Bill Acton :: Acts 16 - The Witness on the Second Missionary Journey (Part 1)

Sermon Outline for Acts 16

The Witness on the Second Missionary Journey (Part 1)

1. The Witness in Lystra – Act 15:4-16:3
   1. In Syria and Cilicia – Act 15:41
      1. The local churches
      2. Strengthening the churches
   2. In Derbe and Lystra – Act 16:1-3
      1. Timothy’s background
         1. He was a disciple
         2. He was Hebrew-Greek – Act 16:1
         3. He was respected by the believers
      2. Timothy’s ministry with Paul – Act 16:3-4
         1. He journeyed with Paul
         2. He was trained on the job
2. The Witness from Lystra to Troas – Act 16:4-10
   1. The content: the triumph of the Gospel of Grace
   2. The result
      1. The churches were strengthened (edified) in the faith
      2. They increased in number daily
   3. The divine direction – Act 16:6-8
      1. The Holy Spirit led
      2. The men followed
   4. The call to Macedonia – Act 16:9-10
      1. The vision
      2. The response
      3. The reason Europe needed the Gospel
3. The Witness in Philippi – Act 16:11-40
   1. The city is an important colony
   2. A church was established that was dear to Paul’s heart – Phl 1:1-9
   3. The conversion of Lydia, the first believer on European soil
      1. The setting – Act 16:14
         1. It was the Sabbath
         2. There was a prayer meeting at the riverside
      2. Lydia
         1. A seller of purple cloth
         2. From the City of Thyatira
         3. She worshipped God
      3. The manner of her conversion
         1. It was brought about by providential circumstances
            1. She was from Thyatrira
            2. Paul is forbidden to go there
            3. Paul and Lydia must meet at Philippi
               1. Paul must be directed
               2. He must be brought to Troas
               3. On a ship going to Samothrace
               4. Landing at Neapolis
               5. He must go down by the river
               6. Lydia must be present
               7. God brought them together
               8. God’s providence is working everything together for the salvation of His elect
               9. God will not allow one elect soul to miss the predestined moment!
               10. God is in control of salvation!
         2. The grace in preparing the heart
            1. She knew something of the Word of God
            2. She worshipped
            3. She did not know Christ
            4. God was preparing her heart
            5. Grace opened her heart
               1. She did not open her own heart
               2. Her prayers did not do it
               3. Paul did not do it
               4. Nothing short of divine power can do it – Jhn 1:13
               5. Faith is the gift of God – Eph 2:8-9
            6. God uses “means”
               1. She went to a prayer meeting
               2. She heard the message
               3. God used the witness of Paul
               4. The truth entered the open heart
                  1. Her desires were awakened
                  2. Her understanding was enlightened
                  3. Her heart was influenced to believe
                  4. Her life was exercised in faith
      4. The evidence of her conversion – Act 16:15
         1. She is obedient to baptism
         2. She communicates to her household
         3. She is gracious in hospitality
      5. Our conversion
         1. Same natural condition
         2. Same providential work
         3. Same marvelous grace
         4. Same miraculous believing
      6. Our response
         1. Thankful hearts for the providences which brought us to the place where Christ was revealed to us
         2. Appreciation that results in devotion, obedience, and service
         3. Faith in continuing grace to provide and empower