2. 16. Help us, Holy Spirit, You’re Our Only Hope!
Acts 16:1-15
p. 1019

3. Help!
Desperate situations and the call for Help! Paul and the Macedonian dream Help: recognition of our utter helplessness Help: urgent plea for someone, something, greater to rescue us from disaster

4. 1. Timothy
Acts 15:36-41 Paul loses Barnabas and John, called Mark. Chooses Silas and continues through Syria and Cilicia. Chooses Timothy, a young man: Well spoken by the community in Lystra and Iconium Raised with a sincere faith by Eunice and Lois.

5. 1. Timothy and Empathy
Paul and his letter to the Galatians The issue of Gentiles following Jewish laws and customs Circumcision Paul and an ethic of Empathy. Gal 4:12 “Become like me, for I became like you…”

6. 1. Timothy and Empathy
1 Corinthians 9: “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews… To those not having the law (the Gentiles) I became like one not having the law, so as to win those not having the law… I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”

7. 1. Timothy and Empathy
How far would we go in putting ourselves in the shoes of the other? How far would we go to be all things to all men?

8. 2. Lydia
Was there, or was there not a Synagogue? Ten Jewish men needed to start a synagogue. Were there any Jewish men in Philippi? Regardless. The marginal position of Gentile worshipers of God in Philippi, like Lydia.

9. 2. Lydia
Three boundaries of Marginalization Gates of the city: socio-economic boundary By the river: natural, geographic boundary Assembled: religious gathering Not invited to attend synagogue? Women cannot start synagogue on their own? Socio-religious boundary

10. 2. Lydia and Hospitality
Acts 16:15 Come into my house and stay… And she prevailed upon us. Protection in the midst of life-threatening situations. The very tense relationships throughout Acts The Jews, the Gentiles, the Romans… Genuine hospitality is most clearly seen where there is the possibility of danger.

11. 2. Lydia and Hospitality
Paul and the joy of the Philippian Church Phi 1:3-5 Phi 4:10-18 Hospitality, Protection, and Solidarity. How far might we go to offer such help to others?

12. 3. The Holy Spirit
The Paraclete, the Helper The Advocate, the Comforter The one who comes alongside. In Acts: the one who directs the mission of God. Guides and empowers people for the sake of the Gospel.

13. 3. The Holy Spirit
The Macedonian churches at Philippi, at Thessalonica, at Berea 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 “Now brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.”

14. 3. The Spirit of Dependence
A wise saying: Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. Self-sufficiency? Independence? Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden One command: Do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A desire of independence from God.

15. 3. The Spirit of Dependence
Help others to become more dependent upon God and each other. The Macedonians who were ready to receive help. The Macedonians who become such great help. Understood what it means to depend upon God.

16. Living It
Timothy and helping through Empathy How might you understand the other better? Lydia and helping through Hospitality and Solidarity Protection in the midst of a troubled society? The Holy Spirit who convicts us of our need to be dependent upon God and each other Against the tide of self-sufficiency and independence?