Grace in Greece

Grace In Greece

2014-01-26

Acts 16:16-24

16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Paul and Barnabus “sharply disagreed” on John Mark so they went separate ways. 

·      God was guiding Paul and Silas to Macedonia for 2^nd Missionary Journey. Acts 16:6-10

o   In Macedonia (today Greece): cities of Thessalonica, Athens, Corinth &

§  Philippi…1^st stop of Paul’s 2^nd Missionary Journey. Acts 16:12-14

There was no synagogue (10 men needed to form) but only a women’s prayer meeting.

·      Lydia, a Gentile proselyte like Cornelius, gathered with the Jewish women.

o   She was a rich business woman. Purple (murex shellfish) goods were expensive.

·      Lydia put faith in Jesus because the Lord opened her heart.

o   Evangelism is not salesmanship but rather it is God’s work. Man can't open a heart.

§  Faith is the product of election, not election product of faith. 

In Lydia’s conversion, the Philippian church was born & Satan immediately tried to infiltrate thru a fortune-telling slave girl.  (Greek implies she was very young)  Acts 16:16-18

·      Double bondage: slave to a man & an evil spirit.

o   Only God knows the future. Demons do know things because of  centuries of human observance/info.

·      Ironically she announced a salvation that she herself did not possess.

o   Satan speaks some truth when it suits his purposes. AOL 2 Cor 11:13-14

·      People naturally assume she with Paul & Silas & thus it damaged the message of Gospel.

o   Jesus Christ might be seen as just another savior in a pantheon of Greek gods.

Frustrated with the daily disruption of ministry, and not wanting Gospel associated with evil; Paul responded with Christ-like compassion, doing it in such a way that God was glorified & help was given to the poor woman.

·      We don’t know what happened to the girl,but her Masters became angry:

o   There went a lost source of lucrative income.

§  TODAY: People tolerate Christianity as long as it doesn’t hurt business.

·      The demons who first flattered Paul now tried to destroy him.  Acts 16:18-24

o   Satan the serpent > Satan lion: falsely accuse, savagely beat, unjustly imprison…inner prison (solitary confinement) with feet in stocks.

Something extraordinary and unexpected happened in midst of injustice and suffering:

·      Paul and Silas praised God instead of complaining! Acts 16:25a

·      They probably did not "feel" like worshiping….as they were likely aching, tired, and scared.

o   Their songs expressed a confident trust that God controls every circumstance for their good and His glory.

Your response when you do the God honoring and right thing but are wrongly accused &/or unjustly treated reveals what you believe about God.

·      A joyful attitude does not depend on circumstances or getting justice, but an understanding of God’s sovereignty, character, & goodness. 1 Thes. 5:16-18, Rom 8:28, Gen 50:20, 1 Peter 5:10, 2 Cor 4:16-17 & 12:8-10.

·      Then Holy Spirit enables us to rejoice in suffering & praise God in it & even for it.

A joyful attitude will provide a powerful testimony of God's transforming grace.

·      Joy in the midst of suffering, injustice, and sorrow always get attention of people around you.