YOUTH STS LESSON 206 THE MACEDONIAN CALL

 

TEXT: Acts 16:1-40
MEMORY VERSE: “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” (Acts 16:9).

In chapter fifteen of the Acts of the Apostles, Paul and Silas became partners in the missionary work. Having been recommended by the church, the grace of God was given to them to serve Him faithfully. Paul and Silas therefore were missionaries.

 

Question 1: Who is a missionary?
A missionary is an individual committed to preaching the gospel of Christ relentlessly in another nation (Matthew 28:19, 20). Such a person is always on the move carrying the good news to all the people wherever they are found. A missionary is a surrendered person whose life is fully given to doing the will of God. He is also a sacrificial individual whose time, talent, treasure are fully given to accomplish the work of God. He is always sensitive to the Spirit leading. He is selfless and has a compassionate mind. Like God, he is not willing that any should perish. This desire in him drives him daily to preach the gospel wherever he sees the opportunity. Paul was one of the greatest missionaries of all times and was specifically called to go and preach to the Macedonians. In their outreach to the city of Philippi, they came across a damsel possessed with a spirit of divination, whom Paul delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit. Due to the loss of gain from those who were using her for divination, they were beaten and imprisoned. While in the prison, Paul and Silas prayed and praised God and great supernatural power of God visited the prison. Through this miracle, the Philippian jailor was converted with his household.

CALL AND CONSECRATION OF DEDICATED CONVERTED YOUTHS

(Acts 16:1-5; 2 Timothy 1:5, 6; 1 Timothy 1:2,3,12,13; Matthew 9:36, 37; Luke 10:1-11; Galatians 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:1,2)

As Paul the apostle went into the mission work, he realised the need for people that are like-minded to do the work with him. This was necessary because of the greatness of the task. He had many people, race, and nations to carry the word of God to. It was impossible for only him to do it. In view of the increased world population, we need men, women, boys and girls to get involved in this great work. The church needs more converted, committed and consecrated youths to do the work (Matthew 9:36-38). Timothy was a youth when he was called to be a missionary.

 

Question 2: Before the call of Timothy, what was the Bible testimony of him in Acts 16:1?
The testimony of Timothy as revealed in this chapter was that, he was a believer and “was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium” (Acts 16:2). We learn that before any youth engages himself in the work of preaching the gospel, he must be saved from sin. God does not use sinners but saints to lead sinners to the Saviour. The mother of Timothy was a believer; yet, Timothy whose father was a Greek followed the path of his mother and gave his life to Christ. “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also” (2 Timothy 1:5). What a great challenge for those boys and girls whose parents are believers but who refuse to surrender their lives to Christ! The life of Timothy was a challenge to the brethren at Lystra and Iconium. He did not bring reproach to the name of Christ or his parents. He did not have a reputation for ungodly or unruly habits like many youths today. He was not a careless preacher of the word of God. Paul and Silas adopted follow-up strategy in ensuring that the people continued in the faith.

 

 

Question 3: What is the most important thing for the establishment of the churches?
“And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem” (Acts 16:4). The basic foundation for the establishment of the church and the preservation of converts and believers in the faith is the word of God. That is all that we need today in bringing souls into the kingdom of God and sustaining those already in the faith till the end. Nothing should supplant the way of God.

 

Question 4: What should be the place of the word of God in the church today?
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:1, 2). The word of God should take the first place in the church today. It should be exalted above singing, giving, ceremonies and above the preacher’s personal opinion. If God exalted His word above His own name, what should the church do? The word of God should be the focus of our message. We are warned not to preach another gospel. Whosoever does so is accursed. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).

CAUTION AND CALL TO PREACH IN DESIGNATED CITIES

(Acts 16:6-15; Jonah 1:1; Mark 16:15, 16; Matthew 10:1-20; Luke 10:1-17; Acts 1:8)

“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” (Acts 16:6). As Apostle Paul obeyed the call to preach the gospel to the heathen nations, he did it with caution. He was always sensitive to the Spirit’s leading. This was the reason why he succeeded. He was a wise master builder who was guided by God’s Spirit in him. The Holy Ghost is a partner in the evangelical work. Any youth that wants to be successful as a missionary should consecrate and pray to be endued with the gift of the Holy Ghost and power. “After they were come to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not” (Acts 16:7). They were disallowed by the Spirit because there was a place God had prepared people for salvation at that time and urgent attention was needed to accomplish the work. Youths should learn to listen and depend on the Holy Spirit if they must be successful in their ministry. Paul had a vision of an urgent call to preach at Macedonia. “Immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them” (Acts 16:10). This is another area many youths have problems. They do not understand that preaching is an urgent task that needs urgent attention.

 

Question 5: Why is Preaching an urgent task?
The task of preaching is urgent because sinners can die at anytime. If this happens, they will go to hell-fire and suffer through eternity. Their souls are precious and valued by God than the riches in the world. Christ had died for them. Many people we see today, we might not meet them again throughout our lifetime. Therefore, while they can be reached now, preach to them. The response of Paul led to the salvation of many women at Philippi after they had prayed and preached. Prayer is also very important for a soul to be won for Christ. As we obey God today, pray, preach after listening to the Spirit of God, precious souls shall be won to Christ through you in Jesus name.

 

CONSECRATION OF GOD’S SERVANT AND CONVERSION OF PHILIPPIAN JAILOR

(Acts 16:16-40; Philippians 2:9-11; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 9:37-43; Acts 8:9-13,18-24; Acts 13:6-12; Acts 19:13-20; Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:18)

Paul and Silas were led by the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel. Nevertheless, they met with difficulties. A demonised damsel followed the team and made a show of religion and her association with them. The damsel lived upon pretence and brought gains to her masters. The demons in her proclaimed the identity of the missionary team, which appeared scripturally correct; but she was influenced and inspired by the evil spirit in her. Through this evil power, souls were bound in captivity to sins and evils.

Question 6: What is the purpose of the devil and his agents against souls?
The actions of the damsel with the spirit of divination explain the contrast between the servant of Satan and the servant of God. The servants of God had truth and selfless interest in the spiritual and physical welfare of the people in their minds while the devil had cunning lies and deceits, framed to defraud men of their substance which was injurious to their souls. Thank God, her goal and that of her master were disappointed. “And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16:18). Paul, for some days, tolerated her. Her witness may have been true but it was certainly liable to be misunderstood. Following the example of the Lord, Paul resisted the demon in the damsel (Matthew 8:28-34). It is necessary that the Christian service is dissociated from the work of the devil. Also, like Christ, Paul delivered the possessed from the evil power instantly by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our responsibilities as soul-winners is to preach the gospel to save souls from sins and deliver those oppressed and possessed with evil power. This ministry was part of Paul’s ministry given by the Lord. “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18). Ours is not different. Let us be faithful to fulfil it too (Colossians 4:17).

 

“And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,” (Acts 16:19). When the masters of the damsel “saw that the hope of their gains was gone”, they accused Paul and his team of troubling the city. They incited the mob and brought them before the magistrates. Persecution was not strange to the servants of God. We too should not see persecution as a strange thing. The Scripture says: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:12,13) and “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). The maltreatment was done with utter disregard of justice and order. The angry mob, rulers, magistrates and multitudes came together against the servants of God who brought the light of the gospel to their city. Does this not confirm the word of God that says, “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).

Paul and Silas were beaten with many stripes, thrust into the inner prison and their feet kept in stocks. However, at midnight, they prayed and sang praises to God. They rejoiced that, “they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41). It was Paul and Silas’ midnight prayer and praise that transformed the gate of death and hell into the gate of heaven and joy. Prayer and praise are secrets of victory and dominion over challenges of life. An earthquake came as an outward answer to the prayer and praise of the holy men of God. The keeper of the prison woke up in despair thinking that the prisoners had escaped. However, Paul assured him that all the prisoners were in the prison and this brought the greatest question of his life. “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” This should be the greatest cry of a youth who is not saved from sins.

 

Question 7: How can a sinner be saved from sins?
“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). Here, the jailor was called to turn away from his sins, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. The Scripture says: “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:12). Faith in Christ brings forgiveness of sins. However, there is no forgiveness without repentance. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities” (Acts 3:19,26). “And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway” (Acts 16:32,33).

The conversion of the jailor and his household was quickly followed by discipleship and preservation in the Kingdom and fellowship of the saints. The jailor showed the sincerity of his conversion by willingly and happily surrendering himself to water baptism. He also showed that his indifference and hard heartedness had been changed by offering hospitality to those whom he had treated as criminals but now welcomed as friends and fellow brethren in Christ. Today, if the faith of a convert is real and genuine, it must be accompanied with eagerness to learn more of Christ and His word. When this is certain, we should do all we can to keep them in the Kingdom and in the fellowship with other believers of the same faith and conviction.

 

“And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go” (Acts 16:35). The next day, the magistrates sent order that the men should go. But Paul would not merely go. The hour of the supreme honour and triumph of Christ’s servants had arrived. Why did he refuse to go? He refused because they were Roman citizens and by Roman law, it was a crime to flog a Roman without a cause. But in this case, they had been beaten, imprisoned, thrust into the stocks, treated with every hardness and indignity. “But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? Nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out” (Acts 16:37). The magistrates on hearing this, were afraid and came to plead with them to depart. With this, the servants of the Lord left and turned to the house of Lydia. When they saw the brethren, they were comforted.

 

Question 8: What challenges can we receive from the life and ministry of Paul and Silas at Philippi?
As Paul and Silas continued in the ministry after the humiliating imprisonment, they stood before us as true servants of the most High God, having transparent integrity and living for one purpose. What a great challenge! In them we see no selfish purpose, love for power and praise. All we see is the intense love for God, an entire devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, unquenchable love for souls and the calm steady hope of His appearing and the Kingdom of Christ. Their preaching convinced people, got them converted and converts were established in the faith and Church. These they did with all blamelessness of purity and quietness. The love of God moved them to suffer for the salvation of souls. Their sacrifice, selflessness and strength of character and commitment made them pay any price for the salvation of others. Souls cannot be saved today if we are not ready to sacrifice our time, talents and treasures to save these souls from sins. Jesus paid the greatest price for sins. We are to make a little sacrifice and effort to get sinners into the Kingdom. The question from the Lord is: “Have you done the best for Me, when I have given you My best?”. Pray for grace to serve God sacrificially, selflessly and sincerely for the rest of your life. You are called to fulfil your ministry. “And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it” (Colossians 4:17).