Follow with this writer the narrative found in the founding of the Church of Philippi.

 

1. The perpetrated lies of greedy thieves lit the fires of persecution! (Acts 16:19-21) – “19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.”

 

Did you catch that? These wicked men were more concerned with money than a human life. Sound familiar? We can expect more of that as sin abounds, but at the same time, that makes our mission field more desperate. Go and tell.

 

2. The Word of God was being fulfilled! Jesus told Paul that he would suffer. (Acts 9:16) – “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

 

Suffering with Jesus Christ comes with the territory (see 1 Pet 2:21-24). (Acts 16:22-24) – “And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.”

 

After beating (whipping) them, they threw them into prison. Interesting to note, the word “stocks” is ξύλον (xoo’-lon), which is wood, a club, or staff; it can even mean the trunk of a tree. When was the last time you were beaten and fastened in wooden shackles? It wasn’t a party. But God was at work—a cross turned into a crown.

 

3. The Testimony of followers of Jesus facing undeserved hardships! (Acts 16:25-30) – “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

 

Instead of WHINING, Paul and Silas were SHINING! Holy Ghost Conviction fell, and a hell-bound sinner who was a prison guard was gloriously saved by the grace of God.

 

Conclusion:(Acts 16:31-34) – “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.”

 

What a great outcome of a bad situation! Our Lord works in mysterious ways!!

 

Love y’all,

Pastor Randy Reese