The Power of Worship II
One of the great tragedies of the Church is the way that worship can become an instrument of division and distraction. Self-centred expectations and desires dismantle its purpose and break down the Church instead of building her up. As we journey with Paul and Silas through their arrest, and meditate on the their imprisonment, we see the birth of a Church and how selfless God-centred worship was vital to its construction.
Scripture
Acts 16:25-33 ESV About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and 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 unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
Bible Study Questions
What were Paul and Silas doing at the riverside in Philippi? (Acts 16:13-14)
What was the result of Paul and Silas’ ministry that started with one convert at the riverside? (Philippians 1:1-2)
Who was attacking Paul and Silas and trying to prevent the salvation of those who hear the Gospel? (Ephesians 6:12)
Do you think Paul and Silas were just praying and worshipping for their own comfort and safety, or were they praying for something more? (Acts 16:25)
Why do you think that Paul and Silas didn’t try and escape even when they were freed by the miraculous intervention of God through the earthquake? (Acts 16:31)
Reflect on the whole series of events from when Paul and Silas arrived in Philippi. What was the enemy trying to prevent, and how did God use the attacks to achieve His purposes? (Romans 8:28)
God opened Lydia’s heart to receive the Gospel, He drove out the demon from the young lady, opened the hearts of jailer and his family, and built the Church in Phillipi. What did Paul and Silas have to do? (Philippians 4:4-7)
Prayer
Dear Father God in Heaven, Thank You that You are Sovereign, Thank You that You never lose and that You use all things together for Your Glory and for the good of those who love and serve You. Thank You for making us part of Your Kingdom plans and for using us to serve as You build up the Church and call Your children out of darkness into Your glorious light. Thank You for the way that Your Word, prayer, worship and serving comforts and protects us, and thank You for the way use have blessed these to us as weapons in Your Holy Kingdom. Please keep us mindful of those who need to hear from us, see us and be loved by us. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.
Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.
Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!
O measureless Might, unchangeable Love,
whom angels delight to worship above!
Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze,
in true adoration shall sing to your praise!
Service
Paul and Silas’ prayer were used by God to bring people to the freedom of forgiveness by the blood of Jesus Christ. When our prayer and worship exalts Him and submits into His service, God uses it powerfully. Pray and ask the Lord to make us an instrument to bring freedom to someone we know, through Scripture, Prayer, Worship and Serving. In Jesus Name and for His Glory.