Acts 16:6-15 Sermon Outline: Yahweh Directs Our Steps

INTRODUCTION

Review Acts 1-15: Kingdom established → Witness in Jerusalem → Judea/Samaria → First Journey → Jerusalem Council → Second Journey

Last time: Timothy's circumcision (practical & typological reasons) = principle of becoming "all things to all people"

Today: Acts 16:5-15 — How Paul ended up in Macedonia

I. THE FIRST JOURNEY REVISITED (v. 5)

Text: "Churches strengthened, abounding in number daily" Point: Mission accomplished. Now what? Key: Even apostles didn't have constant clear direction

II. CLOSED DOORS (vv. 6-8)

Text: Forbidden by Spirit from Asia, not permitted to Bithynia Point: Logical plans blocked by God's direction Key Verse: Proverbs 16:9 — "Heart plans his way, but Yahweh directs his steps" Application: Use common sense (light of nature), wise judgment (Christian prudence), & Scripture (Scriptural principle) - And the Lord will direct your steps.

III. MACEDONIAN VISION (vv. 9-12)

Text: Vision of man calling for help; Paul concludes God opened a door Point: Vague vision requires discernment & prudence Key: They head to leading city, wait, watch for God's working.

IV. FIRST FRUITS IN MACEDONIA (vv. 13-15)

Text: Lydia at riverside gathering, heart opened by Lord, household baptized, offers hospitality Point: God works through weak things (women at river, not mass movement) Application: God uses the overlooked, marginal gatherings

Lydia Details:

Prominent God-fearer, wealthy, businessman

House becomes church headquarters

Hospitality in her home preferable to dangerous inns

Summary

Thus Paul and Silas, after encountering many closed doors, begin their Macedonian mission. They go to a leading city, gather with the marginal group of faithful women, the Spirit brings increase, and the Philippian church is founded. And the context of the New Testament is beginning to take shape.

V. APPLICATION: THE SPIRIT'S ORCHESTRATION

A. Seek the Spirit

How often does your spirit reach out to God's Spirit? - It is often when we are out of communion that the Spirit’s promptings are viewed as inconveniences rather than blessings.

Pay attention to His direction and seek Him often

B. Christian Prudence

Don't wait for specifics; you have God's Word, common sense, reason

Do what seems best within Scripture & reason

Spirit won't give step-by-step checklist

If wrong direction, He'll close the door

C. Ordinary Faithfulness

What does Jesus want us to do?

Go make disciples, baptize them, and teach them how to be Christians.

How do we do this?

Ordo amoris: Love God → family → church/society (Your relationship with God, then toward your primary responsibilities in your home, then to society/church).

Teaching = ordinary obedience, not head knowledge. The reason we study the Scripture is to obey God.

Better to provide for family than study Scripture

Better to serve household than attend every church function

Ordinary Christian piety > head knowledge

These are the things we teach: what does it mean to be a Christian?

CONCLUSION

So we return to our theme: Yahweh directs our steps.

Three principles:

Seek the Spirit through consistent prayer

Pay attention to His leading (closed & open doors)

Live out obedience in ordinary, daily Christian work

Exhortation: Apply God's Word, use your common sense, do what you think is best as you serve Jesus this week.

Blessing: May God richly bless you as you serve Him.