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Open Heart Surgery The Conversion of Lydia Acts 16:13-15.

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Presentation on theme: "Open Heart Surgery The Conversion of Lydia Acts 16:13-15."— Presentation transcript:

1 Open Heart Surgery The Conversion of Lydia Acts 16:13-15

2 Background Paul travels to Philippi in Macedonia on his 2 nd preaching trip from Antioch (Acts 16:6-15) The first convert was one who 1) was in a common-place setting; 2) had a good job; 3) was religious; 4) was faithful to God away from home; and 5) paid attention to God’s word Lydia received “open heart surgery”

3 Whose Heart the Lord Opened The statement about Lydia’s opened heart is used by denominational preachers to prove a “direct operation of the Holy Spirit” Many believe that God via the H.S. makes one 1) hear, 2) understand what one hears, 3) obey what one understands The H.S. is clearly at work in this story (16:6-7), but not in the manner commonly assumed

4 Whose Heart the Lord Opened The issue: Does the Lord “open” one’s heart directly or indirectly? Consider the facts and order of events: 1) “we sat down and spake unto the women”; 2) “a certain woman … heard us”; 3) “whose heart the Lord opened”; 4) “to give heed” “To give heed” (Gr. prosecho) means “to attend;” “to fix the mind”; “to hold to” (Acts 8:6,10,11)

5 Open Heart Surgery Is your heart open or closed when God’s word is preached (Ezek. 11:19-20; Mt. 13:14-15)? “filled with the Holy Spirit … pricked in their heart” (Acts 2:4,37) “the Spirit by which he spake … stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:10; 7:51)

6 Open Heart Surgery The heart thinks (Prov. 23:7) The heart loves (Mt. 22:37) The heart desires (Rom. 10:1) The heart believes (Rom. 10:10) The heart purposes (2 Cor. 9:7) The heart intends (Heb. 4:12) “Open” to God

7 Open Heart Surgery Lydia went “under the knife” to get “open heart surgery” – God’s sword was used (Acts 16:10; Heb. 4:12) The Lord “opens” the heart through the teaching and explaining of his word (Lk. 24:32,44-45; Acts 26:16-20) Will you check in for “open heart” surgery today?


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