Friday, May 19

40 After leaving the jail, they came to Lydia’s house, where they saw and encouraged the brothers and sisters and departed.

Acts 16:40

Lydia, A Picture of Living Sent

Today, we finish our deep dive into the life and legacy of Lydia of Thyatria. As a review, Lydia is a wealthy, God-fearing Gentile who is reported as the first Christian in Europe. In verse 40 of Acts chapter 16, we learn that Lydia’s house appears to have been a meeting place for the Philippian Church. Following Paul’s arrest (Acts 16:16-34) and eventual release, he heads to Lydia’s home, where he finds the local church gathered. We see this is verse 40 as the text describes that he sees “the brothers and sisters”. This is a figure of speech to describe the family of God, his brothers, and sisters in Christ in this particular area. This is a pretty remarkable development. The two times that Lydia is mentioned in Scripture, her conversion is highlighted, and then her lifestyle is highlighted.We talk a lot about “Living Sent” at NorthStar. We believe that just as The Father sent the Son into the world (John 20:21), God is sending us into the spaces and places God has given us the influence to live with a purpose, on purpose. Lydia embodies this! Not only does she taste the sweetness of salvation, but she is now sacrificing for the mission of God by making her home the place where the local church gathers.Lydia was saved FROM something and saved FOR something. Lydia was living sent.What would it look like for you to live sent this weekend? Inlight of your conversion, how could you make much of Jesus in your thoughts, words, and actions? God has sent us into those places to use what we have for his glory.