The Power of Our Song- Part 2

We have been talking about Paul & Silas in Acts 16.  We find them in a dark, cold prison.  They are not complaining, but "singing and praying to God".  The first point we discussed in Part 1 was "Tough times reveal where our heart is regarding our worship to God."  


Here is the second point I wanted to share...

Others are watching, listening, and being influenced by our worship.

Verse 25 says, "... Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." Personal worship is between you & God.  Public worship brings an extra element; other people.  In public worship, others are listening & feeling the affects of our worship. 

Over the years, there have been times that I have walked into a worship service & wasn't feeling particularly "charged up" about worship that day.  When I walked into an atmosphere where others were singing, praising & going after the heart of God together, it ignited something in me.  Their faith lifted mine.  Their song stirred up my song.  When all was said and done, I walked out of that place encouraged & refueled, all because I was in the presence of God and other's worship.  

This is why Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."  Did you catch that?  When we do not gather in a public worship setting, not only are we not considering ourself, we are not considering others as well.  


When we publicly gather for worship, three things happen:

1. We offer God our corporate worship as His church, which He loves and deserves.
2. We create an environment of worship that brings a spiritual dynamic that  lifts us up and encourages everyone involved.  When we worship together, we stir up love and good works and exhort one another.
3. We give a testimony to our communities of God's glory.   

Verse 26 say's, "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 chains were loosed."  

Check this out!  Not everyone was singing and praying, but everyone's prison doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed!  The next time you go into a public worship setting, realize that as YOU worship & sing to God, YOU are changing the atmosphere; not only for yourself but for everyone around you.  God desires your worship.  You need to worship.  Others need your worship to God as well.  Let us learn to live & worship like Paul and Silas.  Our worship will touch God's heart & He will open doors that need opened & set us all free.

-Fred