Introduction. (Acts 16:16-25) This evening I would like to focus on this last verse and consider carefully some lessons that it teaches us.

I. “But at midnight...”

1. They Worshiped God at a Dark Time. They were up late. Was it because of worry? Or Anxiety? This was at a time of darkness. (Psalm 27:4,5)
2. They Worshipped God in Spite of Convenience, persecution or opposition. This was not a usual time of worship. This suggests that singing to God was a part of their continual relationship with God. We can’t be “limited” Christians. (Romans 12:1,2)

II. “...Paul and Silas...”

1. They Worshiped Together. They were forced to be together, but they might have chosen to turn inwardly and withdraw to themselves. They bonded to each other. This is how service to God should be. The enemy is out there. We are coworkers. - (I Peter 3:7) “heirs together of the grace of life.” We are the refuge - (I Thessalonians 5:14). We are to be the escape from the world. We are to be a comfort to one another. Do we always see it this way?
   
2. The Importance of worshiping together.
        Everyday we live life in a warzone. As we struggle and try to hold the battleline secure we may at times sometimes feel as if we are about to fall. It should be that when we come together we get the strength we need to make it through another day. Yet, if we find in our times together nothing except discouragement our strength grows a little weaker.
        We must rebuke sin. We must try to help each other grow. But how do we do that? When was the last time you looked for something good that a brother or sister has done and encouraged them in that? By nature we do those things that receive a positive response. Example: Wife and a meal. By nature we lose heart at a continual negative response. Example: wife and meal - “you can cook your own meal” (Galatians 6:1-9).
   
3. Importance of Good Attitudes When We Come Together. What hinders this? Discouragement. Unkindness. Hypercriticism. We will answer to God for the degree to which our thoughtlessness, rudeness, unkindness and inconsiderateness turns people back to the world. It isn’t always that people reject sound teaching because of an intellectual rejection of the issues - sometimes it is because those who practice what is sound are simply miserable people to be around. If you feel worse when you are around me it may be that there is something I must change about my attitude. (John 13:34,35). Note: This isn’t to say that there aren’t those times when we bring a bad attitude with us and there is nothing anyone can do right.

III. “...Were praying and singing hymns to God...”

Literally “praying hymns to God.” Alford comments - “The distinction of modern times between prayer and praise, arising from our attention being directed to the shape rather than the essence of devotion, was unknown in these days” (Vol. II, p. 183). Most English translations “praying and singing hymns.” Worship at a time of hardship. Praise during a time of difficulty. (James 5:13)

1. Musical worship is an important element of our relationship to God. It is not for entertainment.
   
2. It is educational. (Colossians 3:16)
   
3. It is uplifting. My daughter Torhi commented that she hates it when the singings are over because she sees them as such encouraging times. That’s a good attitude.
        We remember words better that are set to a tune. Example: Big Mac commercial from the 1970’s - “2 all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce...” When busy and frustrated or tempted bring to mind the words of a song. “It won’t be very long, till this short life shall end” or “farther along we’ll understand why.”
        It is good to learn new songs - as you grow older things may not stick in the memory as when younger. Example: Many songs from the 70’s I could still tell you every single word. As we select songs to edify one another we must keep in mind that older familiar songs will trigger the memory of some of us who have heard them for years - we need to hear them!

IV. “...And the prisoners were listening to them.”

1. Set backs can become great opportunities. (Philippians 1:12-14) These prisoners might not have listened to Paul & Silas as they taught in the streets and synagogues. But here were men that should have been “crying in their soup” over their circumstances - praying and rejoicing. They had something that the other prisoners didn’t - hope - peace of mind - a reason to live.
   
2. We Never Know Who We May Influence. (I Peter 3:15,16) What do we show those around us? Are we people of hope? Do we carry with us an unshakeable peace of mind? Or do we allow life to turn us bitter and cynical. The prisoners of sin around us are watching and listening to us.