“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and 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 bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’ And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.” — Acts 16:25–32
Paul and Silas are imprisoned for ministering in Philippi. They are beaten and held captive in a prison cell, their legs fastened to the floors, surrounded by other prisoners. With no windows to the outside, the inner cell where they were being kept was dark even during the day, so as midnight drew near all they could hear was the sound of chains and shackles.
For many Christians around the world today, religious persecution and imprisonment is a very real threat. Others might not experience physical imprisonment, but an emotional or mental one. We all go through desperate times that we can’t overcome on our own. But in these dark times, God meets us with the miraculous.
When Paul and Silas choose to trust God in the midst of their circumstance, the prisoners’ chains come undone, but that’s not all that happens. Through this miracle, the jailer is also set free.
After witnessing this miracle and seeing the prisoners still in their cells, the jailer asks, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” He had seen the power and love of God firsthand. This miracle made an eternal impact in the life of the jailer and his family. It opened the door for the entire household to receive the gift of salvation. God has the power to set us free both physically and spiritually.
What’s amazing is that, as we continue reading the story, we see the Holy Spirit divinely orchestrates for Paul and Silas to be released the next morning. Even in the most impossible situations, God does not forget about us. As Paul and Silas trust God, not only does he deliver them from prison but he also uses them to proclaim the gospel to an entire household.
Reflect:
1. Think of a time when God rescued you from a dark and desperate situation. Spend time in worship thanking God for his deliverance.
2. Is there an area of your life where you find it difficult to trust God? Pray that he would build your faith to see a breakthrough.
Faith Step:
In this passage, Paul and Silas worship and pray. Spend time in worship and prayer as you intercede for someone you know who is going through a desperate situation.
Pray:
God, there is nothing too difficult for you. I pray that those in dark situations would experience your complete deliverance. I pray that they would be rescued from whatever is imprisoning them and that the world would see you, the great rescuer, through their testimonies. I accept the freedom that Christ has won, and I believe that you can bring freedom in the spiritual and the natural here on earth. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Day 5
Deliverance
Exodus 14:13–22, Psalm 150, Colossians 3:16, Psalm 28
Why Miracles
We believe that God works miracles today by the power of the Holy Spirit to bless people and advance his kingdom. In 2023, we are believing God for miracles that will testify to his power and create new opportunities for the gospel to advance. The sermon series will focus on the 7 miracles John recounts as signs pointing people to faith in Jesus as the Son of God.
Introduction
Matthew 28:16–20, Jeremiah 32:27, Luke 18:27
“‘[. . . ] John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’ So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’” — Acts 1:5–8 Acts 1:6–11 is often referred to as the thesis statement of Acts, setting the stage for the rest of the book. The themes found in this passage continue throughout the rest of Acts—the Holy Spirit will empower, lead, and guide God’s people as they advance his kingdom. In Matthew 28, Jesus gives his disciples the Great Commission to “go make disciples of all nations,” but in Acts 1:8 he gives them the power necessary to fulfill such a mission. Throughout the Old Testament, the Spirit of God would come upon people for a specific time to do miraculous things and then depart from them. But after the miracle of Christ’s resurrection in the New Testament, the Spirit was given to remain with God’s people. He was sent to stay with us. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, Jesus gives his disciples the supernatural power to be his witnesses and live a life that honors God. The stories we see throughout Acts are marked by the miraculous. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines a miracle as a “divine intervention in human affairs.” God is still intervening, even today. He still loves to cause a miracle to testify to the truthfulness of the gospel. He demonstrates his power to show his love to his people, through his people, and for the world. The miraculous is always tied to the mission in Acts 1—that we would be witnesses of God, his goodness, and his power. God performs miracles so that we can know God and let him be known. Reflect: 1. Has there been a time when God divinely intervened in your life? 2. Set aside time to pray and thank God for his power and goodness. Faith Step: Write down some practical ways that you can be a witness in your everyday life. Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for stepping into our broken world to change our circumstances for good. Your Word is full of miracles that display your love, power, and goodness. I pray that you would open my heart to truly believe you can do all things. You are the Almighty, kind and worthy of praise, and I am ready to see you at work in my life and through my life this week. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Day 1
Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:14–17, Acts 2:9–41, Exodus 4:10–12
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?’ But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.’” — Acts 2:1–8, 14 In Jewish tradition, the Feast of Pentecost was a time to thank God for the firstfruits of the wheat harvest. In Acts 2, the disciples celebrate a different kind of harvest at Pentecost: a harvest of people who respond to the gospel. Jesus tells the disciples in Acts 1 that they will be his witnesses to the ends of the earth, and then in Acts 2, he gives them the power of the Holy Spirit, a gift necessary to fulfill that calling. The Holy Spirit is the gift of God himself, dwelling within believers and empowering us not only to live a Christian life but also to be conduits for miracles. Each sign and wonder that the Holy Spirit does through believers points us back to the miracle of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. But let’s rewind to the Great Commission. Jesus gives his followers the command to go and make disciples of all nations. That may sound impossible, but here’s where we rely on God’s power with faith and obedience. The Holy Spirit empowers us to do what we cannot. On the day of Pentecost, the disciples receive this incredible gift. What we see at the beginning of Acts 2 is a miracle. The Holy Spirit falls on the disciples and they begin speaking in new tongues—new languages—in such a way that everyone hears the gospel. The crowds are amazed as each person hears “the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:11) spoken in their native tongue. More people begin to gather and, even as some skeptics doubt what’s happening, God gives Peter the ability to preach effectively, and through preaching, 3,000 people repent and accept the gospel! This same gift—the indwelling and empowering of the Spirit—is available for us today. But this gift isn’t just for us. It’s so the world would know the one true God. He gives us the ability to share his gospel with accuracy and boldness. The call of the Great Commission may make us feel ill-equipped or unqualified, but God doesn’t give us his mission without the Helper, the Holy Spirit. Through this gift, God can use us in miraculous ways to advance his kingdom. Reflect: 1. Have you ever had a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit? When was the last time God filled you afresh with his Spirit? 2. How does depending on the gift of the Holy Spirit change the way you think about sharing the gospel? Faith Step: Have an intentional gospel conversation with someone and trust the Holy Spirit to help you speak with boldness and clarity. Pray: God, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. I welcome him into my life by faith and with expectation. Thank you for the power to live a fruitful Christian life with boldness and sincerity. I receive your call to take the gospel to my neighbors and the nations. I know that you are with me. Show me how to live a missional life so others would know the grace and goodness of your gospel. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.