Title: DIRECTIONS FROM HEAVEN

Focus: God’s Spirit navigates our way through life. Seek his direction,

Function: To move the people to be in tune with God’s Spirit and Word as we go through life as followers of Christ.

Text: Acts 16:6-15

Life has meaning and purpose. That may not be the opinion of unbelievers, but Christians, in general, will always affirm that God has a purpose, a role for them to play in history.

The Bible reveals to us God’s overall design and purpose in history. Think of history as a large drama with four acts: Creation, Fall, Deliverance, and Restoration. All throughout this drama of history, people have played a role. And under God’s sovereign rule that story or drama of creation—fall-deliverance—and new creation—people are playing a role.

We certainly cannot presume to know what precisely our role is in God’s grand design of history, but our lives or individual stories unfold within the large story of God making all things new. And we believe that God’s providential care—his powerful hand—upholds, sustains and unfolds our lives and history toward God’s ultimate purposes.

The resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the coming of the Pentecostal Holy Spirit signify a new era in God’s grand story of creation, fall, deliverance and new creation. We live in the age of salvation, where God’s Spirit gathers God’s people from all the nations of the world into one body, called the church, the people of God, a holy nation.

Today’s Scripture reading confronts us with God’s guidance as the apostles and their companions share the good news with Jews and Gentiles alike. And we notice that heaven is directly involved in their mission of declaring good news to the world. That’s why I say that we do well to seek direction from heaven as we go through life. Be in tune with God’s Spirit and Word, for God’s Spirit navigates our way through life, unfolding God’s purposes and design in history, making all things new.

------------------------------

Acts 16 introduces us to Paul’s second missionary journey and his mission to the people in the Roman Colony of the City of Philippi. No doubt, a lot of things happened in Philippi, but here’s the first thing that we should observe from the passage: Luke zeroes in on significant occasions. It seems that Luke did so to demonstrate how God breaks down dividing barriers and how God unites in Christ people of very different kinds (J. Stott).

For example, in Acts 16:13-15 we encounter a business woman named Lydia; she becomes a believer in Christ. In vs. 16-18 we learn of an anonymous slave girl, who was used by her owners as a fortune- teller. By the grace of God, Paul delivered her from an evil spirit. Her owners, however, dragged Paul and his companions before the magistrates; for they realized that the Christian message is not good for their vile business.

And thus Luke shines the spotlight of attention on Paul’s stay in the Philippian jail. God intervened with an earthquake, which led to the prison doors being opened and the Philippian jailor about to kill himself thinking that the prisoners had escaped. These three stories in Acts 16 demonstrate that God’s Spirit is directly involved in touching the lives of people and bringing them to faith in Christ. God’s Spirit is navigating the waters of life.

Secondly, keeping in mind God’s involvement in history, take note of interesting details in the story that we read. For example, Luke refers to the Trinitarian nature of God. In vs. 6 he speaks of “the Holy Spirit” blocking Paul and his companions from going eastward—to the province of Asia. In vs. 7 Luke refers to the “Spirit of Jesus” not allowing them to enter Bithynia. In vs. 10 Luke simply refers to “God” as the one who called them to preach the gospel in Macedonia. And in vs. 14 Luke mentioned that the “Lord opened Lydia’s heart to Paul’s message.”

Why should we observe these little details, you ask? Simple. When we say that the Spirit of God navigates our way through life, we do well to observe that the directions from heaven come to us from the One God who reveals himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. How we think of God and relate to Him matters!

Thirdly, also observe how Luke brings out the ministry of teaching and preaching in relationship to God’s Spirit navigating the waters for Paul and his companions. For example, in vs. 6 Luke refers to the “preaching of the word.” In vs. 10 Luke refers to the “preaching of the gospel.” And in vs. 14 Luke speaks of “Paul’s message” to Lydia.

Why pay attention to such little things, you ask? Simple! Luke reminds us that God’s Spirit leads us through life by way of God’s inspired word, which is good news for all who pay attention to the preaching and teaching of the apostles.

Fourthly, as we explore how God directs us from heaven through his word and Spirit, we can pick up some principles of divine guidance. (cf. J. Stott) We observe, for example, that God leads the apostle Paul and his companions “by a combination of factors, over a period of time, ending when they pondered their meaning together.” No doubt, through prayer they sought guidance from heaven. But note that human reason also played a role. They put “one and one” together. Paul and his friends reasoned and discussed their options; they looked at opportunities and open doors before them; they considered closed doors and acknowledged them as closed and as a sign from God. Surely, one principle of divine guidance is the active role of human reasoning. We do not put our brains in neutral when we seek God’s direction in life.

Also, God’s word teaches us that God can (and sometimes does) speak to us through dreams and visions. These, too, may play a role in God pointing us into a certain direction. Paul and his companions were open to such signs; they were sensitive to such means of divine guidance. And although I personally have not received much divine guidance (if any) through dreams or visions, the Bible teaches us we should be open to such possibilities.

The Scriptures also teaches us that God’s Spirit is our Counselor or guide into all truth. He is able to bring to our minds God’s teachings. And he is able to impress upon our hearts and minds desires and longings and notions that are godly and pertinent for us to develop our gifts or abilities in life. Prayerfully, and sensitively, using such principles of divine guidance will help us to navigate the waters of life and to find our purpose in life.

Seeking wise counsel is part of divine direction from heaven. Note that Paul and his companions discuss together the meaning of Paul’s vision of the man of Macedonia calling them to come over to Greece and help them. Wise counsel is found among godly men and women. Make use of such counsel and do not avoid the wisdom of other Christians. As you live out your story of life under the umbrella of God’s grand story of creation—fall—deliverance—and new creation be sure to tune into God’s Spirit. Take note of the principles of divine guidance found in the text. For God directs us in the midst of our daily circumstances.

________________________

Each one of us will face moments in life, when we are confronted with difficult, life choices. Sometimes, we receive clarity in a very short time; sometimes, we find ourselves in the dark, not knowing exactly what to do. We must make choices, and we have to deal with the consequences of our decisions. And sometimes we must be very patient and wait upon the Lord’s directions.

We used to live very close to Lake Ontario in Canada. On a clear day, standing by the lake shoreline, we could see the Blue Jays Stadium in Toronto about 10 miles away across the lake. On other days, when clouds and fog covered the lake and obscured our vision, we could not see a stitch. But we knew: straight ahead of us—about 10 miles across the waters—there is the Blue Jays stadium in Toronto.

When you are in the dark, be patient and keep doing what God has made clear to all of us in his Word. We may not always know how our own story of life is to unfold in all its details, but we do know how God’s story is unfolding: he is making all things new; and he has given us his divine promises and assurances, including his Holy Spirit—to live our lives in fullness and with joy, moving toward the fullness of time, when Christ comes again.

Take heart: we learn from the story in Acts 16 that God goes with his apostles; that God directs his people, and that God prepares the people’s hearts to respond to his Word and Spirit. Seek the Lord. He will navigate our journey of life.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.