• The Witness in Lystra – Act 15:4-16:3
  • In Syria and Cilicia – Act 15:41
    • The local churches
    • Strengthening the churches
  • In Derbe and Lystra – Act 16:1-3
    • Timothy’s background
      • He was a disciple
      • He was Hebrew-Greek – Act 16:1
      • He was respected by the believers
    • Timothy’s ministry with Paul – Act 16:3-4
      • He journeyed with Paul
      • He was trained on the job
• The Witness from Lystra to Troas – Act 16:4-10
  • The content: the triumph of the Gospel of Grace
  • The result
    • The churches were strengthened (edified) in the faith
    • They increased in number daily
  • The divine direction – Act 16:6-8
    • The Holy Spirit led
    • The men followed
  • The call to Macedonia – Act 16:9-10
    • The vision
    • The response
    • The reason Europe needed the Gospel
• The Witness in Philippi – Act 16:11-40
  • The city is an important colony
  • A church was established that was dear to Paul’s heart – Phl 1:1-9
  • The conversion of Lydia, the first believer on European soil
    • The setting – Act 16:14
      • It was the Sabbath
      • There was a prayer meeting at the riverside
    • Lydia
      • A seller of purple cloth
      • From the City of Thyatira
      • She worshipped God
    • The manner of her conversion
      • It was brought about by providential circumstances
        • She was from Thyatrira
        • Paul is forbidden to go there
        • Paul and Lydia must meet at Philippi
          • Paul must be directed
          • He must be brought to Troas
          • On a ship going to Samothrace
          • Landing at Neapolis
          • He must go down by the river
          • Lydia must be present
          • God brought them together
          • God’s providence is working everything together for the salvation of His elect
          • God will not allow one elect soul to miss the predestined moment!
          • God is in control of salvation!
      • The grace in preparing the heart
        • She knew something of the Word of God
        • She worshipped
        • She did not know Christ
        • God was preparing her heart
        • Grace opened her heart
          • She did not open her own heart
          • Her prayers did not do it
          • Paul did not do it
          • Nothing short of divine power can do it – Jhn 1:13
          • Faith is the gift of God – Eph 2:8-9
        • God uses “means”
          • She went to a prayer meeting
          • She heard the message
          • God used the witness of Paul
          • The truth entered the open heart
            • Her desires were awakened
            • Her understanding was enlightened
            • Her heart was influenced to believe
            • Her life was exercised in faith
    • The evidence of her conversion – Act 16:15
      • She is obedient to baptism
      • She communicates to her household
      • She is gracious in hospitality
    • Our conversion
      • Same natural condition
      • Same providential work
      • Same marvelous grace
      • Same miraculous believing
    • Our response
      • Thankful hearts for the providences which brought us to the place where Christ was revealed to us
      • Appreciation that results in devotion, obedience, and service
      • Faith in continuing grace to provide and empower

Return to Top