[0:00] We welcome you to our services today and we seek that the Lord would be pleased to bless our time together.
[0:14] Let us commence by drawing near to God in prayer. Eternal and ever-blessed Lord, we give thanks unto thee that we have access into thine own presence, that we can come and draw near to thee in an act of worship.
[0:38] And we give thanks to thee, O Lord, for all the goodness and kindness to us in things that are temporal as well as in things that are spiritual.
[0:53] And as we come together to worship thee, we are mindful, O Lord, of who thou art, or who is likened to thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders.
[1:14] We give thanks unto thee, O Lord, that thy mercy leads forth thine own people, those whom thou hast redeemed, and that thou doth guide them by thine own strength, to bring them into thine own holy habitation.
[1:35] To bring them, O Lord, to bring them into thine own sanctuary, where thou doth dwell.
[1:49] We give thanks unto thee, O Lord, for that living hope which is given to us through the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to thee, O Lord, that he is the one who came into this world.
[2:05] The darling of heaven, the son of thine own bosom. That he came and that he took what our sins deserved in his own body upon the cross.
[2:18] That he has worked out salvation for all those who will put their trust in him. That he was crucified, that he died, and that he was buried.
[2:30] And that he rose again, and that he ascended to thine own right hand, where he ministers on behalf of his redeemed people. And that he shall come again to receive them, to be with himself.
[2:46] We ask, O Lord, that it would please thee to bless our communities. That thou would bless every home and every family. Thou knowest their need.
[2:58] Thou art the omniscient God. There is nothing that can be hidden from thee. And so we pray, O Lord, that thou would bless each one according to their individual needs.
[3:13] Not only physically, but spiritually as well. O Lord, may thy spirit come in a day of thine own power. May thy right hand be revealed among us the power of God in salvation.
[3:29] That thy spirit, O Lord, would enlighten the minds and the hearts and the understanding of our people. That they may come to know their need.
[3:41] And that they may come to know the sufficiency of Christ. To meet with their need. O Lord, that it would please thee to come and to draw a people to thyself.
[3:54] That they, O Lord, may come and embrace the salvation that thou hast worked out for sinners such as we are. And as we come before thee, O Lord, today, we come confessing our sins in thought, in word and in deed.
[4:13] We seek, O Lord, that we may be given that grace of repentance where we would come and sorrow over our sin. And seek the mercy of God in Jesus Christ.
[4:28] We give thee thanks, O Lord, for the efficacy of the finished work of Christ. And we give thee thanks for the power of the gospel that has been proclaimed today.
[4:39] That it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. We pray, O Lord, that thou would remember our young people and our children.
[4:53] That thou would minister to them in their needs. And we remember, O Lord, before thee, those who are ill. May thy healing hand be upon them, if that is in accordance with thine own sovereign will.
[5:07] And if it be otherwise, we pray, O Lord, that thou would prepare them in their heart and soul. That thy comfort be with those who are anxious regarding their loved ones.
[5:20] We pray, O Lord, that thou would bless those who may be feeling lonely today. Those who are on their own. And we pray that thou would draw near to them.
[5:33] We ask, O Lord, that thou would bless thy word to us. That it may indeed be lodged in our hearts and bring forth fruit in our lives.
[5:44] To the glory of thine own name. That is our desire in coming together today. That thy name may be uplifted and magnified in our midst.
[5:58] We pray, O Lord, that thou would be with those who mourn. O Lord, the voice of death is so often heard in our communities.
[6:09] And we fear, O Lord, that we may become so familiar with the voice of death that we even harden our hearts.
[6:19] Instead of it leading us to consider our own relationship with thee. And to consider our own latter end.
[6:31] As we are those who pass through this realm of time. As we are those who are journeying forth to our long home.
[6:42] O Lord, we pray that we may be assured. That as we pass from the valley of time. That we would enter into Zion.
[6:54] The bounding of the Lord. The place of his inheritance. O Lord, we pray that thou would be with us now. As we commit ourselves into thine own tender and loving care.
[7:07] Seeking the forgiveness for all our sins. And all that we ask is in Jesus' name and for his sake. Amen. Let us now read the word of God.
[7:21] In the New Testament. In the epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians. And chapter 1. Paul and Timotheus.
[7:32] The servants of Jesus Christ. To all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi. With the bishops and deacons. Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father.
[7:44] And from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy.
[7:56] For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. Being confident of this very thing. That he which hath begun a good work in you. Will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
[8:10] Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all. Because I have you all in my heart. Inasmuch as both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel.
[8:23] Ye all are partakers of my grace. For God is my record. How greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.
[8:40] That ye may approve things that are excellent. That ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ.
[8:53] And to the glory and praise of God. But I would ye should understand brethren. That the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.
[9:05] So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and in all other places. And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds.
[9:16] Are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife. And some also of good will. The one preached Christ of contention or sincerely.
[9:29] Supposing to add affliction to my bonds. But the other of love. Knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? Notwithstanding every way.
[9:40] Whether in pretense or in truth. Christ is preached. And I therein do rejoice. Yea and will rejoice. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer.
[9:53] And the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ. According to my earnest expectation and my hope. That in nothing I shall be ashamed. But that with all boldness as always.
[10:04] So now also. Christ shall be magnified in my body. Whether it be by life or by death. For to me is to live is Christ. And to die is gain.
[10:15] But if I live in the flesh. This is the fruit of my labour. Yet what I shall choose. I would not. For I am in a straight between two. Having a desire to depart.
[10:27] And to be with Christ. Which is far better. Nevertheless to abide in the flesh. Is more needful for you. And having this confidence. I know that I shall abide and continue with you.
[10:39] All for your furtherance and joy of faith. That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me. By my coming to you again. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ.
[10:53] That whether I come and see you. Or else be absent. I may hear of your affairs. That ye stand fast in one spirit. With one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
[11:05] And did nothing terrified by your adversaries. Which is to them an evident token of perdition. But to you of salvation and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ.
[11:17] Not only to believe on him. But also to suffer for his sake. Having the same conflict which he saw in me. And now here to be in me.
[11:28] May the Lord bless unto us the reading of that portion of his word. And now seeking the Lord's blessing. Let us read again verse 19 and 20.
[11:42] For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer. And the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ. According to my earnest expectation and my hope.
[11:54] That in nothing I shall be ashamed. But that with all boldness as always. So now also Christ shall be magnified in my body. Whether it be by life or by death.
[12:10] Paul is imprisoned. And he has received a gift from the church at Philippi. To whom he has an incredible special bond and attachment.
[12:22] And which is shared by the church towards Paul. The gift came to Paul by a man named Ephaproditus. Who expressed to Paul the concerns of the church back at Philippi.
[12:37] They were concerned about Paul. And that if Paul were executed. What would happen to the gospel? So Paul wrote a letter to them.
[12:48] And in his letter he is wanting them not to be anxious about him or the gospel. In his letter Paul turns first to the gospel. And tells them that his circumstances rather than being a hindrance to the gospel.
[13:04] As they might have well expected. Have in fact led to the advance of the gospel. He has been able to bear a remarkable witness to the palace.
[13:18] Through the imperial guard. And also his witness has affected the body of believers at Rome. They became more confident and much bolder to speak the word without fear.
[13:34] Although there were some tensions among the body of believers in Rome. Nevertheless he rejoiced that the gospel was being preached. And now he turns to their concern about himself and his future expectations.
[13:51] For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer. And the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ. According to my earnest expectation and my hope.
[14:05] That in nothing I shall be ashamed. But that with all boreness as always. So now also Christ shall be magnified in my body. Whether it be by life or by death.
[14:20] Paul is imprisoned. He is facing trial. And the church at Philippi are concerned. That the outcome of the trial might be death by execution.
[14:32] But Paul tells him at the end of verse 18. That he was rejoicing. And that he would continue to rejoice.
[14:44] And the reason is that he knows. That this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer. And the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ.
[14:55] Here is a man who is not over concerned. He is not anxious about the outcome of his impending trial at the Roman court.
[15:09] But a man who is at peace. He is rejoicing at present in the fact that Christ has been preached. And he will continue to rejoice in the future.
[15:22] Whatever the outcome of his trial will be. Whether it will be life. A release from his imprisonment. Or whether it be death.
[15:33] And death by execution. Now one might think that such rejoicing is rather irrational. That it is completely ridiculous.
[15:46] Here is a man going to be possibly put to death. And he is rejoicing. But his rejoicing was based on knowledge.
[15:57] He rejoices because he knows that whatever the outcome. It will turn out to be for his salvation. And that Christ will be magnified in his body.
[16:11] Whether by life or death. What does Paul mean here by the word salvation? Or some versions translated as deliverance.
[16:25] Does he mean salvation or deliverance from imprisonment and execution? Or does he mean salvation in the sense of his ultimate salvation?
[16:38] Is he talking of a deliverance in the physical sense? Or is he talking of deliverance in a spiritual sense? Well in the light of what he says to them later on.
[16:50] It would seem to indicate that he is speaking of being delivered from imprisonment. For he says in verse 25. He is clearly indicating his expectation that he will be released.
[17:14] He tells them that he plans to send Timothy to them as soon as the verdict is delivered. And he is convinced in the Lord that shortly that he would come himself.
[17:26] But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you. That I also may be of good comfort when I know your state. Him therefore I hope to send presently.
[17:38] So soon as I shall see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. But we also know that very often Paul's usage and his usual usage of the word salvation is with a focus on the ultimate salvation of believers.
[18:01] For instance in this chapter at verse 28. He confirms the ultimate salvation of believers in spite of the hostility of the world. And of their suffering at present time.
[18:14] And he tells them that they are not to be terrified. And to nothing terrified by your adversaries. Which is to them an evident token of perdition. But to you of salvation and that of God.
[18:29] And later on in this very later. Later in chapter 3 and verse 20 to 21. Paul anticipates ultimate salvation. And the transformation of his body when Christ returns.
[18:43] There he writes. For our conversation is in heaven. From whence also we look for the Saviour. The Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall change our vile body.
[18:56] That it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. According to the working whereby. He is able even to subdue. All things unto himself.
[19:07] So are we to accept that Paul usage of the word salvation in verse 19. Is in the same sense as he uses the word in the rest of the chapter and later.
[19:20] That is that he is making reference to his ultimate salvation. Whatever the outcome. That it will turn out to be for his salvation. That it will turn out to be for his deliverance.
[19:35] Well I think that we can come to understand Paul's usage of the word salvation. Here when we bring into consideration what follows at the end of verse 20.
[19:52] Where he says. Christ shall be magnified in my body. Whether it be by life or by death. Paul's salvation or deliverance.
[20:06] Cannot be separated from Christ being magnified in his body. And I think that is the focus of these verses.
[20:17] That that is what Paul is focusing upon. That that is as it were his goal. Whether it be by life or death. His goal is that Christ would be magnified in his body.
[20:33] It is Paul's highest goal. In which he continues in his rejoicing. That whether he lives or whether he dies. That Christ will be magnified in his body.
[20:46] In other words. In other words. He is telling them that whatever happens. He is going to be the victor. He is going to be victorious.
[20:57] In being released or in death. He is going to be the victor. Christ will be magnified in his body. Whether by life.
[21:08] Or by death. And I think he is trying to draw the minds of the church at Philippi. He was so concerned about Paul.
[21:19] That they are not to be anxious. For whether he lives or whether he dies. The focus. The goal. The main point is.
[21:30] That Christ will be magnified in his body. Or that Christ will be magnified in his life. It is generally thought of that.
[21:42] Here Paul is thinking of the words of Job. In chapter 13 and verse 16. Where he renounces the viewpoint of his so-called comforters.
[21:54] Who insisted that his present situation is the result of some hidden sin. Job knew otherwise. And he cries out for vindication and salvation.
[22:05] He pleads his cause with God. In whom he hopes. And he says. Though he slay me. Yet will I trust in him. But I will maintain my known ways before him.
[22:17] He also shall be my salvation. In other words. Whether his. Whatever his friends thought of him. He knew that he would be exonerated. By God.
[22:29] For Paul. His whole life. Centered. Around. Jesus Christ. Paul was a Christ centred person.
[22:42] And here. He says whether. By life or death. The main point is. That Christ shall be magnified. In my body. He rejoiced.
[22:54] He rejoiced that. Through his bonds. Christ was made manifest. In all the palace. And in all other places. And that. Many of the brethren. In the Lord.
[23:05] Was. Waxing confident. By his bonds. To speak. The word. Without fear. He rejoiced. That. Christ was being preached.
[23:15] And now. He continues. To rejoice. That Christ. Will be magnified. In his body. Either by release. From his chains. Or. Death.
[23:26] By execution. Paul's. Whole life. Have been. Revolutionized. Since the day. He was converted. And became a follower. Of the Lord.
[23:36] Jesus Christ. Writing to the church. At Corinth. He tells them. For I determined. Not to know. Anything among you. Save Jesus Christ.
[23:46] And him crucified. He also told them. Therefore. If any man. Be in Christ. He is. A new creature. All things.
[23:57] Are passed away. Behold. All things. Are become. New. Here. Was a man. Steeped. In. Jewish religion.
[24:08] And yet. He could say. To the church. At Galatia. For in Christ. Jesus. Neither circumcision. Availeth anything. Nor own circumcision. But a new creature. Or a new creation.
[24:21] On the road to Damascus. You see. Paul entered. Into new life. In which. His identity. Was defined. By the fact. That Paul.
[24:33] Was now. United. To Jesus Christ. Later on. In this letter. He tells us. Of how he forfeited. The advantages. Of his former life.
[24:46] Yet. Doubtless. And I count. All things. But loss. For the excellency. Of the knowledge. Of Christ. Jesus. My Lord. For whom. I have suffered. The loss.
[24:56] Of all things. And to count them. But done. That I may. Win Christ. And be found. In him. Not having. Mine own righteousness. Which is of the law.
[25:06] But that which is through the faith of Christ. The righteousness. Which is of God. By faith. Paul. From that moment.
[25:16] Of his encounter. With Jesus Christ. Was. From that moment. To lead. A Christ. Centered. Life. Which begs the question.
[25:28] On what is my life. And your life. Centered. Upon. You might say. Well. It worked for Paul.
[25:39] But not. For me. And why did it work. For Paul. Because. He did not allow. Anything. To clutter.
[25:50] Up his life. He had his own problems. He had his own tensions. He had his own. Sufferings. Yet.
[26:01] In this letter. Paul says. I know both. How to be abased. And I know. How to abound. Everywhere. And in all things. I'm instructed. Both to be full.
[26:11] And to be hungry. Both to abound. And to suffer need. I can do all things. Through Christ. Which strengtheneth. Me. Paul wrote.
[26:22] To the Galatians. And he says. I am crucified. With Christ. Nevertheless. I live. Yet not I. But Christ. Liveth in me. And the life.
[26:33] Which I now live. In the flesh. I live. By the faith. Of the Son of God. Who loved me. And gave. Himself. For me. You know.
[26:44] Why we are not. We are not able. To live such a. Christ centred life. It's. It's because we. Clutter our life. Up with. Other things. But Paul's.
[26:57] Union with Christ. Now defines. Who Paul is. And our union with Christ. Should define. Who we are. You.
[27:08] If you go back. Into. The Old Testament. And. You see. Moses. Telling the children of. Israel. So often. Remember. Who you are.
[27:20] Remember. What is. True. Of you. And if only. We would. Remember. More often. What is true of us. If we are. Christians today.
[27:31] That we are. United. With Christ. Christ. That we are. In union. With Christ. That the spirit. Of Christ. Indwells.
[27:42] In us. That our body. Is the temple. Of the Holy. Spirit. Whatever. Trials. Or. Sufferings.
[27:53] That we must endure. On. Behalf of Christ. Let us. Have the same. Attitude. As Paul had. And see. Our trials. And sufferings. From a. Christ. Focused. Point.
[28:04] Of you. Paul. Judged. His. Situation. As he stood. Being chained. To a Roman soldier. Not by whether. It served. His convenience.
[28:14] Or. His comfort. Or. His reputation. But. Rather. That it. Advanced. The gospel. Of Jesus Christ. And now. He is waiting.
[28:25] For his impending. Trial. He is assured. That either. By life. Or death. That Christ. Would be. Honored. That Christ. Would be. Magnified. And that.
[28:36] For Paul. Was. Everything. Whatever. His trials. Whatever. His. Sufferings. This.
[28:46] Was. For Paul. All. And. In all. That Christ. Would be. Honored. And that Christ. Would be. Magnified. We.
[28:57] All. I'm sure. Have. Had. The. The. Experience. Of. Being. At. Some. Death. Beds. Where. A. Person. Is. About. To.
[29:07] Leave. The. Realm. Of. Time. And. How. We. Have. Seen. How. People. At. Times. At. Least. Can. Be. So. Christ.
[29:18] Focused. And. Christ. Centred. Well. That's. How. Paul. Is. Whether. It. Be. By. Life. Or. Death.
[29:29] He. Is. Telling. The. Church. At. Philippi. This. Is. My. Goal. This. Is. What. I. Focusing. Upon. And. This. Is. What. I. Want. You. To. Focus. Upon. That.
[29:40] Whether. I. Live. Or. Die. The. Main. Thing. Is. That. Christ. Will. Be. Magnified. That. Christ. Will. Be. Honored. Paul.
[29:53] Nevertheless. Reminds them. Of. His. Need. Of. Their. Prayers. And. The. Help. Of. The. Spirit. To. Sustain. Him. In. His. Present. Circumstances.
[30:04] For. I. Know. That. This. Shall. Turn. To. My. Salvation. Through. Your. Prayer. And. The. Supply. Of. The. Spirit. Of. Jesus. Christ. He.
[30:14] Has. Already. Told. Them. That. His. Concern. For. Them. And. His. Love. For. Them. Has. Resulted. In. Him. Praying. For. Them. And. Now. He. Is. Assured. That.
[30:24] By. Their. Prayers. Everything. Will. Turn. Out. For. His. Salvation. What. This. Brings. Before.
[30:34] Us. Is. That. Part. Of. Our. Responsibility. Towards. Each. Other. Our. Responsibility. We.
[30:45] Often. Lose. Sight. Of. Our. Dependency. Upon. One. Another. But. The. Fact. Is. That. We. Have. An. Obligation. To. Bear. One. Another's.
[30:55] Burdens. And. So. Fulfill. The. Law. Of. Christ. Whether. We. Like. It. Or. Not. We. Are. Dependent. Upon. One. Another. We.
[31:06] Saw. Earlier. How. Paul. Was. Praying. For. The. Spiritual. Growth. Of. The. Church. At. Philippi. And. So. In. The. Same. Manner. We. Ought. To. Put. One. Another. Spiritual.
[31:16] Growth. At. The. Forefront. Of. Our. Prayers. Praying. For. The. Whole. Body. Of. Christ. Throughout. The.
[31:26] Bible. We. See. That. The. Sovereign. God. Chooses. To. Use. The. Instrumentality. Of. Man. To. Do. His. Work. He. Uses.
[31:37] Men. As. Instruments. To. Advance. His. Work. Not. Only. In. The. Gospel. But. In. The. Growth. Of. The. Individual.
[31:48] Christian. In. His. Letter. To. The. Church. At. Ephesus. During. The. Same. Imprisonment. He.
[31:58] Requests. Prayer. In. Chapter. Six. Verse. Eighteen. We. Read. There. Pray. Always. With. All. Prayer. And. Supplication. In. Spirit. And.
[32:09] Watching. There. Into. With. All. Perseverance. And. Supplication. For. All. Saints. And. For. Me. That. Utterance. May. Be. Given. Unto. Me. That. I. May. Open. My. Mouth.
[32:19] Boldly. To. Make. Known. The. Mystery. Of. The. Gospel. For. Which. I. Am. An. Ambassador. And. Bonds. That. Therein. I. May. Speak. Boldly. As. I. Ought.
[32:29] To. Speak. Paul. Informs. The. Church. At. Philippi. That. His. Confidence. That. Everything. Will. Turn. Out. To. His. Salvation. Is. Partly.
[32:40] That. They. Are. Praying. For. Him. It. Is. A. Reminder. For. Us. Of. How. Closely. Related. Out. Prayers. And. God's. Provision. Are.
[32:51] How. We. Are. To. Pray. For. One. Another. It. Is. Interesting. Indeed. How. Paul.
[33:02] Ties. Up. These. Two. Thoughts. Of. Prayer. And. The. Supply. Of. The. Spirit. And. His. Confidence. That. Everything. Will. Turn. Out. For. His. Salvation.
[33:13] For. I. Know. That. This. Shall. Turn. To. My. Salvation. Through. Your. Prayer. And. The. Supply. Of. The. Spirit. Of. Jesus. Christ. When. Paul. Is. Here. Speaking. Of. The. Spirit.
[33:23] Of. Jesus. Christ. He's. Thinking. Of. The. Presence. Of. Christ. Being. With. Him. We. Often. Take. This. Up. That. When. A. Person. Is. Born. Again.
[33:34] That. The. Spirit. Comes. To. In. That. Person. And. Paul. Has. Already. Reminded. This. Very. Church. At. Rome. Now. If. Any.
[33:44] Man. Have. Not. The. Spirit. Of. Christ. He. Is. None. Of. His. But. Having. The. Spirit. Of. Christ. Indwelling. Paul. Knows.
[33:55] That. He. Is. Not. Alone. In. Prison. That. He. Is. Not. Alone. As. He. Comes. To. Appeared. Before. The. Roman.
[34:05] Code. And. If. He. Is. Sentenced. To. Die. He. Knows. That. He. Will. Not. Be. Alone. And.
[34:16] He. Counts. Upon. The. Prayers. Of. The. Church. At. Philippi. In. The. Presence. Of. The. Spirit. Of. Jesus. Christ. To. Turn. Whatever. Comes. His. Way. To. His. Salvation. And. For. Christ.
[34:26] To. Be. Magnified. In. His. Body. Paul. Is. Confident. That. He. Will. Reach. The. Goal. By. Whatever. Path. God. Chooses.
[34:37] To. Lead. Him. There. Whether. It. Be. By. Life. Or. Whether. It. Be. By. Death. For. I. Know. That. Is. He. Is. Absolutely.
[34:47] Convinced. That. This. Shall. Turn. To. My. Salvation. Through. Your. Prayer. And. The. Supply. Of. The. Spirit. Of. Jesus. Christ. Paul's.
[34:58] Knowledge. In. In. Verse. 19. That. Leaves. Him. Absolutely. Convinced. Is. Based. Upon. The. Truth. That. We. Find. In. Verse. 20. For.
[35:08] I. Know. That. He. Is. That. Is. He. Is. Absolutely. Convinced. That. This. Shall. Turn. To. My. Salvation. Through. Your. Prayer. And. A. Supply. Of. The. Spirit. Of. Jesus. Christ.
[35:19] According. To. My. Earnest. Expectation. And. My. Hope. Well. What. Is. Hope. Or. Perhaps. A. Better. Question. What. Would. Be. What.
[35:29] Is. Hope. Hope. Is. An. Inward. Settled. Conviction. That. Is. Based. On. Truth. Hope.
[35:41] Is. An. Inward. Settled. Conviction. That. Is. Based. On. Truth. The. Christian. Hope. Is. Not. Something. That. Is. Uncertain. Something.
[35:52] Which. May. Or. May. Not. Be. Or. Happen. But. It. Is. A. Sure. Hope. It. Is. A. Hope. Of. Which. Paul. Says. And. Hope. Maketh. Not.
[36:02] Ashamed. A. Hope. That. Will. Not. Bring. Disappointment. As. We. Saw. Last. Week. When. We. Noted. That. The. Word. Ashamed. In. A. Biblical. Sense. Means. Disappointed.
[36:14] Writing. To. The. Hebrews. The. Writer. There. Says. Which. Hope. We. Have. As. An. Anchor. Of. The. Soul. Both. Sure. And. Steadfast. According.
[36:27] To. My. Earnest. Expectation. And. Hope. Well. What. Is. This. Expectation. He. Ties. Up. The. Two. Things. Together. Expectation.
[36:39] And. Hope. And. We. Have. Seen. That. Hope. Is. An. Inward. Settled. Conviction. That. Is. Based. On. Truth. So. What. Is. Expectation.
[36:49] It. Is. The. Outworking. Of. That. Inward. Hope. What. Is. Paul's. Expectation. And. Hope. That. Christ. Will. Be. Magnified.
[36:59] In. His. Body. Whether. It. Be. By. Life. Or. Death. That. Christ. Will. Be. Honored. And. Exalted. In. His. Life. Whether. By. Life. Being. Released.
[37:11] Or. Death. This. Was. Paul's. Goal. That. Christ. Would. Be. Made. Great. That. Christ. Would. Be. Honored. That. Christ. Would. Be. Exalted.
[37:21] In. His. Life. Whether. It. Be. By. Release. From. Prison. Or. By. Death. By. Execution. A. Good. Question. To. Ask. Ourselves.
[37:32] Today. Is. What. Am I. Doing. In. Life. Am I. Living. A. Life. In. Which. Christ. Has. Been. Magnified.
[37:43] In. Which. Christ. Is. Been. Honored. Is. This. My. Goal. In. Life. Whether. In. Life. Or. Death. That.
[37:53] Christ. Will. Be. Honored. That. Christ. Will. Be. Magnified. Well. That. Was. A. Testimony. According. To. My. Earnest. Expectation. And. Hope. That.
[38:04] In. Nothing. I. Shall. Be. Ashamed. But. That. With. All. Boldness. As. Always. So. Now. Also. Christ. Shall. Be. Magnified. In. My. Body. Whether. It. Be. By.
[38:14] Life. Or. By. Death. His. Expectation. And. Hope. And. That. Before. Caesar's. Court. When. He. Comes. to. Appear. Before. The. Court. Of.
[38:24] Caesar. That. He. Would. Not. Be. Ashamed. But. With. All. Bowness. Bring. Honor. To. Christ. Whether. It. Be. By. Life. Or. By. Death. In other words. He. Is. Saying. That.
[38:35] This. Was. His. Earnest. Expectation. And. Hope. That. In. Nothing. He. Would. Be. Disappointed. In. His. Letter. To. The. Church. At. Rome. He. Said. That.
[38:45] He. Was. Not. Disappointed. Of. The. Gospel. Of. Christ. And. Now. At. His. Trial. Before. Caesar. He. Would. Have. The. Opportunity. To. Prove. That. Stance. In. Practice.
[38:55] That. He. Was. Not. Ashamed. Of. The. Gospel. Of. Christ. That. He. Was. Not. Disappointed. Of. The. Gospel. Of. Christ. You. Have. Said. These. Words. Paul.
[39:06] Now. Practice. These. Words. As. You. Come. To. Appear. Before. The. Court. Of. Caesar. The.
[39:16] The. Psalmist. In. Psalm. 34. It. Says. Oh. Magnify. The. Lord. With. Me. And. Let. His. Exalt.
[39:26] His. Name. Together. I. Saw. The. Lord. And. He. He. He. He. He. And. Delivered. Me. From. My. To. Who. Man. Were. Lightened. And. Their. Faces. Were. Not. Ashamed.
[39:38] This. Poor. Man. Cried. And. The. Lord. Hurt. Him. And. Saved. Him. Out. Of. All. His. Troubles. The. Psalmist. Invites. His. Fellow. Worshippers. To. Magnify.
[39:48] The. Lord. With. Him. Promising. That. Those. Who. Look. In. Faith. To. The. Lord. Shall. Never. Be. Ashamed. They. Will. Never. Be. Disappointed.
[39:59] And. He. Confirms. That. Promise. From. His. Own. Experience. This. Poor. Man. Cried. And. The. Lord. Hurt. Him. And. Saved. Him. Out. Of. All. His. Troubles.
[40:11] Paul's. Goal. Whether. By. Life. Or. Death. Is. That. Christ. Would. Be. Magnified. In. His. Body. His. Salvation. Or. Deliverance.
[40:21] Whether. It. Be. By. Life. Or. Death. Was. Not. Going. To. Be. His. Disappointment. His. Dance. Before. The. Roman. Code. Would. Not. Be. To. His.
[40:32] Disappointment. And. Neither. Would. Stand. At. God's. Code. Well. What. Is. Your. Ereger. Expectation. And. Hope. That. In. Nothing.
[40:42] You. Will. Be. Disappointed. And. That. Christ. Will. Be. Magnified. In. Your. Body. What. Is. Your. Goal. In. Life. Paul's. Goal. Was. That. Christ. Be. Magnified. And. Honored. In.
[40:53] Him. To. Magnify. Christ. In. Our. Bodies. Is. Our. Duty. And. Obligation. Romans. 12. I. Beseech.
[41:03] You. Therefore. Brethren. By. The. Mercies. Of. God. That. Ye. Present. Your. Bodies. A. Living. Sacrifice. Holy. Acceptable. Unto. God. Which. Is. Your. Reasonable.
[41:14] Service. Jesus. In. His. Sermon. Said. Let. Your. Life. So. Shine. Before. Men. That. He. May. That. They. May. See. Your. Good. Works. And. Glorify. Your.
[41:24] Father. Which. Is. In. Heaven. This. Should. Always. Be. Our. Goal. Paul. Is. Soon. To. Appeared. Before. The. Roman. Code. But.
[41:34] Whether. He. Is. Released. Or. Put. To. Death. He. Knows. That. It. Will. Work. Out. For. His. Salvation. And. That. He. Will. Not. Be. Disappointed. For. He. Knew. That. Christ. Will. Be. Magnified.
[41:45] In. Him. Because. For. Him. To. Live. Is. Christ. And. To. Die. Is. Gay. Whether. This. Not. True. Christ. Would. Not. Be. Magnified. In.
[41:56] Here. We. Witness. Paul. Utter. Devotion. To. Christ. And. His. Desire. That. Christ. Alone. Being. Magnified. In. His. Life. However. Present. Circumstances. Turn.
[42:06] Out. And. This. Is. The. Method. That. Paul. Used. To. Give. Comfort. To. The. Church. At. Philippi. Who. Was. So. Concerned. With. The. Future. Of. The. Gospel. And. With. The. Future. Of.
[42:17] Paul. Himself. Rejoice. He. Says. That. The. Gospel. Has. Been. Preached. And. Rejoice. Because. Whatever. Will. Happen. I. Am. Going. To. Be. The. Victor. For.
[42:27] Christ. Will. Be. Magnified. In. My. Body. He. Continues. For. To. Me. To. Live. Is. Christ. And. To. Die. Is.
[42:37] Gain. But. If. I. Live. In. The. Flesh. This. Is. The. Fruit. Of. My. Labour. Yet. What. I. Shall. Choose. I. Would. Not. For. I. Am. In. State. Between. Two. Having. Desire. To. Depart.
[42:47] And. To. Be. With. Christ. Which. Is. Far. Better. Nevertheless. To. Abide. In. The. Flesh. Is. More. Needful. For. You. And. You. May. Ask. Well. Is. It. Right. For. Paul. Or. Is.
[42:57] It. Rather. Perceptuous. And. Arrogant. For. Him. To. Assume. That. It. Is. Up. To. Him. To. Decide. Whether. He. Be. Released. Or. Executed. Surely. That. Is. Up. To. The. Roman. Court.
[43:08] Well. You. Know. In. The. Higher. Sense. It. Is. Not. Even. Up. To. The. Roman. Code. For. The. Lord. Only. Has. Authority. Over. Life. And. Death. Paul. Future.
[43:18] Is. Not. Strictly. Speaking. In. The. Hands. Of. Caesar. But. In. The. Hands. Of. The. Lord. And. Paul. Hesitates. Between. Two. Decide. Alternatives.
[43:29] Ongoing. Life. Death. Well.
[43:39] For. The. Unbeliever. Death. Is. A. Loss. But. For. The. Person. With. Faith. In. Christ. Death. Is. Gain. And. You. Ask. Well.
[43:49] How. Could. Death. Be. Again. For. Paul. Or. For. Any. Believer. Well. Death. Would. Mean. That. When. They. Depart. That. They. Will. Be. With.
[44:00] Christ. But. We. Leave. That. Until. Another. Time. God. Willing. But. What. Paul. Draws. Here. To. Their. Attention.
[44:11] Is. Also. Valuable. And. Important. For. Me. And. For. You. Today. That. Whatever. Our. Circumstances. May. Be. That.
[44:22] Our. Goal. Should. Be. That. Christ. Would. Be. Magnified. In. Our. Life. That. Christ. Would. Be. Magnified. In. Our. Body. Whether. By. Life.
[44:34] Or. By. Death. That. Christ. Would. Be. Honored. And. That. We. Would. Also. Pray. For. One. Another. That. There. Would.
[44:44] Be. This. Oneness. And. Togetherness. With. Us. Praying. For. One. Another. Acknowledging. That. We. Are. Dependent.
[44:55] Upon. One. Another. And. That. Would. Be. Identified. In. The. World. As. Those. Who.
[45:06] Have. The. Spirit. Of. Christ. Indwelling. In. Us. That. We. Would. Be. Identified. In. The. World. With. Because. Of. Our. Union. With.
[45:16] Christ. That. We. Are. United. With. Christ. Well. May. The. Lord. Bless. These. Thoughts. To. Us. Let. Us. Pray. Eternal.
[45:28] And. Ever. Blessed. Lord. We. Give. The. Thanks. For. The. Teachings. Of. Thine. Own. Word. And. The. Examples. That. Are.
[45:38] Given. To. Us. And. We. Pray. Oh. Lord. That. Our. Focus. And. Our. Goal. Would. Be. That. Thy. Know. Name. Would. Be. Magnified. And. Honored.
[45:49] In. Our. Life. And. In. Our. Death. That. In. Everything. That. We. Do. And. Say. That. It. Would. Be. A. Saviour.
[45:59] Of. Life. Of. Sweetness. That. It. Would. Be. Oh. Lord. To. Those. Who. Look. Upon. Us. And. To. Life.
[46:12] Or. Walk. In. Life. Would. Know. That. We. Are. United. With. The. Lord. Jesus. Christ. That. That. Union. Would. Be. What. Would. Identify.
[46:23] Us. In. This. World. We. Ask. Oh. Lord. That. That. Would. Continue. With. Us. Blessing. Each. One. Of. Us. According.
[46:34] To. Our. Individual. Needs. May. The. Grace. Of. The. Lord. Jesus. Christ. And. The. Love. Of. God. And. The. Communion. And. Fellowship.
[46:44] Of. The. Holy. Spirit. Be. With. You. All. Now. And. Forevermore. Amen.