THEME: THE SUPERNATURAL OPENING OF PRISON DOORS
BIBLE TEXT: ACTS 16: 25-27
INTRODUCTION
A lot of people, both the guilty and the innocent are in prisons today for various reasons. Some condemned to death and some without hope of ever living. They are resigned to their fate and are expecting their end. Paul and Silas had been preaching the gospel in a city when they were approached by a girl who was demon possessed. They cast the demon out of the girl and the people of the city were angry with them.
Paul and Silas were then put into prison. During the night, they sat there praying and praising God. While in the midst of giving praise to God, there was an earthquake and their chains were removed and all the prison doors were opened.
EXPOSITION
There are times in the life of every person that are dark, many times things do not go the way they should have or a person might get mistreated. Most people will sit and lament about the situation they have found themselves in and revel in their victimhood. They will tell tales of their woes to the world. The world will take their side and tell them they have a right to feel bad, to strike back.
But for Paul and Silas, instead of lamenting, they prayed to God and worshiped Him. They did not see the situation as hopeless, like the world saw it. Paul and Silas’ reaction to being locked in the prison should be our disposition to whatever bad situation we find ourselves. The Bible says to give thanks in all situations. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Happy? Give thanks;
Sad? Give thanks;
Time of tribulation? Give thanks;
Peace? Give thanks.
Everyone of us has a reason to rejoice at all times and in all situations. God has given us forgiveness and life through Jesus Christ. God is with everyone and will always be with us, no matter where we are. Jesus is light (supernatural opening) and He brings that light into the life of everyone who believe in Him and no matter who or what we are up against, we are sure to come out victorious for Romans 8:31 says, “if God be for us, who can be against us”.
Where there is light, there is a reason to worship God. There is no depression or fear. His perfect love and light drives out the darkness and fear, giving one the ability to praise and worship Him in the darkest of nights.
CONCLUSION
Our Bible text points to the fact that regardless of how long we might have stayed in a position or anything called “Prison” God is with us. You might be in the prison of persecution, oppression, tribulation, etc. what I want you to understand is that Jesus is with you and you are not alone.
The prison Paul and Silas were put in did not open on its own, it was their action mixed with faith that caused the shaking of the prison and the loosening of chains. Paul and Silas might not even expect that kind of miracle to happen, it might be that they just decided to please God with their hymns and songs.
If you truly want to experience the supernatural opening of the prison doors you need to engage God. Stay in His words, and promises, and be convinced. Prison doors don’t open on their own accord it is not until you insist and persist that is when God will look upon you and open doors. While waiting on God for the supernatural opening of doors, be intentional about fixing your gaze on Him. Through it all replace your complaints with gratitude, replace your mourning with rejoicing.
By doing this, we acknowledge our powerlessness over whatever situation and show that God is in control and that we have faith in him to turn our situation around for better.
