WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.520 Good morning. 00:00:04.200 --> 00:00:09.040 My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the assistant pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:09.040 --> 00:00:12.599 and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:13.740 --> 00:00:16.660 A special welcome if you are visiting or new with us. 00:00:16.660 --> 00:00:22.260 As I like to say, we're glad you're here, and we're glad you're here not because you're filling a seat, 00:00:22.600 --> 00:00:29.039 but because we are following Jesus, and we're convinced that there is no one so good that they don't need God's grace, 00:00:29.039 --> 00:00:31.800 and no one so bad that they can't have it. 00:00:32.479 --> 00:00:36.439 And so God is going to have something to say to everyone in his word, 00:00:36.960 --> 00:00:40.179 and everyone needs to hear what God has to say. 00:00:41.039 --> 00:00:45.079 If you've been with us over the last month or so, you know that we are in the book of Philippians, 00:00:45.359 --> 00:00:46.859 and Philippians is a letter. 00:00:47.460 --> 00:00:51.039 It's a letter that's written to a church, and that church is very similar to our church. 00:00:51.980 --> 00:00:56.120 And that church is in a city, the city of Philippi, that's very similar to our city. 00:00:56.119 --> 00:01:00.000 Remember, Philippi is one of the only Roman colonies in Macedonia, 00:01:00.780 --> 00:01:06.899 and so the citizens there are a higher percentage military than you would expect in other cities. 00:01:06.979 --> 00:01:10.459 Some of them because they were already citizens because of their military service, 00:01:10.939 --> 00:01:14.439 and so they wanted to move to a Roman colony where the tax benefits would be greater. 00:01:14.920 --> 00:01:18.140 Some of them were already there because they came from military families, 00:01:18.259 --> 00:01:20.519 and Philippi has a great military heritage. 00:01:20.519 --> 00:01:26.379 And so this is a city that takes pride in its Roman citizenship. 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:33.259 And that's going to become important this morning because the first thing that Paul is going to tell us in verse 27 is, 00:01:33.979 --> 00:01:36.879 only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. 00:01:38.120 --> 00:01:42.079 And it's an unfortunate translation because literally what Paul is saying in the Greek is, 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:45.239 act like a citizen of the gospel. 00:01:45.239 --> 00:01:51.000 And so he's writing to people who are proud of their earthly citizenship, 00:01:51.699 --> 00:01:52.799 their Roman citizenship, 00:01:53.379 --> 00:01:59.239 living in a city where they would have felt pressure to act as a Roman citizen, 00:01:59.399 --> 00:02:02.679 to adopt the values of Roman culture and Roman society. 00:02:03.479 --> 00:02:06.819 And he tells them instead to adopt the values of the gospel. 00:02:06.819 --> 00:02:12.500 And so these are believers, members of the church who feel under pressure. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:18.519 Much like us, they live in a culture that values greed, 00:02:18.959 --> 00:02:21.039 and yet they're called to generosity. 00:02:22.579 --> 00:02:25.120 They live in a culture of sexual anarchy, 00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:28.000 and yet they're called to sexual integrity. 00:02:29.139 --> 00:02:34.159 They live in a culture that doesn't care for the poor, 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:36.620 and yet they're called to do that. 00:02:37.699 --> 00:02:41.620 And even more than that, we're going to find out that they have opponents in verse 28, 00:02:41.740 --> 00:02:44.159 that there are people who are actually pressing in on them. 00:02:45.359 --> 00:02:48.300 And so as I've mentioned before, this is a book about partnership in the gospel, 00:02:48.500 --> 00:02:50.759 and the question that we're going to see today is, 00:02:50.879 --> 00:02:54.579 how do we have our partnership in the gospel when opposition comes? 00:02:55.500 --> 00:02:58.099 When we feel the pull of dual citizenship? 00:02:58.099 --> 00:03:04.659 When the culture that we find ourselves in asks very different things of us 00:03:04.659 --> 00:03:06.740 than the culture that God has, 00:03:07.620 --> 00:03:10.099 the demands that God makes on us. 00:03:10.879 --> 00:03:14.500 That's the tension that the believers in the city of Philippi face. 00:03:15.120 --> 00:03:16.959 It's the tension that we face as well, 00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:19.859 and it's what Paul is going to speak to in this passage. 00:03:19.979 --> 00:03:20.759 So we're in Philippians. 00:03:20.819 --> 00:03:21.799 We're still in chapter 1. 00:03:21.879 --> 00:03:23.099 We're starting at verse 27. 00:03:23.099 --> 00:03:25.639 Remember that this is God's word, 00:03:26.239 --> 00:03:29.780 and God tells us that his word is more precious than gold, 00:03:30.359 --> 00:03:32.000 even the finest gold. 00:03:33.060 --> 00:03:34.579 And it is sweeter than honey, 00:03:35.419 --> 00:03:38.280 even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:41.219 So turn with me now to verse 27. 00:03:41.879 --> 00:03:45.699 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:49.419 so that whether I come and see you or am absent, 00:03:49.419 --> 00:03:54.159 I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, 00:03:54.579 --> 00:03:55.839 with one mind, 00:03:56.459 --> 00:03:59.599 striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 00:04:00.259 --> 00:04:03.039 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. 00:04:04.060 --> 00:04:06.939 This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, 00:04:07.639 --> 00:04:10.279 but of your salvation and that from God. 00:04:11.219 --> 00:04:11.839 Verse 29. 00:04:12.619 --> 00:04:14.639 For it has been granted to you 00:04:14.639 --> 00:04:18.599 that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him, 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:21.060 but also suffer for his sake, 00:04:22.080 --> 00:04:24.980 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had, 00:04:25.540 --> 00:04:27.220 and now hear that I still have. 00:04:28.600 --> 00:04:31.400 Please pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:04:34.260 --> 00:04:35.439 Dear Father in heaven, 00:04:36.200 --> 00:04:39.180 we thank you that you know, 00:04:39.740 --> 00:04:40.800 as the psalmist tells us, 00:04:40.820 --> 00:04:42.540 that we are just dust. 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:44.760 You know that we're frail. 00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:47.060 And yet as we're frail, 00:04:47.139 --> 00:04:49.740 we still face challenges and opposition in this word, 00:04:49.879 --> 00:04:51.759 and so we thank you that you've spoken to us. 00:04:52.639 --> 00:04:55.279 You haven't left us alone as orphans, 00:04:55.920 --> 00:04:57.620 but you talk to us. 00:04:57.759 --> 00:04:58.539 You tell us things, 00:04:58.579 --> 00:05:00.939 and you do it in ways and words 00:05:00.939 --> 00:05:02.740 that we can hear and that we can understand. 00:05:03.740 --> 00:05:04.879 And so we ask now 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:06.860 that you would pour out your spirit 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:08.539 to speak to us. 00:05:09.219 --> 00:05:10.699 You'd pour out your spirit on me 00:05:10.699 --> 00:05:12.339 as I explain your word 00:05:12.339 --> 00:05:14.219 on everyone as we hear 00:05:14.219 --> 00:05:17.319 that you would allow us to understand 00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:19.279 and to believe and to obey. 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:22.479 We ask all these things in the name of your son. 00:05:23.539 --> 00:05:23.800 Amen. 00:05:26.740 --> 00:05:28.219 So our question here is, 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:30.599 how do we respond to opposition? 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:32.860 How do we respond to opposition, 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:35.639 and what is God doing in the midst of it? 00:05:35.699 --> 00:05:37.240 How does God work in our lives 00:05:37.240 --> 00:05:38.819 when we face opposition? 00:05:39.900 --> 00:05:40.980 Paul doesn't waste any time. 00:05:41.079 --> 00:05:42.060 He cuts right to the point 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:44.340 in verses 27 and 28. 00:05:45.079 --> 00:05:45.960 He wants them to live 00:05:45.960 --> 00:05:47.220 as these citizens of the gospel, 00:05:47.360 --> 00:05:49.040 and he tells us exactly what that means. 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:50.819 It means that they would be 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:52.000 striving together, 00:05:52.840 --> 00:05:54.460 striving one mind side by side 00:05:54.460 --> 00:05:55.540 for the faith of the gospel 00:05:55.540 --> 00:05:56.960 and not frightened in anything 00:05:56.960 --> 00:05:58.220 by your opponents. 00:05:59.879 --> 00:06:01.620 And the point Paul is making is simply this, 00:06:01.639 --> 00:06:03.240 and this is a dynamic that you'll see 00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:05.120 if you've been in church for a while, 00:06:05.660 --> 00:06:06.900 if you've studied church history, 00:06:06.899 --> 00:06:09.479 there are two options for any church. 00:06:10.679 --> 00:06:11.379 And they're this. 00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:12.679 We are either going out 00:06:12.679 --> 00:06:15.419 in a mission with each other, 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:18.299 or we are going on a mission 00:06:18.299 --> 00:06:19.620 against each other. 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:24.019 We are either going out in mission 00:06:24.019 --> 00:06:24.739 with each other, 00:06:24.739 --> 00:06:26.319 or we are going on a mission 00:06:26.319 --> 00:06:27.560 against each other. 00:06:29.339 --> 00:06:30.579 Paul's writing to a church here 00:06:30.579 --> 00:06:31.839 that's struggling with unity. 00:06:32.419 --> 00:06:33.739 They're struggling to get along. 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:35.199 And he's telling them, 00:06:35.280 --> 00:06:37.120 as you feel pressure from the outside, 00:06:37.579 --> 00:06:39.120 there's only one way 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:40.600 you're going to survive. 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:43.980 And that's by working with each other 00:06:43.980 --> 00:06:45.240 rather than against each other. 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:47.420 And so this goes back to what we saw 00:06:47.420 --> 00:06:48.860 in the very introduction to the letter 00:06:48.860 --> 00:06:49.480 where he told them 00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:50.620 that they needed to discern 00:06:50.620 --> 00:06:52.560 what was right and most excellent. 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:54.240 That they would know 00:06:54.240 --> 00:06:55.579 what are the important things 00:06:55.579 --> 00:06:56.400 to focus on. 00:06:57.199 --> 00:06:58.360 What are the gospel issues 00:06:58.360 --> 00:06:59.240 that they can focus on? 00:06:59.300 --> 00:07:00.319 Remember that with partnership 00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:00.939 in the gospel, 00:07:00.939 --> 00:07:02.060 the gospel is the focus 00:07:02.060 --> 00:07:03.019 of Jesus' death 00:07:03.019 --> 00:07:04.300 and his resurrection. 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:07.379 And so the church needs to know 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:09.240 how to keep the primary things primary 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:11.680 and the secondary things secondary. 00:07:12.540 --> 00:07:13.879 And so the first truth is that 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:15.699 we have one of these two options. 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:17.399 We're either working with each other 00:07:17.399 --> 00:07:18.240 or against each other. 00:07:18.319 --> 00:07:19.480 The other reality is that 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:21.680 when there's opposition, 00:07:23.079 --> 00:07:24.740 the church has to choose 00:07:24.740 --> 00:07:25.860 between those two things. 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:26.759 In other words, 00:07:26.839 --> 00:07:28.740 there is no option for the church 00:07:28.740 --> 00:07:30.800 except to join together in unity 00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:33.160 or to not make it, 00:07:33.220 --> 00:07:35.600 to not survive against their opponents. 00:07:36.300 --> 00:07:38.060 And this is something that we can use. 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:39.639 It's a spiritual diagnostic tool. 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:41.160 I was gone the last several weeks 00:07:41.160 --> 00:07:41.939 and while I was gone, 00:07:41.980 --> 00:07:43.040 I was in the mountains at one point 00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:45.460 and my low tire pressure light came on. 00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:47.680 And it's a very frightening light. 00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:49.040 It's this exclamation point 00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:50.240 with parentheses around it, 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:52.000 which in my mind 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:53.360 should mean something like 00:07:53.360 --> 00:07:54.639 your engine is about to fail. 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:58.019 So the first time this light went on for me, 00:07:58.079 --> 00:07:59.300 this was not the first time, thankfully, 00:07:59.399 --> 00:08:00.979 but the first time I panicked a little bit. 00:08:01.659 --> 00:08:02.879 I do what I always do 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:03.800 when I have car problems 00:08:03.800 --> 00:08:04.579 that I don't understand. 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:06.279 I quickly call my dad. 00:08:08.060 --> 00:08:08.539 Ask him, 00:08:08.599 --> 00:08:09.159 what is going on? 00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:11.259 There's an exclamation point 00:08:11.259 --> 00:08:12.019 on my dashboard. 00:08:12.199 --> 00:08:13.959 Like, should I pull over right now 00:08:13.959 --> 00:08:14.839 and take it to the mechanic? 00:08:16.099 --> 00:08:17.479 Find out it's only low tire pressure. 00:08:17.699 --> 00:08:19.120 So this is probably the one flaw 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:21.039 in all Subaru makers 00:08:21.039 --> 00:08:22.120 that they've decided to make 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:23.099 the low tire pressure light 00:08:23.100 --> 00:08:25.160 this very frightening warning. 00:08:26.340 --> 00:08:28.220 But there's a spiritual diagnostic here 00:08:28.220 --> 00:08:31.040 that if we're not working together, 00:08:31.680 --> 00:08:33.600 then it's clear 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:34.720 that we've not been able 00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:35.779 to discern what's best 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:36.420 and what's right. 00:08:37.680 --> 00:08:39.480 Because if we discern what is right, 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:40.800 if we understand what's important, 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:41.759 if we're working together 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:42.680 for the gospel, 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:44.320 then we'll be able to work 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:45.180 with each other 00:08:45.180 --> 00:08:47.040 rather than against each other. 00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:48.680 Now again, 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:49.779 don't hear what I'm not saying. 00:08:50.440 --> 00:08:50.720 Remember, 00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:52.639 Paul later is going to refer 00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:53.699 to certain people in the church 00:08:53.699 --> 00:08:55.000 as mutilators of the flesh 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:55.860 and dogs. 00:08:56.539 --> 00:08:57.759 So Paul doesn't have a problem 00:08:57.759 --> 00:08:58.779 fighting over things. 00:08:59.539 --> 00:09:00.120 There are things 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:01.179 that are worth disagreeing about, 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:02.720 but Paul knows when to decide 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:03.939 what's worth fighting over 00:09:03.939 --> 00:09:05.159 and what's not. 00:09:06.779 --> 00:09:07.939 And this is a dynamic 00:09:07.939 --> 00:09:09.720 that it's not just something 00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:10.559 that you see 00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:11.419 if you're in the church, 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:13.600 but the outside world 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:15.899 notices this dynamic as well. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:18.259 A couple of years ago, 00:09:18.379 --> 00:09:19.179 there was an article 00:09:19.179 --> 00:09:21.460 in November of 2016, 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:22.120 there was an article 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:22.980 in The Economist, 00:09:23.040 --> 00:09:24.840 which is not an American publication. 00:09:24.840 --> 00:09:26.180 It's not written by Christians 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:26.940 or for Christians. 00:09:26.940 --> 00:09:28.500 It's a European magazine. 00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:30.240 And they wrote an article 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:31.920 about the relationship 00:09:31.920 --> 00:09:33.360 of churches in Europe. 00:09:34.460 --> 00:09:35.660 And they had noticed 00:09:35.660 --> 00:09:37.240 that as the heat 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:37.940 had been rising 00:09:37.940 --> 00:09:38.960 on the church in Europe, 00:09:39.440 --> 00:09:40.680 the same exact dynamic 00:09:40.680 --> 00:09:41.540 had taken place. 00:09:42.259 --> 00:09:43.700 That there was greater unity 00:09:43.700 --> 00:09:45.259 than there had ever been before 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:47.580 between people who disagreed 00:09:47.580 --> 00:09:48.580 about various things. 00:09:48.580 --> 00:09:49.620 And so as it goes on, 00:09:49.740 --> 00:09:50.660 the article says this, 00:09:50.900 --> 00:09:51.780 asks this question. 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:53.440 Why then the emphasis 00:09:53.440 --> 00:09:54.440 on commonality? 00:09:54.680 --> 00:09:55.440 They've been describing 00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:56.200 the reality 00:09:56.200 --> 00:09:56.740 that these churches 00:09:56.740 --> 00:09:57.540 are pulling together 00:09:57.540 --> 00:09:58.139 like they've never 00:09:58.139 --> 00:09:59.259 pulled together before. 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:01.520 There are some obvious reasons. 00:10:02.660 --> 00:10:03.879 At a time when Christianity 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:05.280 feels under pressure 00:10:05.280 --> 00:10:06.240 from secularism 00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:07.180 in the Christian West 00:10:07.180 --> 00:10:08.720 and from persecution 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:09.560 in the Middle East, 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:11.660 there is a natural impulse 00:10:11.660 --> 00:10:12.720 among its practitioners 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:13.759 to close ranks 00:10:13.759 --> 00:10:14.940 and play town 00:10:14.940 --> 00:10:15.960 sectarian difference. 00:10:16.280 --> 00:10:16.700 Again, that's 00:10:16.700 --> 00:10:17.960 the non-Christian's explanation. 00:10:18.920 --> 00:10:19.540 In July, 00:10:19.660 --> 00:10:21.220 when an elderly Catholic priest 00:10:21.220 --> 00:10:21.780 was murdered 00:10:21.780 --> 00:10:22.960 at the altar in France, 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:24.700 very few Christians 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:25.600 of any sect 00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:26.620 reacted by saying, 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:27.560 never mind, 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:28.519 he wasn't one of ours, 00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:30.280 or even serves him right 00:10:30.280 --> 00:10:31.200 for being a heretic. 00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:33.139 In Germany, 00:10:33.259 --> 00:10:34.480 the Lutheran Catholic churches 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:36.019 face almost identical dilemmas. 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:37.460 Both are struggling 00:10:37.460 --> 00:10:38.400 to hold their ground 00:10:38.400 --> 00:10:39.259 as members leave, 00:10:39.340 --> 00:10:40.500 either through disenchantment 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:41.060 with religion 00:10:41.060 --> 00:10:42.259 or to avoid 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:43.280 paying church taxes. 00:10:43.920 --> 00:10:44.700 Both are wondering 00:10:44.700 --> 00:10:45.180 what to do 00:10:45.180 --> 00:10:46.660 as Islam gains adherence 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:47.939 and demands the same status. 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:50.059 As Germany's Christian churches 00:10:50.059 --> 00:10:50.819 have long enjoyed, 00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:52.779 it would not make sense 00:10:52.779 --> 00:10:54.159 for Lutherans and Catholics 00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:55.360 to be squabbling 00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:56.000 with one another. 00:10:59.079 --> 00:11:00.120 And so again, 00:11:00.699 --> 00:11:02.659 the church is either 00:11:02.659 --> 00:11:04.059 going out in a mission 00:11:04.059 --> 00:11:05.339 with each other 00:11:05.339 --> 00:11:06.219 or going on a mission 00:11:06.219 --> 00:11:07.419 against each other. 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:09.459 In practical terms, 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:10.059 it looks like this. 00:11:10.059 --> 00:11:11.000 we can either argue 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:12.019 about our preferences 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:13.219 in music 00:11:13.219 --> 00:11:15.539 or we can figure out 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:16.519 how to reach out 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:17.819 to Otero Elementary School. 00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:19.399 But we simply 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:20.019 don't have time 00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:20.619 to do both. 00:11:21.359 --> 00:11:22.500 We can argue 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:24.519 about the right way 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:25.619 to teach our children 00:11:25.619 --> 00:11:27.099 or we can strive together 00:11:27.099 --> 00:11:28.039 side by side 00:11:28.039 --> 00:11:29.679 to raise them 00:11:29.679 --> 00:11:31.279 with sexual integrity. 00:11:32.919 --> 00:11:33.500 That it's simply 00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:33.839 at times 00:11:33.839 --> 00:11:34.859 just a matter of time. 00:11:34.939 --> 00:11:35.599 We don't have time 00:11:35.599 --> 00:11:36.139 to do both. 00:11:36.739 --> 00:11:38.019 And so we have to figure out 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:39.459 what's most important. 00:11:39.460 --> 00:11:40.600 And so what I'm not saying 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:41.240 is that differences 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:42.120 don't matter. 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:44.620 But we have to determine 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:45.480 our focus. 00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:47.060 And our focus 00:11:47.060 --> 00:11:47.420 is something 00:11:47.420 --> 00:11:48.379 that draws us together, 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:49.040 joins us, 00:11:49.080 --> 00:11:49.639 that we're striving 00:11:49.639 --> 00:11:50.500 side by side. 00:11:50.560 --> 00:11:50.860 In fact, 00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:51.980 in the face 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:52.960 of opposition, 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:54.840 we have no other choice 00:11:54.840 --> 00:11:57.340 but to realize 00:11:57.340 --> 00:11:58.660 what is most important 00:11:58.660 --> 00:12:00.060 and work together 00:12:00.060 --> 00:12:00.920 for it. 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:04.600 It's not the only thing 00:12:04.600 --> 00:12:05.120 he tells them, 00:12:05.160 --> 00:12:05.240 though. 00:12:05.280 --> 00:12:05.879 In verse 28, 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:06.300 he says, 00:12:06.400 --> 00:12:07.160 and not frightened 00:12:07.160 --> 00:12:08.040 in anything 00:12:08.040 --> 00:12:09.300 by your opponents. 00:12:10.100 --> 00:12:11.300 So not just striving 00:12:11.300 --> 00:12:12.160 side by side 00:12:12.160 --> 00:12:12.940 for the sake 00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:13.460 of the gospel 00:12:13.460 --> 00:12:14.139 but doing so 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:14.860 without fear. 00:12:16.220 --> 00:12:16.820 And why is it 00:12:16.820 --> 00:12:17.639 that they can go out 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:18.400 and not have fear? 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:19.139 Well, it's because 00:12:19.139 --> 00:12:20.259 of their dual citizenship. 00:12:21.540 --> 00:12:22.160 They're citizens 00:12:22.160 --> 00:12:22.840 of Rome 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:24.259 but they're also 00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:25.379 citizens of the gospel. 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:26.740 And so I'll ask you 00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:27.440 a simple question. 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:29.440 Which still exists 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:30.080 right now? 00:12:30.800 --> 00:12:31.900 The Roman Empire 00:12:31.900 --> 00:12:34.379 or the church? 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:39.639 It's the church, right? 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:40.960 And so that's why 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:41.659 they don't have to be 00:12:41.659 --> 00:12:42.860 frightened in anything. 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:44.799 Because it's their 00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:46.000 heavenly citizenship 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:47.200 that is more real 00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:48.899 and more powerful 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:51.039 than their citizenship 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:51.840 on earth. 00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:53.500 And so they can strive 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:55.019 side by side 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:55.439 together 00:12:55.439 --> 00:12:56.840 being of one mind 00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:58.679 as we'll find out 00:12:58.679 --> 00:12:59.740 in chapter 2. 00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:02.559 Striving side by side, 00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:03.739 having one spirit. 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:05.199 In other words, 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.139 they've all partaken 00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:07.219 in the Holy Spirit. 00:13:07.339 --> 00:13:08.059 They've received 00:13:08.059 --> 00:13:09.739 the truth and reality 00:13:09.739 --> 00:13:10.299 of the gospel 00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:11.139 and that's what allows 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:11.899 them to have unity. 00:13:12.599 --> 00:13:13.219 It's the gospel 00:13:13.219 --> 00:13:14.159 that brings them together 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:15.639 because the religious person, 00:13:15.719 --> 00:13:16.219 the legalist, 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:16.619 says, 00:13:17.339 --> 00:13:18.599 be good like I am good. 00:13:20.159 --> 00:13:21.059 And you can't have unity 00:13:21.059 --> 00:13:21.759 if someone's saying 00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:22.779 be good like I'm good 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:23.399 because you're just 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:24.159 going to have pride. 00:13:24.479 --> 00:13:25.019 People are going to be 00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:25.679 calling each other 00:13:25.679 --> 00:13:26.539 to be like themselves. 00:13:27.679 --> 00:13:28.719 The non-religious person 00:13:28.719 --> 00:13:29.839 says there is no good. 00:13:29.939 --> 00:13:30.479 You have to find 00:13:30.479 --> 00:13:31.099 your own good. 00:13:31.100 --> 00:13:32.659 Of course, 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:33.480 we can't have unity 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:34.040 around that 00:13:34.040 --> 00:13:34.720 because each person 00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:35.420 is going to determine 00:13:35.420 --> 00:13:36.120 a different good. 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:38.680 But the gospel says 00:13:38.680 --> 00:13:39.620 no one is good, 00:13:39.860 --> 00:13:40.800 only Jesus is good. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:43.080 And so that gives us 00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:43.700 the humility 00:13:43.700 --> 00:13:44.440 that we need 00:13:44.440 --> 00:13:45.420 to actually have unity 00:13:45.420 --> 00:13:46.000 with each other. 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:47.259 If we are not good, 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:48.940 but Jesus is, 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:51.360 then we can lay down 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:52.019 our preferences 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:53.480 and our secondary issues 00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:54.960 to focus on that. 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:56.600 Focus on what is 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:57.500 most important, 00:13:57.620 --> 00:13:58.320 which is the truth 00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:59.040 and reality 00:13:59.040 --> 00:14:00.019 of the gospel. 00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:02.420 So religious says 00:14:02.420 --> 00:14:03.500 be good like I'm good. 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:05.159 The non-religious says 00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:06.220 find your own good. 00:14:07.040 --> 00:14:08.240 And the gospel says 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:09.580 no one is good, 00:14:09.920 --> 00:14:10.940 only Jesus is good. 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:11.920 So find your good 00:14:11.920 --> 00:14:12.759 in him. 00:14:14.460 --> 00:14:15.960 And so we find unity 00:14:15.960 --> 00:14:17.540 as we're striving together 00:14:17.540 --> 00:14:18.920 for the sake of the gospel, 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:20.940 but it's also the gospel 00:14:20.940 --> 00:14:21.779 that allows us 00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:23.240 to have unity in that. 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:26.399 And so this is the strategy 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:27.879 that Paul gives the church 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:29.700 as they live in a culture 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:31.539 that's pressing in on them. 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:34.120 That they work together 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:34.720 with unity 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:36.399 and they do it without fear 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:37.240 because they know 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:38.539 that their heavenly citizenship 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:39.720 is more real 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:40.539 than their earthly one. 00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:44.919 But it's not just 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:47.139 the Philippians 00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:48.200 who are going to do something. 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:51.299 God is at work as well. 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:52.539 Remember, we're not just asking 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.319 how do we respond 00:14:53.319 --> 00:14:53.879 to opposition, 00:14:54.059 --> 00:14:55.379 but also what does God do 00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:56.219 with us? 00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:57.359 How does he change us? 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:59.519 How does he provide for us 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:00.719 when we face opposition, 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:01.979 when we feel the pressure 00:15:01.979 --> 00:15:02.899 coming in on us? 00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:07.000 I have a uncle, 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:09.319 my dad's youngest brother, 00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:10.439 who has spent his career 00:15:10.439 --> 00:15:11.539 working for the State Department. 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:13.159 He's been stationed 00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:13.879 all over the world. 00:15:14.719 --> 00:15:15.639 And at one point, 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:17.759 probably 10 or 15 years ago, 00:15:17.819 --> 00:15:18.779 he was stationed in China. 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:21.039 And while he was stationed 00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:21.600 in China, 00:15:22.439 --> 00:15:23.519 a family member 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:24.419 went over to visit him 00:15:24.419 --> 00:15:26.720 and they found on the streets 00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:27.899 of China an amazing deal. 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:29.600 They were selling 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:31.279 these North Face rain jackets 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:33.339 for the very low price 00:15:33.339 --> 00:15:33.720 of $10. 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.439 And who knew, right, 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.220 that North Face 00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:38.199 was selling their products 00:15:38.199 --> 00:15:39.439 for so much cheaper in China 00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:40.079 than they're selling them 00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:40.620 in the U.S.? 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.339 And this is a shock. 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:42.100 Why are we not just 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:43.519 importing these jackets 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:45.199 from China? 00:15:46.059 --> 00:15:46.839 And so these jackets 00:15:46.839 --> 00:15:47.879 were given as gifts 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.539 to various people. 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.320 I received one 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:50.399 and I thought, 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:50.919 this is great. 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:52.080 I think I was probably 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:52.580 in high school 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:53.639 at the time that I received it. 00:15:54.059 --> 00:15:54.759 Had this great 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:55.960 North Face logo on it. 00:15:56.019 --> 00:15:56.779 I could wear it 00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:58.539 and be clear 00:15:58.539 --> 00:15:59.539 that I was very cool 00:15:59.539 --> 00:16:01.000 because I had 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.759 a North Face jacket. 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:03.720 Fast forward 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:04.779 to when I'm in college 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:06.580 and I decided 00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.679 to take this jacket 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:08.019 with me 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:09.179 on my study abroad program. 00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:10.120 This is the jacket 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:10.980 that I take with me. 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:12.740 It's a traveling 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:13.700 study abroad program. 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:14.779 At one point, 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:15.440 we were in the city 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:15.960 of Delphi, 00:16:16.020 --> 00:16:16.800 which is in Greece, 00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:18.820 and there's a rainstorm 00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:19.300 that comes. 00:16:20.640 --> 00:16:21.360 So I had my 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:22.120 North Face jacket 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:24.620 and I put it on. 00:16:27.260 --> 00:16:28.200 It continues raining 00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:28.840 throughout the day 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:31.400 and I become 00:16:31.400 --> 00:16:32.320 very, 00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:34.080 very wet. 00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:38.440 Because while this jacket 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:40.180 has the logo 00:16:40.180 --> 00:16:41.280 of North Face on it, 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:43.500 it has nothing 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.579 to do with North Face. 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:47.360 It was never made 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:48.039 by North Face. 00:16:48.179 --> 00:16:49.079 North Face costs 00:16:49.079 --> 00:16:50.159 are probably higher 00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:50.679 than $10 00:16:50.679 --> 00:16:52.019 just to make a jacket. 00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:55.059 And so the point 00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:55.500 is this. 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:58.220 We don't know 00:16:58.220 --> 00:16:58.980 what's real 00:16:58.980 --> 00:16:59.779 or not 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:01.819 until the storm comes. 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:05.599 We don't know 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:06.480 what's real or not 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:07.639 until the storm comes. 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:09.139 And that's what Paul 00:17:09.139 --> 00:17:09.700 is telling us 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:11.059 in verse 28. 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:14.339 This is a clear sign 00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:14.940 to them 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:15.920 of their destruction, 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:18.359 but of your salvation 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:20.440 and that from God. 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:24.180 So what does God do 00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:24.539 for us 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:24.920 in the midst 00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:25.500 of opposition? 00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:29.200 As we stand, 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:29.920 as we strive 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:30.920 side by side, 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:33.559 God assures us 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:35.539 that we belong 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.379 to Him. 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:39.759 That we are genuine. 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:39.940 in. 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:42.200 And so one of the ways 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:42.920 that God uses 00:17:42.920 --> 00:17:44.240 opposition in our lives 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:45.180 as we're struggling 00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:46.420 with the forces 00:17:46.420 --> 00:17:47.720 coming in against us 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:48.500 as He looks at us 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.019 and says, 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.799 as you have been 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:51.460 faithful, 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:54.220 you can know 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:55.059 even more 00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:55.700 than ever 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:57.559 that you belong 00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.319 to me. 00:17:58.319 --> 00:18:02.059 because it's 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:02.500 because it's only 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.179 the people 00:18:03.179 --> 00:18:04.599 that I adopt 00:18:04.599 --> 00:18:05.839 and that are mine 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:07.220 that are able 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:07.839 to stand 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:08.480 when the opposition 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.019 comes. 00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:11.939 And so take hope. 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:13.659 Be encouraged 00:18:13.659 --> 00:18:15.639 because you belong 00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:16.059 to me. 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:20.279 And this isn't 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:21.240 something that we earn. 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:21.779 It's not something 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.539 that comes from us. 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:23.220 If you know 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.659 anything about rain jackets, 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:26.400 you probably know 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:26.920 part of the reason 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.600 I got soaked. 00:18:28.600 --> 00:18:28.820 And that's 00:18:28.820 --> 00:18:29.920 there was no tape 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:30.600 on the seams. 00:18:32.560 --> 00:18:33.360 So the material 00:18:33.360 --> 00:18:34.040 wasn't terrible 00:18:34.040 --> 00:18:35.800 but the difference 00:18:35.800 --> 00:18:37.240 between a real rain jacket 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.140 that's going to keep you 00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:38.980 dry for hours 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.680 and one that won't 00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:40.680 is that all the seams 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:42.040 have tape on the insides 00:18:42.040 --> 00:18:43.360 that's waterproof. 00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:44.640 Because that's where 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:45.460 the water was coming in. 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.180 It was through the seams. 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:48.279 And so when He says 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.460 this is a clear sign 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.259 of your salvation 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.519 and that from God 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.080 what He's saying 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:52.500 is this, 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:53.759 God is the one 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:54.679 who puts the tape 00:18:54.679 --> 00:18:55.599 in your seams. 00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:57.819 He's the one 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:58.639 who enables you 00:18:58.639 --> 00:19:00.019 to stand in opposition. 00:19:01.179 --> 00:19:01.759 And so it's not 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:02.720 that you muster up 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:03.299 your strength 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:04.639 and you earn God's favor 00:19:04.639 --> 00:19:06.419 but that you were 00:19:06.419 --> 00:19:07.240 already His. 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:08.179 He had made you 00:19:08.179 --> 00:19:09.139 and created you 00:19:09.139 --> 00:19:10.240 and so when the storm 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:10.599 comes, 00:19:10.699 --> 00:19:11.759 when opposition comes 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.659 and you stand, 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:15.379 you can know 00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:16.240 that it's God 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:16.839 who has given you 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:17.299 the grace. 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.199 It's God 00:19:19.199 --> 00:19:19.939 who's holding you up 00:19:19.939 --> 00:19:20.720 and sustaining you. 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:23.019 He's the one 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:24.079 who made you. 00:19:25.919 --> 00:19:27.240 And so it's a clear sign 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.079 of your salvation 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:29.799 that what's happening 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:30.740 in a small way 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.359 as you stand 00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:32.079 against opposition 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:33.419 is a sign 00:19:33.419 --> 00:19:34.139 of what will later 00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:35.639 happen in a big way. 00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:40.960 And so God uses it. 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:42.000 He uses it 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:43.539 to give us assurance 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.839 that as we persevere 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:46.240 He's saying 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:46.919 take heart, 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.399 be encouraged, 00:19:48.919 --> 00:19:49.919 don't be frightened 00:19:49.919 --> 00:19:50.939 because you belong 00:19:50.939 --> 00:19:51.399 to me 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:52.820 my kingdom 00:19:52.820 --> 00:19:53.640 and my reality 00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:55.280 is greater 00:19:55.280 --> 00:19:56.800 than any other 00:19:56.800 --> 00:19:57.560 that's around you. 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:00.920 But He doesn't 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:01.460 leave it there. 00:20:02.780 --> 00:20:03.200 That's not, 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:04.700 that's just the start 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:06.060 of what God does 00:20:06.060 --> 00:20:06.800 for us 00:20:06.800 --> 00:20:07.600 in opposition. 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.360 He says, 00:20:10.359 --> 00:20:11.459 for it has been granted 00:20:11.459 --> 00:20:11.859 to you 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:12.599 that for the sake 00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:13.199 of Christ 00:20:13.199 --> 00:20:14.279 you should not only 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:15.059 believe in Him 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:16.719 but also suffer 00:20:16.719 --> 00:20:17.459 for His sake. 00:20:18.719 --> 00:20:19.579 Engage in the same 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:20.859 conflict that you saw 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.979 I had and now hear 00:20:21.979 --> 00:20:22.919 that I still have. 00:20:24.699 --> 00:20:25.559 Paul's laying out here 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:25.959 a principle 00:20:25.959 --> 00:20:26.839 that he's explained 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:27.939 in other letters 00:20:27.939 --> 00:20:28.519 that he's written 00:20:28.519 --> 00:20:30.019 which is this, 00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:31.579 that as the Master 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.139 walks, 00:20:33.219 --> 00:20:34.599 so walk His disciples. 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.939 As the teacher goes, 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:38.000 so go His students. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:39.299 And so if we're followers 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.059 of Christ, 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:42.819 we're going to join 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.400 with Him. 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.339 We're going to join 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:44.700 with Him 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:45.480 not just 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:47.220 in His glorification, 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:50.019 not just in the new 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.759 body that He's given, 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:52.099 but also in His humiliation 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:53.400 that as Christ suffered, 00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:55.119 we are also going 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:55.599 to suffer. 00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.839 We're not going to suffer 00:20:58.839 --> 00:20:59.700 to the same extent 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.160 that He did. 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:00.819 We're not going to suffer 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:01.819 in the way that He did. 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:02.619 Our suffering is not 00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:03.640 going to earn our salvation 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:04.720 in the way that His did. 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:07.900 But it's also another way 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:08.380 that we know 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:09.420 that we belong to Him. 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:12.039 And so when we suffer, 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:14.720 we can consider it 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:16.519 an honor. 00:21:18.120 --> 00:21:18.980 It's a gift 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.579 is what we're told 00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.100 in verse 29. 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:21.380 It has been granted to you. 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:22.740 It has been gifted to you 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:24.579 that you would suffer. 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:26.900 Paul again is hitting 00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:27.680 the partnership here 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.339 in verse 30, 00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:29.839 reminding them 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:31.140 that he is suffering as well. 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:32.019 He's in prison. 00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:32.600 He's struggling 00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:33.259 for the gospel. 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:35.920 He is being pushed in on 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:36.720 by the Roman Empire 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.339 and so are they. 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.619 And so they're together in it. 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:41.099 But they also know 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:42.740 that this too confirms 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:44.720 that they belong to God. 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:47.599 As the master goes, 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:48.960 so go his followers. 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:52.339 Some of you are perhaps 00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:53.799 familiar with Jeremiah Denton. 00:21:54.379 --> 00:21:55.859 Jeremiah was a prisoner of war 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:57.059 during the Vietnam War. 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.680 He was in the infamous 00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.500 Hanoi Hilton 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.359 and he was the man 00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:01.220 who became famous 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:03.180 because when he was put on TV, 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:04.599 after months of torture, 00:22:05.339 --> 00:22:07.359 he blinked in Morse code 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:08.519 the word torture. 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:11.099 And that was the first time 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:11.519 as Americans 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.740 we knew a little bit 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.759 about what was going on 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.799 with our POWs. 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:17.319 He later became 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:18.640 one of the Alcatraz 11. 00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:20.400 He was put into solitary confinement 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:21.799 for multiple months 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:24.019 for all of the day 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:25.319 except for 10 minutes each day. 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:28.240 And so his return 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.579 was highly anticipated. 00:22:29.579 --> 00:22:32.119 People were waiting for him 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:32.740 when he landed 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:34.019 at Clark Air Base 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:35.699 when he was finally released. 00:22:36.659 --> 00:22:37.339 And these are the words 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:37.759 that he had. 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:38.639 These are the first words 00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:39.220 that he had to say 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:39.699 to the nation. 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.419 We are honored 00:22:42.419 --> 00:22:44.779 to have had the opportunity 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:46.220 to serve our country 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:48.079 under difficult circumstances, 00:22:48.179 --> 00:22:48.539 he said. 00:22:49.699 --> 00:22:51.460 We are profoundly grateful 00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.839 to our commander-in-chief 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:54.039 and to our nation 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:55.039 for this day. 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:58.159 We are honored 00:22:58.159 --> 00:22:59.220 to have had the opportunity 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:00.339 to serve our country 00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:01.740 under difficult circumstances. 00:23:03.659 --> 00:23:05.139 So what Paul is telling us 00:23:05.139 --> 00:23:07.619 is that when we face opposition, 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.500 that suffering 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:10.480 is the honor 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:12.039 of being associated with Christ. 00:23:13.399 --> 00:23:14.279 In the same way 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.000 that Jeremiah didn't 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:15.920 have been able to suffer 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:17.099 for the sake of his country, 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.659 he had the benefits 00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:19.319 of citizenship, 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.259 he had the joys 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:21.079 of being an American, 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:22.579 he also took part 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.359 in the suffering 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.619 of defending our country. 00:23:25.899 --> 00:23:26.659 So also, 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:28.579 those who are citizens 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.240 of the gospel 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:31.740 have the honor 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:33.319 and the privilege 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.639 of suffering 00:23:34.639 --> 00:23:36.039 for the sake of Christ. 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:37.539 In fact, 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:38.299 we find this out 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:39.119 in other parts of Scripture 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:39.539 as well. 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.339 In Acts 5, 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.500 Christians are preaching 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:42.980 the gospel, 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:43.539 they're taken, 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.559 and they are beaten. 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.639 And after they're beaten 00:23:46.639 --> 00:23:47.079 and released, 00:23:47.159 --> 00:23:47.819 it says this, 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.539 then they left 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.720 the presence of the council 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:52.000 rejoicing that they were 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:53.059 counted worthy 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:54.639 to suffer dishonor 00:23:54.639 --> 00:23:55.200 for the name. 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:56.960 And every day 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.519 in the temple 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.919 and from house to house, 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.220 they did not cease 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:01.139 teaching and preaching 00:24:01.139 --> 00:24:02.240 that the Christ 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.179 is Jesus. 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.039 In other words, 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.559 the opposition 00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:07.399 that they faced 00:24:07.399 --> 00:24:08.419 only emboldened them 00:24:08.419 --> 00:24:09.839 to strive more and more 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.819 side by side 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.379 in unity 00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:12.419 for the gospel. 00:24:13.419 --> 00:24:14.639 And it was an honor 00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:15.779 to suffer dishonor 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.200 for the name 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:16.980 because it was something 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:18.240 that was given to them 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:20.059 by Christ himself 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:21.799 and something 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.759 that he enabled them 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.519 to do. 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.460 We've already sung 00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.120 that today. 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:26.960 We sang in God 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.620 and grace of God 00:24:27.620 --> 00:24:28.019 and glory, 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:29.160 grant us wisdom, 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:30.000 grant us courage 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:31.099 for the living 00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:31.880 of these days. 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:33.920 And so it's God 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.480 that grants us 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:34.819 the wisdom 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.420 and the courage. 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.120 It's not something 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:37.900 that we muster up. 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.539 He's the one 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.779 who puts the tape 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.299 on the seams. 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.519 But we're also going 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.880 to sing this as well 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:44.480 in just a minute. 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.039 Remember, 00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:45.579 we're asking 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.980 how do we respond 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.559 to opposition? 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:48.220 We respond 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:49.220 by working together, 00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:50.120 focusing on 00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:51.660 what truly matters, 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.579 focusing on the gospel. 00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:54.599 What does God do? 00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.279 How does he work 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.920 in our lives 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.380 in opposition? 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:59.279 He confirms for us 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.079 that we are his, 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:01.860 that we belong to him. 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:03.720 And he gives us 00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:04.220 the honor 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:05.019 of serving 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:06.960 under difficult circumstances. 00:25:08.120 --> 00:25:08.839 And so that's 00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:09.120 what we're going 00:25:09.120 --> 00:25:09.779 to sing here 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.839 of Though Church Arise. 00:25:11.339 --> 00:25:12.039 We're going to sing 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:13.120 in verse 1 00:25:13.120 --> 00:25:14.599 that we would have 00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:15.160 the strength 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:16.019 that God has given. 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.819 It's God 00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:17.700 who gives the strength. 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:18.759 It's him 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.180 who gives us 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:19.619 what we need 00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:20.200 to stand up 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:20.680 in opposition. 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:22.279 We're going 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:22.879 to be striving 00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:24.220 together for what matters, 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:24.859 what's important. 00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:25.440 In verse 2, 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.180 we're going to stand 00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:27.339 against the devil's lies 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.759 rather than each other. 00:25:30.379 --> 00:25:31.039 And it's Christ 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:31.740 whose death 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:32.559 and resurrection 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:34.400 enables all of it. 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:35.180 And we'll see 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:36.059 that two verses later. 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:37.139 Come see the cross 00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:38.019 where love 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.839 and mercy meet 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.779 as the Son of God 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.339 is stricken. 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:42.379 Then see his foes 00:25:42.379 --> 00:25:43.359 lie crushed beneath 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:44.180 his feet 00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:45.059 for the conqueror 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.879 has risen. 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:48.480 It's Jesus' victory 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:50.279 that allows us 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:50.680 to suffer 00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:51.420 because we know 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:52.299 the end of the story. 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:54.019 And it's his victory 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:55.500 that gives us 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.180 the strength 00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:56.980 and the courage 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:57.680 and the wisdom 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:58.660 to stand 00:25:58.660 --> 00:26:00.099 when opposition comes. 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:02.399 please pray with me. 00:26:04.719 --> 00:26:05.779 Dear Father in Heaven, 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:08.059 we thank you 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:09.240 that you have chosen us 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:09.959 as yours, 00:26:10.639 --> 00:26:12.559 that you have given us 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.279 the opportunity 00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:14.019 as we'll find out 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:14.659 in a couple weeks 00:26:14.659 --> 00:26:16.019 to shine as lights 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.899 in the world. 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:18.859 But we confess 00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:19.659 that it's not easy 00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:20.359 and that we often 00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:21.139 face opposition 00:26:21.139 --> 00:26:22.000 and so we ask 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:23.119 that you would hold us up, 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:26.039 that you'd prevent us 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:26.539 from saying, 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:27.639 be good like I'm good. 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:29.360 But instead, 00:26:29.580 --> 00:26:30.020 we would be able 00:26:30.020 --> 00:26:30.759 to stand strong 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.340 as we say, 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.120 no one is good, 00:26:32.520 --> 00:26:33.440 but Jesus is good. 00:26:34.340 --> 00:26:35.020 And so for that, 00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:35.680 we are honored 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:36.980 to stand and suffer 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:38.500 for the sake of his name. 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:41.259 We ask this in Jesus' name 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:41.980 because we have earned 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.660 none of this, 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:44.000 but he has earned it for us. 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:45.680 And so we ask it in his name. 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:46.500 Amen. 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:46.619 Amen.