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.