Lydia Characteristics of a Godly Lady Her

Lydia: Characteristics of a Godly Lady • Her religious practice was deep-seated – She was about 300 miles away from home, but still she worshiped God. – She was a business woman, making costly dies for the finest fabrics, but still she worshiped God. – She was a Jewess living in a Gentile town. Gentile businesses, her competition, would not be “closed” on the Sabbath, and she might lose business. Still she worshiped God. – There was no synagogue of the Jews in Philippi (which was indicative of there being fewer than 10 Jewish men in the city), but still she worshiped God. – How do you think Lydia would have responded to verses like Hebrews 10: 25 and Matthew 6: 33?

Lydia: Characteristics of a Godly Lady • She came into prominence b/c of her conversion – Why is Lydia’s name still known today? Ø B/c she was from Thyatira? B/c she was a business woman? – As a successful business woman, she was probably quite wealthy for her time: Ø She was a seller of purple—used by the wealthy Ø She “traveled on business” far from home Ø Her house was large enough to house a number of guests Ø BUT, what do these things mean to her 2, 000 yrs later? – Her conversion is what’s important to her now. – On what do we place value? Ø Work? Money? Education? Good name? Position of authority? Ø How important will these be to us in 2, 000 years? – Only thing that matters: our conversion (Mt. 16: 26)

Lydia: Characteristics of a Godly Lady • Her devotion was to God, not merely some system – Many people are loyal & devoted to their religion Ø For some, faithfulness to “my religion” more important than faithfulness to God – might be admirable loyalty, but misplaced – Lydia did not have a closed mind Ø She was teachable Ø NKJV – “heard us” NASB – “was listening” Ø Some won’t listen long if told to change their religion – What if Lydia had said to Paul, “What you say is true, but I’m satisfied with my religion”? Ø She would be remembered, but for a different reason Ø She’d be showing loyalty to her religion but not God – What man has taught us must yield to what Jesus taught

Lydia: Characteristics of a Godly Lady • The Lord opened her heart – Many believe He did it directly apart from the preaching Ø But her heart was already receptive to God & His truth Ø If He was going to do this, why a vision of a man in Macedonia? Ø If He doesn’t open all hearts—a respecter of persons (Ac. 10: 34) – The heart is what the gospel works on (Matt. 13: 15) Ø We understand with our hearts Ø Lydia’s heart was open to God, but not yet open to the gospel Ø Listening to the gospel opened her heart – Jesus Himself used the Word to operate on hearts Ø Luke 24: 45 -47 Ø He opened their understanding by telling them what the Scripture says & explaining the proper application it – The Lord used & uses His Word to open hearts

Lydia: Characteristics of a Godly Lady • She & her family were baptized – This is the natural & proper response of one who is not a Christian and who hears the gospel (examples in Acts) – Jesus made baptism a condition of salvation (Mk. 16: 16) – God opened her heart to “heed/obey/respond to the things spoken by Paul” Ø What was a part of that response? Ø “And when she and her household were baptized…” – The text does NOT say infants were baptized Ø We do not know that she had children. Ø We do not know, if she had children, if any of them were infants. Ø If had infants, they were not baptized—not proper subjects. Ø Does Acts 18: 8 prove that infants believed on the Lord?

Lydia: Characteristics of a Godly Lady • She invited apostolic examination of her faithfulness – The apostle Peter knew Ananias & Sapphira were lying about their “gift” in Acts 5. Could Paul also judge hearts? – Lydia was not afraid to put her faithfulness on the line, knowing it was ultimately known anyway (cf. Heb. 4: 13). – Are you willing for your religion to be examined by the apostles (i. e. , in the light of their teachings in the N. T. ): Ø Examine your conversion to Christ? Ø Examine your place in His church? Ø Examine the way you worship? Ø Examine your faithfulness? – How many of us would invite apostles home with us, but only on the basis, “If you have judged me to be faithful”?

Lydia: Characteristics of a Godly Lady • She was hospitable – She didn’t just invite them for dinner; she said to them, “Come to my house and stay. ” Ø Make her house their dwelling while in Philippi (present tense) Ø “She persuaded/constrained/prevailed upon us. ” – She was a new convert, but she opened up her house. – Hospitality in the N. T. : Ø House of Stephanas addicted themselves to it – 1 Cor. 16: 15 Ø One of the “good works” in 1 Tim. 5: 10 (lodge strangers) Ø “some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Heb. 13: 2) Ø “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling” (1 Pet. 4: 9) Ø “distributing to needs of saints; given to hospitality” (Rm. 12: 13) Ø Hospitality required in both lists of qualifications for elders – Can we be Christians and not be hospitable?

Lydia: Characteristics of a Godly Lady • • Her religious practice was deep-seated She came into prominence b/c of her conversion Her devotion was to God, not merely some system The Lord opened her heart She & her family were baptized She invited apostolic examination of her faithfulness She was hospitable • After Paul & Silas were beaten & imprisoned in Philippi, where do you suppose they went? – “They entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them” (Acts 16: 40).