Gospel Meeting 17/06/2018

The Acts ch16 vs16 – 40.

The Gospel was spreading further afield, but having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia, Paul and Silas travelled to Philippi in Macedonia.

The speaker broke his message into three parts:

1) The Singing Prisoners.

Although Paul and Silas had every right to complain about their treatment and the following violence against them, they chose not to complain. Imprisoned, battered and in much pain, we read that they prayed and sang praises unto God!

This is a great example of what Jesus Christ taught in Matthew’s Gospel ch6 vs11 – 12 “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you”.

It is important for all Christians who suffer mockery or persecution to have a heart for those who ill - treat them, and to pray for them. The unsaved are heading towards the most horrendous place called Hell and they ever need our prayers.

Earlier, the apostles were beaten for preaching the Gospel (The Acts ch5), but they departed from the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name!

We can do things joyfully like Paul and Silas knowing that God as ever has a plan for us. As we shall see here, God had a purpose for them being cast into prison.

2) The Swinging Doors.

This was no normal earthquake that hit the prison – it was supernatural!

Despite its greatness, it was most precise in that although the very foundations were shaken, the doors opened and the prisoner’s chains loosed, none were even harmed!

This was a demonstration of God’s power over both nature and the hearts of man – it is amazing that not one convicted prisoner even attempted to escape!

Earlier in this chapter, we read that The Lord opened Lydia’s heart – nothing is random with The Lord Jesus Christ, but all is done for specific reasons.

3) The Saved Jailor.

The jailor panicked thinking that the prisoners had escaped, which would have cost him his own life. He was about to kill himself by his own sword when he was given assurance not to harm himself as all prisoners were present.

Many people today feel at their wits end and don’t know which way to turn. The Lord Jesus Christ ever bids you to come to Him. He offers you a full and free Salvation. He can forgive all your sins, give you real lasting peace, and the assurance of an eternal home in Heaven. Reader, will you ignore His call, or respond tonight?

The jailor who had been on the brink of death, asked the most important question –

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Everyone is affected by sin and needs to be saved from its eternal consequences –

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” – Romans ch3 vs23.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. – Romans ch6 vs23.

We are all in need of a Saviour. To remain in our sins and unsaved means heading for death and eternal punishment.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it”.

- Matthew’s Gospel ch7 vs 13 – 14.

Sadly, the broad road is pleasing to man who refuses to repent of their sins and the awful reality of Hell awaits them.

The jailor had his question answered immediately …

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house”.

The jailor did not put away the question of his sin problem for another day – many leave it too late thinking they will always have a tomorrow – but he responded that same night, in faith accepting Jesus Christ as his Saviour.

What a great change was brought about in the jailor’s heart and life! Now he was attending to the wounds of Paul and Silas before taking them into his home and feeding them! He was rejoicing in his new life – where there had been fear and thoughts of suicide, now there was the stark contrast of real peace and joy!

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”.

- John’s Gospel ch14 vs27.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. – Philippians ch4 vs7.

Friend, are you still on the broad road? Accept the Saviours call this night. He loves you so much that He died on The Cross to pay the price of your sins, rising again from His grave three days later, fully justified. Ask His forgiveness, and put your faith and trust in The Lord Jesus Christ. He alone can make you fit to enter into His heavenly home. Eternity is not just about a few years, it is for ever! Please make that decision tonight, and like the jailor, know a new life with Jesus Christ as your Saviour.