1 00:00:01,320 --> 00:00:05,520 Speaker 1: She was a tool used for divination in dark arts. 2 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: Just a girl, but possessed by something sinister. Her demonic 3 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 1: lips produced prophecies for wicked men. This slave girl from 4 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:23,239 Speaker 1: Philippi was passed from noble to noble, channeling the darkness 5 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 1: within her for the profit of selfish men. None cared 6 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:32,120 Speaker 1: for her soul. None looked into the pain reflected in 7 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:42,720 Speaker 1: her dark, chaotic gaze. She needed deliverance, She needed Jesus. 8 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:52,760 Speaker 2: There is not a person on this planet who doesn't 9 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:58,640 Speaker 2: suffer in some way. Trials are inevitable. Life will punch 10 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 2: you right in the mouth. The question is how will 11 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:07,200 Speaker 2: you fight back when it matters most. I am Michael Chandler, 12 00:01:07,520 --> 00:01:08,920 Speaker 2: and this is Heroes in the Bible. 13 00:01:09,440 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 3: Paul. 14 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 1: Dawn light spread over the brilliant city of Philippi. The 15 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:23,040 Speaker 1: river moved quietly, catching early light beneath the distant rise 16 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:28,800 Speaker 1: of marble Colonnades. There, Paul and Silas walked the river 17 00:01:28,880 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 1: bank among gathered believers, praying the morning air was cool. 18 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:37,199 Speaker 1: Carrying the whispered prayers. 19 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 2: Of the saints. 20 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 1: Paul turned his face toward the light. I shut grateful 21 00:01:44,160 --> 00:01:46,840 Speaker 1: for all the fruitful ministry that had been taking place 22 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:49,680 Speaker 1: in the blooming and blossoming city of Philippi. 23 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:59,200 Speaker 4: Out, Father who art in heaven, Hallood be thy name, 24 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:02,320 Speaker 4: thy Kingdom. 25 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:02,560 Speaker 3: Come. 26 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 4: Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. 27 00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:17,639 Speaker 4: Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us 28 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:26,320 Speaker 4: our trespasses, as we forgive those will trespass against us. 29 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:33,600 Speaker 4: Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 30 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 1: The peace was torn by a foul shriek. Paul flinched 31 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 1: and turned toward a stone wall, where a shrill, thin 32 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:46,040 Speaker 1: laughter echoed from the shadows. 33 00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:52,280 Speaker 3: Servants of the Most High God, they proclaim their way 34 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:53,240 Speaker 3: of salvation. 35 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:58,200 Speaker 1: A slave girl peered around the stone corner, fashion skin, 36 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:02,440 Speaker 1: hollow eyes, movements stiff and unnatural. 37 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:06,359 Speaker 2: Look everyone, look how they serve the son of the 38 00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 2: Living God. 39 00:03:08,720 --> 00:03:12,400 Speaker 1: Her mouth spoke truth, but there was a mocking in them. 40 00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:17,640 Speaker 1: Paul felt chills climb up his spine. This girl meant trouble. 41 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 1: Paul and Silas moved through the crowded streets of Philippi, 42 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:27,360 Speaker 1: trying to minister and preach the Gospel of Jesus, but 43 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:30,919 Speaker 1: the demon possessed girl trailed them like a shadow. 44 00:03:31,919 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 3: Listen, everyone, this has come from God. 45 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:41,760 Speaker 1: She was incessant, a drip of mock praise and proclamation. 46 00:03:42,680 --> 00:03:45,440 Speaker 1: Each time Silas would kneel to help someone in need, 47 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 1: she was already there, cheering, Oh. 48 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:52,480 Speaker 3: Yes, he is a servant of God. 49 00:03:53,440 --> 00:03:58,040 Speaker 1: Mission to what he says. No matter which corner Paul turned, 50 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 1: she followed, skipping, twitching. The living God people stepped away 51 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:11,680 Speaker 1: from Paul in silence because of her presence. The demon 52 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:15,880 Speaker 1: that possessed this girl was making an assault on their ministry, 53 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:21,200 Speaker 1: and Paul had had enough. The girl's voice rang in 54 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:31,000 Speaker 1: Paul's skull. Enough enough, he stopped. He turned, and he snapped. 55 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:38,320 Speaker 1: The girl froze. Her smile spread slowly and unnaturally, like 56 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:43,200 Speaker 1: something savoring the moment the two faced each other. Still, 57 00:04:44,839 --> 00:04:49,240 Speaker 1: I know who you are, do you now? 58 00:04:51,880 --> 00:04:56,920 Speaker 4: I see how you torture this girl day and night. 59 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:05,360 Speaker 4: In the name of Jesus Christ, Come out of her. 60 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 1: There was a pause, then an absolute reeling. Her body 61 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:16,120 Speaker 1: twisted violently, as if pulled upward by invisible hands. A 62 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:20,479 Speaker 1: tremor rattled in the air. She rose off the ground 63 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 1: and suspended. A thunderous force then slained her back to 64 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 1: her Then silence. Paul rushed to her side, and then 65 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:44,440 Speaker 1: beautifully color returned to the girl's face. Her eyes became clear. 66 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 1: She was finally free. Paul kneeled over her gently. Just 67 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 1: as the girl was pushing herself up, she was violently 68 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:03,080 Speaker 1: seized by waiting men. They dragged her back, disappearing between 69 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:10,600 Speaker 1: the pillars, and Paul's eyes flickered. The name then turned 70 00:06:10,839 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 1: toward in Silas for their clubs rose as they closed in. 71 00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:16,760 Speaker 3: Paul realized what was happening. 72 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:22,479 Speaker 1: This girl's spiritual deliverance was a financial loss for these 73 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:25,920 Speaker 1: wicked men, and Paul was about to pay the price. 74 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:34,960 Speaker 1: Dusk settled over the forum like a tightening fist. A 75 00:06:35,040 --> 00:06:41,960 Speaker 1: crowd gathered quickly, faces hungry for spectacle, for judgment, for blood. 76 00:06:41,960 --> 00:06:45,560 Speaker 1: Paul and Silas were shoved to the ground, arms bound, 77 00:06:45,839 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 1: cheeks pressed against the cold stone above them, the magistrate 78 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 1: of Philippi reclined on the Beama seat, draped in authority 79 00:06:55,839 --> 00:07:01,680 Speaker 1: and boredom. Not far away, Decimus, the city's jailer, stood 80 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:06,480 Speaker 1: half in shadow, watching with the soldier's stillness. The magistrates 81 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 1: spoke plainly. 82 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 3: These Jews have been accused of disrupting the economy of 83 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:18,960 Speaker 3: the city. My understanding is that the girl in question 84 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:25,680 Speaker 3: was being used as a tool for divination. It would 85 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:28,320 Speaker 3: seem you've cost these men quite a great deal of money. 86 00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:30,400 Speaker 1: Paul lifted his head. 87 00:07:31,320 --> 00:07:36,080 Speaker 4: Jesus Christ has come to proclaim liberty to the captives. 88 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:41,360 Speaker 4: I speak to anyone here who has felt bound by 89 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 4: sin and shame, to those who are captive to darkness. 90 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 4: There is salvation for you. You too can be set free. 91 00:07:56,200 --> 00:08:02,440 Speaker 1: Across the square, Decimus shifted. They straight scoffed lips, curling. 92 00:08:03,080 --> 00:08:05,520 Speaker 3: Well, I think we've heard everything we need to hear. 93 00:08:06,480 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 1: To the posts, men surged forward. In a blur of 94 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 1: violence flowed. Paul and Silas's bodies were wrenched against Luppying 95 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 1: lashes tore into their skin. Clops cracked their ribs. Blood 96 00:08:24,120 --> 00:08:28,200 Speaker 1: spattered on the scum, and the cloud rolled an approval 97 00:08:28,320 --> 00:08:34,760 Speaker 1: of it all and threw it on the jar. Decimos washed. 98 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 1: His face was unreadable, but his eyes reflected something behind. 99 00:08:43,840 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 1: The villa carved into the rock like a wound gaped 100 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:51,640 Speaker 1: the city's prison, a cave hollowed by labor meant for suffering. 101 00:08:52,559 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 1: Paul and Silas were dragged up the slope. The guards 102 00:08:55,920 --> 00:08:58,560 Speaker 1: released them at the mound of the cavern, letting them 103 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:03,000 Speaker 1: drop barn onto the earth. Decimus, the jailer, approach the 104 00:09:03,040 --> 00:09:13,280 Speaker 1: two be disciples. Welcome to my home. I am Decimus, 105 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:17,920 Speaker 1: your humble host. Before you join the ranks of Caesar's bondsmen, 106 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:24,640 Speaker 1: this is your home. While arrangements are made for you 107 00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:32,560 Speaker 1: to be taken to Caesar's ships as a Roman, enjoy 108 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:40,240 Speaker 1: this place, for what awaits you is far worse. Your 109 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:47,240 Speaker 1: fate is secured, unchangeable. For you it is the chain, 110 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:58,760 Speaker 1: and for me it is the sword. This is the way. 111 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:01,120 Speaker 1: Pal turned his head to the jailer. 112 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:04,319 Speaker 4: I too have been where you stand. 113 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:09,199 Speaker 1: Decimus's jaw tightened at that, he said nothing. He simply 114 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:12,920 Speaker 1: marched out, with the light of the torch, leaving with him. 115 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:20,760 Speaker 1: Paul and Silas were left in darkness. A thin blade 116 00:10:20,800 --> 00:10:23,960 Speaker 1: of moonlight slipped through the crack in the ceiling, barely 117 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:26,439 Speaker 1: enough to mark an outline of Paul where he lied. 118 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:31,080 Speaker 1: He turned his face towards that faint glow and refrained 119 00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 1: a prayer. 120 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:39,000 Speaker 4: Powerful. Convinced of my place, and even though I am 121 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:43,680 Speaker 4: in chains, I would rather be in this cell under 122 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:48,080 Speaker 4: the rule of Christ than be outside under the rule 123 00:10:48,280 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 4: of Caesar. 124 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:54,920 Speaker 1: Silas stirred pain, pulling at every movement, but he managed 125 00:10:54,960 --> 00:10:58,720 Speaker 1: to push himself upright beside Paul. Every breath was a 126 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 1: surge of pain in their ribs. Yet even in this 127 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:07,840 Speaker 1: dark place, there was joy. In the pit of despair. 128 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:12,760 Speaker 1: A song rose from their lips, bouncing off the cold stone, 129 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:16,160 Speaker 1: reaching the other inmates, who had been stripped of all 130 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:23,600 Speaker 1: hope indignity. The music swelled, and with it so did 131 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:29,720 Speaker 1: the earth. A low rumbuk shivered through the ground, dust 132 00:11:29,880 --> 00:11:34,439 Speaker 1: and sifted from the ceiling. Chains trembled, and the air 133 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:39,480 Speaker 1: thickened around Paul as he raised his hands worshiped, rolling 134 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:44,960 Speaker 1: like thunder to his savior. The tremor swelled, as if 135 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:49,360 Speaker 1: the earth itself was joining them in worship. The walls, 136 00:11:49,559 --> 00:12:00,720 Speaker 1: he groaned, the bars creaked. The Lord was setting them free. 137 00:12:02,840 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 1: As dawn spilled over the hills, Decimus sprinted towards the 138 00:12:07,559 --> 00:12:14,320 Speaker 1: entrance of the cave. It yawned, open doors blasted from 139 00:12:14,360 --> 00:12:19,600 Speaker 1: their hinges. Decimus stopped at the threshold. Horror drained all 140 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:24,640 Speaker 1: the color from his face. He trembled and sank to 141 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:35,200 Speaker 1: his knees. A soldier's post was his honor. They're all gone. 142 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:41,960 Speaker 1: They'll kill me for this. I failed. Decimus poised to 143 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:45,560 Speaker 1: lean forward on his sword, but just as he was 144 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:51,400 Speaker 1: about to fall stop, the sword slipped from his hands, 145 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 1: clattering against the stone. Tall Silas and the other prisoners 146 00:12:56,559 --> 00:13:02,000 Speaker 1: stood there in front of him, unharmed, fleeing, Do not 147 00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:04,080 Speaker 1: harm yourself. 148 00:13:04,120 --> 00:13:05,440 Speaker 4: Everyone is still here. 149 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:13,839 Speaker 1: Dusamus stared, stunned. It was impossible. Why Paul stepped forward? 150 00:13:13,840 --> 00:13:17,520 Speaker 1: Gentle steady, my friend. 151 00:13:18,840 --> 00:13:22,840 Speaker 4: We were free before these chains broke. 152 00:13:24,160 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 1: The soldier's strength buckled. 153 00:13:26,559 --> 00:13:32,600 Speaker 4: What must I do to be free? Believe in the 154 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:36,640 Speaker 4: Lord Jesus and you shall be saved. 155 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:41,800 Speaker 1: He collapsed before Paul four had pressed against the dark ground, 156 00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:48,360 Speaker 1: tears breaking loose like a damn for thy is the 157 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:52,560 Speaker 1: kingdom of the desens realized that Paul had something. 158 00:13:52,920 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 3: And the power. 159 00:13:56,559 --> 00:13:58,640 Speaker 4: In the glory forever. 160 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:00,439 Speaker 3: And ever. 161 00:14:01,640 --> 00:14:03,960 Speaker 1: Paul kneeled down to the soldier. 162 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:05,040 Speaker 3: Amen. 163 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:14,960 Speaker 2: May of twenty nineteen. I'm defending my title against a 164 00:14:14,960 --> 00:14:20,880 Speaker 2: featherweight Patricio Pitbull. He was playing into it, egging me on, 165 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:26,080 Speaker 2: hungry for a fight. This was the type of fight 166 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:31,080 Speaker 2: I couldn't lose. There are necessary negatives in life. Every 167 00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:35,520 Speaker 2: setback is a setup for a comeback. Moments of defeat 168 00:14:35,880 --> 00:14:39,760 Speaker 2: that are required to springboard you into something different. For me, 169 00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:44,120 Speaker 2: it was getting TKO'ed by pitbull. As it turns out, 170 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:46,960 Speaker 2: it was that loss that opened up the opportunity for 171 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:50,840 Speaker 2: me to go to the UFC. I had to lose 172 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:55,560 Speaker 2: one thing to gain another. Paul and Silas were thrown 173 00:14:55,560 --> 00:15:00,160 Speaker 2: into prison, beaten half to death, cold and alone. These 174 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 2: low moments have the potential to break us. These losses 175 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:08,360 Speaker 2: can strip us of hope. But Paul and Silas had 176 00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:10,200 Speaker 2: the antidote to hopelessness. 177 00:15:11,920 --> 00:15:18,240 Speaker 1: Worship, evying will bar beful. 178 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:24,120 Speaker 2: In the pit of despair, Paul and Silas began worshiping. 179 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:28,200 Speaker 2: Their broken voices echoed off the prison walls. They didn't 180 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:32,680 Speaker 2: worship because their circumstances were perfect. They worshiped because they 181 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:38,120 Speaker 2: knew that God was good despite their circumstances. True worship 182 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:43,520 Speaker 2: isn't about your circumstances. It's about God's character. Your identity 183 00:15:43,560 --> 00:15:46,160 Speaker 2: as a child of God doesn't change whether you're in 184 00:15:46,160 --> 00:15:51,080 Speaker 2: the pit or the palace. So in the face of tragedy, 185 00:15:51,440 --> 00:15:57,200 Speaker 2: Paul sang he worshiped. That's when the earth began to shake. 186 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:02,320 Speaker 2: As it turns out, this tragedy was a springboard for 187 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:08,360 Speaker 2: Paul and Silas and opportunity. If they were wallowing instead 188 00:16:08,360 --> 00:16:11,840 Speaker 2: of worshiping, they would have missed it. If I had 189 00:16:11,880 --> 00:16:15,040 Speaker 2: been wallowing in self pity and depression because of my losses, 190 00:16:15,320 --> 00:16:18,320 Speaker 2: I would have never seen the opportunities God was putting 191 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 2: in front of me. Opportunity hides in the shadows of adversity. 192 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:27,280 Speaker 2: But when you choose hope over despair, your perspective on 193 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:31,920 Speaker 2: everything changes. For Paul and Silas, their eyes were open 194 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:34,840 Speaker 2: to the needs in front of them. Instead of taking 195 00:16:34,920 --> 00:16:38,680 Speaker 2: the prison break as an opportunity to run, they stayed. 196 00:16:39,760 --> 00:16:42,440 Speaker 2: God gave them the vision to see the jailer in despair. 197 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:46,720 Speaker 2: Sometimes staying in the struggle is exactly how you win. 198 00:16:47,560 --> 00:16:50,000 Speaker 2: The Philippian jailer was about to end his own life 199 00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 2: because of shame, but because Paul and Silas weren't driven 200 00:16:53,800 --> 00:16:59,280 Speaker 2: by hopelessness and self preservation, the jailer was saved. So 201 00:16:59,480 --> 00:17:03,840 Speaker 2: is his family. When I'm older and retired, I don't 202 00:17:03,880 --> 00:17:07,360 Speaker 2: want to live with regret, Regret that I was so 203 00:17:07,480 --> 00:17:10,520 Speaker 2: self absorbed that I missed out on the opportunities to 204 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:17,359 Speaker 2: make an impact impact out last fame. Every single time, 205 00:17:18,680 --> 00:17:21,640 Speaker 2: a Christ's centered focus doesn't look at wins and losses. 206 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:28,920 Speaker 2: It's about opportunities for worship and lessons. Even in pain, 207 00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:34,200 Speaker 2: Paul had clear vision. Even in heartache, Paul was attuned 208 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:38,040 Speaker 2: to the heart of Christ. He wasn't a victim of circumstance. 209 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:44,560 Speaker 2: In everything, he was triumphant. Circumstances don't define champions. Champions 210 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:49,480 Speaker 2: redefine Circumstances will end with Paul's encouragement in Romans eight 211 00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:53,879 Speaker 2: twenty eight. And we know that all things work together 212 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:57,919 Speaker 2: for good to those who love God, to those who 213 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:01,920 Speaker 2: are called according to His purpose. If today's message lit 214 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:05,240 Speaker 2: a fire, keep it blazing. Press the subscribe button for 215 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:09,280 Speaker 2: weekly drops that sharpen your faith and your focus. Download 216 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:12,920 Speaker 2: prey dot com to get a quick daily boost, prayers, devotionals, 217 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:15,960 Speaker 2: and bite sized Bible wisdom right in your pockets. God 218 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:17,440 Speaker 2: bless I'll see you at the top.