Willingness

Acts 16:1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

When you are looking for opportunities to preach the gospel, (which essentially means to explain Jesus’ plan of salvation as an advocate of the need for receiving the plan,) then you had better be led by the Lord.

Teaching and preaching are often interchangeable words, and in preaching teaching is often a necessary component. But when the gospel of Jesus Christ is presented, simply revealing the facts about the gospel is not enough. We must also encourage a positive response based on the facts presented, which defines ‘preaching.’ We become an advocate.

To be an advocate, it is most productive to be placed before an audience ready to hear the position being advocated. If you spent your life wandering around always presenting a necessary point of view to those completely unwilling and unready to hear that viewpoint, you would essentially be wasting your time. Now, additionally consider those who would have been willing and open to hear what you have to say, but you never spoke to them because you were completely involved speaking to those who would not receive your message.

Now we understand the importance of being not only willing to preach the gospel – but to be willing to follow God’s guidance about when and where to present the gospel. This is what we see being so well exemplified in the life and ministry of the apostle Paul. There is no wasted time because he is completely willing to be led by the Lord about when and where he is to go – even when it is contrary to where he may have wanted to go. As difficult as it may be to consider Paul being “prevented” by the Holy Spirit from going into Asia to present the gospel, 20/20 hindsight reveals the importance of his being directed to Europe. (Macedonia.) How wonderful it is to have the additional confidence of following God’s leading as you advocate God’s message!

- Pastor Bill