Celebrating God's Greatness: A Call to Daily Praise
Summary
As we gather to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Community Baptist Church, our hearts are drawn to the centrality of Jesus Christ and the greatness of our God. Reflecting on Psalm 145, we are reminded that praise is not just a communal act, but a deeply personal commitment. David’s final recorded words in Scripture are a private, heartfelt outpouring of praise, and he invites us to make this psalm our own. Each of us is called to say, “I will extol thee, my God, O King,” making praise a daily, lifelong, and eternal pursuit. This is not a casual or occasional act, but a determined resolution to lift up God’s name every day, in every circumstance.
David gives us four compelling reasons to live a life of praise: God’s greatness, goodness, glory, and grace. God’s greatness is unsearchable—His mighty acts throughout history, from the flood to the parting of the Red Sea, to the resurrection of Christ, are testimonies to His power that defy human understanding. We are called to pass these stories on, from one generation to the next, ensuring that our children and those around us know the reality of God’s greatness through our own testimonies and memories.
God’s goodness is not a vague concept, but a tangible reality that should well up within us, pressing for expression. The memory of God’s goodness in our lives should not be buried in silence or ingratitude, but should overflow in praise. We are challenged to remember and recount the specific ways God has shown His kindness, both personally and as a church family.
God’s glory is seen in His eternal kingdom, a promise that will be fulfilled when Christ returns and establishes His reign on earth. No matter the turmoil in the world, God’s purposes will stand, and His glory will be revealed to all. Our hope is anchored in the certainty of His coming kingdom and the ultimate victory of Christ.
Finally, God’s grace is the unmerited favor that saves us. It is offered to all who fear Him, recognize their need, and cry out for salvation. This grace is the heart of our faith and the message we long to share with others. As we reflect on these truths, may we be committed, like David, to extol our God every day, passing on the legacy of faith and praise to the next generation.
Key Takeaways
- Praise is a Personal and Daily Commitment
David’s example in Psalm 145 challenges each of us to make praise a personal resolution, not just a corporate activity. True praise flows from a heart that has encountered God personally and is determined to honor Him every day, regardless of circumstances. This daily commitment shapes our perspective and keeps God at the center of our lives. [50:21]
- Passing Faith to the Next Generation is Our Sacred Duty
The call for one generation to declare God’s works to another is not optional—it is essential. Our children and those around us need to hear firsthand accounts of God’s mighty acts and faithfulness in our lives. If we neglect to share our stories, we risk losing the vibrancy of faith in the next generation; our testimony is a living bridge to God’s reality. [56:12]
- Remembering and Expressing God’s Goodness Guards Against Ingratitude
The memory of God’s goodness should not be locked away in silence. When we recall and speak of God’s kindness, it not only honors Him but also strengthens our own faith and the faith of others. Ingratitude grows in the soil of forgetfulness, but praise flourishes where memories of God’s goodness are regularly expressed. [01:05:40]
- God’s Glory and Kingdom are Certain, Despite Present Circumstances
No matter the chaos or opposition in the world, God’s promises stand firm. The coming kingdom of Christ is a sure hope, and His glory will one day be revealed to all. This perspective gives us courage and endurance, knowing that our allegiance is ultimately to the eternal King whose victory is assured. [01:08:24]
- God’s Grace is Available to All Who Call on Him in Truth
Grace is not earned but received by those who recognize their need and cry out to God. The fear of God leads to repentance, and His gracious response is salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life. This is the heart of our hope and the invitation extended to every soul—no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. [01:11:08]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[46:19] - Honoring People and Remembering Jesus
[46:50] - The Heart of Psalm 145
[47:47] - Reflections on Ministry and Legacy
[48:24] - David’s Psalm of Praise: A Personal Commitment
[50:21] - Making Praise Personal and Daily
[51:52] - Why We Praise: Greatness, Goodness, Glory, Grace
[53:12] - The Four Reasons to Praise God
[54:17] - God’s Greatness and Passing Faith to the Next Generation
[56:12] - The Importance of Testimony
[58:27] - Declaring God’s Mighty Acts and Wondrous Works
[01:02:08] - God’s Goodness: Remembering and Expressing
[01:05:40] - The Danger of Silent Ingratitude
[01:07:02] - The Glory of God’s Coming Kingdom
[01:08:24] - God’s Promises to Israel and the World
[01:10:05] - God’s Grace: Salvation for All Who Call
[01:12:57] - Invitation to Receive God’s Grace
[01:14:10] - Prayer and Call to Salvation
[01:15:31] - Invitation to Respond
[01:16:08] - Closing and Next Steps
Study Guide
Community Baptist Church 30th Anniversary Bible Study Guide
*Based on Psalm 145 and the sermon on the centrality of praise, legacy, and God’s character*
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### Bible Reading
- Psalm 145 (entire chapter)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Psalm 145, what words or phrases does David use to show that his praise is personal and not just a group activity? ([48:24])
2. According to the sermon, what four main reasons does David give for praising God in this psalm? ([53:12])
3. How does David describe the way praise should be practiced—how often and for how long? ([50:21])
4. What does the psalm say about the responsibility of one generation to the next regarding God’s works? ([56:12])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does David emphasize making praise a daily and lifelong commitment, rather than something occasional? How might this shape a person’s relationship with God? ([50:21])
2. The sermon highlights the importance of sharing stories of God’s greatness with the next generation. Why is this so crucial for the health and future of the church? ([56:12])
3. The memory of God’s goodness is described as something that should “well up” and be expressed. What might happen in a person’s life or in a church if these memories are kept silent? ([01:05:40])
4. The sermon says God’s glory and kingdom are certain, even when the world seems chaotic. How does this truth affect the way believers face uncertainty or trouble? ([01:08:24])
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### Application Questions
1. David says, “I will extol thee, my God, O King.” What would it look like for you to make praise a personal, daily commitment? Are there specific times or routines you could set aside for this? ([50:21])
2. Think about your own story: What is one specific way God has shown His greatness or goodness in your life? Have you ever shared this with someone younger or newer in the faith? If not, what’s stopping you? ([56:12])
3. The sermon warns that “the goodness of the living God should not be buried in the cemetery of silence.” Is there a recent example of God’s kindness to you that you haven’t shared? Who could you tell this week? ([01:05:40])
4. When you look at the world’s problems or your own struggles, do you find it hard to believe that God’s kingdom and glory are certain? What helps you hold onto hope in those moments? ([01:08:24])
5. The message says God’s grace is available to all who call on Him in truth. Have you ever had a moment when you truly cried out to God for help or salvation? If so, how did He respond? If not, what holds you back? ([01:11:08])
6. Passing faith to the next generation is described as a “sacred duty.” Who in your life could benefit from hearing your testimony or seeing your faith in action? What is one step you can take this week to invest in them? ([56:12])
7. The sermon challenges us to remember and express God’s goodness to guard against ingratitude. What practical habit could you start (like journaling, sharing at the dinner table, or texting a friend) to keep gratitude alive in your daily life? ([01:05:40])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you make praise a daily habit, to give you courage to share your story, and to keep your heart grateful for His greatness, goodness, glory, and grace. Pray for opportunities to pass on faith to the next generation.
Devotional
Day 1: A Life of Personal Praise to God
David’s Psalm of Praise in Psalm 145 is a deeply personal declaration of his commitment to extol and bless God every day, forever. This is not a distant or formal act, but a heartfelt, daily resolution to lift up God’s name above all else, regardless of circumstances. Each believer is invited to make this their own commitment—to live a life centered on praising God, not just in public worship but in the quiet moments of each day. The question is not whether God is worthy of praise, but whether we will choose to make praise the foundation of our lives, letting it shape our relationships, our families, and our legacy. [50:21]
Psalm 145:1-2 (ESV)
I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.
Reflection: What is one specific way you can intentionally praise God today, making it personal and heartfelt rather than routine or formal?
Day 2: Passing Faith to the Next Generation
God calls each generation to declare His mighty acts and wondrous works to those who come after, ensuring that the story of His greatness is never lost. This is not just the job of pastors or Sunday school teachers, but of every parent, friend, and believer who has experienced God’s power. Sharing personal testimonies of God’s faithfulness and supernatural works—both from Scripture and from our own lives—impresses upon others the reality of a living, active God. The legacy of faith is built not by silence, but by intentionally telling the next generation what God has done, so they too may know and trust Him. [57:17]
Psalm 145:4-6 (ESV)
One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.
Reflection: Who is one person—child, friend, or peer—you can share a story of God’s faithfulness with this week, so that your faith is passed on?
Day 3: Remembering and Proclaiming God’s Goodness
The goodness of God is not meant to be quietly stored away, but to overflow from our hearts in grateful praise. When we remember all the ways God has been good to us—answered prayers, changed lives, daily mercies—it should create a pressure within us that cannot be contained. To keep silent about God’s goodness is to bury it in the “cemetery of silence,” but to speak it out is to honor Him and encourage others. Let your memory of God’s goodness today move you to speak, sing, or testify, refusing to let ingratitude or forgetfulness keep you silent. [01:05:40]
Psalm 145:7 (ESV)
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
Reflection: What is one specific memory of God’s goodness in your life that you can share with someone or thank God for out loud today?
Day 4: Anticipating the Glory of God’s Kingdom
God’s glory is not just a distant theological concept, but a coming reality that will be revealed when Christ returns and establishes His everlasting kingdom. The promise of seeing Jesus in all His majesty, with every enemy defeated and every promise fulfilled, fills believers with hope and awe. This glorious future shapes how we live now, giving us confidence that God’s purposes will prevail and that our allegiance ultimately belongs to Christ the King. Let the certainty of God’s coming kingdom inspire you to worship, to hope, and to live with your eyes fixed on His glory. [01:08:24]
Psalm 145:11-13 (ESV)
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
Reflection: How does the promise of Christ’s coming kingdom change the way you face challenges or set your priorities today?
Day 5: Experiencing and Sharing God’s Graciousness
God’s grace is His unmerited favor, offered to all who call upon Him in truth and humility. No one is beyond the reach of His saving power; He hears the cry of those who fear Him and saves them, not because of their worthiness, but because of His love. This grace is the heart of the gospel and the hope of every believer. If you have received this grace, let it fill you with gratitude and a desire to help others find it. If you have not, know that God is near and ready to save all who call on Him. [01:11:08]
Psalm 145:18-19 (ESV)
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to call out to God for His grace today—or someone you can encourage to do so?
Quotes
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