Our Jailbreak Moment

Sermon Title: Jailbreak Moment

Text: Acts 16:23–26

“After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly, there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.”

Those who preach know there is nothing sweeter than when God confirms, “This is the word you should preach.”

Background

During Brigade Week, we looked at Paul and Silas’ story.
In Acts 16, Paul was on his second missionary journey, coming from the Jerusalem Council (as Pastor Muchina has previously preached during the Galatians series).
Acts 15 and 16 describe the Jerusalem Council, which was organized to solve the issue of circumcision once and for all. When you believe, you believe — the issue of circumcision is over.

During intercession, the lead said, “God, release us from the chains that have bound us.”
This is our jailbreak moment — when earthquakes come and break the chains.

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What Do We Need for This to Happen?

The jailer was not asked to chain them up; he had only been told to watch them. Yet he not only tied them down but took them to an enclosed room.

What room have you enclosed yourself in? Where have you tied yourself down — or tied others down?

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1. Which Spirit Will You Listen To?

As Paul went on his second missionary journey (Acts 15 onward), where he ended up was not where he intended to go.
In chapter 16, when they were about to start the journey, the Holy Spirit told them, “That is not the place — don’t go there.”
Where they ended up was their fourth choice.

When the Holy Spirit tells you where to go, will you listen?

Paul agreed to go where God was instructing him, even though he had wanted to go where he would be more comfortable and better received — places where he had founded churches. But the Holy Spirit told him, “That is not the place. I will send you elsewhere.”
Paul listened to the word of God.

The people who were with him on the first missionary journey did not attend this one.

Who are you following?

How uncomfortable are you with being comfortable?

You joined the church and got comfortable — even when someone sits in your seat, you ask them to move because you don’t want to be uncomfortable.
In the work of God, when you become comfortable with where you are, you prevent God from using you.

If I called you today and asked you to preach tomorrow, you would most likely say you are not prepared. But it is God who prepares someone.
You are comfortable because you don’t want to be disturbed — but when you are asked to do something, you start giving excuses.

Are you uncomfortable with being comfortable?

For example, the choir has four voices. Can a bass singer sing soprano? The answer is no. These gifts come from God.
Our giftings are different, but we are all equipped by the same Spirit.
If God can equip us all, there is nothing we cannot do.

Which spirit are you listening to?
Do you listen to the spirit of fear, or to your friends — or to the Spirit of God?

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2. Who or What Do You Serve?

The girl who caused Paul and Silas to be arrested was serving her masters, as she was their source of income.
When the evil spirit was cast out of her, her jailbreak moment happened — she received instant freedom.
Paul did it because he was annoyed.

This girl was not speaking negatively; in fact, she said, “These men are servants of the Most High God.” But not everyone who praises you wants you to succeed.

It’s good to know that you are a child of God, called by God — even the devil knows you.
You who have been called by God — even the enemy knows you and can testify about you.

Paul and Silas were not arrested for preaching the word of God. They had already preached until Lydia got saved (Acts 16).
They were arrested because the masters of the girl lost their source of income when the evil spirit was cast out.
The same people who beat Paul and Silas were the ones who had been paying for prophecy from the girl.

When God grants you freedom, accept the freedom — break free!

Paul and Silas were accused of being Jews and of advocating new customs.
Paul was a Jew but was preaching as a Christian — they were preaching against man-made customs.

When we break free from the labels people give us, we begin to learn who or what we truly serve.
At times, we serve earthly things, and they end up defining us.

Guild Motto 2024: “Who I am is who I serve.”

Who do you serve?
If you serve money, that’s who you are.
If you serve people, that’s who you are.
If you serve God, that’s who you are.

Sometimes in church, this is what happens:
Elder William confessed he doesn’t talk to a fellow elder. As William’s friend, I stop talking to that elder too. That means I’m serving William — I am William.

Who I am is who I serve.
May God help us to stop carrying unnecessary burdens from others.

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3. Expect Ripple Effects in Your Jailbreak Moment

All the cell doors opened.
God knew exactly where Paul and Silas were, yet He opened all the doors.

When God moves for you, it also opens doors for others.

When the doors opened, would you have stayed like Paul and Silas did?
Remember, they had been whipped, jailed, and bound with chains. Most of us would have run out.

But Paul knew, through the Holy Spirit, that if they left, the jailer would be in trouble.
The story ends with the jailer finding salvation because of Paul’s obedience and trust.

They believed that if the Lord had set them free, He had the power to do it again.
That’s the ripple effect of trusting God — He comes when you least expect it.

Claim your identity and authority!

When you want your jailbreak moment to come, claim your identity.
Who you are is who you serve.

When Paul was released, he claimed his Roman citizenship — a right he had through his father.
When he did this, the people who had imprisoned him became fearful.
They apologized and escorted him out.

If you claim, “I am a child of the Most High God,” you too will be escorted out — and even receive an apology.

When Paul approached this ruler, he used his authority, given by the Jerusalem Council, to tell him that he and his household would be baptized and become Christians. Immediately, the jailer and his entire household were baptized.

This kingdom is not only for us but also for our children.
During baptism, listen carefully to the vows — they carry great weight. One question asked is: “Will you be faithful to raise this child in the ways of God?”
If your child has been baptized, they belong to the Kingdom of God.

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4. Keep Doing What You Were Doing for God to Show Up in the Jail You Are In

Paul and Silas were not arrested while preaching — they were on their way to prayer.
Acts 16:16 says, “It happened, as they went to prayer…”

Even in jail, they continued to pray and praise God.

Do not let life’s interruptions stop you from doing what God has called you to do.
They continued to pray despite their situation.

At times, the interruptions in our lives cause us to stop doing what God wants us to do.

As they prayed, I remembered what we were told: #GetYourOwnFire.

When you are in the jail of life — people, circumstances, or struggles — get your own fire!
Paul didn’t wait for others to come pray for him. They got on their knees.

Where is your fire today — to break you out of your own jail or the one others have placed you in?

Matthew 6:6 says, “When you pray, go into your room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is unseen; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Paul was praying in secret, but the Father who saw him rewarded him openly.

As we receive communion, I don’t know what jail you are in, but there is freedom in the God who breaks every chain — the God whom we serve.

Act like a son and daughter of the Most High God.

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