Led of the Spirit

Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

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This passage of scripture provides us with a wonderful example of what it looks like to yield to the leadership of the Spirit of God.

Notes

Transcript

Introduction

Paul has just hand selected Timothy and has now established a mentorship relationship with him. The churches are continuing to grow and thrive and Paul, Silas, and Timothy are determined to continue their journey.

The great missionaries undoubtedly had a plan for the course of their journey but they were also to remain sensitive to the leadership of the Spirit of God.

You and I must follow their example. We should certainly make plans but we should also be open to being redirected by the Spirit of God.

Notice the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of these men. The Spirit of God :

Closes Doors

Paul and his companions had planned to pass into Asia to preach the gospel there but they were forbidden of the Holy Spirit from pursuing their plan.

The Spirit of God will certainly forbid us from sinful activities that would harm the testimony of Christ, but the Spirit of God may also forbid us from doing things that would certainly be pleasing to God.

Paul and his companions were not going to Asia or the Bithynia to engage in immorality and debauchery but to preach the gospel among them.

You and I must not assume that because a thing is good and right that it is necessarily the will of God for us. Did God want the gospel preached in Asia and in Bithynia, ABSOLUTELY, but it was not His will for Paul and his companions to do so now.

The gospel would ultimately reach both regions: - in God’s timing the gospel would reach both regions.

We must realize that God has a perfect plan for our lives and it is not our responsibility to question when His plans do not align with ours. Our responsibility is only to be sensitive and to obey the Spirit’s guidance.

“The Lord’s no’s are often a prelude to an even greater yes.” “ The good is always the enemy of the best.”

Sometimes the Spirit will lead us to say no to something good because there is coming a greater yes. This was absolutely the case for Paul and his companions.

Opens Doors

The Spirit of God not only forbid them from entering the region they had planned, but further directed them in the way that they were to go instead.

Notice the clarity of the vision God gave the Apostle Paul. There was no mistaking that God was calling them to Macedonia.

God is not trying to keep us from discerning His perfect will for our lives. If we will exercise discernment and remain sensitive to the Spirit, He will clearly direct us.

Paul and his companions had a sensible plan for the course their missionary journey would take, but more than anything they had a sincere desire to do what God would have them to do.

Each morning they likely prayed for direction

The Spirit of God will direct us if we will remain sensitive to His leading.

Paul and his companions would still have the opportunity to preach the gospel and they would now have the Spirit of God’s blessing on their ministry in Macedonia.

They could certainly have proceeded to Asia or Bithynia but they certainly would not have been used to the same extent and the church at Philippi may never have been planted.

If we desire to be used of God to the greatest extent, it is vital that we follow the Spirit’s leading not our own understanding.

Many times God’s plan for our life or ministry is revealed through an open door for an opportunity brought about by the Spirit of God.

Our Response

Our response to the Spirit of God’s leading should be exactly the same as the Apostle Paul’s. He was determined to follow the direction that the Spirit was leading he and his companions to go even if it was not what they had planned.

Once Paul was certain that he had received clear direction from God he did not waste any time.

Notice that they immediately set off in the direction they had been led to go. Many times we hesitate in fear or doubt when we should step forward in faith trusting God’s call.

Once we are confident of the direction God is leading we must turn away from the doors He has closed and walk through the ones He has opened.

- Gideon wanted assurance of God’s direction and God obliged him over and over again. Once he was sure of God’s leading he acted in faith conquering the Midianites.

It is ok approach God and ask for reassurance, but once we are confident that God is leading us in a direction we should not hesitate to follow. We should move immediately to follow His leadership.

There are too many Christians who have resisted God’s leading and have missed out on wonderful opportunities to be used mightily of God.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy would never have got to lead Lydia to Christ by the water’s edge, they would never have had the joy of leading the Philippian Jailor and his entire family to Christ, they may never have had the opportunity to turn the world upside down with the gospel of Jesus Christ in Thessalonica.

If we want to reach our true potential in service to the Lord we must be willing to faithfully and consistently strive to be sensitive to the Spirit of God’s leading and to go where He leads us to go, and to do what He leads us to do.