Let God Lead (Paul and Philippi) by Brother Curtis Hansen

         This morning we are going to continue on the sermon began last Sunday October 30th. The subject is Let God Lead. There were four points given in last Sunday's message. Point one, you need to understand the goodness of God. Point two, you need to turn to the word of God. The third point was, Things I need to know that are not in the Bible. The fourth and final point is Wait on God to put desires on your heart. 

        God has purposes for you and me in our life, but we have plans that sometimes do not align with those purposes. A good example of this point which you can read later is in Genesis chapter 16. Abraham and Sarah being advanced in years are told they will have a son, but there was no time set as to when it would happen. Abraham and Sarah get ahead of God and Ishmael is born to the slave Hagar. Sometimes, you and I can be in a waiting period where the longer the wait, the greater our frustration builds. In these times we should actively wait on God. There are many people who profess the faith and sit on their hands in waiting rather than seeking out the word.

        God leads with a need. Not all needs are sinful, the acts and means of how we obtain those needs can be a sin. God will never lead with our wants because man's wants are ever changing. It puts to mind the scripture in Matthew chapter 6 verse 33. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

        The first scripture we are going to start reading from will be in the book of Philippians chapter 4 verse 10. The apostle Paul is concluding his letter to the church.

        10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last your care of me hath flourished again: wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

        11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

        Paul states that he learned in whatsoever state he is in to be content. This knowledge did not hit him like a lightning bolt. This is a life lived in many different states to arrive to this conclusion.

        12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

        In this verse Paul is speaking of spiritual matters. As his spirit was full, his flesh could be hungry. You can get that through prayer and fasting.

        13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

        This is a pretty famous verse in the world, posted in locker rooms and other public places. 

        14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

        Paul was faced with the option of backing off from certain areas in his travel or jail if he pressed. Paul went to jail multiple times. 

        15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

        Going to the phrase, beginning of the gospel... to have a synagogue in a city, the city needed to have a minimum of 10 Jewish men. When the church in Philippi was established, it had the means and purpose to give. The instance Paul brings up in his letter, was not the only time the church had given to Paul. Look up 2 Corinthians chapter 11 verse 8. 

        16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

        17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

        18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.

        19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

        God will lead with a need. Now we are going to turn to the book of Acts chapter 16 and start reading at verse 6.

        6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia, and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

        7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not,

        8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

        9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 

        The author of Acts, Luke, writes the the men went toward other regions but were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to go. The verses illustrate to us how we should heed the advice of the Holy Spirit in our life. Troas was one of the major sea ports in the Aegean Sea, connecting trade routes from Asia Minor to Neapolis in Macedonia. In verse 9, Luke writes Paul had a vision in the night and not a dream. God will still lead with a need. The man in the vision was praying for Paul and his men to come. Note how verses 6,7, and 8 begin; Now when they had gone, After they were come, And they passing. All describing motion without a sense of purpose. Let us look at verse 10.

        10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia. assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

        Note the zeal and excitement in the endeavor? The Lord has given them direction for their need. How many people today would second guess the direction and seek confirmation? How many people would have just left and abandoned their walk because God was not giving them direction on their time? 

        11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

        12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

        13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer is want to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

        There were an estimated 20-30,000 people in Macedonia. Let us think on the amount of faith being displayed. The vision Paul had was a man praying. There was no name, nor occupation, any clue to lead Paul toward Macedonia. Paul, Silas, and Luke just went in to the city abiding and working. They started to talk with the women there at the river. 

        14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 

        Lydia was a successful seller of purple and also of note she was the first person to be saved in Europe. Up until this second missionary journey, the gospel had not gone further west than Asia Minor. 

        Sometimes we get hung up on the details instead of maintaining focus on the overall message. Too many details can cause the believer to lose the message. Everyone is not a Paul. This walk needs Lukes, Marks, Silas, Barnabas. God gives the purpose for the need, the plan and not the details. I return to the beginning point actively wait. He does not have a problem with us waiting. It is our flesh that has the problem. God had a need for Paul to go to Philippi in Macedonia. When you faithfully wait on God, he will give you a purpose, a need and a plan. There are aspects in our life we not only to actively wait but also seek. We miss God far too often when we latch on to a minor insignificant detail than the whole need. We end up shrinking God down to our biggest problem.

        The question to ask this morning is what do we need? There are many needs. Paul had a vision to move. We have a plan on how to handle ourself in many situations. It doesn't always look how we think sometimes and like Abraham and Sarah, we step in trying to fulfill God's plan when he doesn't want it. If you want to do and fill your purpose you need to actively listen and wait for God to move. The story is how you can sow into the kingdom and reap that sowing later in your life with blessings. We have needs. God will lead with them. We should determine what needs we have which God can use.