Heed the Call

Acts 16:6-15 Introduction The Acts of the Apostles is actually about the Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles. Although in this passage we see Paul heeding the Macedonian call, over and above this is the Holy Spirit who leads Paul to preach the gospel in Macedonia. To heed the call of missions or evangelism or ministry is ultimately to heed the call of the Spirit and to acknowledge the sovereignty of the Spirit in the whole matter of missions, etc. John 3:8 1. The Spirit Is Sovereign in Preventing (v. 6-7). - Don’t go without a call. Remember the sons of Sceva (Acts 19:15) and the children of Israel (Num. 14:39-45) - The demon-possessed man who was healed (Mark 5:19) - Moses (Deut. 32:48-52) - David (1 Chron. 28:2-3) - Reasons why God does not allow us to go: • We are not clean vessels (2 Tim. 2:15) • He wants to give glory to himself, not to us (I Corinthians 1:26-29; Judges 7:2) • We are needed where we are or he wants us to go somewhere else (Mark 5:19) - General rule: Remain in your calling! (1 Cor. 7:17) - So sometimes heeding the call means staying where you are! 2. The Spirit Is Sovereign in Leading. (v. 9-10) - We know from the context of the books of Acts, in relation to Joel’s prophecy, that this vision is from the Holy Spirit. (Acts. 2:17) - We can’t put the Spirit in a box. - But we have to be careful about visions today. Our sole authority for Christian faith and conduct is God’s written word. (2 Timothy 3:16) Although God works through providence/circumstances (even through visions and dreams) we have to say that these are non-authoritative. - In any event, when God calls a man to go, whatever means he uses, even if it seems irrational, God will make sure he goes. That’s why we should not run ahead of God. - Calling is all-important. There must be fire in your bones (Jer. 20:9) - Examples • Abraham (Heb. 11:8) • Jonah - When God is determined to call you and use you, you can’t run away from him. • Jeremiah - He couldn’t help preaching – (Jer. 1:4-10; 20:9) • Isaiah – God cleanses those whom he calls (Isa. 6:5-7) • Paul – God can use even the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:12-16; Acts 9:13-16) • D.M. Lloyd Jones o A doctor turned preacher. o Don’t be a pastor if you can help it. - So sometimes heeding the call means going where you’ve never gone before! 3. We are Responsible for Evangelizing. - We can’t say, “Let’s leave it all up to the Spirit.” No, we work out as God works in. (Phil. 2:12-13) - Preaching • Faith comes by hearing, etc. (Rom. 10:14, 17) • Yes, we are born again by the Spirit, but through the Word (1 Pet. 1:23) - Praying • The Spirit is “given” in answer to prayer. (Luke 11:13; Acts 4:31) - Studying (2 Tim. 2:15) - So heeding the call means studying, preaching and praying! 4. The Spirit is Sovereign in Opening People’s Hearts. - The Lord (i.e., Jesus) is the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:17). Incidentally, this is an indirect proof of Jesus’ deity. - No man can come to me unless the Father draws him (John 6:44) - One sows, another reaps, but it is God who gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:6,7). It is God who adds to the church (Acts. 2:47) - Results are in the hands of God. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit” says the Lord. – Zec. 4:6 - So heeding the call means being faithful in doing our part and leaving results in the hands of God. We are merely laborers; he is the Lord of the harvest. Conclusion. - Because the Spirit is sovereign in preventing we should not go without a call. - Because the Spirit is sovereign in leading we should trust him to direct our paths instead of leaning on our own understanding. - Because we are responsible for evangelizing, we have to study, preach and pray. - Because the Spirit is sovereign in opening people’s hearts we have to trust God to bless our efforts according to his will.