WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.300 experience a lot of joy in your life. 00:00:04.940 --> 00:00:07.860 Do you often rejoice 00:00:07.860 --> 00:00:11.160 about what's going on around about you? 00:00:12.780 --> 00:00:14.820 You know, the Apostle Paul did. 00:00:15.880 --> 00:00:16.940 He writes about it. 00:00:17.420 --> 00:00:19.260 In fact, the letter that we're going through now 00:00:19.260 --> 00:00:20.859 on Sunday mornings, the book of Philippians, 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:24.240 he used the words joy and rejoice 00:00:24.240 --> 00:00:27.280 more in this letter than any other one 00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:28.960 that he wrote that we have in our New Testament. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.440 Now, I want you to think about this. 00:00:33.159 --> 00:00:37.200 Paul talks about experiencing joy, rejoicing. 00:00:39.799 --> 00:00:42.920 But at the same time, as he penned those words, 00:00:43.019 --> 00:00:45.960 he was at all times chained to a Roman soldier. 00:00:45.960 --> 00:00:50.659 He was at all times under house arrest, 00:00:51.579 --> 00:00:53.539 at least for two years. 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:57.460 And he was awaiting trial before Caesar. 00:00:57.460 --> 00:01:00.259 He didn't know what the outcome would be, 00:01:00.340 --> 00:01:01.399 whether he'd be set free 00:01:01.399 --> 00:01:04.019 or whether he would be condemned and executed. 00:01:05.560 --> 00:01:11.000 Now, Paul talks a lot about having joy, 00:01:11.740 --> 00:01:14.859 rejoicing in that context. 00:01:16.240 --> 00:01:19.640 Well, that raises or should raise a red flag to us. 00:01:19.640 --> 00:01:27.180 Paul's not using the word joy like we normally use it. 00:01:28.120 --> 00:01:28.900 I mean, think about it. 00:01:29.099 --> 00:01:33.439 Don't you mostly equate the words joy and happiness? 00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:36.439 I mean, I use them. 00:01:36.599 --> 00:01:41.000 Most people use them just in normal speech interchangeably. 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:45.180 You know, you wake up in the morning. 00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:47.840 Your spouse looks at you. 00:01:48.980 --> 00:01:50.640 Smile on his or her face. 00:01:52.280 --> 00:01:54.719 What can I fix you for breakfast? 00:01:55.739 --> 00:01:59.400 Brings joy to you, doesn't it? 00:01:59.859 --> 00:02:00.680 Makes you happy. 00:02:00.680 --> 00:02:06.320 If my boys came to me today and said, 00:02:06.980 --> 00:02:09.020 we're going to cut down, 00:02:09.080 --> 00:02:12.040 we're going to cut up those two little trees 00:02:12.040 --> 00:02:14.099 on the edge of the property, 00:02:14.420 --> 00:02:17.300 that'd bring a lot of joy to my soul 00:02:17.300 --> 00:02:19.540 if they would do that. 00:02:21.760 --> 00:02:24.520 We use that word joy and happiness 00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:27.620 just without thinking they're the same. 00:02:27.620 --> 00:02:30.620 Well, that's not how Paul uses it. 00:02:30.740 --> 00:02:33.219 In fact, that's not the way the word is used 00:02:33.219 --> 00:02:34.280 in the New Testament. 00:02:36.020 --> 00:02:39.960 Paul obviously would not have been happy 00:02:39.960 --> 00:02:42.039 about what was going on in his life 00:02:42.039 --> 00:02:43.020 as he wrote this book. 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:45.939 At all times, chained to that soldier. 00:02:46.240 --> 00:02:48.379 Couldn't leave the place he was renting 00:02:48.379 --> 00:02:50.219 and not knowing what his future held 00:02:50.219 --> 00:02:52.280 when he stood trial before the emperor. 00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:55.140 In the New Testament, 00:02:55.139 --> 00:02:57.979 the word joy is not used to describe 00:02:57.979 --> 00:03:00.039 feelings of happiness. 00:03:01.419 --> 00:03:06.899 Happiness is really an emotion of delight. 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:10.799 We're happy when the people 00:03:10.799 --> 00:03:12.899 or the things around about us 00:03:12.899 --> 00:03:14.679 are going our way. 00:03:15.619 --> 00:03:19.119 People are smiling at us, doing for us. 00:03:19.339 --> 00:03:20.759 Everything's going the way that we want it to. 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:24.759 Well, that doesn't always happen, does it? 00:03:25.139 --> 00:03:29.159 Those trees on my property 00:03:29.159 --> 00:03:31.339 aren't going to get cut up. 00:03:33.379 --> 00:03:35.539 Your spouse is not always going to wake up 00:03:35.539 --> 00:03:37.059 in the morning with a smile on his or her face 00:03:37.059 --> 00:03:37.979 and look at you and say, 00:03:38.279 --> 00:03:39.179 good morning, darling. 00:03:40.939 --> 00:03:42.339 There's going to be a lot of times in our lives 00:03:42.339 --> 00:03:43.819 when we are not happy. 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:46.259 We're not happy about the situation 00:03:46.259 --> 00:03:48.159 that we find ourselves in. 00:03:49.479 --> 00:03:50.739 And that's just life. 00:03:51.199 --> 00:03:52.219 There's nothing wrong with that. 00:03:52.659 --> 00:03:54.659 That's just the way life works in this world. 00:03:54.659 --> 00:03:57.560 Happiness comes and goes in everyone's life. 00:03:57.900 --> 00:04:00.500 It's not a good or bad, right or wrong. 00:04:00.579 --> 00:04:02.280 It just is. 00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:05.500 But Christian joy is different. 00:04:07.019 --> 00:04:09.879 Christian joy is more than an emotion. 00:04:11.740 --> 00:04:13.199 It is described in one place 00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:15.060 as being a part of the fruit of the Spirit, 00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:18.319 something the Holy Spirit works in us 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:19.680 and through us. 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:22.560 Joy in the Bible, in the New Testament, 00:04:22.560 --> 00:04:24.780 is really more of an attitude, 00:04:25.740 --> 00:04:29.399 a character quality than it is an emotion. 00:04:31.860 --> 00:04:34.840 Joy is really the way a lot of commentators 00:04:34.840 --> 00:04:36.540 like R.C. Sproul, for example. 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:42.459 They describe joy as being similar to contentment. 00:04:42.459 --> 00:04:47.879 Really experiencing peace in your soul 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:51.039 because you know you're right with God. 00:04:51.159 --> 00:04:52.139 You're one with Him. 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:56.120 Even the word or the idea of being thankful 00:04:56.120 --> 00:04:59.799 goes along with this idea of Christian joy. 00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:03.220 Now this means it is not dependent 00:05:03.220 --> 00:05:07.300 on what's going on around about us. 00:05:08.139 --> 00:05:10.280 We can have Christian joy 00:05:10.280 --> 00:05:12.860 even when we are not happy. 00:05:13.939 --> 00:05:15.500 And that's what I want us to look at this morning 00:05:15.500 --> 00:05:17.480 in Philippians chapter 1. 00:05:18.480 --> 00:05:19.800 We're going to begin in verse 19, 00:05:21.280 --> 00:05:22.620 or rather verse 18. 00:05:22.939 --> 00:05:25.500 Two weeks ago we saw in verses 12 through 18 00:05:25.500 --> 00:05:28.879 that Paul found joy in knowing 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:33.620 that the gospel was spreading throughout the area 00:05:33.620 --> 00:05:36.779 in spite of the fact that he was in prison. 00:05:37.339 --> 00:05:39.220 In fact, he found joy in knowing 00:05:39.220 --> 00:05:41.939 that through his being in chains 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:43.160 to those Roman soldiers, 00:05:43.720 --> 00:05:46.100 you know, swapping in and out around the clock, 00:05:47.100 --> 00:05:49.579 many of those soldiers in the guard, 00:05:50.220 --> 00:05:51.000 Caesar's guard, 00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:52.740 they were hearing the gospel. 00:05:52.740 --> 00:05:55.860 He even found joy in the fact 00:05:55.860 --> 00:05:58.639 that he was told there are people preaching 00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:02.840 and they're doing it not with good motives. 00:06:03.079 --> 00:06:05.199 They're doing it to make you jealous, 00:06:06.060 --> 00:06:07.340 to make you envious. 00:06:07.480 --> 00:06:08.240 They're out there preaching. 00:06:08.360 --> 00:06:09.040 They've got the freedom 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:10.840 and maybe people are responding. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:11.900 Good things are happening. 00:06:12.900 --> 00:06:14.280 But they're doing it, Paul, 00:06:14.340 --> 00:06:15.519 to sort of jab you 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:19.180 because you're here confined to this place. 00:06:19.180 --> 00:06:21.840 Look now in verse 18, 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:23.400 in light of, 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:25.459 he's in prison, 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:27.420 but people are hearing 00:06:27.420 --> 00:06:29.220 through his witness to the soldiers. 00:06:29.939 --> 00:06:30.939 The gospel is being preached 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:32.199 even with poor motives. 00:06:32.540 --> 00:06:32.860 He says, 00:06:32.939 --> 00:06:33.400 What then? 00:06:34.280 --> 00:06:35.480 Only that in every way, 00:06:35.740 --> 00:06:37.680 whether in pretense or in truth, 00:06:38.439 --> 00:06:39.759 Christ is proclaimed, 00:06:40.620 --> 00:06:43.019 and in that I rejoice. 00:06:43.019 --> 00:06:45.500 Now, let's read on 00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:47.299 and see why, 00:06:47.740 --> 00:06:49.180 or other reasons why, 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:50.879 Paul rejoiced. 00:06:52.339 --> 00:06:53.240 Look in your Bible, 00:06:53.659 --> 00:06:55.180 Philippians chapter 1. 00:06:55.599 --> 00:06:57.299 Now we're in the middle of verse 18. 00:06:57.560 --> 00:06:59.279 That's where a new paragraph begins. 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:03.099 Yes, and I will rejoice. 00:07:03.819 --> 00:07:05.779 For I know that through your prayers 00:07:05.779 --> 00:07:08.659 and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 00:07:09.060 --> 00:07:11.859 this will turn out for my deliverance. 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:15.080 As it is my eager expectation 00:07:15.080 --> 00:07:16.300 and hope 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:20.120 that I will not be at all ashamed, 00:07:21.460 --> 00:07:23.340 but that with full courage, 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:24.319 now as always, 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:28.420 Christ will be honored in my body, 00:07:29.280 --> 00:07:32.160 whether by life or by death. 00:07:33.319 --> 00:07:34.759 I want you to note that last phrase, 00:07:34.819 --> 00:07:36.060 whether by life or by death. 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:37.740 As we go through this, 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:39.319 this whole section, 00:07:39.460 --> 00:07:41.000 verses 18 through 26, 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:44.180 we're going to look at verses 18 through 20 today, 00:07:44.680 --> 00:07:46.980 21 through 26 next week. 00:07:48.399 --> 00:07:49.439 Paul doesn't really know 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:50.459 how this is going to turn out. 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:51.600 That's important to understand. 00:07:52.579 --> 00:07:53.879 As you go on and read, 00:07:54.500 --> 00:07:56.040 he has some strong feelings 00:07:56.040 --> 00:07:58.199 that when he goes before Caesar, 00:07:58.899 --> 00:07:59.920 he's going to be set free. 00:08:00.879 --> 00:08:03.540 He's going to be able to continue his work. 00:08:03.779 --> 00:08:04.939 He's going to be able to, 00:08:04.939 --> 00:08:07.639 you know, help the Philippian Christians, 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:10.800 but he doesn't know for sure. 00:08:11.599 --> 00:08:13.079 Only God knows the future. 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:16.180 And so he's just putting it in his hands. 00:08:17.919 --> 00:08:19.379 These verses show us 00:08:19.379 --> 00:08:21.719 that Paul was rejoicing 00:08:21.719 --> 00:08:24.779 over how God was going to work out 00:08:24.779 --> 00:08:27.599 his future well-being. 00:08:28.159 --> 00:08:29.180 Here's the first point. 00:08:29.180 --> 00:08:30.959 We can rejoice over the fact 00:08:30.959 --> 00:08:33.360 that God will bring about our future 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:36.519 and ultimate well-being. 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:38.440 Look at it again. 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:38.860 Verse, 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:40.899 last part of verse 18 and 19. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:42.940 Yes, and I will rejoice 00:08:42.940 --> 00:08:44.740 for I know that through your prayers 00:08:44.740 --> 00:08:46.460 and help of the spirit of Jesus Christ, 00:08:46.779 --> 00:08:49.060 this will turn out for my deliverance. 00:08:49.059 --> 00:08:52.959 We can have joy, 00:08:53.259 --> 00:08:54.099 not happiness, 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:57.279 but joy if we'll keep in mind 00:08:57.279 --> 00:08:59.639 God's always working in our lives 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:02.899 and he is going to bring about our future 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:05.339 and ultimate well-being. 00:09:07.479 --> 00:09:09.619 Paul says he is rejoicing over the fact 00:09:09.619 --> 00:09:10.799 that he's going to eventually be, 00:09:11.079 --> 00:09:11.739 look at that word, 00:09:12.079 --> 00:09:14.500 delivered from his imprisonment. 00:09:14.619 --> 00:09:16.459 The actual word is my deliverance. 00:09:16.460 --> 00:09:19.680 Now, the word translated deliverance here 00:09:19.680 --> 00:09:21.940 is more often than not 00:09:21.940 --> 00:09:26.120 translated with the word salvation 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:28.720 in other parts of the New Testament. 00:09:30.400 --> 00:09:32.340 That raises the question. 00:09:34.420 --> 00:09:37.120 When this and most of the major translations 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:38.660 use the word deliverance here, 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:43.400 when Paul talks about 00:09:43.399 --> 00:09:47.279 this deliverance, 00:09:48.419 --> 00:09:49.860 is he talking about being delivered 00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:51.360 from prison, 00:09:53.059 --> 00:09:54.559 getting out, having freedom, 00:09:54.559 --> 00:09:57.000 or is he talking about 00:09:57.000 --> 00:09:59.740 ultimate deliverance 00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:03.639 and being in the presence of the Lord 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:05.559 free from all the stress 00:10:06.220 --> 00:10:07.340 of life in this world? 00:10:07.340 --> 00:10:09.780 Now, 00:10:10.460 --> 00:10:12.860 Paul has been talking about 00:10:12.860 --> 00:10:14.280 his imprisonment 00:10:14.280 --> 00:10:16.740 in chapter one 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:18.280 already. 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:18.759 In fact, 00:10:18.940 --> 00:10:20.420 he uses the word or phrase 00:10:20.420 --> 00:10:21.540 my imprisonment 00:10:21.540 --> 00:10:22.780 or some translations say 00:10:22.780 --> 00:10:23.600 my chains 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:25.100 four times 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:26.920 in chapter one. 00:10:28.680 --> 00:10:30.240 So it makes sense 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:32.019 that he's thinking about 00:10:32.019 --> 00:10:33.580 his deliverance is going to be, 00:10:34.040 --> 00:10:35.240 he's going to be set free 00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:35.740 from prison. 00:10:35.740 --> 00:10:38.519 But on the other hand, 00:10:39.519 --> 00:10:41.299 in this section, 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:43.180 he makes it clear 00:10:43.180 --> 00:10:44.879 that he knows 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:45.759 that death 00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:47.759 is a real possibility. 00:10:48.440 --> 00:10:49.279 Look at these verses. 00:10:49.460 --> 00:10:49.960 Verse 20, 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:51.200 whether by life 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:52.159 or by death. 00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:53.340 In verse 21, 00:10:53.680 --> 00:10:54.340 to die 00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:55.320 is gain. 00:10:55.879 --> 00:10:56.480 Verse 23, 00:10:56.820 --> 00:10:57.440 to depart 00:10:57.440 --> 00:10:58.279 and be 00:10:58.279 --> 00:10:58.960 with 00:10:58.960 --> 00:10:59.620 Christ. 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:02.720 He knows 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:03.799 death's a possibility. 00:11:03.799 --> 00:11:05.379 Well, 00:11:05.699 --> 00:11:07.379 we can't resolve 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:08.159 this 100% 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:08.740 no matter what. 00:11:09.939 --> 00:11:10.599 Either way, 00:11:10.719 --> 00:11:11.759 Paul can rejoice. 00:11:12.719 --> 00:11:13.479 Then one way 00:11:13.479 --> 00:11:13.939 or another, 00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:15.639 God is going 00:11:15.639 --> 00:11:16.240 to take care 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:16.539 of him. 00:11:17.559 --> 00:11:18.099 That's what 00:11:18.099 --> 00:11:19.059 his thought is. 00:11:19.679 --> 00:11:20.479 If he is found 00:11:20.479 --> 00:11:21.679 innocent and set free, 00:11:22.319 --> 00:11:23.339 he's going to continue 00:11:23.339 --> 00:11:24.379 to serve the Lord 00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:25.659 faithfully 00:11:25.659 --> 00:11:28.379 and find joy 00:11:28.379 --> 00:11:29.039 in that. 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:31.399 if he is found 00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:32.019 guilty 00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:33.699 and executed, 00:11:35.319 --> 00:11:35.879 he will 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:37.839 immediately 00:11:37.839 --> 00:11:39.699 be in the presence 00:11:39.699 --> 00:11:40.360 of the Lord 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:42.019 and all of the 00:11:42.019 --> 00:11:43.219 worries and stress 00:11:43.219 --> 00:11:44.019 and suffering 00:11:44.019 --> 00:11:45.079 he's experienced 00:11:45.079 --> 00:11:46.519 will be a thing 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:47.179 of the past. 00:11:48.319 --> 00:11:49.259 So he can look 00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:49.740 at that 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:51.039 with joy. 00:11:52.059 --> 00:11:52.399 Now remember 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:52.959 how we're using 00:11:52.959 --> 00:11:53.240 the word, 00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:53.959 how the New Testament 00:11:53.959 --> 00:11:54.539 uses the word. 00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:56.240 Paul finds 00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:56.899 true joy, 00:11:56.899 --> 00:11:58.299 contentment, 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:00.939 being at peace 00:12:00.939 --> 00:12:02.399 in his soul. 00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:03.659 All hell 00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:04.220 may be breaking 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:04.919 loose all around 00:12:04.919 --> 00:12:05.480 about you, 00:12:06.559 --> 00:12:07.000 but you have 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:08.220 a sense of peace, 00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:09.959 of contentment 00:12:09.959 --> 00:12:10.600 in your soul 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:11.639 because you're 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:12.399 right with God, 00:12:12.579 --> 00:12:13.539 you're trusting God, 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:14.759 you are in his 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:15.799 hands. 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:20.399 That's the kind 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:21.980 of joy 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:23.759 that comes 00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:24.340 when we know 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:25.439 that God 00:12:25.439 --> 00:12:25.720 is going to 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:26.679 take care of us. 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:28.279 no matter 00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:29.159 what, 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:29.639 no matter how 00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:30.559 he does that. 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:31.039 Now, 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:33.100 can you ever 00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:35.019 rejoice like that? 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:35.360 Do you know 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:35.919 what he's talking 00:12:35.919 --> 00:12:36.179 about? 00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:37.000 Do you know 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:38.179 it from experience? 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:40.360 Do you have 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:41.279 confidence 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:43.340 that God's 00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:43.740 going to bring 00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:44.620 about your 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:46.159 future 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:47.419 and ultimate 00:12:47.419 --> 00:12:49.279 well-being? 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:52.279 If you're going 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:53.419 through a difficult 00:12:53.419 --> 00:12:54.299 time right now, 00:12:54.299 --> 00:12:57.179 right this 00:12:57.179 --> 00:12:57.539 minute, 00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:59.740 are you 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:00.500 trusting God 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:00.779 with the 00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:01.399 outcome 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:03.959 regardless of 00:13:03.959 --> 00:13:04.379 what it might 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:04.699 be? 00:13:05.699 --> 00:13:06.479 Regardless of 00:13:06.479 --> 00:13:07.779 how difficult 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:09.779 it might 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:10.079 be? 00:13:11.679 --> 00:13:12.039 You know, 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:14.039 if you knew 00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:14.500 what was going 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:15.079 to happen down 00:13:15.079 --> 00:13:15.579 the road, 00:13:15.939 --> 00:13:16.459 it'd be easier 00:13:16.459 --> 00:13:16.899 to do that, 00:13:16.979 --> 00:13:17.359 wouldn't it? 00:13:17.859 --> 00:13:18.439 But we don't 00:13:18.439 --> 00:13:18.719 know. 00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:20.480 No one 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:21.019 does. 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:23.560 It's just a 00:13:23.560 --> 00:13:24.399 rarity in the 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:25.300 Bible or in 00:13:25.300 --> 00:13:26.139 our lives 00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:27.620 that we ever 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:28.379 know how our 00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:30.019 difficulty is 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:30.460 going to turn 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:31.779 out in 00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:32.980 advance. 00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:35.000 If you're 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:35.460 dealing with a 00:13:35.460 --> 00:13:36.100 difficult situation 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:36.720 right now related 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:37.660 to your job, 00:13:38.660 --> 00:13:40.300 is it going to 00:13:40.300 --> 00:13:40.700 continue? 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:42.639 Maybe there's 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:43.540 some family 00:13:43.540 --> 00:13:44.540 issues you're 00:13:44.540 --> 00:13:45.420 struggling with. 00:13:45.419 --> 00:13:47.699 Maybe it's 00:13:47.699 --> 00:13:48.699 your health. 00:13:50.839 --> 00:13:51.120 And right 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:51.500 now, 00:13:53.079 --> 00:13:53.639 it could go 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:54.079 either way. 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:54.459 You just 00:13:54.459 --> 00:13:55.059 don't know. 00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:55.559 You can't 00:13:55.559 --> 00:13:56.039 see. 00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:57.519 Well, 00:13:57.539 --> 00:13:58.179 don't expect 00:13:58.179 --> 00:13:59.479 God to show 00:13:59.479 --> 00:13:59.819 you how it's 00:13:59.819 --> 00:14:00.159 going to turn 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:00.459 out. 00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:03.240 I personally 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:03.819 think it's a 00:14:03.819 --> 00:14:04.579 waste of your 00:14:04.579 --> 00:14:05.919 breath to pray, 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:06.899 Lord, help me 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:07.539 to know what's 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.079 going to happen. 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:10.299 That's just 00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:11.059 not the way 00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:12.879 God works 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:14.439 most of the 00:14:14.439 --> 00:14:14.759 time. 00:14:15.419 --> 00:14:15.899 That's not 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:16.179 the way it 00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:16.500 worked out 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:16.959 for Paul. 00:14:17.719 --> 00:14:18.279 He has a 00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:19.439 feeling what's 00:14:19.439 --> 00:14:19.639 going to 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:19.919 happen. 00:14:21.199 --> 00:14:21.459 But he 00:14:21.459 --> 00:14:21.839 doesn't know 00:14:21.839 --> 00:14:22.399 for sure because 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:22.819 he keeps on 00:14:22.819 --> 00:14:23.299 talking about 00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:24.079 he may die. 00:14:25.459 --> 00:14:26.199 We all have 00:14:26.199 --> 00:14:26.799 to deal with 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:28.099 our present 00:14:28.099 --> 00:14:28.759 difficulties, 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:29.240 our present 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:30.519 circumstances the 00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:31.079 same way, 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:33.240 one day at a 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:33.639 time. 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:35.919 Here's a good 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:36.419 thought. 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:38.399 We can. 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:39.879 You and I 00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:40.099 can. 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:41.559 We don't have 00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:43.519 to be super 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:45.399 saints like 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.340 like an 00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:47.220 apostle Paul. 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.639 A few weeks 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:50.100 ago, 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:52.639 Lisa, my 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:53.579 wife Lisa's 00:14:53.579 --> 00:14:54.480 older sister, 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:56.220 her husband 00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:56.879 died. 00:14:58.879 --> 00:14:59.659 He was 67 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:00.559 years old. 00:15:02.019 --> 00:15:02.519 He was 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:03.579 diagnosed with 00:15:03.579 --> 00:15:04.480 a lung 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:06.659 disease three 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:07.480 or four years 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:08.959 ago that they 00:15:08.959 --> 00:15:11.079 said was 00:15:11.079 --> 00:15:11.500 fatal. 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:13.220 there was 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:13.860 nothing that 00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:14.340 really could 00:15:14.340 --> 00:15:16.240 be done to 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:16.679 prevent it 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:18.559 from destroying 00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:19.379 his lungs. 00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:21.559 On top of 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:23.840 that, he 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:25.539 developed lung 00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:27.539 cancer and 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:28.000 had never 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:28.419 smoked. 00:15:30.419 --> 00:15:32.039 Well, he 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:32.399 went through 00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:33.019 this process. 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.399 He went 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:34.139 through chemo. 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:35.559 He went 00:15:35.559 --> 00:15:36.259 through a lot 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:37.139 of processes, 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:39.340 but over 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:41.199 time, his 00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:41.720 physical 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:42.360 condition 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:43.399 deteriorated. 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:44.879 His lungs 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:46.000 stopped 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:47.000 functioning. 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:48.819 About 00:15:48.819 --> 00:15:52.679 three or 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:53.220 four months 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:53.559 ago, 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:56.720 he shared 00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:57.600 something on 00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:58.379 Facebook 00:15:58.379 --> 00:16:01.080 that's sort 00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:01.620 of like 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:03.939 what Paul is 00:16:03.939 --> 00:16:04.539 sharing here 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:06.200 about confidence. 00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:07.620 you see, his 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.420 name's John. 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:10.180 John was a 00:16:10.180 --> 00:16:12.780 Christian, but 00:16:12.780 --> 00:16:13.580 John was a 00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:14.460 regular guy 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:14.860 kind of 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:16.080 Christian, like 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:17.259 us in this 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:17.520 room. 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:20.660 He was 00:16:20.660 --> 00:16:21.620 actively involved 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.080 in his church. 00:16:22.160 --> 00:16:22.440 He taught 00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:22.879 Sunday school. 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:23.259 He was a 00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:23.520 deacon. 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:26.540 He worked 00:16:26.540 --> 00:16:27.200 what you call 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:27.620 a regular 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.140 job. 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:29.580 If he was a 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:29.960 member of our 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:31.700 church, he 00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:33.120 just fit in, 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:35.360 fit in in any 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:36.180 Sunday school. 00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:36.720 class. 00:16:38.140 --> 00:16:38.860 Blend in. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:39.379 People would 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:39.840 like him. 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:40.379 He'd laugh 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:40.780 a lot. 00:16:42.780 --> 00:16:43.480 A regular 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:46.040 guy, dying 00:16:46.040 --> 00:16:47.600 from a lung 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.520 disease and 00:16:48.520 --> 00:16:49.340 lung cancer. 00:16:51.060 --> 00:16:51.640 And he put 00:16:51.640 --> 00:16:52.300 something like 00:16:52.300 --> 00:16:52.800 this, I'm 00:16:52.800 --> 00:16:53.660 paraphrasing this, 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.320 on Facebook. 00:16:54.660 --> 00:16:55.360 It was read to 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:55.960 me because I 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:57.300 am not on it. 00:16:58.220 --> 00:16:59.080 But he said 00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:00.860 that he had 00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:02.300 complete assurance 00:17:02.300 --> 00:17:03.080 of his salvation. 00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:04.720 He had his 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:06.019 faith in Jesus 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:06.539 Christ. 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.600 He appreciated 00:17:09.600 --> 00:17:10.519 people's prayers 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.259 and concern. 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.700 He basically 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:15.799 gave an 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.620 explanation of 00:17:16.620 --> 00:17:17.180 the gospel. 00:17:18.860 --> 00:17:20.120 He said, in 00:17:20.120 --> 00:17:20.900 effect, I'm 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:21.900 right with God. 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.799 I have no 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.299 doubts. 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:26.240 And I want to 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.160 encourage you, 00:17:27.880 --> 00:17:29.100 if you're not a 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:29.640 Christian, to put 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:30.279 your faith and 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:31.259 trust in Jesus. 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:33.720 He was telling 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:34.440 the world, 00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:35.819 telling everybody 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:36.579 that he knew, 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:37.740 that he kept up 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.099 with, that he 00:17:38.099 --> 00:17:38.799 kept up with him, 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.940 I'm okay. 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:44.420 I have the 00:17:44.420 --> 00:17:46.039 utmost confidence 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:47.720 that God's going 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:48.740 to take care of 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:51.519 me, that my 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:53.980 ultimate end is 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:55.000 in his hands 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.839 and whatever 00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:58.140 it is, and 00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:59.119 most likely he 00:17:59.119 --> 00:17:59.640 knew, I mean, 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.819 it's death. 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.599 He was okay 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:03.000 with it. 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:04.339 He was ready 00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:05.579 and he was a 00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:06.240 witness to other 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:06.640 people. 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:09.559 That's what Paul 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:11.240 is really trying 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:12.259 to show us. 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:13.940 We can have 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:14.740 joy, not 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:17.200 happiness, but 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:19.059 joy, inner 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:20.579 peace, a sense 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:21.480 of contentment 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:22.299 with the way 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.460 it is. 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:26.279 If we're God's 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.980 children, we 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:28.740 can be confident 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:29.140 he's going to 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:30.299 bring about our 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:31.240 ultimate good and 00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:32.559 future well-being. 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.799 But here's what we 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:35.400 need to understand. 00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:39.940 God defines for 00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:42.259 us what our 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:43.579 future well-being 00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:44.539 is. 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:47.920 God tells us how 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:48.240 he's going to 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:48.720 bring it about. 00:18:48.920 --> 00:18:49.579 Look at this. 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:51.359 God works all 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:52.279 things for our 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:53.279 good, Romans 8, 00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:53.720 28. 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:55.319 And we know 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:56.059 that in all 00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:57.579 things, God 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.480 works for the 00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:00.360 good of those 00:19:00.360 --> 00:19:00.980 who love him, 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.100 who've been 00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:02.640 called according 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:03.200 to his purpose. 00:19:03.620 --> 00:19:06.079 God works in 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:06.720 Paul's 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.579 imprisonment, 00:19:08.360 --> 00:19:09.880 in your 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:10.720 difficulty, 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:13.660 in your 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.720 concern. 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.460 concern. 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:18.680 He works for 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:20.600 ultimate good. 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.400 But then, 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:23.799 God tells us 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:24.339 what that ultimate 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:25.039 good is. 00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:25.960 The very next 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:27.259 verse, Romans 8, 29. 00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:28.640 For those whom 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.420 he foreknew, 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:31.299 he also predestined 00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:33.220 to be conformed 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:34.339 to the image 00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:35.660 of his son. 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.440 God's goal 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:40.880 in all of life 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:42.760 is to develop 00:19:42.760 --> 00:19:43.520 Christ-like 00:19:43.520 --> 00:19:44.660 character in 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:46.000 us who are 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:46.480 Christians. 00:19:49.300 --> 00:19:49.980 God's 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:51.720 ultimate 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:52.620 good 00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:55.180 for each 00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:56.020 one of us 00:19:56.020 --> 00:19:59.000 is to develop 00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.480 Christ-like 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.260 character in us. 00:20:01.580 --> 00:20:02.820 It is not 00:20:02.820 --> 00:20:04.700 that we all 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.300 be healthy 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:07.480 or wealthy 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:09.299 or have 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:09.799 an easy 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.359 life. 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:13.740 It's not 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.379 that everybody's 00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:14.700 even going to 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.339 have a long 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.059 life or an 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:17.099 average life. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.359 Now, let me 00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:18.619 say, 00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:21.339 sometimes 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:22.960 God, 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:24.359 just out of 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:25.159 his grace, 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.500 will make 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:28.059 us healthy. 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:28.819 Some of you 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.279 in this room, 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.700 you've always 00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:32.299 been healthy. 00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:34.059 Some of you 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:34.700 have never been 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.200 in a hospital. 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:36.119 rarely ever 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:36.519 gone to the 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:36.859 doctor. 00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:38.079 You thank 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.440 God. 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:39.000 That's just a 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.379 blessing. 00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:41.519 Sometimes God 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:42.059 does that. 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:43.779 Sometimes he 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:45.480 makes some 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.079 of his people 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:46.799 wealthy. 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:48.799 And if you've 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:49.419 been faithful 00:20:49.419 --> 00:20:50.419 to God 00:20:50.419 --> 00:20:51.700 in the way 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.079 that you've 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:52.579 worked and 00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:53.099 saved and 00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:53.799 invested and 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.200 given, 00:20:54.919 --> 00:20:55.220 and he's 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:55.720 made you 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.099 wealthy, 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:57.200 thank him. 00:20:58.639 --> 00:20:59.319 It's a 00:20:59.319 --> 00:20:59.680 blessing. 00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:03.379 Some people 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:05.820 life's just 00:21:05.820 --> 00:21:06.640 sort of easy. 00:21:08.640 --> 00:21:09.420 You have 00:21:09.420 --> 00:21:09.960 good health, 00:21:10.060 --> 00:21:10.360 you have a 00:21:10.360 --> 00:21:11.040 good job, 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:14.360 you have a 00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:15.000 good family, 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:16.040 everybody loves 00:21:16.040 --> 00:21:16.540 one another, 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:17.260 nobody just 00:21:17.260 --> 00:21:17.860 rebels, 00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:21.460 bad things 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:21.980 just haven't 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.420 happened in 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:22.920 your life to 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:23.400 this point. 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:25.360 Thank him. 00:21:26.760 --> 00:21:27.460 It's a 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:27.860 blessing. 00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:30.699 But at the 00:21:30.699 --> 00:21:31.399 same time, 00:21:32.419 --> 00:21:33.259 that is not 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:33.979 God's ultimate 00:21:33.979 --> 00:21:34.919 goal for you. 00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.899 God's ultimate 00:21:37.899 --> 00:21:39.339 goal is that we 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:40.079 develop Christ-like 00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:41.299 character and 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.699 for most people 00:21:42.699 --> 00:21:44.539 it's through 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:45.059 hardship, 00:21:45.399 --> 00:21:45.679 it's through 00:21:45.679 --> 00:21:46.379 difficulty, 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.279 it's through a 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.219 life that's not 00:21:48.219 --> 00:21:48.779 easy, 00:21:49.699 --> 00:21:51.019 it's through not 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:51.979 having everything 00:21:51.979 --> 00:21:52.819 you want, 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:55.339 not being 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:55.899 wealthy, 00:21:56.479 --> 00:21:57.500 not being always 00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:58.059 healthy. 00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.420 What we've got to 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:00.859 learn to do as 00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:01.539 Christians is to 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:02.759 let God determine, 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:04.480 I mean he does 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:04.980 determine it, 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.319 we've got to 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:06.480 accept what God 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:08.779 determines is for 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:10.420 our ultimate 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.960 well-being to be. 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.319 And when we 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:15.380 will, if we will 00:22:15.380 --> 00:22:15.980 develop the 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:16.920 spiritual maturity 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:18.519 to accept that, 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:21.480 like Paul, 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:24.180 like my 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:24.880 brother-in-law 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:25.480 John, 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:27.700 we will be 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:29.240 able to rejoice 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:30.819 that God is 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:31.920 working in our 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:33.920 lives to bring 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:34.480 about our 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.380 future and 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:36.740 ultimate well-being 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:37.960 regardless of 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.799 what that might 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.319 mean. 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:42.579 Not being 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.079 healed, 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.740 dying, 00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:48.519 it happens. 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.019 There's something 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:51.140 else we see in 00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:51.740 that Paul, 00:22:52.360 --> 00:22:53.000 in Paul, 00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:53.559 that we need to 00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.460 learn to rejoice 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:54.700 about. 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.140 Look at this, 00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:56.019 we can rejoice 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:57.579 over how God 00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:58.600 brings about our 00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.319 future and 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:00.299 ultimate well-being. 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:01.420 Read these verses 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:02.140 again with me. 00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:04.299 Yes, and I will 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:06.059 rejoice, for I 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:06.860 know that through 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:09.140 your prayers and 00:23:09.140 --> 00:23:10.240 the help of the 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:11.200 Spirit of Jesus 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:12.799 Christ, this will 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:14.220 turn out for my 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:14.779 deliverance. 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:15.559 I want to stop 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:16.340 there for right 00:23:16.340 --> 00:23:16.539 now. 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.680 Paul is rejoicing 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:20.940 in the process that 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:21.920 God uses to bring 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:23.840 about our future 00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:24.660 well-being. 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.400 Look at that 00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:25.980 process. 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.100 God works through 00:23:27.100 --> 00:23:27.660 the prayers of 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.080 His people. 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.160 Look at that. 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:31.640 Paul, the great 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:33.340 apostle, the one 00:23:33.340 --> 00:23:34.600 in whom God 00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:35.400 worked to give us 00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:36.800 scripture, he says, 00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:37.640 for I know that 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:39.420 through your prayers 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:41.460 this will turn out 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.620 for my deliverance. 00:23:43.620 --> 00:23:45.060 In our first study 00:23:45.060 --> 00:23:46.039 of the book of 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:46.920 Philippians, back on 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:49.180 January the 3rd, we 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:50.240 looked at how Paul 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:52.840 explained God 00:23:52.840 --> 00:23:54.259 sovereignly works in 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:55.140 our lives from the 00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:56.920 beginning to continue 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:59.740 and to the end to 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:01.259 bring about our 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:02.560 salvation and His 00:24:02.560 --> 00:24:04.240 good work in us. 00:24:04.800 --> 00:24:05.560 It's in Philippians 00:24:05.560 --> 00:24:06.380 1, 6. 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:06.960 It's not on the 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:07.300 screen. 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:09.120 He says, and I am 00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:10.340 sure of this, that 00:24:10.340 --> 00:24:11.320 He who began a good 00:24:11.320 --> 00:24:12.640 work in you will 00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:13.240 bring it to 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:14.539 completion at the 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.039 day of Jesus 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.500 Christ. 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:17.119 Paul taught more 00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:18.039 about the sovereignty 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:20.339 of God in his 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:22.059 letters than any 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:22.759 other New Testament 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.180 writer. 00:24:24.619 --> 00:24:26.380 But Paul equally 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:29.400 believed in our 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:31.420 responsibility as 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:33.359 Christians to be 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:34.839 faithful to God, to 00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:36.640 cooperate, to obey 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.059 Him. 00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:39.299 This verse shows 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:40.000 that Paul believed 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:41.240 strongly in the power 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.720 of prayer. 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:44.220 Paul, on many 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:45.240 occasions throughout 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:46.900 his letters, asked 00:24:46.900 --> 00:24:48.200 for and expected 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.220 other Christians to 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:50.420 pray for him. 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:52.599 You hear, listen to 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:52.799 this. 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:54.180 Paul believed that 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:55.259 God worked His 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:58.579 sovereign plan through 00:24:58.579 --> 00:25:02.420 the prayers of His 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:02.740 people. 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:06.599 We need to be asking 00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:08.460 people to pray for 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:10.519 us as we go through 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:11.740 our difficulties. 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:14.079 We need to pray for 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:14.859 our difficulties. 00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:16.359 We need to pray for 00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:17.359 our difficulties. 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:18.660 We need to pray for 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.180 people who are going 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:19.480 through their 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.019 difficulties. 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:21.619 But listen to this. 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.980 We need to pray for a 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:23.720 whole lot more than 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:26.019 physical healing or 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:28.420 physical deliverance from 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:28.920 a problem. 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:32.000 We need to pray for 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:33.119 ourselves and for other 00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:35.500 people to develop that 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:38.000 Christ-like character, to 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:40.500 become spiritually mature. 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:44.059 We need to pray for 00:25:44.059 --> 00:25:46.579 people, your children, 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.500 your grandchildren, 00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.279 people in your Sunday 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:52.380 school class, your 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:53.019 Christian friends. 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.559 Pray for them to be able 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:57.680 to have strong beliefs, 00:25:59.000 --> 00:26:02.500 real convictions, and 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:04.460 stand firm on them in 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:06.460 every situation. 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:08.460 And never compromise, 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.559 never back down, never 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:13.360 be ashamed of the truth 00:26:13.360 --> 00:26:15.740 that God makes clear in 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.200 His Word. 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:19.420 And we need to pray for 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:21.100 one another and seek 00:26:21.100 --> 00:26:21.460 prayer. 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:23.620 We need the prayers that 00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:24.860 we'll be faithful like 00:26:24.860 --> 00:26:27.559 this until God calls us 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:28.079 home. 00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:30.400 That we'll finish the race 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:31.980 all the way. 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:34.700 Is that how you're 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.500 praying for your family 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.019 members? 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.460 I want to tell you, 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:41.279 this is a totally true 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:41.700 statement. 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.799 The whole time I've been 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:47.299 married and had 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:49.960 children, I have prayed 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:51.960 more for my wife and 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:54.779 children, now daughters-in-law 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.620 and grandchildren. 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.880 I've prayed more about 00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:58.519 their spiritual well-being 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.680 when you put it all 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:01.660 together than have their 00:27:01.660 --> 00:27:02.519 physical well-being. 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:08.440 I've prayed more for 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:09.759 our church family, 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:13.540 our spiritual well-being, 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.840 your spiritual well-being, 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:18.100 more than the other 00:27:18.100 --> 00:27:18.660 things. 00:27:19.060 --> 00:27:22.380 Now, I certainly pray for 00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:24.380 my family concerning all 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:25.740 kinds of things, including 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:27.860 physical situations. 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.080 I've prayed long and hard 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:31.659 about specific circumstances, 00:27:32.379 --> 00:27:34.139 asking God to change, to 00:27:34.139 --> 00:27:35.220 bring about this or that 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:35.819 result. 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:37.659 I've prayed that for some 00:27:37.659 --> 00:27:38.139 of you. 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.619 Specific things about 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:42.299 physical things, 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.460 situations. 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:47.159 But even more than that, 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:50.579 like Paul, we need to learn 00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:52.919 to pray for spiritual growth, 00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:54.679 spiritual maturity. 00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:56.759 I want you to pray that for 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.060 me. 00:27:58.600 --> 00:27:59.519 I really do. 00:28:00.820 --> 00:28:02.000 I want you to pray that for 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:03.620 every leader in this church. 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:06.680 They want you to do that as 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.180 well. 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.400 One other thought along this 00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:12.340 line, don't ever give up 00:28:12.340 --> 00:28:13.680 praying for your unsaved 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:15.039 family members and friends. 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:17.879 If you haven't gotten it yet 00:28:17.879 --> 00:28:18.619 or haven't done it yet, 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:20.139 read my article in the 00:28:20.139 --> 00:28:21.240 newsletter this week. 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:23.159 It tells the story about a 00:28:23.159 --> 00:28:25.139 man and his wife who prayed 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:27.099 for his father-in-law for 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:29.399 32 years, witnessed to him in 00:28:29.399 --> 00:28:30.879 all kinds of ways, got other 00:28:30.879 --> 00:28:31.740 people involved. 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:34.799 And it was only after 32 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:36.980 years that that man showed 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:39.519 any interest and by God's 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:41.059 grace eventually was saved. 00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:43.839 We cannot give up. 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:45.980 God works through our 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:47.379 prayers and look at this. 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.599 God works through the Holy 00:28:48.599 --> 00:28:48.899 Spirit. 00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:50.259 He says, for I know that 00:28:50.259 --> 00:28:51.199 through your prayers and the 00:28:51.199 --> 00:28:52.439 help of the Spirit of Jesus 00:28:52.439 --> 00:28:52.899 Christ. 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:53.980 In the New Testament, the 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.679 Holy Spirit is called by 00:28:54.679 --> 00:28:55.299 different names. 00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:56.779 Sometimes he's called like 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:58.000 this, the Spirit of Jesus 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:58.359 Christ. 00:28:58.459 --> 00:28:59.379 Sometimes the Spirit of 00:28:59.379 --> 00:28:59.619 Christ. 00:28:59.899 --> 00:29:01.399 Sometimes the Spirit of God. 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:04.500 Paul's emphasis here is not 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:06.139 on the name of the Holy 00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:08.699 Spirit, but on his power. 00:29:10.699 --> 00:29:11.740 It's the Holy Spirit living 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.759 within us as Christians. 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:15.980 He's the one that supplies 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:18.179 us with the spiritual strength 00:29:18.179 --> 00:29:20.619 that we need. 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:23.759 He supplies us with wisdom, 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:25.539 with guidance. 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.859 He's the one that works in us 00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:28.839 to enable us to develop 00:29:28.839 --> 00:29:30.019 Christ-like character. 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:32.059 He's the one that gives us the 00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:33.419 spiritual strength and 00:29:33.419 --> 00:29:34.659 sometimes physical and 00:29:34.659 --> 00:29:36.159 emotional strength to 00:29:36.159 --> 00:29:37.480 persevere, to be faithful, 00:29:37.579 --> 00:29:38.299 to not give up. 00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:41.159 You know, in Romans chapter 8, 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:42.220 Paul even talks about how the 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:43.980 Holy Spirit helps us to pray. 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:46.940 Sometimes when we're too weak or 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:48.299 we just don't know how to pray, 00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:51.539 He intercedes for us. 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:53.019 That's going on right now in 00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:53.599 your life. 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:54.940 If you're a Christian, the Holy 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:56.720 Spirit lives within you. 00:29:57.139 --> 00:29:59.740 And Paul also says in Romans 8, 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.859 that the Holy Spirit doesn't live 00:30:00.859 --> 00:30:01.659 in you, you're not a Christian. 00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:04.360 We can think of Him as our 00:30:04.360 --> 00:30:05.540 resident teacher, 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:10.080 our equipper, our energizer, 00:30:11.080 --> 00:30:12.540 our encourager. 00:30:13.340 --> 00:30:14.660 We can't live the Christian life 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:15.120 on our own. 00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:16.800 It is impossible. 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:19.200 But the news is we don't have to. 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:23.019 God has put His Spirit in us. 00:30:24.320 --> 00:30:25.580 All we need to do is choose to 00:30:25.580 --> 00:30:26.420 cooperate with Him. 00:30:28.060 --> 00:30:29.519 Cooperate as He works. 00:30:30.300 --> 00:30:31.019 Think about it like this. 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:33.019 We need to learn to be sensitive 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:34.839 to the actual presence of the 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:35.339 Holy Spirit. 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:39.900 Be aware of His convicting, 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.180 His encouraging, 00:30:42.599 --> 00:30:44.059 and then obedient to His 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:44.339 leadership. 00:30:44.859 --> 00:30:45.480 For example, 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.799 if you're a Christian, 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:50.420 haven't you at times 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:53.359 just been made aware 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:55.099 that something that you were 00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:55.740 thinking, 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:58.519 something you were feeling, 00:30:58.519 --> 00:31:01.299 something you were wanting to say 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:03.180 was just wrong, 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:05.599 and you shouldn't do it. 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:08.180 That was the Holy Spirit 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:10.460 causing you to realize 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:12.160 don't act on that thought. 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:14.160 Don't fulfill those desires. 00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:15.500 Close your mouth. 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:16.420 Don't say it. 00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:20.180 But you have to cooperate 00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:20.720 with Him 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:23.240 and do what He's saying. 00:31:24.340 --> 00:31:25.500 The Holy Spirit also does 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:26.440 positive things. 00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.620 He makes us aware 00:31:27.620 --> 00:31:29.380 of what's right. 00:31:30.580 --> 00:31:32.180 Sometimes something that needs 00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:32.840 to be said 00:31:32.840 --> 00:31:34.220 to encourage somebody. 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:36.740 Something that we actually 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:38.019 need to do 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:39.980 to please God. 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:42.500 And what we need to do 00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.620 is when He prompts us 00:31:43.620 --> 00:31:45.019 to do something, 00:31:45.299 --> 00:31:45.799 say something, 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:46.720 we need to do it 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:48.000 as part of being obedient 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:49.259 to His leadership. 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:51.579 The Holy Spirit will guide us 00:31:51.579 --> 00:31:52.500 in the way that we think, 00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:53.240 the way that we feel, 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:55.079 things we want to say, 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:55.920 things we want to do. 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:59.059 Sometimes He'll check us. 00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:00.160 Don't. 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:02.579 Sometimes He'll prompt us. 00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:03.539 That's right. 00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:05.819 But what we have to do 00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:07.519 is we're sensitive to Him 00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:08.000 doing this. 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:09.660 We have to then obey Him. 00:32:10.900 --> 00:32:12.299 God works in our lives 00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:13.940 through the prayers 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:14.660 of other Christians, 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:16.400 through the power 00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:17.160 of the Holy Spirit. 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:18.640 And then, 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:19.799 we're going to look at this 00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:20.380 next week, 00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:21.539 but I will just show this. 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.880 God works through 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:24.779 our faithful efforts. 00:32:25.660 --> 00:32:26.599 That's in verse 20. 00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:29.240 That'll be a part 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.480 of what we look at next week. 00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:35.279 Everybody really wants 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:36.220 to be happy, don't they? 00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:38.900 I mean, 00:32:38.900 --> 00:32:40.480 if you don't want to be happy, 00:32:40.620 --> 00:32:41.500 something's wrong with you. 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:42.600 I'm serious. 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.580 You got a problem 00:32:43.580 --> 00:32:45.480 if you don't really want 00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:46.480 to be happy. 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:49.940 And if you don't want 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:50.519 to be happy, 00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:52.340 I can't help you. 00:32:53.160 --> 00:32:54.100 You need somebody 00:32:54.100 --> 00:32:56.040 that's a real counselor. 00:32:56.860 --> 00:32:58.340 If you don't have the desire 00:32:58.340 --> 00:32:59.680 to be happy 00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:03.560 and make other people happy. 00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:05.700 But the truth is, 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:07.659 we want to be that, 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:10.899 but no one is always happy. 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:12.899 Because happiness 00:33:12.899 --> 00:33:14.659 is based on our circumstances 00:33:14.659 --> 00:33:16.299 being what we want them to be. 00:33:17.899 --> 00:33:18.940 Life's just not that way, 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.259 is it? 00:33:20.679 --> 00:33:22.000 We can't always be happy, 00:33:22.079 --> 00:33:24.619 but we can always experience joy. 00:33:24.619 --> 00:33:27.859 We can be content. 00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:31.519 We can be at peace 00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:32.500 with God 00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:36.199 no matter what's going on 00:33:36.199 --> 00:33:37.339 around us. 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:42.639 We can be joyful people 00:33:42.639 --> 00:33:45.299 by trusting God 00:33:45.299 --> 00:33:46.959 to work in our lives 00:33:46.959 --> 00:33:48.459 for ultimate good 00:33:48.459 --> 00:33:52.119 and for our eternal well-being. 00:33:52.119 --> 00:33:56.059 Ask God to help you work. 00:33:56.379 --> 00:33:58.019 Ask God to work in your life 00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:59.319 that way now. 00:34:00.839 --> 00:34:01.919 I want to encourage you 00:34:01.919 --> 00:34:02.399 to do that. 00:34:03.679 --> 00:34:06.419 Or if you would say, 00:34:07.479 --> 00:34:07.879 you know, 00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:09.799 I struggle like everybody else, 00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:12.159 but I do experience 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:13.059 a lot of Christian joy. 00:34:13.259 --> 00:34:14.000 Thank God. 00:34:15.000 --> 00:34:17.159 Thank God for that gift. 00:34:20.359 --> 00:34:21.639 If you're not experiencing 00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:22.199 the kind of joy 00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:22.980 we're talking about, 00:34:24.219 --> 00:34:25.639 ask other Christians 00:34:25.639 --> 00:34:26.659 that you know, 00:34:26.779 --> 00:34:27.859 that you have confidence in, 00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:30.059 to pray for you this way. 00:34:31.739 --> 00:34:32.900 It's far more important 00:34:32.900 --> 00:34:33.619 for you to ask somebody 00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:34.339 to pray for you 00:34:34.339 --> 00:34:35.500 to have joy, 00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:37.420 to develop Christian character, 00:34:38.339 --> 00:34:39.259 than it is for them 00:34:39.259 --> 00:34:40.619 to pray for you 00:34:40.619 --> 00:34:41.279 to get well 00:34:41.279 --> 00:34:42.460 from some kind of sickness. 00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:45.019 By God's grace, 00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:46.420 we can experience joy 00:34:46.420 --> 00:34:48.579 in this world, 00:34:48.819 --> 00:34:49.579 even in the midst 00:34:49.579 --> 00:34:50.460 of a pandemic, 00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:53.340 and all the uncertainty, 00:34:54.659 --> 00:34:56.179 and all the unhappiness 00:34:56.179 --> 00:34:57.920 that it brings. 00:34:59.500 --> 00:34:59.840 In fact, 00:34:59.960 --> 00:35:01.119 let's just bow right now 00:35:01.119 --> 00:35:02.519 and ask God 00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:03.539 to help us 00:35:03.539 --> 00:35:05.400 to experience 00:35:05.400 --> 00:35:07.559 Christian joy and more. 00:35:07.799 --> 00:35:08.659 Would you join with me? 00:35:08.860 --> 00:35:09.360 Dear God, 00:35:10.199 --> 00:35:11.679 help us to see right now 00:35:11.679 --> 00:35:16.759 what needs to take place 00:35:16.759 --> 00:35:17.599 in our lives 00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:19.960 to experience 00:35:19.960 --> 00:35:21.399 this joy, 00:35:22.359 --> 00:35:23.539 this contentment, 00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:25.879 this peace in our soul 00:35:25.879 --> 00:35:28.460 that Paul 00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:32.099 experienced 00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:33.460 and prayed for others 00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:34.139 to experience. 00:35:35.139 --> 00:35:35.980 Help us, Father, 00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:37.500 to seek that from you. 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:40.340 Help us, Father, 00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:41.619 to request 00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:42.900 that kind of prayer 00:35:42.900 --> 00:35:43.940 from other Christians. 00:35:45.880 --> 00:35:46.500 And Lord, 00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:47.699 help us to cooperate 00:35:47.699 --> 00:35:48.920 with the Holy Spirit 00:35:48.920 --> 00:35:51.219 as He works in us 00:35:51.219 --> 00:35:52.860 to enable us 00:35:52.860 --> 00:35:53.880 to be more joyful. 00:35:58.679 --> 00:35:59.179 Father, 00:35:59.280 --> 00:36:00.400 help us all right now 00:36:00.400 --> 00:36:04.059 to know what we need to do 00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:06.579 than to make the confession, 00:36:07.779 --> 00:36:08.380 the commitment, 00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:10.179 or whatever it is 00:36:10.179 --> 00:36:10.779 we need to do. 00:36:12.679 --> 00:36:13.619 And just with our 00:36:13.619 --> 00:36:14.639 heads bowed, 00:36:14.679 --> 00:36:15.199 eyes closed, 00:36:15.259 --> 00:36:15.900 and attitude to prayer, 00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:17.460 let's all do that. 00:36:18.460 --> 00:36:18.900 Seek 00:36:18.900 --> 00:36:20.880 to respond to God 00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:23.340 as He speaks to us 00:36:23.340 --> 00:36:24.799 so that we can 00:36:24.799 --> 00:36:25.539 be Christians 00:36:25.539 --> 00:36:26.299 who experience 00:36:26.299 --> 00:36:27.799 real joy 00:36:27.799 --> 00:36:29.299 in our lives. 00:36:29.299 --> 00:36:29.420 Amen.