FINDING PEACE IN HIS PLAN

Transitions #2

Pastor Brandon Cross

Woodland Church

Sunday, May 31, 2026

(Luke 24:44-53, NKJV) “Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.”

MAIN IDEA

Jesus transforms our fear and anxiety into joy in times of uncertainty and transition as we learn to understand and trust His plan and purpose for us to represent Him to the world around us.

1.  Trust His Plan

(Luke 24:44-53, NKJV) “Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in”

Application:

When we enter into a season where we are uncertain of what is coming next, we do not understand the direction things are going in, when unexpected setbacks happen (job loss, relationship loss, death in the family, etc.), we need to believe that He has a plan for us and will use these uncertainties and setbacks to grow us into whom He needs us to be.

2.  Understand and Rely on His Word

(Luke 24:45-46, NKJV) “And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Application:

His Word is to be our guide, coupled with the Holy Spirit, to remind us that He is sovereign, He has a plan, and He is to be trusted to use our life and story to build His kingdom in His ways, His timing, and for His purposes. His Word reminds us of our priorities and our purpose: Make Disciples.

3.  Rejoice in the Victories

(Luke 24:48-53, NKJV) “And you are witnesses of these things. “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.”

Application:

When we are uncertain, when things appear to be heading in the wrong direction, we need to focus on His victories in our lives, in the church, in the community, etc.  When we praise Him for His marvelous works, worry dissipates and Joy takes its place.

4.  We Are Empowered for the Mission

(Luke 24:49, NKJV) “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

(Acts 1:8, NKJV) “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

• Empowerment for the Mission:

Peace comes from knowing that believers are not left alone, but are empowered by the promise of the Holy Spirit to proclaim repentance and forgiveness to all nations.

• The Promise of Empowerment requires action, faith and perseverance on our part to receive it.

   

• The Purpose of the Power is to Share Jesus

Application:

When we are moving into a new season or things appear to be different than we expect them, we can be confident that the Holy Spirit will empower and enable us to fulfill His purposes for us in this next season. We have the responsibility to seek it and receive it for the purpose of representing Jesus to others!

MAIN POINT RECAP

1.  Trust His Plan

2.  Understand and rely on His Word

3.  Rejoice in victories

4.  We are empowered for the mission

CALL TO ACTION

1.  Identify something that you are struggling with understanding in your life this week and commit to trusting God with that situation by proclaiming your trust in Him in prayer daily.

2.  Commit to asking God to evaluate our motives/expectations and ask Him to reveal whether or not they are aligned to His purposes or our own.

3.  Identify three things that you can praise God for each day this week. Celebrate those victories by telling Him you are grateful for them and sharing them with others!

4.  Actively seek the power of the Holy Spirit and boldness to better represent Jesus to others this week.