The Book of Acts explores various aspects of the early Church. Its central theme is "continuing in the faith." Faith is portrayed as a journey that teaches us to follow and depend on a God who is very much present in our lives. The power evident in Acts comes from the Holy Spirit, which empowers the Church, resulting in healing, significant events, and a sense of "heaven on earth." But Acts is about one more thing. It is about "being" the Church as the person of Christ is lived out through regular people. There is a holiness to this that is beautiful and supernatural!
In Acts 16 we get a glimpse of "being the Church" vs "going to Church." The believers were gathered together on the Sabbath. It was how they lived. It wasn't one option among many. Gathering was part of the life of the Church, and it was as common as breathing. The believers were seeking a "place of prayer." The believers were a mix of people, very different from the gathering of Jewish men in the synagogue. Paul is speaking to a group of women. The Holy Spirit, amid Paul and his team serving in obedience, shows up in the heart of a woman named Lydia. "One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshipper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to God's message (Acts 16:14)."
Five things are highlighted here ... five things we seem to struggle with in our "Pre-Christian," modern world. Here they are:
1. Lydia was present. I wonder if our modern rationalizations lead us to think we can be the Church in a non-connected and distant way? One of the vows we make as we become part of our local congregation is the vow of presence. Remember that Lydia was THERE and all of the other things happened because she first chose to be in that place of teaching and time with God's Church. Are YOU present?
2. Lydia was listening. The Bible, and lots of preachers, repeat certain things. When you learn to critically read Scripture, you learn to pay special attention to those repeated themes and words. They are repeated for a purpose, and one of those purposes is to lead us to listen. "Faith comes by hearing," Romans 10:17 says. We can't hear if we aren't listening. Are YOU listening?
3. Lydia was worshiping. Do you know the reason God claimed and called His people out of Egypt? Most of us think it was about the Hebrews (just like we think the Church is about us). The Bible tells us God brought the people out of Egypt "to Himself" so they could worship Him! God (Exodus 19) calls us a Kingdom of Priests, a chosen people, and a treasured possession (i.e., we are His). We are called to worship. Are YOU worshiping?
4. Lydia allowed God to "open her heart." When you walk into the church on Sunday morning, is your heart open or closed? Is your heart full of your issues or empty to be filled up by God? C. S. Lewis reminds us that one of Satan's ploys to distract us is to have us think about what is wrong with the church, the person beside us in the pew, or the preacher. We fill ourselves with all of that "mess" and are not open to what God is actually doing. Are YOU open?
5. Lydia responded! The next verses in this story are all about Lydia's entering into the work of the Church. She first responds by submitting to God in baptism, dying to self, and rising to live with Jesus in the life of the Church. She invites the ministry team (Paul's leadership) to stay in her house and receive her hospitality. Lydia responded ... do YOU respond?
Do you see what is happening here? Lydia entered the "body of Christ!" "You yourselves have seen what I did in Egypt (remember My actions) and how I carried you on eagles' wings (remember my provision) and brought you to Myself (remember your destination). Now, if you obey My commandments (remember to follow ME), and keep My covenant (remember you are keepers of My promise), then out of all nations you will be My treasured possession (you/we / the Church is special to God). ... you will be for Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation (we are called into His holiness) (Exodus 19:4-6)."
Do you see it, hear it, and perceive it? It is all connected to God and you are invited to be part of that connection ... to BE the Church! What a blessing, honor, and responsibility! Lydia got it ... do you?
