I gave homework to think about 'free will' (which only Bon did - well done, Bon!)
A common concept of free will is that we have the power to choose in any way we please, independent of prior events or inclinations. This would be 'libertarian' free will. It is said, then, that if our choices are guided, then we could not be held responsible for them. There would be incompatibility between the soverignty of God and the 'free will' of man, and God is held to have abdicated soverignty to man to enable meaningful choices to love and follow Him. Similarly, because of the Fall, the world is 'broken', and God likewias abdicates responsibilty for the presence of evil.
On the other hand, Scipture rejects libertarian free will. We have moral responsibility for our choices, yet God remains sovereign over them. He balances these 2 things with absolute justice in a mysterious way (Acts 2:42)
6.
Bloody and battered in the stocks of a lightless prison, Paul and Silas
spent the night “praying and singing hymns to God” (16:23-25). Why do
you think they did this? (For instance, what attitudes toward self, God,
circumstances, the other prisoners, or the jailer do these actions
show?)
Physical discomfort was not their main concern.
God was their whole focus.
Suffering was expected.
They had been 'counted worthy' to suffer for Christ (cf. 5:41, also 1 Pet 4:4 "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.")
They neither blamed God nor the jailer. They knew they were testifying to their Lord to the others.
7. How did Paul and Silas deal with Roman officials in Philippi (see 16:35-39)?
With dignity, according to the local law. He chose the best time to assert his rights. They understood that these civil officials, like them, were under the overarching authority of a higher system.
8. Why do you think they didn’t just leave submissively? What principles for dealing with authority do their actions suggest?
They established a good reputation for the gospel and for Philippian Christians.
Act
as those under the same authority if that furthers the cause of the
gospel. There should not be unnecssary risk-taking or troublemaking.
b. Why did the Jews find the idea of a killed and raised Christ so repugnant?
It
did not fit their mental image of a conquering Messiah. Besides, Christ
had been crucified (5:30, 10:39), and was therefore cursed.
So 3 life lessons from today's passage
1. Watch where praise and testimony comes from: people may have different agendas from the gospel. Only God's 'likes' count.
2. God uses our worship in the darkest moments of our lives to point others to Him, especially if our suffering is for the sake of the gospel
3. Exercise our rights with discrimination: use them to uphold the gospel, but beware of constantly upholding our personal rights.
"household"(10:47, 48; 11:14, 16:31–33; cf. 1 Cor. 1:16) Is not taken as an absolute promise, since we cannot make saving choices for others, but as an indication that our withness and prayers 'make holy' (1 Cor 7:14) our unbelieving family members and predispose them to being saved.
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