[0:00] Well, I want to start by warning you about something. If you're ever in a situation where you have to rescue a drowning person, I want to warn you to be very careful.
[0:11] You may have been in that situation before. Maybe you'll be on the beach and you'll see someone struggling in the water and you want to go in and rescue them. But be careful in that situation because not only is a drowning person not able to think clearly, but their instinct, a person if they're drowning, their instinct in that situation will be, in fact, to push down on anyone who comes close to them, even if it's the person who's coming to rescue them.
[0:35] That is an instinct and that's sadly why drowning so often happens in groups. You know, someone's drowning, someone goes to rescue them, and they actually cause the other person to drown and someone goes to rescue them. And it's quite a tragic situation.
[0:47] You see, a person needing to be rescued will tend to do instinctively the very opposite of what they need to do to be rescued, which is namely to listen to the rescuer. To do what he says.
[0:58] That's the last thing that they actually tend to do. Well, the same is true of us and God in this life, isn't it? Instinctively, we do the very opposite of what we should be doing to find life, which is to listen to the instructions of our rescuer.
[1:16] You see, we are like that drowning person who instinctively, naturally, wants to do the very opposite of what is good for us. And we're all like that, the Bible says. And that's why you and I need God's word in the Bible more than we think.
[1:30] You see, the nature of the Bible, when we open it up, is that it tells us things that we don't naturally do. It tells us things that we really must do, but we don't instinctively do. And you must always keep that in mind whenever you read the Bible.
[1:44] And this is one of the reasons people often hesitate to read the Bible, because it always challenges us to change when we open it up. The things the Bible tells you to do, it wouldn't need to tell you to do if you did them.
[1:57] See, the very fact that instructions are in the Bible is because we don't do those things naturally. We don't do the things that are good for us. We do the things that are bad for us, ultimately, spiritually.
[2:07] And that's why we need God's word. That's why we need to be willing to be challenged and changed by it. And we need to do what it says, knowing that we don't naturally do those things.
[2:18] And this morning, as we open Psalm 150, I think anybody can figure out what it's telling us to do, if you look at it. See, it's telling us quite clearly that we need to praise God.
[2:31] Every line of the psalm begins with that instruction. You can't miss it. Praise God. Praise Him. Praise Him. Praise Him. Praise Him. And the reason that it's emphasizing this need for us to praise God is, you know why?
[2:46] The reason is it's because we don't do it naturally. We don't naturally praise God. And that's why this psalm has to emphasize over and over again, this is so important to do. It's something we don't naturally do.
[2:58] And that can be seen in often how half-hearted we sing on a Sunday morning when we get together. Why is that? Well, because it's not natural for us to praise God. It's not within our sinful nature.
[3:09] It's not something we do by nature. And yet, it's something that is so important for you and me. It's one of the aspects of a Christian life which is the least natural to do and yet one of the most important.
[3:24] And this psalm is here to teach us how to praise God, knowing that we need help. And so this psalm is here in the Bible to teach us how to praise God.
[3:35] It shows us why we should be praising God. And then it shows us where and how we should be praising God in our life. In fact, that's precisely how it's structured. If you have a look at it, it talks of praise of God in four clear categories.
[3:48] In verse 1, it tells us the where of praise. In verse 2, it tells us the why. Verse 3 to 5 tells us the how. And verse 6 tells us the who.
[3:58] And so let's look at each of those categories in turn so that we can learn how we should be praising God in our lives. So firstly, the where. Where should God be praised?
[4:12] We'll have a look at verse 1. Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty heavens. And so basically, there are only two places that God must be praised at all times.
[4:24] On earth and in heaven. Okay? The sanctuary in verse 1 was the name for the temple in Jerusalem. God's dwelling on earth. Where God's people gathered to draw near to Him and to hear His word.
[4:38] You may have known that or may not have known that. That the temple in Jerusalem was known as the sanctuary. But I wonder if you've ever considered why. I've only really considered for the first time why it was called the sanctuary.
[4:51] Why was God's temple called the sanctuary? Well, the word sanctuary, you know, it's a word used to describe a place of safety. A place of refuge, isn't it? You talk about a bird sanctuary. Because that's a place birds can go and have safety from, you know, not being eaten by predators.
[5:06] And so how is God's temple a place of safety? I wonder if you've ever considered that. Because it certainly wasn't a place of refuge for the animals that went there.
[5:17] If you were an animal going to the temple, that was bad news. Because you were probably going to die. You see, the temple was the place where animals were sacrificed.
[5:27] If you were being taken there and you were a cow or a lamb or something, there was one reason you were being taken there. And it's not a good one. You see, the temple, we sort of think of the temple in Jerusalem in these quite sanitized pictures.
[5:42] These nice white walls and floors and stuff. But the temple was actually a bloody gory mess of a scene. Because hundreds and hundreds of animals would be taken there and slaughtered. And you'd have blood squirting out and it would be horrible.
[5:54] But, so why is a place like that, full of blood, spoken of as a refuge, spoken of as a sanctuary?
[6:04] Well, it was for exactly that same reason that the animals went there to die. That it was a sanctuary for the humans who went there. Because they have sinned against God.
[6:15] And you see, it was the death of those animals that God allowed for a time to cover over the sins of those people who brought the animals. Because God has always said in His Word, right from the beginning of time, that the price of sin is death.
[6:29] Which is represented in blood. Blood must be spilt for the payment of sin. Which is something that is non-negotiable in God's view.
[6:41] Blood must be spilt for the payment of sin. But because God is merciful, He provided a way through these animal sacrifices that sin could be covered. So that people could in some way approach a holy God.
[6:53] And that's why the temple in Jerusalem was the only place on earth where people were able to find true sanctuary.
[7:03] True refuge. Because that's the only place on earth that God had arranged back then for a way for people's sins to be dealt with. Through the system of animal sacrifice. And so people could find refuge.
[7:15] But not refuge from predators or enemies. Refuge from something much, much, much worse. Refuge from the wrath of God for sin. Everybody needs to find that.
[7:26] Because everybody's naturally under that. You see, we have something that's far more dangerous than muggers or car accidents or terrorists.
[7:38] The wrath of God is far more dangerous than any of those things. And God provided this way for people to find refuge, find sanctuary from that wrath.
[7:48] And it's those people who found sanctuary whose sins had been covered who could now praise God. In fact, it's only those people, if you think about it, it's only those people who found sanctuary who can praise God.
[8:01] Which means that blood is necessary for praise. You see what I mean? The atoning of sins, the covering of sins, the sanctuary from God's wrath is absolutely necessary if anybody's going to praise Him.
[8:15] It's only people who have found sanctuary who can praise God. For people who haven't found sanctuary, God is their worst nightmare. God should be absolutely terrifying for people who are still in their sins, who haven't found forgiveness.
[8:29] Because all that God is to those people is their judge. Nothing more. Hebrews tells us, it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. We've got to believe that.
[8:41] But people don't get that today. You know, today, if you ask people their view of God, you'd get this picture of some, you know, grandfather in the sky with a big beard and maybe a knitted jersey.
[8:55] I don't know. But people have this really low view of God. But the Bible, when we open it up, reveals a very different, very scary picture of God.
[9:06] In the Bible, we see God is the mighty, holy judge of the universe whose wrath is terrifying for sinners. When God appeared to Abraham, his immediate response was to fall flat on his face on the ground.
[9:19] When Isaiah the prophet saw God, he cried out, Woe unto me, I am ruined. You see, they knew that there was no way that a sinner could approach that God and live.
[9:32] We need to get that straight in our minds as well. There's no way that a sinner can just approach a holy, perfect, majestic God. God. Unless their sins have been dealt with first.
[9:44] Unless they've found sanctuary through the shedding of blood. Well, today, we don't have the temple in Jerusalem. We don't have animals that we kill. Today, that sanctuary from the wrath of God is found in Jesus Christ.
[9:59] Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for human sins. He is the ultimate sacrifice. That all of those hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of animal sacrifices were only ever pointing towards.
[10:10] And the only reason they ever worked for the Israelites is because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which was coming later, which they were foreshadowing. And you and I can only find refuge and sanctuary in him, in Jesus Christ, whose blood was spilt for our sins to pay for them.
[10:30] You see, we don't find sanctuary in church. Often today, incorrectly, churches are called sanctuaries. See, the church is not the sanctuary. The building is not the sanctuary.
[10:41] You don't find sanctuary in religion. Sanctuary is only found when you come to Jesus and you put your trust in him. And you enter into a relationship with him. That is the only place to find safety on earth.
[10:54] I promise you. And it's when you do that. When you find safety and sanctuary in Jesus, it's then and only then that you can start to praise God.
[11:06] It's then that you can start to do the one thing that you were made to do, which is to glorify and praise and enjoy God. So do you see how sanctuary is the foundation of praise?
[11:19] That's why this psalm starts with praise God in his sanctuary. Because if you're not in his sanctuary, you can't do any of the other things. You can't praise him. You can't enjoy him for eternity.
[11:30] You can't do the thing you were made and created to do. That's where God is truly praised on earth. Not at Mecca.
[11:42] Not in Jerusalem by the Wailing Wall. Or not in any other religion. God is truly praised only amongst the people who have found sanctuary in Jesus.
[11:52] And if you have, if you have, if you're a Christian, you've found sanctuary, you've put your trust in Jesus, and your sins are covered, and you've found forgiveness in him, then not only can you now truly praise God, but you must.
[12:07] You must. Because God is to be praised in his sanctuary. And his sanctuary is in the hearts of Christians on earth. But that's not the only place we read that God must be praised.
[12:21] God is also to be praised, notice, in his mighty heavens, also in verse 1. Now, one of the amazing things about praising God on earth is that it actually, the Bible tells us, it leads to, it results in praises of God in heaven as we praise on earth.
[12:38] It has ripple effects in heaven. Ephesians tells us this. God's intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.
[12:52] You know what that means? That means that it's through the church on earth, just get this, okay? It's through the church on earth and what we're doing here that will lead to creatures in heaven praising God.
[13:05] It's almost as if they're looking down and following our lead when we gather on Sunday. Can you see that picture? The creatures, the angels in heaven are looking down to us and following our lead.
[13:20] And what are we doing? Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise creatures who flow.
[13:31] I mean, that's not much of a lead to follow, is it? We must get the big picture when we gather on Sunday, what we're doing here and the effects it's having in the heavenly realms.
[13:43] And that will completely change the way we come to church. When Jesus was talking to the woman at the well in John chapter 4, she asked him, where is the right place to praise God?
[13:56] And you know what he said? Well, I'll read it to you. This is from John chapter 4. She said, Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem. Woman, Jesus replied.
[14:09] Believe me. A time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. A time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.
[14:27] See, God is seeking particular kinds of worshippers. And if you're a Christian, if you've truly found sanctuary in Jesus Christ, when you come to worship at church, are you worshipping in spirit and truth?
[14:42] Is your worship of God genuine, real, coming from your heart? Is it the kind of worship that causes heavenly beings to look on and worship along with you? That's the kind of worshipper that God seeks.
[14:55] That's where God's to be praised. On earth and in heaven. But the next question the psalm answers is why? Because really we need motivation, don't we?
[15:07] We need to know why we come to praise God. And that's exactly what the psalm goes on to say. What should be our motivation? We see that in verse 2 and it's quite simple. Praise Him for His acts of power.
[15:20] Praise Him for His surpassing greatness. If you ever needed a reason to praise God, well here it is. It's His acts of power and His surpassing greatness.
[15:30] Now, which acts of power? Well, let's start at the beginning. Creation. That's a pretty big act of power. And you know why God created the universe?
[15:42] Created what He did? Created you? Have you ever asked that? Do you know why? Well, Romans tells us this. Since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen being understood from what has been made.
[15:57] And so, that means God made all of this. God made creation to point us to Himself. Just to show us what He's like.
[16:07] That's why God gave us this. This world. To show us Him. To show us something of what He's like. The stars are there to show us God's majesty and His eternity.
[16:19] The storms rage to show us His awesome power. You see, every bit of creation teaches us a little bit about its creator. Like any work of art, displays a bit of the heart of the artist.
[16:34] Whether it's a song or a poem or a painting, it's a way the artist expresses themselves. Well, you know, God expresses Himself in creation. That's how God expresses Himself to you and to me.
[16:48] And so, next time you are enjoying a beautiful sunset and you're just looking at the clouds and the colors. Or next time you're standing after a hike, looking down and just gazing in wonder at an epic landscape.
[17:02] Remember, that is God expressing Himself to you. And yet, I think all too often, we give praise to the creation rather than the creator who gave it to us, don't we?
[17:16] We spend time focusing on and talking about the things that God gives us to enjoy rather than the God who they're meant to point to, don't we?
[17:28] That's what our attention is on, the things, the gifts. We actually forget the giver. And we forget that the only reason He's given us everything we enjoy in life is just to point to Him. Just so that we would praise and worship and enjoy Him.
[17:41] And so, I challenge you, next time you're enjoying creation, next time you're on a walk in the forest with a friend, or whatever piece of creation you're enjoying, think about what it tells you about God.
[17:55] Let that be a way that you can focus your mind and your heart on the creator and share that with the people around you. Use creation, use the gifts God has given us around us every day, use that as a stepping stone to talking about Him, because that is praising Him.
[18:14] You don't have to sing to praise God. The word praise means to speak well of, to boast in, to glory in. Whether it's singing, or whether it's having a conversation over coffee, or whether it's as you're walking in the forest, you can praise God just by talking about Him, just giving Him a place of honor in your conversation, and in your mind, and in your heart, and in your daily life.
[18:38] Because of His works of power that we see around us. But, God did more than just create the world. That was only the beginning of His works of power. Throughout history, He's performed acts of power, both to judge sin, and to rescue people from sin, which you can read all about in the Old Testament.
[18:57] I mean, the picture behind me is just an example of one of the great acts of power, an artist's impression of, that God did, that's recorded in the Bible. And these acts of power, just like creation, were done to teach us things about God, that creation alone can't teach us.
[19:13] God's acts of power to judge, which were terrifying, and big, and incredible. I mean, He wiped out a city with flaming sulfur. He drowned the army of the most powerful superpower in the world at the time.
[19:28] God did amazing, but scary acts of judgment, and that was there. He did those, and they're recorded in our Bibles for us today, to teach us that He's a just God.
[19:41] He upholds justice. And you don't want to mess with Him. He's a God you don't want to mess with. He's a God to be feared. He's a God who hates sin and wickedness, and who deals with it decisively.
[19:54] And that's what we need to know about God. But we also read of His acts of rescue. When He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, how He rescued Lot. When He destroyed the Egyptian army, how He rescued His people miraculously through the seas.
[20:08] And you read about them over and over again. And what are His acts of rescue to teach us about? Well, they tell us that instead of just wiping out the world, which is totally His right, instead of just leaving us to suffer the consequences of our sins, He is a God who wants relationship with His people.
[20:28] And He has intervened in human history to make that possible. He didn't have to, but He did, because He loves us. And He wants relationship with us. But do you see how all of His acts of power, right from creation, throughout history, all of His acts of power actually teach us about Him?
[20:46] They're there to teach us something about Him. His acts of power, if you look at the psalm in verse 2, His acts of power show us His surpassing greatness.
[20:56] It's through His acts that we learn about who He is. And so what that means for you and I, is that if we are ever going to truly praise God, if we're going to do the thing that we were made to do, if we're going to praise God in spirit and in truth, like Jesus said, is the type of worship that God is seeking, you know what we need to do first?
[21:17] We need to open His Word. We need to read the Bible, and read about all that He's done for us. Because this psalm teaches us that that is the source, the reason that should inspire us to praise.
[21:31] We need to be reading the Word. And that's why praise and reading the Bible go together. You can't have one without the other. If you want to praise God in spirit and truth every day, you need to be reading His Word every day.
[21:46] You see, so reading the Bible is not just so that you can get a boost for the day. Reading the Bible is that you can have a reason to live that day praising God in your heart in spirit and truth. That's why we need to open the Bible and read it.
[21:58] And that's why we praise God, for His acts of power, His surpassing greatness that they point to. But then how should we praise God? Well, that's the next thing the psalm goes on to tell us.
[22:09] Have a look from verse 3 to 5. How should we praise God? Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet. Praise Him with the harp and lyre. Praise Him with the timbrel and dancing.
[22:21] Praise Him with the strings and pipe. Praise Him with the clash of cymbals. Praise Him with resounding cymbals. So basically, what this is emphasizing is that seeing God as the source of everything we own and everything we have, because He created everything, and He gave us the skills to manufacture things out of the resources that He's given us on earth, the appropriate way then to praise Him is by making use of all of those resources and skills.
[22:51] You see, skills, for example, to play music or skills to create instruments, whatever it is. If you have a skill to play music, which you may well have, or you have a skill to sing, have you ever considered that the primary reason God gave you that skill was to praise Him?
[23:08] That's the reason you have that, primarily. Have you ever considered that the reason God made music, created this thing called music, that God decided, well, let's make it so that if you put these notes together and sounds like this, you can create an amazing music that will just connect with the heart of people.
[23:31] Have you ever considered the reason God made music, the reason it exists in our world, is for His pleasure, is for Him. God made music for Him.
[23:44] And what's awesome about this psalm is that it tells us that God enjoys music. God wants us to play music. God wants us to enjoy that gift He's given us, but for His enjoyment, too.
[23:56] God wouldn't have created it otherwise. And think about that just for a second. It tells us, it reminds us that God is a person. He's a personal being. He has emotions.
[24:08] He enjoys things. And what's amazing is that we can do things that lead to God's enjoyment. How incredible is that? And so our job is to use everything that God has given us for His enjoyment.
[24:25] And not just some things. Not just part of our life. Not just Sundays. Or not just our Christian part or church or whatever. Everything that God has given us. All our resources.
[24:36] All our skills. Must be ultimately for God's pleasure. For God's enjoyment. The psalmist applies that very principle right here to music. But it applies to everything in life.
[24:47] Everything we have should be used completely for God. But in terms of music, the psalmist doesn't just say, well, you should praise God with some instruments. He lists literally an entire band.
[24:59] A wind instrument. The trumpet. Two stringed instruments. The harp and the lyre. Then a percussion instrument. The timbrel. And then, if you don't have any instruments, he says, well, then just use your body.
[25:10] Dance. Use whatever you have. Whatever gifts God's given you. Use it for God's enjoyment and His praise. But then, that's not even enough. The psalmist starts again.
[25:21] We've already got a pretty good band by that point. But then he goes on to throw in a complete new band. Another stringed instrument. Then another wind instrument. Then percussion. And then some really loud percussion.
[25:32] Clashing, resounding cymbals. I like that part. You can never complain to me now that my drums are too loud. I'll just point you to Psalm 150. Resounding cymbals. But you see, the point of all this is the principle that we are to praise God with everything we have.
[25:49] Because that's the reason God gave us everything we have. Ultimately, for His enjoyment. Of course, we enjoy it. But everything we have is not primarily for our enjoyment.
[26:00] It's for God's. And it's as we praise God and as He enjoys it that we enjoy Him more than anything He's given us. But that doesn't just apply to music. I said earlier, praise is not just about singing.
[26:14] Praise is celebrating God in any way we can. It's talking about Him. It's making Him known. And this psalm encourages us to use everything we have.
[26:25] All the gifts that He's given us to make sure that He is being praised on this earth. Because if we're not, no one else is. That is our job on earth. To praise God.
[26:37] To tell people about Him. To bring Him the glory. To use everything He's given us for His enjoyment. And another thing about the how of praise here. All these instruments being listed.
[26:50] What's really interesting is that the instruments mentioned were ones that were played at key times in Israel's history. If you look in the Old Testament. So in Exodus 15.
[27:00] After the Israelites were rescued from the pursuing Egyptian army. When God parted the waters. Just imagine. Just put yourself in that situation for a second. Okay. You've just been rescued miraculously from slavery.
[27:14] You've had the biggest army. Of the biggest super. It's like having the army of China or America chasing you. Okay. That's pretty intimidating.
[27:24] And then in one fell swoop. You're miraculously rescued. And that army is wiped out. And you get to the other end of the Red Sea. And you're amazed. How would you feel? Just think of the feeling you would have of that amazing rescue.
[27:37] How would you respond? Well how did they respond? We read in Exodus 15. Then Miriam the prophet. Aaron's sister. Took a timbrel in her hand. And all the women followed her.
[27:48] And with timbrels and dancing. And then Miriam sang to them. They just burst into song. After this dramatic rescue. The adrenaline was probably still pumping. After they saw the waters cover the Egyptian army.
[28:01] And I'm sure you would have joined in. At that moment. If you were there. You would have joined in. Just in any way you could. You would have picked up whatever instrument. And just made a joyful noise.
[28:12] For the fact that you're still alive. And you've been rescued. Even the most boring doer person. Probably would have been jumping up and down. And singing. In that situation. And then in 2 Samuel.
[28:25] When the ark. The symbol of God's presence. Finally comes to Jerusalem. After years and years. When the people know. Finally that God himself. Is dwelling with them.
[28:36] And is their God. Listen to how they respond. This is in 2 Samuel. David and all Israel. Were celebrating with all their might. Before the Lord. With castanets. And harps. And lyres.
[28:46] And timbrels. And cistrums. And cymbals. And if you were there. In that moment. You would have been doing the same. You would have joined in the party. Well let me tell you.
[28:58] If you're a Christian. You have far more to celebrate. Than even they had. Because God hasn't just rescued you. From an Egyptian army. Through Jesus. He's rescued you from death.
[29:08] And hell for eternity. God hasn't just allowed his presence. To be in the place that you live. Through his spirit. He dwells in your heart. He's closer to you. And you can experience his presence.
[29:20] Far more than any Israelite could back then. And so if they were jumping up and down. With excitement. How much more should you and I be. Today. Who have far more.
[29:31] Of God than they ever had. Because we have Jesus Christ. You see the Christian life. Is to be a life of celebration. It's to be a. Lifelong party.
[29:44] Celebrating. What God has done for us. In Jesus. So let me ask you. Do you celebrate that. In your life. Do you celebrate the gospel. Do you take time.
[29:55] To remember. All that God has done for you. His. His surpassing. Greatness. His acts of power. For you. And what that means. For you. Do you take time. Just to stop and think. And meditate on that.
[30:05] And speak to it about others. And celebrate it. And let that. Guide you in life. And let that. Flow through you. And excite you. Do you realize. What you've been rescued from.
[30:16] You know. Those. Those Israelites. Were dancing. And jumping up and down. And playing instruments. Because they saw. Or the Egyptian army. Just getting wiped out. Right in front of their eyes. They just realized. What they've been rescued from.
[30:26] We need to realize. What we've been rescued from. Hell. Judgment. The wrath of God. And when we realize. What we've been rescued from. And what we've been rescued. To.
[30:37] Eternal life. In eternal bliss. With God. Enjoying him. And praising him. Forever. Forever. If we just. Get a glimpse of that. In our lives today. We'll be filled with joy.
[30:47] And excitement. And we'll want to praise God. And it'll flow out of us. Do you celebrate. That in your life. Well if you don't. Then perhaps you don't.
[30:58] Understand the gospel. Perhaps it's not yet. Engaged your heart. Perhaps you need to talk to God. Today. You need to go home. And spend time with God. And ask him. To come to you.
[31:09] To make his presence. Known by his spirit. So that you have something. To celebrate. And maybe you haven't. Experienced that rescue. Maybe you haven't found.
[31:22] Freedom yet. From knowing that your sins. Are covered by the blood of Christ. Maybe you are still. Unsure. Of what will happen. When you stand before God. One day. Well. Then perhaps you need to talk to God.
[31:34] And confess your sins. And then read again. From the gospels. What Jesus did on the cross. To spill his blood. To pay for your sins. And put your trust in him. So that you have something.
[31:45] To celebrate. Which is the hope. The sure hope. Of eternal life. See we all have something. To celebrate. But maybe you need to do something. To get to that point.
[31:56] Whether it's just. Again. To recommit to God. And ask him. To send his Holy Spirit to you. Or whether it's to come to him. For the first time. And put your trust in Christ. Whatever you need to do.
[32:07] Do it. So that you have something. To celebrate. Well. That's how we should praise God. But finally. We look at who. Who should praise God. In verse 6.
[32:18] And really. That's obvious. Isn't it? Those who have found rescue. And know God's presence. Should be the ones praising God. But then the psalm. Actually goes on to say. No. Let everything. That has breath. Praise the Lord.
[32:31] In other words. God has made it. Possible for everyone. And he invites everyone. On earth. To come to him. And join the rest of creation. On earth and in heaven.
[32:41] To praise him. God has. Through Jesus. Made it possible for anyone. Irrespective of race. Or creed. Or culture. Or country. To come to him. And to join in this celebration.
[32:52] No one needs to be excluded. From this praise of God. Because of what Jesus did. And because that counts for everyone. Who puts their trust in him. And so this final verse.
[33:03] The way that the book of Psalms closes. The way that the psalm ends. It's an invitation. It's an invitation to everything that has breath.
[33:14] To come and join the celebration. And if you're not a Christian. This is an invitation to you. It's God's invitation to you. To join the celebration.
[33:25] By finding sanctuary in Jesus Christ. Because he wants you. God wants you to come and enjoy him. And do what you've been made to do. For the rest of eternity.
[33:35] But you'll only do that. You'll only be able to do what the psalm says at the end. If you find what the psalm says at the beginning. Which is sanctuary. You need sanctuary to praise God.
[33:47] And if you are a Christian. And if you have found sanctuary. Then your role in the psalm. Is actually the role of the psalmist himself. The writer of the psalm. In inviting other people to do that.
[33:59] Going out and telling people. All that God has done. To rescue them from sin. To bring them into a relationship with himself. So that they too. Have a reason to celebrate. Because if we know what it is.
[34:10] To truly praise God. If we feel the excitement. Of what it is to know God. The God of the universe. My creator. And if we feel the excitement. Of knowing his rescue. And all that that's done for us.
[34:21] The hope of eternal bliss with him. Then we will want to share that with others. It should bubble out of us. And that. At the end of this book of psalms. This book that.
[34:32] That covers all the ups and downs of life. All the troubles that we face. Right at the end. It tells us what true praise is about. It's being so excited by God.
[34:44] And what he's done in Jesus. That no matter what circumstance in life. You find yourself. You can still praise him. And you'll want to share him. And all that he's done with everyone on this planet.
[34:55] You see. That's how this book of psalms ends. It ends by saying. You've been through all this. You've been through life. And it's tough. I know. And it's. It's full of troubles. I know. But you know what.
[35:06] You can still praise God. Even in all of that. Because. Of the sanctuary. That he's given you. And the hope of eternal life. That you have. Through Jesus. Well let's pray.
[35:19] Heavenly Father. We thank you. For this great. Psalm. At the end of the book of psalms. We thank you. That. You have given us. Sanctuary. And it's through that sanctuary.
[35:30] That we have. In Jesus Christ. That protection. That safety. From. The consequence of our sin. That we can now come to praise you. That we can do what you've made us to do.
[35:41] Lord. We pray this morning. That as we go out of here. We will have hearts. Filled. With. Praise. Of you. That we will want to celebrate you. And that we will. With everything we have.
[35:53] Lord. We pray that you would help us. To use opportunities. To talk about you. And to give you the glory. You deserve. And we pray that. When we come together. When we sing songs. We will. We will.
[36:04] Praise you in spirit. And in truth. And so we do pray. That you would fill us now. With your spirit. In Jesus name. Amen. Amen.
[36:19] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
[36:29] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
[36:44] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.