Answering God's Call to Live Missionally

Acts 16:6-10

Acts 16:6–10 (NLT)

6 Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time.

7 Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there.

8 So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas.

9 That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”

10 So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.

Introduction:

A- Background

1- Acts presents the movement of the Holy Spirit through the church.

a. In the book of Acts we see the expansion of the Kingdom of God through His people.

b. The key to understanding the rapid expansion of Christianity in the first decades and early centuries of the church’s existence is the missional lifestyle of early believer. They lived in a lifestyle that reflected the personal impact of the Good News of Jesus and extended the mission of Christ through sharing the message of Christ whenever and wherever possible.

c. The early believers were focused on following the leadership of the Holy Spirit for every day of their lives.

B- God has called each Christ-follower to live-out the Mission of Christ.

1- Jesus’ goal is still to see his kingdom expanded.

a. The method that He has established to accomplish this kingdom expansion is through his followers living-out the Mission of Christ in daily life.

(1) Missional living means that you and I live and interact with other people in a way that reflects the life-transforming impact that the Good news of Jesus in our own lives.

(2) We must always be ready to share with non-belevers the reason for our life. (1 Peter 3:15)

1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

(3) If you and I are to answer God’s call to live missionally, we must seek to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance each day of our lives.

TS: Answering God’s Call to Live Missionally means that we will make some strategic choices.

I. Surround yourself with those who also have a heart for God’s work (Acts 16:1–5).

Acts 16:1–5 (NLT)

Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.

A. Use all who are willing to serve (Acts 16:1, 40).

Acts 16:1 (NLT)

Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek.

Acts 16:40 (NLT)

When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.

1- Established disciples

2- New disciples

long-term missional living is not possible without living in community with other belevers who are living missionally.

B- Be careful of the testimony of those who minister with you (Acts 16:2 – 4).

Acts 16:2–4 (NLT)

2 Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium,

3 so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek.

4 Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.

1- Past testimony

2- Future testimony

C- Remember the goal of ministry (Acts 16:5).

Acts 16:5 (NLT)

So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.

1- The church is strengthened spiritually.

a. ἐστερεοῦντο- Taught how to fully follow Christ. To establish solidly in the faith.

b. Paul and those helping him always sought to help other believers grow stronger.

(Acts 14:22)

Acts 14:22 (NLT)

where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.

(Acts 15:41)

Acts 15:41 (NLT)

Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.

(Acts 18:23)

Acts 18:23 (NLT)

After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.

2- The church grows, thereby expanding the Lord’s kingdom.

a. The missional pattern is a daily growth as new people become Christ-followers. (Acts 2:47)

Acts 2:47 (NLT)

all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

II. Be sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6 – 10).

Acts 16:6–10 (NLT)

6 Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time.

7 Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there.

8 So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas.

9 That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”

10 So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.

One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to be a guide to believers. (John 14:17, 26)

John 14:17 (NLT)

He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

John 14:26 (NLT)

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

A- The Holy Spirit will sometimes say no to some ideas (Acts 16:6-8).

Acts 16:6–8 (NLT)

6 Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time.

7 Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there.

8 So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas.

1- Even though they have the right intentions.

2- Certainly if done with the improper intentions.

B- The Holy Spirit will make his directions clear. (Acts 16:9-10)

Acts 16:9–10 (NLT)

9 That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”

10 So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.

1- His leadership will be marked with open doors for service.

Note Jesus’s words to the Philadelphian church

(Revelation 3:7 – 13)

Revelation 3:7–13 (NLT)

“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia.

This is the message from the one who is holy and true,

the one who has the key of David.

What he opens, no one can close;

and what he closes, no one can open:

“I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.

“Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

2- We must be willing to seek until his direction is found.

(Matthew 7:7 – 8).

Matthew 7:7–8 (NLT)

7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

III. Trust God for the results of Missional Living (Acts 16:11 – 40).

A- Some people will immediately believe and become involved (Acts 16:11-15).

Acts 16:11–15 (NLT)

11 We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis.

12 From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.

13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there.

14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.

15 She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

B- Some people will resist the good news message until the bitter end. (Acts 16:16 – 24).

Acts 16:16–24 (NLT)

16 One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes.

17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.”

18 This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her.

19 Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace.

20 “The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted to the city officials.

21 “They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.”

22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods.

23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape.

24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

C- Some people will resist for a time, and then believe (Acts 16:25 – 34).

Acts 16:25–34 (NLT)

25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!

27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself.

28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”

32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household.

33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized.

34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

D- Some people will tell you to leave (Acts 16:35 – 40).

Acts 16:35–40 (NLT)

35 The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!”

36 So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.”

37 But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!”

38 When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

39 So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city.

40 When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.

* These responses reflect the outward manifestations of the responses Jesus told us would inevitably take place to the Good News message. (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23)

Matthew 13:3–9 (NLT)

3 He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds.

4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them.

5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.

6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died.

7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants.

8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!

9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

Matthew 13:18–23 (NLT)

18 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds:

19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.

20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.

21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.

22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.

23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Conclusion:

A- Summary: Answering God’s Call to Live Missionally means making some strategic decisions:

1- Surround yourself with those who also have a heart for God’s work.

2- Be sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

3- Trust God for the results of Missional Living.

B- Now what?

a- Christ Followers:

(1) God has called you to live missionally. Your purpose is to live in a way that the people around you can see how the Good News has changed your life and live in readiness to share the Good news when you have the opportunity.

(2) You need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide your steps through life… His guidance will sometimes take you on unexpected pathways.

b- Non Christ-followers:

(1) Your journey must begin with the words spoken by Paul to the Philippian Jailer.

(a) Believing in Jesus means more than making mental assent to the facts of the Good News. It means rejecting your old way of life and choosing to follow Christ’s way, allowing Him to begin changing the way you think and live.

(2) Once you have believed the Good News Message, you can begin to live missionally.