Open Hearts, Open Homes

When I think about the power of hospitality, my mind goes back to my time in Japan. I was there preaching in different churches and sharing the gospel in schools and universities. It was an incredible experience, but what stands out the most isn’t just the sermons or the lessons—it’s the people who opened their homes to me.

I remember an older couple who welcomed me with open arms. They didn’t speak much English, and I didn’t have many words in Japanese, but the warmth of their hospitality spoke louder than any words. They treated me, and then later when Katharine came back with me, like family, sharing meals and stories that made us feel truly at home. Except maybe for the tatami mats on the floor where we had to sleep.

Then there was a young family with two small children. Their home was filled with the laughter of kids and the chaos that comes with it, yet they made space for me, a stranger from another country. Their kindness and openness made a lasting impression on me.

These experiences remind me of the story we’re diving into today—the story of Lydia in Acts 16. Just like those families in Japan, Lydia’s heart was open to the Gospel, and it led her to open her home to Paul and his companions. What she did was simple, yet profound—she lived out her faith in a way that impacted others.

So today, we’re going to explore what happens when God opens our hearts and how that should naturally lead us to open our lives and homes to others when God leads.

Read Acts 16:11-12.

Troas to Philippi was a 130-mile journey broken up by two stops. Samothrace, an island in the northeastern Aegean Sea. They arrived at Neapolis the next day. They probably had a favoring wind, because the return trip (20:6) took five days.

Philippi was a strategic commercial location, it had gold mines and its famous school of medicine—this qualified as a sophisticated metropolis. Some Bible scholars think this was the birthplace of Luke, and that he possibly went to medical school there.

Read vv. 13-14

We should be…

Open to the Gospel (13-14)

Paul and his friends didn’t jump right into evangelizing the city, even though they knew God had called them there. I’m sure they needed to rest and pray and make their plans together. It is not enough to know where God wants us to work; we must also know when and how He wants us to work.

Paul and his companions go outside the city gate in Philippi to find a place of prayer. Notice, they don’t go to a synagogue, which suggests there might not have been one in the city. The Jewish population in Philippi must have been very small since there was no synagogue there, only a place of prayer by the river outside the city.

In Jewish law a synagogue could not be started with fewer than ten male heads of households to form the congregation.

So, instead, they head to the river, a common place for prayer gatherings when a synagogue wasn’t available. There they find a group of women praying.

Paul and his companions quietly sat with the women and discussed spiritual matters. Luke finds no need to tell us they explained the gospel; by this time he assumes we understand that.

Application: Sometimes, we expect to find God in the usual places—like a church building on Sunday morning—but God can meet us anywhere. Just like Paul found a group of women by the river, God can work in unexpected places in our lives. The key is being open and available to where God is leading us.

• Verse 14:

Among the women is Lydia, a successful businesswoman dealing in purple cloth, which was a luxury item. She’s described as a “worshiper of God,” meaning she was a Gentile who believed in the God of Israel but hadn’t fully converted to Judaism. What stands out here is that God opens her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

The text tells us the Lord opened her heart—what a beautiful way to describe receptivity to the gospel. Paul told the Corinthians that people rejected the gospel because their minds had been darkened (2 Cor. 4:4). The light of truth cuts through the darkness; and when God chooses to open hearts (as here), people enter the eternal kingdom of his Son when they believe and follow.

We need to be receptive to what God is saying. Lydia was already a worshiper of God, but she was open to hear more.

Sometimes we think we already know what God is going to say, so we don’t truly listen. But Lydia’s story teaches us that we need to stay receptive, because God might be speaking in a way we don’t expect.

• Application: Lydia was already seeking God, but she needed more. She needed the Gospel—the Good News of Jesus. This is a reminder that even if we’re seeking God, we must be open to how He wants to speak to us. Lydia wasn’t just going through religious motions; she was truly listening, and because of that, God opened her heart.

Action Point: Be willing to listen when God speaks. And we also need to be…

Open to Change (14)

After Lydia’s heart was opened to the Gospel, everything changed. Notice how this wasn’t just a spiritual experience for Lydia—it transformed her entire life. Her faith wasn’t something she just believed; it became something she lived. The Gospel isn’t just information; it’s meant to bring transformation.

• Application: When God opens our hearts, it’s not just to add a little bit of religion to our lives. It’s meant to transform us from the inside out. The question is, are we open to the change God wants to bring? Sometimes, we resist change because it’s uncomfortable. But Lydia shows us that real faith leads to real transformation.

Action Point: Let God transform your priorities.

Let Faith Change How You See Success (v. 14):

Lydia was a successful businesswoman. She dealt in purple cloth, which was a luxury item. In today’s terms, she was probably well off. But after hearing the Gospel, her definition of success changed. It wasn’t just about wealth or status anymore; it was about living out her new faith.

• Application: In our culture, success is often defined by money, career, or status. But when God opens your heart, He challenges you to redefine success. It’s no longer just about what you have but who you are in Christ. Ask yourself, “How does my faith change my definition of success?” Like Lydia, are you willing to let God redefine your priorities?

Let Faith Change Your Daily Life (v. 14):

Lydia’s faith wasn’t just a private belief—it showed up in her actions. Immediately after her conversion, she took action. Her faith impacted how she lived, how she treated others, and how she used her resources.

• Application: Faith isn’t just a Sunday thing; it’s an everyday thing. When God opens your heart, it should impact your daily decisions, your relationships, and how you spend your time. Ask yourself, “How does my faith show up in my daily life?” Is it changing the way you live, or is it just something you talk about?

Be Open to the New Things God Wants to Do (v. 14):

Lydia was open to the new life God had for her. She didn’t hold on to the old ways of doing things. She embraced the change that came with her new faith. This openness allowed God to use her in powerful ways.

• Application: Change is hard, but when God opens your heart, He often calls you to new things. It might mean stepping out of your comfort zone, changing old habits, or even changing your direction in life. The question is, are you open to the new things God wants to do in you and through you?

Lydia’s story shows us that when God opens your heart, it’s not just about a moment of belief—it’s about a life of transformation. Faith changes how you see success, how you live daily, and how open you are to new things. The challenge for us is to let God transform our priorities, just like He did with Lydia. Don’t resist the change—embrace it. Because when God changes your heart, He changes everything.

Be Willing to Show Hospitality (15)

Lydia’s faith didn’t stop with her baptism. It immediately led to action. She opened her home to Paul and his companions. This was more than just a simple invitation—it was a sign of her transformed heart. Lydia’s hospitality became a tangible expression of her faith. In the culture of that time, inviting someone into your home was a significant act of generosity and trust. It meant offering them safety, provision, and fellowship. Lydia’s open heart naturally led to an open home.

• Application: Today, we might not think much about inviting someone over, but in Lydia’s time, this was a big deal. Hospitality was a way of showing honor, care, and acceptance. For us, the principle remains the same: when God transforms our hearts, it should lead us to open our lives—our homes, our resources, our time—to others.

Action Point: Use your resources to bless others.

Faith That Leads to Action (v. 15):

Lydia didn’t just keep her faith to herself. She acted on it. Her first response after being baptized was to open her home. This shows us that real faith isn’t just something we believe—it’s something we do. When God opens your heart, it should lead to action.

• Application: How often do we say we believe something, but it doesn’t change how we live? Lydia challenges us to put our faith into action. Whether that means opening your home, giving your time, or using your resources to bless others, faith should lead to tangible expressions of love.

Hospitality as a Ministry (v. 15):

Lydia’s invitation wasn’t just a friendly gesture—it was a ministry. By opening her home to Paul and his companions, she played a crucial role in supporting their mission. Her home became a place of refuge and fellowship, and through her hospitality, she contributed to the spread of the Gospel.

• Application: In our culture, we often think of ministry as something that happens in a church building or only during organized events. But Lydia shows us that ministry can happen any time, anywhere. Hospitality is a powerful way to share God’s love with others. Ask yourself, “How can my home become a place of ministry?” It might be inviting someone over for a meal, offering a place to stay, or simply creating a welcoming environment for others.

Open Your Life, Not Just Your Door (v. 15):

Lydia didn’t just open her door—she opened her life. She welcomed Paul and his companions into her personal space, and in doing so, she demonstrated a deep level of trust and commitment. This kind of openness requires vulnerability. It means allowing others into your life, not just into your home.

• Application: It’s one thing to invite someone over for a visit, but it’s another thing to truly open your life to them. This means being willing to share not just your space but your time, your struggles, and your heart. True hospitality goes beyond offering a meal—it’s about offering yourself. Ask yourself, “Am I willing to let others into my life, not just my home?” Lydia’s example challenges us to go deeper in our relationships with others.

Lydia’s story shows us that when God opens our hearts, it should lead us to open our homes and lives to others. Hospitality is more than just inviting someone over—it’s a ministry. It’s a way to put our faith into action and to use our resources to bless others. But it’s also about being vulnerable, letting others into our lives, and creating a space where God’s love can be shared. The challenge for us is to look at our own lives and ask, “How can I be more like Lydia?” How can I open my home, my resources, and my life to make a difference for others?