Acts 16:6

Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.

1. They are now leaving the region where Paul preached on his first mission trip. He is now heading into new territory.

2. The region of Galatia, would later receive letter of Paul to the Galatians.

3. We do not spend a lot of time or energy trying to learn or understand this last part of this verse.

1. We often pray for God to "guard, guide and direct us" with little thought about HOW we anticipate God meeting our request.

2. Let me say clearly - I believe God does guard us, guide us, and direct us. God is not limited in what He can do or the resources available to Him.

3. God was directing Paul in a direction.

1. Paul could have ignored the barriers and obstacles.

2. I have had people tell me they prayed for God to help them with a decision - then crashed through every roadblock that was placed in their way.

3. Paul, on the other hand, saw the barricades as a way for God to send them in another direction.

4. Why would God forbid the preaching of the gospel in Asia?

1. We often have to make choices. When we choose A, we also choose not B.

2. When we decide to eat at one fast food place, this does not mean that we are opposed to the other choices.

3. God is not opposed to the preaching of the gospel - to anyone, at anytime.

4. It seems to me that God had a more important mission in mind.

5. There is a parallel here with Philip in Acts 8:1-40. He was preaching in Samaria and God sent him to meet the man from Ethiopia. This does not mean that Samaria was of no value. It simply means that God has another mission.

4. B. W. Johnson says, "No record is made here of the results of this tour, but as we elsewhere learn of numerous churches in Galatia shortly after this, we are justified in the inference that they were planted at this time."