Acts 16:27-28. “And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.’” AWAKING OUT OF SLEEP. An unusual event in an unusual place God’s mighty power over creation and sin A door to the Gospel opened, then prison doors opened A man’s conscience awakened, then his mind and heart opened – All that one might believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!
Fear, falling stones, breaking rocks – serious abnormal activity Foundations shaking, walls shaking, knees shaking, men quaking Chains loosed from walls and bands fall off from hands and feet A sword pulled from its sheath, a man next door to death – All that one might believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!
Singing saints – then and now, don’t realize the power of a song Praying people – then and now who really believe God answers prayer The word of God – then and now in the heart and on the lips of ready men Voices ready to speak for God – then and now, at a moments notice – All that one might believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!
It worked just the same – then and now: the songs, the prayers and the Word Conviction of sin – then and now, is followed by an anxious question Confident words – then and now, from those who know God and what He can do Glorious results – then and now, when one receives the word – salvation – All that one might believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!
“O God, may I never limit, even in my mind, the way I believe Thou dost work to bring about the salvation of a soul. The melodic sounds of a hymn or spiritual song even from a child has a unique power. Prayers from the lips of a saint in touch with Thee, can certainly reach the conscience of an unseen listener. The scripture read in a clear voice – all of these have great power in themselves, how much more when in concert with each other and focused on one person. Remember the ones attending these meetings, O God, and may they recognize Thou art speaking to them in these ways. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”