"HOW IT ALL GOT STARTED"--Philippians 4:15; Acts 16:1-18

INTRODUCTION: Many churches of today have come into being because of church splits, people could not get along with one another. But this was not how the church at Philippi started.

Before examining this thought let us look at three things that were important to the Philippian church:

1. Identity: (vs.15,33)

2. Charity: (vs.33-34)

3. Family: (vs.15,33-34)

Let us look how the church of Philippi got started: The

truths found here, not only are important for the starting of a church!

I. THE (VOICE) SPIRIT CONTROLLING--(vs.6-8)

Sometimes the Spirit Restrains before He Constrains!

Sometimes the Spirit says No before He says Go!

Sometimes we are Forbidden of the Spirit before we are Bidden by the Spirit.

Sometimes the Holy Ghost Prevents our going before He Prevails upon us to go!

Paul and Silas were:

A. Sensitive to the Holy Ghost:

B. Surrendered to the Holy Ghost:.

C. Sweet Toward the Holy Ghost:

II. THE (VISION) OF THE SINNER CRYING

III. THE (VIRTUE) OF THE SALVATION CONVERTING

The word "convert" means to become changed in character, to alter, to transform. Here we find Salvation Converting:

A. Sinners: Here we find three different sinners who are transformed, who turn from a sinful life to a righteous life! First we have Salvation Converting a:

1. Cultured Sinner: (vs.13-15)

a.       Salvation Incredible

b.       Salvation Initiated: (vs.14)

c.       Salvation Influencing: (vs.15)

2. Captive Sinner: (vs.16-18)

a. She is a Sinner Chained:

b. She is a Sinner Changed:

(1). Thru the Intervention of the Saving Gospel: (vs.18)

(2). Revelation of Sinful Greed(vs.19- 23)

3. Callused Sinner: (vs.23-34)

a. The Jailor Awakened to Salvation: Thru:

(1). Practice of Godliness: (Testimony)

(2). Power of God: (Tremor)

b. The Jailor Appealing for Salvation: vs.27-32

c. The Jailer Applying Salvation: vs.33-34

B. Situations: What should have been their defeat, God changed to victory. What should have been their downfall, God changed to their uplifting. What should have been sorrow for Paul and Silas, God made joy for them.

Note five truths manifested thru this experience:

1. The Prayer and Praise to God is Rendered:

2. The Promise of God is Reliable: (Mat.18:19-20)

3. The Power of God is Revealed:

4. The Purpose of God is Realized: The salvation of the jailer. Here is the "man of Macedonia."

5. The Perseverance for God is Rewarding: They were in PAIN yet they did not COMPLAIN; they were in the COLD yet they did not FOLD; they were SORE yet they BORE; they were in the NIGHT yet they did not lose SIGHT; they were BLEEDING yet they were not SUCCEEDING; they were CHAINED yet they MAINTAINED.