WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:05.100 Well, if you would, please open up your Bibles to the book of Philippians. 00:00:05.419 --> 00:00:09.400 The book of Philippians. We're continuing our series through the book of Philippians. 00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:14.800 If you don't have a Bible of your own, there should be a Bible somewhere nearby and a seat back in front of you. 00:00:15.160 --> 00:00:19.920 But you'll want to have your Bible open. We want to hear from the Word of God this morning. 00:00:20.080 --> 00:00:27.780 Our passage is going to be starting at the second half of verse 18 all the way through the end of the chapter, verse 30. 00:00:27.780 --> 00:00:32.800 So when you found that, Philippians 1, 18b through 30. 00:00:32.880 --> 00:00:35.840 When you found that, let's stand in honor of the reading of God's Word this morning. 00:00:48.020 --> 00:00:48.700 Paul says, 00:00:48.700 --> 00:00:50.340 Yes, and I will rejoice. 00:00:51.240 --> 00:00:56.939 For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out for my deliverance. 00:00:56.939 --> 00:01:08.739 As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not at all be ashamed, but that with full courage, now as always, Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 00:01:09.519 --> 00:01:14.539 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 00:01:15.479 --> 00:01:21.019 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me, yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 00:01:21.099 --> 00:01:22.420 I'm hard-pressed between the two. 00:01:22.420 --> 00:01:26.799 My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 00:01:27.579 --> 00:01:30.420 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 00:01:31.299 --> 00:01:37.379 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 00:01:37.960 --> 00:01:43.400 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus because of my coming to you again. 00:01:43.400 --> 00:01:51.700 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, 00:01:52.080 --> 00:02:00.180 I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 00:02:00.920 --> 00:02:03.080 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. 00:02:04.040 --> 00:02:09.259 This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation and that from God. 00:02:09.259 --> 00:02:14.739 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him, 00:02:14.819 --> 00:02:22.979 but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. 00:02:23.699 --> 00:02:25.120 This is the word of God. 00:02:25.219 --> 00:02:26.039 Let's pray once more. 00:02:26.120 --> 00:02:29.399 Father, we ask that you would speak today through your word. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:32.039 Build your church through the preaching of your word. 00:02:32.099 --> 00:02:33.039 We pray in Christ's name. 00:02:33.799 --> 00:02:34.099 Amen. 00:02:34.939 --> 00:02:35.819 You may be seated. 00:02:35.819 --> 00:02:35.939 Amen. 00:02:39.259 --> 00:02:44.780 Well, as many of you know, Amanda's grandmother passed away a week ago Saturday, 00:02:45.299 --> 00:02:48.139 and so this week we were down in Georgia. 00:02:48.259 --> 00:02:54.039 I want to say thank you for the phone calls, text, cars, the many ways that you've encouraged us 00:02:54.039 --> 00:02:56.139 and supported us over the past week. 00:02:56.579 --> 00:02:59.479 But we were down in Georgia for her funeral this week, 00:02:59.519 --> 00:03:02.819 and I was given the opportunity to speak for a few minutes. 00:03:02.819 --> 00:03:08.659 And as I thought and prepared and planned through what I wanted to say in God's providence, 00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:12.719 these words of Paul were just rattling in my mind. 00:03:12.879 --> 00:03:17.699 To live is Christ, to die is gain. 00:03:19.180 --> 00:03:24.400 And I said, I acknowledge, you know, it is strange to talk like this. 00:03:24.459 --> 00:03:28.620 If you're not a believer, Christian funerals are strange events to attend. 00:03:28.620 --> 00:03:33.560 But death is never gain if you don't know Christ. 00:03:34.740 --> 00:03:39.640 But at a Christian funeral, you might see sorrow and tears, of course. 00:03:39.740 --> 00:03:40.340 There's sadness. 00:03:40.620 --> 00:03:42.719 Death is a terrible enemy. 00:03:43.580 --> 00:03:47.439 And at the same time, there's mingled with it, there's joy. 00:03:48.379 --> 00:03:49.319 There's hope. 00:03:49.580 --> 00:03:50.640 There's tears. 00:03:50.879 --> 00:03:52.300 And then there's laughter. 00:03:52.620 --> 00:03:54.960 There's grieving and there's rejoicing. 00:03:54.960 --> 00:04:01.040 We don't grieve as those who have no hope, but we grieve as those who know the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:04:01.219 --> 00:04:06.780 We can rejoice in the death of a saint because we know that she was and she is in Christ. 00:04:06.920 --> 00:04:15.040 And so, yes, her passing is great loss for us, but we rejoice that for her to die is gain. 00:04:16.680 --> 00:04:22.199 The lesson that we learn from Christian funerals and the lesson that we learn from our passage this morning in Philippians 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:24.319 is one and the same, and it's this. 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:25.980 This is the main idea for us this morning. 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:31.500 It's that the gospel of Jesus Christ transforms the way we view life and death. 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:44.100 For the believer, for those who are in Christ, the gospel of Jesus Christ completely transforms the way that you view life and death. 00:04:44.219 --> 00:04:45.759 And so let's see it in our passage this morning. 00:04:45.860 --> 00:04:49.100 I want to ask three questions of our passage this morning. 00:04:49.180 --> 00:04:50.740 This will be our outline if you're taking notes. 00:04:50.740 --> 00:04:55.220 First, I want to ask, well, how did the gospel transform Paul's view of death? 00:04:56.800 --> 00:05:02.220 How did the gospel transform Paul's view of death? 00:05:02.300 --> 00:05:03.980 Look there with me starting in verse 19. 00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:11.900 Here in verses 19 through 26, we get a taste of Paul's singular devotion. 00:05:12.920 --> 00:05:17.860 You remember from the past couple weeks, Paul is a man of gospel ambition. 00:05:17.860 --> 00:05:20.180 He's got a one-track mind. 00:05:20.500 --> 00:05:22.000 He didn't care that he's in prison. 00:05:22.199 --> 00:05:27.360 He didn't care that selfish people are out there preaching the gospel trying to steal away his influence. 00:05:27.980 --> 00:05:31.879 All Paul cares about is that the gospel is advanced. 00:05:32.420 --> 00:05:35.860 He wants Christ to be magnified whatever the cost to him personally. 00:05:35.860 --> 00:05:40.900 And here again, you remember, Paul's writing this letter from a prison cell. 00:05:41.020 --> 00:05:47.220 And the possibility is very real for him that this might end in death for Paul. 00:05:48.560 --> 00:05:51.060 That possibility is on the table. 00:05:51.160 --> 00:05:54.439 As he writes this letter, he does not know what the verdict's going to be. 00:05:55.620 --> 00:05:58.379 He might walk away and be set free. 00:05:58.480 --> 00:05:59.160 That's one option. 00:05:59.340 --> 00:06:03.780 Or he might very realistically be sentenced to death. 00:06:03.779 --> 00:06:05.299 He doesn't know. 00:06:06.539 --> 00:06:11.479 He seems confident, verse 19, that it won't end in death. 00:06:11.559 --> 00:06:15.119 Verse 19, he says that he has the prayers of the saints in his corner. 00:06:15.279 --> 00:06:18.239 He has the Holy Spirit in his corner. 00:06:18.359 --> 00:06:21.479 He's confident, he says, that this will turn out for his deliverance. 00:06:21.619 --> 00:06:28.259 But there's the very real possibility that this will not end in immediate deliverance for Paul. 00:06:28.339 --> 00:06:29.419 He may really die. 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:31.000 This is on the table as far as he knows. 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:34.160 The amazing thing is, look at verse 20. 00:06:35.600 --> 00:06:36.699 He doesn't seem to mind. 00:06:38.579 --> 00:06:40.879 He doesn't seem to mind. 00:06:41.560 --> 00:06:49.500 He says, verse 20, he says, his main concern is that either way, life or death, Christ will be honored in my body. 00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:50.360 Christ will be honored. 00:06:50.459 --> 00:06:54.779 It is my eager expectation and hope, he says, that I will not be at all ashamed. 00:06:54.779 --> 00:07:04.799 But that with full courage, now as always, Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life, option number one, or by death, option number two. 00:07:04.859 --> 00:07:05.979 That's all he cares about. 00:07:06.839 --> 00:07:09.319 Paul does not care about Paul. 00:07:09.419 --> 00:07:11.359 We've seen this over the past couple weeks, haven't we? 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:19.980 Paul's ambition is that the glory of God be magnified as he exalts the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:22.600 I think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:25.480 We preached through Daniel several months ago here. 00:07:26.060 --> 00:07:27.520 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:07:27.699 --> 00:07:28.520 You remember the story. 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:31.300 They're getting ready to be thrown into the fiery furnace. 00:07:31.300 --> 00:07:37.240 And they're looking the king in the eye, King Nebuchadnezzar, and they say something similar to him, don't they? 00:07:37.860 --> 00:07:40.980 They say, our God will deliver us. 00:07:42.199 --> 00:07:48.620 But even if not, we will not bow down to your statue, O King Nebuchadnezzar. 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:51.240 Even if not. 00:07:51.319 --> 00:07:54.580 See, they share Paul's ambition. 00:07:55.560 --> 00:07:56.759 To live is Christ. 00:07:57.360 --> 00:07:59.280 To die is gain. 00:07:59.279 --> 00:08:02.639 Their ambition is to honor the Lord in life or in death. 00:08:02.719 --> 00:08:11.039 And they share Paul's confidence that even death ends in deliverance for those who know the Lord. 00:08:12.559 --> 00:08:16.039 This is the secret to Christian confidence. 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:20.119 It's the secret to risk-taking for the sake of the gospel. 00:08:20.459 --> 00:08:22.559 The Christian cannot lose. 00:08:22.679 --> 00:08:28.279 There is deliverance and there is salvation at the end of the line for everyone who is in Christ. 00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:33.259 Even death itself means deliverance for those who are in Christ. 00:08:33.819 --> 00:08:38.199 If you're not a believer, this is so strange. 00:08:38.839 --> 00:08:41.319 The non-believing viewers don't know the gospel. 00:08:41.439 --> 00:08:48.799 If you're not a believer, you need to know that there is one way and only one way that death could possibly be gained. 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:52.699 If you are outside of Christ, death is not gain. 00:08:54.199 --> 00:08:58.159 If you are outside of Christ, death is tremendous loss. 00:08:58.279 --> 00:09:01.559 There is one way, only one way that death can be gained. 00:09:01.559 --> 00:09:09.459 If by the grace of God, a sinner like me, a sinner like you, someone who has earned death because of our sin, 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:13.659 someone who has earned separation from God because of our sin, 00:09:13.899 --> 00:09:18.779 if by the grace of God a sinner cries out to Christ in faith, 00:09:19.599 --> 00:09:25.619 and believes by faith that Christ Jesus has defeated sin and all of its consequences for me, 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:34.159 Christ Jesus has risen from the grave and conquered the grave for me so that if I am united to him by faith, 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:36.759 I can live forever with him. 00:09:36.820 --> 00:09:39.480 That's the only way that death could possibly be gained. 00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:46.680 See, this gospel has transformed Paul's view of death. 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:47.519 It's still terrible. 00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:49.560 It still hurts. 00:09:50.560 --> 00:09:52.039 It still causes us to grieve. 00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:53.740 It's still a terrible enemy. 00:09:53.879 --> 00:09:57.580 But in Christ, it is a defeated enemy. 00:09:59.060 --> 00:10:03.039 In fact, he says it's a toss-up for him which one he'd prefer. 00:10:04.700 --> 00:10:05.940 Yet which shall I choose? 00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:07.279 I cannot tell. 00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:09.879 I'm hard-pressed between the two, he says in verse 23. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:10.740 I mean, can you imagine? 00:10:10.980 --> 00:10:12.139 Paul's not an old man. 00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:17.179 He's not at the end of a life well-lived, wishing to go home. 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:21.220 He has plenty of life ahead of him if the Lord would allow it. 00:10:21.220 --> 00:10:29.639 Yet he says, my deepest desire in my heart is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better, he says. 00:10:29.699 --> 00:10:32.620 I wonder, is this how you view death? 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:41.720 When you think about dying, I know it's not a popular topic to talk about. 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:42.720 It's not warm and fuzzy. 00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:46.720 But the truth is, church, death is ahead of each one of us. 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:54.379 When you think about the very real truth of death, I wonder if you view it as gain. 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:59.399 Paul's view of death has been transformed by the gospel. 00:10:59.580 --> 00:11:04.960 And not only this, second, the gospel has also transformed Paul's view of life. 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:11.300 So my second question this morning is, how has the gospel transformed Paul's view of life? 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:13.980 There's a whole other side of the equation here. 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:16.160 And I want you to listen to this. 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:17.600 I want you to understand this, okay? 00:11:18.920 --> 00:11:25.639 The gospel of Jesus Christ is not just about security in death. 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:31.980 The gospel is also about purpose in life. 00:11:31.980 --> 00:11:34.159 You hear that? 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:36.259 I'll say it again. 00:11:36.440 --> 00:11:44.740 The gospel of Jesus Christ is not just meant to give you assurance that when you die, you will go to heaven. 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:49.940 As good and as glorious and as true as that is for you if you're in Christ, 00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:56.600 it's not just about eternal security and assurance of what comes after your life. 00:11:56.600 --> 00:12:03.240 It's also meant to shape and define all of your life. 00:12:05.060 --> 00:12:06.279 You see that here, don't you? 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:08.220 For Paul, look what he says in verse 21. 00:12:08.420 --> 00:12:13.000 He says something absolutely stunning in verse 21. 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:14.540 He says, 00:12:14.540 --> 00:12:18.000 For me to live is Christ. 00:12:18.920 --> 00:12:21.720 To die is gain. 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:26.660 To live is Christ. 00:12:26.820 --> 00:12:31.080 This is new purpose for Paul. 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:35.160 This is new life for Paul. 00:12:35.300 --> 00:12:37.420 This is not just part of his life. 00:12:37.560 --> 00:12:42.840 This gospel of Jesus Christ has now transformed his entire life. 00:12:42.899 --> 00:12:44.720 For me to live is Christ. 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:48.480 I've been crucified with Christ, he says in Galatians 2. 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:56.139 I've been crucified with Christ, therefore I no longer live, but Christ Jesus now lives in me. 00:12:56.960 --> 00:13:03.279 And the life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:06.159 To live is Christ for Paul. 00:13:07.220 --> 00:13:11.840 Paul says the old me that lived for self, that old me is dead. 00:13:11.920 --> 00:13:13.100 He is crucified with Christ. 00:13:13.779 --> 00:13:15.639 Now there's a new Paul here. 00:13:15.700 --> 00:13:17.259 If anyone is in Christ, he is what? 00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:17.600 Help me. 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:18.220 Help me. 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:19.879 He's a new creation. 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:22.039 The old is gone. 00:13:22.180 --> 00:13:24.220 Behold, the new has come. 00:13:24.420 --> 00:13:26.960 Christ is his life. 00:13:27.060 --> 00:13:31.100 I know I've shared this story with you before, but I'll never forget when I was in college. 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:41.240 And the guy who discipled me, mentored me, invested in me, he gave me an assignment to just make a pie chart of my life. 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:50.539 Just put all of my day, 24 hours a day, onto this pie chart and put it on a piece of paper and that represents my life and show him kind of how I spend my time. 00:13:50.680 --> 00:13:52.879 And so I tried to be as accurate as I could. 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:54.720 I had studying here. 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:55.860 It's probably a small sliver. 00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:55.899 It's probably a small sliver. 00:13:55.899 --> 00:14:00.300 I had eating here, lunch, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack. 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:04.740 I had exercise here, sports here, hang out with friends here. 00:14:05.040 --> 00:14:07.600 And over here, there's another little sliver of the pie chart. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:08.320 I had God. 00:14:08.420 --> 00:14:11.120 This was my time set aside for God. 00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:13.220 This is when I spent time with him. 00:14:13.320 --> 00:14:15.000 And I thought that I was doing pretty well. 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:23.100 In fact, I thought that that was the point of the whole assignment was to see how much time you're giving to God and maybe try to wiggle out a little bit more time for God. 00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:24.840 I thought that I was doing all right. 00:14:26.180 --> 00:14:29.360 He took one look at it and said, what in the world is this? 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:35.180 And he said, no, no, no, you don't get it. 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:39.899 All of your life is for God. 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:44.159 He's not just one little sliver of the pie chart. 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:45.839 Yes, spend time with the Lord. 00:14:45.959 --> 00:14:46.359 Absolutely. 00:14:46.739 --> 00:14:53.519 Set aside time to spend with the Lord in Bible reading and in prayer and in personal devotion. 00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:57.679 But you need to understand, Jonathan, that lunch is for God too. 00:14:58.759 --> 00:15:01.500 And sleep and rest is for God too. 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:03.979 And recreation is for God too. 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:07.300 And the time you spend with your friends, that's for God too. 00:15:07.680 --> 00:15:12.440 All of your life is now lived in worship of the living God. 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:14.259 He's not just part of your life. 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:16.600 Christ is your life. 00:15:17.420 --> 00:15:20.080 To live is Christ. 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:23.159 To die is gain. 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:27.779 You realize this is the complete reverse of the motto of the world. 00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:35.939 It's the complete 180, which is why the old self needs to be crucified with Christ. 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:42.240 The motto of the world is to live is self to die is loss. 00:15:43.839 --> 00:15:45.620 Rule number one, don't die. 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:48.360 That's rule number one, right? 00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:49.299 Death is loss. 00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:50.560 Don't die. 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:55.159 Self-preservation is the highest value of the flesh. 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:57.000 There's no gain in death. 00:15:57.100 --> 00:16:00.000 Rule number two, while you're alive, you live for self. 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:06.220 Self-gratification is the second highest value in the non-believing mind. 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:08.960 In fact, it might compete for first at times. 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:15.000 Because the non-believer will turn a blind eye to the threat of death and the pursuit of pleasure. 00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:16.180 So that one might be first. 00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:20.080 That's how the natural self views life. 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:24.420 And maybe you saw the article about a guy named Brian Johnson. 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:26.440 I saw this in Time Magazine. 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:29.120 It was titled, the article was titled, 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:31.639 The Man Who Thinks He Can Live Forever. 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:33.779 And I'll quote it for you. 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:37.639 It said, Johnson, age 46, is a centimillionaire. 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:39.840 I don't even know how much that is. 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:47.539 Centimillionaire tech entrepreneur who has spent most of the last three years in pursuit of a singular goal. 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:49.019 Don't die. 00:16:50.419 --> 00:16:55.659 And during that time, he's spent more than $4 million developing a life extension system called Blueprint. 00:16:55.659 --> 00:17:06.059 Blueprint, in which he outsources every decision involving his body to a team of doctors who use data to develop a strict health regimen to reduce what Johnson calls his biological age. 00:17:06.139 --> 00:17:10.799 And that system includes downing 111 pills every single day. 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:21.240 And wearing a baseball cap that shoots red light into his scalp, collecting his own stool samples and some other interesting strategies that I won't mention here. 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:33.220 Johnson says that the data compiled by his doctors suggests that Blueprint has so far given him the bones of a 30-year-old and the heart of a 37-year-old. 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:38.680 Johnson says he is reframing what it means to be human. 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:42.460 I read that and I wanted to scream. 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:44.680 No, he's not. 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:49.120 This is the most normal way to live ever. 00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:55.000 It is not reframing what it means to be human to try and extend your life. 00:17:56.739 --> 00:17:59.179 Paul is reframing what it means to be human. 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:04.579 Paul is recovering what it means to truly be human. 00:18:04.659 --> 00:18:09.979 To be truly human isn't to live for yourself and try to prolong your life as long as you can. 00:18:09.979 --> 00:18:16.039 To be truly human as you were designed to be is to live every moment for the glory of God. 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:23.479 And the irony is, it looks a lot like death. 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:30.199 You ask yourself, what does Paul's life look like as he's living for the glory of God? 00:18:30.239 --> 00:18:32.519 It looks a lot like sacrifice. 00:18:33.939 --> 00:18:37.099 He's giving it away for the glory of God. 00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:39.319 He is, as he calls us to in Romans 12. 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:43.119 He's offering himself up as a living sacrifice. 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:44.859 Offered up to God in worship. 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:48.559 And more specifically, what does his life look like? 00:18:48.619 --> 00:18:56.099 More specifically, it looks like giving it away for the glory of God in the building up of the church. 00:18:56.099 --> 00:19:02.459 And I caught this vision in college. 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:04.459 And again, I was growing in my love for Jesus. 00:19:04.639 --> 00:19:07.000 I was growing in my walk with the Lord. 00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:09.959 I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:14.539 Because I didn't do it the right way where you're supposed to know that before you get to school. 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.319 Right? 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:17.059 I was figuring it out while I was there. 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:23.339 But what I realized was, why not give my life to what Jesus gave his life to? 00:19:25.159 --> 00:19:31.379 Why not seek to build what Jesus has committed to build? 00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:41.039 Why not align my desires and my time and my efforts with Jesus' desires and Jesus' time and Jesus' efforts? 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:44.259 And you ask yourself, what does Jesus really care about? 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:44.339 What? 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:49.619 Jesus gave himself up for the church. 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:53.160 Loved the church. 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:57.440 Gave himself up for her that he might present her to himself without blemish. 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:57.700 How? 00:19:57.799 --> 00:20:01.259 By washing her with the water of the word. 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:04.940 If you want to give yourself to something that won't fail. 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:08.200 If you want to devote yourself to a mission that's going to last forever. 00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:10.920 Well, Jesus said, I will build my what? 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:13.440 You can say it. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.099 My church. 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:19.200 And the gates of hell will not prevail against it. 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:24.759 I had a pastor who used to tell me, if you want to give your life to something that will last into eternity, 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:30.500 give it to the glory of God in the building up of the local church. 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:33.680 This was Paul's aim. 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:34.279 You see it. 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:35.900 Verse 22. 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:37.460 He says, if I'm going to live. 00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:40.779 If that option is the one that's before me. 00:20:40.840 --> 00:20:41.700 If I'm going to live. 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.700 You know what that means for me? 00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:46.220 That means fruitful labor for me. 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:48.019 What kind of labor? 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:48.539 Paul. 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:49.460 Verse 24. 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:54.220 To remain in the flesh is more necessary for you, church. 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:56.579 For you, Philippians. 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.980 On your account. 00:20:58.079 --> 00:21:00.640 So I know that I will remain and continue with you all. 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.000 Why? 00:21:01.800 --> 00:21:02.500 What's the point? 00:21:02.580 --> 00:21:04.380 What's the aim of his life? 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:06.700 Two goals in particular that he has for the church. 00:21:06.800 --> 00:21:07.500 Verse 25. 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:11.340 For your progress and your joy in the faith. 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:11.860 You see it? 00:21:12.900 --> 00:21:16.380 Your progress and your joy in the faith. 00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:22.160 Paul is willing to give his life for the progress of the faith of the church. 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:32.400 He's willing to be imprisoned, to suffer, even to die for the sake of the joy of the church and the living God. 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:40.380 You see, despite what you may have heard, Christianity is not a stagnant religion. 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:45.680 It's not just a decision that you make once and then it's over. 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:46.480 You're in. 00:21:46.560 --> 00:21:46.920 You're good. 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:47.840 Eternity is secure. 00:21:48.340 --> 00:21:54.280 When you put your faith in Christ and you become a Christian, your identity changes. 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:56.440 Your eternity changes. 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:58.340 Your priority changes. 00:21:58.620 --> 00:22:02.240 And now, Paul says, your pursuits change. 00:22:03.300 --> 00:22:09.140 You are now, Paul says, so long as you live until Christ returns or you die and enter glory, 00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:13.140 you are now to pursue progress in the faith. 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:16.580 So I ask you, are you progressing? 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:20.200 Are you pursuing? 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:26.940 Are you soaking in the means of grace that God's given you to grow in the faith? 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:30.700 Are you spending time with him in the word and in prayer? 00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:34.820 Is it your desire to help others to pursue progress in the faith? 00:22:37.020 --> 00:22:38.759 Christians are to pursue progress. 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:39.640 In the faith. 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:43.860 But not only this, Christianity is also not a joyless religion. 00:22:44.100 --> 00:22:48.780 You know, if you hear this and you think, how much time do I have to spend in prayer? 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.520 Really? 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:52.940 You mean I have to read the word? 00:22:53.040 --> 00:22:57.060 You mean I have to gather with all these crazy people and come to a place called church? 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:59.520 What do I have to do to meet the bare minimum? 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:03.920 If you hear this and you just think duty, right? 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:06.039 What I must do, you've missed it. 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:07.700 You've missed it. 00:23:09.100 --> 00:23:11.700 Christianity is a religion of joy. 00:23:12.840 --> 00:23:18.220 And as we pursue progress in the Lord, as we grow in our relationship with him and with one another, 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:26.779 as we grow up together, we are growing deeper and deeper and deeper into joy that will last into eternity. 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:37.160 We are called to give our life away for the pursuit of everlasting joy in Christ for ourselves and for one another, church. 00:23:37.160 --> 00:23:40.580 Is this how you view your life? 00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:47.540 Is this the framework that governs what you'll do when you wake up tomorrow? 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:49.900 How you'll go about your nine to five? 00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:52.000 What you do with your life? 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:54.540 Your thoughts, your decisions, your hopes, your prayers? 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:59.840 The gospel transforms the believer's view of life and of death. 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:01.320 But not only for Paul. 00:24:01.800 --> 00:24:02.519 Third question. 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:07.220 How does Paul want the gospel to transform the church? 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:09.240 The church. 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:15.440 How did Paul want the gospel to impact specifically the Philippian church? 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:17.319 And then by extension, see we bet. 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:21.259 How does the gospel transform us? 00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:22.660 Look there to verse 27 with me. 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.960 He says, 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:30.559 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:36.720 Now if you hear this call to give your life away for the glory of Christ and you say, 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:38.240 Well, that's just apostle talk, right? 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:40.899 That's pastor talk. 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:42.159 That's not for me. 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:44.279 That's not ordinary Christian talk, is it? 00:24:44.359 --> 00:24:48.019 That's not just for normal, ordinary Christians like me. 00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:48.919 Paul says, hold on. 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.559 No, no, no, no, no. 00:24:50.679 --> 00:24:55.980 Let your life be worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:58.039 How is this even possible? 00:24:58.039 --> 00:25:00.839 What does that even look like? 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:03.440 I mean, no one can be worthy of the gospel. 00:25:05.159 --> 00:25:07.359 Here's the irony of being a Christian. 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:09.240 We've got to get this right. 00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:11.180 We've got to get this order right. 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:12.460 Everything falls apart. 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:20.859 Our status in the sight of God is based entirely on the finished work of Jesus Christ alone. 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:27.679 The status, the standard of God is perfection and none of us have ever possible. 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:30.699 Nobody can meet that standard except for Christ alone. 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:32.899 He alone has lived perfectly. 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:35.579 He alone has fulfilled the law's demands. 00:25:35.699 --> 00:25:37.899 He alone has earned eternal life. 00:25:37.979 --> 00:25:40.000 You and I cannot do it. 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:46.000 By the grace of God alone, we receive eternal life by faith in Christ. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:54.059 All of us are carrying this big burden on our shoulders called sin. 00:25:55.119 --> 00:26:02.599 And when we try and carry that burden up the hill to get to God, that burden just gets heavier and heavier and heavier. 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:04.700 And we cannot carry it. 00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:06.500 Law says carry it up. 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:14.299 The gospel says, come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest, Jesus says. 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:19.319 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:24.779 To live in Christ, it means that you're now freed. 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:27.160 That load is now light in Christ. 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:29.160 It's taking that load off of your shoulders. 00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:32.319 He's borne it on the cross in his flesh. 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:39.480 Now you're freed not to live for yourself, but you're freed up to live for Christ who carried away your sin and your shame. 00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:42.679 You're not a Christian because you're worthy. 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:46.139 But in Christ, you are made worthy. 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:49.859 And now you are called to live worthily. 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:52.559 Everybody track with that? 00:26:54.899 --> 00:26:59.240 So let's close this morning by asking, what did that look like for the Philippians? 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:02.279 What did that look like for the Philippians? 00:27:02.399 --> 00:27:07.519 And Paul has four applications for them from the gospel for the Philippian church. 00:27:08.899 --> 00:27:10.519 Look there with me again to verse 27. 00:27:10.679 --> 00:27:14.519 He says, let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, 00:27:14.639 --> 00:27:19.119 so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear that you are. 00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:21.419 Four calls, four applications. 00:27:21.419 --> 00:27:24.220 Number one, I want to hear that you are unified. 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:31.359 I want to hear that you are standing firm and one spirit with one mind. 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:34.659 I want you, church, to be united. 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:39.979 Christ Jesus died to purchase unity. 00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:47.859 Not just vertically and individually, me united to God in Christ, although that's primary, 00:27:47.859 --> 00:27:57.519 but also horizontally, me and you and you and all of our crazy uncles and aunts and cousins in this big family of God. 00:27:57.519 --> 00:28:05.859 See, we bae, do not let any seed of division come into this church. 00:28:05.859 --> 00:28:10.879 You all know that we have a church covenant as a church family. 00:28:10.979 --> 00:28:14.719 The members of this church, we commit to a church covenant. 00:28:14.859 --> 00:28:22.099 It's basically a description for us of what we understand it looks like to live lives worthy of the gospel of Christ together. 00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:25.459 Do you remember what our first call is in that covenant? 00:28:26.719 --> 00:28:30.379 We will pursue unity. 00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:33.439 Christ has purchased it for us. 00:28:34.439 --> 00:28:36.000 And Paul says, go after it. 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.659 Pursue it. 00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:39.119 Not only this, second call. 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:43.759 He says, live lives worthy of the gospel by striving together. 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:47.680 Strive, first of all, don't be complacent. 00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:50.039 Don't be lazy. 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:52.140 Don't be stagnant. 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:56.379 Pursue the Lord individually, but not just individually. 00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:59.240 Strive together, he says. 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:05.200 I want to see you striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. 00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:10.339 And that might mean calling up a member of the church and saying, come to lunch with me. 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:12.059 Let me just pray for you. 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:13.039 Let me hear how you're doing. 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:15.460 Let me hear your struggles this week. 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:18.879 Let me offer whatever wisdom I can for you. 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:26.079 It may mean maybe you don't feel quite equipped to do this, but I promise you it's less intimidating than it sounds. 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:29.379 Maybe it'll mean let's study through the gospel of Mark together. 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:32.400 Let's read through a book of the Bible together. 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:35.599 Let's pick out a good Christian book and work through it together. 00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:41.759 Maybe that'll look like you opening up with another member of the church about your own personal sin. 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:43.019 I mean, how scary is that? 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:46.980 And what you'll realize is, well, no sin has overtaken you. 00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:48.359 That's not common to man. 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.799 We're all sinners. 00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:53.299 We're called to help one another. 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:57.480 Strive together, side by side, for the faith of the gospel. 00:29:57.480 --> 00:30:03.900 And when that happens, you can expect opposition will come. 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:09.599 If the enemy can't divide a church from within, you know what plan B is? 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:12.180 He's going to bring opposition from without. 00:30:12.180 --> 00:30:20.360 Paul says, Philippians, see we bay, be bold and unafraid of the opposition that will come. 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:27.480 Be bold and unafraid of the opposition that will come. 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:36.299 When opponents of the gospel look and see a church that's standing together boldly and unafraid of attempts to silence them, unafraid of their threats. 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:43.160 It's a sign to them that maybe they're standing up against something that's bigger than this little church out in all and all. 00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:49.720 But also it's a sign for you, church, that it's evidence of your salvation. 00:30:50.800 --> 00:30:55.640 A bold, unified church on the move is a formidable thing. 00:30:55.759 --> 00:31:00.100 And when that opposition comes, he gives one final call here in verse 29. 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:03.700 It's to endure suffering for the sake of Christ. 00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:08.460 Endure suffering for the sake of Christ. 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.640 Verse 29, he says, 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:18.380 It has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ, you should not only believe in Him, but also suffer for His sake. 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:24.880 Engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. 00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:28.220 Now Paul knew all about some conflict, didn't he? 00:31:29.340 --> 00:31:31.900 And they saw it when he was there in Philippi. 00:31:31.900 --> 00:31:35.340 They're hearing about it now that he's there in prison. 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:37.120 He's suffering for the cause of Christ. 00:31:37.280 --> 00:31:37.680 And he says, 00:31:38.080 --> 00:31:40.220 You Philippians, you look at me. 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:43.060 You look at my chains. 00:31:43.880 --> 00:31:49.200 You look at the bruises and the insults that I've heard and the suffering that I've endured. 00:31:49.340 --> 00:31:50.280 Look at my opposition. 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.280 Look at my suffering. 00:31:51.540 --> 00:31:55.400 And realize that this has also been granted to you. 00:31:56.800 --> 00:31:57.320 Congratulations! 00:31:57.319 --> 00:32:02.500 It's been granted to you that you should not only believe in Him. 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:04.659 That's what we all want to capitalize on, right? 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:08.939 But also to suffer for His sake. 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.879 It's a double blessing. 00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:12.200 Take heart. 00:32:13.379 --> 00:32:19.240 Just as Christ Jesus suffered and then entered into glory, never to die again. 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:23.900 So all who are in Him will join Him in suffering now. 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:27.660 But on the other side, church, is glory to come. 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:33.740 If you have died with Him, you also will live with Him. 00:32:33.859 --> 00:32:38.839 The gospel transforms life and death for the believer in Christ. 00:32:38.839 --> 00:32:45.419 You know, if you're hearing this and you're not a believer. 00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:49.899 Or maybe you're not sure if you're thinking about these things. 00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:55.879 If you're hearing these words and you're not even sure what this means for you. 00:32:57.459 --> 00:32:59.139 Hear this call this morning. 00:32:59.279 --> 00:33:01.659 Repent and believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:33:03.679 --> 00:33:06.159 Repent and believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:33:06.160 --> 00:33:10.480 Say with Paul, to live is no longer self. 00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:12.120 To live is Christ. 00:33:12.600 --> 00:33:17.200 And receive Paul's hope that death is no longer an enemy to be feared. 00:33:17.300 --> 00:33:21.800 But death is gain because on the other side is my Savior who lived and died for me. 00:33:23.160 --> 00:33:24.259 To live is Christ. 00:33:24.380 --> 00:33:25.779 To die is gain. 00:33:26.080 --> 00:33:28.440 You know, some of you asked me last week. 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:29.820 I shared the story of John Bunyan. 00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:33.740 Of his imprisonment for Christ. 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:36.940 And some of you asked me how he died. 00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:38.980 And I had to look that up this week. 00:33:39.839 --> 00:33:42.420 After spending 12 years, over 12 years in prison. 00:33:42.859 --> 00:33:46.059 Spending that time advancing the gospel through his writing. 00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:48.980 John Bunyan eventually died in 1688. 00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:50.640 On a preaching trip. 00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:51.400 He got sick. 00:33:52.660 --> 00:33:54.740 He was doing what he was called to do. 00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:56.960 He's giving his life away for the glory of God. 00:33:57.079 --> 00:33:58.940 And in the building up of the church. 00:33:59.019 --> 00:34:02.220 He lived for something that will last into eternity. 00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:06.140 And now his body is buried in what's called Bunhill Fields. 00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:09.340 I'd never heard of Bunhill Fields before this week. 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:13.220 But apparently, this is where they buried nonconformists of the 1600s. 00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:17.059 These are those who did not conform to the Church of England. 00:34:17.220 --> 00:34:18.920 It's a Puritan burial ground. 00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:22.539 And so, there's names that you might recognize buried there. 00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:23.840 Isaac Watts is there. 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:26.119 And John Owen is there. 00:34:26.360 --> 00:34:28.380 Susanna Wesley, the mother of John. 00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:30.000 And Charles Wesley is there. 00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:31.380 And John Bunyan is there. 00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:34.940 I'd love to be there on Resurrection Day. 00:34:36.199 --> 00:34:41.179 Bunyan, as we mentioned last week, is well known for his book, Pilgrim's Progress. 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:47.219 It's about a man who's journeying to what they call the Celestial City. 00:34:47.380 --> 00:34:50.639 This man named Christian going to the Celestial City. 00:34:50.820 --> 00:34:54.619 And if you've ever read it, you know that as Christian begins his journey. 00:34:54.739 --> 00:34:55.900 This is at the beginning of the book. 00:34:56.219 --> 00:34:58.300 He has this heavy burden on his back. 00:34:58.300 --> 00:35:03.260 And eventually, he comes to the place called Deliverance. 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:05.760 He comes to the cross of Christ. 00:35:05.920 --> 00:35:11.240 And that burden that's weighed him down all his life, that burden is released. 00:35:11.400 --> 00:35:13.100 And then the journey really begins. 00:35:13.260 --> 00:35:18.440 And he seeks to live his life to the honor of Christ on his way to glory. 00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:25.619 In 1862, a statue was installed over John Bunyan's grave. 00:35:25.880 --> 00:35:28.420 And it looks almost like a big marble table. 00:35:28.579 --> 00:35:29.400 You can look this up. 00:35:29.579 --> 00:35:35.000 And on top of the statue is a man lying down as if dead. 00:35:35.079 --> 00:35:36.800 I think it's meant to represent John Bunyan. 00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:39.079 And in his hand is a book. 00:35:39.079 --> 00:35:43.000 And on either side of the statue are two scenes. 00:35:44.019 --> 00:35:47.880 One side is a man carrying a heavy burden on his back. 00:35:48.779 --> 00:35:50.099 He's weighed down. 00:35:50.299 --> 00:35:51.779 He's hunched over. 00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:53.380 He's burdened by his sin. 00:35:53.500 --> 00:36:00.860 But on the other side, that man is holding on with both hands to the cross of Christ. 00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:04.099 With a burden tossed away to the side. 00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:09.200 That's a picture of the freedom of the Christian. 00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:12.140 No guilt in life. 00:36:13.220 --> 00:36:14.640 No fear in death. 00:36:15.079 --> 00:36:18.220 This is the power of Christ in me. 00:36:18.340 --> 00:36:22.039 John Bunyan knew what it meant to live for the glory of Christ. 00:36:22.160 --> 00:36:24.000 Free of the burden of sin and shame. 00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:28.880 And he knew like Paul, to die in the Lord is great gain. 00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:30.620 Let's pray. 00:36:30.860 --> 00:36:39.940 Father, we pray that our lives would be lived worthy of the gospel of Christ. 00:36:41.620 --> 00:36:46.700 Father, we pray that if there's any here who are still carrying that burden of sin and shame, 00:36:46.860 --> 00:36:52.700 Lord, would you relieve them of that burden by showing them the cross of Christ for them. 00:36:54.240 --> 00:36:59.820 And Lord, now we ask that as believers, you would allow us to live in the freedom 00:36:59.820 --> 00:37:01.640 that Christ has purchased for us. 00:37:02.420 --> 00:37:08.500 Father, that we would no longer live for self, but that we would live for the glory of God and the gospel of Christ. 00:37:09.100 --> 00:37:12.340 That for us, to live would be Christ and to die would be gain. 00:37:12.340 --> 00:37:13.579 And we pray this in Jesus' name. 00:37:14.579 --> 00:37:14.840 Amen. 00:37:14.840 --> 00:37:14.980 Amen. 00:37:14.980 --> 00:37:15.000 Amen. 00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:15.039 Amen. 00:37:15.039 --> 00:37:15.059 Amen. 00:37:15.059 --> 00:37:15.079 Amen. 00:37:15.079 --> 00:37:15.100 Amen. 00:37:15.100 --> 00:37:15.120 Amen. 00:37:15.120 --> 00:37:15.579 Amen. 00:37:15.579 --> 00:37:16.100 Amen. 00:37:16.100 --> 00:37:17.100 Amen. 00:37:17.100 --> 00:37:17.160 Amen. 00:37:17.160 --> 00:37:17.280 Amen. 00:37:17.280 --> 00:37:24.980 Amen. 00:37:24.980 --> 00:37:25.400 Amen. 00:37:25.400 --> 00:37:26.019 Amen. 00:37:26.519 --> 00:37:26.800 Amen. 00:37:26.820 --> 00:37:26.900 Amen. 00:37:27.140 --> 00:37:27.180 Amen. 00:37:27.180 --> 00:37:27.500 Amen. 00:37:27.500 --> 00:37:28.060 Amen. 00:37:28.060 --> 00:37:29.620 Amen. 00:37:29.620 --> 00:37:30.220 Amen. 00:37:30.220 --> 00:37:32.080 whenِ action is given to some of our souls in our livesầu slash of Zentrosoft 00:37:32.080 --> 00:37:32.800 of the world but ourgehen為 of God.