Thanksgiving At Midnight (Lesson From Paul And Silas Inside A Prison Jail)

Expository Sermon: “Thanksgiving at Midnight”

(Lesson from Paul and Silas inside a Prison Jail)

Text: Acts 16:16-40

Theme: Thanksgiving isn’t just for the good times—it’s the key to unlocking God’s power in the hardest moments of life.

Key Text: Acts 16:25 – “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”

Illustration Story:

In June 2018, I had the incredible opportunity to return to the Philippines after seven years. It was a special time for me, not only because I was going back home but also because I was fortunate to be part of a ministry that truly deepened my faith. Someone graciously sponsored my round-trip flight, which I saw as a blessing and confirmation of God’s hand in this mission.

During that time, I experienced firsthand the joy and challenges of serving God. We were immersed in His work, from conducting Bible studies to building relationships with the people we met. One moment stands out vividly in my mind. We needed to cross a river to reach a community eager to hear God’s Word. The only way across was a bamboo raft. It wasn’t easy, but we pushed through, knowing the purpose behind our efforts. It was humbling yet fulfilling to see how God used simple means to accomplish His will.

As glad as we were to be part of this ministry, I can’t help but reflect on the story of Paul and Silas. While we faced challenges, they endured imprisonment simply for proclaiming the Word of God. Their faith and resilience inspire me, as they continued to pray and sing praises even in the darkest of situations. It’s a reminder that serving God isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.

Let us Pray

Shifting the Focus to Praise

Church, let me ask you something—how do you respond when life gets hard? When the pressure mounts, when the walls close in, and when it feels like there’s no way out? Most of us want to cry out, “Why me, Lord?” But today, I want to challenge you to shift your focus.

Let’s look at Paul and Silas. These two men were beaten, chained, and thrown into prison—not for doing wrong, but for doing right.

Yet, in the darkest moment of their lives, they didn’t complain. They didn’t wallow in self-pity. They worshiped. They sang praises to God in their midnight hour, and it shook the very foundation of their prison.

This story isn’t just about a miraculous earthquake; it’s about what happens when we choose thanksgiving in the midst of trials.

I. Trials Will Come (Acts 16:16-24)

Let’s dive into the story. Paul and Silas were on a mission—preaching the Gospel, casting out demons, and setting people free. But in verse 19, everything takes a turn. After they cast out a spirit of divination from a slave girl, her owners, angry at losing their profits, seize Paul and Silas and drag them before the authorities.

The crowd joins in the attack. The magistrates order them to be stripped, beaten with rods, and thrown into the inner prison with their feet in stocks.

Listen to me, church: Trials will come. Following Jesus doesn’t exempt you from hardship. Sometimes it brings it! Paul and Silas weren’t in prison because they sinned—they were there because they obeyed God.

Jesus Himself said in John 16:33, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Application: Don’t be surprised when trials come. Expect them. But don’t let them break you. If God allows a trial in your life, He has a purpose for it.

II. Thanksgiving in the Darkest Hour (Acts 16:25)

Now let’s look at verse 25: “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”

Midnight isn’t just a time of day—it’s the darkest hour. It’s the moment when all hope seems lost. Paul and Silas were in pain, locked in the inner prison, their feet fastened in stocks.

Yet what did they do? They prayed. They sang hymns. They chose thanksgiving.

Church, hear this: Thanksgiving is not about your feelings—it’s about your faith. Anybody can praise God on the mountaintop, but true faith is when you can sing in the valley.

Paul and Silas didn’t praise God for the prison—they praised Him in the prison. They knew their God was bigger than their chains, and their faith wasn’t based on their circumstances.

Application: What’s your midnight, church? Is it sickness? Financial struggles? A broken relationship? Whatever it is, don’t let the darkness silence your praise.

Lift your voice. Sing your song. Praise God, not because the trial is over, but because you trust Him in the middle of it.

III. God’s Power Is Released Through Thanksgiving (Acts 16:26-30)