SPIRITUALITY AND FAITH
hurt you, focus on God’s purpose for your life, which is greater than any problem or pain you might be currently facing! Furthermore, Acts 16 (secondly) encourages…
II. WHEN YOU ARE TREATED WRONGLY,
NEVER LET GO OF YOUR JOY IN THE LORD
A. Instead of pouting, these men prayed!
They rolled their burden onto the shoulders of the Lord. This is a valuable lesson for us this Thanksgiving season. When we are shut up in one of life's prison experiences, we need to do what I Peter 5:7 says, “cast all your care upon Him (Jesus), for He cares for you”. You see:
B. Instead of giving up, these men praised!
They began to sing songs (probably the "Hallel" Psalms - Psa. 113-118 or those songs of highest praise, Psa. 145-150. 136.) They forgot their problems and began to sing to the One who could solve them! In the same way, Jesus is the foundation and future of your life and as you praise Him, He will become BIG in your mind and circumstances! And thirdly…
III. WHEN YOU ARE TREATED WRONGLY, BELIEVE THAT GOD CAN INTERVENE RIGHTLY
A. Here in v. 25, they Proved their Faith!
This verse tells us that "the prisoners heard them” (attentively). These men had never heard anything like this before! Here were two old boys beaten to bloody pulps, locked in the nastiest place, with
their feet locked in stocks, which forced them to sit in the mud and sewer of that prison. All this because Paul and Silas didn’t let their prison time become wasted time. Paul and Silas let God use these events for His Own glory and purpose, since HOPE and a relationship with God truly makes a difference in One’s life!
B. Here in v. 26, their JOY Produced their Freedom! As they praised the Lord, God shook the prison and broke their bands asunder! Notice that they were still in prison, but they were free! Their bonds were gone, and all the doors were opened. They could have bolted for freedom, but they willingly remained where God had placed them! That’s because a joyful, hopeful heart in the midst of difficulty has the power to make you free, even when you are still in the middle of a prison expérience!
C. Here in v. 27-31, their LOVE and HOPE Purchased A Family. As a result of their love for the lost and HOPE for their salvation, the jailer and his family heard the Gospel and believed. There is no resentment, no effort to get even…just an extension of God’s mercy and grace. Notice how different the actions are of someone in v. 33 compared with v. 24 whose blinded eyes are open to spiritual truth. Further…
D. Here in v. 32-34, the danger wasn’t those in a Praising Prison, but those in an unbelieving Home! You see, each person on this earth is in terrible Danger until we are saved!