We are Created to Praise (Palm Sunday)    

Pastor Phil Derstine 3-29-26

Palm Sunday

  • Psalm 107:8 “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”
  • John 12:12 “The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. (13) They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, ‘Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the King of Israel!”
  • Psalm 92:12 “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree.”
  • Luke 19:39 “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, Teacher, rebuke your disciples!  (40)  I tell you, he replied, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

We are Created to Praise

  • I Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
  • Hebrews 13:15 “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.”

Praise

1) An act of my will (soul & body).

2) It is vocal.

3) An external (public) show of appreciation or admiration.

4) Can be learned, can be taught (ways, methods, words)

5) Is essential for relationship with God. 

Worship

1) An act of God’s will (Spirit).

2) A response to relationship with God.

3) The result of a deeper commitment and closer fellowship with God.

4) It is entering into God’s presence - Where there is power and miracles.

5) What we Behold, we Become - Transformation. 

Why do we worship God?

  • Exodus 20:3 “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Commandment #1)
  • Matthew 4:10 “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him alone shalt thou serve.” 

Why use musical instruments in the service? 

  • Psalm 150:3-5 “Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet (Shofar); praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance. Praise Him with the stringed instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals; praise Him upon the high-sounding cymbals.”  

Why sing choruses as well as hymns?

    • Ephesians 5:18 “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit; (19) speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  
  • Hymn (Def.) - Type of song written for the purpose of praise, adoration, or prayer.
  • Hymnos (Gr.) – A song of praise
  • I Corinthians 14:15 “I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with understanding also.” 

Why do we stand to sing?

  • II Chronicles 20:19 “And the Levites… stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.”
  • Revelation 7:9-10 “After this I beheld, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”  

Why do we lift our hands?

  • Psalm 134:2 “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord.”
  • I Timothy 2:8 “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or doubting.”  

Why do we clap our hands?

  • Psalm 47:1 “O clap your hands all ye people; shout unto God with a voice of triumph.”
  • Psalm 33:1 “Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him.” 

Why do we dance in church?

  • Psalm 149:3 “Let them praise His name in the dance…”
  • Psalm 30:11 “Thou has turned for me my mourning into dancing…”
  • II Samuel 6:14 “And David danced before the LORD with all his might…”

Why do we wave flags & banners?

  • Psalm 20:5 “We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners.”
  • Exodus 17:15 “Moses built an altar and called it Jehovah-Nissi; The Lord is my Banner.”

Glory has a Sound

  • Psalm 100:1 “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD…” 
  • Psalm 150:6 “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.  Praise ye the LORD.”
  • Praise:  Hallel (Heb.) – to boast, shine, rave, or be clamorously foolish!
  • A loud, enthusiastic, sound with shouting, dancing, or clapping.