This morning we continue our series entitled, “Power of Fellowship.” Yesterday I talked about being led of the Holy Spirit. I showed you three scripture passages that show the difference between being baby Christian (who has the Holy Spirit, but does not know how to hear His voice or follow His leading), and a full grown son of God (who is led of the Holy Spirit in all things). I like to teach by both precept and example. So today I will give you an example.
In Acts 9 the Apostle Paul was converted. In one moment he was terrorizing Christians and in the next God knocked him off his high-horse (literally) and he accepted Jesus as Lord. Paul was Born-Again. God immediately revealed to Paul that he was supposed to preach the Gospel. So he tried to preach right away. But no one would listen to him. It was the right thing at the wrong time. He was basically a known terrorist against the cause of Christ. So when he started preaching, instead of listening to him, people tried to kill him.
Paul escaped an attempt on his life and he headed to Jerusalem because he heard that the men who had been with Jesus were there. Once again, Paul started preaching. He preached that Jesus is the Son of God. Before long the Jews there wanted to kill him. The only person who showed Paul kindness was a man named Barnabas. The disciples did not want to see Paul killed so they helped him escape Jerusalem by lowering him down the wall of the city in a basket.
Paul new he was a new man and that he was called to preach, but he had not truly spent any time with God yet. So Paul went home to Tarsus and the Bible says that everyone else had peace because of it. Paul spent three years at home, getting to know God through the Holy Spirit. During this time the Gospel made to Antioch, in Syria. Believers were spreading in Antioch and the leaders of the church needed to send someone there to lead the people. They prayed about it. They were led of God to send Barnabas.
Barnabas led the people as he was being led of the Holy Spirit and the congregation grew. After a couple of years Barnabas knew he needed help. This is when he was led of the Holy Spirit to do something radical. He traveled over 80 miles, with no modern transportation, from Syria to Turkey, from Antioch to Tarsus. He went all that way to find Paul. By this time Paul was ready for ministry. Barnabas brought Paul back to Antioch and the duo was so effective that believers were called “Christians” (or like Christ) first in Antioch.
By this point we are in Acts 13. Let me share with you what the Bible says in Acts 13:1-4. It says, “In the church at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers. They were Barnabas, Simeon (also called Niger), Lucius (from the city of Cyrene), Manaen (who had grown up with King Herod), and Saul. These men were all serving the Lord and fasting when the Holy Spirit said to them, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul to do a special work for me. They are the ones I have chosen to do it.” So the church fasted and prayed. They laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul and sent them out. Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit.”
Do you see how the Holy Spirit selected Paul and Barnabas? If you keep reading you will see how they were led of the Holy Spirit concerning where to go and what to do when they go there. This is the way we are supposed to live.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. I can point to countless examples of Jesus being led of the Holy Spirit to perform the Father’s will. However, many believers today see Jesus on another level from themselves. They should not, but they do. So they fail to see Jesus as a comparable example of their own life. That being the case, today I used Paul and Barnabas as examples. These were ordinary men. In the case of Paul, he had done more harm than good and God still called him to preach the Gospel. These two ordinary guys were led of the Holy Spirit, and because they were, God used them to change the world. God can do the same with you.
2. When the leaders of the New Testament church needed a leader for the believers in Antioch, they were led of God to send Barnabas. When Barnabas needed help, he was led of God to travel over 80 miles (with no modern transportation) to get Paul. With Paul on his staff the church in Antioch grew, because they were being led of the Holy Spirit.
3. When it was time to send some people out Missions the Holy Spirit Himself selected Paul and Barnabas. The Holy Spirit said to the believers in Antioch, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul to do a special work for me. They are the ones I have chosen to do it.” So Paul and Barnabas left and they were led of the Holy Spirit every step of the way. This is the way we are supposed to live.
4. The Holy Spirit is a person. He is a person of the Godhead. He is no less God than God the Father or God the Son. If you are Born-Again the Holy Spirit lives in you. Talk to Him. Spend time with Him. The more you fellowship with Him, the better equipped you will be to leave the mark in this world you were born to leave.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I made Jesus my Lord. I am Born-Again. Your Spirit lives IN me. From now on I am going to spend time with Him daily. Holy Spirit, You are in me to lead, guide and direct me. I will allow You to. I spend time with You and You with me. I am Your sheep. I hear Your voice. The voice of a stranger, I will not follow. I am led of the Holy Spirit today and every day. I will do whatever You lead me to do. I will go wherever You lead me to go, and I will say whatever You lead me to say when I get there. I am walking around with God on the inside of me and from now on, I am led of You Father, by Your Spirit, every second of every day! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
