OCTOBER 1

Change of Plans

Bible Reading: Acts 16:6-10

Acts 16:6-10, “And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.  And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.  So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

Paul and Silas were sent out on a second missionary journey.  They were joined by Luke (the author of the book of Acts) and Timothy (Acts 16:1-3). They went from city to city, preaching the gospel. Now these four men had the Holy Spirit for their guide on their journey.  He was leading the way. 

Acts 16:6. “They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.”  The Holy Spirit closed a door to them.  We are not told exactly how the matter was disclosed to them—a prophetic word, an inner prompting, or circumstances—but there was no doubt as to what the Holy Spirit was saying.

Acts 16:7. “And when they had come to Mysia, they were trying to go to Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.”  Mysia is on the western shore of modern-day Turkey.  They wanted to go to the NE to Bithynia, a highly civilized region.  A logical place for them to go.  But the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them to go there either.  So, no Asia and no Bithynia.  And note that Paul and his companions are listening and responding to the Holy Spirit’s leading. 

Acts 16:8-10.  “And passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a certain man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God has called us to preach the gospel to them.”

Now what are we to make of this?  God closed two doors to them.  But then Paul was given a vision which opened another door.  Now God is the ultimate cause of the vision.  And the man is speaking according to God’s leading. This is the matter of which the hymn speaks when it says, “We have heard the Macedonian call today, ‘Send the light!  Send the light!’ There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save. Send the light! Send the light!”

When Paul and his companions cross the sea to what is now Greece, they were entering another continent.  The church in Philippi became the first church began in what is modern day Europe.  That wasn’t Paul’s original plan, but that was God’s plan.  He was providentially leading them there.  And when they set their course in God’s direction, they made excellent time, for God sped them along (Acts 20:6).

What are we to make of this?  The church in Philippi came into being by God’s providence in a remarkable way.  God closed some doors to Paul.  Then the vision.  The birth of the church in Philippi didn’t happen by accident or coincidence or any plan of man.  It was God’s idea.  He led Paul and his companions to go there.  To that specific place.  And later, as the church grew and was established, they could remind themselves of how God had worked to bring the gospel to their city. 

There is something else here of great importance.  Paul and his companions were being led by the Spirit.  They were listening to the Spirit.  They were submitted to the Spirit.  The Spirit is out in front, where He belongs.  Now, this is the same terminology that applies to us with respect to the working of the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:16).  The Spirit is still at work.  We, as a church, need to be led by the Spirit in our ministry.  You, as a believer, need to be led by the Spirit in your Christian life.  But you say, no prophet is speaking and I’m not receiving any visions like Paul.  But you are indwelt by the Spirit and the Spirit is well able to speak to your heart (Philippians 2:13, Romans 8:27; Ephesians 5:18).  Are you now in a place in your walk by the Spirit that the Spirit can work to lead you as you journey along? 

A farmer in a barn was moving some hay when his watch slid off and fell into the pile.  After looking around for quite a while without success, so he hired the neighbor boys to sift through the pile.  They spent a couple of hours looking with no success, until another friend happened along, saying, “I’ll find your watch straight away if only you do as I say.  Clear out the barn of yourselves and every animal. Leave me alone here by myself.  And so they did.  And as the barn grew quiet and still, the faint Tick-Tock of the watch could be finally heard.  And then the watch was heard and found.  If we are to hear what the Spirit has to say to us, we are going to have to shut out some of the distractive noises that busy our lives and hearing, and listen carefully to what He is saying to us through the Word.

SEND THE LIGHT

There’s a call comes ringing o’er the restless wave, “Send the light! Send the light”
There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save,
Send the light!
Send the light!

Chorus:
Send the light, the blessed gospel light;
Let it shine from shore to shore!
Send the light the blessed gospel light;
Let it shine forevermore!

We have heard the Macedonian call today,”Send the light! Send the light!”
And a golden off’ring at the cross we lay,
Send the light!
Send the light! [Chorus]

Let us pray that grace may ev’rywhere abound, “Send the light! Send the light!”
And a Christ-like spirit ev’rywhere be found,
Send the light!
Send the light! [Chorus]

Let us not grow weary in the work of love, “Send the light! Send the light!”
Let us gather jewels for a crown above,
Send the light!
Send the light! [Chorus]