A Godly Woman - An Example Believer
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Lydia - An Example Christian
Lydia - An Example Christian
(not “just” an example Godly “woman”) - CHRISTIAN
1) “Religious” to Believer
1) “Religious” to Believer
Devout Gentile - not a full convert to Judaism
She was honoring the Sabbath - so maybe Jewish at some level
Jewish community in her native Thyatira, probably how she was introduced to God - now she is in Philippi
That “religion” is likely all she knows
Hears Gospel, becomes believer (Paul preached content of 1 Cor. 15:3-4)
To this point: She knew about God, who He is, did her best to follow what she had been taught
This “Gospel” is now a new teaching - she has a choice to make!
TO THIS POINT - Gospel not further West than Asia Minor - H.S. led Paul and apostles this way - they meet Lydia
She’s the first person recorded saved in Europe
God put the right people together, right place, right time - all He desired was the response
QUESTION: What have you been taught? Have you been challenged to accept the Gospel? Have you? Lydia was, and she did.
POINT: It is NEVER enough to “go along with” what you’ve been taught. You need to accept, personally. Teaching is important, and it has to be the truth, measured against the Bible!
2) Evangelist
2) Evangelist
Shared with family, household
Family, servants?
All became believers, then baptized
Acts 2:39 - the promise of salvation is for anyone who will accept
This is not infant baptism, nor is it baptism of everyone just to make them saved/believers
Clear that anyone in that household who placed their trust in Christ became a believer - and was then baptized.
ASIDE: Many grow up thinking their baptism is what saves them, or that they become saved when they get baptized.
SEE QUESTION ABOVE: What have you been taught?
What are you teaching? How are you teaching your children about their salvation?
MOMS - Whose job IS it to share Christ?
3) Influential for Christ
3) Influential for Christ
Had been meeting as group of ladies, not enough men for a synagogue - indicated by Paul, Timothy, etc. visiting these ladies near river
Did not call attention to selves by meeting in the city
They needed fellowship, desired to be together with others who had similar interest - GOD!
BIG: This is likely the founding of the church in Philippi - because a Godly lady heard the Gospel, trusted Christ, and followed God’s plan
She likely knows a lot of people
Rev. 2:18 - there is a church in Thyatira
Possible that Lydia brought the Gospel to hometown
4) Fruitful (now that she’s saved)
4) Fruitful (now that she’s saved)
Serves, hospitable, discipling (explain “hospitality”)
She desired to demonstrate her faith - “urged us” (prevailed upon)
Why? Because she was excited about the Lord leading her life, ruling her life
Her home became the gathering place for the Christian community there
Sharing what she had, for the good of the church
Yes, she was wealthy, sold “purple” - had a large house, a woman of means and influence
She used what she had. Material, intellect, gifts. You have them, too.
MAIN THING SHE SHARED: HER FAITH!
MAIN THING SHE SHARED: HER FAITH!
Demonstrates truth of the Word, and its power
She demonstrated her PERSONAL faith, commitment
Example to others to follow, not her, but Christ
QUESTION: What if God wrote 2 verses about you? What would He include? How much would be tied to your belief, devotion, and following of Christ?
QUESTION: What if God wrote 2 verses about you? What would He include? How much would be tied to your belief, devotion, and following of Christ?
Keep it up! Start, continue, grow, wherever you are, use this challenge to grow from where you are, today.
Don’t be intimidated or mired in guilty feeling - as a believer, remember your true identity, who GOD says you are!
Start, continue, grow, wherever you are, use this challenge to grow from where you are, today.
Your church needs your Godly influence
Your family needs your Godly influence
Your community needs your Godly influence
Ladies, with whom do you share similar interests?
Do you share your interest of Christ with other ladies?
Lydia was with ladies, not all the same, but had similar interest, being close to God
Hear and accept the Gospel - trust Christ - and then let Him demonstrate His power through you!
The goal is not just to be a godly woman, but to be an example Christian. And God give you, ladies, unique opportunities to do just that.
Husband, children, other ladies, work, school, social media, and on...
QUESTIONS:
Ladies, where does God have you, specific to you, where He can use you?
Ladies, what specific situations has He, or will He put together for you?
People, place, time
See and take the opportunities
Don’t wait for someone else to get this done (REPEAT above your church…)
I, WE, PRAISE THE LORD FOR THE GODLY LADIES HERE AND IN OUR LIVES!