VISION SUNDAY: “The Book of Acts”
TEXT: Acts 16:6-10
MESSAGE: “Our Guide Through The Uncertainty”
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Who is Grace City?
Our Vision: To be a church for our city that seeks new life in Jesus
Our Mission: To equip people with the gospel for everyday life.
TEXT: Acts 16:6-10
Q: How does God guide them? God guides them in three ways. By…(1. Understanding His Presence 2. Trusting His Leading 3. Seeing His Mission)
1. Understanding His Presence (v. 6)
6 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.
“(Jesus) said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” — Acts 1:7
“(We) don’t know exactly how they were forbidden. Did they receive a divine vision? Did the Lord withdraw their sense of peace? Did they experience transportation difficulties? Did sickness hinder them? We don’t know. All we know is that they were blocked. God may prevent us from doing certain things and going certain places in a whole host of ways. So should doors close, don’t despair. Keep trusting in the Lord, who leads His children.” — Tony Merida
2. Trusting His Leading (v. 7-8)
“When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.”
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” — Matthew 4:1
“Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do He reveals to you who He is. Do you believe in a miracle working God, and will you “go out” in complete surrender to Him until you are not surprised one iota by anything He does?”
— Oswald Chambers
3. Seeing His Mission (v. 9-10)
“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.”
TAKEAWAYS: How can we be guided by God? (individually/corporately)
* Be still and know that He’s there
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”” — Psalm 46:10
* Wait long enough to be led
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” — Psalm 27:14
“Leading implies following; and those who are enabled to follow the guidance of the Divine Spirit are most assuredly children of God, for the Lord…leads His own children. If, then, you are following the lead of God’s Spirit, you have one of the evidences of Sonship.” — Charles Spurgeon
* See those He’s placed around you
“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.” — Acts 16:10
* Ask God to see His mission
* Believe that God’s plan is bigger than your decisions
“We do have a responsibility to make wise decisions or to discover the will of God…But God’s plan for us is not contingent upon our decisions….God’s plan is sovereign. It includes our foolish decisions as well as our wise ones.” — Jerry Bridges