HOW TO LIVE TODAY

Philippians 3:13-14

(Pastor Mike Walls)

Introduction: The book of Philippians is one of the most practical books of the New Testament.  It is also the Psalms of the New Testament.  It has its key words “rejoice” or “joy”.  Whenever I read this book, I remember that Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians believers from a jail cell.  It is a remarkable truth that the church in Philippi had its start from a jail cell.  In Acts chapter sixteen, Paul and his traveling companion Silas are beaten and put in the innermost part of the jail.

  At midnight Paul and Silas are praying and singing praises to the Lord when the Lord shook the very foundation of the jail.  I wonder what they were singing.  It could be Psalm 118.  “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

  All the doors are open.  The jailer knew that he would have to serve the sentences of any escaped convict.  

  There are several true miracles in this place.  First, there are no reported injuries from the earthquake.  Even though it is not said either way, this earthquake seems to be center on the jail.  Secondly, there are no escaped convicts.  .  If you opened the doors to the Johnston county Jail, you better get out of the way, there is going to be a stampede.  He prepares to commit suicide.  He hears that all is there.  Thirdly, how did Paul know that the jailer was about to commit suicide?  There is only one logical Biblical answer.  The Lord told him.

  What happens next is Bible history.  This man asks that question that many have asked countless times since that day.  “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  Of course Paul did not miss a beat when he replied, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”  What a difference that moment made in that man’s life.  Maybe he sung a song similar to one we sing.

THANKS TO CALVARY

1. Today I went back to the place where I used to go;
Today I saw the same old crowd I knew before.
When they asked me what had happened, I tried to tell them,

 "Thanks to Calv'ry I don't come here anymore."

CHORUS:

Thanks to Calv'ry I am not the man I used to be,
Thanks to Calv'ry things are different than before.
While the tears ran down my face, I tried to tell them,
"Thanks to Calv'ry I don't come here anymore."

2. And then we went back to the house where we used to live,

My little boy ran and hid behind the door;
I said, "Son, never fear you've got a new Daddy,
Thanks to Calv'ry we don't live here anymore."

  The only true way to see changes in a home is have Jesus Christ come into the hearts of the parents when the children are young. Click Here to Read On!