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♪ theme music ♪

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(Derek) Welcome to Hope Sabbath School,

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an in-depth, interactive study

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of the Word of God.

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We are coming to the close

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of a very practical series of studies

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based on the words of Jesus,

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<i>Ministering to "the Least of These":
to Those in Need,</i>

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our topic today, <i>To Love Mercy,</i>

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and that is so aligned

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with the heart of our loving God.

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I pray you'll be blessed,

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and it's good to be together

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and study, isn't it?

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And I'm excited because one of our team,

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Puia, is going to be teaching today.

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And it's so exciting,

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not only to have some members

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of our team who teach,

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but to know that thousands

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of people around the world

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are downloading our outline, and you're

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having an in-depth, interactive class
where you live.

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We would love to hear from you,

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what people are learning

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about the Word of God,

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what you're learning about sharing
the Word of God.

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You can write to us at sshope@hopetv.org,

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and we would be happy to hear

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what God's doing in you and through you.

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Here are just a few emails

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we've received recently.

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One from Chipo in Zimbabwe,

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Chipo writes, "Hi, everybody."

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(Team) Hi!

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(Derek) "My name's Chipo,

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I'm a 17-year-old girl

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learning at a high school in Zimbabwe,

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the same school where one of your team,

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Simiso, went to school."

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Wow, we all know Simiso.

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He's not with us today, Chipo,

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but we're glad that you're studying there.

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"I look forward to watching

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Hope Sabbath School programs

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because they encourage me

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to read the Bible more

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and to memorize Bible verses,

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which I often struggle with
when I'm alone.

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Thanks to your program,

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I enjoy contributing

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during my own Sabbath School class

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and proving to my classmates

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that we shouldn't be embarrassed

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when we know more Bible verses

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than we do about the latest movie
or popular song."

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(Team) Amen.

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(Derek) That's powerful.

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"Your testimonies give me

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great assurance that I serve

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a living and powerful God."

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(Team) Amen!

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(Derek) Well, you just encouraged us

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for our study today, Chipo.

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Thanks for writing to us from Zimbabwe.

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And you're right, the Word of God

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is more powerful than modern movies
or popular songs.

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Kodiah writes from Jamaica.

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Anyone from Jamaica here?

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All right, Nicole, Jamaican heritage
anyway, right?

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"My name's Kodiah; I'm writing
from Jamaica.

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I recently got introduced

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to Hope Sabbath School.

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I was so amazed and refreshed

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that there was a program

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that I could watch that would help me

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to further understand the Bible."

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(Team) Amen.

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(Derek) "With the introduction
of this program,

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I can now understand better

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and make application to my own life.

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I'm thrilled to share with my husband

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because we do Sabbath School together.

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We can now have a more in-depth discussion

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and the program will help both of us

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to know how to understand the Word of God.

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This platform," writes Kodiah,
"is remarkable,"

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and I'm looking forward

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to the ones in the future.

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Thank you, and God bless you all."

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Well, Kodiah, I'm impressed that you're...

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She's already encouraged

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her husband to watch, too.

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And you know someone,

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you're watching today

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wherever you are around the world,

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you know someone who will be blessed

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by a study of God's Word.

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The Holy Spirit's the One
who changes hearts,

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but we can invite people

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to be blessed through His Word.

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Manuel writes from Angola,

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and he says, "I've been watching

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this program for seven years.

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Now, I'm a member of Hope Sabbath School.

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This program has been changing my life.

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I understand the Scriptures well

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through Hope Sabbath School."

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Well, his main language in Angola

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is not English, is it?

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There are probably some tribal languages

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and Portuguese, right, in Angola.

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So we're just glad, Manuel, that you're

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part of our Hope Sabbath School family.

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Let's see, I have another note here.

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I think I mixed them all up; that's it?

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Oh, no, here are two more in my Bible.

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Here's one from a donor in Arizona

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in the United States.

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Treva, you're from Arizona, aren't you?

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Well, say a little wave to a family there.

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This person writes, "My faith,"

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they mention a mainline church,
"of 60 years

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has been void for a long time.

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I didn't know what was missing,

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and one day I found Hope Sabbath School,

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and I know now what I was missing.

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I was missing the Word of God."

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Is it possible to go to church each week

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and not hear the Word of God?

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"I realized it was God's Word,

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reading, studying, savoring;

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that's what was lacking in my life.

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A couple of years of regular watching

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has inspired me to seek out

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a personal Bible study group,

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which I have now found."

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And this donor sent a gift of 25 dollars

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to Hope Sabbath School.

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And, you know, we're all

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part of the miracle,

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so thank you for helping

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this donor-supported ministry.

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One last note, from Randy in Ohio

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in the United States,

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"Thank you for blessing us

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through the weekly Bible study.

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It's been a tough year for me.

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I was rushed to the hospital

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and later diagnosed

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with dead bowel syndrome

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and had emergency surgery.

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I'm still experiencing the effects
of that surgery.

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Then in November I was

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to have cataract surgery on my right eye

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because of a retina detachment
a year earlier.

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It was great; the next day
I was able to see.

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Then in December it became necessary

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to have surgery on the other eye,

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and during that surgery

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something went terribly wrong.

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Instead of a 10- or 15-minute surgery,

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it took an hour and a half.

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This surgery left me blind

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in my left eye, hopefully temporarily.

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So far, I've gained only 50 percent

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of my vision in my left eye,

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haven't been able to drive
or go to church,

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but I've been able to watch

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Hope Sabbath School."

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(Team) Amen!

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(Derek) Well, I want to tell you,

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those who wait on the Lord, I believe,
will renew their strength.

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And we want to be praying

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for continued healing for you, Randy.

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It's obviously a challenge, isn't it?

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But, you know, when we

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hide the Word in our hearts,

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even if we lose some sight,

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we still have the Word within us.

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And that's why we sing Scripture songs

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as theme songs for this series.

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For this series on <i>"The Least of These,"</i>

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we've got a beautiful text

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from 2 Thessalonians 3, verses 5 and 16,

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"Now may the Lord direct your hearts

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into the love of God."

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Let's sing together.

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♪ music ♪

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(Derek) Well, I'm excited

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as we study together today

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that we can direct our hearts

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into the love of God

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and to love mercy as He does.

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Puia, why don't you lead us in prayer

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as we begin our study?

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(Puia) Shall we pray?

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Our dear, loving heavenly Father,

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we come to You in the name of Jesus.

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Lord, we thank You for this opportunity

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that You have given to us today

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to study Your Word once again.

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Lord, we pray that You will be with us,

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that You speak to us

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through the Holy Spirit.

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Lord, I pray, not only

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for the Hope Sabbath School team members

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here in the studio,

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but I pray also for all

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the Hope Sabbath School members
around the world,

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whenever it is that they're

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watching this episode,

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or wherever it is that they're
watching this from.

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Lord, I pray that You will be

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with them as well.

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We thank You for Your love, and we

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pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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(Derek, Team) Amen.

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(Puia) All right, we are

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on a series of studies on the topic

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of <i>Ministering to Those in Need,</i>

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<i>"The Least of These,"</i>

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according to the teachings of Jesus,

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and today we are on lesson number 12.

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And the title of our study
is <i>To Love Mercy.</i>

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I want to start our study

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by reading Micah, chapter 6, verse 8.

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Jonathan, can you please read for us

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Micah, chapter 6, verse 8,

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and here we will find

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the call of God for mankind, all right?

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In this verse, we will be able to see

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what God requires of us as mankind.

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(Jonathan) Micah 6, verse 8,

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all right, I'll be reading

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from the New Living Translation:

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(Puia) Amen. So here in this verse,

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what is God requiring of us as mankind,

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or people, in your version?

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Anything that stands...

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(Stephanie) To do justly.

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(Puia) To do justly.

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(Evelyn) Walk humbly with God.

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(Puia) Walk humbly with Him, and...?

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(Team) Love mercy.

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(Puia) Love mercy, which is the title
of our study today.

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This is what God is asking of mankind,

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every one of us, all right?

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And, as we have seen in our study,

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in this series of studies,

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we have seen time and time again,

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that the Bible is filled

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with descriptions of God's concern

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for the poor and the oppressed people.

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And also the call is for His people

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to stand for those people.

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(Derek) That's right.

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(Puia) Yet, despite all this attention,

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it is not enough; we still live

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in a sinful world, right?

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We still see sins and evils around us,

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and those are most often portrayed -

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we can see them through poverty,

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difficulties, hardship, sickness, pain,
and so many more.

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And today we will study what it means

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to have mercy, to love mercy,

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amidst these troubles in the time
that we live in.

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So let's continue our study

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by reading Matthew, chapter 6,

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00:11:59,021 --> 00:12:01,212
verses 25 through 33.

271
00:12:01,212 --> 00:12:03,903
Adison, if you can read for us

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00:12:03,903 --> 00:12:05,821
Matthew, chapter 6,

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00:12:05,821 --> 00:12:08,609
starting from verse 25

274
00:12:08,609 --> 00:12:11,247
down through verse 33.

275
00:12:11,247 --> 00:12:12,895
(Adison) For sure, and I'm reading

276
00:12:12,895 --> 00:12:15,150
from the King James Version:

277
00:13:41,102 --> 00:13:43,543
(Puia) Amen. So, what is Jesus

278
00:13:43,543 --> 00:13:44,942
telling us here in this verse

279
00:13:44,942 --> 00:13:47,246
that we just read, anything?

280
00:13:47,246 --> 00:13:49,124
(Patricia) He doesn't want us to worry.

281
00:13:49,124 --> 00:13:50,581
I notice that the word "worry"

282
00:13:50,581 --> 00:13:53,298
or "worrying" is here at least four times.

283
00:13:53,298 --> 00:13:54,876
He's saying, instead of worrying,

284
00:13:54,876 --> 00:13:56,121
we should just have faith

285
00:13:56,121 --> 00:13:58,104
that He will provide for us what we need.

286
00:13:58,104 --> 00:14:01,077
(Puia) So we can find assurance that God

287
00:14:01,077 --> 00:14:04,079
is going to take care
of us, right? Evelyn?

288
00:14:04,079 --> 00:14:05,531
(Evelyn) I think what the Lord

289
00:14:05,531 --> 00:14:07,455
is trying to tell us is that many times

290
00:14:07,455 --> 00:14:10,577
we prioritize the material things
in our lives,

291
00:14:10,577 --> 00:14:12,198
our treasures or how we're

292
00:14:12,198 --> 00:14:13,830
going to prosper in life.

293
00:14:13,830 --> 00:14:15,104
And God is telling us,

294
00:14:15,104 --> 00:14:16,791
"You don't need to worry about that

295
00:14:16,791 --> 00:14:17,841
if you seek Me first,

296
00:14:17,841 --> 00:14:19,589
because I will provide for you,"

297
00:14:19,589 --> 00:14:21,772
that, "I should be your priority."

298
00:14:21,772 --> 00:14:23,760
That's what the Lord is telling us.

299
00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:26,356
(Puia) So how should this assurance

300
00:14:26,356 --> 00:14:28,507
that we have in God

301
00:14:28,507 --> 00:14:31,587
change our priorities in life?

302
00:14:31,587 --> 00:14:33,500
What should we prioritize first,

303
00:14:33,500 --> 00:14:34,843
as you said? Yes, Treva.

304
00:14:34,843 --> 00:14:36,489
(Treva) Our focus should really be

305
00:14:36,489 --> 00:14:38,380
on those who are in need

306
00:14:38,380 --> 00:14:40,980
because we know we have a Master,

307
00:14:40,980 --> 00:14:43,145
and He's going to take care of us.

308
00:14:43,145 --> 00:14:45,991
So, if we have our focus on others,

309
00:14:45,991 --> 00:14:47,687
we won't be concerned about,

310
00:14:47,687 --> 00:14:49,017
"What am I going to wear?"

311
00:14:49,017 --> 00:14:50,201
"How am I going to eat?"

312
00:14:50,201 --> 00:14:51,920
"How am I going to pay my bills?"

313
00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:53,899
because our focus is on helping others.

314
00:14:53,899 --> 00:14:55,838
We put on focus on that, God will bless.

315
00:14:55,838 --> 00:14:57,504
(Puia) Amen. Yes, Travis.

316
00:14:57,505 --> 00:14:59,275
(Travis) I think, too, in the context

317
00:14:59,275 --> 00:15:00,362
of what we're studying

318
00:15:00,362 --> 00:15:02,826
is that it's easy in life today to say,

319
00:15:02,826 --> 00:15:04,300
"Well, I would go do that,

320
00:15:04,300 --> 00:15:05,806
but I need this job,"

321
00:15:05,806 --> 00:15:09,022
or, "I would go do this, but I need to..."

322
00:15:09,022 --> 00:15:11,953
And God is saying, "I'll take care
of your needs."

323
00:15:11,953 --> 00:15:14,423
You know, "Go ahead and do these things."

324
00:15:14,423 --> 00:15:16,165
We often use our jobs

325
00:15:16,165 --> 00:15:19,013
and the necessities we need in life

326
00:15:19,013 --> 00:15:21,434
as an excuse not to go and help the poor

327
00:15:21,434 --> 00:15:23,811
or to do that kind of thing.

328
00:15:23,811 --> 00:15:25,989
(Puia) So the next question is,

329
00:15:25,989 --> 00:15:29,564
then why is showing mercy to those in need

330
00:15:29,564 --> 00:15:32,015
important for followers of Jesus?

331
00:15:32,015 --> 00:15:34,218
But before we answer that, I want us

332
00:15:34,218 --> 00:15:37,649
to go to Luke, chapter 6, verse 36.

333
00:15:37,649 --> 00:15:40,249
And, Pedro, if you can read for us

334
00:15:40,249 --> 00:15:42,249
Luke, chapter 6, verse 36.

335
00:15:42,249 --> 00:15:44,787
And, after reading this verse,

336
00:15:44,787 --> 00:15:46,447
we will answer the question,

337
00:15:46,447 --> 00:15:48,775
why is showing mercy to those in need

338
00:15:48,775 --> 00:15:52,465
important for followers of Christ?

339
00:15:54,135 --> 00:15:55,271
(Pedro) I'll be reading

340
00:15:55,271 --> 00:15:58,579
from the New King James Version,
Luke 6:36:

341
00:16:04,707 --> 00:16:06,414
(Puia) All right, so what should be

342
00:16:06,414 --> 00:16:08,301
the reason why this is important,

343
00:16:08,301 --> 00:16:10,455
showing mercy to those in need?
Yes, Jonathan?

344
00:16:10,455 --> 00:16:12,001
(Jonathan) To reflect the beauty

345
00:16:12,001 --> 00:16:13,666
of who Christ is and how He

346
00:16:13,666 --> 00:16:18,466
reflects God's compassion and mercy.

347
00:16:18,466 --> 00:16:19,402
(Puia) Yes, Travis?

348
00:16:19,402 --> 00:16:21,692
(Travis) We can't pay God back

349
00:16:21,692 --> 00:16:23,991
for anything He's done; we can't.

350
00:16:23,991 --> 00:16:25,969
I mean, the bill that He's paid for us,

351
00:16:25,969 --> 00:16:27,818
there's nothing we can do.

352
00:16:27,818 --> 00:16:30,278
There is one thing we can do,

353
00:16:30,278 --> 00:16:32,259
and we can extend the same mercy

354
00:16:32,259 --> 00:16:35,322
that He's extended to us, to others.

355
00:16:35,322 --> 00:16:36,401
That's the one thing

356
00:16:36,401 --> 00:16:39,601
that we can do for God.

357
00:16:39,601 --> 00:16:41,171
(Derek) I honestly believe, Puia,

358
00:16:41,171 --> 00:16:43,680
that that brings joy to the heart of God.

359
00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:45,419
It's not like, "You ought to do that

360
00:16:45,419 --> 00:16:46,809
because I expect it."

361
00:16:46,809 --> 00:16:48,352
I think even as parents,

362
00:16:48,352 --> 00:16:50,110
when we see our children

363
00:16:50,110 --> 00:16:52,810
acting in a beautiful way,

364
00:16:52,810 --> 00:16:54,462
we experience joy.

365
00:16:54,462 --> 00:16:56,448
I think it brings joy to the heart of God

366
00:16:56,448 --> 00:16:58,530
when He sees His mercy

367
00:16:58,530 --> 00:17:01,455
extended through us.

368
00:17:01,455 --> 00:17:06,146
(Puia) So, can we say that, in life,

369
00:17:06,146 --> 00:17:10,673
food, clothes, money, they're important,

370
00:17:10,673 --> 00:17:13,552
but they're not the most important,

371
00:17:13,552 --> 00:17:15,800
or they're not the priorities

372
00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:17,149
that we should have in life?

373
00:17:17,149 --> 00:17:18,378
Can we say that?

374
00:17:18,378 --> 00:17:19,698
(Derek, Team) Sure. Yes.

375
00:17:19,698 --> 00:17:20,793
(Puia) But that means

376
00:17:20,793 --> 00:17:23,051
that God called us to a higher standard

377
00:17:23,051 --> 00:17:24,858
than that of the world,

378
00:17:24,858 --> 00:17:26,941
and that may bring us

379
00:17:26,941 --> 00:17:28,619
into situations sometimes

380
00:17:28,619 --> 00:17:30,603
where our relationship

381
00:17:30,603 --> 00:17:33,683
with those in power,

382
00:17:33,683 --> 00:17:35,229
that may change our relationship

383
00:17:35,229 --> 00:17:38,395
with those people who are oppressing
other people, right?

384
00:17:38,395 --> 00:17:40,766
So, how should we respond
as Christians,

385
00:17:40,766 --> 00:17:42,239
if we are in situations

386
00:17:42,239 --> 00:17:44,460
where our convictions

387
00:17:44,460 --> 00:17:45,519
from the Word of God

388
00:17:45,519 --> 00:17:48,323
may not be in line with the policies

389
00:17:48,323 --> 00:17:53,036
of the government or people in power?

390
00:17:53,036 --> 00:17:56,113
Let us read Acts, chapter 5, verse 29,

391
00:17:56,113 --> 00:17:57,593
to give us an idea

392
00:17:57,593 --> 00:17:59,708
of how the people of God,

393
00:17:59,708 --> 00:18:01,479
or at least the disciples of Jesus,

394
00:18:01,479 --> 00:18:04,705
dealt with situations like that
in the past.

395
00:18:04,705 --> 00:18:06,363
After reading this, we will

396
00:18:06,363 --> 00:18:08,284
answer that question again.

397
00:18:08,284 --> 00:18:10,931
So, Treva, if you can read for us,

398
00:18:10,931 --> 00:18:15,336
Acts, chapter 5, verse 29.

399
00:18:15,336 --> 00:18:17,602
(Treva) Acts, chapter 5, verse 29,

400
00:18:17,602 --> 00:18:21,086
and I'll be reading from the New
King James translation:

401
00:18:30,508 --> 00:18:34,706
(Puia) Before talking about that verse,

402
00:18:34,706 --> 00:18:36,821
should we obey the government?

403
00:18:36,821 --> 00:18:39,338
First let's answer that question.

404
00:18:39,338 --> 00:18:42,586
Is government important
in our lives? Yes.

405
00:18:42,586 --> 00:18:44,279
(Derek) There are other Bible texts

406
00:18:44,279 --> 00:18:45,706
that tell us we should, right?

407
00:18:45,706 --> 00:18:48,746
(Nicole) And Jesus did; He's our example.

408
00:18:48,746 --> 00:18:51,074
(Evelyn) Give to Caesar
what belongs to Caesar.

409
00:18:51,074 --> 00:18:53,165
(Puia) Yes. So then the next question is:

410
00:18:53,165 --> 00:18:55,769
What if the policies of the government

411
00:18:55,769 --> 00:18:56,943
or people in power

412
00:18:56,943 --> 00:18:58,673
come in conflict with the teachings

413
00:18:58,673 --> 00:19:00,295
of God? Yes, Adison.

414
00:19:00,295 --> 00:19:02,375
(Adison) I think of the example of Daniel.

415
00:19:02,375 --> 00:19:03,367
I mean, he had one

416
00:19:03,367 --> 00:19:05,963
of the highest positions in Babylon,

417
00:19:05,963 --> 00:19:08,757
and he did the very best job

418
00:19:08,757 --> 00:19:11,089
he could possibly do.

419
00:19:11,089 --> 00:19:12,476
The only time when he

420
00:19:12,476 --> 00:19:14,903
would go against the decrees

421
00:19:14,903 --> 00:19:16,046
or the laws of the land,

422
00:19:16,046 --> 00:19:18,726
if it was going to conflict

423
00:19:18,726 --> 00:19:22,366
with being obedient to the Law of God

424
00:19:22,366 --> 00:19:24,420
and following his conscience.

425
00:19:24,420 --> 00:19:25,770
And he was even willing

426
00:19:25,770 --> 00:19:27,198
to go to the den of the lions

427
00:19:27,198 --> 00:19:28,800
because he chose rather

428
00:19:28,800 --> 00:19:30,822
to obey God rather than man.

429
00:19:30,822 --> 00:19:32,716
(Puia) Yes. Stephanie, yes.

430
00:19:32,716 --> 00:19:35,125
(Stephanie) When I think about Daniel,

431
00:19:35,125 --> 00:19:38,504
and I think about how Jesus responded,

432
00:19:38,504 --> 00:19:40,941
it wasn't defiantly;

433
00:19:40,941 --> 00:19:42,791
it was with a humble spirit.

434
00:19:42,791 --> 00:19:44,811
And I think we need to keep that in mind,

435
00:19:44,811 --> 00:19:47,183
that, even though there

436
00:19:47,183 --> 00:19:48,882
might be a conflict,

437
00:19:48,882 --> 00:19:50,442
when we deal with that conflict,

438
00:19:50,442 --> 00:19:53,173
we humbly follow God,

439
00:19:53,173 --> 00:19:59,048
and we don't go to the lower plane

440
00:19:59,048 --> 00:20:03,948
and be mean and rough
without the Spirit.

441
00:20:03,948 --> 00:20:05,679
(Derek) We may also have the choice,

442
00:20:05,679 --> 00:20:07,045
unlike some prisoners of war

443
00:20:07,045 --> 00:20:08,789
who didn't have the choice to leave.

444
00:20:08,789 --> 00:20:10,230
We may have the choice to say,

445
00:20:10,230 --> 00:20:11,752
"I think I'm going to emigrate

446
00:20:11,752 --> 00:20:13,244
to another country,"

447
00:20:13,260 --> 00:20:15,050
because I'm thinking of friends

448
00:20:15,050 --> 00:20:16,145
who, at certain times,

449
00:20:16,145 --> 00:20:17,678
lived in parts of Europe,

450
00:20:17,678 --> 00:20:20,159
where there was no religious freedom,

451
00:20:20,159 --> 00:20:23,233
and they chose to move
to another country

452
00:20:23,233 --> 00:20:25,082
where there was religious freedom

453
00:20:25,082 --> 00:20:26,736
because they wanted their children

454
00:20:26,736 --> 00:20:29,641
to be able to study the Bible
and to honor God.

455
00:20:29,641 --> 00:20:32,003
So I don't think we always have

456
00:20:32,003 --> 00:20:35,915
to get into, like, a fierce conflict.

457
00:20:35,915 --> 00:20:37,833
We may say, "That's the way

458
00:20:37,833 --> 00:20:40,226
they're choosing to be here,

459
00:20:40,226 --> 00:20:41,291
but that's not the way

460
00:20:41,291 --> 00:20:42,358
I've chosen to live."

461
00:20:42,358 --> 00:20:44,436
Daniel, especially in his young life,

462
00:20:44,436 --> 00:20:45,700
didn't have that choice;

463
00:20:45,700 --> 00:20:47,460
he was a prisoner of war.

464
00:20:47,460 --> 00:20:49,662
But we may choose, "It would be better

465
00:20:49,662 --> 00:20:51,218
to live in this setting

466
00:20:51,218 --> 00:20:53,142
than to stay there."

467
00:20:53,142 --> 00:20:56,176
(Puia) Yes, looking at Daniel
that you mentioned,

468
00:20:56,176 --> 00:20:57,178
looking at his story,

469
00:20:57,178 --> 00:20:58,859
he stood up for people, right?

470
00:20:58,859 --> 00:21:01,234
Isn't that what God calls us to,

471
00:21:01,234 --> 00:21:02,711
standing up for people,

472
00:21:02,711 --> 00:21:05,728
even if the policies or the rules

473
00:21:05,728 --> 00:21:07,618
that the government or people in power

474
00:21:07,618 --> 00:21:11,774
have put in place are to oppress
other people? Yes, Travis.

475
00:21:11,774 --> 00:21:13,746
(Travis) I like what everyone is saying

476
00:21:13,746 --> 00:21:16,309
because this brings something to my mind.

477
00:21:16,309 --> 00:21:18,357
When we're faced with this kind of thing,

478
00:21:18,357 --> 00:21:19,663
we can go out and protest

479
00:21:19,663 --> 00:21:21,190
and make all kinds of...

480
00:21:21,190 --> 00:21:23,363
But, you know, Daniel prayed,

481
00:21:23,363 --> 00:21:27,983
so maybe we should "pray-test"
instead of protest.

482
00:21:27,983 --> 00:21:29,803
Instead of making a big deal,

483
00:21:29,803 --> 00:21:32,463
we can go to God with this,
with the problem.

484
00:21:32,463 --> 00:21:33,504
(Puia) Yes, Pedro.

485
00:21:33,504 --> 00:21:34,957
(Pedro) This is also, I think,

486
00:21:34,957 --> 00:21:37,017
a time of witnessing,

487
00:21:37,017 --> 00:21:39,254
and we're witnessing with a humble heart.

488
00:21:39,254 --> 00:21:40,514
You know, we're not trying

489
00:21:40,514 --> 00:21:42,353
to impose what we believe.

490
00:21:42,353 --> 00:21:43,707
We're trying to share

491
00:21:43,707 --> 00:21:45,235
the light of Christ,

492
00:21:45,235 --> 00:21:48,408
and we do that humbly.

493
00:21:48,408 --> 00:21:49,923
(Puia) Amen. Jonathan?

494
00:21:49,923 --> 00:21:51,071
(Jonathan) I'm thinking,

495
00:21:51,071 --> 00:21:53,051
it's kind of how the Kingdom of God is,

496
00:21:53,051 --> 00:21:54,718
dances in a totally different way

497
00:21:54,718 --> 00:21:56,275
than the kingdoms of this world.

498
00:21:56,275 --> 00:21:58,226
Rather than by force, it's by appealing

499
00:21:58,226 --> 00:21:59,501
to these leaders' hearts

500
00:21:59,501 --> 00:22:01,518
and demonstrating a way of peace.

501
00:22:01,518 --> 00:22:03,121
We're working for them, but we're

502
00:22:03,121 --> 00:22:05,523
also standing up for truth
and for the poor.

503
00:22:05,523 --> 00:22:07,452
So it's, yeah, "Seek ye first

504
00:22:07,452 --> 00:22:08,867
the Kingdom of God,"

505
00:22:08,867 --> 00:22:11,950
goes about life in a different way
and appeals to people.

506
00:22:11,950 --> 00:22:14,440
(Puia) Amen. Can anyone share

507
00:22:14,440 --> 00:22:16,455
an experience or a time

508
00:22:16,455 --> 00:22:19,478
when God gave you the courage

509
00:22:19,478 --> 00:22:22,207
or the power to honor Him

510
00:22:22,207 --> 00:22:26,722
in a potentially compromising situation?
Treva?

511
00:22:26,722 --> 00:22:28,636
(Treva) As a teacher,

512
00:22:28,636 --> 00:22:31,758
I am constantly faced with issues

513
00:22:31,758 --> 00:22:34,831
of having to do things on the Sabbath.

514
00:22:34,831 --> 00:22:38,896
And recently I just received

515
00:22:38,896 --> 00:22:40,622
a special certification,

516
00:22:40,622 --> 00:22:42,258
but at the time I didn't know

517
00:22:42,258 --> 00:22:44,025
the training for that

518
00:22:44,025 --> 00:22:46,351
would take place over the Sabbath.

519
00:22:46,351 --> 00:22:53,411
And I got wise counsel and prayed to God,

520
00:22:53,411 --> 00:22:54,319
"What should I do?

521
00:22:54,319 --> 00:22:55,950
How should I handle this?"

522
00:22:55,950 --> 00:22:58,477
And He did give me the courage
and the strength.

523
00:22:58,477 --> 00:23:01,626
And someone said it's a witnessing tool

524
00:23:01,626 --> 00:23:05,549
to share my faith and humble myself.

525
00:23:05,549 --> 00:23:07,637
And it all worked out

526
00:23:07,637 --> 00:23:10,667
because she understood in the end

527
00:23:10,667 --> 00:23:12,661
about faith and honoring that,

528
00:23:12,661 --> 00:23:15,462
and accommodations were made for me.

529
00:23:15,462 --> 00:23:17,192
So, as we mentioned, it doesn't have

530
00:23:17,192 --> 00:23:19,680
to be a protest and be aggressive.

531
00:23:19,680 --> 00:23:20,895
You can humble yourself

532
00:23:20,895 --> 00:23:22,060
and share your faith

533
00:23:22,060 --> 00:23:23,541
and witness at the same time.

534
00:23:23,541 --> 00:23:25,694
And God will bless, and He gave me
the courage

535
00:23:25,694 --> 00:23:27,164
because I was pretty nervous.

536
00:23:27,164 --> 00:23:28,799
I thought I would have to pay back

537
00:23:28,799 --> 00:23:30,731
the funding for that training,

538
00:23:30,731 --> 00:23:32,029
but God blessed in the end.

539
00:23:32,029 --> 00:23:33,219
(Derek, Team) Amen.

540
00:23:33,219 --> 00:23:34,168
(Derek) Beautiful.

541
00:23:34,168 --> 00:23:37,310
(Puia) Amen. Let us continue our study

542
00:23:37,310 --> 00:23:39,045
by reading James, chapter 2,

543
00:23:39,045 --> 00:23:41,773
verses 15 and 16, and, Gary,

544
00:23:41,773 --> 00:23:44,492
if you can read for us

545
00:23:44,492 --> 00:23:47,157
James, chapter 2, verses 15 and 16.

546
00:23:47,157 --> 00:23:52,019
And we will answer the question then,

547
00:23:52,019 --> 00:23:55,343
what are we called to do as Christians

548
00:23:55,343 --> 00:23:58,501
in terms of helping those in need?

549
00:23:58,501 --> 00:23:59,727
Is knowing the facts

550
00:23:59,727 --> 00:24:00,803
that people need help,

551
00:24:00,803 --> 00:24:03,267
enough or not? Gary.

552
00:24:03,267 --> 00:24:04,674
(Gary) Okay, I'll be reading

553
00:24:04,674 --> 00:24:09,926
from the New King James Version,
James 2:15-16:

554
00:24:30,482 --> 00:24:34,759
(Puia) What can we learn from this verse?
Yes, Gary.

555
00:24:34,759 --> 00:24:36,377
(Gary) We have to put our actions

556
00:24:36,377 --> 00:24:39,143
where our words are, right?

557
00:24:39,143 --> 00:24:41,603
So, if you see someone with a need,

558
00:24:41,603 --> 00:24:43,077
and you say, "Okay, this is

559
00:24:43,077 --> 00:24:44,926
the way you should go,"

560
00:24:44,926 --> 00:24:47,017
well, do something about it.

561
00:24:47,017 --> 00:24:48,457
(Puia) Yes. Adison?

562
00:24:48,457 --> 00:24:49,689
(Adison) I was just going

563
00:24:49,689 --> 00:24:51,599
to re-echo what he was saying.

564
00:24:51,599 --> 00:24:54,538
As Christians, we have a privilege

565
00:24:54,538 --> 00:24:57,977
to translate those words into actions.

566
00:24:57,977 --> 00:24:59,783
and those powerful words of Jesus,

567
00:24:59,783 --> 00:25:01,232
that counsel He gives us

568
00:25:01,232 --> 00:25:04,724
in His Holy Word, we can

569
00:25:04,724 --> 00:25:08,159
create actions out of those
and make a difference.

570
00:25:08,159 --> 00:25:09,996
(Puia) I like what you said about that

571
00:25:09,996 --> 00:25:11,814
by using the word "privilege."

572
00:25:11,814 --> 00:25:14,673
It is an opportunity, right? Yes, Travis.

573
00:25:14,673 --> 00:25:16,753
(Travis) This verse just reminds me, like,

574
00:25:16,753 --> 00:25:18,438
you're a man who doesn't own a car,

575
00:25:18,438 --> 00:25:19,517
and you tell somebody,

576
00:25:19,517 --> 00:25:20,723
"Yeah, just take my car,"

577
00:25:20,723 --> 00:25:22,129
but you just don't have one.

578
00:25:22,129 --> 00:25:23,429
You're promising something

579
00:25:23,429 --> 00:25:25,959
that you don't have; it's, like, empty.

580
00:25:25,960 --> 00:25:29,267
(Puia) All right, so let's get
practical now, right?

581
00:25:29,267 --> 00:25:30,961
So, what are the ways

582
00:25:30,961 --> 00:25:32,977
that we can show mercy?

583
00:25:32,977 --> 00:25:34,401
What are the ways that we can

584
00:25:34,401 --> 00:25:36,311
put our words into action?

585
00:25:36,311 --> 00:25:37,788
Let's answer that question

586
00:25:37,788 --> 00:25:39,528
by first reading Leviticus.

587
00:25:39,528 --> 00:25:41,273
Let's go to the Old Testament.

588
00:25:41,273 --> 00:25:42,691
Let's look at some principles

589
00:25:42,691 --> 00:25:45,681
that God gave back in the Old Testament.

590
00:25:45,685 --> 00:25:50,895
Leviticus, chapter 25, verses 35 to 37,

591
00:25:50,895 --> 00:25:54,580
and, Nicole, if you can please read for us

592
00:25:54,580 --> 00:25:58,806
Leviticus, chapter 25, verses 35 to 37.

593
00:25:58,806 --> 00:26:03,001
And we will look at the principles

594
00:26:03,001 --> 00:26:05,009
that God gave to His people

595
00:26:05,009 --> 00:26:06,851
in the Old Testament.

596
00:26:06,851 --> 00:26:10,124
(Nicole) Leviticus 25, verses
35 through 37,

597
00:26:10,124 --> 00:26:12,510
the New International Version says:

598
00:26:41,757 --> 00:26:45,087
(Puia) Wow. So, what stands out for you

599
00:26:45,087 --> 00:26:47,348
from that verse? Yes, Pedro.

600
00:26:47,348 --> 00:26:48,750
(Pedro) There are two things

601
00:26:48,750 --> 00:26:50,120
that stand out for me here.

602
00:26:50,120 --> 00:26:52,161
First of all, taking care of our brethren.

603
00:26:52,161 --> 00:26:53,840
Sometimes in a church environment,

604
00:26:53,840 --> 00:26:55,033
we want to help others

605
00:26:55,033 --> 00:26:57,142
outside of the church, which is important,

606
00:26:57,142 --> 00:26:58,363
but we forgot to check

607
00:26:58,363 --> 00:27:00,100
if our family members in our church

608
00:27:00,100 --> 00:27:01,332
are being cared for.

609
00:27:01,332 --> 00:27:02,411
And one of the things,

610
00:27:02,411 --> 00:27:03,607
and that's the principle

611
00:27:03,607 --> 00:27:05,501
I always took from this here,

612
00:27:05,501 --> 00:27:07,073
we should not take profit

613
00:27:07,073 --> 00:27:08,436
off of each other.

614
00:27:08,436 --> 00:27:11,263
If we can help without expecting
anything in return,

615
00:27:11,263 --> 00:27:13,849
without trying to get something from them,

616
00:27:13,849 --> 00:27:15,811
you know, if somebody is struggling.

617
00:27:15,811 --> 00:27:17,130
(Puia) Yes, Gladys?

618
00:27:17,130 --> 00:27:18,856
(Gladys) Yes, what got my attention

619
00:27:18,856 --> 00:27:20,340
was where it says, treat them

620
00:27:20,340 --> 00:27:21,788
as a foreigner or a stranger.

621
00:27:21,788 --> 00:27:22,941
And in a previous lesson

622
00:27:22,941 --> 00:27:24,431
we talked about how to treat

623
00:27:24,431 --> 00:27:25,716
the stranger in our midst,

624
00:27:25,716 --> 00:27:28,324
that if you have a vineyard or a field,

625
00:27:28,324 --> 00:27:30,823
leave out - don't pick up everything,

626
00:27:30,823 --> 00:27:34,638
just leave something for the stranger,
and the foreigner.

627
00:27:34,638 --> 00:27:36,683
So that is interesting that it's saying...

628
00:27:36,683 --> 00:27:39,614
It's thinking about the people that come,

629
00:27:39,614 --> 00:27:44,490
that are just part of our family,
like Pedro said,

630
00:27:44,490 --> 00:27:46,809
about in our own churches

631
00:27:46,809 --> 00:27:48,221
that may be hungry,

632
00:27:48,221 --> 00:27:49,436
and we may not know.

633
00:27:49,436 --> 00:27:52,446
So, providing for the people
in-house as well.

634
00:27:52,446 --> 00:27:56,331
(Puia) Amen, amen. So, what principle

635
00:27:56,331 --> 00:27:59,421
can we take from this verse

636
00:27:59,421 --> 00:28:03,238
that God gave to His people?

637
00:28:03,238 --> 00:28:05,008
What would be one principle

638
00:28:05,008 --> 00:28:07,389
that we can take away in terms of helping

639
00:28:07,389 --> 00:28:10,806
those in need? Yes, Jonathan?

640
00:28:10,806 --> 00:28:12,470
(Jonathan) It reminds of the verse

641
00:28:12,470 --> 00:28:14,951
where Christ says, "What good is it

642
00:28:14,951 --> 00:28:16,339
if you give to those

643
00:28:16,339 --> 00:28:18,022
who give back to you?"

644
00:28:18,022 --> 00:28:20,713
I mean, living this way changes you

645
00:28:20,713 --> 00:28:22,693
from, "How do I calculate

646
00:28:22,693 --> 00:28:25,453
in order to get something for myself," no.

647
00:28:25,453 --> 00:28:27,554
This is about being a blessing

648
00:28:27,554 --> 00:28:30,435
to this person who has no relation to you

649
00:28:30,435 --> 00:28:32,526
and may actually be hurting you
in some way,

650
00:28:32,526 --> 00:28:34,908
but your goal is to think
about their needs

651
00:28:34,908 --> 00:28:36,672
and to prioritize <i>them</i>.

652
00:28:36,672 --> 00:28:38,087
(Puia) Yes, Derek.

653
00:28:38,087 --> 00:28:40,275
(Derek) It's quite counter-cultural,

654
00:28:40,275 --> 00:28:42,681
because, some people, if there is
shortage of food,

655
00:28:42,681 --> 00:28:43,726
they put the price up

656
00:28:43,726 --> 00:28:45,241
so they can make more money.

657
00:28:45,241 --> 00:28:48,755
And the Bible is saying, "Don't do that.

658
00:28:48,755 --> 00:28:50,802
Don't take advantage of someone."

659
00:28:50,802 --> 00:28:52,420
And what I was thinking of

660
00:28:52,420 --> 00:28:56,578
was the simple principle of Jesus,
to treat them

661
00:28:56,578 --> 00:28:58,948
the way you would like to be treated.

662
00:28:58,948 --> 00:29:00,043
And if you say, "Well,

663
00:29:00,043 --> 00:29:01,852
if I was in that situation,

664
00:29:01,852 --> 00:29:04,572
I would appreciate some mercy,"

665
00:29:04,572 --> 00:29:06,442
then show mercy to them.

666
00:29:06,442 --> 00:29:09,539
(Puia) Yes. Nancy, can you read for us

667
00:29:09,539 --> 00:29:13,717
1 Timothy, chapter 6, verses 17 to 19?

668
00:29:13,717 --> 00:29:16,231
Let's jump now to the New Testament.

669
00:29:16,231 --> 00:29:17,795
We have looked at the principles

670
00:29:17,795 --> 00:29:19,021
from the Old Testament.

671
00:29:19,021 --> 00:29:20,615
Let's go now to the New Testament

672
00:29:20,615 --> 00:29:23,302
and see what are the principles

673
00:29:23,302 --> 00:29:26,017
that God gave to us,

674
00:29:26,017 --> 00:29:34,414
1 Timothy, chapter 6, verses 17 to 19,
17 to 19.

675
00:29:34,414 --> 00:29:35,818
(Nancy) Okay, and I'm reading

676
00:29:35,818 --> 00:29:37,351
from the New King James Version:

677
00:30:06,959 --> 00:30:09,188
(Puia) So, what does this verse

678
00:30:09,188 --> 00:30:11,082
tell us about generosity

679
00:30:11,082 --> 00:30:13,908
towards those in need? Anyone?

680
00:30:13,908 --> 00:30:15,146
(Derek) Puia, when it was

681
00:30:15,146 --> 00:30:16,387
talking about storing up,

682
00:30:16,387 --> 00:30:18,043
I thought of the exact opposite,

683
00:30:18,043 --> 00:30:20,526
which is the fellow that kept building
a bigger barn

684
00:30:20,526 --> 00:30:21,852
and storing up for himself.

685
00:30:21,852 --> 00:30:24,747
And here it's saying store up
by giving away.

686
00:30:24,747 --> 00:30:25,874
Store up what?

687
00:30:25,874 --> 00:30:28,677
Well, you're storing treasure in Heaven

688
00:30:28,677 --> 00:30:30,990
where thieves can't break in and steal

689
00:30:30,990 --> 00:30:35,074
and moth can't eat or rust corrupt, right?

690
00:30:35,074 --> 00:30:36,415
But that's kind of strange

691
00:30:36,415 --> 00:30:39,036
that, by giving to those in need,

692
00:30:39,036 --> 00:30:42,955
we're actually storing up treasure.

693
00:30:42,955 --> 00:30:46,853
(Puia) Amen. Yes, isn't it interesting,

694
00:30:46,853 --> 00:30:48,283
like, as you have mentioned,

695
00:30:48,283 --> 00:30:51,446
that's counter-cultural, once again.

696
00:30:51,446 --> 00:30:52,949
Both in the Old Testament

697
00:30:52,949 --> 00:30:54,156
and in the New Testament

698
00:30:54,156 --> 00:30:56,105
we find principles in the Scripture

699
00:30:56,105 --> 00:31:01,027
of God inviting us to reach out to people.

700
00:31:01,027 --> 00:31:03,864
If you are rich, share your blessings.

701
00:31:03,864 --> 00:31:06,397
So here we can say for this section,

702
00:31:06,397 --> 00:31:09,292
that one way, out of the many ways,

703
00:31:09,292 --> 00:31:12,473
one way to show mercy to those in need,

704
00:31:12,473 --> 00:31:14,392
to put our words into action,

705
00:31:14,392 --> 00:31:17,927
is to be generous. Amen?

706
00:31:17,927 --> 00:31:19,929
So the next question is:

707
00:31:19,929 --> 00:31:22,787
What are some ways to be generous

708
00:31:22,787 --> 00:31:25,076
besides giving money or donating

709
00:31:25,076 --> 00:31:27,055
to a certain cause? Gladys?

710
00:31:27,055 --> 00:31:28,410
(Gladys) Our time, that's

711
00:31:28,410 --> 00:31:30,697
the most precious thing that we have,

712
00:31:30,697 --> 00:31:32,580
and we only have 24 hours a day.

713
00:31:32,580 --> 00:31:35,116
Sometimes we say, "I'm too busy,"

714
00:31:35,116 --> 00:31:36,668
you know, "I cannot do it."

715
00:31:36,668 --> 00:31:39,017
And like Travis said, sometimes

716
00:31:39,017 --> 00:31:40,624
with our jobs, we say,

717
00:31:40,624 --> 00:31:42,377
"I'm too busy with my job,"

718
00:31:42,377 --> 00:31:46,803
or, "I have ten kids," or "five kids
to take care of,"

719
00:31:46,803 --> 00:31:50,532
and we put helping others aside.

720
00:31:50,532 --> 00:31:52,655
But giving our time, that is a way

721
00:31:52,655 --> 00:31:54,916
that we can prioritize

722
00:31:54,916 --> 00:31:56,474
doing the work of God.

723
00:31:56,474 --> 00:31:59,523
(Puia) So, besides money, sharing time

724
00:31:59,523 --> 00:32:01,728
is one way of being generous. Yes, Pedro?

725
00:32:01,728 --> 00:32:03,523
(Pedro) Sharing your skills also.

726
00:32:03,523 --> 00:32:05,104
We have many talents.

727
00:32:05,104 --> 00:32:08,598
At my church, I like to help people

728
00:32:08,598 --> 00:32:11,769
with things I do; I like to fix cars;

729
00:32:11,769 --> 00:32:13,688
I like to do handy-work at homes.

730
00:32:13,688 --> 00:32:15,242
And I make myself available

731
00:32:15,242 --> 00:32:16,174
to do those things

732
00:32:16,174 --> 00:32:17,332
because sometimes people

733
00:32:17,332 --> 00:32:18,482
don't know how to do it.

734
00:32:18,482 --> 00:32:19,686
They don't have the money

735
00:32:19,686 --> 00:32:20,857
to be able to fix things

736
00:32:20,857 --> 00:32:22,054
that are very expensive,

737
00:32:22,054 --> 00:32:25,159
which, for people who are skilled,
have no cost.

738
00:32:25,159 --> 00:32:27,394
(Puia) So, skills. Yes, Travis.

739
00:32:27,394 --> 00:32:28,988
(Travis) I think prayer.

740
00:32:28,988 --> 00:32:29,872
(Puia) Prayer.

741
00:32:29,872 --> 00:32:31,892
(Travis) You know, prayer is a huge tool.

742
00:32:31,892 --> 00:32:33,099
And, as a matter of fact,

743
00:32:33,099 --> 00:32:34,840
I don't remember where the verse is,

744
00:32:34,840 --> 00:32:36,632
but I remember it saying in a verse

745
00:32:36,632 --> 00:32:37,676
that not to intercede

746
00:32:37,676 --> 00:32:40,532
for somebody in prayer is a sin.

747
00:32:40,532 --> 00:32:42,143
Like, God says, "You need

748
00:32:42,143 --> 00:32:43,242
to pray for them,"

749
00:32:43,242 --> 00:32:45,339
We need to pray for people,

750
00:32:45,339 --> 00:32:47,705
and I think prayer is a huge thing.

751
00:32:47,711 --> 00:32:50,099
(Puia) Prayer. Yes, Treva.

752
00:32:50,099 --> 00:32:53,118
(Treva) Education is very valuable

753
00:32:53,118 --> 00:32:54,980
in terms of, how can you

754
00:32:54,980 --> 00:32:56,957
possibly help any community

755
00:32:56,957 --> 00:32:59,180
unless you know about that community?

756
00:32:59,180 --> 00:33:00,359
One of the first things

757
00:33:00,359 --> 00:33:01,600
we did in my church,

758
00:33:01,600 --> 00:33:03,138
because we wanted to do more

759
00:33:03,138 --> 00:33:05,221
in our little/small community,

760
00:33:05,221 --> 00:33:06,339
is I went to the city

761
00:33:06,339 --> 00:33:07,945
and got a needs assessment.

762
00:33:07,945 --> 00:33:09,461
And in that needs assessment,

763
00:33:09,461 --> 00:33:11,744
oh, the information was so valuable

764
00:33:11,744 --> 00:33:13,614
because then we can pinpoint

765
00:33:13,614 --> 00:33:15,412
what exactly the people need

766
00:33:15,412 --> 00:33:16,787
and what agencies we can

767
00:33:16,787 --> 00:33:19,289
work with to help them.

768
00:33:19,289 --> 00:33:23,490
And so, education about your community
is priceless.

769
00:33:23,490 --> 00:33:26,276
(Puia) Amen. So, that is an example

770
00:33:26,276 --> 00:33:28,415
of how God impressed you

771
00:33:28,415 --> 00:33:31,192
to reach out to others and show mercy.

772
00:33:31,192 --> 00:33:32,728
Can anyone share an experience

773
00:33:32,728 --> 00:33:34,784
when someone came to you

774
00:33:34,784 --> 00:33:37,648
and someone showed you mercy

775
00:33:37,648 --> 00:33:40,740
or through a generous spirit?

776
00:33:40,740 --> 00:33:42,313
It could be time or money,

777
00:33:42,313 --> 00:33:45,039
any experience where you felt blessed

778
00:33:45,039 --> 00:33:48,763
by someone else? Yes, Travis.

779
00:33:48,763 --> 00:33:50,190
(Travis) When I was

780
00:33:50,190 --> 00:33:53,035
just starting business, 20 years old,

781
00:33:53,035 --> 00:33:54,358
I had a truck break down,

782
00:33:54,358 --> 00:33:57,076
and I was building my first house.

783
00:33:57,076 --> 00:33:59,914
And he was such a nice man.

784
00:33:59,914 --> 00:34:01,669
He knew my truck broke down,

785
00:34:01,669 --> 00:34:04,089
and he took me down to the auto lot,

786
00:34:04,089 --> 00:34:06,980
and he bought me a truck.

787
00:34:06,980 --> 00:34:08,213
I had to pay for it,

788
00:34:08,213 --> 00:34:09,943
but it would come out of the house.

789
00:34:09,943 --> 00:34:11,066
And I felt embarrassed

790
00:34:11,066 --> 00:34:12,972
because I'm building his house,

791
00:34:12,972 --> 00:34:14,147
but I built him a home.

792
00:34:14,147 --> 00:34:16,232
His name was Rick, and he's
passed away now,

793
00:34:16,232 --> 00:34:18,185
and I never got to go back and thank him,

794
00:34:18,185 --> 00:34:19,302
but for years I thought

795
00:34:19,302 --> 00:34:21,362
about how generous he was

796
00:34:21,362 --> 00:34:23,179
to do that for me.

797
00:34:23,179 --> 00:34:24,801
It was my first home,

798
00:34:24,801 --> 00:34:26,572
and it launched my career

799
00:34:26,572 --> 00:34:27,702
as a home builder,

800
00:34:27,702 --> 00:34:29,304
and it was just an amazing thing.

801
00:34:29,304 --> 00:34:31,569
And I still remember to this day.

802
00:34:31,569 --> 00:34:34,192
(Puia) That reminds me of a saying

803
00:34:34,192 --> 00:34:38,146
that goes, "No man is an island," right?

804
00:34:38,146 --> 00:34:41,380
We all need help; we can't survive alone.

805
00:34:41,380 --> 00:34:45,226
We are created to be people of community.

806
00:34:45,226 --> 00:34:47,421
We function best as human beings,

807
00:34:47,421 --> 00:34:49,174
as mankind, when we work together

808
00:34:49,174 --> 00:34:50,991
and help together, right?

809
00:34:50,991 --> 00:34:52,879
So let's conclude this part of our study

810
00:34:52,879 --> 00:34:55,569
by saying that one major way

811
00:34:55,569 --> 00:34:57,765
that we can show mercy,

812
00:34:57,765 --> 00:34:59,993
that we can put our words into action,

813
00:34:59,993 --> 00:35:01,377
is by being generous.

814
00:35:01,377 --> 00:35:03,514
It could be through money

815
00:35:03,514 --> 00:35:06,194
or through time, through skills,

816
00:35:06,194 --> 00:35:10,192
through prayer, through education.

817
00:35:10,192 --> 00:35:12,180
But let's take it to the next level

818
00:35:12,180 --> 00:35:14,946
and find another way how we can

819
00:35:14,946 --> 00:35:17,368
put these words into practice.

820
00:35:17,368 --> 00:35:20,999
Let's read Matthew, chapter 5, verse 9,

821
00:35:20,999 --> 00:35:24,294
and we will find another way

822
00:35:24,294 --> 00:35:28,182
of how we can show mercy to others.

823
00:35:28,182 --> 00:35:30,532
Stephanie, can you read for us

824
00:35:30,532 --> 00:35:32,813
Matthew, chapter 5, verse 9?

825
00:35:32,813 --> 00:35:34,611
(Stephanie) Sure, and I'll be reading

826
00:35:34,611 --> 00:35:36,103
from the King James Version:

827
00:35:41,903 --> 00:35:44,370
(Puia) Amen. Before we unpack that,

828
00:35:44,370 --> 00:35:45,907
let's continue reading,

829
00:35:45,907 --> 00:35:48,933
Isaiah, chapter 52, verse 7.

830
00:35:48,933 --> 00:35:50,641
Let's go back to the Old Testament,

831
00:35:50,641 --> 00:35:52,058
and after reading this,

832
00:35:52,070 --> 00:35:55,612
we will unpack those two verses.

833
00:35:55,612 --> 00:35:57,975
Gary, can you kindly read for us

834
00:35:57,975 --> 00:36:00,403
Isaiah, chapter 52, verse 7?

835
00:36:00,403 --> 00:36:02,055
(Gary) Okay, and I'll be reading

836
00:36:02,055 --> 00:36:03,873
from the New King James Version:

837
00:36:22,465 --> 00:36:25,107
(Puia) So let's unpack those two verses.

838
00:36:25,107 --> 00:36:27,164
What word stood out for you

839
00:36:27,164 --> 00:36:31,540
in terms of showing mercy to others?
Yes, Jonathan?

840
00:36:31,540 --> 00:36:32,691
(Jonathan) I just think

841
00:36:32,691 --> 00:36:33,890
about how, in our world,

842
00:36:33,890 --> 00:36:35,539
there is so much contention

843
00:36:35,539 --> 00:36:38,440
over different issues in various areas

844
00:36:38,440 --> 00:36:39,837
where people just aren't able

845
00:36:39,837 --> 00:36:40,935
to listen to each other

846
00:36:40,935 --> 00:36:43,529
or are more prone to look at and can

847
00:36:43,529 --> 00:36:45,421
point out the problems of other people.

848
00:36:45,421 --> 00:36:47,324
And I take this as a calling,

849
00:36:47,324 --> 00:36:50,313
to say, as followers of Christ,

850
00:36:50,313 --> 00:36:53,056
it's our responsibility to reach out

851
00:36:53,056 --> 00:36:56,863
and to try to be the voice
of the other side

852
00:36:56,863 --> 00:37:00,132
or to listen and seek to understand

853
00:37:00,132 --> 00:37:05,216
and to build bridges of trust,

854
00:37:05,216 --> 00:37:06,909
so that you can say, "Okay, there's

855
00:37:06,909 --> 00:37:08,766
something good about this other person.

856
00:37:08,766 --> 00:37:10,741
They're coming from their own context."

857
00:37:10,741 --> 00:37:15,622
(Puia) Yes. From those two verses,

858
00:37:15,622 --> 00:37:18,569
one word that summarizes
what you just said?

859
00:37:18,569 --> 00:37:19,848
(Team) Peace.

860
00:37:19,848 --> 00:37:22,742
(Puia) Peace, right? Peacemaking.
Yes, Stephanie.

861
00:37:22,742 --> 00:37:24,682
(Stephanie) I guess what came to my mind

862
00:37:24,682 --> 00:37:26,390
was Romans 5, verse 1,

863
00:37:26,390 --> 00:37:29,903
where it says, well, if we can
go there and read that.

864
00:37:29,903 --> 00:37:31,556
(Puia) Yes, you want to read that?

865
00:37:31,556 --> 00:37:33,387
(Stephanie) Sure, Romans, chapter 5...

866
00:37:33,387 --> 00:37:35,184
(Puia) Just give us time to go there.

867
00:37:35,184 --> 00:37:37,559
Romans, chapter 5, verse 1.

868
00:37:37,559 --> 00:37:39,598
(Stephanie) And it also talks about peace.

869
00:37:39,598 --> 00:37:41,477
(Puia) Okay, making peace.

870
00:37:41,477 --> 00:37:43,491
(Stephanie) Yes, and I'll be reading

871
00:37:43,491 --> 00:37:45,282
from the King James Version:

872
00:37:52,405 --> 00:37:56,873
And I took the view that this peacemaking

873
00:37:56,873 --> 00:37:58,793
is bringing people to Jesus

874
00:37:58,793 --> 00:38:00,413
to have that connection

875
00:38:00,413 --> 00:38:02,437
and find that peace with Him.

876
00:38:02,437 --> 00:38:05,606
Just like in Isaiah 52:7,

877
00:38:05,606 --> 00:38:08,008
publishing peace and sharing

878
00:38:08,008 --> 00:38:09,784
the gospel with those.

879
00:38:09,784 --> 00:38:15,286
(Puia) Right. Wasn't the whole ministry
of Jesus,

880
00:38:15,286 --> 00:38:18,183
the fact that He came to this earth,

881
00:38:18,183 --> 00:38:20,244
to make peace, right,

882
00:38:20,244 --> 00:38:23,200
to reconcile mankind with God?

883
00:38:23,200 --> 00:38:24,994
So, from these two verses,

884
00:38:24,994 --> 00:38:26,182
I believe we can learn

885
00:38:26,182 --> 00:38:29,243
that if we are children of God,

886
00:38:29,243 --> 00:38:31,444
if we are followers of Christ,

887
00:38:31,444 --> 00:38:34,834
we are called to be peacemakers.
Yes, Derek.

888
00:38:34,834 --> 00:38:36,024
(Derek) In the beatitude,

889
00:38:36,024 --> 00:38:37,650
it just caught my attention, Puia,

890
00:38:37,650 --> 00:38:39,116
you would think it would say,

891
00:38:39,116 --> 00:38:41,482
"Blessed is the one that the peacemaker

892
00:38:41,482 --> 00:38:44,650
helps to find peace," but it doesn't.

893
00:38:44,650 --> 00:38:47,973
It says, "Blessed is the peacemaker."

894
00:38:47,973 --> 00:38:50,410
So, what that tells me, Puia,

895
00:38:50,410 --> 00:38:52,801
is that when we join God

896
00:38:52,801 --> 00:38:55,716
in what He's doing, we're blessed.

897
00:38:55,716 --> 00:38:56,886
Now, I believe that,

898
00:38:56,886 --> 00:38:58,309
let's say there's contention,

899
00:38:58,309 --> 00:39:00,340
and you help people to find peace,

900
00:39:00,340 --> 00:39:02,442
or someone is separated from God,

901
00:39:02,442 --> 00:39:04,335
and you help them find peace with God,

902
00:39:04,335 --> 00:39:06,298
I believe they're blessed,

903
00:39:06,298 --> 00:39:10,749
but this is saying <i>you're</i> blessed,
as the peacemaker,

904
00:39:10,749 --> 00:39:12,999
when you join the Prince of Peace

905
00:39:12,999 --> 00:39:14,317
in what He's doing.

906
00:39:14,317 --> 00:39:16,767
(Puia) Yes. So, in bringing

907
00:39:16,767 --> 00:39:19,591
that back to the title of our study,

908
00:39:19,591 --> 00:39:21,826
how does your ministry

909
00:39:21,826 --> 00:39:24,543
to others as a peacemaker

910
00:39:24,543 --> 00:39:27,621
demonstrate your love for mercy?

911
00:39:27,621 --> 00:39:29,689
How do the words "mercy"

912
00:39:29,689 --> 00:39:33,603
and "peacemaking" go together?
Yes, Nicole.

913
00:39:33,603 --> 00:39:36,455
(Nicole) If you look at the definition
of the word "mercy,"

914
00:39:36,455 --> 00:39:37,941
it's compassion and forgiveness

915
00:39:37,941 --> 00:39:40,157
for someone that you could harm.

916
00:39:40,157 --> 00:39:41,596
They're under your authority,

917
00:39:41,596 --> 00:39:43,276
and you could actually harm them.

918
00:39:43,276 --> 00:39:44,919
And so, if you're bringing peace,

919
00:39:44,919 --> 00:39:46,626
you're actually showing mercy

920
00:39:46,626 --> 00:39:49,071
because you are taking away the ability

921
00:39:49,071 --> 00:39:50,362
to be able to harm them

922
00:39:50,362 --> 00:39:52,142
and actually putting them in a place

923
00:39:52,142 --> 00:39:53,353
where they can have life.

924
00:39:53,353 --> 00:39:56,192
So that's how I think the two
kind of relate.

925
00:39:56,192 --> 00:39:58,553
(Puia) Yes, so you can't

926
00:39:58,553 --> 00:40:00,487
separate the two, right?

927
00:40:00,487 --> 00:40:04,299
Making peace and having mercy
go hand-in-hand.

928
00:40:04,299 --> 00:40:05,847
Can anyone share an experience

929
00:40:05,847 --> 00:40:08,745
where God gave you the opportunity

930
00:40:08,745 --> 00:40:10,638
to be the peacemaker?

931
00:40:10,638 --> 00:40:12,051
And any experience

932
00:40:12,051 --> 00:40:14,923
that you have had of making peace?

933
00:40:14,923 --> 00:40:17,088
It could be between two of your friends,

934
00:40:17,088 --> 00:40:19,194
or it could be between two countries

935
00:40:19,194 --> 00:40:22,784
or two schools or two institutions.

936
00:40:22,784 --> 00:40:25,225
Have you had any experience? Yes, Nancy.

937
00:40:25,225 --> 00:40:26,463
(Nancy) With my children.

938
00:40:26,463 --> 00:40:30,470
I have two sons, and I found

939
00:40:30,470 --> 00:40:32,576
that what's helpful is to listen to them.

940
00:40:32,576 --> 00:40:33,987
People want to be heard,

941
00:40:33,987 --> 00:40:35,732
and when you hear their perspective,

942
00:40:35,732 --> 00:40:36,690
you understand more

943
00:40:36,690 --> 00:40:37,962
where they're coming from.

944
00:40:37,962 --> 00:40:39,373
And then they come to a place

945
00:40:39,373 --> 00:40:40,815
where they can reconcile.

946
00:40:40,815 --> 00:40:42,135
(Puia) Yes, so it starts

947
00:40:42,135 --> 00:40:43,835
with the family. Gladys?

948
00:40:43,835 --> 00:40:46,187
(Gladys) Yes, recently in my school,

949
00:40:46,187 --> 00:40:47,511
there was some situation

950
00:40:47,511 --> 00:40:51,503
with a teacher and another teacher.

951
00:40:51,503 --> 00:40:53,535
One teacher thought that the other teacher

952
00:40:53,535 --> 00:40:55,637
had said something about her,

953
00:40:55,637 --> 00:40:57,765
and she was very defensive.

954
00:40:57,765 --> 00:40:59,867
And it was just like the Lord

955
00:40:59,867 --> 00:41:01,973
just said, "Just ask."

956
00:41:01,973 --> 00:41:04,430
I said, "Have you talked to her?"

957
00:41:04,430 --> 00:41:07,021
It was just a simple, "Have you
talked to her?

958
00:41:07,021 --> 00:41:09,102
Ask her exactly...," you know,

959
00:41:09,102 --> 00:41:10,369
because sometimes people

960
00:41:10,369 --> 00:41:12,260
just are afraid to go straight on

961
00:41:12,260 --> 00:41:15,579
and say, "Hey, I heard this;
is this true?"

962
00:41:15,579 --> 00:41:17,735
So it was so simple, but at the same time

963
00:41:17,735 --> 00:41:19,403
so profound to me, because the Lord

964
00:41:19,403 --> 00:41:21,343
was just, like, speaking to me as well.

965
00:41:21,343 --> 00:41:22,629
When I have a situation,

966
00:41:22,629 --> 00:41:24,429
do I go first to the person

967
00:41:24,429 --> 00:41:28,063
and say, "Hey, can we work this out?"

968
00:41:28,063 --> 00:41:30,065
So it was just an amazing experience,

969
00:41:30,065 --> 00:41:32,896
not only for her and the other teacher,

970
00:41:32,896 --> 00:41:35,029
but it was also for me,

971
00:41:35,029 --> 00:41:37,853
being able to ask the question

972
00:41:37,853 --> 00:41:39,540
and solve the situation.

973
00:41:39,540 --> 00:41:42,925
(Puia) Amen. God puts us in situations

974
00:41:42,925 --> 00:41:44,134
and places where we

975
00:41:44,134 --> 00:41:46,475
can be peacemakers, right?

976
00:41:46,475 --> 00:41:50,106
And so we have looked at one way

977
00:41:50,106 --> 00:41:54,288
of showing mercy or having mercy

978
00:41:54,288 --> 00:41:56,657
by being generous, right?

979
00:41:56,657 --> 00:41:58,914
And the next that we just looked at

980
00:41:58,914 --> 00:42:00,780
is by being peacemakers.

981
00:42:00,780 --> 00:42:02,526
Now let's go further into our lesson

982
00:42:02,526 --> 00:42:04,103
and study another way

983
00:42:04,103 --> 00:42:07,745
of having mercy or loving mercy.

984
00:42:07,745 --> 00:42:13,524
Let us read Psalm number 146 and verse 9,

985
00:42:13,524 --> 00:42:17,218
and, Jonathan, can you

986
00:42:17,218 --> 00:42:22,033
please read for us Psalm 146, verse 9?

987
00:42:22,033 --> 00:42:23,889
(Jonathan) All right, I'll be reading

988
00:42:23,889 --> 00:42:25,582
from the New Living Translation:

989
00:42:37,589 --> 00:42:40,364
(Puia) All right, before we unpack that,

990
00:42:40,364 --> 00:42:42,913
let us read Isaiah, chapter 58,

991
00:42:42,913 --> 00:42:46,210
verses 6 and 7, and, Treva,

992
00:42:46,210 --> 00:42:47,839
if you can read for us

993
00:42:47,839 --> 00:42:51,269
Isaiah 58, verses 6 and 7.

994
00:42:51,269 --> 00:42:56,211
We will look at these two verses

995
00:42:56,211 --> 00:42:57,356
and answer the question,

996
00:42:57,356 --> 00:42:59,247
what other ways can we

997
00:42:59,247 --> 00:43:01,454
show mercy to others?

998
00:43:01,454 --> 00:43:03,684
Isaiah 58, verses 6 and 7.

999
00:43:03,684 --> 00:43:05,000
(Treva) And I'll be reading

1000
00:43:05,000 --> 00:43:07,279
from the New King James translation,

1001
00:43:07,279 --> 00:43:08,979
starting with verse 6:

1002
00:43:37,478 --> 00:43:39,982
(Puia) So, looking at those two verses

1003
00:43:39,982 --> 00:43:41,577
that we just read,

1004
00:43:41,577 --> 00:43:44,269
what stands out for you?

1005
00:43:44,269 --> 00:43:46,124
Travis, I see you smiling.

1006
00:43:46,124 --> 00:43:47,311
(Travis) I've studied

1007
00:43:47,311 --> 00:43:48,956
this whole chapter a lot,

1008
00:43:48,956 --> 00:43:50,966
and there are multiple meanings

1009
00:43:50,966 --> 00:43:53,094
in this thing for me...First...

1010
00:43:53,094 --> 00:43:55,211
(Puia) But in the context
of our study today.

1011
00:43:55,211 --> 00:43:57,220
(Travis) In the context of our study today

1012
00:43:57,220 --> 00:43:58,847
is there are people in this world

1013
00:43:58,847 --> 00:44:01,158
who don't know Jesus,

1014
00:44:01,158 --> 00:44:04,789
and when it talks about, that we

1015
00:44:04,789 --> 00:44:06,856
should clothe somebody,

1016
00:44:06,856 --> 00:44:07,931
many are not clothed

1017
00:44:07,931 --> 00:44:09,823
with the righteousness of Christ.

1018
00:44:09,823 --> 00:44:11,306
When people are hungry,

1019
00:44:11,306 --> 00:44:13,241
Jesus says, "I am the bread of life."

1020
00:44:13,241 --> 00:44:15,165
We need to bring them the bread of life.

1021
00:44:15,165 --> 00:44:16,884
It's not just physical food,

1022
00:44:16,884 --> 00:44:19,172
but we can bring them spiritual food.

1023
00:44:19,172 --> 00:44:21,429
And at the end, it says,

1024
00:44:21,429 --> 00:44:23,773
"Don't hide yourself from your own flesh."

1025
00:44:23,773 --> 00:44:26,961
We, as Christians, need to be open;

1026
00:44:26,961 --> 00:44:29,702
we're just sinners, just like
everybody else,

1027
00:44:29,702 --> 00:44:31,456
and to hide yourself

1028
00:44:31,456 --> 00:44:33,657
from who you are to people,

1029
00:44:33,657 --> 00:44:36,650
it's basically lying.

1030
00:44:36,650 --> 00:44:38,538
(Puia) Yes, thank you. Nicole.

1031
00:44:38,538 --> 00:44:41,155
(Nicole) While I agree
with what Travis said,

1032
00:44:41,155 --> 00:44:43,567
you have to also look at the people
who have needs.

1033
00:44:43,567 --> 00:44:45,157
There are people who are hungry;

1034
00:44:45,157 --> 00:44:46,827
there are people who need shelter.

1035
00:44:46,827 --> 00:44:49,087
And just as Jesus did, He met
the physical needs

1036
00:44:49,087 --> 00:44:51,182
of the individuals He came
in contact with,

1037
00:44:51,182 --> 00:44:53,705
and then He also blessed them spiritually.

1038
00:44:53,705 --> 00:44:54,690
So sometimes we have

1039
00:44:54,690 --> 00:44:56,133
to reach people where they are

1040
00:44:56,133 --> 00:44:57,673
in order to get their attention,

1041
00:44:57,673 --> 00:44:59,506
and then we can bring them Jesus

1042
00:44:59,506 --> 00:45:01,609
and let them know, "Listen,
because of Jesus,

1043
00:45:01,609 --> 00:45:02,842
I was able to help you."

1044
00:45:02,842 --> 00:45:04,663
And that may be able to reach someone

1045
00:45:04,663 --> 00:45:07,085
in a way that we couldn't reach them
any other way.

1046
00:45:07,096 --> 00:45:08,675
(Puia) These are people

1047
00:45:08,675 --> 00:45:09,984
who need help. Yes, Gladys?

1048
00:45:09,984 --> 00:45:11,094
(Gladys) I was thinking

1049
00:45:11,094 --> 00:45:12,430
in the same vein as Nicole,

1050
00:45:12,430 --> 00:45:14,903
that sometime we just, like,

1051
00:45:14,903 --> 00:45:18,783
say to the people, "I'm going
to pray for you."

1052
00:45:18,783 --> 00:45:20,566
And we have the resources

1053
00:45:20,566 --> 00:45:21,920
or know the connections

1054
00:45:21,920 --> 00:45:23,656
or have somebody that can help them,

1055
00:45:23,656 --> 00:45:25,983
but we just say, "We're going
to pray for you,"

1056
00:45:25,983 --> 00:45:27,774
and we don't get involved personally.

1057
00:45:27,774 --> 00:45:29,039
So I think that the text

1058
00:45:29,039 --> 00:45:31,515
is basically telling us,

1059
00:45:31,515 --> 00:45:33,766
"Just go out there and do your part,

1060
00:45:33,766 --> 00:45:37,283
do what you can do, and God will provide."

1061
00:45:37,283 --> 00:45:39,224
(Puia) Yes. Patricia.

1062
00:45:39,224 --> 00:45:41,698
(Patricia) I noticed that the first text
that we read

1063
00:45:41,698 --> 00:45:44,626
says the Lord watches over those people,

1064
00:45:44,626 --> 00:45:45,818
but then the second text

1065
00:45:45,818 --> 00:45:50,756
is telling us, "You need to do it,"
I thought...

1066
00:45:50,756 --> 00:45:54,609
(Puia) So can we say that God is asking us

1067
00:45:54,609 --> 00:45:57,274
to stand up for those people,

1068
00:45:57,274 --> 00:46:00,709
to be the voice for the voiceless, right?

1069
00:46:00,709 --> 00:46:02,980
To stand up for the unjustice

1070
00:46:02,980 --> 00:46:04,888
that we see around us. Yes, Derek.

1071
00:46:04,888 --> 00:46:07,661
(Derek) I heard a story, Puia,
just this weekend,

1072
00:46:07,661 --> 00:46:09,462
and I won't share all of the details,

1073
00:46:09,462 --> 00:46:11,718
but it was a family

1074
00:46:11,718 --> 00:46:13,441
that saw another family,

1075
00:46:13,441 --> 00:46:15,850
that it was in great need.

1076
00:46:15,850 --> 00:46:17,810
The family had suffered

1077
00:46:17,810 --> 00:46:20,070
some trauma in an accident,

1078
00:46:20,070 --> 00:46:21,613
and this other family said,

1079
00:46:21,613 --> 00:46:23,730
"You know, our house just happens

1080
00:46:23,730 --> 00:46:28,640
to be a handicap-accessible house.

1081
00:46:28,640 --> 00:46:31,803
We have ramps; we have wide doors."

1082
00:46:31,803 --> 00:46:34,415
Now, that could just be a coincidence,

1083
00:46:34,415 --> 00:46:37,605
or it could be that even ahead of time,

1084
00:46:37,605 --> 00:46:40,213
God provided, and so then he

1085
00:46:40,213 --> 00:46:42,505
brought this family in need,

1086
00:46:42,505 --> 00:46:45,298
who would need wide doors and ramps.

1087
00:46:45,298 --> 00:46:47,012
You know what I'm saying?

1088
00:46:47,012 --> 00:46:48,631
So I think, when we just pray,

1089
00:46:48,631 --> 00:46:50,932
"God, I want to be open

1090
00:46:50,932 --> 00:46:53,845
to love mercy like You do today,"

1091
00:46:53,845 --> 00:46:55,686
that He might say, "I have someone

1092
00:46:55,686 --> 00:46:57,379
that needs exactly..." -

1093
00:46:57,379 --> 00:46:58,546
back to what Pedro said,

1094
00:46:58,546 --> 00:47:00,621
it may be a skill, or it may be a home

1095
00:47:00,621 --> 00:47:03,291
that has wide doors and ramps -

1096
00:47:03,291 --> 00:47:04,864
"...and I'm going to lead someone

1097
00:47:04,864 --> 00:47:08,311
so that you can show My love to them."

1098
00:47:08,311 --> 00:47:11,443
(Puia) Yes. God loves everyone,

1099
00:47:11,443 --> 00:47:14,660
but He wants to use us as His instrument

1100
00:47:14,660 --> 00:47:17,424
and His hands and feet. Yes, Nancy.

1101
00:47:17,424 --> 00:47:18,932
(Nancy) I have friends who have

1102
00:47:18,932 --> 00:47:20,339
three children of their own,

1103
00:47:20,339 --> 00:47:22,976
but then I believe they were

1104
00:47:22,976 --> 00:47:24,973
thinking about adopting,

1105
00:47:24,973 --> 00:47:29,061
and God actually showed the mom a vision.

1106
00:47:29,061 --> 00:47:31,217
She was out in the summertime,

1107
00:47:31,217 --> 00:47:33,255
and she saw in the clouds

1108
00:47:33,255 --> 00:47:35,552
a formation of the word "joy."

1109
00:47:35,552 --> 00:47:37,193
She thought, "Am I seeing things?

1110
00:47:37,193 --> 00:47:38,743
It seems to say 'joy.'"

1111
00:47:38,743 --> 00:47:40,210
And they went to a service,

1112
00:47:40,210 --> 00:47:42,169
and they were singing a song

1113
00:47:42,169 --> 00:47:44,049
that had the word joy in it a lot.

1114
00:47:44,049 --> 00:47:45,550
And then they just kept running

1115
00:47:45,550 --> 00:47:47,316
into situations with the word "joy."

1116
00:47:47,316 --> 00:47:48,930
It turns out that the little girl

1117
00:47:48,930 --> 00:47:50,340
that they were to adopt,

1118
00:47:50,340 --> 00:47:52,982
her name has "joy" in it.

1119
00:47:52,982 --> 00:47:55,935
And she's just this little Asian girl

1120
00:47:55,935 --> 00:47:57,577
with Down syndrome,

1121
00:47:57,577 --> 00:47:59,475
and she's just precious.

1122
00:47:59,475 --> 00:48:01,083
Now, you would think that that...

1123
00:48:01,083 --> 00:48:02,495
Okay, they adopted one,

1124
00:48:02,495 --> 00:48:05,299
but they also adopted two more children.

1125
00:48:05,299 --> 00:48:08,602
By the time...They had already
adopted one,

1126
00:48:08,602 --> 00:48:10,141
and then they adopted this one.

1127
00:48:10,141 --> 00:48:13,464
And then the husband had a dream,

1128
00:48:13,464 --> 00:48:15,958
and in the dream he dreamt

1129
00:48:15,958 --> 00:48:17,771
that he was in a courthouse,

1130
00:48:17,771 --> 00:48:22,157
and he and all of his family,
a big, big famiiy,

1131
00:48:22,157 --> 00:48:24,353
were on one side, and on the other side

1132
00:48:24,353 --> 00:48:25,554
was this little boy,

1133
00:48:25,554 --> 00:48:27,195
this little Asian boy,

1134
00:48:27,195 --> 00:48:29,134
and he was all by himself.

1135
00:48:29,134 --> 00:48:32,199
And the judge asked him

1136
00:48:32,199 --> 00:48:34,683
if he was willing to adopt him.

1137
00:48:34,683 --> 00:48:37,251
And he thought, "I already have

1138
00:48:37,251 --> 00:48:40,052
my three children and two others."

1139
00:48:40,052 --> 00:48:43,045
And then the Spirit of God spoke to him,

1140
00:48:43,045 --> 00:48:45,842
"But this boy has no one."

1141
00:48:45,842 --> 00:48:47,372
And they adopted him, too.

1142
00:48:47,372 --> 00:48:49,399
And these children, the little boy,

1143
00:48:49,399 --> 00:48:52,146
is one of my son's very dear friends.

1144
00:48:52,146 --> 00:48:54,396
And I just really admire this family.

1145
00:48:54,396 --> 00:48:57,226
They've given so generously.

1146
00:48:57,226 --> 00:49:00,722
Exactly, this is what God calls us to be,

1147
00:49:00,722 --> 00:49:03,817
to give, to give extravagantly

1148
00:49:03,817 --> 00:49:05,688
like He gives to us.

1149
00:49:05,688 --> 00:49:09,486
(Puia) Amen. So let's look

1150
00:49:09,486 --> 00:49:12,003
at the ministry of Jesus.

1151
00:49:12,003 --> 00:49:14,698
Looking at His time

1152
00:49:14,698 --> 00:49:16,301
while he was here on earth,

1153
00:49:16,301 --> 00:49:17,767
when do we see Jesus

1154
00:49:17,767 --> 00:49:19,633
standing up for people

1155
00:49:19,633 --> 00:49:21,121
who didn't have a voice

1156
00:49:21,121 --> 00:49:23,956
or people, those who need His help?

1157
00:49:23,956 --> 00:49:26,529
Is there any story or chapter

1158
00:49:26,529 --> 00:49:29,185
or something that you have read

1159
00:49:29,185 --> 00:49:31,579
comes to mind of when Jesus

1160
00:49:31,579 --> 00:49:32,989
stood up for someone

1161
00:49:32,989 --> 00:49:34,731
who didn't have a voice? Yes, Treva.

1162
00:49:34,731 --> 00:49:36,897
(Treva) I think is a very subtle example;

1163
00:49:36,897 --> 00:49:38,797
I think it's in, maybe, Luke,

1164
00:49:38,797 --> 00:49:40,465
I believe, chapter 14,

1165
00:49:40,465 --> 00:49:41,999
but the woman that came in,

1166
00:49:41,999 --> 00:49:44,656
and she used her tears

1167
00:49:44,656 --> 00:49:46,589
to wash Jesus' feet.

1168
00:49:46,589 --> 00:49:48,363
She had that expensive oil,

1169
00:49:48,363 --> 00:49:50,264
anointed His head.

1170
00:49:50,264 --> 00:49:54,705
And Judas was like, "Wait a minute,
so wasteful.

1171
00:49:54,705 --> 00:49:57,756
She could have used that money
for the poor."

1172
00:49:57,756 --> 00:50:00,001
And we know, at the time,

1173
00:50:00,001 --> 00:50:01,668
Judas was not being sincere

1174
00:50:01,668 --> 00:50:02,803
because he was the one

1175
00:50:02,803 --> 00:50:04,069
that kept the money bag

1176
00:50:04,069 --> 00:50:07,071
and doing some cheating there
with the money.

1177
00:50:07,071 --> 00:50:10,229
And so Jesus said, "Leave her alone.

1178
00:50:10,229 --> 00:50:12,548
She has done a good thing."

1179
00:50:12,548 --> 00:50:14,463
So I think that's a very subtle example

1180
00:50:14,463 --> 00:50:16,791
where Jesus was like, "Wait a minute.

1181
00:50:16,791 --> 00:50:18,790
This woman is doing a good thing.

1182
00:50:18,790 --> 00:50:22,211
Do not fault her for doing that."

1183
00:50:22,212 --> 00:50:25,327
(Puia) Yes, thank you. Yes, Nicole.

1184
00:50:25,327 --> 00:50:28,145
(Nicole) In Luke, same book,

1185
00:50:28,145 --> 00:50:30,340
when He raised the widow's son.

1186
00:50:30,340 --> 00:50:32,512
You know, the widow, she had no one else.

1187
00:50:32,512 --> 00:50:33,715
All she had was her son.

1188
00:50:33,715 --> 00:50:34,856
Her son passed away.

1189
00:50:34,856 --> 00:50:36,090
She was very, very sad,

1190
00:50:36,090 --> 00:50:38,244
and He went and took compassion on her

1191
00:50:38,244 --> 00:50:39,967
and did not want her to be alone.

1192
00:50:39,967 --> 00:50:41,191
And so He actually raised

1193
00:50:41,191 --> 00:50:42,248
her son from the dead.

1194
00:50:42,248 --> 00:50:44,976
So that's Him looking out for widows
and children.

1195
00:50:44,976 --> 00:50:47,612
(Puia) Yes. Yes, Stephanie.

1196
00:50:47,612 --> 00:50:48,906
(Stephanie) I was thinking

1197
00:50:48,906 --> 00:50:49,832
of when the mothers

1198
00:50:49,832 --> 00:50:51,305
brought their children to Jesus

1199
00:50:51,305 --> 00:50:53,037
for Him to bless them,

1200
00:50:53,037 --> 00:50:55,252
and His disciples were, you know,

1201
00:50:55,252 --> 00:50:56,660
"Don't bother the Savior."

1202
00:50:56,660 --> 00:50:58,894
And He said, "No, bring them here,"

1203
00:50:58,894 --> 00:51:00,647
and He blessed each one of them.

1204
00:51:00,647 --> 00:51:03,266
(Puia) Amen. Yes, Pedro.

1205
00:51:03,266 --> 00:51:04,437
(Pedro) It's interesting

1206
00:51:04,437 --> 00:51:06,451
that, even during the suffering of Christ,

1207
00:51:06,451 --> 00:51:07,945
you know, He was on the cross,

1208
00:51:07,945 --> 00:51:09,165
He remembered His mother.

1209
00:51:09,165 --> 00:51:10,664
And He cared for her and said,

1210
00:51:10,664 --> 00:51:12,456
"John, take care of My mother."

1211
00:51:12,456 --> 00:51:14,508
He's dying on the cross for our sins,

1212
00:51:14,508 --> 00:51:16,838
but He looked down, and He remembered

1213
00:51:16,838 --> 00:51:18,928
that His mother was there.

1214
00:51:18,936 --> 00:51:21,074
(Puia) Yes. Gary.

1215
00:51:21,074 --> 00:51:22,894
(Gary) I can't remember which feeding,

1216
00:51:22,894 --> 00:51:27,154
but it was...I believe, the gospel said

1217
00:51:27,154 --> 00:51:30,537
that Jesus had compassion on the multitude

1218
00:51:30,537 --> 00:51:32,146
that was following Him

1219
00:51:32,146 --> 00:51:34,439
for X number of days,

1220
00:51:34,439 --> 00:51:35,968
and He fed them all.

1221
00:51:35,968 --> 00:51:38,179
(Puia) So throughout the ministry
of Jesus,

1222
00:51:38,180 --> 00:51:40,738
we find Him standing up for people,

1223
00:51:40,738 --> 00:51:42,398
standing up for the oppressed,

1224
00:51:42,398 --> 00:51:43,895
standing up for people

1225
00:51:43,895 --> 00:51:45,928
who are outcasts, right?

1226
00:51:45,928 --> 00:51:48,917
Jesus was always the voice
for the voiceless.

1227
00:51:48,917 --> 00:51:50,393
And that's why His teachings

1228
00:51:50,393 --> 00:51:53,265
were so radical for His time.

1229
00:51:53,265 --> 00:51:55,928
Now, let's come our day and age today

1230
00:51:55,928 --> 00:51:59,958
in modern times; who comes to your mind

1231
00:51:59,966 --> 00:52:01,299
as someone who stands up

1232
00:52:01,299 --> 00:52:03,519
and speaks for the voiceless

1233
00:52:03,519 --> 00:52:05,109
or people who are oppressed?

1234
00:52:05,109 --> 00:52:06,957
It could be from outside of the Bible

1235
00:52:06,957 --> 00:52:09,457
outside of the Christian literature.

1236
00:52:09,457 --> 00:52:12,084
Anybody come to mind as an example,

1237
00:52:12,084 --> 00:52:15,953
who fights for the rights of people?
Yes, Derek.

1238
00:52:15,953 --> 00:52:17,160
(Derek) I'm just thinking

1239
00:52:17,160 --> 00:52:20,334
that we probably wouldn't know their name

1240
00:52:20,334 --> 00:52:23,424
because that's not why they're doing it.

1241
00:52:23,424 --> 00:52:26,292
So they're in the inner city

1242
00:52:26,292 --> 00:52:28,261
closest to where we live,

1243
00:52:28,261 --> 00:52:29,801
and they're getting out there,

1244
00:52:29,801 --> 00:52:31,958
and they're maybe running the food pantry,

1245
00:52:31,958 --> 00:52:34,013
like Treva talked about in your home area,

1246
00:52:34,013 --> 00:52:39,497
and they're not being interviewed
on national TV,

1247
00:52:39,497 --> 00:52:42,589
but they are, indeed,

1248
00:52:42,589 --> 00:52:44,920
extending the love of God

1249
00:52:44,920 --> 00:52:46,853
in a very tangible way.

1250
00:52:46,853 --> 00:52:49,643
Maybe we should ask "the least of these,"

1251
00:52:49,643 --> 00:52:51,994
and they would tell us who they are.

1252
00:52:51,994 --> 00:52:54,010
They say, "Oh, it's Susan," "It's John,"

1253
00:52:54,010 --> 00:52:57,279
"It's that person that comes,"

1254
00:52:57,279 --> 00:52:59,389
you know, "late at night."

1255
00:52:59,389 --> 00:53:02,835
That story I heard of an elderly lady

1256
00:53:02,835 --> 00:53:04,751
who decided she would have a ministry

1257
00:53:04,751 --> 00:53:07,828
to women who were on the streets,
and would come

1258
00:53:07,828 --> 00:53:09,299
and put her arms around them.

1259
00:53:09,299 --> 00:53:11,256
Now, you talk about different talents,

1260
00:53:11,256 --> 00:53:13,407
that's not a talent that God would ask

1261
00:53:13,407 --> 00:53:16,143
Gary or Jonathan to do, you know,

1262
00:53:16,143 --> 00:53:19,813
but this mother, this loving, godly woman,

1263
00:53:19,813 --> 00:53:22,436
could go out there and put her arms

1264
00:53:22,436 --> 00:53:24,301
around these young women

1265
00:53:24,301 --> 00:53:27,606
who were in such a dangerous setting.

1266
00:53:27,606 --> 00:53:29,069
We may never know their names,

1267
00:53:29,069 --> 00:53:31,191
but Jesus knows their names.

1268
00:53:31,203 --> 00:53:34,914
(Puia) Amen. So, someone,

1269
00:53:34,914 --> 00:53:36,879
let's say a Hope Sabbath School member

1270
00:53:36,879 --> 00:53:38,826
from another part of the world

1271
00:53:38,826 --> 00:53:40,712
is watching this episode

1272
00:53:40,712 --> 00:53:43,469
and is wondering, "Yes, I'm convicted

1273
00:53:43,469 --> 00:53:45,684
that I need to show mercy,

1274
00:53:45,684 --> 00:53:47,630
that I need to love mercy,

1275
00:53:47,630 --> 00:53:49,650
but what can I do now?"

1276
00:53:49,650 --> 00:53:52,462
"How can my love for mercy expand?"

1277
00:53:52,462 --> 00:53:54,519
What if someone is asking that question,

1278
00:53:54,519 --> 00:53:56,677
how would you respond? Yes, Nicole.

1279
00:53:56,677 --> 00:53:59,036
(Nicole) I would say the first thing
to do is pray

1280
00:53:59,036 --> 00:54:00,491
and ask the Spirit to lead you

1281
00:54:00,491 --> 00:54:02,605
and guide you in the way
that you should go

1282
00:54:02,605 --> 00:54:04,329
to be able to show mercy to someone.

1283
00:54:04,329 --> 00:54:05,687
Because I think on our own,

1284
00:54:05,687 --> 00:54:06,992
we are not capable, really,

1285
00:54:06,992 --> 00:54:08,121
of showing true mercy

1286
00:54:08,121 --> 00:54:09,963
because that's just not our character.

1287
00:54:09,963 --> 00:54:11,436
But with the Holy Spirit

1288
00:54:11,436 --> 00:54:12,844
and with Christ in our lives,

1289
00:54:12,844 --> 00:54:14,491
I think we then are led

1290
00:54:14,491 --> 00:54:16,260
to where we can actually show mercy.

1291
00:54:16,260 --> 00:54:17,953
And then we ask the Lord to give us

1292
00:54:17,953 --> 00:54:20,474
the strength to be merciful to that person

1293
00:54:20,474 --> 00:54:21,951
that we come in contact with.

1294
00:54:21,951 --> 00:54:23,268
(Puia) Yes. Yes, Gladys?

1295
00:54:23,268 --> 00:54:25,413
(Gladys) Just like Pastor Derek
was saying,

1296
00:54:25,413 --> 00:54:27,854
just making ourselves available.

1297
00:54:27,854 --> 00:54:30,774
It's not just praying

1298
00:54:30,774 --> 00:54:33,677
but also making ourselves available.

1299
00:54:33,677 --> 00:54:35,815
Like, "God, lead us to the person

1300
00:54:35,815 --> 00:54:37,302
or to the people that we need

1301
00:54:37,302 --> 00:54:39,134
to be serving every day."

1302
00:54:39,134 --> 00:54:43,422
(Puia) Yes. Adison, anything else
come to mind?

1303
00:54:43,422 --> 00:54:45,828
(Adison) I specifically am from Canada,

1304
00:54:45,828 --> 00:54:46,864
and I'm just thinking

1305
00:54:46,864 --> 00:54:49,272
about my home church right now,

1306
00:54:49,272 --> 00:54:51,086
growing up there, and it's always had

1307
00:54:51,086 --> 00:54:53,060
a special place in my heart.

1308
00:54:53,060 --> 00:54:56,941
And so I just want to re-echo the things

1309
00:54:56,941 --> 00:54:58,443
that have been said here today

1310
00:54:58,443 --> 00:55:02,635
to my home church back home
in Canada.

1311
00:55:02,635 --> 00:55:04,588
I just want you to continue, each of you,

1312
00:55:04,588 --> 00:55:06,768
to show mercy to others.

1313
00:55:06,768 --> 00:55:09,320
Pray for a willing spirit, and allow God

1314
00:55:09,320 --> 00:55:10,959
to use you in a powerful way.

1315
00:55:10,959 --> 00:55:13,203
(Puia) Amen. Pedro.

1316
00:55:13,203 --> 00:55:14,831
(Pedro) We see that relationship

1317
00:55:14,831 --> 00:55:16,566
is key for this to happen

1318
00:55:16,566 --> 00:55:18,359
because if we don't know the people,

1319
00:55:18,359 --> 00:55:19,690
how can you help them?

1320
00:55:19,690 --> 00:55:21,699
So, get to know...In prayer,

1321
00:55:21,699 --> 00:55:23,800
ask God to put people in your life

1322
00:55:23,800 --> 00:55:26,389
that you will be able to impact.

1323
00:55:26,389 --> 00:55:28,138
If we don't have the relationship

1324
00:55:28,138 --> 00:55:30,129
to meet with them on a personal level,

1325
00:55:30,129 --> 00:55:31,350
you will never know.

1326
00:55:31,350 --> 00:55:34,204
(Puia) Amen. Gary?

1327
00:55:34,204 --> 00:55:37,258
(Gary) Pray for an understanding

1328
00:55:37,258 --> 00:55:41,082
of how God has been merciful
to yourself, to you,

1329
00:55:41,082 --> 00:55:43,694
because, without a true appreciation

1330
00:55:43,694 --> 00:55:45,150
for what God is doing

1331
00:55:45,150 --> 00:55:47,795
or what He has done for you,

1332
00:55:47,795 --> 00:55:49,854
you can't be spurred on to do anything,

1333
00:55:49,854 --> 00:55:52,631
even if people are around you
that need it.

1334
00:55:52,631 --> 00:55:54,774
But when you ask God to open your eyes

1335
00:55:54,774 --> 00:55:56,770
to see how much He has blessed you,

1336
00:55:56,770 --> 00:55:58,345
and been a blessing in your life,

1337
00:55:58,345 --> 00:56:00,207
you'd want to share that.

1338
00:56:00,207 --> 00:56:01,937
(Puia) Those are all good points.

1339
00:56:01,937 --> 00:56:03,666
To add my personal point of view,

1340
00:56:03,666 --> 00:56:06,145
I think, in my personal experience,

1341
00:56:06,145 --> 00:56:08,416
when it comes to having mercy
towards others,

1342
00:56:08,416 --> 00:56:10,793
what has helped me is education,

1343
00:56:10,793 --> 00:56:13,314
you know, reading and exploring,

1344
00:56:13,314 --> 00:56:15,535
knowing the facts, being informed

1345
00:56:15,535 --> 00:56:17,914
about what is happening around the world,

1346
00:56:17,914 --> 00:56:20,111
and also traveling.

1347
00:56:20,111 --> 00:56:22,097
You know, traveling really helps.

1348
00:56:22,097 --> 00:56:24,170
It's one thing to see someone in need

1349
00:56:24,170 --> 00:56:25,713
through a TV screen,

1350
00:56:25,713 --> 00:56:27,519
but it's a whole other experience

1351
00:56:27,519 --> 00:56:29,790
when you're actually on the ground,

1352
00:56:29,790 --> 00:56:31,449
seeing the people in need.

1353
00:56:31,449 --> 00:56:34,576
You know, you could visit
a refugee center,

1354
00:56:34,576 --> 00:56:38,366
or visit a refugee camp somewhere,

1355
00:56:38,366 --> 00:56:40,209
or even a refugee resettlement

1356
00:56:40,209 --> 00:56:42,420
here in the United States.

1357
00:56:42,420 --> 00:56:44,851
We can go to the grounds,
and by traveling,

1358
00:56:44,851 --> 00:56:48,235
I believe we can really find
practical needs

1359
00:56:48,235 --> 00:56:50,287
that we can help people with.

1360
00:56:50,287 --> 00:56:52,154
Now, let's conclude our study.

1361
00:56:52,154 --> 00:56:54,000
So, we have looked at the fact

1362
00:56:54,000 --> 00:56:57,184
that God wants us to be merciful,

1363
00:56:57,184 --> 00:56:58,449
and we can be merciful

1364
00:56:58,449 --> 00:57:00,838
by being generous, right,

1365
00:57:00,838 --> 00:57:02,474
being the peacemakers

1366
00:57:02,474 --> 00:57:06,012
and standing up for people in need.

1367
00:57:06,012 --> 00:57:07,336
(Derek) What a great study.

1368
00:57:07,336 --> 00:57:08,999
You know, I'm just reminded

1369
00:57:08,999 --> 00:57:10,621
of what Jesus said.

1370
00:57:10,621 --> 00:57:13,657
And Jesus says it simply but powerfully,

1371
00:57:13,657 --> 00:57:17,075
He says, "Be merciful,

1372
00:57:17,075 --> 00:57:18,159
just as your Father

1373
00:57:18,159 --> 00:57:20,242
in Heaven is merciful."

1374
00:57:20,242 --> 00:57:21,884
Let's pray that that could happen,

1375
00:57:21,884 --> 00:57:24,307
and, you're right, Nicole,
it is a miracle,

1376
00:57:24,307 --> 00:57:26,666
but it can happen by the power

1377
00:57:26,666 --> 00:57:28,062
of the Holy Spirit.

1378
00:57:28,062 --> 00:57:30,066
Let's pray; Father in Heaven,

1379
00:57:30,066 --> 00:57:31,327
we're just so thankful

1380
00:57:31,327 --> 00:57:33,205
that You are a merciful God,

1381
00:57:33,205 --> 00:57:34,848
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

1382
00:57:34,848 --> 00:57:36,793
that You love mercy

1383
00:57:36,793 --> 00:57:39,018
and that You want to show Your mercy

1384
00:57:39,018 --> 00:57:40,710
in us and through us.

1385
00:57:40,710 --> 00:57:42,751
We just want to be available,

1386
00:57:42,751 --> 00:57:44,789
not just to talk about mercy,

1387
00:57:44,789 --> 00:57:47,748
but to act mercifully.

1388
00:57:47,748 --> 00:57:49,514
May those around us be blessed,

1389
00:57:49,514 --> 00:57:51,298
and may joy come to Your heart.

1390
00:57:51,298 --> 00:57:54,091
We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

1391
00:57:54,091 --> 00:57:54,949
(Team) Amen.

1392
00:57:54,949 --> 00:57:57,433
(Derek) What a challenging study;
thank you, Puia.

1393
00:57:57,433 --> 00:57:58,807
Thank you for being with us.

1394
00:57:58,807 --> 00:58:00,547
Don't just go out and talk mercy,

1395
00:58:00,547 --> 00:58:02,068
go out and be merciful.

1396
00:58:02,068 --> 00:58:04,116
Be a blessing to those around you.

1397
00:58:04,116 --> 00:58:28,986
♪ theme music ♪