
Notice the transformation that occurred in the life of this jailer when he came into contact with men who were genuinely godly.
1. He inflicted persecution upon God’s people.
Acts 16:23-33 “And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.”
2. He observed their faithfulness during their persecution.
“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard 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 every one's bands were loosed.”
3. He experienced forgiveness from God’s people during their persecution.
“And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.”
4. He sought God’s forgiveness after observing God’s people during persecution.
“Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
5. He and his family were changed after their VOCAL witness for Christ.
“And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
LESSON - Unsaved people are watching you, often ridiculing you just to see how you will respond. If we always choose to respond in a Christlike manner, the Holy Spirit will use our response as a source of conviction. When a need arises in their lives, we will be the first ones sought out for answers to the problems of life because of our genuine faith and clean testimony. It’s during these times we must be prepared to share the Gospel with others. When that happens, networks of family and friends will be saved and lives will be forever changed, so BE FAITHFUL!!
~Mike
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