I WILL PRAISE THE LORD
ACTS 16: 16-34
MAY 5, 2002
INTRODUCTION: I AM BLESSED – MARTINA MCBRIDE
Blessed (Hillary Lindsey/Troy Verges/Brett James)
I get kissed by the sun each morning
Put my feet on a hardwood floor
I get to hear my children laughing
Down the hall through the bedroom door
Sometimes I sit on my front porch swing
Just soaking up the day
I think to myself, I think to myself
This world is a beautiful place
I have been blessed And I feel like I’ve found my way
I thank God for all I’ve been given At the end of every day
I have been blessed With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed
Across a crowded room I know you know what I’m thinking
By the way I look at you And when we’re lying in the quiet
And no words have to be said I think to myself, I think to myself
This love is a beautiful gift I have been blessed
And I feel like I’ve found my way I thank God for all I’ve been given
At the end of every day I have been blessed With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed
When I’m singing my kids to sleep When I feel you holding me
I know I have been blessed And I feel like I’ve found my way
I thank God for all I’ve been given At the end of every day
I have been blessed With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed
TRANSITION THOUGHT: Our text for today speaks to the reality of just how blessed we are. Maybe you did not hear those words as the text was read, but the truth of the blessing is there. How on earth could a beaten man sing songs and praising the lord? The reality of our God is that in the midst of the worst situations, HE fills us with praise. Our response is to praise the Lord, to let out what HE has placed within. It is better out than in!! The Apostle Paul knew there was power in praise, so lets look and see just what Praising the Lord can do.
THESIS SENTENCE: True Disciples Praise the Lord regardless of the immediate circumstances of life!
THE POWER OF…
I. PRAISING THE LORD BRINGS REALITY IN TO FOCUS (VV. 19-25)
A. REALITY IS NOT NECESSARILY YOUR PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES!
1. The Apostle Paul’s present condition: Tell the whole story as found in our text. Focus on the negative (Verses 19-24).
2. What might be our present circumstances: good or ill?
B. REALITY IS SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON GOD!
1. Romans 8: 18, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
2. Job 1& 2. Note 1: 12 – 21, 2: 9&10
3. Note the Apostle Paul’s reaction to his circumstances (verse 25!).
C. REALITY IS BASED IN PRAYER!
1. Where did our text and this episode in the life of the Apostle Paul begin? Where was He headed?
2. What did the Apostle Paul do besides sing?
3. How do you respond to the Negative circumstances in your life?
4. Prayer brings focus because it has its reality in God alone!
5. Note Hebrews 12: 1-3, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
THE POWER OF…
II. PRAISING THE LORD BRINGS FREEDOM FROM BONDAGE (VV. 26)
A. Praise brings about supernatural EVENTS.
1. Because Paul and Silas sang Hymns of praise, God had an open avenue into their circumstances.
2. There was a violent earthquake, the prison doors flew open and the chains fell off. Is this a natural occurrence?
3. Do you remember the story of the Battle of Jericho (Joshua 6: 6-20; especially verses 6, 14, and 20)? What caused the walls to fall, 7 days of Marching around the city? Was it 7 days of the 7 priests blowing trumpets? OR WAS IT THE PRAISE OF THE PEOPLE AS THEY SHOUTED TO THE LORD? AND THE WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN!
B. Praise brings personal freedom!
1. Paul’s chains fell off!
2. The slave girl no longer had a spirit (verse 18)!
3. John 8: 32-36. 32 “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” 36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
C. Praise brings corporate freedom
1. Every one in the prison was now free!
2. Good and Bad are freed!
3. People who knew Christ as Lord were Freed!
4. People who had just heard the Praise of the living God were Freed!!
5. Do you remember my last Sermon? What a loaded question! I Kings 17 : 14 – 16! Who ate, Elijah or the widow and her whole family? Every one wins when we praise the Lord!
THE POWER OF…
III. PRAISING THE LORD BRINGS SALVATION TO THE LOST
A. Praise brings question!
1. The most famous question in all of Scripture: “What Must I Do To Be Saved (Verse 30)?”
2. A man in fear for his life had seen some incredible things on third shift. Beaten, imprisoned men sang about a Savior. Something supernatural had happened. God became real and this jailer did not know this God.
3. What example do we set? Does it cause anyone to notice at all, or do we just complain and gripe like the rest of the world? How do we respond the struggles of life, in faith or in frustration? If we pull a JOB, we will respond in faith and others will see and ask the most important question of their entire life: “WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?”
B. Praise reveals the answer!
1. When Paul replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved (verse 31), was he just blowing smoke, or did he BELIEVE IT?
2. WHAT HAD JUST TRANSPIRED IN HIS OWN IMMEDIATE LIFE?!? He had just been saved! There is a physical and a spiritual dimension here. Yes call, Paul found Jesus on the road to Damascus, Acts chapter 9. Now, not only was Paul physically saved from death and imprisonment, but how do you think his faith was effected by this miracle? Paul was living Proof of what Jesus can do!
3. What was the net effect? Not only did the jailer come to know the Lord, his whole family was freed from the bondage of sin and death. Personal and corporate Salvation was experienced by the Lost!
4. One Last thought: look at verse 34. Read between the lines. What do you believe to be the response of our New Convert to the faith? I believe he PRAISED THE LORD!
IF YOU NEED AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO PRAISE THE LORD, HEAR AN ANTHEM OF PRAISE: PSALM 103 READ ALL!!
CONCLUSION: WHAT KEEPS YOU FROM PRAISING THE LORD WITH YOUR WHOLE LIFE? WHAT KEEPS YOU FROM BEING A ROLE MODEL OF PRAISE SO THAT THE WORLD MIGHT KNOW? ARE YOU WILLING TO PRAISE THE LORD EVEN IN THE MIDST OF REAL LIFE?
AS THE PRAISE TEAM COMES TO SING GREAT IS THE LORD I WANT US TO MAKE A DECLARATION OF FAITH THAT WE WILL PRAISE THE LORD! SOME MAY WANT TO COME TO THE ALTAR AND ASK FOR THE LORD’S HELP. SOME MAY WANT TO PRAISE THE LORD NOW, IN YOUR PEW, FOR PRACTICE.
If you have never received the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, please come and pray that you may be filled with praise to the Living Lord. As the Praise team sings, BE OBEDIENT TO WHAT THE LORD WOULD HAVE YOU DO!
