WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.400 General Thomas Jackson received the nickname Stonewall early in the Civil War. 00:00:09.919 --> 00:00:17.960 General Bernard B. inspired his men on the field of battle by calling out, 00:00:18.240 --> 00:00:23.080 Look men, there's Jackson standing like a stone wall. 00:00:23.079 --> 00:00:33.439 Soldiers marveled at how Stonewall Jackson appeared so calm in battle after battle. 00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:46.359 It seemed that he was unfazed in the midst of bullets flying, cannon exploding, and men dying all around him. 00:00:46.359 --> 00:00:58.340 When he was asked how he could stand firm like that, this is his memorable response. 00:00:59.579 --> 00:01:04.719 My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. 00:01:05.480 --> 00:01:07.840 God has fixed the time for my death. 00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:15.159 I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready no matter when it may overtake me. 00:01:15.159 --> 00:01:22.340 That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave. 00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:34.420 Jackson was a committed Christian who believed that God sovereignly guided everything that happens in this world, 00:01:35.319 --> 00:01:38.459 including his life there on the battlefield. 00:01:38.459 --> 00:01:50.639 He was convinced that God was in control and working in everything for his good purpose. 00:01:51.879 --> 00:02:00.519 That's how he was able to stand firm in his faith in the midst of battle. 00:02:00.519 --> 00:02:11.079 A soldier standing firm in the heat of battle was the image that Paul used in Philippians 4, verse 1 00:02:11.079 --> 00:02:16.780 to call Christians to stand firm in the Lord as they live for Christ in this world. 00:02:17.519 --> 00:02:19.139 I want you to look at it there on the screen. 00:02:20.419 --> 00:02:23.780 This is sort of a bridge verse, 00:02:25.340 --> 00:02:29.300 recalling what he has said and preparing them for what he's about to say. 00:02:29.300 --> 00:02:30.520 He says, 00:02:30.520 --> 00:02:36.939 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, 00:02:37.620 --> 00:02:42.800 stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 00:02:44.180 --> 00:02:46.480 Paul loved this church. 00:02:47.740 --> 00:02:49.220 I mean, they were his friends. 00:02:49.980 --> 00:02:53.939 I want you to note, there is nowhere else in any of the New Testament letters 00:02:53.939 --> 00:03:01.259 where Paul or Peter or James or anyone refers to a church family with such affection. 00:03:01.259 --> 00:03:04.259 Just note, he refers to them, my brothers. 00:03:05.219 --> 00:03:07.479 Some translations, my brothers and sisters. 00:03:07.620 --> 00:03:09.639 That's what the word is inclusive there. 00:03:10.639 --> 00:03:15.120 Whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, 00:03:16.199 --> 00:03:19.479 stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:22.959 It's his favorite church. 00:03:24.199 --> 00:03:26.439 His heartfelt desire for them 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:30.659 is to stand firm in their commitment to the Lord 00:03:30.659 --> 00:03:34.120 and live the faithful Christian life 00:03:34.120 --> 00:03:38.479 that he's been describing in the previous verses, chapter 3, 00:03:39.159 --> 00:03:44.500 and will continue describing and calling them to in chapter 4. 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:48.379 We, right now, today, 00:03:49.340 --> 00:03:53.860 we need to stand firm in our commitment to Christ 00:03:53.860 --> 00:03:59.419 just as much or more so than those Christians 00:03:59.419 --> 00:04:01.060 because of the day in which we live. 00:04:02.259 --> 00:04:07.879 You know, if we'll be serious about seeking to stand firm 00:04:07.879 --> 00:04:11.659 in our faith, in our commitment, in our service to the Lord, 00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:16.259 it'll be obvious to people who know us, observe us, 00:04:16.860 --> 00:04:19.240 that we aren't like the fake Christians 00:04:19.240 --> 00:04:23.019 that Paul described in the middle of chapter 3. 00:04:23.620 --> 00:04:26.920 Those who profess faith, had been, or were in the church, 00:04:27.560 --> 00:04:29.540 they just live like people of the world, 00:04:30.300 --> 00:04:32.680 very selfish and self-centered. 00:04:33.819 --> 00:04:37.240 If we are standing firm in our commitment, 00:04:37.240 --> 00:04:41.100 no one will ever take us for that kind of church member. 00:04:41.960 --> 00:04:43.079 At the same time, 00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:48.019 if we stand firm in what we believe and how we live, 00:04:48.819 --> 00:04:50.460 it'll be obvious to everybody 00:04:50.460 --> 00:04:52.540 that we are faithful Christians. 00:04:52.699 --> 00:04:53.879 We're serious-minded 00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:58.100 and that it is our goal and desire 00:04:58.100 --> 00:05:01.280 to grow in our relationship with the Lord 00:05:01.280 --> 00:05:05.579 and to grow in developing Christ-like character. 00:05:05.579 --> 00:05:08.779 I want us to continue looking at what it will mean 00:05:08.779 --> 00:05:12.719 for us to stand firm in chapter 4 now. 00:05:13.479 --> 00:05:16.219 We have seen things in chapter 3. 00:05:17.279 --> 00:05:20.339 Well, I want to go through chapter 4 this morning 00:05:20.339 --> 00:05:21.939 and next Sunday morning. 00:05:23.219 --> 00:05:24.740 And I want us to see some of the things 00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:28.039 that Paul calls our attention to, 00:05:29.060 --> 00:05:31.579 that we need to be firm. 00:05:32.719 --> 00:05:33.719 We need to be committed. 00:05:33.720 --> 00:05:38.120 We need to take a stand to preserve, 00:05:38.420 --> 00:05:40.120 to maintain, or even to grow in. 00:05:40.680 --> 00:05:41.700 Let's look at some of the ways 00:05:41.700 --> 00:05:44.460 we need to stand firm as committed Christians. 00:05:44.960 --> 00:05:47.420 Look first, verses 2 and 3 and 5, 00:05:47.980 --> 00:05:51.120 stand firm for the unity of the church. 00:05:52.420 --> 00:05:53.340 This is important. 00:05:54.380 --> 00:05:57.200 We need to stand firm 00:05:57.199 --> 00:06:02.199 for maintaining unity and good health in our church. 00:06:02.899 --> 00:06:03.659 First of all, 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:07.420 that will involve helping people to solve conflicts. 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:09.560 We're going to read the verses 00:06:09.560 --> 00:06:10.699 as we come to them this morning. 00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:11.680 Look at verses 2 and 3. 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:14.039 He says, 00:06:14.159 --> 00:06:15.860 I entreat, or I urge, 00:06:16.439 --> 00:06:19.560 Euodia and I entreat Syntyche 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:22.579 to agree in the Lord. 00:06:23.319 --> 00:06:24.259 Bomb, wasn't it? 00:06:24.259 --> 00:06:26.800 Can you imagine 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:29.920 having this letter read 00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:32.860 and all of a sudden, 00:06:33.699 --> 00:06:35.339 whoever's reading it, 00:06:36.399 --> 00:06:40.219 they call two women sitting there's names 00:06:40.219 --> 00:06:44.060 and tell them to agree. 00:06:45.659 --> 00:06:47.019 Now this was not done 00:06:47.019 --> 00:06:49.339 in any mean-spirited kind of way. 00:06:49.699 --> 00:06:50.639 He loves this church. 00:06:50.719 --> 00:06:51.639 He loves these people. 00:06:51.959 --> 00:06:52.860 Look what else it says. 00:06:52.860 --> 00:06:54.540 Yes, I ask you also, 00:06:54.860 --> 00:06:55.680 true companion, 00:06:56.620 --> 00:06:57.639 help these women. 00:06:57.980 --> 00:06:59.740 We don't know who that true companion is. 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:01.740 But Paul's telling somebody in the church, 00:07:02.040 --> 00:07:03.800 most likely one of the leaders 00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:04.800 that everybody knew, 00:07:04.860 --> 00:07:05.840 knew who it would be, 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:07.840 maybe the one who's reading the letter. 00:07:09.340 --> 00:07:10.800 He's asking this person, 00:07:11.980 --> 00:07:12.800 get involved. 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:14.500 Help them. 00:07:15.620 --> 00:07:16.379 Help these women 00:07:16.379 --> 00:07:18.780 who have labored side by side 00:07:18.780 --> 00:07:20.780 with me and the gospel together, 00:07:20.779 --> 00:07:23.139 with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers 00:07:23.139 --> 00:07:24.939 whose names are in the book of life. 00:07:27.099 --> 00:07:29.679 Paul publicly calls out two women 00:07:29.679 --> 00:07:32.579 who were having some kind of disagreement. 00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:35.139 We have no idea what it involved, 00:07:35.479 --> 00:07:36.179 but evidently, 00:07:36.879 --> 00:07:39.779 it had the potential to disrupt the church, 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:44.959 to maybe bring about divisions among people, 00:07:45.179 --> 00:07:45.779 people taking sides. 00:07:45.779 --> 00:07:50.719 That's the only reason Paul would have confronted them publicly 00:07:50.719 --> 00:07:52.699 and embarrassed them like this. 00:07:53.239 --> 00:07:54.079 I mean, he refers to them, 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:54.719 look at it up there. 00:07:55.059 --> 00:07:57.839 You have labored side by side with me in the gospel. 00:07:58.819 --> 00:08:01.139 They've been involved with him in his ministry there. 00:08:01.779 --> 00:08:03.739 Been involved as he preached and taught. 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:06.779 He knew them. 00:08:06.819 --> 00:08:07.500 He loved them. 00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:08.500 You know. 00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:09.199 You know. 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:14.160 He got no joy out of calling them out 00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:16.079 in front of everyone 00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:18.199 and telling them, 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:19.740 you agree. 00:08:20.339 --> 00:08:21.420 You don't cause trouble. 00:08:21.920 --> 00:08:23.339 You don't hurt the church. 00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:27.620 Now, Paul helps us see, 00:08:28.500 --> 00:08:29.300 by doing this, 00:08:29.660 --> 00:08:30.819 that serious problems 00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:32.460 that threaten the unity and health of the church 00:08:32.460 --> 00:08:34.500 must be dealt with. 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:36.419 They can't be ignored. 00:08:36.419 --> 00:08:38.179 You can't just think, 00:08:38.360 --> 00:08:39.659 well, you know, 00:08:40.079 --> 00:08:42.979 I'd feel very uncomfortable doing that. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:45.959 I might hurt someone's feelings if I did that. 00:08:46.479 --> 00:08:47.620 You can't worry about that. 00:08:48.699 --> 00:08:49.740 Paul lets us see here 00:08:49.740 --> 00:08:50.879 that church health, 00:08:51.199 --> 00:08:51.919 church unity, 00:08:52.099 --> 00:08:52.959 is so important 00:08:52.959 --> 00:08:54.879 that in a letter he writes 00:08:54.879 --> 00:08:56.179 to his favorite church 00:08:56.179 --> 00:08:58.319 about two women that he loved 00:08:58.319 --> 00:08:59.500 and had worked with, 00:09:00.319 --> 00:09:02.139 he humiliated them 00:09:02.139 --> 00:09:04.839 by calling their name 00:09:04.840 --> 00:09:06.700 over their disagreement 00:09:06.700 --> 00:09:08.100 and telling them, 00:09:09.060 --> 00:09:09.600 get together, 00:09:09.780 --> 00:09:10.500 work it out. 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:13.980 It's important 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:15.600 that we, 00:09:15.759 --> 00:09:16.139 today, 00:09:17.280 --> 00:09:18.320 do whatever it takes 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:20.740 to maintain church health and unity. 00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:21.980 Now, 00:09:22.019 --> 00:09:23.120 by God's grace, 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:25.080 this church has a history 00:09:25.080 --> 00:09:26.000 of worshiping 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:26.980 and working together 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:27.639 in unity. 00:09:28.899 --> 00:09:30.100 Before I came here, 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:31.560 I checked out 00:09:31.560 --> 00:09:32.580 the history of this church 00:09:32.580 --> 00:09:34.240 just like the pastor's church committee 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:35.100 checked me out. 00:09:35.680 --> 00:09:38.080 And I heard nothing but good 00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:40.299 about the history of this church 00:09:40.299 --> 00:09:41.080 and the unity 00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:42.139 and the good fellowship 00:09:42.139 --> 00:09:43.799 and things of that nature. 00:09:43.799 --> 00:09:44.840 Well, 00:09:44.899 --> 00:09:46.120 for the past 25 years 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:46.820 that I've been here, 00:09:47.019 --> 00:09:48.419 we have enjoyed unity 00:09:48.419 --> 00:09:49.200 and what we believe 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:50.520 and how we live it out. 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:52.740 Now, 00:09:52.780 --> 00:09:53.480 when I say that, 00:09:53.820 --> 00:09:54.640 I understand 00:09:54.640 --> 00:09:57.480 not uniformity. 00:09:58.400 --> 00:09:59.400 Everybody hadn't 00:09:59.400 --> 00:10:00.840 dotted the same I's 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:01.320 and crossed 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:02.740 all the T's together. 00:10:03.820 --> 00:10:05.580 But the differences 00:10:05.580 --> 00:10:06.340 that we've had 00:10:06.340 --> 00:10:06.980 have not been 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:08.500 disagreeable. 00:10:09.320 --> 00:10:10.700 They've not caused 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:11.440 conflict. 00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:12.540 They've not created 00:10:12.540 --> 00:10:13.200 divisions. 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:14.759 They've not hurt 00:10:14.759 --> 00:10:15.480 the church. 00:10:15.780 --> 00:10:17.280 We have worked together, 00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:18.759 believed together, 00:10:18.759 --> 00:10:20.259 sought to live out 00:10:20.259 --> 00:10:21.480 our faith together. 00:10:21.960 --> 00:10:23.159 I have no reason 00:10:23.159 --> 00:10:23.960 to think 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:26.139 it'll be different 00:10:26.139 --> 00:10:27.360 in the future. 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:29.460 But 00:10:29.460 --> 00:10:31.980 I want to encourage 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:32.840 everyone 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:34.460 and especially 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:35.299 the leaders 00:10:35.299 --> 00:10:37.539 always 00:10:37.539 --> 00:10:40.019 do the hard thing 00:10:40.019 --> 00:10:41.860 and stand firm 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:42.879 against anyone 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:44.759 who would ever 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:45.919 create a problem, 00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:47.639 cause division, 00:10:47.639 --> 00:10:49.379 and hurt the fellowship 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:50.120 of this church. 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:51.519 You know, 00:10:52.519 --> 00:10:53.519 nothing's happened 00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:54.240 in the past. 00:10:54.759 --> 00:10:55.399 I don't know 00:10:55.399 --> 00:10:56.439 of anything brewing. 00:10:56.840 --> 00:10:57.879 I have only positive 00:10:57.879 --> 00:10:58.659 thoughts about what 00:10:58.659 --> 00:10:59.500 will happen in the future. 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:01.240 But I know me 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:01.960 and I know you. 00:11:02.960 --> 00:11:04.220 Every single one of us, 00:11:04.360 --> 00:11:04.980 we are all 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:05.799 one 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:06.960 poor 00:11:06.960 --> 00:11:08.059 decision 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:10.019 from ruining 00:11:10.019 --> 00:11:10.860 our own 00:11:10.860 --> 00:11:11.659 life 00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:13.000 and home 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:14.360 and church, 00:11:14.439 --> 00:11:14.879 aren't we? 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:16.240 it happens. 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:17.620 So we've always 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:18.860 all got to be on, 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:19.379 you know, 00:11:19.419 --> 00:11:20.399 be on guard, 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:21.939 protect the fellowship, 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:22.960 protect the unity 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:23.840 of the church 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:26.620 and something 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:27.439 ever does happen. 00:11:28.820 --> 00:11:29.200 You, 00:11:29.460 --> 00:11:30.240 church family 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:31.860 and especially leaders, 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:33.960 get involved, 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:35.000 stop it, 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:37.080 do a Barney Fife, 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:38.360 nip it in the bud 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:39.460 and don't let it 00:11:39.460 --> 00:11:40.159 get out of hand. 00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:40.959 Now, 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:42.480 do it in the right way. 00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:43.120 That's the next thing 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:43.459 we see. 00:11:44.079 --> 00:11:44.759 Treat people 00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:45.799 in a reasonable 00:11:45.799 --> 00:11:47.839 or could be translated 00:11:47.839 --> 00:11:48.399 gentle 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:49.579 or gracious 00:11:49.579 --> 00:11:50.399 way. 00:11:50.579 --> 00:11:51.399 Look at verse 5. 00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:53.039 Let your reasonableness 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:54.360 be known 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:55.120 to everyone. 00:11:55.519 --> 00:11:56.019 The Lord 00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:56.980 is at hand. 00:11:59.059 --> 00:11:59.819 If anything 00:11:59.819 --> 00:12:00.639 ever does come up 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:01.139 and you have to deal 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:01.659 with somebody, 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:03.079 do it in a reasonable 00:12:03.079 --> 00:12:03.620 or gentle 00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:04.519 or gracious way. 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:07.419 And if push comes 00:12:07.419 --> 00:12:08.460 to shove, 00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:09.720 graciously 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:11.879 remove them 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:12.319 from membership 00:12:12.319 --> 00:12:12.919 of the church. 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:14.579 It's that serious 00:12:14.579 --> 00:12:15.600 to maintain 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:16.779 the unity. 00:12:17.379 --> 00:12:18.000 But look at this. 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:20.519 Treat people 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:21.299 in a reasonable 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:22.539 or gentle 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:24.500 or gracious way. 00:12:25.139 --> 00:12:26.179 Commentators tell us 00:12:26.179 --> 00:12:27.500 that this word 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:28.079 translated 00:12:28.079 --> 00:12:29.000 reasonableness 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:29.860 in the ESV 00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:31.360 is hard to translate 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:33.179 and it's, 00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:34.259 you can tell that 00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:34.919 by the way 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:36.179 that different 00:12:36.179 --> 00:12:37.659 translations do it. 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:38.960 The NIV uses 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:39.919 the word gentleness. 00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:40.939 The New Living 00:12:40.939 --> 00:12:41.539 Translation 00:12:41.539 --> 00:12:42.360 considerate. 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:44.120 The Christian 00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:44.939 Standard Version 00:12:44.939 --> 00:12:45.960 graciousness. 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:48.899 Paul is saying 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:49.379 that we need 00:12:49.379 --> 00:12:50.740 to have a reputation. 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:51.259 You and me 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:51.799 as individual 00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:52.679 Christians in the church. 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:54.059 We need to have 00:12:54.059 --> 00:12:54.759 a reputation 00:12:54.759 --> 00:12:55.879 for treating people 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:57.799 let's just combine 00:12:57.799 --> 00:12:59.159 them in a reasonable 00:12:59.159 --> 00:13:00.659 gentle 00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:02.500 considerate 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.819 gracious 00:13:03.820 --> 00:13:04.879 way. 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:06.879 That's similar 00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:07.260 to what he's 00:13:07.260 --> 00:13:07.660 already said 00:13:07.660 --> 00:13:08.280 in chapter 2. 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:08.879 Look at this. 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:10.200 He's already 00:13:10.200 --> 00:13:10.700 told us, 00:13:11.080 --> 00:13:11.620 do nothing 00:13:11.620 --> 00:13:12.480 from selfish 00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:13.160 ambition 00:13:13.160 --> 00:13:14.640 or conceit 00:13:14.640 --> 00:13:15.980 but in humility 00:13:15.980 --> 00:13:16.900 count others 00:13:16.900 --> 00:13:17.720 more significant 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:18.560 than yourselves. 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.020 Let each of you 00:13:20.020 --> 00:13:20.760 look not only 00:13:20.760 --> 00:13:21.920 to his own 00:13:21.920 --> 00:13:22.379 interests 00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:22.920 but also 00:13:22.920 --> 00:13:23.360 to the interests 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:23.820 of others. 00:13:24.660 --> 00:13:25.220 See what Paul 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:25.860 is saying here 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:27.900 in our relationships 00:13:27.900 --> 00:13:28.440 with one another 00:13:28.440 --> 00:13:30.900 don't just think 00:13:30.900 --> 00:13:31.560 about you 00:13:31.560 --> 00:13:33.080 about getting 00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:33.880 your way 00:13:33.880 --> 00:13:35.900 be more 00:13:35.900 --> 00:13:37.360 others oriented 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:39.240 don't be selfish 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:40.420 be selfless 00:13:40.420 --> 00:13:42.760 D.A. Carson 00:13:42.760 --> 00:13:43.240 helps us 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:43.500 to see 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:44.620 what this 00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:45.440 does not 00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:45.940 mean. 00:13:46.040 --> 00:13:46.560 Look at this 00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:48.220 this gentleness 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:48.840 must not be 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:49.340 confused with 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:50.140 being a wimp 00:13:50.140 --> 00:13:51.520 with the kind 00:13:51.520 --> 00:13:52.080 of person 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:52.880 whose personality 00:13:52.880 --> 00:13:53.380 is akin 00:13:53.380 --> 00:13:54.020 to a wet 00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:54.840 dishcloth. 00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:56.439 What is in view 00:13:56.439 --> 00:13:57.579 here is a certain 00:13:57.579 --> 00:13:59.480 kind of willed 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:01.259 self-effacing 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:02.460 kindness. 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:05.879 Paul is not 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.480 advocating 00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:07.840 that you don't 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:08.439 take a strong 00:14:08.439 --> 00:14:09.199 stand where a 00:14:09.199 --> 00:14:10.039 strong stand 00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:10.799 is needed. 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:11.840 He did it 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:12.919 in the churches 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:13.879 that he started 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:14.340 where it was 00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:14.779 necessary. 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:15.899 Jesus did the 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:16.659 very same thing 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:17.019 in dealing 00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:18.120 with the Pharisees 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:20.659 but what we 00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:21.259 need to do 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:23.220 is learn 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:24.759 to the best 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:25.480 of our ability 00:14:25.480 --> 00:14:27.139 even in the 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:28.300 tough situations 00:14:28.300 --> 00:14:30.560 to be as 00:14:30.560 --> 00:14:31.019 gentle 00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:33.060 as gracious 00:14:33.060 --> 00:14:34.960 as reasonable 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:35.899 as we can 00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:37.420 as we deal 00:14:37.420 --> 00:14:37.779 with people 00:14:37.779 --> 00:14:38.240 as we deal 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:39.160 with problems. 00:14:40.040 --> 00:14:40.320 Do you note 00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:40.800 the end of the 00:14:40.800 --> 00:14:41.120 sentence? 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:41.820 He says the 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:42.320 Lord is at 00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:42.740 hand. 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:43.820 The idea 00:14:43.820 --> 00:14:44.399 may be that 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:44.720 we need to 00:14:44.720 --> 00:14:45.139 treat people 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:45.480 in such a 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:46.980 way that 00:14:46.980 --> 00:14:47.220 when the 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:48.060 Lord comes 00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:49.279 and he sees 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:49.980 us treating 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:50.620 them that way 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:51.399 he'll be 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:51.860 pleased. 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:52.500 Or 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.980 treat people 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:54.480 the way 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:54.879 that you 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.279 want the 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:55.759 Lord to 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:56.340 see you 00:14:56.340 --> 00:14:56.879 now 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:58.279 because he 00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:58.899 is with 00:14:58.899 --> 00:14:59.419 us 00:14:59.419 --> 00:15:00.620 through his 00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:01.080 spirit. 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:02.919 Let's think 00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:03.240 about this 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:03.580 for a minute. 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:04.820 What kind 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.460 of reputation 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.059 do you have 00:15:06.059 --> 00:15:06.460 for the way 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:06.779 that you 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:07.679 treat people 00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:10.539 at home? 00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:14.039 And you 00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:14.240 think, 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:14.480 you say, 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:14.899 I wish you 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.259 hadn't gone 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:15.539 there. 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:17.159 That's hard, 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:17.480 isn't it? 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:18.980 What kind 00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:19.559 of reputation 00:15:19.559 --> 00:15:20.059 do you have 00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:20.940 for the way 00:15:20.940 --> 00:15:21.179 that you 00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:21.759 treat people? 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:23.259 And let's 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:24.700 begin at 00:15:24.700 --> 00:15:25.120 home. 00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:26.620 You know, 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:27.039 that's where 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:27.799 it counts 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:28.500 the most, 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:28.879 but that's 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.159 where we 00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:29.740 fail the 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:30.179 most too, 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:30.620 isn't it? 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:33.620 Sometimes we 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.100 don't watch 00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:34.919 our words 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:35.679 or our 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:37.019 tone or 00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:37.840 our attitude 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:39.299 with those 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:39.700 we love 00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:40.340 the most, 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:41.740 like we do 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:42.299 with people 00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:43.539 we don't 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:44.200 even like. 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:46.740 So, 00:15:47.179 --> 00:15:48.679 think about it. 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:50.659 what is 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:51.519 your reputation 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:54.259 among your 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:55.099 family members 00:15:55.099 --> 00:15:57.979 in terms 00:15:57.979 --> 00:15:58.419 of the way 00:15:58.419 --> 00:15:59.239 you treat 00:15:59.239 --> 00:16:00.079 them? 00:16:04.719 --> 00:16:05.379 What is 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:06.139 your reputation 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:10.219 about you? 00:16:10.359 --> 00:16:10.659 What do they 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:11.279 think about you? 00:16:11.339 --> 00:16:11.579 What's your 00:16:11.579 --> 00:16:12.000 reputation 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:12.559 among your 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:13.439 coworkers, 00:16:15.439 --> 00:16:15.879 classmates, 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:18.379 team members? 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:21.059 What's your 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:21.860 reputation here 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.500 in the church 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:24.139 and the way 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:24.559 you treat 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:24.980 people? 00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:26.539 The way you 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.120 interact with 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:27.439 people? 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:29.700 What's your 00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:30.179 reputation, 00:16:31.179 --> 00:16:31.580 if we could 00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:32.139 pool them all 00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:32.519 together, 00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.439 people that 00:16:34.439 --> 00:16:37.519 you just 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.519 barely know 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:39.519 and you 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:39.799 know you 00:16:39.799 --> 00:16:40.059 probably 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:40.360 not going 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:40.600 to see 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:41.159 them again 00:16:41.159 --> 00:16:42.000 and you 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:42.319 know they 00:16:42.319 --> 00:16:42.740 can't do 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.360 one thing 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:44.019 for you, 00:16:45.419 --> 00:16:46.340 how do 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:46.659 you treat 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:46.980 them? 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:50.639 What kind 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.179 of reputation 00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:51.500 do you 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:51.819 have? 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.319 Admit where 00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:54.779 you blow 00:16:54.779 --> 00:16:55.600 it the 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.000 most. 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:57.360 Maybe 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:59.199 your problem 00:16:59.199 --> 00:16:59.620 is not at 00:16:59.620 --> 00:16:59.779 home. 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.159 Maybe it's 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:00.439 the way you 00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:00.939 mistreat 00:17:00.939 --> 00:17:01.519 people at 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:01.939 work, 00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:03.539 people who 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:04.000 work for 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:04.279 you, 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:05.119 people who 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:05.579 work beside 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:05.900 you. 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:07.259 Maybe 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:07.680 you're a 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:07.960 terrible 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.519 friend. 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.180 Think about 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:12.340 it. 00:17:12.840 --> 00:17:13.279 What is 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:14.140 your reputation? 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.039 What do 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:15.700 people say? 00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:16.019 What do 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:16.680 they think? 00:17:17.360 --> 00:17:17.660 When they 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.059 think about 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:18.640 you and 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:19.120 the way 00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:20.279 you treat 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:21.019 them. 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.299 Paul says 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:23.880 we need to 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:24.519 be reasonable, 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:25.000 we need to 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:25.640 be gentle, 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:26.240 we need to 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.240 be gracious. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:29.480 Ask God 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:29.920 to help you 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:30.539 to work on 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:31.019 that if 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:31.340 that's what 00:17:31.340 --> 00:17:31.600 you need 00:17:31.600 --> 00:17:31.940 to do. 00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:33.000 The next 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.440 thing Paul 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:34.000 says is 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.160 really one 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:35.440 of the 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:36.059 themes of 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:36.519 this letter 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:36.819 and we've 00:17:36.819 --> 00:17:37.220 talked about 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:37.680 it before. 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:38.299 He says 00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:38.680 stand 00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.240 firm 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.380 in the 00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:41.019 joy of 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.160 the 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:41.440 Lord. 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:41.759 Look at 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:41.980 this. 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:42.340 He says 00:17:42.340 --> 00:17:43.019 rejoice in 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.299 the Lord 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:43.819 always. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.340 Again I 00:17:44.340 --> 00:17:44.819 will say 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:45.620 rejoice. 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:47.039 We have 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:47.579 noted in 00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:48.279 other studies 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:48.819 especially at 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:49.100 the beginning 00:17:49.100 --> 00:17:49.420 of this 00:17:49.420 --> 00:17:49.900 series, 00:17:50.380 --> 00:17:50.840 Paul makes 00:17:50.840 --> 00:17:51.120 the difference 00:17:51.120 --> 00:17:51.539 between being 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:53.059 happy and 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:53.860 being joyful. 00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:53.979 joy. 00:17:55.179 --> 00:17:57.099 Now most of 00:17:57.099 --> 00:17:58.079 us do not 00:17:58.079 --> 00:17:58.699 distinguish between 00:17:58.699 --> 00:17:59.159 two words 00:17:59.159 --> 00:17:59.399 and that's 00:17:59.399 --> 00:17:59.639 okay. 00:18:00.639 --> 00:18:00.959 Some people 00:18:00.959 --> 00:18:01.559 talk about 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.539 being happy, 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.539 having joy, 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:04.059 they're talking 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:04.339 about the 00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:04.899 same thing. 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:05.839 Well Paul is 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:06.559 talking about 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:08.259 a Christian 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:09.740 character quality. 00:18:10.159 --> 00:18:10.699 We'll look at 00:18:10.699 --> 00:18:11.179 in a moment 00:18:11.179 --> 00:18:11.579 when he talks 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:12.079 about joy. 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:13.279 Happiness we 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:14.199 know it's an 00:18:14.199 --> 00:18:15.039 emotion of 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:15.899 delight that is 00:18:15.899 --> 00:18:16.459 dependent on 00:18:16.459 --> 00:18:17.199 our circumstances. 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.319 When life's good 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:18.740 we're happy. 00:18:19.459 --> 00:18:20.159 When life is not 00:18:20.159 --> 00:18:21.000 so good we're 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.519 not happy. 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:22.880 Well Christian 00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:23.720 joy is more 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:24.319 of an attitude 00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:25.019 or a Christian 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:25.940 character quality 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:27.460 that is not 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:27.980 dependent on 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:28.779 our circumstances. 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:31.319 Christian joy 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:32.099 is similar to 00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:32.940 the peace 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:34.460 that we 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.579 have in our 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.420 soul 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:38.039 when we know 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.500 we're just 00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:39.660 right with God 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:41.400 and close to 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:41.640 him. 00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:43.799 That's the idea 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:44.420 behind this 00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:44.920 Christian joy. 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:45.819 It's not without 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:48.079 emotion but it's 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:48.940 not like happiness 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:49.539 in that it's just 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:50.160 up and down. 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.940 You know we've 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:52.279 looked at the 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:53.079 idea of rejoicing 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.579 in the Lord 00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:55.380 throughout this 00:18:55.380 --> 00:18:57.500 study and even 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:59.160 you know at the 00:18:59.160 --> 00:18:59.960 beginning of the 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:01.500 study weeks ago 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:03.579 during a worldwide 00:19:03.579 --> 00:19:04.559 pandemic. 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:07.799 We've looked at 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.400 this idea of 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:09.180 rejoicing in the 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:10.759 Lord in 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.759 circumstances that 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.619 are anything but 00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:13.200 happy. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:14.279 I mean the 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:14.920 pandemic has 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:15.700 messed up life 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:16.160 for everybody 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:16.759 hasn't it? 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.420 It's thrown 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.319 cold water on 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.680 everybody's party. 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:23.380 But Paul 00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:25.960 I think it can 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.420 help us 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:26.940 thinking about 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:28.440 how life has 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:28.900 been for us 00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:29.319 here lately 00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.259 not what we 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:30.720 would want. 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:31.420 Well Paul 00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:32.299 wrote that 00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:33.119 and repeated 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:33.880 talked about 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:34.559 his joy 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:35.000 about his 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:35.579 rejoicing 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:36.220 and encouraged 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:36.740 Christians to 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:38.039 rejoice while 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.559 he was 00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:40.519 in prison 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:42.019 chained to a 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:42.940 Roman soldier 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:44.880 awaiting trial 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:45.859 before Caesar 00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:47.319 not knowing if 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.079 he would live 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:49.039 or die. 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:50.480 I think it's 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:50.960 important that 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:51.919 we understand 00:19:51.919 --> 00:19:53.460 how Paul 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.319 what his 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:54.759 circumstances 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.359 were when he 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:56.759 talked about 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.119 his own 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:58.659 rejoicing and 00:19:58.659 --> 00:19:59.259 encouraged us 00:19:59.259 --> 00:19:59.460 to. 00:20:00.419 --> 00:20:01.240 Christian joy 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:02.179 does not mean 00:20:02.179 --> 00:20:03.619 that we'll 00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:04.419 always have happy 00:20:04.419 --> 00:20:05.079 feelings about 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:05.659 what's going on 00:20:05.659 --> 00:20:06.259 in our lives. 00:20:06.679 --> 00:20:07.519 Don't think 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.139 that way. 00:20:09.399 --> 00:20:10.240 Christian joy is 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:10.879 more about having 00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:12.039 a sense of 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:13.139 peace in our 00:20:13.139 --> 00:20:14.639 soul because we're 00:20:14.639 --> 00:20:15.500 right with God. 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.559 we're close to 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:17.779 him and because 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:18.319 of that he's 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:18.680 going to take 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.259 care of us. 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:19.859 He's going to 00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:21.299 walk with us 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:22.480 through any of 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.079 the troubles that 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:23.519 we have to go 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:23.740 through. 00:20:25.660 --> 00:20:26.480 So here's what I 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.079 want to ask you. 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:30.200 Are you right 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:32.900 now able to 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:36.279 stand firm with 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.700 this kind of joy 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:39.279 over your 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:39.940 relationship with 00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:40.240 the Lord? 00:20:42.380 --> 00:20:43.359 Now if you think 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:43.960 to yourself I 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.599 don't have a clue 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:45.200 what you're talking 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:45.480 about. 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:47.759 If you're thinking 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:49.600 I've never had 00:20:49.600 --> 00:20:50.960 such joy in my 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:51.460 soul. 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.160 Ever. 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:55.200 Foreign concept. 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.220 That's a good 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:58.539 indication that you 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.100 don't have a 00:20:59.100 --> 00:20:59.680 relationship with 00:20:59.680 --> 00:20:59.960 God. 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.799 Paul writes in 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.420 Romans about how 00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:04.420 we have peace 00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.080 with God and 00:21:05.080 --> 00:21:05.700 even the peace 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.640 of God through 00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:07.580 a right relationship 00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:08.319 with Jesus. 00:21:10.100 --> 00:21:10.880 So it could be 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:13.559 that life for you 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:13.920 is just a 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.480 roller coaster. 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:16.200 When everything's 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:16.740 going well you're 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:16.940 happy. 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.620 When everything is 00:21:17.620 --> 00:21:18.319 not going well 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.140 you're just down 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:20.000 in the dumps. 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:21.600 There's never this 00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:22.920 sense of just 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:24.539 contentment and 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:25.860 peace and at ease 00:21:25.860 --> 00:21:29.279 because you're 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:30.039 right with God, 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.620 you're close to 00:21:31.620 --> 00:21:33.200 Him and you're 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:33.880 trusting Him to 00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:34.519 take care of you. 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:36.500 So if that's the 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:39.139 case, this is 00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:39.940 foreign to you, 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:42.660 admit, I don't 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.259 have a relationship 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:43.799 with God. 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:45.839 Something is 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.759 missing in my 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.160 life. 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:49.779 And if you want 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:51.420 that missing piece, 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.139 you want that puzzle 00:21:52.139 --> 00:21:52.900 to be put all 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:55.019 together, admit 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:56.019 your need to the 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.319 Lord. 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.220 Humble yourself. 00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.500 Repent of your sin 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.319 and call upon Jesus 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.119 to save you. 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:02.759 that's the first 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:04.739 thing, the first 00:22:04.739 --> 00:22:05.959 step to experiencing 00:22:05.959 --> 00:22:07.039 both the peace with 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.639 God and the peace 00:22:07.639 --> 00:22:08.539 of God. 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:10.739 But you might 00:22:10.739 --> 00:22:12.179 think, you know, 00:22:12.179 --> 00:22:13.939 I know exactly what 00:22:13.939 --> 00:22:14.519 you're talking about. 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:15.799 I know what it's 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.479 right to have this 00:22:16.479 --> 00:22:17.779 sense of real 00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:18.699 Christian joy. 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:19.719 Everything doesn't 00:22:19.719 --> 00:22:20.500 have to go my way, 00:22:20.639 --> 00:22:21.139 but you know, 00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:22.219 there's a sense of 00:22:22.219 --> 00:22:23.319 just being content, 00:22:23.419 --> 00:22:24.139 at ease, and 00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:24.879 knowing who I am 00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:26.079 with the Lord. 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:28.119 But it hasn't 00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:28.539 been that way in 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:29.119 a long time. 00:22:30.659 --> 00:22:31.259 You may be 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:32.019 thinking, I wish it 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.599 was. 00:22:32.699 --> 00:22:33.159 I know what you're 00:22:33.159 --> 00:22:33.500 talking about. 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:34.299 I wish it was. 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.319 Well, what 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:35.679 happened? 00:22:36.659 --> 00:22:37.500 Did you just sort 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:39.699 of drift away and 00:22:39.699 --> 00:22:41.000 you've come to a 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:42.240 point and you don't 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:43.199 know why, what's 00:22:43.199 --> 00:22:44.960 happened, but you're 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:45.679 just not close to the 00:22:45.679 --> 00:22:46.119 Lord anymore. 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.980 You're missing that. 00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:49.879 Or could it be you'd 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:51.639 say, I know exactly 00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.460 what the problem is. 00:22:53.159 --> 00:22:54.019 I've just turned and 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:55.079 walked away from the 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:55.259 Lord. 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.059 I'm living life my 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:57.259 way instead of his 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:57.599 way. 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:00.879 Well, I want to 00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:01.619 encourage you, if you 00:23:01.619 --> 00:23:02.299 know what the problem 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:04.879 is, because you put 00:23:04.879 --> 00:23:05.740 other people and 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.720 things ahead of the 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.319 Lord in terms of 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:08.599 priority, or there's 00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:10.140 just blatant sin in 00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:11.480 your life, confess it 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.440 and repent of it. 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:15.140 Ask God for 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:16.259 forgiveness now. 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:17.799 And if it involves 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.559 somebody else, a 00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:19.240 conflict or a 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.359 problem, go to them 00:23:20.359 --> 00:23:21.099 and seek forgiveness. 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:24.819 If you don't know 00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:25.240 what, I'm going to 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:26.940 what's wrong. 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:29.299 Just talk to God. 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.460 Take some time. 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.220 Go somewhere this 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:32.620 afternoon. 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.440 If nothing more, a 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:35.359 room by yourself at 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:35.500 home. 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:37.900 Go out somewhere and 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:38.759 just talk to God. 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:41.380 Lord, I want to have 00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:42.779 this sense of just peace 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.960 and joy and contentment 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.980 in my soul. 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.680 I have had that. 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:49.039 I know what the Bible's 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:49.560 talking about. 00:23:49.560 --> 00:23:50.980 But it's gone. 00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:51.700 It's missing. 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.900 Help me to know why. 00:23:54.340 --> 00:23:55.060 Help me to know what 00:23:55.060 --> 00:23:55.440 to do. 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:57.180 Lord, draw me back to 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:57.500 you. 00:23:57.840 --> 00:23:58.460 And if there's change 00:23:58.460 --> 00:23:59.140 that needs to be made, 00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.140 make it clear. 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.340 Help me to make those 00:24:01.340 --> 00:24:01.740 changes. 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:05.920 You know, one reason 00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:09.060 why you may struggle 00:24:09.060 --> 00:24:10.019 with a lack of joy is 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:12.240 because you just focus 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.220 too much on the people 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:15.480 and problems in your 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:18.600 life and totally leave 00:24:18.600 --> 00:24:19.640 God out of the picture. 00:24:21.880 --> 00:24:23.079 It may be that you're 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.779 so focused on what you 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:26.100 can see and feel right 00:24:26.100 --> 00:24:27.380 now with people and 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:30.039 situations that you 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:32.759 fail to look to God 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:34.839 and think of Him as the 00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:36.500 sovereign God that He is. 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:38.220 And if you're a 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:39.100 Christian, you're Heavenly 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:39.559 Father. 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:41.659 Father, and it may be 00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:42.500 that you just need to 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:45.599 turn your eyes to Him. 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:49.039 It may be that you just 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:51.220 need to change your focus. 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:53.399 Give Him your first 00:24:53.399 --> 00:24:54.759 priority attention. 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:56.919 You know, one of the 00:24:56.919 --> 00:24:57.940 most comforting promises 00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:59.139 that God has given us in 00:24:59.139 --> 00:25:01.259 His Word is Romans 8, 28. 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:06.000 A lot of times, if you 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:08.819 lose sight of this, it'll 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:10.019 rob you of your joy, of 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:11.000 your sense of security. 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.279 Look at this. 00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:13.899 Paul writes, and we 00:25:13.899 --> 00:25:15.319 know that in all things, 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:17.619 God works for the good of 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:20.519 those who love Him, who've 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.539 been called according to 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:22.059 His purpose. 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.259 If God is your Heavenly 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:25.559 Father, you can be kind 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:25.859 to Him. 00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:28.220 That no matter what is 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:30.899 going on in your life, God 00:25:30.899 --> 00:25:31.759 knows about it. 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.519 God has allowed it for 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.299 whatever reason. 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:39.180 God is involved. 00:25:40.859 --> 00:25:43.579 Now, you may be suffering 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:46.059 because of sin. 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.940 You may be suffering because 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:51.039 of someone doing something 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:53.480 evil or wrong or bad to you. 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:57.079 God has allowed that, but God 00:25:57.079 --> 00:25:58.379 has not caused that. 00:25:58.380 --> 00:26:03.100 But God is going to work 00:26:03.100 --> 00:26:06.880 somehow in your awful 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:10.260 situation and bring about 00:26:10.260 --> 00:26:12.460 His ultimate good purpose. 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.240 We don't know when when 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:15.320 things like that happen. 00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:18.040 There may be that we have 00:26:18.040 --> 00:26:19.060 to just walk with the Lord 00:26:19.060 --> 00:26:20.460 and depend on Him to hold 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.420 us up and get us through 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:23.100 for a very long time. 00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:25.899 But we need to learn as 00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:27.659 God's children to trust that 00:26:27.659 --> 00:26:28.799 He is really in control. 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:30.199 He's sovereign God. 00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:31.899 We're going to look to Him, 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:33.879 depend on Him, lean on Him. 00:26:35.619 --> 00:26:37.480 But eventually, He's going to 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.659 bring about His ultimate 00:26:38.659 --> 00:26:39.319 good purpose. 00:26:39.719 --> 00:26:40.699 But note this. 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:44.319 A part of that good purpose, 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:46.879 the main part of that good 00:26:46.879 --> 00:26:48.599 purpose is this. 00:26:49.159 --> 00:26:50.159 God's going to make us more 00:26:50.159 --> 00:26:50.639 like Jesus. 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.719 Look at this verse. 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:53.700 The next verse, Romans 8, 29. 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:55.640 For those whom He foreknew, 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:58.180 He also predestined to be 00:26:58.180 --> 00:27:00.519 conformed to the image of His 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:00.819 Son. 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:03.279 Now, listen very carefully. 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:04.160 We're almost through. 00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:04.940 I want you to listen to this 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.500 very carefully. 00:27:07.120 --> 00:27:08.779 For this to be a comforting 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:12.640 thought requires that you 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:15.400 truly want to be like Jesus, 00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:16.880 more like Him. 00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:18.740 Develop His character. 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:21.960 If you don't, 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:25.960 if you're just really concerned 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:28.599 about living life your way 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:30.180 right now in this world, 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:32.420 and you don't have any concern, 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:34.839 interest in developing 00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:36.059 Christ-like character, 00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:39.000 then Romans 8, 28 is not going 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.859 to be a comfort to you. 00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:42.979 In fact, 00:27:44.179 --> 00:27:45.039 if one of your, 00:27:45.399 --> 00:27:47.219 if your goal is not, 00:27:47.979 --> 00:27:48.959 in addition to 00:27:48.959 --> 00:27:50.819 the important responsibilities 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:51.719 you have in this world, 00:27:51.719 --> 00:27:55.000 but if your ultimate goal 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:56.439 is not as a Christian 00:27:56.439 --> 00:27:59.419 to cooperate with God 00:27:59.419 --> 00:28:00.719 and actually experience 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.639 spiritual growth, 00:28:02.939 --> 00:28:04.779 developing Christ-like character, 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:05.979 overcoming sin, 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:08.519 if that's not your goal, 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:11.720 it will be impossible 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:13.380 for you to find comfort 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:14.920 as a Christian 00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:17.860 in a lot of life's hardships. 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:21.039 Because sometimes 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:23.299 the only thing 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.160 that we can hang on to 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:25.759 is that God is involved. 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.740 He's working for my ultimate good. 00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:29.960 He is perfecting me. 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:34.500 And I want to cooperate with Him. 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:37.740 I want what He wants for me. 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:40.920 Do you have that desire? 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:44.980 Paul calls us to stand firm 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:46.960 in our commitment to Christ 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:50.299 and live like the faithful Christian 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:52.420 that God has saved us 00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:53.819 and called us to be. 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:55.619 You know, 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:57.500 what Stonewall Jackson learned 00:28:57.500 --> 00:29:00.319 that helped him stand firm 00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:02.319 in the battles of war 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:04.519 is the same truth 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:05.759 that will help us 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.899 to stand firm 00:29:06.899 --> 00:29:08.220 in our commitment 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.500 to follow Jesus Christ 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:12.079 and live like a faithful Christian 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:12.659 in this world. 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:14.019 Look at it one more time. 00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:17.599 My religious belief teaches me 00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:20.299 to feel as safe in battle 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:22.019 as in bed. 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:24.859 God has fixed the time 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.700 for my death. 00:29:26.379 --> 00:29:27.839 I do not concern myself 00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:28.480 about that. 00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:30.759 But to be always ready 00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:33.299 no matter when it may overtake me. 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:34.799 That is the way 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:36.460 that all men should live 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:38.240 and that all men 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:40.180 would be equally brave. 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:43.400 and all Christians 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:46.060 would be equally committed 00:29:46.060 --> 00:29:48.600 and all Christians 00:29:48.600 --> 00:29:52.200 would equally stand firm. 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.980 Let's pray together. 00:29:54.560 --> 00:29:55.039 Dear God, 00:29:56.480 --> 00:30:01.299 help us to evaluate 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:03.920 how we're standing 00:30:03.920 --> 00:30:05.299 in this world 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:07.360 as your people right now. 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:11.359 Do we have that 00:30:11.359 --> 00:30:16.779 soldier-like commitment, 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:17.699 determination 00:30:17.699 --> 00:30:20.419 to stand firm 00:30:20.419 --> 00:30:25.079 against sin, evil, 00:30:26.139 --> 00:30:26.979 whatever may 00:30:26.979 --> 00:30:28.579 try to drag us down 00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:32.319 and stand firm 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:34.639 as we seek to 00:30:34.639 --> 00:30:37.079 better know 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:37.960 and do your will. 00:30:40.419 --> 00:30:42.019 Become more like Jesus 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:45.079 and live the 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:48.359 faithful life 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:50.980 that brings the most joy 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:52.639 and satisfaction to us. 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:58.139 Father, help everyone 00:30:58.139 --> 00:30:58.759 in this room 00:30:58.759 --> 00:31:01.000 to hear you 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:03.640 and respond to you 00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:04.200 in such a way 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:05.720 that they are 00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.700 committed 00:31:06.700 --> 00:31:08.940 to standing firm 00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:12.160 as followers of Jesus. 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:13.940 Let's just, 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.700 in attitude of prayer, 00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:15.460 listen to the Lord 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:17.240 and respond to Him 00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:18.140 as He speaks to you. 00:31:18.140 --> 00:31:22.300 . 00:31:25.100 --> 00:31:30.880 . 00:31:30.880 --> 00:31:33.140 . 00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:33.800 . 00:31:34.800 --> 00:31:35.080 . 00:31:35.080 --> 00:31:35.380 . 00:31:35.380 --> 00:31:37.140 . 00:31:37.140 --> 00:31:39.960 . 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:41.140 . 00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:41.740 . 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.900 . 00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:43.460 . 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.840 . 00:31:44.840 --> 00:31:46.800 .