Today and Forever Read Acts 16:16-34 Today is the first day of the rest of our lives Some event may affect us for the rest of our lives. Can you think of a single event where your life was changed forever?

Woman was a slave girl Her weakness was exploited by others She was a nuisance to Paul She followed him wherever he went, screaming as he spoke “Most High God” was the pagan name for the Jew’s God More than his nerves could bear, so he rebuked the evil spirit in her Verse 18 most common formula for exorcism Not done to show God’s power No pity for her No concern for her spiritual welfare

Shortly before this, Claudius had expelled all Jews from Rome Hostility toward Jews all over empire Judaism was a licensed religion but could not actively proselytize Christianity considered a cult, not licensed, and teaching was forbidden

Paul and Silas thrown into jail Gentiles, Timothy and Luke were not Nothing mentioned about the girl Blacklisted as Jews, branded as agitators Spreading illegal Jewish propaganda Main problem was that he had cost slave owner revenue

If you were beaten, falsely accused and thrown into jail would you still feel God called you to minister in this place? Girl’s owners rejected the gospel because it cost them financially, does that still happen today?

Jailer paid with his person for any prisoner who escaped Perhaps a centurion, some MSS name him Stephanas Jail not a pretty place to work, but a responsible position Probably hardened by life

Put Paul and Silas in most secure place, underground inner dungeon, with feet in stocks attached to the wall Men began singing and praising God Earthquake not uncommon for that region Jailer goes to kill himself rather than face trial and execution But none had escaped “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

If someone asked you that question, how would you respond? What does this question mean? How do I save my reputation? How do I escape the consequences? Is he hungry for eternal life? Does he just want to save his physical life?

Different people react differently to disasters Paul has an untroubled confidence even though in jail Spent the night singing and praising God Jailer’s prospects for future were in serious danger How do you react to bad news, crisis or disaster?

The jailer probably saw this in terms of the physical, call it Today street Crisis sometimes opens the door to witness Opened up an opportunity for Paul to talk to him in terms of the spiritual, call itForever Street Secular people do not think in these terms

Sometimes when things are going badly, we say “What am I going to do next?” Sometimes when things are going good, we say, “Is this all there is to life?” Eternity not just in the future, but affects our quality of life today Belief in Jesus means an intellectual assent to His principles and a surrender to God’s will Place or trust in what he says as true

Steps after an initial commitment to Christ 1. Join a Christian church, must be a part of the community, can live a good life outside the community, but not necessarily a Christian life 2.Learn fundamental principles underlying Christian belief and behavior. Manyearly Christians are illiterate or have only kindergarten knowledge 3. Do daily spiritual exercises (Bible and prayer) 4. Take part in some specific Christian activity, cannot be Christian in isolation from the needs of humanity How many of these steps do you follow?

In your daily life do you spend more time worrying and thinking TODAY or are your more concerned with FOREVER?