WEBVTT

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 The scripture reading comes from Philippians, starting in chapter 3, verse 2.

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 Please follow along on the screen or your Bible.

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 Look out for the dogs. Look out for the evildoers. Look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

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 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus,

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 and put no confidence in the flesh.

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 Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also,

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 if anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more.

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 Circumcised on the eighth day of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin,

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 a Hebrew of Hebrews, as to law, a Pharisee, as to zeal, a persecutor of the church,

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 as to the righteousness under the law, blameless.

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 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

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 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord.

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 For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and kind them as rubbish,

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 in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him,

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 not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,

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 but that which comes through faith in Christ,

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 the righteousness from God that depends on faith,

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 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection,

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 and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

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 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

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 Not that I have already obtained this, or I am already perfect,

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 but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

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 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it on my own.

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 But one thing I do,

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 forgetting what lines behind and straining forward to what lines ahead,

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 I press on to what to go for the price of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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 Let those of us who are mature think this way,

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 and if in anything you think otherwise,

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 God will reveal that also to you.

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 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

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 Brothers, join in imitating me,

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 and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

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 For many, of whom I have often told you,

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 and now tell you even with tears,

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 walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

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 Their end is destruction,

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 their God is their belly,

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 and their glory in their shame,

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 with minds set on earthly things.

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 But our citizenship is in heaven,

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 and from it we await a Savior,

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 the Lord Jesus Christ,

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 who will transform our lowly body

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 to be like His glorious body,

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 by the power that enables Him

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 even to subject all things to Himself.

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 Therefore, my brothers,

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 whom I love and long for,

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 my joy and crown,

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 stand firm,

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 thus in the Lord,

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 my beloved.

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 Amen.

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 Great.

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 Thanks, Joanne and Mandy.

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 Good morning, everybody.

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 Great to be back with you again.

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 If you are new or joining us for the first time,

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 my name is Kevin,

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 and it's wonderful to join you

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 and have you join us this morning.

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 We are continuing to work through the book of Philippians,

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 and last week we started this chapter,

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 which Joanne and Mandy read to us,

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 and Paul starts off with this warning.

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 He says,

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 Watch out for the dogs.

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 Watch out for the evildoers.

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 And he's talking about these religious people

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 that have come to the church in Philippi,

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 and they are trying to undermine the confidence

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 that the Philippian Christians

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 have in Jesus Christ and in the gospel.

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 And they are trying to distract them

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 away from Christ and the gospel

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 to urging them to have a confidence in themselves,

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 to find their assurance before God

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 in a do-it-yourself kind of religion,

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 in their own pedigree,

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 their resume,

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 their religious achievements,

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 and their moral performance.

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 And Paul says to them,

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 That's not genuine faith.

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 Genuine faith are those who glory in Christ Jesus

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 and not in our own do-it-yourself religion.

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 He says,

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 Genuine followers of Jesus

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 are those who worship by the Spirit of God,

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 not by tradition or formula or structure.

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 And Paul then goes on to share his own story,

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 and he uses this accounting analogy.

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 And he says,

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 The thing that I previously considered to be a liability,

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 faith in Christ Jesus,

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 I've now come to see as the thing of all surpassing worth.

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 There is nothing more important than that.

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 And the things in my life that I previously considered to be really important,

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 the things I'd put a lot of stock in,

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 the things I'd really valued in my life,

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 which was my track record,

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 my spiritual performance,

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 the fact that I did the things I was meant to do,

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 and I didn't do the things I wasn't meant to do,

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 my previous track record,

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 which I previously had put so much hope and confidence in,

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 I've now considered to be,

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 I've disregarded it.

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 It's utterly meaningless,

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 compared to the all-surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus,

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 my Lord.

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 And so that's what we looked at last week.

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 But now what I want us to do is to go and look at the last two verses of that section of Scripture.

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 And look, because Paul says something very interesting.

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 And we need to understand what he's saying here in order to understand the next section.

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 Now I've got to warn you,

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 today's going to be a little bit theological.

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 So you're going to have to stick with me for the first half,

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 and then hopefully we'll get a little bit more practical after that.

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 So let's just remind ourselves,

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 the book of Philippians,

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 Paul is painting this picture of what the Christ-centered,

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 gospel-shaped life looks like.

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 And he is saying that the Christ-centered,

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 gospel-shaped life is one where we are learning to imitate Christ,

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 to know Him and become like Him,

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 becoming like Him in His death,

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 which leads to abundant life.

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 It's that J-curve that Chris spoke about a few weeks ago.

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 And we're going to see much of those same themes coming through again.

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 today.

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 And so we've got a couple of points today.

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 The first one is this.

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 The Christian's strength,

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 or maybe a better way of saying it is,

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 the Christian's life.

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 Firstly, the Christian's life.

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 Look at verse 8 with me.

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 Paul says this.

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 For His sake,

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 sake of Jesus,

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 I've suffered the loss of all things.

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 I count them as rubbish.

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 In order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him.

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 That's what we spoke about last week.

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 And then he says this really interesting thing in verse 10.

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 He says,

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 In the Bible,

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 to know something has a couple of different dimensions.

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 You know something intellectually.

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 You understand the facts and how this thing works.

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 But to know something is also deeper than that.

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 You also know something practically.

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 In other words,

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 in the Bible,

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 if it doesn't have a practical outworking in your life,

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 you don't really know it.

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 You can know it in your head,

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 but if it doesn't actually become part of your daily conduct,

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 you don't really know it.

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 But thirdly,

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 in the Bible,

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 to know something is to know something in a deeply intimate and personal way.

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 There's intellectual way.

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 There's practical conduct.

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 But there's also the personal aspect of knowing something.

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 Which is why so often the Bible actually talks about sexual intimacy as knowing someone.

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 The Bible says that Adam knew Eve.

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 And that's not Hebrew euphemism,

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 because the Bible is a bit shy about talking about sex.

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 No,

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 it's a way of talking about how when you really know somebody,

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 you know them deeply and intimately like a married couple.

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 In this passage that we looked at last week,

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 Paul says he has abandoned self-confidence,

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 self-assurance,

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 do-it-yourself religion,

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 in order that he may know Christ.

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 In order that he may experience Him.

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 What does it mean to know God?

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 What does it mean to actually experience God?

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 Look at what he says.

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 Look at what it involves.

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 It means knowing Christ and becoming like Him in suffering.

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 Look what he says here.

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 He says,

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 I've given up self-righteousness,

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 I've given up my self-religion,

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 in order that I may know Him,

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 and the power of His resurrection,

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 and may share in His sufferings,

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 becoming like Him in His death.

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 Alec Mottier was one of the great Bible theologians.

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 He died about five years ago.

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 He's one of the great,

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 great theologians of the last century.

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 Look at what he writes.

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 He says this,

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 We are often surprised when suffering comes our way.

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 But what did we expect?

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 Do we want to be made like Christ or not?

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 Christ-likeness must lead to Calvary.

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 We must be ready for,

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 and we cannot hope to avoid,

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 the downward path of the crucified.

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 This is the way of the Lord Jesus.

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 This is the way of Christ-likeness for Paul.

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 This is the way of Christ-likeness for us.

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 Friends, in the Bible,

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 God tells us again and again

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 that we will never really know God.

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 We'll never get to experience God deeply and intimately.

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 We never get to know the depth and the richness

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 and the power and the beauty of the gospel

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 until we go through some measure of suffering.

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 C.S. Lewis famously said that

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 God often whispers to us in our pleasure,

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 but He shouts to us.

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 He gets our attention in our pain.

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 But it's not just the way that God gets our attention.

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 It's the way that we get to know God

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 and actually really experience Him

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 is through the hardships in life.

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 The way we get to know the infinite worth of God

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 and the beauty of God

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 is through the difficulties of life,

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 which is why Paul says

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 not only does he not avoid suffering,

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 but actually he rejoices in it

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 because in it he gets to experience

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 this deep intimacy and closeness with God.

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 Friends, we've spoken about it so often at Watermark

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 and we'll say it again into the future, no doubt,

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 that because we live in a broken world,

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 suffering is part of our world.

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 It may come in the form of sickness

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 or cancer

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 or the loss of a loved one.

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 It may come in the form of retrenchment

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 or just the hardship in life.

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 It may also come in the form of persecution

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 or opposition for your faith.

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 And when you're vocal

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 and you speak out about the fact

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 that you're a follower of Jesus,

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 that will certainly attract opposition.

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 But when it comes,

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 the Bible promises

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 we will be richer for it

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 because we will know Christ in a way

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 that we would never have known him before.

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 But you might have noticed

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 we actually skipped over something here

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 because look at what Paul says.

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 He doesn't just say,

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 I want to know him in his sufferings.

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 Look at what he says.

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 He says,

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 I want to know him

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 and the power of his resurrection

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 and share in his sufferings,

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 becoming like him in his death,

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 that by all means possible,

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 I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

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 Now, what on earth is Paul going on about there?

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 In the New Testament,

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 Christ's resurrection from the dead

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 is one of the most significant

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 and important events

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 in the entire New Testament

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 and in fact, the entire Bible.

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 Christ's resurrection from the dead

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 does many things for us

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 and for our Christian faith.

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 On the one hand,

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 it validates Christ's claim

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 that he's not just a good man

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 or a good moral teacher.

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 He's nothing less than

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 the Son of God himself.

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 Christ's death on the cross

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 deals a death blow

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 to our most significant enemy,

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 which is death itself.

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 Christ's resurrection

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 neutralizes or disarms

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 our enemy, death.

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 Christ's resurrection

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 also means that

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 if you're a follower of Jesus,

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 your eternal resurrection,

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 your resurrection after you die,

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 the fact that when we die,

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 we pass from life into death

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 and back into life again,

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 Christ's resurrection guarantees that.

00:13:00.340 --> 00:13:01.920
 It makes it absolutely certain.

00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:04.179
 We don't just live hoping

00:13:04.179 --> 00:13:05.399
 that maybe one day

00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:06.519
 we'll attain resurrection

00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:07.039
 of the dead.

00:13:07.519 --> 00:13:08.279
 Christ's resurrection

00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:09.179
 guarantees it.

00:13:09.299 --> 00:13:11.399
 It's absolutely certain for us.

00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:13.279
 And that's why Paul speaks

00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:14.659
 about this resurrection

00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:15.299
 from the dead

00:13:15.299 --> 00:13:16.339
 with such certainty.

00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:17.199
 He says,

00:13:17.559 --> 00:13:19.559
 I want to know Christ

00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:20.539
 through suffering,

00:13:20.699 --> 00:13:21.299
 through the power

00:13:21.299 --> 00:13:21.819
 of the resurrection,

00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.519
 even as I long for

00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:24.759
 and await that day.

00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:27.659
 But in the New Testament,

00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:30.460
 the benefit of Christ's

00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:31.879
 death and resurrection

00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:34.939
 are not just for that day

00:13:34.939 --> 00:13:36.340
 when we die and go to heaven.

00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:39.200
 The benefit of Christ's resurrection

00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:40.039
 for believers

00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:42.779
 is not just at Christ's return

00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:44.759
 that one day we will be

00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:46.279
 in eternal glory with Him.

00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:48.279
 Actually, through the work

00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:48.799
 of the Spirit,

00:13:49.039 --> 00:13:49.980
 followers of Jesus

00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:51.379
 get to experience

00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.639
 a measure

00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:54.080
 of that resurrection

00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:55.460
 power and life

00:13:55.460 --> 00:13:56.580
 in our lives

00:13:56.580 --> 00:13:57.920
 right here today

00:13:57.920 --> 00:13:59.420
 and this very week.

00:13:59.980 --> 00:14:01.200
 Look at what Paul says here.

00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.000
 He says,

00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:03.300
 I want to know Christ

00:14:03.299 --> 00:14:05.199
 and I want to know

00:14:05.199 --> 00:14:07.199
 the power of His resurrection

00:14:07.199 --> 00:14:08.979
 even as I share

00:14:08.979 --> 00:14:10.500
 in His sufferings,

00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:11.579
 becoming like Him

00:14:11.579 --> 00:14:12.120
 unto death.

00:14:12.579 --> 00:14:13.659
 For the Christian,

00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:16.179
 that promised new creation,

00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:18.779
 that promised eternal glory,

00:14:19.339 --> 00:14:22.179
 that promised life with Christ,

00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:23.839
 our new resurrection bodies,

00:14:24.579 --> 00:14:27.000
 which Christ's resurrection guarantees,

00:14:27.719 --> 00:14:29.099
 doesn't just begin

00:14:29.099 --> 00:14:30.120
 when we die

00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.799
 and go to heaven.

00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:34.319
 It actually starts now,

00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.799
 the day that you become

00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:37.279
 a follower of Jesus.

00:14:37.939 --> 00:14:39.679
 Because of Jesus' resurrection,

00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:41.899
 our own resurrection of glory

00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:43.299
 is not only guaranteed,

00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:44.740
 it's a measure of it

00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.740
 is given to us

00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:47.339
 in this lifetime now.

00:14:47.559 --> 00:14:48.719
 We get to experience

00:14:48.719 --> 00:14:50.579
 the power of Christ's resurrection.

00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:52.000
 Gordon Fee,

00:14:52.079 --> 00:14:53.919
 who's this amazing theologian,

00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:54.740
 says it like this,

00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:56.759
 To know Christ now

00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:58.179
 means first of all

00:14:58.179 --> 00:14:59.479
 to know the power

00:14:59.479 --> 00:15:00.519
 of His resurrection,

00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:01.960
 which is the power

00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:03.000
 that comes to believers

00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:04.100
 on the basis

00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:05.279
 of Christ's resurrection.

00:15:06.199 --> 00:15:07.259
 And Paul says the same thing

00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:08.340
 in Ephesians chapter 1.

00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:09.199
 He says,

00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:10.220
 As believers,

00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:11.799
 the same spirit

00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:12.860
 that raised Jesus

00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:13.620
 from the dead

00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:14.899
 is now at work

00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.879
 within us

00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:16.960
 in our lives.

00:15:17.319 --> 00:15:17.939
 That spirit

00:15:17.939 --> 00:15:19.460
 is at work within us

00:15:19.460 --> 00:15:20.720
 as followers of Jesus.

00:15:21.439 --> 00:15:21.740
 So,

00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:23.519
 for the disciples of Jesus,

00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:24.759
 for followers of Jesus

00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:26.399
 in 21st century Hong Kong,

00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.959
 the Christian life

00:15:27.959 --> 00:15:28.860
 is empowered

00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:31.120
 by the resurrection life

00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:31.959
 and power

00:15:31.959 --> 00:15:33.419
 the same resurrection

00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:34.319
 that raised Jesus

00:15:34.319 --> 00:15:34.959
 from the dead

00:15:34.959 --> 00:15:36.179
 through the work

00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:37.159
 of the Holy Spirit.

00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:39.720
 Okay,

00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:40.840
 I told you this was going

00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:41.720
 to be a little theological,

00:15:41.959 --> 00:15:42.159
 right?

00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:44.439
 For the Christian,

00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.860
 a Christian is not just

00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:46.199
 someone

00:15:46.199 --> 00:15:47.620
 who looks back

00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:48.840
 at Jesus' death

00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:49.419
 and resurrection

00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:50.019
 on the cross,

00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:51.740
 believes that fact

00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.360
 in history,

00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:54.220
 and one day hopes

00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:55.080
 that when we die,

00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:55.919
 we'll get to be

00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:56.899
 with God in heaven.

00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.720
 Though that is true,

00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:00.840
 a Christian is someone

00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:02.800
 who because of our faith

00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:03.320
 in Jesus

00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:03.940
 and his death

00:16:03.940 --> 00:16:04.639
 and his resurrection,

00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:06.600
 gets to experience

00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:08.220
 something of the power

00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:09.600
 and the resurrection life

00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:12.200
 in our lives now,

00:16:12.700 --> 00:16:13.580
 in Christ,

00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:14.580
 and we get to walk

00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:15.000
 with him

00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:16.399
 even as we walk

00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:18.680
 towards our eternal destiny.

00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:19.879
 Friends,

00:16:20.300 --> 00:16:21.159
 a Christian is not just

00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:22.240
 someone who needs

00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:23.539
 to battle out in life,

00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:24.820
 try and hold on

00:16:24.820 --> 00:16:25.399
 to our faith

00:16:25.399 --> 00:16:26.399
 and hope that we make

00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:27.100
 it through at the end.

00:16:27.180 --> 00:16:27.560
 No,

00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:28.539
 if you're a disciple

00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:29.080
 of Jesus,

00:16:29.320 --> 00:16:30.240
 God the Holy Spirit

00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:30.820
 is at work

00:16:30.820 --> 00:16:31.680
 in your life now,

00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:32.680
 helping you

00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:33.940
 give the power

00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:34.580
 of his resurrection,

00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:35.980
 helping you to fight sin,

00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:37.980
 overcome temptation,

00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:39.340
 giving you faith

00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:40.519
 in the midst of difficulty,

00:16:40.940 --> 00:16:41.840
 helping you to live

00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.779
 obediently,

00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:43.919
 helping you to smash

00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:44.539
 your idols,

00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:46.440
 helping you to trust God

00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:47.220
 in the midst of your

00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:48.080
 day-to-day trenches

00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:48.560
 of life.

00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.320
 But,

00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:50.639
 and this is Paul's point,

00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.139
 this only happens

00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:53.480
 as we forsake

00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.939
 self-confidence,

00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:56.259
 do-it-yourself religion,

00:16:56.699 --> 00:16:58.179
 and we bank our hope

00:16:58.179 --> 00:16:58.879
 and our confidence

00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.559
 in Jesus

00:16:59.559 --> 00:17:00.899
 and his death

00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:01.960
 on the cross.

00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:03.600
 And in many ways,

00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:05.099
 this dual nature

00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:06.240
 and tension

00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.779
 of the Christian life,

00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:08.859
 one in which we

00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:09.940
 get to suffer

00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:10.539
 with God

00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:11.019
 in his life,

00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:11.539
 but we're also

00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:13.039
 empowered with his life,

00:17:13.639 --> 00:17:14.779
 it's this tension

00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.720
 in the Christian life

00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:17.099
 in which we find

00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:17.960
 that we get to know

00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:18.639
 God deeply.

00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:20.319
 We walk with God

00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:21.500
 and we know him

00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.500
 through both

00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:23.240
 the trials

00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:23.899
 and the suffering,

00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:24.899
 but also in his

00:17:24.899 --> 00:17:26.279
 resurrection power.

00:17:26.919 --> 00:17:27.819
 Look again at how

00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:28.899
 Gordon Fee talks

00:17:28.899 --> 00:17:30.099
 about this tension.

00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:31.539
 This is quite a long quote,

00:17:31.899 --> 00:17:32.679
 but it's amazing.

00:17:32.859 --> 00:17:34.319
 Listen up and pay attention.

00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:36.220
 Gordon Fee says this,

00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:37.960
 often in the church,

00:17:38.159 --> 00:17:39.399
 we find Christians

00:17:39.399 --> 00:17:40.339
 are uncertain

00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.480
 about this tension,

00:17:41.899 --> 00:17:42.740
 this tension between

00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:44.019
 walking with Christ

00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.619
 through suffering,

00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:45.659
 but also experiencing

00:17:45.659 --> 00:17:46.379
 his power

00:17:46.379 --> 00:17:47.139
 and his life.

00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:49.100
 We tend to think

00:17:49.100 --> 00:17:49.680
 of it either

00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.259
 as a matter

00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.600
 of either or

00:17:51.600 --> 00:17:52.840
 rather than

00:17:52.840 --> 00:17:53.740
 both and.

00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:55.560
 To know Christ

00:17:55.560 --> 00:17:56.259
 through the power

00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:57.000
 of his resurrection

00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.860
 doesn't not mean

00:17:58.860 --> 00:17:59.600
 participating

00:17:59.600 --> 00:18:00.500
 in his sufferings,

00:18:00.820 --> 00:18:02.180
 but the two go together

00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:03.100
 hand in hand.

00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.340
 Therefore,

00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:05.720
 there is no sense

00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:07.080
 of triumphalism,

00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.380
 but neither

00:18:08.380 --> 00:18:09.600
 does Paul emphasize

00:18:09.600 --> 00:18:10.340
 suffering

00:18:10.340 --> 00:18:11.560
 in such a way

00:18:11.560 --> 00:18:12.220
 as to diminish

00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:13.060
 the power

00:18:13.060 --> 00:18:14.220
 of Christ's resurrection

00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:15.920
 as genuinely present

00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:16.540
 for us.

00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:18.200
 Paul knows nothing

00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:19.079
 of the gloomy

00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:19.920
 stoicism

00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:20.940
 we often see

00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:21.539
 in Christians,

00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:22.639
 where the lot

00:18:22.639 --> 00:18:23.279
 of the believer

00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.819
 is basically just

00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.779
 that of battling

00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.859
 it out in the trenches

00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:28.119
 with little

00:18:28.119 --> 00:18:29.200
 or no sense

00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:30.139
 of Christ's presence

00:18:30.139 --> 00:18:30.720
 and power.

00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:32.079
 No, for Paul,

00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.659
 the power of Christ's

00:18:33.659 --> 00:18:34.079
 resurrection

00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:35.839
 was the greater reality.

00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:36.659
 In fact,

00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.720
 so certain was Paul

00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:40.299
 that Christ's resurrection

00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:41.720
 did in fact happen

00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:43.399
 and that Christ's resurrection

00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:44.859
 guaranteed his own

00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:46.759
 that he could throw himself

00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.679
 into the present

00:18:47.679 --> 00:18:48.740
 with a kind of

00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.779
 holy abandon,

00:18:50.439 --> 00:18:51.599
 full of rejoicing

00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:52.539
 and thanksgiving,

00:18:52.979 --> 00:18:53.859
 even in the midst

00:18:53.859 --> 00:18:54.859
 of his sufferings.

00:18:55.179 --> 00:18:56.319
 Not because he enjoyed

00:18:56.319 --> 00:18:56.819
 suffering,

00:18:57.199 --> 00:18:58.399
 but because Christ's

00:18:58.399 --> 00:18:59.479
 resurrection had given

00:18:59.479 --> 00:19:01.119
 him a unique perspective

00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:02.299
 on present suffering,

00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.919
 as well as

00:19:03.919 --> 00:19:05.979
 an empowering presence

00:19:05.979 --> 00:19:07.439
 so that the suffering

00:19:07.439 --> 00:19:08.379
 was transformed

00:19:08.379 --> 00:19:10.219
 into intimate fellowship

00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:12.140
 with Christ himself.

00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:14.680
 Okay, I hope you got

00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:15.440
 what he's saying.

00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:17.600
 What Gordon Fee is saying here

00:19:17.600 --> 00:19:18.960
 is that the gospel

00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:20.299
 gives us this amazing

00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:21.620
 perspective on life.

00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:23.140
 We know that suffering

00:19:23.140 --> 00:19:23.900
 is going to be part

00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:24.420
 of our journey

00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.319
 because it is part

00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:26.039
 of Christ's journey

00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.940
 and we are learning

00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:27.940
 to become like Christ.

00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:28.360
 We're learning

00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:29.200
 to imitate him.

00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:31.799
 So we're not triumphalistic.

00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:33.259
 We're not overly confident.

00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.480
 We don't feel like,

00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.480
 yeah, I've got Jesus

00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.100
 on my side.

00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:37.160
 I've got this thing sorted.

00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:38.460
 Nothing can touch me.

00:19:38.860 --> 00:19:40.180
 No, we know that part

00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:41.400
 of becoming like Christ

00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:42.240
 is joining him

00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:42.900
 in his suffering.

00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:44.340
 We're not surprised

00:19:44.340 --> 00:19:45.079
 or deflated

00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:46.740
 when difficulty comes our way

00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:48.180
 as if something strange

00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:48.920
 or unexpected

00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.940
 were happening to us.

00:19:50.360 --> 00:19:51.460
 When something goes wrong,

00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:51.980
 we don't think,

00:19:52.100 --> 00:19:52.980
 God, where are you?

00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:54.180
 How have you abandoned me?

00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.420
 Don't you love me anymore?

00:19:55.840 --> 00:19:56.920
 We know this is part

00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.840
 of the Christian life.

00:19:58.660 --> 00:19:59.880
 But we're also not morose.

00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.840
 We also don't feel like

00:20:01.840 --> 00:20:02.940
 real Christians

00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:04.000
 or those that are miserable

00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:06.299
 because if you really love Jesus,

00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:07.180
 you've just got to suffer

00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.039
 through this life.

00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.240
 No, no, no.

00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:10.740
 If you walk with Jesus,

00:20:10.860 --> 00:20:11.960
 you experience something

00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:13.860
 of his resurrection power,

00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:14.880
 his joy,

00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:15.740
 his life,

00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:16.700
 in the midst of even

00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:17.200
 the hardship

00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:18.079
 and the difficulty

00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:19.039
 that comes our way.

00:20:19.600 --> 00:20:19.920
 Friends,

00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.960
 to walk with Christ

00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.819
 means experiencing

00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:23.920
 his triumph over the grave

00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:25.140
 even as we live

00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:26.079
 in a broken world

00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:27.539
 because we live

00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.380
 knowing that this

00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:29.680
 is not the final journey.

00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:31.140
 We are making our way

00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:32.279
 to eternal glory

00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:33.319
 where there will one day

00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.279
 be no more tears,

00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:35.539
 no more suffering,

00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.660
 no more pain.

00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.900
 And part of that

00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:38.900
 resurrection life

00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:40.019
 is our experience

00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:41.279
 now in this world.

00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:43.240
 This is what it means

00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.660
 to know Jesus.

00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:45.759
 Paul says,

00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:46.460
 I've abandoned

00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:47.980
 self-righteousness.

00:20:48.060 --> 00:20:48.620
 I've abandoned

00:20:48.620 --> 00:20:49.940
 confidence in myself.

00:20:50.360 --> 00:20:51.880
 I want to hold on to Christ

00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:53.140
 that I may know him

00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:54.340
 and the power

00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:55.080
 of his resurrection

00:20:55.080 --> 00:20:57.320
 but also his sufferings

00:20:57.320 --> 00:20:58.779
 as I make my way

00:20:58.779 --> 00:21:00.120
 towards eternal glory.

00:21:00.119 --> 00:21:03.419
 this is the Christian life.

00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:05.559
 This is the Christian strength.

00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:07.879
 This is the Christian's confidence.

00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:11.559
 Friends,

00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:12.539
 a few weeks ago

00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.639
 we spoke about

00:21:13.639 --> 00:21:14.339
 in our sermon

00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:15.339
 about missionaries

00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:17.019
 and I must confess

00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:19.139
 I caught myself off guard.

00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:20.219
 I got a little excited

00:21:20.219 --> 00:21:21.339
 during that sermon.

00:21:21.439 --> 00:21:21.979
 I didn't expect

00:21:21.979 --> 00:21:22.939
 to get so excited.

00:21:23.679 --> 00:21:24.359
 But I've been thinking

00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:25.799
 about it the last two weeks

00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.459
 since then.

00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.219
 We spoke about

00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:28.579
 I said I hope

00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:29.339
 in Watermark

00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.579
 we can send missionaries

00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:31.839
 off to Afghanistan

00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:33.380
 and North Africa

00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:34.360
 and the Middle East

00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:35.600
 and North Korea

00:21:35.600 --> 00:21:37.200
 and some of us

00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:37.960
 won't get to do that.

00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.960
 Some of us will be missionaries

00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:39.799
 into Hong Kong.

00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:41.600
 And I've thought about that

00:21:41.600 --> 00:21:42.839
 a lot the last two weeks.

00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.660
 I really hope

00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.759
 that that is the case.

00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:45.940
 Friends,

00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.420
 I really hope

00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:47.160
 that as Watermark

00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:47.700
 we become

00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.799
 this radically

00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:50.339
 missional church

00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:51.700
 where some of our

00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.319
 young people

00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:52.740
 are men

00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.319
 and our women

00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:54.600
 really do sign up

00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:56.680
 to give their lives away

00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:58.000
 to the mission of Christ

00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:58.960
 in foreign nations

00:21:58.960 --> 00:22:00.100
 and difficult nations.

00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:01.320
 Friends,

00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:02.380
 I hope that all of us

00:22:02.380 --> 00:22:02.860
 as church

00:22:02.860 --> 00:22:03.680
 sign up

00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:05.740
 to spend our lives

00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.980
 for the glory of God

00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:07.560
 in this city

00:22:07.560 --> 00:22:08.140
 in Hong Kong.

00:22:08.860 --> 00:22:10.120
 And as we do it

00:22:10.120 --> 00:22:12.240
 we will know God deeply.

00:22:12.380 --> 00:22:13.420
 We will know the power

00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:14.460
 of His resurrection.

00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:15.880
 Suffering with Him

00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:16.680
 becoming like Him

00:22:16.680 --> 00:22:17.220
 in His death

00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:18.259
 but you will know

00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.180
 something of the resurrection

00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:20.740
 life and power of God

00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:22.180
 as we walk with God

00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:23.380
 in this city.

00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:24.420
 Friends,

00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.380
 that's only going to happen

00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:27.180
 as we abandon self-confidence.

00:22:27.780 --> 00:22:28.480
 As we count

00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:30.240
 our self-righteousness

00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:30.920
 as loss

00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:31.960
 as we hold on

00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:32.620
 to Christ

00:22:32.620 --> 00:22:33.640
 and the gospel

00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:34.200
 like Paul.

00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.760
 Paul says

00:22:35.760 --> 00:22:36.480
 that for His sake

00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:36.980
 I have suffered

00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:38.020
 the loss of all things.

00:22:38.760 --> 00:22:39.840
 I count them as rubbish

00:22:39.840 --> 00:22:40.900
 in order that I may

00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:41.640
 know Him

00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:42.380
 and the power

00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:43.320
 of His resurrection.

00:22:43.860 --> 00:22:44.580
 I may share

00:22:44.580 --> 00:22:45.280
 in His sufferings

00:22:45.280 --> 00:22:46.280
 becoming like Him

00:22:46.280 --> 00:22:46.820
 in His death

00:22:46.820 --> 00:22:48.000
 that by all means

00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.480
 possible

00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.500
 I may attain

00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.080
 the resurrection

00:22:50.080 --> 00:22:50.720
 from the dead.

00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:51.620
 Friends,

00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.520
 maybe I can just ask

00:22:52.520 --> 00:22:53.440
 if you consider yourself

00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:53.900
 a Christian,

00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:54.580
 that's good.

00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:55.919
 what does it mean

00:22:55.919 --> 00:22:56.539
 to be a Christian?

00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.639
 What does it mean

00:22:57.639 --> 00:22:58.639
 to know God?

00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.419
 Do you experience

00:23:00.419 --> 00:23:01.500
 His life and His power?

00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.960
 Do you walk with Him

00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.000
 through difficulty

00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.559
 and suffering

00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:05.019
 and hardship?

00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:06.799
 Do you know God

00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.339
 like this?

00:23:07.379 --> 00:23:08.119
 Or do you just know

00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:09.019
 the gospel in your head?

00:23:09.419 --> 00:23:10.639
 Do you know the Bible stories

00:23:10.639 --> 00:23:11.419
 and the theology?

00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.099
 You know how

00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:14.099
 the theology works.

00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:15.240
 Jesus died for our sins

00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:16.439
 but do you know Him

00:23:16.439 --> 00:23:17.379
 experientially?

00:23:17.639 --> 00:23:19.099
 Is He a part of your life?

00:23:19.179 --> 00:23:19.740
 Do you know Him

00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.960
 intimately and deeply?

00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.399
 Paul says

00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:23.740
 this is the Christian life.

00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:25.600
 Now,

00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:26.940
 secondly,

00:23:27.540 --> 00:23:28.500
 the Christian's ambition.

00:23:29.380 --> 00:23:30.080
 Look at what

00:23:30.080 --> 00:23:31.800
 Gordon Fee said here.

00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:33.160
 At the end of this long quote,

00:23:33.540 --> 00:23:33.880
 he said,

00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.840
 because of the gospel,

00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:36.360
 Paul is able to

00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:37.900
 throw himself

00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:38.980
 into God's call

00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:40.000
 with a kind of

00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:41.180
 holy abandon,

00:23:41.360 --> 00:23:42.580
 full of rejoicing

00:23:42.580 --> 00:23:43.460
 and thanksgiving,

00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:44.460
 knowing that

00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:45.420
 whatever he faces,

00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:46.700
 he will do so

00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.800
 empowered by Christ.

00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.039
 Well,

00:23:48.419 --> 00:23:49.079
 look at how

00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:50.579
 Paul lived this out.

00:23:50.659 --> 00:23:51.399
 Look at verses

00:23:51.399 --> 00:23:53.559
 12 to 14 with me.

00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.759
 Paul says this,

00:23:55.379 --> 00:23:56.359
 he's just spoken about

00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:57.700
 his followership of Jesus

00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.419
 and his goal

00:23:58.419 --> 00:23:59.960
 is to know God deeply

00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:01.019
 and then he says this,

00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:03.000
 not that I've already

00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:04.480
 obtained this perfectly

00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:06.139
 or that I am perfect,

00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:06.639
 in other words,

00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.839
 that I am complete,

00:24:08.139 --> 00:24:09.519
 but I press on

00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.700
 to make it my own

00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:12.759
 because Christ Jesus

00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.940
 has made me His own.

00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:15.019
 Brothers,

00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:16.259
 I do not consider

00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:17.559
 that I've made it my own,

00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:18.900
 but one thing I do,

00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:20.680
 forgetting what lies behind

00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:22.000
 and straining forward

00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.960
 to what lies ahead,

00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.519
 I press on

00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.519
 towards the goal

00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.579
 for the prize

00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:27.400
 of the upward call

00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:28.700
 of God in Christ Jesus.

00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.240
 What's Paul

00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.339
 talking about here?

00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:32.619
 For Paul,

00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:33.900
 being a Christian

00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:35.980
 isn't the goal of life.

00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.400
 His goal

00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:39.420
 is to know Jesus deeply.

00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:41.000
 And look at

00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:41.740
 what he says here.

00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.140
 He's just explained

00:24:43.140 --> 00:24:44.240
 how his conversion

00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.019
 to Christ

00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:47.440
 radically reorientated

00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:47.779
 his life.

00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:48.460
 It changed him.

00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.359
 It gave him

00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.200
 this overwhelming

00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:52.079
 desire to know Christ

00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:53.119
 more fully and deeply.

00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.440
 But he doesn't want

00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:54.960
 to be misunderstood.

00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.619
 He doesn't want to say,

00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.220
 listen,

00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:58.139
 just because I'm this

00:24:58.139 --> 00:24:59.460
 radical follower of Jesus,

00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:00.420
 I've ticked the box

00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:01.099
 and I'm all done

00:25:01.099 --> 00:25:01.879
 and now I just

00:25:01.879 --> 00:25:02.839
 am waiting to die.

00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:03.639
 He says,

00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.799
 for the rest of my life,

00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:05.480
 I'm going to keep

00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.799
 on pursuing Christ,

00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.839
 pressing on

00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:08.639
 to know Him

00:25:08.639 --> 00:25:09.900
 ever more deeply,

00:25:10.119 --> 00:25:11.240
 more powerfully,

00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.759
 more experientially.

00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.980
 For Paul,

00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:14.900
 this is what it means

00:25:14.900 --> 00:25:15.720
 to be a disciple

00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.359
 of Jesus.

00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.920
 This is Paul's life.

00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:19.059
 That whatever he's doing,

00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:20.680
 whether he's making tents,

00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:21.759
 whether he's traveling,

00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:22.799
 whether he's preaching

00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:23.359
 the gospel,

00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:24.960
 whatever he's doing,

00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:26.119
 his life revolves

00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:27.660
 around this wholehearted

00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:29.359
 pursuit and ambition

00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:30.839
 to know Christ

00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:31.460
 more deeply

00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:33.059
 and more intimately.

00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:35.000
 You know,

00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:36.119
 in the first century,

00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:38.299
 a disciple of Jesus

00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.980
 was somebody

00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.940
 who gave up

00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.700
 their life

00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:42.180
 in order to

00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.600
 learn from their master

00:25:43.600 --> 00:25:45.000
 and become like Him.

00:25:45.840 --> 00:25:46.660
 That was the definition

00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.340
 of a disciple.

00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:48.759
 Friends,

00:25:48.820 --> 00:25:49.840
 in the 21st century,

00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.759
 nothing's changed.

00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.420
 A Christian

00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.240
 is not just someone

00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:54.080
 who prayed a prayer

00:25:54.080 --> 00:25:54.980
 once upon a time,

00:25:55.080 --> 00:25:55.900
 who gave their heart

00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:56.480
 to Jesus,

00:25:56.900 --> 00:25:57.980
 whatever that means,

00:25:58.400 --> 00:25:59.320
 and now gets on

00:25:59.320 --> 00:26:00.160
 with their own life.

00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:02.220
 A disciple of Jesus

00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:02.820
 is somebody

00:26:02.820 --> 00:26:04.140
 who's giving their life,

00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:05.140
 learning from

00:26:05.140 --> 00:26:05.779
 their master,

00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.259
 Jesus,

00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.600
 and learning

00:26:07.600 --> 00:26:08.660
 to become like Him,

00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:10.600
 learning to know Him

00:26:10.600 --> 00:26:12.380
 intimately and deeply.

00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:13.840
 And so look at how

00:26:13.840 --> 00:26:14.580
 Paul says it here.

00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:15.519
 Notice how many times

00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.380
 he speaks of this

00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:17.620
 determined pursuit.

00:26:18.580 --> 00:26:18.920
 He says,

00:26:19.040 --> 00:26:20.060
 I press on

00:26:20.060 --> 00:26:21.740
 to make it my own

00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.460
 because Christ

00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.500
 has made me His own.

00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:24.500
 Brothers,

00:26:24.600 --> 00:26:25.340
 I do not consider

00:26:25.340 --> 00:26:26.080
 that I've already

00:26:26.080 --> 00:26:26.700
 got there,

00:26:27.060 --> 00:26:28.100
 but one thing I do,

00:26:28.540 --> 00:26:30.400
 forgetting what lies behind,

00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:32.620
 straining forward

00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:34.440
 to what lies ahead,

00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.920
 I press on

00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:37.040
 towards the goal

00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:39.039
 of the upward prize

00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:40.460
 of knowing Christ Jesus,

00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:41.539
 my Lord.

00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:43.099
 I'm sure we've all seen

00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:44.500
 pictures of athletes,

00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:45.720
 those who,

00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:47.019
 they are running

00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:48.259
 towards the finishing line

00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:49.839
 and they are straining

00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:51.339
 their entire bodies,

00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:53.000
 throwing themselves

00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:54.519
 over the finish line

00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.980
 in order to win the prize.

00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:57.759
 No Olympic athlete

00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.420
 that ever

00:26:58.420 --> 00:27:00.960
 wants to win the prize

00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:02.119
 just ambles

00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:03.899
 or just kind of strolls

00:27:03.899 --> 00:27:05.000
 over the finish line.

00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.440
 with everything

00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:06.920
 within them,

00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:08.319
 they throw themselves

00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:09.160
 over the line

00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:10.460
 in order that they may

00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.319
 win the prize.

00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:12.420
 That's the picture

00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:13.319
 that Paul's got here.

00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.240
 He's saying that

00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.099
 his pursuit,

00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:15.740
 his ambition

00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.640
 to follow Jesus

00:27:16.640 --> 00:27:18.519
 is he's pressing on,

00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:20.299
 he's straining forward,

00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:21.539
 he's throwing himself

00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.220
 at this goal

00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:23.619
 to know Christ

00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:24.200
 and to know Him

00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:24.700
 more deeply,

00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:25.779
 which means

00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:27.519
 that following Jesus

00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:29.579
 is not a casual affair.

00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.400
 Following Jesus

00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:32.559
 doesn't happen casually.

00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.940
 To know God

00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:35.679
 doesn't happen casually.

00:27:36.179 --> 00:27:38.299
 It's this wholehearted pursuit,

00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:40.619
 this laser sharp determination

00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:42.659
 to participate in the story,

00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.740
 to become like Him

00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.619
 even in His death,

00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:46.859
 to experience the power of God

00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:48.599
 in order that we may know Him.

00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:51.220
 That we may know Him.

00:27:51.879 --> 00:27:53.339
 This is the Christian's ambition,

00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:55.240
 to know God deeply.

00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:57.119
 Thirdly and finally,

00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:58.779
 the Christian's need.

00:27:58.779 --> 00:28:00.720
 Now,

00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:03.779
 in verse 17,

00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.899
 Paul is going to show us

00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:05.779
 what we need

00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:07.440
 in order to do this.

00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.700
 But let's first look

00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.619
 at verse 18.

00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:10.879
 Because in verse 18,

00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:12.259
 Paul actually gives us

00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:12.700
 a warning.

00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.680
 He's using this analogy

00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:16.399
 of somebody running the race

00:28:16.399 --> 00:28:18.339
 and pursuing the goal.

00:28:18.399 --> 00:28:19.200
 They've got their mind

00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.920
 set on the finish line,

00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:21.440
 on the goal.

00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:23.059
 The goal of knowing Christ

00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:24.079
 deeply.

00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:27.279
 But Paul says that sometimes

00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:29.660
 some people have got distracted

00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:30.480
 along the way.

00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:31.940
 Look at what he says

00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.779
 here in verse 18.

00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.539
 For many,

00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:35.740
 of whom I've often told you,

00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.660
 and he's talking here

00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:37.819
 about believers,

00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:39.160
 maybe some of Paul's

00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:40.240
 traveling companions.

00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:41.619
 Maybe there were people

00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:42.299
 in the church

00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:43.839
 that Paul wrote about

00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:44.339
 in his letters.

00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:45.639
 He says,

00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:47.559
 many of whom I've often

00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.759
 previously told you,

00:28:49.379 --> 00:28:50.339
 but now I tell you

00:28:50.339 --> 00:28:51.660
 with tears in my eyes,

00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:53.599
 are now walking

00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.480
 as enemies

00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.980
 of the cross of Christ.

00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:58.360
 they've abandoned Christ.

00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:00.319
 They've been distracted

00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:01.000
 from the goal

00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:01.920
 of knowing Christ

00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.759
 and they've walked off

00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.700
 on another tangent.

00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:05.160
 They've given up

00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:05.660
 on the race

00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.860
 and they're now enemies

00:29:06.860 --> 00:29:08.279
 of the gospel.

00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:09.700
 Paul says,

00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.819
 their God

00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:13.079
 is their belly.

00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:14.339
 In other words,

00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:16.380
 rather than worshipping

00:29:16.380 --> 00:29:17.299
 the beauty of Jesus,

00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.240
 they now worship

00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:19.299
 their own desires,

00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:21.000
 their own appetites.

00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.319
 There are things

00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:23.539
 that have distracted them

00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.860
 and caught them off guard

00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:26.539
 and they now have been

00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.639
 distracted

00:29:27.639 --> 00:29:29.759
 by these other desires.

00:29:30.459 --> 00:29:31.279
 They are slaves

00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:32.079
 of what grabs

00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:32.819
 their attention

00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.659
 in the immediate,

00:29:33.919 --> 00:29:34.859
 here and now.

00:29:35.219 --> 00:29:36.479
 They've become seduced

00:29:36.479 --> 00:29:38.039
 by the things around them.

00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:39.240
 Paul says,

00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:39.779
 their God

00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.799
 has become their belly,

00:29:40.919 --> 00:29:41.459
 their desires,

00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.339
 their appetites.

00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.839
 Their glory

00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:44.839
 and their shame.

00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:46.359
 The things that they boast

00:29:46.359 --> 00:29:46.779
 and the things

00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.679
 that they're proud of

00:29:47.679 --> 00:29:49.439
 are actually their shame.

00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:51.639
 They boast of their yacht

00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:53.420
 and their 17 houses

00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:55.300
 and how well they've done

00:29:55.300 --> 00:29:56.840
 in their careers.

00:29:57.120 --> 00:29:57.500
 But actually,

00:29:57.580 --> 00:29:58.020
 those things,

00:29:58.140 --> 00:29:58.680
 Paul says,

00:29:59.160 --> 00:30:00.259
 are actually their shame

00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:01.759
 because they've traded

00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.600
 insipid,

00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:03.300
 worthless,

00:30:03.620 --> 00:30:04.280
 dead idols

00:30:04.280 --> 00:30:05.900
 for the living God.

00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:06.960
 That's not something

00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:07.700
 to boast in.

00:30:07.800 --> 00:30:09.100
 That's something

00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:10.280
 to be embarrassed about.

00:30:12.340 --> 00:30:12.820
 Their minds

00:30:12.820 --> 00:30:14.100
 are set on earthly things

00:30:14.100 --> 00:30:14.860
 and their end

00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:15.660
 is destruction.

00:30:17.020 --> 00:30:17.320
 Friend,

00:30:17.400 --> 00:30:18.240
 what a description

00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:19.560
 of the wasted life.

00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:22.019
 their God

00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:22.619
 is their belly,

00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:23.240
 their glory

00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:23.859
 and their shame.

00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.559
 Their end

00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:25.559
 is destruction.

00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:28.000
 I remember

00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:28.799
 many years ago

00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:29.419
 in South Africa,

00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.359
 there was an advert

00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:31.220
 on TV.

00:30:31.399 --> 00:30:32.000
 I can't even remember

00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:33.099
 what the advert was for.

00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:34.879
 But it's the advert

00:30:34.879 --> 00:30:35.619
 of a guy,

00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:36.379
 he starts out

00:30:36.379 --> 00:30:37.279
 the first of January,

00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:38.839
 he's got a bit of a belly

00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:39.919
 and he wants to lose

00:30:39.919 --> 00:30:40.379
 some weight

00:30:40.379 --> 00:30:41.619
 and so he decides

00:30:41.619 --> 00:30:42.440
 I'm going to

00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:43.819
 start running

00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.379
 and jogging.

00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.099
 So he wakes up

00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:45.899
 early in the mornings

00:30:45.899 --> 00:30:47.299
 and he's jogging

00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:48.039
 along the road

00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:50.720
 and on the first morning

00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:51.659
 while he's jogging

00:30:51.659 --> 00:30:52.279
 and he's huffing

00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:52.819
 and puffing

00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:53.579
 and he's sweating,

00:30:54.639 --> 00:30:56.299
 this beautiful lady

00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:57.740
 jogs across the road

00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.779
 in the opposite direction

00:30:58.779 --> 00:30:59.819
 and his mind

00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:00.680
 gets distracted

00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.599
 and he's looking

00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.159
 at this lady

00:31:02.159 --> 00:31:02.659
 and he runs

00:31:02.659 --> 00:31:03.480
 straight into a tree

00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.980
 and he kind of like

00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:06.039
 falls over flat

00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:07.559
 and that's the end

00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:08.099
 of his goal.

00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:10.799
 Some of us,

00:31:10.879 --> 00:31:11.099
 friends,

00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:12.139
 as followers of Jesus,

00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:13.940
 we have said

00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:14.559
 I want to know

00:31:14.559 --> 00:31:15.220
 Christ deeply.

00:31:15.839 --> 00:31:16.079
 Yes,

00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:16.960
 I want to follow him.

00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:18.720
 And we've usually

00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.500
 become distracted

00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.559
 by other things.

00:31:21.600 --> 00:31:22.840
 Our God has become

00:31:22.840 --> 00:31:23.960
 rather than the infinite

00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:25.579
 all-surpassing worth

00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:26.340
 of Christ,

00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:28.340
 the maker of heaven

00:31:28.340 --> 00:31:29.059
 and earth,

00:31:29.620 --> 00:31:31.059
 the one who put

00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.740
 the cosmos

00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.640
 and the galaxies

00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:33.400
 and the stars

00:31:33.400 --> 00:31:33.860
 into space

00:31:33.860 --> 00:31:35.500
 rather than worshipping him,

00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:37.220
 we've become distracted

00:31:37.220 --> 00:31:38.279
 by insipid

00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:39.220
 and worthless

00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:40.620
 and useless things.

00:31:41.620 --> 00:31:42.420
 Our God has become

00:31:42.420 --> 00:31:43.319
 our appetites,

00:31:43.880 --> 00:31:44.700
 our gadgets,

00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:47.279
 our temporary things,

00:31:47.380 --> 00:31:48.299
 material wealth.

00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:50.319
 We've traded

00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:51.559
 the infinite worth

00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:52.019
 of God

00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:53.519
 for man-made objects.

00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:55.519
 We start to glory

00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:56.340
 in our shame

00:31:56.340 --> 00:31:57.120
 and our minds

00:31:57.120 --> 00:31:57.500
 are set

00:31:57.500 --> 00:31:58.539
 on earthly things

00:31:58.539 --> 00:32:00.100
 and we are wasting

00:32:00.100 --> 00:32:00.819
 our lives.

00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:02.259
 But Paul gives

00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:04.920
 and he gives us

00:32:04.920 --> 00:32:06.000
 some help here.

00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:07.620
 He says that

00:32:07.620 --> 00:32:08.160
 there's something

00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:09.019
 that can help us

00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.799
 from being distracted.

00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:10.440
 Look at what he says

00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:11.279
 in verse 17.

00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:12.080
 He says,

00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:14.000
 brothers join in imitating me.

00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.720
 Keep your eyes

00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:17.339
 rather on earthly things,

00:32:17.919 --> 00:32:19.179
 rather on the beautiful lady

00:32:19.179 --> 00:32:20.099
 that's running past,

00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:21.220
 rather than the gadgets

00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:21.980
 and material gain.

00:32:22.359 --> 00:32:23.179
 Keep your eyes

00:32:23.179 --> 00:32:24.139
 on those who walk

00:32:24.139 --> 00:32:25.599
 according to the example

00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:26.519
 that you have in us.

00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:27.919
 He's talking about

00:32:27.919 --> 00:32:29.159
 surround yourself

00:32:29.159 --> 00:32:30.399
 with brothers and sisters,

00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:31.799
 those who will glory

00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:33.059
 not in their self-confidence

00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:33.939
 but in Christ.

00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:35.220
 Those who will worship

00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:36.740
 not according to tradition

00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:37.399
 or ritual

00:32:37.399 --> 00:32:39.059
 but who glory in Christ.

00:32:39.419 --> 00:32:40.419
 He's talking about those

00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:41.740
 who because they've seen

00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:43.060
 the infinite worth of Christ

00:32:43.060 --> 00:32:44.440
 will consider all things

00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.060
 as rubbish

00:32:45.060 --> 00:32:46.580
 compared to the all-surpassing

00:32:46.580 --> 00:32:47.400
 worth of Christ.

00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:47.779
 He says,

00:32:48.160 --> 00:32:49.120
 find some brothers

00:32:49.120 --> 00:32:50.279
 and sisters like that

00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:51.900
 and set your mind on them.

00:32:52.100 --> 00:32:52.779
 Imitate them.

00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:54.420
 Let them speak into your life.

00:32:54.680 --> 00:32:55.420
 Let them help you

00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:56.640
 fix your eyes on Jesus.

00:32:57.060 --> 00:32:58.039
 Don't get distracted

00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:59.180
 by the things around you.

00:32:59.600 --> 00:33:00.800
 Find brothers and sisters

00:33:00.800 --> 00:33:01.720
 that will help you

00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:02.740
 keep your eyes fixed

00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:03.400
 on Christ

00:33:03.400 --> 00:33:05.080
 to glory in Jesus,

00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:06.400
 to worship Christ,

00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:08.240
 to be those who

00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:09.680
 who walk by the power

00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:10.440
 of the resurrection,

00:33:10.819 --> 00:33:12.359
 those who join Christ

00:33:12.359 --> 00:33:13.079
 in His sufferings

00:33:13.079 --> 00:33:13.920
 but do it gladly

00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:14.740
 because we're walking

00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.339
 with Jesus.

00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:17.559
 Find friends around us

00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:19.460
 who will help our eyes

00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:21.059
 be fixed on Jesus,

00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:22.759
 who will help us

00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.799
 to know Him

00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:26.220
 and to not waste our lives.

00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.220
 Friends,

00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:27.680
 this is why

00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:28.480
 Christian community

00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:29.759
 is so important.

00:33:30.380 --> 00:33:31.460
 The Christian journey

00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:33.079
 is a communal project,

00:33:33.180 --> 00:33:34.559
 not an individual project.

00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:36.620
 It's a communal affair

00:33:36.619 --> 00:33:38.219
 as we walk with those

00:33:38.219 --> 00:33:40.239
 who can suffer with us

00:33:40.239 --> 00:33:41.739
 but who can rejoice with us,

00:33:41.859 --> 00:33:43.419
 who can pray with us

00:33:43.419 --> 00:33:45.119
 and be with us.

00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:46.739
 Friends,

00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:47.839
 as we come to a close,

00:33:48.039 --> 00:33:48.799
 let me ask you,

00:33:48.859 --> 00:33:49.779
 what's going to stop us

00:33:49.779 --> 00:33:50.799
 wasting our life?

00:33:51.859 --> 00:33:52.099
 Friends,

00:33:52.139 --> 00:33:53.299
 if you're a young person

00:33:53.299 --> 00:33:53.739
 this morning,

00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:54.739
 you're 18 years old,

00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:55.500
 you're just finishing

00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:56.139
 high school,

00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:57.859
 you're a university student

00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:58.979
 or maybe you're a fresh graduate,

00:33:59.139 --> 00:34:00.159
 you've got your whole life

00:34:00.159 --> 00:34:00.679
 ahead of you,

00:34:01.199 --> 00:34:02.179
 what's going to stop you

00:34:02.179 --> 00:34:03.179
 wasting your life?

00:34:04.199 --> 00:34:04.599
 Friends,

00:34:04.679 --> 00:34:06.139
 maybe you're 70 years old,

00:34:06.140 --> 00:34:07.460
 you've retired from work,

00:34:07.520 --> 00:34:08.599
 you've lived a good life.

00:34:09.140 --> 00:34:10.160
 What's going to stop you

00:34:10.160 --> 00:34:11.800
 just sliding into retirement

00:34:11.800 --> 00:34:13.039
 and gradually slipping

00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:13.740
 into the grave?

00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:14.800
 Friends,

00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:15.700
 do you still have a goal?

00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:17.180
 Do you still have a vision?

00:34:17.640 --> 00:34:19.079
 Are you still pursuing Christ

00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:20.460
 with wholehearted ambition

00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.480
 and pursuit?

00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:23.059
 Are you still pressing on

00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:24.260
 and running into Jesus

00:34:24.260 --> 00:34:26.340
 even at 70 years old?

00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:27.059
 Friends,

00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:28.000
 what's going to stop you

00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:29.420
 wasting the final years

00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:30.019
 of your life?

00:34:31.240 --> 00:34:32.660
 Do you have people around you

00:34:32.660 --> 00:34:33.559
 that can encourage you

00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:34.220
 to do that?

00:34:34.219 --> 00:34:37.399
 As we come to a close,

00:34:37.439 --> 00:34:38.319
 I want to tell you the story

00:34:38.319 --> 00:34:40.159
 of a man by the name

00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:41.179
 of William Carey.

00:34:41.719 --> 00:34:44.699
 William Carey was a British man.

00:34:44.879 --> 00:34:45.759
 He didn't grow up

00:34:45.759 --> 00:34:46.579
 in a Christian family.

00:34:47.059 --> 00:34:49.759
 He was born around 1770,

00:34:50.159 --> 00:34:52.039
 250 years ago or so.

00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:54.399
 And he became a follower

00:34:54.399 --> 00:34:54.980
 of Jesus.

00:34:55.319 --> 00:34:56.859
 When he finished school,

00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:57.779
 he was a young man.

00:34:57.839 --> 00:34:59.039
 He was working as an apprentice

00:34:59.039 --> 00:35:01.179
 in a shoe-making shop.

00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:02.779
 And there was another apprentice

00:35:02.779 --> 00:35:03.379
 with him,

00:35:03.599 --> 00:35:04.219
 his colleague,

00:35:04.699 --> 00:35:05.980
 that told him about

00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:06.759
 the wonder of Jesus.

00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:08.099
 And William Carey

00:35:08.099 --> 00:35:08.859
 became a believer.

00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:10.000
 He discovered the

00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:10.960
 all-surpassing worth

00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:11.480
 of Christ.

00:35:12.239 --> 00:35:13.859
 And Christ grew in his heart

00:35:13.859 --> 00:35:14.759
 more and more.

00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:16.879
 And he wanted to give his life

00:35:16.879 --> 00:35:18.000
 to the things of God.

00:35:18.199 --> 00:35:18.599
 And so,

00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:21.059
 he eventually decided

00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:22.079
 with a bunch of friends,

00:35:22.399 --> 00:35:23.159
 they started this

00:35:23.159 --> 00:35:24.219
 missionary society

00:35:24.219 --> 00:35:25.440
 called the Baptist

00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:26.559
 Missionary Society.

00:35:26.559 --> 00:35:28.719
 And William Carey

00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:30.400
 was one of the first people

00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:32.139
 in the modern era

00:35:32.139 --> 00:35:33.820
 to become a missionary

00:35:33.820 --> 00:35:34.360
 to Asia.

00:35:35.079 --> 00:35:35.380
 And so,

00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:37.380
 in 1793,

00:35:38.219 --> 00:35:39.099
 he leaves London

00:35:39.099 --> 00:35:39.799
 with his wife

00:35:39.799 --> 00:35:40.719
 and his three children.

00:35:41.199 --> 00:35:42.139
 His wife is pregnant

00:35:42.139 --> 00:35:43.599
 and they catch a ship

00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.719
 to go to Kolkata

00:35:44.719 --> 00:35:46.000
 in India.

00:35:46.779 --> 00:35:48.440
 And for the next 40 years,

00:35:48.639 --> 00:35:49.539
 William Carey

00:35:49.539 --> 00:35:50.719
 becomes this incredible

00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:52.320
 missionary to India.

00:35:52.940 --> 00:35:54.099
 He buries

00:35:54.099 --> 00:35:55.340
 some of his children there.

00:35:55.340 --> 00:35:57.680
 But while he's there,

00:35:57.740 --> 00:35:58.780
 he starts orphanages,

00:35:58.940 --> 00:35:59.820
 he starts hospitals,

00:36:00.039 --> 00:36:00.960
 he starts schools,

00:36:01.100 --> 00:36:02.200
 he starts universities.

00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:03.320
 He was just

00:36:03.320 --> 00:36:04.500
 this incredible man.

00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:05.600
 And one of the things

00:36:05.600 --> 00:36:06.420
 he was passionate about

00:36:06.420 --> 00:36:07.700
 was translating the Bible

00:36:07.700 --> 00:36:09.480
 into the local languages.

00:36:09.680 --> 00:36:09.940
 And so,

00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:11.579
 he translated the Bible.

00:36:11.700 --> 00:36:12.800
 He himself translated

00:36:12.800 --> 00:36:13.160
 the Bible

00:36:13.160 --> 00:36:14.860
 into six languages.

00:36:15.480 --> 00:36:16.780
 Translated into Bengali,

00:36:17.340 --> 00:36:17.980
 into Hindi,

00:36:18.500 --> 00:36:19.539
 into the ancient language

00:36:19.539 --> 00:36:20.100
 of Sanskrit,

00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:22.059
 into Assamese,

00:36:22.180 --> 00:36:22.940
 into a bunch of

00:36:22.940 --> 00:36:24.200
 other Indian languages.

00:36:24.199 --> 00:36:25.599
 And he oversaw

00:36:25.599 --> 00:36:26.319
 the translation

00:36:26.319 --> 00:36:28.319
 of another 26 languages

00:36:28.319 --> 00:36:29.599
 of the Bible.

00:36:29.859 --> 00:36:31.699
 Just this incredible,

00:36:31.939 --> 00:36:33.039
 incredible man.

00:36:33.819 --> 00:36:35.599
 When he was in his 70s,

00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:36.819
 he wrote this letter

00:36:36.819 --> 00:36:38.039
 to his son.

00:36:38.919 --> 00:36:40.659
 And this is what he writes.

00:36:40.759 --> 00:36:41.699
 Listen to this letter.

00:36:42.659 --> 00:36:43.079
 He says,

00:36:43.179 --> 00:36:44.239
 to his son Jabez.

00:36:44.799 --> 00:36:45.039
 He says,

00:36:45.079 --> 00:36:45.919
 I am this day

00:36:45.919 --> 00:36:47.239
 70 years old,

00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:48.299
 which alone

00:36:48.299 --> 00:36:49.279
 is God's mercy

00:36:49.279 --> 00:36:49.960
 and goodness.

00:36:50.679 --> 00:36:51.679
 Though on reflection

00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:52.619
 upon my life,

00:36:52.619 --> 00:36:54.139
 I find much,

00:36:54.299 --> 00:36:55.239
 very much,

00:36:55.940 --> 00:36:56.719
 for which I ought

00:36:56.719 --> 00:36:57.420
 to be humbled

00:36:57.420 --> 00:36:58.319
 to the dust.

00:36:59.079 --> 00:37:00.719
 My sins are innumerable.

00:37:01.359 --> 00:37:02.980
 My neglect of the Lord's work

00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:03.839
 has been great.

00:37:04.659 --> 00:37:06.619
 I have not promoted

00:37:06.619 --> 00:37:07.279
 his cause

00:37:07.279 --> 00:37:08.400
 or sought his glory

00:37:08.400 --> 00:37:09.500
 or his honor

00:37:09.500 --> 00:37:10.699
 as I ought to have done.

00:37:11.339 --> 00:37:11.719
 Thus,

00:37:11.920 --> 00:37:13.039
 my only confidence

00:37:13.039 --> 00:37:14.199
 is the blood

00:37:14.199 --> 00:37:15.139
 of Christ alone.

00:37:15.400 --> 00:37:16.279
 And through him,

00:37:16.339 --> 00:37:17.239
 I hope to receive

00:37:17.239 --> 00:37:18.440
 that divine favor.

00:37:19.079 --> 00:37:19.500
 Still,

00:37:19.500 --> 00:37:21.239
 I hope to be more

00:37:21.239 --> 00:37:22.199
 entirely devoted

00:37:22.199 --> 00:37:23.119
 to his service,

00:37:23.519 --> 00:37:24.900
 becoming more like him,

00:37:25.340 --> 00:37:26.199
 demonstrating more

00:37:26.199 --> 00:37:26.980
 of his grace

00:37:26.980 --> 00:37:27.579
 in my life,

00:37:28.039 --> 00:37:29.059
 bringing forth more

00:37:29.059 --> 00:37:29.760
 of the fruits

00:37:29.760 --> 00:37:30.539
 of righteousness

00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:31.679
 to the praise

00:37:31.679 --> 00:37:32.380
 and the honor

00:37:32.380 --> 00:37:33.619
 of that Savior

00:37:33.619 --> 00:37:35.099
 who gave his life

00:37:35.099 --> 00:37:35.820
 as sacrifice

00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:37.719
 for my sins.

00:37:38.780 --> 00:37:39.239
 Friends,

00:37:39.340 --> 00:37:41.119
 in many ways,

00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:42.739
 part of the reason

00:37:42.739 --> 00:37:43.420
 why the gospel

00:37:43.420 --> 00:37:44.380
 is in Asia

00:37:44.380 --> 00:37:45.519
 is because of this man,

00:37:45.599 --> 00:37:46.199
 William Carey.

00:37:46.599 --> 00:37:48.360
 The man who spent

00:37:48.360 --> 00:37:48.980
 his life,

00:37:49.039 --> 00:37:50.019
 who poured out

00:37:50.019 --> 00:37:50.480
 his life

00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:51.539
 for the advance

00:37:51.539 --> 00:37:52.620
 of the gospel.

00:37:53.240 --> 00:37:53.519
 Friends,

00:37:53.579 --> 00:37:54.059
 here is a man

00:37:54.059 --> 00:37:54.640
 that did more

00:37:54.640 --> 00:37:55.440
 than probably most

00:37:55.440 --> 00:37:56.039
 of us could ever

00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:56.980
 dream to do

00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:58.420
 in ten lifetimes.

00:37:58.840 --> 00:37:59.660
 He poured out

00:37:59.660 --> 00:38:00.160
 his life like

00:38:00.160 --> 00:38:00.960
 a drink offering.

00:38:01.380 --> 00:38:02.440
 He ran this race

00:38:02.440 --> 00:38:03.320
 wholeheartedly.

00:38:04.039 --> 00:38:04.640
 And yet,

00:38:05.120 --> 00:38:06.099
 did you notice

00:38:06.099 --> 00:38:07.840
 how humble he was?

00:38:07.900 --> 00:38:08.280
 Did you know

00:38:08.280 --> 00:38:08.840
 the appeal

00:38:08.840 --> 00:38:09.500
 to the gospel?

00:38:10.000 --> 00:38:11.059
 He speaks about

00:38:11.059 --> 00:38:13.160
 how at 70 years old,

00:38:13.539 --> 00:38:14.559
 he reflects

00:38:14.559 --> 00:38:14.980
 on his life

00:38:14.980 --> 00:38:15.300
 and he says,

00:38:15.360 --> 00:38:15.960
 I'm so aware

00:38:15.960 --> 00:38:16.820
 of my shortcomings.

00:38:17.519 --> 00:38:18.180
 I'm so aware

00:38:18.180 --> 00:38:18.900
 of my sin.

00:38:19.480 --> 00:38:19.740
 And yet,

00:38:19.780 --> 00:38:20.300
 I'm so aware

00:38:20.300 --> 00:38:21.059
 of God's grace

00:38:21.059 --> 00:38:21.680
 and his mercy

00:38:21.680 --> 00:38:22.700
 and his love to me.

00:38:23.160 --> 00:38:23.500
 And yet,

00:38:23.600 --> 00:38:24.640
 even at seven years old,

00:38:24.680 --> 00:38:25.340
 he's not just

00:38:25.340 --> 00:38:26.200
 sitting back

00:38:26.200 --> 00:38:27.220
 and riding it out

00:38:27.220 --> 00:38:28.180
 into glory.

00:38:28.440 --> 00:38:29.600
 With an athlete's

00:38:29.600 --> 00:38:30.100
 determination,

00:38:30.500 --> 00:38:31.420
 with focus

00:38:31.420 --> 00:38:32.620
 and attention,

00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:34.260
 he's still pressing on.

00:38:34.559 --> 00:38:35.360
 He's straining.

00:38:35.740 --> 00:38:37.059
 He's throwing himself

00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:38.240
 into the call of God

00:38:38.240 --> 00:38:39.900
 with a holy abandon,

00:38:40.580 --> 00:38:41.559
 knowing that Christ

00:38:41.559 --> 00:38:42.160
 is with him

00:38:42.160 --> 00:38:43.300
 and that Christ's

00:38:43.300 --> 00:38:44.280
 resurrection power

00:38:44.280 --> 00:38:45.280
 is at work

00:38:45.280 --> 00:38:45.920
 in his life.

00:38:46.820 --> 00:38:47.420
 But did you see

00:38:47.420 --> 00:38:47.980
 the motivation?

00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:49.900
 It was the gospel.

00:38:51.400 --> 00:38:52.180
 Here's this man

00:38:52.180 --> 00:38:53.639
 who had zero confidence

00:38:53.639 --> 00:38:54.340
 in himself,

00:38:55.200 --> 00:38:56.099
 zero confidence

00:38:56.099 --> 00:38:57.039
 in his achievements

00:38:57.039 --> 00:38:57.619
 for God.

00:38:58.220 --> 00:38:58.780
 Like Paul,

00:38:58.840 --> 00:38:59.720
 he could look back

00:38:59.720 --> 00:39:01.480
 at this long list

00:39:01.480 --> 00:39:02.059
 of resumes

00:39:02.059 --> 00:39:03.119
 and say,

00:39:03.200 --> 00:39:04.220
 I counted all

00:39:04.220 --> 00:39:05.320
 as nothing,

00:39:05.740 --> 00:39:06.659
 as loss,

00:39:07.159 --> 00:39:07.960
 compared to the

00:39:07.960 --> 00:39:09.559
 all-surpassing worth

00:39:09.559 --> 00:39:11.800
 of knowing Christ Jesus,

00:39:11.940 --> 00:39:12.380
 my Lord,

00:39:12.380 --> 00:39:13.680
 of knowing him

00:39:13.680 --> 00:39:14.539
 and his sufferings,

00:39:14.940 --> 00:39:16.200
 but knowing the power

00:39:16.200 --> 00:39:17.079
 and the resurrection

00:39:17.079 --> 00:39:19.340
 life in my life.

00:39:20.300 --> 00:39:21.240
 William Carey,

00:39:21.579 --> 00:39:22.480
 the Apostle Paul,

00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:23.840
 hundreds of others

00:39:23.840 --> 00:39:25.240
 have spent their life

00:39:25.240 --> 00:39:26.059
 in pursuit

00:39:26.059 --> 00:39:27.300
 of knowing Christ

00:39:27.300 --> 00:39:28.740
 and knowing him deeply.

00:39:29.480 --> 00:39:29.800
 Friends,

00:39:29.940 --> 00:39:30.820
 let's join them

00:39:30.820 --> 00:39:31.960
 in this endeavor

00:39:31.960 --> 00:39:32.420
 as well.

00:39:32.920 --> 00:39:33.539
 Let's pray.

00:39:33.539 --> 00:39:33.599
 Amen.

00:39:33.599 --> 00:39:38.179
 Heavenly Father,

00:39:39.059 --> 00:39:40.440
 loving Christ,

00:39:40.619 --> 00:39:41.400
 Holy Spirit,

00:39:42.719 --> 00:39:43.239
 God,

00:39:43.279 --> 00:39:43.719
 when we look

00:39:43.719 --> 00:39:44.500
 at the Apostle Paul,

00:39:44.599 --> 00:39:45.139
 we look at men

00:39:45.139 --> 00:39:46.179
 like William Carey

00:39:46.179 --> 00:39:47.899
 and countless others,

00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:49.839
 God,

00:39:49.919 --> 00:39:50.359
 in some ways,

00:39:50.440 --> 00:39:51.539
 feel so embarrassed

00:39:51.539 --> 00:39:52.059
 what we've done

00:39:52.059 --> 00:39:52.639
 with our lives.

00:39:53.719 --> 00:39:53.960
 God,

00:39:54.000 --> 00:39:54.619
 we have not

00:39:54.619 --> 00:39:55.980
 embraced suffering

00:39:55.980 --> 00:39:56.480
 or hardship

00:39:56.480 --> 00:39:57.919
 like these men,

00:39:58.719 --> 00:40:00.000
 but God,

00:40:00.059 --> 00:40:01.059
 we in many ways

00:40:01.059 --> 00:40:01.980
 have not experienced

00:40:01.980 --> 00:40:02.659
 the resurrection

00:40:02.659 --> 00:40:03.599
 life and power

00:40:03.599 --> 00:40:04.259
 like them either.

00:40:06.639 --> 00:40:07.399
 Oh God,

00:40:07.460 --> 00:40:08.839
 we want to know you deeply.

00:40:09.919 --> 00:40:11.119
 We want to know you,

00:40:11.239 --> 00:40:11.480
 God.

00:40:12.879 --> 00:40:13.319
 Christ,

00:40:13.379 --> 00:40:13.799
 I pray,

00:40:13.919 --> 00:40:14.399
 won't you

00:40:14.399 --> 00:40:15.319
 do a work

00:40:15.320 --> 00:40:16.140
 of the Spirit

00:40:16.140 --> 00:40:16.700
 in our hearts,

00:40:16.780 --> 00:40:17.500
 won't you pour out

00:40:17.500 --> 00:40:18.120
 your Spirit in us,

00:40:18.160 --> 00:40:18.519
 that God,

00:40:18.620 --> 00:40:20.400
 we will suffer

00:40:20.400 --> 00:40:20.960
 with you,

00:40:21.440 --> 00:40:22.620
 that we will learn

00:40:22.620 --> 00:40:24.900
 to learn from you

00:40:24.900 --> 00:40:25.980
 and become like you,

00:40:26.640 --> 00:40:27.720
 becoming even like you

00:40:27.720 --> 00:40:28.240
 in your death

00:40:28.240 --> 00:40:28.820
 and your suffering,

00:40:29.000 --> 00:40:30.200
 but even more than that,

00:40:31.059 --> 00:40:32.059
 becoming like you

00:40:32.059 --> 00:40:33.800
 in your wholehearted

00:40:33.800 --> 00:40:34.860
 pursuit of the glory

00:40:34.860 --> 00:40:35.300
 of God.

00:40:37.400 --> 00:40:37.880
 Jesus,

00:40:38.000 --> 00:40:38.340
 help us,

00:40:38.420 --> 00:40:38.780
 we pray.

00:40:39.760 --> 00:40:40.860
 Help us to know you

00:40:40.860 --> 00:40:42.039
 more deeply,

00:40:42.519 --> 00:40:43.559
 more intimately,

00:40:43.559 --> 00:40:46.440
 to love you more.

00:40:47.840 --> 00:40:48.759
 We pray these things

00:40:48.759 --> 00:40:49.360
 in your wonderful

00:40:49.360 --> 00:40:51.259
 and your powerful name.