WEBVTT 00:00:00.760 --> 00:00:04.839 Well, it is a joy to be with you all this evening. 00:00:05.520 --> 00:00:07.080 It's a special day. 00:00:07.259 --> 00:00:11.939 It's, as I said a moment ago, a day when we focus on the ascension. 00:00:12.640 --> 00:00:15.220 It's also in our country Mother's Day. 00:00:15.759 --> 00:00:22.960 A little bit later we'll be praying a prayer for all kinds of motherhood, spiritual motherhood, 00:00:23.379 --> 00:00:26.039 adoptive motherhood, actual motherhood for our mothers. 00:00:26.039 --> 00:00:32.939 And so hopefully in some way you'll realize that this is a time that connects to all of us. 00:00:33.560 --> 00:00:41.159 But right now we're going to continue our series that we started a few weeks ago in the book we call Philippians. 00:00:41.299 --> 00:00:42.980 It's Paul's letter to the Philippians. 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:46.840 And the title of this series is The Joyful Life. 00:00:48.179 --> 00:00:49.519 The Joyful Life. 00:00:49.620 --> 00:00:55.259 And that's because joy is one of the great themes that runs through Philippians. 00:00:55.259 --> 00:00:56.640 It makes it a wonderful book. 00:00:56.979 --> 00:01:08.920 But it's unique in this sense that when you look at the themes in Philippians and you look at the circumstances in which this letter was written, 00:01:09.219 --> 00:01:10.519 there's a massive disconnect. 00:01:11.640 --> 00:01:17.900 So you have themes of joy and gratitude and rejoicing and generosity. 00:01:17.900 --> 00:01:23.560 Those are the themes and then the circumstances in which this letter were written. 00:01:24.240 --> 00:01:36.300 Imprisonment, suffering, wrongful accusation and persecution, betrayal, unrest, rivalry, pending execution. 00:01:36.299 --> 00:01:40.519 There's a massive disconnect. 00:01:40.679 --> 00:01:44.120 In other words, it's a joy that doesn't make sense. 00:01:46.659 --> 00:01:50.019 And what we'll see is that Paul's joy is possible. 00:01:51.780 --> 00:01:56.219 It's a unique kind of joy and it's possible because of the way he measures his life. 00:01:56.219 --> 00:02:01.840 In other words, joy is not connected to our circumstances themselves. 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:08.139 Joy is something that comes out of the meaning that we attach to our circumstances. 00:02:09.620 --> 00:02:14.659 And that depends entirely on what we believe about the purpose of life itself. 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:17.479 So this is what we're going to be talking about tonight. 00:02:17.620 --> 00:02:21.400 The passage is Philippians chapter 1 verses 12 through 26. 00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:25.240 And first we'll see something about God's purposes. 00:02:26.840 --> 00:02:30.900 And then we'll see how those purposes shape Paul's perspective. 00:02:32.180 --> 00:02:36.400 And then lastly we'll consider the implications for our own lives, 00:02:37.140 --> 00:02:42.860 our own measurements and metrics, our own definition of life. 00:02:43.540 --> 00:02:44.219 Let's pray. 00:02:45.480 --> 00:02:48.659 Our Father, we do ask that you would lead us and guide us. 00:02:48.659 --> 00:02:52.180 Lord, you're here in our midst. 00:02:53.020 --> 00:02:53.879 We know that. 00:02:54.359 --> 00:02:56.939 And we pray that as you are present, so you will speak. 00:02:57.859 --> 00:03:00.439 Lord, that you would open our hearts to hear what you have to say. 00:03:00.699 --> 00:03:01.900 In your Son's name we pray. 00:03:02.319 --> 00:03:02.620 Amen. 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:11.699 So first of all, we have to understand something as we read this passage about God's purposes. 00:03:12.840 --> 00:03:16.939 This passage is actually sandwiched between two verses. 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:22.719 And these verses aren't actually included in the passage, so I'm sort of cheating a bit to reference them. 00:03:22.960 --> 00:03:30.020 But any time you see recurring references to the same idea throughout a letter, it means it's pretty important. 00:03:30.419 --> 00:03:37.300 And so we're going to look at this sort of sandwich that happens before and after our passage. 00:03:37.719 --> 00:03:41.520 First of all, just before our passage in verse 6, Paul says this. 00:03:41.520 --> 00:03:49.680 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 00:03:50.480 --> 00:03:51.840 So that's just before our passage. 00:03:52.360 --> 00:03:55.460 And then just after it, in chapter 2, verse 13, he says this. 00:03:55.939 --> 00:04:03.520 For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 00:04:03.520 --> 00:04:04.260 Purpose. 00:04:05.400 --> 00:04:11.560 So both of these convey the same thing, that God is at work fulfilling his purposes. 00:04:12.219 --> 00:04:16.019 And a joyful life starts with this as a core assumption. 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:20.300 It starts with this as a core assumption. 00:04:21.139 --> 00:04:24.180 That God's purposes are always unfolding. 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:28.360 God's purposes are always unfolding. 00:04:28.360 --> 00:04:39.020 God is orchestrating everything from the time it all began in creation to the time that everything draws to its conclusion. 00:04:39.280 --> 00:04:42.100 That God is in it every step of the way. 00:04:42.699 --> 00:04:44.879 And this theme isn't just in Philippians. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:47.360 It's actually a theme that runs through the whole Bible. 00:04:48.360 --> 00:04:51.280 And we could spend hours surveying that. 00:04:51.860 --> 00:04:57.740 It would be worth your time to look up the word purpose and to look at all of the places where it occurs in Scripture. 00:04:57.740 --> 00:05:01.519 I just want to give you a few interesting examples to show what I mean. 00:05:02.500 --> 00:05:04.400 In Genesis, we read about Joseph. 00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:06.759 And some of you know the story. 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:07.500 It's very well known. 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:10.280 Joseph is betrayed by his brothers out of jealousy. 00:05:10.720 --> 00:05:11.900 He's sold into slavery. 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:13.780 His father thinks he's dead. 00:05:14.620 --> 00:05:15.620 Decades pass. 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:20.460 And Joseph rises in the ranks of Egypt to become a very powerful man. 00:05:20.860 --> 00:05:22.000 And famine strikes. 00:05:22.120 --> 00:05:23.759 And his family's on the brink of death. 00:05:23.759 --> 00:05:27.339 And they travel to Egypt to beg aid. 00:05:27.539 --> 00:05:29.079 Or they're going to starve to death. 00:05:29.459 --> 00:05:32.719 And who is in the position to decide whether they live or die? 00:05:33.019 --> 00:05:33.680 It's Joseph. 00:05:34.860 --> 00:05:39.800 And Joseph famously, in Genesis 50 verse 20, says this. 00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:43.339 He says to his brothers as he's letting them know he's going to have mercy on them. 00:05:43.379 --> 00:05:43.579 He says, 00:05:43.579 --> 00:05:46.459 As for you, you meant evil against me. 00:05:47.500 --> 00:05:49.359 But God meant it for good. 00:05:50.099 --> 00:05:51.800 That many lives could be saved. 00:05:52.680 --> 00:05:55.339 He's not saying it was one or the other. 00:05:55.439 --> 00:05:56.659 He's saying it was both. 00:05:57.079 --> 00:05:58.039 You meant evil. 00:05:58.199 --> 00:06:00.120 And at the same time, God meant good. 00:06:01.279 --> 00:06:02.759 You had your purpose. 00:06:02.919 --> 00:06:06.659 But even your purpose was subsumed into God's purpose. 00:06:09.159 --> 00:06:10.759 God's purposes were unfolding. 00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:15.420 In Exodus, Pharaoh enslaves God's people. 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:18.079 Sets himself up as a rival to God. 00:06:18.699 --> 00:06:22.159 You know, the early chapters of Exodus are all about who's the real God. 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:25.939 Pharaoh or the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:29.839 And Pharaoh refuses to listen to Moses when God sends him. 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:31.319 And says, let my people to go. 00:06:31.420 --> 00:06:36.019 He utterly mocks and blasphemes and rejects the God of the Bible. 00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:39.500 And here's what God says in chapter 9 verse 16 of Exodus. 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:41.819 He says this to Pharaoh. 00:06:42.220 --> 00:06:44.920 But for this purpose I have raised you up. 00:06:45.579 --> 00:06:45.980 Pharaoh. 00:06:46.699 --> 00:06:51.060 To show you my power so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:53.339 Even your rebellion. 00:06:53.639 --> 00:06:54.620 Even your resistance. 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:57.459 Even your mockery of me. 00:06:57.879 --> 00:06:59.439 Even your refusal to listen. 00:06:59.579 --> 00:07:02.420 All of that is actually a part of my plan. 00:07:02.540 --> 00:07:03.639 You're playing your part. 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:06.779 Job. 00:07:06.779 --> 00:07:09.119 After all Job goes through. 00:07:09.239 --> 00:07:11.359 And all of the unanswered questions. 00:07:11.799 --> 00:07:14.299 42 chapters of struggling and strife. 00:07:14.559 --> 00:07:15.799 At the very end of the book. 00:07:15.919 --> 00:07:16.919 Job's breakthrough. 00:07:18.319 --> 00:07:19.839 Job's realization is this. 00:07:19.919 --> 00:07:21.099 Chapter 42 verse 2. 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:24.399 I know that you God can do all things. 00:07:25.019 --> 00:07:27.599 And that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:30.479 No matter what. 00:07:31.139 --> 00:07:31.979 No matter who. 00:07:32.159 --> 00:07:32.919 No matter how. 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:36.100 The one sure thing is God's purposes. 00:07:37.540 --> 00:07:38.140 Unfolding. 00:07:38.939 --> 00:07:42.360 And this is how the first Christians understood all of history. 00:07:43.340 --> 00:07:44.480 In Acts chapter 13. 00:07:44.620 --> 00:07:45.340 There's a sermon. 00:07:46.259 --> 00:07:47.300 And in verse 36. 00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:48.379 It says this. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:49.980 For David. 00:07:50.100 --> 00:07:51.319 And this is talking about King David. 00:07:51.420 --> 00:07:52.300 The great king. 00:07:52.420 --> 00:07:52.680 The great. 00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:54.639 One of the greatest figures. 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:55.259 In. 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:57.379 The history of Israel. 00:07:57.379 --> 00:07:58.699 It says. 00:07:58.839 --> 00:07:59.240 For David. 00:07:59.639 --> 00:08:01.879 After he had served the purpose of God. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:03.120 In his own generation. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:04.560 Fell asleep. 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:05.699 And was laid with his fathers. 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:06.240 And saw. 00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:07.360 Corruption. 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:08.680 What they're saying is this. 00:08:09.219 --> 00:08:09.680 David. 00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:10.819 And all the exploits. 00:08:10.899 --> 00:08:12.579 All the amazing things that he did. 00:08:13.100 --> 00:08:13.939 David wasn't. 00:08:14.339 --> 00:08:14.980 A hero. 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:16.779 In the sense that we normally think of a hero. 00:08:16.939 --> 00:08:18.439 David was just playing his part. 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:20.759 God is the hero. 00:08:21.219 --> 00:08:22.959 And David was simply fulfilling. 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:23.719 The purposes. 00:08:23.719 --> 00:08:25.139 That God laid out. 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:26.159 For him to play. 00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:27.939 So all of history. 00:08:28.880 --> 00:08:30.500 Is part of God's purpose. 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:34.080 And this raises questions about. 00:08:34.180 --> 00:08:35.000 Well how does that. 00:08:35.660 --> 00:08:36.000 Work. 00:08:36.080 --> 00:08:37.519 And the way this plays out. 00:08:38.379 --> 00:08:38.740 Is. 00:08:38.899 --> 00:08:39.180 Is. 00:08:39.460 --> 00:08:39.660 Is. 00:08:39.800 --> 00:08:39.960 Is. 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:40.000 Is. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:40.860 In my opinion. 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:42.460 Way beyond anything you find. 00:08:42.700 --> 00:08:43.399 When you look at other. 00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:45.279 Philosophies and religions. 00:08:46.680 --> 00:08:49.240 At the risk of a bit of oversimplification. 00:08:49.420 --> 00:08:50.340 I'll just say that up front. 00:08:50.440 --> 00:08:51.720 You can loosely group. 00:08:51.899 --> 00:08:53.379 Most philosophies and religions. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:54.759 Into one of two camps. 00:08:55.300 --> 00:08:55.840 You have. 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:57.059 The philosophies. 00:08:57.439 --> 00:08:57.620 That. 00:08:57.879 --> 00:08:58.719 Tend toward. 00:08:59.199 --> 00:08:59.799 Fatalism. 00:08:59.939 --> 00:09:00.179 And. 00:09:00.779 --> 00:09:01.179 Determinism. 00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:01.899 And without. 00:09:02.419 --> 00:09:03.939 Geeking out over the differences. 00:09:03.939 --> 00:09:04.939 Between the two. 00:09:04.939 --> 00:09:06.620 They essentially both say. 00:09:06.799 --> 00:09:07.959 In one way or another. 00:09:08.500 --> 00:09:08.679 That. 00:09:09.059 --> 00:09:10.480 The end is fixed. 00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:13.019 And that your choices. 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:14.600 Ultimately don't matter. 00:09:15.419 --> 00:09:16.799 That the end is set. 00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:17.659 It's determined. 00:09:18.379 --> 00:09:18.819 Right. 00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:20.319 So think about the classic story. 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:20.980 Of Oedipus. 00:09:21.939 --> 00:09:22.379 Right. 00:09:22.459 --> 00:09:23.379 Oedipus was told. 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:24.360 At the very beginning. 00:09:24.360 --> 00:09:25.620 You have been fated. 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:26.240 Oedipus. 00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:27.539 To kill your father. 00:09:27.539 --> 00:09:28.600 And marry your mother. 00:09:28.919 --> 00:09:29.379 Oedipus says. 00:09:29.460 --> 00:09:29.980 No way. 00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:31.820 He spends the entire time. 00:09:31.899 --> 00:09:33.139 Trying to make sure. 00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:34.419 Doing everything he can. 00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:35.700 To fight this destiny. 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:36.559 And in the end. 00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:37.419 What happens? 00:09:38.360 --> 00:09:39.279 He kills his father. 00:09:39.519 --> 00:09:40.620 He marries his mother. 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:42.279 It was destined to happen. 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:43.559 It was fated to be. 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:44.840 Right. 00:09:44.899 --> 00:09:45.840 A more modern example. 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:46.299 Is the. 00:09:46.299 --> 00:09:46.559 The. 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:47.700 The Matrix series. 00:09:47.700 --> 00:09:48.879 Where you have Morpheus. 00:09:49.439 --> 00:09:50.279 And Mr. Smith. 00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:51.299 They're. 00:09:51.299 --> 00:09:51.580 They're. 00:09:51.580 --> 00:09:52.659 They're fatalistic. 00:09:52.799 --> 00:09:53.019 Right. 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:55.820 What is Mr. Smith's famous line? 00:09:56.740 --> 00:09:57.700 It is inevitable. 00:09:58.360 --> 00:09:59.100 Mr. Anderson. 00:09:59.419 --> 00:10:00.500 It is inevitable. 00:10:01.159 --> 00:10:01.460 Right. 00:10:01.899 --> 00:10:03.220 The destiny is fixed. 00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:04.100 Whether you know it or not. 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:04.820 Whether you like it or not. 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:05.919 Whether you choose it or not. 00:10:06.139 --> 00:10:07.019 That's where you're headed. 00:10:08.320 --> 00:10:10.659 So that's one way of thinking about. 00:10:10.980 --> 00:10:12.159 This kind of thing. 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:12.759 The other. 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:14.700 Sort of grouping of world views. 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:15.620 Tend toward. 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:16.899 Free will. 00:10:17.059 --> 00:10:17.279 Right. 00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:19.419 So fatalism and determinism. 00:10:19.559 --> 00:10:20.000 They say. 00:10:20.579 --> 00:10:20.699 The. 00:10:20.699 --> 00:10:20.879 The. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:22.240 The future is fixed. 00:10:22.579 --> 00:10:23.699 Despite your choices. 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:25.659 Despite your choices. 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:26.600 But. 00:10:26.839 --> 00:10:28.240 The free will side says. 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:30.779 Your future is determined. 00:10:31.339 --> 00:10:32.579 Not in spite of your choices. 00:10:32.839 --> 00:10:33.000 But. 00:10:33.379 --> 00:10:34.399 Because of your choices. 00:10:35.839 --> 00:10:36.779 Because of your choices. 00:10:36.919 --> 00:10:37.039 So. 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:38.740 Choose your own destiny. 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:40.439 Choose your own adventure. 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:42.159 Choose your own path. 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:42.360 Right. 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:43.500 You can change your destiny. 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:44.500 You can make the future. 00:10:44.500 --> 00:10:46.079 Into anything you want it to be. 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:47.500 You just have to make the right choices. 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:50.020 And so we can imagine. 00:10:50.020 --> 00:10:51.240 Like in back to the future. 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:52.900 That if you want to change the present. 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:53.280 And you. 00:10:53.520 --> 00:10:54.800 And if you could go back in time. 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:55.680 Then all you would have to do. 00:10:55.740 --> 00:10:56.800 Is make different choices. 00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:58.879 And you can radically change the future. 00:10:59.139 --> 00:11:00.340 The future is up for grabs. 00:11:00.440 --> 00:11:01.200 It's all about. 00:11:01.560 --> 00:11:02.780 What we choose with our free will. 00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:07.040 So Christianity. 00:11:08.780 --> 00:11:09.940 When you look at these. 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:11.460 Comparatively speaking. 00:11:11.460 --> 00:11:12.800 Christianity is both. 00:11:12.800 --> 00:11:13.960 And neither. 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:15.240 At the same time. 00:11:15.900 --> 00:11:17.759 Because the first perspective says. 00:11:17.980 --> 00:11:19.060 Our destiny is determined. 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:20.519 Despite our choices. 00:11:20.680 --> 00:11:21.440 The second says. 00:11:21.780 --> 00:11:22.780 Our destiny is determined. 00:11:22.780 --> 00:11:23.940 Because of our choices. 00:11:24.940 --> 00:11:26.480 But Christianity says this. 00:11:26.540 --> 00:11:26.759 And it's. 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:28.460 And I think it's much more nuanced. 00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:29.080 And balanced. 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:29.920 And beautiful. 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:30.600 And realistic. 00:11:31.040 --> 00:11:31.620 It says this. 00:11:31.680 --> 00:11:32.320 That God has. 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:34.160 Such control over history. 00:11:34.159 --> 00:11:38.019 And yet he's so intimately involved. 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:38.919 In our lives. 00:11:39.980 --> 00:11:41.779 That the future is determined. 00:11:42.019 --> 00:11:42.659 Not despite. 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:43.439 Not because. 00:11:43.579 --> 00:11:44.379 But through. 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:45.879 Our choices. 00:11:46.039 --> 00:11:47.159 And what I mean by that. 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:48.179 Is this. 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:50.100 That God is sovereignly able. 00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:51.079 To weave. 00:11:51.439 --> 00:11:52.419 Our choices. 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:53.899 Into his. 00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:55.240 Ultimate purposes. 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:56.500 Like a tapestry. 00:11:57.339 --> 00:11:59.279 That regardless of what we choose. 00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:00.120 Regardless of. 00:12:00.439 --> 00:12:02.439 How we might mean things for evil. 00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:04.300 Like Joseph's brothers. 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:06.220 Regardless of how we might rebel. 00:12:06.380 --> 00:12:07.000 And resist. 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:08.520 Like Pharaoh. 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:09.860 That in some way. 00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:11.300 Beyond our ability to understand. 00:12:11.440 --> 00:12:12.660 God is able to weave. 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:14.120 Those things. 00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:15.060 Into his. 00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:15.840 Ultimate. 00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:16.980 Purposes. 00:12:17.340 --> 00:12:18.660 And what this means is amazing. 00:12:18.760 --> 00:12:19.800 On the one hand it means. 00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:21.660 Our choices are our own. 00:12:22.800 --> 00:12:23.540 They matter. 00:12:23.700 --> 00:12:24.620 They have consequences. 00:12:24.800 --> 00:12:26.120 They impact the world. 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:27.660 They change things. 00:12:28.920 --> 00:12:30.940 I'm responsible for my choices. 00:12:30.940 --> 00:12:32.080 I'm not just following. 00:12:32.440 --> 00:12:34.140 A deterministic path. 00:12:34.260 --> 00:12:34.680 I am. 00:12:35.900 --> 00:12:36.620 I am. 00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:36.640 I am. 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:37.540 Responsible. 00:12:37.540 --> 00:12:38.180 For the. 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:39.560 Choices that I make. 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:41.180 And the impact that those have. 00:12:42.220 --> 00:12:42.640 And yet. 00:12:42.760 --> 00:12:44.800 God is ultimately directing the courses. 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:45.840 And outcomes. 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:47.020 He's weaving everything. 00:12:47.680 --> 00:12:48.240 Together. 00:12:48.800 --> 00:12:49.520 Repurposing. 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:51.300 Even the most. 00:12:51.680 --> 00:12:51.980 Dire. 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:53.040 Evil acts. 00:12:53.160 --> 00:12:53.640 For good. 00:12:55.960 --> 00:12:57.800 And what this doesn't mean. 00:12:58.440 --> 00:12:59.820 Is evil is. 00:13:00.140 --> 00:13:01.100 Replaced by good. 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:02.200 What this doesn't mean. 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:04.379 Is that the ends justify the means. 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:05.620 This is not me saying. 00:13:06.040 --> 00:13:07.139 Oh this is bad now. 00:13:07.220 --> 00:13:07.540 And death. 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:07.820 And evil. 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:08.240 And suffering. 00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:08.840 But one day. 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:09.899 It'll all be worth it. 00:13:10.680 --> 00:13:11.700 It's a both end. 00:13:11.820 --> 00:13:12.500 This is bad. 00:13:12.560 --> 00:13:12.840 And evil. 00:13:12.920 --> 00:13:13.379 And horrible. 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:14.500 And somehow. 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:15.560 God is able to triumph. 00:13:15.920 --> 00:13:16.680 Over it. 00:13:18.680 --> 00:13:19.800 And bring good. 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:20.620 From it. 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:21.960 In ways. 00:13:22.040 --> 00:13:22.879 Only he understands. 00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:25.960 And all of this. 00:13:26.040 --> 00:13:26.860 Is moving toward this. 00:13:27.060 --> 00:13:28.040 Ultimate purpose. 00:13:28.040 --> 00:13:28.660 Of God. 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:28.699 God. 00:13:28.819 --> 00:13:29.719 And so the question becomes. 00:13:29.839 --> 00:13:31.039 What is that ultimate purpose? 00:13:31.319 --> 00:13:32.899 And I think the clearest statement of it. 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:34.759 Is in Ephesians chapter 1 verse 10. 00:13:35.819 --> 00:13:36.519 Where it says. 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:38.000 The ultimate purpose is this. 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:39.579 God's ultimate purpose in history. 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:40.559 Is that. 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:42.500 He's drawing all things together. 00:13:43.199 --> 00:13:44.039 In Christ. 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:45.159 Things in heaven. 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:46.719 Things on earth. 00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:49.000 All things in and under Christ. 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:50.659 Right. 00:13:50.819 --> 00:13:51.860 The ascension is what? 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:53.059 A celebration of. 00:13:53.259 --> 00:13:54.500 Jesus becoming king. 00:13:54.500 --> 00:13:55.480 Of all things. 00:13:55.480 --> 00:13:57.740 God's ultimate purpose. 00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:58.759 Is that all things. 00:13:58.759 --> 00:13:59.899 Would then come under. 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:00.740 And into. 00:14:02.039 --> 00:14:02.860 King Jesus. 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:05.360 This is the ultimate purpose. 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:07.100 It's centered in Christ. 00:14:08.560 --> 00:14:09.800 So what you need to understand. 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:11.120 Is this is the backdrop. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:12.500 That Paul is working with. 00:14:12.560 --> 00:14:13.800 This is his world view. 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:15.700 This is the set of assumptions. 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:16.379 That he has. 00:14:16.420 --> 00:14:17.840 When he's trying to make sense. 00:14:17.920 --> 00:14:19.379 Of his life. 00:14:19.420 --> 00:14:20.340 And it radically. 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:22.259 Shapes his perspective. 00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:23.659 He's assuming that everything. 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:24.259 That happens. 00:14:24.580 --> 00:14:26.899 Is a part of God's unfolding purpose. 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:28.139 Centered in Christ. 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:30.840 So now the question becomes. 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:31.659 If that is the way. 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:32.460 God's purpose. 00:14:32.939 --> 00:14:33.299 Works. 00:14:33.299 --> 00:14:34.419 Then how does that shape. 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:35.439 Paul's perspective. 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:37.360 See for Paul. 00:14:37.460 --> 00:14:38.460 The purposes of God. 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.840 Define his sense. 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:40.639 Of purpose. 00:14:40.819 --> 00:14:41.700 In his own life. 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:44.059 So they kind of form the lens. 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:45.379 Through which he looks. 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:46.460 At his life. 00:14:46.539 --> 00:14:47.039 It all. 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:48.519 Is seen. 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:50.019 Through the lens of God's purposes. 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:51.659 And you see this. 00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:53.199 In how he looks in his past. 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:55.220 His present. 00:14:55.439 --> 00:14:56.279 And his future. 00:14:57.860 --> 00:14:58.299 Right. 00:14:58.399 --> 00:14:59.299 So in verses 12. 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:00.199 13 and 14. 00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:01.279 Paul is kind of looking. 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:02.100 Backwards. 00:15:02.199 --> 00:15:02.699 He's looking. 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:03.919 At the past. 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.539 And he says. 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:06.659 I want you to know brothers. 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:08.340 That what has happened to me. 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:10.340 Has really served. 00:15:10.439 --> 00:15:11.340 To advance the gospel. 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:13.240 It's really served. 00:15:13.319 --> 00:15:13.980 To advance the gospel. 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:14.220 Now. 00:15:14.439 --> 00:15:16.240 Think about what has happened to Paul. 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:17.259 Right. 00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:18.120 Paul is commissioned. 00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:19.579 Personally by Jesus. 00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:19.740 Jesus. 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:21.960 That's. 00:15:23.400 --> 00:15:24.400 That's pretty unique. 00:15:25.400 --> 00:15:26.100 To go. 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:26.960 And to plant churches. 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:28.160 And to evangelize. 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:29.620 And to tell people about. 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.440 The gospel. 00:15:30.660 --> 00:15:31.440 And he goes. 00:15:31.660 --> 00:15:32.360 And his dream. 00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:33.120 From the very beginning. 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:34.060 Is to go to Rome. 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:35.100 I want to go to the center. 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:35.900 Of world power. 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:36.759 I want to preach. 00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:37.120 To the. 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:38.379 To the highest authorities. 00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:39.960 And I want to tell them. 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:40.520 About Jesus. 00:15:41.460 --> 00:15:42.560 And he gets to Rome. 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.400 And what happens? 00:15:45.080 --> 00:15:46.080 No evangelism. 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:46.940 No church planting. 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:49.100 He's there in chains. 00:15:50.040 --> 00:15:51.560 He's put in prison. 00:15:51.560 --> 00:15:52.780 Under house arrest. 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:53.960 And the way this works is. 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:56.400 He wasn't necessarily chained to the floor. 00:15:56.500 --> 00:15:58.100 It's not as bad as we sometimes think. 00:15:58.560 --> 00:15:59.480 He was under house arrest. 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:00.680 But he had to be chained. 00:16:00.780 --> 00:16:01.660 To a guard. 00:16:01.900 --> 00:16:02.520 All day. 00:16:03.560 --> 00:16:03.780 Right. 00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:04.540 So a rotation. 00:16:04.660 --> 00:16:05.580 Of praetorian guards. 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:06.180 Would come in. 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:07.920 And be chained to him. 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:09.560 Right. 00:16:09.559 --> 00:16:10.819 And so you look at this situation. 00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:12.919 And you think. 00:16:13.219 --> 00:16:13.579 You know. 00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:14.019 Paul. 00:16:14.819 --> 00:16:15.839 I want to plant churches. 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:16.839 I want to tell people about Jesus. 00:16:16.939 --> 00:16:18.679 Now he has no chance of getting out of his house. 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:20.199 No chance of going to the public square. 00:16:20.479 --> 00:16:21.759 No chance of preaching the gospel. 00:16:22.079 --> 00:16:23.359 No chance of building churches. 00:16:23.619 --> 00:16:24.759 No chance of training leaders. 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:25.979 And certainly no chance. 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:27.779 Of talking to. 00:16:28.939 --> 00:16:29.819 The heads. 00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:31.239 The higher ups. 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:32.500 The center of power. 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.960 It looks like a total failure. 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:37.620 And yet through Paul's lens. 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:40.039 Because his one constant. 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:43.240 Is the unfolding purposes of God. 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:43.919 Because he knows. 00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:44.980 Whatever else is happening. 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:47.279 Those purposes are right on schedule. 00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:49.580 He's able to recognize what's happening. 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:52.139 He doesn't collapse in despair. 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:53.179 He realizes. 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:53.720 Oh. 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:56.759 Here's the situation. 00:16:58.840 --> 00:16:59.940 Every day. 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:01.960 Cynical. 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:03.620 Pagan. 00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:04.880 Military. 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:06.119 Civil servants. 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:08.579 Have to come to his house. 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:10.480 And they have to be chained. 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:12.500 To the most effective evangelist. 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:13.259 In the world. 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:15.079 For hours. 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:17.420 And there's no TV. 00:17:17.859 --> 00:17:18.640 There's no iPad. 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:19.960 There's no books. 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:22.000 All there is. 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.160 Is conversation. 00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:25.079 And so Paul says. 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:25.960 Guess what? 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:27.079 The entire. 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:28.200 Praetorian guard. 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:29.700 They've all heard the gospel. 00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:31.880 They've all heard the gospel. 00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:33.060 One by one. 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:34.640 In the comfort of his own home. 00:17:34.820 --> 00:17:37.020 He doesn't even have to put his shoes on. 00:17:38.760 --> 00:17:39.740 One by one. 00:17:39.860 --> 00:17:41.000 Intimate evangelism. 00:17:41.080 --> 00:17:41.280 Right? 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:43.720 And he says that other people are seeing this. 00:17:43.800 --> 00:17:45.220 Other brothers in the faith. 00:17:45.340 --> 00:17:46.100 Brothers and sisters. 00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:47.140 And they're seeing this. 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:47.660 And they're realizing. 00:17:47.800 --> 00:17:48.560 Well if this is. 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:50.559 How God is using Paul's imprisonment. 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:52.119 I shouldn't be afraid of prison. 00:17:52.339 --> 00:17:53.899 And so they're all starting to preach. 00:17:54.139 --> 00:17:54.659 As well. 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.059 And he says. 00:17:55.139 --> 00:17:56.500 Because of my imprisonment. 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:57.720 Not in spite of it. 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:59.179 But through my imprisonment. 00:17:59.339 --> 00:18:01.019 There's a groundswell of the gospel. 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:02.799 God's purposes are unfolding. 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.279 And he says. 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:04.240 Therefore I rejoice. 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.740 I couldn't be happier. 00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:09.579 You know. 00:18:09.619 --> 00:18:10.960 God promised that the gospel. 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:12.259 Would be advanced. 00:18:12.399 --> 00:18:14.299 He didn't promise the circumstances. 00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:17.379 Paul's not holding on to circumstances. 00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:19.299 He's focused on the main thing. 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:22.319 And then he looks at his present. 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:23.399 In verse 15. 00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:24.539 He shifts the focus. 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:25.940 And we learn. 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:27.099 In verses 15 to 18. 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.940 That in Paul's absence. 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.200 What's happening? 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:32.500 Well you have other preachers. 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:33.480 Coming into Philippi. 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.399 And preaching and teaching. 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:35.079 Right? 00:18:35.139 --> 00:18:36.279 This is his beloved church. 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:37.579 He had planted it 10 years earlier. 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:40.539 I think they were his favorites. 00:18:41.139 --> 00:18:41.720 I really do. 00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:43.119 I don't know that he played favorites. 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:44.119 But I think that they were his favorites. 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:47.159 He's just crazy about the Philippians. 00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:48.480 And. 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:50.440 You have these other people. 00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:51.200 Who are coming in. 00:18:51.419 --> 00:18:52.019 And some of them. 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:52.779 From a good. 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:53.819 Sincere motive. 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:54.720 Are preaching. 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:55.819 Paul's not here. 00:18:55.919 --> 00:18:56.819 So I'm going to do my best. 00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:57.799 To preach the gospel to you. 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:58.759 And to teach you about Jesus. 00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:00.599 But then you have other people. 00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:01.079 Who are saying. 00:19:01.419 --> 00:19:02.119 Paul failed. 00:19:02.359 --> 00:19:02.899 Look at Paul. 00:19:03.139 --> 00:19:03.759 He's in prison. 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:05.000 God's obviously. 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.519 Removed his anointing. 00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:07.119 God's obviously. 00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:08.019 Moved on from Paul. 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.180 God's raising me up. 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:09.940 I want everybody. 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:10.779 To listen to me now. 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.740 I'm the new Paul. 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:14.440 And you have people doing this. 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:15.279 Out of rivalry. 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:16.539 Out of contempt for Paul. 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:17.960 Wanting to undermine. 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:19.259 His authority. 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:20.200 And Paul hears this. 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:20.799 And you would think. 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:22.359 Most people would freak out. 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.120 Traitor. 00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:24.140 You know. 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:24.680 Absalom. 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:25.799 I can't believe you're doing that. 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:26.880 And you would rally. 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.200 You know. 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.140 Epaphroditus. 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:28.799 Go back there. 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:29.720 And threaten them. 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.079 And tell them. 00:19:30.679 --> 00:19:31.480 That's not what he says. 00:19:33.619 --> 00:19:34.679 Paul hears about this. 00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:36.139 He looks at it through the lens. 00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:38.879 Of God's unfolding purposes. 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:42.779 And he says this in verse 18. 00:19:42.899 --> 00:19:43.119 He says. 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:43.639 What then? 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.139 In other words. 00:19:44.199 --> 00:19:44.779 What should I do? 00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:46.859 Only that in every way. 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:48.039 Whether in pretense. 00:19:48.179 --> 00:19:49.099 Or in truth. 00:19:49.399 --> 00:19:50.559 Christ is proclaimed. 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.399 And in that. 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.119 I rejoice. 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:53.619 Right. 00:19:53.699 --> 00:19:55.819 So Paul's measure of success. 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.559 Is this. 00:19:56.879 --> 00:19:57.960 Is Christ being proclaimed? 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:59.700 And you know. 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:01.779 I said this this morning as well. 00:20:01.860 --> 00:20:02.000 I mean. 00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:03.220 It struck me today. 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:04.759 How this could be. 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:06.440 A whole conversation. 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:07.480 As we try to make sense. 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.559 Of different churches. 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:09.920 And different pastors. 00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:11.000 And those that have been. 00:20:11.120 --> 00:20:12.240 In the news. 00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:13.539 And been discredited. 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:15.220 What we need to understand. 00:20:15.360 --> 00:20:16.039 Is they're preaching. 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.259 The true gospel. 00:20:17.360 --> 00:20:18.140 Not false gospels. 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:18.940 But the true gospel. 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.680 But with very. 00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:20.680 Very bad motives. 00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:22.579 And yet Paul says. 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:24.279 Still Christ is being proclaimed. 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.160 Praise God. 00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:26.460 In that I can rejoice. 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:30.600 Now if you think this is unrealistic. 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.380 If you're hearing this. 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:31.900 And you think. 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:34.380 Well that kind of piety. 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.460 That kind of passion. 00:20:35.860 --> 00:20:37.620 Single minded focus on Jesus. 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:38.759 That's unrealistic. 00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:40.480 Well I would say. 00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:41.799 I don't think that's unrealistic. 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:43.640 I think that we do this kind of thing. 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.380 All the time. 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.539 Just not with Jesus. 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:46.799 But I mean. 00:20:46.840 --> 00:20:47.819 If you're starting a business. 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.680 And you know that. 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.980 You've got to get that bottom line. 00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:53.660 Up. 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:54.860 Right. 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:56.319 That everything hinges. 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.519 That you will be bankrupt. 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:59.480 If you don't build this thing. 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:01.259 And you're looking at that bottom line. 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:03.000 And unless your costs come down. 00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:04.680 And your revenue goes up. 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:06.039 Unless that profit margin. 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:08.019 Increases over time. 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.619 Then you're sunk. 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:12.180 So when that thing starts to go up. 00:21:12.879 --> 00:21:13.819 You don't care. 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:15.579 If you're sleeping three hours a night. 00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:16.819 On the floor of your office. 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:17.980 You don't care. 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:19.559 If you haven't seen your friends and family. 00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:19.920 For months. 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.920 You don't care about that. 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:22.660 Because if you're solely focused. 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.900 On that bottom line. 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:25.059 And that thing is going up. 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:26.059 You're going to rejoice. 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:28.059 Right. 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.419 If you want to be. 00:21:29.419 --> 00:21:32.099 A world class athlete. 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:33.059 Or a musician. 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:36.399 You will joyfully spend hours. 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:36.799 And hours. 00:21:36.919 --> 00:21:37.279 And hours. 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:38.240 And hours practicing. 00:21:38.659 --> 00:21:39.859 Not hanging out with your friends. 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:41.019 Not hanging out with your family. 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:42.700 You will joyfully submit yourself. 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:44.779 To incredibly challenging trials. 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:45.839 Because why? 00:21:45.919 --> 00:21:47.079 Because your bottom line. 00:21:47.159 --> 00:21:47.639 That thing. 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.919 That main thing for you. 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:51.359 Is excellence. 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:54.519 In whatever you do. 00:21:55.159 --> 00:21:57.799 So we understand this kind of single minded focus. 00:21:57.919 --> 00:21:58.359 For Paul. 00:21:58.500 --> 00:21:59.259 His purpose. 00:22:00.379 --> 00:22:01.659 Is God's purpose. 00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:04.479 To see all things come together in Christ. 00:22:05.639 --> 00:22:06.359 And then lastly. 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:08.219 This impacts the way we see. 00:22:08.899 --> 00:22:09.439 The future. 00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:10.839 The way Paul sees his future. 00:22:10.959 --> 00:22:11.459 I mean get this. 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.119 Not only past. 00:22:12.199 --> 00:22:12.679 Not only present. 00:22:12.939 --> 00:22:14.159 But when he looks into the future. 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.879 What's he facing? 00:22:15.939 --> 00:22:17.279 Most likely execution. 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:19.639 Most likely execution. 00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:22.020 And yet when he looks. 00:22:22.620 --> 00:22:23.160 He says. 00:22:23.300 --> 00:22:24.140 Beginning in verse 18. 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.460 Yes. 00:22:24.580 --> 00:22:25.500 And I will rejoice. 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:27.240 As I look at this potential future. 00:22:27.320 --> 00:22:28.080 I will rejoice. 00:22:28.800 --> 00:22:30.300 Well why can he rejoice in his future? 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:31.320 Simple. 00:22:32.840 --> 00:22:33.680 Two options. 00:22:34.280 --> 00:22:35.120 He's either going to live. 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.840 Or he's going to die. 00:22:37.140 --> 00:22:37.900 Two options. 00:22:38.560 --> 00:22:39.460 He has no idea. 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.820 And yet he thinks about it. 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:42.540 Through the lens. 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:44.020 Of God's purposes. 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:44.380 And he says. 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:45.560 Well if I die. 00:22:46.560 --> 00:22:47.980 I will actually get to. 00:22:48.280 --> 00:22:49.620 Be face to face. 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:51.100 Face with Christ. 00:22:51.300 --> 00:22:52.080 It will be the thing. 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:53.200 That I have longed for. 00:22:53.320 --> 00:22:54.020 My whole life. 00:22:54.840 --> 00:22:55.580 The thing. 00:22:55.780 --> 00:22:57.000 That my most amazing. 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.920 Spiritual experiences. 00:22:58.120 --> 00:22:58.640 Have just been a. 00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.500 A shadow. 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:00.720 Of what I will experience. 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:01.680 On the other side. 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.259 Of that death. 00:23:02.600 --> 00:23:02.940 Yeah. 00:23:03.100 --> 00:23:04.220 I can rejoice in that. 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:06.280 But then he says. 00:23:06.340 --> 00:23:07.420 But if I remain alive. 00:23:07.520 --> 00:23:08.640 Then I will have the opportunity. 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:09.380 To continue. 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:11.020 To tell people about Jesus. 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:12.420 To tell you about Jesus. 00:23:12.600 --> 00:23:13.759 To make sure your faith. 00:23:13.820 --> 00:23:14.400 Is strengthened. 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.480 In Jesus. 00:23:15.640 --> 00:23:16.140 And in that. 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:16.780 I can rejoice. 00:23:16.780 --> 00:23:17.820 And so he thinks about it. 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.259 And realizes. 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.200 It doesn't matter. 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:20.220 I can live or die. 00:23:20.379 --> 00:23:21.619 I don't even know what I want more. 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:23.919 But I can rejoice in all of it. 00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:29.759 Paul looks at his whole life. 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.200 Past. 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:31.579 Present. 00:23:31.679 --> 00:23:32.139 And future. 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.859 And he's able to rejoice. 00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:34.700 In all of it. 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:37.460 Because while everything else. 00:23:37.659 --> 00:23:38.339 May be changing. 00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.500 There's one thing. 00:23:39.679 --> 00:23:40.720 That remains constant. 00:23:40.899 --> 00:23:42.700 There's one constant. 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:45.279 God's unfolding purposes. 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.180 In Christ. 00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:47.240 And so here. 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:48.039 Is the point. 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.460 Paul has discovered. 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:50.079 The secret. 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.399 To a joyful life. 00:23:52.399 --> 00:23:53.559 This is the. 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:54.240 The secret. 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:55.559 Of a joyful life. 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:58.599 And you see it clearly. 00:23:58.599 --> 00:23:59.519 In verse 21. 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:00.839 Paul says. 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:01.660 Here's my secret. 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:02.559 Here's. 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:02.940 Here's. 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:03.940 Here's the key. 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:05.039 For me. 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:05.920 To live. 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.740 Is Christ. 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.519 To live. 00:24:08.619 --> 00:24:09.399 Is Christ. 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:11.420 One of the most important. 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:12.420 Verses in the New Testament. 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.059 To live. 00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:13.779 Is Christ. 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:13.859 Christ. 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:16.359 That's his whole purpose. 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.460 That's the definition. 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.119 Of his life. 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:19.000 In other words. 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:20.180 For us. 00:24:20.619 --> 00:24:21.559 As we think about this. 00:24:22.379 --> 00:24:23.359 This kind of joy. 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:24.279 Becomes possible. 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:25.819 When God's purposes. 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.660 In the world. 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:27.619 Are what define. 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.319 Our purpose. 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:28.839 In life. 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.779 When God's purposes. 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.359 In the world. 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.279 Are what define. 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:32.920 Our purpose. 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:33.379 In life. 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.200 That's. 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:35.079 The key. 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:37.139 To making this kind. 00:24:37.139 --> 00:24:38.019 Of inexplicable. 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.319 Joy. 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:38.899 Possible. 00:24:39.619 --> 00:24:40.660 So I just want to consider. 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:41.660 A couple of implications. 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.359 Of this. 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:43.779 For us. 00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.819 Kind of bring it down. 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.059 Into the dirt. 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.819 So to speak. 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:49.699 If you want a joyful life. 00:24:50.899 --> 00:24:52.379 Then you have to consider. 00:24:52.379 --> 00:24:53.099 This question. 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.539 How do you measure. 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.159 Your life. 00:24:58.659 --> 00:24:59.399 And by that. 00:24:59.479 --> 00:24:59.619 I mean. 00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:00.579 What is the metric. 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.259 You use. 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:04.119 There's a Harvard business. 00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:05.659 Professor named Clay Christensen. 00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:07.639 He's very well known. 00:25:07.639 --> 00:25:08.299 For his work. 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:08.979 In the area. 00:25:08.979 --> 00:25:09.799 Of innovation. 00:25:09.799 --> 00:25:10.599 Um. 00:25:10.599 --> 00:25:11.480 But he's written a book. 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:13.440 More recently called. 00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:15.279 How will you measure your life. 00:25:15.659 --> 00:25:16.339 And it's interesting. 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:17.180 Because he's drawing. 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:18.159 On the business world. 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:19.259 As an analogy. 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:20.680 That can then be applied. 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:22.399 To our whole lives. 00:25:22.399 --> 00:25:22.759 He says. 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:23.079 You know. 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:24.419 In business. 00:25:24.859 --> 00:25:25.299 Um. 00:25:25.639 --> 00:25:26.639 There are different ways. 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.159 That a company. 00:25:27.159 --> 00:25:27.879 Can measure. 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:29.220 Their growth. 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:30.859 And however. 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.879 You measure. 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:32.639 Your growth. 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.000 Whatever. 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.480 That bottom line is. 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.399 That's going to affect. 00:25:35.399 --> 00:25:36.180 Your strategies. 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:37.039 That's going to affect. 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:38.340 How you do. 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:39.180 Business. 00:25:39.580 --> 00:25:40.039 Day to day. 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:40.640 And the decisions. 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.360 That you make. 00:25:41.600 --> 00:25:41.900 And he says. 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.680 The same is true. 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.340 In life. 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:45.840 However you measure. 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:46.279 Growth. 00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:47.140 However you measure. 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.580 Success. 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.700 Whatever that metric is. 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.519 That's going to shape. 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:50.600 How you live. 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:52.100 So be thoughtful. 00:25:52.100 --> 00:25:53.000 About how you. 00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:54.140 Measure your life. 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:55.180 And how you define. 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.120 Success. 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:58.160 So the question is. 00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:59.039 How do we measure. 00:25:59.039 --> 00:25:59.779 Our lives. 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:00.820 What's the metric. 00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.779 What's the bottom line. 00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:02.440 If you want to know. 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:03.019 The answer to that. 00:26:03.080 --> 00:26:03.560 For yourself. 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:04.860 Ask it this way. 00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:06.219 What is that thing. 00:26:06.219 --> 00:26:06.959 In my life. 00:26:07.219 --> 00:26:08.539 About which I say. 00:26:08.979 --> 00:26:10.459 As long as I have. 00:26:10.679 --> 00:26:11.179 That thing. 00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:11.839 I'm okay. 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:13.759 As long as that thing. 00:26:13.899 --> 00:26:14.339 Is there. 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.139 And secure. 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.139 And growing. 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:17.799 As long as I can count on it. 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.679 I'm okay. 00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:20.559 What you're saying is. 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.019 That's. 00:26:22.379 --> 00:26:24.000 That's how I measure my life. 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:27.759 Joy. 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:29.699 Joy. 00:26:29.699 --> 00:26:29.779 Joy. 00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:30.119 Is. 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:30.500 Is. 00:26:30.619 --> 00:26:30.779 Is. 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:30.859 Is. 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:30.879 Is. 00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:31.759 What emerges. 00:26:32.179 --> 00:26:33.019 When we know. 00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:34.240 That that bottom line. 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:35.240 Is secure. 00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:37.120 Joy. 00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:37.779 Is the thing. 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:38.420 That we feel. 00:26:38.599 --> 00:26:39.079 When we know. 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:40.099 That that measurement. 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:40.579 That. 00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.120 That. 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:41.980 That thing. 00:26:42.120 --> 00:26:43.099 The main thing. 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:44.940 Is secure. 00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:45.579 And growing. 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:47.500 And everybody has one. 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:49.099 You know. 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:50.259 For some of us. 00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:51.180 And I. 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:53.019 It's probably not too many of us. 00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:54.859 I don't think too many of us. 00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:55.620 Are in this category. 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:56.059 For. 00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:56.279 For. 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:57.140 For some people. 00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:58.740 It's. 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:00.720 How much money you make. 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.420 It's. 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:03.340 If you're climbing. 00:27:03.340 --> 00:27:04.340 The org chart. 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.080 You know. 00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:06.920 It's the influence. 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.800 That you have. 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:08.019 The. 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:08.880 The sense of. 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:10.100 Your importance. 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:11.279 Relative to other people. 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.420 At the cocktail party. 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:12.720 I mean. 00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:13.680 For some of us. 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.700 It's that. 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:15.560 Maybe. 00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:16.680 You know. 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:16.920 I think. 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.840 I think many more of us. 00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:18.779 Are maybe more noble. 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.539 We say. 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:19.840 Oh. 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.200 We know. 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:20.440 It's. 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:20.940 We know. 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:21.880 Life's not about that. 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:23.080 That's no way to measure life. 00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:24.440 It's about my friends. 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:26.080 It's about my family. 00:27:26.340 --> 00:27:27.360 It's about my kids. 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:29.240 And that's where Christensen goes. 00:27:29.320 --> 00:27:30.019 If you read his book. 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.359 He. 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.299 That's his thing. 00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:31.539 He's. 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.720 The whole point of his book is. 00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:33.839 It's not about your career. 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:34.819 It's about your family. 00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:36.200 That's the most important thing. 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.819 That's a lot more noble. 00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:40.119 I. 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:41.500 I think there are a few people here. 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:43.200 Who are even more altruistic. 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:43.900 Than that. 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:46.339 It's about helping people. 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:48.700 It's about making a difference. 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:50.000 That's my bottom line. 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.619 That's what I really care about. 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.019 It's about. 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:52.980 It's about going out. 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:53.379 And. 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:54.500 And loving my neighbors. 00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.379 And helping people. 00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:56.980 And making the world a better place. 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:58.079 That's what I care about. 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.420 True altruism. 00:27:59.480 --> 00:27:59.639 Right. 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:02.960 So all of these things are metrics. 00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:04.059 They're things that we look at. 00:28:04.139 --> 00:28:05.460 As long as this is happening. 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:06.599 I'm okay. 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:08.180 I can feel joy. 00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:09.559 I can feel contentment. 00:28:10.139 --> 00:28:11.639 See what we're really saying there is. 00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:13.839 Not to live is Christ. 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:15.980 But we're saying to live is success. 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:16.920 Achievement. 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:18.539 To live is family. 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.079 Friends. 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:19.440 Kids. 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:21.599 To live is making a difference. 00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:22.460 And helping people. 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:26.039 Some of these things are great measures. 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.019 You could do a lot worse. 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:31.139 But they all have an Achilles heel. 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:33.519 They all have a weakness. 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.639 And here's the weakness. 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.980 It's all a crapshoot. 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.900 It's all a crapshoot. 00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:42.000 At the end of the day. 00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:46.400 You have no control over whether these things will be secure or not. 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:52.000 You can do all the right things and work 100 hours a week and still not get the promotion. 00:28:53.360 --> 00:28:57.380 You know you can build a great business and the economy collapses out from under you and you go bankrupt. 00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:58.680 Nothing that you did. 00:28:59.120 --> 00:29:00.200 Things you couldn't control. 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:04.720 You can pour yourself into your friends and you may lose those friends. 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:07.740 You can pour yourself into your family. 00:29:07.860 --> 00:29:11.720 You can pour yourself into your kids and say for me to live is kids. 00:29:11.840 --> 00:29:15.860 I'm going to sacrifice to do everything to be the best parent I possibly can for my kids. 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:18.420 I can pour all of myself into them. 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.000 And then guess what? 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:21.539 They may grow up and say you kind of smothered me. 00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:23.460 I'm moving to the other side of the country. 00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:26.620 And you may not see them again. 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.259 Right? 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:32.200 Or you may do everything right and they simply may die. 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:34.539 Right? 00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:36.779 Now that's a hard thing to bring up on Mother's Day. 00:29:36.900 --> 00:29:37.640 So I'm sorry. 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:39.519 I beg your forgiveness. 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:46.900 But it's worth considering that there's a difference between the tragedy of that, the unimaginable tragedy of that. 00:29:48.340 --> 00:29:52.960 There's a difference between people who experience that but they're able to move on. 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:55.700 And people who are crushed by it. 00:29:56.900 --> 00:29:59.000 And the people who are crushed by it. 00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:01.840 Who can't go on living. 00:30:02.620 --> 00:30:07.380 It's probably something to do with the fact that those kids were the measure of their life. 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:12.240 If I have nothing else as long as I have this. 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:15.120 So whatever it is. 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:17.519 Whatever your metric is. 00:30:17.600 --> 00:30:21.200 You know because it's the thing that when it gets taken away it crushes you. 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:23.960 Life is not worth living without this thing. 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:28.299 There's only one definition of life. 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:30.019 There's only one metric. 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:31.380 There's only one measurement. 00:30:32.100 --> 00:30:35.539 That is absolutely guaranteed never to fail or falter. 00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:37.259 And that is Christ. 00:30:39.059 --> 00:30:41.799 As Paul says to live is Christ. 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:43.059 Nothing else works. 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:44.600 Nothing else is secure. 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:45.899 It's all a crapshoot. 00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:52.599 Because it may or may not have connection with God's unfolding purposes. 00:30:53.459 --> 00:30:54.899 You have no way of knowing. 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:57.939 But the one thing that you know is a constant is Christ. 00:30:58.919 --> 00:31:02.139 So Paul's able to say in my past I suffered and I'm in prison. 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:04.139 But the gospel of Christ is advancing. 00:31:04.379 --> 00:31:06.839 In the present there's so much uncertainty. 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:08.339 And people are trying to displace me. 00:31:08.459 --> 00:31:10.279 But Christ is being proclaimed. 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:11.519 And in the future I may live. 00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:12.099 I may die. 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:14.680 But either way Christ is going to be glorified. 00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:16.399 And because that's his metric. 00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:17.839 He's able to rejoice. 00:31:18.639 --> 00:31:20.240 Not by minimizing the suffering. 00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:22.200 Or explaining it away. 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:23.420 Or ends justify the means. 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:27.700 But simply because he has built his life on the one sure thing. 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:30.559 These things are hard but they don't crush him. 00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:33.680 It's real suffering. 00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:35.099 It's bitter suffering. 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:36.700 But it doesn't end him. 00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:38.619 Because that's not the measure of his life. 00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:44.099 The way we know that God's purposes will never fail. 00:31:45.679 --> 00:31:47.899 Ultimately is when we look at the cross. 00:31:49.919 --> 00:31:50.939 That's how you know. 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.719 It's the one sure thing. 00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:54.500 All of the powers of evil. 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:57.099 All of humanity. 00:31:57.500 --> 00:32:00.500 United against the purposes of God. 00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:07.299 Doing everything we could to thwart the purposes of God. 00:32:07.299 --> 00:32:11.299 What better way than to take God's chosen Messiah. 00:32:12.139 --> 00:32:14.180 Sent here to save the world. 00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:15.319 To save Israel. 00:32:15.419 --> 00:32:16.319 To save us all. 00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:17.639 And to humiliate him. 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.579 And discredit him. 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:19.659 And execute him. 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.700 What better way to do it. 00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:22.399 And at the end of all that. 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:25.240 As humanity is walking away saying. 00:32:25.419 --> 00:32:26.379 A job well done. 00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:26.680 Let's. 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:27.359 You know. 00:32:27.639 --> 00:32:29.339 We'll not have to worry about that anymore. 00:32:30.419 --> 00:32:31.279 Three days later. 00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:32.339 Jesus rises. 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.079 And Jesus says. 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:36.960 You did only exactly what my father gave to you to do. 00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:40.819 You only did your part in the great play of history. 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:41.980 You were playing your part. 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.840 It doesn't matter if you knew it or not. 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:45.200 You were part of my purpose. 00:32:46.440 --> 00:32:47.940 You can almost say Jesus saying. 00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.640 Good job. 00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:51.100 You did it exactly right. 00:32:51.700 --> 00:32:51.900 Right. 00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:56.720 Every swing of the hammer into the wood had been planned. 00:32:56.980 --> 00:33:00.079 It was a part of this unfolding purpose of God. 00:33:00.140 --> 00:33:00.960 And you look at that. 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:04.360 And you look at the fact that the cross not only shows us. 00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:06.240 That God's purposes can't be thwarted. 00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:07.500 It shows us this. 00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:07.759 That. 00:33:08.380 --> 00:33:09.819 Before we even knew Jesus. 00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:11.920 Before there was ever even the invitation. 00:33:12.740 --> 00:33:14.279 To say to live is Christ. 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:15.960 Jesus is the one. 00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:17.720 That looked at you and said. 00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:18.440 For me. 00:33:18.600 --> 00:33:19.819 To live is you. 00:33:21.120 --> 00:33:22.059 In other words. 00:33:22.360 --> 00:33:23.360 You're the one. 00:33:24.200 --> 00:33:25.519 I'm giving my life to. 00:33:26.380 --> 00:33:27.299 You're the one. 00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:28.380 I'm giving my life. 00:33:28.840 --> 00:33:29.100 For. 00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:35.059 Do you want unshakable joy? 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:39.859 You will never find joy in your circumstances. 00:33:40.459 --> 00:33:41.980 It comes from the bottom line. 00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:44.000 It comes from the measure of your life. 00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:47.500 And there's only one measure that is absolutely secure. 00:33:48.119 --> 00:33:49.279 And that is Jesus Christ. 00:33:50.119 --> 00:33:50.579 Let's pray. 00:33:53.399 --> 00:33:55.579 Our Father we do ask that you would. 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:57.839 Take your words. 00:33:57.839 --> 00:34:00.679 Whatever of this is of you. 00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:03.519 And that you would drive them into our hearts. 00:34:03.679 --> 00:34:05.119 And as we sing and pray. 00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:07.339 And share in this meal a bit later. 00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:10.559 That those would be like water and sunlight. 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:11.440 That would. 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:14.340 Cause that seed to grow. 00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:15.619 And bring life. 00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:17.759 Into our hearts. 00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:19.360 We pray this in your son's holy name. 00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:19.819 Amen. 00:34:19.819 --> 00:34:19.920 Amen. 00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:19.960 Amen. 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:19.980 Amen. 00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:20.000 Amen. 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:20.019 Amen. 00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:20.059 Amen. 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.099 Amen. 00:34:20.099 --> 00:34:20.139 Amen. 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:22.019 Amen. 00:34:22.019 --> 00:34:22.059 Amen. 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:24.059 Amen. 00:34:24.059 --> 00:34:24.099 Amen. 00:34:24.099 --> 00:34:24.139 Amen. 00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:24.159 Amen.