Teaching Notes

Imagine this, this flower is praising God because it is being just what it was created to be.  When we do what God has created us to do, we praise him with our lives and with our lips.

Praises to God

Luke 19:39-40 (The Message)

Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, "Teacher, get your disciples under control!" But he said, "If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise."

Notes: The Pharisees wanted Jesus to stop the praise of those that were standing around. Jesus gives them a response to their request.

Question: What was Jesus' response to the Pharisees?

Answer: Jesus told the Pharisees that if the people did not praise him, that the stones would cry out.  What does that really mean?  That let's us know that God is going to receive praise, even if the elements have to do it.  The earth will cry out because of the greatness of God if his children do not. God is worthy of praise because of his greatness and for his awesomeness.  So it is important to us to praise God and his Son for the great gift of salvation we have recieved.

Prayer: Lord, help us to give you the praise that you are due.  Help us to praise you so that the earth or the elements do not have to cry out for us.