Title: Praise
Contents Praise like this (Rev 14:1-5)
The greatest characteristic of Christianity is praise. If you look at the bulletin, you can see its weight, and if you listen to the praises of the church and the members, you can guess the spiritual level of the church. Today's text records a part of John's vision on the island of Patmos. One day John and the Lamb heard the majestic great chorus of the 144,000 heavenly choir from Mount Zion. Heaven's Choir Who were they? What praise did you sing? This teaches us what kind of praise we should sing on this earth today.
Who are the choirs of heaven? (1) They had the name of the Lamb and its father written on their foreheads (verse 1), and they were redeemed from the earth (verse 3). You cannot praise anything other than the 144,000 who have been redeemed. The reason why my heart is warmed, comforted, and strengthened when I sing a hymn is the proof that I have been saved. (2) They were those who kept the fidelity of their faith (verse 4). How much persecution was there for the early church members? They kept the fidelity of their faith until the end (1 Corinthians 6:15) (3) They were the ones who followed Jesus wherever the Lamb led him. (Verse 4) To follow the Lamb means to go the way of the cross. (Matthew 16) :24) (4) There was no lie in their mouth and they were blameless (verse 5). We are all sinners. How to be blameless? We must be renewed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
How did the saints in heaven sang praises? (verse 2) (1) It was like the sound of many waters. All saved saints should sing praises. (2) It was like a loud thunder (thunder). When you praise God, you should praise it out loud. (3) It was like those who played the harp playing the harp. It should be praised with a beautiful and artistic sound, and by mobilizing an instrument. We pray that we will become members of the heavenly choir who praise like this.
What hymns did Paul and Silas sing in prison? It must have been a hymn and a prayer to live according to the Lord's will for the glory of God, whether we live or die, rather than a cry for help. Hymns are closely related to the religious life of our members. Apart from singing, you cannot lead a fully religious life. When you sing a hymn, you will be born hard and your faith will grow. Please sing praises when things are frustrating or when you can't even pray because you are in so much pain. A hymn is "a prayer with a tune", a weapon to drive away the devil (1 Samuel 16:23), and a fragrant offering (Hebrews 13:15). For those who offer the sacrifice of praise, God will quickly answer prayer. Therefore, if you want your wishes to be fulfilled quickly, praise them diligently and earnestly. Through the prophet Isaiah, God said, “This people I have formed for myself, that they may praise me” (Isaiah 43:21). God also said that the purpose of creating us is to praise God.
What powers are revealed when we praise? Praise gives us the strength to overcome hardships. There is power in hymns and the heart rejoices. Praise removes fear and gives peace of mind. Praise heals the heart and gives peace. Praise makes you victorious in war. At the end of the impregnable Jericho Saints, “Praise the Lord. Great is God.” They shouted loudly, and they collapsed. As the choirs of heaven praised, let us praise God on this earth and let God be glorified in stereo! Together, let's make a church where Satan and the devil leave, a church where God's power is revealed, a church overflowing with true peace, and a church that worships in spirit and truth.