WEBVTT

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 If you don't know me, if you're visiting, my name is Niels, one of the elders here.

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 It's, yeah, welcoming you more formally.

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 It's great to be with you.

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 It's great to bring you God's Word.

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 In a moment, in a moment, Cecilia is going to read.

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 If you've been doing our Bible reading plan that started off, we started the year with

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 Philippians.

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 It's just nice to have this really encouraging New Testament book at the start of the year.

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 It's a great letter, one of Paul's favorite churches.

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 And so I thought, why don't I speak on that?

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 So in a moment, I'll be speaking on Philippians 3, this wonderful chapter of Christian basics

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 that will be good at the start of the year.

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 But Cecilia is going to read for us in a moment.

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 Let me first pray.

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 Father, thank you that you are the God who speaks, the God who loves us, the God who comes into

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 our life.

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 Pray that you would speak to each one of us now as Cecilia reads.

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 And we hear those words that you spoke back then, that you're still speaking now.

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 And as I then try to explain it, speak to each of our hearts, no matter where we are at,

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 no matter what this year has been like so far for us.

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 Please speak to us, encourage us, and help us to press on with you.

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 In Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Today's scripture reading is Philippians chapter 3, verse 1 to chapter 4, verse 1.

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 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.

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 To write the same things to you is no trouble to me, and is safe for you.

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 Look out for the dogs.

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 Look out for the evildoers.

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 Look out for those who mutilate of the flesh.

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 For we are the circumcision.

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 We worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.

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 Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also.

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 If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more.

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 Circumcised on the eighth day of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews,

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 as to the law, a Pharisee, as to Sil, a persecutor of the church, as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

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 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

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 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

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 For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish.

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 In order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,

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 but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith,

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 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings because, like him in his death,

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 that by any means possible, I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

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 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own,

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 because Christ Jesus had made me his own.

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 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own,

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 but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

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 I press on towards the goals of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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 Let those of us who are mature think this way,

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 and if in anything you think otherwise, God will review that also to you.

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 Not only let us hold true to what we have attained.

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 Brothers, join in imitating me,

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 and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

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 For many, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears,

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 walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

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 Their end is destruction, their God is their belly,

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 and glory is their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

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 But our citizenship is in heaven,

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 and from it we await a saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,

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 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body,

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 by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

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 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for,

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 my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

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 This is the word of God.

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 Amen.

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 Great. Thank you for reading, Cecilia.

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 And so, yeah, there's a lot in this passage.

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 We're not going to look at everyone, everything,

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 but wonderful things here.

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 Now, Christianity is, I think, it's the weirdest religion in the world, right?

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 If you have spent time with people from other religions

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 who are serious about their religion,

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 you will notice how different it is.

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 And what is the big difference?

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 Well, it's grace, isn't it?

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 The fact that it's not about what we do.

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 It is about what Jesus has done.

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 And most religions, you know,

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 Islam has the five pillars of Islam that you need to do to get to heaven.

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 Or in Buddhism, there's the eightfold path.

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 And I don't know the number for Hinduism,

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 but, you know, there's things that you need to do.

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 And yet, as Christians,

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 well, we believe it's all about what Jesus did, right?

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 It's he lived a perfect life.

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 And if we trust in him, we get that counted to us.

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 And everything we've done wrong,

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 Jesus died for it.

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 We don't have to make up for it with good things, right?

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 And so there's no laws to give.

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 There's no pray this many times a day,

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 not do this, do that,

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 no offerings.

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 And that's a wonderful thing.

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 I mean, we see it here in this first half of this chapter, right?

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 What is the,

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 this is the Apostle Paul writing,

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 and verse 9,

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 this is what it's like to be a Christian.

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 Verse 9,

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 to be found in Christ,

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 not having a righteousness of my own,

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 that comes from the law,

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 but that which comes through faith in Christ.

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 The righteousness from God,

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 that depends on faith.

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 I'm right with God.

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 I'm accepted by him,

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 purely by faith in Jesus,

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 by what he has done,

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 and not by my own efforts in keeping the law.

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 He's writing about people who,

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 you know,

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 Jewish people who said,

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 no, no,

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 you need to keep the law to be a Christian.

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 And he says,

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 well,

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 I'm more Jewish than anyone.

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 I'm more law keeping than anyone,

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 but that's all rubbish.

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 No,

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 we need Christ.

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 Only he can make us right with God.

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 But that's a wonderful thing.

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 I mean,

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 and once Jesus has done that,

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 it's great.

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 If you're a Christian,

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 I hope you know that,

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 right?

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 If you feel tempted,

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 you know,

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 to prove yourself,

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 yeah,

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 on Instagram,

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 or at work,

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 that you know,

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 no,

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 I'm already accepted fully by God.

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 It's a wonderful thing.

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 But then,

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 how do people respond?

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 When you say that,

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 well,

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 if I share this with religious people,

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 that,

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 you know,

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 Jesus has done everything.

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 You can go to heaven

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 just by trusting him.

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 They always say,

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 but then,

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 why should I be good?

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 Why should I make any effort

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 to pray,

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 to be holy,

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 right?

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 You're already accepted.

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 You're already righteous.

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 You already got in.

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 What's the point,

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 right?

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 You know,

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 why do that?

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 It's a good question.

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 I mean,

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 the New Testament

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 asked that question,

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 right?

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 Famous chapter,

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 Romans 6,

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 shall we continue to sin?

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 Because we are not under law,

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 but under grace,

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 right?

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 It is a very good question.

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 Maybe that's something you wonder.

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 You're here as a visitor,

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 or you're not a Christian,

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 and that seems so strange,

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 right?

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 That you're already fully accepted.

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 Why would you do anything?

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 I mean,

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 the logic makes a lot of sense.

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 I mean,

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 silly example.

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 Back when I was at university,

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 I studied electrical engineering,

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 and there was a subject I had to do

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 called electrical circuits.

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 And anyway,

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 there were four tests.

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 Yeah.

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 And I had to pass three out of four.

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 So I passed the first three,

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 and then what did I do?

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 Well,

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 I stopped going to lectures,

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 right?

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 And then for the exam,

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 I just went in,

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 and I wrote my student number

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 and the date,

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 and then when the exam started,

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 I handed in my paper

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 and went out.

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 Why would I,

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 right?

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 I've already passed.

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 That makes sense,

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 right?

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 I've got so much better things

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 to do than this,

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 right?

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 Doing an exam,

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 I've already passed.

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 You can see the logic.

00:09:07.860 --> 00:09:08.059
 Well,

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 why isn't,

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 how about Christianity then,

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 right?

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 If Jesus has already done everything,

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 what should we do?

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 So,

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 as we start a new year,

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 I thought that's a great thing

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 to preach on

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 at the start of 2025.

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 And what does

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 Paul say?

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 Well,

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 the thing is,

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 we are not there yet.

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 The thing I want to preach on

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 is 3.12 to 4.1.

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 And a few times he says,

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 we are not there yet.

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 Verse 12,

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 not that I have already obtained this

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 or am already perfect,

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 but I press on

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 to make it my own

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 because Christ Jesus

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 has made me his own.

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 Brothers,

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 I do not consider

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 that I have made it my own,

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 but one thing I do,

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 forgetting what lies behind

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 and straining forward

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 to what lies ahead,

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 I press on

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 toward the goal

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 for the prize

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 of the upward call

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 of God in Christ Jesus.

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 You can hear it.

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 I press on

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 because I'm not there yet,

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 right?

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 I haven't obtained it yet.

00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:07.699
 I'm not perfect yet.

00:10:08.819 --> 00:10:10.399
 And it seems so contradictory,

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 right?

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 Aren't we perfect in Christ?

00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:14.279
 Just when you trust in Jesus,

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 you're perfect.

00:10:15.800 --> 00:10:16.019
 Well,

00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:17.460
 there's,

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 the difference is between

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 in status

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 and in practice.

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 Right?

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 In status

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 and in practice.

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 Christ has given us

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 a status.

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 And we are right with God.

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 We belong to him.

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 Verse 20 talks about

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 our citizenship

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 is in heaven.

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 Right?

00:10:35.600 --> 00:10:37.040
 Citizenship talks about,

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 you know,

00:10:37.700 --> 00:10:39.400
 legal and rights

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 and those kind of things,

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 right?

00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:41.480
 So,

00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:42.040
 so legally,

00:10:42.180 --> 00:10:42.379
 yeah,

00:10:42.519 --> 00:10:43.740
 we belong to Christ.

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 We,

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 we're citizens

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 of heaven.

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 But Paul is thinking

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 of practical reality.

00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:50.779
 Right?

00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:51.939
 He's thinking of

00:10:51.939 --> 00:10:53.139
 knowing Christ

00:10:53.139 --> 00:10:54.340
 and being like him.

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 Of our thoughts

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 and words

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 and deeds.

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 And the thing is,

00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:00.899
 that hasn't changed yet.

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 Right?

00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:02.019
 Paul says,

00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:03.080
 I'm not yet perfect.

00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:04.179
 I'm not there yet.

00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:05.019
 Right?

00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:06.379
 Having a legal status

00:11:06.379 --> 00:11:07.299
 doesn't change

00:11:07.299 --> 00:11:08.259
 your life.

00:11:09.299 --> 00:11:10.919
 We still have a lowly body,

00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:12.299
 not yet a glorious body.

00:11:12.460 --> 00:11:13.759
 We're not yet fully like Christ.

00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:15.480
 I mean,

00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:16.439
 a silly example,

00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:18.779
 what makes a Hong Konger?

00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:21.179
 You can talk about

00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:22.080
 a legal status,

00:11:22.159 --> 00:11:22.360
 right?

00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:22.899
 And so,

00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:23.500
 in that sense,

00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:24.500
 I'm a Hong Konger.

00:11:24.700 --> 00:11:25.240
 I've been here

00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:26.000
 eight and a half years.

00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:27.159
 I'm a permanent resident

00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:27.779
 of Hong Kong.

00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:29.159
 I'm a real Hong Konger.

00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:30.960
 Except,

00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:32.039
 I don't really look like

00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:32.600
 a Hong Konger,

00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:32.779
 right?

00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:34.659
 When it's 20 degrees,

00:11:34.759 --> 00:11:35.639
 I still wear shorts

00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:36.200
 and t-shirts.

00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:37.800
 I still don't know

00:11:37.800 --> 00:11:38.360
 how to fill in

00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:39.400
 the dim sum menu.

00:11:40.580 --> 00:11:40.860
 You know,

00:11:41.020 --> 00:11:42.700
 I want to buy lunch.

00:11:43.160 --> 00:11:43.860
 I want to order,

00:11:44.200 --> 00:11:45.259
 I want to say takeaway

00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:46.600
 and they give me lemon tea.

00:11:47.640 --> 00:11:48.840
 If you can work that out.

00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:51.140
 Those red envelopes,

00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:51.680
 for years,

00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:52.500
 I thought they were called

00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:53.220
 light cheese.

00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:53.860
 Right?

00:11:55.160 --> 00:11:55.520
 Yeah,

00:11:55.800 --> 00:11:56.300
 red,

00:11:56.460 --> 00:11:57.300
 named after the fruit.

00:11:57.400 --> 00:11:58.020
 That's what I thought

00:11:58.020 --> 00:12:00.360
 until someone corrected me.

00:12:00.920 --> 00:12:01.980
 I'm not a Hong Konger,

00:12:02.020 --> 00:12:02.180
 right?

00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:03.340
 In status,

00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:03.740
 yes.

00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:04.379
 In practice,

00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:04.940
 no.

00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:06.420
 But,

00:12:06.519 --> 00:12:07.519
 it's the same thing

00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:09.060
 with Christ.

00:12:09.180 --> 00:12:09.600
 Paul says,

00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:10.100
 that's me.

00:12:10.440 --> 00:12:11.340
 I have Christ.

00:12:11.840 --> 00:12:13.019
 I have the ID card.

00:12:13.180 --> 00:12:13.420
 Yes.

00:12:14.320 --> 00:12:14.720
 But,

00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:16.240
 in practice,

00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:17.139
 I'm still earthly.

00:12:17.960 --> 00:12:18.580
 In practice,

00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:19.600
 I'm not yet who

00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:20.580
 I want to be.

00:12:20.660 --> 00:12:22.340
 I'm still not like Christ.

00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:23.280
 But,

00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:24.100
 I want to be.

00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:24.980
 And,

00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:26.139
 and God wants us to be,

00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:26.379
 right?

00:12:26.460 --> 00:12:27.360
 God doesn't want us

00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:27.900
 to just give us

00:12:27.900 --> 00:12:28.900
 a new legal status

00:12:28.900 --> 00:12:30.259
 and then for the rest

00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:31.220
 we stay the same

00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:32.080
 old,

00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:33.280
 sinful people.

00:12:33.680 --> 00:12:33.879
 No.

00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:35.340
 God wants us

00:12:35.340 --> 00:12:36.180
 to be transformed.

00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:37.639
 He wants to make us

00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:38.840
 all we can be.

00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:39.899
 He wants to make us

00:12:39.899 --> 00:12:40.620
 like Jesus.

00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:41.440
 Isn't that the most

00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:42.620
 wonderful thing?

00:12:42.780 --> 00:12:42.940
 And,

00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:43.860
 it's not just that,

00:12:44.280 --> 00:12:44.560
 you know,

00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:46.180
 God wants it.

00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:46.840
 Hopefully,

00:12:47.040 --> 00:12:47.800
 we want it.

00:12:48.160 --> 00:12:48.340
 Right?

00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:49.560
 We don't want to be

00:12:49.560 --> 00:12:50.519
 the people that we

00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:51.100
 used to be.

00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:51.800
 We,

00:12:51.800 --> 00:12:52.560
 we want to be

00:12:52.560 --> 00:12:53.160
 different.

00:12:53.280 --> 00:12:54.540
 We want to be like Christ.

00:12:54.660 --> 00:12:55.200
 We want to be

00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:56.240
 more loving

00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:57.379
 and more holy

00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:58.920
 and more other-centered

00:12:58.920 --> 00:13:00.360
 and more devoted.

00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:00.600
 Right?

00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:02.220
 We want to live for Christ

00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:02.580
 like,

00:13:02.580 --> 00:13:03.200
 anyway,

00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:03.960
 like Paul does,

00:13:04.020 --> 00:13:04.620
 but even more.

00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:05.100
 Paul says,

00:13:05.160 --> 00:13:05.900
 I want to do more.

00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:06.139
 Right?

00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:07.560
 But that's the thing.

00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:09.080
 We should want it.

00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:10.080
 Right?

00:13:10.200 --> 00:13:10.580
 Hopefully,

00:13:10.759 --> 00:13:11.520
 we want it.

00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:12.520
 I mean,

00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:13.220
 going back to

00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:14.340
 electrical circuits,

00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:15.420
 the problem is

00:13:15.420 --> 00:13:16.020
 I just wasn't

00:13:16.020 --> 00:13:16.520
 interested.

00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:16.900
 Right?

00:13:16.899 --> 00:13:18.340
 I wanted to do telecoms

00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:19.379
 and this was just

00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:20.079
 an obligatory,

00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:21.620
 irrelevant subject to me,

00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:23.600
 so I had no interest

00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:24.000
 in it.

00:13:24.740 --> 00:13:25.919
 If I really was

00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:26.740
 passionate about

00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:27.740
 electrical circuits,

00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:28.159
 of course,

00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.279
 I would go to the lectures

00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:30.980
 and try to do well

00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:31.639
 in the exam,

00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:32.919
 even if I didn't need to

00:13:32.919 --> 00:13:34.039
 because I was interested.

00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:35.860
 So,

00:13:36.199 --> 00:13:37.299
 the person who says,

00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:37.579
 well,

00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:37.959
 hey,

00:13:38.079 --> 00:13:38.959
 if Jesus has done

00:13:38.959 --> 00:13:39.439
 everything,

00:13:39.579 --> 00:13:40.399
 I don't need to.

00:13:40.939 --> 00:13:41.879
 That person doesn't

00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:42.620
 want to be holy.

00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:44.379
 They have no interest

00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:45.220
 in knowing Jesus.

00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:45.720
 They just,

00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:46.879
 why should I?

00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:47.899
 Well,

00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:48.759
 they don't want to.

00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:50.240
 But ideally,

00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.019
 as Christians,

00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:51.940
 yeah,

00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:53.179
 the right thing is that

00:13:53.179 --> 00:13:54.500
 we want to be different.

00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:56.679
 We want to know Christ more.

00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:57.940
 We want to pursue Him.

00:13:58.039 --> 00:14:00.419
 We want to love Him more.

00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:00.820
 Right?

00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:02.039
 We want to be like Him.

00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:02.980
 And that is

00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:04.919
 the Christian life.

00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:06.659
 Verse 15,

00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:07.279
 Paul says,

00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.419
 let those of us

00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:09.019
 who are mature

00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:09.919
 think this way.

00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:10.680
 Yeah,

00:14:10.680 --> 00:14:11.779
 we're not there yet.

00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:13.820
 That is being

00:14:13.820 --> 00:14:14.639
 a mature Christian

00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:16.419
 is having this mindset.

00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:18.019
 Which is kind of weird,

00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:18.299
 right?

00:14:18.340 --> 00:14:19.120
 Because you think,

00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:19.940
 if I'm mature,

00:14:20.060 --> 00:14:20.700
 I've arrived.

00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:21.379
 And Paul says,

00:14:21.820 --> 00:14:22.000
 well,

00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:23.580
 mature means being immature.

00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:25.000
 Mature means

00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:26.259
 knowing that you

00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.480
 have not arrived yet.

00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:29.240
 Yeah?

00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:30.379
 But that is

00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:31.399
 what Paul wants.

00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:31.740
 So,

00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:32.580
 I don't know,

00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.620
 how do we see ourselves?

00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:34.759
 I hope we rejoice

00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:36.600
 in our salvation.

00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:37.620
 I hope we rejoice

00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:39.180
 that we have Christ

00:14:39.180 --> 00:14:40.580
 and we have His righteousness.

00:14:41.320 --> 00:14:41.580
 Right?

00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:42.860
 We are fully accepted

00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:43.860
 and yet,

00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:44.759
 as Christians,

00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:45.720
 I hope we want to,

00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:46.759
 we want more.

00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:47.300
 Right?

00:14:47.540 --> 00:14:49.200
 We want to know Christ more.

00:14:49.700 --> 00:14:50.860
 We want to change.

00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:52.060
 We want to be more loving.

00:14:52.300 --> 00:14:53.400
 We want to be more patient.

00:14:54.060 --> 00:14:54.860
 We want to

00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:56.520
 please God more.

00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:57.100
 We want to

00:14:57.100 --> 00:14:58.080
 live a life

00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:59.240
 that reflects Him more

00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.040
 here in the world

00:15:00.040 --> 00:15:01.160
 around us.

00:15:01.700 --> 00:15:02.879
 Or do we want to stay

00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.480
 the old sinner

00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:04.280
 that we used to be?

00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:06.120
 But then,

00:15:06.180 --> 00:15:06.700
 what do we do?

00:15:07.820 --> 00:15:08.660
 And Paul says,

00:15:08.780 --> 00:15:08.960
 well,

00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:10.320
 I press on.

00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:10.800
 Right?

00:15:11.300 --> 00:15:12.759
 Press on like Paul.

00:15:12.900 --> 00:15:13.900
 Three times he says it,

00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:14.100
 right?

00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:15.019
 Verse 12,

00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.400
 I press on

00:15:16.400 --> 00:15:17.440
 to make it my own.

00:15:18.280 --> 00:15:19.460
 Verse 13,

00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:21.240
 I strain forward

00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:22.300
 to what lies ahead.

00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.320
 Verse 14,

00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:24.200
 I press on

00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:24.940
 towards the goal.

00:15:25.040 --> 00:15:25.840
 I press on.

00:15:26.280 --> 00:15:27.180
 I pursue.

00:15:27.420 --> 00:15:27.620
 I mean,

00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:28.060
 Paul,

00:15:28.420 --> 00:15:30.040
 he used to pursue Christians

00:15:30.040 --> 00:15:31.040
 to put them in prison,

00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:31.300
 right?

00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:32.259
 And now he says,

00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:32.460
 no,

00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:34.019
 I'm pursuing Christ.

00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:35.420
 I'm pursuing my goal.

00:15:35.920 --> 00:15:36.639
 I run.

00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:38.139
 I strain forward.

00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:38.919
 The idea is

00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:39.639
 this race

00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:41.240
 where there's the finish line

00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:42.759
 and he's running ahead

00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:44.659
 to try and get the finish line.

00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.500
 That's what Paul was doing.

00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:50.059
 Even though he's very careful,

00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:50.460
 look,

00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:51.899
 this is not me achieving

00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:52.699
 my salvation,

00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:53.000
 right?

00:15:53.199 --> 00:15:54.819
 It is still grace,

00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:55.120
 right?

00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:55.960
 Verse 12,

00:15:57.080 --> 00:15:57.960
 I press on

00:15:57.960 --> 00:15:59.120
 to make it my own

00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:00.740
 because Christ Jesus

00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:01.840
 has made me His own.

00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:03.720
 Jesus has already

00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:04.919
 made me His own.

00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:06.319
 Jesus has already done it.

00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:08.060
 He's brought me to Himself,

00:16:08.760 --> 00:16:10.879
 but now I want Him.

00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:11.920
 I want to pursue Him.

00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:13.200
 He's pursued me,

00:16:13.280 --> 00:16:14.360
 but now I pursue Him.

00:16:15.280 --> 00:16:15.700
 And that's,

00:16:15.920 --> 00:16:16.100
 yeah,

00:16:16.180 --> 00:16:17.360
 so we are saved by grace,

00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:18.879
 but Paul wants it.

00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:19.960
 What does Paul mean?

00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:20.800
 Yeah,

00:16:20.900 --> 00:16:22.020
 just knowing Christ,

00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:23.260
 being like Him,

00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:23.980
 right?

00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.340
 Seeking to grow

00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:26.660
 through reading

00:16:26.660 --> 00:16:27.420
 and praying

00:16:27.420 --> 00:16:29.960
 and becoming more loving

00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:30.680
 and holy

00:16:30.680 --> 00:16:31.080
 and,

00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:31.620
 you know,

00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:32.360
 looking for ways

00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.140
 to love people,

00:16:33.260 --> 00:16:33.880
 looking for ways

00:16:33.880 --> 00:16:34.740
 to spread the gospel,

00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:35.780
 looking for ways

00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:36.100
 to,

00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:36.799
 you know,

00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:37.600
 do all the stuff

00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:37.879
 that,

00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:39.399
 if you've read Philippians,

00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.279
 you see Paul do,

00:16:40.339 --> 00:16:40.500
 right?

00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:40.980
 If you've read

00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:41.899
 the first two chapters,

00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:43.319
 so many things

00:16:43.319 --> 00:16:46.139
 about gospel centrality

00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:48.579
 and about putting others first,

00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:49.980
 all that kind of stuff.

00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:51.439
 Now,

00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.059
 we read that

00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:53.159
 and maybe you think,

00:16:53.959 --> 00:16:54.100
 well,

00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:55.480
 Paul is this crazy maniac,

00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:55.939
 right?

00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:56.640
 I mean,

00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:57.280
 this is Paul.

00:16:57.400 --> 00:16:58.020
 Paul is,

00:16:58.440 --> 00:16:59.240
 he's a bit nuts.

00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:00.540
 He's a super Christian

00:17:00.540 --> 00:17:01.700
 and I'm just ordinary.

00:17:03.160 --> 00:17:03.620
 But actually,

00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:05.240
 Paul says that

00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:06.180
 this is for all of us,

00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:06.360
 right?

00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.620
 Verse 17,

00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:09.059
 brothers,

00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:10.699
 join in imitating me

00:17:10.699 --> 00:17:12.479
 and keep your eyes

00:17:12.479 --> 00:17:13.539
 on those who walk

00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.799
 according to the example

00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.739
 you have in us,

00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:16.439
 right?

00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:17.699
 Follow my example.

00:17:18.419 --> 00:17:19.839
 Follow those who are like me,

00:17:20.219 --> 00:17:21.059
 people like Timothy

00:17:21.659 --> 00:17:22.059
 and Epaphroditus

00:17:22.739 --> 00:17:23.939
 who we read about

00:17:23.939 --> 00:17:24.179
 in the,

00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:26.059
 if you've read chapter two,

00:17:26.679 --> 00:17:26.879
 right?

00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:27.959
 Now,

00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:28.959
 that shows that Paul

00:17:28.959 --> 00:17:29.699
 doesn't mean

00:17:29.699 --> 00:17:31.319
 do exactly what I did.

00:17:32.379 --> 00:17:32.899
 I mean,

00:17:33.139 --> 00:17:34.279
 think about Paul,

00:17:34.399 --> 00:17:34.579
 right?

00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:35.279
 He planted

00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:36.579
 over 20 churches.

00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:38.480
 He wrote half

00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.199
 the New Testament

00:17:39.199 --> 00:17:40.799
 and he says,

00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.019
 okay,

00:17:41.139 --> 00:17:41.819
 imitate me.

00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.220
 It doesn't mean

00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:44.079
 that we should do

00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:45.039
 exactly the same thing

00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:45.519
 as he did,

00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:45.740
 right?

00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:46.659
 We can't.

00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:48.139
 No,

00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:49.059
 he's thinking about

00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:49.740
 a mindset,

00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:51.220
 a mindset

00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:52.980
 that we want to grow,

00:17:53.179 --> 00:17:53.679
 a mindset

00:17:53.679 --> 00:17:55.019
 that we want

00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:56.059
 to press on.

00:17:57.899 --> 00:17:58.379
 I mean,

00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:59.720
 standards don't really work.

00:17:59.819 --> 00:17:59.939
 I mean,

00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:02.339
 standards are a problem,

00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:02.599
 right?

00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:03.460
 Because either we think

00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:04.099
 we've met them

00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:05.459
 or we think

00:18:05.459 --> 00:18:06.279
 we can't meet them,

00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:06.480
 right?

00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.799
 Maybe if the standard

00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.119
 was,

00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:08.419
 okay,

00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:09.759
 read the Bible every day

00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:11.359
 and pray two times a day

00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:13.339
 and then you've done enough.

00:18:13.679 --> 00:18:13.899
 I mean,

00:18:13.939 --> 00:18:14.599
 when you've done that

00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:15.359
 then you just think,

00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:15.639
 hey,

00:18:15.899 --> 00:18:16.319
 that's fine,

00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:17.240
 I can relax now,

00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:17.980
 I've done everything.

00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:20.000
 That's not right.

00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.519
 That doesn't help.

00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.779
 Or you think,

00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:23.819
 I could never do that

00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:24.599
 and you despair.

00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:25.740
 No,

00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:27.000
 Paul doesn't think like that.

00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:28.359
 I mean,

00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:30.459
 clearly it's not about

00:18:30.459 --> 00:18:30.919
 a standard,

00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:31.179
 right?

00:18:31.219 --> 00:18:31.659
 Otherwise,

00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:33.059
 Paul would have met it,

00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:34.079
 right?

00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:35.339
 Surely if it was about

00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:35.859
 a standard,

00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:37.199
 Paul could have said,

00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:37.980
 I've done enough,

00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:38.519
 right?

00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:39.079
 I mean,

00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:39.879
 he met Jesus

00:18:39.879 --> 00:18:41.259
 on the road to Damascus.

00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:42.699
 He's an official apostle.

00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:44.699
 He planted over 20 churches.

00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:46.379
 He's now in prison

00:18:46.379 --> 00:18:47.459
 and he says,

00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:47.740
 hey,

00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:49.319
 every single prison guard

00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:50.539
 has heard the gospel from me.

00:18:51.139 --> 00:18:52.439
 Surely if anyone has done enough,

00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:52.959
 it's Paul.

00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:54.059
 But he says,

00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:55.299
 I'm not there yet.

00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:56.119
 I press on.

00:18:56.679 --> 00:18:57.039
 So,

00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:58.399
 of course,

00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:00.379
 the real standard is Jesus.

00:19:00.659 --> 00:19:01.559
 If you're like Jesus,

00:19:01.679 --> 00:19:02.500
 then you can relax,

00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:03.240
 right?

00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:03.980
 If you're perfect,

00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:04.680
 but we're not.

00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:04.920
 No,

00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:06.599
 it's just a mindset.

00:19:07.120 --> 00:19:08.180
 A mindset that,

00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:08.460
 hey,

00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:09.900
 we want to grow.

00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:11.160
 We want to press on.

00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:13.620
 No matter where you're at.

00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:17.079
 And I think it's so helpful

00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:17.940
 that he just says,

00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:19.180
 one thing I do,

00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:21.059
 forgetting what lies behind.

00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.279
 Verse 13.

00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:22.880
 I just,

00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:24.339
 I forget what lies behind.

00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.680
 I strain forward.

00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:26.160
 I just,

00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.839
 I want to press on now.

00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:31.199
 Because we find it so easy

00:19:31.199 --> 00:19:31.919
 to look forward,

00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:33.220
 to look back.

00:19:33.939 --> 00:19:34.439
 But Paul says,

00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:34.679
 hey,

00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:36.019
 don't worry about the past.

00:19:36.199 --> 00:19:37.339
 Don't think about the past.

00:19:37.439 --> 00:19:38.740
 Maybe some of us,

00:19:39.379 --> 00:19:39.599
 oh,

00:19:39.679 --> 00:19:40.819
 back when I was a student,

00:19:41.419 --> 00:19:42.959
 then I did a lot of evangelism.

00:19:43.919 --> 00:19:45.059
 And so now I can relax.

00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:46.659
 Maybe,

00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:47.419
 you know,

00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:48.720
 before I had kids,

00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:50.079
 I was a CG leader

00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:51.679
 and I was on the music team.

00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:53.299
 And so I've done my bit

00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:54.319
 and now I can relax.

00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.419
 But that's not Paul's thinking.

00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:57.859
 Paul says,

00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.680
 I press on.

00:19:58.799 --> 00:20:00.279
 So don't think about

00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.319
 what you did in the past.

00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:03.019
 Are you pressing on today?

00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.139
 Right?

00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:04.659
 Today,

00:20:04.879 --> 00:20:05.159
 are we,

00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.180
 are you trying to grow?

00:20:06.879 --> 00:20:08.359
 Are you trying to become more loving?

00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:10.720
 Are you pressing on

00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.480
 and knowing Jesus?

00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:14.019
 Or we look back in despair.

00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:16.159
 Maybe it's the start of the year

00:20:16.159 --> 00:20:18.119
 and you've looked back at 2024

00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:20.119
 and you feel like such a failure.

00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:21.619
 I'm so useless,

00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:21.899
 right?

00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:23.640
 I've struggled to pray.

00:20:24.040 --> 00:20:25.200
 I've struggled to read.

00:20:25.800 --> 00:20:26.600
 Every quarter,

00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.980
 I start a Bible reading plan

00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:28.680
 and I give up

00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.960
 and I'm just useless,

00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:30.780
 you know?

00:20:32.080 --> 00:20:32.640
 Paul says,

00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:34.960
 forget what lies behind.

00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:36.320
 Don't worry about that.

00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:37.940
 Can you pray today?

00:20:38.840 --> 00:20:39.980
 Can you press on today?

00:20:40.120 --> 00:20:41.680
 Can you read something today?

00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:42.620
 Right?

00:20:43.100 --> 00:20:44.060
 It's a mindset.

00:20:44.320 --> 00:20:46.100
 How can we press on today?

00:20:46.100 --> 00:20:47.240
 Because God knows

00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:48.820
 all of us are different.

00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:49.540
 Some people,

00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.740
 they're young

00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.800
 and single

00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:52.619
 and fit

00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:53.460
 and maybe you,

00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:55.220
 you have a big family

00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:56.720
 and a very demanding job

00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.000
 and,

00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:57.700
 you know,

00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:58.680
 that's different.

00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.359
 And one person

00:20:59.359 --> 00:21:00.599
 is a very young Christian

00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.359
 and someone else

00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:03.000
 has been a Christian

00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.819
 for decades,

00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:04.220
 right?

00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:06.119
 Pressing on looks different

00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:07.339
 for each one of us.

00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:09.000
 Don't compare yourself

00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.659
 with others.

00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:10.680
 Don't,

00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:11.879
 you know,

00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:13.279
 maybe you're a young Christian

00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:14.500
 and this year

00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.039
 you want to read

00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.799
 one of those big

00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:16.799
 Old Testament books.

00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:18.980
 that's a great thing

00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.579
 for you to do.

00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.980
 Someone else,

00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:22.119
 maybe you've read the Bible

00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:23.899
 cover to cover 15 times.

00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:24.720
 I mean,

00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.639
 for you there would be nothing.

00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:27.419
 Is there something else

00:21:27.419 --> 00:21:27.899
 you can do?

00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:30.200
 How can we press on?

00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:31.759
 And for each of us

00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.639
 there will be things

00:21:32.639 --> 00:21:33.619
 we can do.

00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:35.480
 Maybe there are sins

00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:36.139
 we can fight.

00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:38.899
 And we can pray.

00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:40.700
 We can read something.

00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.640
 We can find ways

00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:44.200
 to serve Christ.

00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:46.160
 We have gospel decisions

00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:47.100
 that we can make.

00:21:48.120 --> 00:21:48.240
 Right?

00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:50.180
 But is that our desire?

00:21:50.340 --> 00:21:51.860
 Are we seeking to grow?

00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:52.180
 Hey,

00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.059
 we're in Christ.

00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.600
 We have His righteousness

00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:56.620
 but we want to be

00:21:56.620 --> 00:21:57.400
 more like Him.

00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:57.759
 So,

00:21:58.120 --> 00:21:58.640
 this year,

00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.240
 2025,

00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:00.500
 right?

00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:01.640
 Let's say

00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:02.600
 I'm not there yet.

00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:04.160
 I want more of Christ.

00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.740
 I want more holiness,

00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.559
 more love.

00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.819
 What can I do?

00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:09.380
 How can I keep running?

00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:10.680
 How can I keep straining?

00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.100
 forward.

00:22:12.140 --> 00:22:12.860
 And that matters.

00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.120
 It matters,

00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:15.000
 I mean,

00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.059
 partly for ourselves,

00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.440
 partly for the world,

00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:17.700
 right?

00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:19.860
 We want to shine like stars.

00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.180
 We want people

00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:21.980
 to see Jesus

00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:22.700
 in our lives.

00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.580
 Of course,

00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:24.259
 we want our lives

00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:25.620
 to more and more

00:22:25.620 --> 00:22:27.720
 radiate His beauty

00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.240
 and glory.

00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:31.180
 Although Paul also says,

00:22:31.340 --> 00:22:31.779
 he goes on

00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:32.660
 in the same passage,

00:22:33.600 --> 00:22:34.140
 by the way,

00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:34.819
 that pressing on

00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:36.120
 is also safe.

00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.340
 And why?

00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:38.720
 Well,

00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.880
 Paul wants to warn us.

00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:40.140
 I mean,

00:22:40.320 --> 00:22:41.240
 he does a lot of warning.

00:22:41.620 --> 00:22:41.800
 I mean,

00:22:41.840 --> 00:22:42.740
 he warned them about

00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:44.340
 Judaizers who tell you

00:22:44.340 --> 00:22:45.160
 to keep the law.

00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.140
 You don't need that.

00:22:46.820 --> 00:22:48.060
 But he also says,

00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:49.340
 watch out for fakes.

00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:51.100
 Watch out for fakes.

00:22:51.840 --> 00:22:52.660
 Verse 17,

00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.800
 brothers,

00:22:53.800 --> 00:22:54.000
 brothers,

00:22:54.060 --> 00:22:55.360
 join in imitating me.

00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:56.960
 Keep your eyes

00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:58.320
 on those who walk

00:22:58.320 --> 00:23:00.080
 according to the example

00:23:00.080 --> 00:23:00.960
 you have in us.

00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:02.500
 For many,

00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:04.000
 of whom I have often told you

00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.759
 and now tell you

00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.640
 even with tears,

00:23:06.120 --> 00:23:06.880
 walk as enemies

00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:08.000
 of the cross of Christ.

00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:09.779
 Keep focused

00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.720
 on people like me

00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.640
 and people like me,

00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.620
 but watch out

00:23:12.620 --> 00:23:13.360
 for those people,

00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:13.840
 right?

00:23:14.140 --> 00:23:14.940
 I'm telling you,

00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:15.720
 I'm warning you,

00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:18.320
 don't follow them.

00:23:19.080 --> 00:23:19.300
 Now,

00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:20.139
 what kind of people?

00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:22.519
 It doesn't give much detail,

00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:23.759
 but we can work out

00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.379
 a few things,

00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:24.599
 right?

00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:24.899
 I mean,

00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:25.359
 certainly,

00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:26.680
 he's saying,

00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.960
 watch out for these people

00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:29.059
 who say,

00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:30.279
 they say they are Christians.

00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:30.399
 Christians.

00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:32.240
 I mean,

00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.240
 I think the Philippians

00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.579
 know that there's a difference

00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.920
 between those who follow Jesus

00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.759
 and those who don't,

00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:38.500
 right?

00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:40.440
 They see persecution,

00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.519
 they've been converted.

00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:44.059
 They don't have to watch out

00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:45.660
 for that they're in danger

00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.460
 of following those

00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:48.119
 who don't know Jesus.

00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.240
 So,

00:23:49.379 --> 00:23:50.480
 there will be people

00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.440
 who say they're Christians,

00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:52.519
 but verse 19,

00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:54.139
 their end is destruction,

00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:54.960
 right?

00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.720
 These people

00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:57.879
 are not with Jesus.

00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:59.240
 They're not going to heaven.

00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:00.259
 So,

00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:01.700
 they seem to be fake.

00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:03.359
 But why not?

00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:03.579
 Well,

00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:04.099
 the problem

00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:05.579
 is their life,

00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:05.880
 right?

00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:07.500
 They walk as enemies

00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.460
 of the cross of Christ.

00:24:08.620 --> 00:24:08.940
 Walking

00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:10.519
 is the Bible word

00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:11.940
 for our daily life,

00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.160
 our normal

00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:14.620
 day-to-day behavior.

00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.539
 And that behavior,

00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:17.400
 he says,

00:24:17.640 --> 00:24:19.099
 it's enemies

00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:19.920
 of the cross,

00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.220
 right?

00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:21.380
 They are denying

00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:21.940
 the cross

00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:22.819
 by their lives.

00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.460
 And why?

00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:24.920
 I think

00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:25.720
 they're saying

00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.779
 that sin doesn't matter.

00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.000
 Right?

00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:28.700
 Verse 19,

00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:29.960
 their end is destruction.

00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:32.420
 Their God

00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.200
 is their belly

00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:34.000
 and they glory

00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:34.819
 in their shame.

00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.720
 Who is ruling

00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.360
 their life

00:24:37.360 --> 00:24:38.120
 is their belly,

00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.680
 their stomach,

00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:41.240
 their physical desires.

00:24:41.600 --> 00:24:42.519
 That is their God.

00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.860
 That is the one

00:24:43.860 --> 00:24:44.720
 ruling their life.

00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:46.640
 They glory

00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:47.360
 in their shame.

00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.500
 They do shameful things

00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.920
 and they're proud of it.

00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:51.039
 They glory in it.

00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:52.740
 I think

00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.640
 their mind

00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:54.880
 is set on earthly things.

00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:55.759
 Their focus

00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.680
 is just this world,

00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:56.900
 right?

00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.480
 Rather than

00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:58.460
 our citizenship

00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:59.140
 is in heaven.

00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.280
 So it seems

00:25:00.280 --> 00:25:01.100
 these are people,

00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:01.860
 yeah,

00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:02.320
 they're living

00:25:02.320 --> 00:25:03.360
 this indulgent,

00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:05.160
 sinful lifestyle

00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.820
 and they think

00:25:05.820 --> 00:25:06.280
 it's fine.

00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:06.900
 They think

00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.960
 it's normal.

00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:10.160
 And that is wrong.

00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:10.620
 And I think

00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:11.480
 that that makes sense,

00:25:11.540 --> 00:25:11.700
 right?

00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.080
 Because

00:25:12.080 --> 00:25:13.660
 that is how we started.

00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:14.980
 If Jesus

00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:15.820
 has done everything,

00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:16.440
 then

00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:18.000
 I don't need to

00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:19.100
 do anything.

00:25:19.320 --> 00:25:20.019
 I can just live

00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.900
 however I want.

00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:22.220
 Well,

00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:22.759
 it's the opposite

00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.580
 of pressing on.

00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:24.879
 No,

00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.220
 Paul says

00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.079
 that that's not right.

00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.619
 If people like that,

00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.419
 they're fake.

00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:31.720
 It's very tempting though.

00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:32.759
 That's why he warns them,

00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:32.960
 right?

00:25:33.379 --> 00:25:34.419
 Maybe you find it hard

00:25:34.419 --> 00:25:35.159
 to be a Christian

00:25:35.159 --> 00:25:36.299
 and you're in your office

00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.859
 and here's this other person

00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:38.319
 and they say

00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:38.960
 they're a Christian

00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.639
 but they,

00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:40.559
 you know,

00:25:40.939 --> 00:25:42.279
 they're completely dishonest

00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:43.579
 in all their business dealings.

00:25:43.939 --> 00:25:45.000
 They just live for pleasure

00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:46.480
 and you're having

00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.139
 a hard time

00:25:47.139 --> 00:25:47.699
 and you think

00:25:47.699 --> 00:25:48.259
 in a way

00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:48.859
 it would be nice

00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:49.939
 to be like this person.

00:25:51.379 --> 00:25:52.099
 But Paul says

00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:52.299
 no,

00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:52.440
 no,

00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:52.680
 no,

00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:53.759
 that's a fake.

00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:56.139
 That's someone denying the cross.

00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:57.319
 They're focused on earth.

00:25:58.379 --> 00:25:59.819
 We are citizens of heaven.

00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:01.379
 That's our focus,

00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:01.579
 right?

00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:02.680
 We pursue Christ

00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:05.240
 unlike them.

00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.279
 I don't know

00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:06.799
 if that's something

00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.859
 that's tempting for you

00:26:07.859 --> 00:26:11.619
 but that is Paul's warning.

00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:11.899
 You know,

00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.539
 press on

00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:14.440
 because you want to be safe.

00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:15.519
 Now,

00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.940
 I know I get two responses

00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.799
 when I say that.

00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.399
 Some of you will say,

00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:19.839
 hey,

00:26:19.879 --> 00:26:21.500
 but aren't we saved by grace?

00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:23.099
 Surely we're not saved

00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:24.440
 by what we do

00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:25.480
 and so they are not condemned

00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.279
 by what they do.

00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:29.259
 How can you say it's fake?

00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:29.539
 Well,

00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:30.259
 the thing is,

00:26:30.640 --> 00:26:30.799
 yes,

00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:32.019
 we're saved by grace.

00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.599
 We're saved by what Jesus has done

00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:35.319
 but Jesus doesn't just give us a status,

00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:35.559
 right?

00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:37.599
 Jesus comes into our life.

00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.920
 Grace changes us.

00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:41.500
 It gives us new desires.

00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:43.539
 He gives us the Holy Spirit

00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:45.460
 who wants to make us holy

00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.460
 and so Christians

00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:47.460
 want to be holy

00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.640
 and a Christian

00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:49.539
 who has no desire

00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:50.100
 for holiness,

00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:51.500
 well,

00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.960
 is there a Holy Spirit in them?

00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:54.319
 That's the question

00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:55.220
 the Bible would ask,

00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:55.460
 right?

00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:56.759
 Are they,

00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.740
 yeah,

00:26:57.840 --> 00:26:59.180
 is there really grace at work

00:26:59.180 --> 00:27:00.519
 if there's no change

00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:01.759
 in desires?

00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:04.460
 And the other response

00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.200
 that people say

00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:06.539
 is people are worried.

00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:06.819
 Hey,

00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:08.019
 my life isn't great.

00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.420
 You know,

00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:10.360
 I look at my life

00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:11.200
 and it's so rubbish.

00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:12.480
 I'm really not pressing on.

00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:14.160
 Am I a fake?

00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:14.600
 Right?

00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.960
 I know that sounds very tricky

00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:19.920
 especially because

00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:22.019
 Paul does seem to distinguish

00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:23.140
 between some people,

00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:23.400
 right?

00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.840
 In verse 15,

00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:25.580
 he says,

00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.640
 let those of us

00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:27.300
 who are mature

00:27:27.300 --> 00:27:28.120
 think this way

00:27:28.120 --> 00:27:29.400
 and if in anything

00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:30.380
 you think otherwise,

00:27:31.040 --> 00:27:32.720
 God will reveal that also to you.

00:27:33.600 --> 00:27:34.480
 So there are some people

00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.480
 who are not pressing on

00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.279
 and Paul says,

00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:36.960
 hey,

00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.340
 God will sort you out.

00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.840
 He's not worried.

00:27:40.580 --> 00:27:40.720
 Well,

00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.460
 there's other people,

00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:42.140
 yeah,

00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:42.960
 in verse 18

00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:44.080
 where he's really

00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:45.259
 telling with tears

00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.220
 don't be like them.

00:27:47.939 --> 00:27:49.359
 I think it's good to remember

00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:50.679
 it's not about a standard,

00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:51.000
 right?

00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.960
 It's about a mindset,

00:27:52.159 --> 00:27:52.819
 about a direction.

00:27:53.619 --> 00:27:54.419
 It's not about

00:27:54.419 --> 00:27:55.960
 have you reached this standard?

00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:57.220
 No,

00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.199
 what is the direction

00:27:58.199 --> 00:27:58.899
 of your heart?

00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:00.000
 Right?

00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:01.960
 Do you want to know Christ more

00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.839
 even if you don't know

00:28:02.839 --> 00:28:03.659
 him very well now?

00:28:04.159 --> 00:28:05.419
 Do you want to know him more?

00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:08.059
 Do you want to be more holy

00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:09.319
 even if you're not

00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:10.159
 very holy now?

00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:12.320
 Do you want to press on?

00:28:13.300 --> 00:28:14.680
 If you don't want to,

00:28:14.800 --> 00:28:16.120
 if you're happy as you are,

00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:17.500
 if you don't want to change anything,

00:28:17.840 --> 00:28:18.720
 then it's a problem.

00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.420
 But if you want to,

00:28:20.860 --> 00:28:21.860
 even if there's not much

00:28:21.860 --> 00:28:22.640
 pressing on yet,

00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:24.620
 I think

00:28:24.620 --> 00:28:26.960
 Paul isn't worried about you.

00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:28.580
 Just keep pressing on.

00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.759
 That's the thing,

00:28:29.840 --> 00:28:29.960
 right?

00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:31.480
 It's just staying safe.

00:28:31.580 --> 00:28:32.560
 Keep pressing on.

00:28:33.100 --> 00:28:34.160
 That's the best way

00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:34.860
 to know,

00:28:35.080 --> 00:28:35.279
 you know,

00:28:35.340 --> 00:28:36.200
 just press on.

00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:38.340
 It's like with exercise.

00:28:38.900 --> 00:28:39.860
 How much exercise

00:28:39.860 --> 00:28:40.539
 is enough,

00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:40.799
 right?

00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.440
 We want to be fit.

00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.259
 We want to make sure

00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.120
 our heart is okay

00:28:44.120 --> 00:28:45.039
 and those kind of things.

00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.600
 We want to do some exercise.

00:28:47.100 --> 00:28:47.920
 Maybe you don't know

00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:48.860
 if it's enough or not.

00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:49.539
 The best way

00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:51.000
 is just keep doing exercise,

00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:51.319
 right?

00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.400
 Don't think,

00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:52.680
 well,

00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:53.640
 I'm going to stop

00:28:53.640 --> 00:28:55.080
 just in case I've done enough.

00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:55.420
 No,

00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.140
 let's keep going.

00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.559
 And so Paul says,

00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:58.500
 just press on.

00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.759
 It's good.

00:28:59.840 --> 00:29:00.420
 It's great.

00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:02.620
 It keeps you safe.

00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:05.000
 But ultimately,

00:29:05.159 --> 00:29:05.599
 staying safe

00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:06.399
 is not the main thing,

00:29:06.459 --> 00:29:06.619
 right?

00:29:06.939 --> 00:29:07.239
 Look,

00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.659
 who do you want to be?

00:29:08.939 --> 00:29:09.899
 That is what this passage

00:29:09.899 --> 00:29:10.479
 is asking,

00:29:11.199 --> 00:29:11.479
 right?

00:29:11.859 --> 00:29:13.159
 Do you want to be someone

00:29:13.159 --> 00:29:13.959
 and your God

00:29:13.959 --> 00:29:14.619
 is your belly?

00:29:15.239 --> 00:29:16.299
 Do you want your stomach

00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:17.639
 to be your God?

00:29:17.739 --> 00:29:19.079
 That's who controls my life.

00:29:19.139 --> 00:29:20.959
 Or do you want Jesus

00:29:20.959 --> 00:29:21.779
 to be your God,

00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:22.199
 right?

00:29:22.239 --> 00:29:23.439
 Do you want him

00:29:23.439 --> 00:29:24.699
 at the center of your life?

00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.759
 That's much more beautiful,

00:29:25.939 --> 00:29:26.139
 right?

00:29:26.239 --> 00:29:28.799
 That is his beautiful love

00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:30.019
 and glorious holiness,

00:29:30.919 --> 00:29:31.099
 right?

00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:32.099
 You want him to be

00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:32.679
 in your life,

00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:32.879
 right?

00:29:32.919 --> 00:29:33.740
 Surely you want to be

00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.379
 like Paul

00:29:34.379 --> 00:29:35.699
 rather than like

00:29:35.699 --> 00:29:37.459
 one of these people

00:29:37.459 --> 00:29:38.919
 indulging themselves.

00:29:39.919 --> 00:29:40.500
 And that is who

00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.199
 you will be,

00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:42.240
 right?

00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:43.480
 Jesus is committed

00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:43.980
 to you.

00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:45.659
 Jesus says,

00:29:45.719 --> 00:29:46.319
 Paul says,

00:29:46.899 --> 00:29:47.639
 our citizenship

00:29:47.639 --> 00:29:48.399
 is in heaven

00:29:48.399 --> 00:29:49.500
 and from it

00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.619
 we await a Savior,

00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:52.319
 the Lord Jesus Christ,

00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.759
 who will transform

00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:55.179
 our lowly body

00:29:55.179 --> 00:29:56.119
 to be like

00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:57.199
 his glorious body

00:29:57.199 --> 00:29:58.579
 by the power

00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.539
 that enables him

00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:01.319
 even to subject

00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:02.000
 all things

00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.659
 to himself.

00:30:03.920 --> 00:30:04.940
 Jesus is going

00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.859
 to make

00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:06.700
 the whole universe

00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.440
 his and he's going

00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:07.980
 to make you

00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:08.740
 fully his

00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:09.279
 one day

00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:10.440
 when he comes back

00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:11.839
 and your lowly body

00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:12.619
 will be changed

00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:13.839
 to his glorious,

00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:14.859
 to be like

00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:15.700
 his glorious body.

00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.839
 But that power

00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:18.579
 is here now

00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.879
 today,

00:30:20.379 --> 00:30:20.579
 right?

00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:21.659
 Jesus,

00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:23.399
 he would love you

00:30:23.399 --> 00:30:24.099
 to be more holy,

00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:24.980
 right?

00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.740
 If you want to know

00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.279
 him more,

00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:27.299
 he is there

00:30:27.299 --> 00:30:28.000
 to help you.

00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:29.000
 But if you want

00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:29.759
 to beat that sin,

00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:30.940
 he is there

00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:31.879
 to help you.

00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:32.700
 You can know

00:30:32.700 --> 00:30:33.740
 more of Christ now

00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:35.339
 with the power.

00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.759
 He is more powerful

00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.399
 than your sin.

00:30:38.379 --> 00:30:39.440
 He is more powerful

00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:40.859
 than your cold heart.

00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:42.259
 He can do everything.

00:30:43.379 --> 00:30:43.700
 So,

00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.940
 let's press on.

00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:46.319
 In this new year,

00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:48.119
 by the Spirit's power,

00:30:48.879 --> 00:30:49.619
 let's press on.

00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.799
 Let's pursue Christ.

00:30:51.339 --> 00:30:51.960
 Let's try

00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:53.059
 and become more like him.

00:30:53.899 --> 00:30:54.119
 Maybe,

00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.159
 no,

00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:57.019
 let's talk about it later,

00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:57.700
 over coffee,

00:30:57.779 --> 00:30:58.339
 over lunch.

00:30:58.660 --> 00:30:58.839
 Hey,

00:30:58.920 --> 00:30:59.539
 what are things

00:30:59.539 --> 00:31:00.519
 that we can do?

00:31:00.920 --> 00:31:02.059
 How can you know me?

00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:03.940
 You're with your CG members.

00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:05.379
 What do you think

00:31:05.379 --> 00:31:06.240
 I should do this year?

00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:07.259
 How can I press on?

00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.420
 What are things

00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:09.639
 that are not helpful

00:31:09.639 --> 00:31:11.039
 that I should stop doing?

00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:12.160
 How can we help

00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:13.059
 each other press on?

00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:16.079
 Don't keep going.

00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:16.539
 And even if

00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:17.359
 the past few days

00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:17.839
 were rubbish,

00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:19.400
 let's press on today.

00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:20.960
 Let's make this

00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:21.839
 a wonderful year.

00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:23.539
 Let's make 2025

00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.379
 the year

00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:26.119
 where we keep pressing on,

00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:27.000
 where we keep pursuing.

00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.539
 Christ

00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:29.180
 for his glory

00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:30.480
 and for the good

00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:31.259
 of the whole world.

00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:33.480
 Why don't we pray together?

00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.779
 Lord Jesus,

00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:44.119
 thank you for making us

00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:44.680
 your own.

00:31:45.500 --> 00:31:46.639
 We didn't deserve it,

00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:49.079
 but you came down

00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:49.879
 and you

00:31:49.879 --> 00:31:50.799
 will

00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:51.819
 one day

00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:52.700
 make us like you.

00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:53.480
 Father,

00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:54.799
 we want to press on

00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.180
 this year.

00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:56.320
 Help us to follow Jesus.

00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:57.860
 Help us to see

00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:58.580
 what we can do.

00:31:58.860 --> 00:31:59.600
 But yeah,

00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:00.700
 help us see

00:32:00.700 --> 00:32:01.680
 how wonderful it is

00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:03.039
 to know you more,

00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:04.340
 to know Jesus,

00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:05.480
 to become like him.

00:32:05.880 --> 00:32:06.720
 Help us press on.

00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.620
 Help us to watch out

00:32:08.620 --> 00:32:10.120
 for those who would

00:32:10.120 --> 00:32:11.220
 lead us astray.

00:32:11.340 --> 00:32:11.880
 Help us to keep

00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:12.700
 running the race.

00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:14.480
 And would you

00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:15.720
 be with us?

00:32:15.799 --> 00:32:16.660
 By your spirit,

00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:17.100
 would you

00:32:17.100 --> 00:32:18.500
 keep changing us,

00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:19.920
 make us more

00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:21.279
 and more like Jesus,

00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:22.960
 which is a wonderful

00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.299
 thing.

00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:24.639
 We need your help

00:32:24.639 --> 00:32:24.920
 with that.

00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:25.519
 We can't do it

00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.180
 by ourselves.

00:32:27.059 --> 00:32:28.299
 But thanks to

00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:29.740
 you and your spirit

00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:30.599
 and your grace,

00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:32.079
 we can keep

00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:32.700
 running the race

00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:33.480
 this coming year.

00:32:34.160 --> 00:32:34.720
 And so we pray

00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.639
 this in Jesus' name.

00:32:35.920 --> 00:32:36.259
 Amen.

00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:36.339
 Amen.

00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:36.399
 Amen.

00:32:36.399 --> 00:32:36.420
 Amen.

00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:36.460
 Amen.

00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:36.500
 Amen.

00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:38.460
 Amen.

00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:38.500
 Amen.

00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:40.399
 Amen.

00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.500
 Amen.

00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:40.539
 Amen.

00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:40.579
 Amen.

00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:40.599
 Amen.

00:32:40.599 --> 00:32:42.500
 Amen.

00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:42.539
 Amen.

00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:44.500
 Amen.

00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:44.539
 Amen.

00:32:44.539 --> 00:32:44.579
 Amen.

00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:46.539
 Amen.

00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:46.559
 Amen.

00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:48.500
 Amen.

00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:48.519
 Amen.

00:32:48.519 --> 00:32:48.579
 Amen.

00:32:48.579 --> 00:32:48.599
 Amen.