WEBVTT 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:05.560 My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the assistant pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian 00:00:05.560 --> 00:00:08.660 Church, and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:09.179 --> 00:00:12.200 A special welcome if you are new with us or you're visiting. 00:00:13.259 --> 00:00:14.380 We're glad you're here. 00:00:14.720 --> 00:00:19.440 And we're glad you're here, as I say every week, not because we are trying to fill seats, 00:00:20.260 --> 00:00:23.679 but because we are following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:24.120 --> 00:00:29.600 And we're convinced that there is no one so good that they don't need God's grace, and 00:00:29.600 --> 00:00:31.280 no one's so bad that they can't have it. 00:00:31.720 --> 00:00:37.219 And so we're convinced that God has something to say to everyone, and that everyone needs 00:00:37.219 --> 00:00:39.020 to hear what God has to say. 00:00:39.079 --> 00:00:44.219 Whether you called yourself a Christian for 10 years or your whole life, or whether you 00:00:44.219 --> 00:00:45.280 don't call yourself a Christian. 00:00:45.380 --> 00:00:49.060 Maybe you have questions or doubts or objections about Christianity. 00:00:50.159 --> 00:00:54.480 God, in his word, speaks so powerfully that he's willing to speak to all of those things. 00:00:54.579 --> 00:00:59.000 He's willing to speak to our faith, but also to our doubts and our questions. 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:03.219 If you've been with us, you know that we're starting a series in the book of Philippians. 00:01:03.520 --> 00:01:06.560 And if you remember from last week, Philippians is a letter. 00:01:07.340 --> 00:01:11.299 It's a letter that's written to a church, and that church is much like our church. 00:01:11.700 --> 00:01:17.719 Now, that church in Philippi, it's a Roman city in Macedonia, would have been abound for 00:01:17.719 --> 00:01:20.319 about 10 years at the time that this letter was written. 00:01:20.480 --> 00:01:23.000 We've been around a little over 20, so it's a little bit different. 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:28.799 But we're both still churches that are relatively young, still trying to unify and figure out 00:01:28.799 --> 00:01:32.180 how exactly we're going to move forward together in our community for the gospel. 00:01:33.239 --> 00:01:36.540 This church also had deacons and elders and saints, just like we do. 00:01:36.599 --> 00:01:39.260 We saw that in the very first verse. 00:01:40.519 --> 00:01:44.319 But this church also has struggles, and they're struggles like our struggles. 00:01:44.319 --> 00:01:51.019 This church has living in a culture that worships the emperor as king rather than Jesus. 00:01:52.319 --> 00:01:56.000 And so the congregants in it, these saints and deacons and elders, have to face opposition 00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:56.679 because of that. 00:01:57.619 --> 00:02:02.339 It's a church where, while everyone agrees about Jesus, they don't agree about how to pursue 00:02:02.339 --> 00:02:02.639 him. 00:02:03.299 --> 00:02:08.280 There's disagreement about the best way to do ministry, the best way to move forward. 00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:10.340 We're going to see that especially in chapter 2. 00:02:10.340 --> 00:02:14.759 And so this is a church like our church that's in difficult circumstances. 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:19.140 And if that weren't enough, this church happens to be in a city like our city. 00:02:19.879 --> 00:02:26.480 Remember that Philippi was known for its military history, and it had a large number of military 00:02:26.480 --> 00:02:31.420 retirees and military families because of the tremendous benefits that were offered to them 00:02:31.420 --> 00:02:34.000 in that city that were not available in other parts of Macedonia. 00:02:34.319 --> 00:02:40.020 And that is because it was granted status as a Roman colony where other cities were not. 00:02:40.340 --> 00:02:44.719 And so Roman citizens and soldiers had special rights and privileges that they would not 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:47.000 have had access to in other areas. 00:02:48.500 --> 00:02:53.759 And so in the midst of all these difficult circumstances, we saw last week that Paul places the accent 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:55.379 mark on partnership in the gospel. 00:02:56.280 --> 00:03:00.879 That the gospel, which is the news about Christ's death and resurrection, not only in the past, 00:03:00.939 --> 00:03:05.060 but the power that it brings now, has to be joined with our partnership as we pursue 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:05.580 it together. 00:03:05.580 --> 00:03:11.620 And so that great treasure of the gospel is what binds us together as one community. 00:03:11.940 --> 00:03:17.160 As we follow Jesus together as one community, that's the treasure that keeps us together. 00:03:18.580 --> 00:03:23.020 If you remember from last week, I said that the beginning of Paul's letters often function 00:03:23.020 --> 00:03:24.000 as a movie trailer. 00:03:24.520 --> 00:03:27.280 They tell us everything that's going to come later in the letter. 00:03:27.560 --> 00:03:28.720 And we're not done with the trailer. 00:03:28.840 --> 00:03:30.700 We only watched the first half last week. 00:03:30.699 --> 00:03:35.639 So we're going to be in the second half of the trailer this week in Philippians 1, verses 00:03:35.639 --> 00:03:36.619 7 through 11. 00:03:37.739 --> 00:03:42.359 And if we saw last week the importance of what Paul tells us in verse 5, the importance of 00:03:42.359 --> 00:03:47.039 partnership for the gospel, this next section is going to answer the question for us, if 00:03:47.039 --> 00:03:51.719 that's so important, if a partnership in the gospel is so important, how do we know that 00:03:51.719 --> 00:03:53.579 we have a true partnership in the gospel? 00:03:54.399 --> 00:03:56.639 What does true partnership look like? 00:03:57.199 --> 00:03:58.319 What are its characteristics? 00:03:58.479 --> 00:03:59.059 Its results. 00:03:59.179 --> 00:04:02.259 And so that's my question for you if you call yourself a Christian. 00:04:03.479 --> 00:04:06.819 If you don't call yourself a Christian, then the question could be this, why is the gospel 00:04:06.819 --> 00:04:07.199 true? 00:04:08.479 --> 00:04:09.719 Why should I believe it? 00:04:10.459 --> 00:04:13.119 Why is it something that I should seriously consider? 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:18.779 So we're going to ask that as we come now to Philippians chapter 1. 00:04:18.839 --> 00:04:20.019 We're going to start in verse 7. 00:04:20.099 --> 00:04:21.500 Remember that this is God's word. 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:25.740 And God tells us that his word is more precious than gold. 00:04:26.639 --> 00:04:27.779 Even the finest gold. 00:04:28.419 --> 00:04:30.060 And that it is sweeter than honey. 00:04:30.819 --> 00:04:33.459 Even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:35.519 And so we're going to turn to it now. 00:04:35.599 --> 00:04:37.939 We're in Philippians chapter 1 starting at verse 7. 00:04:37.939 --> 00:05:01.079 Verse 9. 00:05:01.079 --> 00:05:25.879 Please pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:36.240 Dear Father in heaven, we thank you that you, as Jesus tells us in the gospel of John, have 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:39.319 not left us as orphans in a merciless universe. 00:05:39.319 --> 00:05:41.920 You haven't left us alone. 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:44.599 But you've formed us together as a partnership. 00:05:45.599 --> 00:05:49.699 You've sent your son to pay the price for our sin. 00:05:50.920 --> 00:05:52.980 But even more than that, you speak to us. 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:58.120 And you speak to us through your word in ways and words that we can actually understand. 00:05:58.120 --> 00:06:01.879 And so we ask for that understanding this morning that you would help us. 00:06:02.600 --> 00:06:05.420 That you would open our eyes and unstop our ears. 00:06:06.199 --> 00:06:12.199 That you'd soften our hearts and you'd give us clear minds that we could hear and see and understand and believe. 00:06:13.340 --> 00:06:16.040 Everything that is written about you in your word. 00:06:16.860 --> 00:06:19.120 And we ask all of this in the name of your son. 00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:20.040 Amen. 00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:28.340 If you remember from last week, Paul is filled with lots of emotions. 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:31.160 He's filled with thankfulness in verse 3. 00:06:32.140 --> 00:06:35.240 And then in verse 4, his thankfulness moves to joy. 00:06:36.020 --> 00:06:39.040 And even more than that, in verse 6, we saw that he was sure. 00:06:39.280 --> 00:06:40.120 He had this confidence. 00:06:40.860 --> 00:06:43.259 He was sure that, as he says here, 00:06:43.259 --> 00:06:58.099 And so he seems to have a tremendous amount of confidence, of sureness, of joy, of thanksgiving in this partnership that he sees in the gospel between him and the Philippians. 00:06:59.180 --> 00:07:02.620 What is the basis of this joy for Paul? 00:07:04.819 --> 00:07:08.620 Why is he so sure that this is something that he can give thanksgiving for? 00:07:08.620 --> 00:07:13.420 Why is he convinced, in verse 6, that God is bringing this work to completion? 00:07:15.540 --> 00:07:20.639 Why is he convinced that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead isn't just work in generally in Christians, 00:07:20.780 --> 00:07:23.280 but it's work specifically in this congregation in Philippi? 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:27.180 Even as they're in the midst of conflict and disagreement. 00:07:28.399 --> 00:07:29.780 Well, we find out in verse 7. 00:07:30.519 --> 00:07:30.800 He says, 00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:48.280 In other words, Paul is sure. 00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:49.800 He's confident. 00:07:49.939 --> 00:07:50.460 He's joyful. 00:07:50.580 --> 00:07:51.139 He's thankful. 00:07:51.720 --> 00:07:58.660 Because this congregation has stuck with him, both in the good times and in the bad times. 00:07:58.660 --> 00:08:01.600 Both in his imprisonment. 00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:04.540 Remember, Paul writes this letter from a Roman prison. 00:08:05.480 --> 00:08:08.960 Philippi was a city where he was in prison back in Acts chapter 16. 00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:13.120 And that's where we have the famous story of him singing in prison with Silas. 00:08:13.940 --> 00:08:15.420 The Philippian jailer is converted. 00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:18.040 That jailer is probably one of the recipients of this letter. 00:08:19.580 --> 00:08:20.879 They meet a woman named Lydia. 00:08:21.080 --> 00:08:24.100 Her and her whole family are converted to follow after Jesus. 00:08:25.400 --> 00:08:27.600 She's actually, Lydia's very wealthy, we find out. 00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:30.040 And so when we leave the church in Philippi in Acts, 00:08:30.200 --> 00:08:31.980 we find out that they're meeting in her house. 00:08:32.060 --> 00:08:34.259 She probably has a house large enough to fit all of them. 00:08:35.540 --> 00:08:36.860 And they stuck with him then. 00:08:36.960 --> 00:08:38.960 They stuck with him when things were going really well. 00:08:40.180 --> 00:08:42.000 Prison bars were being destroyed. 00:08:42.300 --> 00:08:45.620 He could have left the prison if he'd wanted to because God was doing a miracle there. 00:08:45.659 --> 00:08:46.399 He'd set them free. 00:08:47.060 --> 00:08:48.399 People were coming to faith. 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:50.800 They had Paul, the great apostle, with them. 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:54.660 Everything seemed to be going well despite opposition. 00:08:54.820 --> 00:08:55.700 Things were exciting. 00:08:56.440 --> 00:08:57.200 Things were good. 00:08:58.180 --> 00:09:02.060 And so, of course, it would make sense during that time that people would stick with Paul. 00:09:02.140 --> 00:09:03.420 That they'd want to be with him. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:07.420 Who wouldn't want to be with someone who wasn't such a powerful communicator? 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:12.360 Who wasn't clearly demonstrating the power of God at work in the city of Philippi? 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:13.759 It would make sense, right? 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:15.759 That these people would be with him during that time. 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:17.600 Ten years ago, they were his. 00:09:17.660 --> 00:09:18.660 He had them in his hand. 00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:27.899 And so, Paul gives thanks not because of that, but because they've still stuck with him even when he's in prison. 00:09:27.899 --> 00:09:32.819 They've stayed with him even when things weren't going well. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:35.199 Even when things weren't exciting. 00:09:35.340 --> 00:09:40.840 When prison bars weren't being opened anymore, the church in Philippi stuck with him. 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:46.160 In fact, we'll find out later that they're so concerned about him that they've sent a man named Epaphroditus. 00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:49.460 And they sent him to go check in on Paul to see how he's doing. 00:09:49.460 --> 00:09:53.680 So the point is this. 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:57.320 People come to the church for all sorts of things. 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:06.920 Some people want to be a part of the partnership in the gospel because they want to be important. 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:07.620 They want influence. 00:10:08.740 --> 00:10:11.800 They figured out that the church is a really good place to do that. 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:17.700 If you know enough theology, if you have enough money, people will pay attention to you. 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:22.759 And so it's a good place to feel like you're powerful. 00:10:22.900 --> 00:10:23.740 You have something to offer. 00:10:25.160 --> 00:10:28.480 Some people come to the church because they just want the partnership. 00:10:29.720 --> 00:10:32.400 They realize the church is a great place to meet people. 00:10:33.920 --> 00:10:35.680 It's a great place to find community. 00:10:35.820 --> 00:10:37.120 It's a great place to make friends. 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:42.160 Some people come to the church because they love being right. 00:10:43.500 --> 00:10:47.060 And if you have a book that's inspired by God and you know it really well, 00:10:47.059 --> 00:10:52.139 it's a great place to tell other people what to believe. 00:10:52.719 --> 00:10:56.659 It's a great place to have confidence, to say things strongly. 00:10:58.279 --> 00:11:02.879 And so people come to the church for all sorts of things that have nothing really at heart to do with the gospel. 00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:08.519 All sorts of reasons people come through our doors. 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:13.840 And so the real test comes when things are hard. 00:11:15.179 --> 00:11:18.539 If someone comes to the church for power and influence, when they're told, 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:22.079 no, we're not going to follow your brilliant plan. 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:27.340 No, we're not going to promote you into leadership. 00:11:28.179 --> 00:11:32.079 If that person's goal and motivation is power and influence, they're not going to stay. 00:11:33.439 --> 00:11:34.439 They're going to leave. 00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:38.860 If someone's goal in coming to the church is simply to find community, 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:40.860 but they're there for the partnership and not the gospel, 00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:45.300 when things get hard in the culture for Christians, they're not going to stay either. 00:11:46.420 --> 00:11:49.200 When their friends that they are so close to leave the church, 00:11:49.300 --> 00:11:50.940 they may stop attending church as well. 00:11:52.260 --> 00:11:55.380 Because they were there for the partnership and not for the gospel. 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:58.440 Some people come to church for a man. 00:11:58.540 --> 00:11:59.280 They come for a preacher. 00:12:01.160 --> 00:12:02.600 They're not interested in the partnership. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:04.080 They believe they're interested in the gospel. 00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:09.560 They are mesmerized by someone's speaking ability or their wit or their stories. 00:12:10.400 --> 00:12:13.240 But when that preacher leaves, so do they. 00:12:15.940 --> 00:12:18.860 And so Paul's thanksgiving, his confidence, 00:12:19.560 --> 00:12:22.000 his sureness that God is at work in this congregation 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:24.300 is because they have done none of those things. 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:28.000 They have stuck with him, even when he's in prison. 00:12:28.800 --> 00:12:31.020 Even when he's not performing miracles for them. 00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:32.240 He's far away from them. 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:33.620 He's expensive to them. 00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:36.960 Epaphroditus is bringing an offering that they've made. 00:12:37.060 --> 00:12:40.740 And this is apparently not necessarily everyone in this congregation is rich, 00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:42.659 but they've all given what they can to help Paul. 00:12:44.060 --> 00:12:47.799 And so Paul sees that they have stuck with the gospel. 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:50.320 That their partnership is real. 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:51.840 That they've proven it. 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:55.580 They've proven it by staying even when things were hard. 00:12:57.940 --> 00:13:01.620 And so how do we know that we have a true gospel partnership? 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:05.000 How do we know that's the basis of our partnership? 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:08.740 Well, one way that we know is that we stick with it when things are hard. 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:13.940 We're committed to the partnership even when things don't go well. 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:16.419 That we come for the gospel. 00:13:16.519 --> 00:13:20.600 Next week we're going to see that God can use anything to advance the gospel. 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:23.139 He's going to use Paul's imprisonment. 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:26.700 He's going to use people who are selfish within the church. 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:29.060 He's going to use all of it for his glory. 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:31.899 That God does not need what we want. 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:36.759 And so as we are here at Cheyenne Mountain, you see in verse 8, 00:13:38.559 --> 00:13:38.939 Paul says, 00:13:39.079 --> 00:13:42.759 For God is my witness how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:46.959 That's the affection that we can have for one another. 00:13:48.340 --> 00:13:51.740 Because we at this church are in difficult circumstances as well. 00:13:52.679 --> 00:13:57.399 It was this Sunday, the second Sunday of September last year, 00:13:57.480 --> 00:14:00.899 that our previous senior pastor announced that he was leaving to take another call. 00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:05.879 And it was this summer that we thought we had another candidate, but we didn't. 00:14:06.819 --> 00:14:09.100 And that we discovered that we had mold in our building. 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:11.620 But it's not just this past year. 00:14:11.699 --> 00:14:13.600 If you're familiar with the history of our church, 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:16.860 the past 20 years, those of you who have been here know 00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:19.079 that there have been good times and bad times. 00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:24.279 There have been times that perhaps we got close to closing our doors, 00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:26.419 times we were unsure of what God was doing. 00:14:27.819 --> 00:14:30.659 And so we can say in verse 8 to each other, 00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:35.000 For God is my witness how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:37.179 Because you are still here. 00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:40.480 Those of you who have been here the past year, 00:14:41.219 --> 00:14:44.159 and those of you who have been here the past couple decades, 00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:48.980 the families who helped start this church, 00:14:49.079 --> 00:14:50.120 Ken and Nancy O'Connell, 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:52.279 Paul and David Johnson, 00:14:53.179 --> 00:14:55.879 we can have the affection of Christ Jesus for them 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:58.299 because they've proven their partnership in the gospel 00:14:58.299 --> 00:15:01.480 by being here not just when things are going well, 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:02.659 but when they're going poorly. 00:15:03.299 --> 00:15:05.379 Not just when the circumstances are good, 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:06.759 but when they're difficult. 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:11.580 And Paul is sticking with this as well, 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:13.840 and Paul is sticking with this even though he's in prison. 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:16.100 And so if you're not a Christian, 00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:18.759 if you have doubts or questions or objections, 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:19.759 I'd ask you this question. 00:15:20.319 --> 00:15:24.159 Why is it that Paul sticks with things when they're difficult? 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:27.220 Why is he willing to stay when he's in prison? 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:30.700 He had everything as a religious, a Jewish religious leader. 00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:32.220 He was influential. 00:15:32.419 --> 00:15:33.100 He was powerful. 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:35.279 He's going to tell us all about that in chapter 3. 00:15:36.040 --> 00:15:38.740 And yet he gives all of it up and sits in a prison. 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:42.600 Why is he giving up everything? 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:48.180 Well, it's because Paul is convinced of the historical reality 00:15:48.180 --> 00:15:51.720 that Jesus died, and then he was raised again from the dead. 00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:55.159 Paul tells us in a different letter in 1 Corinthians 15 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:58.220 that there were over 500 people who saw Jesus 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:59.660 after he was raised from the dead, 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:02.500 including a man, he refers to a man named Cephas, 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:03.679 which is a reference to Peter. 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:08.000 So Paul knows, he has tremendous confidence, 00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:10.100 not just that God is at work in this congregation, 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:14.080 but that Jesus really did rise from the dead. 00:16:16.419 --> 00:16:18.980 And so the success of Christianity that it's had, 00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:22.240 it's not because it's a good life philosophy. 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:26.500 The reason it's been able to make it through thick and thin 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:28.580 is because of Jesus. 00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:32.000 Remember we talked last week that the gospel is the news 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:34.259 about Jesus' death and his resurrection. 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:37.940 And so we know our partnership is true 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:39.299 when we stick through thick and thin, 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:42.039 but we can also know that the gospel is true 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:44.720 because we look back to people who lived 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:45.659 when those events happened 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:47.519 and they stuck with it through thick and thin. 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:50.500 They suffered things that would have made no sense 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:54.000 did they not actually believe in Jesus' death 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:55.279 and his resurrection. 00:16:56.939 --> 00:16:58.579 And so that's the kind of power 00:16:58.579 --> 00:17:01.919 that we have with a gospel partnership. 00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:06.079 Now if you had a friend 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:09.480 and they told you about their church, 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:11.259 it was in this place called Philippi, 00:17:11.399 --> 00:17:14.039 and they were going through difficult circumstances. 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:17.019 There was some fighting going on in the church. 00:17:17.139 --> 00:17:18.159 There were actually some teachers 00:17:18.159 --> 00:17:21.079 who were teaching not because they loved Christ, 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:22.399 but because they loved themselves. 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:23.740 They loved to hear themselves talk. 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:26.139 And on top of that, 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:29.099 they were in a culture that didn't like them. 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:34.599 What would be your number one prayer request for them? 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:39.719 What would you pray for for them 00:17:39.719 --> 00:17:41.299 more than anything else? 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:47.019 What does Paul choose to pray for 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:48.759 more than anything else? 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:52.759 For people who are trying to have partnership in the gospel. 00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:57.519 Did you see verse nine? 00:17:59.099 --> 00:18:00.279 And it is my prayer 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:03.799 that your love may abound more and more 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:05.819 with knowledge and all discernment, 00:18:06.639 --> 00:18:08.399 so that you may approve what is excellent 00:18:08.399 --> 00:18:10.740 and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 00:18:10.919 --> 00:18:12.399 filled with the fruit of righteousness 00:18:12.399 --> 00:18:13.939 that comes through Jesus Christ 00:18:13.939 --> 00:18:16.099 to the glory and praise of God. 00:18:17.459 --> 00:18:20.740 Paul does not pray for a change in their circumstances. 00:18:22.319 --> 00:18:24.299 Paul doesn't pray that the Roman government 00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:25.819 would suddenly have favor on them. 00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:28.659 And Paul doesn't immediately pray 00:18:28.659 --> 00:18:30.480 for the resolution of all their problems. 00:18:31.879 --> 00:18:34.019 No, instead he prays that their love 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:36.220 would abound more and more. 00:18:38.439 --> 00:18:40.039 That it's something that's there, 00:18:40.179 --> 00:18:42.000 but it's also something that's growing. 00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:44.359 And he speaks about it as fruit in verse 11. 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:48.500 Now, my housemates and I 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:50.839 made a decision this past summer 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:51.859 that we were going to 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:53.720 plant a little garden in our backyard, 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:57.039 and we haven't been the best garden caretakers, 00:18:57.140 --> 00:18:58.579 so I'm not sure if it was a great idea. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:01.539 But I bought several mint plants, 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.880 and I made a mistake, 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:03.360 so I bought, 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:04.740 this is my advice to you, 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:05.759 my pastoral advice, 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:08.240 don't buy your mint plants 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.019 from a grocery store. 00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:11.559 Buy them from a place 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:13.000 that actually specializes in plants. 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:14.620 So I bought several mint plants, 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:16.380 and most of them died except for one. 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:18.940 But the one that didn't die, 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:20.220 if you know anything about mint plants, 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:21.819 you know that they abound more and more. 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:24.460 Because they're a weed. 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:26.319 I mean, it's a weed that you eat. 00:19:26.639 --> 00:19:28.539 So this mint plant has just been growing and growing 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:29.240 all summer. 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:29.879 When I see it, 00:19:29.939 --> 00:19:31.419 there's more and more fruit on it. 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:33.480 I haven't taken advantage of all of that, 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:36.879 but that is the idea here that Paul has, 00:19:36.899 --> 00:19:38.539 that this love is just growing. 00:19:38.639 --> 00:19:40.000 It's love that's already there, 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:42.000 so he's not saying you need to 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:43.519 do something that's not there, 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:45.119 but he wants it to be more and more. 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.879 This goes back to his vision 00:19:46.879 --> 00:19:48.539 of the Christian life from verse 6, 00:19:48.659 --> 00:19:50.139 that God who began a good work 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:51.180 will bring it to completion. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.500 That the good things that are at work 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:55.200 in this congregation will grow more and more. 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:59.060 But this also raises a question for us, 00:19:59.120 --> 00:20:02.480 because what in the world does Paul mean by love? 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:07.920 There are all sorts of definitions 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:09.880 for love in our world right now. 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:12.380 For some people, 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.760 I might say I really love pizza. 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:15.080 It could be I enjoy something. 00:20:16.320 --> 00:20:17.180 For other people, 00:20:17.320 --> 00:20:19.100 love means not questioning 00:20:19.100 --> 00:20:20.740 someone else's choices in their life. 00:20:20.800 --> 00:20:21.940 No matter what they do, 00:20:22.280 --> 00:20:23.940 you approve of it because you love them. 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:25.820 For some people, 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:27.340 love is an emotion. 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.600 So what is it here 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:31.080 that's supposed to abound more and more? 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:33.580 What is Paul's definition of love? 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:36.960 I'm going to jump around a little bit here 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:38.220 between verses 9 and 11, 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:39.299 but we're going to cover it all. 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.980 Let's look first at the result. 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:42.660 The result of this love 00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:45.039 is that it would be pure, 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.860 they would be pure and blameless 00:20:46.860 --> 00:20:48.240 for the day of Christ. 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:50.680 So whatever this love is, 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:53.059 it has to result in being pure and blameless. 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.900 Now, we might think here 00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:57.660 that Paul is talking about perfection, 00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:58.819 that these people are somehow 00:20:58.819 --> 00:21:00.579 going to reach perfection in this life. 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.980 That is not what he's saying. 00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:04.220 We'll see that later in chapter 3. 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:04.920 He'll make it clear 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:06.259 that he has not reached perfection. 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:08.200 He doesn't think he's going to ever become perfect, 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:09.400 but he's working towards 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:10.900 the goal of growing, 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.980 of abounding more and more. 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:14.140 These words here, 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:15.200 they're less, 00:21:15.879 --> 00:21:17.259 they're not the legal words 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:17.980 that we would expect 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:19.819 in other parts of Paul's letters. 00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:21.220 These are more relational words. 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.559 And so this word pure, 00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:24.599 one way we could translate it 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:25.339 is sincere. 00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:27.339 Paul's going to speak 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:28.039 in the next chapter 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:29.559 about people who are not sincere. 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.779 They're preaching the gospel, 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:31.920 actually in the next section, 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:33.480 they're preaching the gospel 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.519 because they're selfish, 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:36.900 not because they're interested in Christ. 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:39.160 And so the purity here 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:40.400 is a purity in motive. 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.099 That you, 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.460 in what you do, 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:47.440 would be interested in other people, 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.200 not yourself. 00:21:49.360 --> 00:21:49.680 Remember, 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:51.420 he's writing this to a church 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.140 that has division. 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.660 That you would be interested, 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:56.000 that your motives would be pure, 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:57.559 you'd be sincere in what you're doing. 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.460 And blameless here, 00:21:59.919 --> 00:22:02.559 we could take it as 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:05.019 not causing other people to stumble. 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.799 In other words, 00:22:06.839 --> 00:22:08.039 if there's been a conflict, 00:22:08.919 --> 00:22:09.919 we're able to say, 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:11.299 that person had no part in it. 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:13.399 They didn't contribute to the conflict. 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.159 Parents, you know this, 00:22:14.179 --> 00:22:15.960 if you have two children come to you 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:18.179 and one's complaining about the other, 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.940 often your first move is to ask, 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:21.299 well, what part did you play in it? 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:25.899 There's usually no one 00:22:25.899 --> 00:22:27.419 who's blameless in these sorts of things. 00:22:27.420 --> 00:22:28.560 There's usually no one who's pure. 00:22:29.620 --> 00:22:30.620 I got to see this a lot 00:22:30.620 --> 00:22:31.340 when I was teaching. 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:33.240 You know, students would, 00:22:33.320 --> 00:22:33.920 Colin's laughing. 00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.800 Students will come and complain 00:22:35.800 --> 00:22:36.740 about another student 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:38.680 and you'll quickly find out 00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:39.460 that they're not telling you 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.120 the whole story. 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:42.000 Oh, they hit you 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:43.360 after you kicked them in the leg. 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.140 Okay, I got it. 00:22:46.320 --> 00:22:48.580 And so Paul is speaking about a love. 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:52.220 Not an emotion primarily, 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.840 but a selflessness. 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:58.400 He's asking these people 00:22:58.400 --> 00:23:01.200 to grow as they're with one another 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:01.940 in a congregation, 00:23:02.060 --> 00:23:03.440 that they grow in their selflessness, 00:23:03.600 --> 00:23:04.519 that they would be pure, 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:06.259 that their greatest desire 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:07.480 would be for other people's good, 00:23:07.840 --> 00:23:09.680 and that they would be blameless, 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:11.160 that nothing they would do 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:13.640 would cause other people to stumble, 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.460 that they would not be 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:15.420 the cause of division. 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:18.080 And how are they going to do this? 00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:19.860 Well, this is a specific kind of love. 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:21.180 It's love with knowledge 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.019 and all discernment, 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.960 so that you may approve 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.680 what is excellent. 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.660 This knowledge here 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:27.220 is knowing the right way 00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:27.920 and then the discernment 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:29.180 is being able to act on it. 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:30.859 And so this love 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:32.079 is something that's informed 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:33.480 by their knowledge of the gospel. 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:36.099 As they prioritize the gospel, 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:37.440 as they understand the gospel 00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:38.779 and what it means for their lives, 00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:40.559 they realize that the example of Christ 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.900 is their example as well. 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:46.099 And so they can continue 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:46.779 in this partnership 00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:47.740 because they don't always 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.379 have to be right. 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:51.320 and they don't always 00:23:51.320 --> 00:23:53.120 have to be in power and control. 00:23:56.620 --> 00:23:57.400 That they're willing 00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:58.180 to be in this church 00:23:58.180 --> 00:23:59.560 that's not their perfect church 00:23:59.560 --> 00:24:02.060 and still work 00:24:02.060 --> 00:24:02.720 with the other people 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.900 beside them for the gospel. 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.620 They're willing 00:24:05.620 --> 00:24:06.640 to keep pushing forward. 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:09.100 I've made jokes 00:24:09.100 --> 00:24:09.780 with a few of you 00:24:09.780 --> 00:24:10.400 a few times 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:11.420 about a church, 00:24:12.060 --> 00:24:13.080 and this church is called 00:24:13.080 --> 00:24:14.500 Matthew Presbyterian Church. 00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:16.720 And at this church, 00:24:16.820 --> 00:24:17.700 everything is done 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.880 exactly the way 00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:19.940 I would like it to be done. 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.900 All my preferences are met. 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.559 All my convictions 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.660 about small things 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.420 that aren't important, 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:27.539 those are met to a T. 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.960 Matthew Presbyterian Church 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.039 is a really great place. 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.240 And it would also be 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:36.500 a really terrible place 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:38.519 because all of my 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.580 personality flaws, 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.640 all of my weaknesses, 00:24:41.380 --> 00:24:42.539 all of my sin patterns 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.400 would be amplified 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:45.000 throughout that entire church. 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:45.039 church. 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.279 And you know, 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.240 I've been to 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.440 a lot of churches 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:49.940 in my life, 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:50.900 I've grown up in the church, 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.619 and I've never, 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:53.819 I've never actually 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.539 found a church 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:56.079 that's Matthew Presbyterian Church. 00:24:58.319 --> 00:24:59.319 I don't understand. 00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:02.220 But I would imagine 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:02.960 for many of us 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:04.000 that all of us 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:04.960 have a perfect church 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.599 in our minds. 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:08.519 a church where 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.179 everything's done 00:25:09.179 --> 00:25:09.839 exactly the way 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.459 we want it to. 00:25:13.899 --> 00:25:14.619 And what Paul 00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:15.459 is telling us here 00:25:15.459 --> 00:25:16.259 is that we push 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:18.459 not for our preferences, 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.299 but we push together 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:20.959 for the gospel. 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:22.799 That we would be 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:23.740 pure and blameless. 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.439 That we would be able 00:25:24.439 --> 00:25:25.459 to know what is 00:25:25.459 --> 00:25:26.359 actually important. 00:25:26.459 --> 00:25:27.099 That's the knowledge 00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:27.980 and discernment here. 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:29.299 We would approve 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.899 what's excellent. 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.899 That as we work together 00:25:30.899 --> 00:25:31.459 for the gospel, 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:32.559 we'd be able to figure out 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:33.179 what matters 00:25:33.179 --> 00:25:34.419 and what doesn't. 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:37.099 what we need to fight over 00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:37.779 and what we don't need 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.219 to fight over. 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.679 By the way, 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:39.719 Paul is certainly 00:25:39.719 --> 00:25:40.639 willing to fight. 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:43.019 In chapter 3, 00:25:43.199 --> 00:25:43.980 he's going to refer 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.639 to certain people 00:25:44.639 --> 00:25:46.339 as dogs and mutilators. 00:25:47.659 --> 00:25:48.679 So if you think 00:25:48.679 --> 00:25:50.439 that Paul is unafraid 00:25:50.439 --> 00:25:51.059 of conflict, 00:25:51.159 --> 00:25:51.939 that's certainly not true. 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.319 And if you think 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:52.919 he's not willing 00:25:52.919 --> 00:25:53.619 to draw lines 00:25:53.619 --> 00:25:54.339 over certain things, 00:25:54.379 --> 00:25:55.299 that's not true as well. 00:25:56.219 --> 00:25:56.939 He's going to start 00:25:56.939 --> 00:25:57.559 throwing some names 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.500 around in chapter 3. 00:25:59.319 --> 00:26:00.199 But he's saying here, 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:00.779 as you're moving 00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:01.539 forward together, 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:04.539 as you love one another, 00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:05.179 you would know 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.860 what's important, 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:06.900 what matters. 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.480 You would put it all 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.680 in light of the gospel, 00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:11.320 in light of Jesus' death 00:26:11.320 --> 00:26:12.019 and his resurrection, 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:12.840 but also in light 00:26:12.840 --> 00:26:13.480 of the good work 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:14.120 that he's doing. 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.620 So that verse 11, 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.519 you would be filled 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.200 with the fruit 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:18.820 of righteousness 00:26:18.820 --> 00:26:19.600 that comes through 00:26:19.600 --> 00:26:20.320 Jesus Christ 00:26:20.320 --> 00:26:21.960 to the glory 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:23.539 and praise of God. 00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:27.039 So that they would be 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.660 these plants 00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:28.340 that are growing 00:26:28.340 --> 00:26:28.960 and abounding 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:30.160 more and more. 00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:33.160 so that they would 00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:34.960 stand on the day 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.420 of Christ. 00:26:35.540 --> 00:26:35.779 Remember, 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:36.779 we talked about last week 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.640 that the day of Christ 00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:38.820 is the day of Jesus' 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:39.600 second coming, 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.840 the day that he's going 00:26:40.840 --> 00:26:41.700 to come with judgment 00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:42.360 on the world. 00:26:42.800 --> 00:26:43.660 His first judgment 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.779 focused on salvation, 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:46.060 his first coming 00:26:46.060 --> 00:26:46.960 focused on salvation 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.920 but included judgment. 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:49.480 His second coming 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.440 will focus on judgment 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:52.220 but include salvation. 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:52.339 salvation. 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:55.059 And so, 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.299 these saints, 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.680 these saints 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.039 and elders 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.579 and deacons 00:26:58.579 --> 00:26:59.519 are all in 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:01.019 God's garden. 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:04.079 And if they're 00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:04.640 in God's garden, 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.259 they're producing 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:06.100 fruit together, 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.779 the kind of fruit 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.460 that he brings. 00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:10.019 And that's how Paul 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.880 knows that there's 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:12.180 so much confidence. 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:12.980 That's how he has 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.559 this sureness, 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.180 this joy, 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.400 and this thanksgiving. 00:27:17.360 --> 00:27:17.880 And so, 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:18.539 how do we know 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:18.940 that we have 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:20.420 a true gospel partnership? 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:20.900 First, 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:22.779 we saw that we know 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.220 we have a true 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.279 gospel partnership 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:25.060 if we stick through 00:27:25.060 --> 00:27:26.680 things in thick and thin 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.080 and the hard 00:27:27.080 --> 00:27:27.779 and the good times. 00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.620 But we also know 00:27:29.620 --> 00:27:30.180 we have a true 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:31.019 gospel partnership 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.980 if there's the fruit 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:32.620 of righteousness. 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.980 If we see that 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.700 we are abounding 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.840 in love more and more. 00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:39.000 Remember, 00:27:39.140 --> 00:27:40.400 I asked you last week, 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:41.019 I said we could 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:42.080 ask you how you 00:27:42.080 --> 00:27:42.800 became a Christian 00:27:42.800 --> 00:27:43.360 but we could also 00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:44.060 ask you how you 00:27:44.060 --> 00:27:45.200 are becoming a Christian. 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.960 How is God 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:49.779 not just bringing 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.940 theological truths 00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:51.619 into your mind 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.420 but combining it 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.859 with knowledge 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.440 and discernment 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.119 that you're approving 00:27:54.119 --> 00:27:54.779 what's excellent? 00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:56.339 That you would have 00:27:56.339 --> 00:27:57.440 love, joy, peace, 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.619 patience, goodness, 00:27:58.859 --> 00:27:59.740 kindness, faithfulness, 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:00.160 gentleness, 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:00.980 and self-control. 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.559 And so, 00:28:03.639 --> 00:28:04.180 we know that we're 00:28:04.180 --> 00:28:04.799 a true partnership 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.879 as we see those things 00:28:05.879 --> 00:28:06.639 springing up 00:28:06.639 --> 00:28:07.460 in our church. 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:09.059 As we see those things 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.639 springing up 00:28:09.639 --> 00:28:10.279 in our lives. 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:11.539 And so, 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:12.420 we should be asking, 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:15.619 how am I different 00:28:15.619 --> 00:28:16.379 than when I became 00:28:16.379 --> 00:28:16.819 a Christian? 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:20.019 how have I changed? 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.480 Maybe it's I, 00:28:23.579 --> 00:28:25.439 I used to be 00:28:25.439 --> 00:28:28.240 angry, 00:28:29.659 --> 00:28:32.799 but now I lose 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.619 my temper less. 00:28:35.899 --> 00:28:36.619 It used to be 00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:37.679 that I hoarded money, 00:28:38.879 --> 00:28:40.119 that my security 00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:40.879 is more important 00:28:40.879 --> 00:28:41.679 than anything else, 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:43.980 but now I realize 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:45.880 that God 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.380 is in charge 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:46.960 of my life 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:48.240 and so I can be 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:48.940 generous with those 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:49.460 around me. 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:53.660 Whatever it is, 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.240 we should be able 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:54.799 to look back 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.380 on our lives 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:56.360 and see God at work 00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:57.080 bearing fruit. 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.940 If you're not 00:28:58.940 --> 00:28:59.380 a Christian, 00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:01.080 how do we know 00:29:01.080 --> 00:29:02.000 the gospel is true? 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.259 Well, 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:04.900 I hope that as you 00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:05.500 get to know us, 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.140 as you see us 00:29:06.140 --> 00:29:06.580 in our lives, 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:07.100 not that you would 00:29:07.100 --> 00:29:08.140 see perfect people, 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.820 but that you would 00:29:09.820 --> 00:29:10.580 see people who have 00:29:10.580 --> 00:29:11.539 the fruit of righteousness, 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:14.120 you wouldn't see 00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:14.759 people who always 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.279 get it right, 00:29:15.360 --> 00:29:15.880 but that you'd see 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:16.779 people who are growing. 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.100 And so if you're 00:29:18.100 --> 00:29:18.440 a Christian, 00:29:18.560 --> 00:29:18.980 ask yourself, 00:29:19.080 --> 00:29:19.620 how am I growing? 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.460 If you're not a Christian, 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:21.820 you should feel free 00:29:21.820 --> 00:29:23.100 to ask any one of us, 00:29:24.120 --> 00:29:25.400 how have you changed 00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:26.759 since you became 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.160 a Christian? 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:29.160 How are you 00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:29.920 changing now? 00:29:30.840 --> 00:29:31.400 Where do you see 00:29:31.400 --> 00:29:32.940 the fruit of righteousness 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.980 in your life? 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:38.580 Now this fruit 00:29:38.580 --> 00:29:39.000 isn't something 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:40.360 that we ourselves 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:42.479 generate or make, 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:43.419 we see that it is 00:29:43.419 --> 00:29:44.779 through Jesus Christ 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.500 in verse 11. 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:49.000 I told you that we've 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:49.819 been planting a garden 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:50.459 in my backyard 00:29:50.459 --> 00:29:51.399 and we have this 00:29:51.399 --> 00:29:52.399 diagram, 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.359 this map 00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:54.339 on our refrigerator 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:55.240 that my housemate 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:55.759 Rory drew 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:57.099 and it shows 00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:58.240 where each plant 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:58.979 is in the garden 00:29:58.979 --> 00:29:59.799 so we can remember 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:00.819 where we planted things. 00:30:02.899 --> 00:30:03.779 But we don't really 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.699 need that map 00:30:04.699 --> 00:30:05.219 anymore 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:07.539 because all the fruit 00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:08.180 has come out. 00:30:09.839 --> 00:30:10.740 I know whether 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:11.420 the mint plant 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:12.259 is a mint plant, 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.279 whether the diagram 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:14.200 says it or not 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:17.500 because it has mint leaves. 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.000 All I have to do 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.480 is break them 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:19.079 and smell them. 00:30:20.100 --> 00:30:20.759 And I know 00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:22.100 whether the tomato plant 00:30:22.100 --> 00:30:22.940 is a tomato plant 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.480 because it has 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.259 tomatoes on it. 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.759 And so our partnership 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:28.339 is true 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:28.940 when the fruit 00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:29.579 is produced 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.440 and yet it's not, 00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:31.940 it's not something 00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:32.559 the plant 00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:34.600 makes itself. 00:30:35.380 --> 00:30:36.180 That mint plant 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:37.000 produces mint leaves 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.940 because it's a mint plant. 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.640 And if it didn't 00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:41.500 it's because it isn't. 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:43.400 But it doesn't 00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:44.220 water itself. 00:30:45.320 --> 00:30:45.820 Rory put in 00:30:45.820 --> 00:30:47.019 this irrigation system, 00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:48.120 kind of an entry level 00:30:48.120 --> 00:30:49.200 irrigation system 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:49.799 but it's one of those 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.680 under the mulch 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:52.400 kind of hose tubes 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:53.120 that you put in. 00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:54.700 And so he turns 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:55.180 on the water 00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:55.559 and makes sure 00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:56.100 the plants get 00:30:56.100 --> 00:30:56.640 what they need. 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:58.620 And the son 00:30:58.620 --> 00:30:59.680 comes and gives them 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:00.759 the energy 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.400 that they need. 00:31:02.380 --> 00:31:03.500 And that is my prayer 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.560 for us every week 00:31:04.560 --> 00:31:05.640 as I prepare to preach. 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.560 That God would send 00:31:07.560 --> 00:31:08.420 his Holy Spirit 00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:10.720 on us 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.500 to give us growth. 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:13.759 Because it's not growth 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.660 that we can do ourselves. 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.299 It's not something 00:31:15.299 --> 00:31:15.960 we generate it 00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:16.400 but it's something 00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:17.140 that he does. 00:31:18.840 --> 00:31:19.539 So our partnership 00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:20.279 is true 00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:22.600 when we stick 00:31:22.600 --> 00:31:23.519 through the thick and thin 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:24.299 and it's true 00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:26.240 when we produce 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:26.680 the fruit. 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.600 And it's fruit 00:31:28.600 --> 00:31:29.660 that God is producing. 00:31:29.840 --> 00:31:31.100 He is the great gardener. 00:31:32.060 --> 00:31:33.220 He's tending his plants 00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:34.340 and if we're in his garden 00:31:34.340 --> 00:31:35.440 we'll see that growth. 00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:37.480 We'll see it coming 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.160 and we'll see it 00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:39.380 as we're working together. 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:42.120 And so last week 00:31:42.120 --> 00:31:42.860 we saw that we're 00:31:42.860 --> 00:31:43.420 in partnership 00:31:43.420 --> 00:31:44.779 because we are pursuing 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:45.420 the treasure 00:31:45.420 --> 00:31:46.380 of the gospel together. 00:31:47.100 --> 00:31:47.860 That we're willing 00:31:47.860 --> 00:31:48.720 to put up with differences 00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.700 because we all agree 00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:50.480 that that is the most 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:51.140 worthy thing. 00:31:52.080 --> 00:31:53.080 But here it's a little 00:31:53.080 --> 00:31:53.519 bit different. 00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:53.900 It's not 00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:56.060 it's a different angle. 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:56.440 We are 00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:58.299 in partnership together 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:59.559 growing fruit together. 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:01.740 We're not just pursuing 00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:02.579 the same goal 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:03.099 in the end 00:32:03.099 --> 00:32:03.720 but we're pursuing 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.740 fruit together now 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.419 as we work 00:32:05.419 --> 00:32:06.059 as a church 00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:07.339 as a partnership. 00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:11.679 filled with the fruit 00:32:11.679 --> 00:32:12.139 of righteousness 00:32:12.139 --> 00:32:12.799 that comes through 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:13.480 Jesus Christ 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:14.519 to the glory 00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:15.339 and praise of God. 00:32:16.699 --> 00:32:17.379 And so it's God 00:32:17.379 --> 00:32:18.039 who is gardening 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:18.720 and feeding 00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.839 and bringing out 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:21.039 this fruit in his people 00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:22.399 in his garden. 00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:23.079 And that 00:32:23.079 --> 00:32:24.699 is not what earns 00:32:24.699 --> 00:32:25.399 our salvation 00:32:25.399 --> 00:32:26.319 but it's the fruit. 00:32:26.459 --> 00:32:27.500 It shows that we belong 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:27.959 to God. 00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:30.039 That Christians 00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:30.720 produce fruit 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.720 just like mint plants 00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:32.559 produce mint leaves. 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:34.299 because they're weeds 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:35.119 and that's what they do 00:32:35.119 --> 00:32:35.679 when there's water 00:32:35.679 --> 00:32:36.139 and sun. 00:32:37.139 --> 00:32:37.839 And God's people 00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:38.599 produce fruit 00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:40.079 when they're in 00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:41.019 his people 00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:42.279 in his partnership 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:42.919 receiving 00:32:42.919 --> 00:32:44.359 the food 00:32:44.359 --> 00:32:45.059 of his word 00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:46.059 working together 00:32:46.059 --> 00:32:47.000 their love 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.579 abounding more 00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:47.899 and more. 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:52.599 I read an article 00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:53.960 this spring 00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:55.079 there's been some 00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:56.539 research 00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:57.159 that's shown 00:32:57.159 --> 00:32:58.079 what people suspected 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:59.319 for a long time. 00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:00.599 And some people 00:33:00.599 --> 00:33:01.099 who suspected 00:33:01.099 --> 00:33:02.659 suspected this 00:33:02.659 --> 00:33:03.719 others thought 00:33:03.719 --> 00:33:04.319 they were crazy 00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:05.179 but now there's proof. 00:33:06.619 --> 00:33:07.539 And it's proof 00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:08.000 of the fact 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:08.559 that plants 00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:09.399 actually talk 00:33:09.399 --> 00:33:09.919 to each other. 00:33:11.379 --> 00:33:12.339 So it's been proven 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:13.000 that plants 00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:13.699 can communicate 00:33:13.699 --> 00:33:14.259 with each other 00:33:14.259 --> 00:33:15.519 not just mechanically 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:16.139 not just when their 00:33:16.139 --> 00:33:17.059 leaves touch each other 00:33:17.059 --> 00:33:17.459 we all know 00:33:17.459 --> 00:33:18.519 they're climbing plants 00:33:18.519 --> 00:33:18.719 right 00:33:18.719 --> 00:33:19.299 they can feel 00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:19.779 the environment 00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.299 around them 00:33:20.299 --> 00:33:21.179 but they're actually 00:33:21.179 --> 00:33:21.799 secretions 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:22.519 that they give out 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:23.299 sometimes through 00:33:23.299 --> 00:33:23.959 their roots 00:33:23.959 --> 00:33:25.179 to let each other 00:33:25.179 --> 00:33:25.959 know how close 00:33:25.959 --> 00:33:26.919 they are to each other 00:33:26.919 --> 00:33:27.859 so that they can 00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:28.740 adjust accordingly 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.219 whether they're 00:33:29.219 --> 00:33:30.000 going to grow high 00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:30.799 to get more sun 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.480 based on the plants 00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:32.019 around them 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:33.180 or they'll grow out 00:33:33.180 --> 00:33:34.639 plants have to make 00:33:34.639 --> 00:33:35.440 these sorts of decisions 00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:36.159 to produce fruit 00:33:36.159 --> 00:33:36.579 and they're all 00:33:36.579 --> 00:33:37.339 helping each other 00:33:37.339 --> 00:33:39.159 they're sending out 00:33:39.159 --> 00:33:40.480 signals to let each 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:40.819 other know 00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:41.779 how close they are 00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:42.319 so they can make 00:33:42.319 --> 00:33:42.980 the right decision 00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:43.839 to grow the right 00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:44.700 amount of fruit 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:46.919 and even more 00:33:46.919 --> 00:33:47.379 than that 00:33:47.379 --> 00:33:48.759 they'll actually 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.599 communicate with each 00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:50.379 other about predators 00:33:50.379 --> 00:33:51.079 you can search this 00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:51.480 on Google 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.859 if there's a 00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:53.779 predatory insect 00:33:53.779 --> 00:33:54.519 that's coming 00:33:54.519 --> 00:33:55.399 at one plant 00:33:55.399 --> 00:33:56.000 that plant will 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:56.639 send out signals 00:33:56.639 --> 00:33:57.220 to all the other 00:33:57.220 --> 00:33:58.079 plants to let them 00:33:58.079 --> 00:33:58.339 know 00:33:58.339 --> 00:34:00.599 that there's a 00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:01.279 danger coming 00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:05.039 and so if we're 00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:05.939 tempted to believe 00:34:05.939 --> 00:34:08.639 that we are 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.659 isolated Christians 00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:11.759 growing our own 00:34:11.759 --> 00:34:12.599 fruit just between 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.599 us and God 00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:16.000 Paul is telling us 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:16.460 here no 00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:18.559 that our fruit 00:34:18.559 --> 00:34:19.199 is something that 00:34:19.199 --> 00:34:20.059 abounds more and 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.639 more as we're 00:34:20.639 --> 00:34:21.639 together in God's 00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:21.940 garden 00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:24.019 that we are plants 00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:25.759 helping each other 00:34:25.759 --> 00:34:27.019 communicating with 00:34:27.019 --> 00:34:27.559 each other and 00:34:27.559 --> 00:34:28.599 growing together 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:29.780 each for the other 00:34:29.780 --> 00:34:31.619 giving each other 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:32.500 the information and 00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:33.159 the help that we 00:34:33.159 --> 00:34:33.759 need that we can 00:34:33.759 --> 00:34:34.500 all grow 00:34:34.500 --> 00:34:36.579 that we can all 00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:37.380 bear fruit and so 00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:37.980 that we can all 00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:39.920 stand for the day 00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:40.739 of Christ 00:34:40.739 --> 00:34:42.619 and God is doing 00:34:42.619 --> 00:34:43.280 that now 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:44.559 he's doing that 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:45.480 for all of his 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:46.119 children who are 00:34:46.119 --> 00:34:46.960 in the partnership 00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:47.619 of his gospel 00:34:47.619 --> 00:34:48.300 everyone 00:34:48.300 --> 00:34:50.599 who is here 00:34:50.599 --> 00:34:51.679 following after 00:34:51.679 --> 00:34:51.900 them 00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:53.199 he's watering us 00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:54.739 he's providing us 00:34:54.739 --> 00:34:55.280 with sun 00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:56.800 so that we can 00:34:56.800 --> 00:34:57.120 grow 00:34:57.120 --> 00:34:58.880 and he's doing 00:34:58.880 --> 00:34:59.540 it with us 00:34:59.540 --> 00:35:00.560 together because 00:35:00.560 --> 00:35:02.100 he is the great 00:35:02.100 --> 00:35:03.220 gardener 00:35:03.220 --> 00:35:05.360 so would you pray 00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:06.000 with me 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:10.040 dear father in 00:35:10.040 --> 00:35:10.260 heaven 00:35:10.260 --> 00:35:12.640 we thank you for 00:35:12.640 --> 00:35:13.500 planting us in this 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:14.200 garden and this 00:35:14.200 --> 00:35:14.560 church 00:35:14.560 --> 00:35:16.300 we thank you that 00:35:16.300 --> 00:35:17.100 you're the one who 00:35:17.100 --> 00:35:18.019 produces the fruit 00:35:18.019 --> 00:35:18.760 and the growth 00:35:18.760 --> 00:35:19.880 we ask that you 00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:20.640 would encourage us 00:35:20.640 --> 00:35:21.060 with it 00:35:21.060 --> 00:35:22.140 that you would 00:35:22.140 --> 00:35:23.340 continue to sustain 00:35:23.340 --> 00:35:23.700 us 00:35:23.699 --> 00:35:25.039 not just in the 00:35:25.039 --> 00:35:25.539 good times 00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:26.079 but in the bad 00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:26.439 times 00:35:26.439 --> 00:35:27.799 and that you 00:35:27.799 --> 00:35:28.419 would continue 00:35:28.419 --> 00:35:29.199 to grow us 00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:29.859 more and more 00:35:29.859 --> 00:35:30.339 in love 00:35:30.339 --> 00:35:30.899 for you 00:35:30.899 --> 00:35:31.939 and for one 00:35:31.939 --> 00:35:32.259 another 00:35:32.259 --> 00:35:33.759 we ask all 00:35:33.759 --> 00:35:34.239 these things 00:35:34.239 --> 00:35:34.559 in the name 00:35:34.559 --> 00:35:35.099 of your son 00:35:35.099 --> 00:35:36.199 amen