Intro:
McDonald’s commercial – “Can you tell me hoe to get to…?” And they end up eating Big Mac’s together.
Blackaby’s farmer story – verbal directions vs. a passenger/guide
Moses Cartoon (www.reverendfun.com – 10-1999)
ACTS 13 [1] In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. [2] While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." [3] So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
American Express commercial – “Don’t leave home without it!”
Thesis: So don’t leave home with out the Holy Spirit.
Key Question: But how can we seek, find and follow His guidance?
The Spirit’s guidance comes while we WORSHIP and FAST.
1. Worship is all the service we give to God (singing, praying, sharing with each other, giving to those in need, studying the Bible)
2. Fasting is another part of our worship. It actively says, “God deserves more of my time than food does.”
The Spirit’s guidance comes when we LISTEN carefully.
1. Expect a divine interruption
2. Pray & fast to confirm
The Spirit’s guidance comes as we OBEY.
1. It’s a requirement – before, during and after.
2. It will cost us something.
3. It’s not an option if we belong to God.
The Spirit’s guidance comes when we COOPERATE with each other.
1. Not a Lone-Ranger-activity.
2. God speaks through other Christians.
Conclusion:
Dr. William Sangster wrote: “When a thing is plainly right, it is, perhaps, academic whether I thought of it myself or whether God told me. But one thing is certain, I thought of far, far fewer sweet things to do, and hard things before I learned to listen to God than I do now that it is my daily practice. So perhaps it [is] God after all helping me to think.”
This is The Bottom line: The Holy Spirit – don’t leave home without Him.
Responding to God:
Application: Every Christian needs to seek and then to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance. How can we do that? By worshipping, fasting, listening, obeying and cooperating with others.
NEXT STEPS:
Commit yourself to seeking and following the Spirit’s guidance as we pray today.
Raise your hand to let me know of your commitment.
