3.5.25 5.14.2023 Thank God for Strong Women Acts 1 Acts 18, Acts 16

Start:

Entice: There a many exemplary women in the book of Acts.

In Acts 1.14 we read...

Acts 1:14 (ESV)

14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Mary was still there after all the trauma and joy of the passion to lend support to the embryonic Church.

In Acts 18 we meet Priscilla/Prisca. She and her husband Aquila become integral to Paul’s ministry team. There is some indication that she was the leader in this dynamic ministry-focused marriage which opened their lives and commercial interest to Paul and maintained a house-church in every place they are mentioned in scripture.

There are other women of note. Tabitha for example who ministered to the less fortunate. One standout is the very first named convert in Europe. Lydia the seller of purple.

Engage: Only fools fear strong women.

Lydia was clearly a woman to be reckoned with.

She emigrated to Philippi, perhaps a more lucrative market for her luxury goods.

She led prayer and worship for Jews in Philippi apparently in the absence of a synagogue quorum.

She embraced the consequences of her new-found faith.

Expand: Believers should always be looking for good examples, individuals who model faithfulness to Jesus and who demonstrate what it means to be a disciple. As we celebrate ladies on Mother’s Day, Lydia offers a wonderful example of a strong, faithful. exemplary woman. A good model for all of us. This is her story in Acts 16…

Acts 16:12–15 ESV

12 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. 13 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. 14 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. 15 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.

Excite: Details are important. We need to focus on the right set of details.

She was rich.

She was intelligent.

She was industrious.

She was focused.

In examining and learning from her story the important details are those of her spiritual pilgrimage.

Explore:

Faith must be our first focus.

Expand: Lydia’s story recommends a few attributes that will help each of us focus on our faith journey.

Body of Sermon: She was

1 Adventurous.

1.1 In business.

1.2 Spiritually

Another attribute Lydia displays is that she was

2 Inquisitive.

2.1 She listened.

2.2 She learned.

2.3 She “leaned in”.

Sheryl Sandberg famously made this her socially conscious plea for women to be more assertive in the workplace. At the very same time, she, and her boss “the Zuck”, were leading Facebook in an advertising fueled attack on our social structure, polluting politics and generating the most depressed generation of teenagers in recent History.

Lydia and others like her redeem this concept. For Lydia “leaning in” meant understanding and acting upon a life-changing message. We need a generation of young people who lean into and embrace the winds of change.

Finally, Lydia was

3 Responsive.

We see this in her

3.1 Initial obedience.

The faith that was kindled in listening to the Gospel motivated her to action.

Her responsiveness continued after her conversion when she engaged in

3.2 Ongoing service.

It may not seem like much but hosting the Church and providing for Paul and his party allowed ministry to continue to flourish. It was also somewhat risky as the Church faced increased persecution on all fronts.

Shut Down

Paul’s time in Philippi was rough. Lydia and the church meeting in Her house gave him joy and comfort. In Philippi he was famously jailed. He and Silas were liberated by an angel and continued evangelizing, even leading their Jailor to Christ. Paul asserted his Roman citizenship when the city officials tried to sweep the incident under the rug. After all that, when it was time to leave town, they went to say goodbye and to encourage Lydia. Later, Paul will write an Epistle to this Church that began in the house of that bold woman who leaned into the message and became the first convert in Europe.

Contemporary culture is filled with able, assertive, honorable women. Yet, you would be hard pressed to find a better example for young ladies, older lades—and all men to emulate.

Lydia’s faith in Jesus transforms her into a distinguished disciple. Whatever your background or sex you too can be transformed like Lydia. You can be an example for others who heard and responded to the message of Jesus.