To be a Christian is to be a warrior.

The good soldier of Jesus Christ must not expect to find ease in this world: it is a battle-field.

Neither must he reckon upon the friendship of the world; for that would be enmity against God.

His occupation is war.

Nov 22, 2011

Paul And Silas, the Valiant.


Paul and Silas were in Macedonia…

And while they were ministering in the city…

They were arrested, beaten and imprisoned….

And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,  And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.  And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
Act 16:19 -23

For casting out a devil…

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:  The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.  And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.  Act 16:16 -18

They were put in stocks…

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:  Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.  Act 16:23 -24

Undaunted and unashamed, they sang praises to the Living God.

Everyone was listening…

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. Act 16:25   



God was listening….

    And God answered…

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.   Act 16:26 

The earth trembled…
                                
                               The guard trembled…..

In that moment, eternity was forever changed…

And 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.  But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.  Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Act 16:27-30

That very night, many souls were born into the Kingdom of light!

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.   And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.  And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.  Act 16:31-34


Undaunted. Unashamed. Intrepid.  Joyful. Fruitful.

Two men. One powerful God. One earth shaking, life changing message.

Many souls welcomed into the Kingdom.

Any questions?

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