Acts 16:23-28
Series: At the End of Your Rope-Part I
Subject: When the Jailhouse Rocks or When Bad Things Happen to Good People
Introduction: John McArthur said in regards to this chapter, “A very reassuring aspect of God’s sovereign rule over the universe is His ability to bring good results out of bad circumstances.” There are points in our lives when it seems we are at the end of our rope. It looks likes there is no way out. It looks like whenever you try and make ends meet the further apart they become. The purpose of this sermon is to give insight on some things that happen when you are at the end of your rope.
I. Your Persecution & Your Prison (vv.23-24)
 | See verses 16-19 – There was a young woman who had a demonic spirit of divination that allowed her to become a soothsayer. She had “masters” who prostituted this demonic spirit of divination. As a result the masters were angered and the apostles faced persecution (22-23). |
| Doing what is godly will not always brings pleasant responses. Many times when we honor God and His Word it will place us in unpleasant situations and circumstances. |
| God has a purpose for your negative situations. “And we know that all things work together…” (Rom. 8:28) |
II. Your Praise (v.25)
| Robert Schuller, pastor of the Crystal Cathedral in California, said in his book, “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” |
| At “midnight” – unusual time, unordinary – time should not be a factor |
| Prayed and sang praises to God – You have to go from “pain to praise”. |
| The prisoners were listening to them. |
III. Your Deliverance (v.26)
| The area around Philippi often experiences earthquakes and tremors, but this one happened at just the right time. | ||||||
| God has a time
for your deliverance.
|
Conclusion – Your Witness (vv.27ff)
| Kept a man from committing suicide |
| Gave him the plan of salvation |
| There was another who came to the end of his rope – Jesus. |
Acts 9:1-8, 18-21
When God Interrupts
Introduction: To interrupt means to cause or make a break in the continuity or uniformity of (a course, process, condition, etc.); to stop (a person) in the midst of doing or saying something. Interruptions are normally things that you don’t really want to experience. Interruptions can be good sometimes. In the sermon today we will look at an instance when God interrupted.
We see Saul in chapter 7 when Stephen was stoned because the persecutors laid their coats down at the feet of Saul (v.58). We then hear about Saul again in chapter 8 when Luke reminds us that Saul was yet consenting to the death of Stephen. Then there is a brief interlude until chapter 9. You would think that after a man has been murdered that Saul would be a little hurt, “But Saul, still burning with desire to put to death the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, And made a request for letters from him to the Synagogues of Damascus, so that if there were any of the Way there, men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.”
I. There was Conviction (vv. 3-4)
· The Lord’s words “Why are you persecuting me”, reflect the inseparable link between Himself, as head of the body, and its members. By persecuting Christians, Saul inflicted blows directly on their Lord. Jesus took it personal. He takes it personal when someone offends one of His children.
· Now he being brought face to face with the enormity of his crimes, not against Christians but against Christ.
· True salvation must include conviction of sin, since it is sin that separates man from God.
II. There was Conversion (vv.5-8)
· Recognition - He recognized who Jesus was
· Repentance – trembling and astonished – what wilt thou have me to – a change of direction
· Reflection – a changed heart is reflected in our actions
III. There was Consecration (vv.17-19)
· Consecration - The devoting or setting apart of anything to the worship or service of God
· Humility - Blindness is humbling – human frailty – total dependence on God and others
· Holy Spirit Filled
· Followed him in baptism (v. 18)
· Gained strength (v. 19)
Conclusion: He Preached Christ, the man he persecuted.
III. The Power of Prayer and Fasting (v.21)
· Sacrifice is a great asset for the believer
Conclusion: Lord, don’t move my mountain, but give me the strength to climb, and Lord don’t take away my stumbling block but lead me all around. All mountains are not bad…
· Mt. Moriah – a place where we see God provide
· Mt. Sinai-a place where we see God give direction
· Mt. Carmel-a place where see God prove himself
· Mt. of Transfiguration-place we see God glorified
· Mt. Calvary-the place where we see God demonstrate his love.