WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.639 The reading today is from Philippians 1, 1 to 26. 00:00:04.639 --> 00:00:15.100 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are 00:00:15.100 --> 00:00:23.440 at Philippi and with the overseers and deacons, grace to you and peace from God our Father 00:00:23.440 --> 00:00:25.179 and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:00:26.620 --> 00:00:33.839 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all 00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:41.060 making my prayer with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 00:00:42.200 --> 00:00:49.760 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion 00:00:49.760 --> 00:00:51.719 at the day of Jesus Christ. 00:00:52.760 --> 00:01:00.080 It is right for me to feel this way about you all because I hold you in my heart for you 00:01:00.080 --> 00:01:03.700 are all partakers with me of grace. 00:01:03.840 --> 00:01:09.299 Both in my imprisonment and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel. 00:01:11.060 --> 00:01:16.920 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with affection of Christ Jesus. 00:01:18.060 --> 00:01:26.040 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment 00:01:26.040 --> 00:01:30.340 so that you may approve what is excellent. 00:01:30.340 --> 00:01:38.500 And so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness 00:01:38.500 --> 00:01:44.940 that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. 00:01:44.939 --> 00:01:53.799 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel 00:01:53.799 --> 00:02:02.259 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment 00:02:02.259 --> 00:02:03.420 is for Christ. 00:02:03.420 --> 00:02:21.479 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. 00:02:21.479 --> 00:02:28.039 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defence of the gospel. 00:02:29.399 --> 00:02:38.959 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 00:02:38.960 --> 00:02:40.719 What then? 00:02:40.719 --> 00:02:40.719 00:02:41.580 --> 00:02:51.659 Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. 00:02:53.060 --> 00:03:01.120 Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:07.580 this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope 00:03:07.580 --> 00:03:17.500 that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now, as always, Christ will be honoured in my body, 00:03:18.200 --> 00:03:20.620 whether by life or by death. 00:03:21.340 --> 00:03:27.460 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 00:03:28.180 --> 00:03:34.240 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me, 00:03:34.240 --> 00:03:38.580 yet which I shall choose, I cannot tell. 00:03:39.320 --> 00:03:41.560 I am hard-pressed between the two. 00:03:42.480 --> 00:03:45.700 My desire is to depart and be with Christ, 00:03:46.120 --> 00:03:47.820 for that is far better. 00:03:48.640 --> 00:03:52.860 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 00:03:54.200 --> 00:03:55.400 Convinced of this, 00:03:55.939 --> 00:03:59.160 I know that I will remain and continue with you all 00:03:59.159 --> 00:04:02.759 for your progress and joy in the faith, 00:04:03.560 --> 00:04:09.259 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus 00:04:09.259 --> 00:04:12.259 because of my coming to you again. 00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:20.180 Thanks, Alan. 00:04:20.180 --> 00:04:23.680 The title of the sermon this morning is 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:25.519 Three Catch Cries for a New Year. 00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:30.600 I was speaking with John Hollier and he suggested they should be Aussie, Aussie, Aussie. 00:04:32.800 --> 00:04:38.300 But after our shambolic performance at the MCG the last couple of days, 00:04:38.340 --> 00:04:39.160 I don't think that's fitting, 00:04:39.300 --> 00:04:41.160 so we'll go for three catch cries. 00:04:41.500 --> 00:04:42.780 They'll be from the Book of Philippians. 00:04:42.779 --> 00:04:48.559 If you're one of the children who's normally in Grace Kids in primary school 00:04:48.559 --> 00:04:54.139 and you can come and tell me at the end of the service this morning 00:04:54.139 --> 00:04:55.799 what those three catch cries are, 00:04:55.979 --> 00:04:58.179 that means you've been listening very, very carefully 00:04:58.179 --> 00:05:05.359 and I may have your choice of some M&Ms or a strawberry cloud 00:05:05.359 --> 00:05:08.539 or a sour worm or something. 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:09.899 Some lollies anyway. 00:05:09.899 --> 00:05:13.399 So, yeah, so kids, listen out, 00:05:13.479 --> 00:05:15.259 but what are the three catch cries can you tell me? 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:15.919 Can you tell me? 00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:18.359 If you're someone who's in youth group in high school, 00:05:18.839 --> 00:05:21.799 you need to work a bit harder for your reward. 00:05:24.339 --> 00:05:26.959 That is, in my first catch cry, 00:05:27.099 --> 00:05:30.279 I have three sub points about halfway through 00:05:30.279 --> 00:05:31.899 and one of them is... 00:05:32.659 --> 00:05:34.000 I've got to remember what they are now. 00:05:34.779 --> 00:05:36.019 Well, maybe I've forgotten what they are, 00:05:36.219 --> 00:05:38.239 but you can tell me what they are, right? 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:41.819 One of them is the wellspring of something, 00:05:41.960 --> 00:05:43.340 one of them is the bedrock of something, 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:45.699 and, you know, you can tell me what the three are, 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:46.920 so you need to be listing out for those 00:05:46.920 --> 00:05:47.920 because they're not on your outlines. 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:49.720 You'll have to write them down and try and remember them. 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:51.139 Okay. 00:05:51.420 --> 00:05:52.340 Well, let's get into it. 00:05:52.540 --> 00:05:55.360 Now, according to a survey done by finder.com.au, 00:05:55.620 --> 00:05:59.939 71% of Aussies, that's 15.5 million people, 00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:04.319 will make a New Year's resolution for 2026. 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:06.300 71% of us. 00:06:07.480 --> 00:06:11.560 And though you're much more likely to make a New Year's resolution 00:06:11.560 --> 00:06:12.719 if you're young. 00:06:12.920 --> 00:06:17.480 So 88% of Gen Z will make a New Year's resolution, 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:19.699 but only 39% of baby boomers. 00:06:19.839 --> 00:06:24.519 Maybe the baby boomers are tired of making New Year's resolutions 00:06:24.519 --> 00:06:25.339 and not keeping them. 00:06:25.860 --> 00:06:27.800 But 71% of us. 00:06:27.800 --> 00:06:33.220 And the top four most popular New Year's resolutions for Aussies 00:06:33.220 --> 00:06:34.879 all concern physical health. 00:06:36.040 --> 00:06:37.500 Number one, improve fitness. 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:39.040 Number two, eat more healthily. 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:40.520 Number three, lose weight. 00:06:40.660 --> 00:06:41.840 Number four, sleep more. 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:44.360 And then number five is travel overseas. 00:06:45.780 --> 00:06:47.600 Are you one of the 15 million? 00:06:49.220 --> 00:06:52.460 You know, maybe you have a New Year's resolution or two. 00:06:52.540 --> 00:06:55.019 Is your resolution among the top five? 00:06:55.019 --> 00:06:58.539 Well, if so, I have some disappointing news for you. 00:06:59.339 --> 00:07:03.339 That 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by February. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:07.259 What that means is, 00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:09.199 if you've been paying attention to those statistics, 00:07:09.359 --> 00:07:10.659 and I think if I've got my maths right, 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:16.259 that means each year more Aussies fail to keep New Year's resolutions 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:18.279 than fail to make them. 00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:22.299 Well, today from Philippians chapter one, 00:07:22.359 --> 00:07:24.599 this is our final sermon for 2025. 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:28.059 It's also, in a way, our first for 2026, 00:07:28.159 --> 00:07:31.619 because we're beginning a new series that will carry us through to February. 00:07:31.739 --> 00:07:33.239 That is, carry us through to about the time 00:07:33.239 --> 00:07:34.759 all those New Year's resolutions are failing. 00:07:36.839 --> 00:07:40.000 This portion of God's word will give us something better 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:43.759 than resolutions to carry into the new year. 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:50.539 What we'll see this morning are three catch cries for all God's people. 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:53.039 I say they're catch cries for all God's people 00:07:53.039 --> 00:07:56.339 because that's how Paul addresses this letter, 00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:57.740 at least to the Philippians. 00:07:57.959 --> 00:08:00.939 In Philippians chapter one, verse one, 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:03.439 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, 00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:08.300 to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, 00:08:08.899 --> 00:08:12.180 with the overseers and deacons. 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:15.160 This is a letter Paul wrote for all believers, 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:17.680 all the saints in Philippi, not just for the leaders, 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:21.120 but neither excluding the leaders, the overseers and the deacons. 00:08:21.220 --> 00:08:21.980 It's for them too. 00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:26.019 The message of this letter was for all. 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:29.699 And these three catch cries we're going to see from chapter one 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:31.259 are better than New Year's resolutions 00:08:31.259 --> 00:08:33.879 because their power comes, 00:08:34.340 --> 00:08:38.000 the power of these catch cries comes not from our own discipline 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:42.519 and constancy, which is rather unreliable, 00:08:42.679 --> 00:08:45.799 but from the goodness and faithfulness of God. 00:08:48.700 --> 00:08:52.100 Now, I was talking with Gareth at church on Christmas Day. 00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:52.759 We were having a chat. 00:08:53.799 --> 00:08:56.059 And he knew I was preaching on this passage 00:08:56.059 --> 00:08:57.360 because he was preparing the kids' talk. 00:08:57.360 --> 00:09:01.720 And he suggested that this passage was too long for me to preach, 00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:05.139 which I think was more a comment about my preaching 00:09:05.139 --> 00:09:06.639 than about the passage per se. 00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:10.259 But I think we might be able to manage it 00:09:10.259 --> 00:09:12.100 if we focus on these three catch cries 00:09:12.100 --> 00:09:14.759 because each of them takes us to the heart 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:18.300 of one of the three main sections of this passage. 00:09:19.700 --> 00:09:21.100 So for each of these sections, 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:22.519 we'll begin with the catch cry 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:24.600 and then we'll use that as a springboard 00:09:24.600 --> 00:09:27.000 to get into the section as a whole. 00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:29.759 So first catch cry for us to take into 26 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:32.259 from verses 3 to 11 is this. 00:09:32.980 --> 00:09:37.019 We are all partakers together of grace. 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:41.379 We are all partakers together of grace. 00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:45.899 Now, as usual, Paul begins one of his letters 00:09:45.899 --> 00:09:47.639 with thanksgiving and prayer. 00:09:48.840 --> 00:09:50.519 But look with me at verse 7. 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:55.019 In the ESV, it's right in the middle of the verse. 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:56.159 If you have another version, 00:09:56.299 --> 00:09:58.460 you probably find this phrase at the end of the verse. 00:09:58.740 --> 00:10:01.299 But there in verse 7, Paul says to the Philippians, 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:06.199 you are all partakers with me of grace. 00:10:07.579 --> 00:10:10.059 Or to express it another way, he says to them, 00:10:11.059 --> 00:10:15.939 you all share together with me 00:10:15.940 --> 00:10:18.620 in the grace of God. 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:24.660 You all share together with me in the grace of God. 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:27.540 And that is true of every Christian. 00:10:28.860 --> 00:10:31.240 Indeed, you could say that is what it means 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:32.400 to be a Christian. 00:10:33.220 --> 00:10:37.360 A Christian is someone who shares in the grace of God. 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:41.600 If you're someone that is who trusts in 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:43.279 and who follows Jesus, 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:45.919 then God's kindness, 00:10:46.740 --> 00:10:48.620 his generosity, 00:10:49.320 --> 00:10:50.039 his favour, 00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:51.060 his blessing, 00:10:51.300 --> 00:10:52.080 his joy, 00:10:52.800 --> 00:10:54.399 it's all yours. 00:10:56.159 --> 00:10:57.379 You share in it. 00:10:58.080 --> 00:10:59.180 It belongs to you. 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:03.519 And if you're not yet a Christian, 00:11:03.920 --> 00:11:06.139 if you're someone here who is exploring 00:11:06.139 --> 00:11:09.340 or thinking about God 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:10.279 and about Christianity, 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:11.679 if you're not yet a Christian, 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:13.039 then I want you to know 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:15.019 this is what Jesus offers you. 00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:20.319 A share in God's grace, 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:21.480 all of his goodness. 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:25.220 You, Christian, 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:26.840 can wake up each morning 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:27.919 and say to yourself, 00:11:28.179 --> 00:11:30.120 the goodness of God is mine. 00:11:31.659 --> 00:11:33.720 The grace of God is mine. 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:37.379 I share in it. 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:38.960 And that is true, 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:40.720 that is true of you, 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:43.559 no matter what else is going on in your life. 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:46.819 No matter what your circumstances, 00:11:47.059 --> 00:11:48.179 it was true of Paul, 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:50.120 in prison in Rome. 00:11:51.699 --> 00:11:52.639 It was true, 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:53.840 or perhaps elsewhere, 00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:54.899 but let's go with Rome. 00:11:55.960 --> 00:11:57.279 It was true of the Philippians, 00:11:58.480 --> 00:12:00.939 threatened by opponents in their own city. 00:12:00.940 --> 00:12:03.280 And it's true of you, 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:04.940 whatever your circumstances, 00:12:05.420 --> 00:12:06.600 as you face a new year. 00:12:06.660 --> 00:12:08.180 You might face a new year with anticipation. 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:11.120 You might face it with dread. 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:14.080 But if you are someone who loves Jesus 00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:14.940 and trusts in him, 00:12:15.060 --> 00:12:16.740 this is true of you. 00:12:16.880 --> 00:12:18.860 You share in the grace of God. 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:21.960 Your sins are forgiven 00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:23.880 and that cannot be taken away. 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:26.260 You can call God your father 00:12:26.260 --> 00:12:27.820 and that cannot be taken away. 00:12:28.060 --> 00:12:29.600 You have the gift of God's spirit. 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:31.960 You have an inheritance in heaven. 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:34.080 God is always working for your good 00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:36.600 and none of these things can be taken from you. 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:39.580 You share in God's grace. 00:12:42.279 --> 00:12:43.800 Not because you deserve it, 00:12:44.040 --> 00:12:45.440 not because any of us deserve it, 00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:47.519 but because God freely gives it. 00:12:49.320 --> 00:12:50.379 And that one thought, 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:51.740 that catch cry, 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:56.660 ripples throughout Paul's thanksgiving and prayer 00:12:56.660 --> 00:12:57.879 in this first section. 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:02.879 Let me show three ways. 00:13:03.100 --> 00:13:03.399 Firstly, 00:13:03.899 --> 00:13:06.519 knowing that we share together in grace 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:10.960 is the wellspring of affection and joy. 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:14.500 Sharing together in grace 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:17.600 is the wellspring of affection and joy. 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:19.460 Look at verses seven and eight together. 00:13:20.440 --> 00:13:21.680 Paul says to the Philippians, 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:26.259 it's right for me to feel this way about you all 00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:29.779 because I hold you in my heart. 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:31.439 Now, what's Paul talking about here 00:13:31.439 --> 00:13:32.199 when he says it's right for me 00:13:32.199 --> 00:13:34.339 to feel this way about you all? 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:36.419 Well, he's referring in part 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:38.919 to his thankfulness and joy, 00:13:39.599 --> 00:13:41.559 which he mentions in verse three and four. 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:42.479 He says, verse three, 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:45.259 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 00:13:45.419 --> 00:13:47.659 always in every prayer of mine for all of you, 00:13:47.959 --> 00:13:49.620 making my prayer with joy. 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:52.600 And now in verse seven, 00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:52.879 he says, 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:55.379 it's right for me to feel this way about you all, 00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:56.360 this thankfulness, 00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:57.120 this joy, 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:59.580 because I hold you in my heart. 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:01.799 Why? 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:07.639 For you are all partakers with me of grace, 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:10.019 both in my imprisonment 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:12.500 and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:17.340 It's because the Philippians share with Paul 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:18.460 in God's grace 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:21.220 that Paul says it's right, 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:22.279 it's just, 00:14:22.440 --> 00:14:23.200 it's fitting 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:25.580 that he should hold them in his heart. 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:28.700 It's fitting that he should be 00:14:28.700 --> 00:14:31.080 filled with thankfulness and joy 00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:32.220 on their account 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:35.580 because together with Paul, 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:38.299 they share in God's grace. 00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:42.699 And this is the basis of Paul's affection for them too. 00:14:42.799 --> 00:14:43.620 We see that in verse eight. 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:44.219 Verse eight, 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:45.500 for God is my witness, 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:47.599 how I yearn for you 00:14:47.599 --> 00:14:50.319 with all the affection of Christ Jesus. 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:54.919 Paul loved his brothers and sisters in Philippi. 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:56.299 He felt affection for them. 00:14:56.359 --> 00:14:57.959 He longed to be with them. 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:01.379 You can see 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:04.620 from Paul's precise words in verse seven 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:06.539 that it mattered to the apostle 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:10.460 not only that in which we share, 00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:11.600 that is God's grace, 00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:14.080 the thing we share in, 00:15:14.560 --> 00:15:15.860 but it also mattered to Paul 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:17.940 that we share in it together. 00:15:19.179 --> 00:15:21.460 You are all partakers with me, 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:22.419 Paul says, 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:24.200 of grace. 00:15:26.700 --> 00:15:26.899 See, 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:29.100 sharing in something unimaginably, 00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:31.879 as unimaginably good as God's grace 00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:33.220 is reason enough 00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:35.360 for affection and joy 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:36.559 and thankfulness 00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:38.039 between believers 00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:39.340 and on behalf of one another. 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.320 Think of it, 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:43.000 think of 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:45.580 two groups of 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:47.480 exuberant fans 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:48.559 of a sports team 00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:50.399 that has just won the grand final 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:52.580 or maybe the fourth test. 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:55.179 And they 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:56.980 see one another 00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:57.679 on a train 00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:58.500 or a tram 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.600 on the way home 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:01.680 from the sports ground 00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:03.659 and they recognise 00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:04.639 the team colours 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:05.600 and maybe the accents 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:07.540 and they've never met before. 00:16:08.800 --> 00:16:09.960 Their names are unknown 00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:11.300 and yet they recognise 00:16:11.300 --> 00:16:11.840 one another 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:12.659 and they cheer 00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:13.540 and they laugh 00:16:13.540 --> 00:16:15.000 and they sing the team song 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:15.980 or the national anthem 00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:17.180 and they retell 00:16:17.180 --> 00:16:18.680 the most memorable moments 00:16:18.680 --> 00:16:19.440 of the match. 00:16:21.180 --> 00:16:22.180 They're so elated, 00:16:23.660 --> 00:16:25.639 these fans, 00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:26.759 sports fans, 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.460 so elated 00:16:27.460 --> 00:16:28.700 that they cannot possibly 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:29.639 feel badly 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.759 toward one another 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:31.820 for they share 00:16:31.820 --> 00:16:32.879 in the same victory. 00:16:35.680 --> 00:16:36.540 And if that's 00:16:36.540 --> 00:16:37.500 the camaraderie 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.280 and euphoria 00:16:38.280 --> 00:16:40.180 over something fleeting, 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:42.680 over something 00:16:42.680 --> 00:16:43.800 that doesn't last, 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:47.120 well how much more fitting 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:48.940 is thankfulness 00:16:48.940 --> 00:16:50.000 and mutual joy 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:50.800 and affection 00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:54.759 that these 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.439 are the mark 00:16:55.439 --> 00:16:55.919 of those 00:16:55.919 --> 00:16:56.759 who share together 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:57.279 in the grace 00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:57.819 of God. 00:16:59.819 --> 00:17:01.519 We share together 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:01.959 in 00:17:01.959 --> 00:17:04.000 infinite riches, 00:17:04.139 --> 00:17:05.000 the infinite riches 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:05.940 of God's grace 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:10.579 and that's a basis 00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:11.200 for affection 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:11.680 and joy. 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.480 But there's more. 00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:13.859 Not only 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:15.779 is being partakers, 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:16.819 fellow partakers 00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:17.299 in grace 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:17.960 the wellspring 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:18.480 of affection 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:18.919 and joy, 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.460 it's also 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.380 the bedrock 00:17:20.380 --> 00:17:21.380 of assurance. 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:23.400 The bedrock 00:17:23.400 --> 00:17:23.840 of assurance. 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:24.740 Look at verse 6. 00:17:25.140 --> 00:17:26.420 For God is my witness, 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:27.460 oh sorry, 00:17:27.560 --> 00:17:28.080 that's verse 8, 00:17:28.560 --> 00:17:29.340 verse 6, 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:31.019 and I am sure 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:31.600 of this 00:17:31.600 --> 00:17:32.360 that he 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:33.180 who began 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:34.200 a good work 00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:34.820 in you 00:17:34.820 --> 00:17:36.320 will bring it 00:17:36.320 --> 00:17:37.000 to completion 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.759 at the day 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.779 of Jesus Christ. 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.620 Paul was convinced 00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:41.080 that God 00:17:41.080 --> 00:17:41.740 would continue 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.360 his work 00:17:42.360 --> 00:17:43.220 in the Philippians 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.980 until the day 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:44.920 Christ returns. 00:17:45.840 --> 00:17:46.720 He was certain 00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:47.779 they would persevere. 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:49.220 He was certain 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:50.059 they would press 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:50.940 on as believers 00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:52.119 until the end. 00:17:53.660 --> 00:17:54.460 How could 00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:56.420 Paul be so sure 00:17:56.420 --> 00:17:57.819 about the Philippians' 00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:58.299 future? 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.339 Were the Philippians 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.500 super-Christians? 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:02.859 Was it because 00:18:02.859 --> 00:18:04.019 they were more tough, 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:05.139 more resilient 00:18:05.139 --> 00:18:06.139 than anyone else? 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:07.740 Well again, 00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:08.539 follow the logic 00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:08.940 through. 00:18:09.899 --> 00:18:11.039 I'm sure of this, 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:11.779 Paul says, 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:12.579 that he who began 00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:13.160 a good work 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:13.399 in you 00:18:13.399 --> 00:18:13.839 will bring it 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:14.399 to completion 00:18:14.399 --> 00:18:14.940 at the day 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:16.519 of Jesus Christ? 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:20.000 How so? 00:18:20.100 --> 00:18:20.480 Verse 7, 00:18:20.580 --> 00:18:21.680 it's right for me 00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:22.720 to feel this way 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:23.620 about you 00:18:23.620 --> 00:18:25.779 because I hold you 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.440 in my heart 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:27.720 for you are all 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.440 partakers 00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:29.320 with me 00:18:29.320 --> 00:18:30.519 of grace. 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.380 It's right for me 00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:34.039 to feel this way 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:34.440 about you. 00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:35.680 Right to feel 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:36.039 what way 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:36.740 about the Philippians? 00:18:36.820 --> 00:18:37.360 Well part of 00:18:37.360 --> 00:18:38.860 how Paul feels 00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:40.000 about the Philippians 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:41.840 is his confidence, 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:43.299 his certainty 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.259 that God 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:44.939 would complete 00:18:44.939 --> 00:18:45.419 his work 00:18:45.419 --> 00:18:45.799 in them. 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:48.059 And again, 00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:48.639 the basis 00:18:48.639 --> 00:18:49.259 of this 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:49.939 is what Paul 00:18:49.939 --> 00:18:50.959 says in verse 7 00:18:50.959 --> 00:18:52.279 that it is 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:53.019 because they 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:53.939 are partakers 00:18:53.939 --> 00:18:55.019 with Paul 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:55.980 of grace. 00:18:57.419 --> 00:18:58.279 To put this 00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:58.879 another way, 00:18:59.619 --> 00:19:00.359 how was Paul 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:00.959 so confident 00:19:00.959 --> 00:19:01.779 for the Philippians? 00:19:02.179 --> 00:19:03.019 Well his confidence 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:04.419 was in God 00:19:04.419 --> 00:19:05.059 himself. 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.099 It's God 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:07.559 who began 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:08.099 the work. 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.539 It's God 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:09.839 who would 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:10.819 complete the work. 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:13.220 because of course 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:14.279 God will complete 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.259 what he has begun 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:17.559 because we share 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:18.179 in his grace. 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:19.519 What would grace 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:21.399 be if it carried 00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:22.399 us only halfway 00:19:22.399 --> 00:19:22.839 there? 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.339 So Paul 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:25.980 was confident 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:27.220 for the Philippians 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:28.700 but he was 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:29.139 confident 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:30.279 in God 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:31.700 and in his 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.179 grace. 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:33.939 Sharing in grace 00:19:33.939 --> 00:19:35.079 is the bedrock 00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:36.159 of assurance. 00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:38.700 And thirdly 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.240 and finally 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:40.179 in this section 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:41.039 being partakers 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:41.880 together 00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:42.539 in grace 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.380 is the root 00:19:43.380 --> 00:19:43.860 of our 00:19:43.860 --> 00:19:44.560 fruitfulness. 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:46.259 It's the root 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:46.560 of our 00:19:46.560 --> 00:19:46.940 fruitfulness. 00:19:47.080 --> 00:19:47.440 Look again 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:48.160 at verse 6. 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:50.140 Paul says there 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:50.860 I'm sure of this 00:19:50.860 --> 00:19:51.380 that he who 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:52.080 began a good 00:19:52.080 --> 00:19:52.660 work in you 00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:53.160 will bring it 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:53.740 to completion 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.240 at the day 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:54.680 of Jesus 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.320 Christ 00:19:55.320 --> 00:19:56.480 or perhaps 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:56.740 better 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.279 will bring it 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:57.820 to completion 00:19:57.820 --> 00:19:59.259 until the day 00:19:59.259 --> 00:19:59.720 of Jesus 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.100 Christ. 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:00.660 There's a sense 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:01.000 of God 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.880 carrying it 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:02.960 on throughout 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:03.539 that whole 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:04.259 time frame. 00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:05.379 But what 00:20:05.379 --> 00:20:06.019 is the good 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.640 work which 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:07.079 God will 00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:07.619 complete 00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:08.640 and perfect 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.519 until the 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:09.879 day of 00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:10.680 Jesus Christ? 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:11.500 Well in part 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:11.839 it's our 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:12.480 faith and our 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.220 salvation as 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:13.559 I've just 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:13.859 implied. 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:15.119 But if we 00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:15.480 look in the 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.240 context in 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:16.980 verse 5 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:18.119 Paul has 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:18.720 just been 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:19.900 thanking God 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:20.579 for the 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.140 Philippians 00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:22.420 partnership 00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:23.099 in the 00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:23.940 gospel from 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:24.379 the first 00:20:24.379 --> 00:20:24.940 day until 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:25.319 now. 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:28.440 So they 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:28.740 were not 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:30.220 only Paul's 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:30.980 partners in 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.900 the blessings 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:32.500 of the 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.400 gospel sharing 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:33.720 in the 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:34.360 blessings that 00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:35.300 come from 00:20:35.300 --> 00:20:35.680 God's 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.100 grace. 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:37.880 They were 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:38.820 also partners 00:20:38.820 --> 00:20:39.640 with Paul in 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:40.480 the proclamation 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:41.720 of the gospel 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:42.680 in evangelism. 00:20:43.280 --> 00:20:44.240 Now later on in 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:44.800 Philippians in 00:20:44.800 --> 00:20:45.519 chapter 4 we 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.160 learn at least 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:46.920 one way they 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.540 did this was 00:20:47.540 --> 00:20:48.000 by giving 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.920 financially to 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:49.960 support Paul's 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.759 evangelistic 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.440 mission to 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:52.140 the nations. 00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:54.080 They had done 00:20:54.080 --> 00:20:54.500 that in the 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:54.840 past. 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:55.480 Indeed they 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.240 had done it 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.440 Paul says 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.420 from the first 00:20:58.420 --> 00:20:59.300 day ever since 00:20:59.300 --> 00:20:59.759 they first 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:00.600 became Christians. 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.879 Christians they 00:21:01.879 --> 00:21:02.599 had shared with 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:03.319 Paul in his 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:03.699 mission. 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:05.219 They had done 00:21:05.219 --> 00:21:05.559 it again 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.459 recently sending 00:21:06.459 --> 00:21:07.240 another gift to 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:07.799 Paul to meet 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.779 his needs even 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.500 as he was in 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.740 prison awaiting 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.279 trial. 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:13.799 But Paul was 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.459 confident that 00:21:14.459 --> 00:21:15.240 God's grace 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.159 would continue 00:21:16.159 --> 00:21:17.019 to make them 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:18.059 fruitful in 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:19.119 love and 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:20.419 righteousness and 00:21:20.419 --> 00:21:21.519 good deeds. 00:21:21.639 --> 00:21:21.939 Hence his 00:21:21.939 --> 00:21:22.459 prayer for them 00:21:22.459 --> 00:21:23.619 in verse 9 to 00:21:23.619 --> 00:21:23.799 11. 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:24.279 We won't look 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:24.859 at all of it 00:21:24.859 --> 00:21:26.139 but his prayer 00:21:26.139 --> 00:21:26.779 concludes in 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.399 verse 11 that 00:21:27.399 --> 00:21:27.899 they will be 00:21:27.899 --> 00:21:28.939 filled with the 00:21:28.939 --> 00:21:29.639 fruit of 00:21:29.639 --> 00:21:30.299 righteousness 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:31.859 that comes 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:32.519 through Jesus 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:33.319 Christ to the 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:33.779 glory and 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:34.240 praise of 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:34.579 God. 00:21:36.139 --> 00:21:37.220 They would be 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:39.259 filled but it 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:39.980 would be through 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:42.200 Jesus and so 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:42.899 the glory would 00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.599 be to God. 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.700 It's grace, 00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:46.480 it's a gift, 00:21:46.639 --> 00:21:47.200 it's God's 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:47.799 work, it's 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:49.919 fruit, fruit 00:21:49.919 --> 00:21:50.819 which grows on 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:52.799 us but which 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.460 comes from 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:53.799 him. 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:58.819 Trust that he 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.500 will do it, 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.659 that sharing 00:22:01.659 --> 00:22:02.559 in his grace 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.539 will be for 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.919 you the 00:22:04.919 --> 00:22:05.559 root of 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.299 fruitfulness, 00:22:07.139 --> 00:22:07.500 that there'll 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:07.839 be fruit, 00:22:07.899 --> 00:22:08.319 he'll do it, 00:22:08.379 --> 00:22:08.599 there'll be 00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:09.099 fruit in your 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:09.500 life, 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:11.559 fruit of 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:12.919 evangelistic 00:22:12.919 --> 00:22:14.000 fruit, fruit 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.779 of righteousness, 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:17.179 of holiness 00:22:17.179 --> 00:22:18.220 and godliness, 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:20.119 he will do it 00:22:20.119 --> 00:22:20.939 even for you, 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:22.879 even for the 00:22:22.879 --> 00:22:23.359 person sitting 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:24.000 next to you. 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:27.339 And so 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.220 partaking of 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:28.900 God's grace 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:29.700 is the 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.900 wellspring of 00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:31.299 joy and 00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:31.680 affection, 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.140 it's the 00:22:33.140 --> 00:22:34.279 bedrock of 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:34.920 our assurance 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:35.640 and it's the 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:36.279 root of our 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:36.799 fruitfulness. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:37.779 What a catch 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.599 cry to carry 00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:39.779 into 2026. 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.599 How much 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:42.200 better than a 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.680 new year's 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:43.420 resolution which 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:44.359 depends on us. 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:46.259 We are all 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:47.740 partakers together 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.759 of grace. 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:50.940 That is what it 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.599 means to be a 00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:52.039 Christian, we 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.660 share in the 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.440 grace of God. 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:56.259 Well the 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:56.819 second catch 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.339 cry of this 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:58.079 chapter from 00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:58.700 verse 12 to 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.720 18 is this, 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.799 what has 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.519 happened has 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.940 actually served 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:05.660 to advance the 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:06.019 gospel. 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.140 That comes from 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:07.700 verse 12, 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:08.980 verse 12 Paul 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.440 writes to the 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:09.740 Philippians, 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.259 I want you to 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:10.799 know brothers 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.359 that what has 00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:11.940 happened to me 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.539 has really 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.519 served to 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.240 advance the 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.619 gospel. 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:15.440 Now what has 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:15.980 happened to me 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:16.579 Paul is there 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:17.220 referring to his 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:18.960 imprisonment as 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.900 verse 13 makes 00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:20.180 clear. 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.019 There are three 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:21.799 main candidates 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:23.500 for which 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.420 imprisonment this 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:25.400 was, Paul was 00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:26.519 imprisoned multiple 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.039 times. 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.720 It may have been 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.559 his imprisonment in 00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.460 Caesarea from 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:32.299 AD 57 to 59, we 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:32.980 can read about that 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:33.779 imprisonment in Acts 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:35.240 chapters 23 to 26. 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.460 It may be his 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.359 imprisonment in Rome 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:39.279 around AD 60 to 62, 00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:40.200 we read about that in 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:40.740 Acts 28. 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:42.339 It may be an earlier 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:43.259 imprisonment in 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:44.160 Ephesus, we don't 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:45.240 have any direct 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.460 evidence of that but 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:46.940 it may have 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:48.400 occurred in the 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:49.119 mid-50s. 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.539 I'm not going to go 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.500 into the arguments for 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.259 or against each of 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:52.980 these locations. 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.579 In my view, Rome 00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:55.519 best fits the 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:58.140 evidence and I'm 00:23:58.140 --> 00:23:58.740 going to treat it as 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.740 if he's in prison in 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.839 Rome but if it's in 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:01.240 one of the other 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:01.980 places it doesn't 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:02.839 really change the 00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:04.180 meaning of the book 00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:05.099 we have before us. 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.759 In any case, Paul 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:08.480 is under arrest, 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:09.799 he's in custody, 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.680 he's chained, 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.859 he's facing trial, 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:12.779 the threat of 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.779 execution hovers 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:16.680 over him and all 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:17.579 of that must have 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:18.980 seemed like a major 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:20.900 setback for the 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:21.700 cause of the 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.539 gospel of Jesus 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:23.140 Christ. 00:24:25.360 --> 00:24:26.259 Well, Paul says 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:27.339 what seemed like a 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:29.339 setback was actually 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:30.460 a step forward. 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:33.259 I want you to know, 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:35.900 brothers, that what 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:37.059 has happened to me 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:38.880 has really served 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:40.259 to advance the 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:40.660 gospel. 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:43.019 Don't be discouraged, 00:24:43.120 --> 00:24:43.640 he says to the 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.279 Philippians, take 00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:44.779 heart. 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.440 He assures them, 00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:48.299 not just I'm okay 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.880 but the gospel is 00:24:49.880 --> 00:24:51.519 okay, the cause of 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.519 Christ is okay. 00:24:53.820 --> 00:24:54.559 Now, how could that 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:54.900 be? 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.480 How could this be the 00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:57.700 case? 00:24:57.840 --> 00:24:59.080 Because this was 00:24:59.080 --> 00:25:00.059 Paul, right? 00:25:00.840 --> 00:25:02.660 Paul, the one who 00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:03.740 had been appointed by 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.799 Jesus Christ himself 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:05.860 as the apostle to the 00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:08.480 nations, languishing 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.580 in chains in Rome. 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:12.160 This is Paul, the 00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:13.400 travelling missionary 00:25:13.400 --> 00:25:15.800 who had been deprived 00:25:15.800 --> 00:25:16.960 of his liberty and 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:17.820 freedom of movement, 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:19.460 now stuck in place. 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.460 This was Paul, the 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.680 church planter, the 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.120 pioneer. 00:25:23.640 --> 00:25:24.620 He planned to carry 00:25:24.620 --> 00:25:26.019 the gospel even further 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:27.060 west to Spain. 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:30.259 But now here he is in 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:31.519 Rome, a city the gospel 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.680 had already reached even 00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:33.860 before Paul got there. 00:25:36.080 --> 00:25:36.740 You know, things had 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.880 certainly not worked out 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:39.440 as Paul himself had 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.580 planned and hoped. 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:44.139 But now, Paul says, 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.859 this apparent retreat 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:48.359 was in fact an advance. 00:25:49.179 --> 00:25:49.720 How so? 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:50.740 Well, in two ways. 00:25:52.419 --> 00:25:55.460 First, in the 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:56.579 opportunity it afforded 00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:58.879 Paul and secondly, in 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.799 the way Paul's 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.939 imprisonment inspired 00:26:00.939 --> 00:26:01.220 others. 00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:02.119 So first look at verse 00:26:02.119 --> 00:26:02.559 13. 00:26:03.699 --> 00:26:04.720 It's really served to 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.539 advance the gospel, 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:07.480 verse 13, so that it 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.839 has become known 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:10.539 throughout the whole 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:12.959 imperial guard and to 00:26:12.959 --> 00:26:15.039 all the rest that my 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:16.379 imprisonment is for 00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:16.899 Christ. 00:26:18.699 --> 00:26:20.240 In Acts chapter 28, we 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.619 read that Paul in Rome 00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:22.879 was allowed to stay by 00:26:22.879 --> 00:26:24.119 himself in his own 00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:24.779 sort of rented 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:27.059 quarters, but with a 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:28.299 soldier who guarded 00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:28.679 him. 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:32.759 And that during the two 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:34.120 years he spent there, 00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:35.820 Paul continued to 00:26:35.820 --> 00:26:37.340 proclaim Jesus with 00:26:37.340 --> 00:26:38.500 boldness and without 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.660 hindrance to any who 00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.420 visited him. 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:44.019 Now, presumably, you 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.620 know, there's a soldier 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:45.779 with Paul guarding him. 00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:46.759 Presumably, there wasn't 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:48.360 just one guard who lived 00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:49.600 permanently with Paul. 00:26:50.320 --> 00:26:51.480 What seems more likely, 00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:53.480 and verse 13 would tend 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.460 to corroborate this, is 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:57.400 that various soldiers of 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:58.880 the imperial guard, the 00:26:58.880 --> 00:27:01.380 praetorian, rotated on 00:27:01.380 --> 00:27:02.640 shifts, keeping watch 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:03.259 over Paul. 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.660 And that created 00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:07.259 opportunities for Paul to 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:08.580 share the gospel with 00:27:08.580 --> 00:27:08.759 them. 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:10.360 I mean, they're stuck 00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:10.759 with him. 00:27:11.040 --> 00:27:11.560 What are they going to 00:27:11.560 --> 00:27:12.019 talk about? 00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.960 Why he's in chains? 00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:15.060 Why not start there? 00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:18.540 Even if Paul didn't get 00:27:18.540 --> 00:27:19.519 to share the gospel with 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:20.840 them directly, they may 00:27:20.840 --> 00:27:21.940 well have been listening 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:23.700 in as Paul shared the 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.700 gospel with others who 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.440 visited him. 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:28.759 Certainly, given Paul's 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:30.220 relatively high status as 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:31.540 a prisoner by this time, 00:27:32.560 --> 00:27:33.880 it's no surprise that 00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:36.259 over time, the entire 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:38.920 imperial guard and all 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:40.620 the rest learned the 00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:41.440 reason for his 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:41.960 confinement. 00:27:44.280 --> 00:27:45.220 At the end of the 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.160 letter, Philippians 4, 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:50.680 verse 22, Paul passes on 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:52.140 to the Philippians that the 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:53.800 believing members of 00:27:53.800 --> 00:27:57.180 Caesar's household send 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:58.160 their greetings to the 00:27:58.160 --> 00:27:58.720 Philippians. 00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:02.820 So Paul's imprisonment 00:28:02.820 --> 00:28:04.580 created opportunity for, 00:28:04.840 --> 00:28:05.500 you know, his lengthy 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:05.960 imprisonment. 00:28:06.120 --> 00:28:07.620 It led directly to the 00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:09.040 spread of the gospel at 00:28:09.040 --> 00:28:11.040 least among some portions 00:28:11.040 --> 00:28:14.320 of Rome's civil and military 00:28:14.320 --> 00:28:15.220 administration. 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:20.579 Paul's imprisonment gave 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:21.920 Paul opportunities for the 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:23.559 gospel, but there's a 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.299 second way in which it 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:25.120 served to advance the 00:28:25.120 --> 00:28:26.299 gospel, and that is in how 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:27.740 it inspired other believers. 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:28.980 Look at verse 14. 00:28:29.360 --> 00:28:30.539 And most of the brothers, 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:34.519 having become confident in 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.519 the Lord by my 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:37.759 imprisonment, are much more 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:39.360 bold to speak the word 00:28:39.360 --> 00:28:40.640 without fear. 00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:42.740 Now, that's a seemingly 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:44.059 strange comment to make, 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:44.519 isn't it? 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:47.119 How could Paul's 00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:48.399 imprisonment lead to 00:28:48.399 --> 00:28:50.359 others being confident 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:52.079 and preaching the gospel 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:53.039 without fear? 00:28:53.119 --> 00:28:53.879 Wouldn't it be the 00:28:53.879 --> 00:28:54.319 reverse? 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.159 You know, Paul's in 00:28:56.159 --> 00:28:56.440 prison. 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.779 Paul's been arrested, so 00:28:58.779 --> 00:28:59.879 maybe I could be arrested 00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:00.960 too, so I better shut my 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.299 mouth. 00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:04.019 But it doesn't work that 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:04.319 way. 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.279 It had the opposite 00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:06.779 effect. 00:29:07.659 --> 00:29:09.440 Most of the brothers were 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:11.299 apparently more impacted by 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:13.159 the example of Paul's 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:16.740 courage than by his 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:18.040 confinement, fear of his 00:29:18.040 --> 00:29:19.460 confinement like his. 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:23.080 Actually, Paul goes on to 00:29:23.080 --> 00:29:24.500 explain it was a mixed bag of 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:26.040 people who had stepped up 00:29:26.040 --> 00:29:27.240 their evangelistic efforts 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:28.380 around the city of Rome. 00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:31.120 Verse 15, some indeed 00:29:31.120 --> 00:29:32.480 preach Christ from envy and 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:34.540 rivalry, but others from 00:29:34.540 --> 00:29:35.040 goodwill. 00:29:36.100 --> 00:29:37.620 The latter do it out of love, 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.840 knowing that I'm put here for 00:29:38.840 --> 00:29:39.940 the defence of the gospel. 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:41.840 The former proclaimed Christ 00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:44.320 out of rivalry, not 00:29:44.320 --> 00:29:45.519 sincerely, but thinking to 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:47.019 afflict me in my 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.840 imprisonment. 00:29:48.580 --> 00:29:49.420 See, there are those who 00:29:49.420 --> 00:29:51.240 were sincerely motivated. 00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:52.460 They loved Paul. 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:54.380 They shared his desire to see 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:55.820 the gospel advance, and so 00:29:55.820 --> 00:29:57.580 they were emboldened to 00:29:57.580 --> 00:29:58.340 preach Christ. 00:29:59.340 --> 00:30:00.640 There are others who are 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:02.600 motivated by rivalry, who 00:30:02.600 --> 00:30:04.620 envied Paul and who 00:30:04.620 --> 00:30:06.660 imagined that by making more 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:08.840 noise about Jesus in Rome, 00:30:09.340 --> 00:30:10.560 they might stir up some 00:30:10.560 --> 00:30:11.740 trouble for him, they might 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:14.060 cause him some problems. 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:19.519 Isn't that a very sad state of 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.560 affairs, actually, that second 00:30:20.560 --> 00:30:20.920 group? 00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:24.380 That there might be people who 00:30:24.380 --> 00:30:26.920 preach Christ in order to 00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:29.660 bring trouble on another 00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.040 believer. 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:34.339 And yet it's, you know, it's 00:30:34.339 --> 00:30:35.440 an accurate and damning 00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:37.940 appraisal of the human heart, 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:39.359 isn't it, that sin can be so 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:41.519 insidious that it's possible 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:44.899 even, that even in the most 00:30:44.899 --> 00:30:46.339 noble of activities, preaching 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:48.859 Christ, we can be motivated by the 00:30:48.859 --> 00:30:52.200 most base of desires, envy and 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.619 malice. 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:56.919 But listen to Paul. 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:58.639 Paul offers his own remarkable 00:30:58.639 --> 00:31:00.059 commentary on this situation, 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:02.519 considering these two groups 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:03.579 preaching Christ. 00:31:05.159 --> 00:31:06.559 Verse 18, what then? 00:31:07.679 --> 00:31:10.079 Only that in every way, whether in 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:13.039 pretense or in truth, Christ is 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:16.059 proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. 00:31:16.919 --> 00:31:18.219 You know, what a testimony to the 00:31:18.219 --> 00:31:19.399 heart of the apostle here. 00:31:19.400 --> 00:31:22.759 If I were in his situation, you 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:24.080 know, even if I could somehow 00:31:24.080 --> 00:31:26.940 stoically endure the physical 00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:29.380 ordeal and confinement of my 00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:32.640 imprisonment, I can't imagine 00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:35.220 responding to the activities of 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:37.180 those rivals with anything other 00:31:37.180 --> 00:31:39.160 than outrage and self-righteous 00:31:39.160 --> 00:31:39.860 indignation. 00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:43.540 You know, their intentions were so 00:31:43.540 --> 00:31:44.900 mean and warped. 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:48.200 But Paul's not concerned about his 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:50.019 own status or his own well-being 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:51.259 or his own vindication. 00:31:51.880 --> 00:31:53.559 He just wants people to hear 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:54.240 about Jesus. 00:31:55.900 --> 00:31:57.380 That mattered more to him than 00:31:57.380 --> 00:31:57.740 anything. 00:31:58.640 --> 00:32:00.240 As long as more and more people 00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:01.500 were hearing about Jesus, it 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.319 didn't matter how it was 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:02.640 happening. 00:32:03.360 --> 00:32:04.539 That was enough for Paul to 00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:04.940 rejoice. 00:32:05.900 --> 00:32:07.240 He didn't care what it cost him 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:07.720 personally. 00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:09.279 He just wanted people to hear 00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:11.120 about Jesus, about their Lord and 00:32:11.120 --> 00:32:11.519 Saviour. 00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:14.120 And in writing to the 00:32:14.120 --> 00:32:15.480 Philippians in this way, Paul 00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:19.559 clearly expected them to share his 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:20.500 value system. 00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:23.779 Now, I want you to know, brothers, 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:25.680 Paul begins in verse 12. 00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:28.299 He expects his words in this section 00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:29.920 to comfort the Philippians, to 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:30.740 reassure them. 00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:33.779 But they can only comfort and 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:36.079 reassure the Philippians if they did 00:32:36.079 --> 00:32:38.819 share his value system, or at least 00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:40.400 if these words of Paul would help them 00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:41.440 change their perspective. 00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:44.960 Now, the Philippians loved Paul, and 00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:47.000 so they had reason for anxiety and 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:48.920 grief because of the troubles he was 00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:49.460 facing. 00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:54.500 But Paul expects that what matters 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:56.720 most to the Philippians will not be 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:59.799 Paul's well-being, but the same thing 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:01.400 that matters to Paul, that more and 00:33:01.400 --> 00:33:03.019 more people hear about Christ. 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:07.279 And when it comes to people hearing 00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:11.099 about Jesus, God loves to turn setbacks 00:33:11.099 --> 00:33:12.460 into opportunities. 00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:16.319 John Piper, in his book, Let the 00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:18.480 Nations Be Glad, tells numerous stories 00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:20.700 from the last two centuries of how 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:23.879 suffering and seeming setbacks have 00:33:23.879 --> 00:33:25.339 served to advance the gospel. 00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:28.980 Here's one of them, which Piper takes 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:31.519 from a book by Bill and Amy Stearns. 00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:36.160 In the 1930s, the Japanese invaded 00:33:36.160 --> 00:33:38.759 North Korea and thousands of Koreans 00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:39.220 fled. 00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:42.819 And many of the Koreans who fled settled 00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:44.740 around Vladivostok. 00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:51.019 And then in the late 30s and early 40s, 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:54.799 Joseph Stalin began developing Vladivostok 00:33:54.799 --> 00:33:57.299 as a weapons manufacturing centre. 00:33:57.299 --> 00:34:01.539 But he deemed that the Koreans who were 00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:03.440 living in the region, in the area, they 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:04.740 were a security risk. 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:07.319 And so he relocated them throughout the 00:34:07.319 --> 00:34:09.239 Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin. 00:34:09.779 --> 00:34:11.539 Relocated them to five different areas 00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:12.420 of the Soviet Union. 00:34:12.699 --> 00:34:16.139 One of those areas was Tashkent, where 00:34:16.139 --> 00:34:18.779 these group of Koreans were settled among 00:34:18.779 --> 00:34:22.500 a staunchly Muslim population, the Uzbeks. 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:26.420 Now, the Uzbeks are a large people group which 00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:29.159 had for hundreds of years violently resisted any 00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:31.320 Western efforts to introduce Christianity. 00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:36.739 But when these Koreans were moved in to live 00:34:36.739 --> 00:34:40.039 amongst them, they welcomed them because of their 00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:41.860 industry and kindness. 00:34:42.139 --> 00:34:44.920 And within a few decades, this community of Koreans 00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:48.780 had integrated with Uzbek cultural life. 00:34:48.780 --> 00:34:53.640 Among the Koreans were pockets of Christian believers. 00:34:55.640 --> 00:35:02.019 He began bringing Uzbek and Kazakh friends to Christ. 00:35:05.300 --> 00:35:08.880 And so on June the 2nd, 1990, the first open-air 00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:13.000 Christian meeting in the history of Soviet Central Asia 00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:15.940 was held in the capital of Kazakhstan. 00:35:15.940 --> 00:35:20.220 Through the labours of these Korean believers. 00:35:21.400 --> 00:35:23.840 Now, consider the hardships that those Korean 00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:24.740 believers faced. 00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:26.639 First displaced from their homeland. 00:35:27.380 --> 00:35:30.400 Then again, forcibly relocated by Stalin. 00:35:31.579 --> 00:35:33.880 And placed among a foreign culture and a foreign 00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:34.360 people. 00:35:34.740 --> 00:35:37.860 And yet God used that to bring the gospel to an 00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:39.119 unreached people group. 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:43.320 Actually, a people group that is still largely unreached 00:35:43.320 --> 00:35:43.800 today. 00:35:45.059 --> 00:35:46.420 But the work has begun. 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:53.240 God turns setbacks, apparent setbacks, into steps 00:35:53.240 --> 00:35:53.640 forward. 00:35:54.840 --> 00:35:56.800 Now, what will 2026 bring for you? 00:35:58.100 --> 00:35:59.960 What will 2026 bring for me? 00:36:00.180 --> 00:36:02.260 What will it bring for us as a church? 00:36:03.120 --> 00:36:05.620 What will it bring for the missionaries we support? 00:36:06.900 --> 00:36:10.039 Now, if you've been here as part of this church for a while, 00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:13.460 long enough to hear about the missionary support, and I'm 00:36:13.460 --> 00:36:16.019 speaking about the others, not about myself and the AFES 00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:16.539 team here. 00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:19.279 But if you've been here long enough to hear about the 00:36:19.279 --> 00:36:24.039 missionary support, you will know the hardships and the 00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:28.539 obstacles and the apparent setbacks that each of them are 00:36:28.539 --> 00:36:28.940 facing. 00:36:30.380 --> 00:36:32.199 And have faced in recent years. 00:36:32.199 --> 00:36:38.480 What will 2026 bring them and us? 00:36:39.919 --> 00:36:47.339 There may be griefs and trials and obstacles and setbacks. 00:36:47.519 --> 00:36:48.480 Don't be surprised. 00:36:50.099 --> 00:36:53.779 But let us carry this catch cry into 2026. 00:36:53.980 --> 00:36:58.500 What has happened has actually served to advance the gospel. 00:36:58.500 --> 00:37:01.739 God's mission won't fail. 00:37:01.840 --> 00:37:03.059 His plan won't fail. 00:37:04.579 --> 00:37:09.599 Let's be open to unexpected twists in the mission of God. 00:37:10.760 --> 00:37:16.800 Let us be ready to see in our weakness, Christ's strength. 00:37:17.119 --> 00:37:19.780 In our defeat, Christ's triumph. 00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:24.760 And let us learn to prize the cause of Christ more than we 00:37:24.760 --> 00:37:25.840 prize our own comfort. 00:37:25.840 --> 00:37:30.900 You know, what could be better, however much it cost us, what 00:37:30.900 --> 00:37:35.579 could be better than that more and more people hear of Jesus? 00:37:38.120 --> 00:37:42.400 And in a similar vein, let's carry into 2026 our third and final 00:37:42.400 --> 00:37:43.800 catch cry from this passage. 00:37:44.360 --> 00:37:50.559 For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 00:37:50.660 --> 00:37:52.340 That statement comes from verse 21. 00:37:52.340 --> 00:37:54.760 Verse 21. 00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:59.640 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 00:37:59.720 --> 00:38:00.980 Now, why does Paul say this? 00:38:01.300 --> 00:38:06.200 Paul says this because he's confronted with those very two, there's those two 00:38:06.200 --> 00:38:09.059 very real possibilities, life and death. 00:38:10.440 --> 00:38:11.160 He's a prisoner. 00:38:11.880 --> 00:38:12.940 He's awaiting trial. 00:38:13.440 --> 00:38:15.579 His imprisonment could end in either way. 00:38:15.579 --> 00:38:18.980 It could end in his condemnation and execution, his death. 00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:22.739 Or it could end in his acquittal and his release. 00:38:23.719 --> 00:38:24.159 Life. 00:38:26.179 --> 00:38:27.259 And he weighs up. 00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:29.099 These two alternatives are before him. 00:38:29.299 --> 00:38:31.079 And in verse 22, he weighs them up. 00:38:32.299 --> 00:38:37.059 He says, verse 22, if I am to live in the flesh, that will mean fruitful labor for me. 00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:43.099 Yet which I shall choose, I cannot tell. 00:38:44.199 --> 00:38:46.079 I'm hard pressed between the two. 00:38:46.320 --> 00:38:49.619 My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 00:38:50.679 --> 00:38:53.920 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 00:38:55.559 --> 00:39:02.199 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 00:39:02.199 --> 00:39:09.299 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus because of my coming to you again. 00:39:11.799 --> 00:39:16.899 Paul considers these two alternatives, life and death. 00:39:18.599 --> 00:39:24.419 He desires to depart and be with Christ, better by far, Paul says. 00:39:24.839 --> 00:39:28.039 But he knows that if he stays in the flesh, that will mean fruitful labor. 00:39:28.339 --> 00:39:31.119 Now, I was reading this passage with some uni students earlier this month. 00:39:32.199 --> 00:39:34.879 And I asked them, I want to ask you the same question. 00:39:35.919 --> 00:39:37.599 What do you think about verse 21? 00:39:39.460 --> 00:39:47.319 In particular, do you think that verse 21 is as true for you as it was for Paul? 00:39:49.419 --> 00:39:51.659 Is that a true statement for your life? 00:39:51.839 --> 00:39:57.219 For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 00:39:57.219 --> 00:40:02.519 I asked these uni students that question and they answered in the affirmative. 00:40:02.679 --> 00:40:03.539 They said, yes, it is. 00:40:04.919 --> 00:40:05.559 What do you think? 00:40:06.359 --> 00:40:07.299 Just ponder that for a moment. 00:40:07.519 --> 00:40:09.659 Is verse 21 true of your life? 00:40:09.739 --> 00:40:13.500 Is it a catch cry that you could hang over your life? 00:40:13.500 --> 00:40:19.980 Now, I pushed the uni students I was reading the Bible with. 00:40:20.039 --> 00:40:21.039 I want to push you a bit too. 00:40:22.760 --> 00:40:25.420 Do you really believe it's as true for you as it is for Paul? 00:40:26.440 --> 00:40:30.280 Let me offer three reasons why it might not be as true for you as it is for Paul. 00:40:30.780 --> 00:40:34.119 Reason number one, Paul himself says at the start of verse 21, 00:40:34.119 --> 00:40:38.739 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 00:40:39.099 --> 00:40:42.559 Could it be that Paul's just sharing his own personal opinion here? 00:40:42.639 --> 00:40:43.659 This is how Paul feels. 00:40:44.460 --> 00:40:45.400 It may not apply to us. 00:40:46.559 --> 00:40:50.719 Second reason, Paul says, to me, to live is Christ. 00:40:52.619 --> 00:40:55.900 And that if he went on living, it would mean fruitful labour for him. 00:40:56.179 --> 00:40:57.539 Well, of course it would for Paul. 00:40:58.239 --> 00:40:58.960 Paul was an apostle. 00:40:58.960 --> 00:41:04.019 So, of course, life meant fruitful labour for him. 00:41:04.280 --> 00:41:06.220 He'd been appointed to preach Christ. 00:41:07.380 --> 00:41:09.340 Of course he could say to live is Christ. 00:41:09.699 --> 00:41:13.619 His entire life was about Jesus and making Jesus known. 00:41:15.039 --> 00:41:16.300 Specifically called to that. 00:41:18.440 --> 00:41:19.139 What about you? 00:41:19.240 --> 00:41:20.139 Are you an apostle? 00:41:22.539 --> 00:41:25.119 Sure, Paul's life was all about Christ, but is mine? 00:41:25.240 --> 00:41:25.639 Is yours? 00:41:25.639 --> 00:41:30.779 Third reason it might not apply to us the way it applies to Paul. 00:41:31.219 --> 00:41:34.440 Paul says, to me, to die is gain. 00:41:35.799 --> 00:41:39.539 Because when he died, he would depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 00:41:39.879 --> 00:41:45.379 This is one of four verses, I think, in the New Testament that is talking about the intermediate state between our death and resurrection, 00:41:46.259 --> 00:41:47.759 where we go to be with Christ. 00:41:48.819 --> 00:41:50.019 We can talk about that later if you want to. 00:41:50.019 --> 00:41:54.079 But he anticipates that when he dies, he'll go to be with Christ. 00:41:55.639 --> 00:41:57.839 And, of course, that's far better for Paul. 00:41:58.119 --> 00:41:59.420 I mean, after all, Paul was a prisoner. 00:42:01.059 --> 00:42:01.739 Paul had enemies. 00:42:01.859 --> 00:42:02.379 He had opponents. 00:42:02.480 --> 00:42:04.179 He had rivals who were out to trouble him. 00:42:04.400 --> 00:42:05.099 He'd been beaten. 00:42:05.259 --> 00:42:06.039 He'd been stoned. 00:42:06.139 --> 00:42:07.079 He'd been shipwrecked. 00:42:07.239 --> 00:42:09.759 He'd been hungry, cold, in danger, persecuted. 00:42:10.879 --> 00:42:13.440 Life for Paul was one misery after another. 00:42:14.159 --> 00:42:15.619 One suffering after another. 00:42:15.619 --> 00:42:18.000 But me? 00:42:18.679 --> 00:42:20.319 I have a very pleasant life. 00:42:21.639 --> 00:42:23.319 I live in a comfortable house. 00:42:24.079 --> 00:42:25.500 I have a beautiful wife. 00:42:25.599 --> 00:42:26.960 I have four amazing kids. 00:42:27.659 --> 00:42:33.319 I have a wider family that, for the most part, gets on incredibly well and where people love and respect one another. 00:42:33.320 --> 00:42:37.300 I enjoy good physical health. 00:42:37.460 --> 00:42:38.539 I have leisure time. 00:42:38.680 --> 00:42:40.380 I have hobbies and interests I enjoy. 00:42:40.660 --> 00:42:45.080 I mean, of course, Paul would say to die is gain because his life was horrible. 00:42:46.880 --> 00:42:48.260 But could I say it? 00:42:49.340 --> 00:42:51.920 I mean, are those words equally true of me? 00:42:53.559 --> 00:42:56.820 Wouldn't I rather say to die is loss? 00:42:56.820 --> 00:43:00.280 But what do you think? 00:43:02.580 --> 00:43:08.400 Is verse 21 equally as true for you or equally as true for me as it is for the Apostle Paul? 00:43:08.519 --> 00:43:15.820 Is it true that for you to live is Christ and to die is gain? 00:43:18.559 --> 00:43:21.280 Do you really believe that verse is true for you? 00:43:21.280 --> 00:43:27.400 And if you do, why? 00:43:30.120 --> 00:43:31.240 Why do you believe it? 00:43:37.640 --> 00:43:39.740 Perhaps you remember the words of our Lord. 00:43:42.280 --> 00:43:43.700 Then he said to them all, 00:43:43.699 --> 00:43:54.000 Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 00:43:55.719 --> 00:44:03.299 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 00:44:05.079 --> 00:44:11.480 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 00:44:13.699 --> 00:44:39.699 For me, to live is Christ. 00:44:41.219 --> 00:44:42.539 To die is gain. 00:44:42.539 --> 00:44:49.880 And if that is true for you too, ordinary disciple, 00:44:50.679 --> 00:44:53.320 if it's true for you, 00:44:53.679 --> 00:44:56.960 is that a catch cry you're willing to carry into 2026? 00:44:58.779 --> 00:45:01.440 For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. 00:45:02.659 --> 00:45:05.219 If this is your catch cry for 2026, 00:45:05.460 --> 00:45:09.059 then you'll have the same prayer and ambition as Paul 00:45:09.059 --> 00:45:11.179 and the same hope as Paul. 00:45:12.599 --> 00:45:16.400 See, look, the last couple of verses we'll look at, verse 19 and 20. 00:45:17.199 --> 00:45:17.820 Paul says, 00:45:18.019 --> 00:45:19.039 Yes, and I will rejoice, 00:45:19.199 --> 00:45:23.079 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 00:45:23.380 --> 00:45:25.860 this will turn out for my deliverance, my salvation. 00:45:25.980 --> 00:45:27.519 Now, when we first read verse 19, 00:45:27.739 --> 00:45:28.840 what is the deliverance? 00:45:28.840 --> 00:45:34.260 What is it that Paul expects in answer to the Philippians' prayers? 00:45:34.680 --> 00:45:36.280 We might, our first thought might be, 00:45:36.340 --> 00:45:37.920 he expects to be released from prison. 00:45:37.920 --> 00:45:41.960 But that's not actually what he's talking about. 00:45:43.760 --> 00:45:46.119 I know this will turn out for my deliverance, 00:45:46.619 --> 00:45:47.220 verse 20, 00:45:47.219 --> 00:46:09.719 The deliverance, the salvation that Paul anticipates is that he will not be ashamed, 00:46:09.719 --> 00:46:12.119 but that Christ will be honoured in his body, 00:46:12.899 --> 00:46:15.500 by whatever means, whether by life or by death. 00:46:15.500 --> 00:46:18.639 That's salvation for Paul, 00:46:19.159 --> 00:46:22.039 to be someone who is unashamed of Christ, 00:46:22.579 --> 00:46:24.360 someone in whom Christ is glorified. 00:46:25.800 --> 00:46:28.900 His ambition, his prayer, his expectation, his hope, 00:46:29.199 --> 00:46:33.659 is for the magnification and exaltation of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 00:46:34.000 --> 00:46:35.179 in Paul's body, 00:46:35.699 --> 00:46:38.400 by whatever means the Lord may choose, 00:46:39.780 --> 00:46:41.400 however the Lord may do it. 00:46:41.400 --> 00:46:46.440 And if you're serious that this is your catch cry for 2026, 00:46:46.539 --> 00:46:48.460 to live is Christ and to die is gain, 00:46:48.680 --> 00:46:50.539 then you are saying to the Lord, 00:46:51.639 --> 00:46:52.400 Lord Jesus, 00:46:53.400 --> 00:46:57.380 may you be magnified in my body, 00:46:57.500 --> 00:46:58.320 in my life, 00:46:59.160 --> 00:47:02.000 by whatever means and whatever path you choose. 00:47:02.000 --> 00:47:07.639 may you be magnified in my body, 00:47:07.860 --> 00:47:11.059 whether in health or in sickness, 00:47:12.059 --> 00:47:14.119 whether in life or in death, 00:47:15.460 --> 00:47:17.280 whether in prosperity or in poverty, 00:47:17.639 --> 00:47:19.320 whether in honour or dishonour, 00:47:19.599 --> 00:47:21.280 whether in comfort or in adversity, 00:47:21.639 --> 00:47:23.420 whether in laughter or in sorrow. 00:47:23.420 --> 00:47:26.539 whatever you will, 00:47:27.200 --> 00:47:27.599 Lord, 00:47:27.960 --> 00:47:30.880 I will receive from your hand. 00:47:32.420 --> 00:47:35.280 Only may you be honoured in my body. 00:47:39.720 --> 00:47:42.840 And when the days of my mortal life draw to a close, 00:47:42.980 --> 00:47:44.980 receive me to be with you forever. 00:47:47.119 --> 00:47:49.639 For I know that whether my days are spent 00:47:49.639 --> 00:47:51.180 among the splendour of kings 00:47:51.180 --> 00:47:53.019 or in the dust of the destitute, 00:47:53.420 --> 00:47:54.680 whatever I enjoy, 00:47:54.940 --> 00:47:55.860 whatever I suffer, 00:47:56.159 --> 00:47:58.579 to be with you is better by far. 00:48:07.840 --> 00:48:09.039 So, Heavenly Father, 00:48:09.180 --> 00:48:12.099 engrave these words as the cry of our heart. 00:48:17.980 --> 00:48:22.320 We are partakers together of your grace. 00:48:23.420 --> 00:48:26.579 whatever happens, 00:48:27.900 --> 00:48:29.880 may it really serve to advance the gospel. 00:48:32.940 --> 00:48:33.760 To me, 00:48:34.380 --> 00:48:35.440 to live is Christ 00:48:35.440 --> 00:48:37.599 and to die is gain. 00:48:40.639 --> 00:48:42.539 Engrave these words on our hearts. 00:48:43.820 --> 00:48:46.220 We ask this through Jesus and in his name. 00:48:46.480 --> 00:48:48.099 All glory and praise be to you. 00:48:48.099 --> 00:48:49.219 Amen. 00:48:49.460 --> 00:48:49.460 00:48:49.460 --> 00:48:49.460 00:48:49.460 --> 00:48:50.500 Amen. 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.500 00:48:50.500 --> 00:49:20.480 Thank you.