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Lessons Learned in Prison: Finding Peace and Understanding Unfairness

Discover profound lessons from Acts 16:20-34 about finding peace in difficult situations and understanding life's unfairness through a spiritual perspective.

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Lessons Learned in Prison: Finding Peace and Understanding Unfairness

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  1. Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) 1930 - El Reno, Oklahoma WELCOME WELCOME to the Elm Street church of Christ to the Elm Street church of Christ Thanks for being here, let us honor God with hearts Thanks for being here, let us honor God with hearts desiring to worship Him in "Spirit" and "Truth." desiring to worship Him in "Spirit" and "Truth."

  2. Lessons Learned Lessons Learned In Prison In Prison Acts 16:20-34 Acts 16:20-34

  3. Background To The Story Background To The Story • PaulisintroducedtoTimothy at Lystra, who joins him in his work ...(Verses 1-5). • Paul and his companions come to Philippipreaching the gospel ...(Verses 6-12). • They convertLydia and her household … (Verses 13-15). • Paul casts a Demon out of a SlaveGirlandwasdraggedto the Authorities ... (Verses 16-19). • This is where we want to BEGIN…

  4. Lesson #1 Lesson #1

  5. Situations In Life Are Situations In Life Are Often Unfair Often Unfair (Verses 20-24) (Verses 20-24)

  6. Situations In Life Are Situations In Life Are Often Unfair Often Unfair (Verses 20-24) (Verses 20-24) THE TEXT 20 Andtheybroughtthemto the magistrates, and said, "These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21"and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe."

  7. Situations In Life Are Situations In Life Are Often Unfair Often Unfair (Verses 20-24) (Verses 20-24) THE TEXT 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23Andwhen they had laid many stripes on them,they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

  8. Situations In Life Are Situations In Life Are Often Unfair Often Unfair (Verses 20-24) (Verses 20-24) THE TEXT OBSERVATION TheChargesagainstthemwereFalse: • It was not unlawful for a Roman citizen to Believe in Christ or to even be Baptized. • But, had these men expressed their real complaint, they would have had no charge. The real problem had to with their making money ... (Acts 16:19). ForPaul&SilasthiswasanInjustice!

  9. Situations In Life Are Situations In Life Are Often Unfair Often Unfair (Verses 20-24) (Verses 20-24) THE TEXT OBSERVATION APPLICATION That’s the Way Life Is: • The fact that situations can often be Unfair proves nothing except that life can be Unfair. • It does NOT prove that we are Out of Step with the Will of God. Remember, all Injustice is temporary and ultimate Justice is Coming ...

  10. II Thessalonians 1:6-9 6since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

  11. Acts 17:30-31 30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked,but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31"becauseHe has appointed a dayon which He will judgethe world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."

  12. Lesson #2 Lesson #2

  13. Peace Can Be Found In Peace Can Be Found In Bad Situations Bad Situations (Verse 25) (Verse 25)

  14. Peace Can Be Found In Peace Can Be Found In Bad Situations Bad Situations (Verse 25) (Verse 25) THE TEXT 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas wereprayingand singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

  15. Peace Can Be Found In Peace Can Be Found In Bad Situations Bad Situations (Verse 25) (Verse 25) THE TEXT OBSERVATION In spite of the injustice, Paul and Silas had Peace with God: • How could one have peace in Such Circumstances? • Because their peace did not depend on Outward Circumstances. Peace was in their … Relationship with Christ.

  16. Peace Can Be Found In Peace Can Be Found In Bad Situations Bad Situations (Verse 25) (Verse 25) THE TEXT OBSERVATION APPLICATION That’s the Way Our Faith Is: • Suffering cannot really harm us Unless we Give Up Our Hope? • Faith in Christ gives us Courage to Follow Him even in Suffering. Like Paul & Silas, true Peace can only be found is in Christ ...

  17. I Peter 2:19-23 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

  18. I Peter 3:13-17 13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 ¶ having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

  19. I Peter 4:12-16 12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. 16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

  20. Lesson #3 Lesson #3

  21. Situations Can Quickly Situations Can Quickly Be Reversed Be Reversed (Verse 26) (Verse 26)

  22. Situations Can Quickly Situations Can Quickly Be Reversed Be Reversed (Verse 26) (Verse 26) THE TEXT 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.

  23. Situations Can Quickly Situations Can Quickly Be Reversed Be Reversed (Verse 26) (Verse 26) THE TEXT OBSERVATION Notice the first word is … Suddenly: • The jailer, a man who had seemed to be strong, powerful, and in charge was made Weak. • Indications are that the Jailer had Participated in the Beating of Paul and Silas(Verses 22-23, 33). • Now the prisoners were Free. Life’sSituationscan change real Fast!

  24. Situations Can Quickly Situations Can Quickly Be Reversed Be Reversed (Verse 26) (Verse 26) THE TEXT OBSERVATION APPLICATION That’s the Way Life Can Be: • In their case, an earthquake turned the situation around. But in another, a tornado, car wreck, sickness, economic collapse, or who knows what! Things can change! • How can we have any Stability, in a world of such Uncertainty? Theonlywaywecan is Trust God ...

  25. Psalms 34:15-19 15The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, AndHis ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

  26. I Corinthians 10:13 13No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;butGod isfaithful,who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

  27. II Timothy 1:12 12For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He isable to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

  28. Lesson #4 Lesson #4

  29. Circumstances Can Make Circumstances Can Make Life Seem Hopeless Life Seem Hopeless (Verse 27) (Verse 27)

  30. Circumstances Can Make Circumstances Can Make Life Seem Hopeless Life Seem Hopeless (Verse 27) (Verse 27) THE TEXT 27And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.

  31. Circumstances Can Make Circumstances Can Make Life Seem Hopeless Life Seem Hopeless (Verse 27) (Verse 27) THE TEXT OBSERVATION If the prisoners escaped, the Jailors life would be Required: • He would Take His Life rather than face the Romans. • He was a man on the edge, and not just thinking about suicide; but about to Carry It Out! He saw no solution but suicide! It was no solution! Suicide never Is!

  32. Circumstances Can Make Circumstances Can Make Life Seem Hopeless Life Seem Hopeless (Verse 27) (Verse 27) THE TEXT OBSERVATION APPLICATION That’s how BadLife Can Be: • Life's problems can blind us so that we may fail to see by committing suicide, we would face something far worse. God's Judgment! • He was not a Christian, is why life looked so Bad! Having Faith in Christ will give you a Different View of Life ...

  33. Philippians 1:12-21 12But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;

  34. Philippians 1:12-21 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

  35. II Corinthians 5:7 7 For we walk by faith,not by sight.

  36. Lesson #5 Lesson #5

  37. Things May Not Be As Things May Not Be As Bad As It Seems Bad As It Seems (Verse 28) (Verse 28)

  38. Things May Not Be As Things May Not Be As Bad As It Seems Bad As It Seems (Verse 28) (Verse 28) THE TEXT 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here."

  39. Things May Not Be As Things May Not Be As Bad As It Seems Bad As It Seems (Verse 28) (Verse 28) THE TEXT OBSERVATION TheJailersawtheprisondoorsopenand drew the Wrong Conclusion: • The jailer failed to Investigate and get the Facts. • Like many, he Imagined that Things were much Worse than they Really Were. But Paul, the man of God, cried out and offered Hope!

  40. Things May Not Be As Things May Not Be As Bad As It Seems Bad As It Seems (Verse 28) (Verse 28) THE TEXT OBSERVATION APPLICATION That’s what the Gospel Offers: • The Gospel Gives Hope to those with no hope. • We have a message of Hope to preach to a lost and dying world. • Changing our focusfrom our problems, to our blessings, will change our mindset! There is a Reason for Living ...

  41. Matthew 11:28-30 28"Come to Me,all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

  42. Matthew 28:19-20 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20"teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

  43. Lesson #6 Lesson #6

  44. Trials Can Force Us To Trials Can Force Us To Face Reality Face Reality (Verses 29-30) (Verses 29-30)

  45. Trials Can Force Us To Trials Can Force Us To Face Reality Face Reality (Verses 29-30) (Verses 29-30) THE TEXT 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30And he brought them out and said,"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

  46. Trials Can Force Us To Trials Can Force Us To Face Reality Face Reality (Verses 29-30) (Verses 29-30) THE TEXT OBSERVATION The Question most people never get around to ask, the Jailer Asks: • By the events, he seems convinced God was at Work. • Evidently he had heard of the salvation preached by Paul and Silas(Verses 12, 17-18, 25). He said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

  47. Trials Can Force Us To Trials Can Force Us To Face Reality Face Reality (Verses 29-30) (Verses 29-30) THE TEXT OBSERVATION APPLICATION That’s what Trails Can Do: • For some, it takes a Disaster to Strike! • But, be careful that you don't let trials cause you to only have a Temporary Concern; and when the Trial is over, so is the Concern! Questions about Salvation have to be faced, if notNow, Later ...

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