Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:21–24

Introduction

A. Picking up and leaving the familiar comforts of home may not always be a pleasant prospect, but isn’t this something that God has often commanded His children to do?

B. This theme appears often in the book of Acts, and it may find a place in our own lives from time to time.

Discussion

I. In those early days, God often called His people to go.

A. We see a lot of coming and going around the Antioch church (Acts 11:19–30).

B. It seems that Peter was constantly on the move (Acts 12:19; Galatians 2:11; Acts 15:7; 1 Peter 5:13).

C. Paul seldom spent much time in one place (Galatians 1:17; Acts 22:18–21; 13:1; 15:2; 1 Corinthians 4:11).

D. There may be times when we would like to stay, but God is telling us that it is time to go.

II. There are also times when God tells His people to stay.

A. Jesus told some people to stay where they were (Luke 8:39; John 13:36–38; Acts 1:4).

B. God sometimes instructed Paul to stay put (Acts 18:9–17; 27:30–31; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Corinthians 16:5–9; Romans 1:11–13).

C. Timothy also needed to stay where he was (1 Timothy 1:3), at least for the time being (cf. 2 Timothy 4:9).

D. Sometimes we need to stay when every human impulse is telling us to go (1 Corinthians 7:10–24).

Conclusion

A. When the Lord comes again, will you be ready to go?

B. Whether it is time for us to go or to stay, we must always be ready to seek and to do God’s will instead of our own.