Discerning Divine Guidance
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Learning from Paul how God uses hindrances to guide us into His will.
Text: Rom. 1:13
Date: 11/01/2026, the Combined service.
Series: "Romans: Unashamed of the Gospel" Part 14
Description:
As Paul continues to emphasize to the Roman church his desire to come visit them, he reveals that he has been consistently prevented or hindered by a variety of obstacles. Even though Paul doesn't tell us the nature of these obstacles, we will turn to Scripture to find they cover a broad range of hindrances-- from the opposition of satan to the rigors of Kingdom-work; from circumstances and afflictions to the sovereign will of God. But all these preventions have one thing in common-- they are all used by God to guide His servants through the snares and pitfalls of life and ultimately to accomplish His sovereign will. As we analyze each type of hindrance, we will notice how Paul deals with each one-- with unceasing prayer, with a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and with trusting obedience to His guidance. Ultimately we will consider our own hindrances and strive to see them in a new light-- not as frustrating obstacles, but as the precious gift of God's Divine Guidance.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Rom. 1:13.
A. Context
1. Setting the stage.
2. Setting the background, vs. 9,10,11.
a. Paul's desire to go to Rome.
i. Praying for the Romans.
ii. Praying to visit the Romans.
b. Paul's restraint.
B. Learning From Hindrances.
1. Looking at the words.
a. A familiar phrase, Rom. 11:25; 1Cor. 10:1, 12:1; 2Cor. 2:8; 1Th. 4:13.
b. What Paul is emphasizing.
c. A glance at Paul's hindrance, Rom. 15:22-23.
d. More reasons for going to Rome.
i. To reap a harvest, Gal. 5:22-23; Heb. 13:15; Phil. 1:22.
ii. A continued harvest among the Gentiles.
2. Analyzing hindrances.
a. Ways that Paul was hindered.
i. Hindered by Kingdom work.
1) The Kingdom harvest, Phil. 1:23-25; Matt. 9:37; John 4:35.
2) The work in Corinth, Rom. 15:22-23.
ii. Hindered by circumstances, 2Cor. 1:8,16.
iii. Hindered by the work of satan, 1Th. 2:17-18.
iv. Hindered by the Holy Spirit, Acts 16:6-7.
b. When a hindrance becomes Divine Guidance.
i. When God closes multiple doors, Acts 16:4-5.
ii. God opens another door, Acts 16:9-10.
3. Continued prayer.
III. Application
A. Basic considerations.
1. Hunger and thirst after God's Will.
2. Learn the obvious and clear answers from Scripture.
3. Learn to pray without ceasing.
B.Learning to be sensitive to hindrances.
1. Discerning preventions from roadblocks.
2. Dealing with negative hindrances.
a. When circumstances stand against you.
b. When satan raises his ugly head.
i. Learning from Paul, 2Cor. 12:7-9.
ii. Learning from Job.
iii. Remembering the basics.
3. Dealing with positive hindrances.
a. When work for the Kingdom hinders us.
b. When God prevents us.
i. Be sensitive to the Lord's hindrances.
ii. A narrow road with two ditches.
1) The ditch on the left.
2) The ditch on the right, Rom. 8:9,11; 1Cor. 3:16.
IV. Conclusion
