Introduction

Welcome, dear friends, to this sacred gathering where we come together as one community, one body, united in our love for the Lord and in our desire to grow closer to Him. We come to this place, not as strangers passing by, but as children returning home, eager to sit at our Father's feet and listen to His life-giving words. We come with open hearts and open minds, ready to receive His teachings, to be transformed by His truth, and to be inspired by His love.

As we gather today, let us turn our hearts and minds to the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon who once said, "Praise is the rehearsal of our eternal song. By grace, we learn to sing, and in glory, we continue to sing." These words remind us that our praise is not just an act of worship, but a divine practice, a heavenly habit that we cultivate here on earth and carry with us into eternity.

Praising with Purpose

We find ourselves in the presence of a divine invitation. The Psalmist is urging us to shout for joy, to worship with gladness, and to come before the Lord with joyful songs. This is not a casual suggestion, but a heartfelt plea for us to express our love for God in a manner that is both intentional and enthusiastic.

The act of praising God is not meant to be a passive or perfunctory exercise. It's not something we do merely out of habit or because it's expected of us. It's not something we do only when we feel like it or when it's convenient. Rather, it's something we do with purpose, with conviction, with a deep sense of gratitude and reverence.

When we praise God, we are acknowledging His sovereignty, His majesty, His goodness, and His love. We are recognizing His hand in our lives, His presence in our circumstances, and His provision for our needs. We are expressing our trust in His promises, our faith in His plans, and our hope in His purposes.

Perceiving His Presence

Psalm 100 declares to us, "Know that the LORD is God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO