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Past Ponderings

Saturday, June 1, 2019

PONDERING... Are You In The Center Of God’s Will? (Acts 16:6-15)

Are You In The Center Of God’s Will? (AM Sermon Notes)
GIST: Since we’ve all been given the same big picture calling, closed doors aren’t an excuse for inaction, and open doors are just specific opportunities.
SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:6-15
This morning we’re coming to our last message in Acts before breaking off for our second “Summer in the Psalms”. It’s been an incredible journey so far (no pun intended...but that is a good one ☺️), and while we’re not coming to the “end” of it this morning, where we are coming is an appropriate place to pause. This entire book chronicles the continued movement of Jesus amongst His people as they are directed and used by the Holy Spirit. This morning, we’re going to look at how Paul and his companions are both directed and redirected as they spread the gospel. Let’s read Acts 16:6-15 and then break this down this morning.

"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. 11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us."

You probably noticed in this passage that before we get to the record of people being saved, we see Paul and company being told not to go somewhere...twice. When I was studying this passage, the question that kept coming to my mind was: how do we know if we’re in the center of God’s will? If you take your faith seriously, this is probably something you’ve wrestled with at one point or another in your life. What if you thought you were, but God seems to be closing a door you planned on going through? What if you don’t even see any doors at all? Maybe you’re stuck in some weird hallway this morning☺️. I might not be able to speak to every situation here, but I do want to show you how this passage points us to a birds-eye-view answer to these questions. Here’s the gist: Since we’ve all been given the same big picture calling, closed doors aren’t an excuse for inaction, and open doors are just specific opportunities. Let’s break that down. And honestly, these truths are very straight forward so you might get the additional blessing of a short message here ☺️.

I. WE’VE ALL BE GIVEN THE SAME BIG PICTURE CALLING
This is probably going to be an uncharacteristically small first point☺️. However, when considering whether or not we’re in the center of God’s will, we need to remember this: we all share the same intentional mission→ sharing Jesus!  I think too often we look at God’s calling like choosing a career path or buying a house. We’re looking for details, and until we have them, we’re not sure what to do. And we’ll see in just a moment, God does use individuals for specific tasks. I don’t want to pretend like that’s not a thing. We each have gifts that God equips us to use. HOWEVER, we’re all meant to use them toward the same end. Your purpose in life is loving and serving Jesus, and loving and serving the people around you by pointing them to Jesus. You cannot be in the center of God’s will if He is not the center of your life. If you’re decisions are made with any other driving question than, can I be a witness for Jesus by doing (fill in the blank), then you’re out of God’s will. Regardless of your talents and giftings, you have been called to this glorious purpose. You’re an ambassador for Jesus. You’re meant to live in such a way that others see Jesus in you, and hear about Him from your mouth. Honestly, if you don’t remember anything else I say this morning, please remember this.
Therefore, since we all have the same big picture calling, we can remember→

II. CLOSED DOORS AREN’T AN EXCUSE FOR INACTION
Look again at how this passage opened. “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.” We could speculate all day long about how this happened specifically. One way or another, though, Paul wanted to go to these places and wasn’t able to. AND this was God’s doing!
Sometimes in life, we’ll encounter roadblocks or closed doors. These aren’t reasons to stop; they’re just reasons to keep sharing in another way! Notice that they were prevented from going into these places, but they were still moving and still sharing and still seeking opportunities. Why? Because they knew what their purpose was. They were called to share Jesus. Just because they couldn’t do it where they planned didn’t mean they weren’t supposed to still be doing it! They didn’t leave because it got tough and they weren’t idle because of “lack of direction”.
God has a plan for your life, and that plan involves sharing the gospel. If everything you planned seems to be falling apart, don’t stop. Don’t feel defeated. Remember your purpose is more important that your plan.
So, if we’re all called to the same big picture purpose and closed doors aren’t excuses, then what are “open doors”? Opportunities. →

III. OPEN DOORS ARE OPPORTUNITIES
Look at 9-10 here. “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.”
Let’s start by addressing the vision Paul has here. It’s easy to write that off as a thing of the past, but God still speaks directly to the hearts of His people. Just two weeks ago, Brandon Mahler talked about witnessing to a man in Asia who had never heard of Jesus, but he had a dream about a man hanging on what he thought was a “t”. He’d been given a vision of Jesus! God can still do this. He also speaks directly and frequently through His Word. So often, as I am praying through decisions, I read a passage that directly addresses that issue. His Word is powerful. We’ve got to be reading. God uses the counsel of strong Christians, as well. And sometimes, opportunities just come slamming our direction as things fall together in ways that are simply undeniable. Either way, when God directs, go! You’re being given a specific avenue for what we’re all called to be doing anyway!
That’s what happens in this passage. They were already sharing the gospel, now they had a clear direction on where to go next! Just as a fun fact, notice the point of view shift here from third to first (we sought, God had called us). This indicates that Luke is now part of the journey and not just relating what he had been told by others. Notice also the immediacy with which they respond. God called them, so they had no hesitation.
I really think this is a key we have to remember. They were looking for this, so they were ready when these directions were given. Remember what Jesus said in the sermon on the mount? “7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8) This all comes back to remembering what we’re here for. If you’re looking for opportunities to serve Jesus, you’ll see them and seize them. If you’re not… you won’t. I know this is going to sound harsh, but this is a truth we need slapped across the face with from time to time. We can’t complain about not knowing how to be used by God if we only use our time trying to be used by ourselves.
Let’s keep moving through here. “11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.” Notice they went off their usual routine here. Typically, they stop by the local synagogue when they first come into a town. They didn’t here. Why? Because there wasn’t one. To have a synagogue there needed to be at least 10 Jewish men in the city. Clearly, that wasn’t the case here. However, no synagogue, no problem! They hear that there might be some people gathering to pray outside the gate, so they go there!
There are three observations I want to make here. First, they weren’t discouraged by lack of attendance. They didn’t have a large gathering of people to talk to here, but there were still people who needed the Word, so they eagerly shared Him! I think as a country we can become number hungry. We’ve have to be careful with this. Numbers only matter when they represent lives that are being impacted by Jesus. I’ve said this a million times. I want to see this church grow because I want to see people passionately living for the Jesus who saves them. I don’t want to see it grow so we can say “wow, look at how cool we are”. Don’t go looking for only “big” opportunities. Look for any He gives you because those people need Jesus!
Secondly, they weren’t discouraged by lack of obvious and familiar settings for sharing the gospel. They couldn’t do things the same way they always had. Man...that should hit us, too. Instead of clinging to the way they had always done things, they took the opportunities God was giving them...until they were no longer present! We should be the same way!
Third, they were willing to share Jesus with everyone. Did you notice who made up this prayer group? Women. Now, in this society, women were not viewed as equals. In fact, cultural sentiments wouldn’t have thought them worthy of any attention. Paul knew better. We should too. I know I’ve said this many times before, but we always need this reminder. If there is a group you’d rather not share the gospel with, you have a deep-set prejudice that is harmful to the spread of the gospel. Pray that God soften your heart and remove that sin.
In this context, we see→ “14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us."
Why couldn’t Paul go to the other places he wanted to go to? I have heard it argued that God was choosing not to send the gospel to those places. I don’t think that argument holds up. God simply wasn’t sending the gospel to those places at this time through Paul. Why? I don’t know, but I think we have to see that at least part of the equation was that God wanted to use Paul and his companions to share His saving truth to this Lydia! The people God puts in your paths aren’t accidents. Don’t forget that!

TAKEAWAYS
Let’s recap real quickly by asking these closing questions.
1. Do you live for the one driving purpose for which you were made? You were made for Jesus. You were made to be His witness wherever He sends you.
2. Do you allow frustrations to stop you from serving? What makes you feel like it’s not worth it? Pray that God convict you of this, forgive you for this, and change your heart, so you can face frustrations with faith!

3. Are you looking continually for more opportunities to serve? Let me just say this again. We can’t complain about not knowing how to be used by God if we only use our time trying to be used by ourselves.

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