Sermon Big Idea:

God uses divine detours to direct our lives and gives us his enabling power/grace to keep pressing on.

Sermon Outline:

Acts 25:1-5 |Festus refuses the Jewish leader’s request

Acts 25:6-12 |Festus hears Paul’s appeal

Acts 25:13-22 |Festus ask for advice

Acts 25:23-27 |Festus introduces Paul

 Acts 26:1-11 |Paul’s Defense: Jewish credentials

Acts 26:12- 23|Paul’s Defense: calling and mission

Acts 26:24-32|Paul’s personal invitation

Sermon Overview:

Pastor Jason begins by drawing parallels between GPS navigation and how the default setting is we use them to get us to point A to point B in the fastest, most direct route possible. In the same way, we often desire the quickest way to achieve spiritual growth. Yet, the way of God is to lead us by “divine detours” rather than direct routes to guide our lives. Rather than the two week route to the Promise Land, God led the Israelites through a 40 year detour in the wilderness. Another example is what we find in the book of Acts during chapters 21-28. Paul's trials leading to Rome, involves many unexpected twists and turns or “divine detours.”

The core message, or Big Idea, is that "God uses divine detours to direct our lives and gives us his enabling power/grace to keep pressing on." Paul's journey to Rome, promised by God, was not a direct trip but a series of arrests, hearings, and imprisonments, each serving as a "divine detour." These detours, while seemingly inconvenient or dangerous, provided Paul with unique opportunities to share the Gospel with influential figures like Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa – individuals far from God.

The sermon highlights how Paul, despite facing intense opposition and challenging circumstances, remained obedient and seized every opportunity to testify about Christ. His confidence stemmed not from the immediate results (as many of his audiences didn't immediately convert), but from his faithfulness and obedience to God's calling. The ultimate outcomes and the "growth" of the gospel are in God's hands; our role is to be obedient and walk by faith.

Pastor Jason concludes by reminding us, whether we live in Poway, San Diego, or another part of the world, as disciples we often don't see the full impact of our obedience/ God uses many individuals at different stages of someone's faith journey to plant and water seeds. We are encouraged to embrace these divine detours, trusting in God's guiding hand and His enabling power to share Christ with those around us.

1st Application:

Your faithfulness is not measure by results, but by obedience.

2nd Application:

You often don’t know or realize the role you will play in another person’s faith journey.

Application Questions:

1. Think about a time in your life when you experienced an unexpected "detour" or setback. How did you react initially, and in retrospect, can you see how God might have been using that situation to direct you or prepare you for something else?
2. The sermon emphasizes that our faithfulness isn't measured by immediate results but by obedience. In what areas of your life are you currently hesitant to obey God's leading because you're worried about the outcome or potential "failure"?
3. Considering the idea that God uses many people to plant and water seeds in someone's faith journey, how can you intentionally look for opportunities to be a part of someone's "divine detour" this week, even if it's just a small step of obedience like starting a conversation or offering a prayer?