Good, Bad, and Ugly to the Glory of God

Acts 16:11-40, 25-33

·         A good lady, a bad man and some ugly circumstances but all to the glory of God

I.                   Salvation truths

a.      Lydia was a praying woman but was not saved 16:13

b.      Lydia worshipped God but was not saved 16:14

c.      The Lord had to open her heart 16:14

                                                  i.      To see her need of Salvation

                                                 ii.      To realize that her good works and moral character were not enough

                                               iii.      To cause her to listen to Biblical truth

d.      The jailor asks what he must do to be saved 16:30-31

e.      He must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ

                                                  i.      There is no other name Acts 4:12

                                                 ii.      It is a full hearted belief Acts 8:37

II.                 Immediately following salvation they are both baptized

a.      Lydia 16:15

b.      The jailor and all his family 16:33

                                                  i.      They all heard and believed 16:32, 34

                                                 ii.      Your decision will affect others in your family

c.      What is baptism?

                                                  i.      A symbol or picture of what God has done in your heart and life Romans 6:2-4

1.      Dead to sin Romans 6:2

2.      Buried with him Romans 6:3

3.      Raised to walk in newness of life Romans 6:4

                                                 ii.      An outward revelation of an inward reality

                                               iii.      A testimony of your turning from your sin and that they have been forgiven by the grace of God

                                              iv.      A means of identifying ourselves with Jesus Christ, His church and what He did on the cross of Calvary—wedding ring—with him Romans 6:4

III.              Blessings came in the middle of opposition

a.      Lydia is saved and a demon possessed girl comes on the scene 16:16-17

                                                  i.      She mocks God and their message 16:17

                                                 ii.      Paul shows that Jesus has the power over demon spirits 16:18

b.      The masters of the demon possessed girl use this incident to stop the influence of Paul and Silas 16:19-24

c.      Paul and Silas suffer gladly knowing that even in the worst of times God is doing something for His honor and glory 16:23-25

d.      The Jailor gets saved with all of his family 16:34

e.      Magistrates want them to leave quietly 16:35

f.       Paul refuses to leave quietly and instead uses their own words to change their treatment of him 16:37-39

IV.               Lessons to apply to our lives

a.      Good moral praying people need their hearts opened to the Lord

b.      Salvation is simply a matter of faith or believing

c.      Baptism followed their salvation experience almost immediately

d.      When God is blessing Satan will attempt to hinder the work

e.      Though it seems that Satan is winning God uses event to bring great glory to Himself

f.      We should learn to trust God to the point that we could sing and pray in the darkest moment of our trial