It's Gonna Happen On The Way

Mark Estepp - 9/21/2025

Acts 23:11

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Acts 23:12-22 - Over 40 men plotted to kill Paul. 

Acts 24:1–21- Before Governor Felix - Paul was accused of being a troublemaker and desecrating the temple.

Acts 25:1–12 - Before Governor Festus - The Jewish leaders pressed Festus to send Paul to Jerusalem for trial (planning an ambush).

Acts 26:1–32 - Before King Agrippa II (with Festus present) - Paul appeared before Agrippa while Festus accused him of being insane.

Acts 27:13–44 - Paul endured a violent storm and shipwreck. 

Acts 28:1–6 - Snakebitten on Malta - Surviving the shipwreck, Paul was bitten by a viper, and the islanders assumed he was cursed.

It’s Gonna Happen on the Way

Acts 9:15-16

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Acts 24:1–21- Before Governor Felix - Paul preached the resurrection.

Acts 25:1–12 - Before Governor Festus - Paul appealed to Caesar.

Acts 26:1–32 - Before King Agrippa II (with Festus present) - Paul gave his personal testimony and proclaimed the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Acts 28:1–6 - Snakebitten on Malta - Paul prayed for and ministered to the sick.  

What’s gonna happen on the way? God’s mission and your maturity.  

Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Philippians 1:6

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

To see God do immeasurably more in and through you. 

If you do not invest in your maturity, then you will not engage in God’s mission.

If you do not engage in God’s mission, then you will not mature. 

It’s gonna happen, but not the way you thought.  

It’s gonna happen through tests and trials.

Take courage. Through tests and trials, God’s mission and your maturity will happen.