The Power Of Praise

by

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris

CP Walker, Taegu South Korea

BIG IDEA: A believers’ ATTITUDE of PRAISE AND SITUATIONAL ACCEPTANCE leads to IMMEDIATE DELIVERANCE because it COMMUNICATES to God that HE IS TRUSTED without being UNDERSTOOD.

REFERENCES: In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you – 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 2 Samuel 22:3; Matthew 14: 22-33; Water for Jehoshaphat’s army in the Land of Moab- 2Ki 3:16-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV); Psalms 121; 2 Chronicles 20 (Jehoshaphat defeats Judah enemies); Hebrews 13:15 (By him therefore let us offer the SACRIFICE OF PRAISE to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name – KJV);

I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

II. READ THE PERICOPE: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (KJV & MSG)

III. READ THE TEXT: Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thess 5:16-18 (KJV)

&

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time;

thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. 1 Thess 5:16-18 (MSG)

IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to TO RECEIVE their powerful deliverance through PRAISE by accepting and TRUSTING GOD (without UNDERSTANDING HIM).

V. SERMONIC THEME: “The POWER of Praise”

INTRODUCTION:

(In my preparation for today, I came across an article by one the greatest pulpiteers of our times – Reverend Doctor Billy Graham. Dr. Graham’s write-up addresses the NEED for CHRISTIANS to CARRY a “SERVANT ATTITUDE” of THANKSFULNESS in all of life’s circumstances.

In fact, he says “Taking a ’servant’ attitude of thankfulness in all of life’s circumstances will help us to react as OLD MATTHEW HENRY did regarding his mugging MATTHEW HENRY said ... and I quote:

"Let me be thankful first because I was never robbed before; second, although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed").

Likewise, Paul (in Philippians 2:5 of the GOD’S WORD Translation) encouraged believers in Philippi to “Have the same ATTITUDE Christ Jesus had”.

The WORD ATTITUDE comes from an Italian word – Aptitude. In psychology, it’s defined as a MENTAL POSITION with regards to a FACT OR CIRCUMSTANCE ...

Paul (in Ephesians 4:23 of GOD’S WORD Translation) reminded the believers in Ephesus ... that they TOO ... “were taught to have a NEW ATTITUDE.”

I’ve said it before, so I’ll go on record today as saying it again, “AS BELIEVERS – OUR ATTITUDES DETERMINES OUR ALTITUDES”: our spiritual growth in God.

********************TATE 5 BEATS*******************

MOVE 1: But, that’s NOT ALL. Our attitude can also determine the outcome or the results of a situation or circumstance that we’re CURRENTLY IN.

a. For example, I firmly believe that a believers’ ATTITUDE of PRAISE AND SITUATIONAL ACCEPTANCE leads to IMMEDIATE DELIVERANCE ...

b. BECAUSE it COMMUNICATES to God that GOD IS TRUSTED without being UNDERSTOOD.

c. For who can ever forget the Story of King David – who worked as a servant in a HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT. For the scriptures tells us (in 1 Samuel 16) that GOD DIRECTED an EVIL SPIRIT to TORMENT King Saul on a regular basis.

d. The only RELEIF received by SAUL was through the INSTRUMENTAL PLAYING OF David – the shepherd boy/servant (who had already been anointed by the Prophet Samuel to become the FUTURE KING).

e. Part of God’s Call and preparation for David’s MINISTRY ... is that he had to serve, and play for King Saul – someone who obviously didn’t care for him.

f. STILL, DAVID worked in this HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT WITH A GOOD ATTITUDE AND CONTINUOUS PRAISE FOR GOD... until GOD RELEASED HIM (IN 2 Samuel 22).

g. ... And when God released him, HE CELEBRATED HIS GOD GIVEN DELIVERANCE ...

******************** Take 5 Beats *******************

MOVE 2 BUT THAT’S NOT ALL ... BECAUSE DAVID ... HAD CONTINUOSLY PRAISED GOD FOR HIS JOB without HAVING UNDERSTOOD WHY God placed him in that environment in the FIRST PLACE.

a. GOD BLESS HIM ... so much so ... that in 2 Samuel 22:3 ... David the servant is quoted as saying ... God is the God of my rock; in him will I trust: He is my shield,..

b. My brothers and my sisters ... the WORD shield as used in 2 Samuel 22:3 is “a small round shield held by a handle at

arm’s length. It was often used in a defensive posture.

c. In the Old Testament, a shield was held in the left hand to war off arrows of destruction by shielding and protecting.

********************* TAKE 5 BEATS *****************