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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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I'm excited about the topic today as we

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continue our series through <i>The Psalms,</i>

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<i>Worship That Never Ends.</i>

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What a great topic,

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and I know you'll be blessed,

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so welcome to Hope Sabbath School.

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Welcome to the team,

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good to be together again.

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Take a look at each other and wave.

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We represent the whole world,

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and I'm excited that John's going

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to be leading our study today.

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What a great study,

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<i>Worship That Never Ends.</i>

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We've also got some remote team members

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with us today, always happy to have them.

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Heide, good to see you again,

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glad you're with us.

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Leeah, great to have you

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on the team today.

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And, Travis, always good

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to have you with us.

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I'm so thankful for our remote team
members

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as well as the team here in the studio.

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But I'm thankful for you, too,

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because you are part of our global family.

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And when you answer a question,

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when John asks and you

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raise your hand, you're part

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of that in-depth, interactive study

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of the Word of God.

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We're always happy to hear from you,

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and here are just a few emails

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we've received recently.

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Kanchele writes from Zambia.

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Do we get a lot of emails from Zambia?

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Kanchele writes and says,

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"My name is Evangelist Kanchele,"

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now, that's significant as I read on,

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"from Zambia, in the western part
that is Mongu.

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Hope Sabbath School has changed my life

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in so many ways,

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and Hope Sabbath School is one

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that made me to be an evangelist!"

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(Team) Praise God.

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(Derek) "I love the way

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the Bible is presented.

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God bless you, Hope Sabbath School,"
and we say...?

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(Team) Amen.

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(Derek) Isn't that amazing?

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You've got an evangelist

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in Western Zambia who was encouraged

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to serve the Lord

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through Hope Sabbath School.

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Thank you for writing to us, Kanchele.

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Here is another note.

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This one is from Mozambique,

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and the person writes and says,

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Joaquim from Mazambique,

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"Hello, Pastor Derek

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and all the Hope Sabbath School team!

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First, I want to make it clear

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that I'm not good in English.

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I'm from Mozambique, so the main thing

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that I appreciate in the program

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is how you make the Word of God

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so easy to understand.

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May God bless you all, Joaquim." Amen?

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(Team) Amen.

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(Derek) Well, we're glad.

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We just launched

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a Hope Channel in Mozambique,

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and actually our Portuguese-speaking
channel

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in Brazil, Novo Tempo, helped launch

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the channel in Mozambique. Amen?

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We're all working together,

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so really exciting to hear

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what God is doing.

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Well, here's a hand-written note

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from a donor couple in California

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in the United States, and they write

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and say, "We always enjoy listening

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to Hope Sabbath School

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and seeing your faces.

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All these years we feel like

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we know you all.

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You all make Hope Sabbath School

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flow easily, and we share your thoughts

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with our own Bible class

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here in California," and a donation

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of 400 dollars to bless the ministry

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of Hope Sabbath School. Amen?

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I want to say thank you, donor couple,

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you know who you are.

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And thanks to each one of you,

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because we're all part

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of this miracle of God

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called Hope Sabbath School.

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It's a donor-supported ministry.

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Thank you to this couple,

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but thank you to you, too.

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You can go to our website,

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hopetv.org/hopess.

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Maybe someone just left you

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an inheritance, or you see

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that you have 30 dollars a month

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that you could set aside

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for laying up some treasure in Heaven.

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Go to the website, click on Donate,

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and say, "Thank You, Lord,

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for what You're doing

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through Hope Sabbath School."

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Well, one last note,

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from Rosemary in Arkansas

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in the United States of America.

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Rosemary says, "I love Hope Sabbath School

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because of the...," what do you think?

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Diversity, "...diversity of the group.

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I learn a great deal, every program,

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and I love the Scripture songs, too.

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I've been watching so long,"

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writes Rosemary, "I feel like
you're family.

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Thanks for all you do."

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Well, Rosemary, thanks for writing to us,

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and actually, you said you like the songs,

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we need you to help us sing

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the theme song today.

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Could you do that?

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But before we start the music,

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I just want to give you another reminder

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about a wonderful collection

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of <i>Trilogy Scripture Songs</i>

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from the Psalms; there are six songs

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including our theme song from Psalm 105.

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And you can just go to our website,

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hopetv.org/hopess,

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click on the Free Gift tab.

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If you don't know how to do that,

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ask a youngster in your family to do that,

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and they'll find it there and download

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that collection of six songs.

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You can share those with friends.

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Hide God's Word in your heart,

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including our theme song, and God will

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bring that to your remembrance.

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The Holy Spirit will help you

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when you need to remember those words.

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Right now, we're going to sing

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one of those six songs, from Psalm 105,

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"Oh, give thanks to the Lord."

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Let's sing together.

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♪ music ♪

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(Derek) I just love that song, don't you?

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Three thousand years old

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but a new melody, and what a beautiful way

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to begin our study.

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John, thanks for leading us in prayer.

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(John) Thank you, Pastor Derek.

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Let's pray as we begin.

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Loving heavenly Father, thank You so much

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for this time You have given us as we are

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coming to the tail end of our study

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in the book of Psalms.

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I pray, dear God, that we

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will go away praising You

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and singing praises to You, even now.

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I pray these things

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in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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(Derek, Team) Amen.

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(John) In the book of Psalms,

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we have been looking at how these psalms

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have been used in worship services

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of the sanctuary back then.

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And even here at Hope Sabbath School

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we put new tunes to these psalms

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and we sing them.

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And in our study, we're going

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to look at worship itself.

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While psalms are being used

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in worship services, today we're going

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to be looking at worship itself.

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And here at Hope Sabbath School,

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we consult the Bible for what worship is,

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and not culture in general,

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and we praise God for that.

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So before we begin, we want

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to define what worship is,

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and so the question to you:

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What is worship?

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What do you think worship is? Jason?

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(Jason) When I think about it,

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it really just comes

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to how we conduct ourselves.

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In the way we conduct ourselves,

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whether through thought, actions or words,

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we're basically honoring God

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in all those aspects

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and giving honor to His name.

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(John) Giving honor to God's name. Yes.

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(Scott) Ultimately worship is God-focused

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and not self-focused.

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(John) God-focused, not self-focused.
Pedro.

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(Pedro) It's the way that we can

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respond to God and His love.

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There is nothing I can give to God

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other than to worship Him.

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(John) A response to God's love.

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(Derek) So, we're all talking about God,

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but people worship all kinds of things.

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Some people worship idols,

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some people worship movie stars,

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some people worship themselves,

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so I think at the very fundamental level

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worship is ascribing worth,

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value, to something.

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And supreme worship, of course,

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only one Person deserves that,

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and that is God Himself.

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We ascribe worth to Him

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when we worship Him.

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And I certainly agree

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that can be in our words,

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in our actions, in our thoughts.

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But we need to, like you said, focus

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on worship of God, because people

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can worship other things.

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(John) And just to follow your thought,

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Pastor Derek, there is someone

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who said that worship is

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to see what God is worth

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and to give Him what He's worth.

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(Derek) Beautiful.

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(John) To see the worth of God

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and to give all that is worthy to Him.

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So, at the University of Denver,

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they released a study about communication,

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and this is what they said.

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They said, "Communication consists

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of 55 percent body language,

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38 percent paralanguage,

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and 7 percent verbal content."

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So, there is a lot

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of nonverbal communication

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that happens when we speak,

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and so with worship, gestures and posture

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also play a role in worship

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because they communicate to God

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what we want to express.

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And so, we're going to look

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at one of the gestures

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that the Bible talks about

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which is lifting up our hands in worship.

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Now, we're going to see what the Bible

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has to say about it.

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If I can have Lilica please read to us

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from Psalm 134 and verse 2,

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Psalm 134 and verse 2.

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What does the Bible mean when it talks

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about lifting up our hands to God?

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(Lilica) I'll be reading

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from the New King James Version,

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Psalm 134, verse 2:

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(John) Okay, thank you, Lilica.

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So, here in this text, what does

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lifting up the hands mean. Yes, Pedro.

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(Pedro) To worship God, to bless Him.

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(John) Okay, to worship God,

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to bless Him. Scott?

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(Scott) I was going to say the same thing.

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Verse 1 says, "Come, bless the Lord,"

275
00:11:38,761 --> 00:11:40,955
and that gives us the context of verse 2.

276
00:11:40,955 --> 00:11:43,051
(John) That's right, to bless the Lord.

277
00:11:43,051 --> 00:11:46,181
And in talking about context, Scott,

278
00:11:46,181 --> 00:11:48,362
here the context is those who are

279
00:11:48,362 --> 00:11:50,712
ministering in the temple are called

280
00:11:50,712 --> 00:11:54,601
to lift up their hands and bless God.

281
00:11:54,601 --> 00:11:58,849
Now, this gesture expresses adoration,

282
00:11:58,849 --> 00:12:02,028
and this gesture indicates the object

283
00:12:02,028 --> 00:12:07,510
of praise is God and not ourselves,

284
00:12:07,510 --> 00:12:10,728
and that the entire person is involved

285
00:12:10,728 --> 00:12:11,968
in worshiping God

286
00:12:11,968 --> 00:12:14,118
or giving praises to God.

287
00:12:14,118 --> 00:12:16,238
Let's look at another text,

288
00:12:16,238 --> 00:12:20,926
Lamentations, chapter 2 and verse 19,

289
00:12:20,926 --> 00:12:23,742
Lamentations, chapter 2 and verse 19.

290
00:12:23,742 --> 00:12:26,200
And if I can have Jason please read that
for us.

291
00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:27,735
(Jason) It will be my pleasure.

292
00:12:27,735 --> 00:12:30,902
Lamentations, chapter 2, verse 19, says:

293
00:12:49,707 --> 00:12:51,019
(John) Okay, thank you.

294
00:12:51,019 --> 00:12:53,572
So, here what is the meaning

295
00:12:53,572 --> 00:12:57,729
of lifting ones hands toward the heavens,

296
00:12:57,729 --> 00:12:59,782
in Lamentations? Yes, Jason?

297
00:12:59,782 --> 00:13:01,903
(Jason) It seems like a cry out,

298
00:13:01,903 --> 00:13:04,315
like desperation, like, "Lord," you know,

299
00:13:04,315 --> 00:13:06,241
giving up yourself, surrendering

300
00:13:06,241 --> 00:13:08,579
in a sense, I'm taking from that text.

301
00:13:08,579 --> 00:13:10,410
(John) Okay, so in Psalms we're seeing

302
00:13:10,410 --> 00:13:11,986
that lifting up our hands means

303
00:13:11,986 --> 00:13:14,614
to praise God, to give Him glory,

304
00:13:14,614 --> 00:13:17,202
but here in Lamentations we're seeing

305
00:13:17,202 --> 00:13:18,421
out of desperation

306
00:13:18,421 --> 00:13:20,050
we're crying out to God,

307
00:13:20,050 --> 00:13:22,568
and we want to receive help from Him.

308
00:13:22,568 --> 00:13:24,620
And so, what we are beginning to see

309
00:13:24,620 --> 00:13:26,085
is that lifting up hands

310
00:13:26,085 --> 00:13:27,629
means different things

311
00:13:27,629 --> 00:13:30,326
in different contexts, but all of that

312
00:13:30,326 --> 00:13:33,050
is focused toward God.

313
00:13:33,050 --> 00:13:35,161
To Him we praise, and He is

314
00:13:35,161 --> 00:13:37,443
the object of worship, and He is

315
00:13:37,443 --> 00:13:39,476
the giver of all blessings

316
00:13:39,476 --> 00:13:41,912
and the answer to our prayers.

317
00:13:41,912 --> 00:13:43,455
Let's look at one more verse,

318
00:13:43,455 --> 00:13:45,799
in the New Testament, 1 Timothy,

319
00:13:45,799 --> 00:13:49,285
chapter 2 and verse 8, if I can have

320
00:13:49,285 --> 00:13:51,498
Scott please read that for us,

321
00:13:51,498 --> 00:13:54,346
1 Timothy, chapter 2 and verse 8.

322
00:13:54,346 --> 00:13:58,081
Paul is instructing his, if I can use

323
00:13:58,081 --> 00:14:00,815
the term, young intern Timothy

324
00:14:00,815 --> 00:14:03,845
how one ought to conduct himself

325
00:14:03,845 --> 00:14:05,989
in the house of God.

326
00:14:05,989 --> 00:14:07,152
(Scott) Yes, it says:

327
00:14:16,680 --> 00:14:18,316
(John) Okay, so we see,

328
00:14:18,316 --> 00:14:20,524
not only in the Old Testament

329
00:14:20,524 --> 00:14:23,037
but also the New Testament, in the church

330
00:14:23,037 --> 00:14:25,552
we find that lifting up of hands

331
00:14:25,552 --> 00:14:26,908
is being allowed.

332
00:14:26,908 --> 00:14:30,140
Lifting up of hands is being allowed.

333
00:14:30,140 --> 00:14:34,253
So, question, is it fine for us

334
00:14:34,253 --> 00:14:37,417
to lift our hands in worship? Yes, Scott.

335
00:14:37,417 --> 00:14:41,038
(Scott) I was raised in a setting

336
00:14:41,038 --> 00:14:43,312
where people were rather skeptical

337
00:14:43,312 --> 00:14:44,825
of lifting hands.

338
00:14:44,825 --> 00:14:46,424
They associate it

339
00:14:46,424 --> 00:14:49,898
with Pentecostalism or other things,

340
00:14:49,898 --> 00:14:52,509
but when I read the Bible,

341
00:14:52,509 --> 00:14:54,290
I don't find that there.

342
00:14:54,290 --> 00:14:56,860
Lifting hands is biblical,

343
00:14:56,860 --> 00:15:00,106
and so it's not a habit I was raised with,

344
00:15:00,106 --> 00:15:02,714
but it's something that's biblical.

345
00:15:02,714 --> 00:15:03,909
(John) Yes, Tendi.

346
00:15:03,909 --> 00:15:05,206
(Tendi) Like you said,

347
00:15:05,206 --> 00:15:06,542
lifting up your hand

348
00:15:06,542 --> 00:15:08,873
depends on the context.

349
00:15:08,873 --> 00:15:11,289
If you're in church, and the pastor

350
00:15:11,289 --> 00:15:12,596
is preaching, for example,

351
00:15:12,596 --> 00:15:14,239
you cannot lift your hands;

352
00:15:14,239 --> 00:15:15,949
you need to be reverent.

353
00:15:15,949 --> 00:15:17,767
But if there is worship, if there is

354
00:15:17,767 --> 00:15:20,236
a song that compels your spirit

355
00:15:20,236 --> 00:15:22,298
to lift your hands, then you can.

356
00:15:22,298 --> 00:15:23,330
(John) Okay, you used

357
00:15:23,330 --> 00:15:24,503
a very important word.

358
00:15:24,503 --> 00:15:27,052
Here actually in Timothy, Paul talks

359
00:15:27,052 --> 00:15:29,747
to Timothy about the importance

360
00:15:29,747 --> 00:15:32,296
of reverence in God's house.

361
00:15:32,296 --> 00:15:34,592
And so, lifting up hands

362
00:15:34,592 --> 00:15:36,583
is not supposed to be irreverent.

363
00:15:36,583 --> 00:15:38,184
It should not be irreverent;

364
00:15:38,184 --> 00:15:39,990
there should be reverence

365
00:15:39,990 --> 00:15:41,714
that should be entailed

366
00:15:41,714 --> 00:15:43,150
along with that. Pastor Derek?

367
00:15:43,150 --> 00:15:44,605
(Derek) And also in the Sermon

368
00:15:44,605 --> 00:15:47,172
on the Mount, Jesus says in anything

369
00:15:47,172 --> 00:15:48,925
to do with worship, whether it's

370
00:15:48,925 --> 00:15:51,017
prayer or fasting or whatever,

371
00:15:51,017 --> 00:15:51,974
don't do something

372
00:15:51,974 --> 00:15:54,540
to draw attention to yourself.

373
00:15:54,540 --> 00:15:56,623
I'm thinking of the my wife's grandmother

374
00:15:56,623 --> 00:15:58,919
who was from China, and she would

375
00:15:58,919 --> 00:16:01,388
kowtow when she prayed.

376
00:16:01,388 --> 00:16:03,522
You know what kowtowing is, right?

377
00:16:03,522 --> 00:16:05,840
But she wouldn't do that on a platform

378
00:16:05,840 --> 00:16:07,750
or in front of everybody.

379
00:16:07,750 --> 00:16:09,024
She would do that when she

380
00:16:09,024 --> 00:16:10,733
went to her closet to pray,

381
00:16:10,733 --> 00:16:13,125
because it was part of her culture.

382
00:16:13,125 --> 00:16:14,527
It was her way, actually,

383
00:16:14,527 --> 00:16:17,458
of showing reverence to God
in her culture.

384
00:16:17,458 --> 00:16:18,687
But I think the principle

385
00:16:18,687 --> 00:16:21,742
in the Sermon on the Mount is that we

386
00:16:21,742 --> 00:16:25,833
are sensitive that we're not just becoming

387
00:16:25,833 --> 00:16:28,814
the center of attention,
drawing attention.

388
00:16:28,814 --> 00:16:30,342
Jesus talks about praying

389
00:16:30,342 --> 00:16:32,135
on street corners so that you

390
00:16:32,135 --> 00:16:34,281
can be seen by people.

391
00:16:34,281 --> 00:16:35,869
(John) That's right, and we'll go

392
00:16:35,869 --> 00:16:37,267
to that verse, Pastor Derek,

393
00:16:37,267 --> 00:16:38,930
but I want to take a few comments.

394
00:16:38,930 --> 00:16:40,375
Pedro and then Travis.

395
00:16:40,375 --> 00:16:41,971
(Pedro) I see the importance here

396
00:16:41,971 --> 00:16:43,990
of giving blessing and receiving blessing.

397
00:16:43,990 --> 00:16:45,573
Obviously, God is inviting us,

398
00:16:45,573 --> 00:16:48,413
I found it fascinating, inviting us
to bless Him.

399
00:16:48,413 --> 00:16:50,769
It's a practice we might not partake of

400
00:16:50,769 --> 00:16:53,243
with our hands and our actions.

401
00:16:53,243 --> 00:16:54,769
I see our hands as surrendering,

402
00:16:54,769 --> 00:16:56,746
and when I look at Timothy here, there is

403
00:16:56,746 --> 00:16:58,446
the aspect of lifting up your hands

404
00:16:58,446 --> 00:16:59,453
in a negative way,

405
00:16:59,453 --> 00:17:00,567
There is a positive way

406
00:17:00,567 --> 00:17:01,702
of lifting up our hands

407
00:17:01,702 --> 00:17:02,703
and a negative way.

408
00:17:02,703 --> 00:17:04,052
And we should say,

409
00:17:04,052 --> 00:17:05,907
"My works are of the Lord," as I think

410
00:17:05,907 --> 00:17:07,769
that's what we're seeing here.

411
00:17:07,769 --> 00:17:09,838
[Paul] is saying, "I'm worshiping You

412
00:17:09,838 --> 00:17:13,002
by saying my actions are Your actions."

413
00:17:13,002 --> 00:17:15,770
And that is important for us to understand

414
00:17:15,770 --> 00:17:17,409
the context that we're in,

415
00:17:17,409 --> 00:17:19,335
like drawing attention to God

416
00:17:19,335 --> 00:17:21,446
and not to ourselves.

417
00:17:21,446 --> 00:17:22,642
(John) Exactly, something

418
00:17:22,642 --> 00:17:23,774
that Pastor Derek said,

419
00:17:23,774 --> 00:17:25,173
and you are repeating, Pedro,

420
00:17:25,173 --> 00:17:26,832
which is important, is context.

421
00:17:26,832 --> 00:17:28,604
We need to know where we are

422
00:17:28,604 --> 00:17:29,611
and what we're doing,

423
00:17:29,611 --> 00:17:30,796
and why we are doing it.

424
00:17:30,796 --> 00:17:33,113
And not just because everyone is doing it,

425
00:17:33,113 --> 00:17:34,695
but the reason why it's

426
00:17:34,695 --> 00:17:37,746
being done. Travis.

427
00:17:37,746 --> 00:17:39,301
(Travis) I was just going to say

428
00:17:39,301 --> 00:17:40,458
what Pastor Derek said.

429
00:17:40,458 --> 00:17:46,439
If we're praising God and not trying

430
00:17:46,439 --> 00:17:47,972
to draw attention to ourselves,

431
00:17:47,972 --> 00:17:49,741
I don't think there is anything wrong

432
00:17:49,741 --> 00:17:51,348
with lifting your hands to heaven

433
00:17:51,348 --> 00:17:53,331
in adoration to God.

434
00:17:53,331 --> 00:17:55,272
(John) Okay, so the Scripture is clear

435
00:17:55,272 --> 00:17:56,839
that lifting up our hands

436
00:17:56,839 --> 00:18:00,194
to God in prayer is fine.

437
00:18:00,194 --> 00:18:02,906
And one Bible scholar writes

438
00:18:02,906 --> 00:18:05,183
that it's not a prescription,

439
00:18:05,183 --> 00:18:06,487
but the Bible is describing

440
00:18:06,487 --> 00:18:09,227
that it is allowed.

441
00:18:09,227 --> 00:18:10,754
But if a person doesn't do that,

442
00:18:10,754 --> 00:18:12,193
that doesn't mean that God

443
00:18:12,193 --> 00:18:14,323
is not being praised or that God

444
00:18:14,323 --> 00:18:16,162
is not answering their prayers either.

445
00:18:16,162 --> 00:18:19,546
And so, there is room for both.

446
00:18:19,546 --> 00:18:20,972
Now, there are times

447
00:18:20,972 --> 00:18:23,472
when lifting up our hands to God

448
00:18:23,472 --> 00:18:25,909
is inappropriate, or other ways

449
00:18:25,909 --> 00:18:28,151
of doing it, and, Pastor Derek,

450
00:18:28,151 --> 00:18:29,404
you alluded to it.

451
00:18:29,404 --> 00:18:31,040
Let's go to Matthew, chapter 6,

452
00:18:31,040 --> 00:18:32,730
verses 5 and 6; if I can ask Puia

453
00:18:32,730 --> 00:18:35,023
to please read that for us.

454
00:18:35,023 --> 00:18:36,626
(Puia) Sure, and I'll be reading

455
00:18:36,626 --> 00:18:38,225
from the New King James Version,

456
00:18:38,225 --> 00:18:40,576
Matthew 6, verses 5 and 6:

457
00:19:11,715 --> 00:19:13,107
(John) Thank you, Puia.

458
00:19:13,107 --> 00:19:14,814
So, question: Are there times

459
00:19:14,814 --> 00:19:16,547
when lifting up our hands

460
00:19:16,547 --> 00:19:17,974
is not appropriate?

461
00:19:17,974 --> 00:19:19,804
What do you think? Yes, Scott.

462
00:19:19,804 --> 00:19:22,133
(Scott) Worship is one of those things

463
00:19:22,133 --> 00:19:24,887
that has a significant cultural element

464
00:19:24,887 --> 00:19:27,201
to it, and with a worldwide audience,

465
00:19:27,201 --> 00:19:28,451
there are different people

466
00:19:28,451 --> 00:19:30,659
who feel different ways about it.

467
00:19:30,659 --> 00:19:32,944
And I think, as Derek mentioned,

468
00:19:32,944 --> 00:19:36,331
sometimes if we insist on expressing

469
00:19:36,331 --> 00:19:38,153
worship the way we're comfortable with

470
00:19:38,153 --> 00:19:39,612
in a setting where the people

471
00:19:39,612 --> 00:19:41,046
around us aren't comfortable

472
00:19:41,046 --> 00:19:43,232
with that same expression, it can cause

473
00:19:43,232 --> 00:19:45,776
distraction, even if it's not intentional.

474
00:19:45,776 --> 00:19:47,768
And it can cause trouble

475
00:19:47,768 --> 00:19:49,721
that doesn't need to be caused.

476
00:19:49,721 --> 00:19:51,752
(John) Okay, a distraction, a distraction

477
00:19:51,752 --> 00:19:54,137
where the focus is not so much on God

478
00:19:54,137 --> 00:19:56,769
but more about what I am doing.

479
00:19:56,769 --> 00:19:58,337
And that's what these Pharisees

480
00:19:58,337 --> 00:20:00,218
were doing; they would stand

481
00:20:00,218 --> 00:20:01,522
on street corners, and they

482
00:20:01,522 --> 00:20:03,235
would pray aloud because they wanted

483
00:20:03,235 --> 00:20:06,110
others to know, "See how righteous I am."

484
00:20:06,110 --> 00:20:10,070
And if those kinds of attitudes are

485
00:20:10,070 --> 00:20:12,681
what we have when lifting up our hands,

486
00:20:12,681 --> 00:20:14,723
that is to be avoided. Yes, Pedro.

487
00:20:14,723 --> 00:20:16,253
(Pedro) And I see the importance

488
00:20:16,253 --> 00:20:18,182
for us to care for others; Jesus told us

489
00:20:18,182 --> 00:20:20,250
to love others as ourselves.

490
00:20:20,250 --> 00:20:22,853
And drawing attention to ourselves

491
00:20:22,853 --> 00:20:24,403
in a room and saying, "Well, I'm

492
00:20:24,403 --> 00:20:25,382
doing this for God,"

493
00:20:25,382 --> 00:20:27,013
is not about the people around me.

494
00:20:27,013 --> 00:20:29,004
And God says to care for those around us.

495
00:20:29,004 --> 00:20:30,360
We are our brother's keeper.

496
00:20:30,360 --> 00:20:31,570
In the same way, if we're

497
00:20:31,570 --> 00:20:32,733
seeing someone doing it,

498
00:20:32,733 --> 00:20:34,667
remember it's your brother, your sister.

499
00:20:34,667 --> 00:20:36,292
Don't rebuke people for no reason.

500
00:20:36,292 --> 00:20:39,158
If they are adoring God, allow them

501
00:20:39,158 --> 00:20:41,948
to worship God with their hearts.

502
00:20:41,948 --> 00:20:43,486
(John) Exactly. Yes, Stephanie,

503
00:20:43,486 --> 00:20:45,331
you seem to have something to say?

504
00:20:45,331 --> 00:20:47,335
(Stephanie) I was just thinking that it's

505
00:20:47,335 --> 00:20:49,004
really a principle; it's a matter

506
00:20:49,004 --> 00:20:51,565
of principle that whatever we do,

507
00:20:51,565 --> 00:20:53,914
we do it to honor God in worship.

508
00:20:53,914 --> 00:20:55,297
That's the principle.

509
00:20:55,297 --> 00:20:58,940
(John) Exactly. And Leeah.

510
00:20:58,940 --> 00:21:00,387
(Leeah) I think it's very true

511
00:21:00,387 --> 00:21:02,931
that sometimes how we conduct ourselves

512
00:21:02,931 --> 00:21:04,282
physically in worship can be

513
00:21:04,282 --> 00:21:05,431
a distraction to others.

514
00:21:05,431 --> 00:21:07,722
But I've also found that sometimes

515
00:21:07,722 --> 00:21:09,725
it can be an encouragement to others.

516
00:21:09,725 --> 00:21:11,672
Sometimes people are ashamed

517
00:21:11,672 --> 00:21:13,173
that, you know, maybe they want

518
00:21:13,173 --> 00:21:14,134
to lift their hands,

519
00:21:14,134 --> 00:21:15,853
but they're uncomfortable doing so.

520
00:21:15,853 --> 00:21:17,797
So maybe sometimes our expression

521
00:21:17,797 --> 00:21:19,374
can give other people the freedom

522
00:21:19,374 --> 00:21:20,402
to express themselves

523
00:21:20,402 --> 00:21:21,749
before the Lord as well.

524
00:21:21,749 --> 00:21:24,847
(John) Amen. Yes, Nancy?

525
00:21:24,847 --> 00:21:26,748
(Nancy) It has to do with our attitude.

526
00:21:26,748 --> 00:21:29,491
If we have an attitude of worship,

527
00:21:29,491 --> 00:21:32,901
then yes, I think it will be noticed

528
00:21:32,901 --> 00:21:35,279
by those who are around us.

529
00:21:35,279 --> 00:21:37,586
But the most important thing is for us

530
00:21:37,586 --> 00:21:41,716
to truly be honoring God in our worship.

531
00:21:41,716 --> 00:21:45,687
(John) Amen. Travis, I saw your hand.

532
00:21:45,687 --> 00:21:47,611
(Travis) I was just going to comment

533
00:21:47,611 --> 00:21:50,674
on what was mentioned earlier

534
00:21:50,674 --> 00:21:53,589
about principle, and I think John

535
00:21:53,589 --> 00:21:57,204
the Baptist clearly held this principle

536
00:21:57,204 --> 00:21:58,954
in high regard, and it's John,

537
00:21:58,954 --> 00:22:03,880
chapter 3:30, and he says, "Jesus

538
00:22:03,880 --> 00:22:05,855
must increase, and I must decrease."

539
00:22:05,855 --> 00:22:10,693
So understanding who God is

540
00:22:10,693 --> 00:22:12,739
is really essential

541
00:22:12,739 --> 00:22:14,403
and I think is the principle.

542
00:22:14,403 --> 00:22:17,490
It's not about us; it's about Jesus.

543
00:22:17,490 --> 00:22:18,548
(John) Right. Pastor.

544
00:22:18,548 --> 00:22:19,949
(Derek) I just want to affirm

545
00:22:19,949 --> 00:22:21,981
what Leeah said, because if a person

546
00:22:21,981 --> 00:22:24,145
is leading worship and they're frowning -

547
00:22:24,145 --> 00:22:25,965
you talked about body language -

548
00:22:25,965 --> 00:22:28,775
and it's like, "Let's rejoice
in the Lord."

549
00:22:28,775 --> 00:22:31,136
And people are like, "I don't believe you.

550
00:22:31,136 --> 00:22:33,724
You don't <i>look</i> like you're rejoicing."

551
00:22:33,724 --> 00:22:35,411
So, I don't want to be the focus

552
00:22:35,411 --> 00:22:37,286
of attention, but I do want,

553
00:22:37,286 --> 00:22:39,820
as Jason said earlier, my whole body

554
00:22:39,820 --> 00:22:43,333
to communicate how great God is.

555
00:22:43,333 --> 00:22:45,532
And I think that's where we're just asking

556
00:22:45,532 --> 00:22:48,463
the Holy Spirit to guide us

557
00:22:48,463 --> 00:22:51,725
as to what is an appropriate way

558
00:22:51,725 --> 00:22:53,872
with our words, with our body language,

559
00:22:53,872 --> 00:22:56,321
with the way that we say those words

560
00:22:56,321 --> 00:22:57,682
to really honor God.

561
00:22:57,682 --> 00:22:59,274
(John) Exactly. What's amazing

562
00:22:59,274 --> 00:23:02,531
is that the Bible is very balanced.

563
00:23:02,531 --> 00:23:04,804
It's giving room for...If you want

564
00:23:04,804 --> 00:23:06,866
to express your praise to God,

565
00:23:06,866 --> 00:23:08,181
your prayers to God,

566
00:23:08,181 --> 00:23:10,288
using your hands is absolutely fine.

567
00:23:10,288 --> 00:23:11,624
But on the other hand, it is

568
00:23:11,624 --> 00:23:13,011
important that we don't have

569
00:23:13,011 --> 00:23:14,714
a self-centered attitude

570
00:23:14,714 --> 00:23:17,238
or even at times borrow from culture

571
00:23:17,238 --> 00:23:19,125
the practicing of waving hands

572
00:23:19,125 --> 00:23:21,231
and lifting up our hands

573
00:23:21,231 --> 00:23:23,537
and saying that we're praising God,

574
00:23:23,537 --> 00:23:25,684
but it's really coming out from culture.

575
00:23:25,684 --> 00:23:27,791
But it ought to come

576
00:23:27,791 --> 00:23:30,560
from the sole purpose of praising God

577
00:23:30,560 --> 00:23:32,980
and offering to God our praise.

578
00:23:32,980 --> 00:23:34,955
Puia and then we'll go to the next point.

579
00:23:34,955 --> 00:23:36,797
(Puia) Yes, I just wanted to highlight

580
00:23:36,797 --> 00:23:38,564
also the point from Matthew 6

581
00:23:38,564 --> 00:23:40,870
where we read, Jesus, I believe,

582
00:23:40,870 --> 00:23:42,544
differentiated the way

583
00:23:42,544 --> 00:23:44,718
you worship God individually

584
00:23:44,718 --> 00:23:46,783
versus in a group, right?

585
00:23:46,783 --> 00:23:48,777
So, I think it's important to be mindful

586
00:23:48,777 --> 00:23:49,947
about how we worship God

587
00:23:49,947 --> 00:23:51,117
when we come as a group.

588
00:23:51,117 --> 00:23:52,662
But when you go into the closet,

589
00:23:52,662 --> 00:23:53,817
and you pray before God,

590
00:23:53,817 --> 00:23:56,530
lift up your hands, and maybe you want

591
00:23:56,530 --> 00:23:58,282
to move around as you pray.

592
00:23:58,282 --> 00:23:59,779
Sometimes I pray while walking,

593
00:23:59,779 --> 00:24:01,936
so I think you can differentiate

594
00:24:01,936 --> 00:24:03,804
between individual worship

595
00:24:03,804 --> 00:24:05,947
versus group worship as well.

596
00:24:05,947 --> 00:24:07,548
(John) Thank you, Puia.

597
00:24:07,548 --> 00:24:09,764
So we're having a lively discussion here

598
00:24:09,764 --> 00:24:13,815
about lifting up our hands. Stephanie?

599
00:24:13,815 --> 00:24:15,058
(Stephanie) Something else

600
00:24:15,058 --> 00:24:16,893
that came to my mind is, really, we're

601
00:24:16,893 --> 00:24:18,051
the only ones that know

602
00:24:18,051 --> 00:24:20,457
if our relationship with God

603
00:24:20,457 --> 00:24:23,017
is allowing us to truly honor Him

604
00:24:23,017 --> 00:24:25,758
when we're doing anything in worship.

605
00:24:25,758 --> 00:24:29,345
So, it's very difficult to be able

606
00:24:29,345 --> 00:24:31,321
to judge someone's motives.

607
00:24:31,321 --> 00:24:34,312
And that's hard, right?

608
00:24:34,312 --> 00:24:37,038
But really we need to pray that God

609
00:24:37,038 --> 00:24:39,230
will use that person,

610
00:24:39,230 --> 00:24:40,874
wherever they're at, and trust

611
00:24:40,874 --> 00:24:42,706
that God will lead them.

612
00:24:42,706 --> 00:24:44,259
(John) Sure. Thank you all

613
00:24:44,259 --> 00:24:45,162
for your comments.

614
00:24:45,162 --> 00:24:47,015
And maybe those of you who are watching

615
00:24:47,015 --> 00:24:49,611
either on YouTube or on TV, you know,

616
00:24:49,611 --> 00:24:50,972
write down what you think

617
00:24:50,972 --> 00:24:53,653
about this topic on our YouTube channel

618
00:24:53,653 --> 00:24:56,204
or Facebook page, or email to us

619
00:24:56,204 --> 00:24:58,363
what you think about this topic,

620
00:24:58,363 --> 00:25:00,334
because you are also part

621
00:25:00,334 --> 00:25:01,846
of this discussion.

622
00:25:01,846 --> 00:25:04,231
Let's go to our next topic here,

623
00:25:04,231 --> 00:25:07,153
praising the Lord with our whole hearts.

624
00:25:07,153 --> 00:25:11,544
If I can ask Nancy to please read to us

625
00:25:11,544 --> 00:25:15,233
from Psalm, chapter 9, verses 1 and 2,

626
00:25:15,233 --> 00:25:18,911
Psalm, chapter 9, verses 1 and 2.

627
00:25:18,911 --> 00:25:19,900
(Nancy) I'm reading

628
00:25:19,900 --> 00:25:21,959
from the New American Standard Bible:

629
00:25:36,877 --> 00:25:38,614
(John) Okay, thank you.

630
00:25:38,614 --> 00:25:40,727
So, here the psalmist is saying

631
00:25:40,727 --> 00:25:42,813
that he will give thanks to the Lord

632
00:25:42,813 --> 00:25:45,036
with his whole heart.

633
00:25:45,036 --> 00:25:47,371
So in contrast, is it possible

634
00:25:47,371 --> 00:25:51,188
to give thanks to God half-heartedly?

635
00:25:51,188 --> 00:25:52,227
(Team Member) Sure.

636
00:25:52,227 --> 00:25:54,471
(John) For sure, right?

637
00:25:54,471 --> 00:25:58,258
What does it mean, actually, to praise God

638
00:25:58,258 --> 00:25:59,813
with our whole heart?

639
00:25:59,813 --> 00:26:03,037
What does that look like practically?
Stephanie?

640
00:26:03,037 --> 00:26:04,564
(Stephanie) I feel like it means

641
00:26:04,564 --> 00:26:06,212
a full surrender to Jesus.

642
00:26:06,212 --> 00:26:07,861
We're fully surrendered to Him,

643
00:26:07,861 --> 00:26:09,869
and so we're giving Him praise

644
00:26:09,869 --> 00:26:11,198
with all of our heart.

645
00:26:11,198 --> 00:26:12,814
He has everything of us.

646
00:26:12,814 --> 00:26:14,388
(John) Okay. Heide?

647
00:26:14,388 --> 00:26:16,201
(Heide) I think that he's answering it

648
00:26:16,201 --> 00:26:17,775
right here in this verse

649
00:26:17,775 --> 00:26:20,256
because he's telling you, "I will tell

650
00:26:20,256 --> 00:26:21,742
of Your marvelous works."

651
00:26:21,742 --> 00:26:23,789
In other words, share what God

652
00:26:23,789 --> 00:26:27,735
has actually literally done in your life.

653
00:26:27,735 --> 00:26:29,731
And he's also telling you,

654
00:26:29,731 --> 00:26:32,795
being glad, that's a way that we are

655
00:26:32,795 --> 00:26:34,795
praising the Lord with our whole hearts,

656
00:26:34,795 --> 00:26:39,181
just by continuing to be full of joy

657
00:26:39,181 --> 00:26:41,255
amidst the trials of life.

658
00:26:41,255 --> 00:26:46,258
We're also praising the Lord by singing;

659
00:26:46,258 --> 00:26:48,166
he's telling us this is another way

660
00:26:48,166 --> 00:26:51,839
that you can praise Him and worship Him.

661
00:26:51,839 --> 00:26:54,162
So he's telling us right here

662
00:26:54,162 --> 00:26:55,823
what we need to do.

663
00:26:55,823 --> 00:26:57,721
(John) Okay, thank you, Heide. Puia.

664
00:26:57,721 --> 00:26:59,926
(Puia) I just wanted to comment

665
00:26:59,926 --> 00:27:03,316
that sometimes life can be difficult,

666
00:27:03,316 --> 00:27:06,521
and we may not be able to give praise

667
00:27:06,521 --> 00:27:07,981
to God with all our hearts

668
00:27:07,981 --> 00:27:11,156
and with joy and gladness all the time.

669
00:27:11,156 --> 00:27:12,496
But I think the key point is

670
00:27:12,496 --> 00:27:13,904
to just come to God.

671
00:27:13,904 --> 00:27:15,465
Just come to God and come to Him

672
00:27:15,465 --> 00:27:17,141
with your trouble, and as Stephanie

673
00:27:17,141 --> 00:27:18,602
pointed out, surrender

674
00:27:18,602 --> 00:27:20,103
your troubles to Him.

675
00:27:20,103 --> 00:27:21,787
And I believe that's the key point

676
00:27:21,787 --> 00:27:24,369
about praising God with our whole heart.

677
00:27:24,369 --> 00:27:26,048
(John) I want to focus on something

678
00:27:26,048 --> 00:27:28,820
that you said, Puia, "Just come to God."

679
00:27:28,820 --> 00:27:30,664
You know, sometimes when we recognize

680
00:27:30,664 --> 00:27:32,632
that we are not wholehearted

681
00:27:32,632 --> 00:27:34,025
in wanting to worship God

682
00:27:34,025 --> 00:27:35,796
or wanting to follow His truth,

683
00:27:35,796 --> 00:27:37,394
the amazing thing about God

684
00:27:37,394 --> 00:27:39,671
is that you can be honest to Him about it.

685
00:27:39,671 --> 00:27:41,491
And we can say, "God, I don't feel

686
00:27:41,491 --> 00:27:43,893
like I'm doing this wholeheartedly,

687
00:27:43,893 --> 00:27:45,484
but please help me do it,"

688
00:27:45,484 --> 00:27:47,156
and God will help you do it.

689
00:27:47,156 --> 00:27:49,284
And those moments when you are

690
00:27:49,284 --> 00:27:51,339
vulnerable with God are when you

691
00:27:51,339 --> 00:27:54,000
can get closer to Him. Pedro.

692
00:27:54,000 --> 00:27:55,118
(Pedro) It is important

693
00:27:55,118 --> 00:27:56,764
to also look at the context here.

694
00:27:56,764 --> 00:27:58,683
David is praising God

695
00:27:58,683 --> 00:28:00,055
amidst the death of his son.

696
00:28:00,055 --> 00:28:01,961
I'm not sure if it was Bathsheba's child

697
00:28:01,961 --> 00:28:03,303
or Absalom; I believe it was

698
00:28:03,303 --> 00:28:06,229
Bathsheba's, her son.

699
00:28:06,229 --> 00:28:07,744
And look at ourselves.

700
00:28:07,744 --> 00:28:09,532
Imagine, I'm willing to say,

701
00:28:09,532 --> 00:28:13,315
"God, You are worthy,

702
00:28:13,315 --> 00:28:17,862
even in my most tragic moment,"
wholeheartedly.

703
00:28:17,862 --> 00:28:19,024
There are people today

704
00:28:19,024 --> 00:28:20,614
who have sentiments, "Why did God

705
00:28:20,614 --> 00:28:23,024
allow my child to go through this,

706
00:28:23,024 --> 00:28:25,629
or someone that I love, or the pain

707
00:28:25,629 --> 00:28:27,056
that I'm suffering right now?"

708
00:28:27,056 --> 00:28:29,959
And God says, "Come to Me."

709
00:28:29,959 --> 00:28:31,531
(Derek) Wow, that's so powerful,

710
00:28:31,531 --> 00:28:32,632
because my whole heart

711
00:28:32,632 --> 00:28:34,533
could be a broken heart,

712
00:28:34,533 --> 00:28:37,855
but I come to Him in total surrender.

713
00:28:37,855 --> 00:28:39,231
That's a beautiful thought,

714
00:28:39,231 --> 00:28:43,202
and it's something I long for, John.

715
00:28:43,202 --> 00:28:47,783
I long to just let go of all of my fears,

716
00:28:47,783 --> 00:28:50,719
not worry about what people think,

717
00:28:50,719 --> 00:28:54,898
and just worship God with my whole heart.

718
00:28:54,898 --> 00:28:57,656
(John) Powerful. Lilica?

719
00:28:57,656 --> 00:28:58,858
(Lilica) The very thought

720
00:28:58,858 --> 00:29:00,526
of being vulnerable before God

721
00:29:00,526 --> 00:29:03,138
is worship Him with your whole heart,

722
00:29:03,138 --> 00:29:04,512
because you open your heart.

723
00:29:04,512 --> 00:29:07,320
You're being naked before Him.

724
00:29:07,320 --> 00:29:09,367
David is the one that is called

725
00:29:09,367 --> 00:29:12,557
a man after God's own heart.

726
00:29:12,557 --> 00:29:14,591
Every single time you see

727
00:29:14,591 --> 00:29:15,696
in the Old Testament...

728
00:29:15,696 --> 00:29:18,169
I have in the back of my Bible, written,

729
00:29:18,169 --> 00:29:20,320
the times where David is mentioned

730
00:29:20,320 --> 00:29:23,111
during the kings of Judah,

731
00:29:23,111 --> 00:29:27,204
and it says that, "This one followed God

732
00:29:27,204 --> 00:29:29,091
as David did follow God

733
00:29:29,091 --> 00:29:30,062
with all his heart,"

734
00:29:30,062 --> 00:29:32,407
something like that; I'm paraphrasing.

735
00:29:32,407 --> 00:29:35,774
But it mentions that the king

736
00:29:35,774 --> 00:29:38,542
followed God as David followed God

737
00:29:38,542 --> 00:29:39,944
with all his heart.

738
00:29:39,944 --> 00:29:42,673
It's being open; tell God,

739
00:29:42,673 --> 00:29:44,768
the One who only can see.

740
00:29:44,768 --> 00:29:46,886
I love what John Bunyan,

741
00:29:46,886 --> 00:29:49,653
if I'm pronouncing it right, who wrote

742
00:29:49,653 --> 00:29:52,974
the book <i>The Pilgrim's Progress,</i> said,

743
00:29:52,974 --> 00:29:55,984
"It's better to have heart without words

744
00:29:55,984 --> 00:29:58,209
than words without heart."

745
00:29:58,209 --> 00:30:01,798
When we come before God, speak it,

746
00:30:01,798 --> 00:30:04,140
whatever it is, say it.

747
00:30:04,140 --> 00:30:06,441
And that is what He is concerned about.

748
00:30:06,441 --> 00:30:07,386
(Derek) Praise God.

749
00:30:07,386 --> 00:30:08,974
(John) Amen. Tendi and then we'll

750
00:30:08,974 --> 00:30:10,357
go to the next verse.

751
00:30:10,357 --> 00:30:12,196
(Tendi) I learned today

752
00:30:12,196 --> 00:30:14,547
that when you trust,

753
00:30:14,547 --> 00:30:17,260
a hormone called oxytocin is released

754
00:30:17,260 --> 00:30:19,083
into your system, and it's

755
00:30:19,083 --> 00:30:20,655
the same hormone that's released

756
00:30:20,655 --> 00:30:22,102
when you're in love

757
00:30:22,102 --> 00:30:25,052
or when you do something with a purpose.

758
00:30:25,052 --> 00:30:27,458
And I believe worship, when you worship

759
00:30:27,458 --> 00:30:29,038
God with your whole heart,

760
00:30:29,038 --> 00:30:31,547
that hormone is released in your body,

761
00:30:31,547 --> 00:30:33,339
and it shows in your countenance

762
00:30:33,339 --> 00:30:35,137
that you're worshiping God.

763
00:30:35,137 --> 00:30:36,395
So, that's what worshiping

764
00:30:36,395 --> 00:30:38,356
with your whole heart means to me.

765
00:30:38,356 --> 00:30:39,717
(John) Okay, so there is

766
00:30:39,717 --> 00:30:42,756
a deep connection with our spirituality

767
00:30:42,756 --> 00:30:45,680
and even our own bodies, right?

768
00:30:45,680 --> 00:30:48,832
And there are studies which say

769
00:30:48,832 --> 00:30:51,613
that people that attend religious services

770
00:30:51,613 --> 00:30:53,349
are actually much more happy,

771
00:30:53,349 --> 00:30:54,375
and they are able

772
00:30:54,375 --> 00:30:56,593
to overcome negative thoughts.

773
00:30:56,593 --> 00:30:57,987
And so maybe there is someone

774
00:30:57,987 --> 00:30:59,702
who is watching, and you don't care

775
00:30:59,702 --> 00:31:01,654
about God or the Bible, but you are

776
00:31:01,654 --> 00:31:03,478
in a quandary in your own life.

777
00:31:03,478 --> 00:31:05,088
I want to assure you that if you

778
00:31:05,088 --> 00:31:06,808
begin praising God,

779
00:31:06,808 --> 00:31:09,211
attend church services, that your life

780
00:31:09,211 --> 00:31:11,058
will completely turn around.

781
00:31:11,058 --> 00:31:12,377
(Team) Amen.

782
00:31:12,377 --> 00:31:13,975
(John) Let's go to another verse,

783
00:31:13,975 --> 00:31:16,789
Psalm 113, verses 1, 2 and 3.

784
00:31:16,789 --> 00:31:19,135
If I can have Heide please read that

785
00:31:19,135 --> 00:31:24,442
to us, Psalm 113, verses 1, 2 and 3.

786
00:31:24,442 --> 00:31:25,607
(Heide) I'll be reading

787
00:31:25,607 --> 00:31:28,394
from the New King James Version,
and it says:

788
00:31:47,716 --> 00:31:49,601
(John) Okay, there is a lot of praising

789
00:31:49,601 --> 00:31:51,142
going on in these verses,

790
00:31:51,142 --> 00:31:53,910
and in verse 3 the psalmist says,

791
00:31:53,910 --> 00:31:55,822
"From the rising of the sun

792
00:31:55,822 --> 00:31:57,364
to its setting," that's

793
00:31:57,364 --> 00:31:59,711
pretty much our whole day, right?

794
00:31:59,711 --> 00:32:01,271
And, I mean, you're at work,

795
00:32:01,271 --> 00:32:03,661
you're at school, maybe you're

796
00:32:03,661 --> 00:32:07,049
a homemaker, you're just doing
different things.

797
00:32:07,049 --> 00:32:10,714
How are we, twenty-first century
busy people,

798
00:32:10,714 --> 00:32:12,380
supposed to praise God

799
00:32:12,380 --> 00:32:14,060
from the morning until the evening?

800
00:32:14,060 --> 00:32:16,540
How does that practically happen? Lilica.

801
00:32:16,540 --> 00:32:18,299
(Lilica) As a Pathfinder, we have one

802
00:32:18,299 --> 00:32:19,819
of the laws that says

803
00:32:19,819 --> 00:32:23,800
to have always a song in your heart.

804
00:32:23,800 --> 00:32:25,595
You may be singing, even if you

805
00:32:25,595 --> 00:32:29,485
are not expressing it aloud.

806
00:32:29,485 --> 00:32:31,200
(John) Okay. Yes, Nancy.

807
00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:33,071
(Nancy) It reminds me of my grandmother

808
00:32:33,071 --> 00:32:34,812
who used to always be singing hymns

809
00:32:34,812 --> 00:32:36,154
as she was cooking.

810
00:32:36,154 --> 00:32:38,094
I have that memory of her, as a child,

811
00:32:38,094 --> 00:32:41,388
and, yes, she was a very positive
and gentle person.

812
00:32:41,388 --> 00:32:42,810
And I think when we fill

813
00:32:42,810 --> 00:32:44,554
our hearts and our minds

814
00:32:44,554 --> 00:32:47,827
with the words of God, it helps us.

815
00:32:47,827 --> 00:32:49,907
It helps us through anything.

816
00:32:49,907 --> 00:32:51,800
(John) Singing, singing whether you

817
00:32:51,800 --> 00:32:53,518
are working, doing schoolwork

818
00:32:53,518 --> 00:32:54,995
or humming a song.

819
00:32:54,995 --> 00:32:56,210
You can probably memorize

820
00:32:56,210 --> 00:32:58,385
the Scripture songs that we play here.

821
00:32:58,385 --> 00:32:59,960
What do you think, Pastor Derek?

822
00:32:59,960 --> 00:33:01,542
(Derek) Well, I think so, and God

823
00:33:01,542 --> 00:33:03,076
has given us the ability to do

824
00:33:03,076 --> 00:33:06,543
more than one thing at the same time.

825
00:33:06,543 --> 00:33:07,676
Nancy gave an example,

826
00:33:07,676 --> 00:33:09,501
while her grandmother was cooking.

827
00:33:09,501 --> 00:33:11,253
You can be driving to the office

828
00:33:11,253 --> 00:33:13,383
or driving to school, and you can

829
00:33:13,383 --> 00:33:14,992
be praising God at the same time.

830
00:33:14,992 --> 00:33:16,491
You're still watching the road,

831
00:33:16,491 --> 00:33:18,523
but God has given us that ability.

832
00:33:18,523 --> 00:33:20,680
And I think when the psalmist says

833
00:33:20,680 --> 00:33:22,937
in Psalm 16, "I've set the Lord

834
00:33:22,937 --> 00:33:25,390
<i>always</i> before me.

835
00:33:25,390 --> 00:33:26,754
When He is at my right hand,

836
00:33:26,754 --> 00:33:29,673
I will not be moved," will not be shaken,

837
00:33:29,673 --> 00:33:32,399
that tells me I can praise God

838
00:33:32,399 --> 00:33:35,168
at all times, like the text says,

839
00:33:35,168 --> 00:33:38,026
while I'm going about my regular day.

840
00:33:38,026 --> 00:33:39,941
(John) Okay, and song plays a huge role,

841
00:33:39,941 --> 00:33:42,347
singing and music play a huge role,

842
00:33:42,347 --> 00:33:44,746
which we will come to in a bit. Puia.

843
00:33:44,746 --> 00:33:45,879
(Puia) You asked, John,

844
00:33:45,879 --> 00:33:48,786
about the practical application

845
00:33:48,786 --> 00:33:51,822
in the twenty-first century.

846
00:33:51,822 --> 00:33:53,942
For me, in the morning

847
00:33:53,942 --> 00:33:56,059
when I get up, what helps me is

848
00:33:56,059 --> 00:33:58,056
listening to gospel music,

849
00:33:58,056 --> 00:34:01,479
and before I go to bed I read a Bible text

850
00:34:01,479 --> 00:34:03,718
or listen to a podcast,

851
00:34:03,718 --> 00:34:05,409
and I fall asleep with it.

852
00:34:05,409 --> 00:34:07,537
And I believe that sets the tone

853
00:34:07,537 --> 00:34:09,448
for my morning and evening.

854
00:34:09,448 --> 00:34:11,725
(John) Okay, so you begin the morning

855
00:34:11,725 --> 00:34:14,448
praising God, focusing your mind on God.

856
00:34:14,448 --> 00:34:15,948
You think through what you read

857
00:34:15,948 --> 00:34:18,563
in the Bible or what you listen to 
in a sermon,

858
00:34:18,563 --> 00:34:21,452
and you go to bed, falling asleep

859
00:34:21,452 --> 00:34:22,845
thinking about God, you know,

860
00:34:22,845 --> 00:34:26,116
that constant communication
with God. Pedro.

861
00:34:26,116 --> 00:34:27,717
(Pedro) I see the importance here

862
00:34:27,717 --> 00:34:28,678
as well for actions.

863
00:34:28,678 --> 00:34:30,544
God says in the fourth commandment

864
00:34:30,544 --> 00:34:32,639
"In six days you shall labor

865
00:34:32,639 --> 00:34:34,683
and do all your work," but the labor

866
00:34:34,683 --> 00:34:36,146
is continuing to be reflecting

867
00:34:36,146 --> 00:34:37,614
the character of God.

868
00:34:37,614 --> 00:34:40,328
Everything I do; I drive on the road;

869
00:34:40,328 --> 00:34:41,385
am I reflecting Jesus?

870
00:34:41,385 --> 00:34:42,910
It's worship, my actions.

871
00:34:42,910 --> 00:34:44,457
We talked about hands earlier;

872
00:34:44,457 --> 00:34:46,467
my actions can be put into worship,

873
00:34:46,467 --> 00:34:48,080
how I treat others;

874
00:34:48,080 --> 00:34:49,373
that's an act of worship.

875
00:34:49,373 --> 00:34:53,272
"If you have done it others, you have done
it to Me," is an act of worship that God

876
00:34:53,272 --> 00:34:55,983
is inviting us to do, so actions
play a huge role in that.

877
00:34:55,983 --> 00:34:57,360
(John) ...In whatever we do,

878
00:34:57,360 --> 00:34:58,278
we can worship God.

879
00:34:58,278 --> 00:35:01,228
You know, if there is a job given,

880
00:35:01,228 --> 00:35:03,072
and you do that job well,

881
00:35:03,072 --> 00:35:04,741
you do that job with integrity,

882
00:35:04,741 --> 00:35:06,287
that is worship to God.

883
00:35:06,287 --> 00:35:07,290
That is praising God.

884
00:35:07,290 --> 00:35:09,420
I mean, the Bible says

885
00:35:09,420 --> 00:35:11,670
that whatever you do,

886
00:35:11,670 --> 00:35:16,517
do it all for the glory of God, right?
Yes, Tendi.

887
00:35:16,517 --> 00:35:18,196
(Tendi) You could also worship Him

888
00:35:18,196 --> 00:35:20,109
with your personality.

889
00:35:20,109 --> 00:35:22,677
Be a loving and lovable Christian

890
00:35:22,677 --> 00:35:25,462
to be around; that is worship.

891
00:35:25,462 --> 00:35:28,344
(John) Okay, being a loving
and a lovable Christian.

892
00:35:28,344 --> 00:35:31,374
Now, some of you talked about singing

893
00:35:31,374 --> 00:35:33,320
through the day or using music

894
00:35:33,320 --> 00:35:34,952
through the day, humming a song,

895
00:35:34,952 --> 00:35:37,341
singing a song, listening to songs.

896
00:35:37,341 --> 00:35:38,811
And let's see what the Bible

897
00:35:38,811 --> 00:35:41,886
has to say about the role of music

898
00:35:41,886 --> 00:35:44,511
and singing in worship.

899
00:35:44,511 --> 00:35:46,864
If I can have Tendi please read to us

900
00:35:46,864 --> 00:35:51,025
from Psalm 33, verses 1, 2 and 3,

901
00:35:51,025 --> 00:35:54,389
Psalm 33, verses 1, 2 and 3.

902
00:35:54,389 --> 00:35:55,707
(Tendi) And I'll be reading

903
00:35:55,707 --> 00:35:57,767
in the English Standard Version,

904
00:35:57,767 --> 00:36:00,417
Psalm 33, verses 1, 2 and 3:

905
00:36:22,027 --> 00:36:25,164
(John) Okay, we see that when the psalmist

906
00:36:25,164 --> 00:36:27,300
is writing, there is a lot of happiness

907
00:36:27,300 --> 00:36:29,124
surrounding him, right?

908
00:36:29,124 --> 00:36:31,615
And it says that musical instruments

909
00:36:31,615 --> 00:36:33,642
are being used in worship.

910
00:36:33,642 --> 00:36:36,938
There are lyrics being used in worship.

911
00:36:36,938 --> 00:36:39,593
You know, music plays an important role

912
00:36:39,593 --> 00:36:42,033
in worship, and specifically the types

913
00:36:42,033 --> 00:36:44,300
of music we listen to enhance

914
00:36:44,300 --> 00:36:46,147
our frontal lobes, and it has

915
00:36:46,147 --> 00:36:48,578
biological implications, too, right?

916
00:36:48,578 --> 00:36:51,919
It has both negative and positive effects.

917
00:36:51,919 --> 00:36:54,403
Songs that are based on Scripture

918
00:36:54,403 --> 00:36:55,632
and music that is based

919
00:36:55,632 --> 00:36:58,172
on the principles of Scripture

920
00:36:58,172 --> 00:36:59,802
truly help us to worship God

921
00:36:59,802 --> 00:37:02,372
in the right way, right?

922
00:37:02,372 --> 00:37:04,232
And, Stephanie, you seem like

923
00:37:04,232 --> 00:37:05,636
you have something to say.

924
00:37:05,636 --> 00:37:07,372
(Stephanie) I just saw in verse 3,

925
00:37:07,372 --> 00:37:09,232
it says, "Play skillfully

926
00:37:09,232 --> 00:37:11,620
with a shout of joy."

927
00:37:11,620 --> 00:37:13,654
There's this sense of peace,

928
00:37:13,654 --> 00:37:17,672
of contentment and satisfaction in Jesus,

929
00:37:17,672 --> 00:37:20,112
so again, pointing to Him.

930
00:37:20,112 --> 00:37:21,542
(Derek) John, you know my wife

931
00:37:21,542 --> 00:37:23,052
likes to write Scripture songs

932
00:37:23,052 --> 00:37:25,061
and put them to a melody so we can sing.

933
00:37:25,061 --> 00:37:27,312
Sometimes she'll see maybe a CD

934
00:37:27,312 --> 00:37:30,116
of Scripture songs, but they

935
00:37:30,116 --> 00:37:31,777
plug in the harp, and they crank

936
00:37:31,777 --> 00:37:35,011
the decibels up so loud that you

937
00:37:35,011 --> 00:37:36,036
can't hear the words,

938
00:37:36,036 --> 00:37:38,234
and it's hurting your ears.

939
00:37:38,234 --> 00:37:41,037
I think the principle there again

940
00:37:41,037 --> 00:37:44,839
is the instrument and the volume of it

941
00:37:44,839 --> 00:37:46,883
and maybe how it's played

942
00:37:46,883 --> 00:37:48,171
also pointing to God,

943
00:37:48,171 --> 00:37:50,077
or is it a distraction.

944
00:37:50,077 --> 00:37:54,035
A person says, "Well, no instruments;

945
00:37:54,035 --> 00:37:55,251
we just sing a cappella."

946
00:37:55,251 --> 00:37:56,815
Well, like you said earlier,

947
00:37:56,815 --> 00:37:58,968
we certainly have permission

948
00:37:58,968 --> 00:38:01,334
to use the 10-stringed instrument, right,

949
00:38:01,334 --> 00:38:04,934
but we always make sure that the product

950
00:38:04,934 --> 00:38:07,402
of that is glorifying God.

951
00:38:07,402 --> 00:38:09,361
(John) Exactly. Yes, Pedro.

952
00:38:09,361 --> 00:38:11,463
(Pedro) And I see in the text here, Derek,

953
00:38:11,463 --> 00:38:14,486
it says, "Play skillfully,"

954
00:38:14,486 --> 00:38:16,292
even, "with a shout."

955
00:38:16,292 --> 00:38:18,079
You know, I'm not just going to yell.

956
00:38:18,079 --> 00:38:20,629
It's skillfully use your shout, and I see

957
00:38:20,629 --> 00:38:22,662
choruses from different parts of the world

958
00:38:22,662 --> 00:38:25,004
that give that emphasis

959
00:38:25,004 --> 00:38:27,974
on that beautiful voice tune

960
00:38:27,974 --> 00:38:29,603
that God has given us.

961
00:38:29,603 --> 00:38:30,586
(John) Puia?

962
00:38:30,586 --> 00:38:32,006
(Puia) A few years ago, I had

963
00:38:32,006 --> 00:38:33,587
the privilege of doing evangelism

964
00:38:33,587 --> 00:38:36,201
in India, and I was invited to preach

965
00:38:36,201 --> 00:38:41,110
in a prison, and I was a bit unsure

966
00:38:41,110 --> 00:38:43,000
about what I was going to face.

967
00:38:43,000 --> 00:38:44,838
And so the guards escorted us

968
00:38:44,838 --> 00:38:46,831
inside the prison, and they

969
00:38:46,831 --> 00:38:48,535
seated us in the chapel.

970
00:38:48,535 --> 00:38:51,185
And then the prisoners started coming in,

971
00:38:51,185 --> 00:38:55,235
and as we started singing I was surprised.

972
00:38:55,235 --> 00:38:57,494
These prisoners had given their hearts

973
00:38:57,494 --> 00:38:59,708
to Jesus, and they praised God

974
00:38:59,708 --> 00:39:00,852
with all their hearts.

975
00:39:00,852 --> 00:39:02,357
We sang songs that we

976
00:39:02,357 --> 00:39:04,708
normally sing in our churches,

977
00:39:04,708 --> 00:39:06,917
but the level of commitment

978
00:39:06,917 --> 00:39:10,225
or the level of joy that they expressed

979
00:39:10,225 --> 00:39:12,496
as they were praising God with the songs

980
00:39:12,496 --> 00:39:14,084
just moved my heart.

981
00:39:14,084 --> 00:39:16,585
It tells me that when we

982
00:39:16,585 --> 00:39:18,337
talked about freedom, it's not

983
00:39:18,337 --> 00:39:20,067
really where you are at, is it?

984
00:39:20,067 --> 00:39:22,910
It's where your heart is.

985
00:39:22,910 --> 00:39:25,385
(John) Powerful. Yes, Pedro.

986
00:39:25,385 --> 00:39:26,572
(Pedro) I just mentioned

987
00:39:26,572 --> 00:39:28,358
wholeheartedly singing, right,

988
00:39:28,358 --> 00:39:30,199
that they are praising God, and I had

989
00:39:30,199 --> 00:39:31,832
a similar experience as well going

990
00:39:31,832 --> 00:39:38,838
to visit a very high facility
near my house.

991
00:39:38,838 --> 00:39:41,545
And I saw men singing with their hearts,

992
00:39:41,545 --> 00:39:43,498
hugging each other, praising God

993
00:39:43,498 --> 00:39:46,186
because God has changed their hearts,

994
00:39:46,186 --> 00:39:48,364
and a heart change, praise God.

995
00:39:48,364 --> 00:39:49,633
(Team) Amen.

996
00:39:49,633 --> 00:39:51,394
(John) Let's look at two more verses

997
00:39:51,394 --> 00:39:52,648
in the book of Psalms,

998
00:39:52,648 --> 00:39:55,417
and I want you to observe,

999
00:39:55,417 --> 00:39:58,374
there is a phrase that is repeated,

1000
00:39:58,374 --> 00:40:00,212
and I want you to observe that phrase.

1001
00:40:00,212 --> 00:40:03,051
If I can have Stephanie please read to us

1002
00:40:03,051 --> 00:40:05,533
Psalm 40 and verse 3,

1003
00:40:05,533 --> 00:40:08,050
and after which if Leah can please read

1004
00:40:08,050 --> 00:40:11,722
Psalm 98, verse 1.

1005
00:40:11,722 --> 00:40:13,842
Psalm 40, verse 3,

1006
00:40:13,842 --> 00:40:16,300
and then Leeah Psalm 98, verse 1.

1007
00:40:16,300 --> 00:40:17,796
(Stephanie) And I'll be reading

1008
00:40:17,796 --> 00:40:19,319
from the New King James Version:

1009
00:40:28,085 --> 00:40:30,816
(John) Okay, a new song. Leeah?

1010
00:40:30,816 --> 00:40:31,759
(Leeah) I'm reading

1011
00:40:31,759 --> 00:40:33,435
from the English Standard Version,

1012
00:40:33,435 --> 00:40:35,251
Psalm 98, verse 1:

1013
00:40:45,046 --> 00:40:46,577
(John) Okay, what is the phrase

1014
00:40:46,577 --> 00:40:47,684
that is being repeated?

1015
00:40:47,684 --> 00:40:48,570
(Team) A new song.

1016
00:40:48,570 --> 00:40:50,668
(John) A new song, a new song.

1017
00:40:50,668 --> 00:40:52,699
And so, while it is good that we use

1018
00:40:52,699 --> 00:40:56,054
the book of Psalms to make new songs

1019
00:40:56,054 --> 00:40:59,169
or give new tunes to them

1020
00:40:59,169 --> 00:41:01,269
with the same old lyrics,

1021
00:41:01,269 --> 00:41:02,609
but the Bible also tells us

1022
00:41:02,609 --> 00:41:04,488
that we can write new songs.

1023
00:41:04,488 --> 00:41:05,610
And in the last study,

1024
00:41:05,610 --> 00:41:07,401
we talked about journaling.

1025
00:41:07,401 --> 00:41:09,224
Pastor Derek, you talked about how you

1026
00:41:09,224 --> 00:41:10,999
were inspired to journal.

1027
00:41:10,999 --> 00:41:13,712
And maybe God is calling some of us

1028
00:41:13,712 --> 00:41:15,590
to write of our experiences

1029
00:41:15,590 --> 00:41:18,477
with Him in songs. Yes, Pedro.

1030
00:41:18,477 --> 00:41:19,967
(Pedro) I find it fascinating,

1031
00:41:19,967 --> 00:41:21,259
I'm originally from Brazil,

1032
00:41:21,259 --> 00:41:23,072
and recently in Brazi,l in our church,

1033
00:41:23,072 --> 00:41:23,978
changed the hymnal.

1034
00:41:23,978 --> 00:41:25,080
They updated the hymnal

1035
00:41:25,080 --> 00:41:27,054
with new songs, and it was

1036
00:41:27,054 --> 00:41:29,791
a very exciting experience

1037
00:41:29,791 --> 00:41:31,480
because now we have different songs

1038
00:41:31,480 --> 00:41:32,869
that people have been singing

1039
00:41:32,869 --> 00:41:34,740
that now have been added to the hymnal.

1040
00:41:34,740 --> 00:41:36,197
So it's easy access to people,

1041
00:41:36,197 --> 00:41:37,133
and they have added

1042
00:41:37,133 --> 00:41:39,099
a little section just for the kids,

1043
00:41:39,099 --> 00:41:40,475
and my daughter sings them.

1044
00:41:40,475 --> 00:41:42,433
So, she loves to go through that section

1045
00:41:42,433 --> 00:41:44,206
of the kids songs inside the hymnal,

1046
00:41:44,206 --> 00:41:47,460
and she feels part of that book as well.

1047
00:41:47,460 --> 00:41:49,983
It's not just, "Oh, the old hymnal,"

1048
00:41:49,983 --> 00:41:52,306
it's now, "It's my hymnal."

1049
00:41:52,306 --> 00:41:54,590
(John) One thing that I love

1050
00:41:54,590 --> 00:41:56,734
to do with hymns

1051
00:41:56,734 --> 00:41:59,557
is to see the story of the hymns,

1052
00:41:59,557 --> 00:42:02,582
as to why this hymn came about.

1053
00:42:02,582 --> 00:42:05,714
And the famous song <i>Amazing Grace,</i>

1054
00:42:05,714 --> 00:42:09,008
the back story is really powerful

1055
00:42:09,008 --> 00:42:11,066
of John Newton as to why he wrote

1056
00:42:11,066 --> 00:42:13,638
the story and what is his experience.

1057
00:42:13,638 --> 00:42:16,066
And the Bible also talks about singing

1058
00:42:16,066 --> 00:42:18,872
a new song because of a new experience,

1059
00:42:18,872 --> 00:42:20,889
and let's read about that

1060
00:42:20,889 --> 00:42:22,457
in Isaiah, chapter 42.

1061
00:42:22,457 --> 00:42:24,820
If I can have Scott please read to us

1062
00:42:24,820 --> 00:42:31,533
from Isaiah, chapter 42, verses 10 and 12.

1063
00:42:31,533 --> 00:42:34,308
Isaiah, chapter 42, verses 10 and 12,

1064
00:42:34,308 --> 00:42:37,617
talks about singing a new song.

1065
00:42:37,617 --> 00:42:39,847
(Scott) And I'll be reading from the ESV:

1066
00:42:50,904 --> 00:42:52,029
And verse 12:

1067
00:42:56,836 --> 00:42:58,751
(John) Okay, and if I can have Lilica

1068
00:42:58,751 --> 00:43:01,482
please read to us from Revelation,

1069
00:43:01,482 --> 00:43:05,152
chapter 14, verses 1, 2 and 3,

1070
00:43:05,152 --> 00:43:09,007
Revelation 14, verses 1, 2 and 3.

1071
00:43:09,007 --> 00:43:12,040
And we find that not only here

1072
00:43:12,040 --> 00:43:14,458
on this earth are we to write

1073
00:43:14,458 --> 00:43:16,175
new songs of experience,

1074
00:43:16,175 --> 00:43:17,895
but in the end, when everything

1075
00:43:17,895 --> 00:43:19,732
is said and done, there is going to be

1076
00:43:19,732 --> 00:43:22,936
a new song that is going to be sung.

1077
00:43:22,936 --> 00:43:24,089
(Lilica) I'll be reading

1078
00:43:24,089 --> 00:43:25,681
from the New King James Version,

1079
00:43:25,681 --> 00:43:29,997
Revelation 14, verses 1, 2 and 3:

1080
00:44:11,434 --> 00:44:15,325
(John) Okay, now why is it that no one

1081
00:44:15,325 --> 00:44:18,334
was able to learn the song

1082
00:44:18,334 --> 00:44:21,359
but the 144,000? Yes, Pedro.

1083
00:44:21,359 --> 00:44:23,101
(Pedro) I think when we sing songs,

1084
00:44:23,101 --> 00:44:24,132
we want to sing songs

1085
00:44:24,132 --> 00:44:26,006
that relate to our experiences, right?

1086
00:44:26,006 --> 00:44:27,701
And we see in the world today

1087
00:44:27,701 --> 00:44:29,304
people are attached to the songs

1088
00:44:29,304 --> 00:44:31,042
that relate to their own experience.

1089
00:44:31,042 --> 00:44:32,728
And there in Heaven, we are singing

1090
00:44:32,728 --> 00:44:34,505
a song that relates to our redemption

1091
00:44:34,505 --> 00:44:36,550
and how God saved us from our sins.

1092
00:44:36,550 --> 00:44:38,060
And we're celebrating

1093
00:44:38,060 --> 00:44:40,199
that beautiful victory, that God

1094
00:44:40,199 --> 00:44:41,597
has conquered for us.

1095
00:44:41,597 --> 00:44:42,789
And the angels have never

1096
00:44:42,789 --> 00:44:44,800
experienced that, so they will be silent.

1097
00:44:44,800 --> 00:44:46,492
They're not going to sing something

1098
00:44:46,492 --> 00:44:47,982
that they have not experienced.

1099
00:44:47,982 --> 00:44:49,897
So, it's important for us to also learn

1100
00:44:49,897 --> 00:44:51,290
that as we go on our journey,

1101
00:44:51,290 --> 00:44:53,683
seek songs that elevate God and bring us

1102
00:44:53,683 --> 00:44:55,989
closer to Him into our journey.

1103
00:44:55,989 --> 00:45:00,386
(John) Okay, so music and songs help us

1104
00:45:00,386 --> 00:45:02,460
express our experience in words

1105
00:45:02,460 --> 00:45:03,914
and also our emotions.

1106
00:45:03,914 --> 00:45:07,292
And here the 144,000 are expressing

1107
00:45:07,292 --> 00:45:09,917
their emotions and their experience

1108
00:45:09,917 --> 00:45:12,927
through the music and the lyrics
of that song.

1109
00:45:12,927 --> 00:45:14,862
And the text actually kind of hints

1110
00:45:14,862 --> 00:45:17,681
as to what the theme of that song will be.

1111
00:45:17,681 --> 00:45:20,612
If you see towards the end of verse 3

1112
00:45:20,612 --> 00:45:22,732
it says, "No one could learn that song

1113
00:45:22,732 --> 00:45:24,968
except the 144,000

1114
00:45:24,968 --> 00:45:27,746
who had been redeemed from the earth."

1115
00:45:27,746 --> 00:45:30,211
So, it's going to be a song of redemption

1116
00:45:30,211 --> 00:45:33,305
that the 144,000 will sing.

1117
00:45:33,305 --> 00:45:35,501
Lilica and then we'll move on.

1118
00:45:35,501 --> 00:45:37,505
(Lilica) As we speak about the new songs,

1119
00:45:37,505 --> 00:45:40,333
like, what is wrong with the old songs?

1120
00:45:40,333 --> 00:45:43,499
People ask us, "What is

1121
00:45:43,499 --> 00:45:44,497
your favorite song?"

1122
00:45:44,497 --> 00:45:46,787
And you say, "It's this, but it was

1123
00:45:46,787 --> 00:45:48,246
the other one before,"

1124
00:45:48,246 --> 00:45:50,178
depending on the context.

1125
00:45:50,178 --> 00:45:52,163
In the Pathfinder Law, when you study

1126
00:45:52,163 --> 00:45:55,251
about having a new song in your heart,

1127
00:45:55,251 --> 00:45:59,164
we learned that singing, as praying,

1128
00:45:59,164 --> 00:46:01,450
is an act of worship.

1129
00:46:01,450 --> 00:46:03,111
So, a new song, why?

1130
00:46:03,111 --> 00:46:04,555
Because of the new experience

1131
00:46:04,555 --> 00:46:05,905
I'm living with God.

1132
00:46:05,905 --> 00:46:08,351
I'm expressing it into words as I pray,

1133
00:46:08,351 --> 00:46:09,917
I don't go praying and repeating

1134
00:46:09,917 --> 00:46:11,536
the same prayer every single day,

1135
00:46:11,536 --> 00:46:13,435
right, as with singing.

1136
00:46:13,435 --> 00:46:15,651
A new song is a new experience.

1137
00:46:15,651 --> 00:46:18,053
(John) A new song and a new experience.

1138
00:46:18,053 --> 00:46:19,166
Alright, let's move on,

1139
00:46:19,166 --> 00:46:20,971
but before we move on, maybe you are

1140
00:46:20,971 --> 00:46:24,763
looking for good quality Christian music.

1141
00:46:24,763 --> 00:46:27,902
And as Pastor Derek said, you can claim

1142
00:46:27,902 --> 00:46:30,372
our free offer with this study,

1143
00:46:30,372 --> 00:46:32,774
but also check Hope TV where there is

1144
00:46:32,774 --> 00:46:34,198
going to be singing

1145
00:46:34,198 --> 00:46:36,550
and good quality Christian music

1146
00:46:36,550 --> 00:46:40,954
that can enhance your worship towards God.

1147
00:46:40,954 --> 00:46:43,616
Let's go to the next part of our study,

1148
00:46:43,616 --> 00:46:47,485
declaring God's glory among the nations.

1149
00:46:47,485 --> 00:46:50,257
And if I can have Leeah please read to us

1150
00:46:50,257 --> 00:46:54,884
from Psalm, chapter 96, verses 1 to 13,

1151
00:46:54,884 --> 00:46:57,786
Psalm 96, verses 1 to 13.

1152
00:46:57,786 --> 00:47:00,885
It has some very interesting phrases

1153
00:47:00,885 --> 00:47:03,114
which parallel with the book of Revelation

1154
00:47:03,114 --> 00:47:04,677
which we will see.

1155
00:47:04,677 --> 00:47:06,000
(Leeah) And I'll be reading

1156
00:47:06,000 --> 00:47:07,631
from the English Standard Version,

1157
00:47:07,631 --> 00:47:10,427
Psalm 96, verses 1 through 13:

1158
00:48:28,132 --> 00:48:29,783
(John) Alright, powerful.

1159
00:48:29,783 --> 00:48:32,672
There is a lot going on in this passage,

1160
00:48:32,672 --> 00:48:35,432
but I want to ask, what message

1161
00:48:35,432 --> 00:48:37,692
is the psalmist calling us to proclaim

1162
00:48:37,692 --> 00:48:39,815
to all nations here? Scott.

1163
00:48:39,815 --> 00:48:43,223
(Scott) Yeah, he's telling us to tell

1164
00:48:43,223 --> 00:48:45,151
the other people about God,

1165
00:48:45,151 --> 00:48:47,115
who God is, what He's about,

1166
00:48:47,115 --> 00:48:49,378
His righteousness, His justice,

1167
00:48:49,378 --> 00:48:51,549
His judgment, His glory,

1168
00:48:51,549 --> 00:48:52,862
all these different things.

1169
00:48:52,862 --> 00:48:54,832
Tell people about God.

1170
00:48:54,832 --> 00:48:56,871
(John) Okay, tell people about God,

1171
00:48:56,871 --> 00:48:59,770
and he is inviting the entire nations,

1172
00:48:59,770 --> 00:49:01,743
he is inviting the entire earth

1173
00:49:01,743 --> 00:49:03,265
to do so. Travis.

1174
00:49:03,265 --> 00:49:05,040
(Travis) I'm thinking of Revelation,

1175
00:49:05,040 --> 00:49:07,868
chapter 18, and it says

1176
00:49:07,868 --> 00:49:09,899
that the whole earth

1177
00:49:09,899 --> 00:49:12,148
was filled with His glory.

1178
00:49:12,148 --> 00:49:14,252
The glory is the goodness of God.

1179
00:49:14,252 --> 00:49:16,383
In the psalm that was just read,

1180
00:49:16,383 --> 00:49:18,169
we see that, in all its attributes,

1181
00:49:18,169 --> 00:49:20,963
whether it's His creative power,

1182
00:49:20,963 --> 00:49:24,965
His redemptive power, His mercy,

1183
00:49:24,965 --> 00:49:27,622
His grace, that is what God wants us

1184
00:49:27,622 --> 00:49:28,882
to proclaim to the world.

1185
00:49:28,882 --> 00:49:32,565
And that story will be told

1186
00:49:32,565 --> 00:49:34,943
in its fullness before Jesus comes.

1187
00:49:34,943 --> 00:49:36,315
(Team) Amen.

1188
00:49:36,315 --> 00:49:37,798
(John) Heide.

1189
00:49:37,798 --> 00:49:39,268
(Heide) Oh, when I was looking

1190
00:49:39,268 --> 00:49:41,898
at this psalm, it just really reminded me

1191
00:49:41,898 --> 00:49:44,169
of Revelation, chapter 14,

1192
00:49:44,169 --> 00:49:46,436
the three angels' messages where I see

1193
00:49:46,436 --> 00:49:50,089
that he is proclaiming to everyone

1194
00:49:50,089 --> 00:49:53,632
centuries before the Apostle John,

1195
00:49:53,632 --> 00:49:55,805
John the Revelator, ever wrote,

1196
00:49:55,805 --> 00:49:57,904
that we have a Creator

1197
00:49:57,904 --> 00:50:00,098
and He is worthy of our worship,

1198
00:50:00,098 --> 00:50:02,888
and that He is going to come,

1199
00:50:02,888 --> 00:50:05,932
and that He is going to judge the earth.

1200
00:50:05,932 --> 00:50:09,866
And I see him calling us to worship

1201
00:50:09,866 --> 00:50:12,049
this mighty powerful Being.

1202
00:50:12,049 --> 00:50:14,465
(John) Amen. Stephanie.

1203
00:50:14,465 --> 00:50:15,789
(Stephanie) I was thinking

1204
00:50:15,789 --> 00:50:17,409
that this psalmist, when they

1205
00:50:17,409 --> 00:50:19,132
were writing it, understood

1206
00:50:19,132 --> 00:50:21,033
the character of God.

1207
00:50:21,033 --> 00:50:22,359
They had experienced it.

1208
00:50:22,359 --> 00:50:23,362
It's that new song.

1209
00:50:23,362 --> 00:50:25,523
They knew Him, and therefore they were

1210
00:50:25,523 --> 00:50:27,153
able to tell of His glory.

1211
00:50:27,153 --> 00:50:30,615
It wasn't an old song.

1212
00:50:30,615 --> 00:50:32,272
(John) And talking about glory,

1213
00:50:32,272 --> 00:50:35,686
we want to just see what this glory means.

1214
00:50:35,686 --> 00:50:39,275
If I can have Lilica please read to us

1215
00:50:39,275 --> 00:50:42,449
Exodus, chapter 33, verses 18 to 23.

1216
00:50:42,449 --> 00:50:44,383
You know, this glory that God wants us

1217
00:50:44,383 --> 00:50:46,365
to proclaim to all the earth,

1218
00:50:46,365 --> 00:50:48,102
what is the glory of God that we are

1219
00:50:48,102 --> 00:50:51,312
called to share as an act of worship?

1220
00:50:51,312 --> 00:50:53,313
(Lilica) Exodus 33?

1221
00:50:53,313 --> 00:50:56,042
(John) Verses 18 to 23.

1222
00:50:56,042 --> 00:50:58,463
(Lilica) 18 to 23, I'll be reading

1223
00:50:58,463 --> 00:51:00,432
from the New King James Version:

1224
00:51:51,267 --> 00:51:57,337
I will add chapter 34, verse 6.

1225
00:51:57,337 --> 00:51:59,999
(John) Alright, so chapter 34 and verse 6.

1226
00:51:59,999 --> 00:52:02,328
In the next chapter, Moses continues

1227
00:52:02,328 --> 00:52:05,954
to expand on what this glory means.

1228
00:52:05,954 --> 00:52:08,684
Alright, Lilica, chapter 34 and verse 6.

1229
00:52:08,684 --> 00:52:09,873
(Lilica) Verses 6 and 7

1230
00:52:09,873 --> 00:52:11,986
from the New King James Version:

1231
00:52:38,145 --> 00:52:40,072
(John) Okay, to glorify God

1232
00:52:40,072 --> 00:52:43,456
is to glorify His character, right?

1233
00:52:43,456 --> 00:52:45,683
So, through our singing, we ought to let

1234
00:52:45,683 --> 00:52:48,903
the world know about the character of God.

1235
00:52:48,903 --> 00:52:51,168
But moving on, Jesus talked

1236
00:52:51,168 --> 00:52:52,860
to the woman at the well,

1237
00:52:52,860 --> 00:52:55,568
and He told something really powerful.

1238
00:52:55,568 --> 00:52:57,516
And if I can ask Scott to please read

1239
00:52:57,516 --> 00:53:01,226
to us in John, chapter 4, verses 23 to 24.

1240
00:53:01,226 --> 00:53:04,412
And Jesus is talking to this woman

1241
00:53:04,412 --> 00:53:07,989
at the well about worship

1242
00:53:07,989 --> 00:53:11,953
and what worship should entail.

1243
00:53:11,953 --> 00:53:13,344
(Scott) Okay:

1244
00:53:32,990 --> 00:53:34,809
(John) Okay, so if a person says

1245
00:53:34,809 --> 00:53:36,878
that "I'm worshiping God," or if a church

1246
00:53:36,878 --> 00:53:38,913
claims that they are worshiping God,

1247
00:53:38,913 --> 00:53:40,649
they ought to worship God

1248
00:53:40,649 --> 00:53:42,406
in spirit and in truth,

1249
00:53:42,406 --> 00:53:45,102
but what does that mean, to worship God

1250
00:53:45,102 --> 00:53:47,350
in spirit and in truth? Puia?

1251
00:53:47,350 --> 00:53:48,873
(Puia) I believe it's important

1252
00:53:48,873 --> 00:53:51,369
to make sure that our reasons

1253
00:53:51,369 --> 00:53:52,985
for worshiping God is in line

1254
00:53:52,985 --> 00:53:56,002
with the way the Holy Spirit works.

1255
00:53:56,002 --> 00:53:58,772
It's not just an outward performance

1256
00:53:58,772 --> 00:54:01,023
or vain repetition,

1257
00:54:01,023 --> 00:54:02,947
but it's an inward alignment

1258
00:54:02,947 --> 00:54:04,404
with the Holy Spirit, allowing

1259
00:54:04,404 --> 00:54:06,528
the Holy Spirit to come into our hearts

1260
00:54:06,528 --> 00:54:08,961
and worshiping Him according to the Word.

1261
00:54:08,961 --> 00:54:10,609
Because, according to Jesus,

1262
00:54:10,609 --> 00:54:12,666
the Word of God is the truth,

1263
00:54:12,666 --> 00:54:16,275
so worshiping in spirit and in truth.

1264
00:54:16,275 --> 00:54:17,867
(John) Okay, so if a person says,

1265
00:54:17,867 --> 00:54:19,273
"I'm worshiping God," they go

1266
00:54:19,273 --> 00:54:20,447
to a worship experience,

1267
00:54:20,447 --> 00:54:22,450
but they are not moved by the Holy Spirit

1268
00:54:22,450 --> 00:54:23,922
to make changes in their life,

1269
00:54:23,922 --> 00:54:26,093
if they are not prompted to obey

1270
00:54:26,093 --> 00:54:28,023
the Word of God, then that is something

1271
00:54:28,023 --> 00:54:29,907
to be doubted, right?

1272
00:54:29,907 --> 00:54:31,983
And so, our worship experience

1273
00:54:31,983 --> 00:54:33,678
should always be in alignment

1274
00:54:33,678 --> 00:54:36,179
with the truths of the Word of God

1275
00:54:36,179 --> 00:54:39,076
and also in following the promptings

1276
00:54:39,076 --> 00:54:40,541
of the Holy Spirit.

1277
00:54:40,541 --> 00:54:41,610
We're not only going

1278
00:54:41,610 --> 00:54:45,122
to be singing songs now, but also forever,

1279
00:54:45,122 --> 00:54:47,079
and let's read about that.

1280
00:54:47,079 --> 00:54:49,245
Let's go to Isaiah, chapter 66,

1281
00:54:49,245 --> 00:54:50,872
verses 22 and 23.

1282
00:54:50,872 --> 00:54:53,466
Stephanie, if you can please read to us

1283
00:54:53,466 --> 00:54:58,494
in Isaiah 66, verses 22 to 23.

1284
00:54:58,494 --> 00:54:59,999
(Stephanie) And I'll be reading

1285
00:54:59,999 --> 00:55:01,977
from the New King James Version:

1286
00:55:26,348 --> 00:55:29,688
(John) Wow. I have experienced

1287
00:55:29,688 --> 00:55:31,912
one of the most amazing experiences

1288
00:55:31,912 --> 00:55:35,543
of listening to Handel's <i>Messiah</i> music.

1289
00:55:35,543 --> 00:55:37,534
I once went for a sing-along;

1290
00:55:37,534 --> 00:55:39,097
it was glorious, you know,

1291
00:55:39,097 --> 00:55:42,329
so many instruments, so much singing.

1292
00:55:42,329 --> 00:55:44,490
But imagine going to Heaven,

1293
00:55:44,490 --> 00:55:46,439
it's your first Sabbath there,

1294
00:55:46,439 --> 00:55:48,528
the angels are singing, and they are

1295
00:55:48,528 --> 00:55:50,258
playing musical instruments.

1296
00:55:50,258 --> 00:55:52,166
And voices from around the world,

1297
00:55:52,166 --> 00:55:55,252
different languages - there is nothing

1298
00:55:55,252 --> 00:55:58,293
to compare to what is going to happen.

1299
00:55:58,293 --> 00:55:59,928
You know, God is calling us

1300
00:55:59,928 --> 00:56:03,737
to worship Him and Him alone, where we

1301
00:56:03,737 --> 00:56:05,677
take our focus from ourselves

1302
00:56:05,677 --> 00:56:07,723
toward God, now and forever.

1303
00:56:07,723 --> 00:56:09,312
(Team) Amen.

1304
00:56:09,312 --> 00:56:10,871
(Derek) Thank you so much, John.

1305
00:56:10,871 --> 00:56:12,459
That's a powerful study,

1306
00:56:12,459 --> 00:56:15,114
<i>Worship That Never Ends.</i>

1307
00:56:15,114 --> 00:56:17,964
And I appreciate the fact that we realize

1308
00:56:17,964 --> 00:56:19,201
that in different cultures

1309
00:56:19,201 --> 00:56:21,614
people may worship in different ways.

1310
00:56:21,614 --> 00:56:23,864
They may sing different songs,

1311
00:56:23,864 --> 00:56:26,221
but the common thread is it's all

1312
00:56:26,221 --> 00:56:28,701
pointing to God, glorifying God,

1313
00:56:28,701 --> 00:56:32,545
praising God, and telling other people

1314
00:56:32,545 --> 00:56:35,033
about the awesome character of God.

1315
00:56:35,033 --> 00:56:38,672
That kind of worship is worshiping God

1316
00:56:38,672 --> 00:56:41,364
in spirit and truth.

1317
00:56:41,364 --> 00:56:43,008
Let's pray together.

1318
00:56:43,008 --> 00:56:45,456
Father in Heaven, we know the psalms,

1319
00:56:45,456 --> 00:56:47,012
down through the centuries,

1320
00:56:47,012 --> 00:56:49,373
were used in worship,

1321
00:56:49,373 --> 00:56:52,360
both before the coming of Messiah

1322
00:56:52,360 --> 00:56:55,479
and since the coming of Messiah,

1323
00:56:55,479 --> 00:56:58,356
reminding us that worship

1324
00:56:58,356 --> 00:57:00,059
is something that You deserve.

1325
00:57:00,059 --> 00:57:03,632
You are worthy of all of our worship.

1326
00:57:03,632 --> 00:57:05,668
And I pray that in all of our worship,

1327
00:57:05,668 --> 00:57:08,338
we would be guided by Your Spirit

1328
00:57:08,338 --> 00:57:11,883
and guided by Your Word and set free

1329
00:57:11,883 --> 00:57:14,568
from all of those traditions

1330
00:57:14,568 --> 00:57:17,848
and past experiences that hold us back

1331
00:57:17,848 --> 00:57:20,475
from worshiping You in spirit and truth,

1332
00:57:20,475 --> 00:57:24,038
is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

1333
00:57:24,038 --> 00:57:25,278
(Team) Amen.

1334
00:57:25,278 --> 00:57:27,840
(Derek) Thanks for joining us
for Hope Sabbath School.

1335
00:57:27,840 --> 00:57:29,656
You say, "Derek, that's challenging,

1336
00:57:29,656 --> 00:57:31,405
to look and say, 'What of my past

1337
00:57:31,405 --> 00:57:34,118
is just tradition or habit,

1338
00:57:34,118 --> 00:57:36,299
and what truly honors God

1339
00:57:36,299 --> 00:57:39,207
and glorifies His name and shows

1340
00:57:39,207 --> 00:57:40,626
His glory to those around?'"

1341
00:57:40,626 --> 00:57:42,610
Let's worship like that

1342
00:57:42,610 --> 00:57:44,031
and go out and be a blessing

1343
00:57:44,031 --> 00:57:45,731
to those around you.

1344
00:57:45,731 --> 00:58:28,086
♪ theme music ♪