The Macedonian Call

I. We need to find our Identity in Christ (vs.1-5)

A. Timothy was born of a Jewish Mother and a Greek Father

B. His not being circumcised would likely be a distraction to sharing the gospel with Jews.

C. Paul did not allow for unnecessary distractions from the gospel

D. …Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! I Corinthians 9:16

E. To the Jew I became as a Jew

F. To those under the law I became as one under the law

G. To those outside the law I became as those outside the law

H. To the weak I became weak

I. I become all things to all people

J. That I might wins some to Christ

K. The Christian mission is the live a life of sacrifice

L. Paul didn’t say “I got to be me”

M. He didn’t say “I can’t be anything other than who I am:

N. Paul’s identity wasn’t wrapped up in concepts of this world

O. His identity was found in Christ and Christ alone.

P. The power in the sharing of the gospel is not found in how eloquent we can talk to people.

Q. It matters not that you can answer questions about the meaning of life

R. Soteriological questions about things like predestination or election

S. The power of the gospel is found in the gospel itself devoid of our helping it.

T. Trust the gospel to do its work

U. You start with how the gospel worked itself out in your life

V. You, at some point, left God’s design for us and decided to do your own thing

W. The actions you then took were contrary to God’s design and it is sin

X. The consequences, in your life, are the brokenness that is the destruction and chaos

Y. But God did not leave us broken, He provided a resolution to our sin and brokenness

Z. John 20:30; Hebrews 4:12; Romans 1:16

AA. All describe the power of the gospel

BB. Be willing to give up your earthly identity and stand on the identity of Jesus Christ alone

II. We need to find our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit (vs.6-10)

A. As we go out in our new identity in Christ alone

B. As we go out in sacrifice

C. We will find that the leading of the Spirit is not always what we would expect.

D. It is unreasonable to assume that God did not care about people in Asia

E. God had a plan for Paul to go elsewhere at that time.

F. We must be sensitive to the Spirit and not led by sight.

G. We need to remember that our ways are not His ways.

H. We will see the will of God when we are in submission to Him.

I. Paul submitted to Him by not speaking in Asia

J. It was only then Paul received the direction he needed.

K. You have to be willing to say “OK God wherever you want me to go I’ll go.

L. No matter how difficult it will be, or how much sacrifice I will have to make I’ll go.

M. I may not know where you are sending me or why, but I’ll go.

N. It is only then will be discover the will of God.

O. The author of Hebrews writes Abraham went where God sent Him not knowing where he was going.

P. Hebrews 11:8-10

Q. Some well-meaning Christians believe that today we don’t need to have the kind of focus on submission to God

R. It’s wrong

III. We need to expect clear direction from God (v. 9-10)

A. Throughout scripture a call to help is to mean a call to save from peril

B. Genesis 49:25; Exodus 18:4; Deuteronomy 33:26

C. It also meant to bring a message of salvation

D. It appears here that it wasn’t just about helping in ministry, but that people needed to be saved.

E. Further sensitivity of the Spirit allows for a clear vision from God.

F. This Kingdom mindedness allowed for peace and boldness in serving God.

IV. We need to expect God’s working in people’s lives (vs. 11-15)

A. Lydia had already been responsive to General revelation and was worshiping with in her limited understanding.

B. Upon being told the gospel she further responded to the clear gospel message as it was already in her heart to respond positively to the revelation of God.

C. What we have here is another example of how God works in the heart of unbelievers prior to our approaching them

D. She was ready to receive the gospel and upon hearing it she responded in believe.

E. Romans 10:9-17

F. There is power in the gospel of Jesus Christ that is greater than our inability to share it.