The Spirit Unshackled

Introduction

Last week we saw Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch following their first missionary journey through Asia Minor.

Upon arriving at Antioch, Paul finds “some men” had arrived at the church teaching a false gospel — one that required keeping the Law of Moses in addition to any of their beliefs about Jesus.

The church sends Paul and some others to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the apostles and elders there.

After much discussion and debate by the church council, James sends Paul and Barnabas (along with two others — Barsabas and Silas) back to Antioch with a letter for the Gentile believers in Antioch to confirm that they are saved by grace through faith alone in Jesus.

Paul and Barnabas then discuss retracing their church planting route this time to check on the churches. Barnabas suggests they take with them John Mark, who had left them midway through their first missionary journey. Paul vehemently disagrees. This is a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas such that they decide to split — Barnabas takes John Mark and heads to Cyprus and Paul links up with Silas and they head out.

When they arrive at Lystra they meet a young man named Timothy. Paul sees God’s call on Timothy’s life and takes him along as they continue to visit churches.

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.

— We don’t know much about how (or why) the Holy Spirit forbade Paul from speaking in Asia, or why the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to go into the areas of Mysia and Bithynia, but we DO know that it set the stage for where the Spirit was going to direct next

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

— Macedonia is in Greece - The vision was leading Paul to take the gospel to Europe. This eventually lands Paul in Philippi, a very important Roman city. Philippi will become important to Paul and to the worldwide Church as well as Paul will later write to this church close to the time of his martyrdom in Rome.

— We clearly see here that the Spirit works through those who are Spirit-led

This is the Acts of the Spirit, and we will clearly see the Spirit at work but it is because Paul is Spirit-led.

Have you ever had the Spirit block or redirect you?

We have the benefit of being the “omniscient reader.”

Paul and Silas and Timothy are planning to do ministry and God redirects.

God didn’t call Paul and pitch a new idea. I wonder if the men were confused at best and angry at worst — “I’m trying to do a good thing!”

But Paul was not self-directed, he was Spirit-led.

*There is no place where the Spirit is not at work*

— Luke, the author of Acts is now witnessing these events first hand —

11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace,

I was thinking of doing a “choose your own adventure sermon”

There are so many good angles to look at in Acts 16, I almost couldn’t decide which way to go.

Luke recounts three important stories with the gospel affecting three very different people all in the city of Philippi.

It is of these (at least two) that Paul will later write:

Philippians 1:3–7 (ESV)

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

These are the stories of a God-fearing woman, a demon-possessed slave girl, and a Gentile Roman soldier, all of which become a significant to what will be the church at Philippi.

And it is amazing to think that it is shortly around this time that Paul writes to the churches in Galatia:

Galatians 3:28 (ESV)

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

While each of these stories is extremely rich in its own way, today, however, we are going to focus on the third of these gospel stories.

[If you want to learn more about the other stories and how they relate, check out this week’s Deeper Devotion podcast.]

Acts 16:16–40 (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.

— “Spirit of Divination = Python Spirit

The Message of Acts b. An Anonymous Slave Girl (16:16–18)

The reference is to the snake of classical mythology which guarded the temple of Apollo and the Delphic oracle at Mount Parnassus

— The demonic spoke through the the young lady the truth of the gospel (perhaps to discredit Paul?)

— It would be a leap to think that Paul was annoyed at the poor slave girl — she was in double-bondage, both physically and spiritually

— Paul was annoyed with the evil spirit speaking through the girl.

“I command you in the name of Jesus Christ - first full exorcism recorded in Acts

The name of Jesus brings freedom

You have the way of salvation

Many people all around you follow a different way

Many people around you are in a spiritual bondage to the sin and the effects of sin in their lives and they need to know the freedom that Jesus brings.

Maybe you keep hearing again and again about what is causing their bondage and you may even be greatly annoyed.

Speak the name of Jesus into their lives!

The demon was right! Paul is the servant of the Most High God, and Paul specifically names him, Jesus Christ.

The name of Jesus is the power of the Most High God!

Luke does not explicitly state that this young woman becomes a believer, but given it’s place as sandwiched between two other conversion stories, it would seem she also trusted in Jesus.

*There is no place where the Spirit is not at work*

Not everyone was happy that this young lady found freedom, especially her owners:

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.

The Message of Acts c. The Roman Gaoler (16:19–40)

As F. F. Bruce comments: ‘When Paul exorcized the spirit that possessed her, he exorcized their source of income as well.

But they can’t get Paul and Silas in trouble simply because they lost income, so they claim that Paul and Silas are breaking Roman law by practicing Christianity (probably brought on by the exorcism)

Roman citizens were only to practice religions that had been approved by the government.

the slave owners attack Paul and Silas, the crowd joins in, and the magistrates have them stripped, beaten with rods, and thrown in prison.

*Ever been here?

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,

What?!

These men were barely clothed (if at all)

Sore from being beaten

In the darkness

Awaiting an unknown fate

Yet they choose to pray. They choose to sing.

Problems may describe your space but they don’t need to define your face.

You can bless God even when beaten down.

You can sing while shackled with problems.

These men could have used their breath to whine and complain and instead they chose to pray and sing hymns.

Instead of cursing the magistrates, they blessed God’s majesty.

Why?

Trusting in Jesus Brings Joy

Sometimes may view this passage and seen with Disney theology:

When you get in trouble and you don't know right from wrong,

give a little whistle!

Give a little whistle!

When you meet temptation and the urge is very strong,

give a little whistle!

Give a little whistle!

Not just a little squeak,

pucker up and blow.

And if your whistle's weak, yell "Juminy Cricket!"

Take the straight and narrow path

and if you start to slide,

give a little whistle!

Give a little whistle!

And always let your conscience be your guide

I’m pretty confident this was not the hymn Paul and Silas were singing. If you wouldn’t and have a cricket as a friend, perhaps it might work for you.

But don’t we sometimes feel like this is what this passage is showing us? Life is tough but give a little whistle. He’s got cancer, but get a little whistle.

What would take me from whining to singing?

Let me suggest three things that Paul might tell us.

1. Jesus is greater than all of our problems and problem people

Paul trusted in who Jesus is:

Colossians 1:15–17 (ESV)

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

We’ve already seen that Paul is spirit lead and he has already witnessed that even demonic forces cannot stop what God is doing, and so the place that he finds himself now is no less outside of God‘s power to deal with

God is still on the throne even while you are in shackles.

HOWEVER,

There are no shackles that can restrict what God intends to do.

2. God‘s goodness doesn’t change in bad situations

- too often I meet people who make moral judgments on God‘s permanent character based on their subjective feelings about their temporary situations

- God is good all the time. . .

God is good, even when…

Even when the marriage is rocky

You’re waiting for test results

The person you love is gone

From another prison Paul writes to the church in Rome:

Romans 8:28–32 (ESV)

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Perhaps with melody and harmony the other prisoners heard echoing off the walls the song “The Goodness of God:”

I love You, Lord For Your mercy never fails me All my days, I've been held in Your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

'Cause all my life You have been faithful And all my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice You have led me through the fire In darkest night You are close like no other I've known You as a Father I've known You as a Friend And I have lived in the goodness of God, yeah

3. The Christian lives for Christ.

This is because Christ died for the Christian.

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Philippians 1:18–21 (ESV)

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

The goal of the Christian life is faithfulness not “fairness.”

It is less about God at work for you and more about God at work through you

• ⁃ Are you where you are for yourself or for Jesus? If for yourself, it should be comfortable, if for Jesus it will be meaningful.

*There is no place where the Spirit is not at work*

Notice the other prisoners were listening to them

this is why we have the kids worship with us - holy, holy,holy

— Jesus there is no one like you

all we have, need, want is you.

*What do other’s hear from you when you face problems, difficulty, or unfairness?

Do you use your words to pray or complain? To sing or sour?

I wonder what they were singing?

“How Great Thou Art”

“WayMaker”

“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”

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.

The supernatural irony here is amazing:

The released prisoners remain.

The ones condemned are free and stop the one who is free from being condemned.

The jailer washed their wounds then was himself washed through baptism

Living for Jesus Shares Life

The earthquake was a miracle, yet that is what had the jailer want to kill himself.

It is when he saw Paul and Silas were still there with all of the prisoners that he put down his sword.

His response wasn’t, “oh good, now get back in your cell!”

He recognized this was not a normal response — these were not ordinary prisoners — they served an extraordinary God!

It was their selfless act for him that opened the door for him to hear about the selfless act of Jesus.

If they had acted like every other prisoner, the jailer would have been dead and in hell.

Your response to the bad days and the blessings of God — using them to serve others may just open the door for others to hear about Jesus.

Your response to both messes and miracles describe what you believe about Jesus and others notice.

*There is no place where the Spirit is not at work*

Whatever the place or space you currently face, remember that the Spirit is at work!

What do others hear from you when you are in a bad place?

You may not be able to change your place or that people around you are listening, but you can change what they hear.

What part of your thinking needs to change for you to start singing?

1. Jesus is greater than all of our problems and problem people

2. God‘s goodness doesn’t change in bad situations

3. The Christian lives for Christ.

Ephesians 1:15–23 (ESV)

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.