Acts 16:11-15, 40 & 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 / Lydia: Called to Serve.

This was Paul’s Second Missionary Journey and he is traveling this time with Silas. He and Barnabas had split up because of a dispute about taking John Mark and they had been trying to go into Asia but were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to go there.

In verse 9, Paul saw a vision of a man from Macedonia saying “Come over and help us”. They therefore immediately endeavored to go into Macedonia.

READ VERSE 11-15
So as verses 11-13 describe the route that they took to get to Macedonia. They left Troas, and sailed to Samothracia and then to Neapolis and then into Philippi.

Paul’s custom was always to seek out the Jewish Synagogue in the area but there was no synagogue in Philippi. He did find a group of women at a place of prayer near the River.

In Verse 14, Paul met a woman of Thyatira who was a “seller of purple” named Lydia. Lydia is described in verse 14 as the first recorded European that came to faith in Jesus Christ.

Now Historians believe that Lydia may have been a Gentile, who converted to Judaism - perhaps in Thyatira where she from. The small group was meeting together to pray. There could be no synagogue in the city unless there were 10 Jewish men in the city. Since there were not, these ladies chose this place as their meeting place.

Lydia is described as a woman who worshipped God. As a “Seller of Purple” she would have had influence amongst those in authority because purple was a color associated with royalty and affluence. Those in Rome who wore purple would’ve been senators and military officers.
#Worship, #Acts16, #ServantsofGod
Much like Cornelius in Acts 10, both she and Cornelius worshipped God but had not heard of the Messiah - Jesus.

Peter was sent to Cornelius’ house by God and Paul was sent to Lydia’s house by God. Both men saw visions sent from God that brought them to these people, when they had determined to do something else.

God has a plan and purpose for everything and so He sent these men to preach the Word to those who have not heard about Him.

THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT The Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.

THIS IS THE STORY OF US ALL THAT ARE SAVED…GOD REVEALS HIMSELF TO US AND WITH LOVING-KINDNESS HE DRAWS US CLOSER TO HIMSELF. ACTS 2:37 - Now when they heard Peter’s words, they were cut to the heart. They asked Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' ”

THE WORD OF GOD CAUSED HER TO RESPOND AND SHE BELIEVED IN JESUS AS HER SAVIOR….BUT NOT ONLY LYDIA BUT HER WHOLE FAMILY GOT SAVED AND BAPTIZED.

IF WE RECOGNIZE THE GIFT THAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN, THEN WE WON’T HOARD (KEEP) IT ALL TO OURSELVES. OUR WHOLE PURPOSE SHOULD BE TO GO OUT BEING COURAGEOUS AND BOLD IN ORDER TO SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

WHAT IS A SERVANT? ONE DEFINITION SAYS, “A DEVOTED AND HELPFUL FOLLOWER OR SUPPORTER.”

IN OTHER WORDS - TO SERVE SOMEONE IS A SACRIFICE THAT WE MUST ALL BE WILLING TO MAKE. WE SHOULD BE WILLING TO SERVE AND GIVE TO ALL. GOD GAVE SUCH GREAT BLESSINGS TO US, IN RETURN, WE SHOULD STRIVE TO GET THEM TO OTHERS.

VERSE 15 - LYDIA WAS COMPELLED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD TO SERVE AND TO BE A SERVANT. SHE WAS SO APPRECIATIVE OF THE GIFT OF THE GOSPEL, THAT SHE INVITED THEM INTO HER OWN HOME.

WE TOO MUST RECOGNIZE THE GREAT GIFT THAT WE HAVE. THE GIFT OF SALVATION. ALLOW THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD TO COMPEL US TO MINISTER AND SHARE FIRE SHUT UP IN OUR BONES. TO SERVE OTHERS THAT DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY ARE OPENED TO SHARE THIS GREAT GOSPEL.

OPPOSITE - SIMON

NOW IN THIS CULTURE, SHE WAS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY OF THEM AND ENSURING THEIR WELL-BEING, PROVISION AND CARE. BEING IN EVERY WAY - A SERVANT! MATTHEW 23:11 - But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

TODAY, WE STRIVE TO BE SERVED - BUT IT IS MORE GODLY AND CHRISTLIKE TO BE A SERVANT. AFTER ALL - JESUS HIMSELF CAME TO SERVE AND NOT BE SERVED. WE MUST STRIVE TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER.

WE ARE TO BE A DRINK OFFERING - POURED OUT FOR THE MASTERS USE!!!

MARK 10:45- For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”



NOW AFTER THIS, PAUL AND HIS FRIENDS WERE GOING TO THE PLACE OF PRAYER ONCE AGAIN AND A SLAVE GIRL WHO WAS POSSESSED FOLLOWED BEHIND THEM SAYING, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you THE way of salvation.”

PAUL GOT WEARY OF HER DOING THIS AND CAST THE DEMON OUT OF HER…BUT THE SLAVE-OWNERS WERE MAKING A PROFIT OFF OF THIS GIRL’S MISERY. THEY SEIZED PAUL AND SILAS AND DRUG THEM BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES AND HAD THEM THROWN INTO PRISON.

PAUL AND SILAS WERE MIRACULOUSLY SET FREE AND EVEN THE JAILOR AND HIS FAMILY CAME TO TRUST IN JESUS AS THEIR SAVIOR.

WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED, THE MAGISTRATES HAVING MADE A TERRIBLE MISTAKE BECAUSE THEY WERE ROMAN CITIZENS - BEGGED THEM TO LEAVE THE CITY.