Next Step Christian Church
Worship 9/12/26
      • Bible Trivia
        Loading...
  • Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble
  • You Never Let Go
  • Remain
  • Yes I Will
  • The church in Philippi starts with messed up travel plans, missing church, obnoxious demonic little girls, mob violence, naked beatings, and prison. God is using the disasters in your life to begin some good works in “them.” Be bold and loving enough to disciple “them” on purpose. Philippians is discipleship in action: one disciple thanking, teaching and encouraging his disciples to the joy and glory of Jesus. God will complete the good work He has begun.

    I Would Rather Do Nothing Than Get It Wrong

    It’s all well and good for Jesus to “make disciples”… but (turns out) I’m not Jesus!
    And we can be so afraid do it wrong, get it wrong, that instead we do nothing at all.
    For months we have been talking about discipling. What does it look like, how did Jesus do it, what are the marks of disciples, how do we know when we are doing it. What did Jesus prioritize and teach his disciples?
    Why? Because this is who we are commanded to be. Disciples of Jesus, on the Mission of Jesus, making disciples and teaching them everything Jesus commanded us.
    How did the early church start to put this into practice? Disciples making disciples. This is what the New Testament is: the records, the writings, the letters of disciples of Jesus teaching and correcting and even rebuking new disciples.
    And you might get the impression that it was clean and smooth and they just knew what to say and how to do it. … not so much. It was every bit as messy and chaotic and surprising as your own actual life.
    Case in point. The church in Philippi. Here’s how it started:
    The church in Philippi starts with messed up travel plans, missing church, obnoxious demonic little girls, mob violence, naked beatings, and prison.

    The Macedonian Call

    Paul, he has just met Timothy and invited him to join. And they were going to go to Phrygia and Galatia (as in the letter to the Galatians), revisit churches they had planted in the first missionary journey, but there is this crazy interaction with the Holy Spirit.
    The Spirit “forbids” them to speak the word in that region… and then gives Paul a vision in the night:
    Acts 16:9–12 ESV
    9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.

    Background on Philippi

    Conquered by Philip, Alexander “the Great”s dad. Then conquered by Rome 200 years before Jesus… and for centuries Rome would award retiring soldiers with lands in Philippi. So you have loyal Roman war veterans settling for generations there, loyal to Caesar.
    The very first place in Europe to hear the gospel. The earliest churches we have found are there in Philippi.
    Note that “we” in verse 11. What does that mean when we read “we” in Acts? Luke was with them.
    So what happened in Philippi?
    Philippi is a big city… but they don’t have a significant population of Jews. In particular, in order to have a synagogue you have to have 10 Jewish men to meet and pray together. There apparently isn’t that many in Philippi. And so traveling Jews know that, in a city where there is no synagogue, go to the water to pray.
    They show up expecting to go to church… but there’s no church! No synagogue!
    And so they head out of the city gates and down to the river to pray.
    There they are, Paul, Silas, Luke and Timothy, the fearsome four. At the forefront of the Kingdom. The vanguard. In the van… down by the river!
    Acts 16:13 ESV
    And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
    I wonder if they were disappointed when they came to where they “supposed there was a place of prayer...” and only found a few women hanging out.
    But there is no sign of that in the text, they just start speaking, preaching, sharing their story, sharing the Word of God.
    Acts 16:14 ESV
    One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
    Literally she is a “Seller of purple.”
    More purple meant closer to the Emperor. The Emperor (and only the Emperor) wore all purple.
    So this woman was wealthy. And (in that patriarchal society) just the fact that she is named says she is significant, both then in social and economic terms, and in the ongoing life of the church.
    Paul preaches, but the Lord “opens her heart to pay attention.” (That’s always how it works, by the way).
    Acts 16:15 ESV
    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.
    Remarkable that the text would say “her household”. Presumably she is a widow. I like the NIV here “she persuaded us.”
    Hospitality like that builds churches. (Or in this case, starts churches).
    Lydia’s house becomes the new home base, but they keep ministering “down by the river”.
    Acts 16:16–18 ESV
    As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing 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 that very hour.
    What she is saying is true. They are servants of the Most High God. They are proclaiming the way of salvation.
    But, as I tell my kids, Over and over is always annoying. I imagine she is doing it 3 inches away from Paul’s face. And he is patient: for “many days” he puts up with it.
    Worst reason for casting out a demon ever.
    … but best reaction to being annoyed ever! I get a bit punchy when annoyed. Best case, I leave the room. Paul turns and offers spiritual deliverance and freedom. That’s incredible.
    (I wonder if that will work on my kids. “dad, dad, dad, dad… I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out!!!”)
    But, as so often happens when someone gets spiritual deliverance, there are immediate consequences for Paul and Silas.
    Acts 16:19–21 ESV
    But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 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.”
    What are these customs? Maybe referring to circumcision (because they’re Jews). Maybe referring to communion, which the early Romans often twisted to mean cannibalism. Maybe referring to “Christianity” which wasn’t a “legal” recognized religion yet.
    Regardless, they obscure their real motives ($$) behind a facade of patriotism and loyalty. They stir up the crowd.
    Acts 16:22–24 ESV
    The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
    How do they react? I love this. Rail against the injustice? Call for a lawyer? No, Obviously it is time to… SING!
    Acts 16:25 ESV
    About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
    Then, answer to prayer, miracle upon miracles:
    Acts 16:26 ESV
    and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.
    But for some reason they don’t. Why??? Maybe they didn’t have time? Unlike when the angel broke Peter out of jail, there wasn’t clear direction to leave? Maybe Paul saw what an opportunity he had been given to minister to the other prisoners already?
    But for any and all the reasons...
    Acts 16:27 ESV
    When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
    All Paul has to do is sit back and see a little bit of revenge. A little taste of justice to the man who put him in stocks and imprisoned him. But instead...
    Acts 16:28–34 ESV
    But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
    Now Paul plays his “I am a citizen” card. It wouldn’t have played on the mob that assaulted them earlier, but it scares the magistrates!
    Acts 16:35–39 ESV
    But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city.
    Back to Lydia’s house.
    Acts 16:40 ESV
    So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.
    There are brothers and sisters in Philippi, the seed of a new church, meeting in Lydia’s home. Note that “we” came and “they” left. So where is Luke? Hanging out in Philippi for a bit.
    That’s the church. Lydia and some of the other women from the river. I like to think the slave girl was saved and comes when she can. The warden and all his household. Maybe some of those other prisoners who listened to Paul and Silas pray and sing.
    God is doing some big things here in Philippi. He is touching hearts, he is delivering demons, he is shaking the very earth and breaking open chains. (If you’ve got chains… He’s a chain breaker!) God is doing big stuff to plant His church in Philippi.
    But just about none of this went according to Paul’s plan. It wasn’t the expected destination, or the expected location within that city, and it certainly wasn’t the expected population.
    What does Paul do?
    When disappointed by no synagogue - Paul preaches to the women.
    When annoyed by the possessed hype-girl - Paul gives spiritual deliverance.
    When beaten and imprisoned - Paul prays and sings.
    When presented with revenge - Paul preaches gospel.
    If Paul had waited until everything was perfect, lined up just so.. none of this would have happened. All of these folks, as far as we know, would have missed out on Jesus.
    This is practical, actual discipleship. Not a polished program. Not a perfect procedure.
    It is faithfulness to the call of the Holy Spirit.
    It is boldness and love and gospel to the folks God actually puts in your path.
    It is preaching and singing in the marketplace AND in prison. It is in the mess.
    And Paul isn’t done with Philippi.

    Discipling Philippians

    Paul first starts the church in Philippi in something like 50 CE on his second missionary journey. Then he visits again in the summer of 57 CE (though some put that trip in 54 CE), and a third time for Easter in 58 CE, passing through and collecting money for the poor affected by the famine in Jerusalem. Timothy was with him on several of those visits
    Philippians 1:1–2 ESV
    1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
    How personal this is. Paul writes, and they know Timothy by name. Of course they do, he was a brand new disciple under Paul’s discipleship when they themselves came to faith.
    and Philippi has continued to support Paul, care about him, pray for him, sent one of their own, Epaphroditus to help Paul in his new imprisonment.
    He calls out them by name, for he is, still, discipling them by name, on purpose:
    Philippians 4:2–3 ESV
    2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
    From the messy start, through distance, trips, and even now from prison, Paul is discipling in the midst of it all. And we are going to continue to learn how to do this in our actual messy lives. Reading and applying and imitating what Paul does for the Philippians in the letter we have.
    Knowing we don’t have to get it all right, have it perfected. Paul didn’t. The Philippians didn’t. Instead, just like Paul, we trust in this:
    Philippians 1:6 ESV
    6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
    God has called you, placed you, by dream and vision, by messed up plans, by what feels like random circumstance and accident… and even misfortune. God has placed people in your life. From rich widows to annoying demon possessed little girls… to failed and suicidal officers of the law…
    Unlikely connections in the grocery store, quiet coworkers at lunch, the weird kid at school.
    If your spirit is listening to the Spirit within you, He is making you salt and light, He is starting something in you, and through you, He is starting something in them.
    Be faithful. Be bold. And see what God does.

      • Acts 16:9–12NIV

      • Acts 16:13NIV

      • Acts 16:14NIV

      • Acts 16:15NIV

      • Acts 16:16–18NIV

      • Acts 16:19–21NIV

      • Acts 16:22–24NIV

      • Acts 16:25NIV

      • Acts 16:26NIV

      • Acts 16:27NIV

      • Acts 16:28–34NIV

      • Acts 16:35–39NIV

      • Acts 16:40NIV

      • Philippians 1:1–2NIV

      • Philippians 4:2–3NIV

      • Philippians 1:6NIV

  • Way Maker
  • Not Today
Next Step Christian Church
pastordusty@nextstepchurch.org
(720) 663-9085
https://www.nextstepchurch.org
18 members • 15 followers