A Portrait of a Spirit-filled Witness

We as His disciples, who are worshipping Him, are to allow that astonishment to bring us to urgency in our obedience to the Father’s command. That is what Paul and this team are fulfilling in Acts 16.

Paul's Gospel team is growing and the church is increasing daily. - v. 1-5

Explanation: Churches are being strengthened in God's Word and are spreading the seed of the Gospel, which the Holy Spirit is using to increase the church daily.

Churches are being strengthened in God's Word and are spreading the seed of the Gospel, which the Holy Spirit is using to increase the church daily.

v. 1 Timothy is added to the team.

Explanation:

Measures were taken to prepare him to reach the Jews.

v. 4-5 As Paul went through the cities, Christ’s church was increasing in number as they were established in the faith.

Application: Living a life of Christian solitude misses out on the edification/strengthening/establishing that God has designed it to give.

Maybe the church is failing to preach the Gospel because they are not being established/strengthened by God's Word and the local assembly.

Don’t lose sight of the fact that we are together tonight for preparation, not isolation.

The Spirit filled witness speaks the Gospel as they go, not waiting the whole time for a divine appointment to hit them between the eyes.

Paul didn’t see salvation brought forth every time he preached the Gospel, but he did see God bring forth fruit.

Illustration: Sauva ants at Cincinnati Zoo

Paul is directed by the Holy Spirit to territory unreached by the Gospel. - v. 6-10

Explanation: Paul preached as he went (v. 4-6) but he was sensitive to the Spirit when he was not to enter Asia or Bithynia, where he must have seen a need.

v. 6 As they go along there way, certainly they saw a need for the Gospel to be preached. I can imagine Paul looking into Asia knowing they needed the Gospel.

v. 7 Then they move on and see the need in Bithynia but the Spirit did not allow it. Why would the Spirit not allow them to preach the Gospel there?

They were to go into an area unreached by the Gospel. The Gospel would soon make it’s way to Ephesus and Asia, but this was not the prepared time.

The Holy Spirit knew that the people of Europe were white already to harvest.

v. 8-9 As they continue east to Troas, Paul had the Macedonian vision calling him to help them.

They were to go into an area unreached by the Gospel. The Gospel would soon make it’s way to Ephesus

v. 10 Paul immediately left for Macedonia, understanding that he had been led of the Spirit (called) to preach the gospel there.

Application: Preaching as you go is so much more than "lifestyle" evangelism. The true follower's life is evangelistic in nature. "Christ, who is our life"

The Holy Spirit knows the hearts of those you share Christ.

We should continually be compelled to preach the Gospel, not just following an urge here and there.

We should not fear man because he is unreached, but willing to tell all of the Christ who died for us.

Sing, O sing, of my Redeemer, with His blood He purchased me. On the cross He sealed my pardon, paid the debt, and made me free.

Illustration: We treat witnessing urges like we treat donut urges, only we eat more donuts than we witness.

A wealthy woman’s heart is opened by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. - v. 11-15

v. 11-12 Paul now reaches Philippi with his team.

A chief city, Roman colony

Those living here were transplants of Rome. They would have been patriotic and proud of their way of life, heavily identified with their Roman citizenship.

They lived as if they were in Italy.

v. 13 Paul went out of the city to pray because there was no synagogue in that city. Jewish men were not common in this city so the women went outside the city to pray. It was here that Paul meets Lydia.

Explanation: Lydia had an established identity in her community in Philippi.

v. 14 She had experienced success and was even seeking God in worship but perhaps not finding what she was searching for (no synagogue to teach).

As Paul spoke, her heart was opened to the Gospel.

v. 15 Those in her sphere of influence (family, slaves, employees) were saved and baptized with her.

Application: Her identity in Christ was as a citizen of heaven.

Lydia no longer found her identity in business success, "worshipping" God, or Roman citizenship.

The Holy Spirit works to allow people to see how sinful their “good” identities are and that they must place their faith in Jesus Christ in which He will give a new identity that’s greater than earthly riches.

There is no identity that God cannot save from and give a new one in the stead of.

The Spirit-filled believer preaches Christ and the preaching of Christ opens the heart of man to understand.

Lydia’s salvation bears fruit in her desire to tell others of her inward change, her desire to outwardly confirm that inward change, and her open hospitality to the brethren.

Illustration:

A tormented slave girl is delivered from oppression by the power of Jesus Christ. - v. 16-18

v. 16 I don’t want to ignore the fact that they were on their way to pray again.

Explanation: A possessed slave girl follows Paul

v. 16-17 The possessed damsel who was used by her masters to earn money by fortune telling, continually followed Paul declaring These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

She would have been mostly unwanted in society, only being desired for what gain she could bring for someone else through her fortune telling.

These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

v. 18 Paul became annoyed and commanded the spirit to come out of her in the name of Christ.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Application: The damsel was delivered from the worst slavery anyone could be subjected to, slavery to sin.

Paul did not attempt to meet her social issue as a slave girl but he understood that the power of Jesus Christ could deliver her from her situation.

Jesus Christ delivers mankind from the worst slavery and oppression of the worst kind, slavery and oppression to sin.

When I fail to witness to someone because I don’t think they are “reachable” I am expressing the lack of faith I have in the power of Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

Illustration: woman that touched Christ’s garment. He knew she had touched Him.

A Philippian jailor's heart is made tender by the power of the Gospel seen in Paul and Silas. - v. 19-34

v. 19 Once the masters of the damsel realize what happened, they accuse Paul and Silas of encouraging Romans to live against their culture and customs by the masters of the damsel.

Explanation: The masters of the damsel begin their attempt to have Paul and Silas punished for their actions.

v. 19-21 Once the masters of the damsel realize what happened, they accuse Paul and Silas (racial accusation of Jews) of encouraging Romans to live against their culture and customs.

v. 22-24 After getting the crowd and police to riot against them, they are beaten and thrown in the inner prison.

The jailor is given the task to keep them shackled in the inner prison.

Richard Wurmbrand (Romania): One interrogator attempted to intimidate him by screaming, “Don’t you realize I can take your life from you in a heartbeat?” Unfazed, Wurmbrand responded, “Sir, put your hand over my heart. If it beats rapidly you can know I am afraid. If it beats normally then you can know that Christ lives and I do not fear what man can do to me.”

One interrogator attempted to intimidate him by screaming, “Don’t you realize I can take your life from you in a heartbeat?” Unfazed, Wurmbrand responded, “Sir, put your hand over my heart. If it beats rapidly you can know I am afraid. If it beats normally then you can know that Christ lives and I do not fear what man can do to me.”

v. 25 But all the while (shackled, with wounds unwashed, at midnight) they continue rejoicing and singing God's praises for all prisoners to hear.

- Only the indwelling Holy Spirit gives the believer songs in such a dark time of life.

v. 26 God orchestrates an earthquake that did not destroy the prison but did loosen their shackles and open the prison doors but the prisoners were not compelled to leave.

v. 27 The jailor awakens and realizes part of what happened.

He knows his life and identity will be destroyed since the prisoners must be gone.

v. 28-29 On the verge of committing suicide, the jailor hears Paul cry out Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

Upon hearing, he gathered a light and went in to see for himself. In fear he falls down before Paul and Silas.

v. 30 He brings them out fo the inner prison and says What must I do to be saved?

All the doing had been done so Paul says v. 31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

v. 32-35 Evidences of the jailor’s salvation are seen in his desire to tell those in his household, his care for them in washing their stripes, his baptism for identification with the body, his hospitality, and rejoicing with them.

The guard, on the verge of suicide, hears Paul shout to him that none of the prisoners have fled which leads him to ask what he must "do" to be saved.

Paul responds that he must "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ."

His household is saved and baptized and the fruit of salvation is marked again by his care for Paul and Silas.

Application: The Gospel can melt even the heart of stone.

His identity as a Roman is no longer preeminent.

This Roman jailor's identity that was once leading him to suicide is now made complete in Christ, with the renouncing of his earthly citizenship shown in his care for Paul and Silas.

An identity that was once leading him to suicide is now made complete in Christ.

He ,in essence, renouncing of his earthly citizenship shown in his care for Paul and Silas.

He is now living and 3:20, having his conversation (citizenship) in heaven.

“What a magnificent concept of the role of the Christian in this hostile world. We are here to represent a way of life and to represent an empire not of this world.”

What a magnificent concept of the role of the Christian in this hostile world. We are here to represent a way of life and to represent an empire not of this world.

This can only be done by yielding to the Spirit.

Illustration: Fayetteville Lightning - I would’ve been expected to identify, requirements for permanent citizenship in Brazil (all requirements for a transfer have been made)

Paul strengthens the new converts. - v. 35-40

Explanation: Paul is set to be released and makes known that he is a Roman.

v. 35-39 By Paul's confirmation of his earthly Roman citizenship, the people would know that he was a Roman Christian and believer's would be encouraged to be bold in their faith in Philippi.

v. 40 Upon leaving the prison, he visits and encourages believers, probably those he led to Christ as well as those who have believed since.

Application: v. 40 We should identify with and encourage others who share that greater, heavenly citizenship.

He comforted (established, strengthened) the brethren before he departed.

Maybe his encouragement sounded something like this?

King James Version Chapter 2

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in qordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, thaving slain the enmity uthereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more cstrangers and dforeigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the iapostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

We are here to represent an Empire that is not of this world.

Conclusion:

King James Version Chapter 3

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Portrait: What does my life look like?

Am I so consumed with my own plans that I’m too busy to preach the Gospel as I go?

Are there those I avoid because they don’t look like I do, aren’t as acceptable to society as I am, or just downright intimidate me?

When I faith the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, He overcomes these factors and my life looks a lot more like the life as I strive together with others to preach the Gospel to those that have the same common need of salvation, those who Christ died for.

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