TITLE: UNLEASH THE POWER OF PRAISE
SCRIPTURE: PSALM 100:4 / PSALM 117
This morning we continue in this fourth installment in our series on Praise. We began with “THE BATTLE CRY OF PRAISE” – we then examined “THE WEAPON OF PRAISE” followed last week with “THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE” – this morning I continue with the thought “UNLEASH THE POWER OF PRAISE.”
The beauty and simplicity of Psalm 117 needs little commentary. Psalm 117 is not only the briefest chapter of the scriptures; it also falls, appropriately, at the center of the Bible. The brevity of Psalm 117 has been a subject of conjecture among Bible students and scholars.
• Some propose the two verses were an ancient doxology, sung by worshippers in the Temple and the synagogues at the close of a worship service
• Others suggest the two verses were a closing thought to other Psalms of worship
• Whenever it might have been sung is not as important as the intent of the Psalm -- To sing “HALLELUJAH,” to the LORD!
• A Universal Call to Praise the LORD: “O PRAISE THE LORD, ALL YE NATIONS: PRAISE HIM, ALL YE PEOPLE”
• To “Praise,” is to Boast - Celebrate - Sing “Hallelujah”
We know through the preaching and teaching the past few weeks that praise gives us access to God. Recall with me in PSALM 100:4 “ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING AND HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE.” This verse refers to Moses’ Tabernacle in the wilderness. The Tabernacle was divided into three parts. The Outer Court -- The Inner Court -- The Holy Of Holies where God dwelled.
• There was only one gate - one entrance - into The Outer Court
• If you wanted to approach God, you had to go through the gate, into the courtyard, and finally into The Holy of Holies
In the days of Moses, only the High Priest could enter into The Holy of Holies. It was not accessible to everyone. However, when our Great High Priest died according to Hebrews 4:14-16, the veil to The Holy of Holies was torn allowing us access to God. Hallelujah!
• The Gate you come through to approach God is thanksgiving and the Court you enter is praise
• Psalm 100:4 should be so much more meaningful in light of its historical context
It pains me to see people skip the Praise and Worship portion of a service. Worse yet, I’ve been in worship and conferences where the Pastor or visiting Preacher would skip out on worship and show up at the very end just in time to Preach.
• Praise and Worship is not the opening act to the Pastor's or Preacher’s message!
• Praise softens the soil of your heart so the seeds of the message can be planted
• To have direct access to God, it is essential to come through Praise
How can you incorporate Praise into your everyday life giving you access to God? You have to make it personal.
• You can turn on praise music while you clean the house
• You can turn on praise music while you are in the car
• You can turn on praise music while you are cooking in the kitchen
• You can turn on praise music while you are sitting on the porch
• You can praise Him before your Prayer or Bible Study time
• You can sing to Him before you pray
• You can praise Him before you open your Bible
• You can turn on praise music as you are driving to church
• Till up the soil of your heart with praise, and then allow God to plant His words into fresh soil
Praise changes you. Being in the midst of worship, I have seen a lot from the platform.
• I’ve seen the hardest of hearts melt
• I’ve seen repentance
• I’ve seen friendship restored and marriages heal
• I’ve seen children coming back to their parents, and parents return to their children
• Praise can change you if you allow it to
Praise changes relationships - it changes hearts - it changes mindsets. In Praise, our focus shifts from -
• Us to the Lord
• From Problems to The Solution
• From Pain to Promise
• From Hurt to Hope
Proverbs 27:21 says, “AS THE FINING POT FOR SILVER, AND THE FURNACE FOR GOLD; SO IS A MAN TO HIS PRAISE.” So often, when we have heated our Spirits in worship - Thoughts - Desires - Attitudes rise to the surface. As we are broken and heated in the presence of the Lord, those negative attitudes rise to the surface of our hearts. We are then able to bring them to Jesus to be forgiven and cleansed.
When we make a decision to fix our eyes on Jesus, and daily give Him Praise, no matter what is staring us in the face, we will begin to see the struggles lose their grip over us. There is power in our acknowledgment that God is worthy of our worship and praise. And as we press close to Him, our hearts become more in tune with our Creator and King.
Praise honors God and gives us the gift of renewed perspective.
• When we magnify God rather than our problems, we see He is greater
• When we praise God, we shift our focus from ourselves, other people, and everything going on in our lives to God
• When we focus on our heavenly Father, we reap one of the most incredible benefits of praising God, which is God’s presence
Praise is a relationship. It is not a ritual. Psalm 81:10 says, “I AM THE LORD, YOUR GOD . . .”. Isn’t it wonderful to know that He is ours and we are His? Praise brings us into a closer relationship with Jesus. I love exodus 25:8. God tells Moses to build a sanctuary that “I MAY DWELL AMONG THEM.”
• He didn’t want a cathedral shining with jewels to show His awesomeness
• He didn’t ask for massive monuments or statues made of gold
• God asked for a simple tent
• It wasn’t about the structure
• It was about the relationship
• He wanted a tabernacle just so He could be with us
• That brings such tears to my eyes
• The God of all of the earth could be anywhere, could have anything, could do anything, and yet He chooses to be with you, and with me
I’ve been in the most beautifully structured churches. From Pastoring my first church in Germany and also Pastored in the country of Belgium, I have seen some beautiful structures. Having lived in Panama for three years, I seen some wonderful Chapels. Many of them were gorgeous to look at, but the Spirit of the Lord was nowhere to be found. I’ve sat in simple living rooms with a handful of saints, and the presence of God is so strong it is tangible.
• God doesn't want anything to dwell in, but us
• He wants relationship with us
• That relationship comes through Praise
The problem comes in when ritual takes the place of pure praise. A.W. Tozer said, “worship is no longer worship when it reflects the culture around us more than the Christ within us.” In 1962, Tozer grieved, “it is scarcely possible in most places to get anyone to attend a meeting where the only attraction was God.”
How true are Tozer’s words sixty-one (61) years later. On one hand, you have modern “Praise and Worship” movements that at a quick glance look more like a rock concert than a worship service.
• We “Praise” the singers of the songs more than The One we are singing about
• Lasers, fog machines
• Video displays have taken the place of a humble altar and even humbler hearts
Now understand me, there always must be balance. I love The Theatrical Arts! But when churches alter their worship services to “fit in” with the culture of the day, it ceases to become worship. When our Praise and Worship becomes ritualistic in how it is displayed, it becomes less and less about relationship with The Father. On the absolute other hand, you have “religion” which has dictated why, where, and how we should worship including a list of do’s and don’ts. Most churches strictly abide by a “three fast songs, two slow songs” pattern that leaves no room for God to move. There is no relationship, just man-made religion.
Can God move in the lasers, fog machines, and electric guitars? Of course. Can God move in the rituals of our worship? Of course, He can do whatever He wants to do. He is God. I am not arguing how you should praise. I am stating that if your cultural rituals replace relationship; it no longer becomes praise.
• True praise doesn’t come from modern culture or a rigid religious system
• True praise comes from relationship with Jesus
• He inhabits the Praises of His people
• He dwells in, lives in, and abides in our praise
• He just wants a relationship with you
• Unleash the Power of Praise!
The first mention of praise in the Bible is at the birth of Jacob’s son, Judah, in Genesis 29:35.
• JUDAH means Praise
• No matter where you see the name Judah in the Bible, it always means Praise
Revelation 5:5 tells us that our Lord Jesus, the lion of the tribe of praise (Judah) has overcome! So many of us walk around in fear of the enemy. Whether it is “the devil” you fear, your own thoughts, or your next door neighbor, we often walk around fearing our enemy and what he/she could do to us. I don’t often speak about the devil when I preach, I don’t like to give the adversary the Platform. I also believe he has no power except what we give him. Non-Praisers often worry about their enemy who walks around AS A ROARING LION SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR.
• The enemy walks AS a roaring lion
• He is an Imposter
• He has no Power
Praisers know that their Lion of the Tribe of Judah is the real thing, and He has already overcome every single enemy that may come in their path. This is why I have learned to Praise. I have learned to simply praise my way through. I have learned to “UNLEASH THE POWER OF PRAISE” in my life and in every circumstance. How many battles do we needlessly fight; drawing -- our swords of worry -- our shields of fear -- and our words of war? What would happen if we simply trusted that the lion of the tribe of Judah has already won the battle?
All The nations should be praising Him because he is good to the unbelievers as well. ST. MATTHEW 5:45 “…FOR HE MAKETH HIS SUN TO RISE ON THE EVIL AND ON THE GOOD, AND SENDETH RAIN ON THE JUST AND ON THE UNJUST.” He is not just the God of the “Christian” nations. Acts 4:12 states categorically that “THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN WHEREBY MAN MAY BE SAVED.” All good things that the Communist – Islamic - Buddhist, countries receive come from the God they reject.
• They may praise their false gods and philosophies, but the gifts come from Christ
• Their gods are dead and their philosophies are foolishness
• One day, they will see their folly
• I pray that it may it be in this life while they can still repent and praise Him rather than bow before Him as judge
• It is our calling to help them to do so
--Every chance you get, Praise the Lord
--In good times and bad, Praise the Lord
--In sickness and health, Praise the Lord
--With or without a job, Praise the Lord
--Let everything that has breath, Praise the Lord
--Praise ye the Lord
--Unleash the Power of Praise
