Turning The World Upside Down: Jailhouse Rock: Acts 16:11-40

I. The Trip to Philippi vs. 11-12

A. They traveled 156 miles in 2 days. It was normally a 5 day trip.

B. They traveled in record time showing how God wanted them there. God will move you in miraculous ways in order for His will to be accomplished.

II. The Trouble in Philippi vs. 13-24

A. In order to have a synagogue you had to have 10 Jewish men. If you did not have a quorum of men, you were to worship outside, preferably near water.

B. Paul and Silas would have been welcomed, because they were Rabbi’s.

C. Lydia, a Gentile woman who had embraced Judaism now believed, as did her family and servants. This would be the opposite of what most Jewish men would expect. “God, I thank you that I am not a Gentile, or a slave, or a woman”.

D. Paul and co. stay at Lydia’s house, giving full attention to the ministry.

E. The demon possessed girl was trying to persuade people into not trusting fully in Christ. Basically, just add Jesus to divination “ministry”. Some will add false theology, because it gets more people in. (Charismatics and Catholics ex)

F. When Paul had enough, he cast a demon out of her. So now you’ve got a wealthy woman, and a slave girl. That is a hodge podge faith family!

G. These men didn’t do their research because Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. People don’t care what you believe as long as it doesn’t hurt their bank account. They brought race into it, which is why Timothy and Luke were probably safe.

H. They were stripped naked and beaten. Being in stocks would rip open their wounds every time they moved.

I. Inner prison= maximum security. They were with the roughest crowd, you could possibly want.

III. The Triumph in Philippi vs. 25-40

A. Paul and Silas started singing and praising God because their praise was based on their circumstances, but on Jesus.

B. When the earthquake happened the inmates didn’t try to escape, because they wanted to know why they were singing and who this Jesus is.

C. They stop the jailer from killing himself in order to share to share the gospel. 93% of families come to Christ if the husband is saved first. Only 17% if the wife is saved first. 3.5% if the kids are saved first.

D. So they rejoice in a family being saved.

E. Paul refuses to let the leaders off the hook because he didn’t want a bad reputation following them on this missionary journey. Also, he didn’t want the church to have a bad reputation either, or come to harm as a result. The magistrates walking them out of prison proved their innocence.

F. Paul left behind a hodge podge church that was a loving and giving church.