Sermon Notes 12/16

                                             @ Midnight

Midnight – represents the trials and hardships of life

***we all go through difficult times

               What should we do when midnight comes?

1.) PRAY – v25

a. prayer opens doors – vs25-34

-this represents an impossible situation because of the amount of doors

b. The goal of prayer is that the Lord would be glorified – John 12:27-28

-the prayer of Paul & Silas and its length is not given

-most people pray the escape prayer

-we need to pray at all times and not just when there is an emergency

2.) WHEN IT IS MIDNIGHT, WE PRAISE- v25

-singing hymns to the Lord –  means singing praises to the Lord

     a. Praise is a choice – Psalm 150:1-6

-Praise is not an emotion.  It is worship that goes to Jesus Christ

-REPEATED PRAISE BECOMES HABITUAL PRAISE…….

-We need worship that rules over every adverse situation…….

     b. Praise is to be on earth as it is in heaven – Matthew 6:8-13 and Revelation 5:8-14 (vs12-13)

Praise in Heaven – Revelation 5:8-14

vs8 &14  – falling down before the Lord

***The 24 elders are the believers from the OT & NT

harp – a real harp or a stringed instrument – instruments in heaven

v9 – singing

v12 – loud

v13 – everyone involved

vs8-13 – totally focused on Jesus Christ

vs8-13 – rejoicing

-praise & worship is lifting up our voices to the Lord…….

Praise on Earth

-praise on earth is to be just like praise in heaven

-praise is heard – the jailer woke up – v27

-praise is Biblical and obedience – Psalm 134:2…100:1…Psalm 149:1-4

-the enemies of praise are:  Reputation…Religion…Reasoning

c. PRAISE CHANGES US – – – – – – – NOT THE LORD – Malachi 3:6

-the Lord is always good and faithful

-Paul & Silas had a solid Biblical foundation which allowed them to PTL at all times…

d. Praise Accomplishes Alot – v26

***Shifts take Place

-earthquakes shift things….

-as believers praise the Lord, there is a shift from sadness to joy/sickness to health

     Praise Break Chains Supernaturally

-People who weren’t praising the Lord were touched

-every believer must develop their own praise life

-the more people who praise ——- the more things the Lord will do