Our Plan, God's plan, and not worry about it.
A. God has other plan for me!
1. 35 year ago I planned to make Abilene Tex., as our 2nd home town.
We bought a building lot for $1000.00 and plan to build a house and stay
in Abilene, Tex. Soon after we bought that building lot.
My job in Abilene was to be no more! So we moved to South Carolina for
less than a year! Then we came to N.Y.C.
2. My friends and I were planning to build a church of Christ among the
Chinese immigrants in Chinatown, in Manhattan.
3. God has other plan for us. We ended up settled in Flushing!
Because this was the only place we could go at the time!
4. Today, 34 years later, we know why! God had a plan for His work here and
in China! This is an impossible work for others!
5. In reality, this is the place where we have you to help do the Lordís
work with us!
6. This trip to China, no other church has fellowship with me in the matter
of giving and receiving but you only! (Ph.4:15)
B. I found similarities with Godís plan for Apostle Paul!
1. Acts chapter 9 tells us Paul was planning to persecute the believers in
Damascus. Instead, the Lord turned him into one of the most dedicated
preacher of the gospel!
2. When Paul and his mission team came to the border of Mysia, they enter
Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
So they ended up went to Troas. During the night in Troas Paul got the
instruction in a vision to go to Macedonia!
3. They went to Philippi, a city of Macedonia, the first of the district.
As a result they established the church of Christ in Philippi.
C. Why Godís plan is always better? (Phil.4:15-19)
1. You, Philippians that in the beginning of the gospel, when I
departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the
matter of giving and receiving but you only. (Phil.4:15)
As long as money is concern, literally, no other church help to
support this trip, but you only! God made it happened this way!
2. For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again unto my need.
Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increased
to your account. But I have all things, and abound:
I am filled, having received from Epathroditus the things from you,
and odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well- pleasing to
God. My God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches
in glory in Christ Jesus.
3. As we know God knows the best! It was crucial to have the church of
Christ in Philippi to help support Apostle Paul and his mission team!
In reality, without people who are able and willing to contribute to
the Lordís work here and in China! This cannot be done!
D. This is not to be proud or otherwise!
This is what Paul said in Hebrew 12:1-3!
Therefore, let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud
of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily
beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that
was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and had sat down at
the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that had endured such
gainsaying of sinners against himself, that you wax not weary, fainting in
your souls. May the Lord bless you and keep you! Sept., 21, 2007