July 13, 2025
Acts 16:6–10 (NIV) 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. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.
9 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.
Romans 8:14 (NIV) For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Paul and his team are on a “Mission from God”:
To Spread the God News of Jesus Christ.
They try to go East to Asia, (Today, this is Turkey.)
v. 6. They were,
“kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word
in the province of Asia.”
(ESV: forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.)
They try to go North to enter Bithynia,
v. 7. but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
In Troas, Paul receives a Vision:
Acts 16:8-9 (NIV) 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.
9 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.
The Macedonian Call: Go West!
Macedonia is where Greece is today.
Go into Europe.
The world might be different if Paul was called to Asia and not Macedonia.
The Church is still on the same Mission …
To reach souls for the Kingdom of God.
Jesus wants to free them from the bondage of Satan.
That is What Run for Hope and United We Can is about.
There is a need. Can you hear the Cry of the hurting?
Paul and his companions Heard the Cry.
Why was Paul able to Hear Cry of the MACEDONIAN CALLING FOR HELP?
They were being led by the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit was Leading Them.
Romans 8:14 (NIV) For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
This is what every Christian needs today: to be led by the Holy Spirit.
We are not told how the Holy Spirit prevented Paul from going:
East toward Asia or North to enter Bithynia.
This could have come by:
-Didn’t have the peace about it.
-A prophet spoke a Word from the Lord.
(Silas, a prophet, traveled with Paul.)
-Difficult circumstances:
No Transportation:
Sickness, Illness
Doors were closing on him.
Paul must feel Frustrated, Disappointed, and Discouraged:
But … Does not quit. He Kept his faith in God.
We must do the same:
Always keep your Faith in God.
2 Corinthians 1:8–10 (NIV) 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,
2 Corinthians 4:8–10 (NIV) 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
To be led by the Spirit and know God’s will:
1. Accept that Your Life is not your own.
Galatians 2:20 (NASB 95) — 20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NLT) — 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
2. Commit Your Life to God.
Be surrendered to God.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (NASB) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
God loves you and desires the best for you.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
3. Desire the Will of God.
It is the key to finding God’s will.
Desire. To want it, crave for it, long for it, need it.
Psalm 37:4 (NKJV) Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NKJV) And you will seek Me and find Me,
when you search for Me with all your heart.
4. Obey the Will of God.
Your Desire to Obey God’s will is revealed by Obedience.
Make a conscious decision to obey God’s will.
To Find God’s Will and To be Led by The Holy Spirit:
1. Studying the Bible.
2. Diligent Prayer
3. Wise Counsel:
4. Evaluating Circumstances.
5. Through visions and prophecies.
6. An inward voice from the Holy Spirit.
7. Seek Confirmation.