Embracing the Sacrifice of Praise in Adversity

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Praise in All Circumstances

In the journey of faith, offering praise to God in all circumstances is a profound act of worship. This act of praise is not about ignoring the challenges or pretending that everything is perfect. Instead, it is about acknowledging God's worthiness and sovereignty, even when life is difficult. The sacrifice of praise requires believers to dig deep and bring something valuable to God, transcending their current situation. It is a testament to faith and trust in God's goodness, regardless of the circumstances. [05:50]

Hebrews 13:15-16 (ESV): "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

Reflection: Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you offer a sacrifice of praise to God in the midst of it today?

Day 2: Worship in Adversity as a Testimony

The story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16 illustrates the power of worship in adversity. Despite being imprisoned, they chose to worship God, resulting in a miraculous earthquake that freed them and led to the birth of the church in Philippi. This story shows that worship during difficult times can have a profound impact, not only on the individual but also on those around them. It serves as a powerful testimony to the world of God's power and faithfulness. [14:18]

Acts 16:25-26 (ESV): "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you witnessed someone worshiping God in adversity. How did their response impact your faith or perspective?

Day 3: The Importance of Heart Posture

The story of Cain and Abel teaches the importance of heart posture in worship. Abel brought his best to God, while Cain's offering was rejected due to his heart's condition. God desires a heart fully committed to Him, ready to repent and align with His will. Worship should reflect genuine surrender and a willingness to bring our best to God, avoiding the pitfalls of a heart like Cain's. [18:33]

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV): "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"

Reflection: Examine your heart today. Is there an area where you need to repent and realign with God's will? What steps can you take to bring your best to Him?

Day 4: Responding to God's Extraordinary Call

In this season, God is preparing His people for something extraordinary, desiring to pour out His Spirit with miracles and healings. Our response to His call will determine our experience of His presence and power. Being connected and committed to the body of Christ is essential to experiencing the fullness of what God has in store. This call to surrender and commitment is an invitation to be part of something greater than ourselves. [21:15]

Joel 2:28-29 (ESV): "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit."

Reflection: How can you actively respond to God's call in this season? What steps can you take to be more connected and committed to the body of Christ?

Day 5: Choosing Worship in Life's Storms

Life's storms are inevitable, but choosing to worship God through them is a testament to His worthiness. The sacrifice of praise, especially in difficult times, is precious to God and can lead to profound spiritual breakthroughs. This choice to worship amidst adversity reflects a deep trust in God's plan and purpose, even when it is not immediately visible. [31:25]

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: Identify a current storm in your life. How can you choose to worship God through it today, trusting in His plan and purpose?

Sermon Summary

In our journey of faith, we are called to surrender to God's will and ways, becoming living stones built into a spiritual house. This series on surrender is a call to embrace our identity as a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Today, we focus on the sacrifice of praise, a profound act of worship that transcends circumstances. Life is filled with highs and lows, and the sacrifice of praise is about offering worship, thanksgiving, and honor to God, even when it is difficult or costly. Hebrews 13:15-16 reminds us to continually offer a sacrifice of praise, regardless of our situation.

The essence of this sacrifice is found in the story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16. Despite being imprisoned for their faith, they chose to worship God, resulting in a miraculous earthquake that freed them and led to the birth of the church in Philippi. This story illustrates the power of worship in adversity and the testimony it provides to the world. Our praise, especially in challenging times, is a testament to God's worthiness and our commitment to Him.

We are encouraged to bring our best to God, as exemplified by Abel, and to avoid the pitfalls of a heart like Cain's, which was rejected by God. This call to surrender is not about perfection but about a heart fully committed to God, ready to repent and align with His will. As we navigate life's storms, we must choose to worship God, overcoming bad attitudes and uncooperative souls, knowing that our sacrifice of praise is precious to Him.

In this season, God is preparing us for something extraordinary. He desires to pour out His Spirit, bringing miracles, healings, and deliverance. Our response to His call will determine our experience of His presence and power. Let us be a part of the body of Christ, connected and committed, bringing to the altar what God is asking for. As we do, we will see God move in powerful ways, transforming our lives and the world around us.

Key Takeaways

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2. Paul and Silas' Example: In Acts 16, Paul and Silas worshiped God in prison, leading to a miraculous earthquake that freed them. Their story shows the power of worship in adversity and how it can impact others. Our response to difficult times can be a powerful testimony to the world.

3. Heart Posture Matters: Like Abel, we must bring our best to God, avoiding a heart like Cain's, which was rejected. God desires a heart fully committed to Him, ready to repent and align with His will. Our worship should reflect a genuine surrender to God.

4. God's Call for This Season: God is preparing us for something extraordinary, desiring to pour out His Spirit with miracles and healings. Our response to His call will determine our experience of His presence and power. We must be connected and committed to the body of Christ.

5. Choosing Worship in Adversity: Life's storms are inevitable, but our choice to worship God through them is a testament to His worthiness. Our sacrifice of praise, especially in difficult times, is precious to God and can lead to profound spiritual breakthroughs.

** [05:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:12] - Sacrifice of the Body
[05:50] - Understanding the Sacrifice of Praise
[08:48] - Paul and Silas' Imprisonment
[14:18] - The Earthquake Miracle
[14:54] - The Game of Baloney
[16:34] - Using Your Outside Voice
[17:39] - Cain and Abel's Offerings
[18:33] - Heart Posture and Repentance
[19:55] - Calling Out Spiritual Bluffs
[21:15] - God's Extraordinary Call
[23:49] - Worship as a Testimony
[25:25] - Two Responses to Adversity
[27:16] - Staying Connected in Struggles
[31:25] - Choosing Worship in Adversity
[33:05] - A Call to Worship and Repentance

Sermon Clips

2 Peter 2, 5, it's the verse we're using as the base for this series. It says, you also like living stones are being built into a spiritual house. I did a whole deep dive on this verse, like word by word, really looking into each one. But a refresher is you and I, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. We're living stone, but God is calling us to come together and be built into a spiritual house. [00:01:48]

What is the sacrifice of praise? The sacrifice of praise is the idea of offering worship. And thanksgiving, and honor to God, even when it's difficult or costly. Hebrews chapter 13, verse 15 through 16. Let's look at it. It says, through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise. The fruit of lips. [00:06:37]

Let us continually so continually what does that mean it means through all situations and all times through the good times and the bad times I am going to continually at all times offer a sacrifice of praise again want to look at the word offer and sacrifice it's two words we'll use a lot in this series remember offer means to dig deep within the earth to find something that is valuable. [00:07:01]

I am bringing to God that's something that it took some energy now I'm offering what a sacrifice sacrifice means it costs the giver something it has some value doesn't always mean money value but to the person that's giving it it means the world to and you are what you are offering continually a sacrifice of praise again it is the idea that I am going to honor God. [00:08:01]

A sacrifice of praise is the person has to overcome a bad attitude a foul mood an uncooperative soul Remember our souls our mind will and our emotions And it's kind of like this when I bring a sacrifice of praise my soul is standing in the way And it's saying don't you dare worship God you not realize what I'm going through Do you not realize what I'm facing? [00:08:48]

About midnight paul and silas were praying and singing hymns to god and the other prisoners were listening to them suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken at once all the prison doors flew open and everyone's chains came loose isn't that so cool i'm gonna read that again about midnight paul and silas were praying and singing hymns to god. [00:12:17]

They started worshiping god regardless of the situation and the other prisoners were listening to them let me tell you other people are watching how you respond and suddenly there was a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken um i haven't done a deep dive study in this but from me looking at it briefly it doesn't say the earthquake shook up the whole city. [00:13:57]

And what actually ended up as an attack on them ended up being the birth of the church in Philippi because that jailer gave his life to Jesus, and that family gave their life to Jesus. And can I tell you, when you worship God during the difficult times, it's the hugest testimony to the world that I am going to worship God. I'm going to overcome a foul mood, a bad attitude, an uncooperative soul. [00:23:20]

And I'm not minimizing your pain, and I'm not trying to pretend like you're not going through something. You are going through something. It's painful, and it hurts, but he's still worthy of worship. In Job chapter 1 verse 21, he wasn't perfect, but I love he said this and said, naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. [00:24:28]

Please let me respond in worship. I just, God, I make a decision today that I'm going to worship you through the ups and through the downs. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, but blessed be the name of the Lord. I'm going to ask the worship team if you want to come up. Can I tell you, we're all going to have some ups and down moments. [00:27:11]

I want their daddy to know, man, he was on the front row worshiping God. I hope it has an impact upon the church and the people for years to come, that even during the challenging times, I'm bringing a sacrifice of praise. Why? Because my God is worthy. He is worthy of my praise. He is worthy of honor. He is worthy to be thanked, regardless, regardless of the good times or the bad times. [00:30:44]

You got to make a choice. I'm going to push that thing aside and say through the good times or the bad times, he's worthy of worship. And when you bring to him in the bad times a sacrifice of praise, praise, God looks at it and says, I love it. I love it because I know it costs you something. [00:32:14]

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