Philippians Supernatual Start Acts 16:6-34

This morning we are going to start a series in the book of Philippians

It has been a few weeks since I last preached,

so I am pretty fired up to be able to back up here and deliver the message this morning.

The book of Philippians is sometimes refereed to as the friendship letter.

And as we unpack the letter in the weeks to come you will understand why this is the case.

This morning I am going to start our series a little different than how many would start a series on a particular book.

Instead of going to Philippians I am going to have you turn with me to Acts 16.

We are going to Acts 16 because Luke describes the account of how the church in Philippi was started.

I am a firm believer that the more background you can have of someone’s story,

the more depth you can glean from that story.

I love hearing people’s life stories,

(the good the bad, victories and losses)

when I know the back story it is easier to understand the why… (The reason) {my wife}

Because we don’t know the history that led us to the present,

we can miss the significance of the moment.

In the same way,

we can read a book like Philippians,

and miss some of the heart behind the letter and the depth in which Paul writes to his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

This morning I am going to walk you through the story of how the church in Philippi was started some 2,000 years ago...

Acts 16, Luke descirbes what is Paul’s second missionary journey.

Paul is accompanied by three other men who’s names are Silas, Timothy, and Luke.

Acts 16:6–12 ESV

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.

We read Luke describing how the Holy Spirit is leading Paul and the 3 others,

to East Macedonia to the city of Philippi.

Psalm 37:23 NLT

23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

The Holy Spirit leads the men not to go to Asia and not to go Bithynia....

(Example) God puts something on your heart… (Directs our steps) [Can’t direct a parked car]

Paul and his friends continued moving and then God spoke to Paul in a vision and because of that vision they are led to the city of Philippi.

This is an important part of the story.... (Paul is led by God in a vision) [When you know where God led you… you can endure]

Story of Calvary Wausau… God put it on my heart of someone’s marriage to not give up

Isaiah 50:7 ESV

7 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

Because Paul knew that God had led him to Philippi he was positioned to face the battle that was to come.

Acts 16:13–15 ESV

13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Things starting off good for Paul and the others… lets read on

Acts 16:16–24 ESV

16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. 19 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. 20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Silas looked at Paul funny… are you sure you heard from God

This is why knowing where God is leading you is important.

Because if you know God is leading you somewhere you are able to endure pain and hardship because you know God has placed you there for a reason...

Acts 16:25–34 ESV

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

I cant worship in the middle of the storm because I know God is with me through it all. (Say something like this somewhere)