WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.639 Thanks for reading Joe and Gus. 00:00:05.860 --> 00:00:11.140 It would be great if you could keep Philippians chapter 3 open, that's what I'll be preaching from. 00:00:12.660 --> 00:00:16.000 Hopefully you might have all received a sermon outline as you came in. 00:00:16.140 --> 00:00:18.580 Has anyone not got a sermon outline? 00:00:19.539 --> 00:00:24.080 Or is anyone not able to look on with a sermon outline? I think that's everyone. 00:00:24.079 --> 00:00:34.799 Well, I trust that most people here are becoming reasonably familiar with Paul's letter to the Philippians, 00:00:34.979 --> 00:00:40.539 as we not only have it preached to us, but also studying it in our small groups. 00:00:41.780 --> 00:00:45.619 And if you're not in one, can I just say that you should consider joining one. 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:49.099 Come and have a chat with me afterward. 00:00:49.100 --> 00:00:55.380 The most Elise and I have ever had in our lounge room for small group is about 18 people. 00:00:56.179 --> 00:01:01.460 But if we take out some of the furniture and stand, then we could probably get 50 or something. 00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:04.400 So there's plenty of room for you in a small group. 00:01:05.159 --> 00:01:12.240 And Elise is looking a bit concerned, so if you come to me, then I'll actually refer you to another small group. 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:14.659 There's plenty of good ones going around. 00:01:14.659 --> 00:01:20.239 But my point is that we're studying Philippians, and hopefully you're beginning to understand it 00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:28.640 and to see why Steve chose this book to coincide with Vision Sunday two weeks ago 00:01:28.640 --> 00:01:32.060 and with Commitment Sunday that's coming up in a few weeks' time. 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:38.640 Paul's vision for the Philippian church is one not of church numbers and logos 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:43.599 and ministry programs, as important as these things may be, 00:01:44.659 --> 00:01:49.479 but his vision is of the glory of God and the supremacy of Christ, 00:01:50.060 --> 00:01:54.539 the exclusivity of the gospel, the righteousness of God's people, 00:01:54.959 --> 00:01:57.420 and the suffering of God's church. 00:01:57.879 --> 00:01:59.399 And that should be our vision as well. 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:01.759 And particularly suffering. 00:02:02.759 --> 00:02:05.259 We live in an evil age. 00:02:05.620 --> 00:02:10.240 I'm not suggesting that it's necessarily more evil than 10 years ago 00:02:10.240 --> 00:02:12.919 or 20 or 50 or 1,000 years ago, 00:02:12.919 --> 00:02:14.340 but it's evil nonetheless. 00:02:14.659 --> 00:02:21.680 And that realisation alone should convince us of the need to be ready to suffer. 00:02:22.840 --> 00:02:24.219 But it's more than that. 00:02:25.359 --> 00:02:29.719 The path of righteousness for God's people is costly. 00:02:30.740 --> 00:02:34.759 If you haven't read Dietrich Bonhoeffer's wonderful book, 00:02:34.840 --> 00:02:37.259 The Cost of Discipleship, you should. 00:02:37.400 --> 00:02:38.219 You should read it. 00:02:38.579 --> 00:02:40.079 And I think the title says it all. 00:02:40.139 --> 00:02:41.500 The Cost of Discipleship. 00:02:41.500 --> 00:02:47.379 There's no place for cheap discipleship and cheap grace. 00:02:47.620 --> 00:02:48.740 It's costly. 00:02:49.919 --> 00:02:51.300 But it's more than that. 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:53.159 The reality is, 00:02:53.159 --> 00:02:57.579 and this is the number one reason that the church should prepare to suffer, 00:02:58.180 --> 00:03:01.359 is that God promises that it will happen. 00:03:01.859 --> 00:03:03.419 He promises that it will happen. 00:03:03.419 --> 00:03:07.019 This is my first point on the sermon outline. 00:03:07.019 --> 00:03:12.779 And our text of scripture really won't make any sense unless you believe this. 00:03:13.339 --> 00:03:15.879 God has promised that his people will suffer, 00:03:16.339 --> 00:03:20.659 and nothing is more certain than a promise in God's word. 00:03:20.659 --> 00:03:27.819 And so you're a fool if you think that you can be a Christian and simply avoid it. 00:03:28.780 --> 00:03:33.460 And you're a fool if you're a Christian and you fail to prepare for it. 00:03:34.099 --> 00:03:36.859 And let me just give you a couple of examples from scripture. 00:03:37.539 --> 00:03:39.319 In Acts chapter 14 verse 22, 00:03:39.500 --> 00:03:44.939 Paul teaches that it is through many tribulations that we enter the kingdom. 00:03:44.939 --> 00:03:47.819 In John chapter 15 verse 20, 00:03:48.259 --> 00:03:49.460 Jesus himself says, 00:03:49.599 --> 00:03:53.180 If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. 00:03:54.479 --> 00:03:56.960 In 1 Peter chapter 4 verse 12, 00:03:57.439 --> 00:03:59.759 the apostle tells the churches in Asia Minor, 00:04:00.479 --> 00:04:06.939 Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:10.020 as though something strange were happening to you. 00:04:10.439 --> 00:04:11.960 Don't be surprised, Christians. 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:13.599 It's not strange. 00:04:13.599 --> 00:04:14.500 It's not unusual. 00:04:14.939 --> 00:04:17.959 It's absolutely par for the course. 00:04:19.839 --> 00:04:23.759 And as Paul himself writes in 2 Timothy, 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:25.939 chapter 3 verse 12, 00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:30.879 All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 00:04:32.620 --> 00:04:36.560 Now, you'll see on the sermon outline there, 00:04:36.620 --> 00:04:39.060 I've got a point, the prosperity gospel. 00:04:39.180 --> 00:04:41.459 I should say the prosperity so-called gospel. 00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:46.399 And sometimes people ask why I often mention the prosperity gospel, 00:04:46.539 --> 00:04:47.299 if we'll call it that, 00:04:47.399 --> 00:04:50.579 and why I preach against it and why I hate it so much. 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:53.120 And this is why. 00:04:53.120 --> 00:05:01.359 I hate any suggestion that the Christian life is about earthly prosperity because it is anti-Bible, 00:05:02.199 --> 00:05:03.399 it's anti-Gospel, 00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:05.699 it's anti-Jesus, 00:05:05.699 --> 00:05:08.699 and it fails to prepare God's people. 00:05:08.699 --> 00:05:13.420 God's saints for the suffering that they will experience. 00:05:13.420 --> 00:05:24.160 And that they will experience more of the more they desire to live a righteous life that brings glory to God in Christ Jesus. 00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:28.640 And so, after careful consideration, 00:05:28.780 --> 00:05:32.780 you'll be pleased to know that I've decided not to preach a prosperity message tonight, 00:05:33.580 --> 00:05:38.740 but rather I think my job, given this passage, is to prepare you to suffer. 00:05:38.740 --> 00:05:44.759 And our text, as I said, is particularly helpful in that regard. 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:49.699 So, my second point is that God graciously prepares his people to suffer. 00:05:49.840 --> 00:05:51.699 And I want to show you that from the text. 00:05:51.860 --> 00:05:54.420 Look with me from verse 5. 00:05:55.259 --> 00:05:56.460 It's about Paul's life, 00:05:56.720 --> 00:06:00.560 and it was quite a remarkable life before he became a Christian, wasn't it? 00:06:01.139 --> 00:06:01.920 Have a look with me. 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:03.860 Circumcised on the eighth day, 00:06:04.939 --> 00:06:08.860 Paul had been sealed with the outward sign of God's grace. 00:06:10.259 --> 00:06:11.819 Of the people of Israel, 00:06:12.540 --> 00:06:14.319 he's of the correct religion. 00:06:15.420 --> 00:06:16.700 Of the tribe of Benjamin, 00:06:16.700 --> 00:06:19.879 his pedigree is without equal. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:22.480 He's from the tribe that King Saul came from. 00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:25.340 A Hebrew of Hebrews. 00:06:26.139 --> 00:06:27.759 Now, this is an amazing statement, 00:06:28.220 --> 00:06:31.740 and I think it shows that Paul was no mere adherent 00:06:31.740 --> 00:06:32.780 to Judaism. 00:06:33.139 --> 00:06:35.340 His life was actually the epitome of it. 00:06:38.960 --> 00:06:40.360 In regard to the law, 00:06:41.060 --> 00:06:41.800 a Pharisee. 00:06:42.460 --> 00:06:47.439 Paul was part of the highest category of law keepers that there was. 00:06:47.960 --> 00:06:48.939 And as to zeal, 00:06:49.720 --> 00:06:50.840 persecuting the church. 00:06:50.939 --> 00:06:53.280 He was so zealous for Judaism, 00:06:53.540 --> 00:06:55.280 so zealous he thought for God, 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:58.160 that he led the persecution of God's enemies, 00:06:58.379 --> 00:06:58.720 namely, 00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:00.840 the church of Jesus Christ. 00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:03.839 And as for legalistic righteousness, 00:07:05.039 --> 00:07:05.500 faultless. 00:07:06.299 --> 00:07:07.419 All of the above, 00:07:07.539 --> 00:07:09.859 as well as his meticulous keeping of the law, 00:07:10.219 --> 00:07:13.319 resulted in him being blameless before God, 00:07:13.899 --> 00:07:15.239 or so he thought. 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:19.759 It's arguably an incredible life, isn't it? 00:07:19.799 --> 00:07:21.259 And one that he describes, I think, 00:07:21.479 --> 00:07:24.939 without even a hint of modesty or exaggeration. 00:07:24.939 --> 00:07:26.800 But then, 00:07:27.399 --> 00:07:28.719 on the Damascus road, 00:07:29.420 --> 00:07:32.839 he met the resurrected and ascended Jesus Christ, 00:07:32.980 --> 00:07:34.579 Lord and Saviour of God's people, 00:07:35.540 --> 00:07:37.040 Messiah of Israel, 00:07:37.360 --> 00:07:38.399 Son of the living God. 00:07:38.899 --> 00:07:40.199 And Jesus told him, 00:07:40.920 --> 00:07:42.779 in Acts chapter 9, verse 16, 00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:45.159 how much he must suffer 00:07:45.159 --> 00:07:47.600 for Jesus' sake. 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:51.540 And Paul prepared himself to do so. 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:52.720 How did he do that? 00:07:52.780 --> 00:07:54.360 Well, he did it in the same way that Christians 00:07:54.360 --> 00:07:56.040 are to prepare themselves today, 00:07:56.100 --> 00:07:57.280 in the same way that we 00:07:57.280 --> 00:07:59.340 are to prepare ourselves to suffer. 00:07:59.780 --> 00:08:01.260 Look at verse 7. 00:08:02.600 --> 00:08:04.260 Whatever was to my profit, 00:08:04.520 --> 00:08:06.200 I now consider loss 00:08:06.200 --> 00:08:07.760 for the sake of Christ. 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:08.779 This, friends, 00:08:08.899 --> 00:08:10.759 is how Paul prepares to suffer. 00:08:11.060 --> 00:08:13.060 This is how God wants us 00:08:13.060 --> 00:08:14.879 to prepare to suffer as well. 00:08:15.399 --> 00:08:16.539 He takes those things 00:08:16.539 --> 00:08:18.060 that are gains to him, 00:08:18.860 --> 00:08:20.139 all that are benefits, 00:08:20.759 --> 00:08:22.860 all that he bases his life on, 00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:24.779 all that he takes joy and pride 00:08:24.779 --> 00:08:27.060 and pleasure and fulfillment 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:28.459 and value in, 00:08:29.060 --> 00:08:30.740 all that he considers profit, 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:34.220 but instead of counting them as profit, 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:36.059 he counts them as loss 00:08:36.059 --> 00:08:38.519 for the sake of Jesus Christ. 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:40.579 And this is no small thing. 00:08:40.719 --> 00:08:43.379 It's a total paradigm shift 00:08:43.379 --> 00:08:47.299 and it turns Paul's world upside down. 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:50.539 It's like the financial ledger. 00:08:50.739 --> 00:08:52.419 Do people know about financial ledgers? 00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:54.059 One of my, in fact, 00:08:54.139 --> 00:08:56.000 my only academic claim to fame 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:56.859 is that in year 12, 00:08:56.959 --> 00:08:58.219 I came in the top 10% 00:08:58.219 --> 00:09:00.500 of two and three unit business studies. 00:09:00.500 --> 00:09:03.279 And I can't remember much of it now, 00:09:03.839 --> 00:09:05.000 but I do remember that 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:07.299 that there's two columns happening here. 00:09:07.379 --> 00:09:08.860 There's profit and there's loss, right? 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:10.679 Can we agree on that? 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:13.220 There's a few people nodding here 00:09:13.220 --> 00:09:15.139 who I'm sure have just been polite 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:16.620 and know a lot more 00:09:16.620 --> 00:09:19.460 about financial statements than I do. 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:21.080 But before Paul was a Christian, 00:09:21.539 --> 00:09:24.700 the profit column included human glory 00:09:24.700 --> 00:09:27.259 and Jewish citizenship 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:29.860 and diligent law keeping. 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:32.860 And the loss column, 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:34.379 at least for Paul, 00:09:34.919 --> 00:09:36.279 consisted exclusively 00:09:36.279 --> 00:09:38.659 of the church of Jesus Christ. 00:09:39.720 --> 00:09:42.680 And he would do all that he possibly could do 00:09:42.680 --> 00:09:44.460 to alleviate further losses. 00:09:45.399 --> 00:09:48.080 But when Paul met the risen Christ, 00:09:48.340 --> 00:09:49.519 everything changed. 00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:51.060 That which was loss, 00:09:51.800 --> 00:09:54.560 namely and exclusively Jesus Christ, 00:09:54.559 --> 00:09:56.759 became profit. 00:09:58.179 --> 00:10:00.599 And that which was gain and profit 00:10:00.599 --> 00:10:03.979 and reputation became loss. 00:10:04.919 --> 00:10:05.819 And more than that, 00:10:05.859 --> 00:10:08.559 it's not just that which had previously been profit 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:10.419 that he put in the loss column. 00:10:10.919 --> 00:10:11.879 It's everything. 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:13.079 Look at verse eight. 00:10:13.939 --> 00:10:14.459 What is more, 00:10:14.579 --> 00:10:17.479 I consider everything a loss 00:10:17.479 --> 00:10:19.879 compared to the surpassing greatness 00:10:19.879 --> 00:10:22.079 of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord, 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:24.100 for whose sake I've lost all things. 00:10:24.180 --> 00:10:25.540 I consider them rubbish. 00:10:25.639 --> 00:10:28.340 He considers everything rubbish 00:10:28.340 --> 00:10:31.000 that I may gain Christ. 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:36.280 Paul's single-minded mission to destroy Christ 00:10:36.280 --> 00:10:39.180 had now become a single-minded mission 00:10:39.180 --> 00:10:40.920 to gain Christ. 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:43.540 And that mission is costly. 00:10:45.120 --> 00:10:46.879 Now I think we need to be careful 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:48.820 about speaking of costs here. 00:10:49.420 --> 00:10:50.560 Sometimes I hear people, 00:10:50.560 --> 00:10:51.680 sometimes I hear ministers 00:10:51.679 --> 00:10:55.359 who were once lawyers or doctors or bankers, 00:10:55.819 --> 00:10:57.399 speaking about the sacrifices 00:10:57.399 --> 00:10:58.339 that they made 00:10:58.339 --> 00:11:00.259 to become a minister of the gospel. 00:11:00.419 --> 00:11:02.399 And I'm not really sure that such, 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:05.339 I'm not really sure that such talk is appropriate 00:11:05.339 --> 00:11:08.439 and I'm not really sure it's in accord 00:11:08.439 --> 00:11:09.620 with God's, 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:11.479 the Bible's idea that 00:11:11.479 --> 00:11:13.579 calling is the work of God. 00:11:13.719 --> 00:11:14.959 Ministry is a calling. 00:11:15.399 --> 00:11:16.939 It's something that comes from God. 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:19.019 So what I'm talking about here 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:21.759 is not a way to describe a particular thing 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:23.919 or a job or an income 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:27.840 that a Christian has lost 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:30.759 or that being a Christian has cost you. 00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:32.399 What I'm talking about 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:34.779 is what actually should be normative 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:36.240 for all Christians. 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:38.319 Have a look with me in verse 17. 00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:39.720 Paul says, 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:42.960 join together in following my example, brothers. 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:45.680 This is the Christian life. 00:11:46.019 --> 00:11:47.680 He's calling us to follow his example 00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:50.240 of putting that which is profit 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:51.840 and making it loss 00:11:51.840 --> 00:11:53.160 and that which is loss 00:11:53.160 --> 00:11:54.580 making it profit. 00:11:57.580 --> 00:12:00.379 It's not that as a Christian 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:02.440 there is a slight chance 00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:04.200 that you might be called 00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:05.879 to consider everything loss 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:07.080 for the sake of Christ. 00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:09.639 Rather, that is precisely 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:11.379 what every Christian life 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:12.659 should look like. 00:12:13.559 --> 00:12:13.899 And so, 00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:15.259 what does it mean 00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:17.000 to join together 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:18.419 in following Paul's example? 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:19.639 Let me just suggest 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:21.580 a practical framework 00:12:21.580 --> 00:12:22.639 of three things 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:24.259 that this might possibly mean. 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:24.860 In fact, 00:12:24.919 --> 00:12:26.059 that this definitely means. 00:12:26.699 --> 00:12:27.120 Firstly, 00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:28.199 it means that 00:12:28.199 --> 00:12:29.439 if ever I have to choose 00:12:29.439 --> 00:12:30.679 between Christ 00:12:30.679 --> 00:12:32.620 and anything else, 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:35.600 I need to choose Christ. 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:42.180 If I ever have to choose 00:12:42.180 --> 00:12:43.120 between Christ 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:44.800 and anything else, 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:46.540 I need to choose Christ. 00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:48.659 Secondly, 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:50.800 I need to deal 00:12:50.800 --> 00:12:52.420 with the things of this world 00:12:52.420 --> 00:12:53.340 in such a way 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:55.420 that they show themselves 00:12:55.420 --> 00:12:56.379 to be a loss 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:58.420 and Christ 00:12:58.420 --> 00:13:00.259 to be my only prophet. 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:03.700 I know a few of you 00:13:03.700 --> 00:13:04.340 are writing them down 00:13:04.340 --> 00:13:05.200 so I'm going to say it again. 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:05.879 I need to deal 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:06.480 with the things 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:07.800 of this world 00:13:07.800 --> 00:13:09.360 in such a way 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:10.740 that they show themselves 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:11.640 to be loss 00:13:11.640 --> 00:13:13.920 and Christ 00:13:13.920 --> 00:13:15.580 to be my only prophet. 00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:21.160 And thirdly, 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:21.920 the third thing 00:13:21.920 --> 00:13:23.820 of this practical framework 00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:26.879 is if and when 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:28.540 I lose any 00:13:28.540 --> 00:13:29.980 or all of the things 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:30.759 of this world, 00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:32.960 I need to remember 00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:35.080 that in Paul's words, 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:36.580 I'm losing rubbish 00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:37.900 and my prophet 00:13:37.900 --> 00:13:39.560 is still in Christ. 00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:42.120 If and when 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:43.740 I am called 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:44.420 by God 00:13:44.420 --> 00:13:45.080 to lose 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:45.700 any 00:13:45.700 --> 00:13:47.140 or all 00:13:47.140 --> 00:13:47.940 the things 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:48.660 of this world, 00:13:48.660 --> 00:13:51.100 I'm losing rubbish 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:52.000 and I need 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:52.700 to remember that. 00:13:54.940 --> 00:13:56.100 Because Paul says, 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:56.580 I consider 00:13:56.580 --> 00:13:57.620 everything loss 00:13:57.620 --> 00:13:58.580 compared 00:13:58.580 --> 00:13:59.879 to the surpassing 00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:00.300 greatness 00:14:00.299 --> 00:14:01.419 of knowing 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:02.259 Christ 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:02.699 Jesus 00:14:02.699 --> 00:14:03.339 my Lord. 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:06.000 Now it's worth 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:06.979 reiterating here 00:14:06.979 --> 00:14:07.319 that I'm 00:14:07.319 --> 00:14:08.639 still on, 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:09.879 is it the first 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:10.379 or the second 00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:10.740 point? 00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:13.179 I think I'm still 00:14:13.179 --> 00:14:13.599 on the second 00:14:13.599 --> 00:14:13.919 point. 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:17.359 And that is 00:14:17.359 --> 00:14:18.019 that Paul 00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:19.199 prepared himself 00:14:19.199 --> 00:14:19.919 to suffer 00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:21.639 and that we must 00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:22.459 do the same thing. 00:14:22.579 --> 00:14:23.279 Every Christian 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:23.959 must count 00:14:23.959 --> 00:14:24.679 as loss 00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:25.919 all that is 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:26.839 not Christ 00:14:26.839 --> 00:14:27.819 for he 00:14:27.819 --> 00:14:28.719 is their 00:14:28.719 --> 00:14:29.459 only gain. 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:31.339 And that 00:14:31.339 --> 00:14:32.519 is preparation 00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:33.339 for suffering. 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:33.839 How do you 00:14:33.839 --> 00:14:34.379 prepare for 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:34.759 suffering? 00:14:35.159 --> 00:14:35.659 You count 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:36.319 everything as 00:14:36.319 --> 00:14:36.719 loss 00:14:36.719 --> 00:14:37.579 and make 00:14:37.579 --> 00:14:37.939 Christ 00:14:37.939 --> 00:14:38.379 your only 00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:38.719 gain. 00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:40.479 And so 00:14:40.479 --> 00:14:41.079 you should 00:14:41.079 --> 00:14:41.479 count as 00:14:41.479 --> 00:14:41.739 loss 00:14:41.739 --> 00:14:42.419 those things 00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:43.239 which 00:14:43.239 --> 00:14:44.679 are pleasurable 00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:45.659 and which 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:46.059 bring you 00:14:46.059 --> 00:14:46.479 glory 00:14:46.479 --> 00:14:47.639 and in which 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:48.099 you find 00:14:48.099 --> 00:14:48.779 your identity. 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:49.859 Everything 00:14:49.859 --> 00:14:51.299 is loss 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:52.059 apart from 00:14:52.059 --> 00:14:52.459 Christ. 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:53.619 Money, 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:54.679 jobs, 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:55.959 friendships, 00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:57.899 university 00:14:57.899 --> 00:14:58.559 degrees, 00:14:58.799 --> 00:14:59.479 qualifications, 00:15:00.959 --> 00:15:01.459 marriage, 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:02.639 family, 00:15:03.339 --> 00:15:03.719 children, 00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:05.519 health, 00:15:05.859 --> 00:15:06.339 strength, 00:15:06.719 --> 00:15:07.139 sex, 00:15:08.699 --> 00:15:09.319 sports, 00:15:10.319 --> 00:15:10.619 hobbies, 00:15:11.599 --> 00:15:12.099 possessions 00:15:12.099 --> 00:15:14.279 or if 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:14.619 you like 00:15:14.619 --> 00:15:14.979 Paul, 00:15:15.839 --> 00:15:16.500 religion, 00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:17.359 Anglicanism. 00:15:17.819 --> 00:15:18.199 Not that 00:15:18.199 --> 00:15:19.219 Paul was an 00:15:19.219 --> 00:15:20.739 Anglican but 00:15:20.739 --> 00:15:21.319 the traditions 00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:21.820 here at 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:22.420 St. Paul's 00:15:22.420 --> 00:15:22.920 Church, 00:15:23.540 --> 00:15:24.980 your Bible 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:25.780 study group, 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:27.480 the church 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:28.260 music you 00:15:28.260 --> 00:15:28.840 like, 00:15:30.280 --> 00:15:30.900 you need to 00:15:30.900 --> 00:15:31.500 count it all 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.300 as loss 00:15:32.300 --> 00:15:34.320 for the sake 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:34.680 of knowing 00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:35.460 Jesus Christ. 00:15:36.780 --> 00:15:37.100 Now 00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:38.480 losing some 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:38.820 of these 00:15:38.820 --> 00:15:39.480 things is 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:40.920 never a big 00:15:40.920 --> 00:15:41.180 deal, 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:41.500 it's never 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:41.860 a great 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:42.260 loss. 00:15:43.420 --> 00:15:44.300 But losing 00:15:44.300 --> 00:15:44.720 some of 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:44.920 them 00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:46.460 really is. 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:47.200 And I 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:47.460 don't want 00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:48.440 to in 00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:48.800 any way 00:15:48.800 --> 00:15:49.620 trivialise 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:51.340 the loss 00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:51.679 of a 00:15:51.679 --> 00:15:51.980 family 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:52.279 member 00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:52.679 or a 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:53.039 friend. 00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:54.340 I would 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:54.519 never 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:54.879 suggest 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:55.159 that the 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:55.500 end of 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:56.019 a marriage, 00:15:56.560 --> 00:15:57.279 however that 00:15:57.279 --> 00:15:57.960 end occurs, 00:15:58.039 --> 00:15:58.519 is anything 00:15:58.519 --> 00:15:58.980 less than 00:15:58.980 --> 00:15:59.500 tragic. 00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:00.980 Even 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:01.500 losing the 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:02.240 ability to 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:02.840 participate 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:03.879 in a 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:04.580 hobby or 00:16:04.580 --> 00:16:05.639 a sport 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:06.560 that you 00:16:06.560 --> 00:16:06.980 love, 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:08.600 that can 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:08.860 be a 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:09.259 painful 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:11.200 occasion and 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:11.639 an occasion 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:12.340 for tears. 00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:14.440 But the 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:15.039 Christian should 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:15.700 be prepared 00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:16.600 not only 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:16.900 for the 00:16:16.900 --> 00:16:17.280 loss of 00:16:17.280 --> 00:16:17.420 the 00:16:17.420 --> 00:16:17.840 things of 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:17.980 the 00:16:17.980 --> 00:16:18.320 world, 00:16:18.780 --> 00:16:19.400 but also 00:16:19.400 --> 00:16:20.120 for the 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:21.040 gain of 00:16:21.040 --> 00:16:21.320 Jesus 00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:21.840 Christ. 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:22.180 And we'll 00:16:22.180 --> 00:16:22.420 look at 00:16:22.420 --> 00:16:23.800 that shortly. 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:25.900 Now up to 00:16:25.900 --> 00:16:26.120 the middle 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:26.480 of verse 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:26.900 8, it 00:16:26.900 --> 00:16:27.259 looks like 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:27.560 there's a 00:16:27.560 --> 00:16:27.840 lot of 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:28.400 preparation 00:16:28.400 --> 00:16:29.200 going on, 00:16:29.680 --> 00:16:30.280 but not a 00:16:30.280 --> 00:16:30.540 lot of 00:16:30.540 --> 00:16:30.920 suffering. 00:16:32.180 --> 00:16:32.700 As I 00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:33.080 thought about 00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:33.320 that, it 00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:34.440 reminded me 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:34.720 of this 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.200 kid at my 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:35.960 primary school 00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:36.940 who was in 00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:37.580 the Scouts 00:16:37.580 --> 00:16:39.200 and who 00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:39.620 took the 00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:40.060 motto of 00:16:40.060 --> 00:16:40.620 the Scouting 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.259 movement 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:43.020 very seriously. 00:16:43.160 --> 00:16:43.500 The motto 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.180 is be 00:16:44.180 --> 00:16:44.680 prepared, 00:16:44.679 --> 00:16:46.159 and he 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:46.399 took it 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:46.959 very seriously 00:16:46.959 --> 00:16:47.500 indeed. 00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:48.319 Despite 00:16:48.319 --> 00:16:49.079 living only 00:16:49.079 --> 00:16:49.759 one street 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:50.879 away, he 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.419 never came 00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:51.799 to school 00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:52.239 without a 00:16:52.239 --> 00:16:55.319 compass and 00:16:55.319 --> 00:16:56.239 two analogue 00:16:56.239 --> 00:16:57.219 wristwatches 00:16:57.219 --> 00:16:58.939 so that even 00:16:58.939 --> 00:16:59.859 if a compass 00:16:59.859 --> 00:17:00.399 and one of 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:00.839 the watches 00:17:00.839 --> 00:17:02.179 failed, he 00:17:02.179 --> 00:17:02.639 could still 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:03.279 find due 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:04.740 north at 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.139 least in 00:17:05.139 --> 00:17:05.960 daylight hours. 00:17:07.139 --> 00:17:07.859 He wanted 00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:08.500 very much to 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:09.019 be prepared 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:09.659 even if this 00:17:09.659 --> 00:17:10.720 was to his 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:12.720 social detriment. 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:15.560 Although I 00:17:15.560 --> 00:17:16.460 must say that 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:16.880 the social 00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:17.580 detriment no 00:17:17.580 --> 00:17:18.200 longer existed 00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:18.640 when a few 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:19.500 of us worked 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:20.039 out that being 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:20.759 prepared also 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:22.860 included carrying 00:17:22.860 --> 00:17:24.960 emergency flares 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:26.120 and an array of 00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:27.460 hunting knives as 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.200 standard issue. 00:17:29.320 --> 00:17:30.279 But the point 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:31.539 is that not 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.000 much was going 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:32.400 to happen to 00:17:32.400 --> 00:17:33.080 this boy in 00:17:33.080 --> 00:17:33.519 the bad 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.259 lands of 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:34.560 Neutral 00:17:34.560 --> 00:17:38.320 Bay, not 00:17:38.320 --> 00:17:39.299 so the 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.140 Christian life. 00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:42.039 Being prepared 00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:42.680 for suffering, 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:43.359 being prepared 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:43.920 for suffering 00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:45.139 rather, is not 00:17:45.139 --> 00:17:46.279 just an abstract 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:48.500 concept like 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.659 being prepared 00:17:49.659 --> 00:17:50.460 to need to 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:51.099 kill your own 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:51.559 dinner at 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.139 Neutral Bay. 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:55.240 It's something 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.480 that the Bible 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:56.879 for the 00:17:56.879 --> 00:17:58.500 Christian promises 00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:59.839 will happen. 00:18:00.619 --> 00:18:00.980 And the 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:01.759 Apostle Paul 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.940 experienced it. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.579 He speaks in 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:04.119 more detail 00:18:04.119 --> 00:18:04.559 elsewhere, 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:05.039 doesn't he, 00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:05.559 about his 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:06.899 suffering. 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:08.099 But even in 00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:09.079 the passage that 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:09.599 we're looking at 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:10.200 tonight, we get 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:10.940 a glimpse of it. 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:12.559 What is more, I 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.340 consider everything 00:18:13.340 --> 00:18:14.120 a loss compared 00:18:14.120 --> 00:18:15.019 to the surpassing 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.620 greatness of 00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:16.340 knowing Christ 00:18:16.340 --> 00:18:17.279 Jesus my Lord, 00:18:17.860 --> 00:18:20.279 for whose sake I 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:21.420 have lost all 00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:21.980 things. 00:18:22.580 --> 00:18:23.559 I consider them 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:25.180 rubbish that I 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:26.100 may gain Christ. 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:27.059 Paul really did 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:27.460 suffer. 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:29.160 For Jesus' sake, 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:30.480 he lost all 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:31.059 things. 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.279 So friends, the 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.900 godly life is one 00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:35.460 of suffering. 00:18:36.080 --> 00:18:36.660 It happened to 00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:37.299 Paul and it 00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:38.340 happened to 00:18:38.340 --> 00:18:39.160 Peter and it 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:40.000 happened to 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.640 Job. 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:41.519 It happened 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:42.059 to Stephen. 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:42.420 It happened 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.019 to James. 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:43.519 It happened 00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:44.340 to Jesus. 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:46.380 And so, if 00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:47.080 nothing else, the 00:18:47.080 --> 00:18:47.700 Christian is in 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.600 excellent company 00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:50.180 when he suffers 00:18:50.180 --> 00:18:51.019 and prepares to 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.299 suffer. 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.140 But the 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:53.640 Christian can 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:54.640 also suffer 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:56.860 not only 00:18:56.860 --> 00:18:57.480 prepared to 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.580 do so, but 00:18:58.580 --> 00:18:59.120 in the knowledge 00:18:59.120 --> 00:18:59.860 that suffering 00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:01.180 has a goal 00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:02.500 and a purpose. 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.180 Through our 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:06.720 suffering, we 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.279 know Jesus. 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:07.420 Jesus. 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.879 And when we 00:19:10.879 --> 00:19:11.420 suffer as a 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:11.859 Christian, we 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:12.240 don't just 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:13.039 know Jesus, but 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:14.220 we know him in 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:15.440 a unique and 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.319 special way. 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.559 Think back with 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:18.559 me to Acts 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:19.480 chapter 9 when 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.500 Jesus says to 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.319 Saul, who 00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:22.259 becomes Paul, who 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:23.440 wrote this letter 00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:24.200 to the Philippians, 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:26.299 Saul, Saul, why 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:27.240 do you persecute 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.359 me, says Jesus. 00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.039 Now, Jesus 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:31.019 wasn't personally 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:32.879 suffering, but his 00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:33.720 people were. 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.740 And Jesus 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:36.120 identifies with 00:19:36.120 --> 00:19:38.299 and knows his 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:39.400 suffering people in 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:40.579 a really special 00:19:40.579 --> 00:19:41.519 and unique way. 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:43.019 Or in Acts 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:43.839 chapter 7 when 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.880 Stephen is about 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:45.960 to be stoned to 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:47.059 death for his 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.160 witness to Christ. 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:50.400 Verses 55 and 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:51.839 56 say, but 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:53.440 Stephen, full of 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:54.140 the Holy Spirit, 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:54.779 looked up to 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:56.059 heaven and saw 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:57.019 the glory of God 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:58.259 and Jesus standing 00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:59.180 at the right hand 00:19:59.180 --> 00:19:59.660 of God. 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:01.000 Look, he said, 00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:02.079 I see heaven 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.339 open and the 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:04.000 son of man 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:04.740 standing at the 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.399 right hand of 00:20:05.399 --> 00:20:05.740 God. 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:08.199 There's a special 00:20:08.199 --> 00:20:09.779 revelation of 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.939 God's care and 00:20:10.939 --> 00:20:11.759 comfort and 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:13.399 compassion to 00:20:13.399 --> 00:20:13.939 those who 00:20:13.939 --> 00:20:14.339 suffer. 00:20:15.679 --> 00:20:16.599 Or in 1 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:17.819 Peter chapter 4 00:20:17.819 --> 00:20:19.000 verse 14, 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:20.159 if you are 00:20:20.159 --> 00:20:21.379 insulted because 00:20:21.379 --> 00:20:22.079 of the name of 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:23.339 Christ, you are 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:24.619 blessed for the 00:20:24.619 --> 00:20:25.579 spirit of glory 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:26.919 and of God 00:20:26.919 --> 00:20:28.419 rests on you. 00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:30.039 And in 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:30.879 tonight's text, 00:20:31.379 --> 00:20:32.019 Paul makes it 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:33.319 clear again and 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.679 again that in 00:20:34.679 --> 00:20:36.079 suffering we can 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:37.279 know Christ 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.859 more. 00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:39.059 And that's 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:39.460 something that 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:40.039 every Christian 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:41.899 should want and 00:20:41.899 --> 00:20:42.839 that's why every 00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:43.819 Christian should 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:44.319 prepare. 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:45.879 But have a look at 00:20:45.879 --> 00:20:46.939 Paul talking about 00:20:46.939 --> 00:20:47.879 this deep relationship 00:20:47.879 --> 00:20:48.480 with Jesus. 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:50.460 Verse 7, I now 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.879 consider loss for 00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:52.599 the sake of 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:53.039 Christ. 00:20:53.619 --> 00:20:54.539 Verse 8, the 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.579 surpassing greatness 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:56.599 of knowing Christ 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.539 Jesus my Lord. 00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:58.879 Verse 8, again, I 00:20:58.879 --> 00:20:59.939 consider all things 00:20:59.939 --> 00:21:01.659 rubbish that I may 00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:02.460 gain Christ. 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:04.080 Verse 9, Paul 00:21:04.080 --> 00:21:05.019 suffers so as to 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:06.200 be found in him, 00:21:06.300 --> 00:21:07.060 so as to be found 00:21:07.060 --> 00:21:07.600 in Jesus. 00:21:08.580 --> 00:21:09.480 In verse 10, Paul 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:10.340 suffers the loss of 00:21:10.340 --> 00:21:12.100 all things to know 00:21:12.100 --> 00:21:12.720 Christ. 00:21:13.600 --> 00:21:14.180 Are you seeing a 00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:14.700 pattern here, 00:21:14.800 --> 00:21:15.060 friends? 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:17.500 It's all about 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:19.240 knowing Christ and 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.240 knowing him more. 00:21:21.080 --> 00:21:22.100 And in verse 10, 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.279 Paul explains what 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:23.720 that means. 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:24.560 It's about knowing 00:21:24.560 --> 00:21:25.420 the power of his 00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:26.820 resurrection, knowing 00:21:26.820 --> 00:21:28.080 the fellowship of 00:21:28.080 --> 00:21:29.120 sharing in his 00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:30.939 sufferings, becoming 00:21:30.939 --> 00:21:32.039 like him in his 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:34.159 death, and somehow 00:21:34.159 --> 00:21:35.939 to attain the 00:21:35.939 --> 00:21:36.859 resurrection from 00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.299 the dead. 00:21:37.979 --> 00:21:39.000 It's only in Christ 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.879 Jesus that we may 00:21:39.879 --> 00:21:40.899 attain the 00:21:40.899 --> 00:21:41.619 resurrection from 00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:42.619 the dead, and that 00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:44.399 is Paul's goal in 00:21:44.399 --> 00:21:45.639 suffering and God's 00:21:45.639 --> 00:21:46.739 purpose in suffering, 00:21:46.959 --> 00:21:48.779 to know Jesus that 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.399 he might live 00:21:49.399 --> 00:21:49.779 forever. 00:21:51.879 --> 00:21:53.519 And it's only by the 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.559 grace of God, through 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:56.179 faith in Christ, that 00:21:56.179 --> 00:21:57.159 we are made righteous 00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:58.580 and able to share in 00:21:58.580 --> 00:21:59.519 Christ's resurrection, 00:22:00.100 --> 00:22:01.120 and in any of these 00:22:01.120 --> 00:22:01.519 things. 00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:04.300 Just before we finish, 00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:04.980 let's have a quick 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:06.400 look at verse 3, where 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:07.340 Paul talks about 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:08.340 confidence in the 00:22:08.340 --> 00:22:09.240 flesh, which 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:11.220 essentially means being 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:13.080 saved by works. 00:22:13.600 --> 00:22:14.500 It's ironic that we 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:15.400 even use the term 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.380 saved by works, 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:17.980 because no one's 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:19.019 works have ever 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:19.660 saved them. 00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:21.400 The opposite, of 00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:23.160 course, to saved by 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:24.620 works is the 00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:26.140 gospel, saved by 00:22:26.140 --> 00:22:26.560 grace. 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.559 And that's what 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.379 Paul wants you to 00:22:28.379 --> 00:22:29.379 know in verses 1 to 00:22:29.379 --> 00:22:30.799 4, and in verses 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.639 9 and 10. 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:33.119 Even your faith in 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:34.720 Christ is by the 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:35.619 grace of God. 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:37.019 And because it is 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:37.980 from God, Paul is 00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:38.899 able to say to the 00:22:38.899 --> 00:22:39.779 suffering Christian, 00:22:40.319 --> 00:22:41.019 and to those who 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:42.639 prepare to suffer, and 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:43.399 I'll close with these 00:22:43.399 --> 00:22:44.639 words from verse 13, 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:46.659 and then we'll pray. 00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:47.980 Paul's able to say to 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.839 the suffering Christians, 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:50.099 brothers, I do not 00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:51.619 consider myself yet to 00:22:51.619 --> 00:22:52.619 have taken hold of it, 00:22:52.679 --> 00:22:53.440 to have taken hold of 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.899 the resurrection, but 00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:55.900 one thing I do, 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.259 forgetting what is 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:59.140 behind and straining 00:22:59.140 --> 00:23:00.019 toward what is 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.440 ahead. 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:02.120 I press on toward 00:23:02.120 --> 00:23:03.720 the goal to win the 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:05.320 prize for which God 00:23:05.320 --> 00:23:05.980 has called me 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:07.840 heavenward in Christ 00:23:07.840 --> 00:23:08.280 Jesus. 00:23:10.560 --> 00:23:13.240 Dear God, we thank 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:15.860 you for your word, 00:23:16.580 --> 00:23:17.740 and that it contains 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:19.740 not just that which is 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:21.220 required for salvation, 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:23.299 but that which you 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:24.700 require of those to 00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:25.680 whom salvation has 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.160 been given. 00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:29.200 Please, God, please, 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:31.000 God, prepare us to 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:32.299 suffer as Christians. 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:35.640 Help us count as loss 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:37.360 all that brings us 00:23:37.360 --> 00:23:39.039 pleasure and meaning 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:40.299 and satisfaction and 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:40.860 happiness. 00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.980 Help us count as loss 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:45.259 everything that is not 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.700 Christ. 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:47.660 And in doing so, 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.620 please prepare us for 00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:51.379 the suffering that you 00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:52.599 promise to your 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:52.899 people. 00:23:53.899 --> 00:23:55.079 And help us count only 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:56.139 Jesus as prophet, 00:23:56.899 --> 00:23:58.519 that we may be found 00:23:58.519 --> 00:24:00.919 in him, knowing him 00:24:00.919 --> 00:24:02.859 and the power of his 00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:04.479 resurrection, and 00:24:04.479 --> 00:24:06.939 somehow, somehow by 00:24:06.939 --> 00:24:09.159 your grace, attaining 00:24:09.159 --> 00:24:10.799 the resurrection of the 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.039 dead. 00:24:11.639 --> 00:24:12.899 In Jesus' name, 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:13.559 Amen.