WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.000 So let's then just return to that portion of God's Word that we read together. 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:13.280 If you've got your Bibles there, we can just look at these verses in Philippians chapter 00:00:13.280 --> 00:00:20.600 1 from 27 through to verse 30. 00:00:20.600 --> 00:00:25.240 So Paul's writing here to the church at Philippi. 00:00:25.239 --> 00:00:32.719 Philippi was a leading city in the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony. 00:00:32.719 --> 00:00:42.039 Probably wrote this around about AD 61, and we suppose that he was in prison there in 00:00:42.039 --> 00:00:46.599 Rome, and that's where he wrote this letter from. 00:00:46.599 --> 00:00:52.119 Paul had a great love for this particular church, and we read of his first involvement 00:00:52.119 --> 00:00:56.919 with them in the Acts of the Apostles' Air in chapter 16. 00:00:56.919 --> 00:01:05.640 And they too loved the apostle Paul, and they were very supportive of his ministry, both 00:01:05.640 --> 00:01:09.319 prayerfully and financially. 00:01:09.319 --> 00:01:16.280 And he particularly thanks them for their gifts, further on there in chapter 4 from 00:01:16.280 --> 00:01:23.120 verses 10 and onwards, because they were really the only church who sacrificially partnered 00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:26.519 with Paul in his ministry. 00:01:26.519 --> 00:01:32.439 You see, Paul never wanted to be a burden to any of his churches. 00:01:32.439 --> 00:01:38.439 He always wanted to be independent, and of course he earned his living independently 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:41.640 from tent making. 00:01:41.640 --> 00:01:49.280 However there were times when inevitably situations were that finances were tight, and these 00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:57.640 dear ones, they in the Philippian church lovingly provided for the apostle. 00:01:57.640 --> 00:02:06.879 Friends, there's a reminder here for us too, isn't there, of the scriptural requirements 00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:18.159 to love and to respect and to care for our pastors and those who watch over us. 00:02:18.159 --> 00:02:27.120 Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5 in verses 12 and 13 when he says, respect those who 00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:34.519 labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and esteem them very highly 00:02:34.520 --> 00:02:38.640 in love because of their work. 00:02:38.640 --> 00:02:46.840 A reminder for us to love our care for our pastors and our leaders. 00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:56.640 So here then in verses 27 to 30, he's exhorting them how to respond and to conduct themselves 00:02:56.639 --> 00:03:04.839 in an obedient, God-honoring way whatever circumstances face them. 00:03:04.839 --> 00:03:13.439 And Paul lays out here good sound advice for them and indeed for us as a church here as 00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:20.419 we move forward into this new year in God's providence. 00:03:20.419 --> 00:03:28.339 So let's look then at some of the teaching that are in these verses for us. 00:03:28.339 --> 00:03:39.239 So he begins here in the NIV by saying, whatever happens, friends, as we look to the future, 00:03:39.239 --> 00:03:42.919 nobody knows what will happen. 00:03:42.919 --> 00:03:52.000 Who could have predicted a global pandemic and all that it has brought to radically change 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:59.919 the daily lives of all mankind's lockdown, virtual meetings and all the other various 00:03:59.919 --> 00:04:03.199 restrictions that it brought. 00:04:03.199 --> 00:04:12.239 And following on from that, now we have subsequently moved into times of global economic collapse 00:04:12.240 --> 00:04:15.920 creating poverty and strife. 00:04:15.920 --> 00:04:28.600 And all of this has been compounded, of course, by situations like that dreadful war in Ukraine. 00:04:28.600 --> 00:04:37.800 Yet apart from these exceptional conditions, we do live in an ever-changing world, a world 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:39.960 that's changing. 00:04:39.959 --> 00:04:47.319 It's changing for good and it's changing for bad. 00:04:47.319 --> 00:04:59.519 And as Christians, we seem to be continually persecuted by the pressures of a secular society. 00:04:59.519 --> 00:05:08.319 And these pressures eventually find their ways through the corridors of power, and they 00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:13.279 can ultimately present as government legislation. 00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:21.600 For example, hate crime bill Scotland, abortion and assisted suicide, gender recognition reform 00:05:21.600 --> 00:05:23.560 bill Scotland. 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:31.800 Indeed, we're living in days when the words of the late theologian Francis Schaefer have 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:35.120 never been more true. 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:43.000 Schaefer said, I believe that pluralistic secularism in the long run is a more deadly 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:49.600 poison than straightforward persecution. 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:59.480 This worldly secularism has for many years also been pervading sections of the Christian 00:05:59.480 --> 00:06:06.000 church, not least the church of Scotland. 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:16.800 I mean, over the years within the church, we've come to no terms such as postmodernism, 00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:20.720 which means there are no absolutes. 00:06:20.720 --> 00:06:25.640 And that's widely accepted in certain areas of the church. 00:06:25.639 --> 00:06:33.120 In fact, in the year 2016, the new word of the year added to the Oxford dictionary was 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:37.199 the word post-truth. 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:45.159 The meaning of that word is the disappearance of shared objective standards of truth. 00:06:45.159 --> 00:06:47.240 It gets bizarre. 00:06:47.240 --> 00:06:56.560 However, it brings into sharp focus, doesn't it, John 1838, the words of Pilate. 00:06:56.560 --> 00:07:01.680 Well when Christ was before, and Pilate says, what is truth? 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:08.759 Of course, truth didn't matter to Pilate, who was motivated by expediency. 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:17.199 Likewise today, truth doesn't matter to the skeptics who have despaired of knowing it. 00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:29.199 But friends, how thankful we are to have the Bible, which is the word of truth, the inspired 00:07:29.199 --> 00:07:35.399 and errant infallible Word of God penned by men. 00:07:35.399 --> 00:07:44.919 And within these pages, we read John 14.6, that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and 00:07:44.919 --> 00:07:51.759 the life, and no one cometh unto the Father but by Him. 00:07:51.759 --> 00:08:01.120 So whatever happens, he says, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:11.319 In other words, in all respects, live as citizens of the kingdom of God, whatever the circumstances. 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:19.800 No matter the persecution, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:28.439 Now that applies to each of us individually, and it applies to us collectively as Christians. 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:37.720 And indeed, it presents immense challenges to us in the realities of our daily lives, 00:08:37.720 --> 00:08:47.679 because we must be image bearers of Christ in how we live within a shadowy and distorted 00:08:47.679 --> 00:08:56.240 society where identity politics overcome everything, and there is no respect for other 00:08:56.240 --> 00:08:58.720 opinions. 00:08:58.720 --> 00:09:10.120 We now live in a society where democracy is drifting to autocracy. 00:09:10.120 --> 00:09:16.720 Liberty and principles are drifting to anarchy. 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:24.720 And this creates a astonishing division where everyone wants their own way and their own 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:36.080 agenda, and people even build their own distorted image of God. 00:09:36.080 --> 00:09:45.320 And of course, all these things come from the evil one, from Satan himself. 00:09:45.320 --> 00:09:52.960 So how then are we to be image bearers of Christ in our daily lives? 00:09:52.960 --> 00:10:00.440 Well, let me give you just some very simple, practical ways. 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:09.200 We should, as Christians, conduct our affairs in a God-honoring way, decently, honestly, 00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:14.720 fairly, and we should be generous to others. 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:19.960 For example, we should always pay our bills on time. 00:10:19.960 --> 00:10:24.200 We should exercise consumer responsibility. 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:30.120 By that I mean we should exercise discernment in what we buy. 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:33.840 Was it produced using child labor? 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:36.920 Was it produced in a sweatshop? 00:10:36.920 --> 00:10:41.200 And by the way, willful ignorance is no defense here. 00:10:41.200 --> 00:10:44.920 We should take these steps. 00:10:44.920 --> 00:10:48.360 We should stand up for social justice. 00:10:48.360 --> 00:11:00.360 We should champion the oppressed and do not adhere to political world opinion, but do adhere 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:02.360 to God's way. 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:12.120 Now these are only a few ways that we can express our transformed image in Christ. 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:17.360 We should also be critically discerning. 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:21.279 Rampant is an important gift and it's a reality. 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:25.800 And for that we rely on the Holy Spirit. 00:11:25.800 --> 00:11:35.800 There are great dangers of rampant individualism leading to confusion and isolation. 00:11:35.800 --> 00:11:45.720 You see, we can so easily, by our own self discernment, veer off on the wrong path, and 00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:49.720 that can lead to disaster. 00:11:49.720 --> 00:11:56.279 But we must keep in tune with the Holy Spirit and with the Word of God. 00:11:56.279 --> 00:12:03.639 And in all of that we should continually appraise ourselves. 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:10.960 And in that context it can be good as trusted Christian friends to regularly hold each other 00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:16.759 accountable for our actions. 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:24.120 We should live as individuals together under Christ. 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:33.200 Paul writes in Ephesians 2, 19 and 20 how we are built on the foundation on the cornerstone 00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:35.720 of Christ. 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:44.000 In Galatians 3 and 28 he reminds us that we are all one in Christ. 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:50.759 And of course, Jesus has already prayed for us in his high priestly prayer of John 17, 00:12:50.759 --> 00:13:00.040 John 1721, where he says to the Father, as you and I are one Father, so may they be one 00:13:00.040 --> 00:13:02.160 in us. 00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:07.399 So he has prayed for our unity. 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:16.679 And brothers and sisters, this is our scriptural responsibility to be image bearers. 00:13:16.679 --> 00:13:21.639 And do you know, people out there are watching us. 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:26.079 Your neighbors watch how every Sunday morning you get into your car and you go to church 00:13:26.079 --> 00:13:29.439 in the evening and maybe midweek you go to meetings. 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:32.760 You maybe said a group is at your house and all the cars are parked there. 00:13:32.760 --> 00:13:34.360 What are they doing there? 00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:36.960 They watch the way that we walk. 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:39.600 They watch the way that we talk. 00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:48.240 So we are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of Christ as His ambassadors for such 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:52.560 a time as this. 00:13:52.559 --> 00:14:01.759 Paul then goes on and says, then whether I come and see you or only hear about you in 00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:08.839 my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit contending as one man for the 00:14:08.839 --> 00:14:11.919 faith of the gospel. 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:20.159 So Paul here is, he's firstly reinforcing the accountability of the church community 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:27.039 and each individual within that church community to stand firm. 00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:34.519 You see, it's not about the minister, the leadership's presence, but it's about everybody's 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:38.159 responsibility. 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:47.360 And he's strongly emphasizing the togetherness of the church members that we're to stand 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:55.399 firm in one spirit contending as one man for the faith of the gospel. 00:14:55.399 --> 00:15:00.399 Of course, we see a wonderful example of this in the early church, don't we, there in the 00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:09.680 Acts 2, verses 42 to 47, where we see that they were devoted to the apostles' teaching 00:15:09.680 --> 00:15:14.759 to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:19.639 And all the believers were together and they had everything in common. 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:24.919 But more than that, they were out there in the city square. 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:27.720 They were out there in the high street. 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:30.039 They were ministering to the people. 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:31.559 They were loving the people. 00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:36.879 They were doing good to the people. 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:44.159 And in all of that, you see, as they endeavored to be image bearers, the Lord blessed it because 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:50.399 we've got that wonderful verse 47 where we read, and the Lord added to their number, 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:53.799 daily those who were being saved. 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:55.559 Isn't that what we yearn for? 00:15:55.559 --> 00:16:02.679 Is that not the church we want to be so that people are being saved and coming in and building 00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:08.360 up the church here? 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:16.399 And how He says, stand firm together, and the writer of the Hebrews in chapter 10, 24 to 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:23.120 25, he reinforces that by saying, do not give up, meeting together. 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:33.399 Continue to meet together, to spur each other on in love and good deeds. 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:41.600 You see, we're to stand firm, but we're to stand in the Holy Spirit, and we're to stand 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:45.439 in the living Word of God. 00:16:45.439 --> 00:16:53.879 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but it's against the rulers, against the authorities, 00:16:53.879 --> 00:17:00.000 against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:02.000 heavenly realms. 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:06.839 And Paul reminds us of that in Ephesians 6, verses 10 to 18. 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:18.000 So he says, therefore, put on the full armor of God, daily peace by peace, and always remember 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:20.319 that final peace. 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:24.440 Keep on praying for all the saints. 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:31.960 And we must especially remember our dear brothers and sisters and lands throughout the world 00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:35.240 who are severely persecuted. 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:42.960 You know, in reality, life is a picnic for us compared to some of these dear ones and 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:45.559 some of the lands throughout this world. 00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:50.519 So we need to continually remember them. 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:57.160 Paul goes on then in verse 28, he says, without being frightened in any way by those who oppose 00:17:57.160 --> 00:18:05.680 you, this is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved and 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:09.320 that by God. 00:18:09.320 --> 00:18:17.080 Paul saying, be bold before your adversaries because the battle belongs to the Lord. 00:18:17.080 --> 00:18:23.800 Christ has already won the victory through the crucifixion and His resurrection power 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:31.319 that has defeated Satan, sin and death for all time. 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:38.359 Brothers and sisters, when we're in Christ, we're on the victory side. 00:18:38.359 --> 00:18:45.240 So do not in any way be frightened by those who oppose you. 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:52.720 Paul wants the Philippians and us to have that same holy boldness in the face of opposition 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:55.039 that he had. 00:18:55.039 --> 00:19:06.200 You see, these spiritual enemies use the weapons of fear and intimidation against us, and we 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:12.720 can all testify in our human weakness to the reality of that. 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:22.960 However, the more we mature in our faith, the stronger we become, fully exercising the power 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:31.039 and the authority of Christ that is within us until we can reach that stage when we can 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:39.240 say with the apostle himself, as he says in Philippians 4 and 13, I can do all things through 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:43.039 Christ who strengthens me. 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:51.759 And Paul points out here in verse 28, he says that those who oppose the gospel of Christ, 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:59.240 though they are already marked out for ruin, and that we as Christians, by being persecuted, 00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:03.880 well that's a sign of our salvation. 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:11.600 And furthermore, when these spiritual enemies fail to make us afraid, well then they failed 00:20:11.600 --> 00:20:19.920 completely because they really have no other weapon than fear and intimidation. 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:32.120 And he goes on then in verse 29 to say, for it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:38.879 not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him. 00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:48.559 Well, as Christians, we've been granted by grace alone the greatest privilege that any 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:54.519 human being could have, salvation. 00:20:54.519 --> 00:21:05.440 salvation from eternal damnation, and that comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:14.720 That there is no other name in heaven given amongst men by whom we must be saved. 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:17.839 That is our credentials. 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:20.960 That is our credentials. 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:26.480 Some of you might remember the late Bill Galvear. 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:37.880 Bill was born in the Gallagate in Glasgow as a teenager growing up in the early 1950s. 00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:41.079 He was involved in gangland warfare. 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:47.000 He was in the Stickel Gang in Glasgow gangland warfare. 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:51.200 He got involved in much crime. 00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:54.559 He spent some time in prison. 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:58.799 Growing up, Bill was, he was a wild boy. 00:21:58.799 --> 00:22:07.319 But you know, one evening, Bill went along to a gospel meeting in the tent hall mission 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:09.240 in Glasgow. 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:13.240 The preacher was a man called Seth Sykes. 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:18.519 And Bill Galvear heard the gospel. 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:21.559 Seth Sykes gave him these words. 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:25.559 He said, what will you do with Jesus? 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:28.960 Will you nay Takim, hem with you? 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:34.240 And Bill Galvear surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.359 He was convicted. 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:36.559 He was converted. 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:39.880 He became a new creation in Christ. 00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:49.640 And then he went on to serve in nursing, missionary work in the Congo and in other places. 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:58.360 And then in later years, he became the Scottish representative for scripture gift mission, 00:22:58.360 --> 00:23:00.320 which meant the Bill went to different churches. 00:23:00.320 --> 00:23:01.960 And he spoke at churches. 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:03.360 He spoke to young folks. 00:23:03.360 --> 00:23:05.000 He spoke in different places. 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:11.079 And on one occasion, he was speaking at St Andrews University in the Younger Hall. 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:18.000 St Andrews University is very formal, so he was to be introduced by the sacrist. 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:24.240 Just before the sacrist went to introduce him, he went and asked him, he says, Mr. Galvear, 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:30.000 can I ask you, what are the letters after your name as I formally introduce you? 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:35.319 So that kind of flummoxed Urwale for the Gallo Gates. 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:44.319 But nevertheless, he swiftly replied, yes, I'm William Galvear, SSBG. 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:51.559 So the sacrist, Julie, introduced him as William Galvear, SSBG. 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:59.440 But you see, what Bill was doing there was he was giving his true credentials because 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:04.680 he was a sinner saved by grace. 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:12.320 And for all of us who are truly born again by the Holy Spirit, that is our credentials, 00:24:12.320 --> 00:24:16.720 sinner saved by grace. 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:26.120 So like these Philippian Christians, we have then the privilege to suffer for our Savior. 00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:29.559 And it is a privilege to suffer for our Savior. 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:36.519 The Apostle James reminds us in James 1, 2 to 4 there, he says, consider it pure joy, 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:38.519 my brothers. 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:43.919 Whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops 00:24:43.919 --> 00:24:50.199 perseverance, perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, 00:24:50.199 --> 00:24:54.519 not lacking anything. 00:24:54.519 --> 00:25:00.279 And then Paul goes on finally to say, since you are going through the same struggle you 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:06.039 saw I had and now hear that I still have. 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:12.920 So as a great encouragement to the believers here in Philippi and indeed to us, Paul now 00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:19.960 points out that the struggles that they and we are going through are the same struggles 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:24.440 that they saw Paul had when he was with them. 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:30.880 And by the way, our struggles I guess are not up to the extent of Paul's where he was 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:36.840 beaten with rods, he was thrown into the inner prison, into the stocks where he continually 00:25:36.840 --> 00:25:39.680 had to flee for his life. 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:46.039 And that struggle, as Paul reminds us, continues for him now. 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:53.840 It's interesting that for the word struggle, the King James Version uses the word conflict 00:25:53.839 --> 00:26:02.000 which in Greek is agon, from which we get the words agonai and agonize. 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:12.679 So with the Philippians and we have Paul's kind of conflict or agonai, then we also can 00:26:12.679 --> 00:26:21.159 look forward to having Paul's kind of joy and fruit that he had in the midst of all 00:26:21.159 --> 00:26:22.919 of that. 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:31.080 And of course, he brings that out so well in Romans 8 and 28, doesn't he? 00:26:31.080 --> 00:26:42.039 He tells us that even though whatever we go through, that we are always being blessed. 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:52.759 Well, friends, in all of this, as we sort of pull it together, let's try to get some 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:59.200 points of application to take away with us in some sort of practical way. 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:09.519 Well, firstly, let us be aware that there are dangers here. 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:23.639 Firstly, we can so easily create our own God. 00:27:23.639 --> 00:27:33.920 Yes, I believe in Christ as my personal Savior, but I do not actively acknowledge commonality 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:37.920 with all other believers. 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:40.560 That can be a failing. 00:27:40.560 --> 00:27:52.000 But you see, when we are saved, then we are part of that body, and we are all one in Christ. 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:56.680 There's not just a thing as a solitary Christian. 00:27:56.680 --> 00:28:06.759 Or on the other hand, yes, we belong to a church and live outwardly as a Christian, but 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:14.039 then maybe have no radical personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:20.960 Well then, we cannot be a true image bearer as we are called to be of the one who we do 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:23.759 not know personally. 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:27.099 We need to have that personal relationship. 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:36.559 So how then can we be image bearers individually and together as we move forward into the 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:41.759 uncharted waters of this new year? 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:50.200 Image bearers in the context that Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15, 49, where he says, 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:55.240 So shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. 00:28:55.240 --> 00:29:01.480 In other words, the people would see Jesus in us and through us. 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:13.160 Well, we need to be open and we need to display our transformation and our new image of God. 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:19.120 We share not only our individual testimony, but also our community testimony as being 00:29:19.120 --> 00:29:22.920 one in Christ. 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:27.200 So how can we do it better together? 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:33.680 How can we reflect the image of God together in our society? 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:39.519 That is the ongoing challenge for us in 2023. 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:50.799 Well, God has presented us with an opportunity to reach our city, to reach our communities 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:57.839 individually and together to Corinthians 3 and 18. 00:29:57.839 --> 00:30:05.919 And we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory are being transformed into 00:30:05.919 --> 00:30:12.960 His likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:22.840 Friends, I do not have the answers as to how we as individuals and as a church will do 00:30:22.840 --> 00:30:23.840 this. 00:30:23.840 --> 00:30:25.680 But you know what? 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:27.740 God does. 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:35.960 So we must prayerfully seek His spiritual strategy for us. 00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:43.000 However we are accountable to our heavenly Father. 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:50.160 There are immense challenges for us as a church as we serve again in our city, in our communities 00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:53.480 and in society in general. 00:30:53.480 --> 00:31:01.360 However we are to be encouraged as Paul encourages us with that wonderful doxology in Ephesians 00:31:01.360 --> 00:31:02.360 3, 2021. 00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:09.919 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according 00:31:09.919 --> 00:31:13.599 to His power that is at work within us. 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:20.879 To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and 00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:22.839 ever. 00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:28.759 We serve an amazing God. 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:37.839 As Christians we must remember that we are not the authors of our own life story. 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:42.799 All the world would have us believe that we are and that we should reach for the sky in 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:45.519 our personal achievements. 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:53.640 But when we become new creations in Christ then we are part of God's story. 00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:58.319 He is the author of our lives. 00:31:58.319 --> 00:32:07.519 We are part of His story and our earnest desire is to do His will. 00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:16.359 And you know that means humble service, sharing the love of God with others. 00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:26.799 And so often that's simply giving a cup of cold water or washing feet. 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:36.639 Let me conclude with a quotation from John Caldwell in his book Radical Church. 00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:41.720 John says that the church has three options. 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:46.240 One, compromise and die. 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:53.599 Two, hide in the trenches and die a little more slowly. 00:32:53.599 --> 00:33:05.679 Or three, hold fast to truth, engage the world and see what God does. 00:33:05.679 --> 00:33:09.399 Everybody needs Jesus. 00:33:09.399 --> 00:33:17.279 And our God-given commission is to go out there and to engage them and share Jesus with 00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:22.639 them in so many available ways. 00:33:22.640 --> 00:33:33.280 However we must prayerfully discern God's spiritual, strategic vision for us here at 00:33:33.280 --> 00:33:36.440 St. Columbus. 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:44.560 So each of us must respond well, giving our utmost for His highest. 00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:52.960 And may God have all the glory, the honour and the praise as men, women and boys and 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:57.079 girls will yet be saved. 00:33:57.079 --> 00:33:58.799 Amen. 00:33:58.799 --> 00:33:59.799 Let's pray. 00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:06.039 O gracious and ever merciful God, we thank You for Your Word that speaks truth into our 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:10.199 hearts and into our minds. 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:19.319 We pray, Lord, that we would take deep within us these pearls of spiritual wisdom that You 00:34:19.319 --> 00:34:20.960 have presented to us. 00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:26.519 O Lord, that we would not hear the words of the One who stands here, but rather of yourself 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:27.519 from heaven. 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:33.039 And that each of us this morning would be challenged, but yet we would be encouraged 00:34:33.039 --> 00:34:35.719 because You are a faithful God. 00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:42.079 And indeed, Lord, we earnestly pray for those who are heavy on our hearts, flesh of our 00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:47.159 flesh and bone of our bones and friends and colleagues and others who we would earnestly 00:34:47.159 --> 00:34:51.959 seek that this would be the year that they would be yet saved. 00:34:51.959 --> 00:34:57.919 So may Thy kingdom come, may Thy will be done on earth, and may You, Father, Son and Holy 00:34:57.919 --> 00:35:01.959 Spirit have all the glory, the honour and the praise. 00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:07.240 And we ask it in Jesus' most precious name. 00:35:07.240 --> 00:35:08.240 Amen. 00:35:08.239 --> 00:35:34.579 LOL