When God Says No
Notes
Transcript
Today we continue our journey through Acts with our 25th sermon in this series. We started this series on Sept 28, 2025 and we are pronbably 2/3 of the way to the finish line.
This morning we find Paul beginning his second missionary journey.
Paul came also to Derbe and to aLystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek,
and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium.
Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe.
So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.
They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;
and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them;
and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
So putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis;
and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days.
And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.
A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.
And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
The Commissioning of Timothy
The Commissioning of Timothy
Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek,
and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium.
Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
This trip started out with the disciples wanting to go and “check up” on the churches that they had planted on the 1st journey. A follow up visit to encourage the flock. To make sure everything was being done properly and in order.
As Paul reaches Derbe and Lystra we are introduced to Timothy. Scripture does not record Timoty until now. It is possible that Paul met Timothy on the first trip...but we do not know that for sure. Regardless, Timothy makes an impression on Paul and Paul desires for him to accompany them on this journey.
There is a slight issue. Circumcision. We dicussed this a few weeks ago with tehe Jerusalem council. The Judaizers were spreading the false doctrine that new believers must alos be circumisized in order to be saved. The council rejected this heresy and ruled on the matter.
However, Paul and Timothy are facing a different problem. Timothy was not circumsized...even though he was Jewish. His mother was Jewish, his father was Greek. The Jews would have recognized him as a Jewish, but he lacked the proper credentials to enter the synagogues. “Circumcision”
So Paul had him correct this so that he could have a fruitful ministry and not be a stumbling block to the people they were ministering to.
This was a totally separate issue from the Judaiers. Timothy was not circumsized for his salvation, but to rectify a cultural ideal that would have hindered his ministry.
We will see as we continue through Acts that Timothy becomes a key figure in the NT church.
God Says No
God Says No
Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe.
So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.
They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;
and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them;
and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
As Paul, Silas, and now Timothy continued their journey, They were carrying the message of the Jerusalem council, and the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily. These churches were vibrant and healthy. They received instruction and correction and were thriving.
But here we see something interesting. In v6, Luke reveals that Paul and his crew were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to go to Asia.
God said no! (Holy Spirit)
Then they were trying to go to Bithynia. God said no! (Spirit of Jesus)
What do you do when God says no? It can be an uncomfortable situation. As I was preparing for this lesson, I reflected back on my own life and ministry when God said no.
When I first became a pastor, my very first interim pastorate. It was agreed that we would go 3 months and then evaluate. I was let go after 3 months. I was devasted. Lord I really want to be pastor here...He said no.
We went back to our home church that was awkward. But we fell right back in place, picked up where we left off and then that blew up. I wanted to stay, but God said no.
At that time I was going to Southeastern. I had completed my first full year and a half. And I felt confident that God was calling us to move to Wake Forest.
At that time we lived in a 14x70 mobile home, our palace on wheels. And the apartment that we looked at on campus was probably no more that 400 sq ft. Less than half the size of that small trailer we lived in.
So we go away on a trip to Meadows of Dan, Va. tp spend the weekend praying about htis move. We were broke as we could be. This was a ministry house that charged pastors $25 a night. We spent the weekend in August in a house with no A/C. Hot as all get out, but we encountered several things during that weekend that seemed to confirm our move. We got back home that night and there was a message on our answering machine. Asking us to fill in at Jordans Chapel. And our first Sunday there, we realized that we were not moving to Wake Forest. In fact God said no and sent us 30 minutes in the opposite directon.
We staying at Jordans Chapel for a year. They went to vote on me to be their permanent pastor after 1 yr. God said no again.
In less than 2 years of being in ministry, I had been fired twice and really ostrasized from our home church. God said no 3x.
Those three events however, caused me to stand for Truth and Nothing But the Truth. As bad as they were, and it was bad. I was wrecked. I was questioning everything about what we doing in my mind and in my heart. I was in a very low place. But I realized (some time later) that these things happened so very early in our ministry so that I would stand up for truth. That I would compromise. That I would preach eth full counsel of God, with no apologies.
We ended up in Clayton at a big church. Church at Clayton Crossings. And then God sent us to Cornerstone. We spent 4 years at Cornerstone and a personal failure caused God again to tell me no.
So we left Cornerstone and ended up at Shiloh Baptist in Garner. Licking our wounds. Lower than ever. We spent 18 months there to heal. And during that 18 months, I was able to witness to a friend of ours who we met early in our ministry. I led that man to the Lord in Bojangles in Clayton. And our last Sunday at Shiloh Pastor Mitch allowed me the opportunity to baptise Jeremy.
I told you all of this to say that I am thankful for all the no’s that God has placed in my life.
If it had been for Carters Chapel, Stevens Chapel and Jordans Chapel, I might be a different preacher today. And I’m glad I’m not.
While we were at Jordans Chapel, I preached a funeral where numerous people came to Christ. That could not have happened without the 1st 2 “No’s”
Cornerstone would not have happened without 3 no’s
New Life would not have happened without a series of no’s.
So when God tells Paul no...what does Paul do...he turns around, keeps going in another direction until he hears a yes.
God says Yes!
God says Yes!
A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
So putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis;
and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days.
Paul receives a vision. A man appealing for him to go to Macedonia.
Notice what Paul concludes in v10. THAT GOD HAD CALLED US TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THEM.
So we have the Holy Spirit forbidding them to go
The Spirit of Jesus forbidding them to go
And God himself calling them to go elsewhere.
Directed by the Trinity.
Paul knew in his spirit whether a door is open or closed.
Paul knew by the Spirit of Jesus whether to proceed
Paul knew from God himself to proceed.
How are we to understand this? How are we to interpret this?
If we listen. God will direct.
I knew that there was a possiblity of my not staying at Carters Chapel. Santa Claus blew up and caused a huge problem
I knew that there was a possiblity of my not staying at Jordan’s Chapel. If we vote and you don’t make it you are out of a job.
I knew it in my Spirit. In fact I cleaned out my office the week before the vote.
I was still devasted. But looking back now...those first three no’s were the very best thing that could have happened to me. Without a doubt.
And Paul...when he got his marching orders confirmed...he took a straight course. He went exacly where God had directed him.
God leads Paul to a Disciple
God leads Paul to a Disciple
And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.
A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.
And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
If God had allowed Paul to go to Asia...Lydia may have never responded. But it says that the Lord opened her heart, she and her household was baptised. The gospel permeated the entire house. All becasue God said no.
A couple of closing thoughts
In the moment the “NO” may seem heavy and burdensome.
In the moment the “NO” may seem devestating.
In the moment you may not know what you will do next.
But if you wait, if you listen...the Lord will direct your steps.
And you may just find that his “No” was the best thing that could happen to you.
The gospel is directed by God saying No.
Remember the prayer of Jesus...Lord if it be your will, let this cup pass form me. God said No.
We have salvation because God said No.
