Exposition of Acts: Faces of Two Women
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. FACE OF FREEDOM IN CHRIST
A. FIRST STEPS
>>1. OBEDIENCE
Acts 16:11 So, setting sail from Troas, we sailed straight to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis,
(also, Zech 4:10; Acts 20:6)
>>2. OBJECTIVE
Acts 16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is the major city of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.
B. FIRST CONVERTS
>>1. OBSERVATION
Acts 16:13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we assumed there was a place of prayer. We sat down and taught the women who had gathered.
>>2. OBTAINED
Acts 16:14 One who heard us was called the ‘Lydian woman’, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart and she accepted the Gospel message shared by Paul.
(also, Rev 2:18-29; Jn 6:44)
>>3. OBLIGATION
Acts 16:15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
II. FACE OF ENSLAVEMENT BY SATAN
A. FIRST RESISTANCE
>>1. OBSTRUCTION
Acts 16:16 As we walked to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who was a medium with demons and brought her owners great profit by fortune-telling.
(also, I Jn 4:1)
>>2. OBNOXIOUS
Acts 16:17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the highest God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”
(also, I Cor 1:27-29)
B. FIRST MIRACLE
>>1. OBJECTION
Acts 16:18 And she continued doing this for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out immediately.
(also, Mt 8:28-34; Mk 3:11-12)
>>2. OBTRUSIVE
Acts 16:19 But when her owners saw their hope of profit eliminated, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
>>3. OBSTACLE
Acts 16:20-21 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”
(also, Rom 8:2; Eph 2:1)