Today, I want to give you the facts on praise. Praise is probably the most under-rated, under-estimated, under-utilized phenomenon in the church today. I began my full-time ministry as a Minister of Music and Youth, having come out of a Southern Baptist Church in the Bible-belt.
The way I was raised in church, worship was just something we did on Sundays. Praise was simply a subject sung about in a hymn, and you only did three, and typically you only sang the 1st, 2nd, and last stanza because you would otherwise be cutting into the preaching time designed to all fit neatly in one hour…maybe an extra ten minutes if the Spirit was really moving.
My first ministry was in a church in the West Palm Beach area of Florida. Thankfully, there were members of our congregation that had been touched by a movement occurring among churches. This “new thing” was a renewed passion for music that was less singing about God, and more singing to God, moving worship from horizontal to vertical. And the results were undeniable: wherever this was happening, God was displaying some pretty incredible stuff.
Us Southern Baptist Music Ministers initially scoffed at the hyper-emotionalism, we don’t need all this drama to worship, if we want to get excited, we’ll just repeat another chorus of “Victory In Jesus.” Thank God, He kept sending members of my church to me with sheet music and tapes; “Just listen to this song…I would love to see us sing this some Sunday.” Needless to say, I became a convert real quick, because this music was great!
But even then, I was still kinda clueless as to the magnitude of praise in my own life, much less its impact on the Body of Christ. I started hanging out with a few of my Pentecostal buddies, attending worship services like some kind of secret restaurant columnist. The Psalmist wrote, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” The more I tasted, the more I wanted. Then I got ahold of a book entitled, “The Hallelujah Factor” by fellow Baptist Dr. Jack Taylor. It got him shunned by the denomination because it was too radical, but it changed my heart for a passion to praise, it changed my ministry.
If you will allow me, I’d like to share some things I’ve learned about the enormous magnitude of praise in the life of a Believer.
I. PRAISE IS AN ETERNAL REALITY.
¾Praise is not just something we do. Praise is going on all the time everywhere in the universe. Praise is the DNA interwoven into all of creation.
Psalm 148:1-13 “Praise the Lord. 2 Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. 3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. 4 Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. 6 He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, 8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, 9 you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 10 wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, 11 kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, 12 young men and maidens, old men and children. 13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.”
¾Everything that has been created was created to praise God. Everything created has the capacity to praise the Lord. God’s Word tells us that just as the wind is always blowing, the waves are constantly billowing upon the surface of the sea, the galaxy is continuously moving in celestial rhythm—praise is an eternal reality. Praise is the ocean which all of creation floats upon.
¾In Luke 19, we see Jesus and His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and Luke reports in verse 37 that “When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" 40 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
How can an inanimate object cry out in praise to God? Because of the fact that it is the very nature of creation to praise. Things will do what comes natural for them. For a while it seemed that every few months we were finding ourselves with a litter of Dachshund puppies. How was this happening? Because you get a male Dachshund and a female Dachshund together, they’re gonna do what dogs are gonna do.
¾When Jesus made that statement in Luke 19, He was cognizant of the fact that praise was a potential structured into the very rocks by the roadside He was traveling upon. If mankind, made as the prime source of praise, refuses to do what it is made to do…then inanimate rocks will take our place in praise to the Most Holy God.
¾Let’s bring it even more personal for humanity: Isaiah 43:21, God says that we are “the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.” You and I were made to worship and praise God. It is the very reason for our existence! It is the very first and only line in your job description. Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!
Here’s one more important reason that we need to embrace the eternal reality of praise:
Praise is the only earthly exercise that we will one day do in Heaven. Think about that. All that we do now: the ministry of worship, ministry of the Word, ministry of witness, and a host of other activities that fill this little block of time. When eternity comes, praise is all that we do here that we will be doing there. It makes sense that we learn to get it right now, since we will be doing it forever, amen?
II. PRAISE IS AN ADDRESS.
¾Psalm 22:3 “You sit as the Holy One. The praises of Israel are your throne.” (NCV)
“But you are holy, You who inhabit the praises of Israel.” (WET)
The Hebrew word used here is yaw-shab’ and it means to dwell in or abide. A lot of church folks are hung up with this theology that God is up in Heaven and our goal is to get where God is.
You want to know where God lives? Praise is where God lives. Not just any praise, but the praises of His people. Now, we know that God is omnipresent, which means God is everywhere. But for some reason, it seems that God is most at home in our praise. Our praise is God’s home address.
Most of us have different locations wherein we spend our lives during the week. We may have an office or cubicle at work, the gym where we work out, a friend’s backyard where we socialize, even a church campus where we engage in ministry.
But for me, if you want to see where I am most at ease to just be me, it’s out on the end of Hanging Dog Rd, at a little country house lovingly call the Red Roof Inn. That’s where I am surrounded by those who love me most and bring out the best in my life. That’s where some of the best creativity gets inspired and birthed.
Gang, praise is where God feels most inspired, most comfortable to do His thing—it brings out the best of His character, power, and purpose for our lives. And while God is constantly on the move throughout the universe, your praise is His home element…it’s His permanent address. It’s the kitchen where He does His best cookin’.
When you or I choose to make God at home through praise, we invite him to act “at home.” That’s why we see such powerful stuff happen when we praise Him.
That’s how Jehoshaphat and the nation of Judah witnessed such a powerful move of God that delivered them from not one but three armies with one agenda, and that was to wipe them off the planet.
That’s how we can go from despair to hope in just a moment of uttering praise to God.
That’s how we can see circumstances change so rapidly? Because God is digging our praise!
He is most at home, feels most welcome and encouraged and completely comfortable. God is enthroned and liberated to act mightily on behalf of His people in an atmosphere of praise!
III. PRAISE IS AN ACCESS.
Psalm 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Let me clarify point #3: praise is not only an access; Praise is the only access into the presence of God for a Believer.
We’ve already established the fact that praise is God’s home element, so as we praise, we are visiting His presence, standing in the court of His throne. Just as there was a gate to the tabernacle, there is a gate to the worship experience of a Believer. Whether you or I are worshipping privately, publicly, or corporately. There is a pathway, an entrance into the presence of God.
The Bible says that “He calls me friend”, but I should never let His graciousness cause me to forget the fact that He is still the most high Holy God. We don’t just barge into His presence, “Honey, I’m home!” He invites me to come and fellowship with Him in worship, but there is a way He desires to be approached.
The psalmist makes it clear, “enter his gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.” That’s why the Lord’s Prayer began with “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.” Praise is the access by which we come into the presence of the King of Kings, that is the way He desires for us to approach Him—come with boldness with our petitions—but begin our encounter with God with praise and thanksgiving.
We give you the opportunity to do that every Sunday here at MtnVu. At 9am, we shut everything down so that the worship center can become a gate for your praises that begin later at 10am. Two things get accomplished:
#1 You have the opportunity to begin your worship by preparing your heart, whispering praises to Him.
#2 As you do this, you are the welcoming committee for the presence of God to enter into this place of worship and manifest His glory.
Bottom line gang. If your time of worship seems to be lifeless and powerless, if it seems that God isn’t showing up in your life or your circumstances or your prayers—then you might want to examine how you are approaching God. Praise is the only access. Are you approaching Him the way He desires to be approached through the gate of praise and thanksgiving?
While we’re on that same vein, here’s another thing you need to consider when it comes to having an effectual encounter in worship
IV. PRAISE MUST BE GENUINE.
John 4:24 “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
Jesus says first, “God is spirit (pneuma), and his worshippers must worship in spirit (pneuma)…
The word pneuma not only was used to describe the spirit of God but also that spirit that brings animation, life to a person, the core of who were are as created beings. God breathed into the nostrils of Adam and the pneuma, the stuff of God, gave life to man. Our worship must emanate from the very spirit within us and that worship must be coupled with truth. (aletheia)
The Greek translates as what is true in any matter under consideration. That candor of mind which is free from affection, pretence, simulation, falsehood, or deceit. And my friend, if there is anyone who knows your heart and mine, it’s God. He knows the truth about your worship. He immediately knows the genuine nature of your praise.
1 Corinthians 13:1 “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” Let’s take that word love a little deeper. What is absolutely essential in a loving relationship with another person? Truth, honesty. Jesus said, “If you love me, obey what I’ve instructed you to do.”
So, I can show up here on Sunday, and praise God with music and clapping and song…but if I have no love demonstrated by genuine obedience to God’s truth…it’s not only hollow, it’s an annoying sound to Him.
Isaiah 29:13 “The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Gang, our praise must be genuine, emanating from a spirit-filled heart. Empty hands held high, such small sacrifice---if not joined with my life, I sing in vain tonight…
We’re not talking about perfection contrived by my attempts to live some fairy tale life. I’m talking about a life that is transparent before Him, a life that is submitted to His Spirit leading, guiding, cleaning out what doesn’t belong, and filling me with His holiness and righteousness; a life surrendered to Him in every area…Lord, then my praise to You is pure, it’s real, it’s not an act before men and it’s not an anesthetic to cover up or numb the real pain I’m feeling.
Look gang, there’s more, but we’re going to pause here for today. Because I want you to do some evaluation for a few moments. Psalm 139:23 “Search me, O God, and know my heart.”
C.S. Lewis said, “I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed.”
If God determined your love and devotion of Him based upon your current level of expression in praise, what would be His assessment?
Sure, God has done so much for us. Do you simply say thank you and praise Him for answered prayer that suits your desires, or are you praising Him simply for the air that you’re breathing right now?
John Wesley was a powerful preacher and leader in the church in the 1700’s and played a huge role in founding the Methodist Church movement. John was about 21 years of age when he went to Oxford University. He came from a Christian home, and he was gifted with a keen mind and good looks. Yet in those days he was a bit snobbish and sarcastic. One night, however, something happened that set in motion a change in Wesley's heart. While speaking with a porter, he discovered that the poor fellow had only one coat and lived in such impoverished conditions that he didn't even have a bed.
Yet he was an unusually happy person , filled with gratitude to God. Wesley, being immature, thoughtlessly joked about the man's misfortunes. "And what else do you thank God for?" he said with a touch of sarcasm.
The porter smiled, and in the spirit of meekness replied with joy, "I thank Him that He has given me my life and being, a heart to love Him, and above all a constant desire to serve Him!" Deeply moved, Wesley recognized that this man knew the meaning of true praise and thanksgiving.
Many years later, John Wesley lay on his deathbed at the age of 88. Those who gathered around him realized how well he had learned the lesson of praising God in every circumstance. Despite Wesley's extreme weakness, he began singing the hymn, "I'll Praise My Maker While I Have Breath."