2021 1219 Praise to Prepare

Prayer Point #1

Ephesians 1:17 NIV

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

our prayer life is about getting to know Jesus better

Jesus and God the Father, the Almighty are one - John 8:17

If you knew me, you would know my father also

the Spirit of wisdom and revelation is the agent of this all important knowing

we cannot rely on just one part of God

the whole of the Godhead is involved along with the Word and the Church

we need all to be thoroughly prepared for the work of the Kingdom

Praise to Prepare

praise is a common theme in the Kingdom of God

many mentions in the Word

Hebrews 13:15 NIV

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

our praise does not come naturally - it is to be a sacrifice

it is public - openly profess

it is continuous

Psalm 47 is typical of the praises given to God

Psalm 47

Psalm 47:1–4 NIV

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.

the instruction = clap your hands, shout to God

all nations with cries of joy

this is our human response

why?

Lord Most High is awesome

the great King

all nations under the people of God

we have an inheritance

Psalm 47:5–7 NIV

God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.

Lord Most High is the King

he is triumphant - he has ascended above all other things

the Kingship is declared with trumpet, with continuous praises

three statements of sing praises to God and King - sing praises

Revelation 7:11–12 NIV

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

praise is first in the list

directed at God on the throne and the Lamb

for ever and ever

Praise to Prepare

lets do one earth what is being done in heaven

come into the throne room of God

sing even shout out our praises to God

let us be a faithful people of praise

Psalm 149:1 NIV

Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.