Psalms 65:11 NKJ This is Paul's Second Missionary Journey (49-52 A.D.) as recorded in Acts 15:30 - 18:21. Breaking chains, Opening Doors A Sermon on Acts 16:16-34, https://anchor.fm/sunday-on-the-commons/episodes/Open-DoorsBroken-ChainsGuest-Preacher-the-RevDrRichard-LFloydJune-22019-e48v6m. 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). Reflection on John 20:1-18: by Kathryn Matthews (Huey) . The Gerasene demoniac (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39). Theme: Paul and the Pythoness Influential ministries always become a target of persecution because the devil is not going to sit back and enjoy as people get saved and added to Gods Kingdom. Donald Bloesch Surfing requires a surfable wave. Pingback: My Top Ten Posts of 2022 | When I Survey . Katherine Sonderegger, Adam Desnoyers After the people beat Paul and Silas, they were thrown in prison. While that girl was following, to Paul and us she cried out saying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you a (the)1 way of salvation.". By John Raulerson Look up John 3:16; 1:12 (where to "believe" = to "receive"), and compare Acts 16:14 and Revelation 3:20. Acts 16:25-34 In this kind of situation, the magistrates should arrest the accused and schedule a trial to hear the accusations and to weigh the evidence. IN OTHER WORDS, CHOICES, THE ENVIRONMENT OF CHOICE When Gods servant seeks fame the scope of his ministry is shifted from God to himself. Timothy and Luke seem not to be involved at this point. About the Book of Acts in general: The author of the Book of Acts is Luke. Apparently, this slave girl was quite good at predicting the future and brought home a lucrative profit for her owners. John Donne Beginning of the Book of Acts in Coptic; circa 4th or 5th Century. James The only thing different is, that you finally became aware of it. 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! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. These men, being Jews, are agitating our city (v. 20b). John Calvin God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him Learn more about Desiring God Ways to Follow. Second, the spiritual powers to which this girl has access are demonic. ACTS 16:25-30 And at midnight Paul and Silas 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43 John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8. Acts 2:1-4. John Piper Feb 12, 1989. Forsyth A Sermon by Alex Evans, Pastor. Acts 16:17 Demonic Witness. Every morning and every evening the head of a Jewish It is difficult to imagine a more terrible place. This is the same verb used earlier in Acts 4:2 to describe the feeling of the Sanhedrin over the preaching of the apostles (ie., that Jesus was raised from the dead), and it is the word found in LXX Gen 6:6 for God's grief over the sin of the world prior to the flood. They were sure nothing can stop them from fulfilling their mission in Philip (unless God changed His mind). This is very much like Jesus command to the demon, Be silent, and come out of him! (Luke 4:35). Alan P.F. By Dr. Keith Wagner. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. Are the magistrates (strategois) of this verse the same officials as the authorities (archontas) of verse 19? construction jobs san antonio part time Oh Lord Almighty God we need you right now, we need you right now Reveal your Glory, Reveal your Glory, and pour your spirit out We need you, We need you We . When Luke says that this girl has a pneuma pythonaa python spirithe means that people believe that she can tap into divine powers for wisdom and guidancethat she is, in essence, a human intermediary for divine powers. verses 16 - 18) Our responsibility in such difficult times is to trust and obey Him. Dorothy Sayers I'm New Issues of ultimate reality, issues that deal with politics and suffering. Today is the Seventh and final Sunday in Easter and we have had several readings from the Book of Actsthat emphasize the power of Jesus resurrection during the rise of the early church. They never did get to bed that night. What the accusers do not know, but Paul will later reveal (v. 37) is that he and Silas are also Roman citizens. 17Following Paul and us, she cried out, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of salvation! 18She was doing this for many days. Here are some common misunderstandings of Acts 16:31 . ACTS 16:25-30 And at midnight Paul and Silas (16-20) Areopagus sermon (17:16-34) "God.has set a day" (17:30-31) Trial before Gallio c. 51-52 (18:12-17) . Lewis The Disabled in the Life of the Church - Catholic Outlook. The jailers question reminds us of the peoples response to Peters sermon at Pentecost, where they asked, Brothers, what shall we do? (2:37). How were the travelers hindered from entering Bithynia? He has a greater purpose that we often do not understand. Last time, we saw that Paul heard God and because of his obedience, the gospel entered Europe. So that the surfer doesnt have to wait for another one. 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. Invitations, Part 6 IN OTHER WORDS, CHOICES, THE ENVIRONMENT OF CHOICE read more, Scripture: Because he wanted Jonathan to pick a direction and go. "Nathan, that bee is more afraid of you than you are of him," she said. Luke has told us about two occasions in the past when God opened prison doors, allowing disciples to escape. As I said last week, Luke believes in the power of the Holy Spirit, but also in human free will, and sees no contradiction between divine guiding and human choosing. This girl is neither. Despite the attempts of many Christians to create a one size fits all template for Christian conversion, each of these people experiences the Gospel in a way particular to them. Her Declaration concerning Paul and His mission and 3. St. Anselm of Canterbury 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. We tend to forget that the trials of life are God's chosen method for developing us into the image of His Son, Rom. The Conference officially . Reinhold Niebuhr He is on the lookout for people who will be obedient to Him and step out by faith and follow. Joy Recovered. The jailers question can be understood on two levels. The duumvirs would be two men appointed by Rome to administer the civil affairs of the city. . George MacDonald Fraser, Bob Dylan He is powerful. So your friendly neighborhood lobbyist (or pastor) may buy you . Jurgen Moltmann Sermon Excerpt: Acts 16:16-34. God was waiting for someone to choose to 34He brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God. Barclay, William, Daily Study Bible: Acts, (Edinburgh: The Saint Andrew Press, 1976), Bock, Darrell L., Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Acts (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), Bruce, F. F., The New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Book of Acts (Revised)(Grand Rapids: William B Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), Chance, J. Bradley, The Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary: Acts (Macon, Georgia: Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc., 2007), Craddock, Fred B.; Hayes, John H.; Holliday, Carl R.; and Tucker, Gene M., Preaching Through the Christian Year, C (Valley Forge: Trinity Press, 1994), Farris, Lawrence W., in Van Harn, Roger (ed. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. He calls us to present your members as servants to righteousness for sanctification (Romans 6:19). The spirit of Python will squeeze the joy out of your worship & praise.find out how to to get victory over this subtle destroyer. Go to www.ccontario.com for an en. In reporting this, Luke clearly sees problems on two levels. The slave girl would follow Paul and cry out, These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.. C. V. 23b The Sentence - These men were cast into the prison. 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. Apostolic, THIS PASSAGE PRESENTS US WITH SEVERAL SCENARIOS, EACH OF WHICH PRESENTS PAUL AND BY INFERENCE US WITH THE OPPORTUNITY OF CHOICE. Each of these stories is different and particular in the same way that each of our stories with God are different and particular. Acts 16:16-18 It may be time to cast them off and open them up. The ex-fortune teller, the jailer, and his family became the first members of the new church, C. Paul and Silas even in their seemingly despairing situation did not lose morale because they were aware that God has a bigger plan. **FOR PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD 8:28-29; 1 Cor. In fact it is certain to be a day like absolutely no other that has gone before. In the first instance, Peter and other disciples were healing large numbers of people in the temple when the high priest had the disciples arrested and put in public prison. The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by 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. Graham Greene In fact it is certain to be a day like absolutely no other that has gone before. N.T. 33He took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household. Your email address will not be published. Because of the we passages in 16:10-16, some scholars believe that Luke (the author of this book) is also part of Pauls party. In his Epistle to the Romans, he introduces himself as Paul, a servant (Greek: doulos) of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1). Acts 16:16-40, Denomination: He commands the spirit to leave the girl because she . and commanded them to be beaten with rods (v. 22b). Paul and Silas were free to serve God with their whole hearts and th "Yep," the mutt replies. The girls real motive for confession was to draw peoples attention and build her own reputation as a fortune teller. Where did the journey westward from Iconium take Paul and his companions? Acts 16:1-16, GOD WILL BREAK INTO YOUR SITUATION WHEN YOU SING AND PRAISE, WHEN GOD BREAKS IN! He washed them from their stripes, and was himself washed from his sins (quoted in Bruce, 318). Acts 16:16-40, Denomination: Tricky Questions. When you do, nothing can prevent you from moving forward. He just spots a surfable wave and surfs it. Today, well look at the salvation of the slave girl and I have only listed the points and a couple of comments under each point of each sermon to give the preacher a remembrance which the Holy Spirit can lead on and speak through the man of God. Lesson 42: The Urgent Question (Acts 16:25-34) A four-year-old boy was outdoors when a bee starting buzzing around a table nearby. Did you ever notice something and it seems so suddenly new, but then you discover that it's always been there. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. Meanwhile, Roman readers may have approved of Paul's censure . He would take his own life before suffering the shame of not doing his job for Rome. Lesson 18 - Luke 18:35-43; 19:1-48 Topic: Jesus Is Headed To Jerusalem. John Piper Feb 12, 1989. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Did you ever notice something and it seems so suddenly new, but then you discover that it's always been there. To listen to an audio podcast of this sermon go to: https://anchor.fm/sunday-on-the-commons/episodes/Open-DoorsBroken-ChainsGuest-Preacher-the-RevDrRichard-LFloydJune-22019-e48v6m, Your email address will not be published. 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. She was doing this for many days. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. Do they now release us secretly? What is the most important question ever to ask? Joanna / May 6, 2013. June 29, 2014 read more, Scripture: having a spirit of divination (pneuma pythonaa python spirit) met us (v. 16b). The authorities would typically imprison anyone whom they had first flogged. Through prayers of course, (James 5:13). Dorothy Dunnett he asks. The conversion of the Jailor and his family reminds us that no matter what, Gospel must be preached. He could be asking what he must do to be saved from execution by the authorities. As far as we can tell, Paul does not free this slave girl out of kindness. Three Portraits of Salvation In Philippi They told the judges that Paul and Silas had brought a lot of trouble to the city. Arnold Kenseth 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, The best way to preach this text is to simply tell the story highlighting the centrality of salvation. Paul and Silas were so strong in the Lord that they prayed and sang hymns instead, A. I have known some very powerful people in my time, captains of industry, rich people, famous people. An Invitation Requires Truth read more. To believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is to ENTER into the fold by Him. Second Presbyterian Church, Richmond, VA. Sunday, June 2, 1019. Exercise the freedom in which Christ has set you free! Amen. 7:21). Dire Straits And the jailer cleaned their wounds. X (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002), Walaskay, Paul W., Westminster Bible Companion: Acts (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1998), Williams, David J., New International Biblical Commentary: Acts (Paternoster Press, 1995), Willimon, William H., Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: Acts (Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1988), Copyright 2009, 2010, Richard Niell Donovan, All Rights Reserved | 1997-2023 Richard Niell Donovan. Saul Bellow John Mortimer Acts 16. Two weeks ago we looked at the story of Jonathan and his armor bearer charging the Philistines. Luke has already told us about the baptism of Cornelius and all those who were with him (10:44-48) and of Lydia and her household (16:15). This is Pauls Second Missionary Journey (49-52 A.D.) as recorded in Acts 15:30 18:21. He brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God (v. 34). One Small Change Will Energize Tomorrow's Sermon, Slow Down, Big Fellawhat A Motorcyclist Taught Me About Preaching, Spit-Shine Tomorrow's Sermon Before You Go To Bed Tonight. It comes from somewhere else. Lydia, a seller of purple (and probably affluent), offered them the hospitality of her home, which they accepted (16:15). This woman, who is a slave to demonic spirits and evil men, recognizes that Paul and his companions are slaves to the Most High God. 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 Invitations, Part 6 He then brought them out and asked, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? *other. The Gospel erases all those previously important social distinctions. Overcoming any obstacle that is presented, they go about proclaiming to the world that Jesus died and was raised so that all could Continue reading "Commentary on Acts 16:16-34" Luke gives us no information concerning the content of these prayers, but the hymn-singing makes it clear that Paul and Silas are anything but depressed, defeated prisoners. We live in a time when American citizenship and patriotism are too often wedded to Christian discipleship, or at least confused with discipleship. Wright Lutheran. Lydia is moved by Pauls teaching, the jailer by the dramatic earthquake and opening of his prison, the slave girl by being freed from her demon. One Small Change Will Energize Tomorrow's Sermon, Slow Down, Big Fellawhat A Motorcyclist Taught Me About Preaching, Spit-Shine Tomorrow's Sermon Before You Go To Bed Tonight. Toward that end, I request you use your full name when commenting.
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