WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.639 Good morning, folks. It's great to be here with you again. I was looking through my notes 00:00:04.639 --> 00:00:08.720 this week as I was praying. It's actually been a year since I was down in Carolina. 00:00:08.820 --> 00:00:12.839 It definitely doesn't feel like that, but it's great to be here with you again. It's 00:00:12.839 --> 00:00:17.900 a great privilege to be able to open up God's Word and to worship with you guys here this 00:00:17.900 --> 00:00:24.660 morning. I believe you've been working your way through Philippians over the summer, and 00:00:24.660 --> 00:00:31.640 I'll be continuing in Philippians this morning. We'll be looking at chapter 2, verses 19 to 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:37.320 30. If you have one of those red church Bibles that was down the back, it's on page 1179 00:00:37.320 --> 00:00:42.519 if you'd like to follow along. What I'm going to do is I'm going to read the passage, going 00:00:42.519 --> 00:00:46.799 to pray briefly the Lord would help us as we open up His Word, and then we'll have a look 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:53.140 at what God is saying to us through it. So let me read, beginning in Philippians chapter 00:00:53.140 --> 00:01:01.560 2, verse 19 to 30. Paul writes, I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:08.219 that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him who 00:01:08.219 --> 00:01:15.219 takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, 00:01:15.460 --> 00:01:22.579 not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with 00:01:22.579 --> 00:01:29.299 his father, he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him to you 00:01:29.299 --> 00:01:35.799 as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:42.939 But I think it's necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow 00:01:42.939 --> 00:01:49.959 soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you, 00:01:49.959 --> 00:01:56.500 and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed, he was ill and almost died. But God had 00:01:56.500 --> 00:02:04.179 mercy on him, and not on him only, but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore, 00:02:04.299 --> 00:02:09.780 I'm all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again, you may be glad, and I may have 00:02:09.780 --> 00:02:17.640 less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord, with great joy, and honour men like him, because he almost died 00:02:17.640 --> 00:02:22.979 for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me. 00:02:24.479 --> 00:02:26.460 Let's pray as we come before God's word. 00:02:28.539 --> 00:02:33.280 Father, we thank you so much for how you've spoken to us through your word. We thank you that 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:38.759 it's relevant for our lives today. We ask that you would help us to understand it, you'd apply it 00:02:38.759 --> 00:02:43.920 deep into our hearts. We ask that you would change us by it, that it wouldn't just be words on a page, 00:02:44.379 --> 00:02:47.639 but that you would mould our hearts, you would change us to be more like Jesus, 00:02:48.219 --> 00:02:54.460 through what we hear and what we see in your word this morning. We ask this in Jesus' mighty name. Amen. 00:02:54.460 --> 00:02:54.580 Amen. 00:02:57.040 --> 00:03:04.760 I want to ask you, who did you want to be like when you grew up? Maybe you always want to be like an 00:03:04.760 --> 00:03:12.300 older sibling, maybe like your dad, or a family friend. Maybe, like Connor, maybe it was that 00:03:12.300 --> 00:03:23.200 professional footballer, or a movie star. Who did you look up to? For me, it was Steve Irwin. I don't 00:03:23.199 --> 00:03:28.060 know if any of you guys would be familiar with Steve. Sadly, he's not around anymore. He was the 00:03:28.060 --> 00:03:34.560 crocodile hunter. And I want, when I was a kid, I wanted to go on exciting adventures like Steve. I 00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:42.439 wanted to find amazing animals just like he did. In a way, he was a role model. Now, as we grow up, 00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:48.419 our role models become a little more serious. Maybe we want to be like that popular person in school, 00:03:48.419 --> 00:03:54.539 or that high achiever in work. Maybe we want to model ourselves after, you know, that couple who 00:03:54.539 --> 00:04:00.699 really seem to have it together in their marriage. We follow so-and-so's Facebook or Twitter feed. 00:04:01.259 --> 00:04:06.519 We follow a specific diet plan that someone has come up with, or better marriage guidelines. 00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:13.599 Each of us have role models, people we model ourselves after. We want to be like them, 00:04:13.599 --> 00:04:19.319 to live like they live, to act like they do. Because I feel in some way, we kind of think, 00:04:19.540 --> 00:04:23.000 they're doing life right. They're going in the right direction. 00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:32.019 Now, think then, as our lives as believers. We want to be getting it right. So let me ask you, 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:40.500 what role models should we have as Christians? The section before us in Paul's letter to the 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:45.839 Philippians, I believe it has two functions. Firstly, to kind of let them know what Paul's 00:04:45.839 --> 00:04:52.139 plans are, and kind of what is going on with Paul. But also to continue the themes that he's been 00:04:52.139 --> 00:04:59.759 working through. He gives us two different individuals, Timothy and Epaphroditus. And he 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:07.779 presents these guys as the kind of role models there to follow. So how does it fit in with the rest of 00:05:07.779 --> 00:05:12.339 what we've been looking at in Philippians? Well, Paul's been talking to them about how they're 00:05:12.339 --> 00:05:18.379 going to live as believers. In chapter 127, he was talking about, well, whatever happens, 00:05:18.939 --> 00:05:24.379 no matter what circumstances come their way, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. 00:05:25.239 --> 00:05:32.359 You have been saved. So now be who you are. How will they continue to grow? Paul says to them in 00:05:32.360 --> 00:05:41.199 2 verse 5, have the mindset or the attitude of Christ. We were reminded last week they were to 00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:48.699 keep working out our salvation. Because God is at work in us, we can do it. So keep working out. Keep 00:05:48.699 --> 00:05:56.340 doing what you're doing, he says to them. As a community together, what were they to do? We saw in 00:05:56.339 --> 00:06:03.659 chapter 2 verse 4, we saw that they were to look not only to their own interests, but to the interests 00:06:03.659 --> 00:06:11.279 of others. And now he gives us these two role models. Let's look at each of them in turn. So first 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:18.359 of all, in the first section, if you want to split up into house, we have Timothy. Now, Timothy was a 00:06:18.359 --> 00:06:24.479 mentee of Paul. Paul was his mentor. He was a close friend. He worked alongside him, traveled with him. 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:30.319 He worked at establishing many of the early churches with Paul. He cared for Paul. He served 00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:37.439 with him in the work of the gospel. This is the kind of guy, this is the man, Paul says, this is who I 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:44.319 want to send. We see in verse 19, I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also 00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:49.840 may be cheered when I receive news about you. One of the reasons he wants to send him is so he can hear 00:06:49.839 --> 00:06:55.659 about them. There wasn't any kind of 6-1 news. There was no Facebook feed. The only way that Paul was 00:06:55.659 --> 00:07:00.759 going to hear about what was going on is if someone went there and then kind of reported back to him. 00:07:01.739 --> 00:07:07.919 So there's practical reasons why Paul would send him. But also, I feel Paul wants to send 00:07:07.919 --> 00:07:14.879 Timothy because then the church will have a really good working example of a role model who's like 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:21.579 Jesus that they'll get to see and model themselves after. He's going to show them what it looks like 00:07:21.579 --> 00:07:27.719 to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. And he goes on in verse 20, 00:07:28.659 --> 00:07:33.839 I have no one else like him who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:42.659 Timothy sticks out above all the others that Paul has around him. No one can touch Timothy when it comes 00:07:42.660 --> 00:07:49.400 to taking a genuine interest in the welfare or the interests of the others, of the church in 00:07:49.400 --> 00:07:56.380 Philippi. Timothy's concerned for them, their spiritual state. He wants to know what God is doing 00:07:56.380 --> 00:08:03.900 amongst them. He wants to share in their hardships. He says he wants to share in their joys. He wants to 00:08:03.900 --> 00:08:09.940 know, guys, what is God doing? What's he doing in Philippi? How are they growing in their love of one 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:15.699 other? How are they serving? He prays for these guys. He longs for them. They're in his thoughts. 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:23.360 They're a huge part of his life. His heart is like Paul's heart for them. And if you want to know what 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:27.899 Paul's heart is like for these Philippians, well, you can look back to the, I won't go there, but if you 00:08:27.899 --> 00:08:33.379 look through the first chapter of Philippians, you get a sense of how genuine Paul really is. 00:08:33.379 --> 00:08:42.740 This is the guy, Paul says, that I want to send to you. Verse 21, he says, everyone else, you can see it 00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:48.399 there if you look at it. He says, everyone else looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 00:08:50.439 --> 00:08:56.679 This is the kind of role model. He says, Timothy, he puts you guys first. Timothy's different. 00:08:56.679 --> 00:09:05.659 He doesn't put himself above. He says, no, you guys first. He gets my vote. What else does he say 00:09:05.659 --> 00:09:12.000 about him? Verse 22, but you know that Timothy has proved himself because like a son with his father, 00:09:12.239 --> 00:09:20.339 he has served with me in the work of the gospel. He's the real deal. He's worked with Paul. He's 00:09:20.339 --> 00:09:25.979 learned the ropes from him. Like a father, sorry, like a son with his father, he has served with me. 00:09:26.679 --> 00:09:31.179 This is very close relationship. Paul is like a spiritual father to him. 00:09:32.959 --> 00:09:39.399 In those days, in the days that Paul is writing, which is slightly different to today, whatever 00:09:39.399 --> 00:09:44.599 you were, whatever, sorry, whatever your parents were, whatever they worked at, generally that's 00:09:44.599 --> 00:09:50.259 what you became. If a son, if your dad was a baker, you learned the ropes. You became a baker. If he was 00:09:50.259 --> 00:09:56.359 a farmer, you became a farmer. There wasn't kind of what you have today where it's different. There was a 00:09:56.360 --> 00:10:03.500 much closer connection between what your father did and what you ended up doing. A son then was the 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:09.720 primary apprentice of his father. The father would teach him. The son would gradually take on more 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:14.899 responsibilities. And as he grew up, so did his competency. He proved himself. 00:10:14.899 --> 00:10:24.079 When I was a teenager, and throughout my college summers, my dad would take me on DIY jobs. And that 00:10:24.079 --> 00:10:30.299 could have been anything from building walls to painting to, could have been anything, really fit 00:10:30.299 --> 00:10:35.340 in the kitchen. You never knew what you were going to do. But as I grew up in those kind of skills, he 00:10:35.340 --> 00:10:41.319 taught me as we went along. Started out small and then grew up. Took on more responsibilities. For instance, 00:10:41.320 --> 00:10:48.640 he might leave me alone with the power tools, which was quite a big thing for him. It was a special 00:10:48.640 --> 00:10:53.180 thing to learn these kind of tricks of the trade. And now it wasn't necessarily what my dad did as a 00:10:53.180 --> 00:11:02.240 full-time job. But still, over time, I proved myself competent of doing DIY work. And here in our passage, 00:11:02.400 --> 00:11:09.620 we see something similar. Timothy has proved himself in the test of gospel ministry. That's not been an easy 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:17.840 road by any means. He's been alongside Paul as Paul's dealt with oppression, with hardships, with 00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:23.759 persecution. He's learned what it's like to have very little. He's learned to let go of his own 00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:33.539 interests, to put the interests of others first. He's learned to take on that genuine interest. 00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:41.719 He's learned to live out what Paul had been talking to them about in chapter 2, verse 4. I want to 00:11:41.719 --> 00:11:45.939 remind us of that again. If you want to have a look at it, because it'll be quite key as we come then to 00:11:45.939 --> 00:11:52.919 apply this passage a little later. Paul writes, sorry, I'll go from verse 3. Do nothing out of selfish 00:11:52.919 --> 00:12:00.480 ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look 00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:09.399 not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Timothy has proved himself 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:14.879 through the testing, through the hardship of serving alongside Paul. And Timothy's come through 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:21.800 with flying colors. He's made it. I want to send him, says Paul, as soon as I kind of have a better idea 00:12:21.800 --> 00:12:28.779 of how things are going with me. He's no qualms about sending a man like this. In fact, he's actually 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:36.259 quite eager to. Paul himself hopes to visit them. We see that in verse 24. When this is going to happen, 00:12:36.319 --> 00:12:41.579 he's not sure, but he trusts the Lord. He says, I'm confident in the Lord that this will happen. I will 00:12:41.579 --> 00:12:46.539 come and see you. And when he does, both parties, both Paul and the church, are really going to benefit 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:52.659 from that time. Paul will get to celebrate as he sees what the Lord is doing amongst them, how they've 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:58.319 been getting on. And they're going to benefit from seeing Paul as they get another really good role 00:12:58.319 --> 00:13:05.539 model of what it looks like to live for Jesus. Let's try and have a sum up of the kind of 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:11.879 characteristics we see in Timothy, and then like kind of what they might look like today. I think two 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:20.120 stick out quite clearly for us. First of all, we had that genuine interest for the welfare of others, 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:25.980 genuine concern for the welfare of others. Let's have a look at that one first. 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:33.539 These are the kind of characteristics we want to be looking at in Christians today, the kind of 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:40.480 people we want to model ourselves after. Now, obviously, I know no one here is perfect. We know 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:46.039 that. You can look in the mirror in the morning, and you can see that. But because just with the 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:52.240 imperfection, it shouldn't mean that we discount or that we overlook the good Christ-like characteristics 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:58.459 that are in one another. The characteristics that model Christ, these are the kind of things 00:13:58.459 --> 00:14:05.339 that we want to look for and follow in others. Let's flesh it out. What might a genuine concern 00:14:05.339 --> 00:14:10.639 for the welfare of others look like? Maybe there's kind of certain people that will spring to your mind 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:18.419 as we look at these. What about the person who always seems to be looking out for others? Not so 00:14:18.419 --> 00:14:23.319 they can feel good about themselves, but because they just really want to see someone grow. They 00:14:23.319 --> 00:14:28.939 really want to see someone else do well. Maybe the person who serves quietly in the background, 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:34.159 who just kind of gets along with tidying up the chairs, filling in on the tea and coffee rota. 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:39.700 The person who visits the sick or gives financial help or advice to someone who needs it. 00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:45.100 Maybe it's that friend who's willing to ask you the difficult questions. 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:51.699 How are you getting on in your walk with Jesus? How are you getting on with reading your Bible? 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:57.340 How have you been finding times when you're angry? How have you been dealing with that? 00:14:57.799 --> 00:15:03.519 Or dealing with not looking at stuff you shouldn't on TV or the internet? How are you getting on with gossip? 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:10.740 These kind of people, they're not asking so that you'll kind of feel bad or they're not asking to lord it over you. 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:15.279 They're asking because they're genuinely concerned for your welfare. 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:18.860 Do you have people in your life like that? 00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:26.000 Living as a Christian, as we all know, it's hard. Sin is serious. 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:35.320 We're in much too volatile a situation, much too dangerous a situation as believers to be left in the solitude of our own minds and our hearts. 00:15:36.200 --> 00:15:39.679 We need a genuine concern for each other, don't we? 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:46.639 Do you know someone who intentionally, regularly prays for others? 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:53.500 Someone who gives their time on a Sunday morning, when maybe they could be with their friends or just talking to them, 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:58.580 to chat to a newcomer or to maybe someone who just kind of struggles to fit in a bit. 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:06.240 Someone who doesn't brag about how much they do or equally complain about having to do more service. 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:13.559 The person who's genuinely interested, who generally cares for the welfare of others, 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:16.220 you notice that it doesn't actually seem to faze them. 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:22.819 Now, under the surface, it actually might, but yet, they've practiced putting that self-centeredness, 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:24.259 practiced putting it down. 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:31.779 They've practiced taking away, not clinging to that sense of entitlement, of self-interest. 00:16:32.580 --> 00:16:34.980 They've practiced investing in others. 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:39.100 I know of one mum of three. 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:41.539 Two of the kids have left home. 00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:43.519 One of her kids is a teenager. 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:49.720 And she was asked recently, you know, well, when are you going to be heading back to work, you know, to fulfill your career, 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:54.899 now that your kind of mothering duties are kind of at an end or they're not all that necessary. 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:58.600 Now, I'm not saying it's a bad thing if she had chosen to go back. 00:16:59.159 --> 00:17:03.500 But instead, the desire that the Lord had placed on her heart was different. 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:10.940 She wanted to make herself available to younger women in the church to help them with raising kids, 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:14.339 to maybe give them a couple of hours off during the week, 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:19.400 or to be with them when maybe their own mothers couldn't be there, to give advice, counsel. 00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.779 She'd walked the road before. 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:24.799 So she wanted to serve the church in this way. 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:29.859 She actively put the interests of others above her own. 00:17:30.879 --> 00:17:34.680 I feel she models what it looks like to practice that genuine interest. 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:39.019 Or there's a close friend of mine who I've known for a good few years. 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:43.019 He's a man who's more giving than many that I know. 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:48.659 Giving of his time, his resources, food, his attention, his finances. 00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:55.759 At times maybe when finances haven't been great for me, college usually springs to mind. 00:17:56.360 --> 00:18:00.200 But he has gone out of his way to give to me. 00:18:00.860 --> 00:18:05.620 Now, he's not necessarily well off himself, but whether he's had plenty or whether he's had very little, 00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:07.200 he's given generously. 00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:13.259 I know that this guy, if he knew that I needed it, he would split his last fiver with me. 00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:16.759 That's the kind of man that I want. 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:20.980 Now, that's the kind of Christ-likeness, that giving, that I want to model in my own life. 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:24.599 I could go on, but I'll leave it there. 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:29.879 Maybe you can have a think on some people in your life who model these kind of characteristics. 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:31.559 I'm sure there are some. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:36.319 But if you can't think of anyone, maybe you need to get some of those kind of people in your life. 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:42.299 These are the kind of role models that God's Word encourages us, that God's Word tells us. 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:46.579 These are the kind of people, these are the kind of traits I want you to imitate. 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:50.220 The second trait we see in Timothy. 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:53.900 Someone who's proved himself in hardship. 00:18:55.379 --> 00:19:03.299 Now, I'll not just confine this to gospel work, because many of us here aren't in a position where we're working full-time for a church. 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:04.759 Many of us aren't missionaries. 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:09.119 There's more people than just pastors that we can look up to. 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:16.099 I feel what Paul has in mind here, actually, is those who've gone through difficult times in their Christian walk. 00:19:16.619 --> 00:19:21.119 Who have been spiritually tested, but who have come through that. 00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:28.839 I don't know about you, but I often find it's those difficult times that grow us most as Christians, isn't it? 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:33.699 Those times where we have little choice but to cling to Christ. 00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:39.659 Those times which kind of force us to really hold on to our hope as Christians. 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:44.500 Where trusting in Jesus becomes a very real reality. 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:49.860 Maybe it's in the face of long-term illness for you or for a family member. 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:54.680 Maybe there's just some serious mess and you just feel out of your debt. 00:19:55.300 --> 00:19:56.320 The money's gone. 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:58.980 The friends have kind of turned away. 00:19:59.080 --> 00:20:01.340 The family, the relationships are just falling apart. 00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:07.639 We seem to have no hope apart from Christ. 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:14.720 Have you been in a situation where your need of Christ has become very real very quickly? 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:17.480 I'm sure we've experienced that. 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:22.019 And in hindsight, when we look back at those times, it's often we can say, 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:24.459 those are the times that made me trust in Jesus. 00:20:24.619 --> 00:20:28.279 Those are the times that grew me in my relationship with Him. 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:32.000 We learn to trust on God. 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:33.079 To depend on Him. 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:40.379 Now, I'm not necessarily saying that we can't learn from people who haven't gone through those tougher times. 00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:44.899 That would probably cut most of the kind of younger folks here off the scale. 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:50.180 But actually, if you think about it, Timothy himself is probably actually only in his early 20s when Paul's writing this. 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:58.019 I think Paul would say it to protect us from following the kind of leaders who just make it all about them. 00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:01.059 Those who kind of make it about their own abilities. 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:02.440 Look at me. 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:05.680 Where actually, they haven't experienced the hardship. 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:08.359 They haven't gone through or needed to trust in the Lord. 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:16.599 Instead, Paul would say to us, imitate those who have themselves gone through difficult times. 00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:18.980 Who've had to cling on to Jesus. 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:21.099 No matter what life is thrown at them. 00:21:21.139 --> 00:21:22.200 They haven't let go. 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:26.319 You'll recognize these kind of people when you talk to them. 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:31.900 Those who smile and tell you how amazing Jesus is. 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:37.220 When they're actually struggling with chronic pain day after day. 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:39.380 I know one old lady like that. 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.960 There's just a smile on her face. 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:42.039 Tears in her eyes. 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:45.460 But tears of joy at who Jesus is. 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:47.819 Even though she goes through real pain. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:52.559 Or those who, in a worldly sense, have very little. 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:55.140 But what you hear from them is not, 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.680 Lord, why so little? 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:59.600 But Lord, wow. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.299 Why so much? 00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:02.220 Why so much? 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:05.220 These are the kind of role models we can learn from. 00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:07.740 Each of us will go through tough times. 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:09.039 We live in a broken world. 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:11.880 Whether you've gone through much or little, 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:13.059 we will go through them. 00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:17.480 So how will we act when those tough times come? 00:22:18.360 --> 00:22:22.600 How will you conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel? 00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:27.240 Well, I feel these people give us the role models we can look to. 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:29.700 Similar traits we can take on. 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:33.900 The Lord has taught them much through hardships. 00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:35.860 The experiences that they've had, 00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:38.940 he has used to mold them to be more like Jesus. 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:45.220 Let's have a look at our second character, Epaphroditus. 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:48.620 He models some of these things too. 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:51.559 I'll be a bit more brief here. 00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:52.700 Have a look at verse 25. 00:22:55.080 --> 00:22:58.140 But I think it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus. 00:22:58.140 --> 00:23:01.520 My brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, 00:23:02.040 --> 00:23:03.100 who's also your messenger, 00:23:03.580 --> 00:23:05.380 whom you sent to take care of my needs. 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:07.120 He said to them, 00:23:07.160 --> 00:23:08.600 I'm going to send Timothy soon, 00:23:09.400 --> 00:23:11.620 but I'm going to send Epaphroditus to you right now. 00:23:12.780 --> 00:23:16.040 This is another man who Paul holds in high esteem. 00:23:16.540 --> 00:23:19.040 Another great role model for the church. 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:21.960 He describes him in three ways, 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:22.880 which you notice. 00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:24.820 First of all, 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:25.360 he's a brother. 00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:28.860 There's a close relationship that Paul has, 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:30.020 a loving relationship. 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.800 Not brothers by blood, 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:33.300 but brothers in Christ. 00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:36.740 We know from the kind of leadership that Paul has 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.660 that he's shown us, 00:23:38.340 --> 00:23:39.260 when he says brother, 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.560 he means it. 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:42.560 There's a love, 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:43.220 a closeness, 00:23:43.300 --> 00:23:43.940 an intimacy 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:45.160 there. 00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:48.300 And it's that that characterizes 00:23:48.300 --> 00:23:49.660 how he now says to them, 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:50.759 Epaphroditus, 00:23:50.840 --> 00:23:52.540 I commend him to you. 00:23:53.040 --> 00:23:54.500 This is the kind of man he is. 00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:55.759 He's like a brother to Paul. 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:56.820 Secondly, 00:23:56.860 --> 00:23:57.800 he's a fellow worker. 00:23:58.259 --> 00:24:00.640 Someone who's worked alongside Paul in the gospel. 00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:02.540 Who's shared in the difficulties, 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:03.500 in the toil. 00:24:04.300 --> 00:24:06.519 Someone who knows what it's like to work hard, 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.960 to make Jesus known. 00:24:09.300 --> 00:24:10.460 He's a fellow soldier. 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.140 Again, 00:24:11.300 --> 00:24:12.460 we see a step up. 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:14.440 He's a man, 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.200 not only a brother, 00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:16.259 not only a fellow worker, 00:24:16.340 --> 00:24:18.900 but someone who has contended with Paul. 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:22.079 Who has fought with him in the gospel. 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:25.380 He's proven himself in these areas. 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:27.460 And he comes with Paul's recommendation. 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:30.000 And he's one of their own. 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:30.980 He's their messenger. 00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:32.860 They sent him to Paul. 00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:37.220 Chapter 4 of the letter to the Philippians 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:40.519 shows us that he actually brought gifts to Paul. 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:43.099 He cared for Paul's needs. 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:44.500 He would have worked with Paul 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.599 while he was there. 00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:48.960 And now Paul sends him back. 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:50.859 And actually, 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:53.279 this is something Epaphroditus is quite keen on. 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.500 He wants to go back. 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:56.839 Not that he wants to get away from the work. 00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:58.660 But have a look at verse 26. 00:24:58.660 --> 00:25:02.779 For he longs for all of you 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:04.360 and is distressed 00:25:04.360 --> 00:25:07.120 because you heard he was ill. 00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:11.200 The reason Paul gives for his longing 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:13.240 is actually quite remarkable when we look at it. 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:15.800 Because you heard he was ill. 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:18.040 He was properly sick. 00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:21.580 But his primary concern, 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:24.600 Epaphroditus is not necessarily concerned for himself. 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.900 He's concerned for them. 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:29.060 They've heard he's unwell. 00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:32.300 And he's actually really concerned on their account. 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:34.980 He's put out 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:36.960 because they're hearing that he's sick. 00:25:37.900 --> 00:25:38.800 He, like Timothy, 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:41.660 takes a genuine interest in their welfare. 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:46.080 I don't know what you're like when you're sick. 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:49.640 Whether it's a cold, a migraine, 00:25:50.300 --> 00:25:51.380 whether it's man flu. 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:53.980 I know for myself, 00:25:54.080 --> 00:25:56.340 I can tend to be a bit more inward looking. 00:25:57.020 --> 00:25:58.440 I can take on a bit of a 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.580 woe is me, 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:01.100 kind of please take care of me 00:26:01.100 --> 00:26:03.000 kind of attitude, can't we? 00:26:03.080 --> 00:26:05.840 Life very quickly becomes about us. 00:26:07.280 --> 00:26:08.240 Maybe we take on a, 00:26:08.320 --> 00:26:09.780 well, no, I don't need your help. 00:26:10.520 --> 00:26:12.560 But the little voice inside is kind of saying, 00:26:12.820 --> 00:26:13.700 please acknowledge me. 00:26:14.280 --> 00:26:16.100 Please acknowledge that I'm working really hard 00:26:16.100 --> 00:26:17.000 even though I'm sick. 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:19.360 I'm sure we've all been there. 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:22.579 But not Epaphroditus. 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:24.019 He's different. 00:26:24.719 --> 00:26:25.919 He's genuinely worried 00:26:25.919 --> 00:26:27.479 lest they be worried about him. 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:30.159 This is pretty serious, 00:26:30.399 --> 00:26:31.259 what's going on. 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.240 It's not just some cold. 00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:33.919 Paul doesn't kind of let him get away 00:26:33.919 --> 00:26:34.899 with playing it down. 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:37.039 He says in verse 27, 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:39.319 Indeed he was ill. 00:26:39.939 --> 00:26:41.379 And actually he almost died. 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.519 But God had mercy on him. 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:45.099 And not only on him, 00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:45.899 but also on me 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:48.000 to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:51.200 He actually almost died. 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:53.119 That's how serious it is. 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:54.339 That's how he was risking, 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:56.119 he was putting his life on the line 00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:57.099 for their sake, 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.460 for the sake of the gospel. 00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:01.339 So Paul says in verse 28, 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:03.240 I'm all the more eager to send him. 00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:04.440 So when you see him, 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:05.259 you can be glad 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:06.660 and I won't be so anxious. 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:09.059 He's not just playing on 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.880 the kind of, 00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:10.480 on the feelings here. 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.980 He's not just kind of exaggerating things. 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:13.900 He actually takes that level 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:15.339 of concern for them, 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.500 of genuine concern. 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:18.799 Both Paul and Epaphroditus do. 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:20.940 He's an example, 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.240 a living example 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:22.920 of what we saw 00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:24.000 back in verse 4. 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:26.339 Looking not to his own interests, 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.880 but to the interests of others. 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.779 He's the kind of man, 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:31.620 I'd imagine if he were 00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:32.620 in our churches today, 00:27:33.620 --> 00:27:34.860 who would be just all about 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:36.140 the other people 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:37.120 in his life. 00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:39.140 He would be the kind of person 00:27:39.140 --> 00:27:40.599 lying in a hospital bed, 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:42.119 asking how you were, 00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:43.599 not feeling put out 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:44.699 that you hadn't asked him 00:27:44.699 --> 00:27:45.659 how he was. 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.679 He'd be the kind of father, 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.199 I'd imagine, 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:51.240 who even after a really long 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.319 and trying day, 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.299 where everything is just 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:54.139 getting on his nerves, 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:56.079 comes home and asks his wife 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.859 how her day would be. 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.779 Or who instead of 00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:00.619 kind of longing 00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:01.559 for that embrace 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.579 of the couch 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:04.059 and a good book 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:05.559 and the TV maybe, 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:07.619 instead of looking 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.459 to embrace that, 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:09.459 would want to embrace 00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:10.960 whatever fantasy world 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:12.480 his children were playing in. 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:15.559 The person who'd used 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.559 their me time 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:18.579 to serve in a Bible study, 00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:20.400 to drive the students home, 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:22.240 to cook for a couple 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:22.960 with a new baby, 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:25.059 to be there for people, 00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:26.299 to invest in them, 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:29.480 to look not to his own interests, 00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:31.380 but to the interests of others. 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:33.880 He says, 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:34.900 Paul says to them 00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:35.799 at the end of this section, 00:28:36.120 --> 00:28:36.640 verse 29, 00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:39.220 welcome him in the Lord 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:40.660 with great joy 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:42.280 and honour men like him 00:28:42.280 --> 00:28:44.020 because he almost died 00:28:44.020 --> 00:28:45.080 for the work of Christ, 00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:46.660 risking his life 00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:48.040 to make up for the help 00:28:48.040 --> 00:28:49.020 you could not give me. 00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.780 They're to welcome him 00:28:51.780 --> 00:28:53.700 and welcome him well. 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.720 Be excited, 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:55.300 he says, 00:28:55.340 --> 00:28:56.600 that you have a good role model 00:28:56.600 --> 00:28:58.259 like this coming to you. 00:28:58.920 --> 00:29:00.120 Honour people like him. 00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:02.340 Not that it goes to his head. 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:04.399 I think in Ireland 00:29:04.399 --> 00:29:05.399 that's probably one of the reasons 00:29:05.399 --> 00:29:07.179 why we don't like to give 00:29:07.179 --> 00:29:08.099 or take compliments 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:08.839 all that much. 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:10.679 We wouldn't want to give them 00:29:10.679 --> 00:29:11.539 just in case someone 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:12.959 kind of got a bit too big 00:29:12.959 --> 00:29:13.559 for their boots, 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:16.019 a bit too kind of big-headed. 00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:17.240 We kind of tend to play it down. 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:19.579 But what Paul is about here, 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:21.519 he's saying these are the kind of people, 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:22.859 these are the kind of role models 00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:23.959 that we should look up to. 00:29:24.959 --> 00:29:26.339 Not that we kind of get them up 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:27.519 at the front of church 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:28.459 and kind of parade them 00:29:28.459 --> 00:29:29.919 in some kind of weird talent show. 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:31.019 No, not like that. 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:32.500 But that we recognise 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.519 that these guys 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.319 are displaying 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.779 the kind of characteristics 00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:38.119 that we should be after, 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:39.920 that we should be looking to model. 00:29:41.619 --> 00:29:43.279 Now we don't downplay them 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:44.759 because of someone's imperfection. 00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:46.779 If there's a Christ-likeness 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.720 about somebody, 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:50.259 then let that be a role model to us. 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:52.839 Let that help us 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.720 and motivate us 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:55.119 as we seek to live for Jesus. 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:59.500 From the verse we've looked at 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.200 this morning, 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:01.039 we've kind of answered 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:02.380 the question we began with. 00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:04.920 What kind of role models 00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:05.559 should we have? 00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:07.339 Seeing the kind of traits 00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:08.160 we should look for. 00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:09.440 Those who practice 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:10.799 a genuine interest. 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:12.160 A genuine concern 00:30:12.160 --> 00:30:12.720 for the welfare. 00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:14.019 Those who've proved themselves 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:15.160 under hardship. 00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:17.519 But I feel if we were 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:18.680 to just leave it there, 00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.980 if we weren't to connect the dots, 00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:21.539 we'd just be left 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.400 with something to do, 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:22.779 wouldn't we? 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:24.200 Without seeing 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:25.840 that there's so much more 00:30:25.840 --> 00:30:26.720 on offer. 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:30.160 As I was preparing 00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:30.940 this message, 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.500 I found myself 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.340 realizing something. 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:35.400 And perhaps for many of you, 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:36.240 as you're hearing me 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:36.900 preach this, 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.140 you can share 00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:39.059 in this experience. 00:30:40.380 --> 00:30:41.279 If these are the kind 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:42.000 of role models 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:43.120 that we're to look for, 00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:45.620 well then we kind of 00:30:45.620 --> 00:30:46.259 need to ask, 00:30:47.100 --> 00:30:49.680 what kind of role model 00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:50.799 do I need to be? 00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:52.799 If we're to have 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.599 good role models 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:54.319 in our churches, 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:56.039 well then it makes sense 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:56.879 that we need to start 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.940 stepping up and being 00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:59.000 these kind of people. 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:00.359 These kind of men, 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:01.000 these kind of women. 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.559 I found myself challenged 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:06.980 because in so many ways 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:08.359 when I read this, 00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:10.379 I realize, 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.379 and probably you realize 00:31:11.379 --> 00:31:11.759 as well, 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:13.339 we just don't measure up, 00:31:13.419 --> 00:31:13.700 do we? 00:31:18.399 --> 00:31:19.619 What kind of role model 00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:20.299 am I? 00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:21.859 What kind of role model 00:31:21.859 --> 00:31:22.700 are you? 00:31:24.359 --> 00:31:25.419 How can we be 00:31:25.419 --> 00:31:26.480 these kind of role models 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:27.419 for our church 00:31:27.419 --> 00:31:28.440 here in Cargilline, 00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:30.500 for our spouses at home, 00:31:30.659 --> 00:31:31.480 for our kids, 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.299 our family, 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.299 our friends? 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.279 We'll need to go 00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:36.200 a little bit outside 00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:37.019 the immediate verses 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:38.180 we've read. 00:31:38.639 --> 00:31:39.619 We need to understand 00:31:39.619 --> 00:31:40.139 something, 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:40.859 something that Paul 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:41.299 understood, 00:31:41.919 --> 00:31:42.720 something that Timothy 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.879 and Epaphroditus 00:31:43.879 --> 00:31:44.619 understood. 00:31:46.419 --> 00:31:47.419 The two guys 00:31:47.419 --> 00:31:48.440 that we've been looking at, 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.319 they were kind of 00:31:49.319 --> 00:31:50.119 modeling themselves 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:51.119 in ways on what they 00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:51.439 learned, 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.519 what they saw in Paul. 00:31:53.659 --> 00:31:54.899 But they're not just 00:31:54.899 --> 00:31:56.159 following man's way 00:31:56.159 --> 00:31:56.399 of living, 00:31:56.439 --> 00:31:56.839 they're not just 00:31:56.839 --> 00:31:58.059 following man's wisdom, 00:31:58.659 --> 00:31:59.439 not just modeling 00:31:59.439 --> 00:32:00.299 themselves on a mere 00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:00.879 person, 00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:02.519 like Paul. 00:32:04.419 --> 00:32:05.119 He's written, 00:32:05.399 --> 00:32:06.079 Paul's written to the 00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:06.539 Philippians, 00:32:06.679 --> 00:32:07.139 what he's written 00:32:07.139 --> 00:32:08.000 applies to us 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.939 this morning. 00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:11.339 He had written 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.379 in chapter 2, 00:32:12.380 --> 00:32:14.460 Let it sink in. 00:32:15.160 --> 00:32:15.740 Do nothing 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:17.340 out of selfish ambition 00:32:17.340 --> 00:32:18.820 or vain conceit, 00:32:19.280 --> 00:32:20.300 but in humility 00:32:20.300 --> 00:32:21.440 considers others 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:22.440 better than yourselves. 00:32:23.600 --> 00:32:24.380 Each of you 00:32:24.380 --> 00:32:25.000 should look 00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:26.180 not only to your 00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:27.060 own interests, 00:32:27.760 --> 00:32:28.580 but also to the 00:32:28.580 --> 00:32:30.160 interests of others. 00:32:31.620 --> 00:32:32.780 How are they to do this? 00:32:32.860 --> 00:32:33.920 How will they be 00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:35.040 this kind of role model? 00:32:36.100 --> 00:32:36.340 Well, 00:32:36.380 --> 00:32:36.940 verse 5, 00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:38.460 your attitude 00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:39.500 should be the same 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:40.840 as that of Christ 00:32:40.840 --> 00:32:41.279 Jesus. 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:43.519 The same mindset, 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.120 no less. 00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:49.700 Need to understand 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:50.559 how Christ 00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:52.059 fulfills this. 00:32:54.660 --> 00:32:55.640 Christ showed 00:32:55.640 --> 00:32:56.279 that genuine 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:56.920 interest 00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:58.320 in your welfare, 00:32:58.900 --> 00:32:59.680 in my welfare. 00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:01.500 we weren't 00:33:01.500 --> 00:33:02.320 deserving of him. 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.860 He didn't need 00:33:03.860 --> 00:33:04.440 to leave 00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:05.400 the glory of heaven 00:33:05.400 --> 00:33:06.600 and lay aside 00:33:06.600 --> 00:33:07.299 what was rightfully 00:33:07.299 --> 00:33:07.700 his. 00:33:09.140 --> 00:33:09.900 But he didn't 00:33:09.900 --> 00:33:10.519 cling to his 00:33:10.519 --> 00:33:11.180 own interests. 00:33:12.960 --> 00:33:14.080 His concern 00:33:14.080 --> 00:33:14.860 was for us. 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:17.120 He put us 00:33:17.120 --> 00:33:17.560 first, 00:33:18.140 --> 00:33:19.019 our needs 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:20.039 before his 00:33:20.039 --> 00:33:20.759 and became 00:33:20.759 --> 00:33:21.960 a human being. 00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:24.680 He willingly 00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:25.560 came down, 00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:26.940 obeyed his 00:33:26.940 --> 00:33:27.360 father. 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:28.720 He humbled 00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:29.240 himself. 00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:31.580 But not just 00:33:31.580 --> 00:33:32.080 in taking 00:33:32.080 --> 00:33:32.980 on the form 00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:33.560 of a servant 00:33:33.560 --> 00:33:34.100 as if that 00:33:34.100 --> 00:33:34.440 wasn't 00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:35.160 humbling himself 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:35.580 enough, 00:33:35.860 --> 00:33:36.680 but in dying. 00:33:37.680 --> 00:33:38.240 And not even 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:38.600 in some 00:33:38.600 --> 00:33:39.680 spectacular way. 00:33:41.900 --> 00:33:42.740 But on the 00:33:42.740 --> 00:33:43.080 ugly, 00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:44.560 shameful cross. 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.200 That's how 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:47.940 Christ serves 00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:48.259 us. 00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:50.039 All the 00:33:50.039 --> 00:33:50.600 authority 00:33:50.600 --> 00:33:51.580 is his 00:33:51.580 --> 00:33:52.299 as God. 00:33:52.860 --> 00:33:53.180 Yet he 00:33:53.180 --> 00:33:53.600 puts it 00:33:53.600 --> 00:33:54.019 aside. 00:33:54.580 --> 00:33:54.980 He comes 00:33:54.980 --> 00:33:55.380 down 00:33:55.380 --> 00:33:56.320 for our 00:33:56.320 --> 00:33:56.640 sake. 00:33:57.200 --> 00:33:57.660 All the 00:33:57.660 --> 00:33:58.100 glory 00:33:58.100 --> 00:33:58.920 was his. 00:33:59.000 --> 00:33:59.580 He deserved 00:33:59.579 --> 00:34:00.099 it all, 00:34:00.319 --> 00:34:00.579 to be 00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:00.960 honoured, 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:01.339 to be 00:34:01.339 --> 00:34:02.000 worshipped. 00:34:03.599 --> 00:34:04.419 But instead 00:34:04.419 --> 00:34:04.839 he chose 00:34:04.839 --> 00:34:05.119 to be 00:34:05.119 --> 00:34:05.699 mocked, 00:34:06.899 --> 00:34:07.299 chose to 00:34:07.299 --> 00:34:07.759 be beaten 00:34:07.759 --> 00:34:08.880 and 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.340 crucified 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:10.699 for you 00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:11.900 and for 00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:12.119 me. 00:34:13.719 --> 00:34:14.460 He was 00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:14.980 tested, 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.179 tempted to 00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:17.299 put his 00:34:17.299 --> 00:34:17.920 needs first, 00:34:18.019 --> 00:34:18.779 to say no 00:34:18.779 --> 00:34:19.500 to the 00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:19.920 cross, 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.199 to not 00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:22.179 give his 00:34:22.179 --> 00:34:22.460 all. 00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:25.319 But yet 00:34:25.319 --> 00:34:25.719 he does. 00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:26.719 God 00:34:26.719 --> 00:34:27.719 does 00:34:27.719 --> 00:34:27.839 he 00:34:27.839 --> 00:34:28.159 prove 00:34:28.159 --> 00:34:28.739 himself 00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:29.299 obedient 00:34:29.299 --> 00:34:30.279 to 00:34:30.279 --> 00:34:30.480 his 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:30.819 father. 00:34:31.699 --> 00:34:31.799 He 00:34:31.799 --> 00:34:32.439 perfectly 00:34:32.439 --> 00:34:33.039 models 00:34:33.039 --> 00:34:33.980 what we 00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:34.519 so 00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:35.500 imperfectly 00:34:35.500 --> 00:34:36.399 try to 00:34:36.399 --> 00:34:36.719 imitate. 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:40.279 If you're 00:34:40.279 --> 00:34:40.839 here this 00:34:40.839 --> 00:34:41.279 morning and 00:34:41.279 --> 00:34:41.639 you think 00:34:41.639 --> 00:34:42.319 that living 00:34:42.319 --> 00:34:43.279 in this 00:34:43.279 --> 00:34:43.399 way, 00:34:43.459 --> 00:34:43.939 that attaining 00:34:43.939 --> 00:34:44.619 perfection 00:34:44.619 --> 00:34:45.559 will make 00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:45.959 me right 00:34:45.959 --> 00:34:46.500 with God, 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:48.239 well that's 00:34:48.239 --> 00:34:48.519 not how 00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:49.059 it works. 00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:51.339 Good works 00:34:51.339 --> 00:34:51.759 on their own 00:34:51.759 --> 00:34:52.079 aren't going 00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:52.599 to earn us 00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:53.099 a place 00:34:53.099 --> 00:34:53.839 in heaven, 00:34:53.919 --> 00:34:54.159 aren't going 00:34:54.159 --> 00:34:54.480 to make 00:34:54.480 --> 00:34:54.899 us right 00:34:54.899 --> 00:34:55.460 with God. 00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:56.980 We're 00:34:56.980 --> 00:34:57.440 called to 00:34:57.440 --> 00:34:57.879 perfection, 00:34:58.879 --> 00:34:59.359 have the 00:34:59.359 --> 00:35:00.179 mindset of 00:35:00.179 --> 00:35:00.579 Christ, 00:35:02.659 --> 00:35:03.199 but yet 00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:03.619 we fall 00:35:03.619 --> 00:35:04.279 so short 00:35:04.279 --> 00:35:05.039 every single 00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:05.319 day, 00:35:05.399 --> 00:35:05.719 don't we? 00:35:06.699 --> 00:35:07.279 And that 00:35:07.279 --> 00:35:08.099 is why we 00:35:08.099 --> 00:35:08.579 need Jesus. 00:35:09.239 --> 00:35:10.139 That is why 00:35:10.139 --> 00:35:10.739 we need 00:35:10.739 --> 00:35:11.699 the Christ 00:35:11.699 --> 00:35:13.879 so badly. 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:15.019 We need 00:35:15.019 --> 00:35:15.420 someone who 00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.159 has served 00:35:16.159 --> 00:35:16.739 perfectly, 00:35:17.199 --> 00:35:17.539 who has 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:18.119 given his 00:35:18.119 --> 00:35:18.559 everything 00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:19.500 for us 00:35:19.500 --> 00:35:19.920 like we 00:35:19.920 --> 00:35:20.199 saw, 00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:21.619 that those 00:35:21.619 --> 00:35:21.879 who would 00:35:21.879 --> 00:35:22.319 call on 00:35:22.319 --> 00:35:22.420 him, 00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:23.059 believe in 00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:23.819 him as 00:35:23.820 --> 00:35:24.240 Lord and 00:35:24.240 --> 00:35:24.660 Saviour, 00:35:25.480 --> 00:35:26.059 not trusting 00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:26.360 in their 00:35:26.360 --> 00:35:26.940 works to 00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:27.440 save them, 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:29.120 then they 00:35:29.120 --> 00:35:29.460 could be 00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:30.059 his children. 00:35:30.240 --> 00:35:30.640 They could 00:35:30.640 --> 00:35:31.800 have his 00:35:31.800 --> 00:35:32.440 Holy Spirit. 00:35:33.720 --> 00:35:34.080 And it's 00:35:34.080 --> 00:35:34.700 that Spirit, 00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:35.740 God working 00:35:35.740 --> 00:35:36.160 in us, 00:35:36.220 --> 00:35:36.860 God himself 00:35:36.860 --> 00:35:37.900 within us, 00:35:38.600 --> 00:35:39.340 that moulds 00:35:39.340 --> 00:35:39.440 us, 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:39.980 that works 00:35:39.980 --> 00:35:40.300 in us, 00:35:40.380 --> 00:35:41.240 slowly but 00:35:41.240 --> 00:35:41.580 surely, 00:35:41.820 --> 00:35:42.420 to make us 00:35:42.420 --> 00:35:42.820 more like 00:35:42.820 --> 00:35:43.140 Jesus. 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:45.140 As Michael 00:35:45.140 --> 00:35:45.900 Grant reminded 00:35:45.900 --> 00:35:46.620 us last 00:35:46.620 --> 00:35:46.980 week, 00:35:47.420 --> 00:35:47.620 we're to 00:35:47.620 --> 00:35:48.340 keep working 00:35:48.340 --> 00:35:49.140 out our 00:35:49.140 --> 00:35:49.700 salvation, 00:35:50.080 --> 00:35:50.500 to keep 00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:50.880 going, 00:35:51.640 --> 00:35:52.320 to keep 00:35:52.320 --> 00:35:52.780 looking to 00:35:52.780 --> 00:35:53.180 grow, 00:35:53.179 --> 00:35:54.000 to serve 00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:54.519 one another. 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:55.319 And we've 00:35:55.319 --> 00:35:55.659 learnt this 00:35:55.659 --> 00:35:55.879 morning, 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:56.399 to take 00:35:56.399 --> 00:35:56.899 a genuine 00:35:56.899 --> 00:35:58.119 interest in 00:35:58.119 --> 00:35:58.500 the welfare 00:35:58.500 --> 00:35:59.059 of others. 00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:01.480 We need 00:36:01.480 --> 00:36:01.960 good role 00:36:01.960 --> 00:36:03.019 models as 00:36:03.019 --> 00:36:03.500 Christians. 00:36:05.079 --> 00:36:05.940 And God, 00:36:06.099 --> 00:36:06.679 by his love, 00:36:06.759 --> 00:36:07.480 by his grace, 00:36:07.579 --> 00:36:08.039 has given 00:36:08.039 --> 00:36:09.000 us fine 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:09.500 examples, 00:36:09.719 --> 00:36:10.019 both in 00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:10.539 his word 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:11.399 and in 00:36:11.399 --> 00:36:11.879 one another. 00:36:13.159 --> 00:36:13.919 So imitate 00:36:13.919 --> 00:36:14.639 those who 00:36:14.639 --> 00:36:15.480 imitate Jesus. 00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:16.980 Pick up 00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:17.440 your Bible 00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:18.099 and see 00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:18.539 the kind 00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:19.019 of people, 00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:20.000 see the 00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:20.239 kind of 00:36:20.239 --> 00:36:20.519 Christians 00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:21.059 that God 00:36:21.059 --> 00:36:21.820 calls you 00:36:21.820 --> 00:36:22.400 to be, 00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:22.920 but not 00:36:22.920 --> 00:36:23.360 only that, 00:36:23.599 --> 00:36:24.360 enables you 00:36:24.360 --> 00:36:25.139 to be. 00:36:26.519 --> 00:36:26.800 Model 00:36:26.800 --> 00:36:27.500 yourselves 00:36:27.500 --> 00:36:28.780 on those 00:36:28.780 --> 00:36:29.800 who model 00:36:29.800 --> 00:36:30.639 Jesus, 00:36:31.199 --> 00:36:31.519 those who 00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:31.980 have Jesus 00:36:31.980 --> 00:36:32.719 as their 00:36:32.719 --> 00:36:33.019 model. 00:36:34.980 --> 00:36:35.500 This 00:36:35.500 --> 00:36:36.159 coming week, 00:36:36.559 --> 00:36:37.280 this month, 00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:37.880 this year, 00:36:38.360 --> 00:36:38.960 how will you 00:36:38.960 --> 00:36:39.340 put into 00:36:39.340 --> 00:36:39.960 practice what 00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:40.380 you've learnt 00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:40.900 this morning? 00:36:41.460 --> 00:36:41.759 And I'll 00:36:41.759 --> 00:36:42.099 finish with 00:36:42.099 --> 00:36:42.380 this. 00:36:44.019 --> 00:36:44.539 Firstly, 00:36:45.300 --> 00:36:46.219 get some 00:36:46.219 --> 00:36:47.099 good and 00:36:47.099 --> 00:36:47.719 godly role 00:36:47.719 --> 00:36:48.639 models in 00:36:48.639 --> 00:36:49.079 your life. 00:36:49.980 --> 00:36:50.739 Maybe write 00:36:50.739 --> 00:36:51.420 down one 00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:51.739 or two 00:36:51.739 --> 00:36:52.000 of the 00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:52.480 traits that 00:36:52.480 --> 00:36:52.900 you see 00:36:52.900 --> 00:36:53.420 in someone 00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:53.960 that you 00:36:53.960 --> 00:36:54.359 want to 00:36:54.359 --> 00:36:54.659 imitate, 00:36:54.839 --> 00:36:55.139 godly 00:36:55.139 --> 00:36:55.539 traits. 00:36:57.219 --> 00:36:57.659 Pray about 00:36:57.659 --> 00:36:58.279 those things. 00:36:59.359 --> 00:36:59.920 Thank the 00:36:59.920 --> 00:37:00.460 Lord for the 00:37:00.460 --> 00:37:01.139 qualities that 00:37:01.139 --> 00:37:01.539 he has 00:37:01.539 --> 00:37:02.099 grown in 00:37:02.099 --> 00:37:02.679 that person 00:37:02.679 --> 00:37:04.000 and ask 00:37:04.000 --> 00:37:04.179 that he 00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:04.559 might grow 00:37:04.559 --> 00:37:04.839 them in 00:37:04.839 --> 00:37:05.239 you too. 00:37:06.679 --> 00:37:07.319 Maybe if 00:37:07.319 --> 00:37:07.719 you're feeling 00:37:07.719 --> 00:37:08.239 brave, 00:37:08.940 --> 00:37:09.480 go and talk 00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:09.779 to that 00:37:09.779 --> 00:37:10.159 person. 00:37:10.799 --> 00:37:11.099 Tell them 00:37:11.099 --> 00:37:11.440 what you've 00:37:11.440 --> 00:37:11.779 noticed. 00:37:12.719 --> 00:37:13.039 Tell them 00:37:13.039 --> 00:37:13.460 how you've 00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:14.299 seen that 00:37:14.299 --> 00:37:15.019 Christ-likeness 00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:15.420 in them. 00:37:16.259 --> 00:37:16.659 Ask them 00:37:16.659 --> 00:37:17.299 how they do 00:37:17.299 --> 00:37:17.920 what they do, 00:37:17.920 --> 00:37:19.119 how God 00:37:19.119 --> 00:37:19.940 helps them, 00:37:19.980 --> 00:37:20.200 how the 00:37:20.200 --> 00:37:20.700 Lord helps 00:37:20.700 --> 00:37:21.019 them to 00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:21.480 do it. 00:37:22.659 --> 00:37:23.260 Whether it 00:37:23.260 --> 00:37:23.700 goes to their 00:37:23.700 --> 00:37:24.079 head is 00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:24.680 between them 00:37:24.680 --> 00:37:25.180 and God. 00:37:25.539 --> 00:37:25.800 Don't let 00:37:25.800 --> 00:37:26.220 that put you 00:37:26.220 --> 00:37:26.500 off. 00:37:27.659 --> 00:37:28.880 But let's 00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:29.440 try and keep 00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:30.139 him the 00:37:30.139 --> 00:37:30.579 focus. 00:37:31.800 --> 00:37:32.240 I'll 00:37:32.240 --> 00:37:32.900 paraphrase a 00:37:32.900 --> 00:37:33.619 quote I came 00:37:33.619 --> 00:37:34.200 across as I 00:37:34.200 --> 00:37:34.680 was preparing. 00:37:36.400 --> 00:37:36.920 Who of us 00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:37.260 could be 00:37:37.260 --> 00:37:38.960 arrogant or 00:37:38.960 --> 00:37:39.500 make much of 00:37:39.500 --> 00:37:40.159 ourselves or 00:37:40.159 --> 00:37:40.659 think too 00:37:40.659 --> 00:37:41.940 highly of 00:37:41.940 --> 00:37:43.619 ourselves when 00:37:43.619 --> 00:37:44.320 we consider how 00:37:44.320 --> 00:37:44.980 we look next 00:37:44.980 --> 00:37:45.579 to the cross? 00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:48.800 Secondly, 00:37:49.260 --> 00:37:49.900 try and 00:37:49.900 --> 00:37:51.440 practice taking 00:37:51.440 --> 00:37:52.099 that genuine 00:37:52.099 --> 00:37:53.340 interest in the 00:37:53.340 --> 00:37:53.840 welfare of 00:37:53.840 --> 00:37:54.260 others this 00:37:54.260 --> 00:37:54.539 week. 00:37:55.159 --> 00:37:55.539 It's not 00:37:55.539 --> 00:37:55.720 going to 00:37:55.720 --> 00:37:56.340 happen overnight. 00:37:56.940 --> 00:37:57.360 I guarantee 00:37:57.360 --> 00:37:57.720 you that. 00:37:58.079 --> 00:37:58.780 Ask God for 00:37:58.780 --> 00:37:59.500 those opportunities. 00:38:00.200 --> 00:38:00.680 Look for 00:38:00.680 --> 00:38:00.900 them. 00:38:01.740 --> 00:38:02.139 Perhaps it 00:38:02.139 --> 00:38:02.760 will look like 00:38:02.760 --> 00:38:03.300 maybe taking 00:38:03.300 --> 00:38:04.380 the time to 00:38:04.380 --> 00:38:05.019 ring a friend, 00:38:05.599 --> 00:38:06.440 to ask how 00:38:06.440 --> 00:38:06.840 things are 00:38:06.840 --> 00:38:07.139 going. 00:38:08.300 --> 00:38:08.880 Maybe giving 00:38:08.880 --> 00:38:09.340 up some of 00:38:09.340 --> 00:38:10.180 that me time 00:38:10.180 --> 00:38:11.079 to play with 00:38:11.079 --> 00:38:11.619 the kids, 00:38:12.079 --> 00:38:12.480 to take the 00:38:12.480 --> 00:38:12.960 initiative in 00:38:12.960 --> 00:38:13.960 leading your 00:38:13.960 --> 00:38:15.440 family in 00:38:15.440 --> 00:38:16.380 reading God's 00:38:16.380 --> 00:38:16.639 word. 00:38:16.639 --> 00:38:16.699 word. 00:38:17.779 --> 00:38:18.440 Maybe to 00:38:18.440 --> 00:38:18.839 talk to 00:38:18.839 --> 00:38:19.199 someone you've 00:38:19.199 --> 00:38:19.659 never talked 00:38:19.659 --> 00:38:20.079 to after 00:38:20.079 --> 00:38:20.579 church. 00:38:21.400 --> 00:38:21.879 To ask 00:38:21.879 --> 00:38:22.379 about them. 00:38:22.920 --> 00:38:23.719 To take a 00:38:23.719 --> 00:38:24.900 genuine interest. 00:38:26.359 --> 00:38:26.559 Can you 00:38:26.559 --> 00:38:27.179 imagine what 00:38:27.179 --> 00:38:28.319 our churches 00:38:28.319 --> 00:38:28.759 would look 00:38:28.759 --> 00:38:29.460 like, what 00:38:29.460 --> 00:38:29.980 Cargilline 00:38:29.980 --> 00:38:30.339 would look 00:38:30.339 --> 00:38:31.279 like, if 00:38:31.279 --> 00:38:31.759 we took 00:38:31.759 --> 00:38:32.659 that genuine 00:38:32.659 --> 00:38:34.059 interest in 00:38:34.059 --> 00:38:34.559 one another? 00:38:35.900 --> 00:38:36.759 And even if 00:38:36.759 --> 00:38:37.159 the genuine 00:38:37.159 --> 00:38:37.980 feeling isn't 00:38:37.980 --> 00:38:38.519 there straight 00:38:38.519 --> 00:38:39.839 away, do 00:38:39.839 --> 00:38:40.239 it anyway. 00:38:41.219 --> 00:38:41.920 And pray 00:38:41.920 --> 00:38:42.799 that the 00:38:42.799 --> 00:38:43.719 Lord would 00:38:43.719 --> 00:38:44.219 change your 00:38:44.219 --> 00:38:44.519 heart. 00:38:44.519 --> 00:38:44.579 heart. 00:38:46.460 --> 00:38:47.059 So, 00:38:47.380 --> 00:38:48.179 brothers and 00:38:48.179 --> 00:38:48.519 sisters, 00:38:49.539 --> 00:38:50.259 practice the 00:38:50.259 --> 00:38:51.500 attitude of 00:38:51.500 --> 00:38:52.099 Jesus Christ 00:38:52.099 --> 00:38:52.599 this week, 00:38:52.800 --> 00:38:53.440 this month, 00:38:53.920 --> 00:38:54.460 this year, 00:38:54.759 --> 00:38:55.420 and imitate 00:38:55.420 --> 00:38:56.920 those who 00:38:56.920 --> 00:38:57.659 imitate Jesus. 00:38:58.460 --> 00:38:59.059 Let's pray. 00:38:59.059 --> 00:39:05.719 Father, we 00:39:05.719 --> 00:39:06.340 thank you so 00:39:06.340 --> 00:39:07.299 much for 00:39:07.299 --> 00:39:07.779 your word. 00:39:08.099 --> 00:39:08.639 We thank you 00:39:08.639 --> 00:39:08.920 how you 00:39:08.920 --> 00:39:09.539 teach us. 00:39:10.400 --> 00:39:11.340 We thank you 00:39:11.340 --> 00:39:11.880 for the 00:39:11.880 --> 00:39:13.139 examples that 00:39:13.139 --> 00:39:13.679 we see in 00:39:13.679 --> 00:39:14.179 your word of 00:39:14.179 --> 00:39:14.719 what it looks 00:39:14.719 --> 00:39:15.980 like to 00:39:15.980 --> 00:39:16.400 live for 00:39:16.400 --> 00:39:16.799 Christ. 00:39:17.320 --> 00:39:17.659 And we 00:39:17.659 --> 00:39:18.279 thank you so 00:39:18.279 --> 00:39:19.179 much for 00:39:19.179 --> 00:39:19.739 the models 00:39:19.739 --> 00:39:20.779 that we see 00:39:20.779 --> 00:39:21.219 in one 00:39:21.219 --> 00:39:22.199 another of 00:39:22.199 --> 00:39:22.619 Christ's 00:39:22.619 --> 00:39:23.099 likeness. 00:39:23.699 --> 00:39:24.259 Imperfect 00:39:24.260 --> 00:39:24.640 though we 00:39:24.640 --> 00:39:25.300 are, that 00:39:25.300 --> 00:39:25.560 you are 00:39:25.560 --> 00:39:26.180 growing us 00:39:26.180 --> 00:39:26.560 to be more 00:39:26.560 --> 00:39:27.080 like Jesus. 00:39:29.180 --> 00:39:29.880 We thank 00:39:29.880 --> 00:39:30.380 you most of 00:39:30.380 --> 00:39:30.780 all for the 00:39:30.780 --> 00:39:31.740 perfect example 00:39:31.740 --> 00:39:32.560 that we 00:39:32.560 --> 00:39:32.920 have in 00:39:32.920 --> 00:39:33.120 him. 00:39:34.440 --> 00:39:34.920 Lord, who 00:39:34.920 --> 00:39:35.440 are we that 00:39:35.440 --> 00:39:35.760 we would 00:39:35.760 --> 00:39:37.440 deserve this? 00:39:37.720 --> 00:39:38.360 We don't. 00:39:39.560 --> 00:39:40.260 But Lord, you 00:39:40.260 --> 00:39:41.240 humbled yourself. 00:39:41.480 --> 00:39:42.080 You put 00:39:42.080 --> 00:39:44.260 your interests 00:39:44.260 --> 00:39:45.100 aside for our 00:39:45.100 --> 00:39:45.380 sake. 00:39:46.300 --> 00:39:47.040 Let that be 00:39:47.040 --> 00:39:47.540 our motivation 00:39:47.540 --> 00:39:48.240 as we see 00:39:48.240 --> 00:39:48.800 what Jesus 00:39:48.800 --> 00:39:49.400 has done 00:39:49.400 --> 00:39:50.480 and how you 00:39:50.480 --> 00:39:51.360 enable us 00:39:51.360 --> 00:39:52.060 by your 00:39:52.060 --> 00:39:53.420 spirit to be 00:39:53.420 --> 00:39:53.920 those kind 00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:54.200 of role 00:39:54.200 --> 00:39:54.579 models. 00:39:55.960 --> 00:39:56.260 That we 00:39:56.260 --> 00:39:56.740 might as a 00:39:56.740 --> 00:39:57.559 church grow, 00:39:58.119 --> 00:39:59.340 mature, and 00:39:59.340 --> 00:40:00.019 live for you 00:40:00.019 --> 00:40:00.700 day by day. 00:40:01.019 --> 00:40:01.440 That you 00:40:01.440 --> 00:40:02.159 would grow us 00:40:02.159 --> 00:40:03.019 into the kind 00:40:03.019 --> 00:40:03.599 of people you 00:40:03.599 --> 00:40:04.280 have saved us 00:40:04.280 --> 00:40:04.579 to be. 00:40:05.639 --> 00:40:06.180 And pray these 00:40:06.180 --> 00:40:06.960 things in your 00:40:06.960 --> 00:40:07.659 most precious 00:40:07.659 --> 00:40:08.220 name, the 00:40:08.220 --> 00:40:08.680 name of your 00:40:08.680 --> 00:40:10.059 Son, Jesus 00:40:10.059 --> 00:40:10.500 Christ. 00:40:11.280 --> 00:40:11.579 Amen. 00:40:14.380 --> 00:40:14.980 We're going 00:40:14.980 --> 00:40:16.159 to close by 00:40:16.159 --> 00:40:18.139 singing the 00:40:18.139 --> 00:40:18.700 song Once 00:40:18.700 --> 00:40:19.099 Again. 00:40:19.740 --> 00:40:20.539 It reminds us 00:40:20.539 --> 00:40:21.159 once again I 00:40:21.159 --> 00:40:22.019 look upon the 00:40:22.019 --> 00:40:22.900 cross where 00:40:22.900 --> 00:40:23.579 you dies. 00:40:24.039 --> 00:40:24.860 I'm humbled 00:40:24.860 --> 00:40:25.579 by your 00:40:25.579 --> 00:40:26.000 mercy.