Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

River Church Sermons


Nov 10, 2019

Give Thanks, Pt. 2

The Sacrifice of Praise

By Louie Marsh, 11-10-2019

 

give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:18 (NIV)

 

1) WHY IS PRAISE SO IMPORTANT?

 

We should be always wearing the garment of praise, not just waving a palm branch now and then.   Andrew Bonar  —Life Application Bible Commentary

 

  • It brings me JOY & STRENGTH.

 

10  Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV)

 

  • It PLEASES GOD.

 

23  The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” Psalm 50:23 (ESV)

 

  • It’s a GREAT WITNESS!

 

1  The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2  Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2 (ESV)

 

Doth not all nature around me praise God? If I were silent, I should be an exception to the universe. Doth not the thunder praise Him as it rolls like drums in the march of the God of armies? Do not the mountains praise Him when the woods upon their summits wave in adoration? Doth not the lightning write His name in letters of fire? Hath not the whole earth a voice? And shall I, can I, silent be? - Charles Spurgeon

 

2) WHY IS PRAISE CALLED A SACRIFICE?

 

Why am I talking about this since I talked about it last week? There’s a big difference between knowing something and “getting it.”

 

  • It’s NOT NATURAL.

 

“Why do you complain about me? All of you have rebelled against me,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 2:29 (GW)

 

  • It can be PAINFUL.

 

17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17 (ESV)

 

  • It’s an ACT OF THE WILL.

 

6  With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good. Psalm 54:6 (ESV)

 

3) HOW CAN MY LIFE BE A SACRIFICE OF PRAISE?

 

  • By ACCEPTING JESUS as Lord of my life.

 

3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

 

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. Hebrews 13:15 (NIV)

 

  • By serving Christ by SERVING OTHERS.

 

10  Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord...  Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV)

 

  • By taking up my cross EVERYDAY.

 

23  And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 (ESV)

 

 

  • To take up the cross I must lay down EVERYTHING ELSE.

 

What do I need lay down?

 

Hurts   fear   anger   resentment    need to please others    business   lust   alcohol & drugs    success    popularity   greed  worry  pleasure