1. Including San Jose Acts 16:12-15
To the ends of the earth
Including San Jose
Acts 16:12-15

2. The Lord opens hearts
Out of the Saltshaker
Lois, Pages 40-43

3. The holy spirit Luke 3:22 Holy Spirit descended on Jesus at baptism…
Luke 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit…
Luke 4:14 Jesus returned… in the power of the Holy Spirit…
Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because He has anointed me to preach Good News to the poor…”
Luke 3:16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Acts 2:3)

4. Anticipation
Acts 1:4-8 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

5. Anticipation Messianic time had come Prophetic power released, for…
Outline of Acts (1:8)
Jerusalem Acts 2-5, 12, 15, 21-26
Greek-speaking Jews Acts 6-7
Judea Acts 9:32-43
Samaria Acts 8:4-25
To the ends of the earth
Gentiles Acts 10-11
Paul sent Acts 13-14
Gentile mission approved Acts 15 (next message?)
Onward to Europe Acts 16-20, 28

6. Setting To the ends of the earth Just turned West to Greece
Joined by Luke (“we” 16:10)

7. Acts 16:12-15 (ESV)
…from there [we sailed] to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 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. 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. 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 upon us.

8. Acts 16:12-15 (NIV)
From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

9. Adapt Gospel methods to circumstances.
Outline
The Lord opens hearts.
Adapt Gospel methods to circumstances.
Retain the essential Gospel message.

10. Lydia’s world Lydia was a region in Turkey including Thyatira.
A common name for people from there
Purple dye from Thyatira was likely 2nd tier quality
Made from root of the madder plant
Still expensive and used by upper class
Royalty-quality purple came from murex shells
Invitation to her home
Group invitation was not scandalous.
She had sufficient means to host them, likely a larger home with servants.

11. The lord opened her heart
She and the members of her household were baptized.
She convinced Paul & co to stay a while
She’s a person of peace! (Luke 10:6)
Kayla Keener: Home is Where the Heart Is

12. Application so far I’m encouraged! Accept hospitality
Open hearts are God’s responsibility.
Response to the Gospel is not dependent on fallible me.
God choses each person of peace.
Accept hospitality
Stay where welcomed (Luke 10:7)

13. Corporate Results of her open heart
God can start a church anywhere.
No Jewish synagogue but only some God-fearing women
They stayed only a few days, added a jailer’s family, and left.
Luke apparently stayed behind there (“we” restart at 20:6 at Philippi).
Philippians 4:15-18
And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

14. God is able to work here too
Though we are small…
The Holy Spirit who empowered Jesus is in us too.
Obey Jesus and preach the Gospel
Turn focus outward: Go!
The Holy Spirit is not here only to serve us.

15. Adapt gospel Methods Paul’s circumstances
No synagogue in the Roman colony
The search for God-fearers
Near running water
Outside the city to attract less attention
On the Sabbath
A group of ladies
No rabbi available to them
Paul is a welcome guest.

16. Adapt gospel methods What Paul adapted From Jews to God-fearers
From synagogue to informal gathering outside the city
No building
No quorum of men
Later we see him adapt to Gentiles in Athens (17:16-34).
Philosophical approach
To an “unknown god”

17. Adapt gospel methods: Today
Evangelism then vs now (or there vs here)
19th Century
Today
Public preaching
Small group dialogue,
Discovery Bible Studies
Teaching propositional truths
Listen before speaking;
Stories
Example: China
Example: Austin, TX

18. Retain Essential Gospel
The Message is eternally Jesus crucified and risen
Essential Gospel Strategy
Bridge to prior knowledge when possible
Search for God opening hearts