Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. It is a joy to be here with you again, gathered in the name of our Lord. We are here to break bread, to share fellowship, and to delve into the Word of God. We are here to be encouraged, to be challenged, and to be transformed by the power of the Gospel.

Today, we turn to the book of Acts, chapter 16, verses 1 through 10. The Word of God says:

[Read passage]

We will be looking at this passage under three main points: Perceiving God's Plan, Persisting through Hopelessness, and Promoting God's Ministry.

The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust him in the dark—That is faith." We will see this faith lived out in the life of Paul and Timothy as they navigate the challenges and joys of ministry.

Let us bow our heads in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We ask you to open our hearts and minds to the truths in this passage. Help us to perceive your plan, to persist through hopelessness, and to promote your ministry. We pray that you would be glorified in our lives, and that we would be transformed by the power of your Word. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Let’s get started!

Perceiving God's Plan

In the passage we read, we see Paul and Timothy navigating the complex terrain of ministry, guided by the Holy Spirit. They are not relying on their own understanding or their own plans, but are instead seeking to discern what God wants them to do. This is a crucial aspect of Christian living that we often overlook. We make plans and set goals, but do we ever stop to ask God what His plans are for us?

Paul wanted to take Timothy along on his mission: This was not a random decision, but a deliberate one. Paul saw potential in Timothy, potential that could be used for the advancement of the Gospel. This shows us the importance of mentorship in the Christian faith. We are not meant to walk this journey alone. We are meant to learn from those who have gone before us, and to teach those who come after us.

Circumcised: But Paul did not just take Timothy along. He also circumcised him. This was a significant act, one that showed a deep commitment to the Jewish faith. It was also a strategic move, as it would make their ministry more acceptable to the Jews they were trying to reach. This shows us that while we are called to be in the world but not of it, we are also called to be all things to all people, so that by all possible means we might save some.

What they did: As they traveled, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. This was not just a matter of passing on information. It was a matter of reinforcing the unity of the church, of ensuring that all believers were on the same page. This shows us the importance of unity in the body of Christ. We are not meant to be lone rangers, doing our own thing. We are meant to be part of a community, working together for the advancement of the Gospel.

Their journey was not without obstacles: They were kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. This must have been frustrating. They had a message to share, a mission to fulfill, but they were being blocked. Yet they did not give up. They did not let this setback derail them. Instead, they sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and eventually found a new direction. This shows us the importance of persistence in the Christian faith. We will face obstacles. We will face setbacks. But we must not give up. We must keep seeking God's guidance, keep trusting in His plan.

Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia was standing and begging him to come over and help. This was a clear call from God, a clear direction for their ministry. They did not hesitate. They got ready at once to leave for Macedonia. This shows us the importance of obedience in the Christian faith. When God calls, we must respond. We must be willing to go where He leads, to do what He commands.

We see a pattern: Paul and Timothy were not just doing their own thing. They were not just following their own plans. They were seeking to perceive God's plan. They were seeking to discern His will, to follow His guidance, to obey His commands. This is a crucial aspect of Christian living that we often overlook. We make plans and set goals, but do we ever stop to ask God what His plans are for us?

This is not easy: It requires humility. It requires patience. It requires trust. But it is the path to true fulfillment, to true joy, to true success. For God's plans are always better than our plans. His ways are always higher than our ways. His wisdom is always greater than our wisdom.

Persisting through Hopelessness

As we continue to immerse ourselves in this passage, we find Paul and Timothy in a state of uncertainty ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO