An Open Heart

Maud church of Christby Jim BradshawSunday Evening, May 5, 2013

Acts 16:12-15

Heb 10:25 NKJV 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.

Act 16:12-15 NKJV and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. (13) And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. (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. (15) And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." So she persuaded us.

Down By the River to PrayerA. Paul, Silas, Timothy, and at least Luke came to Philippi.

1. Named after Philip the Macedon, father of Alexander.2. Site of decisive battle between Mark Antony and Octavius

(Augustus Caesar).3. Foremost City could mean first city of this part of Macedonia. 4. Colony of Rome.

B. No Synagogue. 1. Jewish synagogue required 10 adult males.2. Women came to the river to pray (worship).3. No Crowd was too small, even if it contained only women;

Gal 3:26-29

Down By the River to PrayerC. Lydia from Thyatira.

1. Seller of Purple2. Possibly wealthy.3. She worshipped God; may have been a proselyte. Lydia not a

Hebrew name.4. She heard Paul and the others teaching.

D. We must worship God5. To the Jew, certain things had to be performed at Temple.6. Synagogue grew out of need to worship during Babylonian

and Persian captivity7. Lydia still worshipped God even without a Synagogue.8. We can worship God anywhere;

Down By the River to PrayerJoh 4:20-24 NKJV Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you

Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." (21) Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. (22) You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. (23) But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. (24) God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

God Opens DoorsA. The Lord Opened Lydia's Heart

1. Was this done through direct illumination?2. Why would God choose to open some peoples heart and not

others?3. That would violate God's love for all; John 3:16-17.4. God wants all to be saved; 2Peters 3:95. Therefore verse can not mean God singled out Lydia over

others.B. How did God open her heart?

1. Direct illumintation, not possible. (Even Saul told where to go).

2. Original Greek means "open thouroughly." (Lock & Dam).3. Allowed her to hear the words preached unto her.4. Not the words of Paul or man.

God Opens DoorsC. Preaching Christ shines light on hearts.

1. 2Co 4:5-6 NKJV For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. (6) For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2. The power is in the Gospel; Rom 1:16.3. An Open Heart plus the Gospel leads to Salvation; Rom 6:17

NKJV But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.

Pay AttentionA. Sometimes we don't pay attention

1. T – BallB. Lydia Attended to the things spoken by Paul.

1. Greek - to take heed, to pay attention.2. Because of her open heart she was going to respond to

God's word.3. Still works today.

C. He that hath ears to hear let him hear; Matt 11:15; 13:19; Mk. 4:9; 4:23; 7:16; Lk. 14:35; Rev. 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:29; 3:6; 3:13; 3:22; 13:9.1. In essence pay attention.2. Faith comes from hearing God's Word;

Pay AttentionRom 10:13-17 NKJV For "WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED." (14) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!" (16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" (17) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Pay AttentionA. Why do people not Obey the Gospel?

1. Hard heart; Heb 4:6-7 NKJV Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, (7) again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "TODAY," after such a long time, as it has been said: "TODAY, IF YOU WILL HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS."

2. Dull of hearing; Act 28:27 NKJV FOR THE HEARTS OF THIS PEOPLE HAVE GROWN DULL. THEIR EARS ARE HARD OF HEARING, AND THEIR EYES THEY HAVE CLOSED, LEST THEY SHOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, LEST THEY SHOULD UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEARTS AND TURN, SO THAT I SHOULD HEAL THEM." '

B. Paul preached Jesus and baptism1. Verse 15; when see she was baptized.2. Same with Ethiopian Eunuch3. Act 2:37-38

Pay AttentionC. Does whole household justify infant or child baptism.

1. God's word is consistent and does not contradict.2. Cornelius and house spoke in tongues and magnified God (no

Babies).; Acts 10:46.3. Stephanas and his house devoted themselves to the ministry of

the saints; 1 Co. 16:15 (no infants or small children).4. Philippian Jailor; rejoiced and believed; Acts 16:34.

D. I hope your hearts are open today.