WEBVTT

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 Well, we continue this morning in Philippians chapter 2.

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 Our sermon text is verses 14 through 18.

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 I'm going to begin our reading in verse 12.

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 So Philippians chapter 2, starting at verse 12.

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 This is God's inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear, authoritative, and trustworthy word.

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 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,

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 work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

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 For it is God who works in you, both to will and to do, for his good pleasure.

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 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless,

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 children of God without fault, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,

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 among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life,

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 so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

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 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith,

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 I am glad and rejoice with you.

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 with me.

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 Thank you.

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 Let's pray.

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 Father, we trust your providence.

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 And that's your sovereign, powerful hand placing your own children in a crooked, broken, dark world.

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 We confess like the psalmist, it's hard, Father.

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 And oftentimes we don't have answers.

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 And we groan and we feel the pain.

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 Your work truly is light.

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 Your burden is easy because you have borne it for us.

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 And you walk with your children as you work out the mind of Christ in us.

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 We pray, Lord, that as you minister this passage through the preaching of your word today, that you will do that, that you will strengthen your people.

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 You'll give hope to your children.

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 And you'll continue to sustain us.

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 For your glory we ask.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 I had the opportunity of visiting Washington, D.C., seeing all the memorials with a Tier 1 Army Ranger.

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 One of our stops was the United States Army Museum.

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 This gentleman said that it's only been in the last five years or so that he's felt ready to start talking about some of the experiences he's had in serving our country in the Army.

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 And for you children, you've heard of the Navy SEALs.

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 That's the elite of the elite in the Navy.

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 Well, that's what the Rangers are in the Army.

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 You have to come in the top of the class with honors during boot camp.

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 You have to try out and be at the top of the class to make it and to become a Ranger.

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 And then from among these elite, I mean, picture the best athletes in the world instead of going into professional sports serving in the Army.

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 And then to be a Tier 1 Ranger, it means you get the toughest missions.

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 You go in without dog tags.

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 You serve.

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 You fulfill the mission that was given to you.

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 If you survive, you come back.

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 If you don't survive, your family won't even know that you died.

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 That's what it means to be a Tier 1 Army Ranger.

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 And as I was watching this dad with his eighth grade daughter, I could just see it from a distance.

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 He wants his mind and all of his experience, all that he's gone through, he wants to pass that on to his daughter in some degree to help her understand all that he's been through, especially at the Army Museum.

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 And he's as tough as they get.

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 This man, he also fought in the MMA for five years professionally.

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 He is as tough as they get.

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 But when it was just he and I walking around, he said, I'm afraid I'm going to choke up a little bit.

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 This man, it meant so much to him.

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 Well, at the end of one of those days, it started to snow a little bit.

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 And so everybody's complaining and grumbling about feeling cold, even though they're from Colorado and have no excuse.

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 The next day, he was laughing about this and smiling.

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 He said, I just looked at my daughter and said, well, see, now you've learned your lesson.

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 Complaining didn't make you any warmer.

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 So, beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, my question for us today from this passage is, God, being your father, is he working out his mind into you?

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 Is God working out the mind of Christ in you, his children?

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 That's what he desires to do and that's what he promises to do.

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 So, we've got six observations as we work through these verses.

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 As I mentioned, our sermon text is starting at verse 14.

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 But to understand our text, we need the context.

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 So, my first question for us is this.

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 What does the mind of Christ include?

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 What does the mind of Christ include?

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 Because verse 14 says, do all things.

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 What all does that include?

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 All things.

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 And to understand what doing the mind of Christ or doing all things means, we need to get these verses leading up to that.

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 So, look in your Bible back at Philippians chapter 2, verse 1.

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 Who is it that acts according to God's good pleasure?

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 Who is it that does all things according to the mind of Christ?

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 It's those who enjoy any consolation in Christ.

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 Any comfort of love.

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 Any fellowship of the Spirit.

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 Any affection and mercy.

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 Look at Philippians 2, verse 12.

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 It's for you who are working out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

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 Verse 13.

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 Knowing all the while that it is God who works in you.

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 Both to will and to do according to his good pleasure.

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 So, now we get to verse 14.

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 To do all things is controlled by the verse right before it.

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 By verse 13.

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 All things that align with God's good pleasure.

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 How do we know what is God's good pleasure?

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 Well, he's given his nature, his attributes, his character, his holiness, and revealed it to his people in the Bible.

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 So, we know the good pleasure of God according to the word of God.

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 But I want to emphasize that to do all things included here are in the mind of Christ.

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 It's action.

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 The Christian life is not passive.

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 And to have a high view of God's sovereign grace.

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 It does not in any way diminish the action, the energy, the power of God in his people.

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 In fact, I think we could make a strong argument that that's the only source to energize it.

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 If you have a high view of God's sovereign grace in saving you and adopting you, which you should, that's biblical.

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 Then you will have a high view of God's power and sovereignty and ongoing continual grace to energize you and propel you and push you forward into action.

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 Do all things.

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 What does the mind of Christ include?

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 We don't want to be trapped by a fear of committing sins so much that we then err on the other side of omitting.

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 Sins of omission.

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 We're not doing all these things that God has commanded.

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 To give you a sampling, and this is how we should read our Bibles.

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 What is God's instruction, his good pleasure for my life in Christ?

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 Take Matthew 28, for example.

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 Make disciples.

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 Baptize them.

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 Teaching them to obey all that I command.

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 Luke 22, 19 says,

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 Do this, this Lord's Supper, breaking the bread, pouring out the cup.

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 Do this in remembrance of me.

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 The Christian life is a life of action.

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 And us together as a church, Mark 16, we're told,

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 Go into all the world.

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 Proclaim the gospel.

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 To the whole creation.

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 Do all these things for the glory of God.

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 And it's both what we are doing, the mission of the church, but it's also the way that we work and serve and act as the family of God right here.

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 When we gather weekly, midweek, one-on-one, throughout the days.

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 This is also how we are to do all those things.

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 It controls our interactions with one another.

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 James 5, 16.

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 James 5, 16.

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 Pray for each other.

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 This is what it includes to work out the mind of Christ.

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 1 Thessalonians 3, 12.

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 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.

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 Hebrews 10, 24.

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 Spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

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 Hebrews 10, 25.

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 Encourage one another.

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 Colossians 3, 16.

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 Admonish one another.

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 1 Thessalonians 5, 11.

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 Build each other up.

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 Finally, make your love increase and overflow for each other.

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 Do all things.

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 Having the mind of Christ includes all of this.

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 Is Christ working out His mind in you?

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 Does this describe the way you treat His people?

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 The way you conduct yourself in this world?

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 That's what the mind of Christ includes.

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 All things.

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 A life of action and obedience.

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 Now what does the mind of Christ exclude?

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 That's what Paul sets up next in this text.

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 Verse 14 says, do all things.

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 And now here comes the exclusion.

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 Without complaining and disputing.

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 What does the mind of Christ exclude?

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 Some translations will say complaining and disputing.

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 Others will say grumbling and bickering.

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 Maybe murmuring and arguing.

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 So let's look at those two words.

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 Grumbling.

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 This was a fun word for me to learn about.

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 It's an onomatopoeia.

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 You know what that is?

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 It's a word that, the word itself sounds like the thing it's describing.

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 So an example is murmuring.

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 That's an onomatopoeia as well.

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 You hear people murmuring.

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 Murmur, murmur, murmur, murmur.

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 It just sounds like a low grumbling among those people.

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 In Hebrew, it's gugasman.

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 Gugasman, gugasman, gugasman, gugasman, gugasman.

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 Murmur, murmur, murmur.

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 It's an onomatopoeia.

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 It means dissatisfied complaining against others.

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 And it's a reference, this phrase together, grumbling and bickering.

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 It's a reference to the Old Testament that's brought up often, as we saw in Sunday school, throughout the Bible.

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 I'll give you a quick sampling would be Numbers 14, 27.

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 Moses hears the grumbling of the people, and he responds properly like a psalmist.

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 So what Moses does is not necessarily grumbling to God.

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 It's prayer.

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 God wants us to pray.

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 Take it to him.

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 And Moses asks God, how long?

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 There's the how long, O Lord, like the Psalms.

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 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against me?

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 I have heard their complaints, says God.

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 And in Exodus 16, 8, listen to this.

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 Yahweh hears your grumblings.

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 And Moses tells the people, your grumblings are not against me or Yahweh's appointed servants.

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 Your grumblings are against Yahweh himself.

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 That's what God taught Moses as he prayed to him.

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 So at the root of grumbling is the doubt.

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 It's a proud doubting of God.

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 It's when Satan, using your own flesh and your own remaining sin,

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 he allows your thoughts to accuse God to you.

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 Now, bickering, it's similar.

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 The root word for bickering is dialogism.

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 So it's where we get the English word for dialogue.

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 So it's not a good type of dialogue where we're working toward truth.

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 It's the opposite.

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 In English, it's sometimes translated reasonings.

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 But in the negative.

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 So it means petty disputes, questioning, and inward doubting of God once again.

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 So these two are related.

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 Grumbling and bickering.

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 Listen to a couple examples of where this same word is used in the New Testament.

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 For bickering or arguing.

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 In Luke 9, 26,

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 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.

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 See, they're dialoguing about which of them is the greatest.

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 They're feeding their flesh and their pride.

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 It's that type of dialoguing that is excluded from the mind of Christ.

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 And it says that Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts,

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 he knew what their hearts were telling them.

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 It was the pride of their flesh puffing them up.

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 And then Romans 21, 121,

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 We read that although they knew God,

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 they did not glorify him as God nor give thanks,

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 but became futile in their minds,

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 and their foolish hearts were darkened.

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 It's the same idea for an inward reasoning

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 that leads to bickering and arguing.

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 Why is it that we bicker and argue?

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 It's because we don't trust God

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 and because we think we want what we think we deserve.

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 So I think I deserve something better

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 than what God in his providence is making me endure.

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 We need to return to the scripture

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 and see what is it that I deserve.

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 If I feel like God is being unjust,

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 what is justice for me?

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 Lamentations 3 says it so clearly.

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 Lamentations 3, 21,

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 It is the Lord's mercies alone

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 that we are not consumed

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 because of the compassions of God

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 that do not fail.

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 See, if God were to treat us

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 the way we really deserve,

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 his wrath would burst out like flames

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 and consume people

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 who don't trust him

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 and who are doubting him

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 and who are accusing God

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 in our own minds and in our own hearts.

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 So the mind of Christ,

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 it excludes this unreasonable arrogance

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 against God.

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 Words against others,

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 disputing,

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 petty questioning of God.

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 These things are a waste of time.

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 They rob the church of energy,

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 of focus,

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 and of power.

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 Why is it unreasonable

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 to grumble against God?

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 It's unreasonable

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 because we're out of touch with reality.

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 We have a low view of God

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 and a high view of ourself.

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 And that's the most unreasonable way to think.

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 So if we're grumbling,

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 it's because we need to be humbled.

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 We need to be reasonable once again

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 with what we deserve.

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 Philippians 4, 5 says,

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 let your reasonableness be known to all.

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 Would you please turn there?

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 Flip your page just one over.

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 Philippians 4,

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 look at verse 5.

00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:20.039
 Let your reasonableness be known to all.

00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:24.880
 Christians ought to be

00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:27.100
 the most reasonable people around.

00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:30.360
 We have a walk with the Lord

00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:31.500
 that requires faith.

00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.600
 It's not by sight,

00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:35.120
 but it's not contrary to reason.

00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:38.000
 It's the only right response

00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:39.619
 to a rational mind.

00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.099
 If you're like me,

00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:42.979
 you're stuck.

00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:44.659
 Okay, I'm very clear that

00:18:44.659 --> 00:18:46.039
 the mind of Christ

00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:47.119
 has to exclude

00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:48.359
 a spirit in my heart

00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:50.099
 of grumbling and arguing

00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:52.279
 and accusing God

00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:54.219
 and thinking I deserve something better.

00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:56.099
 It has to exclude that,

00:18:56.179 --> 00:18:56.639
 but how?

00:18:58.159 --> 00:18:59.379
 Can I just tell those thoughts

00:18:59.379 --> 00:19:00.039
 to go away,

00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:01.279
 or how do I do that?

00:19:02.379 --> 00:19:03.839
 So right after this instruction,

00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:05.019
 Philippians 4, 5,

00:19:05.099 --> 00:19:07.019
 let your reasonableness be known to all.

00:19:07.379 --> 00:19:08.459
 Skip down to verse 8.

00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:09.779
 Look at how we do this.

00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:13.139
 Paul says to this same audience

00:19:13.139 --> 00:19:14.659
 in Philippi,

00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:16.939
 Philippians 4, 8,

00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:18.339
 whatever is true,

00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:20.419
 whatever is honorable,

00:19:21.199 --> 00:19:22.299
 whatever is just,

00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:23.959
 whatever is pure,

00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:25.519
 whatever is lovely,

00:19:26.179 --> 00:19:27.639
 whatever is commendable,

00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:30.000
 if there is any excellence,

00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:32.559
 if there is anything worthy of praise,

00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:35.399
 think about these things.

00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:38.779
 That's how we have the mind of Christ.

00:19:38.899 --> 00:19:40.359
 It's again an action,

00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:42.000
 an active fighting

00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:44.119
 against our own flesh and our pride,

00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.539
 an active reminder

00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:46.819
 of my position

00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:48.419
 before the Holy God Creator,

00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:50.440
 only through Christ.

00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:54.039
 And that's what the mind of Christ excludes.

00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:55.720
 Number three,

00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.500
 what works,

00:19:57.399 --> 00:19:57.819
 I'm sorry,

00:19:57.819 --> 00:20:00.099
 Christ works out His mind in you

00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:01.460
 for several reasons.

00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:02.339
 And the first one is,

00:20:02.419 --> 00:20:03.299
 it's for your own good.

00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:05.919
 So how does this happen

00:20:05.919 --> 00:20:07.159
 and for what purpose?

00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:09.179
 Christ is working out

00:20:09.179 --> 00:20:10.539
 the mind of Christ

00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:12.240
 in you who belong to Him

00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.159
 for your own good.

00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:14.460
 That's the first reason.

00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:15.480
 It's for your own good.

00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.960
 Turn back to Philippians 2.

00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:19.759
 Let's look at verse 15.

00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.339
 Verse 15.

00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:25.399
 Do all things.

00:20:25.679 --> 00:20:26.919
 Work out the mind of Christ.

00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:29.139
 Verse 15.

00:20:29.419 --> 00:20:31.399
 That you may become blameless

00:20:31.399 --> 00:20:32.539
 and harmless,

00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.539
 children of God

00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:36.000
 without fault.

00:20:38.179 --> 00:20:40.179
 When He uses this word blameless,

00:20:40.899 --> 00:20:42.099
 what comes to mind

00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:43.459
 for this congregation

00:20:43.459 --> 00:20:44.899
 is the sacrifice

00:20:44.899 --> 00:20:47.179
 that God has deemed acceptable.

00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:50.420
 blameless

00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:52.140
 and harmless

00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:53.500
 or maybe a better translation

00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.500
 is pure.

00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:58.060
 Now if you look at verse 17,

00:20:58.320 --> 00:20:59.740
 He paints this metaphor

00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:01.019
 even more descriptively.

00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.400
 In verse 17,

00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:06.019
 He says how He is being poured out.

00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:07.900
 But look at verse 17.

00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:09.600
 What is Paul being poured out upon?

00:21:11.140 --> 00:21:12.340
 It's the sacrifice

00:21:12.340 --> 00:21:14.180
 and service

00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:15.759
 of your faith.

00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:18.079
 So the picture is

00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:18.920
 a faith

00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:20.660
 that's more and more

00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:22.240
 acceptable to God.

00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:23.720
 It's thoughts,

00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:25.660
 doctrines,

00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.259
 a faith

00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.759
 that God can see

00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:30.119
 as more and more

00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:30.779
 in alignment

00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:31.839
 with the mind of Christ.

00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:34.039
 More and more blameless

00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:35.140
 of a faith

00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:37.220
 that works itself out

00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:38.099
 in every aspect

00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:39.240
 of our lives.

00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:40.960
 So it's our faith

00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:42.000
 that is the instrument

00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:43.879
 of our sanctification.

00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:44.000
 sanctification.

00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.840
 Sanctification means

00:21:45.840 --> 00:21:46.480
 we're growing

00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:47.980
 in Christ-likeness.

00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:51.600
 In terms of being brought

00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:52.920
 into the family of God,

00:21:53.020 --> 00:21:53.760
 we know that it's

00:21:53.760 --> 00:21:54.660
 Christ alone.

00:21:54.840 --> 00:21:55.360
 He's the only

00:21:55.360 --> 00:21:56.980
 blameless sacrifice.

00:21:57.840 --> 00:21:58.740
 None of us can stand

00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.340
 before God

00:21:59.340 --> 00:22:00.280
 on our own terms

00:22:00.280 --> 00:22:01.280
 and say,

00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.100
 look at my life.

00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:02.940
 I present it to you.

00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:03.580
 It's perfect.

00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:04.360
 Accept me

00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:05.520
 on my own righteousness.

00:22:05.800 --> 00:22:06.560
 None can do that.

00:22:07.080 --> 00:22:08.120
 Christ is the blameless

00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:10.320
 sacrifice of God.

00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:12.639
 But because Christ

00:22:12.639 --> 00:22:13.319
 has accomplished

00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:14.460
 this perfect,

00:22:14.659 --> 00:22:15.519
 blameless sacrifice

00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.559
 that God demands

00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.480
 and God requires

00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.439
 because He's just

00:22:18.439 --> 00:22:19.000
 and holy,

00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.659
 then Christ turns around

00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:21.779
 in the covenant of grace

00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.599
 and He says,

00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:24.039
 receive me by faith

00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:25.220
 and you share

00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.059
 in all the blessings

00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:27.299
 that I've acquired

00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:27.819
 for you.

00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:30.019
 And so through faith,

00:22:30.139 --> 00:22:31.200
 God is making you

00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:32.759
 now more and more

00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.740
 like Christ.

00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:35.779
 Your union to Christ

00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.859
 transforms you.

00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:39.979
 The next word is harmless.

00:22:40.179 --> 00:22:42.059
 So blameless and harmless.

00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:43.719
 Other translations

00:22:43.719 --> 00:22:45.319
 will have pure or innocent.

00:22:46.459 --> 00:22:48.799
 It means that you're unmixed,

00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.099
 pure.

00:22:51.219 --> 00:22:52.339
 Your service to God

00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:54.759
 is not corrupted

00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:56.199
 by your own sins

00:22:56.199 --> 00:22:57.899
 or by your own bad intentions.

00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:01.319
 That word is used

00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:02.359
 in Mark 10, 16

00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:03.519
 where Jesus says,

00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:05.779
 be pure or innocent

00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.719
 as doves.

00:23:07.419 --> 00:23:08.699
 And in Romans 16, 9,

00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.679
 Paul writes to the church,

00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:12.199
 I am rejoicing over you,

00:23:12.959 --> 00:23:16.139
 but I want you to be wise

00:23:16.139 --> 00:23:17.299
 in what is good

00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:18.059
 and innocent

00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.559
 in what is evil.

00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:22.439
 So Christ works out

00:23:22.439 --> 00:23:23.319
 His mind in you

00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.759
 for your own good

00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:26.399
 so that your thoughts

00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:27.199
 can be in a line

00:23:27.199 --> 00:23:27.819
 with Christ.

00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:29.039
 You don't have to

00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:30.279
 be bound by these

00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:31.099
 evil tendencies

00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:31.859
 and these thoughts

00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:32.939
 overwhelming

00:23:32.939 --> 00:23:33.839
 and dominating you

00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:34.339
 any longer.

00:23:34.699 --> 00:23:35.519
 He's ransomed you,

00:23:35.639 --> 00:23:36.759
 rescued you out of darkness.

00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:38.119
 You belong to Him

00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:39.099
 and it's for your good

00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:40.919
 that He's washing your mind.

00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:42.819
 Every believer

00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:44.559
 who stands before God

00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:46.240
 is united to God

00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:47.399
 and is called

00:23:47.399 --> 00:23:48.839
 a child of God

00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:50.099
 without fault.

00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:53.879
 in 2 Corinthians 5, 21,

00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.559
 we read that

00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.740
 for our sake

00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.779
 the Father made Him

00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.539
 to be sin

00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:58.459
 who knew no sin

00:23:58.459 --> 00:23:59.939
 so that in Him

00:23:59.939 --> 00:24:01.259
 we might become

00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:01.980
 the righteousness

00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:03.500
 of God.

00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:05.740
 you stand in Christ

00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:05.759
 you stand in Christ

00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.759
 righteous

00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:08.359
 because Christ

00:24:08.359 --> 00:24:09.140
 became sin

00:24:09.140 --> 00:24:09.660
 for you

00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.460
 and for me.

00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.640
 So now you stand

00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:13.500
 as His child

00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:14.319
 faultless

00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:17.000
 but He's still

00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:18.079
 for your own good

00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:19.140
 sanctifying you

00:24:19.140 --> 00:24:19.680
 working out

00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.279
 His mind

00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.839
 in you

00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:22.539
 as a child

00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:23.180
 of God.

00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:25.359
 A helpful illustration

00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:25.859
 for me

00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:26.519
 of this was

00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:28.160
 a brother and a sister

00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:29.160
 inside their bedroom.

00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.720
 The door is closed

00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.960
 but it's a very thin door

00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:33.220
 and there's

00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:34.140
 one of the parents

00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:35.120
 standing right at the door

00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:35.660
 and you can hear

00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:37.019
 everything that they are saying.

00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.559
 So our standing

00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:40.240
 is as children of God

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:42.220
 and our standing

00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:42.759
 before Him

00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.539
 it should exclude

00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.720
 grumbling and complaining

00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:46.680
 like a parent

00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.339
 doesn't want to hear

00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:47.880
 the children

00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:49.279
 talking bad about

00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.220
 mom or dad

00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.200
 or what they made us do

00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:52.480
 or what they're

00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.740
 not letting us do

00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.259
 this weekend

00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:55.100
 or something like that.

00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:55.579
 The parents

00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:57.279
 they know the good pleasure

00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:58.120
 of their home

00:24:58.120 --> 00:24:59.079
 and their will

00:24:59.079 --> 00:24:59.819
 for their children

00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:01.279
 and so for the children

00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.039
 the right posture

00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:02.519
 is to know

00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.799
 God is right here.

00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:05.339
 He's with His children.

00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.799
 We belong to Him.

00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:07.659
 We're pure

00:25:07.659 --> 00:25:08.759
 and He wants us

00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:10.279
 to have His own mind.

00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:13.980
 Number four

00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:14.899
 Christ works out

00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:15.519
 His mind

00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.399
 in you

00:25:16.399 --> 00:25:18.379
 not only for your good

00:25:18.379 --> 00:25:19.639
 but for the good

00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:20.779
 of unbelievers

00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.539
 as well.

00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:22.779
 It's for the good

00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.799
 of unbelievers

00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:24.480
 of the world

00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.700
 that Christ is working

00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.359
 out His mind

00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:27.000
 in the church.

00:25:28.439 --> 00:25:29.480
 He says in this

00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:29.960
 same verse

00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:31.059
 that you're

00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:32.019
 children of God

00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:33.039
 in the midst

00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.799
 of a crooked

00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.819
 and perverse

00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:35.759
 generation

00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.920
 among whom

00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:37.599
 you shine

00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:38.720
 as lights

00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:39.839
 in the world.

00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:43.700
 The world

00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:44.480
 is described

00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.099
 as crooked.

00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:47.279
 The Greek word

00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:48.200
 is skolios.

00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.940
 Those of you

00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:50.740
 in the medical field

00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.360
 you know

00:25:51.360 --> 00:25:52.240
 that sounds familiar

00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:53.099
 skolios.

00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:55.339
 Skoliosis

00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:56.900
 is a chronic condition

00:25:56.900 --> 00:25:57.819
 where your backbone

00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:59.259
 is different

00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:00.039
 than what God

00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:00.859
 designed.

00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:02.619
 Skoliosis

00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:03.480
 is a disease

00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:04.339
 you can inherit

00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:05.839
 from a crooked

00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.539
 ancestor

00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.179
 we could say.

00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.159
 It's really

00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:10.019
 the perfect word

00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.559
 to describe

00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.279
 our condition.

00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:13.279
 One of the symptoms

00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:14.259
 of having

00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:14.980
 a crooked

00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.939
 backbone

00:26:15.939 --> 00:26:16.879
 is that your head

00:26:16.879 --> 00:26:17.720
 is off-center.

00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.720
 Isn't that a perfect

00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:20.319
 word

00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:21.179
 to describe

00:26:21.179 --> 00:26:21.779
 this world

00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.939
 outside of Christ?

00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:24.200
 your head

00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:24.880
 is off-center

00:26:24.880 --> 00:26:26.299
 your backbone

00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:27.600
 is not what

00:26:27.600 --> 00:26:28.380
 God designed

00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:28.880
 it to be

00:26:28.880 --> 00:26:30.740
 and you inherit

00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.480
 this condition

00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.580
 from Adam's fall.

00:26:33.580 --> 00:26:34.259
 The world's also

00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:34.960
 described as

00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.600
 perverse.

00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:37.380
 Perverse

00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:38.380
 means distorted

00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:40.340
 disposed

00:26:40.340 --> 00:26:41.440
 to be contrary

00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:42.640
 stubborn

00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:44.380
 obstinate

00:26:44.380 --> 00:26:45.000
 in the wrong.

00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:48.100
 Well

00:26:48.100 --> 00:26:49.059
 outside of Christ

00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:50.120
 every generation

00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:51.259
 since Adam

00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:52.439
 is crooked

00:26:52.439 --> 00:26:53.799
 and perverse.

00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.619
 That's the world

00:26:55.619 --> 00:26:56.179
 Jew

00:26:56.179 --> 00:26:56.979
 and Gentile

00:26:56.979 --> 00:26:57.500
 alike.

00:26:58.119 --> 00:26:58.459
 That's why

00:26:58.459 --> 00:26:59.419
 Christ had to come

00:26:59.419 --> 00:27:00.899
 from a virgin

00:27:00.899 --> 00:27:02.719
 not inheriting

00:27:02.719 --> 00:27:03.679
 this fallen state

00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:04.859
 the only

00:27:04.859 --> 00:27:05.719
 righteous

00:27:05.719 --> 00:27:06.500
 man

00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.719
 being truly

00:27:07.719 --> 00:27:08.099
 God.

00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:11.159
 And we're told

00:27:11.159 --> 00:27:11.799
 as Christians

00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:12.619
 now united

00:27:12.619 --> 00:27:13.299
 to Christ

00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:14.699
 in the midst

00:27:14.699 --> 00:27:15.859
 of this crooked

00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:16.919
 and perverse

00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:17.579
 generation

00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:18.879
 we will shine.

00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:20.500
 so we don't

00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.140
 get taken

00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.520
 out

00:27:21.520 --> 00:27:22.200
 of this

00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:22.680
 generation.

00:27:23.140 --> 00:27:23.640
 We're not

00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:24.160
 removed

00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.580
 from the

00:27:24.580 --> 00:27:25.180
 dark world

00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:25.880
 we're in

00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.340
 the midst

00:27:26.340 --> 00:27:26.740
 of it.

00:27:27.860 --> 00:27:28.460
 Just as

00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:28.820
 the Lord

00:27:28.820 --> 00:27:29.440
 prepares a

00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:29.760
 table

00:27:29.760 --> 00:27:30.820
 before me

00:27:30.820 --> 00:27:31.560
 in the

00:27:31.560 --> 00:27:32.020
 presence

00:27:32.020 --> 00:27:32.900
 of mine

00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:33.320
 enemies.

00:27:34.040 --> 00:27:34.240
 Psalm

00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:34.780
 23.

00:27:36.540 --> 00:27:36.840
 Psalm

00:27:36.840 --> 00:27:37.280
 57

00:27:37.280 --> 00:27:38.080
 4 is the

00:27:38.080 --> 00:27:38.300
 prayer

00:27:38.300 --> 00:27:38.920
 my soul

00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.300
 is in

00:27:39.300 --> 00:27:39.800
 the midst

00:27:39.800 --> 00:27:40.700
 of lions.

00:27:41.620 --> 00:27:41.940
 I lie

00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:42.240
 down

00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:42.480
 amid

00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:42.900
 fiery

00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:43.300
 beasts

00:27:43.300 --> 00:27:43.900
 the children

00:27:43.900 --> 00:27:44.380
 of man

00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:44.980
 whose teeth

00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.820
 are spears

00:27:45.820 --> 00:27:46.520
 and arrows

00:27:46.520 --> 00:27:47.580
 whose tongues

00:27:47.580 --> 00:27:48.200
 are sharp

00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:49.120
 swords.

00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.120
 And there's

00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:51.460
 the Lord

00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:52.279
 Jesus Christ

00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:52.980
 with his

00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:53.340
 church

00:27:53.340 --> 00:27:54.259
 in the midst

00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:55.120
 of those

00:27:55.120 --> 00:27:55.500
 enemies

00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.319
 those lions

00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:57.200
 and those

00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:57.660
 fiery

00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:58.519
 beasts

00:27:58.519 --> 00:28:00.620
 commanding

00:28:00.620 --> 00:28:01.000
 us as

00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.480
 his church

00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:01.860
 in Matthew

00:28:01.860 --> 00:28:02.680
 5 44

00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.920
 love

00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:05.100
 your enemies

00:28:05.100 --> 00:28:06.160
 pray for

00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:06.519
 those who

00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.279
 persecute you

00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:07.620
 so that

00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:07.920
 you may

00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:08.620
 be sons

00:28:08.620 --> 00:28:09.340
 of your

00:28:09.340 --> 00:28:09.779
 father

00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:10.720
 who is

00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.660
 in heaven.

00:28:14.100 --> 00:28:14.819
 So what

00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:15.259
 this means

00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:15.740
 is that as

00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.160
 the church

00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:16.640
 is left

00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:16.920
 in the

00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:17.240
 world

00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:18.500
 the world

00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:18.980
 will hate

00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.579
 the church

00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.079
 because it

00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:20.319
 hated

00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:20.680
 Christ

00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.140
 first.

00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.259
 We're in

00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:22.880
 a spiritual

00:28:22.880 --> 00:28:23.519
 warfare.

00:28:24.620 --> 00:28:25.120
 We are

00:28:25.120 --> 00:28:25.640
 treated as

00:28:25.640 --> 00:28:25.980
 ones who

00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:26.559
 don't belong

00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:27.059
 here because

00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:27.579
 we don't.

00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.299
 And God

00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:29.799
 uses that

00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.779
 very persecution

00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:32.480
 to shine

00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.380
 reflect the

00:28:33.380 --> 00:28:34.339
 glory of

00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:34.779
 his holy

00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:35.420
 nature and

00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:35.700
 of his

00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.660
 son the

00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:37.180
 kingdom of

00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:38.200
 heaven off

00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:38.480
 of the

00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.000
 people of

00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.859
 God who

00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:40.299
 he's left

00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:40.620
 in this

00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:40.940
 world.

00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:44.259
 And that's

00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:44.559
 how this

00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:45.259
 thought closes

00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.640
 is that

00:28:45.640 --> 00:28:46.379
 you're in

00:28:46.379 --> 00:28:46.879
 the world

00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.299
 that's

00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:47.839
 dark but

00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:48.980
 you among

00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.819
 them shine

00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:50.920
 as light.

00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:54.019
 This reference

00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.619
 to a

00:28:54.619 --> 00:28:55.359
 shining light

00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:55.700
 in the

00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.039
 darkness

00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:57.519
 it's a

00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.039
 messianic

00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:58.500
 prophecy

00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:58.900
 it's how

00:28:58.900 --> 00:28:59.519
 Christ's

00:28:59.519 --> 00:28:59.879
 work will

00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:00.559
 be described.

00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.500
 We get this

00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:02.819
 in many

00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:03.420
 places to

00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:03.819
 give you a

00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:04.099
 sampling.

00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:04.460
 We have

00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.539
 Isaiah 42

00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:06.720
 6 where

00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.180
 the father

00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:08.700
 promises of

00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:09.500
 the son I

00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:09.980
 will give

00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:11.059
 you as a

00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:11.759
 covenant for

00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.799
 the people a

00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:14.019
 light for the

00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.619
 nations like

00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:14.940
 we read

00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:15.279
 today.

00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.119
 That's also

00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:18.119
 opened up a

00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:18.579
 bit more in

00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:19.480
 Isaiah 49.

00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:20.440
 So when our

00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:20.960
 Lord Jesus

00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:21.740
 comes to

00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:22.460
 accomplish the

00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:22.900
 mission the

00:29:22.900 --> 00:29:23.460
 father gave

00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:24.180
 him he declares

00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:25.039
 in John 8

00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:26.579
 12 I am

00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.299
 the light of

00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:27.799
 the world

00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:29.000
 whoever follows

00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.859
 me will not

00:29:29.859 --> 00:29:30.819
 walk in

00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.879
 darkness but

00:29:31.879 --> 00:29:33.039
 will have the

00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:33.980
 light of

00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.440
 life.

00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.400
 And then we're

00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:36.960
 told as the

00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.400
 church in

00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:38.359
 1 Thessalonians

00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:39.480
 5 4 and 5

00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:41.000
 you are not in

00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:42.220
 darkness we are

00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:42.900
 not of the

00:29:42.900 --> 00:29:43.220
 light.

00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:44.339
 Brothers you

00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.180
 are all

00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:46.299
 children of

00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:46.940
 light and

00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:48.000
 children of

00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.440
 the day.

00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:51.519
 Jesus commands

00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.980
 all who have

00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.640
 eyes to see

00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:54.400
 him he says in

00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:55.400
 John 12 36

00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:56.299
 believe in the

00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:57.360
 light so that

00:29:57.360 --> 00:29:58.200
 you may become

00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:59.500
 sons of

00:29:59.500 --> 00:29:59.860
 light.

00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:01.059
 It's through

00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:01.880
 faith in Christ

00:30:01.880 --> 00:30:02.259
 that you are

00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:03.059
 adopted as a

00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:04.339
 son of God and

00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:04.960
 you become a

00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:05.779
 light reflecting

00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.500
 his glory.

00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:08.200
 Matthew 5 14

00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:09.400
 Jesus says you

00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:10.900
 are the light

00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:12.000
 of the world

00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:12.980
 speaking to his

00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.519
 people who

00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.519
 follow him.

00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:16.099
 Let your

00:30:16.099 --> 00:30:16.799
 light shine

00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:17.480
 before others

00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.019
 so that they

00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:19.279
 may see your

00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:20.960
 good works and

00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:22.700
 give glory to

00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:23.740
 God your

00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:25.140
 father who is in

00:30:25.140 --> 00:30:25.400
 heaven.

00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:28.200
 See if man

00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:28.880
 lives in a way

00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:29.440
 that's different

00:30:29.440 --> 00:30:30.039
 than the world

00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:31.180
 and brings glory

00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:32.039
 back to man

00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:33.799
 mission failed.

00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:36.299
 if man lives in

00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:37.000
 such a way that's

00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.579
 different than the

00:30:37.579 --> 00:30:38.480
 world and it

00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:39.259
 brings glory to

00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.099
 God the father

00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:41.259
 Christ's mission

00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:42.339
 is accomplished.

00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:43.960
 The church is the

00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.559
 means God

00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:45.339
 intended and God

00:30:45.339 --> 00:30:46.619
 uses to draw

00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:47.319
 those who are

00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:48.000
 lost and in

00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.839
 darkness to

00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:49.259
 himself.

00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:51.019
 So we don't

00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:51.480
 want to be a

00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.180
 church of do

00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:53.740
 gooders that are

00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.579
 bringing glory back

00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.639
 to the church or

00:30:55.639 --> 00:30:56.460
 back to ourselves.

00:30:57.139 --> 00:30:58.000
 That's robbing

00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:59.000
 God of the

00:30:59.000 --> 00:31:00.220
 mission for which

00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:00.899
 Christ came.

00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:02.940
 But instead we

00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.880
 follow Christ.

00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:05.320
 We accept

00:31:05.320 --> 00:31:06.000
 persecution.

00:31:06.820 --> 00:31:08.340
 We endure the

00:31:08.340 --> 00:31:08.740
 suffering.

00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.440
 And we do it

00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.780
 with joy instead

00:31:11.780 --> 00:31:12.400
 of grumbling.

00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:13.440
 And the world

00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:14.680
 says I got nothing

00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:15.420
 to make of that.

00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:16.840
 There's no answer

00:31:16.840 --> 00:31:17.540
 for that kind of

00:31:17.540 --> 00:31:17.759
 living.

00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:19.100
 And it gives glory

00:31:19.100 --> 00:31:20.380
 to God the

00:31:20.380 --> 00:31:20.700
 father.

00:31:21.540 --> 00:31:22.120
 So that's how

00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:23.040
 Christ working out

00:31:23.040 --> 00:31:24.040
 his mind in you is

00:31:24.040 --> 00:31:25.620
 also for the good

00:31:25.620 --> 00:31:27.400
 of unbelievers to

00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:28.280
 draw them to God.

00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.000
 And the third

00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:30.880
 reason is that

00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:32.060
 Christ works out

00:31:32.060 --> 00:31:33.120
 his mind in you

00:31:33.120 --> 00:31:34.440
 is for the good

00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:35.120
 of the church.

00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:37.340
 It's for your

00:31:37.340 --> 00:31:38.140
 good, for the

00:31:38.140 --> 00:31:38.900
 good of unbelievers

00:31:38.900 --> 00:31:39.860
 and for the good

00:31:39.860 --> 00:31:40.820
 of the church.

00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:43.040
 Look at verse 16.

00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:43.720
 Paul writes,

00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:45.640
 holding fast the

00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:46.440
 word of life so

00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:47.440
 that I may rejoice

00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.560
 in the day of

00:31:48.560 --> 00:31:48.940
 Christ.

00:31:50.560 --> 00:31:51.440
 Paul's asking

00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:52.300
 them to obey

00:31:52.300 --> 00:31:53.960
 God so that he

00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.920
 may rejoice on

00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:55.360
 the day of

00:31:55.360 --> 00:31:55.740
 Christ.

00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:58.300
 Paul, as an

00:31:58.300 --> 00:31:59.340
 apostle who God

00:31:59.340 --> 00:32:00.200
 is sending out to

00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:00.980
 call together

00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:01.740
 churches and

00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:03.200
 guide them in

00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:03.900
 appointing elders

00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:04.700
 and deacons and

00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.640
 setting themselves up

00:32:05.640 --> 00:32:06.279
 under the ministry

00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:06.819
 of the word.

00:32:07.299 --> 00:32:08.319
 He says, when Christ

00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:10.220
 and I are face to

00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:11.039
 face, I want to be

00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:12.480
 able to rejoice at

00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:13.200
 the work that he's

00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:13.940
 doing through you,

00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:14.740
 that your obedience

00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:15.779
 is being worked out.

00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:17.400
 It's for the good of

00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:18.840
 the church that we

00:32:18.840 --> 00:32:19.519
 need to have the mind

00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:21.019
 of Christ and grow in

00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.580
 this together.

00:32:22.580 --> 00:32:23.539
 When he says, hold

00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:25.080
 fast the word of

00:32:25.080 --> 00:32:27.240
 life, that means this

00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:28.299
 word of life, this

00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:29.379
 gospel, this truth

00:32:29.379 --> 00:32:30.000
 that God has

00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:31.299
 revealed of Jesus

00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:31.859
 Christ.

00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:33.359
 Possess it.

00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.799
 Grip that for your

00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.339
 assurance.

00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:39.919
 It also means hold

00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:41.079
 it fast and hold it

00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:41.579
 forth.

00:32:42.180 --> 00:32:42.919
 Hold it out to

00:32:42.919 --> 00:32:43.279
 others.

00:32:45.399 --> 00:32:46.079
 In Homer's

00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:47.019
 Odyssey, I'm told

00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:48.259
 that the word, the

00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:49.700
 same word, was used

00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:51.039
 to hold forth wine

00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:52.079
 as a gift.

00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:55.460
 Propose to the

00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:55.759
 world.

00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:57.359
 Offer it up, this

00:32:57.359 --> 00:32:58.099
 word of life.

00:32:59.359 --> 00:33:00.259
 Put it out for

00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:01.039
 other people to

00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:02.279
 hear and accept.

00:33:04.679 --> 00:33:05.879
 And do this with

00:33:05.879 --> 00:33:07.199
 your eyes of faith

00:33:07.199 --> 00:33:08.539
 set on the day of

00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.000
 Christ.

00:33:10.079 --> 00:33:11.319
 The day of Christ.

00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:13.199
 We've seen in going

00:33:13.199 --> 00:33:13.939
 through Philippians,

00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:14.659
 the day of the

00:33:14.659 --> 00:33:16.159
 Lord is a reference

00:33:16.159 --> 00:33:17.019
 to his second

00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:17.399
 coming.

00:33:17.899 --> 00:33:18.979
 The glorious return

00:33:18.979 --> 00:33:19.719
 of King Jesus.

00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:21.559
 So there's the day

00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:22.339
 of the Lord with

00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:22.959
 that emphasis.

00:33:23.199 --> 00:33:23.679
 And then the day

00:33:23.679 --> 00:33:25.759
 of Christ, I think

00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:27.379
 it's a good insight

00:33:27.379 --> 00:33:28.279
 from many who have

00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:29.599
 studied this question.

00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:31.079
 It's often used less

00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:31.779
 about the second

00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:33.279
 coming of Christ and

00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:34.259
 rather about the day

00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:35.140
 when a soul will

00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:36.599
 encounter Christ, which

00:33:36.599 --> 00:33:37.220
 means you die.

00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:40.019
 So at Paul's death,

00:33:40.079 --> 00:33:40.819
 that's the day of

00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:41.599
 Christ for Paul.

00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:42.980
 That's when his body

00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:43.920
 is left behind and he

00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:45.319
 is with the Lord in

00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:46.279
 glory in his soul.

00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:47.960
 Although the Lord, the

00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:48.819
 day of the Lord is yet

00:33:48.819 --> 00:33:49.319
 to come.

00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:51.359
 So the day of Christ,

00:33:51.359 --> 00:33:53.799
 Paul has that day

00:33:53.799 --> 00:33:54.699
 of Christ, the day

00:33:54.699 --> 00:33:56.359
 when Paul will come

00:33:56.359 --> 00:33:57.359
 before the Lord and

00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:58.799
 give account for all

00:33:58.799 --> 00:33:59.659
 that God's entrusted

00:33:59.659 --> 00:34:00.159
 to him.

00:34:01.419 --> 00:34:02.359
 And he doesn't want

00:34:02.359 --> 00:34:03.299
 to be a worker who's

00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:03.819
 ashamed.

00:34:04.619 --> 00:34:05.619
 He wants to be a

00:34:05.619 --> 00:34:06.740
 worker who has labored

00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:08.500
 and who is presenting

00:34:08.500 --> 00:34:09.699
 back to Christ these

00:34:09.699 --> 00:34:10.980
 souls that the Lord

00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:11.920
 drew to himself

00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:13.000
 through Paul's

00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:14.099
 ministry using a

00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:14.900
 saved sinner like

00:34:14.900 --> 00:34:15.319
 himself.

00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:18.859
 This is a strong

00:34:18.859 --> 00:34:19.299
 teaching.

00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:22.400
 Paul was concerned

00:34:22.400 --> 00:34:24.720
 that the quality of

00:34:24.720 --> 00:34:26.240
 his life in ministry

00:34:26.240 --> 00:34:28.440
 would be evaluated by

00:34:28.440 --> 00:34:29.240
 Christ himself.

00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:32.940
 Paul's not questioning

00:34:32.940 --> 00:34:33.680
 his salvation.

00:34:34.019 --> 00:34:34.980
 He's holding fast the

00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:35.519
 word of life.

00:34:35.900 --> 00:34:36.960
 But he has his eyes

00:34:36.960 --> 00:34:38.019
 set on the day of

00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:39.500
 Christ, the day when

00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:40.360
 he will give account

00:34:40.360 --> 00:34:41.980
 for what he was told

00:34:41.980 --> 00:34:42.940
 to do by the Lord

00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.480
 himself.

00:34:47.940 --> 00:34:49.440
 Hebrews 13 tells

00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:51.220
 elders to shepherd the

00:34:51.219 --> 00:34:52.819
 flock among you as

00:34:52.819 --> 00:34:54.019
 ones who will give

00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:55.799
 account to the Lord

00:34:55.799 --> 00:34:56.339
 himself.

00:34:58.019 --> 00:34:59.480
 Jesus said not many

00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:01.019
 should become teachers

00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:03.099
 and be very careful

00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:04.419
 if you cause one of

00:35:04.419 --> 00:35:05.339
 these little ones to

00:35:05.339 --> 00:35:05.759
 stumble.

00:35:05.899 --> 00:35:06.459
 It would be better that

00:35:06.459 --> 00:35:07.459
 a millstone be tied

00:35:07.459 --> 00:35:08.839
 around you and drag you

00:35:08.839 --> 00:35:09.719
 to the depths of the

00:35:09.719 --> 00:35:10.039
 ocean.

00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:14.319
 Because each one has a

00:35:14.319 --> 00:35:15.339
 day of Christ.

00:35:16.219 --> 00:35:17.439
 And we want this day to

00:35:17.439 --> 00:35:19.000
 be a day of rejoicing.

00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:20.679
 Not something that

00:35:20.679 --> 00:35:22.019
 anyone should take

00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:22.420
 lightly.

00:35:22.880 --> 00:35:24.400
 But that we should find

00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:25.440
 the energy and

00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:26.719
 anticipation and fear

00:35:26.719 --> 00:35:27.559
 and trembling of that

00:35:27.559 --> 00:35:28.639
 great day of the Lord.

00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:30.800
 And it stirs up in us

00:35:30.800 --> 00:35:32.539
 not an anxiety, but

00:35:32.539 --> 00:35:33.619
 instead it's a joy.

00:35:34.380 --> 00:35:35.860
 Rejoicing that that day

00:35:35.860 --> 00:35:36.320
 is coming.

00:35:38.079 --> 00:35:39.539
 He says in verse 16,

00:35:40.179 --> 00:35:41.760
 that I have not run in

00:35:41.760 --> 00:35:44.000
 vain or labored in

00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:44.260
 vain.

00:35:45.260 --> 00:35:46.260
 He's pressing home in

00:35:46.260 --> 00:35:47.320
 the strongest language

00:35:47.320 --> 00:35:47.900
 possible.

00:35:48.460 --> 00:35:49.600
 Not that it depends on

00:35:49.600 --> 00:35:49.800
 him.

00:35:49.860 --> 00:35:50.540
 He's made that very

00:35:50.540 --> 00:35:50.840
 clear.

00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:53.400
 It's God who works in

00:35:53.400 --> 00:35:54.320
 you to will and to do

00:35:54.320 --> 00:35:55.280
 for his good pleasure.

00:35:55.840 --> 00:35:56.880
 He's not stealing glory

00:35:56.880 --> 00:35:57.680
 away from God.

00:35:58.340 --> 00:35:59.200
 But he's saying I want

00:35:59.200 --> 00:36:00.000
 to be able to stand

00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:01.580
 before Christ with the

00:36:01.580 --> 00:36:02.960
 energy he did give me

00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:05.020
 to go and do and the

00:36:05.020 --> 00:36:06.120
 will he gave me to go

00:36:06.120 --> 00:36:07.320
 and do and to work out

00:36:07.320 --> 00:36:08.260
 the mind of Christ in

00:36:08.260 --> 00:36:08.560
 me.

00:36:09.280 --> 00:36:10.760
 Knowing that I was not

00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:11.860
 irresponsible with my

00:36:11.860 --> 00:36:12.160
 part.

00:36:12.159 --> 00:36:14.159
 that it truly had the

00:36:14.159 --> 00:36:15.519
 intended effect on you

00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:16.679
 that God wanted.

00:36:18.199 --> 00:36:19.219
 And only God can

00:36:19.219 --> 00:36:20.779
 produce that, but he'll

00:36:20.779 --> 00:36:21.759
 do it to the extent that

00:36:21.759 --> 00:36:22.779
 I'm being faithful and

00:36:22.779 --> 00:36:24.119
 submissive to what he's

00:36:24.119 --> 00:36:24.699
 called me to.

00:36:25.699 --> 00:36:27.639
 That I have not run in

00:36:27.639 --> 00:36:29.799
 vain or labored in

00:36:29.799 --> 00:36:30.079
 vain.

00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:33.179
 What would it be like to

00:36:33.179 --> 00:36:34.219
 run in vain?

00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:37.699
 Well, this audience at

00:36:37.699 --> 00:36:39.119
 Philippi, they're Greek

00:36:39.119 --> 00:36:40.679
 trained and they know the

00:36:40.679 --> 00:36:41.779
 great tales and the great

00:36:41.780 --> 00:36:43.380
 myths of the ancient

00:36:43.380 --> 00:36:44.340
 Greek civilization.

00:36:45.640 --> 00:36:46.180
 And they would have,

00:36:46.400 --> 00:36:47.040
 many of them at least

00:36:47.040 --> 00:36:48.440
 been familiar with what

00:36:48.440 --> 00:36:50.519
 Herodotus, the Greek

00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:53.560
 historian wrote about the

00:36:53.560 --> 00:36:54.880
 Greco-Persian wars of

00:36:54.880 --> 00:36:57.700
 490 B.C.

00:36:58.900 --> 00:37:00.000
 Especially the famous

00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:00.900
 account of a runner.

00:37:03.220 --> 00:37:04.200
 His name was

00:37:04.200 --> 00:37:05.820
 Pheidippides.

00:37:06.620 --> 00:37:07.860
 And he was a messenger who

00:37:07.860 --> 00:37:09.920
 had to run from Athens to

00:37:09.920 --> 00:37:11.519
 Sparta and asked for help

00:37:11.519 --> 00:37:12.680
 because the great Persian

00:37:12.680 --> 00:37:13.720
 empire was invading.

00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:15.220
 And the Greeks were

00:37:15.220 --> 00:37:16.280
 vastly outnumbered.

00:37:16.480 --> 00:37:17.760
 And who could come and

00:37:17.760 --> 00:37:18.280
 help us?

00:37:18.920 --> 00:37:20.440
 So a runner runs all the

00:37:20.440 --> 00:37:22.500
 way, gets there exhausted,

00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:23.860
 and calls for help.

00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:25.559
 Now he would have run in

00:37:25.559 --> 00:37:27.300
 vain if this stronger army

00:37:27.300 --> 00:37:28.240
 couldn't have come to the

00:37:28.240 --> 00:37:29.500
 help of their friends.

00:37:29.860 --> 00:37:31.059
 He would have run in vain if

00:37:31.059 --> 00:37:32.019
 they heard this message.

00:37:32.500 --> 00:37:34.019
 There's a day of death and

00:37:34.019 --> 00:37:34.880
 destruction coming.

00:37:35.280 --> 00:37:36.619
 We need reinforcements.

00:37:36.619 --> 00:37:37.380
 We need action.

00:37:38.099 --> 00:37:39.859
 And no one takes up the

00:37:39.859 --> 00:37:40.099
 spear.

00:37:40.179 --> 00:37:41.339
 No one puts on the sandals

00:37:41.339 --> 00:37:41.880
 to march.

00:37:42.759 --> 00:37:44.000
 They stay passive behind.

00:37:44.659 --> 00:37:45.719
 He would have run in vain.

00:37:46.539 --> 00:37:47.699
 And Paul says, I know I'm

00:37:47.699 --> 00:37:48.659
 giving you this message.

00:37:49.039 --> 00:37:50.299
 The day of Christ is coming

00:37:50.299 --> 00:37:51.039
 for me soon.

00:37:51.739 --> 00:37:52.480
 Stand up.

00:37:52.859 --> 00:37:53.420
 Work it out.

00:37:53.799 --> 00:37:55.059
 Do all these things in a

00:37:55.059 --> 00:37:56.119
 way that pleases God.

00:38:00.179 --> 00:38:02.059
 Ephesians 5, 8, and 10

00:38:02.059 --> 00:38:04.420
 says, walk as children of

00:38:04.420 --> 00:38:04.800
 light.

00:38:05.639 --> 00:38:06.780
 The fruit of light is

00:38:06.780 --> 00:38:09.000
 found in all that is good

00:38:09.000 --> 00:38:10.900
 and right and true.

00:38:11.680 --> 00:38:13.559
 And try to discern what is

00:38:13.559 --> 00:38:15.000
 pleasing to God.

00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:17.159
 Work it out together.

00:38:18.280 --> 00:38:19.559
 Discern together as a

00:38:19.559 --> 00:38:20.579
 congregation what is

00:38:20.579 --> 00:38:22.079
 pleasing to God.

00:38:22.480 --> 00:38:24.139
 Walk together as a church,

00:38:24.700 --> 00:38:25.980
 as light in the world.

00:38:26.740 --> 00:38:27.480
 But it's hard.

00:38:27.900 --> 00:38:28.820
 What about this situation

00:38:28.820 --> 00:38:29.240
 and that one?

00:38:29.539 --> 00:38:30.680
 Work it out together.

00:38:31.480 --> 00:38:32.440
 Bring those questions to

00:38:32.440 --> 00:38:32.980
 one another.

00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:34.519
 Father, don't let my

00:38:34.519 --> 00:38:35.559
 running be in vain.

00:38:36.760 --> 00:38:38.000
 The day of Christ is

00:38:38.000 --> 00:38:39.219
 coming for you, church.

00:38:39.579 --> 00:38:40.599
 For you, congregation.

00:38:41.800 --> 00:38:42.460
 Wake up.

00:38:42.539 --> 00:38:43.219
 Don't fall asleep.

00:38:43.340 --> 00:38:45.400
 We need to work out what

00:38:45.400 --> 00:38:46.059
 Christ has already

00:38:46.059 --> 00:38:47.119
 accomplished for us.

00:38:47.380 --> 00:38:48.159
 There's a sense of

00:38:48.159 --> 00:38:49.679
 urgency to the Christian

00:38:49.679 --> 00:38:50.139
 life.

00:38:50.619 --> 00:38:52.019
 It's for the good of the

00:38:52.019 --> 00:38:53.320
 church that he's putting

00:38:53.320 --> 00:38:54.940
 the mind of Christ in each

00:38:54.940 --> 00:38:56.199
 one of his believers.

00:38:56.380 --> 00:38:57.199
 And when one of us is

00:38:57.199 --> 00:38:58.780
 down and weak, the other

00:38:58.780 --> 00:39:00.280
 one is there to build up

00:39:00.280 --> 00:39:01.639
 and encourage and give

00:39:01.639 --> 00:39:02.000
 strength.

00:39:02.000 --> 00:39:03.519
 When one is erring, going

00:39:03.519 --> 00:39:04.940
 the wrong path, the other

00:39:04.940 --> 00:39:06.420
 one is there to bring them

00:39:06.420 --> 00:39:07.559
 back to the truth, back to

00:39:07.559 --> 00:39:09.380
 the word of God and follow

00:39:09.380 --> 00:39:10.119
 Christ together.

00:39:11.880 --> 00:39:13.199
 Christ works out his mind

00:39:13.199 --> 00:39:14.940
 in you for the good of the

00:39:14.940 --> 00:39:15.260
 church.

00:39:16.960 --> 00:39:18.599
 Well, the last verse is a

00:39:18.599 --> 00:39:20.219
 personal statement Paul makes

00:39:20.219 --> 00:39:21.659
 in verses 17 and 18.

00:39:21.659 --> 00:39:24.980
 And I think it's for me a

00:39:24.980 --> 00:39:27.440
 perfect way to pull this

00:39:27.440 --> 00:39:30.639
 thought together because I'm

00:39:30.639 --> 00:39:31.559
 left at the end of this

00:39:31.559 --> 00:39:32.980
 seeing the example of Christ

00:39:32.980 --> 00:39:34.179
 in Philippians 2.

00:39:34.699 --> 00:39:36.739
 God the Son who humbled

00:39:36.739 --> 00:39:37.219
 himself.

00:39:38.259 --> 00:39:39.440
 And we're told to have the

00:39:39.440 --> 00:39:41.199
 mind of Christ and look at

00:39:41.199 --> 00:39:41.639
 Christ.

00:39:42.139 --> 00:39:42.379
 Amen.

00:39:43.960 --> 00:39:44.960
 But I'm left with the

00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:46.779
 question, is it even possible

00:39:46.780 --> 00:39:49.040
 for a saved sinner like me to

00:39:49.040 --> 00:39:51.380
 live out the mind of Christ?

00:39:52.019 --> 00:39:53.140
 Is this even possible?

00:39:54.160 --> 00:39:55.380
 So Paul gives us three

00:39:55.380 --> 00:39:55.900
 examples.

00:39:56.060 --> 00:39:57.200
 We'll only see one for today.

00:39:57.980 --> 00:39:59.200
 We'll see the next two next

00:39:59.200 --> 00:39:59.960
 week, Lord willing.

00:40:00.540 --> 00:40:02.000
 The example he gives for today

00:40:02.000 --> 00:40:03.380
 is not Christ himself.

00:40:03.800 --> 00:40:04.660
 It's an apostle.

00:40:05.140 --> 00:40:06.880
 And it's Paul, his own life.

00:40:06.880 --> 00:40:09.900
 But whereas we saw in

00:40:09.900 --> 00:40:11.900
 Philippians 2, seven verses

00:40:11.900 --> 00:40:14.160
 about Jesus Christ and have

00:40:14.160 --> 00:40:16.640
 the mind of Christ, here we

00:40:16.640 --> 00:40:18.160
 only get one verse about

00:40:18.160 --> 00:40:18.500
 Paul.

00:40:18.860 --> 00:40:19.680
 Another example.

00:40:21.039 --> 00:40:22.820
 Verse 17, if I am being

00:40:22.820 --> 00:40:24.500
 poured out as a drink

00:40:24.500 --> 00:40:26.460
 offering and the sacrifices

00:40:26.460 --> 00:40:29.780
 and service of your faith, I

00:40:29.780 --> 00:40:31.780
 am glad and rejoice with you

00:40:31.780 --> 00:40:32.000
 all.

00:40:32.860 --> 00:40:33.700
 One sentence.

00:40:33.699 --> 00:40:37.339
 He's using a reference to

00:40:37.339 --> 00:40:40.139
 being poured out as a drink

00:40:40.139 --> 00:40:42.579
 offering on a sacrifice.

00:40:43.219 --> 00:40:44.779
 The name for this is a

00:40:44.779 --> 00:40:45.439
 libation.

00:40:46.019 --> 00:40:46.839
 A libation.

00:40:48.019 --> 00:40:49.519
 It could be done with oil or

00:40:49.519 --> 00:40:51.500
 wine that was poured over a

00:40:51.500 --> 00:40:52.939
 burning sacrifice in both

00:40:52.939 --> 00:40:54.619
 Jewish and Greek worship.

00:40:55.539 --> 00:40:57.460
 The purpose of a libation was

00:40:57.460 --> 00:41:00.739
 to compliment and complete the

00:41:00.739 --> 00:41:02.859
 sacrifice and the ceremony.

00:41:03.699 --> 00:41:07.759
 So Paul says, your faith is the

00:41:07.759 --> 00:41:09.899
 object that's being offered up

00:41:09.899 --> 00:41:10.279
 to God.

00:41:10.399 --> 00:41:12.119
 It's your faith and service as a

00:41:12.119 --> 00:41:12.439
 church.

00:41:12.899 --> 00:41:14.619
 I'm just here to compliment and

00:41:14.619 --> 00:41:15.159
 complete it.

00:41:16.199 --> 00:41:17.279
 That's what he's saying.

00:41:18.519 --> 00:41:20.059
 We have an example of a

00:41:20.059 --> 00:41:21.839
 libation in the Old Testament.

00:41:22.119 --> 00:41:22.739
 I'll give you one.

00:41:22.839 --> 00:41:24.259
 It's Numbers 15, 5.

00:41:25.339 --> 00:41:26.839
 Where God instructs the Old

00:41:26.839 --> 00:41:29.579
 Testament people to offer with the

00:41:29.579 --> 00:41:31.379
 burnt offering or the sacrifice

00:41:31.380 --> 00:41:34.820
 wine for the drink offering for

00:41:34.820 --> 00:41:35.340
 each lamb.

00:41:37.280 --> 00:41:39.280
 So there's a lamb and the Jewish

00:41:39.280 --> 00:41:40.780
 people gathering around offering

00:41:40.780 --> 00:41:42.700
 this lamb as a sacrifice to God

00:41:42.700 --> 00:41:44.420
 and then the priest takes what

00:41:44.420 --> 00:41:46.700
 would be about a liter of four

00:41:46.700 --> 00:41:48.960
 cups of wine and pours it out

00:41:48.960 --> 00:41:49.460
 over it.

00:41:49.900 --> 00:41:51.599
 And the pleasing aroma ascends to

00:41:51.599 --> 00:41:51.940
 the Lord.

00:41:52.039 --> 00:41:53.500
 The sacrifice is completed.

00:41:54.000 --> 00:41:54.640
 It's been sealed.

00:41:57.000 --> 00:41:58.579
 Paul uses the same reference in

00:41:58.579 --> 00:42:00.319
 2 Timothy 4, 5, and 7.

00:42:00.440 --> 00:42:02.199
 He says, and this is the last

00:42:02.199 --> 00:42:04.380
 book he wrote in prison in 2

00:42:04.380 --> 00:42:04.840
 Timothy.

00:42:05.219 --> 00:42:06.779
 He says, I am already being

00:42:06.779 --> 00:42:08.739
 poured out as a drink offering.

00:42:10.000 --> 00:42:11.880
 And the time of departure has

00:42:11.880 --> 00:42:12.199
 come.

00:42:12.739 --> 00:42:13.980
 I have fought the good fight.

00:42:14.139 --> 00:42:15.340
 I have finished the race.

00:42:15.739 --> 00:42:17.340
 And I have kept the faith.

00:42:18.559 --> 00:42:20.319
 One commentator pointed out that

00:42:20.319 --> 00:42:23.340
 Paul sees himself as an addition

00:42:23.340 --> 00:42:27.079
 to the service and the faith of

00:42:27.079 --> 00:42:29.480
 the church, not the other way

00:42:29.480 --> 00:42:29.860
 around.

00:42:31.599 --> 00:42:33.539
 And he observed after decades in

00:42:33.539 --> 00:42:35.779
 church ministry that this

00:42:35.779 --> 00:42:37.699
 perspective probably needs to be

00:42:37.699 --> 00:42:40.639
 held to and taken to heart by

00:42:40.639 --> 00:42:42.239
 every single pastor.

00:42:42.799 --> 00:42:45.139
 It's the faith and the service of

00:42:45.139 --> 00:42:46.799
 God's people, the local

00:42:46.799 --> 00:42:49.500
 congregation that is offered up to

00:42:49.500 --> 00:42:49.759
 God.

00:42:50.460 --> 00:42:52.400
 And any minister, including Paul

00:42:52.400 --> 00:42:53.779
 himself, is simply there to

00:42:53.779 --> 00:42:55.860
 supplement and compliment and

00:42:55.860 --> 00:42:57.860
 lift up the faith and the service

00:42:57.860 --> 00:42:59.860
 of a church body to the Lord.

00:43:00.860 --> 00:43:02.240
 Not the other way around.

00:43:03.519 --> 00:43:06.000
 Paul says, I am glad and rejoice

00:43:06.000 --> 00:43:08.039
 with you all for the same reason

00:43:08.039 --> 00:43:11.900
 you also be glad and rejoice with

00:43:11.900 --> 00:43:12.160
 me.

00:43:13.160 --> 00:43:15.760
 Is it even possible for a saved

00:43:15.760 --> 00:43:18.320
 sinner to live out the mind of

00:43:18.320 --> 00:43:18.660
 Christ?

00:43:20.460 --> 00:43:22.400
 Paul says, I'm one witness.

00:43:22.400 --> 00:43:23.820
 I'm a saved sinner.

00:43:24.820 --> 00:43:25.900
 And it's a joy.

00:43:26.880 --> 00:43:28.139
 I rejoice at it.

00:43:28.680 --> 00:43:30.420
 And as I'm being poured out to

00:43:30.420 --> 00:43:31.720
 complete what God's doing in the

00:43:31.720 --> 00:43:33.280
 congregation, I hope you'll rejoice

00:43:33.280 --> 00:43:34.160
 with me.

00:43:34.960 --> 00:43:37.059
 It's not only possible, it's God's

00:43:37.059 --> 00:43:39.180
 beautiful design for his church.

00:43:41.380 --> 00:43:43.619
 David Strain commented, your holiness,

00:43:43.840 --> 00:43:46.099
 Christian, is about the good pleasure

00:43:46.099 --> 00:43:46.980
 of God.

00:43:47.400 --> 00:43:48.860
 There is a profound connection

00:43:48.860 --> 00:43:51.559
 between godliness and joyfulness.

00:43:53.120 --> 00:43:53.700
 It's so true.

00:43:53.780 --> 00:43:55.420
 He begins by saying it's do all

00:43:55.420 --> 00:43:56.539
 these things for God's good

00:43:56.539 --> 00:43:56.900
 pleasure.

00:43:57.340 --> 00:43:58.640
 It's the good pleasure of God.

00:43:58.760 --> 00:43:59.980
 And then he ends this thought by

00:43:59.980 --> 00:44:01.780
 saying, I rejoice with God.

00:44:04.019 --> 00:44:06.720
 Strain goes on to say, there is a

00:44:06.720 --> 00:44:09.019
 deep marriage between true

00:44:09.019 --> 00:44:11.599
 holiness and true happiness.

00:44:12.599 --> 00:44:14.480
 As we work out our salvation with

00:44:14.480 --> 00:44:16.000
 fear and trembling, there is a sweet

00:44:16.000 --> 00:44:18.220
 note of joy at every step.

00:44:18.219 --> 00:44:20.219
 There is joy in partnership with

00:44:20.219 --> 00:44:22.139
 those with whom God has called us to

00:44:22.139 --> 00:44:22.500
 minister.

00:44:23.239 --> 00:44:25.480
 There is joy in our life together as a

00:44:25.480 --> 00:44:26.159
 local church.

00:44:26.579 --> 00:44:29.039
 There is joy in our witness together to

00:44:29.039 --> 00:44:31.239
 this crooked and perverse generation.

00:44:31.819 --> 00:44:35.199
 The life in Christ is marked by joy at

00:44:35.199 --> 00:44:35.799
 every step.

00:44:35.800 --> 00:44:41.780
 I know that some of you are in suffering and pain and

00:44:41.780 --> 00:44:42.320
 uncertainty.

00:44:43.880 --> 00:44:47.220
 And if you're like me, the Holy Spirit is helping me now

00:44:47.220 --> 00:44:49.680
 like wrestle with what is the difference between

00:44:49.680 --> 00:44:52.580
 praying how long, oh Lord, like we're supposed to do in the

00:44:52.580 --> 00:44:53.940
 Psalms and grumbling.

00:44:55.860 --> 00:44:58.320
 So I just want to remind us of God's providence.

00:44:58.880 --> 00:45:00.019
 He invites you to pray.

00:45:00.580 --> 00:45:01.260
 Take it to him.

00:45:01.360 --> 00:45:02.200
 He can handle it.

00:45:02.199 --> 00:45:05.519
 And don't cause one of these little ones or another

00:45:05.519 --> 00:45:06.839
 brother or sister to stumble.

00:45:08.179 --> 00:45:11.539
 Confess our sins to one another and go to the Lord in

00:45:11.539 --> 00:45:11.839
 prayer.

00:45:12.039 --> 00:45:16.059
 Remind one another of God's providence, of his care, of

00:45:16.059 --> 00:45:16.839
 his compassion.

00:45:17.939 --> 00:45:19.159
 We don't want what we deserve.

00:45:20.059 --> 00:45:20.919
 We don't want justice.

00:45:21.839 --> 00:45:23.539
 Christ poured out his justice on Christ.

00:45:24.079 --> 00:45:26.779
 God poured out his justice on the cross.

00:45:26.780 --> 00:45:26.860
 Christ.

00:45:28.519 --> 00:45:34.540
 I read of Gregory, ancient church leader, hundreds of years

00:45:34.540 --> 00:45:34.900
 ago.

00:45:35.700 --> 00:45:39.540
 He had just a biting headache, like a migraine headache all

00:45:39.540 --> 00:45:39.960
 the time.

00:45:40.760 --> 00:45:43.920
 And then he reflected years later how he had prayed for so long

00:45:43.920 --> 00:45:45.420
 that God would remove this headache.

00:45:45.860 --> 00:45:48.220
 And he thought in his own mind how much more I could serve God

00:45:48.220 --> 00:45:49.980
 if only God would remove this.

00:45:51.260 --> 00:45:54.700
 Well, one day the Lord did give him a good spell without having

00:45:54.700 --> 00:45:55.120
 this headache.

00:45:55.119 --> 00:45:56.559
 For a long time it was removed.

00:45:57.659 --> 00:45:58.559
 And then he reflected.

00:45:58.799 --> 00:46:02.039
 He said, when that headache was removed, I found myself, my

00:46:02.039 --> 00:46:05.659
 flesh, falling into lust like I never had before.

00:46:06.019 --> 00:46:07.739
 And it tormented my soul.

00:46:08.119 --> 00:46:10.119
 And I asked the Lord, would you please bring back that

00:46:10.119 --> 00:46:10.440
 headache?

00:46:10.880 --> 00:46:12.139
 Because that was better for me.

00:46:12.319 --> 00:46:13.559
 I don't know what's better for me.

00:46:13.839 --> 00:46:15.219
 You know what's better for me, Lord.

00:46:18.339 --> 00:46:22.179
 The mind of Christ in you will give you all you need to

00:46:22.179 --> 00:46:26.839
 sustain that obedient, patient, joyful walk with God.

00:46:27.960 --> 00:46:29.839
 That's really what this passage is about.

00:46:30.099 --> 00:46:33.980
 Patiently do all things with rejoicing.

00:46:33.980 --> 00:46:37.679
 James 5, 7 through 9 says,

00:46:37.760 --> 00:46:42.360
 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.

00:46:43.240 --> 00:46:46.159
 See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,

00:46:46.619 --> 00:46:50.960
 being patient about it until it receives the early and late rains.

00:46:51.460 --> 00:46:52.900
 You also be patient.

00:46:53.900 --> 00:46:58.619
 Establish your hearts for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

00:46:58.619 --> 00:47:04.039
 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged.

00:47:04.179 --> 00:47:08.219
 Behold, the judge is standing at the door.

00:47:09.839 --> 00:47:10.579
 Let's pray.

00:47:14.619 --> 00:47:16.139
 Lord, you're our good Father.

00:47:16.940 --> 00:47:18.279
 You're so close to your people.

00:47:19.759 --> 00:47:21.359
 Please teach us to be patient.

00:47:21.599 --> 00:47:23.400
 Please give us your strength.

00:47:24.579 --> 00:47:27.599
 Please establish our hearts on your second coming.

00:47:27.599 --> 00:47:35.239
 We praise you, Father, that you took on flesh.

00:47:35.539 --> 00:47:36.719
 You made yourself so low.

00:47:37.819 --> 00:47:42.579
 And you invite us into this joy, this self-giving love for others

00:47:42.579 --> 00:47:44.279
 that can only come from you.

00:47:44.559 --> 00:47:45.860
 Please work that into us.

00:47:46.539 --> 00:47:49.059
 Please help us as a church to do all things

00:47:49.059 --> 00:47:50.880
 according to your good pleasure.

00:47:51.559 --> 00:47:52.960
 And for your glory we ask.

00:47:53.420 --> 00:47:53.699
 Amen.