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In 1921, Andrew Carnegie had handpicked Charles Schwab to become the first president of U.S. Steel Company with a salary of a million dollars. Why did Carnegie pay him so much? Because he was a genius? No. Because he knew more about the steel business? “No” Schwab said, “many under him knew much more about steel than he did.”

 

In Dale Carnegie’s book – How to Win Friends and Influence People, he said the reason Andrew Carnegie chose Schwab was his ability to deal with people. When asked what his secret was, Schwab said, “The greatest asset I possess, and the way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement. There is nothing else that kills the ambitions of a person as criticism from superiors. I never criticize anyone. I believe in giving a person incentive to work. So, I am anxious to praise, but loath to find fault.”

 

People have discovered that praise goes a long way; if praise is important for employees, how important is praise to our relationship with God?

 

This portion of Scripture gives the beautiful account of the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem as the prophet Zechariah had prophesied many years before deliverance day for the Jews had finally arrived, (or so they thought). Their King and deliverer were riding in to take His crown and set up His kingdom. The Roman yoke would soon be broken, and God’s Kingdom would be set up on earth. Finally, they would be in charge, and excitement charged the air around them as all their dreams and aspirations began to look like they would soon come true. The Great Conqueror was in their midst, but they did not realize that His conquest had to be in the Spiritual Realm, before He could set up His earthly Kingdom one day.

 

He came riding on a lowly colt that day, but one day He will return on a white horse arrayed in power and majesty and glory, and all eyes will behold Him. He will rule with justice, truth, and righteousness. If ever there was a praise service, this was it. As the procession moved on, and the crowd grew, the disciples, inspired by an enthusiasm by the multitude, began singing loud praises to God. The whole city is moved as Jesus of Nazareth makes His soul-stirring entry through the gates.

 

We notice that the people had reason to praise. They were praising Christ because they believed He had come to free them from Roman Oppression and rule. All their burdens, shame, reproach and misery was on the shoulders of the man on the colt. We know that for anyone to really praise the Lord, there first of all must be a reason. These people really believed they had a reason to praise. Jesus was not misled or deceived by the shouts of the people. He knew they were praising Him for many different reasons, and in just a few days, many of the same ones who were crying “Hosanna” would scream in an even louder crescendo to” Crucify Him!” Hardly anyone had the right reason to praise Him. They were mainly looking at what was in it for themselves. But Christ did not stop them, and in fact, He accepted their praises as we see in vs. 40.

 

Do we today have a reason to praise God? These were praising because of their hopes of escaping the physical bondage they were in. But we have been given spiritual freedom from Satan’s oppressive rule in our minds and spirits.

 

John 8:36 says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” If anyone ever had a reason to praise God, it is the saints of today. Hebrews 13:15 says, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.” Why should we praise Him? A few reasons are:

 

1. We have been redeemed, set free, made to be joint heirs with Christ.

2. More than conquerors, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people.

3. Called out of darkness into his marvelous light.

4. justified, sanctified, filled with the Holy Spirit, and are headed to Heaven to live with Christ for eternity.

Do we have a reason to praise God?

 

May Christ ever be welcome to ride in through the gates of this house and hear the praises of His people. Sometimes, we need to recognize the blessings we do have, especially in America. "Count your blessings!" That is excellent counsel, but sometimes we must recognize them first!

 

A man who owned a small estate wished to sell it. Sending for a real estate agent, he asked him to write an advertisement describing the house and land. When the ad was ready, the agent took it to the owner and read it to him. "Read that again," said the owner. The agent read the description of the estate once more. "I don’t think I will sell after all," said the owner. "I have been looking for an estate like that all my life, and I did not know that I owned it!"

 

Count your blessings – yes but start by asking God to open your eyes to see your possessions in Christ. Begin by recognizing all that you have in Christ. That will change your entire perspective and enable you to praise God for what you have.

 

As the praises began to rise, and the noise became stronger and stronger; there was a group of nervous people who had assembled. Was it the Romans who feared this new king? Was it the demon possessed? Was it the hardened sinners? No, it was the religious Pharisees who came with the words, "Rebuke Thy Disciples."

 

As I pondered this, I wondered why they were so nervous or fearful of what was going on? Perhaps it was because they saw the Roman garrison of troops in full view poised for action against any disloyal Jews? Perhaps they were nervous of a crackdown that could come from the Romans, and they would be caught up in it? But more likely, I believe it was because they sensed their power being stripped away and given to another. No longer did they feel they would be admired by the people as God’s representatives, but now another would be.

 

The power play was on, and as far as they could see, they were coming up losers, so they wanted to squelch the praise that was going on. The religious crowd will always try to squelch the praise, because it takes power away from them, and restores it to its rightful place. When God is exalted in our churches, human kingdoms are humbled; they are revealed for what they really are.

 

So, I end by asking this question…HAVE YOU BECOME SILENT? According to Christianity Today, in an article titled “God Answers Prayer,” a story is told of an air traffic controller who was showing a man by the name of Slim Cornett around a rural airport in Mississippi. "This switch lights up the runway," the man said as he flipped it. "Then, let's say there is a plane in distress up there, I would throw this switch and turn on the search lights." And he turns on the search lights.

 

As they stood there talking about it, they heard the buzz of a plane. A small plane materialized out of the darkness and landed. Slim and his friend watched in amazement as Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham, stepped off the plane. The pilot had been flying Franklin back to school in Texas when the electrical system of the plane shut down, leaving them stranded in the Mississippi night without lights or radio or any means of guidance. Suddenly from out of nowhere, the search beams came on and guided them to the landing strip.

 

Ruth Graham told the story that earlier that evening, before Franklin left home, Billy Graham had prayed for God to protect and guide his son and the pilot. God answered. Just as surely as God was looking out for Franklin, God is looking out for you. And we can praise God! Praise God in prayer! Praise God in song! Praise God with our lives! But whatever we do, never let the rock out-praise you.

 

Until Next Week When We Meet at the P.E.W

(Pastor’s Encouragement Weekly)

 

Pastor Joel