WEBVTT 00:00:05.432 --> 00:00:05.900 All right. 00:00:05.900 --> 00:00:08.532 Good morning, Valley View. 00:00:08.532 --> 00:00:11.199 We're continuing our study, the book of Philippians today. 00:00:11.199 --> 00:00:14.465 If you have a church Bible that'll be on page 921. 00:00:14.465 --> 00:00:16.800 If you don't have a Bible, we have those out in the lobby. 00:00:16.800 --> 00:00:20.265 Our note taking outlines that I'll be referring to are out there as well. 00:00:20.265 --> 00:00:20.932 So grab those. 00:00:20.932 --> 00:00:24.265 Slip out any time if you need or want one. 00:00:24.265 --> 00:00:26.265 There's a city in the U.S. 00:00:26.265 --> 00:00:28.966 that has a famous slogan. 00:00:28.966 --> 00:00:31.966 You can probably finish it if I start it. 00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:36.966 What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. 00:00:36.966 --> 00:00:55.100 Now, here's the funny thing about that as much as we might want that to be true, if you've been to Vegas, it in this day and age of cell phones, pictures, video, social media as much as you might want that to be true, what happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas. 00:00:56.265 --> 00:01:05.700 And even if you kept whatever thing you did there that you didn't want anybody to know, even if you kept it secret, it still travels with you in your heart. 00:01:05.900 --> 00:01:07.865 It's still a part of you. 00:01:07.865 --> 00:01:12.365 There's something in our humanity that wants to think we can compartmentalize our lives. 00:01:12.365 --> 00:01:15.000 I can act this way over here and act this way over there. 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:18.865 But here's the big idea that we're going to unpack today. 00:01:18.865 --> 00:01:21.332 What happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas. 00:01:21.332 --> 00:01:26.700 And what happens at church doesn't just stay at church. 00:01:26.700 --> 00:01:31.566 In fact, another way to say that, and we're going to unpack it here in three different ways in the passage today. 00:01:31.566 --> 00:01:34.465 What happens here matters. 00:01:34.465 --> 00:01:39.566 And Paul is going to help us see in the book of Philippians today why what happens at church matters. 00:01:39.566 --> 00:01:41.200 This is why we come. 00:01:41.200 --> 00:01:46.066 We come expecting that things that happen here matter in our lives and matter in the lives of others. 00:01:46.066 --> 00:01:48.433 And what happens here doesn't just stay here. 00:01:48.433 --> 00:01:51.165 So we're going to be in Philippians chapter two. 00:01:51.165 --> 00:01:53.266 We're going to look at the first couple of verses here. 00:01:53.266 --> 00:02:01.000 Verse 14 in particular, or verse 12 to help us get around this idea, get our minds around the idea why what happens at church matters. 00:02:02.099 --> 00:02:09.366 Look at verse 12 with me and we'll read that fair for my beloved, as you have always obeyed. 00:02:09.366 --> 00:02:13.832 So now, not only as in my presence, but much more in my absence. 00:02:13.832 --> 00:02:23.966 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:02:23.966 --> 00:02:29.133 Okay, the first reason that we're going to unpack here about why what happens in church matters. 00:02:29.532 --> 00:02:31.765 It's because of your growth. 00:02:31.765 --> 00:02:34.332 Your growth matters. 00:02:34.332 --> 00:02:36.366 Your growth as a Christian matters. 00:02:36.366 --> 00:02:40.300 We want you to be growing, to continue to grow. 00:02:40.300 --> 00:02:42.000 That's been our theme through the year. 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:44.699 You saw it on the big wall when you walked in. Growth. 00:02:44.699 --> 00:02:46.566 The encouragement is to continue to grow. 00:02:46.566 --> 00:02:52.000 We don't want anyone to ever just hit a plateau and stay there long term and be okay with it. 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:54.300 Of course, we all have our ups and downs and our seasons. 00:02:54.300 --> 00:02:55.133 I'm not talking about that. 00:02:55.133 --> 00:02:56.566 You're allowed to have a bad day. 00:02:56.566 --> 00:02:58.165 We're not talking about that. 00:02:58.165 --> 00:03:03.332 But we should have a growth mindset at every age and stage in the church. 00:03:03.332 --> 00:03:06.599 Now, of course, look, we say this all the time, come as you are. 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:10.800 You don't have to have it all figured out to walk in the door. 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:14.733 Friend of mine used to say, you don't have to get cleaned up to take a shower. 00:03:14.733 --> 00:03:15.765 Come on. 00:03:15.765 --> 00:03:17.633 Come as you are. 00:03:17.633 --> 00:03:18.765 But here's the other side of that. 00:03:18.765 --> 00:03:21.832 Come as you are so you don't have to stay as you are. 00:03:21.832 --> 00:03:24.366 And every single one of us here wants to grow. That's. 00:03:24.366 --> 00:03:25.800 That's why you're here. 00:03:25.800 --> 00:03:26.566 You want to come. 00:03:26.566 --> 00:03:27.332 Otherwise you. 00:03:27.332 --> 00:03:28.265 There's something about you. 00:03:28.265 --> 00:03:30.400 You want change it. It's true for me. 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:31.800 I don't want to stay where I am. 00:03:31.800 --> 00:03:33.633 All of us want to be growing. 00:03:33.633 --> 00:03:39.133 In fact, I had a conversation with one of our more, let's say, experienced members this week. 00:03:39.133 --> 00:03:42.633 And she said, you know, I just love working with the children. 00:03:42.633 --> 00:03:44.866 I love seeing how God's at work in their life. 00:03:44.866 --> 00:03:48.066 I love hearing their stories, their testimonies. 00:03:48.066 --> 00:03:52.265 We need to hear that some of us can get stuck in our ways, she said. I didn't say it. 00:03:52.265 --> 00:03:52.765 She said it. 00:03:52.765 --> 00:03:55.366 Some of us could get stuck in our ways, and we need to hear that. 00:03:55.366 --> 00:03:57.432 We need to be reminded that God's at work. 00:03:57.432 --> 00:03:59.566 He's still working and he wants to work in your life. 00:03:59.566 --> 00:04:00.500 No matter where you are. 00:04:00.500 --> 00:04:03.165 There's no pinnacle you reach and it's done, and it's over. 00:04:04.432 --> 00:04:08.500 Your growth really matters and God cares about your growth. 00:04:08.500 --> 00:04:10.099 We're going to see that here in verse 12. 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:10.832 He points that out. 00:04:10.832 --> 00:04:16.899 Now before we get into it, it's important to point out the very first word of this section because this sets up everything. 00:04:16.899 --> 00:04:24.033 It's the word therefore verse 12, therefore, my beloved, therefore those who I care for that are for those who are loved. 00:04:24.033 --> 00:04:26.266 And you always ask the question, what is the therefore? 00:04:26.266 --> 00:04:29.966 Therefore, what is it pointing back towards? 00:04:29.966 --> 00:04:43.932 Last week we looked at verses nine through 11, which were all about a day when every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, and we collectively bow our knee and confess that Jesus is Lord. 00:04:43.932 --> 00:04:46.966 We don't have to wait till that day when he might make some do that. 00:04:46.966 --> 00:04:48.033 We can do that now. 00:04:48.033 --> 00:04:49.800 We can celebrate that now. 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:56.733 So in light of that, Paul is saying, live your life in light of the reality that there will be a day when Jesus comes back. 00:04:58.233 --> 00:05:04.766 Sometimes it's easy in the midst of the day to day to forget that, to think, no, there won't be a day of reckoning. 00:05:04.766 --> 00:05:08.632 No, there won't be a day when I need to account for my life. 00:05:08.632 --> 00:05:09.132 No. 00:05:09.132 --> 00:05:11.665 Therefore, live in light of that. 00:05:11.665 --> 00:05:15.132 Let that shape every part of your life. 00:05:16.065 --> 00:05:21.199 Let that shape the way you approach, approach growing in Christ. 00:05:21.665 --> 00:05:31.266 Now, there's some difficult concepts in this section as we talk about how to understand how Paul wants us to grow. 00:05:31.266 --> 00:05:38.432 In fact, some have been very troubled by a couple of these verses, verse 12 and 13 in particular, very confused by it. 00:05:38.432 --> 00:05:41.233 So we're going to look at these, unpack these a little bit. 00:05:41.233 --> 00:05:43.733 Notice though in context what he calls them. 00:05:43.733 --> 00:05:45.266 He calls them obedient. 00:05:47.100 --> 00:05:50.766 Look at verse 12 again, my beloved, as you have always obeyed. 00:05:50.766 --> 00:05:54.733 So now not only in my presence but also in my absence. 00:05:54.733 --> 00:05:58.466 So he's recognizing that they are obedient. 00:05:58.466 --> 00:06:03.699 They are people who are attempting to follow Jesus's commands. 00:06:04.033 --> 00:06:06.865 And this is really important. 00:06:06.865 --> 00:06:13.399 It's important to recognize the difference between disobedience and rebellion and immaturity. 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:23.565 You know, a child who makes an immature, zealous decision that's different than outright rebellion and disobedience and defiance. 00:06:23.565 --> 00:06:25.165 You treat those differently. 00:06:25.165 --> 00:06:27.766 One is more tending corrective care. 00:06:27.766 --> 00:06:31.065 The other is, well, you pick your punishment. 00:06:31.065 --> 00:06:32.466 We don't have to get into that. 00:06:32.466 --> 00:06:33.966 The other requires a heavier hand. 00:06:33.966 --> 00:06:35.132 It requires direction. 00:06:35.132 --> 00:06:40.199 And sometimes there's some stuff going on in the heart that they're not going to change. 00:06:40.199 --> 00:06:42.165 The same is true in church and Paul. 00:06:42.165 --> 00:06:48.665 Philippians is often called the most tender letter in the New Testament, the most encouraging letter in the New Testament. 00:06:48.665 --> 00:06:52.033 And Paul, in approaching them, he's not coming with a heavy hand to rebuke them. 00:06:53.233 --> 00:06:54.466 He's coming to love on them. 00:06:54.466 --> 00:06:55.899 Care direct. 00:06:55.899 --> 00:07:04.065 Though there is immaturity in a young church which you would expect, but he begins by calling them, no, you are obedient. 00:07:04.065 --> 00:07:05.600 I saw that when I was with you. 00:07:05.600 --> 00:07:08.399 I hear about it now that I'm gone, in a way, and in prison. 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:13.399 I still hear about your testimony, about your hunger to follow Christ. 00:07:14.466 --> 00:07:19.233 And so now, because he knows they care about obedience, he does give them a command. 00:07:19.233 --> 00:07:20.932 This is a direct command here in verse 12. 00:07:20.932 --> 00:07:21.865 Look at what he says to them. 00:07:21.865 --> 00:07:28.365 He says, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 00:07:28.365 --> 00:07:30.665 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 00:07:30.665 --> 00:07:32.165 Now here's the hard part of that verse. 00:07:32.165 --> 00:07:34.399 Many people have read that and thought, okay, what does this mean? 00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:43.899 Does this mean that somehow I have to figure out salvation on my own, that I have to somehow find my salvation, do a good enough stuff to earn my salvation? 00:07:43.899 --> 00:07:48.699 Some have read James 226 Faith without works is dead, and read that in that light as well. 00:07:48.699 --> 00:07:51.165 So if I don't work enough, I don't have faith. 00:07:51.165 --> 00:07:52.600 Is that what all this means? 00:07:54.033 --> 00:07:57.632 Well, here's the really important part to understand about any part of Bible study. 00:07:57.632 --> 00:08:00.632 You always study the Bible in context. 00:08:00.833 --> 00:08:02.199 That's the key word there in your outline. 00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:04.432 In context. Study the Bible in context. 00:08:04.432 --> 00:08:06.365 Context determines meaning. 00:08:06.365 --> 00:08:09.500 The meaning of anything is made by what surrounds it. 00:08:09.500 --> 00:08:10.300 The same is true. 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:13.665 I know Danny Pierce, our realtor here in the church. 00:08:13.665 --> 00:08:18.966 There may be others as well, but he understands what determines value of the home. 00:08:18.966 --> 00:08:24.466 Danny, you want to tell us what are the three words? 00:08:24.466 --> 00:08:28.300 Location, location, location is the way many people say it. 00:08:28.300 --> 00:08:30.000 Sorry to put you on the spot, Danny. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:31.665 Location, location. Location. The. 00:08:31.665 --> 00:08:32.633 What determines the value. 00:08:32.633 --> 00:08:34.966 You can take the same home in my neighborhood. 00:08:34.966 --> 00:08:36.899 That's two $300,000. 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:40.100 I don't know, drop it on the beach in California, it's$5 million. 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:43.133 Location, location, location, context determines meaning. 00:08:43.133 --> 00:08:44.566 And the same is true in Scripture. 00:08:44.566 --> 00:08:46.799 Now here are the layers of context. 00:08:46.799 --> 00:08:49.066 The first is here in the outline. 00:08:49.066 --> 00:08:50.865 The whole Bible. 00:08:50.865 --> 00:08:56.166 So keep in mind Ephesians 212 is in the context of the whole Bible. 00:08:56.232 --> 00:08:59.000 So we've got all the rest of the Bible to look across. 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:04.365 I said Ephesians, Philippians 212 is in the context of the whole Bible, but we have verses like Ephesians two eight. 00:09:06.299 --> 00:09:10.133 By grace you have been saved through faith. 00:09:10.133 --> 00:09:13.133 It is not a result of works. 00:09:13.133 --> 00:09:17.432 It is the gift of God so that no 1st May boast. 00:09:17.432 --> 00:09:24.633 Okay, so this this can't mean we've got that other verse that says it's not what you do that saves you, not a result of works. 00:09:24.633 --> 00:09:27.799 It's not about you being able to say, look how many great things I did. 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:29.166 Jesus picked me. 00:09:29.166 --> 00:09:31.399 I'm the all star here in the group. 00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:38.100 Now you also have Romans 4 or 5 ones, 4 or 5 to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly. 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:39.765 His faith is counted as righteousness. 00:09:39.765 --> 00:09:42.765 The one who does not work. 00:09:42.799 --> 00:09:46.000 So we know this verse in the context of the whole Bible. 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:47.166 Can't mean that. 00:09:47.166 --> 00:09:51.732 It can't mean work in a way that earns you your salvation. 00:09:51.732 --> 00:09:58.633 By the way, we also have the context of the book of Philippians chapter two verse 12 lands within the whole book of Philippians. 00:09:58.633 --> 00:10:02.932 And we know he started the book in chapter one with just a couple of phrases. 00:10:02.932 --> 00:10:07.966 Here in verse five he called them, what do you call them saints? 00:10:07.966 --> 00:10:10.100 In verse one he called them partners in the gospel. 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:13.799 In verse five he called them partakers of grace in verse seven. 00:10:13.799 --> 00:10:19.466 So he's calling them fellow Christians, people who already know and follow Christ. 00:10:19.466 --> 00:10:23.166 So he can't be saying to them, now go create your salvation. 00:10:23.166 --> 00:10:24.166 He already knows. 00:10:24.166 --> 00:10:27.166 They know Christ. 00:10:27.432 --> 00:10:30.232 So what does this mean? 00:10:30.232 --> 00:10:35.732 Probably a better word to use is the word grow. 00:10:35.732 --> 00:10:41.966 When we say work out your salvation, probably a word more like grow is better. 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:46.533 Grow, build, strengthen. 00:10:47.332 --> 00:10:50.332 You can't grow what you don't possess. 00:10:51.299 --> 00:10:54.865 If I were walking to the gym and I say, hey, I'm going to go work on my arms. 00:10:54.865 --> 00:10:59.000 And you said, John, you don't have any arms. 00:10:59.265 --> 00:11:05.232 If I didn't, let's say pretend with me, then I wouldn't say, yeah, but I'm going to go get some at the gym. 00:11:05.232 --> 00:11:07.399 I'm going to go create them by going to the gym. 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:11.232 No no no no no, you can't work out what you don't possess. 00:11:11.232 --> 00:11:12.666 You got to have it to begin with. 00:11:12.666 --> 00:11:19.200 But if I have arms, which I do, I can go to the gym and try to strengthen and grow and build and improve. 00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:25.966 And so what he's saying here to them is along that realm, I know you're saved. 00:11:25.966 --> 00:11:29.566 I know you're obedient because of that grow. 00:11:29.566 --> 00:11:31.666 And here's where we have the context. 00:11:31.666 --> 00:11:33.666 Lastly, that helps explain this. 00:11:33.666 --> 00:11:35.200 It's the immediate context. 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:37.232 This is how we know he's driving at that. 00:11:37.232 --> 00:11:39.932 Verse 12 and verse 13 go together. 00:11:39.932 --> 00:11:41.566 They're back to back for a reason. 00:11:41.566 --> 00:11:45.932 The immediate context is not just the whole Bible, not just the book of Philippians, but right here together. 00:11:45.932 --> 00:11:48.799 Next to each other is verse 12 and verse 13. 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:51.600 Look at verse 13 again. 00:11:51.600 --> 00:12:02.533 We'll repeat verse 12, therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so I know now, now, so now, not only is in my presence much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 00:12:02.533 --> 00:12:05.500 And then he has this word for, for. 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:11.232 Here's the reason, because here's why you can work out your salvation. 00:12:11.232 --> 00:12:13.365 Here's why you can be confident that you can grow. 00:12:13.365 --> 00:12:22.466 Here's the reason why behind that, for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:12:22.466 --> 00:12:33.832 This is the immediate context right next to this, the reason why you can walk in the confidence that you can grow as a Christian is because God is the one working in you. 00:12:34.666 --> 00:12:43.466 And look, this is so important because so many of us face the seasons where you feel stuck and you feel like there's nothing you can do to get past something. 00:12:43.666 --> 00:12:50.265 Maybe it's a sin that you've struggled with for years and you feel like, I guess there's no path forward. 00:12:50.265 --> 00:12:53.566 I guess I've got to just accept that this is who I am. 00:12:53.566 --> 00:12:58.166 I guess that I'm just got to give myself over to this. 00:12:58.966 --> 00:13:04.932 It is God who is at work in you, and you're thinking, I can't seem to get past this. 00:13:04.932 --> 00:13:05.899 And you. 00:13:05.899 --> 00:13:10.033 The beautiful part of that is you want to know what's true is you're exactly right. You can't. 00:13:11.533 --> 00:13:15.299 If you're trying to do it just on your own, you can't get past it. It's true. 00:13:15.299 --> 00:13:16.166 And you felt it. 00:13:16.166 --> 00:13:21.399 But it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:24.399 And that last phrase means everything. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:29.966 Because we don't often get a glimpse into God's motivation for how he interacts with us. 00:13:29.966 --> 00:13:31.600 Sometimes we don't know. 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:33.566 Sometimes we wonder, why did you do that? 00:13:33.566 --> 00:13:34.332 God, I'm not sure. 00:13:34.332 --> 00:13:38.200 But here it says you want to know why he's at work in is for us to grow. 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:45.166 It says right there at the end of verse 13, it's both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:13:45.166 --> 00:13:48.166 He delights in your growth. 00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:50.600 He delights in seeing you grow in Christ. 00:13:51.765 --> 00:13:54.066 So why does it matter that we come here? 00:13:54.066 --> 00:13:55.265 It's for our growth. 00:13:55.265 --> 00:13:58.765 He wants to see us grow and flourish and keep growing. 00:13:58.765 --> 00:14:00.166 And there's no endpoint. 00:14:00.166 --> 00:14:01.265 There's no plateau. 00:14:01.265 --> 00:14:11.265 No matter how much you feel like you've grown in the last year, there's more horizons of growth out ahead of you, far more abundant than you can ever imagine. 00:14:11.265 --> 00:14:15.765 And that's intimidating and exciting at the same time. 00:14:15.765 --> 00:14:17.299 Your growth matters. 00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:19.365 That's the first reason he points out here. 00:14:19.365 --> 00:14:21.033 Now let's look at the second. 00:14:21.033 --> 00:14:24.033 This will be in the next group of verses. 00:14:24.133 --> 00:14:26.732 The second here is is when you love your church. 00:14:26.732 --> 00:14:29.732 The reason why what matters here. 00:14:30.432 --> 00:14:33.365 The reason why what happens here matters and doesn't just stay here. 00:14:33.365 --> 00:14:34.100 It's number two. 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:37.500 When you love your church, you change the world. 00:14:39.365 --> 00:14:43.000 When you love your church, you're a part of affecting the world. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:49.832 When we love one another here, well, that shapes and affects the rest of the world. 00:14:49.832 --> 00:14:52.033 That's part of why what happens here matters. 00:14:52.033 --> 00:14:54.232 And look, everybody wants to make a difference in the world. 00:14:54.232 --> 00:14:58.100 That's why there are people's names on buildings and headstones. 00:14:58.100 --> 00:14:59.566 And we all want to be remembered. 00:14:59.566 --> 00:15:02.299 We all want to matter. 00:15:02.299 --> 00:15:05.365 What happens at the starting point is here. 00:15:05.365 --> 00:15:08.365 Start here. 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:09.232 Paul knows that. 00:15:09.232 --> 00:15:13.365 And that's why his first words to them here are a little difficult to read. 00:15:13.365 --> 00:15:18.832 In this section, look at verse 14 and what he says to them. 00:15:18.832 --> 00:15:23.033 Do all things without grumbling or disputing. 00:15:23.033 --> 00:15:41.732 That's his first words to us here in the church when it comes to knowing how we interact with one another, he starts with a little bit of a rebuke do all things without grumbling or disputing and you expect to have to say that, let's say to a four year old siblings, right? 00:15:41.865 --> 00:15:45.899 Stop arguing, stop fighting. 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:49.500 We don't expect to have to say that to, let's say once they're 35, right? 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.133 You don't think? 00:15:50.133 --> 00:15:58.133 Now we have to say that, though it still happens, especially maybe when there's some inheritance involved. 00:15:58.133 --> 00:15:59.265 Yeah. 00:15:59.265 --> 00:16:02.899 You start to see those four year olds coming back out. 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:10.365 And we especially don't expect to have to say it here, do all things without grumbling or disputing. He's saying it. 00:16:10.365 --> 00:16:12.932 That means it probably was existing. 00:16:12.932 --> 00:16:15.265 And at one level we shouldn't be surprised. 00:16:15.265 --> 00:16:21.633 It's a young church, probably just about ten years old, in the faith, where there wasn't a second and third Philippi down the street. 00:16:21.633 --> 00:16:26.566 This was the only church to have come to that area in the history of mankind. 00:16:26.566 --> 00:16:28.066 Gospel comes to a city. 00:16:28.066 --> 00:16:33.166 Of course it's going to take some time for us to mature and to figure out what's the first importance, what's second importance. 00:16:33.166 --> 00:16:36.332 We fight over things that we thought were so important, and we see they're not central. 00:16:36.332 --> 00:16:38.232 That's some immaturity that takes time. 00:16:38.232 --> 00:16:41.566 And he reminds them, do all things without grumbling or disputing. 00:16:41.566 --> 00:16:46.899 Now it's really important to understand this about this phrase, because Paul does this in the book of Philippians. 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:48.332 We talked about this last week. 00:16:48.332 --> 00:16:57.265 He doesn't directly quote from the Old Testament like he did or like Peter did in first Peter over and over again, because it says it says here in Psalms, it says here in Isaiah, he builds this case. 00:16:57.265 --> 00:17:00.265 He makes the point, stacks up verse after verse after verse. 00:17:00.265 --> 00:17:04.700 But here instead, it's more inferences, more hints. 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:06.165 We did an exercise on that last week. 00:17:06.165 --> 00:17:08.299 I can say a couple of words and you know where it come from. 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:10.432 I can say one word and you know who the author is. 00:17:10.432 --> 00:17:18.633 You tell me if I just say Romeo and Shakespeare or I say one word Romeo, Romeo. 00:17:18.633 --> 00:17:29.266 Or if I say we hold these truths to be self-evident, you know, right away I am quoting very important founding documents for our country. 00:17:29.266 --> 00:17:37.266 You only have to say a few words to point to a broader idea and hear these words grumbling and disputing. 00:17:37.266 --> 00:17:46.865 Both point back to one story in particular, and that's Israel in the wilderness and the very thing they asked for. 00:17:46.865 --> 00:17:50.299 They got God, take us out of here. 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:51.833 We're enslaved to the Egyptians. 00:17:51.833 --> 00:17:54.566 Would you remove us, Lord? 00:17:54.566 --> 00:18:01.000 Why would you persecutors, by taking us out here in the wilderness where we have to walk and we don't have the lovely food we have? 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:03.133 We asked for it, but that's not how we wanted it done. 00:18:03.133 --> 00:18:05.700 Lord, the very thing they ask for. 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:09.766 They're grumbling, they're disputing, they're upset. 00:18:09.766 --> 00:18:10.932 And Paul has just a hint. 00:18:10.932 --> 00:18:13.633 Don't be like the rebellious Israelites. 00:18:13.633 --> 00:18:14.299 Don't be like that. 00:18:16.766 --> 00:18:21.000 A couple of weeks ago, I went hiking with my son in Colorado and it was so hard. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:24.965 Oh, it was so hard at so many levels. 00:18:24.965 --> 00:18:26.900 I'm 51. He's 21. 00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:28.965 Just take that ad alone. 00:18:28.965 --> 00:18:31.266 Keeping up with him was impossible. 00:18:31.266 --> 00:18:40.032 And then the altitude difference and oh, but one thing I kept telling myself all throughout John, you chose to come. 00:18:40.032 --> 00:18:43.665 Don't complain, don't complain, don't get into this. 00:18:43.665 --> 00:18:45.200 I can't believe is when can we stop? 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:48.032 No no no no. Don't complain. 00:18:48.032 --> 00:18:49.200 Enjoy it. 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.965 Choose to enjoy every moment. 00:18:50.965 --> 00:18:54.566 Even the thing that seems impossible and hard and maybe seems not fun. 00:18:54.566 --> 00:18:55.766 He calls that type two fun. 00:18:55.766 --> 00:18:58.865 It's not fun in the moment, but you'll look back later and say, hey, that was fun. 00:18:58.865 --> 00:19:01.333 Maybe we can look back and enjoy the memory later. 00:19:01.333 --> 00:19:02.465 I no, I don't want time to fight. 00:19:02.465 --> 00:19:04.000 I want it all to be great right now. 00:19:05.099 --> 00:19:07.266 I don't want to be like rebellious Israel. 00:19:07.266 --> 00:19:14.066 And look, this is so gross to read because I know that tendency is in my own heart. 00:19:14.333 --> 00:19:15.400 How many of us pray? 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:17.865 I pray, God, would you grow me? 00:19:17.865 --> 00:19:20.099 Would you grow me into a godly man? 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:24.400 Help me to become the kind of man that you'd be proud of. 00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:26.732 And then he brings a hardship to prune me and I go, not that. 00:19:26.732 --> 00:19:29.133 No, not that way. Lord. 00:19:29.133 --> 00:19:30.333 No no no no no. 00:19:30.333 --> 00:19:32.299 Why do you persecute me? 00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:34.965 Why do you hate me now, John? 00:19:34.965 --> 00:19:37.266 You asked for this. 00:19:37.266 --> 00:19:39.266 You see what he's hinting at here? 00:19:39.266 --> 00:19:40.799 Do all things without grumbling or disputing. 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:43.000 Don't end up like the Israelites. 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.700 Now here's why. 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:44.665 Look at what he says to him. 00:19:45.732 --> 00:19:53.532 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, so that you may be blameless and innocent. 00:19:53.566 --> 00:20:06.732 Children of God, without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that. 00:20:06.732 --> 00:20:12.865 So that in the day of Christ I may be proud that you did not run in vain or labor in vain. 00:20:14.365 --> 00:20:16.365 What we do here matters. 00:20:16.365 --> 00:20:18.532 The way you live matters. 00:20:18.532 --> 00:20:19.965 The world is watching. 00:20:19.965 --> 00:20:24.032 The world notices the way you live in life. 00:20:24.032 --> 00:20:29.833 And that's the only hint they have about where your hope is. 00:20:30.333 --> 00:20:32.766 I had a good friend in high school. 00:20:32.766 --> 00:20:34.432 I worked with him in the grocery store. 00:20:34.432 --> 00:20:52.232 He would not come here to church where I attended because our most difficult customer, the person who was most demanding about the way their cheese was sliced, rightly or not, at the counter, was somebody who went here and he knew that. 00:20:52.232 --> 00:20:55.566 And he said, if they go there, I'm not going there. 00:20:55.566 --> 00:21:00.200 Now, look, we all have our moments in line. 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:03.032 We all have our times driving a car. 00:21:03.032 --> 00:21:04.766 We all have moments where we go. 00:21:04.766 --> 00:21:07.365 That wasn't my best moment. 00:21:07.365 --> 00:21:12.200 But then we come back around and go, look, I'm sorry I was so demanding about the way I wanted my cheese sliced. 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:13.965 I apologize, it's okay. 00:21:13.965 --> 00:21:16.200 I'm going to get over it. 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:25.099 The world is watching how we live, and that influences whether they want to be a part of faith or not. 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:27.965 And he's saying, look, we want to be seen. 00:21:27.965 --> 00:21:34.865 Look at some of these words you use blameless, innocent in the eyes of the world. 00:21:34.865 --> 00:21:39.465 We want to stand out as those who are of good standing. 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:49.000 Even in a world who doesn't hold to Christian values, we want to be seen as those blameless, innocent. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:52.000 Some translate that is pure. 00:21:52.066 --> 00:21:56.833 I like this word undiluted, especially on the day of the chili cook off. 00:21:56.833 --> 00:21:59.700 I don't want my chili watered down. 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:01.133 I want to be able to eat it with a fork. 00:22:01.133 --> 00:22:03.665 Give me some chick thick chili. 00:22:03.665 --> 00:22:09.032 Have you say that undiluted, pure, innocent, blameless. 00:22:09.032 --> 00:22:16.032 In fact, he calls this generation that we live among crooked and twisted. 00:22:16.965 --> 00:22:18.766 Those are hard words. 00:22:18.766 --> 00:22:20.133 If I call someone crooked, I don't. 00:22:20.133 --> 00:22:22.665 I don't trust him at all. 00:22:22.665 --> 00:22:29.133 If I call him twisted and there's there's something probably off morally about them, I definitely don't trust them. 00:22:29.133 --> 00:22:29.932 Put them together. 00:22:29.932 --> 00:22:32.932 That's that's really bad. 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:36.165 But once again, this is another hint. 00:22:36.165 --> 00:22:39.165 This is pointing to the Old Testament. 00:22:39.165 --> 00:22:52.799 In fact, if you look at the reference here and the notes is Deuteronomy 32 five, and once again he's using it of Israel, Israel crooked, twisted, rebellious. 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:55.133 Don't be like them. 00:22:55.133 --> 00:22:57.000 And he's reminding the Philippians, by the way. 00:22:57.000 --> 00:23:04.932 And it's a reminder to us that apart from Christ, we're going to live however we want, apart from Christ. 00:23:04.932 --> 00:23:11.465 I mean, imagine what society would be like if everyone just gave themself over to whatever they were feeling. 00:23:11.465 --> 00:23:14.465 I think it was 1969, in Montreal. 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:19.766 The police went on strike and everybody knew they were going on strike. 00:23:19.766 --> 00:23:22.965 They knew the day in the hour when the strike began. 00:23:22.965 --> 00:23:28.299 And that day, an hour is when the looting began. 00:23:28.432 --> 00:23:29.032 Why not? 00:23:29.032 --> 00:23:31.465 Who's going to stop us? 00:23:31.465 --> 00:23:37.833 And maybe all of us wouldn't start looting the minute that the police went on strike. 00:23:37.833 --> 00:23:49.932 But the reality is, apart from Christ, there's an element of us that, apart from some outside force that gives restriction to our morality, where do we go? 00:23:49.932 --> 00:23:52.932 Crooked, twisted? 00:23:53.532 --> 00:23:54.965 Rebellious. 00:23:54.965 --> 00:23:55.965 Running from Christ. 00:23:55.965 --> 00:24:00.665 And that tendency, apart from Christ is there's something that's healthy to acknowledge. 00:24:00.665 --> 00:24:03.665 And that is true for any of us. 00:24:04.365 --> 00:24:14.032 We need to stand out such that our character stands out so greatly that when anyone sees us, they've got to make up stuff about us. 00:24:14.566 --> 00:24:20.633 In fact, there's this great quote quote from the church, early church father Tertullian. 00:24:20.633 --> 00:24:22.432 He was around 200 A.D. 00:24:22.432 --> 00:24:28.299 and someone said to him of another Christian, he's a good man, even though he is a Christian. 00:24:29.833 --> 00:24:31.799 I don't like his beliefs. 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:34.299 I don't I don't care about his faith. 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:41.865 But let me tell you that someone I admire, it should be said of us that way. 00:24:41.865 --> 00:24:45.165 We should be described that way in Daniel. 00:24:45.165 --> 00:24:46.232 I've got the reference here. 00:24:46.232 --> 00:24:47.400 Daniel six five. 00:24:48.365 --> 00:24:54.566 Daniel's life was so upstanding, they had to go digging deep in his faith to find something to use against him. 00:24:54.566 --> 00:24:59.732 We got to almost make up stuff against him. 00:24:59.732 --> 00:25:05.032 We're called in the midst of this generation to be blameless, innocent, holding fast to the word of life. 00:25:05.032 --> 00:25:06.333 And here's why. 00:25:06.333 --> 00:25:15.865 The last part of the verse says, so that you shine like lights, shine like lights in the world. 00:25:15.932 --> 00:25:19.665 In fact, that word lights in your blank usually is translated. 00:25:19.665 --> 00:25:23.400 Stars shine like stars in the world. 00:25:24.432 --> 00:25:27.133 And what does stars do, especially at this time? 00:25:27.133 --> 00:25:29.266 Give direction. 00:25:29.266 --> 00:25:30.299 Give a map. 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:31.865 Show you where to go. 00:25:31.865 --> 00:25:34.200 Stand out in the darkness. 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:39.000 We're called to be that the way you live your life matters in the world. 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:42.165 What happens here doesn't just stay here. 00:25:42.165 --> 00:25:48.165 And so if we're infighting and divisive and difficult here, it's going to end up out there. 00:25:48.165 --> 00:25:53.200 And by the way, I don't think we are in general, I don't have any situation in mind. 00:25:53.200 --> 00:26:04.232 I think in general, this church is for one another is encouraging, isn't doesn't fall apart over the smallest little things, doesn't look for a fight. 00:26:04.232 --> 00:26:07.932 We all have our moments where we don't like something and maybe we voice it a little too much. 00:26:07.932 --> 00:26:16.965 I get that I do that too, but look for in general, I love that this church is a church of encouragement, support, unity, humility and that matters. 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:20.165 If that spirit is built here, it's going to spill out into the rest of the world. 00:26:20.165 --> 00:26:22.432 So what matters here? 00:26:22.432 --> 00:26:24.066 What happens here matters. 00:26:24.066 --> 00:26:26.432 Number two, it's because it spills out onto the world. 00:26:26.432 --> 00:26:30.400 And then look at the third reason, the last reason that church matters. 00:26:33.165 --> 00:26:36.700 Number three, it's for your joy. 00:26:36.932 --> 00:26:38.865 It's for your joy. 00:26:38.865 --> 00:26:53.932 Look at verse 17 and 18, even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and I rejoice with you all. 00:26:53.932 --> 00:26:58.965 Likewise, you also should be glad and rejoice with me. 00:26:58.965 --> 00:27:00.732 Now remember Paul's circumstances. 00:27:00.732 --> 00:27:03.200 He's in prison in Rome. 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:10.732 Many have speculated about what that situation might have looked like based on history, likely maybe chained to his captors. 00:27:10.732 --> 00:27:14.732 Probably not experiencing his best life then at that moment. 00:27:14.732 --> 00:27:17.165 And yet he's full of joy. 00:27:17.165 --> 00:27:20.165 He's rejoicing. 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.432 And I read this engagement. 00:27:22.432 --> 00:27:25.165 That's that's what I want to be like. 00:27:25.165 --> 00:27:30.200 Listen, when I see other Christians and they're full of joy, that gives me hope and encouragement. 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:42.099 But when I see them and the pattern is the opposite of that, I think if you're not a Christian and you see that and go, I don't, I don't know that that's for me. 00:27:42.465 --> 00:27:44.200 Walk in joy. 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:46.232 Keep in mind, Paul knew his circumstances. 00:27:46.232 --> 00:27:47.066 Look at what he says here. 00:27:47.066 --> 00:27:54.000 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering that probably refers to his martyrdom, to his death. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:58.133 He knew we saw back in 121 whether to live or Christ or die is gain. 00:27:58.133 --> 00:27:59.066 He knew it. 00:27:59.066 --> 00:28:03.099 It was certainly possible that he could be killed for his faith. 00:28:04.365 --> 00:28:07.365 Even if that happens, I rejoice. 00:28:07.932 --> 00:28:09.365 I'm full of joy. 00:28:09.365 --> 00:28:18.165 And when you walk in joy here, when you walk in joy with one another, what happens here doesn't just stay here. 00:28:18.165 --> 00:28:21.165 It matters. 00:28:21.965 --> 00:28:27.333 One of my mentors is, Bob Russell, who was the pastor of southeast for years. 00:28:27.333 --> 00:28:28.700 And we've met a number of times. 00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:38.633 And I tell you the thing that I've always admired about Bob, the one defining word I've used of him is the word joy. 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:43.200 And if you don't know who he is and you don't, you haven't met him. 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:43.665 He is. 00:28:43.665 --> 00:28:45.799 He's just constantly radiating joy. 00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:48.465 He always has just a hint of a smile on his face. 00:28:48.465 --> 00:28:52.432 You always wonder what kind of joke he's going to tell, and he just walks in joy. 00:28:52.432 --> 00:28:55.200 And I just thought, that's who Bob is, you know? 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:58.200 That's that's how he's wired. 00:28:58.532 --> 00:29:01.766 He's got this huge church, seems to have had a great life. 00:29:01.766 --> 00:29:04.532 Of course he'll be full of joy. 00:29:04.532 --> 00:29:09.465 And so I called him not too long ago with a question and here's this challenge, Bob. 00:29:09.465 --> 00:29:16.633 How do I handle it? And and he said, John, you can't live your life worried about what other people think of you. 00:29:16.633 --> 00:29:18.232 I said, I wasn't doing that, Bob. 00:29:18.232 --> 00:29:19.365 I saw right through that. 00:29:21.232 --> 00:29:27.200 And he said, John, you want to know how many people deeply dislike me? 00:29:27.333 --> 00:29:31.432 I said, Bob, you there are people who dislike you. 00:29:31.432 --> 00:29:34.599 He's like, oh yeah, you have no idea. 00:29:36.865 --> 00:29:39.799 Here I am, here I am thinking Bob has had it easy. 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:43.900 He's had this great church in this great life and therefore, why wouldn't he be full of joy? 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:53.333 Well, gosh, I mean, of course, how naive of me not to think of how many problems he's had and faced and encountered, and how many people dislike him. 00:29:54.465 --> 00:29:57.465 He chooses to walk in joy. 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.932 And here's my plea for you. 00:29:58.932 --> 00:30:01.932 This is the final plea, the call for you. 00:30:02.066 --> 00:30:03.200 I don't know what you're facing. 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:05.965 And by the way, we are all many of us. 00:30:05.965 --> 00:30:09.200 Some are facing incredibly hard things. 00:30:09.465 --> 00:30:13.000 I'm not minimizing that, but we've got a choice. 00:30:15.965 --> 00:30:18.165 Walk in joy. 00:30:18.165 --> 00:30:20.099 Pray every day. 00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:21.333 Walk in joy. 00:30:21.333 --> 00:30:24.333 God, would you give me the strength today to walk in joy? 00:30:24.333 --> 00:30:26.900 And you got to figure out what that means for your circumstance. 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:34.066 Again, I'm not saying then you just need to pretend that something's not hard and act like it didn't really happen when it did. 00:30:34.066 --> 00:30:35.965 Now look, there are hard things to deal with. 00:30:35.965 --> 00:30:37.066 There are hard times. 00:30:37.066 --> 00:30:42.165 It's okay to be sad, but how do we pursue joy in the midst of that? 00:30:42.165 --> 00:30:43.400 Paul did it in prison. 00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:46.165 If he says that to Philippians, I think we can embrace that too. 00:30:46.165 --> 00:30:49.165 And so I'm going to pray for you. 00:30:50.532 --> 00:30:52.165 And while I'm praying, I want you to pray. 00:30:52.165 --> 00:30:53.200 Pray this specifically. 00:30:53.200 --> 00:30:57.266 God, would you give me the courage to walk in joy today? 00:30:57.266 --> 00:30:59.665 Would you pray that for yourself while I pray? 00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:04.232 God, I thank you for your word that guides us. 00:31:04.232 --> 00:31:09.232 Thank you for Paul having the courage, the courage to say to the Philippians, don't grumble. 00:31:09.232 --> 00:31:12.232 Don't dispute, but walk in joy. 00:31:12.732 --> 00:31:21.700 We have infinite joy in you, even in the midst of the persecution of the challenge, of the hardship. 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:27.066 And I pray especially for those today who are facing things that seem overwhelming. 00:31:27.066 --> 00:31:30.266 Would you help them to choose joy today? 00:31:31.232 --> 00:31:34.732 Because we know that what happens here matters. 00:31:34.732 --> 00:31:40.066 Help us to be shining like stars in the midst of the world today. 00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:43.833 Jesus, we love you and that's in your name we pray. Amen.