WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE PHILIPPIAN JAILOR ACTS 16 I. Introduction. A. Will Rogers: "I never met a man I didn't like." B. In reality--there are some people you do like and some you do not. 1. Why is such true? 2. Should not be on physical/material basis. 3. One should base on ways--and try to use those or change them. C. Bible character whose ways/attitudes I like: Acts 16:23. II. Body. A. Being a jailor was not the most attractive job in that age. 1. Immense responsibility: failure could mean execution. 2. Continual dealing with criminals. 3. Actions considered appropriate in their society-- unacceptable in ours. 4. Perhaps he felt: a job to be done & someone must do it. 5. For the Christian: I Timothy 4:15. 6. Note: Colossians 3:23(talking to servants). B. The jailor had a sense of duty: Acts 16:24. 1. He was assigned this work: he would do it. 2. Perseverance evident for Christian: Ephesians 6:18. 3. How our age needs this! 4. Jesus taught: Luke 17:10. 5. A duty is something owed: Romans 15:27. 6. God gives life, beauty, peace, etc.: has man no duty to God? 7. Note: Ecclesiastes 12:13. C. The jailor was conscientious in meeting his duty: Acts 16:14. 1. Took steps to insure prisoners did not escape. 2. Some may recognize duty: then not try to meet it. 3. Was Jesus? was Paul?...Peter?...Timothy?...John? 4. Jailor accepted his instructions: carried out. 5. Was ready to say: Acts 16:30. 6. Leads one to: I Peter 3:21. 7. His did not stop with secular work.(If some people met their work duty as they do duty to God--they would be fired!) D. The jailor possessed a willingness to act: Acts 16:23-24, 27. 1. Tied to duty and conscience. 2. When brought prisoners; when thought they escaped; when he learned truth. 3. There are many who know but do not act. 4. Not just aliens--but those who are "saints." 5. "Past history(actions) indicates future success." 6. The word for act: OBEY--Hebrews 11:8. E. The jailor was willing to listen: Acts 16:28-29. 1. Maybe some do not act because do not listen. 2. One must first "hear" before can "obey." 3. Listened to a fellow in jail. 4. It is difficult to listen: mind crowded with cares and concerns of world. 5. Why some do not listen: I John 4:6. 6. Note: Proverbs 8:33. 7. Yet--listening is not enough: James 1:22. 8. When one believes the message--he will respond. F. The jailor was open and honest: Acts 16:30. 1. Indicated by listening and obeying. 2. To give attention--but not accept--or make excuses-- is the failure of many. 3. What was spoken: Acts 16:32. 4. Led to: Acts 16:33. 5. The jailor was like the one teaching him--learned and changed. 6. It is right to change when I am wrong! 7. Note: Romans 12:17. 8. If we do not possess this attribute--how can we expect it of others? III. Conclusion. A. Do you realize why I like the jailor?-jy