David Jeremiah - Knowing a Holy God

March 23, 2025 | S25:E12

When we see God's holiness, it makes us long for the day when we will be like Him. Until then, we strive to cultivate holiness in our lives.

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Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah | David Jeremiah - Knowing a Holy God | March 23, 2025
  • ...
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  • Male announcer: prepare your heart for the celebration
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  • Of easter with “season of hope” by dr. david jeremiah.
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  • This treasury of inspirational easter devotionals, readings,
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  • And scripture will take you on a 25-day journey
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  • To easter sunday and is sure to become a cherished volume
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  • You will come back to year after year.
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  • Yours for a gift of any amount,
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  • Or for a gift of $100 or more,
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  • Order a four-pack to share with others.
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  • Order "season of hope" from turning point today.
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  • Dr. david jeremiah: some say that the greatest question
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  • In life is: does god exist?
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  • I say the greatest question is:
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  • Do i know the god who does exist?
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  • Do i know about him?
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  • Do i know him personally?
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  • The study of god as he reveals himself in scripture
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  • Is the supreme study of a lifetime.
  • 00:00:52.458 --> 00:00:56.228
  • It lifts our thoughts, steadies our nerves,
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  • Purifies our motives, expands our confidence,
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  • And strengthens our influence.
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  • It's the greatest subject we could ever study,
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  • For god is the apex of all reality.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Dr. jeremiah: discover more about god than you know
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  • And become closer to him than you are.
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  • Announcer: now, here is your host,
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  • Dr. david jeremiah.
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  • Dr. jeremiah: holiness is
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  • The fundamental attribute of god.
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  • It stands first in the list
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  • For numerous reasons.
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  • God is called holy more than he is called anything else.
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  • His arm of power tells us of his strength.
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  • His eye of omniscience tells us of his knowledge.
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  • His heart of duration tells us of his eternity.
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  • But it is the beauty of his holiness that captures us
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  • When we really see him as he is.
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  • Today, as i continue my series, "the god you may not know,"
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  • We'll study the definition of holiness,
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  • Then take a scriptural tour
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  • Of some of the biblical characters
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  • Who personally encountered the holiness of god.
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  • The lessons they learned are the same ones we can discover
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  • And apply to our lives here and now.
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  • So stay tuned for today's edition
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  • Of "turning point."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪ when all i see is the battle ♪
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  • ♪ you see my victory ♪
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  • ♪ when all i see is a mountain ♪
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  • ♪ you see a mountain moved ♪
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  • ♪ and as i walk through the shadow ♪
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  • ♪ your love surrounds me ♪
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  • ♪ there's nothing to fear now ♪
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  • ♪ for i am safe with you ♪
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  • ♪ so when i fight ♪
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  • ♪ i'll fight on my knees ♪
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  • ♪ with my hands lifted high ♪
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  • ♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪
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  • ♪ and every fear ♪
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  • ♪ i lay at your feet ♪
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  • ♪ i'll sing through the night ♪
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  • ♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪ and if you are for me ♪
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  • ♪ who can be against me ♪
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  • ♪ for jesus, there's nothing ♪
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  • ♪ impossible for you ♪
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  • ♪ when all i see are the ashes ♪
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  • ♪ you see the beauty ♪
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  • ♪ when all i see is a cross ♪
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  • ♪ god, you see the empty tomb ♪
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  • ♪ so when i fight ♪
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  • ♪ i'll fight on my knees ♪
  • 00:05:30.001 --> 00:05:32.437
  • ♪ with my hands lifted high ♪
  • 00:05:32.437 --> 00:05:35.307
  • ♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪
  • 00:05:35.307 --> 00:05:39.411
  • ♪ and every fear ♪
  • 00:05:39.411 --> 00:05:41.213
  • ♪ i lay at your feet ♪
  • 00:05:41.213 --> 00:05:44.249
  • ♪ i'll sing through the night ♪
  • 00:05:44.249 --> 00:05:46.485
  • ♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪ almighty fortress ♪
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  • ♪ you go before us ♪
  • 00:05:59.965 --> 00:06:03.034
  • ♪ nothing can stand against the power of our god ♪
  • 00:06:03.034 --> 00:06:08.006
  • ♪ you shine in the shadow ♪
  • 00:06:08.006 --> 00:06:10.776
  • ♪ you win every battle ♪
  • 00:06:10.776 --> 00:06:14.279
  • ♪ nothing can stand against the power of our god ♪
  • 00:06:14.279 --> 00:06:19.484
  • ♪ almighty fortress ♪
  • 00:06:19.484 --> 00:06:22.154
  • ♪ you go before us ♪
  • 00:06:22.154 --> 00:06:25.490
  • ♪ nothing can stand against the power of our god ♪
  • 00:06:25.490 --> 00:06:30.362
  • ♪ you shine in the shadow ♪
  • 00:06:30.362 --> 00:06:32.931
  • ♪ you win every battle ♪
  • 00:06:32.931 --> 00:06:36.435
  • ♪ nothing can stand against the power of our god ♪
  • 00:06:36.435 --> 00:06:41.473
  • ♪ almighty fortress ♪
  • 00:06:41.473 --> 00:06:44.242
  • ♪ you go before us ♪
  • 00:06:44.242 --> 00:06:47.813
  • ♪ nothing can stand against the power of our god ♪
  • 00:06:47.813 --> 00:06:52.617
  • ♪ you shine in the shadow ♪
  • 00:06:52.617 --> 00:06:55.454
  • ♪ you win every battle ♪
  • 00:06:55.454 --> 00:06:58.990
  • ♪ nothing can stand against the power of our god ♪
  • 00:06:58.990 --> 00:07:07.199
  • ♪ so when i fight ♪
  • 00:07:07.199 --> 00:07:09.034
  • ♪ i'll fight on my knees ♪
  • 00:07:09.034 --> 00:07:11.937
  • ♪ with my hands lifted high ♪
  • 00:07:11.937 --> 00:07:14.406
  • ♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪
  • 00:07:14.406 --> 00:07:18.310
  • ♪ and every fear ♪
  • 00:07:18.310 --> 00:07:20.245
  • ♪ i lay at your feet ♪
  • 00:07:20.245 --> 00:07:23.215
  • ♪ i'll sing through the night ♪
  • 00:07:23.215 --> 00:07:25.517
  • ♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪
  • 00:07:25.517 --> 00:07:29.321
  • ♪ so when i fight ♪
  • 00:07:29.321 --> 00:07:30.989
  • ♪ i'll fight on my knees ♪
  • 00:07:30.989 --> 00:07:33.859
  • ♪ with my hands lifted high ♪
  • 00:07:33.859 --> 00:07:36.628
  • ♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪
  • 00:07:36.628 --> 00:07:40.799
  • ♪ and every fear ♪
  • 00:07:40.799 --> 00:07:42.400
  • ♪ i lay at your feet ♪
  • 00:07:42.400 --> 00:07:45.470
  • ♪ i'll sing through the night ♪
  • 00:07:45.470 --> 00:07:47.806
  • ♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪♪
  • 00:07:47.806 --> 00:07:52.277
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:07:52.277 --> 00:08:06.024
  • Announcer: coming up on "turning point."
  • 00:08:08.860 --> 00:08:10.428
  • Dr. jeremiah: what can we do
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  • When the bible tells us to be holy?
  • 00:08:12.964 --> 00:08:14.432
  • We can understand
  • 00:08:14.432 --> 00:08:15.767
  • That every day we face challenges,
  • 00:08:15.767 --> 00:08:17.869
  • Every day we face choices
  • 00:08:17.869 --> 00:08:19.838
  • And we pray every morning when those choices come,
  • 00:08:19.838 --> 00:08:22.274
  • "dear god, help me to take the holy road.
  • 00:08:22.274 --> 00:08:26.845
  • Help me to take the right road."
  • 00:08:26.845 --> 00:08:29.314
  • Announcer: isn't it time to take the journey from knowing
  • 00:08:31.516 --> 00:08:33.818
  • About god to deeply knowing him?
  • 00:08:33.818 --> 00:08:36.788
  • Push past the stained glass ceiling of your faith
  • 00:08:36.788 --> 00:08:39.424
  • As you come to understand god for who he truly is
  • 00:08:39.424 --> 00:08:42.994
  • In dr. jeremiah's book, "the god you may not know."
  • 00:08:42.994 --> 00:08:47.032
  • In its pages, dr. jeremiah introduces you
  • 00:08:47.032 --> 00:08:49.734
  • To the eternal qualities god has revealed
  • 00:08:49.734 --> 00:08:51.603
  • About himself: god's knowledge, holiness,
  • 00:08:51.603 --> 00:08:54.906
  • All-pervasive presence, unlimited power, love,
  • 00:08:54.906 --> 00:08:58.310
  • And other characteristics that make him who he is.
  • 00:08:58.310 --> 00:09:01.513
  • Nothing is more critical in your life right now
  • 00:09:01.513 --> 00:09:04.316
  • Because you may not actually know god
  • 00:09:04.316 --> 00:09:06.518
  • As well as you think, but once you do,
  • 00:09:06.518 --> 00:09:08.954
  • You will be overwhelmed with the wonder
  • 00:09:08.954 --> 00:09:11.122
  • And joy of his person.
  • 00:09:11.122 --> 00:09:13.124
  • "the god you may not know" is yours for a gift
  • 00:09:13.124 --> 00:09:15.093
  • Of any amount in support of this program.
  • 00:09:15.093 --> 00:09:17.629
  • Or for a gift of $55 or more you will also receive
  • 00:09:17.629 --> 00:09:21.266
  • Dr. jeremiah's companion book "the jesus you may not know,"
  • 00:09:21.266 --> 00:09:25.303
  • And for a generous gift of $75 or more you will receive
  • 00:09:25.303 --> 00:09:29.341
  • "the god you may not know" set containing dr. jeremiah's book,
  • 00:09:29.341 --> 00:09:33.678
  • Teaching series on cd or dvd, a correlating study guide,
  • 00:09:33.678 --> 00:09:37.616
  • And the "knowing the god" bookmark.
  • 00:09:37.616 --> 00:09:39.451
  • Don't go another day without personally experiencing
  • 00:09:39.451 --> 00:09:42.120
  • God's goodness, power, and presence in your life.
  • 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:45.457
  • Order "the god you may not know" book or set from dr. jeremiah.
  • 00:09:45.457 --> 00:09:49.260
  • Contact turning point today.
  • 00:09:49.260 --> 00:09:51.363
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:09:53.965 --> 00:10:06.378
  • ♪ i love you, lord ♪
  • 00:10:03.975 --> 00:10:10.915
  • ♪ oh, your mercy never fails me ♪
  • 00:10:10.915 --> 00:10:15.654
  • ♪ all my days ♪
  • 00:10:15.654 --> 00:10:18.089
  • ♪ i've been held in your hands ♪
  • 00:10:18.089 --> 00:10:22.594
  • ♪ from the moment that i wake up ♪
  • 00:10:22.594 --> 00:10:26.097
  • ♪ until i lay my head ♪
  • 00:10:26.097 --> 00:10:29.634
  • ♪ and i will sing of the goodness of god ♪
  • 00:10:29.634 --> 00:10:35.874
  • Michael sanchez: "all my life."
  • 00:10:35.874 --> 00:10:38.710
  • ♪ all my life ♪
  • 00:10:38.710 --> 00:10:40.045
  • ♪ you have been faithful ♪
  • 00:10:40.045 --> 00:10:45.383
  • ♪ all my life ♪
  • 00:10:45.383 --> 00:10:46.951
  • ♪ you have been so, so good ♪
  • 00:10:46.951 --> 00:10:52.357
  • ♪ with every breath that i am able ♪
  • 00:10:52.357 --> 00:10:57.829
  • ♪ and i will sing of the goodness of god ♪
  • 00:10:57.829 --> 00:11:04.869
  • ♪ i love your voice ♪
  • 00:11:04.869 --> 00:11:08.973
  • ♪ you have led me through the fire ♪
  • 00:11:08.973 --> 00:11:13.445
  • ♪ and in darkest night ♪
  • 00:11:13.445 --> 00:11:16.014
  • ♪ you are close like no other ♪
  • 00:11:16.014 --> 00:11:20.852
  • ♪ i've known you as a father ♪
  • 00:11:20.852 --> 00:11:24.222
  • ♪ i've known you as a friend ♪
  • 00:11:24.222 --> 00:11:27.792
  • ♪ and i have lived in the goodness of god ♪
  • 00:11:27.792 --> 00:11:33.298
  • Michael: sing "all my life."
  • 00:11:33.298 --> 00:11:36.601
  • ♪ all my life ♪
  • 00:11:36.601 --> 00:11:38.069
  • ♪ you have been faithful ♪
  • 00:11:38.069 --> 00:11:43.608
  • ♪ all my life ♪
  • 00:11:43.608 --> 00:11:45.176
  • ♪ you have been so, so good ♪
  • 00:11:45.176 --> 00:11:50.782
  • ♪ with every breath that i am able ♪
  • 00:11:50.782 --> 00:11:56.121
  • ♪ and i will sing of the goodness of god ♪
  • 00:11:56.121 --> 00:12:04.462
  • ♪ your goodness is running after ♪
  • 00:12:04.462 --> 00:12:07.298
  • ♪ it's running after me ♪
  • 00:12:07.298 --> 00:12:11.770
  • ♪ your goodness is running after ♪
  • 00:12:11.770 --> 00:12:14.506
  • ♪ it's running after me ♪
  • 00:12:14.506 --> 00:12:17.876
  • ♪ with my life laid down ♪
  • 00:12:17.876 --> 00:12:19.444
  • ♪ i'm surrendered now ♪
  • 00:12:19.444 --> 00:12:21.379
  • ♪ i give you everything ♪
  • 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:25.683
  • ♪ your goodness is running after ♪
  • 00:12:25.683 --> 00:12:28.653
  • ♪ it's running after me ♪
  • 00:12:28.653 --> 00:12:32.257
  • ♪ ohhh ♪
  • 00:12:32.257 --> 00:12:35.426
  • Michael: sing, "all my life."
  • 00:12:35.426 --> 00:12:38.296
  • ♪ all my life ♪
  • 00:12:38.296 --> 00:12:39.898
  • ♪ you have been faithful ♪
  • 00:12:39.898 --> 00:12:43.001
  • Michael: yes, you have, god.
  • 00:12:43.001 --> 00:12:45.403
  • ♪ all my life ♪
  • 00:12:45.403 --> 00:12:46.905
  • ♪ you have been so, so good ♪
  • 00:12:46.905 --> 00:12:50.642
  • ♪ so, so good ♪
  • 00:12:50.642 --> 00:12:52.510
  • ♪ every breath that i am able ♪
  • 00:12:52.510 --> 00:12:55.413
  • ♪ with every single breath ♪
  • 00:12:55.413 --> 00:12:57.916
  • ♪ i will sing of the goodness of god ♪
  • 00:12:57.916 --> 00:13:03.354
  • ♪ i will sing of the goodness of god ♪
  • 00:13:05.023 --> 00:13:10.328
  • ♪ i will sing of the goodness of god ♪♪
  • 00:13:12.030 --> 00:13:21.973
  • Announcer: a brighter day and a better year begins
  • 00:13:26.110 --> 00:13:28.513
  • By living in god's light.
  • 00:13:28.513 --> 00:13:30.215
  • Introducing dr. david jeremiah's
  • 00:13:30.215 --> 00:13:31.783
  • Newest 365-day devotional for 2025,
  • 00:13:31.783 --> 00:13:35.086
  • "living in his light."
  • 00:13:35.086 --> 00:13:36.554
  • With dr. jeremiah's inspiring insights and reflections,
  • 00:13:36.554 --> 00:13:39.490
  • You'll find yourself immersed in god's radiant truth,
  • 00:13:39.490 --> 00:13:42.393
  • Allowing his light to transform your every moment.
  • 00:13:42.393 --> 00:13:45.563
  • Even when the world looks bleak and your days seem dark,
  • 00:13:45.563 --> 00:13:48.600
  • Let dr. jeremiah remind you each day
  • 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:50.702
  • That the closer you are to christ,
  • 00:13:50.702 --> 00:13:52.070
  • The brighter your days will be.
  • 00:13:52.070 --> 00:13:54.472
  • Request your copy of "living in his light" today
  • 00:13:54.472 --> 00:13:56.641
  • For a gift of any amount in support of this program.
  • 00:13:56.641 --> 00:13:58.810
  • Or for a gift of $120 or more,
  • 00:13:58.810 --> 00:14:01.479
  • Receive four copies: one for yourself
  • 00:14:01.479 --> 00:14:03.514
  • And three to share his light with those you love.
  • 00:14:03.514 --> 00:14:06.451
  • Contact turning point today
  • 00:14:06.451 --> 00:14:07.952
  • To request "living in his light"
  • 00:14:07.952 --> 00:14:09.988
  • By dr. jeremiah
  • 00:14:09.988 --> 00:14:11.356
  • And step into a brighter future.
  • 00:14:11.356 --> 00:14:13.892
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:14:14.459 --> 00:14:22.867
  • ♪ i sought the lord ♪
  • 00:14:22.867 --> 00:14:26.704
  • ♪ and he answered me ♪
  • 00:14:26.704 --> 00:14:30.575
  • ♪ and delivered me from every fear ♪
  • 00:14:30.575 --> 00:14:38.149
  • ♪ those who look on him are radiant ♪
  • 00:14:38.149 --> 00:14:45.957
  • ♪ will never be ashamed ♪
  • 00:14:45.957 --> 00:14:49.661
  • ♪ never be ashamed ♪
  • 00:14:49.661 --> 00:14:53.831
  • ♪ this poor man cried and the lord heard me ♪
  • 00:14:53.831 --> 00:15:01.472
  • ♪ and saved me from my enemies ♪
  • 00:15:01.472 --> 00:15:09.314
  • ♪ the son of god surrounds his saints ♪
  • 00:15:09.314 --> 00:15:16.721
  • ♪ he will deliver them ♪
  • 00:15:16.721 --> 00:15:19.757
  • ♪ he will deliver them ♪
  • 00:15:20.558 --> 00:15:23.728
  • ♪ magnify the lord with me ♪
  • 00:15:25.296 --> 00:15:32.837
  • ♪ come exalt his name together ♪
  • 00:15:32.837 --> 00:15:40.411
  • ♪ glorify the lord with me ♪
  • 00:15:40.411 --> 00:15:48.086
  • ♪ come exalt his name forever ♪
  • 00:15:48.086 --> 00:15:55.860
  • ♪ magnify the lord with me ♪
  • 00:15:55.860 --> 00:16:03.634
  • ♪ come exalt his name together ♪
  • 00:16:03.634 --> 00:16:11.242
  • ♪ glorify the lord with me ♪
  • 00:16:11.242 --> 00:16:19.050
  • ♪ come exalt his name forever ♪
  • 00:16:19.050 --> 00:16:29.694
  • ♪ let us bless the lord, every day and night ♪
  • 00:16:31.029 --> 00:16:38.603
  • ♪ never-ending praise, may our incense rise ♪
  • 00:16:38.603 --> 00:16:47.145
  • ♪ let us bless the lord, every day and night ♪
  • 00:16:47.145 --> 00:16:53.785
  • ♪ never-ending praise, may our incense rise ♪
  • 00:16:53.785 --> 00:17:01.592
  • ♪ let us bless the lord, every day and night ♪
  • 00:17:01.592 --> 00:17:09.400
  • ♪ never-ending praise, may our incense rise ♪
  • 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:17.175
  • ♪ let us bless the lord, bless the lord ♪
  • 00:17:17.175 --> 00:17:21.846
  • ♪ every day and night ♪
  • 00:17:21.846 --> 00:17:23.714
  • ♪ every day ♪
  • 00:17:23.714 --> 00:17:25.249
  • ♪ never-ending praise ♪
  • 00:17:25.249 --> 00:17:28.619
  • ♪ may our incense rise ♪
  • 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:36.527
  • ♪ magnify the lord with me ♪
  • 00:17:36.527 --> 00:17:44.035
  • ♪ come exalt his name together ♪
  • 00:17:44.035 --> 00:17:51.876
  • ♪ glorify the lord with me ♪
  • 00:17:51.876 --> 00:17:59.650
  • ♪ come exalt his name forever ♪
  • 00:17:59.650 --> 00:18:07.458
  • ♪ magnify the lord with me ♪
  • 00:18:07.458 --> 00:18:15.166
  • ♪ come exalt his name together ♪
  • 00:18:15.166 --> 00:18:22.874
  • ♪ glorify the lord with me ♪
  • 00:18:22.874 --> 00:18:28.412
  • ♪ come and exalt his name ♪
  • 00:18:28.412 --> 00:18:30.982
  • ♪ come exalt his name forever ♪
  • 00:18:30.982 --> 00:18:42.326
  • ♪ oh, taste and see that the lord is good ♪
  • 00:18:36.988 --> 00:18:49.767
  • ♪ he'll give you everything ♪
  • 00:18:49.767 --> 00:18:52.837
  • ♪ he'll give you everything ♪♪
  • 00:18:54.338 --> 00:19:02.246
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:19:02.246 --> 00:19:07.285
  • Announcer: do you know god as well as you think?
  • 00:19:09.587 --> 00:19:12.590
  • It may be time to take the journey from knowing about god
  • 00:19:12.590 --> 00:19:15.726
  • To deeply knowing him.
  • 00:19:15.726 --> 00:19:17.962
  • In dr. david jeremiah's book, "the god you may not know,"
  • 00:19:17.962 --> 00:19:21.465
  • Dr. jeremiah shares the powerful characteristics
  • 00:19:21.465 --> 00:19:24.135
  • That god himself wants you to understand.
  • 00:19:24.135 --> 00:19:26.837
  • Dr. jeremiah: i've spent my life being overwhelmed
  • 00:19:26.904 --> 00:19:29.240
  • With the wonder of the person of god
  • 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:31.609
  • And it's my greatest joy to share with you
  • 00:19:31.609 --> 00:19:34.345
  • Some eternal truths about the god you may not know.
  • 00:19:34.345 --> 00:19:38.516
  • My prayer is that this book will enable you
  • 00:19:38.516 --> 00:19:41.118
  • To know more about god than you do
  • 00:19:41.118 --> 00:19:44.488
  • And for you to grow closer to him than you are.
  • 00:19:44.488 --> 00:19:48.593
  • Announcer: "the god you may not know" is yours
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  • Would like to give you "the knowing god" bookmark,
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  • When you contact turning point today.
  • 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:39.277
  • Now, here is dr. jeremiah with his message,
  • 00:20:39.343 --> 00:20:42.413
  • "knowing a holy god."
  • 00:20:42.413 --> 00:20:44.515
  • Dr. jeremiah: it was january 9 in 2018 and the headline
  • 00:20:46.484 --> 00:20:49.787
  • In a local atlantic city newspaper
  • 00:20:49.787 --> 00:20:52.189
  • Read this: "solomon leads saint augustine
  • 00:20:52.189 --> 00:20:56.927
  • To dominant win over holy spirit."
  • 00:20:56.927 --> 00:21:00.798
  • The story was about charles solomon,
  • 00:21:00.798 --> 00:21:03.234
  • A basketball player
  • 00:21:03.234 --> 00:21:04.568
  • For st. augustine preparatory school,
  • 00:21:04.568 --> 00:21:06.804
  • Who had a good night on the court
  • 00:21:06.804 --> 00:21:08.306
  • Against holy spirit high school,
  • 00:21:08.306 --> 00:21:09.974
  • A roman catholic preparatory school, in absecon.
  • 00:21:09.974 --> 00:21:13.644
  • If you look up the word "holy" in the news,
  • 00:21:13.644 --> 00:21:15.880
  • Many of the references are
  • 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:17.214
  • To sports teams like holy trinity,
  • 00:21:17.214 --> 00:21:19.483
  • Holy cross, holy redeemer.
  • 00:21:19.483 --> 00:21:22.119
  • It's remarkable how many references
  • 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:24.188
  • Represent careless uses of the expression
  • 00:21:24.188 --> 00:21:27.258
  • Like, holy cow, or holy smoke, or holy moly.
  • 00:21:27.258 --> 00:21:31.896
  • Some of these phrases have an interesting background.
  • 00:21:31.896 --> 00:21:34.699
  • Maybe you've heard somebody say, "holy mackerel."
  • 00:21:34.699 --> 00:21:38.502
  • Well, i did a little homework on that
  • 00:21:38.502 --> 00:21:40.104
  • And found out that it comes from the 17th century
  • 00:21:40.104 --> 00:21:42.940
  • When they had to allow mackerel to be sold in the fish markets
  • 00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:45.776
  • On sunday because they deteriorated before monday.
  • 00:21:45.776 --> 00:21:48.713
  • So they called the mackerel, holy mackerel.
  • 00:21:48.713 --> 00:21:54.185
  • Others have tried to track down the meaning of holy toledo.
  • 00:21:54.185 --> 00:21:57.121
  • That's really interesting to me
  • 00:21:57.121 --> 00:21:58.456
  • 'cause i was born in toledo, toledo, ohio.
  • 00:21:58.456 --> 00:22:01.826
  • I have to promise you,
  • 00:22:01.826 --> 00:22:03.160
  • I had nothing to do with it being holy.
  • 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:05.062
  • But where did it come from?
  • 00:22:05.062 --> 00:22:06.697
  • A former police officer
  • 00:22:06.697 --> 00:22:08.032
  • In my hometown of toledo, ohio,
  • 00:22:08.032 --> 00:22:10.301
  • Said apparently there was an alleged agreement
  • 00:22:10.301 --> 00:22:12.269
  • Between police officials and underworld people
  • 00:22:12.269 --> 00:22:14.805
  • In the early 1900s during prohibition.
  • 00:22:14.805 --> 00:22:18.109
  • And the police promised to give safecrackers
  • 00:22:18.109 --> 00:22:20.344
  • Safe haven in toledo
  • 00:22:20.344 --> 00:22:22.046
  • As long as they didn't ply their trade
  • 00:22:22.046 --> 00:22:23.681
  • Inside the city limits.
  • 00:22:23.681 --> 00:22:25.583
  • So the thieves would commit burglaries
  • 00:22:25.583 --> 00:22:27.184
  • In detroit or chicago, some other midwestern city,
  • 00:22:27.184 --> 00:22:30.187
  • And flee back to the holy land for safety.
  • 00:22:30.187 --> 00:22:32.790
  • I guess that makes my birthplace
  • 00:22:32.790 --> 00:22:34.892
  • One of the first sanctuary cities in america.
  • 00:22:34.892 --> 00:22:39.563
  • Even in the church world,
  • 00:22:39.563 --> 00:22:41.766
  • The word "holy" is used carelessly.
  • 00:22:41.766 --> 00:22:44.702
  • When people become a bit overzealous in worship,
  • 00:22:44.702 --> 00:22:46.937
  • We call them holy rollers.
  • 00:22:46.937 --> 00:22:49.907
  • If someone tends to be judgmental or critical,
  • 00:22:49.907 --> 00:22:52.176
  • We say they're holier than thou.
  • 00:22:52.176 --> 00:22:54.745
  • And if in the nursery a child loses his temper,
  • 00:22:54.745 --> 00:22:57.615
  • We call him a holy terror.
  • 00:22:57.615 --> 00:23:00.818
  • Regardless of how society uses the word,
  • 00:23:00.818 --> 00:23:04.155
  • It's a very special word.
  • 00:23:04.155 --> 00:23:06.190
  • It's one of the towering truths of scripture,
  • 00:23:06.190 --> 00:23:09.493
  • One of the preeminent attributes of god.
  • 00:23:09.493 --> 00:23:14.432
  • If we examine the holiness of god,
  • 00:23:14.432 --> 00:23:16.500
  • That's where we should begin.
  • 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:19.003
  • Philadelphia pastor james montgomery boyce
  • 00:23:19.003 --> 00:23:21.405
  • Once spoke to a group about the attributes of god,
  • 00:23:21.405 --> 00:23:24.208
  • And he began asking the group to list god's quality
  • 00:23:24.208 --> 00:23:27.711
  • In the order of importance.
  • 00:23:27.711 --> 00:23:30.548
  • The group put love first, followed by wisdom,
  • 00:23:30.548 --> 00:23:32.983
  • Power, mercy, omniscience, and truth.
  • 00:23:32.983 --> 00:23:35.853
  • And at the end of the list, they put holiness.
  • 00:23:35.853 --> 00:23:40.758
  • "that surprised me," said boyce, "because the bible refers
  • 00:23:40.758 --> 00:23:43.961
  • To god's holiness more than any other thing about god."
  • 00:23:43.961 --> 00:23:48.799
  • Think of it this way.
  • 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:50.668
  • God is all-loving, but the angels around the throne
  • 00:23:50.668 --> 00:23:53.204
  • Aren't singing, "loving, loving, loving."
  • 00:23:53.204 --> 00:23:56.841
  • God is all-knowing, but there's no record
  • 00:23:56.841 --> 00:23:58.809
  • Of the heavenly host singing,
  • 00:23:58.809 --> 00:24:00.144
  • "omniscient, omniscient, omniscient."
  • 00:24:00.144 --> 00:24:02.813
  • His power and might have no limit,
  • 00:24:02.813 --> 00:24:05.049
  • But the songs recorded in the book of revelation
  • 00:24:05.049 --> 00:24:07.384
  • Don't say, "powerful, powerful, powerful."
  • 00:24:07.384 --> 00:24:11.755
  • The cry of the heavenly host is, "holy, holy, holy."
  • 00:24:11.755 --> 00:24:19.697
  • God is called holy
  • 00:24:19.697 --> 00:24:21.198
  • More than he is called anything else in the scripture.
  • 00:24:21.198 --> 00:24:25.236
  • He is repeatedly referred to as the holy one of israel
  • 00:24:25.236 --> 00:24:29.240
  • Or the holy god.
  • 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:31.775
  • What does it mean when the bible says that god is holy?
  • 00:24:31.775 --> 00:24:36.313
  • It means two distinct things.
  • 00:24:36.313 --> 00:24:39.283
  • First of all, god's holiness is his separateness.
  • 00:24:39.283 --> 00:24:44.889
  • That's not a word we use,
  • 00:24:44.889 --> 00:24:46.223
  • But it is exactly the right word.
  • 00:24:46.223 --> 00:24:48.893
  • The bible says that god is separate
  • 00:24:48.893 --> 00:24:52.930
  • From everything and everyone.
  • 00:24:52.930 --> 00:24:57.134
  • In 1 timothy 6, we read these words:
  • 00:24:57.134 --> 00:24:59.637
  • "who alone has immortality, dwelling
  • 00:24:59.637 --> 00:25:03.807
  • In the unapproachable light,
  • 00:25:03.807 --> 00:25:06.010
  • Whom no man has seen or can see."
  • 00:25:06.010 --> 00:25:10.414
  • Theologians talk about the otherness of god.
  • 00:25:10.414 --> 00:25:15.152
  • Hosea says it this way: "i am god, and not man,
  • 00:25:15.152 --> 00:25:19.857
  • The holy one in your midst."
  • 00:25:19.857 --> 00:25:22.293
  • In several places in the bible,
  • 00:25:22.293 --> 00:25:23.928
  • We read passages that start like this:
  • 00:25:23.928 --> 00:25:26.664
  • "god is not a man that he should."
  • 00:25:26.664 --> 00:25:29.700
  • Over and over you see that.
  • 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:31.135
  • The scripture teaches us that we should always view god
  • 00:25:31.135 --> 00:25:34.772
  • Not as just one of the human family,
  • 00:25:34.772 --> 00:25:37.908
  • But god is separate from us.
  • 00:25:37.908 --> 00:25:40.377
  • He is the only being in the whole universe
  • 00:25:40.377 --> 00:25:44.181
  • Who was not created, for he is the creator.
  • 00:25:44.181 --> 00:25:48.986
  • He is separate and above his creation.
  • 00:25:48.986 --> 00:25:51.755
  • He is eternally unique
  • 00:25:51.755 --> 00:25:54.558
  • Because there is no one like him.
  • 00:25:54.558 --> 00:25:57.328
  • There is no one who can be compared to him.
  • 00:25:57.328 --> 00:26:00.664
  • Before there was anything, there was god.
  • 00:26:00.664 --> 00:26:03.667
  • He always has been and he always will be.
  • 00:26:03.667 --> 00:26:06.470
  • There never has been a time when he ceased to be,
  • 00:26:06.470 --> 00:26:09.006
  • Nor will there ever be a time when he is not who he is.
  • 00:26:09.006 --> 00:26:14.945
  • He is the distinct, unique being of history.
  • 00:26:14.945 --> 00:26:20.884
  • He is the holy god.
  • 00:26:20.884 --> 00:26:24.922
  • C.s. lewis, who wrote
  • 00:26:24.922 --> 00:26:26.657
  • All of the wonderful "chronicles"
  • 00:26:26.657 --> 00:26:29.093
  • To try to help us understand the bible
  • 00:26:29.093 --> 00:26:30.894
  • Through his little stories,
  • 00:26:30.894 --> 00:26:33.497
  • Tries to get at this separateness of god
  • 00:26:33.497 --> 00:26:37.134
  • In "the lion, the witch, and the wardrobe."
  • 00:26:37.134 --> 00:26:41.038
  • He describes in his story
  • 00:26:41.038 --> 00:26:43.040
  • The first time the children hear about aslan.
  • 00:26:43.040 --> 00:26:46.377
  • "'is he a man?' asks lucy.
  • 00:26:46.377 --> 00:26:49.079
  • 'aslan, a man?' said mr. beaver sternly.
  • 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:51.281
  • 'certainly not.
  • 00:26:51.281 --> 00:26:52.616
  • I tell you, he is the king of the wood
  • 00:26:52.616 --> 00:26:55.119
  • And the son of the great emperor beyond the sea.
  • 00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:58.155
  • Don't you know who is the king of the beast?
  • 00:26:58.155 --> 00:27:00.257
  • Aslan is a lion, the lion, the great lion.'
  • 00:27:00.257 --> 00:27:04.428
  • 'oh,' said susan, 'i thought he was a man.
  • 00:27:04.428 --> 00:27:08.065
  • Is he quite safe?
  • 00:27:08.065 --> 00:27:10.000
  • I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.'
  • 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:12.569
  • 'that you will, dearie, and no mistake,'
  • 00:27:12.569 --> 00:27:14.938
  • Said mrs. beaver.
  • 00:27:14.938 --> 00:27:16.273
  • 'if there's anyone who can appear before aslan
  • 00:27:16.273 --> 00:27:18.575
  • Without their knees knocking,
  • 00:27:18.575 --> 00:27:20.077
  • They're either braver than most or just plain silly.'
  • 00:27:20.077 --> 00:27:23.781
  • 'then he isn't safe?' said lucy.
  • 00:27:23.781 --> 00:27:26.817
  • 'safe?' said mrs. beaver.
  • 00:27:26.817 --> 00:27:29.119
  • 'don't you hear what we are telling you?
  • 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:31.288
  • Who said anything about being safe?
  • 00:27:31.288 --> 00:27:33.891
  • Of course he isn't safe, but he's good.
  • 00:27:33.891 --> 00:27:38.529
  • He's the king.
  • 00:27:38.529 --> 00:27:40.364
  • I tell you, you can trust him.'"
  • 00:27:40.364 --> 00:27:43.767
  • Like aslan, god is definitely not safe.
  • 00:27:43.767 --> 00:27:49.473
  • The god revealed in jesus christ is holy.
  • 00:27:49.473 --> 00:27:53.177
  • He's a holy god.
  • 00:27:53.177 --> 00:27:54.678
  • He cannot be contained.
  • 00:27:54.678 --> 00:27:56.046
  • He cannot be tamed.
  • 00:27:56.046 --> 00:27:57.514
  • He is not safe, but he is good.
  • 00:27:57.514 --> 00:28:01.285
  • He is very good.
  • 00:28:01.285 --> 00:28:03.754
  • When you think about the holiness of god,
  • 00:28:03.754 --> 00:28:05.622
  • You just need to remember he's holy because he is
  • 00:28:05.622 --> 00:28:08.892
  • The only uncreated being in the universe.
  • 00:28:08.892 --> 00:28:12.596
  • He is unlike anyone,
  • 00:28:12.596 --> 00:28:14.431
  • For he is the originator of everyone.
  • 00:28:14.431 --> 00:28:19.136
  • But god's holiness is also his sinlessness.
  • 00:28:19.136 --> 00:28:25.109
  • The holiness of god conveys the idea of absolute purity.
  • 00:28:25.109 --> 00:28:30.481
  • 1 john 1:5 says: "this is the message
  • 00:28:30.481 --> 00:28:33.617
  • Which we have heard from him and declare to you,
  • 00:28:33.617 --> 00:28:37.087
  • That god is light and in him there is no darkness at all."
  • 00:28:37.087 --> 00:28:45.295
  • Holiness means the total absence of any taint of evil.
  • 00:28:45.295 --> 00:28:51.535
  • No shadow of sin comes close to his person.
  • 00:28:51.535 --> 00:28:55.606
  • He is pure and sinless, holy in all of his being,
  • 00:28:55.606 --> 00:28:59.777
  • In all of his words, in all of his ways.
  • 00:28:59.777 --> 00:29:02.813
  • Speaking of god, the prophet habakkuk said it this way:
  • 00:29:02.813 --> 00:29:07.217
  • "you are of purer eyes than to behold evil,
  • 00:29:07.217 --> 00:29:10.988
  • And you cannot look on wickedness."
  • 00:29:10.988 --> 00:29:16.093
  • Examining the holiness of god, if somebody asks you,
  • 00:29:16.093 --> 00:29:19.329
  • "what does it mean when the bible says
  • 00:29:19.329 --> 00:29:20.998
  • That god is holy?" you can answer them in two ways.
  • 00:29:20.998 --> 00:29:24.067
  • It means he is unique, unlike any creature
  • 00:29:24.067 --> 00:29:27.137
  • Because he's originated all of life
  • 00:29:27.137 --> 00:29:30.007
  • And he is absolutely perfect.
  • 00:29:30.007 --> 00:29:32.910
  • He does not have one sin stain on his person,
  • 00:29:32.910 --> 00:29:36.346
  • Nor will he ever.
  • 00:29:36.346 --> 00:29:37.948
  • He is holy.
  • 00:29:37.948 --> 00:29:41.151
  • In the bible, there were people who met this god
  • 00:29:41.151 --> 00:29:44.655
  • And encountered his holiness.
  • 00:29:44.655 --> 00:29:48.125
  • I guess it would be a good thing for us to just ask ourselves,
  • 00:29:48.125 --> 00:29:51.028
  • What would we do
  • 00:29:51.028 --> 00:29:52.362
  • If god were to make himself visible in this room today,
  • 00:29:52.362 --> 00:29:56.700
  • If we encountered the holiness of god.
  • 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:59.837
  • The bible is filled with kings and beggars and prophets
  • 00:29:59.837 --> 00:30:03.240
  • And prostitutes and warriors and weaklings,
  • 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:05.843
  • Merchants and thieves.
  • 00:30:05.843 --> 00:30:07.978
  • But when they encountered god,
  • 00:30:07.978 --> 00:30:09.947
  • They reacted almost remarkably in the same way.
  • 00:30:09.947 --> 00:30:15.252
  • They trembled, they cowered, some of them went mute.
  • 00:30:15.252 --> 00:30:19.256
  • The ones who could manage speech expressed despair,
  • 00:30:19.256 --> 00:30:22.192
  • And they were convinced they were about to die.
  • 00:30:22.192 --> 00:30:26.129
  • I'd like to take you on a little journey--
  • 00:30:26.129 --> 00:30:28.165
  • This is gonna be fun 'cause i love these stories--
  • 00:30:28.165 --> 00:30:30.834
  • And just tell you about a few people in the bible
  • 00:30:30.834 --> 00:30:33.403
  • Who met the holiness of god.
  • 00:30:33.403 --> 00:30:37.841
  • Let's talk about moses for a moment.
  • 00:30:37.841 --> 00:30:40.510
  • Moses had several extraordinary encounters
  • 00:30:40.510 --> 00:30:42.613
  • With the holiness of god,
  • 00:30:42.613 --> 00:30:44.248
  • Moments that changed him forever.
  • 00:30:44.248 --> 00:30:46.216
  • Once while he was tending his flocks,
  • 00:30:46.216 --> 00:30:48.151
  • Minding his own business,
  • 00:30:48.151 --> 00:30:49.720
  • He spotted a bush that was on fire,
  • 00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:51.989
  • And he went to investigate,
  • 00:30:51.989 --> 00:30:53.323
  • And when he got near to the bush,
  • 00:30:53.323 --> 00:30:54.658
  • The lord spoke to him out of the bush
  • 00:30:54.658 --> 00:30:56.693
  • And said to him, "moses, moses!"
  • 00:30:56.693 --> 00:30:59.496
  • And moses said, "here i am."
  • 00:30:59.496 --> 00:31:01.164
  • And god said, "do not draw near this place.
  • 00:31:01.164 --> 00:31:03.467
  • Take your sandals off your feet,
  • 00:31:03.467 --> 00:31:05.302
  • For the place where you stand is holy ground."
  • 00:31:05.302 --> 00:31:09.706
  • Hmm.
  • 00:31:09.706 --> 00:31:11.375
  • Later in that same region,
  • 00:31:11.375 --> 00:31:13.610
  • Moses went to the mountain to get the law from god,
  • 00:31:13.610 --> 00:31:16.947
  • And he had a moment of conversation with god,
  • 00:31:16.947 --> 00:31:20.918
  • And he asked god this question, found in exodus chapter 33.
  • 00:31:20.918 --> 00:31:26.356
  • He said, "god, please show me your glory."
  • 00:31:26.356 --> 00:31:30.360
  • Show me your holiness.
  • 00:31:30.360 --> 00:31:33.196
  • Now, it's impossible to see a full manifestation
  • 00:31:33.196 --> 00:31:36.133
  • Of god's holiness and live to tell about it,
  • 00:31:36.133 --> 00:31:39.670
  • But the lord gave moses an approximate experience.
  • 00:31:39.670 --> 00:31:42.973
  • Let me read this to you.
  • 00:31:42.973 --> 00:31:44.308
  • This is not a well-known part of moses's life.
  • 00:31:44.308 --> 00:31:47.878
  • "so the lord said to moses,
  • 00:31:47.878 --> 00:31:49.212
  • 'i will do this thing that you have spoken.'
  • 00:31:49.212 --> 00:31:51.682
  • But he said, 'you cannot see my face;
  • 00:31:51.682 --> 00:31:54.017
  • For no man shall see me, and live.'
  • 00:31:54.017 --> 00:31:56.520
  • And the lord said, 'here's a place by me.
  • 00:31:56.520 --> 00:31:58.255
  • You shall stand on the rock, and it shall be,
  • 00:31:58.255 --> 00:32:00.123
  • While my glory passes by,
  • 00:32:00.123 --> 00:32:02.259
  • That i will put you in the cleft of the rock,
  • 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:04.394
  • And i will cover you with my hand while i pass by.
  • 00:32:04.394 --> 00:32:07.064
  • And i will take away my hand, and you shall see my back,
  • 00:32:07.064 --> 00:32:10.400
  • But my face you shall not see.'"
  • 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:14.705
  • In some mysterious way,
  • 00:32:14.705 --> 00:32:16.473
  • Moses was unable to see the front of god.
  • 00:32:16.473 --> 00:32:20.143
  • He only glimpsed the backside of god's glory.
  • 00:32:20.143 --> 00:32:24.748
  • But this is what the bible says happened
  • 00:32:24.748 --> 00:32:27.351
  • When he descended from mount sinai
  • 00:32:27.351 --> 00:32:30.120
  • And reconnected with his followers.
  • 00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:33.523
  • "so when aaron
  • 00:32:33.523 --> 00:32:34.858
  • And all the children of israel saw moses,
  • 00:32:34.858 --> 00:32:37.561
  • Behold, the skin of his face shone,
  • 00:32:37.561 --> 00:32:41.231
  • And they were afraid to come near him."
  • 00:32:41.231 --> 00:32:45.469
  • His face was so illuminated with the holy light
  • 00:32:45.469 --> 00:32:48.338
  • That he had to wear a veil when he spoke to others.
  • 00:32:48.338 --> 00:32:51.241
  • His face was aglow
  • 00:32:51.241 --> 00:32:52.776
  • With the reflected glory and holiness of god.
  • 00:32:52.776 --> 00:32:58.048
  • That's how it was for moses.
  • 00:32:58.048 --> 00:33:00.584
  • And then there's this man in the old testament named job.
  • 00:33:00.584 --> 00:33:05.022
  • He was a righteous man,
  • 00:33:05.022 --> 00:33:06.356
  • The wealthiest man of his generation.
  • 00:33:06.356 --> 00:33:08.358
  • And you know his story.
  • 00:33:08.358 --> 00:33:09.693
  • Within a few days he lost all his money,
  • 00:33:09.693 --> 00:33:12.095
  • All of his health.
  • 00:33:12.095 --> 00:33:13.463
  • His children were all taken from him
  • 00:33:13.463 --> 00:33:15.465
  • In a series of devastating satanic attacks.
  • 00:33:15.465 --> 00:33:18.802
  • I always tell people when i reference job,
  • 00:33:18.802 --> 00:33:20.804
  • If you're having a bad day,
  • 00:33:20.804 --> 00:33:22.706
  • Go read job in the first few chapters.
  • 00:33:22.706 --> 00:33:24.674
  • You will feel immensely better when you are done.
  • 00:33:24.674 --> 00:33:29.012
  • In the 38th chapter of job,
  • 00:33:29.012 --> 00:33:30.847
  • God comes to job and reveals himself to him.
  • 00:33:30.847 --> 00:33:35.218
  • God takes job on a tour of the sciences,
  • 00:33:35.218 --> 00:33:37.821
  • Pointing out the wonders of geology and meteorology
  • 00:33:37.821 --> 00:33:40.690
  • And oceanography and astronomy and zoology.
  • 00:33:40.690 --> 00:33:43.760
  • And in light of all the supreme grandeur
  • 00:33:43.760 --> 00:33:46.196
  • Of god's holiness,
  • 00:33:46.196 --> 00:33:48.131
  • Job was shaken.
  • 00:33:48.131 --> 00:33:51.401
  • And he responds to his vision of the holiness of god
  • 00:33:51.401 --> 00:33:55.539
  • In the 40th chapter with these words.
  • 00:33:55.539 --> 00:33:58.241
  • He says, "behold, i am vile; what shall i answer you?
  • 00:33:58.241 --> 00:34:02.446
  • I lay my hand over my mouth.
  • 00:34:02.446 --> 00:34:04.548
  • I know that you can do everything,
  • 00:34:04.548 --> 00:34:06.049
  • And that no purpose of yours can be withheld from you.
  • 00:34:06.049 --> 00:34:08.952
  • I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
  • 00:34:08.952 --> 00:34:11.822
  • But now my eyes see you.
  • 00:34:11.822 --> 00:34:14.324
  • Therefore i abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."
  • 00:34:14.324 --> 00:34:19.863
  • When we experience the holiness of god,
  • 00:34:19.863 --> 00:34:23.066
  • That's what we want to do every time:
  • 00:34:23.066 --> 00:34:26.536
  • Put our hands over our mouth
  • 00:34:26.536 --> 00:34:30.073
  • So we don't say something stupid.
  • 00:34:30.073 --> 00:34:33.276
  • Probably the most famous encounter
  • 00:34:33.276 --> 00:34:34.744
  • With the holiness of god
  • 00:34:34.744 --> 00:34:36.079
  • Had happened with a man by the name of isaiah.
  • 00:34:36.079 --> 00:34:39.049
  • The prophet went to the temple to pray and asked
  • 00:34:39.049 --> 00:34:41.685
  • For god's direction during this transition.
  • 00:34:41.685 --> 00:34:44.521
  • What do you do when a man who's been the king for 52 years
  • 00:34:44.521 --> 00:34:47.791
  • Finally dies, what happens next?
  • 00:34:47.791 --> 00:34:50.160
  • And when he arrived at the temple that day,
  • 00:34:50.160 --> 00:34:52.129
  • He wasn't prepared for what he saw.
  • 00:34:52.129 --> 00:34:54.464
  • Isaiah 6 tells us that
  • 00:34:54.464 --> 00:34:55.999
  • "in the year that king uzziah died,
  • 00:34:55.999 --> 00:34:58.768
  • I saw the lord sitting on a throne,
  • 00:34:58.768 --> 00:35:01.304
  • High and lifted up,
  • 00:35:01.304 --> 00:35:03.440
  • And the train of his robe filled the temple.
  • 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:06.209
  • Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings:
  • 00:35:06.209 --> 00:35:09.412
  • With two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet,
  • 00:35:09.412 --> 00:35:12.182
  • And with two he did fly.
  • 00:35:12.182 --> 00:35:14.584
  • And one cried to another and said: 'holy, holy, holy
  • 00:35:14.584 --> 00:35:18.255
  • Is the lord of hosts;
  • 00:35:18.255 --> 00:35:19.956
  • The whole earth is full of his glory!'
  • 00:35:19.956 --> 00:35:22.726
  • And the posts of the door were shaken
  • 00:35:22.726 --> 00:35:24.828
  • By the voice of him who cried out,
  • 00:35:24.828 --> 00:35:26.830
  • And the house was filled with smoke.
  • 00:35:26.830 --> 00:35:29.366
  • So isaiah said, 'woe is me, for i am undone!
  • 00:35:29.366 --> 00:35:32.202
  • Because i am a man of unclean lips,
  • 00:35:32.202 --> 00:35:33.904
  • And i dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;
  • 00:35:33.904 --> 00:35:36.273
  • For my eyes have seen the king, the lord of hosts.'
  • 00:35:36.273 --> 00:35:39.242
  • And one of the seraphim flew to him,
  • 00:35:39.242 --> 00:35:41.411
  • Having in his hand a live coal
  • 00:35:41.411 --> 00:35:43.380
  • Which he had taken from the altar.
  • 00:35:43.380 --> 00:35:45.515
  • And he touched his mouth and said,
  • 00:35:45.515 --> 00:35:47.517
  • 'behold, this has touched your lips;
  • 00:35:47.517 --> 00:35:50.353
  • Your iniquity is taken away, and your sin is purged.'
  • 00:35:50.353 --> 00:35:53.757
  • And i heard the voice of the lord, saying:
  • 00:35:53.757 --> 00:35:56.026
  • 'whom shall i send and who will go for us?'
  • 00:35:56.026 --> 00:35:58.562
  • And i said, 'here am i!
  • 00:35:58.562 --> 00:36:01.398
  • Send me.'"
  • 00:36:01.398 --> 00:36:03.767
  • Isaiah went to the temple to mourn the loss of the king,
  • 00:36:03.767 --> 00:36:08.905
  • And he got a vision of the heavenly king.
  • 00:36:08.905 --> 00:36:12.108
  • The ancient hebrew language
  • 00:36:12.108 --> 00:36:13.577
  • Had no way of emphasizing words like we do.
  • 00:36:13.577 --> 00:36:16.379
  • You couldn't push a button on a computer
  • 00:36:16.379 --> 00:36:18.415
  • And have your words changed in style,
  • 00:36:18.415 --> 00:36:20.917
  • Or as i do sometimes on our slides,
  • 00:36:20.917 --> 00:36:23.486
  • Change the color of a word.
  • 00:36:23.486 --> 00:36:25.689
  • They didn't italicize
  • 00:36:25.689 --> 00:36:27.090
  • Or underline or type in bold print.
  • 00:36:27.090 --> 00:36:29.426
  • When they wanted to highlight something,
  • 00:36:29.426 --> 00:36:31.061
  • They doubled it.
  • 00:36:31.061 --> 00:36:32.963
  • Remember how jesus would often say,
  • 00:36:32.963 --> 00:36:34.898
  • "truly, truly i say unto you."
  • 00:36:34.898 --> 00:36:37.467
  • That's jesus saying, "underline this.
  • 00:36:37.467 --> 00:36:39.603
  • This is important. this is in bold.
  • 00:36:39.603 --> 00:36:41.605
  • This is my way of saying this is
  • 00:36:41.605 --> 00:36:43.707
  • Critically, critically important."
  • 00:36:43.707 --> 00:36:47.077
  • Very seldom do we see triplicates,
  • 00:36:47.077 --> 00:36:50.380
  • And never of any other attribute of god
  • 00:36:50.380 --> 00:36:53.183
  • Is there a triplicate in the bible.
  • 00:36:53.183 --> 00:36:55.685
  • "but when isaiah was in the temple
  • 00:36:55.685 --> 00:36:57.287
  • Beholding the lord high and lifted up,
  • 00:36:57.287 --> 00:36:59.055
  • The angels were crying,
  • 00:36:59.055 --> 00:37:00.890
  • 'holy, holy, holy, the lord of hosts.
  • 00:37:00.890 --> 00:37:04.894
  • The whole earth is full of his glory.'"
  • 00:37:04.894 --> 00:37:07.897
  • Isaiah was stunned,
  • 00:37:07.897 --> 00:37:10.333
  • And the bible says he saw himself as he really was.
  • 00:37:10.333 --> 00:37:16.740
  • And then, along with job
  • 00:37:16.740 --> 00:37:18.808
  • And moses and isaiah, there's paul.
  • 00:37:18.808 --> 00:37:21.144
  • Remember paul on the road to damascus?
  • 00:37:21.144 --> 00:37:23.947
  • All of a sudden, he sees a bright light from heaven,
  • 00:37:23.947 --> 00:37:27.550
  • And it was brighter than the noonday sun,
  • 00:37:27.550 --> 00:37:29.886
  • And it knocked him to the ground,
  • 00:37:29.886 --> 00:37:31.221
  • And when he experienced the holiness of god,
  • 00:37:31.221 --> 00:37:33.023
  • He was blinded as though his eyes had been burned out
  • 00:37:33.023 --> 00:37:35.659
  • By the infinite brilliance of the savior on his throne.
  • 00:37:35.659 --> 00:37:39.696
  • His spiritual and physical eyes were open,
  • 00:37:39.696 --> 00:37:42.165
  • And his life was changed.
  • 00:37:42.165 --> 00:37:44.100
  • Through that experience,
  • 00:37:44.100 --> 00:37:45.435
  • Saul of tarsus became paul the apostle.
  • 00:37:45.435 --> 00:37:49.372
  • And finally, there's john.
  • 00:37:49.372 --> 00:37:51.374
  • If you read the book of revelation,
  • 00:37:51.374 --> 00:37:53.009
  • You know it was written by the apostle john.
  • 00:37:53.009 --> 00:37:55.745
  • And the revelation gives us
  • 00:37:55.745 --> 00:37:57.981
  • Perhaps the most understandable picture
  • 00:37:57.981 --> 00:38:01.751
  • Of what god might look like to us
  • 00:38:01.751 --> 00:38:04.054
  • If he were to manifest himself.
  • 00:38:04.054 --> 00:38:06.456
  • Read the first chapter of revelation,
  • 00:38:06.456 --> 00:38:08.091
  • And it will tell you that "when john looked into heaven,
  • 00:38:08.091 --> 00:38:11.428
  • He saw the enthroned lord,
  • 00:38:11.428 --> 00:38:13.063
  • Whose hair was like blinding snow.
  • 00:38:13.063 --> 00:38:16.099
  • His eyes were flames of fire.
  • 00:38:16.099 --> 00:38:17.934
  • His voice was like the sound of many waters,
  • 00:38:17.934 --> 00:38:20.537
  • And his countenance was like
  • 00:38:20.537 --> 00:38:22.038
  • The sun shining in all of its strength.
  • 00:38:22.038 --> 00:38:24.341
  • Out of his mouth came a two-edged sword,
  • 00:38:24.341 --> 00:38:27.177
  • And john said, 'when i saw him, i fell at his feet as dead.'"
  • 00:38:27.177 --> 00:38:35.852
  • Encountering the holiness of god.
  • 00:38:35.852 --> 00:38:37.587
  • I rather think if you and i were to have any experience
  • 00:38:37.587 --> 00:38:40.924
  • Like one of these five guys,
  • 00:38:40.924 --> 00:38:42.692
  • We would do the same thing, don't you?
  • 00:38:42.692 --> 00:38:44.894
  • We'd put our hand over our mouth.
  • 00:38:44.894 --> 00:38:46.496
  • We'd fall on our face.
  • 00:38:46.496 --> 00:38:47.831
  • We would say, "woe is me, for i am undone."
  • 00:38:47.831 --> 00:38:52.168
  • When you see the holiness of god,
  • 00:38:52.168 --> 00:38:53.503
  • It has an incredible impact on you.
  • 00:38:53.503 --> 00:38:55.739
  • And we know that.
  • 00:38:55.739 --> 00:38:57.841
  • Maybe that's why we're a little bit timid
  • 00:38:57.841 --> 00:38:59.442
  • About even exploring this subject.
  • 00:38:59.442 --> 00:39:02.746
  • How am i impacted by the holiness of god today?
  • 00:39:02.746 --> 00:39:06.149
  • Is this just something i need to have
  • 00:39:06.149 --> 00:39:07.650
  • In the hard drive of my mind
  • 00:39:07.650 --> 00:39:09.786
  • So that if somebody ever asks me about it,
  • 00:39:09.786 --> 00:39:11.254
  • I can give them an answer?
  • 00:39:11.254 --> 00:39:12.622
  • No, it's much more than that.
  • 00:39:12.622 --> 00:39:14.157
  • Let me see if i can help us get our arms around that.
  • 00:39:14.157 --> 00:39:17.794
  • What are the takeaways for you and me
  • 00:39:17.794 --> 00:39:20.830
  • When we know what the holiness of god is all about?
  • 00:39:20.830 --> 00:39:23.967
  • Well, let's talk first about association.
  • 00:39:23.967 --> 00:39:26.770
  • When we understand how holy god is,
  • 00:39:26.770 --> 00:39:28.938
  • We see ourselves in the light of that holiness.
  • 00:39:28.938 --> 00:39:32.041
  • I read a book recently again that i had had for a long time,
  • 00:39:32.041 --> 00:39:36.212
  • A book by billy graham, "how to be born again."
  • 00:39:36.212 --> 00:39:39.349
  • In this book, he tells about a time when he
  • 00:39:39.349 --> 00:39:41.184
  • Was gonna be interviewed at his home.
  • 00:39:41.184 --> 00:39:43.820
  • Knowing the show would appear on nationwide television,
  • 00:39:43.820 --> 00:39:46.790
  • His wife, ruth, took pains
  • 00:39:46.790 --> 00:39:48.391
  • To see that everything looked nice.
  • 00:39:48.391 --> 00:39:50.493
  • She vacuumed and dusted and tidied up the whole house
  • 00:39:50.493 --> 00:39:53.596
  • And had gone over the living room
  • 00:39:53.596 --> 00:39:55.098
  • With a fine-tooth comb.
  • 00:39:55.098 --> 00:39:57.100
  • When the film crew arrived with all the lights and cameras,
  • 00:39:57.100 --> 00:40:00.470
  • She felt that everything in that living room
  • 00:40:00.470 --> 00:40:02.205
  • Was spic and span.
  • 00:40:02.205 --> 00:40:04.741
  • Billy said, "we were in place, along with the interviewer,
  • 00:40:04.741 --> 00:40:07.610
  • When suddenly the television lights were turned on,
  • 00:40:07.610 --> 00:40:11.147
  • And we saw cobwebs and dust
  • 00:40:11.147 --> 00:40:12.882
  • Where we had never seen them before.
  • 00:40:12.882 --> 00:40:15.452
  • It was, in the words of my wife,
  • 00:40:15.452 --> 00:40:17.287
  • 'i mean, that room,' she said,
  • 00:40:17.287 --> 00:40:18.855
  • 'was festooned with dust and cobwebs
  • 00:40:18.855 --> 00:40:21.291
  • Which simply did not show up under the ordinary light.'"
  • 00:40:21.291 --> 00:40:25.795
  • The point is, of course,
  • 00:40:25.795 --> 00:40:27.730
  • That no matter how we think we have our lives in order,
  • 00:40:27.730 --> 00:40:30.533
  • When we see ourselves in the light of god's holiness,
  • 00:40:30.533 --> 00:40:33.636
  • All the cobwebs and all the dust shows up.
  • 00:40:33.636 --> 00:40:38.107
  • The standard of all morality
  • 00:40:38.107 --> 00:40:39.742
  • Is god's absolute, perfect, unsullied holiness.
  • 00:40:39.742 --> 00:40:44.047
  • And anything that falls short of that can never measure up
  • 00:40:44.047 --> 00:40:46.683
  • For fellowship with a holy god.
  • 00:40:46.683 --> 00:40:48.918
  • That's why jesus christ had to come to this world,
  • 00:40:48.918 --> 00:40:52.121
  • 'cause we could never be holy enough to know god.
  • 00:40:52.121 --> 00:40:54.491
  • We had to borrow our holiness from god's son.
  • 00:40:54.491 --> 00:40:59.262
  • The cosmic disconnect between god and man
  • 00:40:59.262 --> 00:41:02.198
  • Can only be understood in a real way by our next point,
  • 00:41:02.198 --> 00:41:07.003
  • Which is appreciation, understanding the cross
  • 00:41:07.003 --> 00:41:10.773
  • As a picture of god's holiness.
  • 00:41:10.773 --> 00:41:14.043
  • While we may never fully understand all that took place
  • 00:41:14.043 --> 00:41:17.146
  • On the cross of calvary,
  • 00:41:17.146 --> 00:41:19.315
  • We will better appreciate it when we understand
  • 00:41:19.315 --> 00:41:22.652
  • The holiness of god.
  • 00:41:22.652 --> 00:41:25.755
  • Christ came into this world
  • 00:41:25.755 --> 00:41:27.257
  • As god's sinless, only-begotten son,
  • 00:41:27.257 --> 00:41:29.792
  • And he lived a sinless, perfect life.
  • 00:41:29.792 --> 00:41:32.161
  • His life reflected the holiness of heaven.
  • 00:41:32.161 --> 00:41:35.365
  • And when he came to the cross,
  • 00:41:35.365 --> 00:41:36.733
  • He came as the spotless lamb of god.
  • 00:41:36.733 --> 00:41:39.035
  • He had never sinned in any possible way.
  • 00:41:39.035 --> 00:41:43.039
  • And he went to the cross and he died,
  • 00:41:43.039 --> 00:41:45.241
  • And gathered upon himself that day
  • 00:41:45.241 --> 00:41:47.410
  • All the sin of the world,
  • 00:41:47.410 --> 00:41:49.546
  • And gave up his life so that the penalty of sin
  • 00:41:49.546 --> 00:41:52.415
  • Could ultimately and finally be paid.
  • 00:41:52.415 --> 00:41:55.985
  • He was the only one who could have done that
  • 00:41:55.985 --> 00:41:58.321
  • Because he was the only sinless person who ever lived.
  • 00:41:58.321 --> 00:42:02.792
  • And the bible tells us that when god the father
  • 00:42:02.792 --> 00:42:05.094
  • Looked down out of heaven on his son
  • 00:42:05.094 --> 00:42:07.630
  • Hanging there between two thieves
  • 00:42:07.630 --> 00:42:09.532
  • Bearing the sin of the whole world,
  • 00:42:09.532 --> 00:42:11.501
  • The bible says god the father turned his back
  • 00:42:11.501 --> 00:42:14.737
  • Because he could not bear to see the putrid iniquity
  • 00:42:14.737 --> 00:42:18.074
  • Of all mankind reflected in his son.
  • 00:42:18.074 --> 00:42:21.844
  • And you hear the words of christ on the cross:
  • 00:42:21.844 --> 00:42:25.014
  • "my god, my god, why have you forsaken me?"
  • 00:42:25.014 --> 00:42:30.720
  • If god could have answered that, he would have said,
  • 00:42:30.720 --> 00:42:33.222
  • "my holiness is so great, my standard so high,
  • 00:42:33.222 --> 00:42:37.527
  • That i cannot look upon my own son,
  • 00:42:37.527 --> 00:42:40.830
  • Knowing that he is not sinful himself,
  • 00:42:40.830 --> 00:42:43.633
  • But that he bears the sin of the world.
  • 00:42:43.633 --> 00:42:46.603
  • My righteousness and my holiness demand that i look away."
  • 00:42:46.603 --> 00:42:53.509
  • The cross of jesus christ is the greatest picture
  • 00:42:53.509 --> 00:42:56.346
  • Of the holiness of god you will ever see.
  • 00:42:56.346 --> 00:42:59.215
  • In that moment when jesus paid the penalty for our sin,
  • 00:42:59.215 --> 00:43:04.053
  • Something wonderful happened.
  • 00:43:04.053 --> 00:43:06.489
  • When he came down from the cross,
  • 00:43:06.489 --> 00:43:08.424
  • He took his holiness and he wove it into a suit of clothes.
  • 00:43:08.424 --> 00:43:12.795
  • And he offers the suit of clothes of his holiness
  • 00:43:12.795 --> 00:43:15.999
  • To anyone who will believe in him
  • 00:43:15.999 --> 00:43:17.967
  • And accept them as their savior.
  • 00:43:17.967 --> 00:43:21.237
  • So if we're christians today, we walk around
  • 00:43:21.237 --> 00:43:23.506
  • And we're wearing the holiness of jesus.
  • 00:43:23.506 --> 00:43:26.809
  • When god the father looks at us, though we are sinful,
  • 00:43:26.809 --> 00:43:30.346
  • He doesn't see us.
  • 00:43:30.346 --> 00:43:32.415
  • He sees the clothes we wear,
  • 00:43:32.415 --> 00:43:34.851
  • The holiness of the blessed savior
  • 00:43:34.851 --> 00:43:37.453
  • Who paid the penalty for our sin on the cross of calvary.
  • 00:43:37.453 --> 00:43:42.492
  • So we come to him in prayer, and how do we pray?
  • 00:43:42.492 --> 00:43:46.195
  • In jesus's name.
  • 00:43:46.195 --> 00:43:49.132
  • That's our entry into the holy place of god.
  • 00:43:49.132 --> 00:43:55.705
  • And it all happened at calvary.
  • 00:43:55.705 --> 00:43:59.108
  • And then, along with association,
  • 00:43:59.108 --> 00:44:01.477
  • Seeing ourselves in the light of god's holiness,
  • 00:44:01.477 --> 00:44:04.213
  • And appreciation, understanding the cross
  • 00:44:04.213 --> 00:44:06.582
  • As a picture of god's holiness, here's the third takeaway:
  • 00:44:06.582 --> 00:44:11.154
  • Adoration, worshiping god in the beauty of his holiness.
  • 00:44:11.154 --> 00:44:16.559
  • Did you know that the first recorded hymn
  • 00:44:16.559 --> 00:44:19.328
  • In biblical history is moses's song?
  • 00:44:19.328 --> 00:44:22.598
  • Here it is.
  • 00:44:22.598 --> 00:44:23.933
  • "who is like you, o lord, among the gods?
  • 00:44:23.933 --> 00:44:27.370
  • Who is like you, glorious in holiness,
  • 00:44:27.370 --> 00:44:31.107
  • Fearful in praises, doing wonders?"
  • 00:44:31.107 --> 00:44:34.777
  • According to the bible,
  • 00:44:34.777 --> 00:44:37.146
  • The holiness of god is beautiful,
  • 00:44:37.146 --> 00:44:39.982
  • And we are called to worship god in the beauty of his holiness.
  • 00:44:39.982 --> 00:44:45.188
  • 1 chronicles 16 puts it this way:
  • 00:44:45.188 --> 00:44:47.523
  • "oh, worship the lord in the beauty of his holiness."
  • 00:44:47.523 --> 00:44:52.295
  • Psalm 29:2: "give unto the lord the glory due to his name;
  • 00:44:52.295 --> 00:44:56.032
  • Worship the lord in the beauty of his holiness."
  • 00:44:56.032 --> 00:44:59.435
  • Psalm 96:9: "oh, worship the lord
  • 00:44:59.435 --> 00:45:02.138
  • In the beauty of holiness!
  • 00:45:02.138 --> 00:45:03.840
  • Tremble before him, all the earth."
  • 00:45:03.840 --> 00:45:07.376
  • Theologian soren kierkegaard once said:
  • 00:45:07.376 --> 00:45:10.480
  • "we've gotten confused a lot about worship.
  • 00:45:10.480 --> 00:45:14.584
  • We've confused about who's doing what.
  • 00:45:14.584 --> 00:45:17.220
  • We think of worshipers as the audience,
  • 00:45:17.220 --> 00:45:20.089
  • Pastors as the entertainers, and god as the prompter.
  • 00:45:20.089 --> 00:45:25.194
  • But in all reality, worshipers are the performers,
  • 00:45:25.194 --> 00:45:29.031
  • Pastors are the prompters, and god is the audience."
  • 00:45:29.031 --> 00:45:34.303
  • When we gather for worship,
  • 00:45:34.303 --> 00:45:35.638
  • We perform a drama with different parts,
  • 00:45:35.638 --> 00:45:38.074
  • Speaking and singing and praying and giving money and baptizing,
  • 00:45:38.074 --> 00:45:41.410
  • Eating bread and drinking wine,
  • 00:45:41.410 --> 00:45:43.412
  • All for the delight of one person: almighty god.
  • 00:45:43.412 --> 00:45:46.716
  • And at the end of the show,
  • 00:45:46.716 --> 00:45:48.050
  • The only applause that matters comes from god.
  • 00:45:48.050 --> 00:45:52.688
  • We worship the beauty of his holiness.
  • 00:45:52.688 --> 00:45:56.626
  • Arturo toscanini finished conducting
  • 00:45:56.626 --> 00:46:00.930
  • A brilliant performance of beethoven's fifth symphony.
  • 00:46:00.930 --> 00:46:05.535
  • And the audience rose to its feet and applauded,
  • 00:46:05.535 --> 00:46:08.371
  • Shouting its delight.
  • 00:46:08.371 --> 00:46:11.073
  • But toscanini waved his arms violently for it all to stop,
  • 00:46:11.073 --> 00:46:14.210
  • And he turned to the orchestra and shouted hoarsely,
  • 00:46:14.210 --> 00:46:17.079
  • "you are nothing."
  • 00:46:17.079 --> 00:46:21.083
  • He pointed to himself and shouted, "i am nothing."
  • 00:46:21.083 --> 00:46:25.154
  • And then he shouted,
  • 00:46:25.154 --> 00:46:26.489
  • "beethoven is everything, everything, everything."
  • 00:46:26.489 --> 00:46:31.460
  • When we worship, we must say,
  • 00:46:31.460 --> 00:46:34.797
  • "god is everything, everything, everything."
  • 00:46:34.797 --> 00:46:39.468
  • When we don't do this, worship gets all undone.
  • 00:46:39.468 --> 00:46:45.741
  • Let's never forget what worship is all about.
  • 00:46:45.741 --> 00:46:49.245
  • It's not about those of us on the stage,
  • 00:46:49.245 --> 00:46:50.813
  • Not about those in the choir,
  • 00:46:50.813 --> 00:46:52.148
  • Not about those in the orchestra pit.
  • 00:46:52.148 --> 00:46:53.983
  • It's about almighty god.
  • 00:46:53.983 --> 00:46:57.153
  • We play it out before him.
  • 00:46:57.153 --> 00:47:01.324
  • And then let me talk about application.
  • 00:47:01.324 --> 00:47:04.927
  • We see ourselves in the light of god's holiness.
  • 00:47:04.927 --> 00:47:07.230
  • We understand the cross as a picture of god's holiness.
  • 00:47:07.230 --> 00:47:09.966
  • We worship god in the beauty of his holiness,
  • 00:47:09.966 --> 00:47:12.235
  • And we cultivate habits of holiness in our own life.
  • 00:47:12.235 --> 00:47:16.272
  • It is god's will that we be holy.
  • 00:47:16.272 --> 00:47:19.342
  • The bible says that god created us
  • 00:47:19.342 --> 00:47:21.210
  • And called us for that reason.
  • 00:47:21.210 --> 00:47:23.145
  • We have been chosen to be holy,
  • 00:47:23.145 --> 00:47:26.015
  • Just as he chose us in him
  • 00:47:26.015 --> 00:47:27.683
  • Before the foundation of the world
  • 00:47:27.683 --> 00:47:29.151
  • That we should be holy.
  • 00:47:29.151 --> 00:47:31.287
  • God's purpose for us
  • 00:47:31.287 --> 00:47:32.622
  • Is that we cultivate holiness in our life.
  • 00:47:32.622 --> 00:47:35.825
  • We have been commanded to be holy, it says,
  • 00:47:35.825 --> 00:47:37.493
  • "but as he who has called you is holy, be holy
  • 00:47:37.493 --> 00:47:39.762
  • In all your conduct, because it is written,
  • 00:47:39.762 --> 00:47:42.098
  • 'be holy, for i am holy.'"
  • 00:47:42.098 --> 00:47:44.634
  • We cannot be holy like god is.
  • 00:47:44.634 --> 00:47:47.069
  • We cannot approximate
  • 00:47:47.069 --> 00:47:48.404
  • The perfection of god's holiness.
  • 00:47:48.404 --> 00:47:50.473
  • But that doesn't mean we should give up
  • 00:47:50.473 --> 00:47:52.375
  • On the idea of cultivating holiness in our own lives.
  • 00:47:52.375 --> 00:47:55.444
  • Now, let's face it, folks, this is a frightening thing
  • 00:47:55.444 --> 00:47:57.647
  • And intimidating to all of us
  • 00:47:57.647 --> 00:47:59.181
  • 'cause most of us don't feel all that holy.
  • 00:47:59.181 --> 00:48:01.851
  • Most of us don't, including your pastor.
  • 00:48:01.851 --> 00:48:04.854
  • But here's what i know
  • 00:48:04.854 --> 00:48:06.188
  • And here's what i gain from this.
  • 00:48:06.188 --> 00:48:08.524
  • In life, for all of us, there are always choices.
  • 00:48:08.524 --> 00:48:12.561
  • There is a good choice and a bad choice for us.
  • 00:48:12.561 --> 00:48:16.065
  • We face them every day. you face them every day.
  • 00:48:16.065 --> 00:48:19.335
  • Every day you're confronted with what to do.
  • 00:48:19.335 --> 00:48:22.405
  • Do i do the right thing, which we might call holy,
  • 00:48:22.405 --> 00:48:26.342
  • Or do i do the other thing
  • 00:48:26.342 --> 00:48:27.677
  • Which might be more comfortable for me?
  • 00:48:27.677 --> 00:48:30.046
  • And we forget, do we not, that whatever choice we make,
  • 00:48:30.046 --> 00:48:33.049
  • Those choices bear children.
  • 00:48:33.049 --> 00:48:35.518
  • When we make a holy choice, it bears holy children.
  • 00:48:35.518 --> 00:48:40.189
  • It helps us to make other choices
  • 00:48:40.189 --> 00:48:41.924
  • That are likewise holy.
  • 00:48:41.924 --> 00:48:44.126
  • When we make other choices that benefit us,
  • 00:48:44.126 --> 00:48:46.462
  • Pragmatic choices that make us feel better
  • 00:48:46.462 --> 00:48:48.531
  • Or get us further down the road
  • 00:48:48.531 --> 00:48:50.232
  • We have decided to follow,
  • 00:48:50.232 --> 00:48:52.635
  • Those choices also bear children.
  • 00:48:52.635 --> 00:48:56.072
  • What can we do when the bible tells us to be holy?
  • 00:48:56.072 --> 00:48:59.241
  • We can understand that every day we face challenges,
  • 00:48:59.241 --> 00:49:02.478
  • Every day we face choices,
  • 00:49:02.478 --> 00:49:04.246
  • And we pray every morning when those choices come,
  • 00:49:04.246 --> 00:49:06.849
  • "dear god, help me to take the holy road.
  • 00:49:06.849 --> 00:49:11.253
  • Help me to take the right road.
  • 00:49:11.253 --> 00:49:13.990
  • Don't let me get caught up in the reasoning
  • 00:49:13.990 --> 00:49:16.792
  • And pragmatism of the world and go down this road,
  • 00:49:16.792 --> 00:49:19.895
  • Because when i go down that road,
  • 00:49:19.895 --> 00:49:21.731
  • It not only affects me,
  • 00:49:21.731 --> 00:49:23.432
  • It affects so many others as well."
  • 00:49:23.432 --> 00:49:26.736
  • We are called to be holy.
  • 00:49:26.736 --> 00:49:29.305
  • Let me end all of this
  • 00:49:29.305 --> 00:49:30.639
  • With the brightest moment of all the study.
  • 00:49:30.639 --> 00:49:33.242
  • And the word here is the word "anticipation."
  • 00:49:33.242 --> 00:49:36.379
  • Here's what i want you to know.
  • 00:49:36.379 --> 00:49:37.813
  • We are given the opportunity to look forward
  • 00:49:37.813 --> 00:49:40.082
  • To the day when we will all be as holy as god is.
  • 00:49:40.082 --> 00:49:48.024
  • One day, you and i who are christians
  • 00:49:48.024 --> 00:49:50.159
  • Are going to be as holy as god is.
  • 00:49:50.159 --> 00:49:54.964
  • 1 john says it this way, "behold what manner of love
  • 00:49:54.964 --> 00:49:57.400
  • The father has bestowed on us,
  • 00:49:57.400 --> 00:49:59.869
  • That we should be called the children of god!
  • 00:49:59.869 --> 00:50:02.471
  • Therefore the world does not know us,
  • 00:50:02.471 --> 00:50:04.807
  • Because it did not know him.
  • 00:50:04.807 --> 00:50:06.342
  • Beloved, now are we the children of god;
  • 00:50:06.342 --> 00:50:09.712
  • And it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,
  • 00:50:09.712 --> 00:50:12.915
  • But we know that when he is revealed,
  • 00:50:12.915 --> 00:50:16.152
  • We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
  • 00:50:16.152 --> 00:50:23.259
  • And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself,
  • 00:50:23.259 --> 00:50:26.395
  • As he is pure."
  • 00:50:26.395 --> 00:50:28.397
  • One day soon, god is going to touch us.
  • 00:50:28.397 --> 00:50:31.067
  • He's gonna touch you, he's gonna touch me,
  • 00:50:31.067 --> 00:50:33.169
  • And all sin will be gone,
  • 00:50:33.169 --> 00:50:35.137
  • And we will be made holy just like jesus.
  • 00:50:35.137 --> 00:50:38.774
  • And the bible says that when we are made holy--
  • 00:50:38.774 --> 00:50:41.610
  • This will grab hold of some of you.
  • 00:50:41.610 --> 00:50:43.145
  • We will also be made beautiful.
  • 00:50:43.145 --> 00:50:46.182
  • Holiness is god's beauty.
  • 00:50:46.182 --> 00:50:47.850
  • When he makes us holy,
  • 00:50:47.850 --> 00:50:49.185
  • He's gonna make us all beautiful, amen?
  • 00:50:49.185 --> 00:50:51.787
  • I guess it's all right for guys to be beautiful
  • 00:50:51.787 --> 00:50:53.622
  • In the eyes of god.
  • 00:50:53.622 --> 00:50:55.758
  • And throughout eternity, we will worship god.
  • 00:50:55.758 --> 00:50:58.794
  • And revelation 4:8 repeats the praise:
  • 00:50:58.794 --> 00:51:02.364
  • "holy, holy, holy, lord god almighty,
  • 00:51:02.364 --> 00:51:05.134
  • Who was and is and is to come!"
  • 00:51:05.134 --> 00:51:08.904
  • The holiness of god.
  • 00:51:08.904 --> 00:51:11.841
  • There's an old tale about a man who died and faced
  • 00:51:11.841 --> 00:51:15.010
  • The angel gabriel at heaven's gates.
  • 00:51:15.010 --> 00:51:18.514
  • And the angel said, "here's how this works.
  • 00:51:18.514 --> 00:51:22.451
  • You need 100 points to make it into heaven."
  • 00:51:22.451 --> 00:51:25.054
  • This didn't come from the bible.
  • 00:51:25.054 --> 00:51:27.623
  • Oh, oh.
  • 00:51:27.623 --> 00:51:29.024
  • "you tell me all the good things you have done,
  • 00:51:29.024 --> 00:51:30.960
  • I'll give you a certain number of points for each of them.
  • 00:51:30.960 --> 00:51:34.296
  • And the more good there is in the work that you cite,
  • 00:51:34.296 --> 00:51:36.765
  • The more points you will get for it.
  • 00:51:36.765 --> 00:51:38.167
  • And when you get to 100 points, you get in."
  • 00:51:38.167 --> 00:51:42.838
  • "okay," the man said, "i was married to the same woman
  • 00:51:42.838 --> 00:51:45.241
  • For 50 years and never cheated on her even in my heart."
  • 00:51:45.241 --> 00:51:49.745
  • Gabriel said, "that's wonderful. that's worth three points.
  • 00:51:49.745 --> 00:51:55.351
  • "three points?" said the man, incredulously.
  • 00:51:55.351 --> 00:51:57.753
  • "well, i attended church all my life
  • 00:51:57.753 --> 00:51:59.655
  • And supported its ministry with my money and my service."
  • 00:51:59.655 --> 00:52:03.225
  • "terrific," said gabriel. "that's a point."
  • 00:52:03.225 --> 00:52:07.229
  • "one point?" said the man,
  • 00:52:07.229 --> 00:52:08.564
  • With his eyes beginning to show a bit of panic.
  • 00:52:08.564 --> 00:52:10.766
  • "well, how about this?
  • 00:52:10.766 --> 00:52:12.368
  • I opened a shelter for the homeless in my city,
  • 00:52:12.368 --> 00:52:15.938
  • And i fed needy people
  • 00:52:15.938 --> 00:52:17.273
  • By the hundreds during the holidays."
  • 00:52:17.273 --> 00:52:19.608
  • "fantastic.
  • 00:52:19.608 --> 00:52:21.010
  • That's good for two more points,"
  • 00:52:21.010 --> 00:52:22.511
  • Said the angel.
  • 00:52:22.511 --> 00:52:23.846
  • "two points," cried the man in desperation.
  • 00:52:23.846 --> 00:52:26.081
  • "at this rate, the only way i'm gonna get to heaven
  • 00:52:26.081 --> 00:52:27.950
  • Is by the grace of god."
  • 00:52:27.950 --> 00:52:33.255
  • And gabriel said, "welcome home."
  • 00:52:33.255 --> 00:52:41.263
  • You'll never get to heaven except by the grace of god
  • 00:52:41.263 --> 00:52:44.667
  • Because we're as far away from heaven
  • 00:52:44.667 --> 00:52:48.003
  • As that man was from 100.
  • 00:52:48.003 --> 00:52:50.806
  • And no matter what we do, we can never do
  • 00:52:50.806 --> 00:52:52.808
  • Enough good things to measure up to the holiness of god.
  • 00:52:52.808 --> 00:52:57.112
  • We now know what that is. it's perfection.
  • 00:52:57.112 --> 00:52:59.815
  • I tell you all the time here
  • 00:52:59.815 --> 00:53:01.150
  • That god does not grade on the curve.
  • 00:53:01.150 --> 00:53:03.619
  • He grades on the absolute percentage basis.
  • 00:53:03.619 --> 00:53:07.056
  • And the only one who ever passed that test perfectly
  • 00:53:07.056 --> 00:53:12.394
  • Was jesus christ, the son of god.
  • 00:53:12.394 --> 00:53:15.864
  • And here's the good news.
  • 00:53:15.864 --> 00:53:17.199
  • One day he said, "i will go to the earth
  • 00:53:17.199 --> 00:53:20.636
  • And take the test
  • 00:53:20.636 --> 00:53:23.272
  • For all who will put their trust in me."
  • 00:53:23.272 --> 00:53:27.209
  • When you get jesus, you pass the test,
  • 00:53:27.209 --> 00:53:33.082
  • And you can go to heaven.
  • 00:53:33.082 --> 00:53:35.751
  • That's what happens when you receive jesus christ
  • 00:53:35.751 --> 00:53:38.287
  • As your personal savior.
  • 00:53:38.287 --> 00:53:40.823
  • You invite him to be your substitute test taker.
  • 00:53:40.823 --> 00:53:46.262
  • And he does it, and he forgives you of all your sin
  • 00:53:46.262 --> 00:53:50.332
  • And gives you all of his holiness
  • 00:53:50.332 --> 00:53:52.635
  • And makes some clothes for you to wear,
  • 00:53:52.635 --> 00:53:55.504
  • The holiness of god.
  • 00:53:55.504 --> 00:53:58.107
  • And you have a relationship
  • 00:53:58.107 --> 00:54:00.542
  • With the only perfect being in the whole universe,
  • 00:54:00.542 --> 00:54:04.880
  • And you know what, i talked to him this morning.
  • 00:54:04.880 --> 00:54:09.618
  • I did, and so did many of you.
  • 00:54:09.618 --> 00:54:13.188
  • So here's the question.
  • 00:54:13.188 --> 00:54:16.058
  • Now that you understand why you need jesus,
  • 00:54:16.058 --> 00:54:20.963
  • What is there that's in your way from receiving him today
  • 00:54:20.963 --> 00:54:25.067
  • As your savior?
  • 00:54:25.067 --> 00:54:27.369
  • He wants you to go to heaven.
  • 00:54:27.369 --> 00:54:29.872
  • He loves you. god loves you.
  • 00:54:29.872 --> 00:54:31.407
  • And he's done everything that can be done
  • 00:54:31.407 --> 00:54:33.776
  • To make heaven available for you.
  • 00:54:33.776 --> 00:54:35.444
  • But you have to make the decision.
  • 00:54:35.444 --> 00:54:38.047
  • If you've never put your trust in jesus christ,
  • 00:54:38.047 --> 00:54:40.282
  • I want to boldly ask you today: why haven't you?
  • 00:54:40.282 --> 00:54:44.286
  • And what is keeping you from putting jesus christ
  • 00:54:44.286 --> 00:54:47.923
  • In the right place in your life?
  • 00:54:47.923 --> 00:54:51.226
  • He wants to take your test.
  • 00:54:51.226 --> 00:54:54.363
  • Let him do it.
  • 00:54:54.363 --> 00:54:57.166
  • Announcer: dr. jeremiah will return in a moment
  • 00:54:57.166 --> 00:54:58.867
  • To close today's program, right after this.
  • 00:54:58.867 --> 00:55:01.737
  • Announcer: this month, turning point
  • 00:55:04.406 --> 00:55:05.941
  • Would like to offer you dr. jeremiah's book,
  • 00:55:05.941 --> 00:55:08.644
  • "the god you may not know:
  • 00:55:08.644 --> 00:55:10.479
  • Take the journey from knowing about god
  • 00:55:10.479 --> 00:55:12.915
  • To knowing god,"
  • 00:55:12.915 --> 00:55:14.316
  • Inside which dr. jeremiah shares
  • 00:55:14.316 --> 00:55:16.185
  • The powerful characteristics
  • 00:55:16.185 --> 00:55:17.753
  • That god himself wants you to understand.
  • 00:55:17.753 --> 00:55:20.823
  • Dr. jeremiah's book will be sent to you as a thank you
  • 00:55:20.823 --> 00:55:23.826
  • For a gift of any amount in support of this program.
  • 00:55:23.826 --> 00:55:26.895
  • Or for a gift of $55 or more, you will also receive
  • 00:55:26.895 --> 00:55:30.466
  • Dr. jeremiah's companion book,
  • 00:55:30.466 --> 00:55:32.534
  • "the jesus you may not know."
  • 00:55:32.534 --> 00:55:34.703
  • And for a generous gift of $75 or more,
  • 00:55:34.703 --> 00:55:37.773
  • You'll receive "the god you may not know" set,
  • 00:55:37.773 --> 00:55:40.776
  • Containing dr. jeremiah's book, teaching series on cd or dvd,
  • 00:55:40.776 --> 00:55:45.514
  • A correlating study guide, and the "knowing god" bookmark.
  • 00:55:45.514 --> 00:55:48.951
  • Order "the god you may not know" book or set when you support
  • 00:55:48.951 --> 00:55:52.354
  • The ministry of turning point today.
  • 00:55:52.354 --> 00:55:54.790
  • Announcer: and now, with one last word
  • 00:55:58.193 --> 00:55:59.628
  • For today's program, here is dr. jeremiah.
  • 00:55:59.628 --> 00:56:02.431
  • Dr. jeremiah: more than 40 times in the new testament,
  • 00:56:03.665 --> 00:56:06.635
  • Christians are called saints.
  • 00:56:06.635 --> 00:56:10.005
  • The word "saint" literally means holy one.
  • 00:56:10.005 --> 00:56:13.809
  • What the writers were saying is that those who are in christ
  • 00:56:13.809 --> 00:56:17.413
  • Have been made holy.
  • 00:56:17.413 --> 00:56:18.914
  • They've been set apart to god for a new life.
  • 00:56:18.914 --> 00:56:22.117
  • Just as god is holy, so we are made holy
  • 00:56:22.117 --> 00:56:25.687
  • Through our relationship with christ.
  • 00:56:25.687 --> 00:56:28.857
  • But to follow christ, we need to know christ,
  • 00:56:28.857 --> 00:56:32.094
  • And to help you know him or come to know him better,
  • 00:56:32.094 --> 00:56:35.831
  • I would like to send you two free gifts.
  • 00:56:35.831 --> 00:56:38.467
  • One is our booklet called "your greatest turning point"
  • 00:56:38.467 --> 00:56:41.270
  • And the other is our monthly devotional magazine
  • 00:56:41.270 --> 00:56:43.906
  • Called "turning points."
  • 00:56:43.906 --> 00:56:46.341
  • They have helped many people know jesus christ,
  • 00:56:46.341 --> 00:56:49.311
  • And we will gladly send them both to you free of charge
  • 00:56:49.311 --> 00:56:52.848
  • If you will contact us here at turning point today.
  • 00:56:52.848 --> 00:56:56.518
  • Announcer: next time on "turning point."
  • 00:56:59.321 --> 00:57:02.024
  • Dr. jeremiah: we are reminding ourselves
  • 00:57:02.024 --> 00:57:03.525
  • Of the greatness of almighty god,
  • 00:57:03.525 --> 00:57:05.794
  • The omnipotent god of the universe,
  • 00:57:05.794 --> 00:57:08.297
  • The creator of heaven and earth,
  • 00:57:08.297 --> 00:57:09.965
  • The sustainer of heaven and earth,
  • 00:57:09.965 --> 00:57:12.234
  • The source of the resurrection,
  • 00:57:12.234 --> 00:57:14.036
  • And the reason why you and i
  • 00:57:14.036 --> 00:57:15.838
  • Are on our way to heaven, hallelujah.
  • 00:57:15.838 --> 00:57:18.907
  • Announcer: thank you for being with us today.
  • 00:57:18.907 --> 00:57:20.576
  • Join dr. jeremiah next time for his message,
  • 00:57:20.576 --> 00:57:23.378
  • "knowing a powerful god," here on "turning point."
  • 00:57:23.378 --> 00:57:23.378