ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON OUTLINES
In The Midst Of Our Darkest Night
Text: Acts 16:25-34 IBCSWS June 24, 2007
Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar
Life’s darkest night surprisingly reveals the hopeful and the hopeless. People living by sight have the tendency to be defeated when their darkest night comes, but those who are living by faith will surely enjoy the working of the Holy Ghost in their lives because they believe that the grace of God is always sufficient for them to live by.
Life-squeezing moments could drain a person physically, emotionally and mentally. It could also weaken his spiritual life the moment he neglects to cling to God’s Word and His promises. Even Christians who seem to be strong may question God’s way when life’s situation becomes heavy and unbearable.
Life-squeezing moments are permitted by God to come on our way for a purpose. In the midst of our darkest night, God is teaching us wisdom so we may not live in foolishness but glorify Him in a significant way. We must keep in mind that during difficult times, God could open our eyes of understanding so we may realize His perfect will for our lives. (see Psalm 138:7-8)
Loving God with all our heart keeps us calm in times of trouble. We have the confidence that extraordinary blessings from God are being conveyed to us not only during our well-loved moments, but during our uncomfortable moments as well.
Mindfulness of the blessed will of God during our darkest night will surely cheer us up to keep on trusting the Lord because we believe that behind our sufferings, the perfect will of God is being fulfilled. In Romans 8:28, it is written, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (KJV)
An in-depth study on the Bible account of Paul and Silas’ imprisonment in Philippi offers us a wider understanding concerning the believer’s privilege to shine for the Lord Jesus Christ even in our darkest night.
(I) We Must Keep On Shining For Christ
Acts 16:25-28
-Retain good composure
-Keep on praying
-Keep on praising God
Paul and Silas are classic examples of men of excellent composure and we are sure that what they did for the Lord was purposely recorded for us to learn and appreciate. In Acts 16:25, it is written, And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. (KJV) What a godly testimony Paul and Silas displayed during their imprisonment.
A lot of times, professing believers avoid God-glorifying activities and are indifferent toward Christian service because they let their problems hinder their spiritual advancement. As a result, they miss the true solution to their problem and their lives become messy.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the solution to man’s problem and without Him we cannot do anything. During our darkest night, it is always best to keep our mind focused on God. We must stay composed, prayerful and appreciative of God’s working, and surely, God will keep us shining so we may become guiding light to the hopeless people in the dark.
(II) We Must Keep On Leading Others To The Savior
Acts 16:29-34
-Care for the lost
-Share the Gospel
-Minister to the believers
Setting aside one’s Christian duty is always apparent during believers’ defining moments. How sad, but true, that many believers lost their excitement in caring for the lost, sharing the Gospel and ministering to the new believers because they let their darkest night rob their opportunity to lead others to the Savior.
Paul and Silas became channels of truth and blessing to the prisoners and the keeper of the prison and his family because they continued to do what is right despite their difficult situation and God used them heroically. We should not let hard circumstances of life hinder our opportunity to shine for the glory of God.
The best opportunities in life are given to believers and the highest level of service is given for Christians to enjoy. Serving the Lord Jesus Christ should not be counted as a burdensome task, but as a great honor and special privilege for Christians to carry on.
From time to time, God permits the heavy hands of afflictions to squeeze us not to destroy our lives, but to bring the best out of us. God wants us to serve Him not only in an ordinary way, but even in a heroic way so His Name will be glorified. Paul and Silas were used by God and the result was unbelievable because they trusted Him and they let Him show His power through their lives.
Whatever situation of life we are in today, we must keep on shining for Christ till He comes. Keep on serving the Lord and He will take care of you. Serve Him faithfully and many will be blest.
ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH
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