Lydia and the Pythoness

Ever have a less than overwhelming turn-out for a church service? The apostle Paul faced this same sort of thing when he arrived in Philippi of Macedonia. Responding to a vision of a man asking him to come to Macedonia and 'help' them, he can't seem to find any men interested in hearing the gospel at all; there isn't even a synagogue in the city where he might find men and women who know something of the God of the Bible.

After some time he locates a small group of women meeting outside the city for prayer and gives them the gospel with the result that Lydia is converted and then her household.

The second woman we hear about isn't a woman but a girl, and a slave girl at that. She has a 'python-spirit' and is making a nuisance of herself until Paul delivers her from the demonic possession she is under.

This sermon unpacks the fact that we should not despise the day of small things - but faithfully seek to lead all to Christ.