Acts 24:14-16

Acts 24:14-16 - However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

         Paul was on trial. They were trying to figure out why he was causing so much excitement and controversy among the people. As he started his explanation he found a way of relating his message to those he was speaking too. He knew that if he found some common ground where they could relate to each other it would make it easier for them to hear the rest of his message.
       This isn't the first time we see Paul doing this either. In chapter 17 we saw him relating to the people of Athens by explaining God as the god they already worshiped as the ‘unknown god.’ Now he does it again saying, “I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets.”
       In order to reach people we need to adopt this way of thinking and learn how to relate to people. Paul wasn't waiting for the people to come to him either, he was going to them. God will bring people into the church to hear of Him, but most times they are brought by somebody.
       We need to get out among the people and start building relationships. That is how they will be won over. It is said that people won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Show them you care. Love on them and be relatable.

Acts 16:31

Acts 16:31 - They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household.”

Yes, it really is that simple. Too often we make things overly complicated. We set rules and regulations on salvation that God never did. In this story Paul puts it plainly. Let’s take a look at how this story unfolds.

Paul and Silas are in Macedonia spreading the good news of Jesus to all who will listen. People are getting saved and the church is growing. Then there is a certain servant girl. This girl has been following them around. She had an evil spirit in her and she had been taunting Paul and Silas for days. Finally Paul had enough and commands the spirit to come out of her. This made the girls owners very upset. With the spirit in her she had been able to tell the future and had been making them a lot of money. Now that the spirit was gone their days of profiting off her were gone. In their anger they stirred up the crowds against these men of God and had them thrown in prison.

So, after all the good they had been doing for God, Paul and Silas found themselves locked in jail. And on top of that they had been severely beaten before they were imprisoned. That’s not a good end to a day; sitting in jail with untreated wounds from their beating. If you think about it, that’s enough to get anyone down, which it may have, but Paul and Silas knew where their strength came from. They began worshiping and singing praises to God. While they were doing this the earth shakes and the door swings open and their chains fall off. When the jailer realizes what happened he thinks all the prisoners have escaped so he gets ready to kill himself. Before he can Paul calls to him, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

This opens the door into the jailers heart and he now wants what Paul and Silas have. Now I want you to notice that these men did not go into the prison preaching. They were just worshiping God amidst their troubles and God opened the doors. First to the prison, then to this mans heart. So we must learn that it is not always about what we say. It is about our heart and the leading of the Holy Spirit. If Paul and Silas had gone into that prison feeling down and depressed the jailer would not have turned to Jesus. 

I encourage you today, whatever trials you are facing, worship God through them. It may not always be pleasant, but it will end good. God works all things for the good of those who Love Him. So put your trust in Him and let His joy be your strength. You never know what doors may be opened to you if you keep your attitude good..