WEBVTT

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 Before we open God's word, let's take a moment and pray.

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 Father, please come with might to do only what you can do.

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 Open blind eyes, enliven dead bones, make hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.

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 Lord, we need your help to know you.

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 So as we come before you, we open your word.

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 Lord, minister to us.

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 Help us, guide us.

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 Lord, help us to know the joy of living for you, being citizens of heaven here on earth,

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 and being a part of your church.

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 Lord, what a wonderful blessing.

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 Impress that upon us this morning.

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 Pray all of this in Christ's mighty name.

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 Amen.

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 We are pretty much, I guess, out of cold and flu season.

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 Maybe I shouldn't say that too right now because we could just be entering into a new wave of it, God forbid.

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 But we get sick, okay?

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 Cold and flu is one thing.

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 Other sicknesses, more difficult to battle.

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 We see a doctor.

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 We get medicine.

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 We do some kind of therapy.

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 And we recover.

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 There's a sickness that is of the soul.

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 That is not easily dealt with.

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 The sickness is a poison, in fact.

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 And it is selfishness.

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 It's a sickness that's not necessarily evident.

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 It's easily hid.

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 The symptoms are not seen at first glance.

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 However, the effects of it, the symptoms of this sickness, of this poison,

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 hinder our ability to love, hinder our ability to have friends and to be good friends,

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 to have community, to have joy.

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 It is a poison which no earthly doctor can fix.

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 No medicine can be prescribed.

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 It requires an antidote that, unfortunately, many a selfish heart rejects, pushes back upon.

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 You know, the interesting and ironic thing about our day is that we are a society that enjoys unbelievable amounts of technology

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 that promise a complete transformation of how we live, a betterment of life.

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 If you're familiar with the academic Stephen Pinker, he's a Canadian guy.

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 He is convinced that with technology, with this kind of progress, we are the happiest people on planet Earth.

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 And ironically, as we become more knowledgeable, we are able to identify problems.

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 We find ourselves more and more disconnected from people.

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 We find ourselves not flourishing with community and friendships, but in fact the opposite,

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 that we are more separated, more disconnected, more lonely.

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 And a big part of that is the technology that we have and the world that we live in

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 hasn't yet figured out how to deal with selfishness.

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 We want to belong.

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 We want to be a part of something.

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 But such a unity that we want is the antithesis of the selfish reality that we inhabit.

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 The unity that we desire makes no room and gives no quarter for selfishness.

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 So naturally, that kind of unity is impossible to enjoy unless we have both a picture of what it looks like,

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 but also the strength to acquire it or to grow into it.

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 Paul, we're in our third week of Philippians.

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 We looked at 1 to 11 on week 1, which was kind of the introduction.

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 Last week was kind of the continuing into the introduction, but a bit of a bridge into the body of the letter.

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 And now we get into the body of the letter.

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 And the first thing that Paul commends to his church in Philippi, to his disciples in Philippi,

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 is that they would be unified, that they would have joy by being connected to one another.

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 And part and parcel to this is being selfless, is to resist and to reject selfishness.

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 And the way Paul describes it, it's implied that it is a very, very, very difficult, maybe impossible thing.

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 This selfless unity, Paul will tell us, is not a matter of willing it to be,

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 but of looking actually to God himself for both this example and the strength to live out that example.

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 So we're going to be looking at, so Brad read chapter 2, verses 1 to 11.

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 We're going to back it up into chapter 1, verses 27, and then we'll read all the way to 2, verse 11.

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 And we're going to look at, Paul's going to break it up in really, in very kind of clear ways.

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 He's going to look at this section and lay out for us a unity expressed.

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 And then, so he's going to talk about what unity is, what it isn't, what we need to watch out for,

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 what we need to embrace, a unity expressed.

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 Then he will give the ultimate example, humility displayed.

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 We'll get into, it's called the Christ hymn.

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 The theologians, they call this Christ hymn.

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 And really, and I'll mention this when we get to it,

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 if scripture is like a mountain range, this might be a peak.

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 And it might even be the peak in all of scripture.

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 Okay, it's worth weeks, maybe months of meditation every Sunday throughout the week.

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 We're going to try to hammer it out in about a half hour, all right?

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 So, you know, consider that as we read it.

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 But verses 5 to 8, humility displayed.

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 And finally, we'll get to verses 9 to 11.

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 And it will be glory realized.

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 And in all, in the entirety of this section, we will see how unity is something a lot more than just some nice how do you do's on a Sunday.

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 How was your week?

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 How are things going?

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 All very good stuff.

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 I encourage how do you do's.

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 It's something much deeper than this.

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 In fact, it is reflected in the very Godhead himself.

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 So, we'll jump right into it.

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 If you have a scripture journal, follow along with me.

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 We will be on page 10.

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 And actually, just page 10.

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 The entire section is, we'll be on page 10.

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 So, a unity displayed.

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 Like I mentioned, we left off in chapter 1 with Paul.

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 Paul, if you remember from last week, being willing to sacrifice.

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 This is incredible.

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 Not his life for the Philippians, but his death for the Philippians.

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 Paul wants to, he's in Roman prison.

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 He would much rather just to be executed and go to heaven.

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 Not because he has a death wish.

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 It's because he is so excited to embrace his Lord and being in his presence forever.

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 So, Paul, interestingly, is willing to sacrifice his death so that he could live for the Philippian church.

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 And specifically, that they would progress in the faith joyfully.

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 And that they would learn in deeper measure how to glory in Christ.

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 So, this next section then, Paul spells out what this progress and joy in the faith looks like.

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 And, again, we've talked about it already, it is expressed in unity with one another.

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 So, there's two parts in this section.

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 We're going to look at the first part, 27 to verse 30.

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 And this first section focuses on a unity that stands firm against pressure.

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 I'm going to read it again.

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 It's helpful if you can read along with me.

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 Verses 27 to 30.

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 And it says this.

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 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.

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 So that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you.

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 That you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.

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 And not frightened in anything by your opponents.

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 It's a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation and that from God.

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 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ, you should not only believe in him, but also suffer for his sake.

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 Engage in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

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 How does Paul expect the Philippians to joyfully progress in the gospel?

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 To have lives worthy of the gospel.

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 And specifically, that they would have a unity of mind and resolve.

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 Which is to say that they would believe the same thing.

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 They'd have proper belief together.

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 That would lead to proper action.

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 In the early days of our church, we were having Bible studies on Zoom.

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 And one of the things I would say a number of times is that orthodoxy leads to orthopraxy.

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 The right thinking of God leads to obeying him in the ways that he wants us to live.

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 This is what Paul is calling the Philippians to today, or in this section.

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 So when he talks about standing firm with one spirit, having one mind, striving together for the gospel, this is precisely what he's getting at.

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 It means that we don't have the luxury of having boutique beliefs in the church.

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 It doesn't mean that you can't differ on some of the important but peripheral doctrines.

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 But as it pertains, for instance, for the Nicene Creed, we don't have the liberty to push against that.

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 And then to say that we are orthodox Christians.

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 We can't somehow say that Jesus didn't really come in the flesh.

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 We'll really hammer on to that shortly, or look at that shortly.

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 We don't have that luxury.

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 We don't have the luxury of saying that God is actually one God that takes different forms at various times.

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 But he is one God, but three persons, but one God.

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 There's core aspects to our faith that are non-negotiable.

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 In addition to that, we see also in the ESV, we don't really get it in the same way as the original language.

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 But in the ESV, it says,

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 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.

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 Again, editors, it's not necessarily wrong.

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 They've decided to go in a specific direction.

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 But in doing so, they've missed a definition of another translation of how verse 27 could go.

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 And another translation would literally be Paul calling them to live out their heavenly citizenship in a worthy manner.

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 God's people were to be an outpost of heaven in Philippi,

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 representing the culture and the values and the mission of God to the people among whom they lived.

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 And this is no small charge, and it's no kind of nice thing that Paul's saying.

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 For in Philippi, they had the pride of being a legitimate Roman colony.

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 They were Romans.

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 And therefore, they were like an outpost of Rome outside of Italy.

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 They were in Macedonia.

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 What is today Macedonia?

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 But they were like a little Rome.

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 And what Paul is saying,

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 Listen, fine.

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 But your real citizenship is in heaven.

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 But you're on earth.

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 So act like a little heaven on earth.

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 The culture, the values, the mentality of heaven,

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 the joy and the flourishing, the life everlasting,

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 proclaiming the goodness of God.

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 This is the call on your life.

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 You're to be citizens of heaven.

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 Therefore, the guarantor of their life,

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 the real guarantor of their life was not Nero,

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 but it was Jesus Christ himself.

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 And they were to live out and promote this good news,

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 this reality, this heavenness together.

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 Why together?

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 You can't be a citizen of the Republic of Daniel.

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 Daniel can't just be one population one.

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 It doesn't work that way.

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 Okay?

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 You can't be a citizen just by yourself.

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 You're a citizen among other citizens.

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 You're a part of something much bigger and greater.

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 And therefore, the call is to live out the reality of heaven

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 as a citizen of heaven with other citizens of heaven.

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 So with the churches.

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 That's why, and I'm not, okay, I'll say this.

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 It's not like looking down my nose and like we are the best.

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 And if people do it differently than us, it's a problem.

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 But I'll say this.

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 This is why we've resisted doing online church.

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 Because the gathering of God's people matters.

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 It just, it does.

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 You can't watch something by yourself,

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 unconnected, without being embodied in a gathering

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 with other Christians.

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 You can't watch something and think,

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 ah, I've attended church.

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 I'm living here in Ottawa, but I've attended a church in Florida today.

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 Fantastic.

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 It's not to say you can't watch sermons online.

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 Again, I want to kind of have a bit of nuance to this.

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 And I, you know, if you don't like it, give me a chance to clarify.

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 But by and large, we have resisted it because the gathering of God's people,

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 it's a very important thing.

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 Because we need to see and handshake and maybe hug and converse or comfort each other.

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 You can't, you can't do that over a Zoom screen.

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 I think we've seen that over the past five years.

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 So it's very important that we understand what Paul is saying here

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 as to live out our citizenship of heaven in a worthy manner together.

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 It's very, very, very important.

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 And we do it so that we can stand firm against the competing ideologies

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 or philosophies that are demanding our allegiance.

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 In Philippi, it's very clear.

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 They are to have Rome as their number one allegiance.

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 That is like, it's beyond anything else.

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 Rome, that is where number one lies.

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 If you don't have that allegiance, it's not like Rome is indifferent to you.

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 It's not like, okay, you know, this group of people in Philippi,

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 like we're like fourth on their lists in terms of allegiance.

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 Rome's not happy with that.

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 Rome needs to be number one.

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 So what do they do?

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 They pressure, they compel, they manipulate, they threaten.

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 If there's any allegiance that is higher than theirs,

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 we don't have the same thing here.

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 But we have the same thing here.

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 We have forces and philosophies and ideals and pseudo-religions and boutique religions

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 and different goals and visions of the good life

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 that don't offer an alternative to the faith,

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 but demand that we have our allegiance with them, with it, whatever it is.

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 There's an incompatibility with the Christian faith and consumerism,

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 unlimited consumerism.

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 There's a problem with that.

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 It's a competing ideology.

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 Not all faiths are equal.

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 Not all faiths are right.

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 Christianity says there is one way to heaven.

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 There is one way to God, and it is through Christ.

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 That is an offensive thing for other philosophies, other religions, other ideals

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 that that comes in conflict with,

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 and they will not go down without a fight.

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 Paul is saying you have no chance to do this by yourself.

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 You have to do it together.

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 You have to.

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 And that's what he's calling the Philippians to here.

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 Just to close off this section,

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 it is a high calling.

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 It's a difficult calling.

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 And then he says something incredible that seems a bit counter.

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 We'll put a pin in it until we get to our final section.

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 But he says this,

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 if we live this way,

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 we will be gifted with what?

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 Growth in our faith and opportunities to suffer.

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 That's what he promises.

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 That's the gift.

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 We'll grow, but we'll also suffer.

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 But it will be a gift.

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 Again, this Paul is saying this is a sign of your maturity.

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 This is a sign of you growing together in the faith

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 and following God's call on your life.

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 We'll get to it in a bit.

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 So stick a pin in that for now.

00:17:51.040 --> 00:17:54.060
 We'll look at the second section of our opening point,

00:17:54.300 --> 00:17:55.259
 verses one to four.

00:17:55.259 --> 00:18:00.640
 And this section focuses on a unity that's expressed in generosity and kindness.

00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:08.319
 So if the other one was a unity that is characterized by resisting the forces that put pressure

00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:09.660
 or the forces of individualism,

00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:14.400
 this is a unity expressed in generosity and kindness.

00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:16.800
 Look with me at verses one to four.

00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:21.400
 So if there is any encouragement in Christ and any comfort from love

00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:23.700
 and any participation in the spirit,

00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:25.640
 any affection and sympathy,

00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:28.600
 complete my joy by being of the same mind,

00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:29.560
 having the same love,

00:18:30.080 --> 00:18:32.019
 being in full accord and of one mind.

00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:36.019
 Again, he's reiterating the call to unity there.

00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:36.640
 Verse three.

00:18:37.640 --> 00:18:40.340
 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit,

00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:42.159
 but in humility,

00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:45.359
 count others more significant than yourselves.

00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:48.519
 Let each of you look not only to his own interests,

00:18:48.639 --> 00:18:50.639
 but also to the interests of others.

00:18:52.399 --> 00:18:58.039
 There's four dynamics in verse one that Paul says are necessary

00:18:58.039 --> 00:19:01.579
 for this unity that he's calling the Philippians towards.

00:19:02.359 --> 00:19:04.279
 And what is interesting here is that,

00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.659
 we won't get into it,

00:19:05.699 --> 00:19:06.759
 so you have to just trust me,

00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:08.559
 maybe put a little star down

00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:10.639
 and we can talk about it at coffee or elsewhere,

00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:13.259
 but there's Trinitarian overtones.

00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:17.980
 I mean, it's explicitly referenced to Christ and to the spirit,

00:19:18.119 --> 00:19:20.359
 but also this affection and sympathy

00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:25.119
 is surely Paul referencing God,

00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:27.659
 the father's desire to send the son,

00:19:28.179 --> 00:19:31.839
 that he has affection and sympathy on the human race,

00:19:32.179 --> 00:19:35.119
 unable to combat sin and death

00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:39.339
 and welcoming the human race back into his presence.

00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:43.699
 Trinitarian overtones in verse one.

00:19:44.239 --> 00:19:44.679
 Fantastic.

00:19:46.179 --> 00:19:49.559
 But it's not just that he is kind of tipping his hat at the Trinity,

00:19:50.179 --> 00:19:53.579
 but he is saying that this is significant.

00:19:53.719 --> 00:19:53.959
 Why?

00:19:54.739 --> 00:19:57.919
 Because the unity that Paul is calling the church towards

00:19:57.919 --> 00:20:01.359
 is not just, again, a nice how do you do thing,

00:20:01.359 --> 00:20:06.439
 but it's reflective of the unity that we see in the triune God.

00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:11.059
 That within the Godhead himself,

00:20:11.379 --> 00:20:13.439
 again, one God, three persons,

00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:16.299
 the son has always loved the father

00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:19.119
 and the father has always loved the son.

00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:23.740
 And they have loved each other in the spirit of the Holy Spirit.

00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:29.500
 That there's never not been a time where God,

00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.019
 the father,

00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:30.460
 God,

00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:30.940
 the son,

00:20:31.120 --> 00:20:31.259
 God,

00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:34.339
 the Holy Spirit have been selfish,

00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:40.420
 but has always been proclaiming their own goodness

00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:41.900
 and their own love towards each other.

00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:46.400
 So God creates the entire world,

00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:48.599
 not out of need,

00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:51.559
 but as an expression of his love.

00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:52.259
 What do I mean by that?

00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:52.920
 Just really quickly,

00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:54.079
 I've mentioned it in the past.

00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:56.460
 To love,

00:20:57.200 --> 00:21:00.279
 to enjoy love means that there has to be an object

00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:01.359
 that you have to love.

00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:06.079
 If there was one God with one person,

00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:07.480
 not one God with three persons,

00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:08.680
 but one God with one person.

00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:09.740
 So like, say for instance,

00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.500
 the God of Islam.

00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:14.420
 To love,

00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:16.759
 if this God was going to be a God of love,

00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:20.140
 God would have to create something in order to love it.

00:21:20.140 --> 00:21:21.700
 Which is to say that,

00:21:21.800 --> 00:21:23.020
 that God,

00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:28.000
 that vision of God was lacking something in and of himself or herself or itself.

00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:31.420
 God would not be complete,

00:21:31.540 --> 00:21:32.520
 would not be perfect,

00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:33.600
 would not be whole,

00:21:34.320 --> 00:21:35.220
 but would be lacking,

00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:42.160
 would need to do something outside of him or her or itself in order to be complete.

00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:47.100
 But the God of the Bible has always been three persons.

00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:53.600
 Always loving each other in a perfect love that is a selfless,

00:21:54.080 --> 00:21:59.400
 deep expression of God's goodness and his care.

00:21:59.800 --> 00:22:01.640
 It is an incredible thing to think about.

00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:04.620
 So then he creates not out of his need,

00:22:04.860 --> 00:22:06.980
 but as an outpouring of his love.

00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:09.200
 Love continues to expand.

00:22:09.300 --> 00:22:12.240
 It continues to stretch and continues to include and,

00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:12.480
 and,

00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:13.620
 and bring in.

00:22:13.840 --> 00:22:16.040
 And this is why God creates.

00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:19.360
 So right off the bat,

00:22:19.520 --> 00:22:22.380
 what Paul is saying is that the unity that he's calling us to is,

00:22:22.520 --> 00:22:25.640
 is a unity that tries to image the Godhead.

00:22:26.020 --> 00:22:27.040
 How do we do that?

00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:28.020
 Really tough.

00:22:28.120 --> 00:22:28.480
 I mean,

00:22:28.600 --> 00:22:30.660
 if it's tough to think about and to dwell upon,

00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:31.480
 but this is what he's doing.

00:22:33.140 --> 00:22:34.060
 The Trinitarian,

00:22:34.360 --> 00:22:34.880
 uh,

00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:37.200
 love and unity that God is,

00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:41.480
 is calling us to also tells us that such a unity,

00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:43.820
 it is divine.

00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.420
 And what,

00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:48.740
 what God is calling us to is something that we cannot do ourselves.

00:22:49.060 --> 00:22:53.080
 How on earth could we image the,

00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:53.300
 the,

00:22:53.300 --> 00:22:58.420
 the triune God in broken and sinful flesh?

00:22:58.540 --> 00:22:58.680
 How,

00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.340
 how do we do that?

00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:01.740
 So Paul,

00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:02.860
 he is,

00:23:02.860 --> 00:23:03.200
 uh,

00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:04.040
 anticipating,

00:23:04.040 --> 00:23:05.380
 uh,

00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:08.000
 what we'll see shortly in the incarnation,

00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:17.279
 that God will make a way for us to love him and then love each other in such a way that is a,

00:23:17.580 --> 00:23:19.560
 that appropriately images the Godhead.

00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:23.500
 verse three and four.

00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.599
 Again,

00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:27.240
 time out like 30 minutes.

00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:28.059
 Cut me slack.

00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:28.779
 If I miss something,

00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.399
 this is heavy.

00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:31.399
 It's wonderful to meditate on,

00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:32.299
 but meditate on it.

00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.359
 Verses three and four.

00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:34.759
 Do not,

00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:34.960
 uh,

00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:36.519
 do nothing from selfish ambition.

00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:36.759
 Again,

00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:39.539
 this is flowing out of this unity that,

00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:39.759
 that,

00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:43.159
 that they're being called to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit,

00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:46.660
 but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:50.960
 Let each of you look not only to his or her own interests,

00:23:51.120 --> 00:23:52.960
 but also to the interests of others.

00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:53.600
 Uh,

00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:54.100
 here's the thing.

00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:56.259
 We naturally look out for our own interests and needs,

00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:58.040
 and that's not inherently bad.

00:23:58.040 --> 00:23:58.480
 And Paul,

00:23:58.620 --> 00:23:58.940
 by the way,

00:23:58.940 --> 00:24:01.880
 is not calling us to not care about our own needs.

00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:02.259
 I mean,

00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:02.740
 it's,

00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.720
 it's implied that we,

00:24:03.840 --> 00:24:04.320
 that we do,

00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:04.540
 but,

00:24:05.540 --> 00:24:07.400
 but when we focus so much of,

00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:07.860
 uh,

00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:10.279
 upon our own needs and our own interests,

00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:14.299
 we often make excuses for our lack of generosity,

00:24:14.459 --> 00:24:15.359
 our lack of kindness,

00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:18.139
 our lack of sacrifice towards others.

00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:20.099
 Um,

00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:21.599
 we expand,

00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:21.859
 uh,

00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:22.199
 our,

00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:22.559
 uh,

00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:24.299
 our non-negotiable needs.

00:24:25.199 --> 00:24:25.319
 The,

00:24:25.399 --> 00:24:29.639
 the list gets bigger and bigger so that our time and our energy and our

00:24:29.639 --> 00:24:30.179
 resources,

00:24:30.179 --> 00:24:31.479
 I mean,

00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.799
 we only have time for ourselves.

00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.779
 We only have,

00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.179
 uh,

00:24:34.179 --> 00:24:35.819
 the ability to take care of ourselves.

00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:37.679
 And in such cases,

00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:39.779
 unity is always sacrifice.

00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:43.279
 Care for others and kindness for others.

00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:45.000
 It is always sacrifice.

00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:51.340
 And it's problematic because an exclusively self-serving life is not a

00:24:51.340 --> 00:24:52.180
 robust life.

00:24:53.100 --> 00:24:53.660
 It is,

00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.960
 it is not a robust life.

00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:55.180
 Uh,

00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.700
 there was a,

00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:57.200
 a book that,

00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:57.500
 uh,

00:24:57.500 --> 00:25:00.019
 my grade seven teacher,

00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:01.799
 grade seven or eight teacher read to us.

00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:02.340
 It was called,

00:25:02.340 --> 00:25:02.500
 uh,

00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.500
 where the red fern grows.

00:25:03.600 --> 00:25:05.460
 I don't know if you have heard of this book.

00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:05.860
 Uh,

00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:07.660
 it's about a boy and his hunting,

00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:08.060
 dogs.

00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.160
 It was,

00:25:09.560 --> 00:25:09.759
 uh,

00:25:09.820 --> 00:25:10.060
 I don't know.

00:25:10.060 --> 00:25:10.620
 It's a nice book,

00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:12.840
 but they were hunting raccoons for their pelts.

00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:16.660
 And the boy and his grandfather created this,

00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:17.180
 uh,

00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:22.220
 trap for the raccoons where they drilled a hole in a log and they put like a

00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:26.360
 shiny piece of tin or a dime or something that was shiny and then hammered

00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:27.359
 some nails.

00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:27.859
 So that only,

00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:28.359
 um,

00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:28.359


00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:29.759
 the,

00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:31.219
 the raccoon's hand kind of like,

00:25:31.219 --> 00:25:36.139
 like squish like this could get through when it would grab the shiny object.

00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:37.039
 The,

00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:39.759
 the fist would be too big to pull out.

00:25:40.419 --> 00:25:40.859
 Okay.

00:25:40.859 --> 00:25:41.859
 Uh,

00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:44.599
 but it would never let go of the shiny item and it would be,

00:25:44.679 --> 00:25:45.359
 it's undoing.

00:25:46.439 --> 00:25:47.559
 Sometimes we think,

00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:48.679
 uh,

00:25:48.719 --> 00:25:49.179
 it is a,

00:25:49.179 --> 00:25:49.459
 it's a,

00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:51.519
 it's an app metaphor for us because sometimes we think,

00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:51.740
 well,

00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.439
 what we need,

00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.519
 we just need a bit more.

00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:55.679
 We just need a bit more money.

00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.859
 We need a bit more experience.

00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:57.879
 We,

00:25:57.959 --> 00:26:02.859
 we need something else that we don't have that surely we can get because there's an

00:26:02.859 --> 00:26:03.719
 affluence about us.

00:26:03.719 --> 00:26:05.059
 So we can buy whatever we need.

00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:08.679
 That is going to tip us over the edge for,

00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.879
 for happiness and joy.

00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.819
 But it is,

00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:16.000
 it is a fallacy because again,

00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:21.000
 the life that is exclusively about me will never flourish.

00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:24.559
 If only I could grab that little shiny piece of tin.

00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:25.679
 And meanwhile,

00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:27.960
 our demise is just,

00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.799
 it's on its way.

00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:34.680
 So Paul is again,

00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:37.460
 not saying to neglect taking care of ourselves,

00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.700
 but he is saying,

00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.019
 listen,

00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:42.000
 look after the needs of other people.

00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:45.119
 Some people actually cannot look after their own needs.

00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:49.039
 And that is something that people are very ashamed of and quiet about.

00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:49.940
 You will never know,

00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:53.480
 but they will suffer in silence.

00:26:54.379 --> 00:26:57.440
 You can be the very means by which God will bless them.

00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:59.019
 So Paul is saying,

00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.480
 look to the needs of others.

00:27:01.360 --> 00:27:02.400
 He encourages us.

00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:07.980
 What he encourages us to do rather is to apply that same level of concern we have for ourselves

00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:11.059
 towards our brothers and sisters.

00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:13.620
 And in our world,

00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:18.220
 this is a very radical love that we desperately need,

00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:19.440
 but often find lacking.

00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:24.039
 And this is where Paul will then appeal to Christ.

00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:31.559
 Because it is so rare that really it takes the incarnation to really open our eyes to

00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:36.039
 what this level of humble sacrifice looks like.

00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.180
 So again,

00:27:37.600 --> 00:27:41.519
 Paul will commend the Philippians to strive for this unified vision,

00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:44.660
 for this right doctrine leading to right action.

00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:46.880
 So verse 5 will say this.

00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:49.700
 Have this mind among yourselves.

00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.740
 So believe this together,

00:27:50.840 --> 00:27:51.940
 which is yours in Christ Jesus.

00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:53.120
 It's a bit of a hinge verse

00:27:53.120 --> 00:27:56.220
 that connects chapter 1,

00:27:56.640 --> 00:28:00.360
 verse 27 to 2, verse 4.

00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:03.980
 It hinges that with the Christ hymn of verses 6 to 11.

00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:06.680
 This grand vision of Christ.

00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:11.860
 And Paul tells us that to truly understand what unity looks like,

00:28:12.560 --> 00:28:14.840
 how it's expressed in selfish,

00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:16.360
 selfless love,

00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:16.720
 sorry,

00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:18.320
 we must look to Jesus himself.

00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:20.200
 We'll get to our second point.

00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:22.759
 Humility displayed.

00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:25.320
 I'll read verse 5 to 8.

00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:27.700
 Have this mind among yourselves,

00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:29.080
 which is yours in Christ Jesus,

00:28:29.860 --> 00:28:30.039
 who,

00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:31.660
 though he was in the form of God,

00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:33.220
 did not count equality with God,

00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.600
 a thing to be grasped,

00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:38.019
 but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant,

00:28:38.179 --> 00:28:39.879
 being born in the likeness of men,

00:28:40.459 --> 00:28:41.699
 and being found in human form,

00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:44.879
 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,

00:28:44.919 --> 00:28:46.659
 even death on a cross.

00:28:47.179 --> 00:28:48.659
 This section,

00:28:49.919 --> 00:28:50.939
 it's a very,

00:28:51.159 --> 00:28:52.819
 there's not much in the New Testament

00:28:52.819 --> 00:28:55.519
 that gives us this picture of the pre-incarnate Christ,

00:28:55.679 --> 00:28:56.139
 again,

00:28:56.199 --> 00:28:56.779
 in the New Testament,

00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:58.359
 but this is one of them.

00:28:58.439 --> 00:28:58.859
 And this is,

00:28:58.959 --> 00:28:59.459
 like I mentioned,

00:28:59.539 --> 00:29:01.740
 if the Bible is a mountain range,

00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:03.839
 this is a peak.

00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:05.279
 It surely is a peak.

00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:08.519
 It tells us that Jesus always existed.

00:29:09.139 --> 00:29:09.379
 Again,

00:29:09.419 --> 00:29:11.839
 that he was always loving the Father,

00:29:12.679 --> 00:29:15.179
 that in every way he was God.

00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:15.939
 I mean,

00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:18.199
 just say that he was in the form of God

00:29:18.199 --> 00:29:19.500
 might lend to this idea

00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.819
 that he was kind of like God,

00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:21.379
 but not fully.

00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:22.240
 But again,

00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:22.819
 in the original,

00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:25.379
 what is being communicated is that

00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:27.740
 Christ is God.

00:29:28.199 --> 00:29:28.779
 He's God.

00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:30.039
 Full stop.

00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:31.619
 Everything about God the Father

00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:34.220
 applies to God the Son.

00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:35.859
 He has a quality of nature,

00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.539
 of position,

00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.359
 and status.

00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.379
 And that's important because

00:29:38.379 --> 00:29:41.099
 when it gets to

00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:42.920
 the bit here

00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:43.839
 where it talks about,

00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:45.700
 well,

00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.460
 I'll read it

00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.339
 in verses six

00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:48.019
 and forward.

00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:49.559
 Sorry,

00:29:49.659 --> 00:29:50.059
 verse seven.

00:29:50.159 --> 00:29:51.159
 But he emptied himself

00:29:51.159 --> 00:29:52.279
 by taking on the form of servant.

00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:54.059
 What that is not saying

00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:54.539
 is that

00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:56.119
 God the Son of God

00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:57.839
 ceased to be God

00:29:57.839 --> 00:29:58.960
 when he came to earth

00:29:58.960 --> 00:30:01.539
 and took upon himself

00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:02.339
 human flesh.

00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:05.059
 He has to be God all the time.

00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:06.399
 God the Son of God

00:30:06.399 --> 00:30:07.220
 has to be God.

00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.460
 In fact,

00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.859
 if he somehow

00:30:09.859 --> 00:30:12.460
 was able to not be God

00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:13.599
 because

00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:15.279
 Hebrews 1 tells us

00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.660
 that all of the world

00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:19.160
 is held up

00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:20.399
 by his power,

00:30:20.400 --> 00:30:22.340
 all of reality

00:30:22.340 --> 00:30:24.060
 would unravel.

00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:26.100
 So God the Son of God

00:30:26.100 --> 00:30:26.680
 is always God,

00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:27.259
 but what he

00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:28.680
 empties himself of

00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:30.080
 specifically

00:30:30.080 --> 00:30:30.840
 is

00:30:30.840 --> 00:30:31.980
 his

00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:32.740
 position

00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:33.680
 and his status.

00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.680
 This is why

00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.360
 the very thought

00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:39.519
 that God,

00:30:39.600 --> 00:30:40.300
 the Son of God

00:30:40.300 --> 00:30:41.380
 would relinquish that

00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:41.960
 for a time,

00:30:42.080 --> 00:30:43.100
 it's outstanding.

00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.140
 Sorry,

00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:45.380
 yeah,

00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.240
 it's outstanding.

00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:47.620
 It is really something

00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:48.820
 that's hard to understand.

00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:51.179
 that he would relinquish

00:30:51.179 --> 00:30:51.720
 his nature

00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:52.619
 and his status.

00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:55.500
 And why did he do this?

00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:56.759
 And this is where

00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:58.159
 I am really not doing it justice

00:30:58.159 --> 00:30:59.480
 in a short amount of time,

00:30:59.859 --> 00:31:00.299
 but again,

00:31:00.399 --> 00:31:01.579
 worth meditating on

00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.539
 and thinking through.

00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:04.019
 And why did he do this?

00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:05.179
 So he could take humanity

00:31:05.179 --> 00:31:06.200
 into himself.

00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:08.299
 Therefore,

00:31:08.439 --> 00:31:09.559
 Paul is helping us

00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:10.819
 peer behind the curtain,

00:31:10.919 --> 00:31:11.439
 so to speak,

00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:13.039
 to see what the incarnation

00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:13.819
 entailed,

00:31:14.379 --> 00:31:15.339
 to take on the form

00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:16.459
 of a slave.

00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.159
 God,

00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:18.720
 the Son of God,

00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:18.959
 did.

00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.539
 We have servant,

00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:23.059
 but the word

00:31:23.059 --> 00:31:23.839
 is slave,

00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:25.259
 to take on the very

00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:26.159
 nature of a slave.

00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:27.399
 So it's not just that

00:31:27.399 --> 00:31:27.740
 God,

00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.419
 the Son of God,

00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.799
 he suspends

00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:30.720
 or empties himself

00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:33.220
 out of his status

00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:35.439
 and his position

00:31:35.439 --> 00:31:36.000
 in heaven

00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:38.639
 to then take on,

00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:38.899
 say,

00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:39.740
 maybe God,

00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.139
 the Son of God,

00:31:40.199 --> 00:31:40.980
 takes on human flesh,

00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:41.839
 but he becomes the emperor.

00:31:42.179 --> 00:31:42.699
 He becomes like

00:31:42.699 --> 00:31:43.539
 the highest position

00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:43.899
 on earth.

00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.200
 No,

00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:46.539
 he empties himself

00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:47.460
 to take on

00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.819
 the status

00:31:48.819 --> 00:31:50.440
 of a statusless person,

00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:52.659
 a slave.

00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:54.299
 Not that Jesus

00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:55.299
 was a slave,

00:31:55.420 --> 00:31:56.279
 but he was someone

00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:57.619
 that was a peasant.

00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.480
 He lived in

00:31:58.480 --> 00:32:00.000
 a backwater part

00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:02.059
 of a Roman colony.

00:32:03.159 --> 00:32:04.039
 He was not

00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:05.359
 at the pinnacle

00:32:05.359 --> 00:32:06.220
 of human existence

00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:07.519
 when he came

00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:08.700
 on earth.

00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:10.559
 He emptied himself.

00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:13.200
 But there's a double

00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:14.159
 meaning also

00:32:14.159 --> 00:32:15.619
 with the servanthood

00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:17.159
 and his slavery

00:32:17.159 --> 00:32:18.399
 because it's not just

00:32:18.399 --> 00:32:19.000
 that he took on

00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:20.179
 the form of a slave,

00:32:20.619 --> 00:32:22.240
 but he obeyed

00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:23.059
 the Father's will.

00:32:23.159 --> 00:32:24.179
 He served the Father's

00:32:24.179 --> 00:32:24.779
 will perfectly.

00:32:25.419 --> 00:32:26.119
 And how do we know this?

00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:26.379
 Well,

00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:27.039
 look with me

00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:28.980
 at verse 8.

00:32:29.399 --> 00:32:29.940
 And being found

00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.679
 in human form,

00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:31.659
 he humbled himself

00:32:31.659 --> 00:32:33.119
 by becoming obedient

00:32:33.119 --> 00:32:34.139
 to the point of death,

00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:36.059
 even death on a cross.

00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:39.079
 Jesus went all the way.

00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:41.359
 He suffered humiliation

00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:43.099
 all the way down,

00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:43.960
 down,

00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:44.659
 down

00:32:44.659 --> 00:32:46.439
 to the very bottom

00:32:46.439 --> 00:32:47.460
 of human existence.

00:32:48.179 --> 00:32:48.259
 Okay?

00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:49.799
 So if you can picture this

00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.919
 and we'll see

00:32:50.919 --> 00:32:51.599
 how this kind of

00:32:51.599 --> 00:32:52.539
 then goes back up,

00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:53.859
 but he goes

00:32:53.859 --> 00:32:54.659
 from the very height

00:32:54.659 --> 00:32:56.539
 and there's this descent,

00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:57.879
 but not just like

00:32:57.879 --> 00:32:58.259
 two,

00:32:58.720 --> 00:32:59.199
 three quarters

00:32:59.199 --> 00:32:59.859
 of the way down

00:32:59.859 --> 00:33:01.559
 or nine tenths

00:33:01.559 --> 00:33:02.139
 of the way down.

00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:03.699
 He goes all the way

00:33:03.699 --> 00:33:04.480
 to the very bottom

00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:06.279
 to suffer death,

00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:07.279
 which is terrible,

00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:09.119
 to be subject

00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:10.139
 to the curse,

00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:13.399
 but to be subject

00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:14.660
 to the curse of curses,

00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:16.379
 to be hung on a tree.

00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.759
 Let's consider

00:33:20.759 --> 00:33:22.000
 how countercultural

00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:22.599
 this is.

00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:23.879
 Positions of power

00:33:23.879 --> 00:33:24.460
 and authority

00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:26.960
 now and back then,

00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:28.519
 they've always been

00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:29.559
 leveraged to gain

00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:30.399
 further power

00:33:30.399 --> 00:33:30.899
 and authority.

00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:33.200
 This can result

00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:34.420
 in oftentimes

00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:35.379
 the exploitation

00:33:35.379 --> 00:33:36.279
 and the neglect

00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:36.799
 of others.

00:33:37.639 --> 00:33:39.039
 It's an insatiable

00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:40.500
 hunger for more

00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:41.339
 power

00:33:41.339 --> 00:33:43.299
 and it's

00:33:43.299 --> 00:33:44.519
 almost never

00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:45.220
 satisfied

00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:46.220
 with the acquisition

00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:48.259
 of more power,

00:33:48.399 --> 00:33:48.920
 more gold,

00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:50.000
 more whatever.

00:33:51.619 --> 00:33:52.700
 Even when we engage

00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:53.899
 in benevolence

00:33:53.899 --> 00:33:54.960
 as people with power,

00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:55.559
 we do it.

00:33:55.660 --> 00:33:55.899
 Why?

00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:56.980
 Because we want

00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.539
 to be seen

00:33:57.539 --> 00:34:00.099
 as benevolent people

00:34:00.099 --> 00:34:01.039
 so that people

00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:01.759
 could think of us

00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.799
 in greater ways

00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:04.379
 and even our benevolence

00:34:04.380 --> 00:34:05.160
 is just a source

00:34:05.160 --> 00:34:06.100
 of exploiting

00:34:06.100 --> 00:34:07.160
 the world

00:34:07.160 --> 00:34:07.900
 for more power.

00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.500
 But Christ,

00:34:09.660 --> 00:34:10.840
 he had the highest status.

00:34:11.760 --> 00:34:12.519
 That means there was

00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:14.320
 no greater reputation

00:34:14.320 --> 00:34:14.900
 to earn,

00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:16.640
 no more greater power

00:34:16.640 --> 00:34:17.260
 to have,

00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:20.660
 no more greater kudos

00:34:20.660 --> 00:34:22.200
 or an additional,

00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.019
 heavier,

00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:24.800
 bigger crown to wear.

00:34:25.180 --> 00:34:26.380
 He was at the very height

00:34:26.380 --> 00:34:27.840
 of reputation

00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:30.019
 and he gives it up.

00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:31.480
 This is what it means

00:34:31.480 --> 00:34:32.019
 when he gives up

00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:33.000
 his status and position.

00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:33.780
 He gives it up

00:34:33.780 --> 00:34:35.719
 and he descends

00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:37.099
 and descends

00:34:37.099 --> 00:34:37.940
 and descends

00:34:37.940 --> 00:34:38.659
 and descends.

00:34:39.019 --> 00:34:39.980
 He takes on human flesh.

00:34:40.079 --> 00:34:41.079
 He descends even further

00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:42.559
 even to death

00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:43.639
 on the cross.

00:34:44.079 --> 00:34:45.019
 And he doesn't do it

00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:46.039
 because God the Father

00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:46.980
 is coercing him

00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:49.460
 or we somehow

00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:50.639
 have twisted his arm.

00:34:51.599 --> 00:34:53.400
 He empties himself,

00:34:53.659 --> 00:34:54.460
 the scripture says.

00:34:54.900 --> 00:34:55.659
 It's voluntary.

00:34:57.440 --> 00:34:58.300
 And he does it

00:34:58.300 --> 00:34:58.980
 because of love.

00:34:58.980 --> 00:35:00.000
 He doesn't,

00:35:02.099 --> 00:35:03.740
 what does it say

00:35:03.740 --> 00:35:05.099
 in Hebrews chapter 12?

00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:06.059
 For the joy

00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:07.159
 that was set before him,

00:35:07.199 --> 00:35:08.000
 he endured the cross.

00:35:08.099 --> 00:35:09.460
 He scorned its shame.

00:35:10.740 --> 00:35:11.840
 He scorned its shame.

00:35:14.019 --> 00:35:14.940
 I don't want to say

00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:15.699
 that Jesus didn't care

00:35:15.699 --> 00:35:16.280
 about the shame,

00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:18.380
 but he scorned it.

00:35:20.260 --> 00:35:21.039
 Some of you

00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:23.099
 that like sports,

00:35:23.219 --> 00:35:24.099
 you'd remember this.

00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:25.740
 A guy played in the 80s

00:35:25.739 --> 00:35:26.659
 and 90s in the NBA.

00:35:27.439 --> 00:35:29.099
 He was the tallest guy

00:35:29.099 --> 00:35:29.599
 that ever played

00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:30.099
 at the time.

00:35:30.239 --> 00:35:31.039
 His name was Manuk Bol.

00:35:31.159 --> 00:35:32.179
 He was Dinka

00:35:32.179 --> 00:35:33.639
 from what is now

00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:34.239
 South Sudan,

00:35:34.419 --> 00:35:35.699
 but South Sudan

00:35:35.699 --> 00:35:37.239
 didn't exist as a country.

00:35:37.419 --> 00:35:37.899
 It was Sudan.

00:35:38.959 --> 00:35:40.159
 And he was super tall.

00:35:41.119 --> 00:35:42.119
 He had a decent career.

00:35:42.399 --> 00:35:42.639
 I mean,

00:35:42.719 --> 00:35:43.500
 being that tall,

00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.259
 your body just

00:35:44.259 --> 00:35:46.359
 falls apart.

00:35:46.919 --> 00:35:47.739
 And his body

00:35:47.739 --> 00:35:48.439
 did fall apart.

00:35:49.759 --> 00:35:50.619
 But what he did

00:35:50.619 --> 00:35:51.379
 with his millions

00:35:51.379 --> 00:35:53.139
 is he used it

00:35:53.139 --> 00:35:53.959
 almost entirely

00:35:53.959 --> 00:35:54.539
 for aid

00:35:54.539 --> 00:35:55.459
 for his people.

00:35:55.739 --> 00:35:56.399
 In South Sudan.

00:35:56.839 --> 00:35:57.459
 So much so

00:35:57.459 --> 00:35:58.379
 that he was taking on,

00:35:58.439 --> 00:35:59.139
 after he retired,

00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:00.359
 he was taking on

00:36:00.359 --> 00:36:01.639
 celebrity hockey games.

00:36:01.979 --> 00:36:02.519
 And you can see

00:36:02.519 --> 00:36:03.339
 a YouTube video

00:36:03.339 --> 00:36:04.519
 of him sitting on a bench.

00:36:04.799 --> 00:36:05.699
 He's like 7'8".

00:36:05.699 --> 00:36:06.599
 And his knees

00:36:06.599 --> 00:36:07.799
 are like up to his chin.

00:36:08.039 --> 00:36:09.339
 And he can barely walk,

00:36:09.439 --> 00:36:10.199
 let alone skate.

00:36:10.959 --> 00:36:12.000
 And his former teammates,

00:36:12.199 --> 00:36:13.239
 they'd say stuff like,

00:36:13.419 --> 00:36:14.159
 what are you doing?

00:36:14.239 --> 00:36:15.139
 You're humiliating yourself.

00:36:15.219 --> 00:36:15.419
 He's like,

00:36:15.439 --> 00:36:16.139
 I can make more money

00:36:16.139 --> 00:36:16.679
 for my people.

00:36:17.719 --> 00:36:18.559
 And in the end,

00:36:18.639 --> 00:36:19.899
 he dies a young man.

00:36:21.759 --> 00:36:24.019
 And he dies fairly poor.

00:36:24.019 --> 00:36:26.039
 But for him,

00:36:26.739 --> 00:36:27.199
 he says,

00:36:27.239 --> 00:36:27.679
 who cares?

00:36:28.059 --> 00:36:28.619
 Like this was his

00:36:28.619 --> 00:36:29.179
 whole mentality.

00:36:29.239 --> 00:36:29.780
 Who cares?

00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:33.000
 I will scorn the shame

00:36:33.000 --> 00:36:33.820
 and the embarrassment

00:36:33.820 --> 00:36:34.960
 of going through,

00:36:35.199 --> 00:36:35.920
 he was in a celebrity

00:36:35.920 --> 00:36:36.800
 boxing match

00:36:36.800 --> 00:36:37.579
 and got his face

00:36:37.579 --> 00:36:38.139
 mashed in.

00:36:38.239 --> 00:36:38.559
 Like it was,

00:36:39.119 --> 00:36:39.800
 it was sad.

00:36:39.880 --> 00:36:40.659
 It really was sad.

00:36:40.719 --> 00:36:41.199
 But for him,

00:36:41.259 --> 00:36:41.659
 he's like,

00:36:41.880 --> 00:36:43.119
 I have this opportunity,

00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:44.019
 I'm using it.

00:36:46.179 --> 00:36:46.780
 Manu Bull,

00:36:46.780 --> 00:36:49.080
 to a smaller extent,

00:36:49.640 --> 00:36:51.060
 displayed what Christ did

00:36:51.060 --> 00:36:51.840
 in his incarnation.

00:36:52.620 --> 00:36:53.420
 Scorn the shame

00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:54.160
 of his humility

00:36:54.160 --> 00:36:55.200
 and he did it willingly.

00:36:56.400 --> 00:36:57.440
 So from glory

00:36:57.440 --> 00:36:59.560
 to statuslessness

00:36:59.560 --> 00:37:04.060
 to a Roman crucifix,

00:37:04.460 --> 00:37:06.460
 we witnessed this descent

00:37:06.460 --> 00:37:07.640
 from the highest

00:37:07.640 --> 00:37:08.220
 to the lowest.

00:37:08.420 --> 00:37:09.640
 But thanks be to God

00:37:09.640 --> 00:37:11.220
 that Jesus didn't stay there.

00:37:11.839 --> 00:37:13.000
 But he would then

00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:13.919
 be exalted

00:37:13.919 --> 00:37:14.939
 to the highest place.

00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:15.619
 And I'll read this

00:37:15.619 --> 00:37:17.279
 and we'll wrap things up

00:37:17.279 --> 00:37:19.139
 shortly.

00:37:19.279 --> 00:37:20.159
 Verses 9 to 11,

00:37:20.679 --> 00:37:21.579
 our last section.

00:37:21.719 --> 00:37:23.359
 This is glory realized,

00:37:23.599 --> 00:37:24.239
 our third point.

00:37:25.039 --> 00:37:25.579
 Therefore God

00:37:25.579 --> 00:37:26.739
 has highly exalted him

00:37:26.739 --> 00:37:27.679
 and bestowed on him

00:37:27.679 --> 00:37:28.659
 the name that is above

00:37:28.659 --> 00:37:29.279
 every name

00:37:29.279 --> 00:37:30.659
 so that at the name

00:37:30.659 --> 00:37:31.159
 of Jesus

00:37:31.159 --> 00:37:32.699
 every knee should bow

00:37:32.699 --> 00:37:33.659
 in heaven and on earth

00:37:33.659 --> 00:37:34.319
 and under the earth

00:37:34.319 --> 00:37:35.980
 and every tongue confess

00:37:35.980 --> 00:37:37.279
 that Jesus Christ is Lord

00:37:37.279 --> 00:37:38.279
 to the glory of God

00:37:38.279 --> 00:37:39.239
 the Father.

00:37:39.239 --> 00:37:41.199
 So if verse 8

00:37:41.199 --> 00:37:43.159
 was the lowest point

00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:43.879
 in scripture,

00:37:44.079 --> 00:37:44.599
 so to speak,

00:37:44.939 --> 00:37:45.959
 speaking of Christ's

00:37:45.959 --> 00:37:46.559
 utter humility,

00:37:46.979 --> 00:37:47.919
 what we are seeing

00:37:47.919 --> 00:37:49.079
 is the very high point.

00:37:50.279 --> 00:37:51.359
 This humiliation

00:37:51.359 --> 00:37:52.159
 for our redemption

00:37:52.159 --> 00:37:54.119
 after which

00:37:54.119 --> 00:37:55.299
 the Father

00:37:55.299 --> 00:37:56.699
 exalted Jesus

00:37:56.699 --> 00:37:57.619
 to his right hand.

00:37:58.000 --> 00:37:59.299
 This is an important point.

00:37:59.379 --> 00:37:59.979
 We're not going to

00:37:59.979 --> 00:38:00.779
 double click it

00:38:00.779 --> 00:38:01.779
 all that much.

00:38:02.119 --> 00:38:03.599
 But he doesn't

00:38:03.599 --> 00:38:04.599
 exalt

00:38:04.599 --> 00:38:06.579
 the pre-incarnate

00:38:06.579 --> 00:38:07.319
 Son of God

00:38:07.319 --> 00:38:08.299
 to the highest place.

00:38:08.300 --> 00:38:08.940
 As if

00:38:08.940 --> 00:38:09.760
 Jesus

00:38:09.760 --> 00:38:12.519
 God the Son of God

00:38:12.519 --> 00:38:14.440
 takes on human flesh

00:38:14.440 --> 00:38:15.519
 he's Jesus

00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:16.120
 fully man

00:38:16.120 --> 00:38:16.820
 and fully God

00:38:16.820 --> 00:38:18.200
 does the whole

00:38:18.200 --> 00:38:19.019
 redemption thing

00:38:19.019 --> 00:38:20.019
 and then

00:38:20.019 --> 00:38:21.480
 after rising

00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:22.120
 from the grave

00:38:22.120 --> 00:38:22.560
 says

00:38:22.560 --> 00:38:24.680
 see you later

00:38:24.680 --> 00:38:27.539
 meat body

00:38:27.539 --> 00:38:29.760
 but I'm going

00:38:29.760 --> 00:38:30.320
 back to heaven.

00:38:30.900 --> 00:38:31.960
 It doesn't happen

00:38:31.960 --> 00:38:32.260
 at all.

00:38:32.340 --> 00:38:32.980
 What happens?

00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:35.480
 the incarnate

00:38:35.480 --> 00:38:36.380
 person

00:38:36.380 --> 00:38:37.380
 of Jesus Christ

00:38:37.380 --> 00:38:38.000
 fully man

00:38:38.000 --> 00:38:38.599
 and fully God

00:38:38.599 --> 00:38:39.820
 he's the one

00:38:39.820 --> 00:38:40.940
 who is exalted

00:38:40.940 --> 00:38:41.860
 he's the one

00:38:41.860 --> 00:38:42.440
 who ascends

00:38:42.440 --> 00:38:43.440
 he's the one

00:38:43.440 --> 00:38:43.900
 who sits

00:38:43.900 --> 00:38:45.139
 on the right hand.

00:38:46.179 --> 00:38:47.219
 Why is this a big deal?

00:38:47.360 --> 00:38:48.179
 It's a big deal

00:38:48.179 --> 00:38:49.119
 because

00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:50.740
 Jesus doesn't

00:38:50.740 --> 00:38:51.260
 retreat

00:38:51.260 --> 00:38:52.460
 after he does

00:38:52.460 --> 00:38:52.840
 his thing

00:38:52.840 --> 00:38:53.740
 to the rock cliffs

00:38:53.740 --> 00:38:54.400
 of the world

00:38:54.400 --> 00:38:55.880
 or the forest hills

00:38:55.880 --> 00:38:56.400
 of the world

00:38:56.400 --> 00:38:57.240
 or the west mounts

00:38:57.240 --> 00:38:57.760
 of the world

00:38:57.760 --> 00:38:59.740
 and leaves

00:38:59.740 --> 00:39:00.740
 us peons

00:39:00.740 --> 00:39:02.420
 here on earth

00:39:02.420 --> 00:39:03.160
 but he brings

00:39:03.160 --> 00:39:03.900
 us with him.

00:39:05.200 --> 00:39:06.260
 So where Jesus

00:39:06.260 --> 00:39:07.200
 is we are.

00:39:08.460 --> 00:39:09.520
 If we are united

00:39:09.520 --> 00:39:10.080
 to Jesus

00:39:10.080 --> 00:39:10.920
 by faith

00:39:10.920 --> 00:39:11.880
 because of what

00:39:11.880 --> 00:39:12.300
 he has done

00:39:12.300 --> 00:39:12.980
 this is by the way

00:39:12.980 --> 00:39:14.500
 a gift of God

00:39:14.500 --> 00:39:16.840
 that we don't have

00:39:16.840 --> 00:39:17.680
 to suffer

00:39:17.680 --> 00:39:18.980
 the just wrath

00:39:18.980 --> 00:39:19.560
 of God

00:39:19.560 --> 00:39:20.480
 but instead

00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:22.100
 we get glory

00:39:22.100 --> 00:39:23.820
 this is called

00:39:23.820 --> 00:39:24.540
 the grace of God

00:39:24.540 --> 00:39:25.560
 because of all

00:39:25.560 --> 00:39:26.000
 of this

00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:27.340
 we are united

00:39:27.340 --> 00:39:27.740
 to him

00:39:27.740 --> 00:39:28.320
 and he says

00:39:28.320 --> 00:39:28.960
 where I go

00:39:28.960 --> 00:39:29.559
 you will go.

00:39:32.940 --> 00:39:33.740
 It's huge.

00:39:35.280 --> 00:39:36.019
 It's huge

00:39:36.019 --> 00:39:36.860
 because it

00:39:36.860 --> 00:39:38.640
 absolutely defangs

00:39:38.640 --> 00:39:39.400
 death

00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:40.440
 and death

00:39:40.440 --> 00:39:41.640
 is very difficult

00:39:41.640 --> 00:39:42.480
 and it's hard

00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:43.320
 I don't want to say

00:39:43.320 --> 00:39:44.180
 you know

00:39:44.180 --> 00:39:45.059
 a loved one passing

00:39:45.059 --> 00:39:45.840
 well it doesn't matter

00:39:45.840 --> 00:39:46.660
 it matters

00:39:46.660 --> 00:39:47.900
 getting a diagnosis

00:39:47.900 --> 00:39:48.660
 it matters

00:39:48.660 --> 00:39:49.079
 it's

00:39:49.079 --> 00:39:50.140
 these things

00:39:50.140 --> 00:39:51.220
 they still hurt

00:39:51.220 --> 00:39:52.260
 but they are

00:39:52.260 --> 00:39:53.920
 they are

00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:55.559
 totally defanged

00:39:55.559 --> 00:39:56.200
 so that

00:39:56.199 --> 00:39:57.480
 the best

00:39:57.480 --> 00:39:58.299
 that our

00:39:58.299 --> 00:39:59.000
 most

00:39:59.000 --> 00:40:00.919
 arch enemy

00:40:00.919 --> 00:40:01.779
 can do to us

00:40:01.779 --> 00:40:02.519
 is kill our body

00:40:02.519 --> 00:40:03.480
 but never our soul

00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:04.939
 never our soul

00:40:04.939 --> 00:40:08.659
 that changes

00:40:08.659 --> 00:40:09.419
 the way we live

00:40:09.419 --> 00:40:09.980
 it changes

00:40:09.980 --> 00:40:11.199
 the way the Philippians

00:40:11.199 --> 00:40:11.480
 will live

00:40:11.480 --> 00:40:11.719
 because

00:40:11.719 --> 00:40:12.919
 they are not worried

00:40:12.919 --> 00:40:14.039
 as much

00:40:14.039 --> 00:40:14.639
 about Nero

00:40:14.639 --> 00:40:15.259
 but rather

00:40:15.259 --> 00:40:16.199
 they see the glory

00:40:16.199 --> 00:40:16.759
 of Christ

00:40:16.759 --> 00:40:17.539
 Paul himself

00:40:17.539 --> 00:40:17.819
 right

00:40:17.819 --> 00:40:19.000
 in the previous section

00:40:19.000 --> 00:40:20.500
 he is sacrificing

00:40:20.500 --> 00:40:21.139
 not his life

00:40:21.139 --> 00:40:21.900
 but his death

00:40:21.900 --> 00:40:23.480
 for the Philippians

00:40:23.480 --> 00:40:23.860
 like that

00:40:23.860 --> 00:40:24.639
 that is a change

00:40:24.639 --> 00:40:25.420
 that only happens

00:40:25.420 --> 00:40:26.300
 if there's a promise

00:40:26.300 --> 00:40:27.440
 that you will

00:40:27.440 --> 00:40:29.179
 ascend with Christ

00:40:29.179 --> 00:40:29.860
 once you die

00:40:29.860 --> 00:40:30.500
 in the resurrection

00:40:30.500 --> 00:40:32.119
 that is a promise

00:40:32.119 --> 00:40:33.340
 that is eternal life

00:40:33.340 --> 00:40:35.739
 it also

00:40:35.739 --> 00:40:37.059
 means

00:40:37.059 --> 00:40:37.940
 that we

00:40:37.940 --> 00:40:39.579
 have power

00:40:39.579 --> 00:40:41.559
 heavenly power

00:40:41.559 --> 00:40:42.460
 here on earth

00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:44.179
 by virtue of our prayers

00:40:44.179 --> 00:40:44.880
 and trust that

00:40:44.880 --> 00:40:45.519
 the Holy Spirit

00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:46.199
 is active

00:40:46.199 --> 00:40:46.679
 and at work

00:40:46.679 --> 00:40:47.319
 in our lives

00:40:47.319 --> 00:40:51.599
 we can tell people

00:40:51.599 --> 00:40:53.819
 when we pray for them

00:40:53.819 --> 00:40:55.759
 that I am praying to God

00:40:55.759 --> 00:40:56.879
 and he hears my prayers

00:40:56.879 --> 00:40:57.980
 and he knows me

00:40:57.980 --> 00:41:00.099
 you know somebody

00:41:00.099 --> 00:41:00.599
 in your life

00:41:00.599 --> 00:41:01.679
 who seems to have

00:41:01.679 --> 00:41:02.619
 a guy for everything

00:41:02.619 --> 00:41:04.000
 yeah I have a mechanic

00:41:04.000 --> 00:41:05.339
 I have a floor guy

00:41:05.339 --> 00:41:06.480
 I have a drywall guy

00:41:06.480 --> 00:41:07.339
 it's like he has a guy

00:41:07.339 --> 00:41:07.719
 for everything

00:41:07.719 --> 00:41:08.719
 you have a guy

00:41:08.719 --> 00:41:09.639
 you have a guy in heaven

00:41:09.639 --> 00:41:10.299
 like you

00:41:10.299 --> 00:41:11.500
 I have a guy

00:41:11.500 --> 00:41:13.460
 he hears my prayers

00:41:13.460 --> 00:41:14.039
 and by the way

00:41:14.039 --> 00:41:15.039
 he created everything

00:41:15.039 --> 00:41:15.859
 and he's all powerful

00:41:15.860 --> 00:41:18.140
 and it's a

00:41:18.140 --> 00:41:19.340
 it's a really remarkable thing

00:41:19.340 --> 00:41:20.519
 if we think about this

00:41:20.519 --> 00:41:21.340
 and dwell upon it

00:41:21.340 --> 00:41:22.720
 and live out this reality

00:41:22.720 --> 00:41:24.460
 it is remarkable

00:41:24.460 --> 00:41:26.320
 and it's all because

00:41:26.320 --> 00:41:27.460
 Christ humbly served

00:41:27.460 --> 00:41:29.539
 uniting us to himself

00:41:29.539 --> 00:41:31.579
 through his gracious incarnation

00:41:31.579 --> 00:41:31.599
!

00:41:32.599 --> 00:41:33.740
 through his suffering

00:41:33.740 --> 00:41:34.640
 through his death

00:41:34.640 --> 00:41:35.620
 through his resurrection

00:41:35.620 --> 00:41:37.820
 his ascension

00:41:37.820 --> 00:41:38.920
 and his enthronement

00:41:38.920 --> 00:41:40.640
 friends

00:41:40.640 --> 00:41:41.900
 if your faith is in him

00:41:41.900 --> 00:41:44.519
 you are with him

00:41:44.519 --> 00:41:46.039
 forever

00:41:46.039 --> 00:41:48.660
 this is why

00:41:48.660 --> 00:41:50.220
 the disunity

00:41:50.220 --> 00:41:52.500
 a church that is

00:41:52.500 --> 00:41:53.500
 that is disunited

00:41:53.500 --> 00:41:54.380
 and stingy

00:41:54.380 --> 00:41:55.480
 and uncaring

00:41:55.480 --> 00:41:56.780
 is not just a problem

00:41:56.780 --> 00:41:57.900
 but it's an affront

00:41:57.900 --> 00:41:58.860
 it's an affront

00:41:58.860 --> 00:41:59.559
 to the incarnation

00:41:59.559 --> 00:42:03.280
 even in his enthronement

00:42:03.280 --> 00:42:04.940
 with the name

00:42:04.940 --> 00:42:05.860
 above all names

00:42:05.860 --> 00:42:06.420
 Jesus

00:42:06.420 --> 00:42:07.000
 what does he do?

00:42:07.059 --> 00:42:08.019
 he glorifies the father

00:42:08.019 --> 00:42:08.539
 verse 11

00:42:08.539 --> 00:42:11.300
 I'll just finish with this

00:42:11.300 --> 00:42:13.000
 in a world that is

00:42:13.000 --> 00:42:14.179
 rife with disunity

00:42:14.179 --> 00:42:16.900
 factionalism

00:42:16.900 --> 00:42:17.920
 war

00:42:17.920 --> 00:42:18.980
 conflict

00:42:18.980 --> 00:42:21.239
 an inability

00:42:21.239 --> 00:42:22.639
 to disagree well

00:42:22.639 --> 00:42:25.779
 where selfishness

00:42:25.779 --> 00:42:27.400
 and exploitation

00:42:27.400 --> 00:42:28.699
 are the norm

00:42:28.699 --> 00:42:30.699
 friends

00:42:30.699 --> 00:42:31.960
 let us live

00:42:31.960 --> 00:42:33.539
 worthy lives

00:42:34.179 --> 00:42:36.679
 lives that are worthy

00:42:36.679 --> 00:42:37.420
 of our citizenship

00:42:37.420 --> 00:42:37.960
 in heaven

00:42:37.960 --> 00:42:40.300
 again

00:42:40.300 --> 00:42:41.340
 not perfectly

00:42:41.340 --> 00:42:42.019
 but let us

00:42:42.019 --> 00:42:43.280
 let us grow in that

00:42:43.280 --> 00:42:45.039
 let us walk towards it

00:42:45.039 --> 00:42:45.780
 let us faithfully

00:42:45.780 --> 00:42:46.700
 imitate our savior

00:42:46.700 --> 00:42:48.019
 let him

00:42:48.019 --> 00:42:49.099
 let us ask him

00:42:49.099 --> 00:42:49.700
 for strength

00:42:49.700 --> 00:42:50.220
 to grow

00:42:50.220 --> 00:42:51.700
 in this love

00:42:51.700 --> 00:42:53.220
 in this selflessness

00:42:53.220 --> 00:42:54.440
 towards each other

00:42:54.440 --> 00:42:56.659
 all as a response

00:42:56.659 --> 00:42:57.240
 to what Christ

00:42:57.240 --> 00:42:57.960
 has done for us

00:42:57.960 --> 00:42:58.860
 let's pray

00:42:58.860 --> 00:43:00.420
 father thank you

00:43:00.420 --> 00:43:01.180
 for

00:43:01.180 --> 00:43:02.780
 your blessed son

00:43:02.780 --> 00:43:04.579
 lord we thank you

00:43:04.579 --> 00:43:04.920
 that

00:43:04.920 --> 00:43:06.360
 he never

00:43:06.360 --> 00:43:07.440
 was not

00:43:07.440 --> 00:43:07.940
 God

00:43:07.940 --> 00:43:08.640
 the son of God

00:43:08.640 --> 00:43:10.039
 but he surely

00:43:10.039 --> 00:43:11.519
 emptied himself

00:43:11.519 --> 00:43:12.420
 of his status

00:43:12.420 --> 00:43:13.079
 and position

00:43:13.079 --> 00:43:15.039
 and lord we thank you

00:43:15.039 --> 00:43:16.220
 that he is enthroned

00:43:16.220 --> 00:43:16.640
 in heaven

00:43:16.640 --> 00:43:18.599
 as Jesus Christ

00:43:18.599 --> 00:43:19.880
 fully man

00:43:19.880 --> 00:43:20.500
 fully God

00:43:20.500 --> 00:43:21.200
 what a promise

00:43:21.200 --> 00:43:21.800
 to us

00:43:21.800 --> 00:43:23.420
 for our eternal

00:43:23.420 --> 00:43:23.840
 future

00:43:23.840 --> 00:43:24.160
 lord

00:43:24.160 --> 00:43:26.079
 if we don't

00:43:26.079 --> 00:43:26.680
 value that

00:43:26.680 --> 00:43:27.740
 help us to value it

00:43:27.740 --> 00:43:30.200
 if we see that

00:43:30.200 --> 00:43:30.660
 as not

00:43:30.660 --> 00:43:31.420
 something that is

00:43:31.420 --> 00:43:32.039
 glorious

00:43:32.039 --> 00:43:33.440
 lord change our

00:43:33.440 --> 00:43:33.780
 hearts

00:43:33.780 --> 00:43:35.640
 help us

00:43:35.640 --> 00:43:36.980
 to see this

00:43:36.980 --> 00:43:37.340
 world

00:43:37.340 --> 00:43:38.780
 in grayscale

00:43:38.780 --> 00:43:39.980
 compared to

00:43:39.980 --> 00:43:41.840
 this reality

00:43:41.840 --> 00:43:43.600
 lord we ask

00:43:43.600 --> 00:43:43.940
 that you

00:43:43.940 --> 00:43:44.580
 will do that

00:43:44.580 --> 00:43:44.980
 by your

00:43:44.980 --> 00:43:45.860
 spirit

00:43:45.860 --> 00:43:46.480
 in our hearts

00:43:46.480 --> 00:43:47.620
 we pray this

00:43:47.620 --> 00:43:48.220
 in Christ's name

00:43:48.220 --> 00:43:48.800
 amen

00:43:48.800 --> 00:43:49.539
 and

00:43:49.539 --> 00:43:49.740
 and

00:43:49.740 --> 00:43:50.640
 and

00:43:50.640 --> 00:43:50.640


00:43:50.640 --> 00:43:50.640


00:43:50.640 --> 00:43:50.640


00:43:50.640 --> 00:43:50.640


00:43:50.640 --> 00:43:50.640


00:43:50.640 --> 00:43:50.640


00:43:50.640 --> 00:43:50.640


00:43:50.640 --> 00:43:50.640


00:43:50.640 --> 00:43:50.640


00:43:50.640 --> 00:43:50.640


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00:43:50.640 --> 00:43:50.640


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00:43:50.640 --> 00:43:50.640


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00:43:50.640 --> 00:43:50.640


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