[0:00] Welcome to our services today and let us join together in prayer and seek the Lord's blessing to be upon our worship today.
[0:16] O Lord our God, we give thanks that we have this boldness and confidence to draw near to Thee in an act of worship.
[0:30] Not because of any merits that belong to ourselves, but through the merits of Thy Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
[0:44]
[1:44] That we can come to Thee with boldness and confidence through Thy Son. And that we can seek, O Lord, Thy grace and Thy mercy to help us in our time of need.
[1:58] O that we may know Him. That we may know the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.
[2:08] Being made conformable unto His death. And we give Thee thanks, O Lord, for that great promise that Thou hast given to us.
[2:19] That He shall return. And that He shall receive us unto Himself in body and in soul. O as we look to that day.
[2:32] The day of our resurrection. The day of our glorification. The day when we will be made like into the image of the Son.
[2:45] O Lord, we give Thee thanks that we have that living hope. Through Thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
[2:56] And as we come into this act of worship before Thee today. We pray, O Lord, that Thy Spirit would take Thy word.
[3:08] That it would lodge it into our hearts. And that it would bring forth evidence in our lives. Grant to us, O Lord, that we would be walking worthy of the Gospel.
[3:21] That we would be faithful and through witnesses for Thee in this world. Remember those who are indifferent and careless.
[3:33] And we pray, O Lord, that it may please Thee to stir them up in their hearts. And to draw them to Thyself. O that Thou would turn us again, O Lord, unto Thyself.
[3:48] In days of repentance. In days of humility. In days where we would acknowledge our sinnership. Days when we would acknowledge that we have gone astray from our God.
[4:03] In Thy compassion and in Thy pity, O Lord, grant to us. That we may return unto Thee. And that we may once again know Thy mercy.
[4:13] That once again we may know the power of the Gospel working among us. In convicting and converting sinners. And in the upbuilding of Thy known church.
[4:27] Bless, we pray Thee, those who are ill among us. May Thy healing hand be upon them. Bless those who mourn. O grant to us, O Lord, That we would count our days.
[4:40] That we would apply our hearts into wisdom. To learn Thy wisdom and Thy truth. And that we would live thereby. O Lord, I pray that Thou would bless everyone that has joined with us in this act of worship today.
[5:00] That Thou would bless our communities. Bless our homes. Bless our families, we pray Thee. Bless our young people and our children. O Lord, that we would be a generation growing up in the fear of the Lord.
[5:17] We pray, O Lord, that Thou would bless all Thy servants who proclaim Thy truth this day. And all those who gather around Thy Word throughout all our nations.
[5:28] And throughout all the world. O Lord, we pray that Thy Word may go forth in the power and demonstration of Thine own Spirit.
[5:40] We pray, O Lord, that Thou would continue with us now as we wait upon Thee. And all that we ask with the forgiveness of our many sins. It's in Jesus' name and for His sake.
[5:53] Amen. Let us now turn to the New Testament. To Paul's letter to the Philippians and chapter 3.
[6:07] Philippians and chapter 3. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you. To me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
[6:21] Beware of dogs. Beware of evil workers. Beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision which worship God in the Spirit. And rejoice in Christ Jesus.
[6:34] And have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh.
[6:45] I more. Circumcise the eighth day of the stock of Israel. Of the tribe of Benjamin. And Hebrew of the Hebrews. As touching the law of Pharisee.
[6:59] Concerning seal. Persecuting the church. Touching the righteousness which is in the law blameless. But what things were gained to me those I counted lost for Christ.
[7:11] Yet doubtless and I count all things but lost for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For whom I have suffered the loss of all things. And to count them but done.
[7:23] That I may win Christ. And be found in him not having mine own righteousness which is of the law. But that which is through the faith of Christ. The righteousness which is of God by faith.
[7:36] That I may know him. And the power of his resurrection. And the fellowship of his sufferings. Been made conformable unto his death. If by any means that I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
[7:51] Not as though I had already attained. Either were already perfect. But I follow after. If that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
[8:03] Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended. But this one thing I do. Forgetting those things which are behind. And reaching forth unto those things which are before.
[8:14] I pressed out the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded.
[8:25] And if in anything ye be otherwise minded. God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, where to we have already attained. Let us walk by the same rule.
[8:37] Let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me. And mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example. For many walk of whom I have told you often.
[8:49] And now tell you even weeping. That they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Whose end is destruction. Whose God is their belly. And whose glory is in their shame.
[8:59] Who mind earthly things. For our conversation is in heaven. For whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall change our vile body.
[9:10] 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.
[9:21] May the Lord bless unto us the reading of that portion of his word. And as we seek the Lord's help and blessing. Let us turn back to Philippians chapter 3.
[9:34] And we shall look at the verses 15 to the end of the chapter. That is verse 15 to 21. Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded.
[9:48] And if in anything ye be otherwise minded. God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, where to we have already attained. Let us walk by the same rule.
[9:59] Let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me. Amang them which walk so as ye have us. For an example. And so on. Paul is now going to apply all of what he has just written about himself.
[10:16] To the situation of the members of the church at Philippi. He has spoken of the false teachers who would add to faith in Christ their own works.
[10:27] Especially the Jewish covenant sign of circumcision. Then he gave an account of himself and his experiences. And tells us how he was brought out of Judaism into the Christian position.
[10:42] Let us therefore as many as be perfect. Be thus minded. That if anything ye be otherwise minded. God shall reveal even this unto you.
[10:53] You may think that here Paul is contradicting himself. For he has just said in verse 12. Not as though I had already attained. Either were already perfect.
[11:06] And now he says. Let us therefore as many as be perfect. And we notice here that he is including himself along with the Philippians.
[11:18] But here in verse 15. The word perfect actually means those who are matured. The ESV catches this thought for us.
[11:29] For there we read. Let those of us who are mature think this way. Those who have advanced so far in the Christian faith.
[11:40] And he tells us. And them that we are to be thus minded. Now Paul in this passage keeps repeating this word mind.
[11:53] Which is a favourite word of Paul throughout the letter. We have here in verse 16. Let us mind the same thing.
[12:05] In verse 19 he speaks of those who mind earthly things. And of course we can look back to chapter 1 and verse 27.
[12:17] And there he says. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ. That whether I come and see you or else be absent. I may hear of your affairs.
[12:29] That ye stand fast in one spirit. With one mind. Striving together for the faith of the gospel. And in chapter 2 verse 2.
[12:40] Where he is exhorting them to be in harmony with one another. He says. Fulfill ye my joy. That ye be like minded. Having the same love. Being of one accord. Of one mind.
[12:51] And in exhorting the Philippians to consider one another. And help one another. And he says. And in urging them upon them to practice humility.
[13:03] And self-sacrificing. And self-denying service. He points to Jesus. As the model or example of behaviour. And there he writes. Let this mind be in you.
[13:15] Which was also in Christ Jesus. The humble mindset. That was evident in Jesus. He says that that must be seen.
[13:26] In all those who follow Jesus. Now this word. Or term mind. Is a very comprehensive word.
[13:38] We often say to people who are inquisitive. And who tends to be asking too many questions. And showing too much interest in their affairs.
[13:50] Mind your own business. What we are really saying to them is. Do not train your mind on me and my affairs. Instead train your mind on your own affairs.
[14:02] Mind your own business. But the mind includes not only the thought and understanding. But also the affections. The emotions.
[14:14] The desires. And the objects of our pursuit. When scripture speaks here in verse 19. Of those who mind earthly things.
[14:25] It means that these are the things that they think of. Not merely occasionally. But the things that they think of most of the times. The things that they really set their heart upon.
[14:38] They set their affections. And emotions. And desires. And these things are really the objects of their pursuit. In Romans chapter 8.
[14:50] Paul writes. For they that are after the flesh. To mind the things of the flesh. But they that are after the spirit. The things of the spirit. For to be carnally minded is death.
[15:01] But to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because a carnal mind is enmity against God. For it is not subject to the law of God.
[15:12] Neither it can be. So those who mind the things of the flesh. Or who are carnally minded. It's a description of those whose whole mind.
[15:23] And it's very comprehensive term that we have already noted. Their thoughts and understanding. But also their affections. Their emotions. Their desires. And the objects of their pursuit.
[15:36] It sort of concentrates on the visible. The seen. And has nothing at all to do with the unseen. And the eternal. In other words. It means that every aspect of their life.
[15:49] Is lived. Without God. In their conduct. And in their behaviour. In their walk. In their conversation. God is excluded.
[16:02] When Paul here then asks us to be like minded. When he says. And when he says. Let us therefore. As many as be perfect.
[16:13] Be thus minded. Let those who have come to maturity. Let them be like minded. He means for us to be in harmony.
[16:25] With one another. In our thoughts. In our understanding. In our affections. And emotions. And desires. With our interest to be upon the same one object.
[16:41] In our context. Context. He is not principally thinking individually. Although it applies to us as individuals as well. But he is. Particularly thinking of.
[16:52] Of the corporate body. Of Christ. That there will. Be this oneness. And togetherness. That corporately. We would be like minded.
[17:04] Not one group. Going off in one pursuit. And another group. In another pursuit. Which is a token of immaturity. Whatever their own thinking may be. It is definitely not spiritual thinking.
[17:16] To be spiritual and mature. It is for us. To be like minded. As a body. To be like minded corporately. Let us therefore.
[17:30] As many as be perfect. Be thus minded. And if anything. It be otherwise minded. God shall reveal even this unto you.
[17:42] There are things which are absolutely vital and necessary. And things which are central to our faith. And on such things. We must be like minded.
[17:53] However. We know that there are things which. We may not be quite clear. At least not quite clear for us. If in anything he says. You be otherwise minded.
[18:05] God shall reveal even this unto you. In other words. He is saying. God shall reveal to you. The truth concerning those things. Which are not clear to you. He does not say when.
[18:18] Maybe he won't reveal that. Even in the realm of time. But in those things. That are essential. Like justification by faith alone. And Christ alone.
[18:29] That is essential. On those things. Those essential things. We must be like minded. Especially important.
[18:43] When we are confronted with false teachers. Who are pursuing their own agenda. Nevertheless. Wherein to we have already attained.
[18:53] Let us walk by the same rule. Let us mind the same thing. We must practice. What we have believed. And walk in a manner that is consistent with it.
[19:05] To walk by the same rule. Simply means that we should. Put into practice. That which we have already agreed about. As being the right thing to believe.
[19:17] We have already noted this. And Paul is never shy of repeating himself. In chapter 1 verse 27. He says. Only let your conversation be.
[19:28] As it becometh the gospel of Christ. That whether I come and see you. Or else be absent. I may hear of your affairs. That ye stand fast in one spirit.
[19:39] With one mind. Striving together. For the faith of the gospel. Then Paul says to them. Brethren. Be followers together of me.
[19:51] And mark them which walk. As ye have us for an example. By calling them brethren. And as he calls them to follow his example.
[20:04] He is reminding them of their oneness. And togetherness. As belonging to the same family in Christ. Who is pressing forward. Towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God.
[20:16] In Christ Jesus. Imitate me he says. Is he here displaying himself. As a proud man. For his achievements.
[20:28] Nothing can be further away from the truth. We must remember that. Paul belonged to a time. When a pupil learned. Not simply by receiving teaching.
[20:38] And instructions from a teacher. But also by putting into practice. The example of the teacher. There is a sense in which we are all imitators.
[20:49] Children imitate their parents. Teenagers imitate their favourite musical star. And so on. When he says to them. Be followers of me.
[21:01] We can see again this thought of oneness. And togetherness. He is urging them to be one with him. To join with him. In his own journey.
[21:12] Towards the prize of the high calling of God. In Christ Jesus. He is urging upon them. To be united with him. In a common pursuit of one thing.
[21:22] That I may know him. And the power of his resurrection. And the fellowship of his sovereigns. Been made conformable unto his death. If by any means. I might attain unto the resurrection.
[21:34] Of the dead. Paul has already said to them. Let this mind be in you. Which was also in Christ Jesus. And he offers himself.
[21:45] As an example of one. Who followed the mind of Jesus. To imitate Paul. Is to imitate Christ.
[21:55] Christ. But he did not confine this to himself. He says. And mark them which walk. So as ye have us. For an example. This is probably speaking of.
[22:09] Timothy and Ephaphroditus. Whom he has just commended. To the Philippians. The term walk. The term walk. Is used here by the apostle.
[22:19] To depict Christian. Conduct. And Christian behaviour. In the Old Testament. We are told that Enoch. Walked. With God.
[22:31] And we are told that Noah. Walked. With God. And we know that God. Commanded Abraham. In Genesis chapter 17. Verse 1. Walk before me.
[22:43] And be thou perfect. The prophet Isaiah. In chapter 33. Commends the person. That walketh righteously. And speaketh uprightly.
[22:54] The psalmist says. Teach me thy way O Lord. I will walk in thy truth. Paul in writing to the church at Ephesus.
[23:05] Says. Be ye therefore followers of God. As dear children. And walk in love. As Christ also hath loved us. And hath given himself for us.
[23:16] An offering. And a sacrifice to God. For a sweet smelling savour. But fornication. And all uncleanness. Or covetousness. Let it not be once named among you.
[23:28] As becometh saints. To the Colossians. He says. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord. So walk ye in him. It is a reminder to us.
[23:41] That the way or the pattern. By which a person walks. Or behave. Or conducts themselves. Displays the habits of one's heart. One's commitment. One's dedication.
[23:53] One's desires. It is a reminder that our walk. Our behaviour. Must be consistent. With what we profess to believe.
[24:07] Paul has given us many examples. Of how. Of a Christ focused heart. He's given us that example.
[24:20] For us in his response to suffering. He gives us that example. Of how we are to value the needs of others. Before our own. How we are to have the mind of Christ.
[24:32] And he reminds us of. And shows us the example. Of the priceless treasure to us. To win Christ. Or to gain Christ. Instead of seeking righteousness.
[24:43] By our own works. Or heritage. Or achievements. We are to seek to be found in Christ. As those robed in his righteousness.
[24:54] To rest in the gift of Christ's obedience. From Bethlehem to Golgotha. From the manger to the tomb. From being robbed in swaddling clothes.
[25:05] To be found robbed in fine linen. To be resting. In the achievements. Of Jesus Christ. Of Jesus Christ. Alone.
[25:17] To have our desires. And longings. Stirred up with. Paul's. Paul's. Appetite. To know Christ.
[25:30] More and more. To know. The blessings that he has earned for us. To know his. Resurrected power. Working in us.
[25:40] To attain the resurrection from the dead. And to be made. Perfect. The writer to the Hebrews.
[25:51] In chapter 12. Says. Wherefore seeing. We also are compassed about. With so great a cloud of witnesses. Let us lay aside every weight.
[26:03] And the sin. Which does so easily beset us. Let us run with patience. The race that is set before us. Looking into Jesus. The author and finisher of our faith.
[26:15] Who for the joy that was set before him. Endured the cross. Despising the shame. And he sat down at the right hand. Of the throne. Of God. The cloud of witnesses for us today.
[26:29] Includes. The apostle Paul. He had the same problems. The same struggles as us. But he ran with patience. The race. Looking into Jesus.
[26:41] And today he is an example for us. He looked for the prize. Of the high calling of God. In Jesus Christ. And for the joy that was set before him. Just like Jesus.
[26:52] He endured the suffering. He despised the shame. With an eye to his ultimate glorification. Let this mind be in you. Which was in Christ Jesus.
[27:02] And demonstrated for us by Paul. And by Timothy. Who cared more for others. Than for his own convenience. And also by Ephaphroditus.
[27:13] Who put his own life on the line. For the gospel. They are examples to us. Of how we are to conduct ourselves.
[27:24] How we are to behave ourselves. As those who are in Christ. However. There are those who walk opposite.
[27:36] Of the way Paul does. And he says of them. For many walk. Of whom I have told you often. And I tell you even weeping. That they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.
[27:47] Whose end is destruction. Whose God is their belly. And whose glory is in their shame. Who mind earthly things. Seeing Paul does not name them.
[27:58] This has led to many opinions. Some think that he is speaking of. Those Jews who were requiring. The Gentile believers. To be circumcised. And to comply with the law.
[28:10] Whom he calls dogs. Evil workers. On the concision. There are others who are of the opinion. That there are people who have. Identified themselves. Or the Christian community.
[28:21] But whose walk. That is their conduct. And behaviour. Contradict their profession of Christ. And his cross. In ways that are practical. The problem with these people.
[28:33] Is not a theological denial of the cross. But an ethical divergence. From the way of the cross of Christ. Paul here says. That they are the enemies. Of the cross of Christ.
[28:45] There. What they say. And profess to be. Is not consistent. With the way that they live.
[28:56] And Paul calls them. The enemies. Of the cross. Of Christ. The cross. Presents to us. A walk in humility. As a servant.
[29:09] To walk in obedience. To the will of God. To do nothing. Out of selfish ambition. Or vain conceit. To work out your own salvation. With fear and trembling.
[29:20] To have fellowship. In the sufferings. Of Christ. The people that. Paul says here. That are the enemies. Of the cross of Christ. Are those who seek. To avoid suffering.
[29:30] Who have selfish ambitions. Who are in pursuit. Of self-interest. Paul says. That the destiny. Of such. Is destruction. Whose God.
[29:41] Is their belly. And whose glory. Is in their shame. Who mind earthly things. Belly here. Stands for all. Physical appetites. Those who.
[29:51] Live to. Indulge. In all bodily desires. Not only food and drink. But. In the lusts of the flesh. Their passions. These are. Their gods.
[30:03] Whose glory. Or boasted. Is in. Indecent acts. Whose mind. Is on earthly things. They have. Not set their mind. On heavenly things.
[30:14] Instead. They have set their mind. On earthly. Things. And Paul's response. To these people. Are so different. To his response. To the false teachers.
[30:24] Who. Insisted on circumcision. And so on. For. He speaks of. Them in terrors. Like dogs. Evil workers. And the concision. In terrors. But here.
[30:35] See Paul's response. Over the people. He's bringing before us here. He weeps. Over them. Of whom I have told you often. I now tell you. Even weeping.
[30:47] People. Who. Makes a profession. Of faith. In Christ. And whose life. Conduct. And behaviour. Denies it.
[30:57] That should cause us all. To weep. Think of Paul. And his experience. With Demas. Writing to the Colossians.
[31:09] He says. Luke. The beloved physician. And Demas. Greet you. Writing to Philemon. He names Demas. As one of. Demas. As one of. His fellow.
[31:20] Workers. And yet. When he wrote to Timothy. He had to say. For Demas. Hath forsaken me. Having loved. This present world.
[31:32] One of the fears. Of the child of God. Is that of bringing shame. And disrepute. Upon. The Lord Jesus Christ. And his cause. Paul exhorts.
[31:43] The believers. At Corinth. In his second letter. Chapter 13. Examine yourselves. Whether ye be. In the faith. Prove your own selves. Know your own selves.
[31:55] How that. Christ Jesus. Is in you. Except ye be. Reprobates. You see. The cross. Is the ultimate test. Of our faith.
[32:07] It's the ultimate test. Of our conduct. And our practice. Our faith. Determs our conduct. And our conduct. Is a proclamation. With regard.
[32:17] To our faith. To walk. As we have already noted. In the way. Of the cross. To walk. In humility. To walk.
[32:29] As a servant. Looking to our master. To walk. In obedience. To the will of God. To do nothing. Out of selfish ambition. Or vain conceit. Working out. Our own salvation.
[32:40] With fear. And trembling. Having fellowship. In the sufferings. Of Christ. And so on. And then he goes on.
[32:51] And he says. For our conversation. Is in heaven. From whence. Also we look for the saviour. The Lord Jesus Christ.
[33:02] Who shall change. Our vile body. That it may be fashioned. Like unto his glorious body. According to the working. Whereby he is able. Even to subdue all things. And to himself.
[33:13] Here Paul is saying. We are not like those. Whose God is their belly. Whose glory is in their shame. And who mind earthly things.
[33:23] We are different. For our conversation. Our citizenship. Is in heaven. In other words. He is saying. We belong to heaven. He is giving the.
[33:36] Ultimate reason. For asking them. To follow his example. And for marking the others. Who do so as well. Because we are the citizens of heaven. And we are such.
[33:48] By being born again. And as citizens of heaven. We give our allegiance. To the Lord. Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ. Now as we have already noted.
[34:00] When we look at this word. Conversation. We looked at it in chapter 1. Verse 27. And we noted there. That the word comes. From a Greek word. That has citizen.
[34:11] As its core. Now citizenship. Was important to Philippi. Philippi was a colony of Rome. And been heavily populated. By retired Roman soldiers.
[34:22] Who were immensely proud. Of the Roman citizenship. We do not know. If there were members. In the church at Philippi. That had Roman citizenship.
[34:32] But it is possible. For example. The jailer. Who was converted. That he held that status. However. The people of Philippi. Knew what citizenship meant. They knew that.
[34:44] Citizenship gave them. Certain privileges. And also. It carried with it. A certain responsibility. Because. As Roman citizens.
[34:55] They would be. Expected to. Uphold the dignity. Of the Roman Empire. And also that. Of the Emperor. And now Paul here. Is reminding the Philippians.
[35:06] He's reminding all believers. That they are citizens. Of a far greater. And infinitely more. Glorious kingdom. Than Rome. They are the citizens. Of heaven. Notice here.
[35:18] When he says. For our conversation. Our citizenship. Is in heaven. He is not saying. It will be in heaven. Sometime in the future. But it is in heaven now. For our conversation.
[35:31] Is in heaven. We are already. The citizens. Of heaven. And. That confers. Certain privileges. Upon us. The privileges of.
[35:43] Sonship. For example. We are. In the family. Of God. We are. But it also. Carries with it. Responsibility. And as citizens of heaven.
[35:56] We must. Show forth. And witness that forth. In our behavior. To uphold the dignity.
[36:06] Of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our responsibility. As citizens of heaven. Is. In our behavior.
[36:18] To uphold. The dignity. Of our Lord Jesus Christ. To uphold the dignity. Of the one who is.
[36:28] Our king. Who is our Lord. Who is our. Savior. Savior. Now Paul here.
[36:38] Is not teaching. That because. Our citizenship. Is in heaven. That we are not. To take. Interest in this world. And the affairs of life. But we are. To do so. From a different perspective.
[36:50] From a different angle. From a different way. Of consideration. Our interest. In. This. World. Is that we believe.
[37:00] That it is. God's world. But it is. God's world. That has been. Marred. And spoiled. And defaced. Because of sin. It is a world. Where evil is rampant.
[37:12] A world. That is hostile. To us. Its creator. But we have to live. In such a world. And we have to live. In such. A world.
[37:24] And. Restrain. Trying. Restrain. Evil. And be. Witnesses. For God. We have to be. Ambassadors. Of Jesus Christ. In such a world. Yet.
[37:36] It is true. That although we are. In this world. We are also. Otherworldly. Paul. Writing to the Colossians. Says. If ye then be risen. With Christ.
[37:47] Seek those things. Which are above. Where Christ sitteth. On the right hand. Of God. Set your affection. On things above. Not on the things. Of the earth. Writing to the church. At Rome.
[37:58] In chapter 8. Paul says. Of the day. Of the manifestation. Of the sons of God. And of the redemption. Of the body. Or as Paul. Has told us here.
[38:09] In this letter. I pressed out the mark. For the prize. Of the high calling. Of God. In Christ Jesus. The day of our. Glorification. The day of. The manifestations.
[38:19] Of the sons of God. The day of the redemption. Of our body. As citizens of heaven. We are looking forward. To something.
[38:30] He says here. From whence also. We look. For the saviour. The Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall change. Our vile body. That it may be fashioned. Like unto his glorious body.
[38:41] According to the working. Whereby he is able. Even to subdue all things. Unto himself. This is obviously. Speaking of the return. Of Jesus Christ. That great promise.
[38:51] That we have. From God. That great promise. That he has left. The church. The return of Jesus Christ. And Paul. Along with all Christians.
[39:03] Anticipate sharing. In the glory. Of their saviour. Here is Paul. Chained to a Roman soldier. He is a prisoner. In Rome. Yet his vision. Went far beyond.
[39:14] His present circumstances. And writing. To the church of Corinth. In his first letter. In chapter 4. He says. For our light affliction. Which is. But for a moment. Worketh for us.
[39:25] A far more exceeding. An eternal weight. Of glory. He is looking. With patience. And unequally. Expectation. And anticipation.
[39:36] For this day. In other letters. Paul refers to the body. As the body of sin. In Romans. Chapter 6.
[39:46] Verse 6. And. In Romans 7. 24. He refers to the body. As the body of death. And here he says. Vile body. Nevertheless.
[39:58] Paul is not advocating. Or promoting. Any contempt. For the body. As. If the body. Is inherently. Corrupt and evil. Because.
[40:09] The body. Is the means. By which. We express ourselves. It is. The physical. Outward expression. Of inward desires. And thoughts. Whether they be.
[40:20] Of sinful desires. Or. Desires. That is there. Under the direction. Of the Holy Spirit. It is the body. It is through the body. That we express them. And we know.
[40:31] That our present bodies. Are filled with weakness. It is. Liable to suffering. And eventually death. But the future of the body. Is that it is going to be.
[40:44] Made glorious. Paul is not looking to be. He arrested from the body. But that his present body. This body which is. Full of weakness.
[40:55] Which is. Liable to sufferings. And. That will eventually. Die. This body. Will be transformed. And it will be made. Glorious. Paul in Romans chapter 8.
[41:07] Where he speaks of. The creation. Being delivered. From the bondage. Of corruption. Into the glorious. Liberty. Of the children of God. And in verse 23. Of chapter 8.
[41:19] Of Romans. He says. Regarding all believers. Shall not only. They. But ourselves. But ourselves. Also. Which are the first fruit.
[41:31] Of the spirit. Even we. Ourselves. Grown. Within ourselves. Waiting for the adoption. To it. The redemption. Of our body.
[41:42] Our bodies. Are going to be. Changed. They're not going to be. Discarded. But they are going to be. Changed.
[41:53] This vile body. This body of death. This body of sin. Is going to be. One day. Made glorious. Light into.
[42:05] The glorious body. Of Christ. Going to share. In the glory. That belongs. To Jesus Christ. Paul.
[42:18] Elaborates. On this. In his first letter. To the Corinthians. In chapter 15. Where he says. Of the body. It is sown. In corruption. It is. Raised.
[42:29] In incorruption. It is sown. In dishonour. It is raised. In glory. It is sown. In weakness. It is raised. In power. It is sown. In natural body.
[42:40] It is raised. A spiritual body. There is a natural body. And there is. A spiritual body. In contrast. To the. Corruptibility.
[42:50] And the dishonour. And weakness. Of the natural body. The spiritual body. Will be incorruptible. Glorious. And. Powerful. And this will take place.
[43:03] According to the working. Whereby he is able. Even to subdue. All things unto himself. Christ. Christ on that day. Will display. The sovereign power.
[43:13] Of God. Yes. The man who. Hung between heaven and earth. On a wooden cross. At Golgotha. Will demonstrate. The sovereign power. Of God. Given to him.
[43:24] To transform. Our vile bodies. And to make them. Like his own. Glorious body. Jesus Christ.
[43:35] Who shared. In our suffering. Even to the. Cursed death. Of the cross. So that we. Would share. In his glory. He became like us.
[43:45] In order to transform us. To become like him. This is the day. That we shall be conformed. To the image. Of his son.
[43:56] The glorious future. That awaits. The child of God. The Christian. Is going to be delivered. From everything. That is humiliating.
[44:08] And it's all going to be taken away. And the Christian. Will be transformed. Into a glorification. That will be fitting. And that will enable. The Christian. To stand for eternity.
[44:20] In the presence. Of God. Who shall change. Your wild body. That it may be fashioned. Like his glorious body.
[44:31] According to the working. Whereby he is able. To subdue all things. Unto himself. That is our living hope. That is what we have.
[44:43] As our sure hope. That is what still. Awaits us. Today. Today. You may be weak.
[44:54] Today. You may be weary. Today. You may be tired. Maybe. Today. You are harassed.
[45:05] By your imperfections. But Paul says. Press on. You are not. On your own. For it is God.
[45:16] Which worketh. In you both. To will and to do. Of his. Good pleasure. Press on. You have us. For examples. Press on.
[45:29] He says. Towards the prize. Of the high calling of God. In Christ Jesus. Press on.
[45:42] Having the mind of Christ. Christ. The mind of Christ. Which includes. The joy.
[45:52] That was set. Before him. Yes. He endured the cross. Yes. He despised the shame. You have him. For an example.
[46:03] You have Paul. For an example. You have Timothy. For an example. You have. You have. Healdoproditus. As an example. You have a cloud of witnesses. As an example. Or to press forward.
[46:16] Towards the prize. Of the high calling of God. In Christ Jesus. For it is God. Which worketh in you. Both to will. And to do. Of his. Good pleasure. The will do you share in this living and sure hope?
[46:33] Can you today say, this is truly my portion? May the Lord bless our thoughts. Let us pray. Grant to us the grace, O Lord, to press forward towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
[46:56] Grant to us, O Lord, that we would have that oneness and togetherness with thy people as we go forward. We give thee thanks for those who have and are examples to us of what it is to walk and to behave ourselves as it is worthy of the gospel.
[47:18] And we give thee thanks, O Lord, for that citizenship which is ours through our rebirth. That we are the citizens of heaven.
[47:30] And grant to us, O Lord, that we would, with that expectation and anticipation, look for the coming of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
[47:42] Who shall change our vile body and make it and fashion it like into his own glorious body. Wherein he shall display for us God's sovereign power.
[47:55] O Lord, we give thee thanks that such hope can be ours. That such sure hope can be ours through faith in Jesus Christ. We pray, O Lord, that thou would continue with us.
[48:08] That thy countenance may shine upon us. And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
[48:23] Now and forevermore. Amen. Amen.