WEBVTT 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:04.139 Philippians chapter 3 verse 15 to verse 21. 00:00:05.440 --> 00:00:10.140 All of us then who are mature should take such a view of things. 00:00:10.759 --> 00:00:15.080 And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 00:00:15.480 --> 00:00:18.699 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. 00:00:19.620 --> 00:00:22.980 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, 00:00:23.440 --> 00:00:28.199 and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 00:00:28.199 --> 00:00:33.820 For as I have often told you before and now tell you again, even with tears, 00:00:34.479 --> 00:00:36.579 many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 00:00:37.240 --> 00:00:43.159 Their destiny is destruction, their God is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. 00:00:44.239 --> 00:00:48.359 Their mind is set on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven, 00:00:48.859 --> 00:00:53.239 and we eagerly await a saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:00:53.739 --> 00:00:56.820 He by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control 00:00:56.820 --> 00:01:02.219 will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:04.219 Great, thanks, sir. Over to you. 00:01:04.219 --> 00:01:04.659 Thank you. 00:01:11.539 --> 00:01:13.900 Really appreciate you guys coming tonight. 00:01:14.019 --> 00:01:15.299 It is an honor to be here. 00:01:15.840 --> 00:01:19.079 Steve, you kind of set me up great with all those questions, 00:01:19.079 --> 00:01:20.960 so we're going to go right into the introduction. 00:01:22.599 --> 00:01:26.200 As he was reading there, as he says, on page 1180, 00:01:26.439 --> 00:01:27.560 make sure that you're there. 00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:31.019 We're going to refer back to the scripture just a few times here today, 00:01:31.019 --> 00:01:33.539 so I want you to see that it is in there. 00:01:34.179 --> 00:01:36.780 So as was mentioned, I am not from here. 00:01:36.979 --> 00:01:39.699 I am from the United States, from a small state called Arkansas. 00:01:40.399 --> 00:01:44.119 And, well, I've lived in London now with my wife for three years, 00:01:44.179 --> 00:01:45.459 as this kind of already established. 00:01:45.819 --> 00:01:51.640 And one of the things that Megan and I truly love about London is leaving. 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:53.900 I say that jokingly. 00:01:54.019 --> 00:01:56.819 I love the cheap flights out of London specifically. 00:01:57.159 --> 00:02:02.599 My wife and I specialize in that 6 a.m. special from Stansted Airport. 00:02:03.019 --> 00:02:05.519 You know, the London airport of Stansted. 00:02:05.939 --> 00:02:07.700 You have to travel an hour and a half to get to. 00:02:08.659 --> 00:02:12.979 We can leave, and, you know, you have to leave. 00:02:13.080 --> 00:02:15.300 You've got to get there early, so you're leaving like 2, 3 a.m. 00:02:15.300 --> 00:02:21.520 But honestly, it's not that bad because you have certain anticipation of where you're going, right? 00:02:22.040 --> 00:02:26.320 You are ready and excited to go on holiday for wherever you're going. 00:02:26.640 --> 00:02:31.140 The problem is that normally if you take the cheap flight out, 00:02:31.840 --> 00:02:34.340 you're also taking the cheap flight back. 00:02:34.840 --> 00:02:38.880 And there's no anticipation and excitement when you're coming back in. 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:40.060 You just want to be home. 00:02:40.380 --> 00:02:43.040 Most of the time, when I go, I've spent too much money. 00:02:43.560 --> 00:02:45.280 I'm not well rested. 00:02:45.359 --> 00:02:48.199 I've tried to do too many things and packed into a short amount of time. 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:51.799 And I just really want to sleep in my own bed. 00:02:51.859 --> 00:02:52.859 I don't know if that's just me in here. 00:02:54.219 --> 00:02:57.280 So all of these things can add up for just wanting to get home quick. 00:02:57.599 --> 00:02:59.159 That is why I am thankful. 00:02:59.239 --> 00:03:03.000 If you've traveled recently, you know I'm thankful for this invention right here. 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:06.579 That is the automatic passport gate. 00:03:07.879 --> 00:03:11.079 And so if you've traveled, you've seen these, and if you've used one, 00:03:11.080 --> 00:03:15.340 basically you just walk up to the machine, put your passport on the scanner. 00:03:15.480 --> 00:03:17.260 It scans you, takes a picture of you. 00:03:17.560 --> 00:03:19.520 10, 15 seconds, you're in, you're out. 00:03:19.660 --> 00:03:21.620 They are amazing. 00:03:22.520 --> 00:03:23.720 Because you just want to be home. 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:25.900 You know, you just want to get through and be home. 00:03:26.140 --> 00:03:29.020 But if you've also been to an airport before, 00:03:29.120 --> 00:03:32.600 you realize that not everybody gets to go to these gates, right? 00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:36.820 There are some people that go towards the automatic gates, 00:03:36.819 --> 00:03:40.459 and there's other people that have to have their passport checked by border control. 00:03:41.620 --> 00:03:46.859 And when my wife and I moved here, this actually happened to her, not to me, 00:03:47.099 --> 00:03:47.819 but it happened to her. 00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:50.819 So when we moved in, she goes up to the border control, 00:03:50.900 --> 00:03:53.180 the automatic border control gates, puts her passport on, 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:56.759 and it goes, you got to go see the border control guy. 00:03:57.079 --> 00:04:01.240 And so after initial panic of, oh no, what did I do wrong? 00:04:01.580 --> 00:04:03.500 Megan starts, walks over to the border control guy, 00:04:03.600 --> 00:04:05.379 talks to him for a while, and then comes back. 00:04:05.460 --> 00:04:07.100 I got through, so I was just waiting on her. 00:04:07.379 --> 00:04:09.460 So after she comes up, it's like, what happened? 00:04:09.900 --> 00:04:11.300 Are you a threat to national security? 00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:17.120 They said, no, when I came, basically they had to verify my visa. 00:04:17.780 --> 00:04:20.139 This is the first time that her and I had ever come into the country, 00:04:20.139 --> 00:04:21.660 so they need to verify her visa. 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:23.840 But see, if you're a UK citizen, 00:04:24.740 --> 00:04:26.960 then you can automatically go through the gates. 00:04:26.960 --> 00:04:28.800 You can go through the automatic gates, it doesn't matter. 00:04:29.579 --> 00:04:29.939 Why? 00:04:31.240 --> 00:04:33.500 Well, it's because you have the right to be here. 00:04:33.620 --> 00:04:34.199 You belong. 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:37.920 See, when Megan and I moved from the United States 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:40.780 to the United Kingdom, we had to have permission. 00:04:41.800 --> 00:04:44.060 Basically, the UK government looked at us and said, 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:48.220 what can you bring to the table for us to take you in, right? 00:04:48.699 --> 00:04:51.060 Are you going to be a burden? 00:04:51.980 --> 00:04:55.439 Or are you going to be a benefit to our country and our society? 00:04:57.000 --> 00:04:59.860 See, citizens don't have to answer that question. 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:05.080 You're either born into the community or you earned it from staying here or one other way. 00:05:06.120 --> 00:05:07.920 You get to be here. 00:05:07.980 --> 00:05:09.199 You don't have to answer that question. 00:05:10.220 --> 00:05:12.580 And that's what Paul is going to say in this passage. 00:05:12.699 --> 00:05:15.780 See, citizens get to inherit the benefits of the society. 00:05:16.420 --> 00:05:20.520 And Paul is saying that citizens of heaven are going to get to inherit certain benefits. 00:05:20.519 --> 00:05:25.439 But there's also other people that actually live their life in opposition. 00:05:26.399 --> 00:05:31.839 And so in order to kind of grasp what Paul is saying here in Philippians chapter 3, 00:05:32.019 --> 00:05:34.639 we're going to divide this into two categories. 00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:40.000 There's supposed to be something else in there, but that's okay. 00:05:40.339 --> 00:05:41.360 Citizens and enemies. 00:05:41.919 --> 00:05:43.759 So you're going to have two categories if you're taking notes. 00:05:43.919 --> 00:05:44.819 Citizens and enemies. 00:05:45.300 --> 00:05:48.919 But before we get into that, let me pray for us one more time. 00:05:48.919 --> 00:05:51.300 And then we'll dive in to the text. 00:05:52.360 --> 00:05:53.800 Father in heaven, thank you so much for today. 00:05:53.800 --> 00:05:57.280 I thank you for the opportunity to get to preach. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:05:59.860 Father, I pray that I be the hands and feet of you, 00:05:59.939 --> 00:06:02.100 that these would not be my words spoken, that they would be yours. 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:06.340 Lord, and I pray, Lord, that you just use me. 00:06:08.379 --> 00:06:10.340 Pray that I be concise and clear. 00:06:11.220 --> 00:06:12.699 I pray all of this in your name. 00:06:13.240 --> 00:06:13.439 Amen. 00:06:14.780 --> 00:06:17.939 So we're going to start with citizens because that's where Paul starts. 00:06:18.019 --> 00:06:21.759 There's two marks of a citizen if you look in verse 15 through 17. 00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:25.139 The first part, some things are not coming up there, but that's okay. 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:26.759 The first part is sanctification. 00:06:27.539 --> 00:06:29.099 That's the word that's missing in that slide. 00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:30.099 We'll get that figured out. 00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:33.920 But sanctification is what Paul is saying, 00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:36.899 and he's saying becoming more like Jesus. 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:37.879 That's just the simple word. 00:06:37.980 --> 00:06:39.279 Sanctification can be a churchy word. 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:43.199 It just means becoming more like Jesus. 00:06:44.519 --> 00:06:47.079 And if you look at the text, we get this from the text. 00:06:47.159 --> 00:06:48.199 Look at verse 15. 00:06:48.599 --> 00:06:50.159 Paul says, if you are mature, 00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:52.740 you take such a view of things. 00:06:53.080 --> 00:06:54.900 And when he says you have this mature viewpoint, 00:06:55.080 --> 00:06:56.740 what does he mean by mature? 00:06:57.380 --> 00:07:00.680 Well, we have to understand, like, who is Paul talking about here? 00:07:00.980 --> 00:07:02.840 We let the text define the text. 00:07:02.980 --> 00:07:05.720 In verse 12, the Greek word for mature 00:07:05.720 --> 00:07:10.320 is the same one in verse 15 that's translated as perfect. 00:07:11.500 --> 00:07:13.160 It's translated perfect in verse 12, sorry. 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:17.400 So the Greek word mature in verse 15 is translated perfect in verse 12. 00:07:17.399 --> 00:07:20.419 So then we have to understand, okay, so what does Paul mean by perfect? 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:22.000 We're kind of diving down here. 00:07:22.039 --> 00:07:22.919 Don't worry, we'll come back up. 00:07:23.159 --> 00:07:26.199 But Paul says in verse 14 that, 00:07:26.479 --> 00:07:28.599 and he explains what it means to be made perfect. 00:07:28.719 --> 00:07:31.479 He says, I press on towards the goal to win the prize 00:07:31.479 --> 00:07:34.000 for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:36.879 So basically, what we're talking about here is a mark, 00:07:37.019 --> 00:07:41.680 the first mark of a citizen is one that presses on with a heavenward look. 00:07:42.019 --> 00:07:44.019 Not focused on earthly things, 00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:46.699 but focused on what is going to happen 00:07:46.699 --> 00:07:49.319 and what the Lord has promised in heaven. 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:53.259 So now that we understand, like, what this mature believer is, 00:07:53.279 --> 00:07:54.660 we also need to understand what Paul is saying 00:07:54.660 --> 00:07:56.560 when he says such a view of things. 00:07:57.120 --> 00:07:59.720 Again, the previous verses are going to help us understand. 00:07:59.720 --> 00:08:03.180 We don't take the text just out of context, but in context. 00:08:03.280 --> 00:08:04.360 That's why context is keen. 00:08:04.820 --> 00:08:08.720 In verse 7 through 14, Paul says, if you look heavenward, 00:08:09.140 --> 00:08:13.240 this life of a person that has such a view of things 00:08:13.240 --> 00:08:16.600 looks heavenward and is not focused on the earthly. 00:08:17.020 --> 00:08:20.000 This is capped in verse 10 when Paul says, 00:08:20.140 --> 00:08:21.360 I want to know Christ, 00:08:21.880 --> 00:08:23.700 yet to know the power of his resurrection 00:08:23.700 --> 00:08:25.520 and participation in his sufferings, 00:08:26.100 --> 00:08:28.940 I got to become like him in his death. 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:33.139 So citizens have eyes on their heavenly gain, 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:35.059 not earthly reward. 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:37.320 Basically, again, as I've kind of used the picture, 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:40.080 focused up here, not on things that are happening. 00:08:40.220 --> 00:08:42.299 That's the first mark of a citizen. 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:46.100 The second mark of a citizen is one that holds true. 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:48.480 Yeah, no. 00:08:48.700 --> 00:08:51.620 One that holds true to the things that have been attained. 00:08:52.340 --> 00:08:54.240 If you look in your Bible at verse 16, 00:08:54.340 --> 00:08:55.679 as I said, look back there, 00:08:56.019 --> 00:08:58.039 Paul says, live up to. 00:08:58.039 --> 00:09:01.219 Those three words in our English NIV translation 00:09:01.219 --> 00:09:03.819 is the Greek word stoiken. 00:09:04.599 --> 00:09:08.219 And what that means, it literally means to follow. 00:09:08.220 --> 00:09:12.680 You see, this was a military term 00:09:12.680 --> 00:09:18.160 that kind of describes following in a line. 00:09:19.320 --> 00:09:20.399 If you want to think about it, 00:09:20.420 --> 00:09:21.740 it's kind of like this picture here. 00:09:21.860 --> 00:09:24.660 Think about soldiers that are in sync 00:09:24.660 --> 00:09:25.460 when they're marching. 00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:28.279 So this would have been a vivid picture 00:09:28.279 --> 00:09:29.740 for the Philippians, if you think about it. 00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:34.639 So the Philippians in Philippi was a Roman colony. 00:09:35.700 --> 00:09:38.460 What that means is that they were a Greek colony, 00:09:38.560 --> 00:09:39.220 they got captured. 00:09:39.700 --> 00:09:41.940 Rome made them a Roman colony, 00:09:42.060 --> 00:09:44.120 and a lot of veterans of the war 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:45.840 decided to take land in Philippi. 00:09:46.460 --> 00:09:50.159 So there was a lot of veterans 00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:51.740 and a lot of Roman soldiers. 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:53.480 So the people of Philippi 00:09:53.480 --> 00:09:55.080 would have been very understanding 00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:56.519 of this picture here, 00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:59.200 of soldiers marching to and fro. 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:05.279 And so these soldiers of Rome, 00:10:05.419 --> 00:10:06.279 you know, this is a picture 00:10:06.279 --> 00:10:09.460 of the Royal Guard in London. 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:11.139 But the picture in Rome, 00:10:11.220 --> 00:10:12.419 this was also what they've been doing, 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:14.460 walking step in step with each other. 00:10:14.460 --> 00:10:16.100 So you think about it, 00:10:16.920 --> 00:10:20.780 there's a Roman historian named Vegetus. 00:10:20.980 --> 00:10:21.940 And in this, 00:10:22.180 --> 00:10:24.139 he wrote this three-volume manuscript. 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:25.540 And basically, 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:27.500 he talks about this stoicing, 00:10:27.660 --> 00:10:28.379 of this marching, 00:10:28.820 --> 00:10:29.620 of the Roman Empire, 00:10:29.780 --> 00:10:30.720 and how, of the Roman, 00:10:30.980 --> 00:10:32.500 sorry, not the Roman Empire, 00:10:32.800 --> 00:10:33.480 the Roman soldiers, 00:10:33.580 --> 00:10:34.800 and how important it was. 00:10:35.820 --> 00:10:37.620 He says in that manuscript 00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:39.820 that the constant practice 00:10:39.820 --> 00:10:41.259 of marching quick and together, 00:10:42.139 --> 00:10:44.259 and nothing is more of constant, 00:10:44.460 --> 00:10:45.600 consequence either on the march 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:46.740 or in the line, 00:10:47.100 --> 00:10:48.720 than that they should keep their ranks 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:50.240 with the greatest exactness. 00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:51.639 For troops who march 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:53.259 in an irregular and disorderly manner 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:55.780 are always in great danger 00:10:55.780 --> 00:10:56.580 of being defeated. 00:10:57.480 --> 00:10:58.980 So what is Paul saying 00:10:58.980 --> 00:11:01.060 when he's using this Greek word stoiken? 00:11:02.160 --> 00:11:04.320 He's saying that citizens hold true. 00:11:04.440 --> 00:11:06.879 They stay in step with the words of Jesus 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:07.860 or they will fall apart. 00:11:08.160 --> 00:11:08.860 So it's basically, 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:11.639 Paul is saying that there's a picture here. 00:11:12.060 --> 00:11:12.879 And in verse 17, 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:13.860 he's going to explain it further 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:14.800 if you look in the text. 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:16.980 Join with me in the example 00:11:16.980 --> 00:11:18.259 that I laid out. 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:20.180 Paul is not being boastful here. 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:23.159 He's not saying he's got it all figured out. 00:11:23.220 --> 00:11:24.600 In fact, again, context. 00:11:24.940 --> 00:11:25.860 In verse 13, he says, 00:11:25.940 --> 00:11:27.600 I have not taken a hold of this completely. 00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:29.419 But that picture of stoiken 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:32.700 basically is Paul standing here 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:34.200 and he's writing a letter 00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:35.600 to the Philippians saying, 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:37.720 follow in my footsteps. 00:11:37.920 --> 00:11:39.600 Be in step line with me 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:40.980 right behind me. 00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:41.779 Why? 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:46.540 Because I'm following Jesus in front. 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:48.120 I'm step, line, and hill. 00:11:48.420 --> 00:11:50.100 Paul is saying we all need to be 00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:52.259 in one line together, 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:53.139 like the soldiers. 00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:55.940 And so basically, 00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:57.659 if you're not in line, 00:11:57.779 --> 00:11:59.820 what did the Roman vegetus, 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:01.340 what did the Roman tactician say? 00:12:02.060 --> 00:12:03.399 You're going to fall apart. 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:06.319 And so that naturally leads 00:12:06.319 --> 00:12:07.659 into Paul's next argument. 00:12:08.059 --> 00:12:09.799 So you have citizens of heaven, 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:12.399 but then you also have enemies of the cross. 00:12:12.959 --> 00:12:15.120 In verse 18, we get this second category. 00:12:15.659 --> 00:12:17.139 So look back at verse 18. 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:17.500 It says, 00:12:17.679 --> 00:12:19.459 For as I often told you before, 00:12:19.559 --> 00:12:20.500 and I'll tell you again, 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:21.759 even with tears, 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:24.679 many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:26.659 Their destiny is destruction, 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:27.819 their God is their stomach, 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:29.480 and their glory is in their shame. 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:31.759 Their mind is set on earthly things. 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:34.100 So who's Paul talking about here? 00:12:35.039 --> 00:12:36.759 Well, we don't know for sure, 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:38.100 but a lot of historians think 00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:39.939 that Paul is talking about Christians 00:12:39.939 --> 00:12:41.539 that were in the Philippian community 00:12:41.539 --> 00:12:43.000 that had fallen away. 00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:46.319 And Paul describes them 00:12:46.319 --> 00:12:49.439 as people that their stomach is their God, 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:51.779 they glory in their shame, 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:54.960 and their mind is set on earthly things. 00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:56.559 Does this sound familiar? 00:12:58.019 --> 00:13:00.360 Sounds a lot like London, doesn't it? 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:03.500 The stomach is their God. 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:04.340 Another way of saying that 00:13:04.340 --> 00:13:05.720 is their desires rule them. 00:13:05.779 --> 00:13:07.039 They're never satisfied. 00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:10.039 It could be sexual desires. 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:11.559 It could be power desires. 00:13:11.960 --> 00:13:14.240 It could be money desires. 00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:15.240 Whatever it is, 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:19.519 they think if it's good for them, 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:20.740 they should just do it. 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:23.620 Is that not what society is telling us around this? 00:13:23.659 --> 00:13:24.399 What about the next part? 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:25.840 Glory in their shame. 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:28.080 Anybody watch any rubbish TV lately? 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:31.960 Like, whatever the Kardashians are doing, 00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:33.120 I can't keep up with them. 00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:35.160 Or, you know, Love Island or any of that. 00:13:36.300 --> 00:13:40.940 Those shows thrive off of the dysfunction. 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:45.740 That's what's bringing people to those shows 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:48.400 is to see how absolutely dysfunctional it can get, right? 00:13:48.820 --> 00:13:50.259 And I'm not shaming anybody here. 00:13:50.280 --> 00:13:51.080 I've seen those things. 00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:54.440 But that's what makes them popular. 00:13:54.540 --> 00:13:56.860 They're actually getting glory for their shame. 00:13:57.900 --> 00:13:59.220 And if you look at verse 19, 00:13:59.940 --> 00:14:01.200 there's, Paul says, 00:14:01.280 --> 00:14:03.200 their minds are set on earthly things. 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:03.860 Whatever that is, 00:14:03.940 --> 00:14:04.900 one more pay rise, 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:06.360 one more relationship, 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:09.460 one more emotional or spiritual or physical high. 00:14:10.180 --> 00:14:11.400 Just one more. 00:14:11.520 --> 00:14:12.360 That's just what they want. 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.840 One more something. 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:15.780 That'll bring me fulfillment. 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:19.280 And this is quintessential London. 00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:21.139 I mean, every time you get on the tube, 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:22.280 what is society trying to push you 00:14:22.280 --> 00:14:23.120 with the advertisements? 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.840 Every time you open up your phone, 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:26.519 get on social media, 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:27.259 turn on the TV, 00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:29.840 what is society trying to tell you? 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:32.340 I'm trying to tell you this. 00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:33.300 This is a picture I took 00:14:33.300 --> 00:14:34.800 just in a shop the other day. 00:14:35.420 --> 00:14:37.759 Loving yourself is the best thing you can do. 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:40.820 You are the foremost authority on your life. 00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:42.580 Do what makes you happy. 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:45.340 Your desires are right. 00:14:46.020 --> 00:14:48.980 You do you is the classic phrase 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:51.280 for this type of society, right? 00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:54.620 The British missionary to India, 00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:55.460 Leslie Newbigin, 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:58.280 he described this as pluralism. 00:14:59.060 --> 00:15:00.900 And he defines pluralism 00:15:00.900 --> 00:15:04.320 as there is no right or wrong styles of life. 00:15:04.780 --> 00:15:06.460 Perhaps the only thing that is really wrong 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:08.120 is condemning as wrong 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:09.520 the lifestyle of another 00:15:09.520 --> 00:15:10.940 in the field of personal values, 00:15:10.940 --> 00:15:12.900 pluralism reigns. 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:16.000 There is no right or wrong. 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:17.740 If it feels good, 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:18.920 do it. 00:15:20.680 --> 00:15:22.160 Can I level with you here for a second? 00:15:23.900 --> 00:15:25.620 Nobody actually believes this. 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:29.120 You're saying, 00:15:29.260 --> 00:15:30.960 you spent five minutes explaining it. 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:32.400 What do you mean nobody believes this? 00:15:32.640 --> 00:15:33.120 Let me tell you. 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:35.700 Follow my thinking here for a second. 00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:36.860 As was mentioned earlier, 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:38.399 I'm an American, right? 00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:41.659 And like the rest of the world, 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:44.039 except for any place that Britain colonized, 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:47.860 Americans drive on the right side of the road, right? 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:51.120 So whenever I drive, 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:51.860 I get in my car, 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:55.080 I want to drive on the right side of the road. 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:56.460 I desire it. 00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:57.879 I want it. 00:15:58.340 --> 00:16:00.500 It's the way that I was taught. 00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:03.039 It's the way I believe to be right. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:06.459 And a majority of countries do it that way. 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:09.120 So what would you say 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:10.259 if we hopped in the car 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:11.419 to go on a road trip somewhere 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:11.879 and I said, 00:16:11.959 --> 00:16:12.899 great, I'll drive 00:16:12.899 --> 00:16:13.659 and hopped in 00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:15.319 and started driving on the right side of the road. 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:19.120 The first thing would probably be, 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:19.899 the joke would be on me 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.579 because I would get in 00:16:20.579 --> 00:16:22.179 on the left-hand side of the car 00:16:22.179 --> 00:16:23.939 thinking that's where the steering wheel would be 00:16:23.939 --> 00:16:24.939 instead of the right. 00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:27.579 But if, say, I got that right 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:33.080 and I was driving us straight into traffic, 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.740 head-on collision incoming, 00:16:35.560 --> 00:16:37.440 what would you say? 00:16:39.940 --> 00:16:41.780 You'd say I'm a lunatic, right? 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:43.639 You would say I'm crazy. 00:16:43.780 --> 00:16:45.080 You'd say I have a death wish. 00:16:45.560 --> 00:16:46.580 And hopefully, 00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:49.100 you would take the wheel 00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:51.740 before my driving 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:53.360 kills you, me, 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:55.140 and whoever else is in that other car, right? 00:16:55.820 --> 00:16:57.160 You would say, 00:16:57.580 --> 00:16:59.420 I'm wrong. 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:03.000 See, my feelings 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:05.180 do not matter 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:07.500 when it comes to life or death. 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:11.559 There is an absolute right 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:14.160 and there is an absolute wrong. 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:17.720 So we're new to this relationship, right? 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.940 It's the first time I've gotten to speak here. 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:20.180 We'll see if it's my last. 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:22.759 I want to make a slightly bold statement here. 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:26.819 Our feelings, friends, 00:17:26.819 --> 00:17:28.599 do not matter 00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:30.359 when it comes to the merger 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:31.099 of our two churches. 00:17:33.399 --> 00:17:34.339 Let me clarify 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:36.200 so that nobody mishears me. 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.480 This is the prominent thing 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:37.899 that's happening 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:39.799 in our church culture right now, right? 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:41.539 When I say our, 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.859 I mean it. 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:47.500 The people of West Kilburn Baptist Church, 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:50.920 the people of Redeemer Queens Park, 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:53.059 our preferences, 00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:54.539 our feelings, 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.160 do not matter 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:57.339 when it comes to the merger. 00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:59.220 What does matter? 00:17:59.859 --> 00:18:00.440 That's the question 00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:01.359 that we need to be asking, right, 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:01.859 in all of this. 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:03.339 And it's the Lord and His mission. 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:05.420 Do you know 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:06.519 what the mission of God is? 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.660 I had somebody ask me 00:18:08.660 --> 00:18:09.559 this question recently 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:10.220 and I said, 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:10.779 absolutely I know 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.619 what the mission of God is. 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:12.400 And I said, 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:15.619 it's the Great Commission. 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.059 Yeah, yeah, 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:16.679 it's the Great Commission. 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:19.599 Love the Lord your God with all, 00:18:19.659 --> 00:18:20.039 nope, sorry, 00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:20.579 that's the wrong one. 00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:21.500 Make disciples, 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:22.559 baptize them, 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:23.940 and teach them, right? 00:18:26.179 --> 00:18:26.859 I was wrong. 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:29.919 And not that 00:18:29.919 --> 00:18:30.700 the Great Commission 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.679 isn't a part 00:18:31.679 --> 00:18:32.799 of the mission of God. 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:35.619 But the mission of God 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:37.079 is to bring glory 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:38.259 to Himself. 00:18:41.179 --> 00:18:42.740 Bringing glory to God 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:44.779 matters over everything 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.960 that we can do. 00:18:46.879 --> 00:18:48.119 As a people of Christ, 00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:48.940 we have to determine 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:50.179 if we are going to live 00:18:50.179 --> 00:18:51.019 our lives 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.980 as citizens of heaven 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:53.339 by bringing glory to God 00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:55.000 or if we're going to live 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.940 our lives as enemies 00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:56.599 of the cross 00:18:56.599 --> 00:18:58.639 doing what we want to do, 00:18:58.779 --> 00:18:59.460 what we feel 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.339 is right and wrong. 00:19:01.159 --> 00:19:03.259 So in our specific instance, 00:19:03.879 --> 00:19:05.779 as two Bible-believing churches 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.539 that want to bring 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:07.659 the glory of God 00:19:07.659 --> 00:19:08.740 in Queen's Park 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:09.179 and Kilburn, 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.980 what does that look like? 00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:12.940 Well, it looks like 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:14.539 having a faithful gospel witness 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:16.039 that is not just surviving 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:16.920 in this community, 00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:18.359 but is thriving. 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.579 Guys, this is a picture 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:22.039 that we can all get behind, right? 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:24.139 This is a part of a community 00:19:24.139 --> 00:19:26.119 that becomes such a part, 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.839 a gospel community 00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:27.639 that becomes such a part 00:19:27.639 --> 00:19:28.519 of the Queen's Park 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:29.279 and Kilburn community 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:31.200 that people cannot imagine 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:32.559 a time 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:34.899 when this church 00:19:34.899 --> 00:19:36.599 was not reaching 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:37.759 the people of God 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.680 and was not a benefit 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.480 to their community. 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:44.660 I can't imagine 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:45.039 a time 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:46.059 when we weren't here 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:47.440 serving them 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:49.039 and bringing them 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:50.759 the good news 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.620 of great joy 00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:52.259 that will be 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.640 for all people. 00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:56.299 So how does this 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:57.180 get accomplished? 00:19:57.880 --> 00:19:58.860 That's to be determined. 00:19:59.240 --> 00:19:59.839 I don't know. 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.500 Could be emerged, 00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:02.079 could not be. 00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:04.299 But I pray 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:07.639 that our feelings 00:20:07.639 --> 00:20:09.720 would not make this decision 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:11.379 because our feelings 00:20:11.379 --> 00:20:12.339 can change really quick. 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:14.200 Just a moment 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:15.399 of personal awareness 00:20:15.399 --> 00:20:16.500 for the three people 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.440 in the room 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:17.980 from Redeemer. 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.579 I'm going to be speaking 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:20.379 on behalf of us here 00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:21.200 so that you can go up to them 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:21.839 and ask if I'm wrong. 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:22.940 But a moment 00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:23.720 of personal awareness. 00:20:24.139 --> 00:20:24.579 Your feelings 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.539 can change quickly 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:26.440 because I've been a part 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:26.759 of Redeemer 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.599 for three years now. 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:28.399 I know there's some 00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:29.240 things about us 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:30.019 that we have some faults. 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.579 We're pretty loud. 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:34.079 We're not very tidy. 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:37.019 And we're young, 00:20:37.159 --> 00:20:38.339 but we're old enough 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:39.319 to think that we know 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:40.199 what we're doing. 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:40.740 Right? 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:42.519 Kind of like a teenager. 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:46.000 And it won't take 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.679 but two weeks 00:20:46.679 --> 00:20:48.159 if the merger does happen 00:20:48.159 --> 00:20:48.659 for somebody, 00:20:48.879 --> 00:20:49.980 for the flesh of yourself 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:50.759 to go, 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:53.859 this was a bad idea. 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:57.460 But in all of this, 00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:59.079 what is the Lord saying? 00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:03.579 What is going to bring him 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:05.000 the most glory? 00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:06.359 That's the question 00:21:06.359 --> 00:21:07.039 we have to ask. 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:09.819 And if we go back 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.399 to the passage 00:21:10.399 --> 00:21:11.679 as we're looking through, 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:14.720 Paul does not leave it here. 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:15.339 He does not say, 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:16.299 hey, there's two camps. 00:21:16.419 --> 00:21:16.859 There's enemies 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:17.579 and there's citizens. 00:21:17.919 --> 00:21:18.980 Hope you find the right one. 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:19.579 Good luck. 00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:20.220 And walk away. 00:21:21.199 --> 00:21:21.599 No. 00:21:22.679 --> 00:21:23.299 Paul says there's 00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:25.220 a great promise for us. 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:26.159 And if you look at 00:21:26.159 --> 00:21:27.039 verses 20 and 21, 00:21:27.379 --> 00:21:28.220 we'll unpack it. 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.160 Verse 20 says, 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:29.860 but our citizenship 00:21:29.860 --> 00:21:30.720 is in heaven 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:32.180 and we eagerly await 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:33.120 a savior from there, 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:34.120 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:35.319 who by the power 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:36.120 that enables him 00:21:36.120 --> 00:21:36.860 to bring everything 00:21:36.860 --> 00:21:37.680 under his control 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:38.740 will transform 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.839 our lowly bodies 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:41.339 so that they will be 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:42.920 like his glorious body. 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.460 Kind of go back 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.240 to the illustration 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:47.059 of border control. 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:47.600 There we go. 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:50.039 When Megan and I 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:50.900 entered the country, 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.600 what was the question 00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:51.960 they asked? 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:55.819 What can you 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.860 bring to the table? 00:21:56.860 --> 00:21:57.559 What can you bring 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:59.220 to the table? 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.839 How does Paul say 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:02.279 that we become 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:03.240 citizens of heaven here? 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:04.740 Look at 17. 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.259 Paul says, 00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:06.240 follow his example. 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:08.079 And what is Paul's example? 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:09.360 Well, it's not a what, 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:09.860 it's a who. 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.759 It's Jesus Christ. 00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:13.279 Jesus is a perfect example. 00:22:13.620 --> 00:22:13.980 So again, 00:22:14.120 --> 00:22:15.920 that picture of stoic in there, 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.519 Paul is saying, 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:18.579 follow me 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:20.079 as I follow Christ, 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:21.299 the perfect example. 00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.420 So you're behind me, 00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:22.900 Philippians. 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:24.180 Look ahead to a Christ. 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:26.039 This marching in line 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:27.080 that Paul is showing 00:22:27.080 --> 00:22:28.100 the Philippians. 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:30.660 And so, 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.900 how do we 00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:32.980 inherit citizenship 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.500 in heaven? 00:22:34.360 --> 00:22:34.759 And that's what, 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.820 that's what this sermon 00:22:35.820 --> 00:22:36.720 has all been leading up to, 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:36.900 right? 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.400 Well, you got to live 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:40.000 a perfect life. 00:22:40.560 --> 00:22:41.759 You got to follow perfectly 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.779 the example that Jesus 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.740 has set, right? 00:22:44.080 --> 00:22:44.480 You got to have, 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.480 be perfect in your relationship, 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.620 perfect in your finances, 00:22:46.840 --> 00:22:48.299 perfect in your personal life, 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:49.700 perfect in your moral life. 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:51.400 You want to be citizens of heaven? 00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:52.960 You better bring perfection 00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:53.600 to life. 00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:54.200 Or, 00:22:54.280 --> 00:22:55.580 you better be perfect in life, 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.160 or else you're not getting in. 00:23:00.080 --> 00:23:00.880 Anybody else 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:02.820 feel like the weight 00:23:02.820 --> 00:23:03.640 of the world 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:04.560 just kind of descend 00:23:04.560 --> 00:23:05.220 on your shoulders? 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:07.840 Anybody else get a little nervous 00:23:07.840 --> 00:23:08.720 that I was going to leave it there? 00:23:11.620 --> 00:23:12.620 Paul was one of the most 00:23:12.620 --> 00:23:13.600 holy men 00:23:13.600 --> 00:23:14.500 in the New Testament. 00:23:14.860 --> 00:23:15.860 He left everything he knew 00:23:15.860 --> 00:23:16.940 to go spread the gospel 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.680 to the Gentiles, 00:23:17.780 --> 00:23:19.100 and he could not live up 00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:19.920 to this expectation 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.680 of being perfect. 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.160 Friends, 00:23:22.380 --> 00:23:23.600 I cannot live up 00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:24.220 to this expectation 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:24.940 of being perfect. 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:27.259 You cannot live up 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.940 to this expectation 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.820 of being perfect. 00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:31.680 But there is good news. 00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:33.120 It's called the gospel. 00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:34.259 See, 00:23:34.340 --> 00:23:35.420 Jesus taking our, 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.500 had a reward 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:38.140 for living that perfect life, 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:38.620 which was heaven, 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:39.560 but instead of taking it, 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.800 he died the death 00:23:40.800 --> 00:23:41.980 that you and I deserve 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:43.160 so that we could have 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:44.620 eternal life with him. 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:48.180 And in the best deal 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:49.040 in human history, 00:23:49.040 --> 00:23:50.800 we basically get to swap places, 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.680 and now we get 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.879 the reward 00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:53.579 that was promised 00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:54.240 to Jesus 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:56.359 while Jesus took 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:56.919 our punishment. 00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:59.859 But he did not remain dead 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:00.899 because he defeated death 00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:01.680 three days later, 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.419 and so now, 00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:04.359 if we say yes to Jesus, 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:05.759 say, 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.279 Jesus, 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:06.899 I trust you, 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:07.899 I believe that this is true, 00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:09.000 I want to enter 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:10.039 into a relationship with you, 00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:11.379 and I want to see 00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:12.240 my life change 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.220 in that process 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:13.940 of sanctification 00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.919 that Paul was talking about 00:24:14.919 --> 00:24:16.019 in verses 15 to 17, 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:18.259 then we can get 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:18.920 that reward 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:20.160 that Jesus had. 00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:22.019 And it's because of grace. 00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:23.319 Nothing we did 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.920 but what God 00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:25.799 has done for us. 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:28.019 If you look at verse 20, 00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:28.740 it says, 00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:29.960 we eagerly await 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.259 a Savior in heaven. 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:33.960 There will be a day 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:35.559 when it is too late 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.180 to become 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.119 a citizen of heaven. 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:39.180 There will be a day 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:41.019 when we die 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.680 that we stand 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:43.019 before a big gate. 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:45.000 And unlike border control, 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:46.879 they're not going to ask you 00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:47.879 what did you do 00:24:47.879 --> 00:24:48.980 to deserve to be here? 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.480 What can you bring 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:51.099 to the table? 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:53.220 They're going to ask 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:54.639 who did you know? 00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:00.180 If you do not know Jesus, 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.559 you're going to spend 00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:02.619 eternity away 00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:04.700 from his presence 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:06.180 in a real place 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:06.599 called hell. 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:09.559 And that is the choice 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:11.319 that is laid before us today 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:12.059 and before everyone 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:12.759 that we know 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:15.920 are you going to be 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:16.859 a citizen of heaven 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:17.900 that walks differently, 00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.720 talks differently, 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.619 and speaks differently? 00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:24.059 Are you going to be 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:25.039 an enemy 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:26.420 of the cross? 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.519 Living in your own feelings, 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:30.259 following your own heart. 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:31.879 That's the question 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:32.920 that's for us today. 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.019 That's the question 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.640 we have to answer 00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:35.240 in our own hearts. 00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:36.299 And all of our friends 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:36.980 have to answer as well. 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:37.920 Let's pray. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.680 Father in heaven, 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:41.480 thank you for today. 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.720 Thank you for the opportunity 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:45.099 to preach, Lord. 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:45.579 Again, 00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:46.440 I pray that 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.620 any words that 00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:48.480 may have been confusing, 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:48.759 Lord, 00:25:48.819 --> 00:25:49.880 that you clarify them 00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:50.759 or take them away. 00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:51.740 Father, 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.680 I pray that 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:54.180 your word 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:54.920 would be prominent 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.759 through all of this. 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.420 In your name. 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:57.900 Amen. 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:58.640 God love you. 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:00.900 Amen. 00:26:01.100 --> 00:26:01.540 Thank you. 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:13.700 Very�- 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.220 Thank you. 00:26:14.280 --> 00:26:14.360 God bless you. 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.500 God bless you, 00:26:15.540 --> 00:26:15.840 God bless you. 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:16.380 Most of this 00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:16.519 know, 00:26:16.820 --> 00:26:17.120 heart and ouvệnh 00:26:17.120 --> 00:26:17.640 all of this 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:17.980 areamazia. 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.720 All of this 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.680 have to stay 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:19.920 for me, 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:20.640 God bless you. 00:26:20.800 --> 00:26:21.120 Holy of thing. 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:21.720 God bless you. 00:26:21.800 --> 00:26:22.140 Thank you. 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.060 God bless you. 00:26:23.060 --> 00:26:23.519 All of this 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.160 may be 00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:25.100 God bless you. 00:26:25.100 --> 00:26:25.460 God bless you. 00:26:25.580 --> 00:26:25.740 God bless you. 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.259 You can call us 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:26.980 and God bless you.