First Baptist Church of Hull

Worship that Changes Lives Acts 16:22-33

1. True Worship Should Not Be Hindered .

Christian Standard Bible (Ac 16:22–25). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

Acts 16:22–25 (CSB)

22 The crowd joined in the attack against them, and the chief magistrates stripped off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods.

23 After they had severely flogged them, they threw them in jail, ordering the jailer to guard them carefully.

24 Receiving such an order, he put them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks.

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Paul and Silas had just been beaten and thrown in jail.

Despite the circumstances they still were praising God.

They didn’t use it as an excuse to run away from God.

What excuses do we use?

They were praising God in an unlikely place and an unlikely time.

2. True Worship Gives Testimony.

Acts 16:26–29 CSB

26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison standing open, he drew his sword and was going to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself, because we’re all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

They did not try to leave when they had the chance.

Their faith wasn’t based on their circumstance.

Their focus wasn’t on themselves or the trouble they were in.

They were focused on worshipping God despite their surroundings.

Our worship reflects our faith.

Our faith gives a testimony to what we believe.

3. True Worship Changes Lives.

Acts 16:30–33 (CSB)

30 He escorted them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 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 along with everyone in his house.

33 He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized.

When we worship with the proper attitude and proper perspective, lives will be changed.

People will see God working in us and desire what we have.

When we worship in spirit and in truth, God can do great things in and through us.

4. Conclusion

We need true worship that changes lives.

Has your worship impacted a life?

Has it led to a change in someone else’s heart?

Or is your worship lacking?