Make a Joyful Noise: Praise as a Way of Life Week 23

We're in Psalms 100. If you want to turn over to there, Psalms chapter 100. We're looking at uh this is just a well-known Psalm and one that's just a a blessing in so many ways. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord and and uh and and unto the Lord, all you lands. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before his presence with singing. Uh I know you not that the Lord, he is God, is he that made us and is not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise. Be thankful unto him and bless his name. For the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting, his truth endureth to all generations.

So, we need to praise the Lord. And a lot of Psalms deal with the same theme of praising the Lord. Uh but as you look at it, we talked about last week that he is Lord and he is Jehovah. Praise the Lord. Jehovah all caps there. And it says to make a joyful noise. And um we talked about that last week. Some of the specific things that God wants us to not be afraid of saying is marinatha. Even so, come Lord Jesus uh is something that you can shout out. And uh I want to turn over to the end there. 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and verse number 16. 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and verse number 16. 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and verse 16.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with a voice of the archangel, with a trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. That's going to be the greatest shout is the shout, "Come up hither." And uh and and so we ought to be looking forward to that. We ought to be excited about that. And there's times where God just wants to say, you know, Lord, this will be a great time to come. Uh even so, come Lord Jesus. And then, amen, let it be. I I think we as Baptists uh don't say that word enough. and and a way of praise and and even to shout it out. And then uh allelujah or hallelujah is a is an excellent word to to use and uh praising the Lord and and and just just praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord and and and don't be afraid of these words uh because of the charismatic mment, some of the abuses that have happened over the years and and uh and all that people uh sometimes were afraid of using these terms. But there's nothing wrong with it. I'll tell you as a pastor, a good amen is like saying sickum to a bulldog. Uh it just makes me want to preach even more. And it's like when I hear an amen when I preached in or I hear a praise the Lord or something along that line. Uh we don't want to become where it's distracting. Do all things decently in order. But don't be afraid of being vocal in your praise to God whether it's personally or whether it's publicly.

Uh something not to be afraid of. And then going back to Psalms chapter 100 and it says uh uh make a joyful noise in the Lord all ye lands. Uh so when will the lands praise him? Now um I do think that the land does praise God. Psalms chapter 19 we looked at when we in the beginning of the series on Psalms and how the the the the creation is is praising God. It speaks to the glory of God. That's one of the reasons I love living here in Hawaii. I love seeing them out. We were at a wedding um yesterday over at Kuo Ranch and uh they have a nice spot on the hill there and you're looking out at China's hat island and it's it's perfectly framed between some trees there and then right behind you have the cold mountains and as I was just standing there looking at all that I thought man praise the Lord.

uh the lands the the the creation is giving praise to God and and you know when you see the sun sets uh we had the uh men's breakfast the other day and one of the things they had had them do are the men I think it was the steak dinner had the men share their best picture on their phone and uh one of the guys who was uh was it was it you CJ uh had that picture of the sunset from back home uh the islands there and what a beautiful shot you have to have them show that to you his mom and dad are silhouetted in the sunset there back in in the islands. That was on Pompei or Kusai. On Pipe and man, I was just looking at a picture.

I just want to say praise the Lord. And um and and and his creation speaks and and and the lands will praise him. Uh but go over to Philippians chapter 2. Philippians chapter 2 and look at verses 9- 11. Philippians chapter 2 9-11. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, given a name which is above every name, that the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the father. And one day the the world is going to give praise to God, confess him as Lord, and give praise to God.

And so, might as well get in practice now. Might as well make it a habit now and just make it a part of your life to praise God and to give praise to him in in all ways. You know, when Jesus was coming in Jerusalem, uh the people were on the side of the road saying hallelujah and praise to the Lord. And um they told you know the Pharisees said you should stop. They stopped doing that. And Jesus said if they stop the rocks are going to start praising me. And uh you know if a rock can praise God so can you and I. And uh and so we just remember God calls us to praise. And uh we we need to make that a part of our everyday life, a part of our natural self.

Don't don't put it on. I've seen some people put on the praises and I've been in churches where they amen the announcements and it was just kind of like a it was almost, you know, it was almost funny sometimes and and um and and that took away from what it really means. And and I think that we want to want to make it something that's truly from the heart and truly something that we can give to God as give him our praise. And the Bible talks about that over and over again. This one thing the Lord says you can give me. It's one thing that I want from you is I want your praise. I want your worship.

And and it's something we can give to the Lord. And so it goes on to say in verse two, serve the Lord with gladness. And so why should we serve the Lord with gladness? Well, turn to 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and look at verses 16- 18. 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, beginning with verse number 16. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ. And and it's the will of God that we give thanks. Now remember, there's a difference between thanks and praise. Thanks is saying thank you for what you've done for me. Praise is saying thank praising him for who he is.

And God wants us to give him both thanks and praise. That's the will of God. And if you're not thanking God, if you're not praising God, then you're not you're not being the person that God wants you to be. It needs to be a part of our life. It's his will. And then look at 2 Corinthians chapter 9. 2 Corinthians chapter 9 and look at verses 7 and 8. 2 Corinthians chapter 9 and verses 7 and 8. Who goth warfare anytime his own charges? Who planteth the vineyard eat not of the fruit thereof? or who feedth the flock and eat not of the milk of the flock say are these things as a man or saith not the law the same I'm sorry I'm reading 1 Corinthians that didn't sound right 2 Corinthians chapter you

guys are going to let me keep reading it without somebody saying something I'll tell you 2 Corinthians 9:78 every man accord's heart so let him give grudgently not grudgingly or necessity for God loveth a cheerful giver and God is able to make all grace abound towards you in all things that you have always have in all sufficiencies all things may abound to every good work Now I I believe that we should give uh we should rejoice on purpose by God's grace and and um this is talking about financial giving in the context. Uh but you know one of the things that we give to the Lord is not just our money.

We give God our praise and it's something we ought to give to him cheerfully, joyfully, happily give our praise to God. And uh it ought to be a part of our just everyday habit of life to do that with a smile with with a joy in the Lord and in that way. And then Philippians chapter 4 and verses 4-7. Philippians chapter 4 and verses 4-7. Philippians 4 4-7. It says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. We praise God because he gives us peace. You know, uh that that peace that comes from knowing him. Uh again, I I had the privilege of being at Sing's mom's funeral and one of the things I saw was they were rejoicing and praising God despite the fact she passed away because they knew she was heaven. she knew she loved the Lord. They had that that peace that comes with that. And and and that's something we ought to have in our lives is is just that peace that the Lord gives us. And um because he did what he did with joy in Hebrews chapter 12 and verse number two.

Hebrews chapter 12 and verse number two. looking unto Jesus the author and finish of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God we don't just praise the Lord when we're happy and everything's going great he was being Jesus was facing crucifixion a painful death not only the physical pain but to carry the the sins of the world upon his shoulders and yet he had joy and and and and we to praise the Lord even in the difficult things, even in the challenges that we go through to have that joy and to praise God.

So number E there is it lists five scriptures dealing with music and songs that go with them. All right. So if you look at Psalms 100, it talks about, you know, praising the Lord and uh and giving him praise and music is a very important part of our praise. And so what I want to do is take five scriptures because here's what I want to challenge you with. Make music a part of your praise habit. Now, um, if you're musical, that's easy to do, but if you're not musical, it still needs to be a part of. The Bible doesn't say, it talked about make a joyful noise. It doesn't say you have to have a perfect, uh, you know, hit the notes perfectly on that.

And music ought to be important part of your praise to God. uh in in corporate worship which we do on Sunday where we come together corporately to worship God. I love the song service. I love be able to come together and sing and to hear that music. I love it when the choir is up there singing, you know, just to hear that praise to God. But it also be part of your your life as well in listening to good Christian music and singing good Christian music and just having a song in your heart and and music ought to be um coming from the scriptures as well and and based upon the things that God says. So look at 2 Chronicles chapter 5.

2 Chronicles chapter 5 and verse number 13. 2 Chronicles 5 verse number 13. It came to even to pass as the trumpeters and singers were as one to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord and when they lift up their voice with the trumpets and symbols and instruments of music and praise the Lord saying for he is good that they then the house was filled with a cloud even the house of the Lord. We talked about this back. We were talking about the lease and I started the series on kings. How that in this situation they were being attacked by an enemy, overwhelming enemy. There was no way they could win.

And God said, "Listen, you're not going to fight this battle. Just go into there and start praising me for the victory." And that's what they did. They praised God for the victory. They praised him for what they did. And so when you read that scripture, what is a song, a hymn that you would think of that would go with that? Anybody have one? I'm gonna give you a chance to interact a little bit here. I'll just repeat it for those online. So, what's a song or hymn that would go with this idea that we read there? Verse number 13. We have one. Now, I'm making you think on a Wednesday night. That's terrible.

Onward Christian soldiers. Yeah. Uh going to battle. Although they weren't going to have to be soldiers in this battle. They just had to be singers. Okay. Victory. What's that? Victory. Victory in Jesus. Yeah. The victory in Jesus. To have that victory. And they were claiming the victory before the victory. They already knew this was going to be the one that he was going to give them the victory in this battle. All right. Anybody else? Okay. Let's go to the next one then. 2 Chronicles chapter 20 and verses 14- 22. 2 Chronicles chapter 20 verse 14. Then upon Jazel, the son of Zechariah, the son of Baniah, the son of Jill, the son of um Mataniah, and Levites of the sons of Asab, came to the came the spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation.

He said, "Harken to you all Judah, and yehabit Jerusalem, and now King Jehoshaphat. Thus sayith the Lord unto you, be not afraid, nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. tomorrow go you down against them. Behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz, and you shall find them at the other brook before the wilderness of Gerald. And um you shall not need to fight in this battle. Set yourself, stand ye still, and see the salvation o of the Lord with you, oh Judah and Jerusalem. Fear not, nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord will be with you."

And Joseph had bowed his head with his face to the ground. And all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. And the Levites of the children of the cult K co K co K co K co K co K co K co K co K co K co K co K co K co K co K co K co K co K co K co K coatites and of the children of the cordites uh stood up and pray to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high and they rose early in the morning went forth in the wilderness of Takcoa. And as they went forth Joseph stood and said me oh Judah and you have Jerusalem believe in the Lord your God so shall you be established believe his prophets so shall you prosper.

And when he had consulted with the people, he pointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness. As they went out before the army, and to say, "Praise the Lord, for his mercy endureth forever." And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord said, "Ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah, and they were smitten." So, what what be a song that you would think that would be appropriate for this kind of situation? They're facing a battle, overwhelming odds. God says, "The battle's not yours, it's the Lord's." and uh and he's gonna give the victory.

So, what's the song anybody? What's that? The battle belongs to the Lord. The battle belongs to the Lord. There you go. I think one was mentioned earlier for the other one. Victory in Jesus. It's We have the victory in him. Okay. All right. Look at another one here. Look at um let's see where we at. The Psalms chapter 40. Psalms chapter 40. and verses 1-3. Psalms chapter 40 and verses 1-3. I waited patiently for the Lord, inclined to me, heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings. And he had put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God, our God.

Many shall see it in fear shall trust in the Lord. What's the song? Trust and obey. trust and obey. Very good one. I think of verse number three, uh verse number two there where he talks about set my feet upon a rock and establish my goings. How about on Christ's solid rock I stand? All other ground is sinking sand. So Dave is going through here some depression. He's going through a difficult time. And what does he find that helps him? Exactly what helped Saul, music. Now, it's not music alone. It's worshiping God. And there are times in my life that just music has just been so helpful when I'm going through difficult challenges and and depression or or whatever else of my anxiety that have a song in your heart just changes all of that.

Okay, let's go to Psalms chapter 98. Psalms chapter 98 and verses 1-7. Psalm chapter 98:es 1-7. Oh, sing unto the Lord a new song, for heath done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory. The Lord hath made known his salvation. His righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise of the Lord all the earth. Make a loud noise and rejoice and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with a harp, with the harp and the voice of the psalm, with trumpets, the sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord the King.

Let the sea roar and the fullness thereof the world and they that dwell therein. So what's what what song does that make? Is a song that comes to your mind there? By the way, we don't use himnels anymore because it's just they're expensive. They're like 30 or 40 bucks each and they don't have the song always have the songs we want to sing in there. So, we put them on the screen and and I I kind of like that. My my wife likes the handmills because she likes to have the music in front of her and uh and and there's something about have physical book in your hand that means something as well. And I don't read music. So, the the little dots on there, they're just like little bugs going up and down. Uh so, I don't read music. So for me, I don't need the music. And I understand those that like to have the music that they miss that and and all, but I one of the things I do like about having the songs on the screen is people are singing this way and