Sept. 14 Virtual Worship
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Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Scripture Lesson
Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025
Scripture Reading: Acts 16:25-34
Sermon: Life in the Spirit, Breaking Free
Acts 16:25-34
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. He brought them up into the house and set food before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.
Key Idea of the Sermon
This is not he first time in the Acts of the Apostles that disciples have faced arrest from the ruling authorities, and yet were set free (see 4:1-22, 5:17-21, 12:1-17). In this case, Paul and Silas are in Philippi, where they have brought healing to a slave girl who had a spirit of divination. The girl’s owners made a living by using her for fortune telling. When Paul and Silas set her free by the Spirit of Christ, her owners lost their source of revenue. Enraged by this loss of income they riled-up the locals and local authorities against Paul and Silas, who were beaten and arrested. Today’s passage not only tells the story of the apostles’ freedom but holds the promise for our freedom too.
Questions for Reflection
• What imprisons you and prevents you from living a faithful, purposeful, and meaningful life? Did you know that Christ is a liberator? How have you experienced Christ’s liberation in the past?
• Though sore and weakened from a beating and uncomfortable in a dark prison cell with their feet in stocks, Paul and Silas kept hope alive by praying and singing hymns? How does prayer and worship nurture your trust in Christ’s liberation for you?
• Salvation and deliverance are interchangeable words in the Bible. They are terms related to the way grace sets us free from whatever stands between you and the life of true contentment through compassionate connection God intends for you and all creation. What do you need to be saved/delivered from and for?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
TBegin each day of the new week asking for Christ’s liberating power to be at work. Seek the wisdom and courage to take determined and purposeful steps in that direction.
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com
