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Sunday Worship 23 August 2020 : “Bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD”

Text: Psalm 134, 135
23 August 2020

MORNING WORSHIP 23 August 2020
Texts: Psalm 134, 135
Title: “Bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD”

INTRODUCTION

1. The Practice of Blessing the LORD

a) Personal
i) Recall
ii) Reflection
iii) Response
b) Extended
i) Through pondering on who God is
ii) Through contemplating on what God has done
iii) Through meditating on what God continues to do

2. The next Level

a) A Call to encourage more people to practise blessing the LORD
b) This is a good “next level”
c) There is always “a next level”

A CALL TO BLESS THE LORD
Psalm 134

1. Extended to “servants of the LORD” Psalm 134:1

a) A general term
i) A common term
ii) A frequently used phrase in the Scriptures
b) A meaningful term
i) Meaning is found in time and experience
ii) Meaning is added as maturity grows
c) It is a moving, personal reference
i) Those who have answered God’s call and are fulfilling their Vocation
ii) Those who may not have a vocation but are serving faithfully

2. Contextual reference

a) To the priests and Levites
b) They were to bless the LORD (1 Chronicles 15-16)
c) Their ministry to praise God was to be throughout the day
d) Even in the night they are to serve faithfully (Psalm 134:1)
e) The lifting of the hands (Psalm 134:2)
i) Praise
ii) Prayer
iii) Petition (Supplication)
iv) Intercession

AN EXTENSION OF THE CALL TO BLESS GOD
Psalm 135

1. Relationship established between Psalm 134 and Psalm 135

a) The phrase, “Servants of the LORD”
i) “All you servants of the LORD” Psalm 134:1
ii) “O you servants of the LORD” Psalm 135:1
b) The phrase, “In the house of the LORD”
i) “You who stand in the house of the LORD ” Psalm 134:2
ii) “You who stand in the house of the LORD” Psalm 135:2

2. Appropriate Expressions to bless the LORD

a) To offer Praise
b) The word “praise” is used repeatedly (Psalm 135:1-3)

REASONS TO GIVE PRAISE TO THE LORD

1. For the LORD is good (Psalm 135:3a)

a) Knowledge is obtained
b) Experience in life
c) Insight into the Lord’s hand of involvement in our life

2. For it is pleasant (Psalm 135:3b)

a) Personal experience
b) Personal appreciation
c) Personal delight felt

3. God’s choice

a) God had chosen Jacob for Himself (Psalm 135:4a)
i) Historical
ii) Experiential
b) Israel is God’s special treasure (Psalm 135:4b)
i) Declared
ii) Demonstrated
c) Reasons:
i) Illustrates God’s mercy
ii) Demonstration of God’s power
iii) A glimpse of God’s profundity

4. For the LORD is great (Psalms 135:5a)

a) Great power
b) Great mercy
c) Great grace
d) Great wisdom

GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO BLESS THE LORD
Extended to:

1. The house of Israel (Psalm 135:19a)

a) All who make up Israel
b) Every tribe
c) Every individual

2. The house of Aaron (Psalm 135:19b)

a) The priests
b) A special group of servants

3. The house of Levi (Psalm 135:20a)

a) A humble group
b) They were assistants to the priests

4. All who fear the LORD (Psalm 135:20b)

a) All who know the LORD
b) All who love Him
c) All who practise the fear of God
i) As an expression of deep faith
ii) It is seen in the practical details of life
iii) It is diligently practised
iv) It illustrates a strong and healthy relationship with God