// Here are my notes from teaching this past weekend (02/14/10) over Acts 19.  I’ve also attached the discussion questions we used.

Acts 19 – Joy in obedience

We’ve been following Paul’s missionary journeys through Acts.  We pick up with Paul in Acts 19, while he’s visiting a busy port city called Ephesus.

Read Acts 19:11-20

Why did Paul’s handkerchief heal and cast out demons, while the sons of Sceva got beat up for wanting the same outcome?

I think this has less to do with who they were and more about whose plan each was following.

Let me show you what I mean

Read Acts 19:17b again.

“and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.”

I think this is important, bookmark it, and we’ll come back to it.

Turn to Col 1:15-20

It would seem that nothing is more valuable then Jesus.  We can trust Him because He created everything.  He created you and I, and He knows what’s best for us. He tells us in Luke 15:10 that those who love Him obey His commands.

Turn to Psalm 139:14-16

David reminds us that God doesn’t make mistakes, nothing we do surprises Him, His plans will prevail, and He is always in control.

There are often two plans at work; our plan and God’s plan.

We sometimes think that our plan is God’s plan and we’re usually wrong.

Speaking of plans, I too had a plan. I turned 25 this past November, and my plan included having a well paying job, owning a house, driving a modern car, wearing expensive clothes, being married, and having at least two kiddos by now.  Needless to say I’m financially poor, don’t own a house, drive an old car, wear inexpensive clothes, I’m unmarried, and have no kiddos.

Turn to Acts 4:12

So how do these many disappointments not devastate me?  Because I’ve recognized that my plan was not God’s plan.  I can take comfort in God’s Holiness.  I remember Psalm 139 – God doesn’t make mistakes, nothing I do surprises Him, and He is always in control.  I find joy remembering that through Jesus, I’m reconciled to God.  I get God the most valuable treasure, and greatest good.

Going back to Acts 19, the sons of Sceva had a plan for healing the demon possessed, but God’s plan prevailed and lead to Acts 19:17 (the name of the Lord Jesus being held in high honor).

We can learn a lot from Paul.  God’s holiness gave Paul comfort in obedience, because He knew that God’s plan would prevail.  Paul found joy in obedience having attained through Jesus that which is most valuable, God.