Beware of Detours by Warren Wiersbe (36 min listen)

Scripture: Acts 21:1-17

Wiersbe gives a very interesting look at the Apostle Paul’s decision to go to Jerusalem before heading to Rome. I love examples in the Bible like this where we can learn from someone’s decision-making and see how God responded. In the sermon, he explores what will happen to sincere Christians if they go against God’s will, what their thought process is like going through that decision, and how God responds. Definitely worth the listen!

Some points that stood out to me:

• Even if we go on a “detour” or go against the will of God with sincere motives, God will meet us with grace and still use us. He doesn’t abandon us just because we mess up. It will be more difficult for us than if we had followed his plan, but he still will accomplish his purposes.
• Sometimes we make decisions that make sense to us because we have a burden to help someone. That might not be God’s will for us, though, and we might find ourselves in disobedience despite our sincerity. Just because you have a burden on your heart it doesn’t mean God will use you to accomplish it. David wanted to build the temple, but it was not in God’s will.
• God will not always send us to help the people from which we came. Paul was a leading Jew, but God sent him to the Gentiles despite his burden for his countrymen.

Hope you enjoy it!

Thank you to Joy Vergeer for sending me this sermon.