Freedom in Christ by Phil Kinney
Paul and Silas have just healed a girl who was possessed of a demon. She was a slave girl who had been used by her owners to tell fortunes and divination through an evil spirit. She is set free from torment by God, however the girls owners weren’t happy as they had lost a source of income. As a result they have Paul and Silas arrested.
20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
35 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 you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.” 38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. 39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed. Acts 16:20-41
We see from this account that Paul and Silas were going through a bit of a tough time. They have been unfairly imprisoned in the dungeon. They are taken and beaten with rods causing severe cuts and bruising to their body. They are then thrown into prison which meant having to sit or stand on cold and rough stones. It also meant they were placed in shackles or stocks, which restrict movement and are very uncomfortable. Yet Paul and Silas are not put off by this. They are singing and praying and praising God!
What we learn from Paul and Silas.....
Have you ever felt like life was unfair to you? That you have been accused of things you didn’t do, or treated in an unfair way, or events have happened in your life that have caused hardship or pain. Often we want to cry out “What about me?”, declaring that life isn’t fair, that we deserve better, that we shouldn’t have to carry the burden we do.
Yet in the times of unfair trials and difficulties is when our true character is revealed and we discover who we really are. I often hear people saying “If I could have just done this” or “If this or that had occurred, everything would have been fine”, or in comparing themselves to others “if that had happened to me then I would have been ok”.
The reality is everyone has to deal with stuff at sometime or another. And it is in the dealing with the stuff we discover our true character, our true strength, who we really are. It is easy to be a wonderful person when everything is going great, but when things aren’t going our way, what are we like? Yet it is in these moments we have a chance to shine. Heroes are made out of adversity. Greatness comes as a result of overcoming challenges.
So how do we overcome the stuff life has thrown at us, or is throwing at us, to ascend into greatness? How do we become all God intended us to be (Jer 29:11) when life is so unfair?
Paul and Silas demonstrate how to overcome great adversity in the account we read today.
1. Quit your winging and start thanking God for all he has done.
Paul and Silas had every reason to complain about their situation. They had every reason to declare they couldn’t go on, that it was all too hard, that God expected too much of them. They had been beaten with rods and now were in jail in shackles. Yet in this lowest of low moments they have a choice. Complain, or praise. They choose to thank God that He has saved them from hell and opened the door to heaven. They choose to praise God for how good He is, and for what He has done in their lives. They choose to remember the goodness of God to them up to this point. They get a heavenly perspective not and earthly one
You and I have a choice every day. Will we focus on the problem and the consequences and the possible outcome and get depressed. This is the earthly perspective. Or will we chose to praise God for His goodness and what he has done? It is a simple choice. People say to me “it’s just not that simple, there are complicating factors”, “You don’t understand the situation” and so on.
I don’t have to understand the situation; I just have to understand a little bit of God thinking. His ways are not our ways the Bible tells us. If we will trust in God and do things as He has laid out we open the door to miracles in our lives. If we try and do things on our own with our own strength, we shut the door to a miracle.
2. Do what you can do, not what you can’t.
Paul and Silas could not do anything to change their circumstances. What they could do was praise and pray. We underestimate the power of both of these things. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that acting in faith pleases God. This is not a blind faith, but an understanding of who God is and what He has done. And if God can do something once, He surely can do it again. And if you will step into His was of operating God will do a miracle for you. Paul and Silas could have given up, instead they stepped out in faith, refocussed on God through praise to Him, and then prayed in faith for God to move. They never gave up. Even the jailer had fallen asleep, yet Paul and Silas are still praising and praying. Even when others around you have given up, you need to stay focused and do what you can for God to bring a miracle in your life. Praise Him – this will encourage you in the Lord and bring clear focus. And pray like you believe it is going to happen
3. Understand God’s plan is bigger than yours
God has a bigger plan than just your deliverance. He wants to use you to change someone else’s life too. Paul and Silas were used to lead the jailer and his family to salvation. God will use you and your situation to change the lives of others if you will stay in faith and do what you can
4. It all starts with relationship
Build your faith in Word, time with God, prayer and praise. Holy Spirit fill me up
Discussion questions
