Guest Preacher - Mr Andrew Maciver (Elder North Tolsta)

·46 min·4 clips

A demon-possessed slave girl is exorcised, and commentators believe she was converted despite no explicit mention.

Andrew Maciver, an elder from North Tolsta, delivers a sermon titled 'Christian Conversion, Turning and Transformation' based on Acts chapter 16. He begins by recounting Paul's second missionary journey, prompted by a vision to go to Macedonia, leading to Philippi. Maciver provides historical context, noting Philippi was a Roman colony and describing his own trip to Greece where he visited sites like Kavala and the ruins of ancient Philippi. The sermon focuses on three individuals Paul encountered: Lydia, a wealthy businesswoman from Thyatira who was a God-fearer; a slave girl with a spirit of divination who was exploited; and a jailer, likely an ex-Roman soldier. Maciver cites Tim Keller's analysis of their ethnic and economic differences. He describes Lydia's conversion by the riverside, where the Lord opened her heart. For the slave girl, Maciver discusses the exorcism and argues, referencing Al Mohler, that she was likely converted despite the text not stating it explicitly. The jailer's conversion follows an earthquake in prison, leading to his famous question and immediate belief. Maciver then shifts to a theological exploration of conversion, defining it using Paul Helm's work as an awakening from sin to faith and repentance. He mentions other authors like John Murray and Gordon T. Smith, and outlines four aspects: regeneration by God's initiative, belief in Jesus Christ, repentance and faith, and transformation leading to a new life. Maciver notes additional elements like baptism, incorporation into Christian community, and discipleship, citing the growth of the Philippian church. He concludes by emphasizing conversion's variability—gentle or crisis-driven—and ends with a prayer and a call to believe in Jesus, referencing Psalm 19 and John 20:31.

As heard by us

Acts 16 is framed through divine direction, prison witness, and the jailer's urgent question.

This PlayNext single-episode review follows a sermon on Acts 16 as Paul and his companions arrive in Philippi after the Macedonian vision, then narrows to the jailer's conversion.

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Why you'd press play

You get Philippi, a prison earthquake, and a jailer's urgent question, with Acts 16 carrying the weight.

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