"Come Over."

Acts 16:8-12 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
 
ACTS is more completely titled The Acts of the Apostles. Indeed, it is a very brief account of the apostles’ active faith to proclaim the gospel into a hostile world. And perhaps we can also title this history The Acts of the Holy Spirit. He is certainly the action-activator, isn’t he? Nothing would have happened if the Spirit had remained in heaven and the Holy Trinity had waited for the 12 apostles to take action for Jesus. Paul would have remained a Jesus-hating Pharisee. And the apostles may have remained close to their upper room retreat.
   God’s salvation plan is centered on Spirit-activated service to his purpose. The Spirit-powered apostles began to minister with his universe creating authority. God’s direct approach to these men’s ministry is something many of us envy. How good it would be to have such direct vision and verbal message from God!  
   Paul received Gods very clear invitation – command – to Macedonia. As plainly as a man standing in front of him, Paul saw and heard the vision at night, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
   They sailed from Asia Minor to Philippi. There, Luke wrote, “We stayed there several days.” This brief sentence says much. Luke has begun writing, “We” as he relates the mission group’s shift from Asia Minor to Macedonia. This means Luke has joined the group to become an first-hand eyewitness to God’s work. And we will learn that during those few days in Philippi, God began a new church to expand the gospel to Rome and to all of Europe.
   This is God’s kingdom expansion pattern. He will give “negative” directions to his evangelists, “Don’t go there.” He will give positive instructions, “Come here.” Then he will use his obedient servants make new disciples, to plant new churches and to extend the church’s influence.
   How do you fit into God’s growth plan? Do you hear in your heart, “Come over here. Help us.” as you look to ministry opportunities? If you are listening, God does give you a direct message. He uses people around you to help you know your gifts. God gives you certain skills that will help his church. He instills a passion in your heart for certain people or activities. As you read the Bible, the Spirit grants you an understanding to know what God is specifically saying to you.
          There are many places for a Christian to go – on your knees, to a far-away country or to any point in between. Be alert and be faithful to your Lord’s call. Who knows, he may want you to expand his gospel to a friend, your family, your neighbors or the world.