{# pb-24 reserves room so the sticky audio player, when docked to the bottom
of the viewport, never covers the last content (related sermons, tags…).
Only needed when there's an audio player to dock. #}
{# The tooltip goes through the catalogs so the separator can
follow the language - CJK wants a full-width colon and no
space, not ": ". #}
Songs of the Heart - Part 5
{# justify-center, not justify-around: around gives each item a half-size
space at the row ends, which reads as an even spread with three items
but leaves two items sitting off-centre. Centring the group keeps the
row balanced whatever combination of preacher, date, time and series
a sermon has. The lg:px-8 on each item supplies the gap between. #}
{# The compact player docks to the bottom of the viewport once you scroll past
it; the waveform above and the download/share row below stay in normal flow.
The `stickyPlayer` component lives in assets/public/public.js. #}
{# The description and the sermon's metadata share one grid: the
description takes two thirds, the metadata rail takes the last
third. Explicit column starts keep the rail on the right even
when the description is absent. On small screens the grid
collapses to one column and the rail follows the description.
The transcription sits outside this grid, below it, so it keeps
the full page width - its two-column timestamp/paragraph rows
and tall scroll pane need the room. #}
{# Top margin here rather than on the caller: the transcription is no longer a
grid item, so nothing else supplies the gap above it. #}
{# The component is `transcript` in assets/public/transcript-component.mjs;
it runs auto-scroll and the in-page search. Search is entirely client-side:
queries are never sent or recorded. #}
Transcription
{# Both routes redirect to the archived page for a delinquent church, so
offering them is a dead button. The transcript itself still reads,
and so does searching it. #}
PDFtxt
Auto-generated - may contain small errors. Always verify with the audio version.
{# Hidden until the magnifying glass (or "/") opens it. On phones the
buttons get their own row so the query isn't squeezed. #}
{# mousedown.prevent keeps focus in the input, so tapping these on a
phone doesn't dismiss the on-screen keyboard. #}
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
If you have your Bible with you, you can open it up this morning to Psalm 95. And we've already heard the passage read earlier in the service. And so we're just going to jump right into it.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Psalm 95. This is another psalm in which the author is unknown. And we generally assume that it's a song since the first words are an invitation to sing.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
There are two distinct parts to this psalm. And the divide happens kind of in verse 7. There's a couple different ways that we can look at the differences between these two parts.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
We could look at the kind of words. Verses 1 to 7. The feeling of it is celebration. The call is to worship. And the focus is the worthiness of God.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
The second part, verse 7 to 11, is a hard shift. Suddenly the focus is lamentation.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
The call is to repent. To soften our hearts. And the focus, the main subject, is the waywardness of the people. In this case, the Israelites.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
So the first part tells us where we should be. Worshiping the Lord. Come, let us worship the Lord.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
The second part tells us where we shouldn't be. Don't ignore God. Soften your heart. Or to put it another way.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
That second part convicts us where we are sometimes. The attitude that we have. And the first part tells us where we need to be instead.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
We need to move away from waywardness to worship. Away from unbelief to faith in the Lord. Away from ignoring Him to listening to Him.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Away from a hard heart. And to a soft, joyful heart of worship towards Him. And so I think if I was to distill it down to one main point.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
What's the big idea in this psalm? The psalmist, I think, is urging us. He's saying, give your ear. Your listening ear.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And your heart. And your voice. And your knee. Your bended knee. To the Lord. Who is worthy.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
So we're going to unpack that. And we're going to see that here in this psalm. And we're going to do it a little unusual. We're going to start with the second half. And then come back and look at the first half. So we're going to start in verse 7.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And right at the beginning of that second part. Today, if only, you would hear His voice. These are words of lament.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
It's as if the psalmist is looking out at the people around him. And what does he see? He sees people who are not listening to God. He sees people who are ignoring God.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
They're minimizing. They're shutting out His words. We don't want to hear that stuff anymore. Don't tell us about the Lord. And what He wants from us.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And then in verse 8. The author writes into the song. The very words that God's voice is saying. And it starts with this imperative.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
This command. Do not harden your hearts. So this is the problem with the people in the day of this song. They are hardening their hearts towards God.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
They are stubbornly set against Him. They're not letting His words in. Their hearts are hard with unbelief.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Skepticism. A critical spirit towards God. Rather than faith. And trust. And humility.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
So God tells them what they're like. He says, Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah. As you did that day at Massa. In the wilderness.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Where your ancestors tested me. They tried me. They tried me. Though they had seen what I did. For 40 years.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
I was angry. With that generation. I said. They are a people whose hearts go astray. And they have not known. My ways. So the problem with the people.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
In the days of this song. Is. That they are in their hearts. Going astray. From God. They're turning away from Him. Just like the Israelites did.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Long ago. In the days of the Exodus. And the wilderness wanderings. And. To fully appreciate this. We kind of have to go back. And we have to look at those. Days. What happened at Meribah.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And Massa. With the Israelites there. In the wilderness. So we're going to flip back. To Exodus chapter 17. And here in Exodus chapter 17.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
The Israelites had just been saved. From that oppressive slavery. In Egypt. God set them free. He showed them. His awesome power.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
He poured plague. After plague. On the Egyptians. Until finally. The Pharaoh of Egypt. Let the whole. Israelite people. Walk out. And the Israelites.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Journeyed through the wilderness. But then Pharaoh. Changed his mind. And he started pursuing them. With his chariot army. Hoping to get them back. And most of you know.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
The great deliverance. That God gave. When he opened a way. Through the Red Sea. Wall of water. On the right. And the left. The Israelites passed through. On dry ground. And then when the Egyptian army.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Went in. God caused the sea. To close up. Over top of them. And they were all drowned. This is what the Israelites. Have just experienced. Here in Exodus chapter 17.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
It was like literally. Two weeks ago. But even though. They witnessed personally. First hand. God's miraculous power. His saving love. Within a few days.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
They were grumbling. And complaining. Against God. And against Moses. His prophet. And the things that they were saying. About God. Were awful.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Oh. It would have been better. If God had just killed us. Back in Egypt. There we sat around. Pots of meat. Ate all the food we wanted.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
But you. Moses. Have brought us out. Into this desert. To starve this entire assembly. To death. Instead of simply praying.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And asking God. For the things that they needed. They grumbled. They complained. They insulted God. Exodus 17 verse 3.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Is another example of this. The people were thirsty. For water. At a particular. Point in their journey. Did they ask God.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
For water. No. Instead they grumbled. Against Moses. They said. Why did you bring us up. Out of Egypt. To make us. And our children. And our livestock. Die of thirst.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
First. The next verse. Tells us. That they were almost ready. To kill Moses. And yet God was merciful. He did another.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Miracle. He opened. The rock. And water came flowing out. Enough to. Give the entire assembly. Water to drink.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And that was on top of the manna. Which he was already sending. Every day. It was appearing on the ground. Bread. To eat. Out of nowhere.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
In verse 7. It says. That Moses called the place. Massa. And Meribah. Because the Israelites quarreled.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And because they tested the Lord. Saying. Is the Lord among us. Or not. Massa.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
In Hebrew. Means testing. Meribah. Means quarreling. And this is just a little sample. Of the attitude. That the Israelites had. Towards God.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And Moses. During the wilderness wanderings. You really do have to go back. And read through the whole story. Right from. You know. Exodus. Numbers. Deuteronomy. To get a sense of how this went.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Their attitude was appalling. I mean. Think of this. How could you walk through the Red Sea. A wall of water on your right. And your left. And then within days.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Doubt whether God really cares. About you. And loves you. Back in Egypt. They suffered terribly.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
They were beat mercilessly. They were treated like garbage. The Egyptians. Killed their babies. They worked them like dogs.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And after watching God. Pour plague. After plague. On Egypt. Leading them out. Setting them free. Here they are.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
So ungrateful. They accuse God. They accuse God. Of bringing them out into the wilderness. Just to kill them. As if he was some kind of.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Sick. Malicious tyrant. Who just gets kicks. Out of making people suffer. God gave them commands. At Mount Sinai.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Some of you know the story. Of the Ten Commandments. God spoke out of the fire. On the mountain. To the whole nation. His ten words. And what did the Israelites do? They disobeyed them.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
He told them. You shall have no other gods. Before me. You shall not make for yourself. Any graven images. Of things above. Things.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Down on earth. You shall not bow down. To those kinds of things. And worship them. And what did they do? Within days. They built a golden calf. And they started bowing down.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And worshiping it. While Moses was. Up on the mountain. Meeting with God. And God was so patient. He was so merciful to them.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
At the end of all that. He brought them up. Out of the desert. To the edge of the promised land. He said. It's time to go in. Go. I'll be with you. I'll give you success.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
I will help you. And they refused. To go in. The whole lot of them. Except Joshua and Caleb. Grumbled. And complained. And wailed. If only we had died in Egypt.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Or in this wilderness. Why is the Lord bringing us. To this land. Only to let us fall by the sword. Our wives and our children. Will be taken as plunder.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Wouldn't it be better. For us to go back to Egypt. Yeah. Let's choose a leader. And go back. They had no faith in God. They had no appreciation.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Of his kindness. His goodness. And so God finally said. Enough is enough. With that generation.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And he. Sent them to wander in the wilderness. For 40 years. Until everyone in that generation. Except Joshua and Caleb. Died. They would not be allowed.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
To enter the promised land. And find the rest. From their journey. Through the wilderness. So now. Here in Psalm 95.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
God is saying. To the people. Of a future generation. Do not harden your hearts. As you did at Meribah.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
As you did that day. At Massa. In the wilderness. Where your ancestors. Tested me. They tried me. Though they had seen. What I did. For 40 years.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
I was angry. With that generation. I said. They are a people. Whose hearts. Go astray. And they have not known. My ways. So I declared on oath.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
In my anger. They shall never. Enter my rest. God is calling out. To the people. Of this Psalms day. Don't be.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Like they were. Back then. Don't harden your heart. Towards me. Don't test me. Don't try me. Like they did. And there is a warning.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Baked into all of this. As much as we. Don't like. Those kinds of things. God is saying. You know. How I responded to them. When they were persistent. In their stubborn.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Disobedient. Unbelief. I was angry with them. I punished them. For 40 years. In the desert. I saw to it. That they never got. That rest.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
That they longed for. A place to settle. And call home. In the good land. That I had for them. So. Don't be like them. Do not be hard. In your heart.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Against me. To me. Do not test me. Like they did. Don't try my patience. Like they did. Or you will see. My anger aroused. That's the warning.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
That God is giving here. And so this is what we hear. The psalmist saying. In this part. Of the psalm. Give your ear. Your listening ear.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And your heart. To the Lord. Listen to his voice. With a soft heart. And these words are not just for the Israelites. But for all of us.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Let me ask you. Are you listening. To God's voice. I'm not talking about. Your own inner impressions.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Of what God might be. Saying to you. I mean the things. That we know for sure. That God has said. To all of us. Are you listening.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
To his voice. His words. As you read. This book. Are you reading it. To hear. His voice. His voice. And with what you're hearing.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Are you really listening to him. Is your heart soft. Towards what God is saying. In these pages. Are you willing.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
To be corrected. Even rebuked. By the Lord. In these pages. Are you willing. To change. Are you willing.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
To ask. God. For help. To do some of those. Hard things. That you know. He has called us. To do in here. I invite you.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
To examine yourself. What's your attitude. Towards God. These days. How do you see him.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Is your attitude. Like the Israelites. Are you critical.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Towards him. Critical of his ways. Critical of his intentions. Do you have unbelief. Doubt.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Do you suspect. That he doesn't really love you. Or care about you. Even though. Time and time again.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
He has shown that he does. Is your heart. Soft. And devoted. To the Lord. To Jesus. Or is it going astray.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Is it mostly. Preoccupied. With. Other things. Stuff of earth. Today.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
If only. You would hear. His voice. Do not harden. Your hearts. Like the Israelites. Did. If we fast forward. To the New Testament.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
To the days. After Jesus. Had already come. And gone. The author of Hebrews. Has much to say. About this. Very passage. And I'm not going to spend.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Too much time here. But in Hebrews. Chapter 3. The author of Hebrews. Actually uses. Psalm 95. The second part. To. Exhort.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
To warn. To encourage. The people that he's writing. The letter to. I'll just read. A snippet of it. In verse 7. So as the Holy Spirit. Says. Today.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
If you hear his voice. Do not harden your hearts. As you did. In the rebellion. During the time of testing. In the wilderness. He quotes the whole. Section. From Psalm 95. And then.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
This is what he has to say. At the end of it. Based on that. See to it. Brothers and sisters. That none of you.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Has a sinful. Unbelieving heart. That turns away. From the living God. But encourage. One another. Daily. As long as it is called.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Today. So that none of you. May be hardened. By sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share. In Christ. If indeed. We hold.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Our original conviction. Firmly. To the very end. God. And the author. Hebrews. Goes on. He has way more. To say about that. But. The point.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Here. Is that. We know. Beyond the shadow. Of a doubt. That these words. In Psalm 95. Spoken to Israel. They're for us. Today. As well. God.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Is the same thing. To say to us. Today. Examine your heart. Carefully. Don't let it be. A sinful. Unbelieving heart. That turns away.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
From the living God. Verse 14. We've come to share. In Christ. If indeed. We hold. Our original conviction.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
About him. Firmly. To the very end. Don't let there be. A sinful. Unbelieving heart. In you. That turns away. From Jesus. The Christ. And that conviction.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
That you have come to. Your faith. In him. Maybe you're here. And you realize. My heart. Is hard.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
I am. Very. Much. Wrestling. With doubt. And if that's you. I want to encourage you. Repent. Turn to God.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Humble yourself. Before him. Before Jesus. Turn back to him. If you hear his voice. Calling you. Today. Turn to him.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Call out to him. Soften to him. Listen to him. And the author of Hebrews. Goes on. He says. If you see someone else.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
In our midst. Who has a sinful. And unbelieving heart. That turns away from the living God. What should you do? He says.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Encourage. One another. So that none of you. May be hardened. By sins. Deceitfulness. Every one of us.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Is vulnerable. To temptation. To go down the path. Towards sin. We all hear that. That sin. Voice. Whispering.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
In here. Calling us. To do this. To do that. To go over here. Here. But what sin whispers. Is deceitful. It lies.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
To us. And if we embrace those lies. We can. Become hard. In here. But the encouragement. Of a brother. Or a sister. In the Lord.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Can. Break. Through. That hardness. And enable us. To see. What we've fallen into. Do. So if it's not. Your heart. That's hard. Or gone astray.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Is there somebody. That you know. A believer. Who needs a loving. Gracious. Gentle. Yet firm. Word of encouragement.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
This is the kind of stuff. That we as Christians. Are called. To do. Today. By God. For each other. So that's the. The second part.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Of this psalm. His main point. Give your. Ear. Your. Listening ear. To the Lord. And your heart. To the Lord.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And it's both. Together. Both together. Let's come to the first part. Of this psalm now. Psalm 95. Verse. One.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
We've seen where we shouldn't be. We've seen where Israel was. But now. What are they being called to? Where should they be? Come.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Let us sing for joy. To the Lord. Let us shout aloud. To the rock. Of our salvation. Let us come before him. With thanksgiving. And extol him.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
With music. And song. This is where we should be. The psalmist invites us. He calls us. To worship. The Lord. He tells us to sing.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Joyfully. To him. To give thanks. To extol him. With music. And song. To extol.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
I had to look that up in the dictionary. Just to make sure. It means. To raise up. To lift high. Metaphorically. Speaking. In this context. It means to praise God highly.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Enthusiastically. And we're to do that with music. With song. Which means that the substance of the music.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And the songs that we sing. Should lift God high. Should declare how wonderful. How glorious he is. Should give him that high praise.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And then. Verses three to five. Are the reasons why. We should praise God like this. With song and music. And shouts of thanksgiving. He says.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
I'll just read it again. Let us come before him. With the thanksgiving. And extol him. With music and song. For the Lord. Is the great God. The great king.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Above all gods. So we should worship God. In this way. Music. Song. Thanksgiving. Because look at who he is. He's the great God.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
The great king. Above all gods. The Lord is. The supreme. Power. The greatest being. He rules. As king over all.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And especially. Over all the. Gods. Of the nations. And religions. Of our world. None of them. Can compare to him. Let's just have one quick example.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Think back to how. The gods of Egypt. Fared against the Lord. When the Israelites. Were slaves there. God sent plague.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
After plague. On the Egyptians. And utterly decimated. Their land. Showing that their religion. Was worthless. One of my favorite plagues.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
That God sent on Egypt. Was three days. Of pitch black darkness. Over the whole. Land of Egypt. Except. The region of Goshen.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Where the. His people lived. There it was day. Just like. It usually is. During the daytime. And. And why do I like that? Because the most powerful. God.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Of Egypt. Was Ra. The God of the sun. It's as if. The Lord was saying. No.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
The sun listens. To me. I command the sun. To shine. Here. Or there. Or not. God. God is supreme. He reigns as king.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Above all the. So called gods. Of the nations. And religions. And the Bible is full of examples like this. I could come up with a whole bunch more.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
But you get the point. He is worthy of our worship. Because. He is the great God. He is the king above all gods. He is the almighty. So he is worthy of our songs.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Our exalting music. And there's more. Verse 4. In his hand. Are the depths. Of the earth.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And the mountain peaks. Belong to him. The sea is his. For he made it. And his hands formed. The dry land. So God is worthy of our worship.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Also. Another reason. Because he made the earth. Earth. In its various. Parts. He is worthy of our worship. Because these things on earth.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
That to us. Compared to us. They are great. They are deep. They are high. Compared to him. They are nothing. He made that. That is just the work of his hands. And I love this.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
In verse 4. I mean. Have you. How many of you have ever been to the ocean? Okay. If you haven't been to the ocean. Imagine you're there at the ocean. How much water.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Can you scoop up. Into your two hands. In God's hands. It says. Are the depths. Of the earth.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
It's poetic. But the point is. God could hold. All of the water. Of the deepest oceans. In his hands. If he wanted to. That's how great he is.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
In comparison to this. Earth. That he has made. Or what about the mountains? I love driving. Out west. And going through the Rockies. Those Rockies.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
They're so majestic. Massive. You could climb all day. And still not get to the top. Of the tallest peaks. Those massive mountains.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Are gods. The mountain peaks. Belong to him. They're his. They're part of the. Dry land. That God formed long ago.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
So this massive. Beautiful earth. With its depths. With its heights. Is nothing. Compared to the God. Who made it. Everest. Is like a little.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Bump in the sand. That he. Patted down. And formed. With his. Hands in his sandbox. The oceans. Are like a scoop of water. That he. Dumped down. Into their places.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
The continents. They're like. Those little mounds. That he shaped. With his hands. On the beach. The seas. The little puddles. That he's. Poured in. Beside them.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
This earth. And all its beauty. It still. Puts awe. In the hearts. Of all people. Believer or not. God. God is worthy.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Of our worship. Because he made it. Compared to it. He is. Far greater. And all of it. Belongs to him. It's his. And so.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Again. The psalmist. Calls us to worship. In verse six. He says. Come. Let us. Bow down. In worship. Let us. Kneel. Before the Lord.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Our maker. So not just the singing. And the music. Is he worthy of. But full out. Worship. He's so great. So worthy. That it's good. It's right.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
For us. To bow down. On our faces. On the ground. Before him. To kneel. Before him. And he just goes on. There's more reasons.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
We don't have time for that. In verse seven. How he is our. Good and caring shepherd. Just at the end. Of this verse. Let us kneel. Before the Lord. Our maker.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Just think about that. Not only did he make the mountains. And do they belong to him. But you. He made you. You belong to him.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
So what's the psalmist. Telling us through all this. Give your ear. Your listening ear. And your heart.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And your voice. Your singing voice. Your praising voice. And your knee. Your bended knee. Your reverence. To the Lord.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Because he is worthy. Of it. Let's talk about singing. In the last minute or two here.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Because God is worthy. Of our worship. He wants us. To sing. To him. Not ritualistically. But from our hearts.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Says sing for joy. To the Lord. Joy is not something. You just fake. It comes from down in here. In the heart. Songs. Are special.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Music. Has a way of conveying. More than just. Words. And thoughts. And ideas. It also. Conveys. Conveys. Feelings. And emotions.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
God wants us to use songs. Because he wants us. To express. How we feel. About his glory.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
His goodness. His love. His gifts. Songs from. Our hearts. To his.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And this isn't just an Old Testament. Temple worship thing. We might be tempted to. Oh well. That's the Old Testament. There we got to sing to the Lord. But we're in the New Testament. We have a new covenant.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Well. Singing. Is a new covenant. Church of Jesus Christ. Thing as well. We could go to a few passages. But here's one real real quick. Let the word of Christ. Richly dwell within you.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Colossians 3.16. With all wisdom teaching. And admonishing one another. And with psalms and hymns. And spiritual songs. Singing.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
With thankfulness. In your hearts. To God. We are to be a singing people. A gathered. Worshiping people.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Who sing songs of all kinds. Psalms. Hymns. Spiritual songs. From our hearts. To the Lord. To Jesus. Not because it's tradition. Not because it's just fun.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Or it feels good. But because he is worthy. Of our worship. Of our songs. So that's why we gather. Like this every Sunday.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
This is what it's all about. This is one of the main purposes. Of our gathering. It's to worship the Lord. So this is what the psalmist. Is saying to us. Again.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Give your ear. Your listening ear. And your heart. To the Lord. And along with that. Give your voice. Your singing. Your praising voice.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
And finally give your knee. Your bended knee. Also. To the Lord. He is worthy. He's so worthy of our worship. That yes. Even bowing down on the ground.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Is fitting. Is right. It's quite appropriate. We don't do this enough. We don't have time to talk about.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Whether we should be doing this in church. But at the least. Let's practice. The posture. Of reverence. In every way that we can.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
In the way that we talk about God. To others. Church. His things. In our private moments. Our prayers.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Let's teach our children. Respect. For the Lord. Maybe it's. Kneeling with them. At their bedsides. There's a meaning to that.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
It's because. He is worthy. He is God. Our bodies have language too. So. Let's use them. To show reverence to God. I saw one of you.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Raise hands during worship. That's okay. That's. It's not just a Pentecostal thing. God has given us. Our whole body.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
To use. In worship to him. And it's right. It. It fits. Who he is. He's worthy. Of your ear. He's worthy. Of your heart. He's worthy. Of your voice. He's worthy.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Of your bended knee. Let's pray. Father in heaven. And I pray. And ask that you would.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Do a miracle. In each of our hearts. This morning. That these words. Wouldn't just sit. On the surface. But that they would go. Deep down. Inside. I pray that you would.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Make us soft. Towards you. And that you would. Fill us with that joy. That comes from seeing. And knowing you. That we would. Not need to.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
Manufacture. Any praise. Or worship. But that it would just. Flow out of us. Because we see you. And we know you. Show yourself. To us. In those ways again.
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the
timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that
silently does nothing. #}
We give ourselves to you. In Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.