Title: The Macedonian Vision/Acts 16:6-10
Contents When Paul finished his first missionary journey and started his second missionary journey and was staying in Troas, a Macedonian man appeared in a vision at night and said to Paul, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” We can think of some lessons from God through the Macedonian vision that appeared to Paul at night.
1. Let's become people who discover God's will.
In my personal opinion, Paul wanted to continue evangelizing Asia. But God blocked the way and commanded us to go west.
World civilization advanced westward through Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome to Germany, England, America, and Asia. The gospel also went west through Jerusalem, Antioch, Macedonia, and Rome to England, America, and Asia.
Paul wanted to go east, but God blocked the way of man and made His way. A Christian should not go the way he wants to go, but go the way God has told him to go. A Christian should not do what I want to do, but do what God wants me to do. “My father, if this cup does not pass away from me unless I drink it, it is your will” (Matthew 26:42)
Through the Bible and the history of the world, we can find the history of God who blocked the way of man and gave a better way. Moses wanted to go to Canaan, but God led him to Mount Nebo and ended his life on Mount Pisgah on Mount Nebo. Jonah wanted to go to Tarshish, but God led him to Nineveh. Paul wanted to go to Asia, but God led him west. Livingstone wanted to go to India, but God led him to Africa. Underwood chose China, but God sent him to Korea.
If God had not stopped Paul from preaching to Asia, the Germanic peoples would remain barbarians, the Slavs would remain invaders, and the British would remain Viking descendants. Arnold Toynbee said that the ship that brought Paul to Europe two thousand years ago was the golden ship that brought wealth to Europe.
As we continued to pray and prepare for church revival, we waited for God's time. We prayed hard. When I prayed, the church was full, but when I opened my eyes, it was empty. But God heard my prayers and answered them in a different way than I wanted them to. Therefore, we must discover God's will in prayer. We must wish for God's will to be done, not our own thoughts.
2. We must also have the vision Paul saw.
Consider the vision Paul had in Troas. And we must not give up on our vision. Our church will become a church where we live together. A church is a place where different kinds of birds from different forests gather on a branch to make a nest and live together. Bluebirds, yellowbirds, and redbirds live together. Even if we have different personalities, different tastes and looks, different living standards, and different growing environments, the church is where we transcend them and live together.
Let's have a vision to become such a church. Our church has ten visions.
1) The green and green Garden of the Word
2) Garden of Inspirational Prayer
3) The cradle of evangelism
4) The epicenter of the Holy Spirit exploding
5) Fountain of love
6) A harmonious family living by gathering topics to Jesus
7) A life that confesses the Lord as the owner of our business and workplace
8) A life of gratitude for everything
9) A church that avoids negative language and cultivates positive character
10) A church that inherits the beautiful faith of our ancestors to our descendants
John Knox of Scotland, called , was from a poor peasant class and had a strong body. The effectiveness of his sermons was astonishing. People said, "Others have pruned the branches of the papacy, but he has taken root."
Once a French prisoner of war, he served as a prisoner on a slave ship for 19 months. One day while he was in trouble on the ship he looked at the steeple of the Church of the Holy Trinity at St Andrew's, where he had first preached, when he would once again preach there in a better time. He expressed confidence that he could do it. Eventually he returned to his homeland and fulfilled his wish on a French slave ship by preaching in St. Andrew's Cathedral (June 11, 1559). Knox was at the forefront of the reforming forces to establish the evangelical Christian faith in Scotland.
On his deathbed, Knox said to church officials:
"God knows that even at the moment when I cried out for God's stern judgment, there was no hatred in my heart for the people being criticized. It's just the fact that I really hate and abhor the sins they are committing. However, when I stood before the judgment seat of God, who called me and was willing to give me his grace to spread the mysterious gospel, I was deeply aware that I had to report on how I had fulfilled the mission he had entrusted to me. I was so in awe of it that I was able to cry out so boldly as the Lord commanded me, without scrutinizing the eyes of men."
James Melville called Knox "the noblest prophet and apostle of our nation." Regent Morton said: "Here lies a man who has not been afraid of a human face all his life."
Let's have a vision like John Knox of Scotland. Knox prayed, "God, give me this Scotland!"
3. A person with a vision does not underestimate himself.
Who were the first believers in the Philippian church? Lydia, a merchant, was a boxer, and the woman who was possessed was a fortune teller. And one of them was a guard in the lower ranks of Rome. It is these people who accomplished the great history of evangelization in Europe.
Let us not underestimate ourselves and limit the power of God. A person with a vision never underestimates himself. A person with a vision can thrive. A business with a vision can thrive. A church with a vision can thrive.
The church is like a farm. A good crop requires good soil, climate, seeds, and technology. In order for our church to thrive, the church members, the soil, must have a good climate, and the traditional seeds of the gospel must be nurtured with good skills by elders, counselors, and ministers.
We can stand up for ourselves. We can be successful. We can win. Our church can be revived. Because we have a vision. Let us all discover God's will for each of us. And like Paul, let us also have a vision (vision) and dedicate our body and mind to God.