Exposition of Acts: Freedom to Preach Christ
Click Above to Listen!
A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. LOVE THE GOD WHO CONTROLS HUMANITY
A. ATTACK
>>1. MOB
Acts 16:22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. (also, I Cor 8:1-2; Is 6:5; Ps 8:3-4; II Cor 10:4)
>>2. MERCILESS
Acts 16:23 And when they had inflicted many blows on them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them securely. (also, II Cor 11:23)
B. ARREST
>>1. MAINTAINED
Acts 16:24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
>>2. MIDNIGHT
Acts 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
II. LOVE THE GOD WHO CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE
A. ALARM
>>1. MISSING
Acts 16:26 suddenly there was a great earthquake, shaking the foundations of the prison. Immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds unfastened.
(also, Phil 1:12)
>>2. MISUNDERSTOOD
Acts 16:27-28 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. But Paul shouted loudly, “Don’t harm yourself, for we are all here.”
B. AGITATION
>>1. MISGIVING
Acts 16:29 And the jailer called for lights, rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.
>>2. MYSTERY
Acts 16:30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
III. LOVE THE GOD WHO CONTROLS OUR SALVATION
A. ANSWER
>>1. MESSAGE
Acts 16:31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (also, Rom 3:10)
>>2. MEANING
Acts 16:32 And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
B. ACTION
>>1. MINISTERED
Acts 16:33 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.
>>2. MITIGATE
Acts 16:34 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.
IV. LOVE THE GOD WHO CONTROLS LIFE’S CIRCUMSTANCES
A. ASTONISHED
>>1. MAGISTRATES
Acts 16:35-36 But at daylight, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Release those men.” So, the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates ordered your release. You are free to leave in peace.”
>>2. MANDATE
Acts 16:37 But Paul said to them, “They’ve beaten us publicly – Roman citizens who were not condemned – and have thrown us into prison. Do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.”
B. ADMISSION
>>1. MODIFIED
Acts 16:38-39 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. They came and apologized to them, released them, and asked them to leave the city.
>>2. MISSION
Acts 16:40 So they left the prison, visited and encouraged Lydia and the brothers, then departed.