Sermon Tone Analysis

! The Power of Sin and Money

!! Acts 16:16-24

!

Introduction:

*Q:* /How important is money to you?

Is it worth sinning to get it?/

*Lesson:* /Whenever you have a spiritual *victory*, get ready for Satan to provide spiritual *persecution*./

!! Three Main Points:

!

I.

The Power Of Human Sin - L– v.16,17

!! *A.*

A slave girl possessed a spirit of divination.

- L– v.16

*/“Spirit of Divination”* literally means a spirit, a *Python*./

*Q:* Why would someone trust fortune tellers?

*A: * Because they wouldn’t trust *God*.

*I Samuel 15:23* /“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because you have rejected the Word of the Lord…”/

*I Chronicles 10:13* /“So, Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he committed against the Lord…because he consulted a medium for guidance.”/

*"Medium”* /someone who talks, he thinks, to the *dead*./

*Philippians 4:6,7* /“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God that passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.”/

!! *B.*

There were men who possessed the spirit of *greed*.-

L– v.16;

*I John 4:4b* /“…because greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world.”/

!! *C.*

The slave girl had an evil spirit of deception.

- L– v.17

*1)* Her testimony had *truth* in it.

- L– Mark 5:5-7

*2)* It’s God’s Spirit Who proclaims all truth.

*Revelation 12:9* /“So, the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth and his angels were cast out with him.”/

!

II.

The Power Of Jesus’ Name.

- L– v.18

!! *A.*

The false witness’ statements lasted many days

!! *B.* Paul was deeply grieved - L– v.18

*“Annoyed”* /here means *grieved*./

!! *C.* Paul calls on *Jesus* to heal her. - L– v.18

*Lesson:* Jesus Christ’s power can *change* anyone.

!

III.

The Power Of Money and Greed.

- L– v. 19-24

!! *A.*

The business of the masters was gone.

- L– v.19; L– John 16:33

!! *B.*

Money and greed *caused* false charges.

- L– v.20-22

*1)* Paul and Silas were dragged to authorities.

- L - v.20

*2)* The masters claimed Paul and Silas caused trouble.

- L– v.20

*3)* The masters said Paul and Silas *taught* unlawful customs.

- L– v.21

!! *C.*

Money and greed caused corruption.

- L– v.22,23

!! *D.*

Money and greed caused evil *treatment*.

- L– v.23,24

!

*Conclusion:* *Four Points of Interest*

!! *1.* Satan and his demons *know* Jesus Christ.

- L– v.17

!! *2.* Evil people love money more than *people*.

- L– v.19

!! *3.* Don’t expect the government to protect Christians.

- L– v.22

!! *4.*

There are times we get punished for doing the right thing.

- L– v.23

!

*Fact:* /If we would hold onto Jesus Christ first, we will have all we *need*./

*Matthew 6:33* /Jesus said, “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.”/

*Ephesians 3:20* /“Now to Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”/