WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.099 What motivates you to do things for other people? 00:00:05.040 --> 00:00:09.200 A couple of months ago, Alyssa had gone away for the weekend. 00:00:09.380 --> 00:00:13.439 She'd taken Micah and I was left with the two big kids, Isaac and Tamara. 00:00:14.259 --> 00:00:17.480 And I spent hours cleaning the house. 00:00:18.519 --> 00:00:21.559 And so when Alyssa got home, I was like, look at me. 00:00:22.400 --> 00:00:23.219 Look at this house. 00:00:23.820 --> 00:00:25.260 Look at all this cleaning I've done. 00:00:25.260 --> 00:00:27.460 I know, and look, these kids are still alive. 00:00:28.019 --> 00:00:28.940 They've been fed. 00:00:29.880 --> 00:00:32.120 Even had a play with some other friends. 00:00:32.460 --> 00:00:34.939 The house was cleaner than it had ever been. 00:00:35.579 --> 00:00:38.100 Husbands, have you ever tried to pull this thing off? 00:00:38.160 --> 00:00:38.500 Maybe not. 00:00:39.179 --> 00:00:42.640 And the response I was looking for, what I was hoping Alyssa would say was, 00:00:42.960 --> 00:00:47.120 Oh, James, you are just the best husband ever. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:49.480 Thank you so much for doing this. 00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:52.820 You know, you could have just been watching movies with the kids, eating donuts. 00:00:53.380 --> 00:00:54.400 But you didn't. 00:00:54.480 --> 00:00:55.859 And I am so indebted to you. 00:00:55.920 --> 00:00:58.579 Actually, you know, you should take some time off. 00:00:59.500 --> 00:01:01.500 You're doing a weekend of being a single dad. 00:01:01.559 --> 00:01:02.719 That's been hard for you. 00:01:02.879 --> 00:01:05.659 So, you know, here's a pat on the head like a puppy. 00:01:06.599 --> 00:01:08.659 Does anyone think I got that response from Alyssa? 00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:12.620 I'm not sure if she's in the room to defend herself. 00:01:14.039 --> 00:01:15.659 No, she didn't say that. 00:01:15.759 --> 00:01:16.719 It was probably much shorter. 00:01:17.539 --> 00:01:21.120 But what motivates you to do things for other people? 00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:24.460 Is it to be praised like me? 00:01:25.420 --> 00:01:27.040 Is it so that people owe you? 00:01:27.160 --> 00:01:34.040 Maybe you want people to butter you up so that, you know, you want people to think more of you than they really do. 00:01:34.040 --> 00:01:39.760 Does being a Christian motivate you to love other people? 00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:41.780 To serve them and to help them? 00:01:43.080 --> 00:01:46.140 Or is your motive to try and win God's praise? 00:01:46.380 --> 00:01:50.439 You know, does God, do you want God to say, oh, you know, you've worked so hard. 00:01:50.520 --> 00:01:51.980 Let me bless you more. 00:01:53.020 --> 00:01:57.620 Is your motive of loving other people to try and make God forget your sin? 00:01:57.620 --> 00:02:04.920 Are you motivated to help people so that God thinks higher of you than he does currently? 00:02:05.939 --> 00:02:12.480 Today, we're continuing in our series looking at the book of 1 Thessalonians as we think about standing firm. 00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:20.420 And last week, we saw how Paul and Silas started this church in Thessalonica before they were driven out. 00:02:21.319 --> 00:02:26.540 And so Paul sent Timothy and then this letter to care for this new little church. 00:02:26.539 --> 00:02:29.079 And today, we're looking at the second chapter. 00:02:29.639 --> 00:02:34.579 And we're going to see what motivated Paul to go to this area, to start this church. 00:02:34.739 --> 00:02:39.379 What motivated him to love and to serve these people and to send this letter? 00:02:39.819 --> 00:02:42.639 So I'm going to pray as we look at God's word for us. 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:47.180 Heavenly Father, as we come before your word today, 00:02:47.939 --> 00:02:54.039 Lord, I ask that you would help us to have minds that are open, 00:02:54.039 --> 00:02:56.879 hearts that are ready to be challenged, 00:02:57.539 --> 00:03:00.439 that we would consider our motives, 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:03.759 that we would think well, 00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:07.280 that we would think through your eyes about why we do things, Lord. 00:03:07.639 --> 00:03:09.639 We ask that we would do this for your glory. 00:03:10.219 --> 00:03:10.599 Amen. 00:03:11.899 --> 00:03:13.799 And so at the beginning of chapter 2, 00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:16.159 Paul reminds the church of how he came to them. 00:03:16.979 --> 00:03:17.719 They had suffered, 00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:22.659 Paul had suffered greatly in Philippi because they'd been sharing the good news. 00:03:23.379 --> 00:03:25.400 And they had come to Thessalonica. 00:03:26.139 --> 00:03:29.139 And Paul writes this big list of how they came, 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:31.020 but also how they did not come to them. 00:03:31.579 --> 00:03:32.919 So please have a look at me, 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:35.300 with me at chapter 2, verse 3. 00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:37.219 And if you don't have a Bible open, 00:03:37.340 --> 00:03:38.259 we can get you one, 00:03:38.439 --> 00:03:40.199 but it will also be on the screen. 00:03:40.199 --> 00:03:49.259 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, 00:03:49.459 --> 00:03:51.239 nor are we trying to trick you. 00:03:51.839 --> 00:03:52.759 On the contrary, 00:03:52.959 --> 00:03:56.919 we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. 00:03:57.799 --> 00:04:00.039 We are not trying to please people, 00:04:00.199 --> 00:04:02.379 but God who tests our hearts. 00:04:03.079 --> 00:04:05.019 You know we never used flattery, 00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:07.939 nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed. 00:04:08.179 --> 00:04:09.579 God is our witness. 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:12.560 We were not looking for praise from people, 00:04:12.739 --> 00:04:14.699 not from you or anyone else. 00:04:15.199 --> 00:04:16.899 Even though as apostles of Christ, 00:04:17.079 --> 00:04:18.560 we could have asserted our authority. 00:04:19.459 --> 00:04:19.759 Instead, 00:04:20.019 --> 00:04:22.079 we were like young children among you. 00:04:22.560 --> 00:04:22.939 Paul says, 00:04:23.060 --> 00:04:25.959 we didn't come with error or impure motive. 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:26.959 It's not a trick. 00:04:27.419 --> 00:04:29.219 We're not trying to please people. 00:04:29.319 --> 00:04:30.360 We're trying to please God. 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:32.139 We didn't use flattery. 00:04:32.180 --> 00:04:33.019 We didn't use greed. 00:04:33.659 --> 00:04:37.199 We're not looking for praise and fame, 00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:39.159 which we could have as apostles. 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:42.120 But we came like children. 00:04:42.819 --> 00:04:45.000 Why is Paul saying this? 00:04:45.259 --> 00:04:47.279 He's gone to great lengths here. 00:04:47.539 --> 00:04:50.779 He's taken up a fair chunk of this short book 00:04:50.779 --> 00:04:52.599 to defend himself. 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:55.620 And the way this church started. 00:04:56.740 --> 00:04:58.399 Is there people outside the church 00:04:58.399 --> 00:05:00.159 or even inside the church 00:05:00.159 --> 00:05:01.939 trying to discredit Paul, 00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:02.360 saying, 00:05:02.360 --> 00:05:03.379 oh, that guy, 00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:04.680 he came with tricks, 00:05:04.980 --> 00:05:06.500 he came with sleight of hand 00:05:06.500 --> 00:05:07.740 to try and steal your money 00:05:07.740 --> 00:05:09.420 and fool you into believing Jesus? 00:05:10.879 --> 00:05:12.420 Are people saying that he was a thief 00:05:12.420 --> 00:05:13.819 going door to door, 00:05:13.980 --> 00:05:14.860 selling the gospel, 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:16.340 setting up churches 00:05:16.340 --> 00:05:17.780 to steal people's money? 00:05:19.360 --> 00:05:20.540 Well, it's most likely 00:05:20.540 --> 00:05:21.879 that Paul was trying 00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:23.180 to distance himself 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:24.840 from other types of people 00:05:24.840 --> 00:05:25.600 that went around 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:26.620 from town to town 00:05:26.620 --> 00:05:27.580 speaking. 00:05:27.579 --> 00:05:29.339 During this time 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:30.479 of the first century, 00:05:31.019 --> 00:05:32.779 there were no movie stars 00:05:32.779 --> 00:05:33.719 or TV stars, 00:05:33.839 --> 00:05:34.259 obviously. 00:05:34.919 --> 00:05:37.039 There were no reality TV stars. 00:05:37.359 --> 00:05:38.740 There was no singing celebrities 00:05:38.740 --> 00:05:39.519 like we have 00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:40.339 in the same way. 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:41.639 The celebrities 00:05:41.639 --> 00:05:42.339 that they had 00:05:42.339 --> 00:05:43.099 were philosophers. 00:05:44.259 --> 00:05:45.199 So think of 00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:45.879 Aristotle 00:05:45.879 --> 00:05:46.919 and Plato. 00:05:47.319 --> 00:05:48.000 They're from a couple 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:49.019 of hundred years beforehand. 00:05:49.899 --> 00:05:50.579 But philosophers 00:05:50.579 --> 00:05:52.379 were these professional speakers 00:05:52.379 --> 00:05:53.219 who would go 00:05:53.219 --> 00:05:54.579 from town to town 00:05:54.579 --> 00:05:56.620 and they would present 00:05:56.620 --> 00:05:57.740 new ideas 00:05:57.740 --> 00:05:58.719 and new thoughts. 00:05:59.399 --> 00:06:00.759 They would speak 00:06:00.759 --> 00:06:02.740 and use rhetorical tricks 00:06:02.740 --> 00:06:04.459 and they would 00:06:04.459 --> 00:06:05.839 try and keep people 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:07.300 interested and engaged 00:06:07.300 --> 00:06:08.919 in order to make people 00:06:08.919 --> 00:06:10.279 agree with what they said. 00:06:10.939 --> 00:06:11.959 They would enter cities 00:06:11.959 --> 00:06:13.180 with great pomp 00:06:13.180 --> 00:06:13.919 and ceremony. 00:06:14.419 --> 00:06:14.879 They would have 00:06:14.879 --> 00:06:16.339 these giant audiences. 00:06:16.500 --> 00:06:16.919 They would try 00:06:16.919 --> 00:06:17.819 and get disciples 00:06:17.819 --> 00:06:19.759 to follow their teaching. 00:06:20.779 --> 00:06:21.799 And ancient sources 00:06:21.799 --> 00:06:22.560 tell us 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:23.680 that the thing 00:06:23.680 --> 00:06:24.500 that motivated 00:06:24.500 --> 00:06:25.519 these philosophers 00:06:25.519 --> 00:06:27.459 was money. 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:29.100 It was fame. 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:29.900 It was glory. 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:31.579 It's not really 00:06:31.579 --> 00:06:32.180 that different 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:33.519 to what motivates 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:34.459 people to try 00:06:34.459 --> 00:06:36.160 and become big. 00:06:36.500 --> 00:06:37.240 It's fame. 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:37.800 It's money. 00:06:37.879 --> 00:06:38.379 It's glory. 00:06:39.400 --> 00:06:40.379 And it makes 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:40.879 most sense 00:06:40.879 --> 00:06:41.600 that Paul is saying 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:42.780 he didn't come 00:06:42.780 --> 00:06:44.019 like one of these philosophers. 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:45.139 He didn't come 00:06:45.139 --> 00:06:46.379 to get fame 00:06:46.379 --> 00:06:47.220 and glory. 00:06:48.120 --> 00:06:48.920 He didn't come 00:06:48.920 --> 00:06:49.819 with impure motive 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:50.699 but with 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:51.939 the help of God. 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:53.460 He did not come 00:06:53.459 --> 00:06:53.959 with tricks 00:06:53.959 --> 00:06:56.279 like a motivational speaker 00:06:56.279 --> 00:06:57.379 or a TED talk 00:06:57.379 --> 00:06:58.659 designed to 00:06:58.659 --> 00:07:00.459 emotionally influence people 00:07:00.459 --> 00:07:01.839 but he came 00:07:01.839 --> 00:07:03.139 with the good news 00:07:03.139 --> 00:07:03.639 of Jesus. 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:05.219 He didn't come 00:07:05.219 --> 00:07:06.299 flattering people 00:07:06.299 --> 00:07:07.680 so that they would 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:08.479 like him more. 00:07:09.419 --> 00:07:10.219 He didn't come 00:07:10.219 --> 00:07:10.859 with the purpose 00:07:10.859 --> 00:07:11.879 of gaining money. 00:07:12.439 --> 00:07:13.039 They didn't come 00:07:13.039 --> 00:07:13.699 to be praised. 00:07:13.939 --> 00:07:14.799 He didn't come 00:07:14.799 --> 00:07:15.859 so that at the end 00:07:15.859 --> 00:07:16.740 of him speaking 00:07:16.740 --> 00:07:17.199 there would be 00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:18.339 thunderous applause. 00:07:19.899 --> 00:07:20.959 Make sure you don't 00:07:20.959 --> 00:07:21.539 do that this morning. 00:07:21.659 --> 00:07:22.319 I know you weren't 00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:22.939 going to anyway 00:07:22.939 --> 00:07:25.019 just to check. 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:26.099 They didn't come 00:07:26.099 --> 00:07:26.740 to get fame 00:07:26.740 --> 00:07:27.199 and glory 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:29.779 but as apostles 00:07:29.779 --> 00:07:30.779 Paul had met 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:31.620 Jesus himself 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:32.480 and there is 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:33.620 no higher claim 00:07:33.620 --> 00:07:34.860 than to say 00:07:34.860 --> 00:07:35.879 that he had met 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:36.680 God. 00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:38.120 Instead 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:39.560 they came 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:40.219 like children 00:07:40.219 --> 00:07:41.519 and so instead 00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:42.079 of coming 00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:43.139 to get fame 00:07:43.139 --> 00:07:43.699 and glory 00:07:43.699 --> 00:07:44.779 the end of the chapter 00:07:44.779 --> 00:07:45.899 verse 20 says 00:07:45.899 --> 00:07:47.879 you are our glory 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:48.920 and our joy. 00:07:49.879 --> 00:07:50.879 That word glory 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:51.779 it's not the usual 00:07:51.779 --> 00:07:52.719 word glory 00:07:52.719 --> 00:07:53.339 in reference 00:07:53.339 --> 00:07:53.920 to God. 00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:55.159 The word glory 00:07:55.159 --> 00:07:56.439 here is more 00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:57.079 like fame. 00:07:57.860 --> 00:07:59.259 So Paul and Silas 00:07:59.259 --> 00:08:00.060 didn't come to 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:01.040 Thessalonica 00:08:01.040 --> 00:08:02.300 to get fame 00:08:02.300 --> 00:08:02.860 and glory 00:08:02.860 --> 00:08:03.659 for themselves. 00:08:04.219 --> 00:08:05.159 They came 00:08:05.159 --> 00:08:05.759 to get 00:08:05.759 --> 00:08:07.120 the Thessalonians. 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:10.019 They are the fame 00:08:10.019 --> 00:08:10.719 and the glory 00:08:10.719 --> 00:08:11.279 they wanted. 00:08:12.860 --> 00:08:13.819 Paul didn't come 00:08:13.819 --> 00:08:14.699 with impure motives. 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:16.199 He didn't come 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:17.480 influenced by pride 00:08:17.480 --> 00:08:18.500 or greed 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:20.400 or a desire 00:08:20.400 --> 00:08:21.140 for praise. 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:22.240 I wonder 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:24.420 do these things 00:08:24.420 --> 00:08:25.480 influence 00:08:25.480 --> 00:08:26.259 our motives? 00:08:26.960 --> 00:08:28.220 Even when it comes 00:08:28.220 --> 00:08:29.660 to serving people 00:08:29.660 --> 00:08:30.180 at church 00:08:30.180 --> 00:08:31.420 or loving others 00:08:31.420 --> 00:08:32.100 during the week. 00:08:33.060 --> 00:08:34.379 What are our motives 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:35.180 influenced by? 00:08:36.220 --> 00:08:37.420 We as a church 00:08:37.420 --> 00:08:39.519 value radical generosity 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:41.340 and we want to also 00:08:41.340 --> 00:08:42.680 have a local impact. 00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:44.100 Imagine if 00:08:44.100 --> 00:08:45.420 Toys and Tucker 00:08:45.420 --> 00:08:46.120 is coming up 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:46.700 towards the end 00:08:46.700 --> 00:08:47.140 of the year. 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:48.580 Is anybody aware 00:08:48.580 --> 00:08:49.300 of Toys and Tucker? 00:08:50.140 --> 00:08:50.540 Yes? 00:08:50.740 --> 00:08:51.000 Good. 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:51.500 Some of you? 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:52.040 If not, 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:52.480 let me tell you 00:08:52.480 --> 00:08:53.100 what Toys and Tucker 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:53.320 is. 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:54.500 It's where we 00:08:54.500 --> 00:08:57.120 give to others 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:57.780 out of what God 00:08:57.780 --> 00:08:58.460 has given us. 00:08:58.700 --> 00:08:59.320 So in particular 00:08:59.320 --> 00:09:00.740 toys and food, 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:01.420 tin food, 00:09:01.660 --> 00:09:02.300 other food 00:09:02.300 --> 00:09:03.220 to share 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:03.840 with other people. 00:09:05.040 --> 00:09:05.800 And because we 00:09:05.800 --> 00:09:06.160 want to have 00:09:06.160 --> 00:09:07.780 the biggest impact, 00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:09.420 imagine that we 00:09:09.420 --> 00:09:09.840 as a church 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:10.620 devised a little 00:09:10.620 --> 00:09:11.120 competition. 00:09:12.020 --> 00:09:12.740 Imagine that we 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:12.940 said, 00:09:13.040 --> 00:09:13.160 okay, 00:09:13.280 --> 00:09:14.300 we wanted to 00:09:14.300 --> 00:09:15.300 fill the stage 00:09:15.300 --> 00:09:15.940 with food 00:09:15.940 --> 00:09:16.700 and so what 00:09:16.700 --> 00:09:16.940 we're going 00:09:16.940 --> 00:09:17.420 to do is 00:09:17.420 --> 00:09:17.920 we're going 00:09:17.920 --> 00:09:18.560 to compete 00:09:18.560 --> 00:09:19.500 with our 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:19.940 services. 00:09:20.440 --> 00:09:20.720 We're going 00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:21.260 to see which 00:09:21.260 --> 00:09:22.220 congregation can 00:09:22.220 --> 00:09:22.980 bring the most 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:23.420 food. 00:09:24.180 --> 00:09:24.600 So we're going 00:09:24.600 --> 00:09:25.020 to compare 00:09:25.020 --> 00:09:26.220 9.30 and 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:26.940 4 o'clock. 00:09:27.400 --> 00:09:27.640 Now, 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:28.060 who do you 00:09:28.060 --> 00:09:28.420 think is going 00:09:28.420 --> 00:09:28.700 to win? 00:09:30.380 --> 00:09:31.200 I heard someone 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:31.920 say 9.30. 00:09:32.020 --> 00:09:32.520 Shame on you 00:09:32.520 --> 00:09:33.100 for saying that. 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:34.580 But imagine 00:09:34.580 --> 00:09:36.720 that we say this 00:09:36.720 --> 00:09:37.640 because we want 00:09:37.640 --> 00:09:38.060 to have a big 00:09:38.060 --> 00:09:38.460 impact. 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:39.040 We want to have 00:09:39.040 --> 00:09:40.260 a big local 00:09:40.260 --> 00:09:40.520 impact. 00:09:40.580 --> 00:09:41.060 We want to care 00:09:41.060 --> 00:09:41.420 for people. 00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:41.900 We want to be 00:09:41.900 --> 00:09:42.600 radically generous. 00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:43.379 And so we 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:44.139 compete with 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:44.540 each other. 00:09:45.040 --> 00:09:45.159 You know, 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:46.340 9.30's got to 00:09:46.340 --> 00:09:47.159 beat 4 o'clock. 00:09:47.560 --> 00:09:47.720 You know, 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:48.440 9.30 we're 00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:48.840 going to say, 00:09:49.259 --> 00:09:50.139 come on, 00:09:50.180 --> 00:09:50.519 let's beat 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:50.740 them. 00:09:51.180 --> 00:09:51.560 We don't want 00:09:51.560 --> 00:09:51.940 to let those 00:09:51.940 --> 00:09:52.519 young people 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:53.540 at 4 o'clock 00:09:53.540 --> 00:09:54.120 beat us. 00:09:54.620 --> 00:09:55.080 And they're 00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:55.320 going to be 00:09:55.320 --> 00:09:55.600 saying, 00:09:55.700 --> 00:09:55.820 oh, 00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:56.220 we don't want 00:09:56.220 --> 00:09:56.820 to let those 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:58.019 families and 00:09:58.019 --> 00:09:58.840 old people and 00:09:58.840 --> 00:09:59.360 other people. 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:00.420 We don't want 00:10:00.420 --> 00:10:00.879 to let those 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:01.720 people beat us. 00:10:02.620 --> 00:10:03.639 And so we all 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:04.080 have to go and 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:04.620 spend lots of 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:05.139 money and bring 00:10:05.139 --> 00:10:05.440 it in. 00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:08.080 It's a little 00:10:08.080 --> 00:10:08.720 bit extra 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:10.399 motivation to be 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:10.700 generous. 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:11.420 It's a bit 00:10:11.420 --> 00:10:12.600 extra motivation 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:13.960 to show love. 00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:15.840 But we're all 00:10:15.840 --> 00:10:16.120 sinful. 00:10:17.420 --> 00:10:18.240 And there's some 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:19.000 of us that are 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:20.060 highly competitive. 00:10:21.400 --> 00:10:21.780 And so, 00:10:21.900 --> 00:10:22.080 you know, 00:10:22.160 --> 00:10:22.480 there's, 00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:23.259 I'll pick on 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:23.460 Nick. 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:24.440 There's Nick, 00:10:25.020 --> 00:10:26.120 and he's down 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:26.700 at Woolies, 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:27.940 filling up trolley 00:10:27.940 --> 00:10:28.759 after trolley, 00:10:28.820 --> 00:10:29.120 because, 00:10:29.520 --> 00:10:29.740 do you know 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:29.920 what, 00:10:29.940 --> 00:10:31.040 he really wants 00:10:31.040 --> 00:10:31.900 9.30 to win, 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:32.280 because, 00:10:32.340 --> 00:10:32.460 you know, 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:33.020 his kids are 00:10:33.020 --> 00:10:33.620 encouraging him 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:33.820 to. 00:10:34.400 --> 00:10:34.860 And so, 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:36.060 what has gone 00:10:36.060 --> 00:10:36.600 from being 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:37.120 generous, 00:10:37.300 --> 00:10:38.500 it's now pride 00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:39.520 and arrogance. 00:10:40.700 --> 00:10:41.020 And, 00:10:41.080 --> 00:10:41.140 you know, 00:10:41.140 --> 00:10:41.500 there's people 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:42.160 at 4 o'clock, 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:42.420 well, 00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:43.460 they don't want 00:10:43.460 --> 00:10:43.840 to let these 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:44.520 kids beat him, 00:10:44.580 --> 00:10:44.840 and so, 00:10:44.980 --> 00:10:45.520 they're filling 00:10:45.520 --> 00:10:45.840 up trolley, 00:10:45.900 --> 00:10:46.320 they're buying 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:47.500 toys after toys. 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:49.540 And all of a 00:10:49.540 --> 00:10:49.820 sudden, 00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:51.480 what was initially 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:52.500 about serving 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:53.400 and being 00:10:53.400 --> 00:10:54.200 generous and 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:54.740 showing the 00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:55.360 love that God 00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:56.120 has shown us, 00:10:57.580 --> 00:10:58.379 we're stuck 00:10:58.379 --> 00:10:59.160 with a motivation 00:10:59.160 --> 00:11:00.060 of pride 00:11:00.060 --> 00:11:01.520 and a desire 00:11:01.520 --> 00:11:02.400 for fame 00:11:02.400 --> 00:11:03.120 and glory. 00:11:04.040 --> 00:11:04.560 That's what 00:11:04.560 --> 00:11:05.240 happens when we 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:05.980 don't stand 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:07.960 firm in faith, 00:11:08.160 --> 00:11:08.379 hope, 00:11:08.420 --> 00:11:09.000 and love. 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:11.200 Are we 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:11.720 guilty of 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:12.059 the same 00:11:12.059 --> 00:11:12.419 thing? 00:11:13.940 --> 00:11:14.500 It's a 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:14.879 question of 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:15.259 motivation. 00:11:15.419 --> 00:11:15.940 Why are we 00:11:15.940 --> 00:11:16.460 nice to 00:11:16.460 --> 00:11:16.740 people? 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:18.220 Why do 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:18.759 people serve 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:19.340 morning tea? 00:11:20.159 --> 00:11:20.899 Why do I 00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:21.659 lead a community 00:11:21.659 --> 00:11:21.980 group? 00:11:22.159 --> 00:11:23.100 Why are you 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:23.600 wearing a 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:24.179 snazzy red 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:24.659 vest this 00:11:24.659 --> 00:11:24.899 morning? 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:26.620 Why were 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:27.080 those people 00:11:27.080 --> 00:11:27.919 wearing those 00:11:27.919 --> 00:11:28.980 wonderful 00:11:28.980 --> 00:11:29.779 high-vis 00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:30.379 vests out 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:30.759 in the rain 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:31.220 this morning? 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:33.159 Maybe that 00:11:33.159 --> 00:11:33.539 one's not 00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:33.840 about the 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:34.059 glory, 00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:34.539 maybe they 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:34.940 are just 00:11:34.940 --> 00:11:35.480 serving in 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:35.860 the rain. 00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:37.240 Why do 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:37.659 we do 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:38.000 what we 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:38.279 do? 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:41.279 One of 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:41.720 the core 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:42.159 values of 00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:42.539 our church 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:43.080 is servant 00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:43.539 leadership, 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:44.419 that the 00:11:44.419 --> 00:11:44.980 heart of 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:45.539 the church 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:46.059 is the 00:11:46.059 --> 00:11:46.620 service of 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:47.500 God and 00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:48.000 others, 00:11:48.879 --> 00:11:49.759 selfishly 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:50.220 nourishing 00:11:50.220 --> 00:11:50.600 others, 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:51.779 pastoring and 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:52.440 equipping and 00:11:52.440 --> 00:11:53.059 loving others. 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:54.379 It's character 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:55.940 over skills. 00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:58.179 We need to 00:11:58.179 --> 00:11:58.700 answer the 00:11:58.700 --> 00:12:00.039 why of what 00:12:00.039 --> 00:12:00.700 we're doing 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:02.059 before we 00:12:02.059 --> 00:12:02.519 can answer 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:03.120 the what 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:03.919 question. 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:05.059 We're to 00:12:05.059 --> 00:12:05.559 serve God 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:06.320 with all 00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:06.620 of our 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:06.820 life, 00:12:06.840 --> 00:12:07.019 and there 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:07.320 are many 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:07.879 ways to 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:08.399 serve one 00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:08.579 another, 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:09.000 particularly 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:09.439 here at 00:12:09.439 --> 00:12:09.819 church. 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:11.120 And some 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:11.579 of them 00:12:11.579 --> 00:12:12.279 do need 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:12.600 to be 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:13.500 aware of 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:14.059 getting more 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:14.819 fame than 00:12:14.819 --> 00:12:15.199 others. 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:16.220 I'll pick 00:12:16.220 --> 00:12:16.500 on Nick 00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:16.840 again, 00:12:16.980 --> 00:12:17.919 musicians on 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:18.360 stage. 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:19.059 It's very 00:12:19.059 --> 00:12:20.159 easy to 00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:20.399 say, 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:20.620 oh, 00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:20.819 Nick 00:12:20.819 --> 00:12:21.500 Freestone, 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:22.860 your voice 00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:23.279 is like 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:23.659 that of 00:12:23.659 --> 00:12:24.340 an angel. 00:12:26.079 --> 00:12:26.340 No? 00:12:27.939 --> 00:12:28.399 Okay, 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:28.699 sorry, 00:12:28.819 --> 00:12:28.959 mate. 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:29.860 To say, 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:30.079 who was 00:12:30.079 --> 00:12:30.439 playing guitar 00:12:30.439 --> 00:12:30.759 this morning? 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:31.120 Nick, 00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:32.360 your guitar 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:33.179 skills bring 00:12:33.179 --> 00:12:33.740 tears to 00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:34.419 my eyes. 00:12:34.419 --> 00:12:34.459 hearts. 00:12:36.019 --> 00:12:36.959 How do 00:12:36.959 --> 00:12:38.379 we do 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:38.819 this kind 00:12:38.819 --> 00:12:39.079 of thing 00:12:39.079 --> 00:12:39.299 all the 00:12:39.299 --> 00:12:39.599 time? 00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:41.699 How does 00:12:41.699 --> 00:12:42.219 Nick 00:12:42.219 --> 00:12:42.819 respond? 00:12:43.059 --> 00:12:43.379 How does 00:12:43.379 --> 00:12:44.939 other Nick 00:12:44.939 --> 00:12:46.500 respond when 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:46.919 we say 00:12:46.919 --> 00:12:47.399 these kinds 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:47.899 of things? 00:12:48.439 --> 00:12:48.759 Do they 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:48.979 say, 00:12:49.099 --> 00:12:49.439 yes, 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:50.919 I do 00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:51.479 sound like 00:12:51.479 --> 00:12:51.939 an angel, 00:12:52.079 --> 00:12:52.539 don't I? 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:57.620 Or would 00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:58.219 they be 00:12:58.219 --> 00:12:59.059 saying something 00:12:59.059 --> 00:12:59.299 like, 00:12:59.379 --> 00:12:59.539 yes, 00:12:59.599 --> 00:13:00.039 God has 00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:00.679 gifted me 00:13:00.679 --> 00:13:00.979 and I'm 00:13:00.979 --> 00:13:01.439 so 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:02.500 pleased I 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.239 can serve 00:13:03.239 --> 00:13:03.739 you and 00:13:03.739 --> 00:13:04.279 the church? 00:13:04.919 --> 00:13:05.419 We need 00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:05.879 to continue 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:06.459 to check 00:13:06.459 --> 00:13:07.120 our heart 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:07.519 and our 00:13:07.519 --> 00:13:08.339 motives to 00:13:08.339 --> 00:13:08.859 make sure 00:13:08.859 --> 00:13:09.479 there isn't 00:13:09.479 --> 00:13:10.739 praise creep, 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:12.399 to make sure 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:13.979 that fame 00:13:13.979 --> 00:13:14.699 isn't creeping 00:13:14.699 --> 00:13:15.219 into our 00:13:15.219 --> 00:13:15.699 motivations. 00:13:16.079 --> 00:13:16.459 What may 00:13:16.459 --> 00:13:16.939 have started 00:13:16.939 --> 00:13:17.479 out years 00:13:17.479 --> 00:13:18.139 ago with 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:18.539 the best 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:19.219 of intentions 00:13:19.219 --> 00:13:20.339 may have 00:13:20.339 --> 00:13:21.159 become an 00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:21.579 idol, 00:13:21.959 --> 00:13:22.459 our God 00:13:22.459 --> 00:13:22.979 that brings 00:13:22.979 --> 00:13:23.579 us pleasure 00:13:23.579 --> 00:13:24.199 and joy 00:13:24.199 --> 00:13:24.919 and happiness. 00:13:26.199 --> 00:13:27.120 How bad 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:27.579 would it be 00:13:27.579 --> 00:13:28.179 to realize 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:28.699 in years 00:13:28.699 --> 00:13:30.199 time that 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:30.640 instead of 00:13:30.640 --> 00:13:31.220 serving at 00:13:31.220 --> 00:13:31.700 church for 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:32.420 God's glory 00:13:32.420 --> 00:13:33.240 to build 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:33.759 his kingdom, 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:34.400 we've been 00:13:34.400 --> 00:13:35.060 building our 00:13:35.060 --> 00:13:35.780 own kingdom, 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:37.200 getting praise 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:37.780 for us, 00:13:38.280 --> 00:13:38.800 which is 00:13:38.800 --> 00:13:40.100 fickle and 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:40.460 will all 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:41.000 come tumbling 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:41.379 down. 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:43.400 So Paul 00:13:43.400 --> 00:13:43.800 has showed 00:13:43.800 --> 00:13:45.660 us how 00:13:45.660 --> 00:13:46.160 he came 00:13:46.160 --> 00:13:46.460 and how 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:46.840 he did 00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:47.240 not come. 00:13:47.300 --> 00:13:47.580 He didn't 00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:48.040 come with 00:13:48.040 --> 00:13:48.960 impure 00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:49.460 motives. 00:13:50.540 --> 00:13:50.920 And he 00:13:50.920 --> 00:13:51.580 shows us 00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:52.020 now a bit 00:13:52.020 --> 00:13:52.460 more about 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:52.780 how he 00:13:52.780 --> 00:13:53.240 did come 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:54.020 to Thessalonica. 00:13:54.340 --> 00:13:54.660 Have a 00:13:54.660 --> 00:13:54.980 look at 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:55.700 verse 7, 00:13:55.780 --> 00:13:56.080 the second 00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:56.480 half of 00:13:56.480 --> 00:13:56.980 verse 7 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:57.340 with me. 00:13:57.340 --> 00:14:00.500 Just as 00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:01.019 a nursing 00:14:01.019 --> 00:14:01.740 mother cares 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.080 for her 00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:02.480 children, 00:14:03.100 --> 00:14:03.780 so we 00:14:03.780 --> 00:14:04.300 cared for 00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:04.600 you, 00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:05.580 because we 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:06.040 loved you 00:14:06.040 --> 00:14:06.740 so much. 00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:07.759 We were 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.519 delighted to 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.040 share with 00:14:09.040 --> 00:14:09.360 you not 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:09.920 only the 00:14:09.920 --> 00:14:10.480 gospel of 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:10.840 God, 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:11.560 but our 00:14:11.560 --> 00:14:12.280 lives as 00:14:12.280 --> 00:14:12.560 well. 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:13.860 Surely you 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:14.160 remember, 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:14.740 brothers and 00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:15.000 sisters, 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:15.780 our toil and 00:14:15.780 --> 00:14:16.200 hardship. 00:14:16.560 --> 00:14:17.300 We worked 00:14:17.300 --> 00:14:17.840 night and 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:18.500 day in 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.000 order not 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:19.420 to be a 00:14:19.420 --> 00:14:19.840 burden to 00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:20.560 anyone while 00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:20.960 we preached 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:21.340 the gospel 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:21.759 to you. 00:14:22.660 --> 00:14:23.000 You are 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.400 witnesses, 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:24.040 and so is 00:14:24.040 --> 00:14:24.259 God, 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:24.560 of how 00:14:24.560 --> 00:14:24.940 holy, 00:14:25.320 --> 00:14:25.580 righteous, 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:26.379 and blameless 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:26.900 we were 00:14:26.900 --> 00:14:27.460 among you 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:28.180 who believed. 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:29.300 For you 00:14:29.300 --> 00:14:29.620 know that 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.020 we dealt 00:14:30.020 --> 00:14:30.460 with each 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:30.720 of you 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:31.160 as a 00:14:31.160 --> 00:14:31.980 father deals 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:32.300 with his 00:14:32.300 --> 00:14:32.580 own 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:32.980 children, 00:14:33.780 --> 00:14:34.300 encouraging, 00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:35.300 comforting, 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:36.180 and urging 00:14:36.180 --> 00:14:36.620 you to live 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:37.300 lives worthy 00:14:37.300 --> 00:14:37.879 of God, 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:38.780 who calls 00:14:38.780 --> 00:14:39.220 you into 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:39.740 his kingdom 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:40.379 and glory. 00:14:41.280 --> 00:14:41.820 One of the 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:42.240 things I've 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:42.960 really loved 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:43.639 about spending 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:44.120 time in 00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:44.920 1 Thessalonians 00:14:44.920 --> 00:14:45.780 is seeing 00:14:45.780 --> 00:14:46.180 how much 00:14:46.180 --> 00:14:47.060 Paul really 00:14:47.060 --> 00:14:47.920 loves these 00:14:47.920 --> 00:14:48.300 people. 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:49.860 He uses 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:50.320 the most 00:14:50.320 --> 00:14:50.759 intimate 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:51.379 language. 00:14:51.800 --> 00:14:52.379 He refers 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:52.860 to himself 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:53.400 as a 00:14:53.400 --> 00:14:53.740 nursing 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:54.140 mother, 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:55.019 caring 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.559 for her 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:55.840 own 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:56.220 children. 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:57.919 This was 00:14:57.919 --> 00:14:58.439 a time 00:14:58.439 --> 00:14:59.319 where the 00:14:59.319 --> 00:14:59.720 people that 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:00.360 had financial 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:00.939 resources, 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:01.939 they would 00:15:01.939 --> 00:15:02.659 have a 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:02.939 nursing 00:15:02.939 --> 00:15:03.179 mother. 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:03.519 They would 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:03.919 get a 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:04.460 wet nurse 00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:05.240 so they 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:05.559 wouldn't 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:05.980 have to 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:06.340 feed their 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:06.519 own 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:06.919 child. 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:07.439 So they 00:15:07.439 --> 00:15:07.740 would get 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:08.100 a wet 00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:08.600 nurse to 00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:09.080 look after 00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:09.559 their baby. 00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:10.659 But Paul 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:11.659 hasn't come 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.419 like a 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:12.919 wet nurse 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:13.259 to look 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:13.759 after someone 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.220 else's 00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:14.519 baby. 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:15.460 He's like 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:15.919 a wet 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:16.240 nurse 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:17.120 looking after 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:18.120 his own 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:18.620 child. 00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:20.539 It's not 00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:21.319 a financial 00:15:21.319 --> 00:15:22.139 transaction. 00:15:22.939 --> 00:15:23.340 It's not 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:23.860 something that 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.419 Paul had 00:15:24.419 --> 00:15:25.000 to do 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:25.980 just because 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:26.460 God had 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:26.879 sent him 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:27.139 there. 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:28.180 Paul and 00:15:28.180 --> 00:15:29.019 Silas loved 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:29.560 these people 00:15:29.560 --> 00:15:30.300 so much 00:15:30.300 --> 00:15:31.340 and they 00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:32.159 were delighted 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:33.180 to share 00:15:33.180 --> 00:15:33.639 their lives 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:33.980 with them. 00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:35.279 Paul didn't 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:36.039 just come 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:36.480 and get up 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:36.860 and preach 00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:37.159 on the 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:37.419 Sabbath, 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:38.700 maybe visit 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:39.019 a couple 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:39.639 people during 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:40.039 the week 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:40.320 and have 00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:40.620 tea. 00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:41.539 He shared 00:15:41.539 --> 00:15:41.800 with them 00:15:41.800 --> 00:15:42.399 the gospel 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:42.919 but his 00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:43.500 life. 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:45.700 Again, 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:46.480 Paul didn't 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.019 come like 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:47.600 the professional 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:48.159 speakers, 00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:49.060 coming and 00:15:49.060 --> 00:15:49.539 staying in 00:15:49.539 --> 00:15:50.080 five-star 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:50.639 hotels, 00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:51.899 maybe coming 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:52.440 down and seeing 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:52.980 the people to 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:53.480 sign a few 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:54.259 autographs. 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:55.680 He gave 00:15:55.680 --> 00:15:56.340 the message 00:15:56.340 --> 00:15:56.759 but his 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.580 life as 00:15:57.580 --> 00:15:58.060 well to 00:15:58.060 --> 00:15:58.600 the church. 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:00.539 Paul came 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:00.920 like a 00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:01.360 father, 00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:02.879 encouraging, 00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:04.379 comforting and 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:05.039 urging the 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:05.659 people to 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:06.320 live lives 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:07.379 worthy of 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:07.720 God. 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:09.860 And as we 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.379 saw last 00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:10.740 week and 00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:11.379 again today, 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.279 Paul and 00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:13.159 Silas came 00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:13.600 and shared 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:14.100 the gospel 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:15.080 in the midst 00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:15.899 of intense 00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:16.600 persecution, 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:17.860 this persecution 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:18.519 that eventually 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:19.480 led them to 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:20.000 be run out 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:20.440 of town. 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:22.840 Paul continues 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.559 this intimate 00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:24.500 family language, 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:25.279 verse 14. 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.179 For you, 00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:27.779 brothers and 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:28.159 sisters, 00:16:28.580 --> 00:16:29.779 became imitators 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:31.220 of God's 00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:32.139 churches in 00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:32.620 Judea, 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:33.419 which are in 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:34.059 Christ Jesus. 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:35.860 You suffered 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.500 from your own 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.340 people the same 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.080 things those 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:38.960 churches suffered 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:39.779 from the Jews. 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:40.720 Brothers and 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:41.519 sisters, you 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.399 suffered the same 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:42.919 thing as 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:43.799 everyone else. 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:46.399 They suffered 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:47.700 persecution just 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:48.940 like the Jews 00:16:48.940 --> 00:16:49.419 who'd become 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:49.879 Christians. 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:52.360 He doesn't 00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:53.299 explicitly state 00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:53.740 it, but it's 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.339 likely that 00:16:54.339 --> 00:16:56.599 some people 00:16:56.599 --> 00:16:59.599 were persecuted 00:16:59.599 --> 00:17:00.120 by their 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:00.579 families, 00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:01.639 possibly even 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.279 kicked out 00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:03.099 by their 00:17:03.099 --> 00:17:03.579 families. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:05.319 And when 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:05.759 people are 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:06.279 forced to 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:07.000 leave a 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.359 family, 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.079 Christianity 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:08.940 has the 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:10.299 unique gift 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:10.899 of being able 00:17:10.899 --> 00:17:11.440 to welcome 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:12.279 them into 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:12.819 a new 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.220 family, 00:17:13.899 --> 00:17:14.480 one that 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.500 has close 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.139 relationships, 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:16.899 brothers and 00:17:16.899 --> 00:17:17.619 sisters from 00:17:17.619 --> 00:17:18.779 every tribe, 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.500 every race, 00:17:19.660 --> 00:17:20.279 every tongue. 00:17:20.379 --> 00:17:20.839 It's one of 00:17:20.839 --> 00:17:21.119 the things 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:21.460 we've been 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:21.940 celebrating 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:22.660 here today, 00:17:22.879 --> 00:17:23.559 that we 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:24.220 are 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.139 transcultural, 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:26.720 that this 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:28.099 family comes 00:17:28.099 --> 00:17:28.899 from all 00:17:28.899 --> 00:17:29.480 places. 00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:31.039 And it's 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:31.859 so important 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:32.759 that this 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.420 new family 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:34.139 starts. 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:34.879 And it's 00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:35.220 not just 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:35.700 cousins, 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.500 but it's 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:36.899 intimate 00:17:36.899 --> 00:17:37.639 relationships 00:17:37.639 --> 00:17:38.259 that Paul 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:38.940 is celebrating 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:39.319 here with 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:39.759 the church. 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:41.899 There was a 00:17:41.899 --> 00:17:42.879 Lifeline study 00:17:42.879 --> 00:17:44.460 done a couple 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.059 of years ago 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:47.200 that said 00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:48.200 that 80% 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:48.679 of people 00:17:48.679 --> 00:17:49.339 thought that 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:49.740 loneliness 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.720 was increasing. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:52.220 We are 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:52.839 increasingly 00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:53.419 connected 00:17:53.419 --> 00:17:54.299 through technology, 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:55.819 but we are 00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:57.279 also increasingly 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:58.220 disconnected 00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:59.259 from the people 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:00.039 around us. 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.659 Even sitting 00:18:01.659 --> 00:18:02.500 in a crowd 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:02.879 of people 00:18:02.879 --> 00:18:03.500 like here 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:03.859 at church 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.519 today or 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:05.500 at a party, 00:18:06.619 --> 00:18:07.460 we can feel 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.179 profoundly 00:18:08.179 --> 00:18:09.119 alone, 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:10.980 whether married 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.539 or single, 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.000 whether you 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:12.440 have many 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.159 friends or 00:18:13.159 --> 00:18:13.519 not. 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:15.079 And Paul 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:15.599 gives us 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:16.480 an antidote 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.160 to loneliness. 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.139 He delighted 00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:19.879 to share 00:18:19.879 --> 00:18:20.519 his life 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:20.940 with people. 00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:21.619 He delighted 00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:22.099 to share 00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:22.619 his life. 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:24.859 Is church 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.839 just the place 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:26.240 that you 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:27.099 visit on a 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:27.379 Sunday? 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:29.480 Is it 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.319 just where 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:30.759 you come 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.079 to, 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:32.680 to spend 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:33.119 some time 00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:33.519 with God 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:33.819 and then 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:34.240 leave? 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.319 I love 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:36.879 doing church 00:18:36.879 --> 00:18:37.359 with all of 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:37.819 you on a 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:38.119 Sunday, 00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:39.180 but that's 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:40.079 only part 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:40.779 of what 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:41.480 church is. 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:42.779 It has 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.079 to go 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.379 beyond 00:18:43.379 --> 00:18:43.839 Sunday. 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.159 It has 00:18:44.159 --> 00:18:44.559 to even 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:45.119 go beyond 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:45.659 community 00:18:45.659 --> 00:18:46.199 groups or 00:18:46.199 --> 00:18:46.819 Bible studies 00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:47.299 as we 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:47.699 meet in 00:18:47.699 --> 00:18:48.079 the week. 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.199 Maybe 00:18:50.199 --> 00:18:50.819 you're 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:51.220 thinking to 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:51.599 yourself, 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.000 well, 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.000 yeah, 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.980 I can only 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.379 come on 00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:54.679 Sundays. 00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:55.179 I can't 00:18:55.179 --> 00:18:55.500 even make 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:55.720 community 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:55.879 groups. 00:18:55.939 --> 00:18:56.059 I'm 00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:56.259 really 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:56.619 busy. 00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:57.799 There's 00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.059 too many 00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:58.639 things going 00:18:58.639 --> 00:18:58.899 on in 00:18:58.899 --> 00:18:59.279 my life 00:18:59.279 --> 00:18:59.819 right now. 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:00.359 I don't 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:00.639 have the 00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:00.939 energy 00:19:00.939 --> 00:19:01.759 for it. 00:19:03.139 --> 00:19:03.799 Paul was 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.439 trained as 00:19:04.439 --> 00:19:05.339 a Pharisee, 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.019 and yet he 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:06.559 also had a 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.779 trade as a 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.259 tent maker. 00:19:08.879 --> 00:19:09.419 And so he 00:19:09.419 --> 00:19:10.000 took this 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.960 trade around 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.279 with him. 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:12.799 He had a 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:13.240 job that 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:13.740 he worked 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:14.440 around the 00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:15.500 church, the 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.139 people, his 00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:17.139 dearly loved 00:19:17.139 --> 00:19:17.980 family that he 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.660 delighted in. 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.240 His job 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.579 worked around 00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:22.200 what he was 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:22.799 doing in the 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:23.160 church. 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:24.940 How often do 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:25.859 we chase our 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:26.700 job, our 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:28.119 career, our 00:19:28.119 --> 00:19:29.240 future, the 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:29.839 future of our 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:31.379 kids, based 00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:32.019 on what we 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:32.359 want? 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:33.660 And then we 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:34.299 fit church 00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:35.279 around that. 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:38.000 For 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:38.460 Alyssa and 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.180 I, we 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:39.639 were faced 00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:40.079 with a 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:40.740 tough decision 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.440 in January 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:41.899 of this 00:19:41.899 --> 00:19:42.160 year. 00:19:43.899 --> 00:19:44.740 We had an 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.759 opportunity to 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.240 take up a 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:46.960 job with a 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.399 really great 00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:49.279 church, with 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:49.579 a great 00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:51.139 team, and 00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:52.779 a great 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:53.559 boss and 00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:54.160 mentor as 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:54.440 well. 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:55.740 It's you 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.039 guys, I'm 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:56.359 talking about 00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:57.180 you guys, if 00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:57.460 you didn't 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:57.639 know. 00:19:58.700 --> 00:19:59.259 Sorry, I was 00:19:59.259 --> 00:19:59.559 being a little 00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:00.079 bit too subtle 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:00.339 there. 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.299 But there 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:02.940 was a cost. 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:03.819 There was a 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.660 cost to our 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:05.680 family to 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.140 come back 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:06.860 and rejoin 00:20:06.860 --> 00:20:07.680 this church 00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:08.540 family that 00:20:08.540 --> 00:20:09.300 we loved from 00:20:09.300 --> 00:20:09.800 the year we'd 00:20:09.800 --> 00:20:10.340 spent here in 00:20:10.340 --> 00:20:10.860 2014. 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:12.480 A cost would 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.180 be that we 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:13.600 would have to 00:20:13.600 --> 00:20:15.040 leave our 00:20:15.040 --> 00:20:15.620 church family 00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:16.080 at St. 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:16.779 Aidan's, but 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.360 we would also 00:20:17.360 --> 00:20:18.000 have to move 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.120 a lot further 00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:20.320 away from 00:20:20.320 --> 00:20:21.140 our families. 00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:22.259 Our families 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:23.880 live in 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.380 Wollongong. 00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:25.320 Most of them 00:20:25.320 --> 00:20:25.759 live there. 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.860 And so moving 00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:28.340 here is twice 00:20:28.340 --> 00:20:29.120 the distance. 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:30.620 Depending on a 00:20:30.620 --> 00:20:31.800 day with 00:20:31.800 --> 00:20:32.860 traffic and 00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:34.340 weather, we 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:35.399 are a long 00:20:35.399 --> 00:20:36.119 way away from 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:36.599 our family. 00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:37.519 We are not 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.159 the only ones 00:20:38.159 --> 00:20:39.319 that have 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:39.919 made ministry 00:20:39.919 --> 00:20:40.759 decisions to 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.899 be further 00:20:41.899 --> 00:20:42.480 away from 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:42.879 family. 00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:44.259 But moving 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.799 here would 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:47.159 mean that we 00:20:47.159 --> 00:20:47.659 were further 00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:48.199 away from our 00:20:48.199 --> 00:20:49.099 family, that we 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:50.059 wouldn't get to 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:51.019 see them as 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.240 much as we 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:54.039 wanted to, that 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:54.779 our kids 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.299 wouldn't get to 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:55.599 see their 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:56.319 grandparents and 00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:57.019 cousins as 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:57.359 much. 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.480 And it was 00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:59.579 painful for us. 00:20:59.579 --> 00:20:59.699 things. 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:01.960 But it's also 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:03.319 a joy that we 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:04.779 could rejoin our 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:05.899 family here at 00:21:05.899 --> 00:21:06.460 St. Paul's. 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.539 It was a decision 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.720 to move away from 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:10.599 our personal 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:12.720 family, but to 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.859 rejoin this church 00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:14.539 family that we 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.679 loved and missed 00:21:15.679 --> 00:21:16.779 and longed to be 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.240 with again. 00:21:18.119 --> 00:21:19.019 And so we don't 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.839 just want this to 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.359 be a Sunday 00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:20.740 thing. 00:21:22.179 --> 00:21:23.019 We could have 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.939 commuted from an 00:21:23.939 --> 00:21:24.679 hour away if it 00:21:24.679 --> 00:21:25.379 was just a Sunday 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:25.759 thing. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:27.000 We don't want 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:27.960 to just see you 00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:29.400 once or twice a 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:29.680 week. 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.680 We want to 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.960 delight in sharing 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.859 our lives with 00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:34.119 you, our kids' 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:35.640 lives as we 00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:36.400 share the gospel. 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.619 Was it painful 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.559 leaving our church 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.279 and moving away 00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:40.900 from family? 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:42.500 Yes, it was. 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.680 But we have 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:45.720 family here too. 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:48.420 At least there 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:49.539 is a group of 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.259 people that could 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.099 be a family 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:51.640 together. 00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:54.819 The Apostle 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:55.619 Paul has 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:56.859 bared his 00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:58.139 soul as he 00:21:58.139 --> 00:21:59.079 delighted to 00:21:59.079 --> 00:21:59.719 share his 00:21:59.719 --> 00:22:00.779 entire life 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.659 and gospel 00:22:01.659 --> 00:22:02.459 with the church. 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:03.779 He defended 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.639 the way that he 00:22:04.639 --> 00:22:05.719 came and 00:22:05.719 --> 00:22:06.500 shared the gospel 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.079 and served 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:07.359 them. 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:08.699 Paul was 00:22:08.699 --> 00:22:11.119 motivated by 00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:11.539 Jesus' 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.059 model. 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:13.219 Jesus didn't 00:22:13.219 --> 00:22:14.859 come for fame 00:22:14.859 --> 00:22:15.699 or to gain 00:22:15.699 --> 00:22:16.679 glory or 00:22:16.679 --> 00:22:18.500 fortune, but 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.699 he valued us 00:22:19.699 --> 00:22:21.019 over his own 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.439 life. 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:22.739 And so Paul 00:22:22.739 --> 00:22:23.919 imitates Jesus 00:22:23.919 --> 00:22:25.239 valuing 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.359 what God 00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:26.900 values, 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:28.180 valuing other 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:28.539 people. 00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:30.539 So let me 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.240 encourage you, 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:32.500 know that other 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:33.640 people are made 00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:34.599 in the image of 00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:34.900 God. 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:36.900 They are worth 00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:37.960 loving and 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.339 serving. 00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:40.120 You shouldn't 00:22:40.120 --> 00:22:41.420 need a motivation 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:42.839 of pride and 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:43.799 glory to love 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:44.620 and serve other 00:22:44.620 --> 00:22:44.900 people. 00:22:45.120 --> 00:22:45.960 It is who we 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:46.519 are to be. 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:48.000 Be challenged 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.620 to share your 00:22:48.620 --> 00:22:49.359 life with people 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:50.640 so that you can 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:51.640 say with Paul 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.900 that people are 00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:53.840 your delight. 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.460 And when you 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:57.120 serve, watch 00:22:57.120 --> 00:22:57.820 out for that 00:22:57.820 --> 00:22:58.940 praise creep, 00:22:59.080 --> 00:23:00.040 that fame creep, 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:01.820 that just ever 00:23:01.820 --> 00:23:02.620 so gently 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:03.700 creeps into 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:04.259 the way we 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:05.040 serve and love 00:23:05.040 --> 00:23:05.680 other people. 00:23:06.800 --> 00:23:07.440 Serve people 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:09.160 and God out 00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:10.000 of love, but 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.660 not for profit. 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:11.820 Let me pray. 00:23:11.820 --> 00:23:11.860 Let me pray. 00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:16.719 Dear Heavenly 00:23:16.719 --> 00:23:18.259 Father, you 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:19.039 have loved us 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.699 so much. 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:21.599 Your Son, 00:23:21.719 --> 00:23:22.639 Jesus, served 00:23:22.639 --> 00:23:24.079 us so much 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:24.919 that he valued 00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:26.399 us above 00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:27.359 his own life. 00:23:28.379 --> 00:23:28.619 Heavenly 00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:29.419 Father, help 00:23:29.419 --> 00:23:30.019 us to be 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:31.719 motivated by 00:23:31.719 --> 00:23:32.199 the same 00:23:32.199 --> 00:23:32.559 thing. 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.379 Lord, help 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:33.799 us to be 00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.279 radically 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:34.719 generous. 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:36.259 Lord, help 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.359 us desire to 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.439 have an impact 00:23:38.439 --> 00:23:39.719 here with 00:23:39.719 --> 00:23:40.299 your gospel. 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:41.839 help us 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.720 desire to 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:44.019 share our 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.559 lives with 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.119 people as 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:45.720 Paul did, 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.859 not for our 00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:48.440 glory, but 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:49.059 for yours, 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.379 Lord. 00:23:50.659 --> 00:23:51.480 Father, we 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:52.119 long to be 00:23:52.119 --> 00:23:53.680 motivated not 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:54.740 for ourselves, 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.599 but to see 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:57.159 your kingdom 00:23:57.159 --> 00:23:57.559 grow. 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.899 Help us to 00:23:59.899 --> 00:24:01.099 check our 00:24:01.099 --> 00:24:01.720 hearts and 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.480 change our 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:03.180 hearts, Lord, 00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:04.279 so that we 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:04.919 can grow more 00:24:04.919 --> 00:24:05.339 like your 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:05.940 Son every 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.240 day.