I. Entering In
A. Our Attitude Determines Our Altitude
Psalms 100:4 - Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
1. Having the right attitude goes a long way in obtaining the right things.
2. Having the wrong attitude will shut down God’s blessings over your life every time!
3. Your life can change in a moment!
B. It’s best to live grateful!
1. Being grateful and being thankful are not the same thing.
2. Being grateful is feeling or showing appreciation for something done or received. It’s an action word.
3. Being thankful is a feeling. It means feeling pleased or relieved…
C. “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving…” – (the feeling of being pleased and relieved at the opportunity to experience His presence manifested).
1. No more whining because “I have to go to Church today…”
2. The acceptable attitude is “I get to go to Church today!!!”
D. “…and into His courts with praise:” – Gratitude (“showing appreciation for something done or received)
1. Lord I thank and praise YOU because of who YOU are.
E. “…be thankful unto Him and bless His name.”
1. Be thankful – a feeling
2. Bless His name – an activity
II. Word Expressions – Psalms 145
A. V1. “I will extol thee, my God, O king;“ – Extol – To praise very highly; Go into rapturous, enthusiastic praise. – (This is not a quiet activity)
1. God encourages us to live with praise continually…
2. Be excited about God!
B. V4. “One generation shall praise thy works to another, and declare thy mighty acts.”
1. Generational Blessings are the result of Generational Teachings & Examples!
2. How can your kids love God if you don’t teach them about Him?
3. What are you teaching your children about God? – Do they hear you blaming God for things that you do not understand? Do they hear you exalting and praising Him even through the storm?
4. V5. Speak of His majesty and wonderous works!
C. V21. “My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.”
1. When we keep our mouth busy speaking right things then wrong things will have no opportunity to flourish in our lives.
2. ATTITUDE REALLY DOES DETERMINE ALTITUDE!
III. Outward Expressions of Praise
A. Lifting Up Holy Hands
1. 1 Timothy 2:8 – I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
B. Lifting Up Holy Heads
1. Psalms 24:7 – Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
C. Singing Praises
1. Psalms 47:6 – Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
2. Psalms 33:3 – Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
D. Clapping & Shouting
1. Psalms 47:1 – To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
E. Standing in His Presence
Psalms 24:3-5
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Closing:
To Respond is “to answer or reply.”
• What is our response to the move of God?
• Do we answer His call to worship?
• Do we reply when He moves?
• Do we make a move towards Him? If we do He will RUSH towards us!
o Oftentimes we will ask you to come forward in worship. This is our outward, physical move towards God.
o When we come forward we are saying, “God you have my full attention!”
