The Right Place: Divinely Guided

Introduction

Good morning church family. You know one of the inventions God allowed us to have is mapping software and GPS. I use these two items a lot. I remember on day last month, I used some electronic maps to help find and learn about a new area for waterfowl. The are was nice. The water was just deep enough for a decoy spread. The only problem was the mud was deep and very sticky on one side of the pond. Of course it was what I was considering the best side. There was simply no way I was going in. I was getting bummed. we are right here, and if we get any ducks on this side, there would no way to retrieve. So we walked around to the other side. The water looked just as deep, until we got closer. Then to amazing wonder the water was much shallower, and still offered opportunity for a decoy spread. As we were coming up to the close of legal hunting hours, waterfowl made their way in, with just minutes to spare. In the end, Zoe and I were able to leave with a harvest.

Do you sometimes feel the same way when you come up on something that looks so good, where you try really hard to make that option come to life? I mean you really have your heart and mind set on that one thing. It’s important to you where you are willing to go through sticky mud and deep water to get to that goal. At that point, what do you do? Do you forge ahead, or do you pull back and seek the guidance of God to get you through it? Paul was in this situation. Paul was trying to determine which direction to go. Was he to go to the North, to the East, to the South, or was He to go west. Paul knew it in his heart, he was to travel, but which direction to travel?

Our passage this morning, we’re going to see the spirit of God in an active role on this missionary journey. I’d like to invite you to open your Bibles to the 16th Chapter of Acts. We’ll be reading verses 6 through 10.

Acts 16:6–10 ESV

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. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Pastoral Prayer

Our missionary team of Paul and his companions, which includes Timothy and Silas. We see our team traveling throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia. We’re told they had “been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.” Scripture does not tell us why the missionary team had been kept from sharing the gospel in this area. Some have thought the reason they were diverted was due to transportation difficulties or possibly sickness. What ever the reason was, God simply did not want the team to enter this area at this time. God had other plans. So our missionary team tries again.

This time their sights are set on Bithynia. But! When reach this area, they are shut down again! BAMM — another closed door? The spirit of Jesus Christ would not allow the missionaries to enter. The team was redirected. It’s starting to sound like Google maps when the app is redirecting. Now some of us when this happens (especially if we’re using an app like Google maps), we’ll redirect on our own, causing the app to adjust to our course. Because we might know the best and fastest route to where we need to go instead of the long way around. What about when God is trying to lead your heart? Are you redirecting, expecting God to adjust to the new course? Like Paul and his team, these guys are experiencing closed doors. We’ve already two examples of that. When you experience closed doors, what do you do? Do you try to force the situation to your vision? Do you give up? Or, do you return to prayer, surrendering to God knowing He will provide the perfect route at the perfect time?

The missionary group must have really been scratching their heads as they were lead away through the backwoods country down the coast to Troas. During this time of delay, it would have been reasonable to ask, “Paul, where on earth are you going.” If this question would have been proposed, a likely answer could have been “I’m not sure, or simply put — I don’t know.” An I don’t know answer could have seemed odd, since we are talking about Paul. Paul always has a plan. He knows where he’s going. Because, surely he must know the will of God on his life. Keep in mind Paul is following the Spirit of God, and trying to discern the will of God. In terms of time and space, our passage takes us through a trek of many hundreds of miles over many weeks. It would be easy to say, Paul what’s the hold up. It’s alright to say that I don’t know, and that God is still leading. One thing for sure is that no matter how long it takes, when God works, it’s ALWAYS worth the wait!

For Paul, God’s plan came in a vision. Paul has a call to Macedonia! His sign is pointing West! Paul’s team is making history here. They are ushered in the biggest event in the history of Europe. This is the “going forth of the Word of the Lord to enlighten the nations of the East, bringing them into the fold of Jesus Christ. This means that “God guides us through both closed doors and open ones.” God blocked Paul and his team from going any further into Asia, with one closed door after another. Until, God guided them to continue traveling West to Macedonia. Paul and they guys had received a divine “no.” Hearing or knowing the word “no” is not always appealing; especially if you’ve ever heard the phrase “why say no — when it feels so good to say yes.”

I’m not saying to say yes all the time. Depending on the circumstances and context, it’s always a wise decision to seek the advise of God, although the answer could be no. When we come to the Father in faith through Jesus Christ, we look onto Him as our heavenly Father. We look to Him for protection, our provider, and for guidance. Some of you might know who Dr. David Livingstone is. Dr. Livingstone was a pioneer Christian missionary in the late 19th-century Victorian era. The interesting part is Livingstone experienced a strong parallel with Paul and the guys. Livingstone hoped to go into China as a missionary. War had kept Livingstone out of China. Later, the London Missionary Society suggested the West Indies instead. This door was not quite right. About a year later, a door open for Livingstone in South Africa. In the 22 year journeys across Africa, lead Livingstone to eventually be known as “Africa’s greatest Missionary.”

“God’s guidance is personal and communal.” Take a look at what verse 10 says. Luke helps understand that “when Paul had see the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia.” When Paul’s vision came into focus they left right then and now. If it could have been windy, rainy or anything else, the guys did not allow outside factors to determine the schedule of their departure. This was not like in chapter one of Jonah, where God essentially said "arise, go to Nineveh.” Then we see Jonah fleeing from the Lord, because he did not want to go. Paul and the guys packed up and headed out with out delay. It’s like hey — we’ve God pointing “this way, now go.” When God has asked you to go, do you find yourself seeking the divine guidance of God, or perhaps more like Jonah — trying to get away from God?

For Paul and the guys, they were sensitive to the leading and guidance of God? This means “God’s guidance isn’t just circumstantial, it’s also rational;” which means there’s a reason. Trying to understand what God desires involves a lot of prayer and time in the Scriptures. This is important because it help us to become aligned with God — not the other way around. Many like to chart their own course and expect God to become aligned. Remember, God is our creator — we didn’t create God. In Paul’s case, it was not about guessing buy rather godly wisdom. We see part of that here in the middle of verse 10, where we hear the words, “concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” The word “concluding” shares the notion of putting the facts God has shared. Paul brought the vision forward. We don’t have any evidence of disagreement among the group. Whether God’s direction comes through circumstances, through prophetic insight, or through a vision, Paul and the guys were united in thought. They came as a group, traveled as a group, and reflected on the guidance they received. They were called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul was sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. Acts is truly the “Acts of the Holy Spirit,” since He was at work in the lives of the apostles. God gave Paul a vision which instructed him to cross over to Macedonia. God’s guidance often comes gradually and unpredictably. The missionary trip for the Paul and the guys doesn’t follow a neat and orderly formula. We did not see where God told Paul and the guys to travel 92.4 miles then turn left and go another 14.3 then stop for more directions. The missionaries just godly wisdom to guide their foot steps. One thing for sure, once they got into the trip, the Lord began to expand His plan. The Lord was slowly peeling back the layers of the onion and exposing something new along the way. What was once concealed is now revealed forever (Deut 29:29).

Conclusion

It’s not easy to make good godly decisions. It takes a lot of focus and prayer to check your direction. There’s nothing more frustrating to learn that your compass is broken. Being faced with some difficult decisions, especially if it’s more than a simple yes or no, can be difficult. It can be more than just coming to the conclusion of saying let’s go with what ever is easiest, or off the cuff with the thought of a generalized feeling. This can be the perfect recipe for a less than desirable decision, especially if God is kept in the cabinet that reads “only break in emergency.” Proverbs 3, 5 and 6 says: “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” For Paul and the guys, the challenge came from not just making a good decision. The challenge came from trying to discern what would last.

God is going to divinely guide us to His will. It’s our job to continue an active prayer life while remaining in the Scriptures, allowing Him to work and guide our hearts. Part of our daily decisions ought to be influenced by “what’s going to last.” Friends it’s about ministry and love for people. It’s about the gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s the central focus for Paul, Timothy, Silas and now Luke. It’s also about being sensitive to the leadership of God. It’s about trusting God when the path might not necessarily revealed.

The book of Acts is truly inspiring in many ways. Acts is truly the “Acts of the Holy Spirit,” since He is at work in the lives of people. The Holy Spirit was active in the loves of Paul and the guys. That means the Holy Spirit is active in your life too. Although the Holy Spirit never stops, there will be many times in our life where we will experience closed doors, and there will be many times when we will also experience open doors.

The question is, while you’re waiting, how are you’re waiting? Are you praising God bringing glory and honor to His name while you’re waiting room? Perhaps today, you’re seeking answers. If you are, I’d like to invite you up in prayer to ask for guidance. You might even ask God to help you let go where He can lead you. This is your time — all you have to do is come. If you need prayer on something else, let me know how I can pray for you.

Closing Prayer