Come Home to Celebration by Rick Warren “Sing to God, sing praises to His name; lift up a song to Him… His name is the LORD.” Psalm 68:4 (ESV) Do you want to get back to God? You first have to get fed up, then own up to your sin, and then offer up your life in sacrifice. Finally, you celebrate. In the story of the prodigal son, it’s important to notice the father’s response: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him …. The father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate’” (Luke 15:20a, 22 NIV). The prodigal’s father is like your heavenly father. No matter what you’ve done, when you come home to God, He wraps you in His love. He gives you His best and says, “All is forgiven! Go get the robe. Go get the shoes. Let’s have a feast! My child has returned to me.” You come home to celebration, not condemnation. And God wants you to join Him in celebration as you give Him your praise. You celebrate your transformation by simply saying, “Thank You, God. Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your goodness. I lift up my praise!” The Bible says in Psalm 68:4, “Sing to God, sing praises to His name; lift up a song to Him … His name is the LORD” (ESV). For your own transformation, you need to start singing at church. You need to celebrate what God has done in your life and thank Him through song. Some of you might call yourself “prison singers” — you’re always behind a few bars and you never have the right key! But the Bible doesn’t say to make your singing pretty; it says make it joyful. You can do that! Anybody can make a joyful noise. Sing your praise to God — not just for who He is but also for the transformation He’s made in your life! Power Verses: Amplified Bible Psalm 68:3-4, 3 But let the [uncompromisingly] righteous be glad; let them be in high spirits and glory before God, yes, let them [jubilantly] rejoice! 4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name, cast up a highway for Him Who rides through the deserts—His name is the Lord—be in high spirits and glory before Him! Luke 15:20-22, 20 So he got up and came to his [own] father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness [for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [fervently]. 21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son [I no longer deserve to be recognized as a son of yours]! 22 But the father said to his bond servants, Bring quickly the best robe (the festive robe of honor) and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet. Just A Thought: None ever hardened his heart against God, and prospered. God is the joy of His people, then let them rejoice when they come before Him. He who derives His being from none, but gives being to all, is engaged by promise and covenant to bless His people. He is to be praised as a God of mercy and tender compassion. He ever careth for the afflicted and oppressed: repenting sinners, who are helpless and exposed more than any fatherless children, are admitted into His family, and share all their blessings. Reference: Matthew Henrys Concise Commentary Talk It Over: 🔦 Based on your experience with your earthly father, what do you expect of God when you mess up? 🔦 What keeps you from expressing your praise to God through singing? 🔦 What does it mean to make a joyful noise? Memory Verse: Psalm 135:3, 3 Praise the Lord! For the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for He is gracious and lovely! In Reflection: 💡 The subject-matter of praise, is the blessings of grace flowing from the everlasting love of God. 💡 The name of God as a covenant God and Father in Christ, blessing us with all spiritual blessings in Him, is to be loved and praised. 💡 The Lord chose a people to Himself, that they might be unto Him for a name and a praise. 💡 If we do not praise Him for this distinguishing favor, we are the most unworthy and ungrateful of all people. 💡 Magnifying God means giving glory to God through worship and through upright living. 💡 God’s people are exhorted to praise Him and to bring honor to His name. 💡 Scripture treats praise as the natural response of believers to God’s person and actions. 💡 Praise is commanded of God’s people. 💡 Praise is due to God alone. 💡 Praise is pleasing to God. 💡 Praise as an act of witness. 💡 And we praise God in response to His nature. 💡 For His greatness, rightfulness, grace, strength, His deeds, deliverance from enemies, answered prayer and most importantly for sending His Son, Jesus Christ who scraficed Himself for our sins, giving us a heavenly inheritance. All praise and glory and honor belong to our Father Jehovah! Reference: Matthew Henrys Concise Commentary ; Dictionary of Bible Themes Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE Smartphone
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 11:49:29 +0000
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