That’s Why We Praise Him

That’s Why We Praise Him

 

If you’ll turn in your Bibles to Revelations 3 we’ll be looking at verses 14 through 21.

 

These verses are addressed to the church in Laodicea.

 

First-century Laodicea sat astride two major trade routes. The first road ran from Rome eastward into Asia Minor, then beyond to Cilicia where Paul was born. At Derbe it split: One leg went to the south through Damascus and on into Egypt; the other leg struck across the east to Mesopotamia, the ancient home of Babylon. Connecting the city to southern Europe through Byzantium, the second route entered Laodicea from the north and continued to the Mediterranean.

         

The founders built the city in the Lycus Valley where these routes crossed. This provided Laodicea with unlimited opportunities for trade but caused other significant problems. Ideally, prosperous cities are built close to abundant natural resources, especially water. Great cities are usually founded on deep natural harbors or on the banks of navigable rivers where water is abundant. Unfortunately, Laodicea was not established near an adequate water supply. More driven by trade, its builders located it where the roads crossed.

         

However, the city had much in its favor, and of special note were its three main industries. The Laodiceans produced a glossy, black wool that was prized by the wealthy all over the world. No one knows whether its rich color came from a particular strain of sheep that they bred in the area, or whether they dyed it, but the quality of the wool is indisputable. In fact, they cornered the market in this commodity, producing tremendous wealth.

         

Their second business was medicine. Laodicea boasted of one of the most renowned medical schools in the world, and with it came all of its associated industries like pharmaceuticals. They produced a world-famous salve, reputed to cure certain kinds of eye diseases. Another salve supposedly healed ear problems. People came from all over the Roman world in search of remedies for their ailments.

         

These two industries produced a third that multiplied their already vast wealth—banking. Laodicea became a center of currency exchange and money lending. Cicero, it is said, cashed huge bank drafts there. So huge were its assets that, when it was demolished by a first-century earthquake, the city refused Rome’s offer of help, rebuilding with its own funds.

         

So Laodicea had a monopoly in textiles, a world-renowned medical industry, and a prosperous financial center. Writers of the ancient world speak openly of their envy of Laodicean wealth. Record after record attests to their status.

Their one weakness was the water supply. Water had to be piped in to Laodicea.

 

Let us read Revelations 3:14-21

 

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

         

Laodicea. If you’ve studied the Book of Revelations, the name of that church may conjure up all sorts of images. And, as we just read, Jesus told them plainly, “Because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Rev 3:16).

         

Water was brought into Laodicea from two sources. From cold springs in Colossae the water traveled almost 10 miles by aqueduct before reaching Laodicea. From the hot springs in Hierapolis the water traveled almost six miles by wooden pipes. Both sources of water had a high mineral content and was a bit untasty to begin with. But whether their water originated in the cold springs of Colossae or the hot springs of Hierapolis, by the time it reached Laodicea, it was lukewarm.

         

The church in Laodicea was a church that was tepid, bored, and apathetic–they were overconfident in their own spiritual condition.  In short, they were lukewarm. Spiritually speaking, the Laodicean church could be summarized in a single word that (unfortunately) captures the essence of our modern culture: “Whatever.”

         

The problem, of course, with being apathetic is that you can actually be apathetic about your apathy!  Put simply an apathetic church does not think it is that big of deal. But, here are some reasons apathy is a bigger deal than we think:

         

First,  Apathy towards Christ can be more dangerous than enmity towards Him.  The fundamental reason people miss the problem of apathy is because they assume its better than being an enemy of God.  It’s halfway to being committed, they think, and thus better than being against God. It’s a step in the right direction.

         

But, Jesus disagrees. For him, apathy (at least in some ways) is worse than enmity towards God. “Would that you were either cold or hot!”  “It would be better”, Jesus says, “that you were either hot or cold.”(3:15).

         

It is actually the “whatever” type of person sitting in the pew that is hardest to reach.  Why?  Because they say to themselves, as did the Laodiceans, “I need nothing” (3:17).

         

George MacDonald, a Scottish, author, poet, and Christian Minister, once said: “Complaint against God is far nearer to God than indifference about Him.”

         

Second, Apathy towards Christ is the religion of our age.  Another factor that makes an apathetic church a problem is that it feeds our culture’s perception that religion is best in moderation.  Ironically, while Jesus says apathy is the worst spiritual condition, our culture contends that it is the best!

         

For the most part, mainline churches in modern America are actually aiming for the middle ground.  They want enough religion to be respectable, but to not so much that they are viewed as zealots. They’ll stand on some of the Word of God, but not if it may cause division. Their attitude towards God and His Word is, “Whatever floats your boat.”

         

Parents tell their children that they shouldn’t be atheists, but, at the same time, they tell them not to take this religious thing too far. Lukewarm religion is actually the goal.

         

In a culture like this, the last thing this church or any church needs to do is to feed this misunderstanding.  This is why John Stott thinks that the letter to Laodicea may be one of the most important for the modern church. Stott wrote,

 

          “Perhaps none of the seven letters is more appropriate to the twentieth century           church than this. It describes vividly the respectable, sentimental, nominal, skin-     deep religiosity which is so widespread among us today. Our Christianity is flabby          and anemic, we appear to have taken a lukewarm bath.”

         

Third,  Apathy towards Christ is out of sync with His worthiness.  The core problem with Christian apathy, the thing that makes it so serious, is the thing we are apathetic about, namely the person of Jesus Christ.

         

There is an enormous disparity between the glory, wonder, and beauty of Christ and our bored, tepid, “whatever” sort of response to him. And it is this sizable gap between what Christ is worth and our lackluster reaction to him that makes apathy such a problem.

         

And that sort of gap raises serious questions not just about a person’s spiritual health and vitality, but about whether they’ve truly been born again!

         

For example, if someone found themselves at a middle school art fair, it would be fairly understandable if they found themselves bored and unimpressed with the quality of the art.

         

But, if that same individual stood in the Sistine Chapel and looked up at the wondrous works of Michelangelo and was still bored, then there would be something seriously lacking in their soul..

         

Simply put, apathy is a problem because it misses the whole point of Christianity: the greatness of Christ. In the end, these three factors remind us that apathy is a bigger problem than we think.

         

So what can be done about it?

Christ himself gives the answer in his letter to Laodicea: “I counsel you to buy from me” (3:18).  A renewed vision of the beauty and greatness of Christ is always the ultimate cure for apathy.

         

And Christ invites his people to experience him afresh: “Behold I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (3:20).

         

In this verse Christ is drawing on the Song of Solomon, presenting himself as the groom and his church as the bride.  And he is asking his church to fall in love with him all over again.

         

When you’re in love with someone it’s difficult to keep them off your mind and almost impossible to keep their name and virtues from your lips.

         

Praise originates in a heart full of love toward God. Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Are you a Christian today? If so, do you realize that the only reason you’re able to love God is because He first loved you? Without God’s love, any praise you can offer is hollow. Love, born from a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, is an essential part of your praise.

         

Webster defines the word praise as “to say good things about” and it is synonymous to words such as admire, commend, extol, honor, and worship. A definition of Christian praise is the joyful thanking and adoration of God, the celebration of His goodness and grace. This simply implies that the act of praising is rightfully due to God alone.

         

Why is praising God important? The reasons are countless.

 

First, God deserves to be praised and He is worthy to receive our praise:

• “For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods” (Psalm 96:4).
• “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom” (Psalm 145:3).
• “I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies” (2 Samuel 22:4).
• “You are worthy, our LORD and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11).

Second, praising God is useful and favorable for us. By praising God, we are reminded of the greatness of God! His power and presence in our lives is reinforced in our understanding. “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant” (Psalm 135:3).
         

Third, praise discharges strength in faith, which causes God to move on our behalf. “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger” (Psalm 8:2).

         

Praising God also transforms the spiritual environment that we have. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 clearly illustrates the alteration that happened when the Levites gave praise and thanks to the Lord and the temple was filled with a cloud signifying the glory of God. “The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: ‘He is good; his love endures forever.’ Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God.”
         

Fourth, God inhabits the atmosphere of praise. Psalm 22:3 says, “You alone are holy, You inhabit the praises of of your people.” If we want to see a clear manifestation of God’s blessings and grace, we need to do is to praise Him with all our heart, our mind, and our soul.

 

If your unsure why or how you should praise God simply read the Book of Psalms.

         

The book of Psalms is the praise book of the Bible, and it gives us hundreds of reasons why praise is important, as well as examples of how to give praise to God. In examining those reasons and examples, one thing becomes clear. “It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High…” (Psalm 92:1). Praise is a good thing. That means it is pleasant, valuable, and morally excellent. Psalm 147:1  tells us that praise is beautiful and agreeable.

         

When we consider the reasons why we should praise God, we find a list of His attributes.

• Psalm 138:5 tells us that, “He is full of glory”,
• Psalm 145:3 proclaims that, “He is great”,
• Psalm 107:8 reminds us that, “He is good”,
• Psalm 89:1 declares that, “He is merciful and faithful”, and much more.

 

This list of attributes is complemented by a list of His wonderful works.

• Psalm 18:46 exclaims that He alone is the One who saves us,
• Psalm 103:1-3 affirms that it is He who has the power to pardons sin,
• and Psalm 136:25 reminds us that He is the one who gives us our daily food.

 

         

John 21:25 says that, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” To try to list all the things God has done is impossible, but it is a wonderful exercise because it turns our hearts back to Him and keeps us mindful of how much we owe to Him.
         

Psalm 148:1-10 tells us that all of creation is commanded to give praise to God.

Psalm 150:6 declares, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.”

         

There are many people, outside the church who choose not to praise God right now. Sadly there seems to be as many inside the church who are as lukewarm as the Laodiceans. There is a day coming though in which every knee will bow and every tongue will confess the praises of God (Philippians 2:10-11). Some will joyfully give those praises because of the salvation they have received, while some will give those praises as conquered enemies headed for eternal punishment for their rejection of God.
         

Praise is a vital part of a life surrendered to God, and it gives credit where credit is due. Psalm 107:8 wistfully hopes “O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”.

 

Praising God – The First Thing!
         

Do you know that praising God is the best thing to do first before anything else? Have you ever been in a situation that you feel all alone? Or have you encountered a difficult situation in your life and you don’t know what to do, like losing your job or suffering the loss of someone very close to your heart? Consider the good times such as when you receive a raise from your boss or earn high marks at school? What do you usually do during these moments? Praising God makes every circumstance of our lives complete, essential, and eminently worthwhile.

         

But, we cannot embark on the true joy and benefits of praising God unless we have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. As children of God, He dwells in our bodies through the Holy Spirit. This means that wherever we go, God is to be praised. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states that “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

         

Praise to God is what we offer in acknowledgment of God’s excellent being. You might think that praise is the same as saying “thank you,” but there is a difference. Thanksgiving describes our attitude toward what God has done, while praise is offered for who God is. Psalm 18:3 says “I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise…”
         

Praising God is not a suggestion for a better life. Born Again, believers – Sons and Daughters of the Most High – Heirs to the Kingdom and Eternal Life, are commanded to praise God! Isaiah 43:21 explains that praise is one reason we were created, “This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise.” Hebrews 13:15 confirms this: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name.”

         

We can give glory and praise to our God with the use of our physical bodies, with our hearts and minds, and with our deeds. There are many ways to praise God! Praise can be expressed in song, in verse, or in prayer and it is to be done continuously! Psalm 34:1 instructs, “I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” Psalm 71:6 says, “From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.” No matter how you praise and worship God, it should result in an awe of God’s power, love, and grace for all of us!

         

Praising God should an integral part of your daily life? Praise to God is expressed outwardly through our everyday actions, as well as inwardly in our thoughts. Praise is an act of Christian worship.
         

“Where do I begin?” you may ask. “How do I start praising God?” If praising God is new to you, try praising God for who He is to you, personally. Proclaim that God’s goodness is without measure; it is abundant and overflowing! Here are some ways to get started:

• Praise God for His holiness, mercy, and justice (2 Chronicles 20:21, Psalm 99:3-4).
• Praise God for His grace (Ephesians 1:6).
• Praise Him for His goodness (Psalm 135:3).
• Praise God for His kindness (Psalm 117).
• Praise God for His salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9)

         

Praise to God can be offered anywhere any time! In time, it will become as normal as taking a breath. Sometimes we praise God inwardly as in Psalm 9:2, “I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” Other times we have opportunity to give glory and praise to our God publicly. Psalm 22:22 says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you.” Search out opportunities to bring praise to God!

The Bible also records:

• All nature praises God (Psalm 148:7-10).
• The sun, moon, and stars praise Him (Psalm 19:1 and 148:3).
• The angels praise Him (Psalm 148:2).
• Even the wrath of men is used by God to praise Himself (Psalm 76:10).
• Children are to be taught to praise God (Psalm 78:4).

 

Praise To God – Do You Proclaim His Praise?
Your praise to God is evidenced through your salvation. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
         

How are you going to offer praise to God today? First though, do you truly know Him as your Lord and Savior? If not, why not begin there. Learn more about salvation. Make this your goal in life. That when others look at you, they see a reflection of God’s praise. As Psalm 113:3 declares, “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.”

 

Let us close our time together in a word of prayer.

 

Father, thank you for all the marvelous things you have done today.
Thank you for your love that you have revealed to us,
And for the love that we share together as your body.
We pray for all the words that you have sown into our hearts this day.
Watch over them, protect them.
May they take root and produce wonderful things,
Things of beauty and great blessings to many.
And as we leave this place now, thank you that you walk with us.
May we be alert to your promptings
And live in your endless love.
For yours is the kingdom, the power and glory
In this age and forevermore.

Amen.