"Am I qualified to praise God like that?"
Acts 16:16-24 NKJ
16. Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much 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, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.
19. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
20. And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly 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 and 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.
This passage tells us that, Paul and those who were there with him, were on their way to prayer.
While on their way, they were met by a demon possessed girl, with a spirit of divination,
which meant she could tell the fortunes of others and this brought great wealth to her masters.
This behavior she displayed continued for several days; and Paul had finally become fed up and could take this spirit no longer,
Even though what she said was true, he didn’t need or want the devils messenger being their Public Relations Liaison,
The last thing he wanted, was for the gospel of Jesus being associated with this familiar spirit,
for everyone was already used to that, so he cast the spirit out of the girl.
This was a big deal, because their little money making machine had been delivered, their free lunch ticket had disappeared into thin air.
it was a suddenly moment, suddenly she was free and suddenly Paul and Silas found themselves, brought before the magistrates,
who tore their clothes, beat them, put them in prison, and then shackled their feet.
Suddenly, the location of the prayer meeting had changed, suddenly they had a new need that needed to be met.
I just love the suddenly stories in the Bible, don't you?
Now, the Bible does not specify what time they were thrown into prison,
It doesn’t say if they discussed what had happened, how bad they were hurt,
or if they had a pity party thinking what did we do to deserve this kind of treatment?
After all, they were human, I’m sure they were hurting pretty good and human nature would surely have wanted its own way.
Human nature always does, it always stands right in the way of our needs being met,
Because it always makes it about, (even though their ever so insignificant and powerless,)
that’s right, I’m talking about our capabilities and our will in every situation.
Its only when we begin to praise God for what He is capable of doing on our behalf,
does the flicker of the light at the end of the tunnel become visible to us,
Even though its been burning brightly the whole time continuously!
I would ask this question, if you’ve been wondering and worried about a certain situation in your life or your families life and haven’t been singing Gods Praises to influence the outcome,
How’s that been working out for ya?
TBS. after they had been there long enough, at midnight, Paul and Silas begin to give God praise.
Praise always sets the atmosphere for miracles! Praise is what brings things from the supernatural into the natural.
Psalms 22:3-5 MSG.
And you! Are you indifferent, above it all,
leaning back on the cushions of Israel’s praise?
We know you were there for our parents:
they cried for your help and you gave it;
they trusted and lived a good life.
Luke 11:9-10 NKJ
9. “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
10. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
John 10:10 NKJ
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
The devil doesn’t want you living the good life, Paul was finding this out first hand,
but he was no match for the Power of God! Hallelujah, Praise the Lord God Almighty!!
Want to start living the good life, trust God!
*but you don’t know what’s going on(Buzz noise) doesn’t matter what’s going on
*but you don’t know what so and so said (buzz noise) doesn’t matter what they have been saying
*but your acting like its all unimportant (buzz noise) doesn’t matter how anyone else acts,
what matters is that God is willing to act on your behalf! Praise God!
God knows the importance of it all, He knows every detail about you and as long as He knows,
You don’t have to worry about a thing, you may think you do, but there’s no need to!
Because you know that what ever happens, with God in the drivers seat, its all Good,
no matter where you are or what your doing, its all going to be okay. Amen?
Paul knew this better than anyone, he knew that he had a seat at the Lords table
and could feast on the favor and blessings any time he wanted and as much as he needed to in his walk with the Lord
and that he could depend on God to take care of him, no matter what the circumstance or situation he was in!
Because it wasn’t about his ability, it was always about Gods ability to act on his behalf.
Acts 16:25-30 NKJ
But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
26. 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.
As they began to praise God, TBS suddenly there was a great earthquake, and the place started shaking
and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
Praise can bring about immediate results, it is very powerful, TBS God inhabits it!
Why do you think the devil fights you so hard and distracts you, when you begin or desire to praise God.
Its because the devil knows that there is Earthquake shaking power in your praise!
You may be asking yourself, "Am I qualified to praise God like that?"
After all we are talking about Paul here, the guy that wrote nearly 2/3’s of the New Testament.
God is not a respecter of persons, Paul was willing and God used him!
If you are willing, God will use you too, there’s no telling what and how much could be accomplished through you, if God has free reign in your life.
Because of Grace, you have not only what Paul had available to him, but what Jesus has available to Him.
1st John 4:17 NKJ
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
Thank you Jesus, for your wonderful, free, gift of grace that is available in abundant quantities, to all who will believe!
Turn to your neighbor and say who so ever, means me!
Psalm 150:6 NKJ
"Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord."
Put your hand in front of your mouth and blow. Now, if you felt wind on your hand, then that qualifies you to give God praise.
Not only do we need to praise God, but we need to praise Him until the power comes down.
Sunday morning Praise and Worship is great, but that’s exactly what it is.
What about the rest of the week, sometimes like Paul, your need isn’t going to wait until Sunday morning.
we need to be in a continual state of praise
We need God’s power available at all times, to come and deliver us from the hand of the enemy, in a suddenly moment.
And while we may not be in prison physically like Paul was, we need to realize there are many forms of prison!
But not one of them is any match what so ever for the Lord and not only are we affected by the outcome,
But others around us are as well, by the exposure of Gods Favor and Grace when it happens!
Every aspect of our Christian walk is part of our visible testimony
Its been said that, we may be the only Bible a sinner ever reads and it certainly is true! Amen?
Acts 16:27-32 NKJ
27. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.
28. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29. Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
30. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31. So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
Had Paul told him about Jesus? No, but his testimony and actions spoke volumes didn’t they?
Because of their testimony, not only the jailer was saved, but everyone in his house as well. Praise God!
God can turn any and all situations around and get the glory from it. Amen?
Ill. Back in the 1800’s in the old west, most communities couldn’t afford that nice a jail.
Many, in fact got by with a shack that was padlocked, or sometimes even a hole in the ground that was secured with bars on top.
Most of them were assuredly primitive and constructed poorly to say the least.
However, there was once told the tale of a extremely imposing jail that no one had ever escaped from.
Its reputation preceded itself, no one wanted to be sentenced there,
for everyone thought all the horrific things they had heard about it were true!
From the exterior, it looked like Fort Knox, the place was intimidating.
While the walls were imposing… that’s all they were, they were built so cheaply,
That those who knew the real story about the construction, were surprised a good wind storm never blew it down
and as a result, if any convict had been determined to escape they could have, with very little effort,
They just never tried, had someone decided to escape, those walls could not have held them, they would have been free!
But just the mere thought of being escape proof, was more than enough to hold not just one prisoner, but all of them captive!
that’s exactly how the devil is, he thinks he can hold someone captive by their fear and cons them into believing there’s no escape!
But TBS. the truth shall set you free and the truth is, that “Jesus stormed the gates of hell and took away the keys.”
Rev. 1:18 NKJ
I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
And when you Believe, TBS you shall be saved, you and your house, just like the jailer in the story, had been promised
translated from the original text, the word for saved is sozo.
And SOZO is from the Koine Greek, which means standard dialect (that is: the common Greek of the New Covenant scriptures).
Its meaning is: to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
It covers every aspect of our lives! Amen?
Its high time, every Christian grasp a hold of what their salvation experience in Christ really entitles them to.
Everything, that’s what! And what is God good at doing?
Everything, that’s what!
He left nothing undone, He dotted every I and crossed every T, with the Blood of His Own Son!
Because of what Jesus did for us on Calvary, when He died for our sins!
John 3:16,17 NKJ
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
When we choose to participate and believe that He did that for whosoever would believe.
We become entitled to every benefit that our salvation has already provided for us
to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
And the next time, it seems as though the accuser is trying pull a Paul and Silas moment on you.
You just remind him, your salvation in Jesus has provided you with a permanent “get out of jail card free” for anything he thinks he can bring to the table! Praise God!
If you don’t know Jesus today? You Can!
If you know Him, and you want to take your relationship with Him to the next level? You Can!
Just like the Jailers life and his entire families lives was changed forever, yours can be changed forever too,
when you realize what your salvation in Jesus has already abundantly provided for you in every aspect of life.
Amen?
Lets pray!
