WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.759 When I was at school, and that was a number of years ago now you'd appreciate, I had a headmaster who was quite a ferocious kind of a guy. 00:00:09.759 --> 00:00:19.320 He'd been through the Second World War and he was some kind of a military man and he used to lose his temper fairly quickly. 00:00:20.240 --> 00:00:26.980 And he used to take us to maths. Now maths was never a good lesson because he was there. He always brought his cane with him. 00:00:26.980 --> 00:00:34.859 And if the answers were wrong he'd whack his cane on the table at the front and it would make you jump to say the least. 00:00:35.500 --> 00:00:43.039 And if you happen to be nearby, well you might get it as well. So we tried very hard to do whatever it was he wanted us to do. 00:00:43.879 --> 00:00:50.740 And he had his own sort of peculiarities of the way he taught maths, apart from his cane, algebra. 00:00:50.740 --> 00:00:58.380 He'd always insist upon, you had to have your working out, you had to be able to show your working out how you got to the position of an answer. 00:00:58.800 --> 00:01:02.660 And when you got to the answer you always had to write, therefore equals. 00:01:03.260 --> 00:01:06.700 And if you didn't do that then you were in great trouble. 00:01:06.700 --> 00:01:17.320 I didn't get caned that often but it was an experience that made me absolutely sure that I was going to learn as much maths as I could. 00:01:17.400 --> 00:01:22.700 And it was probably my best subject on the basis of what he was like. 00:01:24.060 --> 00:01:25.340 The word therefore. 00:01:25.879 --> 00:01:29.980 So this passion we've read today starts off with this word therefore. 00:01:29.980 --> 00:01:34.320 What our headmaster was saying to us, it's all very well you working at all that. 00:01:34.380 --> 00:01:36.300 It's all very well you giving us an answer. 00:01:37.260 --> 00:01:40.880 But you've got to that answer as a result of the work you've done before. 00:01:41.200 --> 00:01:43.040 That's what I want to put therefore. 00:01:44.420 --> 00:01:47.540 And this is why Paul writes therefore here. 00:01:48.140 --> 00:01:49.859 It's because of what's gone before. 00:01:49.960 --> 00:01:51.080 So what has gone before? 00:01:51.300 --> 00:01:53.719 And we've been looking at it over the last few weeks. 00:01:54.159 --> 00:01:58.060 And there are two or three things that we should just review I think very very briefly. 00:01:58.060 --> 00:02:02.640 First of all Paul commends the Philippian church. 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:06.040 And of course the people there. 00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:07.379 And he commends them. 00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:11.439 He talks about them being his partners in the gospel. 00:02:12.300 --> 00:02:16.219 He talks about thanking God. 00:02:17.680 --> 00:02:20.060 Thanking my God in all remembrance of you. 00:02:20.159 --> 00:02:21.819 They were lovely folks. 00:02:22.240 --> 00:02:23.379 They laboured with him. 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:25.300 And he commended them for that. 00:02:25.300 --> 00:02:34.140 And then we looked at how he encouraged them to live worthy of the gospel. 00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:38.420 That was in chapter 1 verse 27. 00:02:38.580 --> 00:02:41.360 We've got to the back end of chapter 1. 00:02:41.680 --> 00:02:43.120 He encouraged them. 00:02:43.640 --> 00:02:44.860 So he commanded them and encouraged them. 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:50.320 And then he reminded them of the beauty and the wonder of the Lord Jesus. 00:02:50.319 --> 00:02:53.400 And last week we had that wonderful, wonderful hymn. 00:02:53.919 --> 00:02:55.180 That starts off. 00:02:55.979 --> 00:02:57.479 Had this mind in you. 00:02:58.120 --> 00:02:59.079 Among yourselves. 00:02:59.199 --> 00:03:00.579 Which is also in Christ Jesus. 00:03:00.699 --> 00:03:02.319 Although he was in the form of God. 00:03:02.939 --> 00:03:04.060 Did not commit. 00:03:04.459 --> 00:03:06.099 Did not count equality with God. 00:03:06.159 --> 00:03:07.099 A thing to be grasped. 00:03:07.519 --> 00:03:08.400 But he emptied himself. 00:03:08.599 --> 00:03:09.659 And so on and so forth. 00:03:09.699 --> 00:03:11.180 It talks about the beauty. 00:03:11.620 --> 00:03:12.419 And the wonder. 00:03:12.859 --> 00:03:13.719 Of the Lord Jesus. 00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:14.780 And the gospel. 00:03:14.959 --> 00:03:15.680 And the glory. 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:17.139 Of all that we have. 00:03:17.139 --> 00:03:19.759 In and through the Lord Jesus. 00:03:20.739 --> 00:03:22.619 How he made himself humble. 00:03:23.059 --> 00:03:24.279 How he became a servant. 00:03:24.419 --> 00:03:25.379 How he has been his death. 00:03:25.619 --> 00:03:26.859 Even death on the cross. 00:03:27.659 --> 00:03:29.059 And how he has been exalted. 00:03:29.799 --> 00:03:31.779 And the name that is above every name. 00:03:32.399 --> 00:03:33.500 That the name of Jesus. 00:03:34.060 --> 00:03:35.899 Every knee shall bow. 00:03:36.759 --> 00:03:37.759 So Paul says. 00:03:38.299 --> 00:03:38.939 Therefore. 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:41.439 In view of all this. 00:03:42.379 --> 00:03:45.119 And he now has some instructions for them. 00:03:45.120 --> 00:03:46.980 So. 00:03:47.300 --> 00:03:48.840 He has commended them. 00:03:49.420 --> 00:03:50.560 He has encouraged them. 00:03:51.120 --> 00:03:52.319 He has reminded them. 00:03:52.900 --> 00:03:54.319 And now comes. 00:03:54.740 --> 00:03:55.460 The instructions. 00:03:56.360 --> 00:03:57.560 So what are those instructions. 00:03:57.719 --> 00:03:59.259 And what do they have to say. 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:01.219 Very simple really. 00:04:01.580 --> 00:04:02.200 Paul says. 00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:04.020 I want you to be. 00:04:04.740 --> 00:04:05.219 Obedient. 00:04:06.219 --> 00:04:07.319 Sounds very simple. 00:04:07.400 --> 00:04:07.900 Doesn't it really. 00:04:08.580 --> 00:04:09.060 Obedience. 00:04:09.580 --> 00:04:10.340 We all. 00:04:10.759 --> 00:04:11.439 I suspect. 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:12.960 Understand what it means. 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:15.320 The keenness to obey. 00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:16.280 Is not always there. 00:04:16.340 --> 00:04:16.680 Is it. 00:04:18.840 --> 00:04:20.500 He also says. 00:04:20.720 --> 00:04:21.460 That he wants them. 00:04:21.540 --> 00:04:22.620 To be obedient. 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:24.639 In his. 00:04:24.780 --> 00:04:25.540 In his absence. 00:04:25.639 --> 00:04:26.120 They were obedient. 00:04:26.220 --> 00:04:26.819 When he was there. 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:27.720 He was. 00:04:28.040 --> 00:04:28.480 Blessed. 00:04:28.600 --> 00:04:29.040 And pleased. 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:29.560 By that. 00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:30.660 But in his absence. 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:31.819 He wants them. 00:04:32.300 --> 00:04:33.079 To be obedient. 00:04:34.740 --> 00:04:35.900 You and I know. 00:04:35.980 --> 00:04:36.280 Don't we. 00:04:36.340 --> 00:04:37.500 That the Christian life. 00:04:37.939 --> 00:04:39.100 Is one of obedience. 00:04:39.600 --> 00:04:40.439 To God's. 00:04:41.019 --> 00:04:41.420 Word. 00:04:41.420 --> 00:04:43.580 Not something. 00:04:43.720 --> 00:04:44.199 We necessarily. 00:04:44.199 --> 00:04:44.900 Find. 00:04:45.400 --> 00:04:46.259 Terribly easy. 00:04:46.939 --> 00:04:47.780 But it's something. 00:04:47.980 --> 00:04:48.740 We expect. 00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:49.540 We expect. 00:04:49.640 --> 00:04:49.920 Of others. 00:04:49.980 --> 00:04:50.340 Don't we. 00:04:51.439 --> 00:04:52.160 When we're. 00:04:52.259 --> 00:04:52.620 Travelling. 00:04:52.720 --> 00:04:53.259 In the car. 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:54.360 And the lights. 00:04:54.480 --> 00:04:55.140 The traffic lights. 00:04:55.259 --> 00:04:55.720 Go red. 00:04:55.819 --> 00:04:56.439 We expect. 00:04:56.700 --> 00:04:57.259 The other traffic. 00:04:57.400 --> 00:04:58.000 To stop. 00:04:58.540 --> 00:04:59.500 If they didn't. 00:04:59.560 --> 00:04:59.900 And we're. 00:04:59.980 --> 00:05:00.560 On the green. 00:05:00.900 --> 00:05:01.560 We'd be in. 00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:02.340 Real trouble. 00:05:02.420 --> 00:05:02.780 Wouldn't we. 00:05:03.620 --> 00:05:04.780 And we expect. 00:05:04.780 --> 00:05:05.160 That. 00:05:06.300 --> 00:05:07.560 Of life. 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:09.199 And God. 00:05:09.300 --> 00:05:10.259 Expects us. 00:05:10.860 --> 00:05:11.319 To be. 00:05:11.920 --> 00:05:12.480 Obedient. 00:05:13.040 --> 00:05:13.980 To his word. 00:05:14.079 --> 00:05:14.780 And Paul is. 00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:16.180 Telling these Philippian. 00:05:16.500 --> 00:05:16.860 Christians. 00:05:17.139 --> 00:05:17.920 That's what they. 00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:19.339 Need to be doing. 00:05:20.699 --> 00:05:20.959 Of course. 00:05:21.019 --> 00:05:21.459 It's easy. 00:05:21.620 --> 00:05:22.319 And very often. 00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:23.340 In this day and age. 00:05:23.920 --> 00:05:24.399 Sadly. 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:25.660 People want to. 00:05:25.779 --> 00:05:26.779 Question God's word. 00:05:26.860 --> 00:05:27.139 And say. 00:05:27.220 --> 00:05:27.379 Well. 00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:27.920 Yeah. 00:05:27.980 --> 00:05:29.340 But does that really mean that. 00:05:29.340 --> 00:05:30.680 And is that the right context. 00:05:30.779 --> 00:05:31.759 And have we got this right. 00:05:32.259 --> 00:05:33.060 And let's. 00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:33.959 Let's. 00:05:34.100 --> 00:05:35.120 Let's have a look at this. 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:36.399 And let's change it. 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:37.560 It doesn't quite mean that. 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:38.979 And there's many voices. 00:05:39.179 --> 00:05:39.379 Nowadays. 00:05:39.379 --> 00:05:39.859 Isn't there. 00:05:40.199 --> 00:05:40.839 Saying that. 00:05:41.139 --> 00:05:41.919 That's not right. 00:05:41.979 --> 00:05:42.819 This is God's word. 00:05:43.159 --> 00:05:43.519 This is God. 00:05:43.620 --> 00:05:45.319 It's an unchanging word. 00:05:45.779 --> 00:05:46.579 And we trust. 00:05:46.659 --> 00:05:47.120 And rely. 00:05:47.959 --> 00:05:48.319 Upon. 00:05:48.799 --> 00:05:49.439 That word of God. 00:05:49.479 --> 00:05:50.179 I was with my. 00:05:50.859 --> 00:05:51.259 Son. 00:05:51.639 --> 00:05:52.359 Who lives over in. 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:53.060 Southeast London. 00:05:53.159 --> 00:05:54.379 Just a couple of Saturdays ago. 00:05:55.419 --> 00:05:55.819 And. 00:05:56.259 --> 00:05:57.560 He has three grandchildren. 00:05:57.739 --> 00:05:58.539 He has three children. 00:05:58.679 --> 00:05:59.739 I have three grandchildren there. 00:06:00.259 --> 00:06:01.419 All three girls. 00:06:01.779 --> 00:06:02.199 One of them. 00:06:02.299 --> 00:06:02.539 A baby. 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:03.379 But the other two. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:04.399 Are. 00:06:04.739 --> 00:06:05.079 I think. 00:06:05.159 --> 00:06:05.779 Two years old. 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:06.379 And four years old. 00:06:06.399 --> 00:06:07.379 Or thereabouts. 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:08.439 And. 00:06:08.620 --> 00:06:09.560 We were trying to do some. 00:06:09.719 --> 00:06:10.739 Clearing up in the garden. 00:06:10.879 --> 00:06:11.139 It was a. 00:06:11.379 --> 00:06:12.639 It was a bit of a mess. 00:06:12.739 --> 00:06:13.739 And a bit of a problem. 00:06:13.839 --> 00:06:15.839 And a quite difficult task to do. 00:06:16.179 --> 00:06:16.779 And what we needed. 00:06:16.939 --> 00:06:18.079 Was time to ourselves. 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:18.959 To get all this done. 00:06:19.379 --> 00:06:19.819 And of course. 00:06:19.859 --> 00:06:20.979 These little girls would come. 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:22.159 And they wanted to join in. 00:06:22.239 --> 00:06:23.219 Can we do some. 00:06:23.379 --> 00:06:23.739 Granddad. 00:06:23.819 --> 00:06:23.979 Well. 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:24.379 Well. 00:06:24.519 --> 00:06:24.719 You know. 00:06:24.779 --> 00:06:26.000 You work across there. 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:26.919 And do a little bit there. 00:06:26.919 --> 00:06:27.500 While we can. 00:06:27.699 --> 00:06:27.899 Well. 00:06:27.939 --> 00:06:28.779 I want to come and do that. 00:06:28.839 --> 00:06:29.099 With you. 00:06:29.179 --> 00:06:29.399 Granddad. 00:06:29.599 --> 00:06:30.379 And we'd explain. 00:06:30.500 --> 00:06:30.579 Well. 00:06:30.620 --> 00:06:30.959 Then I'd go. 00:06:31.019 --> 00:06:31.179 You. 00:06:31.379 --> 00:06:32.859 You carry on over there. 00:06:33.179 --> 00:06:33.659 And of course. 00:06:33.660 --> 00:06:34.380 Just for a couple of minutes. 00:06:34.520 --> 00:06:36.040 And then they'd come across. 00:06:36.160 --> 00:06:37.060 And they'd want to. 00:06:37.400 --> 00:06:37.960 Join in. 00:06:38.520 --> 00:06:38.920 Obedience. 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:39.820 It's. 00:06:39.980 --> 00:06:41.240 Right from a young age. 00:06:41.560 --> 00:06:42.260 It's difficult. 00:06:42.260 --> 00:06:42.620 Isn't it? 00:06:42.840 --> 00:06:43.880 It's something that we. 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:45.360 We fight against. 00:06:45.360 --> 00:06:49.660 Paul said. 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:50.139 Of course. 00:06:51.420 --> 00:06:52.259 Be obedient. 00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:53.580 As you were. 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:54.800 When I was with you. 00:06:55.420 --> 00:06:56.960 I wonder what he had in mind there. 00:06:58.360 --> 00:06:59.699 I guess it's easier. 00:06:59.780 --> 00:07:00.040 Isn't it? 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:01.759 Going back to the school analogy. 00:07:02.199 --> 00:07:03.319 When the teacher was around. 00:07:03.460 --> 00:07:03.780 Of course. 00:07:04.020 --> 00:07:05.600 I was the perfect little pupil. 00:07:06.259 --> 00:07:06.900 But of course. 00:07:06.960 --> 00:07:08.580 Once the teacher had gone out of the classroom. 00:07:09.060 --> 00:07:10.240 You revert to time. 00:07:10.340 --> 00:07:10.740 Don't you? 00:07:11.060 --> 00:07:12.360 And I wonder if this is what Paul. 00:07:12.540 --> 00:07:13.460 Had in mind. 00:07:13.900 --> 00:07:14.939 Was it that they were. 00:07:14.939 --> 00:07:16.360 In some way lacking. 00:07:16.819 --> 00:07:17.459 Now that. 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:18.800 That he wasn't around. 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:19.839 Were they not. 00:07:20.120 --> 00:07:21.600 Any longer being obedient. 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:22.560 And therefore. 00:07:22.719 --> 00:07:23.519 He was calling them. 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:24.139 Back. 00:07:24.680 --> 00:07:24.980 To. 00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:26.240 Obedience. 00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:27.839 But he goes on. 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:28.360 And this is. 00:07:28.600 --> 00:07:29.980 All part of this obedience. 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:31.019 Where he talks about. 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:32.819 Working out your own. 00:07:33.420 --> 00:07:33.980 Salvation. 00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:35.800 That's a strange thing. 00:07:35.860 --> 00:07:36.639 For Paul to say. 00:07:36.720 --> 00:07:36.980 Isn't it? 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:38.500 Surely Paul. 00:07:38.819 --> 00:07:39.240 Is the. 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:41.000 Is the great preacher. 00:07:41.159 --> 00:07:42.100 Who tells us that. 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:43.180 Salvation. 00:07:43.899 --> 00:07:44.240 Is. 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:45.759 By faith alone. 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:47.100 In Christ alone. 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:48.680 Wasn't it Paul who wrote. 00:07:48.920 --> 00:07:49.759 For by grace. 00:07:50.259 --> 00:07:50.759 You have been saved. 00:07:51.840 --> 00:07:52.319 Through faith. 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:53.139 It's the gift of God. 00:07:53.460 --> 00:07:54.199 None of us. 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:55.960 Lest any man should boast. 00:07:56.220 --> 00:07:57.160 So why are we now. 00:07:57.600 --> 00:07:58.079 Working. 00:07:58.300 --> 00:07:58.900 For our. 00:07:59.400 --> 00:07:59.879 Salvation. 00:08:00.939 --> 00:08:02.780 Let's be very clear about this. 00:08:03.139 --> 00:08:03.699 Paul says. 00:08:04.280 --> 00:08:04.579 Work. 00:08:05.019 --> 00:08:05.460 Out. 00:08:05.860 --> 00:08:06.699 Your salvation. 00:08:07.180 --> 00:08:07.579 Not. 00:08:07.960 --> 00:08:08.199 Work. 00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:09.920 For your salvation. 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:10.660 Yes. 00:08:10.660 --> 00:08:11.260 Salvation. 00:08:11.260 --> 00:08:11.340 Salvation. 00:08:11.340 --> 00:08:12.720 Is a gift of God. 00:08:13.280 --> 00:08:14.280 I would encourage you. 00:08:14.400 --> 00:08:14.800 This afternoon. 00:08:15.280 --> 00:08:16.660 If you haven't received. 00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:18.300 Christ's gift of salvation. 00:08:18.860 --> 00:08:19.580 It's for you. 00:08:20.080 --> 00:08:21.480 It's for all who believe. 00:08:21.560 --> 00:08:22.400 And trust in him. 00:08:22.840 --> 00:08:23.960 It's available here. 00:08:24.240 --> 00:08:25.240 This afternoon. 00:08:25.640 --> 00:08:26.780 But this is not about. 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:28.420 Working for our salvation. 00:08:28.840 --> 00:08:29.200 This is. 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:29.940 Working. 00:08:30.379 --> 00:08:30.740 Out. 00:08:31.180 --> 00:08:32.180 Our salvation. 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:33.120 I was thinking. 00:08:33.259 --> 00:08:34.200 As I was preparing. 00:08:34.440 --> 00:08:34.759 These notes. 00:08:35.040 --> 00:08:36.040 About all the gyms. 00:08:36.100 --> 00:08:37.180 That are all down the road. 00:08:37.179 --> 00:08:37.879 Here nowadays. 00:08:38.239 --> 00:08:39.500 It's become a popular thing. 00:08:39.699 --> 00:08:41.179 To have a workout. 00:08:41.359 --> 00:08:41.719 Hasn't it? 00:08:43.539 --> 00:08:43.979 But. 00:08:44.199 --> 00:08:44.739 When you say. 00:08:44.839 --> 00:08:45.839 You're going for a workout. 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:47.019 You're not going to go. 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:48.059 And build the gym. 00:08:48.419 --> 00:08:49.379 The gym's already there. 00:08:49.439 --> 00:08:50.239 You're just going to go. 00:08:50.319 --> 00:08:50.939 And use it. 00:08:51.299 --> 00:08:52.879 And this is what Paul is saying. 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:53.239 Here. 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:54.139 He's saying. 00:08:54.419 --> 00:08:54.639 Look. 00:08:54.699 --> 00:08:56.179 Your salvation is secure. 00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:57.899 In the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:08:58.259 --> 00:08:58.839 But now. 00:08:59.299 --> 00:08:59.579 Work. 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:00.539 Work it out. 00:09:00.839 --> 00:09:01.459 Work it out. 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:02.719 In your life. 00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:03.779 We work it out. 00:09:03.779 --> 00:09:04.659 By obedience. 00:09:05.240 --> 00:09:05.819 To his. 00:09:06.339 --> 00:09:06.719 Word. 00:09:08.139 --> 00:09:09.479 Paul tells us. 00:09:10.339 --> 00:09:11.779 There's two more important things. 00:09:11.859 --> 00:09:12.859 I want to draw from this. 00:09:13.219 --> 00:09:13.739 Particular. 00:09:14.979 --> 00:09:15.459 Heading. 00:09:15.879 --> 00:09:16.899 And it's this. 00:09:17.959 --> 00:09:19.039 Paul tells them. 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:19.839 To work out. 00:09:20.199 --> 00:09:20.919 Their own. 00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:22.199 Salvation. 00:09:24.699 --> 00:09:25.759 Wonder what he meant. 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:26.579 By that exactly. 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:28.219 And as I've been. 00:09:28.399 --> 00:09:29.279 Thinking about it. 00:09:29.839 --> 00:09:31.179 I wonder if he meant this. 00:09:32.959 --> 00:09:34.120 Many a Christian. 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:35.639 Wants it were. 00:09:35.819 --> 00:09:36.779 To let someone else. 00:09:36.779 --> 00:09:38.159 Work out their salvation. 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:38.699 For them. 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:40.120 They're happy. 00:09:40.120 --> 00:09:41.480 To go to the home group. 00:09:41.579 --> 00:09:42.720 And let the home group leader. 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:44.019 Tell them what it's all about. 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:45.439 They're happy to go to church. 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:46.179 And let the church. 00:09:46.439 --> 00:09:47.199 Tell them what it's about. 00:09:47.519 --> 00:09:49.179 They're happy to have Christian friends. 00:09:49.319 --> 00:09:49.799 And let them. 00:09:50.079 --> 00:09:51.079 Let them show. 00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:52.699 Them what it's all about. 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:54.379 I was reading an article. 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:56.039 Quite some little while ago now. 00:09:56.500 --> 00:09:56.899 And. 00:09:57.860 --> 00:09:58.860 It was saying. 00:09:58.980 --> 00:09:59.100 That. 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:00.120 About the. 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:01.240 Particularly amongst. 00:10:01.319 --> 00:10:02.500 The professional classes. 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:03.960 How many professional. 00:10:04.460 --> 00:10:04.740 People. 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:05.980 With. 00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:06.019 With. 00:10:06.019 --> 00:10:06.299 With. 00:10:06.299 --> 00:10:06.340 With. 00:10:06.340 --> 00:10:06.379 With. 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:06.500 With. 00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:07.019 Big. 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:07.500 Vast. 00:10:07.600 --> 00:10:07.980 Difficult. 00:10:07.980 --> 00:10:08.100 Hard. 00:10:08.100 --> 00:10:09.080 Jobs to do. 00:10:09.460 --> 00:10:10.440 Were Christians. 00:10:10.919 --> 00:10:11.379 And how. 00:10:11.779 --> 00:10:13.759 Their understanding of the Christian faith. 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:14.919 And their working out. 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:16.379 Of their salvation. 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:18.759 How it was at much lower level. 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:21.039 Than was their professional life. 00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:22.679 And I think there's a danger for all of us. 00:10:22.719 --> 00:10:23.039 Isn't there? 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:23.419 That. 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:23.659 Well. 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:23.939 Well. 00:10:23.939 --> 00:10:25.279 I don't know about that kind of thing. 00:10:25.299 --> 00:10:26.740 I just know that I believe in Jesus. 00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:27.659 That's wonderful. 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:28.299 That's excellent. 00:10:28.539 --> 00:10:29.079 That's great. 00:10:29.139 --> 00:10:30.599 But there's more to it than that. 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:31.299 Paul says. 00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:32.679 We need to work out. 00:10:32.839 --> 00:10:33.779 Could it be. 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:34.699 That in fact. 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:35.500 These people. 00:10:35.899 --> 00:10:36.500 Were relying. 00:10:37.019 --> 00:10:37.899 On Paul. 00:10:38.179 --> 00:10:38.620 And saying. 00:10:38.679 --> 00:10:39.159 Oh well. 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:39.439 You know. 00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:40.779 Paul's got it all worked out. 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:42.120 We're just going to listen to him. 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:43.819 Paul says. 00:10:43.899 --> 00:10:44.120 No. 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:45.199 Work out. 00:10:45.500 --> 00:10:46.500 Your own salvation. 00:10:46.620 --> 00:10:47.439 There's a lovely story. 00:10:47.439 --> 00:10:48.719 I tried to research it. 00:10:48.980 --> 00:10:50.679 I couldn't find the details of it. 00:10:50.679 --> 00:10:50.859 But. 00:10:51.239 --> 00:10:51.839 As far as I know. 00:10:51.959 --> 00:10:53.439 This is a true. 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:54.839 And an accurate record. 00:10:55.219 --> 00:10:56.979 There was a tremendous minister. 00:10:57.359 --> 00:10:58.039 Of the gospel. 00:10:58.239 --> 00:10:59.779 A man called Horatius Bonner. 00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:01.099 Who was in Scotland. 00:11:01.439 --> 00:11:01.839 And. 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:03.659 He had a great church. 00:11:03.779 --> 00:11:05.779 And people loved to hear him preach. 00:11:06.239 --> 00:11:07.479 And they would go there. 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:08.559 In groves. 00:11:09.079 --> 00:11:09.819 And there was a lady. 00:11:09.939 --> 00:11:10.699 Who used to go there. 00:11:10.919 --> 00:11:11.120 And. 00:11:11.199 --> 00:11:12.179 And for some reason. 00:11:12.259 --> 00:11:12.599 She. 00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:13.000 She. 00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:14.099 She couldn't go anymore. 00:11:14.679 --> 00:11:15.120 And. 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:17.240 She wasn't able to get to the church anymore. 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.579 And she was very. 00:11:20.159 --> 00:11:20.559 Depressed. 00:11:20.679 --> 00:11:21.719 She just felt. 00:11:21.859 --> 00:11:22.899 That she'd been fed. 00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:23.799 Wonderfully. 00:11:23.979 --> 00:11:24.159 By. 00:11:24.500 --> 00:11:25.620 Dear Horatius Bonner. 00:11:26.039 --> 00:11:26.839 And she just felt. 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:27.979 She was losing. 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:28.959 Everything. 00:11:29.679 --> 00:11:30.939 And she got somewhat. 00:11:31.079 --> 00:11:31.479 Depressed. 00:11:31.579 --> 00:11:32.079 And one day. 00:11:32.219 --> 00:11:33.419 She was in a park. 00:11:34.159 --> 00:11:35.399 Somewhere in Scotland. 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:35.939 And. 00:11:36.299 --> 00:11:37.459 She was feeling. 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:38.679 Very very low indeed. 00:11:39.599 --> 00:11:40.000 And. 00:11:40.679 --> 00:11:41.799 While she was there. 00:11:41.799 --> 00:11:44.539 A nanny came in. 00:11:44.599 --> 00:11:45.539 Who was looking after. 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:47.059 A couple of children. 00:11:47.219 --> 00:11:48.059 A couple of lads. 00:11:48.979 --> 00:11:49.319 And. 00:11:49.639 --> 00:11:50.359 The lads. 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:50.939 Parents. 00:11:51.059 --> 00:11:52.240 Had also been members. 00:11:52.659 --> 00:11:54.139 Of that great church. 00:11:54.219 --> 00:11:54.579 And they. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:56.059 In honour of the church. 00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:57.579 In honour of Horatius Bonner himself. 00:11:57.679 --> 00:11:58.319 They called. 00:11:58.979 --> 00:11:59.959 These boys. 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:00.919 Horatius. 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:02.179 And Bonner. 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:04.279 And. 00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:06.980 As she was sitting there. 00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:08.120 And the boys were. 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:09.100 Messing around. 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:09.919 And playing around. 00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:10.480 Those boys. 00:12:10.779 --> 00:12:11.659 Sometimes do. 00:12:12.439 --> 00:12:12.799 And. 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:14.519 She heard the nanny shout out. 00:12:15.459 --> 00:12:17.579 Stop leaning on a Horatius Bonner. 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:18.919 And. 00:12:19.079 --> 00:12:19.559 She realised. 00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:21.000 That was God speaking to her. 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:22.459 Don't lean on others. 00:12:22.959 --> 00:12:23.379 Get on. 00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:25.240 With your own salvation. 00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:26.779 Work out your own salvation. 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:28.500 And Paul tells us. 00:12:28.579 --> 00:12:29.620 That we're to work it out. 00:12:29.699 --> 00:12:30.439 With fear. 00:12:30.819 --> 00:12:31.679 And trembling. 00:12:32.319 --> 00:12:33.259 Fear and trembling. 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:33.799 Well of course. 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:34.579 We know God's a. 00:12:34.819 --> 00:12:35.919 A mighty God. 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:38.360 We know he's a God. 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:38.879 Who will. 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:39.839 One day. 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:40.919 Judge the world. 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:44.159 Are we to be fearful of him. 00:12:44.459 --> 00:12:45.259 For his judgments. 00:12:46.459 --> 00:12:46.899 Well. 00:12:47.419 --> 00:12:48.299 Paul tells again. 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:48.579 Doesn't he. 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:50.039 There's no condemnation. 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:51.240 To those. 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:52.879 Who are in Christ Jesus. 00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:55.879 So that's not what he meant at all. 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:57.240 And I think this word. 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:58.080 Judgment. 00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:58.639 As far as. 00:12:59.100 --> 00:12:59.939 Fear and trembling. 00:13:00.059 --> 00:13:01.080 As far as I can make out. 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:02.419 Seems to. 00:13:02.899 --> 00:13:03.200 Mean. 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:05.120 A respect. 00:13:05.559 --> 00:13:06.360 An honouring. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:07.820 A reverence. 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:08.919 Towards. 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:10.500 Almighty God. 00:13:12.059 --> 00:13:13.559 When you love someone. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:15.679 When you care about someone. 00:13:16.059 --> 00:13:17.080 You're most anxious. 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.000 You do things. 00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:19.179 In the right way. 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:20.720 You don't want to upset them. 00:13:21.080 --> 00:13:22.440 You try to. 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:23.019 To. 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:24.639 Cater for them. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:24.919 To. 00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:25.399 To. 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:26.079 To love them. 00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:27.279 To respond to them. 00:13:27.819 --> 00:13:28.639 And that's surely. 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:29.879 What's meant here. 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:30.899 Surely. 00:13:31.199 --> 00:13:32.179 In view of all. 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:32.939 That the Lord Jesus. 00:13:32.939 --> 00:13:33.879 Has done for us. 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:35.399 Then there should be. 00:13:35.720 --> 00:13:35.899 A. 00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:36.259 A. 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:37.240 Tremendous. 00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:38.799 Degree of respect. 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:39.860 And love. 00:13:40.199 --> 00:13:40.699 And honour. 00:13:40.919 --> 00:13:41.679 And reverence. 00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:42.860 Towards. 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:44.459 Our God. 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:47.179 I. 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:49.059 We had my father. 00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:49.899 Living with us. 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:50.120 For. 00:13:50.439 --> 00:13:51.240 For ten years. 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:51.919 Before he died. 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:53.019 The last ten years of his life. 00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:54.539 And they were very good years. 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:56.319 And we enjoyed it very much indeed. 00:13:57.679 --> 00:13:59.199 And there was a period of time. 00:13:59.319 --> 00:13:59.500 When. 00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:01.059 I was just out of sorts. 00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:02.899 Happens sometimes. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:03.299 Doesn't it? 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:05.419 I don't excuse it. 00:14:05.439 --> 00:14:06.120 I shouldn't have been. 00:14:06.179 --> 00:14:06.740 But I was. 00:14:07.459 --> 00:14:07.860 And. 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:09.539 I found myself. 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:10.720 Arguing with my dad. 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:11.539 And he would say. 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:12.019 So and so. 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:13.320 Oh no dad's not like that. 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.019 So and so and so. 00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:15.120 And. 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:16.360 We had one or two. 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:17.320 Just. 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:18.639 Silly disputes. 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:19.919 Pointless. 00:14:20.440 --> 00:14:21.200 Non-sensical. 00:14:21.680 --> 00:14:22.600 But they existed. 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:24.200 And I remember. 00:14:24.200 --> 00:14:25.220 After one of those. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:26.399 Sessions. 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:27.899 I heard my dad. 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:28.920 Going back upstairs. 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:30.040 To his bedroom. 00:14:30.180 --> 00:14:31.080 And all the way back up. 00:14:31.680 --> 00:14:32.659 I heard him say. 00:14:33.560 --> 00:14:34.040 Do you know. 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:35.560 I don't know what's happened. 00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:38.320 Peter and I used to get on so well together. 00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:40.420 But it's not happening now. 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:41.440 Oh. 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.460 That pierced my heart. 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:45.180 I realised that I was. 00:14:46.420 --> 00:14:47.940 Not in fear and trembling. 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:49.000 He was my father. 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:50.120 He was. 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:51.740 A lovely guy. 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:54.100 He'd done everything he could for me. 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:55.620 He was so kind. 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:56.340 And so generous. 00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:57.860 And so good to us as a family. 00:14:58.399 --> 00:14:59.340 And here I was. 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:00.279 Finding him. 00:15:00.440 --> 00:15:01.720 Picking petty quarrels. 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:02.740 With him. 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:04.179 How we need to. 00:15:04.560 --> 00:15:05.360 Be careful. 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:06.539 And fearful. 00:15:07.060 --> 00:15:08.320 Of how we work out. 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:09.960 Our own salvation. 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:10.360 Then. 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:12.399 Paul talks also about. 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:13.840 Do all things. 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:15.259 Without grumbling. 00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:17.360 Or disputing. 00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:19.320 That's easy. 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:19.920 He said to me. 00:15:20.400 --> 00:15:21.460 Don't grumble anymore. 00:15:21.680 --> 00:15:22.440 Stop grumbling. 00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:24.220 I don't know about you. 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:26.440 But I think if you spoke to Sue afterwards. 00:15:26.580 --> 00:15:27.420 She might well say. 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:28.480 He's always grumbling. 00:15:28.600 --> 00:15:29.540 He's an old grumbler. 00:15:30.900 --> 00:15:32.860 Grumbling or disputing. 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:34.680 Well. 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:35.760 What about that? 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:38.020 That's what Paul tells us. 00:15:38.300 --> 00:15:40.379 That's what the word of God tells us. 00:15:40.640 --> 00:15:42.240 That we're to do everything. 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:43.740 Do all things. 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.640 Without grumbling. 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.240 And disputing. 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.240 Who likes a grumbler? 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:47.799 Grumblers. 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:48.159 You know. 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:50.299 When you get amongst a group of people. 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:51.279 And you find someone. 00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:51.659 Who's. 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:53.659 Who just wants to sort of bend your ear. 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:55.340 With all their problems and complaints. 00:15:55.560 --> 00:15:55.740 You know. 00:15:56.419 --> 00:15:58.060 I usually try to find an excuse. 00:15:58.060 --> 00:15:58.820 For getting away. 00:15:58.940 --> 00:15:59.000 It's. 00:15:59.060 --> 00:15:59.279 Oh. 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:00.220 I just must go and see you. 00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:01.019 So you're out of the room. 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:01.240 You know. 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:02.060 Whatever. 00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:03.659 You don't want to be there. 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:03.980 Do you? 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:06.120 Do you remember about. 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:07.080 The children of Israel. 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:08.419 When they were in the wilderness. 00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:09.259 Do you remember. 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:09.580 How. 00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:09.639 How. 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.600 Moses. 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:13.600 God had brought them out. 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:15.200 Moses would leave them out. 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.019 Into the. 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:17.279 To the promised land. 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:19.120 And they got away. 00:16:19.420 --> 00:16:20.240 From being. 00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:21.340 Slaves. 00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:22.200 And servants. 00:16:22.560 --> 00:16:23.519 And everything. 00:16:23.680 --> 00:16:24.740 That was bad and wrong. 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:25.360 They were working. 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:26.560 Seven days a week. 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.779 No rest. 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:28.840 You remember. 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:30.659 The straw and the hay. 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:31.360 Which they previously. 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:32.620 Made the bricks from. 00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:33.680 Was taken away from. 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:34.860 You make them anyway. 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:35.800 Just get on with it. 00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:36.159 Don't. 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:37.080 Don't ask us. 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:38.060 And. 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.560 There they were free. 00:16:40.440 --> 00:16:41.320 They'd been able to bring. 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:41.960 Some of the. 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:43.460 The precious jewels. 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:43.860 From. 00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:44.760 From Exodus. 00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:45.320 With them. 00:16:45.400 --> 00:16:46.580 And they'd got some flops. 00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:47.160 And there was. 00:16:47.460 --> 00:16:48.480 They were on their way. 00:16:48.520 --> 00:16:49.320 To the promised land. 00:16:49.420 --> 00:16:49.680 They were. 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:50.800 They were going to be able. 00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:51.500 To see. 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:52.720 And experience. 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:54.360 What God had arranged. 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:54.760 For them. 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:55.960 And organized for them. 00:16:56.020 --> 00:16:56.700 And promised them. 00:16:56.760 --> 00:16:57.680 For so many years. 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.460 What a thrilling time. 00:16:59.540 --> 00:17:00.220 So what did they do. 00:17:00.420 --> 00:17:01.260 They were rejoicing. 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:01.820 They weren't. 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:02.400 They were grumbling. 00:17:03.020 --> 00:17:03.300 They said. 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.400 Oh gracious me. 00:17:04.600 --> 00:17:05.660 Well we met off in Egypt. 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:05.980 At least. 00:17:06.059 --> 00:17:07.240 We had some meals every day. 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:08.220 And we had water. 00:17:08.340 --> 00:17:09.080 And we had food. 00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:11.480 Grumly. 00:17:12.419 --> 00:17:13.039 We had a. 00:17:13.199 --> 00:17:13.960 Had a friend. 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:14.960 A young lady. 00:17:15.439 --> 00:17:15.740 And. 00:17:16.159 --> 00:17:17.519 She was a pleasant girl. 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:18.679 And we tried to be friendly. 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.740 She was quite lonely. 00:17:19.919 --> 00:17:20.019 And. 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:22.079 She was a Christian girl. 00:17:22.159 --> 00:17:22.740 And we. 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:24.779 Used to have her around for meals. 00:17:25.139 --> 00:17:25.379 And. 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:26.939 Would just be. 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:27.599 Her friend. 00:17:27.679 --> 00:17:29.139 As much as we possibly could. 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:32.519 But she forever moaned. 00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:33.619 And it was. 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:34.960 A real problem to us. 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:36.039 What do we do about this. 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:37.299 So one day I said to her. 00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:39.180 Look. 00:17:40.159 --> 00:17:40.399 We. 00:17:40.399 --> 00:17:40.559 We. 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:41.619 We really want to be your friends. 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.019 But we. 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:43.420 We just don't quite know. 00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:44.779 What we can do about. 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:45.639 All your problems. 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:47.460 Tell us what would really. 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:48.180 Solve. 00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:49.539 Your problems. 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:50.960 So she said. 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:51.920 Three things. 00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:52.240 She said. 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.559 I need a. 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:54.559 A really good job. 00:17:54.619 --> 00:17:55.319 The job I'm doing now. 00:17:55.379 --> 00:17:55.740 Is boring. 00:17:56.879 --> 00:17:57.680 I need a boyfriend. 00:17:58.399 --> 00:17:58.720 I need. 00:17:58.920 --> 00:17:59.519 Somewhere to live. 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:01.579 So. 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:01.839 I said. 00:18:01.879 --> 00:18:02.700 Well we'll pray about that. 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.119 We'll just. 00:18:03.379 --> 00:18:05.460 Just ask God to work on that situation. 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:06.240 No. 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.519 It was quite a few years later. 00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:08.620 Probably two or three years later. 00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:09.779 When. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.140 I was taking her home. 00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:11.660 In the car. 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:12.220 With Sue. 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:14.100 And we dropped her outside. 00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:14.759 The house. 00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:15.840 Which she now had. 00:18:16.860 --> 00:18:18.100 And she was moaning. 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.819 And she was going at it. 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:21.500 And she was bending my ear. 00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:22.940 And nothing was fair in life. 00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:24.600 And I didn't understand. 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.100 All the rest of it. 00:18:25.100 --> 00:18:25.400 And I said. 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:25.660 Look. 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:26.460 I said. 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:27.779 I've just got to stop you here. 00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:29.480 I've got to remind you. 00:18:29.600 --> 00:18:30.079 That you said. 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:31.059 If you had a home. 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.600 If you had a new. 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:33.259 Good job. 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.759 If you had a boyfriend. 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:34.960 Friend. 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.839 All these problems solved. 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:38.299 You've got them. 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:39.960 What's the problem now? 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:43.480 It's easy to grumble isn't it? 00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:44.559 It's easy to moan. 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.319 We should remember. 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:49.579 As Paul was encouraging his people to do. 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:50.920 The blessings that we have. 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:52.700 In the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:53.319 I don't know about you. 00:18:53.359 --> 00:18:54.079 But I've often found. 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:55.759 That the poorest people. 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:56.559 That I know. 00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:58.619 That sometimes the weakest people. 00:18:58.779 --> 00:18:58.980 I know. 00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:00.519 Are those with the greatest blessing. 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:01.740 Paul was telling us on Sunday. 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:02.639 About. 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:05.019 I can't think of her name now. 00:19:05.099 --> 00:19:05.460 Tarda. 00:19:05.619 --> 00:19:06.139 What's her name? 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:07.079 Joni Erikson. 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:07.579 In fact. 00:19:07.639 --> 00:19:08.259 Joni Erikson. 00:19:08.379 --> 00:19:08.680 And how. 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:11.619 As a fairly young girl. 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:13.339 She became a paraplegic. 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.519 And how she. 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:16.099 She blessed even the. 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:18.900 The chair that she had to live her life in. 00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:20.579 Because she found that brought her. 00:19:20.680 --> 00:19:21.740 Close to the Lord Jesus. 00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:23.519 What blessings we have. 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:24.980 And how we should be. 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:26.759 So encouraged to be. 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:27.880 Not moaners. 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:28.680 Not groaners. 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:29.579 Not grumblers. 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:32.940 So. 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.140 Supposing. 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:36.279 We were obedient. 00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:37.920 And we were. 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.940 Sorting out. 00:19:40.360 --> 00:19:41.019 And seeking. 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:42.180 Our own salvation. 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:43.460 With fear and trembling. 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:46.480 Supposing we weren't moaning. 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:47.000 And grumbling. 00:19:47.860 --> 00:19:48.880 What would the results be? 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:50.059 What Paul tells us here. 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.980 The results would be. 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:53.000 That we would shine. 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:54.079 As lights. 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:55.019 In the world. 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:56.919 That there would be others. 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:58.220 Who would see and recognize. 00:19:58.439 --> 00:19:59.919 There was something different about us. 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:06.059 We had a lovely. 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:08.799 Passage. 00:20:09.199 --> 00:20:10.099 Passed to us. 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:10.819 At the church. 00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:11.500 Just last week. 00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:13.899 Where we were told about. 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:15.299 A lady who had been. 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.599 It was a professional lady. 00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:18.939 And she had become alcoholic. 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.679 She'd lost all her money. 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.619 Through bad investments. 00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:24.279 And was finding herself. 00:20:24.899 --> 00:20:25.299 Derelict. 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:28.039 And some friends of the church. 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:29.000 Had gone to help. 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:30.959 And counsel her. 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.659 And she'd accepted. 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.879 That advice and counsel. 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:35.279 And one of the things she'd done. 00:20:35.399 --> 00:20:36.539 Also was gone to AA. 00:20:36.699 --> 00:20:37.479 Alcoholics Anonymous. 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:39.659 And she was finding that helpful. 00:20:39.659 --> 00:20:40.119 As well. 00:20:40.119 --> 00:20:43.519 And the man at Alcoholics Anonymous. 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:45.739 Had clearly told this lady. 00:20:45.859 --> 00:20:46.699 That he was a Christian. 00:20:47.179 --> 00:20:49.199 But nothing more was said about that. 00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:50.619 And after a while. 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.359 She said to him. 00:20:51.439 --> 00:20:51.619 You know. 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:53.379 You've been such a help to me. 00:20:54.099 --> 00:20:55.779 How is it you're able to help me? 00:20:55.959 --> 00:20:57.439 What is it that guides you? 00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:58.719 And he lifted up his Bible. 00:20:58.839 --> 00:20:59.019 He said. 00:20:59.459 --> 00:21:00.439 This is what it is. 00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:02.719 And she said. 00:21:02.739 --> 00:21:03.699 I want to read that. 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:04.819 She read it. 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:06.319 And she's been gloriously saved. 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:09.059 Wouldn't it be good. 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:10.339 If we live such lives. 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.039 Obedience. 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:12.379 Such lives. 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:13.500 With lack of grumbling. 00:21:13.619 --> 00:21:14.079 And moaning. 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:16.099 That others said to us. 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:18.019 What is it that motivates you? 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:19.679 And we could point them. 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:21.279 To the Lord Jesus. 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:25.539 If. 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:26.899 We comply. 00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:29.279 We will encourage. 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.859 Our fellow believers. 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:32.740 Paul said. 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:34.720 He just wanted to be able. 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:36.180 To boast about these folks. 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:38.079 He was so proud. 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:38.740 That they were living. 00:21:38.860 --> 00:21:39.420 Such a. 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.819 A glorious Christian life. 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:41.279 They were doing. 00:21:41.600 --> 00:21:42.339 So well. 00:21:42.900 --> 00:21:43.940 And he longed. 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:45.660 To be proud of them. 00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:47.019 Isn't it lovely. 00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:48.039 When we see someone. 00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:48.740 Meet someone. 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.700 Who you really feel. 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.000 Is glorifying. 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:51.900 To the Lord Jesus. 00:21:52.360 --> 00:21:53.319 It's such an encouragement. 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.140 To us isn't it? 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:55.980 And then thirdly. 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:56.940 Thirdly. 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.799 We will please God. 00:21:59.039 --> 00:21:59.960 Surely that must be. 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.700 Our chief end. 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.140 Mustn't it? 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:02.420 To please God. 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:03.519 For it says. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:05.400 It is in God. 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.099 It is God. 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:06.960 Who works in you. 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.639 Both to will. 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.619 And to work for. 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.339 His. 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:09.960 Good. 00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:10.660 Pleasure. 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:12.299 Isn't that what you want to do? 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.920 Don't you want to please God? 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:16.139 Isn't that your chief aim in life? 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.539 And here we are. 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.859 As we obey. 00:22:19.379 --> 00:22:20.279 Then we will be. 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:21.559 Pleasing God. 00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:22.139 As we. 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:23.099 Live lives. 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:23.319 That. 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:25.519 With lack of grumbling. 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.160 And moaning. 00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:26.920 And complaining. 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.859 Then we will please God. 00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:32.500 Excuse me. 00:22:36.979 --> 00:22:38.459 I just want to say finally. 00:22:38.719 --> 00:22:39.359 That obedience. 00:22:39.939 --> 00:22:41.179 Is our choice. 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:43.119 You can choose. 00:22:43.479 --> 00:22:44.319 To be obedient. 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:47.159 Those little girls. 00:22:47.159 --> 00:22:48.240 I was talking about. 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:49.939 Two Saturdays ago. 00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:51.399 They could have chosen. 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.379 If they wanted to. 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:53.699 To be obedient. 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:55.120 But. 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.519 They chose. 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:57.700 Not to be. 00:22:58.860 --> 00:22:59.380 But you say. 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.860 It is all like choosing it. 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:02.480 But it is sticking with it. 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:04.400 How am I going to make it work? 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:06.360 How is it going to work out in my life? 00:23:06.580 --> 00:23:07.660 I have been a Christian for. 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.460 Years. 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:10.779 And I still find myself. 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.180 Wandering. 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:12.299 I still find myself. 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:13.319 Lacking a beard. 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:14.180 I still find myself. 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.000 Moaning. 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:15.620 And groaning. 00:23:15.840 --> 00:23:16.259 And groaning. 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.620 How is it going to work? 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:20.000 Well I tell you this. 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:21.799 If you are trying on your own. 00:23:22.120 --> 00:23:23.100 You will never succeed. 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:24.719 You will never succeed. 00:23:25.679 --> 00:23:27.119 Because Paul tells us. 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.859 That how we are going to succeed. 00:23:29.179 --> 00:23:29.859 Is this way. 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.119 It is God. 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:32.919 Who works in you. 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:34.299 Both to will. 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.639 And to work. 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.859 His good pleasure. 00:23:38.659 --> 00:23:40.839 It is a work of cooperation. 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:43.399 One of the commentaries I was reading. 00:23:43.699 --> 00:23:44.359 Just today. 00:23:44.819 --> 00:23:46.419 Used this expression. 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:48.899 It was dependent actism. 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:49.980 We trust in our earth. 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.799 On God completely. 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:53.159 And at the same time. 00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:55.319 We work at it. 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:56.960 And that seems. 00:23:57.460 --> 00:24:00.000 That is what Paul is telling us here. 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:02.680 Dependent activism. 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:05.500 Is that what you want to do? 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:07.720 Do you want to be glorified to God? 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:09.000 Do you want to please him? 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:12.159 Do you want others to come to know the saviour? 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:16.140 Here we have Paul's instructions. 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:18.140 Paul's directions. 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:20.800 As to how that can be the case. 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.779 As we recognise. 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:24.800 And allow God to work in our lives. 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:27.300 And then we work with him. 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:29.480 That our lives might be changed. 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:31.640 To bring glory to his name. 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:34.780 God promote that we may so wish and so be. 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:36.259 In Jesus name. 00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:36.920 Amen. 00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:37.920 Let's close in prayer.