Heaven’s Worldview

HEAVEN’S WORLDVIEW

Psalm 33

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: DO WE REALLY WANT A MIRACLE?

1. Three guys were fishing when an angel appeared and asked if he could help them. The first guy said, “I’ve suffered from back pain for years. Can you help me?” The angel touched the man’s back, and he felt instant relief.

2. The second guy pointed to his thick glasses and said, “I’ve got really poor eyesight.” The angel took his glasses & tossed them into the lake: the man suddenly had 20/20 vision.

3. As the angel turned to the third man, he instantly recoiled and screamed, “Don’t touch me! I’m on disability!”

B. TEXT: Psalm 33

1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. 4 For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. 5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. 6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. 13 From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; 15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. 16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. [omitted 7,12,14,17,21-22]

C. THESIS

1. Today we’re looking at the Importance of Praise, how God is in Charge of the Nations, and how God cares for His people.

2. The title of this message is “Heaven’s Worldview.”

I. THE POWER OF PRAISE (vss. 1-9)

1. “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness” Ps. 48:1.

2. “Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous: for praise is comely (fitting) for the upright” Ps. 33:1.

3. “And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord” Ps. 40:3.

4. “Let the people praise You, O God; let all the people praise You” Ps. 67:3.

5. “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Ps. 107:8.

6. “Seven times a day do I praise You because of Your righteous judgments” Ps. 119:164.

7. “Every day will I bless You; and I will praise Your name for ever and ever” Ps. 145:2.

8. “While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being” Ps. 146:2.

9. “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand” Ps. 149:6.

A. IT’S FITTING TO PRAISE HIM

1. Every day when the sun rises over Washington DC, its first rays fall on the city’s tallest structure, the 555-foot Washington Monument. The first part of that monument to reflect the rising sun has the words: Laus Deo, Latin for “Praise be to God.”

2. It’s fitting, in a land as blessed at the USA, that praise to God is the first thing God’s great light shines on when it rises. May Praise arise!

B. SING A NEW SONG TO HIM

1. Verse 3 says, “Sing to Him a new song!” Not some worn-out tune from bygone years, but a fresh song from a new experience. Have you encountered God lately? A new experience will capture your emotions and make the mercies & compassions of God real again – they are “new every morning!”

2. ILLUS.: CONTEMPTIBLE, BUT LOVED BY GOD. A converted Hindu spoke to his neighbor Hindus: “I am, by birth, of an insignificant and contemptible caste—so low, that if a Brahmin should chance to touch me, he must go and bathe in the Ganges for the purpose of purification. And yet, God has been pleased to call me, not merely to the knowledge of the Gospel, but to the high office of teaching it to others. Do you know why? Because I’ve been made perfect through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. Jesus has transferred me from the lowest place to the highest place! I'm now an heir of God, joint-heir with Christ, I'm a King's kid, His royal blood runs in my veins. And what He did for me, He will do for you!” That man had something to praise the Lord about! Do you?