Embracing Praise: Overcoming Complacency and Trials
Summary
The sermon begins with a call to the congregation to focus on God, removing distractions and seeking faith and healing. The speaker recounts the story of the Israelites who, after entering the promised land, became complacent and were eventually exiled to Babylon. This serves as a warning against complacency in faith. The importance of praise is then highlighted, with the speaker noting that neglecting praise can lead to a loss of connection with God. The sermon references the Israelites' struggle to praise God in a foreign land, emphasizing the need to praise even in trials.
The speaker continues by discussing the dangers of worldliness within the church and the devil's attempts to hinder praise and joy. Personal testimonies of God's faithfulness are shared, and the congregation is encouraged to maintain holiness and biblical principles. The importance of praising God in difficult circumstances is reiterated, with the speaker warning against living in the past and urging focus on the present and God's promises.
The sermon also touches on the speaker's personal struggles with alcohol and the transformative power of praise in overcoming challenges. The speaker emphasizes that praise should not be confined to the church but should be practiced in all aspects of life, including at home and in teaching children to worship. The concept of "crazy praise" is introduced, encouraging uninhibited worship to experience breakthroughs and blessings.
The speaker envisions the future growth of the church as prophesied by God and underscores the importance of praise as a statute in Israel. The sermon concludes with a call to live for heaven, not the world, and to glorify God through praise, even during personal losses and trials.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of the Israelites' complacency after entering the promised land serves as a cautionary tale for believers today. It illustrates the danger of letting prosperity and worldly distractions diminish one's spiritual fervor and adherence to biblical standards. This historical example is a reminder to remain vigilant in faith and to resist the devil's attempts to lead believers astray. [50:23] [51:05] [51:46] [52:34]
- Praise is not merely an act of worship but a vital connection to experiencing God's presence. When believers cease to praise, especially during hardships, they risk losing the effectiveness of their praise and their spiritual connection to God. Therefore, praising God in the midst of trials is crucial for maintaining a deep and meaningful relationship with Him. [56:46] [57:38] [58:20] [59:14] [01:00:00]
- The devil's influence can lead to a stagnant spiritual life, characterized by idleness in praise, witness, and dedication to God's word. However, God values our praise over our perfection, and worldliness within the church often goes unrecognized by those it affects. Personal testimonies of God's faithfulness can inspire believers to praise God regardless of their circumstances and to uphold holiness without condemnation. [01:11:28] [01:12:22] [01:12:57] [01:13:39]
- Praising God in the present, despite difficult circumstances, is essential for spiritual growth and for receiving God's promises. Dwelling on the past or longing for the "good old days" can hinder progress. Believers are encouraged to let go of the past and focus on the promise that God has for them, praising God as preparation for the future. [01:00:38]
- The role of praise extends beyond the church walls; it should be an integral part of everyday life, including at home, on vacation, and at school. Parents have a responsibility to teach their children to worship and pray, ensuring that they grow up knowing how to praise God. This daily practice of praise glorifies God and fulfills our purpose for Him. [01:07:45] [01:08:14] [01:08:52] [01:09:47] [01:10:23]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalms 81:1-4
- "Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob."
2. Psalms 137:1-4
- "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?"
3. Philippians 4:4
- "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the Israelites' initial reaction upon entering the promised land, and how did their attitude change over time? ([51:46])
2. According to the sermon, what are some consequences of neglecting praise in our lives? ([55:24])
3. How does the speaker describe the devil's influence on believers' spiritual lives? ([53:19])
4. What does the speaker mean by "crazy praise," and why is it important? ([01:18:19])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of praising God even in difficult circumstances? ([01:00:00])
2. How does the story of the Israelites in Babylon serve as a warning for modern believers? ([52:34])
3. What role does personal testimony play in maintaining a life of praise and faithfulness according to the sermon? ([01:12:22])
4. How can the concept of "crazy praise" lead to spiritual breakthroughs and blessings? ([01:18:50])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt complacent in your faith. What steps can you take to reignite your spiritual fervor? ([51:46])
2. How can you incorporate praise into your daily routine, especially during challenging times? ([56:46])
3. Identify a specific distraction in your life that hinders your ability to praise God. What practical steps can you take to minimize this distraction? ([50:23])
4. Think of a personal testimony of God's faithfulness in your life. How can sharing this testimony encourage others in your small group? ([01:12:22])
5. How can you teach and model the practice of praise to your children or younger family members? ([01:08:14])
6. What does "crazy praise" look like for you personally, and how can you practice it in your worship? ([01:18:19])
7. Reflect on a recent trial or loss. How can you shift your focus from the past to God's promises for the future through praise? ([01:00:38])
Devotional
Day 1: Vigilance Against Spiritual Complacency
Complacency in faith can lead to spiritual exile, just as the Israelites experienced after settling in the promised land. Prosperity and distractions can diminish spiritual fervor, but vigilance in faith is essential to resist the devil's attempts to lead astray. Maintaining a strong connection with God requires constant attention and dedication to biblical principles. [50:23]
Hebrews 2:1 - "We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."
Reflection: In what ways might you be growing complacent in your faith, and how can you actively combat this to strengthen your relationship with God?
Day 2: The Lifeline of Praise
Praise is a lifeline that connects believers to God's presence, especially during hardships. Ceasing to praise can lead to a weakened spiritual connection, but praising God amidst trials sustains and deepens the relationship with Him. It is through praise that believers can experience God's presence and power in their lives. [56:46]
Psalm 42:5 - "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent trial where you found it difficult to praise God? How can you cultivate a habit of praise even in the midst of challenges?
Day 3: Overcoming Spiritual Stagnancy
The devil's influence can lead to spiritual stagnancy, but God values praise over perfection. Worldliness within the church can be subtle, yet personal testimonies of God's faithfulness inspire believers to maintain holiness and praise God in all circumstances. Upholding holiness without condemnation is key to a vibrant spiritual life. [01:11:28]
James 4:7-8 - "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: What are some ways you can actively resist the devil's influence and encourage a culture of praise and holiness in your own life and community?
Day 4: Praising God as Preparation for the Future
Dwelling on the past can hinder spiritual progress. Praising God in the present, despite difficulties, prepares believers for the future and opens the door to receiving God's promises. Letting go of the past and focusing on God's promises is essential for moving forward in faith. [01:00:38]
Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Reflection: What past experiences are you holding onto that may be preventing you from embracing the new things God wants to do in your life?
Day 5: Praise Beyond the Church Walls
Praise should permeate every aspect of a believer's life, not just within the church. Teaching children to worship, praising God at home, and incorporating praise into daily routines glorifies God and fulfills our purpose for Him. This daily practice of praise is a testament to living for heaven, not the world. [01:07:45]
Deuteronomy 11:19 - "Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Reflection: How can you incorporate praise into your daily life and family routines to ensure that worship is not confined to church gatherings?
Quotes
"Yesterday's a canceled check; it's done, it's over with. I can't change anything about it, and tomorrow is not promised. So today, this is the day that the Lord has made... I will rejoice in it and be glad." [01:04:49] (Download)
"Quit looking for a way out, look for a way to get in... You want to know why I worship? I'm not worshiping for today; I'm praying to God that he allows me tomorrow, that my praise today prepared me for." [01:06:17] (Download)
"We have got to quit lighting up the past when God is trying to get us to our promise... God says a lamp under my feet and a light under my pathway because he brings trouble to us not to show us what's going wrong but to prepare us for what's going to come." [01:07:06] (Download)
"Praise doesn't begin in the house of God; praise begins in your prayer time and it begins at home. If your children don't know how to worship God, that's on you, Mom and Dad, to teach them how to worship God." [01:07:45] (Download)
"Your life is praise unto God and if you don't live it only in here, you'll miss everything that you're supposed to be and supposed to do for God. You got to praise Him on the highways, you got to praise Him when you're out of town on vacation." [01:10:23] (Download)
"Sometimes you got to get crazy if you want to get God's attention. It's going to take some crazy praise to get you your promise, to get you out of Babylon, to let God do a work in you." [01:18:50] (Download)
"If the devil can steal our praise, if he can quiet our song, he can overcome our heart." [01:11:28] (Download)
"God's not interested in your perfection, he's more interested in your praise." [01:11:28] (Download)
"You show me somebody who's willing to praise God when everything's against them, when everything's going wrong, when everything's not happening right, and I'll show you somebody who's going to get the promises of God in their life because they praise God through the circumstance." [01:00:38] (Download)
"Praise is the greatest thing to calm anxiety because it gets the focus off you. The best way to get rid of depression? Praise." [01:23:32] (Download)
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