Paul & Silas in Prison

Intro

We are going to jump right into our story today (Acts 16:16-40)

Lucas told me I always start with a joke… now I can’t think of one!

The Book of Acts is big, and we are moving ahead in chunks

I will do my best to give you the “Cole’s Notes” in between

Better yet if you read along on your own to fill in the blanks

Where in the World is Apostle Paul?

Paul is now on his second missionary journey, but this time with a new partner (Silas)

After returning to Antioch in Syria, Paul spent some good time there

Eventually went to Jerusalem with Barnabas to attned the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)

Apostles needed to decide how many Jewish customs Gentile converts would be required to adhere to

Read Acts 15:28-29.

Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch with the letter (and with brothers Judas and Silas)

Judas and Silas encouraged the church and returned home

When it came time for Paul to go on another missionary journey, he needed a new partner

He and Barnabas disagree about John Mark (who left partway through the first journey)

Barnabas takes John Mark back to Cyprus (encourage churches planted the first time), while Paul takes Silas with him through Syria and Cilicia (also strengthening churches)

How did they get to Philippi? Time to play another round of “Where in the World is the Apostle Paul?”

Start in Antioch -> Syria and Cilicia (strengthening churches)

Arrive back in Derbe and Lystra (picked up Timothy and delivered the Jerusalem Council letter)

The Spirit discouraged them from going to Bithynia, so they trekked all the way to Troas

Here Paul receives a vision of a man asking them to come to Macedonia

They (including Luke) sail from Troas to the island of Samonthrace and then Neapolis -> Philippi

Philippi = important Roman colony (named after Alexander the Great’s father Phillip II)

Larger city, influential in the province, steeped in Roman culture; very small Jewish population

Here they meet (and convert) Lydia, and continue to preach the gospel

The Story

As they go about sharing the Good News of Jesus, a slave girl starts following them around

Not just any girl; she is possessed by an evil spirit that allows her to divine the future

Her owners make a fortune from her fortune-telling

She follows Paul and Silas around shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” (Acts 16:17)

Continues a trend in the NT of spirits acknowledging the identity (and superiorty) of Jesus Christ

Also bugs the living daylights out of Paul… casts out the demon because he was annoyed! (Greatly annoyed in v. 18)

Like a younger sibling saying the same word/noise over and over

Perhaps the first and only miracle done from the motivation of annoyance...

The slave girl’s owners don’t take kindly to the miracle, because they lose their means of income

Miracles always demand a response; this one is sefish and hostile

They drag Paul and Silas before the local Roman authorities and accuse them of :

Being Jewish (clear minority)

Disturbing the city (miracles have a way of inciting a crowd)

Advocating customs Romans shouldn’t practice (twisting of the Gospel message)

A crowd (read: mob) joins in, and the magistrates order them beaten with rods and thrown in jail

Put in the inner part of the prison and fastened in stocks

How did Paul and Silas respond? By worshipping God

They were “praying and singing hymns to God” (v. 25)

Not necessarily asking for release, but praising God for who He is

Because God never changes, even when our circumstances do

Prisoners were listening to them (ministry never stopped)

As they are singing, a great earthquake shakes the foundations, opens the doors and loosens all the prisoners’ bonds

No, not a freak accident; another miracle

The jailer believes everyone must have escaped, and is about to take his own life

Paul speaks up and tells him everyone is still here (bigger sense of freedom)

The response of the jailer shows he is aware something more is going on: Read Acts 16:30.

How do Paul and Silas respond? Read Acts 16:31.

They speak the world of the Lord (share the Gospel) with the jailer and his entire house, who accept this message and are baptized

Everyone hears; everyone has a chance to respond

The newly converted jailer attends to the wounds of the missionaries and shares a meal with them

They are now family, in a certain way of speaking

When the word comes to release the prisoners, Paul shows some… pettiness

He reveals He is a Roman citizen and was illegally detained without due process

Authorities fearful because they could get in trouble if found out

They personally let Paul and Silas go, being concilliatory… still ask them to leave town

Singing in the Storm

The enduring image of this story is of Paul and Silas, shackled in prison, singing hymns to God; they are singing in the storm

No matter their circumstances (suffering was to be expected)

God is always worthy of our praise because of who He is, not what He gives us

He is above our storms, and is unchanging in His holiness, majesty, mercy and love

Are we able to follow the example of Paul and Silas and sing in the storm?

Talk about losing Jamie and Jordan; Jordan’s parents at the funeral; “You give and take away”

How is it possible to praise God in this way? Because Jesus is greater, and our story gives us all the proof we should need

Jesus is Greater

Jesus is greater than the spiritual realm

Remember how this story began; Paul exorcised a demon from an annoying slave girl… in the name of Jesus”

The name of Jesus is greater than any other name

Cf. Philippians 2:9.

This includes any spiritual adversary

Demons must obey; they know the pecking order

Satan must resort to deception; Jesus’ power is much greater

If you feel under spiritual attack, pray in the name (and superiority) of Jesus to be free

Talk about combating fear early as an RA

Jesus is greater than the natural realm

How were Paul and Silas freed? A foundation-rattling earthquake

Just as Jesus calmed the storm on the sea of Galillee, he is greater then the world

Cf. Philippians 2:10.

Remind of NLC praying for rain

Jesus is greater than sin and death

What did Paul say when asked by the jailer how to be saved? Believe in the LORD Jesus

Lord = master = superiority

Cf. Philippians 2:11.

Believing in the Lordship of Jesus is believing that He has overcome sin and death through the cross and His resurrection

Explain the Gospel

Conclusion

It is ONLY possible to sing in the storms of life when you trust that Jesus is greater

Greater than your storm

Spiritual, natural, even sin and death

Wrap up with singing praises with/to Mom on her deathbed

It is possible, all because of who Jesus is (pray)