Paul's Odyssey II #5 - Three People at Philippi
Part 2 of a 3-part study of the life and ministry of Paul. This summer segment will focus on Paul's Second Missionary Journey.
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be held on August 25th following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Barry County Cares could use donations of the following items which will be distributed to folks in need in Barry County. If you can help, drop items off in the church office.
Toilet Paper
Paper Towel
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toilet Paper
Paper Towel
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
We're being challenged to "open our door" this summer, but Don Wiser is taking this to a new level as he "opens his boat."
Don is offering three hour long fishing trips for up to two people. This would take place from 6:00-9:00 pm weekdays. This is a chance to catch bass, pike, and an occasional walleye. Fishing would take place at Don's house on Algonquin Lake in Hastings. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, contact Don Wiser (269-804-1918) or talk to him on Sunday mornings. He can be found greeting folks near the front doors.
Don is offering three hour long fishing trips for up to two people. This would take place from 6:00-9:00 pm weekdays. This is a chance to catch bass, pike, and an occasional walleye. Fishing would take place at Don's house on Algonquin Lake in Hastings. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, contact Don Wiser (269-804-1918) or talk to him on Sunday mornings. He can be found greeting folks near the front doors.
Sunday, August 4th - Chris DePyper, Cayman Joppie
Tuesday, August 6th - Kathy Sears
Wednesday, August 7th - Hudson Carpenter
Thursday, August 8th - Ryder Massie
Friday, August 9th - Don & Kelly Kerby
Tuesday, August 6th - Kathy Sears
Wednesday, August 7th - Hudson Carpenter
Thursday, August 8th - Ryder Massie
Friday, August 9th - Don & Kelly Kerby
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July through September our series is entitled: Paul's Odyssey II
Odyssey means "a long and adventurous journey or experience". It is the second of a three-part series about the life and ministry of Paul. The text for these three months will cover Acts 15 - 18, Paul's second missionary trip.
Odyssey means "a long and adventurous journey or experience". It is the second of a three-part series about the life and ministry of Paul. The text for these three months will cover Acts 15 - 18, Paul's second missionary trip.
We are looking at the life and missionary trips of a man named Saul, who later became known as the Apostle Paul.
This is not a complete study of the book of Acts but is focused on how the early church spread Christianity in the midst of pagan society while enduring hostile religious persecution.
This is not a complete study of the book of Acts but is focused on how the early church spread Christianity in the midst of pagan society while enduring hostile religious persecution.
As you think about a NASA rocket lifting off for space, think of how much preparation goes into the process.
This gives you an idea into what this series has covered in the first four messages. It's all about preparation for Paul's second missionary tour.
This gives you an idea into what this series has covered in the first four messages. It's all about preparation for Paul's second missionary tour.
Last week we followed Paul and his team across Asia Minor. The Holy Spirit led them to the city of Troas. There Paul received a vision from the Lord to continue to Macedonia. On that journey Paul and Silas added Timothy to their team and then Luke, the physician.
Acts 16:11-12
Samothrace: home to a mysterious pagan culture center called The Sanctuary of the Great Gods
Neapolis: port city for the larger city of Philippi which was 10 miles away
Philippi: a 1/2 day's walk inland and an extremely prosperous and prestigious city. This city earned Roman citizenship by helping Caesar Augustus and Mark Antony defeat the armies of Brutus and Cassius...those responsible for assassinating Julius Caesar. Augustus exempted them forever from paying taxes and placed a large military garrison there.
Acts 16:11-12
Samothrace: home to a mysterious pagan culture center called The Sanctuary of the Great Gods
Neapolis: port city for the larger city of Philippi which was 10 miles away
Philippi: a 1/2 day's walk inland and an extremely prosperous and prestigious city. This city earned Roman citizenship by helping Caesar Augustus and Mark Antony defeat the armies of Brutus and Cassius...those responsible for assassinating Julius Caesar. Augustus exempted them forever from paying taxes and placed a large military garrison there.
Acts 16:11-12
BSB
11 We sailed from Troas straight to Samothrace, and the following day on to Neapolis.
12 From there we went to the Roman colony of Philippi, the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
12 From there we went to the Roman colony of Philippi, the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
BSB
In verses 13-15 we see Paul and the team at the river's edge. If a synagogue wasn't available, the study of the Law and corporate prayer could take place in a "ceremonially clean area"...typically a riverside/moving water.
Here we meet the first of our 3 key people at Philippi.
1. Wealthy Woman/Lydia
Acts 16:13-15
- a religious person
- an influencer associated with other women
- from Thyatira (an upscale town)
- a business woman (purple cloth and dye)
- had a household (family and servants)
Through this text we see that she opened her heart to the things she heard and then demonstrated hospitality.
Lesson: Our role is to seek people out and tell the Story, it is God's role to open their heart.
1. Wealthy Woman/Lydia
Acts 16:13-15
- a religious person
- an influencer associated with other women
- from Thyatira (an upscale town)
- a business woman (purple cloth and dye)
- had a household (family and servants)
Through this text we see that she opened her heart to the things she heard and then demonstrated hospitality.
Lesson: Our role is to seek people out and tell the Story, it is God's role to open their heart.
Acts 16:13-15
BSB
13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer. After sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered there.
14 Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
14 Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
BSB
2. Fortune-Telling Female
Acts 16:16-22
- this woman hounded the team by trying to confuse their message. In effect she is saying they are proclaiming A Way...not the way of salvation
- this led the team to confront the woman and cast the demon out of her
- this didn't please her "handlers" which resulted in a mob mentality full of senseless rage
How could this happen? How could they endure this?
If we go back and look at how this section started, we get a little insight into the strength and determination of Paul and his team. They had a strong faith!
Lesson: As we tell others the Story, we will suffer attack from the forces of evil.
Acts 16:16-22
- this woman hounded the team by trying to confuse their message. In effect she is saying they are proclaiming A Way...not the way of salvation
- this led the team to confront the woman and cast the demon out of her
- this didn't please her "handlers" which resulted in a mob mentality full of senseless rage
How could this happen? How could they endure this?
If we go back and look at how this section started, we get a little insight into the strength and determination of Paul and his team. They had a strong faith!
Lesson: As we tell others the Story, we will suffer attack from the forces of evil.
Acts 16:16-22
BSB
16 One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling.
17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”
18 She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.
19 When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace.
20 They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil
21 by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.”
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods.
17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”
18 She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.
19 When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace.
20 They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil
21 by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.”
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods.
BSB
3. Suicidal Soldier
Acts 16:23-40
- jailers were usually former soldiers that were kept somehow from active duty
- the jail was a very dank hole or cave, rat infested, filthy, and void of daylight
- according to Roman military law, if prisoners escaped the jailer would be given the punishment the fugitives would have received
- we see that the faith of Paul and Silas is energetic and effective in that they are influencing the other prisoners
- a violent earthquake shook the doors and loosened the chains
- we see the fear of the jailer/soldier as he nears the edge of suicide, fearing the prisoners were escaping
- all the prisoners stayed instead of running
- once the jailer realized this, he asked how he could be saved
- verses 32-34 shows us how the gift of salvation can transform lives
As this passage concludes, we see the beginning of the very first church in what we now know as Europe. The make up of this church would have included the Wealthy Woman and her family/associates, the Fortune-Telling Female and possibly others who saw her transformation, and the Suicidal Soldier and his family/associates.
Lesson: Faithfulness will bring fruitfulness when God is honored.
Acts 16:23-40
- jailers were usually former soldiers that were kept somehow from active duty
- the jail was a very dank hole or cave, rat infested, filthy, and void of daylight
- according to Roman military law, if prisoners escaped the jailer would be given the punishment the fugitives would have received
- we see that the faith of Paul and Silas is energetic and effective in that they are influencing the other prisoners
- a violent earthquake shook the doors and loosened the chains
- we see the fear of the jailer/soldier as he nears the edge of suicide, fearing the prisoners were escaping
- all the prisoners stayed instead of running
- once the jailer realized this, he asked how he could be saved
- verses 32-34 shows us how the gift of salvation can transform lives
As this passage concludes, we see the beginning of the very first church in what we now know as Europe. The make up of this church would have included the Wealthy Woman and her family/associates, the Fortune-Telling Female and possibly others who saw her transformation, and the Suicidal Soldier and his family/associates.
Lesson: Faithfulness will bring fruitfulness when God is honored.
Acts 16:23-40
BSB
23 And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely.
24 On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
26 Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.
27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped.
28 But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 Then Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house.
33 At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized.
34 Then he brought them into his home and set a meal before them. So he and all his household rejoiced that they had come to believe in God.
35 When daylight came, the magistrates sent their officers with the order: “Release those men.”
36 The jailer informed Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. Now you may go on your way in peace.”
37 But Paul said to the officers, “They beat us publicly without a trial and threw us into prison, even though we are Roman citizens. And now do they want to send us away secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out!”
38 So the officers relayed this message to the magistrates, who were alarmed to hear that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.
39 They came to appease them and led them out, requesting that they leave the city.
40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house to see the brothers and encourage them. Then they left the city.
24 On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
26 Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.
27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped.
28 But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 Then Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house.
33 At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized.
34 Then he brought them into his home and set a meal before them. So he and all his household rejoiced that they had come to believe in God.
35 When daylight came, the magistrates sent their officers with the order: “Release those men.”
36 The jailer informed Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. Now you may go on your way in peace.”
37 But Paul said to the officers, “They beat us publicly without a trial and threw us into prison, even though we are Roman citizens. And now do they want to send us away secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out!”
38 So the officers relayed this message to the magistrates, who were alarmed to hear that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.
39 They came to appease them and led them out, requesting that they leave the city.
40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house to see the brothers and encourage them. Then they left the city.
BSB
