Praising God For His Loving-kindness

ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON OUTLINES

Praising God For His Loving-kindness

Text: Psalm 138:1-3 Hebron Baptist Church Anniversary AM July 3, 2011

Preacher: Pastor B. Cabajar

Pondering the loving-kindness of God in our hearts will surely lead us to praise Him in a joyful way. Our spiritual mind-set will never be the same again because it will be filled with godly thoughts which will eventually trigger us to do things that are right and pleasing before Him. Every time we gather together in our worship place, we should not forget to thank God for His loving-kindness. In Psalm 48:9, it is written, We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple. (KJV) What a perfect time for us today to think of such blessing which we will enjoy for a lifetime.

God’s loving-kindness is excellent. In Psalm 37:7, the Bible says, How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. (KJV) As we recall the wonderful works of God and the great things He has done for us, beyond doubt, we will end up rejoicing and quoting Psalm 8:1 which says, LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. (KJV) In such rejoicing, God alone will be glorified in our midst. We will do well to remember always that our Heavenly Father has blest us so much. God’s loving-kindness is excellent, His Name is excellent, and for such reasons, it’s high time for us to give all the praises and glory to Him because He is worthy to be praised.

Psalm 148:13-14 declares, v13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. v14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD. (KJV) Throughout the ages, God has shown His undeniable love, grace and mercy to those who trusted Him in truth. As we enjoy God’s loving-favour, we must also proclaim to others such blessing from above so they may put their trust in Him. David said in Psalm 40:10, “I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.” (KJV) As we praise God for the great things He has done for our lives, may the Lord find us faithful also in everything we do for His honour and glory.

(I) A Personal Commitment

Psalm 138:1-2

Obviously, true Christians attend church services because they know that such godly activity will draw them closer to the Lord and will lead them to receive many blessings from God’s Word. Beyond doubt, the presence of every Bible believing Church in a certain place is a blessing to the whole community. We praise God for the religious freedom we enjoy in our country. For such spiritual advantage, we should not neglect to gather ourselves together and give praises to God for His loving-kindness.

How sadly true, that many professing believers overlook the privilege and honour to praise and worship the True and Living God. Some professing believers neglect to come to church services already; some come with much struggles; some come because they have to; and others come with selfish reasons. It is a shame, but it’s happening in our Local Churches today.

Consistent worshipping and praising God are not apparent activities in the lives of many people in our time and such alarming sign threatens the future spirituality of the next generation. We strongly believe that we need to have personal commitment to God so our involvement in such God-glorifying activities will be deepened.

-We must praise God with our whole heart

David said, “I will praise thee”. Is not this a strong commitment for us to consider and to learn from? He even said “with my whole heart”. Genuine praises start from the believer’s heart then graciously express through his lips. The whole heart should be involved in praising God and not just a fraction of it. We must keep in mind that God is worthy to be praised with all our heart.

· Above all things

David said, “…before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.” God is the true object of our praises and we should not let other things hinder our heartfelt praises toward His Holy Name.

(II) A Personal Expression Of One’s Appreciation

Psalm 138:2-3

Sometimes we appreciate people for the memorable labour of love they extended to us, and because they became dear to us, we show our deep appreciation by giving them special gifts with personal touch. We do it with gladness of heart because we know they are worthy to be honoured in a unique way.

In a practical sense, isn’t it good for us believers to express our deepest appreciation to God and His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who died for us at Calvary so we may enjoy His great salvation so rich and free? Surely, it is a wise act to give praises unto God for His loving-kindness and His truth.

-Believers must be mindful of God’s loving-kindness and His truth

Believers should not be associated with forgetfulness, but be mindful of God and appreciative of His loving-kindness and truth. It is hard to imagine what could have happened to us had God forgotten us and become unmindful of the fall of man. But we thank God because He remembered us even in our time of hopelessness.

Psalm 8:3-8 expresses, v3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; v4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? v5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. v6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: v7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; v8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. v9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! (KJV) Praise God for His excellent Name and excellent loving-kindness! (Ps. 37:7)

· His loving-kindness is a great comfort to believers v3

The Bible says in Psalm 138:3, In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. (KJV) What a comfort to hear such testimony. Truly our God is prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God and His loving-kindness is a great comfort to them that trust in Him.

· Soul-strengthening v3

God did not only answer David’s prayer, but also strengthened him in time of need. The Lord is our strength and without Him we cannot survive in this sin-darkened world which is full of uncertainties. God is so good to us and His loving-kindness is incomparable and soul-strengthening.

As we rejoice together in the Lord, we must observe His wonderful ways and proclaim His miraculous working throughout the whole world so people may fear Him and praise Him in a historic way. In Psalm 107:43, it is written, Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD. (KJV)

Spread the Good News to everyone. Keep on serving the Lord in sincerity and in truth till Jesus comes. Keep on praising God for His loving-kindness.

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