Did You Forget To Praise?
The Heart Of Worship • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Read Psalm 105:3–5 “Boast in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wondrous works he has done, his wonders, and the judgments he has pronounced,”
We are kicking off this new series today “The Heart Of Worship” Which is a pretty self explanatory title. We want to get to the heart of worship....Today we are going to unpack what it means to praise and bless the Lord.....And i’m gonna go about how I normally preach a little different this morning.
Life is Crazy & Distracting:
-Give reasons what makes life crazy and distracting
What is Praise? Why Do We Praise?
Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary definition of Praise is:
an act of worship or acknowledgment by which the virtues or deeds of another are recognized and extolled. The praise of one human being toward another, although often beneficial , can be a snare . But the praise of God toward people is the highest commendation they can receive. Such an act of praise reflects a true servant’s heart (Matt. 25:21; 1 Cor. 4:5; Eph. 1:3–14).
Our praise toward God is the means by which we express our joy to the Lord. We are to praise God both for who He is and for what He does (Ps. 150:2).
-Praising God for who He is is called adoration; praising Him for what He does is known as thanksgiving.
-Praise of God may be in song or prayer, individually or collectively, spontaneous or prearranged, originating from the emotions or from the will.
The godly person will echo David’s words, “My praise shall be continually of You . . . And [I] will praise You yet more and more” (Ps. 71:6, 14).
I think it is important to distinguish the difference between praise and worship...
-Understanding the difference between praise and worship can bring a new depth to the way we honor the Lord. Throughout the Bible are numerous commands to "praise the Lord." Angels and the heavenly hosts are commanded to praise the Lord (Psalm 89:5; 103:20; 148:2).
-All inhabitants of the earth are instructed to praise the Lord (Psalm 138:4; Romans 15:11). We can praise Him with singing (Isaiah 12:5; Psalm 9:11), with shouting (Psalm 33:1; 98:4), with the dance (Psalm 150:4), and with musical instruments (1 Chronicles 13:8; Psalm 108:2; 150:3-5).
-Praise is the joyful recounting of all God has done for us. It is closely intertwined with thanksgiving as we offer back to God appreciation for His mighty works on our behalf. Praise can be a feature of other relationships as well. We can praise our family, friends, boss, or paperboy. Praise does not require anything of us.
-It is merely the truthful acknowledgment of the righteous acts of another. Since God has done many wonderful deeds, He is worthy of praise (Psalm 18:3).
-Worship comes from a different place within our spirits. Worship should be reserved for God alone (Luke 4:8). Worship is the art of losing self in the adoration of another. Praise can be a part of worship, but worship goes beyond praise.
-Praise is easy; worship is not. Worship gets to the heart of who we are. To truly worship God, we must let go of our self-worship.
- We must be willing to humble ourselves before God, surrender every part of our lives to His control, and adore Him for who He is, not just what He has done. Worship is a lifestyle, not just an occasional activity. Jesus said the Father is seeking those who will worship Him "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23).
-In Scripture, praise is usually presented as boisterous, joyful, and uninhibited. God invites praise of all kinds from His creation. Jesus said that if people don't praise God, even the "stones will cry out" (Luke 19:40).
- When the Bible mentions worship, however, the tone changes. We read verses like, "Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness" (Psalm 96:9). And, "Come let us worship and bow down" (Psalm 95:6). Often, worship is coupled with the act of bowing or kneeling, which shows humility and contrition (2 Chronicles 29:28; Hebrews 11:21; Revelation 19:10).
- It is through true worship that we invite the Holy Spirit to speak to us, convict us, and comfort us. Through worship, we realign our priorities with God's and acknowledge Him once more as the rightful Lord of our lives.
Just as praise is intertwined with thanksgiving, worship is intertwined with surrender. It is impossible to worship God and anything else at the same time (Luke 4:8). The physical acts often associated with worship—bowing, kneeling, lifting hands—help to create the necessary attitude of humility required for real worship.
-Worship is an attitude of the heart. A person can go through the outward motions and not be worshiping (Psalm 51:16-17; Matthew 6:5-6). God sees the heart, and He desires and deserves sincere, heartfelt praise and worship.
There are two words that we are going to see a lot when we walk through Psalms 68 and 103… “Tehillah” and “Barek”
"Tehillah" is primarily translated as "praise" or "song of praise" in English. However, its meaning extends beyond a simple act of thanksgiving or acknowledgment.It conveys the idea of exuberant, spontaneous praise and adoration directed towards God. It is the kind of praise that springs forth from a joyful and grateful heart.
Biblical Usage:
"Tehillah" appears multiple times in the Book of Psalms, which is a rich source of Hebrew poetry, prayers, and songs. "Tehillah" is often associated with music and singing, underlining its connection to expressive and heartfelt worship.
Emotional Depth:
"Tehillah" implies an emotional depth in praise. It goes beyond mere recitation of words; it involves the outpouring of one's heart in passionate and exuberant worship.When used in the context of praise and worship, "Tehillah" suggests a type of praise that is not constrained by circumstances, but rather an overflow of joy and gratitude irrespective of one's situation.
Transformative Impact:
"Tehillah" is not just a liturgical or ritualistic practice but has a transformative impact on individuals and communities. It shifts focus from problems to God's goodness, fosters gratitude, strengthens faith, and empowers believers to face life's challenges with confidence.
"Barek" is typically translated as "bless" or "praise" in English. Its central meaning is to bestow favor, well-being, or good things upon someone or something.When used in the context of praising God, it signifies acknowledging the greatness, goodness, and holiness of the divine.
Blessing God:
When "barek" is used to bless God, it involves acknowledging and honoring God's attributes, showing gratitude, and offering praise.In Psalm 103:1-2, for example, "barek" is used to exhort the soul to bless the Lord and not forget His benefits.
Transformative Power:
"Barek" not only describes an act but can also have a transformative impact. When we bless or praise God, we are reminded of His goodness and our dependence on Him.In return, our perspective can be transformed, fostering gratitude and trust in God.
Expressing Devotion:
"Barek" is an expression of devotion and recognition of the divine. It signifies an active connection between the worshipper and God, acknowledging the Creator's significance and goodness.
Read Psalms 68 (BREAKDOWN AS THE LORD LEADS)
Read Psalm 103 (BREAKDOWN AS THE LORD LEADS)
Praising and Blessing the Lord Changes Us:
Praising and blessing the Lord can have a profound impact on a person's perspective and mindset. Here are some ways in which these practices can bring about positive changes in one's perspective:
Fosters Gratitude: Praising and blessing the Lord often involve expressions of thanksgiving for the blessings, provisions, and goodness of God. This can shift a person's perspective from focusing on what they lack to appreciating what they have, promoting gratitude and contentment.
Cultivates Humility: Recognizing the greatness and holiness of the Lord in the process of praise and blessing can foster humility. It reminds individuals of their place in the grander scheme of things, encouraging a more humble and submissive attitude.
Provides Perspective on Challenges: When facing difficulties or adversity, praising and blessing the Lord can help individuals see their challenges in the context of their faith. It can offer a perspective that emphasizes trust in God's plan and an understanding that trials and tribulations are temporary.
Promotes Joy and Positivity: Engaging in acts of praise and blessing often brings a sense of joy, peace, and positivity. This can lead to a more optimistic outlook on life and a focus on the positive aspects of one's faith and experiences.
Encourages Compassion and Service: Expressing love and reverence for the Lord can inspire people to live out their faith by serving others and showing compassion. This shift in perspective can lead to a more selfless and altruistic approach to life.
Strengthens Resilience: When individuals bless the Lord in times of adversity, it can serve as a source of strength and resilience. The belief that God is with them and will help them through challenges can provide emotional and psychological support.
Deepens Spiritual Connection: Regular practices of praise and blessing can deepen one's spiritual connection with the divine, which can lead to a more profound sense of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in life.
Questions:
1.What is something God has done you are grateful for?
2.What is a characteristic of God you are grateful for and praise Him for?
3.What gets in the way for you praising and blessing the Lord?