Acts 16 Those Captured by Christ, Set Others Free!
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Have you ever set someone free? Loved one in grip of alcoholism; chronic worrier, spiritual darkness - give a key! On our floor in UofG, pressure cooker in science - Vet program. Attempted suicide. Maybe some of you experience literally to save a life - Gospel believers have opportunity to give a person that kind of key, lifeline. Starts realizzing what you have in Christ that our culture doesn’t,then giving quiet witness, then opportunity to do actual evangelism!
Philippi was the site of one of the most significant military engagements in Roman history. In a series of battles there in 42 B.C.E., Mark Antony and Octavian (later endowed with the title 'Augustus') conquered the republican forces of the assassins of Julius Caesar, Cassius and Brutusthen Brutus and famous suicide - then Roman colony… Military not mercantile colony. Divided between citizens/”strangers” - usually Italy and rest. Those made freemen - colony -citizenship - strongmen magistrates - praetors…
Seemingly idyllic, meet by river side, worship in Lydia’s house - many turning to LORD JESUS as Messiah and Saviour… Storm brewing out of isght about to swamp them! Message Luke is giving = no room for Jesus in the inn; life of hardship and suffering for others;; not that much different for his followers = choice to get involved ie. Psych experiment = no one replies… = work of divine grace often advances through difficulties and discouragements
Storm brewing out of isght about to swamp them! Message Luke is giving = no room for Jesus in the inn; life of hardship and suffering for others;; not that much different for his followers = choice to get involved ie. Psych experiment = no one replies… = work of divine grace ofetn advances through difficulties and discouragements
= misunderstand in reaching out with the gospel, slandered as against people and culture = Rutherford - God knows what he is doing demonstration of witness in hard circumstance often best use = NOT TIMES OF EASE AND PROSPERITY, … Samuel Rutherford: "I find it most true that the greatest temptation outside of hell is to live without temptations; if water stands, it rots; faith is the better for the sharp winter storm in its face and grace withers without adversity. The devil is but God's master fencer to teach us to handle our weapons." ~ Samuel Rutherford= not by might not by power, but by my Spirit… Paul and Silas, seem to understand this with their slow beginning, and even patient endurance of the clamour of a false witness!
= expalins praise and prayer while fresh wounds stil bleeding, sitting in uncomfortable stocks… ...
Key Truth: The LORD grows His Church through quiet witness and simple evangelism
But before we can learn how to have this quiet witness and prepare to give simple but bold evangelistic offer, we must recognize standing as a Christian with the hope of the gopsel will expose us to misunderstanding, false witness that will twist people’s minds about what we stand for, and persecution that is ultimately demonic!
A. Stand Against Satan’s Attack of False Witness
A. Stand Against Satan’s Attack of False Witness
You would think Paul was pleased for the publicity … ie. song on radio mentions God - but twisted to keep God safe distance, idolatry… heart and minds like that;
Unwelcome not just because annoying, but deceptive - Jesus just another god, doesn’t actually say THE way of salvation; but one of many ways like new E mystery religions, like traditional Greek and Roman gods ;
Pythonic and Appolo - seems some really had prophetic powers from supernatural. An insidious satanic attack. The original Greek behind the phrase "had a spirit" reveals the horror with which she was involved, literally reading "had a Pythian spirit" or "had a spirit of Python." According to myth, Python was a snake that guarded the Temple of Apollo and was eventually killed by Apollo. Later the word python came to mean a demon-possessed person through whom Python spoke.
An insidious satanic attack. The original Greek behind the phrase "had a spirit" reveals the horror with which she was involved, literally reading "had a Pythian spirit" or "had a spirit of Python." According to myth, Python was a snake that guarded the Temple of Apollo and was eventually killed by Apollo. Later the word python came to mean a demon-possessed person through whom Python spoke.
Some were upper class, others lower. Some quite sane, others out of their mind, ranting, … some from lower classes, mutter-ers - ventriloquists… Like this girl exploited, clairvoyant owned by spiritual pimps! bound by dark spirit - but enslaved to rich who take advantage of lower classes superstition … only reason - drop her when spirit is gone!
Paul in a bit of power encounter - stops the false witness - and does so in the powerful name. Not like a magic incantation, But as a revelation of Jesus Christ! - Not any God but the Saviour from the only true God … the Son of God Incarnate. This is the Saviour who frees both a free influential purple dyer entrepreneurial business woman; and equally a victim of human trafficking and even demon possession. Do we believe the gospel is for both here in Barrie?
But then comes the real confrontation and persecution - the owners - seize them to the market place - Paul had driven out the spirit, but the same word is used to described that the masters’ ability to make money -driven out too! Satan changes tactics, crowds galvanized as God works, so when deception won’t work, now try by persecution:
ie. Richard Collier, the historian of the Salvation Army, says:
Persecution was great from the beginning. . . . Gangs frequently hurled mud and stones through the windows at the preaching and the crowd. Booth kicked, mocked in papers, Field Marshal von Booth, Police blamed them - in 1889 669 members assaulted, one even threw lime into eyes of a child during outdoor service. Hearts were in their wallets, so persecute the gospel!
Taken to agora, market place where courts and magisterial officers gather. From police court, to the Praetors! no investigation, no opportunity to explain - notice the form of their accusation, because P & S eventual response follow the same order:
They says “These men who are Jews , not Roman …customs!” Here is the second false witness, much more hostile and accompanied with persecution! Assumption is like Jews kicked out of Emperor Claudius from Rome forbidden travel to Alexandria - that this Jesus movement is anti-Roman! Religion is about customs NOT LAWFUL for Romans! Philippi, model after Rome, appeal to same hatred of Jews.
And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”
And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”
No talk of slave girl freed, but prejudice! They want to casts this as Rome vs. Jewish. See that in church going fmailes vs non-church going families - Your people, religious we aren’t, doesn’t form part of our history, our family cultlure - butt out!
And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”
And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”
And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”
No talk of slave girl freed, but prejudice! They want to casts this as Rome vs. Jewish. See that in church going fmailes vs non-church going families - Your people, religious we aren’t, doesn’t form part of our history, our family cultlure - butt out!
They want to casts this as Rome vs. Jewish. See that in church going fmailes vs non-church going families - Your people, religious we aren’t, doesn’t form part of our history, our family cultlure - butt out!
No talk of slave girl freed, but prejudice! They want to casts this as Rome vs. Jewish. See that in church going families vs non-church going families - Your people, religious we aren’t, doesn’t form part of our history, our family culture - butt out! But is this true? First Philippian Lydia almost certainly Roman citizen, ties to Caesar’s household. Before that Cornelius a Roman Centurion of Italian cohort… Sergio Paulus,proconsul of whole Island province of Cyprus, - then his family in Antioch - Asia Minor. Now look does this Jesus way of salvation have anything to do with what class or clan you are part of? salve girl freed in His name?
But is this true? First Philippian Lydia almost certainly Roman citizen, ties to Caesar’s household. Before that Cornelius a Roman Centurion of Italian chorot… Sergio Paulus,proconsul of whole Island province of Cyprus, - then his family in Anitoch - Asia Minor. Now look does this Jesus way of salvation have anything to do with what class or clan you are part of? salve girl freed in His name?
But do you remember why Paul is here? Vision in Asia Minor, by Bithynia. Do you remember his call , after Damascus for 3 years like 3 years of other apostles - called you to Gentiles, revelaed myself directly to you as ascended Lord. Remember commission confirmed - to Gentiles…
Why not giving up, why circumstances, even though another twist - not what expected, started with no synagogue, non Jewish but not Macedonia leading woman… now authorities representing Emprie trying to reach with gospel rejecting … what will they do.
They are scourged with rods, not 40 minus one of the Jews, but Romans no limit. All illegal for Roman law without due process.
Then thrown into dungeon pit prison!
B. Witness Where God Opens Doors
Roman prison usually had three parts. One where prisoners had light and air (communiora), the interoria - where strong iron gates and bars with locks shut prisoners in, and then the Tullianum -or the dungeon for executions, where prisoners condemned to die were confined! Here the prison guard was instructed not only to lock them up - but charged with keeping the safely - responsible with his own life to keep them!
ie. , Peter’s guards executed upon his escapee! So into the fetter, not just safety, but wide apart to torture them. Black dungeon full of pain? Could despair, no place for missionary work?
What would they do? Not just take it lying down, but not fought with weapons of this world.
They are not defeated, mindful of the heavenly battle going on - they pick up the weapons of warfare in … what are they?
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
just like first place of sharing the gospel must be with each other - so too our prayers, and our praise -Praying was simultaneiously singing - praying God’s wordpromises. Praying Psalms of sufferers back to God. Not a weary wail, but an artiuculate plea for deliverance!
And what a flow into a witness to those in next nearest circles. You can bet no, prisoners had seen the likes of that before, at first entertainment, then awe as listened. like Johnny Cash concert in fulsome Prison. Luke marks it “and the prisoners were listening to them!” ie. Daniel - not showy Pharisee-ism… but like at home unbleivers at table - dare pray; goto church when visitors not churchgoing invite… over hear, king even counting on your God to rescue you! Bet praying about witness and calling, praying for well being of city; praying God’s promises when we are misunderstood and even attacked for our faith.
ie. Daniel - not showy Phariseeism… but like at home unbleivers at table - dare pray; goto church when visitors not churchgoing invite… over hear, king even counting on your God to rescue you!
ie. Daniel - not showy Phariseeism… but like at home unbleivers at table - dare pray; goto church when visitors not churchgoing invite… over hear, king even counting on your god to rescue you!
Bet praying about winess and calling, praying for well being of city; praying God’s romsies when we are misunderstaood and even attacked for our faith.
“When adversity dampens our mood; we need to sink the roots of our joy more deeply into the LROD hismelf, rather than relying on surface circtumstances.
“When adversity dampens our mood; we need to sink the roots of our joy more deeply into the LROD hismelf, rather than relying on surface circtumstances.
Paul teaches this in
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
You can bet they remembered anxiety of Silas and Paul and what there rejoicing did… Hymn to God - most likely a Psalm - like Ps 40 we are going to do that now… to the tune of He Leadeth ME … Now Imagine in the middle the Psalm - CRASH BOOM BANG -Earth quake = signal of Sovereign God oming with saving presence Mt Sinai, Calvary, Jerusalem on day of Pentecost at prayer meeting; NOW here in the midst of witness in tough circumstances!
Hymn to God - most liekly a Psalm - like ps 40 we are goign to do that now…
to the tune of He Leadeth ME … Now Imagine in the middle the Psalm - CRASH BOOM BANG -Earth quake = signal of Soverreign God conign with saving presence Mt Sinai, Calvary, Jerusalem on day of PEntecost at prayer meeting; NOW here in the midst of witness in tough circumstances!
Now Imagine in the middle the Psalm - CRASH BOOM BANG -Earth quake = signal of Soverreign God conign with saving presence Mt Sinai, Calvary, Jerusalem on day of PEntecost at prayer meeting; NOW here in the midst of witness in tough circumstances!
Not only Paul and Silas, but all the prisoners are spared, and more there barred locks, their fetters and stocks all are open! Just like all those prisoners heard the prayers for deliverance, now each one in awe of God’s earthquake deliverance - stay put before Paula and Silas. They make their way together in the darkness to the main gate. Then comes the climax
C. A Quiet Witness Leads to Simple Evangelism
The Philippian Jailer, figures he is toast - at the earthquake he rushes down, down to street level, he sees the outside gates through which the other guards had all fled wide open! He sees a prison with doors wide open, but no prisoner in sight. He draws his short sword - in the chaos - about to kill himself. He doesn’t yet see Paul and all the prisoners standing before him.
Second great noise pierces through the chaos - Paul’s voice
But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”
C. The Philippian Jailer, figures he is toast - comes down - in the chaos - about to kill himself. Second great noise pierces through the chaos - Paul’s voice -Do you have a message like that to anyone? - self-destructive patterns - real help for you
Do you have a message like that to anyone? - self-destructive patterns - real help for you. Look stuck in a moment - you can’t get out - but real help. The jailer who had tortured Paul in those stocks, falls down at Paul’s feet. Paul says Look we’re all here - What must I do be saved? Now as Paul and Silas have witnessed in their quiet way through suffering, to those whom God opened the DOOR! Now opportunity arranged by God for this jailer, Surely Paul looking down on this trembling man, seen in Him the vision of the Macedonian man - come over and help me! If you had 3 minutes to expalin the gospel - What would you say? Friend just asked what must I do?
Look stuck in a moment - you can’t get out - but real help.
THe jailer who had tortured Paul in those stocks, falls down at Paul’s feet. Paul says Look we’re all here - What must I do be saved?
Now as Paul and Silas have witnessed in their quiet way through suffering, to those whom God opened the DOOR! Now opportunity arranged by God for this jailer,
Now opprontuity arranged by God forthis jailer,
Surely Paul looking down on this trembling man, seen in Him the vision of the Macedonian man - come over and help me!
If you had 3 minutes to expalin the gospel - how would you do it? Evangelism Explosion, Video called One Way…
If you had 3 minutes to expalin the gospel - What would you say? Friend just asked what must I do?
Bishop John Taylor Smith, honorary chaplain to Queen Victoria and the chaplain general of the British Army during World War I, was "Everybody's Bishop" - jovial, saintly, a favorite at Keswick conferences. Bishop Smith used to ask all the candidates for the chaplaincy one question:
"Now, I want you to show me how you would deal with a man. We will suppose I am a soldier who has been wounded on the field of battle. I have three minutes to live and I am afraid to die, because I do not know Christ. Tell me, how may I be saved and die with the assurance that all is well?" If the applicant began to beat about the bush and talk about the true Church and ordinances and so on, the good Bishop would say, "That will not do. I have only three minutes to live. Tell me what I must do." And as long as Bishop Smith was Chaplain-General, unless a candidate could answer that question, he could not become a chaplain in the Army. Bishop Smith was right - a gospel that cannot save a dying man is no gospel. We should be ready: Now speak the full gospel - evnaglism! Open door for you - be found faithful in the little witness frist, ready to give answer to any who ask
We should be ready: Now speak the full gospel - evnaglism! Open door for you - be found faithful in the little witness frist, ready to give answer to any who ask
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,
Focuses on the saved part, not the do. saved from what? Own guilt of participating,… what Romans will do to him? For eternity,? Heard girl’s strange message? Or the prayer and song about King Jesus? Can’t know. But simple - believe on the LORD Jesus Christ!
Own guilt of particpating,… what romans willd o to him? For eternity,? Heard girl’s strange message? Or the prayer and song about King Jesus?
Own guilt of particpating,… what romans willd o to him? For eternity,? Heard girl’s strange message? Or the prayer and song about King Jesus?
Can’t know. But simple - believe on the LORD Jesus Christ!
on news this week, Lorna Duckworth - -Rachael Den Hollander now 33 year old mom, lawyer, coach. 15y abused. View point - scandal in USA - gymnastics - Michigan State U. doctor abused. One young woman brave - in court of law - explained that forgiveness - involves repentance, seeing how guilty you really are - justice demands it - amazing thing about he gospel - so undeserving, but - with trembling words said - I extend my forgiveness to you - but what you need is God’s forgiveness - can have if in repentance and gripped acknowledging guilt - take hold of Christ! . Remarkable moment.
3 minutes. Are you able to articulate saving gospel? Here is the most amazing mission work in the book of Acts, done in the wee hours of the night. Here is the gospel in a nut shell:
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Just like Lydia, - whole household transformed by call to believe . Both would come to realize to follow Jesus demands our all; but in that moment realize the gospel requires nothing more than FAITH ALONE in CHRIST! Embracing him all you ever need, and repentance would follow! The stress isn’t on what we can DO - but on embracing the Jesus wh does all to SAVE!
And it is not Paul and Silas who are Sirs, Lords, but the Messiah the LORD, KURIOS - greater than Caesar divine LORD come to know him, own him, submit to him! REST upon him… personal believing is what this jailor and you and I must do. Believe, trust lean into HIM! This is the do, but the faith is not of his own production, but drawn from Jesus who is so worthy of our confidence! What we get to do to people who need help = Jesus has salvation and He is near to all who will call on him to offer and extend that saving help and healing of salvation! “You shall be saved, you and your household”
Simple tools: Evangelism Explosion, Video called Two Ways to live, Christianity Explored!
And Philippians household not just individual disciples - baptized. Just like Lydia - they engage together in hospitality for the mission. He cleans their wounds, he offers his house and sets food before them. YOu and your household at Lord’s disposal - for his work of washing wounds, of welcoming in, of supporting those reaching out!
D. Christianity is not a private faith to hide, but a public life to bless
Lictors Come - Imagine Jailer Beaming - Look what happened, think all left - but here I’ve got them all - Surely you must see Sign, Commotion next day - just let them go - learned their lesson Jews can’t disturb our Roman Peace - Jailer probably felt delighted with this message for Paul. Come let su go now in peace?
Commotion next day - just let them go - learned their lesson Jews can’t disturb our Roman Peace - Jailer probably felt delighted with this message for Paul. Come let su go now in peace?
Paul surprises them all, would have surprised you if reading this for the first time. Paul could be tough as nails for the gospel. Not just to buck authority. But for justice and because so much was at stake for the establishment of Christianity. Paul raises the first banner of Christianity -n this Roman colony, continent of Europre. He would not let the idea that Christianity is against Rome. Send those magistrates publically over here! Christ is not against law and order. Paul defends Christianity’s rightful, place He would secure the protection of Lydia, her household, and the church in Philippi were it met! Punch Line in Joke, The police, lictors come humming and hawing please accept our apology and get out. But Paul doesn’t. Why not? Here’s - part missing to get it - We’re Romans!
Paul could be tough as nails for the gospel. Not just to buck authroity. But for justice and because so much was at stake for the establishment of Christianity. Paul raises the first banner of Christianity -n this Roman colony, continent of Europre. He would not let the idea that Christianity is against Rome, that is against law and order stand! He would defend Christianity’s rightful, place He would secure the protection of Lydia, her household, and the church in Philippi were it met!
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.”
Punch Line in Joke, The police, lictors come humming and hawing please accept our apology and get out. But Paul doesn’t. Why not? Here’s - part missing to get it - We’re Romans!
And come they did - Those magistrates could lose the colonies whole status, given only 80y before for such mistreatment of Romans. They were un-condemned men, there was no trial. And in public Roman citizens before the colonial population. What is Paul declaring, what is Luke saying to his readers? particularly Most Excellent Theophilus first wrote it - Roman title by the way. Christianity is not about this culture or that culture, religious customs - about real Person jesus Christ as Saviour and LORD of all - not a threat to your social order , imperial power if properly used, a blessing - even rescues those in authority … These praetors publically declare them innocent!
let magistrates come… and come they did - Those magistrates could lose the colonies whole status on 50 or so years, for such mistreatment of Romans. They were uncodnened men, not trial. And in public Roman citizens before the colonial population.
What is Paul declaring, what is Luke saying to his readers? particularly Most Excellent Theoplphilus first wrote it - Roman title by the way. Christianity is no t about this culture or that culture, rekgious customs - about real Person jesus Christ as Saviour and LORD of all - not a threat to your social order , impoerial power if properly used, a blessing - even rescues those in authroity … These praetors publically declare them innocent!
What is Paul declaring, what is Luke saying to his readers - particularly Most Excellent Theoplphilus first wrote it - Roman title by the way. Christianity is no t about this culture or that culture, rekgious customs - about real Person jesus Christ as Saviour and LORD of all - not a threat to your social order , impoerial power if properly used, a blessing - even rescues those in authroity …
And notice the little detail that Luke uses to close this episode. They were thrown into jail, but now they walk freely out! They were persecuted and prisoners, but now the persecutors are begging at their feet. Paul could have escaped and run away in the earthquake, but as a fleeing outlaw fugitive. But he stayed, and now he publically and openly serves as a Christian in the Roman Empire that Christ will win over and transform. Paul didn’t scdaddle out of there when the earthquake set him free.. cared to reach out to those people. He didn’t accept the royal escort out of town… he turns back to brothers , to the church in Philippi - bravely goes and
So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.
ENCOURAGES THEM = church in Philippi. What a surprise meeting as Paul and his associates recount the events of prayer, earthquake, conversion, what laughter at surprising legal twist , maybe even sang songs. What a church - probably Lydia, the ex-Pythoness, the Philippians Jails, probably ex-inmates… This is the church -rich poor, free, slave, male and female, One in Christ, first church of continent of Europe. Not afraid as young converts of persecution, Paul had stood up for them, stood beside them. Will you?
And notice little detail that closes this epsidoe that Luke includes. They were thrown in, but the walk freely out! Paul didn’t scaddle out of there qhen earthwuake set him free.. cared to reach out tothose people. He didn’t receive the rolyal escort out of town… he turns back to brothers , to the church in Philippi - bravely goes and ENCOURAGES THEM = churchin Philippi. What a surprise meeting as Paul and his associates recount the events of prayer, earthquake, conversion, what laughter at surprisinglegal twist , maybe even sang songs. What a church - probably Lydia, the ex-Pythoness, the Philippians Jails, prpbbaly ex-inmates… This is the church -rich poor, free, slave, male and female, One in Christ, first church of conteint.
Think of the influence that had on the other prisoners - like that of crew of sinking ship later in . Not one of them tries to escape - XNty placed on high vantage point.. We ought not be ashamed of this fellowship - realize in community of Christ - have the greatest community - the only lasting family this world really knows! They leave with the dignity of righteous men, forbearing mistreatment, like Christ on the Cross, nobility that even the soldiers recognized the Christ, His kingdom!
The church in Philippi will be in society to change society - city on a hill. Sure Paul and Silas leave town with backs aching from those scourgings.. from the stocks. But worth any suffering to see Kingdom of Christ break into darkness of Roman Empire! The two who in God’s providence spared from prison, stay behind Timothy & Luke the Evangelist
= in society to change society - city on a hilll - Sure leave town with backs aching from those scouragings.. from the stocks. But worth any fsuffering to see Kingdom of Christ break into darkness of Roman Emprie!
PRAYER
O Lord, help us to unfurl the flag of your Son wherever you desire to use us as your witnesses today and in days to come. Help us to know with whom you want us to share the gospel of life, and to do so wisely and skillfully. Help us not to be mute because of fear, but to praise you always, even in the most difficult circumstances. May your presence in us draw others, even our enemies, to your salvation, found only in your Son. In Jesus' name, Amen.
PRAYER
O Lord, help us to unfurl the flag of your Son wherever you desire to use us as your witnesses today and in days to come. Help us to know with whom you want us to share the gospel of life, and to do so wisely and skillfully. Help us not to be mute because of fear, but to praise you always, even in the most difficult circumstances. May your presence in us draw others, even our enemies, to your salvation, found only in your Son. In Jesus' name, Amen.