Untitled Sermon (6)

There’s the story of a church in an old town that was very sophisticated, dignified, and quiet. One day a visitor showed up in worship. When the preacher began to preach and say something like God is a good God, the visitor would shout, “Praise the Lord,” and everybody would turn around and look at brother John.

The preacher also paused and looked in amazement that someone responded to something she said. The preacher went on to say that God has provided for us, and the visitor shouted, “Amen! Praise the Lord!’” Again, everyone would turn around and look at him. This occurred for several times during the service. Finally someone tapped him on the shoulder and whispered, “Please stop that “praise the Lord stuff”, we don’t do that in this church.”

This is normally a Palm Sunday passage, but today we are going to study it in the middle of May. But, instead of focusing on the first part of the story, we are going to focus on the last verse of the passage.

Jesus makes the statement at the end of today’s section that if the people of God keep quiet with our praise, the rocks themselves will cry out.

So, let’s set a foundation- first Jesus is King- PERIOD. We need to remember that we do not make Jesus King- Jesus is already King. You see, unlike Kings and Leaders of this day Jesus’ throne has been established since the beginning of time, and will last through eternity. You see, Jesus’ position is not dependent on our praise, our praise is naming what already is.

The reason that the rocks cry out is because Jesus is meant to be praised by all creation. What this becomes is a mirror of Heaven.

Let’s look at :

First- there are 24 elders praising God in Heaven on 24 thrones casting their 24 crowns before him.

Most see these as the 12 OT Patriarchs and the 12 Disciples a symbol for all of the people of the church both OT and NT who are giving praise to God.

Second, there are 4 living Creatures

The mightiest bird, the mightiest of the wild animals, the mightiest of domestic animals, and the mightiest of all

Jesus’ throne at the center of heaven as a symbol of our lives

Everything revolves around Jesus- EVERYTHING

So what does this mean for us? Praise is to be our vocation

More than a job, vocation is a calling or a pursuit

Permeates all that we do

Direct Praise

Book of Psalms

Direct, intentional, obvious

Indirect Praise

In the end, all will get it