WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.060 We're reading the third chapter of Philippians, beginning at the 12th verse. 00:00:07.560 --> 00:00:15.419 Not that I have already obtained this, or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, 00:00:15.419 --> 00:00:19.559 ! Because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 00:00:20.460 --> 00:00:29.120 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own, but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:40.799 and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 00:00:41.480 --> 00:00:52.040 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 00:00:53.159 --> 00:00:56.640 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 00:00:56.640 --> 00:01:06.099 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:16.460 For many of whom I have told you, now I tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 00:01:17.480 --> 00:01:24.240 Their end is destruction, their God is their belly, and they glory in their shame. 00:01:24.239 --> 00:01:30.439 With minds set on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven. 00:01:31.599 --> 00:01:42.319 Commit we await a saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, 00:01:42.919 --> 00:01:48.019 by the power that enables him to be subject, to subject all things to himself. 00:01:48.019 --> 00:02:00.099 Therefore, my brothers, who I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 00:02:00.099 --> 00:02:03.799 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:10.019 Just a quick word about small groups before we jump into the passage. 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:17.079 It would be great if every adult could be part of a small group. 00:02:17.479 --> 00:02:24.419 Just to give you a perk of small groups, our group got the first pictures of the baker's baby. 00:02:24.419 --> 00:02:28.719 So, you haven't seen the baker's baby yet, but anyway. 00:02:29.659 --> 00:02:30.319 Is that both? 00:02:30.819 --> 00:02:37.539 I just want to talk about which group for a moment, rather than the motivation of why to do small groups. 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:42.479 Can I just say, we don't want loyalty to one particular group. 00:02:42.619 --> 00:02:48.119 You might be super indebted to your group leader for the many years they've invested, 00:02:48.699 --> 00:02:51.299 but we're on the same team here. 00:02:51.300 --> 00:02:53.460 We just want people in some group. 00:02:54.820 --> 00:02:57.920 The new year is a great time to re-evaluate which group. 00:02:58.760 --> 00:03:04.219 You might be thinking, is there someone you could particularly encourage if you went along with them? 00:03:05.380 --> 00:03:07.219 Please be thinking about what's sustainable. 00:03:07.860 --> 00:03:10.780 Don't pick a group that's an hour away. 00:03:11.060 --> 00:03:14.700 You're probably not going to get there, so please pick a group that's sustainable. 00:03:14.699 --> 00:03:22.339 For example, if you've brought someone to taste and see, if you think there's a particular group they might feel comfortable in, 00:03:22.419 --> 00:03:25.519 it might be worth changing groups to go along with them. 00:03:26.079 --> 00:03:36.500 Anyway, I'm just putting it out there about have a think, have a reset of which group is going to be building up this church together the best. 00:03:36.500 --> 00:03:47.020 Anyway, let's get into our passage because our passage gives us plenty of motivation to be running together towards the prize is what we're going to be looking at. 00:03:47.659 --> 00:03:50.699 How about I pray before we come to God's word if you'll join me in prayer. 00:03:50.699 --> 00:04:06.099 Heavenly Father, we thank you that the Christian race ultimately is empowered by you, caused by you, 00:04:06.819 --> 00:04:14.639 that you promise that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ. 00:04:14.639 --> 00:04:22.719 Father, I pray that you would expose things in each of us that is taking us off course. 00:04:23.719 --> 00:04:31.839 And I pray that you would fill us with more of a gaze of what Christ has purchased for us, 00:04:31.979 --> 00:04:36.879 what is just up ahead, so that you will empower us to keep running forward. 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:38.800 So I pray all these things in Jesus' name. 00:04:39.399 --> 00:04:39.719 Amen. 00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:52.719 Well, it's spiritually dangerous to have an attitude of, I've arrived. 00:04:55.000 --> 00:05:00.360 You still come across people today who say they're sinless. 00:05:01.159 --> 00:05:09.339 I have no idea how they can think of themselves that way, but they claim to be sinless and they're often graceless too. 00:05:09.339 --> 00:05:16.379 There's others who just have a head full of theology. 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:23.179 And there's this attitude of, I've arrived. 00:05:23.779 --> 00:05:28.779 And there's the pride that just renders that theology almost useless. 00:05:28.779 --> 00:05:39.019 It's dangerous to think some sinful vice you've had in the past, you're completely free from now. 00:05:39.119 --> 00:05:40.619 You'll never go back to that. 00:05:41.599 --> 00:05:43.419 It's a dangerous way of thinking. 00:05:43.719 --> 00:05:45.279 Pride comes before a fall. 00:05:45.479 --> 00:05:48.039 That's from the Bible, not just society. 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:57.460 But there's also a danger of a casual, complacent attitude to the Christian life, 00:05:57.460 --> 00:06:03.140 which understands the doctrine of being saved by grace, of our assurance, 00:06:03.220 --> 00:06:06.320 as if we're just going to cruise into heaven. 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:16.259 If the motivation to pursue God and obey him is gone, now that fear is gone, 00:06:17.459 --> 00:06:22.560 is fear the only reason we were ever pursuing him? 00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:32.339 That casual just cruise into heaven, that's not fitting for the Christian life either. 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:37.219 So it's dangerous. 00:06:38.219 --> 00:06:40.500 There's dangerous ways to think, I've arrived. 00:06:41.180 --> 00:06:44.300 Or I'm just going to sweep into heaven easily. 00:06:45.240 --> 00:06:49.939 But there's also a danger in thinking you can't make any progress at all. 00:06:50.459 --> 00:06:54.980 It may sound godly to say, I'm a sinner who can do no good. 00:06:55.639 --> 00:06:58.719 That may sound godly, but it's not Paul's way of thinking. 00:06:58.720 --> 00:07:06.220 He says it's God who is at work in us to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:09.800 So on the one hand, it's dangerous to think you've arrived, 00:07:10.640 --> 00:07:13.580 but it's dangerous to think you're stuck. 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:17.860 We need to think like Paul. 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:22.620 And I'm glad Sam really summarised last week so well. 00:07:22.680 --> 00:07:26.920 We need to think our way to rejoice in the Lord like Paul. 00:07:26.920 --> 00:07:38.020 Now how do we think our way to joy when we have a proper sense of how far I am from where I want to be? 00:07:38.980 --> 00:07:44.560 If you're anything, I'm guessing most people in the room here, you are aware. 00:07:45.819 --> 00:07:50.100 I'm not where I want to be yet in my character and love of God. 00:07:51.020 --> 00:07:52.800 How do you rejoice then? 00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:55.800 Well, we've got to think like Paul. 00:07:56.920 --> 00:08:03.340 Here's how you rejoice in the Lord. 00:08:05.480 --> 00:08:06.920 Be dissatisfied. 00:08:10.420 --> 00:08:11.420 It's a bit weird. 00:08:12.080 --> 00:08:16.900 Not a worldly dissatisfaction that you don't have enough. 00:08:17.900 --> 00:08:18.840 Why me? 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:20.879 I'm not enough. 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:24.339 The church is letting me down in X, Y, Z. 00:08:24.459 --> 00:08:28.699 There's plenty of dissatisfaction that is just worldly. 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:32.899 But a holy dissatisfaction. 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:39.000 Jesus said, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. 00:08:40.319 --> 00:08:41.980 Hunger and thirst. 00:08:43.199 --> 00:08:44.319 You're not satisfied. 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:51.060 Christ is all satisfying. 00:08:51.060 --> 00:08:52.060 Don't get me wrong. 00:08:52.180 --> 00:08:54.940 I'm not saying Christ isn't enough. 00:08:55.320 --> 00:08:56.300 He is all satisfying. 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:59.379 But I'm not satisfied with how much I know him yet. 00:08:59.379 --> 00:09:07.220 A young man who has met a young woman and falling in love. 00:09:07.939 --> 00:09:09.580 He's really enjoying their time together. 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:18.460 He doesn't, after a date, get out his diary and go, well, how does the 2nd of September work for you? 00:09:18.460 --> 00:09:20.460 I'm a bit busy coming up. 00:09:20.460 --> 00:09:28.139 If you've been captivated by someone, you're not trying to squeeze them into your schedule. 00:09:28.820 --> 00:09:30.500 You can't get enough of them. 00:09:32.160 --> 00:09:34.120 We all have interests and hobbies. 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:39.500 If it's astronomy or cooking or how many shows on cooking are there? 00:09:40.120 --> 00:09:41.759 We can't get enough of it. 00:09:42.660 --> 00:09:46.900 If something has captivated your interests, you're not satisfied. 00:09:48.460 --> 00:09:50.560 You want more and more and more. 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:55.900 The mark of being gripped by Jesus is a holy dissatisfaction. 00:09:56.379 --> 00:09:57.259 You want more. 00:10:01.680 --> 00:10:07.300 Now, I'm not saying that we feel this passion day in and day out. 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:08.639 It fluctuates, doesn't it? 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:13.540 I think you even want to want him more. 00:10:14.580 --> 00:10:17.660 I'm not satisfied with how much I want him. 00:10:18.460 --> 00:10:27.440 A holy dissatisfaction in your knowledge, in your character. 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:30.040 They're a healthy sign that you know Christ. 00:10:30.039 --> 00:10:35.059 Your holy dissatisfaction is growing. 00:10:35.699 --> 00:10:37.360 Because that's Paul's mindset. 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:41.599 Notice in verse 12, I have not already obtained this. 00:10:42.059 --> 00:10:42.939 He repeats it. 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:43.819 He makes sure. 00:10:45.319 --> 00:10:46.759 It doesn't miss the point. 00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:48.360 Brothers, listen. 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:52.000 I do not consider that I already obtained this. 00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:53.539 This is the Apostle Paul. 00:10:53.539 --> 00:11:03.740 But I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 00:11:05.199 --> 00:11:07.740 Now, that's a bit hidden in our English translations. 00:11:08.559 --> 00:11:13.019 Make it my own there in verse 13 is the word grasp. 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:14.419 Take hold. 00:11:14.419 --> 00:11:17.639 And there's two graspings. 00:11:18.439 --> 00:11:21.459 And the order of those two graspings are really important. 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:26.879 I press on to take hold of it. 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:34.019 Not so that Christ Jesus takes hold of me, but because Christ Jesus has taken hold of me. 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:44.960 Other belief systems, it's like if you accept these doctrines, if you put these principles into practice, if you put effort in, you will attain. 00:11:45.299 --> 00:11:48.519 Christianity says it's not something you take up. 00:11:49.159 --> 00:11:53.199 It's something that takes you up or someone who takes you up. 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:58.240 He's been grasped by Christ. 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:05.220 An atheist once said, I believe in no religion. 00:12:05.419 --> 00:12:07.519 There is absolutely no proof for any of them. 00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:12.139 And from a philosophical standpoint, Christianity is not even the best. 00:12:14.659 --> 00:12:23.720 Now, after seeing the meaninglessness of life, if there is no God, and the problem of evil in the world, lots of twists and turns in his life. 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:29.580 But he said he was riding on the bus one day, and he had a sense he was holding something at bay. 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:32.160 He was shutting something out. 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:36.399 He could either open the door or let it stay shut. 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:40.740 Now, this is C.S. Lewis, who wrote the Narnia. 00:12:41.040 --> 00:12:46.480 He describes himself, I was the most reluctant convert in all England. 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:54.680 Now, you may not have had a profound conversion experience. 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:58.480 Paul did, but most of us probably haven't. 00:12:59.300 --> 00:13:08.700 But if you look back over your life, the more you know the hardness of your own sin, you go, I would never have taken up Christ unless he first grabbed me. 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:15.060 He rudely invaded your life. 00:13:15.059 --> 00:13:17.179 He's taken hold of you. 00:13:19.339 --> 00:13:24.679 And because he has, he's set you on a totally new direction. 00:13:28.439 --> 00:13:33.839 Verse 13, one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. 00:13:34.939 --> 00:13:38.299 He's using the metaphor of the games, the Olympic runner. 00:13:38.299 --> 00:13:45.159 A marathon runner, or I don't know if you're into jogging or not, Martin, you're into jogging. 00:13:46.459 --> 00:13:53.179 If they've got their watch on and they get a ping going, oh, wow, that last kilometre was the fastest I've run yet. 00:13:53.179 --> 00:13:56.659 They don't slow down. 00:13:58.459 --> 00:14:00.259 They want to speed up. 00:14:00.479 --> 00:14:01.979 They want to hit that mark again. 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:08.379 They are not looking back, either at their achievements or their failures. 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:21.320 If they trip up, I don't know if anyone else is watching the tennis, but when they hit the ball into the net and it barely even makes it over the net, it was a really poor shot. 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:23.980 They don't wallow in their failure. 00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:26.740 They're like, next point. 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:30.259 Their eyes are fixed forward. 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.899 That's the description here. 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:35.179 Like a runner, I'm just looking ahead. 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:37.100 Failures are in the past. 00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:38.480 Achievements are in the past. 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:39.559 I'm looking ahead. 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:44.819 Now, you can't forget the sin of your past. 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:45.559 Like, good luck. 00:14:46.319 --> 00:14:47.279 Good luck forgetting. 00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:47.919 You can't. 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:51.580 He just recalled it for himself in verses 4 to 6. 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:56.860 He can even help to call it to mind to go, it's worthless. 00:14:57.120 --> 00:14:58.539 I don't want to go there again. 00:14:58.539 --> 00:15:01.259 So it's not forgetting in that sense. 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:09.959 But knowing you're found in the righteousness of Christ, there's a godly leaving your failures behind. 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:12.500 You get up and you go again. 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:15.240 God deals with it. 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:17.459 I'm going to leave my failures behind me. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:25.219 Paul could have boasted, look how many churches I've planted. 00:15:25.839 --> 00:15:27.079 He's not talking like that. 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:35.899 Some Christians, all they can talk about is some ministry they did in their past. 00:15:38.099 --> 00:15:39.659 Let's stop talking like that. 00:15:39.799 --> 00:15:40.919 Leave it in the past. 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:44.319 Let's look ahead, straining forward. 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:49.640 Verse 14. 00:15:49.640 --> 00:15:56.060 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:59.460 We need some kind of appetite. 00:15:59.820 --> 00:16:01.040 What is the prize? 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:02.660 What is up ahead? 00:16:05.060 --> 00:16:06.840 That I want to run towards it. 00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:13.220 He calls it the upward call of God. 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:17.840 Now he might be using the metaphor of the game still. 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:26.300 When like an athlete comes up to the podium and the president, maybe the emperor goes, Adam Collison, step up. 00:16:26.540 --> 00:16:28.519 I just thought you were falling asleep. 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:31.519 So I thought, no, not really, not really. 00:16:32.439 --> 00:16:33.960 Come step onto the podium. 00:16:34.579 --> 00:16:35.699 Receive your prize. 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:37.579 He could be using that metaphor. 00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:39.799 God is going to call your name. 00:16:40.679 --> 00:16:42.480 Adam Collison, step up. 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.799 He could be using that as a metaphor. 00:16:46.439 --> 00:16:47.679 That's going to be a good day. 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:50.860 Look forward to that day when your name is called. 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:57.919 He might be using it in a theological sense like he does elsewhere in scripture. 00:16:58.879 --> 00:17:05.039 Not simply the general call of the gospel, come, come to Jesus, but the effectual call. 00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:10.599 When you hear that word, the spirit breathes new life into you and you respond. 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.299 The call of God. 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:17.200 I'm not sure we've got to choose between those two interpretations, but have a think about it. 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:18.519 It's upward. 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:21.859 Notice it's upward. 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:25.379 And we're going to see the enemies of the cross later are earthly. 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.660 Their minds are on earth. 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:30.200 God has called us upward. 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:33.859 Heavenward. 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:38.680 What a privilege. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.680 What a prize. 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:45.799 And it's in Christ Jesus. 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:53.359 Heaven is going to be heaven because we're with Christ and we're fully like Christ. 00:17:54.399 --> 00:17:58.899 And finally, we're all rejoicing, worshipping Christ fully. 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:01.200 It's in Christ Jesus. 00:18:01.379 --> 00:18:02.460 God has called me upward. 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:05.659 Christ has taken hold of you. 00:18:05.660 --> 00:18:11.600 And therefore, we run forward for the prize he saved us for. 00:18:15.860 --> 00:18:21.800 Now, taking a step back, why is Paul giving us this autobiography? 00:18:22.040 --> 00:18:25.440 Why is he saying, here's how I approach the Christian life? 00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:33.720 Verse 17, he gives the command, the instruction. 00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:36.920 Brothers, sisters, join in imitating me. 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:43.840 Keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 00:18:43.839 --> 00:18:54.220 Paul might seem really zealous and impassioned, but he's not saying this attitude is optional. 00:18:54.879 --> 00:18:56.759 We need to share his mind. 00:18:58.959 --> 00:19:01.959 And he says, the mature, you know what I'm talking about. 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:07.439 If you're struggling with what I'm talking about, he's not leaving room for disagreement. 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:16.539 He's saying, my apostolic approach to life is the only Christian approach to life with the authority of God. 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:22.279 If you're off track, God will reveal that. 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:24.180 He'll bring you back on course. 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:28.080 I think it's actually a reassuring thing. 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:29.840 God will keep you on track. 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:31.559 He will reveal that to you too. 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:37.779 Keep your eyes on those who walk and think and live like me. 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:43.259 And there's others, Timothy, Epaphroditus, leaders. 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:48.700 Now, why do we need to do this? 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:50.159 Why do we need to think like him? 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:51.879 And verse 18 tells us why. 00:19:53.240 --> 00:20:01.539 The little word for, because many live or walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:06.440 There are many enemies. 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:22.379 Now, I find it really out of place when a Christian preacher or someone sharing the gospel with a friend speaks of hell as if they want to kindle the fires of hell right now. 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:25.119 He's weeping. 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.899 He's weeping saying this. 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:34.119 There are many enemies. 00:20:34.679 --> 00:20:37.480 But he's not writing to these enemies. 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:41.139 He's warning the Philippians. 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:46.220 Don't let these enemies take you off course. 00:20:49.899 --> 00:20:54.159 Their end, their finish line is everlasting destruction. 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:57.120 Why on earth would you follow them? 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:02.620 Their God, their authority is their belly. 00:21:02.800 --> 00:21:03.880 Now, that sounds a bit funny. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:08.340 Not that they have a sweet tooth or something. 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:10.080 But they're earthly. 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.380 They're fleshly. 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:15.279 It's their desires that are their authority. 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:16.140 Not Jesus. 00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:18.340 It's just, I've got a desire. 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.180 I'll pursue it. 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:30.300 What they boast in is going to turn out to be the reason for their eternal shame. 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:35.559 And their mindset is on earthly things. 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:44.659 They're completely opposed to the cross of Christ, this way of thinking. 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:49.179 He doesn't specify who the enemies are. 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:51.319 I think there's many enemies to the cross. 00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:56.079 Many people who don't accept the implications of the cross. 00:21:56.079 --> 00:22:02.319 I just want to start with one obvious enemy that I'm still influenced by strongly. 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:10.919 I've never had someone arrange a meeting with me as a pastor to say, 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:14.019 I'm addicted to financial gain. 00:22:15.379 --> 00:22:18.000 I just want more and more possessions. 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:26.220 How much does that distract you as it distracts me from the upward call of God? 00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:27.980 That materialism. 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:32.059 As if life consists in the abundance of possessions. 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:44.259 There's more insidious enemies who use Christian language. 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:51.779 I think there's some who are just so complacent with sin. 00:22:52.379 --> 00:22:59.480 As if it was a small thing for God to send his son to forgive and save us. 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:05.940 There's some who are just, I'm not saying they're all non-Christians, okay. 00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:09.220 There's a level of maturity and immaturity. 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:12.019 But some are just so complacent. 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:16.039 Don't they know the cross? 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:26.960 Then there's so-called churches that have so many external forms of religion. 00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:32.640 Whether it's ritual and liturgy or great kids programs and social programs. 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:40.619 But you won't find the cross in the teaching, in the conversation, in the church. 00:23:40.619 --> 00:23:49.739 There's many online teachers. 00:23:50.139 --> 00:23:51.599 I love the wealth of resources. 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:55.119 I hope you're accessing the wealth of resources at our fingertips today. 00:23:55.399 --> 00:24:00.199 But can I just, I'm assuming you're listening to others besides me. 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:01.539 I kind of hope you are. 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:04.279 Because there's great resources out there. 00:24:04.699 --> 00:24:06.819 But are they boasting in the cross? 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:10.119 Are they obsessed with the cross? 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:15.559 Are they encouraging you to share in the cross? 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:20.679 Humbly suffer with him, with joy and hope. 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:27.240 Or are they saying something like, God wants blessings here and now. 00:24:28.659 --> 00:24:30.099 Here's some quick tips. 00:24:31.679 --> 00:24:33.319 I'm just trying to give us a taste. 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:35.659 I'm sure there's many other enemies of the cross. 00:24:38.679 --> 00:24:46.179 But don't let earthly-minded influence take you off course in boasting in the cross and sharing in the cross. 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:55.460 And he gives the reason why we are on a completely different track. 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.299 Verse 20. 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:59.320 He ends on a wonderfully positive note. 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:04.200 Because we will share in Christ's exaltation. 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:07.400 Our citizenship is in heaven. 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:11.100 It's not here. 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:16.240 Now, I'm a dual citizen. 00:25:17.899 --> 00:25:20.980 And quite frankly, I don't care about my other citizenship. 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.659 It means nothing to me. 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:26.539 I hope this citizenship means something to you. 00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:29.699 Our citizenship is in heaven. 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:30.319 Now. 00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:31.740 This is not a future tense. 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.579 This is right now. 00:25:33.719 --> 00:25:34.539 You belong there. 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:38.519 We don't belong here. 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.159 And that's okay. 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.199 Because we belong there. 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:42.920 Our authority is there. 00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:45.299 And he tells us to obey the authorities here, by the way. 00:25:45.360 --> 00:25:46.920 But our authority is there. 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:49.819 Our citizenship is in heaven. 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:52.039 And we eagerly await a saviour. 00:25:55.680 --> 00:26:01.480 Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body. 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:03.440 This isn't wishful thinking. 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:06.340 He says it's definite and it's well grounded. 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:11.059 By the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:17.079 If he's in control of all things, it's a cinch for him to transform us. 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:22.319 The prize of knowing him fully. 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:27.419 Our whole person inside and out being transformed is coming. 00:26:30.919 --> 00:26:31.839 Resurrected. 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:34.119 Imperishable. 00:26:36.399 --> 00:26:39.939 Spiritual, powerful, glorious body. 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:44.000 Finally, free from sin. 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:49.740 Fit for the new heavens and earth. 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:56.640 The older I get, the strange thing happens when I play soccer. 00:26:57.279 --> 00:27:01.440 My mind knows I want my foot to go there. 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:07.360 And I want to be at that point, by this point in time, to get the ball. 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:09.900 Now, I know what I want to do. 00:27:11.100 --> 00:27:14.640 But like a bad internet connection, there's this delay. 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:22.860 My body doesn't do it in the time and in the power that I want it to. 00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:30.639 There's a new desire born in each of us now. 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:33.679 We want to worship Jesus. 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:36.099 Our citizenship is in heaven. 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:41.740 But our sinful, weak bodies in the image of Adam, sorry to use your name again, Adam, 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:43.519 that hold us back. 00:27:44.939 --> 00:27:49.119 My body, my sinful flesh holds us back. 00:27:49.119 --> 00:27:56.679 I'm not expressing the righteousness I want to be yet. 00:27:58.039 --> 00:28:00.279 But here's the power to rejoice. 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:05.799 In the certain hope, I will be soon. 00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:08.679 You will be soon. 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:15.019 I've not arrived. 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:16.579 You have not arrived. 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:20.019 Your brothers and sisters around you have not arrived. 00:28:20.139 --> 00:28:22.639 But we will have arrived soon. 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:26.199 That's the power to press on. 00:28:30.699 --> 00:28:31.879 Free from sin. 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:33.460 Glorified in power. 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:47.019 On that day, we can say, I've arrived. 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:55.559 On that day, we can say, I know him fully, even as I am fully known. 00:28:55.559 --> 00:29:02.399 I love Jodie Erickson Tata's words. 00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:04.059 Like, I'm sure I've used them before. 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:05.619 But they're so good. 00:29:06.919 --> 00:29:14.079 As a quadripedic, in a wheelchair, in a church service, the minister said, everyone, let's 00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:15.279 kneel down and pray. 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:19.059 And everyone, 500 or so people, got on their knees. 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:22.299 And she started crying. 00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:23.899 She couldn't. 00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:33.019 She says, it made me think of the day when I, too, will be able to get up out of this wheelchair 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:34.539 on new resurrected legs. 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:36.759 I can't wait for that day. 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:43.319 Because when I get my glorified body, the first thing I'm going to do with my resurrected legs 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:48.960 is to fall down on grateful, glorified knees. 00:29:51.500 --> 00:30:01.240 The point of a resurrected body is we'll be finally, joyfully worshipping as we want to now. 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:07.140 Can you almost smell it? 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:11.740 Can you almost taste it? 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:13.519 Do you want that day to be today? 00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:22.440 Rejoice. 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.579 It's coming. 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:25.259 And let's share Paul's mind. 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:27.700 I don't consider I've taken hold of it. 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:35.360 But one thing I do, straight ahead, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what 00:30:35.360 --> 00:30:35.980 lies ahead. 00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:41.720 Now let me finish with this. 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:45.519 The problem with the running metaphor is it's an individual sport. 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:48.759 Paul's words here aren't individual. 00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:52.819 Verse 17, he doesn't say, imitate me. 00:30:53.100 --> 00:30:55.019 He says, join. 00:30:55.019 --> 00:31:01.500 Join together in imitating me. 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:06.599 You can't run the race on your own. 00:31:07.099 --> 00:31:11.579 Fix your eyes on those who are running ahead of you, who are mature. 00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:19.619 Who are rejoicing in the Lord's righteousness, who have a holy dissatisfaction, but they're rejoicing 00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:22.019 knowing that they're going to be righteous soon. 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:28.119 Our fire quickly grows cold on our own. 00:31:28.339 --> 00:31:33.139 Enemies of the cross influence us continually and will take us off course. 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:34.519 I need your comfort. 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.960 I need your encouragement. 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:37.619 I need your correction. 00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:46.779 The church at Philippi was a great delight to Paul, but they struggled for unity. 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:57.519 Two mature women, after these verses we've covered, Paul praises. 00:31:57.700 --> 00:32:00.740 They've worked side by side with him for the gospel. 00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:02.839 Their names are written in the book of life. 00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:07.500 But they're letting some offense paralyze their progress. 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:13.619 And the fact that he's stated it publicly, they're probably paralyzing the church as well. 00:32:18.180 --> 00:32:20.920 We should expect friction in the family of God. 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.880 We should expect it. 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:24.039 That's a healthy sign. 00:32:24.619 --> 00:32:29.420 Because we love the things of God, we just disagree on how to get there. 00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:33.779 And the closer you get to one another, the more you're going to see my blemishes. 00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:35.820 We should expect friction. 00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:41.440 But Paul's urging them, join together in this way of thinking. 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:45.180 We need to run together. 00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:55.580 That brother or sister, they don't have a righteousness of their own. 00:32:58.060 --> 00:33:00.420 But they're found in Christ. 00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:04.380 Can we think of each other like that? 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:08.200 They're found in the righteousness of Christ. 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:10.279 As much as I'm hurting right now. 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:17.099 That brother or sister, they have not arrived yet. 00:33:18.839 --> 00:33:21.399 I can see they're a long way. 00:33:24.200 --> 00:33:25.599 But they're going to be transformed. 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.799 They're going to make it. 00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:37.299 And God's even calling me to be part of that transformation. 00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:42.940 He's calling us to run together. 00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:44.180 We need each other. 00:33:45.720 --> 00:33:47.240 And the confidence will make it. 00:33:47.359 --> 00:33:48.259 I want to end on this. 00:33:49.139 --> 00:33:52.579 God has no half-finished project sitting in his garage. 00:33:55.879 --> 00:34:02.160 He who began a good work in you, plural, will bring it to completion of the day of Christ. 00:34:05.059 --> 00:34:06.339 He's taken hold of us. 00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:08.440 So let's take hold of him. 00:34:10.280 --> 00:34:11.100 Will you pray with me? 00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:11.620 Let's pray. 00:34:19.240 --> 00:34:28.180 Lord, I want to praise you for your grace in your upward call in Christ Jesus. 00:34:28.560 --> 00:34:29.920 Left to our souls. 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:33.920 Our minds will be set on earthly things. 00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:36.659 And our God will be our own desires. 00:34:38.440 --> 00:34:43.500 And what we boast in, we will be ashamed of forever. 00:34:44.420 --> 00:34:46.320 And our end would have been destruction. 00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:52.539 But you have called us, by your mercy alone, to be citizens of heaven. 00:34:54.599 --> 00:34:56.539 Clothed in the righteousness of Christ. 00:34:56.539 --> 00:35:02.139 And one day soon transformed into the righteousness and power of Christ. 00:35:02.800 --> 00:35:03.659 Lord, thank you. 00:35:05.259 --> 00:35:10.380 Fill us with a hunger for that day so that we might press on together. 00:35:10.619 --> 00:35:11.599 In Jesus' name I pray. 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:12.300 Amen. 00:35:12.300 --> 00:35:13.300 Amen.