Christian Response

I was going to start us in Acts 17 tonight, but I really want to almost finish this chapter with you. There is so much in the Living Word of God that applies heavily to us today.

We are going to pick it up in Acts 16:19 tonight. Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke are still preaching in Philippi where we saw the first ever European convert a wealthy woman named Lydia. What we are going to read tonight is what follows Paul casting out a demon from a slave girl in the name of Jesus the Messiah.

Greed and The Human Heart

Acts 16:19 NLT

19 Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace.

We are shown a picture of the human heart when it comes to money, power, and greed. We do not see any mention of the girl being cleansed of a demon by the people, just anger at the loss of money. The same thing occured when Jesus cast out the demons into the pigs:

Mark 5:16–17 NLT

16 Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. 17 And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.

The pigs went over a cliff causing a loss of revenue for the people who owned the pigs. It did not matter that the man was healed, only that there was financial loss.

The sad truth is that many people will claim Jesus until their wallets take a hit. Tithes and offerings are a perfect example. “I believe, I trust, just not that much.”

And then there are those who are not believers and don't have a problem with Christians as long as the non-believer benefits in some way. As soon as someone does not get what they want or do not hear what they want from a believer, the attacks start.

Acts 16:20–21 NLT

20 “The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted to the city officials. 21 “They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.”

Paul and Silas are being attacked for their ethnicity and belief in the one true God. The word “Jews” here is used in a hateful way. Jews were uncommon in this area, and were disliked because of their beliefs.

The first use of the word “Christian,” at the church in Antioch was used the same way. We hear the word “Christian” used in a similar context more and more in this country. “I can’t stand those Christians!” It is becoming increasingly popular to bash Christians.

And now the lies and attacks. The haters are convincing those in power that Paul and Silas are threatening the Roman way of life. That what they are teaching is illegal. When we look carefully, we see a threefold argument from those bringing the charges against Paul and Silas, but notice no mention of the girls healing or the loss of profit:

“These Jews” - used to awaken the latent prejudice of the crowd.

“Uproar” - would have caught the attention of the city magistrates.

“Illegal customs” - in proselytizing or attempting to convert someone.

We see the very same arguments used against Christians today. Don’t get angry. Jesus told us this was going to happen. These things should be reinforcing our faith in our LORD and Savior!

Let me say this. Be of good cheer! We are primed to share the Good News and to be a light to those who belittle us, lash out at us, and hate us. That is the very message of the cross! “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do!”

One more thing. Our God is not that small brothers and sisters. Although monuments made by mans hand may crumble, God does not crumble. God can not be kicked out of the schools or the government or anything else.

As soon as you show up, a believer imbued with the Holy Spirit of God Himself, you are carrying Him with you in your heart and mind. Our job is to represent Jesus, to be ambassadors unto Christ. You are bringing the living hope of Jesus Christ to the godless.

The World’s Response

Acts 16:22–24 NLT

22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

Philippi First Century Jail

When we read that they were beaten severely, the Romans used the same kind of rods that were used to beat Jesus. Paul and Silas were lacerated. Now, these prisons were not nice like the ones we have. There were bodies, raw sewerage, and all kinds of nasty things.

We know that the world’s answer to trouble is to destroy. Cut people off, destroy them in any way possible. We have witnessed the character assassination of many Christians.

In America, we have seen Pastors lose their secular jobs because of their faith, Christians go to jail for their beliefs, and more recently, churches fined and closed for not following local mandates. The worlds answer. The worlds response. The worlds behavior.

Non-believers like to tout secularism, a godless society, as the answer to the worlds problems. They will claim that religion has killed more people than anything else. I remind you that secularism is responsible for more death in the last twenty five years than all world religions combined since the beginning of recorded history. Just research China, the most secular nation on earth, and see how many of their own people those in power have killed.

The Believer’s Response

Acts 16:25 NLT

25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

Okay. Both Paul and Silas have been severely beaten, bound around their ankles, cast into a nasty dungeon, facing public execution, and they… pray and sing to God. This is their heart! They know that in the end, it does not matter what happens, Jesus is still the King and sits on the throne. Not just that, the prisoners were listening.

Paul and Silas became the worship team in prison. Shackled and hurting, they focused on Jesus Christ, and allowed the Spirit to work through them. Through the physical and emotional pain, they worshipped the King of Kings.

What is it that we do when we face trouble? When we feel imprisoned? When we are in pain? Do we pray and sing His praises? The believers response to trouble is not to look like the world’s response, but our faith brings us to a place where we sing His praises! We know the Truth. We may hurt, we may grieve, we may become emotional, but Jesus Christ will always bring us back to our center.

When we face trials and tribulations like this, how does that look to those so intently watching? To those listening? They will want to know more about this Jesus Christ. What separates believers from the world in this respect? Those looking on want to know how it is you face such things with peace in your heart. It goes deeper than that though, check this out!

Acts 16:26–27 NLT

26 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! 27 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.

Earthquakes were common and remain common in that area of the world. The timing of this earthquake was nothing short of God. It happened during worship. Coincidence? I think not.

The guard was going to kill himself. Roman guards were responsible for those they were guarding. It was better that they killed themselves if their prisoners escaped than to face what would come their way.

The world is quick to cast away those who make mistakes, those who struggle, those who appear as the least of these. Not so with Jesus Christ.

Acts 16:28 NLT

28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

Paul and Silas did not run. Through the midst of his own troubles and pain, Paul is focused on another person. The jailer was not a believer, but Paul had concern for this mans well-being both physically and spiritually.

As our hearts and minds become more like Christ’s, as we grow in our relationship, as we mature as disciples, we find that helping others, even through our darkest times, brings the peace of God to our hearts and our minds.

We learn that the mission of the cross is so much bigger than any single situation, it is about bringing all people to the Kingdom of Glory.

Acts 16:29–30 NLT

29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Because of the Christian behavior that Paul and Silas exhibited, this Jailer, this Roman, desired to be saved. This would not have happened if Paul or Silas were acting like the rest of the world, if their words and actions were like everyone else.

The jailer is saying “I want what you have, show me how.”

Acts 16:31 NLT

31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”

As disciples, as missionaries in our own backyard, we must take the time to share the Word of God. We must be willing to share how Jesus changed our lives. To say “believe” does not really do much. Why should the person believe?

Go and make disciples. Be willing to come up beside someone who is seeking. Share the unpolluted Word of the Living God. Share your testimony. That is what we are all called to do in this world. Revival, revival begins with you. Amen.