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Thanksgiving, Praise & Worship
Contributed by Bob Ashcraft on Jul 24, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: This is an examination of these three functions of the Church, how they differ and the importance operating in them.
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Thanksgiving, Praise & Worship
Pastor Bob Ashcraft July 14, 2002
(RealAudio Help)
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INTRODUCTION:
§ These are different words used in scripture with different meanings and specific purposes
§ Thanksgiving relates to God’s deeds, what He has done
§ Praise relates to God’s character, who He is
§ Worship relates directly to God’s holiness
§ This is an examination of these three functions of the Church and importance operating in them
1. THE MEANING AND PURPOSE OF THANKSGIVING
§ NT scripture regularly speaks of thanksgiving that can be done in one’s heart and in private
§ As opposed to the Hebrew references for Praise which has a connotation of being public and open
§ Thanksgiving occurs when we breathe a prayer of thanks to God
§ Praise occurs when we thank God publicly
§ The Hebrew word most commonly translated as thanks in the OT is related to the word for hand
§ This gives the concept of stretching out or lifting up hands to God
1 Thess 5:15-20
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.
§ If we don’t give thanks, we are out of God’s will
§ But there is also a point of confusion here
§ Some think we should give thanks for everything good, bad or indifferent
1 John 3:8…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
§ If Jesus came to destroy the works of the Devil, then obviously the Devil has been working
§ The Bible does not command us to give thanks for the work of the Devil but only for the work of God
§ Also, in 1 Thes 5:18 - it says "in everything give thanks" not "for everything"
§ We don’t give thanks for everything but rather in the midst of everything, of whatever is happening
§ Thanksgiving is a fruit of the Spirit - Gal 5:20
§ Thanksgiving is a manifestation of the infilling of the Holy Spirit - Matt 12:34
§ Thanksgiving is the first stage of our approach to the throne of God - Psa 100:4
§ Thanksgiving goes with our supplication - Phil 4:6
§ Thanksgiving strengthens faith
§ Thanksgiving triggers miracles
2. THE MEANING AND PURPOSE OF PRAISE
§ The Psalms of David can be divided into 2 groups
§ Psalms of Declarative Praise emphasize what God has done for His people
§ Psalms of Descriptive Praise exalt God for who He is
§ A relationship with God cannot exist without praise
§ Of all the books in the Bible, the book of Psalms is the longest
§ The English word "psalms" is actually a transliteration from the Greek word "Psalmoi" - which means; a striking of a finger on a stringed instrument
§ The Hebrew word for psalms is tehilim which is a term of music
§ Praise according to the Webster’s dictionary means; to speak well of, extol, magnify the virtues of someone
Hebrew Words of Praise
§ Halal: to be boastful, to be excited, to enjoy
o It connotes a tremendous explosion of enthusiasm in the act of praising
§ Yadah: means to acknowledge in public, to throw out with extended hands
o This is the word for praise used in 2 Chro 20, when the Levites went out before the army
o Ps 63:4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.
§ Barak: to kneel by implication bless God
o Bowing before the Lord expresses our submission & expectation
§ Zamar: The idea of striking with the fingers properly, to play the strings or parts of a musical instrument
o Ps 92:1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
§ Shabach: To address in a loud tone, to shout triumphantly
o Ps 63:3 Because Your loving kindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.
§ Towdah: The sacrifice of praising God through trials, pushing through adversities
o Praising in faith before God moves
§ Tehillah: cheering and singing our praise, literally to sing our "halals"
o It is used in Psa 22:3 "God inhabits…"
§ Ruah: To shout in joy
o Ps 95:1-2 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
§ All of these words are words of sound
3. THE MEANING AND PURPOSE OF WORSHIP
§ Reverent devotion and allegiance pledged to God; the rituals or ceremonies by which this reverence is expressed.
§ The English word “worship” comes from the Old English word, “worthship”, a word which denotes the worthiness of the one receiving this special honor and devotion.
