Walking By Faith

Me

Shoe

Review

We

I. Our heart is inclined toward that which is convenient and comfortable (Acts 6:6-8; Luke 9:57-62)

A. Technology is all about convenience and comfort

B. Military lesson

Jeremiah 17:9 “9 The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?”

C. Ministry is easy to make comfort and convenient

Luke 9:58 CSB

58 Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Luke 9:60 CSB

60 But he told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:62 CSB

62 But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

God

Map

Acts 16:6–7 CSB

6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia; they had been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.

Acts 16:8 CSB

8 Passing by Mysia they went down to Troas.

Acts 16:9 CSB

9 During the night Paul had a vision in which a Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, “Cross over to Macedonia and help us!”

II. God's heart is inclined toward those who are open and desperate (Acts 16:9)

The Holy Spirit frames Paul's vision around God's own compassionate response to those who acknowledge their spiritual need.

There is a sense of urgency in the man's voice. Perhaps the vision emphasized afresh for the Apostle Paul himself the pitifulness associated with one's separation from God

Acts 16:10 CSB

10 After he had seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

III. Align your heart with God’s compassionate purpose (Acts 16:10; Matt 6:33)

Matthew 6:33 CSB

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

What kind of convenience are we willing to relinquish to reach the open and the desperate?

What kind of comfort are we willing to fore-go in order to reach the open and the desperate?

What kind of control are we willing to relinquish to reach the open and the desperate?

You

IV. Absent the hand of God, we can trust the heart of God (Pro 3:5-6)