Acts 15:35-41

Acts 16:1-10

WHAT HAPPENED?

1. Paul and Barnabas stay in Antioch (15:35).

- Faithfully preaching and teaching.

2. They have a major disagreement concerning John Mark (15:36–41).

- God doesn’t waste conflict. He can redeem it.

3. Timothy joins the mission with Paul (16:1–5).

- Sometimes you lay down your rights for missional unity and winning people to

Jesus.

4. The Spirit closes doors to their original plan (16:6–8).

- Closed doors are not punishment. Closed doors are preparation.

5. Paul receives the Macedonian Vision (16:9–10).

- God guides their steps — not with a five-year plan, but one obedient step at a time.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US? — THREE BOLD TRUTHS

1. GOD USES ORDINARY FAITHFULNESS TO SHAPE EXTRAORDINARY FUTURES

- So many believers want a “Macedonian vision,” but they skip the Antioch work.

- Before Paul ever crossed a sea, he opened a Bible.

2. GOD USES CONFLICT, CHANGE, AND TRANSITIONS TO ADVANCE HIS

MISSION

- God can use painful partings to create fruitful new beginnings.

- Don’t let conflict cripple your calling.

3. GOD GUIDES BY OPEN DOORS, CLOSED DOORS, & SPIRIT-LED OBEDIENCE

- Closed doors are God’s mercy, not God’s rejection.

- Life requires flexibility; the mission requires movement.

WHAT TO DO?

1. STAY FAITHFUL WHERE FIND YOURSELF

- Stay planted long enough to bear fruit – get rooted to bear fruit.

- Antioch is not a waiting room. It’s your training ground.

2. HOLD RELATIONSHIPS WITH GRACE & OPEN HANDS

- Call out behavior but don’t villainize people God still wants to use.

- The Kingdom is bigger than your personal team roster.

3. LIVE WITH MISSIONAL FLEXIBILITY

- Paul circumcised Timothy for mission, not salvation.

- Changed strategy, do not change doctrine.

4. DISCERN GOD’S WILL THROUGH MOTION, NOT IDLENESS

- God steers moving ships, not parked cars.

- If you want supernatural direction, practice natural obedience.

5. FOLLOW THE MISSIONAL CRY: “COME HELP US”

- The Macedonian call is still echoing today: Come help us.

- God sends people not because the world deserves salvation, but it needs rescued.

- You are called to HELP.