Introduction: There is a very distinct difference between praise to God and offering the "Sacrifice of Praise". The sacrifice of praise and intercessory prayer go hand in hand. The difference is what we praise for and/or travail for.
I. It is important that one be in right relationship with God.
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A. Praise flows easily when we are right with God.
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1. We have so much to praise God for.
2. What we think in our heart about God comes out easily.
3. This praise will cause rejoicing, weeping, dancing, even to a time of ultimate quietness.
4. Our praise involve thanksgiving.
a. We minister to God for all He has brought into our lives.
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1. It is not praise that flows easily and spontaneously.
2. The sacrifice of praise is something we offer to God when we do not feel like praising Him.
3. When all things have gone wrong, one praises.
a. The world is falling apart around us, we praise.
b. In these circumstances we are to praise God despite our circumstances.
4. Our praise is not ascending because we feel great and need to give expression to our good feelings.
a. In this situation we are "praising in faith".
b. This praise is in obedience.
5. This kind of praising is not cheap, it is costly.
a. But this brings delight to the Father.
b. He loves our sacrifice of praise.
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A. David learned the secret of this. Psalms 34:1
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1. This praise is not spasmodic and erratic.
a. This is not fair weather praise.
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1. It is not superficial and empty.
2. It is consistent, offered to God continually.
a. It is an attitude in our heart continually
3. In good times and bad times, when thing go good, when things go bad, when nothing goes right. ]ob 1:21
a. It is praising God when a baby dies.
b. When sickness has struck and there is no hope.
c. When one loses their job.
d. A flat tire in the middle of nowhere with no jack or spare.
e. When heave seems to be brass and God a million miles away.
f. When you see NOTHING to praise God about.
4. This is when you praise Him just the same.
a. This is the SACRIFICE OF PRAISE.
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1. Inside yourself there is an argument against praise.
2. Many around you will discourage you to praise.
3. Your heart is heavy, no spring in your step - - -
a. The devil says, "What have you got to praise God for?"
b. He will say, "No one expects you to praise God in this situation."
4. But remember, " God is still on the throne".
a. He is still the Almighty God.
b. God has not changed in anyway.
c. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
PRAISE HIS WONDERFUL NAME!
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A. It is the fruit of our lips.
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1. We are to verbalize our thoughts.
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1. Something we speak out.
2. Speak so Satan can hear.
3. Speak so people can hear.
4. So we can hear it ourselves.
5. Most important, so God can hear it.
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1. Thrown in jail for speaking the Name of Jesus.
2. They were preaching to Words of Jesus on the streets.
3. They had been beaten with many strips.
4. Every fiber in their body was screaming.
a. Their wounds were bleeding.
b. They were chained to a cold bare wall.
c. There was no way for them to get comfortable.
5. Now at midnight, 'the darkest hour'.
a. The human spirit at it's lowest ebb.
b. One's spirit is in its lowest depth of depression.
6. But at midnight = = They began to sing praises to God.
a. No curses in their mouth to God about their circumstances.
7. THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE brought results.
a. God heard their praise and was so thrilled He joined in and shouted HALLELUJAH!
b. His shout caused an earthquake in jail that set them free.
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A. "By Him [Jesus], therefore let us offer - - - -
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1. Only Jesus can make this kind of offering possible.
2. God knows that only with Jesus' help, can we offer these praises.
3. Jesus lifts us up, He says "I have been there, I can help you through.
4. When our voice is saying, "God, I don't understand."
a. We must say, "Lord, I am praising you anyway".
b. We say, "I can't understand why this has happened to me" but I am praising you anyhow"
5. When in these circumstances we offer the SACRIFICE OF PRAISE to God.
a. When done == JESUS CHRIST IS GLORIFIED !!
