PRAISING TIME IS NOT WASTED TIME
Pastor Tim P. Blaisure – 10/15/23 – Morning Message
Intro:
The Meaning of Praise – is to glorify God – especially through song and instruments. Praise is about God; worship is to God. Praise is opening up to God, worship is entering into His presence. Praise is boldly declaring who God is:
Hebrews 4:15-16 NLT
“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testing’s we do, yet he did not sin.
16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
As it says in Acts 13:22
“David (son of Jessie) was a man after God’s own heart.”
David was a shepherd boy who gave God praise on the harp and song.
Served at the palace playing praise to God which drove out depressing spirits from king Saul.
Wrote and sang many praise songs to the Lord while he was running from Saul, set up as king, and served the Lord and gave much praise and glory to the Lord.
So, if we want to be people who have a heart for God, we must be people of praise and worship and not consider praising God as wasted time, but as vitally important time.
Foundation Scriptures:
Psalm 150:1-6 MSG
“Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy HOUSE OF WORSHIP, praise him under the OPEN SKIES; Praise him FOR HIS ACTS OF POWER, praise him for HIS MAGNIFICENT GREATNESS; Praise with a blast on the trumpet, praise by strumming soft strings; Praise him with castanets and dance, praise him with banjo and flute; Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum, praise him with fiddles and mandolin. LET EVERY LIVING, BREATHING CREATURE PRAISE GOD! Hallelujah!”
I. PRAISE THE LORD FROM YOUR HEART:
Psalm 9:1-2 NLT
“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. 2 I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.”
A. Praise comes from the heart.
B. Praise is declaring all that God has done, is doing, and will do.
C. Praise brings joy within.
D. Praise is something you determine to do.
II. PRAISE THE LORD BECAUSE HE IS GOD:
Psalm 100:3-5 NLT
“Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”
A. Praise is acknowledging that He is the One and Living God.
B. Praise is acknowledging that He created us.
C. Praise gets us into His courts
D. Praise is something we must do, or the rocks will cry out to Him.
E. Praise acknowledges His love and faithfulness.
III. PRAISE THE LORD EVEN IN BAD TIMES:
Acts 16:22-26 NLT
“A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods.
23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape.
24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns (sang praises) to God, and the other prisoners were listening.
26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!”
A. Praise to God is for the good and bad times.
B. Praise to God changes our focus from ourselves to our Creator.
C. Praise changes things:
(earthquake, prison shaken, doors opened, and chains fell off)
D. When things are good it is time to praise God.
E. When things are bad it is time to praise God.
F. Praise (acknowledging God) and declaring who He is, what He does, is never wasted time.
Conclusion:
Jude 24-25
“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.
25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.”
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