A Life of Praise

Why is Luke writing? Certainly it is to give an orderly account, to present facts, and to show the supernatural events that happened. This is a record of history. These events of preparation are showing that the eternal God is at work in the world. Luke presents portraits of faith and praise. He does it because he wants us to come to faith and praise like Mary, Elisabeth and Zacharias. Faith is a conviction that these things are true. His purpose in writing is so that you would believe and be saved and live a life of faith and praise. In this message, we look at lessons regarding praise. What does your life of praise look like?

1. the setting of the praise
   It is a pivotal time in history. It is a time in which God deals with individuals. He deals with them not in the temple, but in the humble place of their own dwellings.

2. the source of the praise
   Where does praise come from? It comes from outside of ourselves and it comes from inside ourselves. The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to work praise in us. You can see the Word of God governs the praise of Mary (compare Mary's praise in 46ff with Psalm 103). Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost and praise God.

3. the subject of praise
   Some things can be said about the subject of praise

• praise must be biblical
• praise must be spiritual
• spiritual praise will be biblical
• true spiritual praise is God-exalting
• mercy, faithfulness and redemption are the focus of our praise

May God so work in us faith and praise