♪ theme music ♪
(Derek) Welcome to Hope Sabbath School,
an in-depth, interactive study
of the Word of God.
I hope you're blessed with this series
on Bible Prophecies and Stories
for the Last Days.
Today, we're going to look
at Foundations for Prophecy,
how God wants to reveal Himself to us
and the story of three prophets
and what that means for our lives today.
So, we're glad that you joined us.
And welcome, team, good to see you,
say, "Hi," to each other.
We're glad you're here.
And we've got some remotes
joining us, too; let's see who's with us.
Rodney, great to have you back with us.
Shaina, always good to have you with us.
Alex, good to have you with us, too,
as a remote team member.
And we're glad you're here, too,
because you are part
of the great miracle of God.
We're always happy to hear from you,
our Hope Sabbath School members
around the world.
Marge, thanks for writing
to us from California.
She says, "Your show, Hope Sabbath School,
has been a blessing to me since 2019,
and I appreciate
the in-depth, interactive approach
to studying God's Word.
Your teaching method helps me
to better understand the Scriptures,
and the Scripture songs are a great tool
for hiding God's Word in my heart."
(Team) Amen.
(Derek) "I'm also inspired
by the team's testimonies,"
well, Marge, maybe you'll hear
a testimony from a team member
in our study today.
"May God continue to bless your ministry.
I love you all, Marge."
Well, Marge, thanks for writing to us,
and we'd love to meet you in person.
Jok, J-O-K, Jok Abraham writes to us
from South Sudan, "Hello,
Hope Sabbath School members."
(Team) Hello!
(Derek) "I am Jok Abraham
writing from South Sudan.
I've been enjoying Hope Sabbath School
for the last five years,
and it's helped me in my studies
and to prepare to teach a class.
Thank you for the great work
you've been doing, and may God
bless you as we prepare
to meet Him in the skies.
And I do purpose to meet
each one of you on that day."
Well, thank you, Jok Abraham,
for writing to us from South Sudan.
And isn't it exciting to realize
he's replicating, multiplying impact,
by teaching there in his community.
Here's a handwritten note
from South Dakota in the United States,
and a donor writes and says, "God
richly bless you for Hope Sabbath School.
It is such a blessing to those of us
whose first language is not English,"
you know, we try to talk really clearly, right,
and help people to understand,
"Or," the donor says, "maybe someone
who has a challenge reading."
You know, in Revelation, Puia,
doesn't it talk about blessed are those
who hear and those who read.
(Puia) Yes.
(Derek) So, when you read the Bible
in our study today, maybe someone
who has a challenge reading
is blessed because he or she hears
a clear word from God.
"Hope this little gift
makes a difference," and a donation
of 50 dollars from South Dakota.
Thank you, South Dakota,
you know who you are,
and it does make a difference.
And I want to thank each one of you.
This is a donor-supported ministry,
and you can be part of the miracle, too.
You can go to our website,
hopetv.org/hopess,
click on that yellow Donate button
and say, "I want to be part
of the miracle," or get the address
and send us a note
just like this donor did.
Thank you for partnering with us.
One last note, a beautiful note
from Phyllis in Canada.
Phyllis says, "I've been watching
Hope Sabbath School (my favorite program)
for I don't remember how long.
I have," oh, listen, "I've had
my unchurched sister-in-law
watching with me when she stayed with me
for a few months, and she loved it, too.
I've also introduced it to a few friends,
and they have become faithful members
of Hope Sabbath School."
Sounds like, is that what we
call an evangelist? Right?
"I have two daughters, and they have used
your outline to teach interactive classes,
so it's a family affair here in Canada!"
(Team) Wonderful.
(Derek) "I feel like I've gotten to know
so many of the members over the years,
and I'm always happy to see the return
of a familiar face.
The personal testimonies
are a real blessing," we hear that
over and over again, don't we,
"and an encouragement to me
and many others.
May God continue to bless all of you
who are working so hard
to produce this program
and spread God's love to the world."
You know, I'm so thankful, Phyllis,
that you put that last part.
It's not just working hard
to produce a program, but to share
God's love with the world,
that's what we really get excited about.
Well, before we sing our theme song,
which talks about the word of Christ
dwelling in us, Colossians 3:16,
I want to remind you about that free gift
we have for this series because we're
talking about Bible Prophecies
and Stories for the Last Days,
and, friend, you need protection
and so do I, the protection that only God
can give us as His redeemed children.
So, we're offering a resource
called Radical Protection,
a digital copy of a book.
Just go to our website, and you can
download your free copy,
hopetv.org/hopess, look for the free gift.
You say, "Derek, I already did it."
Well, then, tell someone else!
Be a blessing to them.
Do you know someone who is under attack,
someone who is struggling
because the enemy is trying to crush them?
Tell them about the resource.
They can get it free on our website.
But right now, we want to sing
an ancient text, actually,
from Colossians, the letter that Paul
wrote to Christians in Colossae.
Colossians 3:16, it says, "Let the word
of Christ dwell in you richly
in all wisdom"; let's sing it together.
♪ music ♪
(Derek) While we were singing,
I saw our remotes singing,
Rodney and Alex and Shaina,
and I thought about you,
Hope Sabbath School member
somewhere around the world,
and you're singing, too,
and hiding God's Word in your heart.
That is an excellent preparation
for the last days, for the Word
to be in our hearts.
So, let's pray that the Holy Spirit
will guide us as we study about a God
who loves to reveal Himself
and His truth to us.
Let's pray; Father in Heaven,
we just want to thank You
that we can study Your Word,
that Scripture is not given
a private interpretation, but holy men
of God spoke as they were moved
by the Holy Spirit, that Your Word
is an inspired witness for us.
And as we study about Foundations
for Prophecy today, please guide
each one of us wherever we are
around the world,
part of our Hope Sabbath School family.
We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
(Team) Amen.
(Derek) Well, we want to talk together
about a God who wants to reveal Himself
to us and then look
at some Bible characters who were called
to be prophets.
So, we're going to start in Genesis,
chapter 3, which is actually a sad chapter
about sin coming into our world
through the tempter.
But in this chapter, we'll also discover
some glimmers of hope.
And so, I want to look in Genesis,
chapter 3, and begin with verse 21.
And, Zandile, could you read that verse
for us, Genesis 3:21?
Again, now remember the context:
God has created a perfect world.
He has created Adam and then Eve
to be a helpmeet.
They've walked in the garden with Him,
and they experienced
intimate communion with Him.
But they believed Satan's lie
that they could somehow be like God,
which was what the enemy wanted,
to usurp the place of God.
And now they are feeling naked,
and they are separated from God
because of sin, but there are
some glimmers of hope
that God doesn't stop wanting
to reveal Himself.
So, Genesis 3, let's look at verse 21,
and then, Sophia, I'll ask you
to read verse 24.
(Zandile) And I'll be reading
from the New King James Version,
verse 21 says:
(Derek) So, why did they need
"tunics of skin to clothe them"?
I thought it said in chapter 2
that they were naked and unashamed.
So, Joshua, why does God need to make
tunics of skin for them?
(Joshua) Well, because sin
has entered the world,
and it gets cold and they need to be warmed.
(Derek) Okay, even a climate change,
you're suggesting possibly.
Anybody else? Yes, Nicole.
(Nicole) Well, they now realize
and recognize their nakedness and there's shame involved
in that nakedness instead of the purity that was there before sin.
(Derek) ...a different kind
of nakedness, isn't it?
Because the nakedness before
was beautiful, but now there's this sense
that they have lost something.
Alright, anybody else?
Why tunics of skins?
We alluded to this, Puia,
in a previous study.
I mean, He could have made them of grass.
In fact, they tried to make them
with fig leaves; doesn't it say that
in the chapter?
They tried to, "Woo! Let's get something
to cover things up here."
Why did God choose to use
the skins of animals to cover them?
(Puia) The text didn't clearly state,
but it's very possible that God,
right away, wanted them to see
that there is going to be a sacrifice
that will cover for their sins.
There will be the death of Somebody,
a Savior, who would come and die
on their behalf.
And by being covered, it's like they
are covered from their shame,
Someone who would save them
from their shame and sin.
(Derek) You know, I just want to speak
to you, our Hope Sabbath School members.
If you missed the previous study,
actually Puia taught the study
on understanding sacrifice,
and that was so clear.
You can go to our website,
hopetv.org/hopess, watch
the previous study,
Understanding Sacrifice,
or go to our YouTube channel,
and you can watch it there.
We're building one lesson upon another,
and you're absolutely right, this isn't
just, "Well, I'll make it of something."
This was a lesson about the lamb
that would die pointing forward
to the Lamb of God, right?
So, there was a glimmer of hope.
Let's look at another glimmer of hope,
Sophia, in Genesis 3, verse 24.
(Sophia) I'll be reading
from the New King James Version:
(Derek) Shawn, how do you think
that was a word of hope,
to have cherubim guarding
the entrance so they couldn't enter?
(Shawn) Well, it reminds me
of the Ark of the Covenant,
which had the two cherubim,
and what sat between the two
cherubim but the presence of God?
And so, I think God is still alluding
to this reality, that, "Even though you
are leaving the land
that I prepared for you, the garden
I made for you, My presence
is still going to dwell with you
in a way to call you back
to where you belong."
(Derek) And you're absolutely right,
and after Rodney's comment
and Shaina's comment,
everybody wanting to comment on that
(that's good), we'll discover that He
actually gives a promise about, "I
will never leave you or forsake you."
But let's take Rodney's comment first.
(Rodney) And as you mentioned
the word promise there, Derek,
I think there's a sequence here
that leads up to what we are
talking about here that is
very, very important, and Puia
alluded to it, which was in Genesis 3:15,
even before Genesis 3:15, you can see
that man, Adam and Eve, went awry,
then God actually went to find them.
That's the first beautiful thing
that probably happened before chapter 3,
but once we enter chapter 3,
it then speaks to Genesis 3:15,
which is now the promise
of the Messiah, the One who is to come.
And then now out of that promise,
He provides the skin, and then He
also provides the cherubim
that remind them that He
will always be with them.
I know we said earlier that it is
a very challenging chapter, but as you
said, Derek, there are glimmers of hope
for not just them, but also for us.
(Derek) And I like what Rodney
pointed out, and then I'll come to Shaina
and Alex, and that is,
in that same chapter 3 and verse 8,
God comes looking for them in the garden.
And then He calls out,
"Adam, where are you?"
Did He know where Adam was?
Of course, but He's calling him
to stay in relationship with Him. Alex.
(Alex) I wanted to add along with that,
the Garden of Eden was
actually a sanctuary.
You could see the Cherubim blocking
the entrance, which is east.
That's the exact same structure
as the sanctuary, so even there
early on, we can see that's why God
showed the sanctuary model
to His people, to say, "My ultimate goal
is to bring you back into My presence."
(Derek) Fantastic. And, Shaina,
I didn't want to miss your comment, too.
(Shaina) So, ultimately He used
the cherubim to shield them
from the garden because if we look
at verse 22 in the same [chapter,
Genesis 3], the Godhead, the Lord God
said...if I can read verse 22 of chapter 3.
(Derek) Genesis 3, and you'd like
to read which verse?
(Shaina) Verse 22.
(Derek) Verse 22, okay.
(Shaina) And I'll be reading
from the New King James Version, it says:
So, it's not that God didn't want them
to live forever, but now they were
in a state of being exposed.
We mentioned that before, now they
were naked; they were ashamed.
And if He allowed them to stay
in that place and they continued to eat
of that Tree of Life that would cause
them to live forever, then they
would forever be living in the state
of nakedness, of shame, of sin.
And the God of love,
who designed us to begin with, does not
want that for us.
(Derek) I struggle with that text;
I have to be honest.
Maybe you can explain it to me
because the wages of sin is death.
So, I don't know, maybe it would have
just prolonged the dying longer
by having access to that life-giving food?
I don't know; I guess we'll ask that
when we get there, too.
But, for sure you would agree with me
that in the garden, and I like the comment
that Alex made about the cherubim,
and Shawn also, that there is foreshadowed
that God is not going to abandon us
because of sin.
In fact, He wants to draw near to us.
Where is that text found?
Does anyone know where He says,
"I will never leave you or forsake you"?
It's found in a couple of places.
Joshua, do you remember?
(Joshua) In the book of Joshua.
(Derek) We thought you would like
to read that because it
has your name on it.
And then it's repeated
in the book of Hebrews, correct?
But, Joshua, the book that bears
your name, let's see what you read there
in Joshua 1, verse 5.
And then we say, "Was that
just for him, or is that for all of us?"
(Joshua) And I'll be reading
from the New King James Version,
and the Bible says:
(Derek) So, someone says,
well that was for Joshua,
and Joshua says, "I'm glad
my name's Joshua, you know,
because that would be for me, too."
How do I know that that promise
is not just for this leader
of the children of Israel? Kylynda?
(Kylynda) I was thinking
about multiple places this text is found,
and I was reminded, when Jesus
is leaving His disciples, He also gives
the same promise, "I won't
leave you or forsake you."
And it's really a promise
to all followers of Christ.
He's saying, "As you go out in the world,
I am there with you."
(Derek) Did somebody find Hebrews?
Yes, Shawn, how does it read?
It's being quoted for us,
not just about Joshua.
(Shawn) Correct, and I'll be reading
from Hebrews 13, verse 5, and this will be
the English Standard Version:
(that is, God)
(Derek) So, the context there
is learning to be content,
but it affects every area
of our lives, doesn't it?
So, as the darkness of sin settles
on the world, and sin and death,
why is it an encouragement to know
that God says, "I will never leave you
or forsake you"? Scott?
(Scott) I think about Jesus' experience
on the cross; as He was experiencing
the weight of sin Himself, He said,
"My God, My God,
why have You forsaken Me?"
That's what sin does, right?
Sin causes that...and as we
go through our lives, sometimes,
as we're impacted by sin,
we feel abandoned.
And we have to make a choice:
Am I going to go by how I feel,
or am I going to believe God's promise
when He said, "I will never leave you."
It doesn't matter if you feel
like God has left you or not;
He promised, and you can take
that to the bank.
(Derek) That's an English expression,
which means, "You can count on it,"
by the way, if people were wondering
what it means to take it to the bank.
But knowing that God has promised
to never leave us or forsake us
really does make a difference,
doesn't it? Yes, Zandile.
(Zandile) I was going to say that it's
a recurring concept or theme in the Bible
where from Genesis 1, He comes to them.
Even though they had disobeyed,
He shows that He cares; He looks for them.
And throughout the Bible, God is
still saying to us, "I will
never leave you, and I will
never forsake you."
So, if He is repeating it,
there should be some seriousness
and some truth in it because He
wouldn't be saying it if He
does not mean it.
(Derek) Alright, I saw some remote hands
over there, I think Rodney and Alex,
and then Puia, and then we'll move on
to look at some young people
who were called to speak for God
because He doesn't want anyone to think
He's left us or forsaken us. Rodney?
(Rodney) I think we have seen so far
in our discussion, all the way through
God just being with His people.
That was the intent with Adam and Eve
when God made the coats of skin, right,
or the clothing of skin.
In other words, wherever they
went in the garden, they were
wearing clothes, so they were
in God's clothing, if you will.
So, wherever they went, it was
a reminder for them, not only to cover
their shame but also as a reminder
to them that He's with them.
You see it also in the desert when they
were traveling from Egypt to Canaan.
God said, "Make Me a sanctuary
that I may dwell among you."
And so He wanted
to really commune with them.
You see when Jesus came,
He was with His disciples.
All the way through,
even to the very last chapter
of the book of Revelation,
it says, "Surely I am coming quickly."
So, we just see a depiction
that, no matter where or how far
we have gone, Jesus wants
to have an intimate relationship with us.
(Derek) Alright, thank you for sharing.
Alex, I think you had your hand
raised, too; would you like
to add to that?
(Alex) Yes, and to go with the idea
of hope, when people have hope,
it will help them to push through
even through difficult times.
And I just want everyone,
whoever is watching, to put your name
in Joshua 1:5 where God said, "As I was
with Moses, so I will be with," Joshua,
and, "I will be with you, too."
(Derek) Beautiful, I like
that personalizing of the text,
"As I was with Moses,
I will be with...," Sophia, Nicole,
put your name there and say,
"Is that really true?"
Well, Jesus is the same yesterday,
today and forever, so His promise
is not just for Joshua in ancient times,
but it's for each one of us. Puia?
(Puia) I like what Rodney said.
I think this is the theme
that we're seeing throughout Scripture,
the presence of God.
You know, when humanity fell into sin,
we can look at that from different angles,
but one of the main things we lost
was that direct presence of God,
that face-to-face relationship
that humanity had.
But even in verse 24, chapter 3
of Genesis that we read, that God
placed cherubim, you know,
the word "placed" in the Hebrew language
is the same word for "tabernacle."
(Derek) Ah, so He "pitched" them.
(Puia) He pitched the cherubim,
like He tabernacled, He continued
to show humanity that, "Even though
you have fallen into sin, My presence
will still be here."
We will one day be united again,
and that is so beautiful.
(Derek) It really is.
Well, let's look at a few individuals
who were called to be prophets.
And you say, "Well, Derek, I'm
not called to be a prophet,"
but we'll actually learn some lessons
that will help us to know God
wants to reveal Himself to us.
So, let's go to 1 Samuel, chapter 1.
Nicole, if you could read
verses 27 and 28.
And we're asking the question,
how did the Lord prepare
young Samuel to prophesy?
And we'll see the preparation
actually began even before he was born.
(Nicole) The New International Version
of 1 Samuel, chapter 1,
verses 27 and 28, says:
(Derek) And if you'd stay with us,
Nicole, and read in chapter 2,
verses 18 and 19, since you are
also a mother, so you can understand
a mother's prayers as Hannah,
remember, that was her name,
is praying for this child.
(Nicole) And continuing
in the New International Version, it says:
(Derek) Now, let's think
back about the garden and the robe
that was made in the garden.
So, I want to ask a question.
Some of you are parents, too.
What do you think was
going through Hannah's mind -
and we've got some parents here
on our team - what was going
through Hannah's mind as she made
that covering, that robe,
for her son, Samuel, every year?
Anybody, what do you think? Yes, Scott.
(Scott) I'm drawn to the description
of his clothing, that it says
he was wearing a linen ephod.
Now, we don't know exactly
what an ephod was, but it
had to do with priestly ministry.
And so, Hannah has lent him to the Lord,
and now she is clothing him
in the trappings for his service for God,
so she is preparing him, from a young age,
to serve God, to minister for God.
(Derek) Alright, in a physical sense,
you mean, by making this robe?
I want to know, Nicole, what was
going through her mind
while she was making...
What was she doing while she was
weaving or sewing that garment?
(Nicole) I can see her putting tears
in that garment because her son
is not with her, but also love, because
she knows that her son is going to wear
that garment and have a part of her
with him every day that he is ministering to God.
(Derek) Would someone like to add
another word besides tears and love?
(Joshua) Gratitude.
(Derek) Gratitude. I'm looking
for one more word.
(Sophia) Joy.
(Kylynda) Care.
(Derek) How about prayer?
Because she prayed, you told us,
at the beginning, right?
Did she stop praying?
Do we stop praying for our children,
those of us who have children?
She never stops praying that he
will be covered, that he will understand
the grace of God.
And, by the way, if you read this book,
there are some wicked things happening
in the temple.
It's a miracle that this young boy
is remaining pure and true to God.
Well, let's pick up the story.
Sophia, if you could take us to chapter 3
of 1 Samuel, and we're going to look
at the first 10 verses.
Now, some of you might say, "Derek,
I know this story," but maybe you're
going to hear this for the first time.
Remember, people are listening.
And I want you not just to tell us
what happened, but what can we learn
for our lives today that will help us
to prepare for the last days, okay?
Chapter 3, verses 1 through 10.
(Sophia) I'll be reading
from the New King James Version:
(Derek) What do you learn
from this story?
It's a beautiful story, right?
What lessons do you learn?
I see Rodney, you're
just kind of shaking your head.
There's got to be something
you're thinking while you're
shaking your head.
(Rodney) Derek, this story is unbelievable.
I'm just watching the progression
of both Samuel and Eli.
I see Samuel, here, trying to understand
the voice of God, because the Bible says
there that the voice of the Lord
was rare in those days.
And so, if he hears anything that is
sounding like...I notice he goes to Eli.
He didn't go anywhere else;
he went to Eli, so he's expecting
that Eli would have been the person.
But I just like how Samuel is
following the instructions of Eli.
Now, Eli himself also went
through a progression.
If you notice, Eli himself
didn't even know, but the third time
he recognized that God was
speaking to this young man
and instructed him accordingly.
So, I can see growth and development
in these two characters
being displayed here,
and so it is with us.
God wants us to grow with Him as well.
(Derek) Okay, I see some hands
in the studio, and then I see Alex,
one of our remotes. Nicole.
(Nicole) I'm taken
by the obedience of this child.
I have children, and it's hard
to get them, sometimes, to listen
to what you're saying.
But in this case, it's refreshing to see
that this child is able to be obedient.
And when Eli tells him what to do,
he does it; that's from the prayer
of his mom saying that this child
is going to be raised and do
the service of God.
And so, that is important for us
as parents to know, we have
to pray for our children to be able
to hear God's voice.
(Derek) So, Samuel, this little boy, is
covered in prayer in more ways than one.
He's got the little robe, right,
but he's also covered in prayer. Alex?
(Alex) And it's powerful, and if I
were to sum this up, for me,
it is the fact that God does not call
the qualified, but he
qualifies the called.
This is a young boy, but as long as you're
willing, whoever you are,
or how old you are, doesn't matter;
as long as you say, "Here am I, Lord,"
He will work through you.
(Derek) So, you don't have
to be the high priest like Eli.
Tragically, Eli's not listening,
and, "The word of the Lord
was rare in those days."
A lesson you learned, Scott.
(Scott) What really struck me is
that it says that Samuel did not yet know
the voice of the Lord.
And what stood out to me is that God
calls us before we are in a position
to reach out to Him.
We are not the one who initiates.
Samuel didn't start this up.
God was the One who took the initiative,
and He initiated this call,
and He spoke to him.
(Derek) Do we have any idea
how old Samuel was at this time?
Does anybody know?
Shawn, you've got a couple of little boys.
Can you imagine the Lord God saying,
"I'm going to choose
little Michael," or Matthew?
(Shawn) That'd be amazing.
(Derek) Wouldn't it be?!
But I appreciate what you said, Alex,
and I would say to you,
our Hope Sabbath School family,
God wants to speak to us,
if we're willing to listen.
Could we also as parents bathe
our children in prayer so that when God
speaks to them, they'll listen,
they'll recognize the voice,
and they'll listen.
It's quite amazing.
Sophia, you had a thought.
(Sophia) It says that He came and stood,
He came to him just like He came
to Adam and Eve in the garden;
He found them.
(Derek) I noticed that also,
that in the first [three],
it just says, "He called."
Did you notice that?
But the [fourth] time, it says, "The Lord..."?
(Derek, Team) "...came and stood"
(Derek) ...and called the [fourth] time.
So, what lesson can we learn
for our lives from this?
We're talking about a story here
for the last days.
What lesson, Puia, could I learn
from this story?
You say, "What a great story."
What could I learn?
(Puia) I think God, even to this day
and in the last days, wants to continue
to communicate with us, so I think
the lesson, here, is to be willing,
as Alex pointed out, to have
a willing heart to say, "Here I am, Lord,"
"Here I am, send me,"
"Here I am, I'm listening."
And I really love how Samuel responded,
"Speak, Your servant hears."
I think the lesson is there
for us to continue to listen
to the voice of God.
Today, the Bible is the Word of God,
that we can listen to His Word every day,
and God will speak to our hearts.
(Derek) Let's look at another prophet.
Kylynda, if you'd take us
to Isaiah the prophet.
Now, this is several centuries later.
This is about the eighth century B.C.,
and God calls another prophet
named Isaiah, and if you could read
for us chapter 6 of the book -
because this is where Isaiah
actually tells us about his call -
verses 1 through 5.
(Kylynda) I'll be reading
from the New King James Version:
(Derek) What do you think
about Isaiah's reaction
to this revelation?
Now, again, you know he obviously had
a relationship with God, right,
though I do think, Scott, you pointed out
that we don't have to have
everything together before God
might come and call us.
But he's a man seeking God,
and yet this is a totally...
What would you say?
A more overwhelming revelation
of God's presence and truth to him.
What do you think
about his reaction, Joshua?
(Joshua) To me, he seemed intimidated
and unworthy; he felt
as though he was unworthy.
(Derek) Okay.
(Joshua) I know the following Scriptures
seem to clarify that and what God did
in order to prepare...
(Derek) Okay, let's unpack
the "intimidated"; that implies some fear?
Do you think there was some fear there?
(Joshua) The vision of what he
was seeing? Yeah.
(Derek) You know, it would be nice
to think no fear,
but any time even holy angels showed up,
they had to say, "Fear not," right?
"Fear not, I bring you glad tidings..."
"Fear not," why?
Because the glory of God
is really overwhelming
to sinful human beings. Yes, Puia.
(Puia) I think this is a common theme
we see in the Bible.
Whenever someone gets close to God,
they begin to see their own sinfulness.
You know, the closer you are
drawn to God, the more you
see your failures.
And yet, that's where we see
the grace of God coming through also.
(Derek) You speak about grace, Puia.
I'd like you to read on, verses 6 and 7
of the same chapter.
The story doesn't end there,
"Woe is me, I'm done, bye."
Fortunately, the prophet continues
to record the story, and what do we learn?
(Puia) And I'll be reading
from the New King James Version,
Isaiah 6, verses 6 to 8:
(Derek) Oh, hold verse 8; we're going
going to read that in just a minute, okay?
So, we've got a hot coal coming
from an altar; there's
some symbolism here, what is that?
(Joshua) Purification.
(Derek) Purification, and what's the altar
it's coming from?
It kind of reminds us of...?
(Team) Burnt offering.
(Derek) Burnt offering, of the sanctuary.
Does anybody have an idea?
Yes, Rodney, you're going to tell us
where this burning coal came from,
an altar of some kind.
(Rodney) Yes, there's an intimation here
that it is from the altar of incense
where there is prayer,
and back to Joshua's point
around purification that takes place.
It really just is a great symbolism
that indicates that, "Well,
you're now ready."
God is saying, "I am purifying you
of your sin, and now you are ready
to represent Me to My people."
(Derek) So, heavenly sanctuary, right,
or earthly sanctuary - no.
It's heavenly sanctuary
this is coming from; it's a symbol.
And, Puia, you wanted to read on,
and we want you to read it for us,
because what options does
this young man, Isaiah, have at this point?
What are his options?
(Puia) Say no to God.
(Derek) He could say no.
He could say, "This
would be very difficult."
"They've killed prophets before,
and they'll kill prophets later.
They might even kill me."
Or, he says...let's see how he responds
in Isaiah 6 and verse 8.
(Puia) And I will be reading
from the New King James Version:
(Derek) So, we're not called
to be prophets.
Shaina, I'm going to ask you
a question in just a minute here,
because when we're called
even to be on Hope Sabbath School,
right - we're sharing the Word of God
with the world - it would be easy
for us to go, "I don't think so.
Why don't You call someone else
who's more...," more what?
(Team) Qualified.
(Derek) Qualified or talented or whatever.
Shaina, when you joined the team,
I don't think it was just my wife
who asked you; I think God
was inviting you, and you've
been a great blessing
to the Hope Sabbath School team.
How did God interact with you
when that invitation came?
(Shaina) Well, I had to respond
positively to His call as well,
and I found that in reading His Word
and spending more time in His Word
and in communicating, I felt strengthened
and more equipped.
And as I continued to communicate
with Him, the initial fear,
because to be honest, I used to film
in the studio regularly when I lived
in the area, and in my brain,
sitting there in the studio was like,
"Oh, these cameras; I'm being
viewed by the world."
It was kind of an intimidating feeling,
but as I said, as time went on,
and I kept communicating with Him,
and also being surrounded by believers
who were equipped by Him as well,
it started to become natural to me.
And so, it's like, as we continue
to communicate with Him
and spend time in His Word,
He will fuel us with the strength
that we need in order to do
what He called us to do.
(Derek) And I want you to stay with us,
Shaina, because some
of our Hope Sabbath School family
know that you faced a great crisis
when you had an accident some years ago.
Tell us about that, and that
might have been a great way out,
to say, "Well, I'm going through all
of this difficulty; I don't think
I can do this anymore."
And yet, God called you to continue.
Talk to us about that.
(Shaina) It was about four years ago
I underwent the greatest tragedy
of my life so far.
I was in a major car accident,
was on life support for two days,
and after I got off life support
had short-term memory loss.
So, meaning I would most likely be
repeating the same things I said
30 seconds ago in this conversation.
Lots of prayers were sent up
around the world for me, and I remember
Pastor Derek's wife reaching
back out to me after I felt better.
And I was like, "I cannot not do this,
because look at what He has done for me."
I didn't have to have my memory restored.
I didn't have to be walking.
I didn't have to look
like nothing happened to me basically.
And people look at me today,
and they would never be able
to tell that I was in that state.
And so, this is just like my gratitude,
to say, "Thank You, God.
You saved me from that physical death,
and ultimately the spiritual death,"
and it's like I can't...
I don't even know if this is
enough to say thanks.
And so, it's very little that I can do
to say thanks, and He continues
to strengthen and equip me to do the work.
(Derek) Thank you so much.
It's a powerful testimony.
Thank you so much for sharing it.
And I guess, you say, "Well, Samuel,
that was like a long time ago."
Or, "Isaiah, that was a long time ago."
But we have a choice to make.
And Shaina said, "Here am I, use me,"
right, "Use me."
Oh, but Satan comes, and, I mean,
we know God didn't cause the accident.
You say, "Well, it was
just someone's driving."
But, ultimately the enemy is
behind the chaos of this world.
But God says, "We're not done."
You know, the cherubim are still there,
right, "My presence between them."
"I've still got you covered."
And Shaina's testimony today
will be used by God
to impact people around the world.
Well, there's another young person
that the Lord called;
his name was Jeremiah.
And, Alex, I'm going to ask you,
you're a young man, God called you,
and by the way, I'm going to give you
an opportunity to share a little
of your testimony, too.
but I would like you to read the text
for us first, if you would,
from Jeremiah, chapter 1,
verses 4 through 10.
(Alex) Okay, and I'll be reading
from the New King James,
and starting at verse 4, it says:
(Derek) Stay with us, Alex,
because I want to give you an opportunity.
You actually were called by God
as a young man, too,
and maybe Hope Sabbath School people
watching go, "Well, he probably grew up,
you know, a perfect child
and never had any challenges,
and he doesn't understand."
But share with me a little,
and with our Hope Sabbath School family,
a little of your testimony.
I remember some of the things
that you were involved with
and how God literally turned
your life around.
And He's called you now to proclaim
to the nations the truth
about His immeasurable love.
(Alex) Yes, and it really touches me
whenever I look back, because I
really don't see myself whenever I share,
and it's like, "That's not me."
But that was me before, and, no,
I didn't grow up fearing the Lord.
I had friends that I shouldn't
have been hanging around with.
I had done things that I shouldn't
have been doing.
I was mostly, unfortunately,
into a lot of violent sports,
and because of that, it really numbed me
into not caring for people,
not caring for how people think,
how people feel, what people say,
and I had an anger problem.
But I remember the Lord
really convicting me
and drawing me out of it.
And one of the ways - because before I
didn't believe in God - but one of the ways
He revealed to me that He was real
was through Bible prophecy.
I couldn't deny it, and I knew
that I had to accept it.
And that really led me to the Savior.
And really looking at the cross
and seeing that that was real,
that really broke my heart.
That pierced my heart, and it led me
to see that I needed to change.
And God, out of mercy, called me
out of that world.
I was stuck in a very embarrassing and hard time,
and I had to call out to God
and say, "Lord, I don't know
what You want from me,
but now I want to give You my all.
And I don't know the future,
but I want to give You my all."
And He called me out; He led me,
He guided me, and I saw Him
leading me into spreading His Word.
And I've loved it ever since,
and as I study His Word,
He not only sanctified my lips
but my mind, my heart, my actions
to where, when people hear
of my testimony, they say,
"You don't look like that person
that belongs in the streets
or speaks that way."
But, God is merciful, and I
just praise God that His glory
may be shown in my life.
(Derek, Team) Amen!
(Derek) Amen. I remember Alex
sharing with me.
It was actually in the middle
of a mixed martial arts fight
where he was actually really fighting
for his life, that he heard
the Lord speak to him.
Alex, I'm remembering this story
and how God delivered him through that.
He actually knocked the person out,
and people thought, "Wow, now he's
really going to be famous
and go into a career
and make lots of money."
But that day, he made the decision
that he was finished
with that violent activity.
And so, God's turned him into a warrior
for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Someone ought to say, "Praise God."
You say, "That's a miracle
of God's grace."
Now, I need to take us,
to wrap up the story...
I know you want to share, but one
of the things I noticed as Alex
was sharing was a spirit of humility.
Did you notice that?
I noticed it also with Shaina.
And I want to just speak
to you now and speak
to our Hope Sabbath School family
around the world, when God calls us,
He may not call you to be a prophet
who speaks of the future.
Alex is a pastor now, a pastor!
Someone say, "Praise God!"
He's a pastor now.
But, to stay humble when we see
God work in miraculous ways
(Rodney, I see your hand),
so that all of the glory is deflected
to God and not to us,
because a testimony...
Remember what Alex said?
He shares his testimony, and people
are like, "Is that the same person
that I'm seeing here
testifying about God?"
How do we stay humble, Rodney,
when we're prophesying
of what God has done in our lives?
(Rodney) One of the things I observed
throughout our study, as we read
the Scripture about Isaiah, Jeremiah,
we listen to Shaina's story,
we listen to Alex's story,
I realize that God has a unique way
of getting to each person.
So, if you notice that their testimonies
are not the same, but the end goal
is the same, which is
to draw closer to Jesus.
And it is very, very important
for all of us to remain in Jesus
so that we can remain humble
because if we don't, we will go awry.
We will be off track, and so then we
start to draw the attention to ourselves
rather than Jesus.
So, in order to attain that, we have
to keep close to Him so that He
can keep us aligned.
(Derek) You know, one of the pitfalls
that Lucifer fell into was exalting self.
"I will," "I will,' "I will," if you read
in Isaiah, chapter 14, exalting self.
But the faithful servant of God
is always deflecting all of the praise
and glory to God.
Now, I want to close with this thought.
The Apostle Paul said, "God did something
to me to keep me humble."
I mean, he was talented, well educated,
a great orator, but he said, "God allowed
a thorn in the flesh to come to me."
It's in 2 Corinthians; we don't need
to read it, but you say, "What was that?"
It doesn't really matter.
Some say, "I think it was
his poor eyesight."
But has God taught any of you,
reminded you, of the need
to stay humble before Him
by a thorn in your flesh,
a challenge that you have?
I see several hands.
Anybody want to testify?
Nicole, God sometimes allows things
to come to us (He doesn't cause them)
to keep [Him] saying,
"Just trust Me completely, Nicole."
How has He done that for you?
(Nicole) Well, He's done it
a few times for me, but I can remember
distinctly when I was applying
for medical school I did not do well
on the entrance exams.
And in my mind, I thought, "I have this.
I've done well in college.
This is nothing for me."
And it reminded me that I have
to look to God and be doing this
for His glory and not for my own glory.
And so, I had to step back, take a look
at what my intentions were, and once I
really dedicated my service to God,
He then said, "Okay, I'm ready
for you now to go to this next step."
And I ended up doing well on my exams and getting into medical school,
but I had to go through a challenging time
to really get to that place where I was doing it for Him and not for me.
(Derek) That's interesting.
You're not a preacher, right?
You're a physician.
But whatever our occupation,
I'm just talking to you now here
wherever you are.
You say, "Derek, well, I do this or that,"
"I'm a teacher," or, "I'm an electrician,"
or, you tell me what your profession is.
God wants to use you just like He called
Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah,
just like He called Shaina and Alex.
He wants to use us, Nicole.
He wants to use us with the gifts
He's given to us and the passion
and love for Him to make a difference
for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Would you be willing to make
that commitment today?
Let's pray together.
Father in Heaven, as Rodney reminded us,
our stories are all different,
and yet the call is the same,
"Who will go and speak for Me?
Who will tell the world the truth
about a God who loves all of His children
with an immeasurable and unfailing love?"
God, I pray for each one watching today,
that we could say in our place,
"Lord, here I am, would You use me?"
And may lives around us be blessed.
We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
(Team) Amen.
(Derek) Thanks for joining us.
You say, "What! Some amazing testimonies!"
We'd love to hear your testimony
because God is still working miracles
in these last days.
Go out and share that
with those around you.
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