Sometimes in the midst of our busy lives it is hard to remember to praise. Sometimes in the midst of our trials it is easy to forget to praise. Sometimes in the midst of our pain we cannot seem to praise at all. In these moments it is important to be surrounded by the people of God and hear their praise and testimony: to be lifted together on the wave of worship; together to turn our hearts unto the God Who made us and Who knows all about us and our present circumstance. Today, let us turn our hearts unto Him in worship and gratitude whatever may be around us. Let us open our hearts to strengthening of His Spirit as we honor His word and work in our lives.
In a mingling of praise and prayer the Psalmist cried out to God:
Psalm 40:1-17
1 ¶ <
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6 ¶ Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
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.
11 ¶ Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
(KJV)
Worship Sequence 1 – Paul Stence
Ancient Words (Soundtrack)
10,000 Reasons (Soundtrack)
A Time of Testimony & Praise – Congregation
Worship Sequence 2 – Paul Stence
Hymn 505 – Glorious Freedom
Hymn 507 – Love Divine All Loves Excelling
Psalm 107:1 ¶ O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Testimony & Transition to Prayer
Prayer – In everything give thanks
Kidzone
Offering – This too is worship!
Special Song – Pastor & Mrs. Alexander – He Giveth More Grace
Last Chance Testimony
Words of Praise – Pastor Rick
How can I say thanks? How can I offer praise enough for what God through Jesus Christ His Son has done for me? How can I bow low enough or lift my hands high enough? How can I sing or shout loud enough to honor Him Who is worthy of far more than I can ever give?! He has forgiven me of so much! He has blessed me so much! I have more than I deserve! Even if I were to suffer every day of the rest of my life I can only have gratitude because of how much He has given me already! Can I express to you what it means to be forgiven? Can I exalt Him to you so that you know what it means to be redeemed? Can I praise enough before you so that you understand what it means to be clean?! Can I speak words that will express my thankfulness for His mercy and grace to me?
I was a sinner of the worst sort – guilty of the greatest crimes against Heaven – yet He forgave me. My soul was dark with sin – yet that did not stop Him from shining His light into me and giving me grace. Day by day now He walks with me and whispers to my heart words of correction, words of grace, words of hope.
He blesses materially, mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually.
A trip to the Outer Banks
A relief to the Mind
A strength to the emotions
Physical stamina day by day.
Spiritually He does not leave me when I seek His face.
This is just a little bit of His kindness to us. There is oh so much more, but time fails me to tell all of His abundant grace! Let me conclude my words of praise with these words of a familiar song:
How can I say thanks for the things
You have done for me?
Things so undeserved yet you gave
To prove your love for me
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am, and ever hope to be
I owe it all to thee
To God be the glory, to God be the glory
To God be the glory for the things he has done
With his blood he has saved me
With his power he has raised me
To God be the glory for the things he has done
Just let me live my life and
Let it be pleasing Lord to thee
And if I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary
With his blood he has saved me
With his power he has raised me
To God be the glory for the things he has done
Let us conclude today with words of praise to the Living Son of God Who sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf and who has purchased our pardon from sin with His blood and provided our hope of eternal life with God our Maker!
Final Worship Sequence – Paul Stence
Hymn 120 – Jesus, Name Above All Names
Hymn 122 – Majesty
Hymn 123 – All Hail King Jesus
Hymn 120 – Jesus Name Above All Names
Benediction
Romans 15:13 ¶ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
