PAUL PREACHES JESUS

INTRODUCTION

• Today, we turn our attention to that same man we examined last time–Paul.

• However, he is looking very different at this point.

• He isn’t a persecutor; he’s a preacher.

• Not only that, he’s working miracles by God’s power, planting churches, and traveling the world to tell anyone with ears about his new friend, Jesus.

• Interestingly, there are few accounts of Paul preaching from a stage. There are even fewer examples of him using a microphone (zero).

• Instead, much of his ministry leveraged one-on-one interactions. I love that.

• He understood that each person was a vital part of God’s grand plan (Romans 8:28).

• After all, God’s plan is made up of people pursuing His purpose. Thus, Paul built his ministry on conversations instead of conventions.

• For instance, in the metropolitan city of Corinth, Paul met a man named Aquila and his wife, Priscilla (Acts 18:1-3).

• Paul made money by making tents, and so did they.

• They ended up working together as a little ministry-supporting side hustle.

• Ultimately, Paul became their friend, mentor, and pastor. Paul discipled them in their workshop while weaving fabric, tanning leather, and tying knots.

• Why would an important man like Paul do this kind of one-on-one ministry?

• Shouldn’t he have made a YouTube channel or something?

• Paul knew something we can often forget: salvation has a snowball effect.

• When one person experienced Jesus, they took it to their city.

• Then, those people took it to other cities, and eventually the message spread further than Roman roads could take them. Paul’s intentionality with people such as Priscilla and Aquila was also his strategy.

• Eventually, we see that this power couple led Apollos to the Lord, and then Apollos became one of the most successful evangelists to ever work in Alexandria (Acts 18:24-28).

• Paul’s ministry was defined by a close-knit community. We can see this by the fact that he almost always had a partner on his trips.

• They preached together, traveled together, and even got arrested together.

• Let’s take a look at the story of Paul and his friend Silas getting thrown into prison.

• Paul and Silas were not known to keep a low profile. After a public riot, these men found themselves bound to a jail cell.

• They preached a message of freedom, but they were being held captive.

• Their bodies were bloody and bruised from the beating, yet they still chose to sing songs of praise in the middle of the prison.

• God decided to bring a little bass to their concert. Suddenly, an earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, breaking the chains that bound them all.

• The jailer, awakened by the commotion, feared the worst. He was worried that his prisoners had escaped. But Paul called out, assuring him they were still hanging out in the cold cell.

• Baffled and desperate to understand the source of their faith, the jailer asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The jailer was saved just moments after nearly taking his own life.

• This powerful story proves that praise and worship were integral to the early Church’s expansion.

• Wherever they went, worship followed.

• Through this lens, we can examine our own lives, discovering three vital lessons about the importance of praise in our journeys.

Let Praise Give Perspective to Your Problems

• Paul and Silas were no strangers to hardships, facing numerous setbacks during their ministry.

• Yet, as they sat shackled in their cold, damp cell, they chose to sing praises to God.

• They were overcome with joy despite being in jail.

• Sure, they were physically imprisoned, but they were spiritually free.

• That was enough to give them perspective, which ultimately gave them joy.

• According to a study from the University of California at Davis, people who regularly practice gratitude experience greater positive emotions, increased optimism, improved health, and stronger relationships.

• It is impossible to be both grateful and ungrateful at the same time. Praise is like a perspective cheat code. It forces your brain to reflect on the Divine and forget the dreadful. Let Your Worship Be a Witness.

• Paul and Silas’s heartfelt impromptu worship night didn’t go unnoticed. The other prisoners listened. I am sure some enjoyed it, while others held their ears shut.

• Regardless, their worship did them all a favor. As the song rang out, their chains rattled off.

• As we reflect on Paul and Silas’s experience in prison, we must ask ourselves, “What ultimately led to the jailer paying such close attention?”

• It wasn’t just the miraculous earthquake or the unexpected jailbreak.

• I believe it was the sound of joyful songs echoing off the stone walls, causing him to wonder, “How can these unfairly arrested men be so happy?”

• When you choose to praise God despite your problems, people take notice. Your worship is a witness because true worship embodies true joy, peace, and love.

• Who doesn’t want to feel that way?

• When you can do that when things are anything but joyous, peaceful, and loving, you show the world that your peace comes from a higher power.

• Like Paul and Silas, your contentment comes from Christ.

Let Joy Fuel Your Journey

• The jailer was so moved that he invited the men to his house to make them a meal and let them get cleaned up (Acts 16:34).

• While sitting around the dinner table, the prisoners talked to the whole family. I am sure his kids thought it was strange for Dad to have a couple of prisoners eat supper with them, but they just kept eating and maintained a strong grip on their forks.

• However, once the family understood the nature of these men, everyone got less tense. These were the two guys who had made their dad happy, so they were good in their book.

• What do I mean by that? Take a look at this verse: “He was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household” (Acts 16:34).

• The salvation snowball effect proved true. The songs of the prison turned into the salvation of the jailer.

• Then he went home “full of joy,” and his family took notice.

• When he told them about Jesus, the whole house was saved. Joy drew them in, and Jesus changed their lives.

• As the night carried on, I am sure they shared stories, offered to look out for each other, and prayed together. After all, they were family now.

• This household had just joined the biggest household in humanity—the Church. They rejoiced in their newfound faith, marveling at the grace and mercy that had brought them all together in the first place.

• Paul and Silas knew that this arrest was an appointment.

• They knew without a doubt that they were part of something much larger than themselves—a divine plan that spanned time and space, sparking connections between the most unlikely people to build the universal Church.

Landing:

• I love the humility of our closing scene. It shows Paul and Silas, two giants of the faith, sitting at a dinner table with a family, talking about Jesus.

• This is our calling.

• We are called to see every moment as a mission and every person as a potential part of God’s purpose.

• These stories are not just limited to Paul and his buddies, either. Not at all.

• The book of Acts is still being written; the cast has just gotten much bigger.

• If you follow Jesus, you are part of it.

• As you step into each day, ask yourself this question: “How do I put my salvation into action?”

• Every day — put your salvation into action.

TALK IT OUT

Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.

Ice Breaker: Go around your circle and share this week’s highs and lows. What was the best part of your week and the lowest part of your week?

Paul’s ministry was centered around one-on-one interactions. Do you think this approach is still relevant and effective in today’s world?

What’s one thing that stood out to you from today’s message?

How have personal relationships helped your faith journey or spiritual growth?

How can praise help you change your perspective, even when times are tough?

How can worship and joy be a witness to others?

Application: I love that we ended at a dinner table in our study of Acts. What is one interaction you can set up this week to be more intentional with those around you?

READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY

Acts 22

Acts 23

Acts 24

Acts 25

Acts 26

Acts 27

Acts 28

Do the following with each passage:

ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.

READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?

RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.