Sermon Central
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Praise Him
Contributed by Mickey Bell on Nov 5, 2005 (message contributor)
Summary: God’s people need to PRAISE HIM for who He is and what He does for us.
Praise - an act of worship or acknowledgement by which the virtues or deeds of another are recognized and exalted
The praise of men toward God is the means by which we express our joy to the Lord. We are to praise Him for WHO HE IS and WHAT HE DOES.
1. Time to Praise - v.2,3
In everything we do and at all times of the day, we are to Praise Him!
Ref: Malachi 1:11
"For from the rising of the sun, even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations and in every place incense is going to be offered to my name says the Lord of hosts"
A. Praise Him in Good Times -
Acknowledge that the good things that are happening to you come from God.
(ex. job promotions, bonus checks, Doctor’s test results)
We have to get to the place where we have to realize that we are not getting ahead in this life because of something we are doing but rather it’s all in what God is doing through and for us.
B. Praise Him in Bad Times -
Ref: Daniel 6
Daniel didn’t let the government keep him from doing what he knew was right. So he continued to pray and uplift the name of his God. God returned the favor that while Daniel was in the lion’s den, an angel was sent to shut the lions’ mouth. What could have been a bad day, God turned it around for Daniel’s good.
2. Penality for Unwillingness to Praise -
Ref: Malachi 2:2 - "I will curse your blessings..."
Ref: Deut. 28 - A list of cureses God promised for people who did not uplift his name and follow His commands.
Psalms 22:23 - "Ye that fear the Lord, Praise Him"
Psalms 34:1 - "His praise shall be continually in my heart."
Psalms 35:18 - "I will praise Thee among much people"
God inhabits the praise of His people.
3. The Reason for Praise -
v5 - No one else like Him
v6 - He knows what is going on in heaven and on earth
v7 - He raises up the poor
v9 - He makes the barren women have children
A. Salvation - If it were not for God, many of you would be buried somewhere because of your lack of good judgement.
B. God is in Control -
Ref: David - He didn’t have a Bible to go by. He learned by failing, by being faithful, in fear, and in courage.
When David was running from Saul, God spared him.
When David committed sin with Bethsheba, God forgave him.
When his own son tried to overthrow him, God rescued him.
Psalms 71:5 - "For Thou art my hope; O Lord God, Thou art my confidence"
Psalms 71:14 - "I will hope continually, and will praise Thee yet more and more
David lived a life of a man who knew that God was in control.
The same God who in:
Gen. - created the universe
Exd. - appeared to Mosed with the 10 Commandments
1st. Sam. - delivered David from the giant
Job - returned to Job two fold
Psalms 7 - who offers refuge
Psalms 23 - who is the Great Shepard
Psalms 27 - who is my light and salvation
Psalms 104 - causes the grass to grow for the cattle and vegitation for man
He is comfort for those who have lost loved ones
He is peace for those who are in family struggles
He is encouragment for those lying in the hospital
He is strength for those caring for sick family members
The God who loves you, keeps you and is soon coming back for you - deserves every ounce of energy that we can offer.
The Time to Praise is every waking moment
The Penalty for the Unwillingness to Praise should never have to be our motivation because...
The Reason to Praise is due to the fact that we are here and we are blessed!
