Summary

In this sermon from Acts 13:1-12, Pastor Reilly McCleskey explores the question: 'The Lord is speaking. Are you listening?' Drawing from the example of the early church at Antioch, where prophets and teachers gathered to worship, fast, and pray, the message highlights how their desperation for God's presence allowed them to hear the Holy Spirit's direction to send out Paul and Barnabas on mission. Pastor Reilly challenges the congregation to pursue a consistent, unhurried connection with the Father through Scripture, prayer, journaling, biblical community, and studying God's Word as the foundation for hearing His voice and walking in step with the Spirit. The sermon also traces Paul and Barnabas's missionary journey to Cyprus, where they encountered opposition from a sorcerer named Elymas and ultimately saw the proconsul Sergius Paulus place his faith in Jesus.  There was a powerful parallel between the impossible barriers faced by Sergius Paulus (risking his Roman identity and position) and the barriers people face today. The central hope of the message is that when the Lord speaks, impossible people respond, impossible barriers crumble, and lives are transformed. This is all made possible because Jesus took on the judgment without mercy that humanity deserved, so that everyone could receive mercy and live in a connected, intimate relationship with God.

Key Verses

• Acts 13:1-3
• Acts 13:4-5
• Acts 13:7-11
• Acts 13:12
• Amos 8:11

Questions

• Pastor Reilly opened with the question: 'The Lord is speaking. Are you listening?' What does it look like in your daily life to actively listen for God's voice?
• The church at Antioch was described as being desperate for God's presence, gathering to worship, fast, and pray together. What does desperation for God's presence look like practically in your own life?
• Adoniram Judson encouraged setting aside two to three hours daily for prayer and communion with God. Does that idea excite you or intimidate you, and why?
• Pastor Reilly offered three practical ways to connect with the Father: conquering the morning, plugging into biblical community, and being a student of God's Word. Which of these do you find most challenging, and what is one step you could take to grow in that area?
• Paul and Barnabas naturally proclaimed the gospel as they walked in the Spirit. Pastor Reilly suggested that what comes off of you naturally is a good test of whether you are walking in the Spirit. What do you think naturally flows out of your life right now?
• When Paul and Barnabas encountered opposition from Elymas, Paul responded with words that reflected what the Holy Spirit intended for that moment rather than His own typical style. How do you tend to respond when you face opposition or pushback for your faith?
• We drew a parallel between Sergius Paulus risking his Roman identity to follow Jesus and the Nepalese man who feared losing His cultural identity. What are some 'impossible barriers' that people in your life face when it comes to trusting in Jesus?
• The sermon concluded with the truth that Jesus took on judgment without mercy so that we could receive mercy and live in a connected relationship with God. How does that reality change the way you approach your time with God and your conversations with others about faith?

Life Application

This week, choose one practical step to deepen your connection with the Father. It might be waking up 20 to 30 minutes earlier to read Scripture and pray, joining a community group or Sunday class, or memorizing one verse that speaks to your current season of life. Commit to that one step every day this week, and come back next time ready to share what you heard from God during that time.

Key Takeaways

• God is constantly speaking through Scripture, prayer, the Holy Spirit, other people, and conviction. The key question for every believer is whether they are truly listening and pursuing His presence with desperation.
• Connecting with the Father through consistent, unhurried time in Scripture, prayer, and biblical community is the foundation for walking in step with the Holy Spirit and living on mission.
• Walking in the Spirit naturally produces a concern for the gospel. If sharing the gospel is not flowing naturally from your life, it may be a sign that deeper connection with God is needed.
• When facing opposition, the goal is not to speak like Paul or even like yourself, but to surrender your words so fully to the Lord that the Holy Spirit speaks through you with exactly what is needed in that moment.
• Jesus took on the judgment without mercy that we deserved so that every person, no matter how impossible their barriers may seem, can receive mercy and enter into an intimate, connected relationship with God.

Ending Prayer

Lord, thank You for speaking to us today through Your Word and through one another. We are grateful that You are not a silent God but one who desires a real, conversational, and intimate relationship with each of us. As we leave this time together, help us to be people who are desperate for Your presence, who make the sacrifices necessary to hear Your voice, and who walk in step with Your Spirit. Give us courage to proclaim the gospel to those around us, and remind us that when You speak, impossible things happen. Thank You for the cross, where You took on judgment without mercy so that we could receive mercy. May that truth fuel everything we do this week. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.