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The Pilgrim Path (7-28-2021)

The Pilgrim Path---Acts 16: 11—15

So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there 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.

“THE LORD OPENED HER HEART…”

The “Man” in the Macedonian Vision gets his request answered: Paul and his missionary team have arrived in Philippi---a leading city of the region. They make their way outside the city on the Sabbath---to a place that was designated for prayer. The Apostles were not gender biased. The crowd seems to have been mostly women. They do what they do----explain how Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah--- the only Savior of sinful beings. Jesus fulfilled “all” righteousness for His own. Suffered on their behalf upon the cross---died, was resurrected---and His blood cleanses “all” who repent ---and look to Him believingly.

With specific clarity, the Holy Spirit has Dr. Luke record the fact that the “LORD opened Lydia’s heart”---so she could hear this Gospel truth---and believe it! There is a general call of the Gospel---that is heard---but not believed. This was an effectual call for Lydia---that was “savingly heard.” The truth was brought home to her heart and mind by the very power of God’s Holy Spirit. She was baptized (along with the members of her household). It was a banner day for the Gospel. Afterwards---she just had to have the apostles come to her home. What a time of food and fellowship they must have had---relishing New Life in the Living Christ. Philippi never looked so grand!

Always pray for this: that the Precious Holy Spirit of God would open “the hearts” of hearers to the truth of the Gospel---otherwise---they remain “hard and resistant” to the amazing grace of God in Christ…

From Thomas Manton: There is nothing in man’s nature to carry him to grace. In conversion, God must work or he can never be renewed. To remedy so great an evil requires almighty power. God must open our understanding and our hearts (Eph. 1: 18; Acts 16: 14). God does not only knock at the heart by his Word, he also opens the heart and enters to take possession. God uses different keys to unlock the door of our hearts. He uses one cross, another affliction, a sermon, and one message after another. It is not however until God puts his fingers upon the hole of the lock that we open. Salvation is expressed by regeneration (John 3: 3), resurrection (Eph. 2: 5), creation (Eph. 2: 10), and light out of darkness (II Cor. 4: 6). We are called new creatures and are overcome by God’s power (II Cor. 10: 4). What a mystery is grace, and the power of God that works in us! “He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus” (I Cor. 1: 30).

From Charles Haddon Spurgeon: She did not open her own heart. Her prayers did not do it; Paul did not do it. The LORD Himself must open the heart, to receive the things which make for our peace…the first outward evidence of the opened heart is obedience. As soon as Lydia had believed in Jesus, she was baptized…the next evidence was love, manifesting itself in acts of grateful kindness to the apostles. Love to the saints has ever been a mark of the true convert…

HYMN

We sing the glorious conquest before Damascus gate,

When Saul, the church’s spoiler, came breathing threats and hate;

The ravening wolf rushed forward full early to the prey;

But lo! The Shepherd met him and bound him fast today.

O glory most excelling, that smote across his path!

O light that pierced and blinded the zealot in his wrath!

O voice that spoke unto him the calm, reproving word!

O love that sought and held him the bondman of the Lord!

Lord, teach your church the lesson, still in her darkest hour

Of weakness and of danger, to trust your hidden power:

Your grace by ways mysterious the wrath of man can bind,

And in your boldest foeman your chosen saint can find.

John Ellerton, 1871 / Alt. 1961. Mod.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason