WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.120 Well, can I start by asking, when will you be complete? 00:00:08.540 --> 00:00:13.500 When I was in primary school, I thought I'd be complete when I had a portable CD player. 00:00:14.500 --> 00:00:16.359 Yes, CD player. 00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:20.900 When I was in high school, I thought I was going to be complete when I had a girlfriend. 00:00:23.580 --> 00:00:29.379 When I was in late high school, I thought I'd be complete when I had a Subaru WRX. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.480 But my parents wouldn't let me. 00:00:32.820 --> 00:00:36.600 I got a Subaru Liberty instead, and I crashed it. 00:00:38.480 --> 00:00:45.859 When I was in uni, I thought if I had a six-pack of abs and big arms, I'd be complete. 00:00:47.900 --> 00:00:48.379 Yeah. 00:00:50.340 --> 00:00:54.719 When I stopped working out, someone at church said to me, oh, you've lost weight. 00:00:55.920 --> 00:00:57.420 Yeah, that killed that dream. 00:00:58.600 --> 00:00:59.659 It wasn't working. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:07.700 For a long time, I thought when I was married, I'll be complete. 00:01:08.859 --> 00:01:13.280 Now, Emma's wonderful, but that's too much to ask of a spouse. 00:01:13.280 --> 00:01:22.540 For a while, I thought if I won the grace soccer, I'd be complete. 00:01:24.780 --> 00:01:26.799 Lasts for about 24 hours, that feeling. 00:01:28.379 --> 00:01:29.960 A bit longer when you lose. 00:01:29.959 --> 00:01:36.159 I thought when I had a well-paying job, I'll be complete. 00:01:36.159 --> 00:01:44.119 More recently, I thought once I finish Bible college, I'll be complete. 00:01:44.120 --> 00:01:45.120 Not quite. 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:46.120 Not quite. 00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:55.400 At the moment, I think I'm thinking when I have children, I'll be complete. 00:01:55.400 --> 00:02:05.540 I think for a long while, in terms of my personality, I've thought when I'm more socially confident, I'll be complete. 00:02:05.540 --> 00:02:10.680 When I'm funnier, more witty. 00:02:13.240 --> 00:02:14.360 When I'm cleverer. 00:02:14.360 --> 00:02:16.340 I can barely say the word. 00:02:17.900 --> 00:02:19.140 I'll be complete then. 00:02:20.800 --> 00:02:21.820 So what about you? 00:02:21.819 --> 00:02:25.099 When will you be complete? 00:02:25.639 --> 00:02:28.259 When will your life be complete? 00:02:31.780 --> 00:02:34.180 Will you be complete when you look the way you want to look? 00:02:36.019 --> 00:02:37.259 When you have no more debt? 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:43.900 Will you be complete when you're married or when your spouse changes that behaviour? 00:02:47.139 --> 00:02:48.699 It may be something quite serious. 00:02:48.699 --> 00:02:51.899 You might think, I'll be complete when I'm healthy again. 00:02:54.799 --> 00:02:58.219 Will you be complete, do you think, when you break that habit? 00:03:01.019 --> 00:03:04.780 Do you think you'll be complete when you have no more stress from work or children? 00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:11.500 I think so often we think of completeness in terms of our circumstances. 00:03:12.459 --> 00:03:14.939 When they change, we'll be whole. 00:03:14.939 --> 00:03:25.900 We desire our body to change, our personality to change, our career to change, our spouse to change, our children to change, our capabilities to change. 00:03:26.139 --> 00:03:27.020 Then we'll be complete. 00:03:27.079 --> 00:03:28.379 It's all about circumstances. 00:03:30.460 --> 00:03:33.819 How often do we think of our completeness in terms of our character? 00:03:33.819 --> 00:03:50.459 What if God has a different idea about what it looks like, what it means to be complete, to be whole, to be full of joy, to be the person God created you to be? 00:03:51.819 --> 00:03:53.259 What if he's got a different idea? 00:03:53.359 --> 00:03:54.060 I think he does. 00:03:54.060 --> 00:04:24.040 What if he's got a different idea about what it means to be? 00:04:24.060 --> 00:04:25.600 To God's commitment to his church? 00:04:25.720 --> 00:04:30.899 The first one is that God is committed to you by joining you to Christ. 00:04:31.100 --> 00:04:34.860 You are to know that you are joined to Christ if you have faith in him. 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:35.939 You are a saint. 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:37.740 You are a servant in him. 00:04:39.579 --> 00:04:46.840 The second one is we should stop and appreciate the current fruit of God's grace in us. 00:04:46.839 --> 00:04:51.859 When we see partnership in the gospel, people living for the sake of the gospel. 00:04:53.619 --> 00:05:03.739 The third thing we're going to see is the foundation, the confidence we can have is that we can trust in this, that God is the one who will complete you for the day of Jesus Christ. 00:05:04.799 --> 00:05:07.479 And the fourth thing is we should pray for it. 00:05:07.579 --> 00:05:08.679 This is what we should pray for. 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:12.040 So let's get into it. 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:12.860 The first one. 00:05:13.060 --> 00:05:17.019 Know that you are saints and servants in Christ. 00:05:17.959 --> 00:05:21.720 God is committed to you by joining you to Christ. 00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:23.040 You are connected to him. 00:05:23.220 --> 00:05:27.460 Everything you receive from God is through him. 00:05:28.300 --> 00:05:30.480 There is no other way that you receive it. 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:31.420 It is through him. 00:05:31.420 --> 00:05:32.939 So verse 1. 00:05:33.460 --> 00:05:43.480 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus to all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons. 00:05:45.840 --> 00:05:53.259 Paul is really careful to emphasize that the Philippians are first and foremost in Christ. 00:05:54.060 --> 00:05:56.139 They just buy their groceries at Philippi. 00:05:56.139 --> 00:06:03.519 Now that's incredible because Philippi was a Roman colony and so they were kind of like a miniature Rome. 00:06:04.419 --> 00:06:11.319 From everything from their religion to their lifestyle to their politics, they were all shaped by Rome. 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:16.319 There would have been a lot of pride in being a Philippian. 00:06:17.399 --> 00:06:25.479 But the believers weren't to understand themselves as Philippians first and foremost but belonging to Christ, in Christ. 00:06:25.480 --> 00:06:26.600 That is where you are. 00:06:27.160 --> 00:06:28.280 That's who you belong to. 00:06:30.200 --> 00:06:38.980 To be in Christ, it's a favorite expression of Paul and it carries so much meaning and it's hard to put words to express it. 00:06:40.220 --> 00:06:46.980 But let me just say, everything you receive from God is determined by your connection to Jesus. 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:52.200 So Jesus uses a metaphor of the vine and the branches. 00:06:52.480 --> 00:06:54.680 Everything you receive from God is through him. 00:06:55.480 --> 00:07:03.600 So can I just pause at this point and ask, do you have faith in Jesus? 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:09.819 Have you handed over your life to him? 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:18.040 Because everything good that God has to offer you is through him, only through him. 00:07:18.040 --> 00:07:30.439 Now if you are in Christ, if you do have faith in him, know that you are a saint. 00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:35.540 And the ESV translated it, holy one, which is helpful I think. 00:07:37.120 --> 00:07:38.200 So what is a saint? 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:48.339 I think we often think it's like Andrew Johns for the Newcastle Knights being in the Hall of Fame because he's just so amazing. 00:07:48.479 --> 00:07:49.479 He's one of the immortals. 00:07:49.719 --> 00:07:52.259 I think we think like that, the super Christians. 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:54.680 But that's not what it means. 00:07:55.259 --> 00:07:56.539 It means holy one. 00:07:57.959 --> 00:08:04.879 It means someone who is chosen by God to be set apart, to belong to God, to serve God. 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:08.120 It's not based on what you've done. 00:08:08.539 --> 00:08:10.139 It's based on God choosing you. 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:13.360 I was trying to think of an illustration, to be honest. 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:15.720 I can't think of one good enough. 00:08:15.840 --> 00:08:17.180 So here's my best shot. 00:08:17.800 --> 00:08:22.480 I think it's kind of like being chosen to work for like the CIA. 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:23.460 I know that's American. 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:30.780 But you were chosen to be set apart, to have a high calling to serve your country. 00:08:31.780 --> 00:08:36.700 Everything about your life from then on is in service to your country. 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:39.340 It's kind of like that, but way better. 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:42.700 If you're in Christ, you're a holy one. 00:08:42.700 --> 00:08:43.820 You belong to Christ. 00:08:43.900 --> 00:08:44.879 You were set apart for him. 00:08:45.100 --> 00:08:47.560 That's everyone, all of us who are in Christ. 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:58.700 And then we've got the phrase, together with the deacons and overseers, don't worry, Alex and Paul and elders. 00:08:59.120 --> 00:09:00.280 It's not saying you're not a saint. 00:09:00.700 --> 00:09:02.980 It's saying you are with the saints. 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:05.480 You're included in the saints. 00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:10.640 I wonder if Paul addresses the overseers and deacons because there was false teachers 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:13.419 who were attacking the church at the time. 00:09:13.419 --> 00:09:17.399 So maybe he's just trying to bolster the congregation going, stick to your leaders. 00:09:17.720 --> 00:09:19.159 Don't listen to the false teachers. 00:09:19.319 --> 00:09:21.379 I think that's possibly what's going on. 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:24.720 And look at Paul and Timothy. 00:09:25.059 --> 00:09:26.319 Now, Paul is an apostle. 00:09:26.320 --> 00:09:31.140 There's only a few apostles. 00:09:32.560 --> 00:09:33.720 Very high calling. 00:09:35.300 --> 00:09:39.680 And unlike the rest of his letters, he doesn't identify himself as an apostle. 00:09:40.160 --> 00:09:42.120 He doesn't need to, to the Philippians. 00:09:42.220 --> 00:09:44.580 I think their relationship is so close, he doesn't need to. 00:09:46.160 --> 00:09:47.580 What does he want to be known as? 00:09:47.640 --> 00:09:48.760 Who is he first and foremost? 00:09:49.300 --> 00:09:52.520 He is a servant of Christ. 00:09:52.519 --> 00:10:02.579 I think he's anticipating chapter 2 where Christ himself becomes a servant. 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:09.980 Christ himself becomes a servant. 00:10:13.799 --> 00:10:18.360 God served you. 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:22.600 That's incredible, isn't it? 00:10:23.800 --> 00:10:25.139 He serves us. 00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:30.960 And Paul wants to be known as a servant of him. 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:32.340 His life belongs to him. 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:37.740 I think he wants the Philippians to think the same way, for us to think the same way. 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:38.919 We are servants. 00:10:40.060 --> 00:10:41.639 We have the highest calling. 00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:43.500 We have the highest job in the world. 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:45.820 We are servants of the living God. 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:54.759 God has committed to you by joining you to Christ. 00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:56.800 Everything you receive is through him. 00:10:58.019 --> 00:10:59.560 You are a servant of Christ. 00:11:00.419 --> 00:11:01.740 The highest calling possible. 00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:09.740 So second, appreciate the current fruit of God's grace. 00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:12.320 Your partnership in the gospel. 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:23.920 The Philippian church, they were actively supporting Paul in his missionary work. 00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:27.480 They were the only church in the beginning to be supporting Paul. 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:29.960 We're told in chapter 4. 00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:35.900 They stood with him when churches were being founded and conversions were happening. 00:11:36.180 --> 00:11:37.900 And they stood with him when he was in prison. 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:44.319 Even when they themselves could be in danger of being put in prison or they could be losing 00:11:44.319 --> 00:11:45.980 respect for Paul, they stuck with him. 00:11:46.439 --> 00:11:47.659 They were supporting him. 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:54.899 And they sent Epaphroditus, one of their dearly loved brothers, on a several month long journey, 00:11:54.959 --> 00:11:55.799 a dangerous journey. 00:11:55.899 --> 00:12:01.360 He almost died in service of Paul to help him in his ministry. 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:03.139 These guys loved Paul. 00:12:03.259 --> 00:12:04.300 They were worried about him. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:05.240 They wanted news. 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:05.940 Is he okay? 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:07.320 What's happening? 00:12:07.419 --> 00:12:09.519 What's the outcome of his imprisonment? 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:13.980 Now, who is Paul full of thankfulness to? 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:14.940 Look at verse 3. 00:12:17.320 --> 00:12:19.659 I thank my God. 00:12:22.779 --> 00:12:24.379 I thank my God. 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:27.560 He is full of thankfulness to God. 00:12:27.680 --> 00:12:28.680 Why to God? 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:32.399 Why doesn't he thank the Philippians directly? 00:12:34.419 --> 00:12:37.000 I think it comes down to this word partnership. 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:42.799 We see it in verse 7, but it's translated a bit differently. 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:48.339 You are all partakers, partners with me of grace. 00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:59.280 It is God's grace in us that empowers our hearts to want to see the gospel go out, to be heard, 00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:02.000 to be defended against all objections. 00:13:02.580 --> 00:13:05.440 They want the gospel to be argued for persuasively. 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:07.399 They want Christ to be known and heard. 00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:10.740 It's God's grace in us that makes us even want that. 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:22.340 We see at the end of the letter in chapter 4, verse 17, that Paul really appreciates the Philippians' financial support of him and their prayers. 00:13:22.340 --> 00:13:26.040 But do you know what really excites Paul? 00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:31.420 He's learnt to be content whether he has a lot or nothing. 00:13:31.660 --> 00:13:39.420 What excites him is that this giving is evidence that they are working for the gospel, that they love Christ that much. 00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:42.000 It is fruit of God's work in them. 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:45.279 It's really exciting to him. 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:51.779 So when a team goes out from here to Pilaga, thank you God. 00:13:53.360 --> 00:14:02.620 When people give generously of their time and money to this church, to missionaries, thank you God. 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:04.440 That is fruit of God's work in you. 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:15.740 When someone adjusts their work availability so that they can invest in church people and events, thank you God. 00:14:16.280 --> 00:14:17.300 That's incredible. 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:20.940 That's evidence of God's work in you. 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:28.460 When parents stumble through the door exhausted on Sunday morning, thank you God. 00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:43.280 When people choose their sport and their hairdresser and their gym based on wanting to mix with unbelievers, who thinks like that? 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:45.519 Thank you God. 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:51.220 These are just small examples, but there's so many other examples of God's grace in us. 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:54.180 When we see it, we should stop and thank God for it. 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:58.300 There is current fruit of God's work in us. 00:14:58.460 --> 00:15:05.440 So this word partnership, I want to go a bit deeper into it. 00:15:06.040 --> 00:15:07.259 What is it exactly? 00:15:07.420 --> 00:15:11.480 I think it's a lot deeper than giving money. 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:13.220 It's way more than that. 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:22.920 It's a shared desire to see Jesus known and loved for who he is, whatever means possible. 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:26.860 We can disagree on the best way to do it. 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:28.500 That doesn't really matter. 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:31.600 They're one in passion and goal. 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:36.279 It's a shared passion for Jesus to be known and loved. 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:41.560 It's a passion that is constant and enduring. 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:45.300 So we see in verse 5, it's from the first day until now. 00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:51.359 This partnership and passion is an individual choice. 00:15:51.479 --> 00:15:53.919 Notice how Paul is thankful for you all. 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:56.519 Verse 5, every one of you. 00:15:56.859 --> 00:15:57.659 He repeats it. 00:15:57.719 --> 00:16:00.939 Verse 7, it is right for me to feel this way about you all. 00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:06.339 For you all are partakers with me of grace. 00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:09.139 It's an individual thing. 00:16:10.800 --> 00:16:20.160 The thinkers, the doers, the grumpy, the kind, the extroverts, the introverts, the easygoing, the nitpicking. 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:22.879 Paul is filled with thankfulness for them all. 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:24.419 Why? 00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:27.720 Because they're all easy to get on with? 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:33.580 No, because they have a shared desire for Jesus to be known and loved. 00:16:34.939 --> 00:16:36.299 They have the same heart. 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:44.700 This partnership, this fellowship, this deep affection endures hardship. 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:47.139 They stuck with him in his imprisonments. 00:16:47.139 --> 00:16:51.019 It's a beautiful thing. 00:16:52.939 --> 00:16:56.199 Have you ever noticed what happens when you serve alongside someone? 00:16:57.059 --> 00:17:05.539 Maybe it's a quench or pillager or playgroup or fresh or serving morning tea together, packing up shares together. 00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:07.160 Have you noticed what happens when you do that? 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:10.559 Doesn't your affection grow for those people? 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:13.980 Why is that? 00:17:14.639 --> 00:17:15.720 You're just packing up shares. 00:17:17.140 --> 00:17:23.920 Paul is thankful for the Philippians every time he prays for them. 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:30.900 He says, it is right for me to feel this way about you all since I have you in my heart. 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:32.000 You are in my heart. 00:17:34.100 --> 00:17:39.600 He even calls God as witness that his heart towards them is filled with the affection of Christ Jesus. 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.420 Why is that? 00:17:41.340 --> 00:17:44.020 Why do we feel affection for people we serve alongside? 00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:47.819 Because we share the same grace. 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:50.099 God's grace in us. 00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:51.339 We share the same passion. 00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:54.420 We have the same goal in mind. 00:17:56.420 --> 00:17:58.039 We have true friendship. 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:01.200 True fellowship. 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:05.319 That is the fruit of God's work in us. 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:08.319 There is fruit to be seen now. 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:11.079 And it's really beautiful. 00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:19.779 Paul is filled with joy for the fruit that God is producing in this church. 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:33.420 Can I encourage you to think about the people in this church that you might find difficult to love? 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:39.039 Now, if you're worried about thinking about that question, just be rest assured that someone finds you difficult to love. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:44.240 Are they too opinionated? 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:47.180 Or too withdrawn? 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:48.920 Too loud? 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:49.680 Too shy? 00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:51.539 Too old? 00:18:51.639 --> 00:18:52.159 Too young? 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:54.000 Do they dominate the conversation? 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:56.099 Do they not contribute enough? 00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:58.759 You just don't share any common interests. 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:00.799 Who do you find difficult to love? 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.480 Think about that. 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.259 Don't say it out loud. 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:02.920 That would be awkward. 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:06.700 Here's your challenge. 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:12.100 If they're not a Christian, move towards them like Christ moved towards you. 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:21.240 If they are a Christian, I think our challenge is to stop and really look at that person and the way they're living. 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:27.580 Because I put it to you, you will find ways that they are living for Christ. 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:30.559 They share the same goal as you. 00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:33.400 They want Jesus to be known and loved. 00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:38.740 A lot of the ways they're doing it, you won't be able to see because you're not with them 24-7. 00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:40.820 But look, I reckon you'll find it. 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:44.580 When you find it, thank God for them. 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:52.480 Paul is thankful for every one of them. 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:54.180 Let's be thankful. 00:19:54.180 --> 00:20:04.000 So God's commitment to you was by choosing you and putting you in Christ, setting you apart to serve him. 00:20:05.340 --> 00:20:14.500 God's commitment to you is creating fruit in our fellowship in the gospel and a deep affection for each other that goes deeper than personality. 00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:19.140 And here's God's end goal. 00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:22.319 Here's the grounds for our confidence moving forward. 00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:22.980 Verse 6. 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:26.500 This seems to be the central verse. 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:31.319 This is why Paul prays and works with confidence. 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:39.299 Even though the Philippians are under theological attack to add something to faith in Christ. 00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:43.139 Even though they're under social pressure to withdraw and hide their faith. 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:47.240 Even though there's some self-seeking attitudes going on in the church. 00:20:48.919 --> 00:20:52.839 There are solid grounds for confidence moving forward. 00:20:53.679 --> 00:20:54.379 Verse 6. 00:20:54.380 --> 00:21:17.060 As you sinned yesterday, the same as you did before that. 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:21.900 Where's your confidence in moving forward again? 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:30.640 What's going to motivate you to move towards that brother or sister you're struggling with at the moment? 00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:38.820 Before you commit to serving others more, are you waiting for the right amount of time? 00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:40.400 The right amount of money? 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:42.480 The right frame of mind? 00:21:42.600 --> 00:21:43.600 The right amount of sleep? 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.620 What are you depending on? 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:45.540 What are you waiting on? 00:21:47.100 --> 00:21:48.700 Here's what Paul is depending on. 00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:51.320 Here's what motivates him. 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.540 Here's what drives him. 00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:59.220 He anticipates the day when Jesus Christ is revealed. 00:21:59.340 --> 00:22:03.500 When he comes back in all his goodness is going to be seen by everyone. 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:05.140 He pictures that day. 00:22:05.340 --> 00:22:09.180 And he pictures every single Philippian standing before Christ. 00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:12.420 And he knows that on that day they are going to be radiant. 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:16.540 They're going to reflect the goodness of Christ. 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:18.140 He looks forward to that day. 00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:22.160 How does Paul know this? 00:22:22.660 --> 00:22:26.120 Because it's not ultimately up to him and his ministry. 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:31.640 It's not even ultimately up to the Philippians to change themselves. 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:36.320 It's ultimately up to the one who began their faith in Christ. 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:42.779 We see in Acts 16, Lydia is the first convert in Philippi. 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:46.539 Here's what we're told about her conversion. 00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:52.339 The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying. 00:22:52.339 --> 00:23:00.740 He will put the finishing touches on the faith he has started in you. 00:23:02.699 --> 00:23:06.119 He will do it all the way up to the day of Christ. 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:08.220 He's getting you ready for that beautiful day. 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:12.960 So the day of Christ. 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:18.819 Usually it's talked about as the day of the Lord, 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:24.960 which has the idea of Jesus' judgment and his salvation of his people. 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:29.240 But it's just here in Philippians he talks about the day of Christ. 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:33.539 I think this change of wording just puts a different emphasis on that day. 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:37.339 In chapter 2, what do we see? 00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:40.240 We see that Jesus is going to come back and every knee will bow, 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:42.339 every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. 00:23:42.439 --> 00:23:43.899 Everyone's going to see his glory. 00:23:45.399 --> 00:23:48.559 So I think the emphasis here is that on that day, 00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:56.939 everyone's going to see the evidence of God's grace in your life, in our life. 00:23:58.779 --> 00:24:03.139 And that evidence is going to reflect the beauty of Jesus himself. 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:06.879 And all the thanks is going to go to Jesus. 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:12.399 We start by God's grace. 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:15.279 We're going to be finished off by God's grace. 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:20.319 And until then, more and more made complete to God's grace. 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:28.759 So what does this motivate Paul to do? 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:33.359 Because it's up to God, does he sit back and relax? 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:35.619 No. 00:24:35.619 --> 00:24:48.339 It's because it's up to God and his commitment to complete us that Paul has the confidence to work and pray towards that same goal. 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:53.139 He knows he's in line with God in that same goal. 00:24:56.399 --> 00:24:57.619 So he prays for it. 00:24:57.619 --> 00:25:00.619 This is where we should start. 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:02.139 We should pray for it. 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:08.559 This prayer in verses 9 to 11 shows us what it means to be made complete. 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:14.399 And it gives us a prayer to model that we should pray for one another. 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:18.579 Not just praying for changed circumstances, but praying things along these lines. 00:25:20.159 --> 00:25:21.259 So what do we see here? 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.179 What does Paul pray for? 00:25:22.419 --> 00:25:23.379 What should we pray for? 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:31.460 That your love may abound more and more. 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.720 There's already love there. 00:25:35.560 --> 00:25:37.100 But there should be no limit to it. 00:25:37.300 --> 00:25:38.220 May it abound. 00:25:39.760 --> 00:25:47.020 May there not just be a few puddles of love in your life, but may your life be flooded with love. 00:25:48.580 --> 00:25:50.020 And who or what do we love? 00:25:50.520 --> 00:25:52.220 It's not specified here. 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:55.519 So I think it's all-encompassing. 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:57.480 It's love for God and love for one another. 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:01.920 Abound in your love for God and one another. 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:05.720 And love doesn't increase by itself. 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:08.019 You don't just choose to love. 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:13.259 Love abounds in knowledge and depth of insight. 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:21.460 The word knowledge is often used by Paul to mean something like grasping 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:24.500 and experiencing spiritual reality. 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:29.720 So I think it's to do with deepening our experience and understanding of God. 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:32.299 Growing in our love for him. 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.519 Growing in our knowledge of him. 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:41.680 We need to know God so that we can reflect his kind of love. 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:48.319 And to increase in love, we also need depth of insight. 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:55.159 I think this has to do with knowing what every situation requires of us. 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:57.359 Life is complex, isn't it? 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.879 It's really confusing. 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:01.379 We need insight. 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:07.519 We need God's help in understanding what love looks like in this situation. 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:11.200 What does it look like to love God and love my neighbour in this situation? 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:12.960 We need insight. 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:19.099 As your colleagues at work slander your boss, how do you love? 00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:24.079 How do you love God and those colleagues and your boss in that situation? 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:27.599 That's hard. 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:33.279 We need to hear what God says to us to choose how to love. 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:38.399 As your parents are ageing and you need to care for them, 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:41.259 but you have other commitments as well, what does it look like to love? 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:42.359 That is hard. 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:45.160 We need help in that. 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:49.940 We need to go deeper in our knowledge of God to understand how to love. 00:27:51.599 --> 00:27:54.819 As your children are stuck in self-centred habits, how do you love? 00:27:56.079 --> 00:28:00.339 If you're plagued by a lack of energy or illness, how do you love? 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:01.559 That's really tough. 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:06.399 How do you love God and love those around you? 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:08.160 We need help in that. 00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:10.440 Let's pray for it. 00:28:11.099 --> 00:28:12.379 Let's hear from God from it. 00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:15.119 Let's look at examples around us. 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:22.220 We need God to give us both knowledge of himself and insight into all situations 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:23.980 if we are to abound in love. 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:27.460 So what's the reason for this? 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:29.359 Why do we need to increase in love? 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:35.519 We need to do it, verse 10, so that we can test and choose what is better, 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:38.859 to discern what is best. 00:28:43.459 --> 00:28:44.559 So what is better? 00:28:47.479 --> 00:28:52.019 Having financial security or having a generous spirit? 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:55.400 What's better? 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:55.440 What's better? 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:59.920 Having less responsibility or having a servant heart? 00:29:02.119 --> 00:29:02.819 What's better? 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:07.180 Avoiding all conflict at any cost or speaking the truth in love? 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:16.460 I ask these questions because our love for God is played out in the everyday details of our lives. 00:29:18.060 --> 00:29:19.640 We need to choose what's better. 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:23.759 We need to choose what is loving towards God and one another. 00:29:24.620 --> 00:29:27.840 And we need knowledge and insight to choose what is best, 00:29:28.840 --> 00:29:30.840 what is truly life-giving. 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:34.179 And here's the ultimate goal again. 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:36.959 Have a look at the second half of verse 10. 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:44.779 That you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:48.959 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, 00:29:49.699 --> 00:29:51.720 to the glory and praise of God. 00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:56.619 God's goal is not just that you would reach the finish line. 00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:59.419 He wants you to reach it and be pleasing to him, 00:30:00.219 --> 00:30:01.159 to be radiant. 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:07.619 The word pure has the idea of being without contamination, 00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:13.179 like holding a glass of water up to the light to see that it's pure. 00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:18.299 To be blameless is the idea of not stumbling in sin yourself 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:19.859 or causing others to stumble. 00:30:19.859 --> 00:30:26.799 And not only do we pray that we would be pure and blameless, 00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:31.059 but we also pray that we would be filled with good fruit, 00:30:31.299 --> 00:30:36.319 everything that results from being in right relationship with God. 00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:41.139 And notice that it's through Jesus Christ. 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:47.439 We don't produce this good fruit, this good behaviour by ourselves. 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:48.820 We do it through Christ. 00:30:49.340 --> 00:30:50.539 Everything is through him. 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:54.820 His death makes us pure and blameless. 00:30:55.860 --> 00:30:58.600 His resurrection empowers us to live for God. 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.960 On that final day, 00:31:04.320 --> 00:31:06.700 the evidence of God's commitment to us 00:31:06.700 --> 00:31:09.220 will be revealed for all to see. 00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:11.500 His grace at work in us will be revealed. 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:13.740 It will be seen clearly. 00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:16.900 And God's going to get the thanks. 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:18.039 He's going to get the praise. 00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.920 And that's how it should be. 00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.720 So as we finish up, 00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:30.059 I want to share with you Tim Keller's words 00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:34.319 because it's really helped me to picture that final day. 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:38.279 So feel free to take notes still 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:40.400 or to just sit and listen. 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:43.840 I'm hoping these words have the same effect for you 00:31:43.840 --> 00:31:44.640 as they did on me. 00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:50.680 Now he's speaking about the purpose of marriage. 00:31:50.820 --> 00:31:53.240 So it's in that book, Meaning of Marriage. 00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:55.540 But he himself says, 00:31:55.720 --> 00:32:00.300 this applies more deeply to our Christian friendship. 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:03.160 So this is what it looks like to love one another. 00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:04.240 This is our goal. 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:09.640 Love is to look at another person 00:32:09.640 --> 00:32:14.420 and get a glimpse of the person God is creating 00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:16.859 and to say, 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:20.039 I see who God is making you 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:21.559 and it excites me. 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:24.160 I want to be part of that. 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:27.839 I want to partner with you and God 00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:30.000 in the journey you are taking to the throne. 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:32.200 And when we get there, 00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:35.720 I will look at your magnificence and say, 00:32:35.859 --> 00:32:38.200 I always knew you could be like this. 00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:41.240 I've got glimpses of it on earth, 00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:42.240 but now look at you. 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:47.000 And we hope to hear God say to us, 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:48.480 well done, 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:51.380 good and faithful servants. 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:53.440 Over the years, 00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:55.279 you have lifted one another up to me. 00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:57.839 You have sacrificed for one another. 00:32:57.839 --> 00:33:00.539 You held one another up with prayer 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.859 and with thanksgiving. 00:33:02.439 --> 00:33:03.939 You confronted each other. 00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:05.240 You rebuked each other. 00:33:05.379 --> 00:33:07.079 You hugged and you loved each other 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:09.379 and continually pushed each other toward me. 00:33:09.639 --> 00:33:10.539 And now look at you. 00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:13.259 You're radiant. 00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:20.339 That's where we're headed. 00:33:23.879 --> 00:33:25.859 C.S. Lewis puts it this way, 00:33:25.919 --> 00:33:26.579 the same idea. 00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:29.139 If we let him, 00:33:30.459 --> 00:33:33.480 he will make the feeblest and filthiest of us 00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:34.699 into a god or goddess, 00:33:34.839 --> 00:33:36.619 a dazzling, radiant, 00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:37.980 immortal creature, 00:33:38.139 --> 00:33:39.519 pulsating all through 00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:41.319 with such energy and joy 00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.500 and wisdom and love 00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:43.759 as we cannot now imagine, 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:46.059 a bright, stainless mirror 00:33:46.059 --> 00:33:48.799 which reflects back to God perfectly, 00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:51.879 though of course on a smaller scale, 00:33:52.099 --> 00:33:53.639 his own boundless power 00:33:53.639 --> 00:33:55.379 and delight and goodness. 00:33:55.380 --> 00:33:56.820 The process will be long 00:33:56.820 --> 00:33:57.980 and in part very painful 00:33:57.980 --> 00:33:59.780 but that is where we are in for, 00:34:00.580 --> 00:34:01.340 nothing less. 00:34:03.620 --> 00:34:04.520 That's where we're headed. 00:34:04.780 --> 00:34:05.860 That's Paul's vision. 00:34:06.320 --> 00:34:07.000 He's confident 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:08.500 that God is at work. 00:34:08.500 --> 00:34:13.199 Can I ask you to do something 00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:14.179 a bit uncomfortable now? 00:34:15.719 --> 00:34:17.380 Can I ask you to look around the room? 00:34:18.860 --> 00:34:20.559 Look across the other side of the room. 00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:22.500 You may make eye contact 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:23.360 and that's okay. 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:25.159 Look around you. 00:34:26.719 --> 00:34:28.280 Look at the people sitting around you. 00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:30.639 Look at the guys up the back. 00:34:30.800 --> 00:34:31.659 I'm sure they'll love 00:34:31.659 --> 00:34:33.179 some eyes out there. 00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:35.399 Look at each other. 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.480 On that day, 00:34:39.859 --> 00:34:40.659 each of you, 00:34:41.779 --> 00:34:43.239 if you are in Christ, 00:34:43.639 --> 00:34:44.339 God is committed 00:34:44.339 --> 00:34:47.599 to making each and every one of us 00:34:47.599 --> 00:34:49.559 reflect the beauty of Christ. 00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:57.599 That's where we're headed. 00:34:59.779 --> 00:35:00.839 Let's pray for it 00:35:00.840 --> 00:35:02.800 and work for it 00:35:02.800 --> 00:35:05.280 and thank God for each other. 00:35:05.660 --> 00:35:06.500 So why don't we pray now? 00:35:06.640 --> 00:35:07.240 Please pray with me.