Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, May 12, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including a zipped file of all of my 1999, 2000, and 2001 sermon outlines, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

THE MAN WHO ASKED DIRECTIONS

By Michael D. O'Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Acts 16:29-31

Text: Acts 16:30

Acts 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Introduction: Tonight we are still aware of the fact that it is Mother's Day. I trust that you have all honored your mothers. I hope that all of you ladies have had a blessed day. I tried to encourage you this morning, and tonight perhaps you will appreciate the truthfulness of the premise for the message.

Tonight's sermon is titled, The Most Unusual Man In The World. Another title for it would be, The Man Who Asked Directions.

That is, the most unusual man in the world is one who would ask for directions.

Men often don't ask directions until it is too late.

I. HIS PASSIVITY HAD DRAWN HIM INTO DANGER

He had been asleep:

Acts 16:27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

A. He was confident

B. He was careless

C. He was close to a disaster

And did not even know it

II. HIS PROBLEMS DROVE HIM TO DESPAIR

Acts 16:27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

A. His failure startled him

He was asleep and the prisoners were able to flee

B. His future unsettled him

C. His fear destroyed him

Like most men, he was more afraid of men than he was of God.

III. HIS PRIDE DEPARTED HIM DUE TO HIS DESPERATION

Acts 16:29-30 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Most men don't ask directions because of PRIDE

A. He didn't think that he had the answer

Many people who ask questions think that they already know the answer. They just want to argue.

B. He didn't think that he had the authority

He humbled himself before them.
He knew that really, THEY were FREE, and HE was a SLAVE.

C. He didn't think that he had the ability

No one will gets saved who thinks he can save himself by his good deeds.

IV. HIS PETITION DELIVERED HIM FROM DAMNATION

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Acts 16:34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

A. He asked the primary inquiry

Not some question of skepticism

B. He was answered with the proper information

So many people give the wrong instructions!

C. He accepted the personal invitation

Eternal life is a gift that must be personally received!

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