Praise Brings Deliverance - Acts 16:19-34

By David Woods

He wrote some of the most beautiful music in the history of humanity. Yet his life could not be called beautiful; it was full of tragedy. By the age of ten, both parents had died. He was raised begrudgingly by an older brother who resented another mouth to feed. Even as an adult, his life was difficult. His first wife died after 13 years of marriage. Of 20 children from two marriages, ten died in infancy, one died in his twenties, and one was mentally retarded. Eventually he went blind and then was paralyzed from a stroke. Yet he wrote great music-music of profound praise, thunderous thanksgiving, and awe-filling adoration.
Who is this victim of so much tragedy? Johann Sebastian Bach-a Lutheran and perhaps the world's greatest composer of church music. Perhaps it was because Bach knew the depths of tragedy that he also knew the heights of faith and praise. (Source Unknown)

Serving Jesus can be quite stressful.  This is true for both the Christian who has devoted his or her life to the “ministry” and also for the “normal” Christian.  Yet maybe the stress on those devoted to the “ministry” can result in more spectacular displays of reaction to difficult circumstances.

One result of the stress of ministry has been termed “burnout.”  Burnout happens because this person fails to keep himself or herself healthy physically, mentally, socially, and/or spiritually.

Such people tend to work themselves so hard that they become so exhausted that eventually they simply cannot continue in the ministry.  They have no heart for it.  And often they become ineffective even while possibly putting more effort in their work than ever before.

Fortunately, some have recovered to continue fruitful ministry after resting and learning how to better take care of themselves while ministering for Christ.

On the other end of the spectrum is “rust out.”  Such people talk a good game, but they seem unwilling or unable to make the sacrifices that effective ministry requires.  Slowly they back off from service to Christ.

They may occupy a ministry position, but they have become content to simply “tread water.”  From lack of use, they become squeaky, creaky, rusted out shells of what God desires them to be.

Consider how Paul and Barnabus reacted to difficult circumstances during their ministry in Philippi.

1. Paul and Barnabus labored patiently, Acts 16:16-18.

In these verses, which precede our written text, we are given the background for why Paul and Barnabus were imprisoned in Philippi.  For some time, a demon-possessed girl had followed them shouting that they could show the people the way of salvation.

Discussion: Why do you think the demon harassed Paul and Barnabus by saying that they knew the way to salvation?  Why didn’t the demon accuse of some evil deed or try to discredit them some other way?

(Opinions may vary, but I would suggest that demon was discrediting the Gospel by saying they knew the way to salvation.  While fortunetellers may attract a fair amount of business, would most people truly consider them credible?)

Discussion:Imagine yourself in Paul’s place.  Constantly, this girl is following you around saying that you are a messenger from God.  How long do you think it would take before you got really irritated at her?

Discussion: Verse eighteen says this girl kept this up for many days.  Why do you think Paul allowed this to go on so long without confronting the demon?  Didn’t Paul care that this girl was demon-possessed?

(This question may raise more.  Should we expect our ministry to be free from saboteurs?  If so, why?  Can we provide a better testimony for Christ by confronting detractors or by ministering faithfully despite their opposition?  Furthermore, when did Paul realize this harassment was demon-inspired?  As soon as we see a spiritual problem in someone, whether it be demon possession or something else, should we immediately point it out to them or should we wait until we feel a definite prompting of the Holy Spirit to confront them?)

Verse eighteen tells us that the Paul finally confronted the demon and cast it out of the girl because he was “grieved.”  Consider how some other Bible versions translate this: “sore troubled” (ASV), “greatly troubled” (BBE), “got so upset” (CEV), “being distressed” (Darby), “finally fed up” (The Message), and “having become greatly annoyed” (ESV).

Discussion: Was Paul driven by a proper motivation?  If so, why?

(On the face of it, Paul’s irritation may seem like an inferior motivation.  However, it should be noted that Paul put up with this for a number of days.  At what point does patience morph into complacence?)

Discussion: What is the difference between patience and complacence?

2. Paul and Barnabus suffered silently, Acts 16:19-24.

     What I find interesting in these verses is the utter silence of Paul and Barnabus.  Later, when Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and about to be beaten, he claimed his right of Roman citizenship not to be beaten.

Furthermore, at the conclusion of this chapter, Paul invoked his right of Roman citizenship to shame the Philippian rulers for their illegal conduct.  Yet we read of no objection by Paul when he was beaten in these verses.

Discussion: Why do you think Paul (and Barnabus) were willing to suffer silently?

(Suggestion: Their silence seems to imply that they realized suffering was a necessary part of serving Jesus.)

In Luke 14:15-33 Jesus told two parables, encouraging those who were considering following Him to count the cost.  He asked, “Wouldn’t a builder first determine whether or not he had enough resources to build a tower before starting on the project?  And would not a king facing superior odds consider his options before the battle was engaged?”

While the application of these parables may be for the unbeliever considering becoming a follower of Christ, it might be wise for the Christian also periodically to count the cost of serving Jesus.

Discussion: Have you counted the cost recently?  Are you willing to do what it takes to live at once a set-apart-from-the-world, yet fully-engaged-with-the-world life?  What might such a life cost you?

(Just a couple of examples of what it may cost us to live such a life  may include: 1) our reputation, either with Christians who do not understand our “eating with sinners” or with the world to whom holy living seems alien, 2) our dignity to truly reach out to and minister to those in need.  TEACHER: Have the class brainstorm possible “costs” and list them on a blackboard or white board.)

3. Paul and Barnabus rejoiced heartily, Acts 16:25-40.

     Try to imagine the pain Paul and Barnabus felt as they were tossed in the jail cell and their feet were fastened in stocks.

Discussion: What would be the normal physical and emotional reaction to such pain?

(Groaning?  Tears?  A headache?  Discouragement?  Stubborn silence?  Complaining?  Angry protestations of one’s innocence?)

Discussion: Our scripture says Paul and Barnabus were singing about midnight.  Do you think Paul and Barnabus did not have these physical and emotional reactions?

Discussion: Despite the pain they felt and the injustice they had suffered, Paul and Barnabus chose to rejoice heartily.  Why do you think they decided to rejoice in this time of trouble?

(Suggested answers: 1) To reaffirm their love and faith in Jesus, 2) to encourage themselves to persevere for Jesus, 3) to testify to onlookers of Jesus, 4) to thank God for the privilege of suffering for Jesus.)

Discussion: God used Paul and Barnabus’ testimony through song to lead the Philippian jailor’s household to Christ.  Is it really important that we keep up a happy front when we suffer while serving Jesus?  Why?

Discussion: How can we avoid putting up a “false front”?

Paul and Barnabus’ example in our scripture text for today teach us that:

Big Idea: Our reaction to difficult circumstances determines our usefulness to God.

Discussion: How did Paul and Barnabus’ reactions to difficult circumstances enable them to have a fruitful ministry?

Discussion: How can we avoid burnout on the one hand and “rust out” on the other hand?

Reflection:How should we respond to difficult circumstances, in light of this scripture?

Thomas Andrew Dorsey was a black jazz musician from Atlanta. In the twenties he gained a certain amount of notoriety as the composer of jazz tunes with suggestive lyrics, but he gave all that up in 1926 to concentrate exclusively on spiritual music. "Peace in the Valley" is one of his best known songs, but there is a story behind his most famous song that deserves to be told.
In 1932 the times were hard for Dorsey. Just trying to survive the depression years as a working musician meant tough sledding. On top of that, his music was not accepted by many people. Some said it was much too worldly-the devil's music, they called it. Many years later Dorsey could laugh about it. He said, "I got kicked out of some of the best churches in the land." But the real kick in the teeth came one night in St. Louis when he received a telegram informing him that his pregnant wife had died suddenly.

Dorsey was so filled with grief that his faith was shaken to the roots, but instead of wallowing in self-pity, he turned to the discipline he knew best-music. In the midst of agony he wrote the following lyrics:
Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand.
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light;
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.
If you live long enough, you will experience heartache, disappointment, and sheer helplessness. The Lord is our most precious resource in those hours of trauma. "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble (Psa 9:9). Tom Dorsey understood that. His song was originally written as a way of coping with his personal pain, but even today it continues to bless thousands of others when they pass through times of hardship. (Source Unknown)