Lydia and the Philippian church - May 16

We began by having a brief review of what has been discussed in previous study about Lydia.  Then we read Philippians 1:27- chp.2 and Acts 16: 14-15.
We talked about how these women who were being drawn by God and then experienced His salvation. They grabbed onto His salvation and continued steadfast in the faith. Paul's greeting shows this in verses 1-7.  They had truly grown in the faith ad Paul mentions that God would complete what he has started in their lives.

"The joy is the flag flying high from the castle of my heart because Jesus is in residence there"

In verse 27  "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ"

This worthiness is based on the moments in our life, our integrity. Believers are to have integrity! And do we really know what the Gospel is??

This lead us to study the various passages that mention the Gospel:

The Gospel of God:
   Romans 1:1    1 Thess. 2:2,9    1 Tim. 1:11
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
   Romans 1:16,  15:19     1 Cor. 9:12, 18     Gal. 1:7
The Gospel of the Grace of God
   Acts 20:24   Eph. 6:15 (Gospel of Peace)   Eph. 1:13-14 (Gospel of Salvation)  2 Cor. 4:4 Glorious    Gospel

So what is the Gospel?  It is all the Gospel of Christ!  He is the subject, the object, the life of it!  The full word of God contains it!

Matt. 4:23  The Gospel of the Kingdom
Matt. 11:5   Mark 1:4  Luke 4:18

This Gospel was preached by Christ and the Apostles and Prophets. And God calls men to proclaim his word still.
Acts 16:10   Romans 1:15   2:16   1Cor. 9:16   Acts 8:25

They were striving together for the faith of the Gospel.  We need to do the same.  There is so much that draws us away from the Gospel of Christ.  When we grumble our light isn't shining. Praise God we don't have to walk alone!  He is with us and gives us other believers to lift us in our spirit and to exhort us in His word.

vs 27- That we stand steadfast!

Pro 23:23  Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

When we give "our" advice without using God's word we are selling the truth.  His word is more precious than any other word or thing. Nothing is of more value!

We discussed how God's salvation is a precious gift and how some people think there must be more cost from them to receive it, but they forget that there was a tremendous cost! We must lose what we consider precious in this world and look for the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 

vs. 29 For to you it has been GRANTED

Php 1:29  For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 

Php 1:30  engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. 

We only have one life and by the suffering we may go through, glory might come to Him.  We don't know how God's plans will be fulfilled in us and from us to others.

Mat 16:24  Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Mat 16:25  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Mat 16:26  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

There is nothing more we can do. The price has been paid and it was costly. Praise God for His Gospel and His work on the cross for our salvation.  He deserves our praise and adoration, our total devotion and our complete surrender to His will.  Where is your heart today?

Women of Courage- Lydia May 2, 2015

We began with a review of where we have been in our study of Lydia.  We looked at how God has used men and women in the past to reach the lost and the price they had to pay.  It was not an easy road;  God never promised an easy path never your best life now.  It is a hard, difficult, but rewarding journey.

 We read and compared Bible versions in reading Phil. 1:1-2:4.  John MacArthur’s notes state that Philippians is an Epistle of Joy! Biblical joy consists of the deep and abiding confidence that all is well regardless of circumstances and difficulty. It is something very different from worldly happiness.  Biblical joy is always related to God and belongs only to those in Christ. It is the permanent possession of every believer – not a whimsical delight that comes and goes as chance offers it opportunity.

A good definition of joy is this: it’s the flag that flies on the castle of the heart when the King is in residence. Only Christians can know true and lasting joy. (then we were entertained by a video of the song “the flag that flies on the castle of the heart…”)

We may not always display our joy. There are times of sadness and trial.  But we go through things differently when we have Christ. It is that that is the joy that keeps us going.  It is a deep and abiding confidence that all is well regardless of circumstance and difficulty.

Philippians 1: 24-28

²⁴ But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

²⁷ Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.



Paul was so impressed by their joy through trials.  WE represent the “flag of joy” or any other of the fruits of the spirit.  We need to remember God is in control!  We may have moments where we falter, but we don’t stay there.  WE return to our hope.



Romans 8:25

²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (and patience too)

Christian joy is a gift from God to those that believe the Gospel, with more than words!!  Well yeah!



Again Romans 8: 24-25

²⁴ For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.



Then looking at the beginning of Philippians - To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, Shera brought a definition from the ISBE.



Saints- There are 3 words in the Bible for saints. They have the definition meaning consecration and divine claim, set apart.  We are God’s people.  When God consecrates and claims moral beings for Himself and His service, He demands that they should go on to be fit for and worthy of the relation in which He has placed them.


Every word in the word is the Word of God- Directed and inspired.

Acts 16:14-15

¹⁴ 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. ¹⁵ 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.

WE looked at the describing words about Lydia.  We discussed what they told us about her.  WE also looked at the difference in the definition of worship in this passage and the one in John.  Her knowledge of worship was not as deep as true worship.  She was being called, but until she heard the Gospel message, she then came to know the Lord fully.