1. Beware the Ides of March Trust the Lord of All Psalm 146

3. Psalm 146-150 A “hallel” A “hallel” Psalm 113-118; 130-136 Psalm 113-118; 130-136 Double “Hallelujah” Psalms Double “Hallelujah” Psalms Praise Jehovah or Praise “Yahweh” Praise Jehovah or Praise “Yahweh”

4. The Call to Praise All of life should be framed by praising the Lord All of life should be framed by praising the Lord He joins in with what he calls us to do He joins in with what he calls us to do “I will”—he is determined in his will to live this way “I will”—he is determined in his will to live this way

5. The Call to Praise The Lord is not simply to be part of life but the heart of life (Wiersbie) The Lord is not simply to be part of life but the heart of life (Wiersbie) Baptists often miss this call to praise Baptists often miss this call to praise – Overreaction to charismatic movement – Baptists are pragmatists to a great degree

6. The Call to Praise Jesus praised (Mt. 11:25) Jesus praised (Mt. 11:25) He called us to praise in a real sense in the Lord’s Prayer He called us to praise in a real sense in the Lord’s Prayer “Hallowed”—set apart as holy; no higher name that deserves my allegiance; great and greatly to be praised (Heb. 13:15) “Hallowed”—set apart as holy; no higher name that deserves my allegiance; great and greatly to be praised (Heb. 13:15)

7. Beware the Ides of March Frame life with praise of God and NEVER TRUST IN HUMAN BEINGS Frame life with praise of God and NEVER TRUST IN HUMAN BEINGS NOT EVEN THE MOST POWERFUL AMONG THEM NOT EVEN THE MOST POWERFUL AMONG THEM Israel looked for a king and did not put their trust in the Lord Israel looked for a king and did not put their trust in the Lord

8. Beware the Ides of March Don’t love or depend upon the things of this world Don’t love or depend upon the things of this world We will not find meaning in life in people or possessions We will not find meaning in life in people or possessions Matthew 6:19; 25-34; 1 John 2:15-17 Matthew 6:19; 25-34; 1 John 2:15-17

9. Trust the Character of God He is the God of Jacob He is the God of Jacob He was a schemer He was a schemer He made a lot of bad choices He made a lot of bad choices He got in many bad spots He got in many bad spots

10. Trust the Character of God He finally submitted to the Lord He finally submitted to the Lord God was faithful to him in a covenant relationship and turned him into a great man God was faithful to him in a covenant relationship and turned him into a great man God remains faithful forever (v.6) God remains faithful forever (v.6)

11. Trust the Character of God He made everything (v.6)—He is very powerful He made everything (v.6)—He is very powerful He helps the oppressed (v.7) He helps the oppressed (v.7) He feeds the hungry (v.7) He feeds the hungry (v.7) He frees prisoners (v.7)—Jesus came to liberate us He frees prisoners (v.7)—Jesus came to liberate us He gives sight to the blind (v.8) He gives sight to the blind (v.8)

12. Trust the Character of God He exalts the humble (v.8) He loves the righteous (v.8) He cares for the aliens (v.9)—often not cared for in the world He looks after the orphans and widows (v.9) He frustrates the way of the wicked (v.9)

13. Trust the Character of God MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS STORY