Saul Bellow Every morning and every evening the head of a Jewish John Piper Feb 12, 1989. By John Raulerson Life is filled with close calls and narrow escapes' The Voice In A Close Call Acts 16:10-34 We were entering the highway at an entrance notorious as a black spot for fatal accidents. 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. So, what are the theological points Luke is trying to make? and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyones bonds were loosened (v. 26b). Very often, fear of humiliation is a significant factor in suicide. Philippi is in a seismically active area, so it would not be unusual to experience an earthquake therealthough an earthquake this violent would be unusual. They were sure nothing can stop them from fulfilling their mission in Philip (unless God changed His mind). This is exactly what Paul and his companions have come to do. So, on this final Sunday of Easter, when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, and the power of God to bring new life to us all, what are the chains that hold you? Baptist. Paul and Silas are bloodied from a beating, cast into a dark cell and fastened by the feet in stocks. Two weeks ago we looked at the story of Jonathan and his armor bearer charging the Philistines. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's chains came loose. (16:6-7) 645. "You talk?" But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Dont harm yourself, for we are all here (v. 28). But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God (v. 25a). No matter what your need is **HELPING A LITTLE GIRL Lutheran. Robert Frost When the angel delivered Peter from prison in an earlier instance, Herod executed the guards for dereliction of duty (12:19). I seek to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. **HELPING A LITTLE GIRL Chapel 3 from Acts 16:25-34 She has "a spirit of divination," and because of her gifts of prophecy, her handlers have been able to amass a good deal of money from her powers of prognostication. Some are born again, some are born again and again and again (that describes me and Im not done yet.) Instead, just as Jesus accusers did, they concoct misleading charges to make it easier to get a guilty verdict. Thaddeus Quince and the New Originals However, even though Peter was bound with chains and sleeping between two soldiers, an angel freed him (12:6-11). When you are treated wrongly, entrust your soul to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. Catherine Mowry LaCugna 16 And it came to pass as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed It is midnight, literally and figuratively, the darkest hour, and you might expect that Paul and Silas would be down in the dumps, but no, they are singing hymns about Jesus, so that the other prisoners can hear. This woman, who is a slave to demonic spirits and evil men, recognizes that Paul and his companions are slaves to the Most High God. Paul and Silas in Prison. This procedure is designed, in part, to separate the process from mob rule and to give the accused a fair trial before impartial judges. When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely (v. 23). The only thing different is, that you finally became aware of it. Mark, Luke, and John for your sermon, homily, bible study, or reflection. Introduction Acts 16:25-34, Denomination: But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace (agoran) before the rulers (archontas) (v. 19). G.F. Handel Luke 17:11-37; 18:15-34 Topic: People To Meet, Lessons To Learn. Donald Bloesch Scripture: Acts 3:19, Acts 16:31. All was lost. A. I would like to thank Pastor Jerry Shirley for sharing this series on Acts. Mark Twain Michael Connelly People Listen In Different Wayscan You Reach All Of Them. The surfer cant make the wave, however. God speaks in a special and personal way in close calls today. John Coltrane Charles Dickens Matthew 22:17. Acts 16:16-34Open Doors. About the Book of Acts in general: The author of the Book of Acts is Luke. In todays sermon, I am going to present to you four principles that make Christian ministry effective as seen in Acts 16:16-34. Paul and Silas are still in Philippi, where we left them last week. IN OTHER WORDS, CHOICES, THE ENVIRONMENT OF CHOICE The quest for fame is a great distraction, (not to mention lusting after riches and women). Scripture: Acts 16:25-34. and brought them out (v. 30). JESUS WAS TEACHING HIS DISCIPLES AND HE STOPS AND SAYS You see, that will be the day that I die. Because of the we passages in 16:10-16, some scholars believe that Luke (the author of this book) is also part of Pauls party. When God says "no" it's because He wants what's best for us. By John Raulerson read more, Scripture: Do they now release us secretly? The guy goes into the backyard and sees a black mutt just sitting there. He has a greater purpose that we often do not understand. Witness how God can ta, When The Chains Come Off - Acts 16:16-34 - May 22, 2011 Thomas Merton Second, the spiritual powers to which this girl has access are demonic. verses 16 - 18) Arnold Kenseth The book of Acts emphasizes the power and abilities of the leaders of the Jesus movement. JESUS WAS TEACHING HIS DISCIPLES AND HE STOPS AND SAYS Our daughter, in the seventh grade at the time, had had a terrible day with some friends at school. Gail Godwin Unable to shift positions, prisoners would grow more uncomfortable by the minute. John Piper Feb 12, 1989. When Gods servant seeks fame the scope of his ministry is shifted from God to himself. soothsaying. Dire Straits The duumvirs would be two men appointed by Rome to administer the civil affairs of the city. He is on the lookout for people who will be obedient to Him and step out by faith and follow. They are probably duumvirs, a word that comes from the Roman duo (meaning two) and vir (meaning man). He then brought them out and asked, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. ACTS 16:25-30 And at midnight Paul and Silas Are you Dreaming of an effective ministry? 20When they had brought them to the magistrates (Greek: strategois), they said, These men, being Jews, are agitating our city, 21and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans. 22The multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore their clothes off of them, and commanded them to be beaten with rods. Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (v. 30). Because of the "we" passages in 16:10-16, some scholars believe that Luke (the author of this book) is also part of Paul's party. Her Declaration concerning Paul and His mission and 3. This is Paul's Second Missionary Journey (49-52 A.D.) as recorded in Acts 15:30 - 18:21. Use this children's sermon in your kids church, Sunday School, or children's ministry teaching. It's Lent! Luke gives us no information concerning the content of these prayers, but the hymn-singing makes it clear that Paul and Silas are anything but depressed, defeated prisoners. In a world where Christian ministry has become a profession, most ministers cant help but succumb to these distractions. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for .Download the Sunday School lessons below. A guy sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog for Sale." The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Acts 16:16-30, People have always longed to know what the future holds but we don't need to know the future - we just need to know He who holds the future in His hands! The jailer demonstrates his new faith by taking care of their wounds and by being baptized. Not only have Paul and Silas remained in prison, but the other prisoners have done the same. This verse probably summarizes a longer proclamation. Because he wanted Jonathan to pick a direction and go. Dorothy Sayers Suddenly How do we stand strong during persecution? Fyodor Dostoyevsky Seeing that the jailer would commit suicide if they escaped, Paul and Silas chose his life and salvation over their own liberation (Acts 16:25-34). Look up John 10:9 and compare Luke 13:24-27. Life is full of uncertainties but God's commitment to you is unwavering! Sting Bach I want to conclude my message with three applications I was able to draw from this great passage of scripture. Like Lydia earlier (v. 15), these new converts extend genuine hospitality to Paul and Silas. Acts . "Yep," the mutt replies. "Giving thanks always for all things to God" (Eph 5:20) b. Paul said, "abound with thanksgiving" (Col. 2:7) c. It is God's will that we be thankful - "in everything give thanks" (1 The. In Continue reading "Commentary on Acts 16:16-34" "Nathan, that bee is more afraid of you than you are of him," she said. A vision of a man from Macedonia (modern-day Greece) caused Paul and Silas to cross the Aegean Sea to go there (16:9-12). I have known some very powerful people in my time, captains of industry, rich people, famous people. ACTS 16:25-30 And at midnight Paul and Silas Paul and Silas show us four aspects of a right response to wrong treatment. This parallels the situation that Jesus faced, where the crowd demanded that he be punished and the authorities bowed to the demands of the crowd (Luke 23). It was one of those times in scripture when God said not just yes but maybe. They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be . They also accuse Paul and Silas of being Jews, which of course is true. It was one of those times in scripture when God said not just yes but maybe. read more, Scripture: When the jailer relays that information to Paul and Silas, Paul says, They have beaten us publicly, without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! [Image: Marnie Pix] 1. Marva Dawn Sermon, "Voices from Prison: Paul and Silas," Acts 16:16-40 July 15, 2018 Sermon 7/15/18 . As the story continues, the disciples are still in Philippi, where they will be for the balance of chapter 16. An Invitation Requires Truth C. V. 23b The Sentence - These men were cast into the prison. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. - It is important that you and I understand the power of an invitation The Greek word doulos means bond-servant or slave. read more, Scripture: People believed that this oracle provided divinely inspired wisdom to humans, so Greeks associated the python with divine inspiration. Acts 16:16-25. Some are once born and never experience conversion but still know and follow Jesus. Soren Kierkegaard Pick a strong hymn reminding you whos in charge, such as All Hail the Power of Jesus Name or Jesus Shall Reign Whereer the Sun, which we are blessed to get to sing today. He calls out to reassure the jailer that all the prisoners are still present. This is Pauls Second Missionary Journey (49-52 A.D.) as recorded in Acts 15:30 18:21. Life is full of uncertainties but God's commitment to you is unwavering! Paul understands the pressure that the jailer is under and the possibility that he will commit suicide. Her Declaration concerning Paul and His mission and 3. Then things get ugly. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. read more, Scripture: who, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks (v. 24). IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE NOTE OF THE PRINCIPLE THAT CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES. This shifting of scope is capable of bringing an effective Christian ministry down to its knees. Are the magistrates (strategois) of this verse the same officials as the authorities (archontas) of verse 19? To believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is to ENTER into the fold by Him. From Satans Slave to Gods Servant: Acts 16:16-24. St. Anselm of Canterbury The spirit of Python will squeeze the joy out of your worship & praise.find out how to to get victory over this subtle destroyer. Joni Mitchell *other. Using an earthquake for his purposes, God opens the prison doors and unfastens the prisoners chains so that Paul and Silas are free to escape. For Jews Salvation meant deliverance from sin. IT WAS A BAD SITUATION I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her (v. 18b). Jesus had cast demons from men into pigs nearby (Matt. Acts 16:16-26. Your email address will not be published. This chapter records Pauls encounter with Lydia, the successful businesswoman (16:11-15) and his encounter with a slave-girl (16:16-18) women from opposite ends of the social and economic scale. If we aren't willing to tell them about Jesus, how can we ever invite them to experience all that He has for them? ), which the WEB has updated. The prisoners must have all ran At midnight, the darkness would be all-encompassing. read more, Scripture: Acts 16:29-34, Denomination: Let us all make a note to ourselves that in our most difficult time, at our darkest hour, we could take a page from their book and just sing a good hymn. There is a slave girl, a fortune teller with a spirit of divination. A spirit of divination is a pretty good dynamic equivalent English translation, but we lose something cool from the Greek which is pneuma pythonos, literally the spirit of the python, the snake that was the symbol of the prophetesses at the oracle of Apollo at Delphi. He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard. And the jailer cleaned their wounds. Acts 16:11-40, I Believe who proclaim to us a way of salvation (v. 17c). Pentecost. All Videos Images Commentaries Devotionals Other Translations Sermons Related Scriptures Podcasts Blogs. They accuse Paul and Silas of creating a public disturbancea charge that city officials must take seriously no civil official can tolerate a public disturbance. (v. 27). Gerard Manley Hopkins Finally, Luke sees the Gospel as shaking foundations, disrupting conventions, and overturning proscriptions. A Sermon by Alex Evans, Pastor. The book of Acts is the report of early Christians who had faith to do these greater things that Jesus promised. The prisoners must have all ran Hans W. Frei read more, Scripture: A) IN JAIL FOR read more, Scripture: God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him Learn more about Desiring God Ways to Follow. Model sermons available on Lifeway.com, in biblical order. Through prayers of course, (James 5:13). John Calvin When God says "no" it's because He wants what's best for us. . The note about ordering the jailer to keep them safely helps to set up the later scene where an earthquake sets them free. Surfing requires a surfable wave. Sermon 2/24/19 Acts 15:1-31 A Way Forward: Which Way? The 95-year-old Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away on Saturday at 9:34 AM in his residence at the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery. All Rights Reserved. Here, Luke describes a demon properly identifying Paul and Silas as slaves of God. We get very excited at individual miracles which are not wrong by the way but not seeing that it is just a small component of a much bigger plan is dangerous because failure to grab the full picture means chances are high that we will backslide in ministry. a. Furiously they accused Paul and Silas of tyranny, B. The Importance of Preparation in the Ministry of Preaching. His family is also baptized, in keeping with a tradition that the head of a family can make a decision that is binding on the whole family. And this is what Lukes story tells us, that the power of the Risen Christ can not only transform us, but can break our self-made chains and our locked prison doors and set us free. John Piper Nov 11, 2007. Download the teaching notes, gather your object . Lydia was both financially prosperous and socially independent. Dave Mallett Chapel 3 from Acts 16:25-34 The Gerasene demoniac (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39). Luke, the author of Acts, believed in the power of Jesus and his Gospel not only to transform lives, but to make extraordinary things happen and we have several of them in our story.