WHY GOD DESERVES OUR PRAISE

Title: WHY GOD DESERVES OUR PRAISE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text:
Psalm 145:1-5 (NKJV) – "I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. I will meditate on the glorious splendour of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works."

Supporting Texts:
Psalm 100:4-5
Psalm 34:1-3
Psalm 96:1-4
Revelation 5:12-14

INTRODUCTION:
Praise is an essential aspect of our relationship with God. In Psalm 145, David expresses his heart of worship, acknowledging the greatness and majesty of God. This sermon explores the reasons why God deserves our praise, examining His character, works, and the impact of our praise on ourselves and others.

1. GOD IS GREAT AND WORTHY OF PRAISE
God's greatness is unmatched, and He deserves our highest praise.

a) His Sovereignty: God reigns as King over all creation (Psalm 145:1). His authority is supreme and unchallenged.

b) His Holiness: God's nature is pure and righteous, deserving our reverence and honour (Isaiah 6:3).

c) His Faithfulness: God is consistent in His promises and actions (Lamentations 3:22-23).

d) His Love and Mercy: God extends His grace and compassion to us daily, forgiving our shortcomings (Ephesians 2:4-5).

e) Biblical Example:
The psalmist declares in Psalm 147:5, "Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite." This illustrates the vastness of God’s greatness that surpasses human understanding.

2. HIS MIGHTY ACTS AND WONDROUS WORKS
God's deeds throughout history demonstrate His power and glory.

a) Creation: The magnificence of the universe and the beauty of nature reflect God's creative genius (Genesis 1:31).

b) Redemption: God's plan for salvation through Jesus Christ is the ultimate act of love (John 3:16).

c) Miracles: God performs wonders in our lives, both big and small, showcasing His ability to intervene (Mark 10:27).

d) Provision: God provides for our needs, showing His faithfulness and care (Philippians 4:19).

e) Biblical Example:
The deliverance of Israel from Egypt is a powerful demonstration of God's mighty acts (Exodus 14:21-22), which generations continue to recount.

3. THE IMPACT OF PRAISE ON OUR LIVES
Praising God transforms our hearts and perspectives.

a) Brings Us Closer to God: Praise fosters intimacy with the Father (Psalm 22:3). When we praise, we invite God's presence into our midst.

b) Shifts Our Focus: Praising God helps us to see His greatness rather than our problems (Isaiah 26:3). It aligns our thoughts with His truth.

c) Encourages Others: Our praise can inspire and uplift those around us (Psalm 34:3). Sharing testimonies of God’s goodness encourages faith.

d) Strengthens Our Faith: Reminding ourselves of God’s works builds our trust in Him (Romans 10:17). Faith grows as we recount His faithfulness.

e) Biblical Example:
Paul and Silas praised God in prison, and their worship led to miraculous deliverance and the salvation of the jailer (Acts 16:25-34).

4. A GENERATION OF PRAISERS
It is our responsibility to pass on the legacy of praise.

a) Teaching the Next Generation: We are called to declare God’s works to those who come after us (Psalm 145:4). Our praise inspires future believers.

b) Modeling Worship: Our lives should reflect a lifestyle of praise, showing others the importance of honouring God (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

c) Creating a Culture of Praise: Encouraging a community that values praise strengthens the body of Christ (Hebrews 10:24-25).

d) Proclaiming His Greatness: As we share testimonies, we proclaim God’s greatness and invite others to join in worship (Psalm 105:1).

e) Biblical Example:
In Psalm 78:4, the psalmist states, "We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord." This emphasizes the importance of passing down the tradition of praise.

5. ETERNAL PRAISE
Our praise is not limited to this life; it continues into eternity.

a) Heavenly Worship: In Revelation, the angels and elders continually praise God in His presence (Revelation 4:8-11). Our praise reflects the eternal nature of God’s glory.

b) A Foretaste of Heaven: Our worship here on earth prepares us for eternal communion with God (Colossians 3:1-2).

c) Living in Praise: Every aspect of our lives should glorify God, making our existence an ongoing act of worship (Romans 12:1).

d) Anticipation of His Kingdom: As we praise, we look forward to the fullness of His kingdom where all creation will worship Him (Revelation 11:15).

e) Biblical Example:
The angels proclaimed, "Glory to God in the highest" at Christ's birth (Luke 2:14), illustrating that praise is an eternal theme of God’s creation.

CONCLUSION:
God deserves our praise because of His greatness, mighty acts, and the transformative power of our worship. We are called to be a generation that praises Him, sharing His goodness with others and modelling a life of worship. Let us commit to extolling God’s name forever, recognising that our praise has eternal significance.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, help me to recognise Your greatness and goodness in my life.

2. Father, may my heart overflow with praise for Your wondrous works.

3. Lord, teach me to declare Your mighty acts to others.

4. Father, help me to focus on You rather than my challenges.

5. Lord, let my praise encourage and uplift those around me.

6. Father, strengthen my faith as I recount Your faithfulness.

7. Lord, help me to pass on the legacy of praise to the next generation.

8. Father, may my life reflect a culture of worship and gratitude.

9. Lord, prepare my heart for eternal worship in Your presence.

10. Father, I commit to praising You every day for Your unchanging love.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:

1. I declare that your heart will be filled with an unquenchable desire to praise God daily.

2. You will witness the mighty acts of God in your life and share them with others.

3. Your praise will become a source of strength and encouragement to those around you.

4. I decree that your legacy will be one of worship, inspiring future generations.

5. God is preparing you for an eternal life of worship in His glorious presence.

6. Your life will be a testimony of God’s goodness and mercy to those who know you.

7. You will experience breakthroughs as you lift your voice in praise.

8. I declare that your focus will shift from problems to the greatness of God.

9. God’s presence will manifest powerfully in your life as you engage in praise.

10. Your praise will create a ripple effect, drawing others to Christ through your testimony!