WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.679 Good evening, friends. 00:00:05.179 --> 00:00:09.279 It's great to be with you here tonight, July 3rd. 00:00:09.580 --> 00:00:12.320 Upcoming is a big event. 00:00:13.080 --> 00:00:16.940 And while, yes, I could be talking about the 4th of July, and that would be accurate, 00:00:17.500 --> 00:00:23.080 there's actually a larger event in the Ryder household that's coming up in four weeks and five days, to be exact. 00:00:23.780 --> 00:00:26.019 It is the 2016 Summer Olympics. 00:00:26.980 --> 00:00:28.879 For those of you who don't know, my wife is Jamaican. 00:00:28.879 --> 00:00:39.719 So once every four years, we clear a good three weeks of our schedule that we might stop and celebrate together the reality that Jamaica, 00:00:40.439 --> 00:00:47.620 specifically Usain Bolt, with what seems like minimal effort, makes the rest of the world look very slow. 00:00:48.820 --> 00:00:52.159 And this is a celebration for us, and it's a time that we gather together. 00:00:53.179 --> 00:00:56.920 We have her family on FaceTime watching with us. 00:00:56.920 --> 00:01:00.760 And it's a feast of sorts, a three-week feast. 00:01:01.200 --> 00:01:02.700 I say that only to say this. 00:01:04.299 --> 00:01:06.439 The story of Usain Bolt is a phenomenal one. 00:01:06.939 --> 00:01:14.040 It's a story that leads us directly into the passage tonight, where Paul takes us as we talk shortly about spiritual growth. 00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:16.240 The story of Usain Bolt is this. 00:01:16.239 --> 00:01:23.359 At age 14, he was tabbed as a prodigy, as the future of the 400-meter dash. 00:01:23.560 --> 00:01:24.640 At age 14. 00:01:25.939 --> 00:01:30.839 There was men such as Michael Johnson touting him as better than himself. 00:01:32.979 --> 00:01:37.979 For those of you who are unaware who that is, that would make Usain Bolt, at the age of 14, 00:01:37.980 --> 00:01:43.480 theoretically on track to be the best 400-runner to ever live. 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:46.159 He was 14. 00:01:46.300 --> 00:01:50.240 He ran most often barefooted on a dirt track at his middle school and high school. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:53.100 And he was fast. 00:01:53.219 --> 00:01:54.100 He was very fast. 00:01:54.159 --> 00:01:55.580 It was a gift that he had been given. 00:01:55.579 --> 00:02:03.359 However, before he ever made it to the Olympics, he had developed this penchant for going to the clubs, 00:02:03.719 --> 00:02:08.599 for eating fast food, for training minimally, just enough to get by. 00:02:10.699 --> 00:02:14.939 And something happened to Usain Bolt that would define his career for the rest of his life. 00:02:15.300 --> 00:02:19.680 And it would change the way you and I would ever see or think about Usain Bolt. 00:02:20.539 --> 00:02:21.300 And that's this. 00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:25.180 At the age of 17, 18, he started to have hamstring injuries. 00:02:25.580 --> 00:02:28.620 Due to his lifestyle and his lack of training, lack of focus. 00:02:29.660 --> 00:02:33.320 What happened following that is, although he tried to come back and run the 400, 00:02:33.480 --> 00:02:37.320 he never was able to get back to the speed and the times he previously had. 00:02:38.820 --> 00:02:41.560 So, as his career was starting to look like it was floundering, 00:02:41.939 --> 00:02:45.939 he requested for his coach to let him run the 100-meter dash just once. 00:02:46.760 --> 00:02:53.620 We think about that today, and it seems pretty silly that he never had before run the 100-meter dash in competition. 00:02:53.620 --> 00:02:54.120 But he hadn't. 00:02:54.120 --> 00:02:56.420 And his coach said, no, you can't. 00:02:57.420 --> 00:03:03.280 You cannot run the 100-meter dash until you first break the national record in the 200-meter dash. 00:03:04.980 --> 00:03:05.379 Okay. 00:03:06.039 --> 00:03:09.640 Usain Bolt, for the first time in his life, he had focus. 00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:10.780 He had drive. 00:03:10.860 --> 00:03:11.439 He had desire. 00:03:12.800 --> 00:03:14.780 He had something that he needed to work for. 00:03:14.780 --> 00:03:21.599 For the first time in his life, he couldn't skate by on the natural gifting that he had from birth as just being a fast individual. 00:03:22.840 --> 00:03:29.960 In six short months, Usain Bolt broke the national record, which had previously stood for 35 years. 00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:32.120 He was 21. 00:03:32.260 --> 00:03:44.680 Within a year after that, at the Summer Olympics in 2008, he broke the world record in both the 100 and 200, and has not looked back since. 00:03:44.680 --> 00:03:45.080 Right? 00:03:45.080 --> 00:03:51.060 And I was going to use this analogy to tell you how excited we are to watch him this year, and then two days ago, he tore his hamstring. 00:03:51.640 --> 00:03:54.120 So maybe he needs to cut back on the fast food once again. 00:03:54.120 --> 00:04:04.819 Anyways, I share that with you because I feel like in a lot of ways, it's the perfect metaphor for what Paul's doing here in Philippians chapter 3. 00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:10.180 You see, in the same way, we as followers of Christ are not yet finished products. 00:04:10.819 --> 00:04:16.699 As we heard last week from Tommy, we've been given a gift, something that's been planted within us. 00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:18.220 We did not earn it. 00:04:18.780 --> 00:04:20.019 It did not come with merit. 00:04:20.019 --> 00:04:25.839 It was freely given, and we have received it as believers. 00:04:27.319 --> 00:04:32.339 However, this week, Paul takes the next step, and he says, yes, the gift is received. 00:04:32.799 --> 00:04:38.139 However, you're called to mature this gift of faith through spiritual growth. 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:46.639 So tonight, as we explore Philippians chapter 3, verse 12, through chapter 4, verse 1, 00:04:46.859 --> 00:04:49.639 we'll look at Paul's three key steps to spiritual growth. 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:52.500 We'll do so by asking three questions. 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:54.359 Where are you now? 00:04:55.799 --> 00:04:56.819 Where are you going? 00:04:57.859 --> 00:04:58.959 And how will you get there? 00:04:59.799 --> 00:05:00.459 Let's pray. 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:05.639 Heavenly Father, God, as we come to you tonight, we thank you for the gift given. 00:05:07.259 --> 00:05:11.519 We happily receive this gift, God, of faith, of salvation through your Son. 00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:19.199 Tonight, as we move on in chapter 3 with Paul, and explore what that call and what that responsibility 00:05:19.199 --> 00:05:20.560 looks like for us as believers. 00:05:20.699 --> 00:05:25.479 God, I ask that you open our hearts, open our minds, that you let these not be my words, 00:05:25.519 --> 00:05:30.459 but your words, and that they might fall upon listening ears. 00:05:30.459 --> 00:05:34.099 We pray all this in your Son's name. 00:05:34.899 --> 00:05:35.180 Amen. 00:05:37.019 --> 00:05:41.719 So what Paul's dealing here with in Philippi is two main issues. 00:05:42.439 --> 00:05:45.839 The two issues are really one of legalism, I'm sorry. 00:05:45.839 --> 00:05:48.659 That's what Tommy addressed last week. 00:05:49.339 --> 00:05:51.579 The idea that you could earn faith, right? 00:05:51.639 --> 00:05:55.399 This sort of Judeo mentality that faith was achieved. 00:05:55.599 --> 00:05:56.299 It was by merit. 00:05:56.359 --> 00:05:57.459 It was by rule following. 00:05:58.419 --> 00:06:00.859 And Paul came and he preached and he said, no, that's not the case. 00:06:01.859 --> 00:06:07.120 But then he very quickly doubled back on what he was saying and he said, that being true, 00:06:08.180 --> 00:06:09.579 don't get lazy in your faith. 00:06:11.339 --> 00:06:13.259 Don't let that mean that you do nothing. 00:06:14.279 --> 00:06:16.240 Don't rest on your laurels, so to speak. 00:06:17.459 --> 00:06:22.740 All right, so this week, we're going to look, starting in verse 12, at how Paul addresses 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:24.000 this need for growth. 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:31.660 So in verse 12, as he kicks things off very quickly, he uses some beautiful language for 00:06:31.660 --> 00:06:32.360 us, right? 00:06:32.420 --> 00:06:33.180 This being Paul. 00:06:35.279 --> 00:06:37.920 He says, not that I have already obtained it. 00:06:38.980 --> 00:06:40.579 Not that I am already perfect. 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:45.120 What's he doing here? 00:06:45.660 --> 00:06:51.079 He's saying, yes, me, Paul, the one who planted this church, the one who you look to as a spiritual 00:06:51.079 --> 00:06:53.819 father, I am unfinished. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:59.639 And in the same way, if Paul is unfinished for all of us today, we should be able to look 00:06:59.639 --> 00:07:05.839 at that, read these words, and see ourselves also as works in progress, as unfinished. 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:13.720 And while that might sound a little disheartening, that we're unfinished, that we're works in progress, 00:07:14.339 --> 00:07:16.500 it comes as two things from Paul. 00:07:16.819 --> 00:07:18.740 It comes as a challenge and a comfort. 00:07:18.740 --> 00:07:21.660 The challenge is this. 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:23.620 We have growing to do. 00:07:25.180 --> 00:07:26.379 Friends, we're not there yet. 00:07:26.460 --> 00:07:27.579 We have growing to do. 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:30.759 We're called to cultivate this faith which has been given to us. 00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:32.759 That's the challenge. 00:07:32.759 --> 00:07:36.680 The comfort is this, that Paul gives us in those few simple words. 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:39.360 We aren't finished products yet. 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:40.539 That's right. 00:07:40.599 --> 00:07:42.300 The thing that's the challenge is also the comfort. 00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:43.560 Why is that a comfort? 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:47.180 Because I promise you that I will fall down. 00:07:47.180 --> 00:07:53.639 I promise you that you will fall down in your spiritual journey as you grow in Christ. 00:07:54.360 --> 00:07:57.379 And these words from Paul are meant to say, that's okay. 00:07:58.360 --> 00:08:00.240 It's okay because you're not finished. 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:02.400 There's still work going on. 00:08:02.960 --> 00:08:06.300 There's still development being had and progress being made. 00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:13.360 What Paul then pushes us to do as he uses this sort of analogy or metaphor of an athlete 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:18.639 is to do exactly what an athlete does and ourselves take a baseline assessment. 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:25.400 For an athlete, specifically a runner, a baseline assessment is composed of five things. 00:08:26.360 --> 00:08:33.840 A baseline assessment measures speed, stamina, skill, suppleness or flexibility, 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:35.680 and strength. 00:08:36.580 --> 00:08:42.980 These five areas then set this sort of baseline metric on which the athlete or runner says, 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:43.960 okay, this is where I'm at. 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:45.480 This is where I grow from. 00:08:46.019 --> 00:08:48.340 This is the soil, so to speak, in which I'm planted. 00:08:49.680 --> 00:08:50.120 Right? 00:08:50.180 --> 00:08:52.080 And all this is a starting point. 00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:56.600 It doesn't really matter where the athlete begins. 00:08:58.220 --> 00:09:02.800 All it does is establish ground zero for where you're going. 00:09:03.340 --> 00:09:03.519 Right? 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:06.800 It establishes your launch point. 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:14.139 In our spiritual lives, we ought to do something similar, Paul says. 00:09:15.580 --> 00:09:19.519 It drives us to ask the question, where am I in my spiritual growth? 00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:23.700 He drives us to ask, where are you in your spiritual growth? 00:09:24.240 --> 00:09:25.460 Are you new to Christianity? 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:28.019 Exploring it for the first time? 00:09:28.019 --> 00:09:34.220 Are you a young believer, but you don't yet feel like you have a deep-rooted faith? 00:09:34.220 --> 00:09:45.259 Are you a deeply rooted Christian who's looking excitedly for the next thing, the next opportunity, the next level of spiritual growth? 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:49.059 Maybe you feel like you've stagnated a bit in your faith. 00:09:49.059 --> 00:09:55.000 Whatever the case might be, you need to answer that question, Paul says, of where am I? 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:57.059 It's a question of self-awareness. 00:09:58.059 --> 00:10:01.619 And Paul says, for himself and all of us, we're not there yet. 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:06.379 Then he says you ought to take an assessment of your spiritual life. 00:10:06.919 --> 00:10:09.820 Based upon the outcome of that question, consider yourself. 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:12.179 Consider your prayer life. 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:14.360 Are you a person committed to prayer? 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:16.580 And how often are you praying? 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:21.779 Do you have a committed devotional life? 00:10:22.680 --> 00:10:24.820 What is your devotional life look like? 00:10:25.800 --> 00:10:31.240 How committed are you to reading the scriptures, studying them, letting them shape your day and your life? 00:10:32.220 --> 00:10:34.240 What about your family life or vocation? 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:37.480 How are those things shaped? 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:39.080 Right? 00:10:39.180 --> 00:10:41.379 Are you loving your family as Christ loves you? 00:10:41.379 --> 00:10:46.500 Are you loving your job, your employer, as Christ loves you? 00:10:47.779 --> 00:10:56.320 These are all questions not to ask to give us a guilt trip, but rather to establish ground zero, to establish our baseline. 00:10:57.379 --> 00:11:09.240 And these are just a few examples, a few ways in which we can start to think about where it is that we're starting tonight in our spiritual growth process or journey that Paul says we all must take. 00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:17.299 Once you've established this baseline, once you've asked some of these questions and thought about this, Paul brings us very quickly on to the next step. 00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:26.580 He says, having established your baseline, knowing where you are, every believer must know where he or she is going. 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:29.519 For Paul, it was clear. 00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:35.059 In verse 13 and 14, he says, one thing I do. 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:39.840 Looking forward to what lies ahead. 00:11:41.439 --> 00:11:41.899 Right? 00:11:42.019 --> 00:11:45.000 He's got his eye on the prize, he tells us. 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:52.259 Paul says this in response to a notion in the Philippian church that we addressed briefly earlier. 00:11:52.419 --> 00:11:56.759 This notion that once you had said yes to Christ, you were good to go. 00:11:56.759 --> 00:11:58.259 You had your faith. 00:11:58.399 --> 00:11:59.220 You had your salvation. 00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:01.240 And Paul is saying that's not the case. 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:07.779 That's not the case because unless you continue to look forward, you really aren't looking at Christ at all. 00:12:10.379 --> 00:12:11.679 What does he mean by this? 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:15.740 He means that we have to have a finish line focus. 00:12:16.980 --> 00:12:17.139 Right? 00:12:17.879 --> 00:12:20.759 Think again of the analogy of a runner, of a sprinter. 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:21.580 Right? 00:12:21.580 --> 00:12:24.180 As they say, take your blocks. 00:12:24.280 --> 00:12:25.259 And you get ready to run. 00:12:25.400 --> 00:12:25.460 Right? 00:12:25.560 --> 00:12:27.340 As we get ready to watch Usain Bolt. 00:12:27.680 --> 00:12:29.540 Because I promise you, I don't run in this fashion. 00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:33.620 Never once does he look down at his feet. 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:33.940 Right? 00:12:34.040 --> 00:12:36.240 Never once does he check out what's going on around him. 00:12:36.460 --> 00:12:37.420 Or look behind. 00:12:37.520 --> 00:12:42.920 Because he knows as soon as he does that, the guy who was behind him when he started the gaze is now in front of him. 00:12:43.280 --> 00:12:44.800 And he's lost the race. 00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:46.140 Where does he look? 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:47.600 In order to be victorious. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:52.519 Where does he look in order to be perfected in this event of his? 00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:54.420 He looks to the finish line. 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:57.800 Paul tells us what our finish line is. 00:12:57.899 --> 00:13:00.680 He tells the Philippian church the finish line is Christ. 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:03.040 The goal is Christ. 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:05.440 The prize is Christ. 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:10.420 In verse 19, he tells us what the opposite of this is. 00:13:11.060 --> 00:13:11.600 He says, 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:15.700 Some people have misplaced focus. 00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:17.440 Their God is their belly. 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:20.320 They focus on earthly things. 00:13:21.680 --> 00:13:26.540 So what Paul is asking the Philippian church and us tonight to consider is. 00:13:26.820 --> 00:13:28.080 Where is your focus? 00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:30.720 Do you know where you're going? 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:33.940 Or have you been sidetracked by the things of this life? 00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:37.340 What reigns supreme in your life? 00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:38.120 Is it your family? 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:39.779 Is it your work? 00:13:40.680 --> 00:13:41.620 Is it school? 00:13:43.300 --> 00:13:44.379 Is it your hobbies? 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:48.100 What is it that reigns supreme? 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:52.200 If it's not Christ, Paul says, you cannot succeed. 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:54.320 You cannot grow spiritually. 00:13:55.399 --> 00:13:59.740 He said Christ, as the focal point, is somewhat, right? 00:13:59.799 --> 00:14:01.200 It's a little bit like glasses. 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:04.400 Those of you who wear glasses can appreciate this. 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:08.060 Once you take them off, everything is foggy. 00:14:09.280 --> 00:14:10.780 Nothing seems very clear. 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:14.819 Put them on. 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:17.240 And all of a sudden, everything gains clarity. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:18.919 You gain perspective. 00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:21.059 You see things in reality. 00:14:21.059 --> 00:14:25.379 I remember when my father told me about the first time he got glasses. 00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:27.559 He was 13 years old. 00:14:27.979 --> 00:14:34.239 And it was the first time in his life that he knew that bark had texture. 00:14:34.819 --> 00:14:38.079 It was the first time in his life that he knew that a tree leaf had veins. 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:38.839 Right? 00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:42.139 That's what Christ is for the believer. 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:47.280 He's the lens through which you look and which everything else comes into perspective. 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:55.420 And if he is not the focus, if he is not the thing on which we set our eyes, nothing else makes any sense. 00:14:56.320 --> 00:15:00.420 And he's not saying that these things are earthly in a negative way, Paul. 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:02.500 Right? 00:15:03.040 --> 00:15:05.280 I use the example of family and of work. 00:15:05.279 --> 00:15:10.100 I don't want you to walk out of here thinking, oh, I shouldn't value my work or my family. 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:10.919 No, that's wrong. 00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:12.379 Right? 00:15:12.439 --> 00:15:13.879 That's not Paul's intent at all. 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:17.480 Paul's saying those are very good things. 00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:20.019 But you need glasses to see them well. 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:23.659 You need Christ to love them well. 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:25.439 To be present well. 00:15:28.839 --> 00:15:35.000 The best way I could think of to describe this was early on in my career as a driver. 00:15:36.079 --> 00:15:37.860 It's been a tenuous career, I assure you. 00:15:39.179 --> 00:15:42.519 But nonetheless, early on it was worse than it is now. 00:15:43.319 --> 00:15:46.100 And there was a few easy fixes that came with this. 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:50.379 When I first began driving, maybe some of you can relate, I got behind the wheel of the car. 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:55.179 And most of my time was spent looking just past the hood ornament. 00:15:55.179 --> 00:16:00.319 Yes, I started driving like most of us when there was still hood ornaments. 00:16:01.599 --> 00:16:03.239 Some of you now don't get that. 00:16:04.439 --> 00:16:05.500 Because they've been stolen. 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:12.659 But I spent most of my time looking just off the hood of the car. 00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:19.279 The time that I didn't spend looking just off the hood of the car, I spent looking in my rear and side view mirrors. 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:23.200 Making sure no one around me was coming too close or going to hit me. 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:24.080 Right? 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.399 It's a great theory. 00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:26.620 It was wonderful. 00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:29.019 No one ever got close to me coming from behind. 00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:32.799 The problem was, is what was going on in front of me. 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:33.799 Right? 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:37.100 I was going left to right, side to side. 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:40.399 Very rarely staying in my lane. 00:16:42.079 --> 00:16:42.579 Why? 00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:49.540 Because as my driving instructor was very quick to tell me, no, don't use your mirrors to drive forward. 00:16:50.160 --> 00:16:53.460 Don't use your hood ornament as your focal point. 00:16:53.920 --> 00:16:54.320 Look out. 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:55.759 Look in the distance. 00:16:56.540 --> 00:16:57.480 Let that be your guide. 00:16:58.680 --> 00:17:02.180 As soon as I did that, I was able to stay in my lane. 00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:06.740 I also quit worrying more about what was going on around and behind me. 00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:10.620 So, Paul says, look ahead. 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:12.180 Focus on Christ. 00:17:12.620 --> 00:17:16.980 Don't let the things going on around or behind you distract you. 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:23.660 And if maturity is the goal of our lives, then we must submit all of those things to him. 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:31.859 We need to let go of this seemingly compulsive need that resides in all of us. 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:34.539 We all have our own way in which it manifests itself. 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:36.680 For me, I'll tell you that. 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:42.160 This compulsive need exists in me to fix first and pray later. 00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:44.039 Maybe you can relate to this. 00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:49.299 Whenever I see something happen, whenever there's crisis going on or disaster, 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:53.900 my hands are most likely the first to get dirty. 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.599 That seems okay, right? 00:18:00.599 --> 00:18:06.759 The problem is that also often means there's some of the last hands to be folded in prayer. 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:11.960 Because my first objective is to solve what's going on. 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:15.339 My second objective is to seek what God's will is in the situation. 00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:19.259 My focus is on what's around me more than it is on Christ. 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:20.920 All right? 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:24.559 So, if you're anything like me, this is one of the most difficult parts of spiritual growth. 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:31.359 Thinking less about what's going on around you and behind you and more about what Christ is drawing you to and leading you to. 00:18:31.359 --> 00:18:37.159 As we think this way, it should bring a couple of changes. 00:18:39.459 --> 00:18:41.019 It should change the way we pray. 00:18:41.939 --> 00:18:45.139 Think about the Lord's Prayer that we'll say in a little while together. 00:18:46.459 --> 00:18:46.740 Right? 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:50.120 We start with addressing not ourselves, but our Father. 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:51.640 Our Father who art in heaven. 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:54.079 It's to Him we pray. 00:18:55.539 --> 00:19:00.519 The first thing you ask for when we say the Lord's Prayer as Christ teaches us is, 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.980 for Thy will to be done. 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:07.880 Now think about that in actuality in maybe your daily prayer life. 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:13.559 For myself, I know that not often does it always follow that pattern. 00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:17.619 Prayer happens to often go something like, 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:19.759 God, there's a lot going on right now. 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:22.539 Could you fix X, Y, or Z? 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:25.139 Could you step in and handle this for me? 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:28.740 Work is really hard right now and I'm not sure what to do about it. 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:29.720 Could you take care of that? 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:39.599 Praying for the kingdom changes the way we see our place here on earth, 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:44.099 here in this community, and also our place in relationship with God. 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.980 So we should pray differently. 00:19:46.419 --> 00:19:49.799 We should also live differently and work differently. 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:51.439 Right? 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:55.279 What if we start working for God's sake, not our own? 00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:59.299 What if we start working in a way that we value and love our coworkers more than ourselves 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:02.000 or that boss that we don't like? 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:06.939 What if we start working as though we are working for God, not Him? 00:20:07.580 --> 00:20:07.840 Right? 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:10.820 I know some of us have that as a reality in our lives. 00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:11.720 Thank God I don't. 00:20:14.080 --> 00:20:15.019 Tommy's a great boss. 00:20:17.860 --> 00:20:19.160 But I know some of us do. 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.259 And I feel for you. 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.320 And Paul feels for you. 00:20:22.340 --> 00:20:25.380 And he says, that's okay because He's not your real boss. 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:27.539 It's the Father in Heaven that you work for. 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:28.779 Right? 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:30.259 Where is your focus? 00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:32.660 Is it on Christ? 00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:35.960 Then, knowing where we come from, 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:37.940 or where we're starting, 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:39.340 knowing where we're going, 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:43.220 Paul says one last thing you need to do in order to grow spiritually well. 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:47.120 He says you need to know how to get there. 00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:49.660 You need to have a game plan. 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:52.759 And he gives us a few examples of this, 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:55.579 a few ideas here in the rest of this passage to get us going. 00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:58.319 The first thing he says, 00:20:58.600 --> 00:21:00.180 it's not the first or last time he said it, 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:01.079 but he says it again here, 00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:02.059 he says, imitate me. 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.319 Right? 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:06.240 He's not doing this self-righteously. 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:08.059 He's not doing this pridefully. 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:10.159 He's saying, 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:13.240 friends, brothers and sisters, 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:16.179 my whole life is striving for this. 00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:17.899 Don't be me. 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:20.039 See the things I do, 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:22.960 and try and do them the best way you know how. 00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:24.379 The best way you can. 00:21:25.179 --> 00:21:25.439 Right? 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:31.140 It's kind of like if we had a little prodigy in here that was a runner, 00:21:31.600 --> 00:21:34.900 and we had the option to tell them to imitate Josh, 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:36.980 or imitate Usain Bolt. 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:40.900 I pray to God that you would not choose Josh 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:43.820 as the one they imitated in their running career. 00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:44.700 Right? 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:46.980 It's the same way in our spiritual growth life. 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:48.720 We need to find those people like Paul, 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.559 that we can say, 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:49.880 okay, 00:21:50.080 --> 00:21:52.759 this person is further than me in the journey. 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:54.279 They have some practices, 00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:55.859 some rhythms established, 00:21:56.140 --> 00:21:58.480 that I can put to practice in my own life. 00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:00.539 And he says, 00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:02.779 two of these things that I do, 00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:03.819 I implore you to do. 00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:04.859 He says, 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:06.180 be disciplined in your growth. 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:09.980 He calls us to set boundaries, 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.379 guidelines. 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.779 For those who are in Philippi, 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:16.259 it meant living like Romans 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:19.740 in a Greek area. 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.240 Right? 00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:22.480 It was Greek country, 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:24.279 yet it was a Roman colony. 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:26.879 And he uses the citizenship language 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:29.099 of verse 19 and 20 00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:30.539 to draw them back to that. 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:32.539 He says, 00:22:33.379 --> 00:22:34.579 live as citizens. 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:35.940 Instantly, 00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:36.559 instantly, 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:36.960 friends, 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.180 they would have known 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:39.059 this means 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:40.879 my job, 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:41.700 my responsibility 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:43.059 is not to go to Rome. 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:44.619 Rome was, 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:46.059 it was overpopulated. 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.819 There was no job opportunity. 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.000 Living conditions 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:49.660 would have been poor. 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:52.319 The role of the people in Philippi 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.619 as Roman citizens 00:22:53.619 --> 00:22:55.279 was to bring Rome 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:57.220 to Philippi. 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.759 It was to bring Roman culture, 00:22:58.960 --> 00:22:59.640 Roman worldview, 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:00.539 Roman lifestyle 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.900 to the colony 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.879 in which they lived. 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:04.859 And it took discipline. 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.879 It meant not living life 00:23:06.879 --> 00:23:07.720 like the Greeks lived. 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:09.000 It meant not living life 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:11.640 like they previously had. 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:14.000 There was something different. 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:15.379 Right? 00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:16.200 In the same way 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:16.800 for a runner, 00:23:17.800 --> 00:23:18.620 in training, 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.220 there's discipline 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:21.240 required to grow. 00:23:22.820 --> 00:23:23.260 Right? 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.200 For Usain Bolt, 00:23:24.300 --> 00:23:25.500 as he mapped his journey 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:27.620 from being a 400-meter prodigy 00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:28.560 to a 100-meter 00:23:28.560 --> 00:23:29.520 world record holder, 00:23:30.060 --> 00:23:32.440 there was five things 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:32.920 that he did. 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:35.900 As a 400 runner, 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.560 he never had to be 00:23:36.560 --> 00:23:37.420 very good at starting 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:39.100 because he could make up for it. 00:23:39.340 --> 00:23:40.180 As a 100 runner, 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:41.980 it was essential. 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:43.620 So he perfected his starts. 00:23:44.579 --> 00:23:46.140 He had to perfect his form 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:48.120 because natural ability 00:23:48.120 --> 00:23:50.099 couldn't win a short race. 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:53.400 He had to maximize his speed 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:54.220 and his endurance 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:55.519 for the journey 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.839 on which he was about to embark. 00:23:58.339 --> 00:23:59.460 He had to discipline 00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.180 his eating 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:01.960 and his sleeping 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:03.779 in ways that he never had to before. 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.420 And lastly, 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:06.519 he had to lift weights 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:07.880 in a regiment 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:09.019 specifically designed 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:10.519 to maximize his gift. 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:13.619 In the same way, 00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:15.079 Paul encourages us 00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:16.579 to discipline ourselves 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.139 in growth. 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:22.700 He says develop a growth plan. 00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:24.519 Work on the weaknesses. 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:26.119 Strengthen the strengths. 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:27.139 Right? 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.200 I think if he were here, 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:29.240 he would implore you 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.940 to establish 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.940 some spiritual disciplines 00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:32.579 in your life. 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:34.579 Rhythms, practices, 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:35.240 guidelines 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:36.259 to keep you moving 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.220 in the right direction. 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.099 Right? 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:40.079 As a driver stays 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:40.919 within his lanes 00:24:40.919 --> 00:24:41.759 focusing on a point 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.279 at the end. 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.480 As a runner stays 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:44.879 between his white lines 00:24:44.879 --> 00:24:46.359 with the finish line in sight. 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.619 So we too need 00:24:47.619 --> 00:24:48.219 these practices 00:24:48.219 --> 00:24:48.939 and guidelines 00:24:48.939 --> 00:24:50.399 to keep us 00:24:50.399 --> 00:24:51.219 within the boundaries 00:24:51.219 --> 00:24:53.259 of our spiritual growth. 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.639 Some of these practices 00:24:54.639 --> 00:24:55.519 include prayer, 00:24:56.659 --> 00:24:57.039 fasting, 00:24:57.379 --> 00:24:57.719 worship, 00:24:58.459 --> 00:24:58.899 Bible reading, 00:24:58.959 --> 00:24:59.219 devotions, 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.279 the things that we asked 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:01.199 earlier to set 00:25:01.199 --> 00:25:02.219 our baseline. 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.399 These are the types 00:25:04.399 --> 00:25:05.059 of practices 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:06.579 that we need to develop. 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:08.319 If we're going 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:09.220 to grow spiritually. 00:25:09.879 --> 00:25:10.359 Right? 00:25:10.399 --> 00:25:10.960 If you're praying 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:12.000 once a week now, 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:12.619 great. 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:15.000 Strive for twice a week 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:16.059 next month. 00:25:16.659 --> 00:25:17.619 Three times a week 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:18.599 the month after that. 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.399 Build, 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.299 grow, 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.659 train yourself. 00:25:22.399 --> 00:25:22.939 If you're reading 00:25:22.939 --> 00:25:23.359 the Bible 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:24.939 once a week right now, 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:25.899 same thing. 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:27.299 Strive for twice. 00:25:28.439 --> 00:25:29.559 Not twice a day. 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:30.859 That might be too much 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.559 for you right now. 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.699 Twice a month 00:25:32.699 --> 00:25:34.119 is a good start. 00:25:34.399 --> 00:25:35.079 Build from there. 00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:36.899 Second thing, 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:38.319 be in community. 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:40.339 It will help you 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:41.000 grow spiritually 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.839 and it will set 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:43.220 the accountability guidelines 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:44.159 that we need 00:25:44.159 --> 00:25:45.579 as broken people. 00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:46.879 Here at Advent, 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:48.099 there's three primary ways 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:48.859 you can do this. 00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:51.119 Join a core group. 00:25:53.619 --> 00:25:54.480 Communities in which 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:56.139 you can read the word 00:25:56.139 --> 00:25:56.859 and pray together. 00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:01.000 Form a triad. 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:03.859 A slightly closer 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:04.460 knit circle. 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.299 Possibly a little bit 00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:06.900 more vulnerable. 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:09.039 A place that can 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:09.680 really hold you 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.099 accountable 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:12.319 in all of life. 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:13.759 And third, 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:15.420 spiritual formation classes. 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:18.140 Things like 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:19.279 essentials and distinctives. 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.099 Things like 00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:21.140 gospel foundations. 00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:23.819 Use these opportunities. 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:25.359 Take them. 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:28.480 Let yourself live in them 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:30.220 and bathe in those moments 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:31.860 where you can learn 00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:32.819 more about faith 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.539 and grow deeper 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.160 in your roots. 00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:35.880 And Paul says 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:37.079 to make all this stick, 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.460 press on. 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:41.799 If there's ever a man 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.460 that's lived 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:43.539 the Christian faith 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:45.079 and can tell us 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:46.120 where we sit today 00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:46.819 to press on, 00:26:46.880 --> 00:26:47.579 to keep striving, 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:49.140 it would be Paul. 00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:51.279 A man who's been 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.480 declared legally dead 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:53.660 by stoning. 00:26:54.900 --> 00:26:56.200 Imprisoned multiple times. 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.559 Never sure where his life 00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.380 was going to end. 00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:01.620 He leaves us by saying 00:27:01.620 --> 00:27:02.340 press on. 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:03.180 Keep striving. 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:05.299 When life feels impossible, 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:07.259 press even harder 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:08.240 into Christ 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.319 and even harder 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:10.160 into those communities 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:10.860 that you're a part. 00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:12.759 Because those are the places 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:14.539 where spiritual growth happens. 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:16.519 Those are the places 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:18.160 where it goes 00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:19.160 from surface level 00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:20.460 to deep roots. 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:25.200 So Paul has told us 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:26.779 it's a gift. 00:27:27.840 --> 00:27:28.519 It's a gift 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.259 that you need to develop 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:30.240 by asking the question, 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:31.200 where am I now? 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:34.440 Knowing where you're going 00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:37.860 and realizing 00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:38.580 what it takes 00:27:38.580 --> 00:27:39.200 to get there. 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:41.019 But to what end? 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.460 To what end? 00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:43.980 What for? 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.660 What's the purpose 00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:45.779 of all this for Paul 00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:47.120 talking to the Philippians 00:27:47.120 --> 00:27:47.900 and for us today? 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.380 Well, friends, 00:27:50.580 --> 00:27:51.340 as you prepare 00:27:51.340 --> 00:27:52.140 to celebrate 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:53.980 July 4th tomorrow 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:55.339 as citizens of America, 00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:57.579 remember your citizenship 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:59.279 is not primarily here. 00:28:00.360 --> 00:28:01.779 It's primarily in heaven. 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:04.620 Let your kingdom's citizenship 00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:05.759 be your focus. 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.480 Let it shape you. 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:10.200 Your role primarily, 00:28:10.360 --> 00:28:11.440 our role primarily, 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.839 is to bring the kingdom 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:13.620 right here 00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:14.980 in Washington, D.C., 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:17.019 in and through 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:18.299 and by our daily lives, 00:28:18.360 --> 00:28:19.759 wherever that takes us. 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:21.379 And, 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:23.680 this is only possible 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.420 through growing 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:26.180 to maturity in Christ, 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:26.960 by establishing 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:28.039 our spiritual baseline, 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.819 by focusing 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:31.039 our lives on Christ, 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:33.740 and developing 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:35.059 a spiritual growth plan. 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:38.500 All this 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:40.819 so that we might be 00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:41.900 His image bearers 00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:42.440 in a world 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.279 that desperately, 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:44.640 desperately needs 00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:45.200 more of Him. 00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:46.640 Let's pray. 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:49.940 Heavenly Father God, 00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:51.960 we thank You 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:53.000 wholeheartedly 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:54.140 for the gift, 00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:55.740 the gift of faith, 00:28:55.840 --> 00:28:56.759 the gift of salvation, 00:28:57.120 --> 00:28:58.140 the gift of Your Son. 00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:00.340 God, 00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:00.940 we recognize, 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.940 as Paul did, 00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:02.720 that this gift 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:04.360 comes with a call, 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:05.840 with a call 00:29:05.840 --> 00:29:07.240 to grow in faith, 00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:08.600 to mature in our faith, 00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:10.020 to perfect that faith, 00:29:10.120 --> 00:29:10.920 to take that gift 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.680 and develop it. 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.220 Heavenly Father God, 00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:14.080 as we walk out 00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:15.080 of this building tonight, 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:16.579 walk back into 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.539 our daily lives, 00:29:18.619 --> 00:29:20.099 let that be our focus, 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:22.419 to become more 00:29:22.419 --> 00:29:23.179 and more like You, 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:24.199 that You might be 00:29:24.199 --> 00:29:24.859 our prize, 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:25.439 our goal, 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:26.099 and our focus. 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.240 In Your name we pray. 00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:28.119 Amen.