"No Respecter of Persons" - Tim Williams

Someone recently complained to me that they didn’t understand why things were so difficult in their life.  They were trying to serve God through prayer, giving and serving the less fortunate, and yet they still had significant personal struggles with finances and relationships.  They figured that because they were living “righteously” that God would not allow them to have the problems they were facing.  Surprise!

The Bible never promises that God’s people will never have problems even when they are fervently serving Him.  In the New Testament we find sickness, financial difficulty and relationship struggles among the followers of Christ.  The signature of Jesus in/on our lives is not a magical shield against the challenges of this life.

In our text we see Paul and Silas ministering the Gospel effectively.  They had brought people to Christ, they were faithfully praying, and they even delivered a young girl from a demon!  Despite all this, they were persecuted, wrongly arrested, beaten and jailed.  As we read these verses it seems that the signature of Jesus in our lives is not about not having problems, but how we respond to them.

First, Paul and Silas despite their severe difficulties CONTINUED to pray and praise God (v.25).  Second, despite their terrible circumstances they were a witness to other prisoners and their jailer.  The jailer pleadingly asked them a great question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (v. 30) Then Paul and Silas gave a great answer “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved”. (v. 31) The jailer and his whole household believed in God, were baptized and went “BEYOND” cleaning their wounds and giving them a meal! (vv. 33,34)

The words of our Saviour are so uplifting in the midst of our problems and struggles “so that in ME you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

See you Sunday!  (Don’t let your problems keep you away from church J)

1. Amazingly, followers of Christ who were also friends of the Apostle Paul had problems. Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23), Trophimus (2 Timothy 4:20), Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2 and the Macedonian churches (2 Corinthians 8:1,2)***Hmmmm…guess the Health and Prosperity gospel wasn’t working out real well for these folk?!  
2. Where does Paul say his “thorn in the flesh” came from and what is his overall response?  Corinthians 12: 7-10
3. Note how the Philippian Christians were not only granted salvation but suffering as well!  Philippians 1:29
4. What about problems of our own making; consequences of our poor choices?  Where is the signature of Jesus seen here?   1.  God knew ALL about us ahead of time and chose us to be His own anyway!  Ephesians 1:4,5  2.  The father of the prodigal son loved and celebrated him even with his failures.  Luke 15:20-24  3.  Such problems become an opportunity to change and grow.  Hebrews 12:1-12.  4.  Even the Apostle Paul apparently had a few problems of his own making.  Romans 7:19 (WOW – I guess nobody’s perfect except Jesus!)
5. Our suffering and struggles can actually accent the signature of Jesus as we see them as an avenue of ministry to others.  2 Corinthians 1: 3-6
6. Study  the benefits of the suffering of our Lord Jesus.  Hebrews 5: 7-9; 1 Peter 2: 21-23
7. Have you been saved by believing in the Lord Jesus???!!!  Read Acts 16:30,31: I Corinthians 15:2-4