Jan 18, 2015
Acts 15:32-16:8


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Outline:


I have found over the years that while most Christians have a sincere desire to “follow Jesus” many struggle with the practicalities of how all this works? I mean while I want my life to be in the center of God’s will sometimes it’s just really hard to know how to do this. 


I’m given a set of career options, but I don’t know which one to take? Does God want me to move my family to a new community or stay rooted in the one I’m in? I’ve been accepted to multiple schools, but I’m not sure which one God wants me to attend? I’m in a serious relationship, but how do I know that he/she is the one God wants me to spend my life with?


Have you ever found yourself envious of the Old Testament saints? 


I mean “following God” had to of been so much easier… Adam walked with God in the garden, Abraham heard an audible voice when he wasn’t speaking face-to-face with a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus, Jacob wrestled with God and his son Joseph received supernatural dreams, Moses encountered a burning bush and later saw the presence of God on Mount Sinai when he was given the Law, the people were led to the Promised Land by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, Samuel carried on an audible conversation with God in the Tabernacle, the prophets of old were given visions of coming events, the priest had the urim and thummim, Elijah heard the still small voice in the wilderness, Mary and Joseph had the luxury of angelic messengers, even the disciples had the advantage of Jesus in bodily form. 


Ironically, few of these things exist in the book of Acts because unlike the saints of old we’ve been given the indwelling Spirit of God who leads us in a different but equally profound way. 


Understand, whereas God the Father audibly spoke in times past and following Jesus the Son was a rather practical adventure, in the New Covenant life the Spirit’s directives require a measure of faith in His sovereignty over our lives and therefore our circumstances. His directives are less demonstrative and in many ways more experiential. This morning we’re going to see several examples of the different ways the Spirit leads the people He indwells.




Acts 15:32-35, “Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles. However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.”




I can imagine this church in Antioch was an exciting place to be. We’re told as prophets Judas and Silas were “exhorting and strengthening the brethren with many words.” Beyond their involvement Luke also tells us that during this season of ministry Paul and Barnabas were “teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also!”


Apparently things were so dynamic that when it was decided it is was time for the crew that had come with Paul and Barnabas from Jerusalem to head home “it seemed good to Silas to remain there.” Literally, “it pleased Silas to remain there.” 


Don’t overlook this subtle detail… As we’ll see in a few minutes the Spirit wanted Silas in Antioch because He wanted Silas to accompany Paul on his second missionary journey; and yet, Silas was unaware of God’s plan when he was faced with the decision to stay or head back to Jerusalem. 


For Silas the decision boiled down to one simple reality… He was enjoying his time in Antioch. He was having fun in the ministry! There was no drama - no extended time of prayer - no agonizing over his next step… Notice the Spirit led Silas to stay where he was through the joy of what he was presently being allowed to do!


Please understand misery doesn’t equate to Godliness. Instead, not only should there come a peace when I’m in the will of God, but there should also reside a deep, satisfying joy.




Acts 15:36, “Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 




Keep in mind it’s been almost 2 years since Paul and Barnabas concluded their first missionary journey, and notice the motivation behind Paul’s desire to now embark on a second missionary journey… Let’s “visit our brethren and see how they are doing!” 


The Apostle Paul is primarily known as a missionary evangelist (a man who enjoyed pioneering into uncharted territories, a man with a heart to plant churches), however, don’t forget he was also a genuine shepherd. While Paul embarked on his first journey because the Holy Spirit told him to go (which was confirmed by the rest of the church leadership in Antioch) this 2nd journey was motivated by a simple desire to check in on his brethren.


Though I’m sure he enjoyed his time in Antioch, staying in one place for to long wasn’t in Paul’s DNA. He was a pioneer at heart and had simply grown curious. He had the itch to head back out. And yet, this restlessness wasn’t a bad thing. Instead it was used by the Spirit to stir within Paul the desire to embark on yet another venture of faith.


Here’s the one caveat we should keep in mind… Paul’s restlessness was the Spirit’s directive because it wasn’t based in discontentment. Paul didn’t move because he was burnt out. He didn’t leave because he was searching for greener pastures. His motivation was selfless. Many times restless people make rash decisions for all the wrong reasons.




Acts 15:37-38, “Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.” 




As they begin their preparations to head out again, a contention arose as to whether or not John Mark should be allowed to go with them. Don’t forget they had included Mark on their first missionary journey only to have him bail out early into their trip (recorded in Acts 13).


On one side of the equation you had Barnabas “determined to take with them Mark.” Not only were these two cousins, but the desire to give the young man another chance was right in line with who Barnabas was… I mean he was known as the “Son of Encouragement!” Don’t forget it had been Barnabas who gave Paul another shot at ministry.


And yet, “Paul insisted they should not take” Mark with them. You see Paul understood the difficulties and trials that awaited them. He needed men who would not waiver in the work. From Paul’s estimation Mark didn’t make the cut. He didn’t have what it took for the journey.


Here you have this dynamic duo at an impasse… “Barnabas was determined” and “Paul insisted.” Both men had their reasons and both had dug in their heals, so much so that we’re told in Acts 15:39 “the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another.” 


What!? Barnabas and Paul allowed the issue of taking with them Mark for the purposes of ministry to become so divisive that “they parted from one another?” Come on! Say it ain’t so?! This would be like Batman and Robin - Avon and Stringer - Zach and Screech - Sherlock and Watson - House and Wilson - Laverne and Shirley - Liz Lemon and Jack Donaghy - Wayne and Garth - Andy Taylor and Barney Fife - Chandler and Joey - Fred and Barney - Bert and Ernie - Orville and Wilbur - or Tonto and the Lone Ranger calling it quits!


Alright… Who’s at fault? Was Barnabas being naive… Was he blinded by blood… Was he being unrealistic about Mark’s potential given the reality he’d bailed the first go around? Or was Paul being cold-hearted… Was he blinded by disappointment… Was he overreacting given the reality that at one point he to had been in need of a second chance?  


So who was right and who was wrong? For starters, it’s only natural that we have the tendency when faced with situations like this to pick sides and point blame. It makes our ability to process human conflict in terms we can understand… We prefer things to be black and white - not grey! We want one to be right with the other in the wrong, or at least we want them both to be wrong… But what if they were both right? Is that even possible?


Think of it like this… The case can be made that it was right for Barnabas to take Mark. God had given him a huge heart for the screw up. Barnabas was always looking for a “fixer-uper.” He had the ability to see potential when no one else would have dared made the investment. He had a gift for helping people work through their issues. Praise the Lord for men like Barnabas because every man who’s made a mistake needs a Barnabas in his life!


On the flip-side… The case can also be made that it was wise for Paul not to take Mark. God had given him such a determination and drive that he was bound to naturally find himself in dangerous situations. Traveling with Paul was not for the novice. 


The brutal reality is that a man like Mark who needed time to grow and the flexibility to do so wasn’t a good fit for Paul. Just because Mark had been to REI, bought some gear, and watched “Planet Earth” didn’t mean he was now ready to follow Paul into the uncharted, unpredictable wilderness. Think of it like this… If I decided to get into camping, going into the woods as a neophyte with Chad Mozley would be a tragic mistake. You see a rookie like me needs to start off with Joe Entrekin who basically drives his home into the woods.


I’m afraid this contention was actually the byproduct of a larger oversight by Paul… While the Spirit had originally sent Barnabas and Paul on the first missionary journey, in this instance it seems God had stirred up a desire within Paul - not necessarily Barnabas. 


You see if a mistake had been made it was the natural assumption made by Paul that Barnabas was supposed to embark with him on this second missionary journey. Honestly, the way the passage sets itself up it makes sense that Silas had been God’s man all along.


It’s an interesting way of approaching this passage, but it tells us a bit more about how the Spirit leads and guides His people. Consider… How do you get two men who love each other deeply and enjoy serving Jesus together to move in two different directions?


It’s funny, but it would appear God used the one thing Paul and Barnabas had in common against them… Stubbornness! The very thing that made them such good partners for the first missionary journey the Spirit would now use to separate them for the second. And what was the result of this disagreement… Two missionary journeys would ensue, incorporating twice the manpower, covering twice the turf.


I also think we make a grave error in automatically concluding these men parted ways harboring some level of ill-will towards one another. Aside from the fact the passage doesn’t indicate this, in concluding his letter to the Colossians Paul tells the church that when Barnabas “comes to you, welcome him.” While Barnabas will walk off the pages of Acts following this scene, he and Paul maintained their friendship and love for each other.


Ironically, while most side against Barnabas in the situation, in many ways Scripture and Church History validate the potential Barnabas saw in Mark. It would seem under Barnabas’ discipleship Mark would not only become a faithful traveling companion for the Apostle Peter (writing down his account of the life of Jesus in what is known as the Gospel of Mark - reference 1 Peter 5:13), but would also become a valuable asset to the Apostle Paul. 


At the very end of his life, while awaiting execution, Paul would write to Timothy requesting that he send to him Mark “for he is useful to me for ministry.” In the end Mark would redeem himself and prove his faithfulness to Paul… And you know… Barnabas no doubt play a huge role in this process. Levi Lusko recently tweeted, “Becoming the person God wants you to be is a process, not an event!” Amen and again I say Amen!




Acts 15:39-41, “And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”




Motion of the Text: Paul and Silas begin their second missionary journey traveling through the regions of Syria and Cilicia (Tarsus - Paul’s home) “strengthening the churches.”


Once again I find this interesting… Desiring to revisit the churches he’d planted on his first trip, but knowing Barnabas was going to logically head to Cyprus since it was his home and the first stop when they initially embarked, Paul deviates from his original plan by heading to his home in Cilicia before working through the region of Syria.


Again it seems clear that if not for this falling out with Barnabas Paul would have not chosen this particular route. Here we find the Holy Spirit leading Paul where He wanted him to go all along by Paul showing a bit of flexibility to deviate from what he originally set out to do. 


Please realize concessions and deviations from what we think is best might actually be God’s way of leading us down a path He knows is best.




Acts 16:1-5, “Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.”




Motion of the Text: From the area of Cilicia Paul and Silas travel west into Galatia visiting the cities of Derbe and Lystra. It was in Lystra that Paul had been stoned to death!


It would seem that over the course of the last two years since Paul had last been with them that “a certain disciple named Timothy” had become a man of nobel and Godly report. 


Timothy was unique. While we’re told he “was the son of a certain Jewish women who believed” we’re also told his father was “Greek.” This seems to indicate that in addition to being ethnically mixed he also came from a religiously divided household. In 2 Timothy 1:5 we’re told his mother’s name was Eunice and his grandmother (who was also a follower of Jesus) was named Lois. There is no mention of his father being a believer.


It’s clear, even with a spiritually absentee father, Timothy’s mom and grandmother proved to have a tremendous impact on his spiritual life. Luke tells us Timothy “was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.” Beyond developing a good reputation within his local church in Lystra, Timothy’s character was well known even among other fellowships.


Observation: If you’re a “Spiritual Widow” never underestimate the positive impact you can still have on the spiritual life of your children. It would seem the key to Timothy’s successful development was that while his birth father was spiritually absent his mom made it a priority to keep her son plugged into church which allowed other Godly men to have the kind of masculine impact every boy needs.


We’re told Paul was so impressed with young Timothy that he “wanted to have him go with him.” There was just one problem… Since Paul’s custom upon entering a town was to begin his ministry in the local Jewish synagogues the fact Timothy had not been circumcised would prove limiting. So in order to rectify this we’re told Paul “took him and circumcised him.”


As we mentioned last Sunday the only Biblical justification for laying aside Christian liberty is the desire to reach the lost with the Gospel. For better or worse it was a reality that if Timothy remained uncircumcised he would have severely limited his ability to evangelize in unbelieving Jewish communities. To his credit Timothy’s willingness to be circumcised is in many ways a testimony of his Godly character and heart for the lost.


Luke tells us that “as they (Paul, Silas, and now Timothy) went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.”




Acts 16:6, “Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.” 




Motion of the Text: From Lystra the crew traveled through the region of Phrygia (Antioch) and all of Galatia desiring to travel into Asia. And it’s at this point something peculiar takes place… We’re told “they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.” 


This Greek word “forbidden” or “kôlyô” literally means they were “hindered by the Holy Spirit.” Initially this seems counterintuitive… The Holy Spirit actively “denied them” or stated another way “refused them” the opportunity to travel into Asia to preach the Gospel of Jesus? Why would the Spirit do such a thing? Not to mention… How did the Spirit go about doing this?




Acts 16:7-8, “After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.” 




Motion of the Text: Because they are unable to head northeast Paul leaves Antioch and travels to Mysia hoping to then work into Bithynia, but once again we’re told “the Spirit did not permit them” from heading that direction either which is why they turn west to Troas.


It is likely that after being unable to travel directly into Asia, Paul maps out a new course hoping to figure out another way to access this region. Because this plan also fails to materialize it would seem Paul now realizes the Spirit was behind all these unspecified setbacks which is why he heads the opposite direction to the port city of Troas.


Keep in mind missionary work (as all effective Christian labor) must be directed by the Holy Spirit… Don’t forget Paul’s original commission had been to fulfill “the ministry the Spirit had called him too.” If there was one thing he had learned from his first missionary journey it was that to be effective ministry needed “an open door” provided by God. 


While I am not sure how the Spirit closed the door for Paul to venture into Asia, one thing seems evident… The Spirit can and will lead us by closing doors we’re seeking to open. Sure in the moment this can be very frustrating, but we would be wise to learn to trust that God knows what he’s doing. Always remember a “closed door” is often the Spirit’s way of leading us to the “open door” He desires us to walk through.


We’ll see this next Sunday, but if not for the closed door to Asia the case can be made the entire landscape of the world as we know it today might have looked very different. You see the Spirit closed the door to Asia because Paul was supposed to head west and carry the Gospel onto the continent of Europe!


At this point in Paul’s travel we have seen Spirit lead him in unique and varying ways. The Spirit spoke to his heart and this leading to embark on a missionary journey was confirmed by the Godly men God had placed in his life. The Spirit led Paul through natural inclinations… Heading to a place that seemed most familiar (his home). The Spirit used natural causes (like sickness - Paul leaving Pathos to head north into Antioch). 


The Spirit used opposition to keep Paul in His will (Antioch to Iconium - Iconium to Lystra - Lystra to Derbe). He used moments of conflict like this contention that arose between Paul and Barnabas. The Spirit can even close doors on what we believe to be best so that we’ll walk through the door He knows is better. As we saw with Silas the Holy Spirit can even use joy in our present situation to keep us right in the center of His will.


In conclusion… If you learn anything today about walking in the will of God, never forget the Spirit’s directives will require a measure of faith in His sovereignty over your life and therefore your circumstances. His directives are less demonstrative and in many ways more experiential. When it comes to finding yourself in the will of God none said it more simplistically than St. Augustine when he wrote, “Love God and do as you please: for the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the One who is Beloved.”

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