UNDERSTANDING OUR PRAISE

Christian Standard Bible Psalm 100

3 Acknowledge that the LORD is God.

He made us, and we are his,—

his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him and bless his name.

King James Version Psalm 100

3  Know ye that the LORD he is God:

It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

And into his courts with praise:

Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

BIG IDEA: IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT BELIEVERS KNOW “WHY” WE’RE SO THANKFUL!

I LOVE HEARING THE SIMPLICITY OF CHILDREN, AS THEY COMMUNICATE “WHY” THEY’RE THANKFUL.

THEY DON’T HAVE TO GO BEYOND THEIR FAMILY - THEIR HOME - THEIR FAITH…KIDS GET IT!

IT’S THOSE OF US WHO’VE BEEN WALKING WITH THE LORD FOR A WHILE WHO HAVE A TENDENCY TO LOSE OUR WAY...

WE SING, “JESUS, I’LL NEVER FORGET WHAT YOU’VE DONE FOR ME.”

BUT AS SOON AS TRAGEDY OR DIFFICULTY OR DELAYED DESTINY ARISE,

WE BEGIN WITHHOLDING OUR PRAISE

REDUCING OUR THANKSGIVING

BECOMING SILENT WHEN THERE’S AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE!

IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT BELIEVERS KNOW WHY WE’RE SO THANKFUL!

My Favorite Illustrations Count Your Blessings

Count Your Blessings

An old adage says that counting sheep will help you go to sleep. For the Christian the better exercise would be to count God’s blessings upon you. You cannot exhaust that number. But reflecting on His blessings will bring joy to your heart and drive out worry. Then you will know God’s peace—and so, to sleep! Why should you toss sleeplessly when the One watching over you never sleeps—or needs to?

King James Version Psalm 100

3  Know ye that the LORD he is God:

KNOW MEANING AN EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE - YOU’VE SPENT SOME TIME WITH HIM, AND YOU KNOW THAT THE LORD (HE IS GOD)!

YOU AIN’T JUST HEARD IT, YOU’VE LIVED IT!

YOU’VE LIVED TO SEE HIS PROVIDENTIAL HAND CAUSE THE EBS AND FLOWS OF LIFE TO COOPERATE FOR YOUR GOOD...

YOU’VE LIVED TO SEE HOW HIS PERFECT PLAN MANIFESTS IN PAINFUL WAYS TO HELP YOU LOOK MORE LIKE HIS SON...

YOU’VE LIVED TO WITNESS HIS GRACE MANIFESTED IN AREAS WHERE YOU SHOULD’VE BEEN CONDEMNED!

YES, BELOVED....YOU KNOW HIM!

BUT THE WORD KNOW IN THE KING JAMES HAS MORE MEAT ON IT...

THE DEEPER MEANING OF KNOW IS TO ACKNOWLEDGE - TO CONFESS!

Christian Standard Bible Psalm 100

3 Acknowledge that the LORD is God.

THOSE WHO ARE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD HAVE THE JOY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THE BELIEFS THAT ARE PART OF IT! - EDBT

OUR PRAISE IS BEST UNDERSTOOD WHEN WE EMBRACE THE FACT THAT WE ARE TO PUBLICLY CONFESS THAT GOD IS GOD!

King James Version Psalm 34

1  I will bless the LORD at all times:

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2  My soul shall make her boast in the LORD:

The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3  O magnify the LORD with me,

And let us exalt his name together.

IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT BELIEVERS KNOW WHY WE’RE SO THANKFUL!

WE KNOW AND ACKNOWLEDGE (CONFESS) THAT THE LORD (HE IS GOD)!

AWWW, THE PSALMIST IS ASSISTING IN OR UNDERSTANDING OF OUR THANKSGIVING:

HE MADE US, AND WE ARE HIS - HIS PEOPLE, THE SHEEP OF HIS PASTURE...

WEIRSBE SUGGESTS THAT “HE MADE US” GOES BEYOND GOD’S CREATION OF US, AND LENDS TO HIS SELECTION OF US TO BE HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE…OF COURSE, WE ARE NOT JEWS…HOWEVER, THROUGH CHRIST - WE’VE BEEN ADOPTED INTO GOD’S FAMILY AS HIS CHOSEN!

He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1:5

To redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:5-7

WE PRAISE BECAUSE HE IS GOD

WE PRAISE BECAUSE WE ARE HIS

AWWW BELOVED, DON’T YOU MISS YOUR SHOUT...

DESPITE THE DIFFICULTY, WE’VE GOT REASONS TO SHOUT - IF FOR NOTHING ELSE, BECAUSE WE BELONG TO GOD!

WE’RE NOT OUT HERE WANDERING THROUGH LIFE (LIKE THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW HIM).

WE HAVE A SHEPHERD WHO GUIDES - PROVIDES - & PROTECTS!

King James Version Psalm 23

1  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

3  He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

Thou lanointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

THE TEXT SAYS: WE ARE HIS - HIS PEOPLE, THE SHEEP OF HIS PASTURE: WATCH THIS - (WE PRAISE) BECAUSE WE ARE GOD’S PROPERTY, AS WE FOLLOW HIM ON GOD’S PROPERTY (HIS PEOPLE UPON HIS PASTURE)!

HE’S THE GOD OF CREATION!

AND AS HIS CREATED BEINGS, WE GET TO ENGAGE WITH HIM - FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM - FOLLOW HIM, WHILE WE TRAVEL UPON HIS CREATION…HIS PEOPLE - HIS PASTURE!

WE PRAISE BECAUSE HE IS GOD

WE PRAISE BECAUSE WE ARE HIS

Christian Standard Bible Psalm 100

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him and bless his name.

WE PRAISE BECAUSE HE IS WORTHY

REMEMBER, THIS PSALM IS WRITTEN FOR WORSHIPPERS AS THEY ASCENT UPON THE HOLY TEMPLE - THEY’RE ON THEIR WAY TO CHURCH!

AND BECAUSE THEY ARE GOD’S PEOPLE, THEY HAVE ACCESS...

AS THEY ENTER-IN, THEY BEGIN TO OPEN UP!!!

IN CONJUNCTION WITH VS. 1 & 2, VS. 4 OFFERS FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW WE LIFT UP THE MOST HIGH: WITH THANKSGIVING!

THERE IS NO EFFECTIVE - PURPOSEFUL PRAISE W/O AN OBNOXIOUS DISPLAY OF THANKSGIVING!!!

EVERY STEP YOU TAKE TOWARDS THE WORSHIP CENTER IS TO BE MET WITH THANKS (WHY? BECAUSE HE IS WORTHY)!!

EVERY MOVE IS MET WITH A HALLELUJAH - GLORY!

John Wesley 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 thankfulness. 

Many years later, in 1791, 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've Breath." 

BELOVED, WE OUGHT TO COME TO BE A BLESSING TO GOD...

NOT MERELY BECAUSE HE NEEDS IT, BUT BECAUSE WE NEED TO GIVE IT!!!

FOR ALL THAT GOD IS AND HAS DONE FOR US, WHEN WE PRAISE HIM, IT IS A SIMPLE ACT THAT WE GET TO GIVE!

A body is not crippled 'til its heart has ceased to praise. Louis Albert Banks tells of an elderly Christian man, a fine singer, who learned that he had cancer of the tongue and that surgery was required. In the hospital after everything was ready for the operation, the man said to the doctor, "Are you sure I will never sing again?" The surgeon found it difficult to answer his question. He simply shook his head no. The patient then asked if he could sit up for a moment. "I've had many good times singing the praises of God," he said. "And now you tell me I can never sing again. I have one song that will be my last. It will be of gratitude and praise to God." There in the doctor's presence the man sang softly the words of Isaac Watts' hymn, "I'll praise my Maker while I've breath,/ And when my voice is lost in death,/ Praise shall employ my nobler power;/ My days of praise shall ne'er be past,/ While life, and thought, and being last,/ Or immortality endures."