Unique Encounters: Part 1

Acts 16:11-18

The birth of the church at Philippi unveils for us four unique encounters.

Encounter #1: Lydia: A Sincere Disciple

Four things about Lydia that demonstrate her sincerity as a disciple:

1. She was a worshipper who was seeking
2. She was a listener who was learning
3. She was a follower who was obeying
4. She was a servant who was serving

Encounter #2: The Slave Girl: A Distracting Deceiver

Beware: The enemy masquerades as an angel of light and seeks to deceive, distort and destroy!

1. The Slave Girl’s Message: “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation”
2. The Enemy’s Motives:
   1. John 10:10 – He comes to steal, kill and destroy
   2. 2 Tim 3:1-9 – He appeals to our Love of self, Love of Money,
   3. Love of Power, Love of Pleasure
   4. 2 Cor. 11:13-15 – He disguises himself as an angel of light
3. Paul’s Response
   Three things Paul did:
   1. Discerned what was going on
   2. Discovered what the truth was
   3. Dealt with it: He command the evil spirit to depart

The Challenge for the Church:

1. Keep the main thing the main thing
2. Be a witness, make disciples,
3. Learn to discern