Holding Back On What God Wants

Holding back on what God wants

Psalms 100:1-5

2/18/05

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.

Ø Known as the most common Psalm – Chapter 100 states seven times to praise God

Ø Why is the number seven important?

From the Seven days of Creation to the Seven Seals of Revelation, Scripture is saturated with the Number Seven.

God marked the Bible with the Number Seven because it is the fulness of God’s revelation!

One of the most significant uses of the phrase seven times is found in these words of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 18.21):

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

There is a reason why the Lord Jesus Christ chose the number 490 = 70 x 7 to represents the perfection of forgiveness.

Ø Why should we praise God?

I Peter 2:9 - But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

· God’s own possession – Possession defined = Is actual enjoyment of property not found on any title of ownership.

· You proclaim – God is looking for your praises – Not your spouse, Mother or Father – But yours!

· Called you out of darkness! – Where would you be today if God did not call you out? Can you praise him for that?

Praise is the hitch pin for our spiritual success – If I’m not spiritually happy. Here is what Christians do:

· Nothing is right

· Will attend church at their convenience.

· Tithe 2% instead of 10%

· Will read there bible less

All these things will lead to our spiritual decline!

A study was done a few years ago about what makes a successful church. A poll was done of new people who started attending these churches. These churches were from all demnominations. The number one reason why they stayed at that pirticluar church was this?

The category of praise – This includes greeters, feeling God’s presences, freedom to worship God. Feeling welcome – Like they matter.

Scripture tells us that God inhabits the praises of his people. Inhabits defined = Is to live in – Or primary residence.

With God’s spirit with us – We are not just another church on Fenton road. But know people say “ That church on Fenton road!!!!!

Ø Can praise really make a difference?

Paul and Silas were turned over to the authorities, they were severely beaten and then thrown into prison. They were taken deep into the center section of the prison where the security level was the most intense. Their feet were put into stocks in such a way that they were forced to lay with their raw and bleeding backs against the rough rock floor of the

cell. Their pain was almost unbearable.

And the scriptures tell us that at about midnight, as the two apostles were lying there humiliated, bruised, bleeding in this dark, smelly and seemingly God--forsaken place.....something happened.

Paul and Silas could have easily felt sorry for themselves and cursed God for allowing them to be in this situation....but they didn’t. They began to pray and sing hymns to God--they openly and joyfully praised the Lord right there in the midst of their worst affliction yet!

Sounds of praise and thanksgiving filled the damp dungeon air waking the rest of the prisoners. And you know what happened...as Paul and Silas praised the Lord, the very foundations of that prison began to shake--it was shaken so hard that all the prison doors were dislodged from the cells--even the stocks that held the apostle’s ankles broken open!

Was God there the entire time? Sure He was, but notice that it was when the apostles were praising Him that He revealed His saving power to them.

You see, as they praised Him in prayer and hymns, they were able to focus their hearts and minds on God and His goodness which strengthened their faith and allowed God to work a miracle in their lives.

Part II

Serve the Lord with gladness

Psalms 4:7 - You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound.