”And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” | Acts 16: 14

All the glory in salvation belongs to Christ Jesus the Lord.

Even the believers willingness and obedience is by Christ the Power and Wisdom of God.

”For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Peter 1: 16)

We all know that the power is exercised in these last days through preaching.

”And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5: 20)

Throughout the generations the LORD God has proven that you and I can never know God by our own wisdom.

”For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1: 21)

Therefore the preaching of the gospel is God’s ordained means of saving his people in these last days.

”For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1: 16)

But the power in the gospel is the person of Christ who reveals himself in the sinner

”Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.” (Psalm 110: 3)

The Power which makes the gospel the power of God unto salvation is not the power of a preacher, or of a discourse, or of persuasion – Christ worked all things to bring the sinner and the gospel together, Christ sent the truth, Christ opened the heart and revealed himself, and the revelation is Christ himself, the Power of God.

The revelation of the mystery is Christ.

”That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:” (Ephesians 1: 17)

This is the true God, and eternal life.

”But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1: 23, 24)

The hope of glory is Christ in you, the Power and Wisdom that Christ IS when he makes himself known in the heart which makes a sinner willing.

”That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:” (Ephesians 1: 17)

Only when you see Christ — the beauties of holiness in him – will you be persuaded that he is All.

”And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5: 20)

All your complete acceptance with God with nothing needed by you.

As we endeavor to bear witness of Christ in this place let’s remember when we are forbidden to go forward as we plan that the Lord always opens the door in his time and not ours.

Let us actively wait on the Lord.

We will know as assuredly as Paul knew when it is time.

Seeing the great detail with which our Lord governs the hearts of those he uses and those whom he calls out, let it not cause us to use his sovereignty as an excuse for laziness.

But may it give us assurance that we can give ourselves to this work: Immediately, Making a straight course, Today and the next day and the next day, Assuredly gathering that the Lord has called us to promote the gospel of Christ in this place.

And finally, may we do so giving all glory to Christ Jesus the Lord in whom dwells all fullness.

”Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4: 8)

When Paul wrote to the Philippian church later he comforted them by reminding them to always think on “things” – those things are the blessings of the person and work of Christ which you have learned and received (been given.)

The God of peace shall be with you.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Teaches Lydia the Gospel” (42:14 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 26 March, 2009 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey