Doing What Needs to Be Done
Introduction:
Paul and Barnabas
had parted company and went their separate ways. Barnabas and John
Mark left for Cyprus while Paul and Silas went throughout Syria and
Cilicia, strengthening the churches. They then travel west, cross
the Taurus Mountains, and end up in southern Galatia.
Text:
Acts 16:1-15
Body:
I.
Timothy Joins the Group
Acts
16:1-5 “Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a
certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain
Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. He was well
spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. Paul
wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised
him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew
that his father was Greek. And as they went through the cities,
they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by
the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. So the churches were
strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.” NKJV
·
Paul comes to Derbe. I wonder if anyone
asked him about Barnabas. If they did, I wonder how he answered.
·
He then reaches Lystra where he had been stoned and
left for dead. (Acts
14:8)
“And in Lystra a
certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from
his mother’s womb, who had never walked.” NKJV
We then meet Timothy, his son in the faith.
We are told in other places about his mother and grandmother.
(II Timothy
1:5)
“when I call to
remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in
your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded in
in you also.” (II
Timothy 3:15)
“and that from
childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make
you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” NKJV
All three had probably been converted when Paul came
to Lystra the first time. Timothy’s father had likely opposed
Christianity. Timothy had a good reputation even as far away as
Iconium. He must have been working for the Lord in a wide area.
·
Paul had Timothy circumcised. Why? Timothy had a
Jewish background and would be going with Paul into Jewish
synagogues. If he was not circumcised, he probably would not be
allowed inside. So since circumcision was not a matter of salvation,
Paul had it done as a matter of expediency. (I
Corinthians 9:20-21)
“and to the Jews I
became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the
law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;
to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law
toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who
are without law;” Also
Galatians 5:6
“For in Christ
Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but
faith working through love.” NKJV
·
The group moves on north, then west, delivering the
decrees decided upon by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.
(Acts 15:23)
“They wrote
this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,
To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.” NKJV This
resulted in the churches growing and being made stronger.
II.
A Call Is Received
Acts
16:6-10
“Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the
region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach
the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go
into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by
Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in
the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying,
‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ ” NKJV
·
Paul passes through Galatia and Phrygia. While in
Galatia, he apparently contracted an illness that made it necessary
for him to remain there. (Galatians
4:13-15)
“You know that
because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the
first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or
reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ
Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you
witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes
and given them to me.” NKJV
·
The Holy Spirit did not permit them to go
into Asia to the south or Bithynia to the north. Their only option
was to continue west. They reach Troas, a major port on the Aegean
Sea about fourteen miles south of ancient Troy. They probably
wondered why they were there.
·
God tells them by sending Paul a vision. “Macedonia”
is a province just north of Greece located on the other side of the
Aegean Sea. Luke joins the team [Paul, Silas, and Timothy] in
Troas. Note we in Acts 16:
III.
Lydia Is Converted
Acts
16:11-15
“Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight
course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, and from
there to Philippi which is the foremost city of that part of
Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some
days. And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the
riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and
spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia
heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who
worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken
by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged
us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come
to my house and stay.’ So she persuaded us.” NKJV
·
Samothrace is a mountainous island of about 69
miles. “Straight course” – wind was behind their back. It took
only two days to get from Troas to Neapolis but five days coming
back! (Acts
20:6)
“But we sailed away
from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days
joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.” NKJV
·
Came to Philippi, an important major city and
a Roman colony which gave it a privileged status. It apparently had
no synagogue which meant very few Jewish men.
·
During the Exile, since they could not go to the
temple, Jews would gather by a river to pray. (Ezra
8:21)
“Then I proclaimed a
fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves
before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little
ones and all our possessions." NKJV
So Paul heads to the river to see if any believers
are there.
·
A seller of purple by the name of Lydia is
there worshipping. She was from Thyatira in Asia – ironic!
Thyatira was known for its purple fabric which was very expensive.
No doubt she was a wealthy woman.
·
The Lord “opened her heart.” How? Through the
preaching of the gospel. Her heart was closed due to ignorance – a
lack of knowledge of the gospel. (Romans
10:13-17)
“For ‘whoever calls
on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ How then shall they call
on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe
in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without
a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it
is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the
gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!’ But they
have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has
believed our report?’ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing
by the word of God.” NKJV
·
Lydia and her household were baptized. This
did not include infants, but adult servants. New Testament
conversions always end with baptism, not with a prayer experience or
a testimony.
Conclusion:
There are many
kinds of help a Christian can give the world, but the only “unique”
kelp is sharing the gospel. The world is shouting: “Come over and
help us.” How area you going to answer that call?
Bobby Stafford
February 28, 2016
Acts: Lesson: 34
Acts 16:1-15
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