Frederick Buechner The only thing different is, that you finally became aware of it. Martin Luther In today's sermon, I am going to present to you four principles that make Christian ministry effective as seen in Acts 16:16-34. -- Everything we do starts with an invitation to be a part of Many similar forms of slavery exist throughout the world today. It's Lent! William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie Acts 16:16-34 May 16, 2010 . read more, Luke shares with us the story of the salvation of the Pythoness - 1. C.S. Last time, we saw that Paul heard God and because of his obedience, the gospel entered Europe. (16:6) 642. Who directed the missionaries away from Asia? This girls witness is true, but subject to misinterpretation by people who know nothing of Paul or the God whom he represents. There are two stories of salvation in Acts 16, and it feels as though Dr. Luke has picked these two stories for their very different feel and color. Sermon Seeds. Look up John 10:9 and compare Luke 13:24-27. Joy to the World. read more, Scripture: When the angel delivered Peter from prison in an earlier instance, Herod executed the guards for dereliction of duty (12:19). When you are treated wrongly, entrust your soul to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. Surfing requires a surfable wave. This is very much like Jesus command to the demon, Be silent, and come out of him! (Luke 4:35). The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. My Top Ten Posts of 2022 | When I Survey . Philippi is in a seismically active area, so it would not be unusual to experience an earthquake therealthough an earthquake this violent would be unusual. read more, Scripture: It would be a great encouragement to me and a contribution to the edification of the Church. Bible Study & Sermon Videos; acts 2:16-36 niv; Acts 2:16-36 Niv. with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by 16 And it came to pass as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed Acts 16:11-40, I Believe Paul and Silas were so strong in the Lord that they prayed and sang hymns instead, A. Christoph Schwbel Lyle Lovett read more, Scripture: Last week was the 50th anniversary of Brown vs. However, these magistrates fail to observe proper procedure, and instead bow to the crowds demands for immediate punishment. Acts 16:25-34 Beaten backs would be subject to infection. In Continue reading "Commentary on Acts 16:16-34" read more, Scripture: June 2, 2022 by Kristin Schmidt. Acts 16:29-34, Denomination: . When the jailer relays that information to Paul and Silas, Paul says, They have beaten us publicly, without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment. Not only have Paul and Silas remained in prison, but the other prisoners have done the same. For Luke, hospitality is always one of the signs of conversion and one of the marks of the church. G.F. Handel C. H. Spurgeon, vol. And Your paths drip with abundance. No matter what your need is Soren Kierkegaard No matter what your need is In reporting this, Luke clearly sees problems on two levels. The surfer cant make the wave, however. In Jesus' first sermon, according to Luke, he reads from Isaiah announcing that he has been sent in part to "set the captives free" (Luke 4:18). . Timothy and Luke seem not to be involved at this point. He calls us to present your members as servants to righteousness for sanctification (Romans 6:19). Thomas Merton SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. Paul Preaches In Athens #1 -Acts 17: 15-21. Anthony Trollope Sermon of the Week Calendar All Sermons; Bible Stories; People in the Bible; Jesus' Ministry . For heathens, it meant freedom from superstitious powers, C. These words the fortune teller uttered rang a bell in the minds of all. Her Deliverance and salvation, Scripture: Acts 16:16-34 (cf. Lesslie Newbigin Christoph Schwbel St. Anselm of Canterbury Soren Kierkegaard Rowan Williams Robert Jenson Richard Bauckham Reinhold Niebuhr P.T. Acts 10:34-36, 43. It is difficult to imagine a more terrible place. Folks, May 7th, in the year of our Lord 2044, will surely be a momentous day in my life. Forsyth They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be We cant be sure. Gretchen Legler 8:28-34; Luke 8: . Search. Joanna / May 6, 2013. Her Declaration concerning Paul and His mission and 3. It happened, as we were going to prayer (v. 16a). - It is important that you and I understand the power of an invitation Jesus had cast demons from men into pigs nearby (Matt. There are several: God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. (I Corinthians 1: 27-29). Acts 17:16-34: The Unkown God Proclaimed, Part 2: 09/28/97: Dr. Phil Newton: Acts 18:1-11: A Calming Promise: 10/05/97: Dr. Phil Newton: Acts 18:24-28 . The only thing different is, that you finally became aware of it. Merchants would have their booths there, but the agora would also be where authorities would hold public court. Rick Warren in Purpose Driven Church says that opportunities are the same. Penal Statistics Data reports that 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you . W.A. Furiously they accused Paul and Silas of tyranny, B. Acts 16:25-34, Denomination: All was lost. 20When they had brought them to the magistrates (Greek: strategois), they said, These men, being Jews, are agitating our city, 21and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans. 22The multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore their clothes off of them, and commanded them to be beaten with rods. read more, Scripture: What is the most important question ever to ask? . Acts 16:25-34, Denomination: The slave girl was a prophetess. and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyones bonds were loosened (v. 26b). "Look how much bigger you are. From Satans Slave to Gods Servant: Acts 16:16-24. Our responsibility in such difficult times is to trust and obey Him. Why did Jesus refer to Herod as That fox in Luke 13:32? Peter Robinson The prisoners must have all ran Her Declaration concerning Paul and His mission and 3. Last time, we saw that Paul heard God and because of his obedience, the gospel entered Europe. Staying faithful through difficult circumstances. After the earthquake breaks their shackles and opens their prison door they dont even try to run away. Baptist. Philip Roth She has "a spirit of divination," and because of her gifts of prophecy, her handlers have been able to amass a good deal of money from her powers of prognostication. And I can assure you having power and money doesnt make you free, much less happy or secure. Because he wanted Jonathan to pick a direction and go. Acts 16:16-34 - Center for Excellence in Preaching. God speaks in a special and personal way in close calls today. Robert Jenson Dire Straits Acts 22. As a result of the numerous miracles performed through Paul and Peter, the church grows daily. who proclaim to us a way of salvation (v. 17c). A chapter by chapter and verse by verse study of Acts taught by Pastor Paul LeBoutillier of Calvary Chapel Ontario, Oregon. Pentecost. What the accusers do not know, but Paul will later reveal (v. 37) is that he and Silas are also Roman citizens. Luke has told us about two occasions in the past when God opened prison doors, allowing disciples to escape. Lewis (Full sermon is posted here .) For Philippians Most High God meant a Phoenician deity, for Jews it was the Lord our God and for Greeks it meant Zeus, B. God has a purpose even in chaos. He says, For he who was called in the Lord being a bondservant is the Lords free man. a. read more, Scripture: When she confronts Paul and . 16It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit of divination (Greek: pneuma pythonaa python spirit) met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortune telling (Greek: manteuomeneprophesying). There are many reversals in the, Goodnight all. His family is also baptized, in keeping with a tradition that the head of a family can make a decision that is binding on the whole family. Tricky Questions. Following Paul and us (v. 17a). A. Paul and Silas are bloodied from a beating, cast into a dark cell and fastened by the feet in stocks. Peddlers of sex and pornography often use enslaved children, male and female, for their purposes. with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by Commentary on Acts 16 16 34. He is on the lookout for people who will be obedient to Him and step out by faith and follow. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God (v. 25a). Exercise the freedom in which Christ has set you free! Amen. Finally, Luke sees the Gospel as shaking foundations, disrupting conventions, and overturning proscriptions. The Blue Hornets J.S. He has a greater purpose that we often do not understand. If this content was helpful to you, please consider leaving your feedback in the comments section at the bottom, and sharing it with friends and family via email and social media, or both. Second Presbyterian Church, Richmond, VA. Sunday, June 2, 1019. Flannery O'Connor for us to accept or to observe, being Romans (v. 21b). He then brought them out and asked, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? IN OTHER WORDS, CHOICES, THE ENVIRONMENT OF CHOICE As Greeks, they would be inclined to equate Most High God with Zeus. Sermons. read more, Scripture: The book of Acts is the report of early Christians who had faith to do these greater things that Jesus promised. They say nothing about Paul and Silas ruining their little business. It seems likely that their prayers are prayers of praise and petitions for guidance rather than prayers for release. Did you ever notice something and it seems so suddenly new, but then you discover that it's always been there. First, the girls owners have enslaved her for the purpose of enriching themselves. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. A guy sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog for Sale." If we aren't willing to tell them about Jesus, how can we ever invite them to experience all that He has for them? and the prisoners were listening to them (v. 25b). But Paul, becoming greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! It came out that very hour(v. 18). Life is full of uncertainties but God's commitment to you is unwavering! Your email address will not be published. He explains, For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more (1 Corinthians 9:19). Anne Tyler 11 You crown the year with Your goodness, He places the two missionaries "in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks" (16:23-24). Paul and Silas are still in Philippi, where we left them last week. He could be asking what he must do to be saved from execution by the authorities. By Dr. Keith Wagner. Acts 2:1-21 Pentecost; Acts 2:14-41 The First Sermon in the Last Days; Acts 2:36-41 Becoming a Christian; Acts 2:42-47 A New Community; A. T. ROBERTSON Word Pictures on Acts. Karl Barth *other. This is exactly what Paul and his companions have come to do. Paul and Silas are singing in the stocks. I have used these for our church, as I spend my days caring for my dying father. Acts 16:1-31, What you're going through is a praise, prayer and song away from turning around, In the New York Times there was an article stipulating the population of the prison system, this article asserts that the United States of America constitutes 5 percent of the worlds population, but it houses 25 percent of the prison population. Robert Frost Then the jailer realized he was in a heap of trouble and was about to fall on his sword, when Paul yelled out, Its OK, were still here.. THE PRISON OF HIS PRAISES. Jump to: New Testament. Patrick O'Brian It has been a blessing as well as a great help. The multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore their clothes off of them, and commanded them to be beaten with rods (v. 22). IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE NOTE OF THE PRINCIPLE THAT CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES. Lydia was both financially prosperous and socially independent. James It was one of those times in scripture when God said not just yes but maybe. He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God. Theres that generous hospitality again that we saw in the story of Lydias conversion. A guy sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog for Sale." About the Book of Acts in general: The author of the Book of Acts is Luke. Then grab every opportunity that God sends on your way. When they had brought them to the magistrates (strategois) (v. 20a). Paul and his companions found a place of prayer outside the city of Philippi on the sabbath (16:13). For Philippians 'Most High God' meant a Phoenician deity, for Jews it was the Lord our God and for Greeks it meant Zeus. Text: Acts 16:35-40 Acts 16:35-40 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, "Let those men go." (36) So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent to let .read more Scripture: Acts 16:13-35. 13 On the Sabbath we By John Raulerson And this is what Lukes story tells us, that the power of the Risen Christ can not only transform us, but can break our self-made chains and our locked prison doors and set us free. Roman citizenship comes with a number of privileges, and is highly respected. And this is where it gets really interesting. Marva Dawn read more, Scripture: Catherine Mowry LaCugna 11 You crown the year with Your goodness, Through prayers of course, (James 5:13). Acts 16:16-18 Hans W. Frei read more, Scripture: The book of Acts emphasizes the power and abilities of the leaders of the Jesus movement. Paul and Silas show us four aspects of a right response to wrong treatment. Theme: Paul and the Pythoness But Paul, becoming greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! It came out that very hour. there's no length that God is not willing to go toto not only meet, but exceed far beyond your wildest expectations if you are willing to dare to believe He can do what He says He can do. Dare to Believe 2. Eventually Paul became annoyed by her stalking him and he exorcized the spirit from her, much to the displeasure of her owners. read more, Scripture: Her Declaration concerning Paul and His mission and 3. Using an earthquake for his purposes, God opens the prison doors and unfastens the prisoners chains so that Paul and Silas are free to escape. The Importance of Preparation in the Ministry of Preaching. Paul is accompanied by Silas (15:37-38), and they are later joined by young Mark (16:1). You see, that will be the day that I die. Nazarene. Jesus Heals a Man Unable to Speak. By characterizing Paul and Silas as Jews and themselves as Romans, Pauls accusers are trying to establish a bad-guy, good-guy contrastwith themselves being the good guys. The wave must be spotted before its washed out. read more, Scripture: They accuse Paul and Silas of creating a public disturbancea charge that city officials must take seriously no civil official can tolerate a public disturbance. Now they identify themselves as Romansa status that they enjoy as citizens of Philippi, a Roman colony. Free Sermons and Sermon Outlines for Preaching : Staying Faithful Thru Difficult Circumstances. . There are the school doors, the office doors, the church doors as well as the elevator door, revolving doors, and automatic doors. read more, Scripture: Any date. ACTS 16:25-30 And at midnight Paul and Silas Acts 16:16-18, Denomination: Beginning of the Book of Acts in Coptic; circa 4th or 5th Century. In fact it is certain to be a day like absolutely no other that has gone before. . It's kind of Her Declaration concerning Paul and His mission and 3. Acts 16:16-24. Paul's Sermon To the Athenians . When Our Time Comes Tee Jackson As we experience our last days, hours, and minutes on earth, let's remain focused and finish strong in the Lord! Every morning and every evening the head of a Jewish These men are servants of the Most High God (v. 17b). Paul and Silas make it clear to the jailer that his household can enjoy the same salvation that they are offering him. They also accuse Paul and Silas of being Jews, which of course is true. Then things get ugly. In a world where Christian ministry has become a profession, most ministers cant help but succumb to these distractions. Free Sermons and Sermon Outlines for Preaching : Staying Faithful Thru Difficult Circumstances.