When distress finds you, find comfort in Him who abundantly blesses His unworthy people.

Introduction

If you’ve ever raised chickens, you know how small and how vulnerable those little yellow chicks are. And if they are left with their mother, you get to see that the most comforting thing a little chick can find is the shelter of its mother’s wings. When the hen and her chicks are caught out in the rain, the little chicks all gather under her wing for shelter. Every night when the cold creeps in upon them, the chicks snuggle into their mother’s warmth under the shelter of her wings. And if a predator ever tries to attack these chicks, the hen will give her life defending them as she uses her wings to keep the chicks safely behind her. Today we will see how Ruth is comforted by Boaz as she comes under the wings of Yahweh.

Naomi is a child of God who has turned from Yahweh to seek physical comfort in Moab.  Ruth is a child of God who turns from physical comfort in Moab to cling to Yahweh.  They contrast and teach us something about how God works to save and to sanctify. And we also see the work of God in His response to Naomi's accusations.

This sermon is on the text in Acts where the Philippian Jailer and his family are saved. Paul and Silas are beaten and tossed in jail, but they express prayer and praise during this time, which is used by Jesus to witness to His being our only Hope.

Proposition: Confidence in the Hope of Glory leads to joy in suffering.

Here is the outline:

Subject: How is Christ displayed as the exalted, almighty Savior through the suffering of Paul and Silas?

Complement: He uses Satan’s attacks against him as He saves the Philippian jailer.

Exegetical Idea: Christ is displayed as the exalted, almighty Savior through the suffering of Paul and Silas by using Satan’s attacks against him as He saves the Philippian jailer.

Homiletical Idea: King Jesus leads His people into eternal glory, think about that when you suffer.

Proposition: Confidence in the Hope of Glory leads to joy in suffering.

[This outline is detailed for your benefit, but I may stray from it a bit in the sub-points as I further prepare. I will also be preaching with no notes.]

INTRODUCTION

I. As Satan attacks the first time, Jesus vindicates the message of Paul and Silas.

A. Satan attacks the credibility of the message of Christ.

i. By using a similar message from an evil spirit that was only half-true.

ii. By aligning his messenger with the messengers of Christ.

B. Jesus uses the message to show He is the true Most High God.

i. Paul casts the spirit out in the name of Jesus Christ.

(Transition: But Satan is not done with his attack.)

II. Paul and Silas suffer in prison as Satan strikes again.

A. He uses the slave owners to stir up the crowd.

B. The magistrates bend to the will of the crowd.

C. Paul and Silas are humiliated and beaten.

D. Paul and Silas are securely locked away.

(Transition: Things have gotten progressively worse for Paul and Silas, but we know that through suffering Christ is exalted. So how will He bring glory to Himself in this situation?)

III. Jesus is exalted as the Mighty Savior in Philippi.

A. Christ’s servants demonstrate His sure salvation and His enemies’ destruction by their joy in suffering.

B. Jesus uses Satan’s attack against him to save a jailer with an upside-down prison break.

i. Jesus shakes the earth as He frees the prisoners to stay on their own accord.

ii. The jailer is brought to the end of himself in the fear of God.

iii. The jailer finds salvation with his household through the gospel of Christ.

C. Jesus demonstrates His saving power by the changed nature of the Jailer.

i. The jailer cares for Paul and Silas by washing their wounds.

ii. The jailer brings Paul and Silas into his home for a meal.

iii. The jailer rejoices with his household that he had believed in God.

D. Jesus vindicates His witnesses as the magistrates are made to recant their condemnation.

i. Paul calls them out in their illegal treatment.

ii.  The magistrates are made to personally come to escort Paul and Silas out of prison.

E. Paul and Silas encourage the believers in Philippi before departing.

CONCLUSION: