WEBVTT 00:00:00.900 --> 00:00:06.980 The scripture reading comes from Philippians, chapter 1, starting in verse 1. 00:00:07.459 --> 00:00:10.120 Please follow along on the screen or your Bible. 00:00:12.640 --> 00:00:20.339 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, 00:00:20.920 --> 00:00:28.080 with the overseers and deacons, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:00:28.079 --> 00:00:36.920 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all, making my prayer with joy. 00:00:37.739 --> 00:00:42.179 Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 00:00:43.200 --> 00:00:50.959 and I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 00:00:51.700 --> 00:00:56.759 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart. 00:00:56.759 --> 00:01:05.659 For you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 00:01:06.700 --> 00:01:12.400 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:20.420 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 00:01:20.900 --> 00:01:28.219 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 00:01:28.820 --> 00:01:35.120 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:42.500 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 00:01:42.900 --> 00:01:50.800 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 00:01:51.880 --> 00:01:57.020 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:00.500 are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 00:02:00.500 --> 00:02:07.200 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. 00:02:07.939 --> 00:02:13.699 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 00:02:14.460 --> 00:02:21.719 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 00:02:22.300 --> 00:02:22.819 What then? 00:02:22.819 --> 00:02:33.479 Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. 00:02:34.079 --> 00:02:35.659 This is the word of God. 00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:44.319 Amen. 00:02:46.500 --> 00:02:47.139 Great. 00:02:47.139 --> 00:02:52.519 Thank you so much, Ellen, for delivering that so powerfully and joyfully. 00:02:54.019 --> 00:02:58.079 I think that's really important, even as we read scripture and as you're reading at home, 00:02:58.179 --> 00:03:02.859 to read it actually out loud, because I think there's something about hearing it verbally, 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:04.119 even if it's your own voice. 00:03:04.299 --> 00:03:06.459 So that's what we do with a Sunday after a Sunday. 00:03:06.539 --> 00:03:09.019 We want to hear God's word come to us. 00:03:09.060 --> 00:03:09.839 That's his word. 00:03:10.539 --> 00:03:12.539 This is just an addendum to that. 00:03:12.619 --> 00:03:14.199 This is just us trying to apply it. 00:03:14.199 --> 00:03:19.519 So today we're going to begin a new sermon series, as Kevin mentioned. 00:03:19.659 --> 00:03:21.299 We're going to start on Philippians. 00:03:22.299 --> 00:03:25.379 And this is, we're really looking forward to this series. 00:03:25.479 --> 00:03:31.479 We're really excited about this, because we think it'll be really encouraging and challenging for us 00:03:31.479 --> 00:03:37.000 in this season of just unpredictableness and just chaos and fear. 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:41.599 And what we do often when we start a new series, we want to give you a bit of background, 00:03:41.879 --> 00:03:47.159 a little about the occasion for how this book, this letter was written. 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:49.500 So let's just dive into that right now. 00:03:50.400 --> 00:03:58.020 The background is that Philippians was a letter, an epistle, written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Philippi. 00:03:58.099 --> 00:03:59.319 That's why it's called Philippians. 00:03:59.319 --> 00:04:02.419 And Philippi was a Roman colony. 00:04:02.659 --> 00:04:11.840 You'll see on the map there that, you know, in the ancient times, Rome was the center of Western civilization. 00:04:12.639 --> 00:04:17.879 And they colonized Philippi and declared it as a colony of Rome. 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:21.899 And so the citizens of Philippi, this was really special to them, 00:04:22.019 --> 00:04:25.719 they were treated basically as if they were Roman citizens. 00:04:25.720 --> 00:04:32.100 They had all the exact rights, the privileges that any Roman citizen would have. 00:04:32.200 --> 00:04:35.580 And understandably, they took great pride in that citizenship. 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:41.000 And with Rome being, you know, the center of the world at that time, 00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:46.220 being a Philippian, therefore, you would probably see yourself as being pretty high up in the known world. 00:04:46.980 --> 00:04:51.780 And this was reflected in the deep connection between Rome and Philippi 00:04:51.779 --> 00:04:56.659 in terms of how Philippi adopted the cultural norms of Rome 00:04:56.659 --> 00:04:59.839 and their devotion to the imperial cults, 00:04:59.939 --> 00:05:03.479 which was the worship of the emperor and the emperor's family. 00:05:04.979 --> 00:05:07.599 And Paul wrote this letter while he was in prison, 00:05:07.819 --> 00:05:09.799 as we would have noted when we were reading. 00:05:10.379 --> 00:05:14.459 And this was most likely either imprisonment in Rome or Ephesus, 00:05:14.719 --> 00:05:16.099 what you'll see on the map as well. 00:05:16.100 --> 00:05:21.340 And one specific reason for Paul writing this letter 00:05:21.340 --> 00:05:24.820 is that the Philippian church had sent one of their members, 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:26.860 a messenger named Epaphroditus. 00:05:27.320 --> 00:05:33.400 They had sent him to come to Paul in prison with a gift to encourage him, to bless him. 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:37.320 And Paul, in turn, was responding to this gift. 00:05:37.379 --> 00:05:41.640 And he wanted to update the Philippians on what was going on with him, 00:05:41.720 --> 00:05:43.300 what was happening in his life. 00:05:43.300 --> 00:05:47.800 And so before we dive into the actual text itself, 00:05:47.879 --> 00:05:53.139 I want us to pause and linger a little bit longer on this reality, 00:05:53.319 --> 00:05:56.400 this sense that Paul was in prison. 00:05:57.740 --> 00:06:01.420 And many of us, if you've been in the church for a while, 00:06:01.480 --> 00:06:02.519 if you read through the Bible, 00:06:02.759 --> 00:06:05.699 you probably heard that Paul was a guy who was probably, 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:08.920 seems like he was in prison more often than he was out of it. 00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:12.080 As he was ministering, as he was going on missionary trips, 00:06:12.079 --> 00:06:14.479 he faced opposition and usually ended up in prison. 00:06:15.219 --> 00:06:18.779 And I think sometimes for us, that can, if you've heard that enough, 00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:20.399 it become a little bit numb to that. 00:06:20.819 --> 00:06:23.959 I know for myself, I've heard this idea of Paul in prison so often 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:27.579 that I can often just kind of gloss over that fact. 00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:31.620 And I don't know how much you, listening right now, 00:06:31.699 --> 00:06:34.259 how much you have experience with prisons. 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:39.079 But the reality is, if we kind of step back and think about it, 00:06:39.099 --> 00:06:42.159 it is actually a serious thing, right? 00:06:43.259 --> 00:06:46.339 It's a serious thing in all ages to be in prison. 00:06:47.039 --> 00:06:48.599 And especially in Roman times, 00:06:48.719 --> 00:06:53.620 what we know that imprisonment was particularly seen as being shameful 00:06:53.620 --> 00:06:56.839 and dishonoring to the person, 00:06:57.240 --> 00:07:00.680 and also to his relations and his relatives and his family. 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:04.660 Friends and associates would actually be pressured 00:07:04.660 --> 00:07:07.840 to abandon the person who's in prison. 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:11.939 Roman prisons were no walk in the park. 00:07:13.420 --> 00:07:15.680 And if you can imagine Paul perhaps there, 00:07:16.340 --> 00:07:18.519 whether he maybe had been in house arrest, 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:20.600 maybe he was in chains, 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:22.860 was no walk in the park. 00:07:24.100 --> 00:07:26.480 And the real thing is that Paul's situation 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:29.680 was probably even more serious than a person in prison 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:33.720 because what seems likely is that Paul is actually in prison 00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:34.920 awaiting trial 00:07:34.920 --> 00:07:38.439 and perhaps awaiting execution, 00:07:38.920 --> 00:07:39.780 a death sentence. 00:07:40.500 --> 00:07:43.360 So that's also hanging over his head. 00:07:44.740 --> 00:07:48.139 And lastly, when we think about Paul's situation in prison, 00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:51.199 we would consider looking at his situation 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:54.160 that he was being imprisoned for something unjust 00:07:54.160 --> 00:07:57.240 and that he was simply being charged or punished 00:07:57.240 --> 00:07:58.860 for preaching the gospel, 00:07:58.860 --> 00:08:00.639 for living out his faith. 00:08:02.540 --> 00:08:05.620 And so, church, if we can even begin, 00:08:05.819 --> 00:08:07.259 in 21st century Hong Kong, 00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:10.400 begin to put ourselves in Paul's shoes, 00:08:10.740 --> 00:08:13.939 to imagine ourselves in that cell 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:15.860 or in that jail block 00:08:15.860 --> 00:08:17.620 or under that house arrest. 00:08:18.660 --> 00:08:21.259 Imagine what this perhaps death sentence 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:23.379 is like hanging over us. 00:08:23.379 --> 00:08:27.500 It becomes even more astounding, I think, 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:31.060 and astonishing that the passage we just read 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:33.860 just seems to overflow with joy, 00:08:34.539 --> 00:08:35.720 with rejoicing, 00:08:36.179 --> 00:08:37.419 with positivity. 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:39.720 Take a look at this. 00:08:39.799 --> 00:08:40.419 Verse 3, 00:08:41.419 --> 00:08:42.840 Paul thanks God. 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:44.639 Verse 4, 00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:46.460 he prays with joy. 00:08:47.419 --> 00:08:47.840 Verse 8, 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:50.659 he yearns for the Philippians with affection. 00:08:50.659 --> 00:08:52.419 And verse 18, 00:08:52.539 --> 00:08:56.559 Paul rejoices that Christ is proclaimed. 00:08:57.679 --> 00:08:59.500 And it's interesting that the words 00:08:59.500 --> 00:09:02.259 that we translate as joy and rejoice and thank, 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:05.699 they all actually come from the same root word in Greek. 00:09:05.839 --> 00:09:07.539 And that root word we translate as 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:10.299 to rejoice or to be glad. 00:09:11.299 --> 00:09:13.600 So when we say that Philippians is a letter 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:14.439 that's full of joy, 00:09:14.539 --> 00:09:16.100 really this theme of rejoicing 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:18.659 is running throughout the entire letter. 00:09:19.439 --> 00:09:20.459 It's saturating it. 00:09:20.659 --> 00:09:24.419 And so this really begs the question 00:09:24.419 --> 00:09:26.219 that I've been kind of pondering, 00:09:26.539 --> 00:09:27.819 and I hope you are too, 00:09:27.899 --> 00:09:32.319 is how is it that Paul can be so joyful 00:09:32.319 --> 00:09:35.899 in such a horrific, sad state? 00:09:36.860 --> 00:09:39.379 And I was imagining if I were in his situation, 00:09:39.379 --> 00:09:41.959 I don't think I would be anything like that. 00:09:42.819 --> 00:09:44.579 I think, I wonder, you know, 00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:46.799 if I would just be kind of passively moping 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:49.019 and moaning and groaning 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:51.319 and feeling sorry for myself, 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:52.899 feeling sad and pathetic. 00:09:55.819 --> 00:09:56.899 And as far as I know, 00:09:56.979 --> 00:09:59.759 no one in Watermark has been put into jail 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:02.099 for speaking about Jesus, 00:10:02.459 --> 00:10:03.500 as far as I know. 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:08.320 But we may know people who have actually been persecuted 00:10:08.320 --> 00:10:09.440 and imprisoned for that. 00:10:09.960 --> 00:10:12.519 And what I do know definitely is right now, 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:13.379 in this moment, 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:16.279 many of us are anxious. 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:19.279 We're worried about our liberties, 00:10:19.580 --> 00:10:20.139 our freedoms. 00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:22.279 We're worried about our future. 00:10:22.279 --> 00:10:27.899 We feel maybe even figuratively imprisoned in some way. 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:30.319 And this has been a year in Hong Kong 00:10:30.319 --> 00:10:34.639 and the world that seems profoundly lacking in joy, 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:35.279 hasn't it? 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:40.279 We've been facing political challenges, 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:42.079 viral challenges, 00:10:42.079 --> 00:10:44.360 and experiencing all the toil 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:46.720 and the toll on our physical 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:49.220 and our emotional and our spiritual health. 00:10:49.220 --> 00:10:52.480 We're seeing many parts of the world right now 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:54.100 wrestling and reckoning 00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:56.000 with racial injustice, 00:10:56.560 --> 00:10:58.680 with racial discrimination 00:10:58.680 --> 00:11:00.460 and systemic discrimination. 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:03.019 And so the question that is being begged is, 00:11:03.180 --> 00:11:04.879 how can we have joy 00:11:04.879 --> 00:11:07.820 when everything seems to be falling apart, 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:09.779 when everything seems to be breaking 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.779 and hitting the fan? 00:11:13.160 --> 00:11:14.500 When I first read that, 00:11:14.580 --> 00:11:17.220 and I think even when Ellen was reading to us just now, 00:11:17.279 --> 00:11:17.960 at first glance, 00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:21.040 it seems like Paul is maybe just like some super Christian. 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:24.460 He's like the Marvel superhero of the Bible, 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:25.440 you know, 00:11:25.560 --> 00:11:27.280 captain, disciple, or whatever, 00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:27.860 that he, 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:28.780 man, he can, 00:11:28.840 --> 00:11:29.780 this guy is awesome, 00:11:29.920 --> 00:11:30.759 he can be in prison, 00:11:30.920 --> 00:11:31.720 he can have joy, 00:11:31.800 --> 00:11:32.920 he can be rejoicing. 00:11:33.300 --> 00:11:34.600 And just like a superhero, 00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:36.019 you see those traits 00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:37.060 and you see how amazing, 00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:37.420 and you're like, 00:11:37.540 --> 00:11:39.379 wow, you kind of aspire to be like that, 00:11:39.460 --> 00:11:41.080 but you think in the back of your head 00:11:41.080 --> 00:11:42.000 or maybe explicitly, 00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:43.879 I could never be like that. 00:11:44.940 --> 00:11:45.139 You know, 00:11:45.580 --> 00:11:46.060 Paul, 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:47.420 he can rejoice in prison. 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:50.139 He can have the joy of Christ 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:51.240 no matter what's happening, 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:52.840 but me, 00:11:52.940 --> 00:11:54.200 I don't think I can do that 00:11:54.200 --> 00:11:55.860 if I'm honest with myself. 00:11:57.540 --> 00:11:58.139 But friends, 00:11:58.200 --> 00:12:00.259 as we look at the passage today, 00:12:00.660 --> 00:12:01.820 as we look over again 00:12:01.820 --> 00:12:02.519 and dive into it, 00:12:02.540 --> 00:12:05.220 I believe that we'll see that joy is possible 00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:07.080 not just for Paul, 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:09.580 but for all followers of Jesus, 00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:12.100 of which Paul is really just one. 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:14.240 He is a follower of Jesus. 00:12:15.680 --> 00:12:18.139 And I hope that we'll see that in this passage, 00:12:18.259 --> 00:12:21.920 it'll show us that lasting and overflowing joy 00:12:21.920 --> 00:12:26.040 comes only from a life that is centered on Jesus Christ. 00:12:26.680 --> 00:12:28.360 Lasting and overflowing joy 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:32.560 can only come from a life that is centered on Jesus Christ. 00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:35.139 So how can this happen? 00:12:36.239 --> 00:12:37.639 Let's look at the text. 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:41.579 The first thing we want to look at is Paul's identity, 00:12:41.839 --> 00:12:43.339 his identity in Christ. 00:12:43.979 --> 00:12:46.419 Look at these opening verses with me. 00:12:47.199 --> 00:12:47.659 Verse 1, 00:12:47.739 --> 00:12:49.539 Paul's greeting to the Philippians 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:51.599 tells us something very important 00:12:51.599 --> 00:12:53.279 that we can just quickly gloss over, 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:55.059 is that he and Timothy, 00:12:55.619 --> 00:12:56.319 Paul and Timothy, 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:58.960 are servants of Jesus Christ. 00:13:00.060 --> 00:13:01.940 This is what Paul starts with. 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:03.379 This is who he is. 00:13:03.460 --> 00:13:06.640 This is the person who is writing to the Philippians. 00:13:07.520 --> 00:13:09.500 I am a servant of Jesus Christ 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:10.420 and I write to you. 00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:12.140 And everything in this letter 00:13:12.140 --> 00:13:14.320 flows out from the fact 00:13:14.320 --> 00:13:17.480 that Paul is a servant of Christ. 00:13:18.780 --> 00:13:21.020 And the implication of this 00:13:21.020 --> 00:13:23.740 is that Jesus is Paul's master. 00:13:25.140 --> 00:13:26.200 Servant and master. 00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:28.280 And that means that everything, 00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:29.280 Paul's purpose, 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:30.460 his success, 00:13:31.020 --> 00:13:32.040 his validation, 00:13:32.540 --> 00:13:34.720 everything is defined by Jesus 00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:36.340 because he serves Jesus, 00:13:36.900 --> 00:13:37.520 his master. 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:40.940 Jesus, the one who created Paul. 00:13:41.560 --> 00:13:43.540 Jesus, the one who is God 00:13:43.540 --> 00:13:45.379 in human form. 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:46.379 As we sung, 00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:47.900 the name above all names. 00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:50.180 The one who died for our sins. 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:53.840 The one who resurrected to conquer death. 00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:56.300 The one who loves us unconditionally. 00:13:56.320 --> 00:14:01.140 And so when we think about Paul's identity, 00:14:02.040 --> 00:14:03.920 think about your identity. 00:14:04.280 --> 00:14:06.260 When you wake up tomorrow morning, 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:07.940 what is the label, 00:14:08.280 --> 00:14:10.340 the identity that will get you up? 00:14:11.180 --> 00:14:13.000 What is the thing that will drive you? 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:14.960 What is the thing that you are thinking about 00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:16.280 when you wake up 00:14:16.280 --> 00:14:17.500 and you're getting ready to work? 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:21.120 Is it that you're a father or a mother 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:23.539 and that you are serving, 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:25.460 you're a servant to your child? 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:28.299 Is it that you're a husband or a wife 00:14:28.299 --> 00:14:30.559 and you're a servant to your spouse? 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:33.940 Is your identity that you're single 00:14:33.940 --> 00:14:35.639 and unmarried? 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:38.159 Is it that you're pro-democracy 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:40.240 or pro-establishment? 00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:42.960 Is it that you're the managing director 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:44.319 of your company 00:14:44.319 --> 00:14:46.519 or that you are a domestic helper 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:48.720 from the Philippines or Indonesia? 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:51.019 Is it that you're Chinese 00:14:51.019 --> 00:14:52.879 or Filipino or white 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:55.279 or whatever racial background you are? 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:58.480 Is it the label that you are COVID-free 00:14:58.480 --> 00:14:59.419 and you're healthy? 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:01.679 Is that what drives you 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:02.759 and what defines you? 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:04.700 And none of these identities, 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:05.860 don't get me wrong, 00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:07.439 none of these are necessarily bad. 00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:08.879 It's not bad to be COVID-free. 00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:11.700 It's not bad to be a father 00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:12.679 or a mother or anything. 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:17.620 But church, these things make terrible masters. 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:20.240 They make terrible masters 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:21.860 because if you are defined, 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:24.480 for example, by your political views, 00:15:24.700 --> 00:15:27.879 you will never experience true lasting joy 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:29.340 unless your party wins, 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:30.759 unless you can destroy 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:32.399 destroy and depreciate 00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:34.200 those who hold contrary views. 00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:38.720 Until you can prove them wrong. 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:41.460 If you're defined by where you sit 00:15:41.460 --> 00:15:42.939 and stand on the corporate ladder, 00:15:43.319 --> 00:15:45.019 you will be enslaved to those 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:47.460 who have the power to promote you 00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:48.639 or to fire you 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:50.080 or to determine your bonus. 00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:53.000 And if you're saying to me today, 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:54.620 and I say this to myself sometimes, 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:56.319 well, I serve no one. 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.279 I serve myself. 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:58.519 I am my master. 00:15:58.519 --> 00:16:00.819 Well, the challenge there is 00:16:00.819 --> 00:16:03.799 you are master to yourself in name only, 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:06.299 but ultimately you'll be mastered by your desires. 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:08.840 Whatever you believe will give you happiness. 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:11.000 Whatever you believe will give you joy. 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:13.399 You will be mastered by that. 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:16.240 And so it's interesting. 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:17.480 It's important to note that 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:19.179 after introducing himself 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:21.279 as a servant of Jesus Christ, 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:24.980 Paul mentions Christ 10 more times 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:26.699 in this short little passage. 00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:30.120 Jesus is his reference point. 00:16:30.280 --> 00:16:33.740 Jesus is the defining feature of Paul's life. 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:35.840 The defining feature of this letter, 00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:36.780 of this introduction. 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:38.680 Jesus is his master. 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:41.520 And unlike all those terrible masters we looked at, 00:16:42.420 --> 00:16:44.920 Jesus is unlike any of those human masters. 00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:48.320 Because even though he is God, 00:16:49.020 --> 00:16:50.320 he humbled himself. 00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:52.320 Jesus said to us, 00:16:52.420 --> 00:16:54.020 I came to serve, 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:55.940 not to be served. 00:16:58.600 --> 00:16:59.840 I can imagine, 00:17:00.260 --> 00:17:02.740 I can imagine this one question 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:04.940 that Paul asks in every circumstance. 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:08.279 What does Jesus think about me? 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:11.400 Jesus, what do you think about me? 00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:12.440 You're my master. 00:17:14.840 --> 00:17:16.920 Friends, is that the question 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:18.500 that you ask yourself every morning 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:20.000 when you go to bed? 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:22.779 Have you asked that question before? 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:25.240 If you ask that, 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:28.200 what do you think Jesus would say to you right now? 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:32.000 I want to do something a little different right now. 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:34.299 Let's just take a pause right now. 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:36.299 And I want you to actually take a minute, 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:37.759 close your eyes, 00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:39.160 look out the windows, 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:40.279 help yourself focus, 00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:43.099 and just ask God that question. 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:45.779 When Jesus looks at you, 00:17:46.219 --> 00:17:47.259 what does he think? 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:48.539 What do you think he thinks? 00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:48.659 What do you think? 00:17:48.659 --> 00:17:50.619 What do you think he thinks? 00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:56.779 Or is that the way he thinks that 00:17:57.459 --> 00:17:58.359 NASA is a gun? 00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:13.019 Mickey kind of thinks like a lab that can't be 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:13.319 such a 그렇ngut, 00:18:13.679 --> 00:18:14.259 it's a weapon that can't be 00:18:14.379 --> 00:18:16.259 twice for his place. 00:18:16.419 --> 00:18:17.719 Let's go forward to seeing more 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:47.480 I've thought about this a couple times. 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:52.339 I've kind of done this exercise in my head, and I still often feel a mixture. 00:18:53.519 --> 00:19:00.700 Because I think in this performance culture, instantly I'm thinking about, you know, where am I falling short? 00:19:00.860 --> 00:19:01.779 How can I do better? 00:19:02.860 --> 00:19:05.480 Will I be a good father? 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:08.779 You know, am I being a good husband? 00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:12.000 Am I performing well to people like me? 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:23.900 And if you are a Christian this morning, if you're a servant of Jesus, I hope what you hear, and if that's not what you heard, listen to this really clearly. 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:29.240 I hope you see and you hear that Jesus is saying that he loves you. 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:40.039 Verse 6, that he has begun a good work in you, and he will bring it to completion in the day of Jesus Christ. 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:45.299 That he has deep affection for you. 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.399 Verse 8. 00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:55.940 Verses 10 and 11, that he wants to fill you with righteousness and goodness and purity. 00:19:55.940 --> 00:20:04.059 There might be other things that God is, through his spirit, is challenging you with and encouraging with you. 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:13.940 But if that is not the first thing, the foundation of what you think about when you imagine Jesus speaking to you, 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:17.860 then church, we really need to reorient ourselves. 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:23.799 We really need to go back to this and see that Jesus is the one who loves you unconditionally. 00:20:23.959 --> 00:20:25.779 He wants to work in your life. 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:28.919 He accepts you, not because of what you've done. 00:20:29.939 --> 00:20:33.939 He's adopted you, not because you were cuddly and cute and beautiful and wonderful, 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:36.299 but simply because he loves you. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:39.599 Is that the Jesus you know? 00:20:40.719 --> 00:20:45.000 Is that the Jesus that you hear when you ask God that? 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:52.480 And if you're not a Christian this morning, do you care about what your creator thinks about you? 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:58.619 Do you care about the fact that God loves you and wants all these things for you? 00:20:58.660 --> 00:21:00.779 He wants to work goodness out of your heart. 00:21:00.859 --> 00:21:01.859 He wants to adopt you. 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:04.400 Will, the question is, will you accept him? 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:07.099 Will you follow Jesus today? 00:21:07.099 --> 00:21:37.079 Will you follow Jesus today? 00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:39.759 He writes this. 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:51.279 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, making my prayer with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 00:21:52.139 --> 00:21:58.139 And that word for partnership is actually more commonly translated as the word fellowship. 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.159 Fellowship. 00:21:59.240 --> 00:22:05.399 So that sense of the Christian community, the support that Paul has received from the Philippians. 00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:05.460 The Philippians. 00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:09.560 The Philippians are his brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:22:09.860 --> 00:22:11.680 They are his spiritual family. 00:22:12.840 --> 00:22:19.080 And so in the midst of Paul's suffering, he remembers their partnership from the first day until now. 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:35.859 And so each and every one of us who are following Jesus, we have had people who have walked with us, who have encouraged us, who have been deeply impactful in our spiritual journeys, just like the Philippians were to Paul. 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:36.859 Maybe it was the person who was to Paul. 00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:39.639 Maybe it was the person who first told you about Jesus. 00:22:40.419 --> 00:22:45.759 Maybe it was a friend who supported you through a time of trial or doubting or something like that. 00:22:46.439 --> 00:22:54.219 Maybe it was a community who supported you in a mission trip or some kind of project. 00:22:54.220 --> 00:23:07.559 And this is a reminder, I think, for us to remember in all times, to rejoice, to give thanks for those who have been our partners in Christ, who have supported us. 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:16.980 And not only to remember them as Paul does, but to pray for them, to petition for them, to love them through your prayers. 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:20.339 So I want us to take another moment right now. 00:23:21.419 --> 00:23:29.639 Again, close your eyes, be still, and think of someone who has walked with you, who has invested in you. 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:32.180 Give thanks for them. 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:36.100 Pray verses 9 to 11 over them. 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:42.520 And imagine, don't just quickly think about a person, but remember what they did for you. 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:45.020 Remember how God worked through them. 00:23:46.520 --> 00:23:47.820 Let's do that right now. 00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:29.620 Let's do that right now. 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:59.620 Let's do that right now. 00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:05.100 God, we thank you for these people who have worked in our lives, who you have used. 00:25:06.300 --> 00:25:14.840 Like Paul, we pray that their love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment, 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:21.240 that they may prove what is excellent to be pure and blameless for the day of Jesus. 00:25:22.020 --> 00:25:25.480 Lord, would you fill them with the fruit of righteousness? 00:25:25.780 --> 00:25:27.720 Let them know that you are with them. 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:34.220 God, thank you, Lord, for walking with us through these people, Lord. 00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:40.279 Amen. 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:55.980 A part of who you are is literally because of these people, this person, this community that God put into your life to partner with you, to walk with you. 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:57.980 Isn't that amazing? 00:25:57.980 --> 00:26:01.620 Isn't that worth rejoicing over? 00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:10.599 That at all times we can remember the faithfulness of God through the partnership that he gives us in his people. 00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:18.459 Rejoicing in the fellowship that we have in Christ. 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:28.700 Thirdly, what gave Paul great joy was the fact that the Philippians were partnering with him in the gospel. 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:32.180 Not just partnering with him in general, but in the gospel. 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:35.140 And that's the proclamation of Christ. 00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:37.220 And that's the third source of joy. 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:47.080 And it's amazing that Paul has this perspective to see that his imprisonment has actually served to advance the gospel. 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:57.860 So that the Imperial Guard and a whole other bunch of people, they now know that the reason that Paul has been imprisoned is because of serving the cause of Jesus. 00:26:57.859 --> 00:27:00.059 Because of living for Jesus. 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:05.319 And not only that, but his imprisonment has been emboldened. 00:27:05.699 --> 00:27:09.099 Has emboldened other believers to speak out about Jesus. 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:15.659 And he says that some are preaching Christ out of rivalry and envy. 00:27:16.859 --> 00:27:17.659 But note this. 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:21.179 Because they still preach Christ, Paul says this. 00:27:21.179 --> 00:27:23.519 Whether in pretense in truth. 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:25.119 Verse 18. 00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:29.839 Christ is proclaimed and in that I rejoice. 00:27:32.159 --> 00:27:36.079 Here's a man who's in prison because he's been proclaiming Jesus. 00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:40.000 And he knows that these other guys are trying to hurt him. 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:43.239 Trying to afflict him in some way because of their envy, their jealousy. 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:46.339 But it's this overriding interest. 00:27:46.919 --> 00:27:50.699 What gives him joy is that Christ would be proclaiming. 00:27:50.699 --> 00:27:53.839 Doesn't matter if he's doing it or somebody else is doing it. 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:55.619 And so we already remember. 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:57.959 We know that Paul's identity is in Christ. 00:27:58.319 --> 00:28:02.899 We know that he remembers that his partners have been with him through all of this. 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.919 And what they've done for him. 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:10.720 So it makes perfect sense that Paul would want his savior, his master to be proclaimed. 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:13.779 He would want to tell everyone about Jesus. 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:18.299 You praise and you value what you care about, right? 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:21.039 You know, if my friend has done something amazing. 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:24.879 If my best friend has just climbed Mount Everest or something phenomenal. 00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:27.440 I want the world to know about it. 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:29.940 And if my enemies recognize that. 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:32.299 Man, that's even better, right? 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:34.519 If they're proclaiming that, that's even better. 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:43.480 And so if that's the case, how much more, how much more would we want to proclaim Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior? 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:49.700 And so we've seen how Paul finds his identity as a servant of Jesus. 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:57.039 We've remembered how he recalls his partners in the gospel of Jesus. 00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:59.380 How he remembers his fellowship. 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:06.059 And we know, we've seen how he rejoices when he knows that Jesus is proclaimed. 00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:11.259 But how do we truly experience lasting joy? 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:21.559 How is a Christ-centered life truly so unshakable and unchangeable in the tides of coronavirus and pandemic and whatnot? 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:28.180 And the final thing is this, is that this passage gives us one really important clue. 00:29:28.619 --> 00:29:31.900 And that's the phrase, the day of Jesus Christ. 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:33.879 Verses 6 and 10. 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:38.400 The day of Jesus Christ, Paul says. 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:45.240 And we're reminded here that Christianity is ultimately a worldview that points us to the future. 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:47.759 Yes, the past is important. 00:29:48.340 --> 00:29:49.360 Jesus has come. 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.340 He has died. 00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:51.500 He has resurrected. 00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:56.519 He who has begun a good work in us will bring it to completion. 00:29:57.280 --> 00:29:59.240 And that points us to the future. 00:29:59.360 --> 00:30:04.900 And theologians call this, if you're into it, they call that Christianity an eschatological faith. 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:10.200 It is a faith that really values the end times, what is to come. 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:18.500 And that day of Christ is the day when Jesus returns to bring final judgment. 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:25.980 It's the era where he comes, the time where he comes to bring complete restoration to all of creation. 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:28.799 That's what we look forward to. 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:35.339 That's why Paul expresses this confidence that he will bring us to completion. 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:39.099 He will continue working in the lives of the Philippians. 00:30:40.120 --> 00:30:46.579 And so for all who trust and follow Jesus, that day of Christ, that is our security and joy. 00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:50.200 That's the Jesus that Paul wants to proclaim. 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:51.819 It's not in a vacuum. 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:57.519 It's constantly with this hope, this expectant joy that Christ will return. 00:30:57.879 --> 00:30:59.799 That's the Jesus whom he serves. 00:31:01.419 --> 00:31:07.059 Remembering the day of Christ helps us to remember that the present today is not the end. 00:31:07.859 --> 00:31:13.179 These 80 or so years that we have on this lifetime is not the end. 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:18.559 The day of Christ points us to the everlasting life that we'll have with God. 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:23.859 We're all dying, metaphorically. 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:27.039 We're dying to get out of this pandemic, aren't we? 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:33.319 To be able to move on to bigger and better things that we haven't been able to do. 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:40.440 To finally be able to breathe without a mask in this hot, humid Hong Kong summer. 00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:45.740 To be able to have parties with our friends and families. 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:52.039 To be able to gather as a church without all this fuss and all this logistical challenges. 00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:57.920 To be able to visit your loved ones in their homes, in the elderly homes. 00:31:58.400 --> 00:31:59.299 Maybe overseas. 00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:03.820 I'm dying to be able to travel and see the world again. 00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:11.099 I can already feel the joy imagining that. 00:32:11.419 --> 00:32:13.079 Imagining returning to that. 00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:22.019 But church, we have, in the day of Christ, we have so much more going for us than to get through a pandemic. 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:30.679 And what if I could 100% guarantee you, snap of my fingers, tomorrow COVID-19 would be history. 00:32:31.399 --> 00:32:31.960 Eradicated. 00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:32.039 Eradicated. 00:32:32.920 --> 00:32:34.559 Well, yes, that would be amazing. 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:39.920 But that wouldn't stop us from aging and dying. 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:44.319 That wouldn't heal our souls. 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:49.559 That wouldn't give us purpose and meaning that we yearn for deep in our hearts. 00:32:49.900 --> 00:32:53.779 That wouldn't help us to know the God who created us. 00:32:53.779 --> 00:33:01.059 That would not give us access to unconditional love, acceptance, and everlasting life. 00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:13.819 And yet, in the middle of this blasted, frustrating pandemic, those things are accessible to us right now because of Jesus. 00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:24.639 And instead of just looking forward to a normal life after the pandemic, we can look forward to a world where there is complete joy. 00:33:24.640 --> 00:33:25.640 Complete fulfillment. 00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:26.540 Complete fulfillment. 00:33:26.540 --> 00:33:28.060 In your work. 00:33:28.060 --> 00:33:29.800 In your relationships. 00:33:29.800 --> 00:33:31.600 In all of life. 00:33:31.600 --> 00:33:33.020 A world with no suffering. 00:33:34.020 --> 00:33:34.980 No sickness. 00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:36.800 No political fear. 00:33:36.800 --> 00:33:38.640 No medical fear. 00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:39.780 No brokenness. 00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:40.520 No divorce. 00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:41.140 No pain. 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:41.720 No evil. 00:33:41.840 --> 00:33:42.460 No suffering. 00:33:42.460 --> 00:33:43.500 No transparent. 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:44.900 But in our life. 00:33:44.900 --> 00:33:53.600 And when you stop and imagine and think about that kind of reality, does not that prospect fill you with a sense of profound joy? 00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:56.900 That that is possible in the day of Christ. 00:33:58.960 --> 00:34:03.960 And all of the things that Paul did in prison, we can still do now. 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:08.619 in the midst of these difficult times 00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:09.619 we can still do that 00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:11.320 let's look at them one more time 00:34:11.320 --> 00:34:14.079 we can rejoice in these things 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:19.280 that your identity is a servant of Jesus Christ 00:34:19.280 --> 00:34:22.340 that you can give thanks 00:34:22.340 --> 00:34:25.139 for those who have partnered with you 00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:26.699 who have invested in you 00:34:26.699 --> 00:34:28.240 who God has brought to you 00:34:28.240 --> 00:34:30.960 and you can rejoice in the ability 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:33.800 to proclaim Jesus Christ right now 00:34:33.800 --> 00:34:36.800 and as we rejoice in these things 00:34:36.800 --> 00:34:40.480 they will lead us to the day of Jesus Christ 00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:44.039 you know in Philippians 00:34:44.039 --> 00:34:46.080 Paul has seemingly lost everything 00:34:46.080 --> 00:34:49.460 he may even lose his life 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:51.700 that's the specter that hangs over him 00:34:51.700 --> 00:34:55.260 but you wouldn't be able to tell 00:34:55.260 --> 00:34:58.340 by the way the tone that he writes to the Philippians 00:34:58.340 --> 00:35:02.760 and that's because Paul's joy comes from Christ 00:35:02.760 --> 00:35:05.220 and that is a joy that cannot be stripped away 00:35:05.220 --> 00:35:07.080 not by imprisonment 00:35:07.080 --> 00:35:08.820 not by quarantine 00:35:08.820 --> 00:35:10.440 not by a pandemic 00:35:10.440 --> 00:35:12.420 not by authoritarianism 00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:19.020 he's not just waiting to feel joy 00:35:19.020 --> 00:35:21.880 but because Paul is centering his life 00:35:21.880 --> 00:35:23.240 on something unshakable 00:35:23.239 --> 00:35:25.919 he is choosing to rejoice 00:35:25.919 --> 00:35:28.459 to rejoice is an action 00:35:28.459 --> 00:35:29.739 it's a verb 00:35:29.739 --> 00:35:32.239 it's active 00:35:32.239 --> 00:35:33.979 and he is choosing to rejoice 00:35:33.979 --> 00:35:35.839 and Paul knows that Jesus 00:35:35.839 --> 00:35:38.679 is the most important thing in the universe 00:35:38.679 --> 00:35:41.059 and he knows Jesus will return 00:35:41.059 --> 00:35:42.059 on the day of Christ 00:35:42.059 --> 00:35:42.779 to make things 00:35:42.779 --> 00:35:43.919 all things right 00:35:43.920 --> 00:35:46.760 Paul is a man who knows 00:35:46.760 --> 00:35:48.320 his savior Jesus 00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:50.079 and may that be so 00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:51.980 in our lives 00:35:51.980 --> 00:35:52.860 and in our church 00:35:52.860 --> 00:35:54.880 let me pray for us 00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:57.139 that this would be real in our lives 00:35:57.139 --> 00:36:00.960 Father we come before you right now 00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:01.460 humbled 00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:04.480 to know that you are our master 00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:06.119 that you would become 00:36:06.119 --> 00:36:08.579 a servant to serve us 00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:12.900 so Lord in the light of eternity God 00:36:12.900 --> 00:36:14.960 give us a grandiose vision 00:36:14.960 --> 00:36:16.299 a sense every morning 00:36:16.299 --> 00:36:17.420 that I'm not living 00:36:17.420 --> 00:36:19.480 for 18 months down the road 00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:20.279 I'm not living 00:36:20.279 --> 00:36:21.779 for my deathbed even 00:36:21.779 --> 00:36:22.739 but I'm living 00:36:22.739 --> 00:36:24.000 for eternity 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:28.420 I'm living for a new creation God 00:36:28.420 --> 00:36:30.400 when you make all things new 00:36:30.400 --> 00:36:31.619 where death is no more 00:36:31.619 --> 00:36:33.659 and God Lord 00:36:33.659 --> 00:36:34.599 would that give us 00:36:34.599 --> 00:36:36.139 a focus today 00:36:36.139 --> 00:36:39.719 a focus on Jesus 00:36:39.719 --> 00:36:41.179 a centering on Jesus 00:36:41.179 --> 00:36:42.779 that he is the one 00:36:42.779 --> 00:36:44.139 worth proclaiming 00:36:44.139 --> 00:36:46.000 he is the one 00:36:46.000 --> 00:36:47.279 worth celebrating 00:36:47.279 --> 00:36:51.139 God help us to remember 00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:52.500 through the rest of this day 00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:54.559 all your goodness 00:36:54.559 --> 00:36:55.819 all your blessing 00:36:55.819 --> 00:36:59.659 to remember every single person 00:36:59.659 --> 00:37:01.159 who you've put in our lives 00:37:01.159 --> 00:37:02.440 who have poured into us 00:37:02.440 --> 00:37:04.319 who have sacrificed for us 00:37:04.320 --> 00:37:07.760 God let us give thanks 00:37:07.760 --> 00:37:09.420 and count those blessings today 00:37:09.420 --> 00:37:16.240 Jesus we confess Lord 00:37:16.240 --> 00:37:17.300 where we've been so 00:37:17.300 --> 00:37:19.340 wrapped up Lord 00:37:19.340 --> 00:37:22.660 in our present comforts Lord 00:37:22.660 --> 00:37:26.140 and we say to you once again Lord 00:37:26.140 --> 00:37:26.800 would you 00:37:26.800 --> 00:37:29.240 be the Lord of our lives again 00:37:29.239 --> 00:37:34.439 would you remind us Lord 00:37:34.439 --> 00:37:37.699 that you have so much more 00:37:37.699 --> 00:37:38.759 in store for us 00:37:38.759 --> 00:37:41.679 than getting through this pandemic 00:37:41.679 --> 00:37:44.019 Lord may we not waste 00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:45.979 every opportunity today 00:37:45.979 --> 00:37:47.559 at home 00:37:47.559 --> 00:37:48.939 online 00:37:48.939 --> 00:37:51.419 to proclaim your name Jesus 00:37:51.419 --> 00:37:53.879 Lord may we not waste 00:37:53.879 --> 00:37:54.899 this pandemic 00:37:54.900 --> 00:37:58.240 may we not waste 00:37:58.240 --> 00:37:59.280 our quarantine God 00:37:59.280 --> 00:38:00.320 because you are worthy 00:38:00.320 --> 00:38:02.820 Jesus have your way 00:38:02.820 --> 00:38:04.460 Holy Spirit work in our lives 00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:05.000 we pray 00:38:05.000 --> 00:38:07.940 in your precious name 00:38:07.940 --> 00:38:09.220 Amen 00:38:09.220 --> 00:38:10.559 Amen