Defining The Puropse Of Praise Series

“ Defining the Purpose of Praise”

Danny L. Williams

January 9, 1999

Psalm 103:1-5

Intro: Have you ever been in a praise & worship service and you didn’t feel like Praising? And then you begin to ask your self,

“What is the Purpose of Praise??

SURE

We may have been there,

What is it in us that bring’s those feeling’s?

Is it that we are thinking about something else?

We think things like::

I wonder what is going to happen at work this week or

I sure hope Pastor doesn’t Go over cause the big game is on?????

Or are we, distracted by others,

Look at what “sister so and so” is wearing or

You tell your spouse “You know honey Pastor didn’t shake my hand this morning” or Bro. So and so didn’t speak to me this morning!!!

or maybe we just didn’t feel like Praising–

You may be tired or just not in the mood to praise.

We Have all been there.

But when those feelings rise within us, how do we handle it?

There are usually three responses that every person will respond with:

1. We Procrastinate in Praise, – we miss out on praise and wonder why the message seems so Dry.

2. We Pretend to Praise, - in a half-hearted manner.

3. We Purpose to Praise, - within ourselves to enter in to the freshness.

But let’s ask the question, “Is there a way that we can move into praise that is not based on how we feel? Or no matter the atmosphere maybe in the sanctuary?

As we look at Praise this morning I want to give you a three-step way to move in to the Purpose of Praise.

I. You Explore Inwardly:

Vs.1,, “ Bless the Lord O my soul: and all that is within me,

bless his holy name

Notice how David spoke to his own soul-When he was down in the dumps or spiritually dry.

Question? Have you ever felt that way?

What are the thought’s start going through your head.

“ Why don’t I feel like Praising”

and You look around and start to feel guilty because everyone else is Praising?

What do we do?

Just what David did

He said, “Soul! Bless the Lord!

I want you to understand this morning , Many times praise is a function of the will and not our emotions.

You say but Pastor – How can I praise when I feel completely deflated emotionally?

On Psamlist put it this way.

Psalm 42:5-6

Why are you downcast within me , O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?

Then I like the next statement :

He gets tough with himself and say’s

“ Put your Hope in God! Why? Then the topper””””

For I shall yet praise Him

We must will and determine to Praise the Lord, even when we don’t feel like it. Praise is not contingent upon our Feelings- it is based upon God’s greatness.

But notice what David tells him self to do:

Bless the Lord-

It’s a sacrifice; Psalm 27:6 ``Therefore I will offer up a sacrifice of Praise in his tabernacle: I will sing, yes I will sing praises unto the Lord…

That word Bless the way it used here is defined: to Kneel, Bow down as an act of adoration to God.

REMEMBER: God called Israel a stiff necked people because they wouldn’t bow,

BUT !

I want you to understand this morning David was speaking to his innermost being , Not his outward position

He said all that is within me….

Listen Church some of us , we are standing during the praise and worship, but inside we are sitting down.

Jesus waned us from this:

He said in Matt. 15:8- and Isa.29:13----

These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from me. And in vain they worship me..

Understand this morning

IT IS NOT YOUR POSTURE or your singing,

CHURCH , IT IS YOUR HEART

But you say Pastor Why do I have to praise?

1. because it is for your own good.

So we can move into a proper relationship with him

2. simply because he is worthy. Psalm 48:1- You are worthy O’Lord to receive glory and honor and power.

Praise Recalls God’s Greatness

VS. 2

Bless the Lord, O’ My soul, and forget not his benefits:

That word Benefit means: an advantage, the payment or Gift given by a company or agency.

Question: Why do you have your Job? Is because you have nothing better to do with your time?

No!! It’s the benefits

In defining the purpose of praise not only should we Explore inwardly, but

II. You Examine Outwardly:

Vs. 3

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases,