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Lydia- The Lord opened her heart

Text: Acts 16:1-15
16 August 2009

(I) CALL FROM MACEDONIA

“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ ” Acts 16:9

1. A Simple Call for Help

2. A Significant Commencement of Ministry

3. A Suitable Response

“Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:10

(II) CHOICE OF AREA OF MINISTRY

“Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.” Acts 16:11-12

1. Choice allowed

2. Choosing wisely and well

3. Choosing Philippi

a) It was a foremost city

b) It held great potential

i) For evangelism

ii) For church planting

iii) For future development of ministry

(III) COMMENCEMENT OF MINISTRY IN PHILIPPI

“And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.” Acts 16:13

1. Searching for people inclined to worship God

2. Search for places where people gathered for prayer

(IV) COMMENDABLE CONVERT

“Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
And when she and her household was baptized, she begged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ So she persuaded us.” Acts 16:14-15

1. Conversion of Lydia

a) One who worshipped the Lord

b) One whose heart was opened by the Lord to heed the Gospel preached

c) Her conversion was soundly confirmed through her baptism

2. Commendation of Lydia

a) Her hospitality

i) It costs to practise hospitality

ii) Opening up of her home to Paul and team

iii) Giving significant support

b) Her humility

i) Pleaded to be given the opportunity to serve

ii) Pleaded humbly with Paul and team