The NLT version of Acts 13:2, uses the word ‘worship’ rather than ‘minister.’ The GNB and MSG editions of the Bible uses the word ‘service’ in place of ‘worship.’ That is to say, the disciples in Antioch spent time to worship God. It also means that worship is service to God. The Church is called to serve God in the place of worship.
We must always attune our spiritual ears to listen to God and our eyes to see into the realm of the supernatural whenever we worship God. Worship is one major key to the supernatural and certainly, the key to supernatural increase. Worship brings multi-dimensional Increases. As the disciples worshiped, God spoke to them, and separated them to their callings and ministries. There was no way the disciples could have experienced the level of harvest they had in Acts of the Apostles if they had not worshiped God.
In Acts 13:1, the disciples experienced three things as they worshiped God.
First, they received the Rhema, the spoken word of God.
Two, they received the prophetic revelation of their callings as they worshiped.
Third, they got a prophetic direction from God.
Consequently, the following were the results:
In Acts 13:4-12, the proconsul, Sergio’s Paulus was saved.
In Acts 13:42-44, the whole city responded to the word of God.
In Acts 13:49, the word of God increased.
In Acts 13:52, the disciples were filled with a Joy and with the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 14:8-18, there was great response to the word of God following the healing of a man in Lystra.
In Acts 16, the same pattern of numerical increase was repeated at Philippi. This time the disciples worshiped God under a different circumstance. They were thrown into jail, and as they worshiped God, an earthquake occurred. The result of the earth was that the jailer and his household were saved.
Other results followed:
In Acts 16:5, the Church was strengthened in faith and increased in number.
In Acts 16:13-16, Lydia was saved.
In Acts 18:8, Crispus and his household and many Corinthians believed.
In both instances, worship was the trigger that opened the door to the harvest. This means that whenever we spend time worshiping God, let us expect supernatural happenings and occurrences.
Dick Eastman, the President of Every Home For Christ (EHFC) testifies that their ministry experienced an unprecedented harvest and growth as they began to practice what he called “intercessory worship” based on the principles of the bowl and the harp (Rev.5:7-9). This means there is a link between worship and the harvest.
What kind of worship precipitates divine responses?
- First, it is a worship that comes from a penitent heart.
- Secondly, it is a worship that is God focused (Psalm 69:30,31).
- Thirdly, it is a worship that is kingdom related (Psalm 67).
As a Church involved in missions, we can learn from these examples. Let us expect supernatural increases in our Churches and mission fields as we worship God.
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