What If
The Church Becomes as it Should Be
Lydia: The Ministry of Hospitality

Sunday July 15th, 2018 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui

Acts 16:14-15,40

"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...So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed." (Acts 16:14-15,40)

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS SERMON

• 1. LYDIA'S HOSPITALITY CREATED THE RIGHT SPIRITUAL CONDITION FOR THE GOSPEL
• 2. LYDIA'S GENEROSITY WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING SALVATION TO THE PEOPLE IN PHILIPPI
• 3. LYDIA'S HOUSE BECAME THE CHURCH IN PHILIPPI

APPLICATION

THE CHURCH NEEDS LYDIAS IF SHE HAS TO BECOME A CHURCH AS IT SHOULD BE

HOSPITALITY CREATES THE RIGHT SPIRITUAL CONDITION

"And he brought them out and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' So they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.'" (Acts 16:30-31)

When hospitality and obedience unite, they create the right spiritual condition to receive the gospel.

GENEROSITY CAN BE AN INSTRUMENT FOR SALVATION

"The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized...And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized." (Acts 16:14, 33)

When generosity and vision come together the mission can explode. Generosity boosts the vision. It gives fuel to the mission.

THE IMPORTANCE OF OPENING YOUR HOUSE FOR MINISTRY

"So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed." (Acts 16:40)

The early church spread rapidly far and wide because of House Church.

IMPACT

• 1. LYDIA AND HER HOUSEHOLD WERE BAPTIZED
• 2. THE SLAVE GIRL WAS DELIVERED FROM AN EVIL SPIRIT
• 3. THE JAILER AND HIS HOUSEHOLD WERE BAPTIZED
• 4. THE CHURCH WAS FOUNDED IN PHILIPPI

APPLICATION

Use your life, profession, and home as instruments to help people find purpose and meaning in their lives.