The conversion of Lydia

Sermon notes from Sunday 21 January 2018

Acts 16 verses 11 - 15

It tells us in verse 14 "a certain woman named Lydia".  This is the account of a conversion of a precious soul.  To see a man or woman converted by the power of God is a very precious thing.  A young woman trusting Christ as her own Saviour.  Here was Lydia in this city of Philippi, a keen business woman, seller of purple, very prosperous, sold to the rich and elite of that time.  It brought her much money as a result.  She was focused on it.  Her business had brought her to this part of the world.  Not only see a keen interest in her business but behind it all there is the unseen hand of God.  There is something that is mysterious in God`s salvation because there is the unseen hand of God.  It is God`s work and it is marvellous in our eyes.  It leaves a question - are you saved, born again of Spirit of God?  Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your own and personal Saviour?  Notice what it says here in chapter 16 verse 14 "and a certain woman named Lydia."  That "she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul".  When you take a look at that phrase you can see the unseen hand of God as he opened her heart, as she received the Lord as her Saviour.  What were these things she attended unto by Paul?

These things were important.  She had come to a place of utmost importance.  As Lydia went down to the prayer meeting on that particular day she wasn`t saved.  She was a religious person and it was now the Sabbath day.  She had set aside her business.  There is only one place she wants to be - down at the river side with the woman folk to pray.  She was not saved.  She may have been religious, had an eye for God but not saved.  Isn`t it amazing how close you can be to God and yet not be saved.  She heard God speaking through his word, she began to think how she would like to be saved.  That is not salvation.  These were important things for her.  Remember Cornelius in Acts 10.  God had been working with him in his own home.  Maybe night after night lying there thinking about what would happen - he could be lost for all eternity.  He cried out from his heart in despair.  God sent his angel to tell him to send for Peter.  Why? Because whenever Peter came down he would tell him words whereby he might be saved.  The greatest need on his heart was that he might be saved.  With him personally, not a church or communion table.  Peter would speak to you of things more important that you have heard.  The responsibility as the preacher, as he addresses men and women.  Paul comes into this meeting, stands before these women folk, doesn`t take it lightly.  He opens up the word of God and begins to preach the word of God.  He realises he is standing before people whose souls are lying in the balance.  Perhaps never see these people again.  A s he looked down on these individual faces thought was perhaps when he would leave Philippi he might never see them again.  Might be people ushered out into God`s eternity.  Important thing was to tell those people about the Lord and the responsibility on their souls.  This is not something trivial.  As we look on people we have to realise they can be lost.  A preacher was asked to address the subject of why he preached the gospel to young Christians.  If I preach the gospel it is because of what man is, a fallen human being.  If I preach the gospel it is because of what God is, because God is holy, of purer eyes than to behold iniquity.  If I preach the gospel it is because of what the gospel is, the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.  If I preach the gospel it only matters because of who God is, the only mediator between God and man,.  If I preach the gospel it is because of what a Christian is, someone with Christ in their hearts and is reconciled to God.  The apostle Paul brings a message on that day that is of the utmost importance.  God reaches down into Lydia`s heart and opens up her heart and soul.  What were the things Paul preached about?  Sin.  When God finished off his creation he made man in his own image, in the likeness of God, perfect in that sense.  No doubt told how sin came into the world.  Man and woman gave in to the devil`s lies.  Maybe took them to the animals killed that day because of their rebellion and turning from God.  Took them through the sacrifices right up until that one final sacrifice on Calvary when Christ died for their sins.  God was reaching down into the heart of Lydia right at that moment.  

These things were not only important but imparted.  Faith cometh by hearing.  Paul explains the important role of the preacher.  Souls need to hear the gospel and the preacher has to face his responsibility.  Some of our modern day preachers fall short of their responsibility yet we shrug our shoulders and think what can we do.  When the preachers miss the mark men and women, your family, my loved ones are sliding into a lost Christless hell day by day.  Men and women have to hear they must be saved.  Romans 10 "how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"  Paul had the word of God in his heart but it had to be imparted.  I am sure there wre those on that particular day that did not want to hear it.  He was being faithful.  God had no other means "for after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it please God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." (1 Corinthians 1 verse 21)  There is no other means.  It is these words, these things Paul was imparting that this woman was opening up her heart, listening to these things.  Have you been sitting under the ministry of God`s word,  when you have heard these things, God has been opening up your heart, showing you your great need of salvation?  An old experienced preacher used to say to new preachers - preach a full gospel - Christ and nothing less, preach a plain gospel - Christ and nothing more, preach a purer gospel - and nothing else.  Whenever Peter was summoned to the house of Cornelius, he was going to a man in deep spiritual need.  He bore the words in his heart that would see Cornelius saved.  He had to impart them.  The words of eternal life are no good in my heart.  They have to be imparted.  How can I be saved, coming as a sinner ready to repent of my sin, turn from my sin and take the Lord as my own personal Saviour?  Will you come tonight?  Will you trust Christ?  Peter was coming to Cornelius.  The responsibility of imparting the words whereby he could be saved.  She heeded unto those things which were spoken of by Paul.

These things were implanted into the very heart of Lydia to make her a new creature in Christ.  Paul knew that words were the things the Holy Spirit could use in the salvation of a soul.  The Holy Spirit can keep these words and implant it into the heart of men and women.  Lydia was a religious young woman but was never in a meeting like this before.  Peter stood in Acts 2 and said "ye men of Israel hear these words."  What words?  "Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves alsoknow; Him, being deliveed by the determinate cousel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken adn b wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death." (Acts 2 verses 22 and 23)  When they heard this "they were pricked in their hearts."  The Holy Spirit takes the word of God and implants it into our hearts that we might be saved.  Maybe she had sat where many others had preached, never heard words like this.  When Peter came into the house of Cornelius the Holy Ghost fell on them who heard the word of God.  God opened her heart.  She received the word and was gloriously saved.