Message Notes

SSS 4 1 November 2026
Text: Acts 16

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF HOW PAUL WAS CALLED TO MACEDONIA

6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.

7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Acts 16:6-10

1. The leading of the Spirit of God

a) Forbidden by the Holy Spirit

b) Ministry in Asia and Bithynia

2. The Macedonian Call

a) A man from Macedonia

b) “Come over to Macedonia and help us”

3. Positive Response to the Vision

a) Paul was given the vision

b) Silas and Luke supported (Note the personal pronoun “we”)

c) Timothy was there too

THE CITY OF PHILIPPI

1. Original name was Crenides (4th century BC)

2. It was renamed after King Philip II of Macedon
“Philippi”

3. It was a very wealthy city

a) Gold and silver mines

b) Along major trade routes

c) Fertile field

4. It was conquered by Rome

a) It was made a Roman colony Emperor Augustus

b) The officials were directly appointed by Rome

FIRSTFRUITS

11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis,

12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.

13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.

14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.

15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

Acts 16:11-15

1. Philippi was indeed the foremost city of Macedonia (Northern Greece)

2. Many Roman soldiers made Philippi their home after serving Rome

3. Rome divided Greece into 2 Regions

a) Macedonia (North)

b) Achaia (South)

4. Paul was in Philippi for a few days

5. No synagogue was found

6. Paul went to the Riverside

a) Customary for Jews to gather at Riversides for Prayer

b) The River reminded them of Heaven above

c) Some women (Jewish) were there

7. Lydia

a) She was a seller of purple (dye)

b) She was a successful business woman

c) She opened her heart to the Lord and was duly baptised

d) She opened her home to Paul and his team (at least 3 men)

8. Paul gratefully accepted her Invitation

a) Food and lodging provided

b) There was now a base for Paul and Team to evangelise

c) This was the first European Church

LESSONS CONCERNING THE LORD’S WORK

1. The leading of the Spirit of God

2. Faith and Courage to follow His leading

3. Macedonia was in Europe

4. A totally new region to explore concerning Church Planting