A Midnight Revival
Main Text: Acts 16:25-34 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26And 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. 27And 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. 28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Prayer
Part I: Is This a Good Time To Start a revival (Paul and Silas point of view)
Text: Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Intro: This story begins when Paul and Silas decided to collaborate in the ministry after Paul and Barnabas had an intense argument over weather to take Mark with them on their return missionary journey, through past cities they have introduce the gospel, to inform them of the recent agreement concerning the Christian faith toward the Gentiles. Barnabas and Mark decided to travel the original route since Paul did not trust Mark due to a precedent failure in the ministry, and Paul did not identify any development from him.
Paul and Silas agreed to travel through some Asian cities to proclaim the glorious gospel of JESUS Christ, and confirm all that GOD has for them the Gentile people. Although, they had some success in the beginning of the trip, they had a encounter with the Holy Spirit that forbade them to preach in certain cities: Phrygia, Galatia, Mysia, Bithynia, and Troas. They did not have an understanding of why they were forbidding by the Holy Spirit to discontinue preaching in those cities, but Paul receive a vision, while in Troas, of a man beseeching him to come to Macedonia and to declare the gospel unto them. Being fully persuaded, by this calling, they eagerly proceeded immediately towards Macedonia to proclaim the gospel of JESUS Christ. Upon arriving Philippi, a coastal city of Macedonia, Paul and Silas met Lydia, a woman who wanted to deepen her relationship and knowledge of GOD. Excited about her conversion experience, she besieged them to come and baptize her household, and to stay at her house for the time being.
Now, after some time had pass, they were heading to the place of prayer, but there was a demon-possessed woman who recognized them as men of GOD with a hidden agenda. (Explain Briefly) Failing to distract them from their purpose, Paul was angrily moved to cast the demon out of her in the name of JESUS. The devil was not through with, yet, he decided to make her owners fully aware that their source of income was broke, and their evil ventures were soon defunct. While in a fit of rage, they took Paul and Silas to court, and sued them for disturbing the peace and violating their religious laws. They were order to be beaten and thrown in jail.
Understand my brothers and my sister, all of us has a purpose in life that is order by GOD. Keep in mind, in order to fulfill your purpose you must be lead by the Holy Spirit, although the devil will do everything to sidetrack you. One may can be sidetrack by the following: drugs, alcohol, abusive spouse, backbiting, lying, fortification, etc. Now, some positives will sidetrack you also like the following: wealth, success, talents, education, family, a good spouse, and even our home church. How is this true, understand, these are great things that happen in our lives, but they are a segment of GOD’s will, and not the full focus of his will. When one is focus on a segment of GOD’s will they normally proceed outside of HIS holy will without notice. Remember in Genesis chapter 12 GOD made Abram a promise on the condition he will get away from his kinfolk and the area he lived; Genesis chapter 16 Abram and his wife, Sara, agreed to go unto Hagar to fulfill the promise; but in Genesis chapter 18 GOD gave him a reminder He will complete his promise, through his wife, since He purpose Isaac to fulfill the promise not Ishmael. Understand, Ishmael only proves that Abram was fruitful at his old age, but there was no promise. Some of us are unable to receive GOD’s promises since mama or daddy got, forsaking the knowledge of all five of their kids live less then a mile apart. Some are unable due to the reality we got married and had kids; but they have became a crutch or an explanation to do nothing and fail in GOD’s promises. Some of us are unable since we have a great and steady job, with excellent pay, but is you begin to talk about a promotion or a pay raise they will quickly start acting fickle and funny. Do not forget about the church; because we have an habit of being satisfied with the new sanctuary, but seven year has pass and there is no new ministry and no one have been save since erection of he new sanctuary. Realize you may be outside the will of GOD.
Now, Paul may have been looking at Silas, with the vision in mind, after being beaten and thrown in jail asking, “Is this a good time to start a revival?” Silas, through his pain and agony gather his strength and said, “Yes,” and started devotion. Why:
1. They ignore their current condition
a. Remaining focus on the vision
(Acts 16:9-10 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. (10) And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the LORD had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
b. They did not focus on their condition
(Acts 16:23-24 And they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: (24) Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stock.
c. They were not constrained by time
(Acts 16:25a And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God)
2. They prayed to GOD
a. GOD heard your prayers
(Psalms 37:23-25 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD; and he delighteth in his way. (24) Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. (25) I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the right forsaken, nor his seed begging bread)
b. GOD is faithful to answer
(James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.)
3. They praise GOD
a. Great is the LORD and his Holy Name
(Psalms 48:1, 10 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our GOD, in the mountain of his holiness. (10) According to thy name, O GOD, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.)
b. This situation is for a moment
(Psalms 30:4-5 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. (5) For his anger endureth but moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.)
Conclusion: Somebody will here you and GOD will respond
Part II: When they heard the WORD ( The prisoner’s point of view)
Acts 16: 25-26 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. (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.
Intro: Brief synopsis of Part I
Now, when they heard the WORD
1. a earthquake came
a. A quick demonstration of GOD’s power
b. Shook the foundation of your prison
2. The door were open
a. you did not have the strength or the ability to open it.
b. GOD can open any door
3. Their bands were loosen
a. Physically bound
b. Spiritual bound
Conclusion: When they heard the WORD, GOD freed them and he will do the same for you.
Part III: If I got Save…? (The jailer point of view)
Acts 16: 25-34 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26And 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. 27And 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. 28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Intro: Brief synopsis of Part I and Part II
Now, what will happen if I got Save
1. I would do no harm to myself
a. you are awaking to you condition
b. Sin will force you to kill yourself
2. Your house will be save
a. Authentic salivation
b. The WORD will enter your house
3. Reconciliation and peace with GOD and man
a. He wash there stripes (asking for forgiveness and healing old wombs.)
b. They ate together (Peace)
Conclusion: What must I do to be Save
(Romans 10:8-10: But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.)
