Listening for God's Direction in Uncertain Times
Summary
Life often brings us to moments of uncertainty, where the path ahead feels unclear and our spirits are unsettled. In these times, it’s natural to ask deep questions: Where is God leading us? Am I the right person for this journey? These questions are not just for individuals, but for communities as well. Our church now stands at such a crossroads, invited to pause, reflect, and listen for God’s direction together.
Rather than simply reviewing the past, we are called to “preview” our future—looking back only as a way to move forward. This process is not about fault-finding, but about honest self-reflection: naming what God has done among us, recognizing our present realities, and discerning the possibilities that lie ahead. It’s a time to celebrate the unique DNA of our church, to acknowledge both our strengths and our blind spots, and to be open to the changes the Spirit may prompt.
The early church faced similar questions of identity and direction. In Acts, Jewish and Gentile believers wrestled with what it meant to belong to God’s people. Some insisted on old markers of identity, like circumcision, while others saw God’s Spirit moving in new ways among unexpected people. The resolution came not through argument, but through listening—listening to stories, to experiences, and ultimately to the Spirit’s leading. This act of communal listening brought clarity and unity, even amid diversity.
As we prepare for our upcoming gathering, we are invited into this same posture of listening. We will gather not just to share opinions, but to truly hear one another, trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide us into truth and unity. The questions before us are meant to stir reflection: How has our world changed? How is God using us? What do we value most? Where do we need to grow? What might our future look like? Each voice matters, whether you’ve been here for decades or just a day, because God has brought each of us here for a purpose.
This is a season to celebrate, to listen, and to be open to the Spirit’s leading. As we do, we trust that God will strengthen us for the journey ahead, shaping us into the community He desires us to be.
---
Key Takeaways
- Unsettled Seasons Are Invitations to Deeper Discernment
Periods of spiritual discomfort are not signs of failure, but invitations to ask deeper questions about God’s direction. When the future feels unclear, it’s an opportunity to pause, reflect, and seek God’s guidance together, rather than rushing to easy answers or defaulting to routine. These unsettled moments can be the very soil in which new vision and conviction take root. [04:31]
- Previewing Is More Powerful Than Reviewing
Looking back is valuable only when it serves the purpose of moving forward. True discernment involves not just evaluating past actions, but previewing the future God is calling us into. This means reflecting on what God has done, what He is doing, and what He might want to do through us, with a willingness to embrace change as the Spirit leads. [10:07]
- Identity in Christ Transcends Old Boundaries
The early church wrestled with questions of identity—who belongs, and what marks that belonging. The Spirit’s work among both Jewish and Gentile believers revealed that God’s acceptance is not based on external rituals, but on faith in Christ. Our identity as God’s people is rooted in what Jesus has done, not in our traditions or practices, and this frees us to welcome others as God does. [19:20]
- Listening Is the Pathway to Unity and Clarity
When faced with disagreement or uncertainty, the early believers didn’t rush to judgment or majority rule. Instead, they listened deeply—to stories, to experiences, and to the Spirit’s prompting. True unity and clarity emerge not from silencing differences, but from creating space to hear one another, trusting that the Holy Spirit will bring conviction and direction as we listen together. [27:54]
- Every Voice Matters in God’s Discernment Process
God brings each person into the community for a reason, regardless of how long they’ve been present. The process of discernment is enriched when everyone, from the newest to the longest-standing member, brings their perspective and listens with humility. In this way, the church becomes a living body, responsive to the Spirit and equipped for the future God has prepared. [36:17]
---
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[04:31] - Wrestling with Unsettledness and Big Questions
[05:46] - The Need for Conviction and Clarity
[08:51] - Conversations That Sparked Change
[10:07] - From Review to Preview: A New Approach
[11:04] - Reflecting on Past, Present, and Future
[11:52] - Embracing the Preview Process
[13:04] - Naming Strengths and Concerns
[15:41] - Early Church Identity: Jewish and Gentile Christians
[17:15] - The Growing Gentile Christian Movement
[19:20] - The Circumcision Debate and Identity
[22:48] - Celebrating God’s Work Among All Peoples
[24:50] - Understanding the Pharisees’ Perspective
[25:52] - Recognizing Our Unique Church DNA
[27:54] - The Power of Listening in Discernment
[32:10] - Reflective Questions for Our Church
[33:52] - Preparing for the Preview Gathering
[34:42] - Anticipation and Hope for the Future
[36:17] - Everyone’s Contribution Matters
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Listening, Identity, and the Spirit’s Leading
---
### Bible Reading
Acts 15:1-21
(The Jerusalem Council: Jewish and Gentile believers discern together what it means to belong to God’s people.)
Joel 2:28-29
(“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people…” – quoted in Acts as a sign of God’s work among all nations.)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Acts 15, what was the main disagreement between the Jewish and Gentile believers? What did some believers from the Pharisee group insist was necessary for Gentile converts? ([19:20])
2. How did the early church leaders respond to the disagreement? What steps did they take before making a decision? ([27:54])
3. According to the sermon, what were some of the ways God’s Spirit was already at work among the Gentile believers before the council made its decision? ([22:48])
4. What role did listening play in the process of discernment in Acts 15? Who did the church listen to, and what did they hear? ([29:33])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the early church chose to listen to stories and experiences before making a decision, instead of just voting or arguing? What does this say about their values? ([27:54])
2. The sermon says that unsettled seasons are invitations to deeper discernment. How might uncertainty actually help a church or a person grow in faith? ([04:31])
3. The early church had to decide whether old markers of identity (like circumcision) still mattered. What does it mean for our identity to be “in Christ” rather than in traditions or rituals? ([19:20])
4. The sermon describes the church as a “living body, responsive to the Spirit.” What does it look like for a church to be open to the Spirit’s leading, especially when it means change? ([13:04])
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to “preview” our future, not just review the past. When you think about our church, what is one thing from the past you want to celebrate, and one thing you hope will change as we move forward? ([10:07])
2. Think about a time when you felt unsettled or unsure about the future—either personally or as part of a group. How did you respond? Did you rush to a solution, or did you pause to listen for God’s direction? What might you do differently next time? ([04:31])
3. The early church made space for every voice, from new believers to long-time members. Do you feel your voice is heard in our church? How can we make sure everyone, no matter how long they’ve been here, feels included in discernment? ([36:17])
4. The sermon says that “listening is the pathway to unity and clarity.” What are some practical ways we can listen better to each other in our small group and in the wider church? ([27:54])
5. Are there any “old markers” or traditions in our church that might be getting in the way of welcoming new people or following where the Spirit is leading? How can we discern which traditions to keep and which to let go? ([19:20])
6. The sermon asks us to reflect on our strengths and blind spots as a church. What is one strength you see in our community? What is one area where you think we need to grow? ([13:04])
7. As we prepare for the upcoming church gathering, what is one thing you want to bring to the table—an idea, a story, a hope, or a concern? How can you prepare your heart to listen as well as to share? ([33:52])
---
Closing Prayer:
Ask God to help us listen well—to each other and to the Holy Spirit—as we discern together the future He has for our church.
Devotional
Day 1: Listening for the Holy Spirit’s Guidance Together
In the early church, believers faced significant questions about identity and direction, but they navigated these challenges by listening deeply to one another and to the Holy Spirit. As we gather as a church, we are invited to do the same: to listen to each other’s stories, concerns, and hopes, trusting that God’s Spirit will guide us into unity and clarity. This posture of humble listening is not just about hearing words, but about being open to the Spirit’s prompting, even when it leads us toward change or new understanding. When we listen well, we create space for God to speak and for our community to discern His will together. [13:04]
Acts 15:1-6 (ESV)
But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.
Reflection: Who in your church community do you need to listen to more deeply this week, and how can you make space to truly hear their perspective and what God might be saying through them?
Day 2: Celebrating God’s Work in Our Midst
It is vital to pause and name the ways God has been at work among us—both in our personal lives and in our church community. Just as the early believers celebrated the spread of the gospel and the inclusion of new people into God’s family, we are called to recognize and rejoice in the blessings, growth, and transformation God has brought about. This act of celebration strengthens our faith, builds gratitude, and reminds us that God is actively fulfilling His promises through us, just as He did through the first followers of Jesus. [22:48]
Acts 15:3-4 (ESV)
So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.
Reflection: What is one specific way you have seen God at work in your church or your life recently, and how can you celebrate and share that with someone else today?
Day 3: Our Identity Is Rooted in Christ, Not Ritual
The early church wrestled with questions of identity—what truly marks someone as belonging to God’s people? Some believed that outward rituals like circumcision were necessary, but Paul and Barnabas insisted that salvation and belonging come through faith in Jesus, not through external practices. Our identity as God’s people is not based on what we do, but on what Christ has done for us. This truth frees us from striving and invites us to rest in the grace and acceptance God offers through Jesus. [26:43]
Galatians 3:26-28 (ESV)
For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: Are there any rituals, traditions, or expectations you rely on for your sense of belonging with God? How can you shift your trust more fully to Christ’s work for you today?
Day 4: Embracing Change and Openness to God’s Future
God often calls His people to reflect on the past, honestly assess the present, and courageously look toward the future He is shaping. This requires humility and a willingness to change, both individually and as a church. By previewing where God might be leading us, we open ourselves to new possibilities and growth, trusting that the Spirit will guide us as we step forward together. Change can be unsettling, but it is also the pathway to renewal and deeper faithfulness. [11:52]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Reflection: What is one area in your life or in your church where you sense God might be inviting you to embrace change? What step can you take today to be open to His leading?
Day 5: Unity Through Humble Reflection and Participation
Every person in the church, whether new or long-standing, has a unique contribution to make as we discern God’s direction together. Unity is built not by uniformity, but by each member bringing their honest reflections, questions, and hopes to the table. When we come with humility, ready to share and to listen, we experience the Spirit’s work in bringing us together and guiding us forward as one body. Your presence and participation matter in God’s sovereign plan for this community. [36:17]
Romans 12:4-6 (ESV)
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.
Reflection: What unique perspective, gift, or experience can you bring to your church’s discernment process this week, and how will you offer it in a spirit of humility and unity?
Quotes
thanks all right on May the 18th two weeks from now we have our important gathering where we're going to listen to each other as part of discerning God's guidance for our church um it'll be an important moment for our church so as strongly as I can I encourage you to be here but I want to tell you a bit about the story of getting here to this point why are we doing this church review last year I found myself in what I describe as a kind of an unsettled place and when I'm in an unsettled place in my spirit you know I feel uncomfortable and it was just kind of this underlying feeling that was running through most of the year [00:02:46]
so not being able to answer those kind of two questions where's God leading our church and hence am I got a sense that God wants me to be part of it meant that I was really troubled under the surface but I want to be that make this point very clear it wasn't that I wanted didn't want to be here it wasn't that I was not wanting to be here it was just that I couldn't answer these questions why would I want to be here it was just that every time I thought about the future it was unclear and hence it was troubling now many of you might kind of resonate with that kind of thing when you get into those moments we unsure what I meant to be doing meant to be that it can be untrumbling and uncertain so I'm sure I'm not alone [00:06:18]
And he came up with these two really important points. First, he said, reviews are often limited because they're looking backwards. And they're reflecting on what has happened. And in so doing, they miss the fundamental purpose, which is about moving forward. And so he prefers the word, we're going to have the slide, thanks, Kat. He prefers the word preview. [00:09:36]
I'm sorry, I'll go back. See, he prefers the word preview. And it's a reflection backwards to assist a movement forward. And another point he made was, how does a church know how to review a pastor if it hasn't already first previewed itself? Where it's going and what it's wanting to do. So, the first step to any pastoral review is a church preview. [00:10:30]
A time of self -reflection about the past, the present and the future. Identifying and naming what God has been doing. Just like we did this morning. Naming all those things that we can say God has been doing. And then we reflect on the present circumstances. And then we reflect on the present circumstances. of the life of the church, the current ministries, the programs. What's happening in the life of our church? Reviewing that, naming that, identifying that and identifying the future possibilities. What are the things that we see? [00:11:11]
Maybe there's things when we look at who we currently are that we need to change in order to pursue the direction that we might have to go in the future. There was something about this whole concept of preview that really resonated in my spirit. And so, having discussed it with the deacons, we agreed to invite Martin here on the 18th of May to facilitate a preview of our church. [00:11:52]
We're going to sit around and talk and listen. We're going to name and celebrate the great things God has been doing in this church. And there are many things to be grateful for. We're going to think about and identify any concerns that we have in our church. And we would be naive to think that somehow we're all perfect. And we're going to name those opportunities that God has or is. putting and bringing towards before us and here is the key we're going to listen to each other and be open to change [00:12:49]
listen to the different perspectives thoughts convictions and ideas people have and we're going to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us and hear and resonate within our spirits his spirit as we listen to each other listening and being open to the idea that God through his spirit we will not only hear his direction but will be open to respond even if it means change and who likes change the idea of listening and being open to the direction of the Holy Spirit is nothing new in the life of the gatherings of Jesus followers it started from the beginning of the church following the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and today's scripture is just an example of what they in a sense they were previewing the book of Acts so now we're talking about the scripture the book of Acts of the Apostles is the story of how the under the direction of the Holy Spirit of how the under the direction of the Holy Spirit [00:13:44]
However, in the Book of Acts, and especially in this period, there were also Jewish Christians. People who still identified as being Jewish, but who were, and they had their, they followed their Jewish practices and their rituals, but they had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. [00:16:37]
And as they were hearing also the story and the news of Jesus and became followers of Jesus, they became Christians. So you had Gentile Christians and Jewish Christians. And in this period, at this time of the gospel, the majority group were Jewish Christians, but there was this growing minority group of Gentile Christians. [00:17:40]
One of the big themes of the Old Testament is that God created a nation of people, the Jewish people. Sometimes when you read the scriptures, they're called Israel, but that's the nation of this group of Jewish believers, this nation that God's formed together. Sorry. Whom God would bless the world. God, this is a big thing. God, this is a big thing. God, this is a big thing. group of people, a nation that God would bless the world. [00:18:28]
This nation of God had its own rituals, laws, cultural practices that identified them as being part of this select group of God's people. One of the practices was circumcision. The practice of removing the foreskin from the male's penis. Yes, I've said that word in church. It was a sign of identity. Jewish males were circumcised and here is the essence of the issue. Did Gentiles Christians, this small but grown group, also need to be circumcised in order to be identified as the people, this new people of God, the Christians? [00:19:20]
Celebrating how God has been working through us, celebrating the DNA of our church, the great things of our church. In our scripture day, Paul and Barnabas have returned from Paul's first mission trip. This is the first, Paul did three, and this is the, he's come back from the first one. And on that mission trip, he went through the Mediterranean and visited Cyprus and basically traveled through what is modern -day Turkey, visiting places and cities there. And they witnessed for themselves, Gentiles, these non -Jewish believers, becoming believers, believing in Jesus. [00:21:41]
The fact was, God's spirit was moving and entering into people and that meant for them that God was accepting them as they were. As Jewish Christians, remember, Paul and Barnabas were actually Jewish Christians. As Jewish Christians, Paul and Barnabas saw God fulfilling his promises to bless the world through chosen people. people from whom Jesus had come as the promised Messiah. This was cause for celebration. [00:22:31]
This was the continuation of what God had started through Peter and when Peter went and visited a Roman centurion and his family and the Holy Spirit came on them. This was God keeping his promise. Through the prophet Joel. Then after doing all these things, I will pour out my spirit upon all people. In those days I'll pour out my spirit even on servants. Men and women alike. This was huge. Worth celebrating. [00:23:11]
Naming and acknowledging the things that God has done in the life of our church. The things that God has done in his world. But there's still this big issue of identity. In verse 5 we heard today it said, But then some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and insisted that the Gentile converts would be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses. [00:24:20]
They believed in the importance of identity and that was found in the keeping of the rituals and practices of their Jewish faith. This isn't a story about them being wrong in their practice of faith. In some ways, it's celebration of their faith. Celebrating the DNA that those people had grown up with. And we should not read this as them being the bad guys. They are passionate believers in what they thought was right. That people claiming to be identified as the people of God should be recognized. And recognizable by their practices and their behavior. [00:25:17]
As part of our preview, we need to be recognizing, naming and celebrating not only what God is doing, but who we are. What makes us as a people unique? Some of the questions we'll be reflecting upon and sharing together have the purpose to identify who we are. you you you as a unique gathering of God's people as West Preston Baptist Church. [00:26:36]
Our scripture started with some men coming to Antioch, advocating that without circumcision, the Gentiles could not receive salvation. That is, having their relationship with God restored. And Paul and Barnabas would have none of it, because restoration of our relationship with God, what we call salvation, has nothing to do with what we do. It's what Jesus did by dying on the cross. [00:27:13]
The believers in Antioch, who are, remember, largely non -Jewish believers, they've come from all these other different spaces and cultures, are trying, who are going, what are we being asked of us now? They're also, they're listening to the people who have come to them, the so -called experts, if you like, from the Jewish Christians, and they're listening to what they're saying. They're not dismissing it, Paul and Barnabas are, but they've been listening. [00:27:54]
The point is that the local group of believers had been listening to both opposing opinions and so they needed to do something about it. Fast forward to the gathering in Jerusalem and we see once again the power of listening. The group listened to the stories that Paul and Barnabas told of what they had seen on their missionary journey. They once again listened to the story of Peter and the Roman Cornelius and his family, what had happened there. And finally, James, another Jewish Christian who was now the head elder of the church in Jerusalem. Peter was no longer living in Jerusalem at this time. [00:28:58]
The sole point I want to make is that in this example, the discerning of an important issue was found in listening. Listening to the arguments. At this point, I'll see you more than me. and I'll see you more than me. Let's go. listening to the discussions and the stories and that is what we're going to be doing on the 18th listening together listening to how God has worked in the past is working in the present and pointing us towards the future it's actually why I'm emphasizing the need to kind of be here either in person or online two weeks from now because we could in a sense just send out a survey collect all your thoughts and opinions and just kind of clay them all together and the populous ones would win if you like no we need to hear we need to listen and as we listen the Holy Spirit who is the convictor of truth and the guider sparks something in us we say it's the Holy Spirit that brings unity you'll hear something and you might go oh my goodness that's there's something in what that person has said [00:30:25]
But we ask you to come on the 18th in the spirit of humility to share and listen. I started by saying how last year I was unsettled. We do the right to try to get the intent. We are now telling uncomfortable. In contrast to last year, now, this year, I'm actually pumped. I'm excited. There's something that I just sense what is going to come from this, what is going to, it's not even about whether I be, you know, my pastoral view. I'm excited that we're going to get together. I'm excited what we're going to hear. I'm excited what things we might have to change. I'm excited about us naming the things where we need to attend to. I get excited about this stuff. I love it. So I'm pumped. [00:34:33]
I believe this preview process will be the start of strengthening all of us in the activities and actions of this church. As first, we celebrate what God has and is doing through us. And secondly, as we experience the way God works through listening, you'll catch it. This is one way that you'll learn how the Spirit discerns is by being here and hearing and seeing the way the Spirit works. That's an amazing experience. And that's what I'm excited about. [00:35:27]
What might be your thoughts? What will you bring to the table? And it doesn't matter whether you've been here one day or 35 years. How long, Andrew? You're the longest. 29 years. Sorry, I made you older than you were. If you're here, it's because God in that song, you know that song? I like how it said, in our shores is your sovereign plan. If you're here, it's because God wants you to be here. And so you're going to bring something to the table. [00:36:51]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 04, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?