Palm Sunday: More Than A Song

 
Introduction
Today is Palm Sunday, and thus begins “Holy Week”.  Now, I know that I have used terms like Lent, Maundy Thursday, and Holy Week this Easter season that are not traditionally used in the Baptist Church. But I believe they are significant terms and practices that point to and prepare us for the remembrance of Jesus’ death and celebration of his resurrection.
 
Palm Sunday is traditionally the day where we commemorate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as King.  This event is one of a few occurrences that is recorded in all four Gospels in the life of Jesus. While all four accounts are similar in subject there are some differences in the way the accounts are re-told.  The purpose of this account is Jesus in all four gospels is to show Jesus preparing for his royal entry and worship as king. 
 
Instead of recounting the events of this day I would like to look more closely at the worship aspect of this day.  Most of you are most-likely aware that Palm Sunday is the first time where he publicly accepts worship, and He identifies himself as the Messiah.  This account is bathed in praise and worship, so I thought it would be appropriate to spend our time together and look at and define what praise and worship looks like.
 
Praise
The word praise is derived from the Hebrew word Teh-hil-law which is from the root word haw-lal where we get the word Hallelujah.  Teh-hil-law is defined as a song or hymn of praise and adoration, thanksgiving, renown, fame, or glory.  Often when Praise is spoken in the Bible it is usually done through song but not necessarily exclusively.  Praise can also be descriptive of poetry, creativity and in gatherings of believers.
 
The Psalms are great examples of praise.  Last week we looked at two Psalms and I would encourage you to read through and meditate on them often as they are great ways to express praise to God and the words penned by the psalmists are eloquently and descriptively describe a heart that leans toward and praise God.  
 
How, Why & When
In our time together we are going to look at several scripture passages that show us specifically who we are to praise God, why we are to praise God, and when we are to praise God.  I will forewarn that this is not an exhaustive list of Psalms (that would probably take us all day), but I have chosen a few to answer the how, why, and when.

1. How
   1. Through proclamation – (Psalm 22:22) Through praise we are proclaiming the goodness, mercy, grace, justice, anger, holiness, love etc. of God.  When we sing praise, we proclaim the greatness of our God.  
   2. Through meditating on His Word – (Psalm 56:4 – 10) When we meditate on his word, we in turn praise him.  The Psalmist declares three times in these six verses “I will praise your word”.  God’s Word is beautiful and given for our benefit so we may praise our God.
   3. Through song – (Psalm 43:4, 66;2, 71:22) In these passages the psalmist declares that he will praise God in song and with an instrument. 
      Unfortunately praise music has become a divisive tool in the church. I am often astounded how Satan has used something as beautiful as music to cause the saints to turn on one another.  Often the division created in the church is based on personal preferences and style.  God nor the psalmist do not give any specifics on what styles of music should be played to bring him praise.  Personally, I don’t think God has a preference if praise is brought to His name and is genuine and honoring to him.  Praise music can be by organ (much to some dismay), guitar, or any instruments and any style of music including orchestra, rock music, blue grass, jazz, blues, etc. and yes even country western. 
      Now, most of you know that I love heavy music and I found this video online and I think it makes the point well. Click link or watch video below.  Now, don’t worry we aren’t bringing in a new praise band next week, but I did you see the diversity in age groups in the congregation?
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1. Why?  Well maybe I can’t convince you all to embrace heavy metal praise and worship, so let’s look at why we must praise God.  
   1. We are commanded to.
      1. Psalm 22:23 – Those who fear his name are commanded to praise him.
      2. Psalm 30:4 – Those who are called His saints are urged to praise Him.  The body of Christ or the Church is His saints thus we must praise him.
      3. Psalm 100:4 – Whenever we enter into the presence of God, or into his courts we are to enter with praise and thanksgiving.
   2. Because creation praises His name.
      1. Psalm 89:5 – The heaven’s (the universe/space) praise the wonders of God 
      2. Luke 19:40 - Jesus said during his triumphal entry that if the people would not praise him the rocks would cry out their praises.
      3. Rev. 5:13 – Every created thing will praise His name.
   3. It is our redemptive response to God’s grace and mercy.
      1. Psalm 33:1 – Sing praises to the Lord for it is befitting or appropriate.
      2. Praise should be our natural response to God especially when we meditate on His Word and consider His nature and glory.
2. When
   1. Continually
      1. Psalm 71:6 – From childhood to elderly age we should praise our God.  
      2. Psalm 92:1, 2 - It is good to give praise in the morning
      3. Psalm 42:8 – At nighttime God’s song is still with me.
   2. In adversity
      1. Acts 16:25 – When Paul and Philip were in prison, they sang hymns of praise.
   3. In response to God’s mighty hand at work
      1. Luke 19:37 - The people rejoiced and praised God when they saw the miracles and wonders that happened as a result of God’s hand at work.
      2. Acts 2 – When the Holy Spirit came down on the believers at Pentecost the people’s response was praise and adoration.

Worship
When most people talk about worship, they tend to link it with praise.  Worship is often referred to Praise and Worship and we are once again people think that this is the music portion of a church service.  However, there is a distinction between the words praise and worship.  They are complimentary to one another, yet they are uniquely different.
 
The Hebrew word for Worship is Shaw Kaw which means to bow down, prostrate oneself, to honor, revere as divine or Supreme Being.  The Greek word is Pros-Koo-Neh-Sis which paints a more vivid picture of worship.  It means to kiss the hand towards in token of reverence or kissing like a dog affectionately licking his master’s hand.
 
What we need to know about worship…

1. Deut 6: 13 - First things first, worship is reserved for God alone.  Fear only the Lord and worship him alone.
2. Heb. 10:22 – Let us draw near to God with sincere hearts.  Worship must be sincere and genuine God does not recognize lip service only.  Jesus spoke about this in  Matthew 12:2 when the scribes accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath.  He responds by asking why they honor God with their lips and traditions, yet their hearts are far away from God.
3. Worship does not JUST happen on Sunday in a Church building.  If the only time you spend worshiping God is Sunday morning, then I would argue that you are not experiencing all that God wants for you in your life.  I love when we all gather together Sunday mornings but please do not let this time we gather together, and my thirtyish minutes of teaching be the only time you seek to encounter God.
   John 4:23 – 24 When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman he told her that worship does not just happen in a building (or on the mountain) but one day worship will be done in spirit and truth.

In Jesus’ day the Jewish people had reduced worship to outward actions, traditions, and ceremonies. They thought that by religiously adhering to the letter of the law, and going through certain rituals, they were worshiping the Father. But this was not worship in the spirit. It was outward, not inward. Their bodies might be bowed down on the ground, but their hearts were not right before God.  Jesus informed them that now that He had come, it was possible for men to draw near to God through Him in true and sincere worship. 

1. Rom.  12:1 Worship also happens when we submit ourselves wholly to God and turn our back on the world. 
2. I Cor. 14:26 – 20 Worship should be orderly.  We have the freedom to worship God in many ways, but it should be done orderly and reverently. 

 
Application/Conclusion
What can we take with us this Palm Sunday?  As Jesus entered the city on a donkey the people shouted “Hosanna!  Hosanna is the Highest!”  They were praising Jesus and worshiping him as they threw palm branches on the ground.  They were not doing this out of vain tradition and rituals.  They were not praising and worshiping him in a building.  They didn’t decide beforehand what style or medium of worship they would use.  No!  They gathered to worship because first and foremost Jesus was the King and secondly, this was the fulfillment of prophecy.  The religious leaders tried to stop this praise fest, but Jesus told them that if the people wouldn’t praise him, the rocks would.  Palm Sunday was not just a part of the church service, but it was the culmination of what their lives were in Christ.  Here are some concluding thoughts…

1. When we do gather here on Sunday mornings may our goal be to worship God, and to praise Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.  Let us not get into petty divisive arguments about preferential ways to worship God.  Let us WORSHIP him and PRAISE Him with all we have.
2. When we depart from our Sunday meetings let this not be the end of our praise and worship.  Instead let it be the beginning.  Our Praise and worship does not stop as I say the closing benediction.  In fact, it is just beginning. 
3. Seek to live our lives daily for His glory.  May we devote our whole being to Him as we praise Him and worshiping him.  May we continue with the mindset that the lives we live before God is the essence of true praise and worship before our God.