Paul's Vision of the Man of Macedonia

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It’s the 8th day of December— Tuesday!— Happy birthday to Kuya Renato Magbitang— Greet Kuya Felix Bautista and Ate Rita Cueson

Yesterday right here at “The Message”— we first encounter the name of Timothy— a well regarded disciple [third-generation Christian] from Lystra— son of a Jewish believer names Eunice and a Greek father— Paul recruited him to come along on his second missionary journey— the flexibility of Paul made him set aside Timothy’s race, culture, tradition and belief— instead, in order to not unnecessarily offend the Jews that he expect to encounter throughout his missionary journeys, he circumcised Timothy as part of the the Jewish tradition [a physical sign of membership in the people of God | God’s covenant with Abraham]— From these examples of Paul, we learned two things:

LET US KEEP RECRUITING MISSIONARY THROUGHOUT OUR JOURNEY

FLEXIBILITY IS NECESSARY IN THE MINISTRY

Let’s continue chapter 16— and the next section you’ll see is Paul’s vision of the man of Macedonia— The Bible is divided into Books, Chapters, Sections [passages], and verses— Open your Bible to ACTS 16:6-10

When studying the Bible, look for words that defines the CHARACTER of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit— keep an eye on COMMANDS to obey— good EXAMPLES to follow, and bad examples to avoid— PROMISES that you could claim— sins to CONFESS— CHALLENGES you encountered— and ENCOURAGEMENT to keep you going

READ ACTS 16:6-10

BOOK

Acts 16:6–10 NIV

6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

WHAT: Paul’s vision of the man of Macedonia

WHERE: They traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia— Paul had a vision while in the city of Troas [city in Turkey on Aegean shore— approximately 150 miles east of a Roman province of Macedonia— SHOW MAP

WHEN: During his second missionary journey [AD 49-51]

WHO: Paul and his companions [Silas, Timothy and for the first time Luke [author of Acts] mentioned that he was with them in this journey

WHY: They were led by the Spirit of Jesus to go to Macedonia

Paul’s second missionary journey takes him further into areas that were primarily Gentile— this passage narrates how Pauls’ dependence [the state of relying and being controlled by someone or something— drug or alcohol dependence] on the Holy Spirit— ROMANS 8:9, EPHESIANS 5:18

LOOK

THE SPIRIT OF JESUS WOULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO

This shows that Paul and his companions listens to the Holy Spirit’s leading and do as the Holy Spirit directs— they planned to preach the gospel in the province of Asia— but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to— another name for the Holy Spirit [PHILIPPIANS 1:19]— so they passed Mysia and went down to Troas where…

PAUL HAD A VISION OF A MAN OF MACEDONIA

In his vision the man stood close to him and was begging him to come over to Macedonia and help them— the Holy Spirit speaks to us through visions— a visual form of revelation through which God communicates— extraordinary/supernatural spiritual experience— Daniel Isaiah, Ezekiel Job and the prophets heard from God through visions— JOB 7:14, ISAIAH 29:7

After Paul had seen the vision...

WE GOT READY AT ONCE TO LEAVE FOR MACEDONIA

The very first time that Luke [author], mentioned himself as part of the entourage— this implies that Luke has joined Paul on the journey— They concluded that God had called them to preach the gospel in Macedonia

Here’s another classical display that it is God’r purpose that prevails— it is God who direct our steps— PROVERBS 19:21, PROVERBS 16:9

TOOK

WE MAKE PLANS, BUT GOD’S PURPOSE PREVAILS

WE PLAN OUR COURSE, BUT THE LORD ESTABLISHES OUR STEPS

SING

Agape Worship Team— Agape Song