God's GPS (Guiding & Positioning Spirit)

1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. 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.

3 Truths to Help Us Follow God’s Guiding & Positioning Spirit

1) God’s Purpose Prevails Even Through Our Pain (v. 1-5)

From the Text...

Paul’s near death suffering in Lystra was not without Purpose.

A young Timothy knew of, if not witnessed, the previous events in Lystra

Seeing the drive and risk for the Gospel brought seriousness and relevance to the Gospel.

Young Timothy matured in his understanding and passion for Jesus and was called upon by Paul to help with spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Timothy’s undergoing of circumcision was not without Gospel purpose.

Timothy had a Jewish mother and a Greek father. According to Jewish custom, if either parent was an ethnic Jew, you were considered Jewish and therefore were required to follow Jewish customs.

Paul’s message for Jesus followers was that Gentiles didn’t have to become Jewish proselytes to become Jesus followers, however, Timothy wasn’t a Gentile…He was considered Jewish.

In order to not be a hindrance to Gospel pursuits, Timothy underwent circumcision and opened up the door for future Gospel opportunities for Jews and Gentiles.

In both scenario’s Gospel took precedence over comfort or pain.

…To Our Context

We are consumed with a culture of comfort.

Far too often, if things are difficult or don’t go the way we think they should we automatically think that God isn’t in what is happening.

In reality, God isn’t concerned with our comforts, He is concerned with our holiness and living in faith and faithfulness to Him.

Habakkuk 2:4 “...the righteous shall live by his faith.” (Echoed in Rom. 1:17, Gal. 3:11, Heb. 10:38)

Instead of pursuing a culture of comfort we need to rely on the Sovereignty of God’s Spirit to comfort us no matter the circumstance. He is able!

2 Corinthians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,”

2) Practicing Patience is Part of God’s Plan (v.6-8)

From the Text...

As Paul, Silas, and Timothy journeyed, Paul had a passion to go to Asia and then Bithynia, but the Spirit would not allow it.

It’s not that Paul never makes it to these places, but that God had other plans for Paul at this time.

God didn’t give the final plans for the part of the journey til later (in Troas).

Paul had to practice patience and restraint.

He didn’t get side tracked with good passions. He continued in faithful pursuit of Jesus.

Paul didn’t pause his journey the Lord led him on, he kept moving, just not in the directions his passion and plans were originally set.

…To Our Context

Not every distraction comes by way of vice and temptation.

Sometimes we can have good and wholesome passions for things that are not evil.

We need to make sure that our focus is not just in doing good things but in being faithful to and dependent on Jesus.

When we are not sure what to do next, don’t just stop (unless God is leading you to), but keep walking in faithfulness until God shows you the next destination.

3) Spirit Led Prompts Position Us for Gospel Pursuits! (v.9-10)

From the Text...

Once Paul, Silas, and Timothy arrive at Troas, God gives them the next leg of the journey…Go to Macedonia

Paul’s dependence on Jesus and his faithfulness to follow Jesus’ prompting opens up the next turn of the journey.

…To Our Context

God has a purpose and a plan for life. You are to walking in faithfulness and obedience to Him and let Him guide your destination.

Walking in daily faithfulness to Jesus by reading His Word and spending time in quality, conversational paryer helps you to grow in hearing, understanding, and discerning The Spirit's guidance.

When the Lord gives us an undeniable prompting, follow it!

When the Lord tells you to share the Gospel with someone, share it!

Reflection & Response

If you are a Jesus-follower to you need to learn to follow God’s GPS (Guiding & Positioning Spirit).

With God’s GPS, He will give you turn by turn navigation if you will listen and follow Him.

Even if you don’t know the current destination, you can trust His Spirit to guide you and position your life for His glory and for His Gospel purpose.

DO YOU RELY MORE ON A CULTURE OF COMFORT OR ON THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SPIRIT TO GUIDE YOUR PURPOSE?

WHEN YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR SOMETHING, DO YOU SEEK AND CONSULT GOD OR JUST ASSUME IT COMES FROM HIM AND PROCEED?

WHEN THE SPIRIT OF GOD LEADS YOU IN A DIRECTION, DO YOU PURSUE IT OR REJECT HIS PROMPTING?

WHAT IS GOD WANTING TO SAY TO YOU THROUGH TODAY’S MESSAGE? WHAT STEP IS HE CALLING YOU TO MAKE?