WEBVTT

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 Welcome to Watermark Community Church. Before you sit down, we turn around and greet somebody and welcome them to the house of the Lord.

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 Okay, after you've greeted at least five people, you can sit down. I'm teasing.

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 Okay, how are you guys doing?

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 Okay, just good? So-so?

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 Hey, if you have been here at any time at all at Watermark, you know that we are on a journey.

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 We talk about being on a journey often. The Bible says that we're all on a journey to different destinations.

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 We're all walking on a path, and we're all not there yet, but we're going someplace.

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 We've been reading the Gospel of Luke. We're in chapter 12.

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 So if we were faster, we'd be in chapter 19, which is today.

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 Today, Jesus is on a journey, and we've said that whenever he sets his face towards Jerusalem, that means one thing, right?

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 What does that mean?

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 The cross.

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 Very good.

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 So that means the cross.

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 So he's saying he's moving towards Jerusalem, and the cross is about bringing us back to God.

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 And today, the passage tells us that when Jesus is walking into the village of Bethany, we're going to study about that later.

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 That's where Lazarus is from.

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 That's where he had the meal with the two sisters, Martha and Mary.

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 Remember the busy one and the one who wants to sit at his feet?

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 He walks over the hill.

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 So if you're in Jerusalem, you're in the middle of Jerusalem.

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 You're looking north.

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 To the east is this Kidron, this valley, and there's a Mount of Olives.

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 And about a mile over that Mount of Olives is the town of Bethany.

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 And so Jesus is approaching Jerusalem, where he's going to get killed, with his disciples and thousands of people who are following him.

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 And we're told in this passage that when he comes over the hill, he's in Bethany.

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 He looks down in Jerusalem, and he starts to cry.

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 Because he realizes how much God loves the people in the city.

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 And he realizes how far the people in the city's hearts are from God.

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 And we're told that he weeps over lost people.

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 We want to be a church that weeps over lost people and thinks about that and remembers what it was like before we knew Christ.

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 And if you're here and you don't know Christ yet, we are so glad that you're here.

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 And our prayer is that you would see him in the community and in the worship and in the word.

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 And that you would come towards him and follow him.

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 So we're told that as Jesus looks over this city and he cries, everyone welcomes him because they're thinking that he's going to change everything right then.

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 And so they come and they lay out all their clothes.

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 Thousands of people lay their clothes.

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 And the hill is very steep and it goes downhill.

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 And they put him on this young donkey, this donkey that's never been ridden before.

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 To enter into Jerusalem to change and make all things new.

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 Now what happens is very interesting because the people gather around him and they have these palm branches.

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 And tradition says that whenever a conqueror entered into a city for a thousand years,

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 the people would line the city and wave these palm branches.

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 So everybody is waving these palm branches and they're crying out to Jesus, save us, save us.

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 Now they have a different type of saving in mind.

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 They are thinking about save us from the Romans, save us from our oppression.

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 But as we know as followers of Christ, we know that his saving is much greater than that.

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 So what I do now is I need the kids' help.

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 So if you're a kiddo, because we're about to dismiss you for kids' class,

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 with all the kids who are like, you know, anybody who's going to run off there,

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 can you come here for one second?

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 Come on, kids.

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 We're going to try something.

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 If you're new here, you know that we thrive in chaos.

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 Okay.

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 So.

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 Hey.

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 Okay.

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 So this is what I need.

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 All the kiddos here.

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 Okay.

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 So I need every kid to get a palm branch.

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 Now you can sit there.

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 Okay.

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 Grab one.

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 Maybe.

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 Christina, can you help me?

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 Just take one.

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 Just take one.

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 Okay.

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 Don't hit anybody.

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 Don't hit anybody.

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 Okay.

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 There you go.

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 We have.

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 There you go.

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 There you go.

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 Okay.

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 Just wait.

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 Patience.

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 Patience.

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 Patience.

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 Lucas.

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 Okay.

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 Okay.

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 Everybody.

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 Here you go, buddy.

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 Okay.

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 Okay.

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 So we have 50.

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 I don't know.

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 I can't see anything.

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 I got all these trees around me.

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 Okay.

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 So kids, this is.

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 Everybody have one?

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 You want one?

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 Here you go.

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 Rachel, can I have one more?

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 Okay.

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 Any more have one?

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 Anybody else?

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 Oh, we got some more over here.

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 Come on.

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 Walk on up.

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 Okay.

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 Here you go.

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 Okay.

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 Everybody get one.

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 Okay.

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 Okay.

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 Kids, watch me.

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 This is what we're going to do.

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 Okay.

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 Hey.

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 Okay.

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 Ready?

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 Wave the palm.

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 Can you say, can you say Hosanna?

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 Hosanna.

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 Louder.

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 Hosanna.

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 Hosanna.

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 You know what Hosanna means?

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 Hosanna means save us or come save us.

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 Okay.

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 So ready?

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 You're going to help us.

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 One, two, three.

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 Hosanna.

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 Oh, come on.

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 No candy afterwards.

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 Okay.

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 Hosanna.

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 Hosanna.

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 Hosanna.

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 Okay.

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 Now I want you to walk out of the house, walk out of the church, and wave your palm branch

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 to everybody, and I want you to yell Hosanna as loud as you can.

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 Okay.

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 Okay.

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 Bye, guys.

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 Also, youth.

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 Youth are dismissed.

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 That Christians of all races and cultures and tribes know and utter.

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 And those two words are hallelujah, which means praise the Lord, and amen or amen.

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 Amen.

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 So today, we're going to think about prayer as praise.

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 And I want us to begin this way.

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 We shout out.

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 Because when the Hebrews worship, they dance, they sing, and they shout.

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 Just like when you go to see the Hong Kong Sevens, when you are cheering for your favorite

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 team, whether it be Hong Kong or whether it be Fiji, whatever.

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 You don't say, come on, Hong Kong.

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 Come on, Fiji.

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 Come on, Hong Kong.

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 Rise up, Fiji, and so on.

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 So we're going to shout and praise God together.

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 And then, after we have said hallelujah three times, we're going to read the scripture reading

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 for today from Psalm 145, which you'll see on your screen.

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 We'll do it in three sections.

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 First section will be there.

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 The second section here.

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 And the third section will be over there.

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 And three of us will get you up and make sure that we read with enthusiasm, with vigor,

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 with energy, and with joy.

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 Amen?

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 Great.

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 So, let's say, let's shout three hallelujahs to the Lord.

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 Ready?

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 Hallelujah!

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 Hallelujah!

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 Hallelujah!

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 Hallelujah!

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 I will praise your name forever and ever.

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 Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever.

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 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise.

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 His greatness no one can fathom.

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 One generation commends your works to another.

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 They tell of your mighty acts.

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 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty.

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 And I will meditate on your wonderful works.

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 They tell the power of your awesome works.

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 And I will proclaim your great deeds.

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 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

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 The Lord is gracious and compassionate.

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 The Lord is gracious and compassionate.

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 Slow to anger and rich in love.

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 The Lord is good to all.

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 The Lord is good to all.

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 He has compassion on all he has made.

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 All your works praise you, Lord.

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 Your faithful people extol you.

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 They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,

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 so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

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 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.

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 And your dominion endures through all generations.

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 The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.

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 The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

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 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.

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 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

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 All right, you ready?

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 Section 3.

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 This is like the south sand in the 7th.

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 Ready?

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 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.

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 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

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 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him.

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 He hears the cry and saves them.

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 The Lord watches over all who love him.

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 But all the wicked he will destroy.

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 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.

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 Let every creature praise his holy name forever and ever.

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 Amen.

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 Please be seated.

00:09:45.040 --> 00:09:45.960
 Good morning.

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 It's great to be back at Watermark.

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 Two nights ago, King Lee and I were invited to a wedding reception at the pier.

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 And we had a tremendous surprise.

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 Guess where we went?

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 It was called the Watermark Restaurant.

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 And I thought, wow, we must have grown.

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 The only disappointment was I didn't see Chef Tobin Miller there with his team.

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 But there was tremendous service.

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 And the fair was excellent.

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 So I thought, maybe here at Watermark, we can have the same kind of atmosphere, ambience.

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 And at the same time, too, we want to have people who really serve, who care, that our service is efficient and personal.

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 And then, of course, to provide spiritual fare, give you a menu that will enrich you and bless you and help you come closer to know and love the living God.

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 Now, our theme for this morning is Hallelujah, Praise in Prayer.

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 Prayer, they say, is a many splendid thing.

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 So is love.

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 But prayer is also like a diamond.

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 Diamond, which is a precious stone, has many facets.

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 And I want to suggest to you that the brightest beam would come from the facet of praise.

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 What is prayer?

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 Most of us define prayer as talking to God, communicating with Him or communing with Him.

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 And so when we find ourselves in danger, facing depression or difficulties, we cry to Him and say, help!

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 In His grace, He listens to us.

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 He reaches out to us.

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 And there are the times when we are praying for other people.

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 Maybe our son or daughter is going through a tough time at school.

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 And they're having exams.

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 My, there's so much fright and nervousness.

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 So we begin to pray for our children or to pray for a loved one who may be going for a critical interview.

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 We call that intercessory prayer.

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 And God delights often to hear those prayers.

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 But then there are also sometimes prayers of thanksgiving.

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 Maybe we've been promoted.

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 Maybe we've had a fantastic vacation.

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 And therefore, we want to say, thank you, Lord.

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 Thank you, Lord.

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 But other times, when we have been convicted of our sinfulness, when our consciences smite us,

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 we come to God and we say, God, we are truly sorry.

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 Then God in His grace forgives us.

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 And someone says, it's the joy of being wrong.

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 The joy of being wrong.

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 When we say we are sorry, we know that God loves those with a humble and contrite heart.

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 And He will forgive and He will restore.

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 That's prayer.

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 The prayer of confession.

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 But when we praise God, our concentration, our focus is not on ourselves, our environment, or other people.

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 It is on the living God Himself.

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 Prayer, as it were, raises us, lifts us up to see the God.

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 The God who created the entire universe, the heavens and the earth.

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 The God who has revealed Himself.

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 The God who wants us to know Him.

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 And we begin to worship Him.

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 Want to spend time with Him.

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 Many years ago, I think it was in the year 1970,

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 when our youngest son, Steve, was only about three years old.

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 And I was working in my office preparing a sermon on a Saturday afternoon.

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 That's when most pastors try to work on a sermon.

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 And he came knocking at my door.

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 And I thought, oh, I must finish this message.

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 Otherwise, I'll be very worried because tomorrow I have to preach that particular word.

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 And I thought, well, Steve just simply wants me to wrestle with him.

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 Or to play with him.

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 Play football with him.

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 And I was preparing excuses as to why I can't spend time with him.

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 Then I said, Steve, what do you really want?

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 And he says, Papa, Dad, I just want to be with you.

00:14:05.579 --> 00:14:07.240
 And that melted my heart.

00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:09.639
 All my excuses flew to the window.

00:14:10.079 --> 00:14:11.840
 Just rush out to hug him.

00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:14.439
 Now, when we praise God, it's like that.

00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:16.740
 God is saying, all right, I'll down all tools.

00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:18.539
 I just want to be with you.

00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:23.459
 And I'm so glad and delighted that you are enjoying me.

00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:26.400
 So prayer is that way.

00:14:26.400 --> 00:14:30.740
 And when we say hallelujah, we're saying praise the Lord.

00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:36.400
 Now, our pastor, Tobin, is a fantastic reader in case you don't know much about him.

00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:40.400
 He would send to us staff members all kinds of wonderful articles.

00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:46.059
 And recently, when we were in London, I had to read up something that he sent us from Tim Keller,

00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:48.100
 a book that's not been published yet.

00:14:48.699 --> 00:14:53.379
 And Tim Keller, and some of us have been looking at his study guides, Gospel in Life,

00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:58.919
 he was trying to distinguish between Christians who are driven by religion

00:14:58.919 --> 00:15:04.879
 and those who are driven by the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ.

00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:10.959
 And so in this paper, he says, if you are driven by religion, this is what happens.

00:15:10.959 --> 00:15:15.559
 My prayer life, quote, consists largely of petition.

00:15:16.299 --> 00:15:19.459
 It only heats up when I'm in a time of need.

00:15:19.979 --> 00:15:26.219
 My purpose in prayer is to control the environment, things, and people.

00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:31.120
 But on the other hand, if we are gospel-centered believers,

00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:36.600
 then my prayer life consists of, and I love these words,

00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:41.320
 generous stretches of praise and adoration.

00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:46.960
 My main purpose is fellowship with Him.

00:15:47.340 --> 00:15:51.139
 I seek God for Himself, not because I want Him to bless me,

00:15:51.420 --> 00:15:55.000
 wonderful though that be, or to give things to me and to my friends.

00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:58.220
 It's not just needy, though we are and they are,

00:15:58.679 --> 00:16:03.179
 but it's because when we praise, we enter into God's presence,

00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:05.600
 we magnify Him, we lift Him up.

00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:09.580
 Now some of us are very familiar with a very famous catechism,

00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:12.220
 the Westminster Shorter Catechism of Faith.

00:16:12.820 --> 00:16:15.120
 And the question that's asked, the first question is,

00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:21.019
 what is the chief purpose of man, the chief end of man?

00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:28.679
 Answer, the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.

00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:33.480
 In a word, the reason why you and I exist,

00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:36.480
 the reason why God saved us for Himself,

00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:40.279
 is that in order that we can magnify Him,

00:16:40.699 --> 00:16:42.360
 that we can praise Him,

00:16:43.319 --> 00:16:44.759
 that we can enjoy Him forever.

00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:47.759
 Because praise is not just for Sunday worship,

00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:51.740
 not even in a daily living, but it's for eternity.

00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:53.580
 Because when we go to heaven,

00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:56.120
 heaven is a place full of praises.

00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:58.480
 And right here on planet Earth,

00:16:58.819 --> 00:17:00.360
 God wants us to praise Him.

00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.419
 John Piper,

00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:05.259
 some of us read his wonderful books,

00:17:05.359 --> 00:17:07.579
 he calls himself a Christian hedonist,

00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:09.720
 speaks of the enjoyment,

00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:11.339
 the pleasure of knowing God.

00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:12.299
 And he says,

00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:16.359
 worship is basically adoration.

00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:20.779
 And we adore what delights us.

00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:23.500
 And I like this phrase, this sentence.

00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:28.699
 There is no such thing as sad adoration

00:17:28.699 --> 00:17:31.599
 or unhappy praise.

00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:35.299
 So when we are praising God,

00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:37.039
 we cannot be sad.

00:17:37.639 --> 00:17:40.019
 We might be sad in terms of our moods or our feelings,

00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:42.059
 but once we start praising God,

00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:44.440
 our perspective will change,

00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:45.779
 change dramatically.

00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:49.319
 And one of my prayers working here at Watermark

00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:51.900
 is that our church will become

00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:53.920
 a Hallelujah people community,

00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:56.460
 that we will learn to praise God.

00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:58.200
 Because when we praise God,

00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:59.759
 there is joy in our hearts,

00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:01.099
 a smile on our faces,

00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:03.440
 and many people will come and say,

00:18:03.639 --> 00:18:06.019
 hey, what have you got that I haven't got?

00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:08.779
 And when we praise God,

00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:11.519
 we will be like a magnet drawing people

00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:13.299
 to the living God himself.

00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:15.480
 Now today we are going to look at a psalm.

00:18:15.879 --> 00:18:17.200
 It is Psalm 145,

00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:19.059
 which we have read earlier on.

00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:22.420
 So turn with me to your Bibles or click.

00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.980
 It is a new word I learned at Watermark.

00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:27.619
 Click to your iPad or iPhone

00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:31.099
 to Psalm 145.

00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:34.339
 This is a psalm of praise.

00:18:35.219 --> 00:18:37.159
 The book of Psalms, the Psalter,

00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:39.719
 has praise from the beginning

00:18:39.719 --> 00:18:42.559
 and right through the very end.

00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:44.819
 And this psalm, Psalm 145,

00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:46.839
 is an acrostic psalm.

00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:47.859
 In other words,

00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:50.539
 every verse begins with one letter

00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:52.679
 of the Hebrew alphabet.

00:18:53.299 --> 00:18:55.139
 Now alphabet is from the Greek word

00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:56.099
 alpha-beta.

00:18:56.399 --> 00:18:57.119
 We call it alphabet.

00:18:57.119 --> 00:19:00.019
 But this one you may call elefbeth.

00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:03.940
 And the Jewish alphabet has 22 letters.

00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:06.740
 So there are, as it were, 22 verses.

00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:09.420
 One was left out by the translators,

00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:10.839
 the King James people,

00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:13.099
 which I will point out to you later.

00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:15.000
 And in these verses,

00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:17.900
 we have the psalmist

00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:21.680
 exhorting, encouraging people

00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:23.019
 to praise God.

00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:25.480
 And in the reading we had today,

00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:28.519
 we have the three major points about praise.

00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:31.200
 First of all,

00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:34.200
 praise is eternal.

00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:36.119
 Praise is eternal.

00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:36.900
 Verse 1,

00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:39.579
 I will exalt you, my God the King,

00:19:39.879 --> 00:19:41.200
 I will praise your name

00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:44.200
 forever and ever.

00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:46.619
 So from verse 1 through verse 7,

00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:49.379
 we see that praise is eternal.

00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:51.119
 And the second verse says,

00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.039
 every day,

00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:53.879
 I will praise you

00:19:53.879 --> 00:19:55.779
 and extol your name

00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:59.779
 forever and ever.

00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:04.159
 So there is this eternal dimension

00:20:04.159 --> 00:20:06.139
 in praise.

00:20:06.379 --> 00:20:06.659
 Why?

00:20:07.239 --> 00:20:09.279
 Because of God.

00:20:09.379 --> 00:20:10.079
 Who is God?

00:20:10.179 --> 00:20:10.619
 Verse 1,

00:20:10.719 --> 00:20:11.839
 I will exalt you,

00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:13.259
 I will lift you high,

00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:15.099
 my God the King.

00:20:15.719 --> 00:20:18.319
 God is no mere godling,

00:20:18.479 --> 00:20:19.239
 small God.

00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:21.420
 He is the sovereign ruler

00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:22.420
 of the universe.

00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:24.500
 He is the majestic king.

00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:26.380
 Now I live in London

00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:28.559
 and Buckingham Palace

00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:30.420
 is just about a mile and a quarter

00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:31.660
 from where we live.

00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:32.720
 But when you go

00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.559
 and have an audience

00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.180
 with the queen,

00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:35.880
 you suddenly realize

00:20:35.880 --> 00:20:36.539
 that you are coming

00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:38.099
 before a person

00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:40.140
 of tremendous dignity

00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:41.160
 and honor.

00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:42.480
 You can't just rush

00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.400
 into her presence

00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:44.079
 and say,

00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:44.980
 hi there, queenie.

00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:45.940
 You can't do that.

00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:47.160
 You must know

00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:48.120
 how to address her.

00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:49.099
 If you are a lady,

00:20:49.239 --> 00:20:49.959
 to curtsy,

00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.799
 which I can't do.

00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:51.899
 Or a man,

00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.959
 to say hi ma'am.

00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:53.500
 Good,

00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:54.719
 and so on.

00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:57.139
 And so it is with God.

00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.179
 When we come

00:20:58.179 --> 00:20:58.859
 into His presence,

00:20:58.919 --> 00:20:59.479
 what do we do?

00:20:59.819 --> 00:21:00.879
 Tell Him all our needs?

00:21:01.179 --> 00:21:02.079
 Bring all our requests

00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:02.459
 to Him?

00:21:02.739 --> 00:21:03.259
 No, no.

00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:04.919
 It begins with praise.

00:21:05.459 --> 00:21:07.539
 I will praise your name

00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.839
 forever and ever.

00:21:09.219 --> 00:21:10.719
 I will extol your name

00:21:10.719 --> 00:21:11.879
 forever and ever.

00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:15.480
 But praise is not just

00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.640
 reserved for eternity

00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:17.960
 when we get to the very

00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:19.140
 courts of heaven.

00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:20.900
 It's every day.

00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:23.120
 Every day.

00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:25.520
 I will praise you.

00:21:25.860 --> 00:21:26.980
 Will you turn to your neighbor

00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:27.480
 and say,

00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:28.940
 you have to praise God

00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:29.540
 every day.

00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:30.700
 Just turn to your neighbor

00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:31.280
 and say that.

00:21:35.280 --> 00:21:36.160
 Every day.

00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:37.420
 Every day.

00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:39.380
 I will praise you.

00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.300
 We don't praise God

00:21:41.300 --> 00:21:42.340
 simply when we come

00:21:42.340 --> 00:21:43.400
 to a worship service.

00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:45.100
 But every day,

00:21:45.580 --> 00:21:46.300
 the different moments

00:21:46.300 --> 00:21:46.960
 of our life,

00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:48.640
 we really want to

00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:50.060
 center on God.

00:21:50.300 --> 00:21:51.300
 We want to celebrate

00:21:51.300 --> 00:21:52.600
 His worthiness.

00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:53.620
 Yes, Lord.

00:21:53.800 --> 00:21:55.200
 We just want to adore you.

00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.279
 You are so great.

00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.620
 You are so wonderful.

00:21:58.060 --> 00:21:58.840
 So every day,

00:21:58.980 --> 00:21:59.660
 we praise Him.

00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.940
 And then the psalmist

00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:01.700
 also realizes

00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:02.500
 that he cannot

00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:04.320
 live on earth forever.

00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:06.740
 The Hebrew idea

00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.720
 was three score

00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:09.259
 and ten years

00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:11.200
 is sort of the maximum

00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:12.319
 in those days.

00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.700
 But he's saying,

00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:15.299
 I want to see

00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:16.799
 praise continuing.

00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.220
 How does it continue?

00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.819
 And if you look at

00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:23.819
 the fourth verse,

00:22:23.900 --> 00:22:24.160
 it says,

00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:25.339
 one generation

00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:26.680
 will commend

00:22:26.680 --> 00:22:27.819
 your works to another.

00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:29.160
 They will tell

00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:30.480
 of your mighty acts.

00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:31.620
 And in verse 3,

00:22:31.620 --> 00:22:32.680
 because you are so great,

00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:34.940
 so worthy of praise,

00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:35.819
 what happens?

00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:36.819
 I want to see

00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:38.059
 every generation.

00:22:38.419 --> 00:22:39.299
 This is the legacy

00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:40.740
 that I'm passing on

00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.679
 to my children,

00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:42.779
 to my grandchildren,

00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.859
 great-grandchildren,

00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:45.399
 that every generation

00:22:45.399 --> 00:22:47.200
 would know how to extol,

00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.339
 exalt

00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:49.879
 God Himself.

00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:50.879
 One generation

00:22:50.879 --> 00:22:51.980
 will commend

00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:53.379
 your works to another.

00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:54.539
 They will tell

00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:56.000
 of your mighty acts.

00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:56.960
 It is said

00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:58.519
 by scholars

00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:58.899
 that

00:22:58.899 --> 00:23:00.519
 the Exodus event,

00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:01.039
 when God

00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:02.379
 rescued His people

00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:03.120
 from Egypt,

00:23:05.120 --> 00:23:06.240
 the parents

00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:07.440
 were to tell them

00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.920
 of God's mighty acts.

00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.080
 And someone,

00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.060
 a theologian,

00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:11.620
 called this

00:23:11.620 --> 00:23:12.400
 the theology

00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:13.940
 of recital.

00:23:14.580 --> 00:23:15.320
 You recite,

00:23:15.620 --> 00:23:16.380
 you rehearse,

00:23:16.600 --> 00:23:17.340
 you talk of

00:23:17.340 --> 00:23:18.980
 the mighty actions

00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:19.540
 of God

00:23:19.540 --> 00:23:20.520
 in history.

00:23:21.080 --> 00:23:21.500
 And so,

00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:22.720
 we want to ensure

00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:24.060
 that every generation

00:23:24.060 --> 00:23:25.680
 knows about

00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.440
 this great

00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.460
 and mighty God

00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.380
 and they will

00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:30.180
 commend His works.

00:23:30.420 --> 00:23:30.900
 Verse 5,

00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:31.559
 they will speak

00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:33.259
 of the glorious splendor

00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.320
 of His majesty

00:23:34.320 --> 00:23:35.840
 and that I

00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:36.660
 will meditate

00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:38.059
 on your wonderful works.

00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.660
 And this generation

00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:40.400
 will go on

00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:41.740
 telling of the power

00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:43.240
 of your awesome works

00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:44.680
 and I will proclaim

00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.840
 your great deeds.

00:23:46.080 --> 00:23:47.240
 And they will celebrate

00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:48.519
 your abundant goodness

00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:50.259
 and joyfully sing

00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.600
 of your righteousness.

00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:53.820
 Some of you know

00:23:53.820 --> 00:23:55.100
 that Kingling and I

00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:55.840
 are grandparents.

00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:57.119
 we have 10 grandchildren.

00:23:58.919 --> 00:23:59.379
 Now, of course,

00:23:59.459 --> 00:24:00.279
 our three sons

00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:01.199
 love Jesus

00:24:01.199 --> 00:24:02.819
 and are very committed

00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.319
 to Him.

00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:04.459
 But to me,

00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:05.220
 one of the most

00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:06.799
 lovely experiences

00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.879
 is to see

00:24:07.879 --> 00:24:08.740
 our grandchildren

00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.679
 praising God.

00:24:10.459 --> 00:24:11.759
 This loving Jesus.

00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.139
 And for us,

00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.699
 it's a sheer delight

00:24:14.699 --> 00:24:15.799
 because we want

00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:17.099
 every generation

00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:18.119
 to know

00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:20.379
 and to practice

00:24:20.379 --> 00:24:21.279
 and rehearse

00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.319
 the praises

00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:24.199
 of Almighty God Himself.

00:24:24.199 --> 00:24:24.699
 So,

00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:25.819
 praise,

00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:26.759
 is eternal.

00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.220
 The second thing

00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:28.759
 that we learn

00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.399
 about praise

00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:29.879
 is this.

00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:30.759
 Praise

00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:32.459
 is universal.

00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.439
 Praise

00:24:33.439 --> 00:24:34.579
 is universal.

00:24:34.959 --> 00:24:35.740
 And we find this

00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.679
 from verse 8

00:24:36.679 --> 00:24:39.179
 through verse 13.

00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:40.579
 Praise

00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.799
 is universal.

00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:43.199
 Verse 8 begins

00:24:43.199 --> 00:24:43.959
 with a statement.

00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:53.700
 Many years before that,

00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:56.140
 Moses had an encounter,

00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:57.480
 a rendezvous with God.

00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:00.340
 And then God revealed Himself

00:25:00.340 --> 00:25:01.340
 to Moses.

00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:02.279
 Moses was hiding

00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:03.880
 in the cleft of a rock.

00:25:04.840 --> 00:25:05.740
 And God declared

00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:07.059
 that He is Yahweh,

00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:08.099
 the Lord,

00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:14.319
 loving and compassionate,

00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:16.980
 will not be angry forever.

00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:17.579
 And here,

00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.160
 the psalmist

00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.059
 repeat

00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:20.120
 that description

00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:21.960
 of God Himself

00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.880
 in that particular verse.

00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:24.360
 Verse 8,

00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.220
 the Lord is gracious

00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.420
 and compassionate,

00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:28.000
 slow to anger

00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:30.539
 and rich in love.

00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:33.440
 His love is inexhaustible.

00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:35.019
 The more you know

00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:36.340
 of God's love

00:25:36.340 --> 00:25:37.799
 in Christ Jesus,

00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:39.220
 in creation,

00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:39.980
 in redemption,

00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:41.180
 you discover

00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:43.019
 that we are worshipping

00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.819
 a God

00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:45.720
 who lavishes

00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:47.380
 His kindness,

00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.200
 His goodness

00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:49.120
 towards us.

00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.100
 His love

00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:51.240
 is rich.

00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.660
 And because of that,

00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.420
 what happens?

00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.620
 Verse 9,

00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:56.799
 the Lord,

00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:57.519
 I want you to note

00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:58.319
 the word all

00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:59.340
 or every.

00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:00.840
 The Lord is good

00:26:00.840 --> 00:26:01.259
 to whom?

00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:02.500
 Just a few people?

00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:05.720
 To an elite few?

00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:06.880
 Not at all.

00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:07.680
 He says,

00:26:07.860 --> 00:26:08.500
 the Lord

00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.920
 is good

00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:11.680
 to all.

00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.279
 His compassion

00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:14.580
 is on all

00:26:14.580 --> 00:26:15.880
 that He has made.

00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:16.900
 Every creature,

00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:17.700
 everyone

00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.759
 is included.

00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.240
 And all

00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.940
 you have made

00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:24.100
 will praise you,

00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:24.980
 O Lord.

00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:26.279
 Your saints

00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.960
 will extol you.

00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:29.279
 Then in verse 21,

00:26:30.360 --> 00:26:31.380
 my mouth would speak

00:26:31.380 --> 00:26:32.580
 in praise of the Lord.

00:26:32.840 --> 00:26:34.480
 Let every creature,

00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:35.279
 every,

00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.440
 every creature

00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:38.519
 praise His holy name

00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:40.080
 forever and ever.

00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:41.160
 And there you have

00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:44.180
 the sense of praise

00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:44.980
 being eternal

00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:46.880
 and praise being universal,

00:26:46.880 --> 00:26:48.780
 coming together.

00:26:48.780 --> 00:26:49.420
 So,

00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:51.540
 praise is universal.

00:26:52.080 --> 00:26:52.440
 Everyone,

00:26:53.040 --> 00:26:54.320
 God is good to all.

00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:55.980
 His compassion on all

00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:57.380
 and all His works

00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:58.220
 will praise Him.

00:26:58.660 --> 00:26:59.400
 Every creature

00:26:59.400 --> 00:27:01.360
 will praise His holy name.

00:27:02.100 --> 00:27:02.860
 And earlier on,

00:27:03.300 --> 00:27:03.840
 we've sung

00:27:03.840 --> 00:27:05.500
 the lovely hymn

00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.800
 ascribed to

00:27:06.800 --> 00:27:08.600
 St. Francis of Assisi,

00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:09.740
 all creatures

00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:11.079
 of our God

00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.659
 and King.

00:27:11.659 --> 00:27:13.359
 Lift up our voice

00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:14.459
 and let us sing.

00:27:14.659 --> 00:27:14.959
 Oh,

00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:15.719
 praise Him.

00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.319
 Oh,

00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.139
 praise Him.

00:27:17.419 --> 00:27:17.819
 Hallelujah.

00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:18.899
 Hallelujah.

00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.279
 Then,

00:27:20.419 --> 00:27:22.419
 Matt Redman's song,

00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.599
 everything that,

00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:25.099
 everything that has breath,

00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.379
 praise the Lord.

00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:27.740
 Praise the Lord.

00:27:28.119 --> 00:27:28.719
 Old hymns,

00:27:28.959 --> 00:27:29.619
 new songs,

00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.299
 center on God.

00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.119
 There are songs,

00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:32.779
 hymns,

00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:33.879
 of praise to Him.

00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:34.400
 Or,

00:27:34.800 --> 00:27:36.240
 in Psalm 98,

00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:38.020
 the psalmist

00:27:38.020 --> 00:27:38.960
 is very eager

00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.840
 to show

00:27:39.840 --> 00:27:41.120
 that when we praise God,

00:27:41.600 --> 00:27:43.040
 not only human beings,

00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.240
 not only those

00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.560
 who profess to love Him,

00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:47.240
 but all of nature

00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:48.420
 resound,

00:27:48.900 --> 00:27:49.280
 echo

00:27:49.280 --> 00:27:50.440
 to His praise.

00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:51.680
 Verse 7

00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.580
 of Psalm 98,

00:27:52.780 --> 00:27:54.040
 let the sea resound

00:27:54.040 --> 00:27:55.580
 and everything in it,

00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:56.520
 all the oceans,

00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:57.040
 Atlantic,

00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:57.900
 Pacific,

00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:58.940
 Indian Ocean,

00:27:59.520 --> 00:28:00.460
 South China Sea,

00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:01.440
 resound.

00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:03.180
 And the world

00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:04.420
 and all who live in it,

00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:05.000
 universal,

00:28:05.340 --> 00:28:05.779
 the world,

00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.980
 all who live in it,

00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.059
 let the rivers

00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:09.180
 clap their hands.

00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:11.259
 We know rivers have no hands,

00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:14.000
 but in this striking metaphor,

00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:15.200
 even the rivers

00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.580
 can rejoice

00:28:16.580 --> 00:28:17.860
 and let the mountains

00:28:17.860 --> 00:28:19.059
 sing together.

00:28:19.600 --> 00:28:22.120
 Let all the Himalayas,

00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:24.019
 the Chains,

00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:24.860
 the Andes,

00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.660
 the Rockies,

00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:26.720
 the Alps,

00:28:27.120 --> 00:28:28.480
 every mountain range

00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:29.700
 sing together

00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:30.600
 for joy.

00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.519
 Let them sing

00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.819
 before the Lord.

00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.779
 So here we have

00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:37.399
 praise as being universal

00:28:37.399 --> 00:28:38.839
 because God made

00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:39.799
 the whole universe

00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:41.619
 and all His creation,

00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.659
 both the redeemed

00:28:42.659 --> 00:28:43.579
 and those whom

00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:44.319
 He had created,

00:28:44.679 --> 00:28:45.959
 including the world

00:28:45.959 --> 00:28:46.679
 of the animals,

00:28:46.919 --> 00:28:47.439
 the fish,

00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.359
 the birds,

00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:50.919
 and also nature itself

00:28:50.919 --> 00:28:51.919
 with the trees

00:28:51.919 --> 00:28:53.219
 and with the mountains

00:28:53.219 --> 00:28:54.240
 and the seas,

00:28:54.579 --> 00:28:56.459
 all are meant

00:28:56.459 --> 00:28:57.599
 to praise God.

00:28:57.599 --> 00:29:00.899
 So praise is universal.

00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:02.519
 And then as we go back

00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:04.319
 to Psalm 45,

00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.159
 the saints,

00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:06.879
 verse 10,

00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:08.039
 will extol you.

00:29:08.619 --> 00:29:09.399
 Who are the saints?

00:29:10.719 --> 00:29:13.679
 They are God's chosen people.

00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:15.859
 God would pick them out

00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:17.299
 from the masses of the world

00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:19.259
 and brought them to know Him,

00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.299
 to love Him.

00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:22.659
 And we who know

00:29:22.659 --> 00:29:23.480
 and love God

00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:24.299
 in Christ Jesus,

00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.720
 we are the saints.

00:29:27.139 --> 00:29:28.759
 And we are set apart

00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:30.639
 to praise Him.

00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.940
 And what do we do?

00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:33.619
 How do we praise God?

00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:34.980
 Well, verse 11,

00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:36.140
 they will tell

00:29:36.140 --> 00:29:37.360
 of the glory

00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:38.360
 of your kingdom

00:29:38.360 --> 00:29:40.039
 and speak of your might

00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:41.380
 so that all men

00:29:41.380 --> 00:29:42.759
 may know your mighty acts

00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:44.519
 and the glorious splendor

00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:45.720
 of your kingdom.

00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.120
 Now, last week,

00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:48.079
 Mike preached

00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.900
 a wonderful sermon

00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:50.640
 about kingdom and prayer.

00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:51.860
 It talks about

00:29:51.860 --> 00:29:52.799
 the reign of God,

00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.519
 the rule of God.

00:29:54.839 --> 00:29:55.339
 And here,

00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:56.279
 we want to speak

00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:57.180
 about the kingdom.

00:29:57.920 --> 00:29:58.599
 God's kingdom

00:29:58.599 --> 00:29:59.960
 is not just

00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:00.920
 a Jewish kingdom,

00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:03.279
 not even a Christian kingdom,

00:30:03.360 --> 00:30:04.700
 if I dare say that.

00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:07.220
 It is a realm

00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:09.220
 that extends

00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:10.120
 throughout the world

00:30:10.120 --> 00:30:12.200
 where people will come

00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:12.799
 to confess

00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:14.079
 that Jesus is Lord

00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:15.319
 to God's glory.

00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.299
 They will accept

00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:17.079
 His Lordship

00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:18.380
 and His kingship.

00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.079
 They will talk

00:30:19.079 --> 00:30:19.779
 of His kingdom,

00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:20.940
 the kingdom

00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:22.660
 where Jesus is central,

00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:23.860
 the kingdom

00:30:23.860 --> 00:30:25.420
 with its values,

00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:27.079
 the values of love,

00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.519
 of forgiving our enemies,

00:30:28.900 --> 00:30:30.279
 the values of acceptance,

00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.620
 the value of

00:30:31.620 --> 00:30:33.299
 even turning the other cheek,

00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.799
 walking the second mile,

00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:36.559
 they will speak

00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.380
 of the glory

00:30:37.380 --> 00:30:37.940
 of the kingdom

00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:39.299
 and of His might

00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:40.279
 so that,

00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:42.160
 here's the universal theme again,

00:30:42.660 --> 00:30:45.039
 all men and women

00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:46.240
 may know

00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:47.480
 of your mighty acts

00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:49.180
 and the glorious splendor

00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:50.259
 of your kingdom.

00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:52.180
 So what God is doing

00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:52.539
 is this,

00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:55.640
 right in the created world,

00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:57.980
 God calls out people,

00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:59.000
 we are members

00:30:59.000 --> 00:31:00.039
 of His kingdom,

00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:02.519
 and in this kingdom,

00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:04.659
 we demonstrate

00:31:04.659 --> 00:31:06.180
 the goodness

00:31:06.180 --> 00:31:07.599
 and the greatness

00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.680
 of God

00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:09.980
 and this kingdom

00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:10.940
 is forever.

00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:12.599
 Your kingdom come,

00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:13.859
 your will be done.

00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:15.879
 For thine is the kingdom,

00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:17.200
 the power,

00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.359
 and the glory

00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:20.379
 forever and ever.

00:31:20.639 --> 00:31:21.000
 Get it?

00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.740
 So there's this

00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.500
 global,

00:31:24.139 --> 00:31:25.039
 universal sense

00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:26.279
 and this kingdom

00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:27.079
 is supposed to

00:31:27.079 --> 00:31:29.700
 permeate all of human life

00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:31.119
 that people may come

00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:33.259
 to know this great king,

00:31:33.379 --> 00:31:34.940
 the king that we worship

00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:36.700
 and love.

00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:37.819
 So remember,

00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:39.920
 our God is not a godling,

00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:40.819
 a small God.

00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:42.799
 He is the universal God.

00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:44.740
 He has created the universe.

00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:46.039
 He's Lord of the universe

00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:48.279
 and we bow before Him

00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:49.519
 in praise

00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:51.420
 and in worship.

00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:53.619
 Praise is eternal.

00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:56.319
 Praise is universal.

00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:57.859
 And then thirdly,

00:31:58.460 --> 00:32:00.639
 praise is experiential.

00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:01.680
 You'll find this

00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:03.519
 from verse 13,

00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.319
 the second part,

00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:06.180
 until the end

00:32:06.180 --> 00:32:07.759
 of this particular psalm

00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:09.359
 in verse 21.

00:32:09.599 --> 00:32:11.920
 Praise is experiential.

00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.659
 God's mighty acts

00:32:14.660 --> 00:32:18.160
 is not only

00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:19.460
 etched

00:32:19.460 --> 00:32:20.940
 in ancient history.

00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:23.519
 It is engraved

00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:27.220
 in everyday experience,

00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:28.480
 both for the Christian

00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:30.540
 as well as for the church.

00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:32.640
 Because when we praise God,

00:32:32.900 --> 00:32:33.120
 yeah,

00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:33.980
 we can praise Him

00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:35.480
 for all that is past,

00:32:35.800 --> 00:32:37.660
 but we should be praising Him

00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:39.380
 for all that is to come.

00:32:40.040 --> 00:32:40.300
 Now,

00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:41.779
 in the church

00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.540
 that I used to pastor

00:32:42.540 --> 00:32:43.060
 in London,

00:32:43.620 --> 00:32:44.420
 when we get people

00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:45.519
 to give testimonies,

00:32:45.620 --> 00:32:46.080
 I always say,

00:32:46.140 --> 00:32:46.360
 no,

00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.620
 I'm not interested,

00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:48.580
 not now,

00:32:49.080 --> 00:32:50.360
 in listening to

00:32:50.360 --> 00:32:52.420
 the testimonies

00:32:52.420 --> 00:32:53.000
 that you had

00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:53.820
 10,

00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:54.400
 15,

00:32:54.560 --> 00:32:55.460
 20 years ago

00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.759
 of how you got saved

00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:57.320
 and so on.

00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:58.259
 Wonderful though

00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:59.960
 that may be,

00:33:00.120 --> 00:33:00.720
 but I want to know

00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:02.039
 what God has been doing

00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:02.740
 for you

00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:03.580
 personally

00:33:03.580 --> 00:33:04.800
 in the last week,

00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.860
 in the last month.

00:33:06.340 --> 00:33:06.800
 And usually,

00:33:07.220 --> 00:33:08.300
 my arbitrary selection

00:33:08.300 --> 00:33:09.720
 is no more than three months

00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:11.039
 because experiences

00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:12.240
 ought to be fresh.

00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:13.579
 You heard a story

00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:15.000
 about a man

00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:16.240
 who loved to give

00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:16.839
 his testimony

00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:17.440
 and one day

00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:18.120
 the pastor says,

00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:19.839
 Bert,

00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:20.579
 I want you to give

00:33:20.579 --> 00:33:21.220
 your testimony

00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:22.339
 at this meeting.

00:33:22.900 --> 00:33:23.259
 He says,

00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:23.859
 Pastor,

00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:24.660
 I'm sorry.

00:33:26.079 --> 00:33:27.099
 My testimony

00:33:27.099 --> 00:33:28.259
 had been eaten up

00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:28.920
 by the rats.

00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:30.620
 So what happened?

00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:31.980
 He wrote his testimony down.

00:33:32.099 --> 00:33:33.339
 Every time he was asked

00:33:33.339 --> 00:33:34.160
 to give his testimony,

00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:35.200
 he would read it.

00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:36.120
 Now,

00:33:36.120 --> 00:33:36.960
 that's not the testimony

00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:37.779
 we're talking about.

00:33:38.120 --> 00:33:38.859
 It's fresh.

00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:39.759
 It's alive.

00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:40.960
 So what happens?

00:33:41.059 --> 00:33:41.579
 Let's look at

00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.440
 what the psalmist says.

00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:43.480
 What are these things

00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:44.460
 that we are to declare?

00:33:45.099 --> 00:33:46.240
 It begins with the verse,

00:33:46.339 --> 00:33:47.000
 verse 30,

00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:48.700
 and this is the missing verse.

00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:50.240
 In some of your versions,

00:33:50.440 --> 00:33:52.039
 if you have the King James,

00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:53.720
 you find that it's not there.

00:33:54.599 --> 00:33:55.579
 It's been left out.

00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:56.299
 I think,

00:33:56.400 --> 00:33:57.000
 not deliberately,

00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:58.240
 but in some of the

00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:59.140
 more ancient texts,

00:33:59.259 --> 00:34:01.359
 including the Isaiah Scrolls,

00:34:01.599 --> 00:34:03.059
 the oldest existing

00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:04.579
 manuscript

00:34:04.579 --> 00:34:05.920
 that we have,

00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:07.299
 this verse is there.

00:34:07.299 --> 00:34:09.599
 The Lord is faithful

00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:11.920
 to all His promises

00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:13.139
 and loving

00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:14.559
 towards all

00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:15.759
 that He has made.

00:34:15.900 --> 00:34:17.279
 This is a fantastic

00:34:17.279 --> 00:34:19.079
 declaration statement.

00:34:19.539 --> 00:34:20.820
 God is faithful

00:34:20.820 --> 00:34:22.119
 to all

00:34:22.119 --> 00:34:24.159
 His promises

00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:25.340
 and loving

00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:26.559
 towards all

00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:27.599
 that He has made.

00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:30.099
 The God that we praise

00:34:30.099 --> 00:34:30.900
 and worship

00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:33.480
 is a totally

00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:34.480
 trustworthy,

00:34:35.300 --> 00:34:36.239
 reliable God.

00:34:36.239 --> 00:34:36.879
 Now,

00:34:36.899 --> 00:34:37.699
 if you look at some

00:34:37.699 --> 00:34:38.979
 of the gods,

00:34:39.159 --> 00:34:39.339
 say,

00:34:39.399 --> 00:34:40.759
 of Chinese people,

00:34:41.439 --> 00:34:42.179
 of the Greeks

00:34:42.179 --> 00:34:43.959
 or of the Indian people,

00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:45.000
 you find that

00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:45.899
 these gods

00:34:45.899 --> 00:34:46.879
 are very capricious.

00:34:47.839 --> 00:34:48.179
 So,

00:34:48.419 --> 00:34:49.439
 on Chinese New Year

00:34:49.439 --> 00:34:50.579
 or Chinese New Year Eve,

00:34:50.759 --> 00:34:52.159
 in some Chinese homes,

00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:52.959
 you know what

00:34:52.959 --> 00:34:53.859
 the owner does?

00:34:54.439 --> 00:34:54.779
 Maybe

00:34:54.779 --> 00:34:56.039
 he's a businessman

00:34:56.039 --> 00:34:57.559
 and he wants to

00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:58.239
 prosper

00:34:58.239 --> 00:34:59.519
 in the year to come.

00:34:59.979 --> 00:35:00.559
 He would go

00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.479
 to the kitchen god

00:35:01.479 --> 00:35:02.519
 or the door god

00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:03.659
 and would rub

00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:04.179
 their lips

00:35:04.179 --> 00:35:04.959
 with cognac

00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:05.639
 or whiskey

00:35:05.639 --> 00:35:06.619
 and would say

00:35:06.619 --> 00:35:06.960
 to them,

00:35:07.199 --> 00:35:07.659
 when you see

00:35:07.659 --> 00:35:09.220
 the august jade emperor,

00:35:09.699 --> 00:35:10.300
 tell them

00:35:10.300 --> 00:35:11.300
 I've been a good boy.

00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:11.740
 Okay?

00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:13.079
 I've done things well

00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:13.599
 and so on.

00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:14.920
 It's kind of bribery.

00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:17.220
 You want your god

00:35:17.220 --> 00:35:18.139
 to change things?

00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:19.119
 This was true

00:35:19.119 --> 00:35:20.139
 of the ancient gods

00:35:20.139 --> 00:35:22.679
 that the Hebrews,

00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:23.599
 the Jews met,

00:35:23.760 --> 00:35:24.860
 especially in Canaan.

00:35:25.220 --> 00:35:25.860
 The Baals,

00:35:25.940 --> 00:35:26.519
 the Baals,

00:35:26.840 --> 00:35:28.900
 they were all so whimsical,

00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:30.940
 always changing things

00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.519
 and so on.

00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:33.059
 They got to bribe them

00:35:33.059 --> 00:35:34.699
 with all kinds of sacrifices

00:35:34.699 --> 00:35:36.099
 but not our god

00:35:36.099 --> 00:35:37.519
 because here we are told

00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:39.320
 our god is absolutely

00:35:39.320 --> 00:35:40.500
 consistent.

00:35:41.059 --> 00:35:42.360
 He will not break his word.

00:35:43.639 --> 00:35:44.340
 And some of us know

00:35:44.340 --> 00:35:44.940
 the pain

00:35:44.940 --> 00:35:46.840
 of broken promises

00:35:46.840 --> 00:35:48.000
 and pledges,

00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:52.280
 words that were uttered

00:35:52.280 --> 00:35:53.559
 when we exchange

00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:54.639
 our marriage vows

00:35:54.639 --> 00:35:55.440
 for better,

00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:55.960
 for worse,

00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:56.259
 richer,

00:35:56.460 --> 00:35:56.739
 poorer,

00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:57.400
 sickness,

00:35:57.539 --> 00:35:58.039
 and health,

00:35:58.380 --> 00:35:58.880
 to death,

00:35:58.880 --> 00:35:59.800
 us do part

00:35:59.800 --> 00:36:01.400
 and then comes

00:36:01.400 --> 00:36:03.840
 the bitter divorce.

00:36:05.240 --> 00:36:05.980
 And some of us

00:36:05.980 --> 00:36:06.920
 find ourselves

00:36:06.920 --> 00:36:08.619
 heartbroken

00:36:08.619 --> 00:36:10.640
 because of broken promises

00:36:10.640 --> 00:36:11.420
 and children

00:36:11.420 --> 00:36:14.180
 who cannot trust

00:36:14.180 --> 00:36:15.099
 parents' words,

00:36:15.240 --> 00:36:15.840
 they grow up

00:36:15.840 --> 00:36:16.980
 very traumatic

00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:18.240
 and unable

00:36:18.240 --> 00:36:19.300
 to cope with life.

00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:20.380
 I promise to take them

00:36:20.380 --> 00:36:21.440
 to Disneyland

00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:22.640
 or wherever

00:36:22.640 --> 00:36:23.619
 and then

00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:24.579
 some engagement

00:36:24.579 --> 00:36:25.260
 crops up,

00:36:25.740 --> 00:36:26.579
 sorry son,

00:36:26.860 --> 00:36:27.579
 we can't go.

00:36:27.579 --> 00:36:29.319
 promise is broken

00:36:29.319 --> 00:36:30.480
 but God

00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:31.699
 is not like that.

00:36:32.239 --> 00:36:34.039
 He is ever faithful,

00:36:34.779 --> 00:36:35.559
 ever true,

00:36:35.860 --> 00:36:37.139
 faithful in all

00:36:37.139 --> 00:36:38.099
 his promises

00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:39.619
 and then in relationship

00:36:39.619 --> 00:36:40.079
 to us,

00:36:40.299 --> 00:36:40.659
 loving

00:36:40.659 --> 00:36:43.179
 towards all

00:36:43.179 --> 00:36:44.380
 that he has made.

00:36:44.659 --> 00:36:45.259
 So how is this

00:36:45.259 --> 00:36:45.860
 demonstrated?

00:36:46.159 --> 00:36:46.799
 Verse 14,

00:36:47.380 --> 00:36:48.519
 he is the god

00:36:48.519 --> 00:36:49.599
 of grace

00:36:49.599 --> 00:36:50.400
 or

00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:51.340
 can I say

00:36:51.340 --> 00:36:51.840
 the god

00:36:51.840 --> 00:36:52.880
 of second chance

00:36:52.880 --> 00:36:54.619
 or third chance

00:36:54.619 --> 00:36:55.420
 or fourth chance

00:36:55.420 --> 00:36:56.440
 and on and on.

00:36:56.440 --> 00:36:57.340
 he is that kind

00:36:57.340 --> 00:36:57.860
 of god.

00:36:58.320 --> 00:36:58.900
 Verse 14,

00:36:59.000 --> 00:36:59.619
 the lord

00:36:59.619 --> 00:37:01.619
 upholds all those

00:37:01.619 --> 00:37:02.300
 who fall,

00:37:03.059 --> 00:37:03.740
 he lifts up

00:37:03.740 --> 00:37:04.360
 all those

00:37:04.360 --> 00:37:05.280
 who are bowed down.

00:37:05.659 --> 00:37:06.480
 Those who are

00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:07.220
 oppressed

00:37:07.220 --> 00:37:08.440
 and depressed,

00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:09.500
 God

00:37:09.500 --> 00:37:11.119
 lifts them up.

00:37:11.780 --> 00:37:12.579
 Or like the servant

00:37:12.579 --> 00:37:13.220
 of the lord,

00:37:13.220 --> 00:37:14.679
 a bruised reed

00:37:14.679 --> 00:37:16.079
 he will not break,

00:37:16.559 --> 00:37:17.760
 a smoking flax

00:37:17.760 --> 00:37:19.039
 he will not quench.

00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:21.739
 See,

00:37:23.320 --> 00:37:24.179
 for many of us,

00:37:24.279 --> 00:37:24.800
 if someone

00:37:24.800 --> 00:37:25.659
 let us down,

00:37:26.420 --> 00:37:27.179
 beat our children,

00:37:27.400 --> 00:37:27.880
 our colleagues,

00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:28.599
 we get mad,

00:37:28.719 --> 00:37:29.820
 especially if we

00:37:29.820 --> 00:37:30.440
 have power,

00:37:30.840 --> 00:37:31.139
 we'll say,

00:37:31.239 --> 00:37:31.739
 forget it,

00:37:31.800 --> 00:37:32.500
 you blew it,

00:37:33.079 --> 00:37:33.960
 I'm not giving you

00:37:33.960 --> 00:37:34.759
 another chance.

00:37:35.079 --> 00:37:35.759
 But God is not

00:37:35.759 --> 00:37:36.139
 like that.

00:37:36.800 --> 00:37:37.380
 You and I have

00:37:37.380 --> 00:37:37.840
 sinned,

00:37:38.679 --> 00:37:39.800
 we've offended God,

00:37:39.940 --> 00:37:40.579
 grieved him.

00:37:41.320 --> 00:37:42.199
 When we come back

00:37:42.199 --> 00:37:42.900
 to him and we say

00:37:42.900 --> 00:37:43.300
 sorry,

00:37:43.880 --> 00:37:44.980
 he restores us,

00:37:45.480 --> 00:37:46.659
 he lifts us up

00:37:46.659 --> 00:37:47.000
 again,

00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:49.719
 he longs for us

00:37:49.719 --> 00:37:50.480
 to enjoy

00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:51.460
 his fellowship

00:37:51.460 --> 00:37:52.460
 and that is why

00:37:52.460 --> 00:37:53.659
 we want to praise him.

00:37:54.159 --> 00:37:54.860
 The reason why

00:37:54.860 --> 00:37:56.119
 I love God

00:37:56.119 --> 00:37:56.739
 and praise him

00:37:56.739 --> 00:37:58.139
 because he has given me

00:37:58.139 --> 00:37:58.980
 so many chances.

00:37:59.719 --> 00:38:00.400
 I blew it

00:38:00.400 --> 00:38:01.739
 so many times.

00:38:02.659 --> 00:38:03.400
 Sinned against him

00:38:03.400 --> 00:38:04.440
 by my selfishness,

00:38:05.019 --> 00:38:06.519
 by my hurtful words,

00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:09.059
 by my unkind actions.

00:38:12.059 --> 00:38:13.360
 Many, many times.

00:38:14.119 --> 00:38:15.239
 But God is so gracious.

00:38:15.860 --> 00:38:16.659
 He just loves me

00:38:16.659 --> 00:38:17.319
 and accepts me

00:38:17.319 --> 00:38:18.859
 because as he looks

00:38:18.859 --> 00:38:19.759
 at Jesus who died

00:38:19.759 --> 00:38:20.679
 for all my sins

00:38:20.679 --> 00:38:21.379
 on the cross,

00:38:21.899 --> 00:38:22.339
 he says,

00:38:22.679 --> 00:38:23.199
 I love you

00:38:23.199 --> 00:38:23.940
 because you trust

00:38:23.940 --> 00:38:24.519
 in my son.

00:38:24.799 --> 00:38:25.779
 I accept you

00:38:25.779 --> 00:38:26.879
 no matter what.

00:38:27.319 --> 00:38:28.199
 So here's a God

00:38:28.199 --> 00:38:29.679
 who lifts us up.

00:38:30.239 --> 00:38:31.259
 Are you in depression

00:38:31.259 --> 00:38:31.679
 today?

00:38:32.799 --> 00:38:33.399
 Are you someone

00:38:33.399 --> 00:38:34.519
 who is very downcast,

00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:35.679
 things are going wrong,

00:38:36.159 --> 00:38:37.480
 everything is so bleak

00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:38.139
 and dark?

00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:39.379
 Here's a word for you.

00:38:40.899 --> 00:38:42.279
 The God we worship

00:38:42.279 --> 00:38:43.500
 is the God

00:38:43.500 --> 00:38:44.759
 who can uphold

00:38:44.760 --> 00:38:45.540
 those who fall,

00:38:46.180 --> 00:38:46.800
 who lifts up

00:38:46.800 --> 00:38:47.520
 all those

00:38:47.520 --> 00:38:48.760
 who are bowed down.

00:38:49.240 --> 00:38:49.420
 Now,

00:38:50.220 --> 00:38:51.260
 some people say,

00:38:51.360 --> 00:38:52.420
 you can only praise God

00:38:52.420 --> 00:38:54.200
 when you're in a happy mood,

00:38:54.740 --> 00:38:55.420
 happy feet,

00:38:55.740 --> 00:38:56.100
 and so on.

00:38:56.100 --> 00:38:56.720
 You can dance

00:38:56.720 --> 00:38:57.300
 and so on

00:38:57.300 --> 00:38:58.660
 and things are going well,

00:38:58.800 --> 00:38:59.980
 then you can praise God.

00:39:01.100 --> 00:39:02.360
 But I want to suggest to you

00:39:02.360 --> 00:39:03.500
 in the Old Testament,

00:39:04.040 --> 00:39:04.980
 in the New Testament,

00:39:05.820 --> 00:39:06.480
 God's people

00:39:06.480 --> 00:39:07.800
 learn to praise God

00:39:07.800 --> 00:39:09.180
 even in troubled times,

00:39:09.640 --> 00:39:10.980
 in difficult situations.

00:39:10.980 --> 00:39:12.760
 For example,

00:39:13.400 --> 00:39:14.320
 when the apostles

00:39:14.320 --> 00:39:15.960
 were beaten and flogged

00:39:15.960 --> 00:39:17.159
 by the Sanhedrin,

00:39:17.440 --> 00:39:18.280
 the ruling council

00:39:18.280 --> 00:39:18.880
 of the Jews,

00:39:19.240 --> 00:39:19.980
 what happened?

00:39:20.699 --> 00:39:21.780
 They had bleeding backs.

00:39:22.840 --> 00:39:23.420
 Did they just

00:39:23.420 --> 00:39:25.480
 quench and cry

00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:25.679
 and say,

00:39:25.760 --> 00:39:26.039
 oh,

00:39:27.159 --> 00:39:28.000
 there's no point

00:39:28.000 --> 00:39:28.780
 serving Jesus.

00:39:28.960 --> 00:39:29.719
 Look at the beating

00:39:29.719 --> 00:39:30.740
 that we've got.

00:39:31.340 --> 00:39:32.539
 In Acts chapter 5,

00:39:32.659 --> 00:39:33.099
 we're told,

00:39:33.480 --> 00:39:34.320
 they rejoiced

00:39:34.320 --> 00:39:35.420
 and they counted it

00:39:35.420 --> 00:39:36.079
 worthy

00:39:36.079 --> 00:39:37.639
 to suffer for Christ.

00:39:37.639 --> 00:39:39.799
 And then they had

00:39:39.799 --> 00:39:41.299
 a marvelous prayer meeting

00:39:41.299 --> 00:39:42.420
 with all the saints

00:39:42.420 --> 00:39:43.099
 in Jerusalem.

00:39:43.659 --> 00:39:44.440
 That's learning

00:39:44.440 --> 00:39:45.219
 to praise God

00:39:45.219 --> 00:39:46.259
 in times of trouble.

00:39:46.859 --> 00:39:47.679
 Paul and Silas

00:39:47.679 --> 00:39:48.539
 experienced that

00:39:48.539 --> 00:39:49.379
 in the colony

00:39:49.379 --> 00:39:50.480
 at Philippi

00:39:50.480 --> 00:39:53.359
 in northern Greece.

00:39:54.400 --> 00:39:55.139
 And when they were

00:39:55.139 --> 00:39:55.679
 in that prison

00:39:55.679 --> 00:39:56.339
 with their legs

00:39:56.339 --> 00:39:57.179
 in the stocks

00:39:57.179 --> 00:39:57.879
 and so on,

00:39:58.519 --> 00:39:59.319
 what were they doing?

00:40:00.319 --> 00:40:01.440
 Were they complaining?

00:40:02.679 --> 00:40:03.019
 God,

00:40:03.159 --> 00:40:03.759
 how unfair.

00:40:03.859 --> 00:40:04.480
 We serve you.

00:40:04.739 --> 00:40:05.619
 Why are we here?

00:40:06.500 --> 00:40:06.920
 We're told

00:40:06.920 --> 00:40:08.500
 they sang in prison.

00:40:09.119 --> 00:40:09.900
 There was so much joy

00:40:09.900 --> 00:40:11.000
 they were praising God.

00:40:11.559 --> 00:40:12.200
 And when you start

00:40:12.200 --> 00:40:12.860
 praising God,

00:40:12.940 --> 00:40:13.680
 there will be earthquakes.

00:40:14.579 --> 00:40:15.280
 There will be explosions.

00:40:15.780 --> 00:40:17.119
 The whole thing changed

00:40:17.119 --> 00:40:18.599
 and God even used them

00:40:18.599 --> 00:40:19.820
 to lead the jailer

00:40:19.820 --> 00:40:20.860
 and his family

00:40:20.860 --> 00:40:22.460
 to the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:40:22.960 --> 00:40:24.460
 And here in contemporary history,

00:40:24.740 --> 00:40:25.860
 we know about the church

00:40:25.860 --> 00:40:26.440
 in China.

00:40:27.099 --> 00:40:27.599
 At one time,

00:40:27.659 --> 00:40:29.280
 we thought it was going down.

00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:30.920
 In 1951,

00:40:31.300 --> 00:40:31.700
 there were only

00:40:31.700 --> 00:40:33.000
 one million Protestants

00:40:33.000 --> 00:40:34.180
 and all missionaries

00:40:34.180 --> 00:40:35.139
 had to leave the country.

00:40:35.139 --> 00:40:36.500
 All foreign missionaries

00:40:36.500 --> 00:40:37.480
 had to clear off.

00:40:38.780 --> 00:40:39.340
 And some of us

00:40:39.340 --> 00:40:40.280
 who were praying for China,

00:40:40.840 --> 00:40:41.280
 we thought,

00:40:41.519 --> 00:40:41.880
 oh dear,

00:40:41.940 --> 00:40:42.599
 what's going to happen?

00:40:43.159 --> 00:40:43.400
 Then,

00:40:44.239 --> 00:40:44.860
 1977,

00:40:45.219 --> 00:40:45.780
 78,

00:40:45.880 --> 00:40:46.579
 when the curtain

00:40:46.579 --> 00:40:48.480
 was opening,

00:40:49.139 --> 00:40:50.559
 to our surprise,

00:40:50.699 --> 00:40:51.380
 we learned that

00:40:51.380 --> 00:40:52.360
 millions,

00:40:53.260 --> 00:40:53.980
 at that time,

00:40:54.179 --> 00:40:54.719
 the rough guess

00:40:54.719 --> 00:40:56.340
 was about 40 to 45 million

00:40:56.340 --> 00:40:57.579
 Christians were there,

00:40:57.639 --> 00:40:57.980
 but we know

00:40:57.980 --> 00:40:58.519
 there were much,

00:40:58.639 --> 00:40:59.079
 much more.

00:40:59.619 --> 00:41:00.820
 How did the church grow?

00:41:00.820 --> 00:41:02.660
 the church grew

00:41:02.660 --> 00:41:04.240
 because the people

00:41:04.240 --> 00:41:06.039
 knew how to praise God

00:41:06.039 --> 00:41:07.400
 in times of persecution.

00:41:08.660 --> 00:41:10.180
 And I've read stories about,

00:41:10.600 --> 00:41:11.559
 for example,

00:41:11.640 --> 00:41:12.440
 a house church.

00:41:13.440 --> 00:41:13.980
 And one day,

00:41:14.019 --> 00:41:15.220
 the Red Guards came along

00:41:15.220 --> 00:41:16.680
 and they wanted to stop

00:41:16.680 --> 00:41:18.420
 a Christian service.

00:41:18.880 --> 00:41:19.360
 And they said,

00:41:19.420 --> 00:41:20.160
 we're going to arrest

00:41:20.160 --> 00:41:21.519
 the guy who was leading

00:41:21.519 --> 00:41:22.000
 the worship.

00:41:22.440 --> 00:41:22.660
 And they said,

00:41:22.700 --> 00:41:23.039
 no, no, no,

00:41:23.039 --> 00:41:23.920
 arrest the preacher.

00:41:24.600 --> 00:41:25.240
 He's the one

00:41:25.240 --> 00:41:26.200
 who is telling people

00:41:26.200 --> 00:41:26.820
 the message.

00:41:27.420 --> 00:41:28.180
 And when they were

00:41:28.180 --> 00:41:28.760
 being arrested,

00:41:29.000 --> 00:41:29.380
 everybody said,

00:41:29.440 --> 00:41:30.280
 yeah, we'll go,

00:41:30.360 --> 00:41:31.200
 but don't arrest him,

00:41:31.460 --> 00:41:31.980
 arrest me.

00:41:32.280 --> 00:41:33.180
 The worship leader says,

00:41:33.360 --> 00:41:34.000
 arrest me.

00:41:34.480 --> 00:41:35.600
 The owner of the house said,

00:41:35.960 --> 00:41:36.559
 arrest me,

00:41:36.600 --> 00:41:37.200
 because this house

00:41:37.200 --> 00:41:37.940
 belongs to me.

00:41:38.400 --> 00:41:38.980
 And everybody said,

00:41:39.019 --> 00:41:39.400
 no, no, no,

00:41:39.400 --> 00:41:40.260
 don't arrest them.

00:41:40.480 --> 00:41:41.680
 We came to join the meeting,

00:41:42.019 --> 00:41:42.620
 arrest me.

00:41:43.220 --> 00:41:44.180
 So these police

00:41:44.180 --> 00:41:44.940
 and the Red Guards

00:41:44.940 --> 00:41:45.600
 didn't know what to do

00:41:45.600 --> 00:41:46.440
 and they clapped

00:41:46.440 --> 00:41:47.280
 everyone in prison.

00:41:48.660 --> 00:41:49.320
 But when they got

00:41:49.320 --> 00:41:49.960
 into prison,

00:41:50.340 --> 00:41:51.059
 they began to sing

00:41:51.059 --> 00:41:51.880
 songs of praise

00:41:51.880 --> 00:41:53.100
 and began to testify

00:41:53.100 --> 00:41:54.559
 to political prisoners

00:41:54.559 --> 00:41:55.559
 and to lead them

00:41:55.559 --> 00:41:56.140
 to Christ.

00:41:56.139 --> 00:41:57.559
 And then the authorities

00:41:57.559 --> 00:41:58.859
 got so worried.

00:41:59.339 --> 00:41:59.559
 They said,

00:41:59.619 --> 00:42:00.359
 they're more dangerous

00:42:00.359 --> 00:42:01.839
 inside than outside.

00:42:02.699 --> 00:42:03.659
 Let's free them.

00:42:04.339 --> 00:42:04.559
 You see,

00:42:04.639 --> 00:42:06.099
 when you hear those stories,

00:42:06.619 --> 00:42:07.579
 when people counted

00:42:07.579 --> 00:42:08.719
 a joy to suffer

00:42:08.719 --> 00:42:09.359
 for Christ

00:42:09.359 --> 00:42:10.559
 and praise Him

00:42:10.559 --> 00:42:11.799
 in troubled times,

00:42:12.400 --> 00:42:12.900
 my goodness,

00:42:13.339 --> 00:42:14.279
 there is a revolution.

00:42:15.799 --> 00:42:16.739
 And God wants

00:42:16.739 --> 00:42:17.579
 to see that happening

00:42:17.579 --> 00:42:20.420
 even to us here today.

00:42:21.099 --> 00:42:22.039
 Then let's move on.

00:42:22.519 --> 00:42:23.440
 What else can we

00:42:23.440 --> 00:42:24.480
 praise God for?

00:42:24.960 --> 00:42:25.779
 For His provision.

00:42:25.780 --> 00:42:26.580
 Verse 15,

00:42:27.080 --> 00:42:27.920
 the eyes of all

00:42:27.920 --> 00:42:28.620
 look to you,

00:42:29.180 --> 00:42:30.220
 you give them their food

00:42:30.220 --> 00:42:31.180
 at the proper time,

00:42:31.580 --> 00:42:32.720
 you open your hand

00:42:32.720 --> 00:42:33.900
 and satisfy

00:42:33.900 --> 00:42:35.100
 the desires

00:42:35.100 --> 00:42:36.360
 of every living thing.

00:42:37.220 --> 00:42:38.000
 Here in Hong Kong,

00:42:38.880 --> 00:42:39.540
 most of us here

00:42:39.540 --> 00:42:40.420
 have got good jobs,

00:42:40.700 --> 00:42:41.380
 we can buy

00:42:41.380 --> 00:42:42.340
 anything we like

00:42:42.340 --> 00:42:45.460
 and God

00:42:45.460 --> 00:42:46.820
 satisfies us,

00:42:46.980 --> 00:42:47.320
 God

00:42:47.320 --> 00:42:48.640
 provides for us,

00:42:48.720 --> 00:42:49.200
 gives us

00:42:49.200 --> 00:42:50.080
 this day

00:42:50.080 --> 00:42:51.080
 our daily bread

00:42:51.079 --> 00:42:52.019
 and He does.

00:42:52.539 --> 00:42:53.380
 Like the child,

00:42:54.119 --> 00:42:55.360
 we will not worry

00:42:55.360 --> 00:42:56.219
 about whether we'll have

00:42:56.219 --> 00:42:56.860
 enough pancakes

00:42:56.860 --> 00:42:57.559
 for tomorrow

00:42:57.559 --> 00:42:58.860
 or whether we have to

00:42:58.860 --> 00:43:00.179
 hoard up some pieces

00:43:00.179 --> 00:43:00.799
 of bread.

00:43:01.259 --> 00:43:01.960
 We don't do that

00:43:01.960 --> 00:43:02.799
 because we know

00:43:02.799 --> 00:43:04.799
 God will provide.

00:43:05.460 --> 00:43:06.539
 Then in His dealings

00:43:06.539 --> 00:43:06.860
 with us,

00:43:06.920 --> 00:43:07.639
 verse 17,

00:43:07.639 --> 00:43:09.119
 the Lord is righteous

00:43:09.119 --> 00:43:10.199
 in all His ways,

00:43:10.739 --> 00:43:11.519
 loving towards

00:43:11.519 --> 00:43:12.480
 all He has made.

00:43:12.819 --> 00:43:14.059
 I can trust His God,

00:43:14.319 --> 00:43:15.579
 I can praise His God

00:43:15.579 --> 00:43:17.460
 because His intention

00:43:17.460 --> 00:43:18.819
 is for my good.

00:43:19.559 --> 00:43:20.519
 He wills

00:43:20.519 --> 00:43:21.559
 the best

00:43:21.559 --> 00:43:22.400
 for me.

00:43:23.400 --> 00:43:24.079
 And that's why

00:43:24.079 --> 00:43:25.519
 I can rejoice,

00:43:25.960 --> 00:43:26.500
 that's why

00:43:26.500 --> 00:43:27.379
 I can

00:43:27.379 --> 00:43:28.339
 praise Him.

00:43:28.400 --> 00:43:28.699
 Hallelujah.

00:43:29.699 --> 00:43:30.259
 Then it says,

00:43:30.260 --> 00:43:38.540
 God is not a distant God,

00:43:38.800 --> 00:43:39.300
 far,

00:43:39.760 --> 00:43:40.500
 far away,

00:43:40.940 --> 00:43:41.660
 so remote,

00:43:42.320 --> 00:43:43.280
 so impersonal.

00:43:43.940 --> 00:43:44.980
 When we call on Him

00:43:44.980 --> 00:43:45.500
 in truth,

00:43:46.140 --> 00:43:46.720
 He is there.

00:43:48.080 --> 00:43:49.180
 And wonder of wonders,

00:43:49.400 --> 00:43:50.920
 not just a foot,

00:43:51.200 --> 00:43:51.940
 two feet away,

00:43:52.640 --> 00:43:53.420
 by His Spirit

00:43:53.420 --> 00:43:54.700
 He resides in me.

00:43:55.100 --> 00:43:55.680
 Don't you know

00:43:55.680 --> 00:43:56.600
 that your bodies,

00:43:56.720 --> 00:43:57.140
 says Paul,

00:43:57.140 --> 00:43:58.100
 are the temples,

00:43:58.300 --> 00:43:58.800
 the shrines

00:43:58.800 --> 00:43:59.940
 of the Holy Spirit?

00:44:00.260 --> 00:44:01.560
 So God is near,

00:44:02.340 --> 00:44:03.280
 in us,

00:44:03.680 --> 00:44:04.540
 with us,

00:44:05.000 --> 00:44:05.360
 forever,

00:44:05.720 --> 00:44:07.200
 so we can praise Him

00:44:07.200 --> 00:44:08.620
 and rejoice

00:44:08.620 --> 00:44:10.560
 in this wonderful,

00:44:10.760 --> 00:44:11.720
 wonderful God.

00:44:12.200 --> 00:44:13.400
 Then as we look on

00:44:13.400 --> 00:44:14.300
 in our text,

00:44:14.420 --> 00:44:15.100
 verse 19,

00:44:15.520 --> 00:44:16.840
 He fulfills the desires

00:44:16.840 --> 00:44:18.360
 of those who fear Him,

00:44:18.660 --> 00:44:19.900
 He hears their cry

00:44:19.900 --> 00:44:21.160
 and saves them.

00:44:21.620 --> 00:44:22.300
 Verse 20,

00:44:22.940 --> 00:44:23.860
 I think this is a verse

00:44:23.860 --> 00:44:25.820
 for many of us today,

00:44:26.160 --> 00:44:27.200
 especially those of us

00:44:27.200 --> 00:44:28.120
 who live and work

00:44:28.120 --> 00:44:28.700
 in Hong Kong.

00:44:28.699 --> 00:44:32.059
 the Lord watches

00:44:32.059 --> 00:44:33.039
 over all

00:44:33.039 --> 00:44:34.119
 who love Him,

00:44:34.399 --> 00:44:35.099
 but the wicked

00:44:35.099 --> 00:44:38.159
 He will destroy.

00:44:38.799 --> 00:44:39.699
 I have to make

00:44:39.699 --> 00:44:40.559
 a confession here.

00:44:41.759 --> 00:44:43.179
 I am a person

00:44:43.179 --> 00:44:44.679
 who likes to be

00:44:44.679 --> 00:44:45.199
 in control

00:44:45.199 --> 00:44:46.119
 to know what's happening.

00:44:46.719 --> 00:44:47.279
 Most pastors

00:44:47.279 --> 00:44:47.879
 are like that,

00:44:48.659 --> 00:44:49.619
 except Toby Miller,

00:44:49.719 --> 00:44:50.179
 all right?

00:44:50.179 --> 00:44:54.639
 and I get very anxious

00:44:54.639 --> 00:44:55.119
 when I don't know

00:44:55.119 --> 00:44:56.000
 what's going to happen

00:44:56.000 --> 00:44:56.819
 and so on.

00:44:57.319 --> 00:44:58.139
 And some of us

00:44:58.139 --> 00:44:59.059
 who are pastors

00:44:59.059 --> 00:45:00.219
 or executives,

00:45:00.559 --> 00:45:01.419
 whatever it might be,

00:45:01.679 --> 00:45:02.579
 heads of household,

00:45:02.940 --> 00:45:03.919
 we can worry

00:45:03.919 --> 00:45:07.019
 all night,

00:45:07.259 --> 00:45:07.799
 what will happen

00:45:07.799 --> 00:45:08.480
 to my child,

00:45:08.659 --> 00:45:09.139
 what will happen

00:45:09.139 --> 00:45:09.919
 to my business

00:45:09.919 --> 00:45:11.039
 or to my church,

00:45:11.039 --> 00:45:12.099
 to this activity,

00:45:12.339 --> 00:45:13.279
 and then we become

00:45:13.279 --> 00:45:15.559
 very anxious.

00:45:16.119 --> 00:45:16.819
 But the moment

00:45:16.820 --> 00:45:18.200
 we learn to praise God,

00:45:18.880 --> 00:45:20.240
 then our worries

00:45:20.240 --> 00:45:21.500
 go.

00:45:22.280 --> 00:45:23.200
 So we have a choice,

00:45:23.820 --> 00:45:25.620
 either to acknowledge God

00:45:25.620 --> 00:45:26.380
 and praise Him

00:45:26.380 --> 00:45:27.500
 or to live

00:45:27.500 --> 00:45:28.280
 with our worries.

00:45:28.740 --> 00:45:29.680
 The more you worry,

00:45:30.200 --> 00:45:31.300
 it will eat into you

00:45:31.300 --> 00:45:33.340
 and you become

00:45:33.340 --> 00:45:34.059
 more anxious

00:45:34.059 --> 00:45:35.640
 and you become

00:45:35.640 --> 00:45:36.680
 more difficult

00:45:36.680 --> 00:45:37.400
 to live with

00:45:37.400 --> 00:45:38.640
 and work with.

00:45:38.700 --> 00:45:39.500
 Ask your spouse,

00:45:40.019 --> 00:45:40.420
 he or she

00:45:40.420 --> 00:45:41.200
 will tell you that.

00:45:41.199 --> 00:45:42.699
 But when you start

00:45:42.699 --> 00:45:43.759
 praising God,

00:45:44.599 --> 00:45:46.239
 everything can change.

00:45:46.339 --> 00:45:47.079
 Relationship

00:45:47.079 --> 00:45:48.059
 and perspective.

00:45:49.019 --> 00:45:49.219
 Now,

00:45:49.460 --> 00:45:50.839
 in Psalm 1-1,

00:45:51.480 --> 00:45:53.599
 there's a lovely picture

00:45:53.599 --> 00:45:54.199
 of God

00:45:54.199 --> 00:45:55.619
 watching over us.

00:45:55.960 --> 00:45:56.779
 Psalm 1-1,

00:45:56.859 --> 00:45:57.339
 verse 3,

00:45:57.679 --> 00:45:58.639
 God will not let

00:45:58.639 --> 00:45:59.919
 your foot slip.

00:46:01.099 --> 00:46:02.359
 He who watches you

00:46:02.359 --> 00:46:04.000
 will not slumber.

00:46:05.059 --> 00:46:05.539
 Are you having

00:46:05.539 --> 00:46:06.359
 sleepless nights?

00:46:06.939 --> 00:46:07.519
 Worrying about

00:46:07.519 --> 00:46:08.119
 what will happen

00:46:08.119 --> 00:46:09.219
 the next day,

00:46:09.339 --> 00:46:09.939
 the next week,

00:46:10.000 --> 00:46:10.639
 the next month?

00:46:12.159 --> 00:46:12.399
 Hey,

00:46:12.519 --> 00:46:13.239
 don't do that

00:46:13.239 --> 00:46:14.919
 because there's no point

00:46:14.919 --> 00:46:16.039
 in you having

00:46:16.039 --> 00:46:17.939
 sleepless nights

00:46:17.939 --> 00:46:18.739
 when God

00:46:18.739 --> 00:46:19.539
 is the one

00:46:19.539 --> 00:46:20.359
 who's keeping awake.

00:46:21.339 --> 00:46:21.579
 Remember,

00:46:21.739 --> 00:46:22.239
 there's a story

00:46:22.239 --> 00:46:23.079
 about God

00:46:23.079 --> 00:46:23.879
 saying to the pastor,

00:46:24.159 --> 00:46:24.419
 Pastor,

00:46:24.739 --> 00:46:25.899
 you can go to bed now.

00:46:25.960 --> 00:46:26.500
 Don't worry about

00:46:26.500 --> 00:46:27.039
 your church.

00:46:27.259 --> 00:46:27.799
 I'm here.

00:46:28.039 --> 00:46:28.779
 I don't slumber.

00:46:28.960 --> 00:46:29.719
 I don't sleep.

00:46:29.879 --> 00:46:31.059
 I'm taking care of things.

00:46:31.219 --> 00:46:31.939
 Just relax.

00:46:32.859 --> 00:46:33.619
 Just sleep.

00:46:34.099 --> 00:46:34.739
 And sometimes

00:46:34.739 --> 00:46:35.939
 we need that word.

00:46:36.219 --> 00:46:36.579
 Indeed,

00:46:37.019 --> 00:46:37.679
 he who watches

00:46:37.679 --> 00:46:38.559
 over Israel

00:46:38.559 --> 00:46:39.639
 will neither

00:46:39.639 --> 00:46:40.639
 slumber,

00:46:40.639 --> 00:46:41.699
 nor sleep.

00:46:41.699 --> 00:46:42.659
 The Lord

00:46:42.659 --> 00:46:43.980
 watches over you.

00:46:44.379 --> 00:46:44.900
 The Lord

00:46:44.900 --> 00:46:46.480
 is your shade

00:46:46.480 --> 00:46:47.539
 at your right hand.

00:46:48.019 --> 00:46:48.379
 The Lord

00:46:48.379 --> 00:46:48.980
 will keep you

00:46:48.980 --> 00:46:49.900
 from all harm.

00:46:50.159 --> 00:46:50.940
 He will watch

00:46:50.940 --> 00:46:51.839
 over your life.

00:46:52.259 --> 00:46:52.599
 The Lord

00:46:52.599 --> 00:46:53.480
 will watch

00:46:53.480 --> 00:46:55.139
 over your coming

00:46:55.139 --> 00:46:56.099
 and going

00:46:56.099 --> 00:46:57.500
 both now

00:46:57.500 --> 00:46:58.579
 and forevermore.

00:46:58.879 --> 00:46:59.679
 Whatever you do,

00:46:59.940 --> 00:47:00.799
 He will watch,

00:47:01.019 --> 00:47:01.799
 He will guard,

00:47:02.099 --> 00:47:03.079
 He will protect you.

00:47:03.379 --> 00:47:03.799
 And don't you want

00:47:03.799 --> 00:47:04.079
 to shout,

00:47:04.319 --> 00:47:04.659
 Hallelujah?

00:47:05.659 --> 00:47:06.099
 Hallelujah?

00:47:06.099 --> 00:47:07.339
 This is our God.

00:47:07.339 --> 00:47:08.279
 The God

00:47:08.279 --> 00:47:09.519
 who watches

00:47:09.519 --> 00:47:12.339
 over us.

00:47:13.119 --> 00:47:13.539
 And no wonder

00:47:13.539 --> 00:47:14.699
 we have the

00:47:14.699 --> 00:47:15.839
 response

00:47:15.839 --> 00:47:17.239
 in verse 21.

00:47:17.679 --> 00:47:18.199
 My mouth

00:47:18.199 --> 00:47:18.779
 will speak

00:47:18.779 --> 00:47:19.460
 in praise

00:47:19.460 --> 00:47:20.380
 of the Lord.

00:47:20.819 --> 00:47:21.819
 Let every creature

00:47:21.819 --> 00:47:23.559
 praise His holy name

00:47:23.559 --> 00:47:24.299
 forever

00:47:24.299 --> 00:47:25.400
 and ever.

00:47:25.659 --> 00:47:26.319
 That is

00:47:26.319 --> 00:47:27.219
 the natural

00:47:27.219 --> 00:47:28.139
 response.

00:47:28.699 --> 00:47:29.000
 And then

00:47:29.000 --> 00:47:30.079
 you might say,

00:47:30.159 --> 00:47:30.239
 hey,

00:47:30.279 --> 00:47:30.619
 wait a minute,

00:47:30.819 --> 00:47:31.819
 you've been teaching us

00:47:31.819 --> 00:47:32.579
 from the Psalms,

00:47:32.679 --> 00:47:33.579
 Psalm 145.

00:47:34.239 --> 00:47:34.719
 It's great.

00:47:35.319 --> 00:47:35.639
 What about

00:47:35.639 --> 00:47:36.400
 the New Testament?

00:47:37.539 --> 00:47:37.719
 Well,

00:47:37.739 --> 00:47:38.480
 let's meet Paul.

00:47:38.639 --> 00:47:39.579
 Paul the Apostle

00:47:39.579 --> 00:47:40.239
 who's gone through

00:47:40.239 --> 00:47:41.239
 so much hardship

00:47:41.239 --> 00:47:42.239
 and pain,

00:47:42.699 --> 00:47:43.259
 persecution,

00:47:43.860 --> 00:47:44.519
 imprisonment.

00:47:45.079 --> 00:47:45.940
 And look at

00:47:45.940 --> 00:47:46.799
 the way that he

00:47:46.799 --> 00:47:47.739
 writes the Christians

00:47:47.739 --> 00:47:48.400
 in Ephesus

00:47:48.400 --> 00:47:49.940
 or the churches

00:47:49.940 --> 00:47:51.059
 in Asia Minor

00:47:51.059 --> 00:47:51.960
 because this is

00:47:51.960 --> 00:47:53.259
 a circular letter.

00:47:53.619 --> 00:47:54.659
 Because in chapter 1

00:47:54.659 --> 00:47:55.360
 verse 3,

00:47:56.000 --> 00:47:57.079
 he begins his letter

00:47:57.079 --> 00:47:58.079
 with these words,

00:47:58.559 --> 00:48:00.039
 Praise be to the

00:48:00.039 --> 00:48:01.059
 God and Father

00:48:01.059 --> 00:48:02.840
 of our Lord Jesus Christ

00:48:02.840 --> 00:48:04.320
 who has blessed us

00:48:04.320 --> 00:48:05.760
 in the heavenly realms

00:48:05.760 --> 00:48:07.700
 with every spiritual

00:48:07.700 --> 00:48:09.019
 blessing in Christ.

00:48:09.340 --> 00:48:09.760
 Praise.

00:48:10.000 --> 00:48:10.460
 Hallelujah.

00:48:11.180 --> 00:48:12.220
 God has blessed us

00:48:12.220 --> 00:48:12.840
 in Christ

00:48:12.840 --> 00:48:14.100
 with every

00:48:14.100 --> 00:48:16.220
 spiritual blessing.

00:48:16.680 --> 00:48:17.140
 The blessing

00:48:17.140 --> 00:48:18.539
 of being chosen,

00:48:18.700 --> 00:48:19.160
 election,

00:48:19.539 --> 00:48:20.380
 predestination.

00:48:21.160 --> 00:48:21.640
 What for?

00:48:21.780 --> 00:48:22.300
 Verse 6,

00:48:22.579 --> 00:48:23.579
 to the praise

00:48:23.579 --> 00:48:25.260
 of His glorious grace.

00:48:25.740 --> 00:48:26.360
 Then he goes on

00:48:26.360 --> 00:48:26.820
 to talk about

00:48:26.820 --> 00:48:27.539
 our redemption,

00:48:28.260 --> 00:48:28.760
 the forgiveness

00:48:28.760 --> 00:48:29.720
 of our sins.

00:48:30.300 --> 00:48:30.760
 And then

00:48:30.760 --> 00:48:32.079
 in verse 13,

00:48:32.240 --> 00:48:32.600
 he says,

00:48:32.840 --> 00:48:33.440
 And you

00:48:33.440 --> 00:48:34.920
 who are in Christ

00:48:34.920 --> 00:48:35.460
 when you heard

00:48:35.460 --> 00:48:36.320
 the word of truth,

00:48:36.600 --> 00:48:37.059
 the gospel

00:48:37.059 --> 00:48:37.880
 of your salvation,

00:48:38.380 --> 00:48:39.200
 having believed,

00:48:39.559 --> 00:48:40.340
 you were marked

00:48:40.340 --> 00:48:40.880
 in Him

00:48:40.880 --> 00:48:41.820
 with a seal,

00:48:42.200 --> 00:48:43.300
 the promised Holy Spirit.

00:48:44.300 --> 00:48:45.280
 So when we have

00:48:45.280 --> 00:48:45.820
 the Holy Spirit

00:48:45.820 --> 00:48:46.600
 living in us,

00:48:46.960 --> 00:48:47.600
 God is saying,

00:48:48.180 --> 00:48:49.079
 you are marked.

00:48:49.800 --> 00:48:50.720
 You belong to Me.

00:48:51.280 --> 00:48:52.000
 And nothing,

00:48:52.420 --> 00:48:52.720
 nothing

00:48:52.720 --> 00:48:54.000
 can separate you

00:48:54.000 --> 00:48:54.920
 from My love.

00:48:55.460 --> 00:48:56.059
 Isn't that wonderful?

00:48:57.340 --> 00:48:58.160
 And then he goes on

00:48:58.160 --> 00:48:58.559
 to say,

00:48:58.559 --> 00:48:59.519
 the Holy Spirit

00:48:59.519 --> 00:49:00.440
 is a deposit

00:49:00.440 --> 00:49:01.940
 guaranteeing

00:49:01.940 --> 00:49:03.360
 our inheritance

00:49:03.360 --> 00:49:05.179
 until the redemption

00:49:05.179 --> 00:49:05.820
 of those

00:49:05.820 --> 00:49:07.019
 who are God's possession

00:49:07.019 --> 00:49:08.099
 to the praise

00:49:08.099 --> 00:49:08.980
 of His glory.

00:49:09.940 --> 00:49:10.460
 So here,

00:49:10.679 --> 00:49:11.139
 again,

00:49:11.239 --> 00:49:11.840
 we are told

00:49:11.840 --> 00:49:13.139
 that God

00:49:13.139 --> 00:49:14.000
 gave His Spirit

00:49:14.000 --> 00:49:14.500
 to us.

00:49:14.559 --> 00:49:15.259
 It's like a deposit.

00:49:16.139 --> 00:49:16.340
 Now,

00:49:16.360 --> 00:49:17.119
 when you buy a house

00:49:17.119 --> 00:49:17.739
 in Hong Kong,

00:49:18.099 --> 00:49:19.400
 you have to give

00:49:19.400 --> 00:49:20.320
 to the agent

00:49:20.320 --> 00:49:21.059
 or to the vendor

00:49:21.059 --> 00:49:22.480
 a certain percentage.

00:49:22.480 --> 00:49:26.440
 you give a deposit.

00:49:27.019 --> 00:49:27.519
 And that means

00:49:27.519 --> 00:49:28.400
 that you are serious.

00:49:29.019 --> 00:49:30.039
 You want to buy the house

00:49:30.039 --> 00:49:30.740
 or else you lose

00:49:30.740 --> 00:49:31.219
 the deposit.

00:49:32.360 --> 00:49:33.079
 So in the same way,

00:49:33.139 --> 00:49:33.679
 God is saying,

00:49:33.960 --> 00:49:34.619
 how do you know

00:49:34.619 --> 00:49:35.460
 that one day,

00:49:36.280 --> 00:49:37.420
 because praise is forever,

00:49:37.920 --> 00:49:38.880
 when you go to heaven,

00:49:39.420 --> 00:49:40.280
 or how do you know

00:49:40.280 --> 00:49:41.360
 that you'll be there?

00:49:41.760 --> 00:49:42.559
 And the answer is,

00:49:42.659 --> 00:49:43.500
 even right now,

00:49:43.840 --> 00:49:44.860
 you have the Holy Spirit

00:49:44.860 --> 00:49:45.599
 living in you.

00:49:45.780 --> 00:49:46.699
 That's God's sign,

00:49:47.019 --> 00:49:47.679
 God's seal,

00:49:48.039 --> 00:49:48.800
 God's mark.

00:49:49.260 --> 00:49:49.679
 Deposit.

00:49:50.179 --> 00:49:50.340
 Now,

00:49:50.460 --> 00:49:51.280
 in modern Greek,

00:49:51.280 --> 00:49:52.120
 not in Koine,

00:49:52.340 --> 00:49:53.800
 the Greek that was written

00:49:53.800 --> 00:49:56.120
 of our New Testament text.

00:49:56.519 --> 00:49:57.460
 In modern Greek,

00:49:57.660 --> 00:49:58.540
 the word for deposit

00:49:58.540 --> 00:50:00.260
 is an engagement ring.

00:50:01.580 --> 00:50:02.460
 The Holy Spirit

00:50:02.460 --> 00:50:03.800
 is like an engagement ring.

00:50:04.720 --> 00:50:05.900
 So those of you girls

00:50:05.900 --> 00:50:06.620
 who are engaged

00:50:06.620 --> 00:50:07.480
 or still have

00:50:07.480 --> 00:50:08.320
 your engagement ring,

00:50:08.500 --> 00:50:09.300
 what does that mean?

00:50:10.019 --> 00:50:10.440
 Boys,

00:50:10.600 --> 00:50:10.940
 keep out.

00:50:11.300 --> 00:50:12.740
 I belong to someone special,

00:50:12.860 --> 00:50:13.019
 right?

00:50:13.800 --> 00:50:15.100
 And engagement means

00:50:15.100 --> 00:50:17.580
 a preview

00:50:17.580 --> 00:50:19.600
 that one day

00:50:19.599 --> 00:50:22.219
 the fulfillment

00:50:22.219 --> 00:50:23.440
 of a relationship

00:50:23.440 --> 00:50:24.440
 is going to take place.

00:50:24.659 --> 00:50:25.019
 Marriage.

00:50:25.400 --> 00:50:26.000
 Then you have

00:50:26.000 --> 00:50:26.880
 a wedding ring.

00:50:27.960 --> 00:50:28.179
 Right?

00:50:28.539 --> 00:50:29.779
 So God is saying to us,

00:50:29.900 --> 00:50:30.279
 right now,

00:50:30.360 --> 00:50:31.400
 you have the Holy Spirit.

00:50:31.880 --> 00:50:32.219
 And therefore,

00:50:32.319 --> 00:50:32.739
 you can shout,

00:50:32.839 --> 00:50:33.159
 Hallelujah,

00:50:34.019 --> 00:50:36.339
 because this is your guarantee.

00:50:36.659 --> 00:50:37.460
 This is your guarantee.

00:50:37.719 --> 00:50:38.500
 So let's close.

00:50:38.759 --> 00:50:39.460
 We're talking about

00:50:39.460 --> 00:50:39.860
 Hallelujah.

00:50:40.719 --> 00:50:41.920
 Praise in prayer.

00:50:42.119 --> 00:50:43.119
 How do we apply

00:50:43.119 --> 00:50:44.420
 this to ourselves?

00:50:45.159 --> 00:50:45.339
 Well,

00:50:45.339 --> 00:50:45.719
 we have to do

00:50:45.719 --> 00:50:46.319
 certain things.

00:50:46.320 --> 00:50:47.160
 One of the great

00:50:47.160 --> 00:50:48.260
 preachers,

00:50:48.360 --> 00:50:49.160
 leaders of the church

00:50:49.160 --> 00:50:49.980
 in North America

00:50:49.980 --> 00:50:52.980
 in the 18th century,

00:50:53.240 --> 00:50:54.019
 Jonathan Edwards,

00:50:54.320 --> 00:50:55.100
 he likes to use

00:50:55.100 --> 00:50:55.900
 the word resolve.

00:50:56.620 --> 00:50:57.059
 Resolve.

00:50:57.539 --> 00:50:58.480
 So we have to resolve.

00:50:58.600 --> 00:50:58.700
 Say,

00:50:58.980 --> 00:51:00.280
 I am going to be intentional.

00:51:00.760 --> 00:51:01.660
 I'm going to aim.

00:51:01.920 --> 00:51:02.740
 I'm going to do it.

00:51:03.120 --> 00:51:04.000
 I want to resolve

00:51:04.000 --> 00:51:05.280
 to praise God

00:51:05.280 --> 00:51:06.160
 every day.

00:51:07.019 --> 00:51:07.880
 Personal praise.

00:51:08.519 --> 00:51:09.180
 So sometimes,

00:51:09.860 --> 00:51:10.120
 now,

00:51:10.760 --> 00:51:11.539
 I want this to

00:51:11.539 --> 00:51:12.780
 kind of permeate

00:51:12.780 --> 00:51:13.620
 in your mind,

00:51:13.940 --> 00:51:14.720
 in your subconscious,

00:51:14.719 --> 00:51:15.379
 and so on.

00:51:15.699 --> 00:51:16.819
 When you ask yourself

00:51:16.819 --> 00:51:18.539
 at any time in the day,

00:51:19.000 --> 00:51:19.179
 hey,

00:51:19.779 --> 00:51:20.379
 what am I supposed

00:51:20.379 --> 00:51:21.019
 to do now?

00:51:21.699 --> 00:51:22.279
 I've just finished

00:51:22.279 --> 00:51:22.819
 an assignment.

00:51:23.219 --> 00:51:23.980
 What do I do next?

00:51:24.000 --> 00:51:24.459
 I've just finished

00:51:24.459 --> 00:51:24.919
 my meal.

00:51:25.399 --> 00:51:26.480
 I've just put my kids

00:51:26.480 --> 00:51:26.839
 to bed.

00:51:27.059 --> 00:51:27.879
 What do I do now?

00:51:28.759 --> 00:51:30.039
 Whenever you ask yourself

00:51:30.039 --> 00:51:30.739
 what I do now,

00:51:31.099 --> 00:51:32.059
 why not whisper

00:51:32.059 --> 00:51:34.799
 utter praise?

00:51:34.980 --> 00:51:35.259
 God,

00:51:35.599 --> 00:51:36.079
 thank you.

00:51:36.759 --> 00:51:37.000
 God,

00:51:37.000 --> 00:51:37.039
 God,

00:51:37.099 --> 00:51:37.619
 praise you

00:51:37.619 --> 00:51:38.379
 for who you are,

00:51:38.419 --> 00:51:39.539
 for loving me so much,

00:51:39.959 --> 00:51:40.599
 for giving me

00:51:40.599 --> 00:51:41.819
 all these wonderful things,

00:51:42.219 --> 00:51:44.239
 and for dealing with me

00:51:44.239 --> 00:51:45.059
 in your love,

00:51:45.159 --> 00:51:45.699
 in your grace.

00:51:45.799 --> 00:51:46.139
 Hallelujah.

00:51:46.599 --> 00:51:47.279
 I praise you.

00:51:47.479 --> 00:51:47.799
 Do it.

00:51:48.399 --> 00:51:49.479
 And prayer is something

00:51:49.479 --> 00:51:50.179
 continuous.

00:51:50.599 --> 00:51:52.199
 It's a continual conversation

00:51:52.199 --> 00:51:52.759
 with God.

00:51:53.059 --> 00:51:54.259
 So we learn to praise Him

00:51:54.259 --> 00:51:55.439
 in every moment

00:51:55.439 --> 00:51:56.179
 of our life,

00:51:56.379 --> 00:51:57.619
 even when we say grace.

00:51:57.859 --> 00:51:58.559
 That's a time

00:51:58.559 --> 00:51:59.599
 of thanksgiving,

00:51:59.799 --> 00:52:00.819
 of praise to Him.

00:52:01.419 --> 00:52:01.839
 Praise Him

00:52:01.839 --> 00:52:02.719
 when we read the Scriptures.

00:52:03.479 --> 00:52:04.059
 Praise Him

00:52:04.059 --> 00:52:04.819
 aloud.

00:52:05.339 --> 00:52:05.919
 Praise Him

00:52:05.919 --> 00:52:07.139
 as we join others

00:52:07.139 --> 00:52:07.759
 in songs.

00:52:08.319 --> 00:52:08.899
 And those of us

00:52:08.899 --> 00:52:09.719
 in our cell groups,

00:52:09.759 --> 00:52:10.339
 when we meet,

00:52:10.659 --> 00:52:11.379
 when we have our time

00:52:11.380 --> 00:52:11.740
 a prayer,

00:52:11.980 --> 00:52:12.920
 don't just bring needs

00:52:12.920 --> 00:52:13.500
 to God.

00:52:14.820 --> 00:52:15.720
 Of course we can.

00:52:16.220 --> 00:52:17.840
 But begin with praise.

00:52:18.059 --> 00:52:19.059
 Short praises.

00:52:19.200 --> 00:52:20.640
 Don't pray long prayers.

00:52:21.180 --> 00:52:21.860
 I'm never happy

00:52:21.860 --> 00:52:22.559
 with long prayers.

00:52:22.740 --> 00:52:23.480
 I go to sleep

00:52:23.480 --> 00:52:24.380
 if you pray too long.

00:52:24.820 --> 00:52:25.420
 I just like,

00:52:25.460 --> 00:52:25.820
 you know,

00:52:25.940 --> 00:52:27.680
 short prayers,

00:52:27.800 --> 00:52:28.400
 one sentence,

00:52:28.519 --> 00:52:29.039
 two sentences.

00:52:29.420 --> 00:52:29.940
 And when we have

00:52:29.940 --> 00:52:30.860
 morning prayers here,

00:52:31.059 --> 00:52:32.099
 we try to restrict it

00:52:32.099 --> 00:52:32.880
 to no more than

00:52:32.880 --> 00:52:33.500
 two sentences.

00:52:33.920 --> 00:52:34.539
 And that's great.

00:52:35.160 --> 00:52:36.280
 Everybody can participate.

00:52:36.680 --> 00:52:37.780
 And when you praise God,

00:52:38.099 --> 00:52:38.880
 the Bible study

00:52:38.880 --> 00:52:39.960
 goes much,

00:52:40.039 --> 00:52:40.559
 much better.

00:52:41.500 --> 00:52:42.239
 And then we want

00:52:42.239 --> 00:52:42.799
 to say this,

00:52:42.840 --> 00:52:44.139
 that when we praise God,

00:52:44.519 --> 00:52:45.960
 we want our whole life

00:52:45.960 --> 00:52:47.940
 to express our joy

00:52:47.940 --> 00:52:49.420
 and gratitude to Him.

00:52:49.980 --> 00:52:50.719
 One of the great

00:52:50.719 --> 00:52:51.900
 Scottish pastors,

00:52:52.340 --> 00:52:53.239
 Horatius Bonner,

00:52:53.779 --> 00:52:54.579
 he wrote a hymn

00:52:54.579 --> 00:52:55.500
 which I love.

00:52:55.639 --> 00:52:56.900
 I sing together

00:52:56.900 --> 00:52:57.440
 with my wife

00:52:57.440 --> 00:52:58.480
 over and over again.

00:52:58.880 --> 00:53:00.179
 Fill thou my life,

00:53:00.599 --> 00:53:01.579
 O Lord my God,

00:53:01.679 --> 00:53:03.119
 in every part

00:53:03.119 --> 00:53:04.079
 with praise,

00:53:04.400 --> 00:53:06.360
 that my whole being

00:53:06.360 --> 00:53:07.500
 may proclaim

00:53:07.500 --> 00:53:08.920
 thy being

00:53:08.920 --> 00:53:10.219
 and thy ways.

00:53:10.559 --> 00:53:11.139
 Then he goes on

00:53:11.139 --> 00:53:11.480
 to say,

00:53:11.880 --> 00:53:13.340
 not for the lips

00:53:13.340 --> 00:53:15.659
 of praise alone,

00:53:15.739 --> 00:53:18.019
 not in the praising heart.

00:53:18.019 --> 00:53:20.340
 I ask but for a life

00:53:20.340 --> 00:53:21.039
 made up

00:53:21.039 --> 00:53:22.980
 of praise

00:53:22.980 --> 00:53:25.000
 in every part.

00:53:25.239 --> 00:53:26.079
 I ask

00:53:26.079 --> 00:53:27.599
 for a life

00:53:27.599 --> 00:53:28.380
 made up

00:53:28.380 --> 00:53:30.139
 of praise

00:53:30.139 --> 00:53:31.619
 in every part.

00:53:31.940 --> 00:53:32.460
 Amen.

00:53:33.159 --> 00:53:34.099
 So why don't we just

00:53:34.099 --> 00:53:34.619
 praise God?

00:53:34.679 --> 00:53:35.659
 Let's all stand together.

00:53:36.079 --> 00:53:36.539
 And again,

00:53:36.539 --> 00:53:38.139
 just to say,

00:53:38.259 --> 00:53:38.719
 yes Lord,

00:53:38.920 --> 00:53:40.019
 I want to praise you.

00:53:40.320 --> 00:53:41.360
 Can we shout again,

00:53:41.659 --> 00:53:42.719
 hallelujah to the Lord?

00:53:43.000 --> 00:53:43.699
 Because this is saying,

00:53:44.000 --> 00:53:44.679
 I'm praising you.

00:53:44.759 --> 00:53:45.500
 And then we'll sing

00:53:45.500 --> 00:53:47.079
 closing him.

00:53:47.719 --> 00:53:48.559
 So let's really

00:53:48.559 --> 00:53:49.400
 praise God again.

00:53:49.480 --> 00:53:50.420
 You heard His word.

00:53:50.759 --> 00:53:51.340
 He's asked us

00:53:51.340 --> 00:53:52.079
 to praise Him

00:53:52.079 --> 00:53:53.739
 because praise is eternal,

00:53:54.000 --> 00:53:54.820
 praise is universal,

00:53:55.360 --> 00:53:56.960
 and praise is also experiential.

00:53:57.219 --> 00:53:57.719
 So let's,

00:53:58.340 --> 00:53:59.099
 with all our heart,

00:53:59.239 --> 00:53:59.900
 all our might,

00:54:00.059 --> 00:54:00.820
 all our volume,

00:54:01.320 --> 00:54:02.119
 praise God

00:54:02.119 --> 00:54:03.639
 in three hallelujahs.

00:54:03.639 --> 00:54:03.819
 Ready?

00:54:04.900 --> 00:54:05.259
 Hallelujah.

00:54:06.259 --> 00:54:06.659
 Hallelujah.

00:54:07.440 --> 00:54:07.879
 Hallelujah.

00:54:08.579 --> 00:54:09.420
 Praise the Lord.

00:54:09.679 --> 00:54:10.000
 Amen.