Our name | Mission | Vision | Leaders Ministries | Schedule | Directions | Contact Home   Gateway Church gathers for worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Location: 6425 Jefferson Rd. (Hwy. 129) in Athens, Georgia. For directions, click here. Ministry of the Word: Recent sermons Our quarterly e-magazine Gateway Today For the Gateway family Pastor Jerry's Weekly E-Mail A GATEWAY SERMON SUMMARY AUDIO The power of praise Jerry Varnado, pastor Gateway Church, Athens GA June 22, 2003 Main Scripture text: Ephesians 1:1-14. In this text, Paul asserts that the Church exists to bring praise to God's glory. Indeed, everything God has done in Jesus Christ is for that purpose. The Bible contains more than 350 references to the praising God, 150 in the Book of Psalms alone. Revelation 4 and 5 give us a picture of heaven where the entire heavenly host Is preoccupied with praising God. 1 Peter 2:9 tell us that praise isn't just something we do, it is at the root of who we are as the people of God. There is ample reason to praise God for what He has done for us. But just as importantly we praise Him for who He is. He is the sovereign, omnipotent Creator of the whole universe, including us. His character is impeccable, His love unchangeable, His will undefeatable, His power unimaginable, His grace and mercy extends to all He has made. If our praise is rooted in who God is, difficult circumstances will not deter our praise. The purpose of praise is not to stroke God's ego. Praise is for our benefit, not His. It produces (or generates) power. Psalm 22:3 says that the LORD "inhabits" praise. There is something about true praise that causes a manifestation of the presence of God. Praise helps us overcome demonic opposition, because when demons when they encounter the presence of God, they leave! Praise also increases our faith. When facing a problem, we often focus on the problem instead of Jesus. True praise dispels self-pity, defensiveness, hostility, anger and other things that might hinder our praying and our faith. Perpetual, purposeful, aggressive praise produces triumphant, expectant faith. That faith forms the basis for successful prayer. When we learn to truly praise God in all circumstances, we will see an enormous release of God's love and power through the church to touch the world around us in the name of Christ. That is what God desires. it is the power of praise that enables us to live to the praise of His glory. Supporting texts: Revelation 4-5 | 1 Peter 2:9 | 2 Chronicles 20:20-26 | Psalm 22:3 | James 4:3 | Mark 11:24 A mp3 audio file of this sermon is here. (Download to a PC by right clicking on the link and choosing "Save Target As." Mac users: click, hold, and choose "Download Link to Disk." Depending on your connection speed, the file may take several minutes to download.) An audio tape of this sermon is available free of charge (U.S. requests only). Request a tape by calling or writing the Gateway Church office. Please specify tape number 030622a: The Power of Praise. © 2003 Gerald R. Varnado To the Gateway Church home page How to contact us