You've Got A License To Praise The Lord

Luke 10:17–20

Intro: We live in difficult days. It seems that there is trouble on every hand and that the Lord’s people are suffering under unnecessary burdens. Sometimes, it is easy to forget that Romans 8:28 means just what it says! Sometimes, it is easy to get defeated, discouraged and dejected. Often, it is easy to lose one’s shout. Why is that? I think the reason we lose our shout in the midst of our trials is that we lose sight of the real reason for our joy in the first place. Is it feeling good that brings joy into our lives? We all like to feel good, but it would appear, from the text, that feelings aren’t where it is at. Is it circumstances that bring about rejoicing? From our text, it would appear not! Is it getting our way that brings joy? Again, from the text, I would say no! What is the real root of joy then? According to Jesus, the real root of joy is not feelings, circumstances or getting our way that brings joy, rather, it is the simple, blessed assurance that we have been saved by grace that should produce “joy unspeakable and full of glory” in our hearts and lives.

Look at the text. The Disciples had been out preaching and ministering in the name of the Lord. They had seen powerful things take place. Why, even demonic spirits were helpless against the power of God in their lives and were cast out by them. They are overjoyed by this and come to Jesus rejoicing in their great spiritual power. Jesus, however, shows them the true reason for rejoicing. He tells them that salvation is the best and greatest catalyst for joy in the life if the believer.

I want every born again person in this room to know that you can rejoice, that there is nothing stopping you. You can, you should, you must learn to praise the Lord Jesus and I want to tell you why. Allow me to give you three reasons why you’ve got a License to Praise the Lord.

I. ETERNAL SALVATION IS YOUR LICENSE FOR PRAISE

Salvation is more than a “get out of Hell free card.” Salvation brings with it many wonderful gifts that the believers tend to forget about as they fight the battles of life. I would just like to refresh your memory about what is yours through your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. If your name is written in Heaven, then you are saved and all the benefits of salvation belong to you! Notice with me some of those benefits.)

A. There Is A Relationship—at the very instant of conversion, a new relationship is formed. The new born child of God instantly becomes a child of God God in Heaven becomes our Father and we enter into a special relationship with Him. I want to touch on 2 aspects of that relationship this evening.

There Is an Adoption when we are saved, we are adopted into the family of God. He takes us as His children with all the rights and privileges thereof.

There Is an Access—as children, we have unlimited and unhindered access to the Father in Heaven Therefore, we can take our burdens to Him and find help. We can take our problems to Him and find solutions. We can take our hurts to Him and find healing. Because we are the children of God, we can and should go to the Father and allow Him to minister to our needs.

B. There Is a Renewal—when a person comes to Jesus for salvation, some things are made new. Sometimes are done away with and that is reason for rejoicing!

We Are Cleansed By Him Everything that was dirty, filthy and evil about us has been forever taken away! That alone, is a reason to praise His Name!

We Are Changed By Him—Not only does He take away the past, but He changes the future as we tells us in no uncertain terms that when a person becomes a child of God, they are changed! They are no longer what they used to be, but not they have been redeemed and they are free to live for the Lord. Everything changes when you come to Jesus!

C. There Is a Reward—as hard as it may be to imagine, the Lord is going to reward His children, both now and when they get home. According to every child of God is an heir of God. That is, we literally share in ownership of everything that belongs to the Father. How much is that simply stated, it is enough for you and for me to enjoy the best of the best! All that is my Father’s is mine! And, that is enough! In fact, we haven’t even begun to grasp all that is ours in Jesus Christ. A verse that is typically used to tell of the glories of Heaven is better applied to this life we can’t even imagine what the Lord can do in and for those who are His![1]