Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, July 17, 2005, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
WHY WE SHOULD PRAISE GOD
By Michael D. O’Neal
Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church
Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Psalm 71:1-15
Text: Psalm 71:14
Psalms 71:14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
Introduction: One of the things I have desired to do this year is to praise God more. I want to lead YOU as a church and as a Christian in your daily life to praise God more. THE LORD IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!
Psalms 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
The psalmist was old and grayheaded, according to verse 18. It appears from this psalm that he had a determination to keep praising God and
seeing the power of God in his old age.
Today is my birthday. Perhaps I’m not as old as David was when he wrote the psalm, but I’m no spring chicken. I’m not as gray as I will be probably, but I’m grayer than I used to be. I’m 20 to 30 years younger than many of my preacher friends, but I’m also older than most of my church members.
I want to join David today in praising God as I get older. I am claiming our text verse for this morning for my own heart’s desire:
Psalms 71:14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
I also want to lead you to praise God more and more. Let me help you this morning by pointing out several reasons in our chapter for praising God:
I. PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PERMANENCE
Note the word “never” in verse 1:
Psalms 71:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
A. In all periods of life – from the womb to the tomb
B. In all places of life
II. PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PROTECTION
Psalms 71:3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
Several other verses in this chapter refer to the Lord’s protection
A. He is our resort
B. He is our rock
C. He is our refuge – V. 7
III. PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PURITY
His “righteousness”:
Psalms 71:15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
A. He is pure in every attribute
B. He is pure in every action
1. Abraham asked, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” The answer is, Yes, He will!!!
IV. PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PARDON
“thy salvation”:
Psalms 71:15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
Praise the Lord, we are
A. Fully pardoned
B. Freely pardoned, and
C. FOREVER pardoned!
V. PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PRECEPTS
“thou hast taught me”
Psalms 71:17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
A. Praise God for the scriptures
B. Praise God for the Spirit’s instruction in the scriptures
VI. PRAISE GOD FOR HIS POWER
Psalms 71:18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
HE IS ABLE! —
A. To save
B. To supply
C. To satisfy
D. To surprise!
VII. PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PREEMINENCE
Psalms 71:19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
A. His greatness can’t be measured
B. His greatness can’t be matched
Why aren’t YOU praising the Lord??
Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor,
Gospel Light Baptist Church
P.O. Box 3071 (237 Lockett Station Road),
Albany, GA 31706
(229) 432-0039 (church) / (229) 698-2127 (parsonage)
*Scriptures in my notes are from the Authorized Version 1611 -KJV- and are used by permission of the Author – Ephesians. 6:17*
“Come Alive In 2005”