Faith In The Middle Of Failure Series

• Here is Paul and Silas.

• Paul casts out a demon, and next thing you know, they were attacked, beaten with rods, then they were put in the inner prison with their feet in stocks!

• Located in the same marketplace was the jail.

• Paul and Barnabas were placed “in the inner cell,” a detail that emphasizes how securely they were being kept.

• The Roman stocks which held their feet had several holes, which allowed the jailer to force their legs into a painful position, resulting in the stretching and cramping of muscles. (COLLEGE PRESS COMMENTARY SERIES)

• What would you do if you were in Paul and Silas’s situation?

• I think I would be pretty upset myself.

• Verse 25 tells us that they were praying and singing hymns at midnight while the prisoners were listening!

• I know these men were in pain, and from the outside, it appeared they have failed; however, these two men allowed their faith to shine in the middle of potential failure!

• Despite their hardship, these men demonstrated the joy and hope of their faith!

› WHOA! CHURCH IS IN SESSION IN THE ROMAN JAIL!

• While this service was taking place, around midnight, something miraculous happens.

• Verse 26 tells us the area was hit with a violent earthquake.

• Earthquakes were not uncommon in this area; however, this one was particularly ferocious caused the doors to open and all the chains to come off the prisoners!

• This is where it gets interesting.

• Now you have a jail full of people who are free!

• What do you do if you are Paul and Silas?

• Logic says that God busted you out of prison; time to get out of town!

• Now, what about the rest of the prisoners? Most were probably in there for legitimate crimes; shouldn’t they take their chances and flee?

• Let’s come back to that for a minute as we look at another person in the story who is about to feel like he failed big time, the jailer!

• Verse 27 tells us the jailer woke up, saw the doors to the prison wide open.

• The jailer drew his sword to take his own life. He knew he was a dead man walking because he thought all of the prisoners had escaped!

• Jailers and guards within the Roman system knew that they were held personally responsible for keeping prisoners secured (Acts 12:19).

• This jailer saw no reason to face his superiors and was ready to commit suicide.

• Paul was able to see the jailer and called out to the jailer to let him know that all prisoners were still in their cells; none had left!

• Now let’s look at this situation again.

• Paul and Silas, servants of the Lord, are in jail for breaking no laws; they spend their time in jail praying and singing.

• A great earthquake hits the area, the jail doors are opened, and the chains fall off!

• What would your first thought be? GOD BROKE ME OUT OF JAIL!

• Why didn’t Paul and Silas see it that way? Why did the other prisoners stay?

• God had a larger purpose at hand.

• God pursues us, and God pursued this jailer; this jailer needed Jesus.

• God must have revealed this to Paul, and therefore they, along with all the other prisoners, stayed put!