WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.040 The following sermon is made available by Lakeside Bible Church in Cornelius, North Carolina. 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:19.160 For more information about our church or to find more recorded sermons, 00:00:19.640 --> 00:00:22.719 please visit us online at lakesidebible.church. 00:00:22.980 --> 00:00:25.719 We'd also love to connect with you on social media. 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:30.679 You can find us by searching Lakeside Bible NC on Facebook and Instagram. 00:00:31.399 --> 00:00:37.879 For specific questions about the Bible or our church, please email us at info at lakesidebible.church. 00:00:40.079 --> 00:00:50.159 These few sentences in verses 21 to 23 actually contain, I think, a fitting summary for the major themes of the letter. 00:00:50.159 --> 00:00:56.759 I don't mean that to say that that was Paul's intention, that he was intending to summarize everything that he had said. 00:00:56.859 --> 00:00:58.359 And this is just, he's just saying goodbye. 00:00:58.780 --> 00:01:04.620 But as we understand it and as we begin to study it, we can see that even represented in his goodbye, 00:01:05.019 --> 00:01:11.359 we see once again the renewal of these major themes that have existed throughout the letter. 00:01:11.359 --> 00:01:18.159 And I think that it would be helpful to us to make note of those and just remind ourselves as we close out our study of this letter 00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:23.319 exactly what those themes are and how they should matter to us. 00:01:23.560 --> 00:01:29.400 We first see in verse 21 this theme of the fellowship of believers. 00:01:29.980 --> 00:01:31.260 The fellowship of believers. 00:01:32.099 --> 00:01:32.879 Look with me again. 00:01:33.680 --> 00:01:34.680 Paul simply says, 00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:37.680 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. 00:01:38.320 --> 00:01:40.360 The brethren which are with me greet you. 00:01:40.880 --> 00:01:44.620 In fact, all the saints salute you, he says. 00:01:45.440 --> 00:01:48.300 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. 00:01:49.100 --> 00:01:55.100 It seems like such a simple thing to address, but this greeting is a reminder of the great fellowship, 00:01:55.460 --> 00:01:59.440 the great love and relationship that Paul had with this church. 00:01:59.440 --> 00:02:02.820 And that is even his ministry team had with this church. 00:02:02.819 --> 00:02:11.359 Significant to the greeting is the fact that he uses the word every as opposed to the more generic all. 00:02:11.799 --> 00:02:12.359 Now let me explain. 00:02:12.459 --> 00:02:13.359 Look at verse 22. 00:02:14.060 --> 00:02:20.299 Paul, when expressing that the people there in Rome, in the church of Rome, were sending greetings to Philippi, 00:02:20.379 --> 00:02:20.719 he says, 00:02:21.099 --> 00:02:22.740 All the saints salute you. 00:02:23.340 --> 00:02:27.139 Well, we know in that circumstance, that is a term, a generic term. 00:02:27.259 --> 00:02:31.359 Not all of the saints in Rome would have even had an opportunity to see Paul. 00:02:31.360 --> 00:02:37.080 Certainly with those preachers in Rome that had been antagonistic against his ministry, 00:02:37.200 --> 00:02:39.480 and were actually trying to tear the ministry down, 00:02:39.720 --> 00:02:42.460 certainly would not have actually come to him and expressed it. 00:02:42.500 --> 00:02:46.820 But certainly some people had come and expressed on behalf of the church in Rome, 00:02:47.060 --> 00:02:51.860 Hey, let the Philippians know that we said hello, that we love them, that we're praying for them. 00:02:52.100 --> 00:02:53.300 And it was just a generic term. 00:02:53.460 --> 00:02:56.360 All the saints in Rome greet you and salute you. 00:02:56.360 --> 00:03:01.160 But that's not the same word that he uses when he addresses his own personal greeting to the church. 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:02.080 He doesn't say all. 00:03:02.280 --> 00:03:05.780 He doesn't say salute all the saints in Christ Jesus, 00:03:05.820 --> 00:03:10.360 as if he wanted the elders of the Philippian church to stand up in the assembled congregation. 00:03:11.020 --> 00:03:12.960 It says, Hey, Paul says, Hello. 00:03:14.120 --> 00:03:21.740 He intended that each and every individual believer in the church have this personalized greeting and expression. 00:03:21.740 --> 00:03:27.400 It's once again just an expression of Paul's great love as a shepherd to these people. 00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:33.340 His great love that each and every person, whether they were in that gathering that day or not, 00:03:33.460 --> 00:03:35.100 that the elders would take this letter. 00:03:35.200 --> 00:03:38.719 And if you've got to go to their house, go to their house and sit down and read the letter to them. 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:40.080 Let them know how I'm doing. 00:03:40.360 --> 00:03:41.879 Let them know how I'm praying for them. 00:03:42.100 --> 00:03:43.580 Let them know that I love them. 00:03:43.800 --> 00:03:45.379 Hey, remind them to stand firm. 00:03:45.719 --> 00:03:50.120 Remind them to stick to the truth of the gospel and so on and so forth. 00:03:50.120 --> 00:03:51.159 It's significant here. 00:03:52.080 --> 00:03:53.719 And then he takes it a step further and he says, 00:03:54.080 --> 00:03:56.379 The brethren which are with me greet you. 00:03:57.360 --> 00:04:02.020 And we begin to understand once again that one of the greatest features of Christian unity 00:04:02.020 --> 00:04:09.400 is that love exists between all true believers, not just the ones that we know the best. 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:15.680 And the love that exists between us is not on the basis of who is the greatest Christian and who is the lowest Christian. 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:20.220 It is the fact that we all belong to Christ and we have this fellowship with one another. 00:04:20.600 --> 00:04:25.959 And over and over and over we see this come through in the book of Philippians. 00:04:26.920 --> 00:04:35.160 We've noted very often throughout our study Paul's use of the koinon word group or koinonia most specifically. 00:04:35.160 --> 00:04:41.800 And it means partnership and fellowship, active participation, sharing in. 00:04:42.600 --> 00:04:50.800 And this fellowship with Christ and with other believers through Christ is one of the most prominent themes of this letter. 00:04:51.120 --> 00:04:56.820 And it underpins so many of the expressions of joy throughout the book. 00:04:56.819 --> 00:05:11.379 In other words, true joy is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ and is then strengthened by faithful relationships within the local church. 00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:23.120 And let's consider just for a moment how this theme and this theme especially of fellowship within the church has come to the surface so often here in Philippians. 00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:25.899 They were partners in the work. 00:05:25.899 --> 00:05:27.599 And that's really where it begins. 00:05:28.060 --> 00:05:30.060 This koinon word, partnership. 00:05:30.659 --> 00:05:36.279 These believers were partners with Paul in the gospel and then they were partners with one another. 00:05:36.899 --> 00:05:40.939 In fact, flip back to chapter 1 and let's just look at a couple of examples by way of reminder. 00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:49.639 Right at the beginning of chapter 1, Paul shares his thankfulness for this fellowship. 00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:51.659 Look at verse 5. 00:05:51.660 --> 00:05:55.100 He says that I'm praying for you. 00:05:55.300 --> 00:05:57.140 I'm making requests with joy for you. 00:05:57.260 --> 00:05:57.540 Why? 00:05:57.700 --> 00:05:58.160 Verse 5. 00:05:58.500 --> 00:05:59.439 For your fellowship. 00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:00.620 That's the koinon word. 00:06:00.760 --> 00:06:01.160 Koinonia. 00:06:01.540 --> 00:06:04.700 For your koinonia in the gospel. 00:06:05.100 --> 00:06:09.040 From the first day that I arrived in Philippi until now. 00:06:09.460 --> 00:06:10.520 Look down at verse 7. 00:06:10.519 --> 00:06:13.740 Even it is right for me to think this of you all. 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:21.079 Because I have you in my heart inasmuch as both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 00:06:21.219 --> 00:06:22.519 That is the work of the gospel. 00:06:23.019 --> 00:06:24.500 You are koinon. 00:06:25.060 --> 00:06:27.459 Partakers of my grace. 00:06:27.579 --> 00:06:31.339 They were partners with Paul in the gospel work. 00:06:31.779 --> 00:06:33.919 And then we get to the end of chapter 1. 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:36.480 And we see this from Paul's perspective. 00:06:37.259 --> 00:06:38.319 Look at verse 22. 00:06:39.400 --> 00:06:46.060 He's contemplating whether it's better to go unto heaven to be with Christ or whether he should be happy to stay on earth. 00:06:46.640 --> 00:06:47.080 And he says, 00:06:47.079 --> 00:06:49.839 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor. 00:06:50.339 --> 00:06:52.259 Yet what I shall choose I do not know. 00:06:53.019 --> 00:06:54.639 For I am in a strait betwixt two. 00:06:54.779 --> 00:06:58.159 I have a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better. 00:06:59.360 --> 00:07:05.759 Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you, he says. 00:07:06.299 --> 00:07:13.899 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for the furtherance and joy of your faith. 00:07:13.899 --> 00:07:20.179 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming again to you. 00:07:20.419 --> 00:07:25.259 So early in chapter 1, we see this partnership in the gospel from the church's perspective. 00:07:25.379 --> 00:07:28.139 They have partnered with him time and time again. 00:07:28.359 --> 00:07:32.179 Then we get to the end of chapter 1, and we see this partnership from Paul's perspective. 00:07:32.620 --> 00:07:34.899 That to go to heaven right now would be fantastic. 00:07:35.039 --> 00:07:38.699 But if the Lord so wills that I remain with you, it will be for your joy. 00:07:38.859 --> 00:07:42.159 And I will glory in the work that the Lord allows me to do with you. 00:07:42.419 --> 00:07:42.839 Why? 00:07:42.839 --> 00:07:45.459 Because we are koinonia in the gospel. 00:07:45.819 --> 00:07:48.379 We are partners in the gospel. 00:07:49.419 --> 00:07:52.339 And then we get to the end of chapter 2, and we won't read those verses, 00:07:52.539 --> 00:07:59.139 but we see the dynamic of other pastors, other church leaders come into this gospel partnership. 00:08:00.159 --> 00:08:04.079 19, but I trust in the Lord to send Timothy shortly unto you, 00:08:04.539 --> 00:08:07.399 that I also may be of good comfort when I know your state. 00:08:07.399 --> 00:08:12.479 For I have no man like-minded who will care for your state. 00:08:12.859 --> 00:08:16.719 No pastor is going to care for you with my heart the way Timothy will. 00:08:16.939 --> 00:08:20.439 And I want him to partner with you the way that I have partnered with you. 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:25.439 And then they're reminded of Epaphroditus' great love in verse 25. 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:32.860 Yet I supposed it necessary to send you Epaphroditus, my brother and companion in labor and fellow soldier, 00:08:33.179 --> 00:08:34.080 but your messenger. 00:08:34.820 --> 00:08:36.320 And he that ministered to my wants. 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:39.080 Now, here's Epaphroditus' spirit towards the church. 00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:45.540 For he longed after you all and was full of heaviness because you had heard that he had been sick. 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:47.740 He was sick near unto death. 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:52.980 And when he found out that the Philippians knew that, he was concerned that they were concerned. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:59.920 And now his greatest desire was just to get back to Philippi so that he could be of comfort in the gospel to his church. 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:10.000 There is fantastic and wonderful and supernatural even partnership in the gospel work, this koinonia word as we see it throughout the letter. 00:09:10.599 --> 00:09:12.500 Then we see the unity in the spirit. 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:14.319 Unity in the spirit. 00:09:16.079 --> 00:09:21.959 Paul, at the beginning of chapter 2 in those first four verses, makes a very clear call to unity. 00:09:23.719 --> 00:09:26.500 Another koinon word is used here in verse number 1. 00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:37.919 And if there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any koinon, fellowship of the spirit, the Holy Spirit, any bowels of mercies. 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:42.399 And it's insinuated that, and there is all of those things. 00:09:42.700 --> 00:09:46.659 Verse 2, fulfill you my joy that you be like-minded. 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:50.159 Having the same love for one another. 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:53.100 Being of one accord, of one mind. 00:09:53.100 --> 00:09:54.139 How do they do that? 00:09:54.139 --> 00:10:03.659 By not letting anything be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind and humility, let each esteem everyone else better than themselves. 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:06.559 Consider everybody else as more important than you. 00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:11.519 Consider everybody else's thoughts and preferences as more important than yours. 00:10:11.819 --> 00:10:13.559 Look not every man on his own things. 00:10:14.299 --> 00:10:16.840 Every man also on the things of others. 00:10:16.939 --> 00:10:18.980 And it's a clear call to unity within the church. 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:25.879 And the overflow of that unity is this great love in the Lord that also comes to the surface throughout the letter. 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:29.259 Look back at chapter 1 and verse number 8. 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:32.039 Paul expresses his own love for the church. 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:38.259 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:39.399 Love in the Lord. 00:10:39.399 --> 00:10:47.379 And this I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment. 00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:51.639 And he personalizes that again in chapter 4 and verse number 1. 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:55.620 Six different terms of endearment he uses in this one verse. 00:10:55.620 --> 00:10:56.019 He says, 00:10:56.019 --> 00:11:10.639 There's a tremendous love that existed between Paul and this church. 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:14.279 And he continued to encourage them to exhibit that same love with one another. 00:11:14.819 --> 00:11:19.799 Which is where verse 2 in chapter 4 is so convicting even. 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:22.959 He calls out Iodias and Syntyche. 00:11:23.799 --> 00:11:29.339 I beg them, ladies, please be of the same mind in the Lord. 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:32.519 Love one another in the Lord. 00:11:33.319 --> 00:11:38.099 And I entreat you also, true yoke fellow church congregation, help them. 00:11:38.500 --> 00:11:41.299 Help these women which labored with me in the gospel. 00:11:42.019 --> 00:11:45.699 Help them love one another by loving them. 00:11:45.700 --> 00:11:53.500 And then we see this final example of koinonia, the end of chapter 4, as we share in the blessings. 00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:58.840 Not only the material blessings that the Lord allows us to put towards his service. 00:11:58.840 --> 00:12:02.660 But we share in the fruitfulness of the gospel that comes from that. 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:07.640 I've come to appreciate the emphasis of this word group in the letter. 00:12:07.639 --> 00:12:18.179 In fact, this study for me has taught me once again the importance of life in the local church. 00:12:19.399 --> 00:12:34.059 You cannot experience the koinonia of the Philippian congregation without committing to the faithful, regular, even physical gathering of the local church. 00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:35.200 You can. 00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:45.080 And what a great reminder to us in such a strange and unusual season for church life in the United States. 00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:51.960 To be reminded over and over of the koinonia that is to be experienced within the local church. 00:12:51.960 --> 00:13:02.540 And online services cannot possibly provide this vital aspect of the Christian life as we came to understand very practically for months. 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:20.480 Listening to services and audio formats afterwards just doesn't provide the koinonia the way that the physical gathering provides the koinonia through the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:22.580 We need each other. 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:25.460 We need this gathering together. 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:28.920 And we need to do it because it fulfills the commandment of the Lord. 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:42.299 But even with that being the case, it is very possible to be faithfully committed to the physical gathering without actually obeying the koinon commands of the Bible. 00:13:42.299 --> 00:13:51.620 I took a day two weeks ago to work from a coffee shop in Davidson. 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:56.060 I just needed a change of scenery, really, to be honest with you. 00:13:56.139 --> 00:14:00.100 And I got permission from Julie, and I left the house, and I went and sat in a coffee shop. 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:04.159 And it's kind of a small room. 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:08.679 While I was there, there was a group of men that sat down at a table next to me, and I overheard their conversation. 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:12.679 And I honestly tried not to eavesdrop on what they were saying, but it's a small room. 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:13.879 It's hard not to overhear. 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:18.480 And the subject that they began to talk about caught my attention in particular. 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:25.360 No matter how hard I tried, I was intent on listening, and I think maybe of the Lord. 00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:28.779 It was the same week that I was actually writing this particular sermon. 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:36.840 The men began talking about their perspectives of church and their churches, specifically the church gathering. 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:47.860 And what I heard them talk about, and not even so much the content of their conversation, but the spirit of their conversation was really pretty heartbreaking. 00:14:49.180 --> 00:14:55.460 It proved a lack of true understanding of what the church is and what the church is supposed to be. 00:14:57.320 --> 00:15:04.460 One man mentioned that his church will not even plan to return to gatherings until the spring of next year. 00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:19.800 And I couldn't help but think of how great a tragedy that there were pastors that were leading their churches not to be together for what will end up being an entire year. 00:15:21.700 --> 00:15:30.400 It's a misunderstanding of what the church is, what its purpose is, what God has called us to do, and what God has called us to be. 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:42.159 Another man talked about how he believed that this season has helped people to understand that they don't actually need the physical gathering. 00:15:43.319 --> 00:15:55.919 That we live in such a time with social media and live streaming that he was content to do that indefinitely because after all, as he put it, Sundays are such a hassle with kids anyways. 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:59.259 And I thought, how heartbreaking is that? 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:14.120 If he commits the rest of his life as a father to encouraging his kids to sit in the corner and play around as best as they can while he and his wife try their best to focus in on a TV screen, 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:19.879 what's going to happen when those kids have gone through their whole life without any real discipleship, 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:27.659 without really any understanding of what the church is and what it's like to worship with other believers, 00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:36.620 what it's like to have the experience of the blessing and the meeting of God that he promises when his people get together for the purpose of worship 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:42.740 and the purpose of communion and the sight and observance of baptism and so on and so forth as we go on. 00:16:42.820 --> 00:16:44.379 What a tragedy that is. 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:49.480 And maybe 20 years from now, we'll wonder, how did the church get to be like this? 00:16:49.480 --> 00:17:01.440 Still, one of them was a pastor and he's completely reformatting and restructuring his entire philosophy of ministry now 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:09.400 in order that it may operate more as kind of permanent small groups as opposed to an actual church gathering. 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:16.259 And I thought, if we're going to fulfill what God has commanded for us to do and be as the local church, 00:17:16.780 --> 00:17:22.360 we must commit to the faithful gatherings of the local church. 00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:27.380 And we must not be satisfied with merely attending, 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:35.000 but we must be faithfully committed to engage in meaningful discipleship with one another. 00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:39.340 Our time together on Sundays is not just for the purpose of fellowship, 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:42.100 it is for the purpose of discipleship. 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:48.820 And it should extend beyond the walls of the acting out studios so that it becomes a regular process of our life, 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:53.160 that we view one another as the church that we submit our discipleship to 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:56.240 and that we are going to disciple in return. 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:58.280 That's what the church is. 00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:00.140 That's what the church does. 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:05.200 And even if you come week by week and come to every service, 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:10.340 but your method is to come in and not do much as far as relationships are concerned, 00:18:10.340 --> 00:18:14.759 you will still fall short of the koinonia of the church. 00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:18.039 How did they have this love for one another in Philippi? 00:18:18.140 --> 00:18:20.340 How did they have this love for gospel work? 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:22.779 How did they have this unity among themselves, 00:18:22.860 --> 00:18:25.640 or at least the pursuit of unity among themselves? 00:18:25.840 --> 00:18:28.480 How did they have all the things that this koinonia group brings in? 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:30.620 It wasn't because they were disengaged. 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:33.860 It was because they were engaged faithfully, not only in the gathering, 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:36.860 but in the discipleship of one another in the church. 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:40.519 Mark Dever a couple of months ago tweeted, 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:43.140 I thought this was so good. 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:44.900 He said, 00:18:44.900 --> 00:18:49.720 many in media and government seem to think Christians want to be in churches, 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:53.240 but they've misunderstood what a church is. 00:18:53.620 --> 00:18:56.500 It's not a sacred space we belong in. 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:59.620 It's a people that we belong with. 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.480 That's the church. 00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:05.880 We've seen that already in the life of our young congregation. 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:09.900 Whereas we start in a elementary school gymnasium, 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:12.840 take a quick detour to my living room, 00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:15.619 then spend a few weeks online together, 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:17.859 and now we're in an acting studio 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:20.259 praying that the Lord will let us get into a strip mall. 00:19:20.419 --> 00:19:22.000 It doesn't matter where we meet. 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:25.019 Church is not a place that we go to. 00:19:25.199 --> 00:19:26.980 It's not a building that we meet in. 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:30.079 It is a people that we belong with. 00:19:30.199 --> 00:19:33.000 And until we understand truly what the church is, 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:36.319 we will abandon everything that God has said we're supposed to do. 00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:41.399 Unfortunately, so many professing Christians have made that same mistake. 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:43.759 It's not about worship. 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:45.580 It's not about discipleship. 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:49.980 To be honest, I've come to a point that I don't really know what they think it's about 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:51.840 or why they even bother. 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:55.380 There's a purpose to what we do every Sunday. 00:19:56.280 --> 00:19:59.700 And it's more than me getting up here and rattling off a bunch of things to you. 00:20:01.800 --> 00:20:04.900 We belong together, right? 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:06.620 Yeah, we do. 00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:09.040 There's the fellowship of believers. 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:14.899 Secondly, we see this theme in verse 22 of the power of the gospel. 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:17.420 Power of the gospel. 00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:20.339 Look at verse 22. 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:22.059 All the saints salute you. 00:20:23.399 --> 00:20:24.599 Chiefly, he says, 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:28.920 those that are of the household of Caesar. 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:32.379 You may recall from one of our first studies 00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:35.720 what was the nature of Paul's imprisonment in Rome. 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:39.259 He wasn't in a dungeon, at least not in this particular imprisonment, 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.440 maybe on his final one. 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:45.240 This one, he was more on kind of a version of house arrest. 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:49.620 And every day he was chained to a Roman soldier. 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:51.559 And there were shifts that they would take, 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:53.420 really probably two shifts in a day. 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.779 And so every single day, 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:58.279 he had two different opportunities to preach the gospel to someone 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:59.940 that was literally chained to him. 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:03.180 And we know that he took advantage of those opportunities. 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:07.620 These soldiers were not just grunt soldiers in the army. 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:11.539 Chapter 1 tells us that they belonged to the empirical guard, 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.660 the Praetorian Guard. 00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:15.200 And as we understand Roman history, 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:17.880 the Praetorian Guard were not chumps. 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:20.780 There were even times in Roman history 00:21:20.780 --> 00:21:24.240 where they were actually the most powerful political group, 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:26.500 actually greater even than Caesar 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:30.720 and the Senate even in some portions of history. 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:36.200 And Paul, every day, had access to these powerful men, 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:40.300 gospel access to these powerful men. 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:42.380 So much so that he says, 00:21:42.820 --> 00:21:45.260 they've begun to be saved. 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:50.779 And that's going out through the household of Caesar. 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:53.500 Household in this context 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:55.079 wouldn't have just meant the family of Caesar. 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:57.559 It would have meant anybody that actually served in the house 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.259 or in the palace. 00:21:58.420 --> 00:22:01.079 This could have been more Praetorian soldiers. 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:03.539 It could have been chefs and bakers. 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:05.980 It could have been butlers and other servants. 00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:07.599 And then it also could actually mean 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:12.579 some relatives of Nero in this particular time. 00:22:13.879 --> 00:22:14.839 And what does that tell us? 00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:16.119 Well, three things, I think. 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:19.459 One, it reminds us of the advancement of the gospel. 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:21.199 The advancement of the gospel. 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:23.519 What kind of power does the gospel have? 00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:26.159 It is an unstoppable advancement. 00:22:26.399 --> 00:22:27.740 That's the power that it has. 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:30.139 Look back at chapter one. 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:32.379 Paul says in verse number 12, 00:22:32.459 --> 00:22:34.279 when he's addressing this specifically, 00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:35.240 he says, 00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:36.619 I want you to know, brothers, 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:39.059 that the things which happened to me 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:43.220 have fallen out rather into the furtherance of the gospel, 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:44.579 the advancement of the gospel. 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:45.460 How so? 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:49.440 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:51.839 and in all other places as well. 00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:55.339 And many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my bonds 00:22:55.339 --> 00:22:58.100 are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.079 And he says, 00:22:59.180 --> 00:23:00.319 hey, Philippians, it's okay. 00:23:00.380 --> 00:23:01.420 Don't worry about this. 00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:04.640 The gospel is advancing. 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:10.300 And one of the major themes of the book once again becomes the power of that gospel. 00:23:11.300 --> 00:23:14.480 If the gospel had been something simply contrived in the minds of men, 00:23:14.800 --> 00:23:17.759 then the Philippians would have had just calls for concern. 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:20.420 But the gospel is not man's idea. 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:24.920 It is God's purposes in providing salvation. 00:23:25.300 --> 00:23:28.780 And God's purposes cannot be stopped. 00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:31.060 They cannot be stopped. 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:34.220 As Paul says to the Romans in chapter 1 and verse 16, 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:36.220 I am not ashamed of the gospel, 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:42.220 for it is the power of God unto salvation for anyone that will believe, 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:44.099 to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:45.940 What's the point in the power of the gospel? 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:49.779 It will advance when all hell is trying to stop it. 00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:54.379 Jesus said the gates of hell cannot prevail against the church 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:57.359 and the mission of the gospel that the church has. 00:23:57.359 --> 00:24:00.980 What a wonderful truth for these Philippians to be reminded of. 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:06.679 Simply by reminding them that, hey, even the folks over in the palace say, hey, 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.720 and they're praying for you. 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:10.879 And the gospel still works. 00:24:11.419 --> 00:24:13.059 And it's still moving forward. 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:17.159 But it's not just about Paul's ministry of the gospel. 00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:19.799 We were reminded in chapter 2 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:24.599 that it's actually the responsibility of every Christian 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:27.119 to be faithful to share the gospel. 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:29.079 Look at verse 12 in chapter 2. 00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:30.399 Paul says, 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:33.419 Wherefore, my beloved brothers, as you have always obeyed, 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:34.720 not as in my presence only, 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:36.679 but now much more in my absence, 00:24:36.919 --> 00:24:39.539 work out your own salvation with fear and tribbling. 00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:41.099 Not a work salvation, 00:24:41.359 --> 00:24:43.679 but the salvation that has happened on the inside. 00:24:43.899 --> 00:24:45.579 Work it out to the outside. 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.339 Why? 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:49.740 For it's God that works in you, 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:52.519 both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:59.879 Do all things without murmuring and disputing against that purpose that God is working out in your life, 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:03.359 that you may be blameless and harmless, 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:06.339 the sons of God without rebuke, 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:08.859 in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:14.079 among whom you shine as lights in the world, 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:17.859 holding forth the word of life. 00:25:18.719 --> 00:25:20.619 What is this advancement of the gospel? 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:22.559 It's just not about Paul's imprisonment. 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:25.299 It's about the faithful witness of the Philippians. 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:30.000 What's the advancement of the gospel about at Lakeside Bible Church? 00:25:30.419 --> 00:25:32.440 It's not only the pulpit ministry of Jared. 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:37.559 It's the daily ministry of evangelism for each of you as well, and me. 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:39.980 And the gospel will advance. 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.799 Nothing can stop it. 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:45.259 So let's take that truth and let's boldly proclaim it, 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:48.619 understanding that even if we are stopped, 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:50.680 the gospel won't be, can't be. 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:54.759 We see not only the advancement of the gospel in this book, 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:58.779 we see the author of the gospel in this book. 00:25:58.839 --> 00:26:00.460 It's my favorite part, to be honest. 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:04.339 What is the gospel? 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:07.180 The gospel is about Jesus. 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:11.879 The writer of the Hebrews said that he is the author 00:26:11.879 --> 00:26:14.539 and the finisher of our faith, 00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:18.960 and his work alone provides salvation. 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:22.900 Philippians contains even the greatest 00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:25.700 and most comprehensive description of this gospel 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:27.160 found anywhere in the Bible. 00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:30.080 Stay right there in chapter 2 if your finger's still there. 00:26:31.060 --> 00:26:32.620 And in fact, if you haven't done this already, 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:35.420 I want to encourage you to live in this passage for a few days. 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:37.740 Memorize this passage for a few days 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:39.560 because it's going to help you in that witness, 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.320 in that advancement. 00:26:40.560 --> 00:26:41.240 What does he say? 00:26:41.860 --> 00:26:42.400 Verse 5, 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:44.900 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:48.080 who, being in the form of God, 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:49.840 the very essence of God, 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:51.300 he is God, in other words, 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:53.440 thought it not robbery to be equal with God, 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:57.259 but made himself of no reputation 00:26:57.259 --> 00:27:01.140 and took upon him the form of a slave 00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:04.860 and was made in the likeness of men 00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:08.800 and being found in fashion as a man, 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:11.980 he became obedient unto death, 00:27:12.619 --> 00:27:14.039 even the death of the cross. 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.599 What is the gospel? 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:17.960 The gospel's about Jesus. 00:27:18.159 --> 00:27:19.399 He is the author of it. 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:22.319 He is God who has taken on flesh 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:23.839 at the same time, 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:25.460 never releasing his deity, 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:28.700 but taking on full humanity in that moment. 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.299 Why? 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:32.039 So that he could save us from our sins 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:35.000 and being found in fashion as a man, 00:27:35.139 --> 00:27:37.099 he became obedient unto death, 00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:38.399 but not just any death. 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:40.879 It wasn't just the thought of death 00:27:40.879 --> 00:27:42.059 that he became obedient to. 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:43.980 It was the death of the cross, 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:45.460 a criminal's death. 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:49.139 This atonement that came by way of Christ's death 00:27:49.139 --> 00:27:51.419 was not a randomized atonement. 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:53.539 It was a specific atonement 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:55.619 that was guaranteed for all of those 00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:57.299 who would believe. 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:59.559 It was the criminal's substitution, 00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:02.899 the perfect for the unperfect, 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:05.700 the just for the unjust. 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:07.660 His death was intentional, 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:10.740 and it was perfectly substitutionary 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:12.940 for those who would believe in his name. 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:15.580 That's what the gospel is. 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:18.580 It's not about what we do. 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:22.019 It's about what God has done through Christ. 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:24.819 What good is a dead savior? 00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:27.240 No good at all, 00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:29.840 which is why he didn't stay dead. 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.939 Three days later, 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:34.599 he victoriously raises from the dead 00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.539 from his own power. 00:28:35.679 --> 00:28:36.839 How is that even possible? 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:38.579 Because of verse number six, 00:28:39.139 --> 00:28:40.759 being in the form of God. 00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:42.839 He was God, not just a man. 00:28:43.099 --> 00:28:43.939 How could he die? 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:46.639 Because he took on the form of a servant 00:28:46.639 --> 00:28:48.419 and was made in the likeness of men. 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.199 And then what happened? 00:28:49.439 --> 00:28:50.480 He raised from the dead. 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:52.659 And then we get to the next verse. 00:28:52.660 --> 00:28:57.040 Wherefore God has highly exalted him 00:28:57.040 --> 00:28:59.600 and given him a name, 00:28:59.840 --> 00:29:01.259 which is above every name, 00:29:01.360 --> 00:29:02.320 not the name Jesus. 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.580 That's just his earthly name. 00:29:03.660 --> 00:29:04.960 It's the name Lord, 00:29:05.340 --> 00:29:06.120 Yahweh, 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.360 Jehovah, 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:08.580 God. 00:29:09.540 --> 00:29:11.180 So that at the name of Jesus, 00:29:11.340 --> 00:29:12.640 every knee should bow 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.960 and every things in heaven 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:14.800 and things in earth 00:29:14.800 --> 00:29:15.720 and things under the earth 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.540 and that every tongue 00:29:16.540 --> 00:29:19.420 should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:29:19.420 --> 00:29:20.300 Why? 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:23.920 To the glory of God the Father. 00:29:24.820 --> 00:29:26.279 What is this gospel about? 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:27.380 It's about Jesus. 00:29:27.860 --> 00:29:29.480 Why did God do all of this? 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:31.039 For his own glory. 00:29:32.060 --> 00:29:33.160 For his own glory. 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:35.100 Why did Jesus become a man? 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.500 Why did he die on the cross? 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.900 Why did he raise from the dead? 00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:40.320 To the glory of God the Father. 00:29:40.580 --> 00:29:43.259 And we were created to give him that glory. 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:45.340 And the way that we give him that glory, 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.960 according to Philippians chapter two, 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:48.460 is when we bow the knee 00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:49.440 and confess the tongue 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:51.920 that Jesus Christ is indeed Lord. 00:29:52.100 --> 00:29:53.220 He is Yahweh. 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:54.480 He is God. 00:29:54.620 --> 00:29:55.880 He is our Savior. 00:29:56.660 --> 00:29:58.200 He's the author of the gospel. 00:29:58.640 --> 00:30:00.860 And that gospel will advance 00:30:00.860 --> 00:30:02.460 if we will just proclaim it. 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.559 And even if we don't, 00:30:05.620 --> 00:30:07.480 God will use someone to proclaim it. 00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:09.720 And his word will go forth. 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:12.319 And then we see in chapter three 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:13.700 the authentic gospel 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:15.880 or the authenticity of the gospel. 00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:19.380 And we won't dig in too deeply here, 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:22.900 but there were great burdens on the church, 00:30:23.060 --> 00:30:23.820 false teachers, 00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:26.460 Judaizers specifically in Philippi 00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:29.340 that were teaching a works-based gospel. 00:30:30.340 --> 00:30:32.000 And Paul confronted that, 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:34.840 reminded us of what the authentic gospel, 00:30:35.040 --> 00:30:35.920 true gospel is. 00:30:36.820 --> 00:30:38.080 It's all about Jesus. 00:30:39.100 --> 00:30:40.760 And he kind of does it in a unique way. 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:42.319 We pointed out throughout the chapter 00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:44.960 that there are kind of three tenses 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:46.920 to salvation in the Bible. 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:49.579 There's the past tense of salvation. 00:30:49.579 --> 00:30:50.500 That's justification. 00:30:50.859 --> 00:30:53.559 That's the moment of regeneration and conversion. 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:55.960 And Paul talks about that in verse seven. 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.160 He says, 00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:58.540 but what things were gained to me, 00:30:58.640 --> 00:31:00.019 I counted loss for Christ. 00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:01.540 Doubtless, 00:31:01.620 --> 00:31:02.820 I count all things but loss 00:31:02.820 --> 00:31:05.200 for the surpassing value of knowing Christ, 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:07.940 for whom I have suffered the loss of all things 00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:09.080 and do count them but dung 00:31:09.080 --> 00:31:10.100 that I may win Christ 00:31:10.100 --> 00:31:12.240 and be found in him. 00:31:12.860 --> 00:31:13.640 That's justification. 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:14.660 That's past tense. 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:16.240 We have been saved. 00:31:16.340 --> 00:31:18.440 And then there is the present tense. 00:31:18.560 --> 00:31:19.580 That's sanctification. 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:21.380 We are being saved. 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:23.400 We are being conformed to the image of Christ. 00:31:23.660 --> 00:31:25.500 And Paul gives his own testimony 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:26.900 about that in verse 13. 00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:28.279 Brethren, 00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:30.319 I count not myself to have apprehended. 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:31.019 I'm not perfect, 00:31:31.140 --> 00:31:32.400 but this one thing I do, 00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:33.759 forgetting all those other things 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:35.339 that I mentioned before that I pursued 00:31:35.339 --> 00:31:37.640 and instead reaching forth 00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:38.980 under those things which are before. 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:40.259 And he says, 00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:41.359 I press toward the mark. 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:43.180 What's he pressing towards? 00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:43.880 Christ. 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:46.880 Christ is both the goal and the prize. 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:50.000 And what's happening in this life 00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:51.079 after our conversion? 00:31:52.420 --> 00:31:52.579 Well, 00:31:52.599 --> 00:31:53.619 God is working in us 00:31:53.619 --> 00:31:54.720 to make us blameless. 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:56.140 to make us holy 00:31:56.140 --> 00:31:57.259 that we may shine forth 00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:58.220 as lights in the world, 00:31:58.500 --> 00:32:00.339 holding forth the word of life. 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:02.279 It's continual sanctification. 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:03.319 He's conforming us 00:32:03.319 --> 00:32:04.380 to the image of his son. 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:04.759 And then, 00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:06.400 most excitingly, 00:32:07.140 --> 00:32:09.519 there is the future tense of salvation. 00:32:10.799 --> 00:32:11.319 Glorification. 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.519 Verse 20. 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:15.279 For our citizenship is in heaven. 00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:19.180 From whence we look for the Savior 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:20.940 and Lord Jesus Christ 00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:23.180 who shall change. 00:32:23.180 --> 00:32:24.600 We will be saved. 00:32:24.600 --> 00:32:27.620 He shall change our vile body 00:32:27.620 --> 00:32:28.840 that it may be fashioned 00:32:28.840 --> 00:32:30.680 like unto his glorious body. 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:33.080 According to the working whereby 00:32:33.080 --> 00:32:34.539 he is able, 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:36.100 he will do this work. 00:32:36.620 --> 00:32:37.060 In fact, 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:38.580 he does all the work. 00:32:40.600 --> 00:32:42.080 And so we see not only 00:32:42.080 --> 00:32:43.840 the fellowship of believers, 00:32:44.539 --> 00:32:45.580 the power of the gospel, 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:47.080 thirdly and quickly, 00:32:47.079 --> 00:32:49.839 we see the grace of God 00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:51.720 as a prominent theme 00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:53.000 in this book. 00:32:53.179 --> 00:32:54.019 Look at verse 23, 00:32:54.980 --> 00:32:55.759 chapter four. 00:32:57.379 --> 00:32:58.099 It's a benediction. 00:32:59.359 --> 00:33:01.139 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:33:01.139 --> 00:33:01.899 be with you all. 00:33:02.399 --> 00:33:02.639 Amen. 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:04.119 That's what he says. 00:33:06.619 --> 00:33:08.359 Benediction is a prayer of blessing. 00:33:09.079 --> 00:33:10.740 It seeks for God's work 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.539 to be accomplished 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:13.059 in the lives 00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:14.339 of a particular group of people. 00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:15.559 We have a benediction 00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:16.899 every Sunday morning 00:33:16.899 --> 00:33:18.199 at the conclusion of the service. 00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:19.199 We'll do it again today. 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:21.279 And almost always, 00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:22.299 it's a piece of scripture 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:25.599 that relates to a prayer of blessing. 00:33:25.959 --> 00:33:26.899 Sometimes it's a prayer 00:33:26.899 --> 00:33:28.119 that's just based on scripture. 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:31.139 It's always a prayer in nature. 00:33:32.179 --> 00:33:33.179 Benediction is not something 00:33:33.179 --> 00:33:35.539 we recite or just say. 00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:36.399 It's something that we pray 00:33:36.399 --> 00:33:37.000 to the Lord. 00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:39.720 And here in Paul's benediction, 00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:41.259 there's one word 00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:41.980 that comes screaming 00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:42.740 off the page. 00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:43.920 Grace. 00:33:45.100 --> 00:33:46.319 That the grace 00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:48.259 of our Lord and Savior 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:49.339 Jesus Christ 00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:51.500 would be with them 00:33:51.500 --> 00:33:52.460 was his prayer. 00:33:53.220 --> 00:33:54.759 But not just a random form 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:55.299 of grace. 00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:57.339 It's the grace of God 00:33:57.339 --> 00:33:58.160 that he prays. 00:33:58.759 --> 00:33:59.079 Indeed, 00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:01.180 it's only the grace of God 00:34:01.180 --> 00:34:01.960 that could actually 00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:03.019 make it possible 00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:04.579 for the Philippians 00:34:04.579 --> 00:34:05.880 to do what Paul had written 00:34:05.880 --> 00:34:06.500 throughout the letter 00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:07.160 for them to do. 00:34:07.740 --> 00:34:08.320 Think about it. 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:10.059 God gives grace 00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:11.019 to stand. 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:13.120 Stand firm on the gospel. 00:34:13.600 --> 00:34:14.500 At the end of chapter one, 00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:14.840 he says, 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:15.120 look, 00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:16.940 persecution's coming. 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:20.120 If it hasn't already arrived, 00:34:20.660 --> 00:34:21.820 stand firm on the gospel. 00:34:22.160 --> 00:34:22.960 Strive together 00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:24.120 for the faith of the gospel. 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:25.059 And then he even uses 00:34:25.059 --> 00:34:25.960 a word for grace 00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:26.620 when he says 00:34:26.620 --> 00:34:28.200 that they will be 00:34:28.200 --> 00:34:29.300 facing persecution. 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:30.480 He says that they will be 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:31.200 graced, 00:34:31.640 --> 00:34:32.019 granted 00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:33.620 with persecution. 00:34:34.580 --> 00:34:35.880 As if it's a privilege 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:37.760 to suffer for the sake 00:34:37.760 --> 00:34:38.160 of the Lord. 00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:39.300 And indeed it is. 00:34:40.200 --> 00:34:41.320 God gives us the grace 00:34:41.320 --> 00:34:41.900 to do that. 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:43.980 To not tuck our tails 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:44.380 and run. 00:34:45.220 --> 00:34:45.980 God gives grace 00:34:45.980 --> 00:34:46.640 to stand firm. 00:34:46.720 --> 00:34:47.640 We pray for that grace. 00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:48.840 Grace to rejoice 00:34:48.840 --> 00:34:49.660 in chapter four. 00:34:49.900 --> 00:34:51.500 Rejoice in the Lord. 00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:52.720 God gives us grace 00:34:52.720 --> 00:34:53.300 to do that. 00:34:54.380 --> 00:34:55.920 Grace to experience peace 00:34:55.920 --> 00:34:57.519 in verses seven and eight 00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:58.280 of chapter four. 00:34:58.400 --> 00:34:59.400 God gives that grace. 00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:00.240 It is his grace 00:35:00.240 --> 00:35:01.620 that passes all understanding. 00:35:01.780 --> 00:35:03.280 It is the God of peace 00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:05.160 that grants us that peace. 00:35:05.159 --> 00:35:07.480 Grace to endure. 00:35:08.039 --> 00:35:09.319 Philippians 4.13. 00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:11.940 I can do all things 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.619 through Christ 00:35:12.619 --> 00:35:13.839 who strengthens me. 00:35:14.259 --> 00:35:15.539 You see where grace 00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.379 is so prevalent 00:35:16.379 --> 00:35:17.039 in this book? 00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:18.059 And then finally 00:35:18.059 --> 00:35:19.099 as we studied last week, 00:35:19.399 --> 00:35:20.299 grace to provide. 00:35:21.319 --> 00:35:22.539 And my God shall provide 00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:23.839 all of your need. 00:35:24.059 --> 00:35:24.940 He will supply 00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:25.819 all of our need. 00:35:25.899 --> 00:35:27.219 Not material need only, 00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:28.980 but our spiritual need. 00:35:29.879 --> 00:35:31.699 God's grace is a dominant theme 00:35:31.699 --> 00:35:32.679 of the whole scripture. 00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:33.839 And it certainly 00:35:33.839 --> 00:35:35.039 is a dominant theme here. 00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:38.159 Well, in conclusion, 00:35:38.819 --> 00:35:41.059 what is the true theme 00:35:41.059 --> 00:35:42.099 and takeaway of the letter? 00:35:42.399 --> 00:35:43.659 If we're gonna nail it 00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:44.460 down to one thing, 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:46.299 we could say joy. 00:35:48.319 --> 00:35:49.059 But really, 00:35:49.259 --> 00:35:50.000 we have to take it 00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:50.779 a step further back 00:35:50.779 --> 00:35:51.199 than that. 00:35:51.739 --> 00:35:53.000 The theme of this book 00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:54.839 is the same theme 00:35:54.839 --> 00:35:55.879 as every other book 00:35:55.879 --> 00:35:56.319 of the Bible. 00:35:57.159 --> 00:35:57.960 It's Jesus. 00:35:59.899 --> 00:36:00.819 Without Jesus, 00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:01.679 there'd be no reason 00:36:01.679 --> 00:36:02.559 for our fellowship, 00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:04.059 our koinonia. 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:05.899 Without Jesus, 00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:07.000 there'd be no gospel, 00:36:07.179 --> 00:36:08.019 therefore no power, 00:36:08.159 --> 00:36:09.139 therefore no advancement. 00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:11.039 Without Jesus, 00:36:11.179 --> 00:36:12.239 there'd be no grace. 00:36:13.159 --> 00:36:13.940 Without Jesus, 00:36:14.219 --> 00:36:15.359 the theme of the Bible 00:36:15.359 --> 00:36:16.599 would be non-existent. 00:36:16.699 --> 00:36:17.519 He is clearly 00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:19.219 the theme of Philippians. 00:36:20.199 --> 00:36:21.319 And with that thought, 00:36:22.259 --> 00:36:23.559 Paul closes the letter 00:36:23.559 --> 00:36:24.299 with an important 00:36:24.299 --> 00:36:25.619 and emphatic word. 00:36:26.679 --> 00:36:28.259 Amen, he says. 00:36:28.260 --> 00:36:31.100 Now, I wanna mention 00:36:31.100 --> 00:36:31.680 something about 00:36:31.680 --> 00:36:33.320 the use of this word here. 00:36:34.240 --> 00:36:35.860 Not all English translations 00:36:35.860 --> 00:36:36.900 include it here 00:36:36.900 --> 00:36:38.140 at the end of chapter four. 00:36:38.820 --> 00:36:39.880 And the reason that is 00:36:39.880 --> 00:36:40.860 is because not all 00:36:40.860 --> 00:36:41.860 biblical manuscripts 00:36:41.860 --> 00:36:41.860 00:36:41.860 --> 00:36:41.440 It's not all biblical 00:36:41.440 --> 00:36:42.660 manuscripts included. 00:36:43.040 --> 00:36:44.240 Some do and some don't. 00:36:45.140 --> 00:36:45.400 And so, 00:36:45.540 --> 00:36:46.420 many modern translations 00:36:46.420 --> 00:36:47.680 have actually removed it, 00:36:47.980 --> 00:36:48.700 referring back 00:36:48.700 --> 00:36:49.300 to the amen 00:36:49.300 --> 00:36:49.900 that's listed 00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:51.520 in verse 20. 00:36:51.519 --> 00:36:53.219 But there are a lot 00:36:53.219 --> 00:36:54.239 of biblical scholars 00:36:54.239 --> 00:36:56.360 like Oxford professor 00:36:56.360 --> 00:36:57.880 Marcus Bachmuel 00:36:57.880 --> 00:36:59.840 who believe there is 00:36:59.840 --> 00:37:01.219 excellent and widespread 00:37:01.219 --> 00:37:03.059 early textual evidence 00:37:03.059 --> 00:37:05.519 that makes it perfectly fitting 00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:07.380 for a concluding amen here. 00:37:08.920 --> 00:37:10.000 The amen in verse 20 00:37:10.000 --> 00:37:11.500 is undisputed. 00:37:11.780 --> 00:37:12.360 Nobody questions 00:37:12.360 --> 00:37:13.039 that one at all. 00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:15.119 And since it is undisputed, 00:37:15.780 --> 00:37:17.239 it would make more sense 00:37:17.239 --> 00:37:18.719 that verse 23 00:37:18.719 --> 00:37:19.559 would be more of 00:37:19.559 --> 00:37:21.059 a scribal omission 00:37:21.059 --> 00:37:22.239 than it would be 00:37:22.239 --> 00:37:23.539 a scribal insertion. 00:37:23.639 --> 00:37:24.940 But here it is 00:37:24.940 --> 00:37:26.099 in our text today. 00:37:26.239 --> 00:37:27.619 And I think because of that, 00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:29.360 it's perfectly fine 00:37:29.360 --> 00:37:30.259 and maybe even wise 00:37:30.259 --> 00:37:31.299 for us to regard it. 00:37:31.739 --> 00:37:32.619 And so I wanna say that 00:37:32.619 --> 00:37:33.659 in case you have a translation 00:37:33.659 --> 00:37:34.739 that doesn't actually say amen 00:37:34.739 --> 00:37:35.820 here at the end this morning. 00:37:36.239 --> 00:37:37.219 This is why I'm making 00:37:37.219 --> 00:37:38.000 a big deal of it. 00:37:39.460 --> 00:37:40.639 Sometimes we use words 00:37:40.639 --> 00:37:41.920 that we don't really understand. 00:37:42.619 --> 00:37:43.639 We use them in a way 00:37:43.639 --> 00:37:44.360 that isn't fitting. 00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:46.719 It means so be it. 00:37:47.659 --> 00:37:49.500 It's a covenant word, actually. 00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:51.619 And as we understand 00:37:51.619 --> 00:37:52.059 the scripture, 00:37:52.199 --> 00:37:52.840 there's even times 00:37:52.840 --> 00:37:53.380 that it's used 00:37:53.380 --> 00:37:54.759 in a judicial sense. 00:37:55.559 --> 00:37:56.519 If you study the book 00:37:56.519 --> 00:37:57.199 of Nehemiah, 00:37:57.279 --> 00:37:58.259 you'll find about 00:37:58.259 --> 00:38:00.079 in chapter four or five 00:38:00.079 --> 00:38:00.759 that there were 00:38:00.759 --> 00:38:01.920 some real issues 00:38:01.920 --> 00:38:03.159 that had arisen 00:38:03.159 --> 00:38:04.559 in the work on the wall. 00:38:04.860 --> 00:38:05.619 The issues came 00:38:05.619 --> 00:38:06.840 from within, though. 00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:09.099 The nobles were taking 00:38:09.099 --> 00:38:11.199 slaves of their own people. 00:38:11.699 --> 00:38:13.500 And Nehemiah confronts it, 00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:14.340 and he brings 00:38:14.340 --> 00:38:15.259 all the people around. 00:38:15.579 --> 00:38:16.840 And the way that they 00:38:16.840 --> 00:38:17.739 came in covenant 00:38:17.739 --> 00:38:18.539 with one another 00:38:18.539 --> 00:38:21.099 to make this thing right 00:38:21.099 --> 00:38:22.819 was the double amen. 00:38:23.139 --> 00:38:24.219 They all said amen 00:38:24.219 --> 00:38:24.979 and amen. 00:38:25.299 --> 00:38:26.039 So be it. 00:38:26.059 --> 00:38:26.679 It was judicial. 00:38:26.819 --> 00:38:28.399 It was covenant in nature. 00:38:29.539 --> 00:38:30.599 The amen in the scriptures 00:38:30.599 --> 00:38:31.539 is a covenant. 00:38:33.000 --> 00:38:33.939 It says, 00:38:34.119 --> 00:38:35.399 yes, this is true, 00:38:35.799 --> 00:38:37.719 and I am binding myself 00:38:37.719 --> 00:38:39.179 to this truth. 00:38:39.179 --> 00:38:41.639 It's not necessarily 00:38:41.639 --> 00:38:42.799 that I like the truth 00:38:42.799 --> 00:38:43.819 or that the truth is easy. 00:38:43.899 --> 00:38:44.259 It is just, 00:38:44.419 --> 00:38:45.919 this is what the scripture says. 00:38:46.259 --> 00:38:46.460 Therefore, 00:38:46.639 --> 00:38:47.859 I am putting myself 00:38:47.859 --> 00:38:48.440 in covenant 00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:50.159 with what God has said, 00:38:50.259 --> 00:38:51.859 and I am binding myself 00:38:51.859 --> 00:38:53.440 to what he has said 00:38:53.440 --> 00:38:55.059 in agreement 00:38:55.059 --> 00:38:55.859 with his will. 00:38:58.299 --> 00:38:59.399 So Paul's amen 00:38:59.399 --> 00:39:00.639 affirms the truth 00:39:00.639 --> 00:39:01.139 of the letter. 00:39:02.399 --> 00:39:04.379 And then it binds him 00:39:04.379 --> 00:39:06.419 and the Philippian church 00:39:06.419 --> 00:39:08.159 to that truth. 00:39:08.159 --> 00:39:11.699 The most significant amen 00:39:11.699 --> 00:39:13.659 is the one that comes 00:39:13.659 --> 00:39:14.579 after the reading 00:39:14.579 --> 00:39:15.319 of the truth 00:39:15.319 --> 00:39:16.159 of God's word. 00:39:17.420 --> 00:39:18.219 So as we conclude 00:39:18.219 --> 00:39:18.779 our study 00:39:18.779 --> 00:39:19.799 in the book of Philippians, 00:39:19.940 --> 00:39:21.519 we echo with Paul. 00:39:22.579 --> 00:39:22.920 Amen. 00:39:24.559 --> 00:39:25.599 So be it. 00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:27.960 We affirm 00:39:27.960 --> 00:39:29.019 that this scripture 00:39:29.019 --> 00:39:30.379 is God's truth indeed, 00:39:30.940 --> 00:39:32.699 and we bind ourselves 00:39:32.699 --> 00:39:34.099 to obey it 00:39:34.099 --> 00:39:35.940 in God's good grace. 00:39:35.940 --> 00:39:38.119 you say, 00:39:38.159 --> 00:39:38.659 what do you mean? 00:39:39.360 --> 00:39:40.039 We're going to covenant 00:39:40.039 --> 00:39:41.559 to be koinonia. 00:39:43.400 --> 00:39:43.920 Why? 00:39:44.920 --> 00:39:46.539 Because this is God's truth, 00:39:47.240 --> 00:39:49.820 and we will bind ourselves 00:39:49.820 --> 00:39:50.579 to God's truth. 00:39:51.980 --> 00:39:53.039 We will covenant 00:39:53.039 --> 00:39:55.579 to teach the true gospel, 00:39:56.079 --> 00:39:57.539 to believe the true gospel. 00:39:57.539 --> 00:39:57.880 Why? 00:39:58.200 --> 00:39:59.760 Because this is God's truth. 00:39:59.760 --> 00:40:02.440 So be it. 00:40:03.340 --> 00:40:04.400 We will trust 00:40:04.400 --> 00:40:05.100 in God's grace, 00:40:05.180 --> 00:40:05.900 and we will seek 00:40:05.900 --> 00:40:06.600 his grace. 00:40:07.460 --> 00:40:08.060 Why? 00:40:08.300 --> 00:40:09.820 Because this is God's truth. 00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:10.980 So be it. 00:40:14.920 --> 00:40:16.020 An unbeliever 00:40:16.020 --> 00:40:17.360 may hear passages 00:40:17.360 --> 00:40:18.120 like this preached. 00:40:18.220 --> 00:40:19.660 They may hear passages 00:40:19.660 --> 00:40:21.080 like Philippians chapter 2, 00:40:21.160 --> 00:40:22.420 or hear an explanation 00:40:22.420 --> 00:40:23.480 of the gospel of Jesus, 00:40:23.620 --> 00:40:24.680 and come to the end of it 00:40:24.680 --> 00:40:25.160 and think, 00:40:25.600 --> 00:40:26.680 what am I supposed 00:40:26.680 --> 00:40:27.440 to do with that? 00:40:27.440 --> 00:40:32.000 Sometimes I think 00:40:32.000 --> 00:40:32.500 we put a little 00:40:32.500 --> 00:40:33.360 too much emphasis 00:40:33.360 --> 00:40:35.320 on what they do 00:40:35.320 --> 00:40:36.460 with that, 00:40:37.039 --> 00:40:38.659 when there's nothing 00:40:38.659 --> 00:40:39.800 they can do 00:40:39.800 --> 00:40:41.159 with that. 00:40:41.480 --> 00:40:42.659 It's not about a prayer. 00:40:43.519 --> 00:40:44.380 It's not about 00:40:44.380 --> 00:40:45.159 a come forward. 00:40:45.360 --> 00:40:46.039 It's not about 00:40:46.039 --> 00:40:46.280 a, 00:40:47.679 --> 00:40:48.280 something 00:40:48.280 --> 00:40:49.519 that they do. 00:40:50.500 --> 00:40:51.579 What do they do? 00:40:51.740 --> 00:40:52.220 Essentially, 00:40:53.179 --> 00:40:53.460 amen. 00:40:54.599 --> 00:40:55.720 I've heard the gospel. 00:40:56.619 --> 00:40:57.400 So be it. 00:40:58.099 --> 00:40:59.139 I'll believe it. 00:41:00.059 --> 00:41:00.800 I'll follow him 00:41:00.800 --> 00:41:01.260 as Lord. 00:41:03.420 --> 00:41:04.720 And I'll bind myself 00:41:04.720 --> 00:41:05.360 to its truth. 00:41:07.019 --> 00:41:07.940 That's the only 00:41:07.940 --> 00:41:09.240 true and lasting 00:41:09.240 --> 00:41:11.300 response 00:41:11.300 --> 00:41:12.619 to the gospel message. 00:41:13.860 --> 00:41:14.880 And I want to encourage 00:41:14.880 --> 00:41:15.659 you with that today. 00:41:16.619 --> 00:41:17.679 And I want to encourage 00:41:17.679 --> 00:41:18.320 you with that 00:41:18.320 --> 00:41:19.619 as you go on 00:41:19.619 --> 00:41:20.880 sharing this gospel. 00:41:20.880 --> 00:41:22.619 not that we would 00:41:22.619 --> 00:41:23.300 lead people 00:41:23.300 --> 00:41:24.579 to some type 00:41:24.579 --> 00:41:25.180 of religious 00:41:25.180 --> 00:41:26.660 right or action, 00:41:27.360 --> 00:41:28.220 but that we 00:41:28.220 --> 00:41:29.220 would encourage 00:41:29.220 --> 00:41:29.840 the great 00:41:29.840 --> 00:41:31.400 amen of their life 00:41:31.400 --> 00:41:33.340 to hear the truth 00:41:33.340 --> 00:41:34.579 and say, 00:41:35.000 --> 00:41:36.340 so be it. 00:41:37.180 --> 00:41:38.300 And bind themselves 00:41:38.300 --> 00:41:38.760 to it. 00:41:38.760 --> 00:41:40.000 Thank you for listening 00:41:40.000 --> 00:41:40.660 to this sermon 00:41:40.660 --> 00:41:41.220 made available 00:41:41.220 --> 00:41:42.640 by Lakeside Bible Church. 00:41:43.080 --> 00:41:44.060 Feel free to share it 00:41:44.060 --> 00:41:44.740 wherever you'd like. 00:41:45.280 --> 00:41:46.240 Please do not charge 00:41:46.240 --> 00:41:47.380 for it or alter it 00:41:47.380 --> 00:41:47.980 in any way 00:41:47.980 --> 00:41:48.860 without express 00:41:48.860 --> 00:41:49.640 written consent 00:41:49.640 --> 00:41:51.040 from Lakeside Bible Church. 00:41:51.580 --> 00:41:52.740 Don't forget to visit us 00:41:52.740 --> 00:41:53.420 online at 00:41:53.420 --> 00:41:54.700 lakesidebible.church 00:41:54.700 --> 00:41:54.720 ! 00:41:54.719 --> 00:41:56.259 or find us on Facebook 00:41:56.259 --> 00:41:56.939 and Instagram 00:41:56.939 --> 00:41:57.899 by searching for 00:41:57.899 --> 00:41:59.359 Lakeside Bible NC. 00:42:00.079 --> 00:42:01.239 If you live in the Charlotte 00:42:01.239 --> 00:42:02.079 or Lake Norman area, 00:42:02.239 --> 00:42:03.279 we'd love for you to attend 00:42:03.279 --> 00:42:04.459 one of our worship services. 00:42:04.859 --> 00:42:06.059 We meet every Sunday morning 00:42:06.059 --> 00:42:06.859 at 10 a.m. 00:42:06.859 --> 00:42:08.199 We'd love to meet you.