The Tried and True Guide

THE MISSION IN MACEDONIA

Acts 16:6–10 ESV

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Introduction

How many of you of you here this morning would like to know God’s explicit will and plan for the rest of your lives? So, how many of you here this morning know God’s explicit plan and will for the rest of your lives?

I don’t think there is one Christian I have talked to who does not have a desire to please God by knowing and doing His will. When it comes to personal decision making—especially in seemingly large, life-affecting decisions (“Is this God’s will for my marriage partner?” “Is it God’s will for me to accept this job offer?”), we want God to give us His counsel, His advice, His direction. There is certainly nothing wrong with that. In especially hard decisions, we want to make an appointment with God and sit down across the desk from Him and explain to Him the situation and the decision we face and then to sit back and listen and have Him tell us exactly what decision to make. Or—maybe even more honestly—what we want is for God to decide for us so that we won’t have to.

The Bigger question is, how does God direct us, and how can we know that we are following the direction He has given to us?

Paul is now beginning the Second Missionary Journey

I think the question comes down to how do you view the Holy Spirit and His work in your life? I believe the Holy Spirit is one of the most misunderstood parts of the Godhead / Trinity. The Holy Spirit does many things for believers to include:

Distributing gifts according to His will.

Comforting us in our time of need.

Transforming us by the renewing of our minds.

Taking the role of Guide and Counselor, leading us in the way we should go and revealing God’s truth.

But how do we recognize the Spirit’s guidance?

How do we discern between our own thoughts and His leading? After all the Spirit does not necessarily speak with audible words. Rather, He guides us through our own consciences.

Romans 9:1 ESV

1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—

Two key things are present in helping us discern God’s direction:

1. Knowledge of God’s Word:

Can help you discern whether or not our desires are from the Holy Spirit or somewhere else. We must test our inclinations against scripture - The Holy Spirit will never prod us to do anything contrary to God’s word. If it conflicts with the Bible then it is not from the Holy Spirit.

2. Time in Prayer:

Is necessary for us to be in tune with the Spirits direction in our lives. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.” Not only does it keep our hearts and minds open to the leading of the Holy Spirit’s leading, but it also allows the Spirit to speak on our behalf helping us in our weakness.

Romans 8:26–27 ESV

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

It is important to remember that we have the choice to accept the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

When we know God's will but do not follow it, we are resisting the Spirit’s work in our lives, and a desire to follow our own way grieves Him. Habitual sin causes us to miss what the Holy Spirit wants to say to us through the Word. Being in tune with God’s will, turning from and confessing sin, and making a habit of taking all things to God in prayer and studying His word will allow us to recognize and follow the Spirit’s leading.

BIG IDEA: Are You Daily Listening to your Missions Tried and True Guide?

1. Our Path Changes when the Spirit is our Guide?

In our text today, we find some key appointments on God’s schedule for Paul and Silas. What if Paul had not listened to the Spirits' leading and guiding him and decided to go it alone?

2 Roadblocks on their Journey

They went through Phrygia and Galatia because the Holy Spirit forbade them from speaking the word in Asia.

They came to Mysia and attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Holy Spirit forbade them from doing so.

We do not know exactly why the Spirit had forbidden them from going into these two places.

Did they receive a divine vision from God?

Did the Lord withdraw their sense of peace?

Did they experience other difficulties such as transportation and weather that caused them to be roadblocks by the Spirit?

Did Sickness Hinder them?

We Must Learn To Trust in The Lord Who Guides Our Steps.

Proverbs 16:9 ESV

9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Psalm 37:23–24 (ESV)

23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord,

when he delights in his way;

24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,

for the Lord upholds his hand.

We constantly make daily plans that fail to leave room for God to guide our steps. James talks about boasting about Tomorrow in James 4:13-17. He speaks of the person who sets out His plan for tomorrow, leaving God out of the equation. James says “you do not know what tomorrow will bring, what is life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you should say if the Lord wills.”

3 Principles of Understanding God’s Guidance

a). God’s Guidance is not just circumstantial; it is also Rational

I think many times our understanding of how the Spirit guides us is based on more of a feeling instead of the rational God of the Universe. Understanding what the Lord desires requires thinking over matters as this text illustrates. It is not about guessing but about using godly wisdom.

The verb “concluding” in verse 10 carries with it the idea of “putting the pieces of a puzzle together - gathering the information you have been given and drawing a conclusion.

b). God’s Guidance is personal and Communal.

How often do we make important spiritual decisions on our own? When we are attempting to discern where God is guiding us to go we should include Godly wisdom of other individuals (notice the plural noun used in the text them, we, and us), they are trying to come to a conclusion based on their right understanding of God’s character and overarching plan. Don’t seek God’s will apart from listening to wise counsel withing the body of believers.

c). God’s Guidance often comes Gradually and Unpredictably.

You will notice that the missionary trip does not follow a nice neat formula, as if the men completely understood from one day to the next what God had planned.

The whole trip began with the simple idea to revisit some of the churches. There was nothing unwise or flashy about this decision. How ever, the further they got into the trip God began to shape and expand their plans, the men must have been perplexed at what God was doing with such extreme course changes. It’s like Tim Keller says,

“It is often like a mountainous road, on which one would labor hard, doubling back and seeming to get nowhere, until you come to some vantage point where you can see the “big” picture and see how much progress you’ve made and where you are going. (Evangelism, 136–37)”

Note: When it comes to following God’s guidance, start by obeying what we already know that God has revealed in His word. Then, remain sensitive to the Spirit’s prompting. Seek Godly counsel along the way when you are not certain what God is doing, and think over every situation carefully before making a decision.

The Goal of the Christian Life is to be faithful wherever God Leads.

2. Results Happen When the Spirit is Our Guide?

(Acts 16:11-34)

Philippi was a Roman colony and a leading city in the district. Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, had seized the city in the fourth century BC. Philip named the city after himself and enlarged the gold mining operation there. It came under Roman domination in 168 BC and was enlarged in 42 BC when Antony and Octavian defeated Brutus and Cassius. In 31 BC, Octavian granted the city the status of a colony. Roman influence was heavy in Philippi.

We know that Paul’s missionary strategy was to preach the gospel in important cities, preferably in commercial and administrative centers from which the Word of God can radiate in all directions.

So, we know Paul’s initial plan was to go West to the province of Asia or what is modern day Turkey. We assume that he eventually intended to visit Ephesus, a city located south of Cayster river near the again Sea.

The spirit still lead Paul to a place in keeping with his mission, however, it was not in his initial scope of plan. How many of you here today planned on being in Killeen, or, maybe the better question is did you plan on staying in Killeen.

Today, we have 3 stories of transformed Lives due to Paul letting the Spirit direct his Geographical path.

How often do you seek God and His plan when choosing your geographic location.

1st Result is the Transformation of a Wealthy Woman Named Lydia.

The text indicates that Paul and Silas stayed in the city for several days, translated from Greek, indicating a significant amount of time, possibly four or five days.

In Philippi, the population was primarily Roman. We conclude that the Jews were few since they mentioned going outside the city on the Sabbath looking for a place of worship and not finding one, which suggests that they did not have a Synagogue.

At the river Paul and his friends come in contact with a number of women who are gathered for Sabbath prayer.

Consider that at this time Claudius had expelled the Jews Rome because they had been blamed for creating a religious disturbance. We could assume that the Roman colony at Philip had followed Claudius’s example and banished the Jews. Since none of the men were around it possibly suggests the reason that there was not a Synagogue. A quorum of at least ten men was required before a synagogue could be constituted.

One of the women who’s name was Lydia is described as being from Thyatira, which was on the other side of the Aegean, within the province of Asia. Lydia was a seller of purple goods which were expensive, often associated with royalty. Lydia was an entrepreneur, setting up her own business in Philippi. Despite her successful business she was at the river that day looking for more.

Luke also describes her as being a God-fearer much like that of Cornelius.

The Result of following the Spirit to Philippi

a) The Hearts of those who Are Blind Open

We are all born into Spiritual blindness. Romans 5:12-13 “Just as sin came into the world through one man (Adam) so now death is spread to all men because all have sinned. 1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die; so also in Christ all are made alive.”

God worked in Lydia’s heart and gave her a new life and she heard the gospel and believed.

It is astounding about the quietness of such a world changing event. In a setting that may have well been seen as a picnic rather than a prayer meeting, Paul explained the gospel and God transformed a heart and life all because Paul was listening to the spirit to guide him and not his own pre-planned agenda.

A Church is Born

Many believe that Lydia’s house will be the location of the Church at Philippi.

Jesus Transforms a Slave Girl

(16:16-18)

Next, the missionaries encounter a young, tormented girl. The contrast between the slave girl and Lydia couldn’t be wider. Possibly, Luke tells this story to show how the saving name of Jesus proved its power in the lives of the most diverse types of people.” One is eager to hear and receive; the other is defiant and mocking.

The word “spirit” by which she predicts the future literally reads, “spirit python.” According to the Python guarded the temple of Apollo, over time, this word came to mean “demon-possessed person.”

This girl is in torment; her slave owners treat her like trash, and she is abused day and night by a demonic spirit.

Satan tried to use the slave girl to associate Paul’s message with the occult (v. 17), but the missionaries obviously needed to distance their ministry from this evil work. For many days, the slave girl uttered entirely true things, but the missionaries didn’t fall prey to the evil scheme behind the girl’s words. In the Gospels, demon-possessed people say true things about Jesus, but Jesus rebukes them every time (e.g., Mark 1:24–25; 5:7–8; Luke 4:34–35).

After becoming very annoyed with Satan’s attempt to derail their mission, Paul frees her with a word in Jesus’s name. In a moment, Jesus casts out the demon and crushes the head of the serpent.

Contrast the two conversions:

Lydia is wealthy; the slave girl is poor.

Lydia is a community member of high standing; the slave girl was exploited and abused.

Lydia is religious and moral; the slave girl is broken and tormented.

Lydia comes to faith through a quiet Bible study; the slave girl gets transformed through a dramatic power play.

Lydia was presented with Jesus as the Messiah of Israel; the slave girl met Jesus as the mighty Deliverer.

Jesus Transforms the Jailer

(16:19-34)

It is impossible for us to fully grasp or understand the excruciating torture that Paul and Silas endure next. Freeing the girl from bondage to an evil spirit leads to the girl's deliverance, which upsets the economic gain she had brought her owners.

Soon, the crowd joined in the attack, leading magistrates to order the men to be beaten with rods. The jailer would beat the missionaries, leaving them swollen, lacerated, and sticky with blood pouring out of their wounds. Adding to the punishment, their feet were placed in stocks that were chained to the wall of the prison.

Peter slept in prison (12:6); Paul and Silas sing in prison.

Both sleeping and singing reveal an expression of confident faith and trust in the Lord.  It had to be shocking for all who heard these two men's voices reverberate through the prison wall. Paul and Silas most likely lifted their voices by singing psalms, quoting scripture, and pouring their hearts out in prayer.

b) The Chains of those in Bondage Fall.

We should know by now that breaking chains is our Lords specialty. It was midnight in cell block “C” and in the middle of one of the verses of their singing an earthquake shook the jail so hard that the cells doors were opened.

When the chains fall off in this scene the jailer begins to panic. In fear of the consequences of having to report and empty prison, the jailer prepares to commit suicide.

Two key points to take notice of in all the chaos: 1). Paul cries out in a loud voice, “We are all here.” 2). The first words of the jailer to Paul and Silas were, “What must I do to be Saved.”

Soon the jailer’s whole household hears the gospel, believes it, and is baptized.

The jailer, in an act of humility and repentance, not only washes the wounds of the missionaries but also serves the two a meal. This is a sweet picture of transformation! The jailer no longer views the wounded men as prisoners; he cares for them as brothers in Christ.

Now Paul presents his get out of jail free card.

Being a Roman citizen brought with it certain privileges and one of such privilege dealt with punishment that could be issued to everyone except Roman citizens.

We even see this in the case of Christ who could be put to death by the crucifixion which was to painful a death for the Romans to inflict on their own people.

3. How we Receive the Word Changes When the Spirit is our Guide.

Acts 17:1–15 ESV

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. 10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. 14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

Despite having been through suffering and insult at Philippi, Paul and Silas received strength from God to preach the gospel in Thessalonica.

We learn here that the preaching and teaching of Christ-centered Scripture impact the world in a huge way because if Jesus Christ is Lord, and He is, then everything changes.

Many people today speak of the need to be “Berean Christians”—that is, Christ followers who carefully examine what’s being taught rather than just accepting everything that a teacher says.

Are you a Berean kind of Christian?

In light of the fact that many Western Christians spend little time in the word and are largely dependent on hearing one sermon a week in order to receive biblical training, a “Berean revival” could be wonderfully helpful.

Paul’s Method of Bringing the Gospel in Thessalonica

*Paul Reasoned with them from Scripture

Many people know and have possibly heard the stories of the Bible, but they do not know the storyline of scripture. We must tell people about the greatest story in the world, the redemptive story from Genesis to Revelation.

In our modern age of so-called tolerance and increasing hostility toward Christianity, we need to ask the Lord to give us this holy boldness to speak the gospel faithfully.

Many around the world saw what appeared to be the acting out of Davinci’s painting of the last supper by the trans participants in the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

We should Expect Mixed Responses from People.

Some were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas to include Greeks and a few respectable and upstanding women in the community.

The mob called Paul and Silas trouble makers.

The mob condemned Jason for harboring Paul and Silas.

The mob declared that these men claimed that Jesus was the king, not Caesar. (Sound Familiar to Jesus trial)

THE BEREAN WAY

a). They Studied Scripture Openly.

In verse 11, we read that the Bereans were more “noble" than the Thessalonians. The original word meant “high born” but came to have a more general connotation of being open, tolerant, and generous.

The Bereans had a teachable heart and attitude. How many of you listen to the sermon on Sunday morning with an open Bible? Incidentally the only reason to listen to any preacher is that he brings you back to scripture.

b). They Studied Scripture Eagerly

The Berean citizens were serious about what they were learning. Peter urged Christians to study the Bible with the same “eagerness” and passion a baby has for his or her mile. 1 Peter 2:2-3.

Don’t be too quick to rush from the word to the rest of your life. The Bereans were eager to press deeper into the text. There is a great danger every Sunday that we will be stirred and nothing will change.

c). They Studied Scripture Carefully

They listened to Paul and then endeavored to do their due diligence in homework.

They examined Paul’s claim about the Messiah to see whether they are true or not. They did more than just study the scripture at church on Sunday. They were daily carefully studying Gods word.

They examined Paul’s claims about the Messiah to see whether they were true. They did more than just study the scripture at church on Sunday. They carefully studied God's word daily.

Why do we check email compulsively? Or Facebook? Or Twitter? Or the old fashioned mailbox? Because we believe there is news for us—there’s something there. Someone may have just put up a sweet video of a cat or a status update about someone who made a nice lemonade. Really important stuff like that.

We check because we believe we may hear something relevant and necessary. And yet, what could be more relevant or necessary than God’s word?

Let this truth be a diagnostic tool you and for me: Our behavior with the Scriptures is an indication of our belief about the Scriptures. The Bereans looked into the Bible every day because they expected to find something there. Do we?

RESULT #1 Conversions: Many of the Bereans were saved because they were so devotional to Paul's teaching.

Not everyone will be changed when you teach, but the seed of the Word will bear fruit in some hearers’ lives.

RESULT #2 Conflict: We must always expect conflict to come when God is working. The Thessalonian mob traveled to Berea to persecute Paul.

CONCLUSION

The power of the Holy Spirit, which guides and directs the breathed-out word of God, is evident through each and every one of these stories.

They turned the world upside down by turning loose the power of the Spirit moving and transforming lives one heart at a time.

APPLICATION

How do you know if you have the Holy Spirit?

Before the spirit can be the guiding force of your life you must first receive the Holy Spirit.

Every Christian has the Holy Spirit.

One of the marks that someone truly has the Holy spirit is that we are more Ready, Free, and Bold in our witness for Christ.

Romans 8:9 ESV

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

What is your Condition Before Christ?

We were spiritually dead before Christ. (Eph. 2:1,4)

We were unable to receive the things of the Spirit. (1 Cor. 2:14).

We were in the mind of the flesh and unable to submit to God. (Rom. 8:7-8).

Are You Amazed?

If you have been taught that you were the decisive cause—let me say this again now because this is incredibly widespread and destructive—then you won’t be amazed at your change. You will see it as decisively your work and, therefore, as no real evidence that you are born again or that the Spirit is within you. That’s one of the great tragedies for those who deny the sovereignty of God in salvation.

Ask Yourself the Question? Are you daily Standing Amazed at the The Holy Spirits Directing Your Life?

I know Lydia is, I know the slave girl is, I know the Philippian Jailer is.......

Why not you?