A Joyful Noise

A Joyful Noise

Talk About Pentecost Sunday—-

My Bible, My Help, My Hope

Introduction

Welcome to Bible Study.

Today we have the great joy and honor of opening to Psalm 98 and exploring the profound themes of worship, positivity, and joy in the life of a Christian.

In a world often fraught with challenges and uncertainties, these three elements stand as pillars of strength, guiding us through the darkest of times and leading us into the radiance of God's presence.

Oftentimes, we have only our joy, hope, and love, in the midst of great pain and sorrow to see us through.

We remain positive and hopeful because we know that God wins in the end.

We know God has already won - through Christ.

And now as we open to Psalm 98, may our hearts be stirred and our spirits lifted by the transformative power of worship, positivity, and joy.

Lord knows we could all use a little more of those things in our lives.

Main Teaching

Psalm 98 (ESV)

A Psalm.

1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.

2 The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!

6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!

8 Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together

9 before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

It would be difficult to read Psalm 98 and not consider the power of worship… It’s in our worship that we “hallow the name of God,” as Jesus instructed in the Lord’s prayer.

It’s in worship that we enter into and embrace the presence of God.

Worship: Embracing the Presence of God

Psalm 98 begins with a resounding call to worship: "Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things" (Psalm 98:1).

Worship is not merely a ritualistic practice but a profound encounter with the living God.

It is an expression of gratitude for the marvelous deeds He has performed in our lives.

When we enter into His presence with singing and praise, we align our hearts with the divine rhythm of His love and grace.

This reality resounds throughout scripture… Here are some other passages that coincide with Psalm 98;

Psalm 95:1-2 - "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!"

Psalm 100:1-2 - "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!"

1 Chronicles 15:16 - "David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy."

Ephesians 5:19-20 - "Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Isaiah 55:12 - "For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

James 5:13 - "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise."

Psalm 66:1-2 - "Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!"

Psalm 150:3-6 - "Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!"

Zephaniah 3:17 - "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

In worship, we surrender our worries, fears, and burdens at the feet of Jesus.

It is a moment of vulnerability, where we lay bare our souls before the Almighty, trusting in His unfailing love and mercy.

Through worship, we enter into communion with God, experiencing His presence in a tangible way.

As we lift our voices in adoration, we are drawn into the depths of His love, finding solace and strength in His embrace.

True worship has the power to transform us from the inside out.

As we gaze upon the beauty of the Lord, our perspectives shift, and our priorities realign with His kingdom purposes.

In the presence of God, we are renewed, restored, and revitalized for the journey ahead.

Transition: As we embrace the transformative power of worship, we are invited to cultivate a spirit of positivity in every aspect of our lives.

Positivity: Cultivating a Spirit of Hope

In a world plagued by negativity and despair, the call to positivity rings out like a beacon of hope in the darkness.

Psalm 98 exhorts us to "shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth" (Psalm 98:4), reminding us that joy is not merely a fleeting emotion but a steadfast anchor for our souls.

We have hope because of what God has done.

Positivity does not deny the existence of trials and tribulations but chooses to focus on the promise of God's faithfulness in the midst of adversity.

It is an attitude of resilience that refuses to be defined by circumstances but instead finds strength in the hope of Christ.

Positivity fosters unity and harmony in our relationships, enabling us to extend grace and forgiveness to one another.

It is a catalyst for reconciliation and healing, breaking down walls of division and building bridges of love and understanding.

When we approach life with a positive mindset, we discover the beauty of God's purpose unfolding in every situation.

Even in the midst of uncertainty, we can trust that God is working all things together for our good, weaving a tapestry of redemption and restoration.

Transition: As we embrace worship and cultivate positivity, we are filled with an abiding sense of joy that transcends our circumstances.

Joy: The Fruit of a Surrendered Heart

The culmination of worship and positivity is joy—the deep-seated assurance that we are loved, cherished, and redeemed by the Creator of the universe.

Psalm 98 paints a vivid picture of joyous celebration, as all creation rejoices in the presence of the Lord.

The source of our joy is found in the salvation we have received through Jesus Christ.

It is a gift freely given, a grace lavishly poured out upon us, empowering us to live with confidence and assurance in the midst of life's uncertainties.

Joy is multiplied when shared with others in the fellowship of believers.

As we gather together in worship and community, we experience the fullness of joy that comes from being united in Christ, bound together by the bonds of love and fellowship.

Finally, joy is the natural outflow of a surrendered heart—a heart that delights in obeying God's commands and walking in His ways.

When we align our will with His, we discover a deep and abiding joy that transcends our circumstances and sustains us through every season of life.

Psalm 100:1-2, "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing."

This verse reminds us that our worship should be filled with joy and gratitude for all that the Lord has done for us.

When we come before the Lord in worship, it is not enough to simply go through the motions or sing the words on the page.

We are called to lift our voices in praise and adoration, to make a joyful noise that reflects the joy and gratitude in our hearts.

Our worship should be a reflection of the joy that comes from knowing and experiencing the love of God in our lives.

But what does it mean to make a joyful noise unto the Lord?

It means that our worship should be heartfelt and sincere, filled with gratitude for all that the Lord has done for us.

It means that we should not be afraid to let our voices be heard, to sing out with all our hearts and souls in praise and adoration.

It means that we should not hold back in our worship, but instead let our joy and gratitude pour forth in a beautiful symphony of praise.

Making a joyful noise unto the Lord is not just about singing in church on Sunday mornings.

It is about living a life of worship and praise every day, in everything that we do.

It is about praising God in the good times and the bad, in times of joy and times of sorrow.

It is about letting our lives be a reflection of the joy and gratitude that we have in our hearts for the Lord.

So let us make a joyful noise unto the Lord, my brothers and sisters.

Let us lift our voices in praise and adoration, and let our worship be a reflection of the joy and gratitude that fills our hearts.

Let us serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with singing.

And let us live each day in worship and praise, making a joyful noise unto the Lord in all that we do. Amen.

Conclusion

As we reflect on the profound truths of Psalm 98, may we be inspired to cultivate a spirit of worship, positivity, and joy in our daily lives.

Let us never cease to lift our voices in praise to the Lord, knowing that He delights in our worship and rejoices over us with singing.

May we embrace the power of positivity, choosing to see the world through the lens of God's love and grace.

And may the joy of the Lord be our strength, guiding us through the darkest of times and leading us into the fullness of His presence, both now and forevermore.

Let’s pray together.