Entering into Worship: Thanksgiving and Praise

Theme: Entering into Worship: Thanksgiving and Praise

Text: Psalm 100:4 "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."

Core Concept

Thanksgiving serves as the gateway to worship, while praise ushers worshippers into deeper communion with God. Gratitude focuses on divine actions; praise celebrates God's character.

Key Teaching Points

1. Eliminate Life's Burdens

• Daily pressures can obstruct authentic worship
• Difficulties transform into worship opportunities when addressed through prayer and thanksgiving
• Thanksgiving elevates focus above earthly troubles (Philippians 4:6-7) 2. Release Worldly Concerns
• Even neutral matters—family, business, routine tasks—distract from worship
• The ten lepers account (Luke 17) demonstrates only one recognized healing as worship-worthy 3. Reject Pride
• Self-importance blocks the worshipper's path
• Childlike humility (Matthew 21:15-17) enables genuine worship
• Humility remains non-negotiable in worship (1 Peter 5:5-6)

Summary

Life's pressures become worship opportunities; earthly concerns fade in significance; childlike humility opens the door to encountering God.