41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

So now we come to the last. We have identified purpose in four men’s lives. Now we can talk about God’s purpose.

Ephesians 1:9, 3:11 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

So often we look for our purpose in life and we forget that it is God who gives life purpose and those purposes are found in Him and in Christ. The issue is here in verse 41 in that these men having found their purpose, having achieved their purpose, were a part of the much larger picture. The confirming of the church, the bride of Christ, that we would grow up to be a worthy help meet for our Lord and Savior, our bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

We need to find purpose. We need to identify how God worked in others to fulfill His purpose and in that we might, just might, find an example of how God is working in us to do the same. It is all a recognition of pattern. God does not change. His purpose is One. His will is One. Nothing He will do in us will be anything different than that which He has already done in those who came before us.

There are set before us many fine examples of men and women of God who have found their purpose. We should never think of ourselves as so special and different that God is doing something different in us. Being special and different is disorderly and misguided. Those are the lies of the enemy who wants to enslave us to his special kind of hell.

Look for godly examples of godly people to find your purpose in Christ.

40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

I find Silas to be my most interesting character in these lessons. Why? Because I see the character of Silas so much within our churches today. No so much in verse 40 as I do earlier in the chapter.

34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

Jonas and Silas had operated in Antioch as prophets and served that community well. Over time their service was no longer required and they were released to return to the apostles. Silas was pleased to stay put in Antioch.

Comfortable surroundings, loving people, a sense of accomplishment and now Silas was ready to sit down and rest. How that desire must have pleased the devil. One more affective worker for Christ sitting on the sidelines enjoying comfort and tranquility. The devil will leave you alone and stop hounding you because you are no longer a threat to Satan’s domain.

Your usefulness to God in this life will end after you have taken your last breath. We do not get to retire from being His nor does His purpose in us end just because we are satisfied. My best example for this is our retired pastor. He no long shepherds this flock. His ministry has moved on to serve veterans in a capacity in which he has a love for both the men and the ministry. He may not impact as many lives in the eyes of some but I will guarantee you his impact of love to the individual is more profound and needful for those who participate.

Silas got tapped into service with Paul with a proven record. He met Paul’s needs and their deeds are written the book of Acts. Silas’ second act was more impactful than his first. It would have been sad for all of us to think of Silas as staying on in Antioch, pleased with himself and content in that which he had already done.