Podcast Summary: Deepen with Pastor Joby Martin
Episode: Living in Awe (S23E3)
Release Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Pastor Joby Martin
Guests: Pastor Brit, Vicky, Willie (Worship Leaders and Staff at The Church of Eleven22)
Episode Overview
In this episode, Pastor Joby Martin and special guests dive deep into the connection between worship, awe, creation, and generational faithfulness. Centering on Psalm 145 and the classic hymn How Great Thou Art, the conversation ranges from personal stories about encountering God in nature, to the critical importance of passing on faith to the next generation, to how worship—through music and daily living—roots believers in God’s greatness and goodness.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Majesty of God in Creation & Worship
- Psalm 145 and How Great Thou Art are the springboards for reflection on the awe inspired by God’s creation.
- Participants recall how the hymn’s lyrics—particularly those about nature—capture both God’s cosmic grandeur and intimate care.
- Awe and Worship in Nature
- Pastor Joby shares how hunting trips and being in the woods move him to spontaneous worship, singing the hymn in gratitude and wonder.
- Noticing specifics like the vibrant red of a cardinal triggers thoughts of Jesus' blood and the goodness of God.
“When I see the cardinals, I just thank Jesus for his blood. And I can't tell you the amount of times worship has just erupted from me.” (Host, 04:36)
[02:13 - 05:09]
- Theology of Nature: Discussion on how Scripture affirms that creation itself proclaims God’s glory, citing Romans 1 and various Psalms (8, 19, 145).
- Limits of Natural Revelation: Creation points to God, but salvation is uniquely revealed in Christ and His Word.
- Childlike awe is held up as a model, using an anecdote about a child more fascinated by a squirrel than an ape at the zoo as an example of joy in the simple gifts of creation.
2. Feeling Small—A Good Thing
- The crew reflects on the humility gained in nature, feeling "small in a really good way"—not insignificant, but humbled before the Creator.
- Alaska and harsh natural environments are used as metaphors for recognizing human limitations and God’s immense power.
[09:34 - 12:07]
“There is never a second where Alaska's not trying to kill you, so do not walk off by yourself again.” (Host recounting advice to a companion, 11:47)
- Nature isn’t to be worshiped (rejecting the concept of “Mother Earth” as deity), but should instead magnify the Creator, not the creation.
3. Generational Faithfulness & Family Discipleship
- Verse-by-verse look at Psalm 145: David’s designation of God as “my God and King” paints a picture of both intimacy and majesty. The “I will” resolve echoes through the Psalm—an intentional, active commitment to praise.
- Passing faith to future generations forms a central theme, described as both a family and church responsibility.
[17:28 - 23:13]
“This is our family inheritance. Whatever is sacred, like, keep it.” (Pastor Brit, 24:48)
- Discusses the four-generation decline of values:
- Generation 1 accepts,
- Generation 2 assumes,
- Generation 3 confuses,
- Generation 4 loses.
- Contemporary urgency is highlighted—commitment to not let the broader culture’s drift toward post-Christian norms rob this generation of faith.
- Authenticity at home: Faith at the dinner table is as critical as faith proclaimed from the pulpit.
4. The Role of Hymns & Intergenerational Worship
- Hymns connect generations through shared language, combining doctrinal depth with emotion.
- Modern worship sometimes lacks the depth or narrative journey hymns provide—How Great Thou Art’s bridge from creation to salvation to ultimate hope is highlighted.
[27:46 - 29:23]
“You can't fully recognize or realize who God is until you begin to see yourself in light of Him.” (Vicky, 29:23)
- Hymns are described as engaging both heart and mind— "doctrine-rich yet soul-stirring".
5. Practical Challenges & Encouragement for Parents
- The tension parents feel—being spiritually present at home after ministering all day—is discussed honestly.
- Grace abounds where the "ideal" isn’t realized; parents are urged to prioritize faith-sharing investments over anxiety about performance.
[35:06 - 37:37]
“There's so many times me and G held up the mirror and be like, have we screwed this whole thing up? ... And last night, my whole family's sitting there worshiping Jesus together, you know?” (Host, 37:07)
- Encourages parents that authentic, imperfect efforts in faith impact their children—and God’s grace fills the gaps.
6. Living With an Eternal Perspective
- Many hymns, like How Great Thou Art, close with hope for Christ's return. This is not escapism, but motivation for present-day faithful work and witness.
- The biblical pattern: those most focused on eternity did the most practical good (e.g., founding hospitals, orphanages).
[47:23 - 49:19]
“The whole point of the Great Commission being fulfilled is that Christ would come back.” (Vicky, 49:19)
7. Rediscovering Awe as a Christian Discipline
- Losing your "awe" is described as one of the greatest dangers in the Christian life.
- Worship is defined as “soul singing”—not merely musical participation, but a holistic, deep response to God’s majesty and goodness.
- Music and storytelling are affirmed as vehicles for moving the heart and soul toward worshipful awe.
[55:39 - 59:36]
“You know when your lips are singing and when your soul's singing.” (Host, 56:06)
- The experience of meaningful worship, whether private in nature or corporate in church, is marked as transformative.
8. Gratitude and Awe Rooted in Scripture
- Reading and singing Psalms, especially Psalm 8 and 145, in the midst of nature is encouraged as a way of rekindling wonder and gratitude.
[61:17 - 62:24]
“Thankfulness we know is the gate to worship, you know?” (Pastor Brit, 60:36)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "When I see the cardinals, I just thank Jesus for his blood. And I can't tell you the amount of times worship has just erupted from me."
— Host, 04:36 - "Creation is inviting to all to see the Creator, but there's limitations in it… Only the Word and a relationship with Jesus proclaims his salvation."
— Pastor Brit, 06:09 - “You can't fully recognize or realize who God is until you begin to see yourself in light of Him.”
— Vicky, 29:23 - “The whole point of the Great Commission being fulfilled is that Christ would come back.”
— Vicky, 49:19 - “There's present joy for today, but there's ultimate joy when He comes back."
— Pastor Brit, 49:30
Timestamps for Significant Segments
- 00:38 – 02:13: The hymn and Psalm 145—connections between worship and creation
- 04:36 – 05:09: Cardinals, color, and reminders of Christ’s sacrifice
- 09:34 – 10:55: Feeling small in nature, Alaska story
- 14:10 – 17:28: “My God and King”—personal faith and lasting praise
- 20:08 – 23:13: Four Generations: Accept, Assume, Confuse, Lose
- 24:48 – 25:47: Authenticity in parenting and generational inheritance
- 27:46 – 29:23: Depth of hymns—doctrine and emotion
- 35:06 – 37:37: Parenting, guilt, and the need for grace
- 47:23 – 49:19: Eternity-focused living and its effect on mission
- 55:39 – 56:06: What does it mean for the “soul to sing”?
- 60:36 – 61:17: Thanksgiving as the entry point to worship
Concluding Reflections
- Worship and awe are essential to a vital faith; both are nurtured through creation, Scripture, and the heritage of hymns.
- Generational faith is not accidental—it requires authenticity, intentional routines at home, and passing along living testimonies, not just information.
- Eternal perspective isn’t a call to neglect the present but a catalyst for faithfulness, especially in family and community.
- Rediscovering awe—both childlike and mature—is at the heart of worship, and worship is both an emotional and intellectual engagement.
- The episode closes in prayer, seeking God to make His people a generation that exalts His name “forever and ever.”
“Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.”
Let every generation, in awe, declare the fame of His abundant goodness.