Make a Joyful Noise
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 03/24/2018
Foundation Scriptures:
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zechariah 9:9 KJV
And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. 29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. 31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. 33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him. 35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. 37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Luke 19:28-40 KJV
1. Religion Quenches Joy and Praise.
a. Through the centuries, historical religion has done its best to put a muzzle on the Church.
b. The signs outside say: Silence. Church.
c. John Calvin – spiritual leader of Geneva – tried to control people’s outward behavior.
d. He banned music, musical instruments, and all forms of entertainment.
e. He banned gambling, drinking, dancing, and immodest dress.
f. But he also banned all outward displays of joy.
g. No bright clothing was allowed.
h. One man was fined for smiling during his child’s baptism.
2. Don’t Let a Stone Do Your Job.
a. Jesus declared that if the people didn’t praise Him, the stones would immediately cry out.
b. Matthew 21:1-9 KJV – “And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.”
c. Matthew 21:10-11 AMPC – “And when He entered Jerusalem, all the city became agitated and [trembling with excitement] said, Who is This? 11 And the crowds replied, This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.”
d. Who are we talking about?
e. We know Who He is.
f. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords!
3. Creation Praises Him.
a. Psalm 69:34 KJV – “Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein.”
b. Psalm 148:1-5 KJV – “Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. 4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.”
4. Make a Joyful Noise with Voices and Instruments.
a. Psalm 33:1-3 KJV – “Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. 2 Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. 3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.”
b. Psalm 95:1-2 KJV – “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”
c. Psalm 98:4 KJV – “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.”
d. Psalm 150:1-6 KJV – “Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”
e. It is time to praise Him with a joyful noise!