Prison Praises

Are you like me? I can only truly focus on one thing at a time if I really want to be effective.

A Testimony for Christ

How is joy possible in the prison-house? Only through a heart attuned to the spiritual rather than the physical.

Philippians 4:11–13 KJV 1900

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

It is curious to see an NFL player with millions, quoting Phil. 4:13 to say that he can overcome on the football field. I hate to spoil it, but that’s not what Paul was talking about.

Paul was focused on the spiritual over the physical. He could be content with any physical outcome, because of the spiritual truths in which he placed his faith.

A Terrifying Situation

Fear, chaos, even an opportunity to be freed faced the prisoners, but they were not focused on the storms around them.

A Time for Salvation

Do not think for a moment that there was not enough said for the man to be saved. He had already displayed repentance and his need for Christ. Now he needed only the Gospel to be able to place His faith in Christ.

Anything lacking in the text was no doubt supplied to this man through the ready explanation of Paul and Silas.

Lord — The Heavenly Title

The Supreme One

Jesus — The Human Title

The Saving One

Christ — The Hebrew Title

He is the Sufficient One

Prophet, Priest, and King

Nothing could distract Paul and Silas from Praising and Preaching. They were so focused on the Lord Jesus Christ that the prison house wasn’t even in their vision. They could only see the blood-stained cross, the empty tomb, and the glorified Savior that they served.

Where is your focus?