WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.240 Good morning again. 00:00:07.020 --> 00:00:07.960 Oh, that was weak. 00:00:10.200 --> 00:00:17.140 It is sweet when we have a snowy day and there's still folks here, so thank you for being here. 00:00:17.879 --> 00:00:22.059 My name is Matthew Capone and I'm the assistant pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:00:22.179 --> 00:00:25.400 And it's my joy, as always, to bring God's word to you. 00:00:26.600 --> 00:00:29.339 A special welcome if you are new or visiting with us. 00:00:29.339 --> 00:00:30.460 We're glad you're here. 00:00:30.839 --> 00:00:35.280 And we're glad you're here, not because you are filling a seat on a snowy day, 00:00:35.759 --> 00:00:39.079 but because we are following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:43.600 And we're convinced that there is no one so good that they don't need God's grace. 00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:46.399 And no one so bad that they can't have it. 00:00:46.760 --> 00:00:51.039 And so we're glad that you're here because we believe that God has something to say to everyone. 00:00:51.640 --> 00:00:55.079 And so everyone needs to hear what God has to say in his word. 00:00:55.700 --> 00:00:58.500 If you have been with us, you know that we're in the book of Philippians. 00:00:59.660 --> 00:01:01.500 Philippians is a letter, as I've said before. 00:01:01.900 --> 00:01:07.380 It's a letter that's written to a church in the first century that was in a city called Philippi, 00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:09.500 which is in modern-day Macedonia. 00:01:10.300 --> 00:01:13.600 And this letter was written to a church that was very much like our church. 00:01:13.920 --> 00:01:16.439 And this church was in a city that was very much like our city. 00:01:16.439 --> 00:01:20.560 And so just as Paul had many things to say to the church in Philippi, 00:01:20.659 --> 00:01:23.679 so this letter still has many things to say to us, as we've seen. 00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:30.359 And I've talked a lot about the fact that this letter emphasizes our partnership in the gospel together. 00:01:30.359 --> 00:01:35.599 But Philippians is more commonly known not as the book of partnership in the gospel, 00:01:36.299 --> 00:01:38.719 but people actually talk about it as the book of joy. 00:01:40.180 --> 00:01:43.019 Now, I'm convinced that it is primarily about partnership in the gospel, 00:01:43.019 --> 00:01:48.659 but the word joy appears more times in this book than it does in any other book in the New Testament. 00:01:50.039 --> 00:01:51.679 Joy and then the verb to rejoice. 00:01:51.859 --> 00:01:54.359 And it seems to be an emphasis in Paul's thought. 00:01:54.359 --> 00:01:59.760 And so as we get to the end of the book of Philippians, 00:01:59.980 --> 00:02:01.959 it's hard to believe we're actually in chapter 4. 00:02:03.060 --> 00:02:05.500 I snuck in one verse from chapter 4 last week, 00:02:05.519 --> 00:02:08.419 and then we're starting full on in chapter 4 this week. 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:13.039 We're finally going to look a little bit at Paul and what he believes about joy, 00:02:13.139 --> 00:02:15.400 what he tells this church about joy. 00:02:16.419 --> 00:02:20.479 Now, one of my personal quirks, you might call it, 00:02:20.800 --> 00:02:23.620 is that I have a little bit of a fascination with survivalists. 00:02:24.880 --> 00:02:27.060 Now, don't get worried. 00:02:27.140 --> 00:02:31.120 I'm not preparing for the end of the world in a physical sense. 00:02:31.160 --> 00:02:32.560 I'm not preparing for the collapse of society. 00:02:32.660 --> 00:02:34.160 I just personally find it very interesting. 00:02:35.380 --> 00:02:38.020 And survivalists, as you may know, are people who are preparing for this. 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:40.560 They're preparing for society to break down unexpectedly. 00:02:41.160 --> 00:02:42.740 And so they want to be ready at any moment. 00:02:43.960 --> 00:02:45.520 They want to make sure wherever they're at, 00:02:45.580 --> 00:02:46.880 whether they're at their grocery store, 00:02:47.440 --> 00:02:49.440 whether they're at their house, they're prepared. 00:02:50.360 --> 00:02:51.960 They don't have to go out and get anything. 00:02:52.240 --> 00:02:53.640 They have everything they need around them. 00:02:53.639 --> 00:02:58.679 So I find this fascinating and all the things that they do to prepare. 00:02:59.500 --> 00:03:01.799 One of the things that's most important if you're a survivalist 00:03:01.799 --> 00:03:03.919 is you have to make sure that you have a source of fire. 00:03:05.159 --> 00:03:07.500 And this is more complicated than it sounds 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:09.639 because fire is really tied to the circumstance. 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:12.419 You have certain types of burners that might work outside, 00:03:12.659 --> 00:03:14.619 but they're only going to work when there's low wind. 00:03:15.139 --> 00:03:17.259 You might have other types of fire that are going to work 00:03:17.259 --> 00:03:18.879 unless there's moisture in the air, 00:03:18.939 --> 00:03:20.039 so they're not going to work in the snow. 00:03:20.039 --> 00:03:23.099 And so one of the great tasks of a survivalist 00:03:23.099 --> 00:03:25.239 is to find a source of fire that will work anywhere. 00:03:26.379 --> 00:03:28.340 And there's all kinds of ways you can do this. 00:03:28.399 --> 00:03:30.799 We might think that a strike anywhere match would work, 00:03:30.859 --> 00:03:32.359 but that just means that the match would start. 00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:34.699 It doesn't mean it's going to stay lit if there's a lot of wind. 00:03:35.280 --> 00:03:37.079 And so there's all kinds of products that you can find 00:03:37.079 --> 00:03:39.219 that will help you start a fire no matter where you are. 00:03:39.219 --> 00:03:41.639 Some of them are these little pieces of cloth 00:03:41.639 --> 00:03:43.280 that are soaked in gasoline, 00:03:43.460 --> 00:03:45.560 so even when they get wet, they'll light up for you, 00:03:45.599 --> 00:03:47.099 and you can have your flint and tinder there, 00:03:47.159 --> 00:03:48.819 and you can start a fire wherever you're at. 00:03:49.379 --> 00:03:51.960 But the goal is that no matter where you are, 00:03:52.020 --> 00:03:53.280 no matter the circumstances, 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:55.219 if you're a survivalist, 00:03:55.219 --> 00:03:57.699 you want to make sure you are able to have fire 00:03:57.699 --> 00:04:00.759 because that's going to be one of the most important things 00:04:00.759 --> 00:04:01.560 for your survival. 00:04:01.560 --> 00:04:04.740 And so what we're going to see here in chapter 4 00:04:04.740 --> 00:04:09.800 is that for Paul, joy is a type of fire 00:04:09.800 --> 00:04:11.599 that can be lit anywhere. 00:04:13.560 --> 00:04:15.319 That joy, as opposed to happiness, 00:04:15.379 --> 00:04:17.779 is something that is not bound by the circumstance. 00:04:19.300 --> 00:04:21.279 It's something that the Christian can have 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:22.560 no matter where they are. 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:26.199 No matter what's going on in their own personal lives, 00:04:26.259 --> 00:04:28.040 no matter what's going on in the world around them, 00:04:28.139 --> 00:04:30.480 Paul wants this church in Philippi 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:32.180 to have joy. 00:04:32.840 --> 00:04:34.360 We've seen before plenty of reasons 00:04:34.360 --> 00:04:35.400 they would not have joy. 00:04:36.060 --> 00:04:37.560 They have people who are teaching things 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:38.759 that are wrong about the gospel. 00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:41.600 They're having divisions within their own church. 00:04:42.400 --> 00:04:43.480 We found it in chapter 1. 00:04:43.580 --> 00:04:45.000 There are people who are opposing them. 00:04:45.100 --> 00:04:45.740 There's opposition, 00:04:46.400 --> 00:04:47.759 folks who are making it hard for them 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:49.960 to live life as Christians in the Roman Empire. 00:04:50.740 --> 00:04:51.879 And yet Paul is going to tell us 00:04:51.879 --> 00:04:53.439 in verse 4 here of chapter 4, 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:55.040 rejoice in the Lord always. 00:04:55.819 --> 00:04:57.640 Again, I will say rejoice. 00:04:57.639 --> 00:05:00.120 And it's that word always 00:05:00.120 --> 00:05:01.219 that lets us know for Paul, 00:05:01.419 --> 00:05:05.000 joy is the strike-anywhere match of the Christian. 00:05:06.339 --> 00:05:07.579 It's the thing that the Christian 00:05:07.579 --> 00:05:08.539 should be able to access 00:05:08.539 --> 00:05:10.019 at any point in their lives, 00:05:10.060 --> 00:05:12.060 no matter what's going on around them. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:14.419 And so our big question today is this, 00:05:14.479 --> 00:05:16.159 how do we find joy as a Christian? 00:05:17.379 --> 00:05:19.099 It was challenging for the Philippians 00:05:19.099 --> 00:05:20.099 in their circumstances, 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:22.620 challenging for us as well. 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:24.000 We face things that are similar. 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:27.439 We also find difficulties in relationships, 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:28.779 just like the Philippians did. 00:05:29.579 --> 00:05:31.060 We find it at times hard 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:33.680 to be Christians in this world. 00:05:34.540 --> 00:05:35.740 And we also just face 00:05:35.740 --> 00:05:37.579 the everyday challenges of life, 00:05:38.100 --> 00:05:40.199 fear about what might happen in the future, 00:05:40.779 --> 00:05:42.980 the loss of things that are valuable to us, 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:46.240 things that are easy to take away our happiness 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:48.399 but should not take away our joy. 00:05:49.399 --> 00:05:50.879 And so how do we find joy 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:52.439 as a Christian in this life? 00:05:53.719 --> 00:05:55.159 We're in Philippians chapter four. 00:05:55.259 --> 00:05:56.439 We're starting in verse one. 00:05:57.300 --> 00:05:59.120 And remember that this is God's word 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:01.139 and God tells us that his word 00:06:01.139 --> 00:06:02.560 is more precious than gold, 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:04.319 even the finest gold, 00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:06.699 and that it is sweeter than honey, 00:06:07.360 --> 00:06:08.719 even honey that comes straight 00:06:08.719 --> 00:06:09.719 from the honeycomb. 00:06:10.620 --> 00:06:11.480 And so we're gonna read now, 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:13.139 starting with verse one in chapter four. 00:06:13.240 --> 00:06:14.019 Please read with me. 00:06:14.019 --> 00:06:15.839 Therefore, my brothers, 00:06:16.339 --> 00:06:18.139 whom I love and long for, 00:06:18.539 --> 00:06:19.819 my joy and crown, 00:06:20.539 --> 00:06:22.740 stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:26.719 I entreat Aeodia and I entreat Syntyche 00:06:26.719 --> 00:06:27.859 to agree in the Lord. 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:30.719 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:31.759 help these women 00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:33.919 who have labored side by side with me 00:06:33.919 --> 00:06:34.479 in the gospel, 00:06:34.719 --> 00:06:35.439 together with Clement 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:37.000 and the rest of my fellow workers, 00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:38.979 whose names are in the book of life. 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:40.319 Verse four. 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:43.099 Rejoice in the Lord always. 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:46.199 Again, I will say, rejoice. 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:49.639 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. 00:06:50.420 --> 00:06:51.659 The Lord is at hand. 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:54.420 Do not be anxious about anything, 00:06:54.560 --> 00:06:56.899 but in everything by prayer and supplication 00:06:56.899 --> 00:06:57.779 with thanksgiving. 00:06:58.560 --> 00:07:00.980 Let your requests be made known to God. 00:07:01.939 --> 00:07:03.000 And the peace of God, 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:04.899 which surpasses all understanding, 00:07:05.519 --> 00:07:07.339 will guard your hearts and your minds 00:07:07.339 --> 00:07:08.300 in Christ Jesus. 00:07:09.319 --> 00:07:09.860 Verse eight. 00:07:10.319 --> 00:07:11.379 Finally, brothers, 00:07:11.540 --> 00:07:12.319 whatever is true, 00:07:12.839 --> 00:07:13.800 whatever is honorable, 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:15.439 whatever is just, 00:07:16.019 --> 00:07:16.939 whatever is pure, 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:18.579 whatever is lovely, 00:07:19.219 --> 00:07:20.339 whatever is commendable, 00:07:21.019 --> 00:07:22.500 if there is any excellence, 00:07:23.019 --> 00:07:24.879 if there is anything worthy of praise, 00:07:25.459 --> 00:07:26.639 think about these things. 00:07:27.500 --> 00:07:29.779 What you have learned and received 00:07:29.779 --> 00:07:31.899 and heard and seen in me, 00:07:32.500 --> 00:07:33.539 practice these things 00:07:33.539 --> 00:07:36.039 and the God of peace will be with you. 00:07:37.339 --> 00:07:38.300 Please pray with me 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:39.980 as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:44.860 Dear Father in heaven, 00:07:45.800 --> 00:07:49.259 we thank you that your word 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:51.860 is like a fire on a cold day. 00:07:52.540 --> 00:07:53.579 It warms us. 00:07:53.639 --> 00:07:54.560 It sustains us. 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:57.039 It keeps us alive. 00:07:58.039 --> 00:07:59.420 We ask that you would do that now, 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:00.740 that you would send your word 00:08:00.740 --> 00:08:01.959 to do what you did 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:03.019 at the beginning of creation, 00:08:03.139 --> 00:08:03.839 that you would send it 00:08:03.839 --> 00:08:05.819 to bring things that are not alive, 00:08:06.539 --> 00:08:06.980 alive. 00:08:07.580 --> 00:08:08.800 That you'd take what's dead 00:08:08.800 --> 00:08:10.480 and you'd raise it up again. 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:12.259 We ask that for ourselves, 00:08:12.340 --> 00:08:13.040 that you would come 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:14.040 and you would change us. 00:08:14.840 --> 00:08:16.160 We ask that you do it by your word. 00:08:16.460 --> 00:08:17.780 And so we ask all these things 00:08:17.780 --> 00:08:18.680 in the name of your son. 00:08:19.400 --> 00:08:19.700 Amen. 00:08:19.699 --> 00:08:19.839 Amen. 00:08:24.039 --> 00:08:25.439 So how do we find joy 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:26.459 in any circumstance? 00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:30.500 Paul tells us immediately, 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:31.539 he cuts to the point here 00:08:31.539 --> 00:08:32.460 in verse one. 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:33.899 Therefore my brothers, 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:35.159 whom I love and long for, 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:36.519 my joy and crown, 00:08:37.319 --> 00:08:38.620 stand firm thus in the Lord, 00:08:38.700 --> 00:08:39.159 my beloved. 00:08:40.679 --> 00:08:41.659 And so we're going to hear something 00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:42.220 that we've heard 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:43.559 all throughout the book of Philippians. 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:45.600 Paul, first and foremost, 00:08:45.919 --> 00:08:47.080 here finds joy 00:08:47.080 --> 00:08:48.759 in the people who are around him. 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:50.700 He finds joy 00:08:50.700 --> 00:08:51.800 in his fellow believers. 00:08:51.960 --> 00:08:52.740 He finds joy 00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:54.120 in these people he's labored with 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:54.860 side by side 00:08:54.860 --> 00:08:55.940 for the sake of the gospel. 00:08:56.360 --> 00:08:57.600 This is everything we've seen 00:08:57.600 --> 00:08:59.580 in chapters one and two especially. 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:01.879 And some in chapter three as well. 00:09:02.180 --> 00:09:03.360 Paul's joy, 00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:04.060 his ability 00:09:04.060 --> 00:09:06.020 to have joy, 00:09:06.100 --> 00:09:06.620 even when, 00:09:06.740 --> 00:09:06.960 remember, 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:08.320 Paul is writing this letter 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:10.780 from house arrest in Rome. 00:09:11.660 --> 00:09:13.200 He's facing the possibility 00:09:13.200 --> 00:09:14.180 of a death sentence. 00:09:14.179 --> 00:09:16.919 And so he is not someone 00:09:16.919 --> 00:09:18.599 who is looking from the sidelines, 00:09:18.959 --> 00:09:19.719 telling other people 00:09:19.719 --> 00:09:20.519 to have joy, 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:21.979 but Paul has real skin 00:09:21.979 --> 00:09:22.759 in the game here. 00:09:23.939 --> 00:09:24.599 And as he faces 00:09:24.599 --> 00:09:25.719 uncertain circumstances, 00:09:25.859 --> 00:09:27.199 even about his own life, 00:09:27.739 --> 00:09:29.099 he looks to these people 00:09:29.099 --> 00:09:29.779 in Philippi 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:30.439 who have labored 00:09:30.439 --> 00:09:31.579 side by side with him 00:09:31.579 --> 00:09:33.019 as people who bring him joy. 00:09:33.599 --> 00:09:34.319 That no matter 00:09:34.319 --> 00:09:35.299 what is happening 00:09:35.299 --> 00:09:35.879 in his life, 00:09:35.939 --> 00:09:36.879 he knows that he has 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:38.120 these other Christians 00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:38.599 with him 00:09:38.599 --> 00:09:39.399 who are striving 00:09:39.399 --> 00:09:40.039 and seeking 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:41.939 for the same goal 00:09:41.939 --> 00:09:42.939 that we talked about 00:09:42.939 --> 00:09:44.120 in chapter three. 00:09:44.899 --> 00:09:46.120 For the same treasure 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:46.919 of what we talked about 00:09:46.919 --> 00:09:47.699 in chapter one. 00:09:48.599 --> 00:09:49.299 And so that no matter 00:09:49.299 --> 00:09:50.179 what is happening, 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:51.879 he has them with him 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:52.519 to remind him, 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:53.219 to bring him joy. 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:56.539 But if this sounds 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:57.579 a little pie in the sky, 00:09:57.679 --> 00:09:59.039 if it sounds too repetitious 00:09:59.039 --> 00:10:00.319 for what we said before, 00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:02.219 Paul is not unaware 00:10:02.219 --> 00:10:03.739 of the difficulties of this. 00:10:05.099 --> 00:10:06.120 He knows that we find 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:07.039 joy in relationships, 00:10:07.179 --> 00:10:08.120 and yet it's in the very 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:09.079 next verse 00:10:09.079 --> 00:10:10.399 that he talks about 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:11.079 the difficulty 00:10:11.079 --> 00:10:11.799 of relationships. 00:10:11.799 --> 00:10:13.939 It turns out 00:10:13.939 --> 00:10:14.479 that there are 00:10:14.479 --> 00:10:15.039 two people 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:15.679 in the congregation 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:16.259 at Philippi 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:17.339 who are not getting along, 00:10:17.479 --> 00:10:18.359 and they're not getting along 00:10:18.359 --> 00:10:19.379 to such an extent 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:20.759 that the whole congregation 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:21.599 knows about it. 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:22.779 Paul does not have 00:10:22.779 --> 00:10:23.899 any trouble naming them 00:10:23.899 --> 00:10:24.479 in this letter, 00:10:25.359 --> 00:10:26.439 and so our guess is that 00:10:26.439 --> 00:10:27.219 the congregation 00:10:27.219 --> 00:10:28.359 is not unaware of this. 00:10:28.459 --> 00:10:29.279 Paul's not going to take 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:30.139 something that's private 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:30.939 and make it public, 00:10:30.940 --> 00:10:33.240 and so this congregation, 00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:34.100 these people who are 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:34.900 meant to find joy 00:10:34.900 --> 00:10:35.520 from each other, 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:36.480 have gotten to a point 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:37.700 in conflict where everyone 00:10:37.700 --> 00:10:38.960 knows about this disagreement. 00:10:40.580 --> 00:10:41.300 And so we see here 00:10:41.300 --> 00:10:41.840 in verse 2, 00:10:41.920 --> 00:10:42.740 I entreat Aodia 00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:43.840 and I entreat Syntyche 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:45.000 to agree in the Lord. 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:47.140 Yes, I ask you also, 00:10:47.300 --> 00:10:47.780 true companion, 00:10:47.920 --> 00:10:48.520 help these women 00:10:48.520 --> 00:10:49.060 who have labored 00:10:49.060 --> 00:10:49.860 side by side 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:50.680 with me in the gospel, 00:10:52.100 --> 00:10:52.920 together with Clement 00:10:52.920 --> 00:10:54.300 and the rest of my fellow workers 00:10:54.300 --> 00:10:54.840 whose names 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:55.740 are in the book of life. 00:10:56.820 --> 00:10:57.340 In other words, 00:10:57.420 --> 00:10:59.040 we have had partnership together. 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:01.039 This reference to the book of life 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:02.219 is something that people 00:11:02.219 --> 00:11:03.019 in the Jewish time 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:04.599 would use to refer to someone 00:11:04.599 --> 00:11:05.939 who had proven their worth 00:11:05.939 --> 00:11:07.079 by standing in times 00:11:07.079 --> 00:11:07.699 of persecution. 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:09.179 In other words, 00:11:09.299 --> 00:11:10.059 you have experienced 00:11:10.059 --> 00:11:11.360 the joy that I have now 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:12.599 with you, 00:11:12.679 --> 00:11:13.319 you've experienced 00:11:13.319 --> 00:11:13.919 the partnership, 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:15.480 and so do everything 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:16.199 that I've told you 00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:17.879 in chapter 2 and chapter 1. 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:20.099 Especially in chapter 2, 00:11:20.219 --> 00:11:21.219 this agree in the Lord 00:11:21.219 --> 00:11:22.579 is the exact same language 00:11:22.579 --> 00:11:23.399 we saw at the beginning 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:24.159 of chapter 2 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:24.879 when Paul told them 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:26.079 to think the same thing. 00:11:26.919 --> 00:11:27.959 And it's the similar language 00:11:27.959 --> 00:11:28.559 that was used 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:29.639 to describe Timothy. 00:11:29.799 --> 00:11:30.519 Timothy was someone 00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:31.639 who thought the same way 00:11:31.639 --> 00:11:32.259 that Paul did. 00:11:32.739 --> 00:11:33.500 And so this thinking 00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:34.099 the same way, 00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:35.219 this agreeing in the Lord 00:11:35.219 --> 00:11:35.919 is everything 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:37.099 that we've talked about before. 00:11:37.959 --> 00:11:39.279 That Aodia and Syntyche 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:40.539 need to agree 00:11:40.539 --> 00:11:42.299 that what matters 00:11:42.299 --> 00:11:43.439 more than anything else 00:11:43.439 --> 00:11:44.059 is the gospel. 00:11:44.719 --> 00:11:45.679 That they need to agree 00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:46.759 that other people's needs 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:47.500 are more important 00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:47.979 than their own 00:11:47.979 --> 00:11:49.379 so that they can set aside 00:11:49.379 --> 00:11:51.599 what's driving them apart. 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:54.239 By the way, 00:11:54.479 --> 00:11:56.339 Paul is very realistic 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:58.360 about conflict in the church. 00:11:58.420 --> 00:11:58.920 He understands 00:11:58.920 --> 00:12:00.399 the need for a mediator here. 00:12:01.019 --> 00:12:02.360 He doesn't take sides. 00:12:02.700 --> 00:12:03.240 He doesn't believe 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.180 there's a right answer. 00:12:05.100 --> 00:12:05.780 He just tells them 00:12:05.780 --> 00:12:06.639 they need to figure it out. 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:07.519 So the kind of conflict 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:08.460 here that's going on 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:09.259 is not about 00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:10.920 something that Paul 00:12:10.920 --> 00:12:11.580 believes there's 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:13.280 a correct conclusion to, 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:14.220 except the conclusion 00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:14.980 of them agreeing 00:12:14.980 --> 00:12:15.600 with each other, 00:12:15.680 --> 00:12:16.740 them realizing 00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:17.420 what's important 00:12:17.420 --> 00:12:18.480 and what's not important. 00:12:20.560 --> 00:12:21.200 And so Paul's not 00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:22.160 unaware of 00:12:22.160 --> 00:12:23.139 the struggle 00:12:23.139 --> 00:12:23.840 of relationship, 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:25.840 but he also sees it 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:26.780 as a source of joy 00:12:26.780 --> 00:12:27.420 and this is where 00:12:27.420 --> 00:12:28.340 the secret comes in. 00:12:28.420 --> 00:12:29.340 Remember in verse 4 00:12:29.340 --> 00:12:30.300 he says rejoice. 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:31.259 This is not just 00:12:31.259 --> 00:12:32.379 generic rejoicing, 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:33.759 but rejoice 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:35.220 specifically in the Lord. 00:12:36.460 --> 00:12:37.440 And that's the same thing 00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:38.620 he tells these women 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:38.920 to do, 00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:40.080 to agree in the Lord. 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:42.080 In other words, 00:12:42.160 --> 00:12:42.980 this joy is not 00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:43.680 simply something 00:12:43.680 --> 00:12:44.379 that comes from 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:45.500 relationships in general, 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:46.379 but it comes from 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:47.399 relationships that are 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:49.000 headed in the same direction. 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:50.560 It comes from 00:12:50.560 --> 00:12:51.360 relationships that are 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:52.300 headed towards the gospel 00:12:52.299 --> 00:12:53.019 and it's actually 00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:54.339 going in that same direction 00:12:54.339 --> 00:12:55.740 that allows these women 00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:56.559 to agree. 00:12:58.740 --> 00:12:59.639 It's this common 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:00.059 partnership, 00:13:00.199 --> 00:13:00.799 this common mission 00:13:00.799 --> 00:13:01.620 that's going to allow 00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:02.339 them to do what they 00:13:02.339 --> 00:13:03.259 would otherwise 00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:04.159 be unable to do. 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:07.199 There was a singer 00:13:07.199 --> 00:13:07.859 and songwriter 00:13:07.859 --> 00:13:08.799 named Clarence Carter 00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:11.099 who made music 00:13:11.099 --> 00:13:12.120 during the time 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:12.740 of Jim Crow 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:14.579 and he experienced 00:13:14.579 --> 00:13:15.299 all the horrors 00:13:15.299 --> 00:13:16.059 of racism 00:13:16.059 --> 00:13:17.000 during that time. 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.659 He was African American 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:20.179 as he was interacting 00:13:20.179 --> 00:13:21.819 with people 00:13:21.819 --> 00:13:22.339 who were white. 00:13:22.439 --> 00:13:23.299 He had to do 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:23.819 certain things 00:13:23.819 --> 00:13:24.299 and bear with 00:13:24.299 --> 00:13:24.919 certain things. 00:13:26.719 --> 00:13:27.959 And yet he said this 00:13:27.959 --> 00:13:28.819 as a musician. 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:30.079 There was one place 00:13:30.079 --> 00:13:30.839 where he experienced 00:13:30.839 --> 00:13:31.699 things that were different. 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:33.419 He said, 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.239 when I was a boy, 00:13:34.439 --> 00:13:35.919 if I met a white boy, 00:13:36.039 --> 00:13:36.819 I had to say, 00:13:37.079 --> 00:13:38.039 this is Mr. Robert 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:38.959 or Mr. Jimmy. 00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:40.819 But in the studio, 00:13:40.819 --> 00:13:42.199 we got away from all that. 00:13:42.959 --> 00:13:43.579 It was Jimmy. 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:44.759 It was Robert. 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:46.559 You just worked together. 00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:48.379 You never thought 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:49.299 about who was white 00:13:49.299 --> 00:13:50.079 and who was black. 00:13:50.699 --> 00:13:51.619 You thought about 00:13:51.619 --> 00:13:52.619 the common thing 00:13:52.619 --> 00:13:54.239 and it was the music. 00:13:58.099 --> 00:13:58.919 In other words, 00:13:59.079 --> 00:14:00.219 everything outside 00:14:00.219 --> 00:14:01.239 of the music studio 00:14:01.239 --> 00:14:02.139 was filled with 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:03.000 conflict for him. 00:14:03.979 --> 00:14:05.599 But there was one place 00:14:05.599 --> 00:14:06.979 where he was able 00:14:06.979 --> 00:14:07.799 to overcome that 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:08.539 and it was the place 00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:09.559 where there was a focus 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:11.219 that everyone was driven to 00:14:11.219 --> 00:14:12.259 that was more important 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:12.719 than the things 00:14:12.719 --> 00:14:13.679 that were going outside. 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:16.819 And so what Paul 00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:17.439 is telling us 00:14:17.439 --> 00:14:18.219 is that we can find 00:14:18.219 --> 00:14:19.539 joy in relationships. 00:14:20.199 --> 00:14:22.039 Not in a pie-in-the-sky way. 00:14:22.579 --> 00:14:24.259 Not in a Hallmark movie way. 00:14:24.719 --> 00:14:26.139 But we can find joy 00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:26.979 in relationships 00:14:26.979 --> 00:14:28.059 because the church 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:30.259 should be the one place 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:32.139 where people can come 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:33.139 and overcome 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:35.859 the conflicts they have 00:14:35.859 --> 00:14:36.739 outside of the church. 00:14:37.719 --> 00:14:38.879 That this should be the place 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:40.079 where people can see 00:14:40.079 --> 00:14:42.319 that there's one thing 00:14:42.319 --> 00:14:42.839 that matters 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:44.120 and it's being in the Lord. 00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:46.240 And so all the things 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.460 that they have to fight around, 00:14:47.680 --> 00:14:48.740 the things that don't matter, 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:52.080 they can let go of 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:52.600 in the church. 00:14:53.660 --> 00:14:54.360 They can let go 00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:54.899 of differences 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:55.720 in personality 00:14:55.720 --> 00:14:56.320 and upbringing 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:57.019 and preferences 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:58.379 because they're strung together, 00:14:58.560 --> 00:14:59.740 bound together 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:00.740 in the Lord. 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:03.259 And so that's why 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:03.940 Paul can tell us 00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:04.639 in verse 4, 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.879 rejoice in the Lord. 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:07.519 Because this joy, 00:15:07.680 --> 00:15:08.120 first of all, 00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:09.080 is in our relationships 00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:09.720 with each other 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:11.940 as and only as 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:13.279 we're pursuing 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:14.220 the gospel together. 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.259 And so again, 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:17.019 we see the themes 00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.980 we've seen over and over 00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:18.620 that this joy 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:19.420 is not disconnected 00:15:19.420 --> 00:15:20.360 from our partnership 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:20.960 in the gospel 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:22.360 and that our partnership 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:23.320 cannot be 00:15:23.320 --> 00:15:24.600 outside of the gospel. 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:28.139 You thought about 00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:28.899 the common thing 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:29.660 and it was the music. 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:31.680 And so for the Christian 00:15:31.680 --> 00:15:32.240 in the church, 00:15:32.300 --> 00:15:33.360 as we're finding joy, 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:35.139 as we have this fire source, 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:36.500 this strike anywhere match, 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.120 we think about 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:38.019 the common thing, 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:39.259 which is the gospel. 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:40.799 And so that's how 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:41.579 we find joy 00:15:41.579 --> 00:15:42.399 in our relationships 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:43.199 with one another. 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:51.139 But it's not just 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:51.639 the partnership. 00:15:52.939 --> 00:15:53.500 Within we see, 00:15:53.579 --> 00:15:54.699 we finally come to verse 4, 00:15:54.779 --> 00:15:55.799 rejoice in the Lord always. 00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:57.240 Again, I will say rejoice. 00:15:59.579 --> 00:16:00.740 Let your reasonableness 00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:01.720 be known to everyone. 00:16:01.819 --> 00:16:02.779 The Lord is at hand. 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:04.159 Now when Paul says 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:05.259 reasonableness here, 00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:07.720 it could be better translated as 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:09.379 patience or forbearance. 00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:11.399 Let your ability 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:12.460 to know what matters 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:13.300 and what doesn't matter 00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:14.340 be known to everyone. 00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:16.580 And how are you going to do it? 00:16:17.680 --> 00:16:18.980 Well, the Lord is at hand. 00:16:21.180 --> 00:16:22.460 And this means two things. 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:23.700 One, that God's presence 00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:24.500 is with us. 00:16:25.160 --> 00:16:25.800 And two, 00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:26.860 that his second coming 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.440 is near. 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:28.980 And the focus here 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:29.560 in Philippians 00:16:29.560 --> 00:16:30.960 is definitely 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:31.720 on God's presence, 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:32.899 but the primary focus 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:34.600 is on God's second coming, 00:16:34.700 --> 00:16:36.080 on Jesus' return to the earth. 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:36.379 Remember, 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.200 we've talked before 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:38.320 in chapter 3, 00:16:38.400 --> 00:16:39.460 verses 20 and 21, 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:40.620 we saw that Jesus 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.460 is coming back 00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:41.960 and he's bringing 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:42.980 a heavenly citizenship. 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:45.460 And so how we agree 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:46.379 in the Lord first 00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:47.480 is by letting our patience 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:48.320 be known to everyone, 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:49.100 our forbearance, 00:16:49.160 --> 00:16:49.960 our reasonableness. 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.379 But second, 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.259 knowing that Jesus 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:53.639 is returning soon. 00:16:54.400 --> 00:16:55.220 And so that helps us 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.560 prioritize what matters 00:16:56.560 --> 00:16:57.400 and what doesn't matter. 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:00.100 I had a member 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:00.740 of my family 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:02.320 who at one point, 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:04.360 he was diagnosed 00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:05.559 and believed 00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:06.200 that he was heading 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:07.180 down the road of cancer. 00:17:08.100 --> 00:17:09.080 He was convinced 00:17:09.080 --> 00:17:09.759 that his end 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:11.180 was very near. 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:14.039 That it was at hand. 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:16.279 And so the first thing 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.340 he did was begin 00:17:17.340 --> 00:17:18.320 to figure out 00:17:18.320 --> 00:17:18.960 what mattered 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.640 and what didn't. 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:21.519 Suddenly it became 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:22.200 very clear 00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:23.100 which relationships 00:17:23.100 --> 00:17:23.860 were priorities 00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:24.880 and which ones were not. 00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:26.440 It became clear 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.279 which possessions 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:28.120 were priorities 00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:28.880 and which were not. 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:30.259 He began clearing through 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.059 things that he owned 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:31.779 because he didn't want 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:32.720 other people after him 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.879 to have to do that for him. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:36.500 Now in this particular situation 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.879 that did not happen. 00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:38.919 This diagnosis 00:17:38.919 --> 00:17:40.740 turned out not to be true. 00:17:40.819 --> 00:17:41.240 That individual 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:42.359 is still alive 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:43.859 living a full life. 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:46.139 But the reality, 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:46.799 the realization 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:47.960 that the end 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:48.720 might be near 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:50.659 forced priorities 00:17:50.659 --> 00:17:51.440 to become clear. 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.799 And so Paul is saying 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:54.019 look, 00:17:54.139 --> 00:17:55.359 Jesus is coming back soon. 00:17:56.639 --> 00:17:57.700 And so let that be 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.579 the measure stick 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.599 by which you figure out 00:17:59.599 --> 00:18:00.259 your priorities. 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:01.759 Let that be 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.740 how you figure out 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:04.379 what is worth fighting about 00:18:04.379 --> 00:18:05.039 and what is not. 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:06.179 Let that be 00:18:06.179 --> 00:18:06.759 your attitude 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.480 towards the people 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:08.039 around you. 00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:09.559 That is how you find 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:10.599 joy in relationships. 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.659 You agree in the Lord 00:18:11.659 --> 00:18:12.559 as you realize 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:14.079 that he is at hand. 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.899 He's coming back. 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.759 And so that helps you know 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:18.319 what matters 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.039 and what doesn't. 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.480 And so it's not just 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.159 our relationships 00:18:23.159 --> 00:18:23.779 with others 00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:24.500 that bring us joy. 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:25.539 It's also our relationship 00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:26.079 with God. 00:18:26.159 --> 00:18:26.919 We see that in verses 00:18:26.919 --> 00:18:28.980 six and seven. 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:30.700 Do not be anxious 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.440 about anything 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:32.180 but in everything 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:33.620 by prayer and supplication 00:18:33.620 --> 00:18:34.339 with thanksgiving 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.200 let your requests 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:36.299 be made known to God. 00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:38.039 And the peace of God 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.779 which surpasses 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.620 all understanding 00:18:39.620 --> 00:18:40.900 will guard your hearts 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:41.660 and your minds 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:42.440 in Christ Jesus. 00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:44.980 And so Paul says here 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:46.480 the opposite of anxiety 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:48.059 is prayer. 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.220 Now it's important 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.279 to know what Paul means 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:52.400 when he talks about anxiety. 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.120 There are all different 00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:54.059 types of anxiety. 00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:55.660 Paul actually says 00:18:55.660 --> 00:18:56.279 in other letters 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:57.099 that he is anxious 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:57.799 about people. 00:18:59.079 --> 00:18:59.740 And so it seems 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:01.019 that Paul has a category 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:02.460 for types of anxiety 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.240 that are okay 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.079 and types of anxiety 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:04.639 that are not. 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:05.960 When Paul says 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.539 that he's anxious 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:07.099 about someone 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:07.680 what he really means 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:08.740 is I'm concerned for them. 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.559 I care for them. 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:10.680 I want the best for them. 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:12.119 And so he talks 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:12.819 at various points 00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:13.660 about his anxiety 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.660 for the various churches 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:16.039 that he has helped 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:17.000 and that he pastors. 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:18.519 But here when Paul 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.180 says anxiety 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.119 what he's talking about 00:19:20.119 --> 00:19:21.079 is the fear 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:22.799 that comes 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:24.000 when we refuse 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.279 to trust other people 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.920 and when we refuse 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:27.740 to trust God. 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:29.720 The anxiety 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.579 that Paul is talking 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:31.059 about here 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:31.899 is the fear 00:19:31.899 --> 00:19:33.399 that comes from 00:19:33.399 --> 00:19:34.379 refusing to trust 00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:35.000 other people 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:35.519 and refusing 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:36.359 to trust God. 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:37.619 The fear 00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:38.420 that pushes us 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:39.299 to try to manage 00:19:39.299 --> 00:19:40.399 the things around us 00:19:40.399 --> 00:19:41.559 that causes our lives 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:42.019 to shrink 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:43.379 because we choose 00:19:43.379 --> 00:19:44.539 rather than living 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.180 our lives 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:48.000 we want to control 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.700 that we want to make sure 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:49.759 there's nothing unexpected 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.759 that could ever happen. 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:51.940 We think about 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:52.660 everything bad 00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:53.240 that might happen 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:53.799 in the future 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:57.859 and then adjust 00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:58.339 our lives 00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:59.059 in light of that 00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:00.019 not in light 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:00.599 of the fact 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:01.000 that the Lord 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.539 is at hand. 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.500 And so Paul's told us 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.379 that we find our joy 00:20:05.379 --> 00:20:06.000 in relationships 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.639 with others 00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:07.579 but we also find 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.059 our joy 00:20:08.059 --> 00:20:08.779 in our relationship 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:09.399 with God 00:20:09.399 --> 00:20:10.919 because God 00:20:10.919 --> 00:20:11.299 is the one 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:12.139 that we can bring 00:20:12.139 --> 00:20:13.139 our concerns to 00:20:13.139 --> 00:20:13.559 in prayer. 00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:14.539 We can tell him 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:15.819 about the things 00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:16.839 that we're anxious about. 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:18.799 We can take the things 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.519 that we're anxious about 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.180 and recognize 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:21.019 that our control 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.539 is limited. 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:23.539 We are actually 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.039 powerless 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:25.180 in many situations 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:27.599 and so trying 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.440 and working hard 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:29.259 to control things 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:30.460 that we cannot control 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:33.139 is not just a mistake 00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:33.639 it's actually 00:20:33.639 --> 00:20:34.460 a form of evil. 00:20:35.879 --> 00:20:37.039 It's a form 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:38.159 of denying God 00:20:38.159 --> 00:20:39.899 of believing 00:20:39.899 --> 00:20:40.559 that he's not 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.480 who he says he is. 00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:44.639 And so there's 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:47.240 no special explanation 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:47.759 here. 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:49.480 there's times 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.680 when I have to dare 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.579 to be boring 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:52.500 and dare to be simple 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:54.819 as one of my professors 00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:55.759 loved to say. 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:57.619 And so this is 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.240 very simple. 00:20:59.119 --> 00:20:59.680 Paul is saying 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.339 if you're anxious 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:02.099 pray about the things 00:21:02.099 --> 00:21:02.799 you're anxious about. 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:06.079 But don't just do that. 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:08.319 Do it with thanksgiving. 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.480 Because Paul knows 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.200 something that 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:13.460 physiologists now 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.299 also understand 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:14.799 which is that 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:16.579 the part of our brain 00:21:16.579 --> 00:21:17.699 that carries anxiety 00:21:17.699 --> 00:21:18.679 is the same part 00:21:18.679 --> 00:21:19.500 that carries joy. 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.799 And so it's actually 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.720 impossible 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:25.079 for your brain 00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:25.980 to be experiencing 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:27.899 anxiety and joy 00:21:27.899 --> 00:21:28.720 at the same time. 00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:32.099 And so Paul's secret here 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:34.059 for experiencing joy 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:34.859 in any circumstance 00:21:34.859 --> 00:21:35.639 is twofold. 00:21:36.439 --> 00:21:36.819 One, 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:39.179 write down the things 00:21:39.179 --> 00:21:39.859 you're anxious about 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:40.579 and pray about them. 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.019 And two, 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.919 write down the things 00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:45.639 you're grateful for 00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:46.480 and pray about them. 00:21:49.100 --> 00:21:50.120 And this is not 00:21:50.120 --> 00:21:51.920 just some 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:53.320 modern advice 00:21:53.320 --> 00:21:53.800 about having 00:21:53.800 --> 00:21:54.800 a gratitude journal. 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:55.380 This is actually 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:56.360 what God's people 00:21:56.360 --> 00:21:56.880 have done 00:21:56.880 --> 00:21:58.300 throughout all time. 00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.400 It's what we see 00:21:59.400 --> 00:22:00.060 in the Psalms 00:22:00.060 --> 00:22:01.020 over and over again. 00:22:01.080 --> 00:22:01.540 The psalmist 00:22:01.540 --> 00:22:02.740 when he's crying out to God 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.700 when he's experiencing 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:05.080 something that causes 00:22:05.080 --> 00:22:05.840 him anxiety 00:22:05.840 --> 00:22:07.580 when he feels threatened 00:22:07.580 --> 00:22:08.500 by forces outside 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.280 of his control. 00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:10.759 Often what he'll do 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.560 in the middle of the psalm 00:22:11.560 --> 00:22:13.000 is list all the ways 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.960 that God has taken care 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.700 of him in the past. 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:18.340 And so part of 00:22:18.340 --> 00:22:19.160 the Christian life 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:21.279 is keeping a list 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.200 of the things 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:23.120 that God has done 00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:23.860 to guide us 00:22:23.860 --> 00:22:25.240 and protect us 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.480 and provide for us 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.039 in the past. 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:29.220 I know some families 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:29.660 who will, 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:31.039 when something happens 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:31.840 that's worthy 00:22:31.840 --> 00:22:32.460 of thanksgiving, 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:33.160 they'll write it down 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:33.620 on a card 00:22:33.620 --> 00:22:34.299 and then they'll put it 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:35.360 in a jar or a bucket. 00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:37.660 And so when they're 00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.539 facing anxiety, 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:39.120 when they're facing 00:22:39.120 --> 00:22:40.259 uncertainty about the future, 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:41.240 they'll take them out 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.819 and they'll remember 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.380 all the things 00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:43.940 they'd forgotten 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:44.579 in the past, 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:46.079 places where they saw 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:47.220 God's hand clearly 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.000 in their lives 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:50.079 intervening and working. 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:53.799 And that reminds them 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:55.000 of what anxiety 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:56.099 wants them to forget, 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:58.599 reminds them that God 00:22:58.599 --> 00:22:59.599 has not forgotten them, 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:01.420 that God is still 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:02.019 in control, 00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:04.319 and that while it seems 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.420 like things around them 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:06.000 have changed, 00:23:06.120 --> 00:23:06.779 God has not. 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:09.259 And so that's the peace 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:10.660 that Paul talks about 00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:11.240 in verse 7, 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:12.500 the peace which surpasses 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.259 all understanding 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:15.019 that will guard your hearts 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.639 and your minds 00:23:15.639 --> 00:23:16.420 in Christ Jesus. 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:19.119 Now it's not a coincidence 00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:19.920 that Paul uses 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.779 the word guard. 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.879 Paul, if you're familiar 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.460 with his life, 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:24.740 was very familiar 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.539 with what it was like 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.119 to be in prison. 00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:28.399 Now in this situation, 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.220 he's probably under 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:29.839 house arrest, 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:30.559 so his experience 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:30.980 with guards 00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:31.879 is a little bit less, 00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:33.279 but Paul knows 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:34.259 that a guard's job 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.259 is to keep anything 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.339 from getting to the prisoner. 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:40.819 And so Paul is telling us 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:42.000 that the secret to joy 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:45.139 is to let 00:23:45.139 --> 00:23:46.759 our remembering 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:48.759 of God's provision 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.420 for us 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.539 in the past 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.839 be the guard 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.539 of our minds 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:54.160 as we're tempted 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:55.259 to shrink 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.180 the world around us 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:57.279 so that we can control it, 00:23:58.339 --> 00:23:59.420 as we're tempted 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:00.099 to believe 00:24:00.099 --> 00:24:01.379 the lies of anxiety 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:02.859 about worst case scenarios 00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:04.079 that could potentially 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:04.779 happen sometime 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.420 in the future, 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:08.660 instead we're called 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.120 to remember 00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:09.880 what God has done 00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:10.460 in the past. 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:15.240 And that will serve 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:15.920 as a guard 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:17.220 over our minds. 00:24:17.320 --> 00:24:18.080 It will keep us 00:24:18.080 --> 00:24:19.660 from believing 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.860 the lies of anxiety, 00:24:21.060 --> 00:24:21.960 believing the lie 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:25.220 that we cannot trust God, 00:24:25.860 --> 00:24:26.440 first of all. 00:24:26.820 --> 00:24:27.880 We cannot trust 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:28.320 his people, 00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:29.180 second of all. 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:34.340 there's a truth 00:24:34.340 --> 00:24:36.820 that a man once spoke 00:24:36.820 --> 00:24:38.180 that big things 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:38.500 make 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:40.640 push out small things. 00:24:42.620 --> 00:24:43.320 And that's what 00:24:43.320 --> 00:24:44.320 Paul is telling us here. 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:45.299 He's going to tell us again 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.120 in this final section. 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:47.039 Big things push out 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:47.680 small things. 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:50.019 The big reality 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.900 of our relationships 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:51.700 with other people 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:53.259 push out 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:54.420 the fears 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:55.039 and anxieties 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:56.060 that press in on us. 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:58.059 the big reality 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:59.460 of God's providence 00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.139 and sovereignty 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:01.559 pushes out 00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:03.000 the small realities 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.899 that steal our joy. 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.220 And so that's what 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:07.339 Paul is going to end with 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:07.659 here 00:25:07.659 --> 00:25:09.220 in verses 8 and 9. 00:25:12.399 --> 00:25:13.259 We've seen first 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:14.440 that we find our joy 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:16.099 in our relationships 00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:16.740 with others 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:18.500 and not just our relationships 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.079 in general 00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:19.720 but specifically 00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.399 in the Lord. 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:22.759 Secondly, 00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:23.740 we find our joy 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.559 in prayer. 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.099 This is not just 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:27.220 some mindfulness practice 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:27.900 but it's our joy 00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:28.359 that we find 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:28.980 in the Lord 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.539 because we know 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.200 that he hears 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:31.779 and he listens to us. 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.660 And then we're going to see 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:35.759 that we find our joy 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:37.500 in all 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:38.839 of the things 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.680 that are in this world 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.680 that God has given us 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.880 that reflect his glory 00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:42.500 and his beauty. 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.559 And so we see in verse 8, 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:45.240 finally brothers, 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:46.099 whatever is true, 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:47.120 whatever is honorable, 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:48.200 whatever is just, 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:49.039 whatever is pure, 00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:49.900 whatever is lovely, 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.960 whatever is commendable, 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:52.460 if there is any excellence, 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.980 if there is anything 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.779 worthy of praise, 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.860 think about these things. 00:25:56.900 --> 00:25:58.299 Now Paul is not giving us 00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:59.660 discrete categories here. 00:25:59.840 --> 00:26:00.740 There are not things 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.779 that are on the one hand 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.779 true but not honorable 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:04.980 or pure but not lovely. 00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:06.140 We're not meant to 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:06.960 take these 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.900 and subtract them, 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.759 make them into separate lists. 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:10.920 Paul gives us 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:12.000 this crescendo 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:13.460 of adjectives 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:14.880 because he wants 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:15.360 to tell us, 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:15.579 look, 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.240 anything 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:18.900 that reflects God 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.920 and his goodness 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:21.000 and his justice 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:21.960 and his beauty. 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:24.339 Set your mind on that. 00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:27.799 When you're tempted 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:29.859 to be filled 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:30.900 with fear and anxiety, 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.420 when you're tempted 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.380 to lose your joy, 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:35.980 set your minds 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:37.339 not on things 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:38.119 that are destructive 00:26:38.119 --> 00:26:40.099 but set your mind 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:40.579 on the things 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:41.519 that God has made 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:43.720 and do it 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:45.059 wherever you find it. 00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:45.420 He says, 00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:46.480 whatever is just, 00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.400 whatever is pure. 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:48.819 In other words, 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.539 as you look around 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:49.980 the world, 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:51.180 you will see things 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:52.500 that reflect God 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:53.720 and his goodness 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:55.180 and you'll see it 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:55.799 in the church. 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.740 You'll also see it 00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.539 outside the church 00:26:58.539 --> 00:27:01.039 because everyone, 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:02.059 even if they've rebelled 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:02.799 against God, 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:03.519 is still made 00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:04.099 in his image. 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:05.159 They can't escape 00:27:05.159 --> 00:27:06.839 the fact that God 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:07.519 created them. 00:27:08.899 --> 00:27:09.480 And so we'll see 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:10.000 both people 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.639 who are Christians 00:27:10.639 --> 00:27:11.559 and non-Christians 00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:12.799 doing things 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.519 that reflect 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:15.240 God's goodness. 00:27:16.379 --> 00:27:17.200 It might not be 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:18.119 in a specific way, 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:18.639 it might not be 00:27:18.639 --> 00:27:18.959 in a way 00:27:18.959 --> 00:27:19.739 that's meant 00:27:19.739 --> 00:27:20.259 or intended 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:20.919 to bring glory 00:27:20.919 --> 00:27:21.459 to God. 00:27:23.159 --> 00:27:24.000 But think about it 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.419 this way. 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.919 If you have 00:27:26.919 --> 00:27:27.619 a child, 00:27:28.439 --> 00:27:30.319 they're going 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:31.039 to look like you 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.699 in some way 00:27:31.699 --> 00:27:32.319 whether they want 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:32.819 to or not. 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:36.779 And so there's 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.719 beauty all around 00:27:37.719 --> 00:27:38.179 the world 00:27:38.179 --> 00:27:40.859 and that is part 00:27:40.859 --> 00:27:41.659 of the great 00:27:41.659 --> 00:27:42.559 big thing 00:27:42.559 --> 00:27:43.739 that will push 00:27:43.739 --> 00:27:44.699 out the small things. 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:46.680 And so when we're 00:27:46.680 --> 00:27:48.259 tempted to be afraid 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:48.759 and we're tempted 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.779 to give up on joy, 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.680 it is right, 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.539 it is good and right 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:54.019 for us to drive 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.840 west along 00:27:54.840 --> 00:27:55.559 South Academy 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:57.140 and see the mountains 00:27:57.140 --> 00:28:00.740 and be overcome 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.559 by their beauty 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:03.920 because that's one 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.360 of the ways 00:28:04.360 --> 00:28:05.600 that God reminds us 00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:06.240 of his goodness 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.740 in the midst 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.319 of this world. 00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:10.380 It is right 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:12.340 as we're discouraged 00:28:12.340 --> 00:28:13.500 about the things 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:14.220 that are going on 00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:15.059 in our own family 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:18.079 to look at the marriages 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:19.119 that God has given us 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:19.759 in our church 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:20.400 that are healthy 00:28:20.400 --> 00:28:22.900 and have hope. 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:26.380 It is good and right 00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:27.440 as we feel 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:27.900 the darkness 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:28.579 of this world 00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:29.740 pressing in on us 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:31.920 to read a story 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:34.680 that reminds us 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.539 that there's a narrative 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.359 to this life 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:39.119 that God's in control 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:41.799 and that he has not 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:42.539 given us up. 00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:46.359 And so we have 00:28:46.359 --> 00:28:47.619 great big things 00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:49.220 that push out 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:50.640 little small things. 00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:54.740 Finally, Paul reminds us 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.440 that it's not just 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:57.259 an action of remembering 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:57.859 and thinking 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:59.279 but it's an act 00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.680 of doing. 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.660 And so he ends 00:29:01.660 --> 00:29:02.539 with verse 9. 00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:03.359 What you have learned 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:03.940 and received 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.539 and heard 00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:05.500 and seen in me 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:07.339 practice these things 00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:08.880 and the God of peace 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:09.559 will be with you. 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.480 And so we see 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.660 at the end of verse 8 00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:13.759 think about these things 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:15.480 and the middle of verse 9 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.560 practice these things. 00:29:18.840 --> 00:29:19.700 That those two 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.480 are two sides 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.200 of the same coin. 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:21.980 That as we think 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.720 more and more 00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:24.420 about what is good 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:24.880 and true 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.440 and lovely 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:27.740 we can practice 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.540 more and more. 00:29:29.080 --> 00:29:29.980 And as we practice 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.460 more and more 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:31.360 we be able to think 00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:31.940 more and more. 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:33.640 Paul again 00:29:33.640 --> 00:29:35.000 is also emphasizing 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.820 what we've talked about 00:29:35.820 --> 00:29:36.580 over and over. 00:29:37.080 --> 00:29:38.000 He presents himself 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:39.039 as a model here 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.859 just as he did 00:29:39.859 --> 00:29:41.160 in chapter 3 00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:41.720 explicitly 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:42.579 in verse 17 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:43.400 just as he did 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:44.140 in chapter 2 00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:44.799 implicitly 00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:45.640 with Timothy 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.519 and Epaphroditus. 00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:48.619 He's tying back 00:29:48.619 --> 00:29:49.720 to what we saw 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.160 at the beginning 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:50.720 of this chapter 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:52.500 in the first few verses. 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:54.640 In the end 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:56.599 you've been given 00:29:56.599 --> 00:29:57.720 the people around you 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.500 to walk with you. 00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:01.680 And so how do we find 00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:02.099 joy 00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:03.839 in any circumstance? 00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:06.059 How do we find joy 00:30:06.059 --> 00:30:07.019 in the midst of our lives 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.740 even when it seems 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.259 like darkness 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:08.779 and evil 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.819 is pressing in on us? 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.699 First we find it 00:30:12.699 --> 00:30:13.799 in the people around us 00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:15.339 and not just in them 00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:15.859 generically 00:30:15.859 --> 00:30:16.639 but specifically 00:30:16.639 --> 00:30:17.240 as we are 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:18.539 in the Lord with them 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.279 as we pursue 00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:20.819 the same treasure together. 00:30:21.459 --> 00:30:22.199 So we find it 00:30:22.199 --> 00:30:22.779 in our relationship 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.319 with others. 00:30:23.919 --> 00:30:24.619 We find it 00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:25.299 in our relationship 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:25.939 with God 00:30:25.939 --> 00:30:26.980 as we take the things 00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:28.559 that cause us to fear 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:30.439 and we give them to him. 00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:32.819 We find it 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.599 as we take the things 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:34.500 that he's done for us 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:35.539 and we remind ourselves 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:35.959 of them. 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:37.980 And finally 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:38.719 we find joy 00:30:38.719 --> 00:30:39.459 as we look around 00:30:39.459 --> 00:30:40.419 the world around us 00:30:40.419 --> 00:30:41.240 even as we look out 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.099 on a snowy day 00:30:42.099 --> 00:30:42.779 on the mountains 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.899 at least as you all 00:30:43.899 --> 00:30:44.719 look out on the mountains 00:30:44.719 --> 00:30:45.459 on a snowy day. 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:48.879 Oh, sorry. 00:30:50.679 --> 00:30:52.179 As I look out on you 00:30:52.179 --> 00:30:53.079 on a snowy day. 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:57.019 Those are the big things 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:57.899 the great things 00:30:57.899 --> 00:30:59.459 that God uses 00:30:59.459 --> 00:31:00.359 to push out 00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:01.719 the small things. 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:04.220 that when we see 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:05.779 how great 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:06.960 and glorious 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:08.120 those things are 00:31:08.120 --> 00:31:10.180 we will realize 00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:11.220 how small 00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:13.700 everything else is 00:31:13.700 --> 00:31:14.700 by comparison. 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:16.640 And so that's what 00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:17.640 we're about to sing now 00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:18.539 in our closing hymn. 00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:19.819 It starts out this way. 00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:20.059 Jesus, 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:20.860 I am resting, 00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:21.240 resting 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:22.720 in the joy 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:24.640 of what thou art. 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:27.579 Thy beauty 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:29.100 fills my soul. 00:31:29.099 --> 00:31:31.259 that God's given us 00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:32.159 the beautiful things 00:31:32.159 --> 00:31:32.719 in this world 00:31:32.719 --> 00:31:33.500 to remind us 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.179 of his goodness. 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.719 That his goodness 00:31:35.719 --> 00:31:36.379 is greater 00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:37.039 than the darkness. 00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:39.639 And then we see 00:31:39.639 --> 00:31:40.699 in the chorus 00:31:40.699 --> 00:31:43.439 why we bring things 00:31:43.439 --> 00:31:44.059 to him in prayer 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:44.980 because we find out 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.519 the greatness 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:47.000 of his loving heart. 00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:50.319 And so we can pray 00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:50.939 to him asking 00:31:50.939 --> 00:31:51.500 that he would 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:53.859 fill us around 00:31:53.859 --> 00:31:54.500 with blessings 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.539 because thine 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.159 is love indeed. 00:31:57.719 --> 00:31:58.839 So please pray with me. 00:31:59.099 --> 00:32:02.859 Dear Father in heaven, 00:32:03.719 --> 00:32:04.639 we thank you 00:32:04.639 --> 00:32:05.619 that you have given us 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:07.319 big, great things 00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:08.719 to push out 00:32:08.719 --> 00:32:10.059 little and small things. 00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:11.919 We ask that you 00:32:11.919 --> 00:32:12.779 remind us of it. 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:16.339 You put it into our hearts 00:32:16.339 --> 00:32:17.099 more and more 00:32:17.099 --> 00:32:17.919 as you make us 00:32:17.919 --> 00:32:18.759 look more and more 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:19.219 like Jesus. 00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:21.319 We ask all these things 00:32:21.319 --> 00:32:22.159 in the name of your son. 00:32:22.939 --> 00:32:23.179 Amen. 00:32:23.179 --> 00:32:23.319 Amen. 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:23.359 Amen.