ACTS 16
4 Outlines
Acts 16:6-16
GOD'S GUIDANCE
In Psalm 32:8 God
promises, "I will instruct and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go:
I will guide thee with mine eye."
In Romans 12:2
God's will is called "good", "acceptable", and perfect.
Knowing God's will
is often a challenge to believers.
The way God guides
Paul in this passage reminds us of some things about God's guidance.
GOD RESTRICTS Vss.
7-8
There are times
when we will feel a hesitation about doing something that comes from the Spirit
of God. Other times, we will find God saying "no" as we read his
word. Other times, what we thought was
an open door will close.
GOD REVEALS Vss.
9-10
God will show us
His will through His Word, through circumstances, through others, and through
the prodding of his Holy Spirit.
God will never
lead you contrary to the written Word of God.
GOD REASSURES Vss.
11-15
Although crowds
were small, God reassured Paul that he was in the right place through the
salvation of
God will reassure
us when we are in the center of His will.
***************************************************************************
Acts 16:6-33
IN THE SERVICE OF THE
KING
INTRODUCTION - If you
are like me, you usually do not take the time to compare yourself with the
Apostle Paul. He was such a great man that we wouldn't think of comparing
ourselves to him. But let's do some comparing, because there are some
similarities between Paul and us.
1. Paul was
self-righteous before he was saved, so was I.
2. Paul was a sinner
before he was saved, so was I.
3. Paul's sins were paid
for on the cross before he ever realized he needed a Savior.
4. Paul was confronted
by the Lord Jesus Christ, who called him to be saved. Through the message a preacher and the
conviction of the Holy Spirit, Christ called me to be saved.
5. Paul's sins were
forgiven, although they were great. My sins are forgiven, although they are
great.
6. Paul was saved for a
purpose, to serve Christ, and make Him known. I am saved for that same purpose.
7. The Apostle Paul was
the servant of the King. I am also Servant of the King.
Because there are so
many similarities between our lives and the life of Paul, Paul can teach us
much. We will never measure up to his
greatness, but we can learn from Him, and thus complete all that God wants us
to do.
BACKGROUND:
This was the second
missionary journey.
Barnabas, partner for
the first journey, had a disagreement with Paul over Mark, who deserted on the
first journey. Acts 15:37-39
Barnabas left with Mark
and Paul chose Silas as his partner. Timothy was later added to the team.
Because Luke uses the word "we" in this passage, it is evident that
Luke was there too. Acts
THERE WAS A CALL Vss.
6-12
Paul was called of God
to be an apostle. Acts 9:15-16
Paul received other
calls from the Lord during his time of ministry. For instance, he was called to
be a missionary in Acts 13:1-3.
In these verses Paul
receives both negative and positive calls.
He was not called to
minister in
Paul was called by a
vision to minister in
We will receive both
negative and positive calls as we serve the Lord. There will be times when it
will be clear that the Lord doesn't want us doing a certain thing, and other
times when it will be obvious that the Lord does want us doing things.
God might not call you
to be a pastor or a missionary, but he will call you to use your spiritual gift
for His glory. And he might call you to be a leader in the church, or a
teacher, or as a witness to a specific individual.
We need to be in the
Word, in prayer, and alert to what God might be calling us to do.
THERE WAS COMMUNICATION
- Vss. 13, 16-18, 28, 31
Paul was called to
communicate the message of salvation - Vss. 13 and 31
Paul was called to
communicate authority - Vss. 16-18
Paul was called to
communicate encouragement - Vs. 28
There will be times when
we are called upon to communicate in these same three areas.
THERE WAS CONFLICT -
Vss. 19-24
When the Gospel is
preached, there will be conflict. When God works, Satan will oppose. 2 Timothy
3:12
THERE WAS CHORUS - Vs.
25
The chorus was a chorus
of praise to God, in spite of poor circumstances. We too, are to rejoice in all
situations. Philippians 4:4
THERE WERE CONVERSIONS -
Vss. 14-15, 26-33
Lydia, the Jailer, and
his family all came to know Christ as Savior.
When we follow the
Lord's directions, others will be influenced to trust Christ as well.
***************************************************************************
Acts 16:16-34
CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE
Sometimes you will see this sign
on a container: “Caution, contents under pressure”.
There are times when there
is pressure in our lives, and we feel that we could almost burst!
Paul and Silas found
themselves under pressure, but with God’s help, they were able to withstand the
pressure.
A
A demon possessed girl gave
Paul and Silas unwanted publicity.
A PROCLAMATION THAT BROUGHT
DELIVERANCE – Vs. 18
Paul cast out the demon. The
girl was no longer possessed and Paul was no longer oppressed! J
A PROBLEM CAUSED BY
PERSECUTION – Vss. 19-24
The owners of the slave girl
were not happy with the loss of income.
As a result Paul and Silas
were beaten and thrown in jail.
A POWER DISPLAYED DURING
PRAISE – Vss. 25-26
Paul and Silas sang in spite
of their problems, and God sent a mighty earthquake.
A PRONOUNCEMENT THAT LEAD TO
SALVATION – Vss. 27-34
Paul and Silas rescued the
jailer from a potential suicide.
In Acts
The jailer trusted Christ as
his Savior.
***************************************************************************
Acts 16:25-40
REVIVAL MEETING IN A
JAIL CELL
Introduction - Vss.
18-24
Revival Is:
A TIME OF PRAYER - Vs.
25
A TIME OF PRAISE - Vs.
25
A TIME OF POWER (GOD'S) -
Vss. 26-40
1. TO RELEASE Vs. 26
2. TO RESTRAIN Vss.
27-28 (The doors opened and all the chains fell off, but nobody
escaped!)
3. TO REDEEM Vss. 29-34
4. TO REQUIRE Vss. 35-40
(Paul required a public
release from jail by those who had publicly mistreated Silas and him. This
would have furthered their testimony for Christ.)
**************************************************************************
Acts 16:16-40
HAPPENINGS IN
A FABULOUS MIRACLE – Vss. 16-18
A FRENZIED PERSECUTION – Vss. Vss. 19-24
A FANTASTIC TESTIMONY – Vss. 25-34
·
Music – Vs. 25
·
Movement – Vss. 26-27
·
Message – Vss. 28-34
A FORTUNATE CONCLUSION – Vss. 35-40