MAMoses

Power of your praise.. Acts 17:16-30

I guess we all know that life... happens? What I mean is that there are situations, circumstance, and realities in life that you cannot control. (i;e natural disaster, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, getting injured or hurt, financial hardships etc.) The reality of life is that trials, hardships, and circumstances will come and we/you have the responsibility of how we respond and react during that season.

James 1:2 Dear Brothers, when troubles come your way consider it an opportunity for great joy.
Situations may come, trials and hardship do come, and through it all I want you to know that your response is your responsibility. How do you react/respond to adversity? I want to challenge us to understand and realize the power of praise

“Power of Your Praise”

v. 16 once we were on our way to prayer

• Satan hates when we pray
• Distractions Come to Deter the Focus
• Confront the Issue
• Dragged and Lied About

v. 22 in prison they were beaten and bound

• Beaten – tired, hurting (emotionally, physically, mentally) we get beat on
• Bound – by sin, pride, anger, addictions, past. There are things that bind us

You see Paul and Silas were doing a good thing! They go from fulfilling the mission, ministering boldly, to the floor of a prison cell (no cable, no 3 squares a day, no yard time) these men had the opportunity to be:

• Angry
• Frustrated
• Violent
• Depressed

However, Paul and Silas understood and choose that their response was their responsibility!
We read in v. 25 their response to this current situation.

v.25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God...

• These Men CHOOSE to pray and praise God
• Mid – Middle, in the middle of everything
• Midnight – the darkest hour

In the middle of the darkest hour, how many of you have found yourself in this place? In the middle of the darkest hour they praised God! They weren’t worried about their finances, they weren’t worried about what other people had said, they weren’t worried about the position they were in, and they prayed and praised God. These men had their focus not on the situation, but they had their eyes fixed on the Lord.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus...

v. 25 ...and the other prisoners listened to them.
• People look to see your response
• What will you say?
• What will you do?
• You are being watched!

People look and listen to see how you react or respond, and so does God and your reaction and response will determine the outcome.

v.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 everybody's chains came loose. How Wonderful is God!!

• One Move of God can shake your world up!
• The foundation of your life will be shaken
• Your Foundation – Opinion, Lifestyle, Decisions, Experiences and Values

One move of God can shake it all up!

v.26 ...doors opened
• Things that once seemed impossible began to open up
• Your prayer/praise will open doors of opportunity in your life
• A career, a wife, financial breakthrough, ministry opportunities


v.26 ... chains came loose

• Only Paul and Silas? NO! Everyone’s chains fell off. Your praise can set someone else FREE!
• Things that bind us: addictions, sin, past, anger, depression, chains put on by others, what limitations do you have in your life? God wants to break that off of you.

I could stop here, pray, and we all go about our day. However, I want you to see the reason Paul and Silas went through, what they went through and God came through for them and He will do the same for you..

Text v.27-33

What made this all worth it was the changed life of a jailer and his family.
• Jailer Saw the Difference
• He Felt the Difference
• He Wanted to Experience the Difference
How does he do this? Paul says it very simply in v. 31 Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.

You see, God gets all the glory. Two men, faced with a difficult situation responded with great joy. Their response broke the chains that were forged to keep them bound, and led to the salvation of many. God can do the same for us. I feel like I have preached myself happy..:)