Sensitive and Surrendered

What a great Word from the Word to kick-start our study together!  HELLO!!  There were many parts of the message that stood out to me, but there was one that kept me rewinding, revisiting, and processing throughout the week.  I will reveal that in a moment, but first what made the point so poignant was the set-up that came before.  Darrell tells us that, “The church in Philippi emerges solely out of the sovereign work of the sovereign missionary spirit of God.”   I was translating this in my head as, “Sonshine Ministries emerged and exists today solely out of the sovereign work of the sovereign missionary spirit of God.”  God communicates His mission through His Spirit to us.  But what do we have to do to hear the Spirit and discern the Spirit to fulfill His sovereign work? 

Darrell goes on to answer this question in the example of Paul and Silas.  DJ describes when Paul, Silas, and others were making their way across Turkey and heading into Asia.  The Holy Spirit stops them and forbids them by the Holy Spirit to speak the Word in Asia.  DJ describes it as, “The spirit of Jesus did not permit them.”  He then quotes this next line from JH Pickford which made my say out loud, “Woah, woah, woah!  Hold up! REWIND!”

 “They were sensitive enough to feel the impulse of the Spirit and surrendered enough to follow the leading of the Spirit.” 

Sensitive and surrendered.  We must have both!!  If I am not sensitive to feel or know the Spirit, then the process of God’s sovereign work communicated to me is lost.  How do I get to know the feel of the Spirit’s impulse?  By getting to know the heart of my Lord.   Oh how vital prayer, time in the Word, meditation, and quiet listening to Him as I keep my ears on His chest to know Him and His heartbeat.  It is then I can discern the Spirit. 

There is a Part 2 however— it is not enough to just feel the impulse of the Spirit, I must be SURRENDERED enough to follow the Spirit.   I could feel the Spirit but, not want to follow it.  This usually occurs (for me) when the work of the message is difficult or it just seems too hard.  Once again, the sovereign work communicated to me is lost.

Paul and Silas were sensitive and surrendered to the Spirit because their original plans were suddenly changed when Paul was given a vision.  DJ reminds us that a man comes upon the troupe and says, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  Paul discerns it is of the Spirit and changes course and heads to Macedonia. 

As a result, incredible, supernatural things happen. Miracles happen.  All because they were sensitive and surrendered.  But here’s the kicker……Paul and Silas end up in jail!!!!!!  What???  For their sensitivity and surrender they get locked in the slammer?  Yes.  God never promises easy.  But…..more miracles happen there, and the Philippians are encouraged and could embrace their exhortation, “Rejoice in the Lord always.”  I couldn’t help but sing the chorus of the song, “You make beautiful things out of dust.”    Because of their sensitivity to the Spirit and being surrendered enough to follow it, God fulfilled his work in Macedonia.

Sensitive and Surrendered.

This summer out on the water, may our ears be pressed against the heartbeat of Christ so we can know and feel His Spirit, and may we be surrendered enough to follow and fulfill His work.