ris t a n d b y th e lo v e o f th e S p irit, to s triv e to g e th e r w ith m e in y o u r p ra y e rs to G o d fo r m e , th a t I m a y b e re s c u e d fro m th o s e w h o a re d is o b e d ie n t in J u d e a , a n d th a t m y s e rv ic e fo r J e ru s a le m
-2" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
m a y p ro v e a c c e p ta b le to th e s a in ts ; s o th a t I m a y c o m e to y o u in jo y b y th e w ill o f G o d a n d fin d re f r e s h in g r e s t in y o u r c o m p a n y . N o w th e G o d o f p e a c e b e w ith y o u a ll. A m e n . M a y th e L o rd b le s s th is re a d in g o f H is W o rd . L e t's b o w to g e th e r in p ra y e r. [P ra y e r] F a th e r, it's a g re a t p riv ile g e to c o m e to g e th e r o n a S u n d a y m o rn in g in fe llo w s h ip w ith th e s a in ts . W e 're re m in d e d in o u r te x t o f w h a t f e llo w s h ip is . C h ris tia n f e llo w s h ip is e s s e n tia l f o r C h ris tia n g ro w th , a n d w e th a n k y o u th a t w e h a v e th e o p p o rtu n ity fo r it n o w . A n d it is c e n te re d a ro u n d th e W o rd o f G o d a n d fo c u s in g u p o n J e s u s C h ris t. W e p ra y th a t y o u b le s s u s th is m o rn in g a s w e d o th a t. W e th a n k y o u f o r y o u r W o rd w h ic h is in e rra n t, y o u r W o rd w h ic h is e s s e n tia l f o r g ro w th a n d s u f f ic ie n t in a n d o f its e lf . A n d s o w e a re b le s s e d to h a v e it in o u r p o s s e s s io n , b le s s e d to h a v e a n o p p o rtu n ity s u c h a s th is to re a d it a n d th e n to s p e n d tim e c o n s id e rin g its m e a n in g . A s w e d o s o , w e p ra y th a t y o u w o u ld g u id e u s in o u r u n d e rs ta n d in g . Y o u 'v e b le s s e d u s n o t o n ly w ith y o u r W o rd , y o u h a v e g iv e n y o u r c h u rc h m e n to te a c h it, b u t th e g re a te s t b le s s in g is th a t w e h a v e th e S p irit o f G o d w ith in u s to in te rp re t it, to g u id e u s in o u r th in k in g . A n d w e p ra y th a t H is m in is try w o u ld g o u n h in d e re d . M a y H e o p e n o u r h e a rts to re c e iv e th a t m in is try , a n d a s a re s u lt b e b u ilt u p in th e fa ith th ro u g h it. S o b le s s u s s p iritu a lly , F a th e r. W e p ra y a ls o fo r o u r m a te ria l n e e d s , a n d th e y a re m a n y . W e a re d e p e n d e n t p e o p le . W e 're c re a tu re s . Y o u 'v e m a d e u s , a n d y o u 'v e m a d e u s o u t o f d u s t. A n d s o w e m u s t c o n f e s s , a s A b ra h a m c o n f e s s e d to y o u , w e a re d u s t a n d a s h e s . W e a re w e a k , w e a re d e p e n d e n t. W e liv e in a n a g e o f p ro s p e rity . W e h a v e m u c h in th is la n d . W e k n o w v e r y little o f w a n t. A n d th a t is a g re a t b le s s in g b e c a u s e e v e ry g o o d th in g , e v e ry p e rfe c t g ift c o m e s d o w n fro m y o u , th e F a th e r o f lig h ts . T h e p ro b le m is , F a th e r – w e m u s t c o n fe s s th is – w e h a v e s o m u c h s o ro u tin e ly b e c a u s e y o u a re s o fa ith fu l, th a t w e fa ll in to th e tra p o f ta k in g it f o r g ra n te d . A n d w e fa il to re a liz e th a t e v e ry th in g th a t w e h a v e , e v e ry
-3" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
b e a t o f o u r h e a rt, e v e ry b re a th o f life is a g ift fro m y o u . E v e ry m o m e n t o f o u r e x is te n c e is a g if t f ro m y o u . W e liv e a n d m o v e a n d h a v e o u r e x is te n c e in y o u . W e re y o u to w ill it, w e w o u ld c e a s e to b e . B u t w e c o n tin u e o n b e c a u s e y o u w ill th a t w e e x is t. A n d s o w e th a n k y o u , F a th e r, a n d w e c o n f e s s th a t w e d o ta k e th in g s f o r g ra n te d . Y o u 'v e b le s s e d u s s o a b u n d a n tly . B u t e v e ry g if t w e h a v e , e v e ry th in g w e h a v e is a g ift, a n d e v e ry g if t c o m e s f ro m y o u . A n d y e t, th e re a re th o s e w h o e x p e rie n c e p riv a tio n in life . T h e y lo s e th e ir h e a lth , th e y lo s e th e ir w e a lth , th e y lo s e s o m u c h , a n d w e p ra y fo r th e m . W e p ra y th a t y o u b le s s th o s e w h o a re re c o v e rin g fro m s u rg e rie s , th o s e w h o a re g o in g th ro u g h v a rio u s d if f ic u ltie s o f lif e , p e rh a p s th o s e w h o d o n 't h a v e e m p lo y m e n t. W e p ra y th a t y o u o p e n d o o rs o f o p p o rtu n ity fo r th e m . W e k n o w y o u w ill. R e m in d th o s e w h o a re s u ffe rin g a fflic tio n th a t y o u a re fa ith fu l. R e m in d th e m o f y o u r p ro m is e s th a t a s s u re th e m o f th a t. S o w e p ra y th a t y o u b u ild u p th o s e w h o a re in d if f ic u lty . G iv e th o s e o f u s w h o a re e n jo y in g h e a lth , f rie n d s , e m p lo y m e n t, th e w o n d e rf u l th in g s o f lif e – g iv e u s a n a p p re c ia tio n fo r th a t a n d a th a n k fu ln e s s fo r it. B le s s o u r la n d . W e th a n k y o u fo r th is c o u n try in w h ic h w e liv e , a n d w e p ra y f o r o u r le a d e rs . W e p ra y th a t y o u g iv e th e m w is d o m a n d p ro te c tio n . A n d w e p ra y fo r o u r n a tio n , n o t o n ly th a t y o u b le s s u s in a p o litic a l a n d a n e c o n o m ic w a y – th o s e th in g s p a s s a w a y . W e p ra y fo r th a t; w e p ra y th a t y o u b le s s in th e m a te ria l th in g s o f lif e . B u t w e p ra y m o s t im p o rta n tly th a t y o u b le s s th is la n d s p iritu a lly . A n d , F a th e r, y o u w ill d o th a t th ro u g h y o u r p e o p le , th ro u g h y o u r c h u rc h . A n d w e p ra y th a t y o u w o u ld b u ild u s u p in th e fa ith th is m o rn in g th a t w e m ig h t g o f o rth f ro m th is p la c e , th ro u g h o u t th e c ity a n d w h e re v e r w e g o , w ith th e lig h t o f th e g o s p e l a n d th e b o ld n e s s to p re a c h it. S o e q u ip u s to th a t e n d . B le s s u s to th a t e n d n o w , a s w e s in g o u r fin a l h y m n . A n d w ith it, p re p a re o u r h e a rts fo r a tim e o f m in is try to g e th e r. W e p ra y in C h ris t's n a m e . A m e n .
-4" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
[M e s s a g e ] R o b e rt B u rn s w ro te a p o e m title d , " T o a M o u s e ," in w h ic h h e g a v e u s th e lin e , "T h e b e s t la id s c h e m e s o f m ic e a n d m e n o fte n g o a w ry ." P e o p le w h o tra v e l k n o w h o w tru e th a t is . B a d w e a th e r in o n e c ity c a u s e s flig h t d e la y s in a n o th e r, re s u ltin g in m is c o n n e c tio n s o r c a n c e la tio n s a n d th e n e e d to m a k e n e w p la n s . A s a re s u lt, o u r b e s t la id s c h e m e s o fte n g o w ro n g . T h a t's w h y J a m e s te lls u s to s a y , " If th e L o rd w ills , w e w ill liv e a n d d o th is a n d th a t." W e ll, th e a p o s tle P a u l k n e w th a t f ro m e x p e rie n c e . H e w a s a w o rld tra v e le r w h o m o re th a n o n c e m a d e tra v e l p la n s th a t h a d to b e c a n c e le d . O n h is s e c o n d m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y , h e h a d p la n n e d to g o w e s t in to th e p ro v in c e o f A s ia a n d th e n o n to th e g re a t c ity o f E p h e s u s , w h e n h e a n d h is frie n d s fo u n d th a t th e y w e re fo rb id d e n fro m d o in g s o . T h e H o ly S p irit h a d o th e r p la n s , a n d th e y w e n t to E u ro p e in s te a d . H e h a d a s im ila r e x p e rie n c e w ith h is p la n s to v is it R o m e . A s th e a p o s tle to th e g e n tile s , it o n ly m a d e s e n s e th a t h e w o u ld tra v e l to th e c a p ita l o f th e g e n tile e m p ire a n d p re a c h . B u t a s h e to ld th e R o m a n s in c h a p te r 1 , h e h a d o f te n m a d e p la n s to d o th a t b u t h a d b e e n p re v e n te d . T h e e x p la n a tio n fo r th a t is g iv e n in o u r p a s s a g e in v e rs e 2 2 . " F o r th is re a s o n ," h e s a id , m e a n in g b e c a u s e o f w h a t h e h a s ju s t s a id , b e c a u s e o f th e m in is try th a t h e w a s g iv e n o f p re a c h in g w h e re th e g o s p e l h a d n e v e r b e e n h e a rd , h e h a d b e e n p re v e n te d f ro m c o m in g to th e m . S o b e c a u s e h is m in is try in th e e a s t c o n tin u e d to o p e n u p a n d h e h a d n e w o p p o rtu n itie s to p re a c h th e g o s p e l th e re , h e h a d to re s c h e d u le h is trip w e s t, w h ic h w a s g o o d . In fa c t, w h e n e v e r P a u l h a d to m a k e a n u n e x p e c te d c h a n g e in h is tra v e l p la n s it w a s f o r a g o o d re a s o n a n d o f G o d . G o d a lw a y s k n o w s b e s t. H is p la n s a re a lw a y s b e tte r th a n o u rs . S o w h ile w e g e t f r u s tr a te d w h e n d e la y s o c c u r a n d c h a n g e o u r s c h e d u le s , w e r e a lly s h o u ld n 't b e b e c a u s e n o th in g h a p p e n s b y c h a n c e . G o d g u id e s th e C h ris tia n 's life a n d H is g u id a n c e is a lw a y s p e rf e c t. N o w , th a t d o e s n 't m e a n th a t w e s h o u ld n 't m a k e p la n s . W e s h o u ld . P a u l w a s a m a n w h o p la n n e d th in g s v e ry c a re fu lly . H e h a d a s tra te g y fo r e v a n g e liz in g th e g e n tile w o rld a n d h e fo llo w e d th a t
-5" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
s tra te g y . H e h a d le a rn e d to b e fle x ib le in h is p la n n in g , b u t h e c o n tin u e d to p la n h is lif e a n d tra v e ls . A n d P a u l's p la n s w e re g o o d . T h e y w e re a lw a y s c o n s is te n t w ith G o d 's w ill b u t n o t a lw a y s c o n s is te n t w ith G o d 's tim in g . A n d s o in s p ite o f d e la y s , P a u l c o n tin u e d to m a k e h is p la n s . H e n e v e r g a ve u p o n th e id e a o f g o in g to R o m e . A n d in v e rs e s 2 3 to 3 3 , h e te lls th e C h ris tia n s th e re o f h is in te n tio n to v is it th e m . T h e w o rk in th e e a s te rn a re a o f th e M e d ite rra n e a n th a t h a d p re v e n te d h im fro m c o m in g w a s n o w fin is h e d , h e w rite s in v e rs e 2 3 , " w ith n o fu rth e r p la c e fo r m e in th e s e re g io n s , a n d s in c e I h a v e fo r m a n y y e a rs a lo n g in g to c o m e to y o u – " H e d o e s n 't f in is h th e s e n te n c e . B u t th e c o m p le te id e a a s w e g o th ro u g h th e p a s s a g e is n o w th a t h is m is s io n is a c c o m p lis h e d th e re in th e e a s te rn p a rt o f th e M e d ite rra n e a n . N o w th a t th e g o s p e l h a d b e e n p re a c h e d a n d c h u rc h e s h a d b e e n e s ta b lis h e d in th e e a s t, h e w a s lo o k in g w e s t. H e w a s p la n n in g to tra v e l to R o m e a n d fu lfill h is lo n g -h e ld d e s ire o f v is itin g th e c a p ita l c ity . B u t R o m e w a s n o t th e u ltim a te d e s tin a tio n . It w a s a s te p p in g s to n e to S p a in . H e s ta te s th a t in v e rs e 2 4 . " W h e n e v e r I g o to S p a in I h o p e to s e e y o u ." H is tra v e l to th e fa r e n d o f th e E m p ire w a s c o n s is te n t w ith h is d e te rm in a tio n n o t to b u ild o n a n o th e r m a n 's f o u n d a tio n . W h e th e r o r n o t h e m a d e it th a t fa r w e s t is n o t k n o w n . P a u l w a s a rre s te d in J e ru s a le m , b e fo re h e w a s a b le to b e g in h is fo u rth m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y , a n d s e n t to R o m e w h e re h e d ie d . B u t th e re is a v e ry o ld tra d itio n th a t h e d id v is it S p a in a n d s o m e s u p p o rt f o r th a t f r o m th e p a s to ra l e p is tle s . In 2 T im o th y , h e w rite s o f b e in g re s c u e d a t h is firs t tria l. S o it is th o u g h t th a t th e re m a y h a v e b e e n tw o im p ris o n m e n t s , th a t P a u l w a s re le a s e d a fte r h is firs t tria l, tra v e le d to S p a in , a n d o n h is re tu rn to R o m e w a s a rre s te d a g a in a n d m a rty re d . N o w , th a t's n o t k n o w n fo r c e rta in . B u t g o in g to S p a in w a s c o n s is te n t w ith h is s tra te g y to e v a n g e liz e th e u n e v a n g e liz e d to th e e n d o f th e E m p ire . T h a t a t le a s t w a s h is p la n . A n d e n ro u te , h e w o u ld
-6" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
s to p in R o m e . H e h o p e d to s e e th e m , h e s a id , a n d h o p e d " to b e h e lp e d " o n h is w a y b y th e m . N o w , P a u l d o e s n 't s a y w h a t k in d o f h e lp th a t h e h o p e d to re c e iv e . C e rta in ly , it w a s th e ir e n c o u ra g e m e n t a n d it w a s th e ir p ra y e rs th a t h e w a n te d , a n d p e rh a p s s o m e fe llo w w o rk e rs fro m th e c h u rc h to a c c o m p a n y h im o n h is jo u rn e y w e s t. B u t b e fo re th a t, P a u l w a n te d to e n jo y th e ir c o m p a n y fo r a w h ile . H e w a n te d to m e e t th e m p e rs o n a lly . A n d re m e m b e r, P a u l h a d n e v e r v is ite d R o m e . H e 'd n e v e r m e t th e s e p e o p le in th e c h u rc h . H e k n e w s o m e th a t w e re th e re . In c h a p te r 1 6 , h e s e n d s g re e tin g s to th e m . B u t f o r th e m o s t p a rt, h e d id n o t k n o w th e p e o p le o f th e c h u rc h o f R o m e . A n d s o h e w a s lo o k in g fo rw a rd to m e e tin g th e m p e rs o n a lly a n d h a v in g re a l C h ris tia n fe llo w s h ip w ith th e m . T e a c h th e m a n d le a rn f ro m th e m , th a t's w h a t h e d e s ire d . In f a c t, h e s a id th a t b a c k in c h a p te r 1 w h e re h e o rig in a lly e x p re s s e d h is in te re s t in c o m in g . H e s a id , " th a t I m a y b e e n c o u ra g e d to g e th e r w ith y o u w h ile a m o n g y o u , e a c h o f u s b y th e o th e r’s fa ith , b o th y o u rs a n d m in e ." T h a t's C h ris tia n f e llo w s h ip . It is b e in g e n c o u ra g e d b y o n e a n o th e r's f a ith . T h a t's w h a t P a u l e n jo y e d . H e w a s n ’t g o in g to R o m e to v is it th e th e a te r o r th e C irc u s M a x im u s , p la c e s a n d th e th in g s th a t d re w p e o p le to th e c a p ita l. H is jo y w a s C h ris tia n fe llo w s h ip . Is th a t tru e o f y o u ? N o w , th e re 's n o th in g w ro n g w ith s p o rts a n d e n te rta in m e n t. W e ll, th e re a re s o m e th in g s w ro n g , I s u p p o s e , w ith th e m . B u t in p rin c ip a l, th e re 's n o th in g w ro n g w ith e n jo y in g s p o rts a n d b e in g e n te rta in e d . B u t m o re th a n th a t, d o y o u lik e to b e w ith o th e r C h ris tia n s a n d ta lk a b o u t th e th in g s o f G o d ? D o y o u m e e t w ith o th e r C h ris tia n s to s tim u la te e a c h o th e r, to lo v e a n d g o o d d e e d s , a n d e n c o u ra g e o n e a n o th e r a n d b u ild o n e a n o th e r u p in th e f a ith th ro u g h th e W o rd o f G o d , th ro u g h th e th in g s o f G o d ? T h a t's fe llo w s h ip . T h a t's w h a t w e a re to d o , a n d th a t's w h a t w e a re to w a n t to d o . P a u l e n jo y e d th a t. P a u l, in fa c t, n e e d e d th a t. S o it w a s v e ry im p o rta n t to h im to v is it R o m e in o rd e r to b e h e lp e d b y th e m a n d e n c o u ra g e d b y th e m a s
-7" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
h e c o n tin u e d o n in h is m in is try to th e w e s t. T h a t w a s h is p la n . B u t b e fo re h e c o u ld d o th a t, h e h a d o n e m o re re s p o n s ib ility to p e rfo rm . D e liv e rin g a c o n trib u tio n to th e p o o r s a in ts in J e ru s a le m , th e J e w is h c o m m u n ity th e re . H e s p e a k s o f it a s a s e rv ic e to th e s a in ts in v e rs e 2 5 , a n d it w a s a n a c t o f g re a t s e rv ic e a n d s a c rif ic e o n h is p a rt. In s te a d o f s a ilin g w e s t fro m C o rin th , w h e re th e b o o k o f R o m a n s w a s w ritte n , a n d g o in g d ire c t to R o m e a n d o n to S p a in , h e w e n t e a s t. H e w e n t in th e o p p o s ite d ire c tio n . S o h e tra v e le d to R o m e th ro u g h J e ru s a le m , w h ic h a d d e d s o m e 2 0 0 0 m ile s to h is trip . A n d tra v e l in th e a n c ie n t w o rld w a s n ’t e a s y . It w a s d e m a n d in g a n d it w a s d a n g e ro u s . S o th is w a s a n a c t o f s e rv ic e , a n a c t o f s a c rific e . B u t it w a s a n e e d e d a c t o f s e rv ic e fo r a f e w re a s o n s . F irs t o f a ll, th e re w a s a n o b v io u s p ra c tic a l n e e d . T h e re w e re m a n y p o o r C h ris tia n s in J e ru s a le m . S o m e h a v e trie d to e x p la in th e ir p o v e rty a s b e in g a c o n s e q u e n c e o f C h ris tia n s s e llin g th e ir p o s s e s s io n s in th e e a rly d a y s o f th e c h u rc h a n d h o ld in g a ll th in g s in c o m m o n . W e re a d a b o u t th a t a t th e e n d o f A c ts c h a p te r 2 . F ro m th e v e ry e a rly d a y s o f th e c h u rc h , th e s e p e o p le w e re b o u n d to g e th e r to o n e a n o th e r in g re a t lo v e , a n d th e y s o ld th e ir p o s s e s s io n s , th e y h e ld a ll th in g s in c o m m o n . A n d th e su g g e s tio n is th a t a s a re s u lt w h e n h a rd tim e s c a m e – a n d n o t m a n y y e a rs la te r, f a m in e c a m e u p o n th e w o rld a n d th e p e o p le th e re s u f f e re d . B u t w h e n th o s e h a rd tim e s c a m e , th e y h a d n o re s e rv e s o f w e a lth to fa ll b a c k o n . T h e y h a d s o ld e v e ry th in g , s h a re d it a m o n g th e m s e lv e s , a n d a s a re s u lt th e y w e re le f t d e s titu te . A lo t o f c o m m e n ta to rs ta k e th a t s e rio u s ly . I fin d n o th in g in th e b o o k o f A c ts to s u p p o rt it. L u k e s a y s th a t th o s e e a rly s a in ts s o ld th e ir p o s s e s s io n s a n d s h a re d w ith th o s e w h o h a d n e e d . T h e y s a w a n e e d a n d th e y m e t th e n e e d in th e rig h t w a y . T h a t w a s C h ris tia n c h a rity . It w a s g ra c e . It w a s a n a c t o f k in d n e s s . It w a s a g re a t w itn e s s to th e u n b e lie v in g c o m m u n ity o f J e ru s a le m , a n d it w a s a w o rk o f th e S p irit. T h e y d id n o t f a ll o n h a rd tim e s b e c a u s e th e y w e re b e in g g e n e ro u s ,
-8" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
b e c a u s e th e y w e re b e in g g ra c io u s , b e c a u s e th e y w e re fo llo w in g o f th e le a d in g o f th e S p irit. T h e re a lity is G o d 's e le c t a re o f te n p o o r p e o p le . " C o n s id e r y o u r c a llin g , b re th re n , th e re w e re n o t m a n y w is e a c c o rd in g to th e f le s h , n o t m a n y m ig h ty , n o t m a n y n o b le ." G o d 's e le c t a re o fte n p o o r p e o p le , a n d th a t w a s p a rtic u la rly tru e o f th e b e lie v e rs in J e ru s a le m b e c a u s e it w a s n o t a w e a lth y c ity . It w a s a n im p o rta n t c ity , b u t it w a s n o t a w e a lth y c ity . A n d J e w s o f th e D ia s p o ra w o u ld o fte n s e n d m o n e y to th e c ity to re lie v e th e p o v e rty o f th e ir f e llo w c o u n try m e n . B u t J e w is h C h ris tia n s w o u ld h a v e b e e n e x c lu d e d f ro m th e d is trib u tio n o f th o s e g if ts , s o th a t th e y w o u ld h a v e b e e n th e p o o re s t o f th e p o o r. T h a t w a s th e s itu a tio n . P o v e rty w a s a c h ro n ic c o n d itio n o f th e J e ru s a le m s a in ts a n d a p ro b le m th a t P a u l w a s v e ry s e n s itiv e to . H e te lls u s o f a jo u rn e y th a t h e to o k to J e ru s a le m in G a la tia n s c h a p te r 2 . A n d h e w ro te th a t w h ile h e w a s th e re , J a m e s a n d P e te r a n d J o h n m e t w ith h im a n d th e y re c o g n iz e d h is a p o s tle s h ip , a n d th e y re c o g n iz e d h is m in is try a m o n g th e g e n tile s . T h e y e x te n d e d to h im th e rig h t h a n d o f f e llo w s h ip , a n d th e y a s k e d h im to d o s o m e th in g s . A m o n g th e m w a s " to re m e m b e r th e p o o r." A n d P a u l s a id th a t " th a t w a s th e v e ry th in g I w a s e a g e r to d o ." T a k in g c a re o f th e n e e d s o f p o o r C h ris tia n s is a C h ris tia n d u ty , a d u ty th o u g h th a t P a u l w a s v e ry e a g e r to e n g a g e in . A n d n o t o n ly P a u l; o th e rs w e re e a g e r to d o it a s w e ll. P a u l to o k u p th is c o lle c tio n o f w h ic h h e 's re fe rrin g to h e re f o r J e ru s a le m f ro m th e c h u rc h e s o f " M a c e d o n ia a n d A c h a ia ," m e a n in g th e c h u rc h e s o f n o rth e rn a n d s o u th e rn G re e c e , g e n tile c h u rc h e s . A n d h e s a y s th a t " th e y w e re p le a s e d to m a k e a c o n trib u tio n f o r th e p o o r a m o n g th e s a in ts in J e ru s a le m ." T h a t w a s p a rtic u la rly tru e f o r th e C h ris tia n s o f M a c e d o n ia , w h ic h is e s p e c ia lly n o te w o rth y b e c a u s e th e y th e m s e lv e s w e re v e ry p o o r. P a u l w rite s o f th is a n d c ite s th e m a s s o m e th in g o f a n e x a m p le in 2 C o rin th ia n s c h a p te r 8 , w h e re h e s ta te s th a t " I n a g re a t o rd e a l o f a f f lic tio n th e ir a b u n d a n c e o f jo y a n d th e ir d e e p p o v e r ty o v e r f lo w e d in
-9" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
th e w e a lth o f th e ir lib e ra lity . T h e s e C h ris tia n s w e re s u f f e rin g h a rd tim e s th e m s e lv e s . T h e y h a d v e ry little to g iv e . B u t th e y g a v e o u t o f th e ir p o v e rty , a n d P a u l s a y s b e y o n d th e ir a b i lity . N o t b e c a u s e th e y w e re c a jo le d o r c o e rc e d in a n y w a y to c o n trib u te . T h e y w e re n 't p re s s u re d to g iv e . J u s t th e o p p o s ite w a s th e f a c t. T h e y g a v e o f th e ir o w n a c c o u n t, P a u l s a id . A n d , in f a c t, th e y b e g g e d th e a p o s tle a n d th e o th e rs to a llo w th e m to g iv e . W e h a v e a C h ris tia n d u ty to h e lp w h e re w e s e e a n e e d in th e c h u rc h . A n d th e s e p e o p le – w h o h a v e g re a t n e e d s o f th e ir o w n – g a v e , a n d th e y g a v e w ith jo y a n d o u t o f " th e ir d e e p p o v e rty ." T h a t's a n e x a m p le f o r a ll o f u s . T h e re a re m a n y e x a m p le s o f G o d ly C h ris tia n g iv in g in th e h is to ry o f th e c h u rc h . A n d th e re a re e x a m p le s o f v e ry w e a lth y C h ris tia n s s u p p o rtin g a m in is try a n d g iv in g . T h e C o u n te s s o f H u n tin g d o n u s e d h e r w e a lth a n d in f lu e n c e to s u p p o rt th e g re a t e v a n g e lis t, G e o rg e W h ite fie ld , in th e 1 8 th c e n tu ry in E n g la n d . In fa c t, s h e n o t o n ly s u p p o rte d h im , s h e b u ilt s c h o o ls a n d c h u rc h e s , u s e d h e r w e a lth in th e s e rv ic e o f C h ris t. O n th e c o n tin e n t a b o u t th e s a m e tim e , C o u n t V o n Z in z e n d o rf g a v e s h e lte r to s p iritu a l re fu g e e s a n d e x h a u s te d h is fo rtu n e in C h ris tia n s e rv ic e . S o th e re a re e x a m p le s o f m e n a n d w o m e n w ith g re a t w e a lth w h o h a d u s e d th a t in C h ris t's s e rv ic e . B u t, g e n e ra lly , it's n o t th e w e a lth y ; it's th e n o n -w e a lth y . It's e v e n th e p o o r th a t s u p p o rt th e m in is try , a n d it is a g re a t m in is try . It is a s e rv ic e th a t G o d h a s g iv e n u s to o ffe r to o n e a n o th e r, a n d a s e rv ic e w h ic h is n e e d e d b e c a u s e it is th e w a y th a t w e m e e t th e b a s ic p h y s ic a l m a te ria l n e e d s o f C h ris tia n s . S o th a t is o n e re a s o n th a t th is g if t, th is c o n trib u tio n w a s n e c e s s a ry . A n o th e r re a s o n th is s e rv ic e to J e ru s a le m w a s n e e d e d w a s th e o lo g ic a l. It w a s a s y m b o l o f b e lie v e rs ' u n ity in C h ris t, a n d th is c o lle c tio n w a s a n im p o rta n t g e s tu re to m a k e th a t p o in t. T h e re w e re s o m e J e w is h C h ris tia n s w h o b e lie v e d th a t a ll c o n v e rts s h o u ld b e c i rc u m c is e d a n d o b s e rv e th e J e w is h la w . P a u l h a s a lre a d y s p o k e n o f s o m e o f th o s e in th e c h u rc h a t R o m e , th e w e a k e r
- 10 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
b re th re n . S o m e o f th o s e w e re in J e ru s a le m . In fa c t, w h e n P a u l d o e s m a k e h is jo u rn e y to J e ru s a le m , L u k e te lls u s in A c ts c h a p te r 2 1 th a t h e m e t w ith th e le a d e rs o f th e c h u rc h . T h e y re c e iv e d th e m v e ry h a p p ily . H e to ld th e m a b o u t h is m in is try a m o n g th e g e n tile s, a n d th e y re jo ic e d g re a tly . T h e y g lo rif ie d G o d o v e r it, L u k e s a y s . A n d th e n th e y to ld P a u l a b o u t th e g re a t w o rk th a t th e S p irit h a d d o n e th e re in J e ru s a le m in b rin g in g to s a lv a tio n n u m e ro u s p e o p le . T h e y s p o k e o f th e m a n y th o u s a n d s a m o n g th e J e w s w h o h a v e b e lie v e d . A n d , th e y a d d , a ll " a re z e a lo u s f o r th e L a w ." P a u l's h o p e w a s th a t th e c o n trib u tio n w o u ld s h o w th o s e J e w is h b e lie v e rs , w h o w e re w e a k in fa ith , w h o w e re s till v e ry m u c h a tta c h e d to th e tra d itio n s a n d th e la w o f M o s e s , th a t th e g e n tile C h ris tia n s w e re b o u n d to g e th e r w ith th e J e w is h b e lie v e rs in g e n u in e lo v e . S o th e re w a s a th e o lo g ic a l re a s o n fo r th is c o n trib u tio n . A n d fo r th e o lo g ic a l re a s o n s , th e g e n tile s h a d a n o b lig a tio n to c a re fo r th e J e w is h b e lie v e rs o u t o f g e n u in e lo v e . P a u l w rite s in v e rs e 2 7 th a t, " T h e y a re in d e b te d to th e m . F o r if th e G e n tile s h a v e s h a re d in th e ir s p iritu a l th in g s , th e y a re in d e b te d to m in is te r to th e m a ls o in m a te ria l th in g s . " T h e b a s is f o r th is o b li g a tio n is g iv e n b a c k in c h a p te r 1 1 , w h e re P a u l e x p la in s th a t Is ra e l's fa ilu re b e c a m e th e o c c a s io n fo r g e n tile s a lv a tio n . A s h e s a id , " B y th e ir tra n s g re s s io n s a lv a tio n h a s c o m e to th e G e n tile s ." T h e g e n tile s a re th e " w ild o liv e" b ra n c h e s , a s P a u l d e s c rib e s it, w h o h a v e b e e n g ra fte d in to Is ra e l's o liv e tre e . B e c a u s e o f Is ra e l's u n b e lie f, w e h a v e b e e n m a d e p a rta k e rs o f th e p ro m is e s th a t w e re g iv e n to A b ra h a m a n d h is p e o p le , th e J e w is h p e o p le . W e a re n o w b e in g b le s s e d b y w h a t P a u l c a lls " th e ric h ro o t o f th e o liv e tre e ." W e a re in th e ir b le s s in g s . A n d P a u l s a y s w e a re in th e ir d e b t. W e 'v e b e e n m a d e p a rta k e rs o f th e ir b le s s in g ; w e 'v e b e e n m a d e p a rta k e rs o f th e ir fu tu re . G e n tile s a lv a tio n is in a J e w is h S a v io r, o n e w h o w a s b o rn o f th e s e e d o f A b ra h a m fro m th e trib e o f J u d a h in th e lin e o f D a v id . T h e f irs t e v a n g e lis t to p re a c h to th e g e n tile s th e g o s p e l o f s a lv a tio n w e re J e w is h m is s io n a rie s . S o th e g e n tile s h a v e a d e b t to th e J e w .
- 11 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
J o h n S to tt w ro te , " W h e n w e g e n tile s a re th in k in g o f th e g re a t b le s s in g s o f s a lv a tio n , w e a re h u g e ly in d e b t to th e J e w s a n d a lw a y s w ill b e . T h a t's w h a t P a u l is s a y in g h e re . T h a t's w h a t h e 's re m in d in g th e R o m a n c h u rc h o f. A n d th e g e n tile C h ris tia n s o f M a c e d o n ia a n d A c h a ia u n d e rs to o d th a t. T h e y u n d e rs to o d th a t d e b t, a n d s o th e y w e re p le a s e d to b e a b le to h e lp in th is w a y . N o w , y o u 'll re m e m b e r N aa m a n th e le p e r. I th in k h e g iv e s u s a n e x a m p le o f th is v e ry th in g , o f th is v e ry g ra titu d e th a t is s e e n in c h u rc h e s a t G re e c e . N a a m a n w a s a g e n tile fro m D a m a s c u s a n d a v e ry im p o rta n t m a n . H e w a s th e g e n e ra l o f th e A rm y o f S y ria , a n d h e w a s a le p e r, b u t a m a n w h o w a s h e a le d w h e n E lis h a to ld h im to w a s h in th e J o rd a n R iv e r. H e w a s s o g ra te fu l to th e p ro p h e t b e c a u s e h e h a d b e e n h e a le d , b e c a u s e h e h a d b e e n c le a n s e d o f h is d is e a s e a n d , m o s t im p o rta n tly , b ro u g h t to f a ith in th e G o d o f Is ra e l, th a t h e o f f e re d a g re a t g ift to th e p ro p h e t, w h ic h E lis h a re fu s e d . B u t it w a s th a t s a m e a ttitu d e th a t is s e e n h e re in th e s e G re e k C h ris tia n s . T h e y h a d b e e n w a s h e d b y th e B lo o d o f th e L a m b , a n d th e y w e re e te rn a lly g ra te fu l to th e n a tio n fro m w h ic h th o s e b le s s in g s h a d c o m e . S o P a u l w o u ld ta k e th e ir c o lle c tio n to J e ru s a le m . T h a t w a s h is im m e d ia te ta s k . O n c e th a t w a s a c c o m p lis h e d a n d h e h a d " p u t h is s e a l," a s h e s a y s , " o n th is f ru it," m e a n in g o n c e h e h a d s a f e ly d e liv e re d th e g if t, h is p la n w a s to g o to S p a in b y w a y o f R o m e . H e w a s c o n fid e n t th a t h e w o u ld d o th a t. H e s ta te s in v e rs e 2 9 th a t h e w a s c o n v in c e d th a t h e w o u ld c o m e to R o m e " in th e f u lln e s s o f th e b le s s in g o f C h ris t." T h a t w a s n ’t o v e rc o n f id e n c e o n P a u l's p a rt. H is c o n fid e n c e w a s n o t in h im s e lf a n d h is a b ility to m a k e h is w a y to J e ru s a le m a n d th e n b a c k to R o m e . H is c o n f id e n c e is in C h ris t. H e k n e w th a t th e o n e h e s e rv e d w a s fa ith fu l. H e c o u ld re ly o n C h ris t. H e w a s d o in g a g o o d w o rk ; h e w a s fo llo w in g G o d 's w ill, s o w h a te v e r h a p p e n e d to h im , h e w a s s u re th a t it w o u ld b e a b le s s in g . B u t P a u l's c o n fid e n c e in C h ris t's b le s s in g d id n 't k e e p h im fro m p ra y in g fo r it. I th in k w e h a v e h e re a p rin c ip le th a t w e s e e a ll th ro u g h th e W o rd o f G o d .
- 12 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
It's h e re b y im p lic a tio n . B u t it's th e p rin c ip le o f th e h a rm o n y b e tw e e n th e s o v e re ig n ty o f G o d a n d th e re s p o n s ib ility o f m a n . P a u l's a b s o lu te ly c o n f id e n t th a t h e w ill a rriv e in R o m e a n d a rriv e in th e b le s s in g o f C h ris t. H e d o e s n 't d o u b t th a t. H e 's c o n fid e n t o f it, b u t h e d o e s n 't s a y , " T h e re f o re , I'll n o t e v e n a s k a b o u t it. I'm g o in g to h a v e it a n d s o I'll n o t p ra y ." N o , b e c a u s e h e k n e w th a t th is b le s s in g w a s h is. H e p ra y e d to re c e iv e it. H e w a s s e e k in g it th ro u g h p ra y e r. A n d , in fa c t, h e re h e a s k s th e C h ris tia n s to p ra y f o r h im , to re m e m b e r h im s o th a t h e w o u ld re c e iv e th a t. A n d w e h a v e th a t in v e rs e 3 0 . H e a s k e d fo r th e p ra y e rs o f th e C h ris tia n s in R o m e . B u t P a u l k n e w w h a t la y a h e a d . P a u l k n e w th a t th e re w e re d iffic u ltie s a h e a d o f h im , a n d p ra y e r w a s n e c e s s a ry fo r o v e rc o m in g th e m a n d a c c o m p lis h in g h is p u rp o s e . In f a c t, th e v a lu e th a t P a u l p la c e d o n p ra y e r is e v id e n t fro m th e u rg e n c y o f h is re q u e s t fo r p ra y e r, w h ic h h e re in fo rc e s b y b rin g in g in to th a t re q u e s t th e th re e p e rs o n s o f th e T rin ity . A n d it's e v id e n t f ro m th e d e s c rip tio n th a t h e g iv e s o f p ra y e r. " I u rg e y o u , b re th re n – " R ig h t th e re w e s e e P a u l v ie w e d p ra y e r a s e s s e n tia l, n e c e s s a ry . T h is m a n w h o b e lie v e d in th e a b s o lu te s o v e re ig n ty o f G o d k n e w th a t h e w a s a n d o th e rs w e re re s p o n s ib le to p ra y . S o h e s a y s , " I u rg e y o u , b re th re n , b y o u r L o rd J e s u s C h ris t a n d b y th e lo v e o f th e S p irit, to s triv e to g e th e r w ith m e in y o u r p ra y e rs to G o d f o r m e ." P ra y e r is d e s c rib e d a s s trid e n t o r s tru g g lin g . P ra y e r is im p o rta n t, b u t it's n o t easy. N o w , in a s e n s e it's n a tu ra l b e c a u s e p ra y e r is s p iritu a l b re a th in g . It's a n a tu ra l re s p o n s e th a t w e h a v e . A t th e s a m e tim e , e a rn e s t, d ilig e n t, fa ith fu l p ra y e r is n o t e a s y . It's a lm o s t lik e a n a th le tic c o n te s t. W e s tru g g le in p ra y e r w ith o u rs e lv e s a g a in s t le th a rg y , a g a in s t d is tra c tio n s . B u t p ra y e r its e lf c a lls fo r g re a t e ffo rt. W e g e t o u r w o rd s , " a g o n y " a n d " a g o n iz e d ," f ro m th e w o rd th a t P a u l u s e s h e re , s u n a g w n ið z o m a i. T h a t's th e G re e k w o rd . A g w n ið z o m a i, a g o n y ,
- 13 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
a g o n iz in g . A n d th a t g iv e s u s a s e n s e o f w h a t p ra y e r c a lls f o r. It c a lls f o r p e rs is te n t e x e rtio n . N o w , P a u l h a d th re e c o n c e rn s , a n d a ll in v o lv e d h is tra v e l p la n s to J e ru s a le m a n d R o m e . F irs t h e re q u e s te d p ra y e r f o r s a f e ty , " th a t I m a y b e re s c u e d fro m th o s e w h o a re d is o b e d ie n t in J u d e a ." P a u l k n e w th a t h e h a d e n e m ie s in J e ru s a le m , a n d h e k n e w h o w f a r th e y w o u ld g o in o p p o s in g th e g o s p e l. H e w a s th e re w h e n th e y s to n e d S te p h e n . D u rin g h is m is s io n a ry tra v e ls , h e h a d b e e n d riv e n o u t o f sy n a g o g u e s a n d h e 'd b e e n p u rs u e d f ro m c ity to c ity b y a n g ry J e w s . S o h e k n e w th a t h e m ig h t fa c e d a n g e rs a n d p lo ts in J e ru s a le m . A ll o f th a t b e c a m e e v e n c le a re r to h im a s h e b e g a n h is jo u rn e y . A ll a lo n g th e w a y h e w a s w a rn e d o f d a n g e r . A n d h e w a s to ld b y th e H o ly S p irit th a t " b o n d s a n d a fflic tio n s " a w a ite d h im th e re . B u t in s p ite o f th e d a n g e r, P a u l c o n tin u e d o n in o b e d ie n c e to G o d 's w ill. H e d id n 't c o u rt d a n g e r. H e d id n 't p u t h im s e lf in p e ril. H e w a s v e ry c a u tio u s a b o u t w h a t h e d id . H e m a d e h is p l a n s w is e ly . A n d o n e o f th e w is e s t th in g s h e d id w a s p ra y a n d a s k th e s e R o m a n C h ris tia n s to jo in h im in p ra y e r f o r p r o te c tio n a n d d e liv e r a n c e f r o m h is e n e m ie s . T h e s e c o n d re q u e s t w a s th a t h is m is s io n to th e c h u rc h w o u ld b e s u c c e s s fu l. P ra y " th a t m y s e rv ic e f o r J e ru s a le m m a y p ro v e a c c e p ta b le to th e s a in ts." H is c o n c e rn w a s th a t th e g ift w o u ld b e re je c te d b y th e le a d e rs o f th e c h u rc h o u t o f a f e a r o f o f f e n d in g th o s e w e a k e r b e lie v e rs w h o w e re s till z e a lo u s fo r th e J e w is h la w a n d tra d itio n s a n d w h o w e re o p p o s e d to th e a p o s tle P a u l. P a u l h a d p e o p le w ith in th e c h u rc h w h o d id n o t u n d e rs ta n d h is p re a c h in g a n d w e re o p p o s e d to h im . A n d s o h e f e a r e d th a t th e le a d e r s o f J e r u s a le m m ig h t n o t a c c e p t th a t g if t o u t o f d e fe re n c e fo r th e w e a k e r b ro th e r. A n d if th a t h a p p e n e d , it w o u ld d a m a g e th e re la tio n s h ip b e tw e e n g e n tile s a n d J e w is h C h ris tia n s a n d w id e n th e g a p in th e c h u rc h . A n d th a t's w h a t P a u l w a s c o n c e rn e d a b o u t. H e w a n te d th e g if t to b e re c e iv e d a s a g e n u in e to k e n o f lo v e b e tw e e n C h ris tia n s s o th a t it w o u ld p ro m o te th e u n ity th a t b o th g ro u p s h a v e in C h ris t. S o to th a t
- 14 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
e n d , h e a s k e d th e R o m a n C h ris tia n s to p ra y f o r s u c c e s s in h is m in is try th e re . H is th ird re q u e s t w a s th a t h e w o u ld c o m e s a fe ly to R o m e . V e rs e 3 2 : " S o th a t I m a y c o m e to y o u in jo y b y th e w ill o f G o d a n d f in d re fre s h in g re s t in y o u r c o m p a n y ." H e w o u ld n e e d re f re s h m e n t a f te r th a t jo u rn e y . It w o u ld b e ta x i n g in te rm s o f h is e m o tio n s , in te rm s o f h im s e lf, s p iritu a lly , b u t a ls o p h y s ic a lly . It w a s a h a rd jo u rn e y , a n d s o h e lo o k e d fo rw a rd to a rriv in g th e re a n d b e in g re f re s h e d b y th e m . B u t h is a rriv a l in R o m e w a s d e p e n d e n t o n h is s a fe ty in J e ru s a le m . S o h e a s k s fo r p ra y e r. B u t h e a s k e d th a t e v e ry th in g h a p p e n a c c o rd in g to th e w ill o f G o d , w h ic h is h o w a ll p ra y e r is to b e m a d e . T h e p u rp o s e o f p ra y e r is n o t to b e n d G o d 's w ill to fit o u r o w n b u t to c o n f o rm o u r w ill to H is . P ra y e r d o e s n 't f o rc e G o d 's h a n d . A n d w e d o n 't m o v e G o d to g iv e u s th e th in g s w e a s k fo r b y in te n s ity o f o u r re q u e s t o r s o m e th in g lik e th a t. P ra y e r is th e m e a n s th a t G o d h a s g iv en u s fo r a c c o m p lis h in g H is w ill a n d re c e iv in g th e b le s s in g s th a t H e h a s fo r u s . A n d s o w e a re to p ra y th a t a ll th in g s h a p p e n a c c o rd in g to H is w ill. T h a t's h o w th e L o rd ta u g h t u s to p ra y in M a tth e w 6 :1 0 . " Y o u r w ill b e d o n e o n e a rth a s it is in h e a v e n ." W e 're a lw a y s to p ra y a c c o rd in g to G o d 's w ill. A n d th e L o rd ta u g h t u s to p ra y p e rs is te n tly . Y o u re m e m b e r th a t p a ra b le in L u k e c h a p te r 1 8 , th e p a ra b le o f th e w id o w a n d th e u n ju s t ju d g e . S h e w a s fin a lly g ra n te d h e r re q u e s t b e c a u s e s h e k e p t c o m in g to h im . S h e w a s p e rs is te n t. T h a t's h o w w e a re to p ra y to o u r h e a v e n ly F a th e r w h o is n o t u n ju s t. A n d H e g la d ly g iv e s a ll th in g s th a t a re a s k e d f o r a c c o rd in g to H is w ill, a n d d o e s s o in th e b e s t w a y a n d d o e s s o a t th e b e s t tim e . S o d id G o d a n s w e r P a u l's p ra y e rs? W a s h e r e s c u e d f r o m h is e n e m ie s ? W a s h is m in is try in J e ru s a le m s u c c e s s f u l? A n d d id h e a rriv e in R o m e w ith jo y ? Y e s , h e d id . G o d a n s w e re d a ll o f th o s e p ra y e rs a little d iffe re n tly fro m th e w a y P a u l h a d a n tic ip a te d . L u k e te lls u s th a t w h e n h e a rriv ed in J e ru s a le m , th e c h u rc h re c e iv e d h im " g la d ly ." L u k e d o e s n 't m e n tio n
- 15 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
th e g if t, d o e s n 't te ll u s w h e th e r o r n o t th e y re c e iv e d th a t. B u t th e c irc u m s ta n c e s o f h is re c e p tio n , o f th e m re c e iv in g h im g la d ly , s u g g e s ts th a t th e y c e rta in ly d id a n d th e y a p p re c ia te d th e g ift th a t h e g a v e th e m . H e w a s a rre s te d b y th e R o m a n s n o t lo n g a fte r th a t, p u t in p ris o n . B u t h e w a s re s c u e d b y th e m fro m a J e w is h m o b in th e te m p le , re s c u e d fro m a R o m a n flo g g in g , a n d la te r re s c u e d fro m a p lo t to m u rd e r h im . S o th e L o rd a n s w e re d th a t p ra y e r. A n d h e a rriv e d in R o m e s a fe ly a n d w ith jo y . H e c a m e in c h a in s. H e c a m e a s a p ris o n e r. H e c a m e a lm o s t th re e y e a rs la te r th a n h e h a d p la n n e d . N o t th e w a y h e h a d e n v is io n e d , b u t h e c a m e in G o d 's w a y a n d in G o d 's tim e . It's tru e , a s B u rn s s a id , " T h e b e s t la id s c h e m e s o f m ic e a n d m e n o f te n g o a w ry ." A t le a s t th e y s e e m to . B u t fo r th e C h ris tia n , th e y a lw a y s g o th e w a y th a t G o d p la n n e d , a n d th a t is a lw a y s th e b e s t w a y . M a n p ro p o s e s , G o d d is p o s e s , a n d w e s h o u ld b e th a n k fu l th a t H e d o e s . B u t p ra y e r p la y s a p a rt in o u r p la n s a n d in th e ir s u c c e s s . It's n o t s o m e m e c h a n ic a l e x e rc is e th a t w e g o th ro u g h . " P ra y in g ," S to tt s a id , " is n o t lik e u s in g a c o in -o p e ra te d m a c h in e ." It a ris e s fro m th e h e a rt. It's fra m e d in th e m in d . It in v o lv e s w is d o m a n d e f f o rt. W e s e e k G o d 's w ill in p ra y e r. W e s triv e a n d w e s tru g g le to d is c e rn H is w ill. W e a c c e p t H is w ill, a n d G o d , p ro v id e n tia lly , w o rk s o u t w h a t w e h a v e p ra y e d f o r. P ra y e r is G o d 's a p p o in te d m e a n s f o r o b ta in in g H is b le s s in g s . S o if w e la c k th o s e b le s s in g in o u r e x p e rie n c e s , th e n p e rh a p s w e s h o u ld a s k o u rs e lv e s , " A m I p ra y in g d ilig e n tly , e a rn e s tly ? A m I s e e k in g G o d 's w ill d a ily ? " P e rh a p s w e 're n o t d o in g th a t a n d th a t's w h y w e la c k th e b le s s in g s th a t w e s h o u ld b e e x p e rie n c in g . W e ll, P a u l h a s re q u e s te d p ra y e r, a n d th e n h e c o n c lu d e s w ith a p ra y e r. It's a b e n e d ic tio n fo r th e R o m a n s . " N o w th e G o d o f p e a c e b e w ith y o u a ll. A m e n ." G o d g iv e s p e a c e . G o d is th e s o u rc e o f p e a c e . T h ro u g h th e c ro s s C h ris t h a s e s ta b lis h e d p e a c e w ith m e n . In fa c t, th a t's o n e o f th e g re a t th e m e s o f th is b o o k . T h e p e a c e th a t P a u l w rite s o f in th e b o o k o f
- 16 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
R o m a n s g e n e ra lly is th a t o b je c tiv e p e a c e , th e p e a c e th a t G o d h a s e s ta b lis h e d b e tw e e n H im s e lf a n d s in n e rs th ro u g h H is S o n . B u t th ro u g h th e H o ly S p irit, H e g iv e s p e rs o n a l p e a c e to H is p e o p le , p e a c e w h ic h tra n s c e n d s c irc u m s ta n c e s . T h a t's w h a t P a u l is s p e a k in g o f h e re . W h a t a c o n tra s t th a t is to th e w o rld w h ic h h a s n o p e a c e , w h ic h is a t w a r w ith G o d . A n d b e c a u s e it is a t w a r w ith G o d , it is a t w a r w ith its e lf a n d it is a t w a r w ith in its e lf . It is a p la c e o f c o n s ta n t tu rm o il, p o litic a lly a n d p e rs o n a lly , in d iv id u a lly . W e k n o w th a t b y s im p ly lo o k in g a t th e w o rld a ro u n d u s . W e k n o w th a t b y w a tc h in g th e n e w s o r re a d in g th e n e w s p a p e r. T h e w o rld is f ille d w ith tu rm o il, w a r a n d c ri s e s . Y o u k n o w th a t if y o u v is it w ith p e o p le a t w o rk . Y o u s e e th e la c k o f p e a c e w ith in th e ir liv e s . W e k n o w th a t f ro m e x p e rie n c e , b u t w e k n o w th a t w ith c o n f id e n c e b e c a u s e th a t is e x a c tly w h a t th e B ib le te a c h e s u s . Is a ia h s a id , " T h e w ic k e d a re lik e th e to s s in g s e a , f o r it c a n n o t b e q u ie t, a n d its w a te rs to s s u p re f u s e a n d m u d . 'T h e re is n o p e a c e , ' s a y s m y G o d , 'f o r th e w ic k e d .' " N o p e a c e . I h a v e a c a le n d a r a t h o m e th a t a frie n d g a v e m e – o n e o f o u r e ld e rs – w ith p ic tu re s o f lig h th o u s e s o ff th e C o a s t o f F ra n c e . T h e o n e f o r th e m o n th o f J u n e is im p r e s s iv e . I t's a w e a th e r-b e a te n to w e r b u ilt o n a ta ll s to n e fo u n d a tio n , s ta n d in g in th e m id s t o f w h a t lo o k s lik e a p o w e rfu l w h irlp o o l in th e s e a , a s h u g e w a v e s s w irl a ro u n d it a n d a g a in s t it. B u t th e lig h th o u s e s ta n d s u n s h a k e n . I w a s s ta rin g a t it th e o th e r d a y , ju s t fa s c in a te d b y th is p ic tu re , w h e n th e th o u g h t o c c u rre d to m e , " T h a t's th e C h ris tia n in th e w o rld ." W e a re s u rro u n d e d b y tu rb u le n c e . T h e re is n o p e a c e in m a n , b u t th e re is in th e c h u rc h . T h e re is in th e C h ris tia n b e c a u s e w e a re b u ilt o n th e ro c k , g ro u n d e d in C h ris t w h o c a n n o t b e s h a k e n . A s w e th in k a b o u t th a t, a s w e u n d e rs ta n d w h o H e is – a n d th is is o n e re a s o n it is s o v ita lly im p o rta n t th a t y o u a n d I k n o w w h o G o d is , k n o w H is a ttrib u te s , k n o w H is c h a ra c te r, k n o w H is d e a lin g s w ith u s in a ll o f th e ir d e ta il. A n d th a t is a lif e lo n g s tu d y th a t w ill n e v e r e n d .
- 17 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
W e 'll s p e n d e te rn ity le a rn in g a b o u t th a t. It's s o im p o rta n t th a t w e u n d e rs ta n d w h o H e is a n d w h o w e a re, b y o u rs e lv e s , in a n d o f o u rs e lv e s , a n d w h o w e a re in H im , s o th a t w h e n w e p ra y w e c a n p ra y w ith th a n k s g iv in g . B e c a u s e a s w e p ra y w ith th a n k s g iv in g , G o d th e n b le s s e s u s w ith p e a c e th a t p a s s e s u n d e rs ta n d in g . It's im p o rta n t to h a v e th a n k fu l h e a rts . W e c a n 't re a lly h a v e th a n k fu l h e a rts if w e d o n 't k n o w w h o G o d is a n d w h a t H e 's d o n e , w h o w e a re a n d w h a t H e 's d o n e f o r u s a n d w h a t h e 's d o in g f o r u s . A n d G o d b le s s e s u s w ith p e a c e a s w e d o th a t. In th a t p o e m in w h ic h R o b e rt B u rn s re m in d s u s th a t o u r b e s t s c h e m e s d o n 't a lw a y s g o th e w a y w e ' v e p la n n e d , h e is a d d re s s in g a m o u s e . A s I s a id , th e title o f th e p o e m is " T o a M o u s e ." It's a m o u s e w h o s e n e s t h a s b e e n d e s tro y e d b y a p lo u g h . A n d B u rn s is v e ry s y m p a th e tic w ith th e mouse. H e c a lls h e r h is " fe llo w m o rta l." S h e w o rk e d h a rd to p re p a re a little h o u s e o u t in th e f ie ld f o r w in te r . A n d th e n , s u d d e n ly , it's g o n e . A n d h e lik e n s th e e x p e rie n c e o f th e e x p e rie n c e o f th e m o u s e to o u r o w n . W e la y o u r s c h e m e s , w e w o rk h a rd to a c h ie v e th e m , b u t s o m e tim e s th e y d o n 't w o rk o u t. " S till," h e s a y s to th e m o u s e , " y o u a re b le s t, c o m p a re d w ith m e ! T h e p re s e n t o n ly to u c h e s th e e . B u t o h ! I b a c k w a rd c a s t m y e y e , o n p ro s p e c ts d re a ry ! A n d fo rw a rd , th o u g h I c a n n o t s e e , I g u e s s a n d f e a r ! " T h a t's th e n a tu ra l m a n . H e k n o w s th a t th e re is m o re fo r h im th a n th e p re s e n t. M ic e a re h e re fo r b u t a m o m e n t. O n ly th e p re s e n t to u c h e s th e m . B u t m a n k in d h a s a fu tu re a n d it's u n c e rta in . H e c a n o n ly g u e s s a b o u t it a n d fe a r. P a u l c o u ld n e v e r h a v e s a id th a t. T h e fu tu re w a s n o t u n c e rta in f o r h im . H e d id n 't g u e s s a b o ut it. H e w a s n ’t f e a rf u l o f it. H e k n e w G o d 's w ill w a s a lw a y s fo r h is g o o d . H o w e v e r, h e m ig h t a rriv e in R o m e , h e k n e w it w o u ld b e in th e f u lln e s s o f th e b le s s in g o f C h ris t. T h a t fa c t, th a t c e rta in ty g iv e s p e a c e , e v e n w h e n o u r p la n s g o a w ry . A n d b e tte r s till, P a u l k n e w th a t h is e te rn a l d e s tin y w a s ju s t a s fix e d , ju s t a s c e rta in a s h is p a s t w a s . In
- 18 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
2 T im o th y 4 :1 8 , h e w ro te : " T h e L o rd w ill re s c u e m e f ro m e v e ry e v il d e e d a n d b rin g m e s a f e ly to H is h e a v e n ly k in g d o m ." N o w , th a t w a s P a u l's u ltim a te tra v e l p la n , to a rriv e s a fe ly in G o d 's h e a v e n ly k in g d o m . H e w a s c e rta in th a t h e w o u ld . T h e re a s o n is b e c a u s e th e p la n s th a t G o d h a s m a d e f o r H is p e o p le a re e te rn a l a n d th e y a re p e rfe c t. A n d s o th e y c a n n e v e r g o a w ry . H e w o rk s a ll th in g s a c c o rd in g to th e c o u n s e l o f H is w ill, a n d H e w o rk s a ll o f th e m fo r th e g o o d o f H is p e o p le . S o th e C h ris tia n h a s c o n f id e n c e in th e p re s e n t a n d a s s u ra n c e f o r th e f u tu r e . W h a t a b le s s in g th a t is . C a n y o u th in k o f a b e tte r b le s s in g th a n th a t, a g re a te r b le s s in g th a n to k n o w th a t e v e ry th in g is c e rta in ly n o w f o r y o u r g o o d, a n d y o u a re a s s u re d th a t y o u w ill b e b ro u g h t s a f e ly in to H is h e a v e n ly k in g d o m ? N o , th e re is n o g re a te r b le s s in g th a n th a t. D o y o u h a v e th a t b le s s in g , o r d o y o u lo o k to th e fu tu re a n d g u e s s a n d fe a r? T h e re 's n o re a s o n to g u e s s a b o u t th e fu tu re . It h a s b e e n re v e a le d . B u t th e re is re a s o n to fe a r. " It is a p p o in te d fo r m e to d ie o n c e , a n d a f te r th is c o m e s ju d g m e n t." T h e re 's a w a y o f e s c a p e , a n d th a t is th ro u g h J e s u s C h ris t, G o d 's S o n , w h o b e c a m e a m a n a n d d ie d in th e p la c e o f s in n e rs s o th a t a ll w h o b e lie v e in H im w o u ld b e s a v e d . S o if y o u 're h e re w ith o u t C h ris t, k n o w th a t y o u 're a s in n e r. W e a ll a re . " A ll h a v e s in n e d a n d c o m e s h o rt o f th e g lo ry o f G o d ." B u t k n o w th a t o n e c a m e w h o w a s n o t a s in n e r, w h o li v e d a p e rfe c t life , w a s th e s p o tle s s L a m b o f G o d , o ffe re d H im s e lf u p in th e p la c e o f s in n e rs . If y o u 'll tu rn to H im , if y o u 'll lo o k to H im , y o u b e lie v e in J e s u s C h ris t, y o u 'll b e s a v e d , fo rg iv e n o f y o u r s in s a n d ju s tifie d b y th e L o rd G o d a n d m a d e a c h ild o f G o d . G o d h e lp y o u to d o th a t, a n d h e lp a ll o f u s w h o tru s te d in H im to re jo ic e in w h a t w e h a v e , to b e th a n k fu l, to b e c o n fid e n t, to s e rv e o u r L o rd fa ith fu lly . L e t's p ra y . [P ra y e r] F a th e r, w e d o th a n k y o u fo r y o u r g o o d n e s s a n d y o u r g ra c e . W e c o m e to a te x t s u c h a s th is in w h ic h P a u l is m e re ly g iv in g s o m e p e rs o n a l s ta te m e n ts to th e R o m a n s , te llin g th e m a b o u t h is p la n s .
- 19 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
A n d y e t, it's s o fu ll o f tru th . A n d w e 're re m in d e d th a t y o u h a v e a p la n f o r u s , a n d y o u 'r e w o r k in g it o u t in o u r liv e s . T h e r e a r e m e an s to th a t end. W e 're to b e m e n a n d w o m e n w h o p la n a n d liv e w is e ly a n d f o llo w th e d ire c tio n o f y o u r W o rd . W e a re to e n te r in to p ra y e r a n d s e e k y o u r w ill a n d s e e k y o u r fa c e a n d s e e k y o u r b le s s in g . W e 're to d o a ll o f th e s e th in g s . A n d y e t, w h a t a b le s s i n g it is to k n o w th a t e v e n w h e n w e , p o o r w e a k s in n e rs , m e n a n d w o m e n w h o a re b u t d u s t a n d a s h e s , f a il, y o u n e v e r f a il. A n d w e w ill a ll b e b ro u g h t s a fe ly – w e w h o h a v e p u t o u r fa ith in C h ris t – in to th a t h e a v e n ly k in g d o m . W e th a n k y o u f o r th a t. A n d w e th a n k y o u fo r th e w o rk o f y o u r S o n o n o u r b e h a lf. A n d it's in H is n a m e w e p ra y . A m e n .
Romans
" T ra v e l P la n s "
T R A N S C R IP T
[M e s s a g e ] O u r te x t th is m o rn in g is R o m a n s 1 5 :2 2 -3 3 . W e 're f in is h in g h e c h a p te r . A n d if y o u 'll r e m e m b e r f r o m la s t w e e k , P a u l, in th e p re v io u s v e rs e s , d e s c rib e d h is m in is try . H e h a d a u n iq u e m in is try . H e d id n o t b u ild o n a n o th e r m a n 's m in is try . H e w e n t to re g io n s o f th e w o rld , o f th e R o m a n E m p ire w h e re th e g o s p e l h a d n e v e r b e e n p re a c h e d . S o in lig h t o f th a t, h e s a y s in v e rs e 2 2 , " F o r th is re a s o n I h a v e o fte n b e e n p re v e n te d fr o m c o m in g to y o u ; b u t n o w , w ith n o fu rth e r p la c e fo r m e in th e s e re g io n s , a n d s in c e I h a v e h a d fo r m a n y y e a rs a lo n g in g to c o m e to y o u w h e n e v e r I g o to S p a in – f o r I h o p e to s e e y o u in p a s s in g , a n d to b e h e lp e d o n m y w a y th e re b y y o u , w h e n I h a v e firs t e n jo y e d y o u r c o m p a n y f o r a w h ile – b u t n o w , I a m g o in g to J e ru s a le m s e rv in g th e s a in ts . F o r M a c e d o n ia a n d A c h a ia h a v e b e e n p le a s e d to m a k e a c o n trib u tio n f o r th e p o o r a m o n g th e s a in ts in J e ru s a le m . Y e s , th e y w e re p le a s e d to d o s o , a n d th e y a re in d e b te d to t h e m . F o r if th e G e n tile s h a v e s h a re d in th e ir s p iritu a l th in g s , th e y a re in d e b te d to m in is te r to th e m a ls o in m a te ria l th in g s . T h e re f o re , w h e n I h a v e f in is h e d th is , a n d h a v e p u t m y s e a l o n th is fru it o f th e irs , I w ill g o o n b y w a y o f y o u to S p a in . I k n o w th a t w h e n I c o m e to y o u , I w ill c o m e in th e f u lln e s s o f th e b le s s in g o f C h ris t. N o w I u rg e y o u , b re th re n , b y o u r L o rd J e s u s C h ris t a n d b y th e lo v e o f th e S p irit, to s triv e to g e th e r w ith m e in y o u r p ra y e rs to G o d fo r m e , th a t I m a y b e re s c u e d fro m th o s e w h o a re d is o b e d ie n t in J u d e a , a n d th a t m y s e rv ic e fo r J e ru s a le m
-2" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
m a y p ro v e a c c e p ta b le to th e s a in ts ; s o th a t I m a y c o m e to y o u in jo y b y th e w ill o f G o d a n d fin d re f r e s h in g r e s t in y o u r c o m p a n y . N o w th e G o d o f p e a c e b e w ith y o u a ll. A m e n . M a y th e L o rd b le s s th is re a d in g o f H is W o rd . L e t's b o w to g e th e r in p ra y e r. [P ra y e r] F a th e r, it's a g re a t p riv ile g e to c o m e to g e th e r o n a S u n d a y m o rn in g in fe llo w s h ip w ith th e s a in ts . W e 're re m in d e d in o u r te x t o f w h a t f e llo w s h ip is . C h ris tia n f e llo w s h ip is e s s e n tia l f o r C h ris tia n g ro w th , a n d w e th a n k y o u th a t w e h a v e th e o p p o rtu n ity fo r it n o w . A n d it is c e n te re d a ro u n d th e W o rd o f G o d a n d fo c u s in g u p o n J e s u s C h ris t. W e p ra y th a t y o u b le s s u s th is m o rn in g a s w e d o th a t. W e th a n k y o u f o r y o u r W o rd w h ic h is in e rra n t, y o u r W o rd w h ic h is e s s e n tia l f o r g ro w th a n d s u f f ic ie n t in a n d o f its e lf . A n d s o w e a re b le s s e d to h a v e it in o u r p o s s e s s io n , b le s s e d to h a v e a n o p p o rtu n ity s u c h a s th is to re a d it a n d th e n to s p e n d tim e c o n s id e rin g its m e a n in g . A s w e d o s o , w e p ra y th a t y o u w o u ld g u id e u s in o u r u n d e rs ta n d in g . Y o u 'v e b le s s e d u s n o t o n ly w ith y o u r W o rd , y o u h a v e g iv e n y o u r c h u rc h m e n to te a c h it, b u t th e g re a te s t b le s s in g is th a t w e h a v e th e S p irit o f G o d w ith in u s to in te rp re t it, to g u id e u s in o u r th in k in g . A n d w e p ra y th a t H is m in is try w o u ld g o u n h in d e re d . M a y H e o p e n o u r h e a rts to re c e iv e th a t m in is try , a n d a s a re s u lt b e b u ilt u p in th e fa ith th ro u g h it. S o b le s s u s s p iritu a lly , F a th e r. W e p ra y a ls o fo r o u r m a te ria l n e e d s , a n d th e y a re m a n y . W e a re d e p e n d e n t p e o p le . W e 're c re a tu re s . Y o u 'v e m a d e u s , a n d y o u 'v e m a d e u s o u t o f d u s t. A n d s o w e m u s t c o n f e s s , a s A b ra h a m c o n f e s s e d to y o u , w e a re d u s t a n d a s h e s . W e a re w e a k , w e a re d e p e n d e n t. W e liv e in a n a g e o f p ro s p e rity . W e h a v e m u c h in th is la n d . W e k n o w v e r y little o f w a n t. A n d th a t is a g re a t b le s s in g b e c a u s e e v e ry g o o d th in g , e v e ry p e rfe c t g ift c o m e s d o w n fro m y o u , th e F a th e r o f lig h ts . T h e p ro b le m is , F a th e r – w e m u s t c o n fe s s th is – w e h a v e s o m u c h s o ro u tin e ly b e c a u s e y o u a re s o fa ith fu l, th a t w e fa ll in to th e tra p o f ta k in g it f o r g ra n te d . A n d w e fa il to re a liz e th a t e v e ry th in g th a t w e h a v e , e v e ry
-3" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
b e a t o f o u r h e a rt, e v e ry b re a th o f life is a g ift fro m y o u . E v e ry m o m e n t o f o u r e x is te n c e is a g if t f ro m y o u . W e liv e a n d m o v e a n d h a v e o u r e x is te n c e in y o u . W e re y o u to w ill it, w e w o u ld c e a s e to b e . B u t w e c o n tin u e o n b e c a u s e y o u w ill th a t w e e x is t. A n d s o w e th a n k y o u , F a th e r, a n d w e c o n f e s s th a t w e d o ta k e th in g s f o r g ra n te d . Y o u 'v e b le s s e d u s s o a b u n d a n tly . B u t e v e ry g if t w e h a v e , e v e ry th in g w e h a v e is a g ift, a n d e v e ry g if t c o m e s f ro m y o u . A n d y e t, th e re a re th o s e w h o e x p e rie n c e p riv a tio n in life . T h e y lo s e th e ir h e a lth , th e y lo s e th e ir w e a lth , th e y lo s e s o m u c h , a n d w e p ra y fo r th e m . W e p ra y th a t y o u b le s s th o s e w h o a re re c o v e rin g fro m s u rg e rie s , th o s e w h o a re g o in g th ro u g h v a rio u s d if f ic u ltie s o f lif e , p e rh a p s th o s e w h o d o n 't h a v e e m p lo y m e n t. W e p ra y th a t y o u o p e n d o o rs o f o p p o rtu n ity fo r th e m . W e k n o w y o u w ill. R e m in d th o s e w h o a re s u ffe rin g a fflic tio n th a t y o u a re fa ith fu l. R e m in d th e m o f y o u r p ro m is e s th a t a s s u re th e m o f th a t. S o w e p ra y th a t y o u b u ild u p th o s e w h o a re in d if f ic u lty . G iv e th o s e o f u s w h o a re e n jo y in g h e a lth , f rie n d s , e m p lo y m e n t, th e w o n d e rf u l th in g s o f lif e – g iv e u s a n a p p re c ia tio n fo r th a t a n d a th a n k fu ln e s s fo r it. B le s s o u r la n d . W e th a n k y o u fo r th is c o u n try in w h ic h w e liv e , a n d w e p ra y f o r o u r le a d e rs . W e p ra y th a t y o u g iv e th e m w is d o m a n d p ro te c tio n . A n d w e p ra y fo r o u r n a tio n , n o t o n ly th a t y o u b le s s u s in a p o litic a l a n d a n e c o n o m ic w a y – th o s e th in g s p a s s a w a y . W e p ra y fo r th a t; w e p ra y th a t y o u b le s s in th e m a te ria l th in g s o f lif e . B u t w e p ra y m o s t im p o rta n tly th a t y o u b le s s th is la n d s p iritu a lly . A n d , F a th e r, y o u w ill d o th a t th ro u g h y o u r p e o p le , th ro u g h y o u r c h u rc h . A n d w e p ra y th a t y o u w o u ld b u ild u s u p in th e fa ith th is m o rn in g th a t w e m ig h t g o f o rth f ro m th is p la c e , th ro u g h o u t th e c ity a n d w h e re v e r w e g o , w ith th e lig h t o f th e g o s p e l a n d th e b o ld n e s s to p re a c h it. S o e q u ip u s to th a t e n d . B le s s u s to th a t e n d n o w , a s w e s in g o u r fin a l h y m n . A n d w ith it, p re p a re o u r h e a rts fo r a tim e o f m in is try to g e th e r. W e p ra y in C h ris t's n a m e . A m e n .
-4" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
[M e s s a g e ] R o b e rt B u rn s w ro te a p o e m title d , " T o a M o u s e ," in w h ic h h e g a v e u s th e lin e , "T h e b e s t la id s c h e m e s o f m ic e a n d m e n o fte n g o a w ry ." P e o p le w h o tra v e l k n o w h o w tru e th a t is . B a d w e a th e r in o n e c ity c a u s e s flig h t d e la y s in a n o th e r, re s u ltin g in m is c o n n e c tio n s o r c a n c e la tio n s a n d th e n e e d to m a k e n e w p la n s . A s a re s u lt, o u r b e s t la id s c h e m e s o fte n g o w ro n g . T h a t's w h y J a m e s te lls u s to s a y , " If th e L o rd w ills , w e w ill liv e a n d d o th is a n d th a t." W e ll, th e a p o s tle P a u l k n e w th a t f ro m e x p e rie n c e . H e w a s a w o rld tra v e le r w h o m o re th a n o n c e m a d e tra v e l p la n s th a t h a d to b e c a n c e le d . O n h is s e c o n d m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y , h e h a d p la n n e d to g o w e s t in to th e p ro v in c e o f A s ia a n d th e n o n to th e g re a t c ity o f E p h e s u s , w h e n h e a n d h is frie n d s fo u n d th a t th e y w e re fo rb id d e n fro m d o in g s o . T h e H o ly S p irit h a d o th e r p la n s , a n d th e y w e n t to E u ro p e in s te a d . H e h a d a s im ila r e x p e rie n c e w ith h is p la n s to v is it R o m e . A s th e a p o s tle to th e g e n tile s , it o n ly m a d e s e n s e th a t h e w o u ld tra v e l to th e c a p ita l o f th e g e n tile e m p ire a n d p re a c h . B u t a s h e to ld th e R o m a n s in c h a p te r 1 , h e h a d o f te n m a d e p la n s to d o th a t b u t h a d b e e n p re v e n te d . T h e e x p la n a tio n fo r th a t is g iv e n in o u r p a s s a g e in v e rs e 2 2 . " F o r th is re a s o n ," h e s a id , m e a n in g b e c a u s e o f w h a t h e h a s ju s t s a id , b e c a u s e o f th e m in is try th a t h e w a s g iv e n o f p re a c h in g w h e re th e g o s p e l h a d n e v e r b e e n h e a rd , h e h a d b e e n p re v e n te d f ro m c o m in g to th e m . S o b e c a u s e h is m in is try in th e e a s t c o n tin u e d to o p e n u p a n d h e h a d n e w o p p o rtu n itie s to p re a c h th e g o s p e l th e re , h e h a d to re s c h e d u le h is trip w e s t, w h ic h w a s g o o d . In fa c t, w h e n e v e r P a u l h a d to m a k e a n u n e x p e c te d c h a n g e in h is tra v e l p la n s it w a s f o r a g o o d re a s o n a n d o f G o d . G o d a lw a y s k n o w s b e s t. H is p la n s a re a lw a y s b e tte r th a n o u rs . S o w h ile w e g e t f r u s tr a te d w h e n d e la y s o c c u r a n d c h a n g e o u r s c h e d u le s , w e r e a lly s h o u ld n 't b e b e c a u s e n o th in g h a p p e n s b y c h a n c e . G o d g u id e s th e C h ris tia n 's life a n d H is g u id a n c e is a lw a y s p e rf e c t. N o w , th a t d o e s n 't m e a n th a t w e s h o u ld n 't m a k e p la n s . W e s h o u ld . P a u l w a s a m a n w h o p la n n e d th in g s v e ry c a re fu lly . H e h a d a s tra te g y fo r e v a n g e liz in g th e g e n tile w o rld a n d h e fo llo w e d th a t
-5" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
s tra te g y . H e h a d le a rn e d to b e fle x ib le in h is p la n n in g , b u t h e c o n tin u e d to p la n h is lif e a n d tra v e ls . A n d P a u l's p la n s w e re g o o d . T h e y w e re a lw a y s c o n s is te n t w ith G o d 's w ill b u t n o t a lw a y s c o n s is te n t w ith G o d 's tim in g . A n d s o in s p ite o f d e la y s , P a u l c o n tin u e d to m a k e h is p la n s . H e n e v e r g a ve u p o n th e id e a o f g o in g to R o m e . A n d in v e rs e s 2 3 to 3 3 , h e te lls th e C h ris tia n s th e re o f h is in te n tio n to v is it th e m . T h e w o rk in th e e a s te rn a re a o f th e M e d ite rra n e a n th a t h a d p re v e n te d h im fro m c o m in g w a s n o w fin is h e d , h e w rite s in v e rs e 2 3 , " w ith n o fu rth e r p la c e fo r m e in th e s e re g io n s , a n d s in c e I h a v e fo r m a n y y e a rs a lo n g in g to c o m e to y o u – " H e d o e s n 't f in is h th e s e n te n c e . B u t th e c o m p le te id e a a s w e g o th ro u g h th e p a s s a g e is n o w th a t h is m is s io n is a c c o m p lis h e d th e re in th e e a s te rn p a rt o f th e M e d ite rra n e a n . N o w th a t th e g o s p e l h a d b e e n p re a c h e d a n d c h u rc h e s h a d b e e n e s ta b lis h e d in th e e a s t, h e w a s lo o k in g w e s t. H e w a s p la n n in g to tra v e l to R o m e a n d fu lfill h is lo n g -h e ld d e s ire o f v is itin g th e c a p ita l c ity . B u t R o m e w a s n o t th e u ltim a te d e s tin a tio n . It w a s a s te p p in g s to n e to S p a in . H e s ta te s th a t in v e rs e 2 4 . " W h e n e v e r I g o to S p a in I h o p e to s e e y o u ." H is tra v e l to th e fa r e n d o f th e E m p ire w a s c o n s is te n t w ith h is d e te rm in a tio n n o t to b u ild o n a n o th e r m a n 's f o u n d a tio n . W h e th e r o r n o t h e m a d e it th a t fa r w e s t is n o t k n o w n . P a u l w a s a rre s te d in J e ru s a le m , b e fo re h e w a s a b le to b e g in h is fo u rth m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y , a n d s e n t to R o m e w h e re h e d ie d . B u t th e re is a v e ry o ld tra d itio n th a t h e d id v is it S p a in a n d s o m e s u p p o rt f o r th a t f r o m th e p a s to ra l e p is tle s . In 2 T im o th y , h e w rite s o f b e in g re s c u e d a t h is firs t tria l. S o it is th o u g h t th a t th e re m a y h a v e b e e n tw o im p ris o n m e n t s , th a t P a u l w a s re le a s e d a fte r h is firs t tria l, tra v e le d to S p a in , a n d o n h is re tu rn to R o m e w a s a rre s te d a g a in a n d m a rty re d . N o w , th a t's n o t k n o w n fo r c e rta in . B u t g o in g to S p a in w a s c o n s is te n t w ith h is s tra te g y to e v a n g e liz e th e u n e v a n g e liz e d to th e e n d o f th e E m p ire . T h a t a t le a s t w a s h is p la n . A n d e n ro u te , h e w o u ld
-6" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
s to p in R o m e . H e h o p e d to s e e th e m , h e s a id , a n d h o p e d " to b e h e lp e d " o n h is w a y b y th e m . N o w , P a u l d o e s n 't s a y w h a t k in d o f h e lp th a t h e h o p e d to re c e iv e . C e rta in ly , it w a s th e ir e n c o u ra g e m e n t a n d it w a s th e ir p ra y e rs th a t h e w a n te d , a n d p e rh a p s s o m e fe llo w w o rk e rs fro m th e c h u rc h to a c c o m p a n y h im o n h is jo u rn e y w e s t. B u t b e fo re th a t, P a u l w a n te d to e n jo y th e ir c o m p a n y fo r a w h ile . H e w a n te d to m e e t th e m p e rs o n a lly . A n d re m e m b e r, P a u l h a d n e v e r v is ite d R o m e . H e 'd n e v e r m e t th e s e p e o p le in th e c h u rc h . H e k n e w s o m e th a t w e re th e re . In c h a p te r 1 6 , h e s e n d s g re e tin g s to th e m . B u t f o r th e m o s t p a rt, h e d id n o t k n o w th e p e o p le o f th e c h u rc h o f R o m e . A n d s o h e w a s lo o k in g fo rw a rd to m e e tin g th e m p e rs o n a lly a n d h a v in g re a l C h ris tia n fe llo w s h ip w ith th e m . T e a c h th e m a n d le a rn f ro m th e m , th a t's w h a t h e d e s ire d . In f a c t, h e s a id th a t b a c k in c h a p te r 1 w h e re h e o rig in a lly e x p re s s e d h is in te re s t in c o m in g . H e s a id , " th a t I m a y b e e n c o u ra g e d to g e th e r w ith y o u w h ile a m o n g y o u , e a c h o f u s b y th e o th e r’s fa ith , b o th y o u rs a n d m in e ." T h a t's C h ris tia n f e llo w s h ip . It is b e in g e n c o u ra g e d b y o n e a n o th e r's f a ith . T h a t's w h a t P a u l e n jo y e d . H e w a s n ’t g o in g to R o m e to v is it th e th e a te r o r th e C irc u s M a x im u s , p la c e s a n d th e th in g s th a t d re w p e o p le to th e c a p ita l. H is jo y w a s C h ris tia n fe llo w s h ip . Is th a t tru e o f y o u ? N o w , th e re 's n o th in g w ro n g w ith s p o rts a n d e n te rta in m e n t. W e ll, th e re a re s o m e th in g s w ro n g , I s u p p o s e , w ith th e m . B u t in p rin c ip a l, th e re 's n o th in g w ro n g w ith e n jo y in g s p o rts a n d b e in g e n te rta in e d . B u t m o re th a n th a t, d o y o u lik e to b e w ith o th e r C h ris tia n s a n d ta lk a b o u t th e th in g s o f G o d ? D o y o u m e e t w ith o th e r C h ris tia n s to s tim u la te e a c h o th e r, to lo v e a n d g o o d d e e d s , a n d e n c o u ra g e o n e a n o th e r a n d b u ild o n e a n o th e r u p in th e f a ith th ro u g h th e W o rd o f G o d , th ro u g h th e th in g s o f G o d ? T h a t's fe llo w s h ip . T h a t's w h a t w e a re to d o , a n d th a t's w h a t w e a re to w a n t to d o . P a u l e n jo y e d th a t. P a u l, in fa c t, n e e d e d th a t. S o it w a s v e ry im p o rta n t to h im to v is it R o m e in o rd e r to b e h e lp e d b y th e m a n d e n c o u ra g e d b y th e m a s
-7" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
h e c o n tin u e d o n in h is m in is try to th e w e s t. T h a t w a s h is p la n . B u t b e fo re h e c o u ld d o th a t, h e h a d o n e m o re re s p o n s ib ility to p e rfo rm . D e liv e rin g a c o n trib u tio n to th e p o o r s a in ts in J e ru s a le m , th e J e w is h c o m m u n ity th e re . H e s p e a k s o f it a s a s e rv ic e to th e s a in ts in v e rs e 2 5 , a n d it w a s a n a c t o f g re a t s e rv ic e a n d s a c rif ic e o n h is p a rt. In s te a d o f s a ilin g w e s t fro m C o rin th , w h e re th e b o o k o f R o m a n s w a s w ritte n , a n d g o in g d ire c t to R o m e a n d o n to S p a in , h e w e n t e a s t. H e w e n t in th e o p p o s ite d ire c tio n . S o h e tra v e le d to R o m e th ro u g h J e ru s a le m , w h ic h a d d e d s o m e 2 0 0 0 m ile s to h is trip . A n d tra v e l in th e a n c ie n t w o rld w a s n ’t e a s y . It w a s d e m a n d in g a n d it w a s d a n g e ro u s . S o th is w a s a n a c t o f s e rv ic e , a n a c t o f s a c rific e . B u t it w a s a n e e d e d a c t o f s e rv ic e fo r a f e w re a s o n s . F irs t o f a ll, th e re w a s a n o b v io u s p ra c tic a l n e e d . T h e re w e re m a n y p o o r C h ris tia n s in J e ru s a le m . S o m e h a v e trie d to e x p la in th e ir p o v e rty a s b e in g a c o n s e q u e n c e o f C h ris tia n s s e llin g th e ir p o s s e s s io n s in th e e a rly d a y s o f th e c h u rc h a n d h o ld in g a ll th in g s in c o m m o n . W e re a d a b o u t th a t a t th e e n d o f A c ts c h a p te r 2 . F ro m th e v e ry e a rly d a y s o f th e c h u rc h , th e s e p e o p le w e re b o u n d to g e th e r to o n e a n o th e r in g re a t lo v e , a n d th e y s o ld th e ir p o s s e s s io n s , th e y h e ld a ll th in g s in c o m m o n . A n d th e su g g e s tio n is th a t a s a re s u lt w h e n h a rd tim e s c a m e – a n d n o t m a n y y e a rs la te r, f a m in e c a m e u p o n th e w o rld a n d th e p e o p le th e re s u f f e re d . B u t w h e n th o s e h a rd tim e s c a m e , th e y h a d n o re s e rv e s o f w e a lth to fa ll b a c k o n . T h e y h a d s o ld e v e ry th in g , s h a re d it a m o n g th e m s e lv e s , a n d a s a re s u lt th e y w e re le f t d e s titu te . A lo t o f c o m m e n ta to rs ta k e th a t s e rio u s ly . I fin d n o th in g in th e b o o k o f A c ts to s u p p o rt it. L u k e s a y s th a t th o s e e a rly s a in ts s o ld th e ir p o s s e s s io n s a n d s h a re d w ith th o s e w h o h a d n e e d . T h e y s a w a n e e d a n d th e y m e t th e n e e d in th e rig h t w a y . T h a t w a s C h ris tia n c h a rity . It w a s g ra c e . It w a s a n a c t o f k in d n e s s . It w a s a g re a t w itn e s s to th e u n b e lie v in g c o m m u n ity o f J e ru s a le m , a n d it w a s a w o rk o f th e S p irit. T h e y d id n o t f a ll o n h a rd tim e s b e c a u s e th e y w e re b e in g g e n e ro u s ,
-8" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
b e c a u s e th e y w e re b e in g g ra c io u s , b e c a u s e th e y w e re fo llo w in g o f th e le a d in g o f th e S p irit. T h e re a lity is G o d 's e le c t a re o f te n p o o r p e o p le . " C o n s id e r y o u r c a llin g , b re th re n , th e re w e re n o t m a n y w is e a c c o rd in g to th e f le s h , n o t m a n y m ig h ty , n o t m a n y n o b le ." G o d 's e le c t a re o fte n p o o r p e o p le , a n d th a t w a s p a rtic u la rly tru e o f th e b e lie v e rs in J e ru s a le m b e c a u s e it w a s n o t a w e a lth y c ity . It w a s a n im p o rta n t c ity , b u t it w a s n o t a w e a lth y c ity . A n d J e w s o f th e D ia s p o ra w o u ld o fte n s e n d m o n e y to th e c ity to re lie v e th e p o v e rty o f th e ir f e llo w c o u n try m e n . B u t J e w is h C h ris tia n s w o u ld h a v e b e e n e x c lu d e d f ro m th e d is trib u tio n o f th o s e g if ts , s o th a t th e y w o u ld h a v e b e e n th e p o o re s t o f th e p o o r. T h a t w a s th e s itu a tio n . P o v e rty w a s a c h ro n ic c o n d itio n o f th e J e ru s a le m s a in ts a n d a p ro b le m th a t P a u l w a s v e ry s e n s itiv e to . H e te lls u s o f a jo u rn e y th a t h e to o k to J e ru s a le m in G a la tia n s c h a p te r 2 . A n d h e w ro te th a t w h ile h e w a s th e re , J a m e s a n d P e te r a n d J o h n m e t w ith h im a n d th e y re c o g n iz e d h is a p o s tle s h ip , a n d th e y re c o g n iz e d h is m in is try a m o n g th e g e n tile s . T h e y e x te n d e d to h im th e rig h t h a n d o f f e llo w s h ip , a n d th e y a s k e d h im to d o s o m e th in g s . A m o n g th e m w a s " to re m e m b e r th e p o o r." A n d P a u l s a id th a t " th a t w a s th e v e ry th in g I w a s e a g e r to d o ." T a k in g c a re o f th e n e e d s o f p o o r C h ris tia n s is a C h ris tia n d u ty , a d u ty th o u g h th a t P a u l w a s v e ry e a g e r to e n g a g e in . A n d n o t o n ly P a u l; o th e rs w e re e a g e r to d o it a s w e ll. P a u l to o k u p th is c o lle c tio n o f w h ic h h e 's re fe rrin g to h e re f o r J e ru s a le m f ro m th e c h u rc h e s o f " M a c e d o n ia a n d A c h a ia ," m e a n in g th e c h u rc h e s o f n o rth e rn a n d s o u th e rn G re e c e , g e n tile c h u rc h e s . A n d h e s a y s th a t " th e y w e re p le a s e d to m a k e a c o n trib u tio n f o r th e p o o r a m o n g th e s a in ts in J e ru s a le m ." T h a t w a s p a rtic u la rly tru e f o r th e C h ris tia n s o f M a c e d o n ia , w h ic h is e s p e c ia lly n o te w o rth y b e c a u s e th e y th e m s e lv e s w e re v e ry p o o r. P a u l w rite s o f th is a n d c ite s th e m a s s o m e th in g o f a n e x a m p le in 2 C o rin th ia n s c h a p te r 8 , w h e re h e s ta te s th a t " I n a g re a t o rd e a l o f a f f lic tio n th e ir a b u n d a n c e o f jo y a n d th e ir d e e p p o v e r ty o v e r f lo w e d in
-9" Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
th e w e a lth o f th e ir lib e ra lity . T h e s e C h ris tia n s w e re s u f f e rin g h a rd tim e s th e m s e lv e s . T h e y h a d v e ry little to g iv e . B u t th e y g a v e o u t o f th e ir p o v e rty , a n d P a u l s a y s b e y o n d th e ir a b i lity . N o t b e c a u s e th e y w e re c a jo le d o r c o e rc e d in a n y w a y to c o n trib u te . T h e y w e re n 't p re s s u re d to g iv e . J u s t th e o p p o s ite w a s th e f a c t. T h e y g a v e o f th e ir o w n a c c o u n t, P a u l s a id . A n d , in f a c t, th e y b e g g e d th e a p o s tle a n d th e o th e rs to a llo w th e m to g iv e . W e h a v e a C h ris tia n d u ty to h e lp w h e re w e s e e a n e e d in th e c h u rc h . A n d th e s e p e o p le – w h o h a v e g re a t n e e d s o f th e ir o w n – g a v e , a n d th e y g a v e w ith jo y a n d o u t o f " th e ir d e e p p o v e rty ." T h a t's a n e x a m p le f o r a ll o f u s . T h e re a re m a n y e x a m p le s o f G o d ly C h ris tia n g iv in g in th e h is to ry o f th e c h u rc h . A n d th e re a re e x a m p le s o f v e ry w e a lth y C h ris tia n s s u p p o rtin g a m in is try a n d g iv in g . T h e C o u n te s s o f H u n tin g d o n u s e d h e r w e a lth a n d in f lu e n c e to s u p p o rt th e g re a t e v a n g e lis t, G e o rg e W h ite fie ld , in th e 1 8 th c e n tu ry in E n g la n d . In fa c t, s h e n o t o n ly s u p p o rte d h im , s h e b u ilt s c h o o ls a n d c h u rc h e s , u s e d h e r w e a lth in th e s e rv ic e o f C h ris t. O n th e c o n tin e n t a b o u t th e s a m e tim e , C o u n t V o n Z in z e n d o rf g a v e s h e lte r to s p iritu a l re fu g e e s a n d e x h a u s te d h is fo rtu n e in C h ris tia n s e rv ic e . S o th e re a re e x a m p le s o f m e n a n d w o m e n w ith g re a t w e a lth w h o h a d u s e d th a t in C h ris t's s e rv ic e . B u t, g e n e ra lly , it's n o t th e w e a lth y ; it's th e n o n -w e a lth y . It's e v e n th e p o o r th a t s u p p o rt th e m in is try , a n d it is a g re a t m in is try . It is a s e rv ic e th a t G o d h a s g iv e n u s to o ffe r to o n e a n o th e r, a n d a s e rv ic e w h ic h is n e e d e d b e c a u s e it is th e w a y th a t w e m e e t th e b a s ic p h y s ic a l m a te ria l n e e d s o f C h ris tia n s . S o th a t is o n e re a s o n th a t th is g if t, th is c o n trib u tio n w a s n e c e s s a ry . A n o th e r re a s o n th is s e rv ic e to J e ru s a le m w a s n e e d e d w a s th e o lo g ic a l. It w a s a s y m b o l o f b e lie v e rs ' u n ity in C h ris t, a n d th is c o lle c tio n w a s a n im p o rta n t g e s tu re to m a k e th a t p o in t. T h e re w e re s o m e J e w is h C h ris tia n s w h o b e lie v e d th a t a ll c o n v e rts s h o u ld b e c i rc u m c is e d a n d o b s e rv e th e J e w is h la w . P a u l h a s a lre a d y s p o k e n o f s o m e o f th o s e in th e c h u rc h a t R o m e , th e w e a k e r
- 10 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
b re th re n . S o m e o f th o s e w e re in J e ru s a le m . In fa c t, w h e n P a u l d o e s m a k e h is jo u rn e y to J e ru s a le m , L u k e te lls u s in A c ts c h a p te r 2 1 th a t h e m e t w ith th e le a d e rs o f th e c h u rc h . T h e y re c e iv e d th e m v e ry h a p p ily . H e to ld th e m a b o u t h is m in is try a m o n g th e g e n tile s, a n d th e y re jo ic e d g re a tly . T h e y g lo rif ie d G o d o v e r it, L u k e s a y s . A n d th e n th e y to ld P a u l a b o u t th e g re a t w o rk th a t th e S p irit h a d d o n e th e re in J e ru s a le m in b rin g in g to s a lv a tio n n u m e ro u s p e o p le . T h e y s p o k e o f th e m a n y th o u s a n d s a m o n g th e J e w s w h o h a v e b e lie v e d . A n d , th e y a d d , a ll " a re z e a lo u s f o r th e L a w ." P a u l's h o p e w a s th a t th e c o n trib u tio n w o u ld s h o w th o s e J e w is h b e lie v e rs , w h o w e re w e a k in fa ith , w h o w e re s till v e ry m u c h a tta c h e d to th e tra d itio n s a n d th e la w o f M o s e s , th a t th e g e n tile C h ris tia n s w e re b o u n d to g e th e r w ith th e J e w is h b e lie v e rs in g e n u in e lo v e . S o th e re w a s a th e o lo g ic a l re a s o n fo r th is c o n trib u tio n . A n d fo r th e o lo g ic a l re a s o n s , th e g e n tile s h a d a n o b lig a tio n to c a re fo r th e J e w is h b e lie v e rs o u t o f g e n u in e lo v e . P a u l w rite s in v e rs e 2 7 th a t, " T h e y a re in d e b te d to th e m . F o r if th e G e n tile s h a v e s h a re d in th e ir s p iritu a l th in g s , th e y a re in d e b te d to m in is te r to th e m a ls o in m a te ria l th in g s . " T h e b a s is f o r th is o b li g a tio n is g iv e n b a c k in c h a p te r 1 1 , w h e re P a u l e x p la in s th a t Is ra e l's fa ilu re b e c a m e th e o c c a s io n fo r g e n tile s a lv a tio n . A s h e s a id , " B y th e ir tra n s g re s s io n s a lv a tio n h a s c o m e to th e G e n tile s ." T h e g e n tile s a re th e " w ild o liv e" b ra n c h e s , a s P a u l d e s c rib e s it, w h o h a v e b e e n g ra fte d in to Is ra e l's o liv e tre e . B e c a u s e o f Is ra e l's u n b e lie f, w e h a v e b e e n m a d e p a rta k e rs o f th e p ro m is e s th a t w e re g iv e n to A b ra h a m a n d h is p e o p le , th e J e w is h p e o p le . W e a re n o w b e in g b le s s e d b y w h a t P a u l c a lls " th e ric h ro o t o f th e o liv e tre e ." W e a re in th e ir b le s s in g s . A n d P a u l s a y s w e a re in th e ir d e b t. W e 'v e b e e n m a d e p a rta k e rs o f th e ir b le s s in g ; w e 'v e b e e n m a d e p a rta k e rs o f th e ir fu tu re . G e n tile s a lv a tio n is in a J e w is h S a v io r, o n e w h o w a s b o rn o f th e s e e d o f A b ra h a m fro m th e trib e o f J u d a h in th e lin e o f D a v id . T h e f irs t e v a n g e lis t to p re a c h to th e g e n tile s th e g o s p e l o f s a lv a tio n w e re J e w is h m is s io n a rie s . S o th e g e n tile s h a v e a d e b t to th e J e w .
- 11 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
J o h n S to tt w ro te , " W h e n w e g e n tile s a re th in k in g o f th e g re a t b le s s in g s o f s a lv a tio n , w e a re h u g e ly in d e b t to th e J e w s a n d a lw a y s w ill b e . T h a t's w h a t P a u l is s a y in g h e re . T h a t's w h a t h e 's re m in d in g th e R o m a n c h u rc h o f. A n d th e g e n tile C h ris tia n s o f M a c e d o n ia a n d A c h a ia u n d e rs to o d th a t. T h e y u n d e rs to o d th a t d e b t, a n d s o th e y w e re p le a s e d to b e a b le to h e lp in th is w a y . N o w , y o u 'll re m e m b e r N aa m a n th e le p e r. I th in k h e g iv e s u s a n e x a m p le o f th is v e ry th in g , o f th is v e ry g ra titu d e th a t is s e e n in c h u rc h e s a t G re e c e . N a a m a n w a s a g e n tile fro m D a m a s c u s a n d a v e ry im p o rta n t m a n . H e w a s th e g e n e ra l o f th e A rm y o f S y ria , a n d h e w a s a le p e r, b u t a m a n w h o w a s h e a le d w h e n E lis h a to ld h im to w a s h in th e J o rd a n R iv e r. H e w a s s o g ra te fu l to th e p ro p h e t b e c a u s e h e h a d b e e n h e a le d , b e c a u s e h e h a d b e e n c le a n s e d o f h is d is e a s e a n d , m o s t im p o rta n tly , b ro u g h t to f a ith in th e G o d o f Is ra e l, th a t h e o f f e re d a g re a t g ift to th e p ro p h e t, w h ic h E lis h a re fu s e d . B u t it w a s th a t s a m e a ttitu d e th a t is s e e n h e re in th e s e G re e k C h ris tia n s . T h e y h a d b e e n w a s h e d b y th e B lo o d o f th e L a m b , a n d th e y w e re e te rn a lly g ra te fu l to th e n a tio n fro m w h ic h th o s e b le s s in g s h a d c o m e . S o P a u l w o u ld ta k e th e ir c o lle c tio n to J e ru s a le m . T h a t w a s h is im m e d ia te ta s k . O n c e th a t w a s a c c o m p lis h e d a n d h e h a d " p u t h is s e a l," a s h e s a y s , " o n th is f ru it," m e a n in g o n c e h e h a d s a f e ly d e liv e re d th e g if t, h is p la n w a s to g o to S p a in b y w a y o f R o m e . H e w a s c o n fid e n t th a t h e w o u ld d o th a t. H e s ta te s in v e rs e 2 9 th a t h e w a s c o n v in c e d th a t h e w o u ld c o m e to R o m e " in th e f u lln e s s o f th e b le s s in g o f C h ris t." T h a t w a s n ’t o v e rc o n f id e n c e o n P a u l's p a rt. H is c o n fid e n c e w a s n o t in h im s e lf a n d h is a b ility to m a k e h is w a y to J e ru s a le m a n d th e n b a c k to R o m e . H is c o n f id e n c e is in C h ris t. H e k n e w th a t th e o n e h e s e rv e d w a s fa ith fu l. H e c o u ld re ly o n C h ris t. H e w a s d o in g a g o o d w o rk ; h e w a s fo llo w in g G o d 's w ill, s o w h a te v e r h a p p e n e d to h im , h e w a s s u re th a t it w o u ld b e a b le s s in g . B u t P a u l's c o n fid e n c e in C h ris t's b le s s in g d id n 't k e e p h im fro m p ra y in g fo r it. I th in k w e h a v e h e re a p rin c ip le th a t w e s e e a ll th ro u g h th e W o rd o f G o d .
- 12 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
It's h e re b y im p lic a tio n . B u t it's th e p rin c ip le o f th e h a rm o n y b e tw e e n th e s o v e re ig n ty o f G o d a n d th e re s p o n s ib ility o f m a n . P a u l's a b s o lu te ly c o n f id e n t th a t h e w ill a rriv e in R o m e a n d a rriv e in th e b le s s in g o f C h ris t. H e d o e s n 't d o u b t th a t. H e 's c o n fid e n t o f it, b u t h e d o e s n 't s a y , " T h e re f o re , I'll n o t e v e n a s k a b o u t it. I'm g o in g to h a v e it a n d s o I'll n o t p ra y ." N o , b e c a u s e h e k n e w th a t th is b le s s in g w a s h is. H e p ra y e d to re c e iv e it. H e w a s s e e k in g it th ro u g h p ra y e r. A n d , in fa c t, h e re h e a s k s th e C h ris tia n s to p ra y f o r h im , to re m e m b e r h im s o th a t h e w o u ld re c e iv e th a t. A n d w e h a v e th a t in v e rs e 3 0 . H e a s k e d fo r th e p ra y e rs o f th e C h ris tia n s in R o m e . B u t P a u l k n e w w h a t la y a h e a d . P a u l k n e w th a t th e re w e re d iffic u ltie s a h e a d o f h im , a n d p ra y e r w a s n e c e s s a ry fo r o v e rc o m in g th e m a n d a c c o m p lis h in g h is p u rp o s e . In f a c t, th e v a lu e th a t P a u l p la c e d o n p ra y e r is e v id e n t fro m th e u rg e n c y o f h is re q u e s t fo r p ra y e r, w h ic h h e re in fo rc e s b y b rin g in g in to th a t re q u e s t th e th re e p e rs o n s o f th e T rin ity . A n d it's e v id e n t f ro m th e d e s c rip tio n th a t h e g iv e s o f p ra y e r. " I u rg e y o u , b re th re n – " R ig h t th e re w e s e e P a u l v ie w e d p ra y e r a s e s s e n tia l, n e c e s s a ry . T h is m a n w h o b e lie v e d in th e a b s o lu te s o v e re ig n ty o f G o d k n e w th a t h e w a s a n d o th e rs w e re re s p o n s ib le to p ra y . S o h e s a y s , " I u rg e y o u , b re th re n , b y o u r L o rd J e s u s C h ris t a n d b y th e lo v e o f th e S p irit, to s triv e to g e th e r w ith m e in y o u r p ra y e rs to G o d f o r m e ." P ra y e r is d e s c rib e d a s s trid e n t o r s tru g g lin g . P ra y e r is im p o rta n t, b u t it's n o t easy. N o w , in a s e n s e it's n a tu ra l b e c a u s e p ra y e r is s p iritu a l b re a th in g . It's a n a tu ra l re s p o n s e th a t w e h a v e . A t th e s a m e tim e , e a rn e s t, d ilig e n t, fa ith fu l p ra y e r is n o t e a s y . It's a lm o s t lik e a n a th le tic c o n te s t. W e s tru g g le in p ra y e r w ith o u rs e lv e s a g a in s t le th a rg y , a g a in s t d is tra c tio n s . B u t p ra y e r its e lf c a lls fo r g re a t e ffo rt. W e g e t o u r w o rd s , " a g o n y " a n d " a g o n iz e d ," f ro m th e w o rd th a t P a u l u s e s h e re , s u n a g w n ið z o m a i. T h a t's th e G re e k w o rd . A g w n ið z o m a i, a g o n y ,
- 13 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
a g o n iz in g . A n d th a t g iv e s u s a s e n s e o f w h a t p ra y e r c a lls f o r. It c a lls f o r p e rs is te n t e x e rtio n . N o w , P a u l h a d th re e c o n c e rn s , a n d a ll in v o lv e d h is tra v e l p la n s to J e ru s a le m a n d R o m e . F irs t h e re q u e s te d p ra y e r f o r s a f e ty , " th a t I m a y b e re s c u e d fro m th o s e w h o a re d is o b e d ie n t in J u d e a ." P a u l k n e w th a t h e h a d e n e m ie s in J e ru s a le m , a n d h e k n e w h o w f a r th e y w o u ld g o in o p p o s in g th e g o s p e l. H e w a s th e re w h e n th e y s to n e d S te p h e n . D u rin g h is m is s io n a ry tra v e ls , h e h a d b e e n d riv e n o u t o f sy n a g o g u e s a n d h e 'd b e e n p u rs u e d f ro m c ity to c ity b y a n g ry J e w s . S o h e k n e w th a t h e m ig h t fa c e d a n g e rs a n d p lo ts in J e ru s a le m . A ll o f th a t b e c a m e e v e n c le a re r to h im a s h e b e g a n h is jo u rn e y . A ll a lo n g th e w a y h e w a s w a rn e d o f d a n g e r . A n d h e w a s to ld b y th e H o ly S p irit th a t " b o n d s a n d a fflic tio n s " a w a ite d h im th e re . B u t in s p ite o f th e d a n g e r, P a u l c o n tin u e d o n in o b e d ie n c e to G o d 's w ill. H e d id n 't c o u rt d a n g e r. H e d id n 't p u t h im s e lf in p e ril. H e w a s v e ry c a u tio u s a b o u t w h a t h e d id . H e m a d e h is p l a n s w is e ly . A n d o n e o f th e w is e s t th in g s h e d id w a s p ra y a n d a s k th e s e R o m a n C h ris tia n s to jo in h im in p ra y e r f o r p r o te c tio n a n d d e liv e r a n c e f r o m h is e n e m ie s . T h e s e c o n d re q u e s t w a s th a t h is m is s io n to th e c h u rc h w o u ld b e s u c c e s s fu l. P ra y " th a t m y s e rv ic e f o r J e ru s a le m m a y p ro v e a c c e p ta b le to th e s a in ts." H is c o n c e rn w a s th a t th e g ift w o u ld b e re je c te d b y th e le a d e rs o f th e c h u rc h o u t o f a f e a r o f o f f e n d in g th o s e w e a k e r b e lie v e rs w h o w e re s till z e a lo u s fo r th e J e w is h la w a n d tra d itio n s a n d w h o w e re o p p o s e d to th e a p o s tle P a u l. P a u l h a d p e o p le w ith in th e c h u rc h w h o d id n o t u n d e rs ta n d h is p re a c h in g a n d w e re o p p o s e d to h im . A n d s o h e f e a r e d th a t th e le a d e r s o f J e r u s a le m m ig h t n o t a c c e p t th a t g if t o u t o f d e fe re n c e fo r th e w e a k e r b ro th e r. A n d if th a t h a p p e n e d , it w o u ld d a m a g e th e re la tio n s h ip b e tw e e n g e n tile s a n d J e w is h C h ris tia n s a n d w id e n th e g a p in th e c h u rc h . A n d th a t's w h a t P a u l w a s c o n c e rn e d a b o u t. H e w a n te d th e g if t to b e re c e iv e d a s a g e n u in e to k e n o f lo v e b e tw e e n C h ris tia n s s o th a t it w o u ld p ro m o te th e u n ity th a t b o th g ro u p s h a v e in C h ris t. S o to th a t
- 14 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
e n d , h e a s k e d th e R o m a n C h ris tia n s to p ra y f o r s u c c e s s in h is m in is try th e re . H is th ird re q u e s t w a s th a t h e w o u ld c o m e s a fe ly to R o m e . V e rs e 3 2 : " S o th a t I m a y c o m e to y o u in jo y b y th e w ill o f G o d a n d f in d re fre s h in g re s t in y o u r c o m p a n y ." H e w o u ld n e e d re f re s h m e n t a f te r th a t jo u rn e y . It w o u ld b e ta x i n g in te rm s o f h is e m o tio n s , in te rm s o f h im s e lf, s p iritu a lly , b u t a ls o p h y s ic a lly . It w a s a h a rd jo u rn e y , a n d s o h e lo o k e d fo rw a rd to a rriv in g th e re a n d b e in g re f re s h e d b y th e m . B u t h is a rriv a l in R o m e w a s d e p e n d e n t o n h is s a fe ty in J e ru s a le m . S o h e a s k s fo r p ra y e r. B u t h e a s k e d th a t e v e ry th in g h a p p e n a c c o rd in g to th e w ill o f G o d , w h ic h is h o w a ll p ra y e r is to b e m a d e . T h e p u rp o s e o f p ra y e r is n o t to b e n d G o d 's w ill to fit o u r o w n b u t to c o n f o rm o u r w ill to H is . P ra y e r d o e s n 't f o rc e G o d 's h a n d . A n d w e d o n 't m o v e G o d to g iv e u s th e th in g s w e a s k fo r b y in te n s ity o f o u r re q u e s t o r s o m e th in g lik e th a t. P ra y e r is th e m e a n s th a t G o d h a s g iv en u s fo r a c c o m p lis h in g H is w ill a n d re c e iv in g th e b le s s in g s th a t H e h a s fo r u s . A n d s o w e a re to p ra y th a t a ll th in g s h a p p e n a c c o rd in g to H is w ill. T h a t's h o w th e L o rd ta u g h t u s to p ra y in M a tth e w 6 :1 0 . " Y o u r w ill b e d o n e o n e a rth a s it is in h e a v e n ." W e 're a lw a y s to p ra y a c c o rd in g to G o d 's w ill. A n d th e L o rd ta u g h t u s to p ra y p e rs is te n tly . Y o u re m e m b e r th a t p a ra b le in L u k e c h a p te r 1 8 , th e p a ra b le o f th e w id o w a n d th e u n ju s t ju d g e . S h e w a s fin a lly g ra n te d h e r re q u e s t b e c a u s e s h e k e p t c o m in g to h im . S h e w a s p e rs is te n t. T h a t's h o w w e a re to p ra y to o u r h e a v e n ly F a th e r w h o is n o t u n ju s t. A n d H e g la d ly g iv e s a ll th in g s th a t a re a s k e d f o r a c c o rd in g to H is w ill, a n d d o e s s o in th e b e s t w a y a n d d o e s s o a t th e b e s t tim e . S o d id G o d a n s w e r P a u l's p ra y e rs? W a s h e r e s c u e d f r o m h is e n e m ie s ? W a s h is m in is try in J e ru s a le m s u c c e s s f u l? A n d d id h e a rriv e in R o m e w ith jo y ? Y e s , h e d id . G o d a n s w e re d a ll o f th o s e p ra y e rs a little d iffe re n tly fro m th e w a y P a u l h a d a n tic ip a te d . L u k e te lls u s th a t w h e n h e a rriv ed in J e ru s a le m , th e c h u rc h re c e iv e d h im " g la d ly ." L u k e d o e s n 't m e n tio n
- 15 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
th e g if t, d o e s n 't te ll u s w h e th e r o r n o t th e y re c e iv e d th a t. B u t th e c irc u m s ta n c e s o f h is re c e p tio n , o f th e m re c e iv in g h im g la d ly , s u g g e s ts th a t th e y c e rta in ly d id a n d th e y a p p re c ia te d th e g ift th a t h e g a v e th e m . H e w a s a rre s te d b y th e R o m a n s n o t lo n g a fte r th a t, p u t in p ris o n . B u t h e w a s re s c u e d b y th e m fro m a J e w is h m o b in th e te m p le , re s c u e d fro m a R o m a n flo g g in g , a n d la te r re s c u e d fro m a p lo t to m u rd e r h im . S o th e L o rd a n s w e re d th a t p ra y e r. A n d h e a rriv e d in R o m e s a fe ly a n d w ith jo y . H e c a m e in c h a in s. H e c a m e a s a p ris o n e r. H e c a m e a lm o s t th re e y e a rs la te r th a n h e h a d p la n n e d . N o t th e w a y h e h a d e n v is io n e d , b u t h e c a m e in G o d 's w a y a n d in G o d 's tim e . It's tru e , a s B u rn s s a id , " T h e b e s t la id s c h e m e s o f m ic e a n d m e n o f te n g o a w ry ." A t le a s t th e y s e e m to . B u t fo r th e C h ris tia n , th e y a lw a y s g o th e w a y th a t G o d p la n n e d , a n d th a t is a lw a y s th e b e s t w a y . M a n p ro p o s e s , G o d d is p o s e s , a n d w e s h o u ld b e th a n k fu l th a t H e d o e s . B u t p ra y e r p la y s a p a rt in o u r p la n s a n d in th e ir s u c c e s s . It's n o t s o m e m e c h a n ic a l e x e rc is e th a t w e g o th ro u g h . " P ra y in g ," S to tt s a id , " is n o t lik e u s in g a c o in -o p e ra te d m a c h in e ." It a ris e s fro m th e h e a rt. It's fra m e d in th e m in d . It in v o lv e s w is d o m a n d e f f o rt. W e s e e k G o d 's w ill in p ra y e r. W e s triv e a n d w e s tru g g le to d is c e rn H is w ill. W e a c c e p t H is w ill, a n d G o d , p ro v id e n tia lly , w o rk s o u t w h a t w e h a v e p ra y e d f o r. P ra y e r is G o d 's a p p o in te d m e a n s f o r o b ta in in g H is b le s s in g s . S o if w e la c k th o s e b le s s in g in o u r e x p e rie n c e s , th e n p e rh a p s w e s h o u ld a s k o u rs e lv e s , " A m I p ra y in g d ilig e n tly , e a rn e s tly ? A m I s e e k in g G o d 's w ill d a ily ? " P e rh a p s w e 're n o t d o in g th a t a n d th a t's w h y w e la c k th e b le s s in g s th a t w e s h o u ld b e e x p e rie n c in g . W e ll, P a u l h a s re q u e s te d p ra y e r, a n d th e n h e c o n c lu d e s w ith a p ra y e r. It's a b e n e d ic tio n fo r th e R o m a n s . " N o w th e G o d o f p e a c e b e w ith y o u a ll. A m e n ." G o d g iv e s p e a c e . G o d is th e s o u rc e o f p e a c e . T h ro u g h th e c ro s s C h ris t h a s e s ta b lis h e d p e a c e w ith m e n . In fa c t, th a t's o n e o f th e g re a t th e m e s o f th is b o o k . T h e p e a c e th a t P a u l w rite s o f in th e b o o k o f
- 16 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
R o m a n s g e n e ra lly is th a t o b je c tiv e p e a c e , th e p e a c e th a t G o d h a s e s ta b lis h e d b e tw e e n H im s e lf a n d s in n e rs th ro u g h H is S o n . B u t th ro u g h th e H o ly S p irit, H e g iv e s p e rs o n a l p e a c e to H is p e o p le , p e a c e w h ic h tra n s c e n d s c irc u m s ta n c e s . T h a t's w h a t P a u l is s p e a k in g o f h e re . W h a t a c o n tra s t th a t is to th e w o rld w h ic h h a s n o p e a c e , w h ic h is a t w a r w ith G o d . A n d b e c a u s e it is a t w a r w ith G o d , it is a t w a r w ith its e lf a n d it is a t w a r w ith in its e lf . It is a p la c e o f c o n s ta n t tu rm o il, p o litic a lly a n d p e rs o n a lly , in d iv id u a lly . W e k n o w th a t b y s im p ly lo o k in g a t th e w o rld a ro u n d u s . W e k n o w th a t b y w a tc h in g th e n e w s o r re a d in g th e n e w s p a p e r. T h e w o rld is f ille d w ith tu rm o il, w a r a n d c ri s e s . Y o u k n o w th a t if y o u v is it w ith p e o p le a t w o rk . Y o u s e e th e la c k o f p e a c e w ith in th e ir liv e s . W e k n o w th a t f ro m e x p e rie n c e , b u t w e k n o w th a t w ith c o n f id e n c e b e c a u s e th a t is e x a c tly w h a t th e B ib le te a c h e s u s . Is a ia h s a id , " T h e w ic k e d a re lik e th e to s s in g s e a , f o r it c a n n o t b e q u ie t, a n d its w a te rs to s s u p re f u s e a n d m u d . 'T h e re is n o p e a c e , ' s a y s m y G o d , 'f o r th e w ic k e d .' " N o p e a c e . I h a v e a c a le n d a r a t h o m e th a t a frie n d g a v e m e – o n e o f o u r e ld e rs – w ith p ic tu re s o f lig h th o u s e s o ff th e C o a s t o f F ra n c e . T h e o n e f o r th e m o n th o f J u n e is im p r e s s iv e . I t's a w e a th e r-b e a te n to w e r b u ilt o n a ta ll s to n e fo u n d a tio n , s ta n d in g in th e m id s t o f w h a t lo o k s lik e a p o w e rfu l w h irlp o o l in th e s e a , a s h u g e w a v e s s w irl a ro u n d it a n d a g a in s t it. B u t th e lig h th o u s e s ta n d s u n s h a k e n . I w a s s ta rin g a t it th e o th e r d a y , ju s t fa s c in a te d b y th is p ic tu re , w h e n th e th o u g h t o c c u rre d to m e , " T h a t's th e C h ris tia n in th e w o rld ." W e a re s u rro u n d e d b y tu rb u le n c e . T h e re is n o p e a c e in m a n , b u t th e re is in th e c h u rc h . T h e re is in th e C h ris tia n b e c a u s e w e a re b u ilt o n th e ro c k , g ro u n d e d in C h ris t w h o c a n n o t b e s h a k e n . A s w e th in k a b o u t th a t, a s w e u n d e rs ta n d w h o H e is – a n d th is is o n e re a s o n it is s o v ita lly im p o rta n t th a t y o u a n d I k n o w w h o G o d is , k n o w H is a ttrib u te s , k n o w H is c h a ra c te r, k n o w H is d e a lin g s w ith u s in a ll o f th e ir d e ta il. A n d th a t is a lif e lo n g s tu d y th a t w ill n e v e r e n d .
- 17 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
W e 'll s p e n d e te rn ity le a rn in g a b o u t th a t. It's s o im p o rta n t th a t w e u n d e rs ta n d w h o H e is a n d w h o w e a re, b y o u rs e lv e s , in a n d o f o u rs e lv e s , a n d w h o w e a re in H im , s o th a t w h e n w e p ra y w e c a n p ra y w ith th a n k s g iv in g . B e c a u s e a s w e p ra y w ith th a n k s g iv in g , G o d th e n b le s s e s u s w ith p e a c e th a t p a s s e s u n d e rs ta n d in g . It's im p o rta n t to h a v e th a n k fu l h e a rts . W e c a n 't re a lly h a v e th a n k fu l h e a rts if w e d o n 't k n o w w h o G o d is a n d w h a t H e 's d o n e , w h o w e a re a n d w h a t H e 's d o n e f o r u s a n d w h a t h e 's d o in g f o r u s . A n d G o d b le s s e s u s w ith p e a c e a s w e d o th a t. In th a t p o e m in w h ic h R o b e rt B u rn s re m in d s u s th a t o u r b e s t s c h e m e s d o n 't a lw a y s g o th e w a y w e ' v e p la n n e d , h e is a d d re s s in g a m o u s e . A s I s a id , th e title o f th e p o e m is " T o a M o u s e ." It's a m o u s e w h o s e n e s t h a s b e e n d e s tro y e d b y a p lo u g h . A n d B u rn s is v e ry s y m p a th e tic w ith th e mouse. H e c a lls h e r h is " fe llo w m o rta l." S h e w o rk e d h a rd to p re p a re a little h o u s e o u t in th e f ie ld f o r w in te r . A n d th e n , s u d d e n ly , it's g o n e . A n d h e lik e n s th e e x p e rie n c e o f th e e x p e rie n c e o f th e m o u s e to o u r o w n . W e la y o u r s c h e m e s , w e w o rk h a rd to a c h ie v e th e m , b u t s o m e tim e s th e y d o n 't w o rk o u t. " S till," h e s a y s to th e m o u s e , " y o u a re b le s t, c o m p a re d w ith m e ! T h e p re s e n t o n ly to u c h e s th e e . B u t o h ! I b a c k w a rd c a s t m y e y e , o n p ro s p e c ts d re a ry ! A n d fo rw a rd , th o u g h I c a n n o t s e e , I g u e s s a n d f e a r ! " T h a t's th e n a tu ra l m a n . H e k n o w s th a t th e re is m o re fo r h im th a n th e p re s e n t. M ic e a re h e re fo r b u t a m o m e n t. O n ly th e p re s e n t to u c h e s th e m . B u t m a n k in d h a s a fu tu re a n d it's u n c e rta in . H e c a n o n ly g u e s s a b o u t it a n d fe a r. P a u l c o u ld n e v e r h a v e s a id th a t. T h e fu tu re w a s n o t u n c e rta in f o r h im . H e d id n 't g u e s s a b o ut it. H e w a s n ’t f e a rf u l o f it. H e k n e w G o d 's w ill w a s a lw a y s fo r h is g o o d . H o w e v e r, h e m ig h t a rriv e in R o m e , h e k n e w it w o u ld b e in th e f u lln e s s o f th e b le s s in g o f C h ris t. T h a t fa c t, th a t c e rta in ty g iv e s p e a c e , e v e n w h e n o u r p la n s g o a w ry . A n d b e tte r s till, P a u l k n e w th a t h is e te rn a l d e s tin y w a s ju s t a s fix e d , ju s t a s c e rta in a s h is p a s t w a s . In
- 18 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
2 T im o th y 4 :1 8 , h e w ro te : " T h e L o rd w ill re s c u e m e f ro m e v e ry e v il d e e d a n d b rin g m e s a f e ly to H is h e a v e n ly k in g d o m ." N o w , th a t w a s P a u l's u ltim a te tra v e l p la n , to a rriv e s a fe ly in G o d 's h e a v e n ly k in g d o m . H e w a s c e rta in th a t h e w o u ld . T h e re a s o n is b e c a u s e th e p la n s th a t G o d h a s m a d e f o r H is p e o p le a re e te rn a l a n d th e y a re p e rfe c t. A n d s o th e y c a n n e v e r g o a w ry . H e w o rk s a ll th in g s a c c o rd in g to th e c o u n s e l o f H is w ill, a n d H e w o rk s a ll o f th e m fo r th e g o o d o f H is p e o p le . S o th e C h ris tia n h a s c o n f id e n c e in th e p re s e n t a n d a s s u ra n c e f o r th e f u tu r e . W h a t a b le s s in g th a t is . C a n y o u th in k o f a b e tte r b le s s in g th a n th a t, a g re a te r b le s s in g th a n to k n o w th a t e v e ry th in g is c e rta in ly n o w f o r y o u r g o o d, a n d y o u a re a s s u re d th a t y o u w ill b e b ro u g h t s a f e ly in to H is h e a v e n ly k in g d o m ? N o , th e re is n o g re a te r b le s s in g th a n th a t. D o y o u h a v e th a t b le s s in g , o r d o y o u lo o k to th e fu tu re a n d g u e s s a n d fe a r? T h e re 's n o re a s o n to g u e s s a b o u t th e fu tu re . It h a s b e e n re v e a le d . B u t th e re is re a s o n to fe a r. " It is a p p o in te d fo r m e to d ie o n c e , a n d a f te r th is c o m e s ju d g m e n t." T h e re 's a w a y o f e s c a p e , a n d th a t is th ro u g h J e s u s C h ris t, G o d 's S o n , w h o b e c a m e a m a n a n d d ie d in th e p la c e o f s in n e rs s o th a t a ll w h o b e lie v e in H im w o u ld b e s a v e d . S o if y o u 're h e re w ith o u t C h ris t, k n o w th a t y o u 're a s in n e r. W e a ll a re . " A ll h a v e s in n e d a n d c o m e s h o rt o f th e g lo ry o f G o d ." B u t k n o w th a t o n e c a m e w h o w a s n o t a s in n e r, w h o li v e d a p e rfe c t life , w a s th e s p o tle s s L a m b o f G o d , o ffe re d H im s e lf u p in th e p la c e o f s in n e rs . If y o u 'll tu rn to H im , if y o u 'll lo o k to H im , y o u b e lie v e in J e s u s C h ris t, y o u 'll b e s a v e d , fo rg iv e n o f y o u r s in s a n d ju s tifie d b y th e L o rd G o d a n d m a d e a c h ild o f G o d . G o d h e lp y o u to d o th a t, a n d h e lp a ll o f u s w h o tru s te d in H im to re jo ic e in w h a t w e h a v e , to b e th a n k fu l, to b e c o n fid e n t, to s e rv e o u r L o rd fa ith fu lly . L e t's p ra y . [P ra y e r] F a th e r, w e d o th a n k y o u fo r y o u r g o o d n e s s a n d y o u r g ra c e . W e c o m e to a te x t s u c h a s th is in w h ic h P a u l is m e re ly g iv in g s o m e p e rs o n a l s ta te m e n ts to th e R o m a n s , te llin g th e m a b o u t h is p la n s .
- 19 " Travel Plans " by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
A n d y e t, it's s o fu ll o f tru th . A n d w e 're re m in d e d th a t y o u h a v e a p la n f o r u s , a n d y o u 'r e w o r k in g it o u t in o u r liv e s . T h e r e a r e m e an s to th a t end. W e 're to b e m e n a n d w o m e n w h o p la n a n d liv e w is e ly a n d f o llo w th e d ire c tio n o f y o u r W o rd . W e a re to e n te r in to p ra y e r a n d s e e k y o u r w ill a n d s e e k y o u r fa c e a n d s e e k y o u r b le s s in g . W e 're to d o a ll o f th e s e th in g s . A n d y e t, w h a t a b le s s i n g it is to k n o w th a t e v e n w h e n w e , p o o r w e a k s in n e rs , m e n a n d w o m e n w h o a re b u t d u s t a n d a s h e s , f a il, y o u n e v e r f a il. A n d w e w ill a ll b e b ro u g h t s a fe ly – w e w h o h a v e p u t o u r fa ith in C h ris t – in to th a t h e a v e n ly k in g d o m . W e th a n k y o u f o r th a t. A n d w e th a n k y o u fo r th e w o rk o f y o u r S o n o n o u r b e h a lf. A n d it's in H is n a m e w e p ra y . A m e n .
