WEBVTT 00:00:00.880 --> 00:00:05.459 Let's take our Bibles and open them up again to the book of Philippians this morning. 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:10.140 The book of Philippians, we're continuing, this is week two of our series in the book 00:00:10.140 --> 00:00:15.560 of Philippians and our passage this morning is going to be from chapter 1 verses 12 through 00:00:15.560 --> 00:00:16.339 18. 00:00:16.780 --> 00:00:20.620 So if you'd flip your Bibles open to chapter 1 verses 12 through 18, when you've found 00:00:20.620 --> 00:00:22.820 it, let's stand in honor of the reading of God's Word. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.620 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance 00:00:38.620 --> 00:00:44.579 the gospel so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard that into all the 00:00:44.579 --> 00:00:47.039 rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:53.859 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more 00:00:53.859 --> 00:00:55.960 bold to speak the word without fear. 00:00:55.960 --> 00:01:01.520 Some, indeed, preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. 00:01:01.880 --> 00:01:06.280 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:13.280 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to afflict me in 00:01:13.280 --> 00:01:14.159 my imprisonment. 00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:15.359 What then? 00:01:16.019 --> 00:01:22.680 Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that 00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:24.599 I will rejoice. 00:01:24.599 --> 00:01:25.979 Let's pray. 00:01:26.140 --> 00:01:37.539 Father, Father, we pray that it would be our deepest desire and our truest joy that the 00:01:37.539 --> 00:01:44.919 gospel would be advanced, that Christ would be proclaimed, that your name would be magnified 00:01:44.919 --> 00:01:48.399 here in our lives, in our church, in our community, and to the ends of the earth. 00:01:48.500 --> 00:01:49.599 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:01:50.459 --> 00:01:50.719 Amen. 00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:52.739 You may be seated. 00:01:52.739 --> 00:01:52.819 Amen. 00:01:56.079 --> 00:02:01.739 I'll start off by sharing a story that I read this week from 1660. 00:02:02.140 --> 00:02:09.180 John Bunyan was arrested because he refused to stop preaching the gospel without approval 00:02:09.180 --> 00:02:10.900 from the Church of England. 00:02:11.240 --> 00:02:13.620 John Bunyan was a Baptist preacher. 00:02:14.259 --> 00:02:16.459 He was well-known, well-loved. 00:02:16.460 --> 00:02:21.200 His imprisonment would have been a tough blow for his family, for his community, for his 00:02:21.200 --> 00:02:24.159 church family, those who worshiped the Lord alongside him. 00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:29.780 And I read through the court records this week from his trial, and I wanted to share them 00:02:29.780 --> 00:02:34.460 with you as a way of illustrating what's going on here in Philippians this morning. 00:02:34.520 --> 00:02:39.620 So this will be a little bit longer of an introduction than normal, but I think it will be worth it. 00:02:39.620 --> 00:02:43.560 The judge, Judge Wingate, he says, 00:02:43.560 --> 00:02:50.740 Mr. Bunyan, you stand before this court accused of persistent and willful transgression of the 00:02:50.740 --> 00:02:55.900 Conventical Act, which prohibits all British subjects from absenting themselves from worship 00:02:55.900 --> 00:03:00.659 in the Church of England and from conducting worship services apart from our church. 00:03:00.659 --> 00:03:06.460 You come, presumably, with no legal training and yet without counsel, and I must warn you, 00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:11.759 sir, of the gravity of the charge, the harshness of the penalty in the event of your conviction, 00:03:12.479 --> 00:03:16.219 and the foolhardiness of acting as your own counsel in so serious a matter. 00:03:16.379 --> 00:03:20.840 I hold in my hand the depositions of the witnesses against you. 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:25.859 In each case, they have testified that, to their knowledge, you have never in your adult life 00:03:25.859 --> 00:03:28.280 attended services at the Church of that parish. 00:03:28.280 --> 00:03:34.280 Each further testifies that he has observed you on numerous occasions conducting religious 00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:37.099 exercises in and near Bedford. 00:03:37.180 --> 00:03:38.659 You hear their issue. 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:46.460 You will preach the word when we tell you, where we tell you, how we tell you, to whom 00:03:46.460 --> 00:03:49.939 we tell you to preach it to, or you will not preach at all. 00:03:50.020 --> 00:03:50.620 That's the issue. 00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:52.439 Bunyan's reply. 00:03:54.060 --> 00:03:55.620 The depositions speak the truth. 00:03:55.620 --> 00:04:01.319 I have never attended services in the Church of England, nor do I ever intend ever to do so. 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:07.680 Secondly, it is no secret that I preach the word of God whenever, wherever, and to whomever 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:10.439 he pleases to grant me opportunity to do so. 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:15.659 I have no choice but to acknowledge my awareness of the law, which I am accused of transgressing. 00:04:16.040 --> 00:04:20.220 Likewise, I have no choice but to confess my guilt in my transgression of it. 00:04:20.220 --> 00:04:25.880 As true as these things are, I must affirm that I neither regret breaking the law, nor 00:04:25.880 --> 00:04:27.340 repent of having broken it. 00:04:28.200 --> 00:04:31.780 Further, I must warn you that I have no intention in the future of conforming to it. 00:04:33.680 --> 00:04:38.540 You can imagine, at this point, the judge's jaw just dropping and hitting the floor. 00:04:38.700 --> 00:04:39.740 Who is this guy? 00:04:39.800 --> 00:04:40.680 Who does he think he is? 00:04:40.680 --> 00:04:45.540 As the judge would reply, the evidence that I hold in my hand, Mr. Bunyan, even apart 00:04:45.540 --> 00:04:48.379 from your own admission of guilt, is sufficient to convict you. 00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:52.960 And the court is within its rights to have you committed to prison for a considerably long 00:04:52.960 --> 00:04:53.360 time. 00:04:53.439 --> 00:04:56.160 I do not wish to send you to prison, Mr. Bunyan. 00:04:56.860 --> 00:04:58.939 I am aware of the poverty of your family. 00:05:00.019 --> 00:05:04.180 And I believe you have a little daughter who, unfortunately, was born blind. 00:05:05.139 --> 00:05:05.939 Is this not so? 00:05:07.240 --> 00:05:08.680 It is, my Lord. 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:12.579 Very well, the decision of the court is this. 00:05:12.660 --> 00:05:17.980 Inasmuch as the accused has confessed his guilt, we shall follow a merciful and compassionate 00:05:17.980 --> 00:05:19.180 course of action. 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:27.680 We shall release him on the condition that he swear solemnly to discontinue the convening 00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:33.060 of religious meetings, and that he affix his own signature to such an oath prior to quitting 00:05:33.060 --> 00:05:33.879 this courtroom. 00:05:34.100 --> 00:05:35.199 That will be all, Mr. Bunyan. 00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:36.600 I hope not to see you here again. 00:05:36.600 --> 00:05:37.780 Maybe hear the next case. 00:05:38.680 --> 00:05:45.600 And as the judge expected Bunyan just to leap for joy at such a merciful declaration and 00:05:45.600 --> 00:05:50.319 to be thankful and to leave in silence, John Bunyan says, my Lord, if I may have just another 00:05:50.319 --> 00:05:51.259 moment of the court's time. 00:05:52.960 --> 00:05:55.960 Judge Wingate says, yes, but you must be quick about it. 00:05:55.980 --> 00:05:57.180 We have other matters to attend to. 00:05:57.240 --> 00:05:57.899 What is it? 00:05:59.079 --> 00:06:02.560 John Bunyan replies, I cannot do what you ask of me, my Lord. 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:09.959 I cannot place my signature upon any document in which I promise henceforth not to preach. 00:06:10.879 --> 00:06:17.959 My calling to preach the gospel is from God, and he alone can make me discontinue what he has 00:06:17.959 --> 00:06:19.340 appointed me to do. 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:25.860 As I have had no word from him to that effect, I must continue to preach, and I shall continue 00:06:25.860 --> 00:06:26.860 to preach. 00:06:26.860 --> 00:06:32.100 And again, the judge could not believe what he was hearing. 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:39.020 And so, he says, you leave us no choice but to commit you to Bedford jail for a period of six years, 00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:42.259 which in reality would turn out to be 12 years. 00:06:42.259 --> 00:06:46.759 If you manage to survive, I should think that your experience will correct your thinking. 00:06:46.939 --> 00:06:49.219 If you fail to survive, that will be unfortunate. 00:06:49.719 --> 00:06:56.899 In any event, I strongly suspect that we have heard the last we shall ever hear from Mr. John Bunyan. 00:06:59.019 --> 00:07:01.899 Of course, he was wrong. 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:06.599 Here we are this morning speaking the name of John Bunyan. 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:10.899 While John Bunyan was there for 12 years, he took the time to write. 00:07:10.899 --> 00:07:12.799 He wrote at least five books. 00:07:12.919 --> 00:07:16.019 Profitable Meditations was the first, then Christian Behavior. 00:07:16.620 --> 00:07:19.139 He wrote Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. 00:07:19.219 --> 00:07:20.579 That was his autobiography. 00:07:20.719 --> 00:07:22.659 He wrote a book called The Holy City. 00:07:22.819 --> 00:07:28.679 And then eventually, he wrote Pilgrim's Progress, which would go on to become one of the best-selling 00:07:28.679 --> 00:07:30.120 books of all time. 00:07:30.179 --> 00:07:34.719 Over 250 million copies sold of The Pilgrim's Progress. 00:07:34.939 --> 00:07:40.219 It's not an exaggeration for me to say this morning that more individuals have heard the 00:07:40.220 --> 00:07:46.440 gospel because of John Bunyan's imprisonment than they heard from his preaching, which 00:07:46.440 --> 00:07:49.480 got him thrown into prison in the first place. 00:07:50.920 --> 00:07:53.840 Isn't it funny how God chooses to work? 00:07:55.240 --> 00:08:00.640 The gospel of Jesus Christ must be advanced. 00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:07.319 God is committed to advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:14.060 And sometimes, God uses weird, strange, surprising circumstances to do it. 00:08:15.099 --> 00:08:18.839 That's exactly what we see here this morning in the book of Philippians. 00:08:18.919 --> 00:08:24.699 As we look here to our passage this morning, we see again Paul has found himself in prison. 00:08:25.819 --> 00:08:26.759 He gets a visitor. 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:28.599 We saw this last week from Philippi. 00:08:29.339 --> 00:08:32.639 Epaphroditus comes checking in on him, wondering how he's doing. 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:35.539 He wants to bring word back to the church in Philippi. 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:38.039 How is this gospel mission going? 00:08:38.200 --> 00:08:39.100 You're stuck in prison. 00:08:39.179 --> 00:08:39.899 What's going on? 00:08:40.319 --> 00:08:46.100 And Paul responds as if to say, somehow, the gospel is still advancing. 00:08:47.559 --> 00:08:51.240 This imprisonment has not stopped the progress of the gospel. 00:08:51.240 --> 00:09:00.840 In fact, in God's wise providence, every attempt to silence the gospel has only served to spread it further. 00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:06.139 In fact, he says, let me just share with you three surprising ways God is advancing the gospel. 00:09:06.379 --> 00:09:07.620 This will be our outline this morning. 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:14.000 Three surprising ways the gospel is advancing through my imprisonment. 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:19.320 First, he says, because of my imprisonment, I am still proclaiming the gospel. 00:09:19.320 --> 00:09:24.660 Because of my imprisonment, I, Paul, am proclaiming the gospel. 00:09:24.760 --> 00:09:25.980 Look there to verse 12 with me. 00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:32.440 Paul says, I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 00:09:32.580 --> 00:09:39.840 So that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 00:09:41.180 --> 00:09:44.020 Now, naturally, the Philippians would be concerned about Paul. 00:09:44.260 --> 00:09:47.080 Their partner in the gospel is in prison. 00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:48.280 They love him. 00:09:48.340 --> 00:09:49.020 He's their friend. 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:49.700 He's their partner. 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:51.379 They want to check in on his needs. 00:09:51.460 --> 00:09:52.660 They want to see how he's doing. 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:54.800 And now, Paul, he's writing back. 00:09:55.060 --> 00:09:58.360 You would not believe how good this is. 00:09:59.520 --> 00:10:01.740 You would not believe how good this is. 00:10:02.040 --> 00:10:03.940 I'm out there preaching the gospel. 00:10:04.360 --> 00:10:05.980 And now I get put into prison. 00:10:06.139 --> 00:10:08.080 And now I get to preach the gospel here, too. 00:10:08.080 --> 00:10:14.180 I can't help but imagine the Philippians as they receive this letter. 00:10:14.300 --> 00:10:17.720 You know, the Philippian jailer who came to faith from Paul's preaching. 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:19.400 He's like, yep, I've seen that happen before. 00:10:20.460 --> 00:10:21.600 I've been there before. 00:10:21.820 --> 00:10:22.960 I've seen it work. 00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:30.100 Paul says, the whole imperial guard and all the rest, they know that my imprisonment is for Christ. 00:10:30.200 --> 00:10:31.840 Ask yourself, how do they know that? 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:33.500 How do they know that? 00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:37.580 I've seen enough TV shows to kind of imagine how this might go down, right? 00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:39.759 I'm sure it's exactly the same in a Roman prison. 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:41.480 And Paul is there. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:44.519 Another prisoner kind of nudges up next to him. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:45.580 What are you in for? 00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:47.220 Murder? 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:48.539 Paul says, no. 00:10:49.659 --> 00:10:50.059 Theft? 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:50.820 Do you steal something? 00:10:50.960 --> 00:10:51.200 No. 00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:53.100 Insurrection? 00:10:53.899 --> 00:10:54.299 No. 00:10:54.580 --> 00:10:55.360 Not exactly. 00:10:56.159 --> 00:10:57.080 What are you in for? 00:10:57.919 --> 00:11:01.580 Well, I spoke about this man named Jesus. 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:10.740 They didn't like it, and they wanted me to stop speaking about this man named Jesus, but I refused, and so now here I am in jail. 00:11:10.820 --> 00:11:12.379 What do you think the next question is going to be? 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:15.420 Who is Jesus? 00:11:17.180 --> 00:11:19.100 Tell me about this man Jesus. 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:20.259 I mean, you're already here in jail. 00:11:20.460 --> 00:11:22.620 What's that going to, what do you have to lose? 00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:26.440 And now, boom, that door is wide open to share the God. 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:32.020 Can you imagine being stuck in a jail cell with the Apostle Paul asking him, who is Jesus? 00:11:32.260 --> 00:11:34.720 I mean, what else is he going to get to talk about? 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:37.280 This is an opportunity. 00:11:37.460 --> 00:11:42.740 Paul sees this as an opportunity, divinely provided opportunity, to share about Jesus. 00:11:42.880 --> 00:11:45.420 So he says, well, let me tell you about Jesus. 00:11:45.540 --> 00:11:47.740 Let me tell you about this man who is God. 00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:54.600 Let me tell you about this man who is tempted and tried in every way as we are yet without sin. 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:59.080 Let me tell you about Jesus who loves sinners like me. 00:11:59.159 --> 00:12:00.360 I'm the chief of sinners, man. 00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:01.720 You're in here for your crimes. 00:12:01.820 --> 00:12:03.220 I am the chief of sinners. 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:11.340 But Christ has come, lived in my place, died on my behalf so that God's wrath would no longer be against me in my sin, 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:15.139 but I would be seen and covered with the righteousness of God. 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:20.179 Let me tell you about this Jesus who rose from the grave so that I don't even have to fear death. 00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:22.000 If they kill me after, who cares? 00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:25.259 I live for this man, Jesus Christ. 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:26.059 Can I tell you more? 00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:32.539 Let me tell you about Jesus, how even you, you prisoner, rejected by society, hated by man, 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:38.899 even you, if you put your faith in him, you will have the promise of eternal life forever with God. 00:12:38.939 --> 00:12:40.139 Let me tell you about him. 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:48.419 You see, Paul, he didn't see his bad circumstances as an obstacle to the gospel. 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:52.679 He saw it as an opportunity to advance the gospel. 00:12:54.460 --> 00:12:57.899 Paul's life was defined by this mission, wasn't it? 00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:02.860 He didn't really care too much about his own personal comfort, did he? 00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:05.000 I mean, this is clear all the way throughout the book of Philippians. 00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:10.360 As we read through, we'll see this over and over and over and over again next week, Lord willing. 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:15.799 For me to live is Christ, to die is gain, he says in verse 21. 00:13:17.299 --> 00:13:20.399 To live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:25.940 There was no other purpose to live for Paul except to labor to advance the gospel, 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:28.340 to live for the gospel of Christ. 00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:32.160 I press on, he says in chapter 3. 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:34.240 I mean, he's in a jail cell, guys. 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:40.220 I press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:41.160 I'm not sitting around. 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:43.700 My life is defined by a mission. 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:45.620 It's to make the name of Christ known. 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:48.399 I've learned the secret, he says in chapter 4, 00:13:49.180 --> 00:13:51.360 of being content in all circumstances, 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:54.259 whether I'm in a king's palace or a Roman prison. 00:13:54.660 --> 00:13:55.360 What's the secret? 00:13:55.480 --> 00:13:57.700 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 00:13:58.340 --> 00:14:02.820 Paul's life is defined by Christ Jesus. 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:04.019 He is in Christ. 00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:05.759 He's secure in him. 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:07.160 He's safe in him. 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:08.820 His life is for him. 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:11.220 He has a one-track mind. 00:14:11.280 --> 00:14:14.320 And it can't be derailed by a little time in a Roman prison. 00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:18.720 There's a simple little poem that I just love. 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.759 I might have shared it before. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:22.759 It's written by a British missionary named C.T. Studd. 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:24.900 Y'all, they had better names back then. 00:14:25.820 --> 00:14:27.180 C.T. Studd. 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:32.120 Only one life will soon be passed. 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:36.440 Only what's done for Christ will last. 00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:50.440 Paul says, whether I'm out on the road or in the temple or in the market or in a prison cell, 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:52.880 I will speak of Jesus. 00:14:53.160 --> 00:14:55.000 This is the mission of my life. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:59.879 I wonder if that's the same for you. 00:15:01.879 --> 00:15:05.059 I wonder if this is how you view your circumstances. 00:15:06.059 --> 00:15:07.440 Whatever they may be. 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.659 Positive, negative. 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:13.580 All of us come in here this morning out of a week where we have circumstances. 00:15:13.580 --> 00:15:15.000 Whatever those might be. 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:16.440 Some good, some bad. 00:15:16.520 --> 00:15:22.420 I wonder if you view those circumstances of your life as something to run from, escape from. 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:28.980 Or if you view them as providentially supplied opportunities to advance the gospel. 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:36.320 God uses surprising means to advance the gospel. 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.860 It means that the world rejects. 00:15:37.920 --> 00:15:39.100 He uses weakness. 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:41.700 He uses suffering. 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:44.580 He uses foolishness in the eyes of the world. 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:47.120 I wonder what weakness of yours. 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:49.180 God has given you weakness. 00:15:49.420 --> 00:15:52.340 I wonder what weakness he's given you for the advance of the gospel. 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:58.139 Paul is advancing the gospel. 00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.100 Not only this second. 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:04.000 He says, because of my imprisonment, the brothers are proclaiming the gospel as well. 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.740 Look there at verse 14. 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:12.500 He says, and most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:15.899 are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:17.100 Now, hold on just a minute. 00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:19.900 That doesn't make any sense, does it? 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:23.659 You think about what he just said. 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:27.199 He just got thrown into prison for preaching the gospel. 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:32.579 He is in a Roman prison awaiting a sentence of either life or death. 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:33.819 He might die for this. 00:16:34.459 --> 00:16:36.860 And he says, well, because of this, all these other brothers, 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:40.459 they are now more confident to preach the gospel. 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.519 Explain that to me. 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:46.500 Here's a truth that the devil hates. 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:53.340 The more you press the church, the more the gospel spreads. 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:56.259 You hear that? 00:16:57.320 --> 00:17:03.559 The more you press the church, the more the gospel spreads. 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:08.160 This is why Tertullian, the early church father, second century church father, 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:13.440 he said the blood of martyrs is seed for the church. 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:16.440 The devil hates this truth. 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:19.820 He absolutely hates this truth. 00:17:20.120 --> 00:17:24.460 You cannot stop the spread of the gospel by throwing Christians into prison. 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:31.279 You cannot stop the spread of the gospel by taking away their belongings. 00:17:31.580 --> 00:17:35.320 You cannot stop the spread of the gospel by cutting off their heads. 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:41.460 The gospel spreads when the church is persecuted and pressed. 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:44.939 The devil tries to blow out that flame. 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:46.159 It only kindles the fire. 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.039 It catches it. 00:17:47.179 --> 00:17:49.359 It spreads bigger and stronger than before. 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:51.899 I don't know if you've ever stepped on a pregnant spider. 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:54.259 I've done that before. 00:17:54.259 --> 00:18:01.019 You step on this big, hairy, ugly spider, and all of a sudden there's millions of spiders in your room now. 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:07.140 Every time the devil tries to step out Christianity, boom, it spreads. 00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:10.460 Bigger, stronger than ever before. 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:12.279 We see this all through the scriptures, don't we? 00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:14.539 Cain kills Abel, Genesis chapter 4. 00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:22.259 Before the rest of the chapter is over, we have Seth and his son Enosh all the way down the line to Noah and the beginning of a whole new world. 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.200 The book of Exodus. 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:25.519 How does the book of Exodus start? 00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:27.440 There's a new pharaoh in town. 00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:28.079 What does he say? 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:30.359 The Israelites are too many. 00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:34.680 Let's deal shrewdly with them lest they multiply. 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.659 And what happens? 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:39.740 The more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied. 00:18:40.379 --> 00:18:42.000 And the more they spread abroad. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.640 Jesus. 00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:44.579 You go to Jesus. 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:46.059 And what do they say? 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:49.299 If we can just kill this man, this movement will be finished. 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:58.000 If we can just get rid of him, all of his teachings, all of his disruptions, all of his movement, all of his followers, they'll fade away. 00:18:58.079 --> 00:18:59.900 His movement will die with him. 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:00.720 How did that work out? 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:05.019 Here we sit 2,000 years later worshiping the risen Lord. 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:07.539 The book of Acts. 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.099 Stephen. 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:10.059 The first martyr of the church. 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:12.700 They stoned him for preaching Christ. 00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:14.139 And Paul was right there, by the way. 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:18.240 He held their cloaks, not yet converted, standing by watching it happen. 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.319 Acts chapter 8 says, 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:25.579 There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem. 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:30.200 They were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.500 And here goes Saul. 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:32.859 He's ravaging the church. 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:34.399 He's dragging off men and women. 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:37.259 He's sending them to prison for worshiping Christ. 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:40.200 Surely that will silence the church, right? 00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:43.579 Acts chapter 8 verse 4. 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:49.379 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:53.700 And they wanted to snuff out this movement. 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:56.079 But all they did was spread it further. 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:57.640 Here's the truth that the enemy hates. 00:19:57.640 --> 00:20:04.240 The mission of God cannot be stopped by the methods of man or the schemes of Satan. 00:20:04.620 --> 00:20:07.140 When you press the church, the gospel spreads. 00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:09.900 When the gospel spreads, the church is built. 00:20:10.320 --> 00:20:13.580 And as a church is built, God is glorified. 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:16.240 You cannot stop the advance of the gospel. 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:20.460 Can I just tell you here on this point? 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:29.180 How encouraging it is to read the stories of Christian history. 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:33.099 I know I can be a nerd about some of this stuff sometimes. 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:33.880 I get that. 00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:40.140 But if you ever find that your evangelism is struggling, if you're just struggling to share your faith, 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:47.920 if you feel like you lack boldness or confidence to go share the gospel and to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ, 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:54.200 pick up a Christian biography, a good book that shares some of the stories of church history. 00:20:55.420 --> 00:21:00.600 Read about Adoniram Judson, the missionary to the Burmese, 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.059 who said, 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:06.099 We cannot sit still and see the dear Burmans, flesh and blood like ourselves, 00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:13.000 and like ourselves, possessed of immortal souls that will shine forever in heaven or burn forever in hell. 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:19.419 We cannot see them go down to perdition without doing our very utmost to save them. 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:21.699 And thanks be to God, our labors are not in vain. 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:30.299 And now, because of his labors, over 4.5 million Christians are there in that area. 00:21:30.599 --> 00:21:37.619 Read about Hudson Taylor, who spent 54 years in China, started the China Inland Mission, 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:40.639 which led to over 20,000 Chinese conversions to Christ. 00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:44.119 You can read about Amy Carmichael to India. 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:46.480 Read about Jim and Elizabeth Elliot. 00:21:46.679 --> 00:21:52.459 Here in October, you can read about the reformers and the price that they paid to recover the truths of the gospel 00:21:52.459 --> 00:21:54.219 and pass them on to us. 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:59.079 If you want to be stirred up to be bold in your proclamation of the gospel, church, 00:21:59.400 --> 00:22:01.059 read about those who have done it. 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:04.539 There's value in reading about the history of the church. 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:13.220 And if you want to be challenged in your comfort and safety and love of self-preservation, 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:15.920 read about those who have suffered. 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:19.960 I've given all for the sake of Christ. 00:22:21.320 --> 00:22:25.480 I would encourage all of you to find a copy of Fox's Book of Martyrs. 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:28.820 Find a copy of Fox's Book of Martyrs. 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:29.279 Write that down. 00:22:29.340 --> 00:22:31.140 This should be required reading of every Christian. 00:22:32.100 --> 00:22:32.680 I'll say it again. 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:32.960 Read it. 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:33.539 Write it down. 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.019 Go home. 00:22:34.140 --> 00:22:34.480 Find it. 00:22:34.560 --> 00:22:34.860 Read it. 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.500 Fox's Book of Martyrs. 00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:40.860 Find a copy of these stories of the persecution of the church 00:22:40.859 --> 00:22:43.639 and read it and be encouraged and emboldened 00:22:43.639 --> 00:22:46.539 to live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:48.500 And Paul says, 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:51.639 the church didn't stop talking about Jesus just because I'm here in prison. 00:22:51.719 --> 00:22:52.379 Quite the opposite. 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:57.019 The brothers are even more bold to speak the name of Christ. 00:22:57.119 --> 00:22:57.879 But not only them. 00:22:58.039 --> 00:23:00.199 Third, Paul says, 00:23:00.199 --> 00:23:01.679 because of my imprisonment, 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:05.439 rivals are preaching the name of Christ as well. 00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:07.419 Look there to verse 15. 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:12.220 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.539 but others from goodwill. 00:23:14.360 --> 00:23:15.640 The latter do it out of love, 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:18.000 knowing that I'm here for the defense of the gospel, 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:20.820 with form or proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:21.820 not sincerely, 00:23:22.060 --> 00:23:25.240 but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:27.640 So apparently there's two groups of people 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:30.840 that have been emboldened to preach the gospel by Paul's imprisonment. 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.100 Right? 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:35.340 The one are a group of well-intentioned brothers 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:38.779 who are genuinely encouraged by Paul's imprisonment, 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:40.480 and so they go out of love, 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:41.959 and they want to preach the gospel. 00:23:42.159 --> 00:23:44.519 They're more bold now out of goodwill, 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.059 he says, 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:45.859 to preach Christ. 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:47.399 But there's some, 00:23:47.899 --> 00:23:48.339 who he says, 00:23:48.379 --> 00:23:49.000 on the other hand, 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:50.759 there's some who are preaching Christ, 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:51.279 he says, 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.679 selfishly. 00:23:53.639 --> 00:23:55.980 Preaching Christ out of selfish ambition. 00:23:56.199 --> 00:23:56.319 Now, 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:58.959 it's hard to know exactly what they're, 00:23:59.059 --> 00:24:01.539 I don't think they're preaching false teaching. 00:24:02.419 --> 00:24:03.619 Paul wouldn't celebrate that. 00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:05.699 I think that they are, 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:06.599 as far as I can tell, 00:24:06.699 --> 00:24:08.399 actually preaching the gospel. 00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:10.359 Their message is correct, 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:12.479 but their motivation is sinful. 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:13.239 You see it? 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:15.119 The message is right, 00:24:15.199 --> 00:24:16.079 they're preaching Christ, 00:24:16.179 --> 00:24:16.939 but why are they doing it? 00:24:16.979 --> 00:24:19.219 They're preaching it for selfish ambition. 00:24:19.419 --> 00:24:21.519 They're preaching it out of rivalry. 00:24:21.739 --> 00:24:22.779 They're preaching it in some way, 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:25.339 they think that they're going to harm Paul 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.819 by their preaching the gospel. 00:24:26.959 --> 00:24:30.639 I can only assume that these people are in some way jealous of Paul. 00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:31.200 Well, 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:34.300 they see the gospel success, 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.460 you see my quotation, 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:37.280 success he's having, 00:24:37.340 --> 00:24:38.700 you see the influence he's having, 00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:42.000 he sees the support he's receiving from other churches, 00:24:42.320 --> 00:24:42.880 and they say, 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:43.480 he's in prison, 00:24:43.540 --> 00:24:44.560 I want to get some of that for me. 00:24:45.540 --> 00:24:46.860 I want to get some of that for me, 00:24:46.900 --> 00:24:49.200 and I'm going to use the name of Christ to do it. 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:51.820 They think that this is going to hurt Paul's ministry, 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:53.420 but look how he responds in verse 18. 00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:58.060 I don't care what they do to me. 00:24:59.340 --> 00:25:02.380 I do not care what they do to me. 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:02.980 What then? 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.980 Only that in every way, 00:25:05.120 --> 00:25:06.759 whether in pretense or in truth, 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:08.519 Christ is proclaimed, 00:25:08.860 --> 00:25:11.279 and in that I will rejoice. 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:16.019 Paul is not bothered in the slightest 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:20.759 by any personal slight or personal attacks against him. 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:24.440 I know this might sound strange to American Christianity, 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:29.599 and to the celebrity pastor mindset that we've adopted here, 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:33.640 but Paul simply does not care about building his own personal brand, 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.079 does he? 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:39.799 Paul doesn't care how many followers he has on social media, 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:42.660 who all is listening to his podcast. 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:45.039 He doesn't care whether he's invited to get, 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:46.799 get invited to speak at conferences, 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:48.200 whether people buy his books. 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:51.840 He doesn't have a study Bible with his name plastered on the front of it. 00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:54.200 He does not care. 00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:56.680 He doesn't want people to know the name Paul. 00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:59.100 He wants people to know the name Jesus. 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:03.519 He doesn't care about building his own personal following. 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:05.539 He says something similar in 1 Corinthians. 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:08.480 I guess this was a common issue, it seems like. 00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:10.000 1 Corinthians 3, 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:10.799 Some say, 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:11.819 I follow Paul. 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:12.360 Some say, 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:13.600 I follow Apollos. 00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:14.519 How does Paul respond? 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:16.319 What is Apollos? 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:18.259 What is Paul? 00:26:18.919 --> 00:26:20.579 We are servants. 00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:21.799 We're not the point. 00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:23.099 He's the point. 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:23.859 I planted, 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.000 Apollos watered, 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:26.619 but God gave the growth. 00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:28.099 So neither he who plants, 00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:30.119 nor he who waters is anything, 00:26:30.439 --> 00:26:33.379 but God who gives the growth. 00:26:35.419 --> 00:26:36.359 Paul is out here, 00:26:36.439 --> 00:26:41.000 he hears that his enemies are out there preaching the name of Jesus, 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:44.740 trying to build the church with ill intention to harm him, 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:46.279 so that they can hurt Paul in some way. 00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:46.920 He says, 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:48.299 Praise God, 00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:48.960 by all means, 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.640 preach Christ. 00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:51.359 Please, 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:52.019 by all means, 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:53.079 build the church. 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:55.240 I never would have thought God would use you to do it. 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:57.420 But praise God. 00:26:58.539 --> 00:27:01.380 I rejoice in the advance of the gospel. 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:01.640 I mean, 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:01.839 just, 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:05.680 just think of how frustrated the enemy must be by all of this, 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.039 right? 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:08.480 Here's this guy, 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:08.920 Paul, 00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:12.920 who God is using mightily to build the church and advance the gospel. 00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:13.339 He says, 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:16.259 I'll have this guy thrown in jail. 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:16.980 That'll stop it, 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.200 right? 00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:17.899 No. 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:21.079 The whole imperial guard hears the gospel. 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:21.319 Well, 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:23.920 maybe that'll at least discourage the rest of the church, 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:25.579 and they won't preach the gospel. 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:26.379 They'll be silent, 00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:26.720 right? 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.200 Wrong again. 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:30.960 And the brothers are encouraged. 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:31.899 Well, 00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:34.980 then I'll send out these selfish teachers to tear Paul down, 00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:36.920 and it'll cause a division in the church. 00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:37.440 It's going to be, 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.780 going to be this big uproar, 00:27:38.840 --> 00:27:39.160 an issue. 00:27:39.280 --> 00:27:40.380 Paul's going to tell them to stop. 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.360 And Paul says, 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.640 so what? 00:27:44.040 --> 00:27:45.460 Paul doesn't care about Paul. 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.440 Christ is proclaimed, 00:27:47.820 --> 00:27:48.759 and in that, 00:27:49.540 --> 00:27:50.220 I rejoice. 00:27:50.600 --> 00:27:50.780 You know, 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:59.360 the enemy would use all three of these circumstances to slow the progress of the gospel here as well. 00:28:00.100 --> 00:28:00.759 You realize that? 00:28:01.900 --> 00:28:04.920 To slow the advance of the gospel in our lives, 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:06.480 in our church, 00:28:07.060 --> 00:28:08.060 in our community, 00:28:08.320 --> 00:28:09.140 and in the world, 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:12.080 he would use suffering to stop the advance of the gospel. 00:28:13.060 --> 00:28:14.340 In the hands of the enemy, 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:17.800 he wants suffering to stop gospel progress. 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:22.120 He would use discouragement to stop the advance of the gospel. 00:28:23.280 --> 00:28:28.140 He would use division in the church to stop the advance of the gospel. 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:29.180 What we need, 00:28:29.360 --> 00:28:29.600 church, 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.600 is like Paul, 00:28:30.660 --> 00:28:32.500 to have a one-track mind. 00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:37.780 To care about nothing more than the glory of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:37.859 Christ. 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:42.000 The mission that we've been given, 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:42.399 church, 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:48.379 is not to stay as safe and as comfortable as we can on the way to glory. 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:52.820 It is to give our lives away for the advance of the gospel. 00:28:52.819 --> 00:28:52.899 Paul. 00:28:55.339 --> 00:28:57.539 So let me ask you a few questions here as we close, 00:28:57.659 --> 00:29:00.279 just to apply this to us this morning. 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:00.879 For one, 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:06.019 you can't even begin to go about this task of giving your life away for Christ 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:09.980 until you realize that Christ has given his life away for you. 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.420 And so, 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:12.079 first question has to be, 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:13.000 do you know him? 00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:15.860 Do you know Christ? 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:18.240 Have you believed the gospel message? 00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:23.120 Do you share Paul's conviction that Christ Jesus is worthy of your life? 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:25.900 If so, 00:29:26.059 --> 00:29:28.980 take a look at your life right now and ask yourself question number two. 00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:33.539 What circumstance of my life is God using to advance the gospel? 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:40.639 What circumstance of my life is God using to advance the gospel? 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:45.039 Or what circumstance of my life could be leveraged for the gospel? 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:46.619 Some of the ordinary, 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:47.319 regular, 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:49.119 mundane things that we do every day, 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:54.799 we don't even realize that they are gospel opportunities right there in front of our face. 00:29:55.920 --> 00:30:00.359 Some of the things that we complain about and pray that God would just take away, 00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:04.719 those are opportunities that God might use to advance the gospel. 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:07.119 That horrible situation at work. 00:30:08.619 --> 00:30:11.679 That terrible boss that you just can't stand working for. 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:15.679 That sickness that just won't seem to go away. 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:17.199 That conflict with your neighbors. 00:30:17.439 --> 00:30:18.919 I want you to be able to say that, 00:30:19.059 --> 00:30:19.259 you know, 00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:20.939 this circumstance is not ideal. 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:21.240 No, 00:30:21.379 --> 00:30:22.899 but through it, 00:30:22.919 --> 00:30:24.740 it really has served to advance the gospel. 00:30:25.979 --> 00:30:26.619 And in that, 00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:27.599 I rejoice. 00:30:29.159 --> 00:30:29.959 Here's another question. 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:32.980 Do we care more about me or the mission? 00:30:35.360 --> 00:30:40.980 Do I care about my comfort or my neighbor's salvation? 00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:46.140 Do I care more about me or the mission? 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:46.840 This is a tough one, 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.120 isn't it? 00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:53.799 Do we have a one-track mind to the point where we care less about our comfort than the glory of King Jesus? 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:58.079 Do we care less about our reputation than the spread of the gospel? 00:30:58.079 --> 00:31:00.779 And this requires a work of grace. 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.259 It doesn't. 00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:03.079 This is not natural thinking. 00:31:03.879 --> 00:31:06.059 Nobody naturally thinks this way. 00:31:06.159 --> 00:31:07.980 It's natural to self-preserve. 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:08.619 That's normal. 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:12.460 We need God's grace to shape and to change our way of thinking. 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:16.500 And part of that is to ask this question. 00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:16.660 Well, 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:18.279 who around me needs to hear? 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:22.279 Who around me needs to hear the gospel? 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:25.019 And am I prepared to tell them? 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:29.819 And that's what it looks like to live with the advance of the gospel on your mind every day. 00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:30.539 Your neighbors, 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:32.180 your co-workers, 00:31:32.360 --> 00:31:33.220 your family members, 00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:33.900 your friends, 00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:34.460 the mailman, 00:31:35.120 --> 00:31:36.380 the guy at the grocery store. 00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:39.900 These random encounters may not be so random. 00:31:40.020 --> 00:31:45.360 They may be providentially appointed opportunities to advance the gospel. 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:47.820 If you're looking at your non-believing neighbor and saying, 00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:49.580 I just wish God would send somebody to them. 00:31:51.300 --> 00:31:55.620 I wish God would send a missionary to them to share the gospel with them. 00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:56.540 They're just so lost. 00:31:56.660 --> 00:31:56.800 God, 00:31:56.880 --> 00:31:59.680 would you save them and share the gospel with them some way? 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:01.960 Would you just provide some way to get the gospel to them? 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:06.140 Have you considered that maybe he's sent somebody? 00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:09.380 And maybe it's you. 00:32:11.160 --> 00:32:12.079 Last question. 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:13.000 Is our joy, 00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:20.220 is our joy contingent on our circumstances or is it rooted in Christ? 00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:23.920 I have never met such a happy prisoner. 00:32:25.579 --> 00:32:28.920 This letter is filled with joy. 00:32:28.920 --> 00:32:30.080 104 verses, 00:32:30.360 --> 00:32:34.380 16 times that word joy or rejoice shows up. 00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:34.720 Why? 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:38.860 Because his joy is not rooted in something that can be changed in an instant, 00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:39.880 like your circumstances, 00:32:40.580 --> 00:32:41.920 like your health, 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:44.420 like your safety, 00:32:44.620 --> 00:32:45.279 like your freedom, 00:32:46.360 --> 00:32:47.259 like your comfort. 00:32:48.320 --> 00:32:51.019 His joy is rooted in the unchanging, 00:32:51.580 --> 00:32:53.880 undefeatable truths of the gospel 00:32:53.880 --> 00:32:56.259 and the glory of Jesus Christ. 00:32:56.340 --> 00:32:57.060 Is that true of you? 00:32:57.060 --> 00:32:57.140 Yeah. 00:32:58.920 --> 00:33:01.480 Only one life 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:03.620 will soon be passed. 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:07.000 Only what's done for Christ will last. 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:09.100 Only one life, 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:09.360 yes, 00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:10.340 only one, 00:33:10.519 --> 00:33:12.500 soon will its fleeting hours be done. 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:14.200 Then in that day, 00:33:14.300 --> 00:33:17.259 my Lord to meet and stand before his judgment seat. 00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:19.560 Only one life will soon be passed. 00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:22.120 Only what's done for Christ will last. 00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:24.060 Only one life, 00:33:24.100 --> 00:33:25.539 a few brief years, 00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:28.519 each with its birth hopes and fears. 00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:30.700 Each with its days I must fulfill, 00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:33.500 living for self or in his will. 00:33:34.559 --> 00:33:36.619 Only one life will soon be passed. 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:39.779 Only what's done for Christ will last. 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:42.680 when this bright world would tempt me sore. 00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:45.579 When Satan would a victory score. 00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:48.460 When self would seek to have its way, 00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:49.180 then help me, 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:49.460 Lord, 00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:51.059 with joy to say, 00:33:51.059 --> 00:33:53.619 only one life will soon be passed. 00:33:53.619 --> 00:33:54.000 Only one life will soon be passed. 00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:57.799 Only what's done for Christ will last. 00:33:57.799 --> 00:34:00.599 Father, 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.079 we pray 00:34:01.079 --> 00:34:03.460 that this would be 00:34:03.460 --> 00:34:05.240 the motto of our lives. 00:34:06.599 --> 00:34:07.039 Lord, 00:34:07.099 --> 00:34:09.179 would you fill us with gospel ambition 00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:12.320 and to not seek our own comfort 00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:13.840 and our own safety 00:34:13.840 --> 00:34:15.039 and our own security, 00:34:15.279 --> 00:34:15.440 Lord, 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:17.779 but to seek first the kingdom of God. 00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:19.519 Father, 00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:21.900 we pray that the gospel would be advanced 00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:23.039 and we know it will be 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:24.539 and we pray that it would be advanced 00:34:24.539 --> 00:34:26.739 through us and in us. 00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:27.979 God, 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:28.579 we ask, 00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:28.879 Lord, 00:34:28.939 --> 00:34:29.639 that we would see 00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:31.199 our friends and neighbors 00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:32.500 and family members 00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:33.779 come to faith in Jesus. 00:34:34.979 --> 00:34:35.239 Lord, 00:34:35.279 --> 00:34:36.799 would you fill our lips 00:34:36.799 --> 00:34:37.359 and our mouths 00:34:37.359 --> 00:34:39.119 with the hope of the gospel. 00:34:40.219 --> 00:34:40.839 Would you help us 00:34:40.839 --> 00:34:41.919 to view every circumstance, 00:34:42.059 --> 00:34:42.539 good and bad, 00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:43.219 as opportunities 00:34:43.219 --> 00:34:44.779 to advance the gospel. 00:34:45.339 --> 00:34:46.479 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:34:47.399 --> 00:34:47.599 Amen.