Embracing Praise: A Journey of Faith and Fellowship

Devotional

Day 1: Praise as a Response to God's Goodness

Reflecting on our lives and recognizing God's blessings should lead us to praise Him. Even in the midst of challenges, praising God helps us to focus on His goodness and faithfulness. This act of worship is not just for ourselves but also for those who have been blessed because of us and those who have prayed for us. When we praise God, we acknowledge His sovereignty and express our gratitude for His continuous provision and care. This practice not only uplifts our spirits but also serves as a testimony to others about the power and presence of God in our lives.

Praising God in all circumstances, especially during difficult times, can transform our perspective and bring peace to our hearts. It shifts our focus from our problems to God's greatness, reminding us that He is in control and that His plans for us are good. By praising God, we also encourage others to see His hand at work in their lives, fostering a community of faith and mutual support. [01:10:15]

Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV): "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!"

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How can you praise God for His goodness and faithfulness in that situation today?

Day 2: The Power of Jesus' Sacrifice

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ are central to our faith. His sacrifice on Calvary and His victory over death give us a reason to praise and a foundation for our hope. This powerful act of love and redemption is what draws us closer to God and compels us to live a life of gratitude and worship. Jesus' sacrifice is the ultimate demonstration of God's love for humanity, offering us forgiveness and the promise of eternal life.

Understanding the depth of Jesus' sacrifice helps us to appreciate the magnitude of God's grace and mercy. It reminds us that we are loved unconditionally and that our sins have been paid for in full. This realization should inspire us to live in a way that honors God, reflecting His love and grace to those around us. [59:13]

1 Peter 2:24 (ESV): "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."

Reflection: How does understanding the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross change the way you live your daily life? What specific actions can you take to reflect His love and grace to others?

Day 3: Praising Through Struggles

When we face difficulties, praising God can be a way to release our burdens and trust in His provision. It reminds us that it is not up to us to make a way, but up to the Way Maker. Our praise can be a powerful testimony of God's faithfulness and a way to make the devil mad. By choosing to praise God in the midst of our struggles, we declare our trust in His sovereignty and His ability to work all things for our good.

Praising God during tough times can also bring us comfort and peace, as it shifts our focus from our problems to God's power and love. It helps us to remember that we are not alone and that God is with us, guiding us through every challenge. This act of faith can inspire others who are going through similar struggles, showing them that it is possible to find hope and strength in God. [01:08:26]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: Think of a current struggle you are facing. How can you intentionally praise God in the midst of this situation today?

Day 4: The Importance of Fellowship

The church is like a body, and every member is important. Even the smallest part being out of place affects the whole body. We are called to return to the fellowship if we have fallen away and to recognize that we are needed in the body of Christ. Our presence and participation matter. Each member of the church has unique gifts and roles that contribute to the overall health and function of the body.

Being part of a church community provides us with support, encouragement, and accountability. It allows us to grow in our faith alongside others and to serve God together. When we are actively involved in the fellowship, we can experience the fullness of God's love and grace through our interactions with other believers. [01:29:48]

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."

Reflection: Reflect on your involvement in your church community. How can you use your unique gifts to serve and support the body of Christ more effectively?

Day 5: Invitation to Discipleship

Accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior is the most important decision we can make. It secures our place in heaven and gives us a relationship with God. For those who have fallen away, returning to the fellowship is crucial. The church is here to support, love, and carry each other as we walk in faith together. Discipleship involves a commitment to follow Jesus, grow in our faith, and help others do the same.

Being a disciple of Christ means living a life that reflects His teachings and love. It requires us to be intentional about our spiritual growth and to seek opportunities to share the gospel with others. The church community plays a vital role in this journey, providing us with the resources, encouragement, and accountability we need to stay on the path of discipleship. [01:25:00]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Reflection: Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? If not, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you deepen your commitment to discipleship and help others grow in their faith?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we experienced a powerful move of the Holy Spirit, and instead of a traditional sermon, we dedicated our time to praise and worship. Reflecting on our lives, we acknowledged the many blessings God has bestowed upon us, despite the challenges we face. We remembered the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary, His resurrection, and the power He holds over heaven and earth. This is the foundation of our faith and the reason for our praise.

We were encouraged to praise God not just for ourselves but also for others who have been blessed because of us and those who have prayed for us. The importance of praising God through our struggles was emphasized, as it is a way to release our burdens and trust in God's provision. We were reminded that our praise can make the devil mad and that we should live each day with the intent to glorify God.

The service also highlighted the significance of the younger generation earnestly praising God, showing that they understand the value of a relationship with Him. We were invited to come to the altar, to thank God for His goodness, and to seek a deeper relationship with Him. The invitation to discipleship was extended, urging those who have not accepted Christ to do so and those who have fallen away to return to the fellowship.

We were reminded that the church, like the human body, needs all its parts to function properly. Every member is important, and even the smallest part being out of place affects the whole body. The call was made for everyone to reflect on their relationship with God and to take steps to align themselves with His will. The service concluded with a sense of gratitude for being part of what God is doing in our church.

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Key Takeaways

1. Praise as a Response to God's Goodness: Reflecting on our lives and recognizing God's blessings should lead us to praise Him. Even in the midst of challenges, praising God helps us to focus on His goodness and faithfulness. This act of worship is not just for ourselves but also for those who have been blessed because of us and those who have prayed for us. [70:15]
2. The Power of Jesus' Sacrifice: The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ are central to our faith. His sacrifice on Calvary and His victory over death give us a reason to praise and a foundation for our hope. This powerful act of love and redemption is what draws us closer to God and compels us to live a life of gratitude and worship. [59:13]
3. Praising Through Struggles: When we face difficulties, praising God can be a way to release our burdens and trust in His provision. It reminds us that it is not up to us to make a way, but up to the Way Maker. Our praise can be a powerful testimony of God's faithfulness and a way to make the devil mad. [68:26]
4. The Importance of Fellowship: The church is like a body, and every member is important. Even the smallest part being out of place affects the whole body. We are called to return to the fellowship if we have fallen away and to recognize that we are needed in the body of Christ. Our presence and participation matter. [89:48]
5. Invitation to Discipleship: Accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior is the most important decision we can make. It secures our place in heaven and gives us a relationship with God. For those who have fallen away, returning to the fellowship is crucial. The church is here to support, love, and carry each other as we walk in faith together. [01:25:00]
### [85:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[59:13] - Reflecting on Jesus' Sacrifice
[62:25] - Praising Through Struggles
[68:26] - The Power of Praise
[70:15] - Praising for Others
[80:11] - The Crew's Praise
[82:42] - Invitation to the Altar
[85:00] - Invitation to Discipleship
[89:48] - Importance of Fellowship
[91:51] - Gratitude for God's Work
[92:54] - Closing Remarks

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are some of the blessings mentioned in the sermon that we should praise God for? [01:10:15]
How does the sermon describe the significance of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection? [59:13]
According to the sermon, what is the impact of praising God through our struggles? [01:08:26]
How does the sermon illustrate the importance of every member in the church body? [01:29:48]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important to praise God not only for our own blessings but also for the blessings of others and those who have prayed for us? [01:10:15]
How does the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ serve as the foundation of our faith and a reason for our praise? [59:13]
What does it mean to praise God through our struggles, and how can this act of worship affect our faith and trust in God? [01:08:26]
In what ways does the analogy of the church as a body help us understand the importance of fellowship and each member's role? [01:29:48]

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you respond, and how might praising God through that struggle have changed your perspective? [01:08:26]
Think about someone who has prayed for you or been blessed because of you. How can you show your gratitude to God for their impact on your life? [01:10:15]
How can you make a daily habit of praising God, even when things are difficult? What specific steps can you take to incorporate praise into your daily routine? [01:08:26]
Are there areas in your life where you feel disconnected from the church body? What steps can you take to re-engage and recognize your importance in the fellowship? [01:29:48]
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? If not, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you deepen your relationship with Him? [01:25:00]
How can you encourage the younger generation in your church to continue earnestly praising and seeking a relationship with God? [01:21:25]
Reflect on your current involvement in the church. Are you fulfilling the role God has for you? If not, what changes can you make to align yourself with His will? [01:29:48]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "When I think about how good God has been to me and then I'll multiply that by the number of people that's in here we sure enough serve a good God we sure enough serve a good God good God and here's what we ought to realize all the blessings that you've seen weren't necessarily for you there's some folks that God blessed because of you so praise for yourself and then praise for the other folks that God praised because of you." [01:10:15] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Ain't nothing in this world stronger than you than God ain't nothing in this world stronger than God whoo every day is like living through a war but glory be to God that God is on our side so we can be considered the ultimate warriors have I got some real folks in here y'all know how to do the war cry does anybody know how to do the war cry does anybody know how to do the war cry." [01:12:36] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God has been so good to us. He's so good to us. No, folks used to say he kept me when I couldn't keep myself. He blessed me. In spite of me carried me. When I couldn't carry myself, he covered me. He's been good to us." [01:23:25] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Think on your station in life and ask yourself, am I where God is? Am I where God wants me to be? And if the answer is yes, great. But if the answer is no, do something about it. Do something about it. And listen, we'll wrap our arms of love around you. We'll love on you. We'll carry you. We'll keep you. We'll treat you the way that God said the church ought to treat his children." [01:31:07] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "I get up every morning intent on making the devil mad I don't know about you but I get up every morning trying to think of ways to make the devil mad and oh I bet he's mad right now every once in a while you got to get some things off your chest come on somebody and what better way to get things off your chest than to praise your way through it what better way to get some things off your chest than to praise your way through it." [01:08:26] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Because of what God did on your behalf you're here today because of what God did on your behalf you're here today because of what God did on your behalf yesterday you came into this house looking for an opportunity to praise so go on and get your praise on the old folks used to say praise today like it might be your last time." [01:10:15] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I love to see young folks earnestly praising God because it suggests to me that they don't take life lightly. And even in their younger years, they've discovered what it means to have a relationship with God. So when you see them getting emotional, you know for a fact that it's the Holy Spirit working through them." [01:21:25] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God designed the universal church the same way that he designed the human body. Just like the human body, the universal church and the local church needs all of its parts to function in the way that God intended. Well, but guess what, Pastor? I've had a finger amputated. I do things just fine. Maybe so. But I bet you don't open a jar with the same ease that you did when you had four fingers and a thumb." [01:29:03] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I'm grateful that the Lord is allowing me to be a part of what he's doing right here at New Era. I'm gonna say it. I'm grateful that the Lord is allowing me to be a part of what he's doing right here at New Era." [01:32:54] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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