Prison of Our Own Making

Prison of Our Own Making

Acts 16:25-34

Acts 16:27 AV

And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

This morning there are people in our midst that are suffering; there are people in our midst that are going through trials; there are some people that are here that are imprisoned by some habitual sin; some destructive pattern in their life; a slave to this world. They are imprisoned – not able to see the light of day – not able to see hope.

Then, all of these problems seem to be exasperated during the Christmas season to be so much worse because of , of again, expectations we put on ourselves or that we try to fulfill for others.

It might be a person that is visiting today or a person that is a member. These prisons that we are in are not things that we announce to the world – hey everyone – look where I am at I’m imprisoned.

No, rather it is something that we tend to endure perhaps without another person on this earth that knows about it.

But let me tell you something – God knows. The Lord Jesus Christ knows and He doesn’t want you in that prison. There is hope for you today.

LET’S PRAY.

Isaiah 61:1 AV

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

This morning we want to discuss “Breaking out of Prison” it can be done. It is not an easy road, if it were everyone of you would have done it already. But if we will take time to consider God’s Word from the passage that was read this morning, we will be able to see the hope there is for our lives.

I. THE GUARD WAS IN AN INVISIBLE PRISON OF HIS OWN v.27

Acts 16:27 AV

And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

A. He Wasn’t Locked Up, But He Was Under Control Of The Prison Laws And Rules.

You may not be behind bars, but if you have not given your life to the Lord in full surrender, you are locked up and in a prison.

That prison will control you in all that you do.

The prison of self.

B. The Disaster Was The Way Of His Escape.

Often times it takes a disaster to cause one to open his eyes to the calling and will of the Lord.

C. The Disaster Of The Cross Was Our Escape.

Jesus died on an Old Rugged Cross.

That Cross is our way of escape.

D. We can still find ourselves locked up in a Prison

A prison that we have constructed ourselves.

A prison of pride

Proverbs 16:18 AV

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

A prison of fear

A prison of uncertainty or doubt

I can’t do it; I’ve tried before, I’d might as well not even try at all.

A prison of unmet-expectation – where if I can’t do the Christian life perfectly I won’t do it at all.

A prison that was locked up very secure.

Thomas Jefferson rightly spelled out human nature in the Declaration of Independence when he said, “all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.”

To stay like we are in suffering – but we know that we can continue to tolerate it. We have learned and have given into the fact that this is who we are and we will just go on in our unhappy somewhat tolerable condition – because to change and to fight would be too costly and too much work.

5It is a prison that is overpopulated

II. HE WASN’T AWARE OF HIS CONDITION

(“Awaking out of his sleep.”)

A. He Was Aware Of The Difference In Lifestyle Of Paul And Silas v.29

Acts 16:29 AV

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

Here were two men who were a mystery to the jailer. He didn’t understand them.

1. The peace they exhibited. (Phil 4:7) "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

2. The loyalty to their Master.

3. He was accustomed to seeing the lives of convicts and crooks.

4. Paul and Silas were men of God, men who had surrendered their lives to the Master completely.

B. They Spake The Word Of The Lord v.32

The Word of God will set you free.

The Word of God will instruct your future.

The Word of God is the only instruction book there is. All others lead to destruction.

C. I Wasn’t Aware Of My Condition

1. I thought I was doing what was normal for a husband and a father.

a. I was employed.

b. I provided for my family.

c. I was home each and every night.

d. When they needed me I was there.

2. I was in church every service.

a. We never missed a service except for sickness.

b. Someone from our family was always at church.

3. I stood against evil and sin.

4. I supported righteousness and decency.

5. I voted conservatively in every election.

6. I honored my country in the military.

7. I thought I had fulfilled every obligation that could possibly be expected of anyone.

D. I Was Not In The Will Of God.

1. I didn’t even understand the will of God.

2. The will of God was the farthest thing from my mind.

III. HE SAW THE DOORS OPENED Vs. 27.

“...and seeing the prison doors open....”

He Thought The Open Doors Spelled His Doom.

Some here today or perhaps when you first went to church – you thought it spelled your doom as well.

You thought Chrisitianity was going to be a pain and the Lord was going to be harsh and domineering; uncaring and judgmental – but the open doors of God really are telling us that there is hope for life; hope for freedom; hope for forgivenss; hope for redemption.

The Lord Jesus calls out himself in Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all yethat labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

IV. HE SAW NO WAY OF ESCAPE

Vs. 27. “He drew his sword.”

How many people are bound in sin today. They have searched every avenue of escape they can find, only to find that each avenue leads to further captivity.

A. He Thought Suicide Was The Only Escape From His Sin

I wonder how many suicides are completed today that could have been avoided had the person known how to deal with sin?

1. Sin blinds the eyes.

2. Sin causes everything to be distorted.

3. One who is the servant of sin cannot see the way of escape.

4. Suicide looks like the way out.

5. Alcohol looks like the way of escape.

6. Drugs become an escape avenue for some. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” There is no escape without Him.

7. The job can be an escape for some.

All hope is lost for so many. Even in the Christmas season when their are so many glimpses of Christ even in a godless society, you’d think people would see that God is there searching for them, but they cannot see it.

Let me remind you that suicide, alcohol, sin - none of these things are an escape - they only take you deeper into the dungeon.

B. Escape Can Only Come Through An Open Door

You need not remain behind those locked prison doors any longer. The door has been opened long ago by the One who died on the cross for you.

John 10:9 AV

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

C. There Is No Report About The Magistrates Causing A Repercussion

Meaning it is unclear that he was ever fired or tried for what happened in the prison or for turning to Christ.

I think we live in a generation that fears what might happen if we give our hearts to Christ or if we stand openly for the Lord.

Your fear is probably unwarranted.

Your excuse for not completely doing the will of God has no merit.

You will not be ostracized for submitting to God.

V. HE BECAME A CHANGED MAN

(Acts 16:33) "And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway."

(Acts 16:34) "And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house."

A. A Saved Man Is A Changed Man

He began doing immediately what a saved man should do.

2 Corinthians 5:17 AV

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

B. A Changed Man Will Exhibit Changed Ways

We just read in 2 Cor 5:17 “Old things are passed away. all is new now”

Prison of Our Own Making

Acts 16:25-34