WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.480 Well, this morning we continue our series in the book of Philippians. 00:00:07.660 --> 00:00:10.500 If you were with us last week, we know we just started with the introduction. 00:00:10.759 --> 00:00:14.820 Today we're going to be moving on in chapter 1, verses 3 through 8. 00:00:15.240 --> 00:00:17.199 So if you have a Bible, you can turn there with me. 00:00:17.260 --> 00:00:18.760 It will also be on the screen behind me. 00:00:20.400 --> 00:00:24.420 As I've mentioned before, Rachel and I, over a decade ago, we lived in China. 00:00:25.780 --> 00:00:27.580 We lived there for just over a year. 00:00:27.580 --> 00:00:29.440 We lived in a city of 7 million. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.960 Which, by Chinese standards, is just kind of an average-sized town. 00:00:33.480 --> 00:00:35.039 And we didn't live in the heart of the city. 00:00:35.100 --> 00:00:37.340 We kind of lived on the southern edge of the city. 00:00:37.399 --> 00:00:39.620 That was known as the Economic Development Zone. 00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:43.359 And everyone who lived in that area and had called that for years 00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:45.840 really thought it was more of a joke than anything else. 00:00:45.859 --> 00:00:49.159 Because there wasn't much economic development going on there. 00:00:49.260 --> 00:00:51.460 There was a cluster of a few universities. 00:00:52.340 --> 00:00:56.540 Around the universities were kind of some run-down, kind of slab concrete buildings 00:00:56.540 --> 00:00:58.420 that had some shops and some restaurants. 00:00:58.420 --> 00:01:04.019 Vendors would come in in the evening and set up restaurants just in the streets and carts that they had. 00:01:04.700 --> 00:01:11.140 Beyond that were just really shacks set up by people who might have worked in the field or drove a taxi. 00:01:11.140 --> 00:01:15.620 Brick structures that may have aluminum as a roof. 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:16.579 No running water. 00:01:17.400 --> 00:01:20.120 Electricity that was run by bare wire from place to place. 00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:21.620 And beyond that was just cornfields. 00:01:22.519 --> 00:01:25.159 But yet this was the Economic Development Zone. 00:01:25.159 --> 00:01:29.879 There was not a whole lot of trust that anything would happen in this area of town. 00:01:29.959 --> 00:01:34.500 There was no confidence that anyone had that there was going to be infrastructure development, 00:01:34.679 --> 00:01:39.399 that new buildings were going to go up, that anything was going to happen in this area of town. 00:01:40.599 --> 00:01:43.819 And so it was actually, when Rachel and I came home, 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:46.920 it was about five years later that we were able to go back for a visit. 00:01:46.920 --> 00:01:52.680 And we went to this area of town and it was amazing the transformation that we saw. 00:01:53.640 --> 00:01:58.540 Because fields had been cleared and now there were high-rise apartment buildings and luxury condos. 00:01:58.840 --> 00:02:01.200 These little shacks and shops had been totally demolished. 00:02:01.480 --> 00:02:09.460 There was a huge shopping center with a mall and a theater and a Starbucks and a KFC and a Burger King and a Pizza Hut. 00:02:09.460 --> 00:02:13.300 All the crown jewels of American culture were now at their fingertips. 00:02:14.740 --> 00:02:18.780 And so it was amazing to think about what had happened in this short amount of time, 00:02:18.860 --> 00:02:23.420 where people had no assurance that anything would ever happen in this part of the town. 00:02:23.500 --> 00:02:27.219 There was now evidence of the progress that had been made. 00:02:28.140 --> 00:02:31.319 And so that's what we're going to be looking at in this passage today. 00:02:31.400 --> 00:02:35.740 The assurance that Paul has in the work of Christ. 00:02:35.740 --> 00:02:40.180 Even in the midst of his own imprisonment, persecution on the rise, 00:02:40.620 --> 00:02:43.920 we see disunity bubbling up within the church. 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:47.219 He holds on to the promises of God. 00:02:47.300 --> 00:02:49.379 He remains confident in the work of Christ. 00:02:49.520 --> 00:02:53.680 Both the beginning, the initial work, his continuing work, and completed work. 00:02:54.219 --> 00:02:58.160 And we see that through that he has great thanksgiving and great joy 00:02:58.160 --> 00:03:02.100 because he sees that evidence at the church at Philippi. 00:03:02.340 --> 00:03:04.760 And so let's read our passage then this morning. 00:03:04.759 --> 00:03:07.560 Philippians 1, verses 3 through 8. 00:03:08.759 --> 00:03:11.539 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 00:03:11.699 --> 00:03:13.919 always in every prayer of mine for you all, 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:15.780 making my prayer with joy 00:03:15.780 --> 00:03:19.919 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 00:03:20.599 --> 00:03:21.699 And I am sure of this, 00:03:21.759 --> 00:03:24.639 that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion 00:03:24.639 --> 00:03:26.560 at the day of Jesus Christ. 00:03:27.199 --> 00:03:29.780 It is right for me to feel this way about you all 00:03:29.780 --> 00:03:31.579 because I hold you in my heart 00:03:31.580 --> 00:03:34.600 for you are all partakers with me of grace, 00:03:34.600 --> 00:03:39.800 both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 00:03:40.580 --> 00:03:41.800 For God is my witness, 00:03:41.920 --> 00:03:45.860 how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 00:03:46.600 --> 00:03:47.900 This is the word of God. 00:03:48.320 --> 00:03:49.040 Pray with me again. 00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:55.479 Lord, we pray that you will prepare our hearts for the hearing of your word. 00:03:56.900 --> 00:03:59.719 Lord, I ask that you fill me with your spirit, 00:03:59.799 --> 00:04:01.659 that I may communicate clearly, 00:04:02.259 --> 00:04:05.299 that the truth of your gospel may go out with power 00:04:05.299 --> 00:04:07.239 and may sink deep into our hearts. 00:04:08.439 --> 00:04:09.680 Change us, we pray, O Lord. 00:04:10.419 --> 00:04:11.879 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:15.379 Now, as I mentioned last week, 00:04:15.419 --> 00:04:17.980 we started just with the first two verses in Philippians, 00:04:18.040 --> 00:04:19.560 looking at Paul's introduction. 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:22.259 And as is common in many of his letters, 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:25.079 after that brief introduction comes a few verses 00:04:25.079 --> 00:04:29.620 of thanksgiving and prayer for whatever church he's addressing. 00:04:30.019 --> 00:04:32.139 And so we see that that's happening here as well. 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:34.939 And we see at first glance this deep affection 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:38.860 that Paul has for the church at Philippi. 00:04:38.860 --> 00:04:43.660 And we see here that it's not just this affection and this joy 00:04:43.660 --> 00:04:46.139 just isn't based on what they're on doing. 00:04:46.259 --> 00:04:48.220 I mean, it's not that he's just saying, 00:04:48.379 --> 00:04:50.199 hey guys, you are doing great, I love you, 00:04:50.240 --> 00:04:52.420 and I thank you for your work here, 00:04:52.600 --> 00:04:55.020 and just keep on keeping on. 00:04:56.160 --> 00:04:58.120 No, we see that his thanksgiving and joy 00:04:58.120 --> 00:05:00.319 is rooted far deeper. 00:05:01.020 --> 00:05:03.139 The crux of the passage is really in verse 6. 00:05:03.240 --> 00:05:05.540 This is the basis of Paul's assurance, 00:05:05.660 --> 00:05:08.740 the basis of all that he's saying to the church at Philippi. 00:05:08.860 --> 00:05:11.139 When he says, I am sure of this. 00:05:12.040 --> 00:05:14.160 And so this is going to be our focus today, 00:05:14.280 --> 00:05:16.699 thinking about the assurance that Paul has. 00:05:17.020 --> 00:05:18.360 We're going to start in verse 6 00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:19.980 and spend most of our time there, 00:05:20.100 --> 00:05:23.780 but also work our way back to beginning of this passage as well. 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:25.960 And so three points then, 00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:28.360 as we look and focus on this theme of assurance, 00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:31.300 we're going to be thinking about the basis of assurance, 00:05:31.860 --> 00:05:33.660 the evidence of assurance, 00:05:33.660 --> 00:05:33.740 assurance, 00:05:34.080 --> 00:05:36.500 and the response to assurance. 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:40.420 And so let's look then at the basis of Paul's assurance. 00:05:40.880 --> 00:05:42.860 Let's reread verse 6 together. 00:05:43.880 --> 00:05:44.820 And I am sure of this, 00:05:44.900 --> 00:05:47.000 that he who began a good work in you 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:48.580 will bring it to completion 00:05:48.580 --> 00:05:50.740 at the day of Jesus Christ. 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:53.500 And so the first question we ask is, 00:05:53.600 --> 00:05:54.600 well, what is this good work? 00:05:55.100 --> 00:05:57.259 Paul had been talking to the church at Philippi 00:05:57.259 --> 00:05:59.879 and was commenting on their good work, right? 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:00.280 How they were, 00:06:00.540 --> 00:06:02.120 they had defended the gospel well, 00:06:02.180 --> 00:06:03.500 how they had love for one another. 00:06:03.500 --> 00:06:05.980 But Paul isn't talking about the work of the church there. 00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:07.460 He's not talking about his own work. 00:06:07.540 --> 00:06:07.879 We say, 00:06:08.300 --> 00:06:11.600 he says that he who began a good work in you, 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:15.100 that he obviously is referring to God. 00:06:15.960 --> 00:06:16.540 And as we see, 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:19.640 this isn't just a one-time act of God 00:06:19.640 --> 00:06:22.120 in the hearts and lives of his people. 00:06:22.220 --> 00:06:23.960 It's really this ongoing work. 00:06:24.020 --> 00:06:26.140 And so we really see it occur in three phases 00:06:26.140 --> 00:06:27.360 that Paul talks about here. 00:06:27.800 --> 00:06:30.580 We could think about it at God's work at conversion, 00:06:31.220 --> 00:06:32.660 God's continuing work, 00:06:33.200 --> 00:06:35.020 and the completion of God's work. 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:37.660 And so I want to think about each of them individually. 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:38.680 Paul says here, 00:06:38.760 --> 00:06:40.740 he who began a good work in you, 00:06:41.939 --> 00:06:44.040 this work at the point of conversion, 00:06:44.040 --> 00:06:46.680 if we go back to the book of Acts, 00:06:46.740 --> 00:06:48.860 this records a lot of what happened 00:06:48.860 --> 00:06:50.000 in the New Testament church, 00:06:50.240 --> 00:06:52.600 the missionary journeys that Paul and others went on. 00:06:52.900 --> 00:06:54.860 And so in Acts 16, 00:06:55.480 --> 00:06:58.320 it records Paul coming to Philippi for the first time 00:06:58.320 --> 00:06:59.260 and what happens there, 00:06:59.520 --> 00:07:01.939 the first converts that we see in this city. 00:07:03.200 --> 00:07:05.900 And so Acts 16, verse 13, it says this, 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:07.780 and on the Sabbath day, 00:07:07.840 --> 00:07:09.920 we went outside the gate to the riverside 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:11.939 where we supposed there was a place of prayer. 00:07:11.939 --> 00:07:14.639 And we sat down and spoke to the woman 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:15.540 who had come together. 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:18.459 And one who heard us was a woman named Lydia 00:07:18.459 --> 00:07:20.360 from the city of Thyatira, 00:07:21.100 --> 00:07:23.480 a seller of purple goods who was a worshiper of God. 00:07:23.939 --> 00:07:26.620 And the Lord opened her heart to pay attention 00:07:26.620 --> 00:07:28.519 to what was said by Paul. 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:32.379 And so we see here this very first convert in Philippi, 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:33.579 this woman named Lydia. 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:37.379 But it's interesting how Luke records her conversion. 00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:41.199 It doesn't say that Lydia chose to believe the words of Paul 00:07:41.199 --> 00:07:43.779 or to understand the gospel on her own. 00:07:43.839 --> 00:07:47.279 It says, no, the Lord opened her heart to pay attention. 00:07:48.680 --> 00:07:51.399 And so it was the work of God in Lydia's life 00:07:51.399 --> 00:07:53.579 and the lives of other believers in Philippi 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:55.600 that brought about change, 00:07:55.779 --> 00:07:57.719 that brought about conversion in their life. 00:07:58.060 --> 00:07:59.639 Paul explains this in many of his letters. 00:07:59.800 --> 00:08:01.360 In Ephesians chapter 2, 00:08:01.360 --> 00:08:05.840 he says that we were dead in our trespasses 00:08:05.840 --> 00:08:06.819 and in our sins, 00:08:06.819 --> 00:08:10.080 but we were made alive with Christ. 00:08:10.400 --> 00:08:12.720 It is by grace you have been saved through faith 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:14.040 and that not of yourselves, 00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:15.580 it is a gift of God, 00:08:15.960 --> 00:08:18.720 not of works so that no one can boast. 00:08:19.660 --> 00:08:21.920 And so we see this point of conversion, 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:24.160 the work that God does in our hearts, 00:08:24.220 --> 00:08:25.639 in the hearts of these Philippians 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:27.540 is all about him. 00:08:27.540 --> 00:08:29.140 If we think about, 00:08:29.340 --> 00:08:32.399 we go back to maybe middle school time 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:33.800 or whenever you had science class 00:08:33.800 --> 00:08:34.920 and you might have learned about 00:08:34.920 --> 00:08:36.759 Newton's laws of motion, 00:08:36.920 --> 00:08:38.120 you know that his first law of motion 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:41.300 is that an object at rest stays at rest 00:08:41.300 --> 00:08:43.600 unless acted upon by an outside force. 00:08:44.379 --> 00:08:45.320 And so this book here, 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:46.960 you know, Bible we said on this table, 00:08:47.060 --> 00:08:48.740 there's nothing in that Bible itself 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:50.580 that is going to allow that Bible to move 00:08:50.580 --> 00:08:53.279 unless it's moved by an outside force. 00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:56.860 And so the same is true in our own lives. 00:08:57.539 --> 00:09:00.500 Without Christ, we are dead. 00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:05.740 We possess no abilities to make ourselves alive. 00:09:06.379 --> 00:09:08.500 And so it's only by the power of Christ 00:09:08.500 --> 00:09:11.279 in our lives to give us eyes to see 00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:12.120 and ears to hear, 00:09:12.199 --> 00:09:14.919 give us hearts that we can receive the gospel, 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:16.439 the grace of God. 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:19.519 Even Martin Luther says that faith 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:21.559 is like an empty hand. 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:24.439 It's only an instrument for receiving. 00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:26.000 Faith itself is passive. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:28.580 It is something that is given to us as well by God. 00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:32.960 And so this is something that can bring us joy 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:35.600 when we think about God's work in our lives 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:37.059 at the point of our conversion, 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:38.379 if you were a believer, 00:09:38.740 --> 00:09:41.740 to recognize that it wasn't of our own doing. 00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:45.259 Because how horribly unsure would our salvation be 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:46.779 if it was up to us? 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:49.419 We think of human will and tendency, 00:09:49.580 --> 00:09:51.200 how hot and cold we can be, 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:52.799 how certain we can be, 00:09:52.799 --> 00:09:54.719 and then uncertain at times. 00:09:56.099 --> 00:09:59.639 How our opinions can change constantly. 00:09:59.859 --> 00:10:01.620 So if our conversion, 00:10:02.079 --> 00:10:04.719 if our salvation was based on our decision ability, 00:10:04.859 --> 00:10:06.459 if it was based on our own initiative, 00:10:06.699 --> 00:10:09.179 we certainly have no assurance at all. 00:10:10.179 --> 00:10:12.859 But this is what our assurance comes from. 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:14.459 And this is what Paul tells us, 00:10:14.459 --> 00:10:18.019 that it was God who willed your salvation. 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:22.159 And so this is the same thing that Jesus said 00:10:22.159 --> 00:10:23.439 to his disciples 00:10:23.439 --> 00:10:26.179 at their last supper before his crucifixion. 00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:26.960 He said, 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:28.120 you didn't choose me, 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:29.699 but I chose you 00:10:29.699 --> 00:10:33.220 and appointed you to go and bear fruit. 00:10:35.100 --> 00:10:36.639 Charles Spurgeon famously said that, 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:38.199 I believe the doctrine of election 00:10:38.199 --> 00:10:39.399 because I'm quite certain 00:10:39.399 --> 00:10:41.079 that if God had not chosen me, 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:43.319 I should never have chosen him. 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:46.660 And so for the church at Philippi 00:10:46.660 --> 00:10:47.560 and for us today, 00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:49.400 our conversion is evidence 00:10:49.400 --> 00:10:51.960 of God's work in our lives. 00:10:52.280 --> 00:10:53.180 And so this is something 00:10:53.180 --> 00:10:54.540 that we can rejoice at, 00:10:54.600 --> 00:10:55.580 to see that it was Christ 00:10:55.580 --> 00:10:57.760 and Christ alone who has saved us. 00:10:57.840 --> 00:10:58.400 Our salvation, 00:10:58.640 --> 00:11:00.420 it isn't based on our own efforts. 00:11:00.680 --> 00:11:02.460 It is God who chose you. 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:05.940 It was Christ who atoned for your sins. 00:11:06.020 --> 00:11:06.900 It was the Holy Spirit 00:11:06.900 --> 00:11:08.980 who called you to himself. 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:10.440 And that's good news. 00:11:10.440 --> 00:11:12.480 But Paul here, 00:11:12.540 --> 00:11:13.380 he's not only saying 00:11:13.380 --> 00:11:14.160 that Christ, 00:11:14.520 --> 00:11:15.940 what Christ did for you, 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:17.920 he says what Christ did in you, 00:11:17.980 --> 00:11:19.500 the work of God in you. 00:11:20.020 --> 00:11:20.500 And so yes, 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:22.440 Christ died on the cross for us. 00:11:22.520 --> 00:11:23.800 He secured our salvation. 00:11:23.960 --> 00:11:25.520 We are justified before the Father. 00:11:26.460 --> 00:11:27.960 But his work is in us. 00:11:28.020 --> 00:11:29.280 He gives us the desire 00:11:29.280 --> 00:11:30.780 and the ability to believe, 00:11:30.900 --> 00:11:32.740 the desire to follow after him. 00:11:33.180 --> 00:11:33.980 And so this is where 00:11:33.980 --> 00:11:36.420 the continuing work of God comes in. 00:11:36.660 --> 00:11:38.180 Not only God's initial work, 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:39.580 he doesn't do a work in our lives 00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:40.260 and stop. 00:11:40.440 --> 00:11:42.060 Christ continues to work 00:11:42.060 --> 00:11:43.800 in the lives of believers. 00:11:44.920 --> 00:11:45.760 Verse 6 says again, 00:11:45.860 --> 00:11:47.440 He who began a good work in you 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:49.020 will bring it to completion. 00:11:50.140 --> 00:11:52.560 So there's work in that bringing. 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:55.380 We look forward to the point of completion 00:11:55.380 --> 00:11:56.660 where Christ will come a day, 00:11:56.800 --> 00:11:57.040 but that, 00:11:57.540 --> 00:11:58.860 Christ will come again, 00:11:58.980 --> 00:12:00.420 but that day has not yet come. 00:12:01.800 --> 00:12:02.580 And so right now, 00:12:02.660 --> 00:12:04.140 we're in that in-between 00:12:04.140 --> 00:12:07.000 of the already and the not yet. 00:12:07.580 --> 00:12:09.180 Christ has already come. 00:12:09.179 --> 00:12:11.539 He has secured our salvation, 00:12:11.859 --> 00:12:13.679 but he promises to come again. 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:16.859 And so what does that mean for us 00:12:16.859 --> 00:12:17.979 as believers? 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:22.259 It's this period of sanctification, 00:12:22.819 --> 00:12:26.359 of us seeing how Christ can continue 00:12:26.359 --> 00:12:27.359 to work in us to make us 00:12:27.359 --> 00:12:29.059 more and more like him. 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:30.259 We talked about this last week 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:32.120 when Paul refers to the church as saints. 00:12:33.059 --> 00:12:34.419 He's calling them holy ones, 00:12:34.519 --> 00:12:35.799 those who are set apart. 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:36.979 So as holy ones, 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:39.439 we know that that is our identity in Christ. 00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:40.120 We are holy, 00:12:40.220 --> 00:12:42.240 but we're also called to be holy, 00:12:42.520 --> 00:12:44.280 called to pursue holiness. 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:46.980 And so as saints, 00:12:47.180 --> 00:12:48.720 we're continually undergoing 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:50.260 this progressive transformation 00:12:50.260 --> 00:12:53.240 to become more and more like Christ. 00:12:53.880 --> 00:12:54.780 But this isn't something 00:12:54.780 --> 00:12:56.400 that we can accomplish on our own. 00:12:58.300 --> 00:12:59.520 Back when I was in university, 00:12:59.520 --> 00:13:02.000 I played on the rugby team for my school. 00:13:02.380 --> 00:13:03.960 And it was in the spring 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:05.640 where we'd have our normal rugby schedule. 00:13:05.760 --> 00:13:07.040 We'd travel around the southeast 00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:07.740 to the United States 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:08.779 playing other universities. 00:13:09.579 --> 00:13:10.919 And I remember one away game 00:13:10.919 --> 00:13:11.599 that we had. 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:13.439 We were playing a team 00:13:13.439 --> 00:13:15.259 and we're beating them pretty good. 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:17.620 There's about 10 minutes left in the game. 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:18.860 And so the coach decided 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:20.819 to put in a few of the subs 00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:21.860 who didn't get to play much. 00:13:22.459 --> 00:13:25.079 And he put in one guy in front row. 00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:28.139 He didn't have much experience, 00:13:28.319 --> 00:13:30.240 but he was excited to be in the game. 00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:32.360 And literally within probably two minutes 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:33.379 of him getting the game, 00:13:34.099 --> 00:13:35.019 he gets tackled. 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:36.199 And his arm, 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:37.460 he falls awkwardly 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:38.980 and his arm like shatters. 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:41.379 He's screaming out loud. 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:42.600 We have to stop the game. 00:13:42.699 --> 00:13:43.500 He's carted off. 00:13:43.579 --> 00:13:44.539 He has to go to the hospital 00:13:44.539 --> 00:13:45.679 and have surgery 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:47.799 in order to set the bones 00:13:47.799 --> 00:13:49.079 that have broken in several places 00:13:49.079 --> 00:13:50.620 where pins have been put in place. 00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:53.019 After that surgery, 00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:53.960 he's put in a cast 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:55.360 that stays in that cast 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:56.079 for several months 00:13:56.079 --> 00:13:57.220 before that comes off. 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:58.159 And then he has to undergo 00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:59.179 physical therapy 00:13:59.179 --> 00:14:00.199 for weeks or months 00:14:00.199 --> 00:14:01.840 so we can regain motion 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:02.579 and movement 00:14:02.580 --> 00:14:04.500 strength in his arm. 00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:06.560 And so this image 00:14:06.560 --> 00:14:07.540 of surgery 00:14:07.540 --> 00:14:08.480 and therapy 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:10.620 is really how we can consider 00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:12.080 the Christ's initial 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:13.080 and ongoing work 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:13.879 in our lives. 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:14.960 He has saved us. 00:14:15.020 --> 00:14:16.120 He has secured our salvation 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:16.620 on the cross, 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:17.820 but he continues 00:14:17.820 --> 00:14:18.820 to work in us 00:14:18.820 --> 00:14:20.220 like an ongoing therapy 00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:21.800 to strengthen us, 00:14:22.020 --> 00:14:23.320 to mold us 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:24.320 into his likeness. 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:26.860 And so when we think 00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:27.660 about sanctification, 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:29.100 it's not just about us 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:30.520 trying our best 00:14:30.520 --> 00:14:31.400 to please God, 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:32.660 to doing the best 00:14:32.660 --> 00:14:33.280 that we can do 00:14:33.280 --> 00:14:34.600 to be as much like Christ 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:35.140 as we can. 00:14:35.260 --> 00:14:35.480 No. 00:14:36.040 --> 00:14:36.480 Sanctification 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:37.860 is about our assurance 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.520 that Christ 00:14:38.520 --> 00:14:39.960 is working in us 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:42.260 to draw us 00:14:42.260 --> 00:14:43.379 to himself. 00:14:44.540 --> 00:14:45.200 And so Paul 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:46.400 makes this point 00:14:46.400 --> 00:14:47.240 in Galatians. 00:14:47.780 --> 00:14:49.080 Galatians 3.3 00:14:49.080 --> 00:14:50.260 He asks, 00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:51.400 Are you so foolish 00:14:51.400 --> 00:14:52.820 having begun 00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:53.560 by the Spirit? 00:14:53.640 --> 00:14:55.120 Are you now being perfected 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:56.220 by the flesh? 00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:58.140 And so again, 00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:59.080 God doesn't perform 00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:00.700 some one-time act 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:01.420 in our lives 00:15:01.420 --> 00:15:02.620 and then kind of 00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:03.260 set us off 00:15:03.260 --> 00:15:05.180 to see what we can accomplish. 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:06.520 As if to say, 00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:07.200 I did my part, 00:15:07.280 --> 00:15:08.560 now you do yours. 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:10.840 No, we don't pursue holiness 00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:11.760 because we doubt 00:15:11.760 --> 00:15:12.440 our salvation 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:13.800 or because we think 00:15:13.800 --> 00:15:14.900 we have to supplement it 00:15:14.900 --> 00:15:15.379 in any way. 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:17.580 And so when we think 00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:18.240 about salvation, 00:15:18.540 --> 00:15:19.140 or when we think 00:15:19.140 --> 00:15:19.600 of assurance, 00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:20.800 this was really an issue 00:15:20.800 --> 00:15:21.360 if we go back 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:21.960 to the times 00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:23.080 of the Reformation. 00:15:23.300 --> 00:15:24.720 This idea of assurance 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:26.000 was a particular point 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:26.620 of conflict 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:27.600 between the Reformers 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.940 and the Catholic Church. 00:15:29.800 --> 00:15:30.460 The Catholic Church 00:15:30.460 --> 00:15:31.360 thought that assurance 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.040 of salvation 00:15:32.040 --> 00:15:33.700 was really a horrible thing 00:15:33.700 --> 00:15:34.800 because they thought 00:15:34.800 --> 00:15:36.100 it hindered the Christian life. 00:15:36.180 --> 00:15:37.100 Because if you had assurance 00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:37.860 of your salvation, 00:15:38.300 --> 00:15:39.540 then you had no motivation 00:15:39.540 --> 00:15:40.420 to follow Christ 00:15:40.420 --> 00:15:41.500 and no motivation 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.360 to pursue holiness. 00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:45.740 But we see the Reformers, 00:15:46.160 --> 00:15:48.100 they summed up 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:48.800 their answer 00:15:48.800 --> 00:15:50.180 and their concerns 00:15:50.179 --> 00:15:51.159 of the Catholic Church. 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:52.199 If we look at 00:15:52.199 --> 00:15:53.299 the Heidelberg Catechism 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:55.019 back from 1619, 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:56.579 in the very first question, 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:58.419 we get a wonderful response 00:15:58.419 --> 00:16:00.019 to this idea of assurance. 00:16:01.479 --> 00:16:02.500 This is the question 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:02.979 and answer. 00:16:03.359 --> 00:16:03.739 It says, 00:16:03.939 --> 00:16:05.399 what is our only hope, 00:16:05.859 --> 00:16:06.199 excuse me, 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:07.459 what is the only comfort 00:16:07.459 --> 00:16:09.299 in life and in death? 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:11.099 This is the answer, 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:12.579 that I am not my own, 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:14.159 but belong body and soul 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:15.299 in life and in death 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:16.979 to my faithful Savior, 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:17.859 Jesus Christ. 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:20.279 And it ends by saying this, 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.639 because I belong to Him, 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:23.320 Christ, 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:24.440 by His Holy Spirit, 00:16:24.560 --> 00:16:25.440 assures me 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.720 of eternal life 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:28.720 and makes me wholeheartedly 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:29.899 willing and ready 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:31.240 from now on 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:32.820 to live for Him. 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:35.500 And so our pursuit 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.019 of holiness 00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:37.060 is not motivated 00:16:37.060 --> 00:16:38.500 by a fear 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.340 of what might happen 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:40.000 if we fail. 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:41.379 It's not motivated 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:42.420 by the thought 00:16:42.420 --> 00:16:43.580 that we have to prove 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:44.800 ourselves to God. 00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:47.339 Our sanctification, 00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:48.439 our pursuit of holiness 00:16:48.439 --> 00:16:49.699 is based on our 00:16:49.699 --> 00:16:50.599 solid assurance 00:16:50.599 --> 00:16:51.559 of what Christ 00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:52.759 has done for us. 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:54.000 Assurance of our 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:54.559 eternal life, 00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:55.419 but not only that, 00:16:55.459 --> 00:16:55.959 it says here, 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:56.899 we have assurance 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:58.179 that Christ will make 00:16:58.179 --> 00:16:59.839 us wholeheartedly 00:16:59.839 --> 00:17:01.259 willing and ready 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:02.740 to follow Him. 00:17:04.379 --> 00:17:05.480 And so this is exactly 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.720 what Paul says later 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:07.579 in the book of Philippians 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.240 in chapter 2 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:08.919 that we'll look at 00:17:08.919 --> 00:17:10.000 in a few weeks' time 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.399 where he says, 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:11.859 to work out your salvation 00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:12.740 with fear and trembling, 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.759 for it is God 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:14.920 who works in you 00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:16.000 both to will 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:16.720 and to work 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:18.019 for His good pleasure. 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:21.240 So it is God 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.019 working in us 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:22.680 that gives us 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.359 the desire 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:24.599 to follow after Him. 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.380 One of the commentators 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.019 that I read 00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:27.980 about this verse 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:29.019 noting the continuing 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:30.620 nature of this 00:17:30.620 --> 00:17:31.740 bringing us 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.400 to completion, 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:34.319 he says it's like 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:36.200 God is continuing 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:37.579 to put His finishing 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:39.640 touches on His work 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:40.339 in your life. 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:43.220 And so do we sense that? 00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:44.480 Do we get a comfort 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:44.939 from knowing 00:17:44.939 --> 00:17:46.079 that God's fingerprints 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:48.579 are all over our lives? 00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:50.099 Especially when we're 00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:50.779 reminded of just 00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:51.740 how weak 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:53.399 and sinful we are. 00:17:54.179 --> 00:17:55.799 How often we fail 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.619 in our Christian lives. 00:17:56.699 --> 00:17:57.980 How unsteady our will is. 00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:59.359 How prone we are 00:17:59.359 --> 00:17:59.879 to wander. 00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:01.779 To know that Christ 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:03.259 remains faithful. 00:18:03.399 --> 00:18:05.279 It is Christ's faithfulness 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:06.480 that is the essence 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.220 of our security. 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:10.140 And so just as we 00:18:10.140 --> 00:18:10.819 can be assured 00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:11.900 of Christ's work 00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:12.420 in our lives 00:18:12.420 --> 00:18:13.299 at the point of conversion, 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.680 we can also be assured 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:15.839 that Christ does not 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:16.259 leave us. 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:17.319 He continues to work 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:18.920 in us and through us 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:20.900 as we live for Him. 00:18:21.860 --> 00:18:22.819 And so then that brings us 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:24.220 to this third part 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:25.059 of the work of Christ, 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:25.900 the completion 00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:27.279 of Christ's work. 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:28.819 Again, verse 6, 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:29.920 I am sure of this 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:30.980 that He who began 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.940 a good work in you 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:33.380 will bring it to completion 00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:34.200 at the day 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:35.140 of Jesus Christ. 00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:35.220 Christ. 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:38.060 Several years ago 00:18:38.060 --> 00:18:39.160 for my brother's birthday, 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:39.880 I decided I was going 00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:41.240 to make him a gift. 00:18:41.820 --> 00:18:42.600 And so I had this really 00:18:42.600 --> 00:18:44.240 old, thick law book 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:46.000 that I decided I was going 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.800 to get a little bottle 00:18:47.800 --> 00:18:48.259 of whiskey 00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:48.960 and I was going to 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:50.280 cut out the shape 00:18:50.280 --> 00:18:50.759 of the bottle 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.600 into the pages 00:18:51.600 --> 00:18:52.800 and place the bottle 00:18:52.800 --> 00:18:53.220 in the book 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:53.980 so it would close up 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.560 and you'd have just 00:18:54.560 --> 00:18:55.580 a little surprise 00:18:55.580 --> 00:18:56.520 in that book. 00:18:57.020 --> 00:18:57.720 I thought it was 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.280 a clever idea. 00:18:58.360 --> 00:18:59.000 I thought it may take 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:00.140 an hour to cut out 00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:01.040 these pages or so. 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.740 And as I began to do it, 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.320 I just realized 00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:04.240 how tedious 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:05.119 and how difficult 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:05.639 this was 00:19:05.639 --> 00:19:06.359 and it was taking me 00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:07.200 forever to do 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:07.700 to the point 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:08.879 that I never finished it. 00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:10.299 I put it away 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:10.819 in the closet 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:11.379 because it was taking 00:19:11.379 --> 00:19:12.019 too much time 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:12.740 and it wasn't until 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.460 that we were packing 00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:14.000 our things 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:14.919 to move here to Scotland 00:19:14.919 --> 00:19:15.519 that I realized, 00:19:15.619 --> 00:19:16.879 oh, it's still sitting there. 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:18.299 I need to do something with it. 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:19.740 I either need to finish it 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.899 or I need to throw it out. 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.200 How often does that 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:23.899 happen to us 00:19:23.899 --> 00:19:24.859 when we think about 00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:26.399 things in our lives? 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:28.000 Things or projects 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:28.579 that we start 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:29.460 that we never finish. 00:19:29.899 --> 00:19:30.919 Books that we begin 00:19:30.919 --> 00:19:31.480 to read 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:32.720 that we lose interest in. 00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:34.319 We change our minds. 00:19:34.860 --> 00:19:35.500 We get busy 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.299 with other things. 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.819 But when we think 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.380 about the work 00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:39.779 of the Lord, 00:19:39.860 --> 00:19:41.880 that's not how God operates. 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:43.559 God's plans 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.380 never change. 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.039 His mission 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:45.900 is never thwarted. 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:46.579 His love 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.680 never fails. 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.500 And so when we begin, 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:51.799 when He begins 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:52.640 a work in our life, 00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:53.960 we can be fully confident 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:54.960 that He will bring it 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:55.480 to completion. 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:56.460 When we begin 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:57.420 this journey, 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:58.480 we recognize 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:00.220 with full confidence 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:01.960 that God will bring us 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:03.180 to our destination. 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:04.920 And so there was, 00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:05.940 it's not that there wasn't 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.579 reason for doubt. 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:07.440 This is why Paul 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.720 is assuring the church, 00:20:09.339 --> 00:20:10.220 why he's talking about 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:11.000 his own assurance, 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:12.000 because there was struggle 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:12.720 within the church. 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:14.259 There was disunity. 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:15.880 There was fear 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:16.519 of what might happen 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.100 because Paul 00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:18.460 is now in prison. 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:19.620 What is going to happen 00:20:19.620 --> 00:20:20.779 to the leader 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:22.680 of the New Testament church? 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:25.579 We may face doubts 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:26.420 in our own lives too. 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.339 Uncertainty about 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:29.960 what's going on around us. 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:30.980 Uncertainty even within 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.960 the body of Christ. 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.519 When we think about 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:34.160 the past, 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:35.500 we may be discouraged. 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:37.240 We may be confused 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:37.940 by the present 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:39.140 or scared by the future. 00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:41.880 So Paul is reminding us 00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:42.819 that the past, 00:20:43.120 --> 00:20:43.539 the present, 00:20:43.620 --> 00:20:44.039 the future, 00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:44.860 all of it 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.720 is held 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:47.120 in God's hands. 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.840 God will fulfill 00:20:49.840 --> 00:20:50.480 His promises 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:51.000 when? 00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.519 At the day 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.620 of Jesus Christ. 00:20:55.100 --> 00:20:55.880 And so if we look back 00:20:55.880 --> 00:20:56.740 through the Old Testament, 00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:58.779 there's many references 00:20:58.779 --> 00:21:00.279 from many of the prophets 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:01.119 about the day 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:01.740 of the Lord. 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:02.759 The day of the Lord. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.200 It comes with this imagery 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:05.639 of judgment 00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:06.960 and destruction 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:08.420 for the nations. 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:10.559 But it also talks 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.559 about salvation 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:13.379 and vindication 00:21:13.379 --> 00:21:14.279 for God's people. 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:15.039 We read that 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:16.319 from our verses 00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:17.480 in Malachi earlier, 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:18.440 talking about 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:19.960 the day of the Lord. 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:20.660 And so this is 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.639 the future glory 00:21:21.639 --> 00:21:23.059 that Paul talks about 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:23.440 as well, 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.279 especially in the book 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:24.759 of Romans, 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:25.440 in Romans 8, 00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.359 when he says 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.359 that all creation 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:28.479 will be set free 00:21:28.479 --> 00:21:29.259 from the bondage 00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:29.759 of sin, 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:30.519 when we will receive 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.559 adoption as sons, 00:21:31.639 --> 00:21:32.279 when our bodies 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:33.659 will be redeemed 00:21:33.659 --> 00:21:34.379 and Christ 00:21:34.379 --> 00:21:35.299 will be glorified. 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:38.579 This is the ultimate goal. 00:21:38.659 --> 00:21:40.059 This is what all creation 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:41.339 is longing for, 00:21:41.399 --> 00:21:42.379 where all the promises 00:21:42.379 --> 00:21:43.119 of God 00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:44.099 will be fulfilled, 00:21:44.199 --> 00:21:45.339 where Christ will have 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:46.799 His final success. 00:21:48.459 --> 00:21:50.240 And so this gives Paul 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:51.019 great assurance. 00:21:51.159 --> 00:21:52.219 This can give us 00:21:52.219 --> 00:21:53.339 great assurance 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:54.279 as well 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.240 as we seek 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:56.279 to follow after Christ. 00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:58.420 And so this is 00:21:58.420 --> 00:21:59.000 the basis 00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:00.000 of our assurance. 00:22:00.639 --> 00:22:01.319 Let's think then 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.759 also of the evidence 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:04.339 of His assurance. 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:06.319 Going back to verse 3, 00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:08.139 Paul says this, 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.700 I thank my God 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.799 in all my remembrance 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.319 of you, 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.920 always in every prayer 00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.819 of mine for you all, 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:15.399 making my prayer 00:22:15.399 --> 00:22:15.859 with joy 00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:17.259 because of your partnership 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:17.980 in the gospel 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:19.379 from the first day 00:22:19.379 --> 00:22:20.000 until now. 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.399 And so thinking again 00:22:22.399 --> 00:22:23.160 back in my time 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:23.639 in China, 00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:25.259 there was no evidence 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:26.000 that I had 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:27.759 that the local government 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.840 was going to do anything 00:22:28.840 --> 00:22:29.680 to change 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:31.460 the economic development zone. 00:22:31.560 --> 00:22:32.420 If I had known that, 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:32.920 I wouldn't have been 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:33.480 made fun of it. 00:22:33.520 --> 00:22:34.000 The people there 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:34.920 wouldn't have kind of joked 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:36.040 at the name 00:22:36.040 --> 00:22:37.300 of their little part of town. 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.320 If I had seen 00:22:39.320 --> 00:22:41.000 construction on the roads 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.400 being done, 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.000 if I saw 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:43.100 this infrastructure 00:22:43.100 --> 00:22:43.800 being laid, 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:44.820 if I saw buildings 00:22:44.820 --> 00:22:46.060 being erected, 00:22:46.840 --> 00:22:47.740 I think, 00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:48.240 well, I guess 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:48.780 they're starting 00:22:48.780 --> 00:22:49.340 to do something. 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.640 I guess there truly 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:51.380 is a work 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.080 being done here. 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:53.839 And so here 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:54.399 in this passage, 00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:55.419 Paul's assurance 00:22:55.419 --> 00:22:56.379 of the work 00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:57.039 of Christ 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:58.579 is evidenced 00:22:58.579 --> 00:22:59.599 in the church. 00:23:00.399 --> 00:23:01.279 The work 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:01.939 of the church, 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:02.759 the love 00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:03.539 of the church, 00:23:03.699 --> 00:23:04.299 the defense 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:05.039 of the gospel 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:06.339 that the church 00:23:06.339 --> 00:23:07.519 is involved in. 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.079 That's 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:11.179 observable facts 00:23:11.179 --> 00:23:11.819 to Paul 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:13.659 of his assurance 00:23:13.659 --> 00:23:14.319 of the gospel. 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:15.879 And so in verse 5 00:23:15.879 --> 00:23:16.480 where it says 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.299 this word 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:17.879 partnership, 00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:18.060 fellowship, 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:20.280 the same word 00:23:20.280 --> 00:23:20.740 in Greek 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.360 is used 00:23:21.360 --> 00:23:22.200 in other places 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:23.220 for the word 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:23.760 fellowship. 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.360 And so fellowship 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:27.140 and partnership 00:23:27.140 --> 00:23:27.580 is something 00:23:27.580 --> 00:23:28.280 that's essential 00:23:28.280 --> 00:23:28.940 within the church. 00:23:29.300 --> 00:23:29.600 Here, 00:23:29.760 --> 00:23:30.420 we know that 00:23:30.420 --> 00:23:31.160 this involved 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:32.780 financial partnership. 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.700 Paul talks about 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.940 later in chapter 4 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.740 about when he left 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.320 Macedonia, 00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:38.060 it was the church 00:23:38.060 --> 00:23:38.560 at Philippi 00:23:38.560 --> 00:23:40.400 was the only church 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:41.180 that provided him 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:41.620 support. 00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:44.100 And he says 00:23:44.100 --> 00:23:45.060 how well they did 00:23:45.060 --> 00:23:45.180 that, 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:45.800 that they provided 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.619 him full payment, 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.899 that he was well supplied 00:23:47.899 --> 00:23:48.680 for the work 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:49.099 of the Lord. 00:23:50.419 --> 00:23:51.559 But this partnership 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:52.480 really runs deeper 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.119 than just 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:54.099 giving money. 00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:55.940 We see 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:58.000 that partnership 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.799 of the gospel 00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.659 and really involves 00:23:59.659 --> 00:24:01.200 this full involvement, 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:02.419 this full support 00:24:02.419 --> 00:24:03.000 of the people 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:03.559 of God. 00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:04.619 And so Paul says 00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:05.879 this in verse 7, 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.220 he says, 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:07.099 you are partakers 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:08.099 with me of grace, 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:10.099 both in my imprisonment 00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:11.759 and in the defense 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.519 and confirmation 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.919 of the gospel. 00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:14.419 So again, 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.399 this word partakers, 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:15.900 it comes from 00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:17.259 the same Greek root 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:17.759 that's used 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.500 for fellowship 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.259 or partnership. 00:24:19.820 --> 00:24:20.759 So Paul is talking 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.300 to the church 00:24:21.300 --> 00:24:21.780 and he's saying, 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:23.300 you are my fellow partners, 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:24.740 you are my fellow 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.759 fellowshippers 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:27.320 in the gospel. 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.920 And so we see 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:32.060 this is continuous 00:24:32.060 --> 00:24:32.720 in nature. 00:24:33.040 --> 00:24:33.440 It says, 00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:34.880 from the first day 00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:35.960 until now. 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:37.240 So there really 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.400 wasn't an easing 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:38.940 in period 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.480 for the church 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.120 at Philippi, 00:24:40.360 --> 00:24:41.080 it was really 00:24:41.080 --> 00:24:41.900 this drastic 00:24:41.900 --> 00:24:43.080 and sudden transformation 00:24:43.080 --> 00:24:43.940 when Christ 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:45.160 began a good work, 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:45.800 that work 00:24:45.800 --> 00:24:46.420 was evident 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.920 from the very beginning. 00:24:48.820 --> 00:24:50.120 They were fully involved 00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:50.759 and fully committed 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.700 to see the growth 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.360 of the church 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:53.519 in Philippi 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.060 and beyond. 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.060 And so what does this 00:24:56.060 --> 00:24:57.420 look like for us today? 00:24:57.580 --> 00:24:58.140 What evidence 00:24:58.140 --> 00:24:58.620 do we see 00:24:58.620 --> 00:24:59.420 of Christ working 00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:00.100 in our lives 00:25:00.100 --> 00:25:00.580 individually 00:25:00.580 --> 00:25:01.540 and in the lives 00:25:01.540 --> 00:25:02.180 of this church? 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:04.800 Do we see 00:25:04.800 --> 00:25:05.320 one another 00:25:05.320 --> 00:25:06.700 encouraging each other, 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:08.640 exhorting each other? 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.800 Do we come together 00:25:09.800 --> 00:25:10.500 for the teaching 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:11.100 and preaching 00:25:11.100 --> 00:25:11.920 of God's word? 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:12.680 Are we excited 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.920 to serve one another 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.940 and even to suffer 00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:16.000 for the gospel? 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:17.660 To give our time 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.880 and our resources 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:20.080 for the spread 00:25:20.080 --> 00:25:20.680 of the gospel? 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.720 Because it's interesting 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.380 to note here 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:24.880 that Paul, 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.740 what he doesn't say, 00:25:25.820 --> 00:25:26.519 Paul doesn't say 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.500 to the church 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:27.940 at Philippi, 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:29.200 I thank the Lord 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:30.380 that you show up 00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:31.080 on Sunday morning. 00:25:32.380 --> 00:25:33.279 I thank the Lord 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.160 that you come together 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:34.860 once a week. 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:36.840 No, he says, 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:37.840 I thank the Lord 00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:38.900 for your partnership 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.800 in the gospel 00:25:39.800 --> 00:25:40.980 that is ongoing 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:41.900 and continuous 00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:42.900 in nature. 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.800 So what does that 00:25:43.800 --> 00:25:44.280 look for us 00:25:44.280 --> 00:25:45.340 on a practical level 00:25:45.340 --> 00:25:46.160 when we think about 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:47.300 the evidence 00:25:47.300 --> 00:25:48.140 of Christ's assurance 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:49.019 in our lives? 00:25:50.040 --> 00:25:51.220 How do we love 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:51.920 one another well? 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.840 How do we serve 00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:53.860 one another well? 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.800 Not only within this church, 00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:57.100 but within our community. 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.320 Is it writing 00:25:59.320 --> 00:26:00.420 an encouraging note 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:00.900 to somebody? 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.300 Is it meeting someone 00:26:02.300 --> 00:26:02.920 for coffee 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.980 who's discouraged? 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:06.040 Is it inviting 00:26:06.040 --> 00:26:06.540 a neighbor 00:26:06.540 --> 00:26:07.920 into your home? 00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:10.320 Being involved 00:26:10.320 --> 00:26:10.860 in the ministry 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.519 of the church? 00:26:12.300 --> 00:26:13.140 Seeking to serve 00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:14.000 internationals 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.820 and refugees 00:26:14.820 --> 00:26:16.320 and those who have 00:26:16.320 --> 00:26:17.060 come to our city 00:26:17.060 --> 00:26:17.820 with no family 00:26:17.820 --> 00:26:18.300 and no help 00:26:18.300 --> 00:26:18.740 of their own? 00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:20.920 I mean, 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:22.240 the list can really 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.960 go on and on. 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.320 It's something 00:26:23.320 --> 00:26:23.780 that we need 00:26:23.780 --> 00:26:25.100 to consider together. 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:26.220 And not that we do it 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:27.759 because we think 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:28.340 we need to earn 00:26:28.340 --> 00:26:28.980 God's favor. 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.720 But we serve 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.440 as evidence 00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.740 of his continuing work 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.920 in our lives. 00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:36.180 So the question 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:36.600 we ask is, 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:37.540 well, how is the world 00:26:37.540 --> 00:26:38.640 going to see 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.900 evidence of God's work 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:41.180 if we aren't acting 00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:42.280 and appearing 00:26:42.280 --> 00:26:42.900 any difference 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:44.560 than society around us? 00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:47.100 See, we really need 00:26:47.100 --> 00:26:47.860 to live lives 00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:48.840 of self-sacrifice 00:26:48.840 --> 00:26:49.360 that we may have 00:26:49.360 --> 00:26:50.320 a shared vision 00:26:50.320 --> 00:26:51.460 for the spread 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:51.960 of the gospel. 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:54.100 And so that's 00:26:54.100 --> 00:26:54.680 the evidence 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:55.980 that Paul sees. 00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:59.520 What is the response 00:26:59.520 --> 00:27:01.180 then to this assurance? 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.660 Again, verse 3. 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:05.360 I thank my God 00:27:05.360 --> 00:27:06.460 in all my remembrance 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:07.080 of you, 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:09.080 always and in every 00:27:09.080 --> 00:27:09.779 prayer of mine 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.560 for you all, 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:12.060 making my prayer 00:27:12.060 --> 00:27:12.779 with joy. 00:27:14.580 --> 00:27:15.140 And so Paul, 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:15.680 when he's thinking 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.279 about the church 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:16.900 in Philippi, 00:27:17.040 --> 00:27:18.060 his initial reflex 00:27:18.060 --> 00:27:18.800 isn't pride. 00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:19.300 He's not saying, 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:20.200 ha, I was there 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:20.680 at the beginning. 00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:21.640 I was there 00:27:21.640 --> 00:27:22.500 at the first converse. 00:27:22.600 --> 00:27:23.300 I helped set up 00:27:23.300 --> 00:27:23.680 that church. 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.640 No, he sees 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.920 the work of God 00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:27.800 in that church 00:27:27.800 --> 00:27:29.080 and he responds 00:27:29.080 --> 00:27:30.060 with thankfulness 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:31.220 and he responds 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:31.980 with joy. 00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:33.539 And the thankfulness 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.639 isn't to the church. 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.200 It's not directed 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:35.579 to the church 00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:35.960 saying, man, 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.819 you guys are doing 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.220 awesome. 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:37.859 Keep it up. 00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:39.519 It's a thankfulness 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.099 that's directed 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:41.659 up to God. 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:45.059 And so even though 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:46.639 Paul's assurance, 00:27:47.139 --> 00:27:48.740 he has full assurance 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.039 in God, 00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:49.500 that doesn't mean 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.559 he just sits idly by. 00:27:50.639 --> 00:27:51.240 We see that this 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.859 thankfulness is grounded 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.480 in prayer. 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.299 This is the action 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:54.899 that Paul takes. 00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:55.519 Even though he's 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:56.480 separated from them, 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.240 even though he's 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:57.720 in prison, 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.700 he is still acting 00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.480 on their behalf. 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.559 through prayer. 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:02.860 And so we don't 00:28:02.860 --> 00:28:03.380 want to think 00:28:03.380 --> 00:28:04.279 that having assurance 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.559 in God's work 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.220 in our lives 00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:07.000 means that we can 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:09.019 kind of lead 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:09.980 inactive lives 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:11.099 or gives us a pass 00:28:11.099 --> 00:28:12.660 on being involved 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:13.299 in the life 00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:13.940 of the church. 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:14.819 Paul here, 00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:15.920 he's putting his feelings 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:16.799 into action 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.819 through prayer. 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:19.960 He sees God at work 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.680 and he prays 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.680 that God will continue 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.480 to be at work. 00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:24.339 In good times 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:24.799 and in bad, 00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:25.819 Paul recognizes 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.620 the effectiveness 00:28:26.620 --> 00:28:28.240 of his prayers. 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:28.359 prayers. 00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:30.180 And so his confidence 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:31.359 in God's sovereignty, 00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:33.839 it doesn't keep him 00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.420 from praying, 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:37.000 but it allows him 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:38.079 and encourages him 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:39.660 to pray all the more, 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:40.539 trusting that God 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:41.259 will accomplish 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:42.220 his work. 00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:44.160 And so we see 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:45.420 more about this prayer. 00:28:46.120 --> 00:28:47.559 It's holistic in nature. 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:49.440 Always in every prayer 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.980 of mine for you all, 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:53.039 there's regularity 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:53.579 in this prayer. 00:28:54.120 --> 00:28:55.200 There's consistency 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:56.080 in this prayer. 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:57.160 He prays not only 00:28:57.160 --> 00:28:57.940 for his friends 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:58.580 or for the leaders, 00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.340 he's praying 00:28:59.340 --> 00:29:00.759 for the entire church 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:02.500 and he does so 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.039 with joy. 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:05.120 Does the evidence 00:29:05.120 --> 00:29:06.259 of Christ's work 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:06.799 in your life 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:07.380 and the lives of others 00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:08.460 bring you great delight? 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:10.140 How often do we pray 00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:11.019 with joy, 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.480 with great conviction 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.779 that Christ will continue 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:14.380 to work 00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:16.240 in our lives 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:16.840 and in others? 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:19.299 And so that 00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:20.459 can be an example 00:29:20.459 --> 00:29:21.139 to us 00:29:21.139 --> 00:29:22.879 of how we commit 00:29:22.879 --> 00:29:23.720 ourselves to pray. 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:24.480 When we think about 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.659 this Renew the Clue campaign, 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:27.079 we talk about giving money 00:29:27.079 --> 00:29:27.759 and we talk about 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.359 getting involved, 00:29:28.459 --> 00:29:29.279 but if we do those things 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:30.659 alone without being grounded 00:29:30.659 --> 00:29:31.599 in prayer, 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.619 it's all for naught. 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:36.039 Christ's blessing, 00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:38.240 Christ is the giver 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:39.039 of all blessing 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:40.079 and we need to recognize 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:41.279 that coming to him 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.279 in prayer. 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.579 And so we see 00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:45.359 this thankfulness 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:46.319 that's directed up, 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:47.159 but there's also 00:29:47.159 --> 00:29:48.359 another emotion 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:49.799 that's directed outward, 00:29:49.939 --> 00:29:51.039 this deep affection 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:52.599 for the church. 00:29:53.859 --> 00:29:54.480 In verse 8, 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.720 for God is my witness 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:57.299 how I yearn for you all 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:58.399 with the affection 00:29:58.399 --> 00:29:59.419 of Christ Jesus. 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:01.759 Paul loves 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.879 the church. 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:05.220 Paul has experienced 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:06.519 the love of the church. 00:30:06.659 --> 00:30:08.079 He longs to be with them. 00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:09.579 He longs for fellowship 00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:11.039 with them that only can come 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:13.139 when grounded in Christ. 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.519 And so again, 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:16.599 is this something 00:30:16.599 --> 00:30:17.180 that we possess 00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:17.940 as a church, 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:19.279 a deep love 00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:19.879 and affection 00:30:19.879 --> 00:30:20.579 for one another 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:21.400 that we long 00:30:21.400 --> 00:30:22.779 to spend time together, 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.700 not only in fellowship, 00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:24.559 but in service 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:25.619 and in worship 00:30:25.619 --> 00:30:26.859 and the teaching 00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:27.720 of God's word. 00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:29.660 Not just that we may 00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.960 have casual relationship 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:31.639 with one another, 00:30:31.639 --> 00:30:32.400 but that we have 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:33.180 a true heart 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:33.779 for community, 00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:34.700 for supporting 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.299 and serving 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:35.900 and praying 00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:36.500 and giving 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.480 to one another. 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:38.480 God's work. 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:39.480 And so, 00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:40.460 this should be 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:41.360 the natural outpouring 00:30:41.360 --> 00:30:42.400 of our assurance 00:30:42.400 --> 00:30:43.720 of God's work. 00:30:45.339 --> 00:30:46.259 And so, 00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:47.500 that's my encouragement 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.140 today then, 00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:49.500 that we may recognize 00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:51.380 and have full assurance 00:30:51.380 --> 00:30:52.400 in God's work 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:53.539 in your life. 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.220 God's work 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:56.120 at the point 00:30:56.120 --> 00:30:57.000 of your salvation, 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:57.779 God's work 00:30:57.779 --> 00:30:58.819 in sanctifying you 00:30:58.819 --> 00:30:59.559 and God's work 00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.460 in fulfilling 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.160 his promises 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:01.759 to you. 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:04.839 And maybe you 00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:06.019 don't have that assurance. 00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:06.759 Maybe you've never 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.740 experienced the work 00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:08.180 of Christ 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:08.759 in your life. 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:10.900 Recognize that 00:31:10.900 --> 00:31:11.599 this gift 00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:12.859 is offered to you 00:31:12.859 --> 00:31:14.299 by grace 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:14.980 through faith. 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:16.379 It is Christ alone 00:31:16.379 --> 00:31:17.660 who saves. 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:18.940 It is Christ alone 00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:19.700 who continues 00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:20.519 to do work 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:21.339 in your life 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:22.420 and in mine 00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:24.299 until he brings 00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:25.019 his good work 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:25.859 to completion. 00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:27.640 Amen. 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:28.220 Let's pray. 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:33.279 Lord, 00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:33.759 we thank you 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:34.220 for the work 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:34.740 of Christ 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:36.900 and we recognize 00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:37.680 that it's not 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.500 of ourselves 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:41.000 that we are saved 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.859 or that we are made 00:31:41.859 --> 00:31:42.259 holy 00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:44.960 or that our lives 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:45.839 are brought to completion. 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.839 It is only by 00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:48.079 the work of Christ. 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:49.480 And so, 00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:50.500 may that be 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.720 encouraging to us 00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:52.079 today. 00:31:54.859 --> 00:31:55.940 May we desire 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:56.539 to see 00:31:56.539 --> 00:31:57.379 the evidence 00:31:57.379 --> 00:31:58.599 of Christ's work 00:31:58.599 --> 00:31:59.279 in our lives 00:31:59.279 --> 00:31:59.920 individually 00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:00.900 and as a church. 00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:03.059 May we be 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.720 a place 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.539 that is recognized 00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:05.400 as different 00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:06.200 from the world 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.039 around us. 00:32:07.579 --> 00:32:08.839 May we be marked 00:32:08.839 --> 00:32:09.960 by your love 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.960 and your grace. 00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:12.400 May we desire 00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:13.619 to extend that 00:32:13.619 --> 00:32:14.379 to one another. 00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:17.019 And Lord, 00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:17.460 for those 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:18.480 who may not know you, 00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:19.680 who have never 00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:20.839 experienced a work, 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:21.779 your work 00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.559 in their lives, 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:23.859 we pray, 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:24.099 Lord, 00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:24.879 that you will move, 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.779 that you will soften 00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:27.240 their heart, 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:27.940 that you will draw 00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:28.799 them to yourself 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:29.799 through your spirit. 00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:31.559 And we pray this 00:32:31.559 --> 00:32:32.339 in Jesus' name. 00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:33.339 Amen. 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.859 Now stand with me 00:32:37.859 --> 00:32:39.039 for our last hymn, 00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:43.500 He will hold me fast. 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.019 Please stand.