When Facing Midnight Danger Lesson 7 Series

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 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 chains were loosed.” Acts 16:25-26

“At midnight a cry was heard. “Behold the bridegroom is coming.’” Matthew 25:6

“This is what the LORD says, ‘At midnight tonight I will pass through the heart of Egypt, and all the firstborn will die.’” Exodus 11:4, NTL

1. The danger of a “midnight” deadline can come from God, or the enemy, or circumstances.

2. God’s servants were faithfully ministering.

a. They had not gone where the Holy Spirit closed the door (v. 6-7).

b. They obeyed God’s call (v. 9).

c. Went to prayer meeting (v. 13).

d. Worshiped (v. 14).

e. Released demon possessed girl from satan’s control (vv. 18-21).

3. Satan tried to stop God’s work.

a. Attacked by girl’s owners (v. 19).

b. Arrested (v. 19).

c. Accusations (v. 20).

d. Beaten (v. 22).

e. Imprisoned v. 23).

f. Chained in stocks (v. 24).

4. What happened to God’s servants?

a. Tension.

b. Pain from whipping.

c. Prison.

d. Uncertain future.

e. Inevitable Roman law, punishment.

5. Your fasting bridges the gap between your pain and God’s provision.

6. What must you do when the enemy does everything to make you give up?

a. Pray – the word proseuchomai means “face to face” communication with God.

b. Singing hymns means “praise or worship of God.”

7. What were they not doing?

a. Complaining and feeling sorrow for self.

b. Begging for release from jailors or God

c. Praying or planning an escape.

8. Learn from open and closed doors. “A great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9, NKJV).

a. Asia was closed.

b. Philippi open.

c. They were led by the Spirit (16:8-9).

9. The principles of praising God when things seemed to go wrong. Why?

a. God said, “I know the plans I have for you .. they are for good and not for evil’ (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT)

b. God wants to teach lessons through pain and relief, through open and closed doors.

10. Right before God’s intervention you may have a time of darkness … loss … and pain.

11. God’s favorite time to intervene is midnight. What time is it on your clock?

12. “All the doors were opened (Acts 16:26). When God comes to His hurting people, prison doors can’t keep Him out – doors open for God.

13. In Israel’s history, the blood got them ready for midnight. Israel suffered slavery in Egypt, but before God freed them they had to obediently apply the blood of the Lamb. “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13). “At midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn of Egypt” (Exodus 12:29). Pharaoh called for Moses … “Get out ... go and worship the Lord” (Exodus 12:31, NLT).

14. When God’s time has come, He will favor you. “The time to favor her (Israel), yes, the set time has come” (Psalm 102:13, NKJV).

15. Are you crying over pain and problems, God has heard your cry.

16. God is good to you, even when you are suffering.

17. What is our motto? “It’s dark and I hurt … but midnight is coming.”

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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