WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.160 Our sermon text today is Philippians chapter 4, verses 1 through 7. 00:00:09.839 --> 00:00:11.980 Philippians 4, 1 through 7. 00:00:12.980 --> 00:00:19.900 I read this trusting it as God's inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear, authoritative word for you, His people. 00:00:20.339 --> 00:00:22.859 If you receive it that way, then you can respond at the end. 00:00:23.300 --> 00:00:24.019 Thanks be to God. 00:00:25.500 --> 00:00:27.480 Philippians 4, 1 through 7. 00:00:27.480 --> 00:00:39.280 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and my crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. 00:00:40.340 --> 00:00:48.620 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 00:00:48.620 --> 00:00:57.400 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also. 00:00:57.479 --> 00:01:02.140 And the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 00:01:03.599 --> 00:01:05.479 Rejoice in the Lord always. 00:01:06.019 --> 00:01:07.780 Again, I will say, rejoice. 00:01:08.780 --> 00:01:11.519 Let your gentleness be known to all. 00:01:12.219 --> 00:01:14.060 The Lord is at hand. 00:01:15.539 --> 00:01:22.620 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, 00:01:22.620 --> 00:01:26.620 let your requests be made known to God. 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:37.180 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 00:01:37.180 --> 00:01:40.120 This is the word of the Lord for the people of God. 00:01:41.600 --> 00:01:42.500 Thanks be to God. 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:43.120 You may be seated. 00:01:46.240 --> 00:01:51.220 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord stands forever. 00:01:52.420 --> 00:01:53.880 Luke 1, 37. 00:01:54.420 --> 00:01:58.540 No word from the mouth of God shall be void of power. 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:01.380 Let's pray. 00:02:01.380 --> 00:02:01.460 Amen. 00:02:01.460 --> 00:02:01.480 Amen. 00:02:01.480 --> 00:02:01.500 Amen. 00:02:01.500 --> 00:02:01.520 Amen. 00:02:01.520 --> 00:02:01.540 Amen. 00:02:01.540 --> 00:02:01.560 Amen. 00:02:07.180 --> 00:02:10.319 Amen. 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:17.020 God, we ask that your Holy Spirit will please shine the light of Christ on these words 00:02:17.020 --> 00:02:24.260 and apply them to our lives, to our minds, our hearts, our attitudes, especially toward other Christians. 00:02:25.840 --> 00:02:30.080 We ask, Lord, that you will show us the power of Jesus Christ 00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:34.480 and how his power over his people changes everything. 00:02:34.939 --> 00:02:36.100 For your glory we pray. 00:02:36.740 --> 00:02:37.140 Amen. 00:02:37.180 --> 00:02:43.520 Well, I was hearing a report from one of these pastors 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:47.420 about how four different Reformed Baptist pastors 00:02:47.420 --> 00:02:49.520 were invited to a church in the Midwest, 00:02:50.360 --> 00:02:52.640 and they spent one week there. 00:02:53.000 --> 00:02:58.640 Each one of those four pastors worked for 80 hours on one project. 00:03:00.020 --> 00:03:03.240 By the end of that one laborious week, 00:03:03.240 --> 00:03:08.020 each pastor had a binder like this full of handwritten notes 00:03:08.020 --> 00:03:10.520 from all of the people they had talked with, 00:03:10.840 --> 00:03:13.820 trying to understand and uncover the problem 00:03:13.820 --> 00:03:16.140 that they were called to work on. 00:03:16.780 --> 00:03:18.760 What was their work that they had to do? 00:03:19.180 --> 00:03:20.020 What was this project? 00:03:21.840 --> 00:03:25.340 There was conflict, interpersonal conflict, 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:28.780 within the congregation of another church, 00:03:29.460 --> 00:03:30.280 and they needed help. 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:34.599 One of those pastors who I've learned a lot from on this topic, 00:03:34.740 --> 00:03:37.759 his name is Brian Borgman of the great state of Nevada, 00:03:38.599 --> 00:03:42.580 and he has so much experience, but he very humbly said 00:03:42.580 --> 00:03:46.280 there's not a lot of helpful books on interpersonal conflict 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:50.539 within the church that he found useful in that situation, 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:52.520 but what God did make very useful 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:56.039 and what God did cause him to study more in depth over time 00:03:56.039 --> 00:04:00.599 was these two or three verses in the letter of Philippians 00:04:00.599 --> 00:04:01.400 that we just read. 00:04:04.060 --> 00:04:05.500 My sermon for us today, 00:04:06.060 --> 00:04:09.259 it's about conflict, 00:04:09.620 --> 00:04:10.759 but I want to point out to you, 00:04:11.039 --> 00:04:12.019 in this passage we read, 00:04:12.079 --> 00:04:12.919 these seven verses, 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:15.819 I think there's battle language once again. 00:04:15.919 --> 00:04:17.480 It should be no surprise by this point, 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:19.539 knowing Paul and knowing his audience in Philippi. 00:04:19.959 --> 00:04:21.159 Would you look at verse one? 00:04:21.160 --> 00:04:24.100 He says in verse one, 00:04:24.420 --> 00:04:25.939 stand fast. 00:04:26.880 --> 00:04:28.200 That's military language. 00:04:28.880 --> 00:04:31.060 I'll do my best to show you why here in a moment. 00:04:31.500 --> 00:04:32.460 Stand fast. 00:04:32.580 --> 00:04:33.180 That's verse one. 00:04:33.220 --> 00:04:35.440 Now look at the end of this little inclusio. 00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:36.520 Verse seven, 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:42.560 God will guard you through Christ Jesus. 00:04:43.820 --> 00:04:45.160 That's the two bookends. 00:04:45.520 --> 00:04:48.160 It's military language for battle. 00:04:48.840 --> 00:04:49.660 Stand fast. 00:04:49.660 --> 00:04:51.320 God will guard you. 00:04:52.120 --> 00:04:53.700 And what's in the middle of this little sandwich? 00:04:54.260 --> 00:04:56.060 It's a conflict within the church. 00:04:56.820 --> 00:05:00.200 So what can this teach us about conflict among Christians? 00:05:01.480 --> 00:05:04.620 Well, my message for you today from this passage 00:05:04.620 --> 00:05:08.260 is how Christ conquers conflict. 00:05:09.240 --> 00:05:11.740 Christ conquers conflict. 00:05:12.420 --> 00:05:13.360 With God's help, 00:05:13.420 --> 00:05:17.320 I hope to show you how he wants us to see conflict among Christians, 00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:21.579 what we must discern in such conflicts, 00:05:21.920 --> 00:05:26.060 two instructions we have on getting through the conflict, 00:05:26.060 --> 00:05:28.279 and finally, 00:05:28.420 --> 00:05:32.740 what we must trust as we work through a conflict within the church. 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:33.860 So number one, 00:05:34.480 --> 00:05:37.959 see the conflict with spiritual eyes. 00:05:38.659 --> 00:05:43.839 He begins this thought by reminding the church of who they are in the eyes of God. 00:05:43.839 --> 00:05:45.159 In verse one, 00:05:46.159 --> 00:05:46.399 you, 00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:47.099 Christian, 00:05:47.659 --> 00:05:48.500 are beloved. 00:05:49.619 --> 00:05:52.699 That other Christian that you have bad feelings toward, 00:05:53.199 --> 00:05:54.359 they are beloved. 00:05:55.560 --> 00:05:57.319 They are the bride of Christ. 00:05:58.159 --> 00:05:59.699 And he calls them very personally, 00:05:59.879 --> 00:06:02.019 my longed for brethren. 00:06:03.299 --> 00:06:05.899 My brothers and sisters that I long for. 00:06:06.599 --> 00:06:09.620 My heart toward every one of you is to be with you. 00:06:09.620 --> 00:06:10.579 I long for you. 00:06:11.540 --> 00:06:13.379 He calls them my joy. 00:06:14.340 --> 00:06:15.639 When I think of the church, 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:16.360 these individuals, 00:06:16.519 --> 00:06:16.899 this body, 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:18.780 that's the source of my greatest joy. 00:06:19.420 --> 00:06:21.120 Not anything this world can give me. 00:06:21.920 --> 00:06:23.139 And he calls them my crown. 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:27.780 So see one another through spiritual eyes. 00:06:28.939 --> 00:06:29.500 Beloved. 00:06:32.379 --> 00:06:36.079 Jesus Christ is the lover of the soul of his church. 00:06:36.079 --> 00:06:39.259 And the church is the beloved of Christ. 00:06:39.899 --> 00:06:45.439 Every single one of the New Testament authors refers to the church as the beloved of Jesus Christ. 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:48.439 He says, 00:06:48.579 --> 00:06:50.120 longed for brethren. 00:06:51.899 --> 00:06:55.060 Maybe you have a moment where you remember missing one of your siblings. 00:06:56.539 --> 00:06:58.379 My brother and I and my sister too, 00:06:58.459 --> 00:06:59.379 we were very close. 00:06:59.500 --> 00:07:00.299 And I remember, 00:07:00.399 --> 00:07:00.919 I'm the oldest, 00:07:01.019 --> 00:07:04.560 when I went off to college and just was going to come back, 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:06.199 how much I longed to be with them. 00:07:06.899 --> 00:07:08.980 Just really missed my family, 00:07:09.079 --> 00:07:10.079 my brothers and sisters. 00:07:10.280 --> 00:07:10.839 I miss them. 00:07:12.199 --> 00:07:13.480 And he calls them my joy. 00:07:16.220 --> 00:07:18.379 My joy is being with God's people. 00:07:18.920 --> 00:07:20.139 When I'm with God's people, 00:07:20.280 --> 00:07:21.620 my brothers and sisters, 00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:22.920 the one that Christ loves, 00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:25.620 that's when I get the taste of heaven. 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:29.040 That fellowship we share here on earth with the brethren, 00:07:29.459 --> 00:07:30.480 that's my joy. 00:07:30.939 --> 00:07:32.600 That's what I want more than anything else. 00:07:32.600 --> 00:07:35.340 And he calls them my crown. 00:07:37.580 --> 00:07:39.060 I think this is, 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:41.540 is Paul taking almost like a grandfather, 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:42.980 paternal, 00:07:43.500 --> 00:07:46.000 loving care over all the Christians in this little congregation. 00:07:47.340 --> 00:07:47.939 Proverbs 17, 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:48.480 17, 00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:49.219 six says, 00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:52.540 children's children are a crown to the aged. 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:55.639 You want to see a grandpa or a grandma light up? 00:07:56.360 --> 00:07:59.399 It's when they look at their grandkids and they see them doing something. 00:07:59.860 --> 00:08:00.579 It's their crown. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:01.319 You know, 00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:02.399 all my other achievements, 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:04.100 whatever else I did with work, 00:08:04.540 --> 00:08:04.779 I, 00:08:04.860 --> 00:08:06.480 I am so proud of my grandkids. 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:07.779 That's my crown. 00:08:08.600 --> 00:08:13.540 I think that's how Paul is expressing his Christ-like love toward the church. 00:08:13.540 --> 00:08:14.020 Okay. 00:08:15.220 --> 00:08:15.580 Okay. 00:08:15.640 --> 00:08:16.840 If all of this is true, 00:08:17.600 --> 00:08:21.140 why is there such big conflict that it makes it into this letter? 00:08:21.280 --> 00:08:23.800 You can only address so many things in four short chapters. 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:25.800 Well, 00:08:25.840 --> 00:08:27.980 whatever is true of us as Christians in the, 00:08:27.980 --> 00:08:29.280 the spiritual realm, 00:08:29.420 --> 00:08:31.960 that's the already that Christ has already secured for us. 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:32.420 It's true. 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:33.180 It's our reality. 00:08:33.179 --> 00:08:35.799 It's that Roman sevens tension. 00:08:36.359 --> 00:08:41.299 So we still have a not yet aspect of living in this flesh in the body. 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:44.819 There's still remaining sin in the flesh of every single Christian. 00:08:45.439 --> 00:08:50.059 So we could really make it simple as others have helped me to see whenever there's conflict among Christians, 00:08:50.179 --> 00:08:55.719 it's because the not yet aspect of our salvation is eclipsing the already part. 00:08:56.659 --> 00:08:57.359 In other words, 00:08:57.439 --> 00:08:58.519 what Christ has done is, 00:08:58.519 --> 00:08:59.279 is secure, 00:08:59.539 --> 00:09:01.419 but I'm still being sanctified. 00:09:01.419 --> 00:09:04.659 And there's a lot of me that's not yet conformed to Christ. 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:06.759 That's why we're pressing on together. 00:09:06.959 --> 00:09:08.379 We're not fully there yet. 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:09.740 That's what conflict is. 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:10.000 It's, 00:09:10.059 --> 00:09:11.339 it's really pretty simple. 00:09:13.459 --> 00:09:16.139 He also reminds them not only of what they are, 00:09:16.339 --> 00:09:17.439 but what they are not. 00:09:18.379 --> 00:09:20.879 Fellow believers are not your enemies. 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:25.179 Would you please keep this finger right here in Philippians four, 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:30.299 but also turn to Ephesians and then put a marker in Ephesians six. 00:09:31.419 --> 00:09:41.279 We're saving Philippians four and returning to Ephesians six, 00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:42.139 verse 12. 00:09:44.459 --> 00:09:46.620 This is helpful because it's our same author. 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:52.879 It's a similar church full of Gentiles and Greeks and Romans and Jewish converts as well 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:54.000 that live in another city. 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:57.059 And his instruction in this spiritual battle is, 00:09:57.139 --> 00:09:58.679 is helpful and is very similar. 00:09:59.179 --> 00:10:01.639 Notice what Paul says to the church in Ephesus, 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:02.919 Ephesians six, 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:03.460 12. 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:05.340 Church, 00:10:06.059 --> 00:10:11.240 we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. 00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:14.220 Fellow believers, 00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:16.379 even the ones you're in conflict on, 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:17.899 they are not your enemy. 00:10:18.200 --> 00:10:19.200 They're not the true enemy. 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:23.020 We do have a real enemy. 00:10:24.020 --> 00:10:25.480 Now back to Philippians four, 00:10:25.580 --> 00:10:26.259 look at verse one. 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:27.180 This is the context. 00:10:27.300 --> 00:10:29.040 I think we need to read that first verse. 00:10:29.600 --> 00:10:31.640 Stand fast in the Lord. 00:10:32.400 --> 00:10:33.820 We do have a true enemy. 00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:38.400 To stand fast in the military. 00:10:38.400 --> 00:10:39.200 That's a holding position. 00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:42.800 You only want to hold the high ground. 00:10:42.800 --> 00:10:44.020 Once you've already conquered it, 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:45.280 there's nothing more to conquer. 00:10:45.959 --> 00:10:47.519 Christ has conquered the high ground. 00:10:47.620 --> 00:10:49.559 He puts his church on the high ground. 00:10:50.059 --> 00:10:50.939 Stand fast. 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:53.819 Hold what Christ has purchased and accomplished. 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:56.000 What he has been victorious over. 00:10:58.120 --> 00:10:58.379 See, 00:10:58.500 --> 00:11:02.439 Satan came into this world and took the authority that God delegated to Adam. 00:11:03.720 --> 00:11:08.839 And Jesus warns us that Satan is the ruler of this world. 00:11:09.579 --> 00:11:11.579 Don't get entangled with this world. 00:11:11.899 --> 00:11:14.179 It's under the dominion of the enemy of Satan. 00:11:14.179 --> 00:11:16.199 But when Jesus Christ came, 00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:16.439 he said, 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:18.120 I came to bind the strong man. 00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:22.839 And Christ has bound him up by crushing the serpent's head on the cross. 00:11:23.639 --> 00:11:26.620 And now the gospel goes forth to all the nations, 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:27.719 to all the Gentiles, 00:11:27.819 --> 00:11:31.099 because Satan is no longer able to deceive them. 00:11:32.819 --> 00:11:33.639 And so our battle, 00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:35.739 it's not against flesh and blood, 00:11:36.199 --> 00:11:38.939 but there's still a retreating enemy, 00:11:39.219 --> 00:11:39.779 so to speak. 00:11:39.959 --> 00:11:41.159 We're still in this world. 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:44.740 Satan no longer has power over Christ and his church, 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:46.939 but the Christians are in this world, 00:11:47.079 --> 00:11:48.719 and we need to stand fast. 00:11:48.899 --> 00:11:50.139 There's a war going on. 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:52.439 Flip back to Ephesians 6 again. 00:11:53.219 --> 00:11:54.319 Verse 12 continues, 00:11:54.320 --> 00:11:57.740 Our battle is against principalities, 00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:59.060 against powers, 00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:02.100 against the rulers of the darkness of this age, 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:06.540 against the spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places. 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:09.460 There is a real spiritual battle. 00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:11.800 And when there's conflict within a church, 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:13.820 that's what's really going on. 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:18.040 There is a spiritual dimension to conflict among Christians. 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:20.779 So Ephesians 6, 11, 00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:23.219 put on the whole armor of God. 00:12:23.480 --> 00:12:23.679 Why? 00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:26.019 To stand firm. 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:30.240 The same instruction as Philippians 1, 4-1. 00:12:30.959 --> 00:12:34.419 Stand firm against the devil's schemes. 00:12:36.199 --> 00:12:37.599 Satan will scheme. 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:40.199 He will try to deceive and confuse. 00:12:41.059 --> 00:12:44.539 And he will try to stir up strife and trick Christians 00:12:44.539 --> 00:12:46.679 about who the real enemy is. 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:48.419 Stand fast. 00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:51.979 Stand firm in Jesus Christ. 00:12:54.199 --> 00:12:56.679 So how Christ conquers conflict 00:12:57.259 --> 00:12:59.519 is by teaching Christians 00:12:59.519 --> 00:13:03.339 to view a conflict with spiritual eyes. 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:04.819 Number two, 00:13:06.459 --> 00:13:09.319 Paul sets an example for the church and for all of us. 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:11.120 We are to ask God 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:15.039 for great discernment about conflict. 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:17.360 You notice how Paul is very concise 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:18.519 in how he deals with it? 00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:20.579 But you can also just sense 00:13:20.579 --> 00:13:22.699 like a veteran grandfather 00:13:22.699 --> 00:13:25.620 who's helped so many churches and believers 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:27.299 and has been a missionary, 00:13:27.659 --> 00:13:29.000 you know, planting congregations 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:31.159 that are thriving and bearing gospel fruit. 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:33.000 He has so much experience, 00:13:33.099 --> 00:13:35.059 and that's partly why he's very direct 00:13:35.059 --> 00:13:36.019 and to the point. 00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:38.659 Ask God for great discernment. 00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:40.419 This is what God has given Paul, 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:41.719 and we can see his example. 00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:43.500 In two short verses, 00:13:43.639 --> 00:13:46.120 just verses 2 and 3 of Philippians 4, 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:49.700 we can discern at least six insights here. 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:51.420 In verse 2, Paul writes, 00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:53.379 I implore Euodia, 00:13:53.920 --> 00:13:56.220 and I implore Syntyche. 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:58.920 Remember, this is a letter, 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.639 Philippians 1.1, 00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:02.200 to the whole congregation, 00:14:02.580 --> 00:14:03.860 to the elders, the deacons, 00:14:04.080 --> 00:14:05.340 and the whole congregation 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:06.860 of the church in Philippi. 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:08.980 And in this letter to the whole church, 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:12.399 he's imploring two specific individuals. 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:13.800 Why? 00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:16.600 Well, apparently the whole church 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:18.560 already knows about this conflict. 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:20.740 And it's big enough 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:22.139 that it needs to be addressed, 00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:24.139 even from the Apostle Paul. 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:27.639 What does he implore these two individuals? 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:28.300 He says, 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:31.899 I implore you to be of the same mind 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:33.320 in the Lord. 00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:37.500 Paul was never shy 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:39.560 to address ethical problems 00:14:39.560 --> 00:14:40.280 within the church, 00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:41.480 like think of Corinthians, 00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:43.780 where there's messed up relations 00:14:43.780 --> 00:14:44.980 going on among the church. 00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:46.360 He'll address that very clearly, 00:14:46.560 --> 00:14:47.000 straight on. 00:14:47.440 --> 00:14:48.680 So, it's most likely 00:14:48.680 --> 00:14:49.800 not an ethical issue. 00:14:50.280 --> 00:14:51.320 He also is not shy 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:53.360 about addressing doctrinal issues. 00:14:53.540 --> 00:14:54.220 Think of his tone 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:55.460 in the letter to the Galatians. 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:57.500 We are not going to dance around here. 00:14:57.660 --> 00:14:59.420 This is the true gospel. 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.580 We won't take any compromise 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:03.180 on ethics or doctrine. 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.900 It's also most likely 00:15:04.900 --> 00:15:06.980 not a legal matter between them. 00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:09.220 In 1 Corinthians 6, 00:15:09.800 --> 00:15:10.259 he says, 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:11.060 you shouldn't be taking 00:15:11.060 --> 00:15:12.500 a legal case, you know, outside. 00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:13.080 You should be able 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:13.980 to handle even that. 00:15:14.180 --> 00:15:15.580 So, he'll address legal issues 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:16.800 when those exist. 00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:18.400 So, what can we conclude? 00:15:18.800 --> 00:15:19.600 It's most likely 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:21.700 an interpersonal conflict. 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:23.660 It most likely deals with 00:15:23.660 --> 00:15:24.759 a relationship 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:26.180 that's very broken now. 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:28.460 A broken trust, 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.720 hurt feelings, 00:15:30.060 --> 00:15:31.040 things that have been said. 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:32.639 Most likely, 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:33.559 one person feeling 00:15:33.559 --> 00:15:34.399 the other one has 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:36.199 a plank in their eye 00:15:36.199 --> 00:15:37.699 and the other one 00:15:37.699 --> 00:15:38.699 probably feeling the same. 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:39.620 Well, they're the one 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:40.740 with a plank in their eye 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:42.519 and we're stuck. 00:15:48.199 --> 00:15:49.539 So, Paul discerned 00:15:49.539 --> 00:15:51.240 this is an important 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.259 interpersonal matter 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:54.279 that must be addressed publicly. 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.120 But number two, 00:15:55.219 --> 00:15:56.279 he discerned 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:57.860 that he ought not 00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:58.839 to take a side 00:15:58.840 --> 00:16:00.060 with either one. 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:01.040 Do you notice how 00:16:01.040 --> 00:16:02.660 it's perfectly proportional? 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:03.460 It's measured 00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:04.720 equally on both sides. 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.200 I implore this person 00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:07.980 and I implore that person. 00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:08.960 I'm keeping it 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:10.220 neutral and balanced. 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:11.580 I'm imploring you both 00:16:11.580 --> 00:16:12.840 have the mind of Christ. 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:14.759 In conflict, 00:16:15.040 --> 00:16:16.620 no one likes to back down. 00:16:17.680 --> 00:16:19.160 I feel on my point, 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:19.660 I'm right, 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:21.160 I'm going to dig my heels in 00:16:21.160 --> 00:16:22.680 and now it's personal 00:16:22.680 --> 00:16:23.500 because my pride 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:25.080 is attached to this position 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:25.680 that I took. 00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:27.519 At least maybe 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:28.459 that's just me. 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:30.079 But that's the tendency 00:16:30.079 --> 00:16:30.799 of our flesh. 00:16:32.059 --> 00:16:32.899 And then it's really hard 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:34.299 because whoever hears 00:16:34.299 --> 00:16:35.599 the story of either side 00:16:35.599 --> 00:16:37.299 is going to think, 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:37.519 you know, 00:16:37.620 --> 00:16:38.500 I can see that 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.459 and then this side hears 00:16:39.459 --> 00:16:40.120 this side, 00:16:40.199 --> 00:16:41.559 well, I can see truth 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.120 in that too. 00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:43.539 So before you know it, 00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:45.019 you've got families 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:46.579 and groups within the church 00:16:46.579 --> 00:16:47.639 taking one side 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.659 or the other 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:49.939 and we end up with 00:16:49.939 --> 00:16:51.339 a massive divide 00:16:51.339 --> 00:16:52.839 within the congregation. 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.539 You can almost hear 00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:55.419 one person saying, 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:56.740 you know, 00:16:56.839 --> 00:16:57.240 Syntyche, 00:16:57.799 --> 00:16:59.500 whose name means fortunate, 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:01.879 she's a godly woman. 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.099 We were really sick 00:17:03.099 --> 00:17:03.979 and she brought a meal 00:17:03.979 --> 00:17:04.859 over to our family. 00:17:05.159 --> 00:17:05.680 Of course, 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.740 I have to side with her. 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:08.359 You can hear another family 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:08.700 saying, 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:08.980 well, 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:10.839 I know Euodia very well. 00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:12.099 Her name means 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:13.039 sweet fragrance 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:14.519 and her name alone 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.339 makes me want 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:16.000 to take her side. 00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:17.259 So before you know it, 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:18.659 we've got opinions. 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.039 And then, 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.659 the snowball continues 00:17:21.659 --> 00:17:22.139 to grow. 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:24.539 This person over here 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:25.720 is stirring up 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:26.359 some conflict 00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:27.220 with another family 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:28.139 over here on this side 00:17:28.139 --> 00:17:29.920 and those wounds 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:31.319 that maybe had been addressed, 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:32.980 you thought they were resolved, 00:17:33.139 --> 00:17:33.740 all of a sudden, 00:17:33.859 --> 00:17:34.519 new conflicts 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.819 are opening up. 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:37.559 We've got a big issue 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:38.519 on the hands 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:39.299 of the church. 00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:41.639 Paul discerned 00:17:41.639 --> 00:17:42.420 he ought not 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:43.139 to necessarily 00:17:43.139 --> 00:17:43.899 take a side 00:17:43.899 --> 00:17:44.799 in this interpersonal 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.899 conflict. 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:46.920 Number three, 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:47.639 Paul discerned 00:17:47.639 --> 00:17:48.839 it was urgent. 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:50.899 This is urgent. 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:52.360 We can't keep delaying. 00:17:52.420 --> 00:17:53.560 We can't avoid conflict. 00:17:54.120 --> 00:17:54.900 This is my time 00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:55.500 to help them 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:57.220 walk out Matthew 18 00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:58.880 of deal with the conflict. 00:17:59.259 --> 00:17:59.660 Deal with what 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:01.060 we have to address. 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.700 It's urgent. 00:18:02.800 --> 00:18:03.820 The word implore, 00:18:04.580 --> 00:18:06.480 it carries that tone 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.880 of don't put it off. 00:18:08.040 --> 00:18:08.860 Do this right now. 00:18:09.340 --> 00:18:10.580 In Mark 5, 23, 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:12.259 we're told of a person 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:14.360 who begged Jesus earnestly 00:18:14.360 --> 00:18:15.220 saying, 00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:16.440 my little daughter lies 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:17.880 at the point of death, 00:18:18.340 --> 00:18:19.120 but if you come, 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:19.880 she will live. 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:21.160 That's the same 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:21.720 Greek word. 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:23.220 I beg you 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.060 earnestly 00:18:24.060 --> 00:18:25.540 to do this. 00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:28.340 Paul implores. 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:30.300 To implore someone 00:18:30.300 --> 00:18:31.820 can be a formal address. 00:18:32.100 --> 00:18:33.020 It's to plead with, 00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:33.820 to beseech, 00:18:34.060 --> 00:18:34.760 to entreat, 00:18:35.020 --> 00:18:35.620 to urge, 00:18:36.100 --> 00:18:36.620 exhort, 00:18:37.080 --> 00:18:37.680 admonish. 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.360 We've got to deal 00:18:39.360 --> 00:18:39.740 with this. 00:18:41.280 --> 00:18:42.160 So Paul discerned 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:42.800 it was urgent. 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:43.580 Number four, 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.300 Paul discerned 00:18:44.300 --> 00:18:44.940 that he must 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:46.080 minimally 00:18:46.080 --> 00:18:47.020 but directly 00:18:47.020 --> 00:18:47.900 address it. 00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:48.980 He tells them, 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:50.240 be of the same 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:52.059 mind in the Lord. 00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:53.900 You are to reconcile 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:54.660 with each other 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:55.720 in such a way 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.299 that you come 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:57.440 into harmony 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.220 with one another 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:59.380 so you can again 00:18:59.380 --> 00:19:00.480 strive together 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.920 and march together 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:03.339 as he's been 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.000 calling the church 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:04.420 to do. 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.319 You see, 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:05.980 this conflict 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:06.740 is preventing 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:07.680 not only you 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:08.779 but likely others 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.519 within the church 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.660 from doing the very thing 00:19:10.660 --> 00:19:11.660 Christ has made clear. 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:13.140 Strive together. 00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:14.000 March on. 00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:15.140 Press on together. 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:16.460 Don't be divided 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:17.220 and distracted 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:17.800 because that's what 00:19:17.800 --> 00:19:18.860 the enemy wants 00:19:18.860 --> 00:19:20.280 to do in the church. 00:19:22.100 --> 00:19:22.900 Humble yourselves 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:24.220 as Christ 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:25.560 humbled himself 00:19:25.560 --> 00:19:26.720 for you. 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:28.380 Be of the same 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:29.060 mind 00:19:29.060 --> 00:19:30.420 of Jesus Christ. 00:19:31.100 --> 00:19:31.780 It's most likely 00:19:31.780 --> 00:19:32.980 that wonderful 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.880 glorious passage 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:34.900 in Philippians 2 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:35.420 where we saw 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:36.180 Christ's great 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:36.740 dissension 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.320 and humility 00:19:37.320 --> 00:19:38.080 as a slave 00:19:38.080 --> 00:19:38.800 and then his 00:19:38.800 --> 00:19:39.320 ascension 00:19:39.320 --> 00:19:40.400 being exalted 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:41.240 by God the Father 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.000 for his obedience. 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:43.400 That's the theological 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:45.180 point of this letter 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:46.579 with this conflict 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.920 as being part 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.640 of the occasion 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:49.720 for which this letter 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.640 needed to go back. 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:52.640 Paul discerned 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:54.099 he must address 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:54.799 it directly. 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:55.960 Number five, 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:56.680 Paul discerned 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:58.299 that this was 00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.220 also a case 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.539 where a local 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.900 in-person mediator 00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:02.859 would be helpful. 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.599 Look at verse three. 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:05.740 It says, 00:20:05.859 --> 00:20:07.140 I also urge you 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:08.720 true companion. 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.940 Maybe it's a reference 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:11.420 that everyone 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:12.180 would have understood 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.440 to one of the 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:14.259 local officers 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.220 or something like that 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:17.220 or possibly a Greek name. 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:18.480 What it literally means 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.539 is genuine 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.640 yoke fellow 00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:22.340 which is great 00:20:22.340 --> 00:20:23.039 even if it's his 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:23.740 actual name. 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:24.039 I mean, 00:20:24.100 --> 00:20:24.900 what providence 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:26.200 is yoked up 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.820 with Paul 00:20:26.820 --> 00:20:28.120 pulling in the same 00:20:28.120 --> 00:20:28.560 direction 00:20:28.560 --> 00:20:30.460 and plowing this field 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.500 that God has given 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.440 them to cultivate. 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:33.940 So I urge you 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:34.940 to true companion 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.700 help. 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:38.080 Help these women 00:20:38.080 --> 00:20:39.240 who labored with me. 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:40.580 Help them. 00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:41.799 The word help, 00:20:42.199 --> 00:20:43.199 it carries with it 00:20:43.199 --> 00:20:43.759 the meaning of 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.639 bringing two things 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:45.139 together. 00:20:46.419 --> 00:20:47.319 So help them 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:48.179 by putting them 00:20:48.179 --> 00:20:49.220 back together. 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.919 Sometimes in any 00:20:52.919 --> 00:20:53.519 relationship, 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:54.539 especially the most 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.559 intense relationships 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.339 like marriage, 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:57.679 they just need help. 00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:59.500 Need someone to help 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.879 bring us back together 00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:01.839 with one another. 00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:03.960 One of the most 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:04.720 clever titles 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.919 for a book on marriage 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:07.320 biblically is called 00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:08.740 When Sinners Say 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.220 I Do. 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:10.800 Isn't that exactly 00:21:10.800 --> 00:21:11.420 what's going on 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:11.840 in marriage? 00:21:12.340 --> 00:21:13.180 Two saved sinners 00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:13.800 saying I do 00:21:13.800 --> 00:21:14.420 to one another. 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:15.759 There's the already 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.460 that we're in Christ 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.080 but there's also 00:21:17.080 --> 00:21:18.140 plenty of not yet 00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:19.500 in both of our lives. 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:20.660 One of the chapters 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.140 is called 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:22.759 The Fog of War. 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:24.140 When it feels like 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:24.800 in a relationship 00:21:24.800 --> 00:21:25.620 you're at war, 00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:28.220 picture 200 muskets 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.700 firing the gunpowder 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.279 on one side, 00:21:30.340 --> 00:21:31.220 the same from the other, 00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:31.980 and there's that 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.800 black smoke. 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.779 It's really hard 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:34.339 to discern 00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:35.180 and see clearly 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.159 what's our way 00:21:36.159 --> 00:21:36.720 forward here. 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:37.799 It's foggy 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:39.419 and it's really helpful 00:21:39.419 --> 00:21:40.460 to have an objective 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.180 third party, 00:21:41.919 --> 00:21:42.419 someone else 00:21:42.419 --> 00:21:43.139 that can come in 00:21:43.139 --> 00:21:44.599 and ask 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:45.240 and listen. 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:48.059 Now, 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:50.139 the fact that he 00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:51.039 has to tell them 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:52.579 and not only tell them 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:53.619 but tell the whole church 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:55.279 and tell his fellow 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.099 yokemen 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:57.759 to help them, 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:58.879 it can reveal 00:21:58.879 --> 00:21:59.680 something to us, 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:00.099 doesn't it? 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.500 They had not gotten 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:03.059 help yet 00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:05.039 or if this person 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:05.799 was in a position 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.440 to help, 00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:07.160 the help had been 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:07.660 rejected. 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:09.480 We need an apostolic 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.420 authority saying 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.319 you need help 00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:12.720 and this man 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.160 is going to have 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:13.559 the authority 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:14.160 to help you. 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:15.599 Why is it that 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:16.440 in our flesh 00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:17.299 we oftentimes 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:18.299 don't want help? 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:23.000 We don't want 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:23.400 to be told 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:24.119 that we were wrong. 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.359 I don't want 00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:27.279 to have to sit there 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.000 and have someone 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.579 else tell me, 00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:28.920 Jason, 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.339 here's the plank 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:30.940 in your eye, 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:31.240 brother. 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:33.279 lovingly in the Lord. 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:35.180 How about you 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:36.200 let the Holy Spirit 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:36.880 work on you, 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.220 Jason, 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.279 on that plank 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:38.700 right now? 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.400 That's humbling 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:42.220 and once my pride 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:42.859 has gotten attached 00:22:42.859 --> 00:22:43.440 and it's become 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:43.960 public, 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:45.180 my flesh 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:45.880 is never going 00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:46.559 to choose that 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:48.120 but God in his grace 00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:48.680 he calls us 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:49.319 back to that 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:50.220 and that's what 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.819 a helper 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.720 bringing two together 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.279 is going to have 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:52.579 to do, 00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:53.299 speak the truth 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:53.720 and love 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:54.660 to both sides. 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:55.559 Most likely 00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:56.099 there's something 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:56.759 each side 00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:58.180 must repent of 00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:59.160 to the Lord 00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:00.680 and there can be 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:01.140 no peace 00:23:01.140 --> 00:23:01.900 with one another 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:03.259 until that happens. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:07.039 Think about this 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:08.240 when Jesus 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:10.180 in John 5, 6 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:11.360 he walked 00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:12.160 by 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:12.740 and saw 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.779 a crippled man 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:15.060 lying there 00:23:15.060 --> 00:23:16.820 for a long time 00:23:16.820 --> 00:23:17.519 the Bible says 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.440 adding that detail. 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:20.940 Notice Jesus' 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.120 words to that man. 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:24.279 Do you 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:25.019 want 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:26.319 to be healed? 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.339 Do you 00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:29.660 want 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:30.299 to be healed? 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.000 Jesus 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:33.460 expected 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.119 this man 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:34.700 to give 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.160 a verbal 00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:35.700 answer 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.839 before he 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.240 brought the 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:37.940 healing power 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.539 that only 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:38.879 he could 00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:39.160 bring. 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.700 So in 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.259 conflict 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:43.339 a mediator 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:44.039 a local 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:44.579 in-person 00:23:44.579 --> 00:23:45.740 helper 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:47.160 sometimes 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:47.480 will need 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:47.980 to do that. 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:48.799 Ask each side 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.200 do you 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.639 want 00:23:49.639 --> 00:23:50.619 help? 00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:51.180 Do you 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:51.400 want 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:51.740 to be 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.019 healed? 00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:52.579 Or do you 00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:52.819 want to 00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:53.240 continue 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:53.980 with this 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.359 miserable 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:54.879 conflict? 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.299 Well number 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:56.639 six 00:23:56.639 --> 00:23:57.359 Paul discerned 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:57.599 it is 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:58.079 wise 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.519 to also 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.099 publicly 00:24:00.099 --> 00:24:00.900 affirm 00:24:00.900 --> 00:24:02.099 both 00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:02.660 women. 00:24:03.379 --> 00:24:03.660 He tells 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:04.079 the church 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:04.680 outdo 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.299 one another 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:05.859 in showing 00:24:05.859 --> 00:24:06.460 honor to 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:06.940 one another 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:07.400 within the 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:07.680 church. 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:08.079 The church 00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.319 should be 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.059 so generous 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:10.119 in lavishing 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:11.099 honor on 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:11.639 all those 00:24:11.639 --> 00:24:12.579 who work 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:13.359 out of love 00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:13.940 for Christ. 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:14.680 Look at what 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.000 he says 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.339 in verse 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:15.639 three. 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:16.559 These 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:16.960 women 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:18.180 they labored 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:19.079 with me 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:19.700 in the 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.079 gospel. 00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:20.960 They are 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:21.579 my fellow 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.339 workers. 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.220 Remember 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:23.460 how he 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.339 called Epaphroditus 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:24.839 his fellow 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:25.179 worker? 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:25.699 He's 00:24:25.699 --> 00:24:25.879 putting 00:24:25.879 --> 00:24:26.379 that same 00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:26.959 title of 00:24:26.959 --> 00:24:27.819 honor on 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.240 both of 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:28.679 these women 00:24:28.679 --> 00:24:29.500 publicly. 00:24:29.959 --> 00:24:30.779 Imploring to 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.119 both of 00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:31.679 them publicly. 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:32.679 Honoring both 00:24:32.679 --> 00:24:33.720 of them publicly. 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.659 He's attaching 00:24:34.659 --> 00:24:35.500 his reputation 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.299 to each one 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:36.639 of them 00:24:36.639 --> 00:24:37.819 to try to 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:38.099 help. 00:24:39.159 --> 00:24:39.759 He's trying 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.199 to clear 00:24:40.199 --> 00:24:41.019 both names 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.480 of any 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.019 potential 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.980 slander. 00:24:44.679 --> 00:24:45.240 Proverbs 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:45.519 10 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:45.899 18 00:24:45.899 --> 00:24:46.240 says 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.539 whoever 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.659 conceals 00:24:47.659 --> 00:24:48.059 hatred 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:48.619 with lying 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:49.119 lips and 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:49.579 spreads 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.500 slander 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.000 is a 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.240 fool. 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:52.460 Paul 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:52.819 is giving 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.859 a fresh 00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:54.579 start 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:54.960 so to 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.279 speak. 00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:57.319 He's 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:57.559 saying 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.120 like 00:24:58.120 --> 00:24:58.460 Proverbs 00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:58.819 18 00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.319 17 00:24:59.319 --> 00:24:59.720 the one 00:24:59.720 --> 00:24:59.880 who 00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:00.220 states 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:00.420 his 00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:00.640 case 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:01.019 first 00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:01.519 seems 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:01.940 right 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.319 until 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:02.519 the 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:02.700 other 00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:02.859 one 00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:03.140 comes 00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:03.319 and 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:03.880 examines 00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:04.099 him. 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.400 Remember 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:05.779 who you 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.000 are 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:06.160 in 00:25:06.160 --> 00:25:06.579 Christ. 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:07.599 Ask 00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:07.980 for God 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:08.380 to help 00:25:08.380 --> 00:25:08.559 you 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.000 discern 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.299 what's 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:09.579 really 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:09.839 going 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.039 on. 00:25:10.140 --> 00:25:10.220 What 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:10.839 are 00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:10.960 all 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.120 the 00:25:11.120 --> 00:25:11.400 layers 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:11.579 that 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:11.720 need 00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:11.799 to 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:11.960 be 00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:12.220 dealt 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:12.440 with 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:12.660 here. 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:13.259 And 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.539 let's 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.099 humbly 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:14.279 have 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:14.440 the 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:14.680 mind 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:14.819 of 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:15.099 Christ 00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:15.259 and 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.400 be 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.059 reconciled 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.480 together. 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:18.819 Well 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:19.420 you might 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:19.900 be wondering 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:20.519 is this 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.039 possible 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.480 for God 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:21.900 to help 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:22.519 a church 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.039 or help 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:23.579 an individual 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.000 or help 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.279 me 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.360 this much? 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:26.900 And I 00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:27.400 encourage you 00:25:27.400 --> 00:25:27.740 to look 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.339 at the 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:28.720 promises 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.299 of Scripture 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.819 that God 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:30.339 promises 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:30.920 to give 00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:31.539 discernment 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.120 and wisdom 00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:33.140 to those 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.160 who belong 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:34.660 to him. 00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:35.579 In Proverbs 00:25:35.579 --> 00:25:36.360 10 00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:36.839 18 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:38.460 I apologize 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:38.980 Proverbs 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.319 2 00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:39.579 1 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.099 through 6 00:25:40.099 --> 00:25:40.940 he says 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:41.539 if you cry 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:41.960 out for 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.559 discernment 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:43.579 and lift 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:43.900 up your 00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:44.339 voice for 00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:44.880 understanding 00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:45.539 if you 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:45.920 seek 00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:46.860 discernment 00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:47.680 as silver 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.259 and search 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:48.680 for her 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:49.160 as for 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:49.420 hidden 00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:49.920 treasures 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:50.700 then you 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.039 will 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:51.820 understand 00:25:51.820 --> 00:25:52.340 the fear 00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:52.620 of the 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:52.880 Lord 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:53.420 and you 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:54.000 will find 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:54.800 the knowledge 00:25:54.800 --> 00:25:55.720 of God 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.480 for the 00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:56.860 Lord 00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:57.800 gives 00:25:57.800 --> 00:25:58.640 wisdom. 00:25:59.120 --> 00:25:59.680 So we 00:25:59.680 --> 00:25:59.960 need to 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.420 follow this 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:00.840 example 00:26:00.840 --> 00:26:01.420 and ask 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:01.660 God 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:02.340 for great 00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:03.300 discernment 00:26:03.300 --> 00:26:03.580 in the 00:26:03.580 --> 00:26:03.920 midst of 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:04.480 conflict 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.259 among 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.779 Christians. 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:08.340 I love 00:26:08.340 --> 00:26:08.720 what Paul 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.300 does next 00:26:09.300 --> 00:26:09.840 in verses 00:26:09.840 --> 00:26:10.240 3 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:10.840 through 7 00:26:10.840 --> 00:26:12.360 he 00:26:12.360 --> 00:26:13.000 gospels 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:14.200 the church 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:14.680 through the 00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:15.180 conflict. 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:16.920 He 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.560 gospels 00:26:17.560 --> 00:26:17.840 them 00:26:17.840 --> 00:26:18.360 through 00:26:18.360 --> 00:26:19.080 conflict. 00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:21.000 I think 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:21.460 everything 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.220 that follows 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:22.720 in the rest 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.100 of our 00:26:23.100 --> 00:26:23.900 passage 00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:24.920 verses 3 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:25.440 through 7 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:25.840 these are 00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:26.680 safeguards 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.820 to protect 00:26:27.820 --> 00:26:28.259 the local 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:28.600 church 00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:29.400 from conflict. 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:29.860 I think 00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:30.180 that's what 00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:30.560 we read 00:26:30.560 --> 00:26:30.759 here. 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:32.519 In verse 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:32.920 3 he 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.680 says rejoice 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:34.360 brothers and 00:26:34.360 --> 00:26:34.680 sisters 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.420 your names 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:36.560 are in 00:26:36.560 --> 00:26:37.380 the book 00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:37.880 of life. 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:40.140 Your names 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:40.680 are in 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.440 the book 00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:42.019 of life. 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.779 You are 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.360 Christians. 00:26:46.580 --> 00:26:47.240 Maybe you've 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:47.720 got a couple 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.180 of sons 00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:48.500 and you 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.299 walk in 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:49.560 and they're 00:26:49.560 --> 00:26:50.940 just wrestling 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:51.400 each other 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:51.960 throwing each 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.160 other 00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:52.580 yelling at 00:26:52.580 --> 00:26:52.920 each other 00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.259 do you want 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:53.640 to just sit 00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:53.880 them down 00:26:53.880 --> 00:26:54.080 and say 00:26:54.080 --> 00:26:54.440 you are 00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:54.900 Christians 00:26:54.900 --> 00:26:56.220 stop it. 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:58.320 Both of your 00:26:58.320 --> 00:26:58.799 names are the 00:26:58.799 --> 00:26:59.539 book of life. 00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:01.420 Revelation 12 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:02.059 10 says 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:03.799 now have 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.680 come the 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:05.180 salvation 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:05.579 and the 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.039 power and 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.420 the kingdom 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:06.799 of our 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.139 God and 00:27:07.139 --> 00:27:07.619 the authority 00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:07.960 of his 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.659 Messiah for 00:27:08.659 --> 00:27:09.440 the accuser 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:09.859 of our 00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:10.460 brothers and 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.379 sisters who 00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:12.059 accuses them 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.819 before our 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.740 God day 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:14.240 and night 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.240 he has been 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.519 hurled down. 00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:18.079 Your names 00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:18.399 are in the 00:27:18.399 --> 00:27:19.119 book of life. 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:20.259 The accuser 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:21.119 no longer 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:21.980 can blame 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.659 you one 00:27:22.659 --> 00:27:23.000 another. 00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:25.220 What's at 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:25.700 stake here 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.180 he's telling 00:27:26.180 --> 00:27:26.879 them is this. 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.399 Does the 00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:29.920 work of 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:30.259 Jesus 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:32.160 for you 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:33.660 make any 00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:34.660 difference in 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.360 your relationships 00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:35.900 with one 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.220 another? 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:37.740 That's what's 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:38.120 at stake 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:38.340 here. 00:27:39.280 --> 00:27:39.980 Your names 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.620 are in 00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:41.360 the book 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:42.220 of life. 00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:43.720 Will the 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.180 reign of 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:45.140 Christ make 00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:45.860 any difference 00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:46.400 in the way 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:46.900 that you 00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:47.500 live now 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.040 and treat 00:27:48.040 --> 00:27:48.540 one another? 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:50.540 In verse 00:27:50.540 --> 00:27:51.259 4 he says 00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:52.200 rejoice in 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:52.640 the Lord 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:53.480 always. 00:27:55.360 --> 00:27:56.140 The quote 00:27:56.140 --> 00:27:56.680 goes that it 00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:57.500 takes 72 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.200 muscles to 00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:58.680 frown but 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.440 only 13 00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.279 to smile. 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.279 Aren't you 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:01.940 tired of 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:02.960 wearing yourself 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:03.480 out over 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.080 this conflict? 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.519 Rejoice in 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.000 the Lord. 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:07.640 It's hard to 00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:07.920 be in 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:09.340 conflict when 00:28:09.340 --> 00:28:09.840 you're always 00:28:09.840 --> 00:28:10.779 rejoicing in 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.180 the Lord. 00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:14.019 But these 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.700 emotions are 00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:15.340 hard to 00:28:15.340 --> 00:28:15.560 shake. 00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:15.880 I think 00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:16.039 they're 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.320 actually 00:28:16.320 --> 00:28:17.299 impossible to 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:17.779 just say I'm 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.440 going to not 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:18.940 think about 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:19.480 these bad 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.120 emotions toward 00:28:20.120 --> 00:28:20.660 this person 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:21.259 for a while. 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:23.039 How do we 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:24.320 replace this 00:28:24.320 --> 00:28:25.120 negative emotion 00:28:25.120 --> 00:28:25.700 with something 00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:26.620 positive like 00:28:26.620 --> 00:28:27.340 joy? 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:29.600 It's only 00:28:29.600 --> 00:28:30.120 with the 00:28:30.120 --> 00:28:30.799 presence, 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.720 the indwelling 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.640 life of 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:33.420 Christ himself 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:34.240 moving into 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:34.740 the believer 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.319 once again 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:35.860 filling your 00:28:35.860 --> 00:28:36.180 mind, 00:28:36.340 --> 00:28:36.759 filling your 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.140 heart. 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.460 He fills 00:28:38.460 --> 00:28:39.279 you with 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:40.460 his joy. 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:43.460 He says 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.559 rejoice in 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:45.039 the Lord 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.700 always. 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.420 I will say 00:28:46.420 --> 00:28:46.920 it again 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:47.680 rejoice. 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:48.900 Verse 5, 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:49.559 I think verse 00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:50.220 5 is in the 00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:51.200 context of the 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:51.700 conflict. 00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:52.620 Let your 00:28:52.620 --> 00:28:53.500 gentleness be 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:54.400 known to 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:54.720 all. 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:55.619 Let your 00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:56.400 gentleness be 00:28:56.400 --> 00:28:58.000 evident to 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:58.619 all who are 00:28:58.619 --> 00:28:59.700 watching in 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.299 the church and 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:00.960 outside of the 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.299 church. 00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:03.400 It's hard to 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:03.859 fight against 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.400 someone who's 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:05.220 as gentle and 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:06.559 docile as a 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.059 lamb, isn't 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:07.240 it? 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:09.099 Proverbs 15 00:29:09.099 --> 00:29:10.200 1 says a 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:10.779 harsh word 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.359 stirs up 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:12.579 anger but a 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:13.339 soft answer 00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:14.140 turns away 00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:15.000 wrath. 00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:16.559 And he 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:17.059 tells them in 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:17.519 verse 5, 00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:18.680 the Lord is 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.200 at hand. 00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:21.759 Rejoice in 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.160 the Lord. 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:23.740 Let his 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:24.400 mind be in 00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:24.600 you. 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.380 Let his 00:29:26.380 --> 00:29:27.120 joy fill 00:29:27.120 --> 00:29:27.660 your heart 00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:28.140 and push 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:28.680 out those 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:29.779 bad emotions 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.320 toward other 00:29:30.320 --> 00:29:30.740 Christians. 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.240 The Lord 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:33.019 is near. 00:29:33.580 --> 00:29:33.960 The Lord 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:34.340 is at 00:29:34.340 --> 00:29:34.740 hand. 00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:37.779 I was a 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.400 little surprised 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:39.040 to find out 00:29:39.040 --> 00:29:39.779 what does that 00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.200 mean, that 00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:40.940 phrase, is 00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:41.640 at hand. 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:42.900 I learned 00:29:42.900 --> 00:29:43.200 that the 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:43.779 rabbis use 00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.360 this term 00:29:44.360 --> 00:29:45.019 to make 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.860 nigh or 00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:47.580 to say 00:29:47.580 --> 00:29:48.200 something is 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:48.860 being made 00:29:48.860 --> 00:29:49.160 near. 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.140 They use 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:50.480 that to 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:51.180 describe making 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:51.779 a convert 00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:52.319 or making 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:52.960 a disciple. 00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:54.379 So how 00:29:54.379 --> 00:29:54.660 do we 00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:55.480 put that 00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:55.799 together? 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:56.519 So Paul 00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:56.980 is telling 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:58.399 this church 00:29:58.399 --> 00:29:58.700 and these 00:29:58.700 --> 00:29:59.440 individuals in 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.079 conflict, the 00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:00.839 Lord is 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:01.200 near. 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:02.319 And it's 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:02.759 also a 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.180 phrase saying 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:03.619 the Lord 00:30:03.619 --> 00:30:05.000 is discipling. 00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:06.000 The Lord 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.599 is handling 00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:06.940 you. 00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:08.099 The Lord 00:30:08.099 --> 00:30:08.440 is the 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.559 one overseeing 00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:10.119 this 00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:10.759 relationship. 00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:11.899 Your names 00:30:11.899 --> 00:30:12.440 are written 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:12.799 in the 00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:13.660 book of 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.099 life. 00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.539 Rejoice 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.259 together in 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:16.920 this, this 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.500 great thing. 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:22.059 Jesus 00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:22.559 said in 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:22.819 Matthew 00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.720 18, 20, 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:24.279 where two 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:24.680 or three 00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.279 are gathered 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:25.839 in my 00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:27.480 name, there 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.200 I am 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:28.740 with them. 00:30:29.380 --> 00:30:29.660 And you 00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.079 know Matthew 00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:31.039 18, the 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:32.160 context is 00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:32.900 in resolving 00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:33.440 conflict. 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.299 So the 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:36.400 context of 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:36.859 this great 00:30:36.859 --> 00:30:37.440 promise that 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:37.759 where two 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.039 or three 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.519 are gathered 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:38.900 in the 00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:39.319 name of 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:40.259 Jesus, he 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:41.339 is near, he 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:42.160 is handling, he 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:43.039 is ministering, 00:30:43.380 --> 00:30:44.039 he is working 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:45.059 out what only 00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:45.740 he can do 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:46.779 among you. 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:48.980 Christ's 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.779 presence brings 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:51.660 refreshing, it 00:30:51.660 --> 00:30:52.440 brings peace, 00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:54.299 joy, comfort, 00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:56.099 it's ice 00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:57.680 melting warmth 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:58.900 when Jesus 00:30:58.900 --> 00:30:59.920 is near his 00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:00.279 people. 00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:02.700 Why is 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:02.940 that? 00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:04.940 It's because 00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:05.579 of who Jesus 00:31:05.579 --> 00:31:06.120 is. 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.420 First Peter 00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:08.440 2 tells us 00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:09.319 in verses 22 00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:11.140 and 23, it's 00:31:11.140 --> 00:31:11.779 because Jesus 00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.819 Christ committed 00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:14.759 no sin, nor 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.720 was deceit, 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:17.039 found in his 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:18.480 mouth, the 00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:19.039 opposite of 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:19.299 Satan. 00:31:20.339 --> 00:31:20.859 And when he 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:21.799 was reviled, he 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:22.740 did not revile 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.240 and return. 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:23.640 When he 00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:24.180 suffered, he 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:24.620 did not 00:31:24.620 --> 00:31:25.680 threaten, but 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.440 he committed 00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:27.740 himself to 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.759 him who 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:29.240 judges 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:30.180 righteously. 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.339 In our own 00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:32.819 flesh, we will 00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:33.359 never want to 00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:33.880 do that, but 00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:34.700 if Jesus is 00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:35.400 handling you, 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.599 discipling you, 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:37.740 he is near 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.740 you, he 00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:39.279 will help you 00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:39.720 do that. 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:41.160 His joy will 00:31:41.160 --> 00:31:42.640 replace that 00:31:42.640 --> 00:31:42.980 anger. 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:44.920 So we 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.940 gospel ourselves 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:46.759 through conflict. 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:48.039 Christ is here 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:48.860 ministering. 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.099 Number four is 00:31:51.099 --> 00:31:51.759 we pray through 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.640 conflict with 00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:53.360 thanksgiving. 00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:55.160 He says, 00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:56.620 pray with 00:31:56.620 --> 00:31:57.440 thanksgiving. 00:31:58.319 --> 00:31:58.940 Be anxious for 00:31:58.940 --> 00:31:59.700 nothing, but in 00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:00.579 everything by prayer 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:01.579 and supplication 00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:03.099 with thanksgiving. 00:32:03.099 --> 00:32:06.959 Paul is saying 00:32:06.959 --> 00:32:07.659 to the church, 00:32:08.699 --> 00:32:09.980 when you're 00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:10.399 really in 00:32:10.399 --> 00:32:11.039 conflict, what's 00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:11.719 going on is a 00:32:11.719 --> 00:32:12.439 spiritual battle, 00:32:13.159 --> 00:32:13.699 but you can 00:32:13.699 --> 00:32:14.539 stand firm. 00:32:15.359 --> 00:32:16.179 Christ has 00:32:16.179 --> 00:32:17.039 already conquered 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:17.919 conflict. 00:32:18.619 --> 00:32:19.480 You can rejoice. 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:21.179 He is with you, 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:21.740 his people. 00:32:22.139 --> 00:32:22.779 In Christ, you 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.599 are strong, you 00:32:23.599 --> 00:32:24.240 are victorious. 00:32:24.899 --> 00:32:25.740 You can stand 00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:26.919 firm in Christ 00:32:26.919 --> 00:32:27.819 together. 00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:29.279 And when you 00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:30.000 have that confidence 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:30.799 in Christ, you 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:31.799 will have to be 00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:32.480 anxious for 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:32.879 nothing. 00:32:33.099 --> 00:32:35.279 But in 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:36.019 everything by 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:36.539 prayer and 00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:39.000 supplication, with 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:40.019 thanksgiving, make 00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:40.740 your requests 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:41.419 known. 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.359 Isn't it true that 00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:43.899 when there is 00:32:43.899 --> 00:32:44.619 tension in a 00:32:44.619 --> 00:32:45.419 relationship or 00:32:45.419 --> 00:32:46.500 conflict, it's 00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.219 hard to pray about 00:32:47.219 --> 00:32:48.259 anything else until 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:49.319 I feel like that's 00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:49.719 resolved? 00:32:50.919 --> 00:32:51.719 And so, when 00:32:51.719 --> 00:32:52.319 you're in conflict 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:53.079 and you're praying 00:32:53.079 --> 00:32:53.719 and bringing your 00:32:53.719 --> 00:32:54.539 requests to the 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.019 Lord, you're 00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:55.759 praying for him to 00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.199 help you. 00:32:56.679 --> 00:32:57.459 Help me resolve 00:32:57.459 --> 00:32:58.359 this to the best 00:32:58.359 --> 00:32:59.399 of my ability to 00:32:59.399 --> 00:33:00.059 be at peace with 00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:00.480 all men. 00:33:00.879 --> 00:33:01.339 Help me, Lord, 00:33:01.379 --> 00:33:02.000 on my part. 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:04.219 And it's really 00:33:04.219 --> 00:33:04.899 hard when it's 00:33:04.899 --> 00:33:05.619 conflict with 00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:06.559 someone that you 00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:07.059 care about. 00:33:07.419 --> 00:33:08.279 The more deeply you 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:08.939 care about them, the 00:33:08.939 --> 00:33:09.679 harder it is. 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.639 But it's also 00:33:11.639 --> 00:33:13.500 impossible to 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.539 remain angry or 00:33:14.539 --> 00:33:15.439 mad at someone when 00:33:15.439 --> 00:33:16.419 you're praying for 00:33:16.419 --> 00:33:16.679 them. 00:33:17.639 --> 00:33:18.319 You're praying for 00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:19.119 God's will to be 00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:20.619 done in their life 00:33:20.619 --> 00:33:21.579 as in yours. 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.480 He says to pray 00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:24.199 with thanksgiving. 00:33:24.359 --> 00:33:24.980 It's not, Lord, 00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:26.459 make my brother 00:33:26.459 --> 00:33:26.959 repent. 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:27.859 Teach him the 00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:28.480 lesson the hard 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:28.719 way. 00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:30.480 You need to teach 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.000 him because I've 00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:31.259 tried. 00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:32.480 That's not it. 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.319 It's to pray with 00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:34.339 thanksgiving. 00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:37.480 In Matthew 7, 4, and 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.640 5, you can say to 00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:39.619 your brother, let me 00:33:39.619 --> 00:33:40.480 take a speck out of 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:41.640 your eye when there's 00:33:41.640 --> 00:33:43.140 a log in your own. 00:33:43.559 --> 00:33:44.579 Jesus says if you do 00:33:44.579 --> 00:33:46.400 that, you're a 00:33:46.400 --> 00:33:46.859 hypocrite. 00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:48.220 He says first take the 00:33:48.220 --> 00:33:49.099 log out of your own 00:33:49.099 --> 00:33:49.299 eye. 00:33:50.379 --> 00:33:51.839 What happens when God 00:33:51.839 --> 00:33:52.819 takes a log out of my 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:53.160 own eye? 00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:54.599 I'm so thankful. 00:33:55.339 --> 00:33:56.700 I feel horrible. 00:33:56.900 --> 00:33:57.819 I had this massive 00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.480 blind spot. 00:33:58.480 --> 00:34:00.259 God forgave me. 00:34:00.620 --> 00:34:01.360 He gospeled me 00:34:01.360 --> 00:34:02.200 through it once more. 00:34:02.860 --> 00:34:03.500 His righteousness 00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:04.819 covers all my flaws. 00:34:06.880 --> 00:34:07.799 And that's the way 00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:08.380 that we minister 00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:09.559 Christ to one 00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:09.880 another. 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:13.300 1 John 5, 4. 00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:15.440 Everyone who has 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.860 been born of God 00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:19.059 overcomes the 00:34:19.059 --> 00:34:19.519 world. 00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:22.519 Rejoice. 00:34:23.159 --> 00:34:24.119 Give God thanks 00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:24.800 that the enemy 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:25.740 will not win. 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.840 He will not prevail. 00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:28.079 He will not bring 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:28.800 division and 00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:30.059 destruction between 00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:30.940 brothers and sisters 00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:31.940 or between a church. 00:34:32.800 --> 00:34:34.019 Christ has overcome 00:34:34.019 --> 00:34:35.660 the world by the 00:34:35.660 --> 00:34:37.400 power of his work 00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:38.300 and his life. 00:34:39.720 --> 00:34:40.300 We're told in 00:34:40.300 --> 00:34:41.500 Ephesians 6, 17, 00:34:41.680 --> 00:34:42.640 take the helmet of 00:34:42.640 --> 00:34:43.360 your salvation. 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.740 Rejoice that you're 00:34:44.740 --> 00:34:45.920 saved, brothers and 00:34:45.920 --> 00:34:47.160 sisters, and take the 00:34:47.160 --> 00:34:48.300 sword of the Spirit, 00:34:48.660 --> 00:34:49.579 which is the word of 00:34:49.579 --> 00:34:51.200 God, praying always 00:34:51.200 --> 00:34:52.600 with all prayer and 00:34:52.600 --> 00:34:54.300 all supplication in the 00:34:54.300 --> 00:34:54.700 Spirit. 00:34:54.699 --> 00:34:56.599 It's battle when we 00:34:56.599 --> 00:34:57.719 pray over conflict, 00:34:57.859 --> 00:34:58.399 when we remind 00:34:58.399 --> 00:34:59.460 ourselves we are 00:34:59.460 --> 00:35:00.439 saved by God's grace 00:35:00.439 --> 00:35:01.839 alone, and we're 00:35:01.839 --> 00:35:02.579 battling the enemy, 00:35:02.699 --> 00:35:03.419 but the enemy will 00:35:03.419 --> 00:35:04.179 not win here. 00:35:04.259 --> 00:35:05.539 He will not cause 00:35:05.539 --> 00:35:06.460 this division. 00:35:07.559 --> 00:35:09.019 Pray through conflict 00:35:09.019 --> 00:35:10.199 with thanksgiving. 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:12.759 And the fifth heading, 00:35:12.859 --> 00:35:13.779 the last one for today, 00:35:13.919 --> 00:35:15.079 is trust in God's 00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:16.199 promises with each 00:35:16.199 --> 00:35:17.519 next step. 00:35:18.439 --> 00:35:19.659 In verse 7, he says 00:35:19.659 --> 00:35:21.099 this wonderful promise 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:22.880 that the peace of God, 00:35:23.460 --> 00:35:25.400 which surpasses all 00:35:25.400 --> 00:35:28.079 understanding, it will 00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:30.619 guard your heart and 00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:32.059 your mind through Christ 00:35:32.059 --> 00:35:32.480 Jesus. 00:35:33.539 --> 00:35:35.119 The peace of God. 00:35:36.599 --> 00:35:37.779 Relational shalom. 00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:40.779 To be reconciled with 00:35:40.779 --> 00:35:42.000 God and with our 00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:43.719 neighbor, that's the 00:35:43.719 --> 00:35:44.719 peace of God. 00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:46.460 There can be no peace 00:35:46.460 --> 00:35:47.679 with a brother or 00:35:47.679 --> 00:35:48.699 sister until there is 00:35:48.699 --> 00:35:49.460 peace with God. 00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:49.500 God. 00:35:51.659 --> 00:35:53.519 In Romans 5.1, we read 00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:54.460 that we have been 00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:56.920 justified by faith, and 00:35:56.920 --> 00:35:58.679 we have peace with God 00:35:58.679 --> 00:36:00.400 through our Lord Jesus 00:36:00.400 --> 00:36:01.000 Christ. 00:36:02.599 --> 00:36:03.579 Jesus gives this 00:36:03.579 --> 00:36:04.619 wonderful promise in 00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:05.679 Matthew 5.9, 00:36:05.800 --> 00:36:06.720 Blessed are the 00:36:06.720 --> 00:36:08.460 peacemakers, for they 00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:10.240 shall be called sons of 00:36:10.240 --> 00:36:10.559 God. 00:36:12.699 --> 00:36:14.260 A child of God does the 00:36:14.260 --> 00:36:15.000 work of the Father. 00:36:15.300 --> 00:36:16.420 A child of God sees a 00:36:16.420 --> 00:36:17.460 conflict between brothers 00:36:17.460 --> 00:36:18.340 if they're called in to 00:36:18.340 --> 00:36:19.440 help, and they can be 00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:20.260 be a peacemaker. 00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:21.240 Remembering that there's 00:36:21.240 --> 00:36:23.179 no peace among man with 00:36:23.179 --> 00:36:24.220 one another until there's 00:36:24.220 --> 00:36:26.000 peace with God the Father 00:36:26.000 --> 00:36:27.280 through Jesus Christ. 00:36:27.380 --> 00:36:28.659 It's to be an evangelist. 00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:30.059 It's to be a peacemaker. 00:36:30.599 --> 00:36:32.139 And to reconcile conflict 00:36:32.139 --> 00:36:33.420 among Christians is to be 00:36:33.420 --> 00:36:35.300 one who gospels brothers and 00:36:35.300 --> 00:36:36.860 sisters in the truth of who 00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:38.880 they already are in Jesus 00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:39.420 Christ. 00:36:40.619 --> 00:36:42.260 And the peace of God which 00:36:42.260 --> 00:36:44.720 surpasses all understanding. 00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:46.900 It's greater than your flesh. 00:36:46.900 --> 00:36:49.039 It's the spiritual reality of 00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:49.519 your soul. 00:36:50.380 --> 00:36:51.519 It's the mystery that you 00:36:51.519 --> 00:36:53.460 can't explain, but anyone 00:36:53.460 --> 00:36:54.740 looking at your life or this 00:36:54.740 --> 00:36:56.720 situation, they can't deny it. 00:36:57.220 --> 00:36:59.440 It's a powerful work that 00:36:59.440 --> 00:37:00.760 passes all understanding. 00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:03.079 This work that Christ does in 00:37:03.079 --> 00:37:03.639 his people. 00:37:06.639 --> 00:37:07.820 Well, you can likely look at 00:37:07.820 --> 00:37:10.000 your family member or your own 00:37:10.000 --> 00:37:11.720 life by God's grace and you can 00:37:11.720 --> 00:37:14.099 see the Holy Spirit has been so 00:37:14.099 --> 00:37:14.960 patient with me. 00:37:15.559 --> 00:37:16.980 If I compare my life now 00:37:16.980 --> 00:37:19.440 compared to 10 years ago, I 00:37:19.440 --> 00:37:21.539 would never on my own be who I 00:37:21.539 --> 00:37:21.960 am now. 00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:24.559 I am so different. 00:37:25.679 --> 00:37:27.619 I'm more gentle, not all the way 00:37:27.619 --> 00:37:28.679 gentle that I want to be. 00:37:28.900 --> 00:37:29.719 I'm more humble. 00:37:30.559 --> 00:37:31.519 And if someone would have 00:37:31.519 --> 00:37:32.659 treated me the way that I was 00:37:32.659 --> 00:37:34.579 treated just now 10 years ago, 00:37:35.119 --> 00:37:36.099 they probably would have had to 00:37:36.099 --> 00:37:37.179 call the cops, you know. 00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:38.880 God's been working on me. 00:37:40.539 --> 00:37:42.159 That passes all understanding. 00:37:42.159 --> 00:37:46.420 It must be that the reality of 00:37:46.420 --> 00:37:48.659 the gospel of Jesus Christ in me 00:37:48.659 --> 00:37:51.420 is eclipsing my flesh a little 00:37:51.420 --> 00:37:51.859 bit more. 00:37:52.699 --> 00:37:53.779 All glory be to God. 00:37:55.460 --> 00:37:57.399 The peace of God, we're told this 00:37:57.399 --> 00:37:59.159 wonderful promise, it will guard 00:37:59.739 --> 00:38:02.139 your hearts and minds through 00:38:02.139 --> 00:38:03.179 Christ Jesus. 00:38:04.440 --> 00:38:06.159 Satan wants to deceive our hearts, 00:38:06.639 --> 00:38:08.619 to stir up anger, resentment, 00:38:09.299 --> 00:38:11.059 bitterness, keeping a list of 00:38:11.059 --> 00:38:12.019 wrongs against me. 00:38:13.019 --> 00:38:15.199 But God is the God of peace. 00:38:15.940 --> 00:38:17.000 Christ in me. 00:38:17.440 --> 00:38:19.519 He fills me so much that there's 00:38:19.519 --> 00:38:20.059 no room. 00:38:21.000 --> 00:38:22.400 God is the one guarding our hearts 00:38:22.400 --> 00:38:23.400 through Jesus Christ. 00:38:23.779 --> 00:38:24.980 He dwells in our hearts. 00:38:25.799 --> 00:38:28.179 Satan can't bring hatred into my 00:38:28.179 --> 00:38:29.579 heart if Christ is filling it. 00:38:29.900 --> 00:38:30.860 Christ is living there. 00:38:31.559 --> 00:38:32.639 That's what it means to be 00:38:32.639 --> 00:38:34.880 perfectly safeguarded in the heart 00:38:34.880 --> 00:38:36.059 by Christ Jesus. 00:38:36.059 --> 00:38:38.799 The powers of darkness, they want to 00:38:38.799 --> 00:38:41.139 tempt me, to dwell on my bad 00:38:41.139 --> 00:38:43.420 thoughts in my mind, to scheme evil, 00:38:43.820 --> 00:38:46.340 to act manipulatively, to protect my 00:38:46.340 --> 00:38:46.920 own pride. 00:38:47.960 --> 00:38:50.559 But God, by his grace, his Holy Spirit, 00:38:50.900 --> 00:38:53.719 he keeps lifting my thoughts to God, 00:38:54.440 --> 00:38:56.779 to new heights of God's spirit. 00:38:57.000 --> 00:38:59.279 He's reminding me over and over how 00:38:59.279 --> 00:39:01.539 much God has saved me from. 00:39:01.539 --> 00:39:05.119 That's what it means to be perfectly 00:39:05.119 --> 00:39:07.340 safeguarded in your mind through 00:39:07.340 --> 00:39:08.199 Jesus Christ. 00:39:08.860 --> 00:39:10.619 When we think of Christ's love for 00:39:10.619 --> 00:39:13.199 his church, for our brothers and 00:39:13.199 --> 00:39:15.900 sisters, how much Christ loves that 00:39:15.900 --> 00:39:19.679 person, his faithfulness to each one 00:39:19.679 --> 00:39:23.119 of us, and how much God is 00:39:23.119 --> 00:39:24.500 sanctifying them just like he 00:39:24.500 --> 00:39:26.099 sanctified me, then there's really no 00:39:26.099 --> 00:39:29.340 room left in my thoughts against a 00:39:29.340 --> 00:39:31.519 brother or a sister with God's help. 00:39:32.380 --> 00:39:34.600 He fills our minds with more of 00:39:34.600 --> 00:39:34.940 Christ. 00:39:36.460 --> 00:39:38.700 And the peace of God truly passes all 00:39:38.700 --> 00:39:39.320 understanding. 00:39:41.800 --> 00:39:43.559 See, man can be pretty clever. 00:39:44.500 --> 00:39:46.579 Man can tickle the ear of the flesh. 00:39:47.420 --> 00:39:49.640 But there's no wisdom like the wisdom 00:39:49.640 --> 00:39:50.539 of the gospel. 00:39:50.539 --> 00:39:53.140 And there's no power like the power of 00:39:53.140 --> 00:39:54.800 the blood of Jesus Christ. 00:39:55.360 --> 00:39:57.500 When believers are brought around the 00:39:57.500 --> 00:39:58.840 foot of the cross once again, 00:39:59.340 --> 00:40:02.120 and he just takes us one by one, 00:40:03.340 --> 00:40:06.640 360, looking up at the person and 00:40:06.640 --> 00:40:08.980 work of Jesus and our need for him. 00:40:09.559 --> 00:40:10.900 There's no greater wisdom. 00:40:11.400 --> 00:40:13.620 There's no greater power than the 00:40:13.620 --> 00:40:16.539 blood of Jesus Christ for his people. 00:40:16.539 --> 00:40:23.800 My prayer for us is that God will use this 00:40:23.800 --> 00:40:26.519 very pointed text to the church in 00:40:26.519 --> 00:40:30.119 Philippi to hedge us off to shelter, 00:40:30.279 --> 00:40:33.039 to protect, to put up a tower and a 00:40:33.039 --> 00:40:36.480 wall to prevent any further division or 00:40:36.480 --> 00:40:38.880 conflict that the enemy will try to 00:40:38.880 --> 00:40:40.340 bring in on this little body. 00:40:40.340 --> 00:40:44.200 And also that he will spur us on to deal 00:40:44.200 --> 00:40:44.519 with it. 00:40:44.579 --> 00:40:46.019 If there is something that needs to be 00:40:46.019 --> 00:40:47.360 dealt with, that we can do it in a 00:40:47.360 --> 00:40:47.980 biblical way. 00:40:48.980 --> 00:40:50.760 Reminding one another of how much Christ 00:40:50.760 --> 00:40:52.000 loves each other. 00:40:53.700 --> 00:40:56.300 Confessing any sin in my own life to 00:40:56.300 --> 00:40:56.860 make it right. 00:40:57.559 --> 00:40:59.660 Let me own my part of it and confess that 00:40:59.660 --> 00:41:01.360 humbly before you and before the Lord. 00:41:01.360 --> 00:41:05.380 And we can strive together that the mind 00:41:05.380 --> 00:41:06.920 of Christ will work out in his people 00:41:06.920 --> 00:41:09.680 because Christ has already conquered all 00:41:09.680 --> 00:41:11.720 conflict among Christians. 00:41:12.620 --> 00:41:14.200 Let's pray that he'll do that for us. 00:41:15.140 --> 00:41:16.579 Father, thank you for your word. 00:41:17.380 --> 00:41:18.980 Thank you for your power, for your Holy 00:41:18.980 --> 00:41:20.980 Spirit that's at work among your people. 00:41:22.680 --> 00:41:24.780 Lord, we pray that you will protect us and 00:41:24.780 --> 00:41:26.460 we thank you that you have conquered the 00:41:26.460 --> 00:41:29.099 conflict among brothers and sisters. 00:41:29.440 --> 00:41:31.140 But it still needs to be worked out. 00:41:31.880 --> 00:41:33.340 I pray that you will work it out among 00:41:33.340 --> 00:41:35.760 us and that you'll also protect us, Lord. 00:41:35.820 --> 00:41:38.760 As conflict does come up, we'll understand 00:41:38.760 --> 00:41:40.700 this is part of life in the flesh in this 00:41:40.700 --> 00:41:44.400 world and that we can take steps to let 00:41:44.400 --> 00:41:46.519 you conquer it once again so that you'll 00:41:46.519 --> 00:41:47.760 be glorified in your church. 00:41:48.000 --> 00:41:50.340 We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, 00:41:50.420 --> 00:41:50.800 our Lord. 00:41:51.180 --> 00:41:51.539 Amen.