Out for Delivery - Part 2

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Acts 16 ESV

4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. 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.

2 Corinthians 3:3 “3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

Were out for delivery: The God of the re-route

Title for part 2 is this: The Spirit & the Pivot

(pray).

1.GOD NEVER MAKES US WALK ALONE

WE NEVER MAKE DELIVERY ALONE, NO SOLO DELIVERY RUNS….. Paul was never going to do this one alone… by himself. No man is an island… and Jesus sent them out two by two

We always are spirit led ——And we always friend provisiioned

GOD NEVER MAKES US WALK ALONE. 

There are always friends to our calling and people to our provision. There are often the legalists in your life… the law keepers… but what about the THE HOLY SPIRIT FRIENDS

Here we see this with Timothy and Paul.

Paul wanted timothy to go with him on this trip. God wanted it also.

God has provided people for you to do the journey with…

Who are they?

Who are your friends to your destiny?

Now let me ask you a question… Who are not friends to your destiny? Perhaps part of the message today is to walk with those God has provided and no longer walk with those he hasn’t. 

With every promise there is always a warning too! we arent ignorant of the enemys schemes….The enemy will always send a supposed “friend” to assist in selling the counterfeit or the compromise to you. 

Its amazing how when we want to rebel, or we question the calling, the prompt… the thing gets a bit diffucult - how amazing it is that someone always shows up!

That relationship, the business associate, the comfortable companion. 

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth about the relationships in and around your life.,.,

2. OBEDIENCE OFTEN COMES BEFORE UNDERSTANDING

"The Spirit of Jesus did not allow them..." (Acts 16:7)

One of the hardest lessons in the Christian life is learning that God rarely explains Himself before He asks for obedience.

Paul wanted to go to Asia. Then he wanted to go to Bithynia. Both were good plans. Both were ministry opportunities. Yet the Spirit said, "No."

Notice that God didn't immediately tell Paul where he was going. He simply told him where he wasn't going.

That's often how God works.

The Spirit's pivot tends to make sense only later.

Looking back, Paul could see that God was positioning him to carry the Gospel into Macedonia and eventually throughout Europe. But in the moment? He was simply taking the next step of obedience.

Many of us want understanding before obedience.

God usually asks for obedience before understanding.

Faith says, "I don't have all the answers, but I trust the One who does."

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)

If God explained everything, faith wouldn't be necessary.

Sometimes the greatest act of faith is obeying God when His direction doesn't yet make sense.

3. GOD GUIDES ACTIVE SERVANTS

Paul was already engaged in ministry when God redirected him.

He wasn't sitting still waiting for a vision.

He was serving.

He was traveling.

He was preaching.

He was doing what God had already told him to do.

And while he was moving, God redirected him.

Some of you are looking for God's guidance today. You're asking:

Which route should I take?

What decision should I make?

What's next?

The pattern in Acts 16 is that guidance is often found while serving, not while remaining inactive.

Why?

Because activity is central to our faith.

God is always working.

Jesus said:

"My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working." (John 5:17)

God's people were never called to be spectators. We are called to be participants in His mission.

Too many people are waiting for a detailed map while God is waiting for them to take the next step.

Keep doing what God has already called you to do.

Keep serving.

Keep praying.

Keep giving.

Keep loving people.

Keep being faithful where you are.

God has a remarkable way of revealing the next step to those who are faithful with the current one.

As one pastor said:

"God can't steer a parked car."

The direction often comes while you're already moving.

4. GOD'S PLANS ARE USUALLY BIGGER THAN OURS

Paul wanted to minister in one region.

God was preparing him to take the Gospel into Europe.

Paul thought locally.

God was thinking globally.

Paul saw one city.

God saw generations.

Paul saw a ministry opportunity.

God saw a movement.

What looked like a setback was actually preparation for a greater opportunity.

The closed doors weren't punishment.

They were positioning.

The setback was actually the setup.

Somebody needs to hear that today.

The job that didn't work out.

The relationship that ended.

The opportunity that disappeared.

The door that closed.

What if it wasn't God rejecting you?

What if it was God redirecting you?

Romans 8:28 reminds us:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose