TOPIC: LET HIS PRAISE RESOUND
Text: Psalm 98:1-9
vv. 4-7, “4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; 5 make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, 6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn-- shout for joy before the LORD, the King. 7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
Introduction:
(ILL. Nahuli na kaya ang tilapia?) What are some of the principles we need to know when it comes to resounding His praise? In Psalm 98:4-7. Ingredients (component, element, factor) We Need to Consider to Let His Praise Resound.
1. The INVITATION to Resound His Praise
Psalm 98:4, 7, “4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth…7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
We are invited to “sing to the Lord”(v. 1), to “shout for joy, to burst into jubilant song with music, to make music to the Lord, to let His Praise Resound by all creation.” This invitation comes from our God, from our savior, from our King. (ILL. If the head of the state invites you to sing before him, are you going to turn it down or even if the song don’t like you, you will sing?). The invitation to resound His praise is for everyone, everything and everywhere. Psalm 150:1&6, “1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.” Only dead ones are not included to the invitation to resound His praise, because only the dead ones cannot resound His praise. Are you still breathing? Then God is inviting you to resound His praise. Pakisabi sa katabi, “Kaya wag kang papatay-patay sa paghahayag ng pagpupuri para sa Panginoon!”
2. The INSTRUMENTS to Resound His Praise
Psalm 98:4-6, “4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; 5 make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, 6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn-- shout for joy before the LORD, the King.”
(ILL. Text of Ptra. Leah concerning the brownout today…) Is the electricity an instruments of God to Resound His Praise? Definitely yes it is also used BUT it will not stop us to resound His praise because the instruments that God wants to resound His praise are more than that. It’s our heart – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might.” Notice here in our text, it says here, “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music…” and again it was repeated at the end, “Shout for joy before the Lord.” The word “shout” means, “scream, yell, roar, bark, cry out loud” and the antonym of this is whisper. And to “burst” means “to erupt, to explode, to break open, to surge.” And “jubilant” means “triumphant, trilled, ecstatic, delighted, glad.” It only means that we really become like a “crazy” for the Lord in a proper manner off course even though others might not see us as crazy. David said in 2 Samuel 6:21-23, “21 David retorted to Michal, "I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD. So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the LORD. 22 Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this.” Pakisabi sa katabi, “Handa ka bang maging baliw sa mata ng iba para sa Diyos? Ano pang hinihintay mo, aba’y magpaka baliw ka na para sa Panginoon.”
Only a healthy heart can shout for joy, can burst into jubilant song, can dance like crazy for the Lord and play all the instruments for the Lord, clap to the Lord, etc. otherwise if you don’t have healthy heart then you will have a heart attack. Singing, playing musical instruments is just an expression of a heart that is deeply in love with the Lord, it is only an overflow of a healthy heart, a heart that loves the Lord. Are you in love with the Lord? In love ka pa more ba sa Lord? Then “SHOUT FOR JOY” “BURST INTO JUBILATION.” Make your life & everything you have an instruments to Resound His Praise, give yourself to the Lord fully to the Lord as living sacrifice. Romans 12:1, “ 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.”
3. The INTENTIONS to Resound His Praise
Psalm 98:6b, “6 -- shout for joy before the LORD, the King.”
Why are we here today and doing this? What is our purpose, our aim in doing what we do now? Is it for our own sake, or our church sake, or for UEBC’s sake? NO!!! We are here for just one intention only and that is to Resound His Praise! To give God the praise worthy for God. He is the Lord, the King. Psalm 150:2-5, “2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, 5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.” Why are you here today? To perform before men or to resound His Praise & worship God? (ILL. A well known guest speaker didn’t come but send his assistant pastor instead. People start to stand up and leave. So the speaker speak loud saying, “Those who come today to worship Rev. ___ may leave now but for those who come to worship our Lord may stay.” Everyone started to go back to their seat.) If our intentions is clear when we came here today and participate in this time or Resounding His Praise together, then we will not just do our part and leave because our part is done as if “trabaho lang”. Our intentions of coming here is to give God what is due to Him nothing more nothing less. (ILL. I am not blessed, because of….) Primarily we didn’t come to be bless but to bless God with our praises. What is your intentions in resounding His praise? It is not about us but God.
Conclusion:
Proposition: The INDICATION that you let His praise resound: Is your response to the INVITATION to become an INSTRUMENT with right INTENTION to Let His Praise Resound is: The INHABITATION of the Lord to our praises. Psalm 22:3, “3 But You are holy, O You Who dwell in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered].” (AMP) When we resound His praise the Lord is there dwelling in our midst. For two or three come together in His name, He is in our midst!!! He is here waiting for us to Resound His Praise, kaya tayo na!!! Let His Praise Resound!!! Now Na!!!
