WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Thank you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:41.159 I'm going to be looking this morning in particular at verses 25 to 30, focusing in on Epaphroditus and looking as well at the first few verses in Philippians. 00:00:43.579 --> 00:00:56.200 I warned Johnny about the title this morning. I don't know if it's up there now. Not to panic. Don't worry, Johnny. Hopefully there will be people here still next week. 00:00:56.200 --> 00:01:09.100 But, yeah, really this is in some ways a how-to guide as to how to leave your church. But we'll get to that over time. 00:01:09.099 --> 00:01:23.099 A fictional character, although maybe some self-autobiographical elements too. Mike had some big decisions to make. So far life had just kind of, you know, just kind of flowed from... 00:01:23.099 --> 00:01:28.919 He'd gone to college near his home, which was very helpful because then he was able to stay part of the church that he'd grown up to. 00:01:29.319 --> 00:01:34.699 And he really enjoyed it. He'd been part of a Bible-believing church, a church that loved Jesus. 00:01:34.700 --> 00:01:40.280 But now college had finished and it seemed like anything was possible. 00:01:41.219 --> 00:01:48.400 He knew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a chance to spread his wings and to find his role in life. 00:01:48.960 --> 00:01:54.020 Maybe he was going to move to the big city, go to Dublin or even go abroad for a couple of years. 00:01:54.019 --> 00:01:59.099 He's sure he'd have the opportunity to find a good Bible church wherever he's settled. 00:01:59.239 --> 00:02:01.159 There were Christians everywhere after all, isn't there? 00:02:01.319 --> 00:02:04.319 So people in his home church would understand. 00:02:05.340 --> 00:02:08.439 Nobody was going to tell him that he shouldn't go or couldn't go. 00:02:08.939 --> 00:02:13.400 At most, maybe his pastor would gently say that, well, you know, you'd be missed here. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:17.599 And maybe you should consider staying here or finding a job locally. 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:21.560 But Mike felt that all the options were there before him. 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:24.439 But which to choose? 00:02:25.259 --> 00:02:28.819 How could he know God's direction in all of this? 00:02:29.919 --> 00:02:34.019 So if Mike was in our church, what would you say to him? 00:02:35.219 --> 00:02:37.699 Maybe you're in the same situation this morning. 00:02:38.099 --> 00:02:41.599 Maybe you're needing to decide about going or staying. 00:02:42.259 --> 00:02:44.039 Do you know how to make the decision? 00:02:44.819 --> 00:02:46.560 Do you know what you should consider? 00:02:46.560 --> 00:02:52.939 On the other side, do we know what we can say to someone like Mike or someone in these situations? 00:02:53.300 --> 00:02:54.680 What is the right answer? 00:02:54.759 --> 00:02:56.300 Is there any advice that we can give? 00:02:57.759 --> 00:03:02.980 And the theme or what I want us to get this morning or really come to is this. 00:03:03.199 --> 00:03:11.360 It's our love for Jesus will be measured by how our decisions involve the Christian community. 00:03:11.360 --> 00:03:16.660 Our love for Jesus will be measured by how our decisions involve the Christian community. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:20.880 So what we're looking at this morning, I think, is very critical, very important, 00:03:21.380 --> 00:03:24.820 and really reveals our heart and our love for Jesus. 00:03:24.819 --> 00:03:34.340 And I have to say, as I'm speaking this morning, this isn't directed to individuals particularly or individual situations. 00:03:34.599 --> 00:03:37.799 I don't have all the answers for your particular situation. 00:03:37.919 --> 00:03:41.139 So I'm not up here telling you to go or to stay. 00:03:42.139 --> 00:03:43.599 Happy to have those conversations. 00:03:43.740 --> 00:03:44.620 I think they should happen. 00:03:44.620 --> 00:03:53.379 But what I want to say is that the good news is that the Bible speaks this morning into all these very similar kinds of situations. 00:03:54.080 --> 00:03:59.200 And I believe it's as we listen to the Bible and we bring our hearts and our minds under Christ 00:03:59.200 --> 00:04:06.219 that we can begin to have confidence about the answer to the particular questions for our situations and situations we know about. 00:04:06.219 --> 00:04:09.639 We can be confident, I believe, in what God has given us. 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:11.340 He's given us his word. 00:04:12.020 --> 00:04:13.180 He's given us his spirit. 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:15.120 And he has given us his people. 00:04:15.879 --> 00:04:21.939 So let's look together now then at the example of Epaphroditus in Philippians chapter 2 and verses 25 to 30 00:04:21.939 --> 00:04:26.540 and see what it is that God expects of us in these situations. 00:04:28.540 --> 00:04:30.500 You may have read it for us. 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:34.779 But I think it's good if we just take a minute just to go through it again quickly. 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:35.839 This is what it says. 00:04:35.839 --> 00:04:41.079 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, 00:04:41.239 --> 00:04:44.759 who is also your messenger whom you sent to take care of my needs. 00:04:45.060 --> 00:04:49.179 For he longs for all of you in his distress because you heard that he was ill. 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:51.199 Indeed, he was ill and almost died. 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:57.139 But God had mercy on him and not on him only, but also on me to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 00:04:57.979 --> 00:05:01.899 Therefore, I am all the more eager to send him so that when you see him again, 00:05:02.019 --> 00:05:04.459 you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 00:05:04.459 --> 00:05:10.979 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy and honor men like him because he almost died for the work of Christ, 00:05:11.479 --> 00:05:14.979 risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me. 00:05:14.980 --> 00:05:22.160 And the first thing I want us to notice here is that there are three distinct activities happening, I believe. 00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:24.200 There is, first of all, sending. 00:05:24.840 --> 00:05:25.720 There is going. 00:05:26.120 --> 00:05:27.140 And then there is receiving. 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:28.300 So there's three activities. 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:29.620 Sending, going and receiving. 00:05:30.259 --> 00:05:30.879 Do you see them? 00:05:31.379 --> 00:05:33.319 The first couple are in verse 25. 00:05:33.939 --> 00:05:34.300 Paul says, 00:05:34.300 --> 00:05:40.900 So Paul is the one who is doing the sending. 00:05:41.680 --> 00:05:44.220 And obviously, Epaphroditus is the one who is doing the going. 00:05:44.900 --> 00:05:48.819 And if we jump down to verse 29, this is what Paul says. 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:53.639 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy and honor such men. 00:05:53.639 --> 00:05:58.060 Welcome is, it's the same word as receive or welcome him. 00:05:58.459 --> 00:06:04.339 And it's written to the church at Philippi to receive Epaphroditus as being sent by Paul. 00:06:04.759 --> 00:06:05.620 So three things. 00:06:06.259 --> 00:06:08.159 There's a sending, a going and a receiving. 00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:15.360 And even now, I want us to be honest about ourselves and about what often takes place within church communities. 00:06:15.820 --> 00:06:22.760 When people decide to go from the church, in a lot of cases, there is really only one party involved. 00:06:23.380 --> 00:06:24.460 The person who goes. 00:06:25.520 --> 00:06:27.220 This isn't what we often see, is it? 00:06:27.700 --> 00:06:32.580 So there's more happening in these few verses here than what we're used to. 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:36.600 So this morning, I think we need to take time to look at all three of the activities. 00:06:36.600 --> 00:06:39.879 And we can't separate those from the people involved. 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:43.720 So we need to look at the people, the characters, what we read about here. 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:48.180 Because I believe what we have here in Philippians, it's not weird. 00:06:48.500 --> 00:06:49.540 It's not special. 00:06:49.640 --> 00:06:53.300 Or it's only for gospel ministers or gospel Christians or people in the first century. 00:06:53.660 --> 00:06:56.780 I believe it applies to all of us who want to follow Jesus. 00:06:58.040 --> 00:07:04.120 And really, the example we have in verses 25 to 30 and most of chapter 2 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:10.519 is really just a careful outworking and application of the first four verses of Philippians, 00:07:11.280 --> 00:07:14.139 which is, in some ways, the teaching element. 00:07:14.740 --> 00:07:21.259 So verses 1 to 4 is kind of the background or the teaching or the principles that Paul wants the believers in the church to grasp. 00:07:21.819 --> 00:07:27.780 And in some ways, what happens after verses 4 are examples and encouragements and outworkings of that. 00:07:27.779 --> 00:07:35.639 So if we say we love and know Jesus, as it's described in verse 1, it's talking about unity with Christ, loving Jesus, 00:07:36.239 --> 00:07:42.659 then we have to accept what it says in verses 2 to 4 as a demand on our lives. 00:07:43.059 --> 00:07:49.059 And we should see the examples contained within the rest of the chapter within our life together as a church, 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:50.459 the same kind of examples. 00:07:50.459 --> 00:07:54.839 So this is written to a church just like ourselves, working through the gospel. 00:07:56.259 --> 00:08:01.919 And in a sense, chapter 2 is just working out the very words of Jesus himself to his disciples. 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:04.519 This is Jesus' own measure of discipleship. 00:08:05.339 --> 00:08:10.219 John chapter 13, two verses, they're familiar, 34 and 35. 00:08:10.359 --> 00:08:10.859 Jesus says, 00:08:11.620 --> 00:08:17.039 A new command I give you, love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another. 00:08:17.500 --> 00:08:18.240 And this is the key. 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:24.240 By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. 00:08:24.780 --> 00:08:28.460 By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. 00:08:28.579 --> 00:08:30.680 And it's this that's been worked out in chapter 2. 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:34.720 Love for God, love for Jesus means love for others. 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:38.620 So again, I get back to that title. 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:47.139 Our love for Jesus will be measured and should be measured by how our decision making involves the Christian community, the church. 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:55.379 I think it's good to have just, we're landing right into the middle of the book of Philippians, which is a little bit unfair, I think. 00:08:56.919 --> 00:08:58.680 Why are we here? What's Philippians about? 00:08:58.940 --> 00:09:00.379 So a little bit of background information. 00:09:01.180 --> 00:09:03.960 The apostle Paul himself is in prison at this time. 00:09:04.580 --> 00:09:11.299 He was in prison a number of times and not 100% sure, but it seems that in this case he was in the city of Rome and prison there. 00:09:11.299 --> 00:09:18.359 So according to the authorities, the rulers of the time, Paul is a criminal and not just any ordinary criminal. 00:09:18.579 --> 00:09:26.120 He's one who is sitting on death row awaiting either execution or freedom, life or death, the two things sitting in front of him. 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:34.360 And you can look back at chapter 1 and verses 15 to 17 and we can see there that there were many preachers of the gospel, 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:42.960 fellow believers it seems, who have turned against Paul, have turned on Paul and are delighting in the opportunity to promote themselves 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:46.159 and to cause trouble for Paul while he rots in prison. 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:47.139 Imagine that. 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:54.899 And so we can begin to relate to Paul the kind of emotional and mental stress and strain that he must be under. 00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:55.799 He's imprisoned. 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:57.199 He's under attack. 00:09:57.460 --> 00:09:58.220 He's chained. 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:06.539 Yet in all of those circumstances, in all those personal discomforts, Paul writes this letter, the letter of Philippians, 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:12.740 which is known as the letter of joy within the New Testament to the church in the city of Philippi. 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:15.860 The letter is, it's filled with joy. 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:21.000 The word joy or rejoice or things like that are mentioned 16 times throughout the letter. 00:10:21.180 --> 00:10:22.700 It's running through the whole thing. 00:10:23.320 --> 00:10:34.720 And there's constantly these warm feelings, these warm thoughts, warm prayers, and indeed warm actions towards his dear partner church in Philippi. 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:39.519 And the church in Philippi was a faithful church to Paul. 00:10:40.279 --> 00:10:44.120 It had always partnered with Paul, supporting him when others didn't. 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:49.560 If you look at chapter 4 and verses 14 and 15, I think we get a sense of this. 00:10:49.700 --> 00:10:50.899 And there's some helpful things here. 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:58.120 As we look at the example of Paul and the church in Philippi, how they relate and how we relate to those that are bringing the gospel to other parts. 00:10:58.919 --> 00:10:59.799 And what Paul says, 00:10:59.799 --> 00:11:25.139 While others sought to discredit and harass Paul at the time he was in prison, the community in Philippi had a different approach. 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:26.340 They got off their backsides. 00:11:26.699 --> 00:11:34.439 Yet again, they had a history of it and they reached out to Paul, partnering with him as they always had in this matter of giving and receiving. 00:11:35.819 --> 00:11:42.600 And it was one of these church-sponsored mission trips, for want of a better phrase, that Epaphroditus was sent to Paul. 00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:47.200 And sorry, back to chapter 2 now, verse 29, and we can see that. 00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:52.659 Risking his own life to bring a gift from the church to Paul. 00:11:53.180 --> 00:11:54.279 So that's what's taking place. 00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:57.960 The church in Philippi has sent Epaphroditus to Paul to bring a gift. 00:11:58.519 --> 00:12:02.019 And now we're picking up the story, the return leg. 00:12:02.680 --> 00:12:05.540 Paul is writing a thank you letter, effectively. 00:12:05.539 --> 00:12:12.179 The letter of Philippians is in thanks for that gift and the occasion of the letter is the gift that they've sent him. 00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:13.899 And he's sending it back to the church. 00:12:14.299 --> 00:12:16.539 And he's also sending back to them Epaphroditus. 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:21.319 So we're going to look at the three things now. 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:24.079 Sending, going and receiving. 00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:26.199 Firstly, Paul the sender. 00:12:26.339 --> 00:12:28.620 Back to verse 25. 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:37.519 And to understand Paul sending Epaphroditus, I think we have to understand the value of Epaphroditus to Paul. 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:40.060 There's a lot packed into verse 25. 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:42.600 There's five different characteristics. 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:45.060 I'm not going to go into them in all their detail. 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:46.740 I'm sure you're thankful for that. 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:50.500 But there's five characteristics of Epaphroditus given to us in verse 25. 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:58.679 And all of them directly relate to how valuable Epaphroditus is to Paul and show the value of Epaphroditus to Paul. 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:06.340 Towards the end of the verse, we see that Epaphroditus was sent by the Philippians as a messenger and as a minister to Paul. 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:10.580 As a messenger, he's simply carrying news about the church to Paul. 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:13.940 Bringing news of how they're doing, how they're getting on. 00:13:13.940 --> 00:13:22.740 And as a minister, he is coming to take care of Paul's needs, to minister to Paul, to take care of his physical needs, to bring him a gift. 00:13:23.880 --> 00:13:31.080 And the phrase at the end of verse 30 is, it's translated easily for us here, but it is a little bit strange. 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:39.360 Literally it reads that Epaphroditus completed what was lacking in the Philippians' service to Paul at the end of verse 30. 00:13:39.820 --> 00:13:42.420 Risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me. 00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:46.860 Or Epaphroditus was the one who completed what was lacking in their service. 00:13:47.159 --> 00:13:53.039 And there was nothing lacking in the gift that they'd set aside or what they were seeking to do. 00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:59.939 Sorry, just say the power light is flashing on the battery light, flashing on the laptop. 00:14:00.099 --> 00:14:02.500 I don't know if there's a power supply for it. Sorry. 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:03.439 Sorry. 00:14:05.439 --> 00:14:06.120 Sorry about that. 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:10.759 So there's nothing lacking in the gift per se that they've set aside. 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:14.379 But what was lacking in a sense was someone to bring it to Paul. 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:21.500 And that was where Epaphroditus stepped in as a minister of the gift to Paul. 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:27.200 So these two descriptions of Epaphroditus describe his role as a messenger and a minister. 00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:35.319 But in other words, they show the heart of someone who is willing to serve the needs of the church before his own needs. 00:14:35.320 --> 00:14:36.500 Someone that was willing to go. 00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:38.120 Someone that was willing to minister. 00:14:39.040 --> 00:14:41.140 And at the start of verse 25, we have three more descriptions. 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:44.400 These ones are given by Paul to describe Epaphroditus the man. 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:52.820 Epaphroditus is to Paul first a brother, a fellow worker, and a fellow soldier, as he says in verse 25. 00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:58.320 So Epaphroditus has become more to Paul than just a carrier of news. 00:14:58.560 --> 00:15:00.440 He's more to Paul than just a minister of needs. 00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:03.020 He's more to Paul than someone that's just bringing some money. 00:15:04.300 --> 00:15:09.020 Because these three descriptions, brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, 00:15:09.520 --> 00:15:10.500 they're warm. 00:15:11.320 --> 00:15:12.840 They're strong endorsements. 00:15:12.940 --> 00:15:13.680 They're affectionate. 00:15:13.679 --> 00:15:21.299 They speak of a dear brother who is working and fighting side by side with Paul, even as Paul sits in prison. 00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:28.359 So not only does Paul spend his time in verse 25 speaking in such glowing terms about Epaphroditus, 00:15:28.979 --> 00:15:34.000 but it's not just a head knowledge or recognition of who Epaphroditus is, 00:15:34.319 --> 00:15:39.179 but Paul clearly loves Epaphroditus and cares from deeply. 00:15:40.179 --> 00:15:42.179 Verse 27, speaking of Epaphroditus, 00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:45.620 Indeed, he was ill and almost died, but God had mercy on him, 00:15:46.059 --> 00:15:50.939 and not on him only, but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:55.500 Verse 27 speaks of Epaphroditus' narrow escape from death, 00:15:56.799 --> 00:15:59.959 having been something that spared Paul sorrow upon sorrow. 00:16:00.939 --> 00:16:05.659 It's almost as if Paul, already under the stress and strain of being in prison, 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:10.019 couldn't have bared to have seen Epaphroditus taken from him, 00:16:10.359 --> 00:16:11.740 and for Epaphroditus to have died. 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:16.980 So it's no exaggeration to say, and this is what I'm building towards, 00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:20.240 that Epaphroditus mattered to Paul. 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:26.200 Epaphroditus is one of the best companions and co-workers that Paul had at this time. 00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:33.159 And imagine, you know, that he was faced by people on the outside that was stirring up trouble for him while he was imprisoned. 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:39.399 Epaphroditus is a welcome and valuable companion and co-worker. 00:16:40.699 --> 00:16:42.319 Epaphroditus is valuable to Paul. 00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:49.720 All of which I think makes the first part of verse 25 more than a little surprising. 00:16:50.680 --> 00:16:55.840 If Epaphroditus was your friend serving in your church, what would you do with him? 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:56.820 Honestly. 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:59.100 I think I'd hold on to him. 00:16:59.100 --> 00:17:02.560 Well, this is how Paul introduced them back to his home church. 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:06.059 I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus. 00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:10.519 If I was reading that, getting a letter back about someone that we'd sent away on a missions trip, I'd be going, 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:13.160 what have they done this time? 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:14.279 I knew we shouldn't have sent them. 00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:16.079 But no. 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:19.619 So, why is Paul saying it's necessary to send him back? 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:20.679 What is Paul thinking? 00:17:20.839 --> 00:17:22.119 What's driving him? 00:17:22.139 --> 00:17:26.879 It's clearly not that Epaphroditus has been a disaster and needs to be kind of shunted to the side. 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:30.460 What's driving him is something completely different. 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:36.740 Paul is being compelled to send his best and his brightest, his most loyal companions. 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:40.899 Well, we return to those words of Jesus, I think. 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:42.179 That's where we start. 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:45.460 By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples. 00:17:46.140 --> 00:17:48.620 If you love one another. 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:54.160 How do we know that Paul is a disciple of Jesus Christ? 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:55.120 Because he says it? 00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:57.759 Because he says some nice words? 00:17:58.420 --> 00:18:00.220 Because he wrote verses 1 to 4? 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.779 Are they enough? 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:05.740 Well, I think we can know that Paul is a disciple of Christ 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:10.480 because we can see a connection between what he writes and what he says in verses 1 to 4 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:15.259 and what is taking place and happening in verses 25 to 30. 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:20.900 So let's look back to those verses at the beginning of chapter 2. 00:18:20.900 --> 00:18:24.320 Firstly, Jesus. 00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:24.859 Jesus. 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.179 Verse 1. 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:30.799 Being united to Christ and a love for him is always our starting point, isn't it? 00:18:31.439 --> 00:18:32.220 Jesus first. 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:34.460 Others second. 00:18:35.179 --> 00:18:35.720 Verse 2. 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:37.919 Unity matters. 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.720 Verse 3. 00:18:40.679 --> 00:18:42.279 Humility matters. 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.339 Verse 4. 00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:47.879 The interests of others matter. 00:18:48.580 --> 00:18:49.380 Jesus first. 00:18:49.380 --> 00:18:49.460 Jesus first. 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.200 Others second. 00:18:52.520 --> 00:18:55.840 And finally, well, it's going to be ourselves last then, isn't it? 00:18:56.280 --> 00:18:58.560 If I love others as Christ loved others, 00:18:58.780 --> 00:19:06.880 then my personal sense of fulfillment or my personal sense of comfort is irrelevant in those lights. 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:13.300 So the teaching of verses 1 to 4 is put into practice for us in verses 25 to 30. 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:16.940 25 to 30 is others-centered love in action. 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:21.880 For Paul, it's first of all, others-centered love for Epaphroditus. 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:26.880 Look at what it says here in verse 26. 00:19:27.840 --> 00:19:29.660 Epaphroditus is distressed. 00:19:29.800 --> 00:19:30.840 Epaphroditus is longing. 00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:35.459 Paul is sending Epaphroditus back to Philippi to relieve that stress, 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.500 to relieve that longing, 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:43.480 to take care of Epaphroditus' needs and his wants and his desires and his relief. 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:47.839 Secondly, Paul's love is centered on the church, isn't it? 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:52.339 He's sending Epaphroditus back to the church so that the church may be glad, 00:19:52.939 --> 00:19:56.539 the church may be full of joy and blessed by having Epaphroditus with them. 00:19:56.539 --> 00:20:03.159 And what it says in verse 28 there, Paul as well can be less anxious for the church. 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:07.539 Why would Paul be less anxious for the church knowing that Epaphroditus is back there? 00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:08.799 Well, wouldn't you? 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:12.819 Someone like Epaphroditus, as able and as blessed and as gifted 00:20:12.819 --> 00:20:15.879 and as Christ-centered as he is going to that church, 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:18.819 sure, Paul can be less anxious about the church that he loves, 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:21.420 knowing that he sent Epaphroditus back. 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:28.440 So the inspiring words about unity, humility, other-centered love that we read about 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:34.900 in the first four verses of chapter 2 are backed up by real feelings for real people 00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:36.980 and real sacrificial giving. 00:20:37.800 --> 00:20:43.700 So it's clear then, isn't it, that sending Epaphroditus back is necessary. 00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:45.660 Paul is compelled. 00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:46.940 He has no choice. 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:52.700 He's a disciple of Jesus Christ, therefore Epaphroditus is going back. 00:20:53.820 --> 00:21:00.380 Our love for Jesus will be measured by how our decisions involve the Christian community. 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:03.299 Paul's priorities are always other-centered. 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:06.720 His concern is for their well-being and their growth in the gospel, 00:21:06.900 --> 00:21:08.240 others' well-being and others' growth. 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:10.799 It's there time and time again in this letter. 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:15.940 Just look back at chapter 1 and verses 23 and 24. 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:23.019 Philippians chapter 1, verses 23, verse 23-24. 00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:25.899 I am torn between the two, Paul talking about his imprisonment. 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:30.000 I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:37.079 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 00:21:37.379 --> 00:21:39.659 It's that same word again, necessary. 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:46.180 As Paul wrestles with the thoughts of facing death and going to be with Jesus, 00:21:46.320 --> 00:21:48.620 which is what he really desires himself, 00:21:49.060 --> 00:21:51.279 Paul is confident that his life will be spared, 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:56.480 as Epaphroditus' life was spared, for the church, for others. 00:21:56.620 --> 00:22:00.700 It is necessary for Paul to remain for the same reason as Epaphroditus, 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:05.400 but because it is more necessary for the sake of the church that he remains alive. 00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:13.860 In some ways, we are not used to this level of commitment or talking in these terms quite often. 00:22:15.060 --> 00:22:18.960 We love Jesus, but then we struggle with being part of a church community. 00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:21.700 Well, we say we love Jesus, 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:28.880 but have we worked it through to how we love others by putting them at the centre of our decision making? 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:32.660 Have we connected loving Jesus with putting others at the centre? 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:37.519 Number two, Epaphroditus, the goer, the person that goes. 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:41.759 So Paul is the sender who's practising what he preaches, which is good to see. 00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:43.819 Epaphroditus then is the willing goer. 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:49.159 And he too has the same other-centred outlook on his life that's driving him. 00:22:50.159 --> 00:22:56.039 If we look at verse 29 and verse 30, 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:59.240 he is the godly risk-taker, isn't he? 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:02.200 Motivated by love and service for others. 00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:05.539 His original trip was to serve Paul in the church, 00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:06.960 and it says in verse 30, 00:23:07.379 --> 00:23:08.759 for the work of Christ. 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:13.200 And the term about risk-taking here, 00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:14.799 it's almost like a gambling term. 00:23:15.099 --> 00:23:17.019 It's like a calculated risk that he took. 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:18.359 He knew there was dangers. 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:21.720 Trips at those times were often quite dangerous 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:24.000 between these big cities and over distances. 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:28.879 But he was willing to take the risk for Paul, for his church. 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:30.339 He was willing to make the trip. 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:34.980 And now his return trip is also motivated by other-centred love. 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:41.240 It sounds like, doesn't it, in verse 26, 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:45.420 that he is deeply troubled and distressed in his spirit. 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:47.839 He's longing for his home church 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:50.299 because he knows that they are worrying about him. 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.720 So, I don't know, 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:56.220 if I was coming off the end of a life-threatening illness, 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:58.819 I think it would be okay to be worried about yourself, 00:23:59.059 --> 00:24:00.339 to be worried about your own health, 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:02.319 to be worried about your own well-being. 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:05.720 But Epaphroditus is others-focused. 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:09.399 He's worried about this church in Philippi, 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.519 hearing about him being ill, 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.879 and about them being worried, 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:14.059 even though he was the one that was infected, 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:15.839 that was near to death, that had suffered. 00:24:16.439 --> 00:24:19.899 He is totally others-centred in his emotions and his outlook. 00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:24.340 And, you know, 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:30.360 I think sometimes we're a bit scared of talking about emotional language 00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:33.080 or addressing emotions like this within church life. 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:36.420 And can I say it, maybe especially in Baptistic circles, 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:41.600 we're kind of more comfortable talking about the will and the mind. 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:44.659 And we kind of rightly see the danger of emotionalism 00:24:44.659 --> 00:24:46.019 and being driven by your emotions 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:48.480 and how easily what we call the heart, 00:24:49.639 --> 00:24:51.319 you know, we mean the centre of our emotions, 00:24:51.639 --> 00:24:53.480 can easily lead us astray. 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:55.779 And so we disconnect the head from the heart 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:58.699 and we kind of maybe focus more on what we call the head 00:24:58.699 --> 00:25:01.439 and try and get the heart in line with the head. 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:04.420 But I think it's a bit more connected than that. 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:09.019 I think our emotions and our will are much more closely linked than we say. 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:11.840 We try to separate them, but I'm not sure that's always the best. 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:15.860 Because can we say that we believe that we should love others 00:25:15.860 --> 00:25:16.980 and that that is important 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:20.160 and then not be moved deeply within us, 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:22.400 deeply inside us by that love? 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:26.620 If we say we love people, should we not be distressed? 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:28.620 Should we not be longing for them? 00:25:28.619 --> 00:25:31.739 If we're not anxious, if we're not rejoicing, 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:34.179 if we're not glad, if we don't feel these emotions, 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:35.559 have we really understood it? 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:37.879 What is that head knowledge? 00:25:38.419 --> 00:25:40.000 It's meaningless, it's worthless. 00:25:40.399 --> 00:25:41.399 It's not real knowing. 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:46.399 Real knowing keeps these two things connected and close. 00:25:48.199 --> 00:25:49.599 So we should talk about the will, 00:25:49.679 --> 00:25:50.799 we should talk about the mind, 00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:52.479 but we should talk about the heart. 00:25:52.679 --> 00:25:57.439 Other centred emotions should be a central part of our lives as Christians. 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:59.080 We shouldn't be afraid to talk about them, 00:25:59.160 --> 00:26:01.559 to encourage them, to see the close connection. 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:13.000 One thing I find helpful in thinking about this 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:18.039 is a kind of a little illustration from Jonathan Edwards. 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:21.320 I don't read Jonathan Edwards because it's very difficult. 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:22.420 I just pick up quotes. 00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:26.580 He's an 18th century American theologian and preacher, 00:26:27.580 --> 00:26:29.080 but he has this little illustration. 00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:33.740 There is a difference between having a rational judgment 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:35.240 that honey is sweet 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:38.680 and having a sense of its sweetness. 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:41.039 Let me say that again. 00:26:41.100 --> 00:26:43.259 There's a difference between having a rational judgment 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:44.340 that honey is sweet 00:26:44.340 --> 00:26:47.060 and having a sense of its sweetness. 00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:49.720 The two should be connected, shouldn't they? 00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:51.500 Do we speak about loving others 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:57.019 or are we moved deep within us to actually love others 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:59.139 like Epaphroditus and like Paul did? 00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:03.539 Our hearts and our actions reveal the depth of our understanding, 00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:06.500 whether we just know about the sweetness of God 00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:08.759 or whether we have really tasted it 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:10.899 will be seen in our decision making 00:27:10.899 --> 00:27:12.919 how we treat the community around us. 00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:17.140 And of course, the problem isn't often just the lack of the emotions 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:19.420 or that we're suppressing emotions or anything like that, 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:22.600 but rather that the emotions we feel are self-centered, 00:27:22.800 --> 00:27:23.640 not other-centered. 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:26.259 So when it comes to making decisions about going, 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:28.000 about the direction of our lives, 00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:31.360 the emotion we probably most often feel is fear. 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:34.460 Fear that our careers will fail 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:36.420 if we don't take this job opportunity, 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.840 if we don't take this promotion, 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:39.700 which will take more time 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:41.140 and take us away from our families, 00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:43.140 our church life and everything else. 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:46.580 Maybe we have fears about being stuck 00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:49.320 in a small house or unsuitable accommodation 00:27:49.320 --> 00:27:50.780 if we don't make the move right now 00:27:50.780 --> 00:27:51.980 and grab this opportunity. 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.440 We could be stuck here forever. 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:56.160 We have fears that we won't have 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:58.200 a Christian boyfriend or girlfriend 00:27:58.200 --> 00:28:00.420 or ultimately a Christian husband or wife 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:03.100 if we don't go to another church or move out. 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:05.360 We have fears that if we stay in this church, 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:06.600 we're going to have to work really hard 00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:07.520 because it's really small 00:28:07.520 --> 00:28:09.380 and wouldn't it be nice to be part of a different church 00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:10.400 and doing different things 00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:11.760 and maybe a bigger church 00:28:11.760 --> 00:28:12.980 or just something new and different 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:15.040 because this is all really hard 00:28:15.040 --> 00:28:16.420 and we have those fears. 00:28:17.300 --> 00:28:18.000 And so we go. 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:20.460 Not because we love others. 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:23.440 We go because we love ourselves. 00:28:27.060 --> 00:28:28.340 In the business of going, 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:29.840 there are senders, goers, 00:28:29.840 --> 00:28:31.200 and finally receivers. 00:28:32.340 --> 00:28:33.620 And the receiver in this case 00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:35.379 is the church in Philippi 00:28:35.379 --> 00:28:37.539 to which Paul gives the instructions 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.719 in verse 29. 00:28:39.659 --> 00:28:40.759 Welcome him in the Lord 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:42.519 with great joy and honour men like him. 00:28:43.699 --> 00:28:44.979 When people come to us, 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:47.059 how do we welcome them? 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:49.099 It's always interesting to talk to people 00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:50.379 that have been here a little while 00:28:50.379 --> 00:28:52.439 and to ask them about their first experiences 00:28:52.439 --> 00:28:53.899 of coming to Carragoline 00:28:53.899 --> 00:28:56.179 and to see how we do in that. 00:28:56.239 --> 00:28:57.839 And I think at times we do well 00:28:57.839 --> 00:29:00.299 and at times we do poorly as a church. 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:02.919 But I think the encouragements are there. 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:04.180 So be encouraged this morning. 00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:06.899 But are we willing to make the effort 00:29:06.899 --> 00:29:08.299 with new people as they arrive? 00:29:08.659 --> 00:29:10.039 Or have we become burned 00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:11.639 too many times in the past? 00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:14.259 Maybe you've made the effort 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:15.480 to reach out to a couple 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.919 or a family or an individual 00:29:16.919 --> 00:29:18.000 that has come to the church. 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:20.279 You've tried to befriend them. 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.559 You've tried to get to know them. 00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.659 You've invited them to things 00:29:22.659 --> 00:29:24.839 only to find that they then move on 00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:26.940 without any sense of having belonged, 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:29.200 any sense of having been connected 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:31.180 or any acknowledgement 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:32.680 of the efforts that have been made. 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:35.160 Now other people have come 00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:36.600 and it's hard to get yourself up again, 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:37.759 to risk again, 00:29:37.840 --> 00:29:38.400 to try again, 00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:39.220 to open up again. 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:42.220 Don't become despondent. 00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:43.680 Continue to welcome people. 00:29:43.840 --> 00:29:44.960 Continue to receive people. 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:47.759 Continue to spend yourself again 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:48.400 in loving them. 00:29:50.080 --> 00:29:51.299 Thankfully in some cases 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.720 there are cases 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:54.559 where there's others centered 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:56.200 sending and going 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:57.620 and receiving taking place 00:29:57.620 --> 00:29:59.039 and even within the life of the church here 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:00.659 people come to church 00:30:00.659 --> 00:30:02.180 with the commendation 00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:03.480 of their previous church 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:04.859 like the commendation 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:07.139 that Paul sends Epaphroditus back with. 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:08.859 Those words in verse 25 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:10.599 speaking of Epaphroditus. 00:30:11.339 --> 00:30:12.440 And that does happen 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.559 and that's encouraging to see 00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:16.339 because then it's natural, isn't it, 00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:18.299 to receive such people with joy 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:19.980 and to honor such people. 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:22.779 Receiving works best 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:24.980 when there is sending and going 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.700 that is in line 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:27.799 with these biblical principles 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:28.500 and ideals. 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:32.100 We can send 00:30:32.100 --> 00:30:34.319 and go and receive 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:35.200 with confidence 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:36.700 when God is put first 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:38.380 others come next 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:40.539 and self follows last. 00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:42.279 When we do this 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:45.559 we become living examples 00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:46.840 of Jesus Christ 00:30:46.840 --> 00:30:48.140 to one another. 00:30:48.880 --> 00:30:50.960 Our lives begin to reflect 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:52.319 true humility 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:53.419 and true love. 00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:54.579 The love and humility 00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.399 of the Saviour 00:30:55.399 --> 00:30:57.399 as we put others first. 00:30:58.599 --> 00:31:00.079 It is his example 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:01.319 that then shines through. 00:31:02.419 --> 00:31:03.339 Verse 6 00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:03.740 Who 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:06.139 being in very nature God 00:31:06.139 --> 00:31:07.539 did not consider 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.619 equality with God 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:09.720 something to be grasped 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:11.619 but made himself nothing 00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:13.519 taking the very nature 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.139 of a servant 00:31:14.139 --> 00:31:15.240 and be made 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:16.159 in human likeness 00:31:16.159 --> 00:31:17.659 and being found 00:31:17.659 --> 00:31:18.220 in appearance 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:18.899 as a man 00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:20.019 he humbled himself 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:21.839 and became obedient 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:22.519 to death 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.940 even death 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.819 on a cross. 00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:26.519 Therefore God 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:27.500 exalted him 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.579 to the highest place 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.759 and gave him 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.240 the name 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:30.839 that is above 00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:31.660 every name 00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:32.379 that at the name 00:31:32.379 --> 00:31:33.019 of Jesus 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:34.160 every knee 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:34.660 should bow 00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:35.079 in heaven 00:31:35.079 --> 00:31:35.700 and on earth 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:36.379 and under the earth 00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:37.440 and every tongue 00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:38.960 confess that Jesus Christ 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.720 is Lord 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.879 to the glory 00:31:40.879 --> 00:31:42.400 of God the Father. 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:45.440 For Jesus 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:47.240 is the true 00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:48.099 and better 00:31:48.099 --> 00:31:49.119 Epaphroditus 00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:50.939 who not only 00:31:50.939 --> 00:31:52.059 risked his life 00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:54.139 but gave his life 00:31:54.139 --> 00:31:55.419 to be our messenger 00:31:55.419 --> 00:31:56.899 and to be our minister 00:31:56.899 --> 00:31:58.679 bringing with him 00:31:58.679 --> 00:31:59.579 good news 00:31:59.579 --> 00:32:01.319 and sent to take care 00:32:01.319 --> 00:32:03.319 of our only real need 00:32:03.319 --> 00:32:04.859 the need of salvation 00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:05.699 from the wrath 00:32:05.699 --> 00:32:06.879 of God. 00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:09.399 Jesus is our true 00:32:09.399 --> 00:32:10.559 and better brother 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:12.679 who we now serve 00:32:12.679 --> 00:32:13.659 as fellow workers 00:32:13.659 --> 00:32:15.039 and fellow soldiers 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:17.719 bringing the same message 00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:19.839 and ministering his grace 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:22.000 to the nations. 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:25.259 It's all about him. 00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:26.839 You can't read 00:32:26.839 --> 00:32:27.600 Philippians 2 00:32:27.600 --> 00:32:28.860 and not come back 00:32:28.860 --> 00:32:29.559 to the example 00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:31.640 of Christ. 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:33.420 He is the fulfillment 00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:34.039 of it all. 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:35.500 He is the ultimate example. 00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:36.799 It is him ultimately 00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:37.960 that we want to point 00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:39.279 others to. 00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:43.019 So what about us? 00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:46.920 Some applications maybe 00:32:46.920 --> 00:32:48.180 some things to 00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:49.759 hopefully chew over 00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:52.099 and if there is anything 00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:52.819 that I am speaking about 00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:53.259 this morning 00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:54.240 you want to talk about 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:56.019 please just come and chat 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:57.819 or talk to other people 00:32:57.819 --> 00:32:58.539 within the life 00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:59.079 of the church. 00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:00.799 I think these are 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.799 good things to discuss. 00:33:02.660 --> 00:33:03.539 Don't just go 00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:05.119 number one 00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:06.160 but be part of 00:33:06.160 --> 00:33:07.200 gospel sending 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:08.420 and receiving. 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:09.840 If going from 00:33:09.840 --> 00:33:10.660 one community 00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:11.840 of believers 00:33:11.840 --> 00:33:12.880 to another community 00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:13.299 of believers 00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:14.519 involves three parties 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:15.980 and three actions 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:17.360 going, sending, receiving 00:33:17.360 --> 00:33:18.700 why do we reduce it 00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.700 to just our decision 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.360 to go then? 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.799 We need to take 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:22.500 the opportunities 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:23.539 we have to practice 00:33:23.539 --> 00:33:24.600 others centred 00:33:24.600 --> 00:33:26.120 sending, going 00:33:26.120 --> 00:33:27.140 and receiving. 00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:29.019 So when confronted 00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:30.240 and we will be 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:31.740 if you haven't been already 00:33:31.740 --> 00:33:32.740 with decisions 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:33.539 that will impact 00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.140 your ability 00:33:34.140 --> 00:33:35.019 to be part 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:36.279 of the Christian community 00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:37.519 don't begin 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:38.700 to isolate yourself. 00:33:39.299 --> 00:33:40.379 Talk to the church 00:33:40.379 --> 00:33:41.660 talk to people here 00:33:41.660 --> 00:33:43.339 talk to people you know 00:33:43.339 --> 00:33:44.279 ask people 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:45.359 what do you think 00:33:45.359 --> 00:33:45.839 about this? 00:33:46.839 --> 00:33:47.879 Ask yourself 00:33:47.879 --> 00:33:49.240 what putting Jesus 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:50.160 and others first 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:50.759 would mean 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.899 for this decision. 00:33:52.379 --> 00:33:52.960 How would it look 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.680 different if 00:33:53.680 --> 00:33:54.799 Jesus and others 00:33:54.799 --> 00:33:55.480 were the priority 00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:56.220 in this decision? 00:33:57.399 --> 00:33:58.359 Job opportunities 00:33:58.359 --> 00:34:00.319 long distance 00:34:00.319 --> 00:34:01.259 relationships 00:34:01.259 --> 00:34:03.259 study at college 00:34:03.259 --> 00:34:04.660 setting up home 00:34:04.660 --> 00:34:06.320 deciding to go away 00:34:06.320 --> 00:34:07.040 for a few months 00:34:07.040 --> 00:34:07.720 over the summer? 00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:09.659 These are all things 00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.579 that we can 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.920 and should work out 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:12.740 within the sense 00:34:12.740 --> 00:34:13.280 of a community 00:34:13.280 --> 00:34:14.240 because they impact 00:34:14.240 --> 00:34:14.780 a community. 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:17.760 By the way 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:18.960 the answer is not always 00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:20.159 you have to stay 00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:20.780 where you are. 00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:22.240 In fact 00:34:22.240 --> 00:34:23.360 if we look at this section 00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:24.159 of scripture 00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:25.220 the answer for 00:34:25.220 --> 00:34:25.920 Epaphroditus 00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:26.440 and Timothy 00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:27.099 who we haven't had 00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:27.860 a chance to consider 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:29.000 both of them 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.760 the answer was 00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:30.380 yeah 00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:31.220 go 00:34:31.220 --> 00:34:32.159 great 00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:33.559 so don't be afraid 00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:34.679 that if you engage 00:34:34.679 --> 00:34:36.639 with the elders 00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:37.659 or leaders in the church 00:34:37.659 --> 00:34:38.699 or the church community 00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:40.219 if you do that openly 00:34:40.219 --> 00:34:40.839 and honestly 00:34:40.839 --> 00:34:42.539 if you look at these questions 00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:43.279 that the answer 00:34:43.279 --> 00:34:44.500 is going to be 00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:44.960 oh no 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:46.259 we really think 00:34:46.259 --> 00:34:47.659 you should stay. 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:48.960 It may mean 00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:49.599 that you go 00:34:49.599 --> 00:34:50.719 with the clear blessing 00:34:50.719 --> 00:34:51.960 and support 00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:53.319 of a whole community 00:34:53.319 --> 00:34:54.000 behind you. 00:34:55.239 --> 00:34:56.059 And as a church 00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:57.099 and I'm speaking 00:34:57.099 --> 00:34:58.279 especially to myself 00:34:58.279 --> 00:34:58.679 and Johnny 00:34:58.679 --> 00:34:58.980 I think 00:34:58.980 --> 00:35:00.539 we need to be proactive 00:35:00.539 --> 00:35:01.380 in identifying 00:35:01.380 --> 00:35:02.519 and encouraging people 00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:03.880 to go and to stay 00:35:03.880 --> 00:35:04.340 don't we? 00:35:04.420 --> 00:35:05.159 We need to be 00:35:05.159 --> 00:35:06.139 thinking about that 00:35:06.139 --> 00:35:07.019 and helping people 00:35:07.019 --> 00:35:07.559 through that 00:35:07.559 --> 00:35:09.420 but that's something 00:35:09.420 --> 00:35:10.300 for the whole church 00:35:10.300 --> 00:35:11.480 and I think 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:12.360 if we bring it back 00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:13.639 to this three way involvement 00:35:13.639 --> 00:35:15.199 then we can have confidence 00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:16.619 that what we are doing 00:35:16.619 --> 00:35:17.559 like verse 30 00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:19.199 is for the work 00:35:19.199 --> 00:35:20.079 of Christ. 00:35:21.699 --> 00:35:22.559 Number two 00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:24.380 when do I need 00:35:24.380 --> 00:35:25.400 to involve the church? 00:35:26.340 --> 00:35:27.179 That's a good question 00:35:27.179 --> 00:35:27.960 very practical 00:35:27.960 --> 00:35:30.380 you don't need 00:35:30.380 --> 00:35:31.119 to call a church 00:35:31.119 --> 00:35:31.699 members meeting 00:35:31.699 --> 00:35:32.300 about whether you 00:35:32.300 --> 00:35:32.980 should be driving 00:35:32.980 --> 00:35:33.400 to work 00:35:33.400 --> 00:35:34.220 or taking the bus 00:35:34.220 --> 00:35:35.380 okay 00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:36.179 so that's the first one 00:35:36.179 --> 00:35:36.440 okay 00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:37.940 and that's 00:35:37.940 --> 00:35:39.960 I don't have a list 00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:40.400 I'm not going to go 00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:40.820 through everything 00:35:40.820 --> 00:35:41.300 like that 00:35:41.300 --> 00:35:42.780 but obviously 00:35:42.780 --> 00:35:43.300 there are times 00:35:43.300 --> 00:35:43.679 where 00:35:43.679 --> 00:35:45.199 you have freedom 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:46.099 to make decisions 00:35:46.099 --> 00:35:46.880 you know 00:35:46.880 --> 00:35:48.619 it's not 00:35:48.619 --> 00:35:49.360 it's not that you 00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:49.860 have to involve 00:35:49.860 --> 00:35:50.260 the church 00:35:50.260 --> 00:35:51.019 in every decision 00:35:51.019 --> 00:35:52.980 and what I have now 00:35:52.980 --> 00:35:53.559 is taken from 00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:54.619 the gospel centered life 00:35:54.619 --> 00:35:55.579 which is a study 00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:56.639 by Steve Timmis 00:35:56.639 --> 00:35:57.259 and Tim Chester 00:35:57.259 --> 00:35:58.319 that we were using 00:35:58.319 --> 00:35:59.139 in our growth groups 00:35:59.139 --> 00:36:00.440 on this very topic 00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:01.319 and I thought it was 00:36:01.319 --> 00:36:01.920 very helpful 00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:03.259 and this is what it says 00:36:03.259 --> 00:36:04.839 our principle should be 00:36:04.839 --> 00:36:06.099 we involve the Christian 00:36:06.099 --> 00:36:07.519 community in decision making 00:36:07.519 --> 00:36:09.139 to the extent 00:36:09.139 --> 00:36:10.059 that our decisions 00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:11.059 affect the community 00:36:11.059 --> 00:36:13.940 we involve 00:36:13.940 --> 00:36:15.279 the Christian community 00:36:15.279 --> 00:36:16.359 in decision making 00:36:16.359 --> 00:36:17.739 to the extent 00:36:17.739 --> 00:36:18.519 that our decisions 00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:19.400 affect the community 00:36:19.400 --> 00:36:20.500 this doesn't mean 00:36:20.500 --> 00:36:21.099 that the community 00:36:21.099 --> 00:36:21.739 or its leaders 00:36:21.739 --> 00:36:22.639 tell people 00:36:22.639 --> 00:36:23.139 what to do 00:36:23.139 --> 00:36:24.019 in their personal lives 00:36:24.019 --> 00:36:25.380 but it does mean 00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:25.940 that we should 00:36:25.940 --> 00:36:27.360 make decisions 00:36:27.360 --> 00:36:27.800 firstly 00:36:27.800 --> 00:36:28.579 with regard 00:36:28.579 --> 00:36:29.719 to the implications 00:36:29.719 --> 00:36:30.679 for our Christian 00:36:30.679 --> 00:36:31.159 community 00:36:31.159 --> 00:36:32.259 and secondly 00:36:32.259 --> 00:36:32.800 that we make 00:36:32.800 --> 00:36:33.920 significant decisions 00:36:33.920 --> 00:36:34.780 in consultation 00:36:34.780 --> 00:36:35.980 with members 00:36:35.980 --> 00:36:36.800 of our Christian 00:36:36.800 --> 00:36:37.920 community 00:36:37.920 --> 00:36:39.480 so in other words 00:36:39.480 --> 00:36:40.639 if what we are deciding 00:36:40.639 --> 00:36:42.239 affects the church 00:36:42.239 --> 00:36:42.699 or the life 00:36:42.699 --> 00:36:43.059 of the church 00:36:43.059 --> 00:36:43.599 the community 00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:44.880 then we really 00:36:44.880 --> 00:36:45.719 should involve 00:36:45.719 --> 00:36:46.599 the church 00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:47.940 in those decisions 00:36:47.940 --> 00:36:50.720 number three 00:36:50.720 --> 00:36:52.159 our motives 00:36:52.159 --> 00:36:52.800 will always 00:36:52.800 --> 00:36:53.519 be mixed 00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:56.720 motives around 00:36:56.720 --> 00:36:57.760 leaving one place 00:36:57.760 --> 00:36:58.480 and going to another 00:36:58.480 --> 00:36:59.659 they're always going 00:36:59.659 --> 00:37:00.159 to be mixed 00:37:00.159 --> 00:37:00.840 to some extent 00:37:00.840 --> 00:37:01.900 it's very hard 00:37:01.900 --> 00:37:04.260 to keep 00:37:04.260 --> 00:37:05.820 Jesus centeredness 00:37:05.820 --> 00:37:06.800 and others centeredness 00:37:06.800 --> 00:37:07.780 to the fore 00:37:07.780 --> 00:37:09.340 we will struggle 00:37:09.340 --> 00:37:10.280 with sinful idols 00:37:10.280 --> 00:37:10.940 in our lives 00:37:10.940 --> 00:37:11.440 that are going 00:37:11.440 --> 00:37:12.200 to drag us away 00:37:12.200 --> 00:37:13.059 from loving others 00:37:13.059 --> 00:37:13.960 before ourselves 00:37:13.960 --> 00:37:16.139 that can be our jobs 00:37:16.139 --> 00:37:17.159 it can be our family 00:37:17.159 --> 00:37:18.659 it can be our interests 00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:19.420 it can be our hobbies 00:37:19.420 --> 00:37:21.079 these are all things 00:37:21.079 --> 00:37:21.500 and there's many 00:37:21.500 --> 00:37:22.039 different things 00:37:22.039 --> 00:37:23.119 that are going to 00:37:23.119 --> 00:37:24.259 just going to drive us 00:37:24.259 --> 00:37:25.079 in different directions 00:37:25.079 --> 00:37:25.779 all the time 00:37:25.779 --> 00:37:27.420 and the reality 00:37:27.420 --> 00:37:29.559 of this side of heaven 00:37:29.559 --> 00:37:31.359 is that Christian life 00:37:31.359 --> 00:37:32.239 is often more about 00:37:32.239 --> 00:37:33.159 struggling through 00:37:33.159 --> 00:37:33.879 these things 00:37:33.879 --> 00:37:34.619 rather than 00:37:34.619 --> 00:37:35.699 victory over them 00:37:35.699 --> 00:37:37.879 but saying that 00:37:37.879 --> 00:37:39.519 isn't to excuse it 00:37:39.519 --> 00:37:40.039 but it's to say 00:37:40.039 --> 00:37:41.279 that we must struggle 00:37:41.279 --> 00:37:42.420 and we must bring 00:37:42.420 --> 00:37:43.420 our sinful desires 00:37:43.420 --> 00:37:44.139 to Christ 00:37:44.139 --> 00:37:45.259 and seek 00:37:45.259 --> 00:37:46.099 his help 00:37:46.099 --> 00:37:47.500 in overcoming them 00:37:47.500 --> 00:37:48.960 and I want you to 00:37:48.960 --> 00:37:50.519 this is helpful for me 00:37:50.519 --> 00:37:52.000 keep this in mind 00:37:52.000 --> 00:37:53.500 Jesus 00:37:53.500 --> 00:37:54.779 others 00:37:54.779 --> 00:37:56.039 yourself 00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:58.059 spells joy 00:37:58.059 --> 00:37:59.480 yourself 00:37:59.480 --> 00:38:00.319 others 00:38:00.319 --> 00:38:01.119 Jesus 00:38:01.119 --> 00:38:02.880 well you end up 00:38:02.880 --> 00:38:03.420 with yodge 00:38:03.420 --> 00:38:05.360 and I know which one 00:38:05.360 --> 00:38:06.259 makes sense to me 00:38:06.259 --> 00:38:08.139 Jesus 00:38:08.139 --> 00:38:09.019 others 00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:10.179 yourself 00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:11.679 that's the priority 00:38:11.679 --> 00:38:12.500 that's the order 00:38:12.500 --> 00:38:14.460 finally 00:38:14.460 --> 00:38:16.139 look to Jesus 00:38:16.139 --> 00:38:16.960 Jesus 00:38:16.960 --> 00:38:17.900 is not just 00:38:17.900 --> 00:38:18.539 our example 00:38:18.539 --> 00:38:20.440 but he is the one 00:38:20.440 --> 00:38:21.760 who loves us 00:38:21.760 --> 00:38:22.800 and dies for us 00:38:22.800 --> 00:38:23.820 we look to him 00:38:23.820 --> 00:38:24.559 not only for the 00:38:24.559 --> 00:38:25.340 inspiration that we 00:38:25.340 --> 00:38:26.380 find in those 00:38:26.380 --> 00:38:27.739 verses in chapter 2 00:38:27.739 --> 00:38:29.000 but we look to him 00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:29.719 for the power 00:38:29.719 --> 00:38:30.460 to overcome 00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:31.199 sinful idols 00:38:31.199 --> 00:38:32.500 we look to him 00:38:32.500 --> 00:38:33.139 to help us 00:38:33.139 --> 00:38:33.900 to love others 00:38:33.900 --> 00:38:34.719 above ourselves 00:38:34.719 --> 00:38:36.280 as we see 00:38:36.280 --> 00:38:37.219 Paul's example 00:38:37.219 --> 00:38:37.739 of sending 00:38:37.739 --> 00:38:38.659 going and receiving 00:38:38.659 --> 00:38:39.739 we must always 00:38:39.739 --> 00:38:40.699 look through it 00:38:40.699 --> 00:38:42.019 and see the saviour 00:38:42.019 --> 00:38:43.379 who was sent 00:38:43.379 --> 00:38:44.679 by the father 00:38:44.679 --> 00:38:46.399 to go from the 00:38:46.399 --> 00:38:47.299 glories of heaven 00:38:47.299 --> 00:38:49.019 to a broken world 00:38:49.019 --> 00:38:50.859 not to be received 00:38:50.859 --> 00:38:52.239 but to be rejected 00:38:52.239 --> 00:38:53.579 by the world 00:38:53.579 --> 00:38:54.699 and crucified 00:38:54.699 --> 00:38:56.019 by us 00:38:56.019 --> 00:38:58.460 let's pray 00:38:58.460 --> 00:39:04.659 our father 00:39:04.659 --> 00:39:04.939 we 00:39:04.939 --> 00:39:05.359 we 00:39:05.359 --> 00:39:07.500 confess sin 00:39:07.500 --> 00:39:08.019 this morning 00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:10.000 because we're 00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:10.860 confronted by it 00:39:10.860 --> 00:39:11.139 father 00:39:11.139 --> 00:39:11.619 or 00:39:11.619 --> 00:39:12.719 our desire 00:39:12.719 --> 00:39:13.699 to be in charge 00:39:13.699 --> 00:39:14.300 our desire 00:39:14.300 --> 00:39:15.039 to be the boss 00:39:15.039 --> 00:39:15.599 our desire 00:39:15.599 --> 00:39:16.259 to rule 00:39:16.259 --> 00:39:17.340 ourselves 00:39:17.340 --> 00:39:18.300 to find 00:39:18.300 --> 00:39:19.059 satisfaction 00:39:19.059 --> 00:39:20.159 in things 00:39:20.159 --> 00:39:21.519 besides you 00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:22.119 and 00:39:22.119 --> 00:39:23.199 father 00:39:23.199 --> 00:39:23.719 that's a real 00:39:23.719 --> 00:39:24.079 struggle 00:39:24.079 --> 00:39:24.739 and it really 00:39:24.739 --> 00:39:25.360 does come out 00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:26.000 when we have 00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:26.699 to make decisions 00:39:26.699 --> 00:39:28.219 about staying 00:39:28.219 --> 00:39:28.780 or going 00:39:28.780 --> 00:39:30.199 or how things 00:39:30.199 --> 00:39:30.840 affect the church 00:39:30.840 --> 00:39:31.199 and we 00:39:31.199 --> 00:39:32.340 we ask for 00:39:32.340 --> 00:39:33.079 forgiveness father 00:39:33.079 --> 00:39:33.519 but we're 00:39:33.519 --> 00:39:34.099 encouraged 00:39:34.099 --> 00:39:36.599 by the example 00:39:36.599 --> 00:39:37.219 in front of us 00:39:37.219 --> 00:39:37.659 in scripture 00:39:37.659 --> 00:39:39.139 by Epaphroditus 00:39:39.139 --> 00:39:39.699 by Paul 00:39:39.699 --> 00:39:40.339 how they loved 00:39:40.339 --> 00:39:40.679 others 00:39:40.679 --> 00:39:41.980 and ultimately 00:39:41.980 --> 00:39:42.579 by Jesus 00:39:42.579 --> 00:39:44.559 and father 00:39:44.559 --> 00:39:45.279 we ask for 00:39:45.279 --> 00:39:46.319 Jesus' help 00:39:46.319 --> 00:39:48.500 for an increased 00:39:48.500 --> 00:39:49.299 love for Jesus 00:39:49.299 --> 00:39:50.299 a closer unity 00:39:50.299 --> 00:39:50.799 to him 00:39:50.799 --> 00:39:51.860 and that our 00:39:51.860 --> 00:39:52.539 minds 00:39:52.539 --> 00:39:53.219 our emotions 00:39:53.219 --> 00:39:54.039 our whole being 00:39:54.039 --> 00:39:55.639 would be driven 00:39:55.639 --> 00:39:56.679 in the right direction 00:39:56.679 --> 00:39:58.579 driven to serve 00:39:58.579 --> 00:39:59.079 you 00:39:59.079 --> 00:40:00.599 to do the work 00:40:00.599 --> 00:40:01.119 of Christ 00:40:01.119 --> 00:40:01.719 faithfully 00:40:01.719 --> 00:40:03.179 we ask 00:40:03.179 --> 00:40:04.599 for the help 00:40:04.599 --> 00:40:05.379 of the Holy Spirit 00:40:05.379 --> 00:40:06.019 in all of this 00:40:06.019 --> 00:40:06.879 in Jesus' name 00:40:06.879 --> 00:40:07.659 Amen 00:40:07.659 --> 00:40:18.659 well thank you Ralph 00:40:18.659 --> 00:40:19.779 it's a powerful message 00:40:19.779 --> 00:40:20.419 and something 00:40:20.419 --> 00:40:21.319 that's close to home 00:40:21.319 --> 00:40:22.879 for me 00:40:22.879 --> 00:40:23.319 especially 00:40:23.319 --> 00:40:23.939 as we've 00:40:23.939 --> 00:40:24.559 just gone 00:40:24.559 --> 00:40:25.339 through the process 00:40:25.339 --> 00:40:27.019 of somewhat 00:40:27.019 --> 00:40:27.599 inadvertently 00:40:27.599 --> 00:40:28.599 being sent out 00:40:28.599 --> 00:40:29.599 and having to 00:40:29.599 --> 00:40:30.219 find a new home 00:40:30.219 --> 00:40:31.179 but we need 00:40:31.179 --> 00:40:31.839 look no further 00:40:31.839 --> 00:40:32.940 than Jesus' 00:40:33.219 --> 00:40:33.639 examples 00:40:33.639 --> 00:40:34.359 with his own 00:40:34.359 --> 00:40:34.779 disciples 00:40:34.779 --> 00:40:35.579 where he came 00:40:35.579 --> 00:40:36.000 and spent 00:40:36.000 --> 00:40:36.599 a brief time 00:40:36.599 --> 00:40:37.059 with them 00:40:37.059 --> 00:40:38.339 discipling them 00:40:38.339 --> 00:40:39.099 only to send 00:40:39.099 --> 00:40:39.460 them out 00:40:39.460 --> 00:40:40.079 into the world 00:40:40.079 --> 00:40:40.559 his plan 00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:40.940 was never 00:40:40.940 --> 00:40:41.739 to keep 00:40:41.739 --> 00:40:42.539 the small group 00:40:42.539 --> 00:40:42.980 together 00:40:42.980 --> 00:40:44.039 and have 00:40:44.039 --> 00:40:44.480 what some 00:40:44.480 --> 00:40:44.879 people would 00:40:44.879 --> 00:40:45.519 call a holy 00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:45.899 huddle 00:40:45.899 --> 00:40:47.339 where those 00:40:47.339 --> 00:40:47.819 people are 00:40:47.819 --> 00:40:48.339 just happy 00:40:48.339 --> 00:40:48.779 together 00:40:48.779 --> 00:40:49.239 in their little 00:40:49.239 --> 00:40:49.559 place 00:40:49.559 --> 00:40:49.940 the goal 00:40:49.940 --> 00:40:50.460 was always 00:40:50.460 --> 00:40:50.879 to send 00:40:50.879 --> 00:40:51.279 them out 00:40:51.279 --> 00:40:52.179 to impact 00:40:52.179 --> 00:40:52.579 the whole 00:40:52.579 --> 00:40:52.940 world 00:40:52.940 --> 00:40:53.980 and that's 00:40:53.980 --> 00:40:55.039 his beautiful 00:40:55.039 --> 00:40:55.839 model of 00:40:55.839 --> 00:40:56.539 redemption 00:40:56.539 --> 00:40:57.919 that he goes 00:40:57.919 --> 00:40:59.019 out and sends 00:40:59.019 --> 00:40:59.819 believers out 00:40:59.820 --> 00:41:00.420 into the world 00:41:00.420 --> 00:41:00.880 so thank you 00:41:00.880 --> 00:41:01.120 for that 00:41:01.120 --> 00:41:01.360 Ralph 00:41:01.360 --> 00:41:02.840 before we sing 00:41:02.840 --> 00:41:03.600 our last song 00:41:03.600 --> 00:41:05.039 I'm sure a lot 00:41:05.039 --> 00:41:05.559 of people are 00:41:05.559 --> 00:41:06.559 going probably 00:41:06.559 --> 00:41:07.400 to the wedding 00:41:07.400 --> 00:41:08.440 today and so 00:41:08.440 --> 00:41:08.920 we're kind of 00:41:08.920 --> 00:41:09.400 on a tight 00:41:09.400 --> 00:41:10.660 time schedule 00:41:10.660 --> 00:41:11.880 if anybody can 00:41:11.880 --> 00:41:12.420 stick around 00:41:12.420 --> 00:41:12.920 and help 00:41:12.920 --> 00:41:14.580 with putting 00:41:14.580 --> 00:41:15.200 all of the 00:41:15.200 --> 00:41:16.300 equipment away 00:41:16.300 --> 00:41:16.740 and all that 00:41:16.740 --> 00:41:17.120 kind of stuff 00:41:17.120 --> 00:41:17.780 it'll give us 00:41:17.780 --> 00:41:18.260 an opportunity 00:41:18.260 --> 00:41:19.360 to let everybody 00:41:19.360 --> 00:41:20.000 get out a bit 00:41:20.000 --> 00:41:20.500 more quickly 00:41:20.500 --> 00:41:21.680 so no one's 00:41:21.680 --> 00:41:22.000 kind of left 00:41:22.000 --> 00:41:22.320 behind 00:41:22.320 --> 00:41:23.480 so if you could 00:41:23.480 --> 00:41:23.940 help with that 00:41:23.940 --> 00:41:24.700 we'd appreciate it 00:41:24.700 --> 00:41:25.380 thank you for 00:41:25.380 --> 00:41:25.820 coming today 00:41:25.820 --> 00:41:26.140 we're going 00:41:26.140 --> 00:41:26.600 to wrap up 00:41:26.600 --> 00:41:27.360 with song 00:41:27.360 --> 00:41:29.080 let's stand 00:41:29.080 --> 00:41:29.440 and sing 00:41:29.440 --> 00:41:30.280 this last song 00:41:30.280 --> 00:41:31.900 to the glory 00:41:31.900 --> 00:41:32.400 of God 00:41:32.400 --> 00:41:33.580 I'm not sure 00:41:33.580 --> 00:41:34.260 how many people 00:41:34.260 --> 00:41:34.740 know it 00:41:34.740 --> 00:41:36.080 but the men 00:41:36.080 --> 00:41:36.860 sing the first 00:41:36.860 --> 00:41:37.260 line 00:41:37.260 --> 00:41:38.440 all those strong 00:41:38.440 --> 00:41:39.039 male voices 00:41:39.039 --> 00:41:39.840 and then the 00:41:39.840 --> 00:41:40.880 women echo it 00:41:40.880 --> 00:41:42.440 while the men 00:41:42.440 --> 00:41:44.019 hold that note 00:41:44.019 --> 00:41:46.380 they love 00:41:46.460 --> 00:41:47.699 they love 00:41:51.759 --> 00:41:53.840 girl 00:41:53.840 --> 00:42:02.440 grup 00:42:03.480 --> 00:42:05.239 teenage 00:42:05.239 --> 00:42:06.940 and 00:42:07.900 --> 00:42:08.019 have 00:42:08.019 --> 00:42:08.719 uell 00:42:08.719 --> 00:42:09.500 and 00:42:09.500 --> 00:42:10.780 love 00:42:10.780 --> 00:42:40.760 May the glory of Jesus 00:42:40.780 --> 00:42:44.600 build in church for you. 00:42:45.740 --> 00:42:49.400 May the glory of Jesus 00:42:49.400 --> 00:42:52.540 build in church for you. 00:42:54.820 --> 00:43:02.780 Shining from our faces 00:43:02.780 --> 00:43:10.600 and feet in my wish. 00:43:10.600 --> 00:43:18.600 May the glory of Jesus 00:43:18.600 --> 00:43:21.320 fill my life. 00:43:21.320 --> 00:43:27.559 May the beauty of Jesus 00:43:27.559 --> 00:43:30.140 fill my life. 00:43:32.980 --> 00:43:37.059 Fill my thought, 00:43:37.480 --> 00:43:39.059 my word, 00:43:39.280 --> 00:43:41.019 my deed, 00:43:41.860 --> 00:43:45.180 my all I know. 00:43:45.179 --> 00:43:50.119 May that grace your heart. 00:43:50.899 --> 00:43:54.579 Fill my thought, 00:43:54.799 --> 00:43:56.639 my word, 00:43:56.799 --> 00:43:58.659 my deed, 00:43:59.480 --> 00:44:03.000 my all I know. 00:44:03.000 --> 00:44:07.179 May that grace your heart. 00:44:07.179 --> 00:44:09.179 May the glory of Jesus 00:44:09.179 --> 00:44:11.179 fill my heart. 00:44:12.460 --> 00:44:13.219 Let's pray. 00:44:14.579 --> 00:44:15.139 Father, 00:44:15.219 --> 00:44:16.000 we do rejoice 00:44:16.000 --> 00:44:19.179 in your salvation, 00:44:19.419 --> 00:44:19.519 Lord, 00:44:19.579 --> 00:44:20.699 that you have saved us 00:44:20.699 --> 00:44:21.359 and that 00:44:21.359 --> 00:44:23.619 you have given us 00:44:23.619 --> 00:44:24.099 a model 00:44:24.099 --> 00:44:25.519 of how to live 00:44:25.519 --> 00:44:26.619 lives 00:44:26.619 --> 00:44:28.319 that put Christ first 00:44:28.319 --> 00:44:29.319 and put others 00:44:29.319 --> 00:44:30.119 second 00:44:30.119 --> 00:44:31.480 and put ourselves last. 00:44:32.139 --> 00:44:32.639 Lord, 00:44:32.719 --> 00:44:33.259 that Jesus 00:44:33.259 --> 00:44:34.179 has shown us 00:44:34.179 --> 00:44:36.500 the way of sacrifice 00:44:36.500 --> 00:44:37.659 and the way of the cross. 00:44:37.759 --> 00:44:37.899 Lord, 00:44:37.940 --> 00:44:39.019 we pray that you would 00:44:39.019 --> 00:44:40.059 help us to be people 00:44:40.059 --> 00:44:41.940 who consider 00:44:41.940 --> 00:44:43.759 our Christian brothers 00:44:43.759 --> 00:44:44.399 and sisters, 00:44:44.699 --> 00:44:44.839 Lord, 00:44:44.899 --> 00:44:46.119 as we make decisions, 00:44:46.500 --> 00:44:48.019 as we go about our lives. 00:44:48.659 --> 00:44:48.980 Lord, 00:44:49.059 --> 00:44:49.819 that we would 00:44:49.819 --> 00:44:52.719 include others, 00:44:52.839 --> 00:44:53.379 that we would 00:44:53.379 --> 00:44:54.419 reach out to others, 00:44:54.579 --> 00:44:54.759 Lord, 00:44:54.899 --> 00:44:56.559 even within our own church, 00:44:56.739 --> 00:44:56.819 Lord, 00:44:56.879 --> 00:44:57.859 that we would be a community 00:44:57.859 --> 00:44:59.179 where your love is modelled. 00:45:00.480 --> 00:45:00.879 Lord, 00:45:00.899 --> 00:45:01.480 we praise you. 00:45:01.539 --> 00:45:02.500 We look forward to 00:45:02.500 --> 00:45:03.799 what the rest of the day 00:45:03.800 --> 00:45:04.300 holds. 00:45:04.720 --> 00:45:05.880 And we ask, 00:45:06.000 --> 00:45:06.080 Lord, 00:45:06.120 --> 00:45:07.080 that you be at the centre 00:45:07.080 --> 00:45:07.960 of all that we do. 00:45:08.440 --> 00:45:08.680 Amen.