| The dictionary explains praise as | | | | Yet at the same time many even among the |
| meaning appreciation, respect, regard, | | | | leaders believed in him. But because of |
| cheer, revere, glorify and honor. The | | | | the Pharisees they would not confess |
| Vine's dictionary says that it is used | | | | their faith for fear they would be put |
| of those on account of, and by reason | | | | out of the synagogue; for they loved |
| of, whom as God's heritage, praise is to | | | | praise from men more than praise from |
| be ascribed to God, in respect of His | | | | God. |
| glory. Some people praise with hymns and | | | | Then Jesus cried out, When a man |
| songs, others by the fruit of their lips | | | | believes in me, he does not believe in |
| they confess his name. Well let's see | | | | me only, but in the one who sent me. |
| what the Bible says about praise. | | | | When he looks at me, he sees the one who |
| First look at Hosea 14:2 it says Take | | | | sent me. I have come into the world as a |
| words with you and return to the Lord; | | | | light, so that no one who believes in me |
| Say to him forgive all our sins and | | | | should stay in darkness. As for the |
| receive us graciously that we may offer | | | | person who hears my words but does not |
| the fruit of our lips. | | | | keep them, I do not judge him. For I did |
| Now look at Micah 7:18 it says Who is a | | | | not come to judge the world, but to save |
| God like you, who pardons sin and | | | | it. There is a judge for the one who |
| forgives the transgression of the | | | | rejects me and does not accept my words; |
| remnant of his inheritance? You do not | | | | that very word which I spoke will |
| stay angry forever but delight to show | | | | condemn him at the last day. For I did |
| mercy. You will again have compassion on | | | | not speak of my own accord, but the |
| us; you will tread our sin underfoot and | | | | Father who sent me commanded me what to |
| hurl all our iniquities into the depths | | | | say and how to say it. I know that his |
| of the sea. You will be true to Jacob, | | | | command leads to eternal life. So |
| and show mercy to Abraham, as you pledge | | | | whatever I say is just what the Father |
| on oath to our fathers in days long ago. | | | | has told me to say. |
| Now look at John 12:37 it says Even | | | | Look at Hebrews 13:15 it says Through |
| after Jesus had done all these | | | | Jesus, therefore, let us continually |
| miraculous signs in their presence, they | | | | offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the |
| still would not believe in him. This was | | | | fruit of lips that confess his name. And |
| to fulfill the word of Isaiah the | | | | do not forget to do good and to share |
| prophet: Lord, who has believed our | | | | with others, for with such sacrifices |
| message and to whom has the arm of the | | | | God is pleased. |
| Lord been revealed? For this reason | | | | In closing let's not be like mere men as |
| they could not believe, because, as | | | | they did, (for they loved praise from |
| Isaiah says elsewhere; He has blinded | | | | men more than praise from God). Let us |
| their eyes and deadened their hearts, so | | | | all continually offer a sacrifice of |
| they can neither see with their eyes, | | | | praise to God with the fruit of our lips |
| nor understand with their hearts, nor | | | | that confess his name. Let us praise |
| turn-and I would heal them. Isaiah said | | | | Jesus with songs hymns, may we all thank |
| this because he saw Jesus glory and | | | | him for his mercy and grace and for his |
| spoke about him. | | | | glory. |