Series: We need to find joy in the journey!
Thesis of series: Joy needs to be experienced in the journey of life! But Joy, like any other attitude, can come and go. It is not guaranteed simply because we are born again believers. We must put ourselves in the places where experiencing joy is a possibility. We need to go after and find joy in our journey of life even in times of hardship and persecution.
Introduction:
Studying about joy in Scripture, looking at verses which speak of joy, helps build an understanding of how to put ourselves in places where it is possible to find and maintain an attitude of joy in our journey of life. We need to position ourselves in 2019 to seek after and find joy in the journey of life. God desires to help us find that joy!
• We can find Joy through laughter.
• We can find joy in God’s Love.
• But we also can find joy in praise to the Lord.
Sermon: Find joy in the journey through praise pt. 2!
Thesis: Gods greatest desire is that we – you and I - would act like Him and live with Him. God placed His nature in us and as a believer His presence lives in us (Gen 2:8). He desires to interact with us through praise which encompasses prayer and worship as well. We can discover with the help of the Lord joy in the journey of life – even when we face illness, death, persecution, trials and hardship.
Story from Insanity of God Tavian, pages 183-185:
Up four flights of creaking stairs, in a tiny apartment, we met a white-haired, stooped-over, shell of a man. It was clear that, earlier in his life, he had cast a longer shadow. He invited us into his apartment. The aged furnishings made the room feel like a museum. Tavian, the old man who lived there, took us back in time as he recounted his personal history. He said that during the days of Soviet occupation, in the post-World War II decade before his country established its own communist government, he had been part of a charismatic underground movement that rose from within the country’s traditional Orthodox Church. They called themselves “The Army of God.” Reading their Bibles, they discovered what Jesus had said about the sending of the Holy Spirit to enable His followers to carry out His will on earth. They came to understand that this same Holy Spirit would empower them to do the work of Christ’s Body—with or without the blessing of the Orthodox Church or the permission of the government. When they began to put those beliefs into practice, they, of course, attracted the attention of others. The established national church opposed their efforts. Soviet occupiers declared that they were dangerous. And their own new communist government accused them of being traitors…and many other believers were arrested and imprisoned. The established church was party to this incarceration. Tavian recalled many incidents of physical and emotional torture. Soviet indoctrination experts came from the USSR. to train this satellite nation’s police and prison officials. The different forms of torture were simple, but effective. For example, large amounts of salt were added to the prisoners’ food, while, at the same time, water allowances were reduced. Other times, prisoners were hung by the wrists; their feet were unable to touch the floor. Sleep deprivation was also common. For days on end, prisoners would be kept awake. They were beaten every time they started to fall asleep—or topple out of the chair. As was the case in other communist countries, the authorities tried to destroy the soul or at least the self-identity of those they saw as a threat. It took great energy for a prisoner to retain the smallest remnant of his or her original personality. Many lost that battle. Some prisoners were isolated in cells for years. At other times, jailors would pack fifty people in a cell designed to hold four people. Tavian spoke about the abuse in a straightforward, matter-of-fact way. The pain in his voice became clearer, however, as he told how leaders of his traditional church had betrayed and informed on the underground renewal movement. I heard even deeper anguish as he described the helpless grief when he learned that his wife had died. With a very different voice, however, he spoke of something that had helped him to stay strong. “I wrote many songs,” he told me. “God gave me words and melodies to strengthen and soothe my soul.” “How many songs did you write?” I asked. He smiled and replied, “Around six hundred!” That confirmed what I had already been told by the believers who insisted that I meet this man. They had already told me that Tavian’s name was known by believers all over their country. Before communism, the Orthodox Church had used the ancient music of their tradition in worship. Protestant believers normally transliterated western hymns and songs of faith to sing in their worship. Since Tavian had been released from prison, however, believers were now singing much of this old man’s worship music in their worship services every Sunday morning.
Ripken, Nik. The Insanity of God: A True Story of Faith Resurrected. B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Introduction:
The NT says we are too:
• Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
o Eph 5:19; Col 3:16
• Sing in the Spirit
o 1 Cor. 14:15
• Lift holy hands in prayer
o 1 Tim. 2:8
• Offer to God sacrifices of praise
o Heb. 13:15
• The book of Revelation records scene after scene of Heavenly worship that includes shouting - Rev. 19:1; and vibrant “Hallelujahs” sang out to the Lord - Rev. 19:7
• Rev. and Psalms tell us that we will sing new songs to the Lord as we worship Him with all of our hearts.
o Rev 5:9
o Psalm 149
• Bowing is also spoken of and expected.
o Rev. 4:10
Scripture from David author of most of the Psalms 73 of 150 bear His name and most of the ones not anmed are attributed to him:
Psalm 8:
1O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
2From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
3When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
5You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
6You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:
7all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field,
8the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
9O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Summary of sermon 1 Finding Joy in The Journey through Praise:
David a man after God’s own heart – a worshipper of God! He found joy in the journey through Praise to the Lord even in the hard times!
David was an individual who loved God with His whole heart – He failed at times – He was not perfect – He fell into sin but in the end he returned to God.
David would have agreed with the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 12:1: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”
Jaye Thomas stated, “David was a “Man after God’s own heart because he understood that God was after man’s heart.”
The Tabernacle of David reveals the heart of praise and worship he had for God: It was not just a tent, This tent that sat high a top Mt. Zion had in it but the ark of the Covenant – the Ark of God. (It was filled with the sacrifices of prayer praise and worship). There were musicians and singers worshipping God 24 7 for the purpose of honoring God for who He was. Just the ark (with God’s presence)! Just the glory! It must have been amazing to walk into.
The Tabernacle of David was established to be a place where God’s presence dwelled in the midst of 24 hours a day – 7 days a week prayer/praise and worship setting. This prayer/praise and worship established by David lasted for 36 years straight. It is said that during this time revival and prosperity reigned because of God’s presence. It is said that Israel’s spiritual life was invigorated.
Bob Johnson from: http://tabernacle-of-david.com/catechism.html states:
The majority of the Psalms were originally sung as prophetic songs in David's Tabernacle. They account in detail the expressions of worship offered by the Israelites before the Ark of the Covenant. In addition, they describe the full range of human emotions revealed in the presence of God, from deepest despair to highest joy. The righteous kings of Israel that followed David reestablished Davidic worship within the context of Temple worship. These revivals of Davidic worship paved the way for spiritual renewal and military victory. These times of revival and victory were under Solomon (2 Chr. 5-7) - 101 B.C., Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 20) - 896 B.C., Joash (2 Chr. 23-24) - 835 B.c., Hezekiah (2 Chr. 29-30) - 726 B.C., Josiah (2 Chr. 35) - 623 B.C., Ezra (Ezra 3:10-13) - 536 B.C. and Nehemiah (Neh. 12:28-47) - 446 B.C.
Bob also notes: Even after David’s time, Davidic worship re-appeared in every subsequent revival mentioned in the Old Testament:
I. Abijah – 2 Chronicles 13:14-15
II. Asa – 2 Chronicles 15:12-15
III. Jehoshaphat – 2 Chronicles 20:18-22
IV. Joash – 2 Chronicles 23:12-15
V. Hezekiah – 2 Chronicles 29:25-30
VI. Josiah – 2 Chronicles 35:25
VII. Zerubbabel – Ezra 2:65, Ezra 3: 10-13
VIII. Nehemiah – 12: 27, 36, 45-46
Old Testament prophecies in Isa 16:5; Amos 9:11-12 specifically mention that in the last days this type of worship would reemerge at Jesus Second Coming. We are experiencing this move of the Spirit today through places like IHOP and our Sunday night Heart’s Ablaze services.
• Isaiah 16:5: In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.
• Amos 9:11-12: 11“In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be, 12so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name, “declares the LORD, who will do these things.
• In Acts 15:16-17 this Davidic worship was fulfilled and set in motion by the church of Jesus Christ.
• Acts 15:16-17: 15The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: 16“‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, 17that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’
Characteristics of David’s style of praise/prayer and worship:
• Davidic prayer/praise and worship puts God in first place.
o Colossians 3:2: 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
• Davidic prayer/praise and worship flows from our hearts out of love for God – true prayer, praise and worship flows from a deep intimate relationship with the Lord.
o The Psalm’s which you have in the Bible where birthed from the hearts of the people as they worshipped before the Lord night and day in this Tabernacle.
o David wrote most of them as songs and prayers to the Lord!
o Davidic prayer/praise and worship is a conscious choice – no one can make you do it – you have to want to do it.
? Hebrews 13:15: 15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.
o Davidic prayer/praise and worship is an expression of our faith – our trust in the Lord.
? 2 Cor. 5:7: 7We live by faith, not by sight.
Praise that attracts Gods presence must be done in spirit and truth. This means with sincerity of heart, with a passion for the Lord, with purity of motives and a humility before God. This pattern is seen in the 7 Hebrew words describing praise and worship to God. The following is gleamed from Joel Sans notes at www.destiny.co.za.
The purpose or prayer/praise and worship is too experience the Spirit of God in our earthly environment like we will in Heaven. When His presence is manifested in places of worship our spiritual thirst gets quenched, our hearts get renewed, restoration happens and our lives are energized.
David said in Ps. 9:1-3:
1I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.
2I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you.
T.S. - God wants us to interact with Him through praise-prayer and worship and yes it can be all wrapped together. It's the Davidic style of worship that God loves to bless and what He uses to bring the power of His restoration to our burdened hearts and lives.
I. There are seven dimensions of praise/prayer and worship that we can participate in according to the Bible.
a. “Towdah”- Hebrew means an extension of our hands toward God.
i. The word is translated as praise, thanksgiving, or giving thanks with a particular emphasis on the concept of offering a sacrifice to God.
ii. We start with here I am God I offer you me – Romans 12:1“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”
1. We do this out of a heart of thanksgiving for what God has done for us!
a. See David’s song of thanks when he established the Tabernacle’s prayer/praise and worship.
i. 1 Chronicles 16:7-43 – It all started with thanks to the Lord!
ii. Scripture Texts:
1. Ps 116:17: 17I will sacrifice a thank offering (towdah) to you and call on the name of the LORD.
2. Ps 50:23: 23He who sacrifices thank offerings (towdah) honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”
Song to sing together - Jesus I Come!
Nolan’s Testimony! This is part of praise --- telling your story of what God has done then praising him for it!
a. “Yadah” - Hebrew means to use or hold out the hand in reverence to God through a public time of praise and worship.
i. It is used primarily in the context of settings of public worship to God.
ii. It means a physical activity of outstretched hands to the Lord in active worship of Him.
iii. There is also a confessional element involved in this worship to God in the midst of praise and worship to the Lord.
1. Scripture Texts:
a. Psalm 111:1: 1Praise the LORD. I will extol (yadah) the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
b. 1 Ch 16:4: 4He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks (yadah), and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel:
c. Psalm 32:5: 5Then I acknowledged (yadah) my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”— and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
Songs played “The Stand” and “Place of Freedom!”
b. “Halal” - Hebrew means to shine, to boast and rave about God.
i. It points to a person who is abandoned to God in praise and who others may look at being extreme or even a little bit insane in how they are worshipping God.
ii. You could say they have lost all common sense in how they are worshipping God!
1. Michal did this to David in his dancing before the Lord.
a. Be careful on how you judge another’s worship to God!
2. It seems to suggest a sense of foolishness or total abandonment to God in praise and even if it seems undignified to others it honors God because it is done in a Spirit of humility before God.
a. This what David did in his dancing before the Lord as the Ark was brought into Jerusalem.
iii. It is translated as praise, celebrate, glory, or even exult.
iv. This Hebrew word is used about 160 times in the Old Testament.
1. Scripture Texts:
a. Ps. 105:3: 3Glory (Halal) in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
b. Ps. 115:17: 17It is not the dead who praise (Halal) the LORD, those who go down to silence;
c. Ps. 150:6: 6Let everything that has breath praise (Halal) the LORD. Praise (Halal) the LORD.
d. Others Scripture texts: Isa. 38:18; Isa. 45:25; 2 Ch 23:13; 1 Sam. 21:13; Ps. 5:5; Ps. 73:3
Songs to sing “Build My Life” and “Great Are You Lord!”
Conclusion:
There is not a strict order here of how to pray, or praise and to worship God. But it is important to note that we should first approach Him in prayer and praise with heart of thanksgiving. Then we seek His blessings and favor for certain situations in our lives.
God wants us to interact with Him through praise-prayer and worship and yes it can be all wrapped together. It's the Davidic style of worship that God loves to bless and what He uses to bring the power of His restoration to our burdened hearts and lives.
What we need to know and do!
• We need to experience the Spirit of the Lord in praise which includes prayer and worship.
• We need to invite Him to come into these times of hardship in our lives with praise and worship.
• We need to do it both individually and corporately so we are strengthened with His presence.
• When we experience His presence through the dimensions of Davidic worship spoken about in Psalms our lives will be renewed and we will find joy.
