How to Look Up When Things Look Down - Part 2 of 2

Host: Today on a new beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie takes us to a miracle described in the book of Acts, causing the jailer guarding Paul and Silas to want to become a believer.
Host: What must I do to be saved? He asks.
Host: And Paul says, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. Why do we complicate this message? It's so simple. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. That's it. That's our message.
Music: This is the day when the lost are found. This is the day for a new beginning. Amazing grace how sweet the sound. Oh can you hear what the angels are singing? This is the day when life begins.
Host: Some people come to Christ instantly, as soon as they hear the gospel. It's the miracle of a moment. Others resist that decision for decades until one day they realize their need for Christ. Sometimes it's a crisis or tragedy that brings them to that point. Other times it's as though their eyes suddenly open.
Host: Today on a new beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie shows us the miraculous conversion of a certain Philippian jailer, a conversion that would sweep through his entire family.
Music: This is the day when life begins.
Host: Grab your Bibles and turn to Acts chapter 16, and the title of my message is, How to Look Up When Things Look Down.
Host: Now, what we're reading about here in the book of Acts is the second missionary journey of the Apostle Paul. And Paul now has a new wingman and his name is Silas. So now they're headed to a place called Philippi. So he arrives with Silas and there's a lady there and her name is Lydia. Lydia was a very affluent woman. It says that she sold purple garments. So back in this day, uh treating expensive cloth with expensive purple dye would be what we would call a designer gown, a designer shirt.
Host: Uh so this is a woman who was very affluent, very well off, and this is the first convert of the second missionary journey. So here's the devil now with his counter attack. Acts 16 verse 16. As we went to prayer, a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination who brought her master's much profit, started following us.
Host: So this demon possessed woman now starts following the apostles. She was shouting, these men are servants of the Most High and have come to tell you how to be saved. Uh actually, this word she said could be translated as she shrieked. So here's Paul and Silas walking along through Philippi. She's behind him screaming out. They're servants of the Most High God. They're going, uh this woman's really getting on my nerves.
Host: And it's interesting because in the original language it says she had the spirit of Python. And what that means is there was a myth that the Python snake guarded the temple of Apollo. And so there was this weird demonic thing. And so Paul cast the demon out. Well, now the people who were controlling this woman, effectively trafficking her, pimping her out if you will. And making a lot of money off of her were outraged.
Host: Because this witchy woman was their source of income. So when they exercise the demon, they also exercise the income for her masters. So now they're angry. Acts 16 verse 20, they go and try to whip up the people. And the whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews, they shouted. They're teaching the people to do things against Roman customs. A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas and the city officials ordered them stripped and beat them with wooden rods.
Host: So we pick up in Acts 16 verse 23. What happened after that? They were severely beaten. Then they were thrown into prison and the jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape. So he took no chances and put them into the inner dungeon and clapped their feet in the stocks. Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Verse 26, suddenly there was a great earthquake and the prison was shaken at its foundations and the doors flew open and the chains of every prisoner fell off.
Host: The jailer woke up to see the prison doors open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped and he drew his sword to kill himself. Paul shouted to him, Don't do it. We're all here. Trembling with fear, the jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down before Paul and Silas, and he brought them out and asked, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? They replied, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved along with your entire household.
Host: Then they shared the word of the Lord with him and all who lived in his household. The same hour the jailer washed their wounds. He and everyone in his household were immediately baptized and he brought them into his house and set a meal before them. He and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God. Wow. Isn't that one of the greatest stories in the Bible?
Host: So Paul and Silas are flogged, verse 24 says. He clamped their feet in stocks. They were thrown into a dark, filthy, underground hole. A vermin-filled dungeon. Their shredded backs were laid open from the whipping. They were put on hard ground. They were in these stocks that were spread, uh causing excruciating pain, and they didn't know what their future was.
Host: They didn't know they were going to be delivered. Paul and Silas had not read Acts 16 yet. They were living it in real time, as I've often said jokingly. Job never read the book of Job. He didn't know how the story ended. They might be free because God delivered Peter, but they might die because God allowed James, excuse me, Stephen to be martyred. Well, James as well actually.
Host: So he didn't know how the story would end, but that's what makes us all the more remarkable when it says in verse 25, around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. You ever wake up in the middle of the night? You're troubled by something? Yeah, something's bothering you, some worry, some anxiety. That's a good time to pray.
Host: I don't know if you should sing, you might wake up your spouse if you're married. But uh you could. But remind yourself of scripture. Correct your thinking with what the word of God says. And that's a good thing to do. In fact, the uh the psalmist writes in Psalm 42 verse 8, through each day the Lord pours his unending love upon me, and through each night, I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. They're singing praises to God.
Host: And the other prisoners were listening. By the way, this word for listening means to listen very carefully or literally to listen with pleasure. I don't think anyone had ever heard anyone sing in this dungeon before. Now, were Paul and Silas doing a two-part harmony? You know, Lennon and McCartney, Everly Brothers, something like that? I don't think so. But the fact that they were giving glory to God in such adverse circumstances really caused others to pay attention, listening with pleasure.
Host: Have you ever been maybe driving along and you have the radio on and you're listening to music and a song you like comes on, so you turn it up? Oh, I want to hear this. I love this song, and you sing along with it. Then someone turns the volume off and you're singing up by yourself, and you don't sound nearly as good as you thought you did. Well, they're singing praises to God. Everyone's listening because this is such an unexpected thing. And it reminds us there that there's a lost world out there.
Host: And they're watching you and I as a Christian. And they're watching what we do when things go the wrong way. How do we handle it when a child goes prodigal? How do we handle it when we're laid off at work? How do we handle it when we get sick? How do we handle it when hardship comes into our life? And when we can still give glory to God, that is a powerful testimony that will open their heart, as it did in the life of the jailer.
Host: He had never seen anything like this before. He was moved very deeply. Now an earthquake comes, and it's it's a supernatural earthquake because no earthquake would break uh chains off of your hands necessarily. All the doors fling open. This guy's ready to kill himself. Why? Because if you're a Roman jailer, given this responsibility and your prisoners escape, you will be put to death. So he thought I'm just going to do it myself.
Host: And Paul stops him, don't hurt yourself. We're all here still. And this man falls down before them, and I love the verbage, and I use King James here instead of new living. Sirs, what must I do to be saved? A term of respect, Sirs, gentlemen, uh whatever you have, I want it. What must I do to be saved? So Paul gives them the truth of the gospel.
Host: You see, Paul probably could relate to this guy. He thought, oh yeah, I know this guy. I used to be this guy, except maybe I was a little worse. The fact that this man could whip them and treat them so horribly, well Paul used to hunt down Christians, send them to prison, even kill them. So he thought, I used to be that way, I want to help this guy out. What must I do to be saved? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.
Host: And immediately the jailer believes and he washes their wounds. Verse 33 says, and everyone in his household was immediately baptized. Now, I love how a whole home was impacted. A lot of times the way that Jesus comes into a family is through one person. One person believes. They become a Christian. And now this kind of upsets the family. Jesus said, do you think that I've come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you division.
Host: A mother will be divided against her daughter, a father against his son. Your enemies will be those of your own household. We read that and say, what? I thought Jesus came to bring peace. He did and he does. But sometimes before that peace, there's a division. Let me illustrate it because many of you have lived this. So you become a Christian, and at Thanksgiving, maybe there was a lot of drinking, and a lot of partying, and a lot of whatever.
Host: That was my life before. And uh but now you're a Christian and you say, you know, I'd like to pray when the it's time to eat. Say grace. You've never said grace in your family before. And uh okay, whatever. Let's pray. And you pray your prayer. And uh a lot of people don't like it one bit. But then one other family member comes to Christ. Then another one comes to Christ. So there's division at first, resentment. But now they're coming to Jesus one by one, and before you know it, it's a Christian family.
Host: I've seen it happen so many times, passed on from generation to generation.
Guest (Male): Pastor Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment.
Host: You know, I've heard people describe a trip to Israel as seeing the Bible actually come to life. Hey, everybody, Greg Laurie, and I've been to Israel many times and I've led a lot of tours and I have to say that's absolutely true. Listen, when you're walking on the same stones that Jesus himself walked on, well that's something that's enriching to your faith. It's not just a travel experience. It actually energizes and enhances your study of the Bible. Think of it this way, it's a vacation with a purpose.
Host: And we're going to be taking a tour of Israel April 6th to 15th, 2027. You can find out more at Israel.harvest.org. Step right into biblical history. Join Pastor Greg for a tour of the Holy Land, April 6th through 15th, 2027. Get details at Israel.harvest.org.
Guest (Male): Well, we're in Acts 16 today as Pastor Greg presents his message, How to Look Up When Things Look Down.
Host: So look at all of the people that Paul and Silas reached in this chapter. The up and the outer, a lady named Lydia. The down and the outer, the demon possessed woman. The soldier somewhere in the middle. So Lydia the designer, the former snake girl and a jailer. Python girl.
Host: All these people come to faith. The rich and the poor, the slave and the free, the man and the woman, all one in Christ and ready to rock their world. And they became the nucleus of the church of Philippi that Paul wrote an epistle to, known as Philippians, right? Now, let me come back and consider the question of the jailer. What must I do to be saved?
Host: What must I do to be saved? he asks. And Paul says, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. Why do we complicate this message? This is the Apostle Paul, a very credible source that we can look to on how to share the gospel. As I said earlier, people can get so tied up into a theological pretzel as they're trying to articulate the gospel, no one can understand it. I don't even think the person describing it understands it.
Host: It's so simple. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. That's it. That's our message.
Host: But we have to define it. What does it mean to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Is it mere intellectual assent to the facts that a man named Jesus came to this world, died on a cross, and even rose from the dead? It includes that, but there's much more. Because the Bible says, the demons believe and tremble. Going back to Python girl. Um.
Host: What was she saying? These men are servants of the Most High God. Was that technically true? Actually it was. It's just the way she said it. And that she was possessed by a demon. Even the demons believe and tremble, you see. So some people will say, I believe in Jesus, therefore I'm saved. Well, do you believe in the way the Bible tells you to believe? Jesus said, for God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son, and whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Host: By implication, believing means to take hold of one thing and let go of another. Or to put it another way, it's to believe in and repent of. See, you have to repent of your sins. On the day of Pentecost, Peter said, they said, what shall we do? They wanted to believe. He says, repent and be converted, and times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord. To repent means to turn from known sin.
Host: Now honestly, you may not know all the stuff you're doing to sin yet, so you repent of what you know to repent of. And as you get to know the Lord better, you repent of more things. Because you realize there's a lot of things that aren't right. But the point is, is believing means to trust in, to cling to, and rely on. It's to put your full weight on something. I'm putting my full weight of 160 pounds. What, what are you laughing? What are you laughing?
Host: That's my left leg, okay? So I'm putting my full weight on this platform. I'm expecting it to hold me. And you put your full weight in Christ, as I pointed out earlier, it's not Christ plus good works, Christ plus baptism, Christ plus XY or Z. It's Jesus and Jesus alone, I believe in him. That's what it means.
Host: You say, well, saved, that's kind of a weird word. I don't think it's weird at all. Isn't that the perfect word? I mean, if someone was in a burning building and a courageous firefighter rushed in and brought them out, if you read about it later, it would probably say, a person was saved. Uh if someone was drowning out in the ocean, caught in a rip tide, and a lifeguard swam out to save them, that's the word we use. They saved them. And this is what God does. He saves us.
Host: You say, saves us from what? He saves us for starters from future judgment. Romans 5:9 says, since we've been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will save us from God's judgment. How will I be saved? The Bible says, whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. And that's what we need to do. We call on his name. You know, it sometimes you hear people say, well, I I tried Christianity.
Host: I tried Jesus Christ. It didn't work for me. Well, I immediately dismiss your statement. Because I know you didn't try Jesus Christ. First of all, he's not a product. Okay, so it's what's the return policy on this? I'll be honest with you. I like to play around with gadgets, okay? So I'll order something online, but first thing I do, return policy. Can I return this? Is there a restocking fee? Okay, good.
Host: Because I want to see this in real life and I want to see if I like it. Look at it, I don't like it. Or hey, I do like it. Whatever. So people come to Jesus, all right, what's a return policy? It's not working. I tried it for a whole week. Jesus Christ is not a product. If it didn't work, it's because you failed, not because he failed, because he's not an it, he's a him, and he'll change you.
Host: I'd be like a person saying, yeah, I tried the whole medicine thing, it didn't work for me. I'm still sick. Wait, what happened? Well, you went down to the doctor. He uh did a diagnosis of your problem, said, you need to take this medication twice a day until it the bottle's done. And I think you'll be better. So you go down, you get your prescription filled, and you never open it, never do anything the doctor said, you get sicker.
Host: Yeah, I tried medicine, it didn't work for me. No, you didn't follow the doctor's directions. Oh, I tried the whole health club thing. I did the whole gym membership. You joined a gym? Yes, I did. Did you ever go to the gym? Oh, yeah. What did you do? Stood around and talked, then went for donuts afterwards? Okay, that no, you that's you. That's on you. Don't say you tried the gym and it didn't work. You didn't do what you were supposed to do.
Host: So, if you really believe in Jesus and you start following Jesus and you repent of your sins, and you start reading the Bible, and you get involved in the church, and you develop a prayer life, your life is going to change. I'm just telling you right now. That's guaranteed.
Host: Don't worry about the return policy. You won't want to return anything. Yes, so believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you'll be saved. So let me close with that. Maybe there's somebody here, and there are people here. It's just weird things preachers say. Maybe there's somebody here. Well, aren't you talking to people? Yes, but I say this. Somebody here. Right.
Host: There probably is someone here who who says, I'm here at church, I I like it here. I I don't fully understand all of this. I do want to change, but I don't know that I'm saved. I mean, I don't have the guaranteed assurance that I I'm going to go to heaven. Well, let's clear that up. Because I'm telling you, you can walk out of here today knowing beyond the shadow of a doubt your sin is forgiven and you're going to heaven one day.
Host: What does Jesus say? He says, for God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son. Whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Believe in him. And how do you do that? What the jailer do? He he just believed right there. I believe. And all right. Let's go for it. Let's baptize you guys. This is amazing. How long did that take him to do? It doesn't say, in a month pass. No, it was immediate. And that's how quickly God will save you and forgive you of your sin.
Host: Let me give you an opportunity in closing to get right with God and be saved and know that you'll go to heaven one day, and be ready for the Lord's return. Let's make sure you're right with God. Let's pray. Father, I pray for any person here now, if they don't know you, I pray at this very moment your Holy Spirit will work in their hearts and bring those that are not saved to you, to be saved, to be forgiven, to be made right with God. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Guest (Male): Pastor Greg Laurie, with an important closing prayer. And if you'd like to make a change in your relationship with the Lord, Pastor Greg will help you do that in just a moment before today's edition of a new beginning concludes. Are you receiving Pastor Greg's daily devotions each day via email? If not, let's take care of that right now. You can sign up today, free of charge at harvest.org. And you'll receive a daily inspirational thought from God's word each day in your inbox. Again, go to harvest.org.
Guest (Male): And then Pastor Greg, just before we go, would you mind praying with the person listening who wants to make a change today in their relationship with the Lord?
Host: I'd be happy to, Dave. You know, as you've been listening to this today, maybe you've heard another voice. By that I mean, yeah, you heard me say a few things, but you heard God's voice speak to you. Deep in the recesses of your heart. And it suddenly dawned on you, this is what I need. Or to state it more accurately, this is who I need. I need Jesus and I want Jesus. But maybe you don't know how to make that connection. Let me help you.
Host: God is only a prayer away. He stands at the door of your heart and he knocks. And Jesus says, if you'll hear his voice and open the door, he'll come in. Let me help you open the door so to speak, of your heart as you invite Jesus to be your savior and Lord. So, here's what I would like you to do. I'd like you to stop what you're doing and I want you to pray a prayer after me. I'll lead you in this prayer. And as you pray it, God will hear you.
Host: Pray this after me right now if you want Jesus Christ to come into your life. Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I am sorry for my sin, and I need your forgiveness right now. Would you come into my heart and my life as savior, as God, as friend? I choose to follow you from this moment forward. Thank you for calling me and accepting me and forgiving me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Host: I know that was a relatively short prayer. Maybe you felt something as you prayed it, maybe you felt nothing. That doesn't really matter. Because God's word says, these things we write to you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. It doesn't say, so you may think you have it or you may hope you have it if God's in a good mood. No, that you can know it. And I want you to know, if you prayed that prayer a minute, Jesus Christ, the Son of God has come into your life. So congratulations.
Host: You're now a Christian. Now continue to follow the Lord.
Guest (Male): Yeah, and to help you as you follow the Lord, we'd like to send you one of the most valuable resources you could have as someone just beginning to walk with the Lord. It's Pastor Greg's new believers Bible. There are scores of study helps that'll answer many of the questions you might have, and get you started in your new relationship with the Lord. So get in touch and ask for it. We'll send it free of charge. Just call us at 1-800-821-3300. That's our 24-hour phone number, 1-800-821-3300. Or write a new beginning box 4000, Riverside, California, 92514. Or go online to harvest.org and click, No God.
Guest (Male): And Pastor, we're so thankful for the work God is doing through this ministry. We're touching lives for eternity. And we're really thankful for our friends who see the fruit of this ministry and invest so this work can reach even further, isn't that right?
Host: Absolutely. When you invest in Harvest Ministries, you're investing in the souls of men and women, boys and girls. And what is the value of a soul? Well, let me personalize it. What's the value of your soul? What's the value of the soul of your husband, your wife, your son, or your daughter? Or your mom or your dad? Or your best friend? Well, I would say you probably couldn't put a price tag on it. It's so valuable.
Host: Well, listen, God says all souls are mine. God loves us and sent his son to die on the cross to pay the price for all of our sins so we could be forgiven and come into a relationship with him. I can't think of a better investment of my resources, of my money than in the work of the kingdom of God. So we would ask you to prayerfully consider investing in Harvest Ministries as we continue on to fulfill the great commission.
Guest (Male): Yeah, that's right. And you can make your donation right now at harvest.org. Or write us at a new beginning box 4000, Riverside, California, 92514. Or call 1-800-821-3300. That's our 24/7 phone number, 1-800-821-3300. Well, next time, Pastor Greg brings us great encouragement on the challenge of reaching out with the gospel to a culture that's lost its way. Join us here on a new beginning with Pastor and Bible teacher Greg Laurie.