WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.839 we believe God's word is inspired by the Holy Spirit. 00:00:05.780 --> 00:00:06.960 It's inerrant. 00:00:07.640 --> 00:00:09.400 Man is not more wise than God's word. 00:00:09.500 --> 00:00:11.259 We don't find mistakes in it. 00:00:12.019 --> 00:00:13.080 It's infallible. 00:00:13.080 --> 00:00:16.940 The word of God accomplishes what he intends for it every time. 00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:21.460 And we believe that it's clear that with the Holy Spirit dwelling in every believer, 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:24.800 as we hear God's word, we'll understand what he means. 00:00:25.359 --> 00:00:27.060 And that's my prayer as I read this to you. 00:00:27.059 --> 00:00:33.379 And to give you some context, the book of Philippians is a letter. 00:00:34.759 --> 00:00:37.600 You'll find out a little bit more about the author in the audience. 00:00:37.799 --> 00:00:39.439 But the city is in Philippi. 00:00:40.299 --> 00:00:42.039 Philippi is an ancient city. 00:00:42.500 --> 00:00:46.599 Even before it was part of the Roman Empire, it was refounded by Philip II. 00:00:47.159 --> 00:00:48.840 You actually know Philip II. 00:00:49.019 --> 00:00:52.239 He's Alexander the Great's dad, the king of Macedon. 00:00:53.079 --> 00:00:56.859 And the location of Philippi is between Europe and Asia. 00:00:57.060 --> 00:00:59.440 So it's in northeastern part of Greece. 00:01:01.060 --> 00:01:06.000 As the Romans expanded their kingdom, Philippi became a very strategic trade city 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:09.260 to connect the trade from Asia with Europe. 00:01:09.820 --> 00:01:14.060 And so the Roman Empire invested much in this little city of Philippi. 00:01:14.280 --> 00:01:19.740 They built a theater, a temple with terraces, a great forum, and a basilica. 00:01:19.980 --> 00:01:22.280 All of these Roman pieces of architecture. 00:01:22.280 --> 00:01:27.320 And for that reason, it was called Little Rome, a very influential city. 00:01:28.320 --> 00:01:31.180 So our sermon text is verses 1 through 5. 00:01:31.180 --> 00:01:36.200 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, 00:01:36.200 --> 00:01:40.520 to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, 00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:43.300 with the bishops and deacons. 00:01:44.120 --> 00:01:49.000 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:53.359 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 00:01:53.980 --> 00:01:56.060 always in every prayer of mine, 00:01:56.420 --> 00:01:59.439 making request for you all with joy, 00:02:00.219 --> 00:02:04.760 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. 00:02:05.219 --> 00:02:06.340 This is the word of the Lord. 00:02:06.340 --> 00:02:08.759 Thanks be to God. 00:02:08.800 --> 00:02:09.340 You may be seated. 00:02:09.340 --> 00:02:09.439 Thank you. 00:02:36.340 --> 00:02:45.680 Father, I ask once again that you will please speak through your word. 00:02:49.560 --> 00:02:52.340 May your truth prevail over unbelief. 00:02:54.099 --> 00:02:55.939 And may you renew our minds. 00:02:57.379 --> 00:02:59.120 We pray that your Holy Spirit, 00:03:00.420 --> 00:03:02.379 the Spirit of Jesus Christ himself, 00:03:02.580 --> 00:03:03.319 the Good Shepherd, 00:03:03.819 --> 00:03:05.039 will speak to his people. 00:03:06.819 --> 00:03:09.200 We pray that you'll accomplish your purposes 00:03:09.200 --> 00:03:11.680 with your law and gospel as it's proclaimed. 00:03:12.420 --> 00:03:13.860 I pray that you'll guard my lips, 00:03:14.259 --> 00:03:18.599 that everything I say would be pleasing in your sight with your help. 00:03:19.060 --> 00:03:21.900 I also pray that you will guard the ears of your people. 00:03:22.740 --> 00:03:26.020 Help anything, Lord, that I say that is falling short of your glory 00:03:26.020 --> 00:03:29.240 and your standard to be rejected by their minds. 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:32.460 We pray, Lord, that as we receive your word, 00:03:32.520 --> 00:03:35.480 that you will work into us your good pleasure, 00:03:35.479 --> 00:03:37.899 that you will truly shape your church. 00:03:38.340 --> 00:03:39.399 For your glory we ask. 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:39.899 Amen. 00:03:39.900 --> 00:03:40.000 Amen. 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:52.080 There in the living room of a wealthy businesswoman 00:03:52.080 --> 00:03:56.060 sits a girl that everyone thought was crazy. 00:03:56.060 --> 00:04:01.780 Also in this living room is the porter of the city's jailhouse, 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:03.960 along with his family and servants. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:08.920 One of the men, with gray in his beard, 00:04:10.020 --> 00:04:13.259 opens up the parchment that arrived on a ship that week. 00:04:14.379 --> 00:04:17.600 He reads the first line and then pauses. 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:23.439 Paul and Timothy, bond servants of Jesus Christ. 00:04:25.520 --> 00:04:28.700 The memories of everyone present fly back to the year 00:04:28.700 --> 00:04:31.720 they first saw that small group of travelers, 00:04:32.460 --> 00:04:36.080 two of whom they could still picture with blood on their backs. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:41.139 A dozen eyes in this living room puddle up. 00:04:42.379 --> 00:04:44.439 The reader is one of them and he swallows hard 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:48.599 and then continues to all the saints in Christ Jesus 00:04:48.599 --> 00:04:50.379 who are in Philippi. 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:55.560 Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:04:56.560 --> 00:04:58.219 I want to encourage you today 00:04:58.219 --> 00:05:01.319 with this example of a small church in Philippi, 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:04.480 how God himself shapes his church. 00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:08.379 How God himself shapes his church. 00:05:10.120 --> 00:05:12.680 First, God makes desperate sinners 00:05:12.680 --> 00:05:16.159 into orderly saints. 00:05:16.160 --> 00:05:19.400 God makes desperate sinners 00:05:19.400 --> 00:05:22.660 into orderly saints. 00:05:24.820 --> 00:05:29.160 Verse 1, Paul and Timothy, slaves of Jesus. 00:05:30.360 --> 00:05:32.860 That's how Paul introduces himself 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:35.580 as author of this letter to this congregation. 00:05:36.140 --> 00:05:38.440 To appreciate how drastic this is, 00:05:38.960 --> 00:05:41.420 you need to hear an example from this same time period. 00:05:42.460 --> 00:05:43.840 Here's how another letter began, 00:05:43.839 --> 00:05:46.659 an official letter to a people 00:05:46.659 --> 00:05:48.459 in a city called Alexandria. 00:05:50.299 --> 00:05:53.079 Tiberius, Claudius, Caesar, Augustus, Germanicus, 00:05:53.539 --> 00:05:55.819 Imperator, Pontifex Maximus, 00:05:56.139 --> 00:05:59.000 holder of the tribunition power, 00:05:59.639 --> 00:06:04.339 consul designate to the city of the Alexandrians. 00:06:06.539 --> 00:06:09.339 Well, here Paul calls himself simply a slave, 00:06:09.579 --> 00:06:11.679 a bondservant of Jesus Christ. 00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:13.800 In other epistles, he states, 00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:14.939 I am an apostle. 00:06:15.480 --> 00:06:16.420 I have this authority. 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:18.920 In this letter, he doesn't need to, 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:22.079 most likely because the sweet congregation in Philippi, 00:06:22.259 --> 00:06:23.079 they know this. 00:06:23.319 --> 00:06:23.939 They love Paul. 00:06:24.180 --> 00:06:25.319 They accept his authority. 00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:27.060 That's not what they need to hear. 00:06:29.160 --> 00:06:31.759 Paul introduces himself along with Timothy. 00:06:32.920 --> 00:06:35.379 Timothy, we're told in Acts 16, 00:06:36.079 --> 00:06:37.720 was a young believer, verse 2, 00:06:37.720 --> 00:06:40.420 who was well spoken of by the brethren, 00:06:40.580 --> 00:06:43.180 traveling along with Paul in this small company. 00:06:44.040 --> 00:06:45.980 Paul, Silas, young Timothy, 00:06:46.400 --> 00:06:49.940 most likely to be discipled and an assistant to learn. 00:06:50.900 --> 00:06:53.460 And then in Acts, we read it in the first person plural. 00:06:54.200 --> 00:06:56.020 So Luke is most likely there as well 00:06:56.020 --> 00:06:57.620 as an accompanying doctor. 00:06:59.340 --> 00:07:01.520 So we learn even from this simple introduction, 00:07:01.760 --> 00:07:04.180 Paul and Timothy, slaves of Jesus, 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:06.400 that ministry is shared. 00:07:07.800 --> 00:07:11.220 Ministry is shared by those who consider Jesus their Lord. 00:07:12.840 --> 00:07:15.819 He introduces themselves with the word slave 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:17.300 or bondservant. 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:19.920 The Greek, it's douloim. 00:07:20.680 --> 00:07:23.560 It's one who gives himself up for another's will, 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:25.660 devoted to another, 00:07:26.019 --> 00:07:28.460 to the disregard of their own interests. 00:07:28.459 --> 00:07:31.099 That's what a bondservant is. 00:07:31.219 --> 00:07:33.759 Jesus used this word in Matthew 20, 27. 00:07:33.899 --> 00:07:34.239 He said, 00:07:34.639 --> 00:07:37.079 Whosoever will be chief among you, 00:07:37.459 --> 00:07:40.699 let him be your slave, your servant. 00:07:42.459 --> 00:07:45.919 Jesus Christ himself took the posture of a slave 00:07:45.919 --> 00:07:48.599 when he washed his disciples' feet. 00:07:49.679 --> 00:07:52.859 So what a wonderful thing now to claim as your title. 00:07:53.620 --> 00:07:56.019 You are one who is now a slave of Christ. 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:59.699 One who Christ will use to advance his kingdom 00:07:59.699 --> 00:08:02.399 in the souls and the lives of believers. 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:06.620 Paul and Timothy, slaves of Jesus Christ. 00:08:08.599 --> 00:08:11.579 I mentioned that these saints, 00:08:12.240 --> 00:08:13.539 he says to all the saints, 00:08:13.799 --> 00:08:17.039 there's an orderliness in how he views the church. 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:20.539 All the saints, the word saint, 00:08:20.659 --> 00:08:23.599 it means consecrated, set apart, devoted. 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:25.800 In the Old Testament, 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:27.860 what was consecrated or set apart 00:08:27.860 --> 00:08:30.400 were the instruments used in the ceremonial law. 00:08:31.280 --> 00:08:32.500 These were common utensils, 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:34.220 but they were consecrated, set apart, 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:36.639 not to be used for lesser purposes. 00:08:36.840 --> 00:08:38.879 These belong to the ministry of the Lord. 00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:40.440 And he says, 00:08:40.620 --> 00:08:43.340 Now you are all the people of God who are set apart. 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:46.159 You are the vessels God will use 00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:48.180 for his special consecrated purposes. 00:08:49.040 --> 00:08:50.840 You're a consecrated body. 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:54.139 And with you are the officers. 00:08:55.540 --> 00:08:58.660 From among you are elders and deacons. 00:08:58.740 --> 00:09:00.780 The word here is bishop or overseer. 00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:03.320 For us, it's a synonymous, 00:09:04.300 --> 00:09:05.399 well, it's the same office 00:09:05.399 --> 00:09:07.700 described in several different terms. 00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:09.180 Under shepherds of Christ, 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:11.300 pastors, overseers, elders. 00:09:11.540 --> 00:09:12.320 That's one office. 00:09:12.820 --> 00:09:14.420 And the other office is deacons. 00:09:15.060 --> 00:09:17.060 Servants who are with the congregation, 00:09:17.059 --> 00:09:20.259 but also set apart to hold a special office. 00:09:21.619 --> 00:09:23.479 Well, who is it that's included 00:09:23.479 --> 00:09:25.899 in this description of all the saints? 00:09:27.299 --> 00:09:28.419 All the saints, 00:09:28.519 --> 00:09:29.879 they're gathered in this church. 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:33.000 One of these saints, 00:09:33.639 --> 00:09:35.839 we read in Acts 16, verse 16. 00:09:35.959 --> 00:09:37.139 If you still have your marker there, 00:09:37.199 --> 00:09:38.539 you want to follow along. 00:09:39.019 --> 00:09:40.619 Acts 16, verse 16. 00:09:40.620 --> 00:09:47.019 In the same city of Philippi, 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:49.740 Paul's second missionary journey, 00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:51.639 the first time that he would meet 00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:54.139 these beloved believers. 00:09:57.500 --> 00:09:59.039 We read this description, 00:09:59.779 --> 00:10:02.320 starting in Acts, verse 16. 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:04.039 A certain slave girl, 00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:06.919 possessed with a spirit of divination. 00:10:06.919 --> 00:10:11.339 This means that this young girl 00:10:11.339 --> 00:10:13.679 was a slave to human masters. 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:15.240 They possessed her. 00:10:15.339 --> 00:10:15.979 They owned her. 00:10:16.779 --> 00:10:18.500 And she had to work for them as a slave. 00:10:18.659 --> 00:10:19.399 But on top of that, 00:10:19.459 --> 00:10:20.639 she had a double bondage. 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:23.860 She was possessed by a spirit of divination 00:10:23.860 --> 00:10:27.599 or a demon from the fallen angel, 00:10:27.699 --> 00:10:29.259 from the depths of hell, 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:30.459 possessing her body 00:10:30.459 --> 00:10:33.199 and manipulating the truth 00:10:33.199 --> 00:10:34.240 and the words in such a way 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:35.079 that people were willing 00:10:35.079 --> 00:10:36.339 to pay her master's money 00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:38.160 for the words that she would say 00:10:38.160 --> 00:10:39.000 about their future 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:41.700 as if she could foresee the future. 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:46.660 Well, this slave girl met them. 00:10:48.180 --> 00:10:50.019 And she brought her masters much profit 00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:51.120 by fortune telling, 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:52.940 we read in verse 16. 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:54.639 In verse 17, we read that 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:56.980 this girl followed Paul and us, 00:10:57.060 --> 00:10:57.540 wrote Luke, 00:10:57.800 --> 00:10:58.940 and she cried out, saying, 00:10:59.040 --> 00:11:00.340 these men are the servants 00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:01.900 of the Most High God 00:11:01.900 --> 00:11:04.460 who proclaim to us 00:11:04.460 --> 00:11:05.759 the way of salvation. 00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:09.040 Verse 18, 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:11.000 for many days she continued to do this. 00:11:11.320 --> 00:11:12.480 Verse 19, we read that 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:13.920 Paul became greatly annoyed 00:11:13.920 --> 00:11:15.960 and he turned and said to the demon 00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:17.460 that was possessing the slave girl, 00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:19.899 I command you in the name of Jesus Christ 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:21.160 to come out of her. 00:11:23.780 --> 00:11:25.560 This was a desperate sinner. 00:11:26.940 --> 00:11:28.180 This young slave girl 00:11:28.180 --> 00:11:30.660 knew that these men 00:11:30.660 --> 00:11:32.560 are speaking a message of salvation. 00:11:32.559 --> 00:11:36.439 The demons speaking through this little girl, 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:38.839 they revealed the reality, 00:11:38.959 --> 00:11:39.699 the spiritual way 00:11:39.699 --> 00:11:40.819 that the kingdom of God 00:11:40.819 --> 00:11:41.699 is going to advance 00:11:41.699 --> 00:11:43.139 into the city of Philippi. 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:45.379 And it's a way of salvation 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:48.459 as a demonstration of God's power 00:11:48.459 --> 00:11:49.639 in his advancing kingdom. 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:51.879 This girl herself 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:53.819 experienced such salvation. 00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:55.439 She was delivered 00:11:55.439 --> 00:11:57.079 from that bondage 00:11:57.079 --> 00:11:58.539 of this evil spirit. 00:11:58.539 --> 00:12:02.199 And Paul says, 00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:04.099 no matter what your background was, 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:06.399 no matter what you were a slave to, 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:08.439 in Christ, 00:12:08.959 --> 00:12:10.159 you are a saint. 00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:13.339 Do you see how God makes 00:12:13.339 --> 00:12:14.419 desperate sinners 00:12:14.419 --> 00:12:16.519 into orderly saints 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:17.500 within his church? 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:20.960 The encouragement for us 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:21.399 is that 00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:23.039 every church 00:12:23.039 --> 00:12:24.279 can be well-ordered 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:25.039 in this way. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:26.940 We're well-ordered 00:12:26.940 --> 00:12:27.740 as we remember 00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:29.120 and we remind ourselves, 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:30.419 I'm first of all 00:12:30.419 --> 00:12:31.460 a slave to Christ. 00:12:32.080 --> 00:12:32.860 That's who I am. 00:12:33.220 --> 00:12:34.120 I don't need to hold on 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:35.320 to anything else 00:12:35.320 --> 00:12:36.340 in my identity. 00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:38.200 I'm a slave to Jesus Christ 00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:39.519 because he became 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.379 a servant 00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:41.440 to save me. 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:43.399 And as a church 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:45.320 of those who God 00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:45.940 has saved 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:47.420 from our desperate sin 00:12:47.420 --> 00:12:48.340 and the bondage 00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:48.800 that he's brought 00:12:48.800 --> 00:12:49.740 each one of us out of, 00:12:49.780 --> 00:12:50.420 as we gather 00:12:50.420 --> 00:12:51.260 in his name, 00:12:52.160 --> 00:12:53.180 he guides his church 00:12:53.180 --> 00:12:53.980 to raise up 00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:54.800 and set apart 00:12:54.800 --> 00:12:56.100 church officers 00:12:56.100 --> 00:12:57.440 through whom 00:12:57.440 --> 00:12:58.120 he will minister 00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:59.060 and serve 00:12:59.060 --> 00:13:00.100 his body. 00:13:01.280 --> 00:13:01.860 God makes 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:02.960 desperate sinners 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:04.680 into orderly 00:13:04.680 --> 00:13:05.340 saints. 00:13:06.260 --> 00:13:06.940 How else does 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:08.100 God shape his church? 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:09.480 Number two, 00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:10.540 God makes Christians 00:13:10.540 --> 00:13:11.040 remember 00:13:11.040 --> 00:13:12.060 the basis 00:13:12.060 --> 00:13:13.060 of their blessing. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:15.680 God makes Christians 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:16.699 remember the basis 00:13:16.699 --> 00:13:17.659 of their blessing. 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:20.219 Look at verse two. 00:13:22.039 --> 00:13:22.819 His greeting is 00:13:22.819 --> 00:13:23.759 grace to you 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:25.019 and peace 00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:26.639 from God our Father 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:28.599 and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:30.699 Grace to you 00:13:30.699 --> 00:13:31.419 and peace. 00:13:33.299 --> 00:13:34.299 In the example 00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:35.279 I read a moment ago, 00:13:35.439 --> 00:13:36.500 Tiberius Claudius, 00:13:36.599 --> 00:13:37.559 Caesar Augustus, 00:13:38.199 --> 00:13:39.000 the next words 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:40.779 in this historic document 00:13:40.779 --> 00:13:41.299 are this, 00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:42.419 to the city 00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:43.819 of the Alexandrians, 00:13:44.419 --> 00:13:44.759 greetings. 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:46.179 And the word 00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:47.220 he uses for greetings 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:48.139 is in Greek. 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:49.340 The word is 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:49.960 kareem. 00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:52.179 Kareem is a general 00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:52.899 salutation, 00:13:53.059 --> 00:13:53.960 just means greetings. 00:13:55.179 --> 00:13:55.419 Well, 00:13:55.439 --> 00:13:56.159 Paul does a play 00:13:56.159 --> 00:13:56.659 on words. 00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:58.240 He uses the word 00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:59.139 grace. 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.240 Instead of greetings, 00:14:00.379 --> 00:14:00.840 he says 00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:02.000 karees. 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:03.340 So it sounds 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:03.879 very similar 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.580 to this common 00:14:04.580 --> 00:14:05.439 Greek greeting, 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:06.639 but he instead 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:07.779 uses the specific 00:14:07.779 --> 00:14:09.399 theological doctrine, 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:10.419 grace. 00:14:10.419 --> 00:14:13.199 grace and peace. 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:16.000 Grace is God's 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:16.740 favor 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:18.120 to those 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:19.519 who are ill-deserving. 00:14:20.459 --> 00:14:21.699 We deserve ill. 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:22.360 We deserve 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:23.459 wrath of God 00:14:23.459 --> 00:14:24.120 for our sin, 00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:25.159 but instead 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:25.979 we get God's 00:14:25.979 --> 00:14:27.179 wonderful favor. 00:14:27.719 --> 00:14:28.679 That's what grace is. 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:30.759 It's only through 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:31.539 Jesus Christ 00:14:31.539 --> 00:14:32.319 because he took 00:14:32.319 --> 00:14:33.299 the ill we deserve 00:14:33.299 --> 00:14:33.979 in our place 00:14:33.979 --> 00:14:34.959 and he accomplished 00:14:34.959 --> 00:14:35.480 for us 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.079 the blessings 00:14:36.079 --> 00:14:37.299 that we could never 00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:37.939 merit 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:39.160 for ourselves. 00:14:39.940 --> 00:14:40.620 That's the meeting 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:41.840 point for all 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:42.640 true Christians. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:44.740 Grace to you, 00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:45.120 church. 00:14:46.300 --> 00:14:47.000 And anyone who 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:47.780 knows of God's 00:14:47.780 --> 00:14:48.820 grace meets 00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:49.780 Paul right there. 00:14:50.280 --> 00:14:50.680 You don't need 00:14:50.680 --> 00:14:51.300 to say anything 00:14:51.300 --> 00:14:51.660 else. 00:14:52.660 --> 00:14:53.220 We're on the 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:53.720 same footing. 00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:56.280 Why did Paul 00:14:56.280 --> 00:14:56.920 know grace? 00:14:58.600 --> 00:14:58.840 Well, 00:14:58.900 --> 00:14:59.220 remember, 00:14:59.400 --> 00:15:00.080 Paul had hunted 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:01.020 down Christians 00:15:01.020 --> 00:15:01.820 himself. 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:03.040 He had been 00:15:03.040 --> 00:15:03.660 the one going 00:15:03.660 --> 00:15:04.840 into peaceful 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:05.800 worship gatherings 00:15:05.800 --> 00:15:06.900 maybe like this. 00:15:07.940 --> 00:15:09.000 dragging Christians 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:10.020 out in chains, 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:11.600 casting them 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:13.740 into the prisons, 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:15.400 hauling them away 00:15:15.400 --> 00:15:16.040 to Jerusalem 00:15:16.040 --> 00:15:16.920 to be punished. 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:19.100 Could you imagine 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:19.740 what that would be 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.040 like? 00:15:20.640 --> 00:15:21.260 I'll ask you 00:15:21.260 --> 00:15:21.680 children, 00:15:22.680 --> 00:15:23.400 what if someone 00:15:23.400 --> 00:15:23.880 were to come 00:15:23.880 --> 00:15:24.720 through those doors 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:25.940 and command the 00:15:25.940 --> 00:15:26.820 soldiers to arrest 00:15:26.820 --> 00:15:27.240 your mom, 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:27.760 your dad, 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:28.380 your grandpa, 00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:29.560 your grandma? 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:30.860 Put them in chains 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:31.440 and you see them 00:15:31.440 --> 00:15:31.980 drug away. 00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:34.060 Well, 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:34.720 Paul was the one 00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:35.380 standing there 00:15:35.380 --> 00:15:36.020 ordering the 00:15:36.020 --> 00:15:36.720 soldiers to do 00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:37.300 just that. 00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:38.660 Paul said 00:15:38.660 --> 00:15:39.460 this himself 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:40.080 to the church 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:41.280 in Acts 22.4. 00:15:41.680 --> 00:15:41.980 He said, 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:42.940 I persecuted 00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:44.080 this way, 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:44.740 referring to 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:45.800 followers of Christ. 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.060 I persecuted 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:48.000 them to the death, 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:49.040 binding and 00:15:49.040 --> 00:15:49.760 delivering them 00:15:49.760 --> 00:15:50.520 into prisons, 00:15:50.640 --> 00:15:51.480 both men and 00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:51.800 women, 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:53.040 bringing them 00:15:53.040 --> 00:15:53.620 in chains 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.420 to Jerusalem 00:15:54.420 --> 00:15:55.580 to be punished. 00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:58.040 In 1 Timothy 1.15, 00:15:58.200 --> 00:15:58.600 he says, 00:15:58.940 --> 00:15:59.880 but Jesus Christ 00:15:59.880 --> 00:16:01.560 came into the world 00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:02.800 to save sinners 00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:04.600 of whom I am 00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:05.200 the chief. 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:07.740 Paul knew grace. 00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:10.300 Romans 5.20, 00:16:12.020 --> 00:16:13.379 where sin abounded 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.600 and Paul's sin 00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:15.420 abounded so. 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:16.680 He wrote, 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:17.480 their grace 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:19.320 abounded much more. 00:16:20.420 --> 00:16:21.000 So when Paul 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:21.680 greets the church 00:16:21.680 --> 00:16:22.420 with grace, 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.900 he does it as one 00:16:23.900 --> 00:16:24.560 who knows 00:16:24.560 --> 00:16:26.020 God's grace himself. 00:16:27.280 --> 00:16:27.960 He says, 00:16:28.060 --> 00:16:28.759 grace to you 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:29.980 and peace. 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:30.659 Well, 00:16:31.420 --> 00:16:32.220 if grace is 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:33.100 a reference 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:34.340 to the Greek greeting, 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.580 common greeting 00:16:35.580 --> 00:16:36.560 among the Greeks, 00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:37.600 he pulls in 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.700 Greek and Jew 00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:39.200 together. 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:41.460 The Jews greet 00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:41.960 one another 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:42.940 with shalom. 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:44.379 Shalom. 00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:45.639 Holistic, 00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:47.420 relational rest. 00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:48.960 That's what shalom 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.360 means. 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:50.840 It means you enjoy 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:51.539 a settled 00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:53.100 communion together. 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:54.700 You are at home. 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:55.920 You are comfortable. 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:57.680 And he says, 00:16:57.800 --> 00:16:58.759 this is only possible 00:16:58.759 --> 00:17:00.039 from God 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:01.600 through Jesus Christ. 00:17:02.939 --> 00:17:03.819 Isn't that true 00:17:03.819 --> 00:17:04.539 for our fellowship? 00:17:05.640 --> 00:17:06.359 As part of the 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:07.220 membership process, 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:08.039 one of the questions 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:09.200 is describe some 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:10.180 of the best experiences 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:11.099 you've had in church. 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:12.879 And many have shared 00:17:12.879 --> 00:17:14.200 it's been among 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:15.039 brothers and sisters 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:16.200 who know God's grace, 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:18.019 who know this peace. 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.799 And it's a time 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:21.359 of wonderful rest 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:22.420 where it truly feels 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:23.339 like I'm with family. 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:24.960 And God ministers 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:26.240 to me over and over 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.799 through that. 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:28.799 We've also been 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:30.079 in different relationships, 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.619 maybe at work 00:17:31.619 --> 00:17:32.559 or even with relatives 00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:34.159 or sadly in the church 00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:34.599 as well, 00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:36.519 where there's no peace. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.899 And it's one of the 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:38.720 hardest things we can 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:39.579 go through as Christians, 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.099 isn't it? 00:17:40.639 --> 00:17:41.720 To have no peace. 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.720 I believe this principle 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:44.500 is true that 00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:45.779 where there is no grace, 00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:46.539 there can be 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:47.460 no peace. 00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:49.159 The solution, 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.240 if you want more peace 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:51.559 in those relationships, 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:53.119 is God's grace 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:54.019 at a heart level. 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:56.139 The more church 00:17:56.139 --> 00:17:57.539 that we understand 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.379 God's grace, 00:17:58.779 --> 00:17:59.879 the more peaceful 00:17:59.879 --> 00:18:01.680 will be our fellowship. 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:02.240 Amen? 00:18:03.139 --> 00:18:03.980 See how preaching 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:04.539 the gospel 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:05.740 and gospeling one another 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:07.619 through the hardest 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:08.480 things we go through, 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:09.480 that is how God 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.940 shapes us together. 00:18:11.700 --> 00:18:12.660 It's the most practical 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:13.539 thing we can do 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:14.920 is to remind ourselves 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:15.859 of God's grace 00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:16.619 toward us. 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.680 God is to remind us 00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:17.960 of God's grace 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:18.660 toward us. 00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:20.380 So, 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:21.860 God makes Christians 00:18:21.860 --> 00:18:22.400 remember 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:23.480 the basis 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.380 of their blessing. 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.180 Number three, 00:18:26.300 --> 00:18:27.080 God makes Christians 00:18:27.080 --> 00:18:28.220 remember one another 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:29.640 with thankfulness. 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.960 God makes Christians 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:33.080 remember one another 00:18:33.080 --> 00:18:35.080 with thankfulness. 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:36.180 That's how he shapes us 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:36.580 as well. 00:18:37.640 --> 00:18:38.160 Verse three, 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:38.580 we read, 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.759 I thank my God 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.980 upon every remembrance 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.680 of you. 00:18:43.300 --> 00:18:44.880 Upon every remembrance 00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:45.460 of you, 00:18:45.820 --> 00:18:47.140 I thank my God. 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:49.980 every remembrance 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:50.840 of this church 00:18:50.840 --> 00:18:51.720 at Philippi. 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:54.000 Look in Acts 16 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:54.500 once again, 00:18:54.560 --> 00:18:55.680 you still have your marker there. 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:58.180 Starting at verse 13, 00:18:58.280 --> 00:18:58.920 let's go back 00:18:58.920 --> 00:19:00.120 and put ourselves 00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:00.960 in Paul's shoes. 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:01.600 What would have been 00:19:01.600 --> 00:19:03.240 these early remembrances 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.300 of the church 00:19:04.300 --> 00:19:04.980 at Philippi? 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.700 Acts 16, 00:19:06.800 --> 00:19:07.500 verse 13. 00:19:08.300 --> 00:19:09.259 We read that it was 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.180 the Sabbath day. 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:12.580 There's Paul and Silas 00:19:12.580 --> 00:19:13.700 and Timothy and Luke. 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:16.020 They went out of the city 00:19:16.020 --> 00:19:16.980 to the riverside. 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:18.080 where prayer 00:19:18.080 --> 00:19:19.440 was customarily made. 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:20.520 He says, 00:19:20.600 --> 00:19:21.360 they sat down 00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:23.360 and they began to speak. 00:19:24.600 --> 00:19:25.820 It's through the preaching, 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.440 through the spoken word 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:27.960 of God 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:29.840 that God carries 00:19:29.840 --> 00:19:30.660 the gospel 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:31.780 into the ears, 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.320 the minds, 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:32.960 and the hearts 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:33.840 of believers. 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:35.480 They preached 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.820 and as he preached 00:19:36.820 --> 00:19:37.380 the word, 00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:38.640 he gave the gift 00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:39.160 of faith 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:40.280 to Lydia. 00:19:41.340 --> 00:19:42.500 He remembers that. 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:42.860 He said, 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:43.640 a certain woman 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:44.320 named Lydia 00:19:44.320 --> 00:19:44.880 heard us 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:45.580 and she was 00:19:45.580 --> 00:19:46.060 a seller 00:19:46.060 --> 00:19:47.000 of purple 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.220 who worshipped 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:48.960 the Lord. 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:50.700 Now look at the next 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.720 words there 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:53.440 in verse 14. 00:19:54.300 --> 00:19:54.860 The Lord 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:56.780 opened her heart 00:19:56.780 --> 00:19:58.300 to heed 00:19:58.300 --> 00:19:59.520 the things 00:19:59.520 --> 00:20:00.820 spoken by Paul. 00:20:02.820 --> 00:20:03.700 They had to do 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:04.160 their part. 00:20:04.260 --> 00:20:04.860 They're going 00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:05.700 into the open air. 00:20:05.820 --> 00:20:06.860 They're ministering 00:20:06.860 --> 00:20:07.540 the word of God 00:20:07.540 --> 00:20:08.380 for whoever has 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:09.220 an ear to hear. 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:10.640 But it's the Lord 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:11.700 who opens 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:12.600 the heart 00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:13.980 and causes you 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.740 to pay attention 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.519 and hear 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:16.279 and receive 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:17.220 the gospel. 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:19.460 We read in verse 15 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:19.980 that she 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:21.039 and her household 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:22.039 were baptized 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:23.259 and then she 00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:24.000 hosted them. 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:26.120 Well, 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:26.839 after Paul 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:29.640 commanded the demon 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:30.220 to leave 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.059 that little slave 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:31.700 girl alone, 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:32.860 he and Silas 00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:33.440 were accused 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:34.120 of disturbing 00:20:34.120 --> 00:20:34.720 the peace. 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.100 We read in Acts 00:20:36.100 --> 00:20:36.900 16, 20 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:38.120 that the whole city 00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:39.339 became exceedingly 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:40.099 troubled 00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:41.819 because her masters 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:42.719 saw that their hope 00:20:42.719 --> 00:20:43.239 of profit 00:20:43.239 --> 00:20:44.139 was now gone. 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:45.459 So they seized 00:20:45.459 --> 00:20:46.299 Paul and Silas 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:47.179 and they dragged 00:20:47.179 --> 00:20:48.159 them into the marketplace 00:20:48.159 --> 00:20:49.559 and to the authorities. 00:20:50.199 --> 00:20:50.899 We read in Acts 00:20:50.899 --> 00:20:51.839 16, 22 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:53.179 Then the multitude 00:20:53.179 --> 00:20:54.719 rose up together 00:20:54.719 --> 00:20:55.500 against them. 00:20:56.139 --> 00:20:56.899 The whole city 00:20:56.899 --> 00:20:57.779 of Philippi 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.919 greatly disturbed 00:20:58.919 --> 00:21:00.399 against Paul 00:21:00.399 --> 00:21:01.339 and Silas 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:02.239 who were the preachers. 00:21:03.659 --> 00:21:04.399 The magistrates 00:21:04.399 --> 00:21:05.619 tore off their clothes 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:06.919 and commanded them 00:21:06.919 --> 00:21:07.659 to be beaten 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:08.759 with rods 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:10.320 and they laid 00:21:10.320 --> 00:21:11.240 many stripes 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:11.840 on them. 00:21:12.320 --> 00:21:12.640 That means 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:13.360 they whipped them 00:21:13.360 --> 00:21:14.700 so the skin 00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:15.440 is torn away 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.620 of their backs. 00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:19.240 And yet, 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:19.840 Paul writes 00:21:19.840 --> 00:21:20.440 in verse 3 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:21.400 of our sermon text, 00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:22.980 I thank my God 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:24.580 upon every 00:21:24.580 --> 00:21:25.500 remembrance 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.500 of you. 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.420 Paul thanks God 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:30.160 for the memory 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:31.240 of the church 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.160 at Philippi. 00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:33.960 He thanks God 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:34.960 for causing Lydia 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.980 and her household 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.779 to believe 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:38.140 for saving 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:39.140 that slave girl 00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:40.700 and for bringing 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:42.319 these most unlikely 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:43.400 believers together 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:44.799 and planting them 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.860 as a church. 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.579 Does the Lord 00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:50.160 ever do this 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:50.460 for you? 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:51.099 Does he bring 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:51.680 to mind 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:52.700 the remembrance 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.720 of other believers? 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:56.319 When he does that, 00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:57.460 we should thank the Lord 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:58.380 for these memories. 00:21:59.140 --> 00:21:59.759 Thank you, Lord, 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.559 for reminding me 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:02.059 of that conversation 00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:03.099 I had with this brother. 00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:04.619 Thank you, Lord, 00:22:04.699 --> 00:22:05.980 for this wonderful memory 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:07.500 of that hard time 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.480 that this family was in, 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.419 but you were faithful 00:22:09.419 --> 00:22:09.959 to them. 00:22:11.159 --> 00:22:11.579 When the Lord 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.699 brings one another 00:22:12.699 --> 00:22:13.199 to mind, 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:14.879 we pray for one another 00:22:14.879 --> 00:22:16.079 and we thank the Lord 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:16.859 for his grace 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:18.119 on all of us 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:19.059 because God 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:19.939 makes Christians 00:22:19.939 --> 00:22:21.419 remember one another 00:22:21.419 --> 00:22:23.000 with thankfulness. 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.439 In business 00:22:25.439 --> 00:22:27.199 and in other dealings, 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.819 it's mostly hard memories 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:29.799 and you're constantly 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:30.579 on the defensive, 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.740 but our thoughts 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.379 of one another 00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:33.740 should be grace 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.819 and peace 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:36.099 and thank you, Lord, 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:37.099 for this body 00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:37.599 you've given. 00:22:39.419 --> 00:22:40.019 Number four, 00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:41.659 God makes the afflicted 00:22:41.659 --> 00:22:42.859 pray with joy. 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:44.439 How does God 00:22:44.439 --> 00:22:45.299 shape his church? 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:47.279 He makes the afflicted 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:49.039 pray with joy. 00:22:50.679 --> 00:22:51.939 Look at verse four. 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:53.000 Paul writes, 00:22:53.439 --> 00:22:55.879 always in every prayer 00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:56.639 of mine, 00:22:57.179 --> 00:22:58.199 making requests 00:22:58.199 --> 00:22:59.319 for you all 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:00.220 with joy. 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:03.179 You notice how urgent 00:23:03.179 --> 00:23:04.259 Paul's language is? 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:06.119 It's personal. 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.679 It's persistent. 00:23:08.679 --> 00:23:09.039 He says, 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.240 in every remembrance 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:10.720 of you, 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:11.480 always, 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:12.899 in every prayer 00:23:12.899 --> 00:23:13.819 of mine for you, 00:23:14.159 --> 00:23:15.240 making requests 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:16.079 for you all. 00:23:17.679 --> 00:23:18.059 You see, 00:23:18.139 --> 00:23:19.240 each one in the church 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.299 is on Paul's mind 00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:21.000 and on his heart. 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:23.000 Each one is precious 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.819 in God's sight 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:25.960 and he puts the names 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:27.539 of these precious souls 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:29.240 forward before God 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:31.059 and he asks God, 00:23:31.120 --> 00:23:31.880 he makes requests 00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:32.380 of God 00:23:32.380 --> 00:23:33.579 on their behalf. 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:35.339 He prays. 00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:37.740 Does the Lord 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:39.299 bring fellow believers 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:40.160 to your mind? 00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:42.539 Does he stir you up 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:44.319 to specifically name 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:45.559 those he wants you 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:46.500 to intercede for? 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:48.380 The beautiful thing 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:48.759 is this, 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.559 the Lord Jesus 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.599 is interceding 00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:51.180 on our behalf 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:51.720 right now 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:53.360 and his spirit 00:23:53.360 --> 00:23:55.019 causes you to know 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.960 what you're supposed 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:57.200 to join your prayers to. 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.720 He's already praying. 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.700 When he stirs your heart 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.579 and puts other believers 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:02.299 in your mind, 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:04.160 he has the name 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:04.779 of that believer 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.880 in his mind. 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.700 So you're joining 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.240 your prayers 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.319 to those of Christ. 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.779 He's inviting you 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.519 to participate 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.480 in his ministry. 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:13.700 What a blessing. 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.039 Well, 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:17.259 let's try to figure out 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.000 now from scripture, 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:19.059 where is Paul 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:20.879 as he's praying 00:24:20.879 --> 00:24:22.319 for all the saints 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:22.919 in Philippi 00:24:22.919 --> 00:24:23.579 with joy? 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.179 Where is he? 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:28.399 There's this little church 00:24:28.399 --> 00:24:29.299 far away 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:30.559 and Paul's praying 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.839 with so much fervency. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.379 We know that 00:24:34.379 --> 00:24:36.039 he is in house arrest 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:38.220 in Rome 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:39.819 being watched 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:41.419 by the Praetorian Guard. 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:43.200 Who's the Praetorian Guard? 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:45.299 It's an elite unit 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.980 of the Imperial Roman Army 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.679 that served 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:49.400 as personal bodyguards 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:51.500 and intelligence agents 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:53.180 for the emperor himself. 00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.560 Paul is a big deal 00:24:55.560 --> 00:24:56.860 and he's being watched 00:24:56.860 --> 00:24:57.460 in Rome 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.799 by the elite 00:24:58.799 --> 00:25:00.019 Praetorian Guard. 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:02.120 If I could give you 00:25:02.120 --> 00:25:02.700 a comparison, 00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.279 this would be 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:04.539 the best of the FBI, 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:05.920 the intelligence agents, 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.519 who are keeping tabs 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:09.080 on every potential threat 00:25:09.080 --> 00:25:09.920 within the empire, 00:25:10.580 --> 00:25:12.580 mixed with army rangers, 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:14.340 the toughest of the tough. 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:16.279 That's who's keeping watch 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.119 on Paul. 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.799 Well, now we have to ask, 00:25:18.879 --> 00:25:19.899 how did Paul get there 00:25:19.899 --> 00:25:21.359 to be writing 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:22.700 this prison epistle? 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.619 We know that he spent 00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:26.460 two years 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:27.180 approximately 00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:28.059 in jail 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:28.960 in Caesarea, 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.139 another city, 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:31.039 without a trial. 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:33.139 And we know that 00:25:33.139 --> 00:25:34.240 when he arrived at Rome, 00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:35.480 he was greeted 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.740 as if he were a celebrity. 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:38.559 Picture someone 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.359 really famous 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:40.120 arriving at the 00:25:40.120 --> 00:25:41.319 Denver International Airport 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:42.240 and the church 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:43.620 wanting to go out there 00:25:43.620 --> 00:25:44.120 and greet them 00:25:44.120 --> 00:25:45.200 with signs and cheering 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:46.400 and welcome them. 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.579 That's how the church 00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:49.200 in Rome greeted Paul 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.799 initially. 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:51.460 However, 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:52.319 we learn that Paul 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.259 was then envied, 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.539 most likely by the elders 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:56.140 of this church in Rome. 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:59.359 Look in Philippians chapter 1. 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:01.620 Now look at verse 15. 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.400 He warns them 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:04.019 from this seat 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.799 that he's in now 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:06.659 that some preach Christ 00:26:06.659 --> 00:26:07.559 out of envy 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:09.079 and rivalry. 00:26:10.339 --> 00:26:11.819 We can fill in the blanks 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:13.000 with some historical, 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.259 you know, 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:14.639 guessing, 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.700 I guess we can call it. 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:17.480 What happened was this. 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:19.599 As Paul arrived in Rome, 00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:21.279 and this is the church 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.159 to which maybe 00:26:22.159 --> 00:26:23.980 the most theological letter, 00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:25.099 the letter to the Romans, 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:25.960 is written. 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:28.119 They didn't continue 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:30.339 eagerly submitting 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:31.139 to his teaching. 00:26:32.119 --> 00:26:33.180 When Paul got arrested, 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:33.960 he was considered 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:34.700 an embarrassment. 00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:36.359 They were interested 00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:38.019 in their own glory. 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.740 They saw Paul 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.319 as a rival 00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:42.299 to their own fame, 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:43.539 to their own flesh. 00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:45.940 And Paul says 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:47.659 in Romans 1.16, 00:26:47.899 --> 00:26:49.059 I am not ashamed 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:50.200 of the gospel. 00:26:50.619 --> 00:26:52.159 That's his state of mind, 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:53.000 thinking of the church 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.440 in Rome. 00:26:54.899 --> 00:26:56.039 This was new to me 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:57.180 as I studied for today. 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.339 Paul had become 00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:59.940 so neglected in Rome 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:01.740 from that celebrity status. 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:03.500 While he was under 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.400 house arrest, 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.799 another believer 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:07.120 came to travel 00:27:07.120 --> 00:27:08.579 and he had to search 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:10.279 to even find Paul. 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:11.559 In other words, 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:12.299 you go to the churches, 00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:13.380 that's where you would expect 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:14.140 they'll know exactly 00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:14.799 where Paul is. 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:15.880 They didn't know 00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:16.640 where Paul had been. 00:27:17.120 --> 00:27:17.799 That's how badly 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.680 they neglected him. 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:20.819 In 2 Timothy 1.16, 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:22.200 Paul wrote, 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.679 Onesiphorus 00:27:23.679 --> 00:27:25.879 often refreshed me 00:27:25.879 --> 00:27:26.839 in prison 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:28.720 and was not ashamed 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.899 of my chain. 00:27:30.679 --> 00:27:31.879 But when he arrived 00:27:31.879 --> 00:27:32.319 in Rome, 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:34.059 he sought me out 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:35.419 very zealously 00:27:35.419 --> 00:27:36.480 and found me. 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:39.059 He had to go find him, 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:39.839 go on a hunt 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.599 to see where he is 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:42.039 even Paul being kept. 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:43.160 You see, 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:43.680 the church 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:45.400 had a very clear command 00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:46.059 from Jesus 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:47.900 to minister to one another 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:48.779 when you get arrested. 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:50.220 It's going to happen, church. 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:53.220 Jesus said in Matthew 25.43, 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:55.799 It's as if I were naked, 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.480 Jesus says, 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:58.059 and you did not clothe me 00:27:58.059 --> 00:28:00.019 to neglect a brother in prison. 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:01.519 It's as if I, Jesus, 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:03.620 was sick and in prison 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:05.460 and you did not visit me. 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:07.259 That's how neglected 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.099 Paul had become 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:09.660 by the church in Rome. 00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:11.759 So that's where he was. 00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:14.039 And from this house arrest, 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.319 from these chains, 00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:16.759 Paul says, 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:18.240 I make requests 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:20.440 to God for you 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:22.480 in every prayer of mine, 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.299 church, 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.380 with joy. 00:28:26.120 --> 00:28:27.319 I make requests 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:28.220 for you with joy. 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:30.200 How? 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:32.500 How can that be? 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:36.200 James Montgomery Boyce 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:37.519 help point this out to me. 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.000 The human mind 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:40.279 can really only concentrate 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:41.559 on one thing at a time. 00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:45.019 And in the first chapter 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.019 of Philippians, 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:48.200 the name, 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:49.319 Jesus Christ, 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:51.880 is mentioned 18 times 00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:53.840 in 30 verses. 00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:56.600 More than every other verse 00:28:56.600 --> 00:28:58.580 is Jesus Christ. 00:28:58.579 --> 00:29:01.259 How can Paul make requests 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:02.500 for the church 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.399 in joy 00:29:03.399 --> 00:29:04.960 from Rome 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:06.480 where he had been abandoned, 00:29:06.939 --> 00:29:07.359 neglected? 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.659 It's because his mind 00:29:09.659 --> 00:29:10.619 is full 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:11.980 of Jesus Christ. 00:29:12.679 --> 00:29:13.659 That's what he wants 00:29:13.659 --> 00:29:14.480 to tell them about. 00:29:16.679 --> 00:29:17.859 You see how God 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:18.579 is so gracious 00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:20.000 to shape his church, 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:21.919 to make those 00:29:21.919 --> 00:29:22.899 who are afflicted 00:29:22.899 --> 00:29:24.179 pray with joy. 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:26.400 God uses 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:27.560 your affliction 00:29:27.560 --> 00:29:29.220 and Paul's affliction 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:30.500 and my affliction 00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:31.840 to make us 00:29:31.840 --> 00:29:32.440 meditate 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.259 more 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:34.620 on Jesus Christ. 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:35.420 Doesn't he do that? 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:38.039 And as you meditate 00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:39.140 on Jesus Christ, 00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:40.740 he fills your mind 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.420 with joy. 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:44.259 And full of the joy, 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.880 thinking of Jesus, 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.299 you pray. 00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:49.180 Full of his joy 00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:49.539 in you. 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.500 Well, the fifth way, 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:54.000 final one for today, 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.920 that I see God 00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:56.339 shaping his church 00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:58.000 is that he makes 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:59.240 all of his people 00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.720 partners 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.779 in his mission. 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:03.680 God makes 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:04.700 all of his people 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.380 partners 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:06.319 in his mission. 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:08.920 Verse 5, 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.819 Philippians 1.5, 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:13.220 I thank my God 00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:14.039 with joy 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:15.480 for your fellowship 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:16.759 in the gospel 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:18.740 from the first day 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.700 until now. 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.720 Your fellowship 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:22.700 in the gospel. 00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:24.039 fellowship 00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:24.620 is your 00:30:24.620 --> 00:30:26.460 joint participation 00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:27.420 in the gospel. 00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.500 Your fellowship 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.740 is your communion 00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:32.120 that you share 00:30:32.120 --> 00:30:33.740 in Christ's salvation. 00:30:35.080 --> 00:30:36.600 It's from the first day, 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:38.160 that very first day, 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:39.940 Acts 16.25, 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:41.220 when Paul and Silas 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:42.180 were praying 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:42.900 and singing 00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:44.120 hymns to God 00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:45.420 and the other prisoners 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:46.080 were listening 00:30:46.080 --> 00:30:46.640 to them. 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.640 They're declaring 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:49.519 Jesus Christ. 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.799 this is the fellowship 00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:51.660 we share. 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.859 Even when our feet 00:30:52.859 --> 00:30:53.940 are in stocks, 00:30:54.599 --> 00:30:55.819 we can't stand up 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:57.500 and our backs 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.059 are bleeding 00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:58.700 and opened. 00:30:59.639 --> 00:31:01.099 We pray with joy 00:31:01.099 --> 00:31:02.339 because we have 00:31:02.339 --> 00:31:02.960 a communion, 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:04.539 a shared participation 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:05.779 in the gospel 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:06.379 of Jesus. 00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:09.960 They pray joyfully, 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:12.920 singing gospel truths, 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.920 having taken a public 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:15.980 beating with rods. 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:17.160 They're still 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:18.000 bearing witness 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.819 in the word 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:20.299 and the life 00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:21.519 of these prisoners 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:22.700 so that all 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:23.460 the other prisoners 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.759 hear this gospel 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:26.039 as they proclaim it. 00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:27.759 This isn't normal. 00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:30.039 People in that shape 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:31.259 don't sing 00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:31.819 with joy 00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:32.440 like this 00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:33.180 of Jesus. 00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:35.039 And there's the jailer. 00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:36.559 He's hearing this as well. 00:31:36.559 --> 00:31:39.639 We don't know 00:31:39.639 --> 00:31:40.240 the lyrics 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:41.159 to these songs 00:31:41.159 --> 00:31:41.819 that they're singing 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.379 in prison 00:31:42.379 --> 00:31:45.220 but our songs 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:47.059 reflect God's good news. 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:47.980 They reflect 00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:48.740 the good news 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.559 that we are created 00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:50.339 by a loving, 00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.179 good, 00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:52.240 holy God 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:53.980 that he saves sinners 00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:54.960 who believe 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:55.480 in the work 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:56.099 of his son, 00:31:56.659 --> 00:31:58.039 our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:01.159 That first day 00:32:01.159 --> 00:32:02.039 when they got 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.919 to preach the gospel 00:32:02.919 --> 00:32:03.779 to the jailer, 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:06.500 we read in Acts 16 00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.240 verse 29 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:08.059 that the jailer 00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:08.859 fell down 00:32:08.859 --> 00:32:09.819 trembling 00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:11.180 before Paul 00:32:11.180 --> 00:32:11.920 and Silas. 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:13.599 That's the power 00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:14.879 of God's gospel 00:32:14.879 --> 00:32:15.619 and the Holy Spirit 00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:16.200 applying it 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:16.799 to this man. 00:32:17.399 --> 00:32:18.079 In verse 30 00:32:18.079 --> 00:32:19.139 we read that 00:32:19.139 --> 00:32:20.240 he brought them out 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:20.680 and said, 00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:21.259 Sirs, 00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:22.500 what must I do 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:23.460 to be saved? 00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:24.639 And they said, 00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:26.099 believe on the Lord 00:32:26.099 --> 00:32:26.940 Jesus Christ 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:28.399 and you will be saved 00:32:28.399 --> 00:32:29.639 you and your household. 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.779 That jailer 00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:35.039 he must have 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:36.440 quite an experience, 00:32:36.859 --> 00:32:37.519 quite a resume. 00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:38.000 How do you get 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.759 to be the jailer 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:40.000 of this little Rome, 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:40.819 the great city 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.440 of Philippi? 00:32:42.319 --> 00:32:43.339 Position of power 00:32:43.339 --> 00:32:43.879 and authority. 00:32:45.119 --> 00:32:46.079 It's also dealing 00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:46.500 with things 00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.220 that no one else 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:47.720 wants to have 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.420 to deal with. 00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:50.980 Amazing grace, 00:32:51.639 --> 00:32:52.759 how sweet the sound 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.720 that saved 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.779 a wretch like me. 00:32:55.960 --> 00:32:57.039 Jailer falls down 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:57.559 trembling, 00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:59.259 what must I do 00:32:59.259 --> 00:33:00.000 to be saved? 00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:02.460 Well now this jailer 00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:03.340 and his household, 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.100 they are partners 00:33:04.100 --> 00:33:05.740 in the fellowship 00:33:05.740 --> 00:33:06.600 of the gospel, 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:09.940 partners in the ministry, 00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:11.819 even from a great distance 00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:12.519 now from Rome 00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:13.180 to Philippi, 00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:13.779 you're partners 00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:14.700 with Paul 00:33:14.700 --> 00:33:15.799 and Timothy. 00:33:18.640 --> 00:33:19.779 You see how God 00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.660 shapes his church? 00:33:23.620 --> 00:33:24.920 There in the living room 00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:25.660 of the wealthy 00:33:25.660 --> 00:33:26.500 business woman, 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:28.279 that's Lydia, 00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:31.799 sat a girl 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.519 that everyone 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.500 thought was crazy, 00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:37.759 most likely 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.220 the keeper 00:33:38.220 --> 00:33:39.460 of the city's jailhouse 00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:40.599 along with his family 00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:41.220 and servants, 00:33:42.220 --> 00:33:43.799 and that's 00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:44.740 the beautiful church. 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:49.639 These are sinners 00:33:49.639 --> 00:33:50.859 that have been 00:33:50.859 --> 00:33:51.559 set apart 00:33:51.559 --> 00:33:53.180 and declared 00:33:53.180 --> 00:33:53.740 by God 00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:54.740 to be saints. 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:58.920 the Philippian church 00:33:58.920 --> 00:33:59.819 shared a fellowship, 00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:00.660 a communion, 00:34:01.380 --> 00:34:02.039 and a common 00:34:02.039 --> 00:34:02.839 participation 00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:04.559 in the good news. 00:34:05.839 --> 00:34:06.900 They shared this 00:34:06.900 --> 00:34:08.380 across the Mediterranean 00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:09.539 sea with the churches 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:11.159 in all of the other cities 00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:11.719 that God 00:34:11.719 --> 00:34:12.320 had planted. 00:34:14.679 --> 00:34:15.699 Brothers and sisters, 00:34:15.800 --> 00:34:16.780 I want to encourage you, 00:34:17.780 --> 00:34:18.920 if you are in Christ, 00:34:19.059 --> 00:34:20.320 you share the same 00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:21.019 fellowship 00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:21.800 with them. 00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:23.900 it's the church 00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:25.039 in heaven 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:26.519 and on earth 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:28.039 from the earliest 00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:28.700 generation 00:34:28.700 --> 00:34:30.080 to this day. 00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:32.480 And you who believe 00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:33.340 in Jesus Christ 00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:33.760 today, 00:34:34.360 --> 00:34:35.240 maybe for the first 00:34:35.240 --> 00:34:36.300 time truly, 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:38.220 you too 00:34:38.220 --> 00:34:39.780 will be declared 00:34:39.780 --> 00:34:40.360 a saint. 00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:42.440 King Jesus 00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:43.280 will make you 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:43.860 willing. 00:34:45.100 --> 00:34:45.800 You will choose 00:34:45.800 --> 00:34:46.019 him. 00:34:47.220 --> 00:34:48.160 You will gladly 00:34:48.160 --> 00:34:48.920 follow 00:34:48.920 --> 00:34:49.880 King Jesus, 00:34:51.180 --> 00:34:51.780 trusting him 00:34:51.780 --> 00:34:52.420 by faith. 00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:53.560 He's good. 00:34:55.240 --> 00:34:56.200 And you will be 00:34:56.200 --> 00:34:57.300 filled with joy 00:34:57.300 --> 00:34:58.240 unspeakable 00:34:58.240 --> 00:34:58.800 like Paul, 00:34:59.000 --> 00:34:59.980 full of his glory. 00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:02.340 Because each 00:35:02.340 --> 00:35:03.019 one of you 00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:04.120 whom God 00:35:04.120 --> 00:35:05.000 calls and draws 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:05.560 in and makes 00:35:05.560 --> 00:35:06.460 part of his body, 00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:07.480 you are an 00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:08.740 important partner 00:35:08.740 --> 00:35:10.180 in his mission. 00:35:10.900 --> 00:35:11.680 The mission 00:35:11.680 --> 00:35:12.340 he carries out 00:35:12.340 --> 00:35:13.060 through his people, 00:35:13.160 --> 00:35:13.640 the church. 00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:15.800 So this 00:35:15.800 --> 00:35:16.840 is how 00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:18.040 God shapes you, 00:35:18.620 --> 00:35:19.480 his beloved church, 00:35:19.560 --> 00:35:20.200 for his purpose. 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:21.179 Jesus. 00:35:21.319 --> 00:35:22.039 Let's pray 00:35:22.039 --> 00:35:22.359 and ask 00:35:22.359 --> 00:35:22.699 that God 00:35:22.699 --> 00:35:23.480 will work 00:35:23.480 --> 00:35:24.039 this truth 00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:24.819 into our lives 00:35:24.819 --> 00:35:25.759 for his glory. 00:35:25.760 --> 00:35:26.760 Amen.