The Jailor Had Cause For Rejoicing The Jailor Had Cause For Rejoicing Acts 16:25-34

Paul and Silas were caught, drawn into the marketplace unto the rulers. They were accused of teaching unlawful customs, beaten with many stripes, cast into prison, and their feet were fastened in stocks. (Acts 16:19-24) Paul and Silas were caught, drawn into the marketplace unto the rulers. They were accused of teaching unlawful customs, beaten with many stripes, cast into prison, and their feet were fastened in stocks. (Acts 16:19-24)

Introduction: In our world of darkness and anxiety, there is need to see times of joy and rejoicing. In our world of darkness and anxiety, there is need to see times of joy and rejoicing. Cause for rejoicing needs to be based upon a good foundation. Cause for rejoicing needs to be based upon a good foundation. The jailor of Acts 16:19-40 had many things for which to rejoice. The jailor of Acts 16:19-40 had many things for which to rejoice.

He could rejoice because someone would call attention to his false supposition. He could rejoice because someone would call attention to his false supposition. 1. He supposed the prisoners had fled (Acts 16:27). 1. He supposed the prisoners had fled (Acts 16:27). 2. It almost cost him his life. 3. Paul was the best friend he had at the time. 3. Paul was the best friend he had at the time. 4. Paul pointed out the error of his thinking, then of his conduct. 4. Paul pointed out the error of his thinking, then of his conduct.

5. The same was true on Pentecost. a. Acts 2:14-15 b. Correction of their supposition cleared the way for preaching the gospel. 5. The same was true on Pentecost. a. Acts 2:14-15 b. Correction of their supposition cleared the way for preaching the gospel. 6. We too can rejoice when someone shows his belief based upon fact and not supposition. 6. We too can rejoice when someone shows his belief based upon fact and not supposition. He could rejoice that someone would sacrifice to preach the gospel to him. He could rejoice that someone would sacrifice to preach the gospel to him. 1. You can see the price paid for this man when looking at Paul and Silas. 1. You can see the price paid for this man when looking at Paul and Silas.

2. There were easier things they could do in life. 2. There were easier things they could do in life. 3. They were willing to pay the great price because of their love for men. 3. They were willing to pay the great price because of their love for men. 4. What would have been different had they not cared? Would there have been cause for rejoicing? 4. What would have been different had they not cared? Would there have been cause for rejoicing? 5. What if pioneers of the past had not sacrificed to get the gospel to us? What then? 5. What if pioneers of the past had not sacrificed to get the gospel to us? What then? 6. Do we have reason to rejoice?

He could rejoice in the fact that he was willing to learn (Acts 16:30-34). He could rejoice in the fact that he was willing to learn (Acts 16:30-34). 1. He could have been prejudiced and not heard, but scoff and mock as to Paul in Athens (Acts 17:32). 1. He could have been prejudiced and not heard, but scoff and mock as to Paul in Athens (Acts 17:32). 2. Some thought Paul and Silas as men of no position and would not listen. 2. Some thought Paul and Silas as men of no position and would not listen. 3. He asked what to do and was willing to do what he was told (Acts 16:30ff). 3. He asked what to do and was willing to do what he was told (Acts 16:30ff). a. He was told to believe and he stated that he did believe. a. He was told to believe and he stated that he did believe.

b. This was obedient belief. c. It is seen by his being baptized. d. Remember the Lord tied belief and baptism together (Mk. 16:16). d. Remember the Lord tied belief and baptism together (Mk. 16:16). 4. So, he could truly rejoice in the fact that he was willing to learn. 4. So, he could truly rejoice in the fact that he was willing to learn. He could rejoice in the fact that he was ready to obey at the earliest moment (Acts 16:33). He could rejoice in the fact that he was ready to obey at the earliest moment (Acts 16:33). 1. Remember it was about midnight (16:25). 1. Remember it was about midnight (16:25).

2. He took him the “same hour of the night. 2. He took him the “same hour of the night. 3. His obedience came at night and within the same hour. 3. His obedience came at night and within the same hour. 5. He could say, “I am glad I didn’t put it off.” 5. He could say, “I am glad I didn’t put it off.” 4. He did not delay, but chose the earliest time unlike Felix (Acts 24: 25). 4. He did not delay, but chose the earliest time unlike Felix (Acts 24: 25). 6. He could rejoice for not delaying until the impression had passed. 6. He could rejoice for not delaying until the impression had passed.

He could rejoice in the obedience of his family (Acts 16:33). He could rejoice in the obedience of his family (Acts 16:33). 1. His joy would not have been nearly as full if his family had not obeyed. 1. His joy would not have been nearly as full if his family had not obeyed. 2. Joy is short lived when those near and dear are lost. 2. Joy is short lived when those near and dear are lost. 3. He now could join with John and say, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4). 3. He now could join with John and say, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4).

He could rejoice in the fellowship he now enjoyed (Acts 16:34). He could rejoice in the fellowship he now enjoyed (Acts 16:34). 1. Notice that Paul and Silas are now in his home at his table with his endorsement. 1. Notice that Paul and Silas are now in his home at his table with his endorsement. 2. These men were welcome for they brought glad tidings to him bearing eternal benefits. 2. These men were welcome for they brought glad tidings to him bearing eternal benefits.

2. His relationship to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit changed (Matt. 28:19). 2. His relationship to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit changed (Matt. 28:19). 3. He is now in a covenant relationship with the Godhead and all others who obeyed the gospel as he did. 3. He is now in a covenant relationship with the Godhead and all others who obeyed the gospel as he did. 4. He is in fellowship with the best people on earth at Philippi. 4. He is in fellowship with the best people on earth at Philippi. 5. This is one thing for which every New Testament Christian can truly rejoice. 5. This is one thing for which every New Testament Christian can truly rejoice.

Conclusion: He did not consider that it demanded more than he was willing to do as did the rich young man who went away sorrowful (Mt. 19:22). He did not consider that it demanded more than he was willing to do as did the rich young man who went away sorrowful (Mt. 19:22). He was more like the eunuch who went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:39). He was more like the eunuch who went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:39).

Truly, God’s “...word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105). Truly, God’s “...word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105). It, therefore, seems incumbent that we walk in that light so we can have initial and continuous washing by the blood (Jn. 1:6-9) It, therefore, seems incumbent that we walk in that light so we can have initial and continuous washing by the blood (Jn. 1:6-9)

God, the Great Deliverer visited Philippi! He delivered the jailor from his sin. He delivered Paul and Silas from jail. He delivered the jailor from his sin. He delivered Paul and Silas from jail. He can set each one of us free by that Word from whatever has us held in bondage. (Jn. 8:32) He can set each one of us free by that Word from whatever has us held in bondage. (Jn. 8:32)