Praise Him! - The why and how of praise and worship!
Thesis: We all need to learn to praise the Lord in what ever circumstance we find ourselves in and understand the benefit of praising the Lord and learn how to praise Him.
Scripture Text:
Luke 19:29-45: 29As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30“Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34They replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:38“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” 41As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” 45Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. 46“It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” 47Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.
Introduction:
It is always important that when we look at a Biblical text that we pay attention to the context of the passage we are exploring. Today I want to draw our attention to Luke 19:29-45in this scenario we observe the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The crowds are cheering and applauding Jesus. He is the great one the healer of sickness and disease. He is the one who they think will deliver them from the Roman Empires control. They are excited in thinking no more Roman taxes, freedom and liberty are coming into the city. They were celebrating the home coming of their king. Jesus at one point weeps for the city and its inhabitants because he know that they still are blind and they still do not see Him for who He really is. He knows that they don’t know what this day really means. He knew that they were spiritually blind and only praising him for what they thought would happen and benefit them as a people. He knew their praises were self centered and self motivated. He knew that they were only looking at Him through their earthly eyes. They really did not see their Messiah, their Lord, their Savior, or their Jehovah Jireh. No they saw an earthly man who could do extraordinary things and they thought the Kingdom of David was going to be re-established in their city and country. The time had come to get even with Rome and overthrow it. Jesus was going to re-birth the empire of King David in the eyes of the people. Jesus knew that they did not understand and he knew most of them would not understand nor support Him by the end of the week. Crowds are very fickle and unpredictable because if there is not something in it for the individuals involved they will just walk away and begin to criticize and condemn. Remember this same crowd was praising Him on Sunday and by the end of the week they were the same ones saying “Crucify Him!” Free the zealot because maybe he will do what we want and set us free from Rome. They did not care nor understand who this Jesus was. I am convinced of it! They shouted “Hosana save us!” But they did not mean from sin and self-centeredness or their evil ways but from the Roman Empire. How do I know this because the mood of the crowd changed very quickly after Jesus went to the Temple and turned over tables and drove out the crooks with a whip! The people did not want to be held accountable for their sin and apathy toward God. They did not want to be convicted and corrected because they knew what was best not Jesus. They turned on Jesus because he stated the truth and corrected them of their distorted and evil ways.
The bottom line is they praised Jesus for the wrong reasons when he entered, They were praising Him for what they thought they were going to get – healings, miracles, deliverance from Rome, revenge on the heathens, and the like. They thought once again Israel will be a political power as in the day of King David. But they were mislead and blinded by their secular mindset. Even when Israel was a mighty political power it was because of the spiritual condition of their leadership and the people who made up the country. You must go back into Israelite history to remember why they lost this prominent position in the world. It was because they had forgotten God, they worshipped foreign gods and fell away from God and the result was they were overthrown by an outside power because of their sinful ways.
How do I come to this conclusion? Well look at the spiritual maturity of their religious leadership they did not even recognize their own Savior. They wanted all this praising of Jesus to stop. They became angry at Him for stirring up the people and the city. They felt that Jesus was a real danger and even plotted his death. There was no spiritual guidance for the people so therefore there could never be a restored Political Israel without spiritual renewal and repentance on the part of Israel. Jesus came to restore their personal spiritual conditions but the people were not real interested in their spiritual lives only their physical lives.
I read this passage and I thought: How true this is today! Many people on Sunday morning come to church and sing praise and worship songs. But I had to ask myself are we really praising Jesus for the right reasons or is our praise motivated by selfish reasons and ideas. I even asked myself, “Why do I praise Him? Is it for what I can get out of Him -- Physical blessings, financial blessings, or the like – Do I have ulterior motives for why I praise Him? Do I in the hard times decide I am not going to praise Him because you are not giving me everything I want? So do I praise in the good times but not in the bad because I am spiritually blind to the truth of praise. So I come to our spiritual lesson today and I want us to ask ourselves “Why do I sing praise and worship songs?” “Do I really praise the Lord for the right reasons?” “Do I see Him or what I can get?” “Do I understand who He is and what He has done for me spiritually?”
T.S. - So today let’s look at our hearts and learn how we are to praise the Lord.
I. Who do you see when you enter into praise and worship?
a. Do you see Him?
i. Video Michael W. Smith – “I See You!”
1. Let’s learn from this video to see Him and not others – not an idol we have created in our minds. Let’s not look to self or something created in our image. Instead let’s see the Jesus who is described and revealed to us in the Bible.
2. The question: Do you see Him?
a. Daily?
b. Weekly?
c. During work?
d. In School?
e. In your home?
f. At the parties?
g. At the mall?
h. In the night?
i. In the good times?
j. In the bad times?
3. The 2nd question: Does He lead you?
a. Daily?
b. Weekly?
c. During work?
d. In School?
e. In your home?
f. At the parties?
g. At the mall?
h. In the night?
i. In the good times?
j. In the bad times?
ii. LISTEN to the video and ask to get a fresh revelation of Jesus.
b. I find it interesting to note that our video challenges us to see Him. In our synoptic Gospels I also find it interesting how each author tells the story of how blind men received their sight from Jesus. How different men were healed from being blind and after Jesus touched them they were healed and able to see.
i. This divine encounter with Jesus caused these men to see and the result was they were healed and they followed Jesus.
ii. Matthew 20: 29-33: 29As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 31The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 32Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 33“Lord,” they answered, “We want our sight.” 34Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
iii. According to Matthew prior to Jesus entering the city of Jerusalem he healed 2 blind men.
1. They wanted to be able to see so Jesus healed their eyes.
a. These men were so impacted by Jesus’ miracle that the word says they followed Him.
b. They saw not only naturally but spiritually as well who He was.
2. When Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem on the donkey the people praise Him and cried according to Matthew 21:9 “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
a. The people praised Jesus but did they see the savior who would free them from their sins? Did they see the Lord God Almighty? No I do not believe they did- I think they saw someone who would deliver them from the control of the Roman Empire.
b. They saw what Jesus could do for them not what they could do for Jesus.
c. They saw something in it for them. They did not see what they needed to do for Him!
d. How can I say this- Because by end of the week they were saying “Crucify him!”
iv. Mark 10:46-52: 46Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
v. According to Mark prior to Jesus entering Jerusalem he healed blind Bartimaeus wanted to see and Jesus granted Him his request because of his faith. He really believed Jesus could heal Him. He believed and had faith in Jesus and he was healed and able to see then he followed Him.
vi. Luke 18:35-43: 35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41“What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 42Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
1. Notice how Luke notes the man is healed and he followed Jesus praising Him. Not only did the now healed blind man praise Jesus but so did the people.
a. They praised Him for the miracle of healing!
c. Luke 19:29-45 described for us the Triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and how the people praised Him for all the great miracles he had done. But are they praising their Savior or a man who could deliver them from Rome and taxes because of supernatural powers?
i. I once again must say I believe they were not cheering for their Savior but for their new political leader and king.
ii. They were praising Jesus for his miracle power to heal and what they may mean for them personally.
iii. I also observe that many were praising Him as He entered Jerusalem but not many after He got angry and drove the crooks out of the Temple.
1. People will praise someone who they think will benefit them personally or bring them personal benefit but when they themselves may be corrected for doing something wrong then praise stops and the criticisms start.
2. They were not praising Him as the one who would and could deliver them from their sin?
a. They wanted delivered from Rome so they did not have to pay taxes.
b. They did not want to challenged and convicted of their sins – no way! Just give me what I want freedom from Rome.
3. When Jesus entered the city the crowd went wild just like at a football game but when He disciplines those who are doing wrong the cheers turn from “Praise Him to Crucify Him!”
a. Have you ever been at football games were the crowd is cheering on their team until they do a few things they do not like then it turns in boo’s.
b. Remember crowds are very fickle!
iv. In our Bible text we see that the religious are angry that Jesus is allowing the crowd to praise Him. They want Him to stop them!
1. Jesus makes it clear that they did not praise Him then the rocks will cry out because this is a divine act of the Lord.
2. But Jesus does not stop them because he could see what was going on -- He is the one fulfilling Scripture and 2nd He is trying to open the spiritually blind eyes of the people.
a. But the religious leaders and many of the people don’t see Him and they set out to cause Him harm and hurt in the end.
d. Action Point: Open your spiritual eyes and see Him!
i. Get a fresh revelation of Jesus Christ today and then we are taking the first step to really praising Him.
T.S. – I pray that your spiritual eyes were opened through the last song and that you actually saw Him today. But I also want you to understand who He is and why He should be praised.
II. Do you know who you are praising and why you should praise Him?
a. Rich Mullen sang a song that was very powerful in concert and he said it was one of His most meaningful songs. Listen to the words to his song “Creed”:
i. I believe in God the Father
Almighty Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, our Lord
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit’
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
He was crucified and dead and buried
And I believe that what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, not it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man
I believe that He who suffered was crucified, buried and dead
He descended into hell and on the third day, He arose again
He ascended into Heaven where He sits at God’s mighty right hand
I believe that He’s returning
To judge the quick and the dead of the sons of men
I believe in God the Father
Almighty make of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son, our Lord
I believe in the Holy Spirit
The communion of Saints
The forgiveness of sins
I believe in the resurrection,
I believe in a life that never ends
And I believe that what I believe is what makes what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man
• The song peaks about who it is we praise and why! Rich knew who it was that he sang and wrote praise songs too.
• This song is based off the Apostle’s Creed and he says it is the truth of Scripture and off the Lord which makes us who we are and shapes us into what we are. So it is important to remember that what we believe defines and makes us who we are.
• He adds it should – what we believe make us not it.
b. Who is this One I see? Third Day answers this question by singing about – “King of Glory”
i. His name is Jesus – He is the Messiah – He is the King of kings and The Lord of lords. He is the Prince of Peace, Mighty God.
1. He is the Alpha the Omega – the One from the Beginning and the One that will be there in the end. He is the God in the flesh – He is the deliverer. He is our Everlasting Father and our Wonderful Counselor.
ii. He is your personal Messiah and Savior
1. The one – the only Son of God and the deliver of your soul. He is the one who heals and sets people free!
iii. Let’s watch and listen to this song and see who He really is and allow the truth to make us what He wants us to be!
c. Not only is He the King of Glory but remember and understand that He is also Love – personified. There is another song by Third Day that helps us to see and understand who the Lord is and how this truth should shape us into what he wants us to be.
i. Let’s listen and reflect as Third Day sings about His love – “Your Love Oh Lord!” Listen to what His Love had done for each of us:
1. His righteousness sets us free.
2. He is the one that gives us strength when we are weak.
3. His love it reaches to the Heaven’s and delivers us from this loveless world.
4. His righteousness is a mighty mountain that gives us right standing with God.
5. His justice is full of mercy and grace
ii. PLAY SONG: “Your Love Oh Lord”, Third Day
iii. Action Point: Are you willing to lift your voice to the King for His marvelous spiritual gifts to you?
1. Will you lift your voice?
2. Do you want to find your strength in your weakness?
3. Will you stretch your hands to the sky and worship Him?
4. Will you allow the Lord to shape you into what He wants you to be?
5. Will you choose to quit trying to shape the Lord into your image and allow Him to shape you into what he wants you to be?
6. Will you today choose to serve Him and not think He is here to serve you?
d. Psalm 145: 18 - “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
e. Isaiah 55:6 - “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”
f. Romans 10:12 - “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
T.S. – When we really understand who it is we are praising it should change us from within and teach us how we should humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord.
III. Yes, we are World’s apart but Jesus bridged the difference for us.
a. Jars of Clay sings, “World’s Apart”. Listen carefully to their insightful words in this song on the reality of our situation between us and God: The truth is we are not worthy to be in the presence of the Lord God but because of Jesus He made it possible.
i. Yes, we are World’s apart but you can touch the heart of God and feel His touch in your own heart if you are willing to let Him take your world apart and put it back together His way.
ii. We are World’s apart but Jesus bridged the gap between us and God.
iii. For us to come together we must surrender our world and let Him take it apart.
1. We have to choose to surrender and die to ourselves.
iv. Did he really have to die for us?
1. Yes, he did and this is why!
v. The question: Do you want Him to take apart your selfish world?
vi. Action point: If you do get on your knees during this video and surrender your self! Tell Him to take you apart and let Him put you back together!
1. Are you willing to give up your sins?
a. Then during the song tell him to take them away!
2. Are you willing to give him your life?
a. Then tell Him!
3. Are you willing to give him your pride and die to it?
a. Then tell Him to take it away!
vii. Play Song on DVD “World’s Apart”
viii. John 11:25: 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
ix. Romans 6:8-10: 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
T.S. – Yes for us to truly praise Him we must see Him and then realize who He is and what He has done for us. Then we need to be in awe of Him as we praise Him. As we Praise Him we should decide to fall in Love with Him more and more each day.
IV. Do you want to fall in love with Him?
a. Jars of Clay sings about how we should be in love with the One who we praise – Listen to their song “Love Song for a Savior” and note some of their words and the heartbeat of this song. Catch these phrases in the song
i. He is as close as a heart beat.
ii. We must learn how to see Him
iii. We must run and fall into His arms
iv. Do you want to fall in love with Him?
v. It is your choice!
vi. But you may be thinking it that it seems too easy to call Him Savior!
1. But it is that simple!
2. How can we show Him proper devotion? Give Him your heart and your life!
3. Do you want to? Then do it as this song is played!
b. Play Song: “Love Song for a Savior”
c. Action point: Do you want to fall in love with Him then open up you heart?
i. Open your heart! Let it beat for Him!
ii. Give Him your Heart!
iii. It will change your life and your outlook in life!
d. John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
e. Deut. 32:3: I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
Closing:
In summary:
1. Who do you see when you praise – do you see Jesus?
a. I pray that you have received a fresh revelation of Him today!
b. I pray that you have dissolved your faulty image of Jesus and seen the true and Holy Jesus.
2. When you are praising Him do you understand who He really is?
a. He is the Lord God Almighty – your Messiah – your Creator.
b. I pray you have a new respect and reverence for the Lord today and that these truths about Him impact your life.
3. When you praise Him do you realize that you are worlds apart but because of the mercy and grace of the Lord Jesus He bridged the gap for us to be able to be in His holy presence?
a. None of us on our own would ever be able to worship or even be in His presence without the saving act of Jesus’ love and His death.
b. This truth should in itself change our hearts and our attitudes in praise and worship.
4. When you praise do you really want to fall in love with Him over and over again?
a. Praise and worship is about the love relationship between you and the Lord and it is to be renewed every time you praise Him.
b. I pray that today you have fallen in love with the Lord more today then when you came in this morning. I also pray that each new day this week draws you closer and closer to the type of love relationship the Lord desires between the two of you.
I want to close with some thoughts from the Apostle Paul as He Praises the Lord from his heart. (NOTE) - This is how we should approach the Lord in praise.
Ephesians 1:3-10 3Praise 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. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
