June 24, 2020
There's No "I" in "We"
Acts 16:1-15
Caleb Raney
Central Truth
Ministry, like life, was never meant to be done alone. Not only do we labor alongside faithful men and women to bring truth, but the Lord Himself goes before us. I alone cannot accomplish anything, but together we (you, me, and the Holy Spirit) can change someone's world.
Key Verse | Acts 16:10
And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Acts 16:1-15
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas
1 Paul 1 16:1 Greek He came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers 2 16:2 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 40 at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
The Macedonian Call
6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul 3 16:10 Greek he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
The Conversion of Lydia
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the 4 16:12 Or that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Dive Deeper | Acts 16:1-15
It's a rare thing to get to be a part of something from the beginning. You can read stories, maybe catch a new documentary on Netflix, but you'll never fully get the feeling of being there.
The Book of Acts has a ton of "Man, I wish I could've been there" moments. Not only do we get a glimpse into the moment Timothy is trusted to accompany Paul (Seriously! Imagine getting to see Michael Jordan handed a basketball for the first time or watching a young Alexander Hamilton pick up a quill. This is HUGE!), but we also get to see the moment the gospel moves into Europe for the first time.
Paul was actively ministering in so many places that not only did the Holy Spirit forbid him from speaking in Asia, but the Spirit of Jesus also wouldn't allow him to go into Bithynia. But God sent a vision: "Come over to Macedonia and help us." (If you're taking notes: Holy Spirit, Son, Father).
Immediately, it becomes "we." God called us.
This is the first instance that the narrative switches from "they" to "we," indicating that Luke has now joined the journey (#SubtlePlug). The vision is given to Paul, but everyone follows to preach. This is crazy. This is how the gospel was intended to advance—together. Paul could've easily taken this vision, dispersed his posse to Asia and Bithynia, and went on to Macedonia by himself. But instead of Paul saying "I am going," Luke writes, "We went." Ten verses before, Barnabas had just left, no one knew who Timothy was, Paul had no idea where to go next, and Luke was still writing in the third person.
But now they are going to preach the gospel in Europe. For the first time. This is church history. This is world history.
Acts 1:8 is actively being accomplished. And it came after being told "no" twice. I want to be actively searching for ways to advance the gospel so often that I'm told "no" because the Lord wants me elsewhere. Someone else needs the gospel, so where we going?
Discussion Questions
1. How do you respond when you are told "no"?
2. So often we view evangelism as a weighty mission to bear on our own. How do you get people to share in your efforts of advancing the gospel?
3. Who is your "we"? If God gave you a mission to preach to a specific people tomorrow, who is going with you?
4. Are you looking for a jumpstart in sharing your faith? Great! Come check out Unashamed, Watermark's evangelism equipping ministry!