Port Harcourt, Nigeria – The General Overseer of Solemn Faith International Church, Storms of Life Are Normal – Just Have Jesus in Your Boat to Survive Them : Pastor Mathew Eleojoh James, delivered a compelling sermon on the power of high praise during Sunday’s service, declaring that “it takes high praise to overcome spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Preaching from the church’s headquarters at Road 21, Plot 14, Federal Housing Estate in Woji, Port Harcourt, Pastor Mathew spoke on the topic “The Benefits of High Praise,” drawing his lead text from Psalm 149:6-9.
He emphasized that high praise is not just an act of worship but a spiritual force that grants believers direct access to the Lord Most High and empowers them in the battles of life.
Pastor Mathew described high praise as a divine highway that ushers worshippers into God’s presence. Citing scriptures such as Isaiah 55:8-11 and Psalm 22:3, he explained that true access to God brings life, divine favor, and the fullness of His goodness.
According to him, when believers focus their hearts on God in praise, they tap into blessings such as supernatural lifting, divine favor, and victory in life’s toughest battles.
He further stressed that high praise positions believers to attain the high places of life, referencing biblical figures like Jacob and David who ascended into greatness through lives of worship.
From Habakkuk 3:17-19 to Deuteronomy 32:13, he illustrated how praise opens doors to divine increase, sweetness in life, and ancestral blessings.
In what could be described as a powerful spiritual revelation, Pastor Mathew linked the force of praise to warfare. “High praise is a sword in the realm of the spirit,” he declared, connecting Psalm 149:6-9 with Ephesians 6:12 to demonstrate that praise is not just worship it is a weapon against the powers of darkness in high places.
He also taught that high praise attracts high favor. Drawing from Luke 1:28 and Psalm 89:20, he said that the kind of favor that causes God to overlook human flaws and elevate an individual can be triggered through praise. He referenced biblical figures such as Abraham, David, Mary, and even Jesus, all of whom enjoyed such levels of divine favor because of their posture of praise and connection with God.
However, Pastor Mathew was quick to add that for high praise to be effective, it must be offered from a sincere heart. “God must be the center of your praise,” he admonished, urging believers to keep their motives pure and their worship focused solely on glorifying God.
He encouraged the congregation to be deliberate, loud, and intense in their praise, referring to Acts 16:25-26 and 2 Chronicles 20:22 to illustrate how explosive praise can trigger miraculous interventions.
Quoting several scriptures, Pastor Mathew underscored the necessity of obeying divine principles to enjoy divine prosperity. “Until His principles are engaged, His prosperity is not released,” he noted.
He wrapped up the sermon with a bold reminder: “Nobody engages in high praise and remains in the valley low. Where victory is highly needed, high praise is highly recommended.”
The service featured powerful ministration by the church choir, Solemn Voice, whose songs stirred the atmosphere with intense spiritual energy.
Congregants engaged in what was described as “explosive prayers,” and the service climaxed with testimonies of healing and divine intervention, as many shared how God’s hand moved mightily in their lives.
It was indeed a service marked by spiritual intensity and heartfelt worship, reinforcing the church’s belief that praise is not just a response to victory but a catalyst for it.
