THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER

Text: Acts 16:16-34.

Delivered on: October 5, 2008. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

1. Paul and Silas are teaching the gospel in Philippi.

2. They had just converted Lydia and her household.

3. Now through a series of events, Paul is going to come into contact with his next convert.

4. The PhiIippian Jailer.

5. From this passage of Scripture, we learn that there are many things involved in the conversion of a sinner.

BODY.

1. THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. Acts 16:16-24. Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. ¹⁷ This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” ¹⁸ And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. ¹⁹ But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. ²⁰ And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; ²¹ and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” ²² Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. ²³ And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. ²⁴ Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
   

   1. Definition of providence. God working out his will on earth and providing for His people through non-miraculous means.

      1. It is important that we understand the difference between miracles and providence.

         1. Miracles are works of God that go against the laws of nature.

            1. Miracles have ceased today.

            2. 1 Corinthians 13:8-11. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

2. Providence is God working through His natural laws. Daniel 4:31-32. While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!  ³² And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”

2. Even though God chooses not to do miracles today, He is still active through His providential care.

   1. Esther 4:14. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and
      deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

   2. Philemon 15-16. For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, ¹⁶ no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

3. Because of it’s nature, providence can be difficult to see in the present.

   1. As human beings we see only the past and present.

   2. We can’t see how things are going to work out in the future.

      1. Notice that in Esther 4:14 Mordecai said “who knows…”

      2. In Philemon 15, Paul said, “perhaps…”
         




2. We see God’s providence (I believe) at work here in Acts 16.

   1. Paul and Silas are being hounded by this poor girl who had a spirit of divination.

   2. She follows Paul and Silas around saying that they are servants of the Most High and that they teach the way of salvation. True!

   3. Paul puts up with it for several days and then finally becomes so annoyed that he casts the demon out.

   4. Have you ever stopped to consider that this may have been the providence of God at work?

   5. As a result of casting out this spirit, Paul ends up in prison.

   6. Where he happens to come into contact with a man who is good soil.
      




2. THE POWER OF GODLINESS. Acts 16:25-30. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. ²⁷ And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. ²⁸ But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” ²⁹ Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
   

   1. Paul and Silas could have become bitter and angry.

      1. They had done nothing wrong.

      2. Yet they had been beaten and thrown into prison.

      3. Yet we find them, according to verse 25, singing and praying to God.

      4. We need to learn, like Paul, to live independently of our circumstances. Philippians 4:10-13. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: ¹² I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
         

   2. What we see in Paul and Silas is a godly attitude.

      1. This godly demeanor had an affect on their Jailer.

      2. The Jailer knew that Paul and Silas taught the way of salvation.

      3. Have you ever stopped to wonder how he knew this?

      4. Because of their godly demeanor!
         

      
      

   3. Do we live our lives in such a way that those around us know that they can come to us and ask that most important question, “What must I do to be saved?”

      1. Maybe we haven’t had an opportunity to teach them.

      2. Maybe we have tried to teach them and they weren’t interested at that time.

      3. We must remember, that things may change in their lives, as they changed for the Jailer.

      4. He went for the doorstep of death (he was going to kill himself) and hell to salvation.

         
         

      5. 1 Peter 3:1-2. Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct
         of their wives, ² when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.

      6. I fear that all too often, our friends and acquaintances end up going somewhere else for answers to their question.
         

   4. Further, do we know how to answer that question with book, chapter, verse?
      

   
   

3. THE POWER OF THE GOSEPL. Acts 16:31-34. So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ³² Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. ³³ And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. ³⁴ Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
   

   1. It is only through belief in Christ what we can be saved.

      1. John 3:16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

      2. John 8:23-24. And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. ²⁴ Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

      3. John 14:6. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
         

   2. Yet we understand that our faith must be accompanied by obedience or it is dead.

      1. John 14:15. If you love Me keep My commandments.

      2. James 2:20. But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is
         dead?

      3. 1 John 5:3. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
         

   3. God’s grace saves us through faith. Ephesians 2:8. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.

      1. When God’s grace is coupled with our obedient faith…

      2. We see the power of the Gospel. Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

CONCLUSION.

1. Are you a Christian?

2. Maybe the providence of God has brought you to hear this sermon today.

3. Will you then obey?

   
   

BASIC EQUIPMENT FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING

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Text: James 1.

Delivered on:  September 28, 2008. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

1. James has been called the most practical book in the Bible.

2. If you want to know something about Christian living, this book is for you.

3. This book is not just important for Christians.

4. Perhaps there is someone here who is thinking about becoming a Christian but you want to know more about the Christian life before you make a decision. This book is for you too.

5. To sum up Christian living we could say, Christianity is learning to love the things that God loves and learning to hate the things that God hates.

6. In the first chapter of James we have a list of basic equipment for Christian living.

   
   

BODY.

1. CHRISTIANITY IS LEARNING TO LOVE THE OBSTACLES OF LIFE.   James 1:1-4. James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. ² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
   

   1. When is our faith tested?

      1. With the common maladies of human beings.

         1. Why didn’t God make the Christian immune to this kind of suffering?

         2. Why do we have to face these maladies that peck at our faith all the time?

         3. Two reasons.

            1. If God took away these trials for the Christian, you would have a lot of artificial Christians.

            2. God knows that we need the struggles to become strong.

         4. Matthew 7:24-27.  Storms came on the wise man and the foolish man. Must have right foundation to withstand the storms.

      2. When I am tempted to sin.

      3. When I have wealth or poverty.  Proverbs 30:8-9. Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with the food allotted to me;  ⁹ Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.

      4. When I am disappointed in other Christians.

1. It happens all the time.

2. We put faith in people and they let us down.

3. We can disappoint ourselves as well.

4. People are not perfect. They are going to fail.

1. Our faith is not based upon man but upon Christ.

1. When a loved one dies an untimely death.

1. If we are going to have a strong faith to lean on in these times of trouble we need to strengthen that faith when we are NOT going through trials.

   1. Why is it so important that we be faithful to the worship assemblies?

   2. Why is it so important that I study the Word of God?

   3. Romans 10:17.
      

2. How can we count it all joy when we face trials?

   1. Matthew 5:11-12.  “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹²  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

      1. Jesus said to rejoice.

      2. How can we do that?

      3. Illustration: watching recorded football games when I already know who won.

         1. Watching a game live, I have a lot of nervousness and distress.

            1. At times it is not even enjoyable.

            2. When the opposing team does well, I get frustrated.

         2. But when I am watching a recording and I know that my team won…

            1. It’s a whole different story.

            2. I don’t mind when the other team does well.

            3. I don’t get too upset when my team is having troubles.

            4. Why?

            5. Because I know the outcome in advance.

      4. It is that way for Christians. We know the outcome. “For great is your reward in heaven.”

   2. James says that the trying of our faith works patience.

      1. As Christians we must keep our eyes on the goal.

      2. Titus 1:2. In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.

      3. We’re going to heaven.

      4. You’re going to face hard times. 2 Timothy 3:12. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

      5. 1 Peter 4:15-16.  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

1. CHRISTIANITY IS LEARNING TO LOVE WISDOM. James 1:5-8.   If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
   

   1. What is wisdom? The ability to see how a particular course of action will ultimately turn out.
      

   2. James says that we are to ask God for wisdom.

      1. How does God give wisdom?

      2. Good question.

      3. I think we are talking about more than just the wisdom that comes from the word.

      4. Regardless of how we get it, we need to keep asking for it.

   3. The greatest source of wisdom is the word of God.

      1. We need to be hungry for wisdom.

      2. Real wisdom starts with a fear of God.

      3. Real wisdom understands what true success is:

         1. True success is living your life and going to heaven.

         2. True failure, no matter what else may be true, is living your life and going to hell.

   
   

2. CHRISTIANITY IS ABOUT LEARNING TO LOVE A SOCIETY OF EQUALITY. James 1:9-11. Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, ¹⁰ but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. ¹¹ For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
   

   1. In the world we are judged by a lot of different standards.

      1. An those standards are not always fair.

      2. But when we step into a worship assembly of the church of Christ and we are treated according to a different standard.

   2. The lowly brother.

      1. The lowly brother may not have much money.

      2. He may not dress well.

      3. But in the church, he is treated with the same honor as a rich man.

      4. The lowly brother can rejoice in this. He has been exalted or lifted up.

   3. The rich brother.

      1. The rich brother is humiliated.

      2. He is to rejoice in this. This is a challenge for this brother.

      3. He is brought down to the same level as everyone else.

      4. He does not receive preferential treatment.

   4. James 2:1-4. My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. ² For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, ³ and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” ⁴have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

      1. When we become a part of the church…

      2. The amount of money in our checking accounts doesn’t matter.

      3. The color of our skin doesn’t matter.

      4. The kind of clothes we wear doesn’t matter.

3. CHRISTIANITY IS ABOUT LEARNING TO LOVE GROWING UP SPIRITUALLY. James 1:13-16.  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. ¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
   

   1. Have we grown up spiritually?
      

   2. Why would a man say he is tempted by God?

      1. We like to try justify or rationalize ourselves in our sin.

      2. Any sin that we can think of, you can bet someone has rationalized a way to make it alright.

      3. Homosexuality falls into this category.

         1. Some try to blame God for their homosexuality.

         2. God is never at fault when we sin.

      4. Just because a man is tempted to sin, it does not mean he has a license to sin.

   3. We are drawn away by our OWN lusts.

      1. Different things tempt different people.

      2. What tempts me may not tempt you and vice versa.

      3. Temptation must be resisted.

      4. Don’t make excuses.

   4. Giving into lust leads to sin which leads to spiritual death.
      

   5. We must grow up and stop making excuses.

      1. Example: Attending faithfully.

      2. Hebrews 10:25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

4. CHRISTIANITY IS ABOUT LEARNING TO LOVE GOD’S DEPENDABILITY. James 1:17.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
   

   1. Everyone enjoys the physical blessings of God. Matthew 5:44-45. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
      

   2. Spiritual blessings are in Christ. Ephesians 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

      1. Answer to prayer.

      2. Salvation.

      3. Hope of heaven.

   3. What if God was not dependable?

      1. What if He wasn’t dependable in regard to physical blessings?

         
         

      2. What if He wasn’t dependable in regard to spiritual blessings?

5. CHRISTIANITY IS ABOUT LEARNING TO LOVE APPLIED TEACHING.  James 1:21-25. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. ²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
   

   1. It is one thing to hear the will of God for my life but it is an entirely different thing for me to implement the will of God in my life.
      

   2. The man in the mirror.

      1. The man who looks into the mirror sees all of his imperfections.

      2. But then he goes his way and forgets about them.

      3. Same in a spiritual sense.

         1. One comes to a worship assembly and sees that he is living in contradiction to the will of God and learns what he must do to correct it…

         2. And then he leaves and does nothing.

   3. This is a part of growing up spiritually.

      1. We must start taking Christianity seriously.

      2. How many people do we know in our lives who have some connection to Christ?

         1. Maybe the use to be Christians but are no longer faithful.

         2. Maybe they believe in Christ but that is as far as their faith goes.

         3. It is not that they don’t know the truth it is that they do not implement that truth in their lives.

   4. The truth is able to save our souls.

      1. We can know the truth.

      2. But we have to put it into our lives. Two examples are given.

         1. James 1:26. Control your tongue.

         2. James 1:27. Care for the helpless.

      3. What about you?

         1. Are you applying the things you’re learning here to your life?

         2. Are you seeking to serve the Lord in your life?

         3. Christianity is not just a part of my life.

            1. Like some club or social activity or sport.

            2. Christianity is our life. It is a lifestyle.

   5. Don’t just look into the mirror and go your own way.

      1. Are there things in your life that need corrected?

      2. Correct them.

      3. Baptism? “I know I need to be baptized but I’m not going to do it.”

      4. Repentance? “I know I need to repent but I’m not going to do it.”

      5. Attendance? “I know I need to be faithful in my attendance but I’m not going to do
         it.”

CONCLUSION.

1. Basic Equipment for Christian Living.

2. Learn to love the things that God loves.

3. Let us grow up spiritually.

   
   

THE MACEDONIAN CALL

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Text: Acts 16:1-15.

Delivered on: September 21, 2008. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

1. Acts 15 concludes with Paul and Silas setting out on what would be Paul’s second missionary journey.

2. We are told that he went through the region of Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches. Acts 15:40-41. But Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. ⁴¹ And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

   1. While this is not the focus of this lesson there is a valuable lesson learned here.

   2. Once we convert people there is a need to strengthen and encourage them.

3. We are told that when he came to Derbe and Lystra, he met up with a young man named Timothy.

   1. Remember that Lystra is the place where Paul had been stoned and left for dead. Acts 14:19. Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.

   2. Timothy joins Paul and Silas on their journey.

4. As Paul is passing through this region, we read that twice, he was forbidden by the Spirit to go and preach in certain places.

   1. First, they were forbidden to preach in Asia. 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.

   2. Then they were forbidden to go into Bithyina. Acts 16:7.  After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

BODY.

1. A DETERMINED SAINT. ACTS 16:6-10.
   

   1. We can just imagine how determined Paul was at this point.

      1. He must have been chomping at the bit ready to go preach.

      2. Romans 1:15. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

      3. He was probably also fairly frustrated.

         1. He may have been thinking, “God, I’m ready and willing to go preach but you keep telling me no.”

         2. But even though he may have been frustrated, he was not disobedient.

      4. We, like Paul, must realize that God knows best.   Isaiah 55:7-9.  Let the wicked forsake his way,  And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. ⁸ “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.  ⁹ “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

         1. We may not always understand why things happen the way that they do.

         2. But God knows best.

         3. Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
            

   2. Finally, Paul gets the go signal.

      1. We call it the Macedonian call. Acts 16:9. 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.”

         1. Come.

            1. In order to fulfill the Great Commission we must be willing to go.

            2. 2 Corinthians 4:7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

         2. Help.

            1. There are a lot of ways that people need help.

            2. Physically, financially, mentally, socially.

            3. But the greatest help that we can give them is spiritual help.

            4. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. ¹¹ Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
               

      2. Notice Paul’s reaction.  Acts 16:10. 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.

         1. Paul didn’t waste any time to get going.

         2. Are we as excited as Paul about the message we have for the world?

         3. Are we grudging teachers. We teach because we know we are obligated to but we don’t like or enjoy it.

         4. Are we determined saints?
            
            

2. A DEVOTED SEEKER. ACTS 16:11-14.
   

   1. What do we know about Lydia?

      1. She was from the city of Thyatira.

         1. This was a city located on the Aegean Sea in the Roman province of Asia.

         2. It is ironic that Paul was not allowed to go into Asia to preach but his first convert in Macedonia was from Asia!

      2. She was a business woman.

         1. She is described as a seller of purple.

         2. There was a purple shellfish from which purple dye was extracted to make purple cloth.

         3. Thyatira was well know for producing purple cloth.

         4. Purple cloth was outrageously expensive.

         5. Only kings and the very rich could afford purple garments. Luke 16:19. There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.

         6. Therefore, Lydia was probably very wealthy. As is witnessed by the fact that she apparently had a large household and was able to house Paul and his companions.

      3. Most importantly we read that Lydia was a worshiper of God. Acts 16:14. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.

         1. She was a seeker.

         2. She was worshiping God albeit at this time she did not possess all the knowledge that she needed.
            

   2. Paul takes the opportunity to teach her.

      1. Again we see that the Gospel is spread by teachers.

      2. It was through hearing the gospel that she learned what she must do to be saved. Romans 10:17. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

         
         

      3. But what does it mean when it says that the Lord opened her heart?

         1. Some believe that this is teaching that for a sinner to be able to be obedient to the gospel, the Holy Spirit must open up their hearts.

         2. However it is interesting to note that the Holy Spirit is not mentioned here. The Lord is mentioned.

         3. If it takes some special operation by God to make the sinner ready to hear, why is this not mentioned in any of the other conversions?

         4. Would this not also make God a respecter of persons. Romans 2:11. For there is no partiality with God.

         5. It was common for Luke to ascribe an action to God when God did that action through an agent.

            1. Notice. Acts 14:27. Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

            2. Acts 15:4. And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.

         6. Notice that Lydia was listening to Paul before it is said that the Lord opened her heart.

         7. It was through the things spoken by Paul that the Lord opened her heart.

         8. It was through the Word. Hebrews 4:12. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
            

   3. When the determined saint met up with the devoted seeker, great things happened.

      1. She and her household were baptized.

      2. Acts 16:15. And when she and her household were baptized…

      3. Of course, it is at that point of baptism that one is saved.

         1. Mark 16:16. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

         2. Acts 2:38. Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

         3. Acts 22:16. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
            

3. A DELIGHTED SAVIOR.
   

   1. We are told that there is joy in heaven when a sinner repents. Luke 15:7. I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
      

   2. Christ came to this earth to save the lost. Luke 19:10. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

      1. What joy it must bring Him when there is another precious soul saved from the second death!

      2. What joy it must bring Him to record a new name in the book of life!
         

CONCLUSION.

1. Are you a devoted seeker?

2. Why not delight the Savior by obeying the gospel like Lydia?

3. Have your sins washed away by the blood of Christ.