MINISTRY LESSONS FROM PAUL IN PHILIPPI: TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY Thesis: Pauls mission in Philippi can teach us valuable lessons

for modern Christian leadership: how to follow the Spirits lead, how to adapt when our plans do not fit Gods, pressing on in the face of opposition and staying true to our mission when circumstances get out of control. I. When God Blocks Our Way (Acts 16:1-12) A. Introduction: When we encounter road blocks to our ministry, who do we blame? Sometimes, hindsight is the only way to see clearly. B. Pauls Overarching Mission (Romans 15:20) C. Expanding the Operation (vv. 1-5) 1. Timothy joins the team. a. Well-spoken of b. A Jew through his mothers side 2. Strengthening the churches. a. Delivered the Jerusalem decrees b. Everything was going according to plan D. Forbidden Asia (vv. 6-12) 1. Mysterious opposition. 2. They remained sensitive to the Spirits lead. a. No to Phrygian and Galatian region b. No to Mysia c. No to Bithynia d. Approximately 360 miles of No e. So, what now?

3. The port city of Troas. a. They make straight west to the coast. b. Here, finally, a vision. c. Off to Macedonia. 4. Go through the door that is open. (vv. 11-12) a. Without hesitation, they set out. b. All the blocking, in retrospect, is Gods leading to where he wants you! E. Conclusion: We will have disappointments -- times when nothing seems to work out right for miles but if we stay faithful, God leads us to where he wants us. Setbacks in ministry help us to trust the Spirits guidance.

II.

When Your Usual Plan Doesnt Work (Acts 16:13-15) A. Introduction: Have you ever tried to import a plan into a new situation? Even when our ministry plans have been successful, we sometimes have to modify them, or even scrap them completely, to work in a new area. B. To the Jews First 1. For Paul, this is not just a technique, but part of his theology. (Hanson, 111) 2. Paul often went to the synagogue first in a new town. 3. From there, he created a nucleus around which to extend to the Gentiles. C. No Synagogue 1. There needed to be ten Jewish men in order to have a synagogue. 2. Where there wasnt one, Jews and God-fearers would meet by a river. D. Success At Last! (vv. 13-15)

1. Lydia a. A wealthy Jewess b. A seller of purple fabric c. From Thyatira, with business in Philippi d. May have had a house in both locations for business purposes 2. A great response a. Lydia and her household respond b. Household may have included business associates as well 3. A place to stay a. Lydia opens her home for the missionaries b. Most likely the location of the house-church E. Conclusion: Even our most tried and true ministry methods must remain flexible. When Paul found that his usual plan couldnt work in Philippi, he shifted gears and remained faithful to orders. Setbacks help us think outside the box!

III.

When Blessing Brings Bruises (Acts 16:16-24) A. Introduction: How do you respond when the good you are doing brings you personal hardship? Should we shake the dust from our feet? B. Exploitation in the Empire (v. 16) 1. People like the slave girl were not people in the Empire, but property. (Ruden, Chapter 2) 2. Notice that she saw them as they were passing by. C. Irritation or Protection? (vv. 17-18)

1. The evil spirit was telling the truth. a. Was Paul just irritated? b. More likely, he was defending the gospel from such an ignominious testimony. 2. Paul frees the girl from bondage a target of opportunity. D. Road to Ruin (vv. 19-24) 1. The slave-girls owners just lost their money-maker! 2. They drag Paul and Silas off to court and accuse them of sedition. 3. This highly fruitful ministry landed them in jail. 4. From Position to Prison a. Dragged to court b. Beaten without trial c. Thrown in jail d. How would you respond? i. ii. Despondency? Give up the Macedonian mission?

E. Conclusion: Sometimes, the very good we do by following Christ brings persecution our way. They crucified our Lord and they beat Paul within an inch of his life. As we will see, setbacks give us grounds to praise God!

IV.

When Life Gets Out of Control (Acts 16:25-34)

A. Introduction: Ministry is often filled with highs and lows. Sometimes life knocks us down. When our circumstances go crazy, we can give up, or we can choose to praise God. B. In the middle of the night (vv. 25-26) 1. Praise and Prayer a. Maybe they were trying to encourage each other. b. They were loud enough that other prisoners were listening. 2. What an awesome testimony after the exorcism. 3. Jail Got Rocked a. In the earthquake, God frees not just his servants, but everyone. b. Strange that no one ran away. i. ii. iii. Maybe Paul kept them from running. Perhaps they hadnt had a chance to get out. Maybe they were scared of these strange messengers!

C. Pauls Solution to a Suicide (vv. 27-30) 1. Warden would have been executed for losing his prisoners. a. Rather than face his superiors, the Warden decided on suicide. 2. We are all here! (v. 28) a. Paul stopped him from his mistake. 3. The Wardens in shock, providing Paul a target of opportunity. a. We can speak Christs message into the confusion of the world around us. 4. What must I do to be saved? a. Warden likely didnt understand the full weight of his question,

b. but he knew something big was happening through these men. D. Resume Mission (vv. 31-34) 1. Paul was in Philippi to reach Gentiles for Christ. 2. They shared salvation freely with the jailor who locked them up. 3. He and his household were saved. 4. The Warden ministered to them. E. Conclusion: When our circumstances get out of control, when were beaten or unjustly accused, when nature breaks wide open, we can rejoice in our Savior and remain faithful to our mission. Setbacks can help us turn our prison into a party!

BIBLIOGRAPHY

DeWelt, Don, Acts Made Actual (Joplin: The College Press, 1958). Fields, Wilbur, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon (Joplin: The College Press, 1976). Gaertner, Dennis, The College Press NIV Commentary: Acts (Joplin: College Press Publishing Company, 1993). Hanson, Anthony Tyrrell, Studies in Pauls Technique and Theology (London: William Clowes & Sons, Limited, 1974). Keck, Leander, Studies in Luke-Acts (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1966). McKay, John, Paul: His Life and Teaching (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, Kindle Edition, 2003). New American Standard Bible (La Habra: The Lockman Foundation, 1998). Ruden, Sarah, Paul Among the People: The Apostle Reinterpreted and Reimagined in His Own Time (New York: Pantheon Books, Kindle Edition, 2010)

Stendahl, Krister, Paul Among Jews and Gentiles (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, Kindle Edition, 1976).