The Power of Praise

Philadelphia Baptist Church

10/10/2007 Wednesday

The Power of Praise

Psalm 92:1

I.     Introduction

A. Many Calls to Praise in the Psalms

1. Testimonies of personal praise: (63:1–5; 71:8, 14, 22–24; 119:164; 146:1–2)

2. Invitations to join in praise: (107:8, 15, 21, 31; 135:1–3; 147:1; 150)

B. The Superiority of Praise

1. Better to praise than to panic

2. Better to praise than be to pessimistic

3. Better to praise than to be problem-conscious

C. Let’s Examine These Calls to Praise

II. Body

A. It Is Better to Praise Than to Panic

1. Easy to praise the Lord when all is well

2. But things do not always go well

3. “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33)

4. There are many panic-producers

a. Problems about health

b. Problems about families

c. Problems about our finances

d. Problems about other people

5. Panic only deepens trouble affecting all these areas

6. How can one praise God at the panic point?

a. By remembering that God loves us

b. The death of Jesus for us proves His love

B. It Is Better to Praise Than to Be Pessimistic

1. Pessimism can become a way of life

2. Some are natural grumblers

a. Fault-finding is their thing

b. They are gripers by choice

3. Pessimism is the opposite of faith

a. Pessimism is doubt in action

b. Pessimism says: “I don’t believe God”

c. We are to live by faith (Rom. 1:17)

4. Faith in Christ enables us expect the best (Rom. 8:28)

C.  It Is Better to Praise Than to Be Problem-Conscious

1. Everyone has problems

a. The world is not perfect

b. People are not perfect

c. All affected by the fall of man

2. But we do not have to focus on what is wrong

3. Paul tells us how to overcome faithless pessimism:

a. Don’t worry about anything (Phil. 4:6)

b. Trust God for everything (Phil. 4:7)

c. Think only of praise (Phil. 4:8)

III.  Conclusion

A. Praise Is Powerful

B. Praise Demonstrates Faith

C. Praise Opens Doors of Witness