1. Philippians

2. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us.“ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them- Acts 16:9-10

3. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers- vs. 5

4. Who led Paul, Timothy, Silas and Luke to Philippi (Macedonia)? What are they expecting?

5. On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of 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- vs. 13-14

6. Just a few women- is that what Paul would have expected? When reality doesn’t meet expectations, it either becomes a matter of faith or of disappointment The determining factor is a correct understanding of Providence

7. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others- Philippians 2:3-4

8. …we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved…"

9. …She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her- Acts 16:16- 18

10. Alignment- work out your salvation…for it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose- Philippians 2:12-13 When Paul sought God’s will and God’s desires as the priority of his life, he opened himself up to experience God’s divine power working in and through his life

11. …seized Paul and Silas…dragged them… crowd join in the attack against Paul and Silas…stripped and beaten…severely flogged…inner cell…fastened their feet in stocks…- Acts 16:19-24

12. Suffering is a tragedy- unless it has a purpose …it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him- Philippians 1:29

13. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them- Acts 16:25 How could they be worshiping?

14. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them- Acts 16:25 Providence- God is arranging even ordinary events for his ultimate purpose

15. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose…

16. …The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped- Acts 16:26-27

17. What would you do?

18. Not every door should be walked through- even when God opened it How do we know?

19. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others- Philippians 2:4 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ- Philippians 2:21

20. But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" – Acts 16:28 What might it cost Paul and Silas to stay?

21. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house…he and all his family were baptized…he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God— he and his whole family- Acts 16:32-34 What would it have cost if Paul and Silas had considered only themselves and left?

22. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you- Philippians 4:9 Find an example, be an example