206 Sermon Illustrations on Praise

I was in New York the other day and rode with a friend in a taxi. When we got out, my friend said to the driver, “Thank you for the ride. You did a superb job of driving.”

The taxi driver was stunned for a second. Then he said, “Are you a wise guy or something?”

“No, my dear man, and I’m not putting you on. I admire the way you keep cool in heavy traffic.”

“Yeah,” the driver said and drove off.

“What was that all about?” I asked.

I am trying to bring love back to New York,” he said. “I believe it’s the only thing that can save the city.”

“How can one man save New York?”

“It’s not one man. I believe I have made that taxi driver’s day. Suppose he has 20 fares. He’s going to be nice to those 20 fares because someone was nice to him. Those fares in turn will be kinder to their employees or shopkeepers or waiters or even their own families. Eventually the goodwill could spread to at least 1,000 people. Now that isn’t bad, is it?”

“But you’re depending on that taxi driver to pass your goodwill to others.”

“I’m not depending on it,” my friend said. “I’m aware that the system isn’t foolproof so I might deal with ten different people today. If out of ten I can make three happy, then eventually I can indirectly influence the attitudes of 3,000 more.”

“It sounds good on paper,” I admitted, “but I’m not sure it works in practice.”

“Nothing is lost if it doesn’t. It didn’t take any of my time to tell that man he was doing a good job. He neither received a larger tip nor a smaller tip. If it fell on deaf ears, so what? Tomorrow there will be another taxi driver I can try to make happy.”

“You’re some kind of a nut,” I said.

“That shows how cynical you have become. I have made a study of this. The thing that seems to be lacking, besides money of course, for our postal employees, is that no one tells people who work for the post office what a good job they’re doing.”

“But they’re not doing a good job.”

“They’re not doing a good job because they feel no one cares if they do or not. Why shouldn’t someone say a kind word to them?”

We were walking past a structure in the process of being built and passed five workmen eating their lunch. My friend stopped. “That’s a magnificent job you men have done. It must be difficult and dangerous work.”

The workmen eyed my friend suspiciously.

“When will it be finished?”

“June,” a man grunted.

“Ah. That really is impressive. You must all be very proud.”

We walked away. I said to him, “I haven’t seen anyone like you since The Man From LaMancha.”

“When those men digest my words, they will feel better for it. Somehow the city will benefit from their happiness.”

“But you can’t do this all alone!” I protested. “You’re just one man.”

“The most important thing is not to get discouraged. Making people in the city become kind again is not an easy job, but if I can enlist other people in my campaign...”

“You just winked at a very plain-looking woman,” I said.

“Yes, I know,” he replied. “And if she’s a schoolteacher, her class will be in for a fantastic day.”

________

Art Buchwald

from Chicken Soup for the Soul

Copyright 1993 by Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen

Baby boomers have long taken the rap for being the most selfish generation of Americans ever, but we finally have some competition.

Our children and grandchildren are coming up fast in our rearview mirrors, and they’re about to leave us in their dust when it comes to narcissism and self-absorption.

I’m not just talking about the little thugs and thugettes who run amok in stores and restaurants while their clueless parents ignore them. I’m talking about at least some of the intelligent, ambitious young adults graduating this spring from American colleges and universities. Too many celebrity commencement speakers are telling them what they’ve heard for years from parents and others:

“You are special. The world revolves around you. The future belongs to you.”

In other words, they’re being sold a bill of goods by their indulgent boomer elders, who should know better by now. The world doesn’t revolve around 20-somethings any more than the sun revolves around the earth. Why are we telling them so? It shortchanges them and cripples the mission of the church, which needs a new generation of selfless servants –- not a new cult of self-worship.

Don’t get me wrong. I know many young adults who are living out a passionate desire to serve God. Some of them are making history right now on some of the toughest mission fields in the world. But they’re swimming against the tide of our times, not flowing with it.

Before you dismiss me as a grumpy boomer, read on.

Recent studies on parenting and child development by Christian researcher George Barna find that the typical worldview of Americans in their early 20s “promotes self-centeredness, the right to happiness and fulfillment, the importance of personal expression in all forms (and) the necessity of tolerating aberrant or immoral points of view; allows for disrespect of other people and use of profanity; and advances forms of generic spirituality that dismiss the validity of the Judeo-Christian faith. Largely propelled by postmodern thought, [this] worldview ... does not facilitate respect for life, acceptance of the rule of law or the necessity of hard work, personal sacrifice, paying dues or contributing to the common good.”

I know, I know. Every older generation complains about the behavior of “kids these days.” But the sense of entitlement on display among many young Americans today actually reflects years of conscious indoctrination by parents, teachers and coaches. These authority figures see their main mission not as educating and developing character in the young but as building “self-esteem,” according to Jeffrey Zaslow of The Wall Street Journal.

“Now, as this greatest generation grows up, the culture of praise is reaching deeply into the adult world,” Zaslow writes. “Bosses, professors and mates are feeling the need to lavish praise on young adults, particularly 20-somethings, or else see them wither under an unfamiliar compliment deficit. Employers are dishing out kudos to workers for little more than showing up.... Certainly, there are benefits to building confidence and showing attention. But some researchers suggest that inappropriate kudos are turning too many adults into narcissistic praise-junkies.”

America’s “praise fixation,” Zaslow warns, “has economic, labor and social ramifications. Adults who were over-praised as children are apt to be narcissistic at work and in personal relationships.”

He cites a multi-university study involving more than 16,000 college students over several decades. They took a standardized “narcissistic personality inventory,” responding to such statements as “I think I am a special person.” The average college student in 2006, according to the study, was 30 percent more narcissistic than the average student in 1982.

Praise and encouragement are wonderful tools as we love our children and guide them into adulthood. Mindless adulation, however, creates as many problems as condemnation. It deceives young people into thinking any effort at all is their best effort. It prevents them from discovering their true abilities, developing their potential or forming discipline and character. It hurts their chances of building loving relationships with others.

Worst of all, it distorts their understanding of God’s world and their role in it.

American-style Christianity already over-emphasizes the personal benefits of faith and neglects its responsibilities: Jesus loves me. He saved me. He blesses me. It’s all about me. The narcissistic “culture of praise,” as Zaslow calls it, only encourages this tendency. What about loving God, serving Him, following Him –- and demonstrating such faith by loving and serving others at home and around the world?

“Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers,” a 2005 book published by Oxford University Press, explored the inner lives of more than 3,000 U.S. teens ages 13 to 17. The study found that in contrast to the rebellious boomers, today’s teens tend to believe in God, listen to their parents and willingly adopt their parents’ religious views. If parents model a shallow faith with few demands, however, their children imitate them.

Biblical faith is about a very different “culture of praise.” We praise and serve a God who lavishes unconditional love and undeserved grace upon us.

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[Original illustration at this number was a duplicate of HolwickID #33177]

Learn to express the pure joy of knowing God [full article at #21847]

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Praising God blesses us by focusing our eyes on His greatness. It transforms our perspective on life's difficulties. Ps 66:2-3

Praise is a powerful weapon to break down walls, open doors, and win battles as we fight to extend God's kingdom.

REASONS FOR PRAISE

God is worthy of praise, Isa 51:13, 1 Chron 29:11, Ps 148:3,

Luke 19:40

Praise deepens intimacy with God. Ps 22:3, 2 Chron 5:13-14,

1 Cor 3:16

Praising God blesses us. Deut 30:16, Ps 63:2-5

Praise is a weapon in spiritual warfare. 2 Chron 20:6,12,21-22,

Acts 16:25-33

PRAISE AND DISAPPOINTMENT. Hab 3:17-18, Ps 42:11, 2 Sam 12:20, Job 1:21

Ways to Practice Praise Ps 119:164

Sing. Ps 147:1, Ps 149:1

Meditate.

Use your body. Ps 150:4, Ps 33:1

Praise with others.

Created for Worship. Eph 1:12, Ps 34:1

Our friend just got two beautiful new horses. The mother is half Morgan, the filly is mostly a Morgan horse - one of our favorites. The filly has a silky brown coat that is so smooth to touch and she's got this white blaze on her face that makes her look pretty striking. Of course, she's still a baby. She's still getting around on a foal's spindly legs. And it's interesting to watch the interaction between mother horse and baby horse. There are times when the mother nuzzles her filly lovingly and protectively. But there are also times when she nips her baby, usually when her little girl is doing something mom considers out of line or dangerous - like when she starts mixing with a strange horse that the mother isn't sure of.

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Nuzzles And Nips."

Apparently, little horses need both - nuzzles and nips. So do little people. And sadly, too many parents are giving a lot of one to their child and not much of the other. Some give the nuzzles, but not the nips. Some are giving a lot of nips, but not many nuzzles. Even horses know that young ones need both.

God shows the link between loving a child and disciplining a child in our word for today from the Word of God in Proverbs 3:11 and 12. He says, "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in." So, if you love your child, you'll care about how far they get. Proverbs 13:24 makes clear that "he who loves his son is careful to discipline him."

Now discipline isn't you dumping your anger on your child - that's punishment, from which they will learn little but rebellion. Discipline establishes consequences for wrong actions based on whatever consequences the child will learn the most from, and you're not going to think that through clearly when you're angry and out of control. And out of control is what so many children are today - probably because of a parent who has not laid out consistent boundaries for their child and consistent penalties for going out of bounds.

It's like sports. You can't have a game unless everyone first knows exactly where the boundaries are and what you get fouls or penalties for. And those penalties are clear before one play takes place in the game. For many children, the boundaries in their family keep moving around all the time, and they're confused about what's wrong and losing respect for authority that's all over the map. Settle in advance with your children where the boundaries are and why those boundaries are there, and what happens if you go beyond them.

A major university study a few years ago identified four kinds of parents, based on how they showed love for their children and how they controlled their children's behavior. The authoritarian parent was high in control, but low in support - lots of nips, not many nuzzles. Now, the permissive parent was low in control, but high in support - "I love you and hey, do what you please." The neglectful parent was low in both control and support. And then there was the authoritative parent, who was high in control and high in support. That would actually be a Biblical parent.

The researchers found that the parent most likely to raise a rebel against all authority was the authoritarian parent - the one who was very controlling but didn't show much love or encouragement. And the parent who produced a child who was most likely to respect authority and follow their parent's faith was the one who blends often-expressed love and affirmation with fair and consistent discipline.

Or, in simple horse sense, your child needs to be able to count on two things - lots of loving nuzzles - and the loving nip of correction when they're headed in a direction that will hurt them.

________________

Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. "Practical Answers to Real Life Issues"

[Original illustration at this number was a duplicate of HolwickID #16368]

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Many parents reserve their highest praise for their children's intellectual and athletic accomplishments. Thus, for example, they compliment the child most effusively when he achieves intellectual distinction ("I'm particularly proud of how smart you are") and, when speaking to others, it is this aspect of their child that they praise ("Scott's so intelligent; it's just amazing").

What sort of self-image does a child develop who is not intellectually or athletically gifted, whose parents cannot go around bragging, "Scott's so intelligent; it's just amazing"? Furthermore, is it healthy for children who are very smart or athletic to come to believe that these talents and abilities are truly what's most important about them?

Hence, a simple suggestion, one that has the capacity to make both your children and the world happier and kinder: Reserve your highest praise to your children for when they perform kind deeds. That way, they will learn to identify having high self-regard with being a good person. Children who grow up associating being praised and loved with the performance of ethical acts are apt to like themselves most when they're doing good. Think about that for a moment -- a generation of people who most like themselves when they're doing good. What a world they would create!

Do you have a hard time just praising God? Is “praise” the worst part of your prayer life? If so Bob Hostetler has a great “prayer tool” for you to use. Use the attributes of God to help you in your praise praying. I will also be sending a post on prayer praising using all of the names of God. There will be a little overlap, but not too much. God bless. Mike

Creating A Vocabulary Of Praise by Bob Hostetler

I’m not often at a loss for words. My wife says that when we first began dating, the words I used to describe her considerable charms were partly responsible for her budding love for me. Later, as a pastor and preacher, I seldom struggled to find something to say, either in or out of the pulpit. And, of course, as a writer, my longtime friendship with words has stood me in good stead (after all, writers are often paid by the word!).

I’ve always been able to hold up my end of a conversation without difficulty. Except, that is, when it came to prayer, and particularly when I tried to express my praise to God. Attempting to begin and end my prayer times with praise and adoration, I often found myself flat-out speech class I wanted to praise God with all that was within me, but I couldn’t think of one sensible thing to say.

I recently read a book called Invading the Privacy of God by Cecil “Cec” Murphey. The book describes how Cec’s prayer life was revolutionized when he settled on the practice of praying God’s attributes as praise. I began imitating that practice in my own times of praise, and over the course of a few months, I developed a “program of praise” that has proven wonderfully helpful. It has opened a door for me, and my praises to God now flow freely from my heart and lips during prayer. I focus on one attribute of my awesome God and Father each day, using the Scripture - based sentences as “praise starters.” At the end of each month, I start the list over, combining traits when the month is shorter than 31 days.

1. God the Creator. “Creator God, I praise You because ‘you made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you’” (Neh. 9:6).

2. The Only God. “God, I praise You because You are ‘the LORD, and there is no other; apart from [You] there is no God”‘ (Is. 45:5).

3. The Almighty God. “‘0 LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, 0 LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you’” (Ps. 89:8).

4. The Everlasting Father, the Ancient of Days. “I praise You, Lord, as the ‘Ancient of Days’ (Dan. 7:9), the ‘Everlasting Father’ (Is. 9:6), who lives forever and ever.”

5. A Loving God. “I praise You because You are a loving God, whose very nature is love” (I Jn. 4:16).

6. A God of Justice. “Lord, I praise You and magnify You, who is ‘just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus’” (Ro. 3:26).

7. A Faithful God. “Heavenly Father, I give You my praise and adoration, because You are a ‘faithful God, : keeping (Your] covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love [You] and keep [Your] commands’” (Dt. 7:9).

8. A Merciful God. ‘“You are a gracious and merciful God’ (Neh. 9:31), and I praise You for Your great mercy.”

9. God, My Refuge, My Fortress. “I praise You, Lord, for You are ‘my mighty rock, my refuge”‘ (Ps. 62:7).

10. A Patient, Persevering God. “Father, I praise You because You are ‘patient with [Your children], not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance’ (2 Pet. 3:9). Thank You for Your patience with me.”

11. Eternal, Saving God. “I give praise to You, Father, ‘the only God our Savior.’ To You ‘be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord. before all ages, now and forevermore’” (Jude 25).

12. The Holy One. “Holy, holy, holy [are You] Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” (Rev. 4:8).

13. A Personal God. “I praise You, God, because You are a personal God, who gives me the honor of knowing You personally, even inviting me to feast at Your kingdom’s table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Mt. 8:11).

14. A Giving God. “All praise and honor be Yours, 0 God, because You are a generous God, who did not even stop short of giving Your own Son” (Jn. 3:16).

15. A Provider God. “I praise You today, Lord, as my Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord Will Provide), who makes all grace abound in me and generously provides all I need” (2 Cor. 9:8).

16. God, My Shepherd. “I bless Your name and praise You as my Jehovah-Rohi (The Lord My Shepherd), who will shepherd me and guide me in the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake” (Ps. 23:1-3).

17. God, My Victory. “Praise to You, my God, because You are my Jehovah-Nissi (The Lord My Banner), God, my victory, ‘who always leads [me] in triumphal procession in Christ”‘ (2 Cor. 2:14).

18. God, My Peace. “I praise You with all my heart, Lord, because You are my Jehovah-Shalom (The Lord Our Peace), ‘the God of peace [who] will soon crush Satan under [my] feet”‘ (Ro. 16:20).

19. The God Who Heals. “Father, I praise You because You are the Lord I who heals me” (Ex. 15:26).

20. The God of All Comfort. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3).

21. The God of Miracles. “Lord, I praise You because ‘you are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples’” (Ps. 77:14).

22. A Forgiving God. “I want to bless You with praise, Father, because ‘you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love’” (Neh. 9:17).

23. The Burden Bearer. “Praise be to the Lord, to God [my] Savior, who daily bears [my] burdens” (Ps. 68:19).

24. A Faithful God. “I praise You because ‘your love, 0 LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies’ (Ps. 36:5), and ‘great is your faithfulness’” (Lam. 3:23).

25. King of Kings and Lord of Lords. “All honor and praise be to You, my God, ‘the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light”‘ (I Tim. 6:15).

26. God the Liberator. “I will praise You because ‘you are my help and my deliverer; 0 LORD”‘ (Ps. 70:5).

27. The Lifter of My Head. “Father God, I praise You because ‘you are a shield around me, 0 LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head’ when I am weary or despised” (Ps. 3:3).

28. God of Light. “I praise You, Lord, because You are ‘my light and my salvation’ (Ps. 27:1), and because You know ‘what lies in darkness, and light dwells with [You]”‘ (Dan. 2:22).

29. God of Joy. “I give You praise, 0 Lord, because ‘you have granted [me] eternal blessings and made [me] glad with the joy of your presence’” (Ps. 21:6).

30. The God Who Answers Prayer. “I praise and honor You, Father, because You are a God who loves to answer prayer and who begins to answer even before I pray” (Is. 65:24).

31. The God of All the Earth. “I praise and adore You, Lord, as ‘the Holy One of Israel ... [my] Redeemer ... the God of all the earth”‘ (Is. 54:5).

Following this “praise program” has energized my praise life, helping me to worship and adore God more plentifully and purposefully in prayer. It has also enlarged my vision and awareness of the praiseworthy God I love and serve and, I believe,increased the evidence of His godly character in my life. I pray that it may do the same for you.

MY NEVER AGAIN LIST

First: Never again will I confess "I can't", for "I can do all things through Christ which Strengtheneth (energizes) me." \reference{Phil. 4:13}{Philippians 4:13}

Second: Never again will I confess lack, for "My God shall supply all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." \reference{Phil. 4:19}{Philippians 4:19}

Third: Never again will I confess fear, for "God hath not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." II Tim. 1:7

Fourth: Never again will I confess doubt and lack of faith, for "God hath given to every man the measure of faith." \reference{Rom. 12:3}{Romans 12:3}

Fifth: Never again will I confess weakness, for "The Lord is the strength of my life." (\reference{Psalms 27:1}{Psalms 27:1}) and, "The people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits." \reference{Dan. 11:32}{Daniel 11:32}

Sixth: Never again will I confess supremacy of Satan over my life, for "Greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world." I \reference{John 4:4}{John 4:4}

Seventh: Never again will I confess defeat, for "God always causeth me to triumph in Christ Jesus." II Cor. 2:14 Eighth: Never again will I confess lack of wisdom, for "Christ

Jesus is made unto me wisdom from God." I Cor. 1:30 Ninth: Never again will I confess sickness, for "With His stripes I am healed" (\reference{Isa. 53:5}{Isaiah 53:5}), and, Jesus "Himself took my infirmities and bare my sickness." \reference{Matt. 8:17}{Matthew 8:17}

Tenth: Never again will I confess worries and frustrations, for I am "Casting all my cares upon Him who careth for me." I Peter 5:7

Eleventh: Never again will I confess bondage, for "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (II Cor. 3:17) My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit! I Cor. 6:19

Twelfth: Never again will I confess condemnation, for "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." \reference{Rom. 8:1}{Romans 8:1}I am in Christ; therefore, I am free from condemnation.

A little singing bird was perched on a limb of a tree. The boy had the stone

all ready to throw, but the bird began to sin. Slowly the stone was dropped,

and the bird found its way to freedom. "Why did you not stone him?" asked a

gentleman. "Couldn't was the brief answer, "cos he sung so." And so for us the

lesson is clear: Let us praise God! The enemy of our soul is read to "shoot"

his arrows of doubt or fear. But as an unknown author penned: "The trial may

be fiery, the march may seem long; let the glory in your soul sing His praise.

The devil will flee. He does not like songs of praise." Colors> Gary Bowell p. 151

A RICH NOBLEMAN once opened the theaters without charge to the people, and gave a public notice that he would handsomely reward any person who invented a new amusement for the occasion. Various public performers contended for the prize. Among them came a Buffoon well known among the populace for his jokes, and said that he had a kind of entertainment which had never been brought out on any stage before. This report being spread about made a great stir, and the theater was crowded in every part. The Buffoon appeared alone upon the platform, without any apparatus or confederates, and the very sense of expectation caused an intense silence. He suddenly bent his head towards his bosom and imitated the squeaking of a little pig so admirably with his voice that the audience declared he had a porker under his cloak, and demanded that it should be shaken out. When that was done and nothing was found, they cheered the actor, and loaded him with the loudest applause.

A Countryman in the crowd, observing all that has passed, said, “So help me, Hercules, he shall not beat me at that trick!” and at once proclaimed that he would do the same thing on the next day, though in a much more natural way. On the morrow a still larger crowd assembled in the theater, but now partiality for their favorite actor very generally prevailed, and the audience came rather to ridicule the Countryman than to see the spectacle. Both of the performers appeared on the stage. The Buffoon grunted and squeaked away first, and obtained, as on the preceding day, the applause and cheers of the spectators. Next the Countryman commenced, and pretending that he concealed a little pig beneath his clothes (which in truth he did, but not suspected by the audience) contrived to take hold of and to pull his ear causing the pig to squeak. The Crowd, however, cried out with one consent that the Buffoon had given a far more exact imitation, and clamored for the Countryman to be kicked out of the theater. On this the rustic produced the little pig from his cloak and showed by the most positive proof the greatness of their mistake. “Look here,” he said, “this shows what sort of judges you are.”

Sometimes it is not better to win the praise of the world since their praise can be very deceiving.

I went to a George W. Bush rally last week, just a few days before the election. Tens of thousands of people gathered outside cheering, waving signs, wearing buttons. Secret Service men were everywhere talking into their ear pieces, scanning the crowd. There was an energy in the air as Bush spoke, but more than that, there was hope.

After the rally, crowds gathered waiting to get a glimpse, a hand shake, a photo of the big “W.” I was one of the groupies. I stood there for 45 minutes hoping he'd come by. Snipers stood on the roof of an adjacent building while local police patrolled the area. We waited patiently until he snuck out the back door in a black Suburban, waving through a half-open window. A dejected crowd walked away, dragging their Bush/Cheney signs.

As I stood amidst the throng of people, I realized this praise and adoration was for one man, who they hoped, possibly prayed, would be the next president of the United States. (And as I write this, we still don't know who won.) I don't know what one man can do for our country, but I know he can't save our souls.

So I was thinking, how many rallies do we hold for Jesus? Here is a God who became a man to save us from our sins. But how often do we put on a “Jesus Christ Saves” button? Do we have signs in our yard that say “Vote God, Jesus & Holy Spirit as Lord of Your Life?”

Now, I might be going off the deep end. But at Bush's rally I felt like I was a love-struck rock star fan waiting for the lead singer to give me his autograph. We give praise and adoration to singers, athletes, Hollywood stars and politicians. Where's the praise for God?

Looking through Psalms, I see how King David praised God in all circumstances, good or bad. “Praise be to the Lord” is said numerous times. He cried out to God, he thanked God, but mostly he pursued God, seeking the safe haven of his loving arms. David experienced daily the power, love and grace of our Savior. And God wants us to follow that same path of praise into his warm embrace.

Sure I was bummed I didn't get to shake Bush's hand, but it's not the end of the world. Thankfully, my salvation doesn't hinge on anybody's ability to run the country.

It's fun to have heroes, but they're just people, just like the rest of us. Our best praise should be reserved for the only God who cared enough to save us.

____________

Copyright © 2000 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.

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Version in sermon:

From a Campus Life magazine article by “Autumn”:

She went to a George W. Bush rally just a few days before the end of the 2000 election. Tens of thousands of people gathered outside cheering, waving signs, wearing buttons. Secret Service men were everywhere talking into their earpieces, scanning the crowd. There was an energy in the air as Bush spoke.

After the rally, crowds gathered waiting to get a glimpse, a handshake, a photo of the big “W.” Autumn was one of the groupies. She stood there for 45 minutes hoping he'd come by. They waited patiently until he sneaked out the back door in a black Suburban, waving through a half-open window. A dejected crowd walked away, dragging their Bush/Cheney signs.

As Autumn stood amidst the throng of people, she realized this praise and adoration was for one man, who they hoped, possibly prayed, would be the next president of the United States. She didn't know what one man can do for our country, but Autumn knew he couldn't save their souls.

So she began thinking, how many rallies do we hold for Jesus? Here is a God who became a man to save us from our sins. But how often do we put on a “Jesus Christ Saves” button? Do we have signs in our yard that say “Vote God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit as Lord of Your Life”? We give praise and adoration to singers, athletes, Hollywood stars and politicians. Where's the praise for God?

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[Original illustration at this number was a duplicate of HolwickID #13476]

Leadership: Five Steps to Productive Delegating by Sheila Murray Bethel

As a leader, you just can't do it all. To be really effective, be willing and able to delegate the projects and details that other can learn to do.

1. Clearly define the task. Describe the results, not the

process.

2. Give enough authority to accomplish the task. If you're

hesitant, assign the job in stages, then observes progress.

3. Monitor the tasks, but don't hover. Give people room to

operate and the freedom to use their skills.

4. Give feedback along the way. Ask how things are going, then

give people the chance to express themselves. When they feel

their opinions counts, it is a lot easier to make "course

adjustments."

5. Reward and recognize effort as well as results. Your slow

starters need as much or more encouragement as your high

achievers. Keep them all motivated with judicious praise.

Through skillful delegation, you expand your effectiveness and increase your support base of loyal followers.

I will bless Thee, O Lord,

I will bless Thee, O Lord;

With a heart of thanksgiving

I will bless Thee, O Lord.

With my hands lifted up

And my mouth filled with praise;

With a heart of thanksgiving

I will bless Thee, O Lord.

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1. To God be the glory — great things He hath done,

So loved He the world that He gave us His son,

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,

And opened the Life-gate that all may come in.

Chorus

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!

O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,

And give Him the glory — great things He hath done.

2. O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood!

To every believer the promise of God;

The vilest offender who truly believes,

That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

3. Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,

And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son,

But purer and higher and greater will be

Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

*

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus;

There's just something about that Name!

Master, Saviour, Jesus:

Like the fragrance after the rain;

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Let all Heaven and earth proclaim;

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,

But there's something about that Name!

*

1. There is a Redeemer,

Jesus, God's own Son,

Precious Lamb of God,

Messiah, Holy One.

Chorus

Thank You, O my Father,

For giving us Your Son;

And leaving Your Spirit 'til

the work on earth is done.

2. Jesus, my Redeemer,

Name above all names,

Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,

hope for sinners slain.

3. When I stand in glory,

I will see His face, and

There I'll serve my King forever,

in that holy place.

*

Great and mighty is the Lord our God,

Great and mighty is He.

Great and mighty is the Lord our God,

Great and mighty is He.

Lift up your banner,

let the anthems ring,

praises to our King:

Great and mighty is the Lord our God,

Great and mighty is He.

*

1. I bow my knees, I bow my heart,

I bow my life before Thy throne

I lift my hands, I lift my eyes,

I lift my voice to Thee in song.

Chorus

O mighty King, almighty King,

I pledge my loyalty to the highest royalty,

O mighty King, almighty King.

I surrender all of me to Thy full authority.

Almighty King.

2. I give my praise, I give my love,

I give my soul and vow to serve.

I'll take Thy Word, I'll take Thy will,

I'll take Thy Name, to all the earth.

Great is the Lord,

and greatly to be praised,

In the city of our God,

In the mountain of His Holiness.

Beautiful for situation,

The joy of the whole earth,

Is Mount Zion

on the sides of the north,

the city of the Great King;

Is Mount Zion

on the sides of the north,

the city of the Great King.

*

Lord, I lift Your Name on high,

Lord, I love to sing Your praises,

I'm so glad You're in my life,

I'm so glad You came to save us.

You came from heaven to earth

to show the way,

From the earth to the cross,

my debt to pay;

From the cross to the grave,

from the grave to the sky;

Lord, I lift Your Name on high.

*

1. Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul;

Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Chorus

O my God, I trust in Thee,

Let me not be ashamed,

let not my enemies triumph over me.

2. Yea, let none that wait on Thee be ashamed;

Yea, let none that wait on Thee be ashamed.

3. Show me Thy ways, Thy ways O Lord;

Show me Thy ways, Thy ways O Lord.

4. Remember not the sins of my youth;

Remember not the sins of my youth.

*

There is a marked difference between a ministry that is assembled and one that is birthed. The first is crafted by human genius and directed by gifted people. It is well organized, skillfully presented and portrays human excellence. It is perfect in every way with one exception; it lacks life. It is much like a musical recital directed by a mathematician. Every note is played with precise accuracy. Pitch, modulation, volume, rhythm, harmony and choreography are flawless, but it has the same inspiration of a slide-rule or an IRS tax return.

One's finest talent can become one's greatest hindrance. "If the Holy Spirit doesn't show up," said one speaker, "I can go it alone and provide a good performance!" He was suave, talented, articulate, good-looking and engendered confidence in everyone who listened to him. Sadly, his platform polish, pulpit poise and pleasing persona was just that; his "performance!" Any ministry void of the Holy Spirit's influence is cold and mechanical. It may tantalize for the moment but it leaves no lasting results.

A ministry that is birthed is conceived in quiet moments of intimacy. Then come the long months of gestation. Beginning with uneasiness and sickness, the mounting burden creates an increasing discomfort that culminates in painful labor. When the time of birth finely arrives, the results are so awe-inspiring that the trauma is quickly forgotten. There is life! It can be seen, heard and felt.

Sadly, many members of the Alien Super Force have bypassed their Divine potential by opting for human performance. This results in an Alien Super Force whose members are limited to natural ability and are therefore no different from other earthbound creatures. Without Divine influence, they have become feeble.

We must live a life that is pulsating with divine inspiration and cannot help but give expression to hope and life. Not because we are masters of speech or skilled in understanding or accomplishment, but because we are endued with Divine Power. May our self-sufficiency fade away as some morning fog and may we minister only as the Spirit gives utterance!

Quality performance can be seen in any second-rate theater. What the world is hungry to see is the power of God. God does not need performers, orators or actors. He is looking to energize common people with His Divine nature, in order that He may accomplish supernatural feats through their obedience. Steve Green, summarized this well in his song, "God, And God Alone."

"God, and God alone, Creator of all things we call our own.

From the greatest to the smallest and the Glory of them all

Is God's, and God's alone...

God, and God alone, Revealer of all things we call unknown.

And the best and worst of man, can't change the Master's plan;

It's God, and God alone!"

"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." - 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

*

1. I was made to praise You,

I was made to glorify Your name

in ev'ry circumstance,

to find a chance to thank You

I was made to love You,

I was made to worship at Your feet

and to obey You, Lord,

I was made for You.

2. I will always praise You,

I will always glorify Your name

in ev'ry circumstance,

I'll find a chance to thank You

I will always love You,

I will always worship at Your feet

and I'll obey You, Lord,

I was made for You.

*

1. Some thank the Lord for friends and home

For mercies sure and sweet:

But I would praise Him for His grace,

In prayer I would repeat:

Chorus

Thank you Lord, for saving my soul,

Thank you Lord, for making me whole,

Thank you Lord, for giving to me

Thy great salvation so rich and free.

2. Some thank Him for the flow'rs that grow,

Some for the stars that shine;

My heart is filled with joy and praise,

Because I know He's mine:

3. I trust in Him from day to day,

I prove His saving grace;

I'll sing this song of praise to Him,

Until I see His face.

I just came to praise the Lord,

I just came to praise the Lord;

I just came to praise His holy name,

I just came to praise the Lord.

I just came to thank the Lord,

I just came to thank the Lord;

I just came to praise His holy name,

I just came to thank the Lord.

I just came to love the Lord,

I just came to love the Lord;

I just came to praise His holy name,

I just came to love the Lord.

*

1. O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the works Thy hands have made,

I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed!

Chorus

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

2. When through the woods and forest glades I wander

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze,

3. And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in –

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin!

4. When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration

And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

*