Philippians [Part 1] Unorthodox Beginnings

Unorthodox Beginnings

Matthew 28: 1-10

1) The at Philippi had a very strange and unorthodox beginning.
Lydia - a very wealthy businesswoman who dealt in fashion and fine linens, an intellectual and a Seeker (vs. 12-15)
The slave girl - a poor, younger girl who is possessed by an evil spirit (vs. 16-19)
So much stands in contrast between these two:

Lydia                                        Slave girl
Older 26-40                            Younger 11-15
Asian                                       Greek
Well-off                                   Impoverished
Free                                         Enslaved & exploited
Well-educated                      No education
Has everything                     Has nothing
Seeker of God                       Walking in darkness

-The Jailer- a hard-working, blue-collar Joe that wants to collect his check, go home, and watch
the game (vs.20-34)

2) This story shows that God reaches different people through the apostle Paul in 3 very unique ways:
-Paul appeals to the intellect with truth for Lydia.
-Paul supernaturally appeals to the heart with the slave girl. 
-Paul’s shows Jesus through grace-filled, Christian living to the jailer.

The gospel can’t be stopped by the walls that mankind builds.