Go to Macedonia
Acts 20:1-6; 3/10/2024; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
When we talk about Macedonia, we think of the Macedonian Vision, right? When we talk about the Macedonian vision, we think of a Macedonian man riding a horse, asking Paul for help. But what exactly is the Macedonian vision saying to us? Let’s look at the first point:
Go to Macedonia
Going to Macedonia itself was the result of a vision, an inevitable mission, and life spontaneously. It was based on God’s ordination, Paul’s obedience, and the expansion of the church. First, get out of the mess. The so-called place of chaos refers to the riot instigated by the silversmiths in Asia mentioned earlier, which caused the entire city of Ephesus to be in chaos. Fortunately, the scribe in Ephesus used wise words to calm the crisis, so that Paul could exhort his disciples to rely on the Lord to overcome the fear in their hearts. Pastor Cao Sanqiang left prison on March 4, ending seven years in prison. When Pastor Cao was in prison, he was locked up with drug addicts and drug dealers. Three police officers watched him during the day, and one police officer watched him from his bedside at night. He was not allowed to talk to other prisoners, and especially he was not allowed to pray. Pastor Cao spent his days in Kunming Prison with silent prayer, and finally God led him to leave this chaotic place.
Next, go to Macedonia. Macedonia’s geographical location is very special. It is right at the top of the Aegean Sea, with Greece on the left and Turkey on the right. The significance of Paul’s trip to Macedonia was to witness the Holy Spirit’s leadership of the church. This is the first example of the New Testament church being led by the Holy Spirit through vision, and it is also a typical example of how the church will make decisions and behave in the future. Philippi is the capital of Macedonia. Paul met Lydia in Macedonia and established the church in Philippi. Therefore, the core value of the Macedonian Vision is to plant churches. This is also the imitation of our church in missionary work. We will never add bricks and tiles to the foundation established by others, but do what others have not done or do, plant churches, establish churches, and complete the Macedonian vision.
Finally, return to Macedonia. It stands to reason that Paul traveled throughout Philippi, lived there for a while, and had just completed his trip to Philippi and was originally going to Syria. Why did he suddenly change his mind and return to Macedonia? The Bible says it was because “the Jews had designs against him.” It may be easy for us to focus on the Jews and say, these Jews are so bad! This may also be the thinking habit of most of us. We always like to blame others and emphasize some objective reasons, which have nothing to do with ourselves or God. In fact, everything comes from God, can you believe it? Paul said to a demon-possessed slave girl in Philippi: In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her! Therefore, being in jail, in chains, and being persecuted satisfies the essence of the Macedonian vision, which is to be persecuted for the Lord. Let’s look at the second point:
Travel to Greece
The return to Macedonia happened after the trip to Greece, just to illustrate the same theme and group the problems of Macedonia. First of all, Greece is not to be missed. The priority of the gospel says: The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew and then to the Greek, that is, to the Greek. Although it ranks second to the Jews, it is still indispensable. Paul had already visited Greece, Corinth and other places during his second missionary journey, but Greece was a place that Paul and his party could not miss. During his missionary travels, Paul needed to observe and study Greek religion, history, and culture. Of course, I believe he will also have a deep understanding of Greek philosophy. Paul was an example of someone who never stopped learning. He was the first person in history to have a thorough understanding of both Greek and Hebrew cultures. So that all these preparations will become sharp weapons in the future.
Second, the necessity to stop in Greece. Why did Paul have to stop in Greece? This must have been the winter of AD 55. It was not easy to travel this far. In addition, Paul was moved by the Holy Spirit in his heart. In these three months, he completed the book of Romans. This experience was recorded in 1 Corinthians 16:5-6. Another reason for the pause in Greece was that Paul had been raising funds for the church in Jerusalem since his third missionary journey. In fact, Paul brought the money raised from Philippi to Athens, and then brought it back to Jerusalem together with the money raised in Athens and Corinth. Therefore, Paul had a lot to do in these three months. Including his evangelistic visits, it should be a very busy journey.
Finally, must come to Greece again. Luke records Paul’s trip to Greece in only one sentence: “There he spent three months, he was about to set sail for Syria,” In just a few words, it shows Paul’s unwillingness, as if he still had a lot of unfinished business. The Bible records that the Jews planned to frame him. This is a portrayal of Paul’s life after he believed in the Lord. On the one hand, Paul spread the gospel to them and expressed God’s love. On the other hand, the Jews harbored hatred and constantly framed Paul because he betrayed Judaism and converted to Christianity. Especially when the Jews knew that Paul carried a huge sum of money, they started wiring all the way from Greece to Syria and Jerusalem with evil intentions. This is why Paul returned to Macedonia and took a detour back to Jerusalem. Let’s look at the third point:
Live in Troas
Troas is a port city that Paul and his party are very familiar with and have visited many times. This time Paul stayed in Troas for seven days, which was indeed not simple. First, the people who traveled with Paul. Luke lists seven people here, they are Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, the Thessalonians, Aristarchus, and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. From this list we can see that the fruits of church discipleship have increased again. The first one Sopater was the leader of the Berean church and was called by the church a man who expressed love through actions. The second Aristarchus is a brother who is willing to accompany Paul in prison, which is really touching. The name of the third person Secundus means second, which is very interesting. This means that in his life, the Lord always comes first. The fourth Gaius was the one responsible for managing money among his peers, which shows how much he was trusted. The fifth person is Timothy, the first person to follow Paul. The sixth Tychicus was often sent by Paul to comfort and encourage churches and believers. The seventh Trophimus is the one Paul cares about.
Secondly, the stopping places in Macedonian. Paul returned to Macedonia from Athens and passed through Berea, Thessalonica, Apollonia, Amphipolis, Philippi, and Neapolis. If Paul established the church here when he came, then God once again strengthened the churches through Paul and his party’s return to Macedonia. When Paul reached this point, he should have been clear about the Macedonian vision. The Macedonian vision is not just to make people curious, nor is it just asking people to go to Macedonia, but it is to take root, build, and expand the kingdom of God there. Among them, Paul has letters to Thessalonica and Philippi.
Finally, Paul returned to Troas. From Macedonia to Asia, Paul chose to set sail from Philippi and headed for Troas. After five days of sea journey, he probably passed Samothela. Arriving at Troas, Paul met the seven men who were waiting for him and stayed there for seven days. Troas was a port city that the apostles were very familiar with, guarding the southern exit between the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea. It remains a very important strategic location to this day. Interestingly, it was here that the vision Paul received of Macedonia took place. Due to its geographical location, Troas was also the starting point for the spread of the gospel from Asia to Europe. There was a young man named Eutychus who fell from a window and died because he was listening to a sermon. Paul prayed for him and raised him from the dead.
Conclusion
Well, thank the Lord! Paul returned to Macedonia and brought out the touching stories. Back and forth in Europe and back and forth between Europe and Asia, he established and strengthened the church and fulfilled the meaning of the Macedonian vision.
Let us pray……
Acts 20:1-6
1 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia.
2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece.
3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas,
6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.