WEBVTT

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 Lord, thank you so much for this opportunity to come together as your church.

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 People from all sorts of different backgrounds, people coming from different countries,

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 people speaking different languages, people that are older or younger or taller or shorter,

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 men and women.

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 Lord, thank you that you have drawn us all together.

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 And as we open your word, help us to not just hear it, but inwardly just grasp it.

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 Lord, I pray by your Holy Spirit, you'll open our eyes to your truth and help us to live

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 out this way that you've called us to live.

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 I pray all these things in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 So in 2006, you know, I'm not a big soccer fan.

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 I love watching basketball.

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 I really love watching basketball.

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 But the first World Cup I ever watched was in 2006.

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 And it was France and Italy in the finals.

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 And it was in Germany.

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 So it was what time?

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 What's the difference?

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 Like six hours or something like that.

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 So the game was around two o'clock, three o'clock, kind of the early afternoon.

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 And I remember I fell asleep.

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 Not because it was boring, but because that's what I do in big, momentous type of things.

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 I've fallen asleep at NBA finals, and I love basketball.

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 I've fallen asleep in movies.

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 I've fallen asleep at the wheel.

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 Like it's just, I'm not the greatest at staying awake.

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 And people that know me, they get a big kick that, you know, around nine o'clock, this kind

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 of glaze hits my eyes.

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 And I'm basically dead to the world.

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 Like I'm useless.

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 But it's interesting.

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 I get a big kick out of soccer fans because for a few weeks, every fourth year, every

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 fourth summer, Canadians who, I mean, when it's the gold medal game of the Olympics for

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 hockey, I mean, this place bleeds red and white.

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 Everybody is like the proudest Canadian.

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 But when the World Cup comes, people claim, you know, their step great aunt's Italian heritage

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 for them cheering for Italy.

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 Or all of a sudden, like the Ottawa's like hidden, quiet Brazilian diaspora comes alive

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 and swells to 10 times as big as it, you know, is during the year.

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 People from France, they just go crazy.

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 Anyways, nationalism, just like it spikes.

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 I think it's hilarious.

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 I get a big kick out of it.

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 And by the way, I think there's nothing wrong with that.

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 It's just a comment.

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 This hyper nationalism just takes over.

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 And this is what we're in today.

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 So, I mean, I, like yesterday or the day before, I saw German flags on the side of this

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 car.

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 We have a neighbor who has a German flag up.

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 And it's just a sweet time, you know, it brings people together.

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 But it's this hyper nationalism, this hyper allegiance that has totally overtaken Canadian patriotism

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 for a few weeks every fourth summer.

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 In ancient Philippi, we have one of the leading cities in Eastern, in the Eastern European section

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 of the Roman Empire.

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 So, around modern day Macedonia.

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 And it was populated by many people who were extremely patriotic to Rome.

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 Very patriotic to Rome.

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 Apparently, a lot of retired soldiers, that's where they would end up living, is in Philippi.

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 So, Roman patriotism, it wasn't kind of like Canadian patriotism.

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 It was a bit of a mix between this hyper nationalism and this cult-like religion around Caesar.

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 So, to be a good Roman citizen, it wasn't that you swore allegiance to Rome.

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 It's that you actually swore allegiance to Caesar as divine.

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 So, you can have your own gods.

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 You might have a family god.

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 You have little shrines set up that your family worships.

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 But, that's fine.

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 But, if it gets in the way of worshiping Caesar, this is no go.

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 Caesar takes prominence for Roman citizens.

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 Interesting, there was a Roman poet about 300 or so years after Paul.

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 So, about 1700 years ago.

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 And, this is a translation from the Latin.

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 But, this is what it says to be a Roman citizen.

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 Rome, Rome alone has found the spell to charm the tribes that fell beneath her conquering arm.

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 Has given one name to the whole human race and clasped and sheltered them in fond embrace.

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 Rome took over the known world.

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 Conquering tons of different people.

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 Different languages.

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 Different tribes.

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 And, in the end, you could be a Roman citizen.

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 You had to swear allegiance to Caesar.

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 So, before Christianity became the state religion in the Roman Empire, around 300,

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 they were this tiny sect, this religion that was spreading, that said,

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 actually, we're not going to give ultimate authority to Caesar.

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 We have our God, but he's not Caesar.

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 Obviously, this flew in the face of what it meant to be a Roman citizen.

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 This hyper-patriotism was just non-existent within the Christian sect.

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 And, ultimately, it led to Christians being persecuted and killed.

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 Thrown in jail.

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 Dissidents of the cultic Roman patriotism would be thrown in prison.

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 And, eventually, they would be beaten and executed.

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 Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians in jail.

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 In prison.

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 Precisely because of this.

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 Because he said,

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 Caesar is fine, but Caesar isn't God.

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 There's only one God, and it's Jesus.

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 So, Paul's social credibility wasn't very high.

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 Kind of low.

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 He wasn't, you don't really garner a lot of respect in the city that you're in

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 by giving a big middle finger, at least to the Roman citizens, in their view, to Caesar.

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 You just don't do that.

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 So, Paul here is writing this letter in prison,

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 and he's at a pretty low spot.

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 The church that he is writing to,

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 that he is nurturing in Philippi,

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 is facing pressures from these hyper-patriotic people

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 that are saying,

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 listen, worship whatever God you want to worship,

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 but you have to swear allegiance to Caesar.

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 Not only that,

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 there seems to be,

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 within the text,

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 we see these false teachers,

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 or at least it's alluded to,

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 these false teachers are in the church,

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 and what's happening with these false teachers,

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 they are saying,

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 well, hold on a second.

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 The Christian life is the exalted life.

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 If you're a Christian,

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 I mean,

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 you are,

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 there is no issue with you,

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 there's no suffering,

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 there's no pain.

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 To live the Christian life is to live the exalted life.

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 And all of a sudden,

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 we see these factions,

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 that are starting in the Philippian church,

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 that Paul addresses.

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 So we have pressures from outside of the Philippian church,

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 from the citizenry of Philippi,

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 and then we have pressures inside of the Philippian church.

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 And all of a sudden,

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 this unity that Paul has been advocating for,

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 within the church,

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 is starting to splinter.

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 It's starting to break apart.

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 And Paul here is writing a letter to address this.

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 So how does Paul address this?

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 He does this by not only defending his imprisonment,

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 because,

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 by the way,

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 like if you're,

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 if you're in this church,

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 and you have people saying,

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 the exalted,

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 the Christian life is an exalted Christian life,

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 it's an exalted life,

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 no suffering,

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 how is the,

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 the planter of your church,

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 the leader of your faith,

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 this guy named Paul,

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 why would he be in prison?

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 That's a stain on our reputation.

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 We're supposed to be,

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 really,

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 well to do people,

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 and yet our leader,

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 is stuck in a Roman prison?

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 So Paul,

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 he is addressing this,

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 this fracturing,

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 this disunity,

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 by defending his own imprisonment,

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 as actually being God's will,

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 for the furthering of the gospel,

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 but he also,

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 constantly is exhorting the people,

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 to unity,

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 to be together.

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 But not just a unity,

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 for the sake of unity,

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 not like everybody,

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 you have to hold hands,

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 to put on a show,

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 for anybody who sees you in public.

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 No, no, no,

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 it's a unity in Christ.

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 It's a unity,

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 that is rooted,

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 in shared values,

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 even deeper than that,

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 shared faith,

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 in one God.

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 And at the core of this,

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 isn't this exalted life,

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 but it's actually a life,

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 that has suffering,

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 as a key component of it.

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 So,

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 Paul calls the Christians,

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 in Philippi,

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 to be united in four ways.

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 You want to throw up the first slide,

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 Andrew?

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 Okay.

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 Four ways,

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 he calls the Christians,

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 to be unified.

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 By a shared doctrine,

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 to be humble,

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 and to have affection,

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 for one another.

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 To be under the rule,

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 of Christ,

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 the risen Christ.

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 To grow,

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 in their faith,

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 empowered by God,

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 to live God's way.

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 And finally,

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 to bring,

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 a blessing,

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 to all the world.

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 He is calling,

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 the Christians,

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 to a higher life.

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 Not a life,

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 of exaltation,

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 at least not yet.

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 A life,

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 of suffering.

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 So,

00:10:12.439 --> 00:10:13.000
 slide two.

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 The first point.

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 Christians are unified,

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 by a shared doctrine,

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 humility,

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 and affection,

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 for one another.

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 This is how,

00:10:22.679 --> 00:10:23.480
 Paul opens up.

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 Paul doesn't mince words,

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 right off the bat.

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 The church of Philippi,

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 is to live,

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 a life,

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 a collective life,

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 in a manner,

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 that is befitting,

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 of Jesus himself.

00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:35.159
 Paul opens up,

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 by saying this.

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 Only,

00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:37.799
 verse 27,

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 only let your manner,

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 of life,

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 be worthy,

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 of the gospel,

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 of Christ.

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 This idea,

00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:43.620
 Paul is saying,

00:10:43.820 --> 00:10:44.980
 let your life,

00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:47.279
 we don't really see it.

00:10:47.440 --> 00:10:48.159
 We're very,

00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:49.159
 removed from,

00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:50.700
 the ancient Roman world.

00:10:51.180 --> 00:10:51.960
 But Paul here,

00:10:52.080 --> 00:10:52.860
 is leveraging,

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 this idea,

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 of what it means,

00:10:55.320 --> 00:10:56.580
 to be a good Roman citizen.

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 See,

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 these people would know,

00:10:58.279 --> 00:10:58.539
 what it means,

00:10:58.580 --> 00:10:59.379
 to be a good Roman citizen.

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 And this phrase,

00:11:01.060 --> 00:11:02.360
 live your life,

00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:03.360
 as a good citizen,

00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:04.240
 you know,

00:11:04.279 --> 00:11:04.860
 followed by,

00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:05.279
 do this,

00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:05.620
 do this,

00:11:05.680 --> 00:11:05.960
 do this,

00:11:06.019 --> 00:11:06.340
 do this,

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 it was fairly known.

00:11:08.139 --> 00:11:08.360
 So,

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 Paul is leveraging this,

00:11:09.700 --> 00:11:10.240
 and he's saying,

00:11:10.300 --> 00:11:10.580
 listen,

00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:13.140
 live your life,

00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:14.420
 in a way worthy,

00:11:15.060 --> 00:11:16.379
 of the gospel of Christ.

00:11:19.520 --> 00:11:20.920
 Being a good Roman citizen,

00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:22.580
 would be,

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 I mean,

00:11:23.040 --> 00:11:23.480
 everywhere,

00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:24.700
 in Philippi.

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 Everybody would know,

00:11:25.660 --> 00:11:26.080
 what it is.

00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:27.240
 Paul here,

00:11:27.340 --> 00:11:28.480
 is not actually condemning,

00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:29.460
 being a Roman citizen.

00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:29.940
 He,

00:11:30.160 --> 00:11:30.420
 in fact,

00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:30.820
 is one.

00:11:31.320 --> 00:11:32.640
 In the book of Acts,

00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:33.840
 later on,

00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:35.240
 he's getting persecuted.

00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:36.399
 He actually appeals,

00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:37.620
 all the way to Caesar,

00:11:38.700 --> 00:11:39.060
 and,

00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:40.539
 and he's entitled to do that,

00:11:40.560 --> 00:11:42.639
 because he is a Roman citizen.

00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:42.860
 So,

00:11:42.919 --> 00:11:44.919
 there's nothing against being a Roman citizen here.

00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:46.279
 But what Paul is doing,

00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:47.539
 is putting everything,

00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:49.000
 in its rightful place.

00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:50.519
 Being a Roman citizen,

00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:51.500
 isn't the highest,

00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:53.139
 level of humanity.

00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:55.000
 Knowing Christ,

00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:55.600
 coming under,

00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:57.279
 the lordship of Christ,

00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:58.720
 that is what is at the highest.

00:11:58.799 --> 00:11:59.879
 And this is what Paul is saying.

00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:02.200
 It is a call to maintain,

00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:03.679
 a courageous witness,

00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:05.740
 together as a church.

00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:07.299
 And I'll just pause real quickly.

00:12:07.679 --> 00:12:08.439
 So often,

00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:09.679
 we read the scriptures,

00:12:10.220 --> 00:12:11.580
 and rightfully so,

00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:13.320
 we want to apply everything,

00:12:13.320 --> 00:12:14.360
 we read to our lives.

00:12:14.840 --> 00:12:15.580
 And this is good.

00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:17.120
 But sometimes we forget,

00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:18.379
 that these are letters,

00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:19.980
 written to congregations.

00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:21.639
 And some of the charges,

00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:22.820
 that Paul makes,

00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:23.820
 the encouragements,

00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:25.240
 the exhortations that he makes,

00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:27.159
 they're for communities.

00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.299
 And Paul is doing,

00:12:29.299 --> 00:12:30.259
 exactly this.

00:12:30.359 --> 00:12:30.919
 He is calling,

00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:31.959
 the community,

00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:33.439
 to a courageous witness,

00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:34.139
 of Jesus.

00:12:34.839 --> 00:12:35.279
 Calling them,

00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:36.559
 together to live,

00:12:37.199 --> 00:12:38.819
 as citizens,

00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:39.839
 of Christ,

00:12:39.979 --> 00:12:40.439
 in a way,

00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:41.199
 that is worthy,

00:12:41.319 --> 00:12:41.839
 of Christ.

00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:44.259
 That's why Paul,

00:12:44.319 --> 00:12:45.059
 repeatedly calls,

00:12:45.099 --> 00:12:45.699
 a congregation,

00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:46.879
 to stand firm,

00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:48.759
 in one spirit,

00:12:48.979 --> 00:12:49.599
 one mind,

00:12:49.719 --> 00:12:50.919
 strive side by side.

00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:51.959
 That's in verse 28.

00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:53.479
 Verse 27,

00:12:53.599 --> 00:12:54.719
 and in verse 28.

00:12:55.319 --> 00:12:55.839
 Their unity,

00:12:55.939 --> 00:12:56.459
 like I mentioned,

00:12:56.559 --> 00:12:56.939
 isn't this,

00:12:57.259 --> 00:12:57.939
 hand holding,

00:12:57.940 --> 00:13:00.000
 unity for the sake of unity,

00:13:00.400 --> 00:13:00.540
 hey,

00:13:00.560 --> 00:13:01.420
 we're all friends,

00:13:01.660 --> 00:13:02.560
 let's go for a drink,

00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:03.260
 type of unity.

00:13:03.880 --> 00:13:04.500
 All okay,

00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:05.060
 by the way.

00:13:05.140 --> 00:13:06.100
 But that's not what he's calling,

00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:07.580
 calling these people to.

00:13:07.660 --> 00:13:08.980
 He's calling them to,

00:13:09.180 --> 00:13:10.680
 a unity that is rooted,

00:13:10.680 --> 00:13:12.400
 in Jesus Christ,

00:13:12.520 --> 00:13:13.280
 in the gospel,

00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:14.800
 and it's a costly unity.

00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:17.760
 Remember,

00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:18.160
 again,

00:13:18.280 --> 00:13:18.980
 false teachers,

00:13:19.160 --> 00:13:19.380
 right?

00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:20.140
 They are,

00:13:20.140 --> 00:13:21.080
 at work,

00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:22.300
 creating factions,

00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:22.900
 and divisions,

00:13:22.900 --> 00:13:23.460
 within,

00:13:23.680 --> 00:13:25.000
 the congregation.

00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:27.539
 Paul flips this whole idea,

00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:29.519
 of this exalted life,

00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:31.419
 the Christian shouldn't suffer,

00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:32.820
 he flips it on its head.

00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:33.820
 And he says,

00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:35.259
 suffering isn't just permissible,

00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:36.080
 for the Christian,

00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:38.179
 it's actually a gift,

00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:39.519
 that means,

00:13:39.679 --> 00:13:40.679
 we get to suffer,

00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:41.580
 for Christ.

00:13:42.039 --> 00:13:42.980
 It's a gift.

00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:45.379
 Verse 29 and 30,

00:13:45.460 --> 00:13:46.259
 this is what it says.

00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:49.139
 For it has been granted,

00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:50.120
 to you,

00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:52.360
 that for the sake of Christ,

00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:54.220
 you should not only believe in him,

00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:55.320
 but also suffer,

00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:56.360
 for his sake.

00:13:58.139 --> 00:13:59.620
 Engaged in the same conflict,

00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:01.220
 that you saw I had,

00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:01.759
 and now,

00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:03.360
 hear that I still have.

00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:04.080
 Listen,

00:14:04.180 --> 00:14:05.700
 what I am in prison for,

00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:06.800
 the life I am living,

00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.919
 it does not seem legitimate,

00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:09.919
 at all.

00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:11.340
 I'm probably facing death.

00:14:12.019 --> 00:14:12.220
 I mean,

00:14:12.300 --> 00:14:13.440
 to the Roman world,

00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:14.399
 I am refused.

00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:16.480
 But actually,

00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:17.519
 this is the life,

00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:19.300
 that everybody is called to.

00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:21.340
 That's what Paul's saying.

00:14:21.800 --> 00:14:22.220
 Verse 30,

00:14:22.220 --> 00:14:22.920
 I'll read it again.

00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.940
 Engaged in the same conflict,

00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:26.519
 that you saw I had,

00:14:26.580 --> 00:14:27.000
 and now,

00:14:27.180 --> 00:14:28.960
 hear that I still have.

00:14:29.560 --> 00:14:30.680
 Suffering for Christ.

00:14:33.040 --> 00:14:34.100
 I don't want to suffer.

00:14:34.540 --> 00:14:35.860
 I don't want to suffer at all.

00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:37.320
 The idea of suffering,

00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:38.240
 actually,

00:14:38.540 --> 00:14:42.080
 I really struggle with it,

00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:42.680
 these days.

00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:43.720
 I don't know if it's because,

00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:46.399
 I have a child now,

00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:47.960
 and I've just become,

00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:48.899
 even more soft,

00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:50.460
 than I was before,

00:14:50.519 --> 00:14:51.240
 and I was pretty soft,

00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:51.860
 before that.

00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:53.700
 But suffering,

00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:54.080
 I just,

00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:56.800
 I don't like the idea of suffering.

00:14:57.419 --> 00:14:57.740
 I mean,

00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:58.980
 even on the physical part,

00:14:59.039 --> 00:14:59.200
 you know,

00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.759
 I'm trying to get in shape,

00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:01.500
 so,

00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:02.000
 you know,

00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:03.980
 I'm not eating as much,

00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:05.279
 and my belly rumbles,

00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:05.779
 and it's like,

00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:05.919
 oh,

00:15:05.940 --> 00:15:06.500
 I'm suffering.

00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:06.740
 Like,

00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:08.080
 I don't like this right now.

00:15:08.300 --> 00:15:09.419
 I don't like the feeling.

00:15:09.580 --> 00:15:09.680
 Like,

00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:10.620
 there's nothing about suffering

00:15:10.620 --> 00:15:12.379
 that I'm kind of gravitating towards,

00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:12.700
 ever.

00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:13.820
 And Paul's saying,

00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:14.320
 listen,

00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:15.620
 it's not suffering's a good thing,

00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:16.620
 it's actually a gift.

00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:22.299
 I was visiting a missionary that we support,

00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:24.139
 here at Church of the Messiah,

00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:24.879
 last week,

00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:27.879
 and he wanted to show,

00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:31.259
 he was taking me around the old city in Jerusalem,

00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:34.259
 and he was wanting to show me a little known,

00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:36.779
 Holocaust Museum,

00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.639
 that's in the old city.

00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:38.600
 There's a big one,

00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:40.580
 it's called Yad Vashem,

00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.419
 it's huge,

00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.500
 but there's this little one,

00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:43.720
 that apparently nobody's heard of,

00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.899
 and I'd never heard of it.

00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:45.840
 And he goes,

00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:46.620
 you want to check it out?

00:15:46.679 --> 00:15:46.919
 He's like,

00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:47.639
 I'll warn you,

00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:51.000
 and then he kind of shared a bit of the things that he saw,

00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:51.439
 and it's just,

00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:52.720
 he described great suffering.

00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.139
 And I was like,

00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:53.480
 you know what,

00:15:53.559 --> 00:15:55.439
 I don't know if I'm up for this.

00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:56.679
 And as we walk closer,

00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:59.740
 there's this bronze statue of a little girl holding a teddy bear,

00:15:59.819 --> 00:16:00.080
 and I was like,

00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:00.639
 I'm okay.

00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:01.860
 I can't do it,

00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:02.720
 my heart's too heavy.

00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:04.800
 I don't want to experience this suffering.

00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:08.060
 Is this the suffering Paul's talking about?

00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:10.620
 Because heartache is a hard thing,

00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:13.279
 and he's calling us to suffer.

00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:16.340
 Paul actually,

00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:17.139
 and we'll,

00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:18.240
 he'll elaborate it,

00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:20.440
 elaborate on it a bit later on,

00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:22.460
 but the suffering he's calling us to,

00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:24.300
 he's calling the Philippian church to,

00:16:24.560 --> 00:16:26.759
 isn't quite that type of suffering,

00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:30.879
 although I'm sure aspects of it are contained in the suffering he's talking about.

00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:33.360
 He's talking about a vicarious suffering,

00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:35.779
 a suffering on behalf of other people,

00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:40.700
 a suffering that takes the blows so other people don't have to.

00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:43.939
 Paul is in prison,

00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:45.899
 and he's saying earlier in the,

00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:46.659
 in chapter one,

00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:47.120
 he's saying,

00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.639
 the suffering that I'm going through,

00:16:48.679 --> 00:16:50.240
 it's actually for your benefit.

00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:51.840
 Paul's,

00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:52.600
 he says,

00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:53.120
 you know,

00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:53.320
 to,

00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:54.340
 to live is,

00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:55.139
 is Christ,

00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:56.059
 and to die is gain.

00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:56.779
 And he says,

00:16:56.859 --> 00:16:57.559
 and I'm paraphrasing,

00:16:57.699 --> 00:16:57.799
 like,

00:16:57.839 --> 00:16:59.759
 I'd rather die and be with Christ,

00:17:00.299 --> 00:17:01.339
 but for your sake,

00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:03.839
 I think I'm going to keep living for the sake of the gospel.

00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:06.059
 And he's suffering for other people.

00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:09.419
 And this is what Paul is getting at right here when he's talking about suffering.

00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:16.819
 Paul sees his imprisonment as something entirely obedient to Jesus.

00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:18.579
 And in fact,

00:17:18.639 --> 00:17:22.039
 something that is an act of service and devotion to Christ,

00:17:22.639 --> 00:17:24.519
 both personally,

00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:25.500
 and in this case,

00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.639
 as a united people.

00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:27.980
 We,

00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:29.319
 not just individually,

00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:33.059
 but we as a congregation are called to suffer for the gospel.

00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:35.779
 We'll get into that.

00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:36.740
 Don't start,

00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:37.200
 you know,

00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:38.839
 biting your fingernails here.

00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:40.159
 It's not doom and gloom.

00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:42.639
 There's a lot of wonderful bits to this.

00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:42.919
 Remember,

00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:43.619
 it is a,

00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:45.700
 it is a privilege to suffer.

00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:46.720
 This is what Paul is saying.

00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:49.899
 So back to the text.

00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:52.879
 So how does a community remain united,

00:17:53.379 --> 00:17:57.179
 unified amidst a cultural current that flows in the opposite direction?

00:17:58.179 --> 00:17:58.379
 You know,

00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:59.419
 Rome is,

00:17:59.939 --> 00:18:00.960
 is like I mentioned,

00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:01.819
 is saying,

00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:03.059
 do whatever you want.

00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:03.779
 You know,

00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:06.819
 there's plurality as long as you worship Caesar.

00:18:07.639 --> 00:18:11.700
 We have a culture that is fairly tolerant,

00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:15.419
 is allowing of just about anything you want to do.

00:18:15.420 --> 00:18:20.340
 But if you cross boundaries that say truth is,

00:18:20.340 --> 00:18:21.940
 is not relative or,

00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:23.620
 you know,

00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:28.500
 your worldview and belief system actually leads to destruction and not life.

00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:33.380
 that is the line that we ought not to cross in our culture.

00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:49.559
 So how do we as a congregation stand for the gospel and the truth that the gospel proclaims in the midst of just the weightiness and the heaviness of the culture?

00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:50.279
 Well,

00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:51.619
 look with me in chapter two,

00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.179
 verse one.

00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.759
 This is what Paul says.

00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:57.619
 So if there's any encouragement in Christ,

00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.980
 any comfort from love,

00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:01.180
 any participation in the spirit,

00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:03.339
 any affection and sympathy,

00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:06.940
 complete my joy in being of the same mind,

00:19:07.379 --> 00:19:08.500
 having the same love,

00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:10.640
 being in full accord of one mind.

00:19:11.099 --> 00:19:13.700
 Paul says through the encouragement in Jesus,

00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:14.599
 comfort,

00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:16.720
 comforting each other in love,

00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:20.839
 having deep spiritual fellowship together,

00:19:20.839 --> 00:19:23.619
 and affection and sympathy for each other.

00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:28.279
 These are all things that we as a community,

00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:30.059
 as church of the Messiah,

00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:31.919
 I'm not talking in a general sense in the church,

00:19:31.959 --> 00:19:32.720
 even though sure,

00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:34.000
 I'm talking about us.

00:19:34.939 --> 00:19:37.480
 That when we embrace these things,

00:19:37.959 --> 00:19:41.839
 we will be able to withstand anything the world throws at us.

00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:45.039
 Not because there's anything inherent in us.

00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:45.359
 Actually,

00:19:46.139 --> 00:19:46.459
 I mean,

00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:48.759
 some of you guys might have your lives put together,

00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:49.819
 but,

00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:50.319
 you know,

00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:51.539
 we are,

00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:52.859
 in the end,

00:19:52.919 --> 00:19:53.480
 a bunch of,

00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:55.500
 we're riffraff.

00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:55.699
 Like,

00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:57.259
 we are people coming and going.

00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:58.639
 We have tons of baggage,

00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.599
 some more than others,

00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:01.639
 but we all have our baggage.

00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:04.480
 And God uses us to,

00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.720
 and empowers us,

00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:07.379
 to be his hands and feet.

00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:11.300
 Together,

00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.260
 communally,

00:20:12.520 --> 00:20:16.140
 this is how we stand steadfast.

00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:18.560
 We have a deeper love for one another.

00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:20.780
 This will result in a deeper love for one another,

00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.680
 a deeper love for Christ.

00:20:23.300 --> 00:20:24.300
 So when I say that,

00:20:24.300 --> 00:20:26.700
 that the church that Paul is,

00:20:26.800 --> 00:20:27.380
 is,

00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.240
 is pushing for,

00:20:28.300 --> 00:20:29.200
 is advocating for,

00:20:29.540 --> 00:20:31.300
 that they are unified in doctrine,

00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:34.660
 I think a big part of that is a love for God,

00:20:34.760 --> 00:20:36.980
 understanding what it means to truly love God,

00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:39.000
 and to truly love each other,

00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:41.980
 and love God according to who he is,

00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:44.320
 and according to what he says love is,

00:20:44.380 --> 00:20:45.980
 or what he says he is,

00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:46.900
 his nature,

00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:49.680
 and how to love one another,

00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:52.020
 that we are unified in this.

00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:53.640
 And the thing is,

00:20:54.260 --> 00:20:55.480
 this type of attitude,

00:20:55.600 --> 00:21:00.680
 it will suck the life out of factions and disunity,

00:21:01.020 --> 00:21:02.180
 because all of a sudden,

00:21:02.300 --> 00:21:03.200
 and we'll see in a bit,

00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:04.260
 in a few other verses,

00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:05.720
 Paul is calling us,

00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:07.299
 to love each other,

00:21:07.379 --> 00:21:09.119
 more than we love ourselves.

00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:11.559
 He is echoing the very words of Jesus.

00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:16.000
 In verse 3,

00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:17.039
 this is what Paul says,

00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:19.379
 do nothing from rivalry,

00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.420
 or conceit,

00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:22.200
 but in humility,

00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:23.859
 count others more significant,

00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.680
 than yourselves.

00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.720
 So,

00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.660
 he says,

00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:28.259
 do nothing out of rivalry,

00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:28.960
 or conceit.

00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:29.100
 Well,

00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:29.259
 now,

00:21:29.320 --> 00:21:32.039
 if we embrace this unity in the gospel,

00:21:32.820 --> 00:21:33.279
 rivalry,

00:21:33.580 --> 00:21:34.380
 and conceit,

00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.620
 they will be destroyed.

00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:37.920
 Interestingly,

00:21:38.320 --> 00:21:39.980
 other translations say,

00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:41.680
 rivalry is selfishness,

00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:42.799
 and that,

00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:44.080
 this idea of conceit,

00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:45.640
 is vain glory.

00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:47.920
 Remember,

00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:51.440
 the Philippians are dealing with these factions of people,

00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:52.420
 that are saying that,

00:21:52.420 --> 00:21:53.800
 the real Christian life,

00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:55.180
 is the exalted Christian life,

00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:57.380
 and we believe in the exalted Christian life,

00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:59.320
 but the way we understand it,

00:21:59.360 --> 00:22:00.740
 and the way the Bible teaches it,

00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:01.440
 is that,

00:22:01.820 --> 00:22:02.960
 we get saved,

00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:05.120
 and then in this life,

00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:07.460
 we go through a process called sanctification,

00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:07.880
 where we grow,

00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:08.400
 we grow,

00:22:09.060 --> 00:22:10.440
 in our knowledge of Christ,

00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.680
 we put away sin,

00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:13.620
 we stop sinning,

00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:15.620
 but we're constantly subjected,

00:22:16.100 --> 00:22:16.940
 to sin.

00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.880
 But,

00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:18.940
 when we die,

00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.240
 and go to heaven,

00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:20.700
 or,

00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:22.759
 if Jesus comes back,

00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:24.680
 that we are glorified,

00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.600
 that we are no longer,

00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:28.140
 able to sin.

00:22:28.840 --> 00:22:30.039
 These people are saying,

00:22:30.340 --> 00:22:31.640
 that's the life we have now.

00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:34.400
 It's interesting that,

00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:36.740
 other translations call it,

00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.799
 vain glory.

00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:38.940
 Therefore,

00:22:39.080 --> 00:22:39.640
 to claim,

00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:40.440
 that,

00:22:40.580 --> 00:22:42.320
 that it's possible,

00:22:42.320 --> 00:22:43.820
 to live in this exalted,

00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:44.960
 glorified state,

00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:45.880
 now,

00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.120
 is to say,

00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:48.920
 by virtue of your own goodness,

00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:50.799
 that you have obtained perfection,

00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:53.620
 on earth.

00:22:55.620 --> 00:22:56.160
 Not,

00:22:56.360 --> 00:22:56.840
 in heaven,

00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.799
 but on earth.

00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:01.340
 You put up the second slide.

00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.880
 Christians are unified,

00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:06.819
 under the rule,

00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:08.960
 of the risen Christ Jesus.

00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:10.480
 So,

00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.720
 after calling the Philippians,

00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:12.880
 to consider others,

00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:14.539
 others greater than themselves,

00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:16.279
 Paul takes the next few verses,

00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:17.779
 to masterfully display,

00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.059
 the humiliation,

00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.200
 suffering,

00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.680
 and exaltation of Christ.

00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:22.819
 Interestingly,

00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:23.359
 and I mean,

00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:23.839
 I am,

00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:25.379
 by no means,

00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.879
 a literary critic,

00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.159
 but,

00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:29.159
 this next,

00:23:29.659 --> 00:23:30.720
 few verses,

00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:32.740
 verses 6 to 11,

00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:34.319
 it's more of a hymn,

00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.539
 than it is,

00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:37.299
 a letter that Paul has written.

00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:37.680
 It's,

00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:38.899
 he injects something,

00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.740
 that is,

00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.059
 is,

00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:41.940
 not quite like the letter,

00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.460
 but it is,

00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.340
 it is a hymn,

00:23:43.640 --> 00:23:44.720
 that encompasses,

00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.860
 Jesus,

00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:46.759
 and his ministry.

00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:48.580
 This is what it says.

00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.779
 Starting in verse 5.

00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:53.559
 Have this mind among yourselves,

00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:55.539
 which is yours in Christ Jesus,

00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:56.740
 who,

00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.180
 through,

00:23:57.640 --> 00:23:58.279
 though he was,

00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.820
 in the form of God,

00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:01.519
 did not count equality with God,

00:24:01.580 --> 00:24:02.820
 a thing to be grasped,

00:24:03.320 --> 00:24:04.400
 but made himself,

00:24:05.340 --> 00:24:06.039
 nothing,

00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:07.660
 taking the form of a servant,

00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:09.620
 being born in the likeness of men,

00:24:10.179 --> 00:24:11.859
 and being found in human form,

00:24:11.959 --> 00:24:12.859
 he humbled himself,

00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:14.039
 by becoming obedient,

00:24:14.439 --> 00:24:15.419
 to the point of death,

00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:17.259
 even death on a cross.

00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:18.039
 Therefore,

00:24:18.219 --> 00:24:20.019
 God has highly exalted him,

00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:20.979
 and bestowed on him,

00:24:21.399 --> 00:24:23.699
 the name that is above every name,

00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:25.519
 so that in the name of Jesus,

00:24:25.679 --> 00:24:26.799
 every knee should bow,

00:24:26.879 --> 00:24:27.259
 in heaven,

00:24:27.419 --> 00:24:27.979
 and on earth,

00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:28.959
 and under the earth,

00:24:29.219 --> 00:24:30.579
 and every tongue confess,

00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:32.019
 that Jesus Christ is Lord,

00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:33.899
 to the glory of God,

00:24:34.139 --> 00:24:34.819
 the Father.

00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:36.939
 It's in English,

00:24:37.459 --> 00:24:37.619
 right?

00:24:37.659 --> 00:24:38.319
 It's not in Greek.

00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:40.519
 We don't get kind of the oomph,

00:24:41.099 --> 00:24:43.079
 of the original language,

00:24:43.639 --> 00:24:44.519
 but this is,

00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:46.679
 this is something wonderful,

00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:48.119
 that Paul has inserted,

00:24:48.439 --> 00:24:50.240
 into this letter to the Philippians.

00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:52.399
 And the language Paul uses,

00:24:52.899 --> 00:24:53.819
 and this is where I think,

00:24:53.899 --> 00:24:54.899
 it gets really interesting,

00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:57.179
 and it's really applicable for us.

00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:59.200
 The language that Paul uses,

00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.799
 is that Jesus is God,

00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:01.559
 but unlike,

00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:03.099
 say the beginning of John,

00:25:03.159 --> 00:25:03.659
 if you remember,

00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:05.480
 I guess a few months back now,

00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:07.939
 George preaching on John 1,

00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:09.659
 talking about,

00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.759
 in the beginning was the word,

00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:11.899
 and the word was with God,

00:25:11.939 --> 00:25:13.179
 and the word was God.

00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:14.399
 It's very explicit,

00:25:14.399 --> 00:25:16.419
 about Jesus being God.

00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:18.039
 Paul here is,

00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:19.119
 is explicitly saying,

00:25:19.179 --> 00:25:20.179
 Jesus is God as well,

00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.179
 but he is saying,

00:25:21.179 --> 00:25:21.939
 something a bit different.

00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:22.839
 He says that Jesus,

00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:24.879
 is being in the form of God.

00:25:26.059 --> 00:25:27.480
 Jesus always existed,

00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:28.319
 we believe he's,

00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:28.919
 he is,

00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:30.480
 he is pre-incarnate,

00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:32.019
 he existed before,

00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:34.700
 he came to earth,

00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:36.339
 in the form of a baby,

00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:39.019
 we always,

00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:40.839
 that he has always existed,

00:25:41.379 --> 00:25:41.619
 but,

00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.859
 but here Paul is saying,

00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:44.200
 that he is in the form of God,

00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:45.299
 and what Paul is doing,

00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:46.279
 is he's,

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.119
 for his,

00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.119
 for his people,

00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:49.440
 for his audience,

00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.400
 that are familiar,

00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:51.220
 with the scriptures,

00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.660
 he is hearkening back,

00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:54.079
 to the opening chapters,

00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:54.700
 of Genesis,

00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.920
 where God makes Adam,

00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:58.460
 in his own image,

00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:00.120
 in his own likeness,

00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.800
 and Paul here,

00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:03.500
 among other things he's doing,

00:26:03.820 --> 00:26:04.740
 he is comparing,

00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:05.840
 Adam,

00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.860
 to Jesus,

00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:09.200
 elsewhere in scripture,

00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.600
 in Romans 5,

00:26:10.820 --> 00:26:12.000
 in 1 Corinthians 15,

00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:13.160
 Paul actually says,

00:26:13.320 --> 00:26:14.900
 that Jesus is the new Adam,

00:26:15.380 --> 00:26:16.380
 and he expounds,

00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:16.860
 on what it,

00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:17.539
 this,

00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:17.900
 this,

00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:19.080
 this comparison,

00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:19.620
 that he makes,

00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:20.620
 between Adam,

00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.660
 in Genesis 3,

00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:23.600
 2 and 3,

00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:24.039
 and then,

00:26:24.080 --> 00:26:24.779
 and then Jesus.

00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:28.180
 Adam,

00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:30.560
 if you guys know the story,

00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:32.039
 if you guys don't know the story,

00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:32.580
 Adam,

00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.160
 he is made,

00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:36.480
 in the image of God,

00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:38.259
 he has everything,

00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:39.500
 at his disposal,

00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.940
 and at the height of everything,

00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.580
 that he has,

00:26:41.620 --> 00:26:42.800
 at his kind of disposal,

00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.340
 or at it,

00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:44.620
 that he's privileged to,

00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:45.980
 is this,

00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:48.240
 this communion with God,

00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.860
 and the only thing God says,

00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:51.500
 is don't eat of the tree,

00:26:51.820 --> 00:26:53.519
 of knowledge of good and evil,

00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.900
 don't eat of the tree,

00:26:55.060 --> 00:26:55.860
 of life,

00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:57.019
 but it's of this tree,

00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:58.099
 of knowledge of good and evil,

00:26:58.099 --> 00:26:59.339
 that he ends up getting,

00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:00.699
 totally duped,

00:27:00.699 --> 00:27:02.279
 into eating this fruit,

00:27:02.639 --> 00:27:03.539
 because he wanted,

00:27:03.639 --> 00:27:04.500
 to be like God,

00:27:05.219 --> 00:27:06.459
 it's interesting,

00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:08.099
 because,

00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.379
 Adam,

00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.240
 instead of trying,

00:27:10.379 --> 00:27:11.740
 to glorify God,

00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:12.719
 instead of Adam,

00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.339
 coming under,

00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.719
 the authority,

00:27:14.719 --> 00:27:15.819
 of God's rule,

00:27:16.639 --> 00:27:17.939
 he wants to become,

00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:19.199
 his own authority,

00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:21.039
 he wants to become,

00:27:21.159 --> 00:27:22.000
 his own God,

00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:22.679
 he wants to,

00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.019
 you know,

00:27:23.079 --> 00:27:24.079
 knock God off,

00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:25.000
 of the seat,

00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:26.879
 and take his rightful place,

00:27:27.439 --> 00:27:28.259
 it was never,

00:27:28.419 --> 00:27:29.000
 his rightful place,

00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:30.019
 and what ended up happening,

00:27:30.679 --> 00:27:31.179
 he ended up getting,

00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.199
 kicked out from the garden,

00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:33.299
 and sin entered,

00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:33.839
 mankind,

00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.460
 and this whole idea,

00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.259
 of trying to,

00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:37.480
 get away from,

00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:38.539
 God's rule,

00:27:38.639 --> 00:27:39.359
 and rule,

00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.099
 as ourselves,

00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:41.299
 these autonomous people,

00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:42.599
 that has plagued,

00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:43.500
 the human race,

00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:45.419
 since the beginning,

00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:46.419
 of the human race,

00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:48.299
 and for all the differences,

00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.299
 of culture,

00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:50.359
 and of food,

00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.839
 and of language,

00:27:52.199 --> 00:27:53.179
 it seems that this is,

00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.679
 a pretty big common denominator,

00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:55.599
 maybe the biggest,

00:27:56.479 --> 00:27:57.019
 in scripture,

00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:58.419
 in theology,

00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.059
 in Christianity,

00:27:59.139 --> 00:27:59.579
 we call this,

00:27:59.659 --> 00:28:00.399
 original sin,

00:28:00.879 --> 00:28:01.799
 that it has left,

00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.899
 no man,

00:28:02.959 --> 00:28:03.539
 or woman,

00:28:03.679 --> 00:28:04.299
 untouched,

00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:08.579
 Adam tried,

00:28:08.679 --> 00:28:09.399
 to rob God,

00:28:09.459 --> 00:28:10.219
 of his glory,

00:28:10.459 --> 00:28:11.579
 he tried,

00:28:11.659 --> 00:28:12.479
 to assert himself,

00:28:12.599 --> 00:28:13.339
 in the very place,

00:28:13.379 --> 00:28:13.799
 of God,

00:28:14.159 --> 00:28:15.439
 but it was never,

00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:16.539
 his to take,

00:28:17.959 --> 00:28:18.859
 contrast this,

00:28:18.919 --> 00:28:19.500
 with Jesus,

00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.420
 Paul says,

00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.779
 Jesus was fully God,

00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:23.779
 with all of the entitlements,

00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.859
 except that he chose,

00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.680
 instead to humble himself,

00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.920
 to the father's plan,

00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:28.519
 of redemption,

00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:31.000
 condescending from heaven,

00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:34.319
 condescending from heaven,

00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:36.259
 coming to earth,

00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:36.940
 and suffering,

00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:37.640
 for the sins,

00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.579
 of many people,

00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:40.819
 he did not have to,

00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:42.980
 this was not his,

00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:45.640
 his lot in life,

00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.339
 in the sense of,

00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:48.740
 that he was bound,

00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.359
 to suffer,

00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:50.720
 because he deserved it,

00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:51.259
 he did it,

00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:52.599
 of his own free will,

00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:53.980
 to come to earth,

00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:55.660
 to satisfy God's plan,

00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.519
 the father's plan,

00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:58.000
 because of love,

00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:59.500
 because he loved us,

00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.400
 John 3,

00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:01.819
 16,

00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:03.620
 is the most quoted verse,

00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.640
 and rightfully so,

00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:06.079
 because it communicates,

00:29:06.140 --> 00:29:06.599
 to us that,

00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:08.059
 God came to earth,

00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:09.279
 in the form of his son,

00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.599
 because of love,

00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:13.959
 so he came to earth,

00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:15.059
 suffered for the sins,

00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:15.399
 of many,

00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.500
 and as a result,

00:29:16.639 --> 00:29:17.839
 God exalted him,

00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:19.159
 to his rightful place,

00:29:19.199 --> 00:29:20.019
 as king overall,

00:29:20.379 --> 00:29:21.319
 so we have Adam,

00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.959
 who is pretty,

00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:24.439
 living this exalted life,

00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.539
 in the garden,

00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:26.219
 without sin,

00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.699
 he tries to become God,

00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.779
 he tries to exalt himself,

00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:29.379
 even more,

00:29:29.859 --> 00:29:31.699
 and he gets totally humiliated,

00:29:32.439 --> 00:29:33.539
 God himself,

00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:35.619
 the son of God,

00:29:35.619 --> 00:29:37.119
 comes to earth,

00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:39.039
 in the most humble way,

00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:41.619
 suffers the most humiliating,

00:29:42.679 --> 00:29:43.919
 suffering,

00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:44.659
 somebody could,

00:29:44.739 --> 00:29:46.199
 could go through,

00:29:46.439 --> 00:29:47.799
 dies on the cross,

00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:49.019
 and then is elevated,

00:29:49.399 --> 00:29:50.719
 and this is what Paul says,

00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.419
 I'll read it again,

00:29:52.679 --> 00:29:53.000
 he says,

00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:55.119
 therefore God has highly exalted him,

00:29:55.219 --> 00:29:56.479
 and bestowed on him,

00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:58.539
 the name that is above every name,

00:29:59.899 --> 00:30:01.819
 so that at the name of Jesus,

00:30:01.979 --> 00:30:03.000
 every knee should bow,

00:30:03.139 --> 00:30:04.099
 in heaven and on earth,

00:30:04.159 --> 00:30:05.059
 and under the earth,

00:30:05.619 --> 00:30:07.199
 and every tongue confess,

00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:09.139
 that Jesus Christ is Lord,

00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:10.000
 and he is elevated,

00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:11.419
 to the highest place,

00:30:11.419 --> 00:30:12.179
 in everything,

00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.959
 everything comes under,

00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:14.799
 his lordship,

00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:17.379
 in Jesus,

00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.419
 we come under,

00:30:18.979 --> 00:30:20.579
 his leadership,

00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:22.079
 are empowered by his spirit,

00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:23.039
 and we walk,

00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:24.379
 in his example,

00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:26.099
 and if you are,

00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:27.459
 a Christian,

00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:28.379
 or not a Christian,

00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.279
 but this idea,

00:30:29.279 --> 00:30:29.979
 of coming under,

00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:30.899
 leadership,

00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:32.079
 kind of being a subject,

00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:32.839
 to somebody,

00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:34.939
 makes you feel uncomfortable,

00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:36.400
 I get it,

00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:37.740
 I feel a bit uncomfortable,

00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.100
 as well,

00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:39.440
 I want to be my own man,

00:30:39.860 --> 00:30:40.700
 I really do,

00:30:41.120 --> 00:30:41.759
 I don't really,

00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:43.360
 I don't really,

00:30:43.360 --> 00:30:45.059
 I don't really appreciate traffic,

00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:46.900
 traffic signs,

00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:47.660
 or traffic lights,

00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:49.259
 I don't really want to obey them,

00:30:49.820 --> 00:30:51.140
 I don't really want to obey,

00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:53.059
 rules in general,

00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:54.259
 I mean,

00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:55.220
 I'm not like,

00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:55.860
 going around,

00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:56.980
 like breaking windows,

00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:58.240
 and popping car tires,

00:30:58.360 --> 00:30:58.519
 like,

00:30:58.860 --> 00:30:59.840
 I'm not a rebel like that,

00:30:59.900 --> 00:31:01.320
 but my heart is rebellious,

00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:02.019
 I don't want to be under,

00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:02.919
 the rule of anything,

00:31:02.919 --> 00:31:03.460
 or anybody,

00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.399
 I really don't,

00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:06.179
 yet,

00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.419
 we have to understand this,

00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:09.299
 that we are made,

00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:10.299
 to come under,

00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:11.759
 the headship,

00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:13.279
 and rule,

00:31:13.659 --> 00:31:14.639
 God himself,

00:31:15.439 --> 00:31:16.919
 and because of sin,

00:31:17.159 --> 00:31:18.079
 we have constantly,

00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:18.799
 tried to,

00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:19.859
 rule,

00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.419
 in his stead,

00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:22.799
 and the reality is,

00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:23.319
 is that,

00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.939
 we can never be rulers,

00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:25.539
 of ourselves,

00:31:25.619 --> 00:31:26.460
 we're always going to be,

00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:27.299
 ruled by something,

00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:30.180
 everything we do,

00:31:30.180 --> 00:31:30.819
 has a,

00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:32.079
 as a tinge,

00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:32.879
 of,

00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:35.059
 of trying to assert ourselves,

00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:36.539
 in the place of God,

00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:37.059
 I mean,

00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:37.339
 listen,

00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:38.579
 we get dressed,

00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:41.139
 not just to cover our unmentionables,

00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:42.559
 we get dressed,

00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:43.119
 you know,

00:31:43.159 --> 00:31:44.059
 we keep style,

00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:45.220
 in the forefront,

00:31:45.319 --> 00:31:46.599
 we want to look a certain way,

00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:47.139
 why?

00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:48.519
 because it communicates something,

00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:49.240
 about ourselves,

00:31:49.319 --> 00:31:50.379
 a little bit of bravado,

00:31:51.099 --> 00:31:51.859
 we don't just,

00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:53.700
 eat,

00:31:54.059 --> 00:31:55.919
 for the sake of sustenance,

00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:56.440
 it's not like,

00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:58.039
 we eat just bread,

00:31:58.120 --> 00:31:59.039
 and drink water,

00:31:59.600 --> 00:32:01.019
 we create food,

00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:02.720
 and food becomes an extension,

00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:03.160
 of our,

00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:05.240
 of our affluence,

00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:05.519
 and,

00:32:06.360 --> 00:32:06.700
 and,

00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:08.240
 for those that enjoy cooking,

00:32:08.360 --> 00:32:09.640
 it's a way of expressing,

00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:10.880
 your artisticness,

00:32:11.360 --> 00:32:14.120
 it's communicating to people,

00:32:14.320 --> 00:32:14.380
 that,

00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:14.799
 hey,

00:32:14.860 --> 00:32:15.120
 I'm,

00:32:15.160 --> 00:32:16.559
 I'm a bit better than,

00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:18.460
 just what you see,

00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:18.860
 I'm,

00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:19.640
 you know,

00:32:19.700 --> 00:32:20.880
 I can handle life,

00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:21.720
 in a great way,

00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:22.980
 how we spend money,

00:32:23.080 --> 00:32:24.340
 how we don't spend money,

00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:25.640
 all these things,

00:32:25.640 --> 00:32:26.320
 that communicate,

00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:26.660
 I mean,

00:32:26.900 --> 00:32:27.920
 people don't just buy,

00:32:28.039 --> 00:32:28.740
 a little box,

00:32:28.860 --> 00:32:29.600
 to sleep in,

00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:30.000
 if they,

00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:30.960
 unless they,

00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:31.500
 you know,

00:32:31.600 --> 00:32:32.680
 they have no money,

00:32:32.860 --> 00:32:33.920
 they buy a place,

00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:35.039
 and they decorate it,

00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:36.240
 and they make it look nice,

00:32:36.340 --> 00:32:36.759
 and by the way,

00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:37.580
 I'm not saying,

00:32:37.640 --> 00:32:38.259
 I'm not condemning,

00:32:38.320 --> 00:32:39.019
 all you people,

00:32:39.180 --> 00:32:40.860
 for wearing nice clothes,

00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:42.200
 or brushing your teeth,

00:32:42.320 --> 00:32:42.519
 or,

00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:44.779
 putting paint,

00:32:44.940 --> 00:32:45.600
 on the walls,

00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:46.680
 and just in case,

00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.100
 you think,

00:32:47.160 --> 00:32:48.019
 I'm condemning you,

00:32:48.360 --> 00:32:49.059
 for hanging up,

00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:50.240
 new curtains,

00:32:50.320 --> 00:32:50.860
 in your house,

00:32:51.620 --> 00:32:51.940
 actually,

00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.580
 we hung up,

00:32:52.580 --> 00:32:53.000
 new curtains,

00:32:53.080 --> 00:32:53.620
 last week,

00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:54.640
 and they look nice,

00:32:54.640 --> 00:32:55.660
 Christine picked them out,

00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:58.720
 and our house didn't immediately turn into,

00:32:58.840 --> 00:32:59.160
 kind of like,

00:32:59.200 --> 00:33:00.220
 the gateway of hell,

00:33:00.320 --> 00:33:00.740
 because,

00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:01.480
 you know,

00:33:01.560 --> 00:33:02.960
 we are selfish people,

00:33:03.080 --> 00:33:03.800
 taking over,

00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:04.600
 you know,

00:33:04.620 --> 00:33:05.960
 the rightful place of God,

00:33:05.960 --> 00:33:09.340
 but,

00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:10.980
 you know,

00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:11.600
 in the end,

00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:13.180
 we need to consider,

00:33:13.380 --> 00:33:14.700
 where our priorities are,

00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:17.220
 and coming under the leadership,

00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:17.900
 of Jesus,

00:33:18.160 --> 00:33:18.840
 is freedom,

00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:21.259
 because coming under the leadership,

00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:21.940
 of money,

00:33:22.140 --> 00:33:23.360
 is slavery,

00:33:23.860 --> 00:33:24.880
 it's bondage,

00:33:25.360 --> 00:33:26.980
 coming under the leadership,

00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:28.740
 of your reputation,

00:33:28.840 --> 00:33:30.059
 and how people see you,

00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:31.079
 I mean,

00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:31.880
 that will,

00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:33.660
 that will strip you of dignity,

00:33:33.660 --> 00:33:35.759
 coming under the leadership,

00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:36.720
 of your stomach,

00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:38.700
 not just what you eat,

00:33:38.820 --> 00:33:39.019
 but,

00:33:39.100 --> 00:33:40.600
 just your eyes,

00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:41.540
 wanting to consume,

00:33:41.660 --> 00:33:42.279
 and have,

00:33:42.620 --> 00:33:43.900
 that will leave you,

00:33:44.340 --> 00:33:44.940
 broke,

00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:46.040
 and stripped down,

00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:46.779
 to nothing,

00:33:48.440 --> 00:33:49.980
 coming under the leadership,

00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:50.880
 of family,

00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:51.480
 of families,

00:33:51.560 --> 00:33:52.080
 of the upper,

00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:53.040
 most priority,

00:33:53.120 --> 00:33:53.640
 in your life,

00:33:54.640 --> 00:33:56.200
 although it seems noble,

00:33:56.640 --> 00:33:57.800
 you will put your family,

00:33:58.000 --> 00:33:58.580
 in a place,

00:33:58.860 --> 00:34:00.040
 that they can't bear,

00:34:00.120 --> 00:34:00.779
 the weight of,

00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:05.039
 and there will be disappointment,

00:34:05.899 --> 00:34:07.740
 we are made to be ruled,

00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:09.960
 but under God,

00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.860
 and it's perfect freedom,

00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:14.559
 and this is what,

00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.599
 Paul is calling,

00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:18.219
 the Philippian church to,

00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.759
 communally,

00:34:20.219 --> 00:34:20.659
 together,

00:34:20.759 --> 00:34:22.039
 and that's what he's calling us to,

00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:22.920
 communally,

00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:23.539
 and together,

00:34:24.539 --> 00:34:28.920
 so this is our calling,

00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:29.820
 to follow after,

00:34:29.820 --> 00:34:30.700
 the risen Christ,

00:34:30.800 --> 00:34:32.100
 to come under his headship,

00:34:32.180 --> 00:34:32.740
 and direction,

00:34:34.240 --> 00:34:35.300
 but remember that,

00:34:35.360 --> 00:34:35.860
 Paul again,

00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:37.160
 is calling for unity,

00:34:37.160 --> 00:34:37.960
 in the church,

00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:39.160
 so although we are to come,

00:34:39.260 --> 00:34:40.039
 under Christ's rule,

00:34:40.100 --> 00:34:40.880
 as individuals,

00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:42.700
 can we,

00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:44.640
 come under Christ's unity,

00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:45.559
 Christ's rule,

00:34:45.640 --> 00:34:46.539
 as a community,

00:34:47.240 --> 00:34:48.500
 united in doctrine,

00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:49.680
 and affection,

00:34:50.220 --> 00:34:51.280
 this leads to the third point,

00:34:51.300 --> 00:34:52.039
 if you can put it up,

00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:53.440
 thanks,

00:34:53.700 --> 00:34:54.800
 and this is,

00:34:55.039 --> 00:34:56.039
 the key verse,

00:34:56.039 --> 00:34:56.420
 that,

00:34:57.140 --> 00:34:59.000
 we're to memorize,

00:34:59.000 --> 00:35:00.739
 try your best to memorize,

00:35:01.159 --> 00:35:02.239
 memorizing can be hard,

00:35:02.739 --> 00:35:03.599
 put it to a jingle,

00:35:04.119 --> 00:35:05.360
 you might remember it better that way,

00:35:05.460 --> 00:35:06.920
 but these are the,

00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:08.599
 the key verses for this week,

00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:10.679
 verses 12,

00:35:10.760 --> 00:35:11.280
 and 13,

00:35:13.280 --> 00:35:14.860
 got carried away,

00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:15.719
 and lost my spot,

00:35:16.780 --> 00:35:17.860
 verses,

00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:21.260
 chapter 2,

00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:22.579
 verses 12,

00:35:22.659 --> 00:35:23.679
 and 13,

00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:25.239
 okay,

00:35:25.239 --> 00:35:27.239
 therefore,

00:35:27.419 --> 00:35:27.919
 my beloved,

00:35:28.279 --> 00:35:29.759
 as you have always obeyed,

00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.819
 so now,

00:35:31.359 --> 00:35:32.779
 not only in my presence,

00:35:32.899 --> 00:35:34.460
 but much more in my absence,

00:35:34.799 --> 00:35:36.079
 work out your salvation,

00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:37.500
 your own salvation,

00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:38.639
 with fear and trembling,

00:35:39.079 --> 00:35:39.819
 for it is God,

00:35:39.919 --> 00:35:40.599
 who works in you,

00:35:40.879 --> 00:35:41.639
 both to will,

00:35:41.799 --> 00:35:42.419
 and to work,

00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:43.599
 for his good pleasure,

00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:45.199
 we have finally gotten,

00:35:45.279 --> 00:35:45.920
 to the key verses,

00:35:46.339 --> 00:35:47.519
 and these verses,

00:35:47.599 --> 00:35:48.319
 actually act,

00:35:48.400 --> 00:35:50.119
 as a key for application,

00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:51.179
 for,

00:35:51.299 --> 00:35:53.619
 verses 5 to 11,

00:35:53.679 --> 00:35:54.339
 we just read,

00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:55.980
 so I've grown up,

00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:56.500
 in the church,

00:35:57.579 --> 00:35:58.059
 and,

00:35:58.139 --> 00:35:58.819
 this idea,

00:35:58.880 --> 00:35:59.759
 of working out your salvation,

00:35:59.759 --> 00:36:00.619
 with fear and trembling,

00:36:00.839 --> 00:36:01.099
 this,

00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:02.019
 was,

00:36:02.799 --> 00:36:03.039
 like,

00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:03.380
 the,

00:36:03.440 --> 00:36:04.980
 the big encouragement,

00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:05.400
 for,

00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:06.940
 young people,

00:36:07.500 --> 00:36:08.360
 to get serious,

00:36:08.360 --> 00:36:09.099
 about their faith,

00:36:09.659 --> 00:36:10.639
 to not have,

00:36:10.759 --> 00:36:11.500
 your faith,

00:36:11.599 --> 00:36:13.000
 to be just your parents faith,

00:36:13.000 --> 00:36:13.260
 or,

00:36:13.619 --> 00:36:14.699
 not just to go to church,

00:36:14.719 --> 00:36:15.719
 because there's,

00:36:15.800 --> 00:36:16.860
 good looking guys,

00:36:16.920 --> 00:36:17.820
 or good looking girls,

00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:19.960
 not to go to,

00:36:20.059 --> 00:36:20.320
 you know,

00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:20.619
 church,

00:36:20.699 --> 00:36:20.960
 because,

00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:21.460
 you know,

00:36:21.579 --> 00:36:21.800
 it's,

00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:22.780
 it's,

00:36:22.780 --> 00:36:24.840
 some kind of good reputation,

00:36:25.059 --> 00:36:25.400
 standing,

00:36:25.599 --> 00:36:26.519
 but to get serious,

00:36:26.519 --> 00:36:27.380
 about your faith,

00:36:27.699 --> 00:36:28.239
 and to do it,

00:36:28.360 --> 00:36:29.300
 in a kind of humble way,

00:36:29.380 --> 00:36:29.800
 and you know what,

00:36:29.840 --> 00:36:31.179
 I think that's a legitimate reading,

00:36:31.559 --> 00:36:32.719
 of chapter,

00:36:33.360 --> 00:36:33.860
 2,

00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:35.119
 verses 12 and 13,

00:36:35.780 --> 00:36:37.059
 but again,

00:36:37.139 --> 00:36:37.440
 remember,

00:36:37.559 --> 00:36:39.159
 Paul is talking to a church,

00:36:39.760 --> 00:36:40.440
 a community,

00:36:40.900 --> 00:36:41.719
 so what,

00:36:41.920 --> 00:36:42.980
 does it mean,

00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:45.039
 for Paul,

00:36:45.219 --> 00:36:45.780
 to say,

00:36:46.880 --> 00:36:49.340
 work out your salvation,

00:36:49.340 --> 00:36:50.300
 with fear and trembling,

00:36:50.380 --> 00:36:51.300
 as a community,

00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:52.800
 what does it mean,

00:36:52.900 --> 00:36:54.400
 to think about salvation,

00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:55.219
 in the way,

00:36:55.760 --> 00:36:56.900
 of a community,

00:36:57.679 --> 00:37:00.139
 I think to really answer this,

00:37:00.199 --> 00:37:00.960
 we'll go back to,

00:37:01.679 --> 00:37:02.719
 chapter 1,

00:37:02.840 --> 00:37:04.139
 verse 27 and 28,

00:37:04.239 --> 00:37:04.980
 this is what Paul says,

00:37:04.980 --> 00:37:06.599
 only let your manner of life,

00:37:06.699 --> 00:37:08.159
 be worthy of the gospel of Christ,

00:37:08.260 --> 00:37:09.239
 so that whether I come,

00:37:10.159 --> 00:37:10.980
 and see you,

00:37:10.980 --> 00:37:11.780
 or am absent,

00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:13.219
 I may hear of you,

00:37:13.320 --> 00:37:14.860
 that you are standing firm,

00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:15.719
 in one spirit,

00:37:15.860 --> 00:37:16.619
 with one mind,

00:37:17.019 --> 00:37:18.179
 striving side by side,

00:37:18.219 --> 00:37:19.260
 for the faith of the gospel,

00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:20.940
 and not frightened,

00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:21.740
 in anything,

00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:22.679
 by your opponents,

00:37:23.380 --> 00:37:24.380
 this is a clear sign,

00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:24.800
 to them,

00:37:24.900 --> 00:37:25.900
 of their destruction,

00:37:26.320 --> 00:37:28.199
 but of your salvation,

00:37:28.360 --> 00:37:29.880
 and that from God,

00:37:29.880 --> 00:37:31.579
 you know,

00:37:31.720 --> 00:37:32.559
 Paul here,

00:37:32.559 --> 00:37:33.400
 isn't talking about,

00:37:33.800 --> 00:37:35.240
 we need to work our salvation,

00:37:35.240 --> 00:37:36.380
 as a community,

00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:37.660
 and somehow,

00:37:38.160 --> 00:37:39.640
 become saved,

00:37:40.200 --> 00:37:43.059
 by good works,

00:37:43.380 --> 00:37:44.099
 Paul here,

00:37:44.119 --> 00:37:44.960
 is talking about,

00:37:45.480 --> 00:37:46.500
 this idea that,

00:37:47.039 --> 00:37:47.920
 number one,

00:37:48.340 --> 00:37:48.920
 the Philippians,

00:37:49.099 --> 00:37:50.000
 he's already addressing them,

00:37:50.079 --> 00:37:51.079
 as people that are saved,

00:37:51.579 --> 00:37:52.940
 he opens up here,

00:37:53.460 --> 00:37:54.039
 in verse 12,

00:37:54.119 --> 00:37:55.039
 by calling them beloved,

00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:56.360
 he addresses them,

00:37:56.559 --> 00:37:57.160
 as Christians,

00:37:57.159 --> 00:38:00.099
 but what he's talking about,

00:38:00.159 --> 00:38:01.440
 is this progressive,

00:38:02.000 --> 00:38:03.139
 growth,

00:38:03.399 --> 00:38:04.539
 in your faith,

00:38:05.279 --> 00:38:06.639
 so in verse 27,

00:38:06.960 --> 00:38:07.659
 when he says,

00:38:08.759 --> 00:38:08.980
 that,

00:38:09.079 --> 00:38:10.839
 that you're standing,

00:38:11.099 --> 00:38:12.039
 you're to stand firm,

00:38:12.199 --> 00:38:12.859
 in one spirit,

00:38:13.000 --> 00:38:13.960
 with one mind,

00:38:14.259 --> 00:38:15.559
 striving side by side,

00:38:15.599 --> 00:38:16.099
 for the faith,

00:38:16.299 --> 00:38:17.559
 these are words of growth,

00:38:18.460 --> 00:38:18.879
 and he's saying,

00:38:19.059 --> 00:38:19.379
 these people,

00:38:19.480 --> 00:38:20.839
 that are trying to divide you,

00:38:21.500 --> 00:38:21.739
 you know,

00:38:21.859 --> 00:38:22.920
 that's only going to give you,

00:38:22.980 --> 00:38:24.579
 reason to band closer together,

00:38:24.619 --> 00:38:25.279
 and it's going to end,

00:38:25.319 --> 00:38:26.039
 in their destruction,

00:38:26.039 --> 00:38:27.619
 and ultimately,

00:38:27.800 --> 00:38:28.539
 in your salvation,

00:38:28.679 --> 00:38:30.099
 in your continued growth,

00:38:30.719 --> 00:38:34.779
 and just in case,

00:38:34.960 --> 00:38:36.759
 we see this as an impossible task,

00:38:37.300 --> 00:38:38.519
 Paul says in verse 13,

00:38:39.239 --> 00:38:39.420
 that,

00:38:40.320 --> 00:38:41.159
 for it is God,

00:38:41.259 --> 00:38:42.059
 who works in you,

00:38:42.179 --> 00:38:42.920
 both to will,

00:38:43.059 --> 00:38:43.659
 and to work,

00:38:43.880 --> 00:38:44.539
 for your good,

00:38:44.699 --> 00:38:45.659
 for his good pleasure,

00:38:46.619 --> 00:38:47.139
 that God,

00:38:47.480 --> 00:38:48.539
 he commands us,

00:38:48.539 --> 00:38:50.099
 to walk as a community,

00:38:51.239 --> 00:38:52.400
 united in him,

00:38:52.519 --> 00:38:53.519
 united in the gospel,

00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:56.440
 it seems like,

00:38:56.480 --> 00:38:57.239
 an impossible task,

00:38:57.320 --> 00:38:58.480
 but he gives us the desire,

00:38:58.599 --> 00:38:59.900
 and the abilities to do so,

00:39:00.579 --> 00:39:02.420
 he desires us,

00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:03.079
 to be united,

00:39:03.219 --> 00:39:04.079
 he desires us,

00:39:04.199 --> 00:39:06.420
 to be conformed,

00:39:06.679 --> 00:39:07.380
 and informed,

00:39:07.539 --> 00:39:08.579
 and grow in our salvation,

00:39:08.739 --> 00:39:09.739
 grow in our faith together,

00:39:09.739 --> 00:39:11.239
 and he gives us,

00:39:11.280 --> 00:39:12.340
 the ability to do that,

00:39:12.679 --> 00:39:13.780
 and what does it result in,

00:39:13.820 --> 00:39:14.159
 the next,

00:39:14.840 --> 00:39:15.980
 and last point Andrew,

00:39:15.980 --> 00:39:18.940
 a blessing to the world,

00:39:19.380 --> 00:39:20.059
 verse 14,

00:39:20.139 --> 00:39:20.900
 this is what it says,

00:39:21.539 --> 00:39:22.240
 do all things,

00:39:22.300 --> 00:39:23.019
 without grumbling,

00:39:23.199 --> 00:39:23.800
 or questioning,

00:39:24.240 --> 00:39:25.440
 that you may be blameless,

00:39:25.519 --> 00:39:26.960
 and innocent children of God,

00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:27.699
 without blemish,

00:39:28.039 --> 00:39:29.340
 in the midst of a crooked,

00:39:29.920 --> 00:39:31.199
 and twisted generation,

00:39:31.400 --> 00:39:32.880
 among whom you shine,

00:39:32.940 --> 00:39:34.519
 as light in the world,

00:39:34.679 --> 00:39:36.099
 the call of God's people,

00:39:36.099 --> 00:39:37.179
 has always been,

00:39:37.320 --> 00:39:38.960
 to be light in darkness,

00:39:39.300 --> 00:39:42.019
 to be water in a desert,

00:39:42.179 --> 00:39:43.240
 to bring blessing,

00:39:43.239 --> 00:39:45.639
 and this is our call,

00:39:45.899 --> 00:39:46.519
 as a community,

00:39:47.479 --> 00:39:51.939
 the reality is this,

00:39:52.079 --> 00:39:52.379
 Jesus,

00:39:53.359 --> 00:39:55.559
 the second member,

00:39:55.559 --> 00:39:56.239
 of the Trinity,

00:39:56.419 --> 00:39:57.919
 broke unity with the Father,

00:39:58.519 --> 00:40:00.000
 broke unity with the Trinity,

00:40:00.639 --> 00:40:02.599
 to suffer and die for us,

00:40:03.239 --> 00:40:04.339
 not so we could,

00:40:04.339 --> 00:40:05.719
 simply go to heaven,

00:40:05.839 --> 00:40:06.639
 when we die,

00:40:07.479 --> 00:40:08.899
 but to unify us,

00:40:08.959 --> 00:40:09.759
 as a family,

00:40:10.179 --> 00:40:11.039
 and this family,

00:40:11.319 --> 00:40:11.919
 is eternal,

00:40:11.920 --> 00:40:14.440
 it's God's family,

00:40:14.480 --> 00:40:15.519
 remember what I read,

00:40:15.579 --> 00:40:16.079
 at the beginning,

00:40:16.500 --> 00:40:19.019
 this Roman poet,

00:40:19.139 --> 00:40:19.579
 he says,

00:40:19.940 --> 00:40:21.659
 that Rome conquers,

00:40:21.740 --> 00:40:22.820
 that's how Rome unifies,

00:40:22.940 --> 00:40:23.320
 its people,

00:40:23.680 --> 00:40:24.740
 Rome conquers,

00:40:25.780 --> 00:40:27.220
 what does our God do,

00:40:27.619 --> 00:40:28.639
 he is conquered,

00:40:29.700 --> 00:40:30.780
 not forever,

00:40:31.159 --> 00:40:31.920
 but he's conquered,

00:40:31.920 --> 00:40:32.820
 by death,

00:40:32.900 --> 00:40:33.940
 for three days,

00:40:34.220 --> 00:40:35.300
 dying in our place,

00:40:35.880 --> 00:40:37.460
 but doesn't stay conquered,

00:40:38.099 --> 00:40:39.280
 he rises again,

00:40:39.280 --> 00:40:40.300
 and he's exalted,

00:40:40.700 --> 00:40:41.780
 to the highest place,

00:40:42.560 --> 00:40:42.900
 why,

00:40:43.040 --> 00:40:43.780
 so that our sins,

00:40:43.860 --> 00:40:45.000
 aren't counted against us,

00:40:45.060 --> 00:40:46.100
 and we are unified,

00:40:46.580 --> 00:40:47.440
 in a family,

00:40:48.060 --> 00:40:49.460
 of people,

00:40:49.600 --> 00:40:50.760
 that look nothing like us,

00:40:50.780 --> 00:40:52.000
 or look exactly like us,

00:40:52.019 --> 00:40:52.560
 or tall,

00:40:52.640 --> 00:40:53.019
 or young,

00:40:53.080 --> 00:40:54.060
 our age doesn't matter,

00:40:54.140 --> 00:40:54.660
 we come from,

00:40:54.920 --> 00:40:55.920
 different walks of life,

00:40:55.960 --> 00:40:57.180
 and he unifies us,

00:40:57.420 --> 00:40:58.620
 in an eternal family,

00:40:59.480 --> 00:41:00.060
 and for people,

00:41:00.060 --> 00:41:01.180
 that have a real tough,

00:41:01.260 --> 00:41:02.160
 family situation,

00:41:02.280 --> 00:41:03.580
 that is really good news,

00:41:03.579 --> 00:41:05.819
 and for people,

00:41:05.900 --> 00:41:06.799
 that have a great family,

00:41:06.920 --> 00:41:08.599
 that's great news as well,

00:41:08.980 --> 00:41:11.039
 that you are belonging,

00:41:11.039 --> 00:41:12.059
 to something bigger,

00:41:12.059 --> 00:41:13.159
 than yourself,

00:41:13.940 --> 00:41:14.920
 something that,

00:41:15.219 --> 00:41:15.699
 eventually,

00:41:15.920 --> 00:41:17.099
 will lead to your perfection,

00:41:17.259 --> 00:41:18.319
 that will give glory to God,

00:41:18.360 --> 00:41:19.599
 and that will bless the world,

00:41:20.860 --> 00:41:22.039
 so as people,

00:41:22.420 --> 00:41:23.380
 at Church of the Messiah,

00:41:24.779 --> 00:41:26.279
 let us grow,

00:41:26.440 --> 00:41:27.299
 in our salvation,

00:41:27.440 --> 00:41:28.699
 let us work out our salvation,

00:41:28.699 --> 00:41:29.719
 with fear and trembling,

00:41:29.840 --> 00:41:30.659
 knowing that God,

00:41:30.659 --> 00:41:32.039
 will give us that desire,

00:41:32.039 --> 00:41:33.599
 to grow,

00:41:33.860 --> 00:41:34.579
 and the ability,

00:41:34.820 --> 00:41:36.019
 to grow together,

00:41:37.019 --> 00:41:38.659
 let's find ways,

00:41:38.779 --> 00:41:40.219
 to outdo one another,

00:41:40.460 --> 00:41:41.579
 in showing love,

00:41:41.679 --> 00:41:42.300
 to one another,

00:41:43.320 --> 00:41:45.360
 very practical ways,

00:41:45.639 --> 00:41:47.920
 with our words,

00:41:48.099 --> 00:41:49.079
 very practical ways,

00:41:49.139 --> 00:41:49.920
 with our actions,

00:41:51.380 --> 00:41:53.019
 treating people better,

00:41:53.539 --> 00:41:55.179
 than we expect,

00:41:55.300 --> 00:41:55.960
 to be treated,

00:41:57.239 --> 00:41:57.559
 and just,

00:41:57.679 --> 00:41:58.480
 we'll just watch,

00:41:58.559 --> 00:41:58.960
 what will happen,

00:41:59.019 --> 00:41:59.360
 and you know what,

00:41:59.380 --> 00:42:00.599
 we do a good job of this,

00:42:01.019 --> 00:42:01.619
 it's not a big,

00:42:01.619 --> 00:42:02.239
 you know,

00:42:02.400 --> 00:42:03.719
 a message of,

00:42:04.279 --> 00:42:05.460
 condemnation,

00:42:05.639 --> 00:42:06.179
 about kind of,

00:42:06.219 --> 00:42:07.239
 our lack of unity,

00:42:07.400 --> 00:42:08.819
 we do great things,

00:42:08.859 --> 00:42:09.539
 as a congregation,

00:42:10.000 --> 00:42:10.779
 I see a lot of,

00:42:10.900 --> 00:42:11.960
 behind the scenes things,

00:42:11.960 --> 00:42:12.659
 being an intern,

00:42:13.039 --> 00:42:14.339
 and I'm pretty blown away,

00:42:14.639 --> 00:42:15.420
 there's some great stuff,

00:42:15.659 --> 00:42:15.839
 going on,

00:42:15.900 --> 00:42:16.960
 but I'd encourage you guys,

00:42:17.000 --> 00:42:18.099
 let's continue in this,

00:42:19.859 --> 00:42:21.039
 let's be light,

00:42:21.119 --> 00:42:21.759
 in the darkness,

00:42:21.960 --> 00:42:22.400
 together,

00:42:23.500 --> 00:42:25.719
 walking side by side,

00:42:25.839 --> 00:42:26.179
 unified,

00:42:26.759 --> 00:42:27.519
 in the gospel,

00:42:27.519 --> 00:42:28.639
 and I think,

00:42:28.739 --> 00:42:29.400
 we will see,

00:42:29.639 --> 00:42:30.619
 some wonderful things,

00:42:30.699 --> 00:42:31.659
 as God works,

00:42:31.980 --> 00:42:32.840
 through us,

00:42:33.300 --> 00:42:34.099
 listen,

00:42:34.159 --> 00:42:35.059
 if you're not a Christian,

00:42:35.619 --> 00:42:37.739
 we're inviting you,

00:42:37.920 --> 00:42:38.820
 to join the family,

00:42:39.119 --> 00:42:39.440
 today,

00:42:40.780 --> 00:42:42.199
 don't wait,

00:42:42.759 --> 00:42:43.139
 you know,

00:42:43.199 --> 00:42:44.019
 till next week,

00:42:44.340 --> 00:42:45.139
 things might not be here,

00:42:45.179 --> 00:42:45.559
 next week,

00:42:45.579 --> 00:42:46.000
 we don't know,

00:42:47.059 --> 00:42:48.480
 you might not be here,

00:42:48.539 --> 00:42:49.039
 next week,

00:42:49.179 --> 00:42:49.880
 we don't know,

00:42:50.340 --> 00:42:51.639
 if you're not a Christian,

00:42:52.039 --> 00:42:52.579
 and you're like,

00:42:53.239 --> 00:42:53.579
 yeah,

00:42:53.579 --> 00:42:55.259
 my sins are grievous,

00:42:55.460 --> 00:42:56.299
 I have been trying,

00:42:56.299 --> 00:42:58.319
 to rule my own life,

00:42:58.659 --> 00:42:59.880
 and kind of,

00:43:00.039 --> 00:43:01.920
 come under my own authority,

00:43:02.119 --> 00:43:03.420
 and I am a slave,

00:43:03.579 --> 00:43:04.299
 I want to be under Christ's,

00:43:04.940 --> 00:43:05.480
 authority,

00:43:05.619 --> 00:43:06.319
 his freedom,

00:43:07.579 --> 00:43:07.960
 then I,

00:43:08.059 --> 00:43:08.779
 I'd encourage you guys,

00:43:08.860 --> 00:43:09.539
 after the service,

00:43:09.659 --> 00:43:10.179
 find myself,

00:43:10.360 --> 00:43:10.480
 there's,

00:43:10.579 --> 00:43:11.840
 find somebody around you,

00:43:11.920 --> 00:43:12.519
 and ask them,

00:43:12.819 --> 00:43:13.440
 talk to them,

00:43:13.719 --> 00:43:14.500
 ask them what it means,

00:43:14.519 --> 00:43:14.980
 to be Christian,

00:43:15.059 --> 00:43:16.079
 how they can become a Christian,

00:43:16.779 --> 00:43:18.440
 and for us that are Christians,

00:43:18.759 --> 00:43:19.000
 guys,

00:43:19.279 --> 00:43:20.960
 like I mentioned,

00:43:21.159 --> 00:43:21.579
 let's just,

00:43:21.659 --> 00:43:22.940
 let's just outdo one another,

00:43:22.940 --> 00:43:23.740
 and showing love,

00:43:24.079 --> 00:43:25.159
 knowing that we're doing this,

00:43:25.380 --> 00:43:26.260
 not just for each other,

00:43:26.320 --> 00:43:27.940
 but we're doing this for Jesus himself,

00:43:28.599 --> 00:43:30.000
 and that we'll be able to withstand,

00:43:30.220 --> 00:43:30.920
 any suffering,

00:43:31.079 --> 00:43:32.480
 and persecution that may come,

00:43:32.960 --> 00:43:33.740
 whether subtle,

00:43:33.900 --> 00:43:35.159
 or much greater,

00:43:35.320 --> 00:43:35.800
 let's pray,

00:43:36.559 --> 00:43:36.740
 Lord,

00:43:36.800 --> 00:43:37.420
 thank you so much,

00:43:37.460 --> 00:43:38.200
 for this time together,

00:43:38.360 --> 00:43:39.559
 thank you for your word,

00:43:40.179 --> 00:43:41.019
 thank you that,

00:43:41.099 --> 00:43:42.659
 it reveals blind spots,

00:43:42.760 --> 00:43:43.360
 in our lives,

00:43:44.320 --> 00:43:45.820
 reveals spots,

00:43:46.019 --> 00:43:47.480
 at least in my life,

00:43:47.559 --> 00:43:48.800
 where I am,

00:43:48.980 --> 00:43:50.820
 exercising lordship,

00:43:50.820 --> 00:43:51.619
 over myself,

00:43:51.619 --> 00:43:53.079
 but really,

00:43:53.259 --> 00:43:54.079
 I am a slave,

00:43:54.279 --> 00:43:54.960
 to all sorts,

00:43:55.000 --> 00:43:55.739
 of different things,

00:43:56.539 --> 00:43:57.259
 Lord,

00:43:57.319 --> 00:43:57.839
 help me,

00:43:58.000 --> 00:43:58.679
 help us,

00:43:59.079 --> 00:44:00.359
 as a congregation,

00:44:00.599 --> 00:44:02.099
 to come under your lordship,

00:44:02.199 --> 00:44:03.159
 under your headship,

00:44:03.380 --> 00:44:03.940
 to experience,

00:44:03.940 --> 00:44:04.940
 that perfect freedom,

00:44:05.079 --> 00:44:05.920
 to be united,

00:44:05.920 --> 00:44:06.759
 in Christ,

00:44:07.480 --> 00:44:08.299
 to be united,

00:44:08.299 --> 00:44:09.079
 in love,

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 and help us,

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 to be a blessing,

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 to our neighborhoods,

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 and to our boroughs,

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 and to our city,

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 pray all these things,

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 in Jesus name,

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 Amen.