WEBVTT

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 Father God, I pray that you find us humble this morning, coming to your word.

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 Recognizing that you are a sovereign, all-powerful God, and that you spoke to us should be something special that we ought to pay very careful attention to.

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 And I pray, Father, that this morning's text, the truths contained therein, will be planted deep in our hearts and will grow into vines that bear fruit.

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 And I pray this in Christ's name. Amen.

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 So you may be asking yourself, I thought we were preaching through the book of Romans.

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 We are. We are still doing that.

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 Chapter three is where we are, the beginning of chapter three.

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 And I'll start next week, I promise, on chapter three.

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 But the beginning of chapter three in Romans wasn't really what was on my heart this week.

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 And I went to the doctor on Wednesday and received yet another prognosis of my condition.

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 Those of you who know me well know I deal with a number of health conditions.

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 I'm a type one diabetic.

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 I have hypothyroidism.

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 I'm in constant pain.

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 And we're not sure why just yet, although we may be getting to the bottom of it.

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 But my my autoimmune system, for some reason, is is turning on my body, primarily my glands, the endocrine system.

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 And one by one, things seem to be getting ticked off that list.

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 My pancreas, my thyroid gland are all being attacked by my autoimmune system.

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 And it sounds kind of cool to have like a like a cranked up autoimmune system.

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 I wish that also meant that I didn't get sick at all.

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 Unfortunately, it doesn't.

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 I'm just a mess pretty much all the time.

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 Very few moments of my day that I'm not in pain.

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 I have excruciating headaches most of the time.

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 Last night, I got very little sleep because my left leg just would not stop aching.

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 I don't know why.

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 No idea why.

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 On Wednesday, I found out that I have osteoporosis.

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 Isn't exciting.

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 I'm 31 years old.

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 I have osteoporosis in my hips.

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 I may secretly actually be an old woman.

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 I'm not sure yet.

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 I'll let you know if I figure it out.

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 But but so I'm osteoporotic in my hips.

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 It's not in a terribly advanced state.

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 So there could be some reversal of that.

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 But we also discovered that I have a growth hormone deficiency, which may be what's causing the pain in my body.

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 At my age, growth hormone is still important for healing and recovering.

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 It still exists.

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 But what it means is that my immune system is also attacking and killing my pituitary gland.

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 So another gland, again, is being attacked.

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 And so I'm sitting in the doctor's office and I'm I've gone from a bone density scan to an X-ray.

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 And the lady that was going to administer the X-ray said, why are you doing this?

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 And I said, I really don't know.

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 I'm not sure why this is being done.

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 And she said, you're way too young.

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 Let me go check and see what's going on.

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 And that caused the doctor, who's a good friend of mine, to actually come in and say, hey, we saw something in your lab results.

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 We're just checking into it.

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 But you do look like you have osteoporosis.

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 So I'm sitting waiting to hear after the X-rays were done, waiting to hear what was going on.

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 And I thought to myself, should something like this rob my joy?

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 Should a new prognosis, another thing to deal with, should it rob my joy?

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 And in my head, the resounding answer to that was, no, of course not.

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 It shouldn't rob my joy.

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 My joy is found in Christ.

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 Of course not.

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 But in my heart, I'm not sure I felt the same way.

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 So sitting there with nothing but my phone, I began to run through scriptures in my head, things that would be an encouragement to me in this time.

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 And my mind was taken to Matthew chapter five, where Jesus preaches what we know as the Sermon on the Mount.

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 And he begins in verse three, running through verse 12, these verses that we call the Beatitudes.

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 Beatitudes is Latin for happy or joyful or blissful.

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 Each of these verses starts with blessed, which means the same thing, full of joy.

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 And it's a joy that isn't affected by outside circumstance.

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 So let's see what he says.

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 What is it that makes these people joyful when speaking to Christians in light of all the things that he's talking about?

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 We're just going to run through them quick and we're going to move beyond to the book of Philippians.

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 But quickly, I want to show you in verse three, we have the poor in spirit or the person with no spiritual equity.

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 The person who realizes how broken they are in this world and have no spiritual value whatsoever.

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 What is the encouragement to them?

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 What is it that makes them joyful and is at the center of their joy that they own the kingdom of heaven?

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 The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

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 Verse four, those who mourn or are broken over their sin.

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 They have a promise that they'll be comforted one day.

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 Verse five, those who are meek, who have the power to act, but it's tempered by love to receive persecution and trouble in this world.

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 They're given a promise that they'll reign one day over the earth.

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 Verse six, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who desire godliness and their lives someday that we set free from the captivity of sin.

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 Their fleshly bodies will cease to exist, will be liberated from the temptation of sin altogether.

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 Verse seven, the merciful, those who are willing to forgive the wrongs do them.

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 Shall be forgiven.

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 Verse eight.

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 The pure in heart, those with undivided hearts toward God will get to see him.

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 We'll get to experience him here.

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 We can't, but they will one day.

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 The peacemakers in verse nine, those who share the gospel, those who are about the business of making peace between God and man.

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 They'll be a part of God's family.

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 They will be called sons of God.

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 Verse 10.

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 Those who are persecuted, who suffer for righteousness sake.

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 Again, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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 And then in verse 11 and 12, when they are reviled and persecuted, when they are mocked, made fun of, seen as strangers and aliens in this world.

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 Their reward is great.

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 And here's where they find their happiness.

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 John Newton, who was an 18th century Anglican minister, famous for writing the song Amazing Grace, said this.

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 Suppose a man was going to New York to take possession of a large estate and his carriage should break down one mile before he got to the city, which obligated him to walk the rest of the way to the inheritance.

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 What a fool we should think him if we saw him wringing his hands and blubbering all the way the remaining while.

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 My carriage is broken.

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 My carriage is broken.

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 What man who has to walk a mile to receive a great inheritance laments the thing that's broken behind him?

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 And so my question for myself this week and my question for you this morning is, do we lament our broken carriage?

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 My potty is a broken carriage.

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 Or do we look to the reward and what's beyond?

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 Turn to the book of Philippians with me, please.

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 Paul's letter to the church of Philippi was written from a Roman prison.

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 It's not something I've experienced.

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 Certainly, Paul is being persecuted for his faith.

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 And I want to show you quickly that joy is crucially thematic in Paul's letter to the Philippians as he works to encourage them to continue in and contend for their faith.

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 So look with me quickly.

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 I just want to show you the theme, the language that exists throughout.

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 Chapter 1, verse 18.

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 Two times.

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 What do we see?

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 The word rejoice.

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 Christ is proclaimed in that I rejoice.

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 Yes, and I will rejoice.

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 Chapter 1, verse 25.

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 He speaks of joy in the faith.

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 Chapter 2, verse 2.

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 He talks about his joy.

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 Chapter 2, verse 28.

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 Twice, I believe again.

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 No, once in 28, once in 29.

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 In 28, that you may rejoice.

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 And in 29, with all joy.

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 3-1.

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 Finally, my brothers rejoice in the Lord.

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 4-1.

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 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown.

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 4-4.

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 It appears twice.

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 Rejoice in the Lord always.

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 Again, I will say, rejoice.

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 And in 4-10, he says, I rejoiced in the Lord greatly.

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 I would encourage you as you see words repeat throughout a book that you underline them and see what the writer is trying to say through that.

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 So this joy is a crucial thematic element in showing them that in order for them to contend for and continue in their faith, joy is a necessary motivation for that.

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 So joy in Christ fuels Christ-likeness.

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 Joy in Christ fuels Christ-likeness.

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 I'm going to show you three ways that it does so.

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 But first, let's look at Philippians 1-21.

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 I think that this is the thesis statement of his letter.

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 Verse 121.

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 He says, for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

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 What does he mean by that?

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 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

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 For me, to live here on this earth, to be here in the body, in my flesh, is to experience and know and savor Christ Jesus.

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 To die is better yet because I get to go be with him.

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 That's what Paul's communicating to us.

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 Because of the surpassing knowledge of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord, I'll remain on.

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 I love living because I live for Christ.

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 You can feel his joy in that statement.

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 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

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 C.S. Lewis wrote in The Weight of Glory,

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 We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us.

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 Like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.

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 We are far too easily pleased.

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 As Christians, as we live in our flesh, we are far too easily pleased.

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 We trade lesser things for the greater thing that is Christ Jesus, our Lord.

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 So joy in Christ fuels Christ-likeness in three ways.

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 Number one, by empowering the Christian to resist sin.

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 Fuels Christ-like living by empowering the Christian to resist sin.

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 Look at chapter 2.

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 We're going to read verses 1 through 15 together.

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 Verse 1.

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 So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

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 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

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 Now, you see him saying in verse 2, complete my joy.

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 Further up in verse 25, he's talked about staying on for the Philippians for their progress and joy in the faith.

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 So, here's where we've been and where we're moving now.

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 So, if there's any encouragement in Christ, any love, any joy in him,

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 verse 3,

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 do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

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 Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interest of others.

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 Have this mind among yourself, which is yours, in Christ Jesus,

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 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

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 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

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 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,

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 even death on a cross.

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 Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

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 so that the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven or earth and under the earth,

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 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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 Amen.

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 Verse 12.

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 Therefore, so in light of all of this,

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 your joy in Christ and what he's accomplished on your behalf,

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 therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed,

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 so now, not only as in my presence, but much more in my absence,

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 work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

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

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 Do all things without grumbling or questioning,

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 that you may be blameless and innocent children of God

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 without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation,

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 among whom you shine as light in the world.

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 And what fuels all that?

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 What do we go back to in all that?

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 It's our joy in Christ.

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 It's that we treasure him above all else.

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 He makes everything dim as a result of his great brightness in our life.

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 Matthew Henry, who was a Presbyterian minister in the 17th and 18th centuries

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 and wrote a commentary on the entire Bible, which is quite useful,

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 once said,

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 The joy of the Lord will arm us against the assaults of our spiritual enemies

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 and put our mouths out of taste for those pleasures

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 with which the tempter baits his hooks.

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 We'll put our mouths out of pleasure

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 for those tastes with which the tempter baits his hooks.

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 If you love Christ, you won't love this world.

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 If you love him in the measure you should,

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 in light of the gospel of grace,

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 you won't love the things of this world

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 and they'll become tasteless to you.

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 It'll be easy to resist sin

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 because of your great pursuit of Christ.

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 Number two.

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 Empowers us to live Christ-like lives

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 by enabling the Christian to bear up under suffering.

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 Philippians chapter 4

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 verses 11 and 12

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 through 13.

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 I have learned in whatever situation I am

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 to be content.

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 I know how to be brought low

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 and I know how to abound

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 in any and every circumstance.

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 I have learned the secret of facing plenty

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 and hunger,

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 abundance and need.

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 I can do all things through him

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 who strengthens me.

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 I can do all things through him

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 who strengthens me.

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 And he gives us a clue what he's talking about

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 earlier in the chapter,

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 verse 4.

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 He says,

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 Rejoice in the Lord always.

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 Again,

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 I will say rejoice.

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 Let your reasonableness

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 be known to everyone.

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 The Lord is at hand.

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 Do not be anxious about anything,

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 but in everything,

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 by prayer and supplication,

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 with thanksgiving,

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 let your requests be made known to God.

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 And the peace of God,

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 which surpasses all understanding,

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 will guard your hearts

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 and your minds

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 in Christ Jesus.

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 So what is his key

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 to learning

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 in whatever situation

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 to be content?

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 It's the joy he finds in Christ.

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 It's casting his anxieties

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 and his worries

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 at the feet of Christ

00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:43.620
 and living a rejoiceful life

00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:45.720
 as a result of him.

00:16:47.459 --> 00:16:48.799
 Jeremiah Burroughs,

00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:50.199
 I keep telling you who these people are

00:16:50.199 --> 00:16:50.960
 because I just want you to see

00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:52.179
 that I'm not the only one

00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:53.120
 saying such things.

00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:54.860
 Jeremiah Burroughs

00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.799
 was a Puritan pastor,

00:16:55.919 --> 00:16:57.399
 wrote a great little book,

00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:58.060
 cool read,

00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:58.840
 called The Rare Jewel

00:16:58.840 --> 00:16:59.799
 of Christian Contentment.

00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:01.259
 I would commend it to you.

00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:03.440
 He said this.

00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:06.799
 Many men think

00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.720
 that when they are troubled

00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:09.579
 and have not got contentment,

00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.460
 it is because they have

00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:12.559
 but a little in the world

00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.920
 and that if they had more,

00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.359
 then they should be content.

00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:17.660
 That is just as if a man

00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.319
 were hungry

00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:19.460
 and to satisfy

00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.480
 his craving stomach,

00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:21.259
 he should gape

00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:22.420
 and hold open his mouth

00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:23.700
 to take in the wind

00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:25.300
 and then should think

00:17:25.300 --> 00:17:26.100
 that the reason why

00:17:26.100 --> 00:17:27.160
 he is not satisfied

00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:28.279
 is because he has not

00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.100
 got enough

00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:30.220
 of the wind.

00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:32.100
 So a man is hungry

00:17:32.100 --> 00:17:33.440
 and to feed himself,

00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:34.539
 he gapes open his mouth

00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:35.400
 and takes in the wind

00:17:35.400 --> 00:17:36.340
 and then says,

00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:36.519
 man,

00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:38.039
 I'm still not full.

00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:39.220
 I need more wind.

00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:40.940
 No.

00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:42.759
 The reason is because

00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:44.420
 the thing is not suitable

00:17:44.420 --> 00:17:46.100
 to a craving stomach.

00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:47.600
 Yet there is really

00:17:47.600 --> 00:17:48.560
 the same madness

00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.539
 in the world

00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:51.059
 and in the church.

00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:52.700
 The wind

00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:53.359
 which a man

00:17:53.359 --> 00:17:54.659
 takes in by gaping

00:17:54.659 --> 00:17:55.799
 will as soon satisfy

00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.779
 a craving stomach

00:17:56.779 --> 00:17:58.000
 ready to starve

00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:59.319
 as all the comforts

00:17:59.319 --> 00:17:59.740
 in the world

00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:01.179
 can satisfy a soul

00:18:01.179 --> 00:18:02.000
 who knows

00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:03.279
 what true happiness

00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.399
 means.

00:18:06.399 --> 00:18:07.200
 As Christians,

00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:08.379
 we've experienced

00:18:08.379 --> 00:18:09.740
 the joy of Christ.

00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:11.379
 If you haven't,

00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:12.599
 you should doubt

00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:13.220
 your salvation.

00:18:15.119 --> 00:18:15.980
 We know

00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:16.839
 what satisfies.

00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:18.199
 Why do we run around

00:18:18.199 --> 00:18:19.159
 looking for things

00:18:19.159 --> 00:18:19.859
 that don't?

00:18:20.199 --> 00:18:20.759
 Why do we look

00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:22.000
 to our circumstances,

00:18:22.179 --> 00:18:23.000
 our health,

00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.459
 our loved ones

00:18:24.459 --> 00:18:25.939
 for that which

00:18:25.939 --> 00:18:26.959
 cannot satisfy?

00:18:27.199 --> 00:18:28.000
 Only Christ

00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:29.279
 can satisfy

00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:30.419
 a soul

00:18:30.419 --> 00:18:31.759
 that's alive

00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.579
 to him.

00:18:33.639 --> 00:18:34.459
 A great example

00:18:34.459 --> 00:18:34.980
 of that is found

00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:35.500
 in Hebrews

00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.759
 chapter 11

00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:37.359
 verse 24

00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.199
 through 26.

00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.859
 It's a little commentary

00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:41.279
 on Moses

00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:41.839
 by the writer

00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.339
 of Hebrews.

00:18:43.619 --> 00:18:44.439
 He writes,

00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:45.139
 by faith,

00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:45.519
 Moses,

00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.500
 when he was grown up,

00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.680
 refused to be called

00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.640
 the son of Pharaoh's

00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:48.940
 daughter,

00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:50.220
 choosing rather

00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.019
 to be mistreated

00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:52.039
 with the people of God

00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:52.900
 than to enjoy

00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:53.960
 the fleeting pleasures

00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:55.200
 of sin.

00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:56.480
 He considered

00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.160
 the reproach

00:18:57.160 --> 00:18:57.839
 of Christ

00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:58.880
 greater wealth

00:18:58.880 --> 00:18:59.579
 than the treasures

00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:00.059
 of Egypt,

00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:01.400
 for he was looking

00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:02.819
 to the reward.

00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:06.220
 Christ Jesus himself

00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.299
 is the treasure

00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:08.059
 at the end.

00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:08.880
 He is

00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:10.079
 the reward.

00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:12.420
 And Moses,

00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:13.640
 the commentator,

00:19:13.640 --> 00:19:13.860
 says,

00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:14.580
 knew this.

00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:16.520
 The reproach

00:19:16.520 --> 00:19:16.960
 of Christ

00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.759
 was greater

00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.460
 than the treasures

00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:19.900
 of Egypt.

00:19:21.780 --> 00:19:22.460
 That's why

00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:22.860
 he was able

00:19:22.860 --> 00:19:24.100
 to be mistreated

00:19:24.100 --> 00:19:24.780
 with the people

00:19:24.780 --> 00:19:25.280
 of Israel.

00:19:26.020 --> 00:19:26.680
 It's phenomenal.

00:19:28.780 --> 00:19:29.500
 Number three,

00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:32.520
 by encouraging

00:19:32.520 --> 00:19:33.040
 the Christian

00:19:33.040 --> 00:19:35.220
 to live radically.

00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:40.360
 joy encourages

00:19:40.360 --> 00:19:40.940
 the Christian

00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:42.100
 to live radically

00:19:42.100 --> 00:19:43.819
 in two ways.

00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:45.740
 In service

00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:47.839
 and in evangelism.

00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:49.799
 In service.

00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:52.259
 Philippians 3.8.

00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:55.259
 Paul says,

00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:56.039
 after he's given

00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:57.180
 this pedigree

00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:57.960
 of who he is

00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.839
 as a religious

00:19:58.839 --> 00:20:00.139
 person,

00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:01.339
 and he's counted

00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:02.339
 that as loss,

00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.799
 in verse 8 he says,

00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:04.500
 Indeed,

00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:06.059
 I count everything

00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:07.019
 as loss

00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.799
 because of the

00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:08.799
 surpassing worth

00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:09.659
 of knowing

00:20:09.659 --> 00:20:10.819
 Christ Jesus my Lord.

00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:12.419
 For his sake,

00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.059
 I have suffered

00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:13.579
 the loss

00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.619
 of all things

00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:15.419
 and count them

00:20:15.419 --> 00:20:16.519
 as rubbish

00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.960
 in order that I

00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:18.919
 may gain Christ.

00:20:20.399 --> 00:20:21.639
 Jesus put it this way

00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.919
 in Luke chapter 12.

00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:24.559
 Sell your possessions

00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:26.220
 and give to the needy.

00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:27.559
 Provide yourselves

00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:28.259
 with money bags

00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:29.519
 that do not grow old,

00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.859
 with a treasure in heaven

00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:32.379
 that does not fail,

00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.700
 where no thief approaches

00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:35.159
 and no moth destroys.

00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:37.299
 For where your treasure is,

00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:38.779
 there your heart

00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.399
 will be also.

00:20:41.139 --> 00:20:42.000
 Jesus puts it

00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:42.779
 plainly to us.

00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.480
 Don't work

00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:45.700
 for the approval

00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.359
 of men here

00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:47.559
 to gain for yourself

00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:48.440
 in the now

00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:49.720
 because eternity

00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:51.059
 is so much more important.

00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:52.039
 Store it for yourself.

00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:52.920
 Treasures

00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:54.140
 there.

00:20:55.100 --> 00:20:55.920
 What will that treasure

00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:57.220
 look like for us?

00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.400
 Will my mansion

00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:59.680
 be bigger than someone else's

00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.579
 because I'm a preacher

00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.259
 of the word?

00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:03.220
 Not at all.

00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.259
 Not at all.

00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:05.819
 Faithful Christian living

00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:07.700
 gives to us

00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.640
 the ability

00:21:08.640 --> 00:21:09.579
 to praise

00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.180
 our Savior.

00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:12.759
 Christ himself

00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.460
 is the treasure.

00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:15.039
 And those things

00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.559
 that we have done

00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:16.079
 in this life

00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:16.900
 will be judged

00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:19.120
 and will then be given

00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:20.140
 as Clay says,

00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.780
 ticker tape.

00:21:21.320 --> 00:21:22.040
 As I say,

00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:22.660
 confetti.

00:21:22.860 --> 00:21:23.900
 We'll be given something

00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:25.240
 to cast at the feet

00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.040
 of Christ

00:21:26.040 --> 00:21:26.920
 to praise him

00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:27.920
 for the great work

00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:28.640
 that he accomplished

00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:30.560
 in and through us

00:21:30.560 --> 00:21:31.580
 in this world.

00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.780
 That's what heaven's

00:21:33.780 --> 00:21:34.519
 going to be all about,

00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.100
 everybody.

00:21:35.820 --> 00:21:36.320
 It's going to be

00:21:36.320 --> 00:21:38.320
 loving Christ.

00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.580
 We should be about it

00:21:40.580 --> 00:21:41.600
 now.

00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:44.139
 If we have the mind

00:21:44.139 --> 00:21:44.759
 of Christ,

00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:46.959
 Jeremiah 9, 24

00:21:46.959 --> 00:21:48.299
 says this,

00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:49.959
 I am the Lord

00:21:49.959 --> 00:21:51.299
 who practices

00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:52.679
 steadfast love,

00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:53.659
 justice,

00:21:54.159 --> 00:21:54.659
 and righteousness

00:21:54.659 --> 00:21:55.319
 in the earth.

00:21:55.879 --> 00:21:57.219
 For in these things

00:21:57.219 --> 00:21:58.219
 I delight,

00:21:58.639 --> 00:21:59.399
 declares the Lord.

00:22:00.339 --> 00:22:01.399
 Christ himself

00:22:01.399 --> 00:22:02.259
 is happy.

00:22:02.679 --> 00:22:03.539
 He is joyful

00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.899
 in these acts

00:22:04.899 --> 00:22:05.519
 of mercy.

00:22:06.199 --> 00:22:07.379
 He finds joy

00:22:07.379 --> 00:22:08.579
 in loving

00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.919
 his creation.

00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:11.660
 And if we're to have

00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:12.400
 the mind of Christ

00:22:12.400 --> 00:22:13.060
 and be on board

00:22:13.060 --> 00:22:13.700
 with his mission,

00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:14.940
 we should be about

00:22:14.940 --> 00:22:15.440
 the same.

00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.860
 It also encourages us

00:22:18.860 --> 00:22:19.480
 to deliver radically

00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:21.420
 in evangelism.

00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:23.039
 So here we see

00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:24.000
 Paul

00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:25.680
 in a Roman prison

00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:27.480
 able to receive

00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:27.900
 visitors,

00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:28.779
 sharing his faith

00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:29.420
 with everyone

00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:30.980
 he has opportunity.

00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:32.100
 I'm sure the Roman

00:22:32.100 --> 00:22:33.519
 guards either became

00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:33.880
 Christians

00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:35.000
 or were very annoyed.

00:22:36.560 --> 00:22:37.920
 Philippians 1, 18

00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:39.039
 Paul says,

00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:40.039
 what then?

00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:41.759
 Only that in every way.

00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.480
 He's talking about

00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.940
 some men sharing

00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.399
 the gospel

00:22:45.399 --> 00:22:46.319
 for their own gain.

00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.639
 Some doing it

00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:48.279
 out of pure motive.

00:22:48.379 --> 00:22:48.839
 Some doing it

00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:49.639
 for their own gain.

00:22:50.339 --> 00:22:50.639
 He says,

00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.859
 only that in every way,

00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:53.220
 whether in pretense

00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.339
 or in truth,

00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:56.099
 Christ is proclaimed.

00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:57.420
 And in that

00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:58.359
 I rejoice.

00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:02.420
 Paul was joyful.

00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:03.319
 He was happy

00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:04.319
 in the good news

00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.019
 of Jesus Christ

00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:06.259
 being shared.

00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:07.940
 if Christ

00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.779
 is our treasure,

00:23:08.879 --> 00:23:09.879
 the thing we value

00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:11.240
 more than anything else

00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:11.960
 in this world,

00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:13.960
 we'll talk about him.

00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:15.039
 Am I right?

00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.460
 No amount

00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:17.740
 of teasing

00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.740
 or persecution,

00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.519
 awkwardness

00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.700
 will prevent us

00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:22.420
 from doing so.

00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:23.519
 If we're not

00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.900
 actively involved

00:23:24.900 --> 00:23:25.720
 in sharing our faith

00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.700
 on a constant basis,

00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:27.980
 it is a

00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:28.920
 indictment

00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:30.500
 on what we value.

00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:32.799
 If you don't

00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.619
 constantly talk

00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:34.319
 about your Savior,

00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:35.799
 you don't love him

00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:36.920
 like you ought.

00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.799
 J. Campbell White,

00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:41.339
 who was leader

00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:41.960
 of the layman's

00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.619
 missionary movement,

00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.160
 which was started

00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:43.779
 at the first part

00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:44.619
 of the 20th century,

00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:45.960
 said,

00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:46.740
 most men

00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:47.779
 are not satisfied

00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:49.000
 with the permanent

00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:50.319
 output of their lives.

00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:52.019
 Nothing can wholly

00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:53.019
 satisfy the life

00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:53.740
 of Christ

00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.839
 within his followers

00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:56.339
 except the adoption

00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:57.619
 of Christ's purpose

00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:58.380
 toward the world

00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.720
 he came to redeem.

00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.259
 Fame,

00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:01.779
 pleasure,

00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:02.299
 and riches

00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:03.759
 are but husks

00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.440
 and ashes

00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:05.299
 in contrast

00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:06.579
 with the boundless

00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:07.740
 and abiding joy

00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:09.319
 of working with God

00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.339
 for the fulfillment

00:24:10.339 --> 00:24:12.220
 of his eternal plans.

00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:13.839
 The men

00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:14.420
 who are putting

00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:14.940
 everything

00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:16.220
 into Christ's undertaking

00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:17.720
 are getting out of life

00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.660
 its sweetest

00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.759
 and most priceless

00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.779
 rewards.

00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:25.720
 Joy, then,

00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:27.819
 or joy found

00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.480
 in Christ

00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.960
 empowers

00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.000
 enables

00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.279
 and encourages

00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.500
 us

00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.900
 to be worthy

00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.539
 of that name

00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:36.079
 Christian,

00:24:36.600 --> 00:24:38.100
 to be

00:24:38.100 --> 00:24:39.539
 Christ-like.

00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:42.319
 Isn't it freeing

00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:43.819
 to know

00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:44.600
 that our motivation

00:24:44.600 --> 00:24:45.640
 doesn't have to be

00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:47.680
 abject stoicism,

00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:50.900
 that our motivation

00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:52.079
 gets to be joy.

00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:53.460
 We get to seek

00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.559
 our greatest

00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.519
 happiness.

00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:55.720
 happiness.

00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:58.139
 We are promised

00:24:58.139 --> 00:24:58.740
 by Christ's

00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.180
 persecution

00:24:59.180 --> 00:24:59.799
 in this world.

00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:01.559
 We are promised

00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:02.259
 that it will be

00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:02.879
 difficult.

00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.139
 Christians

00:25:05.139 --> 00:25:05.559
 ought to be

00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.200
 the most

00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:06.960
 troubled

00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:07.740
 by the world's

00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.160
 terms,

00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.299
 but the most

00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:09.839
 joyful

00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.879
 in the kingdom

00:25:10.879 --> 00:25:11.359
 of God.

00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:13.019
 That's what

00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:13.619
 makes us

00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:14.599
 strange.

00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:16.519
 That's what

00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.079
 makes people

00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:17.799
 look at Christians

00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:18.259
 and say,

00:25:18.359 --> 00:25:19.220
 I don't get it.

00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:19.759
 I do not

00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.160
 understand.

00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:20.980
 What is this

00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:22.340
 hope that

00:25:22.340 --> 00:25:23.000
 they have?

00:25:23.880 --> 00:25:24.560
 Peter instructs

00:25:24.560 --> 00:25:24.820
 us to be

00:25:24.820 --> 00:25:25.200
 prepared to

00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:25.360
 give an

00:25:25.360 --> 00:25:25.740
 answer to

00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:25.980
 that,

00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:26.560
 right?

00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:27.960
 If people

00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:28.460
 don't ask

00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:28.759
 you what

00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:29.019
 is the

00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:29.420
 hope you

00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:29.800
 have,

00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:30.800
 why is it

00:25:30.800 --> 00:25:31.040
 that you

00:25:31.040 --> 00:25:31.380
 can bear

00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:31.759
 up under

00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.519
 such things?

00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:33.900
 Chances are

00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.480
 you're not

00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.259
 bearing up

00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.800
 under such

00:25:35.800 --> 00:25:36.300
 things.

00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.519
 Blaise Pascal

00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:44.560
 was a 17th

00:25:44.560 --> 00:25:45.120
 century French

00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:45.600
 mathematician.

00:25:45.800 --> 00:25:46.120
 Wes shared

00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:46.680
 this with me

00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:47.620
 I think a

00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:47.920
 couple of

00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:48.400
 weeks ago.

00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:49.580
 I had this

00:25:49.580 --> 00:25:50.120
 on my phone

00:25:50.120 --> 00:25:50.600
 so it was

00:25:50.600 --> 00:25:51.000
 an encouragement

00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.620
 to me in the

00:25:51.620 --> 00:25:52.320
 doctor's office.

00:25:54.080 --> 00:25:54.780
 They found

00:25:54.780 --> 00:25:55.180
 eight years

00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.660
 after his

00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.019
 death,

00:25:56.600 --> 00:25:57.259
 sewn in,

00:25:57.360 --> 00:25:57.840
 pinned into

00:25:57.840 --> 00:25:58.360
 the inside

00:25:58.360 --> 00:25:58.800
 of his

00:25:58.800 --> 00:25:59.840
 jacket that

00:25:59.840 --> 00:26:00.300
 he wore,

00:26:01.820 --> 00:26:02.700
 the account

00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:02.980
 of his

00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.380
 conversion.

00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.200
 I want to

00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:05.540
 read it to

00:26:05.540 --> 00:26:05.620
 you.

00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.500
 I hope it

00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:06.880
 kind of

00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:07.700
 reignites

00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:09.060
 a passion

00:26:09.060 --> 00:26:09.500
 for Christ

00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:09.780
 in your

00:26:09.780 --> 00:26:10.080
 heart.

00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:11.500
 He wrote,

00:26:12.580 --> 00:26:12.980
 Year of

00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.360
 Grace,

00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:14.519
 1654,

00:26:15.100 --> 00:26:15.500
 Monday,

00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:16.500
 23 November,

00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:17.460
 Feast of

00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:17.640
 Saint

00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.080
 Come Lent.

00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:19.180
 From about

00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:19.900
 half past

00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.220
 ten at

00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:20.820
 night to

00:26:20.820 --> 00:26:21.380
 about half

00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:21.720
 an hour

00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.620
 after midnight,

00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:23.720
 fire.

00:26:24.820 --> 00:26:25.200
 God of

00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:25.519
 Abraham,

00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.080
 God of

00:26:26.080 --> 00:26:26.380
 Isaac,

00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:26.940
 God of

00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:27.259
 Jacob,

00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.060
 not a

00:26:28.060 --> 00:26:28.360
 philosopher,

00:26:28.540 --> 00:26:28.660
 some

00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:29.080
 scholars,

00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:30.580
 certitude,

00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:31.980
 heartfelt joy,

00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:32.840
 peace,

00:26:33.560 --> 00:26:34.000
 God of

00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.700
 Jesus Christ,

00:26:35.060 --> 00:26:35.540
 God of

00:26:35.540 --> 00:26:36.240
 Jesus Christ,

00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:37.440
 my God

00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:37.740
 and your

00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.080
 God,

00:26:38.340 --> 00:26:38.680
 joy,

00:26:38.860 --> 00:26:39.120
 joy,

00:26:39.300 --> 00:26:39.620
 joy,

00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:40.600
 tears of

00:26:40.600 --> 00:26:40.980
 joy,

00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.220
 Jesus Christ,

00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:43.240
 Jesus Christ,

00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:44.440
 may I never

00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.040
 be separated

00:26:45.040 --> 00:26:45.940
 from him.

00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:46.900
 Let's pray.

00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:49.019
 God of

00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.019


00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.599
ยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยย