WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.839 no, you can't do that. 00:00:04.719 --> 00:00:05.540 You're not good enough. 00:00:06.679 --> 00:00:09.220 You will stuff it up again. 00:00:09.980 --> 00:00:14.519 I don't have the time to teach you how to do that. 00:00:14.519 --> 00:00:16.399 You are just not worthy of my time. 00:00:17.960 --> 00:00:20.039 Have you ever had someone speak to you like that? 00:00:20.940 --> 00:00:24.000 Have you ever felt pushed down, 00:00:24.219 --> 00:00:26.820 like you were the last one chosen? 00:00:26.820 --> 00:00:31.320 Don't you hate it when other people think less of you 00:00:31.320 --> 00:00:33.179 and treat you like scum? 00:00:33.619 --> 00:00:36.159 We would call people in these positions toxic. 00:00:36.840 --> 00:00:37.500 They're arrogant. 00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:40.600 They don't understand people's value. 00:00:42.120 --> 00:00:45.340 In year six and early in year seven, 00:00:45.560 --> 00:00:49.780 when I was a young man, old boy, one of those two, 00:00:50.219 --> 00:00:53.400 I was quite short and quite round. 00:00:53.399 --> 00:00:57.579 And I was always the last picked for any team. 00:00:58.379 --> 00:01:02.539 And then puberty hit and I just put on like a foot and a half. 00:01:03.879 --> 00:01:08.659 But we so hate it when this is done to us, 00:01:09.260 --> 00:01:12.459 when people don't consider us, 00:01:13.219 --> 00:01:16.519 when we are pushed down, when we are humiliated. 00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:20.799 And yet I wonder if we do it to other people 00:01:20.799 --> 00:01:23.219 and we don't even realise it. 00:01:25.560 --> 00:01:27.560 Friends, come and ask us for help 00:01:27.560 --> 00:01:28.179 and we just say, 00:01:28.259 --> 00:01:30.019 oh look, I'd really like to help you, 00:01:30.280 --> 00:01:31.840 but I'm sorry, I just don't have time. 00:01:32.179 --> 00:01:34.379 Kids, come and ask for attention. 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:35.899 No, I'm busy. 00:01:36.239 --> 00:01:37.019 Go away. 00:01:37.179 --> 00:01:38.039 Here's a screen. 00:01:38.679 --> 00:01:39.439 People at work. 00:01:39.620 --> 00:01:40.959 I need help with this. 00:01:41.420 --> 00:01:42.799 Oh, look, that's your job. 00:01:42.859 --> 00:01:43.879 I don't have time for that. 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:47.179 And in effect, are we saying, 00:01:47.679 --> 00:01:49.839 I'm more important than you. 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:53.099 You are not good enough for my time. 00:01:54.379 --> 00:01:58.979 Do we count others as more worthy? 00:02:00.019 --> 00:02:02.840 Or are we good at making excuses and conditions 00:02:02.840 --> 00:02:07.099 as to why they don't deserve our time and attention and money? 00:02:07.099 --> 00:02:11.340 This week we come to Philippians chapter 2. 00:02:12.039 --> 00:02:14.599 Paul, the author of the letter, 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:17.900 has called us to be united by joy. 00:02:18.500 --> 00:02:22.159 And the key here for us is humility. 00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:26.879 If we are arrogant and we are putting others down, 00:02:27.680 --> 00:02:30.259 we will not have unity. 00:02:30.259 --> 00:02:35.139 But if we value others like we want to be valued, 00:02:35.239 --> 00:02:39.060 like Jesus valued us to go to the cross and die for us, 00:02:39.579 --> 00:02:41.299 then we can have unity. 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:43.539 So today, as we look at Philippians chapter 2, 00:02:43.739 --> 00:02:48.659 we will see how humility leads to unity with joy. 00:02:49.159 --> 00:02:51.459 And I'm going to pray and I'm going to ask my dear wife, 00:02:51.519 --> 00:02:54.479 actually, if you can grab that clicker that I think is on my chair 00:02:54.479 --> 00:02:56.579 and just send one of the children up. 00:02:57.319 --> 00:02:58.879 Oh, yourself, that'd be wonderful. 00:02:58.879 --> 00:02:59.799 I thank you. 00:03:00.039 --> 00:03:01.759 What a humble servant my dear wife is. 00:03:01.819 --> 00:03:02.000 Thank you. 00:03:02.019 --> 00:03:03.060 Let's give her a round of applause. 00:03:03.159 --> 00:03:03.519 Yes. 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:06.500 Thank you, my dear, my dear wife. 00:03:06.539 --> 00:03:07.000 Let me pray. 00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:10.259 Heavenly Father, I thank you for partners in ministry. 00:03:11.359 --> 00:03:14.219 Like my wife, I thank you for partners in ministry 00:03:14.219 --> 00:03:18.319 that we've seen like the Sandtiches, the McGrathes, and the Lowe's. 00:03:18.960 --> 00:03:22.960 And Lord, I thank you that we get to have church partnerships. 00:03:23.939 --> 00:03:26.439 Lord, as we look at Philippians chapter 2 this morning, 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:31.099 I ask that you would help us to understand how to be humble 00:03:31.099 --> 00:03:37.859 so that we can have unity as a church and with church partners 00:03:37.859 --> 00:03:39.180 and more broadly as well, Lord. 00:03:39.460 --> 00:03:40.759 And we pray this in Jesus' name. 00:03:40.900 --> 00:03:41.240 Amen. 00:03:42.020 --> 00:03:42.919 Now, I've got the clicker. 00:03:42.979 --> 00:03:44.020 Let's see if the clicker works. 00:03:44.599 --> 00:03:45.240 Yes, there we go. 00:03:45.300 --> 00:03:48.699 First of all, we're going to see that we are to be humble. 00:03:48.699 --> 00:03:53.099 So before calling the Philippians to humility, 00:03:53.679 --> 00:03:57.539 Paul reminds the Philippians of why they should be humble. 00:03:58.359 --> 00:04:02.780 And he uses the word if four times here. 00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:06.859 And these questions assume a yes answer. 00:04:07.039 --> 00:04:10.979 It's like when a child is complaining that their parents never do anything 00:04:10.979 --> 00:04:12.159 and the parent says something like, 00:04:12.359 --> 00:04:14.639 I don't ever do anything for you. 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:16.560 Well, the answer is, of course, yes. 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:17.980 I do many things for you. 00:04:18.240 --> 00:04:22.680 And so the answer to all of these if questions is a positive yes. 00:04:23.100 --> 00:04:24.280 These do happen. 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:29.519 So therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, 00:04:29.639 --> 00:04:30.340 because you are, 00:04:30.620 --> 00:04:32.899 if you have any comfort from his love, 00:04:33.180 --> 00:04:35.699 if there is any common sharing in his spirit, 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:39.220 if there is any tenderness and compassion, 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:42.959 if there's an encouragement from being united with Christ, 00:04:42.959 --> 00:04:49.919 if the Jesus who left heaven to come alongside us to bring salvation, 00:04:50.199 --> 00:04:55.699 but also now continues to strengthen and lift us up when we are discouraged and downhearted, 00:04:55.859 --> 00:04:57.039 if we have this Jesus, 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:00.399 if we have comfort from his love, 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:03.879 comfort, the sense of lessening of anxiety, 00:05:05.159 --> 00:05:06.899 a comfort for a trembling heart, 00:05:07.899 --> 00:05:10.419 comfort for a heart worried about the future, 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:12.600 about children's future, 00:05:13.420 --> 00:05:15.480 if there is common sharing in the spirit. 00:05:15.860 --> 00:05:19.120 And this language is the same business term we saw last week. 00:05:19.379 --> 00:05:21.759 If there is a partnership with the Holy Spirit 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:26.180 to bring the comfort of Jesus to the very depths of our heart, 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:29.960 if there's any tenderness and compassion, 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:34.800 the spirit causing the blessings of Jesus to be experienced, 00:05:34.860 --> 00:05:35.900 if there is these. 00:05:35.899 --> 00:05:37.179 And do you know what church? 00:05:37.259 --> 00:05:41.259 I'm sure that if I sat down with each of you for a couple of moments, 00:05:41.839 --> 00:05:45.699 you would be able to think of a time when God has picked you up. 00:05:46.419 --> 00:05:49.819 That his love came to you at the very right time. 00:05:50.399 --> 00:05:56.099 That his fellowship and faithfulness have been real when everyone else has deserted you. 00:05:56.100 --> 00:06:02.520 If there is this experience of love and comfort from the Lord Jesus, 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:04.460 and there is, 00:06:05.500 --> 00:06:06.420 we should share it. 00:06:08.320 --> 00:06:09.420 We should share it. 00:06:09.560 --> 00:06:12.900 We should be united in this love and comfort and sharing. 00:06:13.040 --> 00:06:13.500 Verse 2, 00:06:13.500 --> 00:06:18.959 Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, 00:06:19.399 --> 00:06:20.839 having the same love, 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:22.579 having the same spirit, 00:06:22.839 --> 00:06:23.920 and the same mind. 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:25.860 Paul says, 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:29.279 share this experience of love that you've got from God, 00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:30.959 and Paul will get joy. 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:35.839 He will get joy because he's seeing the work of God in the church. 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:39.699 It's not just thinking the same thing or doing the same thing. 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:41.500 It is the full body. 00:06:41.500 --> 00:06:46.379 Their hearts and their affections are going in the same way. 00:06:47.660 --> 00:06:51.199 This is a picture of true church partnership. 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:56.500 And so on the basis of Christ's love and affection and comfort, 00:06:57.079 --> 00:07:00.959 we are called to share love and comfort and affection. 00:07:02.240 --> 00:07:05.279 The challenge to this, though, is how we view other people 00:07:05.279 --> 00:07:09.959 because some people are hard to show love and affection and unity to. 00:07:11.500 --> 00:07:13.519 So Paul says in verse 3, 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:18.480 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:23.680 Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves. 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:29.319 Last week, we saw that Paul's ambition was to see the gospel go out, 00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:32.740 to see as many people come to know and love Jesus as possible. 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:36.579 And now he says, watch out for a selfish ambition 00:07:36.579 --> 00:07:41.120 about building up our own little kingdom instead of God's kingdom, 00:07:41.740 --> 00:07:45.360 a kingdom that is self-seeking and self-promoting, 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:49.879 pride that says, I am worth promoting. 00:07:51.040 --> 00:07:53.579 Instead, have humility. 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:59.099 We can often think that humility is about lowering ourselves, 00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:02.639 but that's not a good biblical definition. 00:08:02.839 --> 00:08:06.439 Humility is considering ourselves right. 00:08:07.939 --> 00:08:13.099 Doing some math on who we are and understanding who we are before God. 00:08:14.419 --> 00:08:19.139 And so firstly, we would understand that we deserve nothing good from God. 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:25.899 And yet, because he is good, he chooses to value us and love us. 00:08:27.399 --> 00:08:30.120 In relationships, we cause problems. 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:31.199 We cause conflicts. 00:08:31.339 --> 00:08:31.979 We are prickly. 00:08:32.059 --> 00:08:32.799 We are exhausting. 00:08:33.460 --> 00:08:35.399 We're people who only talk about ourselves. 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:37.480 We need to know who we are. 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:38.439 That is what humility is. 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:41.100 Knowing who we are and what we deserve. 00:08:41.100 --> 00:08:44.840 To view ourselves rightly. 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:50.159 And so Paul is calling on us to have humility where we understand who we are, 00:08:50.420 --> 00:08:53.399 but then to value others. 00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:55.420 To view others. 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:59.300 And so he has this mathematical language, to value others. 00:08:59.420 --> 00:09:02.620 It's as if, I'm not sure if anybody here is particularly good at math, 00:09:02.920 --> 00:09:05.740 but it would be considering your value 00:09:05.740 --> 00:09:08.580 and considering somebody else's value 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:12.080 and seeing that somebody else is actually quite significant. 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:14.700 Seeing that, do you know what? 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:17.759 I don't deserve anything good from God and yet he chooses to love me. 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:19.299 This other person, do you know what? 00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:20.620 They're loved by God too. 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:24.340 And so I need to consider them highly. 00:09:26.560 --> 00:09:27.860 So verse four, 00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:38.060 Paul is stressing here that Christians must take the concerns for themselves 00:09:38.060 --> 00:09:39.740 and apply it to others. 00:09:40.940 --> 00:09:42.800 To look out for the interests of others. 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:47.360 C.S. Lewis has a wonderful quote about humility. 00:09:47.539 --> 00:09:50.139 Humility is not thinking less of yourself, 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:53.060 but thinking of yourself less. 00:09:53.920 --> 00:09:56.560 We are very good at thinking of our own needs. 00:09:56.559 --> 00:09:58.299 What do I need to do today? 00:09:58.379 --> 00:09:59.739 What do I want to do for me? 00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:03.419 But what would it look like for us to think about others' needs 00:10:03.419 --> 00:10:05.239 more than ourselves? 00:10:07.199 --> 00:10:09.099 Everything in the Christian's life 00:10:09.099 --> 00:10:11.259 is to bring humility 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:13.679 and greater care for other people. 00:10:14.819 --> 00:10:16.399 Jesus' death on the cross 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:18.879 tells us that all we bring to salvation 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:21.719 is our need for it. 00:10:22.899 --> 00:10:25.719 It's impossible to enter the Christian life with pride. 00:10:25.720 --> 00:10:28.360 The cross sends us to our knees 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:30.800 with open and empty hands. 00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:35.960 Now I'm sure all of us here would say 00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:38.259 that we are pretty humble. 00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:40.139 I know you all, 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:42.200 you're all very nice people. 00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:44.660 None of you would go around 00:10:44.660 --> 00:10:46.960 saying how great you are. 00:10:48.160 --> 00:10:49.040 I'm just checking. 00:10:49.180 --> 00:10:51.600 I don't think there's anybody who I know here 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:52.600 who would go around saying, 00:10:52.700 --> 00:10:53.100 do you know what? 00:10:53.100 --> 00:10:54.500 I'm really excellent. 00:10:56.740 --> 00:11:00.100 And I wonder how cultures do humility differently. 00:11:01.340 --> 00:11:01.820 Americans, 00:11:02.540 --> 00:11:05.960 they have a different way of doing humility 00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:07.840 which has positives and negatives. 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:12.040 they are very good at self-promotion. 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:13.840 They like to talk themselves up. 00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:16.160 And this can be a bit jarring for Australians 00:11:16.160 --> 00:11:18.480 because we don't like to talk ourselves up. 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:21.200 But Americans like to talk themselves up a lot. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:23.660 And so it can appear that they don't have humility. 00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:25.379 However, one thing they do 00:11:25.379 --> 00:11:28.759 is they will talk up other people very well. 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:30.200 They will actually say, 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:31.000 you are great, 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:32.340 you are excellent at this. 00:11:32.340 --> 00:11:36.019 We don't self-promote. 00:11:36.820 --> 00:11:37.220 Australians, 00:11:37.580 --> 00:11:38.440 in Australia, 00:11:38.600 --> 00:11:39.879 if we compliment somebody, 00:11:40.840 --> 00:11:42.399 we have false modesty 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:42.820 and say, 00:11:42.940 --> 00:11:43.440 oh no, 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:44.399 I'm not that great. 00:11:44.840 --> 00:11:45.480 So, you know, 00:11:46.180 --> 00:11:47.360 if I was to say, 00:11:47.420 --> 00:11:47.540 oh, 00:11:47.580 --> 00:11:48.139 who can I pick on? 00:11:48.180 --> 00:11:49.100 I'll pick on James Cason. 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:49.360 You know, 00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:50.360 there's James Cason. 00:11:50.780 --> 00:11:51.000 He's, 00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:51.220 oh, 00:11:51.300 --> 00:11:51.680 James, 00:11:52.060 --> 00:11:53.160 I saw you do this 00:11:53.160 --> 00:11:54.560 and that was really excellent. 00:11:55.119 --> 00:11:55.239 Now, 00:11:55.359 --> 00:11:58.759 what's the normal response going to be? 00:11:59.259 --> 00:11:59.579 No, 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:00.299 no, 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:01.119 it's not. 00:12:01.379 --> 00:12:01.559 No, 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:01.819 it was, 00:12:02.079 --> 00:12:03.379 I'm just okay at it. 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:06.139 Even if he knows that he is excellent. 00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:07.339 So, 00:12:07.459 --> 00:12:09.359 let's just say James Cason runs a running race 00:12:09.359 --> 00:12:10.139 and I say, 00:12:10.219 --> 00:12:10.419 James, 00:12:10.479 --> 00:12:11.639 you ran so well today. 00:12:11.939 --> 00:12:12.739 He's not going to say, 00:12:12.859 --> 00:12:13.139 yes, 00:12:13.419 --> 00:12:14.479 I did so well. 00:12:15.859 --> 00:12:17.099 The Australian culture 00:12:17.099 --> 00:12:19.719 must have a false sense of modesty, 00:12:19.719 --> 00:12:20.279 which is, 00:12:20.619 --> 00:12:20.819 no, 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:21.899 even though I came first, 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:22.139 oh, 00:12:22.239 --> 00:12:23.099 I've got room to improve. 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:25.379 This is just how Australian culture works. 00:12:25.940 --> 00:12:28.159 As I've been learning the Chinese language, 00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:30.100 I've been learning about the Chinese culture as well. 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:31.000 And so, 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:33.639 I often have this strange thing 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:34.740 where I try and speak Chinese 00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:35.700 and people say, 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:35.940 oh, 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:37.200 your Chinese is so good. 00:12:37.580 --> 00:12:37.980 And it's, 00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:38.960 that's a strange thing. 00:12:39.300 --> 00:12:41.279 But one of the things I've been told to say, 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:41.879 instead of just saying, 00:12:41.940 --> 00:12:42.080 oh, 00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:42.540 thanks, 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:43.779 you say, 00:12:43.940 --> 00:12:44.259 gnarly, 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:44.659 gnarly, 00:12:44.840 --> 00:12:45.180 where? 00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:46.480 Where is this? 00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:47.759 Again, 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:50.460 I think it comes back to, 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:51.040 it's, 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:52.639 it's not humility, 00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:55.180 it's modesty. 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:57.340 Australians and Chinese 00:12:57.340 --> 00:12:58.759 are far more modest than Americans, 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:01.180 but neither of these are humility. 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:03.980 So we can think as a culture, 00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:05.100 we're very humble, 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:06.019 we're not self-promoting 00:13:06.019 --> 00:13:07.060 compared to say the Americans. 00:13:08.040 --> 00:13:09.340 We're very unassuming, 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:13.720 but humility is actually valuing someone else more. 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:16.740 Understanding my value 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:19.100 and understanding someone else's value. 00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:23.180 Modesty is not shouting about your greatness, 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:26.220 but humility is celebrating someone else. 00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:27.960 And so Paul here, 00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:31.220 he's not calling on Christians to be modest. 00:13:33.200 --> 00:13:33.540 No, 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:35.000 this is real humility. 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:37.220 Understanding that I am not great 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:40.120 and anything great is a gift from God, 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:42.500 but to value my neighbor. 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:45.340 We have a wonderful example here. 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:46.379 Jesus. 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:48.519 Real humility 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:52.080 and valuing others is hard. 00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:54.039 Paul gives us 00:13:54.039 --> 00:13:55.799 one of the earliest descriptions 00:13:55.799 --> 00:13:57.679 of the awesomeness of Jesus, 00:13:58.179 --> 00:13:59.639 his life and death and resurrection 00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:00.899 summed up in a couple of verses. 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:03.139 And it calls us to humility. 00:14:03.559 --> 00:14:04.379 And so verse five, 00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:07.259 in your relationships with one another, 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:10.340 have the same mindset as Christ. 00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:11.639 No greater model. 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:14.480 This humble Jesus, 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:16.820 who being in very nature God, 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:19.259 did not consider equality with God 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:21.720 something to be used to his own advantage. 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:22.379 Again, 00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:24.360 Jesus is not modest. 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:27.960 He never says he's not powerful. 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:31.259 Jesus doesn't walk across the water 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:32.500 and get on the boat 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:32.939 and go, 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:33.340 oh, 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:33.720 actually, 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:34.740 it was mostly ice. 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:35.759 It was pretty straightforward. 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:36.799 It was just really shallow. 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:39.939 He knew who he was 00:14:39.939 --> 00:14:41.279 and he would say, 00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:43.039 I and the Father are one. 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:46.519 But he was humble. 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:51.159 God himself was made nothing. 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:53.919 Not literally nothing, 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:54.600 but a human. 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:56.899 He took on the nature of a servant 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:59.620 or more literally a slave. 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:02.220 And one of the defining characteristics 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:02.960 of a slave 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:05.139 is that they are worth nothing. 00:15:06.060 --> 00:15:06.980 They have no rights. 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.220 They are no bodies. 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:10.000 Slaves can be bought or sold. 00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:12.960 But this is the eternal son 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:15.600 who has all the rights to deity. 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:20.179 But he valued us more than himself. 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:22.519 Jesus, 00:15:22.700 --> 00:15:23.340 the son of God, 00:15:23.419 --> 00:15:25.240 who had always existed 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:26.740 with the father and the spirit, 00:15:27.060 --> 00:15:29.580 took on the limitations of humanity. 00:15:30.460 --> 00:15:31.919 Staying fully God, 00:15:32.220 --> 00:15:33.539 he takes on humanity. 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:36.100 He was a man who hungered 00:15:36.100 --> 00:15:37.120 and thirsted, 00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:38.240 who got tired, 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:38.840 he worked, 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:39.580 he was tempted 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:40.659 and he was pressured. 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:43.139 And he humbled himself. 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:43.820 Verse 8, 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:47.039 being found in appearance 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:47.820 as a man, 00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:49.299 he humbled himself 00:15:49.299 --> 00:15:51.580 by becoming obedient 00:15:51.580 --> 00:15:52.980 to death, 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:55.220 even death on a cross. 00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:59.019 the Jesus that we are called 00:15:59.019 --> 00:15:59.720 to follow 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:01.120 and to worship 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:02.040 and to serve 00:16:02.040 --> 00:16:04.180 made himself a nobody, 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:06.000 becoming a slave 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.480 to death for us. 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:09.200 And then humbled himself 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:10.040 even further 00:16:10.040 --> 00:16:11.920 by becoming bound 00:16:11.920 --> 00:16:12.660 to a body 00:16:12.660 --> 00:16:13.759 for us, 00:16:14.040 --> 00:16:14.920 us sinful, 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:15.700 rebellious, 00:16:15.920 --> 00:16:16.840 worthless people. 00:16:17.040 --> 00:16:17.680 He said, 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:19.779 I will give you worth. 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:23.159 He obeyed his father 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:25.099 and valuing us so much, 00:16:25.199 --> 00:16:26.679 he died on the cross. 00:16:28.099 --> 00:16:28.639 Verse 9, 00:16:28.719 --> 00:16:29.419 therefore God 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:30.559 exalted him 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:31.579 to the highest place 00:16:31.579 --> 00:16:32.500 and gave him the name 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.939 that is above every name, 00:16:34.579 --> 00:16:35.939 that at the name of Jesus 00:16:35.939 --> 00:16:37.559 every knee should bow 00:16:37.559 --> 00:16:39.419 in heaven and earth 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:41.000 and under the earth. 00:16:41.439 --> 00:16:42.339 And every tongue 00:16:42.339 --> 00:16:43.759 acknowledge that Jesus Christ 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.439 is Lord 00:16:44.439 --> 00:16:45.139 to the glory 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:46.580 of God the Father. 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:49.220 This Jesus is amazing 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:51.740 who now sits 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:52.899 at the right hand of God. 00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:55.279 It challenges 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:56.679 our thoughts 00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:58.019 of pride 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:59.360 when we think, 00:16:59.480 --> 00:16:59.980 do you know what? 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:02.480 I deserve better. 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.519 Everyone around me 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:05.759 needs to know 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:06.720 how great I am. 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:07.759 The people at work, 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:09.299 they should be paying me more. 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:10.680 How dare they treat me 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:11.240 like this? 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:12.500 That the Jesus 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:14.619 who was in heaven 00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:15.440 for eternity 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:18.099 allowed himself 00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:19.319 to be treated 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:20.900 the very worst. 00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:23.079 And he did it 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:24.220 because he valued us 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.359 more than himself. 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:27.640 And so then, 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:30.019 we start with humility 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:31.900 and we move on 00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:32.539 to obedience. 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:36.500 Jesus in humility 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.700 obeyed his father 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.579 and Paul calls us 00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:39.299 to do the same. 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:41.119 My dear friends, 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:42.359 as you have always 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:43.019 obeyed, 00:17:43.379 --> 00:17:44.439 not only in my presence 00:17:44.439 --> 00:17:45.359 but now much more 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:46.019 in my absence, 00:17:46.459 --> 00:17:47.679 continue to work out 00:17:47.679 --> 00:17:48.419 your salvation 00:17:48.419 --> 00:17:50.019 with fear and trembling. 00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:51.339 For it is God 00:17:51.339 --> 00:17:52.019 who works in you 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.539 to will 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.500 and to act 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:54.639 in order to fulfill 00:17:54.639 --> 00:17:56.119 his good purpose. 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:57.899 The call to obedience 00:17:57.899 --> 00:17:59.019 here is twofold. 00:17:59.859 --> 00:18:00.979 God is working 00:18:00.979 --> 00:18:02.519 to change our will 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:05.539 so we can press on 00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:06.659 in obedience. 00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:06.840 obedience. 00:18:08.040 --> 00:18:09.460 There is no fight 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.560 here in these verses 00:18:10.560 --> 00:18:12.080 about what people 00:18:12.080 --> 00:18:12.940 do for salvation 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:13.840 versus what God 00:18:13.840 --> 00:18:14.220 does. 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:15.580 We do not work 00:18:15.580 --> 00:18:16.640 at all for our salvation 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:18.460 but we are working 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:19.740 out what God 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.680 has already worked 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:21.400 in. 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.600 It's a call 00:18:23.600 --> 00:18:24.200 to obedience 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:24.980 and holiness 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:27.220 that requires work. 00:18:28.360 --> 00:18:29.040 Every Christian 00:18:29.040 --> 00:18:29.660 is called 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.700 to resist temptation, 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:32.259 to avoid sin 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.099 and to pursue 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:34.339 the love of others. 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.599 We do it 00:18:36.599 --> 00:18:37.720 not out of 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:39.299 dread to God 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:41.019 but reverence 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:43.319 and a sober realization 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:44.339 that we need to take 00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:45.440 this God seriously. 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:47.299 Maybe you have been 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:47.920 following God 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:48.859 for a long time 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.940 and you were once 00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:51.379 a more serious Christian. 00:18:52.379 --> 00:18:53.259 Maybe you sought 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.119 to get to know him, 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:55.079 to obey, 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.660 read his word 00:18:56.660 --> 00:18:58.620 and now maybe 00:18:58.620 --> 00:18:59.480 you're feeling like 00:18:59.480 --> 00:18:59.920 you're going 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:00.640 through the motions 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:02.220 and the fear 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:03.320 and awe of God 00:19:03.320 --> 00:19:04.040 have gone 00:19:04.040 --> 00:19:05.600 and God has just 00:19:05.600 --> 00:19:07.100 become sanitized 00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:08.140 and he is in a box 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:09.320 and he's more 00:19:09.320 --> 00:19:10.519 like a teddy bear God, 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:11.279 one who just 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:11.980 brings comfort 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:13.540 or he's a kind 00:19:13.540 --> 00:19:14.279 grandfather 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:14.920 who helps 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:16.680 or he's a puppy dog 00:19:16.680 --> 00:19:18.120 to give you comfort. 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:21.540 This is a reminder 00:19:21.540 --> 00:19:22.400 that our God 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:24.480 is far beyond us 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:26.060 and it calls 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:27.220 for a serious devotion 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:27.940 to faith 00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:28.700 and our walk 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:30.039 but this is also 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:31.460 a book about joy 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:34.480 and so it's a serious faith 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:35.240 but it's also 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.559 a joyful faith. 00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:38.480 It is a joyful 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:39.440 trembling 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:40.759 following God 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:43.500 and this humility 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:45.079 leads to obedience, 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.639 leads to unity 00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:47.679 in the church 00:19:47.679 --> 00:19:48.980 so do everything 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:50.099 without grumbling, 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.700 without arguing 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:53.299 so you may become 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:54.599 blameless and pure. 00:19:54.599 --> 00:19:56.259 grumbling 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:56.919 and arguing 00:19:56.919 --> 00:19:58.240 are the products 00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:00.559 of contentious spirits 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:02.179 that feel need 00:20:02.179 --> 00:20:03.359 to constantly question 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:04.339 what is being done. 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.079 Do you know what? 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:06.139 My ideas aren't being 00:20:06.139 --> 00:20:06.659 listened to. 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.679 I'm not catered here. 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:09.139 Everyone is wrong 00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:10.159 except me. 00:20:11.399 --> 00:20:12.699 It's the attitude 00:20:12.699 --> 00:20:13.339 of heart 00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:14.000 and the tone 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:14.419 of voice 00:20:14.419 --> 00:20:15.639 that lifts 00:20:15.639 --> 00:20:16.480 themselves 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.539 above everyone else. 00:20:18.659 --> 00:20:19.699 But these behaviours 00:20:19.699 --> 00:20:21.480 can't exist, 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:22.740 can't coexist 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:23.700 when there's humility. 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:26.120 These are the 00:20:26.120 --> 00:20:27.500 secret displeasures 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:28.720 not spoken about openly. 00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:29.380 Maybe you 00:20:29.380 --> 00:20:32.059 complain at community group 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:32.920 or you whinge 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:34.660 about that person 00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:35.519 on the way home 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.259 from church 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:38.960 grumbling about people 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.480 oh they don't, 00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:40.140 they don't get it 00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:42.000 how dare they do that. 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:44.799 Grumbling about people 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.779 and complaining 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:47.140 won't happen 00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:48.700 if we value 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.400 other people 00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:50.340 more highly 00:20:50.340 --> 00:20:51.040 than ourselves. 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.320 Paul has called 00:20:53.320 --> 00:20:53.780 on the church 00:20:53.780 --> 00:20:54.840 to have humility. 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:56.320 Humility that leads 00:20:56.320 --> 00:20:56.980 to obedience 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.540 which leads 00:20:57.540 --> 00:20:58.160 to unity. 00:20:59.360 --> 00:20:59.840 He's given 00:20:59.840 --> 00:21:00.800 the life-changing 00:21:00.800 --> 00:21:01.980 example of Jesus 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:02.780 and now he gives 00:21:02.780 --> 00:21:04.200 the example of Paul 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:04.980 and Timothy 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.920 and Epaphroditus 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:07.040 because it's almost 00:21:07.040 --> 00:21:07.680 as if 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:09.000 the example 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.520 of Jesus 00:21:09.520 --> 00:21:10.460 is too hard 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:10.860 to follow. 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:11.759 He's too perfect. 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:13.180 He's too God 00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:13.900 and so I 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:15.440 can't really 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.940 follow his example. 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.840 I recently heard 00:21:18.840 --> 00:21:19.400 someone talk 00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:20.000 about 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:23.080 WWJD bands. 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.539 I'm not sure 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:25.039 if you were 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:26.340 a young person 00:21:26.340 --> 00:21:27.380 in the late 90s 00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:28.500 or early 2000s. 00:21:28.600 --> 00:21:29.240 I definitely 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.180 was 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:30.840 and I had 00:21:30.840 --> 00:21:32.160 this bit of fabric 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:32.900 that I wore 00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:33.380 on my wrist 00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:34.120 that had stitched 00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:34.580 into it 00:21:34.580 --> 00:21:35.039 the letters 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:36.940 WWJD. 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.539 What would 00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:39.860 Jesus do? 00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:40.940 And I'm concerned 00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:41.539 looking at some 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.299 of the young faces 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:42.860 in the room 00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:43.759 scratching their heads 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.519 because it makes me 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.460 feel very old 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.279 that you don't 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.039 know what that is. 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:48.740 And this was a fad 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.379 for a little while. 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:49.960 I'm pretty sure 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.440 I actually still 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:51.139 have one at home. 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.440 I couldn't find it. 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:54.480 The idea was 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.680 that you wore 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:56.680 this on your wrist 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:58.599 and as you went 00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:59.160 to sin 00:21:59.160 --> 00:22:00.319 you would be 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:00.799 reminded 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:01.839 oh hang on 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:02.819 what would Jesus 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:03.900 do in this situation? 00:22:04.379 --> 00:22:05.319 Oh I won't do 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:05.799 the sin. 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.240 And that worked 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:08.599 for about 38 seconds 00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:09.980 and then it just 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:10.799 became another thing 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.639 you wore on your wrist. 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:14.920 Jesus' example 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:15.780 is wonderful 00:22:15.780 --> 00:22:16.520 and helpful 00:22:16.520 --> 00:22:19.000 but it's almost 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.840 like his example 00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:20.720 is too hard 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:22.160 and so Paul 00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:22.780 gives us 00:22:22.780 --> 00:22:23.540 another couple 00:22:23.540 --> 00:22:24.600 of examples 00:22:24.600 --> 00:22:25.520 of Christians 00:22:25.520 --> 00:22:26.720 having humility 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.540 that leads to 00:22:27.540 --> 00:22:28.000 obedience 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.680 that leads to 00:22:28.680 --> 00:22:29.980 church unity. 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.920 Paul, Timothy 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:33.880 and Epaphroditus. 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.560 Paul was sending 00:22:35.560 --> 00:22:36.600 Timothy to the church 00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:37.460 in Philippi 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.500 and he says 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.039 of Timothy 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:40.799 I have no one 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:42.000 else like him 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:43.200 who will show 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:44.279 genuine concern 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.279 for your welfare. 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.480 Paul would value 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.759 the Philippian church 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.980 over himself 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:50.700 so he would 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:51.680 send Timothy. 00:22:51.860 --> 00:22:52.500 Remember Paul 00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:53.420 is in jail 00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:54.079 he's in prison 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.600 at the moment. 00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:56.600 He has very little 00:22:56.600 --> 00:22:57.940 and he has 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.980 Timothy and Epaphroditus 00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.539 and he's going 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.160 to send Timothy 00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:01.299 back because 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.519 Timothy 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.880 has genuine 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:04.700 concern 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.519 for their welfare. 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:07.400 he is valuing 00:23:07.400 --> 00:23:07.940 them more 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.500 than himself. 00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:11.980 And they also 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:13.180 the Philippian church 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.960 have sent to him 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.839 Epaphroditus. 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.700 I think it is 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.619 necessary to send 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.519 back to you 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:19.339 Epaphroditus 00:23:19.339 --> 00:23:20.819 my brother 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:21.799 my co-worker 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.740 and fellow soldier 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.720 who is also 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:24.319 your messenger 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:25.039 whom you sent 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.700 to take care 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:26.879 of my needs 00:23:26.879 --> 00:23:28.220 so that when 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:29.000 you see him 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.559 again you may 00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.400 be glad 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:31.319 and I may 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:31.799 have less 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.460 anxiety. 00:23:32.879 --> 00:23:33.379 Paul sends 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:35.319 back Epaphroditus 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:36.700 he was there 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.279 to care for 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:37.579 Paul 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:38.720 but he values 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:39.139 them more 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:39.700 than himself. 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:41.819 He would send 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.559 Timothy back 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:43.019 he would send 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:43.819 Epaphroditus 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:44.259 back 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:46.399 Timothy had 00:23:46.399 --> 00:23:47.299 genuine care 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:48.539 Epaphroditus 00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:49.019 would bring 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:49.799 joy to them. 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.359 Humility 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:53.299 or valuing 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:53.720 others 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.980 leads to 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.720 obedience 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.579 before God 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:57.579 and it 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.539 builds unity 00:23:58.539 --> 00:24:00.059 in the church. 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:03.039 Which of 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:03.519 these 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.419 is getting 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:04.880 in the way 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.259 for you? 00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.519 Which of 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.039 these is 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.440 your real 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:08.900 challenge 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:09.240 today? 00:24:10.100 --> 00:24:10.400 Is it 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:10.880 the humility? 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.279 You need 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:12.600 to be 00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:13.120 practicing 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:13.940 and asking 00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.460 God to 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:14.800 help you 00:24:14.800 --> 00:24:15.180 to value 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:15.539 others 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:15.880 more than 00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:16.240 yourselves? 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:17.560 Or is it 00:24:17.560 --> 00:24:18.120 the obedience? 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.240 Or is it 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:20.680 the church 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.120 unity? 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.080 I wonder 00:24:23.080 --> 00:24:23.800 if for most 00:24:23.800 --> 00:24:24.039 of us 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.420 the real 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:24.720 issue 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:25.120 is 00:24:25.120 --> 00:24:26.019 humility. 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.440 I wonder 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:28.759 if it's 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.039 possible 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.360 that we've 00:24:29.360 --> 00:24:29.920 gotten so 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:30.320 used to 00:24:30.320 --> 00:24:30.779 the idea 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.399 that Jesus 00:24:31.399 --> 00:24:32.259 died for 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:32.539 me 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:34.059 that we've 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:35.039 internalized 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.259 it 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:35.980 and the 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:37.279 world view 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:38.279 around us 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.700 that we 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.700 earn things 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.740 has so 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:41.500 crept in 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:43.399 that we 00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:44.079 start to 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:44.559 think that 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:45.399 we deserve 00:24:45.399 --> 00:24:46.059 our position 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:46.379 as a 00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:46.660 Christian. 00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:47.920 We'd never 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:48.720 say that I'm 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.279 saved by 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.019 what I do 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.920 but I 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.119 think 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:52.019 I wonder 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:52.359 if we've 00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:53.039 become so 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:53.819 used to 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.740 this world 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.079 view that 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:56.079 we earn 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:56.639 our good 00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:57.160 things that 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:57.740 we start to 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.019 think we 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.639 have some 00:24:58.639 --> 00:24:59.119 value 00:24:59.119 --> 00:25:00.759 and it 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.180 can lead 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:01.539 us to 00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:02.279 looking down 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:03.019 on others. 00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:05.720 Are we 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.279 valuing 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:07.000 people 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:08.079 based on 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:08.440 what the 00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:09.220 world says 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:09.839 about people 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.639 or are we 00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:11.700 valuing people 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.680 based on 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.220 how God 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:13.859 has valued 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:14.319 us? 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.079 If we are 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.000 lacking humility 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:17.700 before God 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.099 and other 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:19.139 people there 00:25:19.139 --> 00:25:19.960 is no way 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.779 we can obey 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.420 God's call 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:21.900 to love 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:22.099 them. 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.460 How can 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:23.960 we love 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:24.500 our neighbours 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.200 as ourselves 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:25.720 if we 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:27.180 don't value 00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:27.480 them? 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.339 It's a 00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:29.879 challenge to 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:30.379 view others 00:25:30.379 --> 00:25:31.039 highly 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:31.779 and to 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:32.000 have 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.420 humility. 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:33.660 And so a 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:33.940 couple of 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:34.319 thoughts for 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:34.680 us today. 00:25:35.900 --> 00:25:36.579 This morning 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:39.099 take real 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:39.779 time to 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.279 get to 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:40.879 know people. 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.539 You can't 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.339 value them 00:25:43.339 --> 00:25:44.359 more highly 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:44.779 than yourself 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.119 if you 00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:45.619 don't know 00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:45.859 them. 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:46.559 And so 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:47.619 the very 00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:49.759 simplest thing 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.259 we can do 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:51.799 is value 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.599 time with 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:53.420 them to 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:53.900 get to 00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:54.400 know people. 00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:55.079 So a 00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:55.599 challenge this 00:25:55.599 --> 00:25:55.839 morning. 00:25:56.619 --> 00:25:56.940 Talk to 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.359 somebody you 00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:57.819 don't know. 00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.319 Talk to 00:25:59.319 --> 00:25:59.660 someone you 00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:00.079 don't know. 00:26:01.639 --> 00:26:02.420 Another thing 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.160 to do this 00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:03.480 week, 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:05.559 sacrifice time 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:06.259 to help 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:07.059 someone. 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:09.019 Time is 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:10.279 very precious 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:10.960 in our 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:11.460 society. 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:13.059 We are 00:26:13.059 --> 00:26:13.700 busy with 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.119 work, 00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:15.299 we are 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:15.960 busy with 00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.559 our rest, 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.440 and when we're 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:17.879 not busy 00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:18.400 with those, 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:18.900 we're busy 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.460 looking at a 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:19.819 screen. 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:21.519 And so to 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.259 actually choose 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.660 to sacrifice a 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:24.460 chunk of time 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:24.860 to help 00:26:24.860 --> 00:26:25.460 someone else 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.920 is a 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:27.819 practical way 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.259 to value 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:28.779 someone more 00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:29.259 than ourselves. 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:32.100 Third thing 00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:33.100 is to ask 00:26:33.100 --> 00:26:34.519 what is 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:35.160 taking your 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.600 attention? 00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.440 What is 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.240 grabbing your 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:38.680 attention? 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:39.920 And I 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:40.640 wonder if 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:41.140 for many 00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:41.759 people it 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.960 is technology 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.819 or phones. 00:26:44.400 --> 00:26:45.019 I read 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.360 about a 00:26:45.360 --> 00:26:46.259 study done 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.400 recently that 00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:49.180 was targeted 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:49.700 at teenagers 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.940 asking teenagers 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:52.840 about their 00:26:52.840 --> 00:26:53.360 parents. 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:54.720 And the 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.420 majority of 00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:56.200 responses came 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.299 back and 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:58.240 teenagers said 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.920 they wanted 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.640 more attention 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:01.059 from their 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:01.680 parents because 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.140 their parents 00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:02.559 are looking at 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.100 their phones 00:27:03.100 --> 00:27:03.779 too much. 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:07.200 Have you 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:08.160 ever had a 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:09.019 conversation with 00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:09.940 someone and 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:11.160 they're looking 00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:12.100 at their phone, 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:12.640 they're doing 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:13.340 these ones? 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.200 This is not a 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:15.759 phone, but what 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:16.559 does that say? 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:19.680 I value this, 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:21.360 and I don't 00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:22.200 value you. 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:25.039 It says it 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:25.660 immediately. 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.580 You are not 00:27:27.580 --> 00:27:28.160 important. 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.819 Me and my 00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:31.880 time and this 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.480 thing is more 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:32.940 important. 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:33.740 Now I know 00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:34.259 we're busy, I 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.620 know we've got 00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:35.259 to do things, I 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:35.840 know phones are 00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:37.120 a useful tool, 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:40.000 but they can 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:42.240 say so much 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:42.920 about how we 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:43.259 view other 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:43.600 people. 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:44.860 Imagine if 00:27:44.860 --> 00:27:46.319 Jesus came and 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:46.799 he's standing 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.220 there at the 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:47.539 foot of the 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.039 cross going, 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.660 oh sorry, I 00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:49.160 don't have time 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:49.539 to get on 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:49.660 that. 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:49.980 I've got to 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:50.460 do this. 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:53.500 And so take 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:55.620 one step in 00:27:55.620 --> 00:27:56.440 humility this 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:57.380 week, one step 00:27:57.380 --> 00:27:58.160 closer to loving 00:27:58.160 --> 00:27:58.720 other people. 00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.360 Our great God 00:28:00.360 --> 00:28:01.299 who loves us 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:02.400 has valued us. 00:28:02.860 --> 00:28:03.559 Jesus didn't 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.480 just take one 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.299 step to value 00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:05.900 us, he took 00:28:05.900 --> 00:28:07.259 every step to 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.799 that cross to 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.940 show his love 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.580 and value for 00:28:10.580 --> 00:28:10.840 us. 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:11.840 Let me pray. 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:13.660 Dear Heavenly 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:14.860 Father, I thank 00:28:14.860 --> 00:28:16.140 you for your 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:16.920 word and for 00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:17.580 your reminder 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:18.720 reminder about 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.220 the humility 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:19.859 of Jesus 00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:22.539 that he would 00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:23.199 humble himself 00:28:23.199 --> 00:28:24.839 by taking on 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:26.279 humanity, by 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:27.460 obeying you 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:29.240 and going to 00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.039 the cross and 00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:30.839 dying in our 00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:31.279 place. 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:32.679 Lord, I thank 00:28:32.679 --> 00:28:33.139 you for the 00:28:33.139 --> 00:28:33.699 unity that 00:28:33.699 --> 00:28:34.779 brings, that we 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:35.859 get to be a 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:36.639 church together. 00:28:37.919 --> 00:28:38.579 Heavenly Father, 00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:39.599 I ask that we 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.339 would not be a 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:41.379 church in name 00:28:41.379 --> 00:28:43.960 only, but that 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:45.179 we would value 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:46.279 each other over 00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:48.200 ourselves, that 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:48.940 we would show 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:50.279 real Christ-like 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:52.880 love, that we 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.460 would be growing 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:54.720 more like him 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.440 and growing 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:56.620 closer together in 00:28:56.620 --> 00:28:57.160 love for each 00:28:57.160 --> 00:28:57.900 other today, Lord. 00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.140 I ask this in 00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.700 Jesus' name. 00:29:00.060 --> 00:29:00.320 Amen. 00:29:00.320 --> 00:29:00.420 Amen.