Praise

Serve the Lord with Joy and Gladness

Colossians 2:6-7

As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

As we saw in the previous teaching, as we got started in Christ, we should continue walking in Him. One way we have seen this happen, the way we received Christ, was through knowledge and faith in His love. Paul, in our opening text, is encouraging us to continue thus, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, and we have seen that the way to do this is through growing in understanding and knowledge of His love. This is why in Ephesians 3:16-19, immediately after praying that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith, He talked about them being rooted and grounded in love, comprehending the width, length, depth and height of His love, knowing it fully. Since love was the beginning of our relationship with God, it remains to the life of our relationship with God.

In addition to growing in love, Paul, in our opening text, tells us of the other way to walk in Christ: abounding with thanksgiving.

Let me take you back to the days of the children of Israel. When God brought them out of Egypt, many of them complained and died in the wilderness. While talking to the new generation that had cropped up, the generation that would now get to go into Canaan, God pronounced a number of blessings and curses that were dependent on their obedience; blessings if and when they obeyed, curses if and when they disobeyed. One of the things He mentioned would bring a curse upon them was ingratitude:

Deuteronomy 28:47

"Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, ⁴⁸ "therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you.

Whereas today serving God with joy and gladness of heart is viewed as a luxury and as optional, from the Scriptures it is clear it is not so; it was always a commandment. Praising God is not an option; it is a command.

Now that I am sure I have your attention (smiles sheepishly), let us go on to understand what praise really is.

According to the dictionary, praise is “the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation; the offering of grateful homage in words or song, as an act of worship.” Praise goes beyond a song; it starts from the heart, and can be verbalised in words, a song, dance etc. Praise is very connected to thanksgiving, and gladness. You cannot disconnect the two. I like viewing thanksgiving as the root or foundation of praise, as it is quite difficult to keep praising God without a grateful or thankful heart. 

This is why in the Scriptures most of the times praise is used alongside thanksgiving:

Psalm 107:21-22 (KJV)

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!  ²² And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Hebrews 13:15

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

For a while, people have been told to praise God, but have never understood why. I always like saying that the one difference between a child and a grown up is understanding. Children do many things, but with no understanding. For this reason, they do some of the things their parents tell them to do half-heartedly, and some they have to be spanked to do. All these things are good for them, but since they lack understanding, they see them as a drag, and would go without them. So parents use punishment as an incentive to get them to do what is good for them. As this happens, obviously they feel like the parents are being unfair to them, and some even feel as if the parents hate them. Later on, when they're grown up and have an understanding, they see why the parents wanted them to do these things, and will do them knowing it's good for them. Parents don't need to use punishment anymore to get their kids to do what is good for them, as now they have grown in understanding.

Similarly, in the OT, God told His people to do many things, which were good for them, and used punishment as a motivation/incentive to make this happen. This is why, as we have seen in Deuteronomy 28:47, He told them that if they don't serve Him with joy and gladness, He would punish them with curses. I also think that the other reason why they were called "children of Israel" is because they were children in understanding. That's just me. The Bible says in Galatians 4:1-7 that we were children before Christ came, and Galatians 3:19-29 says that the law was added to keep humanity under guard, act as a tutor, till Christ came. These texts say that basically the law was added to keep people on the right track, before Christ came, and regulate evil. These texts also say that since Christ has come, we are no longer children, but sons of God. Since we are children, God cannot continue dealing with us as children, rather as sons. This is why also the Bible says,

1 Corinthians 13:11

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

And again,

1 Corinthians 14:20

Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

So, what changed, for us not to be children anymore? God took out the heart of stone that we had, and put a heart of flesh in us, then gave us His Spirit as our Teacher (Ezekiel 36:26-27). In addition, He gave us an understanding:

1 John 5:20

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

Now that we are no longer children, and have an understanding, we should no longer do things without an understanding. We should no longer be forced to praise, as children would. We should rather understand that praise is good for us, and do it wholeheartedly.

Going back to our opening text:

Colossians 2:6-7

As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

As we remain in thanksgiving (and praise), we abound in faith. We can pray all day long for God to help us be strong and abound in faith, but until we purpose to give thanks and praise Him, we will not abound in faith. Abraham knew this secret:

Romans 4:19

And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

Romans 4:20 (AMP)

No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God...

Abraham was at crossroads. He could either set his mind on and consider the condition of his body and that of his wife, or he could set his mind on and consider God's Word. He chose to do the latter, and in doing so grew in faith, as He gave praise and glory to God. If he considered his body and conditions, he would have started seeing the greatness of his problems, even talking about them, diminishing God and His Word, thereby wavering in unbelief, and growing weak in faith. You might wonder, what was he glorifying and praising God for? God had promised him that if he left his land, and trust Him thereby going to the unknown land, He would bless him. Since the time he left the land, to the time God confirmed to him that he would get a son (between Genesis 12 and 15), God had given him a lot of riches and wealth, having over 318 servants who could fight, given him favour before Pharaoh who gave him lots of wealth, gave him victory with his 318 servants against 4 kings and their armies, gave him the land of Canaan, among many things. He had every reason to glorify God, and trust in Him. As he chose to glorify and praise God, he grew in faith, casting aside all unbelief and doubt, and remained in faith to receive a son several years later. God didn't make the conditions perfect (giving Abraham and Sarah a young body), before asking him to have faith and trust Him, and expect him to glorify and praise Him; Abraham glorified and praised God in spite of his conditions, in the midst of unbelief and doubt, for many years.

God doesn't expect us to just praise Him when all circumstances are perfect, and when all things are working for us; He expects us to praise Him in spite of things that stand up against us, as it is in praising that we get strengthened in faith, and positioned to receive from Him. So, what if we don't have much to give thanks for? Trust me, we have enough to praise and thank God for. More than enough. When you sit, like Abraham, and consider all that God has done for you, since you were born or even since you were born again, I am so sure you will have enough reasons to keep His praise on your mouth all the days of your life. Just the fact that you are a live, and are going to heaven, is reason enough to praise God as long as we live. This is why God said that everything that has breath should praise Him! (Psalm 150:6). This is also why, after His disciples came back rejoicing over the fact that they had cast out demons, Jesus told them not to rejoice because demons were subject to them, but rather because their names were written in the book of life (Luke 10:20). The fact that their books were written in the book of life was more reason enough for them to rejoice than the fact that they could cast out demons! God is looking at whatever is facing you today and making you hesitant to praise Him as a less significant reason to praise Him than the fact that your name is written in the book of life. You may be looking at your life and saying that, "if I get this or that, I will have enough reason to rejoice in and praise God." All the while, God is saying, "you have all the reason you need to praise and rejoice in Me." Since our names are written in the book of life as long as we have faith in Jesus, we always have a reason to praise and rejoice in Him. This is why Paul told us to:

Philippians 3:1

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Note that He says we rejoice in the Lord. As long as we are in Christ, we should be rejoicing. "But what if my situation is so bad?" Worse than Paul's, who wrote these things? Remember, he was in prison, in chains, as he wrote this. He remained in prison for 2 years, till he was executed. Before this, he underwent so many tribulations, including being often in hunger, dangers of death by his persecutors, being beaten by rods, stoned, shipwrecked thrice, living in the wilderness etc. (2 Cor. 11:23-29). Yet, amidst all these things, he found no reason to complain. Rather, as he spends his 'retirement' in prison, he tells us to rejoice in the Lord always! What was Paul's secret? 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.


He refused to focus on his circumstances, which always seemed against him, but rather focused on God's promises, with his eyes fixed on Christ (also Phil. 3:7-14). A good example is when he and Silas got arrested and put in a cell (Acts 16). Behind bars, having been beaten with rods and facing possible execution as was happening to other apostles of Christ, they didn't start complaining and murmuring against God, or crying out. They started praising God, not for their freedom, but simply because He is good (Acts 16:25). How would I know they weren't praising for the doors for their freedom? Because when all the doors were opened and chains loosed, they didn't rush out, rather they stayed there and when the jailor came looking for them, they told him they were still there (vv. 27-28). They then went on to preach to him, and the following day were released. I believe that as they were praising God they discerned that God's will for them being there was to bring that jailor and his whole family to Christ, which they did. As you praise God, you will see beyond what lies on the surface, beyond the problem that faces you, to what God can do, and how He can turn around that problem for His glory and for your good (Rom. 8:28). Praise causes you to focus on God, and when your focus is on Him you will definitely see things His way.

In summary, here are some of the advantages of praise:

1. Praise causes you to be strong and abound in faith (Rom. 4:19-20).
2. Praise helps us to focus on God, thus seeing things His way. It is impossible for us to praise something or someone with our minds distracted. If I tell you to tell me the advantages of whatever device you are using to read this message (phone, computer, tablet etc.), it is impossible for you to adequately do so while your mind is preoccupied with food, football etc. For you to praise God well and from your heart, you have to fully focus on Him; doing this draws your attention from your problems, on to Him, and positions you to see things His way, and hear the solution to your problems. As you continue in praise moment by moment, you remain connected with Him, and sensitive to His voice. God constantly speaks to us, but with our minds preoccupied with other things, we miss out on His voice, as He instructs us on how to get answers to what we need. It's like speaking to a person face to face, whose mind is elsewhere. You are speaking, they are hearing but since they're preoccupied they will miss out on what you're talking about. Many of us are absent minded, focused on everything else apart from God, Who is constantly speaking to us. Of course we'll miss out on Him as He speaks, telling us which way to go (Is. 30:21). Constant praise causes us to fully focus on God, and constantly be sensitive to His voice.
3. Praise is strength for us; it is how we release the strength of Christ that is in us. In Psalm 8:2, David said that God has ordained strength out of the mouth of babes and infants. Referring to this text, Jesus said that God had perfected praise out of the mouth of babes and infants (Matt. 21:16). Jesus wasn't changing Scriptures; He was just helping us understand that praise is strength. Do you feel like you really could use God's strength? Start praising Him! You can be sure that remaining in a mode of constant praise equals constantly walking in God's strength.
4. Praise shuts up the enemy, and helps us experience victory. In Psalm 8:2 still, David said that God ordained strength out of the mouth of babes and infants, because of His enemies, to silence the enemy and the avenger. The best way to win spiritual warfare is simply to praise God. Again, praise strengthens us spiritually, and since our focus is on God, the enemy can't do much against us. Remember, all the devil brings your way is intended to take your focus off God, so that he can destroy you. As long as you're connected with God, he can't do much to you, as you're under the shadow of His wings (Psalm 91, Jn. 15). By constantly praising, you avoid temptations, overcome trials, and shut up the enemy, making him run out of options as you're firmly secure in God. We are told to set our minds on things above, not on things below (Col. 3:1-2), since we have been raised with Christ. Praise is the best way to do this.
5. Praise keeps out complaining and murmuring, and keeps our hearts grateful to God. God wants us to do all things without complaining or disputing, that we may become harmless and blameless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom we shine as lights in the world (Phil. 2:14-15). The best way to do this is to constantly praise God.
6. Praise positions us to receive from God. As we have seen, praise causes us to focus on God. If you want to give me a pen, yet my back is turned on you, how can I receive it? It's impossible, unless I turn and face you, then stretch my hands to receive it. Problems, trials and so on come to make us turn away from God, and face them. As long as we're focused on whatever the devil brings, we can't receive the solution to the problems, as our backs are turned to God. For us to receive, we have to literally turn and face God, and the way to do this is through praise. As long as you are focused on the problem, the problem is speaking to you, and you can't hear God. Turn to God, and keep facing Him, eyes fixed on Him, and you'll keep receiving from Him.
7. Praise keeps us in fellowship with God. God created us to fellowship with Him, and for His pleasure (Rev. 4:11 KJV). Someone asked an important question, that since Adam and Eve didn't have much to pray for, demons to bind and cast out, people to witness to etc., how did they pray? I believe much of their prayer was just praising God, and basically fellowshiping with Him. Many say that we were created to win souls and serve God, but why then were Adam and Eve created? I always say that serving God should be a product and fruit of our relationship with God, not the root and foundation of it. So, how do we best enjoy intimacy with God? Praising Him. With our hearts set on praising God, I can assure you that there are so many things He'll show us that will help us praise Him more and more, and the more we praise Him, the more we draw closer to Him. The Bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3). The easiest way to see God manifest in your situation and experience His presence is to simply praise Him. This doesn't cause Him to move, but rather moves you closer to where He is. 

Beloved, praise is good for you. You need praise. Purpose in your heart that His praise will continually be on your lips, then heavily depend on the Holy Spirit to help you do this. It's not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit (Zech. 4:6). 

Hebrews 13:15

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Grace and peace to you!

    Brother Sam Gitonga.

Sunday Service Morning teaching, Transformation Ministry, Joska. 


Brother Sam is the Youth Leader, at Teaching Transformation Ministry. We are located along the Thika-Ruai Flyover Junction (at the Thika Rd./ Bypass intersection), Next to Eastgate Restaurant.