WEBVTT 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:06.299 The scripture reading today comes from Philippians 2, verses 12 to 18. 00:00:07.500 --> 00:00:14.320 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence, 00:00:14.900 --> 00:00:20.219 but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:26.000 For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:32.859 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, 00:00:33.659 --> 00:00:38.659 children of God, without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, 00:00:39.500 --> 00:00:44.799 among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, 00:00:45.359 --> 00:00:51.939 so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 00:00:51.939 --> 00:00:58.979 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, 00:00:59.219 --> 00:01:01.859 I am glad and rejoice with you all. 00:01:02.739 --> 00:01:06.060 Likewise, you also should be glad and rejoice with me. 00:01:06.939 --> 00:01:08.180 This is God's word. 00:01:08.180 --> 00:01:38.160 Thank you. 00:01:38.180 --> 00:02:08.159 Thank you. 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:38.159 Thank you. 00:02:38.180 --> 00:02:39.180 There are work situations. 00:02:39.319 --> 00:02:42.140 There are geopolitical challenges all around the world. 00:02:42.300 --> 00:02:44.879 Politics in Hong Kong is at an interesting stage. 00:02:45.319 --> 00:02:49.760 We are living in unprecedented and interesting times. 00:02:49.759 --> 00:02:51.759 And that is just the macro level. 00:02:51.759 --> 00:02:54.179 What about the personal level? 00:02:54.859 --> 00:02:57.379 Some of us are facing job loss or retrenchment. 00:02:58.139 --> 00:03:00.359 Some of us are facing financial insecurity. 00:03:01.519 --> 00:03:03.000 All these relational challenges. 00:03:03.239 --> 00:03:04.340 Parenting is tough. 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:05.840 Marriage can be difficult. 00:03:05.840 --> 00:03:10.659 These are challenging times for all of us. 00:03:10.659 --> 00:03:16.280 And no matter what your political stance, your socioeconomic status, your relational status, 00:03:16.620 --> 00:03:21.159 all of us find ourselves in unusual and unpredictable times. 00:03:21.159 --> 00:03:29.699 And the question is, for those of us that are Christians, how are we to respond? 00:03:29.699 --> 00:03:33.879 What is it that God is calling us to do in the midst of these times? 00:03:33.879 --> 00:03:40.219 Now, I'm aware that maybe not all of us that are watching this morning would consider ourselves followers of Jesus. 00:03:40.439 --> 00:03:47.000 Maybe some of us are still trying to make sense of the claims of Christ and what Christianity is all about. 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:54.500 Well, if that's you, you're joining us at a great time because we're working as a church through the book of Philippians in our preaching series. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:04:00.419 And the book of Philippians is a wonderful book that describes what the Christian life looks like. 00:04:00.919 --> 00:04:05.819 And one of the things that we discover is that in the book of Philippians, the apostle Paul, who wrote it, 00:04:06.300 --> 00:04:11.580 describes the Christian as someone who, because of their hope and their faith in Jesus, 00:04:11.580 --> 00:04:17.840 is learning to emulate or imitate Jesus for their life to become more like Jesus, 00:04:18.180 --> 00:04:25.180 which in many ways often looks like laying down our lives, surrendering our lives for the well-being of others. 00:04:25.180 --> 00:04:30.319 And yet in that place, we find abundant life and overflowing joy. 00:04:31.160 --> 00:04:37.199 And this is what we saw last week, that Paul says, because of Jesus and his life, 00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:41.800 he's urging the Christians in Philippi to emulate Jesus. 00:04:42.159 --> 00:04:49.000 Jesus, who, though he was God, didn't grasp at his Godness, but embraced with humility humanity, 00:04:49.740 --> 00:04:54.639 came and laid down his life, dying on a cross for the sins of the world. 00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:57.240 Paul says to Christians in Philippi, 00:04:57.560 --> 00:05:02.939 because your life is in Jesus, you too follow him and do the same. 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:06.039 And so the question we're asking is this. 00:05:06.040 --> 00:05:13.000 For those of us who are Christians, loving, trusting, obeying Jesus, learning to emulate or follow him, 00:05:13.420 --> 00:05:19.700 what does it look like to follow him in the midst of these challenging and unprecedented times? 00:05:20.280 --> 00:05:24.140 When we are fearful about the future or our children's future, 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:31.000 when our friends are talking about how hopeless life is or situation is, 00:05:31.240 --> 00:05:35.080 how should those of us that are centering our lives in Jesus respond? 00:05:36.040 --> 00:05:40.379 Well, this is something that the Philippian Christians, and in fact all first century Christians, 00:05:40.740 --> 00:05:42.300 had to grapple with themselves. 00:05:43.140 --> 00:05:46.780 And the reason is, if you look at your Bible, our passage that we read this morning, 00:05:46.939 --> 00:05:53.780 in verse 15, Paul talks about how these Christians are living in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation. 00:05:54.420 --> 00:05:58.200 It's a quote from the Old Testament that talks about how the whole of society 00:05:58.199 --> 00:06:04.079 has turned their back on the things of God and are wicked and rebellious. 00:06:04.159 --> 00:06:05.779 Everyone's living for themselves. 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:08.519 There is violence in the community. 00:06:09.079 --> 00:06:11.339 It's not a very safe community to live in. 00:06:11.699 --> 00:06:14.439 And Paul's saying to the Christians in Philippi, 00:06:14.539 --> 00:06:17.259 this is the situation in which you live. 00:06:17.759 --> 00:06:22.019 First century Christians knew that persecution was never far away, 00:06:22.019 --> 00:06:23.879 even imprisonment. 00:06:24.319 --> 00:06:27.719 We saw that two weeks ago, how Paul writes to these Philippians, 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:28.259 and he says, 00:06:28.719 --> 00:06:33.799 Stand firm, even as you face constant opposition from those around you. 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:38.819 In fact, Paul himself is writing this letter from a prison cell, from jail. 00:06:39.219 --> 00:06:41.060 He's being persecuted for his faith. 00:06:41.419 --> 00:06:42.579 And he writes and he says, 00:06:42.740 --> 00:06:45.060 I'm actually not sure how this is going to turn out. 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:48.319 It may end in execution, and that's the end of my life. 00:06:48.459 --> 00:06:49.360 I may be released. 00:06:49.740 --> 00:06:53.920 But either way, Paul is learning to follow Jesus in the midst of it. 00:06:55.560 --> 00:07:01.079 Remember how one of the founding members of the Philippian church was the jailer 00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:05.680 that was overseeing Paul as he was in jail in the city of Philippi. 00:07:06.340 --> 00:07:08.980 Paul and Silas are arrested because of their faith. 00:07:09.699 --> 00:07:12.079 And while they're there, they are not discouraged. 00:07:12.220 --> 00:07:13.879 They're not grumbling or complaining. 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:15.399 They're worshiping God. 00:07:15.519 --> 00:07:18.680 And the jailer is so moved that he comes to faith. 00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:22.620 You could say that this Philippian church was planted in a jail cell. 00:07:23.659 --> 00:07:25.540 Talk about uncertain times. 00:07:26.279 --> 00:07:29.699 And yet this is something that Christians have always had to wrestle with. 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:32.779 Friends, what does it mean for those of us that are followers of Jesus 00:07:32.779 --> 00:07:35.019 to follow Jesus at this time? 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:38.100 Well, in this passage, we're going to see three things. 00:07:38.339 --> 00:07:43.360 Three things that guide the Christian community, the church, through such times. 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:49.520 We're going to talk about the Christian's calling, the Christian's power, and the Christian's witness. 00:07:50.080 --> 00:07:54.040 So firstly, the Christian's calling or the church's calling. 00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:57.600 Look at verse 12 with me in your Bibles. 00:07:58.280 --> 00:07:59.340 Now, I need to warn you. 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:04.020 Paul is one of the world champions at writing long and complicated sentences. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:05.319 And this is one of them. 00:08:05.699 --> 00:08:06.740 And so look at what he says. 00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:08.000 We'll try and make sense of it. 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:08.779 He says, 00:08:08.839 --> 00:08:17.839 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence, but much more in my absence, 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:22.540 work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 00:08:23.920 --> 00:08:27.579 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 00:08:27.639 --> 00:08:28.939 That's what Paul's asking them to do. 00:08:29.019 --> 00:08:30.839 But what does that actually mean? 00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:38.720 Well, when Paul says, work out your salvation, he doesn't mean work it out like you work out a math sum or a coding problem. 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:40.860 He's not talking about solving the problem. 00:08:41.299 --> 00:08:45.699 He's also not talking about working for your salvation. 00:08:45.700 --> 00:08:56.480 As if Christianity is those who attain to a high moral status, who do all the right religious and Christian things, 00:08:56.660 --> 00:09:00.259 one day at the end of their life are rewarded with salvation. 00:09:01.160 --> 00:09:06.600 The whole basis of Christianity is that it's a gift of grace, not on the basis of works. 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:13.879 Not something you earn, but something that's attained for you because Jesus died on the cross for sinners such as us. 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:21.480 So Paul doesn't mean continue to work for your salvation in the hope that one day you'll be rewarded for your good works. 00:09:21.860 --> 00:09:28.580 The Greek word here that says work out actually means to carry out something which is conceptual, 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:33.120 to bring something into an experienced, lived reality. 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:37.740 It's kind of like if somebody says they're going to come up with a healthy eating plan. 00:09:38.039 --> 00:09:39.759 They're going to go to gym three times a week. 00:09:39.980 --> 00:09:41.440 They're going to start eating healthily. 00:09:41.440 --> 00:09:42.820 They're going to cut out sugars. 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:47.720 Well, that's all very good to talk about, but you actually need to put that in practice. 00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:49.019 You need to carry it out. 00:09:49.419 --> 00:09:52.500 You need to work out your healthy eating plan. 00:09:53.899 --> 00:10:02.259 Paul says work out, bring the concept, let it be a lived reality in your life. 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:04.899 And he then says work out your salvation. 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:11.799 And what that means is the fact that once because Jesus died on the cross, your life has been changed. 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:13.059 You now belong to him. 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:16.340 We sang earlier about how your life is hid with Christ. 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:18.379 You are now part of Christ. 00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:19.879 You belong to him. 00:10:20.439 --> 00:10:24.019 Let that reality be worked out in your life. 00:10:24.019 --> 00:10:29.079 Because you are saved, you've experienced salvation, you're now part of the people of God. 00:10:29.079 --> 00:10:36.720 And the book of Philippians, that means your life is now centered on Jesus, emulating, imitating his life. 00:10:37.299 --> 00:10:41.699 And so a Christian is not just someone who is trying to be moral or religious. 00:10:41.700 --> 00:10:55.560 A Christian is someone who, having trusted in Jesus and his death on the cross, is now living out that faith in Jesus, trusting him and obeying him, centering their lives on him, learning to imitate and become more like Jesus. 00:10:56.340 --> 00:11:03.400 And so Paul says work out, live out that reality, that gospel salvation that God has done in you. 00:11:03.960 --> 00:11:05.660 So what is verse 12 saying? 00:11:05.659 --> 00:11:29.019 My dearly beloved, my dear friends, writes Paul, just as you've always done, so continue to do, not only when I was with you, but even now that I'm not with you, continue to live out, get on with carrying out this reality of your life with Jesus, your Christ-centered obedience to Jesus. 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:32.199 Now, that doesn't sound very profound. 00:11:32.200 --> 00:11:36.879 I mean, come on, it's got to give us something more interesting than that. 00:11:37.660 --> 00:11:38.580 But think about it. 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:54.040 When life is easy, when life is comfortable, when the job is secure, when politics are pretty stable, nothing interesting going on, when there's no infectious diseases floating around, it's pretty easy to follow Jesus. 00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:57.940 Life, just carry on and do your thing. 00:11:58.500 --> 00:12:01.640 But what happens when life becomes unpredictable? 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:03.280 Uncomfortable. 00:12:04.280 --> 00:12:09.700 What happens when COVID upends all your plans and challenges everything? 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:15.600 What happens when parenting is tough and finances are tight? 00:12:16.400 --> 00:12:22.860 What happens when everything is up in the air or you feel frightened about the future or your children's future? 00:12:23.520 --> 00:12:29.180 What do you do when you're persecuted for your faith because you're loving and trusting Jesus? 00:12:29.179 --> 00:12:31.259 Paul writes, and he says, 00:12:31.259 --> 00:12:38.819 In the midst of unpredictable and challenging times, don't relegate your faith to something that you do when life is easy. 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:41.479 In the midst of that, work out your salvation. 00:12:41.819 --> 00:12:44.399 Carry on your life centered on Jesus. 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:46.759 Your Christ-centered obedience. 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:54.259 When life is challenging and unpredictable, fasten the anchor of your soul to this and live out your faith. 00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:56.740 Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. 00:12:56.959 --> 00:12:58.199 Centering your life on him. 00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:59.259 Make him Lord. 00:12:59.419 --> 00:13:00.679 Imitate his life. 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:01.899 Lay down your life. 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:05.240 When you're tempted to retreat into self-preservation. 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:08.720 When you're tempted to just look after yourself. 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:10.879 Carry on imitating Jesus. 00:13:11.459 --> 00:13:13.399 Lay down your life to serve others. 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:16.139 Keep serving the poor and the marginalized. 00:13:16.699 --> 00:13:18.720 Keep supporting missionaries overseas. 00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:20.980 Keep evangelizing the lost. 00:13:21.179 --> 00:13:23.240 Telling them about the hope of Jesus. 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:25.879 Carry on opening up your home. 00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:26.980 Hosting others. 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:28.079 Serving them. 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:34.980 Pour out your life looking not only to your own interests but to the interests of others. 00:13:36.300 --> 00:13:39.920 Imitate Jesus in Christ-centered obedience. 00:13:42.560 --> 00:13:48.440 Friends, in unprecedented times when the challenge is on, the temptation is to withdraw. 00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:55.220 And Paul says in these times continue living for the glory of God by centering our lives on Christ. 00:13:55.920 --> 00:13:57.520 Work out your salvation. 00:13:58.080 --> 00:13:59.500 In the midst of these times. 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:04.639 And then he says, do so with fear and trembling. 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:08.780 And it's a phrase that Paul uses a couple of times in the New Testament. 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:10.100 And it means a couple of things. 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:16.620 But what it means primarily is do so without a sense of self-assuredness. 00:14:17.060 --> 00:14:18.379 Without self-confidence. 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:20.440 Without feeling like I've got this thing. 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:22.280 I've got this under control. 00:14:22.900 --> 00:14:26.340 Do so with a sense of humility before God. 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:35.480 But it also means to fear God means to be more in awe of who God is than the circumstances around us. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:40.300 In Ephesians 6, Paul writes and he says, serve your masters with fear and trembling. 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:42.620 In other words, be more in awe of God. 00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:45.980 Fear God more than your masters around you. 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:53.659 Work out our salvation with fear and trembling means to go into life aware of who Christ is. 00:14:53.820 --> 00:15:03.940 With a sense of awe at the majesty of God more than being trembling at the circumstances of what's going on in our world around us. 00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:07.400 And look at how Paul says in verse 12. 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:09.080 He starts off saying, therefore. 00:15:09.900 --> 00:15:10.920 What's the basis? 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.540 Why should Christians do this? 00:15:12.640 --> 00:15:15.080 Well, it's because of everything that he said before. 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:16.580 Which we looked at last week. 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:24.600 Last week he says, because Jesus, who by very nature was God, didn't grasp or exploit his godness. 00:15:25.140 --> 00:15:28.700 But he, in humility, laid down his majesty. 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:31.280 He embraced humanity. 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:33.699 He died on the cross. 00:15:33.839 --> 00:15:35.500 But he didn't stay there. 00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:40.319 Through Christ's resurrection, his shameful death was reversed. 00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:44.139 And now God has highly exalted him to the heavens. 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:46.399 Seated at the right hand of God. 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:48.899 He has been given the name that is above every name. 00:15:49.199 --> 00:15:51.139 The title that is above every title. 00:15:51.459 --> 00:15:52.899 He is called Lord God. 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:55.539 And before him, one day, every knee will bow. 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:57.220 Every tongue will confess. 00:15:57.220 --> 00:16:03.420 And therefore, dear brothers and sisters, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 00:16:03.899 --> 00:16:05.540 Because Christ is in heaven. 00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:07.800 Because Christ is seated in the heavens. 00:16:07.920 --> 00:16:08.639 And is God. 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:10.960 And is Lord God over all creation. 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:13.820 Before whom one day every knee will bow. 00:16:14.060 --> 00:16:15.660 And every tongue will confess. 00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:17.519 And acknowledge that he is God. 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:20.799 Therefore, friends, when challenging times come. 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:23.340 And unprecedented occasions come. 00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:24.639 And the challenges of life. 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:30.100 Carry on living out your Christ-centered obedience to Jesus. 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:33.720 Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:36.220 This is the Christian's calling. 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:38.059 Friends, let's not retreat. 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:39.960 Let's not pull back. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:42.779 Let's not just think about how we can get through. 00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:47.779 Let's work out the calling that God's got for those of us that are Christ's. 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:50.039 Second thing is this. 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:52.079 The Christian's power. 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:53.519 Or the church's power. 00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:59.319 Now, verse 12, which we've just looked at, is a challenging verse. 00:17:00.579 --> 00:17:10.099 For some of us, maybe, that just feels like one more burden to add to an already exhausting life. 00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:14.139 Maybe you feel like life is stressful enough as it is. 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:15.759 I've got work stress. 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:17.699 I've got financial stress. 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:20.079 I've got COVID stress. 00:17:20.699 --> 00:17:22.459 There's political upheaval. 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:24.679 I've got family stress. 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:30.199 And now you're asking me to pull up my bootstraps. 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:32.539 To sort myself out. 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:34.279 To keep on going. 00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:37.679 Now it feels like as if God is coming to me. 00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:39.279 On top of everything else. 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:41.059 And saying, hey, stop slacking. 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:42.539 I'm watching you. 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:46.680 But friends, look at verse 13 with us. 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:49.019 He says, work out your salvation. 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:50.779 Your Christ-centered obedience. 00:17:52.619 --> 00:17:54.240 For, verse 13. 00:17:55.399 --> 00:17:59.379 Because it is God who works in you. 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:03.599 Both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:15.299 Every parent gets to this stage in life when they realize they need to start teaching their children to do some chores around the house. 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:21.879 Or at least helping their kids realize that mom and dad are not the servants that do everything for their children. 00:18:21.880 --> 00:18:28.860 In our family recently, we are trying to teach our children to make their own beds in the morning. 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:34.380 And when we first introduced this to our kids, we were met with great protests. 00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:36.760 I don't know how to do it. 00:18:37.100 --> 00:18:38.120 I can't do it. 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.680 It's too hard. 00:18:40.300 --> 00:18:42.500 And so we said, come, we'll do it with you. 00:18:42.560 --> 00:18:44.200 We will show you how to do it. 00:18:44.820 --> 00:18:48.640 Now, in the beginning, who do you think was really making the beds? 00:18:49.300 --> 00:18:50.360 We were, right? 00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:55.419 And in many ways, it would have been easier just to do it ourselves. 00:18:58.279 --> 00:19:03.039 Maybe you've had this experience where you're trying to teach your kids to do something new. 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:07.819 To ride a bicycle or to learn to rollerblade or to ice skate. 00:19:07.939 --> 00:19:08.799 Something like that. 00:19:09.419 --> 00:19:14.019 And the first few times, you're actually the one that's doing all the hard work. 00:19:14.479 --> 00:19:16.639 I remember teaching my kids to ride a bicycle. 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:20.500 And running around the streets, holding onto this bicycle. 00:19:20.780 --> 00:19:21.800 Keeping them upright. 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:25.560 Propelling them forward as they're learning to ride. 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:30.220 But what does every parent say to their kids after the first few times? 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:33.640 Even though you're the one that's done all the hard work. 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:35.340 And actually the one that's done it all. 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:38.380 Every parent says, well done. 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:40.660 You see, you can do it. 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:42.440 You're doing so well. 00:19:44.360 --> 00:19:45.759 Look what Paul says here. 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:50.000 He says, Christian, work out your salvation. 00:19:52.220 --> 00:20:01.840 For it is God who, by the Holy Spirit, works in you to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:20:03.780 --> 00:20:07.140 The word work here is the Greek word energen. 00:20:07.280 --> 00:20:09.360 From where in English we get our word energy. 00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:15.439 Well, God calls his people to carry on working out God's calling on their life. 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:18.339 Even in the midst of unsettling and challenging times. 00:20:18.679 --> 00:20:27.899 At the same time, God promises that by his grace, he's actually the one that's energizing, empowering, at work in his people. 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:32.799 Helping them, causing them to actually be the ones that can work out their salvation. 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:42.099 And notice how God is both at work in our desires, what Paul calls our will, as well as the one empowering us to actually do it. 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:47.720 Friends, some of us here may feel worn out and exhausted by everything that's going on. 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:51.299 You desire to be faithful to Jesus. 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:53.859 You desire to work out your calling. 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:56.879 You want to live out your Christ-centered obedience. 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:59.799 But friends, it just feels so exhausted. 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:01.000 You feel worn out. 00:21:01.419 --> 00:21:04.259 You don't feel like you've got anything left to give. 00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:07.799 And when you hear that, you feel like it's one more burden. 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:11.299 Friends, the good news, the grace of God is this. 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:13.899 That God is at work within you. 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:17.940 Even that desire to want to do it is the grace of God within you. 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:20.180 That's the Holy Spirit at work within you. 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:22.140 That's God coming alongside you. 00:21:22.840 --> 00:21:32.800 The life that God calls Christians to live out is not just obedience to some set of rules that regulate our behavior so that we can be good moral people. 00:21:33.320 --> 00:21:41.380 Rather, the life of a Christian that God calls us to, to work out our salvation, belonging to Christ means to be truly converted. 00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:57.380 It means having our lives indwelt by God's Holy Spirit so that the Spirit of Jesus is now at work within us, transforming our hearts and our minds and our wills so that we're learning to center our lives on Him and live out our obedience, becoming like Him. 00:21:57.760 --> 00:22:01.420 But all of this is the work of God through the Holy Spirit. 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:06.400 This is the grace of God. 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:13.440 In verse 17, Paul talks about his life as running a race. 00:22:14.780 --> 00:22:16.320 Imagine you're running a marathon. 00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:22.820 And you know you're near the end, but you just can't imagine how much further you can keep on going. 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:25.060 Your legs feel like jello. 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.700 You feel exhausted. 00:22:27.300 --> 00:22:29.180 You've got nothing left in the tank. 00:22:29.820 --> 00:22:32.019 And someone in the stands shout out, 00:22:32.340 --> 00:22:33.040 Keep going! 00:22:33.140 --> 00:22:35.200 You've just got two more kilometers to go! 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:37.740 And you hear that and you feel, 00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:39.360 I can't do it. 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.940 I can't take another step. 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:45.880 And just at that moment, somebody comes and runs and puts their arm around you. 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:49.779 And they lift up the weight off your legs. 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:55.400 And they run with you, essentially carrying you over the finishing line. 00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:58.480 Friends, when you hear Paul saying, 00:22:58.680 --> 00:23:00.140 In the midst of all that's going on, 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.420 Keep going! 00:23:01.640 --> 00:23:04.120 Live out your Christ-centered obedience to Jesus. 00:23:04.119 --> 00:23:08.039 You might hear that and feel like an exhausted marathon runner. 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:11.699 And you hear that and you feel like God is in the stands saying, 00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:12.459 Keep going! 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:14.019 Only another 200 kilometers! 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:16.159 And you might want to say, 00:23:16.399 --> 00:23:17.159 Shut up! 00:23:17.699 --> 00:23:19.179 You don't know what it feels like. 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:21.439 It's easy for you to shout that from the stands. 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.799 I'm the one in the middle of it. 00:23:23.679 --> 00:23:25.859 Friends, Jesus is not in the stands saying, 00:23:25.959 --> 00:23:26.539 Keep going! 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.379 I'm watching you! 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:32.260 Jesus is not a schoolmaster that's checking off the scoreboard to see how you're doing. 00:23:32.760 --> 00:23:35.100 Friends, Jesus got into the ring with you. 00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:36.500 And he's carrying you. 00:23:36.580 --> 00:23:39.200 And he promises to pour out his Holy Spirit upon you. 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:40.820 To be at work within you. 00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:41.640 To cause you. 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.300 To help you. 00:23:42.380 --> 00:23:43.580 And to center your life in him. 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:45.420 Jesus gives you the Holy Spirit. 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:47.240 He's there with you in the ring. 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:53.599 Hebrews says that because Jesus laid aside his divinity and took on our humanity, 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:56.599 Jesus knows everything that we're going through. 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:59.500 He's been tempted in every way that you and I have. 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:03.960 Jesus knows what it's like to be exhausted, to be abandoned by friends, 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:08.160 to look at the cross and to think, I don't know if I can do it. 00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:11.940 Friends, Jesus climbed into the ring with us. 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:16.220 Though he was God, he didn't grasp at his Godness. 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:18.319 He didn't hold on to his divinity. 00:24:19.100 --> 00:24:21.240 But he laid his majesty aside. 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:23.660 He humbled himself. 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:26.420 He took on humanity. 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:28.940 And he took on the cross. 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:33.839 Friends, but Jesus didn't just stay dead. 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:35.600 He rose again. 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:39.279 And when he rose again, before he ascended to the Father, 00:24:39.420 --> 00:24:40.600 he said to his disciples, 00:24:41.120 --> 00:24:45.700 I've got a calling for you, for you to be my witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea. 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:48.380 To the ends of the earth, I've got a calling for you. 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:51.779 But wait here until I give you the Holy Spirit. 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:55.319 I'm not calling you to live out your calling, your own strength. 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:58.259 Don't do so with self-confidence or self-assured. 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:02.319 In fear and trembling, in humility, in dependence upon me, 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:04.700 I give you my strength. 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:10.340 I'll let work within you, calling you and empowering you to live out my calling. 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.700 Friends, this is the grace of God. 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:14.980 If you this morning feel exhausted and worn out, 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:18.039 you feel you have no energy, no strength left, 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.960 Jesus is empowering you. 00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:25.640 He is at work within you to will and to work according to his good pleasure. 00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:30.620 This is the church's grace, a Christian's grace. 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:33.620 Thirdly and finally, the church's witness. 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:39.640 Now, in challenging times and unprecedented times, 00:25:40.300 --> 00:25:42.480 when opposition or persecution comes, 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:46.700 when we are fearful about the future and our lives and circumstances, 00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:50.680 one of the temptations is for division to occur, 00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:56.240 for maybe grumbling or complaining to take place. 00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:58.640 Chris spoke about this a few weeks ago. 00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.600 We're in chapter one. 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:02.860 Paul says, I want you to be of one heart, one mind, 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:06.980 contending together, standing unified for the gospel. 00:26:07.120 --> 00:26:11.660 And part of the reason why Paul said that is because when opposition comes, 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:14.080 it can easily cause division or fracturing. 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:16.620 One group thinks we should respond like this. 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:18.840 One group thinks we should respond like that. 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:21.400 And there can be differences that occur. 00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:25.500 Well, look at what Paul says in verse 14. 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.440 He says this, 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:31.759 Do all things without grumbling and disputing, 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:34.460 that you may be blameless and innocent, 00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:36.660 children of God without blemish, 00:26:36.900 --> 00:26:39.640 in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:43.480 among whom you shine as lights in the world, 00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:46.500 holding fast to the word of life, 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.559 that's Christ, 00:26:48.080 --> 00:26:49.500 that in the day of Christ, 00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:53.299 I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 00:26:54.340 --> 00:26:58.299 Paul knows that in extraordinary times like these, 00:26:58.340 --> 00:26:59.680 in which the Philippians are living, 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:02.480 the challenge is that they're facing the world, 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:04.200 which are hostile to their faith. 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:08.160 He has the ability to divide them and separate them, 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:11.720 maybe causing arguing or complaining amongst them, 00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:14.180 disputing and differences of opinion. 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.240 And so he says, 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.779 Don't go down that road. 00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:20.240 Do all things without arguing or disputing. 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:22.880 Maybe they weren't so much arguing or fighting, 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:28.539 but they're having lost sight of the majesty and the beauty of Jesus and who he is. 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:34.579 Because they are more aware of the challenges of life than they are of the hope found in Jesus. 00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:38.399 And so their speech is marked by grumbling, complaining. 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:40.819 Why does this have to happen to us? 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:43.420 Why do I have to be the one to do it? 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:46.960 Why are these things coming our way? 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:54.700 And Paul's point here is that when Christians go around either grumbling or complaining or moaning, 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:58.220 always negative about how hard and difficult life is, 00:27:58.660 --> 00:28:02.579 Paul's point is how different really are we from the rest of society? 00:28:03.100 --> 00:28:05.340 And if we know different from the rest of society, 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:08.539 how real is our hope in Jesus? 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:12.140 Conversely, he says, 00:28:12.140 --> 00:28:41.340 There's a very famous story, Chris reminded me about it this week, of John Wesley. 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:44.599 John Wesley was a Christian pastor. 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:48.059 He was an Anglican minister about 300 years ago in England. 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:53.939 And later on in his life, God used him powerfully to bring revival, 00:28:54.139 --> 00:28:59.259 a kind of spiritual awakening to England and then to America as well. 00:29:00.399 --> 00:29:05.359 He was the man that started the Methodist church 300 years ago. 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:07.879 He wrote over 6,500 hymns. 00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:09.679 Many of them are still being sung today. 00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:11.720 And God really used him powerfully. 00:29:12.100 --> 00:29:14.799 But earlier on in his life, he was a young man. 00:29:15.100 --> 00:29:18.299 He was a recently ordained minister in the Anglican church. 00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:25.539 And he and his brother were sent to America as kind of missionaries to America. 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:30.460 And while they're there, while they're on the way there, 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:33.879 on the ship that they're traveling on, hits a massive storm. 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:37.420 And everyone on the ship thinks that they're going to die. 00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:39.180 They're convinced the ship is going to sink. 00:29:39.639 --> 00:29:41.159 They've lived their last days. 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:42.339 They're about to die. 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:47.339 And so people are paranoid and freaking out and screaming and crying. 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:49.319 And there's pandemonium all over the ship. 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:54.939 But on the ship, there's a group of German immigrants that are making their way to America. 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.480 And they are Christians. 00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:59.039 They are from the area of Germany, Moravia. 00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.740 They are these Moravian Christians. 00:30:01.559 --> 00:30:04.980 And while everyone else is screaming and crying and pandemonium, 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:06.919 convinced they're going to die, 00:30:07.159 --> 00:30:12.279 these Moravian Christians come together and start singing songs of praise. 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:14.079 And they're looking at God's word. 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:19.559 Listen to how John Wesley describes it in his journal a few weeks later. 00:30:20.139 --> 00:30:20.399 He says, 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:24.179 In the midst of singing the psalm with which their service began, 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:26.059 the sea broke over. 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:28.679 It split the main sail in pieces. 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:32.819 It covered the ship and poured in between the decks, 00:30:33.139 --> 00:30:36.919 as if the great deep sea had already swallowed us up. 00:30:37.679 --> 00:30:40.339 A terrible screaming began amongst us English. 00:30:40.339 --> 00:30:44.939 The Moravian Christians, however, calmly sang on. 00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:47.399 I asked one of them afterwards, 00:30:47.879 --> 00:30:48.779 Were you not afraid? 00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:50.399 He answered, 00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:52.859 I thank God that I was not. 00:30:53.439 --> 00:30:54.079 I asked, 00:30:54.419 --> 00:30:56.199 But what about your women and children? 00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:57.179 Were they not afraid? 00:30:57.939 --> 00:30:59.220 He mildly replied, 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:02.519 No, our women and children are not afraid to die. 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:05.240 The storm was boisterous. 00:31:05.419 --> 00:31:06.339 But the Moravians, 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:08.679 they just kept on praising God. 00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:11.000 A few hours later, 00:31:11.120 --> 00:31:12.400 the storm subsides, 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:15.460 and Wesley finds himself wondering, 00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:17.320 What is it about these Christians 00:31:17.320 --> 00:31:20.299 that allowed them such peace 00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:22.820 that they could carry on with worshipping God 00:31:22.820 --> 00:31:23.980 in the midst of this storm 00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:25.779 that they all thought they were going to die? 00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:27.140 Later on, 00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:28.200 he gets to America, 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:30.440 and he finds a Moravian pastor, 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:34.259 and he's asking this pastor about this deep-seated faith. 00:31:34.340 --> 00:31:36.420 And this pastor asks Wesley, 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:36.720 he says, 00:31:36.820 --> 00:31:37.039 Wesley, 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:38.619 Wesley, do you really know Jesus? 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:40.899 Have you encountered his love and his grace? 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:42.839 Has your life been converted? 00:31:43.399 --> 00:31:43.879 John Wesley, 00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:45.519 are you truly born again? 00:31:46.159 --> 00:31:47.579 Do you know the Lord Jesus? 00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:50.559 And Wesley writes in his journal, 00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:51.319 he says, 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:52.899 I said yes, 00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:56.579 but I fear that the words were spoken in vain. 00:31:58.639 --> 00:32:00.019 About two years later, 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:02.400 John Wesley is still rumor, 00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:04.339 John Wesley is still rumorating over these things. 00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:08.359 And he goes to a Moravian church meeting one night 00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:09.240 in Aldersgate. 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:11.359 And while he's there, 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:13.680 he encounters the living God. 00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:15.779 And Jesus breaks into his life 00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:17.599 and changes his life radically. 00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:19.660 And he writes in his journal, 00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:20.259 he says, 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:23.980 John Wesley walked out of that meeting, 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:24.539 a different man, 00:32:24.539 --> 00:32:25.519 and he says, 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:28.400 that God works in the heart through faith in Christ, 00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:32.160 I felt my heart strangely warmed. 00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:33.819 I did feel, 00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:38.000 I felt I did trust in Christ alone for salvation. 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:40.480 I felt an assurance was given to me 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:42.319 that he had taken away my sins, 00:32:42.420 --> 00:32:43.180 even mine, 00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:46.539 and that I was saved from sin and death. 00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:49.079 John Wesley walked out of that meeting, 00:32:49.180 --> 00:32:50.000 a different man. 00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:50.720 And from there on, 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:52.240 God used him powerfully 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:56.519 and changed the spiritual landscape of England and America 00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:58.920 for the next 150 years. 00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:00.920 But you see how it all started? 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:03.599 It all started because here was a man, 00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:04.599 a religious man, 00:33:04.839 --> 00:33:05.619 a minister, 00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:08.699 someone who prayed and read the Bible 00:33:08.699 --> 00:33:10.619 and knew the theory in his head. 00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:13.759 But here was a man who saw the faith 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:15.500 of a bunch of Christians 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:17.839 who were holding fast to Christ 00:33:17.839 --> 00:33:20.159 in the midst of the storms of life 00:33:20.159 --> 00:33:20.759 and the literal, 00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:21.759 the storms on the ship 00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:24.959 in challenging and scary and fearful times. 00:33:25.119 --> 00:33:26.219 Here were a bunch of Christians 00:33:26.219 --> 00:33:28.500 that were holding fast to Christ 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:32.279 and it made John Wesley wonder, 00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:34.799 why don't I have faith like them? 00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:38.119 These lives were like stars 00:33:38.119 --> 00:33:39.000 that were shining 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:41.859 in the midst of a dark and deceptive world. 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:46.000 Friends, these lives challenged John Wesley. 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:49.299 And so look at what Paul says here in Philippians. 00:33:49.879 --> 00:33:51.539 He says in verse 16 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:55.480 that as you hold fast to the word of faith, 00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:57.480 your lives will do the same. 00:33:57.940 --> 00:34:00.019 You will be like lights that shine 00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:03.399 in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation. 00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:06.340 Paul's being quite clever here 00:34:06.340 --> 00:34:08.519 because the word to hold fast 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:10.280 actually has double meaning. 00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:13.420 It could mean to hold fast onto something, 00:34:13.840 --> 00:34:16.280 but it could also mean to hold something else 00:34:16.280 --> 00:34:18.260 as an offer to somebody else. 00:34:18.760 --> 00:34:19.940 What does Paul mean here? 00:34:20.340 --> 00:34:22.579 Is he saying as you hold fast to Christ 00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:24.720 or as you hold Christ out to others? 00:34:25.400 --> 00:34:27.160 Well, actually he means both, doesn't he? 00:34:27.159 --> 00:34:29.699 As you hold fast to Christ, 00:34:30.219 --> 00:34:31.739 your life will preach the gospel. 00:34:32.259 --> 00:34:33.879 As you hold fast to Jesus 00:34:33.879 --> 00:34:36.259 in the midst of challenging and uncertain times, 00:34:36.420 --> 00:34:38.339 as you work out your salvation, 00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:40.440 your Christ-centered obedience, 00:34:40.899 --> 00:34:42.460 your life will preach the gospel. 00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:45.799 You will hold out the offer of grace to others. 00:34:46.159 --> 00:34:49.379 That's what John Wesley found 300 years ago. 00:34:49.799 --> 00:34:52.399 That's what so many others have found as well. 00:34:52.400 --> 00:34:56.000 And of course, that's how the Philippian church began 00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:58.480 because Paul and Silas are in jail. 00:34:59.139 --> 00:35:01.200 And rather than grumbling and complaining, 00:35:01.800 --> 00:35:03.900 rather than disputing and arguing, 00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:05.800 they're sitting in the jail cell, 00:35:06.019 --> 00:35:07.800 singing praise and worship to God. 00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:09.400 And the jailer turns to them and says, 00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:11.240 who are you and who is your God? 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:13.780 Friends, as we hold fast to Christ, 00:35:14.180 --> 00:35:15.619 we will also hold him out 00:35:15.619 --> 00:35:18.119 to a desperate and longing world. 00:35:18.119 --> 00:35:21.519 Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, 00:35:21.779 --> 00:35:22.639 Watermark Church, 00:35:22.759 --> 00:35:25.199 those that are looking into the claims of Christ, 00:35:25.799 --> 00:35:26.920 as you have obeyed, 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:29.659 so now not only in our absence, 00:35:29.839 --> 00:35:31.039 as we can't meet together, 00:35:31.880 --> 00:35:33.519 not only, sorry, in our presence 00:35:33.519 --> 00:35:35.239 and when we meet together face to face, 00:35:35.319 --> 00:35:36.559 but even in our absence, 00:35:37.359 --> 00:35:40.099 work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 00:35:40.559 --> 00:35:42.940 knowing it is God who works in you, 00:35:43.319 --> 00:35:46.480 both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:48.119 So let's pray together. 00:35:49.480 --> 00:35:50.579 Lord Jesus Christ, 00:35:50.780 --> 00:35:53.199 we come before you in prayer now, 00:35:53.260 --> 00:35:55.119 not just because this is a good thing to do 00:35:55.119 --> 00:35:56.059 at the end of the sermon, 00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:58.420 we do this because we need you. 00:35:59.300 --> 00:36:02.400 God, we recognize your call in our life at this time 00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:03.840 to work out our salvation, 00:36:04.019 --> 00:36:05.539 to give ourselves wholeheartedly 00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:06.940 to Christ-centered obedience. 00:36:07.500 --> 00:36:10.000 But Jesus, we need your grace. 00:36:10.119 --> 00:36:11.900 We need you to be at work within us. 00:36:12.380 --> 00:36:13.900 God, won't you give us the Holy Spirit? 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:16.240 Won't you pour out your Holy Spirit upon us? 00:36:16.880 --> 00:36:18.619 God, those that are anxious and weary, 00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:20.119 tired and exhausted, 00:36:20.559 --> 00:36:23.000 those who feel like we've got nothing left to give, 00:36:23.519 --> 00:36:25.500 God, I pray even now in our homes, 00:36:26.099 --> 00:36:28.119 in our living rooms and our bedrooms, 00:36:28.380 --> 00:36:31.219 God, won't you pour out your Holy Spirit upon us? 00:36:31.800 --> 00:36:33.500 Even now, God, strengthen us. 00:36:34.780 --> 00:36:36.119 Be at work within us. 00:36:36.119 --> 00:36:36.240 Amen. 00:36:41.340 --> 00:36:42.619 Come, Holy Spirit. 00:36:42.619 --> 00:36:46.699 Come and strengthen and encourage us 00:36:46.699 --> 00:36:49.380 and fix our eyes on Jesus. 00:36:50.599 --> 00:36:52.960 Come and remind us of the hope of the gospel. 00:36:54.559 --> 00:36:55.699 Help us, Lord Jesus, 00:36:55.900 --> 00:36:58.279 to hold fast to the word of life. 00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:03.460 Help us, God, to stand out 00:37:03.460 --> 00:37:06.199 as we fix our eyes on you. 00:37:06.199 --> 00:37:07.159 I love you. 00:37:07.939 --> 00:37:08.539 Amen. 00:37:12.419 --> 00:37:12.899 Amen. 00:37:15.059 --> 00:37:15.139 Amen. 00:37:15.139 --> 00:37:15.319 Amen. 00:37:15.319 --> 00:37:15.500 Amen. 00:37:15.500 --> 00:37:16.000 Amen. 00:37:16.139 --> 00:37:16.339 Amen. 00:37:16.339 --> 00:37:16.500 Amen. 00:37:16.599 --> 00:37:16.759 Amen. 00:37:16.759 --> 00:37:17.659 Thank you. 00:37:17.699 --> 00:37:17.859 Amen. 00:37:17.879 --> 00:37:19.079 Amen. 00:37:19.079 --> 00:37:20.419 Amen. 00:37:20.419 --> 00:37:21.139 Amen. 00:37:21.139 --> 00:37:21.379 Amen. 00:37:21.379 --> 00:37:21.539 Amen. 00:37:21.539 --> 00:37:21.579 Amen. 00:37:21.579 --> 00:37:21.639 Amen. 00:37:21.639 --> 00:37:22.079 Amen. 00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:22.379 Amen. 00:37:22.379 --> 00:37:23.359 Amen. 00:37:23.359 --> 00:37:23.899 Amen. 00:37:23.899 --> 00:37:24.319 Amen. 00:37:24.319 --> 00:37:25.939 Amen. 00:37:28.059 --> 00:37:29.519 Amen. 00:37:29.519 --> 00:37:30.019 Amen. 00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:30.139 Amen. 00:37:30.619 --> 00:37:31.159 Amen. 00:37:31.159 --> 00:37:31.279 Amen. 00:37:31.279 --> 00:37:31.819 Amen. 00:37:31.819 --> 00:37:32.099 Amen. 00:37:32.219 --> 00:37:32.279 Amen. 00:37:32.279 --> 00:37:32.899 Amen. 00:37:32.899 --> 00:37:33.359 Amen. 00:37:33.359 --> 00:37:34.139 Amen. 00:37:34.139 --> 00:37:35.319 Amen.