LYDIA-A-WOMAN-WITH-AN-OPEN-HEART-Acts-16.-11-15.pptx

About life

1. LYDIA: A WOMAN WITH AN OPEN HEART C hrist’s S ervants F ellowship - AG 21 September 2025

2. GAWA 16:1-15 MBB 11 Mula sa Troas, tuluy-tuloy kaming naglayag papuntang Samotracia , at kinabukasa'y sa Neapolis. 12 Mula naman roo'y nagpunta kami sa Filipos , na isang kolonyang Romano at pangunahing lunsod sa dakong iyon ng Macedonia . Nanatili kami roon nang ilang araw .

3. 13 At nang Araw ng Pamamahinga , lumabas kami ng lunsod at nagpunta sa tabing-ilog , sa pag-aakalang doon ay may pinagtitipunan ang mga Judio upang manalangin . Naupo kami at nakipag-usap sa mga babaing nagkakatipon doon .

4. 14 Kabilang dito ang isang sumasamba sa Diyos na nagngangalang Lydia na taga-Tiatira ; siya'y isang negosyante na nagtitinda ng mamahaling telang kulay ube . Binuksan ng Panginoon ang kanyang isip at kanyang pinaniwalaan ang ipinapangaral ni Pablo.

5. 15 Nagpabautismo siya at ang kanyang buong pamilya . Pagkatapos , sinabi niya , "Kung itinuturing po ninyo akong tunay na lingkod ng Panginoon , doon na kayo tumuloy sa amin ." At tinanggap naman namin ang kanyang paanyaya .

6. INTRODUCTION For the Apostle Paul, the church at Antioch was not a parking lot - it was a launching pad. He could never settle down to a "comfortable ministry" anywhere as long as there were open doors for the preaching of the Gospel.

7. In Robertson McQuilken book, The Great Omission , he said, "In a world in which nine out of every ten people are lost, three out of four have never heard the gospel, and one of every two cannot hear it, the church sleeps on. Could it be we think there must be some other way? Or perhaps we don't really care that much."

8. There were several new elements in Paul’s second journey that indicated that God was still at work, in spite of the seeming obstacles and personal difficulties that arose.

9. 1. A new partner (Acts 15:36-41) - Paul and Barnabas separated ways. Paul took Silas, B arnabas took Mark.

10. 2 . A new helper (Acts 16:1-5 ) - Paul met Timothy and he became his assistant.

11. 3. A new vision (Acts 16:6-40 ) - After visiting the churches he had founded, Paul tried to enter new territory for the Lord by traveling east into Asia Minor and Bythinia, but the Lord closed the door. Everything had been going so smoothly on this second journey that these closed doors must have come as a great surprise.

12. Who was Lydia and what can we learn from her life and how did God used her life to make a significant impact in the work of mission?

13. I. KEY ASPECTS OF LYDIA’S STORY A. Conversion and Baptism Lydia and her household were the first to believe in Jesus Christ in Europe after hearing Paul preach in Philippi, and she and her family were baptized.

14. B. Businesswoman and "God-Fearer " She was a dealer in expensive purple textiles . She was also described as a "worshiper of God" who gathered with other women by the river to pray on the Sabbath.

15. C. Hospitality and Leadership After her conversion, Lydia extended an offer of hospitality to Paul and his companions, providing a place for them to stay.

16. D. Significance in the Early Church Her conversion marked the beginning of Christianity in Europe and the establishment of the first church in Philippi.

17. II. WHY LYDIA IS IMPORTANT A . First European Convert Lydia represents the spreading of the Gospel beyond its Jewish origins to the broader Gentile world.

18. B. Philanthropic Figure Lydia was a businesswoman involved in selling expensive purple dye and cloth, a luxury item in the ancient world. This indicates she was a woman of means and social standing.

19. C. Role Model for Women in the Bible Lydia shows that women in the Bible were capable of running businesses and leading households, and could hold positions of influence within the early church.

20. CONCLUSION Her Story's Lasting Significance A. Divine Preparation Lydia's story shows how God prepares hearts to receive His message.

21. B. Foundation for the Church Her faith and openness laid the foundation for the growth of the church in Europe and serves as an ongoing example for believers today to welcome and support “missionaries”/ church planters, like Paul in the work of the Lord.