The Clarity of a Spirit-Directed Life Acts 16:37

Introduction Jesus’ last words before his ascension at the Mount of Olives

Acts 1 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

We think when we know the future, we will have greatere clarity and so we can manage our life. Jesus: You don’t need to know the future. You need the Holy Spirit who gives you power and clarity for your actions

Previously in Acts 16 The Holy Spirit directs our steps and our stops The stops led P & S to Troas where they met Luke The stops led P & S to evangelize Europe By passing Ephesus was only temporary

Today We see the clarity of a Spirit-directed life in P & S P & S in Philippi, beaten and imprisoned and refused to accept a quiet release. What happened?

The Narrative P & S stepped into Philippi – a very Roman city in Greece. Settled by veterans from the Octavian victory over Mark Antony. Like Ipoh in Malaysia. Or Forest City?

The Narrative Found a Gentile God-fearer, Lydia, the first convert in Europe (16:11-15) Healing of the demon-possessed fortune-telling girl (16:16-18) Social unrest following the deliverance of the girl (16:19-21) 2. Unexpected action #1. Paul’s rejection of the affirmation from the girl 3. We do not deliberately create social unrest, but we must not be surprised by unrest.

Paul and Silas beaten, imprisoned, and placed in stocks (16:22-24) Beating and social injustice and prejudice Stocks are extremely uncomfortable and an addition imposed by the jailer. Injustice in the world P & S singing and praying

Paul and Silas miraculous escape and the saving of the jailer’s life (16:25-30) Unexpected action. Why didn’t P & S escape? To save the life of the jailer who put them in stocks.

Salvation of the jailer and his family (16:31-34) Order to release Paul and Silas (16:35-36) Paul refused a quiet release (16:37) 8. Unexpected action. Why didn’t Paul and Silas prevent the beating since they were both Roman citizens Why did Paul then refuse release?

Paul exacts a legal debt on behalf of the Philippian believers (16:38-40)

Three unexpected actions: Paul’s unexpected rejection of the affirmation from the opposition Paul’s unexpected silence over injustices suffered Paul’s unexpected silence and subsequent assertion

Paul’s unexpected rejection of the affirmation of truth (16:16-18) Acts 16 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 

Acts 16 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days.

Acts 16 18 Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

Deceptiveness of the evil one. Confuse the association. One can deny the truth while verbally affirming it.

Not everyone who affirms truth is true The problem of wrong associations The problem of partial truth

Example #1. Fight against terrorism used for oppression. Example #2. Fight against corruption used selectively. Example #3. Fight against fake news used for greater censorship.

Conflation of truth to create a lie Example 1: plastic rice in Singapore Example 2: fined for looking at mobile phones while crossing roads.

The partial presentation of truth can be falsehood. The Spirit-directed life has clarity that not all affirmations of truth give a message that is true.

The gift of discernment is a gift of the Holy Spirit If you do not have this gift, exercise the disciple of restraint

Pau’s unexpected silence over injustices he suffered Acts 16 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” Using the Jewish bias. Creating an uproar and blaming Paul and Silas. Set fire to a building and cry “Fire! Fire!”

Acts 16 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Beating as punishment or to elicit confession

Acts 16 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. Unnecessary cruelty

Response to injustice > anger against perpetrators Response to injustice > anger against God Response to injustice > discouragement

Paul’s response to injustice: Acts 16 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

When you suffer injustice Clarity that there will always be injustice in this world Choose to thrive, not just survive God’s blessings can continue to flow to you despite unfavorable circumstances.

Acts 16  26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 

Acts 16 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself. We are all here Acts 16 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

P & S loved the jailer more than their own freedom Clarity of a life purpose that will not be hijacked by personal injustice.

Paul’s unexpected initial silence over his rights and his subsequent assertion Acts 16 37 Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”

Different action in another instance Acts 22  25 As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”

Acts 22  26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “This man is a Roman citizen.”

By suffering injustice, Paul placed the persecutors on the back foot By suffering injustice, Paul placed the persecutors on the back foot. Paul can now take up a legal case against the magistrates to protect the flock should the need arise.

No record of persecution of the Philippians for many years to come. If a person chooses to suffer pain to serve you, that is true love E.g. the love of parents place themselves in harm’s way to protect their children.

Equally amazing. The response of Silas. Why? He loved as Paul loved He was clear as Paul was clear He was a subordinate you adhered to Paul’s leadership

Conclusion Today’s text brings us unexpected actions by P & S. Let us be instructed by their clarity.

Conclusion Not all statements of truth are truth in reality. Clarity that affirmations of the enemy are not to be trusted. Fake news can be created from selected facts.

Conclusion Need for discernment – a paradigm shift from the acquisition of information to discernment of information.

Conclusion Need clarity when we suffer injustice Clarity to accept it Clarity to thrive and not just survive Clarity to find God’s blessings

When our life is motivated by love, we act to protect the ones we love When our life is motivated by love, we act to protect the ones we love. Our love gives us clarity Recognize who loves you by paying a personal price for you. Love them in turn as did the Philippians towards Paul.

Thy guiding grace afford Teach me Thy way, O Lord Teach me Thy way Thy guiding grace afford 1/8

More by faith, less by sight Lead me with heavenly light Help me to walk aright More by faith, less by sight Lead me with heavenly light Teach me Thy way 2/8

When earthly joys depart When I am sad at heart Teach me Thy way! When earthly joys depart Teach me Thy way 3/8

In times of dire distress In hours of loneliness In times of dire distress In failure or success Teach me Thy way 4/8

When doubts and fears arise When storms over-spread the skies Teach me Thy way When storms over-spread the skies 5/8

Shine through the cloud and rain Through sorrow, toil and pain Make Thou my pathway plain Teach me Thy way 6/8

Long as my life shall last Teach me Thy way! Wherever my lot be cast Teach me Thy way 7/8

Until the journey’s done Until the race is run Until the journey’s done Until the crown is won Teach me Thy way 8/8

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