WEBVTT 00:00:00.300 --> 00:00:01.300 Well, good morning, church. 00:00:02.020 --> 00:00:05.940 Turn with me and your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 16. 00:00:07.400 --> 00:00:11.720 We have come to the last chapter of this great epistle of Paul. 00:00:19.719 --> 00:00:23.080 While you're turning there, I'm going to turn on a fan so I can feel a little bit of breeze 00:00:23.080 --> 00:00:23.539 like you do. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.119 All right, let's read. 00:00:34.560 --> 00:00:39.700 I'm going to read the last verse of chapter 15, verse 58, and then the first 12 verses 00:00:39.700 --> 00:00:41.320 of chapter 16. 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:43.000 So let's read together. 00:00:44.600 --> 00:00:52.840 15, 58, therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the 00:00:52.840 --> 00:00:58.719 work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 00:00:58.719 --> 00:01:01.879 Now concerning the collection for the saints. 00:01:03.100 --> 00:01:06.359 As I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:11.840 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up as 00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:14.840 he may prosper so that there will be no collecting when I come. 00:01:15.879 --> 00:01:20.500 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 00:01:21.500 --> 00:01:24.739 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me. 00:01:24.739 --> 00:01:32.159 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and 00:01:32.159 --> 00:01:36.539 perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey 00:01:36.539 --> 00:01:37.399 wherever I go. 00:01:38.179 --> 00:01:40.519 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. 00:01:40.659 --> 00:01:43.119 I hope to spend some time with you if the Lord permits. 00:01:43.120 --> 00:01:48.880 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened 00:01:48.880 --> 00:01:50.620 to me, and there are many adversaries. 00:01:51.520 --> 00:01:56.780 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of 00:01:56.780 --> 00:01:58.460 the Lord as I am. 00:01:59.300 --> 00:02:00.719 So let no one despise him. 00:02:01.520 --> 00:02:06.180 Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the 00:02:06.180 --> 00:02:06.480 brothers. 00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:12.759 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:15.520 but it was not at all his will to come now. 00:02:16.159 --> 00:02:18.960 He will come when he has opportunity. 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:22.620 So how do you deal with uncertainty? 00:02:24.900 --> 00:02:27.560 Uncertain circumstances, potential transitions. 00:02:28.480 --> 00:02:30.240 Some of you may have just arrived in New Haven. 00:02:31.120 --> 00:02:34.920 Maybe you're trying to figure out what your life is going to look like in this new environment. 00:02:34.919 --> 00:02:40.379 Maybe you're preparing for a new school year, or perhaps new rhythms with your kids. 00:02:41.259 --> 00:02:46.799 Some of you may be eagerly anticipating a new stage of life, post-college life, or married 00:02:46.799 --> 00:02:50.259 life, or parenthood, or being an empty nester, or retirement. 00:02:51.079 --> 00:02:56.879 Some of you may be feeling anxious, facing deadlines at work that you can't see how you'll 00:02:56.879 --> 00:03:02.539 meet, or health issues, or financial worries that keep you tossing and turning at night. 00:03:02.539 --> 00:03:10.039 Maybe you're picking up the pieces and wondering how to go on after a relational conflict, or 00:03:10.039 --> 00:03:12.019 a breakup, or a divorce. 00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:18.780 You know, when we face an uncertain future, we can respond in different ways. 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:23.759 I think some of us can tend to be paralyzed by our fear. 00:03:23.759 --> 00:03:29.000 And so, we retreat from anything that involves risk. 00:03:29.919 --> 00:03:34.399 We immediately think of the worst possible outcome and make it our primary goal to avoid 00:03:34.399 --> 00:03:34.879 that. 00:03:35.979 --> 00:03:42.579 We trust our own perceptions and our own instincts, and so we withdraw from any relationships and 00:03:42.579 --> 00:03:44.459 distrust others' advice. 00:03:45.739 --> 00:03:48.500 Now, others of us aren't paralyzed by fear. 00:03:48.659 --> 00:03:50.899 Others of us tend to be naive in our hopes. 00:03:50.900 --> 00:03:57.819 And so, we instinctively say yes to new opportunities that come our way before we count the cost. 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:03.780 And we always give other people the benefit of the doubt despite their apparent flaws and 00:04:03.780 --> 00:04:04.700 weaknesses. 00:04:05.719 --> 00:04:09.540 And we assume that we'll just sort of keep on going the way we've been going, and it'll 00:04:09.540 --> 00:04:11.180 all work out somehow in the end. 00:04:11.180 --> 00:04:19.160 But sometimes that path leads to overcommitment and burnout and disappointment when things 00:04:19.160 --> 00:04:19.939 seem to fall apart. 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:25.780 Now, the Apostle Paul in the passage we're looking at today acknowledges uncertainty. 00:04:28.019 --> 00:04:30.139 Notice some of the words Paul uses. 00:04:31.100 --> 00:04:32.000 Verse 4, if. 00:04:32.660 --> 00:04:33.699 Verse 6, perhaps. 00:04:34.620 --> 00:04:35.939 Verse 7, I hope. 00:04:36.620 --> 00:04:38.180 Verse 7, if the Lord permits. 00:04:38.180 --> 00:04:40.620 Verse 12, when he has opportunity. 00:04:40.819 --> 00:04:46.579 Paul isn't quite sure exactly how all these things will turn out, and he acknowledges that 00:04:46.579 --> 00:04:48.680 contingency, that uncertainty. 00:04:50.060 --> 00:04:57.379 But in the midst of uncertainty, the Apostle Paul is summoning us to be not paralyzed by fear, 00:04:58.399 --> 00:05:01.280 not naive in our hope, but steadfast. 00:05:01.279 --> 00:05:07.539 Steadfast, immovable, and abounding in the work of the Lord. 00:05:08.459 --> 00:05:13.639 Because Paul says, in this uncertain world, there is one thing of which we can be certain. 00:05:14.119 --> 00:05:19.000 As Christian believers, he says, your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:26.980 In light of what Jesus has done for us on the cross and in the resurrection and in the promise 00:05:26.980 --> 00:05:35.459 that he's given us, that he will one day raise us with him, your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 00:05:35.959 --> 00:05:39.319 And so, he says, in the midst of uncertainty, be steadfast. 00:05:39.319 --> 00:05:47.199 Now, when you first read chapter 16, it might feel like a sort of a laundry list of random details and tasks. 00:05:47.319 --> 00:05:52.240 Sort of all the things that Paul wanted to say, but didn't fit into the really important sections of his letter, 00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:53.199 which we've already read. 00:05:54.339 --> 00:05:56.379 But I think chapter 16 is more than that. 00:05:56.459 --> 00:06:01.800 It flows out of chapter 15 and flows out of that call to be steadfast in the work of the Lord. 00:06:03.199 --> 00:06:05.600 Chapter 15, if you've been here the last month, 00:06:05.600 --> 00:06:11.020 it's about the bodily resurrection of Jesus in history and how that guarantees the bodily resurrection 00:06:11.020 --> 00:06:13.700 of those who believe in Jesus in the future. 00:06:14.660 --> 00:06:19.439 And at the end, Paul says, therefore, in light of the resurrection, hope and promise, be steadfast. 00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:21.540 And what we see in verse 16, 00:06:22.260 --> 00:06:25.800 today in the first half of the chapter and next week in the second half of the chapter, 00:06:26.040 --> 00:06:31.580 is some practical instructions and concrete examples of how we can do just that. 00:06:31.579 --> 00:06:37.259 Today, I want to look at two areas that Paul mentions, that Paul focuses on, 00:06:37.839 --> 00:06:44.459 our resources in verses 1 to 4, and our relationships in verses 5 to 12, 00:06:44.819 --> 00:06:49.419 and how we can be steadfast in both of these areas in the midst of uncertainty. 00:06:49.639 --> 00:06:54.519 So first, steadfast in managing our resources, verse 1 to 4. 00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:58.180 Now, in these verses, Paul talks about a collection. 00:06:58.180 --> 00:07:01.639 You might say, well, what exactly is Paul collecting for? 00:07:02.579 --> 00:07:04.540 Well, he's not collecting money for himself. 00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:07.600 Verse 1, he says he's collecting money for the saints. 00:07:07.800 --> 00:07:10.160 And verse 3, he mentions Jerusalem. 00:07:11.240 --> 00:07:17.519 We can learn more about this collection from Romans 15 or 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9, 00:07:17.579 --> 00:07:19.319 where Paul describes it in more detail. 00:07:20.060 --> 00:07:21.560 But here's a little bit of the background. 00:07:21.720 --> 00:07:26.160 For whatever reason, the church in Jerusalem had fallen on some hard times. 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:28.320 We don't know exactly why. 00:07:29.200 --> 00:07:30.880 There are some hints in the book of Acts. 00:07:30.960 --> 00:07:36.200 So, Acts 6, we know that there were many widows from different ethnic groups who were involved 00:07:36.200 --> 00:07:37.500 in the Jerusalem church. 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:42.879 And the church organized a daily provision of food for these widows. 00:07:42.960 --> 00:07:49.660 That was no small project to continue, probably, on an ongoing basis for people who had no other 00:07:49.660 --> 00:07:51.580 resources for basic needs. 00:07:51.579 --> 00:07:59.339 We also know in Acts 11, and from other historical sources, there was a severe famine that afflicted 00:07:59.339 --> 00:08:02.519 Judea and Jerusalem in 46 and 47 A.D. 00:08:03.180 --> 00:08:05.919 Now, Paul was probably writing about five years afterwards. 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:11.759 But if you've been to a place that has been decimated by a catastrophe, you know, if you went down to 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:15.740 New Orleans to help out, you could go down there five years after Katrina, and there was still 00:08:15.740 --> 00:08:16.599 plenty of work to do. 00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:23.220 And so, Paul was…so, the Jerusalem church was probably facing sort of the long-term effects 00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:26.500 of that two-year catastrophe. 00:08:27.780 --> 00:08:32.540 There might have been other reasons as well, but what we know is that many of the Christians 00:08:32.540 --> 00:08:36.860 in Jerusalem were in a situation that we might call chronic poverty. 00:08:36.860 --> 00:08:43.620 And so, the Apostle Paul made it a priority at this point in his ministry. 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:50.759 He spent about two years organizing and then later transporting, along with other people, 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:56.539 this collection of relief funds from several other churches throughout the Roman Empire 00:08:56.539 --> 00:08:58.500 and bringing it all the way to Jerusalem. 00:08:58.500 --> 00:09:05.220 And it's fascinating that Paul spent almost two years in order to do this and delayed some 00:09:05.220 --> 00:09:12.740 of his other plans to bring the gospel to unreached peoples, actually, in Spain in order to do this. 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:14.740 So, he saw it as a priority. 00:09:15.340 --> 00:09:19.559 And then when he got to Jerusalem, he got arrested, and he got held in jail for five years before 00:09:19.559 --> 00:09:20.679 the court rendered a verdict. 00:09:20.679 --> 00:09:27.259 So, this took up a lot of Paul's life, and Paul sort of knew it was going to be trouble 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:29.079 when he went to Jerusalem. 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:31.759 But anyway, so why did Paul do this? 00:09:32.719 --> 00:09:36.159 Why did Paul bother collecting all this money and spending all his time to do this? 00:09:36.219 --> 00:09:43.319 Well, this collection was a powerful expression of the Christian message. 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:48.659 So, it was a way for the churches that had been planted throughout the Roman Empire 00:09:48.659 --> 00:09:53.339 to express their gratitude to the mother church in Jerusalem, because that's where they had 00:09:53.339 --> 00:09:53.919 all come from. 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:55.159 That's where it had all began. 00:09:55.879 --> 00:09:59.959 That's where Jesus died and rose again, and the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles at 00:09:59.959 --> 00:10:02.919 Pentecost, and they sent out the first missionaries from there. 00:10:03.679 --> 00:10:08.219 And so, it was a way for them to acknowledge how they all… where they came from. 00:10:08.819 --> 00:10:13.259 It was also a sign of unity between Jewish and Gentile believers. 00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:20.019 And in those days, that was one of the deepest ethnic and cultural divisions in the world. 00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:24.819 These groups were often hostile to one another or at the very least indifferent. 00:10:25.319 --> 00:10:27.539 Sort of, all right, we'll do our thing, you do your thing. 00:10:28.340 --> 00:10:33.319 But Paul doesn't say, all right, we'll do our thing in Corinth, and, you know, these people 00:10:33.319 --> 00:10:38.200 in Jerusalem, maybe they got themselves into this trouble, and they're far away, and they're 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:40.319 different from us, and they should deal with their own problems. 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:47.520 No, Paul says, no, we're one body of Christ throughout the world, and so we need to help 00:10:47.520 --> 00:10:48.020 each other. 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:55.560 And so, Paul says, because we're one body of Christ, it's entirely appropriate to share 00:10:55.560 --> 00:11:00.100 our resources across ethnic and national and geographical boundaries. 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:06.420 So, that was what Paul was doing with this collection. 00:11:06.419 --> 00:11:11.939 And now, what he's telling the Corinthians here is how he wants them to participate, what 00:11:11.939 --> 00:11:19.939 it looks like for them to be steadfast in giving and in managing and using their resources 00:11:19.939 --> 00:11:21.819 for these gospel purposes. 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:29.000 So, there's… so, Paul says it looks like giving regularly and proportionally, and then 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:32.139 it looks like the church managing the money faithfully. 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:36.500 So, we'll look at these things, giving regularly, proportionally, and then managing faithfully. 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:41.319 So, verse 2, on the first day of the week, Paul says, each of you is to put something 00:11:41.319 --> 00:11:42.840 aside and store it up. 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:48.439 So, Paul says… it's very interesting, Paul says, on the first day of the week, he doesn't 00:11:48.439 --> 00:11:58.860 just say you should give when you feel an overwhelming emotional desire to give to something, 00:11:58.860 --> 00:12:00.019 right? 00:12:00.039 --> 00:12:05.300 He doesn't say you should wait until you sort of feel that, oh, that empathy and compassion. 00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:08.700 He says, no, on the first day of the week, you do this. 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:09.940 Now, why the first day of the week? 00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:16.060 Well, I think it's the… the only reason it could be is that's the day when the Christians 00:12:16.060 --> 00:12:19.600 met together, because that's the day when Jesus rose from the dead. 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:22.080 And there's a spiritual significance. 00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:28.660 On the first day of the week, we gather together, we remember how Jesus Christ has laid down His 00:12:28.660 --> 00:12:36.480 life for us to make us eternally rich, and then we put that faith into practice by giving 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:43.240 away some of the material provisions that God has provided us with this past week in order 00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:46.540 to bless others who need them more than we do. 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:49.240 So, it's an act of worship. 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:58.199 And Paul says, you know, if you give regularly, you're going to, in the end, give more than 00:12:58.199 --> 00:13:04.459 if you just give sort of sporadically and in response to emotional needs, right? 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:07.299 Paul says, when I come, I don't want to do a collection. 00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:12.459 I don't want to come and start a big fundraiser and try to gather as much money as we can as 00:13:12.459 --> 00:13:13.219 quick as we can. 00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:18.860 Paul says, no, I want you to lay it aside week by week as an act of worship and devotion 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:22.620 to God so that when I come, it'll be ready to go. 00:13:25.540 --> 00:13:27.620 So, a couple of practical things. 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:32.399 You might say, well, does this mean that there's a command that each of us should give something 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:34.840 in the basket when the basket passes every single Sunday? 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:37.600 I would say not necessarily. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:41.120 Maybe you only get paid once a month, so you only give once a month. 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:46.620 Or maybe you set up online bank transfers so that you don't forget to write your check. 00:13:47.060 --> 00:13:49.139 Because who writes checks for many things anyway, right? 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.379 And you can do that. 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:53.560 But here's the thing. 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:58.620 When the offering basket goes by every Sunday, it's a good opportunity to ask yourself, 00:13:59.100 --> 00:14:03.860 how has the Lord blessed me materially, practically this week? 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:10.000 And how can I share some of what the Lord has blessed me with, with others? 00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:15.879 With others in our church, with missionaries, and others in the global church, right? 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:17.379 Who have needs to care for the poor. 00:14:18.340 --> 00:14:22.080 And it's an opportunity to ask ourselves, am I giving God the first and the best, 00:14:22.800 --> 00:14:25.320 or am I just giving God the last and the leftovers? 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:30.259 The stuff that I haven't figured out how to use after I spend what I want to on myself. 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:35.740 You know, this is partly why we collect an offering as part of our Sunday worship. 00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:37.559 Some churches don't do this. 00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:41.080 Some churches just have a box in the back, and they say, you know, if you want to give, 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:42.899 just give as you come or go. 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:49.039 But the reason why we pass the baskets every Sunday, it's not to put pressure on people 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:53.919 who are visitors, or if you're not a Christian, we just want you to come and hear the message 00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:55.019 that we're talking about. 00:14:55.580 --> 00:14:57.539 You don't have to feel like you have to pay to come to church. 00:14:57.539 --> 00:15:00.500 If you don't have any money, you don't have to give anything. 00:15:01.179 --> 00:15:02.639 And that's fine, right? 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:07.699 And if you give more, you know, once a month or whatever, then just pass the basket, right? 00:15:07.899 --> 00:15:11.779 We don't want you to feel any weird feelings because of that. 00:15:12.199 --> 00:15:19.099 But the reason why we do it every Sunday is to remind us that our worship can't be disconnected 00:15:19.099 --> 00:15:21.179 from how we use our money. 00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:27.620 And so, it's a good check for us every week to be thanking the Lord and examining ourselves. 00:15:29.079 --> 00:15:30.259 So, first, give regularly. 00:15:30.419 --> 00:15:32.199 Second, give proportionally. 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:35.639 Paul says, verse 2, each of you should give. 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:38.419 Each of you should put something aside as he may prosper. 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:45.279 Now, you know, Paul asked each of us to give what we can. 00:15:45.339 --> 00:15:49.699 He doesn't just say, I know some of you in the Corinthian church are really well off. 00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:54.860 And so, if, you know, the top 10 or 20 percent, if you all could just give generously, then 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:55.240 you know what? 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.340 The church will be just fine. 00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:57.360 And you know what? 00:15:57.379 --> 00:16:01.500 The rest of you, we know you're struggling, so you don't need to participate in this. 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:02.960 Paul says, no. 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:10.400 Paul says, every gift counts, no matter how large, no matter how small, because it's an 00:16:10.400 --> 00:16:11.320 offering to God. 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:13.940 And because we're all in this together. 00:16:13.940 --> 00:16:18.900 And in Corinth, there was a problem because some of the wealthier people thought that 00:16:18.900 --> 00:16:22.520 because they had more money, that they should have more power in the church. 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:24.240 And Paul says, oh, no, no. 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:27.080 We're one body of Christ together. 00:16:28.780 --> 00:16:30.260 And we're all in this together. 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:34.820 So, Paul says, give as you may prosper. 00:16:35.680 --> 00:16:37.680 Now, again, some practical questions. 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:41.599 Many Christians have pointed out that the Old Testament commands the Israelites to give 00:16:41.599 --> 00:16:44.239 10 percent tithes to God. 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:49.120 Other Christians have pointed out that the New Testament doesn't command tithing. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:54.159 And then it's more complicated because there were multiple tithes for multiple purposes in 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:54.679 the Old Testament. 00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:58.019 So, what should we say? 00:16:59.599 --> 00:17:00.799 Let me say a couple things. 00:17:00.979 --> 00:17:04.099 I think for most of us, 10 percent is a good place to start. 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:10.959 I mean, should we really intentionally choose to give less under the new covenant of grace 00:17:10.959 --> 00:17:15.519 in Christ than the Old Testament Israelites were commanded to give under the old covenant 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.819 under Moses? 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:23.980 I mean, and besides, most of us do a better job giving when we have a concrete goal to 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:29.000 start with, like 10 percent of what you earn, rather than just relying on our own subjective 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:29.519 impressions. 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:36.400 Now, on the other hand, second thing to say is 10 percent should not be an upper limit. 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:41.000 Paul instructs us to give, as we heard earlier in the service, following the pattern of Christ. 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:43.279 Christ became poor for our sake. 00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:44.779 He was rich and He became poor. 00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:45.660 He emptied Himself. 00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:49.079 Christ didn't just tithe and stop there. 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:57.299 So, to give as Christ has given to us means to give until it hurts us, until it constrains what 00:17:57.299 --> 00:18:02.079 we spend on ourselves, and that will often look like more than 10 percent. 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:06.940 But having said all that, let me say another thing. 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:16.259 If for whatever reason you have accumulated major debt, now I'm not talking about home mortgages 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:21.500 or car loans or student loans that you're paying off regularly at a reasonable rate, but things 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:27.460 like credit card debt or overdue bills that have gone to bill collectors or people that 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:31.680 you've promised to pay back and you haven't paid them back in the time frame you've promised. 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:37.900 You need to take that seriously because you can't give what you don't have. 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:44.599 And if the only way you're giving is by going deeper into debt, you're not giving as the Lord 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:45.660 has prospered you. 00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:50.700 You're giving and perhaps spending what is not yours to give and spend in the first place. 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:55.200 So, if that's where you are, I think you should prioritize paying off your debts, 00:18:55.420 --> 00:19:01.759 which is commanded in the New Testament, let no debt remain outstanding, over 10 percent giving, 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:04.380 which is not strictly commanded in the New Testament. 00:19:05.600 --> 00:19:10.000 And in the process, examine your heart and examine your budget. 00:19:10.800 --> 00:19:12.980 I mean, maybe you faced extraordinary hardship. 00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:14.340 That's why we have a DBF. 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:16.599 We want to come alongside you. 00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:18.619 We don't want you to go through that alone. 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:25.299 You know, sometimes, and in the course of life, probably many of us will be in a situation 00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:30.240 where we need the help of the community of believers in practical and even financial ways. 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:32.039 There's nothing wrong with that. 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:41.179 And the deacons are here to help with administering that, and the elders and pastors are here to help 00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:45.720 help you find some good counsel in the process. 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.840 So, maybe you face hardship. 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:52.680 Maybe you realize you made some bad financial decisions in the past, right? 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:57.799 Maybe you took out a mortgage or a loan that was way too expensive, that was much more than you 00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:58.700 should have taken out. 00:19:58.700 --> 00:20:02.779 Maybe you can't sell the car or the house because of how the market works. 00:20:03.580 --> 00:20:08.460 Maybe you need to sort of re-examine your heart and your priorities, even if you can't fix your 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.940 financial situation right away. 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:17.640 Maybe you need to sit down with someone or go to the class that's happening starting in a couple 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:22.860 weeks, Financial Peace University, about making a budget and all kinds of other very practical 00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:24.699 things about getting your finances in order. 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:29.740 And the way the class ends is get your finances in order so that you can give faithfully and 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:30.159 generously. 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:35.359 So, let me acknowledge that and mention that. 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:44.500 So, steadfast and regular giving, and also Paul mentions in verse 3, the church needs to manage 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:46.059 those finances faithfully. 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:51.039 If you notice, Paul says, when I arrive, I don't want there to be any collecting. 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:56.539 And then he says, I'll send those whom you accredit to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 00:20:57.579 --> 00:21:00.779 Paul doesn't say, you know, trust me. 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:03.940 Give me the money and I'll handle it. 00:21:04.639 --> 00:21:06.159 I mean, don't you trust me if you wouldn't… 00:21:06.159 --> 00:21:06.639 If you don't… 00:21:06.639 --> 00:21:10.220 If, you know, why wouldn't you let me handle the money if you really trust me as your church 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:10.539 leader? 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:11.680 Paul says, no. 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:17.619 You choose people who you approve as a church to handle your money. 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:19.700 I'm not going to handle it. 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:23.420 And that's what… 00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:25.700 That's the principle that we follow here at Trinity. 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:31.500 The pastors do not count the offering. 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:35.839 In fact, I have no idea what you gave in the baskets this morning. 00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:38.079 And there's no way that I'm going to find out. 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:40.500 The deacons take care of that. 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.579 They count the offerings. 00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:44.399 They give you the contribution receipts at the end of the year. 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:51.400 It's a way that we can… 00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:56.380 Because we want you to be confident that when you give to this church, that your money is 00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:59.360 going to be handled well and accounted for properly. 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:01.580 And Paul's concerned about that. 00:22:01.780 --> 00:22:03.300 And we're concerned about that. 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:08.040 And it's an appropriate question to ask if you're going to give money to somebody or some 00:22:08.040 --> 00:22:12.000 organization to know that it will be handled in a trustworthy manner. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:15.819 Paul cared about it, and we should care about it too. 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:22.000 So, that's how Paul calls us to be steadfast in managing our resources. 00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:24.500 Steadfast in giving regularly and proportionally. 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:29.259 And steadfast in giving in managing finances in a trustworthy manner. 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:34.480 Because the way we give is a sign of the gospel to the world. 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:38.779 All right. 00:22:38.860 --> 00:22:46.000 The second section of our passage is Paul calls us to be steadfast in prioritizing our relationships. 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:53.259 Verse 5 to 9, Paul lays out his travel plans, mentions three places, and in verse 10 to 12, 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:54.160 he mentions two people. 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:58.120 So, we're going to look at the places, and then we'll look at the people, and what we can 00:22:58.120 --> 00:23:02.059 learn from these about Paul's relational priorities. 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:06.759 Verse 5, Paul says, I will pass through Macedonia. 00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:13.339 Now, Macedonia was the region that included the cities of Philippi, Berea, and Thessalonica. 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:17.720 Paul had established churches in those cities on his second missionary journey. 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:21.419 And so, we see that Paul's committed to the churches he has established. 00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:24.799 He's committed to encouraging growing Christians. 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:28.679 Now, as far as we know, these churches didn't have any big problems. 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:36.660 But Paul was committed to encouraging them by visiting them and by equipping them and mobilizing 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:40.340 them to participate in this collection for the saints, which they did very generously. 00:23:41.340 --> 00:23:45.420 Verse 6 and 7, Paul says, I want to spend time with you in Corinth. 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:48.720 He says, perhaps I'll stay with you or even spend the winter. 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:51.440 I don't want to see you just in passing. 00:23:51.560 --> 00:23:53.160 I really want to spend time with you. 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:58.360 And the reason Paul gives in verse 6 is he says, so you can help me on my journey. 00:23:58.460 --> 00:24:03.500 In other words, that was a word used for sort of sending out missionaries from a church, 00:24:03.580 --> 00:24:06.759 supporting them financially and logistically on the next leg of their journey. 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:15.640 When Paul had been in Corinth, he actually had refused to receive money from the people 00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:22.080 in Corinth because the situation was basically like if Paul received money from certain people, 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:27.200 then people would have thought, oh, well, Paul is now indebted to that person. 00:24:27.780 --> 00:24:33.440 And so, he is going to conduct his ministry in Corinth in a way that favors that person. 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.700 And Paul says, I don't want… 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.980 I want to be very clear. 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:39.860 I'm not participating in favoritism. 00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:42.200 That was a real danger in Corinth. 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:46.600 And Paul didn't accept any money from the people while he was there because he wanted 00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:47.900 to guard against that danger. 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:51.920 But Paul is sort of saying, okay, I know you want to… 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:53.120 Here's how you can help me. 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:55.840 You can help me get along to the next place. 00:24:56.920 --> 00:25:00.360 If you want to support me, help me in my mission to another city. 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:04.319 And that way, I don't have to deal with favoritism problems because nobody in the next city is going 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:07.559 to know where the money came from, and you're not going to follow me, and it's not going 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:08.420 to be in your home city, right? 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:13.980 But so, that's partly what he's doing there. 00:25:14.060 --> 00:25:21.740 But I think Paul also wanted to spend extended time in Corinth because this church had issues, 00:25:22.100 --> 00:25:23.120 right? 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:27.660 As we've read through 1 Corinthians, they have a lot of problems. 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:33.480 And Paul knows that if a church has a lot of problems, you're not going to come in real 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:35.100 quick and fix everything in two weeks. 00:25:35.800 --> 00:25:37.600 And so, Paul says, I want to spend time with you. 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:38.939 Now, he's tactful. 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.799 He doesn't say that. 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:42.899 He doesn't say, I want to spend time with you because you're so messed up. 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:47.759 But I think, you know, he's already said, when I come, I'm going to give you more instructions. 00:25:49.159 --> 00:25:52.819 Paul wants to come and spend time with them so he can instruct them and help Christians 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:54.419 who are confused and troubled. 00:25:55.799 --> 00:26:01.299 But the third place he mentions, verse 8 to 9, he says, I'll stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 00:26:01.399 --> 00:26:06.319 for a wide door for effective work is open for me, and there are many adversaries. 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:12.759 Richard Hayes wrote, the place of greatest risk may also be the place of greatest opportunity 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:14.460 in proclaiming the gospel. 00:26:15.679 --> 00:26:18.480 So, what do we take from this section about these three places? 00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:24.559 I think we see three priorities that should inform our relationships. 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:29.259 Number one, we see that we should encourage growing Christians, what Paul did for those 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:29.960 in Macedonia. 00:26:31.139 --> 00:26:34.480 You know, one of the things that we, that the elders at Trinity would love to see more 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:38.399 and more is mutual encouragement among believers. 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:43.759 After I graduated from college, I lived with three other guys in a two-bedroom apartment, 00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:48.559 and for the first year, we met every Sunday night at 10 p.m. to pray together. 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:53.859 And you know, if we didn't set that time, we probably wouldn't have prayed together very 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:54.259 much. 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:59.539 But because we set that time, it, it was really helpful. 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.799 It made a difference. 00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:06.700 We didn't spend a real long time, but we did it every week. 00:27:07.599 --> 00:27:12.519 And so, let me encourage you, if you live with other Christians, maybe your, whether it's 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:18.319 your family or roommates, or if you live near other Christians or work with another Christian, 00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:22.220 find ways to mutually encourage one another. 00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:23.539 Right? 00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:28.420 We want it to be a very common thing that people say, yeah, I call some, I call my prayer 00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:30.920 partner every Thursday morning at 7 a.m. 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:32.680 and we pray on the phone for 20 minutes. 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:36.680 Because that's how we can encourage one another. 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:42.119 Not just respond when somebody's in crisis, but positively encourage one another as we grow. 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:51.980 Second, Paul makes it a priority to spend time, extended time, with troubled Christians. 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.119 Right? 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:53.879 The church in Corinth. 00:27:55.000 --> 00:28:00.519 Sometimes Christians are confused or conflict-ridden or immature like the people in Corinth. 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:06.460 And Paul would remind us, don't give up too quickly on your brothers and sisters in Christ 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:10.680 who are confused and have a lot of issues. 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:15.580 You know, most of us, if we walked into the church at Corinth and we saw what was going on, 00:28:16.320 --> 00:28:18.820 we'd walk across the street and say, I'm going to plant another church. 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:22.259 And the gospel is going to grow through a new church plant. 00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:24.900 And Paul says, not so fast. 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:29.640 Don't give up on the body of Christ even when it's messy. 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:32.420 Do what you can. 00:28:33.320 --> 00:28:34.560 And each of us have different roles. 00:28:34.559 --> 00:28:41.619 But this is part of what God calls us to do, to come alongside people and help to mediate 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:50.559 conflicts, to speak the truth in love, to bear with people who have many obvious flaws. 00:28:52.399 --> 00:28:53.339 Paul encourages us. 00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:55.019 That's what it means. 00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:56.799 That's another relational priority. 00:28:56.799 --> 00:29:01.180 But third, Paul's not just concerned about only investing in other Christians. 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:10.839 Paul says, persevere in proclaiming the gospel, in bearing witness to Christ in the world, right? 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:11.319 In Ephesus. 00:29:11.419 --> 00:29:12.539 He says, I'm going to stay in Ephesus. 00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:17.000 There's a wide and open door for the gospel. 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:25.480 He was concerned about loving and investing in people who hadn't yet become Christians as well. 00:29:26.900 --> 00:29:28.380 And he knew that that wouldn't be easy. 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:29.640 So, let me encourage you. 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:35.299 If the Lord has opened a door for you to proclaim the gospel, don't be surprised if you also face 00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:37.180 some kind of opposition. 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:43.440 The most valuable things in life are sometimes the most painful things in life. 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:48.200 And sometimes we have to embrace the risk in order to gain the reward. 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:55.220 So, these are the priorities that we see from Paul's travel plans in verses 5 to 9. 00:29:55.299 --> 00:30:02.200 Now, before we go on to 10 through 12, I need to tell you an interesting fact that at first I 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.240 wasn't quite sure what to do with. 00:30:03.860 --> 00:30:09.620 Paul actually doesn't follow the travel plans he lays out here, specifically in verse 6 and 7. 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:16.339 And notice, that's why he said, perhaps, and I hope, and if the Lord permits, right? 00:30:16.399 --> 00:30:19.679 He's not making promises and then breaking them, right? 00:30:19.699 --> 00:30:21.000 He's acknowledging the uncertainty. 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:28.819 But if you turn over the page in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians chapter 1, you can read in 2 Corinthians 00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:30.199 chapter 1 verse 15. 00:30:31.219 --> 00:30:35.739 He says, because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first. 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:41.620 Verse 16, I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia 00:30:41.620 --> 00:30:43.319 and have you send me on my way to Judea. 00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:49.240 So, what Paul did is for some reason, he changed his plans. 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:54.720 Instead of going first to pass through Macedonia and then for a long visit in Corinth, 00:30:55.500 --> 00:31:01.420 he went first for a short visit to Corinth and then to Macedonia with the hope that he would 00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:04.640 then come back to Corinth for a second, probably longer visit. 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:08.360 Unfortunately, that all backfired. 00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:13.000 2 Corinthians tells you some of that story. 00:31:14.540 --> 00:31:21.160 Paul describes the first short visit as a painful visit, which resulted in him leaving 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:24.020 for Macedonia and then calling off his second visit. 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:30.980 And it took two more letters from Paul and two visits from Titus, who seems to be one of those 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:36.440 guys who was willing to step in the middle of a messy situation and promote reconciliation 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:41.599 and holiness as Paul's representative in visiting Corinth. 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:44.599 Now, what do we make of all that? 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:48.000 Well, I think here's what we can take away. 00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:53.779 Paul was steadfast in his priorities, wanting to encourage growing Christians, wanting to help 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:58.379 struggling Christians, wanting to persevere and sharing the gospel despite opposition. 00:31:59.659 --> 00:32:02.839 Paul was steadfast in those priorities, but he was willing to change his plans. 00:32:04.639 --> 00:32:08.219 Paul realized that things don't always go the way you think they're going to go, 00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:14.680 and sometimes you have to flex, and sometimes you have to change course in the middle of things 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:17.319 and make the most of a situation that isn't ideal. 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:24.700 Paul wasn't paralyzed by fear into doing nothing, and he wasn't naive in his hope 00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:27.380 and thinking that everything would always go smoothly. 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:31.319 But Paul did all this. 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:39.539 He encouraged and helped and evangelized, not on his own, but as part of a network. 00:32:40.599 --> 00:32:48.419 Verse 10 to 12, we see two of Paul's trusted friends and co-workers, Timothy and Apollos. 00:32:49.419 --> 00:32:51.779 Timothy was one of Paul's most trusted co-workers. 00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:55.460 Paul was willing to send Timothy to Corinth ahead of him. 00:32:55.460 --> 00:33:02.700 Basically, he's saying, I can't be there, but I trust Timothy to be there in my place. 00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:06.980 And Timothy was going to be in a hard situation, right? 00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:11.079 Because there's some people in Corinth who don't like Paul, and Timothy's very closely allied 00:33:11.079 --> 00:33:11.759 with Paul. 00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:18.680 And so, Paul tries to clear the way for Timothy and says, receive him and send him on his way 00:33:18.680 --> 00:33:19.579 back to me in peace. 00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:27.039 Paul wants to publicly support Timothy even as he had called him to a difficult task. 00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:29.879 And then verse 12, we see Apollos. 00:33:30.919 --> 00:33:32.539 And this verse is even more interesting. 00:33:33.460 --> 00:33:36.419 You don't see… you don't think it's very interesting when you first read it. 00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:41.019 But look at the other places where Apollos appears in 1 Corinthians. 00:33:41.139 --> 00:33:44.379 The first place where Apollos appears is chapter 1, verse 12. 00:33:44.380 --> 00:33:50.540 And we see that some people were saying, I follow Paul, and others were saying, I follow 00:33:50.540 --> 00:33:51.120 Apollos. 00:33:51.780 --> 00:33:54.320 And others were saying, I follow Cephas, and others were saying, I follow Christ. 00:33:54.380 --> 00:33:59.420 But the two major groups were, I'm of Paul, and I'm of Apollos. 00:33:59.840 --> 00:34:01.680 And you see that again in chapter 3, verse 4. 00:34:02.860 --> 00:34:03.700 Here's what had happened. 00:34:03.800 --> 00:34:05.400 Paul planted the church in Corinth. 00:34:06.300 --> 00:34:07.980 He stayed there and preached for a while. 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:09.320 He left and went to Ephesus. 00:34:09.940 --> 00:34:12.579 In Ephesus, Apollos was there. 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:18.799 And it says, Apollos was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures, and fervent in 00:34:18.799 --> 00:34:19.559 the Holy Spirit. 00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:23.219 And Ephesus wanted to go to Corinth. 00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:28.460 And so, the church in Ephesus blessed him and sent him off, and he went to Corinth. 00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:34.500 And it says, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed. 00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:40.380 And he powerfully demonstrated from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. 00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:51.579 But, after Apollos left Corinth, some people start saying, that Paul guy, you know, he started 00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:53.239 things, but we don't really like him. 00:34:53.819 --> 00:34:55.019 He's not such a good preacher. 00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:57.019 We don't want him to come back. 00:34:57.420 --> 00:34:58.679 We want Apollos. 00:34:59.139 --> 00:34:59.639 Apollos. 00:34:59.860 --> 00:35:00.380 Apollos. 00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.119 Apollos. 00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:02.099 Down with Paul. 00:35:02.099 --> 00:35:02.500 Apollos. 00:35:03.299 --> 00:35:04.659 That's what was going on. 00:35:06.299 --> 00:35:10.019 So, it's very remarkable that Paul says in verse 12, and probably when the Corinthians 00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:13.059 wrote to Paul, they asked for Apollos to come. 00:35:13.659 --> 00:35:16.159 That's why Paul uses the phrase, now concerning, right? 00:35:16.219 --> 00:35:17.420 Responding to something in their letter. 00:35:21.440 --> 00:35:26.440 Now, it's very surprising that Paul says in verse 12, I strongly urged Apollos to visit 00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:33.820 you with the other brothers, because what it means is that Paul didn't let the Corinthians 00:35:33.820 --> 00:35:40.900 envy and rivalry and factions get in the middle of his friendship and partnership with Apollos. 00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:47.539 Some of the Corinthians were exalting Apollos and putting down Paul. 00:35:48.460 --> 00:35:52.079 And Paul says, no, Apollos and I are teammates. 00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:54.779 Apollos were God's fellow workers. 00:35:56.159 --> 00:36:00.559 And so, he encouraged Apollos to go as part of a larger team, because Paul says, Apollos, 00:36:00.639 --> 00:36:01.319 I trust you. 00:36:02.360 --> 00:36:05.679 Yeah, some people are saying all these crazy things about you being great and me being 00:36:05.679 --> 00:36:07.719 no good, but I trust you. 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:08.900 We're on the same team. 00:36:09.279 --> 00:36:13.299 So, you go with this team, and as part of the team, you can show that we're all on the 00:36:13.299 --> 00:36:13.940 same page. 00:36:14.779 --> 00:36:19.019 And then Apollos says, no, I'm not going to go. 00:36:19.079 --> 00:36:21.259 It says, it was not as all his will to go. 00:36:22.120 --> 00:36:25.220 Apollos probably says, no, that's too dangerous. 00:36:26.120 --> 00:36:31.520 I don't want to pander to these people who are exalting me and putting you down, because 00:36:31.520 --> 00:36:32.120 we're teammates. 00:36:33.120 --> 00:36:36.180 You see, Paul has Apollos' back, and Apollos got Paul's back. 00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:41.540 This is pretty remarkable, right? 00:36:42.540 --> 00:36:49.080 Because sometimes Christian friendships and ministry partnerships especially can sometimes 00:36:49.079 --> 00:36:52.199 be challenging, and they can be sticky. 00:36:53.659 --> 00:36:58.659 Sometimes Pastor Nick and Matt and I joke about this, because each of us has had people 00:36:58.659 --> 00:37:02.000 come to us and say something like, you're my favorite preacher. 00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:08.880 I mean, the other two guys are okay, but I really like your sermons the best. 00:37:11.519 --> 00:37:15.019 And we joke about it, because, you know, it's normal for people to have their preferences. 00:37:15.960 --> 00:37:17.239 But we're a team here. 00:37:18.059 --> 00:37:19.400 So, you're going to hear all of us. 00:37:19.400 --> 00:37:26.000 And the most important thing is that we're all preaching the same gospel, and we're helping 00:37:26.000 --> 00:37:29.260 each other grow into who God has called us to be in Christ. 00:37:29.260 --> 00:37:36.440 So, part of what it means to be steadfast in our relationships is stick up for each other. 00:37:37.700 --> 00:37:42.180 Stick up for the Timothys, the young but loyal people who have hard tasks ahead of them. 00:37:42.880 --> 00:37:47.560 Stand with Apollos when other people compare you and consider him to be superior. 00:37:49.000 --> 00:37:55.180 Side with Paul when people are exalting you and demoting him, because if we're all servants 00:37:55.179 --> 00:37:58.019 of Christ, we're all on the same team. 00:37:59.059 --> 00:38:02.440 We're all part of the same one body of Christ. 00:38:04.079 --> 00:38:06.919 And when one part rejoices, every part can rejoice. 00:38:07.059 --> 00:38:09.519 And when one part suffers, we can all suffer together. 00:38:12.599 --> 00:38:13.960 This is what Paul calls us to. 00:38:14.099 --> 00:38:20.119 In light of the resurrection hope that we have in Jesus Christ, be steadfast. 00:38:21.079 --> 00:38:25.139 Steadfast in managing our resources and being generous for the sake. 00:38:25.179 --> 00:38:28.299 Of expressing the unity of the gospel. 00:38:28.899 --> 00:38:31.919 And be steadfast in prioritizing our relationships. 00:38:32.219 --> 00:38:34.199 In encouraging one another. 00:38:34.539 --> 00:38:36.079 In helping one another. 00:38:36.279 --> 00:38:39.739 In evangelizing and loving our neighbors. 00:38:40.919 --> 00:38:43.519 And doing this all as a team. 00:38:44.559 --> 00:38:45.339 Let's pray. 00:38:50.299 --> 00:38:51.699 Lord God, we thank you 00:38:51.699 --> 00:38:57.859 that you have given us the power to do these things. 00:38:59.139 --> 00:39:00.159 Because you came. 00:39:01.179 --> 00:39:03.439 And you laid down your life for us on the cross. 00:39:04.099 --> 00:39:06.579 Though you were rich for our sake, you became poor. 00:39:06.659 --> 00:39:09.819 That we through your poverty might become eternally rich. 00:39:11.339 --> 00:39:12.000 Lord Jesus, 00:39:12.259 --> 00:39:13.899 we thank you that we can 00:39:13.899 --> 00:39:15.579 remain steadfast 00:39:15.579 --> 00:39:18.139 in our relationships in light of the resurrection. 00:39:18.139 --> 00:39:21.379 In light of the day when you will return. 00:39:26.379 --> 00:39:27.579 And Lord, we… 00:39:27.579 --> 00:39:29.679 That reminds us what matters and what doesn't matter. 00:39:31.299 --> 00:39:33.940 Lord, we pray that by the power of your Spirit, 00:39:34.079 --> 00:39:35.400 whom you have given to us, 00:39:36.000 --> 00:39:38.259 that you would enable us to be steadfast 00:39:38.259 --> 00:39:39.480 and immovable 00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:41.719 and abounding in the work of the Lord. 00:39:41.719 --> 00:39:44.639 Because our labor in the Lord 00:39:44.639 --> 00:39:45.819 is not in vain. 00:39:46.639 --> 00:39:46.919 Amen.