Pastor Wayne Cordeiro
September 22, 2013 - W1338

Today, I want to teach you a creed, a New Hope Bible creed that I memorized just for our Ohana.  For everyone who has their Bible or I-Phone, raise them above your heads, and repeat after me.  This is my Bible, the Word of God.  I boldly declare, it is the highest law in the land.  I am what it says I am.  I have what it says I have. I do what it says I do.  I am a citizen of Heaven.  Give yourselves a hand!

Today, I want to talk about how our Plan B’s, may very well be God’s Plan A.  Many times we may become upset or mad at what we are experiencing; however, God is using our experience to teach us to trust Him, and to trust in the plans that He has for us.  A few years ago, I went in for surgery to remove five blockages in my heart, and then to install three stents.  While lying on my gurney and waiting for surgery, the doctor told me that I had to trust him. Although I was nervous, anxious, and afraid, there was nothing I could do.  I had to learn to trust that doctor’s expertise, and to just rest.  A thought then came to me that I must have trust in God, even though something may be seemingly bad.

Sir Winston Churchill was a great leader who inspired his countrymen with his inimitable English voice.  While France was being invaded by Nazi troops and war planes that had darkened its skies, Churchill said, “Let us brace ourselves for our duty, so that men will say that this is our finest hour- for centuries to come.”

In seemingly bad times, God has a plan.

1.Nothing TAKES GOD BY SURPRISE.

God knew that the Farrington roof would fall in, long before we did.  God knew that we would run short of funds, and have to look for a new home.  God knew that we would be sued.

In trying times, the Apostle Paul did not get flustered, but said, “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole Praetorian Guard and to everyone else.”  (Phil. 1:12-13)

Paul went on to say, “For me to live as Christ, and to die again is gain.  Now if I am to live on in the flesh, this will be more fruitful labor for me.  But I don’t know which to choose, having a desire to depart, go and be with Christ, for that is very much better.”

Paul was saying that he would rather go home to be with God; however, because he loved, and wanted to serve the people, he stayed to ensure that their preaching matched the way they were living.  Therefore, we must walk in a manner worthy of the gospel.

In light of our opponents, stand fast.  It has been granted for Christ’s sake to believe, and to suffer for Him.  God has a plan that sometimes we do not see.  Paul did not see God’s plan, but stayed because God wanted him to fulfill His work.

Pilot Steve Scheibner was a person whose service to God was intensified by the events of September 11^th.  On September 10^th, Steve had scheduled himself to fly American Airlines Flight 11 from Boston to Los Angeles, and received a phone confirmation of his assignment.  According to Steve, once he receives a flight confirmation, a senior pilot only has a thirty minute opportunity to bump him, and take his assignment. That is what happened.   A pilot named Tom Maguiness called in right after he had taken this assignment and bumped him off from piloting Flight 11.  Soon after take-off, the terrorists overpowered the plane, crashing it into the Twin Towers.  Steve said, “Tom McGuinness sat in the airline seat that I should have sat in, and Jesus hung and bled on the cross for my sins.” 

What a powerful testimony.  Sometimes we may think that something is a mistake, or that God has forgotten about us.  We have to understand that God has our best interests in mind.  The Bible says, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord.  ‘Plans, not for your calamity but for your welfare, that you might have a future and a hope.’”  (Jer. 29:11)

This same-sex marriage bill could be divisive.  We could see this bill as “defining”, because of a choice to be made.  Will the Bible, which is God’s laws control my life, or will the highest law in our country control it?  We must boldly declare God’s Law.

At different times in our lives, God allows us to experience turbulence and great challenges.  We may get negative or bitter; however, our Plan B, of how we see things, is actually God’s Plan A.

Moses was driven from the comforts of his living situation into the desert, but was found by God at the Burning Bush.  The Philistines blinded Samson, but God opened his eyes.  Paul was chained to a Praetorian Guard; however he saw it as a positive opportunity.  Paul’s view was that the guard was chained to him, so that he could preach the gospel.  Paul refused to make Plan B merely Plan B, because God wanted it to be Plan A. 

· It’s not the circumstance but how you define it that will make all the difference in the world!  Paul said, “…most of the brethren, trusting the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.” (Phil. 1:14).

We have to learn to trust God.  Sometimes God needs to strip us of everything in order to build us up.   This will allow us to understand that Jesus is all we need, and all we really have.

When I was 31 years of age, Anna and I went to Hilo to minister over a fledgling congregation.  My salary only paid for our rent, leaving no money left for food and the necessities of life.  What may have looked like Plan B, was actually God’s Plan A for us.  He was teaching us the beauty of trusting in Him for all of our needs, which He did provide. 

Sometimes I get really bummed, but I have to stop and reflect upon who’s my Lord.  Is it money? Is it someone?  Don’t let your circumstances become your God.  Make sure that you walk in a manner worthy of Christ. 

Make sure that our Lord controls our countenance, our joy, and our day.  Make sure that our life holds the same weight as the gospel that we espouse. What God is saying in the midst of any circumstance is:

2.WE ARE STANDARD BEARERS OF THE truth.

The Bible says, “What then?  Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed and in this I rejoice and will rejoice.” (Phil. 1:18).

The other day, I was having a radio interview with the host of the staion FISH, Dawn Obrien.  She told me that she gets tired and weary when she continually hears oppositional news, which tempts her to fall into a spiritual resignation.  God did not ask us to be truth boxers against people – He asked us to be truth bearers.  We have to proclaim the truth, and then LEAVE IT!

Remember Iwo Jima?  People were getting weary from the long and protracted war; however, millions of people received inspiration from that picture of six men holding up the flag.

As Christians, we need to hold up the banner of truth.“and they shall know the truth, and the truth shall set them free.”  If people reject the truth and stay in darkness, then that is their choice.  Don’t fight with people.  Give people the truth without condemning them, and let them decide.  This will allow you to not get weary.

· LET THE TRUTH DO ITS OWN WORK!

A week ago, I started to have a panic attack, while trying to handle the concerns that our church is facing.  The Lord then spoke to me and said, “Wayne, I didn’t ask you to be a truth boxer, I asked you to be a truth bearer.”  It is our job to make people aware of the truth – it is up to them to decide whether they want to receive it.

The Lord says, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…in no way alarmed by your opponents which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too is from God.”  (Phil. 1:27-28)

Reflecting on this, I began to understand what He was saying.  God reminded me that regardless of what happens: 3.BELIEVE THAT GOD WILL REDEEM ALL THAT WE DO IN HIS NAME.  Our assignment is not to change the world, but to hold up the banner of truth.  Then God will redeem what we do.  Together, we have to take out our candles, and let the Light shine.  Then God will do the rest, and redeem all of it – I promise you He will.  This is why Paul says, “For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”  (Phil. 1:19).

Stay and endure to the end.  If you are tired of fighting, then proclaim the truth.  The Bible says, “Let the Light so shine before men so they will see your good works.”   You might be exhausted and tired, thinking that nobody appreciates your good works.  God says this is okay, because He promises to redeem your works.  This is why He is called to be our Redeemer.  So walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.

Possible Questions:

· Why is it so important to follow God’s Plan A for our lives?

· What are some of the fruits received from choosing God’s Plan A?

· How do we not get weary from “boxing” for the truth of the Gospel?

· Why is it important to calibrate our lives back to our Lord?  How must we change our thinking to do so?