030| RAISED TO PRAISE | SUNDAY CELEBRATION SERVICE

Sermon Notes: Raised to Praise Preacher: Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Okronipa Main Text: Psalm 89:15–18 Supporting Scriptures: Psalm 34:1, Numbers 13 (Kadesh Barnea Account), 1 Samuel 17 (David & Goliath), Jeremiah 30:19, Psalm 67:5–6, Acts 16:25–26, 2 Chronicles 20:21–23, Psalm 149:5–9, Nehemiah 8:10 Core Theme: In life, your mindset and programming determine your trajectory. Believers must reject a structural identity built on complaining, murmuring, and negativity, and instead tap into the supernatural power of divine programming to become people who are intentionally "raised to praise." 1. Introduction: Identity, Persona, and Mentalities In life, individuals unconsciously adopt specific personas, identities, and mindsets that govern how they react to reality. Many of these default mentalities are completely unbiblical. Your long-term mentality is highly dependent on your internal spiritual programming. You can actively choose the kind of person you want to become by shifting what rules your mind. 2. Prophetic Case Study: Two Distant Categories of Programming Category I: Those "Raised to Complain" (The Ten Spies) The Historical Context (Kadesh Barnea): When the children of Israel reached Kadesh Barnea—the exact border of the Promised Land—Moses dispatched twelve spies to spy out the territory and bring back a structural report. The Negative Report: Ten of the spies returned with a report saturated with fear, murmuring, and defeatist descriptions. They acknowledged the fruitfulness of the land but focused entirely on the obstacles: the fortified cities and the descendants of Anak (the Anakites), who were literal physical giants. The Grasshopper Complex: The ten spies reported: "We saw ourselves as grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." Instead of focusing on God's foundational promises, they viewed reality through their physical shortcomings, short stature, and inadequate military experience. The Warning Against Structural Complaining: These ten spies represent individuals who are culturally and systematically programmed to only spot negativity, problems, errors, and disadvantages in any environment, group, or local church. Category II: Those "Raised to Praise" (Joshua and Caleb) Operating under an entirely different internal spirit, Joshua and Caleb stood before the assembly with a contradictory testimony. They witnessed the exact same giants, cities, and physical realities, yet their immediate response was praise, confidence, and radical faith. Where the ten spies perceived an un-scalable wall of destruction, those raised to praise perceived a divine opportunity to rise up, break forth, and fully conquer the territory. 3. The Structural Mechanics of a Praiser: The Pattern of David Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Praise Under Pressure: Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Okronipa emphasized that true praise must be deployed regardless of what is laid out on your physical plate or unfolding in your life. Praise is non-negotiable; it cannot be limited to good times. If you do not master this, the enemy will inevitably conquer your mind with deep depression and structural anxiety. The Rejection of the Wilderness: David was structurally rejected by his own biological family, left out of academic opportunities, and abandoned in the isolated desert to tend sheep while his brothers were groomed for leadership. Yet, instead of developing bitterness, David utilized the isolation of the desert to master the joyful sound and compose timeless Psalms. The Confrontation with Goliath (1 Samuel 17): Because David was forged in private praise, he walked onto the active war front with a completely different spiritual estimation. While King Saul and the entire trained army of Israel were physically shaking and paralyzed by the daily threats of Goliath of Gath, David saw the giant simply as an uncircumcised Philistine and a structural stepping stone to his next level of authority. 4. Scriptural Exposition: The Mystery of the Joyful Sound Psalm 89:15 "Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance." "Blessed..." In original context, this literally translates to Happy. True kingdom happiness is structurally bound to your level of praise. "Who know..." The word "know" denotes deep spiritual perception, personal familiarity, and an intimate acquaintance with the frequency of praise. There are many individuals who remain completely ignorant of the technical mechanics of praise. The Contrast with Worldly Performance: People enthusiastically celebrate, shout, jump, and take selfies when their favorite football team scores or executes a strategic win on the pitch. If believers can channel that exact raw level of energetic celebration into high praise toward the Living God, they will activate unprecedented levels of dynamic breakthroughs. 5. What is Praise? (The Greek Root) Praise is derived from the Greek word "Eulogia" or "Eulogeo", which fundamentally means to speak fine, excellent, and beautiful words. It is the deliberate act of using your vocal capacity to structure and release beautiful, uplifting declarations about the character and capability of God. The Mediums of Praise: You can legally express Eulogia through several physical and spiritual streams: dynamic singing, spoken prophetic words, high-spirited dancing, and specific, consistent thanksgiving offerings. 6. The Six Supernatural Dimensions Activated via Praise When a believer transitions into a continuous lifestyle of praise, six distinct spiritual realities are legally triggered into manifestation: I. The Weaponization of Vengeance Scriptures: Psalm 149:5–9, 2 Chronicles 20:21–23 High praise carries an intrinsic spiritual capability to execute heavy judgment and divine vengeance against the legal enemies of God's children. Praise is not a passive song; praise is active warfare. When King Jehoshaphat positioned the praisers ahead of the army, God physically ambushed and completely annihilated their adversaries. II. The Provocation of Supernatural Multiplication Scriptures: Jeremiah 30:19, Psalm 67:5–6 The Principle: Whenever the voice of thanksgiving and high celebration proceeds from a house, God responds with rapid numerical and financial multiplication. Scripturally, when you praise Him, "then shall the earth yield her increase." Jesus modeled this by offering praise over a structural deficit of five loaves and two fish, turning it into a cascading surplus. III. The Invocation of the Manifested Presence Scriptures: Acts 16:25–26, Psalm 89:15 Praise acts as a supernatural conduit that pulls down the raw, manifested presence and earthquake power of God. When Paul and Silas sang hymns inside the deepest dungeon of Philippi under maximum constraint, the localized presence of God violently shook the structural foundations of the prison and threw every door wide open. IV. The Deployment of Divine Favor and Honor Scriptures: Psalm 89:16–17, Jeremiah 30:19 Operating in praise triggers a peculiar fragrance of favor that causes your "horn" (authority and influence) to be dynamically exalted. God guarantees that those who glorify Him with praise will be heavily honored and completely removed from a low estimation or a small estate. V. The Release of Supernatural Strength and Empowerment Scriptures: Psalm 89:17, Nehemiah 8:10 God Himself becomes the literal glory of your physical and mental capacity. Murmuring and a stiff countenance cause physical illnesses, ulcers, and inner structural damage. However, because the joy of the Lord is your unshakeable strength, deep praise releases raw, divine vitality into your system. VI. The Enforcement of Total Divine Protection Scripture: Psalm 89:18 For the people who explicitly understand and operate within the joyful sound, the Lord takes up a legal position as their supreme defense and permanent shield. Your safety is structurally locked behind the gateway of your praise. 7. Practical Application & Commissioning Audit Your Countenance: Reject a stiff, frozen, or frowning expression. A stiff face reflects an internal state akin to a lifeless stick, whereas a joyful, smiling countenance releases an angelic atmosphere. Shift Your Default Vocabulary: Stop utilizing your words to map out grievances, small resources, educational limitations, or past rejections. Adopt the Eulogia frequency: daily speak fine, excellent, and bold words over your life, your home, and your business. Engage in Radical Action: Walk out of this message into active celebration. Shake off the wilderness mentality, grab a partner by the hand, and unlock the heavy blessings of multiplication, favor, and protection by executing your highest, most passionate dance steps before the King!