Sermons on Visiting Prisoners:

Earthquakes Examined Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 20, 2021

The first thing I learned about earthquakes in the New Testament is that they can be completely positive with no harmful effects. Our text is a case in point. Paul and Silas are delivered from prison by the violent earthquake that opened all the doors.

It was in Santa Clara, California, in the summer of 1988 that Lavonne and I experienced our one and only earthquake. We were in a motel and the bed began to vibrate like it does when you put a quarter in the machine at the side of the bed. It only lasted a few seconds, but even that made ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:22-34

Paul’s Jailhouse Thanksgiving

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 17, 2023

Most people aren’t happy when they’re put in jail, but the Apostle Paul had a thankful heart, even when things went the wrong way. He wrote this letter from prison in Rome!

PAUL’S JAILHOUSE THANKSGIVING Phip. 4:6 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: True Thanksgiving Disasters 1. On Thanksgiving, one father who’d bought a Ron Popeil “Set It And Forget It” ROTISSERIE and decided to use it to cook the Thanksgiving turkey. He invited the whole family over, of course. "But in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Finicky Faith Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Apr 28, 2025

John, while in prison, sent representatives to Jesus to ascertain whether or not he is the one - Jesus provided proof and then affirmed John’s ministry, sinners repented, Pharisees rejected/scoffed, Jesus confronted the finicky faith of the generation

During World War II, a congregation in London faced bombings nightly. In the midst of fear, their pastor encouraged them to gather for prayer. One night, after a particularly intense bombing, he found a soldier praying with fervor. When asked why he prayed amidst such chaos, the soldier replied, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-35

Denomination: Baptist

Paul Before Festus Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 28, 2017

Those two years that Paul languished in prison are silent years in the life of Paul. Perhaps he was exasperated by it all. We don’t know. We do know that the hand of God was discernible in all this, and His purposes were carried out.

July 11, 2016 Acts of the Apostles By: Tom Lowe Lesson: Paul Before Festus (Acts 25:1-27) ...read more

Scripture: Acts 25:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Statement Of His Plans: Jerusalem & Rome Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 14, 2017

Luke interrupts his story of Paul’s work in Ephesus briefly in order to tell us about the travel plans of the apostle and then moves on to tell about the riot caused by Demetrius. He explains that Paul’s aim was to visit Macedonia, Achaia, Jerusalem....

September 17, 2015 By: Tom Lowe Lesson: IV.D.3.g: Paul's Statement of His Plans: Jerusalem & Rome (Acts 19:21-22) Acts 19:21-22 (KJV) 21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:21-22

Denomination: Baptist

Fruitful Frustration Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

I am sure Paul did not like the experience of being thrown in prison, but he did not, in frustration, bang his head on the bars, or go into a vegetative mood of depression. He got out his pen and wrote letters that changed the course of history.

Joe Bayly had a chance to stay in the luxurious Hilton Hotel in Chicago. It was going to be a treat of a retreat, but then he was hit again by the x-factor. That is what he calls Murphy's Law-the law that says, if anything can go wrong it will. The hot water in his room would not work. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

Spiritual Blessings In Christ Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Apr 16, 2012

The message of Ephesians 1:3-14 is simply this: believers are chosen from the foundations of the earth, redeemed in Christ, possessing an inheritance of matchless worth. Glory to God for so great a salvation as this!

“Spiritual Blessings in Christ,” Ephesians 1:3-14 Outline I. Prolegomena II. Introduction III. Transition a. In the Greek, verses 3-14 comprise one sentence and encompass the past, present, and future of God’s eternal purpose for the church. It is Paul’s outline of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Christian Church

Joyful Love Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jul 10, 2003

Paul is in prison and he has this joyful love because he has a confidence in God. He can write in Philippians 1:6, “Be confident of this that He, who began a good work in you will carry it out until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Intro: God’s Faithfulness It wasn’t too long ago I was attending a meeting in Scotland. I was in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland and I was looking for a place to park. I received advise on how to find a good place to park. My friend told me to drive up to the top of the nearby observatory ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Book Of Acts, Part 5- Standing Firm On A Solid Foundation Series

Contributed by Mark Strauss on May 4, 2006

When we meet Peter and John in Acts 4, they are in a situation that we would expect to produce fear. Fear is a rational response. •They have been arrested and thrown in prison. Their very lives are threatened. •Yet instead of fear, we see boldness a

Standing Firm on a Solid Foundation 4:1-21 Fear. It is perhaps the common human emotion. And we all have things we are afraid of. •There are scientific names for every fear imaginable. •There is claustrophobia, the fear of enclosed places; acrophobia, the fear of high places; agoraphobia, the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Childhood Responsibilities

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Sep 2, 2010

The Christian life is more than a list of do's and don't's; it is a relationship wherein we have responsibilities.

CHILDHOOD RESPONSIBILITIES GALATIANS 4:1-11 INTRODUCTION John Newton, author of the beloved hymn Amazing Grace, was an only child who lost his mother when he was seven. At the age of eleven, he went to sea as a sailor and became involved in the inhuman African slave trade. He was soon hardened by ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Supernatural #12: Passionate, Powerful Prayer Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Oct 18, 2009

Like Peter, many people today are bound in prisons: of worries and fears, addictions and compulsions, hopelessness, grief, bad relationships or poor finances. But just as Peter found freedom through passionate prayer, so too can we.

SUPERNATURAL #12: PASSIONATE POWERFUL PRAYER INTRO TO TOPIC: • Today’s message is important because it can encourage you in so many areas of your life: • It is the story of someone who experienced a supernatural deliverance from prison. One of the most eminent features of the early church in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-16

Denomination: *other

The Year Of Jubilee & Jesus

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 10, 2019

The Year of Jubilee was a revelation of grace; during it all debts were cancelled, all prisoners were set free, and all inheritances were restored! It occurred right after the sacrifice of the Day of Atonement was accepted and was signaled by the sounding of the shofars.

THE YEAR OF JUBILEE & JESUS Lev. 25:8-12 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: STARBUCK’S JANITOR (reach your potential?) 1. Ole was looking for a job and heard that there was an opening for a janitor at the local Starbucks. After the interview, the manager said, "You have the job, just sign this ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 25:8-12, Luke 4:16-20, Isaiah 61:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Stretched Thin

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Aug 17, 2025

I wrote this in Aug 2009 when I didn't know what was next. It turns out that the Lord allowed me to graduate with a doctorate in counseling and work full-time as a Federal prison chaplain for 12 years.

As I start my fifteenth year of ministry, I realize I have been stretched thin. I started as a missionary in Youth With A Mission, ministering in the USA, Europe, Asia, and Africa for two years. I burned out, trying to “save the world” myself. I then went to seminary, getting a foundation for ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Vineyard

Ministry Is...

Contributed by Steve Steve on Mar 13, 2002

Ministry is...Finding, Focusing, Financing, and Fulfilling. Ways we can see ourselves as ministers, and better equip ourselves to perform ministry. A general guideline of a short sermon to a small group such as visitation committee...etc.

Good morning, I. Thank you II. Illustration-Have everyone stand, and turn to right. Then extend arms and rub each others shoulders. Then reverse to the left. III. Are you aware of what just took place? IV. Illustration explained- “ You over on this end, what happened the first time we were ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Denomination: Church Of God

Beware Your Lies Will Catch Up To You Series

Contributed by Bruce Landry on Mar 16, 2002

In Genesis Chapter 38 we will walk with Judah and see where deceit commited by him comes back to find him. Also discussed is the sins of a generation will be visited to the third and fourth generation and suggestions for dealing with this multigeneration

Beware your Lies will catch up to you Character of Judah Caught in his own deceit You know all of us here in Dillingham have heard the story our elders tell of going to school barefooted, both ways uphill. Well maybe not that one. It could have been the six-foot rabbits or the one about the big ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 38:1-30

Denomination: Baptist