The Sound That Opens Heaven
This sermon explores the profound impact of our words on our daily lives and spiritual experiences. It invites listeners to consider how their spoken 'sound' shapes their reality and interaction with the divine.
This sermon teaches that our words create an atmosphere, and choosing a sound of praise and thanksgiving, rather than worry or complaint, activates God's favor and opens the heavens for breakthroughs.
Overview
The sermon begins by identifying that every person creates a 'sound' with their words, shaping an atmosphere around them. Sounds of worry, discouragement, or lack can limit us, but there is a sound that heaven responds to: the sound of praise. This sound puts God on the throne, making Him bigger than any problem, causing angels to work, and turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones.
The preacher emphasizes that we shouldn't use our words to describe a negative situation, but to change it by declaring God's promises. This means continually making 'melody in our hearts' to the Lord, maintaining a joyful, grateful attitude even in difficult circumstances. This isn't just an occasional act, but a lifestyle of constant thanksgiving that prevents others from taking our 'song' and allows God to fight our battles.
Using the analogy of crows (complaining, negative) versus cardinals (singing, joyful), the sermon illustrates that we have a choice in the sound we create. Complaining not only pushes away good people and opportunities but also keeps us stuck. In contrast, making melody, even when facing adversity, is what heaven responds to, causing God to step in and bring vindication, promotion, and healing.
The concept of praise as 'vapors' that form 'clouds' of blessing is introduced. Just as invisible water vapors rise to form rain clouds, our consistent praise and thanksgiving ascend, building up an atmosphere for God's favor to pour down. This means continually sending up praise, even when nothing appears to be happening, trusting that these 'vapors' are filling clouds that will eventually release breakthroughs and abundance, as seen in Elijah's experience praying for rain.
Key points
- Every person creates a 'sound' with their words that shapes their atmosphere.
- Worry and discouragement create a negative atmosphere that limits us, while praise opens heaven.
- Praise puts God on the throne, magnifying Him above problems and activating divine intervention.
- We are encouraged to continually make 'melody in our hearts' through joyful thanksgiving, regardless of circumstances.
- A comparison is drawn between 'crows' (complaining) and 'cardinals' (singing) to illustrate our choice in attitude.
- Complaining keeps us stuck and attracts negativity, whereas a joyful spirit activates God's goodness.
- Praise is described as 'vapors' that rise to form 'clouds' of blessing, which eventually release God's favor and breakthroughs.
In Joel Osteen's words
“Don't use your words to describe the situation. Use your words to change the situation.”
“Complain and remain or praise and be raised.”
“The bigger you make God, the smaller your problems become.”
Outline
- I. The Sound We Create
- A. Types of sounds: worry, discouragement, not enough
- B. The sound heaven responds to: praise
- 1. God inhabits our praises; He is enthroned when we praise
- 2. Praise makes God bigger than problems, causes angels to work
- 3. Don't describe the situation, change it with words
- II. Continually Making Melody in Your Heart
- A. Ephesians: "Be continually filled with the spirit, making melody in your heart to the Lord"
- B. A lifestyle of gratitude, not situational thanks
- C. Make melody in difficult situations, speak promises
- III. Crow vs. Cardinal Analogy
- A. Crows: squawking, complaining, focused on what's wrong
- B. Cardinals: singing, cheerful, celebrating the morning
- C. You have a choice in your sound and its impact on your life and relationships
- D. Crows gravitate toward what's dead; dwelling on disappointments leads to squawking
- E. Quit feeding off dead things; get your song and joy back
- F. David's example: praised through unfair circumstances
- IV. The Sound That Opens Heaven
- A. Turn worry into worship, pressure into praise
- B. Praise makes you feel better and shifts circumstances
- V. Praise as Vapors Forming Clouds
- A. Invisible vapors rise from water to form clouds, then rain
- B. Praise is the 'vapors' creating an atmosphere for God's favor ('rain')
- C. Consistently sending up praise creates clouds of blessing, even if unseen
- D. What you send up (complaints/praise) will come back down
- E. Hosea: "sow to the heavens righteousness and God will rain down righteousness on you"
- F. Elijah's example: praising for rain before seeing any sign (1 Kings 18)
- G. Keep sending up the right vapors; the cloud is getting fuller
Scripture references
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
1 And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
2 And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.
Insights
Our spoken words possess the power to shape the very atmosphere around us.
A heart filled with praise becomes a throne for God's presence to rest.
The choice to sing in the wilderness shifts unseen spiritual dynamics.
Questions & answers
What is 'the sound that opens heaven' according to the sermon?
The sermon defines 'the sound that opens heaven' as praise and thanksgiving. This involves speaking God's goodness and promises rather than complaining or focusing on problems, creating an atmosphere that God responds to.
How does the sermon describe the difference between a 'crow' and a 'cardinal'?
The sermon uses crows to symbolize complaining, negativity, and dwelling on problems, which make 'noise.' Cardinals represent singing, joy, and praising God, which make 'melody.' We have a choice to be either a crow or a cardinal in our daily outlook.
What is the practical application of 'making melody in your heart'?
Making melody in your heart means cultivating a continuous, joyful, and thankful attitude towards God throughout the day. It involves speaking His promises and blessings, even when circumstances are difficult, rather than letting complaints or problems dictate your spirit.
How does praise relate to the 'rain' of God's blessing?
The sermon uses the analogy of water vapors rising to form rain clouds. Praise is likened to these 'vapors' that ascend, creating an atmosphere in the spiritual realm. Continuous praise builds up these 'clouds,' which eventually release the 'rain' of God's favor, healing, and breakthroughs into our lives.
What does the sermon suggest we do when we don't see immediate results from praise?
The sermon encourages perseverance, stating that 'your cloud didn't get full enough.' Like Elijah who prayed for rain seven times, we should continue sending up praises and thanking God for His promises, trusting that the 'vapors' are still rising and the 'cloud is getting fuller,' and the breakthrough is closer than we think.
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