Intro: The book of Acts is the history book of the church. It was written by a Dr and Historian name Luke. Luke was one of Paul’s many missionary apprentices. This is a record of the early church taking seriously the words of Jesus. You will receive power to become my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
I. The greatest question ever asked
A) The songs
Paul and Silas were imprisoned because they had delivered a slave girl from demonic possession. The girl’s owners way of making money was gone. Now Paul and Silas are put in stocks awaiting a trial or hearing.
What would you do in that situation? Maybe whine and complain. Gripe and grumble.
Paul and Silas prayed and sang.
B) The shaking
1) The ground
16.26 there was a great earthquake. Things got all shook up
2) The guy
16.29 “fell down trembling”
C) The searching
16.30 “What must I do to be saved?”
The people of the time were all asking this question. They felt as some of you do that they were trapped by the Iron hand of fate. Some commentators say this was the most pressing religious question of the day. People were looking for answers from animal worship, mystery religions, and emperor worship.
The same questions are asked today with different words. What can I do to get a handle on my life? How can I overcome the pressures from outside and inside?
The jailer’s life had to be drastically shaken for him to ask the all important question what must I do to be saved.
II. The greatest answer ever given
16:31 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved?
A) What do we believe?
1) The truth of who we are
Sinners – People who have rejected Gods will and control of our lives
Isaiah 53.6 – Sheep gone astray, lost on the road of life following our own desires and directions that lead to destruction
2) The truth of who Jesus was and is
God in the flesh
Romans 1:17 says, "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." The only righteousness that is acceptable to God is a gift of faith through His Son Jesus Christ.
You believe in who He says He is - the God made flesh who died and rose again for you to be reconciled to God. Then, you repent of your sins and confess Christ as Lord of your life.
If Jesus is not the Lord of your life, then He is not your Savior. Salvation is not a cafeteria line where we say, "Well, I believe I'll have a little Savior today, but no Lordship. Thank you." No! Jesus is Lord.
3) The truth of why Jesus came
Jesus did not primarily come to be a good man, a moral teacher, or an example of godly living. Luke 19.10 is clear “for the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
(Why didn’t Luke have to explain what believe meant? He had already written to Theophilus)
John 1.29 “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
He came to rescue us from a life without God. He came to redeem us from the slave market of sin.
This is found in the story about Zacchaeus.
B) What happens when you believe?
1) Adopted into the family of God
2) Adorned with the righteousness of God
3) Set free from slavery to sin – girl released from slavery prior to jailer
4) Sealed by the Spirit
III. The genuine change that resulted
Three significant sings salvation has come to you.
A) Humility – He washes their stripes
B) Hospitality – He welcomed them into his home and fed them
C) Joy -- He worshipped the Lord of glory
The message is simple trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember Luke was talking to Theopolis for the second time. He knew it meant to trust in Jesus ability to pay for the sins of the world.
