WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.679 Great. Good morning, Watermark family. It's wonderful to be back with you. If you are watching us for one of the first times, my name is Kevin, one of the leaders here, and it's really wonderful to be able to serve us this morning as we look at this amazing passage in the book of Philippians. 00:00:16.859 --> 00:00:23.740 I wonder if you can join me as we just pray for a few minutes. Let's start our time in prayer before our Heavenly Father. 00:00:23.739 --> 00:00:37.000 Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, we come before you this morning to this amazing, amazing passage of Scripture, and we really do desire, God, that you will speak to us. 00:00:38.200 --> 00:00:50.739 God, we are not here to listen to the opinions of an individual, the opinions of man. We are here because we want to hear your word. We want to hear your voice. We want to encounter the living God. 00:00:50.740 --> 00:01:01.060 Father, for those of us that are maybe still on a spiritual journey or wondering what we believe about faith, we want to know whether you are real and whether you still speak. 00:01:01.219 --> 00:01:11.260 We pray, God, that today your word will speak to us. Those that are spiritual seekers, those that have been saints for many years, Christ, come and speak to us today, we pray. 00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:19.740 Father, as we gather in Hong Kong, we are also just mindful of what's going on in our world. We want to bring our world before you. 00:01:19.739 --> 00:01:27.679 We want to pray, especially this morning, for those in Beirut and Lebanon and all the trauma that they've gone through this last week. 00:01:28.359 --> 00:01:31.739 We pray for those, God, who have lost loved ones and are grieving that. 00:01:32.500 --> 00:01:39.419 We pray for those that are injured and hurting in hospital or elsewhere. We pray that you will be with them and comfort them. 00:01:40.159 --> 00:01:43.799 We pray, God, as there's lots of anger and frustration in the streets. 00:01:43.799 --> 00:01:47.700 We pray for wisdom, God, and that justice will be done. 00:01:48.200 --> 00:01:51.599 But we pray, God, that more bloodshed won't be spilled in that city. 00:01:52.459 --> 00:01:58.780 Father, this morning, we want to pray especially for the Christians there, for the churches, for those that are seeking to be salt and light in that city, 00:01:58.859 --> 00:02:05.719 those that are wanting to offer forth the good news of Jesus and the hope of the gospel in the midst of this tragedy. 00:02:05.719 --> 00:02:11.159 God, won't you give them wisdom, those brothers and sisters whom we do not know and have never met, 00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:18.139 and yet we are united to them by a common head of a church, a common father, by Christ our Lord. 00:02:18.219 --> 00:02:22.219 God, won't you strengthen them? Won't you encourage them? Won't you be with them today, Father? 00:02:22.819 --> 00:02:24.960 So we want to pray for our brothers and sisters there. 00:02:25.939 --> 00:02:30.780 Father, we pray all these things in your wonderful name. Amen. Amen. 00:02:30.780 --> 00:02:38.759 Well, this morning, as a church, we are continuing to work through the New Testament book of Philippians. 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:47.759 It's an amazing book of the Bible in which Paul writes to these bunch of Christians to encourage them in their faith and their devotion to Jesus. 00:02:48.379 --> 00:02:55.979 And what we have in the book of Philippians, amongst many other things, is an incredible description of the Christian life. 00:02:56.979 --> 00:02:58.460 I wonder if you've ever wondered about that. 00:02:58.460 --> 00:03:01.560 What does the Christian life actually look like? 00:03:02.320 --> 00:03:05.340 If you're here this morning and you wouldn't call yourself a Christian, 00:03:05.700 --> 00:03:11.640 maybe a friend of yours sent you this link, or maybe someone has invited you to watch this service with them. 00:03:11.939 --> 00:03:16.100 I wonder if you've ever given thought to, what does the Christian life actually look like? 00:03:16.740 --> 00:03:19.500 Maybe you thought of it as a strict moral system. 00:03:19.920 --> 00:03:27.659 Something that says no drinking, no sex, no gambling, anything that sounds like fun is automatically outlawed in the Christian faith. 00:03:28.460 --> 00:03:32.560 Maybe you've thought of Christianity as a Western ideology. 00:03:33.159 --> 00:03:35.640 Or maybe it's a political system. 00:03:35.760 --> 00:03:40.219 Something to impose conservative values on society. 00:03:41.560 --> 00:03:45.540 Well, in the book of Philippians, which we're looking at for the next couple of weeks, 00:03:45.800 --> 00:03:50.280 gives us an amazing picture of what the Christian life looks like. 00:03:50.280 --> 00:03:55.699 And one of the things that we find is that the Christian life, in all of its circumstances, 00:03:55.979 --> 00:04:00.639 whether you are wealthy or not wealthy, whether you are suffering or not suffering, 00:04:01.080 --> 00:04:03.800 whether you are facing life or facing death, 00:04:04.259 --> 00:04:09.539 the Christian life is one that is shaped by the life of Jesus Christ. 00:04:09.539 --> 00:04:14.519 And specifically, what it means is laying down your life, 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:18.740 laying down your self-interest and your self-centered ambitions, 00:04:18.980 --> 00:04:20.019 maybe even your ego, 00:04:20.539 --> 00:04:26.240 that in doing so, we actually find fullness of life and fullness of joy. 00:04:26.599 --> 00:04:29.240 And the book of Philippians is all about that. 00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:33.879 And Paul, the writer of this book, actually demonstrates that with his own life. 00:04:33.879 --> 00:04:39.540 He is constantly saying that in following Jesus, he's chosen to live this life of sacrifice. 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:42.939 He's laying down his life for the well-being of others. 00:04:43.300 --> 00:04:50.019 But as he's done so, he's actually found the fullness of life and overflowing joy. 00:04:50.680 --> 00:04:52.659 And so this is the big idea for today. 00:04:52.879 --> 00:04:56.480 That the Christian life, particularly Christian community, 00:04:56.480 --> 00:04:58.279 the communal life of the Christian, 00:04:58.279 --> 00:05:04.119 is shaped by the humility and the selflessness of Jesus Christ. 00:05:04.579 --> 00:05:07.000 The Christian life, particularly community life, 00:05:07.159 --> 00:05:13.059 is shaped, informed by the humility and the selflessness of Jesus Christ. 00:05:13.899 --> 00:05:16.959 Now, last week, Chris showed us how Paul writes, 00:05:17.019 --> 00:05:17.459 and he says, 00:05:17.459 --> 00:05:23.839 I urge you that your lives will follow or be worthy of the gospel. 00:05:24.419 --> 00:05:27.099 And he says that has two ramifications. 00:05:27.100 --> 00:05:31.480 One, when opposition and persecution come your way, 00:05:31.840 --> 00:05:33.260 stand united, fearless. 00:05:33.840 --> 00:05:37.920 And secondly, see suffering as a grace gift from God. 00:05:38.040 --> 00:05:40.260 God's got a plan for you in the midst of his suffering. 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:42.740 The question is this now. 00:05:43.280 --> 00:05:47.040 What happens when the Christian community or a bunch of people 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:51.200 experience division, conflict, 00:05:51.660 --> 00:05:55.020 but not out there when it's in here? 00:05:55.019 --> 00:05:59.519 What happens when the conflict and the division is not external? 00:05:59.719 --> 00:06:02.439 It's not persecution or suffering or opposition. 00:06:02.839 --> 00:06:04.079 It's internal. 00:06:04.479 --> 00:06:09.899 When there's division or discord or disagreement within the Christian community. 00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:13.579 What does the gospel have to say about that? 00:06:13.579 --> 00:06:17.379 How does the Christian life look when there's differences of opinion, 00:06:17.819 --> 00:06:20.039 conflict, or division within our relationships? 00:06:21.359 --> 00:06:23.639 One of the things we know about the church in Philippi 00:06:23.639 --> 00:06:28.339 is that it was a culturally and socioeconomically diverse church. 00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:30.339 We know this because of the way it started. 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:33.459 In Acts chapter 16, Paul goes to the city of Philippi, 00:06:33.919 --> 00:06:35.959 and he meets a bunch of ladies. 00:06:35.959 --> 00:06:40.219 And the first person to become a follower of Jesus is this lady called Lydia. 00:06:40.759 --> 00:06:44.319 She actually comes from another city 400 kilometers away called Thyatira. 00:06:44.859 --> 00:06:49.560 She's a wealthy businesswoman that trades in fine material and cloth. 00:06:50.060 --> 00:06:52.620 And she hears the gospel, becomes a follower of Jesus, 00:06:52.620 --> 00:06:55.579 and opens up her home to Paul and his companions. 00:06:56.240 --> 00:06:59.299 A few weeks later, Paul is in the city preaching the gospel, 00:06:59.599 --> 00:07:02.579 and he gets thrown in jail for his work. 00:07:02.579 --> 00:07:06.459 And while he's in jail, miraculously he gets released from jail, 00:07:06.779 --> 00:07:10.359 and the jailer invites him to his home, 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:13.599 listens to the gospel, and becomes a follower of Jesus himself. 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:17.800 And so here you have the two founding members of the church of Philippi. 00:07:18.139 --> 00:07:22.779 This wealthy trader, this businesswoman Lydia from another city, 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:28.719 and this working class jailkeeper coming together to form the early church. 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:31.079 Talk about a church of diversity. 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:34.219 Now, we all know that diversity is a beautiful thing. 00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:35.479 It's a wonderful thing. 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:39.879 But diversity also has the ability to bring about disagreements. 00:07:40.359 --> 00:07:44.000 You've got different backgrounds, different cultures, different understandings. 00:07:44.519 --> 00:07:48.199 Diversity, for all this wonderful gift that it gives us, 00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:51.519 also creates the opportunity for conflict. 00:07:52.779 --> 00:07:56.379 When Paul writes this letter to the Philippians a couple of years later, 00:07:56.819 --> 00:08:00.159 something of this kind of disagreement has taken place in the church. 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:04.460 And Paul is writing to encourage them to deal with the disagreement. 00:08:05.540 --> 00:08:11.080 Friends, we live in one of the most divided and fractured times in living memory. 00:08:12.040 --> 00:08:19.240 Families, churches, society, groups of friends, sports groups, 00:08:19.660 --> 00:08:23.860 all are feeling the effect of a fractured and divided world. 00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:30.379 The division that we see out there and we read about in the newspapers and see on the streets 00:08:30.379 --> 00:08:33.440 is coming into our homes and into our churches. 00:08:34.039 --> 00:08:37.539 People are divided around politics, what's happening in Hong Kong, 00:08:37.620 --> 00:08:39.180 what's happening in other parts of the world. 00:08:39.820 --> 00:08:42.340 People are divided over opinions around COVID, 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:44.360 how the government should handle it. 00:08:44.419 --> 00:08:45.379 Should schools open? 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:46.940 Should schools stay shut? 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:48.039 What about restaurants? 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:48.860 Should those open? 00:08:48.860 --> 00:08:50.399 Should those be closed? 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:55.259 Not to mention matters of social justice, race, inequality. 00:08:56.200 --> 00:08:59.519 And then there's just normal difficulties that normal people experience. 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:03.480 Families, marriage, parenting, work. 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:09.480 One of the realities of our world is we live in a fractured and divided world. 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:14.720 And one of the reasons for this is because our ideas have become intertwined with our identities. 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:19.940 And so when you disagree with my idea, I don't just take that as a disagreement. 00:09:20.580 --> 00:09:25.659 Our world, the day in which we live, I see there's an attack on my identity and who I am. 00:09:26.019 --> 00:09:28.180 And everyone feels like a victim. 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:31.899 What does the gospel have to say to this? 00:09:32.560 --> 00:09:36.360 Well, look at what Paul says here in chapter 2 of the letter to Philippians. 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:38.000 He says in verse 1, 00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:43.740 If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:50.720 any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, 00:09:51.060 --> 00:09:54.220 being in full accord and of one mind. 00:09:54.720 --> 00:09:57.820 So essentially Paul is saying, since you're in Christ, 00:09:58.200 --> 00:10:04.019 since you've experienced the grace of God and the comfort of Christ and the love of God 00:10:04.019 --> 00:10:06.240 and you've participated in the fellowship of the Spirit, 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:13.000 I'm asking you to be of one mind, one heart, one spirit, to be united as a church body. 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:15.620 Now, notice a couple of things here. 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:18.559 He uses the word one mind a couple of times. 00:10:18.659 --> 00:10:21.759 He actually says it twice here in verse 2 and again in verse 5. 00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:24.379 When Paul says, I want you to have one mind, 00:10:24.659 --> 00:10:29.899 he's not saying that we should just switch off our brains and all just think the same thoughts. 00:10:29.899 --> 00:10:36.019 Christianity is not about switching off your intellect and just believing what somebody tells you to believe. 00:10:36.319 --> 00:10:44.079 He's talking about having a common purpose, a common ambition to strive for a common goal, 00:10:44.179 --> 00:10:47.620 for our thinking to be aligned and to be heading in the same direction. 00:10:48.340 --> 00:10:52.639 Notice also, he says, he's not saying, listen, we all have differences, 00:10:52.860 --> 00:10:54.840 but let's just not talk about those things, right? 00:10:54.980 --> 00:10:56.759 Let's just keep peace here. 00:10:56.759 --> 00:11:00.819 So, anything that's meaningful and that really is on your heart, 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:02.159 don't talk about those things. 00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:04.439 Let's just keep the superficial peace. 00:11:04.840 --> 00:11:05.919 That's not real unity. 00:11:06.319 --> 00:11:08.000 That's just superficial peace. 00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:12.939 Paul's not asking them to lay aside their culture or what they believe or where they come from. 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:17.799 Rather, he's asking them to choose, to be one in heart, one in mind, 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:22.399 while they still hold on to their cultures and their backgrounds and even their distinctives. 00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:24.620 Now, that sounds good, right? 00:11:24.899 --> 00:11:26.179 We all like unity. 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:27.879 Sounds like a good idea. 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:30.580 But how do we actually do that? 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:33.679 Well, Paul gives two really practical ideas. 00:11:33.799 --> 00:11:35.159 Look at verse 3 with me. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:39.360 This is where the idealism gets grounded a little bit. 00:11:39.439 --> 00:11:40.939 And Paul writes in verse 3, he says, 00:11:40.939 --> 00:11:45.639 Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:51.580 but in humility count others more significant than yourself. 00:11:52.819 --> 00:11:54.279 What's Paul saying here? 00:11:54.279 --> 00:12:02.919 He's saying the key to this countercultural uncommon unity is for each member of the community to, 00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:08.779 in everything they do, do their best to remove the selfish ambition, 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:14.419 that means putting your own desires or your own interests above those of others, 00:12:14.419 --> 00:12:18.539 and to remove what he calls empty conceit. 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:24.599 That means a sense of superiority, a sense of self-importance, 00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:30.579 and rather to consider others more significant, better than yourself. 00:12:30.580 --> 00:12:33.980 Now, that doesn't mean that we go around saying, 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:34.940 Woe is me. 00:12:35.400 --> 00:12:36.400 I'm so insignificant. 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:38.080 I'm such a loser. 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:39.700 I'm so unworthy. 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:41.080 Woe is me. 00:12:41.540 --> 00:12:41.860 Right? 00:12:41.920 --> 00:12:43.740 Because what are you doing if that's our attitude? 00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:45.940 Well, we're still just thinking about ourselves. 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:48.400 Remember, C.S. Lewis famously said, 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:52.520 Humility is not thinking less of ourselves. 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:56.580 It's not thinking how lowly and insignificant and unworthy we are. 00:12:56.580 --> 00:13:00.360 Now, true humility is just thinking about yourself less altogether. 00:13:00.800 --> 00:13:05.520 It's about forgetting about yourself and being more interested in the lives of those around you. 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:09.100 In fact, that's exactly what Paul says in the next line. 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:10.820 He summarizes it in verse 4. 00:13:11.080 --> 00:13:11.420 He says, 00:13:11.820 --> 00:13:18.139 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:28.019 Now, again, Paul is not saying here that our interests or our concerns are illegitimate or that they're not even real. 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:31.340 And he's not saying that you're not really entitled to them. 00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:34.120 It may be that we really are entitled to them. 00:13:34.179 --> 00:13:35.919 We really do deserve them. 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:46.479 But what he's saying is that the kind of humility that is involved in disarming division, in diffusing conflict and animosity, 00:13:46.819 --> 00:13:56.799 is the kind of humility that doesn't insist on what you are rightly entitled to or what you deserve is rightly yours. 00:13:57.360 --> 00:14:04.659 And if you think about it, very little conflict really occurs in the world because somebody is just trying to be unreasonably difficult. 00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:12.379 Most conflict happens because somebody really does believe that what they're saying or what they want is rightly theirs. 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:13.480 They're entitled to it. 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:19.779 I may feel like I really do deserve that apology and I'm not going to forgive you until I get it. 00:14:20.199 --> 00:14:25.879 I may really feel that I'm entitled or deserved to be treated a level of respect. 00:14:26.339 --> 00:14:29.579 And if you don't show it to me, that's the end of our relationship or friendship. 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:38.740 Paul's not saying that we should put aside only the things that we're not really entitled to. 00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:49.900 Sometimes the humility that's required to disarm the conflict means willing to lay down, willing to give up, 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:54.100 even that which is rightly ours or we rightly entitled to. 00:14:54.100 --> 00:15:01.720 Notice that Paul is not just saying that this kind of unity is a matter of personality. 00:15:02.420 --> 00:15:04.320 Someone says, you enjoy serving others. 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:05.600 I enjoy being served. 00:15:06.040 --> 00:15:07.420 We're going to get along just fine. 00:15:08.920 --> 00:15:10.519 It's not a matter of resources. 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:13.200 Someone might say, look, you've got a lot of resources. 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:14.560 I need a lot of resources. 00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:15.980 It's a match made in heaven. 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:17.300 We're going to get along just well. 00:15:17.920 --> 00:15:20.100 It's not a matter of common interests. 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:21.779 You say, I like Japanese food. 00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:22.980 You like Japanese food. 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:26.279 We have the same heart, same mind, same stomach. 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:28.200 We're going to get along just well, right? 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:36.320 No, what Paul is talking about here is a unity that's not based on personality, not based on common interests. 00:15:36.700 --> 00:15:43.519 It's a unity that is based on a humility, on a hard attitude that says, I'm not here to insist in my way. 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:47.560 I'm here to think about your interests over and above mine. 00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:51.860 I'm interested in your desires, your concerns as much as my own. 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:55.840 Now, on the one hand, this is really not rocket scientist. 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:59.060 You don't need to be a genius to work this out. 00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:03.100 And yet at the same time, our world is so fractured. 00:16:03.560 --> 00:16:06.580 There's so much division, so much conflict. 00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:13.639 How do we take this really simple idea and actually get it to be a reality in our lives? 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:26.559 How do we become the kind of people who neither fight over our own ideas or points of view, but also the kind of people who don't just retreat into the community that agrees with us and just thinks like us? 00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:43.639 How do we become the kind of people that really can have friendship and opinions and community with those that have diverse opinions and backgrounds and cultures and those who even disagree with us and yet still have a commonality, a unity of heart? 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:50.659 The answer is actually found in the life and the death of Jesus Christ. 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:53.240 And so look at the second thing that Paul says. 00:16:53.819 --> 00:16:57.259 Look at what he says here in verse 4 to 11. 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:58.419 He says, 00:16:58.419 --> 00:17:03.579 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 00:17:03.699 --> 00:17:04.700 Okay, we looked at that. 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:05.759 Then he says, 00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:10.059 Have this mind amongst yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:13.159 And now he's going to describe this Christ Jesus. 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:13.659 He says, 00:17:13.659 --> 00:17:16.339 This Jesus Christ who, verse 6, 00:17:16.899 --> 00:17:23.019 Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:36.639 That means, though Jesus was God, he didn't demand or insist upon his right to be treated as God, nor did he exploit his godness, his status as divine. 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:40.740 Rather, verse 7, he emptied himself. 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:46.660 He poured himself out and took on the form of a servant. 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:51.139 Jesus taking on the form of a servant. 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:56.000 And what did he do taking on this form of a servant? 00:17:56.600 --> 00:18:00.320 He came being born in the likeness of humanity. 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.800 Think about that. 00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:12.720 We just spoke about earlier that the way to disarm division and disunity is to find the kind of humility that doesn't insist on what I'm entitled to, 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:18.160 doesn't insist on my rights, but is willing to give that up for the sake of others. 00:18:19.020 --> 00:18:21.100 Jesus, though he was God, 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:31.620 didn't grasp or demand or exploit his godness, but gave it up, poured himself out, taking on the form of a servant, 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:34.020 coming in the likeness of humanity. 00:18:34.840 --> 00:18:37.440 And coming as a human being, what would he do? 00:18:37.900 --> 00:18:41.160 Was this a form of brilliant espionage? 00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:47.740 Coming as a human to then destroy his enemies, to overthrow those that oppose him? 00:18:48.120 --> 00:18:53.500 Coming hidden as the form of a human so that he could destroy anyone that disagreed with him? 00:18:54.040 --> 00:18:55.620 No, verse 8 tells us, 00:18:55.619 --> 00:19:11.319 This section of scripture is an incredible portion of scripture. 00:19:11.459 --> 00:19:12.739 It's called the Christ hymn. 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:17.700 And it's a passage of scripture that many scholars have written hundreds of books about, 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:23.160 exploring the depth of richness and meaning in this passage. 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:25.660 It's obviously an incredible piece of writing. 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:30.900 But it's also a passage that is laden with Old Testament imagery and analogy. 00:19:31.860 --> 00:19:37.360 And one of the references in the Old Testament is to the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. 00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:41.360 You'll remember the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:45.639 They are made as God's image. 00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:48.979 They are given a unique status, his image bearers. 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:53.919 They are given a unique calling and commissioning to steward God's creation on behalf of God. 00:19:53.919 --> 00:19:59.919 They are to work with God, closely with him, looking after creation for the glory of God. 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:04.000 And they are in the garden, but they are tempted. 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:07.039 And remember the essence of the temptation. 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:11.980 Satan comes to them and says, God's really holding out on you. 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:14.519 He doesn't really want you to be happy. 00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:19.059 If he wanted you to be happy, he would let you have whatever you want in the garden. 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:26.480 But the reason God isn't letting you have everything you want is because he knows that if you eat this fruit, 00:20:26.879 --> 00:20:29.259 you will become like God. 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:36.599 Satan comes to Adam and Eve and says, if you have this, you will become like God. 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:40.339 He offers them God-like status. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:45.599 And when you see the temptation, it's not just fruit. 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:47.839 It's the desire to be like God. 00:20:48.199 --> 00:20:50.299 And they say, we want it. 00:20:51.379 --> 00:20:55.299 And as they pursue it, the world enters into a fallen state. 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:56.419 Sin enters the world. 00:20:56.639 --> 00:20:57.919 Conflict enters the world. 00:20:58.859 --> 00:21:03.199 Sin, death, destruction, heartache enter the world. 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:08.779 And the consequences for the sin entering the world is that that heart becomes our natural disposition. 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:16.420 And if you think about it, almost every difficulty, almost major problem that we have in our lives 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:20.259 is because someone in the world, either ourselves or someone else, 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:26.819 has acted like Adam and Eve, grasping for God-like status, 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:32.039 grasping for their own selfish ambition, grasping for their own desires. 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:38.720 But contrast that with Jesus, who though he really was God, 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:44.019 didn't grasp or exploit his God-like status, 00:21:44.419 --> 00:21:47.179 didn't grasp at his God-ness, 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:49.720 but rather he offered it up. 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:51.779 He laid it down. 00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:54.220 He took the nature of a servant, 00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:55.480 not serving himself, 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:57.660 but serving others. 00:21:58.360 --> 00:21:59.340 And unlike Adam, 00:21:59.620 --> 00:22:02.279 who in disobedience grasped for the status 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:03.580 which was not rightly his, 00:22:04.340 --> 00:22:06.860 Jesus laid aside his majesty 00:22:06.860 --> 00:22:09.740 and was resolutely obedient 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:12.240 to the Father's wishes and desires. 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:15.080 Obedient to the point of death. 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:16.819 And where Paul writes and says, 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:18.379 obedient to the point of death, 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.819 even death on the cross. 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.899 Dan alluded to it a little bit earlier, 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.759 but the Philippians would have known 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:25.619 exactly what Paul was talking about. 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.980 You see, the great horror of the cross 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:29.879 wasn't just how painful it was, 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:32.379 though of course it was excruciatingly painful. 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:34.779 The great horror of Roman execution 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:37.980 was that it was the ultimate sign of shame 00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:40.099 and disgrace and rejection. 00:22:40.699 --> 00:22:41.960 For the Jewish people, 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:43.960 someone like Jesus, 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:45.920 who was crucified in Jerusalem, 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:48.279 the cross was the ultimate sign 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:50.579 of God's curse and rejection on you. 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:53.100 God was utterly displeased with you 00:22:53.100 --> 00:22:55.279 and so led you to be crucified on a cross. 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.620 For the Romans, 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.960 crucifixion was too barbaric 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.759 to do to their own citizens. 00:23:00.380 --> 00:23:02.420 They only crucified foreigners, 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:04.960 servants, slaves, or outcasts. 00:23:05.620 --> 00:23:07.140 You were considered not human 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:08.940 if you were crucified on the cross. 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:11.380 But here is Jesus, 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:13.120 such as the humility 00:23:13.120 --> 00:23:14.759 and the God-centeredness of Him, 00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:16.920 that though He was God, 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:18.340 in all His glory, 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:19.820 unrivaled majesty, 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:21.120 divine perfection, 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:23.660 He lays it aside, 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:26.440 took on humanity, 00:23:27.320 --> 00:23:28.880 embraced His Father's will, 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:30.720 surrendering Himself 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:33.039 to Roman crucifixion. 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:37.119 Friends, why did Jesus do this? 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:40.099 Why did Jesus do that? 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:43.859 He didn't do it just to be an example 00:23:43.859 --> 00:23:45.480 of humility and selflessness. 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:48.900 He did it to heal 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:50.880 the greatest discord 00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:52.259 and division 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.799 and conflict 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:55.500 in the history of the world. 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:57.299 He did it to bring 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:59.120 restoration and healing 00:23:59.120 --> 00:24:01.400 between the division that occurred 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:04.000 between God and man, 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.740 to bring reconciliation 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:07.440 between a holy God 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:09.099 and sinful humanity. 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.839 In Colossians chapter 1, 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.420 Paul writes, 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.120 and he says this, 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:14.219 You who were once alienated 00:24:14.219 --> 00:24:15.639 and hostile in mind, 00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:17.679 doing sinful deeds, 00:24:18.179 --> 00:24:19.979 He has now reconciled 00:24:19.979 --> 00:24:21.259 in His body of flesh 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:23.119 by His death on the cross 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:24.899 in order to present you 00:24:24.899 --> 00:24:26.799 holy, blameless, 00:24:27.139 --> 00:24:28.619 above reproach before Him. 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:30.359 Jesus died on the cross 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:31.299 to make those who were 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.719 alienated and hostile, 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:34.819 to heal the division 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:36.819 between this holy God 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:37.919 and sinful man, 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:39.419 to reconcile us 00:24:39.419 --> 00:24:41.579 because Jesus went to the cross. 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:43.220 Friends, that's the gospel. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:45.019 That's the message of the Bible. 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:46.819 That's what the Bible 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.539 is all about. 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:49.220 Jesus didn't come just to give us 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:50.980 a good example of humility, 00:24:51.419 --> 00:24:52.539 but in humility, 00:24:53.139 --> 00:24:57.519 He did what He was rightfully 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.500 didn't need to do. 00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:01.000 He laid aside what He's entitled to. 00:25:01.419 --> 00:25:03.139 He laid aside His divinity 00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:04.779 and took up the cross 00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:08.119 that we might be reconciled to God. 00:25:09.659 --> 00:25:11.339 That's not all the Scripture says. 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:12.740 Because look at verse 9. 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:16.119 The second half of this Christ hymn 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:17.139 says this. 00:25:18.639 --> 00:25:21.339 Christ, being found in human form, 00:25:21.939 --> 00:25:22.899 humbled Himself further, 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:24.939 becoming obedient to the point of death, 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:26.079 even death on the cross. 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.019 We just read that. 00:25:27.139 --> 00:25:27.659 Verse 9. 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:29.419 Look at how it ends. 00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:32.060 Christ's resurrection 00:25:32.060 --> 00:25:35.080 of His shameful death 00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:36.400 is reversed. 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:37.500 It says, 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:58.680 In this passage, 00:25:58.680 --> 00:26:00.539 Paul is quoting Isaiah 45, 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.060 a very famous passage 00:26:02.060 --> 00:26:02.820 in the Old Testament, 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:03.740 which the Philippians 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:05.840 would have probably been familiar with. 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:07.920 It's a passage that describes 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:10.720 how all creation 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:12.019 comes to realize 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:13.380 that the God of Israel 00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:14.720 is in fact 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:16.100 the one true God, 00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:17.140 the Lord of all. 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:18.400 And all creation 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:20.019 is drawn towards Him, 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:21.759 bows down on their knees 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.360 before Him, 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:23.559 and everyone 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:24.579 from every nation 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.159 and tribe 00:26:25.159 --> 00:26:25.719 and language 00:26:25.719 --> 00:26:26.199 and tongue 00:26:26.199 --> 00:26:27.359 confesses 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:28.919 that the God of Israel 00:26:28.919 --> 00:26:30.899 really is the one true God, 00:26:31.219 --> 00:26:31.979 the Lord of all. 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.959 Now look at what Paul 00:26:33.959 --> 00:26:34.559 is doing here. 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:36.099 What he's saying 00:26:36.099 --> 00:26:37.779 is almost blasphemous. 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:39.960 He's applying that passage 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.879 in Isaiah 45 00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:42.960 to the person of Jesus. 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.859 And what he's saying 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:46.419 is that in Jesus 00:26:46.419 --> 00:26:47.200 we discover 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:48.839 the death 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.559 and the resurrection 00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.139 of Jesus 00:26:50.139 --> 00:26:51.179 shows us, 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.240 tells us, 00:26:52.399 --> 00:26:54.159 that the one true God 00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:55.359 of all creation 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:56.399 consists of 00:26:56.399 --> 00:26:57.799 God the Father 00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:59.139 but also 00:26:59.139 --> 00:27:01.259 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:02.619 This Jesus 00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:03.940 who though He was 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:05.400 by worldly standards 00:27:05.400 --> 00:27:06.860 lowly 00:27:06.860 --> 00:27:07.880 and discreditable 00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:08.960 and despised 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.580 and rejection 00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:10.660 He's actually 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:12.259 the Lord of all creation. 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.640 And one day 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:15.539 every single person 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.500 is going to bow down 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:17.259 before Him 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:19.140 and every single person 00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:19.900 is going to have 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:20.500 to acknowledge 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.799 who He really is 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:22.920 the fact 00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:24.580 that Jesus is Lord. 00:27:25.820 --> 00:27:26.279 Friends, 00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:26.940 you see how 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:28.960 Paul can now say 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:30.220 do nothing 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:31.580 out of selfish ambition 00:27:31.580 --> 00:27:33.360 or vain conceit 00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:35.039 but in humility 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:36.019 consider others 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:37.219 more significant 00:27:37.219 --> 00:27:37.959 than yourselves. 00:27:38.639 --> 00:27:39.479 Look not only 00:27:39.479 --> 00:27:40.419 to your own interests 00:27:40.419 --> 00:27:41.679 but also to the interests 00:27:41.679 --> 00:27:42.319 of others 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:44.319 knowing that in Jesus 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:45.500 we have the ability 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:46.779 to do so 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:48.819 because Jesus Christ 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:50.039 the one who was God 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:51.240 laid aside 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.539 His majesty 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.259 and divinity 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.639 to con the nature 00:27:54.639 --> 00:27:55.259 of a servant 00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:56.659 died the death 00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:57.579 we should have died 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:59.459 and rose again 00:27:59.459 --> 00:28:00.419 to glory. 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:02.420 Now, 00:28:02.820 --> 00:28:03.900 let's conclude 00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:05.440 with this. 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.480 In this passage 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.259 Paul asks 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:08.960 the Philippians 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:10.660 to do three things 00:28:10.660 --> 00:28:11.740 three practical things 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.500 really quickly. 00:28:13.100 --> 00:28:13.500 Firstly, 00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:14.519 he calls them 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.900 to remember 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:16.720 the gospel. 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:19.380 What does he do 00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:20.300 when there's conflict 00:28:20.300 --> 00:28:20.900 and division 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:21.560 in the church 00:28:21.560 --> 00:28:22.120 in Philippi? 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:22.960 Well, 00:28:23.060 --> 00:28:24.180 he doesn't just tell them 00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:25.320 to pull themselves together. 00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:26.960 He doesn't pull 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.920 on their emotional 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:28.519 heart strings 00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:28.980 and say, 00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:30.519 after all I've done 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:30.900 for you, 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:31.799 really? 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:33.440 This is how you treat me? 00:28:33.859 --> 00:28:35.119 This is how you repay 00:28:35.119 --> 00:28:36.119 my kindness to me? 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:38.559 He doesn't manipulate them. 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:40.440 He reminds them 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:41.819 of the grace of God 00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:43.000 towards them. 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:44.160 Of the humility 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:45.039 of Jesus 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:46.319 which purchased 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:46.879 their healing, 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:47.980 which purchased 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:48.779 their restoration, 00:28:49.420 --> 00:28:50.019 which removed 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:50.859 the enmity 00:28:50.859 --> 00:28:51.599 between them 00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:52.160 and God 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:53.779 and reconciled them 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:55.220 to God the Father. 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.160 In effect, 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.660 he's saying, 00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:57.560 friends, 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.640 the offense 00:28:58.640 --> 00:28:59.420 between you 00:28:59.420 --> 00:28:59.860 and God 00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:00.840 has been removed 00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:01.640 by the humility 00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:02.279 of Jesus. 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:03.820 Don't you think 00:29:03.820 --> 00:29:04.820 you can lay aside 00:29:04.820 --> 00:29:05.420 the offense 00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:06.040 which you feel 00:29:06.040 --> 00:29:07.920 rightly entitled to? 00:29:08.580 --> 00:29:09.000 Friends, 00:29:09.060 --> 00:29:09.560 isn't this true 00:29:09.560 --> 00:29:10.080 for us? 00:29:11.140 --> 00:29:11.740 Some of us 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.400 have been offended. 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:13.860 Some of us 00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:14.460 have been hurt. 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:16.240 Some of us 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:16.960 are holding on 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:17.720 to unforgiveness 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.960 and that unforgiveness 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:19.940 is legitimate. 00:29:20.540 --> 00:29:21.560 We've been rightly 00:29:21.560 --> 00:29:22.019 hurt. 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.800 But in Jesus, 00:29:24.060 --> 00:29:24.920 in the gospel, 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:26.060 we're able 00:29:26.060 --> 00:29:26.860 to lay those 00:29:26.860 --> 00:29:28.060 things aside 00:29:28.060 --> 00:29:28.680 because of 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:29.420 who we have 00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:30.340 in Christ. 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:31.519 Friends, 00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:32.500 to the degree 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.200 to which you 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:33.900 and I see 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:34.960 and understand 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:36.660 who Jesus is 00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:37.880 and what his death 00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:38.420 on the cross 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:39.340 was all about, 00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:40.600 to that degree 00:29:40.600 --> 00:29:41.240 we'll be able 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:41.940 to let go 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.640 of offense 00:29:42.640 --> 00:29:43.920 and unforgiveness 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.960 and hurt 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.660 in our lives. 00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:46.700 To that degree 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.460 we'll be able 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:48.100 to let go 00:29:48.100 --> 00:29:48.660 of the things 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.100 that caused 00:29:49.100 --> 00:29:49.660 conflict 00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:50.300 and division 00:29:50.300 --> 00:29:51.660 in our lives. 00:29:52.300 --> 00:29:53.100 Many Christians 00:29:53.100 --> 00:29:53.940 once knew 00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.380 the gospel, 00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:55.580 once believed 00:29:55.580 --> 00:29:56.080 the gospel 00:29:56.080 --> 00:29:57.019 and now 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:58.000 just assume 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:58.580 the gospel. 00:29:58.779 --> 00:29:59.160 It's there 00:29:59.160 --> 00:29:59.580 in the back 00:29:59.580 --> 00:30:00.220 of our minds 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:00.960 but it's no longer 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:01.420 vivid, 00:30:01.580 --> 00:30:02.019 it's no longer 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.539 real, 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.080 it's no longer 00:30:03.080 --> 00:30:03.840 beautiful 00:30:03.840 --> 00:30:04.640 and informing 00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:05.259 our lives. 00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:06.440 Paul says 00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:07.799 remember the gospel. 00:30:08.320 --> 00:30:09.180 Let it shape 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:09.759 your life. 00:30:10.340 --> 00:30:10.900 Second thing 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:11.320 is this. 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.400 Paul says 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:13.820 be resourced 00:30:13.820 --> 00:30:14.559 by the gospel. 00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:15.720 He's not just 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.000 saying, 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.140 he's not just 00:30:17.140 --> 00:30:17.840 holding up Jesus 00:30:17.840 --> 00:30:19.299 as an exalted 00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:20.340 example 00:30:20.340 --> 00:30:21.120 and then saying 00:30:21.120 --> 00:30:22.480 go and be like him. 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.799 pull yourselves 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:24.299 together, 00:30:25.120 --> 00:30:27.000 look within yourself, 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.380 be the best version 00:30:28.380 --> 00:30:29.400 of yourself you can 00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:30.539 and be like Jesus. 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:31.819 What he's saying 00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:32.700 is that as you 00:30:32.700 --> 00:30:33.980 dive into the gospel, 00:30:34.660 --> 00:30:35.960 as you meditate 00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:36.720 on the gospel, 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:38.799 as you remember 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.759 the grace of God 00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:40.539 towards you, 00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:42.680 let that be the power, 00:30:43.120 --> 00:30:43.920 the resources, 00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:44.819 the motivation 00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:46.079 to help you 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:47.079 live this kind of life. 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.279 Look at what he says 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:49.220 in verse 1. 00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:50.099 He says, 00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:50.899 if there's any 00:30:50.899 --> 00:30:51.559 encouragement 00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:53.059 in Christ, 00:30:53.459 --> 00:30:54.539 any comfort 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:56.019 from God's love, 00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:57.500 any participation 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.539 in the Spirit, 00:30:58.699 --> 00:31:00.439 then complete my joy 00:31:00.439 --> 00:31:01.879 by being of the same mind, 00:31:02.179 --> 00:31:03.219 having the same love, 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.480 being in one accord 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:05.759 and of one mind. 00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:07.019 He's saying that 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:09.679 this kind of agreement 00:31:09.679 --> 00:31:10.379 and humility 00:31:10.379 --> 00:31:11.179 is possible 00:31:11.179 --> 00:31:11.759 because you've 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:13.000 experienced Christ, 00:31:13.439 --> 00:31:14.000 because you've 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:15.119 experienced the love 00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:15.539 of God, 00:31:15.639 --> 00:31:16.079 because you've 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:16.679 participated 00:31:16.679 --> 00:31:17.879 in the communion 00:31:17.879 --> 00:31:18.579 of the Spirit. 00:31:18.579 --> 00:31:19.519 He's saying 00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:20.319 that in the gospel, 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:21.379 God gives us 00:31:21.379 --> 00:31:22.299 the resources, 00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:23.500 the motivation, 00:31:23.679 --> 00:31:24.139 the strength 00:31:24.139 --> 00:31:24.779 to do this. 00:31:25.139 --> 00:31:26.000 When we see 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:27.939 what Jesus did 00:31:27.939 --> 00:31:28.339 for us 00:31:28.339 --> 00:31:29.000 and who He is, 00:31:29.039 --> 00:31:30.319 it melts our hearts 00:31:30.319 --> 00:31:31.139 to become the kind 00:31:31.139 --> 00:31:31.539 of people 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.240 that want to extend 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:32.879 that same kind 00:31:32.879 --> 00:31:33.339 of grace 00:31:33.339 --> 00:31:34.279 to others. 00:31:34.339 --> 00:31:34.879 Look what he says 00:31:34.879 --> 00:31:35.579 in verse 5. 00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:36.859 Have this mind 00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:37.539 amongst you, 00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:39.019 which is yours 00:31:39.019 --> 00:31:40.419 in Christ Jesus. 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:41.839 In fact, 00:31:41.939 --> 00:31:42.599 throughout the rest 00:31:42.599 --> 00:31:43.279 of Philippians, 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:44.439 everything Paul 00:31:44.439 --> 00:31:45.119 is going to say 00:31:45.119 --> 00:31:46.059 is going to come 00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:47.259 back to this passage 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:48.200 as the motivation 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:49.599 and the resources 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:50.480 and the power 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:51.539 to live the kind 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:51.960 of life 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:53.259 that He calls us to. 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.480 Finally, 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.559 and lastly, 00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:56.339 this. 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.440 Paul calls 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.799 Christians in Philippi 00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:01.279 and God calls us today 00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:02.379 to imitate 00:32:02.379 --> 00:32:03.980 the life of Jesus. 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:05.660 Friends, 00:32:05.700 --> 00:32:06.259 one of the biggest 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:07.519 mistakes that we can 00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:08.279 make as Christians 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:09.140 is that because 00:32:09.140 --> 00:32:09.940 the gospel 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:11.779 is by grace alone, 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.200 because Christians 00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:14.519 are saved, 00:32:14.619 --> 00:32:15.599 not by our own 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:16.460 moral performance, 00:32:16.460 --> 00:32:17.559 our own good works, 00:32:17.640 --> 00:32:18.160 but because of 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:19.420 Jesus' work on the cross, 00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:21.240 because in the gospel 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:22.059 we discover that 00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:23.019 God loves us 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:24.000 and accepts us 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:25.279 for who we are, 00:32:25.420 --> 00:32:26.680 not because we've 00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:27.720 pulled our lives together, 00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:29.200 one of the mistakes 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:29.799 we can make 00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:30.640 is we can think 00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:32.079 that God is disinterested 00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:33.480 in our moral lives 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:34.779 or our conduct. 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:36.539 But notice what 00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:37.420 Paul's argument 00:32:37.420 --> 00:32:37.980 is here. 00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:39.360 Paul says that 00:32:39.360 --> 00:32:40.600 the Christian life, 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:41.720 and in this case 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.840 Christian community, 00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:44.199 is shaped 00:32:44.199 --> 00:32:44.220 is shaped 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:45.179 by the radical 00:32:45.179 --> 00:32:45.980 humility 00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:47.199 and selflessness 00:32:47.199 --> 00:32:48.039 of Jesus. 00:32:48.959 --> 00:32:49.980 Paul's argument 00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:50.720 here is 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:52.519 let your life 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:53.459 reflect 00:32:53.459 --> 00:32:54.699 the life of Jesus. 00:32:55.399 --> 00:32:56.720 Paul's urging them 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:57.759 and God's calling us 00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.480 to imitate 00:32:58.480 --> 00:33:00.159 the person of Jesus. 00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:01.339 In other words, 00:33:01.679 --> 00:33:02.419 the Christian, 00:33:02.899 --> 00:33:03.899 having been forgiven 00:33:03.899 --> 00:33:04.959 by grace alone 00:33:04.959 --> 00:33:06.179 because of Jesus' death, 00:33:06.399 --> 00:33:07.139 is someone 00:33:07.139 --> 00:33:07.839 who's learning 00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:09.240 to model our life 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:10.119 on the life 00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:10.579 of Jesus. 00:33:10.579 --> 00:33:12.059 that the humility 00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:12.720 of Jesus 00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:13.720 becomes the humility 00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.599 of his followers. 00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:16.079 That the mercy 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:16.599 of Jesus 00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:17.960 becomes the mercy 00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:19.299 exhibited by his followers. 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.740 That the compassion 00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:21.619 and the kindness 00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:22.679 and ultimately 00:33:22.679 --> 00:33:23.419 the grace 00:33:23.419 --> 00:33:24.259 and the forgiveness 00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:24.939 of Jesus 00:33:24.939 --> 00:33:26.519 becomes the compassion 00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:27.419 and the kindness 00:33:27.419 --> 00:33:28.359 and the mercy 00:33:28.359 --> 00:33:29.619 and the grace 00:33:29.619 --> 00:33:30.579 that his followers 00:33:30.579 --> 00:33:32.099 extend to others. 00:33:32.939 --> 00:33:33.779 One of the things 00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:34.720 that Paul's going 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:35.339 to show us 00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:36.859 is that like Jesus, 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.199 that's going to mean 00:33:38.199 --> 00:33:39.379 dying to ourselves. 00:33:39.380 --> 00:33:41.400 It means laying aside 00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:42.600 our own selfish ambition, 00:33:43.420 --> 00:33:44.160 putting aside 00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:45.100 our own self-interest, 00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:46.860 maybe even dying 00:33:46.860 --> 00:33:47.620 or laying aside 00:33:47.620 --> 00:33:48.480 to our dreams, 00:33:49.100 --> 00:33:50.240 maybe even our rights 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:50.800 or the things 00:33:50.800 --> 00:33:51.800 that we are entitled to. 00:33:52.360 --> 00:33:53.240 And at times 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:54.240 that may feel 00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:55.040 like death. 00:33:56.080 --> 00:33:57.320 But Jesus Christ 00:33:57.320 --> 00:33:58.500 promises us 00:33:58.500 --> 00:33:59.900 and what Christians 00:33:59.900 --> 00:34:00.700 throughout the ages 00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:01.400 have discovered, 00:34:02.060 --> 00:34:03.840 that when we follow Jesus, 00:34:04.020 --> 00:34:05.360 when we lay down 00:34:05.360 --> 00:34:06.100 our lives, 00:34:06.099 --> 00:34:08.619 ultimately that always 00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:11.279 leads to overflowing joy 00:34:11.279 --> 00:34:13.219 and fullness of life. 00:34:14.219 --> 00:34:15.799 Have this mind amongst you 00:34:15.799 --> 00:34:17.619 which is yours in Christ, 00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:19.139 who though he was 00:34:19.139 --> 00:34:20.179 in the form of God, 00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:21.420 did not count 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:22.599 equality with God 00:34:22.599 --> 00:34:24.480 something to be grasped, 00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:27.519 but emptied himself, 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:28.880 taking the form 00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:29.679 of a servant. 00:34:30.299 --> 00:34:31.059 And being born 00:34:31.059 --> 00:34:32.259 in the likeness of man, 00:34:32.260 --> 00:34:35.780 he humbled himself, 00:34:36.560 --> 00:34:37.480 becoming obedient 00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:38.560 to the point of death, 00:34:39.020 --> 00:34:40.540 even death on a cross. 00:34:41.300 --> 00:34:42.020 Therefore God 00:34:42.020 --> 00:34:43.480 has highly exalted him 00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:44.700 and bestowed on him 00:34:44.700 --> 00:34:45.520 the name that is 00:34:45.520 --> 00:34:46.420 above every name, 00:34:46.600 --> 00:34:47.660 so that at the name 00:34:47.660 --> 00:34:48.180 of Jesus, 00:34:48.700 --> 00:34:49.860 every knee should bow 00:34:49.860 --> 00:34:50.960 in heaven 00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:51.680 and on earth 00:34:51.680 --> 00:34:52.840 and under the earth 00:34:52.840 --> 00:34:53.740 and every tongue 00:34:53.740 --> 00:34:54.300 confess 00:34:54.300 --> 00:34:55.640 that Jesus Christ 00:34:55.640 --> 00:34:56.060 is Lord 00:34:56.060 --> 00:34:57.100 to the glory 00:34:57.100 --> 00:34:58.200 of God the Father. 00:34:58.900 --> 00:34:59.260 Amen. 00:34:59.260 --> 00:34:59.440 Amen. 00:34:59.440 --> 00:35:03.260 We're going to end 00:35:03.260 --> 00:35:04.760 our sermon 00:35:04.760 --> 00:35:05.740 a little bit differently. 00:35:05.880 --> 00:35:08.179 Before we sing songs 00:35:08.179 --> 00:35:08.659 of worship 00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:09.639 and devotion to Christ, 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:10.400 we're going to end 00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:11.300 at the time of prayer. 00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:13.200 And normally I would 00:35:13.200 --> 00:35:14.260 pray for us, 00:35:14.360 --> 00:35:15.720 but I want to urge you 00:35:15.720 --> 00:35:16.480 and encourage you 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:18.179 to take a few minutes 00:35:18.179 --> 00:35:20.539 and pray in your home 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:21.280 or where you are. 00:35:21.619 --> 00:35:22.539 If you're with 00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:23.340 some other people, 00:35:23.820 --> 00:35:24.619 turn to the person 00:35:24.619 --> 00:35:25.200 next to you 00:35:25.200 --> 00:35:26.019 and spend a couple 00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:27.000 of minutes in prayer. 00:35:27.639 --> 00:35:28.760 Maybe if you're watching 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:29.400 by yourself, 00:35:29.600 --> 00:35:30.200 why don't you 00:35:30.200 --> 00:35:31.140 phone a friend, 00:35:31.800 --> 00:35:32.540 phone somebody, 00:35:32.700 --> 00:35:33.660 a family member 00:35:33.660 --> 00:35:35.580 and spend two minutes 00:35:35.580 --> 00:35:36.080 on the phone 00:35:36.080 --> 00:35:37.260 just praying 00:35:37.260 --> 00:35:38.220 with the person 00:35:38.220 --> 00:35:38.780 next to you 00:35:38.780 --> 00:35:39.640 or someone on the phone, 00:35:40.240 --> 00:35:41.300 another brother 00:35:41.300 --> 00:35:42.380 or sister in Christ. 00:35:43.020 --> 00:35:43.760 And here's what 00:35:43.760 --> 00:35:45.020 I want us to pray about. 00:35:45.700 --> 00:35:46.220 What has God 00:35:46.220 --> 00:35:46.980 been saying to you 00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:47.680 in this passage? 00:35:49.060 --> 00:35:50.180 What would it look like 00:35:50.180 --> 00:35:51.360 to respond in prayer? 00:35:53.240 --> 00:35:54.060 Maybe you want to 00:35:54.060 --> 00:35:56.040 respond in worship 00:35:56.040 --> 00:35:56.920 or adoration, 00:35:57.140 --> 00:35:58.100 just praising God 00:35:58.099 --> 00:35:58.839 for who He is. 00:36:00.179 --> 00:36:01.099 Maybe this passage 00:36:01.099 --> 00:36:01.980 is calling you 00:36:01.980 --> 00:36:03.339 to a prayer 00:36:03.339 --> 00:36:04.019 of confession 00:36:04.019 --> 00:36:05.139 or repentance, 00:36:06.079 --> 00:36:07.179 acknowledging that 00:36:07.179 --> 00:36:07.719 you've lived 00:36:07.719 --> 00:36:08.420 for yourself, 00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:10.000 you've maybe 00:36:10.000 --> 00:36:10.940 held on to something 00:36:10.940 --> 00:36:11.639 that you felt 00:36:11.639 --> 00:36:12.500 entitled to, 00:36:12.619 --> 00:36:13.319 but it's causing 00:36:13.319 --> 00:36:14.619 division in relationships. 00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:17.259 Maybe you want to 00:36:17.259 --> 00:36:17.900 just pray a prayer 00:36:17.900 --> 00:36:18.699 of thanksgiving, 00:36:19.239 --> 00:36:20.219 just thanking God 00:36:20.219 --> 00:36:20.960 for His goodness 00:36:20.960 --> 00:36:21.739 and His grace 00:36:21.739 --> 00:36:23.019 in the gospel. 00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:24.599 let's take 00:36:24.599 --> 00:36:25.639 three or four minutes 00:36:25.639 --> 00:36:27.980 and spend some time 00:36:27.980 --> 00:36:28.440 in prayer. 00:36:29.159 --> 00:36:30.039 And then after that, 00:36:30.099 --> 00:36:31.119 will you stand with us 00:36:31.119 --> 00:36:31.920 and we're going to sing 00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:33.860 songs of worship 00:36:33.860 --> 00:36:34.960 and devotion to Christ. 00:36:35.159 --> 00:36:36.199 Let's do that together. 00:36:36.199 --> 00:36:37.179 for the whole time. 00:36:37.359 --> 00:36:39.339 Come with us. 00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:41.539 Before I go to 00:36:41.539 --> 00:36:41.879 Caleb snow got 00:36:41.879 --> 00:36:44.279 about it now. 00:36:44.279 --> 00:36:45.339 In my fold, 00:36:45.339 --> 00:36:45.359 to incredible 00:36:45.359 --> 00:36:46.239 how do 00:36:46.239 --> 00:36:46.579 you know 00:36:46.579 --> 00:36:47.199 you'll go to 00:36:47.199 --> 00:36:48.980 and have 00:36:48.980 --> 00:36:49.419 will you 00:36:49.419 --> 00:36:49.819 fill in 00:36:49.819 --> 00:36:49.839 you 00:36:50.219 --> 00:36:50.960 and 00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:52.000 for that 00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:52.980 Rafael 00:36:53.079 --> 00:36:53.439 and 00:36:53.439 --> 00:36:53.480 I 00:36:53.839 --> 00:36:54.159 in 00:36:54.199 --> 00:36:54.399 a 00:36:54.399 --> 00:36:54.879 time 00:36:54.880 --> 00:36:55.880 Amen. 00:37:24.880 --> 00:37:26.880 Amen. 00:37:54.880 --> 00:37:56.880 Amen. 00:38:24.880 --> 00:38:26.880 Amen. 00:38:54.880 --> 00:38:55.880 Amen. 00:39:24.880 --> 00:39:25.880 Amen.