Message #328
"The Father's Children" - Acts 16:4-15
Sunday, June 17 2018
This week we look at the events of Acts 16:4-15 using the character
of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit as a lens to
better understand His leading. In doing so, we'll answer the following
questions:
How does God lead me?
What is His purpose in leading me?
Note: our apologies for the last 5-10 minutes of the recording that were
interrupted due to technical difficulties. Below are study notes which
cover that portion of the teaching.
How does God lead me, and what is His purpose in doing so? God leads
believers by the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17;
Romans 8:14; Acts 16:6, 7). The Holy Spirit teaches us all things and
reminds us of all things Jesus said to His disciples (John 14:26). The
Holy Spirit teaches us to testify of Jesus and not only how to bear
witness of Jesus, but when and where and to whom (John 15:26-27; Acts
16:8-10). The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts the world of sin,
and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:7-11; 1 Corinthians 2;
Acts 16:14, 15). The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, so that He
glorifies Jesus through both our lives and our words (John 16:13-15).
His purpose? Romans 8:26-30 teaches us that God uses all things (to
include His leading us by the Holy Spirit) to ultimately conform us to the
image of His Son. Each step in His leading is to increase the character
of Christ in our lives which will be observable through our personality
and our conduct. This means that sometimes God will lead us away from
comfortable circumstances into more challenging ones. This is seen in
Acts 16:5 where the Holy Spirit leads Paul, Silas, and Timothy away from
churches being strengthened in the faith and increasing in number daily.
The Holy Spirit led them to more difficult locations where there weren't
as many opportunities but there was a woman whom God would open up to
believe the gospel. This in turn provided her household the opportunity
to believe and be baptized. This is similar to John 4:1-42 and reflects
the heart of God as seen in Luke 15:1-10.
God's children are like God's plants which yield fruit according to
its kind, whose seed is in itself (Genesis 1:11-13). Jesus would say
"Therefore by their fruits you will know them." (Matthew 7:20)
Fruit is identified in the Scriptures as our character (Galatians 5:19-23)
and our example (1 Timothy 4:12-16). His Holy Spirit leads us to become
more fruitful, and by obeying His leading which will be consistent with
the character of the Triune God, God makes us more like Christ.
James 1:22 encouragement- Can you see how the Holy Spirit is leading you
in this season of life? If not, study God's character and ask Him to help
you see these current circumstances through the lens of His character.
If so, pray He helps you to bless a brother or sister in Christ to do
the same.
Related verses:
1 Corinthians 9:19-22
Exodus 33:12-23
Exodus 34:5-7
Exodus 20:5
Ezekiel 18
Jeremiah 31:29-34
Hebrews 12:5-11
Jeremiah 7:16
1 Corinthians 5:4, 5
Revelation 3:19
Mark 10:45
John 4:34
Philippians 2:1-11
John 14:15-17, 25, 26
John 15:26, 27
John 16:7-15
Romans 8:26-30
Ephesians 4:11-16
Luke 15:1-10
John 4:1-42
Galatians 5:19-23
1 Timothy 4:12-16
Calvary Chapel Reston Station
1950 Isaac Newton Sq. Reston, VA 20195
(703) 834-8100
http://www.calvaryreston.org/
