Down By The River

Acts  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  37:30
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Paul Goes to Europe

Lots to cover today, so let’s dive right in.
Recap: the Holy Spirit led Paul, Silas and Timothy: right past Asia, right past Bithynia, over the sea to Macedonia.
To the biggest city in Macedonia: Philippi. (Named after Philip, Alex’s dad (Alexander the Great).
Acts 16:11–12 ESV
So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.
How many days? We don’t know. Note that Luke is along for the ride, this is one of the “we” passages.
There they are, first missionaries to Europe, at the “Vanguard” of the Kingdom advance. You know that’s the “old” meaning of the word “van”. The “van” as in large car is short for “caravan”. But to be “in the van” originally meant to be in the forefront, on the frontlines, in the vanguard.
Philippi is a big city… but they don’t have a significant population of Jews. In particular, in order to have a synagogue you have to have 10 Jewish men to meet and pray together. There apparently isn’t that many in Philippi. And so traveling Jews know that, in a city where there is no synagogue, go to the water to pray.
And so they head out of the city gates and down to the river to pray.
There they are, Paul, Silas, Luke and Timothy, the fearsome four. At the fourfront of the Kingdom. In the van… down by the river!
Acts 16:13 ESV
And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
I wonder if they were disappointed when they came to where they “supposed there was a place of prayer...” and only found a few women hanging out.
But there is no sign of that in the text, they just start speaking, preaching, sharing their story, sharing the Word of God.
Acts 16:14 ESV
One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
Literally she is a “Seller of purple.”
More purple meant closer to the Emperor. The Emperor (and only the Emperor) wore all purple.
So this woman was wealthy. And (in that patriarchal society) just the fact that she is named says she is significant, both then in social and economic terms, and in the ongoing life of the church.
Paul preaches, but the Lord “opens her heart to pay attention.” (That’s always how it works, by the way).
Acts 16:15 ESV
And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Remarkable that the text would say “her household”. Presumably she is a widow. I like the NIV here “she persuaded us.”
Hospitality like that builds churches. (Or in this case, starts churches).
Lydia’s house becomes the new home base, but they keep ministering “down by the river”.
Acts 16:16–18 ESV
As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
What she is saying is true. They are servants of the Most High God. They are proclaiming the way of salvation.
But, as I tell my kids, Over and over is always annoying. I imagine she is doing it 3 inches away from Paul’s face. And he is patient: for “many days” he puts up with it.
Worst reason for casting out a demon ever.
… but best reaction to being annoyed ever! I get a bit punchy when annoyed. Best case, I leave the room. Paul turns and offers spiritual deliverance and freedom. That’s incredible.
(I wonder if that will work on my kids. “dad, dad, dad, dad… I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out!!!”)
But, as so often happens when someone gets spiritual deliverance, there are immediate consequences for Paul and Silas.
Acts 16:19–21 ESV
But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”
What are these customs? Maybe referring to circumcision (because they’re Jews). Maybe referring to communion, which the early Romans often twisted to mean cannibalism. Maybe referring to “Christianity” which wasn’t a “legal” recognized religion yet.
Regardless, they obscure their real motives ($$) behind a facade of patriotism and loyalty. They stir up the crowd.
Acts 16:22–24 ESV
The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
How do they react? I love this. Rail against the injustice? Call for a lawyer? No, Obviously it is time to… SING!
Acts 16:25 ESV
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
Then, answer to prayer, miracle upon miracles:
Acts 16:26 ESV
and 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 bonds were unfastened.
But for some reason they don’t. Why??? Maybe they didn’t have time? Unlike when the angel broke Peter out of jail, there wasn’t clear direction to leave? Maybe Paul saw what an opportunity he had been given to minister to the other prisoners already?
But for any and all the reasons...
Acts 16:27 ESV
When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
All Paul has to do is sit back and see a little bit of revenge. A little taste of justice to the man who put him in stocks and imprisoned him. But instead...
Acts 16:28–34 ESV
But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
Now Paul plays his “I am a citizen” card. It wouldn’t have played on the mob that assaulted them earlier, but it scares the magistrates!
Acts 16:35–39 ESV
But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city.
Back to Lydia’s house.
Acts 16:40 ESV
So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.
There are brothers and sisters in Philippi, the seed of a new church, meeting in Lydia’s home. Note that “we” came and “they” left. So where is Luke? Hanging out in Philippi for a bit.
That’s the church. Lydia and some of the other women from the river. I like to think the slave girl was saved and comes when she can. The warden and all his household. Maybe some of those other prisoners who listened to Paul and Silas pray and sing.
God is doing some big things here in Philippi. He is touching hearts, he is delivering demons, he is shaking the very earth and breaking open chains. (If you’ve got chains… He’s a chain breaker!) God is doing big stuff to plant His church in Philippi.
What is Paul doing? What is Silas doing?
When disappointed by no synagogue - Paul preaches to the women.
When annoyed by the possessed hype-girl - Paul gives spiritual deliverance.
When beaten and imprisoned - Paul prays and sings.
When presented with revenge - Paul preaches gospel.
God is doing big miracles. Paul is just preaching, praying and praising.
This is what it means to “look different” as a Christian. Not that we are “nicer” than the other kids. But that our character grows to be like Christ’s character, and our responses become Christ-like responses. WWJD becomes WIWD (What I Will Do).
It is human to be disappointed. It is Christ-in-us to preach anyway… and maybe that one woman who listens will end up being the rich influential one that starts a home church in her home and ends up funding the rest of your ministry.
It is human to be annoyed by the girl who won’t shut up. It is Christ-in-us that gives us power over demons that oppress and attack and ANNOY us. It is Christ-in-us that offers freedom forever to young girls enslaved literally and spiritually.
It is human to despair and complain when we have been beaten down and imprisoned. Anyone beaten down this week? Anyone feeling trapped and imprisoned? It is Christ-in-you and Christ-in-me to sing anyway, pray anyway… and all our fellow prisoners can hear if we praise or if we complain. If we shout Ah, hell… or Ah, hallelujah.
It is human to want revenge (or justice) on those who have beaten or imprisoned us. It is Christ-in-us to offer comfort to our enemies, to give them help, to give them good news, to give them Jesus. That just doesn’t happen naturally. That is Jesus.
When Paul and Silas face disappointment and annoyance and pain and imprisonment… they preach, they pray and they praise.
I don’t think it is that Paul didn’t feel those things, that Silas didn’t feel all those things. Paul writes about his two natures at war within him, the the flesh and the spirit, the self and the Christ-like nature. The “I want to do what’s good for me...” and the “I want to glorify God in all things” natures.
We see Paul listening to the Holy Spirit in directing his steps, not West into Asia, not North into Bythinia… across the water into Macedonia and here into Philippi. Now we see him listening to the Holy Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit within him, transforming his actions and reactions to be like Jesus.
It isn’t just the big “where should we go” questions where we need the work of the Holy Spirit in us. It is in the every day actions and reactions. Yes, the big visions and dreams led them to Macedonia. But...
It is the moment-by-moment Christ-like actions and reactions that plant and build the church in Philippi.
God works “big things” through the “small” Christ-like actions and reactions of Paul and Silas. They looked like Jesus in those moments. They acted and reacted like Jesus.
And in big and small ways, the outcome was people being saved in the name of Jesus.
This is the redeeming work of the Jesus, and of the Spirit of Jesus in you.
First He works in you to “will and to work” for his good pleasure. For His glory. For His name.
Then, whenever you show the Christ-like actions and reactions… He does all the “big” things. He changes hearts and saves households. He delivers people from spiritual oppression and possession. He shakes the earth, breaks the chains, and sets prisoners free.

Christ in You

Do people see Christ in you that way? Are your actions and reactions remarkable for their love? For their patience? Kindness, goodness, gentleness? Are you becoming known for you self-control?
How often is your reaction to preach the name of Jesus? To pray for those who curse you? To praise God even in the jail cell?
You have opportunity when you are disappointed. To lean into the reaction of your human/flesh nature and go home… or to lean into what the Holy Spirit is doing in me: preach the name of Jesus anyway.
You have opportunity when you are annoyed. To preach anyway. To pray for those who annoy you. Even to pray with authority that God would address the underlying spiritual realities, be it oppression or possession or human circumstances and all the combinations there. Pray in power and authority in the name of Jesus.
You have opportunity when you are beaten down and imprisoned: literally and metaphorically. Anyone feel beaten down this week? Anyone feel the chains? People are watching you in those moments. Will you rail and mourn or scream at your circumstance? That’s understandable, that’s fully human, I get it.
But there is a well of Christ-like courage and comfort within you. There is a Christ-like nature in you that is unhurt and unafraid. Pray to God who breaks chains, Praise the God who shakes the earth! Let people see you glorifying God in the midst of your pain and in the face of injustice!
Let them see Christ in you. Let them see Christ in me.
Let Paul speak to you, as he did writing later to those believers in Philippi.
Philippians 2:12–13 ESV
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
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