What Lydia Taught Me About Gospel Hospitality

🌱 Let’s Talk About Growth… and Staying Warm

I love what God is doing in our church. Honestly, every time I look around and see new faces, I get excited about what He has in store. 🙌

But with growth comes a challenge: How do we keep from losing that personal touch?

People worry that as churches get bigger, they start to feel cold or distant. And I get it. But here’s something I truly believe:

👉 It’s not about the size of the church—it’s about the size of the heart.

The thing that will keep our church warm, welcoming, and spiritually alive is this one simple word: hospitality. That’s what led me to this beautiful story in Acts 16—where a woman named Lydia showed what real gospel-centered hospitality looks like.

🌍 A River, A Conversation, and an Open Door

When Paul arrived in Philippi, he wasn’t walking into a revival tent. He was entering new territory. 🧭 Philippi was a Roman colony—a place known for its privilege and pride.

There wasn’t even a synagogue for Paul to visit (his usual first step in a new city). But he’d heard there were people who gathered by the river to pray, so he and Silas headed that way.

📍 They found a group of women there—praying, open-hearted, ready to listen.

And among them? A woman named Lydia. She was about to change the course of that city… and honestly, she still teaches us something powerful today.

💜 Lydia: A Woman with Drive and Depth

The Bible says Lydia was a “seller of purple.” That might not mean much to us today, but it was a big deal back then.

🟣 Purple dye was rare and expensive—usually worn by the wealthy and powerful. So if Lydia was in that business, she was sharp, successful, and probably well-connected.

But there’s more. Lydia wasn’t just a businesswoman—she was a worshiper of God. 🙏

She didn’t know Jesus yet, but her heart was already open. Someone had introduced her to the God of Israel, and she responded to the light she’d been given. That matters. Because when Paul spoke about Jesus by the riverside, she didn’t brush it off.

💡 “The Lord opened her heart,” the Bible says. And she listened.

She believed. She was baptized. And her whole household followed her lead. But she didn’t stop there.

🏠 “If You Count Me Faithful…”

After her baptism, Lydia made a bold offer:

“If you believe I’m truly following the Lord, come stay at my house.”

What a moment. Lydia’s faith immediately turned into action. She saw these gospel messengers not as guests, but as family. 💞

And she didn’t just want to feed them dinner—she wanted to open her home for ministry:

• A safe place to stay 🛏️
• A spot for meetings and discipleship 🗣️
• A spiritual boost for her own family 👨‍👩‍👧

Imagine being a brand-new believer and having Paul staying down the hall! I mean—that’s a pretty great small group leader.

⚠️ Real Hospitality Isn’t Always Convenient

Now, Paul and his team didn’t jump at the invitation. They were hesitant—probably for good reason. Being associated with Christians back then? Dangerous. 😬

And sure enough, they ended up beaten and thrown in jail before long.

But Lydia didn’t back down. She insisted they come. And in doing so, she gave us one of the clearest pictures of Christ-like hospitality you’ll find in Scripture.

🙌 Why This Still Matters Today

Lydia’s story isn’t just a nice footnote in Acts. It’s a blueprint for us.

When we open our homes to God’s servants, it does something for them, for us, and for the gospel.

💁‍♂️ It’s Good for

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Them:

• A safe space to rest and be themselves
• A reminder that they’re cared for and supported
• A chance to be encouraged and prayed over

👨‍👩‍👧 It’s Good for

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Us:

• It takes the focus off ourselves
• It grows our faith through honest conversations
• It gives our kids role models and memories they’ll never forget

Growing up, I remember times when my family hosted missionaries and guests—even in our small house. I didn’t know it then, but those moments shaped my heart for ministry in a big way. ❤️

🌍 It’s Good for the

Gospel

:

Hospitality creates space for the gospel to move. Think about it:

• You invite a missionary over…
• You also invite your unchurched friend…
• Now they’re meeting someone who’s taking the gospel to the world.

That’s not just dinner. That’s kingdom work.

🗝️ Final Thoughts: Let’s Stay Open

As our church grows, I pray we never lose this:

🚪 Open doors.

❤️ Open hearts.

👐 Open homes.

Hospitality isn’t just something “nice” Christians do. It’s what gospel people do. It’s what Lydia did. And it’s something every one of us can be a part of.

So here’s my question for you:

🗣️ When God opens a door, how will you open your home?

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