Today we pick up the story as Paul and his companions preached the gospel in the city of Philippi.
Much happened in this city as Paul and his companions brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.
Paul and his companion had met Lydia.
Scripture records at least THREE things about Lydia for us:
#1) She was a successful, wealthy businesswoman.
#2) She was devout Gentile woman who was earnestly praying, seeking, the Living God of the writings of the Israelites.
#3) She was sincere in her faith and generous with her possessions.
Her story is actually quite amazing!
God has declared- Jeremiah 29:13
You shall seek me, and shall find me: when you shall seek me with all your heart.
But ask yourself, how many others might be out there today, who might be seeking God, that God would reach through the sharing of the Gospel if you and I were more faithful to proclaim it?
Then in Acts 16: 16-17, we met a young girl, under demonic influence, who was being exploited by wicked men.
Though the girl may not have recognized the message of Paul and his companions – the evil spirit within her did!
“These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.”
Now someone may ask, why contradict or cast out this demon?
Luke writes that for several days it caused this woman to follow Paul and his companions validating the message they were sharing-
The demon’s declaration was true – but Paul also saw it for what it really was –
Consider what Satan might have done if this was left unchecked –
Consider the cults, false churches and wayward gospels taught in some congregations today –
Those who proclaim a salvation of works, or a righteousness that must be maintained by works, or a Savior who is not the Savior of scripture but one who has been redefined by the way and will of man.
What do you suppose, WHO do you suppose, benefits most by infiltrating the church, infiltratingthe truth, infiltrating the Gospel, just enough, that it is not the Gospel any longer?
Friends- This is why I so frequently encourage you to be in the Word of God.
This is why I chastise you, in love, and in pastoral authority for not participating in our Adult Education / Sunday School lessons.
We have Youth groups - Men’s groups – Women’s groups – Midweek home studies – WHY?!
And so, Paul could stand the demon’s tactic no longer and declared, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!”
And in the power of the name of the Lord Christ Jesus – the demon was forced to depart.
Friend’s such is the power of the name of the Risen Lord!
“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Call on the Name of Jesus - in His name there is rescue, strength, guidance and power.
Call on His name and give worship and praise to Him who is God’s only begotten. Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
Last week, Pastor Dennis proclaimed the essential truth- “We all need Jesus.” - Saved and Unsaved-
Yes, and Amen. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. “We all need Jesus.”
Acts 16:19-21 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities, 20 and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, 21 and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.”
Such is the case for those more motivated by love of gain in the world than motivated by fear of God in judgement.
Here were Paul and his companions sharing the message of SALVATION – But for these men, their priority was WORLDLY GAIN.
We have to ask ourselves – and others as we share the Gospel with them –
Success and security in the world? -OR- Salvation and security according to the Word of God?
The slave girl’s masters wasted no time in launching an attack on Paul and his companions.
They seized them and dragged them before the city authorities.
We should not be surprised at adversity from the world due to our sharing the Word of God!
The message of the world “Glory to self!” has been and will always be opposition to the message of the Gospel “Glory to God!”
Luke 12:11-12 Jesus “When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.”
It has been a common practice throughout the ages and around the world for those who proclaim Christ to be held in contempt by the courts of men.
Remember the Sanhedrin was the equivalent of a “Jewish Supreme Court”
Sadly, today, as love grows colder and hearts grow harder, this persecution is growing stronger, and has even now come to this nation of “freedom”
But fear not – and do not back away from the contempt of the world – remember the light that we shine forth is the light of truth and the message of salvation!
If then you or I are held in contempt by the world – Let that light shine – and let that truth be heard!
The men of Philippi brought charges against Paul and his companions from two fronts-
Acts 16:20-21 “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, 21 and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.”
The Jewish argument – Rome had no love for the Jews- especially this far out from Judea –
Historians believe Paul’s second missionary journey happened between 49-52AD.
So, their argument was against Paul and Silas, simply because they were Jewish. These men, “being Jews…” (with contempt) This is likely why Luke and Timothy were not arrested, being associated as Gentiles rather than Jews.
The Roman argument – The message they were promoting was for a religion that was not State sanctioned.
The message of the gospel is designed to offend the status quo of the world. –
Because the status quo of the world is humanity lost in its sin, worthy of the wrath of the living God – and heading for an eternity of judgment and suffering.
Acts 16:22-24 22 The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods.
23 When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; 24 and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Consider this, who was captive and who was free?
This was the thing the jailer would come to understand.
This is the thing we pray all who are captive to their sin will come to understand.
Without Faith – Without Repentance – Without Christ – All of mankind is held captive by sin.
John 8:34
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
Romans 6:20-21
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.
Let’s consider that captivity – when did we become slaves to sin?
It began with the greatest lie ever told mankind. The lie that was whispered by the serpent in the Garden of Eden.
There, Satan questioned the Word, the Authority and the Justness of the Living God.
In Genesis 3 – the serpent subtly twisted the word of God regarding which trees mankind could and could not eat from.
When Eve correctly answered that they could not eat of the tree in the middle of the garden or surely die – Satan then directly challenged the Word of God, the authority of God, and justness of God by suggesting, “You will not surely die.”
Friends hear me – this is the greatest lie ever told mankind – the lie that God will not bring forth judgement for sin.
And mankind believed the lie – hook, line and sinker.
And so mankind has been enslaved to sin ever since.
Mankind has been condemned because of sin ever since.
But God - chose to extend a plan of redemption - a plan of salvation - and made that redemption and salvation available to everyone who would acknowledge the truth- would turn from the lie – and cry out to him in faith for forgiveness.
AND FOR THOSE WHO DO- WE ARE NOW SET FREE!
Romans 6:22-23
But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Are you FREE of the power of sin and the judgment of death? FREE of the condemnation of sin? FREE to honor God and obey Christ Jesus?
Or are you still CAPTIVE to the lie and living by the ways of man, rather than the will of God.
I tell you - if you have turned to Jesus in your heart by FAITH – then know that your victory and your freedom is in He who died for the forgiveness of sin and rose again to assure eternal life to those who have trusted in him!
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.
It is within that freedom and the commitment to praise God in every circumstance – that Paul and Silas spent the evening in chains and shackles – embracing their adversity- and singing songs of praise and worship to God.
Adversity is defined as hardships, misfortune or difficult times.
Many Christians have believed another lie - That being a disciple of Christ means that our lives will have less adversity. That life will be easy.
I challenge you to find the biblical example of a person for whom this was true.
(*Story of the first man I led to Jesus-)
Hear me – being a follower of Jesus Christ does not mean you will have LESS adversity – Truth be told – the biblical picture is that because of your relationship with Christ – you will have MORE adversity in the world.
WHY? – Because you are no longer a part of the world
John 15:19 If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.
So, it's not that we who proclaim Christ will have less adversity – it is that we who are in Christ have the power to overcome it.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
In this way – we turn adversity into an expected partner in our walk as a Christian in this life.
In this way – we anticipate adversity – and in this way we have the power to choose how to respond to adversity – seeking the response that brings the most glory to God.
And this is just what Paul and Silas did.
Acts 16:25-26
25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.
All evening, the jailer and the other inmates were made to listen to Paul and Silas’ preaching, praising, worshipping of the Living God and Christ Jesus.
But the REALITY of the God these men sang to became evident in the moment that the ground shook, the doors swung open, and their chains fell free.
The jailer likely had a room in the prison for him to use as an office and place of rest during the night hours. Such would not be uncommon.
He had likely fallen asleep to the sound of Paul and Silas singing songs of praise.
He had likely wondered about this God they worshipped – who was so very different than the Greek Gods he was familiar with.
But then came the “wake-up call!”
Acts 16:27-30
27 When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!” 29 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
The Jailer was sure the prisoners had all escaped. As such, his life was forfeit. And rather than face the public trial and humiliation, and perhaps to spare that indignation on his household – he drew his sword and prepared to end his life.
NOTE THE GENEROSITY OF THE CHRISTIAN WAY!
Friends, who is our enemy?
Those who mock us? – Those who condemn us or seek our harm?
And yet- we are told not to hate our "enemies” – but to pray for them– because in opposing us – they are truly opposing God –
The oppose God because they still believe the greatest lie ever told mankind – that God will not judge sinners righteously.
But if they ever overcome believing that lie – to believing the truth of the Word of God – they just might ask the greatest question mankind has ever asked- “What must I do to be saved?”
Within the question 3 things are implied-
1) I believe that I am in NEED of saving.
2) I desire TO be saved.
3) And I am asking the Living God HOW can I be saved.
It is our desire and our prayer that all who are lost would come to that place of understanding.
It is our desire – because it is God’s desire!
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
What is the solution to the greatest lie ever told mankind?
What is the answer to the greatest question that mankind can ask?
Acts 16:31
31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
The lie was challenged God’s Word, His Authority, His Justness.
The question was how then can I be redeemed from the condemnation, the judgment of God against me for my rebellion against Him.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
You and I ‘chose’ – sin by sin – to separated ourselves from the blessing of God’s love.
God will cast no man into hell except him that has ‘chose’ to deny Him –
There is no offering that can be given, no work that can be done - that the guilty can provide to remove their own guilt or condemnation.
Therefore, it must be an offering from God – a work of God – which He did and accomplished with perfection on the cross in Christ Jesus.
How then may sinful, guilty, convicted man receive the redemption he could not obtain for himself?
What must he do – to be saved?
And the answer was – and is today – you must believe – by faith.
As God holds man accountable for his choice to reject the sovereignty of God –
So too does God bless man with redemption and eternal life - if by choice - he chooses to repent of his sin, believe and follow Christ Jesus in faith.
The Jailer’s response Acts 16:32-34
32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.
These passages record a beautiful image of a true conversion from death to life.
The Jailer became the host – the prisoner became the honored guest –
The message could not be contained – and for it's sharing – even more came to trust Jesus for salvation –
In humility and a heart’s desire to obey the word of God – new believers were baptized –
and added that day was another household to the family of God –
and there was rejoicing in that fellowship.
Acts 16:35-40 The Guilt of the Judges
35 Now when day came, the chief magistrates sent their officers, saying, “Release those men.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Therefore come out now and go in peace.”
37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us in public without trial, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they sending us away secretly? No indeed! But let them come themselves and bring us out.”
38 The officers reported these words to the chief magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that they were Romans, 39 and they came and appealed to them, and when they had brought them out, they kept begging them to leave the city.
40 They went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.
The magistrates decided the beating and night in prison was sufficient and meant to send Paul and his companions away –
The problem was – in their zeal – caught up in the frenzy – they had violated Roman law.
First – they had not afforded the men a trial – which was against Roman law
Second – because they had failed in their duties – they had publicly beaten and imprisoned two Roman citizens – for such were Paul and Silas.
THAT violation of Roman law if prosecuted could find the magistrates in prison themselves. Such was the protection of citizenship in the Roman Empire to due process.
Fortunately for them, Paul was not interested in vengeance – only in continuing his mission of sharing the gospel.
So, let me ask you – What are you interested in?
As we have seen – we can turn adversity into an ally if we stay focused on responding to adversity in such a way that glorifies God.
But what then? Where is your focus?
I pray that we, like Paul, find our focus in our mission.
As Ambassadors for Christ – to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God – and to be proclaimers of His truth to the lost –
praying that they may also one day recognize their dire need to be saved –
and that they would someday ask the greatest question mankind can ever ask – “WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED.”