Acts 15:35-41 Paul splits with Barnabas and takes Silas.
Acts 16:1-5 Timothy joins Paul and Silas.
Acts 16:6-10 Traveling across Turkey
Acts 16:11-15 Lydia, the first convert in Europe
Acts 16:16-24 From harassment to mob violence to prison
Acts 16:25-34 The Philippian jailor and his family
Acts 16:35-40 Begged to leave the city
Three Lessons for Us
1. Perseverance: Paul traveled hundreds of miles on foot with absolutely no success. Still, he didn’t quit; he pressed on until God opened the door to speak. We can’t allow past failures, scarcity of opportunities, or fears of rejection to push us around.
2. Accommodation: Timothy voluntarily underwent circumcision in full knowledge that it was not necessary for salvation simply so he could be a more effective witness. We can’t let discomfort or inconvenience or even or own personal rights stand above our commitment to reach out to people.
3. Trust: Paul trusted Christ’s direction to avoid Asia and Bithynia. Even in his deepest, darkest moments in the inner prison, his back bloody from a fresh beating, he kept on trusting God. Rather than waiting for God to give us the whole plan, let’s get moving and trust Him to steer us along the way.
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