The Message that Changed the World

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

3. The Message that Changed the WorldLydia: 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, and building schools)

4. The Message that Changed the WorldLydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15 Background of Lydia’s Conversion vs. 11-13 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 WorldLydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15 Lydia vs. 14 Hometown: Thyatira (Asia Minor) Occupation: A seller of purple Faith: Worshipper of God

6. The Message that Changed the WorldLydia: 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 WorldLydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15 The Battle for Man’s Heart LordSatan by the preaching by trying to take of the gospel away the gospel Mt 13:19; Mk 4:15; Lk 8:12

8. The Message that Changed the WorldLydia: 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. The Message that Changed the WorldLydia: 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 Acts 16:14

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

11. The Message that Changed the WorldLydia: 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 WorldLydia: The Lord Opened Her Heart Acts 16:6-15 How did Lydia Respond? vs. 14-15 How could Paul judge her faithful to the Lord? vs. 15

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

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

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