WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.620 Well, good morning. Our sermon text today is Philippians chapter 3, verses 1 through 11. 00:00:07.560 --> 00:00:10.720 I think that's page 922 in the Pew Bible, if you want to follow along there. 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:15.640 As you turn there, let me pray, and then I'll read for us. 00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:18.960 Lord, indeed, how we need you. 00:00:20.240 --> 00:00:23.940 Lord, we need you for absolutely everything. 00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:26.580 It's in you that we live and move and have our being. 00:00:26.579 --> 00:00:31.820 We depend on you each moment of every day, and we depend on you right now in this moment as we come to your word. 00:00:32.699 --> 00:00:42.840 That by your spirit, you would open our hearts and our eyes and our minds and our ears and our wills to receive what it is you have to say to us. 00:00:44.420 --> 00:00:47.299 So speak, we pray, God, through your word once again. 00:00:48.439 --> 00:00:50.719 Give us hearts that hear, for Jesus' sake. Amen. 00:00:52.420 --> 00:00:55.340 All right, Philippians chapter 3, let me read verses 1 through 11. 00:00:55.340 --> 00:01:25.320 Paul says, 00:01:25.340 --> 00:01:55.340 00:01:55.340 --> 00:02:25.340 00:02:25.340 --> 00:02:39.879 Well, as we come to a new chapter here in the book of Philippians, it's worth taking a second and getting our bearings of where we are in this book. 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:47.400 In chapter 1, after giving thanks for what God is up to among the Philippians, Paul tells them about his own situation in prison. 00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:49.400 He gives them an update of how he's getting along. 00:02:49.400 --> 00:02:55.900 Then at the end of chapter 1 and right into chapter 2, Paul's main exhortation of the book comes. 00:02:56.400 --> 00:03:00.080 Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. 00:03:00.819 --> 00:03:07.640 Christ, the one who laid aside all of his heavenly privileges, became a servant, died on a cross, and who was exalted to the highest place. 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:09.740 Live a life worthy of this good news. 00:03:10.140 --> 00:03:12.900 Shine like stars in the midst of the world. 00:03:13.259 --> 00:03:14.900 Hold fast to the word of life. 00:03:14.900 --> 00:03:21.360 And then at the end of chapter 2, Paul holds up Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of what he's talking about. 00:03:21.719 --> 00:03:23.319 Examples of Christ-like service. 00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:24.700 Lives worthy of the gospel. 00:03:24.900 --> 00:03:26.259 Worthy of our imitation. 00:03:28.000 --> 00:03:33.540 And so as chapter 3 opens up, it looks like Paul is sort of about to wrap things up. 00:03:33.700 --> 00:03:35.080 Finally, brothers, he says. 00:03:35.080 --> 00:03:41.240 But then, surprisingly, he goes on for two more chapters, right? 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:47.500 If you've been reading along in the D.A. Carson book on Philippians, Don Carson jokes, 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:52.000 One child allegedly asked his dad what the preacher meant when he said, 00:03:52.160 --> 00:03:54.820 Finally, and his father muttered in reply, 00:03:55.560 --> 00:03:55.860 Nothing. 00:03:55.860 --> 00:04:04.680 Well, the reality is the word finally here probably doesn't mean this is the last thing I'm going to say. 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:09.200 It was a bit of a connecting word in Greek that could often mean something like, 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:11.020 So then, or as I was saying. 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:15.500 And as Paul was saying back in verse 18 of chapter 2, we're meant to rejoice in the Lord. 00:04:16.580 --> 00:04:18.840 But quickly, Paul moves to his next subject. 00:04:18.839 --> 00:04:25.799 And this is something we see here that apparently he had gone over before with the Philippians. 00:04:26.199 --> 00:04:27.679 Perhaps when he was with them in person. 00:04:27.679 --> 00:04:29.219 This is something he had taught them before. 00:04:30.419 --> 00:04:36.519 You see, some lessons, some spiritual truths are so important that we need to hear them again and again. 00:04:37.459 --> 00:04:37.799 Paul says, 00:04:37.859 --> 00:04:38.779 There's no trouble for me. 00:04:39.079 --> 00:04:43.259 And ultimately, it's for our good, for our safety, he says even. 00:04:45.059 --> 00:04:47.339 And what Paul is about to tell us is this. 00:04:48.839 --> 00:04:53.659 That your biggest spiritual problem isn't what you think it is. 00:04:55.419 --> 00:05:00.239 The biggest threat to the church, the biggest threat to your soul, isn't what you think it is. 00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:05.819 You know, if you were to take stock of your sort of moral or spiritual resume, 00:05:06.699 --> 00:05:09.459 what would you see as your greatest liabilities? 00:05:10.379 --> 00:05:15.699 What do you think is hindering you the most from entering or thriving in the kingdom of God? 00:05:15.819 --> 00:05:18.559 What is it that keeps you from Christ? 00:05:18.839 --> 00:05:25.439 Well, perhaps you would think about your moral failures. 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:28.819 You'd think about your besetting sins. 00:05:29.639 --> 00:05:32.479 The ways you just don't seem to have enough self-control. 00:05:32.679 --> 00:05:34.459 The ways you keep falling short. 00:05:34.459 --> 00:05:46.000 But this passage is telling us that our greatest threat isn't our moral failures or our besetting sins. 00:05:47.919 --> 00:05:50.859 It isn't your sins that ultimately keep you away from God. 00:05:52.339 --> 00:05:53.359 It's your righteousness. 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:57.480 It's not all the things you've done wrong. 00:05:58.379 --> 00:06:02.420 It's all the things you've done right that threaten to kill you spiritually. 00:06:02.420 --> 00:06:10.980 And if you can understand the danger of what we're going to call self-righteousness, 00:06:11.340 --> 00:06:17.580 if you can understand the danger of that, then maybe for the first time you'll really understand what the gospel is all about 00:06:17.580 --> 00:06:21.980 and what it means to really know Christ. 00:06:21.980 --> 00:06:27.319 So to get there, I want to look at our passage in three parts. 00:06:27.960 --> 00:06:31.860 First, we're going to look at what self-righteousness looks like. 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:35.560 Second, we're going to see why it's empty. 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:39.900 And third, why knowing Christ is so much better. 00:06:40.720 --> 00:06:44.939 So what it looks like, why it's empty, and why knowing Christ is better. 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:48.800 So let's start by seeing what self-righteousness looks like. 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:50.879 And we see this in verses 2 through 6. 00:06:51.379 --> 00:06:54.040 Paul starts by saying, look out for the dogs. 00:06:54.600 --> 00:07:00.180 Now, in the first century church, there were Jewish Christians who held and who taught 00:07:00.180 --> 00:07:04.199 that in order to be saved, to be in a right relationship with God, 00:07:04.220 --> 00:07:07.939 and to be a part of his people, you had to be circumcised. 00:07:08.620 --> 00:07:11.600 We read about this earlier in the service in Acts 15. 00:07:11.600 --> 00:07:15.460 Their argument most likely went something like this. 00:07:15.900 --> 00:07:21.660 From the days of Abraham, God commanded Israel to be circumcised as a sign of his covenant with them. 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:26.720 That was how you knew who was in and who was out of the people of God. 00:07:26.820 --> 00:07:33.120 And so, Gentiles, you must be circumcised too, or else you can't be saved. 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:35.520 No circumcision, no salvation. 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:36.720 It's as simple as that. 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:38.100 Just read the Old Testament. 00:07:38.100 --> 00:07:48.080 But Paul, along with the rest of the apostles and church leaders in Acts 15, disagreed entirely. 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:56.220 In light of the gospel, the good news of what Jesus, the Messiah, had done, 00:07:56.220 --> 00:08:06.800 the church came to see that circumcision was a temporary external sign that pointed to the radical inward work 00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:09.760 that God would do through the Spirit when the Messiah came. 00:08:10.580 --> 00:08:12.720 There was nothing wrong with getting circumcised. 00:08:12.980 --> 00:08:16.340 Paul and many other Jewish believers in Jesus were happily circumcised. 00:08:16.339 --> 00:08:22.779 But circumcision did not and could not put someone in a right relationship with God. 00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:26.419 And thereby, it could not define the people of God anymore. 00:08:26.919 --> 00:08:29.000 Only Jesus could do that. 00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:37.959 Who through his death, resurrection, and outpouring of the Spirit brought about forgiveness of sins and new life for all who believe. 00:08:37.960 --> 00:08:47.000 Thus, Paul will say, the true circumcision, that is, the true people of God, the truly cleansed ones, 00:08:47.580 --> 00:08:53.000 couldn't be found among those who insisted on a surgical procedure. 00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:55.080 Those who, he says, mutilate the flesh. 00:08:55.840 --> 00:09:01.300 But the true people of God, the true circumcision, were found among those who worship by the Spirit of God 00:09:01.299 --> 00:09:03.159 and glory in Christ Jesus. 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:06.299 Because true circumcision is of the heart. 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:11.120 And the heart can only be cleansed through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:15.839 So when Paul says, watch out for the dogs, 00:09:16.039 --> 00:09:19.139 he's being heavily, heavily ironic. 00:09:19.459 --> 00:09:24.500 Because law-abiding Jews, what they would do is that sometimes they would call those kind of unclean Gentiles, 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:27.179 they'd call them dogs or evildoers. 00:09:27.779 --> 00:09:29.539 But Paul, you see, is turning the tables. 00:09:29.539 --> 00:09:33.719 He's saying, if you insist on circumcision as a requirement for salvation now, 00:09:33.799 --> 00:09:35.419 that makes you the unclean one. 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:40.699 In fact, to do that means it's not even true circumcision anymore. 00:09:41.939 --> 00:09:44.079 Now, you can't tell this in our English translations, 00:09:44.279 --> 00:09:47.279 but Paul is actually doing a play on words here at the end of verse 3. 00:09:47.779 --> 00:09:51.379 In Greek, you see, the word for circumcision is peritome. 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:56.299 But Paul says these false teachers are so far from what God intended 00:09:56.299 --> 00:09:59.439 that what they're promoting is nothing but katatome. 00:09:59.879 --> 00:10:01.359 It's not circumcision. 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:02.799 It's mutilation. 00:10:04.299 --> 00:10:05.839 Strong words, isn't it? 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:12.299 But they're strong words because so much is at stake. 00:10:12.299 --> 00:10:17.199 And yet, how about for us? 00:10:18.039 --> 00:10:20.019 It's so much at stake today in all of this. 00:10:20.939 --> 00:10:23.879 You know, we may not be tempted to find our status through circumcision. 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:26.639 I doubt anyone here is tempted to say, 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:29.500 you know what I need to do to be saved in addition to believing in Jesus? 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:31.259 I think I need to be circumcised. 00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:35.339 I haven't met anyone like that in over a decade of ministry. 00:10:35.340 --> 00:10:45.300 But that doesn't mean that we're immune from what Paul calls confidence in the flesh. 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:53.720 That is basing our identity, basing our status before God and the people of God, 00:10:54.300 --> 00:10:58.139 basing it on something that we find in us. 00:10:58.139 --> 00:11:04.860 Now, lest we think that Paul is disagreeing with a circumcision party 00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:07.399 just because he can't measure up to their standards, 00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:09.559 he goes on in verses 4 through 6 to say, 00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:13.080 look, if anyone has a spiritual resume worth boasting in, it's me. 00:11:13.580 --> 00:11:16.439 You know, it's not like Paul's the kid who made fun of the school band 00:11:16.439 --> 00:11:18.419 because he couldn't play an instrument, right? 00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:21.539 He's not the kid who sort of says that sports are stupid 00:11:21.539 --> 00:11:22.779 because he got cut from the team. 00:11:22.779 --> 00:11:26.259 No, Paul can play this game better than anyone else. 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:31.340 But as he unfolds his sort of moral resume, 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:35.919 what we find is that these verses start to give us something 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:39.539 that's like an anatomy of self-righteousness. 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:43.019 We see as Paul unfolds his spiritual resume 00:11:43.019 --> 00:11:46.279 all the ways in which we too are tempted 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:50.539 to base our status on something that's found in us, 00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:52.279 to place our confidence in the flesh. 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:56.980 It's interesting that sociologists will distinguish 00:11:56.980 --> 00:12:00.620 between three categories of social status. 00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:04.059 There's a scribed status, something that sort of is yours by birth. 00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:06.759 There's achieved status, something that you get through the doing. 00:12:07.059 --> 00:12:08.799 And then there's sort of master status 00:12:08.799 --> 00:12:10.679 that sets you apart from everybody else. 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:13.919 And Paul here in verses 4 through 6 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:16.179 actually sort of mentions all three. 00:12:16.179 --> 00:12:20.519 Now, as we said, a scribe status is something that you inherit 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:21.359 or that you receive. 00:12:21.479 --> 00:12:24.699 And Paul starts out by saying that he was circumcised on the eighth day 00:12:24.699 --> 00:12:26.559 of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, 00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:27.500 a Hebrew of Hebrews. 00:12:27.599 --> 00:12:29.639 In other words, when it came to his parents, 00:12:29.719 --> 00:12:31.019 when it came to his pedigree, 00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:32.659 when it came to his heritage, 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:34.719 his was impeccable. 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:37.639 He was no mere convert to Judaism. 00:12:37.839 --> 00:12:40.959 No, he was circumcised on the eighth day 00:12:40.959 --> 00:12:42.059 just like the law said. 00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:45.479 He could trace his lineage back through Hebrew parents, 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:47.620 back through the tribe of Benjamin, 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:50.139 that one tribe that stuck by Judah 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:51.820 and the house of David in ancient Israel. 00:12:51.960 --> 00:12:54.920 He could trace his heritage back through the patriarchs and Jacob. 00:12:55.320 --> 00:12:58.700 No one could dispute with Paul's pedigree, 00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:00.519 with his ascribed status. 00:13:02.580 --> 00:13:06.000 Now, I wonder, is that where you find your status, 00:13:06.460 --> 00:13:07.620 your worth? 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:10.399 In your family name, 00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:13.399 in your spiritual heritage. 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:15.659 Perhaps you can trace your family tree back 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:18.360 to a great saint or a great missionary. 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:21.399 Perhaps your parents or your grandparents 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:22.860 or even your great-grandparents 00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:24.879 were great men and women of faith. 00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:30.240 Or perhaps they were great upstanding leaders 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:31.199 in their communities, 00:13:31.199 --> 00:13:33.659 that you come from a family that's done much good, 00:13:33.819 --> 00:13:35.340 very respectable, very honorable, 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:36.399 very worthy, 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:38.319 and you carry their name. 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:40.360 And for you, it's a great source of dignity. 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:44.919 Now, of course, there's nothing wrong 00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:46.460 with being proud of your heritage. 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:48.620 There's nothing wrong with celebrating 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:50.000 and enjoying your family, 00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:51.039 your cultural identity. 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:52.240 Yes, we should do that. 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:55.720 But is that what you lean on? 00:13:56.680 --> 00:13:59.720 Is that where your ultimate confidence lies? 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.659 Paul goes on. 00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:07.000 He doesn't just talk about his ascribed status, 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:08.460 his parentage, his pedigree. 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:10.300 He talks about his achieved status. 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:12.580 Now, achieved status is something that you enjoy 00:14:12.580 --> 00:14:14.620 by virtue of kind of your personal accomplishments. 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:16.700 As to the law, Paul says, 00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:19.139 I was a Pharisee. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:21.940 Now, the Pharisees were the Jewish party 00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:22.660 in the first century 00:14:22.660 --> 00:14:24.100 who were the most attentive, 00:14:24.300 --> 00:14:27.519 the most scrupulous in keeping the law of Moses. 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:28.860 And not just the law, 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:30.600 but the traditions of the elders too. 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:33.300 You know, the Pharisees were sort of like 00:14:33.300 --> 00:14:36.000 the group to be a part of. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:38.320 They were like the inner circle 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:41.220 if you wanted to be serious about God's law. 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:43.519 And many people in the first century 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:45.240 looked at the Pharisees as the heroes, 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:46.340 as the good guys, 00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:48.340 because they took it all very seriously 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:49.720 and they actually tried to do it. 00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:53.820 You know, there were lots of Jews in Paul's day 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:55.700 who could say they were circumcised on the eighth day, 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:56.440 yada, yada, yada. 00:14:56.559 --> 00:14:59.220 But only some had the achieved status 00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:00.679 of being a Pharisee. 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:06.120 So what's your achieved status? 00:15:08.479 --> 00:15:09.979 Is it a degree on your wall 00:15:09.979 --> 00:15:12.579 with a well-known name attached to it? 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:17.859 Is it a neighborhood or a size of home 00:15:17.859 --> 00:15:19.419 that you've been able to move into? 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:22.939 Or perhaps more subtly, 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:23.959 is it a group of friends, 00:15:24.079 --> 00:15:27.099 a social circle that you've been accepted into? 00:15:27.100 --> 00:15:30.840 Is it a political party or cause 00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:32.440 that you align with? 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:35.879 Is this where you're finding your worth, 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:38.240 your confidence, your status? 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:40.860 Is this what you think defines you? 00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:45.860 And do you look down ever so slightly, 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:48.440 maybe, on those who don't share this status 00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:51.040 or this party affiliation with you? 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:54.399 Or if you don't look down, 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:56.360 maybe you do find yourself thinking at times, 00:15:56.459 --> 00:15:59.919 man, I'm so glad I'm not like those other people. 00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:06.339 But Paul doesn't just list his pedigree. 00:16:06.599 --> 00:16:07.579 He's a Hebrew of Hebrews. 00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:09.379 He doesn't just name his party. 00:16:09.599 --> 00:16:10.539 He's a Pharisee. 00:16:11.099 --> 00:16:13.480 He goes on to talk more deeply 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:15.399 about his performance. 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:17.519 Beyond acquired and achieved status, 00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:19.639 there lies what sociologists would call 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:23.879 one's perceived master status. 00:16:25.199 --> 00:16:25.980 Paul says, 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:26.939 as to zeal, 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:29.100 a persecutor of the church, 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.759 as to righteousness under the law, 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:33.199 blameless. 00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:36.659 Now, on the surface, 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:38.840 this feels like the most extreme thing 00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:40.419 on Paul's spiritual resume, right? 00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:41.960 This is the thing that makes him 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:43.259 most unlike ourselves. 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:44.299 We think, whoa, Paul, 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:46.519 you've like totally gone off the rails now, right? 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:49.039 But, you know, 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:51.340 I think more of us are like Paul 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:52.519 in this respect than we realize. 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:56.000 Of course, I don't think any of us 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:58.000 would boast in persecuting the church, right? 00:16:58.799 --> 00:17:00.500 But we do consider it a virtue 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:02.960 to be zealous for the right causes. 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:06.319 And when Paul says 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:08.000 he's blameless under the law, 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:09.680 he doesn't mean that he was sort of 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.860 sinlessly perfect. 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:12.860 No, he means that he kept the law 00:17:12.860 --> 00:17:13.680 as best he could, 00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:14.860 and when he failed, 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:16.340 he kept to the sacrifices 00:17:16.340 --> 00:17:17.779 and ceremonies in the law 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:19.120 that were in place 00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:20.200 to atone for sin. 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:22.740 So in that sense, 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:23.819 he was blameless. 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:25.559 He did what the law asked. 00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:26.500 And when he failed, 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.700 he took advantage 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:29.019 of what the law provided. 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:29.180 He did. 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:33.579 It's just like us today. 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:35.980 No one of us would say 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:37.220 that we're perfect, right? 00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:40.200 But many of us would say 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:40.720 that, you know, 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:42.400 we're good people. 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:43.799 We do our best. 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:45.799 And in that sense, 00:17:45.879 --> 00:17:47.599 we think we're blameless. 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.539 Ironically then, 00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:53.259 when we look at our own hearts, 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:56.000 we all carry around a sense 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:58.019 of our own master status. 00:17:59.019 --> 00:18:00.879 That we're on the right side 00:18:00.879 --> 00:18:01.619 of the issues, 00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:03.740 and we're basically good people. 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:07.200 And that's where our confidence 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:08.579 so often lies. 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:11.700 We may not put too much stock 00:18:11.700 --> 00:18:12.539 in our pedigree, 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:14.379 our acquired status, 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:15.279 as sociologists say. 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:16.559 We might not put too much weight 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:18.079 in our party affiliations 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:18.940 or our accomplishments, 00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:20.099 our achieved status. 00:18:20.359 --> 00:18:21.160 But, you know, 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.900 we all have this 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:26.460 unshakable sense at times 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:28.140 of our own master status. 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:30.180 That when it comes to God 00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:31.640 and when it comes to others, 00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:33.400 we have a righteousness 00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:34.779 that meets the mark. 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:37.860 We think that God will accept us 00:18:37.860 --> 00:18:40.120 based on our performance. 00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:46.119 So this is what self-righteousness 00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:46.579 looks like. 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:46.759 You know, 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.759 it doesn't look like being 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:49.439 a sort of self-absorbed jerk, 00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:51.179 always looking out for number one. 00:18:51.239 --> 00:18:51.459 No. 00:18:51.979 --> 00:18:53.000 It looks like simply 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.199 placing your confidence, 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.419 finding your status 00:18:55.419 --> 00:18:56.019 or your worth 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:57.259 in your own pedigree 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.039 or accomplishments 00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:58.739 or performance. 00:18:58.899 --> 00:19:00.000 And that means 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:01.079 that it's probably 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:02.319 the most natural thing 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:02.899 in the world. 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:04.619 And it describes 00:19:04.619 --> 00:19:05.559 all of us. 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:10.599 And yet our text goes on. 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:13.299 Not just to show us 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:14.859 what this looks like. 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:17.119 It goes on to show us 00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:19.039 why it's totally empty. 00:19:20.839 --> 00:19:21.819 Self-righteousness 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.839 might be the air 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:24.119 that we breathe, 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.440 but in reality, 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.619 it's a vacuum. 00:19:28.659 --> 00:19:29.480 Let's look again 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:30.500 at verses 7 through 8. 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:32.000 Paul says, 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:34.039 but whatever gain I had, 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:35.740 I counted as loss 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:37.519 for the sake of Christ. 00:19:38.379 --> 00:19:38.559 Indeed, 00:19:38.639 --> 00:19:39.639 I count everything as loss 00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:41.079 because of the surpassing worth 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:42.460 of knowing Christ Jesus, 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:42.940 my Lord. 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:44.039 For his sake, 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:45.359 I've suffered the loss 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:46.200 of all things 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.960 and count them as rubbish 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:51.539 in order that I may gain Christ. 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:55.079 I remember when our kids 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:55.539 were little, 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:57.720 for a time, 00:19:57.899 --> 00:19:58.759 they were into 00:19:58.759 --> 00:20:00.539 Thomas the Tank Engine. 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.039 Are you familiar 00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:03.119 with Thomas the Tank Engine? 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:04.839 It's this great British show 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:06.219 about different colored 00:20:06.219 --> 00:20:07.539 talking trains 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:09.139 that live on this island 00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:10.399 and every episode 00:20:10.399 --> 00:20:10.979 they get into 00:20:10.979 --> 00:20:11.739 some sort of trouble 00:20:11.739 --> 00:20:12.779 and they have to help 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:13.419 each other out 00:20:13.419 --> 00:20:14.219 and it always works out 00:20:14.219 --> 00:20:14.619 in the end 00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:15.439 and it all takes 00:20:15.439 --> 00:20:16.319 only about 10 minutes. 00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.859 It's great. 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.299 And of course, 00:20:20.399 --> 00:20:21.500 like any good kids show, 00:20:21.679 --> 00:20:22.959 you don't just watch the show, 00:20:23.459 --> 00:20:24.819 you also buy the toys 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:26.159 and the merchandise, right? 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:27.739 So for a while, 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:29.399 we had quite a collection growing. 00:20:30.219 --> 00:20:31.399 Some through our own purchases, 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:32.620 many through the generosity 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:33.660 of others who had outgrown 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:34.500 Thomas the Tank Engine, 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:36.040 we had quite a collection growing 00:20:36.040 --> 00:20:37.740 of little Thomas the Tank Engine toys, 00:20:37.820 --> 00:20:39.080 little trains and little tracks 00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:39.940 that you could put together 00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:41.840 and it was quite fun actually. 00:20:43.380 --> 00:20:44.460 And then one weekend, 00:20:44.560 --> 00:20:46.080 we decided as a family 00:20:46.080 --> 00:20:48.400 to go to the town of Essex, 00:20:48.800 --> 00:20:51.080 just east of here in Connecticut. 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:53.039 And in Essex, 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:56.220 they have a real working steam engine, 00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:59.519 a legitimate steam train 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:02.439 and you can go for a ride. 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.579 So one weekend, 00:21:03.659 --> 00:21:04.619 we thought we're into trains. 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:05.379 Let's do this. 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:06.039 So we did. 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:08.699 And you know, 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:11.879 when that steam engine started up 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:15.019 and we got to see firsthand 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:17.200 the sort of massive amounts 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:22.339 of steel and coal and smoke and fire 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:24.639 and when it started to move 00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:29.220 and we could feel its power 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:31.180 and you could hear the pressure 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:31.819 of the wheels 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:34.539 and you could feel the blast of the whistle. 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.220 You know, 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:37.200 I realized anyway 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:39.720 that up until that point, 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:42.119 even though I had watched hours 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:44.119 upon hours of Thomas the Tank Engine 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:45.579 and it had played for hours more, 00:21:45.679 --> 00:21:46.859 I realized at that point, 00:21:46.939 --> 00:21:48.599 I had had no idea 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:50.719 what a steam train was really like 00:21:50.719 --> 00:21:53.419 until I was face to face with one. 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:56.279 And the real thing 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:58.759 made all the other toys 00:21:58.759 --> 00:22:02.179 seem like toys. 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:06.259 And that's what Paul is saying here. 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:09.299 He's saying that when you are confronted 00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:12.279 by the reality of Jesus, 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:13.240 Jesus, 00:22:13.399 --> 00:22:15.379 the truly righteous one, 00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:18.700 when we get a good look at him, 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:21.940 then all of our own righteousness, 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:25.220 anything we might have considered gain 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.859 in our eternal bank account 00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:28.559 is suddenly revealed 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:31.139 to be what it truly is. 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:32.720 Nothing. 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:36.200 Look at Jesus revealed 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:37.500 in the pages of the New Testament. 00:22:38.399 --> 00:22:40.379 Look at how his interactions 00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:42.180 with others are always marked 00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:43.780 by perfect patience 00:22:43.780 --> 00:22:45.940 and unflinching truth 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:47.600 and ceaseless grace. 00:22:48.760 --> 00:22:50.340 Look at how Jesus' obedience 00:22:50.340 --> 00:22:51.240 to the Father 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.540 never wavers. 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:55.960 His obedience never wavers, 00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:58.100 not just when the crowds are gathering 00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:59.360 and his fame is growing, 00:22:59.600 --> 00:23:00.900 but even when he's betrayed 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:01.500 and abandoned 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.820 by his closest friends. 00:23:03.820 --> 00:23:04.920 Even when he's condemned 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:06.060 by his own people 00:23:06.060 --> 00:23:07.340 and handed over 00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:08.359 to the Romans 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:10.259 to be unjustly executed. 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:14.199 Look at how in his resurrection, 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.599 he doesn't return 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:16.419 and sort of shame 00:23:16.419 --> 00:23:17.179 or condemn 00:23:17.179 --> 00:23:18.319 his lapsed disciples. 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:18.699 No, 00:23:18.899 --> 00:23:20.579 he comes and he restores them. 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:23.000 And look at how 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.819 in his ascension 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:25.019 to the Father's right hand, 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.779 even now, 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:26.659 he continues 00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:28.359 to intercede perfectly 00:23:28.359 --> 00:23:29.659 on our behalf, 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:31.039 never wavering, 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.119 never tiring. 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:36.139 When you get a glimpse 00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:37.919 of the truly righteous one, 00:23:38.659 --> 00:23:40.199 we see that our emptiness, 00:23:40.459 --> 00:23:42.279 our righteousness is empty. 00:23:42.979 --> 00:23:43.799 It's nothing. 00:23:47.099 --> 00:23:48.039 And for Paul, 00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:48.899 he goes on to say, 00:23:48.959 --> 00:23:49.119 you know, 00:23:49.159 --> 00:23:50.599 it's actually less than nothing. 00:23:51.439 --> 00:23:51.919 He says, 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.559 for his sake, 00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:53.519 I've suffered the loss 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.159 of all things 00:23:54.159 --> 00:23:56.139 and count them as rubbish 00:23:56.139 --> 00:23:57.659 in order that 00:23:57.659 --> 00:23:59.179 I might gain Christ. 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:00.380 Now, 00:24:01.600 --> 00:24:02.860 here's a deep spiritual truth, 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:03.200 friends. 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:04.880 You see, 00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:06.840 our self-righteousness 00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:08.900 isn't neutral. 00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:12.000 It's negative. 00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:15.039 If it's the thing 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:17.360 we're resting our life on, 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.700 then it's the very thing 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:21.820 that keeps us from Christ. 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.420 Why? 00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:26.820 Because if we are confident 00:24:26.820 --> 00:24:28.960 in our own pedigree, 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:30.720 or our own performance, 00:24:31.560 --> 00:24:33.120 then we simply 00:24:33.120 --> 00:24:34.360 don't have much need 00:24:34.360 --> 00:24:35.420 for Christ. 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.160 Why would we need 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:38.740 a redeemer 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:40.400 if we're fully capable 00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:41.539 of saving ourselves? 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.860 Why would I need 00:24:44.860 --> 00:24:45.600 a new status? 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.420 Why would I need 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.200 a new life 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:48.620 if my life's okay? 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.180 You see, 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.180 the reality is 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:55.320 there's no middle ground. 00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:57.299 there's no both 00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:58.079 and between 00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:59.099 holding on 00:24:59.099 --> 00:25:00.240 to self-righteousness 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.379 and truly 00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:02.319 knowing Christ. 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.319 You have to 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:05.480 let go of one 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.980 to really 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.939 have the other. 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.339 Jesus 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:11.259 is 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:12.480 Lord, 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:14.819 and he 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:15.480 will be 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:16.339 truly known 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:17.099 in no 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:18.200 other way. 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:21.360 you can't have 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:21.680 Jesus 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:22.059 merely 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.860 as an example. 00:25:23.140 --> 00:25:23.819 You can't have 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.140 Jesus 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:24.700 merely 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:26.980 as a sidekick 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:29.600 to sort of 00:25:29.600 --> 00:25:30.259 prop up 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:31.140 your own agenda 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:32.440 of self-righteousness. 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:34.279 you have 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:34.880 to know him 00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.559 as Lord 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.500 or you don't 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:36.840 know him 00:25:36.840 --> 00:25:37.259 at all. 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.100 If you want 00:25:40.100 --> 00:25:40.820 to know Christ 00:25:40.820 --> 00:25:41.259 and enter 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:42.680 into a life-changing 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:43.620 relationship 00:25:43.620 --> 00:25:44.220 with him, 00:25:44.620 --> 00:25:45.259 as Paul says, 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:46.380 to gain him, 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.400 to be found 00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:47.960 in him, 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.440 then you have 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:50.380 to transfer 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:51.100 your trust. 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:51.840 You have to 00:25:51.840 --> 00:25:52.519 step out 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:53.259 from depending 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:53.960 on your own 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.400 righteousness, 00:25:54.820 --> 00:25:55.620 your own pedigree, 00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:56.660 your own performance, 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.320 and you have 00:25:57.320 --> 00:25:57.880 to place your 00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.480 trust in him 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:58.799 alone. 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.539 You have to 00:25:59.539 --> 00:26:00.380 consider that 00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:01.680 stuff as less 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.660 than nothing 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:03.440 compared 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.680 to who he is. 00:26:09.560 --> 00:26:10.799 But is it worth it? 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:13.900 I mean, 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:15.100 make no mistake 00:26:15.100 --> 00:26:15.500 about it, 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.060 what Paul is 00:26:16.060 --> 00:26:16.820 talking about here 00:26:16.820 --> 00:26:18.180 is a radical 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:20.259 shift in identity 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.720 and it is 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:23.039 a costly shift. 00:26:23.820 --> 00:26:24.640 I've suffered 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.299 the loss 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:26.180 of all things 00:26:26.180 --> 00:26:26.759 he says. 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.560 Think of the friends 00:26:28.560 --> 00:26:29.720 that Paul lost. 00:26:30.820 --> 00:26:31.420 Think of the 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.300 the security 00:26:32.300 --> 00:26:33.220 and the social 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.980 networks that 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.480 Paul lost. 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:35.120 Some people 00:26:35.120 --> 00:26:35.800 speculate that 00:26:35.800 --> 00:26:36.160 Paul, 00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.000 given that 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.759 most Jewish 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.360 men in his 00:26:38.360 --> 00:26:38.759 time were 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:39.100 married, 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.019 and he never 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.420 talks about 00:26:40.420 --> 00:26:40.700 his wife 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:40.920 in his 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:41.120 letters, 00:26:41.340 --> 00:26:41.759 some people 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.420 speculate that 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.320 Paul maybe 00:26:43.320 --> 00:26:43.940 even lost 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.720 his spouse, 00:26:45.340 --> 00:26:45.940 that she 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.720 walked away 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.039 from him 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.420 because he 00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:47.920 was a follower 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:48.380 of Jesus. 00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:52.519 What losses 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.039 might it mean 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:53.560 for you? 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:56.100 A loss 00:26:56.100 --> 00:26:56.480 of intimate 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:56.980 friends? 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.340 A loss 00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:59.039 of career 00:26:59.039 --> 00:26:59.579 prestige? 00:27:01.639 --> 00:27:02.439 Is knowing 00:27:02.439 --> 00:27:02.980 Christ 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:04.379 really better 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:05.519 than just 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:06.839 sticking with 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:07.839 our self-righteousness 00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:08.240 and getting 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:08.939 on with life? 00:27:11.959 --> 00:27:12.399 Well, 00:27:12.439 --> 00:27:12.619 at the end 00:27:12.619 --> 00:27:13.139 of our passage, 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.980 Paul explains 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.959 why Christ 00:27:14.959 --> 00:27:15.839 is better. 00:27:16.959 --> 00:27:17.599 He's shown us 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:18.659 what self-righteousness 00:27:18.659 --> 00:27:19.199 looks like. 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:20.240 He's shown us 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:20.859 why it's empty 00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:21.699 and now in 00:27:21.699 --> 00:27:22.599 verses 9-11 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:23.259 we see 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.220 why Christ 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:24.639 is better. 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.220 Let's pick up 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:25.679 reading at the 00:27:25.679 --> 00:27:26.259 end of verse 8. 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:26.920 Paul says, 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.480 for his sake 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:27.900 I've suffered 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.279 the loss 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:28.839 of all things 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.220 and count 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.920 them as rubbish 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:30.779 in order that 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.379 I may gain 00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:31.839 Christ 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:32.779 and be found 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.140 in him. 00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:34.379 Not having 00:27:34.379 --> 00:27:35.019 a righteousness 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.799 of my own 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.180 that comes 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:36.900 from the law 00:27:36.900 --> 00:27:38.099 but that which 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:38.500 comes through 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:39.319 faith in Christ. 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.279 The righteousness 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.180 from God 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.859 that depends 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.420 on faith. 00:27:43.640 --> 00:27:44.099 That I may 00:27:44.099 --> 00:27:44.879 know him 00:27:44.879 --> 00:27:46.000 and the power 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.759 of his resurrection 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.460 and share 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:48.240 his sufferings 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:49.700 becoming like 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.359 him in his death 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:50.920 that by any 00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:51.640 means possible 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.579 I may attain 00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:53.200 the resurrection 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:53.960 from the dead. 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:56.539 So Paul 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.600 mentions two 00:27:57.600 --> 00:27:59.440 great gifts 00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.700 that come to us 00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:01.440 when we are 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.819 united to Christ 00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:03.500 by faith. 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.920 The first 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:06.380 is Christ's 00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:07.019 righteousness 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:08.500 the second 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:09.880 is Christ's 00:28:09.880 --> 00:28:10.440 resurrection 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.519 power. 00:28:12.900 --> 00:28:13.680 In verse 9 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.340 Paul tells us 00:28:14.340 --> 00:28:15.039 about a new 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:15.980 righteousness 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:17.180 a new status 00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:18.460 a new acceptance 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:19.360 that we receive. 00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:20.900 But look at 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:21.360 how different 00:28:21.360 --> 00:28:21.840 it is. 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:22.700 Our old 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.100 righteousness 00:28:23.100 --> 00:28:24.000 comes from 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.440 the law. 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.380 Our new 00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:26.779 righteousness 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.519 comes from 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:27.960 God. 00:28:28.660 --> 00:28:29.440 Our old 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:29.840 righteousness 00:28:29.840 --> 00:28:30.440 depends on 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:31.380 us keeping 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:31.880 the law. 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.279 But this 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:34.059 new righteousness 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:35.740 depends not 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.480 on our works 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:38.019 but on faith. 00:28:38.340 --> 00:28:39.180 That is it 00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:39.799 doesn't depend 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:40.340 on our own 00:28:40.340 --> 00:28:40.799 performance. 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:41.580 It depends 00:28:41.580 --> 00:28:41.840 on the 00:28:41.840 --> 00:28:42.240 performance 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:42.759 of another. 00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:44.080 Jesus 00:28:44.080 --> 00:28:44.940 perfectly 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:45.420 kept the 00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:45.640 law. 00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:46.580 Jesus was 00:28:46.580 --> 00:28:46.960 the only 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:47.500 completely 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:47.920 righteous 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:48.279 one. 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:48.940 And through 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:49.559 faith in 00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:49.880 Christ 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:50.799 we're vitally 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.500 united to 00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:52.180 him like 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:52.580 a husband 00:28:52.580 --> 00:28:53.100 is united 00:28:53.100 --> 00:28:53.500 to his 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:53.799 wife 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.360 and that 00:28:54.360 --> 00:28:54.799 means what's 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.180 true of 00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:55.420 Christ 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:55.720 is now 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.060 true of 00:28:56.060 --> 00:28:56.500 us. 00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:57.560 And when 00:28:57.560 --> 00:28:57.980 God looks 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.480 at us 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:58.920 he sees 00:28:58.920 --> 00:28:59.519 the righteousness 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.279 of Jesus 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:00.860 because we're 00:29:00.860 --> 00:29:01.519 united to 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:01.900 him through 00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:02.299 faith. 00:29:04.580 --> 00:29:05.299 Can you 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:06.060 imagine the 00:29:06.060 --> 00:29:06.380 sort of 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:07.180 peace you 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.840 would have 00:29:07.840 --> 00:29:09.160 if you 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:10.279 knew that 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.160 you're standing 00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:12.000 before the 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.820 only judge 00:29:12.820 --> 00:29:13.380 who really 00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:13.980 matters 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:15.500 God himself 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.400 if you knew 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:16.759 that you're 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.480 standing before 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.039 that judge 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:18.620 was utterly 00:29:18.620 --> 00:29:19.420 and finally 00:29:19.420 --> 00:29:20.140 settled 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:20.740 that you 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.420 were totally 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:22.120 and completely 00:29:22.120 --> 00:29:23.019 accepted 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:24.320 once and 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:24.720 for all 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.200 forever 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:26.060 because of 00:29:26.060 --> 00:29:26.480 the finished 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:26.880 work of 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:27.279 Jesus. 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:30.620 Can you 00:29:30.620 --> 00:29:31.180 imagine if 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:31.380 you had 00:29:31.380 --> 00:29:32.060 nothing to 00:29:32.060 --> 00:29:32.440 fear 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:34.360 no condemnation 00:29:34.360 --> 00:29:35.480 or shame 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.320 to dread 00:29:36.320 --> 00:29:37.440 that God 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.000 looked upon 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.560 you and 00:29:38.560 --> 00:29:39.200 wasn't weighing 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.840 your good or 00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:40.440 bad deeds 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:40.960 but was 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.340 utterly 00:29:41.340 --> 00:29:41.900 accepting 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:42.279 you. 00:29:45.100 --> 00:29:45.980 And because 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:46.320 there was 00:29:46.320 --> 00:29:46.820 nothing you 00:29:46.820 --> 00:29:47.620 did to earn 00:29:47.620 --> 00:29:48.420 that righteousness 00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:49.759 there was 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.360 nothing you 00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:50.660 could do 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.200 to lose 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:51.720 it either. 00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:54.480 And if 00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:54.960 that brings 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.360 peace 00:29:55.360 --> 00:29:56.080 oh imagine 00:29:56.080 --> 00:29:56.640 the joy 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:56.920 it would 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:57.300 bring into 00:29:57.300 --> 00:29:57.800 your life. 00:29:58.900 --> 00:29:59.279 Imagine 00:29:59.279 --> 00:29:59.940 the joy 00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:00.460 of knowing 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.100 that your 00:30:01.100 --> 00:30:01.920 status is 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:02.580 secure before 00:30:02.580 --> 00:30:02.960 God. 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:04.080 That God's 00:30:04.080 --> 00:30:04.500 love for you 00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:04.840 will never 00:30:04.840 --> 00:30:05.460 change. 00:30:05.800 --> 00:30:06.180 That it 00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:06.480 won't go 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:06.900 up and 00:30:06.900 --> 00:30:07.420 down depending 00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:07.700 on whether 00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.080 you've had a 00:30:08.080 --> 00:30:08.539 good day 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.039 or a bad 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:09.340 day. 00:30:09.660 --> 00:30:10.140 That's why 00:30:10.140 --> 00:30:10.660 Paul can 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:11.200 talk so 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.600 much in 00:30:11.600 --> 00:30:12.019 Philippians 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.759 about joy. 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:13.820 That's why 00:30:13.820 --> 00:30:14.200 this whole 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:14.980 chapter starts 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.380 by saying 00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:16.060 rejoice in 00:30:16.060 --> 00:30:16.539 the Lord. 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:17.700 You know 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.740 legalism 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:20.000 self-righteousness 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:20.519 it never 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.039 leads to 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:21.420 joy. 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:24.960 But receiving 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.639 the righteousness 00:30:25.639 --> 00:30:26.240 of God 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:26.700 through faith 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.099 in Christ 00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:27.539 that's the 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.079 wellspring 00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:28.619 of joy. 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:30.399 Because it 00:30:30.399 --> 00:30:31.039 doesn't move 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:31.259 and it 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:31.539 doesn't 00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:32.440 change 00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:33.879 no matter 00:30:33.879 --> 00:30:34.599 what hardships 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:35.099 come. 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.099 No matter 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:36.579 how many 00:30:36.579 --> 00:30:37.099 times we 00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:37.559 fail. 00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:40.359 There's 00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:40.720 joy. 00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:43.399 But Paul 00:30:43.399 --> 00:30:44.099 says Christ 00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:44.579 doesn't just 00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:45.039 give us his 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:45.460 righteousness 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:46.299 and with it 00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:46.940 all the peace 00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:47.379 and all the 00:30:47.379 --> 00:30:47.700 joy. 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:48.319 In verses 00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:48.919 10 and 11 00:30:48.919 --> 00:30:49.440 Paul talks 00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:49.919 about knowing 00:30:49.919 --> 00:30:50.680 Christ and 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.259 the power 00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:51.559 of his 00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:52.019 resurrection. 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:53.359 You see 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:53.720 when we 00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:54.339 trust in 00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:54.799 Christ we 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:55.200 don't just 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:55.720 receive a 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.079 whole new 00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:57.019 status before 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:57.419 God. 00:30:57.559 --> 00:30:58.039 That is 00:30:58.039 --> 00:30:58.579 Christ's 00:30:58.579 --> 00:30:59.059 righteousness. 00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:00.279 We also 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:00.960 receive a 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:01.599 whole new 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.419 principle of 00:31:02.419 --> 00:31:03.399 life within. 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:04.740 The same 00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:05.339 power that 00:31:05.339 --> 00:31:06.200 raised Christ 00:31:06.200 --> 00:31:06.539 from the 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.259 dead now 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:07.639 lives in 00:31:07.639 --> 00:31:07.980 us. 00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:10.139 What does 00:31:10.139 --> 00:31:10.579 that mean? 00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:12.119 Well it 00:31:12.119 --> 00:31:12.639 means that our 00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:13.859 lives look 00:31:13.859 --> 00:31:14.700 more and 00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.440 more like 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:15.899 his. 00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:16.600 As we 00:31:16.600 --> 00:31:17.300 follow him 00:31:17.300 --> 00:31:19.700 confident in 00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:20.420 our status 00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:21.259 before God 00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:22.420 we launch 00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:23.340 out to 00:31:23.340 --> 00:31:24.019 live the 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.540 life that 00:31:24.540 --> 00:31:25.140 Christ has 00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:25.960 for us in 00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:26.660 his power. 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.280 And as we 00:31:29.280 --> 00:31:30.200 share in 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:31.060 his sufferings 00:31:31.060 --> 00:31:32.820 our lives 00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:33.700 display more 00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:34.259 and more of 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:34.880 his character. 00:31:36.360 --> 00:31:37.240 Through the 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:38.519 power of 00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:39.340 Christ in 00:31:39.340 --> 00:31:39.940 us by the 00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:40.560 Holy Spirit 00:31:40.560 --> 00:31:41.440 this resurrection 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.580 power rather 00:31:42.580 --> 00:31:43.259 than growing 00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:44.800 harsh we 00:31:44.800 --> 00:31:45.580 become patient. 00:31:45.900 --> 00:31:47.420 And rather 00:31:47.420 --> 00:31:47.880 than growing 00:31:47.880 --> 00:31:49.460 resentful we 00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:50.259 become gentle. 00:31:51.000 --> 00:31:51.740 And rather 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:52.160 than growing 00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:53.640 fearful we 00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:54.500 become bold. 00:31:55.880 --> 00:31:56.920 This is what 00:31:56.920 --> 00:31:57.600 we mean by 00:31:57.600 --> 00:31:58.019 the term 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:59.060 sanctification. 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.759 Becoming more 00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:01.640 and more like 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:02.640 Christ throughout 00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:03.680 our lives. 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.160 And the 00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:06.700 end point of 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.360 sanctification 00:32:07.360 --> 00:32:09.100 is what we 00:32:09.100 --> 00:32:10.080 call glorification. 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.759 Being totally 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.759 made new in 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.360 the resurrection. 00:32:13.359 --> 00:32:13.439 resurrection. 00:32:13.939 --> 00:32:14.419 That's where 00:32:14.419 --> 00:32:14.799 our text 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:15.139 ends. 00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:15.819 Becoming 00:32:15.819 --> 00:32:16.259 like him 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:16.479 in his 00:32:16.479 --> 00:32:16.979 death Paul 00:32:16.979 --> 00:32:18.379 says verse 00:32:18.379 --> 00:32:19.219 11 that by 00:32:19.219 --> 00:32:19.719 any means 00:32:19.719 --> 00:32:20.539 possible I 00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:21.159 may attain 00:32:21.159 --> 00:32:21.859 the resurrection 00:32:21.859 --> 00:32:22.359 from the 00:32:22.359 --> 00:32:22.659 dead. 00:32:23.719 --> 00:32:24.039 Other 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:24.879 translations like 00:32:24.879 --> 00:32:26.119 the NIV they 00:32:26.119 --> 00:32:26.799 put verse 11 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.359 this way they 00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:28.539 say and so 00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:29.500 somehow 00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:30.839 attaining to 00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:31.339 the resurrection 00:32:31.339 --> 00:32:31.859 of the dead. 00:32:32.139 --> 00:32:32.699 Some even 00:32:32.699 --> 00:32:33.240 read if 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:34.339 perhaps I 00:32:34.339 --> 00:32:35.039 might attain 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:35.639 to the 00:32:35.639 --> 00:32:36.359 resurrection of 00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:36.719 the dead. 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:38.039 Now okay 00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:38.860 at first 00:32:38.860 --> 00:32:39.779 that doesn't 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:40.180 sound too 00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:40.940 confident does 00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:41.120 it? 00:32:41.420 --> 00:32:41.799 It's almost 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.200 like Paul 00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:43.940 saying well 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.920 I might not 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:45.339 make it. 00:32:46.620 --> 00:32:46.960 Okay 00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:48.339 but when 00:32:48.339 --> 00:32:49.039 Paul says 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:50.019 if somehow 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:52.220 he's not 00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:53.360 actually expressing 00:32:53.360 --> 00:32:54.759 doubt or 00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.360 anxiety 00:32:55.360 --> 00:32:57.140 he's expressing 00:32:57.140 --> 00:32:58.319 humility. 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.960 It's not as 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:01.600 if Paul doubts 00:33:01.600 --> 00:33:02.339 whether God 00:33:02.339 --> 00:33:02.980 will raise him 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:03.660 for Christ's 00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:03.860 sake. 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:04.500 He's very 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:05.140 confident in 00:33:05.140 --> 00:33:05.279 that. 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:05.920 We read 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:06.279 that all 00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:06.899 over Paul's 00:33:06.899 --> 00:33:07.099 letters. 00:33:07.379 --> 00:33:07.639 Go back 00:33:07.639 --> 00:33:07.859 to the 00:33:07.859 --> 00:33:08.399 first chapter 00:33:08.399 --> 00:33:09.119 of Philippians. 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:09.759 Paul says 00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:10.279 look if I 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:10.799 die I'm 00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:11.079 going to be 00:33:11.079 --> 00:33:11.420 with Jesus. 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:11.740 It's a 00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:12.160 done deal. 00:33:14.700 --> 00:33:15.359 So Paul 00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:16.339 isn't expressing 00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:16.859 a doubt here 00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:17.579 about whether 00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:18.240 God will raise 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:18.500 him for 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:18.799 Christ's 00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:18.940 sake. 00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:19.579 Rather what 00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:19.940 Paul is 00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:20.660 expressing here 00:33:20.660 --> 00:33:21.200 is the 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:21.920 fact that 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:22.379 he doesn't 00:33:22.379 --> 00:33:23.180 deserve it. 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:29.319 Which puts 00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:29.819 Paul right 00:33:29.819 --> 00:33:30.319 back in the 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:30.819 place of 00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:31.359 trust. 00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:33.220 Trust not 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:33.740 in his own 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:35.000 resume but 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:35.579 in Christ. 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:36.960 Placing no 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:37.640 confidence in 00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:38.099 himself. 00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:39.519 Placing all 00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:40.299 confidence in 00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:40.680 Christ. 00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:43.420 And this is 00:33:43.420 --> 00:33:43.920 the same for 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:44.240 us. 00:33:45.099 --> 00:33:46.039 In ourselves 00:33:46.039 --> 00:33:47.220 we don't 00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:47.700 deserve the 00:33:47.700 --> 00:33:48.000 resurrection 00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:48.680 power of 00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:49.099 Christ. 00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:50.119 Either in 00:33:50.119 --> 00:33:50.640 this life or 00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:51.000 in the life 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:51.420 to come. 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:52.819 But Christ 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:54.019 graciously gives 00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:54.680 it to us. 00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:57.000 He gives 00:33:57.000 --> 00:33:57.660 us not just 00:33:57.660 --> 00:33:58.240 the great gift 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:59.079 of justification 00:33:59.079 --> 00:34:00.099 of being 00:34:00.099 --> 00:34:01.380 righteous but 00:34:01.380 --> 00:34:01.859 he gives us 00:34:01.859 --> 00:34:02.299 the wonderful 00:34:02.299 --> 00:34:02.759 gift of 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:03.539 sanctification. 00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:04.359 being made 00:34:04.359 --> 00:34:04.839 more and 00:34:04.839 --> 00:34:05.279 more like 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:05.519 him. 00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:09.039 Again 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.579 imagine 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:11.059 what your 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.519 life would 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:11.940 be like 00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:12.400 with that. 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:13.599 Imagine 00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.279 what hope 00:34:14.279 --> 00:34:14.860 you would 00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:16.119 have in 00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:16.559 the face 00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:16.719 of 00:34:16.719 --> 00:34:17.619 discouragement 00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:18.679 or despair 00:34:18.679 --> 00:34:20.659 if you knew 00:34:20.659 --> 00:34:21.840 that your 00:34:21.840 --> 00:34:22.860 present and 00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:23.619 your future 00:34:23.619 --> 00:34:25.539 weren't simply 00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:25.980 going to be 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:26.420 the product 00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:26.920 of your own 00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:27.400 strength. 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:29.639 but you 00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:30.119 knew that 00:34:30.119 --> 00:34:30.519 you were a 00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:31.420 participant in 00:34:31.420 --> 00:34:32.400 the power of 00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:32.840 Christ's 00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:34.119 resurrection and 00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:34.820 that God would 00:34:34.820 --> 00:34:35.400 use even 00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:36.039 hardships and 00:34:36.039 --> 00:34:36.920 trials to 00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:37.460 bring about 00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:38.420 transformation in 00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:38.960 your life. 00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:40.780 Promising that 00:34:40.780 --> 00:34:41.220 even on the 00:34:41.220 --> 00:34:42.059 far side of 00:34:42.059 --> 00:34:42.980 death there 00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:43.800 was indestructible 00:34:43.800 --> 00:34:44.240 hope. 00:34:47.340 --> 00:34:48.300 Imagine how 00:34:48.300 --> 00:34:49.200 much hope 00:34:49.200 --> 00:34:49.559 that would 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.160 give you for 00:34:50.160 --> 00:34:50.960 change in the 00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:51.539 present that 00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:52.079 you're not 00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:53.420 stuck anymore. 00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:56.119 And imagine 00:34:56.119 --> 00:34:56.559 how this would 00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:57.099 change how you 00:34:57.099 --> 00:34:57.440 view your 00:34:57.440 --> 00:34:58.019 fellow believers 00:34:58.019 --> 00:34:58.340 too. 00:34:59.139 --> 00:34:59.720 You know if we 00:34:59.720 --> 00:35:00.599 live inside a 00:35:00.599 --> 00:35:01.380 paradigm of 00:35:01.380 --> 00:35:02.360 self-righteousness 00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:03.099 then our 00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:03.960 capacity and 00:35:03.960 --> 00:35:04.500 power to 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.200 change lies 00:35:05.200 --> 00:35:06.039 solely in 00:35:06.039 --> 00:35:06.539 us. 00:35:06.880 --> 00:35:07.300 It's a 00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:08.159 totally closed 00:35:08.159 --> 00:35:08.659 system. 00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:10.280 And in that 00:35:10.280 --> 00:35:11.159 paradigm after 00:35:11.159 --> 00:35:12.039 a while you 00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:12.740 start to lose 00:35:12.740 --> 00:35:13.519 hope that 00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:13.980 people can 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:14.800 actually change 00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:15.260 don't you? 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:18.440 But if the 00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:19.240 power of 00:35:19.240 --> 00:35:19.840 Christ's 00:35:19.840 --> 00:35:21.119 resurrection really 00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:21.900 does live in 00:35:21.900 --> 00:35:22.159 us. 00:35:22.159 --> 00:35:24.359 if together 00:35:24.359 --> 00:35:25.059 we've left 00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:26.399 behind that 00:35:26.399 --> 00:35:27.179 self-righteous 00:35:27.179 --> 00:35:30.000 paradigm and 00:35:30.000 --> 00:35:30.659 we've considered 00:35:30.659 --> 00:35:31.480 knowing Christ 00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:32.039 to be what's 00:35:32.039 --> 00:35:32.940 most important 00:35:32.940 --> 00:35:34.940 and his power 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:35.799 lives in us 00:35:35.799 --> 00:35:37.920 then there's 00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:38.920 always room for 00:35:38.920 --> 00:35:39.299 hope. 00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:43.399 So the 00:35:43.399 --> 00:35:44.339 surpassing worth 00:35:44.339 --> 00:35:45.259 of knowing 00:35:45.259 --> 00:35:46.159 Christ really 00:35:46.159 --> 00:35:46.759 is better. 00:35:47.699 --> 00:35:48.339 It's better 00:35:48.339 --> 00:35:48.859 than clinging 00:35:48.859 --> 00:35:49.299 to our 00:35:49.299 --> 00:35:50.119 performance and 00:35:50.119 --> 00:35:50.779 pedigree and 00:35:50.779 --> 00:35:51.920 all the sort 00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:52.440 of privileges 00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:52.940 that come 00:35:52.940 --> 00:35:53.460 with that 00:35:53.460 --> 00:35:55.340 because those 00:35:55.340 --> 00:35:55.920 things can 00:35:55.920 --> 00:35:56.720 never really 00:35:56.720 --> 00:35:57.380 bring what 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.200 Christ gives 00:35:58.200 --> 00:35:59.639 righteousness 00:35:59.639 --> 00:36:01.400 and life. 00:36:04.300 --> 00:36:05.099 As Tom 00:36:05.099 --> 00:36:05.559 mentioned in 00:36:05.559 --> 00:36:06.000 his pastoral 00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:06.599 prayer today's 00:36:06.599 --> 00:36:07.079 Reformation 00:36:07.079 --> 00:36:07.599 Sunday. 00:36:07.940 --> 00:36:08.420 It's kind of 00:36:08.420 --> 00:36:08.840 the Sunday 00:36:08.840 --> 00:36:09.300 of the church 00:36:09.300 --> 00:36:09.820 year when we 00:36:09.820 --> 00:36:10.320 remember the 00:36:10.320 --> 00:36:10.760 Reformation. 00:36:11.900 --> 00:36:12.639 And the 00:36:12.639 --> 00:36:13.019 message of 00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:13.639 this passage 00:36:13.639 --> 00:36:14.300 is really 00:36:14.300 --> 00:36:15.000 what the 00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:15.380 Reformation 00:36:15.380 --> 00:36:15.880 was all 00:36:15.880 --> 00:36:16.220 about. 00:36:17.220 --> 00:36:17.619 That 00:36:17.619 --> 00:36:18.099 righteousness 00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:18.700 and life 00:36:18.699 --> 00:36:19.480 before God 00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:20.099 come by 00:36:20.099 --> 00:36:20.939 grace alone 00:36:20.939 --> 00:36:22.199 through faith 00:36:22.199 --> 00:36:23.299 alone in 00:36:23.299 --> 00:36:24.179 Christ alone 00:36:24.179 --> 00:36:25.319 to the glory 00:36:25.319 --> 00:36:25.739 of God 00:36:25.739 --> 00:36:26.079 alone. 00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:29.059 You know 00:36:29.059 --> 00:36:29.339 if God 00:36:29.339 --> 00:36:29.759 called your 00:36:29.759 --> 00:36:30.139 life to 00:36:30.139 --> 00:36:30.899 account today 00:36:30.899 --> 00:36:32.799 what answer 00:36:32.799 --> 00:36:33.639 would you give 00:36:33.639 --> 00:36:34.279 him for your 00:36:34.279 --> 00:36:34.500 life? 00:36:34.579 --> 00:36:35.019 He created 00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:35.239 you. 00:36:35.339 --> 00:36:35.719 He made 00:36:35.719 --> 00:36:35.859 you. 00:36:35.939 --> 00:36:36.519 He sustains 00:36:36.519 --> 00:36:36.719 you. 00:36:37.019 --> 00:36:37.539 He cares 00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:37.939 about your 00:36:37.939 --> 00:36:38.639 life so much 00:36:38.639 --> 00:36:39.359 that he will 00:36:39.359 --> 00:36:39.939 one day 00:36:39.939 --> 00:36:40.739 call you to 00:36:40.739 --> 00:36:41.279 account for 00:36:41.279 --> 00:36:41.439 it. 00:36:43.319 --> 00:36:43.980 Where would 00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:44.480 you put your 00:36:44.480 --> 00:36:44.980 confidence 00:36:44.980 --> 00:36:45.699 before his 00:36:45.699 --> 00:36:46.000 throne? 00:36:46.000 --> 00:36:47.539 Would you 00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:47.900 hand him 00:36:47.900 --> 00:36:48.340 your resume 00:36:48.340 --> 00:36:49.579 and hope 00:36:49.579 --> 00:36:49.840 that it 00:36:49.840 --> 00:36:50.280 was enough? 00:36:50.980 --> 00:36:51.320 Would you 00:36:51.320 --> 00:36:51.659 point to 00:36:51.659 --> 00:36:52.219 your performance 00:36:52.219 --> 00:36:52.519 or your 00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:52.960 pedigree? 00:36:55.380 --> 00:36:55.960 Or would 00:36:55.960 --> 00:36:56.300 you say 00:36:56.300 --> 00:36:56.760 in the words 00:36:56.760 --> 00:36:57.179 of the old 00:36:57.179 --> 00:36:57.460 hymn, 00:36:58.099 --> 00:36:58.599 nothing in 00:36:58.599 --> 00:36:59.079 my hands 00:36:59.079 --> 00:36:59.539 I bring 00:36:59.539 --> 00:37:00.840 simply to 00:37:00.840 --> 00:37:01.300 the cross 00:37:01.300 --> 00:37:01.780 I cling. 00:37:03.139 --> 00:37:03.699 There's only 00:37:03.699 --> 00:37:04.300 one way to 00:37:04.300 --> 00:37:04.639 be right 00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:05.079 with a holy 00:37:05.079 --> 00:37:06.159 God and 00:37:06.159 --> 00:37:06.480 that's through 00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:07.000 the perfect 00:37:07.000 --> 00:37:07.420 righteousness 00:37:07.420 --> 00:37:08.099 of Christ 00:37:08.099 --> 00:37:09.239 and it's 00:37:09.239 --> 00:37:09.659 given to 00:37:09.659 --> 00:37:10.400 everyone who 00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:10.880 believes. 00:37:13.400 --> 00:37:14.079 And if that 00:37:14.079 --> 00:37:14.619 describes you 00:37:14.619 --> 00:37:14.920 Christian, 00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:15.480 what's keeping 00:37:15.480 --> 00:37:15.860 you from 00:37:15.860 --> 00:37:16.579 knowing Christ 00:37:16.579 --> 00:37:17.000 more and 00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:17.220 more? 00:37:18.340 --> 00:37:18.840 Is there 00:37:18.840 --> 00:37:19.640 still some 00:37:19.640 --> 00:37:20.460 area of 00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:21.660 pride that 00:37:21.660 --> 00:37:22.079 you cling 00:37:22.079 --> 00:37:22.420 to? 00:37:23.059 --> 00:37:23.480 Still 00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:24.200 something that 00:37:24.200 --> 00:37:24.599 you try to 00:37:24.599 --> 00:37:25.360 put alongside 00:37:25.360 --> 00:37:26.680 Christ for 00:37:26.680 --> 00:37:27.280 your identity, 00:37:27.440 --> 00:37:27.940 your status, 00:37:28.079 --> 00:37:28.539 your worth? 00:37:29.700 --> 00:37:30.620 If so, 00:37:31.660 --> 00:37:32.380 lay it down. 00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:34.460 Count it as 00:37:34.460 --> 00:37:34.840 loss. 00:37:35.840 --> 00:37:36.460 Stop making 00:37:36.460 --> 00:37:36.780 it your 00:37:36.780 --> 00:37:37.380 confidence 00:37:37.380 --> 00:37:39.660 because there's 00:37:39.660 --> 00:37:40.559 nothing better 00:37:40.559 --> 00:37:41.920 than knowing 00:37:41.920 --> 00:37:42.820 the surpassing 00:37:42.820 --> 00:37:44.300 worth of 00:37:44.300 --> 00:37:44.940 Christ Jesus 00:37:44.940 --> 00:37:45.500 our Lord. 00:37:45.860 --> 00:37:47.640 let's pray. 00:37:53.320 --> 00:37:53.800 Our 00:37:53.800 --> 00:37:54.240 Father in 00:37:54.240 --> 00:37:54.480 heaven, 00:37:55.280 --> 00:37:57.200 as the 00:37:57.200 --> 00:37:57.660 first verse 00:37:57.660 --> 00:37:58.000 of this 00:37:58.000 --> 00:37:58.500 passage 00:37:58.500 --> 00:37:59.440 commands us, 00:38:00.000 --> 00:38:00.700 we want to 00:38:00.700 --> 00:38:01.000 take a 00:38:01.000 --> 00:38:01.559 moment and 00:38:01.559 --> 00:38:02.260 rejoice in 00:38:02.260 --> 00:38:02.500 you, 00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:04.400 to be 00:38:04.400 --> 00:38:05.440 glad and 00:38:05.440 --> 00:38:05.800 give you 00:38:05.800 --> 00:38:07.019 praise for 00:38:07.019 --> 00:38:07.620 the gift 00:38:07.620 --> 00:38:08.579 of Jesus 00:38:08.579 --> 00:38:09.660 and the 00:38:09.660 --> 00:38:10.059 gift of 00:38:10.059 --> 00:38:10.620 knowing him. 00:38:10.619 --> 00:38:12.339 Lord, fill 00:38:12.339 --> 00:38:13.059 our hearts 00:38:13.059 --> 00:38:13.480 with the 00:38:13.480 --> 00:38:14.019 confidence 00:38:14.019 --> 00:38:15.119 and joy 00:38:15.119 --> 00:38:16.079 and peace 00:38:16.079 --> 00:38:16.759 and hope 00:38:16.759 --> 00:38:17.659 that come 00:38:17.659 --> 00:38:18.759 from knowing 00:38:18.759 --> 00:38:20.460 the free 00:38:20.460 --> 00:38:21.000 gift of 00:38:21.000 --> 00:38:21.440 righteousness 00:38:21.440 --> 00:38:22.099 and life 00:38:22.099 --> 00:38:22.440 that are 00:38:22.440 --> 00:38:22.839 found in 00:38:22.839 --> 00:38:23.339 our Savior. 00:38:24.679 --> 00:38:25.619 And God, 00:38:25.719 --> 00:38:26.339 open the 00:38:26.339 --> 00:38:27.400 eyes of 00:38:27.400 --> 00:38:27.900 all of us 00:38:27.900 --> 00:38:28.199 in this 00:38:28.199 --> 00:38:29.279 room to 00:38:29.279 --> 00:38:30.159 behold Christ 00:38:30.159 --> 00:38:31.039 and to 00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:31.739 trust him 00:38:31.739 --> 00:38:32.279 more deeply. 00:38:32.280 --> 00:38:33.940 and for 00:38:33.940 --> 00:38:34.380 those who 00:38:34.380 --> 00:38:35.100 haven't yet 00:38:35.100 --> 00:38:35.720 placed their 00:38:35.720 --> 00:38:36.220 trust in 00:38:36.220 --> 00:38:36.440 him, 00:38:36.920 --> 00:38:37.280 oh God, 00:38:37.340 --> 00:38:37.740 would today 00:38:37.740 --> 00:38:38.220 be the day 00:38:38.220 --> 00:38:38.720 of salvation 00:38:38.720 --> 00:38:39.200 for them. 00:38:39.340 --> 00:38:39.860 Call them 00:38:39.860 --> 00:38:40.960 to yourself, 00:38:41.420 --> 00:38:41.980 I ask. 00:38:42.440 --> 00:38:42.840 In Jesus' 00:38:43.019 --> 00:38:43.200 name, 00:38:43.600 --> 00:38:43.840 amen. 00:38:43.840 --> 00:38:43.980 Amen.