Before we continue, let's pray.
Father in heaven, we thank you for your word.
! Lord, we thank you for the testimony of your servant, Paul.
! We thank you for his example,
but not just example of how he lives,
but really the blueprint of what it means to live a life in Christ.
And that, Lord, it's a testimony too
that this life in Christ is not a drab, dark, boring one.
But rather, it is a joy-filled, exciting life.
And as we continue on, Philippians, Lord,
we ask that you would press it upon our hearts and our minds
of the goodness of Christ, the joyfulness of Christ,
and that we will grow closer to him through your word, by your spirit.
We pray this in Christ's name. Amen.
I have a friend that I've had for a long time.
He is a wonderful guy.
He is, like, the most pessimistic person I've ever met in my life.
Like, he just is.
And I try to kind of buoy his spirits up, not every time.
And often he will accuse me of toxic positivity.
That's what he says.
Not all the time, and it's in jest.
And I'm far from that positive.
I mean, you can talk to my family.
I'm not, like, terrible.
Like, I'm kind of even-keeled, whatever.
Anyways, not about me.
The story is about my friend, okay?
Toxic positivity.
You know, he just wants more commiseration.
And I, at times, just don't want to commiserate with him.
I want him to be happy.
I want him to be joyful, to see the cup half full.
I bring up this story because this section,
the second section of chapter one, Paul is in prison.
And Paul could be accused of toxic positivity here.
I mean, he's in chains.
He is not exactly in the best situation,
which is a bit of an understatement.
And yet, we're going to see that he doesn't complain at all.
I mean, it'll come up in one of my points.
He doesn't even talk about necessarily the facts of his imprisonment.
Instead, he just talks about the positive effects of it.
If I'm in prison, okay, number one, I am, like, visit me.
A lot.
Send me stuff.
Stick money in my account.
I can buy chips and whatever.
But, like, the point is, like, buoy me up.
Because I'm as snake belly low as I would be.
Paul here, again, his positivity is like an 11.
It is, it seems, it seems almost like he's lost a plot.
Or he has a couple screws loose.
That there's something kind of off.
I mean, the people that usually are this kind of positive,
I mean, they might be a bit, maybe narcissistic,
in the sense that, you know, they've done nothing wrong,
or their situation isn't necessarily as bad.
I'm not exactly sure how to describe Paul,
apart from being a bit uncomfortable with him.
I'm a bit uncomfortable with his positivity,
of his cup half fullness.
It's a bit bizarre.
And yet, we see Paul, his focus isn't just a mind over matter,
or his reality isn't just a mind over matter situation.
He is not just in this zen state where he is ignorant of his situation.
Rather, he is seeing it through a completely different lens.
He is focused, not on himself, but on the advancement of the gospel.
The gospel, which is the very good news of Christ,
that Jesus lived, that he died.
He died for our sins in our place.
He was actually killed, actually was buried.
Three days later, actually rose from the grave,
appeared to many, and eventually ascended,
and he is coming again to judge the living and the dead.
That gospel.
That's what Paul is about.
He is about the advancement of that gospel.
So, Paul, being in prison,
he is understanding his life in light of being an instrument of God
to advance the gospel.
This is God's will for Paul's life.
That he would be an instrument for the advancement of the gospel.
And we're going to see that, again, not necessarily exactly like Paul,
but that's also God's will for our lives.
For Paul, this seems like a bit of an unfair situation.
Normally, if I'm doing somebody a favor,
this is maybe not the best example,
if I'm doing somebody a favor,
I don't want to get paid back with a kick in the face.
Paul, it seems like it's a bit of an unfair situation.
He is working and laboring.
He is giving up so much for the gospel and for Christ.
You'd think that he would get a bit of kickback.
He'd get a bit of a cushy situation.
And yet, he is going to live out his days in a Roman prison.
He's going to be released for just a couple years,
find his way back in a Roman prison,
and eventually get executed.
And I would think that Paul might,
at least the human part of him,
I mean, he's fully human.
He's not like Christ, fully human and fully God.
But Paul, the humanity of him would be frustrated.
And yet, and yet,
we're going to see here that Paul is unbelievably joyful.
So much so that theologians will call this letter
the epistle of joy,
written in a Roman prison.
It's really something else.
I mentioned this last week,
but Philippians is a very short letter.
It's about 100 words in the original language,
a bit over 100 words in the Greek.
And joy or rejoice are used some 12 times.
And again, that's a large usage in a very short letter.
Suffice it to say,
Paul is finding himself
exactly where the Lord has him,
even though it on the outside looks horrible,
and yet he is fully joyful.
It's really something.
And it begs the question for us to consider,
how can we experience
genuine and authentic joy
as we obey the Lord?
Because some, for some,
and I put myself in this category,
if I'm being honest about what it means
to obey the Lord,
I'm feeling the weight of it.
I'm not necessarily immediately thinking joy.
Like, woohoo, incredible,
sign me up for Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre.
Whatever comes,
I'm going to be joyful.
It's not like that.
I'm feeling the weight of it.
Nevertheless, how can we,
I'll ask the question again,
how can we experience
genuine and authentic joy
as we obey the Lord,
especially, especially
when it leads to our suffering
and maybe even our death?
I've broken up this just short section
into three parts
to help us organize our thoughts
and to help us with the flow.
And we'll answer this question
by looking at
three changes that need to happen
if we are to have this kind of authentic joy
in the midst of obeying the Lord
and suffering for it.
The first change
is that we need a change of perspective.
The second thing is
we need a change of priorities.
And I'll just say,
I labored to try to find another P,
so stick with me on this.
And the third change
is a change in what we value
as the ultimate prize.
If that helps you
just to organize your thoughts in this,
fantastic.
So again,
a change in perspective,
a change in priorities,
and then finally,
a change in what we view
as an ultimate prize.
First point,
look with me at verses 12 to 14.
I want you to know,
brothers and sisters,
that what has happened to me
has really served to advance the gospel.
So that it has become known
throughout the whole imperial guard,
that is like
the emperor's
personal group of guards,
and to all
the rest,
the imperial guard,
and to all the rest
that my imprisonment
is for Christ.
Verse 14,
and most of the brothers
having become confident
in the Lord
by my imprisonment
are much more bold
to speak the word
without fear.
Paul begins
the body of his letter.
So last week was the intro.
This is the beginning
of the body of the letter.
Not by detailing
the facts of his imprisonment.
I mean,
the facts,
we've talked about it.
If you've been
tracking with us
through the last portion
of Acts
over the last few months
and then into Philippians,
the facts
of Paul's imprisonment
are that he has been held
almost three years
without trial.
He is chained
at all times
24-7 to a guard.
Every four to six hours
there's going to be
a shift change.
He can't go to the bathroom
in private.
He can't host
visitors or guests
in private.
He is in
a not great condition.
He is so much so that,
I mean,
the Philippian church,
one of the reasons
why he's writing this letter
is to tell them,
listen,
I'm doing okay.
I'm still alive.
I'm hanging in there.
It's not a great situation.
Paul,
he doesn't begin
with the facts
of his imprisonment.
Rather,
he begins with the effects
of his imprisonment.
The effects
of Paul's imprisonment
have advanced the gospel
in two ways.
Through evangelism,
but also inspiring
the church
to follow suit.
So,
we'll break it down
just really simply,
the first,
evangelism.
looking first
at verse 13
and 14,
or just 13 rather,
again,
remembering that
he has maybe,
what,
four,
six,
four to six
at any time
throughout the day,
different guards
attached to his hip
quite literally.
Over months
and months
and months,
he is just chatting
their face off.
They are sending
guards his way.
And what is he doing?
What does Paul do?
He shares the gospel.
He has a steady
stream of guards
that are coming
to see him,
so much so
that the entire
imperial guard,
which isn't to say
that every last guard
has been assigned
to him
or that he has
interacted with them
personally.
Some estimates
say there's
up to maybe
close to 10,000
imperial guards.
So is it all
10,000?
Like,
seven to 10,000?
Likely not,
but the point is
is that there is
a buzz about Paul
in the city.
People have heard
about him.
And what do they
hear about?
That his imprisonment
is because of Christ.
He hasn't broken
any Roman law
necessarily.
He hasn't been
convicted of anything.
But he
worships
this man
from
the Galilee
in Judea,
the province of Judea.
And he claims
that that man
rose from the grave.
and that
he didn't just
rise from the grave,
that he is the Messiah
and he is actually
the only God.
And Paul,
he is proclaiming
that even
in prison.
Rome is
abuzz
with
the apostle
Paul.
So,
in many respects,
Paul here,
and this is where
this perspective
change comes in,
Paul doesn't
necessarily see
himself as a Roman
prisoner chained to
a guard.
Rather,
he sees that
a guard is chained
to the slave of Christ.
And as they come through,
there's a new guard
and maybe they've
heard about it,
maybe they're eager
to hear,
maybe they're not
at all.
Either way,
four to six hours
on the man's hip
hearing about the gospel,
hearing about
how they don't have
to carry their sins
any longer,
that the evils
that they have done
as members
of the Roman
imperial guard,
Christ has forgiven it
if they would only
put their faith
and trust in him
every single day,
day in and day out.
And that is
this perspective.
So all of a sudden,
Paul,
whose life is
completely Christ,
he is a slave to Christ,
doesn't see
from his perspective,
oh, woe is me.
He says,
look,
I have a captive audience
and they can't escape me.
Likewise,
his imprisonment
is affecting
most of the Christians.
Idea that the Christians
in the region
or the area
that are hearing
about him,
they are seeing
God's hand at work
in Paul's life
and they are inspired,
their confidence
is growing
and they are proclaiming
Christ with boldness
and with courage.
It says,
without fear.
And this is a wonderful thing.
They have seen
the sovereign hand
of God at work
taking a bad situation
and completely upending it
and seeing it
as rather
a continuation
of Christ's victory.
That even Rome,
even Rome can't squash
out the Christian faith.
The gospel can't be conquered.
Paul's in chains,
not the gospel.
And they're all of a sudden
seeing that
Christ's words
aren't empty,
but they're real.
Notice too
that their courage
and boldness,
it comes after
they have become
confident in the Lord.
And I'll just say this
as a bit of a side point,
which is actually
a huge point.
If I was to come up here
Sunday after Sunday
and just say,
share your faith.
Don't be afraid.
Be bold.
Go out there
and evangelize.
And I didn't
proclaim Christ
in his goodness
and testify
to his fulfilled
word
so that you
did not have
confidence
in the gospel
or in your Savior
setting you up
for failure.
How on earth
can you have
boldness
and courage
without confidence
in Jesus?
I mean,
here's the thing
with the gospel.
If the gospel
is not
a cherished thing
in your life
and if Christ
isn't
completely glorious
and we grow in that
by the way,
it's not necessarily
a switch,
maybe for some,
but if you're not
growing in that,
I mean,
to say,
listen,
go out there
and proclaim
the gospel,
be bold,
maybe for a little bit,
but all of a sudden
we will find out
that smaller things
seem much more daunting
and threatening
that they are
in Christ
who is Lord
overall
starts to shrink
and all of a sudden
things that
ought not
scare you
if you have
confidence in Christ
begin to freak you
out a bit
because you're
putting confidence
not in Christ
but in other things
and proclaiming
the gospel
is always,
always,
again,
in different respects
and to different degrees
but it will always
run counter
to the spirit
of the age,
okay?
There is always
going to be this
tension between
the spirit of the age
and the spirit
of Christ
and there will be
a battle
but here's the thing,
if our confidence
is in Christ
then we know
the battle is won.
We know our Savior
is victorious,
that we are resting
in an already
defeated,
victorious Savior
and a defeated foe.
If we don't have
confidence in Christ
then maybe he's
going to lose
or maybe his word
is going to come true
or maybe,
just maybe,
all of this
is in vain.
I don't want to
put my confidence
in things that are
going to crumble
or are in vain.
So,
when the church
in Rome
sees what's happening
to the Apostle Paul,
they are seeing
the words
and work
of Christ
being proclaimed
and being proven true
and this is giving
them confidence,
then leading them
to boldness,
then leading them
to courage.
They're constantly
seeing Christ
as glorious
and they have
their confidence
in him.
So,
I'll just say this
and then we'll
continue to move on.
Read the testimony
of the Apostle Paul
and get encouraged
but share
with each other,
testify to each other
how the Lord
is at work,
how you've trusted
in him,
little ways,
big ways,
medium ways,
whatever,
but testify,
don't hold it
in for yourself.
Bear witness
to one another,
encourage one another,
read Christian biographies,
get really jacked up
about how the Lord
has been so faithful
to his people
throughout the ages
and build up
your confidence
in the Lord.
Feed on that
and it doesn't mean
you're going to turn
into a world-class
evangelist tomorrow
but I will tell you
your fear
will subside,
it will gradually shrink
and your boldness
will gradually grow.
It's a wonderful way
to live.
Feed on the testimonies
of God's people.
Again,
we see Paul
not focus on the facts
of his imprisonment
but on its effects
and because
his perspective
is reoriented
to understand that
although he is on earth
in a Roman prison,
he is united
to Christ
who has been raised
and is seated
in the heavenly places
so therefore Paul
is up there as well.
Paul articulates this
in a beautiful way
in Colossians
in another letter
he has written
Colossians chapter 3
verses 1 to 4
and this is what he says
in this changed perspective.
If then,
quote,
if then,
you have been
raised with Christ,
seek the things
that are above
where Christ is.
That is to say,
have a different perspective.
Put your gaze upwards.
words.
Christ,
who is seated above,
seated at the right hand
of God,
verse 2,
set your minds
on things that are above,
not on things that are on earth.
For you have died
and your life
is now hidden
with Christ in God.
When Christ,
who is your life,
appears,
then you also will appear
with him in glory.
I mean,
it is a promise
that supersedes
all promises.
Something that you can
really build
a life upon.
So,
Paul
is not
a mind over matter
type of guy.
He is not just
girding up his loins,
digging in deep,
finding his true self
within,
nor is he
just pretending
like this
is not happening,
willfully ignorant
of what is happening
around him.
Rather,
he is recognizing
that through Christ,
even the most difficult
earthly situations
can be transcended.
He isn't transcending
them himself,
but because he is
united to Christ
and Christ has
transcended all,
he too has transcended.
Here's the thing.
We have been elevated
with Christ,
sharing in his victory,
a victory that we
didn't fight,
a victory that we
didn't want,
but a victory that
we get to have
in its fullness,
its hours.
We take hold of it
by faith.
And this is
exactly what
we are seeing
with the Apostle Paul,
this change of perspective,
this reality
transforming
our earthly experience
so that everything
meant for ill
becomes an opportunity
for good.
And this will
lead us to our next section.
As we understand
that the gospel of Christ
is not bound
by Roman shackles
or a job loss
or a sickness
or a diagnosis
or God forbid
a tragedy,
God forbid
a tragedy.
Our perspective
doesn't just change
but so too
our priorities
begin to change.
It's not just that
we see the victory
of Christ
and we have confidence
in it,
we act upon it,
our priorities
begin to change.
This leads us
to our second point.
Look with me
at verses 15
to 18.
Some indeed
preach Christ
from envy and rivalry
but others
from goodwill.
The latter do it
out of love
knowing that I am put here
for the defense
of the gospel
but the former
proclaim Christ
out of selfish ambition
not sincerely
but thinking
to afflict me
in my imprisonment.
What then?
Only that in every way
whether in pretense
or in truth
Christ is proclaimed
and in that
I rejoice.
There's that joy word
in that I rejoice.
Not only is the apostle
in this very adverse situation
but he has also
been made aware
that there's some
bad characters
that are trying
to inflict
additional sufferings
upon him
and they are motivated
from selfish ambition.
There's considerable debate
about who these people are.
I mean not much
is not much light
has been shed upon them
who they could be.
Are they rival
Christian leaders
that are more or less
orthodox
but they are selfish
they want to
supersede Paul
in being a leader
in the church?
Were they
some young pastors
that just want
the old guard
to retire
so they can take over?
We're not sure.
It's difficult to know.
It may be an important point
for us this morning
it's really secondary
to their motivation.
They are unlike
those evangelists
who continue
proclaiming Christ
out of pure
and loving motivations.
Rather they possess
selfish ambition
and view Paul
and his situation
as an unjust way
to advance
however they are
looking to advance.
Remember
and this is
the incredible thing here
and shows
how Paul's priorities
are just much different
than likely you or I.
He is writing
to the Philippian church
the first church
in Europe
the first church
that he planted
in Europe.
They have supported him
from day one.
They have sent money
to him.
They have sent money
to Jerusalem.
They are concerned
about his well-being.
Paul with the situation
you think maybe
if he was so concerned
with this
he is writing a letter
listen I am sure
you have a couple
lawyers that can
plead my case.
Maybe some
strong guys
that can pay a visit
and say listen
should you lay
up Paul
a little bit.
But Paul here
again
his priority
isn't self-preservation.
It is not.
It is not
even to clear
his name.
Instead
Paul
who has this
heavenly perspective
he sees beyond
the immediate problem
he is recognizing
that their attempts
to afflict him
are actually
doing exactly
what he wants.
Exactly what his
priorities are.
The proclamation
of the gospel.
They are continuing
this spread
this buzz
of
throughout Rome
of Christ
being the reason
of Paul's
imprisonment.
And this by the way
isn't to say that
Paul
is just always
going to show his belly
in situations like this.
Paul is
I mean he is used
to
confronting.
I mean he is
not afraid
to confront people.
He is going to
push back
against people
that are trying
to
take
non-Jewish
believers
and make them
Jewish
so that they can
then follow Jesus
the Judaizers.
He is pushing back
against them
in other parts
of the New Testament.
He is confronting
Peter.
Paul confronts
people.
He is
again not going
to show his belly
but his priority
isn't self-preservation
to somehow
keep his own
reputation
nice and high.
It's always
always always
about the advancement
of the gospel.
His priority
is about Christ
and his glory
and his renown
and the furthering
of evangelism.
In this case
he doesn't have
to defend himself
because what is he seeing?
The gospel continues
to go out.
Okay I don't care.
I mean they're
calling me names.
They're trying to thwart me.
It's not working.
Why am I going to
spend the energy
to clear my own name
when Christ
will vindicate me
at the end of the day?
You can't really see this
in the original language
and I certainly
didn't see this
but in my studying
all the commentators
that I reference
they say there's
allusions to
a portion of Job
where Job
he is trusting
that God himself
will vindicate him
in light of slander.
And it seems
that that's what's
happening with Paul
but Paul here
is like
no what is happening
is actually
a very good thing.
It is a very good thing
that we're seeing.
And if my name
gets slandered
in the midst of it
I'll be okay.
Christ has saved me.
Remember I am
seated with him.
I am in prison
but I am more free
than anyone
in the world
because I am
in Christ Jesus.
So Paul
he is not pushing
back in this situation.
His priorities
are crystal clear
and laser focused.
It reminds me
of Genesis chapter 50.
If you know
the story of Joseph
I think it might be
just one of the
most beautiful stories
of how God
takes all kinds
of crazy
sinful
evil actions
of human beings
and works them out
for his glory.
If you know the story
this will be familiar
if not
I'll try to
nutshell it.
Joseph
he is
one of the youngest
children
of Jacob
and he is
one of his favorites
and he is
kind of doted over
and as such
his brothers
in their jealousy
try to kill him
and long
story made short
he finds his way
as a slave
in Egypt
and eventually
becomes a prime minister
of Egypt
the second in command
only the pharaoh
is above him
and he
saves
countless lives
when there's
a horrible famine.
And his brothers
realize who he is
after Joseph
tells them
that it's me
Joseph
and they're afraid
that Joseph's
going to kill him.
And then in
Genesis 50
verse 20
Joseph says to them
what you intended
for evil
the Lord
intended for good.
I have no idea
how the sovereignty
of the Lord
works out
but it's clear
that God
has been at work
through all the
crazy evil
and
terrible
betrayals
that he
experienced
and there's
something of that
here in the text.
We have
these
really
ill
intentioned
people
whether they're
true believers
or not
they're trying to
thwart Paul
and God
is taking
their evil
and making it
work out for good.
And here is where
we trust in the
sovereignty of God
that God
has said
that he
will have
the final victory
and that the
victory is already
won
and that
at the end
of the age
every knee
will bow
and every tongue
will confess
that Jesus
Christ is Lord
and we are
seeing it
that nothing
can thwart
what is happening
with the apostle
Paul
nothing can thwart
the gospel
even if he is
afflicted and
wrongfully
portrayed
Paul will
allow it
his priorities
are the gospel
and he is
trusting in
God's
sovereign
hand
so
in light
of that
opposition
becomes an
opportunity
and I think
it's the case
for us
when we are
opposed
it is an
opportunity
I won't go
into the details
that a situation
happened last
Sunday
and it seemed
like it was
a potential
like huge
problem
and yet
it seems like
it's opening
a door up
for the gospel
every opposition
with Christ
becomes an
opportunity
so it's
important to
restate an
observation
from the
previous post
the previous
point rather
that confidence
in God
again
with all of
this
it has to
precede such
boldness and
assurance
that we have
to have
confidence
that God
is at work
and his
word is
true
furthermore
this change
in priority
must stem
from a change
in perspective
we can't
just will
ourselves
to have
a new
set of
priorities
if our
perspective
isn't upon
Christ
so as we
transition to
our third
and final
point
we need
to consider
that
the person
who grows
in cherishing
Christ
it is
not
it is
not
a
conviction
a sentence
for a
dull
and heavy
and
difficult
life
but rather
a joyful
one
so look at
verse 18
again
in light
of all
that is
happening
what does
Paul say
what then
actually we'll
go back to
17
the former
proclaimed
Christ
of selfish
ambition
not sincerely
but thinking
to afflict
me
in my
imprisonment
verse 18
what then
only that
in every
way
whether in
pretense
or in
truth
Christ
is
proclaimed
and in
that
I
rejoice
we are
seeing
once again
Paul
he is
joyful
and it's
just oozing
out of him
he is
overflowing
with joy
so that the
purpose
of Paul's
life
is no longer
himself
his priorities
have shifted
he is not
trying to
gain his
life
instead
Paul has
lost his
life for
the sake
of Christ
and in
doing so
he has
gained it
these are
words of
Jesus
himself
so let's
look at
our third
and final
point
that
if we are
to live
this joyful
obedient
life in
Christ
we need
to change
what we
value
as
the
ultimate
prize
we'll
start at
the last
portion
of verse
18
and then
read to
26
yes
and I
will
rejoice
for I
know
that
through
your
prayers
and the
help
of
the
spirit
of
Jesus
Christ
this
will
turn out
for my
deliverance
as it
is my
eager
expectation
and hope
that I
will not
be at
all ashamed
but that
with full
courage
now as
always
Christ
will be
honored
in my
body
whether
by life
or by
death
verse 21
might be
familiar to
some of
you
for to
me
to live
is Christ
and to
die
is gain
if I
am to
live
in the
flesh
that
means
fruitful
labor
for me
yet
which
I
shall
choose
I
cannot
tell
I
am
hard
pressed
between
the
two
my desire
is to
depart
and be
with
Christ
for that
is far
better
but to
remain
in the
flesh
is more
necessary
on your
account
convinced
of this
I know
that I
will
remain
and
continue
with
you
with
you
all
for your
progress
and joy
in the
faith
so that
in
me
you
may
have
ample
cause
to
glory
in
Christ
Jesus
because
of
my
coming
to
you
again
Paul
expands
on his
posture
of
joy
from
the
previous
section
as he
contemplates
what his
deliverance
from prison
might look
like
and by
the way
he
is convinced
he will
be delivered
it's
a guarantee
for him
deliverance
might look
two
different
ways
either
off
with his
head
but then
he'll
be in
glory
with
Christ
no more
chains
no more
headaches
he'll
be with
Christ
but he
might be
actually
delivered
out of
prison
so that
he continues
the ministry
of Christ
for Paul
there's
two
possibilities
and it
sounds like
he is
by the
way
like
this is
up to
him
whether
he will
be
like
he's
the one
who's
going to
decide
whether
he goes
to
Christ
or
he
will
be
released
it's
not
the
case
at
all
but
he
is
kind
of
wrestling
with
this
reality
in
such a
way
as to
draw
in
the
Philippians
to
his
mentality
into
what
he
prizes
most
of
all
as if
to
say
ultimately
it is
Christ
and to
be in
his
presence
but
really
it's
to
submit
to
his
will
that's
what
Paul
is
saying
in
this
section
I
don't
know
what
to
choose
I
mean
I
could
go
to
Christ
it
would
be
unbelievable
or I
can
continue
on
for
your
sake
so
that
your
joy
will
continue
to
grow
as
you
progress
in
the
gospel
what
can
I
choose
both
are
fantastic
which
is
to
say
Lord
not
my
will
be
done
but
yours
Paul
is
sure
that
he
will
be
delivered
but
how
he
is
wrestling
and
man
is
he
ever
wrestling
I
say
this
it
is
a
good
thing
to
wrestle
with
the
Lord
but
ultimately
we
are
allowed
to
ache
after
glory
we
are
allowed
to
ache
after
heaven
especially
if we've
gone
through
some
loss
or
there's
been
a lot
of
difficulty
in
this
life
it
is
not
a
bad
thing
to
say
Lord
I
just
want
to
be
with
you
just
take
me
tonight
I
don't
know
I
don't
think
that's
a
bad
thing
it
would
seem
that
for
Paul
it's
not
a
bad
thing
and
by
the
way
I
don't
think
that's
a
suicidal
ideation
he
just wants
to be
with
Jesus
it's
a good
thing
to
ache
after
the
Lord
but
he
is
ultimately
saying
that
my
prize
my
prize
isn't
my
own
life
but
it
is
Christ
and
his
glory
and
if
it
is
it
sake
of
others
and
Paul
even
says
in
verse
20
his
heart
is
his
eager
expectation
his
heart
and
hope
that
I
will
not
at
all
be
ashamed
but
that
with
full
courage
now
as
always
Christ
will
be
honored
in
my
body
whether
by
life
or
by
death
that
my
life
will
not
be
my
own
that
I
will
not
be
ashamed
that
I
will
be
courageous
my
perspective
it
is
a
daunting
and
scary
thing
to
live
for
others
but
I
will
say
it
is
more
scary
to
know
what
you
need
to
do
and
lack
the
courage
and
feel
the
pain
of
cowardice
and
by
the
way
Christ
will
forgive
you
if
you
come
to
him
but
if
you
have
ever
felt
like
you
knew
what
to
do
and
you
didn't
do
it
and
you
felt
like
a
coward
you
know
that
thing
is
a
thing
I'm
reminded
of
maybe
one
of
the
best
movies
of
all
time
Saving
Private
Ryan
there's
a
scene
at
the
end
where
up
them
!
if you
know
the
story
his
courage
left
him
and
because
of
that
his
comrade
was
killed
by a
German
and he
wept
the
cowardice
washed
over
him
and he
was
undone
by how
cowardly
he was
however
Gary
living
for
Christ
might
seem
the
pain
of
cowardice
friends
it
will
sting
so
much
more
than
any
physical
pain
that
you
might
experience
any
loss
that
you
might
have
to
endure
and
again
this
isn't
gird
up
your
loins
this
is
again
in
light
of
having
a
changed
perspective
and
having
changed
priorities
and
cherishing
and
beholding
Christ
right
that
that courage
comes
from
having
confidence
in
Jesus
but
if you
know
what to
do
it
and ask
God
for
strength
and if
you
fail
ask
for
forgiveness
and move
on
I will
tell you
it will
be a
life
that is
totally
worth
living
and I
think
one of
the
things
that
holds
us
back
from
living
this
life
for
Christ
is that
we
put
much
value
on
this
life
as if
there
is not
a life
to come
as if
there
is not
glory
to be
experienced
in
heaven
so that
this
life
if
that
doesn't
exist
then
this
life
has
to
be
heaven
it
has
to
heaven
has
to
be
we
have
to
experience
some
kind
of
heaven
so it
has
to
be
this
life
but
that
is
as I was
talking to
Christine
about this
earlier
that is
a recipe
for
discontentment
and what
that will
mean
is
we will
treat
the
things
of
this
earth
as if
they are
eternal
things
and we
will
tear
them
apart
a bit
of a
funny
thing
that
came
to
mind
when
I
was
thinking
of
this
if
heaven
doesn't
exist
and we
put
all
of
our
attention
here
on
earth
then
the
things
that
are
meant
to
carry
just
a
regular
burden
of
meaning
but
we
put
on
eternal
meaning
it's
like
you
guys
remember
Looney
Toons
with
the
abominable
snowman
and how
he would
grab
Daffy
or
bugs
and I'm
going to
love you
and I'm
going to
kiss
you
and he's
trying to
be nice
and soft
but he's
ripping
them apart
and abusing
them
and mauling
them
and crushing
them
I think
that's what
we potentially
risk
if we
treat this
world
like it's
heaven
eternal
this world
is not meant
to
your spouse
your children
your friends
your job
your family
the things
in this world
they're not
made to be
to find
your eternal
meaning
only Christ
can bear
that kind
of weight
that kind
of responsibility
and you
will find
yourself
perpetually
discontent
with this
world
but if
your prize
is Christ
if you
cherish
him
then you
will have
that perspective
change
you will have
that priority
change
you will have
that boldness
and that you
will see
that the real
prize in life
is Jesus
himself
we'll end
with this
what is so
incredible
here in
this last
section
is that
the sacrifice
for Paul
isn't
dying
for Christ
the sacrifice
for Paul
is that he
continue living
that he
continue living
for the sake
of other
people
I mean
it's really
something else
and by the way
I'd say
if you die
for Christ
it's sacrificing
for him
but
Paul here
his perspective
and his
priorities
everything
is so
changed
that for
him
you know
to die
is real
that's the
real prize
and to live
out this
life
that's the
sacrifice
for Christ
I mean
just imagine
friends
growing in
that
mentality
okay
growing in
that
that day
in and day
out
our mentality
is
man if I
could only be
with Jesus
now
yeah okay
I'll live
this life
out
and I'll
live it
out
joyfully
and it's
for the
sake of
others
and for
the benefit
of my
family
and doing
good
wonderful
faithful
things
in the
station
the Lord
has for
me
but the
real
like the
ache
the real
prize
it's coming
up
and just
imagine
how that
will
transform
our
life
about
how we
will
not be
so
constantly
frustrated
with people
not coming
through
or that
the thing
that is
new
that brings
us joy
it's
starting
to tarnish
that we
will have
a joy
that is
rooted
in an
unchangeable
God
and therefore
our joy
will be
unchanging
that is our
prayer
that is the
hope of
the gospel
that is
what Paul
is communicating
to us
this morning
in his
letter
and let
us ask
the Lord
for strength
to do
just that
let us
pray
Father
thank you
for your
servant
Paul
thank you
that his
perspective
and his
priorities
they
were upon
you
and that
his ultimate
prize
was not
continuing
to live
but
it was
to die
and go
to be
with you
Lord
what a
remarkable
man
but more
so
what a
remarkable
savior
how
Jesus
can
totally
transform
our
lives
Lord
we ask
that he
would do
that this
morning
by his
spirit
and that
we would
grow
in this
love of
you
and love
for your
son
and we
pray this
in Christ's
name
Amen