WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.000 Good morning. We're going to read the Bible now. So if you can open up to Philippians chapter 4. 00:00:11.359 --> 00:00:16.699 ! I'm going to start at verse 2 and read through to 23, the end of the chapter. 00:00:16.699 --> 00:00:46.679 Philippians 4.2. 00:00:46.700 --> 00:00:53.560 And I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. 00:00:54.780 --> 00:01:02.440 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. 00:01:03.500 --> 00:01:09.460 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 00:01:09.459 --> 00:01:19.280 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, 00:01:19.819 --> 00:01:25.379 if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 00:01:25.379 --> 00:01:33.759 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 00:01:33.760 --> 00:01:40.380 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your concern for me. 00:01:40.379 --> 00:01:45.519 You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 00:01:46.519 --> 00:01:52.519 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am in to be content. 00:01:53.140 --> 00:01:56.620 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. 00:01:57.239 --> 00:02:04.379 In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 00:02:04.379 --> 00:02:07.500 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 00:02:08.639 --> 00:02:11.139 Yet, it was kind of you to share my trouble. 00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:16.979 And you, Philippians, yourselves, know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, 00:02:17.579 --> 00:02:22.379 no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:27.500 Even in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs once and again. 00:02:28.340 --> 00:02:32.620 Not that I seek the gifts, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 00:02:32.620 --> 00:02:35.980 I have received full payment and more. 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:40.800 I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:45.300 a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 00:02:46.360 --> 00:02:53.099 And my God will supply every need of yours, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 00:02:54.080 --> 00:02:57.360 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:00.860 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. 00:03:01.200 --> 00:03:03.280 The brothers who are with me greet you. 00:03:03.860 --> 00:03:07.180 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:10.280 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 00:03:10.620 --> 00:03:11.480 Be with your spirit. 00:03:11.479 --> 00:03:22.239 All right. 00:03:22.259 --> 00:03:22.899 Good morning, church. 00:03:22.959 --> 00:03:23.479 How are you doing? 00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:25.719 Good morning. 00:03:25.859 --> 00:03:26.199 It's good. 00:03:26.239 --> 00:03:27.000 It's good to be here. 00:03:28.639 --> 00:03:32.399 Yeah, we're going to be diving into Philippians 4 today. 00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:36.699 And it talks about something called anxiety. 00:03:36.699 --> 00:03:45.619 And just before I jump in the sermon, I want to share that some of my friends actually do suffer from anxiety, 00:03:46.239 --> 00:03:48.159 like as a medical condition. 00:03:49.299 --> 00:03:55.359 And so I don't think today's passage is to target people with that. 00:03:56.639 --> 00:03:59.199 Medical condition anxiety is a very complex thing. 00:03:59.339 --> 00:04:01.039 It's both physiological and mental. 00:04:01.379 --> 00:04:03.419 And it's just very, very complex. 00:04:03.419 --> 00:04:10.479 And so if you suffer from that, please don't feel that this passage is like we're attacking you or judging you. 00:04:11.539 --> 00:04:15.539 It does provide some resources to help, but it's not saying this is the cure. 00:04:15.799 --> 00:04:17.419 You just do this and you'll be great. 00:04:18.199 --> 00:04:20.539 And if you're not great, then there's something wrong with you. 00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:21.339 It's not like that at all. 00:04:21.579 --> 00:04:23.419 So I just want to put it out there before I start. 00:04:24.139 --> 00:04:27.219 And why don't we pray now as we come before God's word. 00:04:27.219 --> 00:04:27.519 Yeah. 00:04:27.519 --> 00:04:35.019 Father God, you're a very, very good God. 00:04:37.399 --> 00:04:42.079 And your word is enough for the whole of life. 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:52.000 And Lord, we remember those people, our friends, our brothers and sisters, 00:04:52.879 --> 00:05:02.339 who suffers conditions that plagues their life in a very painful way. 00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:09.360 Lord, I pray that you may comfort them personally and through your word. 00:05:09.360 --> 00:05:19.540 And Lord, today we just want to worship you well, really well, through the word and through the gospel of your son. 00:05:20.439 --> 00:05:21.280 Help us with that. 00:05:21.660 --> 00:05:22.480 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:05:22.759 --> 00:05:23.000 Amen. 00:05:27.280 --> 00:05:27.680 Peace. 00:05:28.819 --> 00:05:31.500 Who doesn't want peace, please put your hand up. 00:05:34.040 --> 00:05:34.400 Okay. 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:35.379 All right. 00:05:35.400 --> 00:05:35.879 We're all good here. 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:39.639 Politicians love promising it. 00:05:40.279 --> 00:05:43.600 The five rings of the Olympic Games symbolizes it. 00:05:44.579 --> 00:05:47.920 Nations fight and people die for it. 00:05:49.240 --> 00:05:52.860 But what is peace and how do we get it? 00:05:53.860 --> 00:05:57.939 In English, the word peace usually describes what's not happening. 00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:01.659 No fighting, no conflict, no chaos. 00:06:01.660 --> 00:06:09.480 But when the Bible talks about peace, the word peace is actually far richer than nothing bad is going on. 00:06:10.640 --> 00:06:12.720 In the Old Testament, the word is shalom. 00:06:13.520 --> 00:06:16.380 That's how Judeans greet each other every day. 00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:23.960 It carries the meaning of wholeness, completeness, a life that is restored to the way God meant it to be. 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:28.280 Not just calm on the service, but well-being at the core. 00:06:28.279 --> 00:06:33.019 In the New Testament, the Greek word is irini. 00:06:33.979 --> 00:06:36.399 The idea of being joined together. 00:06:37.179 --> 00:06:48.119 It carries similar elements to shalom, but it adds unity, inner steadiness, and it's not just the absence of war, but again the presence of God's wholeness. 00:06:48.120 --> 00:07:00.560 So when we hear Paul saying, grace to you and peace from God in Philippians 1, verse 2, he's not wishing the church, hey, have a great worry-free or trouble-free weekend or week. 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:04.680 He's saying, may God's wholeness be with you. 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:11.959 Do you think that kind of peace is actually possible on this side of eternity? 00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:18.100 Or is it only a dream, an aspiration that can only be realized when we are in heaven? 00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:24.519 Today we are going to look at Philippians 4, verses 2-9. 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:31.259 A section where Paul shows a church in conflict and believers under a lot of pressure. 00:07:32.259 --> 00:07:37.959 How the peace of God can and must become in real day life. 00:07:40.959 --> 00:07:43.180 I'll be sharing the passage with three points. 00:07:44.159 --> 00:07:45.539 First, it's in your bulletin. 00:07:46.159 --> 00:07:48.359 Making peace in the troubled church. 00:07:48.859 --> 00:07:52.579 Second, showing peace to the troubling world. 00:07:52.579 --> 00:07:54.479 There's a typo in the bulletin, by the way, it's my fault. 00:07:55.019 --> 00:07:58.939 And the third point is finding peace for our troubled heart. 00:08:00.859 --> 00:08:02.180 Are we ready to dive in? 00:08:03.819 --> 00:08:05.060 Or do you need another coffee? 00:08:06.899 --> 00:08:07.759 Maybe coffee. 00:08:08.939 --> 00:08:10.019 All right, let's go, all right. 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:13.199 Point one, making peace in a troubled church. 00:08:14.019 --> 00:08:18.419 About 10 years ago, I attended a peacemaking conference. 00:08:18.419 --> 00:08:22.240 It was a pastor's conference in Houston, you know, where they used to launch rockets and stuff. 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:26.019 And one of the U.S. speakers was from Houston. 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:32.500 And he shared that 60 years ago, there was only one Chinese-speaking church in the whole of Houston. 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:34.179 Now, Houston is a huge city, okay? 00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:36.939 It's much, much bigger than Newcastle or Sydney. 00:08:36.940 --> 00:08:42.660 And there's only one Chinese-speaking church for all the migrants, you know, who spoke Chinese. 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:46.760 And then the guy, the speaker at the time, shared, but now we have 20. 00:08:47.460 --> 00:08:49.340 So I said, oh, wow, praise the Lord, right? 00:08:49.700 --> 00:08:52.320 You know, like 60 years, you know, 20 churches. 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:52.920 You do the math. 00:08:52.980 --> 00:08:55.100 That's one new church in every three years. 00:08:56.180 --> 00:08:56.860 Pretty good. 00:08:57.380 --> 00:09:01.180 But then he added, unfortunately, those were not church plants. 00:09:01.179 --> 00:09:03.500 They were all church splits. 00:09:05.739 --> 00:09:11.459 And that's exactly the kind of situation Paul is addressing here in Philippians chapter 4. 00:09:12.079 --> 00:09:18.120 As wonderful as the Philippians church was, you know, he called them my joy and crown and my beloved in verse 1. 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:25.019 If you look at verses 2 and 3, it shows us that there are two influential women, Evodia and Syntyche. 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:30.179 And they were likely leaders in Paul's church planting team originally. 00:09:30.939 --> 00:09:32.740 Problem is, they're locked in conflict. 00:09:33.340 --> 00:09:41.819 And most commentators agree this disagreement that they're having was serious enough to threaten the unity of the entire church in Philippi. 00:09:42.840 --> 00:09:44.799 So the question becomes this. 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:49.059 How does Paul call the troubled church to make peace? 00:09:49.059 --> 00:09:55.579 How do you overcome this massive problem that many modern churches have faced and are facing? 00:09:56.379 --> 00:09:57.959 Let's look at verse 2 here. 00:09:59.239 --> 00:09:59.679 Paul says, 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:07.579 Why does Paul name names here? 00:10:08.239 --> 00:10:09.579 Is he trying to shame them? 00:10:10.619 --> 00:10:11.379 Not at all. 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:13.500 Paul isn't creating drama here. 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:14.979 He's making peace. 00:10:14.980 --> 00:10:21.159 Instead of pretending everything is fine, you know, and just have communion and have pizza, 00:10:21.820 --> 00:10:27.639 you know, Paul addresses the conflict openly because the conflict is already impacting the church publicly. 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:35.039 And when a disagreement is affecting the whole church, you deal with it in front of the whole church, not behind closed doors. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:40.560 That protects a body of Christ from gossip, confusion and division. 00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:46.219 And that's the cancerous stuff that usually quietly kills the entire congregation. 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:49.839 But notice about something striking here. 00:10:50.239 --> 00:10:54.500 You have two leaders fighting and Paul never tells us why. 00:10:55.079 --> 00:10:56.019 Who's right here? 00:10:56.319 --> 00:10:57.079 Who's wrong here? 00:10:57.319 --> 00:10:58.079 We don't know. 00:10:58.659 --> 00:11:00.779 Because Paul chooses not to tell us. 00:11:01.899 --> 00:11:04.119 Sometimes Paul does take sides. 00:11:04.619 --> 00:11:05.819 You think of 1 Corinthians. 00:11:06.379 --> 00:11:07.399 Look at Galatians. 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:08.579 Truth matters. 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:09.619 Doctrine matters. 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:12.679 But here, the issue isn't doctrine. 00:11:13.200 --> 00:11:13.940 It is the heart. 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:17.820 So Paul gives a simple command here in this verse. 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:19.860 Agree in the Lord. 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:21.679 Agree in the Lord. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:23.159 What does that mean? 00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:27.500 It means, well, not blind agreement. 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:34.820 It doesn't mean pretending nothing is wrong or refusing to make changes until everybody is happy. 00:11:34.820 --> 00:11:39.940 Agree in the Lord here literally means have the same mind in the Lord. 00:11:40.400 --> 00:11:41.660 Have the same mind in the Lord. 00:11:42.180 --> 00:11:42.860 What does that mean? 00:11:43.580 --> 00:11:48.040 Well, Paul already explained that, what that same mind is when we're back at chapter 2. 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:50.399 It is the mind of Christ. 00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:50.399 00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:50.399 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:54.379 Self-giving, humble, and sacrificial love. 00:11:54.379 --> 00:12:02.580 Was it in Christ's best interest to lay aside his glory and put on human flesh? 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:05.200 No, but he did it for us anyways. 00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:10.500 Was it in Christ's best interest to endure the shame of the Roman cross? 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:13.560 No, but he did it for us anyways. 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:19.259 This is why Christians can move from conflict to peace in the Lord. 00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:25.620 Because we've been touched, changed, and humbled by Jesus' sacrificial love. 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:30.860 Whether we are Christian leaders or not, Christians agree on two things in the Lord. 00:12:32.100 --> 00:12:35.360 First, we are sinners, though we sometimes forget. 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:38.840 Second, we are saved by grace. 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:43.100 Forgiven with a forgiveness that we do not deserve. 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:46.220 Though we sometimes forget that too, don't we? 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:57.960 And if we agree that we are all sinners, how can we treat ourselves as morally or in any other way superior to the person we are in conflict with? 00:12:59.040 --> 00:13:04.100 And if we agree that we are forgiven by forgiveness that is undeserved, 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:09.120 how can we withhold forgiveness from others when they don't deserve it? 00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:14.800 Miroslav Vov, what a name. 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:19.039 A Croatian professor of theology at Yale says this. 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:28.699 Forgiveness flounders because I exclude the enemy from the community of humans and myself from the community of sinners. 00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:38.120 Forgiveness flounders because I exclude the enemy from the community of humans and myself from the community of sinners. 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:48.620 When we remember who we are, sinners saved by grace, conflict becomes an opportunity to display the gospel, not destroy the church. 00:13:49.419 --> 00:13:55.799 In fact, some of the deepest gospel growth happens when conflict is handled really well. 00:13:57.639 --> 00:13:59.139 Happens in marriages too, right? 00:13:59.519 --> 00:13:59.639 Yeah. 00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:04.919 The best way for a church to avoid conflict is to be shallow. 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:07.519 Hey, how's the weather? 00:14:08.720 --> 00:14:09.799 How's the quickest score? 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:12.720 What's your next home improvement project? 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:13.779 I'm working on this. 00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:16.159 No death. 00:14:16.939 --> 00:14:17.759 No honesty. 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:19.519 No admonishment. 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:20.860 No confession. 00:14:21.459 --> 00:14:21.980 No growth. 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:25.159 But the scripture says this. 00:14:25.699 --> 00:14:29.899 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. 00:14:31.059 --> 00:14:34.439 Can iron sharpening be ever done without friction? 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:36.579 No, right? 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:39.620 Growth always costs something. 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:43.519 Christians shouldn't fear conflict. 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:49.700 We shouldn't even aim to just resolve conflict because even the world can do that. 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:58.019 We should learn to do conflict so well and so lovingly that non-Christians would look at us and say, 00:14:58.019 --> 00:15:00.580 there is something Jesus about that. 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:06.879 Not saying we should look for unnecessary conflicts, you know, stir the things up and rock the boat. 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:09.320 Just for the sake of doing it. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:18.500 But when conflicts do arise, let us use them really well for God's glory because the gospel changes everything. 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:28.019 One of the best resources I've used that help churches conflict well is called the Watermark Conflict Field Guide. 00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:30.700 You can Google it and it's a free download. 00:15:30.700 --> 00:15:40.860 The guide is basically a Bible study based on Ken Sandy's peacemaking principles written by an evangelical independent church that I did some training with. 00:15:41.660 --> 00:15:45.900 The church has 1,000 small groups, 10,000 committed members. 00:15:46.160 --> 00:15:48.040 They renew membership every single year. 00:15:48.780 --> 00:15:50.980 300 staff and 10 elders. 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:55.580 Can you imagine the kind of conflict and the amount of it they have to handle? 00:15:58.300 --> 00:16:01.659 You know how schools and workplaces practice fire drills, right? 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:05.419 You can't have a school that doesn't do that or a workplace. 00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:06.419 It's against the law. 00:16:07.219 --> 00:16:12.620 They are done so that people know exactly what to do during an actual fire. 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:17.899 The biblical guide that I was talking about is like a manual for that drill. 00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:19.860 It's straight out from the Bible. 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:22.379 It's covered in Bible verses that talks about conflicts. 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:40.519 Moving now on to verse 3, embedded in Paul's call for help is to resolve this conflict is a vivid reminder that they are not just leaders and members of a church. 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:42.700 They are gospel soldiers. 00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:51.940 The term translated as true companion in the ESV here literally means yoke fellow or sometimes used to call people fellow soldier. 00:16:53.400 --> 00:16:56.460 Paul can be calling on a particular person or the whole church here. 00:16:57.060 --> 00:16:58.120 But the message is clear. 00:16:58.700 --> 00:17:03.379 Church members help one another fight through conflict, not fight one another. 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:12.420 The word labored in this verse, describing leaders in the conflict, literally means struggle together. 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:15.420 It doesn't matter if we fight in a church. 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:18.420 We struggle together for the gospel, for the same king. 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:22.039 We struggle together is yet another military term. 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:26.360 And, you know, and when we go back to verse 1, stand firm is another one. 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:29.460 People have fought side by side. 00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:33.480 I know most of us haven't fought the World War II here, although some of you might have. 00:17:34.620 --> 00:17:36.759 They share a common, unique bond. 00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:39.980 If you can't relate to it, think of Forrest Gump. 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:47.880 You know, Forrest and this guy Baba and the Lieutenant Dan, they became like the closest of friends and brothers. 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:53.120 Not because they hang out in a quiet suburb, but because of what? 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:55.480 They survived the battles together. 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:58.599 They watched each other's back and got out alive together. 00:17:58.599 --> 00:18:05.859 And you see the same heartwarming camaraderie in pretty much all of those hero and war movies like Marvels and all that. 00:18:07.219 --> 00:18:11.459 The church is meant to have the same bond, but even stronger. 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:19.759 United in Christ, we battle not against flesh and blood, but the spiritual forces of darkness every single day. 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:27.779 When the church fights with the real enemy, she stops fighting herself, that's each other. 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:37.019 And when the church lives like soldiers, peace, that is the wholeness, the unity, the completeness, becomes the fruit. 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:41.559 So how do we make peace in a troubled church in a nutshell? 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:48.359 First, handle conflict with the mind of Christ, powered by the gospel of peace and of grace. 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:53.619 Second, live like gospel soldiers in Christ's army. 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:58.379 Help each other, fight side by side, not against each other every day. 00:18:58.380 --> 00:19:03.880 That's Paul's call to the church then, and that's the same call to us today. 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:11.800 Next, let's move on from peace within the church to peace outside the church. 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.480 So we come to point two. 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:16.780 Showing peace to the troubling world. 00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:19.180 Verses four and five. 00:19:20.520 --> 00:19:23.740 What is the most repeated command Paul gives in Philippians? 00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:26.500 Very louder. 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:28.000 Rejoice. 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:28.880 All right? 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:29.440 Rejoice. 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:31.779 And he says it twice with one breath here. 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:33.259 Rejoice in the Lord always. 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:34.980 Again, I will say rejoice. 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:37.339 He's not forgetful. 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.680 He doesn't have Alzheimer's. 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:40.000 You know, he's deliberate. 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:46.880 The church, though healthy, was feeling the world's pressure, and it's starting to wear down their witness. 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:51.500 That's why in an earlier passage, Paul's saying, do everything without what? 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:54.160 Rumbling and disputing and complaining. 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:59.120 You know, their witness was starting to suffer because the pressure was real. 00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:07.799 In Paul's day, the Greco-Romans tolerated Jews because Judaism was ancient and legally recognized. 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:12.359 But Christians, especially Gentile Christians, were hated. 00:20:12.939 --> 00:20:13.479 You know why? 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:17.799 Because first, Christians were seen as atheists. 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:22.039 They refused to offer sacrifices to any gods. 00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:27.660 So whenever famine or plague struck in the Roman Empire, Christians were the first to blame. 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:29.380 They angered gods. 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:31.000 They wouldn't offer sacrifice. 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:34.640 Second, Christians were seen as subversive. 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:38.799 Unlike Jews, Christians evangelized. 00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:42.519 Went across culture, class, gender, everything. 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:46.079 The Romans found that very destabilizing. 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:51.039 So the Philippians were being pressed on every single side. 00:20:52.679 --> 00:20:56.159 One escape was to blend into Judaism and gain legal protection. 00:20:57.419 --> 00:20:58.699 You know, get circumcised, whatever. 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:02.859 Another was to give in and live like pagans. 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.899 Paul says no to both. 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.460 So what's the way forward? 00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:12.119 Paul says rejoice in the Lord always. 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:13.779 Always. 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:16.379 Is this the act of rejoicing? 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.740 Yeah, you could be happy all the time. 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:20.000 No. 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:22.920 Romans says to, Romans 12 says this. 00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:28.399 To rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep. 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:32.899 You cannot act joyful and weep at the same time. 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:35.319 Like, you can't do that. 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:39.440 Paul is talking about a state of rejoicing. 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:43.019 A settled gladness rooted in the Lord. 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:47.079 And the Philippines understood exactly what that meant themselves. 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.559 And why that mattered. 00:21:49.639 --> 00:21:52.539 Because Philippi was a very proud Roman colony. 00:21:53.299 --> 00:22:01.420 After the Rome civil wars, Augustus settled the veterans there in Philippi and gave them something very prized. 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:03.319 Called the italic rite. 00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:05.639 Now, it's not a font that does this. 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:06.740 Italic. 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:10.059 It means that their soil was legally Italy. 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:13.500 They enjoyed exemption from certain taxes. 00:22:14.159 --> 00:22:16.339 They got protection under Roman law. 00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:20.259 And, of course, the honor of being a Roman citizen. 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:23.700 These were privileges everybody wanted. 00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:26.279 A reason to rejoice. 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:30.940 So, when Paul says in chapter 3, our citizenship is in heaven. 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:33.059 It was very explosive to them. 00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:36.779 As if he's saying, you know the joy of Roman citizenship. 00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:38.660 Now, lift up your eyes. 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:41.599 In Christ, you have something infinitely better. 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:42.579 A kingdom. 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.639 An inheritance. 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:45.180 A status not earned. 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:46.680 Because your family moved house. 00:22:47.039 --> 00:22:50.380 But because Jesus came down and gave himself for you. 00:22:51.320 --> 00:22:54.220 That is why we can rejoice always. 00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:56.600 Not because it is easy. 00:22:57.340 --> 00:22:58.320 Or life is easy. 00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:00.019 It wasn't then. 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:01.360 And it isn't now. 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:07.019 But because who you are, belong, and who you belong to never changes. 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:10.860 If you're in Christ, your king is here. 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:11.660 He's present. 00:23:12.340 --> 00:23:13.900 Your future is secure. 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:16.320 Your inheritance is untouchable. 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:18.540 Your citizenship is eternal. 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:24.300 This is the anchor that keeps a Christian in a constant state of rejoicing. 00:23:24.820 --> 00:23:26.180 Despite the circumstances. 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:30.040 No matter how the world tries to discourage us. 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:34.380 When my daughter Esther, she's not here today so I can talk about her. 00:23:35.320 --> 00:23:36.560 She was three years old. 00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:39.019 And one of my colleagues saw that she was cute. 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:41.280 And asked her to become a flower girl. 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:44.460 You know, you walk down the aisle and all that before the bride does. 00:23:45.399 --> 00:23:48.579 At the dress rehearsal, I think it was like a day or two before that. 00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:51.859 You know, we held her at the aisle dressed up. 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.440 And she put the brakes on. 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:55.240 And she was kicking and screaming. 00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:56.059 Panicking. 00:23:58.119 --> 00:24:00.799 But I'm so glad my wife knew her really well. 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.259 She pulled this out. 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:06.180 It was a strawberry chubba chub. 00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:06.680 Okay. 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.279 Okay. 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.500 She loves it. 00:24:09.100 --> 00:24:13.519 And this thing turned her dread and all her troubles into delight. 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:18.440 On the day, she boldly skipped down that aisle with the green. 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:24.539 And this chubba chub literally sticking up in her mouth in a constant state of joy. 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:27.480 I can show you the picture later if you want. 00:24:29.159 --> 00:24:32.220 Paul says, rejoicing in the Lord is just like that. 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:40.399 The church must have that mental posture before she can show God's peace to a very troubling world. 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:43.440 Being in the Lord is our chubba chub. 00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:45.859 We've got to be sucking on that every day. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:50.079 Paul then continues in verse 5. 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:53.579 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:57.439 Now, this reasonableness sounds a bit lame. 00:24:58.179 --> 00:25:03.980 The actual word in the Greek, if you look at other translations, English translation, says gentleness. 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:05.399 Okay. 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:08.000 But it doesn't mean, like, you know, be a softy. 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:08.539 Okay. 00:25:08.679 --> 00:25:09.879 Or, you know, be weak. 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:14.439 It means strength that is restrained for the good of others. 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:18.759 Justice tempered with mercy is another way to put it. 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:23.480 In the Old Testament, we see Jacob wrestling with God. 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:25.139 In Genesis 32. 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:31.259 God touched his hip and dislocated it, causing some serious permanent health issues. 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.480 That is gentleness. 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:38.099 God could have destroyed Jacob with just a word. 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:40.119 And Jacob knew it. 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:46.980 So Jacob said, after the wrestle, I saw God's face to face and yet my life was delivered, saved. 00:25:47.919 --> 00:25:51.859 God's strength was restrained for Jacob's benefit. 00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:53.419 That's gentleness. 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:56.480 And David did the same thing. 00:25:57.060 --> 00:26:02.279 He found Saul sleeping in a cave, you know, and Saul was going after his life without cause. 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:05.240 He could have just ended his life right there. 00:26:05.560 --> 00:26:08.400 You know, he knew that, you know, David already knew that he's the next king. 00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:11.440 You know, just one strike and it would end all his troubles. 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:13.279 And then he can start raining. 00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:14.900 But he didn't do that. 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.080 He held back. 00:26:16.840 --> 00:26:17.600 That's gentleness. 00:26:18.820 --> 00:26:24.720 And of course we have Jesus being the ultimate lion and the lamb that demonstrate this divine gentleness. 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:38.600 Before Pilate, the most unjust trial ever in human history, he said he could summon more than 12 legions of angels, 60,000 of them, and wipe out all his accusers. 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.279 But he didn't do that. 00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:47.160 On the cross, perfect justice met perfect peace and grace and mercy. 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:57.960 God poured out his perfect justice onto Jesus, something that we deserved, so that we can benefit from the mercy that Jesus deserves. 00:26:58.880 --> 00:27:00.820 That's divine gentleness. 00:27:01.800 --> 00:27:05.519 The Roman world, like ours, is obsessed with power. 00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:07.519 Money is power. 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:09.259 Violence is power. 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:13.080 Sex is often used and portrayed as power. 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:21.179 You will find power in all the top-selling songs, movies, Netflix, headline news, everything. 00:27:21.899 --> 00:27:24.559 You know, all the supernatural stuff that people are watching these days? 00:27:25.199 --> 00:27:27.859 It's the same everywhere and the same every day. 00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:38.419 But Paul says gentleness, sacrificial restrained strength is how we must show God's peace in a troubling world. 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:40.159 Why? 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:43.960 Because verse 5, the second half, says this. 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:46.620 The Lord is at hand. 00:27:47.340 --> 00:27:49.279 The Lord is at hand. 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:51.140 He sees everything. 00:27:52.100 --> 00:27:53.140 He will judge perfectly. 00:27:53.620 --> 00:27:56.580 He will vindicate his people and he will do so soon. 00:27:57.880 --> 00:28:00.680 So the church can afford to hold back power. 00:28:01.560 --> 00:28:04.320 Let go of rights and respond with gentleness. 00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:08.460 Because we trust the king who judges justly. 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:16.039 And in this power-hungry world, it is gentle strength, not brute force, that makes the church shine like stars. 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:24.440 People won't turn to Christ and to our perfectly just and merciful king because we fight back. 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:25.779 They're not going to do that. 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:28.500 Our protest is not going to help. 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:34.119 But they might do so because we hold back and share the gospel with them. 00:28:35.119 --> 00:28:39.660 So how do we show peace to the troubling world in a nutshell again? 00:28:39.660 --> 00:28:44.259 One, rejoice, a constant state rooted in the Lord. 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:50.040 Two, reveal gentleness, strength restrained for the good of others. 00:28:50.320 --> 00:28:53.140 And three, remember, the Lord is near. 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.100 Is that my time? 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:55.779 Time's up? 00:28:57.120 --> 00:28:58.519 With one more point to go. 00:28:58.519 --> 00:29:06.460 So far, we've covered making peace in the troubled world and also showing peace to the troubling world. 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:09.039 Now we come to the third and final point. 00:29:09.639 --> 00:29:11.019 Let's get a bit more personal. 00:29:11.900 --> 00:29:14.700 Find peace in our troubled hearts. 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:24.819 The moment has come when we finally arrive at Philippians chapter 4, verses 6-7. 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:32.960 All right, not only do we get to say 6-7. 00:29:33.340 --> 00:29:34.259 Everyone, 6-7? 00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:35.160 Okay, all right. 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:37.880 Get it out of your system for the rest of the year, hopefully. 00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:44.400 Okay, this is one of the most well-loved and quote in Philippians that is actually meaningful 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:46.240 and not meaningless like 6-7 is. 00:29:47.800 --> 00:29:48.380 Paul says, 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:53.480 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:57.000 let your requests be made known to God. 00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:58.300 Verse 6. 00:29:59.780 --> 00:30:04.940 Is Paul saying to the Philippians church that's already being pressed on every side, 00:30:05.620 --> 00:30:08.740 Don't worry, be happy, it's going to be a beautiful day. 00:30:10.320 --> 00:30:13.259 Stop worrying about those threats that may never come. 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:15.940 Stop fearing the lack that you never have. 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:20.720 He's not denying their problems here, friends. 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:26.000 He's redirecting their focus from me to Christ. 00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:31.220 He's calling them to replace over-worrying, that's me focused, 00:30:31.420 --> 00:30:36.839 with thankful and worshipful, prayerful worship that is Christ focused. 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:38.379 Why? 00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:45.679 Because most of our worrying problems, most, not all, are ultimately worshipping problems. 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:52.480 When we believe that God is worthy of our trust and affection and we express it, 00:30:52.879 --> 00:30:53.559 what's that called? 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.220 Worship. 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:56.419 That's worship. 00:30:56.420 --> 00:31:01.580 When we lose sight of God's care and control and fix our eyes on fear, 00:31:02.300 --> 00:31:02.940 what do you call that? 00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:04.539 Worry. 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:05.880 That's worry. 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:11.160 We often don't realize it, but worry usually just begins with a tiny little bit of uncertainty and fear 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:14.539 that we are not fully saved in God's hands, 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:18.079 and that little thing grows and quietly unnoticed. 00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:20.960 It presses on us, becomes a big tree with big roots, 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:23.019 you know, and everything falls down on us. 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.279 Full-blown worry. 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:27.339 Now on to curing worries. 00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:28.519 Paul says, 00:31:29.099 --> 00:31:31.700 Let your request be made known to God. 00:31:32.639 --> 00:31:35.839 How is that going to help us with worries? 00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:39.240 Doesn't God already know what we need? 00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:42.339 Why bother asking? 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:46.000 Yes, God knows everything. 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:48.519 Long before we ever pray. 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:52.200 But what if God, what if asking God, 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:57.240 what if praying is not for God's benefit, but for ours? 00:31:59.059 --> 00:32:01.059 Parents understand this really well. 00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:05.079 When your children are babies, you could tell from just one cry, 00:32:05.640 --> 00:32:07.920 okay, what they're after, what they need, right? 00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:09.960 This is a hungry cry. 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:11.380 This one's a nappy cry. 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:13.180 This one's a burping cry. 00:32:13.320 --> 00:32:14.580 That one's a sleeping cry, yeah? 00:32:15.340 --> 00:32:16.060 Any nods here? 00:32:16.340 --> 00:32:16.539 Any moms? 00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:18.560 Yeah, okay, good. 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:20.360 I didn't do it, but anyway. 00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:23.820 But when they got a little older, the moment they go, 00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:29.140 Mom, Dad, you already know what they're after. 00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:30.440 A lot of times. 00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:33.560 But still, you want them to ask. 00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:34.660 Why? 00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:38.320 Because asking builds trust. 00:32:38.900 --> 00:32:39.920 It builds connection. 00:32:40.560 --> 00:32:44.320 It teaches them that you're someone who cares for them. 00:32:45.300 --> 00:32:47.519 You are someone that they can come to, 00:32:48.360 --> 00:32:50.080 not because you need the affirmation, 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.820 but because it's good for them. 00:32:53.060 --> 00:32:56.440 No loving parent would want their kids to grow up 00:32:56.440 --> 00:33:00.360 undistanced, untrusting, or emotionally disconnected 00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:04.259 simply because the child never learned or never needed 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:06.059 to come to them for their needs. 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:11.319 And in the same way, God invites us as his children 00:33:11.319 --> 00:33:14.419 to bring our prayers and requests to them, 00:33:14.859 --> 00:33:16.559 not so that we can inform him, 00:33:16.959 --> 00:33:18.899 but so that he can form us. 00:33:18.900 --> 00:33:24.320 Here's what Tim Keller says about prayer in his book called Prayers. 00:33:24.600 --> 00:33:25.560 It's a really great book. 00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:26.740 I highly recommend it. 00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:29.560 Prayer is the one, sorry, 00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:32.820 prayer is the only entryway into genuine self-knowledge. 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:36.460 It is also the main way we experience deep change, 00:33:36.900 --> 00:33:39.000 the reordering of our loves. 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:46.579 Do most of our worries not come from wrongly ordered loves? 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.960 And Keller continues, 00:33:50.579 --> 00:33:54.539 Prayer is how God gives us so many of the unimaginable things 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.920 that he has for us. 00:33:56.400 --> 00:33:59.539 Indeed, prayer makes it safe for God 00:33:59.539 --> 00:34:03.339 to give us many of the things that we most desire. 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:05.319 It is the way we know God, 00:34:05.579 --> 00:34:08.360 the way we finally meet, treat God as God. 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:12.780 Prayer is simply the key to everything we need to do 00:34:12.780 --> 00:34:14.539 and to be in life. 00:34:14.900 --> 00:34:16.099 We must learn to pray. 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:17.260 We have to. 00:34:18.719 --> 00:34:21.920 Prayer isn't just informing God about our worries. 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:26.099 It is being formed by God into better worshippers. 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:30.059 Getting back to the passage then, 00:34:30.460 --> 00:34:32.639 what will happen when we replace worry 00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:34.739 with thankful and prayerful worship? 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:37.380 Verse 7 says this, 00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:51.240 Our hearts and minds are a little bit like a block of Swiss cheese. 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:54.940 Not like cheddar cheese. 00:34:55.160 --> 00:34:57.320 Swiss cheese has many, many holes. 00:34:58.460 --> 00:35:00.579 It's quite easy to tear apart, actually, 00:35:00.800 --> 00:35:02.420 and lots of gaps in there. 00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:04.240 And with all those openings, 00:35:04.720 --> 00:35:06.720 we become vulnerable to intrusion, 00:35:07.340 --> 00:35:09.980 like worry, anxiety, and so much more. 00:35:10.700 --> 00:35:14.400 Unless those holes are being protected by something strong, 00:35:15.000 --> 00:35:18.039 something can get in basically any time. 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:21.059 We need something to stand guard, 00:35:21.220 --> 00:35:22.440 something to hold these things out. 00:35:23.420 --> 00:35:25.920 In verse 7, Paul tells us what that guard is. 00:35:25.920 --> 00:35:27.840 It is the peace of God, 00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:29.579 the shalom of God. 00:35:30.220 --> 00:35:31.460 They're not just calm feelings. 00:35:31.840 --> 00:35:33.579 It's about God's completeness, 00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:34.800 His wholeness. 00:35:36.619 --> 00:35:38.300 His restoring presence, 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:40.740 it comes from being united to Him. 00:35:41.860 --> 00:35:43.280 That peace stands like an army 00:35:43.280 --> 00:35:45.059 around our hearts and our minds, 00:35:45.639 --> 00:35:47.940 guarding every gap and every weakness. 00:35:48.619 --> 00:35:51.260 Paul says it's beyond human understanding. 00:35:51.260 --> 00:35:52.940 And don't miss this. 00:35:53.280 --> 00:35:57.560 Paul says it's only available in Christ Jesus, 00:35:57.940 --> 00:35:58.380 our King. 00:35:59.260 --> 00:36:01.840 So if we want this peace to guard our anxious heart, 00:36:02.280 --> 00:36:04.080 Paul says we bring everything to God, 00:36:04.560 --> 00:36:06.960 turning worry into worship through prayer. 00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:10.600 But Paul doesn't stop with the peace of God in verse 7. 00:36:11.040 --> 00:36:13.260 He says, he repeats peace again in verse 9. 00:36:13.320 --> 00:36:15.720 He says, he takes it a step further. 00:36:16.180 --> 00:36:18.220 Not only will God's peace guard you, 00:36:18.219 --> 00:36:21.419 the God of peace Himself will be with you. 00:36:22.399 --> 00:36:23.699 He's just not sending stuff. 00:36:23.939 --> 00:36:24.339 He's coming. 00:36:24.539 --> 00:36:24.939 He's here. 00:36:25.319 --> 00:36:25.919 He'll be there. 00:36:26.500 --> 00:36:28.419 But how are we, forgiven sinners, 00:36:28.819 --> 00:36:30.439 supposed to get God's presence? 00:36:31.219 --> 00:36:32.179 The answer is, 00:36:32.659 --> 00:36:33.839 we don't get His presence 00:36:33.839 --> 00:36:35.859 because He's already given that to us. 00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:38.339 If by faith we're in Christ, 00:36:38.759 --> 00:36:41.579 then God is already with us and in us. 00:36:42.379 --> 00:36:43.519 In the Old Testament, 00:36:44.079 --> 00:36:45.079 before the Pentecost, 00:36:45.299 --> 00:36:46.179 you have the prophets, 00:36:46.399 --> 00:36:47.279 the judges and the kings, 00:36:47.280 --> 00:36:50.420 you see the Holy Spirit coming and going. 00:36:50.540 --> 00:36:52.540 He'll empower certain people to do certain things 00:36:52.540 --> 00:36:54.860 and then sometimes He would leave. 00:36:56.160 --> 00:36:59.080 Now we saw that in King Saul in 1 Samuel 00:36:59.080 --> 00:37:02.620 and then the same idea can be found in David's prayer in Psalms 51. 00:37:03.760 --> 00:37:04.740 But after Pentecost, 00:37:05.440 --> 00:37:08.480 the Spirit's indwelling becomes the permanent seal 00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:11.040 for all who belong to Christ. 00:37:11.760 --> 00:37:13.019 Let's say He's not leaving. 00:37:13.660 --> 00:37:14.400 It's for sure. 00:37:14.940 --> 00:37:15.920 That's a reassuring incident. 00:37:15.920 --> 00:37:18.760 However, 00:37:19.539 --> 00:37:21.019 although God's presence is there, 00:37:21.559 --> 00:37:23.720 the way we live absolutely affects 00:37:23.720 --> 00:37:26.300 the way we experience His presence. 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:30.740 It's like a couple going out on a date. 00:37:31.680 --> 00:37:32.280 Imagine, you know, 00:37:32.320 --> 00:37:33.460 sometimes you sit at restaurants, 00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:33.700 you know, 00:37:33.720 --> 00:37:34.300 even a couple, 00:37:34.780 --> 00:37:36.280 they're clearly going out on a date 00:37:36.280 --> 00:37:37.460 and then they're just on their phone 00:37:37.460 --> 00:37:38.760 and they have headphones on 00:37:38.760 --> 00:37:40.119 and they're like scrolling through YouTube 00:37:40.119 --> 00:37:40.880 or whatever, right? 00:37:40.880 --> 00:37:44.619 They're both right there, 00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:45.840 fully present, 00:37:46.340 --> 00:37:47.680 but they're not enjoying 00:37:48.220 --> 00:37:50.500 each other's presence and relationship. 00:37:51.579 --> 00:37:52.660 So in the same way, 00:37:53.400 --> 00:37:54.760 God is with us, 00:37:55.240 --> 00:37:56.720 but if we don't have our hearts 00:37:56.720 --> 00:37:58.800 and minds heavily guarded, 00:37:59.220 --> 00:38:00.579 we don't get to enjoy 00:38:00.579 --> 00:38:02.340 having Him at all 00:38:02.340 --> 00:38:05.079 or as much on this side of eternity. 00:38:05.079 --> 00:38:07.579 Brothers and sisters, 00:38:08.239 --> 00:38:09.679 the world is constantly 00:38:09.679 --> 00:38:10.599 and loudly 00:38:10.599 --> 00:38:12.099 blasting narratives 00:38:12.099 --> 00:38:13.139 at you 00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:14.500 and at me 00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:16.199 everywhere we look 00:38:16.199 --> 00:38:16.880 and listen. 00:38:18.480 --> 00:38:19.639 You're not good enough. 00:38:20.299 --> 00:38:21.099 You're not enough, 00:38:21.199 --> 00:38:21.500 in fact. 00:38:22.279 --> 00:38:23.119 You need more. 00:38:24.119 --> 00:38:24.900 Follow your heart. 00:38:26.019 --> 00:38:26.779 Live your truth, 00:38:26.920 --> 00:38:28.199 not some other truth out there. 00:38:28.199 --> 00:38:32.059 And when every message around us 00:38:32.059 --> 00:38:32.699 says that 00:38:32.699 --> 00:38:34.939 unless we get this next thing 00:38:34.939 --> 00:38:36.839 or become this next version of ourselves, 00:38:36.960 --> 00:38:38.500 we're missing out on the good life, 00:38:38.839 --> 00:38:39.399 of course, 00:38:40.019 --> 00:38:40.759 we get anxious. 00:38:42.299 --> 00:38:43.819 Do you know that Adam and Eve 00:38:43.819 --> 00:38:44.719 fell for the same thing? 00:38:45.539 --> 00:38:46.879 They didn't want to miss out 00:38:46.879 --> 00:38:48.339 on becoming like God, right? 00:38:48.639 --> 00:38:49.480 It says in Genesis, 00:38:50.219 --> 00:38:51.460 even though they were already 00:38:51.460 --> 00:38:52.719 made in the image of God. 00:38:53.399 --> 00:38:54.159 How does that make sense? 00:38:55.639 --> 00:38:56.939 Satan's ancient trick 00:38:56.940 --> 00:38:58.720 hasn't changed since then. 00:38:59.320 --> 00:39:00.559 He just rebranded it 00:39:00.559 --> 00:39:02.079 for our modern years. 00:39:03.820 --> 00:39:04.539 The world's forecast, 00:39:04.860 --> 00:39:05.059 sorry, 00:39:05.159 --> 00:39:06.019 the world's broadcast 00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:07.260 is so loud 00:39:07.260 --> 00:39:07.940 and so subtle 00:39:07.940 --> 00:39:09.760 that trying to just block it out, 00:39:09.880 --> 00:39:10.039 you know, 00:39:10.280 --> 00:39:11.039 extract yourself 00:39:11.039 --> 00:39:12.079 from the world 00:39:12.079 --> 00:39:12.460 or something, 00:39:12.579 --> 00:39:13.280 it doesn't work. 00:39:14.059 --> 00:39:14.900 So what do we do? 00:39:15.599 --> 00:39:16.840 We need spiritual 00:39:16.840 --> 00:39:18.340 noise-canceling headphones. 00:39:19.579 --> 00:39:20.619 Not something that 00:39:20.619 --> 00:39:21.500 Nimi blocks 00:39:21.500 --> 00:39:23.320 the noise like that. 00:39:23.780 --> 00:39:24.579 It is something that 00:39:24.579 --> 00:39:25.500 blasts a different 00:39:25.500 --> 00:39:26.740 and stronger signal 00:39:26.739 --> 00:39:27.759 to drown out 00:39:27.759 --> 00:39:28.939 what the world 00:39:28.939 --> 00:39:29.699 is sending us. 00:39:30.539 --> 00:39:31.579 And that's exactly 00:39:31.579 --> 00:39:32.379 Paul's strategy 00:39:32.379 --> 00:39:33.239 if we look at 00:39:33.239 --> 00:39:34.539 verses 8 and 9. 00:39:35.500 --> 00:39:36.279 Verse 8 says, 00:39:36.419 --> 00:39:36.919 in a nutshell, 00:39:37.299 --> 00:39:38.259 feel your mind. 00:39:39.099 --> 00:39:39.399 Finally, 00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:40.179 brothers and sisters, 00:39:40.319 --> 00:39:40.979 whatever true, 00:39:41.199 --> 00:39:41.519 honorable, 00:39:42.059 --> 00:39:42.339 just, 00:39:42.519 --> 00:39:42.659 you know, 00:39:42.659 --> 00:39:43.379 something that's right, 00:39:43.859 --> 00:39:44.639 whatever is pure, 00:39:44.799 --> 00:39:45.959 whatever is lovely, 00:39:46.219 --> 00:39:46.659 that are things 00:39:46.659 --> 00:39:47.839 that cause for 00:39:47.839 --> 00:39:48.919 agape love, 00:39:49.299 --> 00:39:50.519 whatever is commendable, 00:39:51.079 --> 00:39:51.819 if there's anything 00:39:51.819 --> 00:39:52.619 excellence, 00:39:52.759 --> 00:39:52.959 you know, 00:39:52.959 --> 00:39:53.500 of character, 00:39:53.500 --> 00:39:54.059 and if there's 00:39:54.059 --> 00:39:55.019 anything worthy 00:39:55.019 --> 00:39:55.639 of praise, 00:39:56.119 --> 00:39:56.960 think about 00:39:56.960 --> 00:39:57.599 these things. 00:39:58.760 --> 00:39:59.780 Feel your mind. 00:40:00.239 --> 00:40:00.320 You know, 00:40:00.360 --> 00:40:01.780 the word think here 00:40:01.780 --> 00:40:02.820 means to dwell on, 00:40:03.599 --> 00:40:04.199 to ponder, 00:40:04.360 --> 00:40:05.300 to turn something 00:40:05.300 --> 00:40:06.139 over and over 00:40:06.139 --> 00:40:06.820 in your mind. 00:40:07.500 --> 00:40:07.659 You know, 00:40:07.679 --> 00:40:08.360 Paul is telling us 00:40:08.360 --> 00:40:09.460 to use this filter, 00:40:09.900 --> 00:40:10.000 you know, 00:40:10.039 --> 00:40:11.659 a 6x12 filter, 00:40:11.719 --> 00:40:12.320 like a sieve. 00:40:12.800 --> 00:40:12.940 You know, 00:40:12.960 --> 00:40:13.780 whatever goes in 00:40:13.780 --> 00:40:14.360 and out of it, 00:40:15.219 --> 00:40:15.400 you know, 00:40:15.480 --> 00:40:15.679 not, 00:40:15.940 --> 00:40:16.099 you know, 00:40:16.179 --> 00:40:17.000 you put it 00:40:17.000 --> 00:40:17.739 through this filter. 00:40:18.400 --> 00:40:19.599 Not what your screen 00:40:19.599 --> 00:40:20.219 shows up, 00:40:20.280 --> 00:40:20.440 you know, 00:40:20.440 --> 00:40:21.460 and feeds to you, 00:40:22.500 --> 00:40:23.880 or what our imagination 00:40:23.880 --> 00:40:24.840 feeds to us. 00:40:25.340 --> 00:40:25.500 You know, 00:40:25.559 --> 00:40:26.220 put things through 00:40:26.220 --> 00:40:26.720 this filter. 00:40:27.280 --> 00:40:28.659 This is intentional 00:40:28.659 --> 00:40:30.019 reoccupation 00:40:30.019 --> 00:40:30.940 of our hearts 00:40:30.940 --> 00:40:31.579 and minds. 00:40:32.200 --> 00:40:32.340 You know, 00:40:32.500 --> 00:40:33.380 stop letting our, 00:40:34.019 --> 00:40:35.019 the land of our heart 00:40:35.019 --> 00:40:36.260 just be free for all 00:40:36.260 --> 00:40:37.019 for our enemies. 00:40:37.800 --> 00:40:38.400 Reoccupy it. 00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:39.079 Take it over. 00:40:40.380 --> 00:40:40.860 And notice 00:40:40.860 --> 00:40:42.000 what Paul doesn't say. 00:40:42.059 --> 00:40:43.340 He doesn't tell the experience, 00:40:43.960 --> 00:40:44.619 tells you experience 00:40:44.619 --> 00:40:45.240 God's presence 00:40:45.240 --> 00:40:46.500 by emptying our minds, 00:40:46.820 --> 00:40:47.539 like some Eastern 00:40:47.539 --> 00:40:48.980 meditation technique, 00:40:49.179 --> 00:40:49.300 you know, 00:40:49.539 --> 00:40:49.720 oh, 00:40:49.719 --> 00:40:50.459 think about nothing, 00:40:50.739 --> 00:40:50.879 you know, 00:40:50.959 --> 00:40:51.779 wellness, 00:40:52.119 --> 00:40:52.239 you know, 00:40:52.239 --> 00:40:52.980 think about wellness. 00:40:53.719 --> 00:40:53.939 No, 00:40:54.259 --> 00:40:55.259 instead he calls us 00:40:55.259 --> 00:40:56.279 to fill our minds 00:40:56.279 --> 00:40:58.319 with what God calls good, 00:40:59.519 --> 00:41:00.959 things that is truly fit 00:41:00.959 --> 00:41:02.000 for human flourishing. 00:41:03.319 --> 00:41:04.439 Because if we don't 00:41:04.439 --> 00:41:05.919 intentionally preoccupy 00:41:05.919 --> 00:41:07.059 our minds and hearts 00:41:07.059 --> 00:41:08.879 as defined by God, 00:41:10.319 --> 00:41:11.039 what is good, 00:41:11.819 --> 00:41:12.859 the world will gladly 00:41:12.859 --> 00:41:14.599 fill that space for us. 00:41:14.759 --> 00:41:15.519 It's like a garden, 00:41:15.699 --> 00:41:15.799 you know, 00:41:15.839 --> 00:41:16.719 you leave it unplanned, 00:41:16.859 --> 00:41:17.480 the weeds grow, 00:41:17.839 --> 00:41:18.859 and weeds grow faster 00:41:18.859 --> 00:41:19.339 than anything, 00:41:19.340 --> 00:41:20.340 as you probably know. 00:41:20.800 --> 00:41:21.640 They take over. 00:41:22.539 --> 00:41:23.260 So what do we do? 00:41:23.480 --> 00:41:24.680 We must out-plan 00:41:24.680 --> 00:41:26.700 and outgrow the weeds, 00:41:27.140 --> 00:41:27.660 fill it up. 00:41:29.059 --> 00:41:29.700 And besides filling 00:41:29.700 --> 00:41:30.220 our hearts, 00:41:30.400 --> 00:41:30.880 our minds 00:41:30.880 --> 00:41:32.180 with good godly stuff, 00:41:32.980 --> 00:41:34.200 and this is the very last point, 00:41:34.420 --> 00:41:35.160 verse 9 says, 00:41:35.820 --> 00:41:36.960 leave it out. 00:41:38.180 --> 00:41:38.980 Leave it out. 00:41:39.840 --> 00:41:40.400 What do you have, 00:41:41.079 --> 00:41:41.640 Paul says, 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:42.519 what you have learned 00:41:42.519 --> 00:41:43.299 and received 00:41:43.299 --> 00:41:43.900 and heard 00:41:43.900 --> 00:41:45.019 and seen in me, 00:41:45.199 --> 00:41:45.659 not me, 00:41:45.779 --> 00:41:46.219 that's Paul, 00:41:46.879 --> 00:41:48.019 practice these things, 00:41:48.519 --> 00:41:50.079 and the God of peace 00:41:50.079 --> 00:41:50.799 will be with you. 00:41:51.599 --> 00:41:52.420 Paul's not saying, 00:41:52.619 --> 00:41:53.579 go take a course, 00:41:54.079 --> 00:41:55.799 listen to more podcasts, 00:41:55.920 --> 00:41:56.059 I mean, 00:41:56.099 --> 00:41:56.799 those things are good. 00:41:57.379 --> 00:41:58.039 But the words 00:41:58.039 --> 00:41:59.299 learned and received 00:41:59.299 --> 00:42:00.960 here carries the idea 00:42:00.960 --> 00:42:01.619 of apprenticeship, 00:42:01.859 --> 00:42:02.559 discipleship, 00:42:03.039 --> 00:42:04.500 catching and carrying forward 00:42:04.500 --> 00:42:06.119 the way of a master. 00:42:06.920 --> 00:42:07.059 You know, 00:42:07.059 --> 00:42:08.019 stuff you see in movies 00:42:08.019 --> 00:42:08.920 like Karate Kid, 00:42:08.920 --> 00:42:09.920 like Mr. Miyagi, 00:42:10.480 --> 00:42:10.619 you know, 00:42:10.680 --> 00:42:11.320 Star Wars, 00:42:11.400 --> 00:42:11.800 and of course, 00:42:11.860 --> 00:42:12.460 in the Bible, 00:42:13.079 --> 00:42:13.260 you know, 00:42:13.300 --> 00:42:14.440 in the ministries of Paul 00:42:14.440 --> 00:42:16.400 with Titus and Timothy 00:42:16.400 --> 00:42:17.780 and of Jesus, 00:42:17.940 --> 00:42:18.260 of course, 00:42:18.360 --> 00:42:18.920 with the Twelve. 00:42:19.659 --> 00:42:20.220 Paul is saying, 00:42:20.579 --> 00:42:21.280 you've watched me 00:42:21.280 --> 00:42:22.099 lift this out, 00:42:22.519 --> 00:42:23.740 now practice it too. 00:42:23.880 --> 00:42:24.200 Do it, 00:42:24.240 --> 00:42:25.079 don't just sit on it 00:42:25.079 --> 00:42:25.920 and you will, 00:42:26.420 --> 00:42:27.260 and then you will 00:42:27.260 --> 00:42:27.940 experience 00:42:27.940 --> 00:42:29.280 the God of peace. 00:42:30.119 --> 00:42:31.860 We all need to model 00:42:31.860 --> 00:42:33.480 after somebody. 00:42:35.559 --> 00:42:37.019 I love this church 00:42:37.019 --> 00:42:39.460 as opposed to another church 00:42:39.460 --> 00:42:40.739 that only have uni students. 00:42:41.239 --> 00:42:41.940 I'm not going to name 00:42:41.940 --> 00:42:42.420 which one. 00:42:43.820 --> 00:42:45.579 Because we have a lot 00:42:45.579 --> 00:42:48.000 of mature elderly Christians 00:42:48.000 --> 00:42:49.759 who have gone through 00:42:49.759 --> 00:42:51.880 massive struggles of life. 00:42:52.019 --> 00:42:52.599 Not just because 00:42:52.599 --> 00:42:53.139 they're older, 00:42:53.559 --> 00:42:54.239 although it adds up 00:42:54.239 --> 00:42:54.920 to a couple of thousand 00:42:54.920 --> 00:42:55.659 years old here, 00:42:56.460 --> 00:42:56.739 right? 00:42:56.980 --> 00:42:58.079 But because they have 00:42:58.079 --> 00:42:59.000 gone through 00:42:59.000 --> 00:42:59.860 the struggles 00:42:59.860 --> 00:43:01.320 and the reality of life. 00:43:02.159 --> 00:43:03.300 We can model, 00:43:04.179 --> 00:43:05.039 have them as model, 00:43:05.360 --> 00:43:06.280 ask them as model, 00:43:06.280 --> 00:43:08.000 ask them to pour 00:43:08.000 --> 00:43:08.680 into our lives, 00:43:09.000 --> 00:43:09.980 go follow them around. 00:43:10.740 --> 00:43:11.519 I've shared this 00:43:11.519 --> 00:43:12.100 in a small group. 00:43:12.280 --> 00:43:13.000 Don is Don here? 00:43:13.800 --> 00:43:14.519 He's somewhere up there. 00:43:14.960 --> 00:43:15.500 When I was working 00:43:15.500 --> 00:43:15.920 at Apple, 00:43:16.260 --> 00:43:17.620 he religiously shopped 00:43:17.620 --> 00:43:18.580 in front of Apple Store 00:43:18.580 --> 00:43:19.820 every single week 00:43:19.820 --> 00:43:21.420 with a massive Christian book 00:43:21.420 --> 00:43:22.220 with a Christian title 00:43:22.220 --> 00:43:22.680 on it, 00:43:23.260 --> 00:43:23.440 right? 00:43:23.500 --> 00:43:24.240 So that people 00:43:24.240 --> 00:43:25.420 would sometime 00:43:25.420 --> 00:43:26.140 maybe perhaps 00:43:26.140 --> 00:43:27.120 rock up 00:43:27.120 --> 00:43:28.120 and strike a conversation. 00:43:29.540 --> 00:43:30.340 And sometimes 00:43:30.340 --> 00:43:31.000 he falls asleep, 00:43:31.120 --> 00:43:31.420 by the way. 00:43:31.420 --> 00:43:32.340 But, 00:43:32.340 --> 00:43:33.240 but, 00:43:33.240 --> 00:43:33.260 but, 00:43:33.260 --> 00:43:34.220 but, 00:43:34.220 --> 00:43:34.599 you know, 00:43:34.920 --> 00:43:35.960 it's, 00:43:36.079 --> 00:43:36.300 you know, 00:43:36.340 --> 00:43:37.300 he's intentional, 00:43:37.920 --> 00:43:38.139 you know, 00:43:38.200 --> 00:43:39.099 it's discipleship 00:43:39.099 --> 00:43:39.300 and, 00:43:39.420 --> 00:43:39.519 you know, 00:43:39.579 --> 00:43:41.039 there's so much good stuff. 00:43:41.440 --> 00:43:41.579 You know, 00:43:41.639 --> 00:43:43.019 with Rob here, 00:43:43.119 --> 00:43:43.300 you know, 00:43:43.340 --> 00:43:44.380 former pastor 00:43:44.380 --> 00:43:46.360 with so many great people 00:43:46.360 --> 00:43:47.180 here that we can 00:43:47.180 --> 00:43:48.260 really model after. 00:43:48.619 --> 00:43:49.539 And I encourage you 00:43:49.539 --> 00:43:51.079 to join a small group, 00:43:51.240 --> 00:43:52.019 get into community 00:43:52.019 --> 00:43:53.539 and be discipled. 00:43:54.820 --> 00:43:55.860 Just sitting around 00:43:55.860 --> 00:43:56.940 listening to stuff online 00:43:56.940 --> 00:43:58.240 is not going to grow you. 00:43:58.239 --> 00:43:58.739 Right? 00:44:00.000 --> 00:44:00.919 It's not going to get you 00:44:00.919 --> 00:44:02.000 the God of peace, 00:44:02.779 --> 00:44:03.599 as Paul says here. 00:44:04.359 --> 00:44:05.019 See in me 00:44:05.019 --> 00:44:05.779 and then practice it. 00:44:05.859 --> 00:44:06.619 Let's go see 00:44:06.619 --> 00:44:08.000 so that we can catch it, 00:44:08.359 --> 00:44:09.359 not just be taught it, 00:44:09.719 --> 00:44:11.259 and then we go live it. 00:44:13.139 --> 00:44:14.239 Think about these things 00:44:14.239 --> 00:44:15.079 and practice them 00:44:15.079 --> 00:44:16.139 and the God of peace, 00:44:16.419 --> 00:44:16.899 wholeness, 00:44:17.259 --> 00:44:17.979 will be with you. 00:44:18.279 --> 00:44:19.179 That is God's promise 00:44:19.179 --> 00:44:20.919 only in Christ Jesus. 00:44:21.959 --> 00:44:22.719 So a very, 00:44:22.819 --> 00:44:23.399 very quick summary. 00:44:23.959 --> 00:44:24.359 Point one, 00:44:24.439 --> 00:44:25.179 to make peace 00:44:25.179 --> 00:44:26.779 in the troubled church 00:44:26.780 --> 00:44:29.600 is to handle conflict 00:44:29.600 --> 00:44:30.600 with the mind of Christ, 00:44:31.360 --> 00:44:32.820 powered by the gospel of peace. 00:44:33.600 --> 00:44:35.240 Live like gospel soldiers 00:44:35.240 --> 00:44:36.940 in Christ's army. 00:44:37.580 --> 00:44:38.240 Help each other, 00:44:38.680 --> 00:44:39.340 fight each other 00:44:39.340 --> 00:44:40.100 side by side, 00:44:40.220 --> 00:44:41.420 not against each other. 00:44:42.480 --> 00:44:42.980 And point two 00:44:42.980 --> 00:44:43.820 is to show peace 00:44:43.820 --> 00:44:45.060 to the troubling world. 00:44:45.960 --> 00:44:46.720 First rejoice, 00:44:47.260 --> 00:44:48.440 a constant state 00:44:48.440 --> 00:44:50.400 of being rooted in the Lord. 00:44:52.240 --> 00:44:53.560 Reveal gentleness, 00:44:54.920 --> 00:44:55.920 strength restrained 00:44:55.920 --> 00:44:56.700 for the good of others. 00:44:56.780 --> 00:44:58.820 And remember, 00:44:59.019 --> 00:44:59.680 the Lord is near. 00:45:00.560 --> 00:45:01.000 And finally, 00:45:01.200 --> 00:45:01.840 to find peace 00:45:01.840 --> 00:45:02.740 on our troubled heart, 00:45:02.880 --> 00:45:03.180 pray, 00:45:03.740 --> 00:45:04.740 not to inform God, 00:45:04.820 --> 00:45:05.740 but to be formed 00:45:05.740 --> 00:45:06.420 by God himself 00:45:06.420 --> 00:45:08.360 and to reoccupy 00:45:08.360 --> 00:45:09.540 our minds and lives 00:45:09.540 --> 00:45:10.660 with good godly stuff 00:45:10.660 --> 00:45:12.519 and be disciples 00:45:12.519 --> 00:45:13.920 so that we 00:45:13.920 --> 00:45:14.820 can enjoy 00:45:14.820 --> 00:45:15.540 God's presence 00:45:15.540 --> 00:45:16.400 in Christ. 00:45:17.560 --> 00:45:18.240 Let's pray. 00:45:18.240 --> 00:45:18.300 Amen. 00:45:24.060 --> 00:45:24.900 Heavenly Father, 00:45:24.900 --> 00:45:28.220 we thank you 00:45:28.220 --> 00:45:29.539 because you leave us 00:45:29.539 --> 00:45:31.280 not in this world 00:45:31.280 --> 00:45:33.480 just to suffer 00:45:33.480 --> 00:45:34.220 and hang around 00:45:34.220 --> 00:45:35.440 and be worried 00:45:35.440 --> 00:45:36.740 and get troubled 00:45:36.740 --> 00:45:37.320 by the world. 00:45:39.539 --> 00:45:40.760 But we are here 00:45:40.760 --> 00:45:43.440 so that we can shine 00:45:43.440 --> 00:45:44.079 like stars 00:45:44.079 --> 00:45:45.960 and we can experience 00:45:45.960 --> 00:45:48.059 through all the troubles 00:45:48.059 --> 00:45:49.180 that we experience. 00:45:49.179 --> 00:45:52.559 Lord, I pray 00:45:52.559 --> 00:45:53.980 for your peace, 00:45:54.359 --> 00:45:55.139 your wholeness, 00:45:55.539 --> 00:45:56.019 your unity 00:45:56.019 --> 00:45:58.419 to wrap around 00:45:58.419 --> 00:45:59.039 this church 00:45:59.039 --> 00:46:01.239 all the days 00:46:01.239 --> 00:46:01.859 of our lives. 00:46:03.219 --> 00:46:04.559 Help us not be 00:46:04.559 --> 00:46:05.539 peace fakers 00:46:05.539 --> 00:46:07.819 and conflict avoiders, 00:46:08.699 --> 00:46:09.599 but people 00:46:09.599 --> 00:46:12.219 who are equipped 00:46:12.219 --> 00:46:13.679 and ready 00:46:13.679 --> 00:46:15.139 and embrace 00:46:15.139 --> 00:46:15.639 conflicts 00:46:15.639 --> 00:46:18.039 and be able 00:46:18.039 --> 00:46:18.739 to use it well 00:46:18.739 --> 00:46:19.500 to display 00:46:19.500 --> 00:46:20.319 your amazing 00:46:20.319 --> 00:46:20.899 son 00:46:20.899 --> 00:46:22.179 and amazing 00:46:22.179 --> 00:46:22.599 gospel 00:46:22.599 --> 00:46:23.839 with the mind 00:46:23.839 --> 00:46:24.159 of Christ 00:46:24.159 --> 00:46:24.859 that you've given us. 00:46:26.039 --> 00:46:26.599 We thank you, 00:46:26.679 --> 00:46:26.819 Lord. 00:46:27.259 --> 00:46:27.919 Be with us. 00:46:28.059 --> 00:46:28.819 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:46:29.179 --> 00:46:29.439 Amen. 00:46:29.439 --> 00:46:29.500 Amen. 00:46:29.500 --> 00:46:29.539 Amen. 00:46:29.539 --> 00:46:29.539 00:46:29.539 --> 00:46:29.539 00:46:29.539 --> 00:46:29.539 00:46:42.219 --> 00:46:43.219 Amen.