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Acts 16:1-15
Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Sunday House-Another View | Burton, TX | January 2024How does this happen? How is it that someone would be willing to travel to so many places, endure so much suffering, face challenges from without and within, and seek the guidance of the church leaders in Jerusalem? Certainly Paul did these things because he was that kind of man. He had approved of Stephen’s stoning and gone on his own personal vigilante mission to Damascus. He was so infamous that the people in Damascus knew of his zeal and commitment to stamp out the nasant Christian church. So when he was converted, he didn’t lose his zeal. He did a literal U-turn in life and faith. He became the foremost missionary in his day for the Christian faith.
Then there’s Timothy. A son of a Jewish mother and Greek father, he becomes Paul’s companion, and eventually a pastor to whom Paul would write two letters. Paul considered him a son in the faith. This reminds me of the need for faithful men of good repute to be willing to serve as pastors.
This is certainly a reality to me these days as I help congregations in the call process. There are currently 10 churches in the area which I serve who are looking for pastors. Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful the but laborers are few. Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). I pray for each of them each night at 8 PM and 9 PM. They have agreed to make this a matter of prayer as we seek men to serve as pastors.
This is the work of the Holy Spirit: calling people to faith, capturing people’s imagination about how they can be part of his mission, and calling men to serve as pastors. Jesus came to seek and save the Lost. As people are gathered into congregations new churches are founded, they need pastors to guide, feed, and unite their efforts for the sake of God’s kingdom.
All this is so that people are saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. This, too, is a work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit moves people to listen to the message of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit moves those who listen to believe, repent, and be baptized. The Holy Spirit brings people to faith, unites us into one body, and keeps them in the faith.
We see all three of these things in this passage. Paul and Silas travel to far away places sharing the Gospel and planting churches. Timothy sees what they are doing and joins them in their travels. He eventually becomes a pastor. Lydia is brought to faith and supports these servants in their calling.
The Holy Spirit works from beginning to end in the life of a believer. He calls us to faith, strengthens us in the faith, gathers us with other believers, and sends people into the Lord’s harvest to seek and save others. Where is the Holy Spirit working in your life these days?
David Bahn - Reflections 
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