WEBVTT 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:06.799 We're pleased to have a seat. Are we well this morning? Great. So good to see the children up here, wasn't it? 00:00:07.600 --> 00:00:13.200 There was me thinking I came dressed cool to church this morning, but then I saw Tiago, so I can't compete with that. 00:00:13.939 --> 00:00:19.539 So here we are, as Tim said, we're starting a new series this morning in the letter that Paul wrote to the church in Philippi. 00:00:20.620 --> 00:00:21.960 I thought it'd be good for us this morning. 00:00:22.559 --> 00:00:29.080 As we get into this little series that will take us through the summer, to get to know some of the people who are in this church, 00:00:29.079 --> 00:00:36.960 and get to know their city of Philippi, where they live, where they witness, where they love Jesus. 00:00:37.159 --> 00:00:42.820 So let me invite you to turn your Bibles back to that passage that we read, Acts chapter 16. 00:00:44.479 --> 00:00:51.340 And let's just spend some time this morning looking at what happened when the gospel came to Philippi. 00:00:51.340 --> 00:00:56.619 So let's pray as we come to God's word this morning, and let's ask that he would be at work and speak to us. 00:00:56.619 --> 00:00:59.239 So Father, help us this morning. 00:01:00.379 --> 00:01:07.120 As we turn to your word, we think of those lyrics that we sang, the song before last, that you would give us eyes to see. 00:01:08.379 --> 00:01:10.599 Father, would you speak to us by your Spirit? 00:01:10.679 --> 00:01:14.439 Would you sink these truths deep into our hearts? 00:01:15.099 --> 00:01:16.859 Would you strengthen our faith? 00:01:17.879 --> 00:01:20.340 And would you equip us for service? 00:01:20.340 --> 00:01:24.260 And Father, would we just fall more in love with your Son, the Lord Jesus, this morning? 00:01:24.960 --> 00:01:26.900 And this is our prayer made through his name. 00:01:27.400 --> 00:01:27.799 Amen. 00:01:29.900 --> 00:01:33.000 So, alone with none but thee, my God, 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:35.320 I journey on my way. 00:01:36.260 --> 00:01:40.820 What need I fear when thou art near, O King of night and day? 00:01:40.819 --> 00:01:49.979 More safe am I within thy hand than if a host did round me stand. 00:01:50.039 --> 00:01:58.939 It's the famous missionary prayer of St. Columba, the man who in 563 AD, he left Ireland with 12 companions, 00:01:59.159 --> 00:02:00.319 and he sailed for Scotland. 00:02:01.539 --> 00:02:06.119 And he settled in this little island off the west coast called Iona. 00:02:06.120 --> 00:02:12.620 St. Columba, the man who is widely credited with being the first person to bring Christianity 00:02:12.620 --> 00:02:16.080 and to bring the message of Jesus to our country. 00:02:16.460 --> 00:02:17.000 It's quite cool. 00:02:17.099 --> 00:02:18.099 It's a great missionary prayer. 00:02:18.219 --> 00:02:20.719 You can hear the zeal, can't you, in his voice? 00:02:21.700 --> 00:02:26.040 Well, here this morning, we're going to go from thinking about St. Columba, 00:02:26.120 --> 00:02:28.280 the man who brought the gospel to Scotland, 00:02:29.400 --> 00:02:35.319 and we're going to think about the man who first brought the gospel to Europe. 00:02:36.120 --> 00:02:37.439 The apostle Paul. 00:02:38.420 --> 00:02:39.580 Now think about this guy for a minute. 00:02:39.740 --> 00:02:42.340 He's a fascinating character. 00:02:43.480 --> 00:02:46.319 This man who used to be a terrorist. 00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:50.480 He used to kill Christians for a living. 00:02:50.580 --> 00:02:51.300 This is what he did. 00:02:51.379 --> 00:02:52.719 This was his life's purpose. 00:02:54.060 --> 00:02:57.819 And gloriously earlier in the book of Acts, we learn that he encounters the risen Jesus, 00:02:58.500 --> 00:03:01.980 who flips his life upside down. 00:03:01.979 --> 00:03:05.799 And if Paul's previous life mission was about snuffing Christ out, 00:03:05.959 --> 00:03:11.439 well, now his life's mission is about making Christ known the world over. 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:15.719 So here he is this morning with his traveling companions, 00:03:16.259 --> 00:03:20.060 taking the message of Jesus to the city of Philippi. 00:03:20.539 --> 00:03:23.899 And as he does that, he takes it into Europe. 00:03:24.019 --> 00:03:27.219 Now here's where we get into the narrative, verse 6 of Acts 16. 00:03:27.219 --> 00:03:34.740 We see that his trip to Philippi was, in fact, an unexpected journey. 00:03:35.780 --> 00:03:38.079 What does Luke tell us at verse 6, if you've got it there? 00:03:38.620 --> 00:03:42.659 That Paul and his companions had planned on going to Asia. 00:03:43.740 --> 00:03:47.000 It's not the continent of Asia that we would know today. 00:03:47.259 --> 00:03:49.439 It's something akin to southwest Turkey. 00:03:49.439 --> 00:03:53.460 But God said, no, you're not going south to Asia. 00:03:54.900 --> 00:03:56.000 So what do they do next? 00:03:56.060 --> 00:03:58.599 Well, they try and go north to Bithynia. 00:03:58.599 --> 00:04:01.319 But God says, no, you're not going north. 00:04:02.740 --> 00:04:04.560 So where does God want them to go? 00:04:04.719 --> 00:04:08.900 Well, while they're in Troas, on the coast, 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:11.960 Paul sees a vision of this man from Macedonia, 00:04:12.099 --> 00:04:14.219 pleading with him to come east. 00:04:14.219 --> 00:04:17.300 So they set sail from Troas, 00:04:17.399 --> 00:04:19.600 and you'll see the place names on the map there 00:04:19.600 --> 00:04:21.060 as we follow them on their journey. 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:23.680 Samothrace, Neapolis, 00:04:24.980 --> 00:04:28.740 before finally making the journey inland to Philippi. 00:04:30.680 --> 00:04:33.379 Now the eagle-eyed among you may have noticed at verse 11 00:04:33.379 --> 00:04:36.240 that Luke goes from talking about them 00:04:36.240 --> 00:04:38.699 to talking about we. 00:04:39.860 --> 00:04:43.699 So our author gets involved in the mission at this point. 00:04:43.699 --> 00:04:46.199 So Paul, Silas, Timothy, and now Luke 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:49.379 enter this city of Philippi. 00:04:50.420 --> 00:04:51.899 What do we know about this city? 00:04:52.319 --> 00:04:53.060 Well, three things. 00:04:53.139 --> 00:04:53.839 They all begin with P. 00:04:54.979 --> 00:04:56.480 Philippi is a prestigious city. 00:04:57.680 --> 00:05:01.159 It's named after Philip of Macedonia, 00:05:01.259 --> 00:05:03.539 the father of the famous Alexander the Great. 00:05:03.740 --> 00:05:04.779 So these are the heroes. 00:05:04.919 --> 00:05:07.019 These are the homeboys that come from Philippi. 00:05:08.379 --> 00:05:09.719 It's a prestigious city. 00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:11.279 And secondly, it's a proud city. 00:05:12.099 --> 00:05:13.399 You see it there, verse 12. 00:05:13.399 --> 00:05:14.679 What does Luke want us to know? 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:16.620 That it's a leading city. 00:05:17.659 --> 00:05:20.000 And that it's a Roman colony. 00:05:20.139 --> 00:05:22.139 In fact, some commentators view Philippi 00:05:22.139 --> 00:05:24.359 almost like being a mini-Rome. 00:05:25.679 --> 00:05:26.479 Roman law. 00:05:27.519 --> 00:05:29.500 People there adopting a Roman lifestyle. 00:05:30.679 --> 00:05:32.139 And in fact, Philippi is one of the places 00:05:32.139 --> 00:05:34.620 that you would go if you were a Roman soldier 00:05:34.620 --> 00:05:36.699 and you'd retired from duty. 00:05:37.339 --> 00:05:38.819 You go and live in Philippi. 00:05:38.819 --> 00:05:43.779 So you can imagine that many people living in that city, 00:05:44.819 --> 00:05:46.339 fiercely loyal to the emperor, 00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:51.060 declare the name of Caesar, loyal to the things of Rome. 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:52.159 It's a proud city. 00:05:52.160 --> 00:05:55.439 And thirdly, it's a pagan city. 00:05:57.439 --> 00:06:02.780 Rife with pagan gods, full of worship to the emperor. 00:06:03.939 --> 00:06:05.880 So there's Philippi in a nutshell really quickly. 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:09.079 Prestigious, proud, and pagan. 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:12.879 And this is the place where Paul and his traveling companions go. 00:06:13.899 --> 00:06:14.579 Verse 13. 00:06:14.719 --> 00:06:15.620 This is a quick narrative. 00:06:15.779 --> 00:06:17.279 We're going to get through it quickly this morning. 00:06:17.399 --> 00:06:19.300 When the Sabbath day comes, you see it there. 00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:21.879 There's no synagogue in Philippi. 00:06:23.659 --> 00:06:26.639 And they head straight outside the city to the gates. 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:30.539 Sorry, outside the city gates to the riverside. 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:34.639 And Luke tells us about a pretty unspectacular conversion. 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:37.219 Who's the lady that we meet? 00:06:37.300 --> 00:06:37.860 What's her name? 00:06:38.219 --> 00:06:38.519 Lydia. 00:06:40.199 --> 00:06:41.199 A businesswoman. 00:06:41.500 --> 00:06:43.639 She's from up the road in Thyatira who trades. 00:06:44.339 --> 00:06:45.439 This is what she does for a living. 00:06:45.539 --> 00:06:48.419 She trades in expensive purple goods. 00:06:48.500 --> 00:06:52.639 And she's presented to us at verse 14 as a God-fearer. 00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:57.240 Or NIV, she's a worshiper of God. 00:06:57.319 --> 00:07:03.579 This is the term that Luke uses to describe Gentiles who are attracted to the gods of the Jews. 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:04.379 This is Lydia. 00:07:05.800 --> 00:07:06.620 Here she is. 00:07:07.639 --> 00:07:10.360 Paul and the gang are speaking to her about Jesus. 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:12.139 And do you see it there? 00:07:12.180 --> 00:07:16.620 We read some of the most beautiful words I think we find anywhere in the book of Acts. 00:07:18.139 --> 00:07:21.560 How does Luke describe what happened to Lydia? 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:30.000 That the Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:33.779 Now you can almost picture it, can't you? 00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:41.740 The risen Lord Jesus with key in hand puts it in the lock of Lydia's heart. 00:07:41.740 --> 00:07:43.740 And he turns it. 00:07:43.839 --> 00:07:48.959 And all of a sudden the doors that were shut all of a sudden fly open. 00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:59.680 And this woman, this businesswoman who once was lost and blind, is now found and she sees. 00:08:01.519 --> 00:08:08.079 Here is God at work in the quiet stillness of a woman's heart. 00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:22.599 I'm sure for many of us here, actually, if you had to describe your journey to faith, if you had to describe how you came to believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord, King, and Savior, to be honest, it would be a bit like Lydia's story, wouldn't it? 00:08:22.600 --> 00:08:30.720 I know it's true for me that no one's going to call me up and say, Graham, listen, you know that story about how you became a Christian? 00:08:31.720 --> 00:08:32.500 You know that story? 00:08:33.259 --> 00:08:40.899 You know that story about how for years and years your parents faithfully taught you the things of God, introduced you to Jesus? 00:08:40.899 --> 00:08:55.039 You know that story about how for years and years of your friends witnessing to you, that story of years and years of God sovereignly and lovingly chipping away at your heart before you finally bowed the knee to his son, Jesus Christ? 00:08:55.079 --> 00:08:56.039 You know that story? 00:08:57.059 --> 00:08:58.600 We'd love to make a film about that story. 00:08:58.600 --> 00:09:12.779 Here's what we need to see from Lydia's story, that not all conversions are spectacular, but praise God, all conversions are miraculous. 00:09:14.040 --> 00:09:19.700 There is nothing ungrand about God taking a dead person and making them alive. 00:09:20.620 --> 00:09:26.660 Here is the kingdom of God breaking into Lydia's heart and life. 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:27.120 Why? 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:31.720 Well, because as we used to sing when we were kids, the king is in residence there. 00:09:33.980 --> 00:09:44.179 To paraphrase Don Carson, he says, every single conversion is a result of God speaking into somebody's life and saying, let there be light. 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:47.759 It's Lydia's story. 00:09:49.460 --> 00:09:53.220 She believes the news about Jesus, and you see, her household as well. 00:09:53.220 --> 00:10:01.259 And so this businesswoman, she becomes the first European convert. 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:02.440 Great story. 00:10:03.180 --> 00:10:04.500 Great story of Lydia. 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:12.659 And you see how we move from the quiet and the peaceful to the noisy and the violent. 00:10:14.059 --> 00:10:17.120 Paul and his team are, do you see it? 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:19.580 They're walking back to that place of prayer, verse 16. 00:10:20.740 --> 00:10:23.480 And they get heckled by this female slave. 00:10:24.519 --> 00:10:25.419 Do you read about it there? 00:10:26.039 --> 00:10:28.320 Luke lets us know that she's in double slavery. 00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:34.820 Firstly, to this demonic spirit that indwells her, that enables her to tell the future. 00:10:35.340 --> 00:10:40.520 And secondly, to her owners who are exploiting her for their financial gain. 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:45.059 You see how she heckles him at verse 17. 00:10:45.179 --> 00:10:47.539 Thankfully, no one's heckled me during a sermon. 00:10:47.659 --> 00:10:48.939 But imagine this in your head. 00:10:49.439 --> 00:10:50.199 What does she shout? 00:10:50.259 --> 00:10:50.960 It's surprising. 00:10:52.600 --> 00:10:53.159 Verse 17. 00:10:53.319 --> 00:10:58.360 These men are servants of the Most High God who are telling you the way to be saved. 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:02.639 And at one hand you read that and you think, is that not cracking? 00:11:03.439 --> 00:11:05.740 I mean, who doesn't love a little bit of free advertising? 00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:08.919 Especially if you're Scottish, we love a freebie, don't we? 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:12.259 Here is this girl proclaiming things that they're doing. 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:16.039 But how does Paul view this? 00:11:17.719 --> 00:11:22.279 Well, he discerns that everything might be right with this girl's words. 00:11:23.799 --> 00:11:27.659 But everything is wrong with the power that lies behind those words. 00:11:27.719 --> 00:11:28.279 And what does he do? 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:29.959 He orders that spirit out of her. 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:37.519 And she's free from this double slavery that had dogged her life probably for many, many years. 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:44.039 And while that's doubly good news for her, it's doubly bad news for her owners. 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:46.259 Money-making scheme. 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:48.720 This little thing they've got going here. 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:49.480 This little scheme. 00:11:49.819 --> 00:11:50.259 Abolished. 00:11:51.860 --> 00:11:56.840 And what do they do under the guise of Paul and Silas that are a threat to our values and our customs? 00:11:58.659 --> 00:12:03.179 And with the crowd joining in the attack, they're stripped and they're beaten and they're flogged. 00:12:03.319 --> 00:12:04.340 Don't miss that detail. 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:07.259 And they're thrown in prison. 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:20.340 And this jailer who will soon take center stage in the drama, he takes the necessary steps to see that these troublemakers, they have absolutely zero chance of escape. 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:24.420 And here's maybe where I want us just to slow down this morning. 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.960 It's been quick up to this point, I know. 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:28.280 Just to think for a minute. 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:31.820 Here's the guys in jail. 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:34.080 Imagine you didn't know how the story ends. 00:12:34.180 --> 00:12:35.920 Imagine you're reading this for the first time. 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:37.580 Imagine we hadn't read this out before. 00:12:38.700 --> 00:12:40.040 How are you feeling at this point? 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:42.019 In prison. 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:44.680 Tell you how I'm feeling. 00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:48.199 I'm feeling that the gospel has run out of gas. 00:12:49.739 --> 00:12:53.599 That Paul and Cole, bless their little hearts, they've given it a good shot. 00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:57.359 Maybe this was sports day, but give them the badge that said you tried your best. 00:12:58.839 --> 00:13:00.179 But honestly, who are they? 00:13:00.479 --> 00:13:01.419 They're their little message. 00:13:02.599 --> 00:13:05.159 They go up against the might of Rome. 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:07.919 In fact, that is like trying to take down a giant with a pea shooter. 00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:14.179 So I would feel, as I'm reading this for the first time, 00:13:15.319 --> 00:13:18.339 Paul and Silas are in the stocks. 00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:20.379 Now how do we think that they're feeling at this point? 00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:22.459 Come on, Lord. 00:13:23.719 --> 00:13:26.000 It wasn't our idea to come to Philippi. 00:13:26.099 --> 00:13:26.379 Do you remember? 00:13:26.459 --> 00:13:27.399 It was your idea. 00:13:28.479 --> 00:13:29.399 It was your idea. 00:13:29.479 --> 00:13:30.199 Do you remember Jonah? 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:32.639 The Old Testament prophet. 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:35.779 You told him to go, and he ran away. 00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:39.459 Well, you told us to go, and here we are. 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:44.100 We should be out there telling people about you. 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:46.399 You're not stuck in here. 00:13:46.959 --> 00:13:50.519 How can this be part of your plan? 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:54.519 This is incredible. 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:56.240 What does Luke tell us at verse 25? 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:58.740 Paul and Silas are in chains, and what are they doing? 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:00.539 Are they complaining? 00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:03.159 No, they're singing praise to God. 00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:05.199 They're in chains. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:07.840 They're in the stocks, and they're praying. 00:14:10.100 --> 00:14:12.540 I notice the detail that Luke gives us in the narrative here. 00:14:12.640 --> 00:14:16.420 What are their fellow inmates, their fellow prisoners doing? 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:16.940 They're listening. 00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:22.500 Presumably because what they see and hear Paul and Silas doing 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:24.520 has so captured their interest, 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:27.660 because they've never seen anything like this before. 00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:31.879 Let me just ask you in passing as you think about your own life. 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:34.620 What do you do day by day? 00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:37.000 Do those outside, as they look in at your life, 00:14:38.219 --> 00:14:39.699 are you a walking question mark? 00:14:40.219 --> 00:14:41.799 The way that you behave and act and talk? 00:14:41.799 --> 00:14:46.819 So they think of Paul and Silas. 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:48.879 They're in jail. 00:14:48.959 --> 00:14:50.599 They've never seen anything like this before. 00:14:50.719 --> 00:14:54.500 And what happens next in this unfolding drama is truly remarkable. 00:14:55.859 --> 00:14:56.719 What happens? 00:14:56.779 --> 00:14:57.559 There's an earthquake. 00:14:58.759 --> 00:15:00.459 The foundations of the prison shake, 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:02.179 and the prison doors fly open. 00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:04.179 That's remarkable. 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:06.519 But what happens next is even more remarkable. 00:15:06.959 --> 00:15:09.199 Here is the chance for freedom. 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:13.459 I mean, they don't need to go Steve McQueen and the great escape. 00:15:13.579 --> 00:15:15.219 They don't need to tunnel their way out. 00:15:15.719 --> 00:15:18.819 Freedom is looking at them in the face. 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:22.779 This is freedom on a plate, with a knife and fork, 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:24.899 with a serviette and the condiments. 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:28.399 Here is an open goal, 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:30.679 but with the doors wide open. 00:15:30.679 --> 00:15:32.419 Then you stay put. 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:34.099 Why? 00:15:36.479 --> 00:15:37.919 Jailer, put away your sword. 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:40.179 Do not even think about taking your own life. 00:15:41.179 --> 00:15:43.719 And get the wonder of Paul's words at verse 28. 00:15:43.939 --> 00:15:44.699 Look at it there. 00:15:46.739 --> 00:15:50.379 We are all still here. 00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:53.699 Not just Paul and Silas. 00:15:54.199 --> 00:15:55.679 All the prisoners have stayed. 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:57.979 All of them. 00:15:57.980 --> 00:16:00.779 Philippi's most wanted. 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:02.980 When given the choice between freedom, 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:07.420 that moment that they dreamt about ever since they were put in the stocks, 00:16:08.320 --> 00:16:10.220 between that and sticking around, 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:14.300 they choose sticking around. 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:14.700 Why? 00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:20.120 Presumably because these events have so fascinated them, 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:23.460 that they want to see how this turns out. 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:28.860 And you can see God's sovereign hand all over this, can't you? 00:16:30.160 --> 00:16:32.520 That if Paul hadn't addressed this slave girl, 00:16:33.680 --> 00:16:35.400 he wouldn't have been set upon by the mob, 00:16:35.580 --> 00:16:36.879 he wouldn't have ended up in prison, 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.940 he wouldn't have had the chance to witness to the prisoners, 00:16:39.300 --> 00:16:40.180 there wouldn't have been an earthquake, 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:42.139 the jailer wouldn't have tried to take his life, 00:16:42.439 --> 00:16:45.699 and Paul wouldn't have got the chance to tell this jailer about Jesus. 00:16:48.179 --> 00:16:52.459 And Paul, so in tune with the purposes and the sovereignty of God 00:16:52.459 --> 00:16:54.620 at every single junction of his life, 00:16:55.219 --> 00:16:58.939 senses that God is doing something in this moment. 00:16:59.139 --> 00:16:59.979 And what does he declare? 00:17:00.339 --> 00:17:03.019 We are all still here. 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:08.079 Now I'll tell you how this has impacted me this week. 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:12.480 So our little girl, Grace, she's been in hospital this week. 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:14.559 Sunday afternoon she went in. 00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:16.660 Wednesday evening she got out. 00:17:17.859 --> 00:17:20.960 Vast majority of that time, I'm sitting with her in that room. 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:23.279 She's got a viral infection, she can't go outside the room. 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:25.539 I'm sitting there in that room with her. 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.720 And I'm thinking to myself, 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:30.059 God, have you not seen my to-do list here? 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:32.859 I cannot move from this room. 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:34.639 I've got people to visit. 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.879 I've got sermons to craft. 00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:37.099 I've got training to do. 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:41.079 Surely it would be better for everyone 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:43.879 if I was out there and not in here. 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.839 And then it occurred to me, 00:17:49.859 --> 00:17:52.139 as I'm hanging out with Paul and Silas in prison here, 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:55.240 that am I not asking the same questions 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:57.079 that I think they would have been asking? 00:17:57.079 --> 00:18:00.740 And so I prayed, 00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:04.079 Father, help me see the world like they see the world. 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:09.799 So my question is no longer in my head, 00:18:10.159 --> 00:18:11.439 Lord, what am I doing here? 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:15.259 The question in my head goes to, 00:18:15.339 --> 00:18:16.299 Lord, what are you doing here? 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:20.679 Who is in this hospital? 00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:23.159 Who comes into this room that I can speak to 00:18:23.159 --> 00:18:25.119 about your son Jesus Christ? 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:25.279 Christ. 00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:28.039 So start trying to do it. 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:29.579 Start trying to segue conversations 00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:31.699 to Christianity. 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:34.559 Start trying to ask people's names. 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:36.339 Start trying to ask about their job. 00:18:36.879 --> 00:18:38.519 Start trying to ask about their journey. 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:39.779 Now listen, there was no earthquakes 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:41.859 and there was no mass conversions. 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:44.739 But I did get to speak to Chris 00:18:44.739 --> 00:18:47.239 and I did get to speak to Natalie 00:18:47.239 --> 00:18:49.539 and I did get to speak to Zoe. 00:18:50.939 --> 00:18:51.799 Learn their names. 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:55.319 Trying to have my Bible open on the bed 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:56.899 so they could see when they came in 00:18:56.899 --> 00:18:58.399 that this is what I was all about. 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.659 And it struck me. 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:03.680 How often is that just never on my radar? 00:19:06.639 --> 00:19:07.659 Let me ask you this morning, 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.619 I wonder for some of us, 00:19:08.659 --> 00:19:09.919 do we need to recapture 00:19:09.919 --> 00:19:12.599 and reconnect with that radar? 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:15.879 As God's people, 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:17.879 are we aware of his sovereign purposes 00:19:17.879 --> 00:19:19.759 working out in our lives? 00:19:20.659 --> 00:19:22.019 In our everyday circles, 00:19:22.139 --> 00:19:23.779 are we looking for opportunities 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:25.719 whenever and wherever they come 00:19:25.719 --> 00:19:27.919 to speak of Jesus? 00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:30.459 Now just think about your circles for a minute. 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:32.919 Think about your street. 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:34.339 Think about your stairwell. 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.459 Think about your office. 00:19:35.659 --> 00:19:36.919 Think about your sports team. 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.819 Think about your family. 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:40.059 Think about your friends. 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:42.940 Think about those who you have lunch with. 00:19:43.419 --> 00:19:45.019 Think about those in the coffee shop. 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:48.940 Who is God placing in our lives 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:51.419 by no accident, by his sovereignty, 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:53.799 that we can take an opportunity 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:56.519 this week to speak of him? 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:59.619 How different would it not 00:19:59.619 --> 00:20:00.460 our lives would look 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:03.480 if we viewed life through that lens? 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:06.960 So here is Paul. 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:09.179 He seizes the moment. 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:12.100 Tells this jailer about Jesus. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.220 And Paul, do you notice that? 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:15.799 They tell his whole household 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:16.920 about Jesus. 00:20:17.060 --> 00:20:18.380 They speak the word to them. 00:20:19.640 --> 00:20:21.160 And the joy of salvation, 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:22.620 it comes to this family. 00:20:25.100 --> 00:20:26.560 And their time in Philippi, 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:27.900 do you notice it comes to an end there 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:29.279 with the local magistrates 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:31.519 realizing that they've just flogged 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:32.220 two of their own, 00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:33.220 two Roman citizens, 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:34.340 breaking their own law. 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.420 They escort them from the city. 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:38.259 Where do they go? 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:40.240 They go to Lydia's house. 00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:40.920 Do you see it there? 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:43.119 Most likely the meeting place 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:44.379 of this little church family 00:20:44.379 --> 00:20:45.079 in Philippi. 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.299 Notice it, verse 40. 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:48.879 Clearly quite a number 00:20:48.879 --> 00:20:50.440 of brothers and sisters 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.740 who'd also come to faith 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.980 that make up this church. 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:57.420 Because really the work in Philippi, 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.720 in fact, the whole book of Acts, 00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.980 is not really the story 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:01.259 about the persistent Paul. 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:03.519 It's not really a story 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.319 about his skill 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.519 or anyone else's skill. 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.720 It's the story 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:08.339 of an unstoppable God. 00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:12.099 Of an unstoppable gospel 00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:13.160 of the kingdom of God 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:14.420 coming in power 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:15.400 as the king 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:16.759 takes up residence 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.980 in people's hearts. 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.400 A plan 00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:20.980 that God in eternity 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.640 plastered, 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.160 Godhead, 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:22.740 hatched 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:24.180 to save sinful men 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:25.220 and women to himself 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:26.519 whose son Jesus Christ 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:27.200 died 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:29.039 for people, 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:30.200 meaning that that offer 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:30.819 of forgiveness 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:31.980 and newness of life 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.659 is possible 00:21:32.659 --> 00:21:34.319 and whose spirit 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:36.299 is applying that work 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.359 to the life 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:38.319 and to the hearts 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:38.940 and to the minds 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:40.700 of people the world over 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.339 and this God 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:42.440 will not be thwarted. 00:21:43.859 --> 00:21:44.599 This God 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:45.839 will not be overturned 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.599 and so sovereign 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:47.779 and in control is he 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.819 that man's worst 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:51.899 is actually all about his best. 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.799 Try and sing with 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:57.899 our girls every night. 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.740 Our God is so big, 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.279 so strong 00:21:59.279 --> 00:21:59.859 and so mighty, 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.660 there's nothing 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:02.180 that he cannot do. 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.640 This is the story of Acts. 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.599 Here's this little church 00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:07.319 in Philippi 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:09.099 living for Jesus 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:09.819 in their city, 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:11.640 this little outpost 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:12.140 of heaven 00:22:12.140 --> 00:22:14.339 in this outpost 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.859 of Rome. 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.660 Different people, 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.299 do you notice it? 00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:17.000 Different people. 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.700 Different sexes, 00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:19.980 different social backgrounds, 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:21.079 doing different jobs 00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:22.599 with different life circumstances, 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.579 but gloriously 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.680 brought together 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.519 by God 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.380 through his son 00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:28.140 Jesus Christ 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:29.040 to form one 00:22:29.040 --> 00:22:30.500 new family. 00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:33.400 Here is their city, 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:34.940 here is their church. 00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:37.720 These are the people 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.520 that Paul is 00:22:38.520 --> 00:22:40.100 writing to 00:22:40.100 --> 00:22:41.080 in this letter 00:22:41.080 --> 00:22:42.940 and there's evidently 00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:43.460 a strong 00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:44.880 and affectionate 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:45.480 relationship 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.300 between Paul 00:22:46.300 --> 00:22:47.140 and this little church 00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:47.840 in Philippi. 00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:48.680 You see it 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:49.540 throughout the letter. 00:22:50.580 --> 00:22:51.120 Paul calls them 00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:52.180 partners in the gospel. 00:22:52.340 --> 00:22:52.780 They're standing 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.779 side by side 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.399 with him 00:22:54.399 --> 00:22:56.220 striving for Jesus Christ. 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:59.000 Paul loves these people. 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:00.259 They love Paul. 00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:00.539 In fact, 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:01.180 this letter 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:02.019 has been prompted 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:02.759 by the fact 00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:03.680 that this little church 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.460 have sent money 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.740 to the apostle Paul 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:07.740 to support him 00:23:07.740 --> 00:23:09.039 in his missionary 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.740 endeavor 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.579 because Paul 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:12.539 is not in Philippi 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.160 when he's writing 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:13.660 this thing. 00:23:13.660 --> 00:23:15.540 he's in prison 00:23:15.540 --> 00:23:17.000 in Rome 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:19.720 and he gets the money 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:20.779 and he sends this letter 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.900 back almost like 00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:23.259 a thank you letter 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:23.840 with this man 00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:24.940 called Epaphroditus 00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:26.400 back to this church 00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:27.060 in Philippi. 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:32.119 And that may be 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:32.679 the occasion 00:23:32.679 --> 00:23:33.220 for the letter 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:33.960 but the purpose 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.740 of this letter 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:37.059 is a lot deeper. 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:38.700 Paul knows 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.419 this little church. 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:40.359 He knows the pressures 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:41.319 that they face. 00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.779 He knows the internal 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:44.740 pressures facing 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:45.599 this little church. 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.339 He's heard about 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:47.200 the disputes 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:48.119 and the rivalries 00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:48.759 going on. 00:23:48.899 --> 00:23:49.759 He's heard about 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.519 the false teachers 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:51.019 who would try 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:51.579 and come in 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.000 and say, 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:52.700 no, 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.839 it's not all about Jesus. 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:54.819 Try and throw them 00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:55.519 off course. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:57.559 And he's heard, 00:23:57.639 --> 00:23:57.859 isn't he, 00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:58.500 and he's experienced 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:58.960 for himself. 00:23:59.059 --> 00:23:59.759 We've seen it here. 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:01.119 The external pressures 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:02.180 facing this church. 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:04.779 The world outside. 00:24:06.119 --> 00:24:06.639 You can imagine, 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.079 can't you, 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:08.019 that as we've looked 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.299 at it, 00:24:08.359 --> 00:24:10.019 this city 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:11.139 with so many people 00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:12.400 fiercely loyal 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:13.420 to the emperor. 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.299 Caesar is Lord. 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.460 That's the strapline. 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.200 Well, you can imagine 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:17.920 to declare that 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:18.500 no, no, no, no. 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.539 Jesus is Lord. 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.559 That's going to cause you 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:24.539 some serious difficulties 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.700 as you live your life 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:26.039 for him. 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.339 So what does he want 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:29.940 for this church? 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.559 Well, let's just, 00:24:30.899 --> 00:24:31.940 as we come to a close 00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:32.420 this morning, 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.259 let me take you to 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:34.740 maybe chapter 1 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.359 and verse 9 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:36.339 of Paul's letter 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.200 to the Philippians. 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.079 And if you've not 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:40.420 got it there, 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:40.740 don't worry, 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.579 I'll put it on the screen. 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:43.180 This is what he prays 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:44.000 for this church. 00:24:44.119 --> 00:24:45.759 This is his unceasing prayer. 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:49.180 And this is my prayer. 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.299 This is how he opens 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:50.779 this letter. 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.680 This is my prayer 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:52.740 that your love 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.900 may abound more 00:24:53.900 --> 00:24:55.100 and more 00:24:55.100 --> 00:24:55.920 in knowledge 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:57.160 and depth of insight 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:59.779 so that you may be able 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:01.580 to discern what is best 00:25:01.580 --> 00:25:04.080 and may be pure 00:25:04.080 --> 00:25:05.019 and blameless 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:06.140 for the day of Christ, 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:08.279 filled with the fruit 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:08.980 of righteousness 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:10.000 that comes through 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.720 Jesus Christ 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.480 to the glory 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:13.740 and the praise of God. 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.460 What does he want 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.240 for this church? 00:25:15.560 --> 00:25:16.420 What does he pray? 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:19.480 He prays that this church 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.200 would grow. 00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:22.599 Grow in what? 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:22.980 Firstly, 00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:23.579 just notice it 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.539 in those verses there, 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.539 in their knowing. 00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:28.140 He wants them to grow. 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:28.940 How does he put it? 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.779 In their knowledge 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.519 and their depth 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:31.579 of insight. 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.420 Now he's not talking 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.839 about learning facts 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:34.960 for mastermind. 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:36.120 What he's talking about 00:25:36.120 --> 00:25:36.759 is a head 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:38.460 and a heart relationship 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:40.319 with Jesus Christ 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:41.380 and to know 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.940 the all-surpassing joy 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:45.019 of knowing him. 00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:47.839 Secondly, 00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:48.579 he wants them to grow 00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:49.259 and they're showing. 00:25:49.379 --> 00:25:50.359 He wants them together 00:25:50.359 --> 00:25:52.339 to put on display 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:53.859 for the world to see 00:25:53.859 --> 00:25:56.199 the all-surpassing joy 00:25:56.199 --> 00:25:57.879 of knowing Jesus together. 00:25:58.699 --> 00:25:59.500 What does he want 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.119 for this church 00:26:00.119 --> 00:26:01.460 as they live their lives 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:03.659 in this city of Philippi? 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:04.139 He wants them 00:26:04.139 --> 00:26:05.000 to stand together, 00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:07.000 to stand firm for him. 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.960 Together as one community, 00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:12.099 obey Jesus' words. 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:13.619 Together as one community, 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:16.019 hold fast to the truth. 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:18.599 Together as one community, 00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:22.339 adopt a Christ-like style 00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:23.180 of humility. 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:27.099 And as you do that, 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:28.460 strive all the more 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.180 for the glory 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:30.180 that's ahead of us, 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:32.740 the glory of being 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:34.619 with Christ in heaven. 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:36.599 And as they do all that, 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:37.299 what does he want? 00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:39.139 He wants them to shine 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:41.480 like stars in the midst 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:42.900 of their dark world, 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:44.860 making Jesus look majestic. 00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:48.860 That's Paul's purpose 00:26:48.860 --> 00:26:49.740 in writing this letter 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.420 to the Philippians. 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.360 He wants them to grow 00:26:51.360 --> 00:26:52.860 and he wants them to know 00:26:52.860 --> 00:26:54.900 and he wants them to show. 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.920 And how does Paul 00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:57.940 see these people? 00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.820 And you see it there 00:26:59.820 --> 00:27:00.820 in the opening few verses 00:27:00.820 --> 00:27:01.580 of this letter. 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.700 How does he address them? 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.500 How does he write to them 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.160 as saints? 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:08.980 As God's chosen ones. 00:27:10.040 --> 00:27:11.780 As he's set apart ones. 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:13.539 Because these Christians 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:15.000 may well be in Philippi, 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.819 but Paul wants them 00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:19.099 to see their truer 00:27:19.099 --> 00:27:19.740 and deeper 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:20.879 and more fundamental 00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:22.480 identity as a Christian. 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:25.720 They may be in Philippi, 00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:26.740 but more than that, 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.359 their true identity 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:30.779 is that they are in Christ. 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:33.279 They are his. 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:36.579 And so what does he write? 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:38.539 Grace and peace 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:40.220 to you, says Paul. 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:43.140 From God the Father 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:45.120 and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:48.019 See, the gospel 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:49.059 has well and truly 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.600 hit Europe 00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:52.120 and it's well and truly 00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:52.920 taken root 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:54.480 in this little city 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.960 of Philippi. 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.779 Alone with none 00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.860 but thee, my God, 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:01.920 I journey on my way. 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:04.100 What need I fear 00:28:04.100 --> 00:28:06.140 when thou art near, 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:08.400 O King of night and day? 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:09.900 More safe am I 00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:11.900 within thy hand 00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:13.900 than if a host 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:16.220 did round me stand. 00:28:17.800 --> 00:28:19.280 So we'll get into chapter one 00:28:19.280 --> 00:28:20.280 next week. 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:21.220 Let's pray together. 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:29.800 Father, we thank you so much 00:28:29.800 --> 00:28:30.500 for your word. 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:33.420 what a privilege 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:34.480 and what a joy it is 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.660 to have these events 00:28:35.660 --> 00:28:37.059 recorded for us 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.920 that we can read 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:39.059 in our own language 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:39.880 and understand. 00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:41.579 And we thank you 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.400 for the encouragement 00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:43.119 that this has brought 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:43.900 to us this morning, 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:45.180 that you are God 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:46.299 on high 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:48.900 and your purposes 00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:50.359 are unstoppable 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:52.359 and the news 00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:53.279 of your Son 00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:54.599 is glorious. 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.559 And so, Father, 00:28:57.619 --> 00:28:58.619 as we leave Philippi 00:28:58.619 --> 00:28:59.179 this morning, 00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.739 we pray 00:28:59.739 --> 00:29:01.219 for that same 00:29:01.219 --> 00:29:02.619 missionary spirit 00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:04.859 that you would help us 00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:06.059 in our city 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:07.559 to be bold 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:08.500 as we speak 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.599 and as we live 00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:10.179 for the glory 00:29:10.179 --> 00:29:11.000 of Jesus Christ, 00:29:11.099 --> 00:29:12.519 we pray in his name. 00:29:12.979 --> 00:29:13.319 Amen.