Acts Chapter Sixteen
Today I want to pick a few verses from our chapter and comment. Please read the whole chapter, but especially think on the concepts from these verses.
Acts 16:5 Amplified
So the churches were strengthened and made firm in the faith, and they increased in number day after day.
Strong churches. People who are firm in their faith, people who really know God, know WHO He is. Because of their strong connection with Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives, they are touching many lives with the saving message of the Gospel. God gave the local church as the focal point of ministry. It is the focal point of teaching and bringing people together in Jesus’ name. Strong churches build God’s eternal Kingdom.
Acts 16:9 Amplified
[There] a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man from Macedonia stood pleading with him and saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us!
Finding God’s call in you life. Paul “knew” where he was to go on this missionary journey. He knew where he wanted to go. God had other plans and moved Paul around till he specifically heard the call. This one day, this one vision was a major key in the expansion of the church. Going to Macedonia opened the continent of Europe to the Gospel. Lydia became the first convert in Europe because Paul obeyed God’s call. Paul literally changed the history of the world by obeying the vision from the Lord.
Obeying the call, may we all say that. “I obeyed God’s call and stuck with it till He sent me somewhere else.”
Acts 16:18 Amplified
And she did this for many days. Then Paul, being sorely annoyed and worn out, turned and said to the spirit within her, I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! And it came out that very moment.
There was a demon possessed girl who brought much financial gain to her owners. Yes, she was a slave. Evil people controlled her and she told fortunes. She brought in lots of money that went to her owners. The power of God is always stronger than evil. Paul had the authority of God in him and commanded the evil spirit to leave. The girl was set free.
One would think that this was a good thing to do. It highlighted the battle of good and evil. When evil loses a battle, it gets dirty. Paul and Silas were arrested and brought up on false charges. They were thrown in to jail. Why? For delivering a poor slave girl from a life of demon control. This situation also highlights that evil gives no value to life. Jesus said that evil comes to kill, steal and destroy. That is what was happening to this girl. Jesus came to give life, and that more abundantly. That was her potential after the power of God set her free.
Acts 16:25-26 Amplified
25 But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the [other] prisoners were listening to them,
26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison were shaken; and at once all the doors were opened and everyone's shackles were unfastened.
What do you do when the world collapses around you? You can grumble, or you could praise God. Praising God is what Paul and Silas did as they awaited their fate in prison. Do you want to make an impact? Praise God. God inhabits the praises of His people. The presence of God will shake the place, if necessary. This has always been a story that challenges people. How could they praise God in this situation? Because God is worthy to be praised. Period. He is not worthy to be praised because everything is going well. He is simply and always WORTHY to be praised. Circumstances do now impact how much God is worthy to be praised. That’s why Paul and Silas praised the Lord, at midnight, when they faced serious charges in the morning.
Acts 16:31 Amplified
And they answered, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ [give yourself up to Him, take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping] and you will be saved, [and this applies both to] you and your household as well.
People make it so complicated. Religion has brought much confusion. Believe on Jesus and let Him make you a completely new person. Believe on Jesus and let Him forgive you of your sins and know that the guilt and destruction of sin has been removed from your life. Focus your faith and commitment on Jesus. Make Jesus the Lord and Controller of your life. You will learn to obey Jesus in every aspect of your life.
Any person will be saved from the destruction and control of sin through faith in Jesus. HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are many more things to write about in this chapter. These are a few of the highlights. Let God speak to your heart through His Word.
