WEBVTT

00:00:00.500 --> 00:00:04.860
 Well, good morning. I want to begin with a story.

00:00:07.020 --> 00:00:15.019
 It was January of 1988, and me and some of my freshman friends, we were still called freshmen back then,

00:00:15.120 --> 00:00:19.740
 first-year students were on a mid-year break, cross-country skiing in Vermont.

00:00:20.500 --> 00:00:23.059
 And we stood at the top of a hill.

00:00:24.019 --> 00:00:29.280
 And if you have ever been cross-country skiing, you will know that this is not a happy place to be

00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:33.160
 at the top of a hill, because it's hard to go downhill.

00:00:33.579 --> 00:00:36.840
 I had grown up cross-country skiing, so it wasn't as scary for me.

00:00:37.020 --> 00:00:40.660
 But for my friends, they looked down this 100-yard hill.

00:00:40.719 --> 00:00:41.939
 It was not a massive hill.

00:00:42.200 --> 00:00:47.540
 This 100-yard slope, and thought, we're going to die.

00:00:48.299 --> 00:00:56.880
 And in my youthful exuberance and great spiritual immaturity, I said, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

00:00:56.880 --> 00:01:04.040
 You know, when you're 18, it's really easy to say things like that flippantly, isn't it?

00:01:05.560 --> 00:01:10.980
 Now, past 50, it's a lot more weighty to say something like that, isn't it?

00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:17.640
 The fear of death is something I've come to see as a very real power in our world and in our life.

00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:19.840
 So I was studying about this this week.

00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:25.579
 I actually came across a book, The Worm at the Core, on the role of death in life.

00:01:25.579 --> 00:01:29.959
 And in this book, three researchers, psychologists and sociologists,

00:01:30.120 --> 00:01:34.159
 studied the effect of death and the fear of death on people's lives.

00:01:35.480 --> 00:01:38.179
 Synopsis of this book described it this way.

00:01:38.239 --> 00:01:43.640
 The fear of death and the desire to transcend it inspire us to buy expensive cars,

00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:48.480
 crave fame, put our health at risk, and disguise our animal nature.

00:01:48.480 --> 00:01:53.260
 The fear of death can also prompt judges to dole out harsher punishments,

00:01:53.400 --> 00:01:57.180
 make children react negatively to people different from themselves,

00:01:57.439 --> 00:02:00.240
 and inflame intolerance and violence.

00:02:00.640 --> 00:02:02.060
 It's a fascinating story.

00:02:02.100 --> 00:02:03.960
 If you want to go, you can search them up on NPR.

00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:05.180
 I can give you the link later.

00:02:05.540 --> 00:02:08.539
 It's fascinating what they found as they tried to study how,

00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:11.819
 when people expressed a fear of death,

00:02:11.900 --> 00:02:15.159
 how it actually affected the way that they lived.

00:02:15.159 --> 00:02:19.520
 It prompted reckless living, harshness towards others,

00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:26.879
 prejudice, selfish ambition, as well as fear, isolation, and a desire for control.

00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:31.560
 Death casts its shadow over all of life.

00:02:32.659 --> 00:02:35.579
 It is the one certainty no one is exempt from.

00:02:37.500 --> 00:02:43.120
 Maybe you've felt this recently in your own life.

00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:47.300
 Maybe you are mourning the loss of a loved one who's died.

00:02:48.620 --> 00:02:50.920
 And maybe the fear of your own death,

00:02:51.120 --> 00:02:52.700
 or of someone you love,

00:02:53.879 --> 00:02:56.159
 has had a pull on your heart.

00:02:59.080 --> 00:03:03.780
 Maybe you have, or as I remember in the early days of the pandemic,

00:03:04.700 --> 00:03:09.300
 where I found it hard not to walk around viewing my neighbors as these clouds of death.

00:03:09.300 --> 00:03:11.700
 Do you remember that at the beginning of the pandemic,

00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:16.939
 when we viewed everyone around us as having this 10-foot radius of, like, deadly germs?

00:03:18.400 --> 00:03:22.760
 And you're really annoyed at the person who went the wrong way in the grocery store aisle

00:03:22.760 --> 00:03:24.680
 when the arrows pointed the other way.

00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:30.640
 I viewed them as things I needed to avoid,

00:03:30.720 --> 00:03:32.960
 because I wanted to avoid death at all costs.

00:03:32.960 --> 00:03:37.040
 And maybe some of you have studied so much to think,

00:03:37.140 --> 00:03:38.260
 this pandemic is nothing.

00:03:38.659 --> 00:03:39.939
 I have to cross a street.

00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:41.340
 I have to get into a car.

00:03:41.520 --> 00:03:42.640
 I have to eat food.

00:03:42.819 --> 00:03:45.379
 There are so many things that could kill me every day.

00:03:46.340 --> 00:03:48.060
 Fear of death is reasonable.

00:03:48.260 --> 00:03:48.879
 Good heavens.

00:03:48.879 --> 00:03:55.759
 So wherever you're at in this spectrum,

00:03:55.919 --> 00:03:59.979
 the reality of death and the fear of death is, I believe,

00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:01.579
 something that's common to us all.

00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:04.639
 How do you think it shapes you?

00:04:06.819 --> 00:04:09.699
 As we look at our passage this morning in the book of Philippians,

00:04:09.759 --> 00:04:13.400
 we're going to look at how the Apostle Paul thinks about this.

00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:18.639
 We're going to think about how he viewed life and death

00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:21.500
 through the lens of the gospel and how he lived it out.

00:04:21.720 --> 00:04:23.920
 So if you want to turn with me in the book of Philippians,

00:04:24.040 --> 00:04:26.259
 we're in Philippians chapter 1.

00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:30.680
 We're going to be looking at verses 18 through 26.

00:04:35.340 --> 00:04:38.160
 Philippians 1, verse 18 through 26.

00:04:38.160 --> 00:04:43.060
 We're going to read it, and then we're going to look at it together.

00:04:43.399 --> 00:04:45.500
 So we'll start.

00:04:45.620 --> 00:04:47.859
 If you're in the ESV, it has the break.

00:04:47.939 --> 00:04:50.599
 We're just going to read the last sentence of verse 18.

00:04:51.399 --> 00:04:52.259
 Paul writes this.

00:04:52.359 --> 00:04:54.399
 Yes, and I will rejoice.

00:04:55.039 --> 00:04:59.199
 For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

00:04:59.239 --> 00:05:01.299
 this will turn out for my deliverance,

00:05:01.779 --> 00:05:06.079
 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not at all be ashamed,

00:05:06.359 --> 00:05:09.159
 but that with full courage, now as always,

00:05:09.279 --> 00:05:13.139
 Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

00:05:13.399 --> 00:05:18.620
 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

00:05:19.159 --> 00:05:23.139
 If I'm to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.

00:05:24.039 --> 00:05:25.659
 Yet which shall I choose?

00:05:25.739 --> 00:05:26.560
 I cannot tell.

00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:28.839
 I am hard-pressed between the two.

00:05:28.919 --> 00:05:33.019
 My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

00:05:33.799 --> 00:05:37.539
 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

00:05:37.540 --> 00:05:42.980
 And convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all

00:05:42.980 --> 00:05:45.879
 for your progress and joy in the faith,

00:05:46.100 --> 00:05:50.960
 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus

00:05:50.960 --> 00:05:54.120
 because of my coming to you again.

00:05:54.120 --> 00:05:55.980
 Let's pray.

00:05:56.699 --> 00:05:59.459
 Ask for God's help as we look into His Word together.

00:05:59.959 --> 00:06:03.720
 Lord, we do ask you this morning that you would be with us as we look into your Word.

00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:08.379
 Lord, help us to receive the truth of this Word.

00:06:08.759 --> 00:06:14.000
 We pray that your Spirit would apply it to our hearts and to our minds and to our wills.

00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:19.279
 Lord, we pray that you would give us alertness this morning,

00:06:19.660 --> 00:06:22.939
 and I pray that you would give me clarity of speech,

00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:25.620
 that I might speak the words that you would have me speak.

00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:29.399
 Lord, so that we might together sit under your Word this morning.

00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:32.019
 We pray these things in Jesus' name.

00:06:32.600 --> 00:06:32.879
 Amen.

00:06:35.040 --> 00:06:37.199
 So remember the context of Philippians.

00:06:37.399 --> 00:06:38.660
 Paul is in prison.

00:06:39.079 --> 00:06:42.180
 He has been in prison for his preaching of the Gospel.

00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:44.079
 He is awaiting a trial,

00:06:44.079 --> 00:06:47.660
 and he knows that the outcome might be his execution.

00:06:48.600 --> 00:06:52.780
 And he is in reflecting on these things,

00:06:53.180 --> 00:06:58.379
 that he shares how the Gospel is shaping his view of life and death.

00:06:58.519 --> 00:07:02.399
 And there are two things that as he thinks about himself as a Gospel citizen,

00:07:03.139 --> 00:07:05.280
 living out his calling in this world,

00:07:05.379 --> 00:07:07.480
 he says two things in this passage.

00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:10.079
 Gospel citizens are not afraid to die,

00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:13.680
 and Gospel citizens have lots to live for.

00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:16.859
 So let's look at these things in this order.

00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:20.759
 Gospel citizens are not afraid to die is the first point.

00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:25.759
 You see this hanging off of verse 21,

00:07:25.979 --> 00:07:27.699
 which is kind of the center of this.

00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:31.139
 For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain,

00:07:31.339 --> 00:07:33.219
 and we're going to take those in reverse order.

00:07:33.220 --> 00:07:36.660
 So Paul says, I am not afraid to die.

00:07:37.280 --> 00:07:40.140
 When you start off in verses 18 and 19,

00:07:40.860 --> 00:07:41.660
 Paul's in prison.

00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:43.420
 He's facing maybe a death sentence.

00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:44.380
 And how does he start?

00:07:44.640 --> 00:07:46.940
 I will rejoice, for I am confident.

00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:49.300
 I have eager expectation and hope.

00:07:49.940 --> 00:07:53.400
 His attitude is not one of dread in his circumstances,

00:07:53.660 --> 00:07:54.860
 but one of confidence.

00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:56.260
 What is his confidence in?

00:07:56.520 --> 00:07:57.460
 It's in God.

00:07:57.459 --> 00:08:00.579
 It's that God is sovereign in the circumstance,

00:08:00.859 --> 00:08:04.199
 and that God, his life is in God's hands.

00:08:04.439 --> 00:08:08.279
 And so he starts with this perspective of confidence in God.

00:08:08.739 --> 00:08:10.680
 How does he have that confidence?

00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:14.779
 Well, because as verse 21 says,

00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:19.899
 even death, which feels to most of us like the worst thing that could happen,

00:08:20.740 --> 00:08:22.839
 even death would be gain.

00:08:23.839 --> 00:08:25.579
 He says, I know I'm going to this trial,

00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:26.620
 and it could go either way.

00:08:27.979 --> 00:08:28.919
 But you know what?

00:08:30.139 --> 00:08:31.459
 How bad could it be?

00:08:31.459 --> 00:08:33.439
 If I die, what happens?

00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:37.539
 If I die, I gain something.

00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:40.000
 I get to go and be with Christ.

00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:45.679
 Paul's entire perspective is shaped by the truth of the gospel

00:08:45.679 --> 00:08:49.679
 that many of us here this morning know and profess to believe,

00:08:49.679 --> 00:08:56.000
 that Jesus Christ came to rescue us from sin and death and judgment.

00:08:56.659 --> 00:08:58.679
 Jesus Christ came in through his life,

00:08:58.739 --> 00:09:01.339
 and particularly in his death for us,

00:09:01.479 --> 00:09:03.199
 he died a death for us,

00:09:03.199 --> 00:09:08.379
 so that we might not die,

00:09:08.659 --> 00:09:11.459
 but live when we have faith in him.

00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:14.399
 This is the passage we read earlier in John 11.

00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:17.819
 And Jesus comes to Martha and says,

00:09:18.379 --> 00:09:20.659
 why are you weeping for your brother?

00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:21.919
 Because I am here.

00:09:22.079 --> 00:09:24.120
 I am the resurrection and the life.

00:09:24.419 --> 00:09:25.899
 And if you believe in me,

00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:28.000
 even though you die,

00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:29.379
 you will yet live.

00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:31.600
 You will have this eternal life.

00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:35.559
 For the hope of what God has done for us in Christ

00:09:35.559 --> 00:09:37.679
 is that because of what Jesus has done,

00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:39.539
 when we are connected to him by faith,

00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:43.959
 we have both forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life.

00:09:44.199 --> 00:09:46.099
 So that even if we die,

00:09:46.219 --> 00:09:47.319
 we will not die.

00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:52.419
 But we will be living with God forever.

00:09:53.740 --> 00:09:56.939
 This is the great hope of the Christian gospel.

00:09:58.019 --> 00:10:00.539
 And Paul applies it to his circumstance,

00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:01.179
 and he says,

00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:03.419
 what's the worst thing that can happen to me?

00:10:05.199 --> 00:10:06.199
 It's gain.

00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:08.919
 Because I'll go and be with Jesus.

00:10:09.539 --> 00:10:11.839
 He does not only say that it's gain,

00:10:12.079 --> 00:10:14.299
 but he says it's actually better.

00:10:14.459 --> 00:10:15.980
 Look with me at verse 23.

00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:19.339
 22 through 24 is fascinating

00:10:19.339 --> 00:10:22.059
 because Paul lets us in on the internal ruminations.

00:10:22.219 --> 00:10:23.919
 Like, what do you think, guys?

00:10:24.779 --> 00:10:26.519
 Should I go or should I stay?

00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:29.159
 If I go, do you know what I get?

00:10:29.639 --> 00:10:33.319
 I get something better than anything I could get on this earth.

00:10:33.579 --> 00:10:35.639
 I get to be with Jesus.

00:10:36.439 --> 00:10:38.559
 This is his greatest treasure.

00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:42.199
 And the word depart here is this really cool word.

00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:45.059
 It's used in some context to talk about a ship

00:10:45.059 --> 00:10:49.019
 that's leaving its moorings and heading out into open water.

00:10:49.179 --> 00:10:51.939
 Think about a ship that's tied up to a dock.

00:10:52.039 --> 00:10:53.339
 It's got anchors in the water

00:10:53.339 --> 00:10:56.339
 and ropes that are connecting it to the dock

00:10:56.339 --> 00:10:58.099
 so that it doesn't run away.

00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:00.359
 But when it departs,

00:11:00.359 --> 00:11:02.359
 it loses all of those things

00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:04.360
 and it picks up the sail

00:11:04.360 --> 00:11:06.460
 and the wind fills the sails

00:11:06.460 --> 00:11:08.279
 as it heads out to the open water.

00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:09.340
 And Paul says,

00:11:09.419 --> 00:11:10.360
 that's what I'm doing.

00:11:10.919 --> 00:11:12.919
 My life is going to be like heading out

00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:14.220
 into the open water

00:11:14.220 --> 00:11:15.840
 of eternal life

00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:17.600
 in the presence of Jesus.

00:11:18.300 --> 00:11:20.180
 And that's all I want.

00:11:20.860 --> 00:11:22.240
 That's the best thing

00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:23.620
 that could ever happen to me.

00:11:23.620 --> 00:11:26.440
 So he says,

00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:27.659
 no more anchors,

00:11:27.779 --> 00:11:28.360
 no more ropes,

00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:29.360
 no more chains,

00:11:29.560 --> 00:11:31.500
 but to worship him.

00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:37.080
 Now there's an important theological point here

00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:39.419
 that I want to spend just a minute on

00:11:39.419 --> 00:11:41.779
 because Paul has an immediate hope.

00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:42.700
 He says,

00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:43.519
 if I die,

00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:45.060
 I will be in the presence.

00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:46.639
 I will be with Christ.

00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:51.200
 Theologians have wrestled with the timeline

00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:52.800
 of what happens when we die

00:11:52.800 --> 00:11:54.200
 and what it really looks like.

00:11:54.820 --> 00:11:56.879
 The question of the intermediate state

00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:58.120
 between now

00:11:58.120 --> 00:11:59.540
 when we are physically living

00:11:59.540 --> 00:12:00.980
 and the eternal state

00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:02.300
 when we will live forever

00:12:02.300 --> 00:12:03.620
 in some context,

00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:05.840
 in some shape related to God or not,

00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:07.000
 under his judgment

00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:08.580
 or in his presence.

00:12:08.800 --> 00:12:10.540
 There's this intermediary step

00:12:10.540 --> 00:12:12.020
 that the Bible seems to picture.

00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:16.060
 And Paul gives us a pretty strong clue here

00:12:16.060 --> 00:12:17.520
 about what that looks like.

00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:19.680
 We may make mistakes.

00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:20.680
 We might think that

00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:21.739
 that in-between time

00:12:21.739 --> 00:12:23.319
 might be just a soul sleep

00:12:23.319 --> 00:12:24.359
 where we're unconscious.

00:12:24.859 --> 00:12:25.539
 But Paul says,

00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:25.859
 no,

00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:27.679
 I'm going to go and be with Jesus.

00:12:30.139 --> 00:12:31.079
 There's some of us

00:12:31.079 --> 00:12:31.739
 who might think

00:12:31.739 --> 00:12:33.339
 that in this in-between time

00:12:33.339 --> 00:12:35.939
 that there might be opportunity

00:12:35.939 --> 00:12:37.899
 for ongoing spiritual progress.

00:12:38.099 --> 00:12:39.879
 I'm becoming more sanctified

00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:41.459
 or I'm getting rid of,

00:12:41.699 --> 00:12:42.919
 I'm purging my life

00:12:42.919 --> 00:12:44.299
 of the rest of my sin.

00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:46.339
 This is part of the idea

00:12:46.339 --> 00:12:47.639
 of what purgatory is.

00:12:48.059 --> 00:12:48.519
 But again,

00:12:48.639 --> 00:12:49.099
 Paul says,

00:12:49.199 --> 00:12:49.359
 no,

00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:50.360
 this is not

00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:53.539
 what it looks like.

00:12:54.320 --> 00:12:55.000
 And finally,

00:12:55.320 --> 00:12:56.659
 some might think,

00:12:56.700 --> 00:12:57.340
 and this might be

00:12:57.340 --> 00:12:58.820
 the greatest temptation

00:12:58.820 --> 00:12:59.720
 for some of us,

00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:01.259
 is to think that actually

00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:02.919
 this is what the final state

00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:03.500
 looks like.

00:13:03.620 --> 00:13:04.680
 That when we die,

00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:06.440
 we go and be with God

00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:08.220
 in some spiritual form.

00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:10.680
 And that's all there is.

00:13:10.679 --> 00:13:13.639
 But instead,

00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:15.739
 the hope of the gospel

00:13:15.739 --> 00:13:16.439
 is that one day

00:13:16.439 --> 00:13:17.379
 there will be a resurrection

00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:19.219
 and our souls will be reunited

00:13:19.219 --> 00:13:20.759
 with a resurrected body.

00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:22.399
 And that the picture

00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:24.079
 at the end of history,

00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:26.199
 the end of redemption,

00:13:27.079 --> 00:13:28.059
 is that we will live

00:13:28.059 --> 00:13:29.219
 in a physical world

00:13:29.219 --> 00:13:30.079
 with God

00:13:30.079 --> 00:13:32.379
 that He has made new

00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:33.620
 and is without sin.

00:13:33.739 --> 00:13:35.219
 And what a glorious place

00:13:35.219 --> 00:13:35.939
 that will be.

00:13:35.940 --> 00:13:38.900
 So for Paul,

00:13:39.060 --> 00:13:40.300
 this is a great hope.

00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:41.580
 The great hope

00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:43.100
 that if I die right now,

00:13:43.160 --> 00:13:45.140
 I am going to be with Jesus

00:13:45.140 --> 00:13:46.180
 and my soul

00:13:46.180 --> 00:13:47.060
 will have fellowship

00:13:47.060 --> 00:13:47.640
 with Him.

00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:50.060
 Now,

00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:51.500
 this is not for Paul

00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:52.520
 a death wish.

00:13:53.760 --> 00:13:54.560
 He does not have

00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:55.800
 a morbid fascination

00:13:55.800 --> 00:13:56.920
 with the afterlife,

00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:59.039
 nor is he an escapist

00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:00.259
 that simply says,

00:14:00.479 --> 00:14:01.919
 this suffering is too great.

00:14:02.199 --> 00:14:03.799
 I just wish it would end.

00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:07.000
 He's not denying

00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.379
 that death is an enemy

00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:09.959
 and a great trial.

00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:11.679
 He talks about,

00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:12.439
 in chapter 2,

00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:13.159
 verse 27,

00:14:13.219 --> 00:14:13.819
 we'll see this

00:14:13.819 --> 00:14:14.819
 as it relates

00:14:14.819 --> 00:14:16.719
 to his co-worker Epaphras,

00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:18.019
 that if he had died,

00:14:18.099 --> 00:14:19.299
 it would have brought sorrow

00:14:19.299 --> 00:14:20.620
 upon sorrow for him.

00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:21.939
 So he's not saying

00:14:21.939 --> 00:14:22.939
 death is nothing,

00:14:23.459 --> 00:14:24.579
 but he is saying

00:14:24.579 --> 00:14:25.879
 that death instead

00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:27.439
 for a believer

00:14:27.439 --> 00:14:28.580
 will be a gateway.

00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:30.379
 It is not lost,

00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:31.659
 but it is gain.

00:14:32.939 --> 00:14:34.019
 And when God

00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:35.539
 brings it to our lives,

00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:36.439
 it will be better

00:14:36.439 --> 00:14:37.080
 than here.

00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:39.019
 So one commentator says,

00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:40.580
 when the Christian dies,

00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:42.200
 all the uncertainties

00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:43.220
 and dangers of life

00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:44.019
 are behind,

00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:45.740
 and all the certainties

00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:46.700
 and safeties

00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:48.379
 lie ahead

00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.399
 in the presence

00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:51.120
 of Jesus Christ.

00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:56.259
 to die is gain.

00:14:58.340 --> 00:14:59.560
 Can you say that

00:14:59.560 --> 00:15:00.840
 for yourself?

00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:04.480
 I remember wrestling

00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.379
 with this question

00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:06.740
 as my first wife

00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.879
 battled cancer.

00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:10.019
 We wrestled with

00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:11.139
 these thoughts together

00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:12.440
 because we wanted

00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:13.039
 her to stay.

00:15:13.659 --> 00:15:14.580
 We had hopes,

00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:15.259
 we had dreams,

00:15:15.560 --> 00:15:16.200
 we had kids,

00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:18.700
 but we also knew

00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:19.320
 that her life

00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:20.360
 was in God's hands.

00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:22.360
 As we went ahead,

00:15:22.680 --> 00:15:24.040
 we took every day

00:15:24.040 --> 00:15:25.420
 to worship God

00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:26.620
 and to serve,

00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:27.740
 and I saw her

00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:30.440
 increasingly say,

00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:32.060
 for me to live

00:15:32.060 --> 00:15:32.660
 is Christ.

00:15:33.520 --> 00:15:34.420
 As long as I get

00:15:34.420 --> 00:15:34.840
 to stay,

00:15:34.900 --> 00:15:35.280
 that will be

00:15:35.280 --> 00:15:36.100
 a glorious thing,

00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.560
 but to die

00:15:37.560 --> 00:15:38.060
 is gain,

00:15:38.660 --> 00:15:39.460
 and I will go

00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:40.259
 and be with Jesus.

00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:40.460
 Jesus.

00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:45.660
 Maybe this

00:15:45.660 --> 00:15:47.700
 is a pertinent word

00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:48.639
 for us today

00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.700
 as we think about

00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:51.340
 navigating the pandemic

00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:52.460
 in our world today.

00:15:53.960 --> 00:15:55.240
 It's very easy

00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:56.759
 for the fear of death

00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.920
 to have taken

00:15:57.920 --> 00:15:58.759
 a great root

00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:59.460
 in our hearts.

00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:00.940
 Now,

00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.720
 there is place

00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.980
 for reasonable precautions,

00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:04.019
 and there's place

00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:04.700
 for discussion

00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:05.560
 about what reasonable

00:16:05.560 --> 00:16:06.460
 precautions are.

00:16:07.660 --> 00:16:09.000
 But for a Christian,

00:16:09.180 --> 00:16:10.300
 we must not navigate

00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:11.359
 those discussions

00:16:11.359 --> 00:16:13.939
 out of fear of dying.

00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:16.419
 Have we allowed fear

00:16:16.419 --> 00:16:17.459
 to take up residence

00:16:17.459 --> 00:16:18.479
 in our heart?

00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.599
 Has it shaped

00:16:19.599 --> 00:16:20.539
 our response

00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:21.740
 to this pandemic

00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:23.339
 in unhealthy ways?

00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.740
 Mask or no mask?

00:16:25.819 --> 00:16:26.839
 Vaccine or no vaccine?

00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:28.959
 No vaccine?

00:16:29.219 --> 00:16:31.479
 Is fear controlling you?

00:16:33.939 --> 00:16:35.240
 Paul would say,

00:16:35.459 --> 00:16:36.620
 for a believer,

00:16:37.579 --> 00:16:39.099
 we must allow

00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:40.420
 the hope of the gospel

00:16:40.420 --> 00:16:41.220
 and the truth

00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:42.080
 that to die

00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:42.720
 is gain

00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:43.920
 to uproot

00:16:43.920 --> 00:16:44.720
 that fear

00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:45.620
 in our hearts.

00:16:48.680 --> 00:16:49.259
 Now,

00:16:49.320 --> 00:16:50.300
 here's a hard truth.

00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:52.659
 If you have not

00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:54.139
 trusted in Christ

00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:54.779
 this morning

00:16:54.779 --> 00:16:55.860
 for your salvation,

00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:59.860
 then your fear

00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:00.379
 of death

00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.700
 is real.

00:17:03.300 --> 00:17:04.579
 You fear death

00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:05.440
 because your soul

00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:06.120
 knows that you

00:17:06.120 --> 00:17:06.740
 are not right

00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:07.359
 with God.

00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:11.400
 Every human heart

00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:11.940
 knows it.

00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:12.660
 It is why

00:17:12.660 --> 00:17:14.000
 as humanity

00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:14.920
 we fear death

00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:15.519
 so much

00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.859
 and why it controls

00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:17.900
 us so much.

00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.460
 But Jesus

00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.460
 invites you

00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:23.019
 into the world

00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:24.299
 that Paul displays,

00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:24.960
 the world

00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.640
 of the gospel

00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:26.380
 where death

00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.039
 is not

00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:28.559
 the last word,

00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:29.519
 but death

00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.240
 is a gateway

00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:30.960
 to glory.

00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:33.640
 where death

00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:34.579
 is an enemy

00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:35.100
 but it is

00:17:35.100 --> 00:17:36.180
 a defeated one

00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:37.319
 and where

00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:38.279
 there is a hope

00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:39.140
 and a promise

00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:40.279
 of eternal life

00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:42.720
 with our creator

00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:43.700
 and our God

00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:44.600
 and our redeemer

00:17:44.600 --> 00:17:45.500
 and our savior.

00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.720
 Jesus invites you.

00:17:48.340 --> 00:17:49.200
 He has risen

00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.019
 from the dead,

00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:52.100
 trampling over death

00:17:52.100 --> 00:17:53.279
 by his death.

00:17:54.420 --> 00:17:56.240
 Because of his death

00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:57.200
 and resurrection,

00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:58.380
 death has lost

00:17:58.380 --> 00:17:59.160
 its sting

00:17:59.160 --> 00:18:00.580
 and he invites you

00:18:00.580 --> 00:18:01.060
 today.

00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:03.140
 Come believe

00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:04.160
 in this gospel

00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:05.759
 and be free

00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:06.360
 of death

00:18:06.360 --> 00:18:07.740
 and be free

00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.460
 of the fear

00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:09.220
 of death.

00:18:13.100 --> 00:18:14.600
 Paul doesn't just say

00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:15.720
 to die is gain.

00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.560
 He also says

00:18:17.560 --> 00:18:19.300
 for me to live

00:18:19.300 --> 00:18:20.100
 is Christ.

00:18:21.100 --> 00:18:22.200
 There are lots

00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:22.820
 of reasons

00:18:22.820 --> 00:18:23.600
 to live

00:18:23.600 --> 00:18:24.279
 for Paul

00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:25.160
 and by that

00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:25.620
 he means

00:18:25.620 --> 00:18:26.680
 staying here

00:18:26.680 --> 00:18:27.240
 on earth

00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.000
 in the flesh.

00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:29.460
 one of the

00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.140
 really interesting

00:18:30.140 --> 00:18:30.640
 things about

00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:31.220
 this passage

00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:31.779
 is he thinks

00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.519
 about his future

00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.579
 is that it seems

00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:34.299
 pretty sure

00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:35.339
 that Paul's confident

00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:36.259
 that God's going

00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.000
 to release him.

00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.279
 Verse 20,

00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.500
 verse 26

00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.619
 and you can look

00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:42.740
 at chapter 2,

00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:43.500
 verse 27.

00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.119
 Paul is expecting

00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:46.180
 to see the Philippians

00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:46.559
 again.

00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:47.559
 He is saying

00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:49.059
 I expect to see you.

00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.319
 Now he says this

00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:51.420
 under God's sovereignty

00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:52.500
 because he's already said

00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.039
 I don't know

00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.779
 what the outcome's

00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.220
 going to be

00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:55.360
 but he says

00:18:55.360 --> 00:18:56.240
 I actually have

00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:57.039
 this great hope

00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:57.900
 and expectation

00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:58.839
 that this is going

00:18:58.839 --> 00:18:59.299
 to happen

00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:00.839
 but my desire

00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:01.819
 is not simply

00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:02.660
 that I would escape

00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:03.279
 from prison.

00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:05.440
 My desire

00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:06.180
 is that this would

00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:06.620
 turn out

00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.799
 for my deliverance

00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.539
 and that word

00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:09.259
 could have a lot

00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:09.720
 of different

00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:11.079
 it might refer

00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:12.039
 to his salvation

00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:13.220
 like whatever happens

00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:13.940
 this is going to turn

00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:15.299
 out for my eternal salvation

00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.279
 because I know

00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:16.819
 the gospel

00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:18.380
 but it also could mean

00:19:18.380 --> 00:19:19.279
 vindication

00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.360
 that what's going

00:19:20.360 --> 00:19:20.799
 to happen

00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:21.380
 the outcome

00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:22.360
 of this trial

00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:23.839
 is going to vindicate

00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:24.279
 the hope

00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:24.899
 of the gospel

00:19:24.899 --> 00:19:26.259
 and if I die

00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.539
 people will see me

00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.459
 dying for Christ

00:19:28.459 --> 00:19:29.619
 and they will know him

00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:30.459
 more because of it

00:19:30.459 --> 00:19:31.659
 but if I live

00:19:31.659 --> 00:19:32.759
 it will be so that

00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:34.079
 I can go and continue

00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:35.719
 my gospel ministry

00:19:35.719 --> 00:19:37.339
 that I will continue

00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:38.439
 to honor Christ

00:19:38.439 --> 00:19:40.179
 by letting other people know.

00:19:41.199 --> 00:19:42.899
 This is what verse 22 says

00:19:42.899 --> 00:19:43.899
 look at it with me

00:19:43.899 --> 00:19:45.479
 verse 22

00:19:45.479 --> 00:19:46.799
 if I'm to live in the flesh

00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:48.419
 that means fruitful labor

00:19:48.419 --> 00:19:49.219
 for me.

00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:51.319
 Paul's life has been

00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:52.339
 all about ministry

00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.519
 we saw that last week

00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:55.279
 in verses 12 through 18

00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:56.799
 Paul wanted everyone

00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:57.480
 to know Christ

00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.519
 he didn't even care

00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.159
 if other people

00:19:59.159 --> 00:19:59.720
 were doing it

00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.659
 for bad motives

00:20:00.659 --> 00:20:01.319
 and ways that were

00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:02.419
 trying to hurt Paul

00:20:02.419 --> 00:20:03.980
 he said if Christ

00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.759
 is being known

00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:06.679
 that's my greatest desire

00:20:06.679 --> 00:20:07.559
 in this life

00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:08.959
 and so for Paul

00:20:08.959 --> 00:20:10.000
 that's his whole

00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:12.399
 his whole focus

00:20:12.399 --> 00:20:14.099
 as long as I am here

00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:16.539
 may more and more people

00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.539
 come to know

00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.179
 the Jesus

00:20:18.179 --> 00:20:19.179
 that I know

00:20:19.179 --> 00:20:20.419
 and the hope

00:20:20.419 --> 00:20:21.139
 of the gospel

00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:22.720
 that I have believed

00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:23.740
 in and proclaimed

00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:25.180
 that Christ

00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:26.120
 would be glorified

00:20:26.120 --> 00:20:26.820
 in others.

00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.620
 See for Paul

00:20:28.620 --> 00:20:29.160
 as he says

00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:30.480
 to live is Christ

00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.340
 he's not talking

00:20:31.340 --> 00:20:32.160
 about being freed

00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:33.320
 so that he can retire

00:20:33.320 --> 00:20:34.860
 you know

00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:35.740
 put his feet up

00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.520
 at the baths

00:20:36.520 --> 00:20:37.000
 in Ephesus

00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.900
 and you know

00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:38.780
 drink juleps

00:20:38.780 --> 00:20:39.960
 he's gonna

00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:41.280
 he's gonna continue

00:20:41.280 --> 00:20:42.420
 in this hard work

00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:43.220
 of ministry

00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:45.240
 and it's not

00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:45.900
 so that he can

00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.680
 thumb his nose

00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:47.360
 at the rival

00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:48.400
 at his rivals

00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:48.779
 and say

00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.200
 see

00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.220
 God loves me

00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:51.259
 more than he loves you

00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:53.620
 Paul isn't concerned

00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:54.500
 about those things

00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:54.900
 at all

00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:56.620
 Paul's greatest hope

00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:57.579
 is that the Philippians

00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:58.940
 would be growing

00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.380
 in faith

00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:00.259
 this is what it says

00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:01.259
 in verse 25

00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:02.279
 look with me

00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:02.779
 it says

00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:04.059
 convinced of this

00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:05.140
 I know that I will remain

00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:05.700
 and continue

00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.279
 for your

00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:07.680
 with you all

00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.779
 for your progress

00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.759
 and joy

00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:11.000
 in the faith

00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.099
 so that in me

00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:12.720
 you may have

00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.579
 ample cause

00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:14.599
 to glory

00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:15.880
 in Christ Jesus

00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:17.900
 Paul says

00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:18.460
 oh Lord

00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:19.799
 if you let me stay

00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:21.440
 and set me free

00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:22.279
 may it be

00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.619
 so that other people

00:21:23.619 --> 00:21:24.700
 will give praise

00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.539
 to you

00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:27.519
 for the fruit

00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.140
 of the gospel

00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:29.339
 in my life

00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.759
 and in the lives

00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.819
 of those around me

00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:34.480
 you know

00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:35.359
 I've had the privilege

00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:36.079
 over the years

00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:36.500
 of meeting

00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.339
 lots of people

00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:38.079
 who've served

00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:38.960
 Christ

00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.240
 in some of these ways

00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:41.539
 one person

00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.220
 who I think of

00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.920
 in particular

00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:43.779
 John Hinkson

00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.380
 is a member

00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:45.019
 of our

00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:46.599
 of our congregation

00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:47.460
 and his

00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:49.359
 mother and father

00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:51.220
 grew up as missionaries

00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:52.819
 in Eastern Europe

00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:53.620
 they went into

00:21:53.620 --> 00:21:54.220
 Eastern Europe

00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:55.700
 before the wall fell

00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:57.839
 John tells great stories

00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:58.279
 of that

00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:59.400
 but his mother

00:21:59.400 --> 00:21:59.900
 who is

00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:00.579
 I don't know

00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.279
 how old she is

00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:01.940
 she's got to be

00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:02.700
 close to 90

00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:04.220
 but

00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:06.099
 and she is still going

00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:07.220
 she is a picture

00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:07.660
 of Paul

00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.420
 for me to live

00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:08.960
 is Christ

00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:10.120
 and she has

00:22:10.120 --> 00:22:10.960
 a condo

00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.579
 in California

00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.279
 and she has

00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:12.720
 an apartment

00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.240
 in London

00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:13.740
 and she has

00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.100
 an apartment

00:22:14.100 --> 00:22:14.799
 in Russia

00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.799
 where they serve

00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.920
 for many many years

00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:17.620
 and everywhere

00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:18.480
 she goes

00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:21.019
 she's finding people

00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.799
 to open the word

00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.460
 of God with

00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:23.400
 to let Christ

00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:23.940
 be known

00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:25.240
 to encourage them

00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:25.960
 in their faith

00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:27.460
 the believers

00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.340
 in Russia

00:22:28.340 --> 00:22:29.740
 that she has

00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.579
 invested in

00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.539
 have become leaders

00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.440
 in the church

00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:34.420
 in those places

00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:36.000
 and when she comes

00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.819
 she's a great

00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:37.360
 encouragement

00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:38.019
 and I think

00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.579
 of what Paul

00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.139
 says here

00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:40.099
 and I see

00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:40.899
 her life

00:22:40.899 --> 00:22:41.719
 as an example

00:22:41.719 --> 00:22:42.259
 of someone

00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:43.279
 who has said

00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:44.319
 to live is Christ

00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.399
 and to die is gain

00:22:45.399 --> 00:22:46.659
 and that lived out

00:22:46.659 --> 00:22:47.859
 this life of ministry

00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:49.240
 to other people

00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:50.259
 her perseverance

00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.819
 is an example

00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:52.859
 to many

00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:54.079
 because of her faith

00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.779
 in Jesus

00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:57.059
 and friends

00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:58.139
 we need to recognize

00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:59.119
 that it is not

00:22:59.119 --> 00:23:00.039
 without cost

00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:01.199
 because to live

00:23:01.199 --> 00:23:01.659
 as Christ

00:23:01.659 --> 00:23:02.539
 means walking

00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:03.099
 the path

00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:04.579
 that Jesus walked

00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:06.279
 and Jesus path

00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.179
 was not one

00:23:07.179 --> 00:23:08.179
 from greater

00:23:08.179 --> 00:23:08.779
 and greater

00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.919
 victory and glory

00:23:09.919 --> 00:23:10.639
 it was one

00:23:10.639 --> 00:23:11.240
 of suffering

00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:12.359
 it was one

00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:12.939
 that walked

00:23:12.939 --> 00:23:14.019
 to the cross

00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:16.359
 in humble service

00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:18.659
 with the desire

00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:19.579
 only to please

00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.139
 the Father

00:23:20.139 --> 00:23:21.859
 and to bless

00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:22.619
 the world

00:23:22.619 --> 00:23:28.199
 another commentator

00:23:28.199 --> 00:23:28.919
 Gordon Fee

00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:29.799
 says this

00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:31.179
 too often

00:23:31.179 --> 00:23:31.699
 for us

00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.019
 it is

00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.400
 for me

00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:32.779
 to live

00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.400
 is Christ

00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:34.980
 plus work

00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.640
 and leisure

00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.680
 and accumulating

00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:37.100
 wealth

00:23:37.100 --> 00:23:37.840
 and relationships

00:23:37.840 --> 00:23:39.900
 and if the truth

00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:40.500
 were known

00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.799
 all too often

00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:43.259
 the plus factor

00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:43.840
 has become

00:23:43.840 --> 00:23:44.940
 our primary passion

00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:46.660
 for me to live

00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:47.900
 is my work

00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:48.819
 etc

00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:50.680
 both our progress

00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:51.340
 and our joy

00:23:51.340 --> 00:23:52.400
 regarding the gospel

00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:53.620
 are altogether

00:23:53.620 --> 00:23:54.559
 contingent

00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.460
 on whether or not

00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:55.980
 Christ

00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.940
 is our primary

00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:58.100
 singular passion

00:23:58.100 --> 00:24:00.039
 this is an

00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:00.880
 infinitely greater

00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:01.500
 option

00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.980
 than the great

00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:03.840
 than the self

00:24:03.840 --> 00:24:04.580
 gratification

00:24:04.580 --> 00:24:05.580
 which dominates

00:24:05.580 --> 00:24:06.360
 our culture

00:24:06.360 --> 00:24:09.240
 how do you

00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.240
 finish that sentence

00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.100
 for me to live

00:24:11.100 --> 00:24:12.600
 is my job

00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:14.300
 my studies

00:24:14.300 --> 00:24:16.340
 my family

00:24:16.340 --> 00:24:18.360
 my success

00:24:18.360 --> 00:24:20.060
 my reputation

00:24:20.060 --> 00:24:20.940
 my earthly

00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:21.600
 comfort

00:24:21.600 --> 00:24:26.060
 for Paul

00:24:26.060 --> 00:24:26.700
 to live

00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.520
 is Christ

00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:29.660
 this is the

00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:30.559
 greater option

00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.299
 that is before

00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:31.839
 us

00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:33.920
 and as we're

00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.400
 encouraged

00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:35.059
 by fee

00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:37.039
 is Christ

00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.839
 our primary

00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:38.859
 and our singular

00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:39.680
 passion

00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:41.920
 do we long

00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:42.779
 above all things

00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.480
 to know him

00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:43.879
 more

00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:48.480
 do we long

00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.299
 above all things

00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:49.980
 to make him

00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:50.379
 known

00:24:50.379 --> 00:24:51.480
 with the people

00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.299
 around us

00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:54.819
 are we pursuing

00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.720
 this as a church

00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.440
 in our fellowship

00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:57.380
 with one another

00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.440
 connecting with

00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:58.920
 one another

00:24:58.920 --> 00:24:59.600
 and spurring

00:24:59.600 --> 00:25:00.019
 one another

00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:01.180
 on in our

00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:01.620
 faith

00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:04.080
 are we thinking

00:25:04.080 --> 00:25:04.700
 about how

00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:05.440
 in our family

00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:05.920
 lives

00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:06.720
 that our

00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.920
 primary goal

00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.460
 is that we

00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:08.820
 would know

00:25:08.820 --> 00:25:09.380
 Christ

00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:09.880
 more and

00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:10.240
 more

00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:12.920
 as husbands

00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:13.440
 and wives

00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.019
 as parents

00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.640
 as children

00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.360
 as roommates

00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:20.360
 are we thinking

00:25:20.360 --> 00:25:22.140
 about how we

00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:22.940
 can make Christ

00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.640
 known to the

00:25:23.640 --> 00:25:24.360
 people in our

00:25:24.360 --> 00:25:24.840
 world

00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:26.220
 the people

00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:26.539
 that we

00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.159
 rub shoulders

00:25:27.159 --> 00:25:27.459
 with

00:25:27.459 --> 00:25:27.839
 the people

00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:28.179
 that we

00:25:28.179 --> 00:25:28.559
 study

00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:28.819
 with

00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:29.179
 the people

00:25:29.179 --> 00:25:29.559
 that we

00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:29.839
 work

00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:30.199
 with

00:25:30.199 --> 00:25:31.559
 the people

00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:31.899
 that we

00:25:31.899 --> 00:25:32.599
 play with

00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:34.819
 it all

00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:35.419
 flows from

00:25:35.419 --> 00:25:36.319
 beholding Christ

00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:37.159
 as Paul did

00:25:37.159 --> 00:25:38.519
 as we continue

00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.279
 on in the book

00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:39.939
 of Philippians

00:25:39.939 --> 00:25:40.939
 Paul will lift

00:25:40.939 --> 00:25:41.579
 up Christ

00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:42.579
 in chapter 2

00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:43.799
 as the one

00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:44.279
 who left

00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:44.899
 the comforts

00:25:44.899 --> 00:25:45.339
 of heaven

00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:47.139
 to be our

00:25:47.139 --> 00:25:47.599
 savior

00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:48.679
 to lay down

00:25:48.679 --> 00:25:49.199
 his life

00:25:49.199 --> 00:25:49.659
 for us

00:25:49.659 --> 00:25:50.059
 humbling

00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.439
 himself

00:25:50.439 --> 00:25:51.419
 even to death

00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:52.200
 on a cross

00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:54.980
 and now

00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.860
 he is raised

00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:56.500
 to this place

00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.060
 of highest

00:25:57.060 --> 00:25:57.940
 exaltation

00:25:57.940 --> 00:26:00.560
 would we

00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:01.300
 not consider

00:26:01.300 --> 00:26:01.720
 him

00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:03.000
 this is the

00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.420
 one for

00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.220
 in chapter 3

00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.660
 Paul says

00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:05.320
 I count all

00:26:05.320 --> 00:26:05.840
 things as

00:26:05.840 --> 00:26:06.300
 loss

00:26:06.300 --> 00:26:07.460
 for the sake

00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:08.000
 of knowing

00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.620
 Christ

00:26:08.620 --> 00:26:09.019
 and being

00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:09.620
 found in

00:26:09.620 --> 00:26:09.980
 him

00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:14.140
 when we

00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:14.720
 see Christ

00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:15.380
 this way

00:26:15.380 --> 00:26:17.580
 then we

00:26:17.580 --> 00:26:18.060
 can say

00:26:18.060 --> 00:26:18.539
 to live

00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.180
 is Christ

00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:20.660
 to die

00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.180
 his gain

00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:22.799
 so we

00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.340
 can sing

00:26:23.340 --> 00:26:23.680
 what we

00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.320
 just sang

00:26:24.320 --> 00:26:24.640
 a few

00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.340
 minutes ago

00:26:25.340 --> 00:26:27.960
 with every

00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:28.519
 breath I

00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:28.940
 long to

00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.759
 follow Jesus

00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:31.380
 for he

00:26:31.380 --> 00:26:31.779
 has said

00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.259
 that he

00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.880
 will bring

00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:34.400
 me home

00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:35.460
 and day

00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:35.900
 by day

00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:36.360
 I know

00:26:36.360 --> 00:26:37.000
 he will

00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.560
 renew me

00:26:37.560 --> 00:26:39.299
 until I

00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:39.880
 stand with

00:26:39.880 --> 00:26:40.240
 joy

00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:42.460
 before the

00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:42.759
 throne

00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.360
 to this

00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:43.940
 I hold

00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:45.700
 my hope

00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.560
 is only

00:26:46.560 --> 00:26:47.100
 Jesus

00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:48.579
 all the

00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:48.980
 glory

00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.519
 evermore

00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:49.980
 to him

00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:53.139
 and when

00:26:53.139 --> 00:26:53.539
 the race

00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:54.259
 is complete

00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:56.939
 still my

00:26:56.939 --> 00:26:57.500
 lips shall

00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:57.919
 repeat

00:26:57.919 --> 00:26:58.480
 yet not

00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:58.740
 I

00:26:58.740 --> 00:27:00.419
 but through

00:27:00.419 --> 00:27:00.879
 Christ

00:27:00.879 --> 00:27:01.819
 in me

00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:05.159
 friends

00:27:05.159 --> 00:27:05.579
 when we

00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.299
 have this

00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:08.119
 when we

00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:08.719
 see Christ

00:27:08.719 --> 00:27:09.419
 like this

00:27:09.419 --> 00:27:12.519
 the fear

00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:12.939
 of death

00:27:12.939 --> 00:27:13.559
 fades into

00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.119
 the background

00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:16.219
 we live

00:27:16.219 --> 00:27:16.539
 with an

00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:16.919
 assurance

00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:17.500
 of hope

00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:17.939
 that death

00:27:17.939 --> 00:27:18.339
 is not

00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:19.079
 our end

00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:21.179
 and with

00:27:21.179 --> 00:27:21.539
 a clear

00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:23.619
 eyed vision

00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:24.259
 that as long

00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:24.659
 as we are

00:27:24.659 --> 00:27:25.039
 here

00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:27.259
 we have

00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:27.779
 Christ

00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:29.359
 to follow

00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.859
 and to serve

00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:31.939
 and to glorify

00:27:31.939 --> 00:27:33.479
 so that others

00:27:33.479 --> 00:27:33.939
 may know

00:27:33.939 --> 00:27:34.959
 him as we

00:27:34.959 --> 00:27:35.399
 have come

00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:36.399
 to know

00:27:36.399 --> 00:27:36.619
 him

00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:38.379
 let's pray

00:27:38.379 --> 00:27:38.959
 together

00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:46.779
 oh lord

00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.220
 who is

00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:47.660
 sufficient

00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.240
 for these

00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:48.819
 things

00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:56.299
 oh lord

00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:56.920
 have mercy

00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:57.539
 on us

00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.660
 who are so

00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.100
 easily

00:27:59.100 --> 00:27:59.759
 distracted

00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:03.160
 whose love

00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:03.900
 so often

00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:04.720
 grows cold

00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.500
 towards you

00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:07.039
 how often

00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:07.759
 we esteem

00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:08.279
 many other

00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.779
 things

00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:09.599
 as greater

00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:10.200
 than you

00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:14.500
 oh lord

00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.139
 work in our

00:28:15.139 --> 00:28:15.539
 hearts

00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.859
 uproot

00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.359
 in us

00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:17.899
 a fear

00:28:17.899 --> 00:28:18.539
 of death

00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:20.240
 so that we

00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:20.920
 might live

00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:21.660
 for you

00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.440
 for as long

00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:22.920
 as you give

00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:23.480
 us life

00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:24.740
 and so that

00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.180
 we might

00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:25.859
 die with

00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:26.339
 hope and

00:28:26.339 --> 00:28:27.500
 eager expectation

00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:29.180
 of glory

00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:29.839
 with you

00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:33.960
 we pray

00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.399
 this in

00:28:34.399 --> 00:28:35.019
 Jesus name

00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:36.660
 amen

00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:54.440
 for you

00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:57.019
 see you