Faith In Action

There was a small-town church holding a special weekend retreat, and the pastor wanted to teach a powerful lesson on faith in action. He gathered the whole group outside and announced they were going to do a trust fall exercise.

He called up Brother Bob — a well-known member of the church who was always a little too enthusiastic about everything.

“Bob,” the pastor said, “Do you trust me?”

“With all my heart, Pastor!” Bob beamed.

“Great,” the pastor grinned. “Now, close your eyes, cross your arms, and fall backward. The whole group is behind you, ready to catch you.”

Without missing a beat, Bob closed his eyes, crossed his arms… and fell forward — face-first into the grass.

Everyone gasped.

Bob sat up, rubbing his nose and grinning. “Pastor, I trust you… but I’ve been in this church long enough to know you gotta put your faith in the Lord, not the people!”

Historical/Cultural Context -

Luke was a physician and a travel companion of the apostle Paul. He wrote the book of Acts. The earliest possible date of Acts is immediately after the events that Luke recorded in, which would have been c. A.D. 62. Acts is addressed to “Theophilus,” about whom nothing more is known. Luke’s broader audience consisted primarily of Gentile Christians like Theophilus who had already “been taught” about Jesus.

Biblical Text -

Acts 16:25–40 NKJV

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 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 chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.” So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.” But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.” And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - Life Is About The Gospel. Remembering That Not All Things That Look Good Are God’s Will & That Faith Is About Action.

Life Point- Not Everything That Looks Good Is God’s Will For You

Exegetical -

Acts 16:25–28 NLT

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

Homiletical -

So Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into the jail.

Did they give up?

Did they get bitter?

NO

They did something that just seems so strange to the world, even strange to modern day Christians. They sang out songs of praise and worship to God.

Notice it says that the other prisoners were listening. This is definitely something that is not normal, something that would have gripped other people’s hearts.

I have noticed that those who are witnesses for Christ are often better witnesses when they are going through hard times. Why? Because a true Christian’s response is upside down. It is unusual. They become the greatest witnesses when things seem so bad for them.

But in this particular time there is more to the story. You see God wasn’t done with Paul and Silas yet.

He causes an earthquake. Some people will dismiss and say the earthquake is a natural phenomenon . Yes it can be, but what are the odds that earthquake happens at that exact time and then the doors in the prison swing open and every chain falls off of every prisoner at the exact same time?

The odds are astronomical.

So at this time the jailer wakes up and sees door open and he plans to commit suicide.

Now, why would he plan that? You see it was the last honorable thing he could do from a Roman standpoint. If any one of those prisoners had left he would have faced execution.

But God causes this to happen and you would think that means God wants us to walk out of the prison. Not necessarily, God may want to show His power but has something different in store for you.

Not everything that looks good is God’s will for your life. Sometimes He has a slightly different plan than what you think it is. All can look bleak, but God has something in store for you. Don’t just take the first option and think it is God. Seek Him out and find out.

Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.”

Luke 11:9–10 ““So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

Jesus wants us to be persistent in our prayers as well. That’s why He says to ask, seek, and knock. Persistence is key.

Do you want to see growth spiritually and numerically? Then you need to be persistent before God.

Illustration -

Take a look at the Israelites as they wandered in the desert. They craved the ‘good’ food of Egypt, forgetting the bondage they were under. It seemed better at the time, but God had freedom and joy waiting for them in the Promised Land! Sometimes we cling to what appears good and miss out on God’s greater plans; let’s be willing to let go and trust where He’s leading us!

Life Point - Faith Guides Actions

Exegetical -

Acts 16:29–34 NLT

The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

Homiletical -

So the jailer comes to Paul and Silas and he thinks to himself “There must be something to what these guys are singing about and talking about.” He falls down and asks what should he do to be saved.

Well that just opens up the door for them to share the Gospel and you know what, they shared it with him and the man’s whole household was baptized that night.

Now this jailer takes them home, tends to their wounds and Has them share the Gospel with his entire household who all come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He feeds them and then send them back to the jail.

Notice here that the Gospel didn’t go forth without the witness of these men, both in song, word and deeds. They witnessed by flexing their faith.

We know that faith is not faith unless it compels us to do something. If I say I have faith and do not share the Gospel with others, do I really have faith?

James 2:14–18 NLT

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

Their work of witnessing showed their faith which drew other people to them to hear the full Gospel message and to be baptized.

Let me ask you a question. How is your faith today? Is your faith accompanied by works? Works not out of sense of duty but because the love of God is overflowing in you so much that you have to share it! Like Jeremiah said.

Jeremiah 20:9 NLT

But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!

Is His word like a fire shut up inside of you that you just can’t hold it back? You gotta let it out! If not then you and Jesus need to work some things out.

Illustration -

In the year 1516, the great Christian Desiderius Erasmus famously said, ‘In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.’ This quote reminds us that sometimes we can see things others can’t—especially concerning our faith! When we let our faith guide our actions, like that one-eyed man, we can lead others to the truth, even if we feel a bit goofy or out of place while doing so. Embrace that role and let your faith provide clarity in a chaotic world!

Life Point - It’s All About The Gospel

Exegetical -

Acts 16:35–40 NLT

The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!” So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.” But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!” When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.

Homiletical -

So the city officials come to get them in the morning to let them go, their punishment is over with.

But Paul, being who is, refuses and he says no. Because they beat Roman citizens.

Roman citizenship couldn’t just be had by anyone.It was privilege and membership had it’s privileges. One being that you don’t just beat a citizen without a trial. Which is what they did.

So they came to the jail and apologize to them and so that there is no more trouble in the city they beg them to leave.

Paul and Silas leave the prison got to Lydia’s house and met with the believers and encouraged them, then they left.

So why does Paul invoke their Roman citizenship? Is he just being ornery or is there a purpose behind it?

You see for Paul and Silas it was about spreading the Gospel. So as Roman citizens speaking to the leaders of this city their words would have carried more weight. I guarantee because of that this is not just a normal encounter for the leaders. You see to do what they did could have gotten them in a lot of trouble with Rome.

Ever hear the term heads will roll? Yeah, heads would roll.

1 Corinthians 9:19–23 NLT

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

Are you willing to do what Paul did and become all things to everyone that some might come to Christ?

Illustration -

In the early 1900s, a missionary named John took it upon himself to immerse into the culture of the tribes he served. Instead of wearing Western clothes, he wore their attire, learned their songs, and even joined in their dances! His approach broke down barriers and allowed him to share the gospel in a way that resonated with the people – proving that joy and authenticity can open doors for faith!

Life Principle– Life Is About The Gospel. Remembering That Not All Things That Look Good Are God’s Will & That Faith Is About Action.

Call to Action – altar call….