God’s Kingdom Invades Macedonia

I talked previously about the Kingdom of God invading our world. Let me show you a Biblical example of that. For those who missed the earlier lesson look for ‘Kingdom Invasion’.

Dr Luke’s historical record of Paul and Silas travelling to Macedonia is a first-hand record of events he was involved in. In Luke’s ‘Book of the Acts of the Apostles’, chapter 16, Luke uses the word ‘we’ as he describes those involved. Luke signifies that he was party to the early taking of the Gospel to the ancient land of Macedonia.

The Apostle Paul had a vision of a Macedonian man calling him to come over and help them. That led Paul and his team to the city of Philippi.

There are several startling elements to the events at Philippi, in Macedonia. Paul began preaching but was soon harassed by a demonised slave woman. The demon afflicting her gave her the apparent ability to tell people’s fortunes, so her owners made quite a profit from selling her services.

The demon inside her recognised Paul and Silas and knew their mission so she followed them around shouting that they were there to tell people how to be saved. After several days of this Paul became annoyed at her disruption and commanded the demon to get out of her.

“She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her! At that moment the spirit left her.” Acts 16:18

Paul and Silas took the Kingdom of God into Macedonia and the demonic powers were alerted to their arrival. The demon in the slave woman sought to disrupt their work and maybe get them in trouble. Paul took authority over the spirit and cast it out of the woman.

This displayed the Kingdom of God invading Macedonia.

The existing order of things, under the power of satanic spirits, was challenged and overcome by the power and authority of Christ. The Kingdom of God had arrived and things began happening.

Jesus had already shown His disciples that bringing the Kingdom of God to places they visited would result in miraculous impact.

“As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you received; freely give.” Matthew 10:7,8

Later the Apostle James (brother of Jesus) wrote that Christians have authority even over the Devil.

“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

Yet despite this display of power by Paul things did not go smoothly. The slave owners were outraged that their source of income was taken from them, so they raised false accusations against Paul and Silas. This caused an eruption of anger and Paul and Silas found themselves in court.

“They brought them before the magistrates and accused, These men are Jews, throwing our city into uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice. The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.” Acts 16:20-22

The Kingdom of God was not immediately welcomed, despite its power to save and transform lives. Vested interests held sway and brought a violent reaction to God’s Kingdom.

Jesus had already warned about such reaction.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The Apostle Paul, speaking from his own experience, told his disciple, Timothy, to expect opposition.

“Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2Timothy 3:12

Paul and Silas felt the sting of that opposition, being flogged and imprisoned, with their feet put in stocks in the depths of the prison.

“After being severely flogged, they were thrown in prison. The jailer put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.” Acts 16:23,24

Yet another expression of the Kingdom of God then appeared. The opposition, designed to break their spirit, had no effect on these men of God. They were not bitter or discouraged. Silas didn’t resort to accusing or arguing with Paul for bringing them into such a situation. Instead they trusted their lives to God and continued to rejoice even in adversity. In the dead of night they prayed and sang God’s praises.

“At midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God, with the other prisoners listening.” Acts 16:25

That in itself is an expression of the Kingdom of God. These men had submitted themselves to God and God’s Kingdom, so did not care about their lives, as long as they were serving God. They rejoiced in suffering and trusted their fate to the hands of God.

That led to yet another expression of the Kingdom of God – where God is in control despite the government, legal system, business world and outrage of the public. God was not daunted by the great display of social outrage and the forces of the government used against God’s servants.

“Suddenly a violent earthquake shook the prison foundations. All the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” Acts 16:26

God created a very specific earthquake, at the very foundations of that particular prison. The Kingdom of God was invading Macedonia and miraculous things could now take place that defied any natural explanation. Note too that the building didn’t collapse and kill those inside. The doors opened and the chains became free. That’s too amazing to put down to any kind of chance. It demonstrates the Kingdom of God!

At that the jailer panicked and was ready to kill himself, but Paul stopped him and shouted that all the prisoners were still there. That led to the jailer being amazed and giving his life to God, his whole family accepting the gospel message about Christ and being baptised. Luke records that the jailer was filled with joy at his own and his family’s salvation.

“The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.” Acts 16:34

What took place in Macedonia is typical of what happened in many places in early church days. The Kingdom of God arrived, in both the Gospel message causing faith in people’s hearts, along with miraculous signs to confirm the word that was preached.

So let’s catalogue the impact of the Kingdom of God arriving in Macedonia.
There was Power over Satan and Demons.
There was power for God’s people to endure opposition and persecution, without complaint and praising God.
There was power to be delivered from the full force of the local government, law and people.
There was power to preach the Gospel and power in the Gospel to bring people to faith.
There was power in the witness and testimony of God’s people living out their faith even under persecution and opposition.
There was power in the Gospel to bring salvation to whole households.
There was power of transformation in the lives of those who believe, bringing them joy in their new standing as believers and God’s children.

Let me say, there is great power and joy when God’s Kingdom arrives. And let me point out to you, God’s Kingdom has arrived in your home and in your heart and in your home town, and in your workplace, and in your school, and in your church, and in your nation.

So, by faith in God and His Word, I exhort you, in Jesus’ name, tap into the power of the Kingdom of God that is right at hand for you. And let’s see what God will do as the Kingdom of God invades your world just as powerfully as it invaded Macedonian 2,000 years ago.

[NOTE – Check out my other post on this theme, titled ‘Kingdom Invasion’.]