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*** Map of Mediterranean

*** Map of travels in passage

People need the Gospel

A gospel is an announcement of good news. In particular, the gospel is the announcement that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have brought about salvation for Israel and the world.

Kugler, C. (2014). Gospel. In D. Mangum, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, & R. Hurst (Eds.), Lexham Theological Wordbook. Lexham Press.

Without the gospel:

We don’t know if God loves us

We wonder if there’s forgiveness

We wonder if God is good

We don’t know if the gap between us and God can be bridged

With the gospel:

We learn God is holy love

We hear the message of God’s pardon

We know God as perfectly good and self-giving

We learn that the Triune God bridges the gap between himself and humanity

People need the Gospel

*** Map of Paul’s missionary travels. That’s why Paul spends his post-conversion life traveling the Mediterranean world

God is at work

Acts 16:6–9 NRSV

They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

Paul responds

Acts 16:10–12 NRSV

When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, 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 for some days.

We respond to God’s call

We can’t do all things; we can do some things

We can’t go all places; we can go some places

Our spirits can be attuned to God’s Spirit

God leads us

Again, God is at work

Acts 16:13–14 NRSV

On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.

“The Lord opened her heart...”

Lydia responds

She is in the right place at the right time

When God opens her heart, the family trees of her household are changed

She shows hospitality to Paul and his companions

Acts 16:15 NRSV

When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us.

*** A church starts in her home

Acts 16:40 NRSV

After leaving the prison they went to Lydia’s home; and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed.

We respond to God

Prayers

Presence

Gifts

Service

Witness

Has God opened your heart?

Are you guided by Jesus?