Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• The Book of Acts is a wonderful book - about the progress of the gospel
• Burden re the lack of fruit
• Encouraging to see God pour out His Holy Spirit
• The Book of Acts is about the Church
• No fine details - examples
• All the vital principles for healthy strong churches - examples:
  • Prayer
  • Inter-cooperation of Fellowship
  • Doctrine
  • The Breaking of Bed
  • The Centrality of the word of God
• We must concentrate on these things
• Concentrating on Guidance and God's will
• No one-stop answer
• The Holy Spirit guiding God's people
• A group of God's people making decisions
• God's providence - example of John Mark
• Opening and closing doors - examples
• Overview:
• Somethings are Clear
• Somethings are Sensible
• Somethings are Not Expected
• All things are for God's glory

Somethings are Clear

• So obvious - there may be prayer backing but we do not need to pray for guidance
• Example of bringing a love gift
• There was a great famine prophesied by Agabus
• The church was in need
• Antioch was a rich place with many resources
• Example - someone in need in Church

Somethings are Sensible

• God does not bypass the human mind
• Example - for Barnabas to bring Saul to Antioch
• Barnabas knew Saul was accepted by the apostles
• Barnabas was overwhelmed
• Example - training up men for ministry
• Example - John Mark (12:25)
• Was this sensible as he later deserted 
• He needed faith to leave Jerusalem and to trust Barnabas
• Paul specifically asked for John Mark

Somethings are Not Expected

• God sometimes works in ways that are not expected
• 13:1
• Some are prophets, teachers
• 13:2
• God speaks suddenly
• We don't know how? - prophecy, an audible voice
• A clear message from the Holy Spirit
• It must have been unexpected
• It happened when they were ministering to the Lord
• Praying and fasting
• Preaching
• An exceptional situation as this is vital for the progression of the gospel
• God had called them to a work
• They are not given details but are called 
• Should we seek such exceptional guidance today?
• No - they weren't seeking guidance
• They were ministering to the Lord
• Big decisions should be made in the context of the church
• We should be certain God is in it
• We should trust God
• 2 Cor 5:9
• 1 Thess 2:4
• We must still think things through and plan
• Personal example

All things are for God's glory

• Some implications:
• Do we ask for the wisdom of others?
• Do we consult and pray?
• Examples
• Do we have ownership of the church?
• Are we unified in prayer
• Do we recognise the purpose?
• What is the work that God has called us to do?