Worship: Creating Atmospheres for Miracles in Tough Times
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of worship as a witness, even in the midst of tough times. He uses the story of Paul and Silas in prison as an example, explaining that their worship reached beyond themselves and touched the lives of the prisoners and the jailer and his family. The pastor encourages the congregation to actively participate in creating atmospheres for miracles, particularly during worship services.
The pastor then explores the concept of creating an atmosphere for miracles through faith-filled praise and worship. He references the story of Paul and Silas in Acts chapter 16, where they are found praying and singing hymns to God in prison. The pastor emphasizes that today can be a day of "suddenly" for the listeners, where they can experience inspiration and revelation. He also highlights the importance of creating a positive atmosphere in one's life, as whatever is sent out will be drawn back in.
The pastor continues by emphasizing the importance of prioritizing worship over other activities. He shares a personal anecdote about teaching his daughter to pray instead of whining. He also references the story of Paul and Silas, who were praying and singing hymns to God while in prison, simultaneously claiming the promises of God and recognizing His greatness. The pastor encourages the congregation to choose worship over whining.
The pastor then focuses on the story of Paul and Silas in prison, highlighting the miraculous events that occurred, such as the earthquake that shook the prison and opened all the doors, and how even the prisoners' chains were loosed. The pastor emphasizes the power of creating an atmosphere for miracles and warns against engaging with practices like palm reading, fortune telling, and horoscopes.
The sermon concludes with the pastor emphasizing the importance of recognizing that even in the darkest moments, it is the beginning of a new day. He encourages those who feel like they are in their Midnight Hour, where God hasn't answered their prayers, to understand that they are right where they need to be. The pastor highlights the significance of practicing God's word and songs during the daytime, as it prepares individuals for their Midnight Hour.
Key Takeaways:
- Worship is a powerful witness that can touch the lives of others. Even in the midst of tough times, our worship can create an atmosphere for miracles. This is exemplified in the story of Paul and Silas, whose worship in prison impacted the lives of the prisoners and the jailer and his family. [12:45]
- Creating an atmosphere for miracles involves faith-filled praise and worship. The story of Paul and Silas in Acts chapter 16 demonstrates this, as they were found praying and singing hymns to God in prison. This act of worship created a shift in the atmosphere, leading to miraculous events. [24:30]
- Prioritizing worship over other activities is crucial. The pastor's personal anecdote about teaching his daughter to pray instead of whining illustrates this. Worship allows us to focus on God's greatness and claim His promises, even in challenging circumstances. [36:15]
- Even in the darkest moments, it is the beginning of a new day. Those who feel like they are in their Midnight Hour, where God hasn't answered their prayers, are encouraged to understand that they are right where they need to be. Practicing God's word and songs during the daytime prepares individuals for their Midnight Hour. [48:20]
- Engaging with practices like palm reading, fortune telling, and horoscopes can open doors for negative spiritual influences. Instead, believers are encouraged to focus on creating an atmosphere for miracles through faith-filled praise and worship. [59:10]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 16:16-34: This passage narrates the story of Paul and Silas who were imprisoned for their faith. Despite their circumstances, they continued to worship God, leading to a miraculous earthquake that freed them and the other prisoners. Their worship also led to the conversion of the jailer and his family.
2. Proverbs 26:2: This verse emphasizes that an undeserved curse does not come to rest, aligning with the sermon's warning against engaging in practices like fortune-telling and horoscopes.
3. Genesis 1:5: This verse describes the creation of day and night, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, a new day is beginning.
Observation Questions:
1. In Acts 16:16-34, what were Paul and Silas doing in prison at midnight?
2. How did the other prisoners react to Paul and Silas' worship in Acts 16:16-34?
3. What does Proverbs 26:2 say about undeserved curses?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What might be the significance of Paul and Silas choosing to worship God in their dire circumstances in Acts 16:16-34?
2. How does the reaction of the other prisoners to Paul and Silas' worship in Acts 16:16-34 demonstrate the impact of their faith?
3. How might Genesis 1:5 be seen as a metaphor for enduring difficult times and anticipating a new beginning?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you were in a difficult situation like Paul and Silas? How did you respond? How might you respond differently in the future?
2. How can you create an atmosphere for miracles in your life through faith-filled praise and worship, similar to Paul and Silas in Acts 16:16-34?
3. Are there any practices in your life, similar to fortune-telling and horoscopes, that might be opening doors for negative spiritual influences? How can you replace these with faith-filled practices?
4. Reflecting on Genesis 1:5, how can you remind yourself that even in the darkest moments, a new day is beginning?
5. How can you prepare for your 'Midnight Hour' by practicing God's word and songs during the daytime?
Devotional
Day 1: Worship as a Witness
Worship is not just a personal act of devotion, but a powerful witness that can touch the lives of others. Even in the midst of tough times, our worship can create an atmosphere for miracles. This is exemplified in the story of Paul and Silas, whose worship in prison impacted the lives of the prisoners and the jailer and his family. [12:45]
Acts 16:25 - "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them."
Reflection: Reflect on your own worship. How can you make it a witness to others, even in the midst of your own trials?
Day 2: Creating an Atmosphere for Miracles
Creating an atmosphere for miracles involves faith-filled praise and worship. The story of Paul and Silas in Acts chapter 16 demonstrates this, as they were found praying and singing hymns to God in prison. This act of worship created a shift in the atmosphere, leading to miraculous events. [24:30]
Acts 16:26 - "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."
Reflection: How can you create an atmosphere for miracles in your own life through faith-filled praise and worship?
Day 3: Prioritizing Worship Over Whining
Prioritizing worship over other activities is crucial. Worship allows us to focus on God's greatness and claim His promises, even in challenging circumstances. [36:15]
Colossians 3:2 - "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Reflection: What are some ways you can prioritize worship in your daily life, even when faced with challenges?
Day 4: The Beginning of a New Day
Even in the darkest moments, it is the beginning of a new day. Those who feel like they are in their Midnight Hour, where God hasn't answered their prayers, are encouraged to understand that they are right where they need to be. Practicing God's word and songs during the daytime prepares individuals for their Midnight Hour. [48:20]
Psalm 30:5 - "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."
Reflection: Are you in your Midnight Hour? How can you use this time to prepare for the new day that God has promised?
Day 5: Avoiding Negative Spiritual Influences
Engaging with practices like palm reading, fortune telling, and horoscopes can open doors for negative spiritual influences. Instead, believers are encouraged to focus on creating an atmosphere for miracles through faith-filled praise and worship. [59:10]
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord."
Reflection: Are there any practices in your life that could be opening doors for negative spiritual influences? How can you replace these with faith-filled praise and worship?
Quotes
"Music is a medicine of the Soul...an atmosphere of faith-filled praise and worship can create a place for miracles to happen." [48:45]
"At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing Praise hymns to God...suddenly the prisoners were all listening to them." [51:08]
"Midnight is not the end of your life, midnight is the beginning." ([59:33])
"I believe the overwhelming amount of miracles in the Bible happen when someone creates an atmosphere for a miracle... whatever you're sending out you're going to draw in... if you're sending out discouragement and negativity and all of those things and whining that's what you're going to get back because that's the atmosphere of your life." [47:26]
"Let our worship be our witness...when it's time to worship you sing and when it's time to give you give...because you're expecting a suddenly and you're willing to let your life be a witness to reach somebody else." #!!01:09:25!!#
"We have to choose worship over whining... Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God when you look at that in the Greek it's in the present participles with an imperfect verb which means that it was a simultaneous action literally it reads praying or singing praises in other words simultaneously they they they were praying and and it was praise they were praising and it was praying what were they doing I believe they were claiming the promises of God I believe they were seeing how great God is because you see I believe that they believe what was happening to them right then what H was happening in them right that moment was better than it was happening to them" (#!!01:04:13!!#)
"I need to take just a little sidebar here and talk about Palm readers fortune tellers and horoscopes those are not things that you want in your life as a believer...you don't need to read a horoscope you need to read the scope right here of the Bible." #!!53:54!!#
"When you began creating an atmosphere for a miracle then you need to do this you need to expect your suddenly you need to expect your suddenly says suddenly there was a great earthquake so the foundations of the prison were shaken immediately the doors were open and everyone's chains were loose look at that suddenly." #!!01:08:05!!#
"God hasn't answered your prayer you are right where you need to be it's the beginning of a new day it's not the end it's the beginning of a new day." #!!01:00:11!!#
"If you don't practice his word if you don't practice his songs if you don't practice being who he wants you to do when the Midnight Hour comes you're not going to have it we have to learn to use what's loose to shake the shackles off of what is bound." #!!01:00:52!!#
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Oct 29, 2023. Do you have any questions about it?