Biblical Praise [Sunday School June 28th]

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Sunday School Notes:

When you’re in troubled times there won’t necessarily always be a great spiritual ‘breakthrough’. We need to be consistent in our lives and eventually God will honor our consistency and pull us out of our trouble.

Eph 5:16-21 ESV
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

As the days become more evil and our lives become more chaotic we must connect with God and others within the body of Christ. We need to speak words of faith, words of edification, words of wisdom and these spiritual words will build us and those around us up.

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

It’s only when we enter into His gates and His courts that we’ll receive everything that we need, every blessing, every promise, every deliverance. Our spiritual well-being depends on us entering continually into the presence of God in praise.

Just as praise is contagious, so the lack of praise is even more contagious. Praise is the easiest way to return to the presence of God after an extended hiatus. The devil fights us hard (pride, being self-concious etc) when it comes to praise because he realizes the power that’s behind it. Praise has the power to usher us into his presence. He knows that if the heart-felt words leave our mouths that we will be ushered quickly into his courts (Psalm 100:4).

If you worship God with your life and you praise him whenever there’s an opportunity you can expect to be carried through your times of difficulty.

Many can learn how to praise and can enter into His presence. But praise is nothing if it doesn’t draw you into a relationship with Him (a life of worship.)

John 4:23
True worshipers mush worship in spirit and in truth. Praise gets you into the presence of God but the presence of God ought to produce a life of worship. God demands something of us… We can not simply offer up praise on a Sunday, feel His presence (like everyone is able to when we praise) and expect to be a true Worshiper.

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