A Time To Leap

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE, 22 March 2026
Sermon Series: “The Acts of the Apostles” (#24)
Sermon Text: Acts 16:1-10
Main Points:
Introduction
I. Prepared for the mission (vs. 1-3)
II. Strengthened in the faith (vs. 4-5)
III. Restrained and redirected by the Spirit – A time to leap (vs. 6-10)
Conclusion

As we saw last Sunday, Paul sets out to revisit the churches planted during his previous missionary journey. But this time, things are already different. Barnabas is no longer with him. Now, Silas accompanies Paul, keeping in step with him as they leave Antioch of Syria.

They begin as expected, travelling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Then, they move on – through Phrygia and Galatia, and further still toward the regions of Asia and Mysia. And at this point, something begins to feel unclear.

Was this their original plan? It doesn’t seem so. The journey stretches farther than expected – westward, then northward – covering more ground than they likely intended. What caused this? The text doesn’t tell us directly. But what it does show us is this: their path was not straightforward. It was unfolding in ways they had not planned.

Along the way, a new companion joins them – Timothy, from Lystra. In one sense, the team is strengthened. In another, we’re reminded that this journey itself began with disagreement – Paul and Barnabas parting ways over John Mark. From the outset, this mission has not been smooth.

And it only becomes more perplexing. They’re prevented from preaching in Asia. They’re blocked from entering Mysia. Even their attempt to go north is stopped. So, they keep going – further west – until they reach the edge of the land, where the sea itself becomes a barrier.

At this point, we have to ask: ‘What are they doing?’ Yes, the churches they revisited were strengthened. But in the latter part of the journey, there is no record of preaching, no new churches planted – only movement, delay, and restriction.

Put yourself in Paul’s position. You’re leading this mission. You’re ready to preach – but you’re repeatedly stopped. Days pass – perhaps, weeks. And a question begins to surface: ‘Why am I here?’

Then, at last, the turning point comes. Paul receives a vision – a man of Macedonia, calling from across the sea: “Come over and help us.” And suddenly, everything becomes clear. The barries, the delays, the detours – they were not pointless. They were preparation!

Now, comes the moment to act. They across the sea, stepping into new territory – the beginning of the gospel’s advance into Europe. A decisive moment. A necessary moment. A leap of faith.

What we see here is not just Paul’s experience. It is a pattern for the Christian life. Because before God calls His people to leap, He often leads them through confusion, restraint, and waiting. So, today, we’ll look at this ‘leap of faith’ – not as an isolated moment in Paul’s life, but as something every Christian must face.

I. Prepared For The Mission (vs. 1-3)

As Paul begins this journey, we’re introduced to a young disciple named Timothy. The text is deliberate in describing him. He is the son of a believing Jewish mother and a Greek father. And he is well spoken of by the believers at Lystra and Iconium. This tells us something important: that is, Timothy is not chosen at random. He is already known, already tested, already affirmed. God’s work involves prepared people. This is why Paul later writes in 2 Tim. 2:21 in these words, “if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonourable, he will be a vessel for honourable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”

But, then, something unexpected happens. Paul takes Timothy, and has him circumcised. At first glance, this seems contradictory. The church has already affirmed, through the Jerusalem Council, that circumcision is not required for salvation. So, what is Paul doing?

He is not compromising the gospel. He is, in fact, removing an obstacle to the gospel. Because Timothy’s Jewish background, entering synagogues uncircumcised would immediately create unnecessary resistance – not to the message, but to the messenger. So, Paul makes a costly decision that Timothy will undergo something difficult – not for salvation, but for the sake of mission.

This is the key. Preparation for God’s work is not just about gaining ability – it is about laying down rights. In other words, it is about voluntarily surrendering one’s entitlements, privileges, or rightful claims for a higher purpose – that is, for the sake of the gospel. Paul expresses this principle clearly in 1 Cor. 9:22, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” Timothy is not just joining a mission; he is being shaped for mission.

This principle confronts us. We tend to think this way: ‘If God has called me, He should use me as I am.’ Or, ‘If God has work for me to do, He’ll prepare me later.’

But today’s passage turns that around. The question is not whether God will prepare us. The question is whether we’re willing to be prepared the way God intends. Am I willing to be shaped, even when it is costly? Are you willing to be prepared, rather than rushing to be used? Many want to be used by God in significant ways. But few are willing to undergo the quiet, costly preparation that makes such use possible.

In fact, a person who is prepared will leap rightly. The leap of faith begins long before the moment of action. Before God calls us to step forward, He first call us to bow down.

II. Strengthened In The Faith (vs. 4-5)

Having such a prepared servant onboard, Paul and Silas continue their journey. Now, the focus of the account shifts from the individual to the churches. And we’re told that they went through the cities, delivering the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. And the result? The churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

At first glance, this may seem like a brief summary – but it is deeply significant. Notice what strengthens the church. It is not new strategies, not innovation. It is not emotional experience. But it is truth – received, preserved, and applied. Specifically, the decisions from the Jerusalem Council – clarifying that salvation is by grace, not by the works of the law.

This matters, my brothers and sisters in Jesus. Because a church is only as strong as the gospel it holds. If the gospel is unclear, the church will be unstable. If the gospel is distorted, the church will be weak. But, here in our text passage, the churches are being anchored. They’re not just growing – they are being grounded.

Now, I want you to notice the order – it says, ‘strengthened in the faith, and then increased in number.’ We often want the reverse. We want growth first – numbers, influence, visible results. But God’s pattern is different. He strengthens before He expands. He deepens before He multiplies. Because growth without strength is fragile. But strength produces lasting fruit. A church strongly grounded on the Word of God produces lasting fruit of faith.

What is required for a church to be truly grounded? Steady, faithful ministry through teaching, encouraging and establishing the church in truth. But all these seem quiet, static, without big decisions, without dynamic leadership. Yet, this is essential because this is what prepares both the church and the mission for what comes next.

God does not rush His people into new territory. He first roots them deeply in the truth.

III. Restrained And Redirected By The Spirit – A Time To Leap (vs. 6-10)

Up to this point, everything makes sense. God is preparing His servant; He is strengthening His church. This is steady; this is orderly; this is expected.

But then, something changes. The movement of the mission becomes unclear. Instead of open doors, there are closed ones. Instead of clear direction, there is restriction. And this is where the tension of the passage begins to rise. Because the same God who strengthens His church is also the God who blocks the path forward.

Paul and Silas with Timothy are, now, forbidden as vs. 6-8 tell us. They’re forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia, and not allowed by the Spirit of Jesus to enter Bithynia, the northwestern district of the Asia Minor. We’re not told what exactly hindered them, but it was divine restraint.

Let’s pause for a moment and consider the situation. Paul and his companions are ready to preach. They’re prepared. They’re strengthened. And yet, God says, no. Not once, but repeatedly. So, they keep moving through Phrygia and Galatia, past Mysia, and down to Troas – the very end of their passage. They’re moving – but not advancing in the way they expected. No preaching recorded; no churches planted. Only movement … and silence.

The question must arise, ‘What is God doing?’ Or, even more personally, ‘Why am I here?’ This is not failure; but it feels like it, doesn’t it?

Then, suddenly, the answer comes! Paul receives a vision: a man of Macedonia, calling, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Now, for the first time in this journey, there is clarity. And notice their response in v. 10: “immediately we sought to go on.” No hesitation, no delay. This is the leap!

This is not impulse or emotion or human ambition. This is decisive obedience after sustained uncertainty. They move forward not because everything has always been clear – but because, NOW, God has made it clear.

Many are waiting for a ‘leap,’ but they misunderstand how God works. They resist preparation, refuse submission; neglect to be strengthened and grounded in God’s Word – and then, grow frustrated when doors close.

And yet, that is often exactly how God leads. So, the real question is, ‘Will I trust God when He restrains me?’ More specifically, when plans fail, when direction is unclear, when progress seems slow, will we trust God? Because those moments are not interruptions; they’re, in fact, part of God’s guidance.

Let me remind you of the points we’ve heard earlier today. God prepares His servants. He strengthens His church and people. He restrains and redirects His mission. Then, at the right time, He calls His people to leap! At the right time, He calls you to leap!

Simply put, leap of faith is the result of a life that has learned to trust God in preparation, in strengthening, and even in restraint.

Conclusion

In this passage from Acts ch. 16, we do not simply see a mission unfolding – we see how God leads His people, and how He leads His mission.

He does not begin with the leap. He begins by preparing His servants. Timothy is shaped – costly, quietly, deliberately. He continues by strengthening His church – not enough dramatic moments, but through steady truth, grounding, and growth. And then, God restraints and redirects. Closing doors. Blocking paths. Allowing confusion. And only then, He gives clarity. A call, a direction, a moment to act. A time to leap!

As I close, let me ask you: Where are you in this pattern? Are you in a season of preparation – and resisting it, or submitting to God’s shaping? Are you being strengthened – and neglecting it, or being grounded in the truth of the gospel? Are you under God’s restraint – and growing frustrated, or learning to trust Him?

If you submit to God’s shaping today, if you ground yourself in His truth, if you trust Him even now – then, when He opens the way, you’ll be ready. Ready to follow Him without delay. Ready to obey without hesitation. Ready to leap – in faith, and in deep joy! ***