0:00:00.138,0:00:19.475 ♪ theme music ♪ 0:00:19.475,0:00:21.365 (Derek) Welcome to Hope Sabbath School, 0:00:21.365,0:00:23.104 an in-depth, interactive study 0:00:23.104,0:00:24.475 of the Word of God. 0:00:24.475,0:00:25.949 We're in the middle of a series 0:00:25.949,0:00:27.675 on Ezra and Nehemiah, 0:00:27.675,0:00:29.715 an ancient Jewish priest 0:00:29.715,0:00:32.333 and a government official in Persia. 0:00:32.333,0:00:33.837 And you say, "Derek, what could 0:00:33.837,0:00:35.336 that have to do with us today?" 0:00:35.336,0:00:37.394 God and the covenant today, 0:00:37.394,0:00:38.470 but God wants to make 0:00:38.470,0:00:40.121 a covenant with us, too. 0:00:40.121,0:00:41.151 It's a new covenant 0:00:41.151,0:00:42.775 and an everlasting covenant, 0:00:42.775,0:00:44.072 that will change us, 0:00:44.072,0:00:46.719 not only today but forever; so I'm excited 0:00:46.719,0:00:48.670 about Hope Sabbath School today, 0:00:48.670,0:00:49.982 God and the Covenant. 0:00:49.982,0:00:51.373 I'm glad you joined us. 0:00:51.373,0:00:53.428 And this has been a great series,[br]hasn't it? 0:00:53.428,0:00:54.303 (Team) Yes. 0:00:54.303,0:00:57.820 (Derek) Fifth century B.C.,[br]a Jewish priest, 0:00:57.820,0:01:00.220 inspired by the Holy Spirit,[br]named Ezra, 0:01:00.220,0:01:01.575 and a government official 0:01:01.575,0:01:05.830 living in Persia - he was a Jew in exile 0:01:05.830,0:01:07.319 by the name of Nehemiah, 0:01:07.319,0:01:09.121 also guided by the Holy Spirit - 0:01:09.121,0:01:11.844 write a record for us 0:01:11.844,0:01:13.228 by the Holy Spirit today. 0:01:13.228,0:01:15.695 It's exciting to know what God can do. 0:01:15.695,0:01:17.177 And we're happy you're part 0:01:17.177,0:01:18.747 of our Hope Sabbath School family 0:01:18.747,0:01:20.370 wherever you are around the world. 0:01:20.370,0:01:23.350 Here's a note from Mutale in Zambia. 0:01:23.350,0:01:25.481 Lots of Hope Sabbath School members there. 0:01:25.481,0:01:27.048 "Hi, Hope Sabbath School team." 0:01:27.048,0:01:28.177 (Team) Hello! 0:01:28.177,0:01:29.780 (Derek) "My name is Mutale. 0:01:29.780,0:01:31.346 I've always enjoyed 0:01:31.346,0:01:33.994 the discussions every day at my office 0:01:33.994,0:01:36.848 before I start work in the morning." 0:01:36.848,0:01:39.246 Begin the day with God, right? 0:01:39.246,0:01:40.673 "May the good Lord Jesus 0:01:40.673,0:01:42.838 continue to grant you good health 0:01:42.838,0:01:44.384 so that you can reach 0:01:44.384,0:01:46.091 many people around the world, 0:01:46.091,0:01:47.867 even as God also helps you 0:01:47.867,0:01:49.290 in your Christian journey." 0:01:49.290,0:01:50.363 (Team) Amen. 0:01:50.363,0:01:51.651 (Derek) "Let's be prayerful 0:01:51.651,0:01:53.233 in these Last Days as believers. 0:01:53.233,0:01:55.478 Pray for everyone so that God 0:01:55.478,0:01:56.855 can take control. Amen." 0:01:56.855,0:01:57.556 (Team) Amen. 0:01:57.556,0:01:59.173 (Derek) Mutale, thanks for writing 0:01:59.173,0:02:00.250 to us from Zambia, 0:02:00.250,0:02:01.201 and I know there are 0:02:01.201,0:02:03.649 many Hope Sabbath School members there. 0:02:03.649,0:02:05.521 Carlos writes from Chile. 0:02:05.521,0:02:07.144 I don't remember one from Chile, 0:02:07.144,0:02:08.603 but I'm sure we've had some. 0:02:08.603,0:02:10.685 Carlos says, "I just want to thank you, 0:02:10.685,0:02:13.361 Hope Sabbath School team, for being there. 0:02:13.361,0:02:17.275 I'm an English teacher in Chile,"[br]South America. 0:02:17.275,0:02:18.960 "Let me tell you, watching 0:02:18.960,0:02:21.316 Hope Sabbath School every Friday night 0:02:21.316,0:02:23.871 has been a double blessing for me. 0:02:23.871,0:02:25.322 I can study the Bible, 0:02:25.322,0:02:28.980 listening to your beautiful English. 0:02:28.980,0:02:30.926 Greetings to everyone, from Chile." 0:02:30.926,0:02:33.162 Well, Carlos, thanks for writing to us, 0:02:33.162,0:02:34.213 and I'm sure you're 0:02:34.213,0:02:36.171 a great English teacher, but even more, 0:02:36.171,0:02:38.511 to be a great man of God, right, 0:02:38.511,0:02:39.818 a great woman of God, 0:02:39.818,0:02:41.897 that you can bless students. 0:02:41.897,0:02:44.767 Here's a note from Marcia in Jamaica. 0:02:44.767,0:02:46.007 Long live Jamaica, Nicole. 0:02:46.007,0:02:46.910 (Nicole) Long live. 0:02:46.910,0:02:48.858 (Derek) All right. 0:02:48.858,0:02:50.761 "Thank you, Hope Sabbath School. 0:02:50.761,0:02:53.056 I watch your show to help me 0:02:53.056,0:02:55.706 understand more about the Bible. 0:02:55.706,0:02:58.502 Keep teaching and sharing God's Word 0:02:58.502,0:03:00.161 so that Jesus can come soon." 0:03:00.161,0:03:01.117 (Team) Amen. 0:03:01.117,0:03:02.122 (Derek) Well, Marcia, 0:03:02.122,0:03:03.557 a simple message from Jamaica, 0:03:03.557,0:03:06.030 but we believe with all of our hearts[br]what you said. 0:03:06.030,0:03:07.790 Jesus is coming soon, 0:03:07.790,0:03:10.728 and He wants us all to be ready. 0:03:10.728,0:03:13.101 A donor writes from Oklahoma in the U.S., 0:03:13.101,0:03:14.980 and I just want to say thank you 0:03:14.980,0:03:17.288 to all of our donors; Hope Channel 0:03:17.288,0:03:18.913 is a donor-supported ministry. 0:03:18.913,0:03:21.440 "I love the program," the donor writes. 0:03:21.440,0:03:24.874 "Young people are inspiring to me." 0:03:24.874,0:03:25.863 They must be talking 0:03:25.863,0:03:28.151 about the folks sitting there and not me, 0:03:28.151,0:03:29.528 but I just want to say 0:03:29.528,0:03:31.884 that we are excited to see young leaders 0:03:31.884,0:03:34.544 taking their place in this ministry. 0:03:34.544,0:03:38.381 "I'm 90 years old," writes the donor, 0:03:38.381,0:03:39.964 "and I want you to know 0:03:39.964,0:03:41.468 that you are an inspiration." 0:03:41.468,0:03:43.128 Somebody smile and say Amen. 0:03:43.128,0:03:43.849 (Team) Amen! 0:03:43.849,0:03:45.276 (Derek) All right, praise God. 0:03:45.276,0:03:46.734 You know, I know this donor. 0:03:46.734,0:03:48.406 By the way, a gift for 20 dollars, 0:03:48.406,0:03:51.450 and that may be a major donation 0:03:51.450,0:03:53.056 when you're 90 years old. 0:03:53.056,0:03:55.252 Thanks for being part of our ministry 0:03:55.252,0:03:56.995 and for each one of you 0:03:56.995,0:03:58.386 that supports this ministry. 0:03:58.386,0:04:03.289 Last note, from Justina in the Bahamas. 0:04:03.289,0:04:05.671 Justina writes and says, "Thank you, 0:04:05.671,0:04:07.239 Hope Sabbath School team, 0:04:07.239,0:04:10.945 for your explanation of the Word of God. 0:04:10.945,0:04:12.460 I listen during the week 0:04:12.460,0:04:13.682 so that I can receive 0:04:13.682,0:04:16.647 a clear understanding of the Bible. 0:04:16.647,0:04:18.964 Hope Sabbath School uplifts me 0:04:18.964,0:04:20.957 and allows me more and more 0:04:20.957,0:04:24.376 to understand God's faithfulness 0:04:24.376,0:04:26.169 and His grace to me. 0:04:26.169,0:04:27.253 I love you all. 0:04:27.253,0:04:28.848 I look forward to the day 0:04:28.848,0:04:30.217 when all of God's people 0:04:30.217,0:04:32.059 will meet in His Kingdom. 0:04:32.059,0:04:35.522 Please do not get weary in well-doing. 0:04:35.522,0:04:37.268 Keep up the excellent work. 0:04:37.268,0:04:39.772 I'm sure that God has a special reward 0:04:39.772,0:04:41.130 for each one of you." 0:04:41.130,0:04:42.888 And you know what the reward will be? 0:04:42.888,0:04:44.168 To see each other there 0:04:44.168,0:04:45.455 and to be with Jesus. 0:04:45.455,0:04:46.472 (Team) Amen. 0:04:46.472,0:04:47.841 (Derek) So, thanks, Justina, 0:04:47.841,0:04:49.546 for writing to us from the Bahamas. 0:04:49.546,0:04:51.343 And we'd love to hear from you. 0:04:51.343,0:04:52.299 You can write to us 0:04:52.299,0:04:55.333 at sshope@hopetv.org. 0:04:55.333,0:04:57.517 And those email testimonies 0:04:57.517,0:04:59.412 really do encourage us. 0:04:59.412,0:05:00.680 Right now, though, we have 0:05:00.680,0:05:02.062 a Scripture song to sing, 0:05:02.062,0:05:03.641 taken from Psalm 25, 0:05:03.641,0:05:06.327 a 3,000-year-old Scripture song. 0:05:06.327,0:05:09.432 My wife put a happy tune to it, and we're 0:05:09.432,0:05:12.129 going to sing it together right now. 0:05:12.129,0:05:15.364 ♪ music ♪ 0:06:33.163,0:06:35.349 (Derek) You know, as we[br]were singing that song, 0:06:35.349,0:06:37.105 it suddenly hit me 0:06:37.105,0:06:40.540 that Jesus, as a young lad in Nazareth, 0:06:40.540,0:06:43.161 might have sung those words. 0:06:43.161,0:06:45.437 It was a thousand-year-old Scripture song 0:06:45.437,0:06:47.443 written by the psalmist at that time, 0:06:47.443,0:06:51.382 but Jesus memorized Scripture in song. 0:06:51.382,0:06:53.254 He had these beautiful Psalms. 0:06:53.254,0:06:55.313 Now, you say, "It's a different tune." 0:06:55.313,0:06:57.446 I know; Maybe He'll hear us, 0:06:57.446,0:06:59.250 "To You, O Lord," and He'll pause 0:06:59.250,0:07:01.226 and say, "I know the words. 0:07:01.226,0:07:03.081 Who wrote the tune?" 0:07:03.081,0:07:04.093 But the Word of God 0:07:04.093,0:07:05.745 is so powerful, isn't it? 0:07:05.745,0:07:07.797 And I'm glad that you can sing[br]along with us 0:07:07.797,0:07:09.427 wherever you are around the world, 0:07:09.427,0:07:11.833 that we can sing Scripture together, 0:07:11.833,0:07:13.136 and we can be blessed. 0:07:13.136,0:07:14.863 But right now we want to pray 0:07:14.863,0:07:18.554 that God will guide us in our study. 0:07:18.554,0:07:20.618 God and the Covenant is the title. 0:07:20.618,0:07:24.248 God wants to make a covenant with us. 0:07:24.248,0:07:26.821 Let's pray; Father in Heaven, we thank You 0:07:26.821,0:07:28.578 that from these ancient writings 0:07:28.578,0:07:29.966 of Ezra and Nehemiah, 0:07:29.966,0:07:31.898 we can learn practical lessons 0:07:31.898,0:07:34.184 for our lives today. 0:07:34.184,0:07:36.516 And I pray that we would catch a glimpse 0:07:36.516,0:07:39.063 of Your immeasurable and unfailing love, 0:07:39.063,0:07:40.919 that we would catch a glimpse 0:07:40.919,0:07:43.692 of all that You want to do for us, 0:07:43.692,0:07:46.158 in us and through us. 0:07:46.158,0:07:47.806 May lives be blessed today. 0:07:47.806,0:07:50.602 We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. 0:07:50.602,0:07:51.865 (Team) Amen. 0:07:51.865,0:07:53.688 (Derek) Before we begin 0:07:53.688,0:07:55.389 reading from the Scripture 0:07:55.389,0:07:57.161 about God and the Covenant, 0:07:57.161,0:08:00.223 someone give me a simple explanation, 0:08:00.223,0:08:04.052 what is a covenant? Anybody. Brittany. 0:08:04.052,0:08:05.419 (Brittany) It's an agreement 0:08:05.419,0:08:06.802 between two or more people. 0:08:06.802,0:08:08.038 (Derek) Okay, an agreement 0:08:08.038,0:08:09.403 between two or more people. 0:08:09.403,0:08:10.903 Jason, you want to add to that? 0:08:10.903,0:08:12.186 (Jason) It often has a lot 0:08:12.186,0:08:13.732 of emotional significance 0:08:13.732,0:08:15.088 related to a relationship. 0:08:15.088,0:08:17.215 (Derek) Certainly a well-known covenant 0:08:17.215,0:08:18.845 in today's culture is? 0:08:18.845,0:08:19.938 (Derek, Team) Marriage. 0:08:19.938,0:08:21.917 (Derek) And unfortunately those covenants 0:08:21.917,0:08:23.303 are not always kept, right? 0:08:23.303,0:08:24.560 But it's an agreement. 0:08:24.560,0:08:27.617 So, both people are consenting. 0:08:27.617,0:08:32.408 Are they equal, the two parties? 0:08:32.408,0:08:34.113 Sometimes, that's right; 0:08:34.113,0:08:35.523 that's a good answer. 0:08:35.523,0:08:37.005 Sometimes they're equal. 0:08:37.005,0:08:38.925 Other times, for example, 0:08:38.925,0:08:40.559 if a monarch and people 0:08:40.559,0:08:41.824 are making decisions. 0:08:41.824,0:08:43.921 Certainly God and us 0:08:43.921,0:08:45.952 making a covenant together, 0:08:45.952,0:08:47.069 we're not equal are we? 0:08:47.069,0:08:49.224 But we're both agreeing, 0:08:49.224,0:08:51.922 a covenant that is made. 0:08:51.922,0:08:54.946 Let's go to Nehemiah, chapter 9, 0:08:54.946,0:08:57.133 beginning with verse 36. 0:08:57.133,0:08:58.202 And, Nicole, would you 0:08:58.202,0:09:01.714 begin our study today? Verses 36 to 38. 0:09:01.714,0:09:05.243 What is the setting for the people of God 0:09:05.243,0:09:06.203 here during the time 0:09:06.203,0:09:07.838 of Ezra and Nehemiah 0:09:07.838,0:09:09.127 when they say, "We're going 0:09:09.127,0:09:12.146 to renew our covenant with God"? 0:09:12.146,0:09:13.956 (Nicole) So the New King James Version 0:09:13.956,0:09:17.355 of Nehemiah 9:36-38 says: 0:09:48.986,0:09:51.239 (Derek) So, what's the setting 0:09:51.239,0:09:53.024 of making this new covenant? 0:09:53.024,0:09:56.775 Where are we history-wise?[br]Anybody? Travis? 0:09:56.775,0:09:58.030 (Travis) They're prisoners 0:09:58.030,0:09:59.202 in their own land. 0:09:59.202,0:10:01.736 (Derek) That's an interesting way[br]of describing it 0:10:01.736,0:10:07.467 because they're not really prisoners[br]in a jail, right? 0:10:07.467,0:10:10.040 But they're in a very difficult situation.[br]John? 0:10:10.040,0:10:11.279 (John) So, this is shortly 0:10:11.279,0:10:12.278 after the completion 0:10:12.278,0:10:13.767 of the city walls of Jerusalem. 0:10:13.767,0:10:15.696 They had been restored and rebuilt, 0:10:15.696,0:10:16.615 but they were still 0:10:16.615,0:10:18.308 under Persian rule at the time. 0:10:18.308,0:10:20.938 (Derek) And how did all of that happen? 0:10:20.938,0:10:23.142 Give me a little history, Stephanie. 0:10:23.142,0:10:25.074 How did they end up in exile, 0:10:25.074,0:10:27.142 and now they've come back from exile? 0:10:27.142,0:10:29.023 Why do they go, "We need 0:10:29.023,0:10:30.697 to renew our commitment to God"? 0:10:30.697,0:10:32.597 (Stephanie) When they've gone away, 0:10:32.597,0:10:34.332 when they were taken into captivity, 0:10:34.332,0:10:36.356 it was because of their disobedience. 0:10:36.356,0:10:37.596 (Derek) They had abandoned 0:10:37.596,0:10:40.005 the covenant with God, right? 0:10:40.005,0:10:42.528 Okay, and how long were they there? 0:10:42.528,0:10:44.067 (Derek, Team) Seventy years. 0:10:44.067,0:10:45.175 (Derek) And we're going 0:10:45.175,0:10:46.084 to study about that 0:10:46.084,0:10:47.159 because then they go, 0:10:47.159,0:10:48.266 "You know, God promised 0:10:48.266,0:10:49.387 we could come back." 0:10:49.387,0:10:52.095 But as Travis pointed out, the first wave 0:10:52.095,0:10:53.964 comes back under Zerubbabel. 0:10:53.964,0:10:55.331 Another wave comes back 0:10:55.331,0:10:57.470 under Ezra and Nehemiah, 0:10:57.470,0:11:00.417 but things are not all well, right? 0:11:00.417,0:11:02.451 So they are saying to themselves, 0:11:02.451,0:11:04.482 "You know, we know what got 0:11:04.482,0:11:07.124 our forefathers into trouble," 0:11:07.124,0:11:10.001 abandoning the agreement with God, 0:11:10.001,0:11:11.109 the covenant with God, 0:11:11.109,0:11:13.744 "let's renew our covenant." 0:11:13.744,0:11:14.851 Now, in chapter 10, 0:11:14.851,0:11:16.534 you've got your Bible there, 0:11:16.534,0:11:20.664 you'll notice in verses 1 through 27 0:11:20.664,0:11:22.520 what do you see, anybody? 0:11:22.520,0:11:24.169 (Derek, Team) A list of names. 0:11:24.169,0:11:26.218 (Derek) And I am not going to ask for you, 0:11:26.218,0:11:27.471 Adison, to read that list. 0:11:27.471,0:11:28.997 I'm sure you could, 0:11:28.997,0:11:32.040 but why do you think the Holy Spirit 0:11:32.040,0:11:37.383 inspired Nehemiah to write down 0:11:37.383,0:11:39.457 all of those names? 0:11:39.457,0:11:40.789 What do you think, Adison? 0:11:40.789,0:11:42.358 (Adison) I think it was important 0:11:42.358,0:11:44.034 because this covenant was 0:11:44.034,0:11:45.831 not only for one individual and God, 0:11:45.831,0:11:47.944 but it was a community thing. 0:11:47.944,0:11:49.474 So, here we have an example 0:11:49.474,0:11:51.323 of all these names being listed down, 0:11:51.323,0:11:52.280 and so you can see 0:11:52.280,0:11:53.839 that it was a community covenant 0:11:53.839,0:11:55.395 between God and His people. 0:11:55.395,0:11:59.340 (Derek) You've got Nehemiah there,[br]certainly, right, 0:11:59.340,0:12:04.746 and then you've got Zedekiah and Seraiah. 0:12:04.746,0:12:07.824 I'm assuming, as the list[br]is being written, 0:12:07.824,0:12:10.464 that someone says...? 0:12:10.464,0:12:11.491 (Team) "Me, too." 0:12:11.491,0:12:12.701 (Derek) "Me, too," right, 0:12:12.701,0:12:14.611 "add my name," right? Travis? 0:12:14.611,0:12:15.890 (Travis) You know, when we 0:12:15.890,0:12:17.111 sign agreements nowadays, 0:12:17.111,0:12:18.871 we do that so there's accountability, 0:12:18.871,0:12:20.318 so they can't go back and say, 0:12:20.318,0:12:22.423 "Well, you know, I never said that." 0:12:22.423,0:12:25.293 When you put something in writing, 0:12:25.293,0:12:28.457 you know, it's an accountability,[br]it's official. 0:12:28.457,0:12:30.483 (Derek) So, back to the marriage 0:12:30.483,0:12:32.168 or courting relationship, 0:12:32.168,0:12:34.649 if someone says, "Well, I'd like 0:12:34.649,0:12:35.640 to move in with you, 0:12:35.640,0:12:37.329 but I'm not ready to make 0:12:37.329,0:12:40.027 a formal agreement... 0:12:40.027,0:12:42.958 (Evelyn) Commitment. 0:12:42.958,0:12:45.349 (Derek) What would you say[br]to them, Evelyn? 0:12:45.349,0:12:46.986 (Evelyn) I would say you guys 0:12:46.986,0:12:48.010 need to do it the way 0:12:48.010,0:12:50.637 the Lord commands us to, 0:12:50.637,0:12:52.992 I mean, to show commitment to one another. 0:12:52.992,0:12:54.514 (Derek) That's true. Yes, Jason. 0:12:54.514,0:12:56.816 (Jason) I would say that's[br]kind of like cheating. 0:12:56.816,0:12:58.384 You're trying to get the benefits 0:12:58.384,0:13:00.300 of the situation without the commitment. 0:13:00.300,0:13:02.154 (Derek) And the truth is, it won't work 0:13:02.154,0:13:03.436 because there's no...? 0:13:03.436,0:13:04.661 (Team) Commitment. 0:13:04.661,0:13:06.439 (Derek) There's no commitment, right? 0:13:06.439,0:13:09.766 Now, having listed these primary signers, 0:13:09.766,0:13:10.738 I mean, we can think 0:13:10.738,0:13:12.284 of other primary documents 0:13:12.284,0:13:13.639 where there are the signers 0:13:13.639,0:13:15.466 whose names are on there, 0:13:15.466,0:13:17.053 let's take a look, Gladys, 0:13:17.053,0:13:19.964 at verses 28 and 29, 0:13:19.964,0:13:21.866 something that Nehemiah adds 0:13:21.866,0:13:24.076 after that list of names. 0:13:24.076,0:13:25.065 (Gladys) I'm reading 0:13:25.065,0:13:26.956 from the New International Version, 0:13:26.956,0:13:31.603 Nehemiah, chapter 10, verses 28 and 29: 0:14:09.043,0:14:10.891 (Derek) So, what's the significance 0:14:10.891,0:14:12.124 of that little add-on 0:14:12.124,0:14:14.122 to the list of names? 0:14:14.122,0:14:16.146 (Harold) Total commitment. 0:14:16.146,0:14:17.413 (Derek) Total commitment. 0:14:17.413,0:14:20.203 (Harold) It wasn't just the leaders[br]because we can't forget 0:14:20.203,0:14:23.258 the names listed in verses 1 through 27;[br]these were the leaders, 0:14:23.258,0:14:26.432 which actually they were supposed to teach[br]and impart this message. 0:14:26.432,0:14:28.037 But at the same time, the people, 0:14:28.037,0:14:30.263 were like, "We want to be followers, too." 0:14:30.263,0:14:32.247 (Derek) Right? The rest of the people. 0:14:32.247,0:14:35.137 In fact, we find that phrase 0:14:35.137,0:14:37.529 toward the end of verse 29, 0:14:37.529,0:14:39.438 or verse 28, excuse me, 0:14:39.438,0:14:42.591 "everyone who had knowledge[br]and understanding." 0:14:42.591,0:14:43.583 What does that mean? 0:14:43.583,0:14:44.793 We had that when Ezra 0:14:44.793,0:14:47.061 was reading, too, the Word, right? 0:14:47.061,0:14:49.649 What does that mean? 0:14:49.649,0:14:50.716 Even the little ones 0:14:50.716,0:14:52.607 who could understand, right? 0:14:52.607,0:14:56.260 They said, "Me, too, papa," 0:14:56.260,0:14:58.653 "Me, too, mama, add my name[br]to that list. 0:14:58.653,0:15:02.115 I want to be named with the people of God 0:15:02.115,0:15:04.617 who are making this covenant with God." 0:15:04.617,0:15:06.513 So, like Harold said, 0:15:06.513,0:15:10.638 it's, like, a total commitment, 0:15:10.638,0:15:11.897 a total commitment. 0:15:11.897,0:15:16.715 Now, how did the witness of the leaders 0:15:16.715,0:15:19.331 influence the rest of the people? 0:15:19.331,0:15:22.933 We don't know, do we? 0:15:22.933,0:15:25.095 Is there a correlation sometimes, John, 0:15:25.095,0:15:28.145 between the leader, even in a family, 0:15:28.145,0:15:30.261 and where the family goes? 0:15:30.261,0:15:32.338 (John) They often set the example, 0:15:32.338,0:15:34.805 and they set the tone for the family 0:15:34.805,0:15:37.164 or those that they are leading. 0:15:37.164,0:15:39.087 (Derek) So, you've got two key leaders, 0:15:39.087,0:15:40.942 namely Ezra and...? 0:15:40.942,0:15:41.797 (Team) Nehemiah. 0:15:41.797,0:15:43.318 (Derek) who are saying, 0:15:43.318,0:15:44.670 "We're going to follow God. 0:15:44.670,0:15:46.603 This is what God wants us to do. 0:15:46.603,0:15:49.401 They both sacrificed in order to do that. 0:15:49.401,0:15:51.088 Now the other leaders are coming, 0:15:51.088,0:15:52.598 and now all of the people, 0:15:52.598,0:15:53.761 a total commitment, 0:15:53.761,0:15:54.978 "Let's make a covenant," 0:15:54.978,0:15:56.961 make an agreement, "with God." Stephanie. 0:15:56.961,0:15:58.936 (Stephanie) I guess, what came to my mind 0:15:58.936,0:16:00.514 was that each person has to make 0:16:00.514,0:16:02.060 their own individual commitment. 0:16:02.060,0:16:03.371 So, even though the leaders 0:16:03.371,0:16:04.644 are making the commitment, 0:16:04.644,0:16:05.837 each individual also had 0:16:05.837,0:16:07.322 to make their own commitment. 0:16:07.322,0:16:09.801 (Derek) Now, it said, "those who[br]have understanding." 0:16:09.801,0:16:11.024 What about the tiny ones? 0:16:11.024,0:16:14.066 How is their destiny determined, 0:16:14.066,0:16:17.955 the ones without understanding yet? 0:16:17.955,0:16:21.420 (Team) The parents. 0:16:21.420,0:16:22.562 (Derek) It was the same 0:16:22.562,0:16:24.378 in the time of Noah. 0:16:24.378,0:16:26.127 It was the same, you know, 0:16:26.127,0:16:27.372 you think of other times 0:16:27.372,0:16:30.345 when people had decisions to make. 0:16:30.345,0:16:31.950 The Exodus, you know, 0:16:31.950,0:16:33.181 "Are we going to go out?" 0:16:33.181,0:16:34.489 The little ones, they don't 0:16:34.489,0:16:36.694 make that choice, do they? 0:16:36.694,0:16:38.343 At that point, their destiny 0:16:38.343,0:16:39.781 is very much impacted 0:16:39.781,0:16:41.378 by the decision of their parents. 0:16:41.378,0:16:43.390 It's a solemn responsibility, right? 0:16:43.390,0:16:45.860 So, we're going to pause for a moment now. 0:16:45.860,0:16:49.165 We've seen this important juncture, 0:16:49.165,0:16:52.036 crossroads, for the people of God 0:16:52.036,0:16:53.903 there in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, 0:16:53.903,0:16:55.682 "We're going to renew our commitment, 0:16:55.682,0:16:56.847 our covenant, with God." 0:16:56.847,0:16:58.012 But there had been times 0:16:58.012,0:17:00.037 down through sacred history 0:17:00.037,0:17:01.971 when God has made covenants, 0:17:01.971,0:17:03.793 or agreements, with people, 0:17:03.793,0:17:05.567 and we're just going to take a moment 0:17:05.567,0:17:06.777 to look at some of those. 0:17:06.777,0:17:08.526 Some of them might seem massive, 0:17:08.526,0:17:11.424 and some are rather small, but there are 0:17:11.424,0:17:13.593 at least two people in the agreement, 0:17:13.593,0:17:15.904 and they're both agreeing to it, 0:17:15.904,0:17:17.333 and it has implications. 0:17:17.333,0:17:21.047 So, anybody, give me some examples 0:17:21.047,0:17:25.768 of other covenants. Anybody? Yes, Evelyn? 0:17:25.768,0:17:27.155 (Evelyn) There's the covenant 0:17:27.155,0:17:28.470 God had with Adam. 0:17:28.470,0:17:30.426 (Derek) All right, let's look at that 0:17:30.426,0:17:33.734 in the book of Genesis, chapter 3, 0:17:33.734,0:17:35.102 a covenant with Adam. 0:17:35.102,0:17:36.842 Again, a covenant is a what? 0:17:36.842,0:17:37.815 (Team) An agreement. 0:17:37.815,0:17:39.420 (Derek) It's an agreement, okay. 0:17:39.420,0:17:41.725 So let's see, the words spoken 0:17:41.725,0:17:46.177 in verse 15 are actually 0:17:46.177,0:17:48.853 spoken to the serpent, 0:17:48.853,0:17:51.961 but it is describing a covenant 0:17:51.961,0:17:53.653 with the human family. 0:17:53.653,0:17:55.449 So would you read verse 15 for us, 0:17:55.449,0:17:59.055 and then also if you would add verse 21. 0:17:59.055,0:18:00.525 (Evelyn) And I will be reading 0:18:00.525,0:18:03.370 from the New Living Translation; it says: 0:18:14.944,0:18:16.912 Verse 21 says: 0:18:22.334,0:18:24.274 (Derek) So, what does that promise 0:18:24.274,0:18:26.260 in verse 15, that God is not 0:18:26.260,0:18:28.348 going to abandon the human family - 0:18:28.348,0:18:30.543 He's making a promise to them, right, 0:18:30.543,0:18:31.930 that He's going to provide 0:18:31.930,0:18:33.919 a way of salvation for them - 0:18:33.919,0:18:36.481 and verse 21, why are those two related? 0:18:36.481,0:18:38.704 Help me, someone. John? 0:18:38.704,0:18:40.765 (John) These are linked because verse 15 0:18:40.765,0:18:43.976 gives the promise of the Messiah to come, 0:18:43.976,0:18:45.701 and here you have that they 0:18:45.701,0:18:46.767 are clothed with skin. 0:18:46.767,0:18:48.700 That means that there was a sacrifice 0:18:48.700,0:18:51.235 that took place for them 0:18:51.235,0:18:52.931 to receive skins or covering. 0:18:52.931,0:18:55.567 (Derek) And that's not described there[br]in chapter 3. 0:18:55.567,0:18:57.689 In chapter 4, you've got 0:18:57.689,0:18:59.992 Abel bringing the lamb. 0:18:59.992,0:19:01.772 Cain, in rebellion, bringing 0:19:01.772,0:19:03.863 some fruit from his garden. 0:19:03.863,0:19:05.473 So obviously this idea 0:19:05.473,0:19:07.725 of a lamb pointing forward 0:19:07.725,0:19:09.919 all the way to the Lamb of God, Jesus, 0:19:09.919,0:19:11.984 who will take away the sin of the world, 0:19:11.984,0:19:13.340 had been explained to them. 0:19:13.340,0:19:14.843 Now, did you ever think 0:19:14.843,0:19:16.452 (my wife was sharing this with me 0:19:16.452,0:19:18.040 just a few days ago), 0:19:18.040,0:19:22.259 does that mean that God 0:19:22.259,0:19:24.116 offered the first sacrifice 0:19:24.116,0:19:28.134 to show them the cost 0:19:28.134,0:19:30.462 and also the sign of looking forward? 0:19:30.462,0:19:33.865 And if that's true, was that 0:19:33.865,0:19:36.730 the first time in eternity 0:19:36.730,0:19:43.462 that God had caused any form of death? 0:19:43.462,0:19:45.928 That's a solemn thought, isn't it? 0:19:45.928,0:19:47.832 And yet, the agreement is, 0:19:47.832,0:19:50.947 if you trust My promise, 0:19:50.947,0:19:53.341 I will save you, right? 0:19:53.341,0:19:55.452 And not just you but your children. 0:19:55.452,0:19:57.438 Well, we could spend a lot of time there. 0:19:57.438,0:20:00.288 We may get a thousand emails;[br]you go, "Really?" 0:20:00.288,0:20:02.405 Or did God just tell Adam, 0:20:02.405,0:20:03.818 "You kill the lamb'"? 0:20:03.818,0:20:05.807 Maybe God told Adam? 0:20:05.807,0:20:06.928 We'll hear from you. 0:20:06.928,0:20:08.370 What do you think, by the way? 0:20:08.370,0:20:09.806 It was certainly not 0:20:09.806,0:20:10.938 within the heart of God 0:20:10.938,0:20:12.970 to witness any death, was it? 0:20:12.970,0:20:14.389 God wanted all things 0:20:14.389,0:20:16.840 to be in perfect harmony. 0:20:16.840,0:20:19.401 We'll get some emails, I'm sure. 0:20:19.401,0:20:21.130 Yeah, I see you thinking. Gladys? 0:20:21.130,0:20:22.374 (Gladys) Yes, the covenant 0:20:22.374,0:20:23.860 that God made with Noah. 0:20:23.860,0:20:25.829 (Derek) Okay, let's take a look at that. 0:20:25.829,0:20:27.224 Of course, you know the story 0:20:27.224,0:20:29.059 of Noah starts in Genesis 6, 0:20:29.059,0:20:32.033 but let's take a look at Genesis 9. 0:20:32.033,0:20:33.380 Perhaps you could read that 0:20:33.380,0:20:37.190 for us, Gladys, verses 8 through 11. 0:20:37.190,0:20:38.686 (Gladys) Sure, I'll be reading 0:20:38.686,0:20:40.506 from the New International Version, 0:20:40.506,0:20:43.946 Genesis 9, verses 8 to 11: 0:21:21.247,0:21:22.546 (Derek) So, that's God part 0:21:22.546,0:21:23.892 of the covenant, a promise, 0:21:23.892,0:21:26.513 and He gives the sign of that with what? 0:21:26.513,0:21:27.414 (Team) A rainbow. 0:21:27.414,0:21:30.510 (Derek) So, what's their part[br]of the covenant? 0:21:30.510,0:21:31.817 What does He ask them 0:21:31.817,0:21:34.285 to do to enter into it? 0:21:34.285,0:21:35.250 (John) Trust Him. 0:21:35.250,0:21:37.236 (Derek) To just trust Him, that's right. 0:21:37.236,0:21:39.796 You say, "That's not very much," 0:21:39.796,0:21:42.651 but actually it's the very essence,[br]isn't it, 0:21:42.651,0:21:45.951 of trusting in the immeasurable[br]and unfailing love of God. 0:21:45.951,0:21:47.946 One more, another covenant. Brittany. 0:21:47.946,0:21:49.348 (Brittany) I think of Abraham 0:21:49.348,0:21:50.842 when he was called Abram. 0:21:50.842,0:21:52.519 God promised him that He would make 0:21:52.519,0:21:55.001 his descendants like the stars of the sky. 0:21:55.001,0:21:56.523 (Derek) When his name was Abram, 0:21:56.523,0:21:57.599 and I'll have you read 0:21:57.599,0:21:59.771 chapter 12 for us, of Genesis, 1 to 3, 0:21:59.771,0:22:00.984 when his name was Abram, 0:22:00.984,0:22:02.473 how many children did he have? 0:22:02.473,0:22:03.372 (Team) None. 0:22:03.372,0:22:05.297 (Derek) And how old was he at that time? 0:22:05.297,0:22:07.336 Oh, can you remember that? Was he...? 0:22:07.336,0:22:10.925 Seventy-five years old, right? 0:22:10.925,0:22:12.635 Well, let's take a look, Brittany, 0:22:12.635,0:22:14.746 in chapter 12, verses 1 to 3. 0:22:14.746,0:22:17.021 And then we could look at many others, 0:22:17.021,0:22:18.176 but I'm going to ask you 0:22:18.176,0:22:19.148 what you've noticed 0:22:19.148,0:22:20.666 they all have in common so far. 0:22:20.666,0:22:21.924 (Brittany) I'll be reading 0:22:21.924,0:22:23.469 from the New King James Version, 0:22:23.469,0:22:26.031 Genesis, chapter 12, verses 1 through 3: 0:22:51.495,0:22:53.481 (Derek) Now, that's a beautiful promise. 0:22:53.481,0:22:54.666 By the way, if you look 0:22:54.666,0:22:56.714 at the family tree of Jesus,[br]get to Matthew, 0:22:56.714,0:22:58.717 He's a son of Abraham, right? 0:22:58.717,0:23:01.209 Because the, "In you, all the families 0:23:01.209,0:23:04.736 of the earth will be blessed," is also...? 0:23:04.736,0:23:06.789 A prophecy pointing forward to Messiah 0:23:06.789,0:23:09.416 just like the lamb is a prophecy 0:23:09.416,0:23:11.805 pointing forward to Messiah, right? 0:23:11.805,0:23:13.904 "In you all the nations..." 0:23:13.904,0:23:15.890 We have to look at one more, Moses, 0:23:15.890,0:23:18.320 the covenant made with Moses and Israel. 0:23:18.320,0:23:20.706 If someone could look in Exodus 19, 0:23:20.706,0:23:23.360 verses 4 through 6. 0:23:23.360,0:23:26.429 Exodus 19, Jason, if you 0:23:26.429,0:23:28.288 could read verses 4 through 6, 0:23:28.288,0:23:30.831 what does the Word say there? 0:23:30.831,0:23:31.978 (Jason) I'll be reading 0:23:31.978,0:23:33.530 from the New King James Version, 0:23:33.530,0:23:37.470 Exodus, chapter 19, verses 4 through 6: 0:24:07.929,0:24:09.282 (Derek) So, now God's making 0:24:09.282,0:24:12.979 a covenant with Moses and...?[br]All of Israel. 0:24:12.979,0:24:14.479 What do you see that all 0:24:14.479,0:24:16.107 of these covenants have in common? 0:24:16.107,0:24:17.710 We could look at more, too, 0:24:17.710,0:24:18.674 but what do you see 0:24:18.674,0:24:20.382 that they have in common, Harold? 0:24:20.382,0:24:21.863 (Harold) God is the Initiator. 0:24:21.863,0:24:22.577 (Derek) Okay. 0:24:22.577,0:24:24.105 (Harold) He starts the covenant. 0:24:24.105,0:24:26.200 (Derek) Very important, God is[br]the Initiator, 0:24:26.200,0:24:27.440 and what's motivating Him? 0:24:27.440,0:24:28.256 (Team) Love. 0:24:28.256,0:24:29.321 (Derek) That's right. 0:24:29.321,0:24:30.730 He doesn't need, like, 0:24:30.730,0:24:32.089 "And I really need your help 0:24:32.089,0:24:34.260 to build this city of...," whatever," 0:24:34.260,0:24:36.598 you know, like the Egyptians, right. 0:24:36.598,0:24:40.000 No, it's just motivated by love. 0:24:40.000,0:24:42.259 He's like, "I want to bless you. 0:24:42.259,0:24:44.289 Can we make an agreement?" 0:24:44.289,0:24:47.136 In fact, all of the sacrifice 0:24:47.136,0:24:49.701 is coming from Him. 0:24:49.701,0:24:51.680 Anything else that you're noticing? John? 0:24:51.680,0:24:53.960 (John) It appears that in each[br]of the covenants, 0:24:53.960,0:24:55.020 it's based on what God 0:24:55.020,0:24:57.090 has done or will do, 0:24:57.090,0:25:00.712 so, based on His actions and His doing. 0:25:00.712,0:25:03.512 (Derek) So, trusting Him 0:25:03.512,0:25:05.263 because we've seen what He's done 0:25:05.263,0:25:07.626 in the past, maybe? 0:25:07.626,0:25:09.753 Abram must have had some confidence 0:25:09.753,0:25:11.937 in God's leading in his past. Nicole? 0:25:11.937,0:25:14.385 (Nicole) It's all based on us trusting. 0:25:14.385,0:25:15.998 He doesn't ask us to do anything. 0:25:15.998,0:25:18.116 He said, "I'm going to do[br]everything for you, 0:25:18.116,0:25:20.036 if you can just trust Me and accept it, 0:25:20.036,0:25:21.305 then that's the covenant." 0:25:21.305,0:25:22.476 (Derek) It's almost like 0:25:22.476,0:25:23.747 they're about to set off 0:25:23.747,0:25:25.271 this nuclear explosion, 0:25:25.271,0:25:31.269 "Here's the shelter; just come in," right? 0:25:31.269,0:25:32.713 "My love has provided for you, 0:25:32.713,0:25:33.904 just enter in." Harold? 0:25:33.904,0:25:35.163 (Harold) I wanted to add 0:25:35.163,0:25:36.370 that all these covenants 0:25:36.370,0:25:37.889 have to do with a relationship. 0:25:37.889,0:25:39.627 It's always about this relationship, 0:25:39.627,0:25:42.044 entering this harmonious relationship[br]with God, 0:25:42.044,0:25:45.000 because the part, as it's been mentioned,[br]is the trust. 0:25:45.000,0:25:46.876 When you trust, you're willing to obey. 0:25:46.876,0:25:48.494 You're like, "Oh, yes, I love You. 0:25:48.494,0:25:49.439 I want to do this," 0:25:49.439,0:25:51.483 because, again, I believe John 0:25:51.483,0:25:52.502 said that we love Him 0:25:52.502,0:25:54.237 because He first loved us. 0:25:54.237,0:25:55.954 (Derek) That's right. 0:25:55.954,0:25:57.173 So, we're going to go now 0:25:57.173,0:25:58.334 to a beautiful statement 0:25:58.334,0:26:00.985 of what is called the New Covenant, 0:26:00.985,0:26:03.281 but it's another revelation 0:26:03.281,0:26:05.552 of the immeasurable and unfailing[br]love of God 0:26:05.552,0:26:09.946 in Jeremiah, chapter 31, verses 31 to 34. 0:26:09.946,0:26:13.050 Stephanie, if you could read that for us. 0:26:13.050,0:26:14.601 (Stephanie) And I'll be reading 0:26:14.601,0:26:16.009 from the King James Version: 0:27:18.576,0:27:20.661 (Derek) Now, that expression, 0:27:20.661,0:27:23.537 "They shall all know Me," 0:27:23.537,0:27:26.477 what does that mean? 0:27:26.477,0:27:28.955 Anybody know? The Hebrew understanding 0:27:28.955,0:27:32.009 of that "knowing." Yes, Gladys. 0:27:32.009,0:27:34.443 (Gladys) It's an intimate relationship. 0:27:34.443,0:27:36.146 (Derek) That's right; it's actually 0:27:36.146,0:27:37.336 the same word where Adam 0:27:37.336,0:27:39.321 knew his wife, Eve, and she conceived 0:27:39.321,0:27:41.038 and bore a child, right? 0:27:41.038,0:27:45.413 So it's that close, intimate relationship, 0:27:45.413,0:27:48.683 and that's God's ideal, for how many? 0:27:48.683,0:27:49.738 (Team) For all of us. 0:27:49.738,0:27:51.071 (Derek) Yeah, that everyone 0:27:51.071,0:27:52.778 (we won't need to go and say...), 0:27:52.778,0:27:54.956 that all will experience 0:27:54.956,0:27:56.357 that intimate relationship. 0:27:56.357,0:27:58.630 What do you hear different... 0:27:58.630,0:27:59.926 The Lord Himself says, 0:27:59.926,0:28:02.330 "This is not like the covenant 0:28:02.330,0:28:04.592 I made with their fathers 0:28:04.592,0:28:06.725 the day I brought them out of Egypt." 0:28:06.725,0:28:09.786 What's different in this covenant, 0:28:09.786,0:28:12.416 the wording of this New Covenant? Jason? 0:28:12.416,0:28:14.011 (Jason) There is some description 0:28:14.011,0:28:15.029 about putting the Law 0:28:15.029,0:28:16.991 in their hearts and in their minds. 0:28:16.991,0:28:18.845 And in the sort of previous covenant, 0:28:18.845,0:28:22.978 there was a lot of external activity[br]written down. 0:28:22.978,0:28:25.009 And so there's something kind of happening 0:28:25.009,0:28:26.585 more internal here, it seems. 0:28:26.585,0:28:28.989 (Derek) Okay, yes, you're[br]absolutely right. 0:28:28.989,0:28:31.049 Let's expand on that a little. Travis? 0:28:31.049,0:28:32.515 (Travis) I'd like to say 0:28:32.515,0:28:35.295 that this New Covenant was based 0:28:35.295,0:28:38.504 on God's promise to change us 0:28:38.504,0:28:39.748 internally, like you said, 0:28:39.748,0:28:41.613 but the first covenant was, 0:28:41.613,0:28:43.151 "I promise, if you do this," 0:28:43.151,0:28:44.828 and this promise was based 0:28:44.828,0:28:47.237 just on God's promise, which never fails. 0:28:47.237,0:28:50.446 Man failed in keeping the covenant, 0:28:50.446,0:28:51.703 and God says, "I'm going 0:28:51.703,0:28:52.974 to do something within you 0:28:52.974,0:28:54.490 so that you can keep 0:28:54.490,0:28:55.748 this covenant with me. 0:28:55.748,0:28:58.481 (Derek) All right, so, again,[br]more internal. 0:28:58.481,0:29:00.503 Were there any other covenants 0:29:00.503,0:29:02.928 that talked about, "I will forgive[br]their iniquities 0:29:02.928,0:29:05.368 and remember their sins no more"? 0:29:05.368,0:29:06.675 (Team) No. 0:29:06.675,0:29:07.967 (Derek) I suppose you could 0:29:07.967,0:29:09.288 go back to Genesis and say 0:29:09.288,0:29:11.733 that by trusting in the sacrifice. 0:29:11.733,0:29:14.054 This is much more explicit,[br]though, isn't it? 0:29:14.054,0:29:16.292 "And I'm going to do something..."? 0:29:16.292,0:29:18.241 "...in their hearts," right? 0:29:18.241,0:29:21.528 "I'm going to change their hearts." 0:29:21.528,0:29:23.449 So, what are your thoughts about God 0:29:23.449,0:29:24.957 wanting to do that for you? 0:29:24.957,0:29:26.787 Because that's not just written 0:29:26.787,0:29:29.851 in the time of Jeremiah, right? 0:29:29.851,0:29:33.407 That covenant is a covenant He wants 0:29:33.407,0:29:35.856 to make with each one of us, right? 0:29:35.856,0:29:37.652 Give me a new heart, forgive my sins, 0:29:37.652,0:29:40.185 give me a new start, 0:29:40.185,0:29:42.935 what are your thoughts about that?[br]Yes, Alex. 0:29:42.935,0:29:44.972 (Alex) It's just really humbling to me. 0:29:44.972,0:29:46.224 I think of all the things 0:29:46.224,0:29:47.586 that I've done to hurt Him, 0:29:47.586,0:29:49.433 the things I still do to hurt Him, 0:29:49.433,0:29:50.778 and that He wants to have 0:29:50.778,0:29:51.753 a covenant with me, 0:29:51.753,0:29:54.629 that He still wants to reach out to me[br]to have it. 0:29:54.629,0:29:56.699 (Derek) So, back to what we said earlier. 0:29:56.699,0:29:59.604 Again, He's taking the initiative[br](always, right), 0:29:59.604,0:30:01.389 and it's based on His...? 0:30:01.389,0:30:02.274 (Team) Love. 0:30:02.274,0:30:04.225 (Derek) His immeasurable, unfailing love. 0:30:04.225,0:30:06.740 And Alex says that's kind of humbling 0:30:06.740,0:30:09.642 because He knows me, right? Nicole? 0:30:09.642,0:30:11.423 (Nicole) It's encouraging also, 0:30:11.423,0:30:14.495 that, even when I fall, He's still there[br]to pick me up, 0:30:14.495,0:30:16.554 and He still wants to be with me. 0:30:16.554,0:30:18.095 It's kind of self-esteem booster 0:30:18.095,0:30:19.873 that this God of the universe 0:30:19.873,0:30:21.005 wants little 'ole me 0:30:21.005,0:30:23.068 to be in the covenant with Him. 0:30:23.068,0:30:24.975 (Derek) And if it was a human being, 0:30:24.975,0:30:25.980 you might say, "Well, 0:30:25.980,0:30:27.176 that's because they don't 0:30:27.176,0:30:28.677 really know me," right? 0:30:28.677,0:30:30.070 But He does! John? 0:30:30.070,0:30:31.940 (John) The terms of the covenant, 0:30:31.940,0:30:34.370 and there are terms of agreement, 0:30:34.370,0:30:37.100 and God says that He will complete them, 0:30:37.100,0:30:40.850 so He's fulfilling those terms[br]in our lives, 0:30:40.850,0:30:44.508 and it's to us to receive and believe in. 0:30:44.508,0:30:45.886 (Derek) All right. Adison? 0:30:45.886,0:30:48.878 (Adison) I just love this concept, 0:30:48.878,0:30:50.912 in part because that same Law 0:30:50.912,0:30:52.892 that was written on the tables of stone, 0:30:52.892,0:30:54.154 the Holy Spirit takes it, 0:30:54.154,0:30:55.178 and He engraves it 0:30:55.178,0:30:56.965 upon the tables of our hearts. 0:30:56.965,0:31:02.478 And we find Christ's righteousness,[br]not our own; 0:31:02.478,0:31:05.566 He puts His righteousness on us. 0:31:05.566,0:31:07.522 And I just think it's a tremendous gift. 0:31:07.522,0:31:08.855 (Derek) And it's important 0:31:08.855,0:31:10.279 to "rememberize," to remember 0:31:10.279,0:31:12.489 ("rememberize," that's not[br]an English word), 0:31:12.489,0:31:14.575 to remember what Jesus said, 0:31:14.575,0:31:16.059 that all of that Law He wants 0:31:16.059,0:31:18.189 to write on our hearts is summarized 0:31:18.189,0:31:20.407 in two great commandments, right? 0:31:20.407,0:31:22.642 Because, remember, this is[br]all about wanting 0:31:22.643,0:31:24.953 an intimate love relationship with us, 0:31:24.953,0:31:27.603 and those two great commandments, 0:31:27.603,0:31:28.977 Jesus said, are...? 0:31:28.977,0:31:29.881 (Team) Love God. 0:31:29.881,0:31:31.122 (Derek) Love God how? 0:31:31.122,0:31:33.669 With all your heart, soul,[br]mind and strength. 0:31:33.669,0:31:34.952 And love your neighbor...? 0:31:34.952,0:31:36.754 (Team) As yourself. 0:31:36.754,0:31:38.063 (Derek) It's in the context 0:31:38.063,0:31:39.130 of that relationship. 0:31:39.130,0:31:40.758 All right, Travis, how do you feel 0:31:40.758,0:31:42.378 about, God's like, "I want to make 0:31:42.378,0:31:44.327 this covenant with you"? 0:31:44.327,0:31:45.411 (Travis) I just think 0:31:45.411,0:31:48.527 that, when we look at the new covenant, 0:31:48.527,0:31:51.307 it just shows how relentless God is, 0:31:51.307,0:31:53.052 because He's doing something in us 0:31:53.052,0:31:55.201 that we couldn't do ourselves. 0:31:55.201,0:31:56.658 What God is doing to us 0:31:56.658,0:31:58.608 is He's enabling us to be 0:31:58.608,0:31:59.793 a part of His Kingdom, 0:31:59.793,0:32:00.962 something that was 0:32:00.962,0:32:03.065 just absolutely impossible[br]within ourselves. 0:32:03.065,0:32:04.498 And we got to see that 0:32:04.498,0:32:07.320 through the Old Testament Scriptures. 0:32:07.320,0:32:08.440 (Derek) I've been told 0:32:08.440,0:32:09.458 that that's something 0:32:09.458,0:32:14.398 about Judeo-Christian faith[br]that is unique, 0:32:14.398,0:32:16.534 because many religions have us 0:32:16.534,0:32:19.045 trying to earn God's favor. 0:32:19.045,0:32:20.477 You know, we beat ourselves, 0:32:20.477,0:32:22.079 we walk on hot rocks, 0:32:22.079,0:32:23.921 or put fish hooks in our back, 0:32:23.921,0:32:25.808 or whatever, you know, 0:32:25.808,0:32:28.922 to try to...or we offer chickens... 0:32:28.922,0:32:31.625 to try to placate God or earn His favor. 0:32:31.625,0:32:33.976 Here, we're seeing God[br]take the initiative. 0:32:33.976,0:32:36.322 And He loves us with an everlasting love. 0:32:36.322,0:32:39.011 Now, one other aspect of covenant 0:32:39.011,0:32:40.546 before we move on. 0:32:40.546,0:32:41.852 The Bible also speaks 0:32:41.852,0:32:43.914 about God wanting to make 0:32:43.914,0:32:46.797 an everlasting covenant. 0:32:46.797,0:32:48.709 Is that different from this new covenant 0:32:48.709,0:32:49.760 we're talking about? 0:32:49.760,0:32:51.331 Well, let's read two verses, 0:32:51.331,0:32:53.212 and then you can give me 0:32:53.212,0:32:54.761 the answer to that question. 0:32:54.761,0:33:00.298 Hebrews 13, verses 20 and 21, 0:33:00.298,0:33:01.856 Malaina, if you have that, 0:33:01.856,0:33:03.084 you could read it for us, 0:33:03.084,0:33:06.709 Hebrews, chapter 13, verses 20 and 21, 0:33:06.709,0:33:08.399 and then someone could find 0:33:08.399,0:33:10.189 Isaiah 55 and verse 3. 0:33:10.189,0:33:11.492 (Malaina) I will be reading 0:33:11.492,0:33:13.082 from the New King James Version, 0:33:13.082,0:33:15.638 Hebrews, chapter 13, verses 20 through 21: 0:33:35.428,0:33:36.744 (Derek) Amen. All right, 0:33:36.744,0:33:38.610 "through the blood 0:33:38.610,0:33:42.129 of the eternal covenant." 0:33:42.129,0:33:45.503 Isaiah 55 and verse 3, 0:33:45.503,0:33:46.988 someone have that already? 0:33:46.988,0:33:49.568 Alex, do you have it already? Verse 3. 0:33:49.568,0:33:51.104 (Alex) Okay, and I'll be reading 0:33:51.104,0:33:52.488 from the King James Version: 0:34:03.998,0:34:06.316 (Derek) So, is this the same covenant, 0:34:06.316,0:34:08.341 or is it "Oh, that's a different one." 0:34:08.341,0:34:09.356 The everlasting one 0:34:09.356,0:34:10.943 is different from Jeremiah 31. 0:34:10.943,0:34:11.985 What do you think? 0:34:11.985,0:34:12.875 (Team) Same. 0:34:12.875,0:34:15.385 (Derek) Same. So, why does God 0:34:15.385,0:34:16.596 go out of His way 0:34:16.596,0:34:20.735 to say "everlasting covenant," Stephanie? 0:34:20.735,0:34:22.413 (Stephanie) That's really important 0:34:22.413,0:34:24.317 because it is forever; 0:34:24.317,0:34:26.267 it's down through the ages. 0:34:26.267,0:34:28.812 It's His covenant that is sure. 0:34:28.812,0:34:31.162 We know that it will be accomplished. 0:34:31.162,0:34:32.292 (Derek) Because we said 0:34:32.292,0:34:34.032 He takes the initiative, 0:34:34.032,0:34:35.749 and it's based on what He...? 0:34:35.749,0:34:36.789 (Team) Has promised. 0:34:36.789,0:34:37.974 (Derek) And so by saying 0:34:37.974,0:34:39.421 it's an everlasting covenant, 0:34:39.421,0:34:41.291 He's saying, "I am the Lord, and I..."? 0:34:41.291,0:34:42.419 (Stephanie) Change not. 0:34:42.419,0:34:43.626 (Derek) "I change not." 0:34:43.626,0:34:44.576 "I am the same..."? 0:34:44.576,0:34:47.757 (Derek, Team) Yesterday, today[br]and forever. 0:34:47.757,0:34:49.541 (Derek) So, that gives us comfort. 0:34:49.541,0:34:52.984 We ought to get a little happy, right?[br]Praise God! 0:34:52.984,0:34:54.046 He's not going to say, 0:34:54.046,0:34:55.880 "You know, I thought about this, Alex. 0:34:55.880,0:34:58.025 You're right; you don't deserve 0:34:58.025,0:34:59.631 this covenant I'm making with you 0:34:59.631,0:35:01.090 because I've noticed, in fact, 0:35:01.090,0:35:03.162 I have a record of all of your failings." 0:35:03.162,0:35:05.282 And you say, "Lord, have mercy." 0:35:05.282,0:35:07.250 You say, "No, they've been washed away." 0:35:07.250,0:35:08.340 But you know, to think 0:35:08.340,0:35:10.251 that God is never going to come there 0:35:10.251,0:35:12.729 and go, "I've changed My mind 0:35:12.729,0:35:14.568 about this agreement with you." 0:35:14.568,0:35:16.264 Everlasting covenant, someone says? 0:35:16.264,0:35:17.567 (Team) Amen! 0:35:17.567,0:35:18.917 (Derek) Gladys? 0:35:18.917,0:35:22.383 (Gladys) I've been struggling with this, 0:35:22.383,0:35:24.246 with the fact that, yes, 0:35:24.246,0:35:26.443 God is love; He doesn't change, 0:35:26.443,0:35:29.000 but what happened with Noah? 0:35:29.000,0:35:31.390 He said that He regretted 0:35:31.390,0:35:33.976 or resented making man? 0:35:33.976,0:35:35.736 My husband asked me that this morning 0:35:35.736,0:35:37.170 when we were reviewing this... 0:35:37.170,0:35:38.899 (Derek) Okay. Well, how do you think 0:35:38.899,0:35:41.218 God feels when we reject His offer 0:35:41.218,0:35:42.862 of immeasurable and unfailing love 0:35:42.862,0:35:47.206 and throw dirt in His face, so to speak? 0:35:47.206,0:35:48.635 How does He feel about that? 0:35:48.635,0:35:49.983 (Team) Hurt. It's painful. 0:35:49.983,0:35:52.924 (Derek) It's heartbreaking for Him, right? 0:35:52.924,0:35:56.146 I don't think He stopped loving those 0:35:56.146,0:35:57.702 when He regretted. 0:35:57.702,0:35:58.989 I think He wept over those 0:35:58.989,0:36:02.502 who refused to come into the Ark, right? 0:36:02.502,0:36:03.748 But He wants to make 0:36:03.748,0:36:05.406 this everlasting covenant with us. 0:36:05.406,0:36:06.877 He wants us to know 0:36:06.877,0:36:11.288 that even when we are not trustworthy, 0:36:11.288,0:36:13.022 He is trustworthy. Travis? 0:36:13.022,0:36:14.430 (Travis) If anyone's ever had 0:36:14.430,0:36:18.977 a child who has rebelled, 0:36:18.977,0:36:20.324 I think that verse 0:36:20.324,0:36:22.715 is really explained in that term,[br]you know? 0:36:22.715,0:36:24.188 Once you've experienced that, 0:36:24.188,0:36:26.230 of course you love that child, 0:36:26.230,0:36:27.934 but, boy, it just really 0:36:27.934,0:36:29.597 brings sorrow to your heart, 0:36:29.597,0:36:31.849 and it just tears you up inside. 0:36:31.849,0:36:37.568 And you just get that feeling inside[br]like, why? You know? 0:36:37.568,0:36:38.781 But you would do anything 0:36:38.781,0:36:40.428 for that child even yet, you know. 0:36:40.428,0:36:41.625 (Derek) Sure. Sure. 0:36:41.625,0:36:43.091 So, I have a question for you, 0:36:43.091,0:36:44.572 and I want you to look with me 0:36:44.572,0:36:48.731 in Joshua 24, [verses] 14 and 15. 0:36:48.731,0:36:51.655 Can you make a decision 0:36:51.655,0:36:55.490 for someone else to accept 0:36:55.490,0:36:59.074 that immeasurable and unfailing offer[br]of God's love? 0:36:59.074,0:37:02.282 Well, before you say no, 0:37:02.282,0:37:06.060 let's look at Joshua 24, 14 and 15, 0:37:06.060,0:37:07.847 and maybe you're absolutely right. 0:37:07.847,0:37:09.374 Maybe he talked to the family, 0:37:09.374,0:37:13.725 and they said, "Me, too." 0:37:13.725,0:37:15.523 And so he comes and says... 0:37:15.523,0:37:17.216 Well, let's see what the text says. 0:37:17.216,0:37:19.258 Joshua 24, Evelyn, do you 0:37:19.258,0:37:21.957 have it there, verses 14 and 15. 0:37:21.957,0:37:23.228 (Evelyn) I will be reading 0:37:23.228,0:37:25.492 from the New Living Translation: 0:37:56.862,0:37:58.411 (Derek) Amen? By the way, 0:37:58.411,0:38:00.614 that is capitalized in my Bible; 0:38:00.614,0:38:02.652 that's the name, Yahweh. 0:38:02.652,0:38:04.236 That's the name of the Lord God, 0:38:04.236,0:38:06.147 Creator of heaven and the earth. 0:38:06.147,0:38:07.362 (John) His covenant name. 0:38:07.362,0:38:09.298 (Derek) His covenant name, that's right. 0:38:09.298,0:38:11.179 That's the agreement He's made with us. 0:38:11.179,0:38:14.573 Now, Joshua says, "As for me and my house, 0:38:14.573,0:38:16.242 we will serve the Lord." 0:38:16.242,0:38:18.386 But you're saying you can't make 0:38:18.386,0:38:20.480 that decision for your spouse, 0:38:20.480,0:38:21.830 or, if you have children, 0:38:21.830,0:38:25.585 for your children, for your siblings. 0:38:25.585,0:38:27.874 So, what, what do you think, Jason? 0:38:27.874,0:38:29.158 (Jason) Well, when you're 0:38:29.158,0:38:30.432 a family relationship, 0:38:30.432,0:38:32.539 particularly the marriage one,[br]is a covenant, 0:38:32.539,0:38:34.057 so when you have that covenant, 0:38:34.057,0:38:35.355 you aren't making 0:38:35.355,0:38:37.128 the individual choice for the person, 0:38:37.128,0:38:39.201 but you're kind of setting the tone, 0:38:39.201,0:38:40.643 like we said with the leaders, 0:38:40.643,0:38:43.741 you're kind of setting the direction[br]for the person. 0:38:43.741,0:38:46.049 Ultimately, each of the individual[br]family members 0:38:46.049,0:38:47.485 have to make their own choice, 0:38:47.485,0:38:49.061 but you can kind of set the stage 0:38:49.061,0:38:51.471 which way it will go. 0:38:51.471,0:38:53.998 (Derek) Yes. Remember that phrase, 0:38:53.998,0:38:56.259 "those who have understanding," 0:38:56.259,0:38:57.739 so, for all those that do, 0:38:57.739,0:38:59.202 this would be a good time 0:38:59.202,0:39:01.571 for a family council, right, 0:39:01.571,0:39:04.610 and say, "As the mother," 0:39:04.610,0:39:06.988 or, "As the father," "As the parent," 0:39:06.988,0:39:10.114 some families only have one parent,[br]some have two, 0:39:10.114,0:39:12.839 "but this is my decision, 0:39:12.839,0:39:15.042 and here's why I'm making my decision," 0:39:15.042,0:39:17.014 and they say, "Mommy, we see that," 0:39:17.014,0:39:18.546 or, "Daddy, we see that," 0:39:18.546,0:39:19.653 or, "Mommy and daddy, 0:39:19.653,0:39:22.924 we see that. Me, too!" 0:39:22.924,0:39:27.710 So, no matter how young they are, 0:39:27.710,0:39:31.288 if they have understanding, 0:39:31.288,0:39:33.130 like it says in the text, 0:39:33.130,0:39:35.860 they can say, "Me, too." 0:39:35.860,0:39:37.586 And I think that's helpful. 0:39:37.586,0:39:41.836 It's not like, you know, Joshua's dragging 0:39:41.836,0:39:44.502 his family kicking and screaming, 0:39:44.502,0:39:46.781 but they thought it through together, 0:39:46.781,0:39:48.543 and he can come and say, 0:39:48.543,0:39:51.572 "The decision of me and my family 0:39:51.572,0:39:53.965 is we will serve the Lord." 0:39:53.965,0:39:56.564 Anybody want to respond to that.[br]Yes, Gladys? 0:39:56.564,0:39:58.892 (Gladys) In a family, usually... 0:39:58.892,0:40:01.119 I will say, for my family it's like that. 0:40:01.119,0:40:03.208 When we were little, he always said, 0:40:03.208,0:40:05.294 "In the morning, in my house 0:40:05.294,0:40:06.570 we will have worship." 0:40:06.570,0:40:08.923 So everyone who will come and visit, 0:40:08.923,0:40:10.429 that's what we do in my house. 0:40:10.429,0:40:12.758 So, I think that that's what the Lord[br]represents. 0:40:12.758,0:40:15.602 This is what He wants, 0:40:15.602,0:40:17.069 to have that relationship, 0:40:17.069,0:40:18.401 and the leader of the home, 0:40:18.401,0:40:20.292 or the representative of the home, 0:40:20.292,0:40:23.198 makes the decision, not forcing it 0:40:23.198,0:40:24.351 on the family member, 0:40:24.351,0:40:26.343 but kind of like being the representative 0:40:26.343,0:40:27.403 of God in the home 0:40:27.403,0:40:29.043 and bringing his family along. 0:40:29.043,0:40:30.117 (Derek) Okay, and back 0:40:30.117,0:40:31.873 to what we've talked about earlier, 0:40:31.873,0:40:32.827 that list of names, 0:40:32.827,0:40:34.737 and then it said, "and the..."? 0:40:34.737,0:40:36.093 "Rest of the people," right? 0:40:36.093,0:40:39.603 So it became a total commitment. 0:40:39.603,0:40:42.669 But leadership is not unimportant, is it? 0:40:42.669,0:40:44.357 That can have an influence. 0:40:44.357,0:40:45.938 Well, let's talk about some 0:40:45.938,0:40:47.240 of the promises now. 0:40:47.240,0:40:49.417 We'll go back to Ezra and Nehemiah's time. 0:40:49.417,0:40:50.368 They said, "We need 0:40:50.368,0:40:52.108 to renew our covenant with God." 0:40:52.108,0:40:53.191 Let's look at some 0:40:53.191,0:40:56.431 of the promises that they made. 0:40:56.431,0:40:57.791 John, would you read for us 0:40:57.791,0:40:59.733 in Nehemiah, chapter 10, 0:40:59.733,0:41:04.730 beginning with verse 29 through verse 38. 0:41:04.730,0:41:07.956 And while John reads that, are they 0:41:07.956,0:41:11.225 getting the most important things here? 0:41:11.225,0:41:15.227 Maybe what is the most important promise[br]that we make, 0:41:15.227,0:41:17.191 let's think about that. 0:41:17.191,0:41:19.781 But let's hear how they respond now. 0:41:19.781,0:41:22.878 They're renewing their covenant with God. 0:41:22.878,0:41:25.269 (John) From the New King James Version,[br]it says: 0:43:36.535,0:43:40.902 (Derek) So, that seems like[br]a lot of details, yes? 0:43:40.902,0:43:46.615 But it's all part of a ceremonial system 0:43:46.615,0:43:49.875 which points to what? 0:43:49.875,0:43:51.235 (Brittany) The Lamb of God. 0:43:51.235,0:43:53.134 (Derek) To the Lamb of God who's coming 0:43:53.134,0:43:56.347 and reflects the immeasurable[br]and unfailing love of God. 0:43:56.347,0:43:59.543 If, when we're doing all of that, 0:43:59.543,0:44:05.041 we don't forget what it's pointing to 0:44:05.041,0:44:06.084 and that God wants 0:44:06.084,0:44:08.100 what kind of relationship with us? 0:44:08.100,0:44:09.143 (Team) Intimate. 0:44:09.143,0:44:15.258 (Derek) An intimate, loving, personal[br]relationship with us, then it's okay. 0:44:15.258,0:44:18.241 If we lose sight of that, 0:44:18.241,0:44:21.141 then we're in trouble, right? 0:44:21.141,0:44:22.268 Could that happen 0:44:22.268,0:44:26.340 even in the twenty-first century? 0:44:26.340,0:44:27.805 You know, we don't bring lambs 0:44:27.805,0:44:29.504 and have grain offerings, right? 0:44:29.504,0:44:31.444 We typically, when we come to worship, 0:44:31.444,0:44:32.929 what are some things that we do 0:44:32.929,0:44:34.221 when we come to worship? 0:44:34.221,0:44:35.232 (Team) Praise. Sing. 0:44:35.232,0:44:37.202 (Derek) We sing praise to God and we...? 0:44:37.202,0:44:38.151 (Team Member) Pray. 0:44:38.151,0:44:39.577 (Derek) And we pray, and...? 0:44:39.577,0:44:40.750 (Nicole) Read the Bible. 0:44:40.750,0:44:42.165 (Team Member) Give offering. 0:44:42.165,0:44:44.962 (Derek) We give offerings, that's right;[br]We read the Bible. 0:44:44.962,0:44:45.960 We listen to someone 0:44:45.960,0:44:49.256 teaching from the Scriptures, right? 0:44:49.256,0:44:52.178 So there are things that we do, 0:44:52.178,0:44:55.424 but we always need to remember 0:44:55.424,0:44:57.938 when we come that it's all about what? 0:44:57.938,0:44:58.730 (Team) Jesus. 0:44:58.730,0:45:00.346 (Derek) It's all about God 0:45:00.346,0:45:02.101 who loves us with a...? 0:45:02.101,0:45:05.022 An immeasurable and unfailing love,[br]wanting a...? 0:45:05.022,0:45:06.011 (Team) Relationship. 0:45:06.011,0:45:07.522 (Derek) A relationship with us. 0:45:07.522,0:45:09.314 And, of course, as someone mentioned, 0:45:09.314,0:45:12.149 He showed that most vividly[br]and perfectly...? 0:45:12.149,0:45:13.276 (Team) At the cross. 0:45:13.276,0:45:15.040 (Derek) Through the coming of Jesus, 0:45:15.040,0:45:17.024 who lived, died on the cross, 0:45:17.024,0:45:19.048 rose again the third day, 0:45:19.048,0:45:20.687 and has ascended to Heaven. 0:45:20.687,0:45:22.354 He's ministering there 0:45:22.354,0:45:23.624 in the heavenly sanctuary, 0:45:23.624,0:45:25.024 and He's coming back soon. 0:45:25.024,0:45:25.728 (Team) Amen! 0:45:25.728,0:45:27.790 (Derek) We forget that if we think, 0:45:27.790,0:45:31.608 "I went to church this week, did you?" 0:45:31.608,0:45:36.308 We could miss the whole point, right? 0:45:36.308,0:45:37.699 Promises are not bad. 0:45:37.699,0:45:39.309 The Bible does tell us 0:45:39.309,0:45:40.287 we should be careful 0:45:40.287,0:45:42.377 about making promises to God. 0:45:42.377,0:45:44.432 And so I'm going to read that, 0:45:44.432,0:45:46.802 have someone read it from Ecclesiastes 5, 0:45:46.802,0:45:49.566 and then I have an important question[br]for you, and that is, 0:45:49.566,0:45:51.473 what is the most important promise 0:45:51.473,0:45:54.893 anyone can ever make to God? Okay? 0:45:54.893,0:45:57.464 But let's look first in Ecclesiastes, 0:45:57.464,0:45:59.706 which basically says, "Don't be careless 0:45:59.706,0:46:02.294 in making promises to God." 0:46:02.294,0:46:06.013 Ecclesiastes, chapter 5, and, Adison, 0:46:06.013,0:46:08.610 could you read the first five verses, 0:46:08.610,0:46:10.561 Ecclesiastes 5:1-5? 0:46:10.561,0:46:11.926 (Adison) And I'll be reading 0:46:11.926,0:46:13.580 from the King James Version: 0:47:03.940,0:47:07.400 (Derek) So, what's the sacrifice of fools? 0:47:10.050,0:47:13.548 Making rash promises 0:47:13.548,0:47:16.035 without any intention of keeping them. 0:47:16.035,0:47:19.193 Better not to say anything, right? 0:47:19.193,0:47:21.639 So, we don't want to be careless, 0:47:21.639,0:47:24.187 but there's at least one promise 0:47:24.187,0:47:28.027 that God really wants us to make. 0:47:28.027,0:47:31.632 What's the most important promise 0:47:31.632,0:47:34.378 He wants us to make to Him? 0:47:34.378,0:47:35.488 I don't know; is there 0:47:35.488,0:47:37.216 a right answer to that? 0:47:37.216,0:47:39.929 Or most important decision, I don't know. 0:47:39.929,0:47:41.444 What do you think, Brittany? 0:47:41.444,0:47:42.918 (Brittany) I think He wants us 0:47:42.918,0:47:44.230 to give Him our whole heart 0:47:44.230,0:47:46.655 and to promise to give it to Him every day 0:47:46.655,0:47:48.173 the rest of our lives. 0:47:48.173,0:47:49.990 (Derek) Can we do that? 0:47:49.990,0:47:53.059 (Brittany) Only with His help. 0:47:53.059,0:47:54.290 (Derek) Or can I promise 0:47:54.290,0:47:55.721 to at least allow Him 0:47:55.721,0:47:57.828 to enable me to do that? 0:47:57.828,0:47:58.698 (Team) Yes. 0:47:58.698,0:48:00.249 (Derek) You know, isn't there... 0:48:00.249,0:48:01.226 I remember a prayer, 0:48:01.226,0:48:08.054 "Take my heart, I cannot give it,"[br]you know? 0:48:08.054,0:48:09.162 (Adison) Keep it pure. 0:48:09.162,0:48:10.477 (Derek) Yeah, keep it pure. 0:48:10.477,0:48:16.605 I mean, it's like, "God, here I am. 0:48:16.605,0:48:18.112 I promise to be..."? 0:48:18.112,0:48:19.057 (Team) Willing. 0:48:19.057,0:48:22.171 (Derek) Willing. "I promise to be..."? 0:48:22.171,0:48:24.122 (Derek, Team) Open. 0:48:24.122,0:48:26.629 (Derek) "...to Your immeasurable[br]and unfailing love. 0:48:26.629,0:48:28.354 Your covenant with me. 0:48:28.354,0:48:30.127 You know me, God," 0:48:30.127,0:48:33.274 but can I promise that, "I will, 0:48:33.274,0:48:36.801 by Your grace, never close myself[br]up to You"? 0:48:36.801,0:48:38.703 Yeah, "I promise to be open to You," 0:48:38.703,0:48:40.568 most important promise. 0:48:40.568,0:48:44.003 Can anybody think, either of that promise, 0:48:44.003,0:48:45.040 a time when you made 0:48:45.040,0:48:46.172 that promise to God, 0:48:46.172,0:48:49.686 or an important promise you made to God? 0:48:49.686,0:48:50.908 Anybody think of a time 0:48:50.908,0:48:54.674 you made an important promise? Travis? 0:48:54.674,0:48:56.492 (Travis) Yeah, it was a few years ago. 0:48:56.492,0:49:00.113 I was in a tree reading a book... 0:49:00.113,0:49:02.288 (Derek) What were you doing[br]in a tree, Travis? 0:49:02.288,0:49:03.567 (Travis) I was actually... 0:49:03.567,0:49:05.156 (Derek) You mean, like Zacchaeus? 0:49:05.156,0:49:06.821 (Travis) Actually that's the story 0:49:06.821,0:49:07.893 that got my attention 0:49:07.893,0:49:09.181 in the book I was reading, 0:49:09.181,0:49:10.647 and I realized then and there 0:49:10.647,0:49:14.402 that I wanted to live the rest of my life 0:49:14.402,0:49:16.391 in ministry, working for Jesus. 0:49:16.391,0:49:18.194 And I told Him, that's what I'll do. 0:49:18.194,0:49:21.596 And I've had bumps along the way,[br]but still going. 0:49:21.596,0:49:24.257 (Derek) So, that promise was to just say, 0:49:24.257,0:49:26.442 "God, take my heart, 0:49:26.442,0:49:27.671 I cannot give it." 0:49:27.671,0:49:29.630 I mean, "Here I am. 0:49:29.630,0:49:33.333 I give myself to You; hold onto Me." 0:49:33.333,0:49:35.430 Bumps along the way. 0:49:35.430,0:49:37.623 Anybody else have a testimony? 0:49:37.623,0:49:38.789 Jason and then John. 0:49:38.789,0:49:39.969 (Jason) Towards the end 0:49:39.969,0:49:41.408 of my collegiate experience, 0:49:41.408,0:49:42.712 I was trying to figure out 0:49:42.712,0:49:43.982 where I should go in life, 0:49:43.982,0:49:44.978 and I was struggling 0:49:44.978,0:49:47.055 with different opportunities and paths. 0:49:47.055,0:49:48.907 And during that time, 0:49:48.907,0:49:50.687 I had a conversation with God, 0:49:50.687,0:49:52.259 and the conclusion of it was, 0:49:52.259,0:49:53.945 "All right, Lord, I promise 0:49:53.945,0:49:56.601 that whatever direction You show me, 0:49:56.601,0:49:58.400 I'm going to go; do You want me 0:49:58.400,0:49:59.564 to go to this school? 0:49:59.564,0:50:01.215 Do you want me to go to this job?" 0:50:01.215,0:50:02.728 And He ended up sending me 0:50:02.728,0:50:05.450 to be a student missionary for a year 0:50:05.450,0:50:07.071 before sending me on a career, 0:50:07.071,0:50:09.627 and I know I needed to make that promise. 0:50:09.627,0:50:11.418 I needed to open myself to God's will 0:50:11.418,0:50:12.542 so that He could put me 0:50:12.542,0:50:13.777 where He wanted to put me 0:50:13.777,0:50:16.209 along the path that He had for my life. 0:50:16.209,0:50:18.018 (Derek) And maybe you hadn't thought 0:50:18.018,0:50:19.982 about the student missionary for a year, 0:50:19.982,0:50:22.141 but God says, "As part of the plan, 0:50:22.141,0:50:23.710 I need you to go here," 0:50:23.710,0:50:25.074 which was where, by the way? 0:50:25.074,0:50:26.572 (Jason) In Central America. 0:50:26.572,0:50:28.891 (Derek) In Central America.[br]All right. John. 0:50:28.891,0:50:30.677 (John) In 2013 my wife 0:50:30.677,0:50:32.487 was involved in an accident 0:50:32.487,0:50:33.837 while she was jogging. 0:50:33.837,0:50:36.017 A vehicle struck her from behind. 0:50:36.017,0:50:37.933 She had been life-flighted 0:50:37.933,0:50:39.906 to the nearest trauma center. 0:50:39.906,0:50:41.516 A policeman showed up at my door 0:50:41.516,0:50:43.065 with the police chaplain 0:50:43.065,0:50:44.409 and told me about it. 0:50:44.409,0:50:47.636 And during the hour-and-a-half drive[br]to the hospital, 0:50:47.636,0:50:49.160 not knowing her condition 0:50:49.160,0:50:52.450 other than she was flown, 0:50:52.450,0:50:53.494 and all these things 0:50:53.494,0:50:54.925 going through my mind, 0:50:54.925,0:50:56.280 I had made a promise to God 0:50:56.280,0:50:58.625 that I will never doubt 0:50:58.625,0:51:00.210 His goodness and love, 0:51:00.210,0:51:02.287 regardless of the outcome. 0:51:02.287,0:51:03.579 The promise was, "I'm going 0:51:03.579,0:51:06.000 to serve You still." 0:51:06.000,0:51:07.329 And I can praise God 0:51:07.329,0:51:10.207 that she's restored fully, 0:51:10.207,0:51:13.423 but I was going to serve God regardless. 0:51:13.423,0:51:17.991 (Derek) Powerful. 0:51:17.991,0:51:21.962 That's a Holy-Spirit-enabled promise, 0:51:21.962,0:51:24.622 right, because the enemy says, 0:51:24.622,0:51:27.629 "Curse God and die." 0:51:27.629,0:51:29.464 But, "No, I will trust You still." 0:51:29.464,0:51:31.413 That's kind of Job, isn't it? 0:51:31.413,0:51:32.627 "No matter what happens, 0:51:32.627,0:51:34.854 I'll trust in You." 0:51:34.854,0:51:36.078 Well, God wants us 0:51:36.078,0:51:38.368 to enter into that promise. 0:51:38.368,0:51:39.223 What do you do... 0:51:39.223,0:51:40.547 Maybe someone comes to you, 0:51:40.547,0:51:42.141 and we don't have a lot of time, 0:51:42.141,0:51:43.395 you're just going to have 0:51:43.395,0:51:44.604 to quote the text for me, 0:51:44.604,0:51:46.619 someone comes to you and says, "Derek, 0:51:46.619,0:51:48.885 I made that promise up in the tree, 0:51:48.885,0:51:51.226 but I had a bump along the way, 0:51:51.226,0:51:53.005 and I feel like I broke my promise. 0:51:53.005,0:51:56.637 I went out and I did something stupid 0:51:56.637,0:51:58.077 after I had made a promise. 0:51:58.077,0:52:01.434 I just wanted to follow Jesus[br]no matter what." 0:52:01.434,0:52:04.046 What would you say to that friend 0:52:04.046,0:52:05.466 if she came to you and said, 0:52:05.466,0:52:09.575 "I guess it didn't work out[br]for me," Brittany? 0:52:09.575,0:52:11.585 (Brittany) I think about the story[br]of Peter 0:52:11.585,0:52:12.532 and how he promised 0:52:12.532,0:52:13.997 he would never leave Christ, 0:52:13.997,0:52:17.440 and then Jesus said to him,[br]"I'll pray for you, 0:52:17.440,0:52:19.772 that even after your faith fails you, 0:52:19.772,0:52:21.991 that you will come and return to Me." 0:52:21.991,0:52:24.188 And Jesus said that to Him 0:52:24.188,0:52:26.057 even before he failed. 0:52:26.057,0:52:27.785 He said, "I'll be praying for you." 0:52:27.785,0:52:29.010 And so that's something 0:52:29.010,0:52:31.106 that we can remember. 0:52:31.106,0:52:32.930 Jesus knows when we're going to fail; 0:52:32.930,0:52:36.114 He knows when we're going to stumble,[br]but He's still praying for us. 0:52:36.114,0:52:39.653 He knows that we'll come back; He's giving[br]us the opportunity to come back. 0:52:39.653,0:52:41.343 (Derek) So there are stories, 0:52:41.343,0:52:43.586 there are promises. 0:52:43.586,0:52:45.220 Someone else in the Scripture 0:52:45.220,0:52:46.672 that gives us hope? Gladys? 0:52:46.672,0:52:48.562 (Gladys) Yes, I love the story of David 0:52:48.562,0:52:51.992 when he fell, and in Psalm 51 0:52:51.992,0:52:55.566 he said, "A broken and contrite heart, 0:52:55.566,0:52:56.990 You will not despise." 0:52:56.990,0:52:59.712 So even when we fail, God doesn't. 0:52:59.712,0:53:01.092 (Derek) I love those words 0:53:01.092,0:53:03.376 in Psalm 51, verse 10, 0:53:03.376,0:53:06.221 "Create in me a clean heart, O God; 0:53:06.221,0:53:09.889 and renew a right spirit within me. 0:53:09.889,0:53:11.763 Do not cast me away from Your presence, 0:53:11.763,0:53:14.435 or take Your Holy Spirit from me. 0:53:14.435,0:53:16.049 Restore to me..." 0:53:16.049,0:53:18.197 (Derek, Team) "... the joy[br]of Your salvation." 0:53:18.197,0:53:19.527 (Derek) So it's coming back 0:53:19.527,0:53:21.053 into that intimate relationship 0:53:21.053,0:53:23.005 with a God who loves us how? 0:53:23.005,0:53:25.914 With an immeasurable and unfailing love. 0:53:25.914,0:53:29.252 You know, we cannot fail when we fall 0:53:29.252,0:53:32.931 into the arms of a loving Savior;[br]we can't. 0:53:32.931,0:53:34.958 There's one last thought in our study. 0:53:34.958,0:53:36.932 We've just got a couple of minutes left. 0:53:36.932,0:53:39.636 Did you notice, talking about caring 0:53:39.636,0:53:40.798 for the house of God. 0:53:40.798,0:53:44.350 Go back to Nehemiah 10 and verse 39, 0:53:44.350,0:53:47.728 at the end of this renewing[br]of the covenant. 0:53:47.728,0:53:54.739 Nehemiah makes this interesting record 0:53:54.739,0:53:57.051 in chapter 10, Nehemiah, 0:53:57.051,0:53:59.527 chapter 10, and verse 39. 0:53:59.527,0:54:01.778 Brittany, would you read[br]that verse for us? 0:54:01.778,0:54:03.038 (Brittany) I'll be reading 0:54:03.038,0:54:04.582 from the New King James Version, 0:54:04.582,0:54:07.465 Nehemiah, chapter 10 and verse 39: 0:54:28.100,0:54:32.591 (Derek) Why is that last phrase[br]so important? 0:54:32.591,0:54:34.859 Why is it important today, too, 0:54:34.859,0:54:36.089 but let's go back there, 0:54:36.089,0:54:37.789 "We will not neglect 0:54:37.789,0:54:39.576 the house of our God"? 0:54:39.576,0:54:41.031 Why is that important? 0:54:41.031,0:54:45.015 God doesn't need that house, or does He? 0:54:45.015,0:54:46.870 Why is it important that they said, 0:54:46.870,0:54:48.177 "We're not going to neglect 0:54:48.177,0:54:49.264 the house of our God"? 0:54:49.264,0:54:50.701 Short answer, Travis. 0:54:50.701,0:54:51.935 (Travis) Because that was 0:54:51.935,0:54:53.275 the picture of salvation 0:54:53.275,0:54:54.986 of the land that was going to be... 0:54:54.986,0:54:56.957 (Derek) That is telling the story 0:54:56.957,0:54:58.277 about a God who loves us 0:54:58.277,0:55:00.719 with an immeasurable and unfailing love. 0:55:00.719,0:55:03.094 Hyperspace forward to our time. 0:55:03.094,0:55:05.432 What does that mean for us today? 0:55:05.432,0:55:08.346 We'd say, "Okay, we're followers of Jesus, 0:55:08.346,0:55:09.908 preparing for His soon return." 0:55:09.908,0:55:11.319 How many does Jesus 0:55:11.319,0:55:12.876 want to be saved in His Kingdom? 0:55:12.876,0:55:13.717 (Team) All. 0:55:13.717,0:55:15.116 (Derek) "We will not neglect 0:55:15.116,0:55:16.209 the house of our God." 0:55:16.209,0:55:17.165 What does that mean 0:55:17.165,0:55:19.088 for us today? Stephanie? 0:55:19.088,0:55:21.018 (Stephanie) I think it means showing up 0:55:21.018,0:55:22.380 and being presently active. 0:55:22.380,0:55:23.687 (Derek) Okay, so you'd say 0:55:23.687,0:55:25.801 it's very physical, actually going 0:55:25.801,0:55:27.728 and being active in what? 0:55:27.728,0:55:28.994 (Stephanie) In ministry. 0:55:28.994,0:55:29.898 (Derek) In, in...? 0:55:29.898,0:55:31.798 (Stephanie) The ministry of the church. 0:55:31.798,0:55:34.652 (Derek) In the ministry of the church,[br]which is what, Harold? 0:55:34.652,0:55:36.355 What is the ministry of the church? 0:55:36.355,0:55:37.817 (Harold) To share the gospel. 0:55:37.817,0:55:39.277 (Derek) That's right, to share 0:55:39.277,0:55:41.116 the good news about a God who loves us 0:55:41.116,0:55:43.038 with an immeasurable and unfailing love. 0:55:43.038,0:55:46.012 Now, back then it took sacrifice, right? 0:55:46.012,0:55:47.264 They brought their tithes; 0:55:47.264,0:55:48.683 they brought their offerings. 0:55:48.683,0:55:50.411 Does it require sacrifice today? 0:55:50.411,0:55:51.139 (Team) Yes! 0:55:51.139,0:55:52.890 (Derek) What kind of sacrifices? 0:55:52.890,0:55:54.500 (Team Member) A living sacrifice. 0:55:54.500,0:55:55.757 (Derek) A living sacrifice 0:55:55.757,0:55:57.107 because, actually, while God 0:55:57.107,0:55:59.157 does want us to return our faithful tithes 0:55:59.157,0:56:02.387 and to honor Him with praise and prayer, 0:56:02.387,0:56:04.833 what He wants more than anything is...? 0:56:04.833,0:56:05.864 (Team) Our hearts. 0:56:05.864,0:56:07.295 (Derek) He wants us, 0:56:07.295,0:56:10.218 that living sacrifice that will love Him 0:56:10.218,0:56:11.359 with all of our hearts 0:56:11.359,0:56:13.054 and will go out and...? 0:56:13.054,0:56:14.510 (Team) Share... 0:56:14.510,0:56:15.805 (Derek) Share the good news 0:56:15.805,0:56:16.983 about a God who loves us 0:56:16.983,0:56:19.234 with an immeasurable and unfailing love. 0:56:19.234,0:56:21.285 What we'll discover 0:56:21.285,0:56:25.289 is that when we do that, 0:56:25.289,0:56:26.485 out of the context 0:56:26.485,0:56:29.600 of an intimate relationship with God, 0:56:29.600,0:56:30.982 what's going to happen 0:56:30.982,0:56:33.106 when we go out to share with people 0:56:33.106,0:56:35.310 about a God who loves them? 0:56:35.310,0:56:36.589 Out of the context 0:56:36.589,0:56:38.599 of a life-changing relationship with God, 0:56:38.599,0:56:39.936 what's going to happen? 0:56:39.936,0:56:41.136 (Team) We'll be changed. 0:56:41.136,0:56:43.494 (Derek) It's going to change lives,[br]including...? 0:56:43.494,0:56:44.492 (Team) Ours. 0:56:44.492,0:56:45.547 (Derek) That's right. 0:56:45.547,0:56:49.277 You know, when God asks us[br]to do something, 0:56:49.277,0:56:51.021 it's not just because He 0:56:51.021,0:56:52.910 can't find anybody else. 0:56:52.910,0:56:54.814 He could ask angels, 0:56:54.814,0:56:56.719 but He wants us to experience 0:56:56.719,0:56:58.668 his immeasurable and unfailing love 0:56:58.668,0:57:01.844 as we join Him in His harvest work. 0:57:01.844,0:57:04.451 We will not let it be said of us 0:57:04.451,0:57:05.938 in this last generation, 0:57:05.938,0:57:09.135 we will not neglect the house of our God. 0:57:09.135,0:57:12.022 And that covenant that He initiated, 0:57:12.022,0:57:13.972 that He will put His love 0:57:13.972,0:57:15.495 in our hearts, right, 0:57:15.495,0:57:16.825 His law in our hearts, 0:57:16.825,0:57:20.357 embrace us in an intimate,[br]life-changing relationship. 0:57:20.357,0:57:21.580 Do you want that today? 0:57:21.580,0:57:24.573 Every day that's a choice we can make. 0:57:24.573,0:57:27.690 Every day, "Lord, I'm here, open to You." 0:57:27.690,0:57:29.325 Let's pray; Father in Heaven, 0:57:29.325,0:57:31.309 let that be each of our prayers, 0:57:31.309,0:57:33.111 that we may see clearer 0:57:33.111,0:57:35.127 and yet clearer revelations 0:57:35.127,0:57:37.994 of your immeasurable and unfailing love, 0:57:37.994,0:57:40.473 and that through us that love 0:57:40.473,0:57:43.049 would be revealed to those around us. 0:57:43.049,0:57:45.716 In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. 0:57:45.716,0:57:47.001 (Team) Amen. 0:57:47.001,0:57:49.895 (Derek) Someone else needs to konw 0:57:49.895,0:57:51.840 that God loves her 0:57:51.840,0:57:53.930 with an immeasurable and unfailing love. 0:57:53.930,0:57:55.935 Someone else, maybe that you work with, 0:57:55.935,0:57:57.958 needs to know that God loves him 0:57:57.958,0:58:00.099 with an immeasurable and unfailing love. 0:58:00.099,0:58:02.881 Take that good news and be a blessing 0:58:02.881,0:58:04.155 to those around you. 0:58:04.155,0:58:29.185 ♪ theme music ♪