Participants:
Series Code: WHO
Program Code: WHO210070S
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00:38 Our Father
00:49 Which art in heaven 01:00 Hallowed be 01:10 Thy Name 01:19 Thy kingdom come 01:28 Thy will be done 01:36 On earth 01:42 As it is 01:46 In heaven 02:08 Give us this day 02:13 Our daily bread 02:21 And forgive us our debts 02:29 As we forgive our debtors 02:44 And lead us not into temptation 02:51 But deliver us from all evil 02:58 For thine is the kingdom 03:05 And the power, 03:09 And the glory 03:14 Forever and ever 03:33 Amen 03:54 Amen. 03:55 It's nothing like starting with prayer, huh? 03:57 A good way to start the program. 03:59 Amen. Praise the Lord. 04:00 Welcome, my friends, to 3ABN Worship Hour. 04:04 It seems a little different from some of the ones 04:06 we've done in the past, but I've learned that, 04:09 you know, where some people 04:10 may not be able to connect with the gospel 04:12 maybe in the preached word 04:14 many can also connect in the music and song. 04:20 And that's exactly what we're going to be doing 04:21 here today on the 3ABN Worship Hours. 04:23 We're going to be reflecting on scripture, 04:25 reflecting on the Word of God in word, 04:28 of course, and in song. 04:31 We want to thank you for joining us 04:32 because we know today 04:34 is going to be a blessing for us 04:35 and it certainly we hope 04:36 or is a blessing for you as well. 04:39 You know that song I just sing The Lord's Prayer. 04:42 You know, the disciples came to Jesus 04:44 and they said, Lord, teach us how to pray. 04:47 You know, Jesus said the best prayers. 04:49 He was the Son of God. 04:51 And could you imagine being able to ask that question 04:54 and get a response 04:56 from the God of the universe, right? 04:57 Oh, yeah, come here, guys. Let Me show you. 04:59 Let Me teach you how you should pray. 05:03 And, of course, He says those words, 05:04 "Our Father in heaven, 05:06 hallowed be Your name. 05:09 Your kingdom come. 05:12 Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 05:16 Give us this day our daily bread. 05:20 And forgive us of our sins. 05:25 For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. 05:28 This is New King James Version. 05:30 It goes on to say, 05:32 "And do not lead us into temptation, 05:34 but deliver us from the evil one. 05:37 For Yours is the kingdom 05:40 and the power and the glory forever. 05:44 Amen." 05:46 You know, what's powerful about 05:47 this particular verse here, 05:50 this prayer, it's a model prayer. 05:52 And, in fact, often in many different Bible versions, 05:55 it says before the prayer, 05:56 you know, the model prayer, right? 05:58 We should model prayer, but it doesn't mean 06:00 we should have to say the exact same words, 06:01 but we should model our prayers 06:03 after that the one that Jesus shows us here. 06:05 And I noticed, you know, if you look at the beginning 06:08 and the end of this prayer, 06:09 it begins with praise and it ends with praise. 06:13 Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. 06:15 And then, of course, 06:17 it ends with for Yours is the kingdom 06:19 and the power and the glory. 06:21 Amen. 06:23 Praise is important, right, Tim? 06:24 Totally important. 06:25 Absolutely. Yes. 06:27 And, you know, that passage, 06:29 by the way that I just read from, 06:30 it's kind of a combination between Matthew 6:9-13, 06:35 and also Luke 11:1-4, you know, 06:39 go familiarize yourself with that prayer. 06:42 And when you pray to the Lord, 06:43 know that if you just model your prayer 06:44 after Jesus' prayer, He hears you. 06:47 And the Bible says in 1 John 5:14, 06:49 that if we pray anything according to His will, 06:52 that He hears us 06:54 and He will answer our petitions 06:56 that we bring to Him. 06:58 But praise is important. 06:59 And that's what we're going to do a lot of today. 07:01 We're going to praise our God in song, and in word. 07:04 And, Tim, you know, 07:06 as I said earlier, praise is important. 07:08 And if you've ever just read through the Book of Psalms, 07:11 David and all the psalmists, 07:13 many different psalmists that write in there, 07:15 they're all about praising God, 07:16 extending praise to the Lord in word. 07:19 And we have some verses here. 07:21 Just a few verses from Psalms, 07:23 would you mind reading those for us, 07:24 just familiarize us with how our attitude should be 07:26 about praise, right? 07:28 Right. 07:29 You know, I just want to mention quickly that praise 07:31 is just an overflow, 07:33 a response from your heart, your heart, 07:37 and from my heart to God in this case 07:40 because we can praise all different kinds of people, 07:44 circumstances, situations, we can, 07:47 whatever we hold in high esteem and high regard, 07:50 in fact, really what we spend the most time with, 07:53 we are praising it, we are giving it honor, 07:56 we're giving it a place of recognition in our life. 08:00 So praise is extremely important 08:02 when it comes to God because it makes Him realize, 08:05 we love Him and by the amount of time we spend with Him. 08:08 And as you say in Psalm, 08:11 Psalm 103:1, says, "Bless the Lord," 08:13 one of my favorite, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, 08:15 and all that is within me, bless His holy name!" 08:18 Psalm 9:1-2 says, 08:20 "I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart. 08:23 I will tell of all Your marvelous works. 08:26 I will be glad and rejoice in You. 08:28 I will sing praise to Your name, 08:30 O Most High." 08:31 I love to sing praise. Amen. 08:33 Amen. Amen. Brother. Absolutely. 08:34 That's awesome. And Psalm 63:3-4. 08:38 Psalm 63:3-4, 08:39 "Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, 08:42 my lips shall praise You. 08:44 Thus I will bless You while I live. 08:46 I will lift up my hands in Your name." 08:48 So many of these Psalms we sang. 08:50 I remember singing these Psalms in church. 08:52 I will bless thee O Lord. 08:54 I will bless thee O Lord. 08:56 So, yeah, it was wonderful. 08:58 And then Psalm 150, of course, "Praise the Lord! 09:01 Praise God in His sanctuary. 09:04 Praise Him in His mighty firmament! 09:06 Praise Him for His mighty acts. 09:08 Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! 09:11 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet. 09:13 Praise Him with the lute and harp! 09:15 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance. 09:18 Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! 09:20 Praise Him with loud cymbals. 09:22 Praise Him with clashing cymbals! 09:24 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. 09:29 Praise the Lord!" Praise the Lord. 09:31 You know, could you imagine just when we get to heaven, 09:33 all the clashing cymbals, right? 09:34 And I don't think 09:36 there's going to be a single person in heaven 09:37 that's going to be like, "Oh, that hurts my ears. 09:39 Oh, that's too loud." 09:41 Because God says, "Praise Me with these things. 09:43 Praise the Lord." 09:44 And that's what we're going to do right now. 09:46 We're going to sing a song... 09:47 Actually a medley of one of my favorites, 09:49 a couple of my favorite worship songs, 09:51 beautiful lyrics. 10:02 Hallelujah 10:09 Hallelujah 10:14 For the Lord God Almighty reigns 10:20 Yes. 10:24 Hallelujah 10:31 Hallelujah 10:36 For the Lord God Almighty reigns 10:41 Hallelujah 10:47 Holy 10:51 Holy 10:54 Are you Lord God Almighty 11:01 Worthy is the Lamb 11:04 Worthy is the Lamb 11:07 You are Holy 11:11 Holy 11:14 Are you Lord God Almighty 11:21 Worthy is the Lamb 11:24 Worthy is the Lamb 11:27 Amen 11:45 You were the Word at the beginning 11:50 One with God the Lord Most High 11:58 Your hidden glory in creation 12:04 Now revealed in You our Christ 12:10 What a beautiful Name it is 12:13 What a beautiful Name it is 12:17 The Name of Jesus Christ my King 12:24 What a beautiful Name it is 12:28 Nothing compares to this 12:30 What a beautiful Name it is 12:34 The Name of Jesus 12:43 You didn't want heaven without us 12:49 So Jesus, You brought heaven down 12:57 My sin was great 12:58 Your love was greater 13:00 So much greater 13:02 What could separate us now? 13:08 What a wonderful Name it is 13:11 What a wonderful Name it is 13:15 The Name of Jesus Christ my King 13:21 What a wonderful Name it is 13:25 Nothing compares to this 13:28 What a wonderful Name it is 13:31 The Name of Jesus 13:38 Death could not hold You 13:41 The veil tore before You 13:45 You silenced the boast of sin and grave 13:51 The heavens are roaring 13:54 The praise of Your glory 13:57 For You are raised to life again 14:07 Holy 14:12 Holy 14:15 Are you Lord God Almighty 14:22 Worthy is the Lamb 14:25 Worthy is the Lamb 14:28 You are Holy 14:32 Holy Holy 14:35 You are Lord God Almighty 14:42 Worthy is the Lamb 14:45 Worthy is the Lamb 14:48 Amen 15:02 What a beautiful Name it is 15:06 What a beautiful Name it is 15:10 The Name of Jesus Christ 15:15 The King 15:18 What a beautiful Name it is 15:22 Nothing compares to this 15:26 What a beautiful Name it is 15:30 The Name of Jesus 15:44 Praise the Lord. Praise God, brother. 15:47 Wow! 15:48 I love to praise God. 15:51 I love to worship God. 15:54 You know, we worship Him 15:58 because the Bible says 16:00 He's worthy because He created all things. 16:04 I love the scene that John sees there 16:06 in John Chapter 4 and 5 16:08 because it's a throne room scene 16:11 and powerful to think that, you know, 16:14 I know the Bible says, you know, 16:15 eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, 16:17 nor has it introduced to the heart of man, 16:19 what God has prepared for us, 16:20 but, you know, prophets like 16:22 John and Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, you know, 16:25 Moses, these guys were able to, 16:27 you know, have somewhat of a prophetic glimpse 16:31 into the holy place in the most holy place 16:34 of God's inner throne room, right? 16:35 Wow! 16:37 Could you just imagine, 16:38 the majesty, the glory, the grandeur? 16:41 Wow! 16:43 And you got to get a glimpse 16:44 of how important it is to praise God 16:45 because, you know, not only do we praise God, 16:48 and should we praise God, 16:49 but my goodness, the angels praise God, right? 16:52 Perfect beings who have never sinned, they praise God. 16:57 The Bible says that, 16:58 even the 24 elders they cast the thrones 17:01 at the feet of God, and they bow to Him 17:03 and they worship Him. 17:04 And I'm going to read 17:05 these texts here, listen this Revelation 4:8-11. 17:09 Just get this picture in your mind, 17:10 this is similar to what, this is exactly what John saw. 17:13 And the Bible says, "The four living creatures, 17:15 which have having six wings, 17:18 were full of eyes around within. 17:20 They not do not rest day nor night, 17:22 saying, 'Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God Almighty, 17:26 who was and is and is to come!'" 17:30 Wow! Right. 17:32 "Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor 17:34 and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, 17:37 who lives forever and ever," 17:39 here it is, "the twenty-four elders 17:41 fall down before Him 17:43 who sits on the throne and worship Him 17:46 who lives forever and ever, 17:47 and cast their crowns before the throne saying, 17:51 'You are worthy, 17:53 O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power," 17:56 here it is, "for you created all things, 18:00 and by your will they exist and were created.'" 18:04 My goodness, if perfect, 18:06 heavenly beings praise and worship God, 18:10 shouldn't we, right? 18:11 Oh, yeah. 18:13 Revelation 14:7 reminds us again, 18:15 because He created all things He's worthy to be worshiped. 18:17 And what's that? 18:18 What's that first angel's message, 18:20 it goes to the rest of the world 18:21 in the last days, 18:22 "Fear God and give glory to Him, 18:24 for the hour of His judgment has come," 18:25 here it is, "and worship Him 18:27 who made heaven and earth, 18:28 the sea and springs of waters." 18:30 God is pointing us back to Him, 18:32 even in the last days prior to the Second Coming of Jesus 18:35 saying, look, "Return to worshiping Me, 18:37 the creator of the universe." 18:41 You know, God is everything. 18:43 Everything there is to be good. 18:45 And the Bible 18:46 has so many different names for God, 18:47 we worship Him not only as a Creator, 18:50 and not only is He worthy to be worshiped 18:52 because He is Creator, 18:54 but the Bible says He's the alpha, 18:56 the omega, the beginning and the end, 18:59 we see that in the very first chapter 19:00 of Revelation, 19:01 we see it in the very last chapter 19:03 of the Book of Revelation. 19:06 That famous verse in Isaiah 9:6 19:08 that says, you know, 19:09 calls Jesus a "Wonderful, Counselor, 19:11 Mighty God, Everlasting Father, 19:13 Prince of Peace." 19:15 He's everything, right? 19:17 And then, of course, Revelation 4, 19:19 when you're in that throne room, 19:20 Revelation 5 there, more specifically, 19:23 shows Jesus appearing 19:24 as a lamb slain, you know, before the throne. 19:27 And it's interesting that 19:28 it goes on to describe that lamb 19:30 as the lion of the tribe of Judah. 19:33 He's a lamb, but yet He's a lion, right? 19:36 He's everything. 19:38 And, Brother, I tell you, you know, each of us, 19:43 we see God and how we see Him based on, 19:46 of course, the Scripture, but also our relationship, 19:48 our experience with Him, He's everything to us. 19:52 And you sing a song, 19:54 and I also grew up singing a song very similar, 19:56 two different songs, but a similar message. 19:59 And I remembered this first song 20:00 we're going to sing a little quick simple, 20:02 but, you know, nice little upbeat song 20:04 called To Me He Becomes Everything, 20:07 and then after I sing this one 20:08 I would love for you to go right into that song 20:11 He is to me, right? 20:12 Because the messages are similar different 20:14 but similar on how God 20:16 and He is everything to us, right? 20:18 Without Him we are nothing, but He is everything to us. 20:21 So let's sing it. 20:27 Some have made Jesus 20:29 A game that they play 20:32 To others a song 20:34 That they sing 20:36 But since I met Jesus 20:39 I'm happy to say 20:41 To me He's become everything 20:46 To me He's become everything 20:50 He's everything that I need 20:55 The beginning the end 20:57 He's life's dearest friend 20:59 To me He's become everything 21:09 When I wake up each morning 21:11 He's right by my side At night 21:14 He's my last thought in mind 21:18 He's joy for each moment 21:20 He's hope that faith brings 21:23 To me He's become everything 21:28 To me He's become everything 21:33 He's everything that I need 21:37 The beginning the end 21:39 He's life's dearest friend 21:42 To me He's become everything 21:45 Sing it again. 21:46 To me He's become everything 21:51 He's everything that I need 21:55 The beginning the end 21:58 He's life's dearest friend 22:00 To me He's become everything 22:05 He's my future He's my past 22:07 The first and the last 22:10 To me He's become everything 22:18 He is to Me, Brother. 22:19 Come on. You got to give it to this. 22:21 I love this song. Oh, yes, Brother. 22:22 He's the strength In my weakness 22:24 The joy of my sorrow 22:26 The peace like a river 22:28 that Flows in my life 22:30 He's new morning mercies 22:32 And hope for the journey 22:34 And love that will conquer the struggle and strife 22:39 You can describe everything that He is 22:43 All I can say yes He's mine 22:46 and I'm His 22:49 'Cause the one who walks on the wings of the wind 22:54 Walks beside me 22:57 And the one who's holding the world in His hands 23:02 Holds my heart 23:06 He spoke and the world 23:08 was created in space 23:11 And yet He was willing to die in my place 23:15 Redeemer, Deliverer 23:17 The ransom that set my soul free 23:23 Hallelujah 23:25 What a Savior 23:27 He is to me 23:32 I can't describe everything that 23:35 He is All I can say is 23:38 He's mine and I am His 23:43 'Cause the one 23:44 Who walks on the wings of the wind 23:47 Walks beside me 23:52 And the one 23:53 who's holding the world in His hand 23:56 Holds my heart 24:00 He just spoke 24:01 and the world was created in space 24:05 And yet He was willing to die in my place 24:09 Redeemer, Deliverer 24:11 The ransom that set my soul free 24:17 Hallelujah 24:19 What a Savior He is to me 24:26 What a Savior 24:29 He is to me 24:42 My goodness, I love that. 24:44 Yes. What a wonderful Savior He is. 24:45 Praise the Lord. Praise God. 24:47 And you know what I... 24:49 The Bible says that the angels envy us. 24:52 Yes. 24:53 But I envy them in the fact that 24:56 all they have to do is say, "Holy, holy, holy." 24:58 They can remember that word. 25:01 I have trouble remembering my words. 25:02 But I put you on the spot 25:04 so you won't forgive me for that. 25:05 I have to use a teleprompter. 25:07 I'm telling of myself here, look, 25:08 I didn't have these lyrics on teleprompter half the time 25:10 I wouldn't remember them, 25:11 so I envy you to be able to remember 25:13 all the lyrics you remember so... 25:14 No, it's awesome. What a privilege. 25:16 Yes. 25:17 Again, as you say the angels 25:19 they have the honor of praising, 25:21 they were created to praise God. 25:23 Yes. 25:24 But as the song says, angels, 25:28 they don't know the joy that my salvation 25:30 has brought me and given me reasons to praise Him. 25:33 Praise God. 25:34 So I'm glad that I'm not an angel. 25:38 In that I have the experience of salvation. 25:40 Praise God. 25:41 Knowing that Christ died for my sake. 25:43 That's so correct. 25:44 And, you know, He deserves all the glory. 25:45 We live in a world where, 25:47 you know, man wants all the glory for himself. 25:51 But the closer you come to Jesus 25:53 as John the Baptist said, 25:54 "He must increase, I must decrease." 25:57 And the closer I come to Jesus, 26:00 I recognize that that the things 26:02 I used to like I don't like anymore 26:03 and the things that I once really wasn't that 26:05 into the spiritual things of God, now I'm interested in. 26:09 And there's that humbling experience, 26:11 you know, that humility experience 26:13 that you recognize... 26:14 You know, similar to Isaiah, 26:16 which I think we're going to read 26:18 Isaiah scripture in a little while, 26:19 but similar to Isaiah 26:20 and many other Bible characters in Scripture that 26:22 when they were in the presence of God, 26:24 and they saw God's righteousness. 26:26 Man, they looked and saw their filthy rags, 26:28 and it's this, they were crumbled, 26:30 they were humbled in front of Him. 26:31 I think of Paul in scripture in Philippians 3:3-9. 26:36 It's one of my favorite texts 26:37 because Paul, right, the great man of faith. 26:39 Paul, the Apostle Paul, man, 26:41 that, you know, the majority of the New Testament 26:44 is written by this man named Paul, 26:46 as the Holy Spirit inspired Him. 26:48 But he writes these words, Philippians 3:3-9. 26:52 And reading in a portion into that, verse 3, it says, 26:55 "Rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence 26:57 in the flesh, though I also might have 27:01 confidence in the flesh. 27:03 If anyone else thinks 27:04 he may have confidence in the flesh, 27:06 I more so." 27:07 And then he lists his, 27:09 you know, His resume, you know, His holy resume. 27:10 He says, "Even I more 27:12 so circumcised the eighth day, 27:14 of the stock of Israel, 27:15 of the tribe of Benjamin, 27:17 a Hebrew of the Hebrews, concerning the law," 27:19 he says, "a Pharisee, concerning zeal, 27:22 persecuting the church, concerning righteousness 27:24 which is in the law, blameless." 27:26 But then notice 27:28 what he goes on to say in verse 7, 27:29 he says, "But what things were gain to me, 27:32 these I have counted loss for Christ. 27:35 Yet indeed I also count all things loss 27:38 for the excellence of the knowledge 27:39 of Christ Jesus my Lord, 27:41 for whom I have suffered 27:43 the loss of all things, and count them as," 27:46 and I'm just going to say the King James Version, 27:48 right here, he's counted his dung 27:51 as poo poo that's what he says, 27:52 the lowest of the lowest I counted. 27:55 And then he says, "That I may gain Christ 27:58 and be found in Him 27:59 not having my own righteousness." 28:02 There's a song I love singing. 28:04 We're going to sing it for you 28:05 now it's called in Christ alone. 28:07 Listen to the words as it very much 28:09 is a reflection of what we just read. 28:14 In Christ alone will I glory 28:18 Though I could pride myself 28:21 In battles won 28:25 For I've been blessed beyond measure 28:30 And by His strength alone 28:33 I'll overcome 28:37 Oh, I could stop and count successes 28:42 Like diamonds in my hands 28:48 But those trophies could not equal 28:51 To the grace 28:54 by which I stand 28:58 In Christ alone 29:03 I place my trust 29:06 And find my glory 29:09 In the power of the cross 29:14 In every victory 29:18 Let it be said of me 29:22 My source of strength 29:25 My source of hope 29:28 Is Christ alone 29:36 In Christ alone will I glory 29:41 For only by His grace 29:44 I am redeemed 29:48 Only His tender mercy 29:52 Could reach beyond my weakness to my need 29:59 And now I seek no greater honor 30:04 Then just to know Him more 30:09 And to count my gains but losses 30:13 to the glory of my Lord 30:20 In Christ alone 30:23 I place my trust 30:27 And find my glory 30:29 In the power of the cross 30:34 In every victory 30:38 Let it be said of me 30:42 My source of strength 30:46 My source of hope 30:49 Is Christ alone 30:53 I place my trust 30:56 And find my glory in the power of the cross 31:03 In every victory 31:07 Let it be said of me 31:11 My source of strength 31:14 My source of hope 31:17 Is Christ alone 31:21 My source of strength 31:24 My source of hope 31:32 Is Christ alone 31:45 Amen. 31:46 Wow! 31:47 My source of strength, 31:50 my only hope is Christ alone. 31:54 You know, all of us, you know, 31:56 we're striving to be perfect in Christ, 32:00 but we're not absolutely perfect in 32:01 and of ourselves, only God's absolutely perfect, 32:03 let's just be honest. 32:04 Let's just be honest, my friends. 32:06 I mean we believe it especially 32:07 in the Seventh-day Adventist Churches, 32:08 the Bible teaches that 32:10 we're striving for that perfection 32:11 that in God's eyes, we can reach a perfect state 32:13 and character talking about character perfection, 32:16 but I don't think a single one of us 32:17 is ever going to go out in this world and be like, 32:19 "Hey, you know, look at me I'm perfect." 32:20 You know, I'm, you know, follow my example. 32:22 Oh, because the closer you come to Jesus, 32:25 the more unworthy you seem, right? 32:29 And especially when you peruse the Bible, 32:32 there's just so many Bible characters 32:34 that prove this, that even though God 32:37 had grace upon them, even though that 32:38 we considered them Bible heroes, 32:40 some of these people were messed up. 32:41 I mean, they were little messed up, right? 32:43 I think of Adam, you know, 32:44 I had made a list here just to list a few here. 32:47 I mean, when you would look at their resume, 32:49 that God and He did have patience 32:50 with them, He shared, you know, 32:52 He shed His mercy upon them. 32:54 And my goodness, you look at some of these people Adam, 32:55 the first man was a blame shifter 32:58 who couldn't resist peer pressure, right? 33:00 He threw, he threw Eve under the bus. 33:02 You know, Adam, what have you done? 33:03 It's the woman who gave me, right? 33:05 Abraham, the forefather of faith, right? 33:07 The scripture might refer to, 33:09 he let other men walk off 33:10 with his wife on two different occasions. 33:13 Sarah, let her husband sleep with another woman 33:16 and then hated her for it. 33:17 I mean, these are the kinds of people, right? 33:19 I mean, they weren't absolutely perfect, 33:20 but they were on a journey right in Christ. 33:23 Jacob was pretty much a pathological liar. 33:25 I mean, I can go on and read through these, 33:27 you know, Moses, the humblest man 33:29 on the face of the earth, right? 33:30 But yet, if you read onto the Scripture, 33:32 he had a very serious problem with his temper, 33:34 and it cost him a few times. 33:36 Miriam, a songwriter had a sibling jealousy problem 33:40 and greed for power. 33:42 You know, David, a man after God's own heart 33:44 was an adulterer and a murderer. 33:45 I mean, this we see these are the biblical heroes. 33:48 Peter not only had a temper problem, 33:49 but also denied the Son of God in His presence. 33:52 But Jesus still gave him grace, still forgave him. 33:57 God is patient with us. 33:58 And none of us are really, 34:00 you know, these are people like us. 34:01 You sing a song. 34:03 You sing a song. I want you to sing it. 34:04 It's entitled People Like Me 34:06 and I love the words 34:07 because it reminds us that 34:09 while we're reading these stories 34:11 these are not some just like, 34:12 you know, holier than thou saints, 34:14 you know, 34:15 these were people just like you and I. 34:17 So anyways, this is just a wonderful song. 34:19 It's one of my favorite songs. I'm going to be quiet. 34:21 I'm just going to let you sing it, 34:22 People Like Me. 34:27 Oh, Peter had a temper 34:31 And Thomas had his doubts 34:36 Jacob was a liar 34:39 And Jonah headed south 34:44 Martha had her worries 34:48 And Sarah was too old 34:50 Or so she thought 34:52 David wasn't faithful 34:56 And Moses wasn't bold 35:00 But I used to see them as stained glass saints 35:04 Oh, they seemed almost divine 35:08 Now I see them as flesh and blood 35:12 With a heart a lot like mine 35:15 Just people like me 35:19 In the hands of a gracious God 35:23 And though He sees 35:27 where I've been and what I'm not 35:31 Oh, what a wonder 35:34 What a beautiful mystery that He chooses 35:40 And He uses people like me 35:47 Oh, and is such a wonder 35:50 What a beautiful mystery that God chooses 35:55 And God uses people like we 36:00 Oh, I like that. 36:02 People like we. 36:04 That may not be proper grammar, but He uses us. 36:06 It works. 36:07 That's right. 36:09 People like us, and us and me doesn't rhyme. 36:11 So that's a good word. 36:12 Praise God, Brother, man. 36:15 I just, we just serve a mighty God. 36:17 And, you know, in order for us to be 36:19 able to ensure that 36:22 we're going to be in that same, 36:24 along that same path of righteousness 36:27 as some of those heroes that we look up to, 36:29 even though they weren't, 36:30 you know, perfect in the absolute sense. 36:33 They obtain each one of those like us 36:35 we must obtain that character perfection in Christ. 36:38 But how do we do that, right? 36:40 We got to look to Jesus. 36:42 We got to behold Christ each and every moment of every day. 36:46 You know, there's some scriptures 36:47 that I love, 36:48 that I could read tons of scriptures 36:50 I could read for this particular portion, 36:51 but there's just one passage, 36:53 you know, we're told that in John Chapter 3, 36:56 and there's no other place in all the Bible 36:57 where salvation is made more clear 36:59 than John Chapter 3. 37:01 And most people when they think of John 3, 37:02 they think of John 3:16. 37:04 You know, "For God so loved the world that 37:05 He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him 37:07 should not perish but have everlasting life." 37:10 Beautiful text, powerful text. 37:12 But I'd submit to you, 37:13 as I've said many times on 3ABN I believe, 37:15 verse 14 and 15 are the key verses 37:18 because out of everything that Jesus tells Nicodemus 37:21 the one thing that he could do to hurry the work, 37:25 quicken the work of the Holy Spirit in his life. 37:28 As John 3:14. Notice what Jesus says here. 37:30 He says, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, 37:34 even so must the Son of Man be lifted up." 37:38 And then verse 15 with that says, 37:40 "That whosoever believes in Him 37:41 should not perish but have everlasting life." 37:44 You know, Nicodemus, 37:45 my mind went immediately to Numbers 21. 37:47 He would have been familiar with the law, right? 37:48 With the Torah. 37:50 And his mind would have went like 37:51 or should to that scene 37:52 where Moses is lifting up that serpent. 37:54 And some people say why a serpent, 37:56 in the serpent represents the devil, it represents sin. 37:58 Absolutely, sin for sure, 38:01 but in this case, remember the Bible says 38:02 that Jesus became sin for us, that we might have 38:07 the righteousness of God in Him, right? 38:10 When they looked at that, 38:11 up at that uplifted serpent 38:13 wrapped around the top of that pole 38:14 that was foreshadowing the work 38:16 that Jesus would do on the cross. 38:17 In other words, the only way 38:19 that they could be saved from all of those serpents 38:21 that were biting them in the wilderness, 38:23 is by faith first believe in the Word of God, 38:26 that when he said, "Look at the serpent, 38:29 there's life in a look at our Savior Jesus Christ". 38:33 This next song, man, oh, 38:35 I just, it's one of my all-time favorite songs. 38:38 My dad used to sing this that's an old Hinson song 38:42 and it's entitled Look To Him, 38:44 beautiful words, beautiful lyrics. 38:45 I'd like to sing it for you and for Jesus right now. 38:48 Beautiful song, I hope it blesses you. 38:53 Well, I know the Bible says 38:58 When You've done all you can to stand 39:03 Just stand 39:08 And I know it's hard sometimes 39:13 To look through these tear stained eyes 39:18 And still see the scars in those hands 39:27 But just you keep this in mind 39:32 When hope seems so hard to find 39:37 Surely you've not reached the end 39:45 And when the whole world has let you down 39:51 Jesus He can still be found 39:56 When you've tried it all 40:00 Look to Him 40:04 Look to Him, for He only 40:10 When sorrow makes lonely 40:15 Oh, the day and the night closes in 40:24 He can vanish the midnight 40:29 And call back the sunlight 40:34 So how will it end 40:39 Look to Him 40:49 Now I know that questions can 40:54 Oh, they can be so hard to understand but then 41:03 You see I know someone who knows it all 41:08 His eyes see even that little sparrow fall 41:12 Yet He can hold back 41:14 The sea with just one hand 41:19 That's right 41:21 He's so big He rides on the breeze that blows 41:26 Yet in your heart 41:28 He's the only one that knows 41:31 The heartache 41:33 And all the trouble you're in 41:39 Oh, when life seems everything but good 41:45 Remember Him 41:46 'cause He's the only one that could 41:50 If you'd only dare 41:54 Look to Him 41:58 Look to Him, for He only 42:04 When sorrow makes lonely 42:09 Oh, the day and the night 42:12 Closes in 42:18 He can vanish the midnight 42:23 And call back the sunlight 42:28 So how will it end 42:32 Look to Him 42:37 Oh, He will vanish the midnight 42:43 And call back the sunlight 42:51 So how will it end 42:58 Look to Him 43:03 Look to Him 43:11 Yes. Amen. 43:13 Just look to Him. 43:14 There's life in a look at the Savior. 43:17 Amen. Yes. 43:19 Praise the Lord. I like that. 43:20 Praise Lord. Don't we serve a good God? 43:22 Awesome God. Oh, my goodness. 43:24 My goodness, you know, we often in this life fall 43:27 into various trials and troubles, 43:30 and despairs and different challenges 43:33 that just depress us off. 43:34 And sometimes we find ourselves shaking the fist to God, 43:37 sometimes to Lord, why are you 43:38 allowing this to happen to me, right? 43:41 You know, I heard a minister once saying, 43:42 I often I say this as much as I can, 43:44 as much as I can remind people 43:45 to encourage them that 43:47 we oftentimes might challenge 43:50 or question the plan of God. 43:53 But we will never have 43:54 sufficient reason to question His goodness. 43:56 Never. 43:58 The Bible says, "My brethren, 43:59 count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 44:02 knowing that the testing of your faith 44:04 produces patience. 44:06 But let patience have its perfect work, 44:08 that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." 44:12 That's James 1:2-4. 44:15 You know, Jesus isn't going to ask us 44:16 to do anything, 44:17 Tim, that He hasn't done Himself, right? 44:20 We can't even imagine what He's been through, right? 44:22 More than we could ever begin to fathom. 44:24 That's why Hebrews 12:2 says, "Looking unto Jesus," 44:27 there it is, look to Him, looking unto Jesus, 44:30 "the author and finisher of our faith," 44:32 and then this next part is a mystery. 44:35 But it says, "For the joy that was set before Him 44:39 endured the cross, despising the shame, 44:42 and has sat down 44:44 at the right hand of the throne of God." 44:46 And for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, 44:51 despised the shame. 44:55 You know, we don't have anything to worry about 44:58 because we serve a good God. 45:01 Tim, my favorite song that you sang. 45:05 God's Been Good, sing it for us, Brother. 45:10 Lately I've been looking back 45:13 Along this winding road 45:16 To the old familiar markers 45:20 Of all the mercies I have known 45:25 I know it may sound simple 45:29 But it's more than a cliche 45:31 For there's no better way to tell you than to say 45:41 God's been good 45:45 In my life 45:49 And I feel blessed beyond my wildest dreams 45:54 When I go to sleep each night 45:58 Though I've had my share of hard times 46:02 I wouldn't change them if I could 46:06 For through it all, 46:10 God's been good 46:19 The times replay and I can see 46:22 That I've cried some bitter tears 46:26 But I felt his arms around me 46:29 As I faced my greatest fears 46:33 You see I've had more gains than losses 46:37 And I've known more joy than hurt 46:41 As His grace rolled down upon me 46:45 So undeserved 46:50 For God's been good in my life 46:57 And I feel so blessed beyond my wildest dreams 47:02 When I go to sleep each night 47:06 And though I've had my share of hard times 47:11 I wouldn't change them if I could 47:15 For through it all, 47:22 God's been so good 47:32 And, you know, the writer of that song 47:34 actually went through a season 47:37 after she had written the song, 47:39 a terrible situation happened 47:41 where her son passed away, actually. 47:44 And a friend of hers several years later, 47:49 filled in that line that says, 47:51 "Though, I've had my share of hard times, 47:52 I wouldn't change them if I could." 47:54 She wrote, "I'd probably change them if I could." 48:00 And I've sung it like that a few times 48:02 because if you're going through things, 48:05 looking back, you would probably change 48:06 some things... 48:08 That's the humanity... 48:09 It is the humanity, but I like that verse 48:11 as you were saying in Hebrews... 48:15 For the joy that was set before... 48:17 That's the one, He endured the cross despising the shame. 48:21 Yes. 48:22 What if we don't go through trials? 48:25 The things that draw us closer to God... 48:28 That's right. 48:30 It's a fact of life that 48:31 we have to go through those things, we just do. 48:34 You know, I think it's Malachi Chapter 3, 48:38 I believe it is, that says, "He is like launderers' soap. 48:44 And he also sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." 48:49 And in what you're saying, 48:50 just reminded me of this 48:52 because we often ask the question, 48:53 "Why does God allow us? 48:55 Or why do we have to go through these things, right?" 48:58 If you think about how a silversmith and, 49:01 you know, I looked into this as well 49:02 because I heard a story about it. 49:04 How a silversmith gets the purest form of silver. 49:06 Again, he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. 49:10 He'll take that, you know, ugly piece of silver 49:12 that's unrefined, that's not clean, 49:13 that's not been purified. 49:15 And he will hold it 49:16 with those little small piece of tongs per se. 49:18 He'll hold it in the hottest part of the flame. 49:21 You know, sometimes God will allow us 49:23 to walk through the fire, but Isaiah 43 promises us that 49:27 we don't have to walk through that fire alone. 49:28 He's there with us. 49:30 That's the good part. That's the key, right? 49:31 You know, the three Hebrew men had to go into the fire, 49:33 but God was with them, right? 49:35 Yeah, He was with them. Right, exactly. 49:36 And if we didn't go through those things, 49:38 we wouldn't sense 49:39 His nearness, I mean, naturally. 49:42 I would like to think that 49:43 I have some sense enough to just be in 49:47 His Word and study it and feel His presence 49:50 without going through troubles, 49:52 but when I do go through troubles, 49:54 I sense an even greater presence of God 49:57 for He goes with us. 49:59 Powerful. 50:00 You know, it reminds me of a story. 50:03 This will be our last song. 50:05 I want to tell you a story behind, a famous song. 50:08 We've often heard as Christians 50:10 and this will kind of still be an appeal for our Worship Hour. 50:13 I want to appeal to you watching at home, 50:16 maybe you're going through some things in your life. 50:19 Maybe you're struggling to commit to Christ 50:22 because of whatever you're going through. 50:24 You know, there was a family, 50:26 Tim, it's actually a true story, 50:27 by the way, this is not made up, 50:28 I looked it up. 50:30 There was an Indian family over 50:32 I think it was in the maybe the state of Assam. 50:34 I can't remember the exact state, 50:35 but it's in India, the country of India, 50:37 this is back in mid to late 1800s, 50:40 but, of course, this particular village, 50:41 this Indian village in India was predominantly made. 50:45 I mean, all of them were Hindu, 50:47 but one day came this Christian missionary. 50:51 Through this village, 50:53 he had been making his way through 50:54 sharing the good news of Jesus. 50:56 And the majority of the village, 50:58 obviously, of this particular place in India, 51:01 the majority of the people weren't interested at all, 51:03 but there was one family, 51:04 one family who was interested to hear 51:06 what this Christian missionary had to say. 51:09 This brother comes in and shares with them 51:10 the gospel of Jesus, and it transformed their life. 51:14 And in this culture, the man of the house, 51:15 he's obviously the man of the house, right? 51:17 Most of the time that the wife, 51:18 the children will follow 51:20 the father or the husband figure. 51:21 But this whole family made their own choice 51:23 after they heard the good news of Jesus 51:25 preached by this Christian missionary. 51:28 They made their decision to follow Jesus. 51:31 And the story is, it's a sad one, 51:34 but yet also a story of hope 51:36 because now the Christian missionary leaves 51:38 and word spreads in this community. 51:41 But this family who was once Hindu 51:43 has now converted to this 51:45 Christian God, this Christianity. 51:47 And so the chief of the village holds a hearing in 51:52 which all the village gather, they basically cast the family 51:55 in the middle of the court there 51:56 and where all the eyes are looking upon them. 51:58 And the chief says to the man 52:00 because he's the man of the house, right? 52:01 He's led his family into this, 52:03 he's allowed this decision to be made. 52:04 So he's kind of the catalyst of all of this. 52:07 And so the chief says to the man, 52:09 he says, "I'm going to give you 52:11 an opportunity to save you 52:12 and your family's life today. 52:15 If you would just recant this Christian God, 52:20 just denounce this Christianity, 52:24 and you and your family will be saved today. 52:26 Return back to the faith of Hinduism." 52:30 Oh, you could just imagine this man 52:32 in all of the emotion and everything 52:34 that's happening at this moment. 52:36 He looks at his precious children, 52:37 he looks at his wife, 52:40 but the story goes that in that moment, 52:42 he remembered some lyrics 52:44 some words that he had written down, 52:48 it was turned into a song, a song that you know 52:53 and he looks at that chief and he says these words. 52:59 I have decided 53:04 To follow Jesus 53:09 I have decided 53:13 To follow Jesus 53:18 I have decided 53:22 To follow Jesus 53:27 No turning back 53:32 No turning back 53:38 The chief had his precious children 53:42 murdered in front of him. 53:46 Oh, I can't imagine the emotion, 53:48 the despair, the fear, the shock, 53:53 but the chief again said to the father 53:55 and now the mother, 53:56 but he's looking at the father, the husband. 53:58 And he says you know what? You can save your wife's life. 54:01 You can save your life if you'll just give up this 54:04 Christian God. 54:07 And I'm sure with tears, 54:10 crying emotion of all the strength 54:13 he could possibly muster up. 54:15 I'm sure he took a glance at his wife, 54:18 whom he loved dearly. 54:20 And the story says he turned to that chief and he said. 54:24 Tho' none go with me 54:29 Still I will follow 54:33 Tho' none go with me 54:37 Still I will follow 54:42 Tho' none go with me 54:46 Still I will follow 54:50 No turning back 54:55 No turning back 55:01 They took his wife and they murdered her 55:04 in front of them. 55:07 And so the chief calls out 55:08 one last time he says, you know, 55:10 there's no need for you to die also, 55:12 I'll give you one last chance, 55:14 recant this Jesus, return back. 55:20 And the man with full of the Holy Spirit 55:25 cried out and he said. 55:31 The world behind me 55:36 The cross before me 55:40 The world behind me 55:44 The cross before me 55:49 The world behind me 55:52 The cross before me 55:57 No turning back 56:01 No turning back 56:05 You know that's a sad story, 56:07 my friends, but it's a true story. 56:09 But you know where the hope is, is that in the months to come, 56:13 that chief and nearly that entire village 56:17 converted to Jesus Christ 56:19 because they wondered 56:21 who is this God that these people would die for. 56:25 My friends, I want to appeal to you today 56:27 as we are about to end this. 56:29 Have you decided to follow Jesus? 56:32 No turning back. No turning back. 56:34 Give your heart to Jesus while you can. 56:36 Let's sing that again. 56:38 In closing sing with us at home. 56:40 I have decided 56:44 To follow Jesus 56:48 I have decided 56:51 To follow Jesus 56:55 I have decided 56:59 To follow Jesus 57:02 No turning back 57:07 No turning back 57:13 God bless you, my friends. |
Revised 2021-12-09