WEBVTT NOTE Podcast: Acts 29 Vancouver Episode: Worship Essentials Publishing Date: 2024-08-04T06:04:44-07:00 Podcast URL: https://acts29.ca Episode URL: https://acts29.ca/worship-essentials/ 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.440 Okay guys, today I will be sharing on worship. 00:00:12.440 --> 00:00:17.080 The Bible says that we're going to be worshipping even in heaven. 00:00:17.080 --> 00:00:22.000 So you know, we better talk about it now, right? 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:25.880 Worship is something which we all know. 00:00:25.880 --> 00:00:31.640 But the sad part is that we have professionalized worship. 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:35.960 We have started to depend on a team, a worship team. 00:00:35.960 --> 00:00:38.680 And they are responsible to lead us into worship. 00:00:38.680 --> 00:00:44.280 And we, I think it's both the parties. 00:00:44.280 --> 00:00:50.000 We have empowered them that it is their job, it is their responsibility. 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:56.760 And on the other hand, the worship leader and the team thinks that it's their job. 00:00:56.760 --> 00:01:03.400 But the sad reality is that it's not one or the other. 00:01:03.400 --> 00:01:07.440 The Bible talks about priesthood of all believers, yeah? 00:01:07.440 --> 00:01:11.560 Everybody is meant to be a worshiper. 00:01:11.560 --> 00:01:14.280 We are invited to worship together. 00:01:14.280 --> 00:01:18.760 And so the intent for today's sharing is not really a teaching. 00:01:18.760 --> 00:01:22.440 But it is more on sharing. 00:01:22.440 --> 00:01:31.640 Sharing and a reminder of what is worship, why worship, and how we can worship. 00:01:31.640 --> 00:01:35.720 So I'll cover three aspects of worship today. 00:01:35.720 --> 00:01:40.200 So the first one, what is worship? 00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:44.040 When we say that, oh yeah, you know, today we're going to worship. 00:01:44.040 --> 00:01:46.680 Or say, you know, Lord, I worship you. 00:01:46.920 --> 00:01:49.000 We sing, Lord, I worship you. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:51.000 But what does that really mean? 00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:54.200 On one hand, everybody knows what is worship. 00:01:54.200 --> 00:02:03.640 And yet, if I ask the room, you know, if I ask you, how do you define worship? 00:02:03.640 --> 00:02:09.240 I'm sure I will get different definitions, yeah? 00:02:09.240 --> 00:02:11.240 Can we have an example? 00:02:11.240 --> 00:02:13.240 How would you define worship? 00:02:13.240 --> 00:02:15.240 Anybody? 00:02:16.200 --> 00:02:20.920 If someone says, what is worship, what would you say? 00:02:20.920 --> 00:02:22.920 Say it again? 00:02:22.920 --> 00:02:24.920 A hard attitude, yeah. 00:02:24.920 --> 00:02:26.920 Okay. 00:02:26.920 --> 00:02:28.920 What else? 00:02:28.920 --> 00:02:30.920 Say it again, louder. 00:02:30.920 --> 00:02:32.920 An agreement of who God is. 00:02:32.920 --> 00:02:34.920 Yeah. 00:02:34.920 --> 00:02:42.440 So, you know, there is no universally agreed upon definition on worship, yeah? 00:02:42.760 --> 00:02:47.720 Different peoples have tried to define worship in different terms. 00:02:47.720 --> 00:02:59.880 And like for instance, you know, Oxford Dictionary defines worship as the practice of showing respect to God or a God, right? 00:02:59.880 --> 00:03:05.480 By saying prayers, by singing, and etc., etc. 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:07.560 You know, Cambridge did a little better. 00:03:07.560 --> 00:03:15.320 They said to show or to have or show a strong feeling of respect and admiration for God, yeah? 00:03:15.320 --> 00:03:24.360 And then, you know, Merriam-Webster, you know, dictionary says, reverence offered to a divine or supernatural power. 00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:26.360 These are three definitions. 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:35.400 But why I'm sharing these three is that they don't even come close to the true essence of worship, yeah? 00:03:36.360 --> 00:03:47.320 The more common agreed meaning of worship is to bend down or to bow down, right? 00:03:47.320 --> 00:03:57.640 The, you know, the etymology of the word worship comes from an old English word worth and ship, right? 00:03:57.640 --> 00:04:03.880 Like worth, worth our admiration, worth, you know, honoring. 00:04:03.880 --> 00:04:08.040 So it describes a gesture of reverence. 00:04:08.040 --> 00:04:21.560 It describes a gesture of admiration and, you know, our adoration and awe and submission to God, right? 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:29.560 So, you know, we read in Exodus 34, verse 8, where Moses bows down with his head toward the ground in worship, right? 00:04:29.640 --> 00:04:38.360 And worship is when we give our deepest affection and our highest praise to God. 00:04:38.360 --> 00:04:43.400 Worship is when we praise God above everything else. 00:04:43.400 --> 00:04:48.760 It is when we love him with our heart, with our mind, with our soul, yeah? 00:04:48.760 --> 00:04:49.960 With our strength. 00:04:49.960 --> 00:04:53.240 It's when we praise God above everything else. 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:55.000 That is worship, yeah? 00:04:55.080 --> 00:05:05.720 So it is giving our total devotion, our love, like honoring, celebrating, you know, obeying and deserving, 00:05:05.720 --> 00:05:11.320 and, sorry, and obeying God who deserves our highest regard. 00:05:12.760 --> 00:05:20.200 So in simple word, worship is, you know, acknowledging God and celebrating his personhood, 00:05:20.280 --> 00:05:32.360 his nature, his presence, his power, his glory, his awesomeness with our body, with our mind, with our spirit, yeah? 00:05:32.360 --> 00:05:34.600 So it is all of you. 00:05:34.600 --> 00:05:37.320 You know, in simple words, it is all of you, right? 00:05:37.320 --> 00:05:42.200 You know, I love how John Piper defines worship as he says, 00:05:42.200 --> 00:05:49.960 The inner essence of worship is, one, to know God truly, to know God truly, 00:05:50.760 --> 00:05:59.400 and then respond from the heart to that knowledge of knowing God by valuing him, 00:06:00.120 --> 00:06:09.480 by treasuring him, by pricing him, by enjoying him, by being satisfied with God above all earthly things. 00:06:10.440 --> 00:06:12.440 Beautiful, eh? 00:06:12.440 --> 00:06:18.120 So, you know, I'm not going to spend so much time on worship because we all have a fair idea about what worship is. 00:06:19.160 --> 00:06:26.040 So, you know, worship is not just about, you know, playing some songs before, you know, the preacher steps up, right? 00:06:26.040 --> 00:06:28.040 We worship with our life. 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:30.920 We worship with our life. 00:06:30.920 --> 00:06:39.080 And so worship is expressed through words, through works, and through service, right? 00:06:39.160 --> 00:06:46.120 The Hebrew word for that is avodah, A-V-O-D-A-H, right? 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:59.880 And this Hebrew word, avodah, means work, the blue R-K, and then worship, and then service, right? 00:06:59.880 --> 00:07:08.120 Work, worship, and service, all combined as one word, which is avodah, right? 00:07:08.760 --> 00:07:19.720 So, you know, today when I say worship, for the sake of today's teaching, my focus will be on personal and corporate gathering like today, 00:07:19.720 --> 00:07:35.000 where we gather and we have different expressions for worship, like singing, dancing, declaring, interceding, decreeing, praying, with our heart, mind, and soul, with one voice. 00:07:35.720 --> 00:07:43.240 Yeah? So, you know, I'm going to focus on that, worship from that aspect, the individual and the corporate worship. 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:48.840 So, I'll quickly move to the second aspect, which is why worship? 00:07:50.920 --> 00:07:53.720 And, you know, I want to spend most of my time here. Why worship? 00:07:54.760 --> 00:08:04.600 And, you know, instead of simply answering why we worship, which we all know, but I think if we understand the power of worship, 00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:19.080 if we understand the results of worship, if we understand the benefit, the blessing of worship, then we will know why we should worship. 00:08:20.600 --> 00:08:27.240 Yeah? So, there are so many points that we can go on, but I'm just going to share four things here, four things. 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:30.840 And the first one is worship invokes presence. 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:34.840 Worship invokes God's presence. That's the first one. 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:42.040 You know, Matthew 18 says, where two or three gather, that's where the presence of the Lord is, right? 00:08:43.160 --> 00:08:45.400 So, worship is never one-way traffic. 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:54.840 Worship is never one-way traffic. When we worship, it always gets the attention of God. 00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:58.840 It always gets the attention of God. God cannot remain silent. 00:08:58.840 --> 00:09:04.840 When his people worship, it immediately gets the attention of God. 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:14.840 It always invokes God's presence. And so, you know, remember that story in 1 Kings 18. 00:09:14.840 --> 00:09:20.840 We read about the story of Moses at Mount Carmel, right? In chapter 18. 00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:30.840 You know, the prophets of Baal, they were crying out from morning till noon and saying, Baal, answer us, answer us. 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:36.840 And verse 26 says, but there was no voice, no one answered. 00:09:38.840 --> 00:09:46.840 There was no voice, no one answered. It's an idol. It's a dead God. 00:09:46.840 --> 00:09:50.840 It's an idol. It's a dead God. No answer. 00:09:50.840 --> 00:09:56.840 When Elijah cries out to God, fire came down. 00:09:56.840 --> 00:10:04.840 That's the kind of God we worship, eh? He's a living God. He doesn't just keep silent. 00:10:04.840 --> 00:10:12.840 He responds. You know, unlike, you know, other gods, it always gets the attention of God. 00:10:12.840 --> 00:10:18.840 Worship always gets the attention of God. I, you know, I am repeating myself, but I know this is too important. 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:28.840 You know, over the years, my wife and I have learned how to worship in our own, you know, private rooms. 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:35.840 I know what it feels like. 00:10:36.840 --> 00:10:40.840 I know what it feels like. 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:45.840 When there is presence, I know what it feels like. 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:53.840 When I worship, I know when the presence manifests. 00:10:54.840 --> 00:11:00.840 Sometimes we literally feel the tangible presence of God. Sometimes we even get goosebumps. 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:04.840 Sometimes I feel the warmth of His love. 00:11:04.840 --> 00:11:07.840 And I cry for no reason. 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:16.840 Sometimes I am pierced. My heart cuts through because of just His overwhelming presence. 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:18.840 Yeah? 00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:27.840 Worship invokes presence. Why? Because as you and I genuinely worship, God doesn't remain silent. 00:11:28.840 --> 00:11:31.840 And so this is why. 00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:38.840 I know what presence is in my private room. 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:44.840 So this is why when I come here, I know what presence feels like. 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:52.840 And presence always resets. Presence always resets you. 00:11:53.840 --> 00:11:55.840 Presence always resets you. 00:11:55.840 --> 00:12:03.840 When I go into my room, there are times when there are a hundred and a thousand ideas, a thousand thoughts, yeah? 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:10.840 Things that I need to do, things that are bothering me, things that are requiring my attention. 00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:14.840 So many things. And priorities mixed up. 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:25.840 But as I enter worship, as I engage in worship, His presence, His presence just resets me. 00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:32.840 Resets my life. And now I am able to prioritize what I need to. Yeah? 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:40.840 So worship surpasses our mind. Worship always surpasses our mind. 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:48.840 It resets our mind and it always brings in its proper place. Yeah? 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:54.840 So that's one. Presence invokes, sorry, worship invokes presence. 00:12:54.840 --> 00:13:02.840 The second one is in worship, God empowers you. As you surrender in worship. 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:06.840 There is this beautiful exchange of worship in surrender. 00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:12.840 Beautiful exchange of surrender. Beautiful exchange of surrender in worship. 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:19.840 It's like, you know, surrender and empowerment. They're like synonyms. 00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:26.840 You learn how to surrender, you will always be empowered. 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:30.840 It is not a maybe thing. It is a guarantee. 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:35.840 Why you and I are not empowered is because sometimes we rely on our own strength. 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:41.840 As long as I'm saying I'm okay and God won't intervene. Why? 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:44.840 Because God has given me free will. 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:51.840 But when I am in need, when I acknowledge my need for Him, 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:56.840 when I surrender control, God shows up. 00:13:56.840 --> 00:14:08.840 This is why God would ask Gideon to trim the army so that in his littleness, God will show his might. Right? 00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:12.840 So this is the kingdom principle. 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:19.840 The more we surrender, the more we yield to God, the more He exalts you and me. 00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:23.840 The more we yield to God, the more He exalts you and me. 00:14:26.840 --> 00:14:32.840 There is power in yielding. There is power in yielding. 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:39.840 You know, I remember listening to a sermon by one of the worship leaders that I love watching. 00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:43.840 And that had stayed with me till this day. 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:47.840 He was sharing about his experience of leading worship in a church. 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:52.840 And then this pastor would wait for him to finish all the set of songs. 00:14:53.840 --> 00:15:00.840 And so this worship leader comes up and leads all the songs that he needs to. 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:03.840 And the pastor is still waiting. 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:13.840 You know, the intent was, the pastor was waiting whether after finishing all the set of songs, 00:15:14.840 --> 00:15:19.840 will the worship leader still take them deeper into the presence of God. 00:15:20.840 --> 00:15:24.840 You know, I had a similar test when I first came to Acts 29. 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:29.840 You know, I remember one time having four songs on my list. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:31.840 And then within no time I finished them. 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:35.840 And so it feels like one more song needs to be added. 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:39.840 Finished that song. Five or six songs. 00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:42.840 And then my voice is almost gone. 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:47.840 And you know, at that time, it was just a warm up for Jacob. 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:53.840 And you know, that day we ended up singing 13 songs. 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:56.840 So the next time, I came with seven songs. 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:01.840 And then he said, oh, you know, don't worry about the list. 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:05.840 Yeah? Let's go a different direction today. 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:10.840 And then the seven songs that I have, we sang none of them. 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:12.840 Yeah? 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:17.840 You know, why I'm sharing this is because he's someone who knows presence. 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:20.840 He's someone who knows the presence of God. 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:21.840 He's someone who knows presence. 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.840 He's someone who knows presence. 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:28.840 And in the process, it has changed me. 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:38.840 Because, you know, there are times when I would come home and share, you know, things with my wife and say, man, it didn't go well today. 00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:43.840 I could have done better. 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:44.840 You know, it was messy. 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:48.840 I wish things were more organized, things were better. 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:54.840 But what I have learned over the years is that it has undone me. 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:56.840 It has undone me. 00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:03.840 And it has helped me to be in total surrender to God. 00:17:06.840 --> 00:17:08.840 Now I try my best, but I don't care. 00:17:09.840 --> 00:17:10.840 I don't care. 00:17:10.840 --> 00:17:16.840 Now I try my best, but I don't care about how it will sound, how I will feel. 00:17:17.840 --> 00:17:19.840 I care about what the spirit is doing. 00:17:20.840 --> 00:17:22.840 I care about where the spirit is leading. 00:17:27.840 --> 00:17:30.840 And I know I have learned this from all of you. 00:17:33.840 --> 00:17:35.840 Because I know there are genuine worshipers here in this house. 00:17:37.840 --> 00:17:39.840 There are genuine worshipers in this house. 00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:48.840 The Holy Spirit is the architect for worship. 00:17:49.840 --> 00:17:52.840 The Holy Spirit is the architect for worship. 00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:54.840 He knows. 00:17:55.840 --> 00:17:56.840 He knows the deep things of the Father. 00:17:57.840 --> 00:17:58.840 He knows the mind of Christ. 00:17:59.840 --> 00:18:00.840 He wants to glorify Christ. 00:18:01.840 --> 00:18:03.840 He wants to take us deeper into the throne room. 00:18:04.840 --> 00:18:06.840 The Holy Spirit is the architect for worship. 00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:09.840 He's the one who always wants to glorify Christ. 00:18:10.840 --> 00:18:16.840 And it has completely rewired me in worship. 00:18:17.840 --> 00:18:20.840 The Holy Spirit has completely rewired me for worship. 00:18:21.840 --> 00:18:24.840 When I partner with him. 00:18:25.840 --> 00:18:27.840 When I now surrender to him. 00:18:35.840 --> 00:18:38.840 Showmanship, showmanship disappears. 00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:44.840 Control for outcome disappears. 00:18:45.840 --> 00:18:49.840 Self exaltation disappears. 00:18:50.840 --> 00:18:54.840 There's no room for showmanship when the Holy Spirit begins to take over. 00:19:03.840 --> 00:19:05.840 The shift changes. 00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:08.840 The shift changes from worship leader to God. 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:14.840 Worship leaders have the tendency to shift the focus from God to themselves. 00:19:15.840 --> 00:19:17.840 And I myself am guilty of that. 00:19:18.840 --> 00:19:20.840 Because you want to sound good. 00:19:22.840 --> 00:19:25.840 But what I have realized is that allow the Spirit to lead you. 00:19:26.840 --> 00:19:28.840 It shifts the focus from you to him. 00:19:29.840 --> 00:19:31.840 There's no room for showmanship. 00:19:31.840 --> 00:19:34.840 So, this message is not just for worship leaders. 00:19:35.840 --> 00:19:38.840 Because worship is something that you and I need to learn. 00:19:39.840 --> 00:19:41.840 You and I are called to worship. 00:19:42.840 --> 00:19:44.840 Let everything that has bred praise the Lord. 00:19:45.840 --> 00:19:48.840 In other words, let everyone of you learn how to worship God. 00:19:49.840 --> 00:19:53.840 Yes, there are days when our energy levels are higher. 00:19:54.840 --> 00:19:58.840 There are times when we are not able to worship God. 00:19:58.840 --> 00:20:01.840 There are times when we are low on energy. 00:20:04.840 --> 00:20:08.840 But I don't remember a single day coming here and giving my second best. 00:20:09.840 --> 00:20:11.840 I don't remember a single day. 00:20:14.840 --> 00:20:19.840 I may not be at my best physically, emotionally, psychologically. 00:20:20.840 --> 00:20:22.840 But I try to give my best. 00:20:23.840 --> 00:20:26.840 And what I want to encourage you guys is that you may be tired sometimes. 00:20:26.840 --> 00:20:28.840 You may be waiting for a breakthrough. 00:20:29.840 --> 00:20:31.840 There are words spoken over you. 00:20:32.840 --> 00:20:34.840 And the complete opposite happens. 00:20:35.840 --> 00:20:37.840 We have experienced that. 00:20:38.840 --> 00:20:40.840 Words were spoken over our lives. 00:20:41.840 --> 00:20:43.840 And what we are experiencing was the complete opposite. 00:20:44.840 --> 00:20:46.840 It was a struggle. 00:20:47.840 --> 00:20:49.840 But we changed the struggle to wrestle. 00:20:50.840 --> 00:20:52.840 And God has seen us through. 00:20:53.840 --> 00:20:59.840 In such moments, in such moments, can we learn to surrender? 00:21:00.840 --> 00:21:03.840 In such times, can we learn to surrender? 00:21:04.840 --> 00:21:06.840 This is an open secret. 00:21:07.840 --> 00:21:08.840 It's an open secret. 00:21:09.840 --> 00:21:19.840 A life of total surrender always gives place for the empowerment of God. 00:21:19.840 --> 00:21:21.840 There's this beautiful exchange in worship. 00:21:22.840 --> 00:21:26.840 I've practiced this in my private room a hundred times, a thousand times. 00:21:30.840 --> 00:21:31.840 And I know it works. 00:21:32.840 --> 00:21:33.840 I know it works. 00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:37.840 As we surrender, God empowers you and me. 00:21:39.840 --> 00:21:41.840 I think I've said this again. 00:21:42.840 --> 00:21:43.840 I mean, I've said this in the past. 00:21:43.840 --> 00:21:49.840 But surrendering enlarges and it increases your capacity to receive him. 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:58.840 So one worship leader said, consider a gift when God becomes your only option. 00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:05.840 Consider a gift when God becomes your only option. 00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:08.840 Learn to surrender in worship. 00:22:10.840 --> 00:22:11.840 Learn to surrender in worship. 00:22:11.840 --> 00:22:13.840 You will always benefit from this. 00:22:14.840 --> 00:22:15.840 It's an exchange. 00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:17.840 The third one. 00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:22.840 Worship is a weapon and God fights for you. 00:22:23.840 --> 00:22:25.840 Worship is a weapon and God fights for you. 00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:27.840 It's a weapon. 00:22:28.840 --> 00:22:29.840 God fights our battles. 00:22:30.840 --> 00:22:31.840 This is why learn to use the word of God. 00:22:33.840 --> 00:22:37.840 Learn to use the word of God and learn to use words of your own. 00:22:37.840 --> 00:22:39.840 Yes, there are times when we are silent. 00:22:40.840 --> 00:22:42.840 There are times when we are in awe of who God is. 00:22:43.840 --> 00:22:46.840 And so there are moments of reverence where you keep quiet. 00:22:48.840 --> 00:22:53.840 But there are also moments when you need to speak, when you and I cannot be silent. 00:22:55.840 --> 00:22:56.840 Yeah. 00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:58.840 So learn to use the word of God. 00:22:59.840 --> 00:23:00.840 Learn to use words of your own. 00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:05.840 Because our words become seeds. 00:23:05.840 --> 00:23:06.840 Our words become seeds. 00:23:07.840 --> 00:23:10.840 Our words, we can decree things here on earth. 00:23:11.840 --> 00:23:14.840 We can declare heavens, plans, and purposes here on earth. 00:23:15.840 --> 00:23:19.840 We can bind things in the spiritual realm. 00:23:21.840 --> 00:23:23.840 We can speak the oracles of God. 00:23:24.840 --> 00:23:28.840 We can make words become flesh in our words. 00:23:30.840 --> 00:23:31.840 Because God has given us that authority. 00:23:31.840 --> 00:23:34.840 So learn, learn, learn, learn to use words. 00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:36.840 It's a weapon. 00:23:37.840 --> 00:23:38.840 It's a weapon. 00:23:39.840 --> 00:23:41.840 You know, I don't know how good Moses sings. 00:23:42.840 --> 00:23:43.840 Yeah. 00:23:44.840 --> 00:23:46.840 Because the Bible says that Moses is slow to speak. 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:48.840 You know, he stutters. 00:23:49.840 --> 00:23:56.840 But after what God has done for the Israelites by hurling the riders and horses into the Red Sea, 00:23:56.840 --> 00:23:57.840 he immediately jumps into writing a song. 00:23:58.840 --> 00:23:59.840 Yeah. 00:24:00.840 --> 00:24:01.840 I think it's in Exodus 17. 00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:03.840 It's a long, long one. 00:24:04.840 --> 00:24:07.840 He and Miriam, you know, begins to write a song and sing. 00:24:08.840 --> 00:24:09.840 And, you know, it was a long one. 00:24:10.840 --> 00:24:16.840 And I think if we are to contextualize that song, it might have seven or eight verses. 00:24:17.840 --> 00:24:18.840 Yeah. 00:24:19.840 --> 00:24:23.840 You know, if you don't believe me, just go and read Exodus 15. 00:24:23.840 --> 00:24:30.840 But a classic example of worship being a weapon is also found in Exodus 17, 00:24:31.840 --> 00:24:35.840 when Moses was leading the Israelites to fight the Amalekites. 00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:40.840 And, you know, I find this very interesting, especially verse 9, where it says, 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.840 you know, Moses said, 00:24:43.840 --> 00:24:46.840 Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands. 00:24:46.840 --> 00:24:47.840 Moses said, 00:24:48.840 --> 00:24:51.840 Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands. 00:24:52.840 --> 00:24:56.840 Moses did not say, I will go into the battlefield and fight. 00:24:57.840 --> 00:24:58.840 He says, I will be on the hill. 00:24:59.840 --> 00:25:02.840 He's not on the battlefield. 00:25:03.840 --> 00:25:05.840 He's fighting his battle in a different location. 00:25:06.840 --> 00:25:07.840 Yeah. 00:25:08.840 --> 00:25:10.840 This is critical for us, guys. 00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:14.840 In the physical realm, you and I may be just raising our hands. 00:25:14.840 --> 00:25:18.840 In the physical realm, you may be just, you know, declaring one word or two, 00:25:19.840 --> 00:25:20.840 or your need for him saying, Abba. 00:25:21.840 --> 00:25:22.840 Maybe just one word. 00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:25.840 Maybe in the physical realm, you are doing that. 00:25:26.840 --> 00:25:28.840 But in the spiritual realm, things are shifting. 00:25:29.840 --> 00:25:30.840 Things are shifting. 00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:32.840 It always happens, eh? 00:25:33.840 --> 00:25:36.840 Because the word of God says, our battle is not against flesh and blood. 00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:40.840 Meaning, you and I need to learn how to wage spiritual battles. 00:25:44.840 --> 00:25:45.840 And words are powerful. 00:25:46.840 --> 00:25:48.840 Because, you know, in the Bible it says, 00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:51.840 the word of God is like a double-edged sword, right? 00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:53.840 It's the sword of the spirit. 00:25:54.840 --> 00:25:55.840 It cuts the enemy. 00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:57.840 It is powerful. 00:25:58.840 --> 00:25:59.840 It gives life. 00:26:00.840 --> 00:26:01.840 It judges. 00:26:02.840 --> 00:26:03.840 It decrees things here on earth. 00:26:04.840 --> 00:26:09.840 So, know that God has given you and I a very powerful weapon, 00:26:10.840 --> 00:26:11.840 and that is worship. 00:26:11.840 --> 00:26:12.840 So, let us use it. 00:26:13.840 --> 00:26:14.840 Let us use it. 00:26:15.840 --> 00:26:22.840 I think I said last Sunday where I said, change your sound if you want to change your sight. 00:26:23.840 --> 00:26:24.840 Right? 00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:27.840 Change your sound if you want to change your sight. 00:26:28.840 --> 00:26:30.840 And I think that is very, very important. 00:26:31.840 --> 00:26:32.840 Hi. 00:26:33.840 --> 00:26:40.840 For everyone in Israel, they saw the power of God. 00:26:41.840 --> 00:26:43.840 The giant Goliath. 00:26:44.840 --> 00:26:46.840 Everyone saw. 00:26:47.840 --> 00:26:49.840 Everyone saw Goliath the giant. 00:26:50.840 --> 00:26:56.840 David saw an unsurcompsized Philistine. 00:26:57.840 --> 00:27:06.840 And he said, this giant will fall today. 00:27:07.840 --> 00:27:09.840 The Lord will deliver me into my hands. 00:27:09.840 --> 00:27:15.840 He begins to speak before he even fights Goliath. 00:27:16.840 --> 00:27:17.840 Right? 00:27:18.840 --> 00:27:24.840 This is why it's important for us to speak before things happen. 00:27:25.840 --> 00:27:34.840 There is no faith if God does something and then now you put your faith in him. 00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:36.840 That's not faith. 00:27:36.840 --> 00:27:40.840 Faith is when there are obstacles. 00:27:41.840 --> 00:27:51.840 Faith is when it is quite imbalanced and yet you know and you're confident. 00:27:52.840 --> 00:27:53.840 Yeah? 00:27:54.840 --> 00:27:55.840 We've got to change our sound. 00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:58.840 We may not be joyful. 00:27:59.840 --> 00:28:00.840 We may not be happy. 00:28:01.840 --> 00:28:02.840 Our moods may vary. 00:28:02.840 --> 00:28:05.840 But as we come, start with the truth. 00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.840 Change your sound. 00:28:09.840 --> 00:28:12.840 Suddenly there's this rush of joy. 00:28:13.840 --> 00:28:17.840 Now the wind blows and it changes the atmosphere completely. 00:28:18.840 --> 00:28:19.840 Change your sound. 00:28:20.840 --> 00:28:21.840 The fourth one. 00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:28.840 Worship triggers the manifestation of his glory. 00:28:28.840 --> 00:28:33.840 Worship triggers the manifestation of his glory. 00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:37.840 Worship triggers the manifestation of his glory. 00:28:38.840 --> 00:28:39.840 It brings healing. 00:28:40.840 --> 00:28:41.840 It brings deliverance. 00:28:42.840 --> 00:28:43.840 It brings joy. 00:28:44.840 --> 00:28:45.840 It releases freedom. 00:28:46.840 --> 00:28:50.840 Let's go to Acts chapter 16. 00:28:51.840 --> 00:28:54.840 Acts chapter 16 verses 26 onwards. 00:28:55.840 --> 00:28:56.840 22 onwards. 00:28:56.840 --> 00:29:01.840 Acts chapter 16 verse 22 onwards. 00:29:02.840 --> 00:29:09.840 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 00:29:10.840 --> 00:29:13.840 After that they had been severely flogged. 00:29:14.840 --> 00:29:17.840 They were thrown into prison and the jailer was commanded to guard them. 00:29:18.840 --> 00:29:23.840 When he received these orders, he put them in an inner cell and fussed their feet in the stocks. 00:29:23.840 --> 00:29:29.840 About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the other prisoners were listening to them. 00:29:30.840 --> 00:29:35.840 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake and the foundations of the prison were shaken. 00:29:36.840 --> 00:29:41.840 At once all the prison doors flew open and everyone's chains came loose. 00:29:42.840 --> 00:29:44.840 It is a very interesting passage. 00:29:45.840 --> 00:29:46.840 Very interesting passage. Why? 00:29:48.840 --> 00:29:50.840 After such a beating, 00:29:50.840 --> 00:29:55.840 after such flogging, the scripture says severely flogged. 00:29:56.840 --> 00:29:57.840 And not just that. 00:29:58.840 --> 00:30:02.840 They were put in the inner cell and then their feet were chained to the stocks. 00:30:03.840 --> 00:30:07.840 And about midnight, these two guys, 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:12.840 meaning since they are chained and even their feet, 00:30:13.840 --> 00:30:17.840 what we get to be beaten with is a very strong blow. 00:30:17.840 --> 00:30:22.840 And even their feet, what we get a picture is that they can't even raise their arms. 00:30:25.840 --> 00:30:29.840 Yet, in such a scenario, they were raising hallelujah. 00:30:30.840 --> 00:30:32.840 They were praising God. That is the context. 00:30:33.840 --> 00:30:38.840 We don't fully understand the scenario of this. 00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:44.840 And you know, when they started singing, 00:30:44.840 --> 00:30:48.840 this passage says the other prisoners were listening to them. 00:30:49.840 --> 00:30:52.840 The other prisoners were listening to them. 00:30:53.840 --> 00:30:55.840 And you know what? 00:30:56.840 --> 00:31:01.840 A violent earthquake came and all prison doors flew open 00:31:02.840 --> 00:31:04.840 and everyone's chains came loose. 00:31:05.840 --> 00:31:06.840 Not just their chains. 00:31:07.840 --> 00:31:09.840 Everyone who was listening, their chains fell off. 00:31:10.840 --> 00:31:11.840 Isn't that crazy, eh? 00:31:14.840 --> 00:31:18.840 Because of their worship, others benefited. 00:31:20.840 --> 00:31:22.840 Because of their worship, others were set free. 00:31:23.840 --> 00:31:24.840 Not just them. 00:31:28.840 --> 00:31:29.840 What a crazy story. 00:31:31.840 --> 00:31:33.840 This is your portion. This is my portion. 00:31:37.840 --> 00:31:39.840 This is not just a story of Paul and Silas. 00:31:40.840 --> 00:31:43.840 This has to be your reality and my reality. 00:31:44.840 --> 00:31:48.840 I've been in meetings where we were worshiping and then healing happens. 00:31:50.840 --> 00:31:52.840 Where there are breakthroughs. 00:32:00.840 --> 00:32:02.840 And I know things do happen here. 00:32:04.840 --> 00:32:06.840 You may be beaten with iron rods. 00:32:07.840 --> 00:32:11.840 And as in with assignments, with deadlines, 00:32:12.840 --> 00:32:19.840 with heavy workload, high demands, and unrealistic expectations from your boss. 00:32:20.840 --> 00:32:26.840 You are being flocked like Paul and Silas with responsibilities and duties. 00:32:28.840 --> 00:32:32.840 But still, can you and I have the courage? 00:32:33.840 --> 00:32:35.840 Can you and I gather up? 00:32:36.840 --> 00:32:39.840 And praise and worship God in such moments. 00:32:40.840 --> 00:32:46.840 If God delights in our worship, it's a test for us, eh? 00:32:47.840 --> 00:32:50.840 Can you and I worship when we are at our worst? 00:32:52.840 --> 00:32:55.840 Because the reason is we become what we worship. 00:32:56.840 --> 00:32:58.840 We become what we worship. 00:33:00.840 --> 00:33:01.840 We become what we worship. 00:33:02.840 --> 00:33:03.840 Some people worship money. 00:33:03.840 --> 00:33:08.840 Their life, their thoughts, their career, their ambition, everything revolves around money. 00:33:09.840 --> 00:33:20.840 If we worship God, His nature, His plans, His purposes, His truth, His power, His justice, everything becomes ours. 00:33:21.840 --> 00:33:25.840 We worship, we become what we worship. 00:33:26.840 --> 00:33:28.840 Not that we are seeking after these things in worship, 00:33:28.840 --> 00:33:32.840 but because we worship this living God, it's a byproduct of who He is. 00:33:33.840 --> 00:33:34.840 Yeah? 00:33:35.840 --> 00:33:39.840 Bring every dark area of your life. 00:33:40.840 --> 00:33:41.840 It can be your addiction. 00:33:42.840 --> 00:33:43.840 It can be your struggles. 00:33:44.840 --> 00:33:45.840 It can be your habits. 00:33:46.840 --> 00:33:55.840 Whatever it is, bring anything that is dark in your life to God's marvelous light. 00:33:55.840 --> 00:33:56.840 Darkness will flee. 00:33:57.840 --> 00:33:58.840 Your addiction will flee. 00:34:00.840 --> 00:34:02.840 Your lack of joy will be gone. 00:34:06.840 --> 00:34:07.840 Why? 00:34:07.840 --> 00:34:11.840 Because darkness and light, they do not coexist. 00:34:12.840 --> 00:34:13.840 They cannot coexist. 00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:15.840 Yeah? 00:34:16.840 --> 00:34:17.840 This is what worship does, eh? 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:22.840 So this is why there's no professional worshiper in this house. 00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:24.840 There's no professional worshiper. 00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:28.840 This is why you and I, how can we get better in this? 00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:33.840 Eve, I just shared four points, and this is just a tip of an iceberg. 00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:36.840 Worship invokes God's presence. 00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:39.840 Worship invokes God's presence. 00:34:40.840 --> 00:34:42.840 Worship invokes God's presence. 00:34:43.840 --> 00:34:45.840 Worship invokes God's presence. 00:34:45.840 --> 00:34:50.840 Worship, in worship, there is a beautiful exchange in surrender. 00:34:51.840 --> 00:34:52.840 As we surrender, he empowers. 00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:57.840 Worship is a weapon given to you and me. 00:34:58.840 --> 00:35:01.840 And if we use worship as a weapon, God fights for you. 00:35:02.840 --> 00:35:03.840 The fourth one. 00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:07.840 Worship triggers his manifestation. 00:35:08.840 --> 00:35:10.840 The manifestation of his glory. 00:35:10.840 --> 00:35:16.840 So, some practical ways to practice this one. 00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:20.840 Okay, so how can I worship better? 00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:23.840 How can I go a little deeper? 00:35:26.840 --> 00:35:31.840 First one is learn to express yourself in worship. 00:35:32.840 --> 00:35:35.840 Learn to express yourself in worship. 00:35:35.840 --> 00:35:37.840 Learn to express yourself in worship. 00:35:38.840 --> 00:35:41.840 Because we are dealing with the God of the universe. 00:35:42.840 --> 00:35:45.840 We are dealing with, we are engaging with the God of the universe. 00:35:48.840 --> 00:35:52.840 Learn to express yourself individually, at home or here. 00:35:53.840 --> 00:35:56.840 If it's hard to practice here, learn. 00:35:57.840 --> 00:35:59.840 At home, when you are on your own. 00:36:00.840 --> 00:36:02.840 Or if that is more difficult, then start here. 00:36:02.840 --> 00:36:05.840 Because like I said, there are genuine worshipers in this house. 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:08.840 Start here. 00:36:09.840 --> 00:36:10.840 A very good place to start. 00:36:11.840 --> 00:36:12.840 Especially with words. 00:36:13.840 --> 00:36:17.840 Yes, there is quietness and reverence for God. 00:36:18.840 --> 00:36:20.840 But, learn to express yourself with words. 00:36:21.840 --> 00:36:22.840 Because your words do matter. 00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:26.840 You know, I think it was in Mark 10. 00:36:27.840 --> 00:36:30.840 Jesus, you know, he was a man of God. 00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:34.840 You know, Jesus comes and meets this blind man. 00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:38.840 You know, obviously Jesus knows he is blind. 00:36:39.840 --> 00:36:42.840 But he says, you know, what can I do for you? 00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:47.840 Sounds like a silly question. 00:36:48.840 --> 00:36:51.840 Here is a blind man and Jesus obviously knows that he is blind. 00:36:52.840 --> 00:36:53.840 And he says, what can I do for you? 00:36:54.840 --> 00:36:56.840 And of course, you know, the answer was, I want to see. 00:36:57.840 --> 00:36:59.840 And you know, Jesus said, your faith has made you well. 00:37:00.840 --> 00:37:02.840 He was instantly healed. 00:37:03.840 --> 00:37:07.840 What Jesus is looking after is to voice out. 00:37:08.840 --> 00:37:12.840 And so this is why there has to be an expression of worship, right? 00:37:13.840 --> 00:37:19.840 You know, Proverbs 3.12 says, from the fruit of their lips, people will enjoy good things. 00:37:20.840 --> 00:37:23.840 From the fruit of their lips, people will enjoy good things. 00:37:26.840 --> 00:37:29.840 Learn to have an expression of worship. 00:37:30.840 --> 00:37:31.840 Learn to express yourself. 00:37:32.840 --> 00:37:35.840 You know, it can start with just one word, Abba. 00:37:36.840 --> 00:37:41.840 That's enough. Or I need you. Or let me hear you. 00:37:43.840 --> 00:37:46.840 I seek your face. Start from there. 00:37:47.840 --> 00:37:51.840 We've got to learn how to express ourselves in worship. 00:37:54.840 --> 00:37:58.840 Second, you know, a few practical ways. 00:37:58.840 --> 00:38:04.840 Second is linger. Linger long enough. Linger long enough. 00:38:05.840 --> 00:38:07.840 Try out new ways. 00:38:08.840 --> 00:38:13.840 Pass that awkward moment. Please pass that awkward moment. 00:38:14.840 --> 00:38:15.840 Because I know we all go through that. 00:38:16.840 --> 00:38:21.840 You know, as a musician, there are moments when, like, you finish a song, 00:38:22.840 --> 00:38:25.840 and then you're unsure whether, and Jane knows better. 00:38:25.840 --> 00:38:30.840 But, you know, should I move on to the next song? Should I just wait? 00:38:31.840 --> 00:38:33.840 We all go through that awkward moment. 00:38:34.840 --> 00:38:42.840 And, you know, as a musician, my tendency is to start playing, or to speak, or to change song. 00:38:43.840 --> 00:38:47.840 Just to feel that awkward moment, right? To feel the gap. 00:38:48.840 --> 00:38:52.840 But what I have learned is that, as I linger in that, 00:38:52.840 --> 00:38:56.840 sometimes I don't even know what to say. But I don't give up. 00:38:57.840 --> 00:39:02.840 I linger in that presence. And then suddenly a word comes. 00:39:03.840 --> 00:39:08.840 Suddenly a prompting of the spirit comes. And then things just explode. Yeah. 00:39:10.840 --> 00:39:12.840 I've experienced that many times. 00:39:17.840 --> 00:39:19.840 It's okay to be awkward. 00:39:20.840 --> 00:39:23.840 It's okay to be awkward when you're worshipping. 00:39:24.840 --> 00:39:25.840 It's okay to be awkward. 00:39:26.840 --> 00:39:30.840 But please let us linger long enough to pass that awkward moment. 00:39:32.840 --> 00:39:38.840 Because you will. You will receive. You will receive what you need. 00:39:39.840 --> 00:39:46.840 Yeah? Because the Holy Spirit is a, he's a master craftsman in this. 00:39:46.840 --> 00:39:49.840 For those who seek him, for those who want to partner with him, 00:39:50.840 --> 00:39:54.840 for those who just linger and are seeking him, he always shows, yeah? 00:39:55.840 --> 00:39:59.840 Here or there or this or that. And you and I are able to catch that. 00:40:00.840 --> 00:40:03.840 And then one word from the Spirit is enough. It just changes the entire atmosphere. 00:40:04.840 --> 00:40:06.840 The entire atmosphere for worship. 00:40:07.840 --> 00:40:12.840 Sometimes the Spirit manifests just for our sheer enjoyment. 00:40:12.840 --> 00:40:17.840 Sometimes he directs to a new direction. Sometimes he wants to heal. 00:40:18.840 --> 00:40:20.840 Sometimes he wants to decree things here on earth. 00:40:21.840 --> 00:40:26.840 And if you and I are able to do this, we will not miss out on the things of God. 00:40:27.840 --> 00:40:31.840 And yet it requires training. It requires practice. 00:40:32.840 --> 00:40:36.840 If you and I are not familiar with presence, even if the Spirit is moving back and forth, 00:40:37.840 --> 00:40:39.840 you and I will not be able to recognize the Spirit. 00:40:39.840 --> 00:40:45.840 It requires practice, yeah? And that practice is that we need to see through that awkward moment. 00:40:46.840 --> 00:40:48.840 We need to linger long enough. 00:40:49.840 --> 00:40:54.840 The third one. This might sound weird, but I say this. 00:40:55.840 --> 00:41:00.840 Do not be easily satisfied. Do not be easily satisfied. 00:41:01.840 --> 00:41:06.840 Because if you are easily satisfied, you will not see much glory. 00:41:06.840 --> 00:41:09.840 If you are easily satisfied, you will not see much glory. 00:41:10.840 --> 00:41:14.840 If you are easily satisfied, you will not see much glory. 00:41:15.840 --> 00:41:19.840 If you are easily distracted, you will not see much glory. 00:41:20.840 --> 00:41:23.840 No matter how harsh that sounds, it's true. 00:41:24.840 --> 00:41:31.840 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Hunger, they shall be filled. 00:41:32.840 --> 00:41:35.840 The hungrier you are, the better you are when it comes to these things. 00:41:36.840 --> 00:41:40.840 If you are easily satisfied, you will not see much glory. 00:41:43.840 --> 00:41:49.840 Do not settle for ankle-deep. For those of us who know how to worship, do not settle for ankle-deep. 00:41:50.840 --> 00:41:53.840 Let Him immerse you. Let Him baptize you in the Spirit. 00:41:54.840 --> 00:41:59.840 Let Him fill you with His goodness, with His joy, with His favor. 00:41:59.840 --> 00:42:06.840 And for those of us who know how to worship, please, please model this for others. 00:42:07.840 --> 00:42:12.840 Please model this for others. Because the world doesn't know how to. 00:42:16.840 --> 00:42:21.840 Many of these expressions are caught. They are caught. 00:42:22.840 --> 00:42:24.840 You know, Moses would do it for Joshua. 00:42:24.840 --> 00:42:28.840 They are caught. You know, Moses would do it for Joshua. 00:42:29.840 --> 00:42:32.840 He would take him inside the tent. 00:42:33.840 --> 00:42:39.840 That's how Moses trains Joshua. Whom are we taking along? 00:42:43.840 --> 00:42:48.840 Please model it for others, because the world doesn't know how to worship this living God. 00:42:49.840 --> 00:42:50.840 The world doesn't know. 00:42:50.840 --> 00:42:57.840 And for those of us who are new in this, learn from people who truly worship. Learn from them. 00:42:58.840 --> 00:43:03.840 There are things that you can catch. There are things that you can observe and know and learn. 00:43:05.840 --> 00:43:08.840 Because like I said, there are genuine worshipers in this house. 00:43:09.840 --> 00:43:10.840 Learn from them. 00:43:13.840 --> 00:43:18.840 The world is hungry to see the real God manifest. 00:43:18.840 --> 00:43:25.840 The world is hungry, hungry for a real God to manifest. 00:43:26.840 --> 00:43:33.840 And God is seeking true worshipers who will worship Him in truth and in spirit. 00:43:34.840 --> 00:43:36.840 God is seeking for those places. 00:43:38.840 --> 00:43:40.840 God is not looking for good singers. 00:43:41.840 --> 00:43:43.840 God is not looking for good singers. 00:43:44.840 --> 00:43:46.840 We all know, nobody sings better than Derek here. 00:43:46.840 --> 00:43:47.840 Nobody sings better than Derek here. 00:43:48.840 --> 00:43:49.840 Nobody. 00:43:55.840 --> 00:43:57.840 God is not looking for good singers. 00:43:58.840 --> 00:44:04.840 God is looking for genuine worshipers who are worshiping Him in spirit and in truth. 00:44:05.840 --> 00:44:09.840 And I do believe that genuine worshipers can be reproduced. 00:44:10.840 --> 00:44:13.840 I do believe that genuine worshipers can be reproduced. 00:44:13.840 --> 00:44:17.840 And to reproduce genuine worshipers is paramount. 00:44:19.840 --> 00:44:26.840 Let X29 be a greenhouse where we birth genuine worshipers. 00:44:27.840 --> 00:44:34.840 And let those churches that are connected with us, be it Houston or LA or New York or Bahrain or India or wherever it is, 00:44:36.840 --> 00:44:40.840 let them reproduce genuine worshipers in their own regions. 00:44:40.840 --> 00:44:47.840 And let us inhabit the entire universe, the entire world with genuine worshipers. 00:44:48.840 --> 00:44:50.840 Because God is seeking after these kind of people. 00:44:52.840 --> 00:44:57.840 God is not seeking after good singers, but God is after these group of people. 00:44:58.840 --> 00:45:00.840 Can you and I be genuine worshipers? 00:45:01.840 --> 00:45:05.840 And not just for yourself, but can you and I reproduce genuine worshipers? 00:45:07.840 --> 00:45:08.840 Yeah? 00:45:10.840 --> 00:45:11.840 Yes. 00:45:20.840 --> 00:45:21.840 And the last one. 00:45:26.840 --> 00:45:27.840 Very simple. 00:45:28.840 --> 00:45:29.840 Give your best. 00:45:30.840 --> 00:45:31.840 Give your best. 00:45:32.840 --> 00:45:33.840 Give your all. 00:45:34.840 --> 00:45:35.840 Give your all. 00:45:35.840 --> 00:45:36.840 Give your best. 00:45:37.840 --> 00:45:38.840 Because the word of God says, 00:45:42.840 --> 00:45:43.840 He's a jealous God. 00:45:44.840 --> 00:45:46.840 He doesn't allow choices when it comes to God, say. 00:45:47.840 --> 00:45:48.840 He doesn't allow choices. 00:45:49.840 --> 00:45:51.840 You and I only have one God, one true God. 00:45:52.840 --> 00:45:57.840 So if we all have one true God, why should we hold back? 00:45:59.840 --> 00:46:03.840 Why can't He have the best of me and you? 00:46:03.840 --> 00:46:04.840 Yeah? 00:46:05.840 --> 00:46:10.840 Yahweh demands exclusive covenant loyalty. 00:46:11.840 --> 00:46:16.840 Yahweh demands exclusive covenant loyalty. 00:46:18.840 --> 00:46:22.840 Yahweh demands exclusive covenant loyalty. 00:46:23.840 --> 00:46:29.840 As the one true God of heaven and earth, Yahweh cannot tolerate worshiping any other gods. 00:46:29.840 --> 00:46:33.840 We read that in Exodus again and again and again, 22, 23, 24. 00:46:34.840 --> 00:46:35.840 You shall have no other gods. 00:46:36.840 --> 00:46:38.840 There's no god beside Yahweh. 00:46:41.840 --> 00:46:46.840 Daniel refuses to worship any other god beside than Yahweh. 00:46:47.840 --> 00:46:50.840 Daniel refuses to worship any other gods. 00:46:52.840 --> 00:46:54.840 And the consequences was, 00:46:54.840 --> 00:46:56.840 He was delivered, His friends were delivered, 00:46:57.840 --> 00:47:01.840 and the pagan king acknowledged one true God. 00:47:04.840 --> 00:47:09.840 If there's no other god besides Yahweh, why should I hold back? 00:47:10.840 --> 00:47:11.840 Why should I hold back? 00:47:12.840 --> 00:47:13.840 Yeah? 00:47:13.840 --> 00:47:18.840 If God delights in my praise, if God delights in my admiration, 00:47:18.840 --> 00:47:20.840 if God delights in my dependence on Him, 00:47:20.840 --> 00:47:21.840 if God delights in my admiration, 00:47:22.840 --> 00:47:24.840 if God delights in my dependence on Him, 00:47:27.840 --> 00:47:29.840 then He will have the best of me. 00:47:30.840 --> 00:47:31.840 He will have the best of me. 00:47:34.840 --> 00:47:36.840 So, you know, in the end, 00:47:38.840 --> 00:47:45.840 let us protect the heart of worship in this house. 00:47:45.840 --> 00:47:53.440 Let us protect the heart of worship in this house. 00:47:53.440 --> 00:47:57.860 Let there be no showmanship in this house. 00:47:57.860 --> 00:48:02.240 Let us banish showmanship in this house. 00:48:02.240 --> 00:48:08.080 Let this house be a greenhouse where we are birthing and reproducing genuine worshipers 00:48:08.080 --> 00:48:11.400 because that's what God is after. 00:48:11.400 --> 00:48:13.400 Yeah? 00:48:13.400 --> 00:48:23.560 Let us establish a house, a house of worship that is known for purity. 00:48:23.560 --> 00:48:29.600 A house of worship that is known for passion for God. 00:48:29.600 --> 00:48:35.480 A house of worship that longs for revival. 00:48:35.480 --> 00:48:37.200 Let us protect this house. 00:48:37.200 --> 00:48:39.360 Let us build this house. 00:48:39.960 --> 00:48:48.680 In doing that, it will set this generation on fire, and it will set generations, a fire 00:48:48.680 --> 00:48:51.480 for generations to come. 00:48:51.480 --> 00:49:01.040 You and I are at a critical point of history in our lives to pave the way for generations 00:49:01.040 --> 00:49:06.240 to come because it took just one generation. 00:49:06.240 --> 00:49:13.480 Moses taught Joshua how to linger in the presence of God, and then the generation after Joshua, 00:49:13.480 --> 00:49:15.640 they walked away from God. 00:49:15.640 --> 00:49:19.400 It took one generation to walk away. 00:49:19.400 --> 00:49:23.680 The responsibility is for you and for me. 00:49:23.680 --> 00:49:30.560 The responsibility lies in you and in me to be able to learn because if we don't learn, 00:49:30.560 --> 00:49:33.640 we cannot teach what we don't know. 00:49:33.640 --> 00:49:37.720 What we don't have, we cannot give. 00:49:37.720 --> 00:49:40.440 I pray that we get better at this. 00:49:40.440 --> 00:49:44.800 Not that we sing better, not that we have a certain style of doing things, no. 00:49:44.800 --> 00:49:52.320 But our hearts be sincere and may we find our own ways of expressing our worship and 00:49:52.320 --> 00:49:55.080 our thanksgiving to this living God. 00:49:55.080 --> 00:49:58.760 Because like I said, this worship, this God doesn't sit idly. 00:49:58.760 --> 00:50:02.120 I will let them worship how they are. 00:50:02.120 --> 00:50:04.920 He doesn't sit passive. 00:50:04.920 --> 00:50:09.280 As people release his worship, he begins to act. 00:50:09.280 --> 00:50:10.960 He begins to act. 00:50:10.960 --> 00:50:13.520 So I think we'll end with a song.