Psalm 150. Failure and defeat keep us from successful living when we fail to praise the Lord. Depression and discouragement are constantly barking at our heels. This message will show you how praise can transform defeat into victory.

Have you ever been to an event where thousands of kids were standing and screaming for joy at the top of their lungs? What's the big deal about a Rave Party? I often think that elements of rave parties must make God jealous. I think I can hear God say, "WOW, I wish Christians would praise me with that same vigour and excitement.

Why do they hold their hands in the air at rave parties? Raising our hands is a universal act of surrender. At Rave parties they surrender to the spirit of the rave party. That is a demonic spirit.

 

My proposal is for us to make 2002 a year of extravagant praise to God. When you praise someone, you tell them how good and wonderful they are. God enjoys lavish, generous, extravagant praise . The Bible says that God inhabits the praise of his people (Psalm 22:3).

I've met religious freaks who continuously mumble under their breath, "Praise the Lord, praise the Lord."
There is a popular radio preacher on Radio KARI who every day says, "Repeat after me ten times; praise the Lord." My reaction is, "man, that's weird."

Let's examine the expression, "Praise the Lord." The phrase, "Praise the Lord" is an injunction, a command or an order. It's the same grammatical construction as "Wash the dishes." A million times you could say, "wash the dishes" and not one dish would get washed. Likewise a million times you can say, "Praise the Lord" and not ONE word of praise would be spoken to or about the Lord. You don't praise the Lord by saying, "Praise the Lord."

You praise Him by drawing attention to the good things He does and is. You praise the Lord by saying "God you're so kind, loving and merciful to me, thank you, thank you, thank you." Sometimes we'll sing "Praise the name of Jesus, Praise the name of Jesus." With those words we are exhorting our friends to praise the Lord. Together we praise Him with the words, "He's my rock, he's my fortress, He's my deliverer in Him will I trust."

Its my prayer that this message will motivate you to make 2002 a year of extravagant praise to God. If you will do that, God has a powerful blessing for you in 2002.

I. David Shows How To make 2002 a year of extravagant praise to God.
Early in his life, David discovered the power of praise. "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness (Ps 48:1 KJV)."

The Hebrew word praise has several meanings like: to make a show; to boast; to rave; to celebrate; (Strong's # 1984 halal (haw-lal'). David got so excited about praising the Lord that he assembled the most glorious praise band the world has ever seen. I can hear him say to the priests, "Fellows, we have to do better than that rinky dink little rag time combo that leads us in praise. A set of drums, a piano, guitar, base and trombone just doesn't cut it. Let's organize the ultimate praise band, a 4000 piece combo.

"Four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith (1 Chr 23:5 KJV)." Can you imagine the blast of praise from that praise group? If you want an idea of what a band of 4000 would be like think of that band playing at GM Place at a Canuck hockey game. A band member would be sitting in every 5th seat. Wade would you lead the section of 400 trombones?

Listen as they cut lose on a song like, "The Lord Reigneth." God was real and special to David and that made a big impression on him. Praise flows from the reality of God in our lives answering our prayers. David decided to rave about the sensational wonders and glories of his God. He wanted to give God a lavish bouquet of extravagant praise. He wanted to celebrate the glory and goodness of his God backed up by a spectacular 4000 piece combo.

Specific Instructions On Giving God A Bouquet Of Praise in 2002. The first bit of advice David gives is for us to praise God with everything we've got. "I will praise the Lord with my whole heart (Ps 111:1)." Put maximum energy into your praise.

2nd David said, "Don't mumble, belt it out loud and clear." "They stood to praise the Lord with a loud voice (2 Chr 20:19)." How many singers with a loud voice would it take to be heard above the music of a 4000 piece combo?

3rd David said focus on the might and greatness of God. "Praise him for his mighty acts: and his excellent greatness (Ps 150:2)."

4th David instructed that we "turn up the volume and get into it with our body, soul and spirit." "Praise him with the trumpet; the psaltery and harp; the timbrel and dance; stringed instruments and organs; loud cymbals and high sounding cymbals (Ps 150:3-5)." Old King David was wired for sound and action.

5th David commanded that we get our canary, dog and cat involved. "Let every thing that has breath praise the LORD (Ps 150:6 )." Do you know what I mean when I say, "Make 2002 a year we praise God with a lavish bouquet of extravagant words and music."

II. Giving God A Bouquet Of Praise Enables us to Live Victorious Lives in 2002.
A daily dose of praise may vanquish your depression. It may help solve some major problems in your life. It could save your marriage.

Ammon and Moab came in battle against the people of Judah. King Jehoshaphat was terrified because the enemy was so strong. God told them that the Lord would fight the battle for them.
All God expected them to do was march out to meet the enemy singing songs of praise. "He appointed 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 for ever (2 Chr 20:21)."

That's one choir I'd have second thoughts about joining. You're marching singing and behind you are fellows with sharp spears. In front of you is a hostile army with long range bows and arrows. You wouldn't have any problem getting me to sing loud. I'd be screaming like a maniac, trying to scare the enemy.

V. 22 says, "And when they started to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the children of Ammon and Moab ....and they were smitten." A bouquet of praise saved the day for the people of Judah and it can make 2002 a year of victory for us. We live in failure and defeat when we fail to praise the Lord. Depression and discouragement are constantly barking at our heels. I think I hear you asking, "How can praise change these problems?"

Praise forces us to focus on the problem solver, not the problem. Relaxing takes our emotional focus off the source of our stress. That opens our eyes to see God's creative solutions to our problems. Praise relaxes us so God can get the creative juices flowing. "I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies (Ps 18:3 KJV).

"Praise God with a lavish bouquet of extravagant words and music and you'll find creative solutions to your pressing problems in 2002."

Praise changes the atmosphere of your home. When the kids are tired, on edge, ratty and generally making life miserable for you, try singing songs of praise because, "A lavish bouquet of extravagant praise and music to God will positively modify the mood in your home."

III. Let's Prepare Ourselves To Give A Lavish Bouquet Of Praise To God all Through 2002.
God loves music that's played to the praise and honour of His name. I sense God saying, "What could be more important than praising me? Eugene, get the congregation to focus on praising me in music and song."
Eugene, get the parents excited about their children praising the Lord. Get them excited about a 4000 piece combo. . . well scale it back to 40 for starters.

David established three worship teams to praise the Lord. A father headed each team and trained his children in all areas of music. In the three extended families there were 288 master musicians. Fathers taught their children music so they could praise the Lord. Parents give your children an appreciation for music. We need to involve them in spontaneous participation of praise.

"The six sons of Jeduthun; under the direction of their father who prophesied with a harp, praised the LORD (1 Chr 25:3)." "Along with their relatives, all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord numbered 288 (1 Chr. 25:7 NIV)."

Parents, sell your shirts to give your children music lessons. Get a vision of them 20 or 30 years from now vigorously praising the Lord with musical instruments and voice. That's a vision that excites God. "Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever (106:1 KJV)."
Church, let's teach our children to; "Praise God with a lavish bouquet of extravagant words and music."

CONCLUSION
(invite the 6 - 12 year olds to the front.)
God is calling some of you to play instruments and sing in worship & praise teams. Every time you sit down to practice pray for God's help. Remind yourself of why you are learning. Say, "God, I'm doing this to praise you and to help lead our church to give and extravagant bouquet of praise to you."

From the youngest to the eldest we'll put our whole body, soul and spirit into praising God with loud and clear voices, accompanied by lively music. That will help us live contented, victorious, relaxed lives in homes that reverberate with praise. Rev 19:5 "And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
"Praise God with a lavish bouquet of extravagant words and music in 2002."