
Acts 16:16-24
[16] Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. [17] This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” [18] And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. [19] But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. [20] And they brought them to 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.” [22] Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. [23] And when 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.
THREE FACES OF BONDAGE:
1. Bondage through
Acts 16:16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl POSSESSED with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her MASTERS much PROFIT by fortune-telling.
She was
THREE FACES OF BONDAGE:
2. Bondage through
Acts 16:23b–24 (the magistrates) …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.
He was weighed down by
THREE FACES OF BONDAGE:
3. Bondage through
Acts 16:19–23a But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and DRAGGED THEM INTO THE MARKETPLACE to the authorities. [20] And they brought them to 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.” [22] Then the MULTITUDE ROSE UP TOGETHER AGAINST THEM; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. [23] And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison…
They were imprisoned by false
THREE DIMENSIONS OF FREEDOM:
1.
Acts 16:17–18 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” [18] And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I COMMAND YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.
Jesus sets us free from the powers of
Do not fall victim to the
THREE DIMENSIONS OF FREEDOM:
2.
Acts 16:27–31 And 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. [28] But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “DO YOURSELF NO HARM, FOR WE ARE ALL HERE.” [29] Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. [30] And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?” [31] So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Jesus brings peace to the heart
A person can
THREE DIMENSIONS OF FREEDOM:
3.
Acts 16:25–26 BUT AT MIDNIGHT Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. [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.
God still shakes
Revelation 3:7 (Jesus to the Church at Philadelphia) “What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.”
Psalm 24:7 “Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the KING OF GLORY SHALL COME IN.”
Conclusion:
Whatever your prison—spiritual, emotional, or physical—God has the power to set you free. Just like Paul and Silas, praise becomes the key that unlocks the chains. Freedom is not the absence of struggle; it’s the presence of Christ in the middle of it.