How Jesus Found Power In The Praise Of The Father

How Jesus Found Power In the Praise of the Father - Matt 6:9-13

Illustration:What is worship? Worship is to feel in your heart and express in some appropriate manner a humbling but delightful sense of admiring awe and astonished wonder and overpowering love in the presence of that most ancient Mystery, that Majesty which philosophers call the First Cause, but which we call Our Father Which Are in Heaven.

A.W. Tozer, quoted in D.J. Fant, A.W. Tozer, Christian Publications, 1964, p. 90.

1. Jesus taught all of us to begin prayer with praise. The Lord Jesus said, "This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name_" (Matt. 6:9) Praise helps us honor, worship and give maximum glory to the only one who deserves it. Worship allows us to fix our mind on things above instead of on things on the earth. Our life is hidden with Christ in God. We gain our sense of purpose, power and perspective through worship. People who worship the Lord as their priority are enabled to see God’s perfect will for their life. The Holy Spirit energizes, equips and empowers those who are worshiping the Lord in Spirit and in truth for such the Father is seeking many others who will likewise worship Him. Let the Lord use you to enhance, enrich and enlarge the sphere of His worshipers.

2. Jesus praised God for all of His great works. The Lord Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." (Matt. 11:25,26) Worship the Lord for the great visible and invisible things He is doing. He works in ways we cannot see or understand, yet we should praise Him since His ways are past finding out.

3. Jesus knew that the Pharisees sought the praises of men. The Lord Jesus wanted to teach all people to whom their praises should be directed. John wrote, "The Pharisees loved praise from men more than praise from God." (John 12:42,43) Praising God through song and prayer and testimony rightly directs others to whom they should be worshipping.

4. Jesus knew that praise helps people get a better appreciation for their identity, privileges and power as children of God. The Lord Jesus knew that Paul would write, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." (Eph. 1:3)

5. Jesus knew that praise gives people a greater insight into God’s will, way and wonderful working. Mark writes of Jesus’ early morning pattern, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (Mark 1:35) No doubt the Lord Jesus prayed the prayer of David, "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; before the gods I will sing your praise_ I will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness. For you are exalted above all things." (Psa. 138:1,2) Jesus gained greater empowerment for all that God wanted Him to accomplish through His praise and private worship.

Illustration: Scripture: Acts 16:10

“The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans” MSG

A father just home from a hard days work wanted to read the paper in his easy chair, but was being bothered by his little daughter, Vanessa. Finally in desperation for some peace he tore a page out of a magazine. Printed on the page was a map of the world. Tearing it into small pieces he gave it to Vanessa, and said, "Honey, go into the other room and see if you can put this together."

After a few minutes, Vanessa bounced back into the room and handed him the map correctly fitted together. The father was amazed and asked, “Vanessa, how did you finish so quickly?”

"Oh," she said, "on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got Jesus in His place, then the world came out all right."

Prayer: Father help me to view the world through Jesus. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

6. Jesus praised God in public assemblies as a way of pledging His highest allegiance, commitment and loyalty to the Father. "Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them." (Matt. 26:27) Give everyone an opportunity to express their public praise for the Lord as a way of affirming their primary commitment to their savior and creator.