Great is Thy Faithfulness Lamentations 3: 22-24; Ephesians 3: 20-21 INTRODUCTION: Today we transition out of our study of The Characteristics of a Healthy Church to spend a few moments on this Thanksgiving weekend to talk about praise and thanksgiving (often linked both in Scripture and in our conversations). We have chosen to examine (“an expression of praise to God”) from the . They (doxologies) are quite common in the Bible and today we will look at two of them. The two we examine today were written by two authors in the Bible: Jeremiah and Paul. Each /praise offers specific elements of true praise and thanksgiving. Doxologies are good passages to read because they teach us how to worship.

First, we will go to Lamentations 3: 22-24 (written by Jeremiah, the weeping prophet) as our first text. It is a great text that deals with celebrating God’s faithfulness and mercy. Jeremiah speaks of his afflictions (vv. 1-20) and then turns to praise God for His faithfulness and mercy and expresses the hope he finds in God’s care (vv. 22-24). Our second doxology is the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 3: 20-21 and the third one is from Jude

I. THE WEEPING PROPHET’S DOXOLOGY (Lamentations 3: 22-24 ESV)

Lamentations 3: 22-24 ESV 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (emphasis added)

JEREMIAH PRAISES GOD FOR FIVE THINGS:

A. Steadfast love- “Resolute, unwavering” B. Everlasting love – “never ceases” (unceasing love) C. Unending mercies (“new every day”) D. Satisfying provision of God – “My portion” E. Source of hope

II. THE APOSTLE’S SPONTANEOUS PRAISE (Ephesians 3: 19b-21 ESV)

Ephesians 3: 20-21 ESV

19 and to know the love of that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (emphasis added)

NOTE CONTEXT: Paul has been talking about the glorious greatness of our salvation in Christ. In v. 19b he prefaces his doxology with that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. When we are filled with the fullness of God, we can’t help but break forth in praise and thanksgiving!

A. He has the power (able is dunamis the word from which we get our English word dynamite/power) to enable us to do theunthinkable. B. He celebrates God’s work in us – “according to the power at work within us” - ILLUSTRATION: Haiti offering for the tap tap! C. He praises God for His greatness (v. 21) 1. God should always be the center of our worship and praise. 2. We must be careful not to engage in man-centered worship.