Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.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 loosened.And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened; and every one’s bands were loosed.
4 sermons cite this verse
… singing hymns and the other prisoners were listening to them. And suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And at once all the prison doors flew open and everyone's chains came loose. That's a powerful sermon. I could preach that sermon. That's a powerful story. I believe that God can set people free. I believe that God does miracles. I believe that God does the impossible. I believe that God sets chains loose and brings freedom. But what do you do when you're singing about joy, but you're still in chains? Coming to church on Sunday, you're serving, you're worshiping, you're giving, you're listening, but your kid's still acting up and you still can't sleep and your spouse still isn't coming to church. And that addiction keeps knocking at your door and you still can't find a job. the apostle Paul can relate. See, at the very top, we read Philippians chapter one, verses 12 through 14. In this moment where Paul is writing this, he's still in prison. …
… and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly, there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once, all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose. It's amazing what happens when you call on the name of Jesus. Chains start breaking. Doors start opening. The jailer woke up. And when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword. And he was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, don't harm yourself. We are all here. The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, sirs, what must I do to be saved? They replied, believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. you and your household. Amen. Amen. All right. Now, Psalm 77, verse six, Psalm 77, verse six, the psalmist wrote, I remembered my songs in the night. I remembered my songs in the night. Title of my message today is hold on to your song. Hold on to your song. I come with a word of encouragement for someone today who finds themselves in a midnight hour. The word of the Lord for you is hold on to your song. Give your neighbor my title as you take your seat. Hold on to your song. …
… show you. Acts chapter 16. Look at Acts chapter 16. Are you seeing a trend here in the book of Acts? Are you seeing the link between the power of God and the prayers of God's people? Look at Acts chapter 16, verse 26. We got Paul and his buddy Silas in prison. Peter would have been asleep, but Paul and Silas were awake. Verse 26 says, suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open and everybody's chains came loose. The jailer woke up. When he saw the prison doors open, he drew a sword, was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. He learned the lesson from Acts chapter 12. But Paul shouted, don't harm yourself. We're all here. The jailer called for lice, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they replied, believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. You and all your household. And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and all the others in his house. And at that hour of the night, the jailer took them, washed their wounds. …
… and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake so that the foundations of the prisons were shaken and immediately all the doors were open and everyone's chains were loose. And the keeper of the prison awakening from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice saying, do yourself no harm for we are all here. Then he called for a light, ran in and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, sirs, what must I do to be saved? Amen. So they said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes and immediately he and all his household were baptized. …