Rick Gray

Remember every gyal. Sorry about that. Sorry, Keith keep me straight anyway as a nephew of dick. And Patty, I want to thank you for being such a long time, financial and prayer supporter of our work first in when do bluegill Uganda East Africa. And now at the University of Delaware campus and I it's my privilege and pleasure to bring the word of God to you this morning. So let's begin in By reading a passage from the Old Testament, Ezekiel. You know, some of you probably have heard of a guy, by the name of John Piper and Pastor Piper likes to say that missions exist. Because worship doesn't, what is the passion of our God? Our passion is to reach the every every language country ethnic group with the great news of Salvation in Jesus. God's love for Sinners. So that there will be worship ringing out around the globe and all those different languages. Like we just sang in English. And this is the heart of the scriptures, not just in the New Testament. But in the Old Testament and by the way I was told that you guys use the nearly inspired version that is than n. I v i I switch the number of years ago to the extra special version, the ESV. So I think if you don't recognize these words in the above me, it's from the ESV. Not the NIV, but I think they're close enough. Careful and close attention to the reading of God's word is found in his Ezekiel chapter, 36 verses 22 to 28 and just to set the context, hear God is really bemoaning. The failure of his people Israel for their designated purpose, which was to be a light to the nation's. So we pick up his lament and verse 22, where we read. Therefore say to the house of Israel does says, the Lord God is not for your sake, o House of Israel that I am about to act but for the sake of my Holy Name, which you have profaned among the Nations to which you came. And I will vindicate, the Holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations in which you have profaned among them. And the Nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord, God went through you. I vindicate my Holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the Nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you and you should be clean from all your uncleanness. And from all your Idols, I will cleanse you and I will give you a new heart and a new spirit. I will put with in you. And I will remove the Heart of Stone from your flesh. And give you a heart of Flesh. And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I give to your father's and you shall be my people. And I will be your God. A man. Now, that prophecy that is Ezekiel gave hundreds of years before the outpouring of the holy spirit in, at 10 last and we read that in the book of Acts were not going to read that particular chapter. But we are going to turn to chapter 16. And I'm going to read just for context the first 15 verses and this is Paul's second missionary journey and the Holy Spirit already been poured out upon the Believers in Jerusalem and one missionary journey has gone by and now Paul is going back to the second on his second missionary journey to visit the churches that he planted during the first missionary journey. And he also wants to reach other places because remember the heart of goddess to reach the whole world with the good news. So we come to chapter 16, where we read inverse one. Paul came also to Derby and to lystra a disciple was there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman, who was a believer, What is father was a Greek? He was well spoken of by the brothers at lystra and Iconium and took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek as they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them. For observance the decisions that have been reached by the apostles and Elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the face and they increased in numbers daily. And they went through the region of phrygia and galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit, to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to the missia, they attempted to go into Bethania, but the spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So passing by missio they went down to troas and a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia was standing there urging him and sang come over to Macedonia and help us. And when Paul had seen the vision immediately we sought to go into Macedonia concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. So setting sail from trow as we made a direct Voyage to samothrace and the following day, then the Apolis and from there to Philippine, which is a leading city of the District of Macedonia. And the Roman Colony we remain in this city, some days and on the Sabbath day, we went outside the gate to the Riverside where we suppose there was a place of prayer and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. one was who hurt us was a woman named Lydia from the city of thyatira, a seller of purple Goods, who was a worshipper of God, The Lord opened her heart. To pay attention to what was said by Paul and after she was baptized and her whole 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. Will you pray with me? Our Father in Heaven. Thank you so much for giving us your word, which is a light unto our way and a guide and to our path Lord. As We Gather now, to hear your word explained, I pray that you would do what's not possible for me, but certainly possible for you speak through your servant and through these words to each one of our hearts Lord, you are such a person will guide. You know, every detail, every hair on our head is numbered and, you know, all the things that are going on in each one of our various lies that are gathered here this morning. So, I pray that you would use this message at the speak to each one of our hearts, by the power of your spirit. Lord, may we grow in our knowledge of you and our love for you and our service to you. And I pray in Jesus matchless name. Amen.

Okay, so Want to start by actually giving you a a confession.

in the confession, I have is I, Love. Chocolate. Especially Trader, Joe's? Chocolate bars mini be ever had at Trader? Joe's, chocolate bar. Oh my word. You don't know what you're missing. Well, before they opened a new store at a mall near our house. The closest Trader Joe's was 25 miles and 40 minutes away from So back in those days, I had to purposely plan my pursuit of their wonderfully delicious chocolate. Sometimes I plan my Pursuit around trips to the Philadelphia Airport because there was a Trader Joe's on the way. Other times I plan to buy the chocolate e Delights. When I shopped at stores along the highway where the Trader Joe's was located. But sometimes, if my chocolate Supply got dangerously low, I even made special trips to Trader. Joe's. Usually to buy about 20 lb of their chocolate bars. Yes, I saw that gasp. and I can assure you that the cashiers were also amazed but I did confess and I love chocolate but much more profound way. The Lord God. Loves people especially his people. And like my travel to Traders, Joe's the Lord purposely pursues his people to Super naturally change their hearts. So let's take a look at this true story of Lydia who was Europe's first convert to Christ through exploring three, trews concerning how the Lord miraculously transforms us from the inside out. First, we will see that the Lord providentially Works to change his people's hearts second. We will see how the Lord Works powerfully to change his people's hearts and then thirdly, we will see how the Lord purposefully Works to change his people's hearts. Are those three points, providentially powerfully, and purposefully. So let's jump into the first point first. Then the Lord Works providentially to change his people's hearts. Do you have your Bibles? You can see there in verses 11 and 12. It says so setting sail from true as we made a direct Voyage to samothrace and the following date. In the Apple listen from there to Phillipi, which is a leading city of the District of Macedonia and a Roman Colony. We remained in this Some days. So the writer of Acts dr. Luke makes it quite clear that Paul's meeting Lydia in Philip. I was not an accident or a coincidence.

Rather this meeting was a unique Act of God's Providence initially the Lord brought Lydia from thyatira to Philippi for business purposes. For verse 14, says, Lydia was a woman from the city of thyatira. A seller of purple Goods. Now fight at Ira was located in what is now? Modern-day West Central turkey about 350 miles, south east of Phillipi So, in terms of the transportation, they had back then not Jets or cars, or buses, or trains that would have been over a 20 day journey to make from thyatira to Phillipi. So why would an Asian woman move, such a far distance from her home country? Well, Lydia Trek those hundreds of miles because she wanted to make money in the purple fashion industry. You see via Tyra was a center for making purple dye and in those days purple clothing was extremely expensive because it took about eight thousand of a special. Kind of snail found in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea to produce, just one gram of purple dye.

Yeah, a lot of snails had to lose their lives for that purple dress. In fact in ancient Rome purple was the color of royalty and a purple garment became a status symbol. So by moving from Tie a tie rod to Phillipi, a wealthy Roman colony located on a busy busy trade route. Lydia could grow her business catering to what was then in that area of the Rich and Famous Yet. Unbeknownst to her. God, had a much higher purpose for Lydia's, relocation. And this became clear when the Lord brought Paul to Phillipi by miraculously changing his travel plans reading versus 6 to 10, we see there, it says and they went through the region of Virginia and galatia. Having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Missy, are they attempted to go into Bethania? But the spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So passing by missio, they went down to troas and a vision appeared to Paul in the night. Haven't even had a vision lately. A man of Macedonia was standing there urging him and saying come over to Macedonia and help us. And when Paul had seen the vision immediately, we sought the go on into Macedonia concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. So Paul's original plan was not to go to Phillipi to evangelize there. He was originally planning to go to, Western Asia. But in ways not explain to us, and I have to apologize. I did check the commentaries to, no avail exactly how the Holy Spirit changed. Paul's travel plans, but he did it twice and then threw a vision. God directed Paul, and his little band of missionaries to evangelize Macedonia in Eastern Europe. Not Western Asia. So this revised itinerary required. A 150 Mi today, Northeast sale on the Aegean Sea from troas to Minneapolis and then an additional 10 Mi half-day walk inland defilippis. That's what they had to do. So, the question remains, why did Paul go specifically to Philip? I remember it was a call to Macedonian in Philip eyes. Not mention, why Philip I? Well I would submit to you for the same reason, the Roman colony and influential Macedonian City located on a busy trade route, was a great place for Lydia to launch your purple business. Philip. I was also an excellent location to begin spreading. The good news about Jesus throughout Europe. Yet surprisingly the Lord used Paul's vision of a European man to First pursue. An Asian woman. Yes, the first convert to Christianity in Europe was actually. An Asian business woman, so having arrived in Philip. I the Lord LED Paul to meet Lydia on The Jewish Sabbath. We read again in verse 18, or 13, sorry. And on the Sabbath day, we went outside the gate to the Riverside where we suppose there was a place of prayer and we sat down and spoke to the women who would come together. And whenever Paul took the gospel into a new place, he always began by meeting the Jewish community at a local synagogue. But evidently after inquiring around Phillipi, the missionaries discovered there were not Jews in the city to have a synagogue. so, when The Jewish Sabbath, they made their way, To a Jewish prayer meeting that they had heard about alongside a river outside the city. And by the way, my wife Wendy and I once visited this very site after a missionary conference in Greece, a small Chapel still marks the spot where tradition says that Paul met Lydia

I want number of years ago. I was helping a new student at the University of Delaware from China. Find a place to live and I thought that we had found the perfect apartment close to his classes. And to our International Ministry events, But the night before, this Chinese student, was to move in the student with whom he was to share the apartment called to inform us that another student would be moving in and taking his room instead. Now this development confused me because I couldn't understand why the Lord prevented my new Chinese friend from getting such a perfect apartment. Also this change in plans, meant that I had to find temporary housing for my Chinese friend in a local hostel. Now, interesting Lee, there he met another student from China and the two of them agreed to find an apartment together which they eventually did. And it turned out that since both of these Chinese students had classes on Thursday night, neither of them, could attend our weekly Bible study.

But just before the semester began, they met some Christian students. Just a few doors down from their new apartment. And those Christian students. Just happened to be having a bible study, on a different night that they invited those two Chinese students to attend. And they could because their classes didn't conflict and guess what, both of those two Chinese students became followers of Jesus, That's why the Lord didn't allow him to have that apartment Brothers and Sisters in Christ. God is providential pursuing, the hearts of his people and like me, We are often unaware of his passionate pursuit to change our hearts with an ever-deepening Faith, love and service to Jesus. Now if you don't know Jesus, I pray that the Lord is ordering your life circumstances to Super naturally, change your heart. You might even want to consider his Providence, and you hearing this sermon right now, But if you do know Jesus, it's just, I would suspect a larger number of you. Please understand that. Just as God, pursued, Lydia and pursued you to bring you both into his kingdom. He continues to pursue you through. What happens in your life, each and every day to keep super naturally, changing your heart, cuz if it's like mine, it still needs to be changed. That unexpected blessing. It came from his hand to increase your gratitude to him. Behind that disappointment. His Providence is at work to strengthen your trust in him. Even that situation that expose your sin. It was orchestrated by your pursuing, savior, to deepen, your dependence upon him and cause you to Revel in His Amazing Grace.

As one astute Bible scholar. So wonderfully, put it God loves to forgive more than we love to sin. This brings us to our second truth from this passage and that is that the Lord Works powerfully to change his people's hearts and verse 14, we read one who heard us was a woman named Lydia from the city of thyatira, a seller of purple, who was a worshipper Of God, scripture says here, we learn the Lord brought Lydia out of polytheism into monotheism, is he from a girl from thyatira. Lydia was raised in a culture that worship many gods and goddesses. There was Aphrodite, the Goddess of beauty and love. Plutus the god of wealth and prosperity, Zeus the god of weather and Justice and the God of all gods plus many others. Get by the Lord's Grace Lydia realized the foolishness of this false Pantheon and became a worshipper of the one, true and living God proclaimed in the Jewish scriptures. But while Lydia new, the god of the universe, gave us Ten Commandments to obey. She did not apparently know how she broke those Commandments daily. And so desperately needed a savior. So the Lord, the scripture says, open, Lydia's Hearts to believe the good news about Jesus. As verse 14 States, the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul and what did Paul say? Well of course, the Apostle told Lydia the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How God? So, loved the world, that he became a man to rescue people. From every tongue tribe and Nation, by living a perfect life. And offering a perfect sacrifice to forgive the rebellion of everyone who believes in Jesus as Our Risen and reigning Savior and King But why did the Lord opened Lydia's heart to believe? Paul's message well because like all of us, she was born with a closed heart. Lydia did not go to Phillipi because she loved God and wanted to serve him. We've already seen that. No, she went to Phillipi because she loved herself and wanted to make money. And it seems she succeeded enough to buy a nice house with plenty of dinar. I left over still Lydia's heart. Was closed. And could not be satisfied by mere temporal Earthly riches and by living the good life, whatever, that is. So, like the Lord does for all his children, he wondrously chose to love this self-centered Soul by doing what only he can do. Opening her closed heart too long for and believe in Jesus as her Eternal Heavenly treasure so that she could experience a new and Abundant Life in him. Several years ago, during one of our free dinner and discussion nights on ud's campus and Italian. Visiting Professor sat at my table, and as we read, and discussed Jesus, miracles recorded in the gospels. I was surprised by a comment. He made that indicated. He actually believed the miracle happened and the Thea gospel count was true. You see, most of the European students that I work with. They don't believe at all. So they have this Italian Professor, that was quite surprising. So before he returned to Italy, I thought I need to meet him. So I invited him to lunch and then cuz I wanted to learn more about his spiritual journey out. How is it that? So many Europeans don't believe these Miracles and he does Well explained to me, that his father was an atheist committed atheist and his mother was a nominal Roman Catholic so he grew up with a heart closed to Christ. But the Lord graciously opened his heart to believe and follow Jesus. When his high school religion, teacher invited him to a Bible study there still having Bible studies in Europe. Praise God. Whoops, sorry I'm jumping ahead of myself there. So I previously this Italian brother lived, only for himself by studying God's word. He came to believe that the Man From Galilee was actually God in human flesh who came to rescue everyone who flees to and follows him. The Lord open my Italian friends, heart, and powerfully changed him to live for Jesus.

Which leads to the question. Has your heart been moved by the greatest news and all of you, man, history. If you don't believe in and love of Jesus, as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, then I would beg you to cry out to the Lord and plead with him to open your heart in the same way that he opened. Lydia's heart. And if you do love Jesus, then remember, it's because the God of all Grace. Open your hearts to the Spy, the supernatural power of His Spirit. You and I have experienced an amazing life changing miracle, that many people never experience. So let's not take it for granted. Sadly I know that I do all too often rather may the Lord help us to daily. Remember his undeserved Mercy that continually flows to us through the compelling Cross of Christ until this? Most glorious of all realities fills our hearts with deep joy and Thanksgiving

For the only then like Paul. Will we be empowered to go out and share the great news about Jesus with a lost and dying world? That brings us to our third and last point. The Lord Works purposefully. To change his people's hearts.

in verse 15, we read and after she was baptized in her whole household as well. She urged us to sing. If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay And she prevailed upon us. Noticed the Lord used Lydia to bring her household to Faith In Jesus for Luke tells us that Lydia was baptized and her whole household as well. Although we don't know who the members of Lydia's household were their baptism, indicates that at least some of them believed in Jesus and publicly profess their commitment to the following him in their lives. Most likely. This was because of Lydia. For her household, surely heard about Jesus, through Lydia's lips, as well as saw how Jesus powerfully changed, Lydia's, heart and life. Then we see that the Lord grew, Lydia's desire to know, Jesus more deeply spray after committing herself to live for Jesus. Lydia urged, it's his urge Paul and his missionary team by saying, if you judge me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay Now, we have to ask a question. Why would Lydia invite a Jewish? Stranger and his foreign friends to stay in her house? What makes you two suggestions first? Her heart was filled with love for who new Brothers and Sisters in Christ and she wanted to serve them. But second, and maybe more importantly, her heart. Now burned to know, Jesus better. And who was better qualified to help her grow in learning more about her newly found savior than the Apostle. Paul, the man who went on to write about Christ and nearly two-thirds of the New Testament. You imagine having him in your house to explain the scriptures. Finally, we learn that the Lord used Lydia to build his church in Philippi, and probably died at Ira to for later in Acts 16:40 after Paul and Silas had been released by The Philippian Jailer. We read that they visited Lydia And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged him. Now that verse indicates that Lydia's house had become the original meeting place of the Philippian church and that Lydia sought to serve as well as strengthen her fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Then in Revelation Chapter 2 Verse 18 wheeler 9. but somehow later a church was planted in thyatira because theater is included in that list in that verse of the seven churches of Asia that the Lord directed The Apostle Paul to write his words to and we know from Acts chapter 14 or 16 verse 14 that Sia Tyra was Lydia's hometown. So it's quite likely that Lydia was also eager for Paul and his missionary team to take the good news about Jesus to her family and friends back in thyatira. Surely, she wanted them to experience the same, ole love, and grace, and peace, and hope, and joy in Christ that she experienced with them. Our friends think about it. Can't you just see the Apostle on his second missionary journey, along with Silas and Timothy confuse over? Why the Holy Spirit prevented them from taking the gospel to Asia? Only to realize later the God first wanted to lead them to Lydia a successful Asian business woman so that she could help them be more effective in evangelizing in the very province of Asia where they originally wanted to preach. Isn't that just like our God always confusing us and then surprising us with his vastly superior wisdom? So you see the Lord change, Lydia's heart for a glorious purpose that she might know Jesus and make him known to others. Some time ago, a Muslim graduate student at UD, surprised me by coming to one of our free English conversation class has because she arrived late and I had to apologize because I did not have any more conversation Partners or papers for her and so I told her I'm sorry, I said I'm sorry but you'll have to talk with me and she said that's all right, and she already knew what she wanted to talk about. And she asked me, do you remember? At the dinner and discussion night. When you said before I became a Christian, I thought people are born Christians looks like they're born Muslim. It's like they're born hinders, but you said before you became a Christian, can you explain that to me? So I told them they're Muslim woman, how Jesus open my heart to believe the gospel and then she asked this question, she said, well, if Jesus Is God, why did he send Mohammed, is his prophet,

I began my answer by saying that I didn't want to disrespect her or her religion, but then she interrupted the incorrectly stated, it's all right, because I don't think you believe Muhammad is God's prophet.

But then, she assured me that it was okay, because she knew that the teachings of Jesus and the teachings of Mohammed, both could not be true. And she only wanted to know the truth about God. So what a glorious opportunity that I had to share with her yet? Sadly, brothers and sisters, many people don't know, or even care to know about God's truth. Yet knowing god through Jesus Christ is literally a matter of eternal life and eternal death. So your brothers and sisters in Christ, the lord changes people's hearts for a purpose. Do you know the purpose for your life? In the words of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, the main purpose of our life is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. And this can only be done through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who died for everyone of our self-centered disobedient. Thoughts words and deeds rose from the dead to give us a new life in him and Promises to live inside. Each person who trusts and loves him. So how do we glorify and enjoy God in this life? Well, by believing in rejoicing over and communing so deeply with God who amazingly revealed himself in Jesus, that we can't help but share the message of God's rescuing, love with those, in our households, in our communities and Around the world. My friends. We have a purpose in life, that is much, much, much bigger than ourselves. Each of us has a unique set of relationships with people. That has been sovereignly orchestrated by God people who whether they realize it or not are in desperate need of the Saviour, just like me and you. How can we not share the good news of Jesus with them? The amazing true story of how the Lord supernaturally changed, Lydia's, heart and life, in Philip, I almost 2,000 years ago was preserved in God's word, to encourage his church down Through the Ages and around the world and it's still in Courage is us today. It's the story of how the Lord Jesus builds his church by Sovereign, Lee orchestrating, the lives of Believers and unbelievers to spread, the good news about Christ by the power of His holy spirit. Think about it, the Lord brought together a Jewish missionary, an Asian business, woman in a European city, hundreds of miles from either of their birthplaces. So that Lydia could hear the gospel encounter. Jesus be radically changed and share the savior's reality with her household as well as the people of Phillipi. And even that far away is Ocean City Sia Tyra

Almost 24 years ago. A man. Left Africa and cross the Atlantic Ocean to pursue a woman in the United States. Why? Because he loved her and wanted an intimate love relationship with her. I don't have time to share all the details, but it took that man, a lot of purposefully planning to reach that woman at just the right time. Many steps were taken and many obstacles were overcome before. He could achieve his purpose. How do I know? Because that man was me and that woman was my dear wife windy. Please listen carefully. The Living God of the universe is pursuing you. Because he loves you and wants an intimate relationship with you. That should blow our minds and enliven our hearts. Once this incredible reality sinks into your heart, I'll make you a promise. It will change you. And move you to tell others this glorious news about how our awesome God passionately pursues lost men, women, boys and girls. Because he Longs for an intimate love relationship with them too. Let's pray together. Father, son, and holy spirit. Thank you that in your amazing love. You sent. Jesus to rescue us from ourselves the world and the evil one. If there are some here this morning or listening in, who do not know Jesus. And by that, I mean they've never experienced a new birth into a personal life altering relationship with you. Then I pray, Did by your great Mercy. You will open their hearts, to pay serious attention to the good news about our savior. And for those of us whose Hearts you already open to believe in love Jesus. I pray that you will fill us with fresh gratitude, joy and passion to share the reality of our wonderful Lord with a lost and dying world that so badly. Needs him in Christ almighty and merciful name. I pray. Amen.

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