Bound To Be Set Free

6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of hGalatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in 1Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the 2Spirit did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they icame down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A jman of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go kto Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Lydia Baptized at Philippi

11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12 and from there to lPhilippi, which is the 3foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of mThyatira, who worshiped God. nThe Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So oshe persuaded us.

Paul and Silas Imprisoned

16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl ppossessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters qmuch profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days.

But Paul, rgreatly 4annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” sAnd he came out that very hour. 19 But twhen her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and udragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.

20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, vexceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes wand commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Bound to Be Set Free

Acts 16:6-24

Divine conduct and Direction

Paul does not appear to have had any intention of preaching the gospel here. He was perhaps anxious at once to bear his message to the more important and promising district of proconsul (Roman Province) Asia.

The zeal of the preacher and the eagerness of his hearers triumphed over all hindrances.

The gospel as a message of mercy and a spiritual faith stood in direct contrast to the gross and material religions in which the race had been nurtured.

It is important that you are influential

When we come to church there must be some activity for Expectancy

As soon as someone sees you praising God, that’s when God will see you

We want recycled members from other ministries

I have been in Egypt and I don’t want to return.

Mysia – criminal or Abominable

Bitheynia – Violent or Precipitation

Troas – Penetrated – Place of Preparation

Macedonia - Adoration

Prestige Is killing our churches

You don’t need education you need demonstration

No Praise No Productivity

Too Much is Given much is required

Wounds are not affective until they become scars