Worship Breakthrough: The Power Of Praise

WORSHIP BREAKTHROUGH: THE POWER OF PRAISE

OPENING TEXT:

“They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape. So he took no chances but put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a great earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!” (Acts 16:23-26). Are you in the midnight hour? God has a miracle for YOU!

THE BIG IDEA: There is a power in praise that can set you free from prisons and bondages, and bring you victory over all of the troubles and problems in your life!

Praise is when we honor God for His character, power, mercy, grace, knowledge, healing.

Worship is our response to God’s holiness.

HOW DO WE PRAISE AND WORSHIP?

1. FROM THE HEART: - John 4:23

We must worship in spirit. (from the heart, not just with externals)

2. ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE: - John 4:23

We must worship in truth. (God’s Word tells us how to worship Him acceptably)

3. IN SONG: - Psalm 149:1

Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the assembly of saints.

4. CLAPPING OUR HANDS: - Psalm 47:1a

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! (if you’ll clap for a football team, why not God?)

5. SHOUTING: - Psalm 47:1b

Shout to God with the voice of triumph! (again, if you’ll shout for a sports team…!)

6. BOWING: - Psalm 95:6

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

7. LIFTING OUR HANDS: - Psalm 134:2

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.

8. WITH THANKSGIVING: - Psalm 100:4

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.

Take the time to thank God for all of the things He’s done in the past.

9. JOYFULLY: - Psalm 100:2

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness.

10. IN THE DANCE: - Psalm 149:3 & Psalm 150:4

Let them praise His name with the dance… Praise Him with the dance!

We know that King David, a man after God’s own heart, danced before the Lord with all of His might. He was leaping and whirling before the Lord. (2 Samuel 6:14-16).

11. SACRIFICIALLY: - Hebrews 13:15

Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God.

David said, “I will not offer an offering that has cost me nothing!” (1 Chron. 21:24).

THE STORY OF JEHOSHAPHAT:

“1 It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, "A GREAT multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar" (which is En Gedi).

• Jehoshaphat and the children of Israel were facing an impossible situation – 3 enemies!

3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

• What did they do in their day of trouble? They sought the Lord in prayer and fasting.

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said: "O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?

• When they prayed, they reminded themselves of God’s power, and past victories.

12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." 13 Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.

• They humbled themselves (admitting they were powerless) and looked to the Lord.

• “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2).

14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel… 15 And he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.