What Happens When God Is At Work | David Antwi | Acts 16:1-7

[0:00] Thank you for tuning into this message by David Entry. Every true revival is a product of the strong preaching of God's Word. May you receive a word from this message that will spark a revival in you.

[0:14] Acts chapter 16, from verse 1 to 15. Then came he to Debbie and Lystra, and behold, a certain disciple was there named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess and believed.

[0:30] But his father was a Greek, which was well reported off by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him will have to go forth with him and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters.

[0:47] For they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees to keep that were ordained of the apostles and elders which are at Jerusalem.

[1:02] And so were the churches established in the faith and increased in number daily. Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the regions of Galatia and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, after they were come to Mysia, they are said to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit suffered them not.

[1:26] And they, passing by Mysia, came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stood a man of Macedonia and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us.

[1:41] And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

[1:54] Therefore, losing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracea. And the next day to Neapolis. And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia and a colony.

[2:11] And we were in that city abiding certain days. And on the Sabbath, we went out of the city by the riverside where prayer was what to be made.

[2:22] And we sat down and spoke unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Titeria, which worshipped God, heard us, whose heart the Lord opened.

[2:39] And she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized in her household, she besought us saying, if ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and abide there.

[2:54] And she constrained us. Here ends the reading of God's word. Father, we thank you for the privilege to be here together to hear your word. We pray that as your word is taught, we pray that give us understanding and illumination into yourself.

[3:11] Visit us, heal the sick, manifest your power and your glory, and let the name of Jesus be exalted in our hearts and in our midst. In Jesus' mighty name, amen.

[3:23] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Amen. All right. We thank God for this morning's reading, taking us through chapter 15 of Acts. And we saw in Acts chapter 15 how it's a very interesting chapter.

[3:39] The chapter that was saturated with controversy. It started with controversy and ended with controversy. Two major controversies in the Bible. The first one was controversy around doctrine.

[3:50] And in Acts chapter 15 from verse 1, It raised its ugly head. And a certain man which came down from Judea touched the brethren and said, Except you be circumcised. Let's all say circumcised.

[4:01] Circumcised. After the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved. So this, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputes, so a big argument and big disagreement.

[4:14] So they had to go to Jerusalem to meet the apostles and the elders and the church there for them to discuss this matter and bring a closure to it. So as we all know, two of the most respected and valued brethren or brothers from the Jerusalem church, Silas and Judas, were sent with Paul and Barnabas.

[4:37] Silas and Judas, I think the verse 22, 23, 24, 25, It talks about men who have risked their lives for the sake of the gospel. So they were sent with Barnabas and Saul to go there.

[4:50] But interestingly, verse 27, Judas and Silas. Judas was a Greek name, obviously. Do you know what anybody called Judas? If your friend tells you you are Judas, it's bad.

[5:05] It's bad. They've done with you. They are finished with you. So Judas, but it's a Jewish name because one of Jesus' disciples, he used to keep the money.

[5:17] So Judas was a Jewish name, but Silas was not a Jewish name. Silas was a Greek name. And the problem was in the Greek territory with the Jews. So they sent this brother called Judas, who was very Jewish, and Silas was very Greek, but very Christian.

[5:34] And then Judas sent them into the Gentile territory to go and solve a problem created by Jews in the Gentile territories. So when they finished, as we saw last week, they didn't...

[5:47] Judas decided to go back. Judas. But Silas didn't want to go. He decided to stay there, verse 33. However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there, where in Antioch, he just liked what was going on.

[6:03] And Judas, when Silas stayed, and that opened a new chapter of his life and ministry. He didn't know. He didn't plan it. Somebody asked me a question. In those days, the way you were serving God, did you see these days coming?

[6:15] The way your influence has spread everywhere. And you have credible evidence of lives you have changed. And how... He said, first, did you see it coming? Did you expect this to be like this, the way God is also using you?

[6:27] And how does it feel? I said, I can't take credit. It's like someone who likes playing football with their friends, and later on, somebody was going to push your friend, it saved him, and he became the best fellow bowler in the world.

[6:39] How could you say you planned that one? When it comes to ministry, you can plan who you meet, where you are, but you have to be sensitive. Last Wednesday, I did some questions and answers with the church, and they asked, so how do you fulfill your plan, your purpose in God?

[6:57] How do you know it and fulfill it? I said, just be a proper, sound Christian, reading your Bible daily, praying and serving in church. You'll find your purpose. But if you're waiting for God to show you, the only way you learn how to swim is by going to the...

[7:11] You can't learn swimming by correspondence. Online. Online classes. Or you want to learn driving by correspondence. No.

[7:23] The best swimmer started by swimming. Jumped into the water and, you know, started learning how to swim in the water. If God is going to use you mightily, he starts with, just do what you get to do.

[7:37] They've asked you to maybe help to clean the place for service. So I don't know, I'm bigger than that. Me, I'm supposed to be an apostle. You'll be impossible, impossible, impossible.

[7:47] Everybody God has raised and is using strongly always started in a very unassuming, normal way, even Jesus himself.

[7:59] Anything that starts big is very suspicious. Every one of us here started as a fetus. In a woman's womb.

[8:11] And she wasn't even sure she was pregnant until her body started changing. So, it's important to understand, Silas decided to just stay and his heart was, I want to do more.

[8:23] Little did he know he was going to make history. We don't even hear about Judas. Because if we were hearing about Judas, it would have a way of neutralizing the bad Judas a little bit.

[8:35] But we don't hear about him. And it's not going to do with his name. It just had to do with destiny, providence, and his choices. So they said providence. Providence. You will not hear clearly this.

[8:45] Sometimes you may not hear, stop looking for a prophecy to make important decisions. And then let me tell you, never make any significant, significant, sensitive, important, vital decision because of a prophecy.

[9:00] Or based on a prophecy. You don't do that. It's not smart. It's not wise. You know. So, Silas didn't hear God say stay. But he felt, this is right.

[9:12] I want you to stay. And so he stayed. Little did he know it was going to turn into destiny. So, he stayed anyway. But the Bible talks about after a while, Paul said, let's go back to the places we've preached.

[9:24] You know, Paul, I told you the other time that it's not just good to ruin souls, but it's necessary to establish souls. So, Paul had the church, more the church in mind than just preaching and ruining more.

[9:37] He would preach by wanting what is done to be sustained. So, he said, let's go back. Then, Barnabas decided to take John Mark, his cousin. But Paul felt it was not ideal because Paul knew we are now about to hit into the highways of missionary work.

[9:59] The first trip, as soon as we started, John Mark couldn't take it. So, he left. The pressure of ministry. You want to bring him on.

[10:10] He's a good guy. He's solid. But what is ahead, he can't take it. So, Paul said, no, we can't take such a person. But Barnabas was thinking about his family member.

[10:21] He was very, that's his cousin. He's sympathetic to his family member. I need to go with you. But much more, as I thought the other time, I probably don't think it's just because he's family. Because Barnabas will always see good in people.

[10:35] And he felt like even though you messed up, I believe you can do it again. Barnabas is an encourager. So, he brought John Mark. And Paul, so this is what I realized, that Paul was right, Barnabas was right.

[10:47] In what way? The nature of Paul's assignment meant you, at that stage, you can't tolerate some things. You just have to focus and be, it's a revolutionary movement.

[10:59] And turbulence and troubles awaited him. You don't need someone who will run away. And however, Barnabas to his calling is such that you pick people up, raise them to the able to stand on their feet.

[11:11] Paul doesn't have that mission at that time. This is war time. It's not time to be nursing rooms. So, Barnabas, the nature of his ministry meant I can't give up on John Mark.

[11:23] And Paul, the nature of his ministry meant I can't go with John Mark. So, it meant they had to separate. The Bible says the contention became so sharp because Barnabas was determined.

[11:34] Oh, verse 37. Barnabas was determined to take John Mark. And verse 38 says that but Paul insisted. Paul said, I insist. Barnabas said, I'm determined. I insist.

[11:45] I'm determined. So, the controversy became so sharp that they had to go their separate ways. And that was the end of we hearing about Barnabas. But look at what happened. Paul took Silas.

[11:58] Say Silas. You see providence? Paul took because Silas made a choice to stay. He made a choice to stay and Paul knew that such a person can go with me. And so, from that time you hear Paul and Silas.

[12:11] It used to be Paul and Barnabas. Paul and Barnabas. Paul and Silas. Later on, Barnabas went to do such a great work on John Mark that Paul said, bring him to me. He's necessary for me for the ministry.

[12:23] Peter called John Mark, 1 Peter chapter 5, I think verse 13, my son. He called him my son. John Mark was the one who wrote the gospel according to Mark. He's such a very important person in scripture.

[12:35] But at that time he wasn't needed because he would have spoiled the work. So let someone take care of him and look at what Barnabas could do. So, Bible says that and when Barnabas separated, the brethren prayed.

[12:48] Barnabas went to his hometown. That's where he came from. Cyprus. So he went to Cyprus. But, the brethren prayed for Paul chose Silas and departed being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.

[13:02] Now, another interesting take I want to draw your attention to is Paul was Roman. Barnabas was not Roman. And now they were actually going to go deep into Roman territory.

[13:15] So by providence, it worked. Silas was Roman. So when they were beaten in Acts chapter 15 and thrown into prison, he said, Paul said, we being Romans. So, Silas was Roman.

[13:27] and because of political conveniences, sometimes, so Silas being Roman would be easier to travel through the Roman territories without immigration restrictions.

[13:41] Right. So, then they were commended and they were. Now, in chapter 16, we see, so, the two contentions, one was about doctrine which we all think is necessary to sort.

[13:52] But the other one, we think, no, it didn't work well. Because how can Paul and Barnabas go their separate ways? But it was necessary. We ended up having two missionary teams. Two missionary teams.

[14:04] And it wasn't like they never spoke again. They were still brothers. But for the sake of the missions, they were not compatible at that time. So we had two missionary teams. Now, when you come to chapter 16, look at chapter 16.

[14:16] The Bible says that then he came to Debra and Lystra and behold, a certain disciple there named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed that his father was Greek.

[14:28] So, they found Timothy there. Now, it's believed by scholars that because they have already been in Lystra and Debra, right? So they are going back. It's believed that Timothy got converted on the first time they were there.

[14:42] So, because Paul in several, a few places calls Timothy my true son in the Lord. As though he gave birth to him in the Lord. And so that's what it's believed.

[14:53] But they found Timothy who was already a believer at the time they found him. So I believe he believed in the first time. And the brethren spoke very well of him. The Bible says that he was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra, not only Hansity, but Lystra and Iconium.

[15:08] They spoke well about Timothy. And so, Paul felt like this is a guy with good reputation. I want to take him with me for the mission's work. That's nice. Sometimes, the work benefits when the people who we are working with have a certain reputation.

[15:24] So it's good to have a certain reputation as a believer. Reputation matters. Yesterday, I was reading from Ecclesiastes 7, verse 1. He said, a good name is better than riches.

[15:36] Okay, so, yeah, it's better than precious ointment. So, it's important to be interested in your reputation, not how people see you. Some of us are more interested in how people see us than who we actually are.

[15:51] It's important to be more interested in who you actually are and invariably, that is what people really notice you to be. So, Timothy had a good reputation. So, Paul said, I'm going to take you with him, but the verse 3 is a very interesting one.

[16:06] He says that Paul wanted to have him go with him and took him and did what? Oh, I can't hear. And took him and circumcised him.

[16:18] Is this not Paul in Galatians 5? Who was saying that circumcision doesn't matter? In Christ. He says circumcision or circumcision, it doesn't matter. Galatians chapter 5, verse 6, therefore, in Christ, neither circumcision or circumcision availed anything, but faith working through love.

[16:34] Before he said that, he said that circumcision doesn't matter. Now, in Acts chapter 15, verse 1, is that not what brought the controversy? It's there. They came down and said, unless you are circumcised, according to the custom of Moses, and Paul entered into sharp disagreement with him.

[16:52] Now, Timothy comes and wants to go with you. Now, he said, you have to be circumcised. Has Paul lost his bearing or he has double standards? What's going on?

[17:03] Is he now imposing Judaism? Now, when it comes to the Jews, what distinguished them from all other people was circumcision. Number two, keeping of the Sabbath.

[17:14] Number three, the certain dietary requirements. So, if you're a Jew, you can eat some things. You remember Acts chapter 10, verse 13, 14, Peter said, I cannot eat this. If you're a Jew, it's by covenant.

[17:26] Now, that was the covenant between God and the Jews, not God and Christians. So, it was God's covenant with the Jews. Keep the circumcision, the Sabbath day, and the dietary requirements.

[17:42] So, you remember, last week, Pastor Ho mentioned it. After they solved the controversy, they said, let's write a letter to them and ask them, verse 29, four things. They should abstain from strangled animals, from blood, from fornication, and from food offered to idols.

[17:58] Now, two of those requirements were religious or ceremonial requirements. Okay. They were not moral requirements. So, blood and strangled animals, it was ceremonial requirements according to Leviticus chapter 11.

[18:16] So, if you're a Jew, you are not permitted to eat meat with blood inside it. So, if you strangle the animal, the blood stays in it. Because from the time God chose the Jews or he formed the Jews, he kept blood sacred because there's going to come blood.

[18:35] If they trivialize blood, they will end up trivializing the blood of Christ that redeems. So, God has always, Bible said that, he was slain from the foundation of the earth according to 1 Peter chapter 1 verse 20.

[18:49] So, Christ's blood was so precious, God made blood very precious. And that was what they were using for atonement. Hebrews chapter 9 verse 21, without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.

[19:02] So, blood, according to Leviticus chapter 11 verse 17, the life of a thing is in the blood. So, if you drain, before medical science became advanced, they didn't know life was in the blood.

[19:13] So, once upon a time, I think Abraham Lincoln, I forgot, one of the American presidents was sick and they found it was in the blood. So, they decided to drain all his blood to put new one inside. Little did they know that when you drain the blood, you have drained the life.

[19:26] Because according to Leviticus, he said, the life is in the blood. So, if you eat the blood, okay, Leviticus 17, for the life of a flesh, what is it? So, if you eat the blood, those of you who have been drinking blood, vampire, if you, if, if you eat the blood, you have eaten life.

[19:46] But guess what? Now, in Christ, all those dietary requirements don't apply. So, feel free and eat your blood. They don't apply anymore.

[19:58] Hello? Now, so, watch this. Every Jew has his identity very much buried in these things. So, if for the sake of the fraternity, why don't we consider the sensitivity of this other person?

[20:15] I know you like something and it's not a sin, but to somebody, it affects their conscience. So, you don't do it when they are there. So, he says that to maintain the fellowship which is made up of Jews and Gentiles, let's ask them to abstain from food offered to idols and blood.

[20:35] and then let's also take it further by talking about moral restrictions, fornication and idolatry or food offered to idols. Those ones were common to the Gentiles and at least Gentiles who are Christians must be very firm on this that you can't be a Christian and engage in some of these things.

[20:56] So, that's why they gave those restrictions and when this information was passed to the churches, Bible says the churches became more established because there was no more contention. However, Paul introduced circumcision to his protege, to his dear son Timothy.

[21:14] Why? The why is in the text. It's there. It's not hidden. It wasn't theological reasons. It was ethnic reasons.

[21:25] It was for convenience so that he doesn't become offensive to the people he's going to. So, he says that he had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in that region.

[21:39] They were very sensitive about that because they all knew that this guy is not circumcised because when a Jewish boy is born, they go through the circumcision and everybody in the territory knew it.

[21:52] And so, everybody knew that this guy, his father was not Jewish. His father was Greek. So, his father didn't let his boy go through that. However, his mom was a Jewish, a Jewish woman who also eventually believed.

[22:06] And so, Timothy, for some reason, was brought up in a very godly environment, quite godly because in 2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 5, Paul tells Timothy, the faith that I see in you, which was first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice.

[22:26] In 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 15, you have known the word of God that from childhood, this is Timothy, Paul wrote to Timothy that, Timothy, from your childhood, you have known the scriptures.

[22:38] So, that tells you, he grew up around a very healthy scriptural environment until he became born again. You see how all those things accounted for his future? It makes a big difference.

[22:50] So, Timothy had a very decent background and Paul took him that, I want to travel with you and said, you need to be circumcised because the Jews are sensitive about this matter and they all knew that you are not circumcised.

[23:03] Now, when you are going to reach out to them, we're going to have a problem. So, let's sort it out. However, Titus was not circumcised. God, what did circumcise him?

[23:14] Chapter 2 verse 3, it says that Paul said, yet, not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

[23:25] So, it wasn't something Paul was going around getting circumcised. But because of the Jews, how sensitive it was for the Jews, Paul said it to be strategic, it to be advisable, it's just shrewd.

[23:39] To the Jews, I became a Jew, like a Jew. To the Greeks, I became like a Greek, so I might win some. Paul didn't ask Timothy to be circumcised, so he will be saved.

[23:51] He asked Timothy to be circumcised, so he can save many. So, Timothy, for the salvation and the sake of others, had to undergo this harsh reality, and he suffered for a few days.

[24:03] It doesn't take long. Try it. It doesn't take long. And he was circumcised. And then verse 4 says that, and as they went through the cities, they delivered the information from the elders of Jerusalem, and the churches were strengthened.

[24:19] Let's go to verse 5 quickly. So the churches were strengthened in faith. Information, healthy information has a way. Biblical, sound doctrine, doctrinal position has a way of strengthening the church.

[24:32] And so that's why church leadership should not shy away from tackling doctrinal issues soundly to strengthen believers. Verse 6 says that, and when they have gone through Phrygia and the regions of, this is interesting, and the regions of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.

[24:49] Now, those times, when you say Asia, you don't mean, it's not talking about China and Japan. Those days, in the Roman world, minor Asia was modern day Turkey. So it was those territories.

[25:02] And isn't it interesting that they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach? Preaching. Preaching? Now, one of the major key cities in Asia, Asia minor, is Ephesus.

[25:17] And eventually, Paul really did a big job in Ephesus. So it wasn't like don't go to Ephesus. But God had a program. And we have to cooperate with God and be more sensitive about what God wants.

[25:29] Trust in the Lord. Proverbs chapter 3, verse 5 and verse 6. It says that, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your path.

[25:43] Let's cooperate with the Holy Spirit. If the Spirit dwells in you, it's as many as are led by the Spirit of Christ. Romans chapter 8, verse 14. So the Spirit of Christ leads us.

[25:54] They were forbidden, not because God didn't want them to preach the word, but it wasn't time. Watch this, this is very important. God has his own eternal agenda. With God, nothing happens by accident.

[26:07] Verse 7 says, look at verse 7, it's very interesting. And after they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but their spirit did not permit them.

[26:18] Give us English standard version and New American standard version. There's something that King James misses. Shall we read from the bat? Both. Let's go. King James, how does King James put it?

[26:35] But the... he just uses spirit. New American standard version. He uses spirit of Jesus. The reason why sometimes I take us to New American standard version, English standard version, they're very close to the original.

[26:49] Okay, one day I have to take my time and teach about the versions. But he used the word, the spirit of Jesus. The first time the Holy Spirit was presented in the scriptures was the spirit of God.

[27:03] Genesis chapter 1 verse 2. He was known as the spirit of God. Then, when it came to creation, when it came to his relationship with people, the word Yahweh is used in the context of God in relationship with people, human beings.

[27:20] So Yahweh, God. So when Moses said, when I go, who should I say? Tell them that I am Yahweh, I am. Okay, so when it's sometimes translated Jehovah or the Lord.

[27:33] So when you read Judges, chapter 3 verse 10, Judges chapter 6, verse 19, you see the spirit of the Lord, which is not necessarily the spirit. You see the Lord there is capitalized.

[27:46] That's Jehovah in some translations. They'll put Jehovah, other places is Yahweh. That's God in relation with his people. All right, what am I trying to imply? In other parts of the scripture, sometimes you see the spirit of God.

[27:58] In much of the Old Testament, you see the spirit of the Lord in relation with his people. But it wasn't a common phrase to see in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit.

[28:09] The closest it ever came to the term, the Holy Spirit is not an Old Testament word. But it's there in Psalms, Psalm 51, take not the Holy Spirit from me, and it's in Isaiah.

[28:20] When you look at the context very carefully, it's not the Holy Spirit, it's the spirit of holiness. holiness. So in Isaiah, it talks about it's the spirit of holiness. In Psalm, it's the spirit of holiness.

[28:33] The first time the word Holy Spirit was used was in context with the arrival of Jesus Christ as a human being. So in Matthew chapter 1 verse 18, the Bible says she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.

[28:49] In Luke chapter 1 verse 35, you remember Mary verse 34, how shall these things be? He said the Holy Spirit shall come upon you so that what will come out of you will be called the Son of God.

[29:01] It had everything to do with the coming of Jesus Christ for the fulfillment of God's purpose for humanity.

[29:12] In these last days. That's why he said I'll pour my spirit upon all flesh. He was talking about the coming of the Holy Spirit. So when they were going to preach in Asia, the Bible says the Holy Spirit forbid them.

[29:25] The same spirit. But they tried to go to Bethania and the Spirit of Jesus. Now, that's the first time it was used the Spirit of Jesus.

[29:36] In Romans chapter 8 verse 9, you see the Spirit of Christ. So sometimes you see the Spirit of Jesus. In Philippians chapter 1 verse 19, the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1.19.

[29:46] For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. It's the same Spirit but it's pointing us to something. Anytime you see the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of Jesus, it's pointing more to Jesus' human incarnation, human life, human living, his death, his burial, resurrection, and ascension.

[30:11] These things are so important and that is what make us the church. without Jesus' human living on earth, we couldn't have the church. Without his incarnation, being a man, we couldn't have had the church.

[30:24] Without his death, we couldn't have had the church. Without his resurrection, he had to even ascend before the church can come into existence. And so Jesus Christ, who is the builder of the church, who is the governor of the church, he told them, don't preach in Bithynia.

[30:43] Don't go to Bithynia. No, I'm not permitting you why. I am the one in charge of whatever, how the church stands out. It's not just your goodwill, but it's my purpose and my plan and my agenda from eternity.

[30:57] Listen, no church does well outside the program of God. And the same way, you won't do well as a believer outside of the spirit. And then the spirit enforces the plan and the agenda and the purpose of God in your life.

[31:13] in Ephesians chapter 2 verse 10, he said, for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works. He just didn't save us, he saved us to use us.

[31:29] Good works is not part of what saves us, but we are saved for good works. So in the verse 9, it says that not of works, Paul spoke about works in a very condemnatory manner, not of works, but the next verse, it speaks about good works in a very commendative way.

[31:47] It said, it's of good works. We have been created unto good works. When was it planned? Which God purpose that we should walk in before you were born, before the foundation of the earth?

[31:57] This is where I'm going. You've been called to do something. Before you even got born again, God has appointed you for something. And that's what determines your life's plan.

[32:08] I was preaching, I was saying to some people recently, that one of the greatest preachers in United Kingdom history, George Whitefield, he said, a man or a person is immortalized until his work on earth is done.

[32:26] In other words, you can't die until your assignment on earth. Anytime you sleep and wake up, it means that not because either than that, as soon as you got born again, God would have whisked you to heaven.

[32:38] But it keeps us alive because there's a church to keep, a God to glorify, a never-dying soul to save and fit it for the skies.

[32:50] There's an assignment over your life, and the more you are growing, if you don't wake up to it, you are wasting. A time comes where, watch this, watch this, God is an expert in recycling.

[33:03] So, it doesn't matter what is left in your life. You pastor, you don't know what you're talking about. I've messed up too much, I've gone on in my life. It doesn't matter.

[33:13] He can do much with that little that is left because he can recycle it. That's why you are alive. But the more you stay away from the purpose of God, the more you are wasting.

[33:25] Because a time is coming where your academic credentials is not what will matter. Where the sky crepes you have built is not what matter. The songs you have sung is not what will matter. Even buildings or church buildings you have built is not what will matter.

[33:38] But what you have done for God is what will matter. The time is coming. Paul said that I fought a good fight. I've finished my race and I've kept the faith.

[33:48] Verse 8, 2 Timothy chapter 4, therefore there is laid for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord will give to me. When?

[33:59] On that day. I've always been saying there was saying there were only two days on Paul's calendar. Today and that day. Only two days on Paul's calendar.

[34:09] Today and that day. You have to live today in light of that day. Because there is a day coming when God will ask you, have you done what I asked you to do? He keeps you alive because he is up to something.

[34:23] He all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. When his purpose is in place, it doesn't matter what has happened in the past.

[34:35] All things begin to work together. God can fix things. God can use your past. He actually wants to use your past so he can take the glory. He didn't call you to save you alone.

[34:46] He called you to use you after he has saved you. That's why he remains the boss. So that if we can submit to his spirit, the spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, and always ask him to lead you.

[34:57] Have your way. Paul, they heard him. He said don't, and they complied. Later on, Paul went to preach in Ephesus, so the problem was not Ephesus. The problem was the purpose of God, the agenda of God.

[35:08] What is the purpose of God for your life? Pastor, how do I find it? Just do the little you can. Any opportunity you can, you get to serve God, to work with him, use it.

[35:19] That is his purpose. That's the only way you discover the purpose of God. And I submit to you, brothers and sisters, Jesus has a plan for your life. He has a purpose for your life. As long as you live, there's still a lot that God can do with your life.

[35:32] Did you receive something? Come on, let's give Jesus praise. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Thank you for listening to this message by David Entry.

[35:45] We pray you have been revived towards God. You can connect with David Entry on all relevant social media platforms, including Instagram and LinkedIn. You can also hear more messages from David Entry on all relevant streaming platforms and the Carish Church app.

[36:00] Don't forget to like and share the message. Be blessed. God bless you.