sf838 - THE GUIDANCE OF THE SPIRIT - 6 of 9 THE POWER OF PENTECOST (Acts 16 4-10)
Acts 16:4-10
Introduction
Series Background
Ø The Promise of the Spirit
Ø The Advent of the Spirit
Ø The Fullness of the Spirit
Ø The Presence of the Spirit
Ø The Judgement of the Spirit
Ø The Guidance of the Spirit
Theological Background
The Christians of the early church were a guided people. Having been saved by the grace of God they were not left to grope in the darkness, but rather were encouraged to walk in the light.
The Holy Spirit whom indwelled them was the same Holy Spirit who daily guided, them in all areas of their life. Their confidence in God’s direction is superbly summed up in the text that we have before us—“We sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.”
In other words, they spoke with certainty on this matter of direction and guidance. The secret, of course, was that they knew the Spirit of guidance.
Three key questions concerning the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
How does the Holy Spirit reveal God’s will?
How can we know the specifics of God’s will?
What should we do once we know God’s will?
1A. How Does the Holy Spirit Reveal God’s Will?
1B. The Holy Spirit reveals God’s will to God’s children.
We must be saved.
Romans 8:14 (NKJV) 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
We must be serving.
Galatians 5:25 (NKJV) 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
We must be sensitive.
Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV) 21Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.
2B. The Holy Spirit uses the Bible and prayer to reveal God’s will.
John 16:13 (NKJV) 13However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…
We must hear the Word
Romans 10:14 (NKJV) 14How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
We must read and study the Word
2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) 15Be diligent (study) to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
We must memorize and meditate on the Word.
Psalm 119:11 (NKJV) 11Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
We must apply the Word.
John 14:15 (NKJV) 15“If you love Me, keep My commandments.
3B. The Holy Spirit uses circumstances and the church to confirm God’s will.
Illustration
George Mueller once wrote: “I never remember in all my Christian course that I ever sincerely and patiently sought to know the will of God by the teaching of the Holy Ghost through the instrumentality of the Word of God but I have always been rightly directed. But, if honesty of heart and uprightness before God were lacking, or if I did not patiently waited on God for instruction, or if I preferred the counsel of my fellow-men to the declarations of the Word of God, I made great mistakes.”
2A. How Can We Know the Specifics of God’s Will?
1B. We must be sensitive to the restraint of the Spirit (6,7)
Our desire does not constitute a call.
Their need does not constitute a call.
An opportunity does not constitute a call.
2B. We must be responsive to the release of the Spirit (9-10)
There will be a sense of the supernatural (9)
Ø We will know that God has spoken.
There will be a sense of peace. (10)
Ø Paul stopped searching and started serving.
There will be a sense of urgency. (10)
“immediately”
There will be a sense of certainty.
“the Lord had called us”
3A. What Should We Do Once We Know God’s Will?
1B. We must obey the Spirit.
Acts 5:32 (NKJV) 32…the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV) 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…
Ø We grieve the Holy Spirit when we disobey God’s Word and/or will
1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NKJV) 19Do not quench the Spirit.
Ø We quench the Spirit when we disregard God’s call and command.
2B. We must depend upon the Spirit.
1 Peter 5-7 (NKJV) 6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
John H. Sammis
Application
Upon whom or what are you trusting today?
There is only one way, to know the right way, and that is to trust in The Way.
THE GUIDANCE OF THE SPIRIT
The Power of Pentecost – Part 6 of 9
Sunday, June 27, 1999 - Acts 16:4-10
1A. How Does the Holy Spirit ____________________ God’s Will?
1B. The Holy Spirit reveals God’s will to God’s _____________________________.
We must be _____________________. (Romans 8:14)
We must be ___________________. (Galatians 5:25)
We must be _____________________. (Isaiah 30:21)
2B. The Holy Spirit uses the _________________ and _________________________ to reveal God’s will.
John 16:13 (NKJV) 13However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…
We must ______________ the Word (Romans 10:14)
We must _______________ and _______________ the Word (2 Timothy 2:15)
We must ________________________ and meditate on the Word. (Psalm 119:11)
We must ________________ the Word. (John 14:15)
3B. The Holy Spirit uses circumstances and the __________________ to confirm God’s will.
2A. How Can We Know the _____________________ of God’s Will?
1B. We must be sensitive to the restraint of the Spirit (6,7)
Our ___________________ does not constitute a call.
Their ___________________ does not constitute a call
An opportunity does not constitute a call
2B. We must be responsive to the _________________ of the Spirit (9-10)
There will be a sense of the supernatural (9)
There will be a sense of ____________________. (10)
There will be a sense of urgency. (10)
There will be a sense of ________________________.
3A. What Should We Do Once We ________________ God’s Will?
1B. We must __________________________ the Spirit.
Acts 5:32 (NKJV) 32…the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV) 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…
1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NKJV) 19Do not quench the Spirit.
2B. We must _____________________ upon the Spirit.
1 Peter 5-7 (NKJV) 6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.