Observe -- Paul makes a change in plans. His plan was to enter Bithynia but for some reason was blocked from entering. Paul sees an opportunity that God provided a plan then to go to Macedonia. I saw two themes and one grand point in Acts 16.
Paul & Silas travel to Macedonia to preach. Three important contacts are made -- Lydia, slave girl possessed by demons and the jailer. We can assume that Lydia was a prominent woman in her community as a businesswoman. Lydia was a worshipper of God so she either was a Jew or had come to know God from a previous mission trip. Now Paul & Silas are noticed by the community because of the relationship and Paul and Silas stay with Lydia, after baptizing her, possibly for several days. Paul & Silas are thrown in prison because of the slave girl.
The humility of the jailer by humbling himself by bringing the prisoners to his home and dressing their wounds. And one of the most important verses in the New Testament 16:30, "What must I do to be saved?”
Point – Be ready when God calls. The humility & hospitality of Lydia and the jailer. Main point is the jailer asking what we must do to be saved.
Question -- What happened between Barnabas and Paul to cause a split in their ministry? Where did Timothy go?
Resist – Sometimes we are not sure if God is calling us to do something.
So What – Be prepared for the unexpected. Live each day with humility and grace.
The Big Idea – Asking what I must do to be saved. Always be ready when an opportunity arises that God may have a different plan than what you desire. Then be graceful and humble in all that you do.
Let God Lead
For many years, I have wondered why God did not make His plan more obvious to me. I was reminded of the text in Joshua 6 and God has given his instructions for taking Jericho. For seven days, God told the Israelites to March around the city. There were around 600,000 men and I am sure they questioned and grumbled about why they were marching around the city and then going back to camp. Like Paul wanting to go to Bithynia and the Holy Spirit telling him to go to Macedonia, God seems to be leading us around in circles and we do not know why or where we are going. God leads even when we are going around in circles.
There were many opportunities that came my way and I usually saw the open door and walked through trusting God had a reason for the opportunity. What a learning experience it has been. I found so many friends that I would not have had had I refused the new experience. As I moved forward through time, I picked up new skills that aided me in helping others. I have worn many different hats that have equipped me for my future journey.
When my family first moved to Minnesota, I became friends with LeRoy, an older fellow that lived across the road from the building that I worked out of. We were looking for a church that felt comfortable with rural farm families. After visiting local churches, LeRoy invited my wife and I to the Bunde CRC and through the years and another change in jobs; I have been led to seek the mission that I dreamt about when I was a teenager.
People I have known seem to have a plan and pretty much stick to it. If that plan is detoured, some become stuck and never move out of their rut, I had the experience of being in a rut. Paul was not that kind of person. When there was a disagreement with Barnabas, Paul moved forward. When Paul was blocked from going to Bithynia, he did not stop and give up. God called him to Macedonia where he met some individuals that were important in his ministry.
Another important part of the text is Lydia and the jailer. We observe grace and humility given to Paul & Silas. Lydia was most likely a Jew because she believed in God but became a baptized Christian. Lydia was a prominent member of the community as a businesswomen dealing in the purple-dye trade. She took a big risk by taking in these two missionaries. We need to follow the charity of Lydia.
Another example of grace and humility is after the earthquake and the jailer is saved from his pride, then he takes Paul and Silas to his home to wash their wounds and give them a meal after the household had been converted. We need to be reminded of how Paul and Silas were shown humility and grace and how to demonstrate that in our own lives.
God sometimes is very subtle in ways that He leads us and sometimes more direct. Noah questioned God but built an ark while being humiliated by others. Jonah had to be swallowed by a great fish to get him where he needed to be. Moses did not want to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:11). Joshua did not want to lead the Israelites. Paul & Silas were given obstacles but were lead by the Holy Spirit to where they needed to be.
Acts 16 gives us several messages. The key point of this text is when the jailer asks, “What must I do to be saved?” For all of Paul & Silas’ troubles of getting to where they were going, it boiled down to this fundamental question and the reply was, “Become a believer in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved”. John 10:9 Jesus says, “Anyone who enters through me will be safe; such a one will go in and out and will find pasture” In Joshua, the Canaanites knew of God but refused him. Therefore, God replaced the Canaanites with the Israelites.
The first step in a successful journey is to ask what you must do to be saved. Then we take off and follow the teachings of our Lord and Savior. If we deny what God intends for us, the consequences are serious; however, should we follow God, He rewards us. Do what God tells you even when it means nothing to us.
As we go around in circles trying to figure out what God wants us to do, have faith that there is a destination or finish line. We may not be able to see it because there is a mountain in front of us. There may be a fog so that our vision is not clear. When we are in the dark and do not know where we are or where we are going -- remember God is standing beside you and me and He loves us.
God knows where He wants you and me. If we pray, act with grace and humility, then let Him know that we are thankful for what He has provided and give Him all the praise, we will see that victory that is store for us. Go out into the world with a joyful heart and let those that do not know Christ the blessings that He has given to you and me.
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