God Uses Ordinary People: Lydia Series

3. Help others go through open doors by seeking to win souls. Notice how Paul and his team did this. They were…

* Intentional. They went to where religious people were. Look for ways to purposefully be with people who don’t know Jesus. That might involve joining an organization, hanging out with other parents, or not being so quick to leave work so you can talk to someone. Leverage your career, your relationships, and your interests for the sake of the kingdom.

* Relational. They “sat down” with the women. Sometimes Paul would “stand up” in the marketplace and preach but this time he sat down. Later this team took the time to sit down and stay in Lydia’s house where they were able to disciple the new believers. Ministry must always be relational. Some of us need to slow down and focus more on being friendly to people. Quoting C.S. Lewis, in an article entitled “Do People Bore You?” John Piper writes: “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Very few people are interested in others. If you really find their story interesting, and care about them, they may open up to you and want to hear your story—Christ’s story.”

* Conversational. They “spoke” with them. Notice that they didn’t preach at them or argue politics or try to correct her customs. A sermon would have been out of place. I like how one person put it: “Tell a story and wrap the gospel in it.”

* Christological. They could have talked about a number of things but they focused on Christ. Whenever we do have conversations we should look for ways to steer the topic to Christ.

* Familial. Don’t miss what can happen in an entire family, and even an extended family, when just one person comes to Christ. I think that’s what happened when the missionaries lounged in Lydia’s house – they got to know other family members and shared with them. I pray that as we focus on families in this community that entire homes will come to Christ and follow His ways. If the gospel does not penetrate a household it won’t make much headway in our community. I love what Spurgeon says: “Every house should be the house of God, and there should be a church in every house.”

A man from Macedonia cried for missionaries to come and God used closed doors to move his messengers to an open door. God often makes a way when we get out of the way. What crying are you hearing today? Do you hear the despair in your co-workers? Your neighbors? Do you hear the lamenting in the lost members of your own family? Emily Bill heard the cry of orphans in the Dominican Republic this summer and will now share what she learned.

Emily Bill Report on the Dominican Republic