Our Impact/The Impact of Paul and Silas

This week’s devotional is about our impact. Specifically what kind of impact are we having for the Lord? Do we even have an impact? It doesn’t take much to make an impact. Even a little act of kindness can open a window of opportunity to talk about the Lord. Take the account of the Philippian jailer for instance:

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. (Acts 16.25-27)

What surprises you about this passage? Let me tell you what surprises me. I’m surprised by the fact that these men, Paul and Silas, were in jail and what were they doing? Not feeling sorry for themselves, not crying uncontrollably (like I’m sure I would do), but rather they were “praying and singing hymns to God” (16.25). Put yourself in their situation. These men didn’t see imprisonment as a hindrance to their telling others about God, but rather a perfect area in which to do so. We see at the end of verse 25 that the “prisoners were listening to them”. Did Paul and Silas’ singing and praying have an impact on them? Sure it did, look:

But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." (Acts 16.28)

What does the end of that verse say? “Do not harm yourself, for we are ALL here.” It appears to me, and maybe I’m wrong, that the prisoners were so impacted by the actions of Paul and Silas that they didn’t escape when they had the chance (or perhaps they were knocked out by the earthquake, haha). Paul and Silas not only had an impact on these other prisoners but also on the jailer, look:

 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 

Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. (Acts 16.29-34)

We see that Paul and Silas impacted the jailer so much that the jailer believed and “was baptized”. This is quite an example for us. Is our impact anything like theirs? If not, why not? This week I want you to look at yourself and see what kind of impact you’re making on your peers. Does it hurt the gospel, or further it?

- Jack Dodgen (All passages are from the ESV, unless otherwise noted)

"Do your friends know?"

“Do your friends know?”

A buddy of mine yesterday in class saw the background that I have on my computer screen. This background is a picture of my brother Jeff, my buddy Logan, and I. This picture is of “Stained Gray” (our band) playing at the 3^rd of July party at our house. When he saw it he immediately said to me “Wow, I didn’t know that you played drums!” This makes complete sense to me…why, you ask? Because I haven’t ever given him an inclination that I played the drums. You wouldn’t be able to tell just from looking at me that I am a drummer. Now this got me to thinking (yes, I do think from time to time), would you be able to tell that I’m a Christian, just by looking at me?

If you apply that question to yourself, you may sadly already know what the answer is. Back in my middle school days I wasn’t the best of kids. I didn’t bully kids around or things like that, but I did have a problem controlling my tongue. I used to say cuss words like it was no one’s business, and I didn’t have a problem with it because well…everyone was doin’ it! The question was brought up though one time at a lunch table of my fellow peers, that question was: “What religion are you?” My response of Christian was one that garnered a look of surprise. They didn’t really believe it because after all the example I was setting with my speech wasn’t one that a Christian should. 1 Tim. 4.12 says this:

^12(A) Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers^(B) an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (ESV)

Guys, I wasn’t setting that example. I was falling short and showing others that cussing if you’re a Christian is totally fine, but we know this not to be the case. Guys, I didn’t tell you this story to tell you that I’m a much, much Christian now (I have matured in that area, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still have my problems in other areas), I write this to tell you that you ought to pay attention to the example that you are setting. I would like for you this week to really take a look at your life and see what kind of example you are setting at work, school, the grocery store, or wherever else you may be. Leave no doubts in people’s minds about whether you are a Christian or not! 

¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (2 Tim. 4.16, NIV)

-Jack Dodgen