WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.599 If you would open up your Bibles to the book of Colossians, we are to page 1168 of your Pew Bible. 00:00:14.500 --> 00:00:19.859 We are looking at Colossians 1, 24 through 2, 5 this morning. 00:00:20.039 --> 00:00:20.800 Hear God's Word. 00:00:20.800 --> 00:00:33.359 Now, I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's affliction for the sake of His body, that is, the church. 00:00:34.100 --> 00:00:46.460 Of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the Word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations, but now revealed to His saints. 00:00:46.460 --> 00:00:59.460 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 00:00:59.939 --> 00:01:07.299 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 00:01:07.719 --> 00:01:12.260 For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me. 00:01:12.260 --> 00:01:30.920 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ. 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:34.920 In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 00:01:34.920 --> 00:01:38.560 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 00:01:39.500 --> 00:01:48.540 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order in the firmness of your faith in Christ. 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:52.000 May God bless the hearing of His Word. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:56.480 If you're a human being, please raise your hand. 00:02:00.420 --> 00:02:04.540 If you're a human being, you will face hardship. 00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:06.620 This life is hard. 00:02:06.739 --> 00:02:08.960 There's wonderful things about this life, but it's hard. 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:25.580 And if you're a Christian, seeking to live with Christ as the controlling center of your life, the treasured center of your life, you've signed yourself up for more hardship. 00:02:28.360 --> 00:02:33.480 Hardship that's unique to being a blood-bought follower of Christ. 00:02:33.479 --> 00:02:42.299 We've got Christians in this room right now who are discouraged because they've been trying to help other people live for Christ. 00:02:43.780 --> 00:02:45.539 And it hasn't been going the way they wanted. 00:02:46.519 --> 00:02:48.099 They've met that with resistance. 00:02:49.259 --> 00:02:53.979 Maybe you're trying to raise your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, and it's not shaken out like you thought. 00:02:54.379 --> 00:02:56.339 You might be asking questions like this. 00:02:56.439 --> 00:02:57.379 Is this worth it? 00:02:57.379 --> 00:03:04.419 What do you tell a discouraged Christian? 00:03:05.419 --> 00:03:06.539 Here's what you tell them. 00:03:07.359 --> 00:03:08.500 Christ is worth it. 00:03:10.599 --> 00:03:23.599 Or maybe you've come into this building and you are distracted from Christ, and as a result, you're disoriented from Christ. 00:03:23.699 --> 00:03:25.620 He's not the controlling center of your life. 00:03:27.379 --> 00:03:27.759 You know what? 00:03:27.819 --> 00:03:39.319 Our world, this world we live in, makes a persuasive case that Jesus Christ should not be the controlling center of your life, but you should be the controlling center of your life. 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:40.219 You do you. 00:03:40.340 --> 00:03:41.019 You be you. 00:03:41.259 --> 00:03:42.159 Speak your truth. 00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:53.599 What do you say to someone who's distracted, disoriented from Christ? 00:03:53.699 --> 00:03:54.439 Here's what you tell them. 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:56.699 Christ is worth it. 00:03:57.379 --> 00:04:00.519 To orient your life around him. 00:04:02.139 --> 00:04:07.460 In Colossians 1, 24 through 25, the apostle Paul gets very personal. 00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:08.979 Did you notice all the eyes? 00:04:10.900 --> 00:04:19.659 And he speaks a word that reorients the disoriented and encourages the discouraged. 00:04:19.660 --> 00:04:23.680 I'm going to point you to five words in this passage. 00:04:25.200 --> 00:04:26.020 Five words. 00:04:27.620 --> 00:04:32.700 Suffering, church, mystery, mature, rejoicing. 00:04:32.699 --> 00:04:36.779 And in those five words, Paul's making a case. 00:04:36.779 --> 00:04:38.639 And it goes something like this. 00:04:40.039 --> 00:04:47.000 We suffer together for Christ so that others would treasure Christ. 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:54.740 And if you want to reduce it to just four words, Christ is worth it. 00:04:56.379 --> 00:04:59.079 So let's look at this first word, suffering. 00:05:01.399 --> 00:05:06.259 Now up until this point, Paul has thanked God for what God is doing among the Colossians. 00:05:06.339 --> 00:05:07.899 That's chapter 1, verses 3 through 8. 00:05:08.639 --> 00:05:13.720 Paul has prayed that these Colossians would grow in their understanding of God's will. 00:05:13.720 --> 00:05:14.900 What's God's will for your life? 00:05:14.960 --> 00:05:16.320 To please Christ in everything. 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:25.720 In chapter 1, verses 15 through 20, Paul portrays this magnificent Christ. 00:05:26.380 --> 00:05:29.480 The firstborn of all creation and the firstborn from the dead. 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:31.140 He's the king of all. 00:05:34.140 --> 00:05:39.120 Verses 21 through 23, he assures these Colossian Christians that they belong to this king. 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:46.079 And here in verses 24 through chapter 2, verse 5, Paul shares about his suffering. 00:05:48.079 --> 00:05:54.060 Suffering for Christ is when you experience and endure hardship on account of Christ. 00:05:54.139 --> 00:05:54.759 It's like this. 00:05:55.139 --> 00:06:00.000 You're like catching some heat and you can draw a direct line to Jesus for it. 00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:02.720 I am catching heat because of Jesus. 00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:08.880 So in verse 24, he says, I rejoice in my sufferings. 00:06:10.160 --> 00:06:14.620 In verse 24, he says, I'm filling up what was lacking in Christ's afflictions. 00:06:14.900 --> 00:06:16.780 In verse 29, he says, I toil. 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:17.700 I struggle. 00:06:18.480 --> 00:06:21.740 This ministry of proclaiming Christ is contested. 00:06:22.940 --> 00:06:28.900 In 2.1, he tells these Colossian church, he wants them to know how great a struggle he has for them. 00:06:28.899 --> 00:06:34.259 And then in 2.5, he says this, for though I am absent in body. 00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:36.239 What is that all about? 00:06:38.179 --> 00:06:38.859 Where's Paul? 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:40.199 Have you seen those Werewoldo books? 00:06:40.659 --> 00:06:41.399 Where's Paul? 00:06:43.139 --> 00:06:44.039 He's in Rome. 00:06:46.039 --> 00:06:48.579 He's writing to a church in Colossae. 00:06:49.159 --> 00:06:50.179 They're far apart. 00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:51.399 What's he doing in Rome? 00:06:51.679 --> 00:06:53.459 He is suffering in Rome. 00:06:54.139 --> 00:06:55.079 What is he suffering? 00:06:55.179 --> 00:06:57.819 Turn to the end of Colossians, chapter 4, verse 18. 00:06:57.819 --> 00:07:02.259 And he says something, and he's not trying to be a drama queen. 00:07:02.399 --> 00:07:04.000 He's not trying to be dramatic. 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:07.540 He says, I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 00:07:07.779 --> 00:07:08.939 Remember my chains. 00:07:12.740 --> 00:07:16.159 Why is he suffering in Rome? 00:07:16.360 --> 00:07:23.759 Why is he under house arrest, chained to Praetorian guard, and waiting to hear whether he's going to live or die? 00:07:24.019 --> 00:07:26.480 Well, you could say it's because of Christ. 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:26.759 Christ. 00:07:27.819 --> 00:07:38.420 Did you notice that interesting verse, that line, I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's affliction for the sake of his body, that is church? 00:07:38.420 --> 00:07:43.740 Here's what Paul's not saying. 00:07:45.080 --> 00:07:54.500 Paul's not saying here that somehow the suffering and death of Jesus Christ was somehow inadequate to accomplish our salvation. 00:07:55.259 --> 00:08:01.020 And so he is adding to what Christ has done in order to kind of fully accomplish our salvation. 00:08:01.019 --> 00:08:02.439 That is not what he's saying. 00:08:04.219 --> 00:08:07.659 As though the finished work of Christ needed anybody's help. 00:08:07.660 --> 00:08:20.440 I knew what it is. 00:08:20.460 --> 00:08:21.300 I wasn't going to say it. 00:08:26.260 --> 00:08:27.080 Where was I? 00:08:27.079 --> 00:08:35.460 You're not helping, David. 00:08:39.059 --> 00:08:39.539 Yeah. 00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:39.980 Okay. 00:08:40.059 --> 00:08:41.439 We've got to end this right now. 00:08:42.899 --> 00:08:43.379 Okay. 00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:46.740 So Paul is talking about suffering the afflictions of Christ. 00:08:47.819 --> 00:08:49.799 What is this that he's filling up? 00:08:49.799 --> 00:08:54.159 Do you all remember what happened in Acts chapter 9? 00:08:55.459 --> 00:08:58.939 Paul's on his way to Damascus to shred some Christians there. 00:09:00.319 --> 00:09:02.139 The risen Christ meets him on the way. 00:09:03.819 --> 00:09:05.939 Paul is converted on the spot. 00:09:05.940 --> 00:09:10.400 And then this guy named Ananias kind of houses Paul. 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:12.800 Jesus, the risen Christ, shows up to Ananias. 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:15.060 And he has some words with Ananias. 00:09:15.180 --> 00:09:18.080 And then he says this to Ananias about Paul. 00:09:19.460 --> 00:09:21.060 For I will show him. 00:09:21.160 --> 00:09:27.260 I, the risen Christ, will show him, Paul, how much he must suffer for the sake of my name. 00:09:28.300 --> 00:09:29.140 Do you know what that is? 00:09:29.760 --> 00:09:32.980 That's a suffering quota put on Paul. 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:35.380 You're going to have to suffer. 00:09:36.900 --> 00:09:42.880 Paul, you're going to have to suffer so that my name is exalted among the nations. 00:09:45.160 --> 00:09:46.300 It's a quota. 00:09:47.680 --> 00:09:50.680 There's only a given amount of suffering Paul would experience. 00:09:50.800 --> 00:09:52.920 And by extension, we will experience. 00:09:54.600 --> 00:10:01.120 These afflictions of Christ are afflictions, sufferings for Christ. 00:10:01.700 --> 00:10:03.420 On account of Christ. 00:10:03.419 --> 00:10:13.599 Paul's saying here, it's like, hey, I have to suffer on account of Christ for you so that you, Colossians, would treasure Christ above all else. 00:10:14.599 --> 00:10:20.719 Suffering is necessary to the spreading of the gospel to all people everywhere. 00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:27.660 If Christ suffered, we will suffer too. 00:10:28.660 --> 00:10:31.360 In John 15, Jesus is very explicit about it. 00:10:31.420 --> 00:10:32.759 He says this to his disciples. 00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:37.720 If the world hates me, the world will also hate you. 00:10:40.919 --> 00:10:43.379 Now, that's some encouragement for the church this morning. 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:53.019 What Paul is doing here is he's writing these Colossians and he's saying, we're all in this together. 00:10:54.759 --> 00:10:56.019 We suffer together. 00:10:56.019 --> 00:11:02.279 If you look at chapter 1, verse 11, do you remember this verse from a couple weeks ago? 00:11:02.439 --> 00:11:07.000 Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might for all endurance and patience with joy. 00:11:07.059 --> 00:11:08.720 Do you know what that's about? 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:14.059 That's an enduring and being patient with joy in the midst of suffering. 00:11:15.199 --> 00:11:16.519 Hardship, discouragement. 00:11:18.199 --> 00:11:19.379 Here's what Paul is doing. 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:22.600 He is normalizing suffering for us. 00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:28.120 Did you know that 2 Timothy 3.12 is in your Bible, Christian? 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:36.440 Indeed, if anyone would live a godly life in Christ Jesus, he will suffer. 00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:45.300 The question is, is Christ worth it? 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:50.139 Church, we suffer together for Christ 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:56.080 so that Christ would be treasured by others. 00:11:57.580 --> 00:11:59.279 Let's look at the second word, church. 00:12:02.620 --> 00:12:04.699 In verse 24, Paul says, 00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:08.439 I'm filling up what is lacking in Christ's affliction for the sake of his body. 00:12:08.519 --> 00:12:09.559 That is the church. 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:13.500 Don't miss the connection. 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:15.559 The apostle Paul is saying, 00:12:15.980 --> 00:12:19.720 the body of Christ is the church of Christ. 00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:20.879 They're one and the same. 00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:25.120 The body of Christ is a metaphor for God's people 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:26.360 and it's one of Paul's favorites. 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:28.759 We've already seen it in verse 18 of chapter 1 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:30.779 and he is the head of the body of the church. 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:33.980 It shows up in chapter 2 in verse 19, 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:38.039 but he's actually speaking about false teachers in this context. 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:43.059 He's saying that they're not a part of the body of Christ. 00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:45.039 And here's what he says. 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:48.259 And not these false teachers, 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.759 they're not holding fast to the head 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:52.559 from whom the whole body nourished and knit together 00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:54.679 through its joints and ligaments 00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:56.959 grows with a growth that is from God. 00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:58.480 It's a picture of the body. 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:01.220 That little phrase, 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:03.000 knit together, 00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:04.460 it's in our passage. 00:13:05.660 --> 00:13:07.220 If you look at chapter 2, 00:13:07.280 --> 00:13:08.280 verse 2, 00:13:09.420 --> 00:13:10.900 that their hearts may be encouraged 00:13:10.900 --> 00:13:13.440 being knit together in love. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:15.000 It's body talk. 00:13:15.800 --> 00:13:17.259 If you flip over to chapter 3, 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:18.019 verse 15, 00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:21.100 and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts 00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:24.720 in which indeed you were called in one body. 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:25.899 We the church, 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:27.060 we the body of Christ. 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:29.180 And what that is a picture of 00:13:29.180 --> 00:13:32.220 is interdependence among Christians. 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:33.600 We're not all gifted the same way. 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:36.060 We're a body. 00:13:37.300 --> 00:13:38.720 And we need each other. 00:13:39.160 --> 00:13:43.840 But we're all dependent on our head, 00:13:44.540 --> 00:13:45.700 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:48.980 And did you notice it's His body? 00:13:50.920 --> 00:13:53.300 Do you know what makes us His? 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:59.340 Turn with me to Acts chapter 20, 00:13:59.420 --> 00:14:00.080 verse 28. 00:14:02.779 --> 00:14:03.700 This is Paul. 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:05.840 He's meeting the Ephesian elders 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:07.759 in a place called Miletus. 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:09.820 These are his last words to them. 00:14:10.180 --> 00:14:10.500 He says, 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:12.220 Pay careful attention to yourself 00:14:12.220 --> 00:14:13.080 and to all the flock, 00:14:13.180 --> 00:14:14.879 which is another metaphor for the church, 00:14:15.420 --> 00:14:16.480 in which the Holy Spirit 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:17.740 has made you overseers 00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:20.019 to care for the church of God, 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:23.139 which He obtained with His own blood. 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:29.320 The His of His body 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:31.980 is a blood-bought His. 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:35.540 The church is obtained 00:14:35.540 --> 00:14:37.320 by the blood of God, 00:14:37.420 --> 00:14:38.960 by the blood of Christ. 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:41.500 The church is a people. 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:45.420 The people who have been purchased 00:14:45.420 --> 00:14:47.420 by the blood of Jesus 00:14:47.420 --> 00:14:48.800 were His, 00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:51.819 and that's whom Paul is suffering for. 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:53.000 There's a couple other references 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:55.359 to the church in this passage. 00:14:55.579 --> 00:14:57.159 At the end of verse 26, 00:14:57.599 --> 00:14:58.659 to His saints, 00:14:59.579 --> 00:15:00.399 His holy ones. 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:02.859 And then in verse 27, 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:03.959 to them, 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.039 the saints, 00:15:05.339 --> 00:15:05.979 the church, 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:08.279 God chose to make known 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:09.759 how great among the Gentiles 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:11.019 are the riches of the glory 00:15:11.019 --> 00:15:12.000 of this mystery, 00:15:12.079 --> 00:15:12.859 which is Christ in you. 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:13.539 Do you know what He's saying? 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:15.439 It's the church, 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:16.860 those people who would come 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:17.839 to believe in Christ, 00:15:18.179 --> 00:15:19.579 the elect of God. 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:21.219 It's these people 00:15:21.219 --> 00:15:22.659 that God will give eyes 00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:24.699 and ears and heart 00:15:24.699 --> 00:15:26.740 to believe and treasure Jesus. 00:15:28.819 --> 00:15:31.419 That's who Paul's suffering for. 00:15:33.199 --> 00:15:34.159 The church. 00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:34.219 The church. 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:41.439 Paul suffers for the church of Christ 00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:43.940 because Christ died 00:15:43.940 --> 00:15:45.940 for His church. 00:15:47.020 --> 00:15:48.380 Have you ever been around somebody? 00:15:48.520 --> 00:15:49.160 Maybe you have a friend. 00:15:49.260 --> 00:15:50.260 Maybe you've said this. 00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:52.140 You say something like this. 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:53.640 You know what, man? 00:15:53.660 --> 00:15:54.500 What's important to you 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:55.240 is important to me. 00:15:56.760 --> 00:15:59.520 You're like loyal brothers or sisters, 00:15:59.680 --> 00:15:59.920 and you're like, 00:16:00.040 --> 00:16:00.220 man, 00:16:00.540 --> 00:16:01.600 whatever's your priority 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:02.600 is my priority. 00:16:05.660 --> 00:16:08.120 What is the priority of Jesus? 00:16:09.160 --> 00:16:10.560 What's important to Christ? 00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:11.159 Christ, 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:13.199 His name among the nations 00:16:13.199 --> 00:16:14.879 so that all would believe, 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:19.199 but also His body, 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:19.899 His church, 00:16:20.179 --> 00:16:20.719 His people. 00:16:23.079 --> 00:16:25.219 Because Paul treasured Jesus. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:30.000 Paul valued what Jesus valued, 00:16:30.939 --> 00:16:31.559 the church. 00:16:33.139 --> 00:16:34.339 Proclaiming Christ 00:16:34.339 --> 00:16:36.659 that all those who would one day believe 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:38.739 would be incorporated into His body. 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:43.820 How important is the church to Christ? 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:47.940 He shed His blood for us. 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:52.480 If you're a discouraged Christian, 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:58.240 are you growing in your love 00:16:58.240 --> 00:17:01.480 for the bloodbought of Christ? 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:04.019 Christ is this person 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:05.220 that you're trying to encourage 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:06.039 and build into. 00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:08.120 Maybe it's another brother or sister in Christ. 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:09.360 Maybe it's one of your children. 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.579 Maybe it's your spouse, 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.940 and you just feel like 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:13.360 this isn't going anywhere. 00:17:15.120 --> 00:17:17.120 Did you forget that they belong to Jesus? 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:24.559 Or maybe you're a fan of Jesus, 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:26.500 but you're not a fan of His church. 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.599 Guess what? 00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:34.579 What's important to Christ 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:36.419 must be important to us. 00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:40.419 So how do you grow in your love for the church, 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:41.579 for the bloodbought of God? 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:44.240 Even in all of her imperfections, 00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:47.419 you remember who shed His blood for her. 00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:53.300 Maybe you're disoriented from Christ 00:17:53.300 --> 00:17:56.019 because you've been burned by the church. 00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:59.680 You were sinned against. 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:02.039 You were disappointed. 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:05.800 And now you've been adrift. 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:10.579 You're going to need, 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:13.899 out of a love and treasuring of your Savior, 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.720 to come to forgive 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:17.720 those who've sinned against you. 00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:20.859 Forgive those who've disappointed you. 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:24.519 There's no perfect church. 00:18:26.379 --> 00:18:28.399 Anybody perfect in this church? 00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:34.799 But we're all united by a perfect Christ. 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:39.200 We suffer together, church. 00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:41.099 We suffer together 00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:46.500 so that others will treasure Christ above all. 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:51.980 The next word is mystery. 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:54.480 Oh, and I love this word. 00:18:56.399 --> 00:18:57.799 Three times the word mystery 00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:59.000 shows up in this passage. 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:02.319 In verses 25 and 26, 00:19:02.399 --> 00:19:03.899 of which I became a minister. 00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:04.740 This is Paul speaking. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:06.180 I became a minister, a servant, 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:08.079 according to the stewardship from God 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:10.059 that was given to me for you 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:13.019 to make the word of God fully known. 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:15.079 The stewardship that was given to him 00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:16.740 is a sacred trust. 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:19.700 He was given a trust from God 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:21.059 for the church. 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:23.059 And that is this, 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:26.920 this making God's word fully known. 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:28.519 What is he talking about? 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.700 Look at verse 26. 00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:31.340 This, the word of God fully known 00:19:31.340 --> 00:19:32.180 is the mystery. 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:35.000 Hidden for ages and generations 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:37.259 but now revealed to the saints. 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:43.000 This mystery is not so much of a secret. 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:45.559 It's more like, 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:47.319 more like a treasure map. 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:50.019 You know what a treasure map is, right? 00:19:50.100 --> 00:19:52.920 You have like different places you go 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:54.680 and there's this kind of dotted line 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:56.440 going from one clue to the next 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:58.560 and eventually it leads you to 00:19:58.560 --> 00:20:01.300 X marks the spot where the treasure is. 00:20:02.620 --> 00:20:03.960 Think of the Old Testament 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:07.039 and all of its law 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:08.720 and all of its poetry 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:10.740 and all of its narratives 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:12.660 and all of its prophecies 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:16.740 as one clue after the other. 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:20.000 One hint after another 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:22.900 pointing down the line 00:20:22.900 --> 00:20:24.500 to the treasure. 00:20:25.060 --> 00:20:27.420 The cross marks the spot. 00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:30.820 Hidden. 00:20:32.600 --> 00:20:33.660 But hinted at. 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:40.600 Paul's ministry was a making known 00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:42.099 from God's word. 00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:43.659 The mystery, 00:20:44.219 --> 00:20:46.199 the plan of God's, 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:47.919 for the fullness of time. 00:20:52.879 --> 00:20:54.459 The scale is remarkable. 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:58.319 Ages and generations. 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:01.199 This is getting at God's plan 00:21:01.199 --> 00:21:02.240 for the fullness of time. 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:04.539 God's plan for the fullness of time 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:07.199 had everything to do with treasure. 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:11.039 This mystery revealed 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:13.580 was the revelation of a treasure 00:21:13.580 --> 00:21:15.299 for all people everywhere. 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:18.920 Just notice all the treasure. 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:21.700 Verse 27. 00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:24.240 To them God chose to make known 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:25.779 how great among the Gentiles 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:28.440 are the riches of the glory 00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:29.640 of this mystery. 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.220 Look it down to 2.2. 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:33.019 That their hearts may be encouraged 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:34.240 being knit together in love 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:35.799 to reach all the riches 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:37.740 of full assurance of understanding 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:39.180 and the knowledge of God's mystery. 00:21:39.639 --> 00:21:40.220 Verse 3. 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.399 In whom are hidden 00:21:41.399 --> 00:21:42.539 all the treasures 00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:44.339 of wisdom and knowledge. 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:47.220 God's plan for the fullness of time 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:49.220 is a treasure plan. 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:54.339 Every human heart. 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:57.019 There's 8 billion people 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:57.879 on the planet. 00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:00.680 And every human heart 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:03.240 is on a treasure hunt. 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:05.579 Every one of us 00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:07.180 searching for treasure. 00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.980 We want to find 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:10.079 fullness of joy 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:10.880 and be satisfied. 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:11.819 We want to have 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.880 fullness of purpose 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:13.660 and be satisfied. 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.319 We want to have 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:15.759 fullness of peace 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.859 and be satisfied. 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.960 But the problem is 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:19.579 with this treasure hunting 00:22:19.579 --> 00:22:21.160 is our sinfulness. 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:24.420 And so we hunt for treasure 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:26.059 in all the wrong places. 00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:27.460 The places where God 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.339 is saying very clearly 00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:29.740 there's no treasure there. 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.359 There's no treasure there. 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:34.880 The mystery that Paul 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:37.759 ministry made known 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:41.019 reveals the ultimate treasure 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:44.120 from God for all people. 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:44.859 What is it? 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.779 It's not Paul. 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:49.880 He's a servant of the treasure. 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:53.099 It's not his church. 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:55.059 We're not the treasure. 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:57.640 It's not sex. 00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:59.299 Sex isn't the treasure. 00:22:59.299 --> 00:22:59.359 It's not a treasure. 00:23:01.159 --> 00:23:02.319 It's not marriage. 00:23:02.639 --> 00:23:03.639 It's not success. 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.799 It's not a big paycheck. 00:23:05.639 --> 00:23:07.799 That's not the hidden treasure 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:10.799 that God has made known. 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:13.480 You want to see it? 00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:17.480 Verse 27. 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.879 To them God chose to make known 00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:22.220 how great among the Gentiles 00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:23.859 are the riches of the glory 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:24.759 of this mystery 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:26.799 which is Christ 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:28.720 in you. 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:29.839 The hope of glory. 00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:31.859 God's plan 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:33.079 was to unite a people 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:34.339 Jews and Gentiles 00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:35.640 all sorts of different people 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.279 from everywhere 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:38.240 and unite them 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.000 around Christ 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:40.180 and Christ would dwell 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:40.660 in them 00:23:40.660 --> 00:23:41.400 as if they are 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:42.000 his new temple. 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:44.500 What a plan! 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.640 The hope of glory. 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:50.379 Jesus is our future hope 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:51.359 of the glory to come. 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.160 He's the treasure. 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:55.820 In chapter 2, 00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:56.380 verse 2. 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:58.120 Being knit together 00:23:58.120 --> 00:23:58.480 in love 00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:59.300 to reach all the riches 00:23:59.300 --> 00:24:00.160 of the full assurance 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:00.820 of understanding 00:24:00.820 --> 00:24:01.560 and the knowledge 00:24:01.560 --> 00:24:02.860 of God's mystery 00:24:02.860 --> 00:24:04.700 which is Christ. 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:07.580 In Christ 00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:08.380 are hidden 00:24:08.380 --> 00:24:10.320 all the treasures 00:24:10.320 --> 00:24:10.960 of wisdom 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:12.040 and knowledge. 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:15.140 The first home 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:16.140 Jenny and I owned 00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:17.180 in Kenosha 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.040 was a ranch 00:24:18.040 --> 00:24:19.040 on the south side. 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:19.779 15th Avenue 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.759 was on a cul-de-sac. 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.259 It was a great place. 00:24:22.360 --> 00:24:23.140 A lot of memories there. 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:26.200 Well, we moved in 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:26.700 and we were 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:29.420 bringing this place 00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:29.800 to order 00:24:29.800 --> 00:24:30.940 like it needed some work 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.580 and so I was in 00:24:31.580 --> 00:24:32.220 one of the bedrooms 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:33.180 and I was rolling up 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:34.500 this old rug 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.500 and behold, 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.140 treasure! 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.940 $200 cash money! 00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:41.460 We're going to McDonald's! 00:24:43.600 --> 00:24:44.660 No, I think we actually 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:45.240 ordered pizza. 00:24:48.800 --> 00:24:49.519 That treasure 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.220 was lying there 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:50.680 for a while 00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:53.560 and then it got revealed 00:24:53.560 --> 00:24:56.380 when I pulled up the rug. 00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:58.940 The Old Testament 00:24:58.940 --> 00:25:01.440 is about hidden treasure 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:03.700 and then when Christ 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.440 is proclaimed 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.720 in the new 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:07.519 hidden treasure, 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:10.200 Christ is at the center 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:10.720 of it all. 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.299 God's plan 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:13.860 for the fullness 00:25:13.860 --> 00:25:14.600 of time 00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:17.080 is about Christ, 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:17.680 our treasure, 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.299 treasure, 00:25:19.060 --> 00:25:20.519 the greatest treasure, 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:22.539 the only treasure 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.539 that can satisfy 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:25.080 the human heart. 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:29.039 You're discouraged? 00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:33.120 Christ is your treasure. 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:35.420 You're disoriented? 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:36.820 Distracted? 00:25:37.820 --> 00:25:38.680 Stop settling 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.240 settling 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:41.140 for temporary 00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:42.060 trinkets 00:25:42.060 --> 00:25:43.180 of this world 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:46.960 and set your heart 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.600 on the timeless 00:25:47.600 --> 00:25:48.740 treasure of Christ. 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.900 He's the hope 00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:54.400 of glory. 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:57.340 He's the mystery 00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:58.220 made known. 00:25:58.220 --> 00:26:01.740 in Him, 00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:04.579 all of God's promises 00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:05.480 are yes 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.819 and amen. 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:08.660 Everything 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:10.559 you long for, 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.220 Christ 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:13.860 is your treasure. 00:26:20.100 --> 00:26:21.240 Brothers and sisters, 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:22.100 we suffer 00:26:22.100 --> 00:26:25.079 for Christ 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:25.620 together. 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:26.519 Our treasure 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:28.900 so that others 00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:29.680 would treasure Him. 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:32.859 The fourth word 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:33.240 is the word 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:33.759 mature. 00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:34.720 We see this 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.059 in verses 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:36.579 28 and 29. 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:37.519 Him we proclaim, 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.259 warning everyone 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.019 and teaching everyone 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:39.680 with all wisdom 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:41.539 that we may present 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:42.299 everyone 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:43.460 mature 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:45.480 in Christ. 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.539 Paul 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:50.559 is giving us 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.379 the goal 00:26:51.379 --> 00:26:52.660 of his 00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:53.680 contested 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:54.240 work, 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:55.799 his ministry, 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.799 the toil, 00:26:57.139 --> 00:26:57.639 the struggle, 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:58.659 the suffering 00:26:58.659 --> 00:26:59.819 to present everyone 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:00.700 mature in Christ. 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:01.759 And if you're wondering 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.879 what is maturity 00:27:02.879 --> 00:27:03.399 in Christ, 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.059 here's what it is 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.539 at a minimum. 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.720 At a minimum, 00:27:07.399 --> 00:27:08.639 maturity of Christ 00:27:08.639 --> 00:27:11.000 is when Jesus Christ 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:11.960 is the controlling 00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:13.500 center of your life. 00:27:14.379 --> 00:27:15.139 He's the treasured 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:16.880 treasured center 00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:19.200 center of your life. 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:21.920 What you treasure 00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:24.240 will govern 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:27.140 your life. 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.740 You live for what 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.380 you worship. 00:27:32.800 --> 00:27:33.940 The question is, 00:27:34.360 --> 00:27:34.700 how does 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:38.540 Paul present people 00:27:38.540 --> 00:27:39.380 mature in Christ? 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:40.440 How do you do that? 00:27:41.800 --> 00:27:42.360 Well, we're going to be 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:43.259 talking about this more 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:43.859 at the 00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:44.979 disciple-making 00:27:44.979 --> 00:27:45.419 workshop 00:27:45.419 --> 00:27:46.399 in a couple weeks, 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.479 but let's look 00:27:47.479 --> 00:27:48.259 at this passage. 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.000 Paul, 00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:50.259 how do you present 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:50.859 people mature 00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:51.419 in Christ? 00:27:52.939 --> 00:27:53.679 Verse 28, 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.619 him we proclaim. 00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.659 Him is the treasure. 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:03.359 He proclaims 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:04.000 Christ 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:05.339 to both 00:28:05.339 --> 00:28:05.679 Christians 00:28:05.679 --> 00:28:06.639 and non-Christians. 00:28:07.139 --> 00:28:07.379 Him, 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.039 of course, 00:28:08.899 --> 00:28:09.439 is the one 00:28:09.439 --> 00:28:10.379 we just learned 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:11.120 about in verses 00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:12.080 15 through 20. 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.860 He's the firstborn 00:28:13.860 --> 00:28:14.520 of all creation. 00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:15.360 He's the firstborn 00:28:15.360 --> 00:28:16.000 from the dead. 00:28:16.100 --> 00:28:17.220 He's the king 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:18.340 of the old creation. 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.220 He's the king 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:20.180 of the new creation. 00:28:20.560 --> 00:28:21.120 He's the king 00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:21.520 of kings, 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.260 Lord of lords. 00:28:22.540 --> 00:28:23.340 He is the greatest 00:28:23.340 --> 00:28:24.680 treasure ever, 00:28:25.020 --> 00:28:25.260 Jesus. 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.660 That's who we 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.100 proclaim. 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.780 In light of 00:28:31.780 --> 00:28:32.980 that, 00:28:33.100 --> 00:28:33.980 who's the we? 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.640 Him, 00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:37.060 we proclaim. 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:37.860 Now, 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:38.660 you could make a case, 00:28:38.780 --> 00:28:38.920 well, 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:39.920 that's Paul's 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:40.940 apostolic posse. 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:42.160 Timothy, 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:43.560 Tychicus, 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:45.400 Epaphras. 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:47.259 But I've got a hunch 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:47.960 she's doing something 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:48.400 else here. 00:28:49.800 --> 00:28:50.539 If you follow 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:50.900 the flow 00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:51.460 of the argument, 00:28:53.060 --> 00:28:54.220 I think that we, 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:56.019 he's talking about 00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:56.720 the Colossians. 00:28:58.840 --> 00:28:59.240 Him, 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.580 we proclaim. 00:29:03.080 --> 00:29:03.560 Paul's like, 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.820 I'm proclaiming 00:29:04.820 --> 00:29:05.539 Christ here 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:06.160 in Rome 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:07.019 to this 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:07.519 ching, 00:29:07.600 --> 00:29:07.779 ching, 00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:08.120 ching, 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.019 Praetorian card 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.980 next to me. 00:29:11.060 --> 00:29:12.340 You're proclaiming 00:29:12.340 --> 00:29:13.620 Christ in Colossae. 00:29:13.800 --> 00:29:14.660 We're proclaiming 00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:15.640 Christ in Kenosha. 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:17.300 Him, 00:29:17.600 --> 00:29:18.700 we proclaim. 00:29:18.820 --> 00:29:19.580 It's a uniter. 00:29:21.540 --> 00:29:22.779 We suffer together 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:24.360 for Christ 00:29:24.360 --> 00:29:25.120 in order that 00:29:25.120 --> 00:29:25.720 others would 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.340 treasure him. 00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:30.120 In light of all 00:29:30.120 --> 00:29:30.980 this treasure talk, 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.940 it really kind of 00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:32.600 changes the way 00:29:32.600 --> 00:29:33.120 you think about 00:29:33.120 --> 00:29:33.540 ministry. 00:29:33.540 --> 00:29:33.720 You know, 00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:33.740 you know, 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:40.060 we get to 00:29:40.060 --> 00:29:40.800 declare treasure. 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:43.060 When we say 00:29:43.060 --> 00:29:43.820 him we proclaim, 00:29:44.080 --> 00:29:44.560 we're saying 00:29:44.560 --> 00:29:45.560 the treasure 00:29:45.560 --> 00:29:46.519 of every human 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:47.279 heart is found 00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:47.700 in Jesus. 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.759 So to non-Christians, 00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:51.560 we say things like 00:29:51.560 --> 00:29:51.820 this. 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:52.320 Hey, 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:52.840 I know you're 00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:53.660 hunting for treasure. 00:29:55.560 --> 00:29:56.600 Turn from your 00:29:56.600 --> 00:29:57.160 trinkets 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:58.940 and turn to the 00:29:58.940 --> 00:29:59.660 timeless treasure 00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.279 of Christ. 00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:01.700 He forgives you. 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:03.040 He welcomes you 00:30:03.040 --> 00:30:03.900 with open arms. 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.580 He loves you. 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:06.619 To discourage 00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:07.119 Christians, 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:07.839 we say this. 00:30:07.899 --> 00:30:08.000 Hey, 00:30:08.879 --> 00:30:09.559 Christ is the 00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:10.159 greatest treasure. 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.379 Don't give up. 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:12.039 Press on. 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:12.960 We say to 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:14.019 disoriented Christians, 00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:14.559 hey, 00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:15.460 you're living for 00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:15.939 trinkets. 00:30:16.659 --> 00:30:17.559 Treasure Christ 00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:18.619 and live for him. 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.639 Him we proclaim. 00:30:23.699 --> 00:30:24.720 How we go about 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.720 proclaiming him 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:27.679 involves warning 00:30:27.679 --> 00:30:28.139 people. 00:30:30.199 --> 00:30:31.220 Him we proclaim. 00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:33.259 Warning 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:34.319 everyone. 00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:37.640 There's a warning 00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:38.440 in this passage. 00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:40.079 It's in verse 4. 00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:42.039 I say this in order 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.779 that no one may 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.400 delude you with 00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:44.940 plausible arguments. 00:30:45.379 --> 00:30:46.420 He say this as a 00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:47.079 reference to what he 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:48.440 just said in verses 00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:49.160 2 and 3 that 00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:50.480 Jesus is the 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.079 greatest treasure. 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.279 Don't buy the 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:55.660 lies. 00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.420 Our world 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:00.900 makes a very 00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:01.700 compelling case 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.319 in a variety 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:03.039 of different ways 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:04.840 that you 00:31:04.840 --> 00:31:05.519 should be 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.240 the controlling 00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:07.000 center of your 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:07.319 life. 00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:08.240 Not Christ. 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:09.900 And here's what 00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:11.360 happens when you 00:31:11.360 --> 00:31:11.819 become the 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.519 controlling center 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.400 of your life. 00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:14.539 You end up 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:15.319 living for 00:31:15.319 --> 00:31:15.740 something. 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.380 Maybe it's 00:31:17.380 --> 00:31:17.740 U.S. 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:18.380 politics. 00:31:19.380 --> 00:31:20.640 It makes a 00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:21.779 lousy controlling 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.680 center of your 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:23.080 life. 00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:23.139 love. 00:31:26.359 --> 00:31:27.339 But when we talk 00:31:27.339 --> 00:31:27.839 about the kingdom 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:28.539 of Christ, 00:31:29.679 --> 00:31:30.399 he's our king. 00:31:31.159 --> 00:31:32.299 Oh, that is the 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:33.299 controlling center you 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.759 want. 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:38.519 Maybe it's not 00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:38.940 politics. 00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:39.539 Maybe it's 00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:40.460 pleasure. 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:41.759 Some kind of 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:42.379 hedonism. 00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.000 Whether that's 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:44.180 sexual gratification. 00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:45.539 Whether that is 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.259 like you just 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:46.980 love to eat 00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:47.539 food. 00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:48.339 Whether it's 00:31:48.339 --> 00:31:49.299 materialism like 00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:50.119 purchase buy, 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:50.859 buy, buy. 00:31:51.240 --> 00:31:51.920 You know what? 00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:53.420 Hedonism makes 00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:54.759 for a lousy 00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:55.900 controlling center. 00:31:56.900 --> 00:31:58.019 Doesn't satisfy. 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:02.319 Pleasing Christ. 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:05.000 that'll satisfy. 00:32:07.399 --> 00:32:08.899 Or maybe it's 00:32:08.899 --> 00:32:09.759 not politics or 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.099 pleasure. 00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:12.599 Maybe it's you 00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:13.500 want the praise. 00:32:14.679 --> 00:32:15.679 You're a people 00:32:15.679 --> 00:32:16.059 pleaser. 00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:19.039 You just want to 00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:19.679 be liked. 00:32:22.439 --> 00:32:24.439 Oh, the Bible 00:32:24.439 --> 00:32:25.299 talks about that 00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:25.960 as a snare. 00:32:27.179 --> 00:32:28.480 It's a terrible 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:29.299 taskmaster. 00:32:31.159 --> 00:32:31.679 But what 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:34.200 praise in 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:36.359 Christ as 00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:37.119 your treasured 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:38.299 center, that 00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:39.899 burns clean. 00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:44.679 We warn 00:32:44.679 --> 00:32:45.240 everyone. 00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.359 We warn 00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:47.759 people, don't 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:49.559 settle for the 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.240 trinkets. 00:32:52.679 --> 00:32:53.939 Center on the 00:32:53.939 --> 00:32:54.299 treasure. 00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:54.399 people. 00:32:54.399 --> 00:32:58.079 So we warn 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:59.960 everyone as we 00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:00.879 proclaim him 00:33:00.879 --> 00:33:01.779 and then we 00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:02.720 also teach 00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.440 everyone. 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:06.159 What do we 00:33:06.159 --> 00:33:06.519 teach them? 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:08.579 It's what Paul 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:08.879 has already 00:33:08.879 --> 00:33:09.200 modeled. 00:33:10.639 --> 00:33:12.339 We teach them 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:13.180 the glories of 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:13.599 Christ. 00:33:14.299 --> 00:33:14.919 Think about it. 00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:17.659 He's the creator 00:33:17.659 --> 00:33:18.039 of all. 00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.579 He's the sustainer 00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:19.919 of all. 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:21.019 He's the savior 00:33:21.019 --> 00:33:21.480 of all. 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:22.480 He's the lord 00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:22.880 of all. 00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:23.819 And he's the 00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:24.440 judge of all. 00:33:24.940 --> 00:33:25.420 Do you know 00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:25.900 what greater 00:33:25.900 --> 00:33:26.319 than, less 00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:26.740 than, or equal 00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:27.079 is? 00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:28.759 How about you 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:30.360 kind of measure 00:33:30.360 --> 00:33:31.519 him next to U.S. 00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:32.960 politics, hedonism, 00:33:33.099 --> 00:33:33.940 or the praise of 00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:34.140 man? 00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:34.559 He's always 00:33:34.559 --> 00:33:34.940 greater. 00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:38.039 Because he's the 00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:38.640 greatest treasure. 00:33:39.360 --> 00:33:39.980 That's what we 00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:40.500 teach people. 00:33:41.620 --> 00:33:43.200 How amazing 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:45.099 our king is. 00:33:46.860 --> 00:33:48.420 And why we can 00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:49.460 then say, so 00:33:49.460 --> 00:33:50.759 every day you 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.680 deny yourself, 00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:52.339 you take up 00:33:52.339 --> 00:33:52.900 your cross, 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:53.519 and you 00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:54.119 follow him. 00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.299 Because he's 00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:56.660 the greatest 00:33:56.660 --> 00:33:57.059 treasure. 00:33:57.920 --> 00:33:59.240 He is worth 00:33:59.240 --> 00:33:59.480 it. 00:34:02.039 --> 00:34:02.700 And then we 00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:03.200 start to see 00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:03.759 what maturity 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:04.379 looks like. 00:34:05.839 --> 00:34:06.599 When Christ 00:34:06.599 --> 00:34:06.920 is your 00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:08.880 treasure, then 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.460 verse 10, 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.000 you walk in a 00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:10.500 manner worthy 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:10.780 of him, 00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:11.480 pleasing him in 00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:12.019 all ways, 00:34:12.539 --> 00:34:13.239 bearing fruit in 00:34:13.239 --> 00:34:13.840 every good work, 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:14.559 increasing in the 00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:15.119 knowledge of God, 00:34:15.260 --> 00:34:15.900 strengthened with 00:34:15.900 --> 00:34:16.539 his power for 00:34:16.539 --> 00:34:17.159 endurance and 00:34:17.159 --> 00:34:18.000 patience with joy, 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:19.260 giving thanks to 00:34:19.260 --> 00:34:19.659 the Father. 00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:20.819 verse 23, 00:34:21.299 --> 00:34:22.719 you are stable 00:34:22.719 --> 00:34:23.659 and steadfast, 00:34:23.739 --> 00:34:24.500 not shifting from 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:25.099 the hope of the 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:25.460 gospel. 00:34:25.819 --> 00:34:26.299 And chapter 2, 00:34:26.339 --> 00:34:26.879 verse 5, 00:34:27.159 --> 00:34:28.019 for though I am 00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:28.659 absent in body, 00:34:28.719 --> 00:34:29.379 yet I am with 00:34:29.379 --> 00:34:29.920 you in spirit, 00:34:30.019 --> 00:34:30.839 rejoicing to see 00:34:30.839 --> 00:34:31.719 your good order 00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:32.839 and firmness in 00:34:32.839 --> 00:34:33.460 the faith of 00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:33.859 Christ. 00:34:34.779 --> 00:34:35.559 The good order 00:34:35.559 --> 00:34:37.219 is that Jesus 00:34:37.219 --> 00:34:38.819 is the controlling 00:34:38.819 --> 00:34:40.099 center of your 00:34:40.099 --> 00:34:40.579 life. 00:34:41.500 --> 00:34:42.159 And you live 00:34:42.159 --> 00:34:42.500 for him. 00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:45.039 Paul's like, 00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:45.699 yes and amen. 00:34:45.699 --> 00:34:45.899 Amen. 00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:52.960 But Paul doesn't 00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:53.960 labor in this 00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:54.940 ministry by his 00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.679 own strength, 00:34:56.679 --> 00:34:58.019 but by the 00:34:58.019 --> 00:34:58.699 strength that God 00:34:58.699 --> 00:35:00.000 himself provides. 00:35:00.099 --> 00:35:00.759 Verse 29, 00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:03.379 for this I toil, 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.000 struggling with 00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:04.739 all his energy, 00:35:05.119 --> 00:35:06.059 that he powerfully 00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:07.099 works within me, 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:08.659 Holy Spirit, 00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:10.079 power in the 00:35:10.079 --> 00:35:11.460 proclamation of 00:35:11.460 --> 00:35:12.699 Christ as the 00:35:12.699 --> 00:35:13.460 greatest treasure 00:35:13.460 --> 00:35:14.980 to all nations. 00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:17.900 worthy of 00:35:17.900 --> 00:35:18.059 sea. 00:35:18.159 --> 00:35:18.900 Not by power, 00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:19.740 not by strength, 00:35:19.820 --> 00:35:20.400 but by my 00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:20.760 spirit, 00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:21.480 says the Lord. 00:35:24.619 --> 00:35:25.159 Did you notice 00:35:25.159 --> 00:35:25.820 everyone? 00:35:26.699 --> 00:35:27.500 Warning everyone, 00:35:27.659 --> 00:35:28.320 teaching one in 00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:29.019 order to present 00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:29.800 everyone who 00:35:29.800 --> 00:35:30.980 believes mature in 00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:32.199 Christ, rightly 00:35:32.199 --> 00:35:33.159 ordered, firm in 00:35:33.159 --> 00:35:34.199 the faith, walking 00:35:34.199 --> 00:35:34.960 in a manner worthy 00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:35.659 of the Lord to 00:35:35.659 --> 00:35:37.099 please Christ in 00:35:37.099 --> 00:35:37.579 everything. 00:35:37.719 --> 00:35:38.639 You see, the scope 00:35:38.639 --> 00:35:39.699 of Paul's ministry 00:35:39.699 --> 00:35:40.340 is global. 00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:40.960 Do you know why? 00:35:41.360 --> 00:35:42.500 Because the scope 00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:44.039 of the ministry of 00:35:44.039 --> 00:35:44.719 our Lord Jesus 00:35:44.719 --> 00:35:46.259 Christ is global. 00:35:48.039 --> 00:35:48.960 Gospel ministry is 00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:49.759 a work of the new 00:35:49.759 --> 00:35:50.400 creation. 00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:52.440 Every square inch 00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:53.079 of this planet, 00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:55.820 the gospel bearing 00:35:55.820 --> 00:35:57.000 fruit among all 00:35:57.000 --> 00:35:57.420 people. 00:36:00.059 --> 00:36:01.099 This past week, 00:36:01.139 --> 00:36:01.579 I had a brother 00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:02.559 send me an email 00:36:02.559 --> 00:36:05.579 reminding me of 00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:06.480 unreached people 00:36:06.480 --> 00:36:06.940 groups. 00:36:08.880 --> 00:36:09.400 An unreached 00:36:09.400 --> 00:36:10.639 people group is a 00:36:10.639 --> 00:36:12.079 definable group of 00:36:12.079 --> 00:36:13.699 people by their 00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:14.659 culture and 00:36:14.659 --> 00:36:15.419 particularly their 00:36:15.419 --> 00:36:16.299 language. 00:36:17.460 --> 00:36:18.219 And an unreached 00:36:18.219 --> 00:36:19.639 people group has 00:36:19.639 --> 00:36:22.099 no access to the 00:36:22.099 --> 00:36:23.339 gospel of this 00:36:23.339 --> 00:36:23.799 treasure. 00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:29.679 I learned that 00:36:29.679 --> 00:36:31.859 there are 17,300 00:36:31.859 --> 00:36:32.719 distinct people 00:36:32.719 --> 00:36:33.439 groups on our 00:36:33.439 --> 00:36:34.119 planet today. 00:36:34.619 --> 00:36:35.579 I learned that 00:36:35.579 --> 00:36:37.319 7,300 of those 00:36:37.319 --> 00:36:38.279 people groups are 00:36:38.279 --> 00:36:39.839 presently unreached. 00:36:40.000 --> 00:36:41.000 They do not have a 00:36:41.000 --> 00:36:41.739 gospel witness. 00:36:41.739 --> 00:36:45.779 that's 3.4 billion 00:36:45.779 --> 00:36:46.199 people. 00:36:48.699 --> 00:36:49.479 So when 00:36:49.479 --> 00:36:50.899 Paul talks about 00:36:50.899 --> 00:36:53.339 him we proclaim, 00:36:54.699 --> 00:36:55.639 warning everyone, 00:36:55.799 --> 00:36:56.599 teaching everyone to 00:36:56.599 --> 00:36:57.500 present everyone who 00:36:57.500 --> 00:36:58.579 believes mature, he's 00:36:58.579 --> 00:36:59.500 not just talking about 00:36:59.500 --> 00:37:01.179 this church in this 00:37:01.179 --> 00:37:02.259 city, in our 00:37:02.259 --> 00:37:03.439 neighbors in the city. 00:37:03.579 --> 00:37:04.819 He's talking about the 00:37:04.819 --> 00:37:06.199 unreached hard places in 00:37:06.199 --> 00:37:07.119 the 1040 window. 00:37:07.119 --> 00:37:08.920 So if you want to 00:37:08.920 --> 00:37:10.920 find out more about 00:37:10.920 --> 00:37:11.579 unreached people 00:37:11.579 --> 00:37:14.559 groups, Google the 00:37:14.559 --> 00:37:15.639 Joshua Project. 00:37:18.079 --> 00:37:19.219 But that is the 00:37:19.219 --> 00:37:21.099 scope of what we've 00:37:21.099 --> 00:37:21.799 been called to. 00:37:23.179 --> 00:37:26.079 To present everyone, 00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:27.579 every tribe, tongue, 00:37:27.659 --> 00:37:29.440 and nation mature in 00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:29.859 Christ. 00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:31.299 Christ as the 00:37:31.299 --> 00:37:32.940 treasured center of who 00:37:32.940 --> 00:37:33.619 they are. 00:37:34.460 --> 00:37:35.099 Brothers and 00:37:35.099 --> 00:37:37.820 sisters, we suffer 00:37:37.820 --> 00:37:40.720 together so that 00:37:40.720 --> 00:37:42.840 Christ is treasured by 00:37:42.840 --> 00:37:43.500 all. 00:37:45.820 --> 00:37:46.599 Christ's worth it. 00:37:53.400 --> 00:37:54.679 The last word is 00:37:54.679 --> 00:37:55.740 rejoicing, and I'll be 00:37:55.740 --> 00:37:56.679 lickety split. 00:37:56.679 --> 00:37:59.399 But this passage 00:37:59.399 --> 00:38:01.159 begins and ends with 00:38:01.159 --> 00:38:01.699 rejoicing. 00:38:02.759 --> 00:38:03.739 Verse 24, now I 00:38:03.739 --> 00:38:04.440 rejoice in my 00:38:04.440 --> 00:38:04.919 sufferings. 00:38:05.239 --> 00:38:06.239 Chapter 2, verse 5, 00:38:06.539 --> 00:38:07.239 for though I'm absent 00:38:07.239 --> 00:38:08.199 in body, I'm with you 00:38:08.199 --> 00:38:09.619 in spirit, rejoicing to 00:38:09.619 --> 00:38:10.559 see your good order. 00:38:10.980 --> 00:38:11.460 Rejoicing. 00:38:11.819 --> 00:38:12.839 Time out! 00:38:13.659 --> 00:38:15.319 How is it that this 00:38:15.319 --> 00:38:18.119 guy in Rome, shackled 00:38:18.119 --> 00:38:19.799 to a Praetorian guard, 00:38:20.279 --> 00:38:21.980 is able to rejoice? 00:38:25.579 --> 00:38:26.279 Here's why. 00:38:26.679 --> 00:38:30.059 Christ was his 00:38:30.059 --> 00:38:30.779 greatest treasure. 00:38:31.759 --> 00:38:33.179 Philippians 1, 21, the 00:38:33.179 --> 00:38:34.839 same guy said, for me 00:38:34.839 --> 00:38:35.579 to live is Christ and 00:38:35.579 --> 00:38:36.199 to die is gain. 00:38:37.619 --> 00:38:38.599 Philippians 3, 8, the 00:38:38.599 --> 00:38:39.980 same guy says, indeed, 00:38:40.339 --> 00:38:42.379 I count everything as a 00:38:42.379 --> 00:38:44.239 loss compared to the 00:38:44.239 --> 00:38:45.940 surpassing worth of 00:38:45.940 --> 00:38:47.099 knowing Christ Jesus, my 00:38:47.099 --> 00:38:47.419 Lord. 00:38:48.419 --> 00:38:48.859 Treasure. 00:38:49.859 --> 00:38:51.159 Why he was rejoicing? 00:38:51.679 --> 00:38:52.399 He treasured Jesus. 00:38:53.239 --> 00:38:56.059 But also, Paul rejoiced 00:38:56.059 --> 00:38:57.599 in others treasuring 00:38:57.599 --> 00:38:58.119 Jesus. 00:39:00.539 --> 00:39:01.820 Now I rejoice in my 00:39:01.820 --> 00:39:02.739 sufferings for your 00:39:02.739 --> 00:39:03.099 sake. 00:39:04.799 --> 00:39:07.340 124, chapter 2, 1, for I 00:39:07.340 --> 00:39:08.340 want you to know how 00:39:08.340 --> 00:39:09.539 great a struggle I have 00:39:09.539 --> 00:39:10.279 for you. 00:39:12.980 --> 00:39:14.079 Christ is worth it. 00:39:14.079 --> 00:39:17.239 If you're discouraged, 00:39:18.779 --> 00:39:20.340 disappointed by others' 00:39:20.460 --> 00:39:21.440 lack of response, 00:39:22.000 --> 00:39:23.360 Christ is worth your 00:39:23.360 --> 00:39:23.719 toil. 00:39:25.099 --> 00:39:25.759 He's worth your 00:39:25.759 --> 00:39:26.559 suffering, your labor. 00:39:26.679 --> 00:39:27.259 Don't give up. 00:39:27.319 --> 00:39:28.239 Your labor's not in vain. 00:39:28.299 --> 00:39:29.059 He's worth it. 00:39:30.639 --> 00:39:32.059 If you're disoriented or 00:39:32.059 --> 00:39:33.799 distracted in this 00:39:33.799 --> 00:39:36.079 rejoicing in suffering is 00:39:36.079 --> 00:39:37.860 like a foreign language in 00:39:37.860 --> 00:39:41.119 your ears, you've been 00:39:41.119 --> 00:39:42.340 distracted by plausible 00:39:42.340 --> 00:39:43.400 arguments of this world. 00:39:46.240 --> 00:39:49.300 You've swapped temporary 00:39:49.300 --> 00:39:51.420 trinkets for the timeless 00:39:51.420 --> 00:39:52.400 treasures of Christ. 00:39:52.539 --> 00:39:53.200 Do you know what you do? 00:39:54.000 --> 00:39:54.960 You just repent and 00:39:54.960 --> 00:39:55.360 believe. 00:39:56.660 --> 00:39:57.620 Say, no, forgive me, 00:39:57.680 --> 00:40:00.420 Lord Jesus, for pursuing 00:40:00.420 --> 00:40:03.120 this in your place. 00:40:06.120 --> 00:40:07.519 And there you will find 00:40:07.519 --> 00:40:08.460 joy. 00:40:08.460 --> 00:40:12.159 what your heart was 00:40:12.159 --> 00:40:13.780 created and redeemed 00:40:13.780 --> 00:40:14.199 for. 00:40:15.699 --> 00:40:16.199 Christ. 00:40:18.179 --> 00:40:19.340 So what would you tell a 00:40:19.340 --> 00:40:20.099 discouraged Christian? 00:40:20.220 --> 00:40:22.420 What would you tell a 00:40:22.420 --> 00:40:23.480 disoriented Christian? 00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:25.940 You tell them Christ is 00:40:25.940 --> 00:40:26.420 worth it. 00:40:28.000 --> 00:40:30.320 I mean, Christ is the 00:40:30.320 --> 00:40:31.960 center of our sufferings. 00:40:33.000 --> 00:40:34.420 Christ is at the center of 00:40:34.420 --> 00:40:35.000 the church. 00:40:35.500 --> 00:40:36.960 Christ is at the center of 00:40:36.960 --> 00:40:37.960 this mystery. 00:40:38.720 --> 00:40:40.360 Christ is at the center of 00:40:40.360 --> 00:40:40.980 our maturity. 00:40:41.539 --> 00:40:43.300 Christ is at the center of 00:40:43.300 --> 00:40:44.420 our rejoicing. 00:40:44.740 --> 00:40:45.639 He's at the center of it 00:40:45.639 --> 00:40:45.880 all. 00:40:48.619 --> 00:40:50.199 So we suffer together for 00:40:50.199 --> 00:40:52.740 Christ so that everyone 00:40:52.740 --> 00:40:54.059 would treasure Christ. 00:40:55.699 --> 00:40:57.079 Christ is worth it, church. 00:40:58.179 --> 00:40:59.079 Let's pray together. 00:40:59.079 --> 00:41:06.000 Lord Jesus Christ, we need to 00:41:06.000 --> 00:41:07.799 ask you for something now. 00:41:08.119 --> 00:41:11.420 We confess that we 00:41:11.420 --> 00:41:15.139 regularly prefer trinkets to 00:41:15.139 --> 00:41:16.000 you, our treasure. 00:41:16.559 --> 00:41:18.219 So we confess that to you. 00:41:18.360 --> 00:41:21.139 We acknowledge the idolatry of 00:41:21.139 --> 00:41:21.400 that. 00:41:22.940 --> 00:41:25.920 We forgive us for the offense 00:41:25.920 --> 00:41:27.019 that must be to you. 00:41:27.019 --> 00:41:31.079 And thank you for dying on the 00:41:31.079 --> 00:41:33.039 cross for that too. 00:41:34.440 --> 00:41:35.759 Father, would you pour out your 00:41:35.759 --> 00:41:37.659 spirit upon us, your people, 00:41:37.800 --> 00:41:42.420 that we would endure, we would 00:41:42.420 --> 00:41:45.599 persist, we would persevere in 00:41:45.599 --> 00:41:49.039 our treasuring of Jesus and 00:41:49.039 --> 00:41:50.460 proclaiming him among all 00:41:50.460 --> 00:41:50.800 people. 00:41:52.300 --> 00:41:53.480 Would you help us? 00:41:53.480 --> 00:41:56.380 Would you strengthen us? 00:41:57.360 --> 00:41:59.000 Would you unite us? 00:41:59.960 --> 00:42:01.539 And would you protect our union 00:42:01.539 --> 00:42:02.920 in you? 00:42:05.559 --> 00:42:06.780 And for those 00:42:06.780 --> 00:42:11.420 who think Jesus is boring, 00:42:13.420 --> 00:42:16.579 God, would you show them your 00:42:16.579 --> 00:42:17.119 glory? 00:42:18.840 --> 00:42:20.119 In your name we pray. 00:42:21.000 --> 00:42:21.280 Amen. 00:42:23.480 --> 00:42:24.780 Amen. 00:42:24.780 --> 00:42:26.280 Amen. 00:42:26.300 --> 00:42:27.199 Amen. 00:42:27.300 --> 00:42:29.460 Amen. 00:42:30.559 --> 00:42:30.860 Amen. 00:42:30.960 --> 00:42:31.179 Amen. 00:42:31.179 --> 00:42:31.380 Amen. 00:42:31.420 --> 00:42:31.619 Amen. 00:42:32.000 --> 00:42:32.119 Amen. 00:42:32.480 --> 00:42:33.179 Amen. 00:42:33.179 --> 00:42:33.199 Amen. 00:42:33.440 --> 00:42:33.639 Amen. 00:42:33.699 --> 00:42:33.740 Amen. 00:42:33.780 --> 00:42:37.860 Amen. 00:42:37.980 --> 00:42:38.519 Amen. 00:42:38.699 --> 00:42:39.240 Amen. 00:42:39.240 --> 00:42:39.480 Amen. 00:42:39.480 --> 00:42:40.639 Amen. 00:42:40.719 --> 00:42:41.400 Amen. 00:42:41.400 --> 00:42:41.480 Amen. 00:42:41.480 --> 00:42:50.360 Amen. 00:42:50.460 --> 00:42:51.539 Amen. 00:42:52.099 --> 00:42:52.800 Amen. 00:42:52.800 --> 00:42:53.320 Amen.