It's A Rock Party

37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Matthew added the word Hosanna saying Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” The were literally crying out praise saying help I pray the save!

Matthew says the praise didn’t end on the road but continue to the temple where Jesus healed the blind and the lame and the peoples response was again: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Look at Matthew 21:15

15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, 16 and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

We must Offer Perfected Praise

King James Version Chapter 21

And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

Jesus refers the listener to Psalm 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength Because of thine enemies, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

What is perfected praise? A. Webster's dictionary tells us that to Praise is 1. to express approval and commendation of; applaud, eulogize. 2. To express adoration of; glorify.

B. Wikipedia says, "Praise is the act of making positive statements about a person, object or idea, either in public or privately."

C. The English word "praise" is derived from the Old French word preisier meaning ‘ to prize, praise, attaching value to.

D. Synonyms for praise are to commend, express admiration for, applaud, pay tribute to, speak highly of, compliment, rave about, to laud, to brag on.

Those definitions mean nothing if the praise is not from the heart! E. Psalm 9:1-2 "I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High."

When we praise the Lord from the space of a true heart we offer perfected praise. (Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

The heart of a child is untainted and unashamed. Do you remember when Jesus said because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Children have a special gift they are not so concerned about who is watching. That gift is taken away as we get so called grown and educated. We get jaded!

Yet perfected is

A. Continually

B. Sacrificially

Praise gives God the glory and honor due unto Him.

1. 1 Chronicles 16:29 "Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!"

2. Psalm 7:17 "I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High."

Praise brings pleasure to the Lord.

1. 2 Corinthians 2:15 "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing"

2. Psalm 147:1 "Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting."

Your Praise will Have Critics

39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”

Often we have been told to tone it down a little or to restrain our praise. Even today people are uncomfortable with praise and celebration. Folks are more uncomfortable when the praise and celebration is directed towards someone else. I am concerned when folks say it don’t take all that when it comes to praising someone else but are totally fine if the praise is on them.

This type of feeling has crept into the church today when we hear folks say it don’t take all that not knowing the reason for someone’s praise. We dealt with this a few weeks ago when Mary came with her alabaster box of ointment. Some critics thought it was a waste. But we know her praise came from a place of gratitude. And we also know Jesus appreciated it. Well guess what here we go again.

Jesus has to silent the critics when it comes to trying to silent the praise on him. The more I read this its clear that Jesus knew the praise was warranted. He is entering Jerusalem on his way to Calvary to finish his mission to secure salvation for mankind. What you mean rebuke my disciples. The are speaking the truth. The words Blessed is the King who come in the name of the Lord is taken from Psalm 118:26  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! The Palmist goes on to say: We bless you from the house of the LORD. 27  The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar! 28  You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. 29  Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Yes they understood that Jesus deserved the praise because they had grasp salvation has come. Matthew added the word Hosanna saying Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” The were literally crying out praise saying help I pray the save!

If you Don’t Praise it will be a Rock Party

40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Jesus response it these don’t praise me the very stones will cry out. There is always, it seems, someone who wants to stifle the praise of God. (v.39)

Psalm 92:1 "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High."

Psalms 89:15 “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance”.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Our response is priase but if we sont praise him dont worry . God will not be cheated. He has all of creation ready and will to praise him.

Even the rocks with come together to make the best choir we ever heard because God is great and greatly to be praised!

Because this is the greatest thing to happen in all of creation (v.40)