Acts 16:16-24
Living In A Hostile World
It is difficult to do right in a world that does so much wrong. You
probably won’t find that written on any fortune cookies, but it is a
true saying. The world has its set of values and they seem to be ever
falling. Yet, there are decent, clean, moral people too. These two
forces often come into conflict, normally with those who lack morals
taking advance of those who have them. How are the moral supposed to
live in a world where morals are constantly slipping?
Let’s notice the text.
I. There are forces that seek to pull you down.
A. \\#16\\ There are demons at work.
1. The Bible makes it very clear that demons are real.
a. I suppose that one of the things that is good about
our present age is that there seems to be, among the
common man, more and more an awareness of spiritual
powers.
b. Between horror movies, ghost stories, and other
paranormal television, the public at large at least
accepts the possibility that there are forces at work
beyond our understanding.
c. The problem is that most do not realize that all such
forces of demonic.
d. People are hunting for ghosts, spirits, magic, spells,
and paranormal activities like they are good things.
e. They aren’t! They are all part of the devil’s
spiritual army and regardless of how they manifest
themselves, they are evil.
2. I have said, even recently, that the days that we are
facing are filled with the symptoms of demonic activity.
a. drugs
b. violence
c. rebellion
d. sexual immorality
e. suicide
3. As the symptoms of demonism increase, we can assume the
power and influence of demons are increasing.
a. It is true that most of us are sheltered from direct
demon activity.
b. However, just because we don’t see it, that doesn’t
mean it isn’t out there.
4. Unfortunately, even as these symptoms increase, people
keep doing the kinds of things that give demons their
power over people.
a. Ignorance
(1) People are being suckered into demonism with even
realizing it.
(2) There are only two powers - Satan and God.
(3) Ghost hunters, fortune tellers, mediums, and all
the rest are either deceived by the powers they
play with or willing instruments for them.
(4) Ignorance does not offer any protection.
b. Invitation
(1) Many people are inviting demons to either attack
or possess them.
(2) Wicca, Ouija boards, occultic movies, music, and
interests—even the world’s fascination with the
world’s religions today.
(a) When these religionists speak of their
dreams, visions, knowledge of the other
side, what force do you think is backing
them?
(b) When you dabble in demonic things, you are
giving the demons permission to influence
you.
c. Intense sinfulness
(1) Doing wrong attracts demons.
(2) They figure the more like them you behave, the
of them you want for friends.
(3) Immorality, drug abuse, violent behavior,
perversions of every sort—these draw the forces
of darkness to you like a beacon in the dark.
5. Demons were around in Paul’s day, and they are making a
comeback in America and the world today.
B. There were devilish people at work as well.
1. In this account, the Bible only mentions the young damsel
as being demon possessed, but there are a lot of people
behaving in devilish ways.
a. Some people don’t need the help of a demon to act
devilish.
b. They are enough like the devil already.
2. \\#18\\ Notice, that all Paul did was help a young lady
be free of a demon.
Acts 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul,
being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I
command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come
out of her. And he came out the same hour.
a. From my perspective, that is a very good thing to do.
(1) I don’t know that this woman was tormented by the
demon that was in her because the Bible doesn’t
say.
(2) However, I have never heard of anyone who was
possessed who was not also tormented.
(3) But even if she were not tormented, it is not
right for a spiritual power to take possession
of a human.
(a) A person under demonic control is not going
to be able to think or act on their own.
(b) A demon will never allow a person to accept
Christ as his/her Savior.
(c) Neither are they apt to abstain from sin and
do right.
b. Paul did this woman no harm. He did her much good.
3. \\#19-24\\ However, Paul was seized, beat, arrested, and
thrown into a dark prison pit for his aid.
a. Sometimes, good and right deeds don’t produce good and
right results!
b. Here were men who had found a way to make money off
this woman’s sad condition, and they were angry,
enraged, that Paul had cast the demon out of her.
c. On top of that, a whole town joined on their side!
d. Were there no righteous people in that city or did
everybody see through the blinders of profit?
e. Then I notice that the Bible doesn’t even tell us that
the woman who was delivered spoke up for Paul!
II. \\#25-31\\ What is a person to do? Notice Paul and Silas’s
actions.
A. Notice some things they did not do.
1. He did not fight.
2. He did not quit.
3. He did not even get angry.
B. Notice some things they had already done.
1. They had done some things before this situation ever
began.
a. Those things were important.
b. What they had done before they got there made it
possible for what they were going to do.
2. What did Paul and Silas do before they got here?
a. They had gotten saved.
b. They had studied the Word.
c. They had surrendered to the will of God.
d. That includes:
(1) Following Him in believer’s baptism.
(2) Studying His Word to learn truth.
(3) Surrendering to whatever God wanted for them.
C. So what will they do now?
Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas
prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the
prisoners heard them.
1. They will enjoy the presence of God.
a. They were praying and singing praises to God.
b. Sometimes all you can do is leave this world for a
time and go visit your Father.
(1) It may sound funny to some, even some who have
professed to be Christians, but enjoying God’s
presence is not a bad thing.
(a) It is a good thing.
(b) It is a refreshing thing.
(c) It is an encouraging thing.
(d) It is a helpful thing.
(e) It is a blessed thing.
(2) Sadly, it is the last thing that some Christians
think about doing when this world has turned
against them.
2. Believe it or not, that’d what we are SUPPOSED every
opportunity that we have!
a. That is what we are supposed to be doing right now.
(1) Not just listening to another boring sermon.
(2) Not just sitting in another church service.
b. We are supposed to be enjoying the presence of God.
3. The Bible gives us examples of those who were having a
blessed time in the presence of God.
a. The church was birthed in such a meeting.
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully
come, they were all with one accord in one place.
(1) What were they doing in that Upper Room?
(2) Chapter 1 tells us.
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in
prayer and supplication….
Acts 1:15 And in those days Peter stood up in
the midst of the disciples, AND…
(3) The text goes on to day that Peter spoke to that
group concerning the Word of God.
(4) It does not use the word "preach" but that is
what that is.
b. Paul and Silas were called to be missionaries in such
a meeting.
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and
fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas
and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid
their hands on them, they sent them away.
c. The Bible was pinned by people who were enjoying the
presence of God.
Rev 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and
companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and
patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is
called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the
testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and
heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and
the last….
4. You ask, "Why then do we have church with a preacher
preaching, choirs singing, and a few folk praying?
a. The answer is that these things we do in an attempt to
make us available (clean enough) for God’s presence
to come!
b. Just like there are things one can do to attract
demons, so there are things we do to make ourselves
attractive to God.
c. The Bible tells us what makes us attractive to God are
things like singing hymns and spiritual songs,
preaching His Word, praying, fasting.
5. Your next question might be, "How come it doesn’t work
today?"
a. My answer is that it WILL work if we will clean
ourselves up and seek the Lord’s presence!
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are
gathered together in my name, there am I in the
midst of them.
b. The sad truths is we must not be doing a very good job
making ourselves attractive to God.
c. Churches have existed and worshipped like we are today
for two thousand years, but now they thing we need
to change.
(1) They have brought in music to stir the flesh and
watered down the preaching— which if that is
what they want to do, that is their business.
(2) But making the church more worldly is not the way
to attract the Spirit of God.
(3) I don’t think it is the service that needs
changing as much as it is the servants!
(a) We need to want God to show up here!
i. Quit worrying about time, ball games,
eating lunch, and what you want to do
this afternoon.
ii. Just concentrate on God.
(b) Sin and haste will hinder God from joining
with us.
i. While I am preaching, you be praying.
ii. Ask God to show you want hinders Him
from filling this building with His
presence.
iii. Confess whatever God shows you.
(c) We need to worship.
i. Talk to God.
ii. Sing, praise, glorify Him.
iii. Get on a first name basis with God and
ask Him to fill this place and us
with His presence.
iv. Enjoying the presence of God is our
only recourse for living in a hostile
world.
III. Notice the two results from what Paul and Silas did.
Acts 16:26 And suddenly there was a great
earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison
were shaken: and immediately all the doors were
opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
A. \\#26\\ There was divine intervention.
1. God showed up and opened the doors of that prison.
2. If we want God to show up (in our lives, the lives of our
friends, our situations, or our nation), perhaps we need
to go to church less and enjoy His presence more.
B. \\#27-30\\ The guard got saved.
Acts 16:27 And the keeper of the prison awaking
out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors
open, he drew out his sword, and would have
killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had
been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do
thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in,
and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and
Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what
must I do to be saved?
C. Conclusions:
1. I am not going to tell you that every time you and I, as
Christians, are done wrong, God is going to send an
earthquake to make things right.
2. I am going to tell you that every time you and I, as
Christians, are done wrong by a hostile world AND we
enjoy God’s presence, that God is going to show up.
a. Maybe there will be an outward manifestation of His
presence, maybe there won’t.
b. But, friend, God will show up in your soul and He will
knock your prison off its foundation.
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