Does Praise ‘Produce’ Power? A Review of Peninsula Baptist Church’s Sermon on Acts 16

[00:01:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Hola, mi nombre es Reagan.
[00:01:36] I just flew in from Guatemala and boy are my arms tired.

[00:01:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Well, we are glad you guys are back.
[00:01:43] My name is Adam and we are so thankful to worship together today.
[00:01:47] We are thankful for our team that just had the opportunity to serve with one of our partners in Guatemala for the week and glad you guys are back.
[00:01:55] So yeah, good to be back.
[00:01:56] Yeah.
[00:01:57] We want you to know that over the last few weeks, you've heard us talking about the Pathway Project.
[00:02:02] The Pathway Project is our vision and initiative over the next couple years as we seek to expand our facilities to make more room for people to worship here with us, but also to equip our people to grow in our discipleship, our love for the Lord, and also to send our people out.
[00:02:18] Just like we were able to send you guys, we want to send people short-term and long-term to serve.

[00:02:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
and we know that is the pathway project is being talked about if you've got questions about that you want to know exactly what we're looking at you can go on our website and how do they find that on the website well there's a big green button on the website and where you can see all kinds of different questions that people have already asked and so there might be an answer to the question that you have already available to you and if not then you can reach out and let us know what that is and we'll be happy to get back with you about it
[00:02:47] That's right.

[00:02:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
There's going to be pictures, information, stories of some of our church members.
[00:02:51] We encourage you to look at that.
[00:02:53] We also encourage you to stop by, pick up one of these bracelets.
[00:02:55] We've got them.
[00:02:57] We've got two sides.
[00:02:58] Yours says Pathway.
[00:03:00] Mine says Peninsula.
[00:03:01] So you can grab one of these bracelets.
[00:03:02] And that's just a simple tool that you can use just to put a little reminder in your day just to pray for our church family and the direction that God's calling us to go.

[00:03:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
that's right other things coming up we've got our ladies fall flannel and fun night on friday october 24th that's right on friday that's right there we go and you got it down uh october 24th from 6 30 to 8 30. uh there's gonna be crafts games and snacks and uh of course because it's you know flannel fun night wear your flannel yeah uh represent so there's gonna be child care provided there

[00:03:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
and if you'll just go on the website and register to let us know that you are coming so that we can have that available for you that's right and for all of our men too uh if you you don't get to be there friday but we would love to see you saturday morning at 8 a.m we actually have a men's prayer breakfast it'd be a great time just to kind of fellowship and spend time with the other men around the church that's gonna be that next morning saturday october 25th and so we'd love for you to join us for that just show up that morning have breakfast together pray for our church and get to spend time with the men here peninsula

[00:04:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
That's right, we've got three in a row, so Friday, then Saturday, and Sunday, October 26th, we're having our big Trunk or Treat Fall Festival event from 5 to 7 p.m.
[00:04:18] This is for every age, especially if you've got young kids, they're going to love going from trunk to trunk, getting candy and seeing these giant themes.
[00:04:25] There's games, there's bounce houses, it's just a great time.
[00:04:29] So if you want to help us with that event, maybe you don't have any small kids, but you're like, how can I get involved?
[00:04:36] We would love for you to put a trunk together to go and be there to pass out candy to these kids.
[00:04:42] See the smiles on their faces.
[00:04:43] That's worth it.
[00:04:45] So if you'll bring candy on the 26th, you're out the store and you see a big bag of candy just sitting on the shelf asking you to buy it, please buy that ahead of time so that you can bring it to the church and we've got it ready for all the families to come and participate in that.
[00:05:01] That's right.

[00:05:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
That's a really fun night.
[00:05:03] I know our kids already got costumes.
[00:05:04] They're getting ready.
[00:05:05] Ashley's got a costume because I think they're small groups doing a trunk that has a theme to it.
[00:05:10] So it'll be a great night and we would love for you to join us.
[00:05:14] We also want you to know that as we go into kind of the end of the year,
[00:05:18] The over the last few years, we've had a time in November just to pray for our church, pray for one another, pray for the ministries and partners we have here.
[00:05:27] And that's going to be the week of November 3rd.
[00:05:30] So Monday, November 3rd through Thursday that week, the 6th, we're going to gather together here on campus from 6 to 7 a.m.
[00:05:38] So it'll be a little early in the morning, but we'd love for you to join us, best before work, before school.
[00:05:43] and pray with us at six to seven and then we have a special time that friday uh for our pathway project advanced commitment night that'll be friday evening at 6 30 we get to pray together uh worship together as we sing together but also that'll be an important opportunity where you have a chance to turn in a commitment card for the pathway project for the first time and so it's gonna be a great week uh as we go before the lord and to seek him for the direction and future of our church family
[00:06:12] that's right and if you're worried about breakfast on any of those days it is provided for you as we were praying together and coffee yeah after we pray you gotta wait till after we pray but then we'll have some breakfast that's right a great time together and again information about all these different events and how you can get involved is on our website peninsulabaptist.com you got the event wall as you walk into our worship center where you can find so many things as well again we just want to say thank you for being here with us and we look forward to a great opportunity to worship together today

[00:06:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Good morning, church.
[00:06:47] It's great to see you.
[00:06:47] Would y'all stand this morning in both rooms as we get started to remember the goodness of God and how awesome He is.
[00:06:55] I wanted to read out of Psalm 103 this morning as we get started.
[00:06:59] The words say, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me.
[00:07:04] Bless His holy name.
[00:07:07] Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
[00:07:29] This morning as we worship, may God find us in his place, worshiping and blessing his holy name from our souls, giving our whole to him this morning.
[00:07:39] So let's sing and let's worship this morning.

[00:08:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Whose commands are the hosts of heaven?
[00:08:08] Who else can make every king bow down?
[00:08:14] Who else can whisper in darkness' tremors?

[00:08:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy,
[00:08:57] The one and the only Cry now, sing holy Forever a holy God Come and worship the holy God
[00:09:27] Where the glory consumes like fire What other power can raise the dead?
[00:09:43] What other name remains undefiled?
[00:09:59] The only Christ in glory forever a holy God Come and worship the holy God Come and behold Him, the one and the only
[00:10:25] Christ the Lord is with thee.
[00:10:37] Christ the Lord is with thee.
[00:11:04] Who else can rescue me from my failure?
[00:11:19] Who else will offer His only Son?
[00:11:20] Who else invites me to call Him Father?
[00:11:38] The One, The Only, Christ, He called you Forever a holy God Come and worship the Holy God Come and behold Him The One, The Only,
[00:12:10] Seek only forever a holy God Come and worship the holy God Come and worship the holy God
[00:12:52] Come and behold Him, the one and the only.
[00:13:07] Cry now, sing holy, forever a holy God.
[00:13:10] Come and worship the holy God.

[00:13:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
In the darkness falls the war-grieving Cause the God I serve knows only how to triumph And my God will never fail Oh, my God will never fail And I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory

[00:14:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
For the battle belongs to You, Lord I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory For the battle belongs to You, Lord

[00:14:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
There's power in the mighty name of Jesus Everyone who ages He will be I'm not backing down from any giants I know how the story ends

[00:15:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I love how this story ends I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory For the battle belongs to You, Lord I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory For the battle belongs to You, Lord
[00:15:34] I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory For the battle belongs to You, Lord I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory For the battle belongs to You, Lord
[00:16:12] You take what the enemy meant for you And you turn it for good You turn it for good You take what the enemy meant for you And you turn it for good You turn it for good
[00:16:38] You take what the enemy meant for evil And you turn it for good You turn it for good You take what the enemy meant for evil And you turn it for good You turn it for good I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory
[00:17:07] For the battle belongs to You, Lord I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory For the battle belongs to You, Lord I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory For the battle
[00:17:36] I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory The battle begins
[00:18:27] All the saints and angels They bow before your throne All the elders cast their crowns before you
[00:18:56] You are worthy of it all You are worthy of it all For from you are all things And to you are all things You deserve the glory

[00:19:33] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let us pray.

[00:20:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
of God and Savior.
[00:20:25] You deserve the glory You deserve You deserve it all You're worthy of it all You're worthy of it all You're worthy of it all Yes, You are my Jesus For from You are all things

[00:20:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
You deserve the glory Oh Father God You are worthy of it all You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords And You deserve all the praise All the praise You deserve

[00:21:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Day and night, night and day, let incense arise.
[00:21:36] Day and night,
[00:21:43] Day and night, night and day, let incense arise!
[00:22:00] Lift your voice!
[00:22:00] Day and night, night and day, let incense arise!
[00:22:05] Come on!
[00:22:05] Day and night, night and day, let incense arise!
[00:22:06] Come on now!
[00:22:07] Day and night, night and day, let incense arise!

[00:22:36] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Jesus, for from you are all things, and to you are all things, unison.

[00:23:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Jesus, you are worthy of it all.
[00:23:30] You're worth our praise.
[00:23:32] You're worthy of our love.
[00:23:35] Lord, you are worthy of our life.
[00:23:38] And because you gave your life, Lord, we can give ours back to you.
[00:23:42] And Jesus, we praise you and we thank you for all that you're doing here in this place today.
[00:23:48] As we continue in worship through your word, I pray that you speak through Daniel, God, into the hearts of the people in this room.
[00:23:55] Lord, we praise you and we thank you for it's in Jesus' name.
[00:23:59] Amen.
[00:23:59] You may be seated.

[00:24:40] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Good morning church.
[00:24:42] Love singing that song with you guys because it is a beautiful song but it also ties in to the message that we're talking about today.
[00:24:52] We're talking about the song that happens in the night.
[00:24:55] The songs of freedom in the darkest hours of our lives and that's where we're going today.
[00:24:59] I told you last week when we were going through Acts that I was going to stop it at the cliffhanger and it was to be continued.
[00:25:06] Well today we get that to be continued part.
[00:25:08] And I'm looking forward to going into that.
[00:25:11] Before we do, I want to mention to you that we are in the kind of the ramping up time of our church going into the Pathway Project.
[00:25:19] Looking to the pathway project that is all-encompassing expansion of building, expansion of programs, expansion of sending and we're working on that today but if you want more information about it and you've not received one of these amazing brochures about it that gives you the details just raise your hand the ushers are coming forward now just to make sure you have this in your hand to make sure you get that to read through it not during the sermon
[00:25:45] But read through it sometime today and kind of catch up with what's going on there.
[00:25:51] We're coming out and actually finishing Acts chapter 16 today.
[00:25:55] And as I was going through this particular text, I was reminded of an account of something that happened in my life many years ago.
[00:26:03] Now if you've been here at Peninsula for a long time, you've heard this story before, but hopefully you'll be okay with me telling it again.
[00:26:10] But quite a few years ago when my older two daughters were very young,
[00:26:15] Kimberly and I took them to a convention for the Southern Baptists in New Orleans.
[00:26:22] And while we were there, we were talking to some pastor friends of mine, and they said, hey, you should try this neat little restaurant that's out on the water.
[00:26:30] It's good food, the ambiance is really fun, and it's reasonably priced.
[00:26:35] You should go try it out.
[00:26:35] And I said, hey, let's do it.
[00:26:37] So my wife, Kimberly, and my two daughters at the time didn't have Kylie.
[00:26:43] We went to this restaurant and we got a seat right in the window right next to the water.
[00:26:48] It was amazing.
[00:26:49] It was just like they had explained and so we ordered and when the order came I had just gotten a very simple they said you got to try their amazing burger so I got their burger and fries.
[00:27:00] Just a straightforward meal.
[00:27:03] We're just having a good time laughing and talking with one another.
[00:27:06] And how many of you in here if you order fries you need what?
[00:27:11] Ketchup.
[00:27:13] So I asked for ketchup and they brought me a bottle similar to this one.
[00:27:16] Actually, it looked exactly like that one.
[00:27:19] This is not the bottle, but this is what it looked like.
[00:27:23] And so we're just sitting there talking and everything.
[00:27:25] And how many of you have had ketchup in a bottle like this one?
[00:27:28] Raise your hand if you've had ketchup in a bottle.
[00:27:30] You know if it sits for a while, what happens?
[00:27:33] The water rises to the top.
[00:27:35] So what do you do if the water rises to the top?
[00:27:38] You shake it.
[00:27:40] You shake that bottle.
[00:27:41] So we're just sitting there talking and I pick up the bottle.
[00:27:44] I notice it has water at the top and I'm going to give it a good shake.
[00:27:48] And I did this number right here, this kind of shake.
[00:27:50] You want to have a good shake, right?
[00:27:53] And as I went back like this and was coming this way, the bottle cap exploded off of the bottle.
[00:28:01] I mean like it sounded like a shotgun went off in this restaurant.
[00:28:06] The restaurant went from very loud to silent.
[00:28:10] and so but I didn't really know completely what was going on because it happened so fast that as I was coming across this way the cap came off the bottle the explosion happened and I was still in motion and so I had ketchup cover my face from my right ear all the way to my left temple just just everything went dark and I was like sitting there like this I hear nothing in the restaurant I hear nothing coming from my family
[00:28:41] and I'm reaching and touching my burger and fries looking for the napkin
[00:28:45] It was a cloth napkin, too, and I destroyed that cloth napkin, by the way.
[00:28:49] And so I'm looking for this cloth napkin, and I'm kind of just pulling the ketchup back, and finally, when the burning subsides from my eyes, because, by the way, ketchup in the eyes burns.
[00:29:01] I didn't know if you knew that.
[00:29:01] Anybody?
[00:29:02] Okay.
[00:29:03] But anyway, it burns, and as I'm pulling it away and everything, I am starting to sense this laughter coming up.
[00:29:10] Then when I lock eyes with my wife,
[00:29:13] She is crying.
[00:29:14] She is laughing so hard.
[00:29:17] She is doubled over just and tears are coming down her face and my girls you know they're like just just a whole laughter and everything and so I just joined in the laughter too because I realized what had happened at that point and then I'm coming over and so by this time two or three waitresses the managers over there and kind of trying to help with stuff and we're looking around I get to looking
[00:29:38] And we're sitting next to the window.
[00:29:41] So from this part of the window all the way to right about here was just ketchup.
[00:29:47] With one hole in the middle where my head was.
[00:29:52] I'm like, oh my goodness.
[00:29:54] And so anyway, we get to looking around.
[00:29:56] There's ketchup on this lady's nice dress pants.
[00:30:00] There's ketchup on this table over here.
[00:30:02] It just went everywhere.
[00:30:04] And to this day we never found the lid.
[00:30:07] The whole entire restaurant was looking for the lid.
[00:30:09] We have no idea where the lid went.
[00:30:10] Maybe it totally just obliterated.
[00:30:12] I'm not sure.
[00:30:13] But it went away.
[00:30:14] And so we had that moment.
[00:30:15] So when all the chaos settled and the chatter started coming back into the restaurant, the waitress who was waiting on us came back over and she said,
[00:30:27] I got to tell you something.
[00:30:28] She said, something very similar to this happened last week.
[00:30:32] And I was like, really?
[00:30:38] Kind of like that.
[00:30:39] She said, but that customer did not respond the way you did.
[00:30:45] In fact, that customer was nasty.
[00:30:50] And people in the restaurant were asking that customer to leave.
[00:30:55] But you guys, on the other hand,
[00:30:58] You laughed about the whole thing.
[00:31:01] You just took it as funny and never demanded the first thing.
[00:31:08] And I just said, well, and before I could say anything, my wife said, it is because of our relationship with Christ, period.
[00:31:18] And it turned into an opportunity to share the gospel.
[00:31:21] Now I tell you that not because I'm going to try to compare what Paul and Silas went through in prison to a ketchup, a face full of ketchup.
[00:31:30] I know that there are many other things in this life that are way more desperate than a face full of ketchup.
[00:31:36] The reason I tell you that is we didn't decide to allow the joy of Christ to show in us at the instant of it happen.
[00:31:45] We had made that decision in our lives before that night.
[00:31:49] We had been walking in the joy of the Lord before the incident happened which allowed us in our heart of worship to look at it completely differently.
[00:31:59] I had maybe the right to bark orders, to say that I want years free of food, I want this, I want that, you're going to pay for dry cleaning.
[00:32:09] I had maybe the opportunity to stand up and do that, but what caused me to laugh?
[00:32:14] Well, a lot because when I locked eyes with my wife, she was laughing.
[00:32:19] You need to ask her point of view of the story too.
[00:32:22] It's actually quite funny from her perspective too.
[00:32:26] But it was because the joy of the Lord was there.
[00:32:30] This is not saying that, oh well Daniel has this great personality and he looks at life differently than everybody else.
[00:32:36] I am telling you that it was the joy of Christ in my life that didn't make me come unglued at that moment.
[00:32:46] It's nothing in me.
[00:32:47] It was my walk with the Lord.
[00:32:50] I wish I could say that every instance in my life has been like that.
[00:32:54] But that was one instance where it came in.
[00:32:56] And we will see this in Paul and Silas' life in just a moment in the text.
[00:33:01] But remember what Paul says in Galatians 2, 20.
[00:33:05] It says, I have been crucified with Christ.
[00:33:08] It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
[00:33:13] And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.
[00:33:21] Paul is saying that it's not me that's causing this, that it's Christ.
[00:33:26] And I want to encourage you, church,
[00:33:28] I want to encourage everyone listening to me today, we can all have that same joy in our lives in the midst of storms.
[00:33:37] This is not unique to Paul and Silas.
[00:33:41] The same Christ that saved Paul is the same Christ that saves us, the same Spirit that leads
[00:33:49] Paul to be able to sing in a prison cell that we're going to see in just a moment is the same Spirit that walks with us if we will allow the Spirit to do that same work of ministry in our hearts.
[00:34:02] We've got to change the narrative of what the world is seeing going on in the Christian people's lives.
[00:34:09] and the way we do it we will see in the text today because here's what I hope you will ultimately grab out of what we talk about today even in our most challenging circumstances we can choose to praise God which not only liberates us catch that not only liberates us but can also lead others to experience his grace
[00:34:34] and Salvation.
[00:34:35] So let's look at Acts 16 verses 24 through 40.
[00:34:39] Now remember Paul and Silas as they were going around and ministering in Philippi there was a demon-possessed woman that was following them and out of care, frustration, it says, Paul turned and cast the demon out.
[00:34:54] Those who were making money from this woman who was a fortune teller
[00:34:58] We suddenly realize they lost their money so they incited a riot around Paul and Silas and they had them arrested and they get thrown in jail.
[00:35:06] We're going to read one of the verses we read last week to bring us into this week.
[00:35:10] We're going to start at verse 24.
[00:35:12] Having received this order, this order to throw them in jail,
[00:35:17] He put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
[00:35:21] About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them and suddenly there was a great earthquake so that the foundations of the prison were shaken.
[00:35:36] And immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's bonds were unfastened.
[00:35:41] When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
[00:35:52] But Paul cried with a loud voice, Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.
[00:35:58] And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas.
[00:36:04] Then he brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
[00:36:10] And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.
[00:36:17] And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
[00:36:22] And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
[00:36:30] Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them, and he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
[00:36:41] But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, Let those men go.
[00:36:46] And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, The magistrates have sent to let you go.
[00:36:51] Therefore come out now and go in peace.
[00:36:55] But Paul said to them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison.
[00:37:07] And do they now throw us out secretly?
[00:37:09] No, let them come themselves and take us out.
[00:37:14] The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens.
[00:37:20] So they came and apologized to them, and they took them out and asked them to leave the city.
[00:37:26] So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia.
[00:37:30] And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.
[00:37:36] Let's go to the Lord in prayer.
[00:37:37] Father, we thank you for your word and I pray that as we allow your spirit to unfold it before our hearts that we would be open to the words that are spoken today.
[00:37:45] In Jesus' name we pray.
[00:37:47] Amen.
[00:37:50] So in the darkness, a song rings out.
[00:37:54] Let me recap.
[00:37:55] Paul and Silas have every reason to be silent, but instead they're singing.
[00:38:00] They were stripped, they were beaten, they were shackled, they were within a Roman prison in Philippi.
[00:38:06] But instead of being quiet, instead of bringing complaint, they chose worship.
[00:38:15] Their voices rose through the night, echoing through the stone walls, and heaven listened.
[00:38:22] Then, without warning, the earth shook, doors opened, and the chains fell loose.
[00:38:27] And what happened next was far more than a jailbreak, it was a spiritual awakening.
[00:38:33] And this passage reminds us that generosity isn't about what we give, it's about what we release, faith.
[00:38:41] Grace and hope, especially when life is at its deepest despair.
[00:38:50] When our hearts overflow with praise in the dark, God can and most of the time will turn prison cells into platforms for the gospel.
[00:39:03] So let's look at this as verses 25 through 28.
[00:39:05] Praise produces power.
[00:39:08] It says in verse 25, About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
[00:39:16] And I know I've already said it, but I kind of want to reiterate where they were in this.
[00:39:20] They had been beaten unjustly, thrown into the inner prison.
[00:39:25] It was probably dark, probably where the worst offenders would have been taken.
[00:39:31] Their feet were fastened in stocks, and yet their response was not resentment.
[00:39:39] It was reverence.
[00:39:42] True worship doesn't depend on our situation.
[00:39:52] It reveals our spiritual posture.
[00:39:57] Their praise wasn't a denial of pain.
[00:40:01] Their praise wasn't a denial of struggle or difficulty.
[00:40:05] It was a declaration of trust that they had in God.
[00:40:09] As Job once said, Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.
[00:40:13] Their songs became sermons in the dark.
[00:40:18] Paul and Silas modeled generosity by offering worship instead of complaint.
[00:40:23] Their worship was not private.
[00:40:25] You see in this text that it says the prisoners were listening and the Greek word there that was used where they were listening, it means they were listening attentively.
[00:40:35] They were actually, that word implies fascination.
[00:40:41] They were fascinated with not only that they were singing but what they were singing.
[00:40:47] They were engaged in this.
[00:40:50] And these criminals that probably at least one of them was facing the death penalty.
[00:40:56] The reason we know this is because if a jailer lets a prisoner get loose, they face the same punishment as what the prisoner faced.
[00:41:06] So he drew his sword to kill himself.
[00:41:08] So likely, even though it doesn't say it, likely one of those prisoners in there faced the death penalty.
[00:41:16] These hardened criminals, you might call them, leaned in to hear the grace that was sung in real time.
[00:41:25] This was not a story they were hearing.
[00:41:26] They were living it with them.
[00:41:29] And praise became proclamation.
[00:41:32] That's where we're going with this.
[00:41:34] Hold on.
[00:41:35] We're going somewhere with this.
[00:41:36] Then came the earthquake.
[00:41:38] Not just geological, but theological.
[00:41:40] The shaking symbolizes the breaking of chains but also not only the physical breaking of chains but the spiritual breaking of chains within the hearts.
[00:41:50] Worship has a way of realigning heaven and earth and when God's people sing in the dark, His presence will shake the foundations of the situations that we're going through.
[00:42:02] Why is it, church, that many times praise and worship is the last place we go when we're struggling?
[00:42:10] We need to go there first.
[00:42:12] Listen, praise may not change our situation, but it will change us.
[00:42:22] And when it changes us, it opens the door for God to move.
[00:42:30] The power of praise didn't just set Paul and Silas free.
[00:42:34] It set the stage for someone else's salvation.
[00:42:37] Because here's a real truth.
[00:42:39] Paul and Silas realized they were not the prisoners that night.
[00:42:44] It was actually the jailer who was the prisoner that night.
[00:42:51] So we look at verses 29 through 34.
[00:42:53] We see that generosity sparks salvation.
[00:42:57] Look at verse 30.
[00:42:59] He brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
[00:43:02] And the jailer awoke to a chaos.
[00:43:07] There was an earthquake.
[00:43:09] It said it shook the foundations of the prison.
[00:43:14] And that's, you could say, well, wasn't that a coincidence?
[00:43:17] I can kind of go along with someone saying, it was just one of those coincidence things happening, you know, an earthquake happened and the doors kind of flung open, you know, walls are going to move, doors are going to fling open.
[00:43:29] You can explain that away.
[00:43:30] How do you explain the shackles on their ankles being released from an earthquake?
[00:43:35] They were released.
[00:43:36] They could have ran.
[00:43:38] They could have moved away from that.
[00:43:40] What kind of man stays in his cell when freedom of an open door and unshackled legs are presented to him?
[00:43:49] What kind of man stays?
[00:43:51] I'll tell you.
[00:43:52] A man that understands he's already free.
[00:43:57] Don't miss this.
[00:44:00] Paul and Silas knew they were already free even being imprisoned and shackled.
[00:44:09] Do we realize that church?
[00:44:11] Do we realize and walk in that freedom?
[00:44:14] Or do we allow circumstances and situations to dictate our day?
[00:44:22] Paul and Silas, their act of staying was an act of grace.
[00:44:26] They valued the jailer's soul more than their escape.
[00:44:31] That's gospel generosity.
[00:44:34] Caring more about someone else's eternity and their destiny than your own comfort.
[00:44:43] Their words stopped a suicide and their compassion opened a heart and their endurance became evangelism to someone else watching.
[00:44:52] The jailer's trembling question, what must I do to be saved, that you see here, is answered with probably the gospel in its purest form.
[00:45:00] Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.
[00:45:07] Faith in Christ brings immediate transformation and the jailer
[00:45:11] Moments earlier ready to die now tends to wounds.
[00:45:15] He sets a meal.
[00:45:16] He rejoices with his family.
[00:45:18] The chains on Paul's ankles were traded for shackles of sin being broken in the jailer's home.
[00:45:27] More than likely, even though we don't know 100% sure, more than likely the jailer's home was just above the prison.
[00:45:34] It says that he brought them up out of the prison and then he fed them.
[00:45:40] The word of rejoice that you see in the jailer there, the original word, it means exuberance, overflowing joy.
[00:45:50] They weren't just kind of happy because they had a piece of cake.
[00:45:54] They were overflowing with joy.
[00:45:56] This family didn't just find religion.
[00:45:58] They found freedom.
[00:46:04] Sometimes the greatest witness we can give is not escaping our trials.
[00:46:11] But remaining in them with grace.
[00:46:17] Our endurance can be the hinge on which someone else's salvation swings.
[00:46:26] And then as dawn breaks, a new day brings not only freedom but justice because generosity always aligns with truth.
[00:46:36] Look at what happens here in verses 35 through 40, and then in verse 37 specifically, justice through generosity.
[00:46:42] It says, But Paul said to them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned men who are Roman citizens.
[00:46:49] And do they now throw us out secretly?
[00:46:52] No, let them come themselves and take us out.
[00:46:56] When the magistrates got up the next morning, they said, Hey, let those guys go.
[00:47:00] And Paul said, I'm not having it that way.
[00:47:03] I do not believe that it was pride in Paul's heart.
[00:47:08] Remember that this church in Philippi had just started.
[00:47:12] It was a young church.
[00:47:13] It was very susceptible to what the community was going to think of them.
[00:47:19] I truly believe Paul said, no, you're going to do this publicly so that the rest of the community can see that the people who believe in Christ are safe.
[00:47:29] It was an integrity thing of truth.
[00:47:33] The magistrates, realizing their error, they came trembling to apologize, and they escorted Paul and Silas out.
[00:47:39] The same men who beat them now begged them to depart peacefully.
[00:47:44] And God was vindicated, His servants without a sword being drawn.
[00:47:50] He has vindicated Paul and Silas.
[00:47:53] Then before leaving, Paul and Silas returned to Lydia's house, the birthplace of the Philippian church.
[00:48:00] So you get this whole kind of context of what's happening in chapter 16.
[00:48:05] If you go back and read it all in one setting, you can see the narrative and where God is bringing it and what's happening there.
[00:48:12] So you see that there's no record of Paul seeking revenge, only restoration.
[00:48:21] Generosity extends even to those who wrong us.
[00:48:27] Justice in the kingdom
[00:48:31] is never vindictive.
[00:48:37] Justice in the kingdom is never vindictive.
[00:48:43] It's redemptive.
[00:48:45] Jesus even prayed for, while He was in His own place of suffering, Father, forgive them.
[00:48:52] So this passage points to Christ.
[00:48:55] Like Christ, they are falsely accused and beaten and imprisoned.
[00:48:58] Like Christ, they sing through pain declaring God's goodness and injustice that's happening around them.
[00:49:06] Like Christ, their suffering leads to someone else's salvation.
[00:49:11] So this is a retelling even.
[00:49:13] You see this over and over again in the book of Acts.
[00:49:16] Christ is the ultimate sacrifice and he sets the example.
[00:49:20] And then you see Paul and Silas, and you see Paul and Barnabas, you see Timothy later.
[00:49:25] You see all of this happening being a reflection of who Christ is.
[00:49:31] Christ-likeness.
[00:49:36] That's who we're to be.
[00:49:39] We're to reflect a Christ-likeness to a lost world.
[00:49:46] Not completely free from pain, not completely free from suffering, not completely free from hardships, but when those things happen, understanding that we have the grace and the love and the mercy of Christ in our heart, and we have the capacity through Him to choose to worship or complain.
[00:50:09] So let's look at the concepts here.
[00:50:12] How do we bring application to our everyday life out of this text?
[00:50:18] Living generously, so to speak, in the dark.
[00:50:24] It's like this.
[00:50:25] A.
[00:50:26] When circumstances confine you, let worship define you.
[00:50:36] In other words, don't let worship be the last place you go.
[00:50:39] Let worship be something that's a part of your life all the time.
[00:50:42] Here's an idea.
[00:50:44] Let's change the radio station.
[00:50:48] It would be worth it to you, if you don't have a Spotify account, to get a Spotify account and spend this week, start looking for worship songs on Spotify and find your favorite worship songs and create a playlist and play that all the time.
[00:51:08] Worship goes ahead.
[00:51:09] Worship goes before.
[00:51:11] Praise reminds our hearts who is actually in control.
[00:51:18] The biblical account of Israel winning a war by singing worship songs is found in 2 Chronicles 20 when King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah were faced with an immense invading army.
[00:51:32] And Jehoshaphat had worshipers
[00:51:35] and Singers lead the army, and this is what they were singing, give thanks to the Lord for his love endures forever.
[00:51:42] And as they began to sing, to sing, as they began to sang, well there were some southern Jewish people in there I'm sure.
[00:51:53] As they began to sing, the Lord calls the enemy armies to turn on each other.
[00:52:00] And when they approached the armies, they found the armies lying on the ground dead before them.
[00:52:05] They never had to raise a sword to fight the battle because God fought the battle before them because they chose to praise first.
[00:52:15] So when circumstances confine us, let's let worship define us.
[00:52:21] Let's be a people of worship in any and all circumstances.
[00:52:26] When others wrong you, let grace surprise them.
[00:52:32] Let's just say them.
[00:52:34] But that's okay.
[00:52:36] Them doesn't rhyme with it either.
[00:52:37] The first one rhymed really nice, didn't it?
[00:52:39] This one doesn't rhyme.
[00:52:41] When others wrong you, let grace surprise them.
[00:52:46] We're in a vindictive society.
[00:52:51] You did me wrong, I'm going to one-up you.
[00:52:54] I'm going to do you even wronger.
[00:52:57] We feel like that if we kind of show grace to someone that suddenly we become a doormat to that person.
[00:53:05] That's not what Scripture's teaching at all.
[00:53:08] Scripture's teaching just let the Spirit fight your battles.
[00:53:11] Show grace to that person.
[00:53:13] Paul's compassion toward the jailer shows that generosity can rewrite another person's story.
[00:53:22] We think that we should always fight fire with fire, but grace tells a total different story about what we are to do.
[00:53:29] Grace stops the wrongdoing in its tracks.
[00:53:39] See, when you seek justice, let humility guide you.
[00:53:46] Integrity, not pride, gives your witness credibility.
[00:53:52] Generosity is not a product of prosperity, it's the overflow of His presence in our lives.
[00:53:59] When Christ fills our hearts, freedom isn't just something we receive, it's something we release.
[00:54:07] When I got a face full of ketchup, I wasn't laughing because I thought, wow, they really pranked me good.
[00:54:15] I was laughing because the Spirit within me allowed me to see the humor that was in it.
[00:54:24] We don't always tend to do that when negative things happen to us.
[00:54:27] When we seek justice, we've got to let humility guide us.
[00:54:33] Imagine that night in the jail with Paul and Silas, the flicker of a torch, the echo of chains, and then two voices lifting up hymns in the midst of pain.
[00:54:45] The earthquake.
[00:54:47] A conversation and then a new church is strengthened in Philippi.
[00:54:50] Paul and Silas show that songs of freedom are not sung because life is easy, but because God is worthy.
[00:55:01] When the people of God choose praise over panic, generosity over grievance, and faith over fear, heaven moves and the world notices.
[00:55:16] So sing in your midnight hour because somewhere someone is listening and your song might open up the prison doors of their heart.
[00:55:40] Key takeaway, when generosity flows from a heart anchored
[00:55:46] In Christ, even the darkest hour can become a stage for God's greatest work of grace.
[00:55:58] I found an artist's rendering that kind of went with the software that I use to do studying and it was an interesting take on me and it hit me.
[00:56:07] It hit me differently because I suddenly realized what Acts 16 was about.
[00:56:13] There are a lot of things that happen in Acts chapter 16.
[00:56:16] But then at the very end of Acts 16 you see that Paul and Silas, probably Luke with them, they go back to Lydia's house where the church plant was and they visit with them and they talk with them.
[00:56:28] And the artist's rendering is showing not only Lydia and Paul and Silas, but could possibly be the jailer and a few members of his family.
[00:56:40] Lydia and family.
[00:56:42] This is where it's leading.
[00:56:44] Do you see where grace and joy and praise took it?
[00:56:49] It took it back to this moment.
[00:56:53] We tend to narrow our focus so tight on our little bubble of struggle
[00:57:00] That we forget that there is a greater story of kindness and grace and mercy and forgiveness and salvation for lostness that the world needs to see and hear.
[00:57:15] And instead of narrowing our focus down to the problem that we're having, let's perhaps envision this.
[00:57:23] This is where it's going.
[00:57:26] This fellowship that we have with Christ in the center of who we are.
[00:57:36] Being willing to step out at a call, a moment's call of Christ on our heart.
[00:57:42] Being willing to step out to leave the comfortable, to leave the known, to step out into the unknown.
[00:57:50] This is what we're calling the church to think about and pray about through the Pathway Project.
[00:57:58] Maybe you are beginning to see the picture that is not just about expanding the building.
[00:58:04] It's about the total ministry of what God has called Peninsula to.
[00:58:09] To expand not only facilities but our hearts.
[00:58:13] To equip not only the functionality of what we are but to equip ourselves to be disciples who can actually go and make disciples and then to send.
[00:58:23] To send those that are going out.
[00:58:27] Mashes our vision statement well to live biblical truth, build solid homes, and to impact our community and world for Christ.
[00:58:36] And today we have the opportunity of seeing someone who was willing to step out of the comfortable to hear a call and to move forward to where God is going to take her.
[00:58:49] Take just a moment to watch this video.

[00:58:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Hi, I'm Jennifer Warren and I am in the midst of applying to be a journeyman with an IMB.
[00:58:58] So last September I went on a mission trip with our church to Paris and before and during that trip I kind of felt God telling me to just keep my eyes open, to keep looking and listening for how he was working because he was pulling me to something else to make a change in my life.
[00:59:14] and so while I was there I had several nudges whether it be talking with the missionaries and hearing their testimonies while I was on the mission field
[00:59:23] Being a part of what they were doing in Paris and nudges from our church community that was there with me so shout out to Miss Janet Domeni who sat down and told me her testimony of how she became a missionary so I came back from that and was looking and seeking that confirmation of what God was doing and where he was calling me and just began praying like I sat down in prayer with God and I asked my closest friends and family to pray with me about where he was leading me and I
[00:59:51] It didn't even take two weeks before God made that next step of showing me, yes, this is what I want you to do.
[00:59:57] And I had a close friend who was talking with a professor who used to be an IMB missionary, and she just offhandedly asked, like, do you know of anywhere in the mission field who might need someone with a background in the arts?
[01:00:11] which if you don't know me by the way I work in fashion design and have a degree in fine arts so she asked him this and he said as a matter of fact my son is a missionary with imb in belgium and their whole outreach is centered around a community art center so they use the arts to reach people for god and so they got me in contact with him he told me they had one journey girl who already was in the midst of talking with them and applying to go there the following fall
[01:00:39] and if I was interested in being the second one because they like to send them out in pairs then I could talk to the other missionaries on the team.
[01:00:46] So before I made the call to this missionary couple I went out to eat for lunch with a Brown family and my sister and they just started telling me about this missionary couple that they had met in Paris on the trip before mine and
[01:00:59] This missionary couple that they met was from Belgium.
[01:01:01] They had a son who came back to North Carolina for college.
[01:01:05] They had a daughter still on the mission field.
[01:01:07] And you can see where this is going.
[01:01:09] But I went home, hopped on the call, and we started talking about my mission trip to Paris.
[01:01:13] They mentioned that they had been there a couple weeks before me.
[01:01:17] And long story short, they had served alongside our church the month prior in Paris.
[01:01:23] And so these were just a few of the wild coincidences that can't be called coincidences.
[01:01:29] Those were God's divine appointments to get me to where I'm going and to intertwine our church with this mission field in Belgium.
[01:01:38] It's so encouraging to have this church family that backs me up, that supports me, that encourages me, that helps me to grow and that allows me to go where God sends because they have my back and they support me in this way.
[01:01:52] The thing that I think gets overlooked sometimes is prayer like you can never underestimate the power of prayer and how much prayer like really does impact and change and grow and so the one thing I request of our church family as I continue through this process and when I go internationally is to just please keep continuing to pray for our teams pray for God's will to be done wherever we go wherever we're sent and continue to pray that the gospel will go forward

[01:02:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
We're really thankful to see in that video just a glimpse of a story that we've gotten to watch over the last year or so with Jennifer.
[01:02:35] And last summer, I had the privilege of being on actually both of those two teams that were serving in Paris and getting to meet the team leaders that she'll serve with, but also getting to see her serve.
[01:02:45] And not long after, she said, hey, I want to talk a little bit.
[01:02:48] And said, I feel like the Lord's leading to go serve overseas and with the IMB.
[01:02:53] And this is what we're looking at.
[01:02:54] and immediately thought just that is 100% what you should be doing.
[01:03:00] Just getting to see that, but also at the same time thinking, hey, when we talk about sending our people away, we didn't mean you, you know, so we want you to stay.
[01:03:07] But we are thankful for Jennifer and the community that she's built around here.
[01:03:12] And just so you know, over the next couple of months, she's going to go serve, be in Virginia with the International Mission Board doing their training for the next couple of months and then planning to have another time that we'll get to pray for her again
[01:03:24] As she leaves the beginning of the year to go to Belgium.
[01:03:28] So just be, we'll kind of leave this in a few moments, but over the next few months just be praying for Jennifer as she goes and serves and is trained and prepared.
[01:03:37] And as I was thinking about having time to pray for her, before she comes up, I want to read this from Psalm 96.
[01:03:43] The psalmist says,
[01:03:47] Sing to the Lord all the earth.
[01:03:49] Sing to the Lord.
[01:03:50] Bless his name.
[01:03:51] Tell of his salvation from day to day.
[01:03:54] Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all.
[01:03:59] The people's that is our hope that the nations would sing of the goodness of God and that is because some of us are prepared and called and sent out to take that message with them that we could declare the glory the goodness of God amongst all peoples and all nations and we are thankful
[01:04:17] For the role that Jennifer is going to play in that.
[01:04:19] So I want to ask you to come up here.
[01:04:20] I want to ask some of her family and then also some of the young professionals group.
[01:04:25] I think it's going to come join us as well.
[01:04:27] They were mentioned in the video.
[01:04:30] You guys actually can come all the way up here.
[01:04:32] I think, yeah.
[01:04:33] You got to come all the way up in front.
[01:04:34] There we go.
[01:04:35] But a community of believers is so important for us to encourage us and
[01:04:40] This is a community that has helped shape and confirm his calling of Jennifer over the last few months and the years before that as she was ready.
[01:04:47] And we are thankful for them and know that our church family, we look forward to getting to see how we can support you, serve alongside of you, and be a part of the work that God's calling you to.
[01:05:00] Alright, if you guys want to come around, I want to lead us, I want to encourage you to pray as well for Jennifer over the next few minutes, her family, and we are thankful to get to be a part of seeing what God is doing in you.
[01:05:11] So let's pray.
[01:05:12] God, we just come before you first and foremost, again, just thankful for your goodness and your salvation that you have provided for us through the person and the work of Christ.
[01:05:26] As we've just been going through the book of Acts, just being reminded of just the people from different backgrounds, different places, the way you bring people to faith.
[01:05:35] God, you have been at work in all of our lives.
[01:05:38] God, you've been at work in Jennifer's life.
[01:05:40] God, we are thankful for just her trust in Christ, first and foremost, for her love for you, her devotion to you.
[01:05:47] But God, we're also thankful as we see in the book of Acts, God, as people come to faith, you give them a task to be a witness to what they have seen and heard in their life.
[01:05:57] God, that they want to share the experiences with you.
[01:06:00] They want to declare your goodness.
[01:06:03] God, we do pray for her over these next couple of months as she is trained and prepared.
[01:06:22] God, just pray for
[01:06:24] Just energy, strength, excitement as she's going through this training, God, and as she is just prepared to go.
[01:06:32] God, we just pray that she would continue to have a confidence in you and her calling.
[01:06:38] God, maybe when days are long and things are hard or frustrating that she's doing to get ready, God, she would have just a
[01:06:46] Just a confidence in the call that you've placed on her life.
[01:06:51] God, we pray for this community around her as well, for her family, for mom and dad, her sister, for this community of believers that you've given her over these last couple years here at Peninsula, that they would be able to continue to encourage her, would be able to go and serve alongside of her.
[01:07:07] God, that you would continue to send us out, that we would be able to partner and just be a part of the work that Jennifer's doing.
[01:07:13] God, in all things that you do, God, we just pray that you would use each of us to just declare the goodness of God.
[01:07:22] God, that you would use us to share with others that they would be able to see and hear in our lives and our words and the things that we share with them the hope that we have in Christ.
[01:07:30] And God, whether
[01:07:31] We are going into our school tomorrow morning.
[01:07:36] God, over the next few months, God, whether we're going to a different part of the world, God, you'll allow us to see people come to know, love, and worship you.
[01:07:45] God, we're thankful for that privilege.
[01:07:46] We pray to that end knowing that you have given us a promise that all nations one day will worship before you.
[01:07:52] and we get to be a part of that work.
[01:07:54] God, so we continue to pray for Jennifer, prepare her, help her, send her.
[01:07:58] Would she have just a full confidence in you as she goes?
[01:08:01] And we pray these things in Jesus' good name.
[01:08:04] Amen.
[01:08:06] Thank you guys.
[01:08:12] As they go, I want to ask all of us to stand together and we are going to be sent out by reading together from Psalm 42.
[01:08:20] And just being reminded again of God's goodness and his love to us.
[01:08:26] So we're going to read together from Psalm 42 verse 8 where the psalmist says, By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
[01:08:41] We have a confidence that by day, by night, the steadfast, never changing, always confident love of God is with us.
[01:08:50] And that is our hope, that is our confidence, and that is the message that we take with us as we go.
[01:08:55] Have a great week.

[01:31:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Hola, mi nombre es Reagan.
[01:31:36] I just flew in from Guatemala and boy are my arms tired.

[01:31:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Well, we are glad you guys are back.
[01:31:43] My name is Adam and we are so thankful to worship together today.
[01:31:47] We are thankful for our team that just had the opportunity to serve with one of our partners in Guatemala for the week and glad you guys are back.
[01:31:55] So yeah, good to be back.
[01:31:57] Well, we want you to know that over the last few weeks, you've heard us talking about the Pathway Project.
[01:32:02] The Pathway Project is our vision and initiative over the next couple years as we seek to expand our facilities to make more room for people to worship here with us, but also to equip our people to grow in our discipleship, our love for the Lord, and also to send our people out.
[01:32:18] Just like we were able to send you guys, we want to send people short-term and long-term to serve.

[01:32:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
and we know that is the pathway project is being talked about if you've got questions about that you want to know exactly what we're looking at you can go on our website and how do they find that on the website well there's a big green button on the website and where you can see all kinds of different questions that people have already asked and so there might be an answer to the question that you have already available to you and if not then you can reach out and let us know what that is and we'll be happy to get back with you about it
[01:32:47] That's right.

[01:32:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
There's going to be pictures, information, stories of some of our church members.
[01:32:51] We encourage you to look at that.
[01:32:53] We also encourage you to stop by, pick up one of these bracelets.
[01:32:55] We've got them, you know, we've got two sides.
[01:32:58] Yours says Pathway.
[01:33:00] Mine says Peninsula, so you can grab one of these bracelets.
[01:33:02] And that's just a simple tool that you can use just to put a little reminder in your day just to pray for our church family and the direction that God's calling us to go.

[01:33:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
that's right other things coming up we've got our ladies fall flannel and fun night on friday october 24th that's right on friday that's right there we go you got it down uh october 24th from 6 30 to 8 30. uh there's gonna be crafts games and snacks and uh of course because it's you know flannel fun night wear your flannel yeah represent so there's gonna be child care provided there

[01:33:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
and if you'll just go on the website and register to let us know that you are coming so that we can have that available for you that's right and for all of our men too uh if you you don't get to be there friday but we would love to see you saturday morning at 8 a.m we actually have a men's prayer breakfast it'd be a great time just to kind of fellowship and spend time with the other men around the church that's gonna be that next morning saturday october 25th and so we'd love for you to join us for that just show up that morning have breakfast together pray for our church and get to spend time with the men here peninsula

[01:34:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
That's right, we've got three in a row, so Friday, then Saturday, and Sunday, October 26th, we're having our big Trunk or Treat Fall Festival event from 5 to 7 p.m.
[01:34:18] This is for every age, especially if you've got young kids, they're going to love going from trunk to trunk, getting candy and seeing these dark themes.
[01:34:25] There's games, there's bounce houses, it's just a great time.
[01:34:29] So if you want to help us with that event, maybe you don't have any small kids, but you're like, how can I get involved?
[01:34:36] We would love for you to put a trunk together to go and be there and pass out candy to these kids.
[01:34:42] See the smiles on their faces.
[01:34:43] That's worth it.
[01:34:45] So if you'll bring candy on the 26th, you're out the store and you see a big bag of candy just sitting on the shelf asking you to buy it, please buy that ahead of time so that you can bring it to the church and we've got it ready for all the families to come and participate in that.
[01:35:01] That's right.

[01:35:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
That's a really fun night.
[01:35:03] I know our kids already got costumes.
[01:35:04] They're getting ready.
[01:35:05] I just got a costume because I think they're small groups doing a trunk that has a theme to it.
[01:35:10] So it'll be a great night and we would love for you to join us.
[01:35:14] We also want you to know that as we go into kind of the end of the year,
[01:35:18] The over the last few years, we've had a time in November just to pray for our church, pray for one another, pray for the ministries and partners we have here.
[01:35:27] And that's going to be the week of November 3rd.
[01:35:30] So Monday, November 3rd through Thursday that week, the 6th, we're going to gather together here on campus from 6 to 7 a.m.
[01:35:38] So it'll be a little early in the morning, but we'd love for you to join us, but that's before work, before school.
[01:35:43] and pray with us at six to seven and then we have a special time that friday uh for our pathway project advanced commitment night that'll be friday evening at 6 30 we get to pray together uh worship together as we sing together but also that'll be an important opportunity where you have a chance to turn in a commitment card for the pathway project for the first time and so it's gonna be a great week uh as we go before the lord and to seek him for the direction and future of our church family

[01:36:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
That's right, and if you're worried about breakfast on any of those days, it is provided for you as we're praying together, and coffee.
[01:36:18] Yeah, after we pray.

[01:36:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
You gotta wait till after we pray, but then we'll have some breakfast.
[01:36:23] That's right.
[01:36:23] Great time together, and again, information about all these different events and how you can get involved is on our website, peninsulabaptist.com.
[01:36:31] You got the event wall as you walk into our worship center, where you can find so many things as well.
[01:36:36] But again, we just want to say thank you for being here with us, and we look forward to a great opportunity to worship together today.

[01:36:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Good morning, church.
[01:36:46] We're so glad you come to worship.
[01:36:48] If you would, in both rooms, stand at this time.
[01:36:51] And as we get started, I wanted to read from the book of Psalms as an encouragement to us in our worship this morning.
[01:36:58] It says in Psalm 103, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me.
[01:37:03] Bless His holy name.
[01:37:05] Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit.
[01:37:18] who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagles this morning may God find us in this place where we're blessing and worshiping his holy name let's worship

[01:37:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Who else commands all the hosts of heaven?
[01:38:05] Who else can make every king bow down?
[01:38:12] Who else can whisper and darkness tremble?

[01:38:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
The love of beauty demands such praises
[01:38:50] Behold Him, the One and the Only Cry now, sing holy Forever a holy God Come and worship the Holy God Come and worship Him
[01:39:22] What other glory consumes like fire?

[01:39:39] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
What other power can grace the dead?
[01:39:40] What other name remains undefiled?

[01:39:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
The Holy, The One, The Only Crying, Sing Holy, Forever a Holy God Come and worship the Holy God Come and be holy
[01:40:20] Holy, crying, sing holy, forever a holy God
[01:40:59] Who else would rescue me from my feeling?
[01:41:11] Who else would offer His only Son?
[01:41:13] Who else invites me to call Him Father?
[01:41:30] The one man beholds me The one man below me
[01:41:54] Come and behold Him, the one and the only.
[01:42:17] Cry out, sing holy, forever a holy God.
[01:42:18] Come and worship the Holy God.
[01:42:46] Come and behold Him, the one and the only.
[01:42:57] Cry out, sing holy, forever a holy God.

[01:43:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Come and worship the

[01:43:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
The weapon may be formed but it won't prosper And when the darkness falls it won't prevail Cause the God I serve knows only how to triumph And my God will never fail

[01:43:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I'm gonna see a victory, I'm gonna see a victory For the battle belongs to you Lord I'm gonna see a victory, I'm gonna see a victory For the battle belongs to you Lord

[01:44:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
There's power in the mighty name of Jesus Every war He wages He will win I'm not backing down from any giants Cause I know how this story ends Yes I do Yes I know how this story ends

[01:45:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory For the battle belongs to You, Lord I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory For the battle belongs to You, Lord
[01:45:29] I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory For the battle belongs to you Lord I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory

[01:46:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
I want you all to sing out right here.

[01:46:27] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Come on.

[01:46:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
You take what the enemy meant for me And you turn it for good You turn it for good You take what the enemy meant for me And you turn it for good You turn it for good
[01:46:33] You take what the enemy meant for evil And you turn it for good You turn it for good You take what the enemy meant for evil And you turn it for good You turn it for good I'm gonna see your victory I'm gonna see your victory
[01:47:02] For the battle belongs to You, Lord I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory For the battle belongs to You, Lord I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory
[01:47:27] For the battle belongs to you Lord I'm gonna see a victory I'm gonna see a victory For the battle
[01:48:30] Saints and angels, they bow before your throne.
[01:48:42] All the elders cast their crowns before the Lamb of God and sing, You are worthy of it all.
[01:49:06] For from you are all things, and to you are all things.

[01:49:29] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
You deserve the glory.

[01:49:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
The builders cast their crowns before the man of God
[01:50:14] From you are all things And to you are all things You deserve the glory
[01:50:42] You are worthy of it all.

[01:51:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords and you deserve all the praise.

[01:51:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
You deserve all the praise, all the praise Day and night, night and day let incense arise Day and night, night and day let incense arise Lift your voice Day and night, night and day let incense arise
[01:51:44] Day and night, night and day, let incense arise Day and night, night and day, let incense arise Day and night, night and day, let incense arise Day and night, night and day, let incense arise
[01:52:33] From you are all things, and to you are all things.
[01:53:00] Can we sing that one more time?

[01:53:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Just the chorus.

[01:53:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
You're worthy of it all For from You are all things And to You are all things You deserve the glory Jesus, You are worthy of it all The fact that You came and gave Your life for me

[01:54:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
It was unworthy because of my sin, but you saw worth in me and wanted to die for me so that I could be with you, God.
[01:54:16] I thank you.
[01:54:18] Jesus, you are so good.
[01:54:21] No matter the trials or tribulations that we might be facing here on earth, they're minuscule compared to your love, compared to your grace.
[01:54:29] So Jesus, we worship you today and ask that you just continue to move in this place.
[01:54:35] Speak through your word.
[01:54:37] Penetrate the hearts of the people in this room and in our video venue.
[01:54:41] God, I pray that you just work and move so it's undeniable about who you are.
[01:54:49] Father, we love you.
[01:54:50] For it's in Jesus' name.
[01:54:52] Amen.
[01:54:53] You may be seated.

[01:55:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Good morning.
[01:55:34] So good to be singing with you.
[01:55:36] He is worthy of it all.
[01:55:38] And don't we believe that?
[01:55:39] Amen, church.
[01:55:40] He is worthy of it all.
[01:55:41] And it's a good way to start out where we're going with the message today.
[01:55:45] Before we get into that, I want to just kind of go over a few things so you understand where we're headed today.
[01:55:50] We're going to have the message, and then we're going to have a time of baptism, and then we're going to have an opportunity to see one person who we are sending as a church into the mission field for a two-year commitment.
[01:56:02] And so that'll be at the end of the service as we walk through that.
[01:56:05] Before then, you can see that we have kind of changed our backdrop for the Pathway Project.
[01:56:12] And if you want to know what the Pathway Project is about, it's all-encompassing.
[01:56:15] It's not just about building, but it's about what we do in totality as a church through our ministries and through worshiping together and discipling one another.
[01:56:25] We want to make sure you have one of these brochures in hand, so if you came
[01:56:28] And today, if you didn't get one of these or you haven't received one yet, we want you to have one.
[01:56:33] Our ushers have these available for you.
[01:56:35] Just lift your hand up for you to be able to read what the Pathways Project is about.
[01:56:40] Not during the sermon, though.
[01:56:41] You read this later.
[01:56:43] You don't read it now.
[01:56:44] But it is a good read.
[01:56:46] It's well done.
[01:56:47] Amazing team put that together so thankful for the team that we have to be able to serve here as well.
[01:56:52] We're coming out of Acts chapter 16 today and I told you at the end of the message last week that it was kind of a to be continued.
[01:57:00] We left it at the climax where Paul and Silas were thrown into jail and
[01:57:06] Then it was just, it stopped there.
[01:57:08] Well, this is the other part of the story, like the rest of the story.
[01:57:12] Paul Harvey.
[01:57:13] Anybody know what I'm talking about when I say Paul Harvey?
[01:57:14] Oh, thank you.
[01:57:15] Okay, I'm among friends.
[01:57:16] That's good.
[01:57:16] I was afraid that people didn't know who that was.
[01:57:19] This is the rest of the story today.
[01:57:21] But you'll also see in Acts 16, as we're landing this plane in this particular narrative,
[01:57:27] You'll see how it culminates and where it takes it.
[01:57:30] It's a unique picture of where it lands.
[01:57:34] But as I was reading through this and thinking about the message for today, I was reminded in my own memory processes of something that happened to me quite a few years ago.
[01:57:46] Kimberly and I and two of our daughters, while they were young, they were very young, went to a convention
[01:57:53] And while we were there, we had a chance to eat seafood, all kinds of different things that you would get.
[01:58:01] But someone had told us about this particular restaurant that was on the water, and it was really good food, and it was a good opportunity for us to be able to go.
[01:58:10] So we said, hey, let's do this.
[01:58:12] They said, it's got classic foods, it's got burgers, it's got all kinds of things.
[01:58:16] The view is amazing, and the price is very affordable.
[01:58:20] I said, you should have led with that one.
[01:58:21] So we go to this restaurant, and we're sitting there, and we order our food.
[01:58:26] So our food comes out to the table, and it's a standard table with two adults and kids.
[01:58:33] It was a burger, some seafood, and chicken nuggets, right?
[01:58:37] That's just kind of how it works with kids.
[01:58:39] But each plate had fries on them.
[01:58:43] And if you have fries, what do you need with fries?
[01:58:46] Anybody?
[01:58:48] You need ketchup with fries, so I asked the waitress for a bottle of ketchup.
[01:58:53] And it looked kind of like this.
[01:58:55] This is not the bottle of ketchup, but this is what it looked like.
[01:58:59] It was exactly like this.
[01:59:00] She brought it out, set it down on the table for me to put a little bit of ketchup with my fries.
[01:59:06] And then I was looking at the bottle of ketchup, and you know what happens if a bottle of ketchup sits for a little while?
[01:59:13] The water raises to the top.
[01:59:16] And if the water raises to the top in ketchup and you don't shake it, then the first thing you pour out on your fries is this liquidy, I don't want my fries anymore substance.
[01:59:25] And so you have to shake the bottle, right?
[01:59:28] Anybody here ever shake a ketchup bottle?
[01:59:30] Thank you, among friends, Paul Harvey, everything.
[01:59:33] We're just close today.
[01:59:34] I'm just feeling all this connection in this room today.
[01:59:37] So anyway, I pick the bottle up and I give it the shake like this.
[01:59:41] This is what I'm going to do.
[01:59:42] I'm going to shake it to kind of mix it in, all right?
[01:59:46] And as I did that, I went by once like this, and when I came back here, come like this, the lid exploded off the top of the bottle.
[01:59:58] I mean it sounded like a shotgun going off.
[02:00:01] That's how loud it was.
[02:00:03] It was a big boom.
[02:00:04] The restaurant went silent.
[02:00:08] I mean like there was chatter in there plates clinking and everything it went completely silent or at least I thought it was because of the big boom it could have been something else I'm going to explain in a second I was here it exploded here in motion of coming back across here I had ketchup from my ear across my entire face to my left temple I could not see
[02:00:36] Everything was quiet.
[02:00:37] I couldn't see.
[02:00:39] I was filling french fries and other things on my plate, trying to find my napkin.
[02:00:43] And I'm thinking, what is happening here?
[02:00:46] I realized what had happened.
[02:00:47] I mean, I smelled like ketchup.
[02:00:49] And I get my napkin.
[02:00:50] I don't hear my family doing anything.
[02:00:52] I don't know if they've ran.
[02:00:55] I don't know if they're under the table I don't know what's going on and I'm just kind of finally I get the cloth napkin which I literally destroyed that day because it was full of ketchup when I got finished with it I started wiping the ketchup out of my eyes and I'm kind of halfway laughing at this point but I'm just wanting to see where my family is and when I finally get my eyes clear from the burning ketchup which by the way ketchup in the eyes burns just so you know so I finally get it cleared out and I'm starting to look at everything and I look over at my wife and
[02:01:23] And she is crying.
[02:01:26] She is laughing so hard.
[02:01:28] She was silent because she couldn't breathe because she was laughing so hard.
[02:01:34] And my two girls were just laughing and doubled over just laughing and everything.
[02:01:38] I was thinking, you know, you could have at least handed me a napkin.
[02:01:41] They just found it incredibly hysterical.
[02:01:43] I got to looking around and realized that as I was sitting I had the window to my back and there was ketchup from right about here on the window all the way to right about here on the window with one blank space on the window where my face was.
[02:02:00] And that's where it kind of there was ketchup on the lady over here on her pantsuit.
[02:02:04] There was ketchup on this table over here.
[02:02:06] It had just literally to this day we never found the lid.
[02:02:12] People sitting all around there looked for the lid.
[02:02:14] We have no idea where the lid went.
[02:02:15] Don't know.
[02:02:16] Could still be stuck in my ear.
[02:02:17] I'm not sure.
[02:02:18] But the lid was gone.
[02:02:20] And so then as the chatter started coming back to the restaurant, everything was settling down.
[02:02:25] The waitress who was waiting on our table comes walking over and she says, I've just got to say something.
[02:02:30] She said, this happened to someone last week.
[02:02:34] And I went, really?
[02:02:36] Really?
[02:02:37] Do we see a theme here?
[02:02:38] She said, yeah, but they did not react like you did.
[02:02:46] In fact, we had to ask them to leave the restaurant.
[02:02:49] It got so ugly.
[02:02:52] Why did you find it funny instead of get angry?
[02:02:58] And my wife just looked her right in the eye and said, it's because of our relationship with Christ.
[02:03:07] I want to kind of go over this and kind of set this up in several ways.
[02:03:11] First of all, we are not the type of people that you can say, well you laughed at it just because that's your personality or whatever.
[02:03:19] That can kind of play into it.
[02:03:21] But it was clearly that we found it funny and was able to laugh with other people around us because of our relationship with Christ.
[02:03:29] But we didn't decide to have joy in Christ at the moment that that happened.
[02:03:35] We decided to have joy in Christ back here years before.
[02:03:42] Our praise and our worship was a part of who we are.
[02:03:45] So because we chose to laugh is not Daniel's great, Kimberly's great, our kids are great.
[02:03:51] It's because Christ is everything.
[02:03:54] and that's the difference and that's why she said it's because of Christ in our hearts now let me say this we're going to be reading about Paul and Silas in prison and I am in no way trying to compare a face full of ketchup with being thrown in prison and shackles being put on your legs there are things that happen in our lives sometimes that we wonder are we going to be able to breathe
[02:04:19] So I'm not trying to do a comparison there.
[02:04:23] What I'm trying to do is set the stage to say we have a choice in our lives of how we receive the things that happen to us.
[02:04:32] And is it a heart of worship or is it a I'm owed something way of looking at things?
[02:04:40] And we're going to see what Paul and Silas did here in just a moment.
[02:04:44] It's not just me.
[02:04:46] It's not Paul and Silas.
[02:04:47] Paul himself actually clarifies what it is in him that gives him the strength to respond the way he does.
[02:04:54] In Galatians 2.20, this is what it says, I have been crucified with Christ.
[02:05:00] It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
[02:05:06] That's what's happening here.
[02:05:08] and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.
[02:05:17] That's the testimony.
[02:05:19] I could have, when I had a face full of ketchup, I could have stepped up and said, I want everybody in this restaurant's food to be free.
[02:05:27] I want my food to be free.
[02:05:28] You owe me money.
[02:05:29] You're going to get a cleaning bill.
[02:05:30] You're going to do this.
[02:05:31] You're going to do me right.
[02:05:32] You're going to buy me a new car.
[02:05:33] I don't know.
[02:05:33] Whatever.
[02:05:34] I could have really argued the point and made everybody uncomfortable.
[02:05:40] Or I could have just leaned into it and allowed Christ to be glorified.
[02:05:46] We didn't laugh at the catch up in the faith because we thought it would turn into an opportunity to share the faith.
[02:05:54] We laughed because it was funny.
[02:05:56] And God turned that into an opportunity to say the name of Christ.
[02:06:02] to our waitress.
[02:06:04] Maybe, we don't know where that went, maybe today she is thankful that someone in a restaurant demonstrated what the joy of the Lord is.
[02:06:13] Maybe she's a believer this day because of that.
[02:06:16] We don't know.
[02:06:16] Maybe one day we'll walk up in heaven and she'll come up and she'll say, hey remember the ketchup?
[02:06:21] And I'll say, oh do I?
[02:06:24] And she'll say, well thank you for the testimony that you gave that day.
[02:06:28] and how you are so willing to just turn it right to Christ.
[02:06:34] So that's where we need to look at.
[02:06:35] We need to understand.
[02:06:36] I'm hoping that the text and us unfolding it will take us here today in this big thought.
[02:06:44] Even in our most challenging circumstances we can choose to praise God which not only liberates us
[02:06:56] But can also lead others to experience His grace and salvation.
[02:07:01] So let's look at Acts chapter 16 verses 24 through 40.
[02:07:05] Paul and Silas were in Philippi.
[02:07:08] They were walking through the town of Philippi.
[02:07:10] They were doing different ministry things.
[02:07:12] And this demon-possessed woman was walking around behind them and she was saying, look at these men who are claiming the Most High God and showing you the way of salvation.
[02:07:21] And then finally Paul, in his frustration and probably taking pity, turned
[02:07:27] and in the name of Christ cast out the demon.
[02:07:29] Those who were making money off of that woman got really angry at them because suddenly they don't have the ability to make money off of this slave girl anymore and so they get angry at Paul.
[02:07:41] They incite a riot.
[02:07:43] They bring people out.
[02:07:44] They call the magistrates.
[02:07:46] The magistrates come out.
[02:07:47] They are beaten and they're thrown into jail and the magistrates tell the prison guard to take them and put them in jail and that's where we join it in verse 24.
[02:07:57] It says, having received this order, this order to throw them in prison, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
[02:08:06] About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them.
[02:08:13] Underword that line, listening.
[02:08:15] We're going to circle back to that in just a moment.
[02:08:17] And suddenly there was a great earthquake so that the foundations of the prison were shaken.
[02:08:23] And immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's bonds were unfastened.
[02:08:28] When the jailer awoke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
[02:08:38] Why would he do that?
[02:08:39] Well, in Roman times, if a prisoner who escaped, the jailer who allowed them to escape was going to have to receive the punishment that the prisoner would have received.
[02:08:50] So, a lot of writers and scholars will say that apparently in that prison there were some people who were facing the death penalty.
[02:08:58] and the jailer would have been put to death because of him allowing them to escape so let's read verse 28 again but Paul cried with a loud voice or not again let's Paul cried with a loud voice do not harm yourself for we are all here
[02:09:18] And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas.
[02:09:24] Then he brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
[02:09:30] And they said,
[02:09:32] Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.
[02:09:36] You and your household.
[02:09:38] Now that's not because he's getting saved, the household's saved.
[02:09:41] That's if you believe in the Lord Jesus, you, you'll be saved.
[02:09:45] And if your household believes in the Lord Jesus, they will be saved too.
[02:09:48] That's just kind of a way to say it.
[02:09:51] Verse 32, "...and they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house."
[02:09:57] So they're all hearing the gospel.
[02:09:59] And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
[02:10:08] So they all heard the gospel, responded to it, believed in Christ as Lord, and gave their life to him and were baptized.
[02:10:16] Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them.
[02:10:21] And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
[02:10:25] Apparently, the prison jailer lived in the upper portion of where the prison was.
[02:10:32] So the prison might have been in a lower level, and then he lived attached to it.
[02:10:36] So he's bringing them up out of it.
[02:10:38] Verse 35, But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, Let those men go.
[02:10:44] And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, The magistrates have sent to let you go.
[02:10:50] Therefore, come out now and go in peace.
[02:10:54] But Paul said to them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison.
[02:11:09] And do they now throw us out secretly?
[02:11:13] No, let them come themselves and take us out.
[02:11:18] The police reported these words to the magistrates and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens.
[02:11:25] So they came and apologized to them and they took them out and asked them to leave the city.
[02:11:31] So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia and when they had seen the brothers they encouraged them and departed.
[02:11:40] This is when darkness brings about singing which brings about the power of Christ.
[02:11:50] This is where we're going with this.
[02:11:51] This is an amazing story, but it paints the ending of chapter 16 where so much was going on in this.
[02:11:59] So let me kind of capsulate the story again as we're looking at it.
[02:12:04] Paul and Silas, they had every reason to be silent in the prison, but they were stripped, they were beaten, they were shackled, they were in prison, on the inner prison.
[02:12:14] But yet instead of complaint, they chose worship.
[02:12:21] Their voices rose through the night echoing through the stone walls that was around them and heaven listened.
[02:12:30] The passage reminds us
[02:12:32] of the Generous Spirit that comes within us when we give our life to Christ and walk with Him.
[02:12:38] It's about releasing faith and grace and hope to others, especially when life gives us deep, dark despair with things that we need to cope with.
[02:12:49] When our hearts overflow with praise in the dark, God turns prison cells into platforms for the gospel.
[02:12:59] This is what we see happening for us.
[02:13:01] So let's look at verses 25 through 28.
[02:13:03] Praise produces power.
[02:13:07] Praise produces power.
[02:13:09] And I'm always confused at myself.
[02:13:13] Not necessarily everybody here, but I'm always confused at myself of why I allow praise to be the last thing I get to.
[02:13:22] Part of it is, I think, because when I feel like praising, I praise.
[02:13:27] And when I don't feel like praising, I don't.
[02:13:31] To simplify it.
[02:13:33] But what this text is telling us is that praise should always be at the ready in our hearts because of what Christ has done for this.
[02:13:41] Look at this, verse 25, About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
[02:13:49] In the darkest part of the night for them they were
[02:13:55] Showing reverence, not resentment.
[02:14:02] Here's what it's saying to me.
[02:14:04] True worship does not depend on our situation.
[02:14:14] It reveals our spiritual posture.
[02:14:19] Their praise wasn't denial of pain.
[02:14:21] Their praise wasn't denial of being locked in a prison.
[02:14:25] Their praise was actually a declaration of trust in God.
[02:14:31] Completely trusting Him.
[02:14:32] Remember what Job said?
[02:14:34] Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
[02:14:39] Their songs became sermons in the dark.
[02:14:46] Paul and Silas modeled a generous spirit by offering worship instead of complaint.
[02:14:52] A prayer instead of panic.
[02:14:55] Generosity begins when we choose to give what's hardest to give.
[02:15:00] Faith in the fire, joy in the storm, and love in the face of hatred.
[02:15:11] Their worship was not private.
[02:15:13] I told you to underline listening there.
[02:15:15] The Greek word there, listening, means that they weren't just hearing it.
[02:15:20] They were listening attentively.
[02:15:22] They were actually fascinated.
[02:15:25] That's really what the word means.
[02:15:26] They were listening with a fascination.
[02:15:28] They were not just hearing two guys in prison singing who had been beaten.
[02:15:32] They were listening to the words that were being lifted up as well.
[02:15:37] Praise in that moment of darkness actually became proclamation of the goodness of Christ.
[02:15:46] Then came the earthquake.
[02:15:48] Not just a geological earthquake for people there, but theological earthquake.
[02:15:55] That shaking symbolized the breaking of chains, physical and spiritual.
[02:15:59] Because you want to know the truth?
[02:16:02] The real prisoner that night that was set free
[02:16:07] Was the jailer, not Paul and Silas.
[02:16:13] Praise may not change our situation, but praise of the Heavenly Father will always change us.
[02:16:24] And often, when our hearts are changed, it opens the doors for God to move.
[02:16:34] The power of praise didn't just set Paul and Silas free.
[02:16:37] It set the stage for someone else's salvation to be set free.
[02:16:42] Which brings us to verse 30.
[02:16:43] Generosity sparked salvation.
[02:16:47] The generous spirit they had to be reverent before a holy God in prison and to sing praises to Him out loud actually sparked salvation.
[02:16:56] It says, Then He brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
[02:17:01] The jailer, he had probably maybe even been sleeping.
[02:17:06] The earthquake hits.
[02:17:07] He awakens to chaos.
[02:17:09] The doors are open.
[02:17:10] The chains are off.
[02:17:12] They're unfastened.
[02:17:13] And under Roman law, losing prisoners was going to be punishment.
[02:17:18] And so he draws his sword to end his life.
[02:17:21] But then Paul interrupts him.
[02:17:23] Do not harm yourself for we are all here.
[02:17:27] What kind of person...
[02:17:29] When they're in prison and the doors fall open and the chains fall off, what kind of person doesn't run but remains?
[02:17:39] It's the kind of person that knows they're already free.
[02:17:47] See, we look at situations and we think we're being kind of clamped down by the situation, and that's kind of human.
[02:17:54] It's normal, but maturity in Christ says that no matter the situation, I am free in Christ because He has set me free, that I would be free indeed.
[02:18:05] Paul and Silas, their act of staying was an act of grace.
[02:18:10] They valued the jailer's soul more than their escape.
[02:18:17] Their gospel generosity, caring more about someone else's eternal destiny than their own comfort.
[02:18:27] Their compassion opened a heart.
[02:18:30] Their endurance became evangelism.
[02:18:35] The jailer's trembling question, what must I do to be saved, is answered with probably the purest and simplest form of the gospel.
[02:18:43] Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.
[02:18:49] Faith in Christ brings immediate transformation.
[02:18:51] The jailer moments earlier ready to die at his own sword now tends to wounds.
[02:18:58] He sets a meal before Paul and Silas and he rejoices with his family.
[02:19:03] And that word rejoice there is not just that they had found religion, it means that they had discovered freedom.
[02:19:12] in their lives.
[02:19:13] It was an overflowing.
[02:19:15] It wasn't just that they were happy because they had a piece of cake.
[02:19:19] They actually understood the fullness of the grace and the freedom that Christ provided for them.
[02:19:27] Sometimes the greatest witness we can give is not escaping our trials.
[02:19:38] Sometimes the greatest
[02:19:41] Witness we can give is remaining in that trial with grace.
[02:19:51] Our endurance could be the hinge in which someone else's salvation swings.
[02:19:58] And as dawn breaks, a new day brings not only freedom but justice.
[02:20:03] Because let's look at this in verses 35 through 40, justice through generosity.
[02:20:08] It says in verse 37, But Paul said to them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and do they now throw us out secretly?
[02:20:19] No, let them come themselves and take us out.
[02:20:22] Now what was Paul doing here?
[02:20:25] Was he prideful?
[02:20:27] Was it one of those arguments that
[02:20:31] You know, an eye for an eye, tit for tat, whatever.
[02:20:34] No, it was not this going on.
[02:20:35] Most scholars, based on what Paul has said in other places, is actually he's placing the brand new baby church in Philippi up front.
[02:20:47] He is doing this so that the community can see that the integrity of the church is still intact.
[02:20:55] It wasn't a prideful thing for Paul.
[02:20:57] He was caring for the church in Philippi.
[02:20:59] He was saying, no, no, no, you beat us publicly and people knew that we were attached to that church.
[02:21:05] You come back and you take us out and you apologize publicly.
[02:21:08] That's what Paul was asking for.
[02:21:11] So when the magistrates send word quietly, Paul turns it on them and so they realize their error and they come trembling and they apologize and they escort Paul and Silas out.
[02:21:24] The same men who beat them now beg them to depart peacefully.
[02:21:32] God had vindicated his servants without a sword being drawn.
[02:21:40] Then before leaving, Paul and Silas returned to Lydia's house.
[02:21:43] It's the birthplace of the Philippian church.
[02:21:46] They encouraged the believers and they likely included the jailer and his family as well.
[02:21:54] Notice that there is no record of Paul seeking revenge.
[02:22:01] Only restoration.
[02:22:05] Generosity extends even to those who wrong us.
[02:22:08] Justice
[02:22:10] In the kingdom is never vindictive.
[02:22:18] Justice in the kingdom is never vindictive.
[02:22:24] It's always redemptive.
[02:22:30] Jesus prayed when He was hanging on the cross in His place of suffering, Father, forgive them.
[02:22:38] And this passage actually points to Christ.
[02:22:40] You see the Christ-likeness in Paul and Silas.
[02:22:44] Like Christ, they are falsely accused, beaten, and imprisoned.
[02:22:49] Like Christ, they sing through pain, declaring God's goodness amidst the injustice.
[02:22:57] And like Christ, their suffering leads to someone else's salvation.
[02:23:04] This is why we're challenged on this text because the trials, the tribulations, the problems that we go through, the relational issues that we have in this world can, if we will through grace, allow the joy of the Lord to speak through it and we can walk through the trial with Christ, can turn the life around for someone else because of our testimony of the goodness of Christ in our lives.
[02:23:32] That requires, though, church, for us to stop making things about us and understanding the bigger picture of what God can and most likely will do with what we're going through.
[02:23:51] So, let's bring real life application.
[02:23:53] This is not just an ancient story of Paul and Silas being thrown in prison.
[02:23:58] There are some implications of how we can look at and do life.
[02:24:05] So let's look at it.
[02:24:05] Let's see what it could be.
[02:24:07] Kind of living a generously spirit in the dark times of our lives.
[02:24:15] A.
[02:24:16] When circumstances confine you, let worship define you.
[02:24:25] When circumstances confine you, let worship define you.
[02:24:30] Praise reminds our heart who is in control.
[02:24:36] Remember the account of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, where Israel was going up against a heavy, heavy army, an invading army.
[02:24:46] It was an immense army.
[02:24:49] And Jehoshaphat had worshipers and singers lead the army, singing, Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.
[02:24:57] And as they began to sing, the Lord caused the enemy armies to turn on each other, resulting in their complete destruction.
[02:25:05] And when the people of Judah arrived on the battlefield, they found only dead bodies and spent three days collecting
[02:25:12] Afterward, they gathered to praise God in the valley they named Baraka, which means blessing.
[02:25:22] They led out the fight with praise and worship.
[02:25:27] So when circumstances confine us, let's let worship define us.
[02:25:32] Why don't you do this?
[02:25:33] If you don't have a Spotify account, whatever your music collection may be, why don't you get on Spotify or wherever you look for music and start searching this week for your favorite worship songs.
[02:25:47] And then just play them over and over and over again until your heart begins to sing
[02:25:54] Praise and worship to our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
[02:26:01] See, praising, God may not change the situation, but it will change us.
[02:26:08] So when circumstances confine you, let worship define you.
[02:26:12] When others wrong you, let grace surprise them.
[02:26:20] Paul's compassion toward the jailers shows that generosity can rewrite another person's story.
[02:26:27] We think we should always fight fire with fire.
[02:26:32] That's kind of human.
[02:26:33] It's kind of the human way of doing things, but it's also a cultural thing too that we've learned over time.
[02:26:41] I will not let you get the better of me.
[02:26:43] If you do this to me, I'm going to one-up you with this.
[02:26:45] If you do this to me, I'm going to one-up you with that.
[02:26:48] And it goes back and forth and back and forth until it just gets worse and worse.
[02:26:54] Grace stops wrongdoing in its tracks.
[02:27:03] Why do you think Jesus was saying, someone ask you for your cloak?
[02:27:09] Give them other garments.
[02:27:10] Someone asks you to walk a mile, walk two.
[02:27:13] It's that grace that he's talking about, stopping the wrongdoing in its tracks.
[02:27:19] See, when you seek justice, let humility guide you.
[02:27:25] Paul was seeking justice here.
[02:27:28] We're not doormats because we're Christians.
[02:27:31] We're not walked all over because we're Christians.
[02:27:33] We seek justice, but we do it with humility.
[02:27:37] Not, I'm right, you're wrong kind of attitude, but more of, hey, can we work through this?
[02:27:42] There's some difficulty here and we need to work through it.
[02:27:46] Integrity, not pride, gives our witness of Christ in our lives credibility.
[02:27:55] Generosity is not a product of prosperity.
[02:28:00] It's the overflow of the presence of something.
[02:28:05] When Christ fills our heart, freedom isn't just something that we receive, it's something that we release.
[02:28:16] Imagine that night, the darkness of a prison cell, the flicker of a torch, the echo of chains, and two voices singing hymns through the pain.
[02:28:27] Then an earthquake, a cry, and a conversation.
[02:28:30] A new church was strengthened in Philippi.
[02:28:34] Paul and Silas show that songs of freedom are not sung because life is easy, but because God is worthy.
[02:28:45] When the people of God choose praise over panic, generosity over grievance, and faith over fear, heaven moves.
[02:28:59] and the world notices.
[02:29:05] So let's learn to sing in our midnight hour.
[02:29:14] When things are at their darkest, sing praises to the Creator of the universe that sees all, knows all, and can hold us and walk us through the trial.
[02:29:29] Because somewhere, someone is listening.
[02:29:35] And your song might open the prison doors of their heart.
[02:29:46] So when generosity flows from a heart anchored in Christ, even the darkest hour can become a stage for God's greatest work of grace.
[02:30:00] I came across an artist's rendering of the end of chapter 16 because you see at the very end of this particular passage you see that Paul and Silas when they were released, publicly released, they went back to Lydia's house which was the church plant that had started in Philippi.
[02:30:17] And I saw a picture in one of my online softwares that showed them meeting again with Lydia.
[02:30:25] Perhaps that's Lydia in the middle, and perhaps to the right is the jailer and a few members of his family.
[02:30:30] And then to the left is Paul and Silas, and on the floor there may be Lydia's family.
[02:30:35] And this is where it's going.
[02:30:37] This peace that you see in this picture of fellowshipping around a commonness in Jesus Christ as they're talking through how good Christ is.
[02:30:46] You go back and read all of 16 and you know that this is where it ends.
[02:30:50] You see that God was involved from the very beginning to the very end.
[02:30:54] And we've got to stay out of the way of God's grace working in our lives.
[02:30:59] When we try to run from trials, we might be selling short the ability for God to show His goodness to other people who need the prison doors of their hearts opened up through a salvation earthquake divine appointment that could come through them watching us handle life with the grace and the joy and the peace and the mercy of Jesus Christ.
[02:31:24] That's what this is.
[02:31:25] It's time for us to show the world a different us.
[02:31:30] It's time for us to show the world that we are already free in our hearts.
[02:31:37] We have eternity to look forward to, to where we will finally rest, we will finally be at peace because we no longer have the struggles of this world.
[02:31:48] We have that to hold on to and cling on to.
[02:31:52] Why?
[02:31:52] Not because we're great, but because Jesus Christ is everything and we live for Him.
[02:32:00] To God be the glory.
[02:32:04] That's who we are.
[02:32:06] Church, sing in the midnight hour and watch God work.
[02:32:15] Let's pray.
[02:32:19] Father, your goodness is amazing.
[02:32:22] Your grace is everlasting.
[02:32:28] Help us as a people
[02:32:31] To walk with a heart of praise and worship and joy in you.
[02:32:37] Help us as a people to celebrate you even in the midst of the turmoil.
[02:32:46] And Father, honestly before you, when things get thick, things get hard, things get difficult, often in my own heart, worshiping you is the last thing that I think of doing.
[02:33:01] Help me to mature in you in a way and walk with you in a way that when life gets extremely difficult and confusing, that worshiping you is the first place I go.
[02:33:15] Because my life is free, not because of my situations, but because of grace through faith in you.
[02:33:29] So meet us where we are.
[02:33:31] And in your love and righteousness, refuse to leave us there, because there's always room to grow in you.
[02:33:42] So help us to have the courage to do that.
[02:33:46] In Jesus' name we pray.
[02:33:49] Amen.
[02:33:51] As part of our Pathway Project, we get to experience God working in people's lives who are bringing a public testimony of their faith.
[02:33:58] Through Baptism.
[02:33:59] Turn your attention to the baptistry at this time.

[02:34:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
We're thankful to celebrate with three individuals this morning as we see in Acts that the call to believe on Jesus and find salvation and then baptism is the way that each of them get to publicly share with you their profession of faith and we'll ask them a couple of questions where they get to share with you through saying yes that they believe in Christ and have trusted them as their Savior and baptism is their way that they get to give a picture of their commitment they've made to Him.
[02:34:30] So Sam Gillis will be first.
[02:34:42] All right, Sam, do you believe in his life, death, and resurrection?
[02:34:45] Jesus has done everything necessary to save you.
[02:34:49] And if you confess and repent of your sin and trusted Christ as your Savior to follow him for the rest of your life.
[02:34:57] All right.
[02:34:57] All right, Sam, based on your profession of faith, we baptize you in the Father, Son, and Spirit, buried with him like his death, and raised to walk in new life.
[02:35:14] All right, next we have Emma Blake Schultz.
[02:35:29] All right, Emma Blake, do you believe in his life, death, and resurrection?
[02:35:33] Jesus has done everything necessary to save you.
[02:35:36] And have you confessed and repented of your sin and trusted Jesus as your Savior for the rest of your life?
[02:35:42] Emma Blake, based on your profession of faith, we baptize you in the Father, Son, and Spirit, buried with him in likeness death, and raised to walk in new life.
[02:35:59] Next we have her brother Wyatt.
[02:36:05] Siblings, they couldn't decide who wanted to go first over here.
[02:36:08] And who wants to be the end?
[02:36:10] There we go.
[02:36:13] All right, Wyatt, do you believe in his life, death, and resurrection?
[02:36:17] Jesus has done everything necessary to save you.
[02:36:20] If you confess and repent of your sin and trusted Jesus as your Savior for the rest of your life.
[02:36:26] All right, Wyatt, based on your profession of faith, we baptize you in the Father, Son, and Spirit, buried with him as likeness death, and raised to walk in new life.

[02:36:42] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
I saw a few tears shed right over here in this section.
[02:36:45] That's such a special thing.
[02:36:46] And we also are going to have a special time of baptism next week but in the first service.
[02:36:50] I just wanted you to be aware that wherever the family can join us is where we do baptism and next week we'll be baptizing in the first service.
[02:36:58] So be in prayer for that as well.
[02:37:00] It's very exciting.
[02:37:01] Well, as we end the service today, we want to take time to introduce someone to you that you may or may not know.
[02:37:06] Maybe you got to meet her.
[02:37:07] Maybe you haven't gotten to meet her yet.
[02:37:10] Her name is Jennifer Warner.
[02:37:11] Is she in here somewhere?
[02:37:12] She's right there.
[02:37:15] She's at the very back.
[02:37:16] We're going to introduce her in just a moment.
[02:37:19] She has answered the call to
[02:37:21] Go overseas to serve a two-year commitment and we're going to recognize her and be able to pray for her.
[02:37:27] If you want to hear just a little bit of her story though, we have a video that kind of gives the testimony of how God got her from point A to point B and this fits directly into the Pathway Project Church of how it's an all-encompassing vision of preparing people to go in the name of Christ.
[02:37:43] Take a listen to this video.

[02:37:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Hi, I'm Jennifer Warren and I am in the midst of applying to be a journeyman with an IMB.
[02:37:51] So last September I went on a mission trip with our church to Paris and before and during that trip I kind of felt God telling me to just keep my eyes open, to keep looking and listening for how he was working because he was pulling me to something else to make a change in my life.
[02:38:08] and so while I was there I had several nudges whether it be talking with the missionaries and hearing their testimonies while I was on the mission field
[02:38:16] Being a part of what they were doing in Paris and nudges from our church community that was there with me so shout out to Miss Janet Domeni who sat down and told me her testimony of how she became a missionary so I came back from that and was looking and seeking that confirmation of what God was doing and where he was calling me and just began praying like I sat down in prayer with God and I asked my closest friends and family to pray with me about where he was leading me and I
[02:38:44] It didn't even take two weeks before God made that next step of showing me, yes, this is what I want you to do.
[02:38:52] And I had a close friend who was talking with a professor who used to be an IMB missionary, and she just offhandedly asked, like, do you know of anywhere in the mission field who might need someone with a background in the arts?
[02:39:05] which if you don't know me by the way I work in fashion design and have a degree in fine arts so she asked him this and he said as a matter of fact my son is a missionary with imb in belgium and their whole outreach is centered around a community art center so they use the arts to reach people for god and so they got me in contact with him he told me they had one journey girl who already was in the midst of talking with them and applying to go there the following fall
[02:39:32] and if I was interested in being the second one because they like to send them out in pairs then I could talk to the other missionaries on the team.
[02:39:39] So before I made the call to this missionary couple I went out to eat for lunch with a Brown family and my sister and they just started telling me about this missionary couple that they had met in Paris on the trip before mine and
[02:39:52] This missionary couple that they met was from Belgium.
[02:39:55] They had a son who came back to North Carolina for college.
[02:39:58] They had a daughter still on the mission field.
[02:40:00] And you can see where this is going.
[02:40:02] But I went home, hopped on the call, and we started talking about my mission trip to Paris.
[02:40:07] They mentioned that they had been there a couple weeks before me.
[02:40:11] And long story short, they had served alongside our church the month prior in Paris.
[02:40:16] And so these were just a few of the wild coincidences that can't be called coincidences.
[02:40:22] Those were God's divine appointments to get me to where I'm going and to intertwine our church with this mission field in Belgium.
[02:40:31] It's so encouraging to have this church family that backs me up, that supports me, that encourages me, that helps me to grow and that allows me to go where God sends because they have my back and they support me in this way.
[02:40:45] The thing that I think gets overlooked sometimes is prayer.
[02:40:48] You can never underestimate the power of prayer and how much prayer really does impact and change and grow.
[02:40:56] And so the one thing I request of our church family as I continue through this process and when I go internationally is to just please keep continuing to pray for our teams, pray for God's will to be done wherever we go, wherever we're sent, and continue to pray that the gospel will go forward.

[02:41:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Psalm 96 says, O sing to the Lord a new song.
[02:41:28] Sing to the Lord all the earth.
[02:41:30] Sing to the Lord, bless his name.
[02:41:32] Tell of his salvation from day to day.
[02:41:36] Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all peoples.
[02:41:41] That is our hope and prayer that as a church family we get to see the glory of God, the goodness of God, His works declared from our neighborhoods into the nations.
[02:41:54] And this morning we want to take a few moments and pray for Jennifer as she's getting ready to go for training with the IMB for the next two months or so.
[02:42:02] and then the beginning of 2026 we'll have a time to pray for again is she actually going to be going to Belgium but if you're like hold on I thought Jennifer was going who are all these other people okay so uh if you saw the video one of the things that we really believe in is the importance in community and other believers being around us to encourage us to uh to help us grow to help
[02:42:23] I want you to know that as she mentioned in the video, kind of that sense of before and during the trip, feeling the Lord's leading.
[02:42:39] Not long after that, got to talk with her about that.
[02:42:41] and she shared a lot of what you saw in that video with me and I remember thinking two things.
[02:42:45] One, I think this is definitely where the Lord's leading you.
[02:42:48] Two, when we said we want to send people, we didn't mean you, okay?
[02:42:52] So like, and often we are reminded that when we talk about sending, we mean sending some of our favorite, best people, the people who mean a lot to our church family and sending them out and we are thankful for your faithfulness and thankful for all of you and encouraging her in that as well, okay?
[02:43:07] And so I'm going to lead us in praying for Jennifer and her training and preparation to go and serve in Belgium.
[02:43:12] I encourage you to pray, not just this morning, but pray over the next few months and you'll hear more as she gets ready to go.
[02:43:18] So let's go to the Lord together.
[02:43:20] God, we are so thankful for your goodness and your grace that you've shown to us in our lives.
[02:43:27] God, we are thankful even as we just get to see a picture a moment ago in baptism of our just dying to our old self of being united with Christ and his resurrection and our hope that we have there.
[02:43:39] And even as we just think about and pray for Jennifer, God, this morning, we first and foremost are just thankful for her faith in you.
[02:43:47] God, the work that you've done in her life and bringing her to salvation.
[02:43:51] God, just allowing her to trust Christ for her salvation and just the work that you've been doing in her.
[02:43:56] God, also, as we see in Acts, God, that after we have come to faith, you have given us a command to be a witness to what we have seen and heard.
[02:44:05] God, that we would share with others.
[02:44:07] God, it's not some overly special thing, but God, it's just a command that we would get to share with others what we have seen in you.
[02:44:16] God, for many of us, we will do that in our neighborhoods with friends and family, people around us.
[02:44:21] But God, for Jennifer, we pray for her as she prepares to go to a new place
[02:44:25] to be sent out to Belgium in the next few months.
[02:44:29] God, we are thankful for her obedience to your call in her life.
[02:44:31] And just like we see in Acts, God, you call, we pray for support and encourage and send out.
[02:44:37] So God, we do pray for Jennifer as she goes to this training, God, that she would be prepared, equipped, and God, even as maybe days are long and this thought of new places and changes in life, God, seem difficult, we pray that she would just have a confidence in you, that she would have a confidence in the community that stands around her right now that has been affirming your call in her life, that she would lean into them, she would lean into her family as well,
[02:45:07] God that she would just just be reminded of your past just goodness and grace you've shown to her life and she would have a confidence then for the future now we do pray for her training and preparation we pray for the people that she will encounter in the next few months as well that you would begin preparing the ministry that she'll get to be a part of and just a unique opportunity with the arts God just as she would see all of these things to know that sent some confirmation of your work and calling in her life
[02:45:35] and we look forward to times of being able to partner alongside of her as well in all things we pray that you would use her use her team that the name of Jesus and the message of his grace would be proclaimed in Belgium and God they would work and just incredible things happen for
[02:45:52] God we pray for them there would be an encouragement to them and we pray for the people that they would encounter that would be a blessing to them and many would come to believe but God we pray in all the things that they do it would bring honor and glory to your name so God we go before you and ask that you would be with us as we send her out today we pray these things in Jesus name amen
[02:46:16] And as they go, I'm going to lead us in reading from Psalm 42 as we go out and are sent out today.
[02:46:23] So if you would stand with me, we'll read together from Psalm 42 verse 8 and a reminder of God's goodness in our life.
[02:46:32] Psalm 42 verse 8 says, By day the Lord commands His steadfast love, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
[02:46:43] Whether by day, whether by night, whether home or far away, God's steadfast love, His hope, His goodness, His grace is always with us.
[02:46:52] And we come together and worship in that, and we are sent out to take it with us as we go.
[02:46:58] Have a great week.