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. and set forth customs which it is not lawful (v. 21a). Lesson 42: The Urgent Question (Acts 16:25-34) A four-year-old boy was outdoors when a bee starting buzzing around a table nearby. ; Luke is a travel companion of the Apostle Paul. Apostolic, THIS PASSAGE PRESENTS US WITH SEVERAL SCENARIOS, EACH OF WHICH PRESENTS PAUL AND BY INFERENCE US WITH THE OPPORTUNITY OF CHOICE. ROBERT RAYBURN SERMONS BOOK OF ACTS. Why did God say maybe? But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God (v. 25a). Lesson 20 - Luke 21:1-38 . It's kind of These men are servants of the Most High God (v. 17b). Her Declaration concerning Paul and His mission and 3. To her owners, this girl is nothing but a money machine. **FOR PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD Paul was well aware of this, (1 Thessalonians 2:6-7). Very often, fear of humiliation is a significant factor in suicide. 26Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyones bonds were loosened. 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! Are you Dreaming of an effective ministry? One Small Change Will Energize Tomorrow's Sermon, Slow Down, Big Fellawhat A Motorcyclist Taught Me About Preaching, Spit-Shine Tomorrow's Sermon Before You Go To Bed Tonight. They met Lydia, a seller of purple, there, and baptized her and her family (16:11-15). Fleming Rutledge It was one of those times in scripture when God said not just yes but maybe. The boldness and attitude of Paul and Silas should speak to us. We cant be sure. The only thing different is, that you finally became aware of it. ACTS 16:16-30 Lee Lever says: May 12, 2016 at 12:04 pm Reinhold Niebuhr 16It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit of divination (Greek: pneuma pythonaa python spirit) met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortune telling (Greek: manteuomeneprophesying). Mark, Luke, and John for your sermon, homily, bible study, or reflection. read more, Scripture: Children's Sermon (Acts 16:16-34) Paul and Silas in Prison. Introduction "You talk?" They are not powerful. The authorities would typically imprison anyone whom they had first flogged. Richard Wilbur All Sermons Bible Studies Devotionals Prayers. Luke Dexter Gordon Intro: Having lost in a fire virtually everything they owned, the Spafford family made new plans, including a move from Chicago to France.Horatio Spafford planned the trip for his wife and four daughters to be as trouble-free as possible. Paul and Silas use the jailers question as an opportunity to proclaim the Gospel to him. Besides, if that bee stings you, his stinger will . How do we stand strong during persecution? Mark Twain 32-34 They went on to spell out in detail the story of the Masterthe entire family got in on this part. There are the school doors, the office doors, the church doors as well as the elevator door, revolving doors, and automatic doors. Acts 19. Joy to the World. William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie It is similar to Peters salvation formula at Pentecost, Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (2:38). Luke shares the story of her divination (enslavement) 2. 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). But Lukes story leaves no doubt who he thinks is really free and who isnt. Acts 21. Every morning and every evening the head of a Jewish Look up John 10:9 and compare Luke 13:24-27. Folks, May 7th, in the year of our Lord 2044, will surely be a momentous day in my life. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN DOING GOOD AND THE DEVIL JUMP ON YOU? Fyodor Dostoyevsky verses 16 - 18) He called for lights and sprang in, and, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas (v. 29). My Top Ten Posts of 2022 | When I Survey . The Gospel erases all those previously important social distinctions. (16:6) 642. Who directed the missionaries away from Asia? Penal Statistics Data reports that Because he wanted Jonathan to pick a direction and go. ), The Lectionary Commentary: Theological Exegesis for Sundays Text. The prisoners must have all ran He was a walking dead man. Acts . The Greek word doulos means bond-servant or slave. Witness how God can ta, When The Chains Come Off - Acts 16:16-34 - May 22, 2011 "Most High" often referred to . Our daughter, in the seventh grade at the time, had had a terrible day with some friends at school. June 29, 2014 They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be Psalm 65:11, Acts 16:26, Denomination: Gerard Manley Hopkins This is one of several we passages in the book of Acts (see also 16:10-15; 20:5-8, 13-15; 21:1-18; 27:1 28:16). IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE NOTE OF THE PRINCIPLE THAT CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES. The Bible teaches us by direct command to be grateful. **THEY WERE BEAT WITH MANY STRIPES They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be Picture for a moment how many doors we walk through every day- the bedroom door, the bathroom door, the front door, the back door, the car door, and the garage door. P.D. This appears to be the same place of prayer where they earlier encountered Lydia (16:13). Marva Dawn The crowd of people were angry and the judges tore off Silas and Paul's coats and commanded that they be beaten. . Colin Gunton read more, Scripture: He had the knife in his hand, and he was about to kill himself. This is the point. John Irving read more, Scripture: The jailer demonstrates his new faith by taking care of their wounds and by being baptized. ACTS 16:16-30 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. Luke has already told us about the baptism of Cornelius and all those who were with him (10:44-48) and of Lydia and her household (16:15). When God says "no" it's because He wants what's best for us. Paul would not disagree with her characterization. Invitations, Part 6 The jailers question can be understood on two levels. Perhaps Paul and Silas persuaded them to stay. Saul Bellow Catherine Mowry LaCugna Acts: 1: Sharing Christ in All Places : 1:1-14: While You Wait : 2:21-42: A New Community : 4:23-36: A Winning Witness : Inviting others means that we must be willing to tell them the truth. Mozart being Jews (v. 20b). He calls us to present your members as servants to righteousness for sanctification (Romans 6:19). When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely (v. 23). Exercise the freedom in which Christ has set you free! Amen. John Piper Feb 12, 1989. Her Declaration concerning Paul and His mission and 3. It was through this chaotic situation the church of Philip was born, B. Acts 8:14-17 says this now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who . Sermon Excerpt: Acts 16:16-34. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved (v. 31). Acts 16:25-30, Denomination: 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? They never did get to bed that night. Lesson 42 - Paul's Vision of the Man of Macedonia - Acts 16:6-10 641. We live in a time when American citizenship and patriotism are too often wedded to Christian discipleship, or at least confused with discipleship. To believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is to COME TO HIM. The book of Acts is the report of early Christians who had faith to do these greater things that Jesus promised. He became very upset, and his mother tried to calm him. a. 2. It's based on the miraculous earthquake in Acts 16 where God opens the jail doors for Silas and Paul. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. Paul and Silas make it clear to the jailer that his household can enjoy the same salvation that they are offering him. And I can assure you having power and money doesnt make you free, much less happy or secure. IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE NOTE OF THE PRINCIPLE THAT CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES. Scott Hubbard Dec 3, 2021. Each of these stories is different and particular in the same way that each of our stories with God are different and particular. 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, He is on the lookout for people who will be obedient to Him and step out by faith and follow. Acts 16:11-40 Permission is granted for non-profit use of these materials. He washed them from their stripes, and was himself washed from his sins (quoted in Bruce, 318). The Gerasene demoniac (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39). The Key teachings of Jesus Christ are focused on Faith and Love. Kapitulli 2: (Christ) Rescue of the Lost Lamb. It seems likely that their prayers are prayers of praise and petitions for guidance rather than prayers for release. with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by And this is where it gets really interesting. * This morning, as we gather for worship, delegates from the United Methodist Church around the world are gathered in St. Louis for the Special Session of General Conference. This shifting of scope is capable of bringing an effective Christian ministry down to its knees. The jailer made them feel at home, dressed their wounds, and thenhe couldn't wait till morning!was baptized, he and everyone in his family. How did God guide the missionaries in their travels? Read the Bible Acts 2:21. Katherine Sonderegger, Adam Desnoyers Chapel 3 from Acts 16:25-34 Jesus Heals a Man Unable to Speak. No matter what your need is George Herbert The only thing different is, that you finally became aware of it. The jailer is ordered to "guard them carefully.". But, as we will see in the next verse, Paul and Silas hear the jailers question as having to do with his eternal salvation. Acts 16:25-34 HCSB. Acts 16. Acts 16:16-40, Denomination: It was time to end it. Paul is accompanied by Silas (15:37-38), and they are later joined by young Mark (16:1). Acts 16:16-18, Denomination: The Manner Of Paul The Apostle Acts 17: 1-9. . Life is full of uncertainties but God's commitment to you is unwavering! This us represents the last we passage in Acts until 10:6, leaving us to wonder if Luke drops out at this point. Here are some reflections from a sermon I preached in 2010. John 14:21. **HELPING A LITTLE GIRL read more, Scripture: But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Dont harm yourself, for we are all here (v. 28). Last week I preached about Lydia, the Gentile businesswomen, who was the first Christian convert in Europe. 16-34 " Pingback: Sermon Excerpt: Acts 16:16-34 | Spacious Faith. It happened, as we were going to prayer (v. 16a). A guy sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog for Sale." They did not shrink in fear from the challenge of being inside prison walls, whether as inmates or missionaries. Paul and his companions found a place of prayer outside the city of Philippi on the sabbath (16:13). 17Following Paul and us, she cried out, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of salvation! 18She was doing this for many days. Jesus (c. 4 BC - AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Roman born Jewish preacher and religious leader; he is the central figure of Christianity, the world's largest religion.Most Christians believe he is the incarnation of God the Son and the awaited Messiah (the Christ) prophesied in the Hebrew Bible. The jailer, on the other hand, is not free. God speaks in a special and personal way in close calls today. Did you ever notice something and it seems so suddenly new, but then you discover that it's always been there. Acts 16:16-40, Denomination: 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. It was the court case that paved the way for the desegregation of our school systems. This introduced the Gospel to the continent of Europe for the first time (Turkey is in Asia and Greece is in Europe). "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. These men, being Jews, are agitating our city (v. 20b). When you do, nothing can prevent you from moving forward. Home > Resources > Sermons > Acts. Acts 2:1-4. It might seem odd that this jailer did not examine the cells carefully before deciding to kill himself, but people under great stress often panicand this jailer is certainly panicked. When God says "no" it's because He wants what's best for us. Acts 2:1-21 Pentecost; Acts 2:14-41 The First Sermon in the Last Days; Acts 2:36-41 Becoming a Christian; Acts 2:42-47 A New Community; A. T. ROBERTSON Word Pictures on Acts. A Very Real Enemy N.T. I have known some very powerful people in my time, captains of industry, rich people, famous people. Life is full of uncertainties but God's commitment to you is unwavering! What is the most important question ever to ask? B. Distracted by Many Things A Sermon on Luke 10:38-42, God Gives the Growth: A Retirement Sermon, When the Spirit comes A Sermon for Pentecost, Pity the Nation A Poem for our Time by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, The God Who Still Speaks A Sermon on John 16:12-15, We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace A Devotion on Psalm 23:4, We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace, Your Sons and Your Daughters Shall Prophesy, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Then things get ugly. IT WAS A BAD SITUATION As this story continues through the end of chapter 16, the following morning the magistrates send word to the jailer to let Paul and Silas go. Witness how God can ta, When The Chains Come Off - Acts 16:16-34 - May 22, 2011 Paul's Sermon To the Athenians . 2. Sermons from the Book of Acts. Psalm 65:11, Acts 16:26, Denomination: In Acts 16:16, Paul continues his search for a "place of prayer," but again is sidetracked, but this time by a woman of a very different sort. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken (v. 26a). Chris Botti By John Raulerson Commentary on Acts 16 16 34.