Shiloh Road – Week 2 (1-9-22)
Shiloh Road
People Matter
January 9, 2022
Exalt | Encourage | Engage
Pursue God
People Matter
Acts 16:16-18a
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. 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.
Ever have an annoying person in your life?
Acts 16:18
She kept this up for many days. 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.
I see a problem…
Paul sees a person!
Human Nature:
How can I make this problem go away?
How do I fix this problem?
Paul & Silas are beaten and throw into prison.
Acts 16:25-28
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 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. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
What would you do? Escape!
Acts 16:29-30
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?”
Probably not a deeply profound theological question…
“How do I get out of the mess I’m in?” (GIV)
Acts 16:31-34
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
In Christian community care for the needs of others becomes the aim of life together.