YOU CAN DO THIS THE EASY WAY OR THE HARD WAY

ACTS 16:9-15

Pastor Rick Jackson

The Lord basically uses three avenues to bring people to Himself. He uses His Word, His people, or circumstances to get someone’s attention and have them hear what He has to say. This is even true of Christians who have gone astray but it is definitely used for the lost.

I. GOD USES THE WORD OF GOD

1. The Planting of the Seed [16:10, 13; Rm. 10:17]

2. The Power of the Sword [16:14, Heb. 4:12]

3. The Pattern of the Saved [16:15, 2 Tm. 3:16-17]

II. GOD USES THE WITNESS OF BORN-AGAIN CHILDREN OF GOD

1. A Christian Led of the Spirit of God [16:9-10]

2. A Christian Longing to do the Will of God [16:11-12]

3. A Christian Laden with the Word of God [16:13-14]

Andrew told Peter, Philipp told Nathanael, woman at the well told the Samaritans, someone told you…

III. GOD USES CIRCUMSTANCES [Acts 16:26-32]

1. The More Someone Ignores # 1, the more someone denies # 2, the Greater the Circumstances

2. It Can Lead the Lost to Accepting God’s Grace & Mercy [Rm. 2:4]

Nebuchadnezzar heard the Word via Daniel’s interpretation, heard the testimony of Daniel and his friends, spent 7 years as a beast resulting in Dan. 4:36-37

3. It leaves the Lost with No Excuse [Ps. 19, Romans 1:20]

Pharaoh heard the Word, the testimony of Moses, then faced the plagues [Exodus] and died in rebellion [Rm. 9:17]

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People ask, “Why has this happened?” Because God loves them, He is trying to get their attention and have them hear what He has to say before it is too late. One Christian organization reports over 500 being saved because of the hurricanes that hit Florida, Louisiana, and Texas this year.

Have you received the Word?

Are you a testimony?

Does God need to get your attention?