If God is for us
Acts 16:6-40
When I was preparing this sermon, I read this passage many times. I thought about it and asked God to speak to me, so I could speak to all of you. Here is the verse that came to my mind:
Romans8:31If God is for us, who can be against us? 神若帮助我们，谁能敌挡我们呢？
This scripture cheered me up. It reminded me that God was with Paul when he was doing his ministry. I pray that it will also cheer us up, and remind us that God is for us. God will be for us in this new year. No-one can be against us.
How is God for us? Let us go back to Acts. When I read Acts 16 I found the answer. God is for us because he guides us and rescues us.
God guides us
After the Jerusalem meeting. Paul kept preaching to the Gentiles. He chose Silas as his co-worker, and began his 2nd missionary journey. Then, something interesting happened.
Verses 6 to10: Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 16:7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 16:8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.
There they awaited further instructions from God.
16:9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis.
12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
Actually Paul and Silas had their own plan. They tried to go south into Asia, but God said no, and stopped them. Then they tried to go north and had the same response. Even the great apostle Paul didn't know God's guidance immediately! However, eventually God showed them the way and they obeyed his leading. This led them into the next big stage of their ministry, going into Europe for the first time.
We too sometimes find difficulty in knowing God's way. However, he will lead us if we are willing to follow his leading. In every part of our lives we need to know God's direction ,especially in our major decisions. God has promised to lead us:
赛30:21 你或向左，或向右，你必听见边有声音说，这是正路，要行在其间。Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'
I am sure we all want the Holy Spirit to lead us in our daily lives. How wonderful if we can hear the Lord’s voice . The problem is how? We really want to hear God's voice. But when we listen, sometimes we can't hear!
Paul’s experience was dramatic, but guidance is not always like this. It's a mistake to believe that all guidance comes in a dramatic way, such as a dream. There are many practical ways that God leads us, such as through the Bible, prayer, circumstances and the church. I would like to explain some of these to you.
First, there's something I need to make clear. Each of us is a unique person and God helps each of us as an individual. We can learn from the experience of others, but it may not be just the same for us. Don't just copy someone else!
How to know God's voice and make good decisions:
1)Knowing God's voice comes from a close relationship with him. We need to spend time in prayer, worship and reading the Bible. We need to spend time in fellowship.
2)God has shown us in the Bible how to live. When he leads us, it will never go against the Bible. For example, one man said that God told him to leave his wife for another woman! However, this couldn't be from God because he was breaking one of the Ten Commandments.
3)God will speak to us when he chooses, not always when we want it. Often we must be patient and wait until the way is clear.
4) Try to avoid making hasty decisions. Rushed decisions can easily be wrong. For example, many people quit their job too easily.
5)Pray for wisdom, but also accept responsibility for thinking about it yourself. For example, you may have to choose between two jobs. Ask God to help you, then think carefully about the advantages and disadvantages of each. This can help you see more clearly.
6)Don't be afraid to ask wise friends for help and advice. It is much better than just making decisions on your own.
6)Usually, the right direction can be seen from more than one way. Several different things will point us in the same direction. For example, in choosing a job, one seems to have more advantages than the other, and my mature friends also think that is the better job.
Eventually, we will be confident that we have heard God's voice in these different ways. Therefore we can have peace as we move forward to take the next step.
I should also mention that when we are sure we know God's leading, it's important to move forward and do it. We must be obedient to his leading. He guides us because he has a plan and purpose for us. We shouldn't disobey him!
I'd to tell you a story about how God led me and our fellowship.
A few years ago the English fellowship moved to the main sanctuary. Our biggest challenge was a lack of worship leaders. Often we would reach Wednesday without having a worship leader for the next Sunday. You know, to find an English worship leader was not easy at that time. I found the name card of a pastor I had just met once briefly. I wanted to ask him for help but I was not sure whether he could really help. However, I made an appointment with him. Then I started to fast and pray about it for two days. I asked for God's help and guidance.
Two day later I met the pastor and he introduced me to a worship leader from his church. Before I could tell him our situation he told me: “Two days ago we had a prayer meeting in my home. One prayer was that we asked God to guide us how to help your church.” Dear brothers and sisters, I did not know this worship leader before, but I was very sure he was the one God wanted to lead worship here at our church. Why? Because I was sure the Holy Spirit had worked in both of our lives. I had asked God for two days to find us a worship leader. The worship leader had a prayer too, to ask God to show him a way he could serve .
Dear brother and sister the Holy Spirit gives clear directions today. If you do not have clear guidance from God, pray and wait. Learn patience. Do not rush to make your own decision if you are not sure. Ask advice from mature Christians. I am sure Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'
God rescues us
Acts 16 tells us what happened after Paul and his friends followed God's leading. They set off and soon arrived at Philippi, where they were successful in sharing the gospel. Several people accepted Jesus, including a lady called Lydia.
However they had a problem later. They were followed by a slave girl who had an evil spirit. In the name of Jesus, Paul commanded the evil spirit to leave her.
It was good for this young lady because she was healed by Jesus Christ. But trouble came for Paul and Silas. The owners of the slave girl dragged them to the authorities and accused them of breaking the law. They were sent to prison, where the jailer put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Dear brothers and sisters, sometimes we think that if we hear the Lord's voice and follow him, everything will be great. Sometimes it is, but sometimes it isn't! Paul and Silas had obeyed God but they still had trouble. What should they do now? How would they survive? What was going to happen? Our God is faithful!
申31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.'
God's words never fall to the ground. Paul knew God had his great plan for them even though they were in prison. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, when unbelievable things happened! There was a violent earthquake, all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. Paul and Silas were rescued!
So do not complain that God did not watch over you next time you face difficulty. Instead, pray and sing praise to him. Quit studying the problems and focus on God's promises.
Romans8:31If God is for us, who can be against us? 神若帮助我们，谁能敌挡我们呢？
申31:6 he will never leave you nor forsake you.'
As we remind ourselves of these great promises, our faith is strengthened. We can be strong even in the difficulties. He will do great things for us!
Now the jailer was afraid. However, Paul shared the gospel with him. He and all his family were saved, and were baptised immediately..
God has the power to open the prison doors and chains are gone. God had a great plan to save the jailer and his family. God is faithful! His words never fall on the ground.
Romans8:31If God is for us, who can be against us? 神若帮助我们，谁能敌挡我们呢？
God was faithful to Paul and Silas. In all their difficulties he was for them! He is also faithful to us. He will guide us and rescue us by his almighty power. If God is for us who can be against us! May God be with us all every day, and guide us and empower us to be his witnesses. Amen!
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