by Pastor Keith
Acts 16:6-10 - 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. 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. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 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.
In the sixteenth chapter of Acts is the account of Paul’s vision of the man of Macedonia. In this account, the Holy Spirit closes the door to the province of Asia redirects Paul to Troas and “during the night Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia standing and begging him ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’”
I suspect every believer wants to know God’s will. We would like it to be crystal clear - as the prophet writes in Isaiah 30:21, “This is the way; walk in it.” I’ve often found myself praying, “Lord, if you’ll write it on the wall, I’ll do it.” I suspect if God did write it on the wall, someone would have to perform CPR on me. Ofttimes in my life, God has simply led by opening and closing doors.
In today’s scripture, God the Holy Spirit closes the door to the provinces of Asia and opens the door to Macedonia. The text is pretty dramatic but still relevant to God’s leadership in our lives today. There are at least three essentials to take from this text.
Listen to the Holy Spirit. Twice this portion of scripture refers to the Spirit’s leading. Several years ago I had a missionary talk about a phone call she made. Some of you will remember the old phone booths. She happened to be in a phone booth in Chicago that was near the L (a commuter rail). While talking, the train came over the rails and the person on the end of the phone shouted, “Shut the door, I can’t hear you!” I’m convinced that the Holy Spirit is speaking but we’re not listening. We’re distracted by our surroundings. The Holy Spirit is telling us, “Turn the TV off so you can hear me. Turn the cell phone off, turn the computer off, turn the gaming off, get quiet before me so you can hear me. I’ve opened the door, but you’re not listening!”
Keep moving and trusting. Some are stalled in their spiritual journey because of the closed door. In Acts 16, God closes the door to the province of Asia but He’s about to do some powerful tings in their lives. In the few verses that follow our text, Lydia is converted in Philippi, later a slave girl is delivered from an evil spirit, and God delivers Paul and Silas from prison, a miracle which God uses to save the jailer and his family – and all of these are thanks to a closed door. When God closes a door, He’s usually steering us to an open door. Keep moving and trusting. Remember, a parked car is hard to steer. Keep moving and trusting so God can steer you to where He is moving!
Obey. “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” Paul’s obedience and sensitivity are rewarded with spiritual fruit, vision, and deliverance. Simply obey (Acts 16:10).
Keep moving! Listen! Obey!
Revelations 3:8 – I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.
Today's Scripture reading comes from Acts 16 & Psalm 67.