Bible Study Series: The Power Of Prayer And Worship, Act 16:19-34

 PRAISE AND WORSHIP OPEN DOORS

Acts 16:19-34

 

THE DECEPTIONS OF SATAN

Paul and Silas were on a missionary trip in Philippi preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

There was a young girl slave girl who had a spirit to predict the future, making money for her masters.

She began following them shouting “these men are servants of the most high God, telling you the way to be saved.” After several days Paul was troubled and called the spirit out of her.

 

On the surface, it would appear that the slave girl lent her reputation to promote the Gospel.

You would think Paul would have been pleased to have someone in the pagan city

Announcing their mission to the public.

 

Perhaps Paul became annoyed that attention was drawn to the slave girl rather then

The preaching of the Gospel. Instead of aiding the Gospel, she had become a hindrance.

God does not tell us the reason for Paul’s troubling, therefore we can only speculate.

 

Let me suggest that the spirit the slave girl had was from Satan. Her predictions were used for the profits of pagan men. Her spirit kept her in slavery. The Spirit of the Lord brings freedom. The Spirit of the Lord will never be used for evil gain. The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit for it is foolishness to them.

 

TROUBLE FOLLOW THOSE WHO PREACH THE GOSPEL

V:19 When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice."

A.    The Gospel will not always be accepted by men/women.

1.     Satan deals in lies and deceptions.

2.     The owners of the slave girl only acted when their potential for

Profit was lost.

3.     The owners cared for themselves not the welfare of the girl.

B.     The text does not tell us that the city was in an uproar or what customs

Paul and Silas preached that was unacceptable to the Romans

1.     What we do know is the owners of the slave girl were angered

Because of their lost revenue.

2.     They took the law into their own hands by dragging Paul and Silas

Before the magistrates.

3.     The owners of the slave girl made allegations to support their

Action.                                                                                    

4.     It was a trial by public opinion, mainly the owners of the slave girl.

5.     The real problem to me is having my daughter or anybody’s daughter treated like a slave.

6.     One sin leads to many other sins.

7.     God does not tell us what happens to the slave girl.

8.     One thing we know is she was exposed to the Word of God for several days.

9.     Since the Word cannot return void, she was affected by it.

10. She lost the ability to profit men. But the Word transformed

Her life to spiritual profitability.

 

SUFFERING IS PART OF THE MISSON OF CHRIST

V:22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

A.    All you got to have is one person to stir up a crowd against you.

1.     Working for God will sometimes cause hardships in your life.

2.     According to the text, Paul and Silas didn’t get a chance to tell their side of the story

Before they were punished and jailed.

3.     Why would a Holy God allow this to happen to His humble servants?

4.     The effect on the slave girl is one reason.

5.     God arranges times and events in our lives to draw us and others to Him.

B.     Paul and Silas were in pain and bleeding from the beating.

1.     They were thrown into a dark inner cell and chained to the wall by their feet.

2.     They were heavily guarded so there was no way to escape.

3.     They were unfairly treated like the worst criminals.

4.     Sometimes God has to force us into places we would not normally go to

Get the Gospel to people who need it the most.

5.     Enduring forced punishment strengthens our faith.

 

THE POWER OF WORSHIP

V:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"

A.    We hear no complaints from Paul and Silas.

1.     We hear of no resistance of Paul and Silas against their unfair and harsh treatment.

2.     The text teaches us what to do when unfairly treated.

3.     The text teaches us to remain faithful in difficult situations.

4.     The text teaches us that God has a plan for our hardships.

B.     If Paul and Silas had begun complaining it may have eliminated their desire to pray

1.     The text does not tell us what Paul and Silas did between the time they entered the

Jail and midnight.

2.     It is possible that they were in silent prayer.

3.     Maybe they considered the events of the day.

4.     Maybe they were getting adjusted to their wombs.

5.     Maybe they were considering how to make themselves joyful in their

Present situation.

C.     At midnight, the start of a new day, they began to pray and sing out loud.

1.     The sound of their voices ringed out throughout the prison.

2.     God gave them a ready audience for church services.

3.     When you start praying and sing out loud, you never know how you are encouraging the lives of others.

4.     The text says an unlikely audience, the prisoners were listening.

5.     Notice there is no mention of the Roman guards listening.

D.    Paul and Silas praying and singing caused God to unleash His power

Over the elements

1.     A violent earthquake shook the jail so hard that locks on all

Jail cells open up.

2.     Paul and Silas praying and singing calmed all the prisoners

So they stayed in their cells and didn’t try to escape.

3.     The Word of God in prayer and song is powerful.

E.     The jailer woke up assuming all the prisoners had escaped.

1.     He knew his faith was death, so decided to kill himself.

2.     Paul knowing the jailer's intention spoke up, we are all here.

3.     Even in pain having been judged unfairly, Paul had compassion

For the jailer.

4.     When God’s in charge of your life, you will do the right thing.

 

THE PURPOSE OF YOUR TROUBLES

V:29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

A.    The purpose of Paul and Silas imprisonment was realized

1.     A jailer having heard the Word and witness the miracle asked to be saved.

2.     Here is the answer to what Paul and Silas were probably doing between the time they entered The jail and midnight.

a.     They were preaching the Gospel while in pain and chained to the wall.

b.     They seized the opportunity to preach to the lost.

c.      The jailer dozed off and went to sleep doing the message.

d.     The jailer got the message of salvation before he went to sleep.

B.     Let me suggest that when the jailer awoke and found the doors open

And the prisoners in their cells, his gratitude flowed to obedience to

God’s call to repentance.

1.     God in His sovereignty purposes our trials so He gets the glory.

2.     God is glorified when one soul is saved.

 

SALVATION THE SUCCESS OF THE MISSION

V:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God — he and his whole family.

A.    The church is built, one person at a time. The jailer first, then his whole household.

1.     Faith in Jesus is the only requirement for salvation.

2.     Romans 3:28

 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

3.     Paul and Silas preached Jesus to the jailer and his household.

B.     The jailer showed his gratitude by taking Paul and Silas to his house and cleaning

Their wounds.

1.     Paul and Silas obedient to the commands of Jesus baptized the jailer and his family

2.     We should never put our own needs before the Gospel.

3.     When God is first, He will supply our needs.

4.     Jesus brings joy into the lives of all believers

 

The mission of the Gospel is to affect the lives of all those the Word falls on.

Let's review the results of the Mission

 

Paul and Silas were prevented from taking the Gospel to Asia and redirected

To Philippi by the Holy Spirit.

 

At Philippi, He met Lydia a seller of purple cloth on the Sabbath and baptized

She and her household were in a prayer meeting.

 

From there Paul and Silas met a demon-possessed slave girl who

Followed them several days before Paul called the demon out of her.

 

The owners of the slave girl angry at the loss of profit took them to

The Roman soldiers who beat them and threw them in jail

 

The Word was preached to the jailer and all prisoners.

The Jailer and his household were baptized.

 

God has a plan for your misery. It all starts with prayer and Worship.

 

Look again at the number of lives affected by obedience to the Gospel

        Lydia and her household

        The slave girl

        The owners of the slave girl

         The Roman Soldiers

          The Jailer and his household

          The prisoners in the jail

 

My questions to you is this:

Is one life saved worth your trouble?

 

Should prayer move you to act on behalf of another person?

 

Should you start a worship service in the midst of strangers?

 

 Rev. M. Mitchell

 

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Jesus Surrenders Himself For The Cross", John 18:1-13, 1/30/2022

 JESUS SURRENDERS HIMSELF FOR THE CROSS

John 18:1-13

 

Jesus had finished praying for the protection of His disciples. In his final hours, Jesus focus was on

The mission had to continue once He ascended back into Heaven. With the Fathers intervention

The Disciples would be strengthened to endure the loss of their leader.  

 

MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL

V:1 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.

2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

A.    Being in the garden was Jesus's submission to the  Father’s plan of the cross.

1.     Before this time and on several occasions, the leading Jews had planned

To kill Jesus, but He slipped through the crowd unnoticed.

2.     This proves that Jesus was in control of all situations.

3.     Nothing would happen before the time set by Him.

B.     Jesus planted Judas with His selected disciples so he would know Him intimately

And could easily identify Him.

1.     Not only that, Judas was given a love of money and put in charge of the money

Bag to develop his appetite for thievery.

2.     Judas knew this was the place to find Jesus because he was familiar

With His place of prayer.

3.     Judas sought out the Chief Priest to betray Jesus.

4.     He was paid 30 Pieces of silver to lead the two groups, the leading Jews and Roman

Soldiers to the place where Jesus would be and to identify Him.

5.     While it looked like the forces of evil were in control. Jesus was fulfilling His

Scripture.

Psalms 41:9

Even my close friend, whom I trusted,

he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

6.     When you stand on the Word of God, people fear you.

A band of soldiers came armed to take on man, Jesus.

 

JESUS IDENTIFIES HIMSELF BEFORE MEN

V:4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"

5 "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied.

"I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.

A.    There is power in the name of Jesus.

1.     When Jesus identified Himself, the Chief Priest and the band of soldiers fell to the ground.

2.     At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.

3.     This event showed that Jesus was in control, not the armed Roman soldiers.

4.     While the Chief Priest was the civil authority, Jesus was the authority overall.

B.     Jesus did not run away from trouble, He controlled the trouble.

1.     Jesus did not fear trouble, He welcomed it with joy.

 

JESUS TOOK CHARGE OF THE INTERROGATION

V:7 Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?"

And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."

8 "I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go."  9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me."

A.    Jesus readily identified Himself so that His disciple would not be interrogated.

1.     He did not want His disciples to get involved in the trial that He planned.

2.     The start of the Church would rest on the shoulders of the 11 apostles.

B.     Jesus asked that His disciples be released so that the focus could be on Him and

Him alone so that the work of the Father could be completed in Him.

1.     Judas's purpose in life was to betray Jesus.

Matthew 26:48-50

 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.

50 Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for."

2.     Jesus used Satan to place Himself in the hands of the enemy to carry out the Father’s will.

3.     God does not need us, but He uses us in His divine plan.

 

LISTEN TO THE WORD BEFORE YOU ACT

V:10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)

11 Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"

A.    While Jesus need no protection, Peter was armed to protect Him.

1.     Peter missed the boat because He did not understand the purpose of the coming

Persecution.

John 18:10

 

Peter's sword symbolizes rebellion against the will of God. Peter should have known that Jesus would be arrested and that He would willingly surrender to His enemies (Matthew 16:21 ff, 17:22-23; 20:17-19). Peter made every mistake possible! He fought the wrong enemy, used the wrong weapon, had the wrong motive, and accomplished the wrong result! He was openly resisting the will of God and hindering the work that Jesus came to accomplish! While we admire his courage and sincerity, it was certainly a demonstration of zeal without knowledge.

 

Why did Peter fail so miserably? For one thing, he had argued with the Lord when Jesus warned him that he would deny his Master that very night. Peter had slept when he should have been praying, and he talked when he should have been listening. He imitated the very enemies who came to arrest Jesus, for they too were armed with swords. Peter would discover that the sword of the Spirit is the weapon God's servants use in fighting their spiritual battles (Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17). He would use that sword at Pentecost and "slay" 3,000 souls!

(from The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.)

 

2.     We should meditate on the Word before we act on our emotions,

3.     It should be our objective to follow the example Jesus gives.

4.     Jesus showed humbleness, Peter showed pride.

5.     Jesus showed submission, Peter showed rebellion.

B.     Peter’s anger led him to attack an innocent servant.

1.     The chief enemy was Satan who influenced the Chief Priest.

2.     We cannot wrestle with Satan with man-made weapons.

Ephesians 6:12-13

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

 

C.     Jesus understood the cross to be the cup the Father prepared for Him.

1.     Jesus rebuked Peter for his ignorance of God’s purpose.

2.     Jesus had given His disciples the plan of His persecution but

They refused to believe

John 12:32-33

32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."  33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

 

3.     The Word of God is given to each of us.

4.     It is up to you to believe that it applies to you.

D.    We all have a cup that has been prepared for us that is designed to

Test our faith and draw us closer to God.

 

JESUS ALLOWS EVIL FOR OUR GOOD

V:12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.

A.    Jesus allowed The Roman authority and the Chief Jewish civil authority to arrest Him.

1.     There is power in what Jesus allows to happen.

2.     There is purpose in what Jesus allows to happen.

3.     There is glory in what Jesus allows to happen.  

B.     The Action of the Jewish leaders was illegal according to the Church of the Latter Day Saints

1.     “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death.”^h Whether “all the council” means a legal quorum, which would be twenty-three or more, or a full attendance of the seventy-two Sanhedrists, is of small importance. Any sitting of the Sanhedrin at night, and more particularly for the consideration of a capital charge, was directly in violation of Jewish law. Likewise was it unlawful for the council to consider such a charge on a Sabbath, a feast day, or on the eve on any such day. In the Sanhedrin, every member was a judge; the judicial body was to hear the testimony, and, according to that testimony and nought else, render a decision on every case duly presented. The accusers were required to appear in person, and they were to receive a preliminary warning against bearing false witness. Every defendant was to be regarded and treated as innocent until convicted in due course.”

 

2.     Jesus allowed Himself to be falsely accused so He could be lifted up on the cross

For our redemption.

3.     Hebrews 12:2-3

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

 

THANK GOD FOR JESUS SUBMISSION TO THE CROSS

 

Rev. M. Mitchell