Believe Acts 16 #saved #rescued #liberation #jail #chains #exploitati...

In Acts 16, Paul has come to a very unique city, a Roman colony, Philippi. It is located in present day Greece. There are very few Jews there, but there are some God-fearing women.

One of them, Lydia of Thyatira, becomes the first believer in Europe.

A little later, Paul is having a successful preaching ministry but is followed around by a very annoying young woman who is being exploited by her masters. Paul speaks a word of liberation to her, and she is set free to believe.

Something inevitable happens when the good news liberates people from their bondage

The profits of their masters dry up and the masters cry out.

If God’s people are bringing liberation to the lives of people, powers that be and industries of oppressive commerce will declare, “These men … are disturbing our city.”

They will hurl insults and ethnic slurs.
 
 They will call the prophetic word and its demonstration unlawful.

And they will be correct …. hopefully.

They may even cast the messengers of good news into prison.

“But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city.” Acts 16:19–20 ESV

God help us to disturb the city.

Paul and Silas, along with their friends are beaten and thrown into jail

Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. . — Acts 16:25

Prior to the coming of the message, the women were believing, but unaware of the full scope of God’s love and grace. The girl believed, but it was not liberated from her spiritual and outer bonds.

An earthquake comes and the chains fall off the prisoners

Now there is a jailer who is about to fall on his sword.

Acts 16:31 — And they said, “Believe on the Lord, Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

Here is an acronym for what it means to have saving faith:

B- Be convinced that God loves you and that Jesus died for your sins, rising again to give you eternal life. This is the gospel

E– Examine your life honestly in the light of God’s Word and admit your need of a Savior as a result of sin. The Holy Spirit will guide you through this process of conviction if you are open.

L– Let go of your sinful resistance and self-centered control of your life. Another word for this might be repentance , a turning from sin to God.

I– Invest your life completely in God. This is basic, gut-level trust and is necessary for the new life in Christ. Express this change of heart to God in prayer.

E– Eternalize your values. Stop adding up your assets the old way. Understand that eternal reality is true reality and that only what lasts forever is worth our lives.

V– Visualize a new life of freedom, forgiveness, and fullness based upon God’s grace, mercy, and power. This is the beginning of the exercise of faith in your life.

E– Embody the life of Christ within you by receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, His indwelling presence. This is a new birth.

Listen to the whole message:

 

Recap and Precap

Paul’s Imprisonment and Roman Punishment System The discussion begins with Paul’s imprisonment, highlighting that Roman incarceration was temporary, often leading to execution or release. Romans preferred fines, exile, or death over long-term imprisonment. The concept of penitentiaries for rehabilitation emerged later. Paul, likely jailed in a rented house, exemplifies Roman practices. The narrative transitions to Paul and Silas singing hymns in prison, showcasing their faith and resilience.

Faith and Belief in Adversity Paul and Silas, despite being imprisoned, prayed and sang hymns, demonstrating their unwavering faith. Their actions influenced other prisoners and the jailer, who, after an earthquake, sought salvation. Paul emphasized belief in Jesus for salvation, leading to the jailer’s conversion and baptism of his household. This narrative illustrates the power of faith in dire circumstances and its ability to inspire and transform others.

The Concept of Belief and Salvation The speaker explores the nature of belief and salvation, using an acronym for ‘believe’ to guide understanding. Key points include being convinced of God’s love, examining one’s life, letting go of resistance, investing in faith, and embodying Christ’s life. The narrative emphasizes that belief is not about perfection but starting a new path, with the jailer’s story serving as a practical example of transformation through faith.

The Role of Faith in Community and Personal Transformation The narrative highlights the communal aspect of faith, as seen in the jailer’s household conversion and the support from Lydia’s community. The speaker underscores the transformative power of faith, which leads to personal and communal liberation. The story of the jailer and his family illustrates how faith can bring about profound change, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose within a community.

The Message of Jesus and Eternal Life The speaker concludes with a message about Jesus’ promise of eternal life, emphasizing the importance of belief in Jesus for salvation. The narrative includes a call to embody the life of Christ and to live with the hope of eternal life. The speaker encourages listeners to embrace this message, highlighting the transformative power of faith and the promise of eternal life as central to Christian belief.