WEBVTT

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 from verse 12 through to verse 26. So we're in Philippians chapter 1, we're starting in verse 12 and we're reading through to verse 26.

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 And just as you're turning that up, just to reinforce what Connor was saying,

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 we do have a busy week this week in the life of our churches and I do encourage you to come along to Summer Bible Week

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 and just a little bit more detail, a Summer Bible Week in the mornings, it's in Middleton in a new venue.

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 It's now in the My Place community building, which is, if you know Middleton, it's right in the middle of town

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 where the big oval roundabout is, opposite the Super Value entrance. And as you come, if you use the public car park,

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 which is just parallel with the oval, it's the tree-lined car park, you'll see it. And if you park there and come over for 10 o'clock,

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 it'll be lovely to see you there. And then in the evening, it's in Court Baptist.

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 And then just to say again, just to remind you of this, revision event. Revision, making the church your lifetime career,

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 no matter what your job is. So the purpose of that evening is not just for people who are thinking of going into full-time ministry,

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 but how all of us minister throughout our lives in the context of the local church, as followers of Jesus,

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 no matter what we do. So I encourage you to consider coming along to that, anyone from 16 and up, on Friday, at Joy's.

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 But let's just read Philippians chapter 1 and we'll read from verse 12.

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 Paul writes,

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 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

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 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

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 And because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God

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 more courageously and fearlessly.

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 It's true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.

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 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defence of the gospel.

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 And the former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely,

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 supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.

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 But what does it matter?

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 The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true,

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 Christ is preached.

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 And because of this, I rejoice.

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 Yes, and I'll continue to rejoice,

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 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

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 what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

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 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed,

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 but will have sufficient courage so that now, as always,

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 Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

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 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

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 If I'm to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me.

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 Yet, what shall I choose? I don't know.

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 I'm torn between the two.

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 I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far,

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 but it's more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

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 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you

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 for your progress and joy in the faith,

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 so that through my being with you again,

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 your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

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 May God bless reading of his word this morning.

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 What I want us to think about, as you keep your Bibles open,

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 I don't have any visual aids or anything like that on the PowerPoint,

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 so maybe that's maybe a bit more demanding this morning if you're used to them,

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 but just keep looking in the scriptures and we'll be fine.

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 That will drive us through.

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 We're going to just look through this passage bit by bit this morning.

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 But what we want to think about is Paul's perspective on suffering.

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 Alex and Connor have already referred to this reality of suffering in all life,

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 in all human existence in this world,

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 and we want to think about Paul's perspective as a believer on this reality of suffering.

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 The man who drove me around Ethiopia about 10 years ago,

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 when I went over with SIM,

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 we just did a couple of weeks of teaching there amongst the Sudanese,

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 who were over the border and who were there in Ethiopia because of the war in Sudan,

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 and we did a two-week talk there.

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 The guy who drove me around saw his dad taken away by the authorities when he was six.

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 His dad was a pastor,

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 and he described to me, actually through tears as he was driving,

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 that he didn't see his father for two years from the ages of six to eight.

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 And it was simply because his father was a man who preached Christ.

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 And that was an affront to the regime in Ethiopia at that time,

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 and so he suffered.

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 I don't know if you heard in the news this week,

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 but there are now proposed anti-terror laws in Russia,

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 which we hear about a lot, especially in the UK and other parts,

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 this anti-terror legislation.

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 Well, Russia is introducing anti-terror laws,

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 which will come into effect on the 20th of July,

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 unless Putin can be persuaded otherwise.

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 And part of his anti-terror legislation in Russia

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 will be to prohibit any activity

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 designed to recruit people into a religious group.

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 That means that from the 20th of July,

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 if you are sharing your faith as a Christian in Russia,

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 unless it is in an official church building,

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 you are breaking the law,

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 and you will be subject to the punishment of the law.

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 It means that you cannot invite people to religious events.

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 It means that you cannot hold meetings,

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 as so many of the evangelical churches do,

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 in people's homes anymore.

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 It is against the law.

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 Evangelicals in Russia are preparing themselves

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 for persecution again by the state.

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 So it does raise the question,

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 as we can never assume that that won't happen in Ireland

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 at some point as well,

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 is it worth it

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 to come to know Jesus personally,

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 to begin to talk publicly

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 about what you know to be true in your heart,

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 and then not only to end up maybe unpopular

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 amongst your peers,

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 but maybe end up imprisoned,

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 cut off from family,

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 friends, and society,

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 all because of a public faith in Jesus.

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 Surely this is going to break our faith,

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 if it happens to little old us.

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 Surely we are going to be crushed,

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 and we will ask that repeated question perhaps,

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 why did I become a Christian anyway?

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 Maybe this morning as you come in here,

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 you are carrying, even now,

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 some personal weight of suffering

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 that is connected to your faith,

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 as well as suffering that is just connected to being human.

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 Well, Paul gives us a perspective on our suffering

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 in this passage.

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 It shows how a person

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 who is alive in Christ,

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 despite terrible consequences

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 for confessing Jesus as Lord,

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 can understand the suffering

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 they may be under.

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 Indeed, what we find in this letter

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 is that Paul expresses

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 consistently joy,

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 even as a man

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 who is sitting in chains

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 because of his faith.

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 And so Philippians gives us

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 reasons why Paul

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 and why we

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 can even be joyful

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 as we face,

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 like Paul did

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 in this letter,

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 also,

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 sorrow upon sorrow,

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 he writes.

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 Because he was struggling

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 as a prisoner,

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 and yet he was full of joy.

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 How could that be?

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 How can he be like that

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 as he suffers?

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 Paul is in prison.

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 It's around AD 61.

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 And the reason for the letter

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 very possibly rests

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 on the shoulders

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 of the messenger

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 from the Philippian church

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 who brings this letter back

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 to the Philippian church.

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 That is Epaphroditus,

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 the elder,

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 who comes

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 and brings a gift

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 to Paul

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 as the Philippians

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 hear that

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 he is in prison

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 for the gospel.

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 So it's very possibly

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 motivated

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 as a letter

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 of thanks,

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 a thank you letter

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 to the Philippian church.

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 But as a pastor,

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 Paul can't help

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 but shepherd

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 the people

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 that he's writing to.

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 And so from prison,

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 he encourages the church

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 to continue

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 in Christian unity

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 and love

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 following the example

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 of Christ's humility.

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 we get that very famous

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 passage in verses 5 to 11

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 which is possibly

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 the quote of an ancient hymn

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 in chapter 2.

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 But what we see

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 in Philippians

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 is that Paul knew

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 these people very well

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 that he writes to.

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 And so as well as

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 visiting this church

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 which is right on the top

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 of the Aegean Sea

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 between Turkey

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 and Greece

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 right at the top

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 on the coast,

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 this is where Philippi is.

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 We read about it

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 actually in the beginning

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 of Acts 16

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 or throughout Acts 16

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 we get an account

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 by Luke

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 of how Paul

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 was involved

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 in the planting

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 of that church

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 and how the Lord

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 established the church

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 there.

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 But what we see

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 is

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 throughout this letter

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 is this key theme

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 of joy.

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 The word is found

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 16 times

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 throughout the letter.

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 There's other words

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 as well like

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 fellowship

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 and partnership

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 and gospel

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 that are repeated

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 all the way.

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 But in all of this joy

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 we have no doubt

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 that even as this letter

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 is being penned

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 Paul is suffering.

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 He's languishing

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 in prison.

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 He was attacked

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 by those who opposed

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 his message about Jesus

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 whilst he was in prison.

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 We know in other parts

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 of the New Testament

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 that he was beaten

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 he was imprisoned

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 he was shipwrecked

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 throughout his ministry

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 all because of this

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 grand motivation

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 of his

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 to communicate

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 the gospel

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 of the Lord Jesus.

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 And yet we read

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 of a man

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 who had

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 the capacity

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 to look beyond

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 this very real

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 suffering

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 in his life.

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 His focus

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 did not rest

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 on the pain

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 that comes

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 from being a Christian

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 and a witness

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 to the gospel.

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 He was looking

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 beyond it.

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 He was looking

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 beyond his

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 difficult circumstances.

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 And so

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 what does Paul

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 tell us

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 about his

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 understanding

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 of his

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 very real

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 suffering?

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 Let's just go

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 through the text.

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 First of all

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 verses 12 to 14.

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 Remember the heading

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 for this sermon

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 this morning

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 is Paul's

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 perspective

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 on suffering.

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 And the first thing

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 we see is

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 he explains

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 to the Philippians

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 in verses

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 12 to 14

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 that his

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 suffering

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 was firstly

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 advancing

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 the gospel.

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 Paul could

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 see

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 that his

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 difficult

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 circumstances

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 meant

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 that Jesus

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 was being

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 discussed

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 and gossiped

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 about

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 when if Paul

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 hadn't been

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 in prison

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 that wouldn't

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 have happened.

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 Look at

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 verse 12.

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 I want you

00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:54.440
 to know

00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:54.759
 brothers

00:12:54.759 --> 00:12:55.179
 that what

00:12:55.179 --> 00:12:55.559
 has happened

00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:55.919
 to me

00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:56.679
 has really

00:12:56.679 --> 00:12:57.519
 served to

00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:58.259
 advance the

00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:58.720
 gospel.

00:12:59.159 --> 00:12:59.340
 You see

00:12:59.340 --> 00:12:59.820
 the good

00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:00.519
 news

00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:01.720
 to all

00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:02.279
 people

00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:04.379
 that everyone

00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:05.220
 needs to hear

00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:06.700
 the truth

00:13:06.700 --> 00:13:07.340
 concerning

00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:08.159
 people

00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:08.860
 and the truth

00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:09.399
 concerning

00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:09.879
 God

00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:10.580
 as revealed

00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:11.019
 through his

00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:11.440
 son

00:13:11.440 --> 00:13:13.879
 Paul was

00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:14.460
 passionate

00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:15.399
 about that

00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:16.120
 good news.

00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:18.120
 So much

00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:18.639
 so

00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:20.060
 that it

00:13:20.060 --> 00:13:20.560
 relieved

00:13:20.560 --> 00:13:24.139
 his pain

00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:26.139
 as he

00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:26.620
 remained

00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:27.460
 locked up

00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:29.080
 to know

00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:29.560
 that the

00:13:29.560 --> 00:13:30.419
 gospel was

00:13:30.419 --> 00:13:31.379
 being advanced

00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:32.659
 even through

00:13:32.659 --> 00:13:33.840
 his circumstance

00:13:33.840 --> 00:13:34.500
 that he was

00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:34.740
 in.

00:13:36.060 --> 00:13:36.480
 And wherever

00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:37.299
 he was

00:13:37.299 --> 00:13:37.860
 we don't

00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:38.519
 know exactly

00:13:38.519 --> 00:13:39.340
 he was either

00:13:39.340 --> 00:13:40.159
 on the coast

00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:40.799
 in Caesarea

00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:41.379
 Philippi

00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:42.100
 or he may

00:13:42.100 --> 00:13:42.320
 have been

00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:42.840
 at Rome

00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:43.980
 and we're

00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:44.500
 not sure

00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.279
 or even

00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:45.659
 Ephesus

00:13:45.659 --> 00:13:46.500
 in prison.

00:13:46.500 --> 00:13:48.179
 But what we

00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:48.620
 know is

00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:48.879
 that he

00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:49.620
 is delighted

00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:50.240
 to know

00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:50.639
 that the

00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:51.059
 local

00:13:51.059 --> 00:13:51.799
 Roman

00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:52.580
 guard

00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:54.100
 around

00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:54.879
 that prison

00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:56.440
 and everyone

00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:57.440
 around it

00:13:57.440 --> 00:13:58.299
 knew that

00:13:58.299 --> 00:13:58.919
 Paul was

00:13:58.919 --> 00:13:59.779
 in prison

00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:00.720
 in front

00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:01.059
 of them

00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:01.419
 there

00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:02.440
 because of

00:14:02.440 --> 00:14:02.899
 what he

00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:03.600
 said about

00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.080
 Jesus.

00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:06.419
 Jesus

00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:07.360
 was being

00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:07.980
 proclaimed

00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:09.139
 as alive

00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:11.139
 and glorified

00:14:11.139 --> 00:14:11.899
 by Paul.

00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.039
 The one

00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:14.679
 that Jerusalem

00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:15.679
 wanted dead

00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:16.480
 was alive

00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:17.139
 and would

00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:17.940
 save people

00:14:17.940 --> 00:14:18.500
 from their

00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:18.940
 sins

00:14:18.940 --> 00:14:19.860
 right in

00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:20.659
 that circumstance

00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:21.539
 where Paul

00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:22.740
 was imprisoned.

00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:28.300
 And Paul

00:14:28.300 --> 00:14:30.879
 found that

00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:31.340
 a source

00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:31.960
 of joy

00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:33.180
 in his

00:14:33.180 --> 00:14:33.620
 suffering

00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:35.080
 that some

00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:36.080
 more people

00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:37.120
 had the

00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:37.680
 opportunity

00:14:37.680 --> 00:14:38.300
 to hear

00:14:38.300 --> 00:14:38.700
 the good

00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:39.080
 news

00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:39.680
 of Jesus

00:14:39.680 --> 00:14:40.240
 Christ.

00:14:41.539 --> 00:14:42.180
 That's

00:14:42.180 --> 00:14:42.740
 massive

00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:43.340
 isn't it?

00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:45.539
 As I

00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:46.279
 contemplated

00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:46.860
 this again

00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:47.379
 recently

00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:48.019
 this week

00:14:48.019 --> 00:14:50.299
 there's a

00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:50.639
 whole

00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:51.379
 revolution

00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:52.159
 going on

00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:52.939
 in Paul's

00:14:52.939 --> 00:14:53.299
 psyche

00:14:53.299 --> 00:14:54.139
 as it

00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:54.959
 must in

00:14:54.959 --> 00:14:55.299
 all of

00:14:55.299 --> 00:14:55.519
 our

00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:55.919
 psyches

00:14:55.919 --> 00:14:56.179
 as

00:14:56.179 --> 00:14:56.659
 Christians.

00:14:57.319 --> 00:14:58.159
 He's not

00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:58.939
 saying

00:14:58.939 --> 00:14:59.639
 what about

00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.120
 me?

00:15:02.079 --> 00:15:02.879
 There's a

00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.459
 selflessness

00:15:03.459 --> 00:15:04.139
 here in

00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:04.399
 Paul

00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:04.919
 just in

00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:05.459
 verses 12

00:15:05.459 --> 00:15:06.000
 to 14

00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:06.639
 there's a

00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:07.339
 kindness

00:15:07.339 --> 00:15:08.480
 for people

00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:09.319
 there's a

00:15:09.319 --> 00:15:09.959
 humility

00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:12.560
 where Paul

00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:13.060
 is no

00:15:13.060 --> 00:15:13.820
 longer at

00:15:13.820 --> 00:15:14.400
 the center

00:15:14.400 --> 00:15:15.120
 of Paul

00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:17.460
 Christ

00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:17.879
 is.

00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:19.860
 The good

00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:20.440
 news

00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:21.060
 is.

00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:22.879
 The gospel

00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.680
 is.

00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:26.480
 Paul no

00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:27.620
 longer

00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:28.500
 worships

00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.040
 himself.

00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:30.639
 He

00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.259
 worships

00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:31.700
 the living

00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:32.139
 Jesus.

00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:34.000
 And that's

00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.639
 why he can

00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:35.200
 say in

00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:35.780
 verse 12

00:15:35.780 --> 00:15:37.000
 guess what

00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:37.379
 guys?

00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:39.700
 what's

00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:40.120
 happened to

00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:40.220
 me?

00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:40.720
 It's

00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:41.179
 advancing

00:15:41.179 --> 00:15:41.439
 the

00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:41.899
 gospel.

00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:45.559
 Isn't

00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:46.100
 that amazing?

00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:47.179
 Look at

00:15:47.179 --> 00:15:47.879
 verse 14.

00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:49.439
 Because of

00:15:49.439 --> 00:15:50.039
 my chains

00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:50.460
 most of

00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:50.799
 the brothers

00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:51.100
 in the

00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:51.439
 Lord have

00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:51.559
 been

00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:52.000
 encouraged

00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:52.480
 to speak

00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:52.840
 the word

00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:53.179
 of God

00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:53.659
 more

00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:54.419
 courageously

00:15:54.419 --> 00:15:54.840
 and more

00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:55.860
 fearlessly.

00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:56.580
 You see

00:15:56.580 --> 00:15:57.259
 Paul's

00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:58.840
 present

00:15:58.840 --> 00:15:59.460
 pain

00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:00.019
 was also

00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:00.299
 doing

00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:00.659
 something

00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:01.039
 else.

00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:02.500
 Not only

00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:02.899
 was it

00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:04.379
 advancing

00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:05.080
 the gospel

00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:05.799
 but it

00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:06.559
 was also

00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:07.599
 how it

00:16:07.599 --> 00:16:08.139
 was happening

00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:08.799
 was it

00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:09.479
 was opening

00:16:09.479 --> 00:16:10.099
 up the

00:16:10.099 --> 00:16:10.599
 message of

00:16:10.599 --> 00:16:11.139
 the gospel

00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:11.919
 in this

00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:13.159
 very specific

00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:13.599
 way.

00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.000
 In this

00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:15.339
 bad situation

00:16:15.339 --> 00:16:16.639
 Paul

00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:19.379
 was encouraging

00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.739
 those younger

00:16:20.739 --> 00:16:21.459
 in the faith

00:16:21.459 --> 00:16:22.379
 to speak up

00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:23.259
 not by him

00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:24.039
 telling them

00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:27.119
 but by them

00:16:27.119 --> 00:16:27.839
 hearing of

00:16:27.839 --> 00:16:29.179
 his situation.

00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:31.619
 His example

00:16:31.619 --> 00:16:33.279
 was an

00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:34.000
 inspiration

00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:35.119
 to those

00:16:35.119 --> 00:16:35.859
 who partnered

00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.480
 with him

00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.100
 in the

00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:37.560
 gospel.

00:16:39.940 --> 00:16:40.539
 There was

00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:41.240
 a fearlessness

00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:43.580
 to witness

00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:44.360
 to the

00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:44.580
 living

00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.200
 Christ.

00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:47.539
 And we

00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:48.539
 can become

00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:49.899
 more confident

00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:50.759
 in the gospel

00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:52.000
 fearless

00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:53.300
 dare I say

00:16:53.300 --> 00:16:54.539
 especially

00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:55.279
 as we're

00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:56.340
 inspired by

00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:57.000
 those who

00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:57.419
 have gone

00:16:57.419 --> 00:16:58.259
 before us.

00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:00.740
 And how

00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:01.220
 can we be

00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:01.980
 inspired by

00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:02.320
 those who

00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:02.580
 have gone

00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:03.080
 before us?

00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:03.860
 Well we read

00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:04.220
 about the

00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:04.539
 apostles,

00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:05.000
 we read

00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:05.619
 about Paul

00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:06.440
 as we

00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:07.259
 get into

00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:07.700
 the word,

00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:08.000
 as we

00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:08.819
 get into

00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.440
 the example

00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:09.980
 of Paul's

00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:10.200
 life.

00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:10.980
 That can

00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.339
 be an

00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:11.940
 inspiration

00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:12.500
 for us

00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:13.079
 to be

00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:13.480
 fearless

00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:13.960
 Christians

00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:14.480
 today.

00:17:14.659 --> 00:17:15.159
 But also

00:17:15.159 --> 00:17:15.480
 as we

00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.000
 look around

00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:16.299
 us in

00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:16.720
 the church

00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:17.259
 and we

00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:17.519
 hear

00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.039
 accounts

00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:18.519
 of people

00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.159
 witnessing

00:17:19.159 --> 00:17:20.079
 to Christ.

00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:21.180
 Maybe even

00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:22.019
 at cost,

00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:22.879
 great cost,

00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:23.480
 within a

00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.319
 family that

00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:24.899
 is opposed

00:17:24.899 --> 00:17:25.220
 to the

00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.099
 gospel and

00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:26.480
 yet there

00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:26.920
 is one

00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:27.440
 light,

00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.019
 there is

00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:28.799
 one Christian

00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.279
 there in

00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:29.940
 that family.

00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:32.079
 It can be

00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:33.039
 an encouragement

00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:33.619
 to us,

00:17:33.679 --> 00:17:34.199
 can't it?

00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:35.939
 And in

00:17:35.939 --> 00:17:36.460
 our day

00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:37.059
 and our

00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:37.399
 age,

00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:38.720
 we need

00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:39.839
 Christians

00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:41.000
 to inspire

00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:42.919
 us to

00:17:42.919 --> 00:17:43.960
 continue on

00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.500
 in our

00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:45.099
 witness.

00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:46.839
 Verse 14,

00:17:46.939 --> 00:17:47.599
 it reminds

00:17:47.599 --> 00:17:47.960
 us,

00:17:48.139 --> 00:17:48.539
 doesn't it,

00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:49.079
 that we

00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:50.639
 need good

00:17:50.639 --> 00:17:52.579
 examples of

00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:53.659
 evangelists,

00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:54.720
 people who

00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.119
 are willing

00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:55.720
 to speak

00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.179
 up for

00:17:56.179 --> 00:17:56.619
 Christ.

00:17:58.359 --> 00:17:58.859
 And our

00:17:58.859 --> 00:17:59.259
 fearlessness

00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:00.240
 for Christ

00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:00.759
 can be

00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.740
 encouraged

00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:02.140
 through

00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:02.640
 these

00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.240
 examples

00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:03.539
 of

00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:03.779
 others

00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:03.940
 and

00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:04.259
 that's

00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:04.480
 why

00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:04.720
 we

00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.299
 need

00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:07.099
 Christian

00:18:07.099 --> 00:18:07.859
 biographies

00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:08.359
 to read

00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:08.819
 as well.

00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:09.460
 Are you

00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:09.779
 going on

00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.059
 holiday?

00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:10.640
 Have you

00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:11.000
 been on

00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.700
 holiday yet?

00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:13.259
 Just seek

00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:13.559
 out,

00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:14.599
 bring a

00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:14.980
 Christian

00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:15.599
 biography,

00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:16.940
 an account

00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:18.119
 of somebody

00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:19.519
 who at

00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:19.960
 the cost

00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:20.500
 of everything

00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.099
 went and

00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:21.440
 served

00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:21.980
 Christ,

00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:22.759
 maybe

00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.700
 cross-cultural,

00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:25.400
 read something

00:18:25.400 --> 00:18:26.140
 like that

00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:27.319
 because it

00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:28.079
 can inspire

00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:28.980
 us to be

00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.619
 fearless as

00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:29.980
 we come

00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.500
 back home

00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.299
 again and

00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:31.839
 serve in

00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:32.319
 our local

00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:32.939
 churches.

00:18:35.379 --> 00:18:36.019
 I don't

00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:36.220
 know if

00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:36.599
 you've

00:18:36.599 --> 00:18:37.039
 watched

00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:37.839
 Show Me

00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:38.139
 Age

00:18:38.139 --> 00:18:38.460
 now,

00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:39.759
 Spartacus,

00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:40.559
 that film

00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:40.919
 from the

00:18:40.919 --> 00:18:41.679
 early 60s

00:18:41.679 --> 00:18:42.220
 by Kirk

00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:42.599
 Douglas,

00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:45.339
 and you

00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:45.740
 know the

00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.319
 line,

00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:46.819
 don't you,

00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.159
 when the

00:18:47.159 --> 00:18:47.899
 centurion

00:18:47.899 --> 00:18:48.699
 catches all

00:18:48.699 --> 00:18:48.939
 of the

00:18:48.939 --> 00:18:49.359
 men in

00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:49.899
 chains and

00:18:49.899 --> 00:18:50.359
 wants to

00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:50.759
 know which

00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.199
 one is

00:18:51.199 --> 00:18:52.019
 Spartacus.

00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.699
 And one

00:18:53.699 --> 00:18:54.359
 stands up

00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:54.659
 and says,

00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:54.879
 well,

00:18:54.939 --> 00:18:55.139
 I'm

00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:55.819
 Spartacus,

00:18:55.879 --> 00:18:56.179
 and then

00:18:56.179 --> 00:18:56.779
 somebody else

00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:56.919
 says,

00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:57.119
 well,

00:18:57.159 --> 00:18:57.359
 I'm

00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:58.000
 Spartacus,

00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:58.940
 and before

00:18:58.940 --> 00:19:00.059
 you know it,

00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:00.420
 they're all

00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:00.740
 saying,

00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.039
 I'm

00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:01.859
 Spartacus.

00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:02.900
 It's that

00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:04.039
 powerful moment

00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:04.859
 in the film

00:19:04.859 --> 00:19:08.140
 where everybody

00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:09.380
 is confident

00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:10.779
 enough to

00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:12.680
 identify with

00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:13.759
 the one the

00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.559
 Romans actually

00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:15.039
 want to

00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:15.559
 imprison.

00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:17.880
 And this

00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:18.319
 is what's

00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:18.740
 happening,

00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.279
 this is the

00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.140
 dynamic of

00:19:20.140 --> 00:19:20.819
 what's happening

00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:22.119
 as Paul

00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:22.700
 languishes

00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:23.339
 in prison.

00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:25.980
 we know

00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:26.959
 that he

00:19:26.959 --> 00:19:27.619
 was suffering.

00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:28.599
 We see

00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:29.000
 that in

00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:29.579
 other parts

00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:29.859
 of the

00:19:29.859 --> 00:19:30.179
 letter.

00:19:31.159 --> 00:19:31.659
 He refers

00:19:31.659 --> 00:19:32.119
 to this

00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:33.079
 fear of

00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:33.559
 sorrow

00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:33.959
 upon

00:19:33.959 --> 00:19:34.459
 sorrow

00:19:34.459 --> 00:19:35.059
 if the

00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:35.559
 elder

00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:36.480
 who came

00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:36.759
 from

00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.339
 Philippi,

00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.319
 Epaphroditus,

00:19:38.399 --> 00:19:39.059
 had died

00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:39.639
 because he'd

00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:40.220
 taken very

00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:41.039
 ill when

00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:41.599
 he visited

00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:42.099
 Paul.

00:19:43.699 --> 00:19:44.139
 And at

00:19:44.139 --> 00:19:44.699
 times we

00:19:44.699 --> 00:19:45.079
 know that

00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:45.699
 Paul felt

00:19:45.699 --> 00:19:46.439
 alone as

00:19:46.439 --> 00:19:47.079
 this pioneer

00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:48.079
 missionary of

00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:48.740
 the gospel

00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:49.480
 of God

00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:49.839
 to the

00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:50.259
 world.

00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:52.879
 But we

00:19:52.879 --> 00:19:53.619
 see that

00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:54.180
 in this

00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:55.079
 prison cell

00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:55.539
 he is

00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.079
 joyful

00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:56.900
 because

00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.579
 others are

00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:58.299
 inspired to

00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.000
 speak out

00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.700
 with Paul's

00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.140
 message

00:20:00.140 --> 00:20:01.259
 courageously

00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:01.879
 no matter

00:20:01.879 --> 00:20:02.359
 what the

00:20:02.359 --> 00:20:02.879
 cost.

00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:04.460
 You see

00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:05.079
 the gospel

00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:06.220
 was propagating

00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:06.759
 itself

00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.460
 through the

00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.200
 Holy Spirit

00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:10.519
 as Paul

00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.359
 expressed

00:20:11.359 --> 00:20:12.500
 this joy

00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:13.319
 of knowing

00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:13.859
 the gospel

00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:14.960
 was advancing

00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:16.319
 through him

00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:17.019
 being there

00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:18.379
 and through

00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:19.019
 others being

00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:19.819
 inspired to

00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.379
 speak up

00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:20.899
 for Christ

00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:21.500
 because they

00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:21.960
 knew he

00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:22.519
 was there.

00:20:25.139 --> 00:20:25.720
 Maybe just

00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.279
 turn quickly

00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:26.839
 to Romans

00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:27.839
 8 to

00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:28.359
 get the

00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:30.339
 real rich

00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:31.139
 perspective

00:20:31.139 --> 00:20:32.299
 of where

00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.079
 Paul's coming

00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:34.399
 from in

00:20:34.399 --> 00:20:34.799
 all of

00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:35.179
 this.

00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.220
 Romans 8

00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:36.919
 just verses

00:20:36.919 --> 00:20:37.879
 17 and

00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:38.339
 18.

00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:40.939
 Here's

00:20:40.939 --> 00:20:42.139
 what can

00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:42.839
 drive us

00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:43.619
 to have

00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:44.079
 the same

00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:44.759
 perspective

00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.399
 as Paul

00:20:45.399 --> 00:20:45.759
 in our

00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.220
 suffering.

00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:47.220
 Or maybe

00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:47.679
 just verse

00:20:47.679 --> 00:20:49.059
 18 of

00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:50.000
 Romans 8.

00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.220
 Paul just

00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:53.279
 says as

00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:53.679
 he thinks

00:20:53.679 --> 00:20:54.440
 about the

00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:55.240
 future glory

00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:55.819
 to come

00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:56.460
 that is

00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:57.079
 reserved for

00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:57.759
 him as a

00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.139
 Christian.

00:20:58.139 --> 00:20:58.879
 He says

00:20:58.879 --> 00:21:00.359
 I consider

00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:00.740
 that our

00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.119
 present

00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:01.960
 sufferings are

00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:02.539
 not worth

00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:03.819
 comparing with

00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.639
 the glory

00:21:04.639 --> 00:21:05.480
 that will be

00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.259
 revealed in

00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:06.700
 us.

00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.099
 That's

00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:09.619
 Paul's

00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:10.179
 perspective

00:21:10.179 --> 00:21:11.700
 and it's

00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.440
 what keeps

00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:13.259
 him faithful

00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:13.899
 to his

00:21:13.899 --> 00:21:14.539
 gospel

00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.619
 proclamation

00:21:15.619 --> 00:21:16.819
 even as

00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:17.480
 it results

00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:17.899
 in him

00:21:17.899 --> 00:21:18.759
 being in

00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.299
 chains.

00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.559
 Can we

00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.039
 have that

00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:21.639
 perspective?

00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:24.319
 Considering

00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:25.639
 our present

00:21:25.639 --> 00:21:26.299
 sufferings

00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:26.839
 even if

00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.079
 they're

00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:27.599
 connected

00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:28.099
 to our

00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:28.839
 witness as

00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:29.379
 Christians

00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:31.440
 as not

00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.399
 worth comparing

00:21:32.399 --> 00:21:33.500
 to what is

00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.420
 reserved for

00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:35.799
 us as

00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:36.240
 Christians.

00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:39.900
 So we

00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:40.440
 see that

00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:40.880
 Paul's

00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:41.400
 perspective

00:21:41.400 --> 00:21:42.099
 on suffering

00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:42.620
 means that

00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:43.359
 he understands

00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.180
 that the

00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:44.859
 gospel is

00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:45.640
 advanced in

00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:46.200
 verses 12

00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:46.660
 to 14.

00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:47.220
 What about

00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:47.960
 verses 15

00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.460
 to 18?

00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:49.819
 We also

00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.460
 see something

00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:51.180
 interesting

00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:52.759
 that even

00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:54.120
 Paul's own

00:21:54.120 --> 00:21:55.400
 assassination of

00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:55.980
 character

00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:57.880
 advances the

00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.319
 gospel.

00:21:59.599 --> 00:21:59.980
 In verses

00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:01.120
 15 to 18

00:22:01.120 --> 00:22:01.759
 we read

00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.420
 that there's

00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:02.819
 a lot of

00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:03.799
 argy-bargy

00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.660
 going on

00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:05.379
 as Paul

00:22:05.379 --> 00:22:05.740
 is in

00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.299
 prison as

00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:06.640
 well.

00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:08.359
 You see

00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:08.779
 Paul was

00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.559
 also aware

00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:10.039
 of those

00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:10.900
 opposed to

00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:11.640
 him as

00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:12.180
 a leader

00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:12.799
 or just

00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.379
 as Paul.

00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:15.279
 And he

00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:15.859
 describes

00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:16.640
 these people

00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:17.559
 as those

00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:17.839
 who were

00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:18.440
 publicly

00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:19.180
 proclaiming

00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:19.519
 Jesus

00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.559
 but maybe

00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:20.879
 for the

00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:21.640
 wrong reasons.

00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:22.859
 Some of

00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.220
 them he

00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:24.019
 refers to

00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:24.940
 preaching

00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:25.500
 the gospel

00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.079
 maybe or

00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:26.879
 proclaiming

00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:27.420
 the gospel

00:22:27.420 --> 00:22:28.099
 in some

00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:29.039
 way out

00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:29.740
 of envy

00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.619
 and rivalry

00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:31.339
 with Paul.

00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:33.279
 There was

00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:33.879
 some bad

00:22:33.879 --> 00:22:34.299
 blood.

00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.740
 There was

00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.460
 some opposition.

00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:37.980
 There were

00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:38.379
 those who

00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:39.299
 were competing

00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:39.879
 with Paul

00:22:39.879 --> 00:22:40.619
 and seeking

00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:41.480
 to undermine

00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.359
 his ministry.

00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:44.579
 They were

00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:45.099
 maybe even

00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:45.819
 in the church

00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:47.759
 proclaiming

00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.359
 Jesus

00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:50.299
 for the

00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:51.000
 wrong reasons

00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.420
 out of a

00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:53.519
 selfish ambition

00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:54.799
 with insincere

00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.259
 hearts

00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.059
 thinking that

00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:56.339
 they would

00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:56.819
 make more

00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.379
 trouble for

00:22:57.379 --> 00:22:58.019
 Paul whilst

00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:58.519
 he was in

00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.180
 prison even.

00:22:59.619 --> 00:22:59.879
 And of

00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:00.259
 course

00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:01.079
 can you

00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:01.680
 imagine how

00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:02.000
 that would

00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:02.720
 feel when

00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:03.000
 you're in

00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.620
 that powerless

00:23:03.620 --> 00:23:04.299
 place in

00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:04.740
 a cell.

00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.220
 That's when

00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:08.200
 those things

00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:08.720
 can really

00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.340
 get to you

00:23:09.340 --> 00:23:09.720
 and you

00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:10.279
 really do

00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:10.720
 suffer

00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:12.060
 psychologically

00:23:12.060 --> 00:23:13.779
 perhaps as

00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.360
 you feel

00:23:14.360 --> 00:23:15.400
 let down

00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:16.299
 and abused

00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:17.019
 by those

00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:17.980
 outside the

00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.299
 cell.

00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.340
 There's no doubt

00:23:20.340 --> 00:23:21.039
 that Paul must

00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.320
 have been

00:23:21.320 --> 00:23:22.320
 deeply hurt

00:23:22.320 --> 00:23:24.200
 and there's

00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:24.620
 no doubt

00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:25.299
 we can see

00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:25.799
 that sin

00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.440
 was prevalent

00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.560
 even in the

00:23:27.560 --> 00:23:28.500
 church as

00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.279
 Paul was

00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:29.960
 languishing in

00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.279
 prison.

00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:32.920
 And also

00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.440
 there would

00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:33.660
 have been

00:23:33.660 --> 00:23:34.039
 those who

00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.720
 were belittling

00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.360
 the gospel

00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:35.860
 that Paul

00:23:35.860 --> 00:23:36.240
 was in

00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:36.980
 prison for.

00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:37.759
 There were

00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.640
 the Judaizers

00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:39.579
 Paul's

00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:40.559
 constant thorn

00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:40.920
 in his

00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:41.460
 side who

00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.279
 kept saying

00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:42.819
 and he

00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.420
 keeps dealing

00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:43.900
 with in his

00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:44.720
 letters there

00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.059
 were this

00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:46.019
 group who

00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.920
 kept saying

00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:48.059
 that yes

00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.480
 it's great

00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:48.860
 to be a

00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:49.319
 Christian but

00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:49.740
 you need to

00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.200
 add all of

00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:50.519
 our Old

00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:50.840
 Testament

00:23:50.840 --> 00:23:51.600
 traditions as

00:23:51.600 --> 00:23:52.460
 well really

00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:53.059
 to believe in

00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:53.559
 the gospel.

00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:54.840
 And they kept

00:23:54.840 --> 00:23:55.440
 saying this to

00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.000
 the Greeks who

00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.480
 were coming from

00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:57.340
 a pagan background

00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:58.259
 coming into

00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:58.859
 the church and

00:23:58.859 --> 00:23:59.000
 they were

00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.679
 saying oh it's

00:23:59.679 --> 00:24:00.240
 great that you

00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:01.179
 know Jesus but

00:24:01.179 --> 00:24:01.539
 have you been

00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:02.299
 circumcised?

00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.599
 Have you gone

00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:05.059
 through this?

00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:06.379
 Are you making

00:24:06.379 --> 00:24:06.980
 sure that you're

00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:08.099
 ceremonially clean?

00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.599
 They were a real

00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.619
 pain in the neck to

00:24:10.619 --> 00:24:11.139
 Paul and his

00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:12.179
 ministry because

00:24:12.179 --> 00:24:13.839
 their practice and

00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:14.819
 their teaching was

00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.839
 undermining the

00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:16.679
 gospel of Christ.

00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:17.899
 And they were

00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:18.879
 jumping up as well

00:24:18.879 --> 00:24:19.579
 at this time.

00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.459
 Paul writes about

00:24:20.459 --> 00:24:21.319
 them in chapter 3

00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:21.899
 of the letter.

00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:23.599
 They were taking

00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:24.559
 the opportunity to

00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.859
 say well you see

00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:27.119
 this proves that

00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:28.099
 what Paul says

00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:28.759
 is wrong.

00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.139
 They were

00:24:31.139 --> 00:24:32.119
 preaching this

00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:33.199
 Jewish tradition

00:24:33.199 --> 00:24:35.099
 was needed for

00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:35.979
 a person to be

00:24:35.979 --> 00:24:36.459
 saved.

00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:39.899
 But in verse 18

00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:40.799
 here is Paul's

00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.819
 conclusion to

00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:42.299
 all of the

00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:43.139
 argy-bargy.

00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.399
 To all of the

00:24:44.399 --> 00:24:45.659
 trouble that's

00:24:45.659 --> 00:24:46.779
 connected as well

00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.939
 to him being in

00:24:47.939 --> 00:24:48.219
 prison.

00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:49.959
 What does he

00:24:49.959 --> 00:24:50.240
 say?

00:24:50.919 --> 00:24:51.799
 He has come to

00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.579
 a position in his

00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.339
 mind hasn't he?

00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:54.699
 In verse 18

00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:56.700
 despite all the

00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.779
 sinful motives and

00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:59.080
 the fallen rhetoric

00:24:59.080 --> 00:25:01.000
 of people he's

00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.120
 saying that Christ

00:25:02.120 --> 00:25:03.400
 is being preached.

00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:04.640
 Christ is being

00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.519
 put on the map.

00:25:06.019 --> 00:25:07.259
 Christ is being

00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:08.140
 referred to.

00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:13.340
 And so even as

00:25:13.340 --> 00:25:14.740
 he is being hurt,

00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:17.019
 even as he is

00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:18.519
 being publicly

00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.840
 slighted and

00:25:19.840 --> 00:25:21.680
 receiving this

00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:22.980
 character assassination

00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:24.120
 as a person,

00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.500
 Paul is saying

00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:27.259
 yeah, it's

00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:27.599
 okay.

00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.759
 Because Christ

00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.839
 is being

00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:32.079
 referred to.

00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:32.779
 That means

00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.680
 even as the

00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.559
 gospel is being

00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.860
 explained by

00:25:35.860 --> 00:25:36.360
 those who

00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:37.140
 reject it.

00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.259
 Well you see

00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:38.779
 this is what

00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:39.480
 Paul believes

00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:40.200
 back in prison

00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:40.880
 and they may

00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:41.240
 have been

00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.880
 explaining.

00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.839
 Paul is saying

00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.279
 it doesn't

00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:44.559
 matter.

00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.440
 Christ is

00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.400
 being preached.

00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:47.480
 preached.

00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:50.500
 The Spirit of God

00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:52.500
 can only have

00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:54.000
 helped Paul to

00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:54.820
 have this joyful

00:25:54.820 --> 00:25:55.900
 perspective whilst

00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:56.519
 in prison.

00:25:57.580 --> 00:25:58.480
 Even though there

00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.300
 were those attacking

00:25:59.300 --> 00:26:00.460
 him as they preached

00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:02.240
 Christ or as they

00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.420
 referred to Christ.

00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:05.160
 And Paul's

00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:06.240
 perspective on his

00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:07.820
 pain is to look

00:26:07.820 --> 00:26:09.080
 beyond the immediate

00:26:09.080 --> 00:26:10.820
 experience of that

00:26:10.820 --> 00:26:11.759
 pain in the

00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:13.240
 present, in his

00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:14.400
 circumstance, the

00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.600
 way people were

00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:16.259
 hurting him.

00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.680
 And he looks

00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.560
 beyond it again.

00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:19.560
 He keeps looking

00:26:19.560 --> 00:26:21.080
 at the horizon of

00:26:21.080 --> 00:26:21.580
 glory.

00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:24.019
 He is not dwelling

00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.720
 in the present

00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.259
 suffering.

00:26:26.120 --> 00:26:26.980
 He is looking

00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.860
 beyond it.

00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.120
 He could see that

00:26:29.120 --> 00:26:29.840
 the kingdom of

00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:30.720
 Christ was being

00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:32.640
 advanced no matter

00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:34.060
 what and that was

00:26:34.060 --> 00:26:35.080
 the source of his

00:26:35.080 --> 00:26:35.519
 joy.

00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.200
 And so we

00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:41.000
 must acknowledge

00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:42.540
 that in all

00:26:42.540 --> 00:26:44.220
 circumstances for

00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.299
 us this morning,

00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.660
 if we are

00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:49.319
 Christians, all

00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:50.600
 our circumstances

00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:52.480
 can be good

00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:55.500
 if we believe

00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:58.279
 in the sovereign

00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:58.980
 God of the

00:26:58.980 --> 00:26:59.339
 Bible.

00:27:02.100 --> 00:27:02.559
 Paul's

00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.500
 circumstance as a

00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.460
 follower of Christ

00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.819
 was God's

00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:06.980
 sovereign means

00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:08.299
 of saving

00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:09.200
 Paul from

00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.519
 death and

00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.200
 from hell.

00:27:12.660 --> 00:27:13.339
 And so Paul

00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:14.480
 rejoiced because

00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.480
 his imprisonment

00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:16.339
 meant that the

00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.119
 gospel was being

00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:17.980
 gossiped around.

00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.279
 And now we

00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.159
 read in verses

00:27:20.159 --> 00:27:21.579
 15 to 18 that

00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.459
 Paul was joyful

00:27:22.459 --> 00:27:23.619
 because he knew

00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:24.439
 that his present

00:27:24.439 --> 00:27:25.759
 suffering was

00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.980
 actually part of

00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:28.599
 this process of

00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:29.980
 being Christ's

00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.539
 disciples.

00:27:31.439 --> 00:27:32.599
 His suffering

00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:34.980
 were reinforcing

00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:36.519
 his new identity

00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:37.240
 in Jesus.

00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:38.959
 They proved that

00:27:38.959 --> 00:27:40.019
 he was actually

00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:41.079
 like Jesus,

00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:42.460
 being led to

00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.519
 future glory.

00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.179
 And he knew

00:27:45.179 --> 00:27:45.519
 it.

00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:47.119
 He knew that

00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:48.439
 his pain was

00:27:48.439 --> 00:27:51.019
 somehow empathizing

00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:52.019
 to some degree

00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:53.500
 with the pain that

00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:54.259
 Christ went

00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:55.439
 through when

00:27:55.439 --> 00:27:56.480
 he, the creator

00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.299
 of the heavens and

00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:57.740
 the earth,

00:27:58.319 --> 00:27:59.419
 suffered pain for

00:27:59.419 --> 00:27:59.759
 him.

00:28:01.139 --> 00:28:01.980
 Look at verse

00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:02.539
 19.

00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:07.639
 For I know

00:28:07.639 --> 00:28:08.159
 that through

00:28:08.159 --> 00:28:09.059
 your prayers

00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:10.000
 and the help

00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.759
 given by the

00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.500
 spirit of

00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:12.480
 Jesus Christ,

00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.299
 what has

00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:14.000
 happened to

00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:15.200
 me will turn

00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.159
 out for my

00:28:16.159 --> 00:28:17.119
 deliverance.

00:28:19.619 --> 00:28:20.319
 So we've got

00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:20.940
 to reflect on

00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:21.339
 this now,

00:28:21.399 --> 00:28:21.539
 won't we,

00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:21.920
 for a sec,

00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:22.500
 before we move

00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:22.680
 on?

00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:26.680
 What are

00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:27.420
 you doing

00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:30.019
 with your

00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.920
 circumstances?

00:28:33.060 --> 00:28:33.680
 What are

00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.039
 you doing

00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.660
 in your

00:28:34.660 --> 00:28:35.400
 circumstance

00:28:35.400 --> 00:28:36.180
 that you've

00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:36.840
 carried in

00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:37.400
 here this

00:28:37.400 --> 00:28:37.759
 morning?

00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.200
 The one

00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:40.700
 that's with

00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.279
 you all the

00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:41.660
 time.

00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:43.420
 The new

00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:44.000
 one that has

00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.660
 arrived and

00:28:44.660 --> 00:28:45.060
 you don't

00:28:45.060 --> 00:28:45.480
 want.

00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.259
 Are you

00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.820
 trying to run

00:28:48.820 --> 00:28:49.340
 away from

00:28:49.340 --> 00:28:49.560
 it?

00:28:51.360 --> 00:28:51.980
 Do you

00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.600
 perceive it as

00:28:52.600 --> 00:28:53.200
 some kind of

00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:54.180
 punishment from

00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:54.640
 God?

00:28:55.800 --> 00:28:56.380
 Do you see

00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:56.759
 it as a

00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.360
 reason to

00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:58.059
 sulk with

00:28:58.059 --> 00:28:59.039
 God and

00:28:59.039 --> 00:28:59.519
 sulk with

00:28:59.519 --> 00:28:59.879
 God's

00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:00.599
 people and

00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:01.439
 maybe disobey

00:29:01.439 --> 00:29:01.839
 him?

00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:05.839
 Back in

00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:06.579
 Romans 8,

00:29:06.979 --> 00:29:07.559
 Paul says,

00:29:07.639 --> 00:29:07.939
 doesn't he,

00:29:07.979 --> 00:29:08.979
 in verse 28,

00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:09.799
 that in

00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:11.199
 all things

00:29:11.199 --> 00:29:14.839
 God is

00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:15.619
 working out

00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:16.579
 his purposes

00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:18.759
 for those

00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.179
 who love

00:29:19.179 --> 00:29:19.479
 him.

00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.419
 Paul's

00:29:23.419 --> 00:29:24.259
 perspective on

00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:25.959
 suffering is

00:29:25.959 --> 00:29:26.859
 that God is

00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:27.479
 leading him

00:29:27.479 --> 00:29:27.679
 leading him to

00:29:27.679 --> 00:29:28.559
 glory through

00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:29.319
 his suffering

00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:30.559
 and therefore

00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:31.699
 he's looking

00:29:31.699 --> 00:29:32.459
 beyond it

00:29:32.459 --> 00:29:33.259
 and so

00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:34.039
 should we.

00:29:35.199 --> 00:29:35.639
 Keeping

00:29:35.639 --> 00:29:36.959
 perspective.

00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:39.119
 Lastly,

00:29:39.639 --> 00:29:40.319
 verses 19

00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:41.019
 to 26,

00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.459
 we see that

00:29:42.459 --> 00:29:43.179
 even the

00:29:43.179 --> 00:29:44.240
 prospect of

00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:44.679
 death

00:29:44.679 --> 00:29:46.500
 secures us

00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.179
 in the gospel

00:29:47.179 --> 00:29:48.659
 and this is

00:29:48.659 --> 00:29:49.679
 what Paul saw

00:29:49.679 --> 00:29:50.839
 as he has

00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:51.839
 this perspective

00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:52.719
 on suffering

00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:54.100
 suffering in

00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:54.779
 his life.

00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:55.420
 Look at

00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:56.240
 verse 20.

00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.259
 I eagerly

00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:58.980
 expect and

00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.500
 hope that I

00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.279
 will in no

00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:00.620
 way be

00:30:00.620 --> 00:30:01.519
 ashamed but

00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:01.920
 will have

00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:02.420
 sufficient

00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:03.420
 courage so

00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:04.039
 that now as

00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.980
 always Christ

00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.400
 will be

00:30:05.400 --> 00:30:06.079
 exalted in

00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:06.700
 my body

00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.620
 whether by

00:30:07.620 --> 00:30:08.519
 life or

00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:09.220
 by death.

00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.500
 Do you see

00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.500
 how positive

00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.380
 Paul is?

00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:15.200
 Paul knew

00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:15.620
 that his

00:30:15.620 --> 00:30:16.539
 pain was

00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:17.220
 as a result

00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:17.680
 of his

00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.400
 witness to

00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:19.660
 Christ and

00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.100
 to the good

00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:20.740
 news and

00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.099
 so he

00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:22.000
 knew that

00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.799
 Jesus was

00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:24.000
 being exalted

00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:25.599
 through the

00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:26.299
 suffering in

00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:27.199
 his life and

00:30:27.199 --> 00:30:27.899
 so then there

00:30:27.899 --> 00:30:28.399
 is this

00:30:28.399 --> 00:30:30.599
 overconfident

00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:31.219
 if you like

00:30:31.219 --> 00:30:33.000
 eager expectation

00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:34.099
 and future

00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:35.240
 hope in

00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:36.019
 his life

00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:37.219
 as a servant

00:30:37.219 --> 00:30:37.819
 of Jesus.

00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.079
 He was

00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:40.240
 confident that

00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:40.759
 he would be

00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.559
 able to stand

00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:42.379
 before Jesus

00:30:42.379 --> 00:30:43.159
 in the future

00:30:43.159 --> 00:30:44.679
 as one who

00:30:44.679 --> 00:30:45.839
 fought for the

00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:46.579
 cause of

00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:47.299
 Christ in

00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:47.899
 his life.

00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:50.160
 he was

00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:50.860
 looking forward

00:30:50.860 --> 00:30:51.259
 to the

00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:52.680
 reward from

00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.940
 Jesus as

00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:55.360
 he hid in

00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:56.220
 Christ in

00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:56.720
 the present

00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:58.040
 and represented

00:30:58.040 --> 00:30:58.480
 him.

00:30:59.259 --> 00:30:59.740
 He was

00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:00.700
 convinced and

00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.000
 he was

00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:02.860
 delighted in

00:31:02.860 --> 00:31:04.220
 Jesus his

00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:05.980
 savior and

00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:06.380
 he was

00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:08.180
 privileged even

00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:09.640
 to know that

00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:10.960
 he was Jesus

00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.519
 was being

00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.400
 exalted in

00:31:12.400 --> 00:31:13.500
 his body as

00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:14.640
 a prisoner of

00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:15.240
 the Lord

00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:15.620
 Jesus.

00:31:15.619 --> 00:31:15.899
 us.

00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:20.159
 But the

00:31:20.159 --> 00:31:20.879
 truth is

00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:22.500
 as Paul was

00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.299
 probably wrestling

00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:23.899
 with this in

00:31:23.899 --> 00:31:24.479
 his cell

00:31:24.479 --> 00:31:27.379
 pain and

00:31:27.379 --> 00:31:29.039
 suffering and

00:31:29.039 --> 00:31:31.019
 dislike and

00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:32.500
 unpopularity and

00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:34.079
 disdain as a

00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:35.739
 Christian we

00:31:35.739 --> 00:31:36.559
 don't want it

00:31:36.559 --> 00:31:37.000
 do we?

00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:39.159
 We avoid putting

00:31:39.159 --> 00:31:39.879
 ourselves into

00:31:39.879 --> 00:31:40.699
 that situation.

00:31:41.159 --> 00:31:42.159
 We maybe fear

00:31:42.159 --> 00:31:43.059
 the pain we can

00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:44.599
 receive because of

00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:46.819
 what we think

00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:48.439
 it means to

00:31:48.439 --> 00:31:48.819
 us.

00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:51.219
 But here's the

00:31:51.219 --> 00:31:52.079
 true perspective.

00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.899
 For Paul he

00:31:54.899 --> 00:31:55.899
 is rejoicing

00:31:55.899 --> 00:31:56.980
 knowing that

00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:57.939
 that pain of

00:31:57.939 --> 00:31:58.539
 the present

00:31:58.539 --> 00:32:00.899
 experienced because

00:32:00.899 --> 00:32:01.659
 of his public

00:32:01.659 --> 00:32:02.339
 faith in

00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:04.819
 Jesus is

00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:05.679
 leading him to

00:32:05.679 --> 00:32:06.579
 future glory.

00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:08.459
 And so he's

00:32:08.459 --> 00:32:09.299
 looking forward

00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:09.759
 to that.

00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:10.679
 He knew his

00:32:10.679 --> 00:32:11.480
 time in prison

00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:12.279
 wasn't

00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:12.940
 embarrassing.

00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:15.140
 He knew that

00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:15.860
 his suffering

00:32:15.860 --> 00:32:16.839
 wasn't

00:32:16.839 --> 00:32:17.360
 pointless.

00:32:18.360 --> 00:32:19.440
 He knew that

00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:20.160
 it was leading

00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:20.640
 him to

00:32:20.640 --> 00:32:21.240
 Christ.

00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:26.079
 Today,

00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:29.319
 do we,

00:32:30.660 --> 00:32:31.360
 the Lord's

00:32:31.360 --> 00:32:31.839
 people,

00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:35.140
 share Paul's

00:32:35.140 --> 00:32:36.180
 clear conviction

00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:37.200
 on suffering?

00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:39.860
 does our

00:32:39.860 --> 00:32:40.539
 suffering

00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:42.259
 actually

00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:43.259
 increase

00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:44.240
 our focus

00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:45.100
 and worship

00:32:45.100 --> 00:32:45.680
 on the

00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:46.019
 Lord?

00:32:47.400 --> 00:32:47.920
 Or are we

00:32:47.920 --> 00:32:48.480
 just bad

00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:49.000
 tempered

00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:49.360
 Christians?

00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:53.680
 We need

00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:53.960
 him.

00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:55.960
 And we need

00:32:55.960 --> 00:32:56.380
 Paul's

00:32:56.380 --> 00:32:56.980
 perspective

00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:57.779
 or we

00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:58.720
 cannot be

00:32:58.720 --> 00:32:59.580
 active,

00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.400
 vital

00:33:00.400 --> 00:33:01.180
 believers

00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:02.100
 in our

00:33:02.100 --> 00:33:02.559
 churches.

00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:02.759
 others.

00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:05.419
 Much of

00:33:05.419 --> 00:33:06.000
 our lives

00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:06.399
 can be

00:33:06.399 --> 00:33:06.700
 about

00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.919
 focusing

00:33:07.919 --> 00:33:08.519
 on what's

00:33:08.519 --> 00:33:08.779
 most

00:33:08.779 --> 00:33:09.419
 comfortable

00:33:09.419 --> 00:33:10.059
 in the

00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:10.379
 West.

00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:10.659
 Isn't

00:33:10.659 --> 00:33:11.179
 that true?

00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:12.980
 What's

00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:13.740
 the easiest,

00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:15.139
 most lucrative

00:33:15.139 --> 00:33:16.200
 way for

00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:16.659
 me to

00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:17.220
 proceed

00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:18.039
 through life

00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.500
 while I'm

00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.200
 still here?

00:33:21.119 --> 00:33:21.819
 And of

00:33:21.819 --> 00:33:22.079
 course,

00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:22.579
 we don't

00:33:22.579 --> 00:33:23.019
 want to be

00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:23.599
 irresponsible.

00:33:23.859 --> 00:33:24.159
 We need

00:33:24.159 --> 00:33:24.659
 wisdom,

00:33:25.419 --> 00:33:26.099
 especially if

00:33:26.099 --> 00:33:26.500
 we're bringing

00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.200
 up children.

00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:27.960
 We need

00:33:27.960 --> 00:33:28.339
 to know

00:33:28.339 --> 00:33:28.879
 how we're

00:33:28.879 --> 00:33:29.440
 to progress

00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.099
 and plan

00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.859
 through life.

00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:31.819
 But for

00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:32.460
 Paul the

00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:33.039
 Apostle,

00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:34.259
 he has

00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:34.980
 this grand

00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.659
 perspective

00:33:35.659 --> 00:33:36.419
 that we

00:33:36.419 --> 00:33:37.099
 all should

00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:37.799
 own this

00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:38.119
 morning.

00:33:39.299 --> 00:33:39.679
 He

00:33:39.679 --> 00:33:40.439
 realised that

00:33:40.439 --> 00:33:41.819
 the circumstance

00:33:41.819 --> 00:33:42.399
 of his

00:33:42.399 --> 00:33:42.759
 life,

00:33:42.859 --> 00:33:43.439
 even if it

00:33:43.439 --> 00:33:43.700
 meant

00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:44.179
 chains,

00:33:44.619 --> 00:33:45.480
 was part

00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:45.839
 of this

00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:46.419
 investment

00:33:46.419 --> 00:33:46.939
 for the

00:33:46.939 --> 00:33:47.480
 future

00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:48.119
 reality

00:33:48.119 --> 00:33:49.259
 of seeing

00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:49.799
 Jesus.

00:33:51.299 --> 00:33:51.639
 His

00:33:51.639 --> 00:33:52.079
 journeys

00:33:52.079 --> 00:33:52.659
 from town

00:33:52.659 --> 00:33:53.119
 to town,

00:33:53.559 --> 00:33:53.960
 confronting

00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:54.559
 people with

00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:54.980
 the truth

00:33:54.980 --> 00:33:55.319
 in the

00:33:55.319 --> 00:33:55.899
 synagogues

00:33:55.899 --> 00:33:56.159
 of the

00:33:56.159 --> 00:33:56.439
 day,

00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:56.960
 were

00:33:56.960 --> 00:33:57.679
 confirming

00:33:57.679 --> 00:33:58.419
 the power

00:33:58.419 --> 00:33:58.779
 of the

00:33:58.779 --> 00:33:59.179
 gospel

00:33:59.179 --> 00:33:59.799
 in his

00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:00.019
 own

00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:00.519
 life.

00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:01.980
 His

00:34:01.980 --> 00:34:02.519
 future

00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.019
 was being

00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:03.639
 secured

00:34:03.639 --> 00:34:04.240
 as he

00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:05.099
 lived out

00:34:05.099 --> 00:34:05.740
 the gospel

00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:06.759
 even in

00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:07.200
 a prison

00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:07.619
 cell.

00:34:08.759 --> 00:34:09.300
 He was

00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:09.820
 looking

00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:10.559
 beyond

00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:10.960
 the

00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.360
 present.

00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:13.179
 And it

00:34:13.179 --> 00:34:13.759
 helped him

00:34:13.759 --> 00:34:14.000
 to put

00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:14.619
 his present

00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.139
 suffering

00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:15.739
 in

00:34:15.739 --> 00:34:16.579
 perspective.

00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:21.179
 in the

00:34:21.179 --> 00:34:21.579
 evangelical

00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:22.059
 world,

00:34:22.179 --> 00:34:22.279
 the

00:34:22.279 --> 00:34:22.739
 common

00:34:22.739 --> 00:34:23.699
 assumption

00:34:23.699 --> 00:34:24.380
 and the

00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:24.779
 common

00:34:24.779 --> 00:34:26.000
 false

00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:26.579
 doctrine

00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:27.139
 is that

00:34:27.139 --> 00:34:27.699
 if anything

00:34:27.699 --> 00:34:28.299
 bad is

00:34:28.299 --> 00:34:28.719
 happening

00:34:28.719 --> 00:34:29.340
 to us,

00:34:29.719 --> 00:34:30.380
 we must

00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:30.920
 pray it

00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:31.259
 away,

00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:31.799
 and if it

00:34:31.799 --> 00:34:32.159
 doesn't

00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:32.900
 go away,

00:34:33.519 --> 00:34:34.119
 our faith

00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:34.619
 obviously

00:34:34.619 --> 00:34:34.960
 isn't

00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:35.420
 strong

00:34:35.420 --> 00:34:35.900
 enough.

00:34:37.900 --> 00:34:38.719
 How do

00:34:38.719 --> 00:34:39.400
 we square

00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:40.360
 that common

00:34:40.360 --> 00:34:41.799
 presented

00:34:41.799 --> 00:34:42.920
 teaching in

00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:43.380
 churches

00:34:43.380 --> 00:34:44.719
 with what

00:34:44.719 --> 00:34:45.340
 Paul says

00:34:45.340 --> 00:34:45.660
 here?

00:34:46.620 --> 00:34:47.360
 Because what

00:34:47.360 --> 00:34:47.800
 Paul is

00:34:47.800 --> 00:34:48.640
 saying is

00:34:48.640 --> 00:34:49.280
 the polar

00:34:49.280 --> 00:34:50.440
 opposite to

00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:51.039
 the health,

00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:51.680
 wealth,

00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:53.039
 prosperity

00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:53.780
 gospel that

00:34:53.780 --> 00:34:54.140
 is so

00:34:54.140 --> 00:34:54.640
 common on

00:34:54.640 --> 00:34:55.220
 our TVs

00:34:55.220 --> 00:34:55.940
 and in

00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.460
 our churches

00:34:56.460 --> 00:34:57.000
 even in

00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:57.380
 Cork.

00:34:57.380 --> 00:35:01.740
 we can

00:35:01.740 --> 00:35:02.340
 be lifted

00:35:02.340 --> 00:35:04.300
 like

00:35:04.300 --> 00:35:04.960
 Paul's

00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:05.440
 word,

00:35:06.300 --> 00:35:06.599
 like

00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:07.119
 Paul's

00:35:07.119 --> 00:35:08.059
 life

00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:12.099
 through

00:35:12.099 --> 00:35:12.880
 the reality

00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:14.559
 of future

00:35:14.559 --> 00:35:15.240
 glory in

00:35:15.240 --> 00:35:16.240
 Christ in

00:35:16.240 --> 00:35:17.079
 our present

00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:17.940
 sufferings.

00:35:19.660 --> 00:35:19.920
 As

00:35:19.920 --> 00:35:20.760
 Christ's

00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:21.320
 subject,

00:35:21.760 --> 00:35:22.559
 Paul was

00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:23.800
 certain that

00:35:23.800 --> 00:35:24.460
 his suffering

00:35:24.460 --> 00:35:25.260
 was not in

00:35:25.260 --> 00:35:25.559
 vain.

00:35:25.559 --> 00:35:28.799
 it was

00:35:28.799 --> 00:35:29.360
 God's

00:35:29.360 --> 00:35:29.860
 route

00:35:29.860 --> 00:35:31.299
 for Paul

00:35:31.299 --> 00:35:32.579
 to enter

00:35:32.579 --> 00:35:33.079
 glory.

00:35:34.279 --> 00:35:34.619
 And because

00:35:34.619 --> 00:35:34.960
 of that

00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:35.559
 perspective,

00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:36.900
 Paul had

00:35:36.900 --> 00:35:37.179
 on his

00:35:37.179 --> 00:35:37.619
 present

00:35:37.619 --> 00:35:38.079
 pain,

00:35:38.799 --> 00:35:39.239
 I want

00:35:39.239 --> 00:35:39.559
 us to

00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:39.920
 see that

00:35:39.920 --> 00:35:40.420
 something's

00:35:40.420 --> 00:35:40.840
 happening.

00:35:41.019 --> 00:35:41.320
 Look at

00:35:41.320 --> 00:35:42.259
 verse 21.

00:35:43.539 --> 00:35:43.840
 Because

00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:44.380
 Paul didn't

00:35:44.380 --> 00:35:44.599
 just,

00:35:44.779 --> 00:35:45.400
 he's not

00:35:45.400 --> 00:35:46.219
 focusing on

00:35:46.219 --> 00:35:46.699
 the present.

00:35:47.119 --> 00:35:47.360
 Oh,

00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:47.920
 life's

00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:48.259
 tough.

00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:48.759
 How are

00:35:48.759 --> 00:35:49.000
 you getting

00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:49.259
 on?

00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:49.920
 Oh,

00:35:50.099 --> 00:35:51.159
 I'm really

00:35:51.159 --> 00:35:51.940
 struggling with

00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:52.139
 this.

00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:53.319
 He wasn't

00:35:53.319 --> 00:35:54.039
 focusing

00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:55.139
 completely on

00:35:55.139 --> 00:35:55.639
 the present

00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:56.219
 suffering.

00:35:57.779 --> 00:35:58.119
 He was

00:35:58.119 --> 00:35:59.039
 focusing on

00:35:59.039 --> 00:35:59.699
 the future,

00:35:59.920 --> 00:36:00.679
 verse 21.

00:36:01.319 --> 00:36:01.920
 For to me,

00:36:02.059 --> 00:36:02.219
 you know,

00:36:02.440 --> 00:36:02.679
 look,

00:36:02.779 --> 00:36:03.119
 this is the

00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:05.259
 sum up of

00:36:05.259 --> 00:36:05.719
 my life,

00:36:05.819 --> 00:36:06.179
 says Paul.

00:36:06.440 --> 00:36:06.859
 For me,

00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:07.079
 well,

00:36:07.139 --> 00:36:07.319
 you know,

00:36:07.599 --> 00:36:07.980
 it's either

00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:08.519
 to live,

00:36:08.599 --> 00:36:08.980
 live is

00:36:08.980 --> 00:36:10.059
 Christ,

00:36:10.879 --> 00:36:11.379
 and whatever

00:36:11.379 --> 00:36:12.019
 that means,

00:36:12.119 --> 00:36:12.460
 including

00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:12.900
 prison,

00:36:14.719 --> 00:36:15.119
 and to

00:36:15.119 --> 00:36:15.819
 die is

00:36:15.819 --> 00:36:17.039
 gravy.

00:36:17.739 --> 00:36:18.359
 To die

00:36:18.359 --> 00:36:19.039
 is gain.

00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:22.019
 here's the

00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:22.300
 great

00:36:22.300 --> 00:36:23.440
 summarizing

00:36:23.440 --> 00:36:24.039
 verse of

00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:24.980
 the suffering

00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:25.599
 Christian.

00:36:26.860 --> 00:36:27.699
 Here's the

00:36:27.699 --> 00:36:28.599
 glorious

00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:30.219
 context in

00:36:30.219 --> 00:36:30.940
 which Paul

00:36:30.940 --> 00:36:32.820
 places his

00:36:32.820 --> 00:36:33.980
 sufferings in

00:36:33.980 --> 00:36:34.460
 prison.

00:36:36.139 --> 00:36:36.639
 And so for

00:36:36.639 --> 00:36:36.900
 us,

00:36:37.019 --> 00:36:37.219
 friends,

00:36:37.300 --> 00:36:37.860
 it reminds

00:36:37.860 --> 00:36:38.699
 us that

00:36:38.699 --> 00:36:39.840
 we are

00:36:39.840 --> 00:36:40.320
 in a

00:36:40.320 --> 00:36:40.980
 victorious

00:36:40.980 --> 00:36:41.880
 life.

00:36:42.599 --> 00:36:43.079
 Not

00:36:43.079 --> 00:36:43.599
 because of

00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:44.079
 us,

00:36:45.079 --> 00:36:45.539
 but because

00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.159
 our life

00:36:46.159 --> 00:36:46.599
 is in

00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:47.239
 Christ.

00:36:47.239 --> 00:36:47.359
 Christ.

00:36:48.959 --> 00:36:49.479
 And that's

00:36:49.479 --> 00:36:49.919
 what we

00:36:49.919 --> 00:36:50.459
 can say

00:36:50.459 --> 00:36:51.019
 this morning

00:36:51.019 --> 00:36:51.579
 if we're

00:36:51.579 --> 00:36:52.179
 in Christ

00:36:52.179 --> 00:36:53.000
 this morning.

00:36:53.879 --> 00:36:54.759
 If we're

00:36:54.759 --> 00:36:55.399
 identifying

00:36:55.399 --> 00:36:56.239
 with his

00:36:56.239 --> 00:36:57.319
 death as

00:36:57.319 --> 00:36:58.019
 our death,

00:36:58.299 --> 00:36:59.079
 his resurrection

00:36:59.079 --> 00:37:00.059
 as our

00:37:00.059 --> 00:37:00.699
 resurrection,

00:37:02.099 --> 00:37:02.579
 as his

00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:03.399
 defeat over

00:37:03.399 --> 00:37:04.419
 our sins,

00:37:05.659 --> 00:37:06.319
 as something

00:37:06.319 --> 00:37:07.599
 we understand

00:37:07.599 --> 00:37:08.459
 and believe

00:37:08.459 --> 00:37:08.739
 in,

00:37:08.959 --> 00:37:09.419
 if we

00:37:09.419 --> 00:37:10.019
 understand

00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:10.559
 that,

00:37:10.719 --> 00:37:11.719
 his life

00:37:11.719 --> 00:37:12.359
 is our

00:37:12.359 --> 00:37:12.779
 life.

00:37:13.059 --> 00:37:13.479
 And so as

00:37:13.479 --> 00:37:14.039
 you go on

00:37:14.039 --> 00:37:14.619
 into verses

00:37:14.619 --> 00:37:15.279
 22 to

00:37:15.279 --> 00:37:16.079
 36,

00:37:16.079 --> 00:37:17.279
 we read

00:37:17.279 --> 00:37:18.679
 this wonderful

00:37:18.679 --> 00:37:19.279
 bubbling

00:37:19.279 --> 00:37:20.799
 debate that

00:37:20.799 --> 00:37:21.539
 Paul has

00:37:21.539 --> 00:37:21.900
 in the

00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:23.460
 cell between

00:37:23.460 --> 00:37:24.139
 toying in

00:37:24.139 --> 00:37:24.500
 his own

00:37:24.500 --> 00:37:25.219
 mind with

00:37:25.219 --> 00:37:26.119
 what's best,

00:37:26.179 --> 00:37:26.500
 I'm not

00:37:26.500 --> 00:37:26.980
 sure,

00:37:28.380 --> 00:37:29.000
 all hinging

00:37:29.000 --> 00:37:29.480
 on verse

00:37:29.480 --> 00:37:30.059
 21.

00:37:30.639 --> 00:37:31.819
 To paraphrase,

00:37:31.920 --> 00:37:32.279
 he's going,

00:37:32.579 --> 00:37:32.960
 well look,

00:37:33.119 --> 00:37:33.679
 on the one

00:37:33.679 --> 00:37:33.940
 hand,

00:37:34.139 --> 00:37:34.799
 if I stay

00:37:34.799 --> 00:37:35.179
 alive,

00:37:35.299 --> 00:37:35.659
 that means

00:37:35.659 --> 00:37:36.380
 serving Jesus,

00:37:36.599 --> 00:37:36.920
 and that

00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:37.619
 means being

00:37:37.619 --> 00:37:38.219
 fruitful for

00:37:38.219 --> 00:37:38.420
 God,

00:37:38.480 --> 00:37:38.799
 which is

00:37:38.799 --> 00:37:39.000
 going to

00:37:39.000 --> 00:37:39.599
 be rewarded.

00:37:40.480 --> 00:37:40.860
 Or on

00:37:40.860 --> 00:37:41.099
 the other

00:37:41.099 --> 00:37:41.360
 hand,

00:37:41.579 --> 00:37:42.159
 well maybe

00:37:42.159 --> 00:37:42.679
 if I die

00:37:42.679 --> 00:37:43.039
 tomorrow,

00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:43.380
 if they

00:37:43.380 --> 00:37:44.639
 execute me,

00:37:44.639 --> 00:37:45.039
 I'm

00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:45.400
 immediately

00:37:45.400 --> 00:37:46.099
 caught up

00:37:46.099 --> 00:37:46.460
 into the

00:37:46.460 --> 00:37:47.000
 presence of

00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:47.339
 the Lord

00:37:47.339 --> 00:37:47.639
 Jesus,

00:37:47.799 --> 00:37:48.179
 which is

00:37:48.179 --> 00:37:48.359
 going to

00:37:48.359 --> 00:37:49.000
 be wonderful.

00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:50.159
 Which one

00:37:50.159 --> 00:37:50.519
 will I

00:37:50.519 --> 00:37:50.900
 choose?

00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:51.239
 I don't

00:37:51.239 --> 00:37:51.519
 really

00:37:51.519 --> 00:37:51.940
 know.

00:37:55.299 --> 00:37:55.940
 I tell

00:37:55.940 --> 00:37:56.339
 you what,

00:37:57.059 --> 00:37:58.099
 I'd like

00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:58.559
 to stay

00:37:58.559 --> 00:37:59.019
 alive,

00:37:59.259 --> 00:37:59.759
 because it

00:37:59.759 --> 00:38:00.159
 means I

00:38:00.159 --> 00:38:00.599
 can be a

00:38:00.599 --> 00:38:01.159
 blessing to

00:38:01.159 --> 00:38:01.500
 you,

00:38:02.839 --> 00:38:03.400
 says Paul.

00:38:06.059 --> 00:38:06.639
 And he

00:38:06.639 --> 00:38:07.239
 shares this

00:38:07.239 --> 00:38:08.339
 loving decision

00:38:08.339 --> 00:38:08.739
 as a

00:38:08.739 --> 00:38:09.920
 pastor to

00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:10.599
 this church

00:38:10.599 --> 00:38:10.900
 that he

00:38:10.900 --> 00:38:11.559
 saw formed.

00:38:11.639 --> 00:38:11.819
 He says,

00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:12.339
 look I want

00:38:12.339 --> 00:38:12.779
 to stay on

00:38:12.779 --> 00:38:12.940
 earth,

00:38:13.000 --> 00:38:13.319
 I want to

00:38:13.319 --> 00:38:13.819
 minister to

00:38:13.819 --> 00:38:13.920
 you,

00:38:13.920 --> 00:38:14.340
 I want

00:38:14.340 --> 00:38:14.599
 to see

00:38:14.599 --> 00:38:15.220
 you encouraged

00:38:15.220 --> 00:38:15.700
 through my

00:38:15.700 --> 00:38:16.460
 ministry to

00:38:16.460 --> 00:38:16.680
 you,

00:38:16.900 --> 00:38:17.159
 so that

00:38:17.159 --> 00:38:17.740
 your faith

00:38:17.740 --> 00:38:18.539
 progresses in

00:38:18.539 --> 00:38:18.800
 joy.

00:38:19.099 --> 00:38:19.500
 And when we

00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:19.960
 see each

00:38:19.960 --> 00:38:20.240
 other in

00:38:20.240 --> 00:38:20.599
 the flesh

00:38:20.599 --> 00:38:20.880
 again,

00:38:21.019 --> 00:38:21.400
 I can

00:38:21.400 --> 00:38:22.079
 witness your

00:38:22.079 --> 00:38:22.480
 joy.

00:38:24.260 --> 00:38:24.860
 But either

00:38:24.860 --> 00:38:25.119
 way,

00:38:25.159 --> 00:38:25.380
 I'm a

00:38:25.380 --> 00:38:25.579
 winner.

00:38:28.539 --> 00:38:28.900
 Do you

00:38:28.900 --> 00:38:29.260
 see,

00:38:29.460 --> 00:38:29.680
 friends,

00:38:29.920 --> 00:38:30.340
 how even

00:38:30.340 --> 00:38:30.700
 in the

00:38:30.700 --> 00:38:31.059
 worst

00:38:31.059 --> 00:38:31.920
 circumstances

00:38:31.920 --> 00:38:32.659
 that you

00:38:32.659 --> 00:38:32.940
 may have

00:38:32.940 --> 00:38:33.400
 brought in

00:38:33.400 --> 00:38:33.900
 here this

00:38:33.900 --> 00:38:34.220
 morning,

00:38:35.079 --> 00:38:35.920
 we are

00:38:35.920 --> 00:38:36.240
 in a

00:38:36.240 --> 00:38:36.760
 victorious

00:38:36.760 --> 00:38:37.960
 position as

00:38:37.960 --> 00:38:38.700
 Christ's

00:38:38.700 --> 00:38:39.079
 eternal

00:38:39.079 --> 00:38:39.700
 friends.

00:38:40.619 --> 00:38:41.220
 Even in

00:38:41.220 --> 00:38:41.680
 the pit of

00:38:41.680 --> 00:38:42.099
 despair,

00:38:42.880 --> 00:38:43.320
 even in

00:38:43.320 --> 00:38:43.760
 the depth

00:38:43.760 --> 00:38:44.280
 of sickness,

00:38:44.280 --> 00:38:45.320
 when we

00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:46.280
 are rejected

00:38:46.280 --> 00:38:47.240
 because of

00:38:47.240 --> 00:38:47.760
 our faith,

00:38:49.760 --> 00:38:50.760
 even as we

00:38:50.760 --> 00:38:51.760
 face death.

00:38:53.280 --> 00:38:54.320
 We are in

00:38:54.320 --> 00:38:54.840
 Christ,

00:38:55.380 --> 00:38:56.360
 and Christ

00:38:56.360 --> 00:38:57.519
 is in us,

00:38:57.800 --> 00:38:58.660
 meeting us

00:38:58.660 --> 00:38:59.559
 on either

00:38:59.559 --> 00:39:00.160
 side of

00:39:00.160 --> 00:39:00.620
 eternity.

00:39:00.960 --> 00:39:01.460
 He's meeting

00:39:01.460 --> 00:39:02.059
 us now in

00:39:02.059 --> 00:39:02.519
 the present

00:39:02.519 --> 00:39:02.840
 of his

00:39:02.840 --> 00:39:03.200
 children.

00:39:03.539 --> 00:39:04.039
 He meets

00:39:04.039 --> 00:39:04.660
 us when we

00:39:04.660 --> 00:39:05.280
 pass into

00:39:05.280 --> 00:39:06.300
 his presence

00:39:06.300 --> 00:39:07.000
 in eternity.

00:39:07.000 --> 00:39:10.300
 we are

00:39:10.300 --> 00:39:10.760
 with him.

00:39:12.460 --> 00:39:13.000
 And so

00:39:13.000 --> 00:39:13.320
 it's all

00:39:13.320 --> 00:39:14.019
 about him.

00:39:16.260 --> 00:39:16.960
 And it's

00:39:16.960 --> 00:39:17.420
 all about

00:39:17.420 --> 00:39:18.000
 where we

00:39:18.000 --> 00:39:18.659
 have placed

00:39:18.659 --> 00:39:19.260
 him in

00:39:19.260 --> 00:39:20.239
 our lives.

00:39:22.320 --> 00:39:23.000
 And so

00:39:23.000 --> 00:39:23.639
 this morning,

00:39:24.159 --> 00:39:25.460
 if you

00:39:25.460 --> 00:39:26.039
 have resolved

00:39:26.039 --> 00:39:26.639
 to be a

00:39:26.639 --> 00:39:27.460
 worshipper of

00:39:27.460 --> 00:39:28.059
 the Lord

00:39:28.059 --> 00:39:29.000
 Jesus Christ,

00:39:29.159 --> 00:39:29.760
 if we

00:39:29.760 --> 00:39:30.699
 resolve to

00:39:30.699 --> 00:39:31.519
 make him

00:39:31.519 --> 00:39:32.280
 our focus

00:39:32.280 --> 00:39:32.900
 rather than

00:39:32.900 --> 00:39:33.519
 ourselves,

00:39:33.519 --> 00:39:35.599
 he gives

00:39:35.599 --> 00:39:36.019
 us this

00:39:36.019 --> 00:39:36.480
 glorious

00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:37.280
 perspective

00:39:37.280 --> 00:39:39.400
 in our

00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:40.259
 present pain.

00:39:42.280 --> 00:39:42.559
 And through

00:39:42.559 --> 00:39:43.340
 this passage

00:39:43.340 --> 00:39:44.440
 that Paul

00:39:44.440 --> 00:39:45.139
 was inspired

00:39:45.139 --> 00:39:45.679
 to write

00:39:45.679 --> 00:39:46.360
 as he sat

00:39:46.360 --> 00:39:47.300
 in chains,

00:39:48.840 --> 00:39:49.800
 he's actually

00:39:49.800 --> 00:39:50.719
 living out

00:39:50.719 --> 00:39:51.539
 this teaching.

00:39:52.019 --> 00:39:52.440
 He's not

00:39:52.440 --> 00:39:54.159
 just preaching

00:39:54.159 --> 00:39:54.659
 it from a

00:39:54.659 --> 00:39:55.139
 pulpit.

00:39:58.199 --> 00:39:58.900
 And it's

00:39:58.900 --> 00:39:59.320
 one of his

00:39:59.320 --> 00:39:59.980
 more joyful

00:39:59.980 --> 00:40:00.500
 letters.

00:40:00.500 --> 00:40:03.840
 so

00:40:03.840 --> 00:40:05.099
 what

00:40:05.099 --> 00:40:05.699
 does

00:40:05.699 --> 00:40:06.139
 this

00:40:06.139 --> 00:40:07.780
 give us

00:40:07.780 --> 00:40:08.400
 in the

00:40:08.400 --> 00:40:08.820
 present,

00:40:09.199 --> 00:40:09.420
 in the

00:40:09.420 --> 00:40:09.940
 face of

00:40:09.940 --> 00:40:10.480
 whatever we

00:40:10.480 --> 00:40:11.219
 face in

00:40:11.219 --> 00:40:11.820
 this life?

00:40:11.940 --> 00:40:12.260
 Friends,

00:40:12.519 --> 00:40:13.059
 I want to

00:40:13.059 --> 00:40:13.639
 encourage you

00:40:13.639 --> 00:40:14.139
 this morning

00:40:14.139 --> 00:40:14.519
 as we

00:40:14.519 --> 00:40:14.920
 go that

00:40:14.920 --> 00:40:15.280
 you can

00:40:15.280 --> 00:40:15.739
 go out

00:40:15.739 --> 00:40:16.219
 of here

00:40:16.219 --> 00:40:18.800
 joyful.

00:40:20.179 --> 00:40:20.760
 And that's

00:40:20.760 --> 00:40:21.179
 a huge

00:40:21.179 --> 00:40:21.559
 thing to

00:40:21.559 --> 00:40:22.360
 say because

00:40:22.360 --> 00:40:22.579
 I don't

00:40:22.579 --> 00:40:23.019
 know about

00:40:23.019 --> 00:40:23.800
 you,

00:40:23.900 --> 00:40:24.099
 but I

00:40:24.099 --> 00:40:24.440
 know for

00:40:24.440 --> 00:40:25.119
 me I

00:40:25.119 --> 00:40:25.559
 can very

00:40:25.559 --> 00:40:26.139
 easily be

00:40:26.139 --> 00:40:26.820
 joyless

00:40:26.820 --> 00:40:27.739
 because of

00:40:27.739 --> 00:40:28.099
 present

00:40:28.099 --> 00:40:28.980
 circumstances

00:40:28.980 --> 00:40:29.639
 and whatever

00:40:29.639 --> 00:40:30.179
 else.

00:40:30.500 --> 00:40:32.519
 But actually

00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:33.539
 we ought

00:40:33.539 --> 00:40:34.559
 to leave

00:40:34.559 --> 00:40:35.320
 here joyful

00:40:35.320 --> 00:40:36.099
 if we

00:40:36.099 --> 00:40:36.760
 worship the

00:40:36.760 --> 00:40:37.219
 Lord Jesus

00:40:37.219 --> 00:40:37.800
 Christ.

00:40:38.300 --> 00:40:38.920
 We ought

00:40:38.920 --> 00:40:39.360
 to leave

00:40:39.360 --> 00:40:39.840
 here full

00:40:39.840 --> 00:40:40.340
 of hope

00:40:40.340 --> 00:40:41.280
 and even

00:40:41.280 --> 00:40:41.900
 dignity

00:40:41.900 --> 00:40:43.559
 as a

00:40:43.559 --> 00:40:44.260
 child of

00:40:44.260 --> 00:40:44.599
 the living

00:40:44.599 --> 00:40:45.000
 God.

00:40:45.139 --> 00:40:45.460
 We can

00:40:45.460 --> 00:40:46.460
 suffer with

00:40:46.460 --> 00:40:46.960
 joy,

00:40:47.199 --> 00:40:47.679
 with hope

00:40:47.679 --> 00:40:48.119
 and with

00:40:48.119 --> 00:40:48.579
 dignity

00:40:48.579 --> 00:40:49.679
 and that

00:40:49.679 --> 00:40:50.400
 in itself

00:40:50.400 --> 00:40:51.219
 is pointing

00:40:51.219 --> 00:40:51.960
 others to

00:40:51.960 --> 00:40:53.400
 Jesus for

00:40:53.400 --> 00:40:54.119
 those who

00:40:54.119 --> 00:40:54.820
 know maybe

00:40:54.820 --> 00:40:55.599
 the bad

00:40:55.599 --> 00:40:56.199
 stuff that's

00:40:56.199 --> 00:40:56.860
 going on in

00:40:56.860 --> 00:40:57.619
 our lives.

00:40:57.619 --> 00:40:57.739
 things.

00:40:59.639 --> 00:41:00.179
 But like

00:41:00.179 --> 00:41:00.659
 Paul in

00:41:00.659 --> 00:41:01.059
 the face

00:41:01.059 --> 00:41:01.359
 of our

00:41:01.359 --> 00:41:02.359
 hardships we

00:41:02.359 --> 00:41:02.920
 can be

00:41:02.920 --> 00:41:03.559
 secure in

00:41:03.559 --> 00:41:04.259
 our sufferings

00:41:04.259 --> 00:41:05.259
 safe in

00:41:05.259 --> 00:41:05.759
 the knowledge

00:41:05.759 --> 00:41:06.460
 that the

00:41:06.460 --> 00:41:06.920
 Lord who

00:41:06.920 --> 00:41:07.659
 allows us

00:41:07.659 --> 00:41:08.659
 to experience

00:41:08.659 --> 00:41:10.519
 hardships as

00:41:10.519 --> 00:41:10.839
 well as

00:41:10.839 --> 00:41:12.159
 pleasure he is

00:41:12.159 --> 00:41:13.279
 using it all

00:41:13.279 --> 00:41:14.319
 to guide us

00:41:14.319 --> 00:41:15.139
 home to

00:41:15.139 --> 00:41:15.579
 him.

00:41:15.579 --> 00:41:18.900
 So may

00:41:18.900 --> 00:41:19.279
 we all

00:41:19.279 --> 00:41:20.699
 share in

00:41:20.699 --> 00:41:21.199
 Paul's

00:41:21.199 --> 00:41:22.279
 perspective on

00:41:22.279 --> 00:41:23.199
 suffering whether

00:41:23.199 --> 00:41:23.779
 it's suffering

00:41:23.779 --> 00:41:24.199
 for our

00:41:24.199 --> 00:41:24.739
 witness to

00:41:24.739 --> 00:41:25.539
 him or

00:41:25.539 --> 00:41:26.239
 even because

00:41:26.239 --> 00:41:27.019
 it's just

00:41:27.019 --> 00:41:27.920
 suffering because

00:41:27.920 --> 00:41:28.460
 we're human

00:41:28.460 --> 00:41:29.019
 beings.

00:41:30.059 --> 00:41:31.079
 May it all

00:41:31.079 --> 00:41:33.380
 contribute to

00:41:33.380 --> 00:41:34.099
 our progressing

00:41:34.099 --> 00:41:34.819
 faith in

00:41:34.819 --> 00:41:36.099
 him that

00:41:36.099 --> 00:41:38.000
 leads us to

00:41:38.000 --> 00:41:38.500
 glory.

00:41:39.460 --> 00:41:40.099
 Amen.

00:41:40.099 --> 00:41:40.199
 Amen.

00:41:43.340 --> 00:41:44.239
 Can I pray

00:41:44.239 --> 00:41:44.779
 and then hand

00:41:44.779 --> 00:41:45.039
 over?

00:41:45.039 --> 00:41:45.340
 Yeah.

00:41:45.779 --> 00:41:46.380
 Let's pray.

00:41:53.860 --> 00:41:56.000
 To live is

00:41:56.000 --> 00:41:56.579
 Christ.

00:41:57.960 --> 00:42:00.699
 To die is

00:42:00.699 --> 00:42:01.219
 gain.

00:42:03.139 --> 00:42:04.279
 Heavenly Father

00:42:04.279 --> 00:42:05.019
 we thank you

00:42:05.019 --> 00:42:05.980
 for your word

00:42:05.980 --> 00:42:06.719
 to us this

00:42:06.719 --> 00:42:07.059
 morning.

00:42:07.860 --> 00:42:09.320
 We pray that

00:42:09.320 --> 00:42:10.099
 it would reach

00:42:10.099 --> 00:42:11.279
 the very depth

00:42:11.279 --> 00:42:12.179
 of our souls

00:42:12.179 --> 00:42:14.279
 the very depth

00:42:14.280 --> 00:42:15.160
 of our hearts

00:42:15.160 --> 00:42:16.019
 and minds.

00:42:18.800 --> 00:42:19.680
 Lord we

00:42:19.680 --> 00:42:20.300
 come here

00:42:20.300 --> 00:42:20.920
 with real

00:42:20.920 --> 00:42:21.820
 problems and

00:42:21.820 --> 00:42:22.320
 with real

00:42:22.320 --> 00:42:23.040
 causes for

00:42:23.040 --> 00:42:24.820
 concern and

00:42:24.820 --> 00:42:25.780
 varying degrees

00:42:25.780 --> 00:42:26.500
 of suffering.

00:42:28.700 --> 00:42:29.820
 But we pray

00:42:29.820 --> 00:42:30.519
 Lord that you

00:42:30.519 --> 00:42:31.100
 would help us

00:42:31.100 --> 00:42:32.320
 to gain a

00:42:32.320 --> 00:42:33.240
 right perspective

00:42:33.240 --> 00:42:33.860
 on those

00:42:33.860 --> 00:42:35.480
 things so

00:42:35.480 --> 00:42:36.060
 that you may

00:42:36.060 --> 00:42:36.980
 continue that

00:42:36.980 --> 00:42:37.820
 great work in

00:42:37.820 --> 00:42:39.160
 us as we

00:42:39.160 --> 00:42:40.040
 trust in you

00:42:40.040 --> 00:42:41.080
 despite it all.

00:42:41.079 --> 00:42:43.420
 help us to

00:42:43.420 --> 00:42:44.179
 be confident

00:42:44.179 --> 00:42:45.039
 Christians

00:42:45.039 --> 00:42:46.239
 in these

00:42:46.239 --> 00:42:46.639
 days.

00:42:47.639 --> 00:42:48.619
 Help us to

00:42:48.619 --> 00:42:49.719
 continue witnessing

00:42:49.719 --> 00:42:50.980
 to you no

00:42:50.980 --> 00:42:51.559
 matter what the

00:42:51.559 --> 00:42:52.099
 cost.

00:42:54.519 --> 00:42:55.319
 And bless us

00:42:55.319 --> 00:42:56.440
 Lord as your

00:42:56.440 --> 00:42:57.420
 people in this

00:42:57.420 --> 00:42:57.960
 part of the

00:42:57.960 --> 00:42:58.179
 world.

00:42:58.340 --> 00:42:59.099
 Bless Tim

00:42:59.099 --> 00:43:00.119
 Week and

00:43:00.119 --> 00:43:00.819
 Summer Bible

00:43:00.819 --> 00:43:02.139
 Week and

00:43:02.139 --> 00:43:02.900
 Lord we just

00:43:02.900 --> 00:43:03.400
 pray that you

00:43:03.400 --> 00:43:03.920
 would continue

00:43:03.920 --> 00:43:04.860
 to protect us

00:43:04.860 --> 00:43:05.940
 and grow us

00:43:05.940 --> 00:43:06.980
 as a family

00:43:06.980 --> 00:43:07.639
 of churches

00:43:07.639 --> 00:43:08.420
 in this

00:43:08.420 --> 00:43:08.880
 area.

00:43:10.700 --> 00:43:11.539
 Thank you for

00:43:11.539 --> 00:43:12.220
 all that you're

00:43:12.220 --> 00:43:12.700
 doing and

00:43:12.700 --> 00:43:13.599
 thank you that

00:43:13.599 --> 00:43:14.440
 you are speaking

00:43:14.440 --> 00:43:15.920
 to us as

00:43:15.920 --> 00:43:17.380
 individuals even

00:43:17.380 --> 00:43:18.500
 now through

00:43:18.500 --> 00:43:19.079
 your word.

00:43:20.280 --> 00:43:21.420
 In Jesus name.

00:43:21.820 --> 00:43:22.119
 Amen.

00:43:22.119 --> 00:43:22.200
 Amen.

00:43:22.200 --> 00:43:22.240
 Amen.

00:43:22.240 --> 00:43:22.280
 Amen.

00:43:22.280 --> 00:43:22.300
 Amen.

00:43:22.300 --> 00:43:23.119
 Amen.

00:43:35.940 --> 00:43:36.539
 Thanks very

00:43:36.539 --> 00:43:37.019
 much Andy.

00:43:39.800 --> 00:43:40.480
 I don't know

00:43:40.480 --> 00:43:41.019
 about you but

00:43:41.019 --> 00:43:41.599
 it was a great

00:43:41.599 --> 00:43:43.639
 encouragement for

00:43:43.639 --> 00:43:44.599
 me to hear about

00:43:44.599 --> 00:43:45.960
 Paul even

00:43:45.960 --> 00:43:46.760
 through his

00:43:46.760 --> 00:43:47.980
 suffering.

00:43:48.880 --> 00:43:49.519
 The gospel was

00:43:49.519 --> 00:43:50.039
 advanced.

00:43:50.740 --> 00:43:51.519
 Even because he

00:43:51.519 --> 00:43:52.099
 was in prison

00:43:52.099 --> 00:43:52.679
 people were

00:43:52.679 --> 00:43:53.619
 as Andy put it

00:43:53.619 --> 00:43:54.260
 gossiping

00:43:54.260 --> 00:43:55.519
 about Jesus.

00:43:56.019 --> 00:43:57.579
 It was a great

00:43:57.579 --> 00:43:58.240
 encouragement for

00:43:58.240 --> 00:43:58.980
 me anyway to

00:43:58.980 --> 00:44:00.179
 take from today

00:44:00.179 --> 00:44:00.700
 that no matter

00:44:00.700 --> 00:44:01.280
 what you're going

00:44:01.280 --> 00:44:02.280
 through God

00:44:02.280 --> 00:44:03.119
 will ensure that

00:44:03.119 --> 00:44:04.720
 his gospel is

00:44:04.720 --> 00:44:05.360
 being proclaimed.

00:44:05.940 --> 00:44:07.280
 So we're going

00:44:07.280 --> 00:44:08.320
 to finish with

00:44:08.320 --> 00:44:09.579
 our final song

00:44:09.579 --> 00:44:11.460
 it's Knowing

00:44:11.460 --> 00:44:11.820
 You.

00:44:14.579 --> 00:44:15.940
 So thanks Mary.

00:44:17.099 --> 00:44:17.960
 This song is

00:44:17.960 --> 00:44:18.659
 actually based

00:44:18.659 --> 00:44:20.880
 on a passage

00:44:20.880 --> 00:44:21.599
 in Philippines

00:44:21.599 --> 00:44:22.340
 Philippians chapter

00:44:22.340 --> 00:44:22.800
 three.

00:44:23.860 --> 00:44:24.539
 So if you flick

00:44:24.539 --> 00:44:25.000
 to the last

00:44:25.000 --> 00:44:25.740
 verse of the

00:44:25.740 --> 00:44:26.460
 of the song.