Series: Paul’s Second Missionary Journey — Sermon: How to Change Your Situation without Changing Your Surroundings

Introduction

How many of you this morning have ever found yourselves in a place where you didn’t really want to be, but there wasn’t anything you could do about it and it negatively affected your situation?

Like maybe you got stuck at a job you didn’t like so it negatively impacted your attitude or maybe you found yourself hanging with the wrong crowd of people and it had a negative impact on you?

I mean, I would like to think that we’ve all found ourselves in one of these situations at some point in our lives, right?

For example, I had a dear friend one time who was trying to find a new job for quite some time and it seemed like every time something came available he’d apply but for whatever reason it just never seemed to work out and we talked about it and you know, he was getting a little down in the dumps about it but I told him, I said, “well brother, looks to me like God wants you to stay right where you’re at for some reason or another!”

You know, many times we don’t understand why or how we find ourselves in certain situations but what we need to realize is that sometimes God allows us to end up in those situations because that’s where He wants us!

And this morning, what I want you to know, is that we have one of two choices: we can allow our surroundings to affect our situation, or we take the situation we’ve been placed in and affect our surroundings!

And with that, this morning I want us pick up where we left off last week here with Paul & Silas who find themselves stuck in less than pleasurable conditions but instead of allowing their surroundings to affect their situation, they decided to take their situation and change their surroundings!

Acts Chapter 16:11 if you have it would you say, Amen.

The Prelude to the Predicament — (Vs. 11-15)

Upon seeing the man in the vision requesting help in Macedonia, Paul and his team…Silas, Timothy, Luke set sail from Troas.

The Bible says here in Verse 11-12...

Acts 16:11–12 KJV 1900

11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

The Bible says here that Philippi was a “chief city of that part of Macedonia…and a colony:”

When the Bible says, “and a colony” here…John Phillips has in interesting word to say to help us understand where Paul and his Team are.

John Phillips — One of the ways Rome ruled the world was through her colonies. At strategic points on the map she founded Roman settlements, where Roman citizens set up outposts for the empire. Such colonies promoted the Roman way of life, gave Rome loyal bases abroad, provided secure locations for the military, and enabled Rome to hold down the outlying areas. In the book of Acts, Philippi, Pisidian Antioch, Lystra, Troas, Corinth, and Ptolemais are all Roman colonies. They were transplants of Rome, patriotic and proud ambassadors of a way of life. Later, writing to the church he founded at Philippi, Paul said, “For our citizenship [lit.] is in heaven.” Moffat translates that, “We are a colony of heaven” (Phil. 3:20). What a magnificent concept of the role of the Christian in this hostile world. We are here to represent a way of life and to represent an empire not of this world.

The Bible says here that they were there abiding certain days.

As was custom for Paul, I’m sure the first place he searched for upon entering into Philippi was the Jewish synagogue but from our reading it doesn’t seem that there was one there.

It has been said that in order for a Jewish synagogue to be formed, it required at least 10 men and no amount of women could make up for the lack thereof.

So, since there was no Jewish synagogue we can only assume that there weren’t even 10 men who believed in the God of the Jews in the whole city of Philippi!

After spending a few days acclimating themselves to the area, you can rest assured Paul was going to find someone to share the gospel with so look what happens next in Verse 13.

The Bible says that on the Sabbath Day, Paul and the team make their way to the riverside where prayer was “wont to be made” meaning “supposed to” or “was customary” to be made.

No doubt, Paul had been asking around town if there were any “God fearers” in Philippi and if so, where could he find them!

So, on the day he knew they would be gathering, they make their way to the riverside and lo and behold they find some women gathered there.

They began to speak with this group of ladies, undoubtedly telling them about Jesus, and you’re never going to guess what happened!

A woman named Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira, she heard the word of the Lord, her heart was opened to the gospel, and she received and believed the things of which they spoke concerning the gospel!

Now, this was no ordinary woman. She was a business woman. Being from Thyatira she was more than likely well known for the products she sold.

Chuck Swindoll — Romans incorporated purple cloth into clothing and tapestries to signify rank, so the demand for her product gave her a brisk business.

Not only that, we can conclude from the following verse...

Acts 16:15 KJV 1900

15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Now, the Bible never speaks of Lydia’s husband or the fact that she even has one, which would lead us to believe that this woman was on her own. She more than likely didn’t have a husband.

But that just adds to the story even more. Here was a woman on her own who had a house big enough that others, more than likely servants, lived there with her as well and not only that, it was a good enough size that she could house at least 4 more people in Paul, Silas, Timothy & Dr. Luke!

So, this had to be a decent sized place and therefore we can only conclude that this lady, Lydia, had done well for herself through the business she had cultivated here in Philippi!

But she hears Paul and the team speak of their wonderful Savior and the Bible says…as they spake, the Lord opened Lydia’s heart!

What does it mean for a heart to be opened?

To be responsive to the call of the Holy Spirit upon your life!

The Bible says she “attended to the things which were spoken of by Paul.”

Her heart was opened, she heard the gospel, she received the gospel, she believed the gospel, and she followed through as we see here in the following Verse, Verse 15, in believer’s baptism.

Acts 16:15 KJV 1900

15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Not only did Lydia believe but she took the gospel immediately to her household and apparently they believed as well!

This had to be a huge weight off of Paul’s shoulders and also a shot of encouragement!

They have now had their first converts in Philippi and the word is getting out!

I can only imagine that Paul and crew were on cloud 9 after this gospel sharing experience and not only was it a shot of encouragement but undoubtedly it also gave Paul confidence in the vision he had to come to Macedonia!

“God is on the move so now I know we’re right where we need to be!”

“Only good things to come from here!”

They were having a mountain top experience!

Anyone know what that’s like?

When things are going well. When things are going your way. Something good you’ve been praying for comes to fruition and all is well with your soul and just everything is right the way it’s supposed to be!

That’s the definition of a mountain top experience and if you know what I’m talking about this morning, you also know that when those times of refreshing come, you relish in them for you know more than likely they won’t last long.

It never fails that on the heels of a mountain top experience we tend to find ourselves shortly thereafter in the valley!

It wouldn’t be long before Paul and the team would also find themselves in the same situation.

Look on down with me at The Predicament that follows their mountain top experience.

Their Predicament – (Vs. 16-21)

Divination — speaks of a Ventriloquist — Explain

This girl was a slave to her masters and also to Satan!

She was being used of her masters to make them money and she was being used of Satan to taunt Paul and his crew!

The reality though is what she was declaring was true but at some point it becomes heckling which was what had happened here.

Day after day as Paul and his crew would join the people at the riverside for prayer this girl would begin shouting...

“These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.”

After a few days, Paul had enough.

He was thankful for the shout out but when it became to much, he decided enough was enough.

As this girl follows them, heckling them, Paul turns to the “spirit” and says, “I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.”

I find it interesting here that Paul knew who he was dealing with.

He knew it wasn’t the girl but rather the spirit, the demon within her, that he was really dealing with and Paul went directly to the source!

“I command you demon in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of this girl! Leave you devil!”

And “he” left the same hour the Bible says!

This is why we are able to read later on down the road…where the demons say in...

Acts 19:15 KJV 1900

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

Paul knew who he was dealing with and he performed an exorcism on the spot!

Now, I’m sure this wasn’t the plan but Paul actually set this girl free from Satan’s snare and also her master’s hold on her too!

After the demon had been cast out, she was of no use to her earthly masters anymore!

And this caused the predicament that Paul and the crew were about to experience!

Look what happens next in Verse 19-21.

There is no scorn of a crook so bad as when you mess with his crooked way of making a living!

Sometimes, even when we’re trying to do the right thing, we end up finding ourselves in a predicament that we didn’t see coming!

Now look on down at the penalty of their predicament.

Their Penalty – (Vs. 22-24)

a. John 15:20a– Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;

b. John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Their Praise – (Vs. 25)

Most of us in this situation instead of praising would be complaining, wouldn’t we?

Dear God, why is all this happening to me?

Why do I continue to fall into persecution and problems?

Why did you allow this to happen to me? Doesn’t that sound about right?

But these boys decided instead of complaining, they were going to start praising God! They said, “you know what, we may not be able to change our surroundings right now, but we can still change our situation!”

And they did exactly that! Notice what the Bible says they did, first…

They Prayed! — (Vs. 25a)

a. Philippians 4:6 – Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

b. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 – 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Charles Spurgeon – On his knees, the believer is invincible!

F.B. Meyer -- The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.

Prayer is the greatest weapon we as Christians have, we just need to make sure we’re using it!

Some of the strongest Christians you’ll ever see are those who are prayer warriors and the reason is because they know just exactly who it is they’re talking to!

They Sang! — (Vs. 25b)

Not only did they pray but the Bible also says, “they sang praises unto God!”

Paul looked over at ole Silas after praying and said, “Silas, what about a song? Let’s sing us one!”

“A song,” Silas says… “really?”

“Really Silas! Don’t you remember what Jesus said?”

Matthew 5:11–12 KJV 1900

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

“You know what Paul, you’re right, let’s sing!”

Charles Spurgeon – Any fool can sing in the day, It is easy to sing when we can read the notes by daylight; but the skillful singer is he who can sing when there is not a ray of light to read by.... Songs in the night come only from God; they are not in the power of men."

And listen to me, they weren’t singing under their breath!

Oh no, they were singing so everyone could hear them! The Bible says, “and the prisoners heard them!”

From the depths of that dungeon they began to sing and it probably started out low but as they went on, I can only imagine that the song they were singing just continued to get louder and louder and what may have started out as a little noise that those prisoners heard on the outside, soon become a joyous song of praise and I can only imagine that they were all looking at each other like what in world is going on!

I believe that ole Paul looked over at Silas all slumped over and barely able to move because of the beatings that they had both just taken, and I believe he just began singing…

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound

that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now I’m found

was blind but now I see!

My chains are gone, I’ve been set free

my God my savior, has ransomed me!

And like a flood, his mercy reigns

unending love, Amazing Grace!

Praise the Lord and this is where it really begins to get good!

Paul & Silas singing in that cell were more than the stone and mortar could take!

The next thing I want you to see this morning is the “Product of Their Praise!” Look with me if you will in Verses 26-34!

The Product of Their Praise – (Vs. 26-34)

Dear friend it wasn’t just Paul and Silas’s bands that were loosed it was all the prisoners! They could have all got up and walked out but notice what Paul says when the Jailer goes to kill himself in fear that all the prisoners had escaped. He said, “woe friend, don’t harm yourself, we’re all still right here!

We ain’t planning on going anywhere sir cause we’re all just having a grand ole time serving Jesus! Why don’t you come and join us?

And then pay special attention to what happens next here in Verses 29-30. That ole Jailer comes in and the Bible says he’s scared to death and he says, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Now I want you take note of something here…notice what the Bible says there in Verse 30. It says that “he brought them out.”

The Jailer brought them out! They didn’t even leave when they had the opportunity, oh dear friend they waited for that poor ole Jailer to bring them out!

Do you see what’s happened here?

They have changed their surroundings to a point that they were ok with being there! They weren’t worried about the fact that they were in some deep dark dungeon, they decided it didn’t matter where they were, they were going to praise God and that’s what they did and so instead of allowing their surroundings to change their situation, they decided to take their situation and change their surroundings!

And to take it a step further, can I tell you that the Bible says they were “all” still there, so do you know what that tells me?

It tells me that they not only changed the Jailer and his families life, but he they changed some more people’s lives who were there that night also!

Those prisoners didn’t take off running! They were having to good a time listening to Paul and Silas praise God and dear friend that’s what I like to call putting the ball back into your own court!

The product of their praise is that lives were changed for eternity because Paul and Silas decided to take their situation and change their surroundings!

Then as we come to a close look really quickly at...

The Panic of the Magistrates — (Vs. 35-40)

John Phillips — He and Silas were Romans, and according to the Valerian and Porcian laws they were exempt from crucifixion and from other forms of degrading punishment. If Paul and Silas were to complain to the appropriate authorities, those responsible for beating and imprisoning them without proper trial would be in serious trouble indeed. Paul knew it, and they knew it. Moreover, a Roman citizen could not be expelled from a Roman city. Gross injustice had been done and done publicly; now let those responsible come and make what amends they could.

Close

And as we come to a close this morning, this is a lesson we all need to learn!

The next time you find yourself in a place where you aren’t happy with your surroundings, what are you going to do?

Are you going to allow those surroundings to affect you or are you going to trust in God and decide to affect your surroundings by praising him?

Proverbs 3:5–7 KJV 1900

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: Fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

Psalm 42:11 KJV 1900

11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 28:7 KJV 1900

7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in him, and I am helped: Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; And with my song will I praise him.

Psalm 109:30 KJV 1900

30 I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; Yea, I will praise him among the multitude.

Psalm 135:1 KJV 1900

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord; Praise him, O ye servants of the Lord.

This morning, whatever your situation may be, wherever you find yourself at in this road we call life, won’t you just simply praise God.

Praise Him in the good times and the bad. Praise Him for He is worthy of all of our praise!

By learning to praise Him in all situations, we can affect our surroundings no matter where we find ourselves this morning.