2. The Message that Changed the World
Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart
Acts 16:6-15

3. The Message that Changed the World Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15
Background of Lydia’s Conversion
vs. 6-10:
God is directing preachers where to go/not go in order to
spread the gospel everywhere Acts 1:8; Col 1:23
When the Macedonian man appealed for Paul to come and help, he concluded the help was preaching the gospel
(not teaching how to plant crops, providing medical care,
or building schools, etc.)

4. Background of Lydia’s Conversion vs. 11-13
The Message that Changed the World Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15
Background of Lydia’s Conversion vs
Paul answered “the Macedonian call” by going to prime
locations to spread the gospel:
Philippi, a leading city from which the gospel could spread throughout Macedonia
Riverside, a place of prayer on the Sabbath day
(we must get specific and find an audience for the gospel)

5. The Message that Changed the World Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15
vs. 14
Hometown: Thyatira (Asia Minor)
Occupation: A seller of purple
Faith: Worshipper of God

6. The Lord opened her heart to respond to the gospel
The Message that Changed the World Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15
The Lord opened her heart to respond to the gospel
vs. 14
Does not mean that God took over her will Rev 22:17
Does mean that God is active in the process of preaching
and conversion, cp. Acts 11:21; 14:27; Col 4:3
The credit, and therefore the honor, and the glory for response to the gospel does not go to the messenger, but to the Author of the message

7. The Message that Changed the World Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15
The Battle for Man’s Heart
Lord Satan
by the preaching by trying to take
of the gospel away the gospel
Mt 13:19; Lk 8:12

8. The Message that Changed the World Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15
How Does Satan Take Away the Gospel?
Satan
Heart is not
spiritual
1 Cor 2:14-15
Keep listening,
but do nothing
Isa 6:9-10

9. How Does the Lord Succeed With the Gospel?
The Message that Changed the World Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15
How Does the Lord Succeed With the Gospel?
Lord
Spiritual Heart
Acts 16:14
Immediate
Response

10. The Message that Changed the World Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15
The Gospel is like the Sun Melts Butter Hardens Clay

11. How Does The Lord Work to Prompt Man to Respond?
The Message that Changed the World Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15
How Does The Lord Work to Prompt Man to Respond?
Acts 2:22-36, 37,38,41
Lord
Intellect: Believe
Conscience: Conviction
Emotions: Guilt & Sorrow
Will: Decision to Obey
by the preaching
of the gospel

12. The Message that Changed the World Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15
How did Lydia Respond? vs How could Paul judge her faithful to the Lord? vs. 15

13. Who Will Win the Battle for Your Heart?
The Message that Changed the World Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15
Who Will Win the Battle for Your Heart?
Lord Satan
by the preaching by taking
of the gospel away the gospel

14. Let the Lord Prompt You to Respond!
The Message that Changed the World Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15
Let the Lord Prompt You to Respond!
Lord
Intellect: Believe
Conscience: Conviction
Emotions: Guilt & Sorrow
Will: Decision to Obey
by the preaching
of the gospel

15. Don’t Let Satan Succeed!
The Message that Changed the World Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15
Don’t Let Satan Succeed!
Satan
Heart is not
spiritual
Keep listening, by taking way
but do nothing the gospel

16. Let the Lord Succeed With You As He Did with Lydia!
The Message that Changed the World Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15
Let the Lord Succeed With You As He Did with Lydia!
Lord Spiritual Heart
by the preaching Immediate
of the gospel Response

17. Respond Without Delay as Lydia!
The Message that Changed the World Lydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15
Respond Without Delay as Lydia!