| Part 3 - Sermon Summary by Dan Stevens |
Everyone is a prisoner, some physically. We're all bound by something - pride, the pursuit of power, pleasure, possessions, position, or prestige. These are chains that bind us, preventing us from experiencing true freedom in Christ. Paul's experience in the Philippian jail provides a powerful illustration for this spiritual captivity.
The other prisoners, bound by physical chains, may have recognized deeper, spiritual bonds, that they did not run away when the earthquake loosened their chains. It is possible that Paul and Silas and their life they observed was their last best chance to free their souls albeit chained in hands and feet.
As followers of Christ, we are His prisoners. We are not ‘free’ either. We have chosen to accept the invitation “…my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30)” Evangelism tarries when we profess to be His slaves but the world sees us as slaves of the very thing they are enslaved to.