Scripture Reading: Acts 16:6-10
Come Over and Help Us
Intro.
1. Acts 16:6-10: Paul’s 2nd journey. Coming from the E, prevented by HS from going S and N, they go W to Troas. Vision of Macedonian: Called by the Lord to take the gospel there.
2. God’s call, “come over and help us,” can still be heard as the guiding hand of God’s providence upon His people in this world.
I. COME OVER AND HELP PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE LOST, Acts 16:9-10. (Mk. 16:15; Acts 8:4)
-Let’s do what we can (2 Cor. 8:12). (Phone call, email, tracts, bulletins, arrange a study, teach it or get another, go to gospel meetings, invite others to come here, etc.)
II. COME OVER AND HELP THE CHURCH.
A. By Your Faithful Worship Attendance, Heb. 10:24-25.
1. Consider others to stir up love and good works (24):
a. Remember our brethren in parking lot (high risk to any Covid-19 exposure).
b. Remember our brethren inside. Together we are worshiping God, being edified and encouraged, Eph. 4:16; 1 Cor. 14:26.
2. Don’t offer the excuses of the unspiritual (Lk. 14:16-18, 24):
a. “Once a week is enough” (Psa. 122:1).
b. “Zoom Bible classes are not important; I don’t need to be there” (1 Cor. 14:26).
c. “I’m tired, etc.” (Looking for a convenient season? Acts 25:24)
3. Your presence affects others for good (Phil. 4:9).
B. By Being a Cheerful Giver, 2 Cor. 9:7.
1. Cheerful (gracious) giver is not stingy (9:6); Purposeful in his heart and giving (9:7); Unforced (9:7); First given to the Lord (2 Cor. 8:5).
2. Do not rob God, Mal. 3:8-10.
a. By saying, “I can’t give” (Mk. 12:42-44).
b. By saying, “I won’t give” (Jno. 12:3-8).
c. By saying, “It doesn’t matter whether I give” (2 Cor. 9:8-10).
3. Instead, see the blessings of giving (Acts 20:35):
a. “Freely ye received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8).
b. “Give and it shall be given to you” (Lk. 6:38).
c. The church is helped (Acts 4:34-35).
C. By Being a Faithful Teacher, 2 Tim. 2:2.
1. First, by teaching truth in love (Eph. 4:15; 1 Pet. 4:11).
2. Use your ability to teach and strengthen, Rom. 12:6-7.
a. Classes: Should be eager to teach (men and women).
b. Privately: Acts 20:20.
D. By Being a Trustworthy Worker, Phil. 2:19-23. [Timothy]
1. One who brings encouragement to the work (19).
2. One who has a mind of unity with apostles (truth) (20).
3. One who sincerely cares for the church and our spiritual welfare (20-21).
4. One of proven (genuine, trustworthy) character (22).
5. This Christian can be trusted to work (“therefore”) (23).
6. I can find 100 reasons not to work and why this church will fail. Or I can find 100 reasons why it will succeed and why I should be working to help it succeed. [Discourager or a Worker?]
Conclusion
1. What if Paul and company had just stayed in Troas when they heard the Macedonian call?
a. Souls would not have been saved in Philippi (Lydia, jailer and family, etc.).
b. Paul and Silas wouldn’t have been beaten and imprisoned.
c. No church would have been established in Philippi.
2. You say: “But the church at Troas would have benefited.” Yes, but what about the other souls?
3. Do not hoard the gospel, withhold your presence from worship, and hide your talents from doing the Lord work to help save the lost and strengthen the church.
4. “Come over and help us.”
By: Joe R. Price
Posted February 24, 2021