Living a Life of Continuous Praise to God
Summary
In our time together, we explored the profound beauty and power of the final Psalms, which are dedicated to praising the Kingdom of God. These Psalms invite us to engage in a life of praise, recognizing the presence of God's kingdom in every aspect of creation. The call to praise is not limited to a specific place or time; it is a continuous invitation to acknowledge God's greatness in all circumstances. Whether we are in the quiet of our homes or amidst the hustle and bustle of a mall, we can lift our voices in praise, much like the old Methodist lay preacher Billy-Ray, who couldn't help but express his joy and gratitude to God.
The Psalms remind us that all of creation is involved in this symphony of praise. From the angels in the heavens to the sea monsters in the depths, from the sun and moon to the mountains and hills, every part of creation reflects the glory of God. This universal call to praise is a reminder that we are part of something much larger than ourselves. It encourages us to see the divine in the everyday and to respond with gratitude and joy.
As we reflect on these Psalms, we are encouraged to use all means available to us in our worship. Whether through music, dance, or simply the breath in our lungs, we are invited to express our adoration for God. The psalmist's exuberant call to praise with trumpets, harps, and cymbals is a reminder that our worship should be vibrant and full of life. It is a celebration of God's mighty deeds and excellent greatness, a recognition that everything that has breath is called to praise the Lord.
Key Takeaways:
1. Praise as a Lifestyle: The Psalms teach us that praise is not confined to specific moments but is a lifestyle. We are called to praise God in all circumstances, recognizing His presence in every aspect of our lives. This continuous act of worship transforms our perspective and aligns our hearts with God's kingdom. [00:13]
2. Creation's Symphony: All of creation participates in the praise of God. From the heavens to the earth, every creature and element reflects His glory. This universal call to worship reminds us of our interconnectedness with creation and our role in this divine symphony. [00:48]
3. Joyful Expression: Like Billy-Ray, who couldn't contain his joy, we are encouraged to express our gratitude and adoration for God openly. Our worship should be vibrant and full of life, reflecting the joy of knowing and serving a mighty God. [01:20]
4. Diverse Worship: The psalmist's call to use various instruments in praise highlights the diversity of worship. Whether through music, dance, or other forms of expression, we are invited to use all means available to glorify God. This diversity enriches our worship experience and deepens our connection with Him. [02:28]
5. Breath of Praise: The final call to let everything that has breath praise the Lord is a powerful reminder of our purpose. Our very breath is a gift from God, and using it to praise Him is the highest form of gratitude and worship. [03:34]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - The Call to Praise
[00:28] - Praise in Everyday Life
[00:48] - Creation's Participation
[01:02] - Joyful Worship
[01:20] - Billy-Ray's Example
[01:42] - Praise in Nature
[02:05] - God's Mighty Deeds
[02:28] - Instruments of Praise
[02:45] - The Greatness of God
[03:11] - Vibrant Worship
[03:34] - Breath of Praise
[03:34] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 148:1-14
2. Psalm 150:1-6
---
Observation Questions:
1. What are some of the elements of creation mentioned in Psalm 148 that are called to praise God? How does this reflect the sermon’s message about creation's symphony? [00:48]
2. In Psalm 150, what instruments are listed as means to praise God? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on diverse worship? [02:28]
3. How does the sermon describe Billy-Ray's expression of joy and praise? What does this tell us about the nature of joyful worship? [01:20]
4. According to the sermon, how is the act of praising God not confined to specific moments or places? [00:28]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the universal call to praise in Psalm 148 help us understand our role in the divine symphony of creation? What does this imply about our relationship with the rest of creation? [00:48]
2. The sermon mentions using all means available to express adoration for God. How might this diversity in worship deepen our connection with Him? [02:28]
3. Reflecting on Billy-Ray's example, what can we learn about the importance of expressing joy and gratitude openly in our worship? [01:20]
4. How does the idea of praise as a lifestyle, as mentioned in the sermon, transform our daily perspective and align our hearts with God's kingdom? [00:13]
---
Application Questions:
1. The sermon suggests that praise should be a continuous act. How can you incorporate praise into your daily routine, even in mundane activities? [00:28]
2. Think of a time when you felt connected to creation. How did that experience lead you to praise God, and how can you seek out similar experiences? [00:48]
3. The sermon encourages vibrant and joyful worship. What are some ways you can express your joy and gratitude to God more openly in your life? [01:20]
4. Consider the various forms of worship mentioned in the sermon, such as music and dance. Is there a new form of worship you feel called to explore? How might this enrich your spiritual life? [02:28]
5. The sermon highlights the importance of using our breath to praise God. How can you remind yourself of this purpose in moments of stress or anxiety? [03:34]
6. Reflect on the idea of seeing the divine in the everyday. What is one ordinary aspect of your life where you can start recognizing God's presence more intentionally? [00:13]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to embrace a lifestyle of praise, and what impact might this have on your collective worship experience? [00:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Praise as a Continuous Journey
Praise is a continuous journey, not a destination. It is a lifestyle that permeates every moment of our lives, inviting us to recognize God's presence in all circumstances. This perspective transforms our daily experiences, aligning our hearts with the Kingdom of God. Whether in moments of joy or challenge, praise becomes a constant thread that weaves through our lives, reminding us of God's greatness and faithfulness. The Psalms encourage us to embrace this lifestyle of praise, seeing it as an ongoing invitation to engage with the divine in every aspect of our existence. [00:13]
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: In what specific ways can you incorporate praise into your daily routine, even during mundane tasks or challenging moments?
Day 2: Creation's Unified Praise
All of creation is engaged in a unified symphony of praise to God. From the vastness of the heavens to the depths of the sea, every element and creature reflects the glory of the Creator. This universal call to worship serves as a reminder of our interconnectedness with the world around us and our role in this divine symphony. By recognizing the praise inherent in creation, we are invited to join in, acknowledging the divine presence in the everyday and responding with gratitude and joy. [00:48]
Psalm 148:3-5 (ESV): "Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created."
Reflection: How can you become more aware of the ways creation praises God, and how can this awareness inspire your own worship?
Day 3: Joyful Expression of Worship
Joyful expression in worship is a natural response to the greatness of God. Like Billy-Ray, who couldn't contain his joy, we are encouraged to express our gratitude and adoration for God openly. Worship should be vibrant and full of life, reflecting the joy of knowing and serving a mighty God. This exuberant expression of praise is not only a personal act of devotion but also a testimony to others of the joy found in a relationship with God. [01:20]
Psalm 100:1-2 (ESV): "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!"
Reflection: What are some ways you can express your joy and gratitude to God in your daily life, and how might this impact those around you?
Day 4: Diversity in Worship
The diversity of worship is highlighted through the psalmist's call to use various instruments and forms of expression. Whether through music, dance, or other creative means, we are invited to use all available resources to glorify God. This diversity enriches our worship experience, allowing us to connect with God in unique and meaningful ways. By embracing diverse forms of worship, we deepen our relationship with God and celebrate the richness of His creation. [02:28]
Psalm 150:3-5 (ESV): "Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!"
Reflection: What new or different forms of worship can you explore to deepen your connection with God, and how might this diversity enhance your spiritual journey?
Day 5: The Breath of Praise
The call to let everything that has breath praise the Lord is a powerful reminder of our purpose. Our very breath is a gift from God, and using it to praise Him is the highest form of gratitude and worship. This call to praise is not just about words or songs but about living a life that reflects God's glory in every action and interaction. By recognizing the gift of breath as an opportunity to praise, we align our lives with God's purpose and experience the fullness of His presence. [03:34]
Psalm 150:6 (ESV): "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!"
Reflection: How can you use your breath and actions today to intentionally praise God, and what impact might this have on your relationship with Him and others?
Quotes
I want to recommend to you that you have a look at these last songs and the just wonderful words here the last Psalms are all praise Psalms basically addressing the kingdom and how the kingdom of press is present and I recommend that you try to get in a situation where you can read these out loud and now you might do that at the mall because you know people talking on cell phones and they just think you're talking on a cell phone. [00:00:00]
Praise the Lord praise the Lord from the heavens praise Him in the heights praise him all his angels praise him all his woes, praise Him Sun and Moon praise Him all stars of light now you can walk about as you - that you might even be tempted to dance a little bit. [00:00:45]
Billy-ray an old Methodist of a hundred and some years ago was a simple lay preacher and he was always happy and he could hardly keep his feet from skipping and he would say out of the blue hallelujah praise the Lord and of course people always wanting shut him down he said if you put me in a barrel I'd shout glory out the bunghole. [00:01:05]
That's it is praise the Lord from the earth sea monsters and all the deeds I love the monsters I love elephants how can you not praise God when you see an elephant I think of that whale you know that they run on the insurance ad it's always jumping up and flopping over I think every time he does that he says praise the Lord. [00:01:37]
Praise the Lord fire and hail snow and clouds snore me destroy the winds mountains and all hills fruit trees and all cedars wonderful praise the last song is where I think the psalmist just sort of runs out of wind and has to call for help right so he has a trumpet to help him. [00:02:15]
Praise the Lord praise God in His sanctuary praise Him in his mighty expense praise him for his mighty deeds to you you bring that before you you seal oh this is God praise him according to his excellent greatness praise him with a trumpet sound praise him with a harp and the lyre praise him with timbrel and dancing there it's also. [00:02:37]
Praise him a stringed instruments and pie praise him with loud cymbals just crashing ah yes praise him with resounding cymbals ones that keep echoing after you hakham let everything that has breath praise the Lord praise that. [00:03:11]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?