Acts 16:16-40 - Demons & Dungeons

Introduction

Thanksgiving

I pray you had a wonderful time!

And I pray you are getting into the Christmas Spirit

Communion at the end of service

Last Week

Calling

Conversion of Lydia - First recorded convert in Europe

The Text - Acts 16:16-40

Part 1: The Demon Possessed Girl (v.16-24)

Christ rules over all the forces of evil

Paul was only able to cast out this demon through the power of Christ.

Mark 9:29 ESV

29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Part 2: Paul and Silas in Prison (v.25-34)

Songs and Hymns - they can bring encouragement to the soul

Something about singing your heart out to God in times of trouble brings healing

We need to hear one another sing!

We need to encourage one another with our singing

All you have to do is believe (v.30-31)

The most comforting words in scripture

Verse 31: You and your household - the faith of a father (or lack their of) guides a family

“if a child is the first person in a household to become a Christian, there is a 3.5% probability everyone else in the household will follow. If the mother is the first to become a Christian, there is a 17% probability everyone else in the household will follow. However, when the father is first, there is a 93% probability everyone else in the household will follow.”

Part 3: Paul and Silas released (v.35-40)

Paul wanted to be released publically so that the population would see that he was in-prisoned wrongly

They cared about their reputation and the reputation they were leaving of the gospel

Application

Christ rules over all forces of evil

Singing songs and hymns encourages our souls and one another

The faith of a father guides a family