’God’s Detours Are His Duty Tours’ by Elder Richard Yap

The book of Acts speaks of revivals and persecution. The aim of this series is to prepare us for the challenges that come with revival and persecution.

Paul’s voyage had a lot of unplanned events but it was worked together by God for good. God can be trusted when He sends us on detours.

“Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the Lord. And he said, “Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭24:26-27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Abraham’s servant was on an impossible mission to find a bride for Issac. Through a series of God ordained events, the bride was found.

On the way, God’s incidents lead us. He loves to play a game of serendipity.

This was much like Saul, who found what God intended on his way finding his lost donkeys. Saul felt insignificant but came back anointed being the first King of Israel.

“Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and tomorrow I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart. But as for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not be anxious about them, for they have been found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you and on all your father’s house?””
‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭9:19-20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭28:7-10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God had duties already laid out for Paul and it all began with a shipwreck that led to this moment of healing a sick man.

Life in Christ is an adventure and when His hand is upon us, we must trust Him and be grateful always for the detours.

‘The Book Ends, Yet the Story Continues’ by Rev Benedict Rajan

God doesn’t make any accidents in leading our lives (Romans 8:28) and finally enjoying His prophetic destiny for us.

The book of Acts continues with us. We are the book of Acts, the 29th chapter.

“Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭28:30-31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Purpose of message:

Participate in the ongoing history of the Church (Matthew 16: 18-19) We need to continue to build the church, continue the history of the church and promote the extension of the Kingdom of God.

Each of us have a function and giftings in the body of Christ for this purpose. (Romans 12: 5-8)

We are the ongoing, extension of the Kingdom of God and the 29th chapter of the Book of Acts. We are made to be history makers with God. (Matthew 16: 18-19)

How do we extend the Book of Acts in our own life?

1. Stop being a spectator and become a participator. (2 Kings 5, John 3: 34-35)

2. Stop being a consumer and start being a producer. (John 4: 14, 39, Matthew 5: 13-16)

3. Stop being a complainer and become an edifier. (Acts 15: 36-41, Philippians 2: 13-15)

4. We need to become the seekers of God’s glory. ( 2 Chronicles 7:1, Haggai 2:9, Colossians 1:27, 2 Corinthians 3:18)

God’s detours are not accidents but duty tours and we need to say thank you, accept them and trust God will work it out for good. (Romans 8:28)