WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.219 Well, what has to be going right in life before you can rejoice? 00:00:07.580 --> 00:00:09.720 Do you rejoice when you get a job? 00:00:11.080 --> 00:00:13.660 Do you rejoice when you take a step up in your career? 00:00:14.939 --> 00:00:18.240 Do you rejoice when you level up in League of Legends? 00:00:19.699 --> 00:00:22.460 Do you rejoice when you get into a relationship? 00:00:22.460 --> 00:00:28.000 Do you rejoice when relationships with family and friends are going well? 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:32.200 Do you rejoice when your kids are doing well at school? 00:00:33.679 --> 00:00:36.579 Do you rejoice when you get public recognition? 00:00:38.140 --> 00:00:39.799 Do you rejoice when you get a holiday? 00:00:42.039 --> 00:00:46.379 Do you rejoice when you find some money in your pocket that you didn't realise was there? 00:00:48.620 --> 00:00:52.420 Did you rejoice this morning when Liverpool won 3-0? 00:00:53.539 --> 00:00:55.219 I certainly hope you did. 00:00:55.219 --> 00:00:58.820 What gives you reason to rejoice? 00:01:00.859 --> 00:01:07.340 Because whatever you rejoice in or whatever you anticipate will give you joy, 00:01:07.879 --> 00:01:11.960 that is a really good indicator of what you are living for. 00:01:13.939 --> 00:01:18.759 Whatever you rejoice in or you anticipate will give you joy, 00:01:18.859 --> 00:01:22.299 that's a really good indicator of what you're living for. 00:01:22.299 --> 00:01:28.259 Let me try and illustrate this with two songs. 00:01:28.359 --> 00:01:29.920 I want to compare two songwriters. 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:33.459 The first guy has a great job. 00:01:33.719 --> 00:01:35.140 He loves his job as a musician. 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:37.780 He's very popular at the moment. 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:41.859 He has a supportive family and he's making loads of money. 00:01:42.859 --> 00:01:43.819 This is his lyrics. 00:01:43.819 --> 00:01:46.939 I made 100 grand this year. 00:01:47.419 --> 00:01:49.539 Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, so what? 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:51.479 Still lost. 00:01:52.259 --> 00:01:53.239 Still feeling anxious. 00:01:53.539 --> 00:01:56.059 Still worry about the same swear word. 00:01:56.939 --> 00:01:58.919 I made 100 grand this year. 00:01:59.539 --> 00:02:01.139 Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, so what? 00:02:01.899 --> 00:02:02.899 Still lost. 00:02:03.839 --> 00:02:06.719 Still feel depressed like I'm trying to find a way in. 00:02:06.719 --> 00:02:10.280 Very raw words. 00:02:11.319 --> 00:02:15.479 He's trying to find joy but what he's living for isn't paying off. 00:02:16.819 --> 00:02:17.780 Still lost. 00:02:19.060 --> 00:02:20.139 That's the first guy. 00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:25.500 The second guy, he's just lost all his children in a shipwreck 00:02:25.500 --> 00:02:32.039 and a fire has destroyed his investments which has just wrecked him financially. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:34.460 This is his lyrics. 00:02:34.460 --> 00:02:37.379 He sings this. 00:02:38.340 --> 00:02:41.960 Though Satan should buffet, though trial should come, 00:02:42.580 --> 00:02:49.120 let this blessed assurance control that Christ has regarded my helpless estate. 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:50.040 It is well. 00:02:50.540 --> 00:02:52.439 It is well with my soul. 00:02:55.780 --> 00:02:58.580 How can this guy still have joy? 00:02:59.219 --> 00:03:00.400 And I reckon that is joy. 00:03:01.700 --> 00:03:03.420 It is well with my soul. 00:03:03.419 --> 00:03:08.899 He still has joy even though he's lost nearly everything dear to him in this life. 00:03:10.239 --> 00:03:13.519 Whatever you rejoice in or you anticipate will give you joy, 00:03:14.039 --> 00:03:18.019 that's a really good indicator of what you're living for. 00:03:18.020 --> 00:03:27.939 So in Paul's letter to the church in Philippi, joy and rejoicing, it's on every page. 00:03:28.040 --> 00:03:28.640 It's everywhere. 00:03:29.939 --> 00:03:35.740 And this is especially incredible because Paul is writing from Rome in prison. 00:03:35.900 --> 00:03:37.260 Imagine yourself in prison. 00:03:37.259 --> 00:03:38.259 He's in chains. 00:03:38.259 --> 00:03:40.259 He's in chains. 00:03:40.259 --> 00:03:47.780 Any minute someone could come to him and tell him he's got the death sentence 00:03:47.780 --> 00:03:49.919 and it would be carried out pretty much straight away. 00:03:49.919 --> 00:03:55.839 But six times he says that he is rejoicing. 00:03:58.399 --> 00:04:00.060 What is this guy living for? 00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:08.979 And he tells the Philippians and through them he's telling us as well in chapter 4 verse 4, 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:11.920 rejoice in the Lord always. 00:04:12.060 --> 00:04:13.539 I will say it again, rejoice. 00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:24.860 Now we're probably cringing at the moment, thinking, Paul, you can't possibly mean me. 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:32.819 If you knew what I was going through, you would have written me into the Bible as an exception. 00:04:34.139 --> 00:04:40.520 Rejoice in the Lord, except when you're sick, except when you're lonely, 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:43.420 except when you feel you've been mistreated. 00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:48.660 But to the rest of you, I'll say rejoice. 00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:52.360 He doesn't say that. 00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:54.580 Now Paul isn't telling us to fake it. 00:04:54.579 --> 00:04:57.519 He's not telling us to fake it until we make it. 00:04:58.519 --> 00:05:01.519 He's not telling us to ignore our circumstances. 00:05:02.620 --> 00:05:09.419 But he is going to show us the way that there's reason that we can always have joy. 00:05:11.500 --> 00:05:14.180 Don't feel guilty for not rejoicing. 00:05:14.719 --> 00:05:18.219 But see that if Paul is telling us to rejoice, it must be possible. 00:05:19.620 --> 00:05:20.779 He shows us the way. 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:21.620 He's rejoicing. 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:24.259 Whatever is happening in life. 00:05:24.579 --> 00:05:32.620 So how can Paul rejoice always and expect us to as well? 00:05:34.359 --> 00:05:35.579 Well, here's the reason. 00:05:36.479 --> 00:05:38.300 Here's what Paul was living for. 00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:42.199 Come with me to chapter 1, verse 21. 00:05:42.519 --> 00:05:43.199 Have a look with me. 00:05:44.339 --> 00:05:46.039 This is what Paul is living for. 00:05:46.040 --> 00:05:56.220 For to me, to live is Christ. 00:05:57.860 --> 00:06:00.200 And to die is gain. 00:06:02.780 --> 00:06:06.939 Christ himself is Paul's greatest treasure. 00:06:06.939 --> 00:06:11.800 To have him is to have life. 00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:20.100 If you've got him this morning, by faith in him, you have life. 00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:24.339 For Paul, death is not losing life. 00:06:24.420 --> 00:06:25.319 It's gaining more. 00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:27.399 Because it's gaining more of him. 00:06:27.399 --> 00:06:33.659 If Christ is our greatest treasure, then we have him. 00:06:33.660 --> 00:06:35.620 If we have him, we have life. 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:42.460 And since we have Christ, no matter what else is going on around us, we can rejoice. 00:06:42.840 --> 00:06:43.700 We can have joy. 00:06:43.699 --> 00:06:46.839 Even while we're hurting, we can have joy. 00:06:48.159 --> 00:06:49.699 We have reason to rejoice. 00:06:51.939 --> 00:06:53.959 So we want to live for Christ too, don't we? 00:06:54.479 --> 00:06:56.800 We want Christ to be our life. 00:06:57.759 --> 00:07:02.759 So the question is, what does it look like to believe with Paul to live is Christ? 00:07:02.759 --> 00:07:08.899 In Paul's letter to the Philippians, I think he tells us three main ways. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:11.539 He says a lot of things that we're going to look at in more detail. 00:07:11.719 --> 00:07:19.240 But I think there's three main ways that we live for Christ, that we show that Christ is our deepest treasure. 00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:25.920 What we're going to do is spend about half our time this morning looking at the background of Philippians 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:28.319 and what we share in common with the church then. 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:32.860 So the outline doesn't really reflect the time we'll spend, so don't freak out. 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:35.519 We're going to spend about half our time doing that. 00:07:35.579 --> 00:07:41.159 And then we're going to look at the three ways that we can show that we're living for Christ. 00:07:41.920 --> 00:07:48.000 So please get ready to flip back and forth through the letter or using your tablet, phone, whatever you're using. 00:07:48.420 --> 00:07:49.399 So get your Bibles ready. 00:07:50.420 --> 00:07:55.639 And please just get ready to get an overall impression of this life-giving message. 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:59.060 We've got a whole series to just soak in it and dig down deep. 00:07:59.319 --> 00:08:01.719 Today is just really an impression. 00:08:03.800 --> 00:08:05.519 Okay, the Philippian church. 00:08:06.579 --> 00:08:07.899 What were they like? 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:12.219 What was going on in their congregation? 00:08:13.060 --> 00:08:15.919 Look at chapter 1, verses 3 and 4 with me. 00:08:15.920 --> 00:08:22.920 I thank my God every time I remember you. 00:08:23.080 --> 00:08:27.600 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. 00:08:27.780 --> 00:08:28.060 Why? 00:08:29.300 --> 00:08:33.680 Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 00:08:33.679 --> 00:08:46.959 No matter what situation Paul was in, for 30 years or so, these guys have been praying and giving and standing up for the gospel alongside Paul. 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:50.259 They've been sharing in Paul's trouble. 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:56.239 They've even sent one of their dear brothers, Epaphroditus, to Paul with gifts. 00:08:56.859 --> 00:08:58.179 He almost died doing it. 00:08:58.179 --> 00:09:03.479 These guys are passionate partners in the gospel. 00:09:05.179 --> 00:09:11.879 This is a church who are sure of who Christ is, his death and resurrection, his certain return. 00:09:12.799 --> 00:09:17.439 And they're working and striving for the gospel out of an overflow of their faith. 00:09:17.699 --> 00:09:19.439 I would call this a mature church. 00:09:20.659 --> 00:09:22.159 This is a really positive letter. 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:26.939 And Paul has a lot of joy for this church. 00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:30.919 Have a look at verses 7 and 8 of chapter 1. 00:09:31.679 --> 00:09:34.860 Listen to Paul's affection for this church. 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:42.059 It is right for me to feel this way about you all because I hold you in my heart. 00:09:43.459 --> 00:09:47.620 God is my witness how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 00:09:49.699 --> 00:09:51.360 He loves this church. 00:09:52.159 --> 00:09:59.059 Their common faith, their partnership in the gospel side by side has created a deep mutual love for each other. 00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:03.319 And that's one of the main reasons that he's writing this letter. 00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:11.240 Because they love him so much and they love the gospel so much, they're really worried about Paul being in prison. 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:13.659 He's writing the letter to calm their fears. 00:10:13.799 --> 00:10:14.659 That's one of the reasons. 00:10:14.659 --> 00:10:16.659 This church is anxious. 00:10:16.659 --> 00:10:18.740 This church is anxious. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:25.639 And a big cause of their anxiety is that God has let their founder be chained up. 00:10:27.699 --> 00:10:30.299 Flick over to chapter 4 verse 10 with me. 00:10:30.299 --> 00:10:45.419 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. 00:10:46.259 --> 00:10:50.740 You were indeed concerned for me but you had no opportunity to show it, he means. 00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:54.419 They were really concerned for him. 00:10:54.820 --> 00:10:56.720 That's one of the main reasons he wrote this letter. 00:10:58.320 --> 00:11:02.560 But they're also very anxious because they themselves are being attacked. 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:10.100 Flick back to chapter 3 and just have a look at the first 10 or so verses. 00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:21.860 Paul has to strongly warn them of those who demand that they put their confidence not only in Christ but also in works of the law. 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:29.960 Paul uses some of the strongest language he ever uses to encourage them not to give an inch. 00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:33.340 Watch out for the dogs. 00:11:33.680 --> 00:11:35.100 Look out for the evildoers. 00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:37.480 Look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:39.320 Referring to circumcision. 00:11:40.100 --> 00:11:46.019 These guys are under theological attack to add to Christ. 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:53.620 And we're also told in chapter 1 verse 30 that it has been granted to the Philippians to suffer for Christ's sake. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:58.399 To engage in the same conflict that they saw that Paul had. 00:11:58.580 --> 00:11:59.860 What did they see that Paul had? 00:12:01.480 --> 00:12:04.080 I had the pleasure of being with the men's group this week. 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:09.600 And they went to Acts 16 and we studied Acts 16 together where the church is founded. 00:12:10.100 --> 00:12:18.399 When we read there, the church is founded first by Lydia being converted. 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:24.600 And then Paul and his companions are beaten publicly and thrown into prison. 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:31.899 In prison, while they're singing, mind you, and praying, there's an earthquake. 00:12:31.899 --> 00:12:31.980 The earthquake. 00:12:33.199 --> 00:12:43.559 The earthquake removes their chains and the jailer is about to kill himself because he's convinced that the prisoners have just run for it, as you would expect. 00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:47.100 Paul cries out, saves him, stops him from killing himself. 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:50.179 And the jailer asks, what must I do to be saved? 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:52.039 He and his household are converted. 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:55.779 This church is not unfamiliar with attack. 00:12:56.839 --> 00:13:01.099 Their very church was formed partly because Paul was attacked. 00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:09.019 But these threats still have the potential to rock their confidence in God. 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:14.980 They are under attack socially, maybe from authorities, not sure. 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:19.200 And they're under attack theologically to add something to Christ. 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:28.120 And there also appears to be a widespread issue in the church. 00:13:29.580 --> 00:13:32.379 We see a hint of it in chapter 1, verse 15. 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:40.240 Because there seems to be a few individuals who are preaching Christ from motives of envy and rivalry. 00:13:41.799 --> 00:13:46.139 Perhaps they saw Paul's imprisonment as an opportunity to get more influence in the church. 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:54.939 And then in chapter 4, verse 2, there's two women, Iodia and Syntyche, who are both solid Christians. 00:13:55.720 --> 00:13:57.340 Their names are written in the book of life. 00:13:57.620 --> 00:14:01.200 They've been striving for the gospel alongside Paul, but they're at odds. 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:04.440 We're not told why, but they're at odds. 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:06.820 And then there's chapter 2. 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:12.140 There seems to be a widespread culture of people doing things not primarily for love's sake, 00:14:12.420 --> 00:14:16.360 but out of selfish ambition and conceit. 00:14:17.160 --> 00:14:19.180 Just having an exaggerated view of yourself. 00:14:20.420 --> 00:14:22.520 They're looking to their own interests. 00:14:24.780 --> 00:14:27.820 So, the church in Philippi is mixed. 00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:31.660 And I don't think that should surprise us, should it? 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:33.320 Churches are always mixed. 00:14:34.420 --> 00:14:35.520 This church is mature. 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:40.540 They are passionate partners in the gospel, but they're also riddled with anxiety. 00:14:41.920 --> 00:14:45.640 Especially as their church founder is in chains. 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:48.140 They're under attack themselves. 00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:54.120 And there's a widespread culture of just being self-seeking. 00:14:56.279 --> 00:15:04.120 These believers are in danger of no longer living for Christ, losing hope that God is still at work in them and through them. 00:15:04.980 --> 00:15:08.319 They attempted to just protect themselves out of fear. 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:12.860 They attempted to compromise the gospel because that's easier. 00:15:14.180 --> 00:15:18.020 And they attempted to slowly lose their passion for serving the Lord. 00:15:20.640 --> 00:15:22.560 Paul writes into this situation. 00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:27.099 So, here's the hard question. 00:15:27.219 --> 00:15:28.559 Is this true for us as well? 00:15:29.859 --> 00:15:32.559 What's the grace evangelical church situation? 00:15:34.079 --> 00:15:36.739 What do we share in common with the church in Philippi? 00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:45.439 Is this a church who are passionately working for the sake of the gospel? 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:51.060 I could list all the formal ministries going on. 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:56.460 I could try and describe all the informal ministry behind the scenes stuff that's going on. 00:15:57.540 --> 00:15:59.920 I would fail because there's so much going on. 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:08.120 Can I just point to one piece of evidence that convinces me that, yes, this is a church passionate for the gospel? 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:18.899 Now, I might be biased here, but when you as a church sent Jeremy and Hayley and Emma and I off to college, you didn't know whether we would come back. 00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:25.720 You sent us all because you wanted to advance the gospel, didn't you? 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:32.600 It didn't matter where, whether it was here, whether it's overseas, whether it's in Sydney. 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:38.100 And you gave generously, you gave a lot of money to get us ready for that. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:41.180 I really appreciate it. 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:45.620 It affirmed, it was really good. 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:49.920 Anyway, can I just say that you prioritise the kingdom. 00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:58.259 You're willing to let, I assume you love us, you're willing to let people you love go for the sake of the kingdom. 00:16:58.259 --> 00:17:03.700 Now, maybe you just gave the money to get rid of me for two years. 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:05.640 I can understand that as well. 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:07.960 But I don't think so. 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:18.019 I think this is a church that is passionate for the gospel, that gives out of generosity because of your love for Jesus. 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:21.799 Are we anxious? 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:23.799 Individually? 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:24.900 Yeah, many of us. 00:17:24.900 --> 00:17:31.220 One of Grace's founders, Don McMurray, he's not in prison. 00:17:32.140 --> 00:17:34.340 Though if you keep it up, Don, you... 00:17:34.340 --> 00:17:41.700 But in recent years, our leadership has been shaken. 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:45.580 People we love have left. 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:50.200 And it's made us all question, is God still committed to us? 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:54.120 It worries us. 00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:58.060 Are we attacked? 00:18:01.340 --> 00:18:04.900 Aren't you super aware in conversations that... 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:11.460 There's just topics that if you even gave a hint of your Christian conviction on, 00:18:12.560 --> 00:18:18.360 it would be like a dementor from Harry Potter came in and just sucked the warmth out of the conversation. 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:21.820 Aren't you super aware of that in those conversations? 00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:25.359 So I think socially, yeah. 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:32.859 Thankfully, from authorities, we have a lot of safety at the moment. 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.960 So we should praise God for that. 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:40.319 Are the Jewish people trying to impose circumcision in the law of Moses? 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.419 I don't think so. 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:42.179 Haven't heard of it. 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:45.000 Please let me know if that happens. 00:18:46.860 --> 00:18:53.539 But I think in another way, we are in danger of adding something to Christ. 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:54.460 Let me try and illustrate. 00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:58.500 When I was at the LIT camp with some of the youth a few weeks ago, 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:00.960 I was chatting to a year 12 boy, 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:05.880 and I asked if he was confident that Jesus had saved him and would never let him go. 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:10.299 His answer was way more insightful than I was expecting. 00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:12.460 He said something like, 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:13.920 I know that I'm definitely saved, 00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:16.759 and I know I'm only saved by faith in Jesus. 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:18.259 I was really glad to hear that. 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:20.079 Then he said, 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:26.000 but there's pressure on me to prove I've got faith by doing lots of things. 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:30.079 Don't you feel that sometimes? 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:36.099 I think we will always be under attack 00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:41.099 to move away from faith in Jesus alone making us righteous before God. 00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:44.099 We will always be under that attack. 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.219 In our hearts, 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:49.159 and maybe from outside as well. 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:55.879 Here's maybe a more heart-heating one. 00:19:55.939 --> 00:19:56.779 Are we self-seeking? 00:19:57.959 --> 00:20:00.419 Are we driven by envy and rivalry? 00:20:01.899 --> 00:20:03.839 Well, we certainly don't want to think so. 00:20:05.419 --> 00:20:07.500 But why do I sometimes feel threatened 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:10.919 when a brother or sister is better at something than me? 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:14.119 Why do I feel threatened by that? 00:20:17.899 --> 00:20:20.319 I think it's because there's envy in my heart. 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:28.079 Why do I sometimes think church cleaning is beneath me? 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:34.899 Am I just choosing the acts of service that are comfortable? 00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:42.400 Or am I driven to serve in whatever way others need me? 00:20:42.880 --> 00:20:44.540 Or do I just choose what's comfortable for me? 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:49.040 I think that's how it plays out in my heart. 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:53.140 So I think we do share some things in common 00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:54.960 with the Philippian church. 00:20:55.060 --> 00:20:56.320 We need to hear this letter. 00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:57.740 Not just this morning, 00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:59.060 but soak in it. 00:20:59.059 --> 00:21:03.919 We need to rejoice in the Lord. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:07.919 We have a whole series to carefully listen. 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:10.259 But for the rest of this morning, 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:13.879 we're just going to hear three major things that Paul writes. 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:15.960 Firstly, 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:18.180 church, 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:21.800 be confident 00:21:21.800 --> 00:21:25.500 that God is at work in you. 00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:28.160 Second, 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:31.580 stand firm together in Christ. 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.440 Third, 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:35.820 keep bearing fruit 00:21:35.820 --> 00:21:37.420 in gospel work. 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:41.300 These things is what it looks like 00:21:41.300 --> 00:21:42.960 to make Paul's words 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:43.860 your own words. 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:44.700 To me, 00:21:45.340 --> 00:21:47.460 to live is Christ. 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:50.000 This is what it looks like. 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:52.960 So let's quickly 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:54.480 go through these one by one. 00:21:55.320 --> 00:21:55.680 First, 00:21:55.800 --> 00:21:57.420 be confident that God is at work in you. 00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.700 What is Paul's confidence 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.779 that this church will grow 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:02.380 in faith and love? 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:04.820 Look at chapter 1, verse 6 with me 00:22:04.820 --> 00:22:05.680 and let it sink in. 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:12.039 Here's Paul's confidence 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:12.840 that God 00:22:12.840 --> 00:22:15.220 will keep growing 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:16.800 his church. 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:18.840 And I am sure of this, 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:21.240 that he who began 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.279 a good work in you 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:24.259 will bring it to completion 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:25.840 at the day of Jesus Christ. 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:30.580 He who began 00:22:30.580 --> 00:22:31.700 a good work in you 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:33.539 will bring it 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:34.580 to completion 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:36.619 at the day 00:22:36.619 --> 00:22:37.500 of Jesus Christ. 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:40.919 Do you doubt 00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:41.720 whether you're changing 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.339 in the ways 00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:43.159 that God wants you to? 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.599 Do you feel stuck 00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:48.559 in a particular sin? 00:22:51.419 --> 00:22:52.279 Be confident. 00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:54.159 God is at work in you 00:22:54.159 --> 00:22:55.019 because when God 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:56.039 starts saving you, 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:56.919 he finishes it. 00:22:56.920 --> 00:23:00.980 He has a long-term goal 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:01.539 in mind. 00:23:03.620 --> 00:23:04.720 Stop measuring it 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.620 just on one day. 00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:08.039 He's got a long-term goal. 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:09.240 He's committing 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:10.120 to finishing it 00:23:10.120 --> 00:23:11.779 when Jesus returns. 00:23:12.560 --> 00:23:13.680 He is at work. 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:17.279 We have to strive 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:17.820 for it. 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:18.779 Yes. 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:20.000 We have to pursue it 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.480 ourselves 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:22.080 to think 00:23:22.080 --> 00:23:22.920 and choose 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:23.519 in ways 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.039 that are more 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:24.920 and more like Christ. 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.660 But chapter 2 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.220 verse 13 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:27.299 tells us very clearly 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:29.440 we can only strive 00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:30.160 to do this 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:30.799 because 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:32.880 it is God 00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:34.019 who works in you 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:35.980 both to will 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.620 and to work 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.840 for his good pleasure. 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:41.380 Be confident 00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:42.240 that God 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:43.820 is at work 00:23:43.820 --> 00:23:44.720 in you, 00:23:44.860 --> 00:23:45.660 in us 00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:47.880 because he promises 00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:48.480 to. 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.280 He's committed 00:23:50.280 --> 00:23:50.860 to us. 00:23:53.300 --> 00:23:54.200 And God 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:55.200 is still at work 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:55.720 in us 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.720 and through us 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:58.120 even in dark times. 00:23:59.580 --> 00:24:00.560 Think of Paul. 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:03.560 He was a man 00:24:03.560 --> 00:24:03.940 of God 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:05.060 used to establish 00:24:05.060 --> 00:24:06.180 so many churches 00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:07.080 and how did he do it? 00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:08.140 By travelling around 00:24:08.140 --> 00:24:08.960 but now he is 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.700 locked up. 00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:11.980 He could die 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.660 any moment. 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.540 This is a dark 00:24:14.540 --> 00:24:15.840 time for the church. 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:18.100 But look at his 00:24:18.100 --> 00:24:18.560 perspective 00:24:18.560 --> 00:24:19.320 in chapter 1 00:24:19.320 --> 00:24:19.880 verse 12. 00:24:20.600 --> 00:24:21.060 Have a look. 00:24:23.860 --> 00:24:24.620 I want you 00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:25.100 to know 00:24:25.100 --> 00:24:25.520 brothers 00:24:25.520 --> 00:24:26.320 that what has 00:24:26.320 --> 00:24:27.060 happened to me 00:24:27.060 --> 00:24:28.300 has really served 00:24:28.300 --> 00:24:29.320 to advance 00:24:29.320 --> 00:24:29.920 the gospel. 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:32.280 Others are more 00:24:32.280 --> 00:24:33.220 bold to speak up 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:33.760 for Jesus. 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.420 All the soldiers 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.100 guarding me 00:24:36.100 --> 00:24:36.840 know that I'm 00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:38.040 here only because 00:24:38.040 --> 00:24:38.560 of my faith 00:24:38.560 --> 00:24:38.940 in Jesus. 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.080 brothers, 00:24:39.600 --> 00:24:41.600 this is a good 00:24:41.600 --> 00:24:41.940 thing. 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:45.759 There would 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.140 have been a 00:24:46.140 --> 00:24:47.019 family sitting 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.680 in the congregation 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:48.600 when this letter 00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:49.779 was first read 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.880 out that would 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.539 have been smiling 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:52.420 from ear to ear. 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.519 That God 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.240 is using 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:58.160 his imprisonment 00:24:58.160 --> 00:24:58.779 to save. 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.019 Paul isn't 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:03.360 focusing on 00:25:03.360 --> 00:25:04.400 the injustice 00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:05.059 of it all 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.519 though that 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:05.740 would have 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:07.059 been so painful. 00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:09.980 he's focusing 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.700 on Christ. 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:11.460 He's living 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:12.400 for Christ. 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:13.920 He wants 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.779 Christ's name 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:15.500 to be known 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.539 and to be 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.220 treasured. 00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:18.900 And so in that 00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:19.600 he can rejoice. 00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:23.900 Secondly, 00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:24.640 to live for 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:25.120 Christ 00:25:25.120 --> 00:25:26.960 is to stand 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:27.920 firm together 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:29.340 in Christ. 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:30.840 There's two 00:25:30.840 --> 00:25:31.620 aspects to this 00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:31.840 one. 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:33.600 Firstly, 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.880 stand firm 00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.980 together 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:38.120 as one. 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.380 Don't let 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.000 envy and 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.500 rivalry, 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:43.579 selfish ambition, 00:25:44.059 --> 00:25:44.680 being full of 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.079 yourself 00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:46.019 motivate you. 00:25:47.880 --> 00:25:48.360 But Paul 00:25:48.360 --> 00:25:48.960 doesn't leave it 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.620 as a command, 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.339 don't do it. 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:50.920 He spends 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:52.019 way more time 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:52.720 painting a 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.220 picture of 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:53.819 what to do. 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:55.360 A beautiful 00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:55.920 picture of 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:56.339 Christ. 00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:57.700 Chapter 2, 00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:59.120 think like 00:25:59.120 --> 00:25:59.860 Christ because 00:25:59.860 --> 00:26:00.500 you are in 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.059 Christ. 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:02.420 Think like 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:04.079 him who 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:04.539 did not 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.360 grasp at 00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:05.719 greatness 00:26:05.719 --> 00:26:09.139 but emptied 00:26:09.139 --> 00:26:09.619 himself, 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.439 humbled 00:26:11.439 --> 00:26:12.419 himself by 00:26:12.419 --> 00:26:12.819 becoming 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:13.899 obedient to 00:26:13.899 --> 00:26:14.359 the point of 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:14.619 death, 00:26:14.679 --> 00:26:15.179 even death 00:26:15.179 --> 00:26:15.719 on a cross. 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:19.119 The one 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:19.839 who lowers 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:20.539 themselves for 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:21.059 the sake of 00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:21.699 others is the 00:26:21.699 --> 00:26:22.299 one that God 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:22.899 counts as 00:26:22.899 --> 00:26:23.699 truly great. 00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:27.019 And the 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:28.219 result of 00:26:28.219 --> 00:26:29.059 this Christ-like 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:30.419 humility is 00:26:30.419 --> 00:26:31.339 true unity, 00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:32.979 true serving 00:26:32.979 --> 00:26:33.479 one another, 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:34.699 true looking 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.220 out for the 00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:35.799 interests of 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.160 others. 00:26:38.120 --> 00:26:38.860 Have this 00:26:38.860 --> 00:26:39.819 mind because 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.340 we are in 00:26:40.340 --> 00:26:40.779 Christ. 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:41.440 We need to 00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:42.019 share that 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.460 humility, 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:43.940 stand firm 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.380 together. 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:47.740 And the 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.220 other aspect 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:49.160 is to stand 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:50.360 firm in the 00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:50.920 gospel of 00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:52.580 Christ by 00:26:52.580 --> 00:26:53.100 counting 00:26:53.100 --> 00:26:53.940 everything as 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:56.140 rubbish compared 00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:56.660 to gaining 00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:57.059 Christ. 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:57.680 We see this 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.160 in the start 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:58.480 of chapter 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:58.840 three. 00:26:58.839 --> 00:27:02.019 If someone 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.779 had reason to 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:03.480 be accepted 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.220 by God as 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:04.720 a righteous 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.799 man based on 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.179 their own 00:27:06.179 --> 00:27:06.579 efforts, 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:07.379 Paul would 00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:08.439 be top of 00:27:08.439 --> 00:27:08.859 the list. 00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:09.399 He's up 00:27:09.399 --> 00:27:09.539 there. 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:09.819 He would 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:10.379 smash all 00:27:10.379 --> 00:27:10.679 of us. 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:12.939 But what's 00:27:12.939 --> 00:27:13.519 his perspective? 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.379 All the 00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:17.859 things he could 00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:18.119 do. 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.419 Once he got 00:27:19.419 --> 00:27:20.339 Christ, he saw 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:21.339 them as valuable 00:27:21.339 --> 00:27:22.159 as they actually 00:27:22.159 --> 00:27:22.500 are. 00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:23.500 Rubbish. 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.139 Dung. 00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:27.400 I count 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:28.320 everything as 00:27:28.320 --> 00:27:29.980 loss because 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.300 of the 00:27:30.300 --> 00:27:31.420 surpassing 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.860 worth of 00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:33.680 knowing Christ 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:34.320 Jesus my 00:27:34.320 --> 00:27:34.660 Lord. 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:38.120 That 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:38.840 promotion at 00:27:38.840 --> 00:27:39.180 work, 00:27:40.860 --> 00:27:41.740 benching 10 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.700 kilograms above 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.259 your personal 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:44.460 best, paying 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:44.800 off your 00:27:44.800 --> 00:27:45.240 mortgage, 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:48.600 rubbish 00:27:48.600 --> 00:27:51.680 compared to 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.480 knowing Christ. 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:56.120 Be confident 00:27:56.120 --> 00:27:56.600 of God's 00:27:56.600 --> 00:27:57.100 work in you, 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:57.920 stand firm 00:27:57.920 --> 00:27:58.540 together in 00:27:58.540 --> 00:27:59.420 Christ and 00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:00.120 keep bearing 00:28:00.120 --> 00:28:01.600 fruit in 00:28:01.600 --> 00:28:02.440 gospel work. 00:28:02.600 --> 00:28:03.100 Philippians, 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:03.960 grace evangelical, 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:04.800 you have given 00:28:04.800 --> 00:28:05.540 of your very 00:28:05.540 --> 00:28:06.400 best towards 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:06.840 the work of 00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.200 the gospel. 00:28:07.560 --> 00:28:08.080 Keep going. 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.360 Have you 00:28:12.360 --> 00:28:12.840 noticed that 00:28:12.840 --> 00:28:14.020 Paul talks 00:28:14.020 --> 00:28:14.520 about himself 00:28:14.520 --> 00:28:15.000 a lot? 00:28:17.020 --> 00:28:17.840 Is he 00:28:17.840 --> 00:28:19.040 narcissistic? 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:21.640 No, I don't 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:22.060 think so. 00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.160 Chapter 3 00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:23.700 verse 17 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:24.259 gives us the 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:24.540 reason. 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:25.880 He says 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:26.259 this, 00:28:27.520 --> 00:28:27.940 brothers, 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.580 sisters, 00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:30.060 join in 00:28:30.060 --> 00:28:30.740 imitating 00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:32.440 me and 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:33.120 keep your 00:28:33.120 --> 00:28:33.840 eyes on 00:28:33.840 --> 00:28:34.420 those who 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:35.360 walk according 00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:35.740 to the 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.840 example you 00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:37.140 have in 00:28:37.140 --> 00:28:37.420 us. 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:38.759 And in 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.259 chapter 2 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:39.740 he gives 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.400 two examples, 00:28:40.580 --> 00:28:41.140 Timothy and 00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:41.920 Epaphroditus. 00:28:43.820 --> 00:28:44.600 So who is 00:28:44.600 --> 00:28:45.460 the Epaphroditus 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:45.780 in your 00:28:45.780 --> 00:28:46.120 life? 00:28:49.360 --> 00:28:49.820 Our 00:28:49.820 --> 00:28:50.620 society says 00:28:50.620 --> 00:28:51.040 to make 00:28:51.040 --> 00:28:51.280 your own 00:28:51.280 --> 00:28:51.700 decisions, 00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:52.220 carve out 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:52.560 your own 00:28:52.560 --> 00:28:52.860 way, 00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:54.579 based on 00:28:54.579 --> 00:28:54.919 your own 00:28:54.919 --> 00:28:55.299 reasoning? 00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:57.819 It's full 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.059 of it. 00:28:58.359 --> 00:28:58.899 God says 00:28:58.899 --> 00:28:59.339 imitate. 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.359 Look at 00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:02.799 people who 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.339 are passionate 00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:03.699 for the 00:29:03.699 --> 00:29:04.019 gospel, 00:29:04.459 --> 00:29:04.959 watch them, 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.559 keep your 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:06.000 eyes on 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.179 them, 00:29:06.719 --> 00:29:06.979 imitate. 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:09.879 There are 00:29:09.879 --> 00:29:10.359 times when 00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:10.579 you're going 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:10.919 to lose 00:29:10.919 --> 00:29:11.299 heart. 00:29:11.979 --> 00:29:12.319 There are 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:12.919 times when 00:29:12.919 --> 00:29:13.159 you're going 00:29:13.159 --> 00:29:13.399 to have 00:29:13.399 --> 00:29:14.319 no idea 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:14.779 what the 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.079 godly 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:15.699 response to 00:29:15.699 --> 00:29:16.240 a situation 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:16.619 is. 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:18.779 areas in 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.299 your life, 00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.199 my life, 00:29:20.479 --> 00:29:20.859 I'm not 00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:21.399 even aware 00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:21.879 of yet, 00:29:22.239 --> 00:29:22.479 that are 00:29:22.479 --> 00:29:22.839 getting in 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.359 the road 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:23.919 of serving 00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:24.339 Christ. 00:29:24.679 --> 00:29:25.479 We need 00:29:25.479 --> 00:29:26.539 an 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.339 Epaphroditus. 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.099 There are 00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:32.479 many 00:29:32.479 --> 00:29:33.319 Epaphroditises 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:33.819 in this 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.199 church. 00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:35.000 Pick one. 00:29:36.639 --> 00:29:37.199 Pick a few. 00:29:38.959 --> 00:29:39.219 Let's 00:29:39.219 --> 00:29:40.139 imitate those 00:29:40.139 --> 00:29:40.399 who are 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:40.939 passionate for 00:29:40.939 --> 00:29:41.299 Christ. 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.459 So we've 00:29:44.459 --> 00:29:44.899 heard very 00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:45.280 quickly, 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.500 very quickly, 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.500 three ways 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.120 that it 00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:48.740 looks like 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:49.400 to live 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:50.000 for Christ, 00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:50.660 to treasure 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.240 Christ. 00:29:52.320 --> 00:29:52.840 It's to be 00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:53.480 confident that 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:53.860 God is at 00:29:53.860 --> 00:29:54.680 work in us 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.440 and through 00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:55.759 us. 00:29:55.840 --> 00:29:56.180 It's to 00:29:56.180 --> 00:29:56.880 stand firm 00:29:56.880 --> 00:29:57.560 together and 00:29:57.560 --> 00:29:57.860 it's to 00:29:57.860 --> 00:29:58.519 keep bearing 00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:58.980 fruit. 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:01.800 And what 00:30:01.800 --> 00:30:02.380 drove all 00:30:02.380 --> 00:30:02.980 these things, 00:30:04.060 --> 00:30:04.700 what drove 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.480 it was Paul's 00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:06.480 all-consuming 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:07.040 passion. 00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:09.280 And we need 00:30:09.280 --> 00:30:10.000 to share this 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.620 passion with 00:30:10.620 --> 00:30:10.840 him. 00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:12.460 Otherwise, 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:12.960 we're just 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:13.820 not going to 00:30:13.820 --> 00:30:14.860 care or 00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:15.039 we're going 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:15.439 to try and 00:30:15.439 --> 00:30:15.819 do it in 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:16.159 our own 00:30:16.159 --> 00:30:16.599 strength. 00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:17.679 Neither of 00:30:17.679 --> 00:30:18.059 those things 00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:18.299 would be 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:18.559 good. 00:30:18.879 --> 00:30:19.199 We need 00:30:19.199 --> 00:30:19.639 to share 00:30:19.639 --> 00:30:19.859 this 00:30:19.859 --> 00:30:20.199 passion. 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:20.799 What is 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:20.979 this 00:30:20.979 --> 00:30:21.279 passion? 00:30:21.479 --> 00:30:21.819 Come and 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.059 look at 00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:22.339 it in 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:22.879 chapter 1 00:30:22.879 --> 00:30:23.379 verse 20. 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.240 Chapter 1 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:26.719 verse 20. 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.539 Here's 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:29.859 Paul's 00:30:29.859 --> 00:30:30.219 passion. 00:30:34.699 --> 00:30:35.119 It is my 00:30:35.119 --> 00:30:36.259 eager expectation 00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:36.979 and hope that 00:30:36.979 --> 00:30:37.959 I will not be 00:30:37.959 --> 00:30:38.719 at all 00:30:38.719 --> 00:30:39.279 ashamed, 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:40.159 but that 00:30:40.159 --> 00:30:40.719 with full 00:30:40.719 --> 00:30:41.199 courage, 00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:41.899 now as 00:30:41.899 --> 00:30:42.359 always, 00:30:42.719 --> 00:30:43.639 Christ will 00:30:43.639 --> 00:30:44.339 be honoured. 00:30:44.859 --> 00:30:52.179 He means 00:30:52.179 --> 00:30:52.719 these words. 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.019 He could 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:53.699 be executed 00:30:53.699 --> 00:30:54.240 at any 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:54.639 moment. 00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:56.379 What is 00:30:56.379 --> 00:30:56.799 Paul living 00:30:56.799 --> 00:30:57.099 for? 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.240 That 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:59.099 Christ is 00:30:59.099 --> 00:30:59.599 honoured. 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.779 Whatever is 00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:02.119 happening, 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:03.619 he can 00:31:03.619 --> 00:31:04.399 rejoice in 00:31:04.399 --> 00:31:04.659 that. 00:31:06.219 --> 00:31:07.240 Whatever is 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.599 happening. 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:10.099 I love 00:31:10.099 --> 00:31:10.399 this. 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:11.679 Even as 00:31:11.679 --> 00:31:12.039 he says 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:12.240 it, 00:31:12.919 --> 00:31:13.859 he puts 00:31:13.859 --> 00:31:14.399 Christ at 00:31:14.399 --> 00:31:14.799 the centre. 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:15.659 He doesn't 00:31:15.659 --> 00:31:17.919 say that 00:31:17.919 --> 00:31:18.759 I honour 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.319 Christ. 00:31:20.159 --> 00:31:20.919 He puts 00:31:20.919 --> 00:31:21.599 Christ as a 00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:22.019 subject, 00:31:22.399 --> 00:31:23.119 that Christ 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:23.699 will be 00:31:23.699 --> 00:31:24.019 honoured. 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:25.799 Anyway, 00:31:25.959 --> 00:31:26.359 I love that. 00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:27.079 He keeps 00:31:27.079 --> 00:31:27.740 Christ at the 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:27.980 centre. 00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:28.220 Honoured. 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:29.880 And the 00:31:29.880 --> 00:31:30.539 word honoured 00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:31.740 literally means 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.700 make large, 00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:34.839 magnify. 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:37.319 It's saying 00:31:37.319 --> 00:31:38.880 Christ himself 00:31:38.880 --> 00:31:40.000 is my life, 00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:40.579 he is my 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:41.039 treasure, 00:31:42.640 --> 00:31:43.099 and therefore 00:31:43.099 --> 00:31:43.700 I want him 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:44.460 to be greatly 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:45.480 enlarged by the 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.079 way I live. 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.599 I want him 00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:48.339 to be greatly 00:31:48.339 --> 00:31:49.319 enlarged and 00:31:49.319 --> 00:31:50.279 seen for as 00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:51.339 precious as he 00:31:51.339 --> 00:31:51.700 is, 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:54.400 by counting 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:55.099 death as 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:55.599 gain. 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:55.679 man. 00:32:01.199 --> 00:32:02.000 This is the 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:03.500 passion that's 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:04.039 going to help us 00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:04.919 live for Christ. 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:06.799 This is the 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:08.599 passion that's 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:09.299 going to help us 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:10.339 be confident that 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:11.079 God is at work, 00:32:12.399 --> 00:32:13.059 it's going to 00:32:13.059 --> 00:32:13.799 motivate us to 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.639 stand firm 00:32:14.639 --> 00:32:15.299 together in 00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:15.759 Christ, 00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:16.839 and it's going 00:32:16.839 --> 00:32:17.459 to motivate us 00:32:17.459 --> 00:32:18.079 to keep bearing 00:32:18.079 --> 00:32:18.759 fruit for his 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:19.079 sake, 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:19.839 because we 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:20.419 want him 00:32:20.419 --> 00:32:21.579 seen for as 00:32:21.579 --> 00:32:22.219 beautiful and 00:32:22.219 --> 00:32:23.539 as treasured 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.559 as he deserves 00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:24.919 to be. 00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:29.119 So will you 00:32:29.119 --> 00:32:29.839 treasure Christ? 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.259 Will you 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:32.980 treasure Christ? 00:32:33.919 --> 00:32:34.779 Will we as a 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.579 church treasure 00:32:35.579 --> 00:32:37.099 Christ and want 00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:37.619 to see him 00:32:37.619 --> 00:32:38.639 honoured no 00:32:38.639 --> 00:32:39.219 matter what? 00:32:41.679 --> 00:32:42.500 Let me pray. 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.299 Please pray with 00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:43.419 me. 00:32:43.420 --> 00:32:55.019 our Father in 00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:55.240 heaven, 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:58.700 we struggle to 00:32:58.700 --> 00:33:00.940 see Christ for 00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:01.700 as great as he 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.960 is, 00:33:02.800 --> 00:33:05.539 but we know 00:33:05.539 --> 00:33:05.960 that he is 00:33:05.960 --> 00:33:06.279 great. 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:09.080 Lord, we 00:33:09.080 --> 00:33:10.480 see him 00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:12.300 lowering himself 00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:13.399 for our 00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:13.720 sake, 00:33:14.299 --> 00:33:17.139 bleeding for 00:33:17.139 --> 00:33:17.759 our sake, 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:20.720 even though 00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:21.799 he is in 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:22.319 very nature 00:33:22.319 --> 00:33:22.700 God, 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:24.240 he served 00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:24.700 us. 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:25.579 Lord, 00:33:26.859 --> 00:33:28.059 help us 00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:28.619 treasure him. 00:33:31.419 --> 00:33:32.220 Make us a 00:33:32.220 --> 00:33:33.619 church who 00:33:33.619 --> 00:33:35.180 love Christ 00:33:35.180 --> 00:33:35.619 and want to 00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:36.099 see him honoured 00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:36.839 above all else. 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:37.559 We ask this in 00:33:37.559 --> 00:33:38.079 Jesus' name. 00:33:38.299 --> 00:33:38.559 Amen. 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:38.619 Amen.