Helping Others Open their Hearts

Matthew 18:1-11

We all want to be in the kingdom of heaven. Those who live in faith and devotion to Christ already are there, in a way. But what does it mean when we are half-converted, or we step back from our conversion? We may indeed become self-absorbed, thinking we have it all figured out.

When we become self-absorbed in our religion, we stop looking outward for others to share the gospel with, and we become turned only inward. We lay the foundation for complacency, laziness, and eventually false doctrine and bitterness.

As we might “devolve” in our faith, we may actually be a liability for the congregation we are working with, and a great discouragement to new Christians as well as prospects we need to reach.

We need to be willing to examine ourselves and our willingness to truly communicate the gospel in such a way that reaches people in our local community in the way God has designed it.

The plain thing is, I will open no one’s hearts if my own heart is not open.

Conversion is Necessary for Salvation.

Change based on the wisdom of God is always a good thing.

The word conversion means to change. For our relationship to God, it is a spiritual change. Acts 3:19

Acts 3:19 NKJV

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

There's benefits to change. We sometimes think of it as a one time act, but it is a process. This should benefit all of us.

Paul’s example in Acts 16 teaches us about reaching people whose hearts can be opened to the gospel.

Setting: Paul's 2nd journey. Paul had made plans to return to the places he visited on his first journey Acts 15:36ff

Acts 16:6 They were forbidden to preach in Asia. Apparently God did not explain why, nor tell Paul where to preach. It only says he was "forbidden to preach in Asia.

Acts 16:7 Paul went until he came to Mysia; again, no go. There's no reported explanation; not Bythynia; didn't say why.

Acts 16 :8-10 At Troas, Paul received a vision asking for assistance. "Macedonian Call." In the vision, it didn't say "go" but "come." They concluded, from other things God had said or done. This is an example of "necessary inference” or “unavoidable conclusion."

This is one way how God reveals instructions "today - vision.'' Rom 10: 17 How do we learn what God wants us to know or do?)

An example of necessary inference: Acts 20 :7 First day of the week; which one? (Not the Sabbath).

We Must Be Willing to See.

Paul and the other saints were willing to go where the Spirit allowed them to go.

Let's not fret over disappointments. When one door closes, God may open another. See also Isa 55:8- 9.

Sometimes we have the ability to only see nearby. God sees all & knows all Heb 4:13 .

Though Paul had ideas about where he wanted to go, God knew where Paul needed to go.

What kind of vision do we have? How do we act when things don't go our way? Prov 3:5 .

We often lean on our own understanding. When we are young and fail, we might look for a mate. What about when you encounter future problems? Trials? Some people decide to look for another mate, even after they have promised to God to love the one they married! Those who do so are blind and sinful.

Sometimes we may want to do things we have no authority to do with the intent on making more disciples. If we do so, we will destroy their faith. Matt 23:15

Paul told Timothy 2 Tim 2:2. We should have our ears open & constantly learning so we can keep ourselves in a position to be used by the Lord .

The church needs godly men open to the Lord's teaching: preachers, elders, deacons, teachers~ & wives. The Lord needs those with more concern where He wants them to go vs where THEY want to go.

We Must Be Willing to be More than Religious.

When they came to Philippi, they found religious people there.

They assembled by the river.

There was nothing impressive or fancy about the meeting place. It probably wouldn't attract many people today.

There seems to be more money, effort & time invested in church buildings today than there are in souls. The Lord needs men with vision, wisdom, & care for lost!

We must be careful not to care so much for the building while disregarding the purity of the teaching or the need to encourage and embolden others to obey the gospel.

They assembled on the Sabbath (old law).

vs 13 Of course Paul knew there would be religious people there. It's not wrong to assemble with others for the purpose of teaching them (not forsaking the assembly of the saints).

By example, Paul is expressing a genuine interest in these women.

Folks used to rest on Sunday; go to church; CLOSED signs. Lydia is introduced & she's more than religious; from Thyratira; traveling; she didn't forget God.

With Lydia it seems that God came first, the job second. She doesn't seem to be concerned about the competition. If she was absent, she would have missed out. She would put some Christians to shame.

There's so much worldliness; so many reasons and excuses why the saints are not where they ought to be.

Many retire & travel when they're probably the greatest asset to the church; others take vacations & leave God out.

Perhaps the men weren't interested.

Why does it seem that more women are attracted to the gospel? There are many congregations composed mostly of women. There's a lot of good to be said of women.

Also of some men: They spoke to the women & they heeded (listened to) the things they said. Attitude & communication. We need to learn how to listen & learn how to talk to people (differences).

These people were religious. Were they saved? If so, why was Paul and his company sent?

Many are not exposed to the whole truth. They just don't know. They may have been brought up in a family religion & worshiped God as they were taught.

Some grow up & don't practice their religion; hypocrisy. There are others who simply rebellious. There are many religious people who have not been properly taught. Some may even think they are saved & they are not.

God shows a deep interest in reaching those who have the right kind of heart; many who are already religious Acts 8 Eunuch; Acts 9 Saul; Acts 10 Cornelius. Yes, it's better to walk by partial light than none at all . Those who try to live right are to be commended.

But again, it's not enough to be religious. Jn 6:44-45 . God knew someone was sincerely interested in the truth. It should be clear why Paul was sent. This is the beginning of the gospel being spread in Europe.

Think about the implications of this to our modern society and where Western values came from! And it all began with a humble, religious woman who was willing to listen.

We Must Be Willing to Listen.

The Lord didn’t open Lydia’s fleshly heart, but her spiritual mind.

The Bible describes the heart: THAT WITCH ONE THINKS Prov 23 :7; BELIEVES Rom 10:10; PURPOSES 2 Cor 9:7; INTENDS Heb 4:12; UNDERSTANDS Acts 28:27

The heart is said to be the center of our emotional & intellectual nature.

Before we can understand, we must hear . Some wont' hear. Some won't listen. The first principle.

A hardened heart is not easy to open. Pharaoh Exo 7: 14 . "Take heed ... "

The enemies of Jesus had hardened hearts Mk 3:5.

Many to whom Jesus came to save, religious people Jn 1:11-12.

It's the same today. Heb 3:12-13 Warning to Christians.

Jam 4: 17 Applies to all; context humility. God resists the proud. When we do that which we know we ought not do, we transgress God's law. When we don't do what we know we ought to do, we fall short & sin. When we're determined to do what we want to do, refusing over & over to listen to the teachings of God, it's a mind set against the will of God . 1 Tim 2:4. Rom 1:19, 28 People wi11 do what they want to do . Jer 17:9- 10. Sometimes we're stubborn & wont' admit it.

"The Lord opened her heart." What did that mean?

KN attended to . She kept her mind on; got her attention. Thayer’s “to open one’s soul, i. e. to rouse in one the faculty of understanding or the desire of learning”

With some, you can't get through. Attitude. "I know I'm saved... "

It's good to have confidence, but not based on a feeling.

Look at Lydia's attitude.

Maybe it's a coincidence this occurs by the river vs 15.

Why was she baptized? She was converted! Jesus The Lord opened her heart... she used her mind for what it was given for.

This is what it means to obey the gospel.

Can you see God's eternal purpose? Preaching, so others will see the wisdom of God , adding people to one body, so we can have access/relationship to Him ? How He uses people who are willing to deny themselves to accomplish His will. Lydia followed the steps that led to her conversion. She continued to grow . She was grateful & extended hospitality; sensitive to others’ needs (Probably how the church at Philippi began; supported Paul).

CONCLUSION

1. The Lord won't open everyone's heart. Some won't change. Mat 7:21 Some won't obey the gospel.

2. We need to start seeing things God's way. Jas 1:27 We need to practice true religion. 2 Cor 13 :5. Attitude. Temper. Speech. Desires & affections. Actions. Dealing with people. Mat 18 :3.