Praising God: Seven Reasons to Exalt Our King

 

Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to celebrate the harvest and reflect on the reasons we should praise and exalt our God, as outlined in Psalm 145. We began by expressing gratitude for the beauty of creation, the fruits of the earth, and the labor of those who provide for our needs. We acknowledged God's ultimate gift in Jesus Christ and the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit. Our focus was on seven reasons to praise God, each starting with the letter "P": His Position as King, His Power, His Personality, His Preeminence, His Provision, His Presence, and His Preservation.

We delved into the significance of God being our King, a position that encapsulates His authority and sovereignty. Unlike earthly kings, God is all-powerful and deserving of our highest praise. We then explored His immense power, which reassures us that He can do all things and care for us in every situation. God's personality, characterized by His grace, compassion, and righteousness, invites us to extol Him for His inherent goodness.

We also discussed God's preeminence, His supreme status above all creation, and how this should inspire us to honor Him. His provision, evident in the sustenance He provides, reminds us of our dependence on Him for everything, even the air we breathe. God's presence, always near to those who call on Him in truth, offers us comfort and assurance. Finally, we celebrated God's preservation, His watchful care over those who love Him, ensuring our safety and well-being.

As we concluded, we were reminded to make God known to future generations, sharing the stories of His mighty acts and abundant goodness. We were encouraged to give generously, reflecting the generosity of our Creator, and to support one another in times of need.

### Key Takeaways

1. God's Position as King: Recognizing God as our King means acknowledging His ultimate authority and sovereignty over our lives. Unlike earthly kings, God's reign is characterized by justice, mercy, and love. This understanding should lead us to exalt Him and submit to His will in all aspects of our lives. [26:43]

2. God's Power: Believing in God's omnipotence reassures us that He is capable of handling any situation we face. His power is not just theoretical but practical, impacting our daily lives and providing us with the strength and courage to overcome challenges. [30:16]

3. God's Personality: God's personality is marked by grace, compassion, and righteousness. These attributes make Him not only a powerful deity but also a loving and approachable Father. Reflecting on His personality should inspire us to emulate these qualities in our interactions with others. [41:34]

4. God's Preeminence: God's preeminence means He surpasses all others in greatness and excellence. This truth should humble us and lead us to prioritize Him above all else in our lives. It also calls us to recognize His supreme worth and to worship Him with our whole hearts. [42:49]

5. God's Provision and Presence: God's provision is a testament to His care and love for us, supplying all our needs. His presence, always near to those who call on Him, offers us comfort and assurance. These truths remind us to depend on Him daily and to trust in His unfailing support. [01:15:23]

### YouTube Chapters

1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [13:00] - Opening Prayer and Call to Worship
3. [19:31] - Introduction to Psalm 145
4. [21:53] - Reason 1: God's Position as King
5. [26:43] - Reason 2: God's Power
6. [30:16] - Worship and Offering
7. [39:22] - Reason 3: God's Personality
8. [41:34] - Reason 4: God's Preeminence
9. [45:04] - Children's Segment and Notices
10. [55:08] - Family Service Announcements
11. [01:00:27] - Reason 5: God's Provision
12. [01:15:23] - Reason 6: God's Presence
13. [01:23:41] - Reason 7: God's Preservation
14. [01:32:08] - Final Reflections and Benediction
15. [01:42:19] - Closing Announcements and Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
- Psalm 145

### Observation Questions
1. What are the seven reasons to praise God mentioned in the sermon? [19:31]
2. How does the sermon describe God's position as King compared to earthly kings? [26:43]
3. What attributes of God's personality are highlighted in Psalm 145? [41:34]
4. According to the sermon, how does God's provision manifest in our daily lives? [01:15:23]

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant to recognize God as our King, and how does this understanding impact our daily lives? [26:43]
2. How does believing in God's omnipotence provide practical reassurance in times of difficulty? [30:16]
3. In what ways does God's personality, as described in Psalm 145, challenge us to reflect those same qualities in our interactions with others? [41:34]
4. How does acknowledging God's preeminence influence our priorities and actions? [42:49]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you struggled to submit to God's authority as King. How can you better acknowledge His sovereignty in similar situations in the future? [26:43]
2. Think of a challenge you are currently facing. How can you remind yourself of God's power and trust Him to handle it? [30:16]
3. Identify one attribute of God's personality (grace, compassion, righteousness) that you find difficult to emulate. What steps can you take this week to cultivate that attribute in your life? [41:34]
4. How can you make God's preeminence more evident in your daily decisions and priorities? [42:49]
5. In what ways can you recognize and celebrate God's provision in your life, even in small things? [01:15:23]
6. How can you be more aware of God's presence in your daily routine, especially during moments of stress or anxiety? [01:23:41]
7. What are some practical ways you can share the stories of God's mighty acts and abundant goodness with future generations? [01:40:53]

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing God's Sovereignty
God's Position as King means acknowledging His ultimate authority and sovereignty over our lives. Unlike earthly kings, God's reign is characterized by justice, mercy, and love. This understanding should lead us to exalt Him and submit to His will in all aspects of our lives. Recognizing God as our King means we trust in His perfect plan and timing, even when we do not understand our circumstances. His sovereignty assures us that He is in control, and we can find peace in His rule.

When we acknowledge God's position as King, we are reminded that our lives are not our own. We are called to live in a way that honors Him, submitting our desires and plans to His greater purpose. This submission is not a burden but a source of freedom, as we trust in His wisdom and goodness. Reflecting on God's kingship should inspire us to live with humility, gratitude, and a deep sense of reverence for His authority. [26:43]

Psalm 103:19 (ESV): "The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting God's authority? How can you submit this area to His will today?


Day 2: Trusting in God's Omnipotence
Believing in God's omnipotence reassures us that He is capable of handling any situation we face. His power is not just theoretical but practical, impacting our daily lives and providing us with the strength and courage to overcome challenges. God's power is evident in creation, in the miracles recorded in Scripture, and in the personal testimonies of believers throughout history. This power is available to us as we trust in Him and seek His guidance.

When we face difficulties, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless. However, remembering God's omnipotence can shift our perspective. We are not alone in our struggles; the same God who parted the Red Sea and raised Jesus from the dead is with us. His power is made perfect in our weakness, and He invites us to rely on Him for strength and deliverance. [30:16]

Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV): "Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you rely on God's power to help you overcome it?


Day 3: Emulating God's Character
God's personality is marked by grace, compassion, and righteousness. These attributes make Him not only a powerful deity but also a loving and approachable Father. Reflecting on His personality should inspire us to emulate these qualities in our interactions with others. God's grace means He gives us what we do not deserve, His compassion means He cares deeply for our well-being, and His righteousness means He always does what is right and just.

As we grow in our relationship with God, we are called to reflect His character in our daily lives. This means showing grace to those who wrong us, being compassionate to those in need, and striving to live righteously in all we do. Emulating God's character is not about perfection but about allowing His Spirit to transform us from the inside out. [41:34]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: How can you show grace, compassion, and righteousness in a specific relationship or situation today?


Day 4: Honoring God's Supremacy
God's preeminence means He surpasses all others in greatness and excellence. This truth should humble us and lead us to prioritize Him above all else in our lives. It also calls us to recognize His supreme worth and to worship Him with our whole hearts. God's preeminence is evident in His creation, His redemptive work through Jesus Christ, and His ongoing presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit.

Honoring God's supremacy means putting Him first in our thoughts, decisions, and actions. It means seeking His will above our own and valuing His glory above our comfort. This requires a daily commitment to surrender our lives to Him and to live in a way that reflects His greatness. [42:49]

Colossians 1:17-18 (ESV): "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can prioritize God in your daily routine this week?


Day 5: Depending on God's Provision and Presence
God's provision is a testament to His care and love for us, supplying all our needs. His presence, always near to those who call on Him, offers us comfort and assurance. These truths remind us to depend on Him daily and to trust in His unfailing support. God's provision is not limited to material needs but includes spiritual, emotional, and relational sustenance as well.

Depending on God's provision means recognizing our dependence on Him for everything, even the air we breathe. It means trusting that He knows what we need and will provide in His perfect timing. His presence assures us that we are never alone, and we can find peace and strength in His nearness. [01:15:23]

Psalm 34:10 (ESV): "The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust more in God's provision and presence? How can you actively seek Him in this area today?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "He is your King. He is our King, encapsulates so many things, doesn't it? Is He the King of your life? Do you know Him? Do you know Him as King? Now, we sometimes have a false idea of what a King is because of the kings of our world. King Charles III. Very little power, isn't it? Strange man over there wearing strange clothes with a strange accent, always with his hand in his pocket. This is God the King. When Jesus comes again, He sits on a white horse, and on His robes is written, Lord of lords and King of kings. He is all-powerful." [26:43] (47 seconds) ( | | )

2. "Do you believe that our God, our King, is all-powerful? That He can do all things? That He can look after you? He is powerful. There we go. God's power is our second reason for proclaiming His great deeds, for praising Him. So with those things in mind, we're going to continue singing. Thanks, Kuda and Brian. Let's stand together, shall we? We're going to sing about this King, my King, this powerful King. Great is the Lord and the goodness of God." [27:34] (46 seconds) ( | | )

3. "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all. He has compassion on all He has made. All your works praise you, Lord. Amen. Your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdom. They speak of your might so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and your dominion endures through all generations. Can I have an amen, maybe? Amen." [40:33] (46 seconds) ( | | )

4. "God has been so good to us, hasn't he? as I look at what you have so graciously and generously and cheerfully given today, thank you for your goodness. Please be seated. As we continue in the psalm, 145, in verses 20 and 21, I think we have some of the greatest verses of this chapter. The Lord, you remember, the Lord, he is the king. He is powerful. His righteous, holy personality, his preeminence, his provision, the Lord watches. He watches over all. He watches over people who love him. Are you one of those who love the Lord?" [01:16:29] (85 seconds) ( | | )

5. "Gracious God, as we have gathered here today to celebrate the abundance of the harvest season, we lift our hearts. In gratitude, you are the giver of all good gifts. And we thank you for the fruits of the earth, the labor of farmers, and the blessings of community. May this harvest remind us of your provision and inspire us to share generously with others. Generous God, we know that all we have is yours. Save us from the delusion of believing it is ours. Save us from our possessions that your grace may abound in all things at all times." [01:44:01] (58 seconds) ( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "So we exalt Him. We praise Him. We praise Him because of His position as King, but also because He is powerful. Do you believe that? Do you believe that our God, our King, is all-powerful? That He can do all things? That He can look after you? He is powerful. There we go. God's power is our second reason for proclaiming His great deeds, for praising Him." [27:34] (39 seconds) ( | | )

2. "So, two reasons. Two reasons why we should, why all God's works should praise Him, why all His faithful people should extol Him is because of His personality. You know, God has a personality, isn't it? You know, we are told here that He is gracious, that He is good, abundantly good. He is righteous. He is good. He is compassionate, slow to anger, rich in love. You know, He's the total opposite of a Harare car driver, slow to anger, and rich in love." [41:34] (46 seconds) ( | | )

3. "He surpasses all others. Hallelujah. He is supreme. He is great. He is excellent. You know, these things that we all long for in our world, isn't it? The world fights for these things. For prestige. For stature. For position. For fame. For glory. For glory. For renown. You know, I'm watching the Olympics at the moment, and I tell you what, there's been some incredible athletics and other things. And you know, young men and women have spent six years of their lives aiming for a gold medal for renown, to be on TV for ten seconds. God is above them all. He is distinguished. He is outstanding. The glorious splendor of His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. His dominion endures through all generations. Is there anyone like our God? The answer has to be no." [44:04] (74 seconds) ( | | )

4. "The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires. Of every living thing. Is there a reason why we've got funky sound? So, we are called to praise Him and extol Him and declare His praises and might to the next generation because of His position, He is King, because of His power, because of His personality and His preeminence. And in these verses, 14 to 16, because of His provision. And we've seen that, haven't we, here this morning, demonstrated by that last skit. He provides for us. All that we have is provided and given to us by God. Even the air that we breathe is given to us from Him." [01:15:23] (72 seconds) ( | | )

5. "The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. Amen. Amen. is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him. He hears the cry, their cry, and saves them. So our second last P of this chapter is God's presence. He is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Jesus has promised us in the Great Commission, and lo, I will be with you always, to the very end of the earth. Praise God for his presence with us." [01:23:41] (50 seconds) ( | | )

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Transcript
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