The Spirit Leads: Following the Holy Spirit

Introduction

While you turn there let me catch you up. Paul and Barnabas have finished their first missionary Journey traveling in what we know as Turkey. They have returned to Antioch and defended their missions to the Gentiles. Showing all the great works that God has Done. They defended their argument for faith based religion not a works based religion. Sound like Martin Luther, Sole scripture.

As Paul and Barnabas prepare to leave on their second Trip, Paul and Barnabas argue. Barnabas wants to bring John Mark. The one who left them on the first Journey. Paul Does Not. As a result of this argument Paul and Barnabas take different paths. Paul then takes Silas with him, Timothy will quickly Join them As well and. Barnabas and John Mark sail for Cyprus. That brings us ready for the reading today.

Acts 16:6-16

Acts 16:6–16 LEB

6 And they traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia. 7 And when they came to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them. 8 So going through Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul during the night: a certain Macedonian man was standing there and imploring him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 And when he had seen the vision, we wanted at once to go away to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. 11 So putting out to sea from Troas, we sailed a straight course to Samothrace, and on the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia, a Roman colony. And we were staying in this city for some days. 13 And on the day of the Sabbath, we went outside the city gate beside the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women assembled there. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia from the city of Thyatira, a merchant dealing in purple cloth who showed reverence for God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was being said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household, she urged us, saying, “If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. 16 And it happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a certain female slave who had a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing a large profit to her owners by fortune-telling.

Pray

Paul man who is sensitive to the Guidance of the Holy Spirit. He begins his Missions by revisiting the churches at Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch. Now Paul is planning on following the Via Sebaste, the Imperial Road. A Road westward to the important coastal city and capital of the Roman province of Asia.

But in the heat of the moment the Holy Spirit kept them from entering Asia at this time so they traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia.

Instead he receives a vision of a man in Macedonia asking for help. So they set sell for Greece.

The main missions in Greece will take place in Philippi. In Jewish Law, a congregation was made up of ten men. Wherever there were ten male heads of households who could be in regular attendance a synagogue was to be formed. Failing this, A place of prayer under the open sky and near a river or the sea was to be arranged for. Philippi apparently did not have a synagogue.

On the Sabbath Paul and his companions walked outside the city in search of a Jewish place of Prayer. Probably heading toward the Gangites River about a mile and a half west of the city. There they found some women gather to recite Shema, to pray, to read and to discuss what they had read, and if possible to hear from a traveling Jewish Teacher, Bible study.

Paul and his companions sat down with these women and began to speak to them. One of the women was from Thyatira, a city of western Asia Minor. Formerly in the ancient kingdom of Lydia. Hence the woman was called Lydia, Or Lydian Lady. Thyatira was famous for making purple dyes and for dyeing cloths. An industry that was mostly carried on by women at home. As an artisan in purple dyes.

Lydia had come to Philippi to carry on her trade.

She is spoken of as a God- Fearer. Having received instruction at a synagogue. She brings her interest in Judaism with her to Philippi. As she listened God opened her heart to the Christian message and she and the members of her household were baptized. And she then opened her house to the Missionary party.

And so begins the Church at Philippi. Paul’s most-loved congregations. And it wouldn’t have started if they had not followed the will of the Spirit.

What does it mean to follow the will of the spirit?

How do we listen to what the Spirit has to say to us?

These are very Good Questions.

One that I can only begin to answer. Only begin because in the end no matter how much a tell you, If you are not trying to hear the word of the Lord, If you are not Listening. You won’t hear. Men are not the only ones with selective hearing. It is a human condition.

When we speak of the will of God we often speak of big things. God is concerned with little things too.

He teaches us of morality. James teaches that if we lack wisdom we should but ask. God wants us to live a holy life. Good rule of thumb, If you would be ashamed to tell your grandma, Shouldn’t do it.

When it comes to discovering our calling, we tend to focus on the 10% that's unique to each of us. But 90% of our calling is clear in the Scriptures and applies to everyone: Come to Jesus, live faithfully, and enjoy community. - Ryan Ingram

We speak often of moral things but it isn’t that which Paul was only following.

The guidance of the Holy Spirit was leading him with where to God and what his overall call was.

Discerning a Call

Seven major calls on a person’s live- not everyone receives these calls in the same way. (not Original to me, but I don’t remember where I first saw them, sorry for not giving credit where credit is due)

Salvation - Fellowship with Christ

Call to Holiness - Sanctification, May be experienced at different levels. Such as should you drink alcohol or not. No one should get drunk.

Call to Service - All called to serve but at different levels and different areas according to our gifts. Full time or just as part of your life.

Call to Separation - All called to be not of this world. In it but not of it.

Call to Sonship or Childhood of God

Call to Subjection - Under the rule of the LORD

Call to Suffering - Emotional suffering, Physical suffering, When you are persecuted. Rejoice

God’s Love language if you will is Obedience. He doesn't want to try and trick you you. For the most instead of looking for those big what is you calling questions, or calling is to be faithful in the little things. That means waking up every day and accomplishing what God has put in your path. Day by day, the Father is using the little things to conform us the the Likeness of His Son. This should bring a since of peace upon us, because it is just living life to its fullest. Using the Spiritual Gifts that He has given you

When we do look at the big questions of God’s calling for our life. These things will come together if we Wait on God which I know is very hard and no one wants to hear. Not only does it seem like a platitude but we don’t like to wait. Yet it is still true. Be Faithful in the little things and the big things won’t be as hard to discern. We Listen to the Holy Spirit. That is why it is so important with the day to day. If you are already listening to the day to day you will hear the bigger things quicker.

God’s Call, however, is often surprising not predictable, be ready.

God’s call will waste nothing from your past, I had a awful past or a great past. God will use it either way.

Because God will be Glorified.

He delights in calling the ordinary to do the extraordinary. God will require you to be faithful where you are as well as looking forward.

Remember a Call is for a season.

Not about your merit – Good enough, smart enough, it’s about God

When your life is built upon these three steps of obedience, your specific calling will come into focus. Start by coming to Jesus, then being faithful in the little things while you wait for direction, and finally experiencing fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ who will speak love and truth into your life. -Ryan Ingram

Next Steps: Are you being faithful to your Call?

Are you being faithful to your Call?

Are you following the Holy Spirit?

Are you Listening?

Friends in Christ

Silence

Time with God

Spiritual Gifts

Pray