WEBVTT 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:04.740 Well, tonight we're looking at the letters of the Philippians, chapter 2. 00:00:04.960 --> 00:00:08.500 If you want to turn in a Bible, you can feel free to do that. 00:00:11.080 --> 00:00:16.019 It'll also be up on the screen if you're looking in one of the Pew Bibles, page 981, 00:00:16.179 --> 00:00:19.400 Philippians chapter 2, beginning at verse 12. 00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:26.440 As we go through this passage tonight, if you have questions, you can save them in your 00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:30.020 mind or jot them down because we'll have a time, as we usually do at the end of our evening 00:00:30.020 --> 00:00:38.079 service, for you to ask any questions that come to your mind about the sermon passage tonight. 00:00:38.820 --> 00:00:45.000 Tonight we're looking at Philippians chapter 2, verses 12 through 18, as we continue through 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:48.340 this letter of Paul to his dear friends. 00:00:49.140 --> 00:00:50.659 So let's read together. 00:00:50.760 --> 00:00:52.520 Philippians chapter 2, beginning at verse 12. 00:00:52.520 --> 00:01:22.500 Paul says this, 00:01:22.519 --> 00:01:52.519 00:01:52.519 --> 00:01:59.799 Well, if you do any driving around the New Haven area, one of the most striking changes 00:01:59.799 --> 00:02:05.319 that is going on right now is the construction of the new Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge, also 00:02:05.319 --> 00:02:06.399 known as the Q Bridge. 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:09.259 It's where Route 95 crosses the Quinnipiac River. 00:02:10.219 --> 00:02:14.919 The bridge is the centerpiece of a massive construction project, which includes widening 00:02:14.919 --> 00:02:23.759 Route 95 for 13 miles in each total in two directions and redesigning the intersection of Route 95 and 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:24.219 Route 91. 00:02:25.079 --> 00:02:28.419 Now, even if you don't drive, let me say this to you. 00:02:28.479 --> 00:02:31.319 This is a project that has needed to happen for a long time. 00:02:32.259 --> 00:02:35.560 The old Q Bridge was constructed 60 years ago, almost. 00:02:35.560 --> 00:02:38.080 It was designed for 90,000 vehicles a day. 00:02:39.020 --> 00:02:44.199 Now it has to deal with 150,000 vehicles crossing it each day. 00:02:44.780 --> 00:02:52.120 The intersection between 95 and 91 has been ranked at times one of the 10 worst bottlenecks in the entire country, 00:02:53.340 --> 00:02:58.379 causing numerous accidents, traffic delays, and frustrations. 00:02:58.379 --> 00:03:03.199 But while this project has been needed, it has not always been easy. 00:03:04.019 --> 00:03:07.180 It started back in 1989, 25 years ago. 00:03:08.019 --> 00:03:12.439 The Connecticut Department of Transportation initiated a study because they realized that 00:03:12.439 --> 00:03:14.659 the bridge and the highway would need a major overhaul. 00:03:15.519 --> 00:03:24.539 It took 12 years and over 100 alternative proposals being considered and rejected until in 2001 a plan was finally approved. 00:03:25.240 --> 00:03:27.180 The cost was estimated at $800 million. 00:03:27.180 --> 00:03:32.819 Well, preparations began for construction in 2001, but then the New Haven City government 00:03:32.819 --> 00:03:38.599 and the Connecticut Department of Transportation couldn't agree on what to do with two historic buildings 00:03:38.599 --> 00:03:40.040 that stood in the path of the new bridge. 00:03:40.980 --> 00:03:46.920 Well, they figured that one out, finally put the project out to bid, and for six months, nobody bid on it. 00:03:47.700 --> 00:03:52.379 Because construction companies didn't like the structure of the project and how it was put out to bid. 00:03:52.379 --> 00:03:56.400 So then they had to redesign it and cut it up into different pieces. 00:03:57.159 --> 00:04:02.620 Now the total cost is estimated to be over $2 billion, more than twice the original estimate. 00:04:03.519 --> 00:04:09.319 Now, despite all these complications, when the project will be finally finished next fall, 00:04:10.240 --> 00:04:14.280 hopefully, it will be pretty amazing, I think. 00:04:14.280 --> 00:04:18.459 The new bridge will accommodate five lanes of traffic in each direction. 00:04:18.920 --> 00:04:24.500 Thirteen miles of Route 95 from Brantford to West Haven, a big bottleneck, a big traffic problem, 00:04:24.579 --> 00:04:26.079 will be significantly widened. 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:31.279 And the whole downtown New Haven intersection and exits and on-ramps will be totally redesigned. 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:38.119 Instead of a rickety, overcrowded, rusty bridge that as you drive over it, you wonder, 00:04:38.279 --> 00:04:42.779 will it just start falling into the river as I'm driving over it? 00:04:43.339 --> 00:04:46.419 The new bridge will be elegant, solid, and enduring. 00:04:47.319 --> 00:04:51.779 According to some architects, it's one of the first bridges of its kind in the United States. 00:04:51.879 --> 00:04:53.399 It's called an extra-dose bridge. 00:04:53.519 --> 00:04:55.719 You can go on Wikipedia and find out what that means. 00:04:55.720 --> 00:05:00.320 It will be the centerpiece of the highway restoration project, 00:05:01.080 --> 00:05:04.420 facilitating traffic going from north to south and east to west. 00:05:05.660 --> 00:05:08.080 Now, even now, though the project... 00:05:08.080 --> 00:05:10.120 So, some of you are... 00:05:10.120 --> 00:05:11.460 I don't know, maybe some of you are... 00:05:11.460 --> 00:05:13.900 You live on campus and you never get more than three blocks off, 00:05:14.120 --> 00:05:15.980 and you haven't even seen this bridge. 00:05:16.200 --> 00:05:21.360 I guess I'll just have to admit this taps into my childhood fantasy of being a civil engineer, 00:05:21.920 --> 00:05:23.540 which I've never totally lost. 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:26.460 And fascination with civil engineering. 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:30.020 But, anyway, someday you can see it. 00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:34.520 So, though the project is still unfinished, you can get a glimpse of how amazing it will be. 00:05:35.480 --> 00:05:39.140 If you're going on 95 North, you take the 34 ramp to New Haven, 00:05:39.340 --> 00:05:44.180 you get this really neat view of the whole New Haven skyline as you come into the downtown, 00:05:44.860 --> 00:05:45.980 which you never had before. 00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:49.000 Or if you go to the top of East Rock, 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:52.459 the new bridge now stands out as a thing of beauty, 00:05:53.160 --> 00:05:54.000 spanning the water. 00:05:54.860 --> 00:05:59.560 Or if you look from below at the orange-red steel girders that hold up the bridge, 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:02.399 you can see their strength and enduring nature. 00:06:03.860 --> 00:06:06.480 Now, tonight in Philippians 2, 00:06:07.339 --> 00:06:10.240 the Apostle Paul gives a vision of the church 00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:14.019 as God's new construction project, 00:06:14.019 --> 00:06:16.240 as a thing of beauty, 00:06:16.599 --> 00:06:18.279 shining in the midst of darkness, 00:06:18.799 --> 00:06:20.759 as a solid pathway 00:06:20.759 --> 00:06:23.859 in a crooked and twisted world. 00:06:24.899 --> 00:06:26.979 So, tonight I want to look at three questions 00:06:26.979 --> 00:06:28.639 that our passage answers. 00:06:28.799 --> 00:06:31.240 First, why is God's church 00:06:31.240 --> 00:06:33.199 desperately needed? 00:06:34.479 --> 00:06:35.000 Second, 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:36.779 if it's needed, 00:06:36.879 --> 00:06:38.219 why is it so hard 00:06:38.219 --> 00:06:39.519 to build? 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:41.579 And third, 00:06:42.680 --> 00:06:44.240 why is it worth it, 00:06:44.539 --> 00:06:45.240 after all? 00:06:45.979 --> 00:06:46.539 So, first, 00:06:46.639 --> 00:06:47.579 why is God's church 00:06:47.579 --> 00:06:48.839 desperately needed? 00:06:48.959 --> 00:06:50.240 Well, the answer Paul gives 00:06:50.240 --> 00:06:51.299 is that the church 00:06:51.299 --> 00:06:52.859 is the visible demonstration 00:06:52.859 --> 00:06:56.120 of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:06:57.339 --> 00:06:58.479 Now, last week we looked at 00:06:58.479 --> 00:06:59.719 verses 5 through 11, 00:06:59.799 --> 00:07:00.919 and if you have a Bible open, 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:02.019 look up at those verses. 00:07:02.539 --> 00:07:04.099 There may be the most important verses 00:07:04.099 --> 00:07:05.779 in this whole book of Philippians, 00:07:05.979 --> 00:07:07.259 because they summarize 00:07:07.259 --> 00:07:09.500 the gospel message. 00:07:09.719 --> 00:07:10.420 In other words, 00:07:10.620 --> 00:07:12.039 the basic, central, 00:07:12.439 --> 00:07:13.120 Christian message 00:07:13.120 --> 00:07:14.740 from which everything else flows out. 00:07:17.599 --> 00:07:18.759 It says in verse 6, 00:07:18.839 --> 00:07:19.680 Christ Jesus, 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:22.659 though he was in the form of God, 00:07:23.420 --> 00:07:25.139 did not count equality with God 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:26.240 as a thing to be grasped, 00:07:26.279 --> 00:07:27.120 but emptied himself. 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:27.740 In other words, 00:07:27.860 --> 00:07:28.539 Jesus Christ, 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:29.879 the eternal Son of God, 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:30.839 humbled himself 00:07:30.839 --> 00:07:33.079 and became a human being. 00:07:33.959 --> 00:07:36.219 He entered into this world. 00:07:37.259 --> 00:07:38.920 And then verse 8 goes on to say, 00:07:39.039 --> 00:07:40.899 he didn't just enter into this world, 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:41.759 he humbled himself 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:43.420 to the point of dying on a cross. 00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:45.719 He poured himself out 00:07:45.719 --> 00:07:47.599 in obedience to God 00:07:47.599 --> 00:07:49.680 and in sacrificial love 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:51.920 for flawed and sinful people like us. 00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:53.800 And then, 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:56.319 God looked upon what Jesus had done 00:07:56.319 --> 00:07:56.719 and said, 00:07:57.099 --> 00:07:59.300 that is true humility. 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:02.120 That is faithful obedience. 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:05.120 That is sacrificial love 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:08.920 more than anyone else 00:08:08.920 --> 00:08:10.399 has ever demonstrated 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:12.180 or would ever demonstrate. 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:14.240 That is a sacrifice 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:15.100 perfect 00:08:15.100 --> 00:08:18.240 and sufficient to cover every sin, 00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:19.439 even the worst. 00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:21.579 And that is faithful, 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:23.819 complete obedience to God 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:26.180 worthy of the highest praise. 00:08:27.420 --> 00:08:28.680 And so verses 9 through 11 00:08:28.680 --> 00:08:30.259 says that God raised Jesus 00:08:30.259 --> 00:08:32.200 from death to life 00:08:32.200 --> 00:08:34.000 and he exalted Jesus 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:35.200 as the Lord over all. 00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:35.919 And one day, 00:08:36.259 --> 00:08:37.899 this Jesus who died on the cross 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:38.620 and rose again 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:39.860 will rule over everything 00:08:39.860 --> 00:08:41.700 and all creation 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:42.519 will acknowledge 00:08:42.519 --> 00:08:43.960 his rightful rule. 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:46.680 Every knee will bow 00:08:46.680 --> 00:08:49.180 and every tongue confess. 00:08:50.539 --> 00:08:51.620 That's the basic, 00:08:51.840 --> 00:08:52.519 that's the heart 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:53.560 of the Christian message. 00:08:54.460 --> 00:08:56.000 Now maybe you've heard it before, 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:57.159 but let me ask you, 00:08:57.899 --> 00:08:58.980 it raises a question. 00:09:00.100 --> 00:09:01.659 Have you bowed your knee 00:09:01.659 --> 00:09:02.879 before Jesus? 00:09:04.240 --> 00:09:05.259 Have you acknowledged him 00:09:05.259 --> 00:09:06.240 as the rightful Lord 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:07.000 over everything, 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:08.159 including you? 00:09:09.460 --> 00:09:10.539 A few years ago, 00:09:10.919 --> 00:09:11.759 a friend of mine 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:12.980 became a Christian in college 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:14.480 and he was talking 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:16.279 with his dad about faith 00:09:16.279 --> 00:09:17.639 and his dad was in the military 00:09:17.639 --> 00:09:19.620 and his dad wasn't very religious. 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:21.240 And his dad said, 00:09:21.320 --> 00:09:21.820 what's the deal 00:09:21.820 --> 00:09:23.419 with all this Christian stuff? 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:24.500 I mean, 00:09:24.579 --> 00:09:25.979 what are you saying 00:09:25.979 --> 00:09:26.559 I need to do 00:09:26.559 --> 00:09:27.379 to become a Christian? 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:27.679 I mean, 00:09:27.699 --> 00:09:28.879 I've heard people talk about 00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:30.679 accepting Jesus into your heart. 00:09:30.879 --> 00:09:31.759 I just don't get 00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:32.599 what that means. 00:09:33.719 --> 00:09:34.439 His son said, 00:09:34.479 --> 00:09:34.659 Dad, 00:09:34.699 --> 00:09:35.599 let me put it this way. 00:09:36.659 --> 00:09:37.539 If you want to become 00:09:37.539 --> 00:09:38.039 a Christian, 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:39.659 you need to swear 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:41.019 allegiance to Jesus. 00:09:42.039 --> 00:09:42.719 In other words, 00:09:43.139 --> 00:09:44.339 bow your knee before him 00:09:44.339 --> 00:09:45.979 and confess that he is Lord. 00:09:48.199 --> 00:09:49.279 And it made sense. 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:52.179 Maybe that's what 00:09:52.179 --> 00:09:53.039 you need to do tonight 00:09:53.039 --> 00:09:56.079 to acknowledge Jesus 00:09:56.079 --> 00:09:57.979 as the rightful Lord 00:09:57.979 --> 00:09:59.199 and the Savior. 00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:02.399 You know, 00:10:02.439 --> 00:10:03.519 the wonderful promise 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:04.599 in the Bible 00:10:04.599 --> 00:10:06.799 is that anyone who does 00:10:06.799 --> 00:10:08.919 swear allegiance to Jesus 00:10:08.919 --> 00:10:11.459 as Lord and Savior 00:10:11.459 --> 00:10:13.719 is forgiven of their sins 00:10:13.719 --> 00:10:16.139 and filled with the Holy Spirit 00:10:16.139 --> 00:10:18.699 and called to be a part 00:10:18.699 --> 00:10:19.519 of God's mission 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:21.279 to restore and renew 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:21.939 the world 00:10:21.939 --> 00:10:24.059 under Jesus' Lordship. 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:26.679 In other words, 00:10:27.279 --> 00:10:29.220 through the good news, 00:10:29.319 --> 00:10:30.340 through what Jesus has done, 00:10:30.419 --> 00:10:31.259 we're called into 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:33.759 God's new construction project. 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:36.179 The centerpiece of his plan 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:37.759 to restore and renew the world. 00:10:38.659 --> 00:10:39.759 If you want to carry 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:40.679 the analogy on, 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:42.079 God the Father 00:10:42.079 --> 00:10:43.159 is the architect 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:45.519 who in his eternal wisdom 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:46.179 has laid out 00:10:46.179 --> 00:10:47.639 the perfect plan. 00:10:47.639 --> 00:10:49.659 Jesus Christ 00:10:49.659 --> 00:10:50.879 is the federal, 00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:51.299 state, 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:52.279 and local governments 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:53.340 all combined 00:10:53.340 --> 00:10:54.059 in one person 00:10:54.059 --> 00:10:56.179 who is the one 00:10:56.179 --> 00:10:57.379 supreme authority 00:10:57.379 --> 00:10:58.679 but also 00:10:58.679 --> 00:11:00.379 the one who's paid 00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:01.699 the entire cost 00:11:01.699 --> 00:11:04.360 through his faithful obedience, 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:05.000 through his death 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:05.580 and resurrection. 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:06.559 And we 00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:08.580 are the construction workers 00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:10.740 who have the great privilege 00:11:10.740 --> 00:11:11.500 and responsibility 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:13.460 of being part of God's plan 00:11:13.460 --> 00:11:14.519 to restore and renew 00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:15.059 the world 00:11:15.059 --> 00:11:16.679 under the Lordship 00:11:16.679 --> 00:11:17.179 of Jesus. 00:11:18.219 --> 00:11:19.039 It's a high 00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:19.919 and holy calling. 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:22.359 That's what the church 00:11:22.359 --> 00:11:22.899 is meant to be, 00:11:22.959 --> 00:11:24.339 the visible demonstration 00:11:24.339 --> 00:11:26.699 of what Jesus has done 00:11:26.699 --> 00:11:27.259 in his death 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:27.939 and resurrection. 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:30.120 A people who 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:31.459 proclaim this message 00:11:31.459 --> 00:11:32.419 and are defined 00:11:32.419 --> 00:11:33.159 by this message 00:11:33.159 --> 00:11:34.219 and go into the world 00:11:34.219 --> 00:11:35.019 with this message 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:35.799 and a people 00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:36.359 whose lives 00:11:36.359 --> 00:11:37.000 are gradually 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:38.099 being shaped 00:11:38.099 --> 00:11:39.159 and transformed 00:11:39.159 --> 00:11:40.399 and changed 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:41.719 by this message 00:11:41.719 --> 00:11:42.179 of Jesus 00:11:42.179 --> 00:11:43.240 who humbled himself 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:44.819 to the point of death 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:46.540 and was raised 00:11:46.540 --> 00:11:47.460 to life 00:11:47.460 --> 00:11:49.000 as Savior 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:49.600 and Lord. 00:11:52.280 --> 00:11:53.100 So that's why 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:54.080 the church is necessary 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:56.320 because it's a visible 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:56.840 demonstration 00:11:56.840 --> 00:11:57.520 of the gospel 00:11:57.520 --> 00:11:58.240 of Jesus Christ. 00:11:58.360 --> 00:11:59.140 That's why Paul says 00:11:59.140 --> 00:11:59.900 in verse 12, 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:00.980 therefore, 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.480 at the beginning 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:03.980 of this section, 00:12:04.700 --> 00:12:06.320 everything comes back 00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:07.879 to this gospel 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:08.540 of Jesus 00:12:08.540 --> 00:12:10.040 that shapes 00:12:10.040 --> 00:12:11.580 what we do. 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:13.259 So that's why 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:14.080 the church is necessary. 00:12:14.180 --> 00:12:15.160 It's a visible demonstration 00:12:15.160 --> 00:12:15.720 of the gospel. 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:16.300 But second, 00:12:17.520 --> 00:12:18.420 if building the church 00:12:18.420 --> 00:12:19.139 is necessary 00:12:19.139 --> 00:12:19.879 and it's what God 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:20.900 has always intended to do, 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:22.000 why is it so hard? 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:25.480 Maybe you can relate to this. 00:12:25.560 --> 00:12:26.060 Maybe you've been 00:12:26.060 --> 00:12:27.120 part of churches 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:28.540 that have had 00:12:28.540 --> 00:12:29.259 lots of struggles. 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:31.000 Maybe you stopped 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:31.600 going to church 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:32.100 for a while 00:12:32.100 --> 00:12:33.180 because you got fed up 00:12:33.180 --> 00:12:33.600 with it. 00:12:34.300 --> 00:12:34.960 Or you felt like 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:36.000 maybe it's not worth it. 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:38.440 Why is building 00:12:38.440 --> 00:12:39.400 the church so hard? 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:41.620 Well, Paul acknowledges 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:42.199 that's hard. 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:43.759 In verse 12, 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:44.079 he says, 00:12:44.340 --> 00:12:45.120 work out your salvation 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.360 with fear and trembling. 00:12:47.740 --> 00:12:48.299 Now, notice, 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.240 he doesn't say 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:51.079 work for your salvation. 00:12:52.439 --> 00:12:55.220 That's not possible. 00:12:56.079 --> 00:12:57.019 Salvation is a gift 00:12:57.019 --> 00:12:58.039 from God 00:12:58.039 --> 00:12:59.799 by grace alone. 00:13:00.579 --> 00:13:01.319 But he does say 00:13:01.319 --> 00:13:02.179 work out 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:03.579 or live out 00:13:03.579 --> 00:13:04.840 the salvation 00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:05.519 that you have 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:06.220 in Jesus 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:08.179 with fear and trembling, 00:13:08.179 --> 00:13:09.199 with reverent awe 00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:10.240 and godly fear. 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:12.180 In other words, 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:13.620 living out the gospel 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:15.440 or working out 00:13:15.440 --> 00:13:16.660 the implications 00:13:16.660 --> 00:13:17.820 of your salvation 00:13:17.820 --> 00:13:19.300 is not an easy task. 00:13:20.580 --> 00:13:21.680 If you've ever worked 00:13:21.680 --> 00:13:22.160 on designing 00:13:22.160 --> 00:13:23.080 a skyscraper 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:24.780 or constructing a bridge 00:13:24.780 --> 00:13:25.340 or even just 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:26.100 building a house 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:26.759 or even just 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:28.780 repairing a room, 00:13:29.780 --> 00:13:32.500 it's a complicated project 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:34.040 with all kinds 00:13:34.040 --> 00:13:35.120 of potential pitfalls. 00:13:36.160 --> 00:13:37.060 Sometimes lives 00:13:37.060 --> 00:13:37.780 are at stake. 00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:41.139 It's a challenge. 00:13:42.139 --> 00:13:43.319 And Paul acknowledges 00:13:43.319 --> 00:13:44.240 that living out 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:44.620 the gospel 00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:45.519 is not easy. 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:48.779 And he points 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:50.120 to two particular 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:50.699 challenges 00:13:50.699 --> 00:13:52.419 that we face 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:53.199 in building 00:13:53.199 --> 00:13:53.959 God's church. 00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:56.019 First of all, 00:13:56.059 --> 00:13:56.799 in verse 14, 00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:58.839 he says, 00:13:58.919 --> 00:13:59.759 do all things 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.559 without grumbling 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:01.500 or disputing. 00:14:03.419 --> 00:14:03.679 You know, 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:04.199 that's been 00:14:04.199 --> 00:14:04.679 one of the most 00:14:04.679 --> 00:14:05.559 difficult parts 00:14:05.559 --> 00:14:06.839 of this whole bridge 00:14:06.839 --> 00:14:07.539 project that has 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.899 caused years of delays 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:10.859 is that the state 00:14:10.859 --> 00:14:11.219 government, 00:14:11.359 --> 00:14:12.079 the local government, 00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:13.039 the construction company 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:14.059 just haven't been able 00:14:14.059 --> 00:14:15.219 to agree sometimes. 00:14:15.699 --> 00:14:17.019 It's taken a long time. 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:18.000 And one of the biggest 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:18.559 challenges 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:19.739 that we face 00:14:19.739 --> 00:14:20.419 in the church 00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:22.599 is the same thing. 00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:24.319 Grumbling 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:25.300 and disputing. 00:14:26.300 --> 00:14:27.620 It's the pitfall 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.480 that the people 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:28.940 of Israel 00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:29.680 fell into 00:14:29.680 --> 00:14:30.900 when they walked 00:14:30.900 --> 00:14:31.500 through the desert 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:33.540 after God 00:14:33.540 --> 00:14:34.100 had saved them 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:34.760 out of Egypt 00:14:34.760 --> 00:14:36.500 in the Old Testament. 00:14:37.320 --> 00:14:38.060 And it's the same 00:14:38.060 --> 00:14:39.100 words that are used 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:40.220 in the Old Testament. 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:41.060 They were grumbling 00:14:41.060 --> 00:14:41.940 or complaining 00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:42.760 against Moses 00:14:42.760 --> 00:14:44.820 and disputing 00:14:44.820 --> 00:14:46.000 or accusing 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:46.760 God 00:14:46.760 --> 00:14:48.000 of not caring 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.540 about them 00:14:48.540 --> 00:14:50.740 and wanting 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:52.100 to accuse 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:52.680 God of 00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:53.839 doing them wrong. 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:57.000 And Paul says 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:57.779 don't fall into 00:14:57.779 --> 00:14:58.459 the same trap 00:14:58.459 --> 00:14:59.079 that they did. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:01.639 And sometimes 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:02.259 we need to hear 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:02.859 this reminder 00:15:02.859 --> 00:15:03.659 sometimes over 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:04.120 and over. 00:15:04.839 --> 00:15:05.779 Sometimes I've even 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:06.459 quoted this verse 00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:07.079 to my kids. 00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:09.339 But you know 00:15:09.339 --> 00:15:09.839 I imagine 00:15:09.839 --> 00:15:10.419 I'll have to 00:15:10.419 --> 00:15:11.379 either quote it 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:11.899 or convey 00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:12.699 the same idea 00:15:12.699 --> 00:15:14.159 over and over 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:14.759 and over again. 00:15:14.819 --> 00:15:15.339 And you know what? 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:16.879 I need to hear 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:17.459 this verse 00:15:17.459 --> 00:15:18.859 over and over 00:15:18.859 --> 00:15:19.500 and over again. 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:22.240 Just yesterday 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:24.259 I failed. 00:15:24.700 --> 00:15:25.399 I did the exact 00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:25.779 opposite 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:26.820 with my wife. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:28.980 I was a 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:29.720 contentious 00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:30.240 complainer. 00:15:32.820 --> 00:15:33.940 Back in chapter 2 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:34.879 verses 1 through 4 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:36.179 Paul calls us 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:36.799 to humility. 00:15:37.820 --> 00:15:38.419 He says 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:39.340 preferring one another 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:40.259 above ourselves. 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:42.779 Seeking not only 00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:43.460 our own interests 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:44.279 but also those 00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:44.879 of others. 00:15:46.299 --> 00:15:46.460 You know 00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:46.940 this can be 00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:47.779 I mean 00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:48.240 it's very 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:49.240 simple. 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:51.019 There's no 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:53.220 theological debate 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:54.279 about what this 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.019 verse means. 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:55.919 Do everything 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:57.000 without arguing 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:57.860 or disputing 00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:58.879 or however 00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:59.560 it translates it. 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:00.580 Grumbling or disputing. 00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:02.820 It's very simple 00:16:02.820 --> 00:16:04.340 but it's hard 00:16:04.340 --> 00:16:05.360 to put into practice. 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:07.480 And that's why 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.240 Paul returns 00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:08.879 to this theme 00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:09.840 so often 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:11.820 and reminds us 00:16:11.820 --> 00:16:13.080 of what Christ 00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:13.940 did in humbling 00:16:13.940 --> 00:16:14.460 himself 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:17.660 and sacrificing 00:16:17.660 --> 00:16:18.160 himself 00:16:18.160 --> 00:16:19.400 for us 00:16:19.400 --> 00:16:22.139 and saying 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.900 that very 00:16:22.900 --> 00:16:23.740 same mind 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:24.340 that was in 00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:24.879 Christ Jesus 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.600 let that be 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:26.080 in you 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:27.280 by the power 00:16:27.280 --> 00:16:28.060 of the Holy Spirit. 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:30.639 So that's the 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.180 first challenge 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:31.740 we face 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:33.160 is 00:16:33.160 --> 00:16:34.740 disunity 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.360 grumbling 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:36.139 and disputing. 00:16:36.540 --> 00:16:37.139 The second 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:38.060 challenge we face 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:39.420 is transitions. 00:16:40.660 --> 00:16:41.139 Now for the 00:16:41.139 --> 00:16:42.080 church in Philippi 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:42.940 Paul had been 00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:43.780 the major leader 00:16:43.780 --> 00:16:44.940 who had begun 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:45.460 the process 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:45.879 of building 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:46.360 the church 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.400 and in one sense 00:16:47.400 --> 00:16:49.500 for a time 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:50.080 it might have 00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:50.600 seemed like 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:51.160 Paul was the 00:16:51.160 --> 00:16:51.580 one who was 00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:52.040 holding this 00:16:52.040 --> 00:16:52.440 together. 00:16:52.920 --> 00:16:53.520 He was sort of 00:16:53.520 --> 00:16:54.420 like the head 00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:55.120 of the construction 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:55.820 firm that got 00:16:55.820 --> 00:16:56.280 the project 00:16:56.280 --> 00:16:56.660 going. 00:16:58.540 --> 00:16:59.280 But in this 00:16:59.280 --> 00:16:59.879 passage Paul 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.720 reminds them 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:01.700 in a couple 00:17:01.700 --> 00:17:02.160 places 00:17:02.160 --> 00:17:03.060 I won't be 00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:03.639 around forever. 00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:05.579 In verse 12 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:07.039 he says 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:08.579 not only as in 00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:09.079 my presence 00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:09.660 but much more 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:10.620 in my absence. 00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:11.759 He refers to 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.459 him being 00:17:12.459 --> 00:17:13.159 absent from 00:17:13.159 --> 00:17:13.399 them. 00:17:13.719 --> 00:17:14.299 And in 17 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:14.819 and 18 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:16.259 he actually 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:16.799 talks about 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.500 the possibility 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.359 of his own 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:18.759 death. 00:17:20.919 --> 00:17:21.619 In fact 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:21.959 it's the 00:17:21.959 --> 00:17:22.559 inevitability 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.099 it's only a 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:23.459 question of 00:17:23.459 --> 00:17:23.919 when not 00:17:23.919 --> 00:17:24.259 if. 00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:25.879 Paul says 00:17:25.879 --> 00:17:28.559 I'm not 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:28.819 going to be 00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:29.139 here with 00:17:29.139 --> 00:17:29.559 you forever. 00:17:30.619 --> 00:17:31.279 I'm not 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:31.759 going to hold 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:32.199 you guys 00:17:32.199 --> 00:17:32.579 together. 00:17:33.619 --> 00:17:34.339 But whether 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:35.039 or not I'm 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:35.859 here the 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:36.399 calling of 00:17:36.399 --> 00:17:36.739 God on 00:17:36.739 --> 00:17:37.359 your life 00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:38.279 hasn't 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:38.959 changed. 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:40.480 that's why 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:40.799 he says 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.279 work out 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:42.140 your own 00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:42.980 salvation. 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:45.180 It's not 00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:46.299 me 00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:47.160 who's going 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:47.500 to hold 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:48.079 everything 00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:48.500 together. 00:17:49.860 --> 00:17:50.539 I was 00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:50.740 given 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.180 authority 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:51.740 from God 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.500 to care 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.039 for you 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:54.100 and oversee 00:17:54.100 --> 00:17:54.779 you but I'm 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:55.160 not the 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:55.460 ultimate 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:56.240 overseer of 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:56.980 this project. 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.100 I'm not 00:17:58.100 --> 00:17:58.380 going to 00:17:58.380 --> 00:17:58.880 carry this 00:17:58.880 --> 00:17:59.299 work from 00:17:59.299 --> 00:17:59.779 beginning to 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:00.160 end. 00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:02.660 Only God 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:03.039 is. 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:04.799 You know 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:05.279 sometimes this 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:05.779 can be hard 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.240 if there's a 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:06.799 leader that you 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:09.019 respect or a 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:09.759 Christian mentor 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:10.500 or a friend 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.039 that you look 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:11.659 up to who's 00:18:11.659 --> 00:18:12.559 invested in 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.579 you and for 00:18:13.579 --> 00:18:14.180 whatever reason 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:14.619 they move 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:16.399 on or maybe 00:18:16.399 --> 00:18:16.839 they pass 00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:19.200 away or 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:20.159 maybe you 00:18:20.159 --> 00:18:20.680 have to move 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:21.359 somewhere else 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:22.639 and they're not 00:18:22.639 --> 00:18:23.079 part of your 00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:23.720 life anymore. 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:25.740 And maybe you 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.339 come to a new 00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:28.299 church and you 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:29.559 haven't as hard 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.139 to feel as hard 00:18:30.139 --> 00:18:30.720 to connect with 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:33.440 people and you 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.700 feel like I 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.139 don't know if 00:18:35.139 --> 00:18:35.599 it's going to be 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:36.339 what it was. 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.099 And Paul 00:18:38.099 --> 00:18:38.919 encourages them 00:18:38.919 --> 00:18:40.699 I'm not the 00:18:40.699 --> 00:18:42.339 one who 00:18:42.339 --> 00:18:42.899 started this 00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:43.439 project. 00:18:44.159 --> 00:18:44.679 God is the 00:18:44.679 --> 00:18:45.299 one who 00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:45.779 started this 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:46.299 project and 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:46.799 God is the 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:47.099 one who's 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:47.279 going to 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:47.719 carry it to 00:18:47.719 --> 00:18:48.219 the finish. 00:18:49.959 --> 00:18:50.799 It's hard 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:52.139 to build 00:18:52.139 --> 00:18:52.759 the church 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.299 of God. 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:54.799 We have to 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:55.899 face the 00:18:55.899 --> 00:18:56.459 challenge of 00:18:56.459 --> 00:18:57.259 the temptation 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.379 to disunity 00:18:58.379 --> 00:18:59.039 and we have to 00:18:59.039 --> 00:18:59.359 face the 00:18:59.359 --> 00:18:59.899 challenge of 00:18:59.899 --> 00:19:00.399 transition. 00:19:01.719 --> 00:19:02.339 But Paul 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:02.799 says in the 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.179 end, Paul 00:19:03.179 --> 00:19:03.919 says it's all 00:19:03.919 --> 00:19:04.799 worth it. 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:06.480 It's 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:07.879 necessary, it's 00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:09.059 hard, but in 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:10.240 the end, it's 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:10.879 worth it. 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:14.419 Verse 13, he 00:19:14.419 --> 00:19:16.379 says it is God 00:19:16.379 --> 00:19:17.740 who works in 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:19.599 you, both to 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:20.599 will and to 00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:21.699 work for his 00:19:21.699 --> 00:19:22.259 good pleasure. 00:19:23.419 --> 00:19:23.919 God the 00:19:23.919 --> 00:19:24.599 Father made the 00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:25.519 plan from 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.419 eternity past. 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:27.159 Jesus Christ 00:19:27.159 --> 00:19:28.419 paid the cost 00:19:28.419 --> 00:19:30.619 and we are the 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:31.339 workers, but 00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:32.359 that's not it. 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:34.539 God the 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.299 Holy Spirit 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.500 dwells in 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.399 us and 00:19:37.399 --> 00:19:38.359 empowers us 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:39.039 to get the 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:39.579 job done. 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.379 And when 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.199 Jesus left 00:19:42.199 --> 00:19:43.500 and went 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:43.879 back to 00:19:43.879 --> 00:19:45.959 heaven, he 00:19:45.959 --> 00:19:46.339 didn't just 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:46.759 leave it up 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:47.339 to us. 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.659 He didn't 00:19:48.659 --> 00:19:49.039 just say, 00:19:49.199 --> 00:19:49.419 over to 00:19:49.419 --> 00:19:51.339 you, you 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:51.679 all can 00:19:51.679 --> 00:19:52.059 figure it 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:52.279 out. 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:53.799 He sent 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.179 the Holy 00:19:54.179 --> 00:19:56.139 Spirit to 00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:56.740 be another 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.579 comforter, 00:19:58.179 --> 00:19:59.279 another helper, 00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:00.379 just like Jesus 00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:00.880 had been with 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:01.240 his own 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:01.760 disciples, 00:20:02.840 --> 00:20:03.460 carrying them 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:03.780 through, 00:20:05.540 --> 00:20:06.300 watching over 00:20:06.300 --> 00:20:07.100 them, reminding 00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:07.640 them of the 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:08.040 truth. 00:20:08.320 --> 00:20:08.800 And he sent 00:20:08.800 --> 00:20:09.220 the Holy 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:09.820 Spirit into 00:20:09.820 --> 00:20:10.480 our lives to 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:10.900 do just 00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:11.260 that. 00:20:14.520 --> 00:20:15.000 Philippians 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.700 1, verse 6 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:16.220 says, he who 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:17.120 began a good 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:18.520 work in you 00:20:18.520 --> 00:20:20.360 and among you 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:21.820 will bring it 00:20:21.820 --> 00:20:22.400 to completion 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:23.420 at the day of 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:24.120 Jesus Christ. 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.600 What God has 00:20:26.600 --> 00:20:28.020 started, he's 00:20:28.020 --> 00:20:28.680 going to finish. 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:30.460 And even 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:32.259 if it's in a 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:32.720 work in 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.720 progress now, 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:35.360 God's not 00:20:35.360 --> 00:20:35.720 going to let 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.100 it go. 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:37.920 And that's a 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:38.620 word of 00:20:38.620 --> 00:20:39.420 encouragement to 00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:40.640 us, that what 00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:41.279 God has started 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.080 in your life, 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:44.440 by bringing 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:45.200 you to Jesus, 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.019 by drawing you 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.799 near to Jesus, 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.620 he's going to 00:20:47.620 --> 00:20:48.519 continue and 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:49.320 carry on. 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.320 And he's 00:20:51.320 --> 00:20:51.820 faithful to 00:20:51.820 --> 00:20:52.420 his promise. 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:56.060 You know, 00:20:56.080 --> 00:20:56.840 just like Paul, 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:58.740 we live in a 00:20:58.740 --> 00:20:59.699 crooked and 00:20:59.699 --> 00:21:00.639 twisted generation. 00:21:02.199 --> 00:21:03.059 We live in a 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:03.539 city that's 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.199 divided by 00:21:04.199 --> 00:21:06.679 mistrust between 00:21:06.679 --> 00:21:07.259 people of 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:08.439 different races 00:21:08.439 --> 00:21:09.339 and different 00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:10.759 political ideas 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.639 and different 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:12.659 education levels. 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.319 We live in a 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:15.099 society that 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:16.299 increasingly lacks 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:17.119 a foundation for 00:21:17.119 --> 00:21:17.879 clear moral 00:21:17.879 --> 00:21:18.299 guidance. 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.000 We live in a 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:19.439 world that's 00:21:19.439 --> 00:21:19.980 broken and 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.480 messed up. 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.579 And in the 00:21:22.579 --> 00:21:23.059 midst of this 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:24.000 world, God has 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.759 called us to be a 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:26.059 people who shine 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:27.460 as lights in 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:27.920 the world. 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:30.240 That word can be 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.660 translated like 00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:32.379 stars in the 00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:32.720 sky. 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:34.759 You know, do you 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.299 remember long 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:37.000 ago when God 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.099 talked to Abraham 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:38.579 and he brought 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:39.579 him outside on a 00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:40.599 clear night and 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:41.200 he said, look up 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:43.059 at the sky and 00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:43.619 see if you can 00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:44.619 count the stars. 00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:46.279 And that's how 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:48.220 many children, 00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:49.740 descendants, 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.099 offspring, that's 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:52.200 how many children 00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:53.519 I'm going to make 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.059 out of you. 00:21:54.359 --> 00:21:55.019 That's how big 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.799 your family is 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:56.500 going to grow. 00:21:58.579 --> 00:21:59.299 And he wasn't 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:00.059 just talking about 00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:01.019 Abraham's physical 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:02.940 descendants, right? 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:03.700 Because Abraham's 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:04.220 descendant was 00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:05.039 Jesus Christ. 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.500 And Jesus Christ 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.139 says, anyone who 00:22:07.139 --> 00:22:08.299 believes in me 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:09.660 becomes a child of 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.700 God, a part of 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.339 God's family. 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:13.799 And so Paul's 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:15.680 saying, this is 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.879 what God's doing 00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:17.799 in the church. 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.539 As he's fulfilling 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:20.240 the promise to 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:22.279 Abraham, a people 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.200 likes the stars in 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:23.639 the sky. 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:25.960 But you know, also 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:26.460 in the ancient 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:27.660 world, we don't 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:28.700 think of it as much 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:30.920 today, because we 00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:32.000 have GPSs and all 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.639 kinds of other 00:22:32.639 --> 00:22:33.519 navigational tools, 00:22:33.639 --> 00:22:35.240 but if you were a 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.220 sailor and you were 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:38.980 lost at sea, you 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:39.539 look up at the 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:41.359 stars, and the stars 00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:42.000 show you where to 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:42.220 go. 00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:43.500 Because the stars 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:45.019 don't change, 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:45.559 they're low, well 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:48.059 the stars, I 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:48.740 understand there's 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.519 orbits and all that 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.460 stuff, but basically 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.900 the stars stay put. 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:53.640 They don't switch 00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:54.539 their formation 00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:54.960 around. 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:57.400 They reliably point 00:22:57.400 --> 00:22:57.880 you in the right 00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:58.360 direction. 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.259 And Paul's saying 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:00.799 that's what the 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:01.500 church is called to 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.200 be, a people who 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:04.420 stand firm, and who 00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:06.000 can light the way, and 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:07.140 who can show the way 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:08.640 to a world that's 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:10.539 lost, and who can 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.960 point the way back 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:13.160 to God through 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:14.019 Jesus Christ. 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:17.279 We're called to be 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.579 God's new 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:19.460 construction project, 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:20.440 a living demonstration 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:23.440 of the gospel, a 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.079 living demonstration 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:24.880 in the present of 00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:25.819 what God's glorious 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.720 kingdom will look like 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:27.279 in the future. 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.319 A thing of beauty 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:30.579 shining in a dark 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.980 world, and a solid 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:32.500 pathway. 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.559 That's God's vision 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.640 for his church. 00:23:36.100 --> 00:23:37.240 Now I know, we're 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:37.940 still a work in 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.519 progress. 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:40.840 If you were around 00:23:40.840 --> 00:23:41.880 here ten years ago, 00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:44.340 do you remember what 00:23:44.340 --> 00:23:44.960 the new Q 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.840 Bridge looked like? 00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:48.179 It looked like a few 00:23:48.179 --> 00:23:49.539 big mounds of dirt 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:53.079 that they were, for 00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:54.059 some reason, they 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:55.039 started by making 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:55.859 these big huge 00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:57.299 mounds of dirt in 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:58.659 the middle of Route 00:23:58.659 --> 00:24:00.159 34 and some other 00:24:00.159 --> 00:24:00.539 highways. 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.559 And you look at them 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:03.480 and you're like, what 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:04.319 in the world is going 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:04.699 on? 00:24:05.099 --> 00:24:05.819 There's these big 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.699 piles of dirt. 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:10.419 But actually now, 00:24:10.619 --> 00:24:11.899 that's where the new 00:24:11.899 --> 00:24:12.779 exit ramps are going 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.519 on. 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:14.940 Right? 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:16.139 Or even if you 00:24:16.139 --> 00:24:17.240 remember five years 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:20.259 ago, you know, 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:21.980 it's a long process 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:23.139 to get this 00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:23.859 construction work 00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:24.139 done. 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:26.059 And you know, as a 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:27.920 church, we're a work 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:28.639 in progress. 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.980 We're not the finished 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.539 product. 00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:32.200 Okay? 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:32.960 If you're hoping for a 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:34.319 perfect church, we're 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:34.740 not it. 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:35.839 And you know what? 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:36.779 If we were perfect, you 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.559 would spoil it anyway. 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:40.119 But we are a church 00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:40.740 that's a work in 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:41.240 progress. 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:43.180 For the glory of God. 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:46.599 I want to end by 00:24:46.599 --> 00:24:48.279 sharing a story about 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:49.279 God's work in this 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.019 particular church. 00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:50.660 I shared it this 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:51.420 morning, so if you're 00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:52.039 here this morning, you 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.500 hear it twice. 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:54.259 But it fits with this 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:54.920 passage tonight. 00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:56.379 And I hope it encourages 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:57.839 you as we conclude. 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.799 So 15 years ago this 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:01.599 fall, Trinity Baptist 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:03.559 Church had 20 members 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:05.359 and no pastors and no 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:06.220 building to meet in. 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:08.579 We're renting a space. 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:10.279 The church has existed 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:12.180 since the 70s, but it 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:12.759 had gone through a 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:14.500 split in the mid-90s 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:16.220 and it had barely 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:16.720 survived. 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.799 And so the members 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.580 thought, you know 00:25:19.580 --> 00:25:19.820 what? 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.680 We've tried to make 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:22.240 this work. 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:23.539 We've given it what we 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:25.779 can, but maybe it's 00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:26.519 just time to close 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:26.779 down. 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.539 And so they called a 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:28.759 meeting. 00:25:28.840 --> 00:25:29.340 The church council 00:25:29.340 --> 00:25:30.039 called a meeting to 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:30.660 discuss how to 00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:31.640 gracefully close the 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:32.019 doors. 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.519 Well, at 1030 that 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:36.299 morning, October 12 of 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:38.560 1999, the wife of the 00:25:38.560 --> 00:25:39.340 chairman of the church 00:25:39.340 --> 00:25:40.420 council got a phone call 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:40.980 from her neighbor. 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:42.640 Said, are you guys 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:43.360 still looking for a 00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:43.680 pastor? 00:25:43.820 --> 00:25:44.440 She said, well, I 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:44.940 guess so. 00:25:47.820 --> 00:25:48.860 He said, well, we 00:25:48.860 --> 00:25:49.500 interviewed this 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.940 candidate at our 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:53.200 church and he wasn't 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:54.140 quite the right fit for 00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:55.080 our church, but we 00:25:55.080 --> 00:25:55.840 think he's a great 00:25:55.840 --> 00:25:57.200 candidate and we think 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.700 that you should 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.620 consider calling, 00:25:58.840 --> 00:25:59.539 inviting him to be 00:25:59.539 --> 00:26:00.060 your pastor. 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:01.860 Well, the church 00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:02.640 council decided to 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:03.440 change their agenda 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:05.360 that evening from 00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:06.420 deciding how to close 00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:08.100 down to deciding how 00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:09.060 to call a new pastor 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:09.679 and get him over 00:26:09.679 --> 00:26:11.200 here from the UK, 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.639 from another country. 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:13.779 Right? 00:26:13.919 --> 00:26:14.539 And most of the 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.079 church members had 00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:15.679 never met him in 00:26:15.679 --> 00:26:15.980 person. 00:26:17.179 --> 00:26:17.779 Well, we'll probably 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:19.079 never call a pastor 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:19.819 in quite the same way 00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:20.079 again. 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.819 But that was the 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:24.359 first step in what's 00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:25.559 in an amazing work of 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:28.740 God, to restore and 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:31.079 renew this church so 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.839 that we can hold fast 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.960 to the word of life 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:35.659 and hold out the word 00:26:35.659 --> 00:26:36.799 of life to the city 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.279 of New Haven. 00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:39.700 You know, God has 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.579 been faithful to us 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:42.539 in the past and he's 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.379 begun a good work 00:26:43.379 --> 00:26:44.379 among us and he 00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:45.339 promises to continue 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:45.940 that work. 00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:47.519 So brothers and 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.720 sisters, let us work 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:50.119 out our salvation with 00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:50.759 fear and trembling, 00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:52.339 knowing that it is God 00:26:52.339 --> 00:26:54.379 who works in and among 00:26:54.379 --> 00:26:54.940 us. 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:55.599 Let's pray. 00:26:55.599 --> 00:27:04.179 Lord, we thank you for 00:27:04.179 --> 00:27:05.299 this glorious calling 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:06.879 that you've set before 00:27:06.879 --> 00:27:09.959 us to be lights in the 00:27:09.959 --> 00:27:12.379 world, to be like stars 00:27:12.379 --> 00:27:15.139 in the sky, pointing the 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:18.159 way to life, holding fast 00:27:18.159 --> 00:27:19.000 to your word. 00:27:22.139 --> 00:27:23.000 Lord, you know the 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:24.099 challenges that we face, 00:27:24.159 --> 00:27:24.839 you know the challenges 00:27:24.839 --> 00:27:25.919 that each of us face. 00:27:27.099 --> 00:27:28.199 Lord, you know the ways 00:27:28.199 --> 00:27:29.179 that we can become 00:27:29.179 --> 00:27:29.639 discouraged. 00:27:29.919 --> 00:27:30.759 We pray that you would 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:34.759 encourage us by the 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.459 power of your Holy 00:27:35.459 --> 00:27:35.859 Spirit. 00:27:37.139 --> 00:27:37.899 Lord, that you have 00:27:37.899 --> 00:27:39.019 called us into fellowship 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:40.039 with each other and with 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:41.519 you and you're going to 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.399 continue the good work 00:27:42.399 --> 00:27:44.000 that you've begun and 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.859 bring it to completion. 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.659 Give us that great 00:27:46.659 --> 00:27:49.139 assurance and Lord, may 00:27:49.139 --> 00:27:51.799 that strengthen us to 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:53.799 walk faithfully with you 00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.220 each day. 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.180 In Christ's name we 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:55.379 pray. 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.000 Amen. 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.099 Amen. 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:56.159 Amen. 00:27:56.159 --> 00:27:56.180 Amen. 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:56.259 Amen. 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.279 Amen. 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:56.599 Amen. 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:57.099 Amen. 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:57.180 Amen. 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:57.259 Amen.