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Practical Principles of Discernment in the Leading of the Spirit

Learn practical principles of discernment from Acts 15:36-16:10 on how to follow the leading of the Spirit, including not misusing the mystical aspect of discernment and allowing room for graceful disagreement.

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Practical Principles of Discernment in the Leading of the Spirit

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  1. How to Discern the Leading of the Spirit Acts: The Unfinished Story of the Church Series [30] Acts 15:36-16:10 October 7, 2012 Pastor Paul K. Kim

  2. “DON’TS” IN DISCERNING THE LEADING OF THE SPIRIT • DON’T misuse the mystical aspect of discernment as the power of suggestion unknowingly. • DON’T expect a supernatural voice or sign as the rule of thumb. • DON’T use the discernment process as a way of delaying your obedience. • DON’T make a formula for all cases (e.g., “open/close door formula”)

  3. WHAT PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF DISCERNMENT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS PASSAGE? 1) In the absence of the Spirit’s specific guidance, follow the KNOWN WILL OF GOD activelyas the Spirit’s leading (15:36). And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” (v.36) • Paul already knew God’s will for all believers and Christ’s desire for shepherding the church. • Paul and Barnabas didn’t try to discern this known will of God—they acted on it as the leading of the Spirit. • Negatively, it is wrong to stall our obedience to Scripture, looking for the Spirit’s special leading mystically. • Positively in this principle, we are to actively obey the known will of God [i.e., Scripture] in everyday life.

  4. WHAT PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF DISCERNMENT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS PASSAGE? 2) In deciding on non-essential issues, allow room to DISAGREE GRACEFULLY, trusting in God’s sovereign plan (15:37-41). 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. (vs.37-41)

  5. PAUL’S FIRST AND SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEYS * Source: ESV Study Bible Online (www.esvbible.org/)

  6. WHAT PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF DISCERNMENT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS PASSAGE? 2) In deciding on non-essential issues, allow room to DISAGREE GRACEFULLY, trusting in God’s sovereign plan (15:37-41). 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. (vs.37-41) • Scripture is silent about who’s right in this sharp agreement. Why? Both people and task are important in God’s will. • In the sovereign plan, God doubled this missions initiative. • The principle for us is to look to God’s BIG PICTURE of his sovereign plan, making room for graceful disagreement.

  7. WHAT PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF DISCERNMENT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS PASSAGE? 3) In culturally sensitive issues, be ready to GIVE UP YOUR FREEDOM in Christ to reach more for Christ (16:1-5). 1 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.(vs.1-5) • Unlike Titus’s case (Gal 2), Paul circumcised Timothy. Why? • In Timothy’s case, it was no longer a “salvation” issue but a “freedom” issue—Timothy was to give it up for the gospel.

  8. 19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

  9. WHAT PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF DISCERNMENT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS PASSAGE? 3) In culturally sensitive issues, be ready to GIVE UP YOUR FREEDOM in Christ to reach more for Christ (16:1-5). 1 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.(vs.1-5) • Unlike Titus’s case (Gal 2), Paul circumcised Timothy. Why? • In Timothy’s case, it was no longer a “salvation” issue but a “freedom” issue—Timothy was to give it up for the gospel. • Following this principle, we are also to be willing and ready to give our freedom/privilege for the greater gain for Christ.

  10. WHAT PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF DISCERNMENT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS PASSAGE? 4) In crossroads of directional issues, discern the leading of the Spirit through A MULTIFACETED PROCESS (16:6-10). 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. (vs.6-10)

  11. PAUL’S FIRST AND SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEYS * Source: ESV Study Bible Online (www.esvbible.org/)

  12. WHAT PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF DISCERNMENT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS PASSAGE? 4) In crossroads of directional issues, discern the leading of the Spirit through A MULTIFACETED PROCESS (16:6-10). 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. (vs.6-10) • The commonly used “open/door policy” can easily mislead us. Why? In each case, they are multiple factors for discernment. • At this crossroads, they took multiple ways to “conclude”the leading of the Spirit—e.g., both circumstances and reasoning. • We are to be wise and discerning to know the heart and the direction of the Holy Spirit’s guidance especially at crossroads.

  13. RECAP: FOUR DISCERNMENT PRINCIPLES • Follow the KNOWN WILL OF GOD [i.e., Scripture] actively in everyday life as the Spirit’s leading (15:36). • Allow room to DISAGREE GRACEFULLY in non-essentials, trusting in God’s sovereign plan (15:37-41). • Be ready to GIVE UP YOUR FREEDOM in Christ in culturally sensitive issues to reach more for Christ (16:1-5). • Apply a MULTIFACETED PROCESS especially at crossroads to discern the leading of the Spirit (16:6-10).

  14. THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE • What is one thing I need to STOP doing in discerning the leading of the Spirit? • What is one thing I need to START doing in discerning the leading of the Spirit? • Among the four principles of discernment, which is most applicable to me in my current situation—i.e., (1) in everyday life, (2) in non-essentials, (3) in culturally sensitive issues, or (4) in crossroads. What will I do as the first step?

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