WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.120
 the book of Philippians only has four little chapters,

00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:08.199
 and today we finish chapter one, about a quarter of the book.

00:00:09.580 --> 00:00:13.060
 I have to admit, this is a favorite for me, this little book.

00:00:13.300 --> 00:00:17.339
 What a joy it's been to just to watch God do what he does,

00:00:17.580 --> 00:00:19.780
 you know, take his living, active word

00:00:19.780 --> 00:00:24.199
 and let it cut our hearts day after day, week after week.

00:00:24.980 --> 00:00:28.019
 So I'm very encouraged once again today

00:00:28.019 --> 00:00:31.719
 by seeing your faces, seeing us back here together

00:00:31.719 --> 00:00:34.539
 under God's word and the time in Sunday school

00:00:34.539 --> 00:00:36.600
 and now to study his word together.

00:00:37.619 --> 00:00:39.700
 So I'm gonna read our sermon text for today.

00:00:39.840 --> 00:00:44.480
 It's Philippians chapter one, verses 27 through 30.

00:00:47.179 --> 00:00:49.739
 And I read this believing it's God's inspired,

00:00:50.100 --> 00:00:53.879
 inerrant, infallible, clear and sufficient word.

00:00:54.060 --> 00:00:55.539
 It's God's very own word for you.

00:00:55.539 --> 00:00:56.820
 When I'm done reading, I'll say,

00:00:56.820 --> 00:00:58.380
 this is the word of the Lord.

00:00:58.600 --> 00:01:00.420
 If you believe that, you can respond.

00:01:00.600 --> 00:01:01.340
 Thanks be to God.

00:01:04.079 --> 00:01:05.719
 Philippians 1, 27.

00:01:07.340 --> 00:01:11.099
 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ,

00:01:11.379 --> 00:01:14.120
 so that whether I come and see you or am absent,

00:01:14.539 --> 00:01:16.319
 I may hear of your affairs,

00:01:16.819 --> 00:01:20.400
 that you stand fast in one spirit with one mind,

00:01:20.900 --> 00:01:23.480
 striving together for the faith of the gospel.

00:01:23.480 --> 00:01:27.359
 And not in any way terrified by your adversaries,

00:01:27.800 --> 00:01:30.200
 which is to them a proof of perdition,

00:01:30.700 --> 00:01:34.520
 but to you of salvation and that from God.

00:01:35.800 --> 00:01:36.659
 Verse 29.

00:01:36.900 --> 00:01:40.280
 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ,

00:01:40.859 --> 00:01:42.520
 not only to believe in him,

00:01:42.939 --> 00:01:45.500
 but also to suffer for his sake,

00:01:45.500 --> 00:01:49.819
 having the same conflict which you saw in me,

00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:52.680
 and now here is in me.

00:01:53.459 --> 00:01:54.599
 The word of the Lord.

00:01:56.659 --> 00:01:57.640
 You may be seated.

00:01:57.640 --> 00:02:02.340
 The grass withers, the flower fades,

00:02:02.500 --> 00:02:04.700
 but the word of the Lord stands forever.

00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:24.780
 Let's pray.

00:02:24.780 --> 00:02:33.439
 God, we ask that your Holy Spirit

00:02:33.439 --> 00:02:37.280
 will illumine your word to your people today.

00:02:39.599 --> 00:02:43.280
 We praise you for this active, ongoing ministry

00:02:43.280 --> 00:02:44.620
 of the Holy Spirit,

00:02:45.219 --> 00:02:46.340
 the Spirit of Christ,

00:02:46.599 --> 00:02:47.439
 the living God,

00:02:48.520 --> 00:02:50.039
 who dwells in your people,

00:02:50.479 --> 00:02:53.020
 who breathed out every word of the Bible,

00:02:53.020 --> 00:02:55.820
 and who now in a special way,

00:02:56.260 --> 00:02:57.000
 mysteriously,

00:02:57.880 --> 00:02:58.820
 illumines the meaning

00:02:58.820 --> 00:03:00.560
 in a way that builds up,

00:03:01.140 --> 00:03:02.920
 that edifies your body

00:03:02.920 --> 00:03:05.000
 for your glory and for our good.

00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:06.620
 You are so faithful, Lord.

00:03:07.240 --> 00:03:08.439
 We ask that by your grace,

00:03:08.520 --> 00:03:10.040
 you'll do this once again,

00:03:10.260 --> 00:03:11.420
 out of love for your people.

00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:13.219
 For Christ's sake we ask.

00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:14.160
 Amen.

00:03:14.160 --> 00:03:14.320
 Amen.

00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:14.379
 Amen.

00:03:20.979 --> 00:03:22.599
 If you'll let your imagination

00:03:22.599 --> 00:03:25.099
 travel with me to World War I,

00:03:26.019 --> 00:03:28.259
 there's a soldier in the trench,

00:03:29.959 --> 00:03:31.560
 bullets flying above his head.

00:03:33.240 --> 00:03:34.240
 He's tired.

00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:35.099
 He's hungry.

00:03:36.099 --> 00:03:37.599
 I don't know how many more days

00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:38.819
 I can go on like this,

00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:41.620
 seeing people getting picked off

00:03:41.620 --> 00:03:42.819
 to the right and to the left.

00:03:44.780 --> 00:03:45.759
 And in that trench,

00:03:45.819 --> 00:03:47.000
 he ducks down one more time,

00:03:47.099 --> 00:03:47.920
 pulls out the letter

00:03:47.920 --> 00:03:50.340
 from his family,

00:03:50.980 --> 00:03:52.860
 and just reads those words

00:03:52.860 --> 00:03:53.539
 one more time,

00:03:53.960 --> 00:03:55.020
 holds the letter back up,

00:03:55.460 --> 00:03:56.400
 puts it in his pocket,

00:03:57.180 --> 00:03:57.759
 pops up,

00:03:57.980 --> 00:03:59.040
 and he has strength

00:03:59.040 --> 00:04:00.460
 to keep on in the fight.

00:04:01.560 --> 00:04:02.599
 Not because he hates

00:04:02.599 --> 00:04:03.540
 what's in front of him,

00:04:04.200 --> 00:04:05.300
 but because he loves

00:04:05.300 --> 00:04:06.840
 who he's fighting to defend.

00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:12.099
 Well, Paul is one such warrior.

00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:14.159
 And if you caught it,

00:04:14.200 --> 00:04:16.100
 that very last verse,

00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:16.780
 verse 30,

00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:17.600
 he says,

00:04:17.699 --> 00:04:18.420
 you church now,

00:04:18.500 --> 00:04:19.540
 about 10 years later,

00:04:19.980 --> 00:04:21.220
 after Acts 16,

00:04:21.319 --> 00:04:22.280
 about 10 years later,

00:04:22.720 --> 00:04:23.399
 you church,

00:04:24.340 --> 00:04:25.540
 you're in that same conflict

00:04:25.540 --> 00:04:26.800
 which you saw in me.

00:04:27.579 --> 00:04:28.920
 When you saw me get arrested,

00:04:29.139 --> 00:04:29.780
 thrown in prison,

00:04:29.899 --> 00:04:30.540
 being persecuted

00:04:30.540 --> 00:04:31.740
 for the name of Christ,

00:04:32.199 --> 00:04:33.120
 you're in that now.

00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:37.500
 So I think this last little section

00:04:37.500 --> 00:04:39.160
 of the first chapter

00:04:39.160 --> 00:04:42.879
 is an overflow of Paul's prayers

00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:43.740
 for the church,

00:04:44.340 --> 00:04:45.340
 and he's understanding

00:04:45.340 --> 00:04:46.579
 what's really going on.

00:04:48.759 --> 00:04:51.120
 Look back in Philippians 1,

00:04:52.280 --> 00:04:53.840
 starting at verse 3.

00:04:53.939 --> 00:04:56.079
 You remember how the first verses,

00:04:56.259 --> 00:04:58.139
 from about verse 3 to verse 11,

00:04:58.240 --> 00:04:59.519
 is how he's praying.

00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:00.600
 He's been praying for them,

00:05:00.680 --> 00:05:02.120
 interceding on behalf of the church.

00:05:03.120 --> 00:05:04.399
 And just think for a moment,

00:05:04.519 --> 00:05:05.199
 what is prayer?

00:05:06.220 --> 00:05:07.980
 Prayer is when the Holy Spirit

00:05:07.980 --> 00:05:10.959
 is uniting you on earth.

00:05:11.060 --> 00:05:11.620
 Here you are.

00:05:11.879 --> 00:05:12.819
 I've left you on the earth,

00:05:12.920 --> 00:05:14.280
 but you're united spiritually

00:05:14.280 --> 00:05:15.000
 to Christ,

00:05:15.300 --> 00:05:16.319
 who's at the right hand

00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:17.620
 of God the Father Almighty.

00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:19.079
 And from there,

00:05:19.139 --> 00:05:19.680
 he's going to come

00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:21.379
 with the host of angel army

00:05:21.379 --> 00:05:22.740
 and all the saints

00:05:22.740 --> 00:05:24.939
 to usher in the eternal state,

00:05:25.060 --> 00:05:26.399
 the new heavens and the new earth.

00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:28.060
 But in prayer,

00:05:28.180 --> 00:05:29.160
 you're still in the earth,

00:05:29.459 --> 00:05:30.439
 and you're praying.

00:05:31.139 --> 00:05:32.360
 You're united to Christ.

00:05:32.360 --> 00:05:33.920
 And what is Christ doing

00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:35.080
 at the right hand of the Father

00:05:35.080 --> 00:05:35.660
 right now?

00:05:36.080 --> 00:05:37.879
 He lives to intercede

00:05:37.879 --> 00:05:38.660
 for his people.

00:05:39.879 --> 00:05:40.939
 So out of that overflow

00:05:40.939 --> 00:05:41.920
 of Paul's prayers,

00:05:42.960 --> 00:05:44.120
 his union to Christ,

00:05:44.280 --> 00:05:45.220
 praying for the church,

00:05:45.560 --> 00:05:46.340
 joining his prayers

00:05:46.340 --> 00:05:47.480
 to what Christ is praying,

00:05:48.080 --> 00:05:49.360
 he gives these exhortations.

00:05:49.500 --> 00:05:50.080
 I think that's what

00:05:50.080 --> 00:05:50.819
 these verses are.

00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:53.900
 So what did Christ

00:05:53.900 --> 00:05:55.420
 teach Paul

00:05:55.420 --> 00:05:56.800
 through prayer in heaven?

00:05:56.800 --> 00:05:59.500
 Well, he's giving him

00:05:59.500 --> 00:06:00.340
 battle language.

00:06:02.259 --> 00:06:03.160
 Verse 27,

00:06:03.620 --> 00:06:05.000
 stand fast.

00:06:05.620 --> 00:06:06.639
 That's battle language.

00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:09.160
 Keep striving together.

00:06:10.199 --> 00:06:10.960
 You'll see in a moment

00:06:10.960 --> 00:06:12.020
 how that's battle language.

00:06:12.699 --> 00:06:13.000
 He says,

00:06:13.139 --> 00:06:14.139
 do not be in any way

00:06:14.139 --> 00:06:14.699
 terrified

00:06:14.699 --> 00:06:15.800
 by your adversaries.

00:06:16.819 --> 00:06:17.800
 Why would you be terrified

00:06:17.800 --> 00:06:18.800
 unless you're in a battle

00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:19.920
 taking shots?

00:06:21.180 --> 00:06:22.060
 Verse 29,

00:06:22.060 --> 00:06:23.439
 you are suffering.

00:06:23.560 --> 00:06:25.379
 You have the same conflict

00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:26.839
 as I had

00:06:26.839 --> 00:06:27.639
 when I was with you

00:06:27.639 --> 00:06:29.160
 and as what I'm in right now.

00:06:32.319 --> 00:06:33.280
 This is similar

00:06:33.280 --> 00:06:34.280
 as to what

00:06:34.280 --> 00:06:35.519
 Christ gave

00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:36.560
 to the church

00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:37.199
 in Ephesus,

00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:37.780
 which was

00:06:37.780 --> 00:06:39.060
 Ephesians 6, 11,

00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:40.120
 put on

00:06:40.120 --> 00:06:41.279
 the whole armor

00:06:41.279 --> 00:06:41.759
 of God

00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:42.740
 that you may be able

00:06:42.740 --> 00:06:43.480
 to stand

00:06:43.480 --> 00:06:44.340
 against

00:06:44.340 --> 00:06:45.279
 the schemes

00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:45.860
 of the devil.

00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:47.699
 So here's the church

00:06:47.699 --> 00:06:48.279
 at war,

00:06:48.379 --> 00:06:49.420
 the church militant.

00:06:49.420 --> 00:06:52.439
 Beloved congregation

00:06:52.439 --> 00:06:53.960
 of our Lord Jesus Christ,

00:06:54.840 --> 00:06:56.000
 I want to

00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:57.400
 give you this same strength.

00:06:57.500 --> 00:06:58.759
 I want to pass it on to you.

00:07:00.280 --> 00:07:01.360
 I think these verses

00:07:01.360 --> 00:07:02.180
 are strength

00:07:02.180 --> 00:07:04.080
 for gospel-gripped

00:07:04.080 --> 00:07:04.800
 soldiers.

00:07:05.780 --> 00:07:06.280
 These verses

00:07:06.280 --> 00:07:07.000
 are strength

00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:07.819
 for you and me

00:07:07.819 --> 00:07:09.460
 as part of the church

00:07:09.460 --> 00:07:10.220
 today as well.

00:07:12.700 --> 00:07:13.960
 I don't always do this

00:07:13.960 --> 00:07:14.840
 and it wasn't even

00:07:14.840 --> 00:07:15.340
 on purpose

00:07:15.340 --> 00:07:16.139
 until I got done.

00:07:16.220 --> 00:07:16.639
 I realized

00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:18.040
 there are five B's here.

00:07:18.040 --> 00:07:19.560
 So I looked up

00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:20.020
 really quickly

00:07:20.020 --> 00:07:20.480
 this morning,

00:07:20.580 --> 00:07:21.500
 what does vitamin B

00:07:21.500 --> 00:07:22.520
 even do in us?

00:07:23.180 --> 00:07:24.460
 And it helps your nerves.

00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:25.420
 Well, that's fitting.

00:07:25.520 --> 00:07:25.780
 He says,

00:07:25.860 --> 00:07:26.600
 don't be frightened

00:07:26.600 --> 00:07:27.379
 in any way.

00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:29.100
 It gives you energy

00:07:29.100 --> 00:07:31.040
 and it makes

00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:31.860
 your immune system

00:07:31.860 --> 00:07:32.439
 strong

00:07:32.439 --> 00:07:34.220
 so you can keep going.

00:07:34.840 --> 00:07:35.740
 So here are five

00:07:35.740 --> 00:07:36.700
 doses

00:07:36.700 --> 00:07:37.759
 of vitamin B

00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:38.439
 for the church.

00:07:38.939 --> 00:07:39.400
 Number one,

00:07:39.520 --> 00:07:40.700
 be citizens.

00:07:41.820 --> 00:07:43.140
 Be citizens.

00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:45.500
 And this is so,

00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:46.640
 so beautiful

00:07:46.640 --> 00:07:47.320
 of the gospel.

00:07:47.740 --> 00:07:48.819
 It's an exhortation

00:07:48.819 --> 00:07:50.379
 for you to do something.

00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:51.279
 What is it you have to do?

00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:52.519
 You have to be a citizen.

00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:53.680
 It's something God does

00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:54.079
 to you.

00:07:54.459 --> 00:07:55.399
 He makes you a citizen.

00:07:56.839 --> 00:07:57.719
 So number one,

00:07:57.839 --> 00:07:58.240
 live out

00:07:58.240 --> 00:07:59.459
 who you truly are

00:07:59.459 --> 00:08:01.060
 no matter who's watching.

00:08:02.379 --> 00:08:03.379
 Be a citizen.

00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:04.060
 Live out

00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:05.420
 who you truly are

00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:06.560
 no matter who's watching.

00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:08.039
 Look at verse 27.

00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:08.959
 It says,

00:08:09.060 --> 00:08:10.159
 only let your conduct

00:08:10.159 --> 00:08:10.800
 be worthy

00:08:10.800 --> 00:08:12.259
 of the gospel of Christ

00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:13.420
 so that whether

00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:14.480
 I come to see you

00:08:14.480 --> 00:08:15.480
 or am absent,

00:08:15.620 --> 00:08:16.300
 I may hear

00:08:16.300 --> 00:08:17.300
 of your affairs

00:08:17.300 --> 00:08:19.280
 that you stand fast.

00:08:21.960 --> 00:08:22.360
 Philippi,

00:08:22.780 --> 00:08:23.939
 it had belonged

00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:24.900
 to Macedon

00:08:24.900 --> 00:08:26.980
 and it had been named

00:08:26.980 --> 00:08:28.000
 after Philip II

00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:28.740
 who was the father

00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:29.860
 of Alexander the Great.

00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:30.800
 So it's got this

00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:32.440
 rich Greek history

00:08:32.440 --> 00:08:33.659
 and now it's called

00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:34.220
 Little Rome.

00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:35.360
 It had been built back up

00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:36.180
 by the Romans.

00:08:37.460 --> 00:08:38.379
 But it was a city

00:08:38.379 --> 00:08:38.940
 much like

00:08:38.940 --> 00:08:40.000
 Vanity Fair

00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:41.100
 and Pilgrim's Progress,

00:08:41.799 --> 00:08:42.639
 much like Denver.

00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:44.960
 Every distortion

00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:45.740
 known to mankind

00:08:45.740 --> 00:08:46.860
 of a good desire

00:08:46.860 --> 00:08:47.699
 that God gave

00:08:47.699 --> 00:08:48.860
 is available

00:08:48.860 --> 00:08:50.399
 and it's calling

00:08:50.399 --> 00:08:51.480
 for your attention,

00:08:52.139 --> 00:08:53.199
 your time,

00:08:53.319 --> 00:08:53.759
 your energy,

00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:54.259
 your money.

00:08:55.939 --> 00:08:56.980
 And the exhortation

00:08:56.980 --> 00:08:58.419
 is be a different

00:08:58.419 --> 00:08:59.340
 kind of citizen

00:08:59.340 --> 00:09:00.799
 within Philippi.

00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:02.559
 Be a different

00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:03.720
 kind of citizen

00:09:03.720 --> 00:09:04.659
 within Denver,

00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:06.059
 within the USA.

00:09:06.059 --> 00:09:08.579
 the Christian Standard

00:09:08.579 --> 00:09:09.399
 Bible translates

00:09:09.399 --> 00:09:09.959
 that phrase

00:09:09.959 --> 00:09:11.259
 as citizens of heaven.

00:09:12.139 --> 00:09:13.079
 That's what he's getting at.

00:09:13.179 --> 00:09:13.759
 As believers

00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:15.379
 who were called out

00:09:15.379 --> 00:09:15.899
 of the world

00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:16.979
 into Christ

00:09:16.979 --> 00:09:18.500
 but left in the world.

00:09:19.199 --> 00:09:19.659
 Be that.

00:09:20.119 --> 00:09:21.359
 That's who you truly are.

00:09:23.059 --> 00:09:25.079
 Be a gospel colony,

00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:26.099
 so to speak.

00:09:26.699 --> 00:09:28.299
 The church is a gospel colony.

00:09:28.299 --> 00:09:31.399
 And that command,

00:09:31.779 --> 00:09:32.839
 let your conduct

00:09:32.839 --> 00:09:34.519
 be worthy of.

00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:36.079
 Six words.

00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:38.139
 But in Greek

00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:39.519
 it's just one word.

00:09:40.539 --> 00:09:41.559
 I don't need to say

00:09:41.559 --> 00:09:42.379
 what it is in Greek.

00:09:42.779 --> 00:09:43.339
 You need to know

00:09:43.339 --> 00:09:44.599
 that the root

00:09:44.599 --> 00:09:45.399
 of that one word

00:09:45.399 --> 00:09:45.759
 in Greek

00:09:45.759 --> 00:09:46.719
 is polis.

00:09:48.199 --> 00:09:48.719
 Polis.

00:09:49.539 --> 00:09:50.779
 Like a city-state

00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:51.939
 in the ancient world

00:09:51.939 --> 00:09:53.359
 that belongs

00:09:53.359 --> 00:09:54.099
 to an empire

00:09:54.099 --> 00:09:54.799
 or a kingdom.

00:09:54.799 --> 00:09:57.099
 So if you belong

00:09:57.099 --> 00:09:58.299
 to a city-state,

00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:01.000
 you know the laws,

00:10:01.819 --> 00:10:02.879
 you know the manners,

00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:03.459
 the values,

00:10:03.579 --> 00:10:04.059
 the customs,

00:10:04.219 --> 00:10:04.779
 the traditions

00:10:04.779 --> 00:10:06.039
 of this city

00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:06.819
 or this kingdom

00:10:06.819 --> 00:10:07.939
 to which you belong.

00:10:09.339 --> 00:10:10.319
 And in the ancient world

00:10:10.319 --> 00:10:10.939
 to belong

00:10:10.939 --> 00:10:12.279
 and to truly be a citizen,

00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:13.459
 that was the best thing

00:10:13.459 --> 00:10:13.979
 you had going

00:10:13.979 --> 00:10:14.679
 for your life.

00:10:15.019 --> 00:10:16.219
 It really defined you.

00:10:19.359 --> 00:10:20.419
 And Paul says,

00:10:21.079 --> 00:10:22.799
 you be a gospel citizen.

00:10:23.579 --> 00:10:24.639
 You be a citizen

00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:25.639
 of heaven.

00:10:28.059 --> 00:10:29.500
 This collective mentality

00:10:29.500 --> 00:10:31.019
 of all of us together,

00:10:31.659 --> 00:10:32.319
 we are known

00:10:32.319 --> 00:10:33.139
 by what we value,

00:10:33.240 --> 00:10:34.179
 by the laws we hold to,

00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:34.980
 by our customs.

00:10:35.439 --> 00:10:36.600
 It rallies the troops

00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:38.439
 and it incites action.

00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:42.179
 It's such an ironic twist

00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:44.340
 because in Acts 16.21,

00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:46.019
 and Acts 16 is the whole chapter

00:10:46.019 --> 00:10:46.799
 about how this church

00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:47.439
 got started,

00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:49.240
 read these words,

00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:50.559
 Acts 16.21.

00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:53.319
 Paul and his company

00:10:53.319 --> 00:10:54.279
 were arrested

00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:54.759
 because,

00:10:54.959 --> 00:10:55.139
 quote,

00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:56.639
 they teach customs

00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:57.659
 that are not lawful

00:10:57.659 --> 00:10:58.480
 for us,

00:10:59.019 --> 00:10:59.939
 being Romans,

00:11:00.620 --> 00:11:01.899
 to receive or observe.

00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:03.959
 This was the opposition

00:11:03.959 --> 00:11:04.539
 that Paul

00:11:04.539 --> 00:11:06.019
 and his team

00:11:06.019 --> 00:11:06.779
 of missionaries

00:11:06.779 --> 00:11:07.639
 received.

00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:08.720
 They were disrupting

00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:09.240
 the order

00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:10.579
 of this Roman city.

00:11:11.579 --> 00:11:12.819
 And now he's using it

00:11:12.819 --> 00:11:14.259
 as an encouragement,

00:11:14.459 --> 00:11:14.980
 as strength

00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:15.539
 for the church

00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:16.319
 within the city.

00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:18.420
 I love how the King James

00:11:18.420 --> 00:11:18.900
 puts it.

00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:20.120
 So we say,

00:11:20.280 --> 00:11:20.940
 you or ye,

00:11:21.280 --> 00:11:22.120
 what's the difference

00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:24.260
 in that old English?

00:11:24.420 --> 00:11:25.280
 Well, ye is plural.

00:11:26.060 --> 00:11:26.560
 So it says,

00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:28.300
 be ye being.

00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:29.340
 That would be the word

00:11:29.340 --> 00:11:30.200
 for word translation.

00:11:30.760 --> 00:11:31.900
 Be all of you together

00:11:31.900 --> 00:11:32.460
 collectively,

00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:34.500
 being citizens.

00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:38.700
 It's in the second person,

00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:39.460
 passive.

00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:40.139
 Again,

00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:41.159
 it's an exhortation,

00:11:41.639 --> 00:11:42.559
 but it's passive.

00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:43.519
 God is the one

00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:44.539
 who makes you a citizen.

00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:45.240
 You are the one

00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:46.320
 who keeps being

00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:47.100
 what he made you.

00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:48.519
 He's reminding them

00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:49.139
 of who they are.

00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:51.000
 You all,

00:11:51.179 --> 00:11:52.340
 saints of the church

00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:52.940
 at Philippi,

00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:54.179
 with elders and deacons,

00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:54.919
 that's his audience.

00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:55.980
 That's who he's been

00:11:55.980 --> 00:11:56.639
 talking to.

00:11:57.720 --> 00:11:57.980
 Be,

00:11:58.179 --> 00:11:58.779
 being,

00:11:59.139 --> 00:11:59.679
 citizens,

00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:01.740
 whose loyalty belongs

00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:02.960
 not to Caesar,

00:12:02.960 --> 00:12:04.000
 but to Christ,

00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:05.740
 not to Rome,

00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:06.720
 but to heaven,

00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:08.940
 whose eyes are set

00:12:08.940 --> 00:12:09.800
 not on the troubles

00:12:09.800 --> 00:12:10.540
 of this world,

00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:11.680
 but on the joy

00:12:11.680 --> 00:12:12.460
 of the next.

00:12:13.440 --> 00:12:13.720
 Be,

00:12:13.900 --> 00:12:14.379
 being,

00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:15.000
 that.

00:12:15.680 --> 00:12:16.720
 That's who you are.

00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:20.200
 And he wants them

00:12:20.200 --> 00:12:21.060
 to do this

00:12:21.060 --> 00:12:22.800
 because it's who they are,

00:12:23.060 --> 00:12:24.180
 not for man's approval.

00:12:25.300 --> 00:12:26.840
 That simple statement,

00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:28.500
 whether I come to see you

00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:30.120
 or am absent.

00:12:31.160 --> 00:12:32.340
 Well, here's this little battalion,

00:12:32.340 --> 00:12:33.340
 this little congregation,

00:12:33.540 --> 00:12:34.580
 an outpost of the kingdom

00:12:34.580 --> 00:12:35.120
 of heaven.

00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.740
 Wouldn't it be wonderful

00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:37.759
 if they could see Paul,

00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:38.720
 you know,

00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:40.139
 one of the great commanders

00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:41.340
 under Christ,

00:12:41.680 --> 00:12:42.160
 calling them,

00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:42.759
 rallying them up,

00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:43.580
 sending them to fight.

00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:44.820
 Wouldn't that be encouraging?

00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:45.420
 Paul says,

00:12:45.780 --> 00:12:46.920
 you're doing this for Christ.

00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:48.300
 Whether I'm with you

00:12:48.300 --> 00:12:49.160
 to see it or not,

00:12:49.460 --> 00:12:50.440
 don't do it for me.

00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:51.840
 But that's who you are.

00:12:52.420 --> 00:12:53.820
 Keep being who God made you.

00:12:56.700 --> 00:12:57.560
 Here's why I think

00:12:57.560 --> 00:12:58.800
 this is God-breathed

00:12:58.800 --> 00:13:00.280
 strength for you and me

00:13:00.280 --> 00:13:00.680
 also,

00:13:00.680 --> 00:13:01.660
 for the church.

00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:04.139
 We are to live out

00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.240
 who we truly are,

00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:07.259
 no matter who's watching.

00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:10.240
 To be a gospel-gripped soldier

00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:13.180
 means we keep being

00:13:13.180 --> 00:13:14.480
 who God made us to be,

00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:16.639
 no matter who's watching.

00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:20.700
 What comes to mind

00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:23.160
 with an illustration for this

00:13:23.160 --> 00:13:25.660
 is there was this story,

00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:26.700
 I never got to meet them,

00:13:26.800 --> 00:13:28.639
 but there's a brother and sister

00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:30.360
 from a tribe in Africa.

00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:32.500
 And they had the opportunity

00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:34.500
 because they were of a high class,

00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:36.500
 educated class in Africa

00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:38.199
 and they came to college

00:13:38.199 --> 00:13:38.799
 in the USA.

00:13:39.340 --> 00:13:40.639
 And I was still hearing stories

00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:42.279
 about them from this old couple,

00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:42.980
 like grandparents,

00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:44.080
 that opened their home

00:13:44.080 --> 00:13:45.379
 for college students

00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:46.039
 who wanted to pray

00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:46.860
 for missionaries.

00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:48.879
 And they described these

00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:50.120
 wonderful,

00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:51.060
 beautiful people

00:13:51.060 --> 00:13:53.519
 as just conducting

00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:54.519
 themselves differently,

00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:56.379
 not even in a spiritual sense,

00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:57.800
 just how they carried themselves,

00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:58.980
 how they walked

00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:00.019
 with their shoulders back,

00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:01.039
 their heads held high,

00:14:01.680 --> 00:14:03.039
 the courtesy they showed

00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:03.580
 and how they,

00:14:03.800 --> 00:14:04.159
 you know,

00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:05.039
 served one another

00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:05.539
 and helped.

00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:07.960
 And they told me later

00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:09.100
 that they were humble about this,

00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:10.039
 but they came to find out

00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:10.879
 in getting to know them,

00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:12.480
 their father was considered

00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:13.899
 a prince of this tribe.

00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:15.200
 They were noble,

00:14:15.320 --> 00:14:15.700
 noble,

00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:16.220
 you know,

00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:16.820
 royalty.

00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:18.700
 And so they acted

00:14:18.700 --> 00:14:20.360
 like a prince and a princess,

00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:21.980
 even though they're in America,

00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:23.080
 totally different culture.

00:14:23.539 --> 00:14:24.320
 That's who they are,

00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:25.500
 that's how they were,

00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:26.600
 were born into

00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:28.000
 and that's how they wanted

00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:28.680
 to live

00:14:28.680 --> 00:14:29.740
 and conduct themselves

00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.820
 no matter where they were,

00:14:31.200 --> 00:14:31.659
 whether or not

00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:33.379
 their royal father and mother

00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:34.519
 were watching them.

00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:36.420
 Isn't that a beautiful picture

00:14:36.420 --> 00:14:37.360
 for us as Christians

00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:38.240
 who Christ has left

00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:38.920
 in the world?

00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:40.340
 We are royalty.

00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:44.000
 Our father is the king of kings.

00:14:44.920 --> 00:14:46.100
 We belong to him.

00:14:47.280 --> 00:14:47.940
 And he's saying,

00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:51.200
 be being who you are.

00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:52.720
 In English,

00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:54.080
 we can put it that way,

00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:54.800
 though it's different.

00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:56.100
 It's let your conduct

00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:57.860
 be worthy of the gospel.

00:14:59.019 --> 00:15:00.680
 You are gospel citizens.

00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:01.940
 Live this way.

00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:05.420
 When you're gospel gripped,

00:15:05.900 --> 00:15:07.840
 your conduct does not depend

00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:09.700
 on man's observation.

00:15:10.340 --> 00:15:13.600
 The reason we read

00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:15.540
 John 17 earlier

00:15:15.540 --> 00:15:16.540
 as part of our liturgy

00:15:16.540 --> 00:15:17.940
 is because what I hear here

00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:19.139
 are these echoes.

00:15:19.780 --> 00:15:21.019
 John 17 is Christ's

00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:21.820
 high priestly prayer,

00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:22.899
 his prayer for the church.

00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:25.080
 And when we're told

00:15:25.080 --> 00:15:25.860
 he's praying now

00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:26.740
 at the right hand of God,

00:15:26.780 --> 00:15:27.360
 the Father Almighty,

00:15:27.420 --> 00:15:28.600
 that's a little picture

00:15:28.600 --> 00:15:29.620
 into how Christ prays

00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:30.379
 for his church.

00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:32.440
 And listen to the similarity

00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:33.540
 of how Christ prays

00:15:33.540 --> 00:15:34.840
 in John 17, 9

00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:36.800
 with these first words

00:15:36.800 --> 00:15:38.360
 of our sermon text today.

00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:39.120
 Jesus said,

00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:41.240
 I do not pray for the world,

00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:42.419
 but for those

00:15:42.419 --> 00:15:43.879
 whom you have given me,

00:15:44.060 --> 00:15:45.220
 for they are yours.

00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:46.740
 There is a people

00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:47.379
 in the world

00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:48.279
 that belong to God

00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:49.019
 that are separated

00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:49.960
 for him.

00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:52.159
 All mine are yours,

00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:54.139
 and yours are mine,

00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:56.560
 and I am glorified

00:15:56.560 --> 00:15:58.139
 in them.

00:15:58.139 --> 00:16:00.559
 It's the reputation,

00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:02.000
 the name of God,

00:16:02.439 --> 00:16:03.620
 the glory of Christ

00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.879
 that's being revealed

00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:06.379
 through his gospel colony,

00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.259
 his people,

00:16:07.699 --> 00:16:08.199
 the church.

00:16:09.199 --> 00:16:09.879
 So number one,

00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.559
 be citizens.

00:16:10.819 --> 00:16:12.259
 Live out who you truly are

00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:13.639
 no matter who's watching.

00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.039
 Number two,

00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:17.080
 be one.

00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:19.340
 Be one.

00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:21.319
 From the harmony

00:16:21.319 --> 00:16:22.500
 of your shared faith,

00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:24.220
 fight aggressively

00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.200
 as one soldier.

00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:27.800
 Be one.

00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:28.660
 From the harmony

00:16:28.660 --> 00:16:30.500
 of your shared faith,

00:16:31.060 --> 00:16:32.259
 fight aggressively

00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:33.220
 as one soldier.

00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:34.480
 I really believe

00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.180
 that's the picture.

00:16:36.180 --> 00:16:36.860
 Verse 27,

00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.259
 he says,

00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.340
 you stand fast,

00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.140
 he says,

00:16:39.300 --> 00:16:40.560
 in one spirit,

00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:42.040
 with one mind,

00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.660
 striving together

00:16:43.660 --> 00:16:45.000
 for the faith

00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.700
 of the gospel.

00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:49.140
 We can infer here

00:16:49.140 --> 00:16:50.800
 there's a challenge

00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:51.700
 against this little

00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:53.060
 congregation in Philippi.

00:16:53.920 --> 00:16:55.080
 Potential disunity

00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:55.860
 or division

00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:57.120
 within the body.

00:16:59.140 --> 00:17:00.780
 In Paul's tactical mind,

00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:01.360
 this would be

00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:02.580
 a spiritual loss.

00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:05.180
 Sinclair Ferguson,

00:17:05.840 --> 00:17:07.259
 who has so much experience

00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:07.860
 with churches

00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:09.160
 and laboring toward churches

00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:10.100
 to be biblical

00:17:10.100 --> 00:17:10.759
 and healthy

00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:11.400
 and thriving,

00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:13.000
 he made this observation

00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:14.319
 with this passage in mind.

00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:16.980
 It continues to be an issue

00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.299
 where personal agendas

00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:20.159
 creep in

00:17:20.159 --> 00:17:21.839
 and ends up costing

00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:22.439
 the church

00:17:22.439 --> 00:17:24.059
 an incredible

00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:25.159
 and unhealthy amount

00:17:25.159 --> 00:17:25.819
 of energy

00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:27.559
 that could have otherwise

00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:28.119
 been spent

00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:29.079
 on advancement.

00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.240
 And so he says,

00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:31.960
 stand fast

00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:32.779
 in one spirit

00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:33.779
 with one mind

00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:35.099
 striving together

00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:36.480
 for the faith

00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.539
 of the gospel.

00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:38.859
 That phrase,

00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:40.299
 striving together,

00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:43.359
 it's in the plural,

00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:44.899
 present active,

00:17:45.139 --> 00:17:46.879
 meaning all of you together

00:17:46.879 --> 00:17:48.240
 continuously

00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:49.799
 working at this

00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.759
 right now.

00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:51.519
 Do it.

00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:53.779
 Advancing the cause.

00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.339
 Labor toward the goal.

00:17:56.719 --> 00:17:57.639
 Striving together.

00:17:57.859 --> 00:17:58.959
 It's most often used

00:17:58.959 --> 00:17:59.959
 in secular literature

00:17:59.959 --> 00:18:01.259
 for competing.

00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:04.219
 Like in the Greek Olympics,

00:18:04.719 --> 00:18:05.539
 striving together

00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:06.419
 toward the prize.

00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:09.400
 I don't know what image

00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:10.779
 you have of the Apostle Paul,

00:18:11.580 --> 00:18:12.940
 but through him,

00:18:13.360 --> 00:18:14.220
 through the personality

00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:14.820
 and the background

00:18:14.820 --> 00:18:15.560
 God gave him

00:18:15.560 --> 00:18:17.000
 and through all of his travels

00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.080
 around the Roman Empire,

00:18:18.600 --> 00:18:19.920
 he loves these images

00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:21.560
 from the Roman world.

00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.000
 Racing,

00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:25.259
 boxing,

00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.420
 wrestling matches.

00:18:27.860 --> 00:18:29.420
 In 1 Corinthians 9.26,

00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.019
 he says,

00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:31.340
 I don't shadow box.

00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.820
 I'm here beating my body.

00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:35.039
 I'm not just a guy,

00:18:35.179 --> 00:18:35.419
 you know,

00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:36.960
 theorizing about theology.

00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.179
 I'm in the MMA.

00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:39.799
 I've taken black eyes.

00:18:39.879 --> 00:18:40.619
 I lost a tooth,

00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:41.000
 you know.

00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:41.759
 My leg,

00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:42.859
 I walk with a limp.

00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:44.259
 He's in it.

00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:45.200
 He's in the fight.

00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.480
 And he says,

00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:47.019
 you church,

00:18:47.139 --> 00:18:48.220
 strive together.

00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:49.939
 One mind.

00:18:50.179 --> 00:18:51.220
 One spirit.

00:18:52.059 --> 00:18:53.240
 Like one soldier

00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:55.439
 aggressively fighting

00:18:55.439 --> 00:18:56.819
 this spiritual battle.

00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:59.740
 What does it look like

00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:00.379
 to do that?

00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:01.579
 To aggressively

00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:02.599
 go to battle

00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:03.259
 as a church?

00:19:06.679 --> 00:19:07.539
 I think we have

00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.779
 a wonderful example

00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:10.960
 in a man named Epaphras.

00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:12.879
 In the letter

00:19:12.879 --> 00:19:13.779
 to the Colossians

00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.519
 by the inspiration

00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.159
 of the Spirit,

00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:16.519
 Colossians 4.12,

00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:18.019
 we read this.

00:19:18.679 --> 00:19:19.159
 Epaphras,

00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:20.500
 who is one of you,

00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:22.759
 a servant of Jesus Christ,

00:19:23.179 --> 00:19:25.099
 he is always striving

00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:26.659
 or struggling

00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:27.980
 on your behalf

00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:28.900
 in his prayers.

00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:31.500
 That you may stand

00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.160
 mature

00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:34.200
 and fully assured

00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:36.019
 in all the will

00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.660
 of God.

00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:38.700
 He uses that same phrase,

00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:40.320
 striving for you,

00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:42.320
 to describe Epaphras

00:19:42.320 --> 00:19:43.100
 praying,

00:19:43.560 --> 00:19:44.100
 interceding.

00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:46.300
 So if you know someone

00:19:46.300 --> 00:19:47.400
 who prays on behalf

00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:48.480
 of others aggressively,

00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:51.279
 you know a true

00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:52.279
 prayer warrior.

00:19:55.080 --> 00:19:55.940
 And he says,

00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:57.000
 do this together,

00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:58.799
 at the same place,

00:19:58.960 --> 00:19:59.920
 at the same time,

00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:01.120
 in concert.

00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.620
 So interwoven

00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:04.820
 should your prayers

00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:05.500
 be fighting

00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:06.180
 for the advancement

00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:06.860
 of the kingdom

00:20:06.860 --> 00:20:07.960
 that it's like

00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:09.340
 a singular prayer.

00:20:13.140 --> 00:20:14.480
 Do this together,

00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:16.160
 one spirit,

00:20:16.620 --> 00:20:17.580
 one mind.

00:20:18.880 --> 00:20:19.900
 I think this gets

00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:21.440
 at the same description

00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.480
 of the early church,

00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.680
 Acts 4, 32.

00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.559
 Now the multitude

00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:26.299
 of those who were

00:20:26.299 --> 00:20:27.240
 believing were of

00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.339
 one heart

00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:29.920
 and one soul.

00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.660
 See, the way that God

00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:33.000
 started the early church,

00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.079
 Acts 4,

00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:35.099
 the pouring out

00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:35.640
 of the Spirit,

00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:37.279
 the same thing continues

00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:38.039
 now from city

00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:38.460
 to city

00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:38.880
 to city

00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:39.339
 to city.

00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.640
 Decades pass,

00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:42.039
 and God is still

00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:43.380
 working in the same way.

00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:45.339
 So it's possible,

00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:45.579
 no,

00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.720
 it's biblical,

00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:47.900
 and to be expected

00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:49.339
 that we as a church

00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:50.160
 would be able

00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:50.880
 to be described

00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:51.640
 that same way,

00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:53.420
 so full of the Holy Spirit,

00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:55.380
 that His mind,

00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:56.240
 the mind of Christ

00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.279
 is working its way

00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:58.259
 into all of us,

00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.420
 and to the extent

00:20:59.420 --> 00:20:59.960
 that we share

00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:00.740
 the mind of Christ,

00:21:00.840 --> 00:21:01.900
 we are sharing one mind.

00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:03.240
 To the extent

00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:04.519
 that we are praying together

00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.519
 for the advancement

00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.320
 of God's kingdom

00:21:06.320 --> 00:21:07.740
 and doing those simple,

00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:08.560
 ordinary things

00:21:08.560 --> 00:21:09.500
 He's told us to do,

00:21:09.800 --> 00:21:11.600
 we are such a church as well.

00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:13.100
 We're fighting aggressively

00:21:13.100 --> 00:21:14.320
 as if we were just

00:21:14.320 --> 00:21:15.480
 one soldier.

00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:20.240
 What about the phrase

00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:21.680
 for the faith

00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:23.019
 of the gospel?

00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:26.579
 I think in this meaning here

00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:28.319
 it's a singular article,

00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:29.660
 so the faith

00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:31.259
 of the gospel.

00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.400
 This means

00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:35.860
 like what Jude said

00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:37.059
 in Jude 1, 3,

00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.539
 contend for the faith

00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:39.700
 that was once for all

00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:40.980
 delivered to the saints.

00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:42.599
 It's the body of teaching

00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:43.279
 about Christ,

00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:44.240
 it's the faith

00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.319
 that we received

00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:46.019
 from Christ

00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:47.099
 through the apostles

00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:47.680
 breathed out

00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.579
 into the New Testament.

00:21:49.059 --> 00:21:50.200
 Contend for this truth.

00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:52.460
 Contend for the doctrines

00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:53.660
 about God

00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:55.279
 and salvation in Christ

00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.839
 alone

00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:57.120
 by grace

00:21:57.120 --> 00:21:58.140
 through faith in Him.

00:22:00.299 --> 00:22:02.160
 2 Thessalonians 2, 15

00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.940
 gives a similar instruction.

00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:04.319
 He says,

00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.440
 stand firm

00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:07.279
 and hold to the traditions

00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.779
 that you were taught by us,

00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:10.880
 either by our spoken word

00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:11.940
 or by our letter.

00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.799
 So we're not holding on

00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:15.039
 to these Jewish traditions

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.180
 or traditions of man,

00:22:16.419 --> 00:22:17.259
 but we're holding on

00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.740
 to what has been handed down

00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.619
 within the church.

00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:21.379
 That's why it's very appropriate

00:22:21.379 --> 00:22:22.460
 for a congregation

00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:23.779
 now, 2024,

00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:25.240
 to still read

00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.159
 the Apostles' Creed,

00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.359
 the Nicene Creed,

00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.460
 from our confessions

00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.079
 and we share

00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:30.440
 this rich heritage

00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:32.159
 that's been handed down

00:22:32.159 --> 00:22:33.119
 through the church

00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:33.639
 and preserved

00:22:33.639 --> 00:22:34.579
 by the Holy Spirit.

00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:37.919
 Ferguson again commented,

00:22:38.139 --> 00:22:38.919
 any distortion

00:22:38.920 --> 00:22:40.860
 to the faith handed down

00:22:40.860 --> 00:22:42.860
 will result in failure

00:22:42.860 --> 00:22:45.400
 to live as citizens of heaven.

00:22:45.800 --> 00:22:46.580
 You see the connection

00:22:46.580 --> 00:22:47.259
 between the two.

00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.920
 You distort the doctrine,

00:22:49.360 --> 00:22:50.759
 you're going to mess up

00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.740
 the way people live.

00:22:52.560 --> 00:22:53.420
 Any distortion

00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:55.320
 to the faith handed down

00:22:55.320 --> 00:22:57.560
 will result in failure

00:22:57.560 --> 00:22:59.820
 to live as citizens of heaven.

00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:03.079
 Our Lord Jesus prayed

00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:04.379
 in John 17, 11,

00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:05.859
 Now I am no longer

00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:06.519
 in the world,

00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:08.159
 but these are in the world.

00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.720
 I come to you,

00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:10.639
 Holy Father,

00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:12.799
 and keep through your name

00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:14.279
 those whom you have given me

00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.859
 that they may be one

00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:17.700
 as we are one.

00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:20.000
 Jesus prays for the Father

00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.019
 by the work of the Spirit

00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:22.579
 to keep his church,

00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:23.720
 preserve them,

00:23:24.399 --> 00:23:25.659
 and may they be one,

00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:27.439
 sharing in the unity

00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:28.759
 of God himself.

00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:34.539
 Well, the second command

00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:35.500
 is to be one

00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.900
 from the harmony

00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:38.720
 of your shared faith.

00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:40.180
 Fight aggressively

00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:41.740
 as one soldier.

00:23:44.580 --> 00:23:46.960
 Do you have this shared faith?

00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:49.660
 Do you follow this same Christ?

00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.680
 There's no room

00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.840
 to sit on the sidelines.

00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.320
 Jesus says,

00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.620
 either you're for me,

00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:58.879
 or you're for the enemy.

00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.659
 If you're not following Christ,

00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:04.719
 if you're taking a wait and see,

00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:06.239
 let's see how this all turns out,

00:24:06.939 --> 00:24:07.739
 there will be no hope

00:24:07.739 --> 00:24:08.579
 for you in the end.

00:24:09.979 --> 00:24:11.159
 You follow Christ.

00:24:12.179 --> 00:24:13.619
 You join his army.

00:24:14.579 --> 00:24:15.739
 You serve him now.

00:24:16.679 --> 00:24:17.319
 You don't know

00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:18.579
 what tomorrow holds for you.

00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:20.259
 This is the hour, he says.

00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:22.000
 Today is the day

00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:23.739
 to follow Jesus.

00:24:23.899 --> 00:24:25.059
 Don't put it off to tomorrow.

00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.519
 Your flesh wants to have

00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.200
 other excuses.

00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.539
 This is the day

00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:29.720
 to make your allegiance

00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.399
 to Jesus,

00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.359
 the King of Kings,

00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.179
 certain.

00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.159
 Walter Gentry,

00:24:35.679 --> 00:24:38.179
 he made a connection

00:24:38.179 --> 00:24:40.740
 with this command

00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:42.799
 to strive together

00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.700
 with the church

00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:45.859
 to an old fable,

00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:46.720
 Aesop's fable,

00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.579
 probably would have been

00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:49.099
 familiar to this church

00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:50.099
 in Philippi as well.

00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:52.599
 There was a battle

00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.339
 in this fable

00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:54.299
 between the beasts

00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.119
 and the birds.

00:24:56.719 --> 00:24:57.799
 Each one had issues

00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.480
 against the other.

00:24:58.839 --> 00:25:00.259
 Those who were prey of one

00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:01.659
 were angry at the predators

00:25:01.659 --> 00:25:02.279
 of the other.

00:25:02.699 --> 00:25:03.519
 And so they go to war,

00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.819
 the beasts versus the birds.

00:25:05.719 --> 00:25:06.699
 Well, there were the bats

00:25:06.699 --> 00:25:08.819
 who fly like a bird,

00:25:08.899 --> 00:25:09.559
 but they're mammals,

00:25:09.659 --> 00:25:10.279
 like beasts.

00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:12.339
 And they didn't pick a side

00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:12.859
 in the battle.

00:25:13.219 --> 00:25:13.959
 Whoever was winning

00:25:13.959 --> 00:25:14.399
 a little bit,

00:25:14.459 --> 00:25:15.179
 they would drift over

00:25:15.179 --> 00:25:17.039
 and stay close to that side.

00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.139
 Well, finally,

00:25:18.199 --> 00:25:19.079
 when the battle was over

00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:19.679
 and they're deciding

00:25:19.679 --> 00:25:20.699
 who gets which land,

00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.960
 they had to decide

00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:23.460
 what do we do

00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.059
 with the bats?

00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.220
 And no one wanted

00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.279
 the bats on their side

00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.839
 because they're not loyal.

00:25:27.939 --> 00:25:28.720
 They don't pick a side.

00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:29.699
 They don't fight for either.

00:25:30.159 --> 00:25:31.240
 So bats were relegated

00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:31.899
 to the caves.

00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:35.759
 The moral of this story is

00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.899
 if you're a Christian,

00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:38.359
 you can't be a bat.

00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:41.299
 I love how Charles Spurges

00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.960
 pointed out,

00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:44.879
 every man must serve somebody.

00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.500
 We have no choice

00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:48.220
 as to that fact.

00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:49.920
 Those who have no master

00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:51.299
 are slaves to themselves.

00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.279
 Depend on it.

00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:54.120
 You will either serve Satan

00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:54.920
 or Christ,

00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:56.660
 either self or the Savior.

00:25:57.360 --> 00:25:59.059
 You will find sin,

00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.519
 self, Satan,

00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.180
 and the world

00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:02.579
 to be hard masters.

00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.920
 But if you wear

00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:07.400
 the crest of Christ,

00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.940
 you will find him

00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.720
 so meek

00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:11.120
 and lowly of heart

00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:13.400
 that you will find rest

00:26:13.400 --> 00:26:14.339
 for your souls.

00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:16.400
 Wear the crest of Christ.

00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:18.220
 Fight in his army.

00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.259
 And from the harmony

00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.400
 of our shared faith,

00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:23.180
 we fight aggressively

00:26:23.180 --> 00:26:24.300
 in a spiritual sense

00:26:24.300 --> 00:26:25.740
 as one soldier.

00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:27.800
 Number three,

00:26:28.780 --> 00:26:30.560
 be unrattled.

00:26:31.060 --> 00:26:31.840
 Be unrattled.

00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.640
 Paul tells the church next

00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:36.800
 that to suffer opposition

00:26:36.800 --> 00:26:39.340
 is proof you are advancing together.

00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.400
 Be unrattled.

00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:41.000
 Be unrattled.

00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:42.820
 To suffer opposition

00:26:42.820 --> 00:26:43.640
 is proof

00:26:43.640 --> 00:26:46.740
 that you are advancing together.

00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:48.900
 Verse 28 reads,

00:26:49.400 --> 00:26:50.600
 Not in any way,

00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.200
 a double negative there,

00:26:52.320 --> 00:26:53.560
 not in any way

00:26:53.560 --> 00:26:54.380
 terrified

00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:55.400
 by your adversaries,

00:26:56.280 --> 00:26:57.259
 which is to them

00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:58.440
 a proof of perdition,

00:26:58.820 --> 00:27:00.280
 but to you of salvation

00:27:00.280 --> 00:27:02.080
 and that from God.

00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:05.440
 Christians in the ancient world,

00:27:05.820 --> 00:27:06.580
 much like today,

00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.360
 were suspicious.

00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:10.099
 The world would look at them

00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:10.539
 and say,

00:27:10.939 --> 00:27:11.939
 Those people are weird.

00:27:12.139 --> 00:27:13.099
 You don't want to be like that.

00:27:14.219 --> 00:27:15.359
 They were considered odd

00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:16.339
 by the Roman masses,

00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.379
 which made them

00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:18.279
 an easy target.

00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.719
 There was one thing

00:27:21.719 --> 00:27:22.359
 that had happened.

00:27:22.479 --> 00:27:22.879
 It's that

00:27:22.879 --> 00:27:24.579
 when Paul got converted

00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:25.519
 in the first decade

00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.639
 or so of his ministry,

00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:27.359
 Caesar Augustus

00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:28.879
 was the emperor

00:27:28.879 --> 00:27:29.859
 of the Roman Empire.

00:27:31.219 --> 00:27:32.259
 But after the church

00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:33.379
 in Philippi was planted,

00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.639
 there was a change in power

00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:35.720
 and Nero came in.

00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.620
 And under Nero,

00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:38.960
 the persecution

00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:40.759
 ramped up extremely.

00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:43.180
 And Christians,

00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:44.360
 especially in Rome,

00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:45.700
 who were considered

00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:47.800
 odd and weird outcasts,

00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:49.140
 many were arrested,

00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:50.180
 burned at the stake,

00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.780
 thrown to the wild beasts

00:27:51.780 --> 00:27:52.759
 or to the gladiators

00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.360
 for show,

00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:54.940
 desperate attempts

00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:56.180
 to keep a momentum

00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:57.620
 going within the Roman Empire,

00:27:58.100 --> 00:27:59.500
 and others were crucified.

00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.059
 So,

00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:03.740
 in Philippi,

00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.960
 there's an implied need

00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:06.440
 that there's opposition,

00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:08.319
 not only threats

00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:08.920
 of division

00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:09.640
 from the inside,

00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:11.359
 but true adversaries

00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:12.380
 coming at the church

00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:14.220
 from the outside as well.

00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.940
 And Paul doubles down on it.

00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.380
 He says,

00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.900
 never in no way

00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:21.160
 be affrightened.

00:28:22.880 --> 00:28:23.900
 The words there,

00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:25.259
 it's don't be affrightened

00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:26.380
 by your adversaries,

00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.880
 but the word by is under.

00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:29.580
 Don't be ever in any way

00:28:29.580 --> 00:28:30.540
 thinking you are under

00:28:30.540 --> 00:28:31.880
 these adversaries.

00:28:32.560 --> 00:28:34.020
 These ones who are opposing you

00:28:34.020 --> 00:28:35.060
 are not above you.

00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.760
 Don't be afraid.

00:28:38.760 --> 00:28:39.480
 And the word afraid

00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:41.240
 is often used to describe

00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:42.880
 a horse when it startles.

00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:45.800
 So if you're going on a path

00:28:45.800 --> 00:28:47.040
 and there's a rattlesnake,

00:28:47.540 --> 00:28:48.720
 the horse will rear up,

00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:49.540
 buck you off.

00:28:49.800 --> 00:28:50.580
 It'll get rattled.

00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:53.600
 But a horse that's

00:28:53.600 --> 00:28:54.860
 on a military campaign

00:28:54.860 --> 00:28:56.060
 that's charging forward

00:28:56.060 --> 00:28:57.560
 and advancing the cause,

00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:59.020
 it has to be a horse

00:28:59.020 --> 00:29:00.040
 that's well broken in

00:29:00.040 --> 00:29:01.040
 that won't be rattled.

00:29:01.360 --> 00:29:02.280
 It's going to keep putting

00:29:02.280 --> 00:29:04.100
 one foot in front of the other.

00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:06.200
 It will not flinch

00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:08.000
 in the face of opposition

00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:09.320
 and adversaries.

00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:09.740
 He says,

00:29:09.840 --> 00:29:11.120
 be like that Calvary.

00:29:11.360 --> 00:29:12.700
 You're advancing together.

00:29:13.760 --> 00:29:15.000
 Don't rear up

00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.740
 and freak out.

00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.480
 Don't get paralyzed

00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.280
 by fear.

00:29:18.760 --> 00:29:20.180
 No matter how intense it gets,

00:29:20.540 --> 00:29:21.620
 never stop

00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.860
 charging forward.

00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:25.759
 When you think of

00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:27.219
 trembling with fear

00:29:27.219 --> 00:29:29.159
 in the context

00:29:29.159 --> 00:29:30.519
 of this church in Philippi,

00:29:30.619 --> 00:29:31.639
 there's one person

00:29:31.639 --> 00:29:32.359
 who probably comes

00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:33.099
 to mind for you.

00:29:33.959 --> 00:29:34.919
 That's exactly how

00:29:34.919 --> 00:29:35.859
 the Philippian jailer

00:29:35.859 --> 00:29:36.500
 was described.

00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:37.240
 Do you remember that?

00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:39.139
 The Philippian jailer,

00:29:39.219 --> 00:29:40.879
 he trembled with fear

00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:42.199
 in Acts 16

00:29:42.199 --> 00:29:42.959
 and he fell down

00:29:42.959 --> 00:29:43.539
 on the ground.

00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:44.779
 He was ready

00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.859
 to take his own life.

00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:48.139
 That same word,

00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:48.899
 affrightened.

00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:51.620
 And God takes people

00:29:51.620 --> 00:29:52.160
 like that,

00:29:52.280 --> 00:29:53.140
 so afraid

00:29:53.140 --> 00:29:56.600
 of losing their career

00:29:56.600 --> 00:29:57.060
 and their life,

00:29:57.140 --> 00:29:57.560
 but he says,

00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:57.759
 no,

00:29:58.540 --> 00:30:00.180
 tremble in the fear of God

00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:01.620
 and believe.

00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:03.280
 What must I do

00:30:03.280 --> 00:30:03.980
 to be saved?

00:30:04.100 --> 00:30:04.780
 That's the only thing

00:30:04.780 --> 00:30:05.759
 he needed to know now.

00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:09.220
 And this is good news

00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:10.280
 for people like you and me

00:30:10.280 --> 00:30:11.080
 because anyone

00:30:11.080 --> 00:30:12.500
 who has trembled

00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:14.040
 in the fear of God

00:30:14.040 --> 00:30:15.780
 never needs to tremble

00:30:15.780 --> 00:30:17.820
 out of fear of man again.

00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:23.180
 When you are opposed

00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:23.960
 for Christ,

00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:24.940
 Paul says,

00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.840
 this is proof.

00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:28.540
 It's a testing fire.

00:30:29.860 --> 00:30:30.440
 Your suffering

00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:31.420
 is a sign

00:30:31.420 --> 00:30:32.360
 of perdition

00:30:32.360 --> 00:30:34.840
 for the enemies,

00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:36.040
 that they will be destroyed,

00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:37.480
 but for you

00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:38.420
 of your salvation.

00:30:40.320 --> 00:30:41.560
 That word sign

00:30:41.560 --> 00:30:43.580
 or proof,

00:30:44.360 --> 00:30:45.259
 it can be translated

00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.320
 as it's really

00:30:46.320 --> 00:30:46.900
 a token

00:30:46.900 --> 00:30:47.860
 or an omen

00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:49.560
 of their destruction

00:30:49.560 --> 00:30:51.360
 and living proof

00:30:51.360 --> 00:30:51.900
 for you

00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:54.000
 that you will live.

00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:56.560
 In other words,

00:30:57.060 --> 00:30:57.500
 a token

00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.700
 or a sign like this,

00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.259
 it's to take

00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:00.820
 all of the available evidence,

00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:02.640
 line it all up

00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:03.080
 on the table,

00:31:03.180 --> 00:31:03.980
 then arrange it

00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:05.060
 in a logical order

00:31:05.060 --> 00:31:06.000
 and come to

00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.980
 a conclusion.

00:31:07.580 --> 00:31:08.460
 That's a proof.

00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.380
 So he says,

00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.340
 look at this church,

00:31:11.400 --> 00:31:11.960
 what's happening.

00:31:13.300 --> 00:31:14.300
 You're advancing.

00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:16.120
 Christ is praying for you.

00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:17.259
 I'm praying for you.

00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:19.579
 You are striving together.

00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:20.759
 Keep doing that.

00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:21.659
 And yes,

00:31:21.699 --> 00:31:22.759
 you're facing opposition.

00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:24.219
 Let that be proof

00:31:24.219 --> 00:31:25.859
 that the kingdom of Christ

00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:26.639
 is advancing

00:31:26.639 --> 00:31:28.059
 and will not fail.

00:31:29.199 --> 00:31:30.199
 And if the kingdom

00:31:30.199 --> 00:31:30.619
 of Christ

00:31:30.619 --> 00:31:31.319
 is advancing,

00:31:32.219 --> 00:31:32.799
 you can know

00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:33.399
 that the Father

00:31:33.399 --> 00:31:34.139
 will make all

00:31:34.139 --> 00:31:34.659
 of the enemies

00:31:34.659 --> 00:31:35.259
 of Christ

00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:36.039
 crumble

00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:37.119
 under his feet.

00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:39.719
 They will be destroyed

00:31:39.719 --> 00:31:40.899
 and you will be

00:31:40.899 --> 00:31:41.419
 victorious

00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:42.599
 with Christ.

00:31:42.599 --> 00:31:45.539
 your foes

00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.480
 will fail

00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:47.419
 for sure.

00:31:52.619 --> 00:31:53.819
 King Jesus prayed

00:31:53.819 --> 00:31:55.379
 in John 17, 14,

00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:56.719
 I have given them

00:31:56.719 --> 00:31:58.279
 your word.

00:31:58.899 --> 00:31:59.419
 The world

00:31:59.419 --> 00:32:00.500
 has hated them

00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.659
 because they are

00:32:01.659 --> 00:32:02.839
 not of this world

00:32:02.839 --> 00:32:03.699
 just as I am

00:32:03.699 --> 00:32:04.539
 not of the world.

00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.899
 And I do not pray

00:32:05.899 --> 00:32:06.779
 that you should take them

00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:07.480
 out of the world,

00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:08.659
 but you should keep them

00:32:08.659 --> 00:32:10.019
 from the evil one.

00:32:10.019 --> 00:32:11.139
 for they are not

00:32:11.139 --> 00:32:11.879
 of the world

00:32:11.879 --> 00:32:13.319
 just as I am

00:32:13.319 --> 00:32:14.579
 not of the world.

00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:17.160
 And when your gospel

00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:18.039
 grips like that

00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:19.000
 Philippian jailer,

00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:20.339
 like every true believer,

00:32:20.879 --> 00:32:21.500
 then you learn

00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:23.259
 to practice your faith

00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:24.599
 without the fear

00:32:24.599 --> 00:32:25.240
 of man.

00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:27.599
 You don't need

00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:28.940
 to ever be rattled again

00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:30.000
 if you're a Christian.

00:32:31.119 --> 00:32:31.680
 And when we do

00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:32.480
 face opposition

00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:33.700
 and most likely

00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.440
 in our lifetimes

00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:35.119
 we'll feel more

00:32:35.119 --> 00:32:35.879
 and more of this

00:32:35.879 --> 00:32:36.960
 ratcheting up,

00:32:37.900 --> 00:32:39.339
 we need to remind ourselves

00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:39.879
 you're going to need

00:32:39.879 --> 00:32:40.459
 to remind me

00:32:40.459 --> 00:32:41.240
 this is proof

00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:41.859
 that the kingdom

00:32:41.859 --> 00:32:42.399
 of God

00:32:42.399 --> 00:32:43.199
 is advancing.

00:32:45.199 --> 00:32:45.899
 Well, the fourth

00:32:45.899 --> 00:32:47.579
 dose of vitamin B

00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:48.159
 for today

00:32:48.159 --> 00:32:49.759
 is be kept.

00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:53.199
 Be unrattled

00:32:53.199 --> 00:32:54.459
 and now be kept.

00:32:54.459 --> 00:32:57.139
 It is God

00:32:57.139 --> 00:32:58.379
 who has gripped you

00:32:58.379 --> 00:33:01.079
 and he will hold you

00:33:01.079 --> 00:33:02.419
 by his gospel.

00:33:03.259 --> 00:33:04.099
 Be kept.

00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.779
 It is God

00:33:05.779 --> 00:33:06.799
 who has gripped you

00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:08.839
 and he will hold you

00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:10.079
 by his gospel.

00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.480
 You can lose

00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:14.079
 the thread

00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:15.460
 of the theology.

00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:16.419
 Why is Paul

00:33:16.419 --> 00:33:17.299
 anchoring all of

00:33:17.299 --> 00:33:18.180
 these exhortations?

00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.779
 It's exactly this.

00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:21.139
 In verse 27

00:33:21.139 --> 00:33:22.740
 he says

00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:24.079
 you're going to live

00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:24.460
 in a manner

00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:25.720
 worthy of the gospel.

00:33:25.919 --> 00:33:26.639
 It's the gospel

00:33:26.639 --> 00:33:27.539
 that defines you.

00:33:28.659 --> 00:33:29.519
 In verse 28

00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:30.619
 he reminds them

00:33:30.619 --> 00:33:31.200
 salvation

00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:32.339
 is from God.

00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.379
 Don't forget

00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:33.980
 that church.

00:33:34.859 --> 00:33:35.579
 In verse 29

00:33:35.579 --> 00:33:36.099
 he says

00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:37.199
 for to you

00:33:37.199 --> 00:33:38.220
 it has been granted

00:33:38.220 --> 00:33:39.079
 on behalf

00:33:39.079 --> 00:33:40.019
 of Christ.

00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:41.539
 It's for Christ's sake

00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:42.319
 that you're saved.

00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:44.619
 And it was granted

00:33:44.619 --> 00:33:45.179
 for you

00:33:45.179 --> 00:33:45.939
 to believe.

00:33:49.019 --> 00:33:50.299
 The implied need

00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:51.199
 here for this church

00:33:51.199 --> 00:33:51.799
 in Philippi

00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:52.279
 is that

00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:54.159
 through the opposition

00:33:54.159 --> 00:33:55.000
 and the hardships

00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:57.179
 like us

00:33:57.179 --> 00:33:57.960
 they can ask

00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:58.720
 those questions.

00:33:59.519 --> 00:34:00.699
 If my suffering

00:34:00.699 --> 00:34:01.759
 continues to be

00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.439
 this hard

00:34:02.439 --> 00:34:03.899
 will I be able

00:34:03.900 --> 00:34:05.040
 to keep going?

00:34:07.140 --> 00:34:08.340
 Maybe I never

00:34:08.340 --> 00:34:09.240
 belonged

00:34:09.240 --> 00:34:10.160
 to Christ

00:34:10.160 --> 00:34:11.119
 in the first place.

00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:13.000
 Maybe God

00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:13.980
 started this work

00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:14.340
 in me

00:34:14.340 --> 00:34:15.760
 but I don't know

00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:16.800
 if I can finish it.

00:34:17.700 --> 00:34:18.960
 That's what's

00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:19.599
 so common

00:34:19.599 --> 00:34:20.099
 for a flesh

00:34:20.099 --> 00:34:20.559
 to ask

00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:20.980
 and that's what

00:34:20.980 --> 00:34:21.740
 he's been answering

00:34:21.740 --> 00:34:23.019
 so far in chapter 1.

00:34:23.340 --> 00:34:24.300
 Christ started this

00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:25.440
 he will finish it.

00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:26.940
 And he gives him

00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.480
 the strength

00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:28.180
 in verse 28

00:34:28.180 --> 00:34:28.599
 he says

00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:29.579
 your salvation

00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:30.800
 is from God.

00:34:30.800 --> 00:34:31.920
 It was God

00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:32.480
 who granted

00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:33.860
 for you to believe

00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:35.180
 in the first place.

00:34:35.760 --> 00:34:36.280
 Verse 29

00:34:36.280 --> 00:34:37.980
 God gives you faith

00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:39.420
 to receive the gospel

00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:40.460
 on behalf

00:34:40.460 --> 00:34:41.440
 of Christ.

00:34:42.100 --> 00:34:42.880
 You believe

00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:43.780
 for Christ's sake.

00:34:46.120 --> 00:34:47.340
 He confirms this

00:34:47.340 --> 00:34:47.860
 to the church

00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:48.620
 in Rome as well.

00:34:48.720 --> 00:34:49.280
 Romans 5

00:34:49.280 --> 00:34:49.560
 2

00:34:49.560 --> 00:34:50.539
 Through him

00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:51.340
 Jesus Christ

00:34:51.340 --> 00:34:52.340
 we have also

00:34:52.340 --> 00:34:53.280
 obtained access

00:34:53.280 --> 00:34:54.039
 by faith

00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:55.320
 to this grace

00:34:55.320 --> 00:34:56.780
 in which we stand.

00:34:58.300 --> 00:34:59.019
 Be citizens.

00:34:59.019 --> 00:35:00.579
 He who made you

00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:01.000
 a citizen

00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:01.739
 will keep you

00:35:01.739 --> 00:35:02.800
 as a citizen.

00:35:05.079 --> 00:35:05.900
 See the Roman

00:35:05.900 --> 00:35:06.460
 citizenship

00:35:06.460 --> 00:35:07.300
 could be bought

00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:07.840
 but it was much

00:35:07.840 --> 00:35:08.360
 better if

00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:09.199
 you didn't have

00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:09.880
 to go buy it

00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:10.719
 or work for it.

00:35:10.920 --> 00:35:11.639
 If you could simply

00:35:11.639 --> 00:35:12.280
 have it granted

00:35:12.280 --> 00:35:12.759
 to you.

00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:13.900
 And that's the word

00:35:13.900 --> 00:35:14.440
 he uses.

00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:15.980
 Your faith

00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:16.719
 has been granted

00:35:16.719 --> 00:35:17.159
 to you.

00:35:17.579 --> 00:35:17.980
 You belong

00:35:17.980 --> 00:35:18.559
 because God

00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:19.019
 gave it

00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:19.659
 as a gift.

00:35:21.079 --> 00:35:21.880
 Remember in Acts

00:35:21.880 --> 00:35:23.099
 22-28

00:35:23.099 --> 00:35:23.820
 the centurion

00:35:23.820 --> 00:35:24.820
 said with a large

00:35:24.820 --> 00:35:26.039
 sum I obtained

00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:26.880
 this citizenship

00:35:26.880 --> 00:35:27.980
 to be a Roman

00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:29.240
 and Paul says

00:35:29.240 --> 00:35:30.579
 but I was born

00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:31.320
 a citizen.

00:35:31.820 --> 00:35:32.460
 It was granted

00:35:32.460 --> 00:35:33.320
 to me.

00:35:34.699 --> 00:35:35.679
 So God

00:35:35.679 --> 00:35:36.380
 is the one

00:35:36.380 --> 00:35:37.480
 who will keep you.

00:35:37.699 --> 00:35:38.300
 Be kept

00:35:38.300 --> 00:35:38.840
 church.

00:35:39.360 --> 00:35:40.000
 Remind yourself

00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:40.539
 of this.

00:35:42.619 --> 00:35:43.300
 Well there's that

00:35:43.300 --> 00:35:44.260
 little boat

00:35:44.260 --> 00:35:45.019
 in the ocean

00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:46.079
 being tossed

00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:46.960
 with big waves.

00:35:47.619 --> 00:35:48.320
 Even the grown-ups

00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:49.179
 are afraid

00:35:49.179 --> 00:35:49.699
 perhaps.

00:35:50.740 --> 00:35:51.639
 But there's a dad

00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:52.139
 standing

00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:53.539
 his feet are

00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:54.079
 shoulder width

00:35:54.079 --> 00:35:54.480
 apart

00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.599
 holding the

00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:56.179
 three-year-old.

00:35:56.179 --> 00:35:57.599
 the three-year-old

00:35:57.599 --> 00:35:58.039
 is holding

00:35:58.039 --> 00:35:58.480
 on to that

00:35:58.480 --> 00:35:59.039
 dad's neck

00:35:59.039 --> 00:35:59.440
 as tight

00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:00.019
 as he can.

00:36:01.019 --> 00:36:01.579
 But the dad

00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:01.980
 is holding

00:36:01.980 --> 00:36:02.419
 on even

00:36:02.419 --> 00:36:02.819
 tighter.

00:36:03.259 --> 00:36:04.000
 See we

00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:04.539
 hold on to

00:36:04.539 --> 00:36:04.980
 Christ but

00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:05.539
 it's Christ

00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:06.319
 who keeps

00:36:06.319 --> 00:36:06.699
 us.

00:36:08.159 --> 00:36:08.879
 King Jesus

00:36:08.879 --> 00:36:09.440
 prayed in

00:36:09.440 --> 00:36:10.839
 verse 12

00:36:10.839 --> 00:36:12.019
 of chapter 17

00:36:12.019 --> 00:36:12.739
 of John.

00:36:12.819 --> 00:36:13.139
 He said

00:36:13.139 --> 00:36:14.379
 I kept

00:36:14.379 --> 00:36:15.099
 them in

00:36:15.099 --> 00:36:15.619
 your name.

00:36:16.440 --> 00:36:16.839
 Those who

00:36:16.839 --> 00:36:17.259
 you gave

00:36:17.259 --> 00:36:18.059
 me I

00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:18.759
 have kept

00:36:18.759 --> 00:36:19.539
 and not

00:36:19.539 --> 00:36:20.339
 one of

00:36:20.339 --> 00:36:20.980
 them is

00:36:20.980 --> 00:36:21.419
 lost.

00:36:22.599 --> 00:36:23.299
 So church

00:36:23.299 --> 00:36:23.899
 you too

00:36:23.899 --> 00:36:24.440
 be kept.

00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:25.780
 when your

00:36:25.780 --> 00:36:26.220
 gospel

00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:26.900
 gripped

00:36:26.900 --> 00:36:28.360
 you grow

00:36:28.360 --> 00:36:28.679
 in your

00:36:28.679 --> 00:36:29.099
 assurance

00:36:29.099 --> 00:36:29.800
 of salvation

00:36:29.800 --> 00:36:30.679
 and this

00:36:30.679 --> 00:36:31.260
 is proof

00:36:31.260 --> 00:36:32.559
 of his

00:36:32.559 --> 00:36:33.200
 faithfulness

00:36:33.200 --> 00:36:33.639
 to you.

00:36:35.280 --> 00:36:35.920
 Well the

00:36:35.920 --> 00:36:36.320
 fifth and

00:36:36.320 --> 00:36:36.980
 final dose

00:36:36.980 --> 00:36:37.700
 of vitamin

00:36:37.700 --> 00:36:38.280
 B for us

00:36:38.280 --> 00:36:38.840
 today is

00:36:38.840 --> 00:36:39.240
 be

00:36:39.240 --> 00:36:40.679
 compassionate.

00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:42.019
 Be

00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:42.760
 compassionate.

00:36:44.159 --> 00:36:44.380
 Keep

00:36:44.380 --> 00:36:44.920
 receiving

00:36:44.920 --> 00:36:45.420
 Christ

00:36:45.420 --> 00:36:46.920
 and suffering

00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:48.340
 upon him

00:36:48.340 --> 00:36:48.780
 together.

00:36:49.480 --> 00:36:49.760
 Be

00:36:49.760 --> 00:36:50.380
 compassionate.

00:36:51.179 --> 00:36:51.440
 Keep

00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:52.099
 receiving

00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:52.639
 Christ

00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:53.739
 and suffering

00:36:53.739 --> 00:36:54.659
 upon him

00:36:54.659 --> 00:36:55.460
 together.

00:36:56.739 --> 00:36:57.299
 Verse 29

00:36:57.299 --> 00:36:57.699
 reads

00:36:57.699 --> 00:36:58.519
 it has been

00:36:58.519 --> 00:36:59.199
 granted on

00:36:59.199 --> 00:36:59.799
 behalf of

00:36:59.799 --> 00:37:00.239
 Christ

00:37:00.239 --> 00:37:01.299
 for you to

00:37:01.299 --> 00:37:02.299
 suffer for

00:37:02.299 --> 00:37:02.920
 his sake.

00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:04.960
 Verse 30

00:37:04.960 --> 00:37:05.799
 having the

00:37:05.799 --> 00:37:06.539
 same conflict

00:37:06.539 --> 00:37:06.940
 which you

00:37:06.940 --> 00:37:07.559
 saw in me

00:37:07.559 --> 00:37:08.339
 and now

00:37:08.339 --> 00:37:09.019
 here is

00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:09.599
 in me.

00:37:11.179 --> 00:37:12.039
 It has

00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:12.699
 been granted

00:37:12.699 --> 00:37:13.480
 on behalf

00:37:13.480 --> 00:37:14.139
 of Christ.

00:37:14.599 --> 00:37:15.000
 That word

00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:15.659
 granted could

00:37:15.659 --> 00:37:16.259
 be translated

00:37:16.259 --> 00:37:16.960
 graced.

00:37:17.339 --> 00:37:17.940
 It has been

00:37:17.940 --> 00:37:19.019
 graced to

00:37:19.019 --> 00:37:19.400
 you to

00:37:19.400 --> 00:37:20.279
 believe and

00:37:20.279 --> 00:37:20.819
 it has been

00:37:20.819 --> 00:37:22.019
 graced to

00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:22.920
 you to

00:37:22.920 --> 00:37:23.280
 suffer.

00:37:25.059 --> 00:37:25.699
 The word

00:37:25.699 --> 00:37:26.280
 suffer could

00:37:26.280 --> 00:37:27.340
 be word

00:37:27.340 --> 00:37:27.759
 for word

00:37:27.759 --> 00:37:28.519
 translated as

00:37:28.519 --> 00:37:28.759
 be

00:37:28.759 --> 00:37:29.639
 emotioning.

00:37:30.280 --> 00:37:30.719
 The root

00:37:30.719 --> 00:37:31.119
 is

00:37:31.119 --> 00:37:33.000
 like the

00:37:33.000 --> 00:37:33.420
 passion.

00:37:35.019 --> 00:37:35.179
 So

00:37:35.179 --> 00:37:36.000
 compassionate

00:37:36.000 --> 00:37:36.679
 means to

00:37:36.679 --> 00:37:37.440
 suffer with.

00:37:38.679 --> 00:37:39.300
 Be

00:37:39.300 --> 00:37:40.000
 compassionate.

00:37:41.579 --> 00:37:41.820
 Keep

00:37:41.820 --> 00:37:42.340
 suffering

00:37:42.340 --> 00:37:42.980
 with

00:37:42.980 --> 00:37:43.460
 Christ.

00:37:45.460 --> 00:37:46.259
 The

00:37:46.259 --> 00:37:46.840
 implied need

00:37:46.840 --> 00:37:47.360
 for Christians

00:37:47.360 --> 00:37:47.659
 who are

00:37:47.659 --> 00:37:48.119
 suffering

00:37:48.119 --> 00:37:50.960
 is to

00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:51.380
 question

00:37:51.380 --> 00:37:52.199
 the goodness

00:37:52.199 --> 00:37:52.819
 of God.

00:37:53.480 --> 00:37:53.839
 Why did

00:37:53.839 --> 00:37:54.400
 King Jesus

00:37:54.400 --> 00:37:55.019
 call me to

00:37:55.019 --> 00:37:55.759
 him and

00:37:55.759 --> 00:37:56.079
 to his

00:37:56.079 --> 00:37:56.480
 church

00:37:56.480 --> 00:37:57.920
 just to

00:37:57.920 --> 00:37:58.219
 suffer?

00:37:59.119 --> 00:37:59.880
 It's so

00:37:59.880 --> 00:38:00.219
 hard.

00:38:01.219 --> 00:38:01.980
 Is he a

00:38:01.980 --> 00:38:02.599
 good king?

00:38:05.719 --> 00:38:06.579
 Well in

00:38:06.579 --> 00:38:08.559
 verse 29

00:38:08.559 --> 00:38:09.099
 and 30

00:38:09.099 --> 00:38:10.539
 Paul says

00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:11.259
 that you

00:38:11.259 --> 00:38:12.380
 believe in

00:38:12.380 --> 00:38:13.599
 him and

00:38:13.599 --> 00:38:14.139
 you suffer

00:38:14.139 --> 00:38:15.500
 for him.

00:38:15.500 --> 00:38:17.840
 and the

00:38:17.840 --> 00:38:18.340
 preposition

00:38:18.340 --> 00:38:18.940
 for could

00:38:18.940 --> 00:38:19.659
 be upon.

00:38:20.280 --> 00:38:20.519
 You

00:38:20.519 --> 00:38:20.900
 suffer

00:38:20.900 --> 00:38:21.519
 upon

00:38:21.519 --> 00:38:21.840
 him.

00:38:23.019 --> 00:38:23.780
 So as

00:38:23.780 --> 00:38:24.260
 you're going

00:38:24.260 --> 00:38:24.739
 through a

00:38:24.739 --> 00:38:25.539
 suffering Christ

00:38:25.539 --> 00:38:26.019
 is right

00:38:26.019 --> 00:38:27.260
 there under

00:38:27.260 --> 00:38:28.119
 you sustaining

00:38:28.119 --> 00:38:29.019
 you carrying

00:38:29.019 --> 00:38:29.599
 you through.

00:38:30.039 --> 00:38:30.659
 That's how much

00:38:30.659 --> 00:38:31.260
 you are suffering

00:38:31.260 --> 00:38:32.780
 together with

00:38:32.780 --> 00:38:33.079
 him.

00:38:35.460 --> 00:38:36.400
 It says it's

00:38:36.400 --> 00:38:37.440
 been graciously

00:38:37.440 --> 00:38:38.840
 given to

00:38:38.840 --> 00:38:39.260
 you.

00:38:41.699 --> 00:38:42.260
 Exceedingly

00:38:42.260 --> 00:38:43.099
 with you

00:38:43.099 --> 00:38:44.339
 for the

00:38:44.339 --> 00:38:44.759
 sake of

00:38:44.759 --> 00:38:45.139
 Christ

00:38:45.139 --> 00:38:46.380
 to suffer

00:38:46.380 --> 00:38:47.259
 together.

00:38:48.659 --> 00:38:49.619
 Jesus warned

00:38:49.619 --> 00:38:50.559
 every disciple

00:38:50.559 --> 00:38:51.400
 Matthew 10

00:38:51.400 --> 00:38:51.839
 39

00:38:51.839 --> 00:38:53.000
 whoever finds

00:38:53.000 --> 00:38:53.440
 his life

00:38:53.440 --> 00:38:53.880
 will lose

00:38:53.880 --> 00:38:54.460
 it and

00:38:54.460 --> 00:38:55.099
 whoever loses

00:38:55.099 --> 00:38:55.599
 his life

00:38:55.599 --> 00:38:56.059
 for my

00:38:56.059 --> 00:38:56.539
 sake will

00:38:56.539 --> 00:38:57.119
 find it.

00:38:58.119 --> 00:38:58.420
 In John

00:38:58.420 --> 00:38:59.219
 17 18

00:38:59.219 --> 00:38:59.619
 he prayed

00:38:59.619 --> 00:39:00.000
 as you

00:39:00.000 --> 00:39:00.460
 sent me

00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:00.860
 into the

00:39:00.860 --> 00:39:01.099
 world

00:39:01.099 --> 00:39:01.819
 I have

00:39:01.819 --> 00:39:02.559
 also sent

00:39:02.559 --> 00:39:03.279
 them

00:39:03.279 --> 00:39:03.900
 into the

00:39:03.900 --> 00:39:04.179
 world.

00:39:05.219 --> 00:39:05.599
 So to

00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:05.860
 be a

00:39:05.860 --> 00:39:06.119
 Christian

00:39:06.119 --> 00:39:06.579
 is to

00:39:06.579 --> 00:39:07.279
 lose

00:39:07.279 --> 00:39:07.900
 your life

00:39:07.900 --> 00:39:09.360
 for living

00:39:09.360 --> 00:39:09.980
 for yourself

00:39:09.980 --> 00:39:10.759
 but to

00:39:10.759 --> 00:39:11.639
 find eternal

00:39:11.639 --> 00:39:12.079
 life

00:39:12.079 --> 00:39:13.219
 living in

00:39:13.219 --> 00:39:13.619
 Christ.

00:39:14.840 --> 00:39:15.380
 And just

00:39:15.380 --> 00:39:15.779
 as Christ

00:39:15.779 --> 00:39:16.400
 came on a

00:39:16.400 --> 00:39:16.920
 mission to

00:39:16.920 --> 00:39:17.460
 lay down

00:39:17.460 --> 00:39:18.059
 his life

00:39:18.059 --> 00:39:19.039
 for the

00:39:19.039 --> 00:39:19.420
 sake of

00:39:19.420 --> 00:39:19.840
 others and

00:39:19.840 --> 00:39:20.179
 for his

00:39:20.179 --> 00:39:20.539
 kingdom

00:39:20.539 --> 00:39:22.259
 to be a

00:39:22.259 --> 00:39:22.719
 Christian is

00:39:22.719 --> 00:39:23.840
 to lay

00:39:23.840 --> 00:39:24.219
 down your

00:39:24.219 --> 00:39:25.239
 life and

00:39:25.239 --> 00:39:26.059
 follow Christ

00:39:26.059 --> 00:39:27.779
 following him

00:39:27.779 --> 00:39:29.000
 as he advances

00:39:29.000 --> 00:39:29.579
 his kingdom

00:39:29.579 --> 00:39:30.099
 even through

00:39:30.099 --> 00:39:30.579
 suffering.

00:39:32.980 --> 00:39:33.880
 We have so

00:39:33.880 --> 00:39:34.599
 much encouragement

00:39:34.599 --> 00:39:35.259
 in all the

00:39:35.259 --> 00:39:35.759
 New Testament

00:39:35.759 --> 00:39:36.219
 that the

00:39:36.219 --> 00:39:36.900
 Christian church

00:39:36.900 --> 00:39:37.259
 is a

00:39:37.259 --> 00:39:37.619
 suffering

00:39:37.619 --> 00:39:38.179
 church and

00:39:38.179 --> 00:39:39.119
 God doesn't

00:39:39.119 --> 00:39:40.019
 waste a

00:39:40.019 --> 00:39:40.940
 drop of

00:39:40.940 --> 00:39:41.360
 suffering.

00:39:42.079 --> 00:39:43.920
 I won't

00:39:43.920 --> 00:39:44.299
 read these

00:39:44.299 --> 00:39:44.799
 for today

00:39:44.799 --> 00:39:45.679
 but I

00:39:45.679 --> 00:39:45.920
 want to

00:39:45.920 --> 00:39:46.360
 encourage you

00:39:46.360 --> 00:39:46.779
 God does

00:39:46.779 --> 00:39:47.199
 at least

00:39:47.199 --> 00:39:47.940
 three things

00:39:47.940 --> 00:39:48.659
 every time

00:39:48.659 --> 00:39:49.039
 we're going

00:39:49.039 --> 00:39:49.799
 through seasons

00:39:49.799 --> 00:39:50.880
 of suffering.

00:39:51.019 --> 00:39:51.559
 Number one

00:39:51.559 --> 00:39:53.079
 as you

00:39:53.079 --> 00:39:53.679
 suffer King

00:39:53.679 --> 00:39:54.039
 Jesus

00:39:54.039 --> 00:39:54.940
 refines you

00:39:54.940 --> 00:39:56.880
 1 Peter 6

00:39:56.880 --> 00:39:57.940
 and 7

00:39:57.940 --> 00:39:59.319
 describing the

00:39:59.319 --> 00:39:59.940
 suffering like

00:39:59.940 --> 00:40:00.759
 being tested

00:40:00.759 --> 00:40:01.460
 by fire

00:40:01.460 --> 00:40:02.460
 to purify

00:40:02.460 --> 00:40:03.159
 and refine

00:40:03.159 --> 00:40:04.679
 number two

00:40:04.679 --> 00:40:05.340
 King Jesus

00:40:05.340 --> 00:40:06.579
 comforts you

00:40:06.579 --> 00:40:07.880
 2 Corinthians

00:40:07.880 --> 00:40:08.779
 1 5

00:40:08.780 --> 00:40:10.019
 do you

00:40:10.019 --> 00:40:10.700
 suffer in

00:40:10.700 --> 00:40:11.100
 Christ

00:40:11.100 --> 00:40:11.460
 well you

00:40:11.460 --> 00:40:11.820
 can know

00:40:11.820 --> 00:40:12.320
 for certain

00:40:12.320 --> 00:40:12.640
 you will

00:40:12.640 --> 00:40:13.480
 be comforted

00:40:13.480 --> 00:40:14.460
 in Christ

00:40:14.460 --> 00:40:15.480
 to be

00:40:15.480 --> 00:40:15.960
 comforted

00:40:15.960 --> 00:40:16.540
 by Christ

00:40:16.540 --> 00:40:17.019
 himself

00:40:17.019 --> 00:40:18.120
 is worth

00:40:18.120 --> 00:40:18.360
 any

00:40:18.360 --> 00:40:18.820
 suffering

00:40:18.820 --> 00:40:20.260
 and number

00:40:20.260 --> 00:40:20.740
 three King

00:40:20.740 --> 00:40:21.060
 Jesus

00:40:21.060 --> 00:40:21.880
 enables you

00:40:21.880 --> 00:40:22.220
 and I

00:40:22.220 --> 00:40:23.320
 to rejoice

00:40:23.320 --> 00:40:24.760
 1 Peter 4

00:40:24.760 --> 00:40:25.780
 12 through

00:40:25.780 --> 00:40:26.200
 18

00:40:26.200 --> 00:40:26.660
 that same

00:40:26.660 --> 00:40:26.980
 letter

00:40:26.980 --> 00:40:28.240
 see the

00:40:28.240 --> 00:40:28.720
 suffering

00:40:28.720 --> 00:40:29.280
 starts and

00:40:29.280 --> 00:40:29.600
 it feels

00:40:29.600 --> 00:40:29.900
 like a

00:40:29.900 --> 00:40:30.420
 refiner's

00:40:30.420 --> 00:40:30.660
 fire

00:40:30.660 --> 00:40:30.940
 but on

00:40:30.940 --> 00:40:31.300
 the far

00:40:31.300 --> 00:40:31.660
 side of

00:40:31.660 --> 00:40:31.860
 that

00:40:31.860 --> 00:40:32.680
 is joy

00:40:32.680 --> 00:40:33.760
 and rejoicing

00:40:33.760 --> 00:40:34.440
 you know

00:40:34.440 --> 00:40:34.940
 Christ on

00:40:34.940 --> 00:40:35.320
 such a

00:40:35.320 --> 00:40:35.540
 deeper

00:40:35.540 --> 00:40:35.940
 level

00:40:35.940 --> 00:40:38.880
 the

00:40:38.880 --> 00:40:39.240
 illustration

00:40:39.240 --> 00:40:39.880
 for me

00:40:39.880 --> 00:40:40.559
 to sum

00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:40.900
 up this

00:40:40.900 --> 00:40:41.579
 last point

00:40:41.579 --> 00:40:42.800
 of being

00:40:42.800 --> 00:40:43.700
 compassionate

00:40:43.700 --> 00:40:45.659
 keep receiving

00:40:45.659 --> 00:40:46.340
 Christ and

00:40:46.340 --> 00:40:47.200
 suffering upon

00:40:47.200 --> 00:40:47.900
 him for his

00:40:47.900 --> 00:40:48.740
 kingdom together

00:40:48.740 --> 00:40:51.039
 and summarizing

00:40:51.039 --> 00:40:51.840
 the theme of

00:40:51.840 --> 00:40:52.260
 the sermon

00:40:52.260 --> 00:40:53.000
 of a soldier

00:40:53.000 --> 00:40:54.119
 aggressively

00:40:54.119 --> 00:40:54.740
 advancing

00:40:54.740 --> 00:40:56.200
 the cause

00:40:56.200 --> 00:40:58.320
 it came

00:40:58.320 --> 00:40:59.179
 to my mind

00:40:59.179 --> 00:40:59.960
 about Uriah

00:40:59.960 --> 00:41:01.740
 I was thinking

00:41:01.740 --> 00:41:02.300
 about how

00:41:02.300 --> 00:41:02.880
 you know

00:41:02.880 --> 00:41:03.300
 David

00:41:03.300 --> 00:41:04.519
 a man who

00:41:04.519 --> 00:41:04.900
 God used

00:41:04.900 --> 00:41:05.519
 so mightily

00:41:05.519 --> 00:41:06.380
 and through

00:41:06.380 --> 00:41:06.739
 the line

00:41:06.739 --> 00:41:07.099
 of David

00:41:07.099 --> 00:41:07.480
 would come

00:41:07.480 --> 00:41:07.860
 the great

00:41:07.860 --> 00:41:08.119
 king

00:41:08.119 --> 00:41:08.519
 Jesus

00:41:08.519 --> 00:41:09.400
 but at

00:41:09.400 --> 00:41:09.619
 the end

00:41:09.619 --> 00:41:10.099
 of David's

00:41:10.099 --> 00:41:10.360
 life

00:41:10.360 --> 00:41:10.759
 he's an

00:41:10.759 --> 00:41:11.440
 anti-hero

00:41:11.440 --> 00:41:13.960
 and instead

00:41:13.960 --> 00:41:14.340
 we have

00:41:14.340 --> 00:41:14.920
 this foil

00:41:14.920 --> 00:41:15.820
 this contrast

00:41:15.820 --> 00:41:16.239
 which is

00:41:16.239 --> 00:41:16.679
 Uriah

00:41:16.679 --> 00:41:17.320
 the Hittite

00:41:17.320 --> 00:41:19.840
 David has

00:41:19.840 --> 00:41:20.300
 power

00:41:20.300 --> 00:41:21.239
 Uriah

00:41:21.239 --> 00:41:21.820
 is a man

00:41:21.820 --> 00:41:22.559
 under orders

00:41:22.559 --> 00:41:23.920
 David stays

00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:24.440
 back in the

00:41:24.440 --> 00:41:24.900
 palace

00:41:24.900 --> 00:41:26.039
 Uriah

00:41:26.039 --> 00:41:26.739
 is on the

00:41:26.739 --> 00:41:27.219
 battlefield

00:41:27.219 --> 00:41:27.860
 the front

00:41:27.860 --> 00:41:28.259
 lines

00:41:28.259 --> 00:41:30.139
 David takes

00:41:30.139 --> 00:41:30.599
 what's not

00:41:30.599 --> 00:41:31.000
 his

00:41:31.000 --> 00:41:31.860
 Uriah

00:41:31.860 --> 00:41:32.460
 restrains

00:41:32.460 --> 00:41:32.780
 himself

00:41:32.780 --> 00:41:33.340
 from taking

00:41:33.340 --> 00:41:33.739
 what is

00:41:33.739 --> 00:41:34.099
 his

00:41:34.099 --> 00:41:36.119
 when his

00:41:36.119 --> 00:41:36.440
 nation

00:41:36.440 --> 00:41:36.819
 was at

00:41:36.819 --> 00:41:37.119
 war

00:41:37.119 --> 00:41:37.519
 and his

00:41:37.519 --> 00:41:37.739
 fellow

00:41:37.739 --> 00:41:38.139
 soldiers

00:41:38.139 --> 00:41:38.460
 were in

00:41:38.460 --> 00:41:38.679
 battle

00:41:38.679 --> 00:41:39.019
 and David

00:41:39.019 --> 00:41:39.480
 called him

00:41:39.480 --> 00:41:40.139
 back to try

00:41:40.139 --> 00:41:40.679
 to entrap

00:41:40.679 --> 00:41:40.920
 him

00:41:40.920 --> 00:41:43.000
 you remember

00:41:43.000 --> 00:41:43.519
 how Uriah

00:41:43.519 --> 00:41:44.299
 actually slept

00:41:44.299 --> 00:41:44.779
 on the hard

00:41:44.779 --> 00:41:45.339
 floor in the

00:41:45.339 --> 00:41:46.019
 steps outside

00:41:46.019 --> 00:41:46.319
 of his

00:41:46.319 --> 00:41:46.539
 home

00:41:46.539 --> 00:41:47.719
 and he said

00:41:47.719 --> 00:41:48.199
 how can I

00:41:48.199 --> 00:41:49.079
 be enjoying

00:41:49.079 --> 00:41:49.880
 inside the

00:41:49.880 --> 00:41:50.460
 comfort and

00:41:50.460 --> 00:41:50.819
 being with

00:41:50.819 --> 00:41:51.339
 my wife

00:41:51.339 --> 00:41:52.759
 when the

00:41:52.759 --> 00:41:53.239
 army of

00:41:53.239 --> 00:41:53.599
 God

00:41:53.599 --> 00:41:54.500
 is fighting

00:41:54.500 --> 00:41:57.400
 and even

00:41:57.400 --> 00:41:58.219
 when his

00:41:58.219 --> 00:41:58.739
 adversary

00:41:58.739 --> 00:41:59.179
 in this

00:41:59.179 --> 00:41:59.440
 case

00:41:59.440 --> 00:41:59.940
 David

00:41:59.940 --> 00:42:01.739
 intended

00:42:01.739 --> 00:42:02.239
 evil

00:42:02.239 --> 00:42:04.340
 Uriah

00:42:04.340 --> 00:42:04.760
 obeyed

00:42:04.760 --> 00:42:04.940
 those

00:42:04.940 --> 00:42:05.199
 orders

00:42:05.199 --> 00:42:05.619
 went to

00:42:05.619 --> 00:42:05.820
 those

00:42:05.820 --> 00:42:06.139
 front

00:42:06.139 --> 00:42:06.559
 lines

00:42:06.559 --> 00:42:07.159
 and

00:42:07.159 --> 00:42:07.619
 fought

00:42:07.619 --> 00:42:08.920
 to his

00:42:08.920 --> 00:42:09.239
 death

00:42:09.239 --> 00:42:11.260
 he suffered

00:42:11.260 --> 00:42:13.179
 and Uriah

00:42:13.179 --> 00:42:13.800
 the Hittite

00:42:13.800 --> 00:42:14.320
 died

00:42:14.320 --> 00:42:15.159
 as a

00:42:15.159 --> 00:42:15.539
 citizen

00:42:15.539 --> 00:42:16.340
 of heaven

00:42:16.340 --> 00:42:20.480
 so in

00:42:20.480 --> 00:42:20.739
 this

00:42:20.739 --> 00:42:21.639
 example

00:42:21.639 --> 00:42:22.179
 Uriah

00:42:22.179 --> 00:42:22.940
 is a

00:42:22.940 --> 00:42:23.219
 shadow

00:42:23.219 --> 00:42:23.839
 of Christ

00:42:23.839 --> 00:42:25.299
 he did

00:42:25.299 --> 00:42:25.699
 not take

00:42:25.699 --> 00:42:25.899
 the

00:42:25.899 --> 00:42:26.339
 privileges

00:42:26.339 --> 00:42:26.859
 that he

00:42:26.859 --> 00:42:27.079
 was

00:42:27.079 --> 00:42:27.480
 entitled

00:42:27.480 --> 00:42:27.859
 for

00:42:27.859 --> 00:42:31.339
 but for

00:42:31.339 --> 00:42:31.739
 the sake

00:42:31.739 --> 00:42:32.079
 of his

00:42:32.079 --> 00:42:32.480
 mission

00:42:32.480 --> 00:42:34.379
 for your

00:42:34.379 --> 00:42:34.799
 life

00:42:34.799 --> 00:42:35.559
 for your

00:42:35.559 --> 00:42:35.919
 soul

00:42:35.919 --> 00:42:36.879
 for eternity

00:42:36.879 --> 00:42:37.719
 Jesus

00:42:37.719 --> 00:42:38.219
 Christ

00:42:38.219 --> 00:42:39.219
 fought for

00:42:39.219 --> 00:42:39.619
 you to

00:42:39.619 --> 00:42:40.000
 the very

00:42:40.000 --> 00:42:40.319
 end

00:42:40.319 --> 00:42:41.519
 he showed

00:42:41.519 --> 00:42:41.939
 the greatest

00:42:41.939 --> 00:42:42.539
 restraint

00:42:42.539 --> 00:42:44.159
 and he's

00:42:44.159 --> 00:42:44.679
 victorious

00:42:44.679 --> 00:42:45.659
 in his

00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.980
 battle

00:42:45.980 --> 00:42:46.899
 he crushed

00:42:46.899 --> 00:42:47.819
 the serpent's

00:42:47.819 --> 00:42:48.019
 head

00:42:48.019 --> 00:42:49.659
 and he

00:42:49.659 --> 00:42:50.219
 will come

00:42:50.219 --> 00:42:50.599
 back

00:42:50.599 --> 00:42:51.419
 for his

00:42:51.419 --> 00:42:51.679
 own

00:42:51.679 --> 00:42:53.539
 when

00:42:53.539 --> 00:42:53.679
 your

00:42:53.679 --> 00:42:54.059
 gospel

00:42:54.059 --> 00:42:54.419
 gripped

00:42:54.419 --> 00:42:54.599
 you

00:42:54.599 --> 00:42:55.039
 suffer

00:42:55.039 --> 00:42:55.839
 with

00:42:55.839 --> 00:42:56.139
 King

00:42:56.139 --> 00:42:56.559
 Jesus

00:42:56.559 --> 00:42:57.239
 with

00:42:57.239 --> 00:42:57.500
 his

00:42:57.500 --> 00:42:57.899
 people

00:42:57.899 --> 00:42:58.659
 in

00:42:58.659 --> 00:42:59.639
 Christ's

00:42:59.639 --> 00:42:59.899
 name

00:42:59.899 --> 00:43:03.639
 Charles

00:43:03.639 --> 00:43:04.059
 had in

00:43:04.059 --> 00:43:04.539
 Spurgeon's

00:43:04.539 --> 00:43:05.519
 last sermon

00:43:05.519 --> 00:43:06.139
 right before

00:43:06.139 --> 00:43:06.639
 he died

00:43:06.639 --> 00:43:08.179
 his last

00:43:08.179 --> 00:43:09.239
 little paragraph

00:43:09.239 --> 00:43:09.779
 his last

00:43:09.779 --> 00:43:10.379
 point reads

00:43:10.379 --> 00:43:10.980
 like this

00:43:10.980 --> 00:43:12.199
 King

00:43:12.199 --> 00:43:12.579
 Jesus

00:43:12.579 --> 00:43:13.759
 is the

00:43:13.759 --> 00:43:14.039
 most

00:43:14.039 --> 00:43:15.079
 magnanimous

00:43:15.079 --> 00:43:16.440
 of captains

00:43:16.440 --> 00:43:18.619
 magnanimous

00:43:18.619 --> 00:43:18.880
 means

00:43:18.880 --> 00:43:19.240
 great

00:43:19.240 --> 00:43:19.780
 hearted

00:43:19.780 --> 00:43:21.740
 there

00:43:21.740 --> 00:43:22.019
 never

00:43:22.019 --> 00:43:22.559
 was

00:43:22.559 --> 00:43:23.000
 his

00:43:23.000 --> 00:43:23.380
 like

00:43:23.380 --> 00:43:23.740
 among

00:43:23.740 --> 00:43:23.960
 the

00:43:23.960 --> 00:43:24.340
 choices

00:43:24.340 --> 00:43:24.639
 of

00:43:24.639 --> 00:43:25.019
 princes

00:43:25.019 --> 00:43:26.000
 he

00:43:26.000 --> 00:43:26.220
 is

00:43:26.220 --> 00:43:26.619
 always

00:43:26.619 --> 00:43:27.000
 to be

00:43:27.000 --> 00:43:27.300
 found

00:43:27.300 --> 00:43:27.500
 in

00:43:27.500 --> 00:43:27.679
 the

00:43:27.679 --> 00:43:28.059
 thickest

00:43:28.059 --> 00:43:28.340
 part

00:43:28.340 --> 00:43:28.440
 of

00:43:28.440 --> 00:43:28.559
 the

00:43:28.559 --> 00:43:28.880
 battle

00:43:28.880 --> 00:43:29.559
 when

00:43:29.559 --> 00:43:29.760
 the

00:43:29.760 --> 00:43:30.019
 wind

00:43:30.019 --> 00:43:30.380
 blows

00:43:30.380 --> 00:43:30.820
 cold

00:43:30.820 --> 00:43:31.280
 he

00:43:31.280 --> 00:43:31.880
 always

00:43:31.880 --> 00:43:32.460
 takes

00:43:32.460 --> 00:43:32.679
 the

00:43:32.679 --> 00:43:33.000
 bleak

00:43:33.000 --> 00:43:33.320
 side

00:43:33.320 --> 00:43:33.460
 of

00:43:33.460 --> 00:43:33.599
 the

00:43:33.599 --> 00:43:33.860
 hill

00:43:33.860 --> 00:43:35.019
 the

00:43:35.019 --> 00:43:35.519
 heaviest

00:43:35.519 --> 00:43:35.900
 end

00:43:35.900 --> 00:43:36.019
 of

00:43:36.019 --> 00:43:36.159
 the

00:43:36.159 --> 00:43:36.619
 cross

00:43:36.619 --> 00:43:37.539
 lies

00:43:37.539 --> 00:43:37.980
 ever

00:43:37.980 --> 00:43:38.320
 on

00:43:38.320 --> 00:43:38.559
 his

00:43:38.559 --> 00:43:39.019
 shoulders

00:43:39.019 --> 00:43:40.200
 if

00:43:40.200 --> 00:43:40.360
 he

00:43:40.360 --> 00:43:40.880
 bids

00:43:40.880 --> 00:43:41.519
 us

00:43:41.519 --> 00:43:42.079
 carry

00:43:42.079 --> 00:43:42.320
 a

00:43:42.320 --> 00:43:42.579
 burden

00:43:42.579 --> 00:43:43.039
 he

00:43:43.039 --> 00:43:43.380
 carries

00:43:43.380 --> 00:43:43.519
 it

00:43:43.519 --> 00:43:43.880
 also

00:43:43.880 --> 00:43:44.679
 his

00:43:44.679 --> 00:43:45.179
 service

00:43:45.179 --> 00:43:45.500
 is

00:43:45.500 --> 00:43:45.920
 life

00:43:45.920 --> 00:43:46.659
 peace

00:43:46.659 --> 00:43:47.460
 joy

00:43:47.460 --> 00:43:49.500
 I'll

00:43:49.500 --> 00:43:49.659
 add

00:43:49.659 --> 00:43:49.880
 my

00:43:49.880 --> 00:43:50.340
 testimony

00:43:50.340 --> 00:43:50.599
 to

00:43:50.599 --> 00:43:51.240
 Spurgeon's

00:43:51.240 --> 00:43:51.800
 in

00:43:51.800 --> 00:43:52.159
 40

00:43:52.159 --> 00:43:52.619
 years

00:43:52.619 --> 00:43:54.280
 I

00:43:54.280 --> 00:43:54.480
 know

00:43:54.480 --> 00:43:54.800
 Christ

00:43:54.800 --> 00:43:55.099
 to be

00:43:55.099 --> 00:43:55.460
 nothing

00:43:55.460 --> 00:43:56.139
 but

00:43:56.139 --> 00:43:56.940
 love

00:43:56.940 --> 00:43:57.720
 is that

00:43:57.720 --> 00:43:57.920
 true

00:43:57.920 --> 00:43:58.119
 for

00:43:58.119 --> 00:43:58.380
 you

00:43:58.380 --> 00:43:59.360
 can

00:43:59.360 --> 00:43:59.480
 you

00:43:59.480 --> 00:43:59.680
 say

00:43:59.680 --> 00:44:00.099
 amen

00:44:00.099 --> 00:44:01.039
 follow

00:44:01.039 --> 00:44:01.480
 Jesus

00:44:01.480 --> 00:44:01.800
 he's

00:44:01.800 --> 00:44:02.240
 good

00:44:02.240 --> 00:44:04.039
 Spurgeon

00:44:04.039 --> 00:44:04.380
 wrote

00:44:04.380 --> 00:44:05.280
 God

00:44:05.280 --> 00:44:05.940
 help

00:44:05.940 --> 00:44:06.200
 you

00:44:06.200 --> 00:44:06.860
 to

00:44:06.860 --> 00:44:07.480
 enlist

00:44:07.480 --> 00:44:08.099
 under

00:44:08.099 --> 00:44:08.340
 the

00:44:08.340 --> 00:44:08.700
 banner

00:44:08.700 --> 00:44:09.280
 of

00:44:09.280 --> 00:44:09.680
 Jesus

00:44:09.680 --> 00:44:10.440
 even

00:44:10.440 --> 00:44:11.079
 this

00:44:11.079 --> 00:44:11.400
 day

00:44:11.400 --> 00:44:13.440
 King

00:44:13.440 --> 00:44:13.800
 Jesus

00:44:13.800 --> 00:44:14.800
 has

00:44:14.800 --> 00:44:15.119
 gripped

00:44:15.119 --> 00:44:15.360
 you

00:44:15.360 --> 00:44:15.960
 by

00:44:15.960 --> 00:44:16.180
 his

00:44:16.180 --> 00:44:16.559
 gospel

00:44:16.559 --> 00:44:17.039
 Christian

00:44:17.039 --> 00:44:18.160
 you

00:44:18.160 --> 00:44:18.640
 follow

00:44:18.640 --> 00:44:19.340
 as

00:44:19.340 --> 00:44:19.579
 his

00:44:19.579 --> 00:44:20.000
 soldier

00:44:20.000 --> 00:44:21.640
 and

00:44:21.640 --> 00:44:21.780
 he

00:44:21.780 --> 00:44:22.200
 promises

00:44:22.200 --> 00:44:22.519
 he

00:44:22.519 --> 00:44:22.760
 will

00:44:22.760 --> 00:44:23.220
 always

00:44:23.220 --> 00:44:23.559
 be

00:44:23.559 --> 00:44:24.099
 your

00:44:24.099 --> 00:44:24.700
 strength

00:44:24.700 --> 00:44:25.760
 glory

00:44:25.760 --> 00:44:25.960
 be

00:44:25.960 --> 00:44:26.099
 to

00:44:26.099 --> 00:44:26.360
 God

00:44:26.360 --> 00:44:28.380
 let's

00:44:28.380 --> 00:44:28.519
 spend

00:44:28.519 --> 00:44:28.740
 some

00:44:28.740 --> 00:44:29.099
 moments

00:44:29.099 --> 00:44:29.559
 in

00:44:29.559 --> 00:44:29.800
 prayer

00:44:29.800 --> 00:44:30.360
 responding

00:44:30.360 --> 00:44:30.700
 to

00:44:30.700 --> 00:44:31.400
 the

00:44:31.400 --> 00:44:31.640
 word

00:44:31.640 --> 00:44:31.780
 that

00:44:31.780 --> 00:44:32.000
 you've

00:44:32.000 --> 00:44:32.140
 heard

00:44:32.140 --> 00:44:32.440
 today

00:44:32.440 --> 00:44:33.740
 to

00:44:33.740 --> 00:44:34.240
 pray

00:44:34.240 --> 00:44:34.960
 maybe