The Power of Music in Worship
Music is deeply woven into our lives. I bet I can sing
just a few lines of a song, and you’ll instantly
recognize where it’s from. Let’s play a little game:
Name That Jingle! (Sing the tune and have the
congregation finish it. Show images to connect
the jingle to the product of TV Show.
1.”Give me a break, give me a break, break me off a
piece of that Kit-Kat bar…”
2.. “I don’t want to grow up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us kid…”
3. “The best part of waking up is Folgers in your
cup…”
4. “My bologna has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R
.My bologna has a second name, it’s M-A-Y-E-R
Oh, I love to eat it every day
And if you ask me why, I’ll say
‘Cause Oscar Mayer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A!”
5. (For my More mature friends: “Here’s the story of a
lovely lady
Who was bringing up three very lovely girls
All of them had hair of gold, like their mother
The youngest one in curls
6. (For my friends under the age of 45) “In west
Philadelphia born and raised…. On the playground
is where I spent most of my days…
See? Music sticks. It connects emotions, memories,
and moments in time. If Pastor Kevin can show you
Michael Jackson videos in church, then we can sing
commercial jingles! When I hear a song of my
childhood, or my young adult years, it places me
right in the middle of that scene in my life. For
example, when I hear the theme song to “Fresh
Prince of Bel-Air” I can almost smell the garlic in my
dad’s cooking baked Ziti, because that show was
on right around the time, he would start preparing
dinner.
EMILY’S MUSICAL STORY
I’ll never forget when my daughter Emily, at six years
old, got in trouble after church. We told her to take a
moment to reflect before joining us for lunch on the
other side of the double doors. A few moments
later, we heard a melody. Curious, Brian and I
listened through the door—Emily was full-on belting
out a dramatic musical monologue about what had
just happened! (Sing an example) It was hilarious,
but it also reinforced the power of music to process
emotions and experiences.
Science backs this up: music impacts our cognitive,
emotional, and physical well-being. It enhances
memory, regulates emotions, relieves stress, lowers
heart rates, and even reduces pain. No wonder God
gave us music as a tool for worship! It helps us
remember His promises, declare His truth, and
stand firm in our faith.
Music is how most of you memorized the
alphabet.
Music is how many of you were calmed by
your parents at bed time.
Music is how a lot of Scripture has gotten into
your brain.
I taught my kids the books of the Bible in
order with the Bible book bop,
That’s why it’s such an important part of
worship…as a weapon.
REVIEW
Over the past few weeks, Pastor Kevin and Pastor
Billy have shared different aspects of worship—
better understood as “Worth-ship.” Worship is how
we, as followers of Christ, demonstrate God’s worth
in our lives. As we’ve discussed, worship is not just
about music; it’s about how we live our lives fully
surrendered to Christ, because He is worthy.
Today, I want to pivot a bit and focus on the
powerful connection between worship and spiritual
warfare. Now, you might be wondering, “Spiritual
warfare? Janette, are you talking about exorcisms?”
Well, the Bible does include accounts of demon
possession, but spiritual warfare is more than that.
It’s the ongoing battle between the forces of good
and evil—a battle that tries to pull us away from
God.
While we’ve established that worship isn’t just about
singing on Sunday mornings, Scripture makes it
clear that singing, shouting, and playing instruments
play a key role in spiritual battles.
1. Worship is a Weapon
Now, I know some of you might be thinking,
“Janette, calling music a weapon is a stretch.” But
worship is one of the most powerful weapons we
have against the enemy.
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world, and
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
realms.” (NIV)
We are in a spiritual battle. Our fight is not against
people—it’s against darkness.
But …Worship is a battle cry that dismantles the
enemy’s schemes
And do you know what demons hate most? Praise.
Think about it—before his fall, Satan was a master
musician, possibly even a worship leader in heaven.
That’s why nothing infuriates him more than when
we worship God. Our worship is not just an act of
reverence—it’s a weapon that shakes the kingdom
of darkness.
This is exactly what we see in 1 Samuel 16 when
Saul was tormented by an evil spirit.
Later in verse 23, we see the power of worship:
“Whenever the spirit came upon Saul, David would
take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to
Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would
leave him.”
Worship Shifts Our Focus from the Battle to the
Victor
We see this same principle play out in 2 Chronicles
20, when King Jehoshaphat received terrifying
news:
“A vast army is coming against you from Edom,
from the other side of the Dead Sea.” (v. 2)
The Bible says Jehoshaphat was alarmed, and his
first instinct wasn’t to gather his warriors—it was to
seek the Lord.
Jehoshaphat called all the people together—not just
the men, but their wives, their children, and even
their little ones—and they stood before the Lord and
Jehoshaphat honestly says to the Lord,
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are
on you.”
.And then, God responded with this message
“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this
vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2
Chron. 20:15)
Church, when the enemy rises against us, our first
turn should always be toward Jesus. Why? Because
the battle is the Lord’s.
When we turn to him and say, “I DON”T KNOW
WHAT TO DO” and lift our worship, it reminds us
who is fighting for us. Worship is not about ignoring
the battle—it’s about inviting God’s presence into it.
And when He steps in, everything changes.
2. Worship Brings Peace & Guidance
War brings torment, but worship brings peace because it
reminds us that God is with us.
God’s message continues…
“Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out to
face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” (2
Chron. 20:17)
We’ve all faced struggles—health scares, financial stress,
broken relationships. Worship isn’t an escape from these
things; it’s an invitation for Christ’s presence in the
middle of them. His presence transforms both our
situation and our mindset.
That’s why so many will come to say after worship, “I
feel so much better!”
It’s not the worship team lifting you up—it’s you lifting
up His name.
And worship doesn’t just bring peace—it also brings
guidance. When Jehoshaphat’s army faced an
overwhelming enemy, he did something unexpected: he
put worshipers on the front lines instead of soldiers.
Seems bizarre right? There is a vast army coming at us,
Let’s get some music up in here, and sing as we approach
them! CRAZY Right!
“Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures
forever.” (2 Chron. 20:21)
As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set
ambushes against their enemies, and they were defeated.
Jehoshaphat understood that worship wasn’t just
preparation for battle—it was the battle. Worship shifts
our focus from fear to faith, reminding us that victory
comes not by our strength, but by God’s power.
3. Worship Restores Our Joy
Jehoshaphat and his army never even had to fight—God
fought for them! As they worshiped, their enemies turned
on each other, and by the time the army of Judah arrived,
the battle was already won. Not only did they experience
victory, but they walked away with blessings they
never expected—supplies, riches, and resources that
strengthened them for the future.
And how did they respond? They worshiped!
In verse 22-26
Four days later, they gathered in a valley and named it
Berakah—”Praise”—because it became a place of
thanksgiving. Then, with joyful hearts, they returned to
Jerusalem, singing, playing instruments, and
celebrating in the temple because God had given them
victory!
At first, they were overwhelmed and afraid, but through
worship, they didn’t just survive—they came out
rejoicing!
This is what worship does. It shifts our focus from the
battle to the One who fights for us. It reminds us that
victory isn’t just about making it through—it’s about
praising God for what He has done!
Maybe today, you’re still in the middle of the battle.
Worship anyway. Because when God moves, He doesn’t
just bring you through—He restores your joy.
And that joy? It’s part of your strength in the fight.
When we fix our eyes on God, our worship becomes
part of the armor He has given us to stand firm.
Worship and the Armor of God
But …If our focus isn’t on God when we worship,
then we’re just singing—it’s not true worship, and it
has no power as a weapon.
Think of an “air guitar battle”—you know, when
people act like rockstars, dramatically strumming
invisible guitars. Do you know this is really a thing?
Like there is world wide competition and all….
Check it out.
Show Video of Air Guitar battle:
TITLE SCREEN
Isn’t this the most ridiculous thing you have ever
seen? They’re pretending to play, but in reality,
they’re not making any real music. If our worship is
just performance—acting like we’re playing the part
without truly engaging in what it means to
acknowledge God—we’re no different than those
folks with their air guitars. We’re doing the same
thing, pretending to worship in the presence of the
King of Kings but no genuine worship is actually
happening.
True worship should be real, powerful, and
authentic. It’s our direct connection to the God who
fights for us.
When we TRULY worship, we are doing exactly
what Paul instructs in Ephesians 6—putting on the
full armor of God. But just as we wouldn’t go into
battle unprepared, we can’t approach worship
without fully equipping ourselves with His strength
and protection.
Armor of God Picture
CLICK FOR EACH ONE BELOW
• The belt of truth holds us steady in God’s
Word, and in worship, we declare His truth over
our lives. I’m very careful about the songs I
select for us. The worship team reads through
the scripture of each of the songs we sing
together to remember that all songs we use in
worship are grounded in the truth of God’s
word!
• The breastplate of righteousness guards our
hearts, and in worship, we surrender to His
holiness.
• The shoes of peace give us firm footing, and
worship anchors us in His presence.
• The shield of faith extinguishes the enemy’s
attacks, and worship builds and strengthens our
faith. That’s why it’s OK to FEEL something
when you worship.
• The helmet of salvation protects our minds,
and in worship, we renew our thoughts with His
promises. That’s why focus is so important
during our times together. We do all that we can
to foster your connection with the Lord and not
distract from it.
• The sword of the Spirit—God’s Word—is our
weapon, and worship is one way we proclaim
His Word with power. That’s why so many lyrics
of the songs we sing come right from Scripture.
Worship and the armor of God go hand in hand.
Both equip us to stand firm, resist the enemy, and
walk in victory. Worship is not just a song—it’s a
powerful weapon!
Closing: Our Battle Cry
There is nothing that ticks the devil off more than
hearing us declare “Hallelujah!”
Hallellujah is our Battle Cry. The purpose of a Battle
cry is twofold:
1. to rally and inspire instill a sense of unity and
purpose,
2. to intimidate the enemy before or during a
battle.
Did you know that the best translation of
“Hallelujah” means “You all must praise the Lord!”
So when we worship, we’re not just praising—we’re
calling others to join in! In the middle of our battles, we
must declare together:
“Y’all must praise the Lord! The battle belongs to
God!”
Worship is not just a song—it is a powerful weapon!
I don’t know what battle you’re facing today—whether
it’s a diagnosis, a broken relationship, a financial struggle,
or a spiritual challenge that no one else sees perhaps the
Battle is right there inside your own head. I know
personally that’s where Satan attacks me the most, in my
own thoughts.
Right now, you have a choice: to let fear, doubt, and
discouragement take control, or to raise your hands in
worship and fight through the battle with faith.
Worship isn’t about ignoring difficulty; it’s about
declaring that God is greater than the difficulty.
It’s not pretending everything is fine—it’s proclaiming
that even when things aren’t fine, God is still worthy.
Scripture gives us a powerful picture of this in the battle
between the Israelites and the Amalekites. As long as
Moses kept his hands raised, the Israelites were
winning. But when he grew weary and lowered them,
the enemy gained ground. Some of us walked in today
feeling like we have no Hallelujah left to give. But hear
this: your Hallelujah is most powerful when it costs
you something. Dare I say, that’s when it’s worship!
Surrender is two arms up—not in defeat, but in trust.
Maybe today, that’s exactly what you need to do.
Whatever you’re carrying, lay it down. Raise your hands
in surrender and give the battle to the Lord.
The song Hard-Fought Hallelujah says, “There’s times
when my hands go up easy, and times when it costs.” True
worship happens when we choose to praise, not because
it’s easy, but because we trust Him anyway.
The enemy expects you to quit, to doubt, to shut down.
But when you lift a Hard-Fought Hallelujah, it declares:
“I trust God anyway.” Worship is not just a song—it’s a
powerful weapon.
White Flag
As you walked into worship today, you received flags.
Use them as a symbol of your surrender. These flags are
not just decorations—they represent the declaration that
you trust God in the middle of your battle. Wave them as
you raise your hands, and let them be a visual declaration
of your trust in Him.
Moses couldn’t keep his arms up alone—he needed Aaron
and Hur to hold them up. Some battles are too heavy to
fight alone, and that’s why we need each other. Worship
isn’t just personal; it’s something we do together. Maybe
someone needs you to help raise their hallelujah.
As we sing Hard-Fought Hallelujah, let’s make this our
declaration:
“I will worship in the middle of the fire,
I will praise You in the center of the storm,
I’ll lift my hands, ‘cause I know that You’re able,
And I will sing a hard-fought Hallelujah!”