WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.459 Thank you, Richard. Good job. 00:00:02.960 --> 00:00:07.520 You know that everything that has life in it grows. 00:00:09.200 --> 00:00:10.540 It just happens. 00:00:11.380 --> 00:00:14.120 Plants, animals, and people. 00:00:15.160 --> 00:00:18.940 If we see something, anything, that doesn't grow, 00:00:19.019 --> 00:00:22.000 and by that I mean changes, matures, 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:25.920 if we see that something never does that, 00:00:26.660 --> 00:00:27.879 we know that something's wrong. 00:00:27.879 --> 00:00:29.900 It's diseased or even dead. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.159 Well, Christian growth, change, becoming mature. 00:00:38.039 --> 00:00:41.579 That's a normal expression of the Christian life. 00:00:42.240 --> 00:00:44.200 We don't just stay the same. 00:00:44.859 --> 00:00:46.760 And Paul shows us in Philippians 3 00:00:46.760 --> 00:00:50.219 that really the closer you get to the Lord, 00:00:50.299 --> 00:00:52.159 the more you know Him and love Him 00:00:52.159 --> 00:00:53.340 and walk with Him through life, 00:00:53.539 --> 00:00:55.519 the more you get close to Him, 00:00:55.520 --> 00:01:00.340 the more you become aware of your own sinfulness, 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:05.480 your own need to grow and mature and change. 00:01:06.480 --> 00:01:10.320 I want you to look at the same passage we looked at last week, 00:01:10.859 --> 00:01:15.680 how he describes his desire to keep on growing spiritually, 00:01:15.680 --> 00:01:19.280 specifically in verses 12 through 14. 00:01:19.760 --> 00:01:20.440 Let's look at it. 00:01:20.500 --> 00:01:23.960 Philippians 3, beginning in verse 12. 00:01:25.760 --> 00:01:28.280 Not that I have already obtained this, 00:01:28.400 --> 00:01:29.900 or am already perfect, 00:01:30.620 --> 00:01:33.200 but I press on to make it my own, 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:37.180 because Christ Jesus has made me His own. 00:01:37.180 --> 00:01:41.460 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. 00:01:41.720 --> 00:01:42.240 Look at it. 00:01:42.580 --> 00:01:44.120 He's emphasizing this twice. 00:01:45.440 --> 00:01:47.540 Paul is the, you know, 00:01:47.560 --> 00:01:50.240 he's sort of a rock star of the early church. 00:01:50.860 --> 00:01:53.180 I mean, he is the brilliant theologian, 00:01:54.580 --> 00:01:56.180 the evangelist, the church planter. 00:01:56.180 --> 00:02:00.460 But he wants everybody to understand, 00:02:00.720 --> 00:02:02.700 repeating it, 12 and 13. 00:02:03.320 --> 00:02:04.600 I've not arrived. 00:02:05.220 --> 00:02:06.940 I'm not where I need to be. 00:02:07.040 --> 00:02:07.900 I know that. 00:02:08.860 --> 00:02:10.900 And he's just driving that point home. 00:02:11.939 --> 00:02:14.939 And if Paul knows that about himself, 00:02:15.580 --> 00:02:16.800 so should we. 00:02:18.020 --> 00:02:18.780 Verse 13. 00:02:19.460 --> 00:02:22.000 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own, 00:02:22.580 --> 00:02:24.600 but one thing I do, 00:02:24.599 --> 00:02:27.079 forgetting what lies behind 00:02:27.079 --> 00:02:30.960 and straining forward to what lies ahead. 00:02:31.479 --> 00:02:34.859 I press on toward the goal for the prize 00:02:34.859 --> 00:02:39.000 of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 00:02:40.219 --> 00:02:43.419 We're using Paul, his testimony here, 00:02:44.019 --> 00:02:47.079 to help us see how vital it is 00:02:47.079 --> 00:02:49.519 that we put forth the effort 00:02:49.519 --> 00:02:51.699 to cooperate with God 00:02:51.699 --> 00:02:54.359 as He works in us to enable us to grow spiritually. 00:02:55.159 --> 00:02:59.280 Let's start by reviewing some of what we looked at last week, 00:02:59.560 --> 00:03:03.680 but we're also going to add to this point number one. 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:04.400 Look at it. 00:03:04.939 --> 00:03:06.719 The way to know if you need to grow spiritually. 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:09.599 Paul tells us how he knew 00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:11.519 that he had not arrived, 00:03:12.280 --> 00:03:15.500 that he still needed to grow spiritually. 00:03:15.740 --> 00:03:18.120 First, he'd not met his spiritual goals. 00:03:18.120 --> 00:03:20.840 That's what he's talking about in verse 12, 00:03:20.960 --> 00:03:21.700 that phrase, 00:03:22.140 --> 00:03:24.659 not that I've already obtained this. 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:26.640 We saw last week that he was, 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:28.400 the this is referring to what he said 00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:30.620 in verses 10 and 11. 00:03:31.340 --> 00:03:34.000 He's not attained or achieved those goals. 00:03:34.819 --> 00:03:36.300 Now, if you look at verses 10 and 11, 00:03:36.640 --> 00:03:39.759 Jesus is the focal point of each one of his goals, 00:03:40.319 --> 00:03:43.580 but he really describes his number one desire, 00:03:43.580 --> 00:03:46.680 number one goal is to know Christ. 00:03:46.880 --> 00:03:48.460 Look at it, verse 10, 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:50.520 that I may know Him. 00:03:50.600 --> 00:03:51.540 That's the foundation. 00:03:52.340 --> 00:03:53.540 And we know that's the foundation 00:03:53.540 --> 00:03:57.320 because that is a shorthand version 00:03:57.320 --> 00:04:00.300 of what he just said two verses prior. 00:04:00.720 --> 00:04:02.760 Look in verse eight. 00:04:05.140 --> 00:04:09.280 This goal is the absolute most important thing in his life. 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:09.680 He says, 00:04:09.819 --> 00:04:13.060 Indeed, I count everything as loss 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:16.079 because of the surpassing worth 00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:18.199 of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 00:04:18.899 --> 00:04:21.199 Everything he counted as a loss, 00:04:21.939 --> 00:04:23.680 those were his credentials 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:30.240 in his world as a Pharisee leader, 00:04:30.740 --> 00:04:33.560 one of the leading teachers of the Jewish people. 00:04:34.040 --> 00:04:36.720 I mean, Paul had a very impressive resume 00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:38.600 as a Jewish rabbi. 00:04:39.279 --> 00:04:42.679 But when God opened his eyes 00:04:42.679 --> 00:04:44.319 to the truth about who Jesus was, 00:04:45.359 --> 00:04:47.239 he put his trust in Jesus. 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:49.239 He was born again. 00:04:49.899 --> 00:04:51.519 Everything changed. 00:04:52.419 --> 00:04:55.199 And all that was impressive 00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:57.879 for a Jewish leader in that day, 00:04:58.799 --> 00:05:00.059 he said, it's just like, 00:05:00.239 --> 00:05:02.019 I'm ready to flush it. 00:05:02.919 --> 00:05:04.959 It's like dung, we said last week. 00:05:05.299 --> 00:05:06.559 It means nothing 00:05:06.560 --> 00:05:08.920 now that I have come 00:05:08.920 --> 00:05:12.000 or in the process of knowing Christ. 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:14.180 Now, knowing Christ means more 00:05:14.180 --> 00:05:16.759 than just knowing some things about him. 00:05:17.160 --> 00:05:17.939 But that's important. 00:05:19.019 --> 00:05:21.060 You've probably heard somebody say, 00:05:21.300 --> 00:05:21.579 read, 00:05:22.939 --> 00:05:24.899 well, we emphasize, 00:05:25.060 --> 00:05:27.180 or don't go too far in this, 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:29.620 in our relationship with the Lord, 00:05:29.620 --> 00:05:32.399 and just emphasize head knowledge, 00:05:32.759 --> 00:05:33.840 factual information. 00:05:34.379 --> 00:05:35.360 Well, we need to know 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:37.139 factual information is very important. 00:05:38.340 --> 00:05:39.600 You've got to know who it is 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:40.639 that Jesus is in order 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:42.879 for him to save you, 00:05:42.939 --> 00:05:43.439 to come to him, 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:44.500 to warn him to save you. 00:05:45.100 --> 00:05:46.620 We need to know facts. 00:05:46.780 --> 00:05:48.780 Jesus is the son of God 00:05:48.780 --> 00:05:50.519 who left the glory of heaven 00:05:50.519 --> 00:05:51.819 and came into this world 00:05:51.819 --> 00:05:54.540 to ultimately go to a cross 00:05:54.540 --> 00:05:56.319 and die for our sins. 00:05:56.319 --> 00:05:57.759 That's the information 00:05:57.759 --> 00:05:58.579 that we need to know. 00:05:59.699 --> 00:06:00.839 That's the Jesus 00:06:00.839 --> 00:06:02.959 that we need to put our faith 00:06:02.959 --> 00:06:03.459 and trust 00:06:03.459 --> 00:06:04.719 and have confidence in. 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:06.379 But, 00:06:06.939 --> 00:06:08.939 knowing Christ means more than, 00:06:09.180 --> 00:06:10.079 far more than, 00:06:10.399 --> 00:06:11.860 just knowing about him. 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:13.339 Knowing Christ means 00:06:13.339 --> 00:06:14.939 knowing him personally 00:06:14.939 --> 00:06:16.319 by experience. 00:06:17.379 --> 00:06:18.620 We're talking about a relationship. 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:20.800 Paul described how Jesus 00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:21.319 had initiated 00:06:21.980 --> 00:06:23.659 their relationship 00:06:23.659 --> 00:06:24.800 that we looked at 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:25.539 in a little more detail 00:06:25.540 --> 00:06:26.140 last week 00:06:26.140 --> 00:06:26.660 at the latter part 00:06:26.660 --> 00:06:27.220 of verse 12. 00:06:27.700 --> 00:06:28.360 Christ Jesus 00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:30.580 has made me his own. 00:06:32.260 --> 00:06:33.200 You have a relationship 00:06:33.200 --> 00:06:34.220 with the Lord Jesus 00:06:34.220 --> 00:06:34.800 this morning 00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:36.240 if you have one 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:38.920 because he called you 00:06:38.920 --> 00:06:39.540 to himself. 00:06:39.980 --> 00:06:41.320 You responded in faith, 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:42.700 but he initiated, 00:06:43.020 --> 00:06:44.020 he called you. 00:06:44.420 --> 00:06:45.700 He opened your eyes 00:06:45.700 --> 00:06:46.420 to see the truth 00:06:46.420 --> 00:06:47.420 about who he is 00:06:47.420 --> 00:06:48.780 and your need for salvation 00:06:48.780 --> 00:06:49.879 and he called you 00:06:49.879 --> 00:06:51.240 to that faith 00:06:51.240 --> 00:06:52.900 that you have in him now 00:06:52.900 --> 00:06:53.960 as your Lord and Savior. 00:06:53.959 --> 00:06:55.079 Well, 00:06:55.120 --> 00:06:55.879 ever since then, 00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:57.659 Paul has been growing 00:06:57.659 --> 00:06:58.479 in his relationship 00:06:58.479 --> 00:06:59.099 with Christ. 00:07:00.239 --> 00:07:01.959 He's been getting 00:07:01.959 --> 00:07:03.039 to know Jesus better. 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:04.959 And as he gets 00:07:04.959 --> 00:07:05.719 to know him better, 00:07:05.779 --> 00:07:06.879 he loves him more. 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:09.319 And as he knows 00:07:09.319 --> 00:07:10.240 and loves Jesus 00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:11.279 who gave his life 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:11.679 for him, 00:07:12.339 --> 00:07:13.599 he wants to give his life 00:07:13.599 --> 00:07:14.740 in service to the Lord. 00:07:16.339 --> 00:07:17.500 That's a part of what's 00:07:17.500 --> 00:07:18.439 involved in knowing Christ. 00:07:18.679 --> 00:07:19.479 But think of this, 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:21.400 as he gets to know, 00:07:21.520 --> 00:07:22.300 has this relationship 00:07:22.300 --> 00:07:23.020 with the Lord Jesus, 00:07:24.020 --> 00:07:26.000 he experiences 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:27.560 the Lord's presence 00:07:27.560 --> 00:07:28.180 in his life, 00:07:28.400 --> 00:07:29.759 the Lord's love, 00:07:30.300 --> 00:07:32.040 the Lord's affirmation. 00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:34.759 That's what, 00:07:35.700 --> 00:07:37.620 that's a major part 00:07:37.620 --> 00:07:39.800 of every Christian's 00:07:39.800 --> 00:07:40.680 relationship with the Lord. 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:42.220 We get to know him, 00:07:42.280 --> 00:07:42.980 we love him, 00:07:43.200 --> 00:07:44.280 we want to serve him, 00:07:44.279 --> 00:07:46.439 we experience his presence, 00:07:46.659 --> 00:07:47.239 his power, 00:07:47.559 --> 00:07:49.979 his love in our lives. 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:52.859 Just like every relationship 00:07:52.859 --> 00:07:53.979 that you have right now, 00:07:54.899 --> 00:07:55.759 from your marriage 00:07:55.759 --> 00:07:56.399 to your children 00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:57.059 to your parents 00:07:57.059 --> 00:07:58.239 to good friends, 00:07:58.839 --> 00:08:01.059 you get to know a person, 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:02.579 you get involved with them, 00:08:02.719 --> 00:08:04.519 but they also get involved 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:04.859 with you. 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:06.739 There's give and take 00:08:06.739 --> 00:08:08.279 in every healthy, 00:08:09.059 --> 00:08:10.279 good relationship. 00:08:12.019 --> 00:08:12.699 That's the case 00:08:12.699 --> 00:08:13.159 in our relationship 00:08:13.159 --> 00:08:13.539 with the Lord. 00:08:14.279 --> 00:08:15.719 Now as Paul writes this, 00:08:16.500 --> 00:08:18.419 Bible scholars tell us 00:08:18.419 --> 00:08:20.000 that it's probably been 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:20.799 30 years 00:08:20.799 --> 00:08:21.799 since his conversion. 00:08:23.639 --> 00:08:24.799 Paul began his relationship 00:08:24.799 --> 00:08:25.379 with the Lord 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:28.099 30 years prior 00:08:28.099 --> 00:08:29.239 to writing this. 00:08:30.459 --> 00:08:31.919 But that relationship 00:08:31.919 --> 00:08:33.319 has not grown stale. 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:36.519 It's not boring. 00:08:37.839 --> 00:08:38.579 Knowing Christ 00:08:38.579 --> 00:08:41.159 is still his number one priority. 00:08:42.419 --> 00:08:43.559 Now the second reason 00:08:43.559 --> 00:08:44.379 Paul gives for why 00:08:44.379 --> 00:08:44.899 he needs to grow, 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:45.419 look at this, 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:46.579 he was not perfect. 00:08:46.839 --> 00:08:47.239 He says, 00:08:47.319 --> 00:08:48.119 not that I've already 00:08:48.119 --> 00:08:48.699 obtained this 00:08:48.699 --> 00:08:50.119 or am already perfect. 00:08:50.339 --> 00:08:51.079 And we looked at that 00:08:51.079 --> 00:08:51.919 in a little bit more detail 00:08:51.919 --> 00:08:52.959 last week as well. 00:08:53.739 --> 00:08:54.679 All I want us to see here 00:08:54.679 --> 00:08:57.099 is the Apostle Paul, 00:08:58.779 --> 00:09:00.379 most mature Christian 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:01.699 that we could ever imagine. 00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:05.419 He knew that he was not perfect. 00:09:06.079 --> 00:09:07.479 He knew that there was still 00:09:07.479 --> 00:09:09.279 sin in his life 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:11.519 that he needed to overcome. 00:09:12.559 --> 00:09:13.259 He needed to learn, 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:14.759 he needed to do a better job 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:16.339 of battling some temptations. 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:18.939 He needed to become 00:09:18.939 --> 00:09:20.179 more like Jesus, 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:22.139 which is God's goal for us. 00:09:22.419 --> 00:09:23.299 We'll look at it in a moment. 00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:26.120 What Paul said about himself, 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:28.579 I've not arrived. 00:09:29.199 --> 00:09:30.179 I'm not perfect. 00:09:30.959 --> 00:09:32.500 Well, that's true about us. 00:09:32.500 --> 00:09:35.360 And I stressed last week 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:37.279 that we know that. 00:09:38.500 --> 00:09:40.100 Everyone here knows 00:09:40.100 --> 00:09:41.639 I've not arrived. 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:43.860 I'm not perfect as a Christian 00:09:43.860 --> 00:09:44.980 or in any way. 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:47.700 But here's the question 00:09:47.700 --> 00:09:51.019 that we need to really think about. 00:09:51.580 --> 00:09:52.820 What matters the most? 00:09:53.539 --> 00:09:54.360 Do you care 00:09:54.360 --> 00:09:56.100 that you're not perfect? 00:09:57.539 --> 00:09:59.879 Do you care as a Christian 00:09:59.879 --> 00:10:02.700 that there's still sin 00:10:02.700 --> 00:10:03.500 in your life 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:06.919 that's whipping you some days? 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:09.939 There's still temptations 00:10:09.939 --> 00:10:11.059 that just sometimes 00:10:11.059 --> 00:10:13.000 it just seems to overwhelm you. 00:10:13.860 --> 00:10:15.019 And you say that, 00:10:15.179 --> 00:10:16.120 you do that. 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:20.399 Does it bother you? 00:10:21.919 --> 00:10:22.360 And then, 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:24.440 do you have a desire 00:10:24.440 --> 00:10:25.620 to overcome those things? 00:10:25.720 --> 00:10:26.519 Do you have a desire 00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:28.480 to grow spiritually? 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:31.080 I want to think about it 00:10:31.080 --> 00:10:32.899 in two ways. 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:33.419 First, 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:35.460 do you desire 00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:36.460 to know Jesus better 00:10:36.460 --> 00:10:37.019 and have, 00:10:37.700 --> 00:10:38.740 actually enjoy 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:41.200 a closer relationship 00:10:41.200 --> 00:10:42.039 with Him? 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:43.399 I mean, 00:10:44.439 --> 00:10:47.360 all of us in this room, 00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:49.019 we have all kinds of desires. 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:51.100 You have desires 00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:52.419 about relationships 00:10:52.419 --> 00:10:53.100 with people. 00:10:53.340 --> 00:10:54.080 You have desires 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:55.039 about, you know, 00:10:55.059 --> 00:10:55.840 having enough income 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:57.639 to provide for yourself. 00:10:57.639 --> 00:10:58.879 You have desires 00:10:58.879 --> 00:10:59.639 for, you know, 00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:01.399 lots of things 00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:02.059 that are good, 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:02.539 normal. 00:11:04.439 --> 00:11:04.919 If, 00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:07.840 before we looked 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:08.620 at this passage 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:09.159 this morning 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:10.100 or even last week, 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:13.059 if you were given 00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:13.799 a sheet of paper 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:15.460 just out of the blue 00:11:15.460 --> 00:11:16.960 and somebody told you, 00:11:17.159 --> 00:11:18.139 I want you to write down 00:11:18.139 --> 00:11:20.039 the desires 00:11:20.039 --> 00:11:21.519 of your heart, 00:11:21.779 --> 00:11:22.559 beginning with your 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:23.580 greatest desire 00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:25.159 and just however many 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:25.460 you want to put 00:11:25.460 --> 00:11:25.940 on the paper, 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:29.639 would you put 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:30.360 on that paper, 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:32.759 honestly, 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:34.900 I have a true 00:11:34.900 --> 00:11:36.100 heartfelt desire 00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:37.920 to know 00:11:37.920 --> 00:11:38.800 the Lord 00:11:38.800 --> 00:11:39.660 better, 00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:41.280 to be closer 00:11:41.280 --> 00:11:41.840 to Him, 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:43.960 for my relationship 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:44.700 to be 00:11:44.700 --> 00:11:45.580 richer, 00:11:46.920 --> 00:11:47.220 deeper. 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:49.899 Well, 00:11:49.940 --> 00:11:50.440 if you have 00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:51.180 that desire 00:11:51.180 --> 00:11:54.320 and you're not 00:11:54.320 --> 00:11:56.379 spending time 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:56.800 with the Lord 00:11:56.800 --> 00:11:58.320 on a regular basis, 00:11:58.700 --> 00:11:59.420 I want to ask you 00:11:59.420 --> 00:11:59.940 right now, 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:03.220 make spending time 00:12:03.220 --> 00:12:03.820 with Jesus 00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:05.139 a priority 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:06.639 beginning today. 00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:08.440 And I want you 00:12:08.440 --> 00:12:09.160 to think about this 00:12:09.160 --> 00:12:10.080 very specifically. 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:11.820 If you're not already 00:12:11.820 --> 00:12:12.660 spending time 00:12:12.660 --> 00:12:12.960 with the Lord 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:13.440 every day, 00:12:14.440 --> 00:12:15.500 start and just 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:16.920 start with 15 minutes. 00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:20.500 find 15 minutes, 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:20.839 you can make 00:12:20.839 --> 00:12:21.659 like an appointment 00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:22.199 with Him 00:12:22.199 --> 00:12:24.899 and spend time 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:26.539 in prayer, 00:12:26.679 --> 00:12:27.360 talking to Him 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:28.559 and reading the Bible. 00:12:29.339 --> 00:12:30.419 As you pray, 00:12:31.719 --> 00:12:32.559 praise the Lord 00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:33.500 for who He is. 00:12:35.819 --> 00:12:36.579 Thank Him 00:12:36.579 --> 00:12:37.819 for how He has been 00:12:37.819 --> 00:12:38.719 and He is working 00:12:38.719 --> 00:12:39.379 in your life. 00:12:39.479 --> 00:12:39.659 I mean, 00:12:39.719 --> 00:12:40.819 really focus on 00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:42.139 praising Jesus 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:43.959 and your Heavenly Father. 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:46.240 Thank Him. 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:47.879 both the Father 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:48.580 and the Son. 00:12:50.440 --> 00:12:51.399 Ask Him 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:53.039 to help you 00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:54.820 to have a greater 00:12:54.820 --> 00:12:55.840 desire to know Him. 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:57.600 Ask Him 00:12:57.600 --> 00:12:58.159 to help you 00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:58.759 to truly 00:12:58.759 --> 00:13:00.600 draw closer 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:01.320 to Him 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:04.299 and really enjoy 00:13:04.299 --> 00:13:05.860 a relationship 00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:06.320 with Him. 00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:09.200 Start reading 00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:09.779 the Bible 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:10.500 and don't just 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:11.279 read randomly. 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:13.259 Read a book 00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:14.100 of the New Testament. 00:13:14.100 --> 00:13:15.960 let's just say 00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:16.899 pick Matthew, 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:19.040 whatever book 00:13:19.040 --> 00:13:19.320 you want to. 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:20.300 Pick Philippians 00:13:20.300 --> 00:13:20.620 if you're not 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:21.120 reading it. 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:24.000 And don't try 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:24.860 to see how much 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:25.340 you can read. 00:13:25.420 --> 00:13:26.180 Just read a paragraph 00:13:26.180 --> 00:13:26.759 at a time. 00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:28.019 Based on the time 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:28.820 you have available, 00:13:29.580 --> 00:13:30.279 take a paragraph 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:32.059 and read it. 00:13:33.459 --> 00:13:34.100 Think about 00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:35.480 what the human 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:36.299 author is saying 00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:37.220 and what God 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:37.600 is saying 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.240 through that human 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:38.600 author. 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:41.639 As you read it 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:42.360 or after you've 00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:42.659 read it 00:13:42.659 --> 00:13:43.039 and you're thinking 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:43.459 about it, 00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:44.039 ask God 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:44.480 to help you 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.879 to understand 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:47.939 what He wants 00:13:47.939 --> 00:13:48.419 you to understand 00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:48.939 about that. 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:51.059 Ask Him 00:13:51.059 --> 00:13:51.480 to help you 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:51.959 to believe 00:13:51.959 --> 00:13:52.740 what He's saying. 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:55.759 Ask Him 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:56.279 to help you 00:13:56.279 --> 00:13:57.159 obey it 00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:59.339 and then ask Him 00:13:59.339 --> 00:13:59.699 to help you 00:13:59.699 --> 00:14:00.339 to share it. 00:14:01.839 --> 00:14:02.500 Now if you 00:14:02.500 --> 00:14:03.899 pick a passage, 00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:05.819 you read a paragraph, 00:14:06.100 --> 00:14:06.439 you think, 00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:08.059 I don't have a clue 00:14:08.059 --> 00:14:08.639 what He's talking about. 00:14:08.779 --> 00:14:09.600 Go to the next one. 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:11.899 Go to the next paragraph. 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:14.240 Don't get bogged down. 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:15.879 Nobody understands 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:16.439 every paragraph 00:14:16.439 --> 00:14:16.959 in the Bible. 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:18.459 If you say you do, 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.079 you're a liar. 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:20.319 You need to confess 00:14:20.319 --> 00:14:21.199 the sin of lying 00:14:21.199 --> 00:14:21.720 and arrogance 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:22.439 if you think you know 00:14:22.439 --> 00:14:23.120 everything about the Bible. 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:23.839 Nobody does. 00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:25.000 Don't be intimidated. 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:28.500 But there is much 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:30.200 in the Bible. 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:32.179 Many, many, many 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:33.080 paragraphs 00:14:33.080 --> 00:14:36.039 that God will help us 00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:37.320 to clearly understand 00:14:37.320 --> 00:14:38.500 and then it becomes 00:14:38.500 --> 00:14:38.860 a question 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:39.279 if we're going to 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:39.820 believe it 00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:41.740 and obey it 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:44.379 and even think about 00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:45.519 sharing it. 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:47.940 Lisa and I 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:48.580 are going to celebrate 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:50.220 our 43rd wedding 00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:50.940 anniversary, 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:53.059 the 27th 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:53.799 of this month. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:57.299 When you put in 00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:58.539 the year that I knew her 00:14:58.539 --> 00:14:59.580 before we got married, 00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:02.179 we have known each other 00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:04.740 for 44 years. 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:06.080 I just can't believe that. 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:08.000 The time has gone on 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:08.440 like that. 00:15:09.799 --> 00:15:10.960 Well, we are both 00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:11.919 looking forward 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:13.980 to retiring together 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:15.120 this summer 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:18.419 and having more time 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:21.759 just with one another. 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:24.059 We really are. 00:15:24.059 --> 00:15:25.159 Now, 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:27.139 we may need 00:15:27.139 --> 00:15:27.939 marriage counseling 00:15:27.939 --> 00:15:28.659 by Christmas. 00:15:29.219 --> 00:15:30.599 That may be true. 00:15:31.859 --> 00:15:32.759 And I'm going to 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:33.619 really get concerned 00:15:33.619 --> 00:15:34.799 if I come home 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:35.979 and she's playing 00:15:35.979 --> 00:15:37.119 Ronnie Millsaps, 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.039 this could be 00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:38.919 our last good night 00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:39.359 together. 00:15:39.359 --> 00:15:41.500 But I'm going to 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.219 take a chance. 00:15:43.719 --> 00:15:44.519 We're going to 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:45.199 take a chance. 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:48.039 We're excited 00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:49.019 about the thought 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:51.259 of spending 00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:51.779 more time 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.279 together 00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:54.120 without other 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:55.000 responsibilities. 00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:58.600 Isn't that the way 00:15:58.600 --> 00:15:59.220 it should be 00:15:59.220 --> 00:15:59.740 in a healthy 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:00.340 relationship? 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:04.240 If you've got 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:05.299 a healthy marriage, 00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:06.819 you want to 00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:07.639 spend time together. 00:16:07.799 --> 00:16:08.120 Certainly, 00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:08.840 you have things 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:09.600 you do on your own. 00:16:09.699 --> 00:16:10.740 That's healthy too. 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.419 Nobody needs 00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:12.819 to be together 00:16:12.819 --> 00:16:13.500 24-7, 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.679 that kind of thing 00:16:14.679 --> 00:16:15.299 all the time. 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:17.259 But if you have 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:18.579 a healthy relationship, 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:20.120 really with people, 00:16:21.819 --> 00:16:22.699 a real relationship, 00:16:23.439 --> 00:16:24.359 you do want to 00:16:24.359 --> 00:16:25.919 spend time with them, 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:27.620 share some of your 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.519 life with them. 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.579 And the closer you are, 00:16:29.699 --> 00:16:30.459 the more of your life 00:16:30.459 --> 00:16:31.000 you want to share 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:31.319 with them. 00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:32.240 It's just normal 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.299 and it's healthy. 00:16:34.959 --> 00:16:35.399 Well, 00:16:35.439 --> 00:16:36.479 that should be true 00:16:36.479 --> 00:16:38.259 in our relationship 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:38.859 with the Lord. 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.399 If it's healthy 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:42.219 and if it's growing. 00:16:43.839 --> 00:16:44.559 Second thought, 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:45.259 do you desire 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:45.899 to be perfect? 00:16:46.479 --> 00:16:46.759 Now, 00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:49.779 we are not going 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:50.579 to achieve it 00:16:50.579 --> 00:16:51.619 in this world. 00:16:53.119 --> 00:16:54.399 We all know that, 00:16:54.859 --> 00:16:55.759 should know that. 00:16:58.119 --> 00:16:59.099 We don't emphasize 00:16:59.099 --> 00:16:59.899 this enough. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:00.659 I don't emphasize 00:17:00.659 --> 00:17:01.239 it enough. 00:17:02.619 --> 00:17:03.779 Perfection is our goal. 00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:06.759 We are to seek 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.519 to be perfect 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:10.019 as our Lord 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.480 is perfect. 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.859 That is the goal 00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:13.839 that we're not 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:14.619 going to meet 00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:15.740 in this world. 00:17:18.379 --> 00:17:19.579 But it's God's goal 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:20.159 for us. 00:17:20.899 --> 00:17:21.939 Becoming like Jesus. 00:17:22.139 --> 00:17:22.619 Look at this. 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:23.959 From the time 00:17:23.959 --> 00:17:25.740 God saves us, 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.359 regenerates us. 00:17:27.699 --> 00:17:28.139 Look at this. 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:28.919 For those 00:17:28.919 --> 00:17:29.539 he before knew, 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:30.919 he also predestined 00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:33.159 to be conformed 00:17:33.159 --> 00:17:34.139 to the image 00:17:34.139 --> 00:17:35.419 of his son. 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:38.560 I've said it 00:17:38.560 --> 00:17:39.300 many times 00:17:39.300 --> 00:17:40.380 and we need 00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:40.840 to understand. 00:17:41.340 --> 00:17:42.060 God has a purpose 00:17:42.060 --> 00:17:42.880 for each of us. 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:44.320 It encompasses 00:17:44.320 --> 00:17:45.320 a lot of things. 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:46.920 But in terms 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:47.640 of just who we are, 00:17:47.860 --> 00:17:48.700 our character, 00:17:49.420 --> 00:17:50.080 God's purpose 00:17:50.080 --> 00:17:50.860 is that we become 00:17:50.860 --> 00:17:52.740 over a lifetime 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:54.039 more and more 00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:54.580 like Jesus. 00:17:55.300 --> 00:17:55.840 And we're never 00:17:55.840 --> 00:17:56.360 going to achieve 00:17:56.360 --> 00:17:56.980 that this side 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:57.420 of heaven, 00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:58.840 but it should 00:17:58.840 --> 00:18:00.019 always be our goal, 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.420 our prayer. 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:03.840 It should be our goal 00:18:03.840 --> 00:18:04.400 and our prayer 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:05.220 for ourselves 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:06.680 and for other people 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:07.200 in our lives 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:08.220 that we really care about. 00:18:09.060 --> 00:18:09.220 I mean, 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:09.920 you think about 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:11.560 those who are closest 00:18:11.560 --> 00:18:12.480 to you that you pray 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:13.920 for on a regular basis. 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.560 What all do you pray about? 00:18:16.320 --> 00:18:16.519 Well, 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.660 probably all kinds 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.240 of things. 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:21.060 But on your prayer list 00:18:21.060 --> 00:18:21.640 for your children, 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.160 your grandchildren, 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:23.539 for your parents, 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.080 for your close friends, 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:27.180 people that you really 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:28.660 are close to 00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:29.480 and you care about 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.360 and you want to pray 00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:30.699 for them, 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.319 do you pray 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:33.419 that they will grow 00:18:33.419 --> 00:18:36.079 in Christian maturity, 00:18:37.199 --> 00:18:38.039 in becoming more 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.719 like Jesus, 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:42.259 in becoming perfect? 00:18:43.459 --> 00:18:44.139 Paul did. 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:45.639 He prayed 00:18:45.639 --> 00:18:46.399 this kind of prayer 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:47.439 for his friends 00:18:47.439 --> 00:18:48.199 in this church 00:18:48.199 --> 00:18:48.779 at Philippi 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:49.679 that we're reading about 00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:50.659 that we saw 00:18:50.659 --> 00:18:51.500 a while back, 00:18:51.639 --> 00:18:52.619 Philippians chapter one. 00:18:52.699 --> 00:18:53.199 Look at this. 00:18:54.159 --> 00:18:54.500 He said, 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.479 and it is my prayer 00:18:55.479 --> 00:18:56.699 that your love 00:18:56.699 --> 00:18:57.579 may abound 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.919 more and more 00:18:58.920 --> 00:19:00.560 with knowledge 00:19:00.560 --> 00:19:01.880 and all discernment 00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:03.740 so that you may approve 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.920 what is excellent 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:07.180 and so be pure 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:08.380 and blameless 00:19:08.380 --> 00:19:09.259 for the day 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.539 of Christ, 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:12.039 filled with the fruit 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:12.620 of righteousness 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.600 that comes through 00:19:13.600 --> 00:19:14.480 Jesus Christ 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:15.519 to the glory 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:16.360 and praise of God. 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.360 I want you to think, 00:19:17.600 --> 00:19:18.320 when he's praying 00:19:18.320 --> 00:19:19.279 for them to be 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:21.200 pure and blameless 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:23.300 for the day of Christ 00:19:23.300 --> 00:19:24.300 when Jesus returns, 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:26.379 he's praying 00:19:26.379 --> 00:19:26.980 for their, 00:19:27.879 --> 00:19:28.619 what the theologians 00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:28.899 would call 00:19:28.899 --> 00:19:29.779 sanctification, 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:32.399 their growth 00:19:32.399 --> 00:19:33.059 in developing 00:19:33.059 --> 00:19:34.159 Christ-like character 00:19:34.159 --> 00:19:36.680 so that they will be 00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:37.659 pure and blameless 00:19:37.659 --> 00:19:38.639 and if you're blameless, 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.220 you're perfect. 00:19:41.619 --> 00:19:42.700 That's the goal. 00:19:43.879 --> 00:19:45.220 That's how Paul 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:45.819 is praying. 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:48.299 That's how we need 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:49.359 to think and pray 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.460 and needs to be 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:50.980 our goal. 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:53.579 Some of you set 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.519 very high goals 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:55.180 for yourself. 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:58.059 Some of you have 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:59.440 some very definite 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:01.360 financial goals 00:20:01.360 --> 00:20:03.240 probably at certain 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:04.240 stages of life. 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.360 Some of you have 00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:06.880 very high career goals, 00:20:07.120 --> 00:20:08.140 definite goals 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:09.960 that are work-related. 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.120 Some of you have 00:20:11.120 --> 00:20:12.620 retirement goals 00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:15.360 or home-related goals. 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:16.339 That's good. 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.599 Very helpful. 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.299 Younger people 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:20.799 in this room, 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:22.360 you may have a goal 00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:23.599 to play a sport 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:25.079 in college 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:27.819 and along with you, 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:28.519 your parents 00:20:28.519 --> 00:20:29.380 have a goal 00:20:29.380 --> 00:20:30.539 for you to win 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.039 a scholarship 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:33.779 in that sport 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.599 or academics 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:35.839 or however you can 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:36.460 to help pay 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:37.099 for college. 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:38.579 Some of you 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:39.819 have a goal. 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.240 You want to graduate 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.380 with honors. 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:45.240 Maybe even be 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:45.640 at the top 00:20:45.640 --> 00:20:46.319 of your class. 00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:47.860 Some of you 00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:48.440 have a goal. 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:49.779 I just want to graduate. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.460 I want to be 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.139 in the class. 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.160 But it's a goal. 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.379 Work for it. 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.339 We need to learn 00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:58.160 to set challenging goals 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:59.920 for ourselves 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:01.899 in this spiritual realm. 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:05.399 To grow in our relationship 00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:06.480 with our Lord Jesus. 00:21:08.399 --> 00:21:09.319 To love Him 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:09.920 to the point 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.500 that we're willing 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.559 to serve Him. 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:14.879 not just serve ourselves 00:21:14.879 --> 00:21:15.819 but serve Him 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.480 and serve Him 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.579 even sacrificially 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:18.259 at times. 00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:20.599 Like Paul's praying there, 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.740 we need to make it a goal 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:23.899 that we be more like Him 00:21:23.899 --> 00:21:25.119 in loving others, 00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:27.940 in pleasing God, 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:29.859 and in developing 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.779 this pure 00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:31.759 and blameless character. 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:34.859 If you want to grow spiritually, 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:38.519 first of all, 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.359 recognize that you've got 00:21:40.359 --> 00:21:41.019 a long way to go. 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:41.900 You've not arrived, 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:42.859 not even close. 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.039 But then we've got 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:45.940 a desire to grow. 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.200 And we're going to see 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:48.480 in a moment 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.059 we've got to put forth 00:21:49.059 --> 00:21:49.700 effort to grow. 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.279 But before we get to that, 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:52.220 I want to make 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:55.220 a very strong statement. 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:58.059 If we really want to grow, 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:00.220 we will. 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:04.519 Because God will enable us. 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.579 God wants us to. 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:08.220 And God will never 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:09.140 give up on us. 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:09.740 Look at this. 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:11.660 We saw this a long time ago. 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:11.900 In fact, 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.720 we actually began 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.640 the study of Philippians 00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:14.339 with this verse. 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:15.559 Paul writes, 00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:16.579 and I'm sure of this, 00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:17.579 that he who began 00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:18.440 a good work in you 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:19.660 will bring it to completion 00:22:19.660 --> 00:22:20.640 in the day of Christ Jesus. 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:23.440 If God has saved you, 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:25.160 he is never going 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:26.259 to give up on you. 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:27.460 He's always going 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.160 to be working in you 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:28.820 through the good times 00:22:28.820 --> 00:22:29.200 and bad. 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.580 Maybe disciplining you 00:22:30.580 --> 00:22:31.320 a lot of times 00:22:31.320 --> 00:22:33.440 to develop Christlike 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.259 character in you. 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.539 One of the ways 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:37.380 God brings his work 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.019 to completion 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:39.360 is by giving us 00:22:39.360 --> 00:22:40.019 the desires 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.680 and the ability 00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:41.420 to please him 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:42.299 as we've looked at 00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:43.120 several times. 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.600 Philippians 2.13, 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:45.559 it is God who works 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.460 in you both to will 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:46.880 and to work 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:47.600 for his good pleasure. 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.160 Here's where we're 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:49.900 going to look next. 00:22:50.860 --> 00:22:52.299 God gives us desires 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:54.000 He will give us 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:54.740 the ability 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.500 to succeed 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.619 but we've got 00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:57.519 to put forth effort. 00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:58.680 We've got to cooperate 00:22:58.680 --> 00:22:59.339 with Him 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:01.579 as He works in us 00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:02.859 to mature us 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:04.000 and develop us 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.859 into the image of Jesus. 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:06.119 Second thing we look at, 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:07.240 the way to respond 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:07.859 when you discover 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.480 that you need 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:09.419 to grow spiritually. 00:23:09.659 --> 00:23:10.740 Verses 12-14, 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.539 Paul describes 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.240 the pursuit 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:14.980 of knowing Christ better, 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:16.619 becoming more like Him 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:17.519 in terms of 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:19.419 a track athlete 00:23:19.419 --> 00:23:21.000 running a race. 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:22.839 The Olympics are soon, 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.460 think in terms 00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:25.039 of an Olympic runner. 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:27.680 For an Olympic runner 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:28.599 to be successful, 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.619 there's several things 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:30.960 he or she's got to do. 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:31.900 First, 00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:33.059 let's think about it personally. 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.720 We've got to put forth 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.720 great effort. 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:37.700 You've got to push yourselves. 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:38.880 Look at what Paul says 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:39.400 in these verses. 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:41.039 I press on 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:42.140 to make Him my own. 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:43.799 Straining forward 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:45.000 to what lies ahead. 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:46.359 I press on 00:23:46.359 --> 00:23:47.079 toward the goal 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:47.980 for the prize. 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:50.440 Christian living 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:52.180 requires effort 00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:53.079 on our part. 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.220 God gives us the desire. 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:55.579 He gives us the ability. 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:56.500 But we've got 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.599 to exert ourselves. 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.259 We've got to 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.180 put forth 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:01.120 great effort, 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.440 training, 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.539 disciplining 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:03.980 ourselves, 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.400 learning to resist 00:24:06.400 --> 00:24:06.980 temptation, 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.319 learning to 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.339 spend time 00:24:09.339 --> 00:24:09.880 with the Lord, 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:11.380 learning to act 00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:12.380 on what we know. 00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:15.420 We've got to put forth effort. 00:24:15.420 --> 00:24:16.380 Secondly, 00:24:16.560 --> 00:24:17.220 we've got to focus 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.880 on the goal 00:24:17.880 --> 00:24:19.160 that is before us, 00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:20.860 which we've seen 00:24:20.860 --> 00:24:21.600 is to know Christ 00:24:21.600 --> 00:24:22.620 and become perfect 00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:23.140 like Him. 00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:25.039 But look at the second part 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.759 of these phrases 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.460 we just looked at. 00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:27.680 I press on 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:29.500 to make it my own. 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:33.120 Straining forward 00:24:33.120 --> 00:24:34.900 to what lies ahead. 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:36.640 I press on 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.779 toward the goal 00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.779 for the prize. 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.440 We'll look at that 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:39.860 in more detail 00:24:39.860 --> 00:24:40.380 a little bit later. 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:43.039 We've got to put forth 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.440 effort. 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:46.799 You are never 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.640 going to just 00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:50.019 drift 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.920 into becoming 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:53.460 a more material Christian. 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:55.680 You'll drift backward 00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.360 but you'll never 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:57.140 drift forward. 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.000 You have got to 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.660 press on, 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.480 put forth effort. 00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:04.759 You've got to 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:06.039 focus on the goal 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:06.680 before us. 00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:07.320 I want to become 00:25:07.320 --> 00:25:08.259 more like Jesus. 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:08.940 I want to develop 00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:10.240 Christ-like character. 00:25:10.820 --> 00:25:11.340 And number three, 00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:12.340 we must not look back. 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:13.679 He says, 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.539 forgetting what lies 00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:15.019 behind. 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.099 Now, 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:18.779 this obviously 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.659 means you don't 00:25:19.659 --> 00:25:20.419 forget everything 00:25:20.419 --> 00:25:21.179 in your life 00:25:21.179 --> 00:25:22.019 that's behind you. 00:25:22.699 --> 00:25:23.579 We can't do that. 00:25:23.639 --> 00:25:24.319 We shouldn't do that. 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.079 There's a lot of things 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:26.099 God wants us to 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.980 remember 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:28.859 and let it motivate us. 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.679 For an example, 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:30.859 in the Old Testament, 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.139 God repeatedly 00:25:32.139 --> 00:25:33.000 calls the people 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:33.399 of Israel, 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.459 His chosen people, 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:36.059 remember what 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:36.740 I've done for you. 00:25:36.899 --> 00:25:37.799 Remember how I 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.459 delivered you 00:25:38.459 --> 00:25:39.500 from slavery 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.039 in Egypt. 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:41.519 Remember how I 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:44.019 just sent you 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.839 into the promised land 00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:45.519 and gave you 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.039 that land. 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:47.480 Remember things 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.159 I've done 00:25:48.159 --> 00:25:48.819 in your life. 00:25:48.899 --> 00:25:49.259 And we need 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:49.960 to do the same thing. 00:25:50.819 --> 00:25:51.519 Never forget 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.399 how God has 00:25:52.399 --> 00:25:53.339 worked in your life 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:53.920 and let it be 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.500 a motivation 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:56.180 that He's your 00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:56.759 Heavenly Father. 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.519 He's always with you. 00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.420 He is for you. 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.500 You can trust Him. 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:01.519 You can count on Him. 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.339 Paul's idea 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:04.440 of forgetting the past 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.859 I think is, 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:06.659 we can think about it 00:26:06.659 --> 00:26:07.359 in two ways. 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:09.819 Don't allow the past 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:12.199 to interfere 00:26:12.199 --> 00:26:13.240 in what you're doing now. 00:26:14.919 --> 00:26:16.759 Don't allow your past, 00:26:16.919 --> 00:26:17.519 good or bad, 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:19.339 interfere 00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:20.979 in what is 00:26:20.979 --> 00:26:22.539 going on 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:22.899 or should be 00:26:22.899 --> 00:26:23.599 going on now. 00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:25.599 You see, 00:26:25.659 --> 00:26:26.799 some people do that 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.859 by dwelling 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.500 on their past 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.919 failures and sins. 00:26:31.979 --> 00:26:32.839 All of us 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.379 in this room, 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.779 we have done 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.619 things in the past 00:26:35.619 --> 00:26:37.159 that causes us 00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:37.839 shame, 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:38.619 embarrassment, 00:26:38.899 --> 00:26:39.259 regret, 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.139 and guilt. 00:26:41.679 --> 00:26:42.559 You might think 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:43.119 to yourself, 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.439 if people in here 00:26:44.439 --> 00:26:45.299 knew some of the 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.939 things I have 00:26:45.939 --> 00:26:46.259 thought, 00:26:46.399 --> 00:26:46.599 said, 00:26:46.679 --> 00:26:47.139 and done, 00:26:48.419 --> 00:26:48.879 you know, 00:26:48.899 --> 00:26:49.639 it'd just blow them 00:26:49.639 --> 00:26:49.979 away. 00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:51.359 Well, 00:26:51.479 --> 00:26:52.500 just about everybody 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:53.179 in this room 00:26:53.179 --> 00:26:54.179 could say that. 00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.579 There is no one 00:26:58.579 --> 00:26:59.039 in this room 00:26:59.039 --> 00:26:59.819 that has not 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:00.779 done things 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:01.739 that are shameful, 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.599 humiliating, 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:06.219 ungodly, 00:27:07.339 --> 00:27:08.659 offensive to God 00:27:08.659 --> 00:27:09.839 and other people. 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.399 Now, 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:15.199 if you have not 00:27:15.199 --> 00:27:16.219 confessed those 00:27:16.219 --> 00:27:16.899 things 00:27:16.899 --> 00:27:19.639 and sought God's 00:27:19.639 --> 00:27:20.099 forgiveness, 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.319 turned from them, 00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:22.559 well, 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:23.319 you do need to do 00:27:23.319 --> 00:27:24.740 that before you 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.299 can move on. 00:27:26.619 --> 00:27:27.399 The verse of 00:27:27.399 --> 00:27:27.899 Scripture that 00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:28.639 should be 00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:30.000 one of the most 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.619 comforting verses 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:31.439 to every Christian 00:27:31.439 --> 00:27:32.399 is 1 John 1, 00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:32.740 9, 00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:33.600 if we confess 00:27:33.600 --> 00:27:34.340 our sins, 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.340 He is faithful 00:27:35.340 --> 00:27:35.900 and just to 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.900 forgive us 00:27:36.900 --> 00:27:39.320 and to cleanse 00:27:39.320 --> 00:27:40.980 us from all 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:42.019 unrighteousness. 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.860 No matter what 00:27:43.860 --> 00:27:44.360 it is that 00:27:44.360 --> 00:27:45.060 brings you 00:27:45.060 --> 00:27:45.759 great shame 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.620 and humiliation, 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:47.980 no matter what 00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:48.600 it is that so 00:27:48.600 --> 00:27:49.759 offended God, 00:27:51.040 --> 00:27:51.560 if you have 00:27:51.560 --> 00:27:52.019 truly, 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.259 sincerely 00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:55.800 admitted that 00:27:55.800 --> 00:27:56.300 to God, 00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:58.080 turned from it, 00:27:59.780 --> 00:28:00.360 sought His 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:00.839 forgiveness. 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:02.619 You need to 00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:02.979 understand, 00:28:03.899 --> 00:28:04.559 take Him at 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:04.939 His word. 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.979 God forgave you. 00:28:07.339 --> 00:28:08.619 God wiped 00:28:08.619 --> 00:28:09.419 the slate 00:28:09.419 --> 00:28:10.279 clean. 00:28:12.639 --> 00:28:13.279 He'll never 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:13.759 bring it up 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:14.240 to you again. 00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:16.079 I heard 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:17.779 an assistant 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.599 principal say 00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:19.159 one time, 00:28:19.719 --> 00:28:20.159 who was in 00:28:20.159 --> 00:28:20.599 charge of 00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:21.159 discipline 00:28:21.159 --> 00:28:22.839 at the high 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:23.399 school level, 00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:26.100 when He had 00:28:26.100 --> 00:28:26.800 to suspend 00:28:26.800 --> 00:28:27.540 someone, 00:28:28.860 --> 00:28:29.519 He told 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:29.920 them, 00:28:31.540 --> 00:28:32.060 now when you 00:28:32.060 --> 00:28:32.580 come back 00:28:32.580 --> 00:28:32.980 after your 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.740 three days, 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.980 you got a 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:37.019 clean slate. 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.680 We're going 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:39.200 to forget 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.140 what you've 00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:40.440 done. 00:28:40.800 --> 00:28:41.100 We're not 00:28:41.100 --> 00:28:41.420 going to hold 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:41.780 it against 00:28:41.780 --> 00:28:41.980 you. 00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:42.480 When you 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.040 come back, 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.860 you have a 00:28:43.860 --> 00:28:45.540 fresh start 00:28:45.540 --> 00:28:47.180 and don't 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:47.640 come back 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:47.980 and worry 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:48.420 about it. 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:51.840 that's what 00:28:51.840 --> 00:28:52.460 God gives 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:52.960 us, 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:54.840 a fresh 00:28:54.840 --> 00:28:55.660 start. 00:28:57.180 --> 00:28:57.720 And if 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:59.519 you are 00:28:59.519 --> 00:28:59.880 the one 00:28:59.880 --> 00:29:00.220 who's been 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:00.779 sinned 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:01.340 against 00:29:01.340 --> 00:29:03.620 and someone 00:29:03.620 --> 00:29:04.120 has sought 00:29:04.120 --> 00:29:04.779 your forgiveness 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.500 and you say, 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:06.200 I have 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:06.960 forgiven you, 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:07.779 then you've 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.500 got to 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.900 wipe the 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:10.660 slate clean 00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:13.680 and give 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:14.279 them a fresh 00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:15.519 start and 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.340 never throw 00:29:16.340 --> 00:29:17.080 it back up 00:29:17.080 --> 00:29:17.500 in their 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:17.940 face. 00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:18.920 It's 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:19.740 impossible to 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.240 forgive and 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:20.720 forget. 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:24.960 What that 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:25.300 means, 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:25.600 though, 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.600 is you 00:29:26.600 --> 00:29:27.640 forgive and 00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:28.900 not that it's 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:29.460 gone from your 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:29.720 mind. 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:30.259 It means you 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:30.759 never bring it 00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:31.220 up to somebody 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.640 again. 00:29:33.060 --> 00:29:33.779 If you've 00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:34.400 truly forgiven 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:34.960 somebody in 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:35.519 your life, 00:29:36.320 --> 00:29:38.279 don't bring 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:38.700 it up. 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:41.240 Don't remind 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:41.580 them. 00:29:44.380 --> 00:29:45.320 Forget it. 00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:46.420 Lay it 00:29:46.420 --> 00:29:46.860 aside. 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:48.619 Remember it 00:29:48.619 --> 00:29:49.159 no more 00:29:49.159 --> 00:29:49.819 just as God 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:50.919 does and 00:29:50.919 --> 00:29:51.279 give them 00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:52.000 a fresh 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:53.019 start. 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:55.839 Now, 00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:57.899 some people 00:29:57.899 --> 00:29:58.279 allow their 00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:59.599 past failures 00:29:59.599 --> 00:30:00.439 and sins to 00:30:00.439 --> 00:30:00.779 ever keep 00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:01.000 them from 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.559 going forward. 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:02.699 But on the 00:30:02.699 --> 00:30:03.019 other hand, 00:30:03.079 --> 00:30:03.559 there are some 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:03.979 people who 00:30:03.979 --> 00:30:04.299 allow their 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.240 past successes 00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:06.719 and accomplishments 00:30:06.719 --> 00:30:08.779 to interfere in 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:08.979 what they're 00:30:08.979 --> 00:30:09.459 doing now. 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:14.400 you may have 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:14.840 read the Bible 00:30:14.840 --> 00:30:15.380 from cover to 00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:15.940 cover last 00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:16.299 year, 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:19.000 but that's 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:20.700 not helping 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:21.259 you in your 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:21.860 relationship with 00:30:21.860 --> 00:30:22.740 the Lord right 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:23.079 now. 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.740 You may have 00:30:24.740 --> 00:30:25.319 had the most 00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:26.259 consistent devotional 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:26.779 life you've ever 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.039 had in your 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:28.259 life the last 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:28.799 six months. 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:29.539 That was good. 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:31.660 But you need 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.779 to continue to 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.680 meet with the 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.340 Lord and walk 00:30:34.340 --> 00:30:34.720 with the Lord 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.259 and seek to be 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:36.100 faithful to Him. 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:37.759 If we want to 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.379 enjoy a close 00:30:38.379 --> 00:30:39.019 fellowship with 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:40.459 the Lord as a 00:30:40.459 --> 00:30:41.659 normal part of 00:30:41.659 --> 00:30:43.599 our lives, we've 00:30:43.599 --> 00:30:44.439 got to stay close 00:30:44.439 --> 00:30:44.879 to Him. 00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:46.559 It's a day-by-day 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:48.980 kind of 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.899 closeness. 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:51.740 You know, 00:30:52.099 --> 00:30:53.419 some Christians 00:30:53.419 --> 00:30:54.379 reach a point in 00:30:54.379 --> 00:30:56.419 life where they 00:30:56.419 --> 00:30:57.000 think if they've 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.619 served God in 00:30:57.619 --> 00:31:00.519 the past, they've 00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:01.139 done enough. 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:02.879 And I don't 00:31:02.879 --> 00:31:03.559 know, some of 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.240 you probably said 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:06.079 this, I don't 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.519 know, I cannot 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:07.500 remember somebody 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.240 saying this to 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:08.799 me, so I'm 00:31:08.799 --> 00:31:11.319 not, I'm not, I'm 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:12.039 not jumping on 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:12.639 you, but if the 00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:13.919 shoe fits, wear 00:31:13.919 --> 00:31:14.179 it. 00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:15.259 I'm not going to 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:16.240 apologize for it. 00:31:16.879 --> 00:31:17.399 But I've heard 00:31:17.399 --> 00:31:19.599 people say, well, I 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:20.879 did my time working 00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:21.859 with children when my 00:31:21.859 --> 00:31:22.599 children were young. 00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:25.159 I've done my time 00:31:25.159 --> 00:31:27.559 doing this, and I'm 00:31:27.559 --> 00:31:28.220 not going to do it 00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:28.579 anymore. 00:31:29.679 --> 00:31:30.859 I've done so 00:31:30.859 --> 00:31:31.980 forth, and I'm 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:32.619 just going to do 00:31:32.619 --> 00:31:33.819 nothing, basically, 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:34.699 now. 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:38.339 We cannot do 00:31:38.339 --> 00:31:38.740 that. 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:41.659 That will make 00:31:41.659 --> 00:31:42.279 our relationship 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:42.740 with the Lord 00:31:42.740 --> 00:31:43.500 stale. 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:45.259 That will take 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:46.819 all the fire, 00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:48.399 the joy, the 00:31:48.399 --> 00:31:49.519 enthusiasm out of 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:49.879 life. 00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:56.460 We cannot ever 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.159 reach the point 00:31:57.159 --> 00:31:58.720 where we just say, 00:31:58.960 --> 00:32:00.519 I'm going to quit, 00:32:00.659 --> 00:32:01.579 I've done my part, 00:32:01.679 --> 00:32:02.579 done my time, 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:06.220 because from now 00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:08.460 on, I just don't 00:32:08.460 --> 00:32:08.679 want to be 00:32:08.679 --> 00:32:09.220 involved. 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:11.099 You know, I'm 00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:11.960 going to retire as a 00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:13.639 full-time pastor this 00:32:13.639 --> 00:32:13.980 summer. 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:16.359 But I want to make 00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:18.480 some things very 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.599 clear about that. 00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:21.919 I am not retiring 00:32:21.919 --> 00:32:23.019 from my relationship 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:25.460 with the Lord or my 00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.500 service to Him. 00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:28.720 One of the things 00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.599 that I am looking 00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:30.619 forward to in 00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:32.160 retirement is having 00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:33.160 more time to spend 00:32:33.160 --> 00:32:35.500 with the Lord in 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:36.480 things like prayer 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:38.619 and Bible study and 00:32:38.619 --> 00:32:40.500 just reading without 00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:42.240 having to prepare 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:44.200 sermons and Bible 00:32:44.200 --> 00:32:44.660 studies. 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.839 I'm looking forward 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:47.180 to that. 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:49.839 Just having the joy 00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:50.579 of spending time with 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:52.920 the Lord and not 00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:53.880 trying to put it in a 00:32:53.880 --> 00:32:55.000 form to communicate it 00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:57.200 to others like this. 00:32:58.119 --> 00:32:59.480 I love doing it. 00:33:01.099 --> 00:33:02.220 But I also look 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:02.880 forward to some time 00:33:02.880 --> 00:33:05.039 where there's no 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:06.480 deadline to prepare a 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:07.980 presentation, a sermon, 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:08.700 a Bible study. 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:11.059 I have talked to 00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:11.700 people, I've heard 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.359 people say, 00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:14.140 someone just very 00:33:14.140 --> 00:33:15.660 recently, who is a 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:16.819 man who is retired, 00:33:17.660 --> 00:33:18.720 what I just said, 00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:21.200 one guy has worked 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:23.099 hard all of his life, 00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:24.839 always been very busy, 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:27.400 and actually three 00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:29.140 people, bits and 00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:30.099 pieces of conversations, 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.940 they have told me I 00:33:31.940 --> 00:33:33.140 enjoy getting up in the 00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:34.000 morning, eating 00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:34.720 breakfast, drinking 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:36.119 coffee, and having 00:33:36.119 --> 00:33:38.720 no kind of deadline, 00:33:39.140 --> 00:33:40.019 and maybe spending two 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:41.240 or three hours just 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:42.359 reading the Bible, 00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:43.299 thinking about the 00:33:43.299 --> 00:33:43.900 things of God, 00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:45.160 praying, reading other 00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:46.980 things, and just 00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:49.960 enjoying fellowship with 00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:50.299 the Lord. 00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:53.759 I'm looking forward to 00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:53.940 that. 00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:56.480 I want to do that. 00:33:57.299 --> 00:34:00.359 Now, I do plan on 00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:01.639 continuing to preach as 00:34:01.639 --> 00:34:02.139 the Lord gives me 00:34:02.139 --> 00:34:02.539 opportunity. 00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:05.099 I love to do this. 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:06.019 I think God called me 00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:06.240 to this. 00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:07.159 I don't plan to ever 00:34:07.159 --> 00:34:09.079 quit as long as I'm 00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:10.099 able, got the mind, 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:11.460 and I don't smart 00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.759 aleck say, well, you 00:34:12.759 --> 00:34:13.500 need to already quit. 00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:14.860 You know, I know the 00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:15.539 mind's leaving. 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:19.279 I do plan to preach. 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:21.940 I also plan to develop 00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:23.259 a website at some 00:34:23.259 --> 00:34:24.920 point, put sermons and 00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:26.460 Bible studies online, 00:34:26.800 --> 00:34:27.420 sort of give me an 00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:28.659 outlet for studies. 00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:30.079 I do want to be 00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:32.320 productive, not just me 00:34:32.320 --> 00:34:33.340 and God, but I want to 00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:35.179 have, you know, do 00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:36.360 something productive to 00:34:36.360 --> 00:34:37.539 help other people. 00:34:39.699 --> 00:34:40.860 Also, maybe some 00:34:40.860 --> 00:34:43.000 commentaries on current 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:45.460 events that will probably 00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:46.679 get my website shut 00:34:46.679 --> 00:34:47.880 down within two weeks, 00:34:48.260 --> 00:34:49.539 but that's okay. 00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.460 I'll put forth the 00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:51.820 effort. 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:54.400 What I'm trying to say 00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:55.360 is we can't ever retire 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:56.199 from serving the Lord. 00:34:57.420 --> 00:34:58.380 The way we serve Him 00:34:58.380 --> 00:35:00.519 will change at various 00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.400 times in our life, not 00:35:01.400 --> 00:35:03.220 just at retirement, but 00:35:03.220 --> 00:35:03.900 I want you to think 00:35:03.900 --> 00:35:05.960 right now, if you're a 00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:08.360 Christian, God has given 00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:09.460 you gifts, talents, and 00:35:09.460 --> 00:35:11.420 abilities that He wants 00:35:11.420 --> 00:35:13.400 you to use for His glory 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:14.320 and other people's good. 00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:17.400 You have that 00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:18.340 responsibility if you're 00:35:18.340 --> 00:35:18.780 a Christian. 00:35:20.240 --> 00:35:21.380 You can do that in a 00:35:21.380 --> 00:35:22.240 lot of different ways, 00:35:22.320 --> 00:35:23.420 but one of the ways as a 00:35:23.420 --> 00:35:24.360 member of this church is 00:35:24.360 --> 00:35:25.039 you need to be serving 00:35:25.039 --> 00:35:25.880 the Lord in and through 00:35:25.880 --> 00:35:26.460 this church. 00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:29.980 We need, we're, we're, 00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:30.860 Christians are referred 00:35:30.860 --> 00:35:31.900 to as the body of Christ. 00:35:31.980 --> 00:35:32.579 We need all the body 00:35:32.579 --> 00:35:34.059 parts to work, to be 00:35:34.059 --> 00:35:35.480 involved, to be the 00:35:35.480 --> 00:35:36.340 church that God calls us 00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:37.300 to be, to be the healthy, 00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:39.000 effective, productive 00:35:39.000 --> 00:35:39.940 church the Lord calls us 00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:40.280 to be. 00:35:40.860 --> 00:35:41.440 But let's look at one 00:35:41.440 --> 00:35:42.119 thing real quickly. 00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:43.179 One last thing. 00:35:43.179 --> 00:35:44.099 He says, I've always been 00:35:44.099 --> 00:35:45.019 looking forward. 00:35:45.859 --> 00:35:47.639 He says, straining forward 00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:48.940 to what lies ahead. 00:35:49.899 --> 00:35:50.899 You know, I've, I've never 00:35:50.899 --> 00:35:51.859 run track. 00:35:51.960 --> 00:35:52.419 I've played a lot of 00:35:52.419 --> 00:35:52.899 different things, but 00:35:52.899 --> 00:35:54.039 never ran track. 00:35:54.539 --> 00:35:55.579 But I'm, I'm told that 00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:56.359 when you're running track, 00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:57.139 just like a baseball 00:35:57.139 --> 00:35:58.000 player running the 00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:59.539 baseline, you don't look 00:35:59.539 --> 00:36:00.299 back over your shoulder. 00:36:01.139 --> 00:36:01.919 You don't look back to 00:36:01.919 --> 00:36:03.239 see how far the next guy 00:36:03.239 --> 00:36:04.119 is or what's going on. 00:36:04.139 --> 00:36:04.779 You look at the crowd. 00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:06.299 You stay focused on your 00:36:06.299 --> 00:36:06.799 goal. 00:36:06.800 --> 00:36:09.100 And the closer you get 00:36:09.100 --> 00:36:10.480 to the finish line, the 00:36:10.480 --> 00:36:11.600 Olympic runner, the 00:36:11.600 --> 00:36:12.980 sprinter, even the long 00:36:12.980 --> 00:36:14.160 distance runner, they're 00:36:14.160 --> 00:36:15.260 out front, they want to 00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:17.460 win, they stretch way out 00:36:17.460 --> 00:36:19.560 for their chest to break 00:36:19.560 --> 00:36:20.800 the line, break the line, 00:36:21.460 --> 00:36:22.460 whatever it is that's going 00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:24.140 to be the finish line so 00:36:24.140 --> 00:36:24.720 they can win. 00:36:25.519 --> 00:36:26.440 Paul says, straining 00:36:26.440 --> 00:36:27.840 forward to what lies 00:36:27.840 --> 00:36:28.140 ahead. 00:36:29.740 --> 00:36:30.880 Paul described what he is 00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:32.080 training, what he is 00:36:32.080 --> 00:36:34.720 straining forward to that 00:36:34.720 --> 00:36:36.380 lies ahead in verse 14. 00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:38.059 He says, I press on 00:36:38.059 --> 00:36:39.340 toward the goal for the 00:36:39.340 --> 00:36:40.980 prize of the upward call 00:36:40.980 --> 00:36:42.960 of God in Christ Jesus. 00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:44.380 He's talking about his 00:36:44.380 --> 00:36:45.640 heavenly reward that 00:36:45.640 --> 00:36:47.820 awaits him at the end of 00:36:47.820 --> 00:36:48.280 his life. 00:36:48.740 --> 00:36:49.480 Here's how I want us to 00:36:49.480 --> 00:36:49.880 close. 00:36:50.760 --> 00:36:52.559 We're all going to face 00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:53.860 the end of our life one 00:36:53.860 --> 00:36:55.039 day and we don't know 00:36:55.039 --> 00:36:55.700 when it will be. 00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:57.160 Everybody doesn't live to 00:36:57.160 --> 00:36:57.680 be old. 00:36:59.140 --> 00:37:00.160 And when the end of life 00:37:00.160 --> 00:37:03.599 comes for you, we're 00:37:03.599 --> 00:37:04.820 going to appear before 00:37:04.820 --> 00:37:06.160 the judgment seat of the 00:37:06.159 --> 00:37:06.440 Lord. 00:37:06.659 --> 00:37:07.519 All of us. 00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:09.379 Look at what Paul says in 00:37:09.379 --> 00:37:10.139 2 Corinthians. 00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:12.199 For we must all appear 00:37:12.199 --> 00:37:13.119 before the judgment seat of 00:37:13.119 --> 00:37:14.779 Christ so that each one 00:37:14.779 --> 00:37:17.980 may receive what is due for 00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:19.500 what he has done in the 00:37:19.500 --> 00:37:21.139 body with a good or evil. 00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:22.960 When you look at that 00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:23.940 verse and think about it, 00:37:24.659 --> 00:37:26.099 what comes to your mind? 00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:28.159 Is it fear or terror? 00:37:28.159 --> 00:37:28.559 Terror? 00:37:30.879 --> 00:37:31.279 Uncertainty? 00:37:33.059 --> 00:37:35.980 Or do you, as you think 00:37:35.980 --> 00:37:36.699 about that, is there 00:37:36.699 --> 00:37:37.339 confidence? 00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:42.500 Even a sense of joy because 00:37:42.500 --> 00:37:43.719 you're thinking about reward? 00:37:43.719 --> 00:37:46.119 I want you to look at how 00:37:46.119 --> 00:37:49.299 Paul faced that day. 00:37:50.099 --> 00:37:52.059 It's described in 2 Timothy 3. 00:37:52.839 --> 00:37:54.779 He says this, the time of my 00:37:54.779 --> 00:37:55.839 departure has come. 00:37:55.840 --> 00:37:56.800 He knows he's going to be 00:37:56.800 --> 00:37:57.300 executed. 00:37:58.360 --> 00:37:59.700 It's right at hand. 00:38:00.079 --> 00:38:00.820 He's going to die. 00:38:01.360 --> 00:38:02.280 He says, I have fought the 00:38:02.280 --> 00:38:02.740 good fight. 00:38:02.820 --> 00:38:03.680 I have finished the race. 00:38:03.760 --> 00:38:05.100 I have kept the faith. 00:38:05.700 --> 00:38:07.039 Henceforth there is laid up 00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:08.340 for me the crown of 00:38:08.340 --> 00:38:09.880 righteousness, which the 00:38:09.880 --> 00:38:11.280 Lord, the righteous judge, 00:38:11.500 --> 00:38:13.620 will award to me on that day 00:38:13.620 --> 00:38:15.980 and not only to me, but also 00:38:15.980 --> 00:38:19.100 to all who have loved his 00:38:19.100 --> 00:38:19.519 appearing. 00:38:19.519 --> 00:38:23.159 The key to ending life this 00:38:23.159 --> 00:38:27.599 way is to live our lives in 00:38:27.599 --> 00:38:30.500 close personal fellowship with 00:38:30.500 --> 00:38:30.880 the Lord. 00:38:32.320 --> 00:38:33.599 Do you have that? 00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:36.099 Do you want it if you don't? 00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:38.480 If that is your desire of your 00:38:38.480 --> 00:38:39.139 heart, but you know you don't 00:38:39.139 --> 00:38:39.840 have a relationship with the 00:38:39.840 --> 00:38:41.139 Lord, admit that to him. 00:38:42.360 --> 00:38:43.219 Confess your sin. 00:38:43.679 --> 00:38:44.619 Turn from your sin. 00:38:45.079 --> 00:38:46.440 Trust Jesus as your savior. 00:38:46.440 --> 00:38:48.700 Call upon him to save you. 00:38:49.659 --> 00:38:50.800 You can begin that kind of 00:38:50.800 --> 00:38:51.500 relationship now. 00:38:52.280 --> 00:38:53.900 If you say, I know I am a 00:38:53.900 --> 00:38:55.780 Christian, no doubt I am 00:38:55.780 --> 00:38:57.119 trusting Christ and him alone. 00:38:58.579 --> 00:39:00.740 I have had a close relationship 00:39:00.740 --> 00:39:02.679 with him, but it's not like it 00:39:02.679 --> 00:39:03.159 used to be. 00:39:03.860 --> 00:39:04.880 It's not growing. 00:39:04.980 --> 00:39:06.280 It's not maturing right now. 00:39:07.539 --> 00:39:10.639 Well, if that's the case, I want 00:39:10.639 --> 00:39:13.780 to encourage you to make Jesus 00:39:13.780 --> 00:39:16.200 spending time with him. 00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:18.599 Getting to know him better, your 00:39:18.599 --> 00:39:19.480 number one priority. 00:39:20.720 --> 00:39:22.099 Spend time with him every day. 00:39:23.320 --> 00:39:24.880 And by God's grace, you will 00:39:24.880 --> 00:39:25.200 grow. 00:39:25.320 --> 00:39:26.420 Look at this again, one more 00:39:26.420 --> 00:39:26.659 time. 00:39:26.920 --> 00:39:28.480 And I am sure of this, that he 00:39:28.480 --> 00:39:30.300 who began a good work in you will 00:39:30.300 --> 00:39:32.360 bring it to completion at the day 00:39:32.360 --> 00:39:33.260 of Jesus Christ. 00:39:33.480 --> 00:39:34.159 You can grow. 00:39:35.260 --> 00:39:36.460 But you've got to do it God's 00:39:36.460 --> 00:39:36.740 way. 00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:38.019 You've got to cooperate with him. 00:39:38.059 --> 00:39:39.019 You've got to spend time with 00:39:39.019 --> 00:39:39.300 him. 00:39:40.500 --> 00:39:41.780 And final thought, if you do have 00:39:41.780 --> 00:39:42.720 a growing relationship with the 00:39:42.720 --> 00:39:46.059 Lord, don't ever let it 00:39:46.059 --> 00:39:49.920 get old or be stale. 00:39:49.920 --> 00:39:53.259 Follow Paul's example. 00:39:54.599 --> 00:39:57.279 But one thing I do, forgetting what 00:39:57.279 --> 00:40:01.059 lies behind and straining forward to 00:40:01.059 --> 00:40:04.539 what lies ahead, I press on toward the 00:40:04.539 --> 00:40:08.019 goal for the prize of the upward call of 00:40:08.019 --> 00:40:09.799 God in Christ Jesus. 00:40:09.800 --> 00:40:11.440 Let's pray together. 00:40:12.160 --> 00:40:16.560 Dear God, help all of us in this room 00:40:16.560 --> 00:40:22.800 right now to admit to you and ourselves 00:40:23.320 --> 00:40:27.519 whether or not we desire growth, 00:40:29.760 --> 00:40:34.080 spiritual maturity, become more like 00:40:34.079 --> 00:40:34.539 Jesus. 00:40:36.360 --> 00:40:38.059 Know him better and love him more. 00:40:42.519 --> 00:40:47.779 And Father, with that truth about what we 00:40:47.779 --> 00:40:52.400 really desire, show us how to respond. 00:40:52.400 --> 00:41:02.119 And dear God, overwhelm us with the desire and 00:41:02.119 --> 00:41:05.019 the ability to respond in the way that 00:41:05.019 --> 00:41:05.800 will please you. 00:41:07.099 --> 00:41:09.660 And in an attitude of prayer, you just 00:41:09.660 --> 00:41:11.380 talk to the Lord, listen to the Lord, and 00:41:11.380 --> 00:41:14.340 respond to him the way he's speaking to 00:41:14.340 --> 00:41:14.519 you. 00:41:14.519 --> 00:41:17.259 Thank you. 00:41:18.099 --> 00:41:20.400 Thank you. 00:41:21.880 --> 00:41:22.440 Thank you. 00:41:22.440 --> 00:41:24.420 Thank you. 00:41:24.880 --> 00:41:25.300 Thank you. 00:41:26.059 --> 00:41:31.579 Thank you. 00:41:38.259 --> 00:41:40.280 Hello? 00:41:40.340 --> 00:41:40.780 Thank you. 00:41:41.119 --> 00:41:42.360 Thank you.