Open Your Heart Series

Life Lessons from the Chief of Sinners

Open Your Heart

Acts 16:11-15

Introduction

Romans 10:10-11 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

It is amazing that it is Paul who writes these words. We first met him as a persecutor of the church. He refers to himself as the “Chief of Sinners”. We have been studying his life and gaining some Life Lessons from the Chief of Sinners.

-Discern the True Hope found in Jesus Christ

-Accept the Lord Jesus

-Partner up for the mission of sharing Jesus

-And today: Open your Heart to Jesus.

We join Paul on his travels during his 2nd Missionary journey. Companions on this journey were Silas, Timothy, and Luke. Joining him later along the way were Priscilla and Aquilla. Verses 6-10 tell us that he was directed by a vision of a man from Macedonia calling for him to come there. The Holy Spirit directed Paul to a major city in Macedonia named Philippi.

Philippi was named for Philip, father of Alexander the Great. That area was known for the gold and silver mines; a well traveled trade route that led to a port on the Adriatic sea. Economic wealth; a Roman colony, Philippi was a large city. The city was not religious, and there was no Jewish synagogue where Paul might preach. On the sabbath, he went outside the city gate and down by the river where there might be a place of prayer.

Acts 16:11-15

11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day toNeapolis,

12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.

13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.

14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.

15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed up are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”

The life lesson we learn from the Chief of Sinners is to Open Your Heart to Jesus.

1. Open Your Heart to God’s Direction (Acts 16:13)

Paul was directed to go to Macedonia, the city of Philippi. Everywhere Paul went, he had the mission to share the news that had changed his life - Jesus is Lord! Philippi was a big city with a lot of people, no synagogue - so he could not approach this in the way he usually did. On the Sabbath he went to a place where he might find some believers to talk to - and he did.

How can we pursue God’s direction for our lives? Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.

Four Ways to Follow God’s Direction.

-The Word. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

-The Lord. John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

-Prayer. Philippians 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

-With Thanks. Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

When I am directed by the Word to have the attitude of the Lord, asking Him to Help me, Giving Him Thanks in

everything, I will be opening my heart to God’s direction.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

2. Open Your Heart to God’s Opportunity (Acts 16:13b-14)

Paul found an amazing opportunity to expand the kingdom.

Lydia: Everything we know about Lydia is found in 4 verses

-She was a business woman. She sold purple cloth from the city of Thyatira.

-She was a wealthy woman / a home owner. The cloth she sold was worn primarily by kings and the very rich; it was very expensive. Barclay: This purple dye was gathered drop by drop from a certain shellfish and was very costly to dye the wool used to create fabric.