WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.220
 God. We can sing to God's praise, first of all singing in the Scottish Psalter, Psalm 40 verses 1 down to verse 4.

00:00:11.320 --> 00:00:18.859
 It's on page 259 of the psalm books. Psalm 40 verses 1 down to verse 4, the psalm of salvation.

00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:27.539
 I waited for the Lord my God and patiently did bear. At length to me he did incline my voice and cry to hear.

00:00:27.539 --> 00:00:35.780
 He took me from a fearful pit and from the miry clay. On a rock he set my feet, establishing my way.

00:00:35.899 --> 00:00:38.820
 Psalm 40 verses 1 to 4, to God's praise.

00:00:38.820 --> 00:01:01.280
 I waited for the Lord my God and patiently did bear.

00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:19.280
 A length to me he did incline my voice and cry to hear.

00:01:19.280 --> 00:01:38.280
 He took me from a fearful pit and from the miry clay.

00:01:38.280 --> 00:01:57.280
 And on a rock he set my feet, establishing my way.

00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:07.280
 He put a new song in my mouth.

00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:15.280
 Our God to magnify.

00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:26.280
 Many shall see it and shall hear.

00:02:26.280 --> 00:02:34.280
 And on the Lord rely.

00:02:34.280 --> 00:02:54.099
 O blessed is the man whose cross upon the Lord relies,

00:02:54.099 --> 00:03:04.099
 Respecting all the proud your sons.

00:03:04.099 --> 00:03:13.099
 As turn the side to lies.

00:03:13.099 --> 00:03:19.099
 Let's join together now in a word of prayer.

00:03:19.099 --> 00:03:20.099
 Let's pray.

00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:25.099
 Let's pray.

00:03:25.099 --> 00:03:31.099
 Lord God, we draw before you this new day, this new morning.

00:03:31.099 --> 00:03:37.099
 This fresh day you've given us to worship your name, to praise your holiness,

00:03:37.099 --> 00:03:44.099
 To bring to our minds the great many and wonderful gifts you have given us as our God.

00:03:44.099 --> 00:03:52.099
 To bring to mind the reality that we are this very moment worshipping a holy, holy, holy God.

00:03:52.099 --> 00:03:55.099
 The only true and living God.

00:03:55.099 --> 00:03:57.099
 The only God worthy of worship.

00:03:57.099 --> 00:03:59.099
 The only God worthy of praise.

00:03:59.099 --> 00:04:09.099
 Lord help us this day not to lose sight as to the holiness and the wonder and the beauty of the God that we approach to worship this morning.

00:04:09.099 --> 00:04:14.099
 As we come and as we worship your greatness and worship your holiness,

00:04:14.099 --> 00:04:24.100
 We are reminded so quickly as to our own smallness, our own weaknesses, our own frailty.

00:04:24.100 --> 00:04:28.100
 To worship you, the unchanging, unending God.

00:04:28.100 --> 00:04:33.100
 You who control and sustain all things.

00:04:33.100 --> 00:04:36.100
 Help us to come with a heart set for worship.

00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:38.100
 A reverent heart.

00:04:38.100 --> 00:04:45.100
 A heart full of the wonder and the joy of worshipping and of knowing the Lord.

00:04:45.100 --> 00:04:57.100
 Lord, we come before you this day, Lord, and we confess that we bring to this place many distractions, many burdens, many worries, many anxieties.

00:04:57.100 --> 00:05:05.100
 But many here in person, and perhaps those who are listening at home, that we bring to this place, we bring to this time of worship,

00:05:05.100 --> 00:05:08.100
 So many things which weigh down in our mind.

00:05:08.100 --> 00:05:13.100
 Just things and things we must take care of and things we must worry about.

00:05:13.100 --> 00:05:19.100
 We do ask that even for this short time together, this short time around your word,

00:05:19.100 --> 00:05:25.100
 You would help us, Lord, to take these burdens and anxieties, these responsibilities and worries,

00:05:25.100 --> 00:05:30.100
 And to lay them at the throne of grace, to take them to you.

00:05:30.100 --> 00:05:35.100
 To at that throne find what you promise to give to those who come to you.

00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:37.100
 Mercy and grace.

00:05:37.100 --> 00:05:42.100
 We ask for that mercy, we ask for that grace for us this morning.

00:05:42.100 --> 00:05:46.100
 For those here with heavy hearts and broken hearts.

00:05:46.100 --> 00:05:50.100
 Those here who are suffering, perhaps physically, perhaps mentally.

00:05:50.100 --> 00:05:57.100
 Those here going through trials and circumstances that perhaps only you and they know about.

00:05:57.100 --> 00:06:04.100
 Those here who are mourning recent loss, but also those who are mourning a loss of many years ago,

00:06:04.100 --> 00:06:07.100
 As anniversaries come and as they pass.

00:06:07.100 --> 00:06:10.100
 Lord, we bring all these things to you.

00:06:10.100 --> 00:06:14.100
 We confess that we try and that we seek to do our best,

00:06:14.100 --> 00:06:19.100
 But we confess that so often we find ourselves as such poor comforters.

00:06:19.100 --> 00:06:25.100
 That we find our words falling so short and our actions feeling so small.

00:06:25.100 --> 00:06:29.100
 But we give you praise that where we perhaps fail, that you do not.

00:06:29.100 --> 00:06:33.100
 In fact, you promise to give to your people the Holy Spirit.

00:06:33.100 --> 00:06:37.100
 The one who himself is the ultimate comforter.

00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:41.100
 We do pray that he would work in the lives of his people this day.

00:06:41.100 --> 00:06:45.100
 He would bring them to that place again where they can praise you.

00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:53.100
 And pray for those, Lord, who are not here today, but those who long to be here.

00:06:53.100 --> 00:06:57.100
 Those who love your people and those who love gathering with your people.

00:06:57.100 --> 00:07:04.100
 But through illness or through age or for other various reasons cannot gather as often as they wish.

00:07:04.100 --> 00:07:07.100
 We ask that even this day you be with them.

00:07:07.100 --> 00:07:11.100
 If it's your will, Lord, you would afford them a special sense of your presence.

00:07:11.100 --> 00:07:13.100
 They would know that we are praying for them.

00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:14.100
 That we remember them.

00:07:14.100 --> 00:07:16.100
 That we love them.

00:07:16.100 --> 00:07:18.100
 We do bring before you, Lord, this congregation.

00:07:18.100 --> 00:07:20.100
 We thank you for it.

00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:25.100
 We thank you for the many years of witness you have enabled to come from this place.

00:07:25.100 --> 00:07:32.100
 We pray for them especially just now as they look towards having a new assistant minister.

00:07:32.100 --> 00:07:38.100
 One who will assist in the leading, in the serving, in the worship.

00:07:38.100 --> 00:07:44.100
 One who will lead in the pastoral and who will help in the pastoral side of ministry.

00:07:44.100 --> 00:07:47.100
 Who will come alongside your people here.

00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:49.100
 Who will preach the word to your people.

00:07:49.100 --> 00:07:51.100
 Who will cry with your people.

00:07:51.100 --> 00:07:53.100
 Who will laugh with your people.

00:07:53.100 --> 00:07:55.100
 Lord, we ask you for him and his family just now, Lord.

00:07:55.100 --> 00:07:57.100
 We ask you bless them.

00:07:57.100 --> 00:07:59.100
 Be with them.

00:07:59.100 --> 00:08:03.100
 Lord, we ask for all the, as it were, behind the scenes practicalities.

00:08:03.100 --> 00:08:06.100
 All the seemingly small bits and pieces.

00:08:06.100 --> 00:08:09.100
 Lord, we ask that even these things would come together.

00:08:09.100 --> 00:08:12.100
 The practicalities of a moving house.

00:08:12.100 --> 00:08:15.100
 The practicalities of moving family.

00:08:15.100 --> 00:08:18.100
 We ask for them personally as a family.

00:08:18.100 --> 00:08:20.100
 You bless them spiritually.

00:08:20.100 --> 00:08:23.100
 You bless them in their own walk with you.

00:08:23.100 --> 00:08:27.100
 We pray again for the congregation that they leave behind.

00:08:27.100 --> 00:08:29.100
 Lord, we ask you would bless that congregation.

00:08:29.100 --> 00:08:34.100
 You would comfort them as they lose, Lord, for a time at least, their pastor.

00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:38.100
 We ask, Lord, that you would bring to them in your good time a new pastor.

00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:41.100
 One who would lead them and who would guide them.

00:08:41.100 --> 00:08:42.100
 Who would love them.

00:08:42.100 --> 00:08:44.100
 Who would serve them.

00:08:44.100 --> 00:08:49.100
 Lord, we give you praise, Lord, for the continuation of the gospel work.

00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:51.100
 That your word does not fail.

00:08:51.100 --> 00:08:55.100
 That you are still raising up people to go and share that gospel.

00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:58.100
 Lord, we do pray that for, again, this congregation, especially today.

00:08:58.100 --> 00:09:02.100
 For any here today who have a burden to share the gospel.

00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:04.100
 Whether in pastoral ministry.

00:09:04.100 --> 00:09:05.100
 Perhaps in mission work.

00:09:05.100 --> 00:09:07.100
 Locally in mission work.

00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:08.100
 Across our nation.

00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:10.100
 Or mission work across the globe.

00:09:10.100 --> 00:09:15.100
 We ask, Lord, you would help them to have that desire.

00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:19.100
 And we pray, Lord, as hard as it is, we pray that that desire would not leave them.

00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:24.100
 That you would not give them rest as it were until they came to you and asked how they can serve you.

00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:32.100
 We do give you praise, Lord, that we are at this very moment joining in with the worship of many.

00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:33.100
 Across this island.

00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:34.100
 Across our nation.

00:09:34.100 --> 00:09:35.100
 Across our world.

00:09:35.100 --> 00:09:41.100
 We give you praise, Lord, for every gospel proclaiming congregation in this island.

00:09:41.100 --> 00:09:42.100
 Lord, we give you praise.

00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:43.100
 There are still many of them.

00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:47.100
 We pray, Lord, for our brothers and sisters across our island.

00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:48.100
 Across our nation.

00:09:48.100 --> 00:09:49.100
 Across our world.

00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:54.100
 We remember, as always, our dear brothers and sisters who love you as we love you.

00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:58.100
 And who worship you as we seek to worship you in spirit and in truth.

00:09:58.100 --> 00:10:01.100
 But who must do so in situations which are difficult.

00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:05.100
 Situations which are, at times, almost impossible.

00:10:05.100 --> 00:10:09.100
 Brothers and sisters who right now find themselves imprisoned.

00:10:09.100 --> 00:10:14.100
 Who right now find themselves fearing for their lives, for the lives of their loved ones.

00:10:14.100 --> 00:10:16.100
 Lord, you know their names.

00:10:16.100 --> 00:10:18.100
 You know their specific situations.

00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:23.100
 We ask you to comfort them with the gospel comfort even this day.

00:10:23.100 --> 00:10:24.100
 You draw alongside them.

00:10:24.100 --> 00:10:28.100
 Those who dare to share the good news.

00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:33.100
 Those who are willing to lay their lives on the line to proclaim the good news that there is a Savior.

00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:37.100
 That he has come and done all things necessary.

00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:39.100
 That he is Savior.

00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:40.100
 He is King.

00:10:40.100 --> 00:10:42.100
 He is Lord of all.

00:10:42.100 --> 00:10:47.100
 And who for that glorious truth face beatings.

00:10:47.100 --> 00:10:49.100
 Face imprisonment.

00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:52.100
 And we know at times face death.

00:10:52.100 --> 00:10:54.100
 Lord, help us to remember them in prayer.

00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:59.100
 At the same time we ask you to give us wisdom to make the most of the freedom you have given us.

00:10:59.100 --> 00:11:01.100
 Whilst we still have it.

00:11:01.100 --> 00:11:05.100
 To be gentle but also to be bold as we proclaim the gospel.

00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:08.100
 So we can worship freely as we do just now.

00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:11.100
 Lord, help us not to grow accustomed to this.

00:11:11.100 --> 00:11:15.100
 Help us to understand that this is a privilege we have.

00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:20.100
 That you allow us to worship together so openly for so many years now in our country.

00:11:20.100 --> 00:11:24.100
 Help us Lord to have wisdom.

00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:26.100
 Help us to be bold witnesses of the gospel.

00:11:26.100 --> 00:11:30.100
 Forgive us for all the times that we shy away from sharing the gospel.

00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:35.100
 Forgive us for all the times to our shame that we have chosen not to share the gospel.

00:11:35.100 --> 00:11:37.100
 Whether through fear.

00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:39.100
 Perhaps even embarrassment.

00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:42.100
 For other reasons which mean nothing eternally.

00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:43.100
 Lord, give us the wisdom.

00:11:43.100 --> 00:11:45.100
 Give us that holy zeal.

00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:47.100
 Give us that joy of the gospel.

00:11:47.100 --> 00:11:51.100
 Help us to again refine and rekindle that first love.

00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:54.100
 That through the work of the spirit he would open up our eyes to the scripture.

00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:56.100
 To the beauty of our savior.

00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:57.100
 The wonder of who he is.

00:11:57.100 --> 00:11:59.100
 And what he has done for his people.

00:11:59.100 --> 00:12:03.100
 Help us to be revived ourselves personally first.

00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:05.100
 To go out this new week.

00:12:05.100 --> 00:12:09.100
 And to tell those around us as to the wonder of who Jesus is.

00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:11.100
 As to the amazing news.

00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:14.100
 As to what he has done for those who love him.

00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:19.100
 And the great promises that his people have for now and for eternity.

00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:23.100
 We pray Lord for our beloved Lord.

00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:26.100
 A young folk who are meeting next door Lord.

00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:27.100
 We pray for them.

00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:28.100
 We thank you for them.

00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:33.100
 We thank you Lord that you have week after week brought many out.

00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:38.100
 We pray for their parents and their guardians and those who bring them out.

00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:40.100
 Those who love them and those who look after them.

00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:45.100
 And we pray again Lord for those involved in youth work and Sunday school and creche.

00:12:45.100 --> 00:12:48.100
 And Lord those involved working with the teenagers.

00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:52.100
 And we then pray as we look forward this week to a meeting.

00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:56.100
 Discussing work with perhaps Lord young adults.

00:12:56.100 --> 00:12:59.100
 And those who are in twenties Lord and up to thirties Lord.

00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:02.100
 We give you praise that all that will be done will be done for your namesake.

00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:04.100
 And Lord for the sake of your glory.

00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:08.100
 We ask that this place will not be praised.

00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:10.100
 That the free church will not be praised.

00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:12.100
 That none of us will be praised.

00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:15.100
 Or we ask that all that we do we seek to see your name praised.

00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:17.100
 Your name glorified.

00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:23.100
 We pray for any here today who as of yet can't say that they know and love Jesus.

00:13:23.100 --> 00:13:28.100
 Those here today who perhaps are here quite unwillingly.

00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:30.100
 Who are here to please a loved one.

00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:32.100
 Who are here to tick off a box for their week.

00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:34.100
 Who are here out of tradition.

00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:36.100
 We thank you for them.

00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:39.100
 We give you praise that they are here under your word.

00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:41.100
 Lord that they would know that we care for them.

00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:43.100
 They would know that we love them.

00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:48.100
 And they would know that we long to see them know you for themselves.

00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:51.100
 Lord thank you this time together.

00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:55.100
 We ask you would help us to not be distracted.

00:13:55.100 --> 00:13:58.100
 Keep us Lord far away from sin.

00:13:58.100 --> 00:14:02.100
 We confess that even this week and this day and this hour.

00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:04.100
 We have sinned against you.

00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:06.100
 In our actions and our thoughts and our words.

00:14:06.100 --> 00:14:12.100
 We have done and said and thought things against our holy God.

00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:15.100
 And as we think of that reality.

00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:18.100
 Or we find ourselves feeling so overwhelmed.

00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:24.100
 We give you praise that for those who know and who love Jesus.

00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:26.100
 But we can know for certain.

00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:28.100
 This very moment we can know for sure.

00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:31.100
 That though our sins are great.

00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:35.100
 That though our darkness at times seems to overwhelm us.

00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:41.100
 That the mercy of our Saviour covers all the sins of all his people.

00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:44.100
 That his love is greater than our disobedience.

00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:46.100
 That his care and love for his people.

00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:47.100
 That his care and love for his people.

00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:52.100
 Is far greater than our ability to walk and to move away from him.

00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:55.100
 But we have an obedient Saviour.

00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:57.100
 How does his obedience to his Father.

00:14:57.100 --> 00:14:59.100
 Came and died for his people.

00:14:59.100 --> 00:15:01.100
 How does love for us.

00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:02.100
 Did all that he did.

00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:06.100
 And now reigns and rules at your right hand.

00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:08.100
 Help us to have our hearts and our minds set on him.

00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:09.100
 Even this morning.

00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:12.100
 Ask all these things in and through.

00:15:12.100 --> 00:15:14.100
 And for his precious name's sake.

00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:15.100
 Amen.

00:15:18.100 --> 00:15:20.100
 Let's turn to God's word.

00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:24.100
 We can read in the book of Philippians.

00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:26.100
 Philippians chapter 1.

00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:35.100
 The book of Philippians chapter 1.

00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:52.100
 Let's hear the word of God.

00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:53.100
 Paul and Timothy.

00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:54.100
 Paul and Timothy.

00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:56.100
 Servants of Christ Jesus.

00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:59.100
 To all the saints in Christ Jesus.

00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:00.100
 Who are at Philippi.

00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:02.100
 With the overseers and deacons.

00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:03.100
 Grace to you.

00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:05.100
 And peace from God our Father.

00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:07.100
 And the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:09.100
 I thank my God.

00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:11.100
 And all my remembrance of you.

00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:13.100
 Always in every prayer of mine.

00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:14.100
 For you all.

00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:16.100
 Making my prayer with joy.

00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:18.100
 Because of your partnership in the gospel.

00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:20.100
 From the first day until now.

00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:23.100
 And I am sure of this.

00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:25.100
 That he who began a good work in you.

00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:27.100
 Will bring it to completion.

00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:29.100
 At the day of Jesus Christ.

00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:32.100
 It is right for me to feel this way about you all.

00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:35.100
 Because I hold you in my heart.

00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:38.100
 For you are all partakers with me of grace.

00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:40.100
 Both in my imprisonment.

00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:43.100
 And in the defence and confirmation of the gospel.

00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:45.100
 For God is my witness.

00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:47.100
 How I yearn for you all.

00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:49.100
 With the affection of Christ Jesus.

00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:51.100
 And it is my prayer.

00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:54.100
 That your love may abound more and more.

00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:56.100
 With knowledge and all discernment.

00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:58.100
 So that you may approve.

00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:59.100
 What is excellent.

00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:01.100
 And so be pure.

00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:02.100
 And blameless.

00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:03.100
 The day of Christ.

00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:06.099
 Filled with the fruit of righteousness.

00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:08.099
 That comes through Jesus Christ.

00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:10.099
 To the glory and praise of God.

00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:12.099
 I want you to know brothers.

00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:13.099
 What has happened to me.

00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:14.099
 Has really served.

00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:16.099
 To advance the gospel.

00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:18.099
 So it has become known.

00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:20.099
 Throughout the whole imperial guard.

00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:22.099
 And to all the rest.

00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:24.099
 That my imprisonment is for Christ.

00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:25.099
 And most of the brothers.

00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:27.099
 Having become confident in the Lord.

00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:29.099
 By my imprisonment.

00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:30.099
 Are much more bold.

00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:31.099
 To speak the word.

00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:32.099
 Without fear.

00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:33.099
 Without fear.

00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:35.099
 Some indeed preach Christ.

00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:36.099
 From envy.

00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:37.099
 And rivalry.

00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:39.099
 But others from good will.

00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:40.099
 The latter do it.

00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:41.099
 Out of love.

00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:42.099
 Knowing that I am put here.

00:17:42.099 --> 00:17:44.099
 For the defence of the gospel.

00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:46.099
 The former proclaim Christ.

00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:48.099
 Out of selfish ambition.

00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:49.099
 Not sincerely.

00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:51.099
 But thinking to afflict me.

00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:53.099
 In my imprisonment.

00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:54.099
 What then.

00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:56.099
 Only that in every way.

00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:58.099
 Whether in pretense.

00:17:58.099 --> 00:17:59.099
 Or in truth.

00:17:59.099 --> 00:18:01.099
 Christ is proclaimed.

00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:02.099
 And in that.

00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:03.099
 I rejoice.

00:18:03.099 --> 00:18:04.099
 Yes.

00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:05.099
 And I will rejoice.

00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:07.099
 For I know that through your prayers.

00:18:07.099 --> 00:18:09.099
 And the help of the spirit of Jesus Christ.

00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:12.099
 This will turn out for my deliverance.

00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:15.099
 As it is my eager expectation.

00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:16.099
 And hope.

00:18:16.099 --> 00:18:17.099
 That I will not be ashamed.

00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:19.099
 But that with full courage.

00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:20.099
 Now as always.

00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:22.099
 Christ will be honoured in my body.

00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:24.099
 Whether by life.

00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:25.099
 Or by death.

00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:26.099
 For to me.

00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:27.099
 To live is Christ.

00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:28.099
 And to die.

00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:29.099
 Is gain.

00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:31.099
 For I am to live in the flesh.

00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:34.099
 That means fruitful labour for me.

00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:36.099
 Yet which I shall choose.

00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:37.099
 I cannot tell.

00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:40.099
 I am hard pressed between the two.

00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:42.099
 My desire is to depart.

00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:44.099
 And to be with Christ.

00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:45.099
 For that is far better.

00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:47.099
 But to remain in the flesh.

00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:50.099
 Is more necessary on your account.

00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:51.099
 Convinced of this.

00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:54.099
 I know that I will remain.

00:18:54.099 --> 00:18:56.099
 And continue with you all.

00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:57.099
 For your progress.

00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:59.099
 And joy in the faith.

00:18:59.099 --> 00:19:00.099
 So that in me.

00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:02.099
 You may have ample cause.

00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:03.099
 To glory in Christ Jesus.

00:19:03.099 --> 00:19:05.099
 Because of my coming to you again.

00:19:06.099 --> 00:19:08.099
 Only let your manner be worthy.

00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:09.099
 Of life be worthy.

00:19:09.099 --> 00:19:11.099
 Of the gospel of Christ.

00:19:11.099 --> 00:19:12.099
 So that whether I come.

00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:13.099
 And see you.

00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:14.099
 Or an absent.

00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:15.099
 I may hear of you.

00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:17.099
 You are standing firm.

00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:18.099
 In one spirit.

00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:19.099
 With one mind.

00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:22.099
 Striving side by side.

00:19:22.099 --> 00:19:24.099
 For the faith of the gospel.

00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:26.099
 And not frightened in anything.

00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:27.099
 By your opponents.

00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:29.099
 This is a clear sign.

00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:30.099
 To them.

00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:31.099
 Of their destruction.

00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:32.099
 But of your salvation.

00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:34.099
 And that from God.

00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:37.099
 For it has been granted to you.

00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:39.099
 That for the sake of Christ.

00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:41.099
 You should not only believe in him.

00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:43.099
 But also suffer for his sake.

00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:45.099
 Engage in the same conflict.

00:19:45.099 --> 00:19:46.099
 That you saw I had.

00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:47.099
 And now hear.

00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:49.099
 That I still have.

00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:50.099
 We have praise to God.

00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:51.099
 For his holy.

00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:53.099
 And his perfect.

00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:54.099
 Word.

00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:56.099
 Let's again sing.

00:19:56.099 --> 00:19:57.099
 To God's praise.

00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:58.099
 Again singing.

00:19:58.099 --> 00:19:59.099
 From a Scottish psalter.

00:19:59.099 --> 00:20:02.099
 A Scottish psalter.

00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:03.099
 And singing.

00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:05.099
 At Psalm 84.

00:20:05.099 --> 00:20:09.099
 A psalm of belonging.

00:20:09.099 --> 00:20:10.099
 A psalm.

00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:11.099
 Reminds us.

00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:12.099
 As God's people.

00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:13.099
 That we are part.

00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:15.099
 Of his glorious.

00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:16.099
 Family.

00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:19.099
 Psalm 84.

00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:22.099
 How lovely is thy dwelling place.

00:20:22.099 --> 00:20:24.099
 O Lord of hosts to me.

00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:25.099
 The tabernacles.

00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:26.099
 All thy grace.

00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:28.099
 How pleasant Lord they be.

00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:29.099
 My first day soul.

00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:30.099
 Longs vehemently.

00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:31.099
 Ye faints.

00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:32.099
 Thy courts to see.

00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:34.099
 My very heart.

00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:35.099
 And flesh cry out.

00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:36.099
 O living God.

00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:37.099
 For thee.

00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:39.099
 We can sing verses one.

00:20:39.099 --> 00:20:40.099
 Then the double marked.

00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:41.099
 Verse three.

00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:42.099
 Let's sing.

00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:43.099
 To God's praise.

00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:44.099
 Let's sing.

00:20:44.099 --> 00:20:45.099
 Let's sing.

00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:46.099
 Let's sing.

00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:47.099
 Let's sing.

00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:48.099
 Let's sing.

00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:49.099
 Let's sing.

00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:54.099
 How lovely is thy dwelling place.

00:20:54.099 --> 00:20:58.099
 O Lord of hosts to me.

00:20:58.099 --> 00:21:03.099
 The tabernacles of thy name.

00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:04.099
 Let's sing.

00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:06.099
 I.

00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:09.099
 Let's sing.

00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:11.099
 Let's sing.

00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:12.099
 Let's sing.

00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:13.099
 Howommes.

00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:14.099
 Knowимо.

00:21:14.099 --> 00:21:15.099
 femininos escenores.

00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:16.099
 Ye fountains.

00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:18.099
 Are plein things.

00:21:18.099 --> 00:21:27.099
 Nowtantas.

00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:28.099
 Our nature.

00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:29.099
 What believed was an art uniformity.

00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:32.099
 And their Scott,

00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:59.099
 If things I go to see, my very heart and west cry out, O living God for Thee.

00:21:59.099 --> 00:22:17.459
 Behold, the sparrow findeth that an house wherein to rest,

00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:35.460
 The sparrow also for herself hath purchased it unless.

00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:54.460
 If Thine own altars will she stay, her young ones forth may bring.

00:22:54.460 --> 00:23:13.460
 O Thou Almighty, Lord of hosts, who art my God and King.

00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.460
 Amen.

00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:46.500
 Verse 21, Philippians 1 and verse 21.

00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:53.579
 For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

00:23:54.759 --> 00:24:01.100
 As we said, taking in really the whole chapter as a summary for ourselves this morning,

00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:06.980
 because it is a summary, we can't touch on, let's say, half, a quarter,

00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:11.920
 even the smallest part of the beauty, of course, of this chapter.

00:24:12.620 --> 00:24:15.799
 And the hope is that as we go through this chapter together,

00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:21.519
 you would take perhaps the parts we looked at and go home and spend some time today

00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:27.000
 and look again at this chapter and see how the glorious truth of this chapter

00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:30.940
 is even more glorious than we have time to look at this morning.

00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:39.360
 Looking at our text, we can look at it simply in the two halves our verses split into.

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:46.620
 Living for Jesus and dying for Jesus.

00:24:47.600 --> 00:24:51.340
 Perhaps even living for him and looking towards him.

00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:55.680
 Living for him and looking towards him.

00:24:57.600 --> 00:24:58.880
 Again, just a quick summary.

00:24:58.880 --> 00:25:02.060
 The church here in the city of Philippi.

00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:06.420
 It's a young church, as most of the churches were.

00:25:06.520 --> 00:25:09.560
 It's a new church, as most of these churches, of course, were.

00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:15.720
 We first, and we see the formation of this church in Acts 16.

00:25:15.820 --> 00:25:18.640
 If you have time, please go and read Acts 16.

00:25:19.080 --> 00:25:20.500
 A glorious chapter.

00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:24.640
 Of course, we see, of course, the first conversion of Lydia.

00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:29.680
 And then the conversion of the girl possessed by spirits.

00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:32.720
 And the conversion of the jailer.

00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:37.500
 So Lydia and her family, the girl, and then the jailer and his family.

00:25:37.800 --> 00:25:39.259
 All converted gloriously.

00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:42.680
 And that's the start of the church in Philippi.

00:25:42.780 --> 00:25:45.580
 That says how this congregation began its life.

00:25:45.579 --> 00:25:50.699
 And here Paul is writing from prison to this young congregation.

00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:55.699
 In this letter, Paul has two main themes.

00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:57.099
 He addresses plenty of things.

00:25:57.179 --> 00:26:00.539
 He has two main themes for this young congregation.

00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:03.980
 Joy in Jesus.

00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:07.379
 And encouragement in Jesus.

00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:10.139
 Joy and encouragement.

00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:17.340
 This young church who are serving the Lord in a city which was multicultural, which was vibrant.

00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:19.380
 A growing trade city.

00:26:20.080 --> 00:26:23.220
 But a city where we see in Acts the gospel was hated.

00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:27.620
 Where God and the message of our Savior was hated.

00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:31.360
 Where the work of the gospel was hated to the point of violence.

00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:38.919
 This young church, these young Christians were facing a situation that was discouraging.

00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:40.359
 That seemed impossible.

00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:44.319
 And Paul's message to them is joy in Jesus.

00:26:44.919 --> 00:26:47.319
 Encouragement in Jesus.

00:26:49.399 --> 00:26:52.359
 Here we are a few thousand years later.

00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:54.479
 I get a few hundred miles away.

00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:57.199
 But it's the same for us, isn't it, this morning.

00:26:57.639 --> 00:27:00.219
 What do we need as Christians again and again?

00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:02.079
 Again and again.

00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:03.860
 We need that encouragement from the gospel.

00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:09.279
 We need to be reminded of the joy we should get from the truth of our Savior.

00:27:10.600 --> 00:27:13.440
 And that's what we find in our text today in verse 21.

00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:14.660
 We see that joy.

00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:17.600
 And we see that encouragement.

00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:24.360
 So as we look to our text, we can see it in two halves.

00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:29.660
 Living for him and looking towards him.

00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:35.259
 For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:45.740
 If we're honest, we tend to perhaps emphasize that the second half of that verse, that gives us more to dig into perhaps we say.

00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:48.940
 It gives us thoughts of heaven and thoughts of glory.

00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:51.720
 And that's at times more exciting for us.

00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:53.000
 It's not a bad thing.

00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:55.160
 And we'll see that more later on.

00:27:56.539 --> 00:28:04.920
 But the emphasis in the verse, the emphasis in the grammar, the emphasis in the context is the first half really of this verse.

00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:09.140
 And we hope to give most of our time to the first half of the verse.

00:28:09.140 --> 00:28:14.620
 For to me to live is Christ.

00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:21.039
 In one sense, it's even more striking if we look at it in Greek.

00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.539
 The is has taken away.

00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:26.119
 The is has been added for us to help us understand it.

00:28:26.219 --> 00:28:29.179
 But Paul is much more enthusiastic.

00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:32.079
 Quite literally, verse 21 says,

00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:35.879
 For me to live Christ.

00:28:35.879 --> 00:28:39.699
 For me to live Christ.

00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:52.299
 Paul was defined by his life dedicated towards, set towards living for his saviour, Christ.

00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:56.680
 For me to live Christ.

00:28:57.859 --> 00:29:02.539
 Which are at least three or four areas we see in this chapter.

00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:05.259
 We see what it is for us to live as Christians.

00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:06.639
 Where Paul gives examples.

00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:12.399
 What does it look like for us to be like Paul and to live for Christ?

00:29:13.639 --> 00:29:17.259
 Four examples for us in these verses.

00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:22.299
 There's plenty more, but time limits us to four.

00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.420
 And that's a good start for us.

00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:25.420
 And again, take time this afternoon.

00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:32.119
 There's at least seven examples I could see that point us towards living as Christians in this chapter.

00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:35.879
 But four is a good start for us for the time we have.

00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:43.819
 So four ways this chapter points us, or Paul points us towards living for Christ.

00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:45.200
 How that looks, what it means.

00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:53.920
 First of all, to live for Christ means to live as part of a gospel community.

00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:59.440
 To live as part of a gospel community.

00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:02.000
 We see that in our first few verses.

00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:03.480
 Verses 1 down to verse 5.

00:30:03.580 --> 00:30:08.740
 We see it again later on in verses 27 and verse 28.

00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:14.000
 Paul and Timothy, verse 1.

00:30:14.120 --> 00:30:15.359
 Servants of Christ Jesus.

00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:21.339
 To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi with the overseers and deacons.

00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:33.480
 The truth of Scripture again and again is there is no such thing as a Christian living and serving and growing in isolation.

00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:36.220
 There's no such thing.

00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:42.459
 All the promises that God gives his people are always in plural.

00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:46.839
 It's always spoken to his people together.

00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:50.079
 Of course, there's exceptions where God is speaking to one individual.

00:30:50.279 --> 00:31:02.419
 But the reality is, almost all the promises of the New Testament, all the promises to the church, and most of the promises of the Old Testament, are given to God's people.

00:31:03.699 --> 00:31:05.519
 Given to us as a people.

00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:08.679
 Now, of course, God saves us as individuals.

00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:11.559
 God knows us as individuals.

00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:12.980
 God saw you.

00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:14.220
 He saved you.

00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:16.759
 He set his love on you in eternity past.

00:31:17.139 --> 00:31:18.440
 He set a time to save you.

00:31:18.679 --> 00:31:19.319
 He saved you.

00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:20.379
 He brought them to himself.

00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:21.759
 That was done.

00:31:21.879 --> 00:31:22.799
 Just you and God.

00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:29.480
 The truth is, he saved you to be part of a wider gospel community.

00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:31.819
 And we see that again and again.

00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:34.599
 Through all of New Testament.

00:31:34.679 --> 00:31:35.679
 Through all of Paul's letters.

00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:36.659
 Throughout this letter.

00:31:37.379 --> 00:31:38.440
 Even the first few verses.

00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:40.980
 This letter is for the gathered Christians.

00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.559
 We see that.

00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:43.920
 To all of us saints in Christ Jesus.

00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:47.299
 I know this is known to most, not many of us.

00:31:47.380 --> 00:31:52.660
 But, of course, in modern use, the word saints has been, we could say, with respect, ruined.

00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:55.880
 To some kind of holy order of Christians.

00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:58.420
 It's not what Scripture gives us.

00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:01.319
 But, of course, you are saints.

00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:05.519
 Perhaps those who are close to you might argue about the fact.

00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:06.480
 But you are saints.

00:32:07.120 --> 00:32:07.819
 You are saints.

00:32:07.819 --> 00:32:10.079
 God calls you saints.

00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:11.899
 His beloved people.

00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:12.960
 That's all we have.

00:32:13.460 --> 00:32:14.099
 That's all that means.

00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:18.220
 To the beloved people in Christ Jesus.

00:32:18.679 --> 00:32:19.439
 Who are at Philippi.

00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:22.439
 With the overseers and deacons.

00:32:23.179 --> 00:32:23.939
 Overseers.

00:32:24.439 --> 00:32:29.960
 There, it's the word we would get from elders, the leaders, and the deacons.

00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:31.279
 The promise of this letter.

00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:35.340
 The promise of this letter.

00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:37.380
 The hope of this letter.

00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:41.980
 The truth of this letter is given to God's people as a collective.

00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:45.019
 To grow as Christians.

00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:46.660
 To serve well as Christians.

00:32:47.079 --> 00:32:48.680
 To work well as Christians.

00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:52.700
 We must do so together.

00:32:56.500 --> 00:33:01.560
 The message of our living Savior is for all the church.

00:33:01.560 --> 00:33:04.519
 And we all need that reminder.

00:33:05.060 --> 00:33:07.740
 We must pray and worship together.

00:33:08.060 --> 00:33:10.140
 We must serve together.

00:33:10.140 --> 00:33:15.660
 Scripture calls us to not the sons and daughters of God.

00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.940
 Those of us who know Jesus.

00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:18.520
 Who love Jesus.

00:33:18.660 --> 00:33:19.900
 We are sons and daughters.

00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:21.680
 Adopted into his family.

00:33:22.340 --> 00:33:25.240
 Well, a family doesn't work if one member does what they want.

00:33:25.400 --> 00:33:26.100
 How they want.

00:33:26.780 --> 00:33:29.740
 It works best when all the family work together.

00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:33.940
 The faith mission are down with us in South Loch.

00:33:34.039 --> 00:33:36.099
 Now, we are camped up in Gary Vard.

00:33:36.859 --> 00:33:40.519
 If you have a fast enough car, our last service is tonight at half seven.

00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:42.900
 But we meet together.

00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:44.420
 And we meet together in a tent.

00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:47.400
 And they ask to help us.

00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:48.900
 We help them put the tent up.

00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:51.759
 This tent holds, apparently, about 200 people.

00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:55.799
 And the tent consists of aluminium beams and struts.

00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:58.559
 Which go into the ground and, of course, join together.

00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:04.880
 And these struts will go together and stand independently for quite a while.

00:34:05.599 --> 00:34:10.219
 Long enough for the other struts to be placed beside them to keep them all together.

00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:14.099
 But these struts won't stay up by themselves.

00:34:14.300 --> 00:34:15.340
 They'll stay up for a few minutes.

00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:20.619
 Enough time to stick some rope and some pins to them.

00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:24.000
 But after a few minutes, these struts will begin slowly.

00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:26.480
 Ever so slowly.

00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:27.820
 But they will begin to fall.

00:34:29.739 --> 00:34:35.359
 Dear friends, you cannot, dear brothers and sisters, you cannot be a Christian on your own.

00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.819
 We must do so in community.

00:34:37.820 --> 00:34:43.100
 People will object to that and say, well, I'm quite happy on my own.

00:34:43.220 --> 00:34:44.800
 I can worship on my own.

00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.440
 I can pray on my own.

00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:46.100
 Of course you can.

00:34:46.180 --> 00:34:46.960
 And you should.

00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:49.620
 But you will not grow on your own.

00:34:50.700 --> 00:34:52.140
 And we all know this personally, don't we?

00:34:52.160 --> 00:34:55.160
 We all perhaps know in our own lives or see examples.

00:34:55.600 --> 00:34:58.140
 When a Christian decides to do their own thing.

00:34:58.139 --> 00:35:01.319
 And perhaps to leave God's gathered people.

00:35:01.319 --> 00:35:04.259
 Ever so slowly.

00:35:04.659 --> 00:35:05.779
 Ever so surely.

00:35:06.299 --> 00:35:07.259
 We begin to drift.

00:35:08.539 --> 00:35:09.819
 We begin to drift away.

00:35:10.539 --> 00:35:11.239
 And drift away.

00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:16.259
 We're saved to live and worship and serve together.

00:35:16.839 --> 00:35:17.940
 It's not easy, is it?

00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:18.420
 At times.

00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:20.240
 We are a church family.

00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:21.519
 And families fall out.

00:35:22.079 --> 00:35:28.240
 And to our shame, some of us, if we're honest, all of us at times are not particularly likable.

00:35:28.420 --> 00:35:28.920
 We do things.

00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:29.619
 We say things.

00:35:29.780 --> 00:35:32.159
 We act in ways that are not honoring to Christ.

00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:36.539
 At times, like all family members, we annoy those around us.

00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:38.440
 But that's not an excuse.

00:35:38.440 --> 00:35:41.539
 We must live and serve and worship together.

00:35:42.220 --> 00:35:43.400
 Across our church.

00:35:43.800 --> 00:35:45.139
 Across our denomination.

00:35:45.840 --> 00:35:47.420
 Across the denominations.

00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:49.039
 Across our island.

00:35:49.200 --> 00:35:49.920
 Across our nation.

00:35:50.539 --> 00:35:53.619
 We must, if we can, help serve physically.

00:35:53.780 --> 00:35:58.000
 If not, we must be engaged in prayer for the gospel cause across our world.

00:35:58.639 --> 00:36:04.260
 We must have a wide outlook that we, this very moment, are part of the church of Christ.

00:36:05.159 --> 00:36:07.099
 When someone is saved in his congregation.

00:36:08.440 --> 00:36:12.659
 On paper, yes, Stormway Free Church grows by a member, perhaps.

00:36:13.900 --> 00:36:15.920
 But more glorious and more beautiful than that.

00:36:16.360 --> 00:36:21.800
 When someone here comes to faith, the church of Christ across the world grows.

00:36:22.740 --> 00:36:24.179
 We're all serving together.

00:36:25.000 --> 00:36:31.360
 We're serving our brothers and sisters of different skin colors, different cultures, different ways and nationalities.

00:36:32.059 --> 00:36:34.400
 But we all serve our one Savior.

00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:37.619
 We are saved to serve together.

00:36:37.780 --> 00:36:40.400
 To be in gospel community.

00:36:40.880 --> 00:36:42.900
 We see that again and again in this letter.

00:36:43.400 --> 00:36:48.099
 The promises, the peace, the love that's given to the people of God.

00:36:49.960 --> 00:36:50.400
 Together.

00:36:51.200 --> 00:36:52.460
 Joined together.

00:36:53.119 --> 00:36:54.460
 Serving together.

00:36:54.460 --> 00:37:02.119
 And despite being spiritually good, there's also good practical reasons for that.

00:37:02.159 --> 00:37:06.740
 And we see that in our second element here of what it is to live for Jesus.

00:37:07.240 --> 00:37:09.880
 First of all, to live for Jesus is to serve together.

00:37:10.380 --> 00:37:11.760
 Be part of gospel community.

00:37:12.559 --> 00:37:15.300
 But second of all, to live and to serve Jesus.

00:37:15.300 --> 00:37:19.860
 It means that we will, indeed we must, suffer.

00:37:19.860 --> 00:37:23.380
 We see that in verse 7.

00:37:24.340 --> 00:37:27.160
 We see that in the last few verses.

00:37:28.180 --> 00:37:29.920
 Verse 29 to the end.

00:37:31.200 --> 00:37:37.620
 To be a Christian means we must suffer for the sake of the gospel.

00:37:39.700 --> 00:37:42.980
 There are some here who know that reality already.

00:37:43.740 --> 00:37:46.120
 Perhaps privately, quietly in their own lives.

00:37:46.240 --> 00:37:49.760
 You have in some ways suffered for the sake of the gospel.

00:37:50.860 --> 00:37:52.460
 You face ridicule.

00:37:53.400 --> 00:37:54.400
 Perhaps even hatred.

00:37:55.340 --> 00:37:57.059
 Mocking from family members.

00:37:57.200 --> 00:37:58.059
 Those who love you.

00:37:58.160 --> 00:37:59.039
 Those who you love.

00:37:59.640 --> 00:38:00.559
 Colleagues and so on.

00:38:01.240 --> 00:38:05.200
 And we say, well our suffering of course is not the same as we prayed for.

00:38:05.300 --> 00:38:07.200
 Brothers and sisters are being killed for the faith.

00:38:07.320 --> 00:38:08.019
 And no it's not.

00:38:08.680 --> 00:38:10.320
 In a sense we praise God.

00:38:10.400 --> 00:38:12.280
 That's not a reality just now in our country.

00:38:13.380 --> 00:38:17.000
 But the truth is, for us Christians, we must all suffer.

00:38:17.000 --> 00:38:19.559
 And this is a theme again.

00:38:19.659 --> 00:38:22.239
 We see again and again throughout Paul's writings.

00:38:22.380 --> 00:38:25.559
 Again and again throughout even this book.

00:38:26.599 --> 00:38:27.719
 In our home lives.

00:38:27.920 --> 00:38:29.179
 In our work lives.

00:38:29.420 --> 00:38:31.099
 We will suffer for being Christians.

00:38:32.179 --> 00:38:34.039
 It comes with a reality.

00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:39.279
 And the reality is we shouldn't be surprised.

00:38:40.259 --> 00:38:41.360
 We shouldn't be surprised.

00:38:42.079 --> 00:38:44.579
 For the second we begin to show an interest in our saviour.

00:38:45.039 --> 00:38:48.179
 For the second we begin to grow in our faith and our love for our saviour.

00:38:48.659 --> 00:38:49.860
 The opposition begins.

00:38:50.360 --> 00:38:51.619
 The suffering begins.

00:38:51.619 --> 00:38:56.539
 As Paul makes clear to these Christians in Philippi.

00:38:56.619 --> 00:38:57.859
 In the same messages for us.

00:38:58.179 --> 00:38:59.480
 The last few verses here.

00:39:00.539 --> 00:39:04.139
 That when we suffer we do it for the sake of Christ.

00:39:04.779 --> 00:39:05.559
 Verse 29.

00:39:06.480 --> 00:39:08.219
 For it has been granted to you.

00:39:08.519 --> 00:39:09.679
 That for the sake of Christ.

00:39:09.799 --> 00:39:11.059
 You should not only believe in him.

00:39:11.420 --> 00:39:14.000
 But also suffer for his sake.

00:39:14.839 --> 00:39:19.119
 They would suffer great physical persecution.

00:39:19.119 --> 00:39:22.519
 The Christians in Philippi endured things.

00:39:23.019 --> 00:39:25.019
 That we will never go willing to endure.

00:39:26.359 --> 00:39:26.960
 But Christian.

00:39:27.579 --> 00:39:30.279
 You will suffer for the sake of the gospel.

00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:32.159
 You will suffer for the sake of your saviour.

00:39:32.859 --> 00:39:34.420
 Again many of you have been there already.

00:39:35.679 --> 00:39:36.900
 And what sounds small.

00:39:37.359 --> 00:39:38.259
 Is actually at times.

00:39:38.900 --> 00:39:41.139
 Very very big in life of a Christian.

00:39:41.699 --> 00:39:42.859
 That ridicule of friends.

00:39:43.039 --> 00:39:44.719
 That mocking of family members.

00:39:45.639 --> 00:39:46.339
 It's hard.

00:39:46.679 --> 00:39:47.519
 Colleagues perhaps.

00:39:47.960 --> 00:39:48.639
 It's difficult.

00:39:49.759 --> 00:39:50.779
 But for the sake of the gospel.

00:39:51.500 --> 00:39:52.339
 It's what you would expect.

00:39:52.440 --> 00:39:54.619
 But also it's what Christ uses.

00:39:54.920 --> 00:39:56.000
 In his wisdom.

00:39:56.119 --> 00:39:56.759
 In his power.

00:39:57.139 --> 00:39:58.420
 Jesus uses that.

00:39:58.799 --> 00:40:00.019
 To help you grow in your faith.

00:40:00.099 --> 00:40:00.599
 But also.

00:40:01.400 --> 00:40:02.299
 As Paul says.

00:40:02.380 --> 00:40:03.619
 It's a sign to those.

00:40:04.199 --> 00:40:04.900
 Around us.

00:40:04.980 --> 00:40:05.719
 To the unbelievers.

00:40:06.400 --> 00:40:07.380
 That they mock us.

00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:09.500
 And they will ridicule us.

00:40:10.239 --> 00:40:12.559
 As we seek to be gentle in our reply.

00:40:12.719 --> 00:40:14.539
 And to be kind in our actions.

00:40:14.539 --> 00:40:16.380
 To heap as they are with kindness.

00:40:16.539 --> 00:40:18.759
 The coals of kindness on their heads.

00:40:19.119 --> 00:40:20.539
 It's a sign to them.

00:40:21.079 --> 00:40:22.139
 Of who we love.

00:40:22.719 --> 00:40:23.359
 Who we worship.

00:40:23.440 --> 00:40:24.119
 And who we serve.

00:40:24.639 --> 00:40:25.619
 I don't know your stories.

00:40:26.219 --> 00:40:27.659
 I don't know this past week.

00:40:28.059 --> 00:40:30.839
 I don't know that the home life you may have.

00:40:30.920 --> 00:40:32.299
 Or the work life you may have.

00:40:32.380 --> 00:40:34.799
 Or the friendship situations you might have.

00:40:35.720 --> 00:40:36.560
 But God knows.

00:40:37.780 --> 00:40:38.340
 And dear Christian.

00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:40.220
 If you are facing suffering.

00:40:40.440 --> 00:40:41.800
 And persecution.

00:40:42.120 --> 00:40:43.280
 And mockery at this time.

00:40:44.060 --> 00:40:46.460
 Know that your saviour has been there before you.

00:40:48.420 --> 00:40:50.640
 That's not just a trite thing.

00:40:50.720 --> 00:40:51.560
 That's a real thing.

00:40:53.420 --> 00:40:54.720
 The Lord Jesus Christ.

00:40:55.519 --> 00:40:56.260
 Fully God.

00:40:56.360 --> 00:40:57.039
 And fully man.

00:40:57.120 --> 00:40:59.000
 He suffered abuse.

00:40:59.000 --> 00:40:59.880
 And mockery.

00:41:00.039 --> 00:41:00.579
 And hatred.

00:41:01.800 --> 00:41:02.519
 And we will too.

00:41:03.300 --> 00:41:04.219
 But he's gone before us.

00:41:04.800 --> 00:41:05.559
 He's felt it.

00:41:05.719 --> 00:41:06.340
 He knows it.

00:41:06.699 --> 00:41:07.940
 And he is there for you.

00:41:08.139 --> 00:41:09.659
 As you face the same.

00:41:10.300 --> 00:41:10.980
 In your life.

00:41:11.840 --> 00:41:13.260
 To be a Christian is to gather together.

00:41:13.679 --> 00:41:15.300
 To be part of gospel community.

00:41:15.860 --> 00:41:16.739
 To love one ever.

00:41:16.800 --> 00:41:17.800
 To serve one ever.

00:41:18.539 --> 00:41:20.579
 To be a Christian is to be persecuted.

00:41:21.059 --> 00:41:21.639
 And mocked.

00:41:21.780 --> 00:41:22.380
 And ridiculed.

00:41:22.480 --> 00:41:24.179
 And to suffer for your faith.

00:41:24.179 --> 00:41:29.259
 To be a Christian is also to proclaim the gospel.

00:41:29.960 --> 00:41:31.059
 And all that you are.

00:41:31.399 --> 00:41:32.379
 And all that you do.

00:41:32.639 --> 00:41:33.639
 To proclaim the gospel.

00:41:34.699 --> 00:41:37.179
 We have this example in verses 15 to verse 18.

00:41:37.779 --> 00:41:41.659
 Of a very complicated situation taking place in Philippi.

00:41:41.859 --> 00:41:43.359
 And a few sermons.

00:41:43.500 --> 00:41:44.519
 Even these verses alone.

00:41:44.699 --> 00:41:46.239
 But for the sake of just summary.

00:41:46.899 --> 00:41:49.259
 We see verses 15 to verse 18.

00:41:49.899 --> 00:41:51.339
 That there was something taking place.

00:41:51.339 --> 00:41:52.859
 We know in our context.

00:41:52.860 --> 00:41:55.180
 That there were those who are preaching the gospel.

00:41:56.099 --> 00:41:57.300
 For their own glory.

00:41:57.460 --> 00:41:58.240
 For their own fame.

00:41:58.700 --> 00:42:00.420
 There were those who claimed to be apostles.

00:42:01.200 --> 00:42:02.300
 Who weren't apostles.

00:42:03.000 --> 00:42:05.599
 And who claimed that for various reasons.

00:42:06.120 --> 00:42:08.300
 Some of them were just very deceived.

00:42:08.940 --> 00:42:10.800
 Others did it for material fame.

00:42:10.860 --> 00:42:11.700
 And material gain.

00:42:12.280 --> 00:42:13.780
 For praise.

00:42:13.920 --> 00:42:14.740
 And for other reasons.

00:42:15.820 --> 00:42:17.680
 The summary of these verses.

00:42:17.820 --> 00:42:19.240
 Verses 15 to verse 18.

00:42:19.239 --> 00:42:23.000
 Is that the gospel was being proclaimed.

00:42:25.099 --> 00:42:27.899
 At times proclaimed for wrong reasons.

00:42:28.399 --> 00:42:30.379
 At times proclaimed for good.

00:42:30.799 --> 00:42:32.199
 Just reasons.

00:42:32.199 --> 00:42:36.359
 What's Paul's summary.

00:42:36.359 --> 00:42:38.619
 Of this complicated situation.

00:42:38.619 --> 00:42:39.379
 In verse 18.

00:42:40.379 --> 00:42:41.039
 What then?

00:42:41.439 --> 00:42:43.019
 Only that in every way.

00:42:43.500 --> 00:42:45.339
 Whether in pretense or in truth.

00:42:45.739 --> 00:42:47.419
 Christ is proclaimed.

00:42:48.079 --> 00:42:48.899
 And in that.

00:42:49.439 --> 00:42:50.980
 I rejoice.

00:42:55.379 --> 00:42:55.899
 Without.

00:42:56.699 --> 00:42:57.359
 The politics.

00:42:57.480 --> 00:42:58.879
 Without getting into the politics of it all.

00:42:58.980 --> 00:43:00.719
 And the complications of it all.

00:43:00.719 --> 00:43:02.739
 Paul's outlook.

00:43:03.459 --> 00:43:04.919
 And Paul's overview is.

00:43:05.679 --> 00:43:07.039
 That Jesus is being proclaimed.

00:43:08.019 --> 00:43:09.359
 Paul's whole life.

00:43:09.939 --> 00:43:10.959
 His whole ministry.

00:43:11.879 --> 00:43:12.559
 Was one.

00:43:12.879 --> 00:43:14.399
 Of gospel proclamation.

00:43:15.199 --> 00:43:16.519
 Of truly living.

00:43:17.099 --> 00:43:18.219
 For the gospel.

00:43:18.719 --> 00:43:19.939
 Every step he took.

00:43:20.039 --> 00:43:21.000
 Every action he took.

00:43:21.079 --> 00:43:21.819
 Was somehow.

00:43:22.319 --> 00:43:22.839
 Gospel.

00:43:23.279 --> 00:43:23.679
 Centred.

00:43:24.679 --> 00:43:25.319
 Paul was a sinner.

00:43:25.719 --> 00:43:26.179
 Like us.

00:43:27.099 --> 00:43:28.119
 Paul made mistakes.

00:43:28.579 --> 00:43:29.139
 Like us.

00:43:29.139 --> 00:43:30.599
 Paul faltered.

00:43:30.599 --> 00:43:31.279
 And failed.

00:43:31.639 --> 00:43:32.480
 Like us.

00:43:32.879 --> 00:43:34.539
 But the overall arch of his life.

00:43:34.699 --> 00:43:35.920
 Was pointed towards.

00:43:36.299 --> 00:43:36.599
 Jesus.

00:43:36.739 --> 00:43:37.480
 He strove.

00:43:37.559 --> 00:43:38.059
 Every day.

00:43:38.139 --> 00:43:38.599
 In every way.

00:43:38.679 --> 00:43:39.159
 To be.

00:43:39.500 --> 00:43:40.379
 Like his saviour.

00:43:40.639 --> 00:43:41.500
 And to serve.

00:43:42.019 --> 00:43:42.379
 His.

00:43:43.059 --> 00:43:43.420
 Saviour.

00:43:44.179 --> 00:43:44.639
 Dear friends.

00:43:44.719 --> 00:43:45.239
 Our life.

00:43:45.420 --> 00:43:46.079
 Must be a life.

00:43:46.299 --> 00:43:47.199
 Of gospel.

00:43:47.879 --> 00:43:48.239
 Proclamation.

00:43:48.239 --> 00:43:53.419
 And to know Jesus.

00:43:54.119 --> 00:43:55.059
 To know Jesus.

00:43:55.259 --> 00:43:55.819
 Is to love him.

00:43:55.899 --> 00:43:56.219
 Isn't it?

00:43:56.939 --> 00:43:57.939
 And to love him.

00:43:58.000 --> 00:43:58.839
 Is to want to talk.

00:43:59.319 --> 00:43:59.959
 About him.

00:44:00.739 --> 00:44:01.639
 That's true for us.

00:44:01.659 --> 00:44:01.899
 Isn't it?

00:44:01.899 --> 00:44:02.639
 In terms of our own.

00:44:03.179 --> 00:44:04.259
 Earthly relationships.

00:44:04.919 --> 00:44:06.359
 With our loved ones.

00:44:06.839 --> 00:44:08.699
 We enjoy talking about our loved ones.

00:44:08.839 --> 00:44:09.459
 To other people.

00:44:10.059 --> 00:44:10.759
 How much often.

00:44:10.819 --> 00:44:11.419
 The angel I listen to.

00:44:11.479 --> 00:44:12.039
 Has gone about them.

00:44:12.119 --> 00:44:12.500
 Is in everything.

00:44:12.619 --> 00:44:13.899
 But we enjoy talking.

00:44:14.139 --> 00:44:15.159
 About our loved ones.

00:44:15.819 --> 00:44:16.319
 Telling them.

00:44:16.320 --> 00:44:17.700
 The news of our loved ones.

00:44:17.980 --> 00:44:18.740
 How they're doing.

00:44:18.840 --> 00:44:19.500
 What they're doing.

00:44:20.059 --> 00:44:20.860
 What they're like.

00:44:21.720 --> 00:44:22.660
 Well how much more.

00:44:22.660 --> 00:44:23.900
 Should that be the case for us.

00:44:24.180 --> 00:44:25.080
 When we want to talk.

00:44:25.240 --> 00:44:25.800
 And share.

00:44:26.160 --> 00:44:26.780
 And think.

00:44:26.860 --> 00:44:27.960
 About our saviour.

00:44:28.980 --> 00:44:29.960
 To know Jesus.

00:44:30.100 --> 00:44:30.820
 Is to love him.

00:44:31.220 --> 00:44:32.000
 And to love him.

00:44:32.019 --> 00:44:33.080
 Is to want to talk.

00:44:33.460 --> 00:44:34.180
 About him.

00:44:34.500 --> 00:44:35.180
 To share.

00:44:35.440 --> 00:44:36.100
 The good news.

00:44:36.100 --> 00:44:36.960
 Of who he is.

00:44:37.320 --> 00:44:38.019
 What he has done.

00:44:38.120 --> 00:44:38.680
 For his people.

00:44:39.300 --> 00:44:40.059
 What he promises.

00:44:40.180 --> 00:44:40.840
 To do for us.

00:44:41.860 --> 00:44:42.400
 What it means.

00:44:42.500 --> 00:44:43.280
 To have our faith.

00:44:43.340 --> 00:44:43.920
 And our hope.

00:44:44.440 --> 00:44:44.800
 Placed.

00:44:45.280 --> 00:44:45.680
 In him.

00:44:46.320 --> 00:44:51.460
 Now not for a second.

00:44:51.880 --> 00:44:52.440
 Brothers and sisters.

00:44:52.580 --> 00:44:53.260
 Do we think.

00:44:53.500 --> 00:44:54.740
 Or do Paul think.

00:44:54.800 --> 00:44:55.360
 Or do we say.

00:44:55.480 --> 00:44:56.160
 That somehow.

00:44:56.420 --> 00:44:57.740
 God needs us.

00:44:57.740 --> 00:44:59.100
 To accomplish his plan.

00:44:59.180 --> 00:44:59.620
 His will.

00:45:00.300 --> 00:45:01.360
 He doesn't need us.

00:45:01.360 --> 00:45:01.960
 God needs.

00:45:02.180 --> 00:45:03.059
 Nothing from anyone.

00:45:04.019 --> 00:45:04.480
 But God.

00:45:04.580 --> 00:45:05.600
 In his perfect plan.

00:45:05.720 --> 00:45:06.300
 His wisdom.

00:45:06.740 --> 00:45:07.420
 Uses.

00:45:07.620 --> 00:45:08.120
 His people.

00:45:08.780 --> 00:45:09.480
 He has chosen.

00:45:09.980 --> 00:45:10.680
 His own wisdom.

00:45:10.880 --> 00:45:11.559
 For his own purposes.

00:45:12.100 --> 00:45:12.820
 To make use.

00:45:13.120 --> 00:45:13.900
 Of his.

00:45:14.400 --> 00:45:15.100
 Saved people.

00:45:15.099 --> 00:45:16.119
 To accomplish.

00:45:16.119 --> 00:45:17.059
 His perfect.

00:45:17.559 --> 00:45:17.960
 Plans.

00:45:19.119 --> 00:45:20.019
 And dear brothers and sisters.

00:45:20.360 --> 00:45:21.219
 That includes.

00:45:21.559 --> 00:45:21.699
 You.

00:45:22.980 --> 00:45:23.579
 It includes.

00:45:23.699 --> 00:45:24.460
 Everyone here.

00:45:24.579 --> 00:45:25.139
 Who knows.

00:45:25.460 --> 00:45:26.099
 And who loves.

00:45:26.179 --> 00:45:26.739
 The saviour.

00:45:27.079 --> 00:45:28.039
 You are part.

00:45:28.099 --> 00:45:28.980
 Of God's plan.

00:45:29.799 --> 00:45:30.440
 From oldest.

00:45:30.779 --> 00:45:31.380
 To youngest.

00:45:31.619 --> 00:45:32.139
 In faith.

00:45:33.319 --> 00:45:33.940
 Those here.

00:45:34.039 --> 00:45:34.239
 Who feel.

00:45:34.339 --> 00:45:34.839
 The strongest.

00:45:35.039 --> 00:45:35.380
 Those here.

00:45:35.480 --> 00:45:35.759
 Who feel.

00:45:36.139 --> 00:45:36.860
 The weakest.

00:45:37.319 --> 00:45:38.159
 You are part.

00:45:38.779 --> 00:45:39.099
 Dear brother.

00:45:39.219 --> 00:45:39.739
 Dear sister.

00:45:39.739 --> 00:45:40.339
 If you know.

00:45:40.419 --> 00:45:41.239
 And love your saviour.

00:45:41.319 --> 00:45:41.779
 You are part.

00:45:42.059 --> 00:45:42.819
 Of his plan.

00:45:43.859 --> 00:45:44.459
 To go back.

00:45:44.659 --> 00:45:45.699
 To the tent again.

00:45:46.199 --> 00:45:47.199
 So these big struts.

00:45:47.199 --> 00:45:48.279
 Are holding the tent up.

00:45:48.359 --> 00:45:48.839
 And getting hard.

00:45:50.639 --> 00:45:51.419
 These big.

00:45:51.699 --> 00:45:52.439
 And pretty heavy.

00:45:52.759 --> 00:45:53.659
 Lumps of metal.

00:45:54.419 --> 00:45:55.299
 What holds.

00:45:55.299 --> 00:45:56.119
 Them together.

00:45:56.259 --> 00:45:56.839
 What is part.

00:45:56.919 --> 00:45:57.859
 Of their structure.

00:45:59.359 --> 00:46:00.319
 It's not giant.

00:46:00.379 --> 00:46:00.719
 Boats.

00:46:00.779 --> 00:46:01.119
 At all.

00:46:02.079 --> 00:46:02.359
 More.

00:46:02.619 --> 00:46:03.219
 Worryingly.

00:46:03.379 --> 00:46:03.699
 For us.

00:46:03.779 --> 00:46:04.359
 We sit underneath it.

00:46:04.379 --> 00:46:04.919
 On a windy day.

00:46:05.479 --> 00:46:06.279
 Is hundreds.

00:46:06.419 --> 00:46:07.000
 Of tiny.

00:46:07.079 --> 00:46:07.479
 Wee pins.

00:46:07.480 --> 00:46:07.920
 Tiny.

00:46:09.179 --> 00:46:09.619
 Wee pins.

00:46:09.679 --> 00:46:10.320
 Which click in.

00:46:10.699 --> 00:46:11.920
 And keep this tent.

00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.460
 Up.

00:46:13.460 --> 00:46:14.219
 The wind we had.

00:46:14.300 --> 00:46:14.760
 A few days ago.

00:46:14.860 --> 00:46:15.199
 In Gravard.

00:46:16.440 --> 00:46:17.780
 It kept the tent up.

00:46:18.320 --> 00:46:18.780
 It moved.

00:46:18.880 --> 00:46:19.360
 It swayed.

00:46:19.980 --> 00:46:20.659
 But it's still there.

00:46:21.559 --> 00:46:22.659
 Hundreds of wee pins.

00:46:23.280 --> 00:46:23.780
 Wee bolts.

00:46:23.920 --> 00:46:24.380
 Wee screws.

00:46:24.460 --> 00:46:25.099
 That go together.

00:46:25.500 --> 00:46:26.920
 It keeps the tent.

00:46:27.320 --> 00:46:27.639
 Up.

00:46:27.920 --> 00:46:28.719
 It's a precious.

00:46:28.880 --> 00:46:29.860
 And important part.

00:46:30.199 --> 00:46:30.719
 Of a tent.

00:46:31.039 --> 00:46:31.460
 Dear brother.

00:46:31.539 --> 00:46:31.900
 Dear sister.

00:46:31.900 --> 00:46:32.780
 You are here.

00:46:32.900 --> 00:46:33.179
 This day.

00:46:33.260 --> 00:46:34.199
 To worship your saviour.

00:46:34.539 --> 00:46:35.699
 And you have a place.

00:46:36.139 --> 00:46:36.880
 And a purpose.

00:46:36.880 --> 00:46:38.519
 In the gospel proclamation.

00:46:40.220 --> 00:46:41.240
 Whose job is it.

00:46:41.260 --> 00:46:42.000
 To share the gospel.

00:46:42.800 --> 00:46:43.700
 Who's qualified.

00:46:44.140 --> 00:46:45.140
 To share the gospel.

00:46:45.320 --> 00:46:45.519
 Today.

00:46:48.480 --> 00:46:49.660
 Is it those of us.

00:46:50.500 --> 00:46:52.019
 Who have spent years.

00:46:52.720 --> 00:46:53.160
 Studying.

00:46:53.720 --> 00:46:54.160
 Theology.

00:46:54.160 --> 00:46:54.740
 And history.

00:46:56.039 --> 00:46:56.780
 Those of us.

00:46:56.860 --> 00:46:57.039
 Who.

00:46:57.840 --> 00:46:58.340
 At least.

00:46:58.519 --> 00:46:59.160
 Have some.

00:46:59.400 --> 00:46:59.740
 Knowledge.

00:46:59.740 --> 00:47:00.960
 Of the original languages.

00:47:01.559 --> 00:47:02.579
 Are we somehow.

00:47:02.960 --> 00:47:03.440
 Qualified.

00:47:03.539 --> 00:47:04.079
 To share the gospel.

00:47:04.240 --> 00:47:04.700
 More than you.

00:47:04.699 --> 00:47:07.379
 Well no.

00:47:09.039 --> 00:47:10.099
 Not in the slightest.

00:47:12.500 --> 00:47:13.019
 Qualified.

00:47:13.919 --> 00:47:15.059
 In a worldly sense.

00:47:15.139 --> 00:47:15.939
 Perhaps qualified.

00:47:16.119 --> 00:47:16.819
 In a.

00:47:17.919 --> 00:47:19.319
 An academic sense.

00:47:20.279 --> 00:47:20.659
 Maybe.

00:47:22.259 --> 00:47:23.339
 But called.

00:47:23.480 --> 00:47:23.980
 And qualified.

00:47:24.439 --> 00:47:24.919
 Scripturally.

00:47:25.079 --> 00:47:25.519
 Spiritually.

00:47:26.519 --> 00:47:26.699
 No.

00:47:28.460 --> 00:47:28.859
 Dear brother.

00:47:28.939 --> 00:47:29.379
 Dear sister.

00:47:29.380 --> 00:47:30.220
 You.

00:47:30.220 --> 00:47:30.260
 You.

00:47:30.420 --> 00:47:31.220
 Are called.

00:47:31.220 --> 00:47:32.180
 To be part.

00:47:32.180 --> 00:47:33.240
 Of the gospel proclamation.

00:47:33.240 --> 00:47:34.460
 You are called.

00:47:34.460 --> 00:47:35.960
 To share the good news.

00:47:36.280 --> 00:47:37.340
 To share the gospel.

00:47:37.700 --> 00:47:38.599
 To be like Paul.

00:47:39.160 --> 00:47:40.019
 And to take joy.

00:47:40.180 --> 00:47:40.980
 In all you do.

00:47:41.039 --> 00:47:41.619
 In all you are.

00:47:41.700 --> 00:47:42.320
 To share.

00:47:42.760 --> 00:47:43.400
 That gospel.

00:47:43.519 --> 00:47:44.559
 We see that from verse 1.

00:47:44.599 --> 00:47:44.880
 Don't we?

00:47:45.240 --> 00:47:46.340
 This letter is addressed.

00:47:46.760 --> 00:47:47.720
 To the overseers.

00:47:47.720 --> 00:47:48.400
 To the deacons.

00:47:48.400 --> 00:47:48.880
 But also.

00:47:49.039 --> 00:47:49.639
 First and foremost.

00:47:49.639 --> 00:47:51.280
 To all the saints.

00:47:53.220 --> 00:47:54.579
 All the saints.

00:47:55.360 --> 00:47:56.039
 Ministers.

00:47:56.260 --> 00:47:56.980
 And elders alike.

00:47:57.480 --> 00:47:58.059
 We all.

00:47:58.260 --> 00:47:59.099
 With one mind.

00:47:59.639 --> 00:48:00.160
 Serve.

00:48:00.559 --> 00:48:01.360
 Our saviour.

00:48:02.160 --> 00:48:03.519
 And seek to see his name.

00:48:04.139 --> 00:48:04.780
 Glorified.

00:48:05.420 --> 00:48:06.019
 And praised.

00:48:06.019 --> 00:48:10.780
 And like Paul.

00:48:10.860 --> 00:48:12.539
 Our hope is that we find our joy.

00:48:13.099 --> 00:48:14.440
 And find our fulfillment.

00:48:15.039 --> 00:48:16.280
 In seeing Christ.

00:48:16.820 --> 00:48:17.400
 Worshipped.

00:48:18.179 --> 00:48:19.059
 Christ loved.

00:48:19.940 --> 00:48:21.539
 Christ's name being glorified.

00:48:23.719 --> 00:48:25.199
 Whether in pretense or in truth.

00:48:25.759 --> 00:48:27.179
 Christ is proclaimed.

00:48:27.920 --> 00:48:28.780
 And in that.

00:48:29.079 --> 00:48:30.460
 I rejoice.

00:48:31.739 --> 00:48:33.099
 A life serving together.

00:48:33.920 --> 00:48:35.259
 A life facing suffering.

00:48:36.019 --> 00:48:38.119
 A life proclaiming the gospel.

00:48:38.239 --> 00:48:39.099
 Every one of us.

00:48:39.840 --> 00:48:41.440
 We sang in Psalm 84.

00:48:41.639 --> 00:48:41.980
 Didn't we?

00:48:42.059 --> 00:48:42.800
 The psalm of.

00:48:43.119 --> 00:48:44.920
 Even the smallest of the birds.

00:48:45.380 --> 00:48:47.119
 Finding their home in God's temple.

00:48:47.880 --> 00:48:49.420
 That glorious image for us.

00:48:49.480 --> 00:48:51.019
 That we have a place.

00:48:51.159 --> 00:48:51.579
 Dear Christian.

00:48:51.800 --> 00:48:54.000
 You have a place in God's family.

00:48:56.460 --> 00:48:57.619
 You have a purpose.

00:48:58.059 --> 00:48:58.860
 In God's plan.

00:48:59.440 --> 00:49:00.639
 That's not just some airy.

00:49:00.920 --> 00:49:01.539
 The airy thing.

00:49:01.639 --> 00:49:02.500
 That's a gospel.

00:49:02.619 --> 00:49:03.380
 Scriptural reality.

00:49:04.059 --> 00:49:04.880
 He has given you.

00:49:05.019 --> 00:49:05.340
 Gifts.

00:49:05.340 --> 00:49:06.200
 And qualities.

00:49:06.200 --> 00:49:08.180
 To be able to serve in a way.

00:49:08.559 --> 00:49:10.120
 That those beside you cannot do.

00:49:11.800 --> 00:49:14.519
 And make sure to make use of those gifts and abilities he has given you.

00:49:17.940 --> 00:49:18.940
 Gospel living.

00:49:19.760 --> 00:49:20.700
 Gospel suffering.

00:49:21.320 --> 00:49:22.120
 Gospel proclamation.

00:49:22.440 --> 00:49:22.940
 And finally.

00:49:23.940 --> 00:49:25.280
 A life all about.

00:49:25.960 --> 00:49:26.360
 Jesus.

00:49:26.360 --> 00:49:28.240
 A life lived for Jesus.

00:49:28.240 --> 00:49:30.039
 A life lived for Jesus.

00:49:31.240 --> 00:49:32.660
 Take the whole chapter of that text.

00:49:32.860 --> 00:49:34.579
 But taking as a verse for that.

00:49:35.460 --> 00:49:36.440
 Verse 20.

00:49:38.640 --> 00:49:40.280
 Second half of verse 20.

00:49:40.960 --> 00:49:41.400
 Paul says.

00:49:41.500 --> 00:49:42.280
 With full courage.

00:49:42.380 --> 00:49:43.120
 Now as always.

00:49:43.579 --> 00:49:45.280
 Christ will be honored in my body.

00:49:45.660 --> 00:49:46.620
 Whether by life.

00:49:47.180 --> 00:49:48.760
 Or by death.

00:49:48.760 --> 00:49:51.800
 A life lived for Jesus.

00:49:51.800 --> 00:49:51.860
 A life lived for Jesus.

00:49:51.860 --> 00:49:54.000
 Looks like Jesus being preeminent.

00:49:54.440 --> 00:49:56.280
 Being first in everything we do.

00:49:56.680 --> 00:49:57.540
 And think.

00:49:58.140 --> 00:49:58.740
 And say.

00:50:01.220 --> 00:50:02.640
 Even in opposition.

00:50:03.300 --> 00:50:03.740
 Christ.

00:50:04.100 --> 00:50:04.940
 Is all.

00:50:05.360 --> 00:50:06.140
 For Paul.

00:50:06.540 --> 00:50:07.660
 From a prison cell.

00:50:08.600 --> 00:50:09.100
 Chained.

00:50:09.200 --> 00:50:09.700
 Quite literally.

00:50:09.900 --> 00:50:11.220
 Chained where he was on the ground.

00:50:11.219 --> 00:50:13.039
 He still says.

00:50:13.539 --> 00:50:14.899
 That Jesus is everything.

00:50:15.459 --> 00:50:16.699
 And all things for him.

00:50:18.619 --> 00:50:19.879
 Jesus is everything.

00:50:19.980 --> 00:50:21.339
 And all things for him.

00:50:23.139 --> 00:50:24.059
 Whether in his life.

00:50:24.579 --> 00:50:25.459
 Or in his death.

00:50:27.059 --> 00:50:27.980
 For all time.

00:50:28.639 --> 00:50:30.799
 In all ways.

00:50:34.319 --> 00:50:35.619
 Dear brothers and sisters.

00:50:36.500 --> 00:50:37.439
 We confess that.

00:50:37.959 --> 00:50:38.639
 In our actions.

00:50:39.079 --> 00:50:39.579
 This week.

00:50:39.579 --> 00:50:41.279
 In our words.

00:50:41.400 --> 00:50:41.860
 This week.

00:50:41.920 --> 00:50:42.539
 In our thoughts.

00:50:42.619 --> 00:50:42.980
 This week.

00:50:43.059 --> 00:50:44.239
 Christ has not been preeminent.

00:50:44.360 --> 00:50:45.119
 And we know that.

00:50:45.219 --> 00:50:46.259
 And we understand that.

00:50:46.259 --> 00:50:46.679
 And we.

00:50:47.299 --> 00:50:49.440
 We know to be true of all the Christians here.

00:50:51.259 --> 00:50:52.259
 Paul was an apostle.

00:50:52.519 --> 00:50:52.759
 Yes.

00:50:52.900 --> 00:50:53.380
 But as we said.

00:50:53.480 --> 00:50:54.480
 Paul was not sinless.

00:50:56.420 --> 00:50:57.219
 Dear Christian.

00:50:57.779 --> 00:50:58.719
 You are called.

00:50:58.940 --> 00:50:59.559
 To serve.

00:50:59.699 --> 00:51:00.480
 And to serve.

00:51:00.699 --> 00:51:01.420
 Your master.

00:51:02.019 --> 00:51:02.460
 You are called.

00:51:02.559 --> 00:51:03.099
 To follow.

00:51:03.779 --> 00:51:04.480
 And to follow.

00:51:04.659 --> 00:51:05.199
 Your master.

00:51:05.960 --> 00:51:06.420
 You are called.

00:51:06.519 --> 00:51:07.719
 To make your whole life.

00:51:08.119 --> 00:51:08.579
 About.

00:51:08.980 --> 00:51:09.259
 Jesus.

00:51:10.539 --> 00:51:11.480
 How do you do that?

00:51:12.239 --> 00:51:13.019
 How do we.

00:51:13.599 --> 00:51:14.239
 Act out.

00:51:14.500 --> 00:51:15.880
 The verse we have here.

00:51:16.019 --> 00:51:16.960
 How do we make sure.

00:51:17.059 --> 00:51:18.059
 That we can say like Paul.

00:51:18.500 --> 00:51:19.539
 That in our life.

00:51:19.599 --> 00:51:20.259
 And in our death.

00:51:20.360 --> 00:51:22.059
 That Jesus is all that we have.

00:51:22.099 --> 00:51:22.980
 And all that we are.

00:51:23.980 --> 00:51:25.719
 Is the answer to know more.

00:51:26.179 --> 00:51:27.139
 To learn more.

00:51:27.199 --> 00:51:28.159
 Well it's not a bad thing.

00:51:29.279 --> 00:51:30.980
 Is the answer to pray more.

00:51:31.920 --> 00:51:32.179
 Okay.

00:51:32.259 --> 00:51:33.340
 Not a bad thing.

00:51:33.980 --> 00:51:35.219
 Is the answer to attend.

00:51:35.539 --> 00:51:35.980
 And to.

00:51:36.039 --> 00:51:38.219
 To dig into the theology of things more.

00:51:38.219 --> 00:51:38.259
 Or.

00:51:38.659 --> 00:51:38.899
 Again.

00:51:38.919 --> 00:51:39.859
 Not a bad thing.

00:51:41.599 --> 00:51:43.419
 Is the answer to act more Christian.

00:51:43.539 --> 00:51:44.559
 To look more Christian.

00:51:44.819 --> 00:51:45.899
 How do we become.

00:51:46.379 --> 00:51:47.239
 Better Christians.

00:51:47.500 --> 00:51:48.679
 More faithful Christians.

00:51:48.679 --> 00:51:48.859
 Christians.

00:51:51.079 --> 00:51:52.139
 The answer is simple.

00:51:52.339 --> 00:51:52.960
 And we all know it.

00:51:54.960 --> 00:51:55.980
 The answer is not.

00:51:56.199 --> 00:51:56.879
 How do I.

00:51:57.299 --> 00:51:57.679
 Become.

00:51:57.799 --> 00:51:58.460
 A better Christian.

00:52:00.419 --> 00:52:01.539
 Do I look to myself.

00:52:01.779 --> 00:52:01.960
 No.

00:52:01.960 --> 00:52:04.860
 How do I serve Jesus better.

00:52:05.900 --> 00:52:06.960
 How can I change.

00:52:07.039 --> 00:52:07.579
 How can I do this.

00:52:07.639 --> 00:52:08.159
 How can I do that.

00:52:08.820 --> 00:52:09.579
 And we all do that.

00:52:09.740 --> 00:52:10.720
 But the reality is.

00:52:10.780 --> 00:52:11.360
 There's one answer.

00:52:12.519 --> 00:52:13.079
 It's Jesus.

00:52:14.400 --> 00:52:15.880
 You look to him more.

00:52:16.559 --> 00:52:18.460
 You rely on him more.

00:52:18.800 --> 00:52:20.539
 You trust in him more.

00:52:20.740 --> 00:52:22.659
 You come to him more.

00:52:22.920 --> 00:52:23.559
 You love.

00:52:23.659 --> 00:52:24.539
 And seek to love.

00:52:24.659 --> 00:52:25.179
 And serve.

00:52:25.300 --> 00:52:25.699
 And worship.

00:52:26.199 --> 00:52:27.300
 Him more.

00:52:27.880 --> 00:52:28.280
 Together.

00:52:28.280 --> 00:52:28.840
 As Christians.

00:52:28.960 --> 00:52:29.700
 We come together.

00:52:29.840 --> 00:52:30.700
 To worship him more.

00:52:31.100 --> 00:52:32.100
 To love him more.

00:52:32.820 --> 00:52:33.600
 In your suffering.

00:52:33.680 --> 00:52:34.240
 In your pain.

00:52:34.440 --> 00:52:35.320
 You go to him.

00:52:35.600 --> 00:52:36.000
 More.

00:52:36.220 --> 00:52:36.900
 And more.

00:52:37.480 --> 00:52:38.500
 As you seek to see.

00:52:38.600 --> 00:52:39.280
 And to save.

00:52:39.600 --> 00:52:40.880
 And to point those around you.

00:52:40.920 --> 00:52:41.540
 To salvation.

00:52:42.160 --> 00:52:43.160
 To point those around you.

00:52:43.200 --> 00:52:43.940
 Who are dying.

00:52:44.019 --> 00:52:44.660
 In their sins.

00:52:44.660 --> 00:52:46.440
 Who have no care for Jesus.

00:52:47.620 --> 00:52:48.560
 You take these things.

00:52:48.640 --> 00:52:49.320
 To him more.

00:52:49.460 --> 00:52:49.860
 And more.

00:52:50.740 --> 00:52:51.400
 The gospel.

00:52:51.600 --> 00:52:52.720
 Is always less of us.

00:52:52.800 --> 00:52:53.420
 And more of him.

00:52:53.900 --> 00:52:55.040
 That goes the same for us.

00:52:55.160 --> 00:52:56.400
 As living as Christians.

00:52:56.400 --> 00:52:56.559
 Christians.

00:52:57.920 --> 00:52:58.920
 We grow.

00:52:59.160 --> 00:53:00.139
 As Christians.

00:53:01.420 --> 00:53:03.039
 By being less of us.

00:53:03.500 --> 00:53:04.639
 And more of him.

00:53:05.960 --> 00:53:07.320
 The formula is simple.

00:53:08.780 --> 00:53:10.099
 The gospel is simple.

00:53:10.760 --> 00:53:11.360
 We muddy it.

00:53:11.380 --> 00:53:12.099
 We complicate it.

00:53:12.440 --> 00:53:13.740
 But it's always less of us.

00:53:13.800 --> 00:53:15.099
 And more of him.

00:53:16.619 --> 00:53:17.160
 In summary.

00:53:17.260 --> 00:53:17.780
 That's what it is.

00:53:17.840 --> 00:53:18.400
 To live.

00:53:19.019 --> 00:53:19.880
 For Jesus.

00:53:20.340 --> 00:53:21.760
 To have him first.

00:53:22.460 --> 00:53:23.099
 It's not for us.

00:53:23.119 --> 00:53:24.000
 To try harder.

00:53:24.099 --> 00:53:24.800
 And to look better.

00:53:24.840 --> 00:53:25.680
 And to act better.

00:53:25.679 --> 00:53:27.440
 All these things.

00:53:27.480 --> 00:53:28.299
 Are surface level.

00:53:28.759 --> 00:53:29.819
 And they're fake at times.

00:53:29.839 --> 00:53:30.339
 If we're honest.

00:53:31.679 --> 00:53:32.519
 But we strive.

00:53:32.619 --> 00:53:33.819
 To put Jesus first.

00:53:33.940 --> 00:53:34.659
 In all ways.

00:53:34.739 --> 00:53:35.519
 At all times.

00:53:35.719 --> 00:53:36.899
 We become more.

00:53:37.159 --> 00:53:38.399
 And more like him.

00:53:39.359 --> 00:53:40.139
 That sanctification.

00:53:40.139 --> 00:53:40.919
 Takes place.

00:53:41.019 --> 00:53:41.519
 In the background.

00:53:41.639 --> 00:53:42.039
 Doesn't it?

00:53:42.159 --> 00:53:43.500
 That slow work of the spirit.

00:53:43.919 --> 00:53:45.319
 Making us more like our savior.

00:53:45.879 --> 00:53:46.359
 Dear brother.

00:53:46.460 --> 00:53:46.859
 Dear sister.

00:53:46.960 --> 00:53:47.619
 That is happening.

00:53:47.699 --> 00:53:48.500
 In your life today.

00:53:49.359 --> 00:53:50.460
 You're becoming more.

00:53:50.460 --> 00:53:52.059
 And more like your savior.

00:53:53.000 --> 00:53:53.379
 You think.

00:53:53.460 --> 00:53:53.960
 Well that's.

00:53:53.960 --> 00:53:55.280
 How can you say that?

00:53:55.320 --> 00:53:55.960
 You stand up there.

00:53:56.679 --> 00:53:57.099
 You don't know.

00:53:57.139 --> 00:53:57.980
 The week I have had.

00:53:58.059 --> 00:53:58.900
 The day I have had.

00:53:58.980 --> 00:53:59.960
 The year I have had.

00:54:00.539 --> 00:54:01.320
 The amount of ways.

00:54:01.440 --> 00:54:02.800
 I have made a mess of things.

00:54:03.519 --> 00:54:03.639
 I mean.

00:54:03.659 --> 00:54:04.880
 The embarrassment of myself.

00:54:05.019 --> 00:54:06.079
 The way I've sinned.

00:54:07.159 --> 00:54:08.480
 The nonsense I've done.

00:54:09.360 --> 00:54:10.059
 How can you say.

00:54:10.139 --> 00:54:10.940
 I'm being made more.

00:54:11.079 --> 00:54:11.940
 And more like Jesus.

00:54:13.360 --> 00:54:14.159
 You can say it.

00:54:14.639 --> 00:54:15.099
 And you can.

00:54:15.619 --> 00:54:16.220
 Proclaim it.

00:54:16.380 --> 00:54:16.800
 Dear Christian.

00:54:16.860 --> 00:54:17.699
 And you can hold on to it.

00:54:17.699 --> 00:54:18.039
 Dear Christian.

00:54:18.079 --> 00:54:18.840
 With confidence.

00:54:19.920 --> 00:54:20.960
 The scripture tells us.

00:54:20.960 --> 00:54:24.220
 From the day of your salvation.

00:54:24.340 --> 00:54:25.400
 To the day of your death.

00:54:26.480 --> 00:54:27.420
 The Holy Spirit.

00:54:27.579 --> 00:54:28.539
 Is working in your life.

00:54:28.659 --> 00:54:29.440
 Making you more.

00:54:29.800 --> 00:54:30.599
 And more.

00:54:31.079 --> 00:54:31.920
 Like your savior.

00:54:32.619 --> 00:54:33.320
 So that each day.

00:54:33.400 --> 00:54:34.519
 You can say more and more.

00:54:34.920 --> 00:54:35.539
 For me.

00:54:35.940 --> 00:54:36.440
 To live.

00:54:37.159 --> 00:54:37.559
 Christ.

00:54:38.960 --> 00:54:39.639
 As we said.

00:54:39.760 --> 00:54:40.539
 Very very briefly.

00:54:41.980 --> 00:54:42.880
 What does it mean then.

00:54:42.920 --> 00:54:43.619
 For us to die.

00:54:43.940 --> 00:54:44.380
 As Christians.

00:54:45.179 --> 00:54:46.420
 If living for him.

00:54:46.420 --> 00:54:47.760
 Means looking towards him.

00:54:47.760 --> 00:54:49.540
 What does it mean for us.

00:54:49.600 --> 00:54:50.060
 To die.

00:54:50.360 --> 00:54:51.720
 As Christians.

00:54:53.540 --> 00:54:54.440
 And to die.

00:54:55.040 --> 00:54:55.400
 Is.

00:54:56.300 --> 00:54:56.560
 Gain.

00:54:57.820 --> 00:54:58.660
 It's good for us.

00:54:58.700 --> 00:54:59.060
 As Christians.

00:54:59.180 --> 00:54:59.860
 To think about heaven.

00:55:00.780 --> 00:55:01.440
 It's good for us.

00:55:01.480 --> 00:55:01.880
 As Christians.

00:55:01.960 --> 00:55:02.920
 To think about what comes.

00:55:03.400 --> 00:55:03.760
 After.

00:55:04.760 --> 00:55:06.180
 But what the future holds.

00:55:06.860 --> 00:55:08.040
 What our eternal future.

00:55:08.200 --> 00:55:08.920
 Holds for us.

00:55:09.280 --> 00:55:10.020
 As believers.

00:55:11.000 --> 00:55:11.880
 It's healthy for us.

00:55:12.660 --> 00:55:13.620
 It's good for us.

00:55:15.620 --> 00:55:16.280
 Our savior.

00:55:16.280 --> 00:55:17.180
 Has gone before us.

00:55:17.179 --> 00:55:17.980
 To prepare a place.

00:55:17.980 --> 00:55:18.440
 For us.

00:55:18.500 --> 00:55:19.039
 And we know that.

00:55:19.119 --> 00:55:19.819
 And we love that.

00:55:19.879 --> 00:55:20.960
 And we hold on to that truth.

00:55:22.739 --> 00:55:23.319
 Very briefly.

00:55:23.659 --> 00:55:24.119
 We have to say.

00:55:24.199 --> 00:55:25.099
 That there's some things.

00:55:25.319 --> 00:55:25.359
 That.

00:55:26.119 --> 00:55:26.519
 That.

00:55:26.779 --> 00:55:27.699
 Heaven is not.

00:55:29.539 --> 00:55:30.139
 First of all.

00:55:30.179 --> 00:55:30.839
 It's not just.

00:55:30.839 --> 00:55:31.239
 Some.

00:55:32.759 --> 00:55:33.619
 With respect.

00:55:33.940 --> 00:55:34.339
 Aery.

00:55:34.759 --> 00:55:35.199
 Unknowable.

00:55:35.399 --> 00:55:35.679
 Place.

00:55:36.699 --> 00:55:37.480
 Where things.

00:55:37.699 --> 00:55:38.219
 Float around.

00:55:38.559 --> 00:55:38.579
 And.

00:55:38.980 --> 00:55:39.579
 Where our culture.

00:55:39.719 --> 00:55:40.759
 Presents heaven to us.

00:55:43.299 --> 00:55:44.399
 But at the same time.

00:55:44.480 --> 00:55:45.299
 Heaven is also not.

00:55:45.419 --> 00:55:46.440
 Fully revealed.

00:55:46.440 --> 00:55:47.440
 And fully knowable.

00:55:47.539 --> 00:55:47.920
 By us.

00:55:47.960 --> 00:55:48.539
 It can't be.

00:55:49.539 --> 00:55:50.159
 It can't be.

00:55:50.860 --> 00:55:51.940
 But a God in his glory.

00:55:52.000 --> 00:55:52.880
 And God in his love.

00:55:52.980 --> 00:55:54.280
 Has revealed to us.

00:55:54.740 --> 00:55:55.539
 Some core.

00:55:56.280 --> 00:55:57.179
 And beautiful truths.

00:55:57.179 --> 00:55:58.019
 About what awaits.

00:55:58.019 --> 00:55:58.619
 His people.

00:55:59.360 --> 00:55:59.780
 In glory.

00:56:02.179 --> 00:56:03.179
 What does.

00:56:03.820 --> 00:56:04.159
 The Christian.

00:56:04.300 --> 00:56:04.980
 Look forward to.

00:56:05.179 --> 00:56:06.340
 What is the gain.

00:56:06.460 --> 00:56:07.599
 That Paul talks about.

00:56:08.000 --> 00:56:08.360
 In.

00:56:08.920 --> 00:56:09.320
 This.

00:56:09.780 --> 00:56:10.099
 Verse.

00:56:10.460 --> 00:56:11.079
 What gain.

00:56:11.179 --> 00:56:12.019
 Was there for Paul.

00:56:12.019 --> 00:56:12.920
 In that prison cell.

00:56:13.440 --> 00:56:14.659
 As he awaited his death.

00:56:16.659 --> 00:56:17.340
 We can spend.

00:56:17.400 --> 00:56:18.539
 Another two or three hours.

00:56:19.360 --> 00:56:19.960
 And plenty more.

00:56:20.000 --> 00:56:20.480
 After that.

00:56:20.559 --> 00:56:21.460
 Looking at the reality.

00:56:21.579 --> 00:56:22.559
 Of what the scripture says.

00:56:22.940 --> 00:56:23.739
 About heaven.

00:56:23.820 --> 00:56:24.079
 And we.

00:56:24.480 --> 00:56:25.460
 Have plenty of verses.

00:56:25.759 --> 00:56:26.400
 And sections.

00:56:26.539 --> 00:56:26.800
 For us.

00:56:26.860 --> 00:56:27.759
 Which talk all about.

00:56:27.900 --> 00:56:28.059
 The.

00:56:28.059 --> 00:56:29.460
 Eternity of the Christian.

00:56:30.400 --> 00:56:31.440
 We give praise to God.

00:56:31.539 --> 00:56:31.719
 That.

00:56:32.059 --> 00:56:32.480
 In his goodness.

00:56:32.639 --> 00:56:33.659
 He has given to us.

00:56:33.699 --> 00:56:34.340
 Over the years.

00:56:34.440 --> 00:56:35.199
 Given to his church.

00:56:36.099 --> 00:56:36.500
 Gatherings.

00:56:36.539 --> 00:56:36.960
 And groups.

00:56:37.799 --> 00:56:38.519
 Where these things.

00:56:38.519 --> 00:56:39.039
 Are discussed.

00:56:39.239 --> 00:56:39.679
 And of course.

00:56:39.679 --> 00:56:40.139
 One of these.

00:56:40.820 --> 00:56:41.179
 Discussions.

00:56:41.340 --> 00:56:42.079
 Resulted in us.

00:56:42.239 --> 00:56:42.619
 For the.

00:56:43.219 --> 00:56:43.840
 Confession of faith.

00:56:43.920 --> 00:56:44.559
 And the catechism.

00:56:45.059 --> 00:56:45.460
 Of course.

00:56:45.579 --> 00:56:46.019
 We all know this.

00:56:46.079 --> 00:56:46.599
 This is our.

00:56:47.019 --> 00:56:47.940
 Subordinate standard.

00:56:48.279 --> 00:56:49.519
 Scripture is God's word.

00:56:50.279 --> 00:56:51.159
 Scripture is inspired.

00:56:51.340 --> 00:56:52.219
 Scripture is perfect.

00:56:52.840 --> 00:56:53.320
 The catechism.

00:56:53.400 --> 00:56:53.900
 The confessions.

00:56:54.059 --> 00:56:54.559
 They are helpful.

00:56:54.699 --> 00:56:55.199
 They are good.

00:56:55.480 --> 00:56:56.199
 They are beneficial.

00:56:56.900 --> 00:56:57.579
 Not inspired.

00:56:58.059 --> 00:56:58.599
 Not perfect.

00:56:59.420 --> 00:57:00.279
 But God in his glory.

00:57:00.380 --> 00:57:00.980
 Gives us these things.

00:57:01.039 --> 00:57:01.860
 And they help us summarize.

00:57:02.539 --> 00:57:03.719
 What scripture says.

00:57:04.099 --> 00:57:05.219
 And for the sake of.

00:57:05.219 --> 00:57:06.219
 Of brevity.

00:57:06.219 --> 00:57:06.739
 This morning.

00:57:07.539 --> 00:57:08.179
 As we ask.

00:57:08.179 --> 00:57:09.659
 What does the future.

00:57:09.659 --> 00:57:10.279
 Look like.

00:57:10.460 --> 00:57:10.980
 What does the future.

00:57:11.139 --> 00:57:12.259
 Hold for the Christian.

00:57:13.159 --> 00:57:13.840
 We can look simply.

00:57:13.980 --> 00:57:15.179
 At two of the catechism.

00:57:15.639 --> 00:57:16.900
 Answers and questions.

00:57:18.440 --> 00:57:18.900
 Catechism.

00:57:19.639 --> 00:57:20.119
 Question.

00:57:20.400 --> 00:57:21.099
 37.

00:57:22.799 --> 00:57:23.179
 What benefits.

00:57:24.599 --> 00:57:25.219
 Do believers.

00:57:26.019 --> 00:57:27.279
 Receive from Christ.

00:57:27.280 --> 00:57:27.440
 Rest.

00:57:27.940 --> 00:57:28.640
 At death.

00:57:30.820 --> 00:57:31.840
 The answer being.

00:57:32.400 --> 00:57:33.420
 The souls.

00:57:33.420 --> 00:57:34.340
 Of believers.

00:57:35.060 --> 00:57:36.500
 Are at their death.

00:57:36.500 --> 00:57:37.040
 Made.

00:57:37.440 --> 00:57:37.820
 Perfect.

00:57:37.820 --> 00:57:38.440
 In holiness.

00:57:39.240 --> 00:57:40.560
 And do immediately.

00:57:40.920 --> 00:57:41.320
 Pass.

00:57:41.540 --> 00:57:42.220
 Into glory.

00:57:43.160 --> 00:57:43.940
 And their bodies.

00:57:44.100 --> 00:57:44.820
 Being still.

00:57:45.260 --> 00:57:45.760
 United.

00:57:45.760 --> 00:57:46.860
 To Christ.

00:57:47.600 --> 00:57:48.140
 Do rest.

00:57:48.220 --> 00:57:48.760
 In the graves.

00:57:49.300 --> 00:57:50.400
 Until the resurrection.

00:57:52.880 --> 00:57:53.880
 Rest in the grave.

00:57:54.019 --> 00:57:54.300
 Until.

00:57:55.100 --> 00:57:55.780
 Resurrection.

00:57:55.780 --> 00:57:57.600
 What gain.

00:57:57.920 --> 00:57:59.120
 Was Paul waiting for.

00:57:59.220 --> 00:57:59.740
 What gain.

00:57:59.820 --> 00:58:00.080
 Is there.

00:58:00.180 --> 00:58:00.740
 For the believers.

00:58:00.940 --> 00:58:01.300
 Here today.

00:58:02.000 --> 00:58:02.360
 Dear brother.

00:58:02.460 --> 00:58:02.900
 Dear sister.

00:58:03.060 --> 00:58:03.600
 What gain.

00:58:03.660 --> 00:58:03.940
 Is there.

00:58:04.019 --> 00:58:04.400
 For us.

00:58:04.460 --> 00:58:04.820
 In heaven.

00:58:06.260 --> 00:58:06.820
 What does scripture.

00:58:06.940 --> 00:58:07.320
 Tell us.

00:58:07.380 --> 00:58:07.900
 Takes place.

00:58:07.980 --> 00:58:08.940
 When you or I die.

00:58:11.940 --> 00:58:12.300
 Instant.

00:58:13.360 --> 00:58:13.800
 Perfection.

00:58:13.800 --> 00:58:15.340
 All the sin.

00:58:15.480 --> 00:58:16.280
 All the rubbish.

00:58:16.400 --> 00:58:17.200
 All the dirt.

00:58:17.600 --> 00:58:18.460
 All the darkness.

00:58:18.560 --> 00:58:19.320
 That clings to us.

00:58:19.380 --> 00:58:19.880
 So deeply.

00:58:20.720 --> 00:58:21.400
 It's removed.

00:58:23.039 --> 00:58:23.519
 Instant.

00:58:24.260 --> 00:58:24.780
 Perfection.

00:58:25.740 --> 00:58:26.260
 Instant.

00:58:26.800 --> 00:58:27.240
 Glory.

00:58:28.620 --> 00:58:29.539
 We are there.

00:58:31.019 --> 00:58:32.240
 In the presence of our saviour.

00:58:32.300 --> 00:58:33.560
 In the presence of our God.

00:58:37.720 --> 00:58:38.600
 Instant unity.

00:58:38.599 --> 00:58:39.179
 We could say.

00:58:39.860 --> 00:58:41.119
 For lack of a better term.

00:58:41.759 --> 00:58:42.940
 The distance that.

00:58:43.960 --> 00:58:44.360
 Exists.

00:58:44.539 --> 00:58:44.900
 In some sense.

00:58:44.960 --> 00:58:45.599
 Between us and God.

00:58:45.719 --> 00:58:46.480
 It's now then.

00:58:46.839 --> 00:58:47.239
 Physically.

00:58:47.319 --> 00:58:47.980
 Almost gone.

00:58:49.380 --> 00:58:49.940
 We no longer.

00:58:50.039 --> 00:58:50.259
 As I were.

00:58:50.400 --> 00:58:51.480
 See through that glass.

00:58:51.579 --> 00:58:51.960
 Darkly.

00:58:52.000 --> 00:58:52.259
 Do we?

00:58:52.319 --> 00:58:52.519
 We.

00:58:52.860 --> 00:58:53.599
 We're there.

00:58:53.739 --> 00:58:54.420
 In the presence.

00:58:54.940 --> 00:58:55.839
 Of our God.

00:58:58.559 --> 00:58:59.380
 But still.

00:59:00.139 --> 00:59:00.539
 Waiting.

00:59:00.980 --> 00:59:01.699
 For the body.

00:59:01.819 --> 00:59:02.480
 Still waiting.

00:59:02.699 --> 00:59:03.119
 For the day.

00:59:03.480 --> 00:59:04.259
 Of resurrection.

00:59:04.259 --> 00:59:04.420
 Resurrection.

00:59:04.420 --> 00:59:04.460
 Resurrection.

00:59:04.460 --> 00:59:04.480
 Resurrection.

00:59:04.480 --> 00:59:04.500
 Resurrection.

00:59:08.599 --> 00:59:09.519
 Question 38.

00:59:09.679 --> 00:59:10.420
 What benefits.

00:59:10.579 --> 00:59:11.519
 Do believers receive.

00:59:11.739 --> 00:59:12.239
 From Christ.

00:59:12.819 --> 00:59:13.639
 At the resurrection.

00:59:14.339 --> 00:59:15.619
 On the final day of judgment.

00:59:15.739 --> 00:59:17.139
 When God raises his people.

00:59:17.400 --> 00:59:18.259
 Up from the grave.

00:59:18.420 --> 00:59:19.259
 What awaits us.

00:59:19.339 --> 00:59:20.539
 What is our hope that day.

00:59:20.639 --> 00:59:22.139
 What is our joy.

00:59:22.279 --> 00:59:22.819
 That day.

00:59:23.960 --> 00:59:24.759
 At the resurrection.

00:59:25.480 --> 00:59:25.960
 Believers.

00:59:26.380 --> 00:59:27.699
 Being raised up.

00:59:27.819 --> 00:59:28.319
 In glory.

00:59:28.819 --> 00:59:29.739
 Shall be openly.

00:59:29.960 --> 00:59:30.559
 Acknowledged.

00:59:30.679 --> 00:59:31.420
 And acquitted.

00:59:31.420 --> 00:59:32.920
 In the day of judgment.

00:59:33.539 --> 00:59:33.920
 And made.

00:59:34.339 --> 00:59:34.420
 Perfectly.

00:59:35.059 --> 00:59:35.480
 Blessed.

00:59:35.940 --> 00:59:36.420
 In the full.

00:59:36.539 --> 00:59:37.239
 Enjoying.

00:59:37.339 --> 00:59:37.860
 Of God.

00:59:37.860 --> 00:59:39.380
 To all eternity.

00:59:40.940 --> 00:59:42.140
 What is our gain.

00:59:43.220 --> 00:59:44.340
 On the day of judgment.

00:59:47.220 --> 00:59:48.920
 Full acquittal.

00:59:49.840 --> 00:59:50.720
 We are rescued.

00:59:51.180 --> 00:59:52.180
 From judgment.

00:59:53.519 --> 00:59:55.360
 Christ has done the work for us.

00:59:55.800 --> 00:59:56.640
 We are rescued.

00:59:57.140 --> 00:59:57.780
 From.

00:59:58.180 --> 00:59:58.900
 Eternal.

00:59:59.420 --> 00:59:59.820
 Judgment.

01:00:01.260 --> 01:00:02.620
 Even more than that.

01:00:02.620 --> 01:00:03.800
 We are reunited.

01:00:04.260 --> 01:00:04.680
 With.

01:00:04.980 --> 01:00:05.980
 Our glorious.

01:00:06.460 --> 01:00:06.820
 New.

01:00:07.280 --> 01:00:07.780
 Bodies.

01:00:08.780 --> 01:00:09.300
 Sin.

01:00:09.500 --> 01:00:09.820
 Gone.

01:00:11.039 --> 01:00:11.579
 Physical.

01:00:11.800 --> 01:00:12.200
 And mental.

01:00:12.200 --> 01:00:12.800
 Pain.

01:00:13.220 --> 01:00:13.500
 Gone.

01:00:13.640 --> 01:00:14.340
 Destruction.

01:00:14.820 --> 01:00:15.200
 Gone.

01:00:16.140 --> 01:00:16.700
 Glorious.

01:00:16.840 --> 01:00:17.460
 Eternal.

01:00:18.140 --> 01:00:18.660
 Bodies.

01:00:20.260 --> 01:00:21.800
 And we rest.

01:00:22.180 --> 01:00:22.940
 And enjoy.

01:00:23.099 --> 01:00:23.539
 God.

01:00:23.880 --> 01:00:24.920
 For all eternity.

01:00:25.940 --> 01:00:26.340
 Dear brother.

01:00:26.440 --> 01:00:26.960
 Dear sisters.

01:00:27.220 --> 01:00:27.519
 This.

01:00:27.880 --> 01:00:28.340
 Is.

01:00:28.500 --> 01:00:28.820
 Our.

01:00:29.220 --> 01:00:29.519
 Future.

01:00:30.079 --> 01:00:30.500
 This.

01:00:30.599 --> 01:00:30.660
 Is.

01:00:30.720 --> 01:00:31.140
 What we look.

01:00:31.220 --> 01:00:31.820
 Towards.

01:00:31.820 --> 01:00:32.180
 Lords.

01:00:32.180 --> 01:00:33.400
 This is what we.

01:00:33.840 --> 01:00:34.320
 Long.

01:00:34.320 --> 01:00:35.420
 To gain.

01:00:37.900 --> 01:00:39.039
 This is what Paul.

01:00:39.160 --> 01:00:40.059
 Has now.

01:00:40.600 --> 01:00:41.000
 Gained.

01:00:42.360 --> 01:00:43.180
 This moment.

01:00:43.840 --> 01:00:45.140
 We say this moment in time.

01:00:45.260 --> 01:00:46.200
 That doesn't work for heaven.

01:00:46.260 --> 01:00:46.580
 Does it?

01:00:46.579 --> 01:00:47.759
 But for us.

01:00:47.860 --> 01:00:48.340
 Humanly.

01:00:48.340 --> 01:00:49.219
 In time.

01:00:49.219 --> 01:00:49.880
 And in space.

01:00:49.940 --> 01:00:50.960
 At this moment.

01:00:51.500 --> 01:00:51.940
 Paul.

01:00:52.440 --> 01:00:52.799
 Is.

01:00:52.940 --> 01:00:53.639
 In the presence.

01:00:53.639 --> 01:00:54.440
 Of the one.

01:00:54.539 --> 01:00:55.219
 He served.

01:00:55.319 --> 01:00:55.860
 And he loved.

01:00:56.480 --> 01:00:57.500
 The loved ones.

01:00:57.559 --> 01:00:58.299
 Whose pews.

01:00:58.579 --> 01:00:59.279
 Are now empty.

01:00:59.360 --> 01:01:00.239
 Whose spaces are empty.

01:01:00.299 --> 01:01:00.880
 And his pews.

01:01:01.219 --> 01:01:02.219
 Have gone to glory.

01:01:02.880 --> 01:01:04.039
 They are now in the presence.

01:01:04.500 --> 01:01:05.759
 Of their saviour.

01:01:05.960 --> 01:01:07.279
 Awaiting that day.

01:01:08.159 --> 01:01:09.860
 Awaiting that final day.

01:01:09.860 --> 01:01:13.039
 When for all time.

01:01:14.340 --> 01:01:15.260
 The Christians here.

01:01:15.360 --> 01:01:16.120
 And the Christians there.

01:01:16.599 --> 01:01:17.079
 Together.

01:01:17.740 --> 01:01:18.400
 In new heavens.

01:01:18.460 --> 01:01:19.140
 And new earth.

01:01:19.360 --> 01:01:20.579
 Wourshipping our saviour.

01:01:21.480 --> 01:01:22.579
 This is our hope.

01:01:22.640 --> 01:01:22.880
 Isn't it?

01:01:22.880 --> 01:01:23.340
 This morning.

01:01:24.660 --> 01:01:25.480
 And the question.

01:01:25.680 --> 01:01:25.880
 And it's.

01:01:26.160 --> 01:01:26.820
 You can see.

01:01:26.900 --> 01:01:28.240
 Almost the obvious question.

01:01:28.340 --> 01:01:29.460
 But it's a pressing question.

01:01:29.840 --> 01:01:31.460
 It has to be asked.

01:01:33.260 --> 01:01:34.059
 And believe me.

01:01:34.079 --> 01:01:34.960
 There's no joy.

01:01:35.019 --> 01:01:35.780
 In asking this.

01:01:37.539 --> 01:01:38.880
 You sat the last hour.

01:01:38.880 --> 01:01:40.200
 And heard all it is.

01:01:40.240 --> 01:01:41.119
 To be a believer.

01:01:41.820 --> 01:01:42.760
 To love Jesus.

01:01:42.880 --> 01:01:43.880
 To serve Jesus.

01:01:44.000 --> 01:01:44.900
 To know Jesus.

01:01:45.460 --> 01:01:46.500
 To be known.

01:01:46.579 --> 01:01:47.800
 And loved by him.

01:01:48.539 --> 01:01:49.360
 We then heard briefly.

01:01:49.460 --> 01:01:49.880
 What it is.

01:01:50.000 --> 01:01:51.780
 To know that at the end of your days.

01:01:51.820 --> 01:01:53.500
 You'll go to be with your saviour.

01:01:53.840 --> 01:01:55.500
 And at the end of the days.

01:01:55.900 --> 01:01:56.559
 Be with him.

01:01:57.119 --> 01:01:58.539
 Body and soul together.

01:01:59.079 --> 01:01:59.599
 Perfectly.

01:01:59.599 --> 01:02:00.380
 For all time.

01:02:01.640 --> 01:02:02.680
 All this is good.

01:02:03.300 --> 01:02:04.720
 Encouraging news for believers.

01:02:05.320 --> 01:02:05.820
 Here today.

01:02:05.900 --> 01:02:06.240
 Isn't it?

01:02:06.559 --> 01:02:07.619
 That's what gives us joy.

01:02:07.720 --> 01:02:08.099
 And hope.

01:02:08.200 --> 01:02:08.840
 This new week.

01:02:09.539 --> 01:02:11.360
 But the question has to be asked.

01:02:12.260 --> 01:02:12.680
 If.

01:02:12.900 --> 01:02:13.900
 As of yet.

01:02:14.160 --> 01:02:16.519
 You can't say that you know Jesus.

01:02:16.980 --> 01:02:18.180
 That you love Jesus.

01:02:18.559 --> 01:02:20.059
 That your hope is in Jesus.

01:02:21.480 --> 01:02:22.960
 Then what do you hope to gain?

01:02:23.980 --> 01:02:25.260
 What do you live for?

01:02:26.140 --> 01:02:26.900
 Paul could say.

01:02:26.960 --> 01:02:27.840
 For me to live.

01:02:28.500 --> 01:02:28.920
 Christ.

01:02:29.780 --> 01:02:30.599
 The Christians here.

01:02:30.700 --> 01:02:31.280
 We can say.

01:02:31.700 --> 01:02:33.019
 Despite all our failings.

01:02:33.099 --> 01:02:33.940
 We can still say.

01:02:34.240 --> 01:02:35.480
 For us to live.

01:02:35.940 --> 01:02:36.740
 Is Christ.

01:02:36.739 --> 01:02:36.879
 Christ.

01:02:39.879 --> 01:02:40.500
 Dear friends.

01:02:40.539 --> 01:02:41.239
 What are you living for?

01:02:43.659 --> 01:02:45.279
 Only you can actually answer that question.

01:02:46.819 --> 01:02:47.799
 What are you living for?

01:02:47.800 --> 01:02:51.080
 I said this before here.

01:02:51.140 --> 01:02:51.960
 But it's a big building.

01:02:52.720 --> 01:02:53.840
 If you're playing the game.

01:02:53.960 --> 01:02:55.140
 Of the minister isn't looking at me.

01:02:55.240 --> 01:02:55.400
 So.

01:02:56.039 --> 01:02:57.100
 He can't be talking about me.

01:02:57.180 --> 01:02:58.080
 Then that game doesn't work.

01:02:59.140 --> 01:02:59.760
 The answer is.

01:02:59.780 --> 01:03:00.640
 This minister is blind.

01:03:00.720 --> 01:03:01.240
 I can't see.

01:03:01.360 --> 01:03:02.740
 My contacts aren't that good.

01:03:02.739 --> 01:03:04.699
 I can't see you.

01:03:05.239 --> 01:03:05.579
 Well.

01:03:06.199 --> 01:03:07.279
 But God sees you.

01:03:07.679 --> 01:03:08.439
 God knows you.

01:03:09.799 --> 01:03:11.079
 And the question applies to you.

01:03:11.139 --> 01:03:11.819
 Again and again.

01:03:12.199 --> 01:03:13.479
 What are you living for?

01:03:14.319 --> 01:03:15.459
 What is your purpose?

01:03:16.219 --> 01:03:17.139
 What is your plan?

01:03:19.000 --> 01:03:19.919
 Even more than that.

01:03:19.979 --> 01:03:20.559
 To your friends.

01:03:21.739 --> 01:03:22.699
 And we do call you friends.

01:03:22.739 --> 01:03:23.859
 Because we love you as friends.

01:03:25.239 --> 01:03:26.559
 What do you hope to gain.

01:03:26.879 --> 01:03:27.979
 At the end of your days?

01:03:27.980 --> 01:03:32.599
 The Bible is clear.

01:03:33.420 --> 01:03:34.440
 Scripture is clear.

01:03:35.440 --> 01:03:39.119
 Heaven is the gain for those who know Jesus.

01:03:39.579 --> 01:03:41.139
 And who love him now.

01:03:41.380 --> 01:03:42.559
 Who worship him now.

01:03:43.840 --> 01:03:45.099
 But if you don't worship him now.

01:03:45.340 --> 01:03:47.740
 You will never worship him at the end.

01:03:49.059 --> 01:03:51.699
 You'll never see him at the end.

01:03:52.820 --> 01:03:55.860
 He won't call you a good and faithful servant.

01:03:55.860 --> 01:03:57.880
 He won't as it were.

01:03:58.019 --> 01:03:59.640
 Take you in his arms at the end.

01:04:00.700 --> 01:04:02.500
 If you don't know him now.

01:04:02.599 --> 01:04:03.579
 Or love him now.

01:04:03.640 --> 01:04:04.400
 Or worship him now.

01:04:05.980 --> 01:04:07.800
 He will never know you at the end of the days.

01:04:10.019 --> 01:04:10.820
 Now this is heavy.

01:04:10.940 --> 01:04:11.380
 And this is real.

01:04:11.519 --> 01:04:13.079
 We don't say this to.

01:04:13.380 --> 01:04:15.059
 Somehow frighten you into the kingdom.

01:04:16.140 --> 01:04:17.840
 We say this to say to yourself.

01:04:17.940 --> 01:04:18.320
 A second.

01:04:20.480 --> 01:04:21.700
 What am I living for?

01:04:22.300 --> 01:04:23.460
 What is my hope?

01:04:23.460 --> 01:04:27.480
 You're here just now with breath in your lungs.

01:04:27.720 --> 01:04:28.400
 Of life.

01:04:29.039 --> 01:04:31.280
 God has given you this day to come to him.

01:04:33.079 --> 01:04:34.900
 And it is our humble prayer.

01:04:35.699 --> 01:04:36.920
 And it would be our greatest joy.

01:04:38.340 --> 01:04:39.159
 If you would come to him.

01:04:39.900 --> 01:04:40.760
 Come to Jesus.

01:04:42.119 --> 01:04:43.840
 Come and have him as your saviour.

01:04:43.940 --> 01:04:45.320
 Come and serve him as your Lord.

01:04:45.960 --> 01:04:47.099
 Be like Paul.

01:04:47.099 --> 01:04:50.799
 Come to him and save him.

01:04:50.799 --> 01:04:52.099
 That you want to have him.

01:04:52.920 --> 01:04:54.980
 As the one you live your life for.

01:04:55.599 --> 01:04:56.559
 Who will not let you down.

01:04:57.460 --> 01:04:58.579
 Who will not give you up.

01:05:00.239 --> 01:05:03.319
 Come and know what it is to have him as the one you are looking towards.

01:05:03.739 --> 01:05:04.559
 For your end.

01:05:05.920 --> 01:05:07.440
 The one who promises to his people.

01:05:07.559 --> 01:05:08.400
 He will never leave us.

01:05:08.460 --> 01:05:09.139
 Nor forsake us.

01:05:10.279 --> 01:05:11.659
 And the one who has promised us.

01:05:11.779 --> 01:05:12.519
 His people.

01:05:13.400 --> 01:05:15.659
 That he has gone to prepare a place for us.

01:05:15.659 --> 01:05:17.019
 To one day.

01:05:17.940 --> 01:05:18.659
 Take us home.

01:05:18.759 --> 01:05:19.440
 To be with himself.

01:05:21.219 --> 01:05:22.299
 Don't waste any more time.

01:05:23.059 --> 01:05:24.799
 You're wasted up to this point in your life.

01:05:25.839 --> 01:05:26.699
 You haven't come yet.

01:05:27.899 --> 01:05:28.219
 Come.

01:05:30.799 --> 01:05:31.920
 Come and know what it is to save.

01:05:32.059 --> 01:05:33.739
 That to live is Christ.

01:05:33.819 --> 01:05:35.559
 And to die is gain.

01:05:35.679 --> 01:05:36.480
 Let's bow our heads now.

01:05:36.599 --> 01:05:37.079
 A word of prayer.

01:05:39.039 --> 01:05:40.420
 Lord God we ask you to go before us.

01:05:40.559 --> 01:05:41.259
 The rest of this day.

01:05:41.940 --> 01:05:43.359
 Help us even as we come to sing.

01:05:43.359 --> 01:05:45.099
 Our final item of praise.

01:05:45.099 --> 01:05:46.400
 To do so of hearts and minds.

01:05:46.579 --> 01:05:47.860
 Set on you.

01:05:48.500 --> 01:05:50.079
 Lord we ask you to forgive anything that was said.

01:05:50.159 --> 01:05:52.139
 Not in accordance to your word.

01:05:52.219 --> 01:05:52.799
 To give you praise.

01:05:52.960 --> 01:05:54.460
 That the power is in your word.

01:05:54.559 --> 01:05:56.460
 Not in the jars of clay.

01:05:56.539 --> 01:05:57.440
 Or to stand up here.

01:05:58.559 --> 01:06:00.159
 We ask you to bless your people here today.

01:06:00.559 --> 01:06:02.460
 Encourage us as we look forward.

01:06:02.659 --> 01:06:04.400
 To the eternity spent.

01:06:04.900 --> 01:06:05.900
 With our saviour.

01:06:06.659 --> 01:06:07.759
 Help us in the meantime Lord.

01:06:07.920 --> 01:06:10.059
 To live lives that glorify him.

01:06:10.139 --> 01:06:10.799
 That honour him.

01:06:11.380 --> 01:06:12.219
 That praise his name.

01:06:12.219 --> 01:06:16.139
 Let's go all these things in and through and for Christ's name's sake.

01:06:16.659 --> 01:06:16.859
 Amen.

01:06:18.359 --> 01:06:19.859
 Let's conclude by singing.

01:06:20.659 --> 01:06:21.559
 And sing psalms.

01:06:24.939 --> 01:06:25.899
 Sing psalms.

01:06:26.659 --> 01:06:27.839
 And psalm 16.

01:06:29.619 --> 01:06:32.259
 It's on page 17 of the psalm books.

01:06:34.259 --> 01:06:35.179
 Sing psalms.

01:06:35.259 --> 01:06:36.279
 And psalm 16.

01:06:36.339 --> 01:06:38.139
 We can sing verses 8.

01:06:38.599 --> 01:06:39.899
 Down to verse 11.

01:06:39.900 --> 01:06:49.460
 These of course are words which in one sense truly and fully apply to our saviour.

01:06:50.139 --> 01:06:53.119
 These are also words which because our saviour lives.

01:06:53.780 --> 01:06:54.420
 The Christians here.

01:06:54.559 --> 01:06:57.119
 We can sing these words and know they apply for us.

01:06:57.220 --> 01:06:59.380
 Because he lives we will live with him.

01:06:59.780 --> 01:07:00.519
 And through him.

01:07:01.660 --> 01:07:02.820
 Psalm 16 verse 8.

01:07:02.820 --> 01:07:04.160
 Before me constantly.

01:07:04.700 --> 01:07:06.100
 I set the Lord alone.

01:07:06.559 --> 01:07:08.480
 Because he is at my right hand.

01:07:08.559 --> 01:07:09.559
 I'll not be overthrown.

01:07:10.200 --> 01:07:11.780
 Therefore my heart is glad.

01:07:12.280 --> 01:07:13.960
 My tongue with joy will sing.

01:07:14.480 --> 01:07:17.960
 My body too will rest secure in hope unwavering.

01:07:18.460 --> 01:07:19.620
 Verses 8 to the end.

01:07:19.980 --> 01:07:20.580
 To God's praise.

01:07:20.579 --> 01:07:21.579
 Christ.

01:07:21.579 --> 01:07:22.579
 Amen.

01:07:22.579 --> 01:07:23.579
 Amen.

01:07:23.579 --> 01:07:24.579
 Amen.

01:07:24.579 --> 01:07:25.579
 Amen.

01:07:25.579 --> 01:07:29.960
 Before me constantly.

01:07:29.960 --> 01:07:37.739
 I set the Lord alone.

01:07:37.739 --> 01:07:45.699
 Because he is at my right hand.

01:07:45.699 --> 01:07:52.199
 I'll not be overthrown.

01:07:52.199 --> 01:07:59.439
 Therefore my heart is glad.

01:07:59.439 --> 01:08:06.259
 My tongue with joy will sing.

01:08:06.260 --> 01:08:20.880
 My body too will rest secure in hope unwavering.

01:08:20.880 --> 01:08:35.000
 For you will not allow my soul in death to stay.

01:08:35.000 --> 01:08:43.119
 Nor will you leave your holy one.

01:08:43.119 --> 01:08:48.199
 To see the tombs decay.

01:08:50.199 --> 01:08:56.819
 You have made known to me.

01:08:56.819 --> 01:09:02.579
 The path of life divine.

01:09:02.579 --> 01:09:07.579
 Blessed shall I know.

01:09:08.699 --> 01:09:11.960
 At your right hand.

01:09:12.640 --> 01:09:17.579
 Joy from your face will shine.

01:09:17.579 --> 01:09:21.000
 Let's close with an addiction.

01:09:21.920 --> 01:09:23.920
 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

01:09:24.659 --> 01:09:26.399
 The love of God the Father.

01:09:27.039 --> 01:09:28.159
 And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

01:09:28.559 --> 01:09:29.699
 For with you now and forevermore.

01:09:29.699 --> 01:09:30.619
 Amen.