THE SHOUT OF JOY
From The HeartPublish date: 12/27/2015
Foundation Scripture:
And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: 13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off. Ezra 3:11-13 KJV
1. Historical religion has done its best to put a muzzle on the Church.
a. Silence. Church
b. John Calvin – spiritual leader of Geneva – tried to control people’s outward behavior. Banned music, musical instruments, and all forms of entertainment. Banned gambling, drinking, dancing, and immodest dress. But also banned all outward displays of joy. No bright clothing. One man was fined for smiling during his child’s baptism.
2. What does the Bible say?
a. Zechariah 9:9 KJV – “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”
b. Luke 19:28-44
c. Verses 36-40 KJV – “And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. 37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.”
d. Joy has a voice – expressed in laughter and in a shout.
3. Many have lost their shout.
a. People at, and for, shout for sporting events, etc.
b. But they are quiet in church.
c. Lift up your voice.
d. Lift up your voice with strength.
e. Isaiah 40:9 KJV – “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!”
f. A great shout.
g. 1 Samuel 4:5 KJV – “And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.”
h. Shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
i. Psalms 47:1 KJV – “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.”
j. Isaiah 12:6 KJV – “Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.”
k. Shout for joy.
l. Psalms 5:11 KJV – “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”
4. The walls come down.
a. Joshua 6:1-21
b. Verse 20 KJV – “So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.”
5. It is time for the shout of joy!
a. The walls come down.
b. Total victory.