The Liberating Power of the Gospel

Introduction:

Two Conversion Stories.

THIS STORY DESCRIBES HOW GOD MEETS TWO VERY DIFFERNET PEOPLE, AND CHANGES THEM IN TWO DIFFERENT WAYS.

I) The Gospel Reveals the True way of Salvation (vv. 16-22, 31)

A. We are Imprisoned by…

i. … The Problem: This girl is twice-imprisoned I

1. We resume the story In Philippi, A Roman colony (vs. 12) (IMAGE)

2. A spirit of “Python” allows her to give inside information about the future

3. Her owners exploit her for personal gain (we’d pay it too!) (vv. 16, 19)

ii. The Power of Sin that holds us captive

1. ILLUSTRATION: LOTR – the ring describe the power that evil has

2. On some level, we’re all held captive by sin (Rom. 6:16)

Romans 6:16 ESV

Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

3. EXAMPLE: If we worship money…money controls; acceptance.

B. We are Liberated by…

i. Jesus Liberates us From Sin (vs. 18)

1. The irony: This girl – unlike Lydia – understands the gospel…but hates it

2. Lydia needed a bible study; the slave girl needs power encounter!

ii. Jesus Becomes Lord of Our life

1. Faith isn’t just knowing the gospel, but trusting it (James 2:19)

James 2:19 ESV

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

2. Jesus’ name destroys the power of sin: Addiction? Temptation?

AS MUCH AS THIS IS GOOD NEWS FOR THIS YOUNG WOMAN, IT’S BAD FOR BUSINESS

II) The Gospel Provides with True Liberation

A. From Bad to Worse (VV. 19-24)

i. Things go from bad to worse:

1. The girls’ owners play the race card in order to get Paul/Silas imprisoned

2. They are beaten and mistreated in downtown Philippi(PICTURE)

3. Who is Really defying Rome?

B. Our Circumstances Can Imprison Us

i. In the prions of the prison of prisons: (PICTURE) (vv. 22-23)

1. We meet a jailer – probably a hardened Roman soldier(A Harley?)

2. Mistreated, Humiliated, Shackled, they are put in the “hole” (vs. 24)

ii. Can you find joy in a situation like this?

1. We are joyful… as long as our circumstances allow for it

2. EXAMPLE:

C. But the Gospel Means that we Are Free

i. Rejoicing because they are free (vs. 25)

1. Paul & Silas sing because they are more free than the jailer is

2. Paul wrote “Rejoice in the Lord – the Lord is near!”(Phil. 4:4)

Philippians 4:4 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

ii. We are called to rejoice even when circumstances don’t warrant it

1. True freedom comes when our joy is not tied to our circumstances

2. APPLICATION:

Transition:

III) How Do We Experience this?

A. Witnessing God’s Mercy Sets us Free

i. Seeing God’s grace in action transforms us

1. But seeing someone sing in jail begs a question: “WHY?! How?!”

2. From shackling, torturing, imprisoning, to feeding, washing, clothing

3. APPLICATION: Sometimes the greatest witness we have is loving our enemy

B. Trusting the Substitute Breaks us Free

i. The Jailer is saved by way of a substitute (vv. 26-30)

1. The jailer knows that he will die if prisoners escape

2. But – P/S sacrifice their freedom in order to save the life of the jailer

ii. Jesus saves us by his substitution

1. Jesus “left his father’s throne above” – he lost his freedom,

Transition:

Conclusion

Charles Wesley’s Song