WEBVTT 00:00:11.890 --> 00:00:13.650 I love the word of God. 00:00:14.289 --> 00:00:15.250 I love it. 00:00:15.890 --> 00:00:23.969 And you know, it's it's so life-giving if you choose to embrace it as the truth for your life. 00:00:24.929 --> 00:00:32.530 And last week we started this series on Philippians, and we we read chapter one, and then we went all the way through verse 11 of chapter one. 00:00:32.770 --> 00:00:34.770 I said, I should say we started verse one. 00:00:35.170 --> 00:00:41.009 And we we read that Paul has this special relationship with the church in Philippi. 00:00:41.090 --> 00:00:47.089 And he wrote, You are true partners, partners in faith and mission. 00:00:48.689 --> 00:01:00.210 And as I was praying about everything with this series, and and like when when I see us, I don't know if I always can say, I see us in what he's saying here in this scripture. 00:01:00.369 --> 00:01:05.090 Or Lord, what what do we need to receive from what you're saying in the scripture? 00:01:05.170 --> 00:01:08.609 Because I don't see the disc us meeting the description. 00:01:08.769 --> 00:01:15.250 And before I go on any further, I have a burden for you. 00:01:18.049 --> 00:01:29.810 And as I was praying, I was meditating on this truth that Jesus said that not everyone who says, Lord, Lord, we did all these things in your name. 00:01:29.890 --> 00:01:34.209 We cast out demons in your name, we healed in your name, we'll will enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:01:34.289 --> 00:01:36.129 That's what Jesus says. 00:01:36.609 --> 00:01:38.769 And my burden has become this. 00:01:38.929 --> 00:01:42.049 I don't want that to be true for anyone in this room. 00:01:43.329 --> 00:01:46.370 I don't want it to be true for any single person in this room. 00:01:46.530 --> 00:01:51.649 So before we even go any further, I need to ask you one question. 00:01:57.329 --> 00:02:01.569 Am I trying to fit Jesus into my old life? 00:02:05.969 --> 00:02:09.890 Or have I embraced being a new creation in Christ Jesus? 00:02:13.890 --> 00:02:17.890 You know, I found that in churches today, most people don't reject Jesus. 00:02:18.930 --> 00:02:21.090 Most people in this world don't reject Jesus. 00:02:21.170 --> 00:02:23.250 They like the sound of Jesus. 00:02:24.210 --> 00:02:25.250 They like his teachings. 00:02:25.330 --> 00:02:27.410 They're thinking, overall, that's good. 00:02:27.570 --> 00:02:28.930 But here is the problem. 00:02:29.090 --> 00:02:33.490 Many people, what they do is they they bring Jesus for hire. 00:02:33.890 --> 00:02:36.770 They hear what he's selling, and like, okay, he's hired. 00:02:36.930 --> 00:02:38.930 And so they give him Sunday. 00:02:39.090 --> 00:02:43.330 They might give him dinner before the prayer before dinner. 00:02:43.490 --> 00:02:47.969 They they they say, definitely in the crisis, I need Jesus in the crisis. 00:02:48.050 --> 00:02:54.610 And still, here's what our lives are demonstrating that the career still decides where we live. 00:02:54.850 --> 00:02:57.010 Like those are the things that guide our lives. 00:02:57.250 --> 00:03:00.930 Old behaviors still run the marriage and the family. 00:03:01.090 --> 00:03:05.250 And what happens is our comfort sets the schedule. 00:03:07.730 --> 00:03:11.570 Our reputation decides what we say and what we don't. 00:03:11.810 --> 00:03:21.010 And so what happens is these two lives, they're always colliding, and we let the old life win time and time and time again. 00:03:21.170 --> 00:03:24.450 And we say, Jesus, bless the outcome. 00:03:24.930 --> 00:03:27.010 I want you to bless all these things. 00:03:27.170 --> 00:03:30.690 And I want to tell you, church, that is not a new creation. 00:03:31.650 --> 00:03:35.170 That doesn't resemble a new creation in Christ Jesus. 00:03:35.410 --> 00:03:45.810 What it is, it's saying, Jesus, I want you as the chaplain for my life, and you can be installed in my home on my time. 00:03:48.370 --> 00:03:51.650 And so let me tell you what Jesus has been relegated to. 00:03:53.330 --> 00:03:55.650 He's an app on our phone. 00:03:57.170 --> 00:03:59.730 We open it when he's needed. 00:04:01.969 --> 00:04:05.410 We close it when he's not wanted. 00:04:08.850 --> 00:04:15.330 New creations in Christ Jesus don't want him to be an app. 00:04:16.449 --> 00:04:18.769 We want him to be the whole operating system. 00:04:20.769 --> 00:04:33.009 Everything that we do is is is we're we're programmed to say that my life is being directed by Jesus Christ, and that is who I am. 00:04:34.050 --> 00:04:35.649 That is the air I breathe. 00:04:35.810 --> 00:04:37.569 That is everything about me. 00:04:37.729 --> 00:04:41.649 And so let me tell you what the scripture is about today. 00:04:41.969 --> 00:04:47.569 Paul is about to show you what that second answer, that new creation in Christ Jesus, looks like. 00:06:29.009 --> 00:06:38.050 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 00:06:39.569 --> 00:06:40.609 I want to pray. 00:06:43.169 --> 00:06:49.490 God, may your word convict us. 00:06:50.849 --> 00:06:53.409 May it captivate us, Father. 00:06:54.050 --> 00:07:01.729 And may we when we read it and when we know it, God, may we say, that is who I need to be. 00:07:03.729 --> 00:07:05.569 I thank you in Jesus' name. 00:07:05.810 --> 00:07:06.449 Amen. 00:07:07.169 --> 00:07:15.889 I can't imagine the gospel being advanced while Paul's in chains. 00:07:16.449 --> 00:07:21.169 He is he is literally taking, well, not literally, it's figuratively, but go with me here. 00:07:21.409 --> 00:07:24.609 He's taking lemons and he's making lemonade, right? 00:07:24.849 --> 00:07:31.490 He's saying, these are my circumstances and my predicament, though, is still advancing the gospel. 00:07:31.649 --> 00:07:36.529 He says in verse 12, everything that has happened to me here has helped. 00:07:37.169 --> 00:07:39.009 Did he say it's hindered? 00:07:39.409 --> 00:07:42.449 He said it's helped spread the good news. 00:07:42.609 --> 00:07:44.370 I want you to think about this for a second. 00:07:44.529 --> 00:07:53.089 In in Acts chapter 21 through 23, 22, uh 3, excuse me, Paul was arrested, accused, and held. 00:07:54.129 --> 00:07:57.889 He spent two years in custody. 00:07:59.089 --> 00:07:59.810 Two years. 00:07:59.969 --> 00:08:02.609 We read that in Acts 24 through 26. 00:08:03.969 --> 00:08:05.810 He appealed to Caesar. 00:08:06.050 --> 00:08:08.930 Next thing you know, they're like, oh, he's a Roman citizen. 00:08:09.089 --> 00:08:11.250 They place him on this ship. 00:08:11.889 --> 00:08:16.609 Because any Roman citizen that appeals to Caesar can automatically go to Caesar. 00:08:16.849 --> 00:08:21.329 They put him on this ship and he's shipwrecked. 00:08:22.849 --> 00:08:27.089 Many of you would hear that and you'd think, okay, that's an opportunity to escape. 00:08:28.209 --> 00:08:30.209 That's not what happened. 00:08:32.129 --> 00:08:34.210 He's still taken to Rome. 00:08:34.769 --> 00:08:43.889 In Rome, he is guarded, chained, and waiting for trial that has one of two outcomes: his release or his death. 00:08:48.690 --> 00:09:00.290 So many Christians immediately go to crisis mode and think God is not for them if their direct deposit doesn't hit on the day it's supposed to. 00:09:01.490 --> 00:09:08.210 So many Christians go into crisis mode the very moment they show up to church and their parking spot is taken. 00:09:09.570 --> 00:09:15.490 They walk inside the church and they're like, My seat's taken, I'm going home. 00:09:17.250 --> 00:09:19.970 Those are things that, guys, they literally happen. 00:09:20.210 --> 00:09:24.450 And here, Paul, he's going through all these things and he's saying, you know what? 00:09:24.610 --> 00:09:28.290 I am going to use this today as my opportunity. 00:09:30.930 --> 00:09:45.170 He's cut off from his travel, he's cut off from his churches, and every circumstance that might seem ideal, but he is saying, I view this as a help to spread the gospel. 00:09:47.170 --> 00:09:47.970 Think about that. 00:09:48.129 --> 00:09:53.410 He doesn't view this as a setback, he views it as his opportunity. 00:09:54.530 --> 00:10:02.610 And so, what the circumstances that are happening in your life, are you choosing to say, This is my opportunity to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ? 00:10:02.770 --> 00:10:05.889 Or are you saying, this is a hindrance in my life? 00:10:09.730 --> 00:10:15.090 You know, Paul identified that the chains themselves are defined by Christ, not the charge. 00:10:15.570 --> 00:10:19.170 It wasn't the charge that he got that got him there that's defined by Christ. 00:10:19.410 --> 00:10:22.370 And so he's looking at his chains as this opportunity. 00:10:22.530 --> 00:10:31.410 And here's the thing: if you keep living like you have this hired Jesus, you need the circumstances in your life to cooperate. 00:10:32.770 --> 00:10:38.129 Well, I can't do this if we say those kind of things all the time. 00:10:38.530 --> 00:10:47.330 And so we we think, well, you know, when everything lines up properly in my life, then I can do the things I need to do. 00:10:47.810 --> 00:10:54.530 But here is something you need to embrace a life defined by Jesus. 00:10:55.170 --> 00:10:58.210 Watches as the chains advance the world. 00:11:00.210 --> 00:11:09.889 It says, your gospel is gonna go out as a result of my obedience to where I'm at today. 00:11:11.009 --> 00:11:12.450 Not tomorrow. 00:11:13.009 --> 00:11:15.170 The circumstances for today. 00:11:16.690 --> 00:11:23.570 There was a missionary named Andrew Brunson in 2016, October of 2016. 00:11:24.450 --> 00:11:29.490 He and his wife had spent years planting churches throughout the country of Turkey. 00:11:29.889 --> 00:11:34.050 And the work, it was it was spreading, but it was really small. 00:11:34.690 --> 00:11:40.930 And all of a sudden, he's arrested on espionage and terrorism charges, and he's held for two years. 00:11:41.330 --> 00:11:46.770 His wife is in prison also, and he faced the possibility of life in prison. 00:11:47.490 --> 00:11:52.850 His wife Noreen was released a little bit later, or earlier, I should say, than him. 00:11:53.250 --> 00:12:04.610 And here's the thing: he wasn't a political operative, and at his hearing, he said in Turkish that he was a follower of Jesus Christ and that his purpose in Turkey was to tell people about Jesus. 00:12:04.770 --> 00:12:07.330 He said, That is my purpose. 00:12:09.570 --> 00:12:17.810 All of a sudden, what looked like an end of his ministry became the very thing that carried his story. 00:12:18.850 --> 00:12:26.930 Believers all of a sudden in Brazil, Israel, China, and across the United States were praying for a pastor most of them have never met. 00:12:28.610 --> 00:12:36.050 After his release, he said one house church network in China had printed one million brochures about his situation. 00:12:39.009 --> 00:12:45.970 He had never been able to speak to that many people about his ministry until he was in chains. 00:12:49.170 --> 00:12:57.970 The imprisonment advanced the word farther than the open years he had ministering the gospel. 00:13:00.690 --> 00:13:09.170 Church, our faith, no matter the circumstances, speaks louder than the predicament. 00:13:12.129 --> 00:13:27.170 And so all of a sudden, what what we need to do is we need to we need to transform our mind into the thinking that if if I am walking in obedience to the Lord, every circumstance that is in my life is an opportunity to glorify him. 00:13:28.530 --> 00:13:31.490 And here's the thing that we need to eliminate in our mind. 00:13:34.370 --> 00:13:37.090 Sin is not your circumstance. 00:13:38.610 --> 00:13:42.290 Like sin is a sickness that we need to get rid of. 00:13:43.490 --> 00:13:49.090 So we can't say, well, I'm I'm just I'm just hindered by this thing and God hasn't taken it away. 00:13:51.330 --> 00:13:53.970 We're misrepresenting what the circumstances are. 00:13:54.210 --> 00:13:57.410 We need to be walking in obedience to the Lord first, amen. 00:13:58.129 --> 00:14:02.050 We need to actively seek to remove the sin in our life. 00:14:04.930 --> 00:14:07.810 But then there's the circumstances that we can't help. 00:14:09.889 --> 00:14:18.690 The imprisonment, the diagnosis, the sudden rejection by family, like all the things that we can go on and on and on about. 00:15:00.210 --> 00:15:01.970 Listen to verse 15. 00:15:03.009 --> 00:15:12.370 He says, It's true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. 00:15:13.810 --> 00:15:16.690 But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 00:15:16.930 --> 00:15:21.730 They preach because they love me, for they know that I have been appointed to defend the good news. 00:15:22.050 --> 00:15:25.650 Those others they do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. 00:15:25.810 --> 00:15:33.810 They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely intending to make my chains more painful to me. 00:15:34.290 --> 00:15:36.050 Listen to verse 18. 00:15:37.490 --> 00:15:39.250 But that doesn't matter. 00:15:40.610 --> 00:15:48.370 Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way. 00:15:48.770 --> 00:15:54.129 So I rejoice, and I will continue to rejoice. 00:15:59.250 --> 00:16:01.090 This guy's in prison. 00:16:02.450 --> 00:16:09.490 And some people are using that as an opportunity, kind of contrary to Paul. 00:16:11.250 --> 00:16:20.370 And he's recognizing there's these two factions that there's some that are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry because Paul's in chains. 00:16:21.330 --> 00:16:26.930 And maybe they're thinking that their preaching raises Paul's affliction. 00:16:27.090 --> 00:16:29.650 Many doubted his calling because of his suffering. 00:16:29.730 --> 00:16:38.370 And so here's the thing, though, Paul recognizes they aren't mocking Christ, they are preaching Christ and aiming the success at Paul's pain. 00:16:44.210 --> 00:16:49.170 And Paul had outed people before that do preach a fake gospel. 00:16:49.250 --> 00:16:52.050 Listen to what he said in Galatians 1, 6 through 9. 00:16:52.210 --> 00:16:59.009 He said, I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. 00:16:59.250 --> 00:17:04.930 You are following a different way that pretends to be the good news, but it is not the good news at all. 00:17:05.089 --> 00:17:10.849 You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. 00:17:11.410 --> 00:17:19.889 Let God's curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven who preaches a different kind of good news than the one we preach to you. 00:17:20.049 --> 00:17:30.210 I say again, what we have said before, if anyone preaches any other good news than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. 00:17:34.449 --> 00:17:37.329 There's a difference, and Paul recognizes it. 00:17:37.970 --> 00:17:42.529 Because here he's saying, these guys are preaching in Galatians, these guys are preaching a different gospel. 00:17:42.609 --> 00:17:43.569 It's a fake gospel. 00:17:43.649 --> 00:17:45.730 We reject it, we renounce it. 00:17:47.169 --> 00:17:57.250 But he recognizes here, these guys are more mocking him, not Jesus. 00:17:59.009 --> 00:18:03.250 And so if they were preaching another Jesus, he would not rejoice. 00:18:03.569 --> 00:18:20.210 In fact, he wrote to the church in Corinth in 2 Corinthians 11, 4, he says, you happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you the one you believed. 00:18:20.369 --> 00:18:22.529 And so you and I, this is what we have to do. 00:18:22.689 --> 00:18:28.609 Yeah, so if someone, if someone that also is in the same faith as you doesn't like you, who cares? 00:18:29.409 --> 00:18:30.609 Who cares? 00:18:32.129 --> 00:18:37.409 We need to discern whether or not we are hearing what we are hearing lines up with the word of God. 00:18:37.889 --> 00:18:39.250 And that's all that matters. 00:18:39.569 --> 00:18:41.649 Does it line up with the word of God? 00:18:43.009 --> 00:18:59.089 And Paul recognizes he's like, hey, others are preaching because of their love for me, and they're embracing that I've defended the gospel and they're ready to defend the gospel, and so he sees others, others also willing to suffer for the gospel like he has suffered. 00:18:59.250 --> 00:19:00.689 And that is a motivating factor. 00:19:00.849 --> 00:19:07.009 Have you ever seen someone gracefully handle suffering and saying, I'm with them? 00:19:07.329 --> 00:19:09.569 No matter what, I am absolutely with them. 00:19:09.649 --> 00:19:11.730 And that's that that was their attitude. 00:19:11.970 --> 00:19:16.529 And it's it's that thought that Paul suffers for Jesus, I can suffer too. 00:19:19.250 --> 00:19:21.009 And I just want to challenge you with something. 00:19:21.089 --> 00:19:23.569 Don't let the motives of other people cancel the result. 00:19:24.929 --> 00:19:26.129 You don't like someone? 00:19:26.289 --> 00:19:26.689 Yeah. 00:19:26.929 --> 00:19:28.289 Are they preaching Christ? 00:19:28.609 --> 00:19:30.289 So so what if you don't like them? 00:19:30.929 --> 00:19:31.809 So what? 00:19:32.609 --> 00:19:34.529 Are they preaching the same gospel? 00:19:37.490 --> 00:19:41.889 The message of Jesus Christ is not chained to the purity of every messenger. 00:19:42.849 --> 00:19:51.009 And so you just need to embrace that as long as the gospel is preached, we will rejoice. 00:19:51.889 --> 00:19:53.730 No matter who's doing it. 00:19:54.369 --> 00:20:04.129 And then the other thing that we often wrestle with is, well, will I get the credit for the work that I've done? 00:20:04.929 --> 00:20:10.449 You know, Paul might be saying, hey, you know, like I'm in chains for this. 00:20:10.929 --> 00:20:15.649 You're up, you're you're you're adding to your church, you're growing, but I'm suffering for this. 00:20:15.730 --> 00:20:18.049 So don't I kind of get some credit here? 00:20:18.210 --> 00:20:43.089 You know, I think about churches that I I go to these uh these retreats and these conferences where other pastors are, and there are some that God has called to pastor that small town church, and they're that community pastor for all their lives, and they're looking at what we're doing here, and they're like, Well, I like I I've heard, like, well, I'm not as successful as you. 00:20:44.529 --> 00:20:46.529 I'm like, stop that. 00:20:47.409 --> 00:20:48.449 Stop that. 00:20:50.049 --> 00:21:01.970 I'm so thankful that I had pastors that would not allow me to think that way for five years in Prairie City, Illinois, where the only other business was a nursing home. 00:21:03.649 --> 00:21:08.849 And the matriarch of the church let me know that if I ever close the door, she has rights to the property. 00:21:11.009 --> 00:21:15.889 And I'm sitting there thinking, Lord, if you've called me to suffer here for the rest of my life, I'm here. 00:21:20.929 --> 00:21:27.250 Don't measure success through the lens of the world. 00:21:28.689 --> 00:21:34.049 Success is was I obedient to what God called me to do today? 00:21:34.689 --> 00:21:36.049 That's success. 00:21:36.609 --> 00:21:39.889 Was I obedient to what God called me to do today? 00:21:41.169 --> 00:21:43.649 And then I need to ask you a question. 00:21:45.250 --> 00:21:54.529 Do we save the person or does Jesus should their salvation rest on you or the finished work of Jesus Christ? 00:21:55.970 --> 00:21:57.329 Absolutely on Jesus. 00:21:57.409 --> 00:22:02.609 So we shouldn't aim for notoriety, admiration, or that affirmation from other people. 00:22:02.769 --> 00:22:08.129 It needs to be a practiced obedience to God and following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. 00:22:08.210 --> 00:22:11.089 And I am telling you, the Lord will just pour out his blessing. 00:22:11.809 --> 00:22:16.689 Upon you, and you're gonna feel that affirmation from the Holy Spirit. 00:22:21.970 --> 00:22:27.009 Paul would tell you, no matter who the vessel is, keep rejoicing. 00:22:27.889 --> 00:22:28.929 Don't stop. 00:22:29.329 --> 00:22:39.169 As long as souls are being added to the kingdom, and you and I, just no matter what we go through, no matter our circumstances, we need to remember where our hope lies. 00:22:39.730 --> 00:22:41.009 Not forget it. 00:22:42.129 --> 00:22:46.210 You know, Paul goes on in Philippians 18. 00:22:47.250 --> 00:22:50.689 Verse 18, it's a long verse, and we're gonna pick up halfway through. 00:22:53.250 --> 00:22:55.809 He says, and I will continue to rejoice. 00:22:57.089 --> 00:23:07.569 For I know that as you pray for me, and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. 00:23:08.449 --> 00:23:25.250 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue, continue to be bold for Christ as I have been in the past, and I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 00:23:27.409 --> 00:23:34.769 Listen to verse 21 because everything hinges on this, because Paul says, for to me, living means living for Christ. 00:23:36.049 --> 00:23:40.049 And dying, dying is even better. 00:23:41.490 --> 00:23:47.569 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ, so I really don't know which is better. 00:23:47.730 --> 00:23:49.649 I'm torn between two desires. 00:23:49.809 --> 00:23:55.490 I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 00:24:00.849 --> 00:24:06.449 Imagine if you chose to live without preference. 00:24:08.609 --> 00:24:10.609 What God does with your life. 00:24:13.250 --> 00:24:17.009 Whether I live, whether I die. 00:24:19.649 --> 00:24:30.289 And Paul, he's looking at his chains, doesn't know the outcome, doesn't know how long he's gonna be there, doesn't know when the next beating is coming. 00:24:32.849 --> 00:24:43.089 And instead of being bitter, Paul says, I expect and I hope that I will never be ashamed. 00:24:43.809 --> 00:24:45.169 Pray for me. 00:24:45.649 --> 00:24:48.210 Pray for me that I won't lose my boldness. 00:24:48.529 --> 00:24:51.250 Pray for me that I won't lose my confidence. 00:24:51.730 --> 00:24:59.009 And he's saying, Pray for me that that Christ will continue to be honored with my life, whether I live, whether I die. 00:24:59.169 --> 00:25:04.689 And then he says, For to me, to live is Christ, to die is even better. 00:25:04.769 --> 00:25:15.169 And he's feeling these being hard-pressed on every side, but not for reasons that you might think, because his heart him being hard-pressed is saying, Hey, I'd rather die. 00:25:15.329 --> 00:25:16.849 I'd rather go be with the Lord. 00:25:16.929 --> 00:25:22.929 Like I am waiting for that moment that I can be in eternity, that that was my created purpose. 00:25:26.609 --> 00:25:27.889 Shouldn't that be the goal? 00:25:29.970 --> 00:25:32.210 Church, shouldn't that be the goal in our lives? 00:25:34.210 --> 00:25:38.929 That we long for eternity, that we desire the things that God created us for. 00:25:39.169 --> 00:25:40.529 This is temporary. 00:25:43.250 --> 00:25:52.609 And he recognizes, he says, death is a gain because here's the thing: my reward, my reward is not in what you guys see as the tangible things of this earth. 00:25:52.769 --> 00:25:56.289 My reward is awaiting me in eternity in the person of Jesus Christ. 00:25:57.169 --> 00:25:58.609 That's my reward. 00:25:59.089 --> 00:26:05.009 And he says in 2 Corinthians 5 8, he says, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. 00:26:05.329 --> 00:26:09.329 And so when Paul says dying is even better, you're like, well, how morbid. 00:26:09.490 --> 00:26:12.129 He's not thinking about the physical act of death. 00:26:12.689 --> 00:26:14.210 He's like, I already did that. 00:26:15.809 --> 00:26:17.089 Think about it this way. 00:26:18.929 --> 00:26:23.809 If you believe in Jesus Christ, your death already happened. 00:26:26.289 --> 00:26:27.490 Your death already happened. 00:26:27.649 --> 00:26:29.409 Listen to Galatians 2 20. 00:26:29.970 --> 00:26:34.129 He says, My old self has been crucified with Christ. 00:26:35.089 --> 00:26:38.289 It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. 00:26:38.449 --> 00:26:45.329 So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. 00:26:47.490 --> 00:26:49.009 Romans chapter 6. 00:26:51.089 --> 00:26:54.449 Paul's talking about this old man. 00:26:56.689 --> 00:27:01.490 And he says, This old man has been crucified with Jesus Christ. 00:27:01.649 --> 00:27:13.730 And he says, So that payment that Jesus made and my acknowledgement of my sin, my old man was taken on that cross and nailed to it. 00:27:14.049 --> 00:27:17.970 And so now we are alive to God in Jesus Christ. 00:27:18.049 --> 00:27:19.329 That's Romans 6, 11. 00:27:19.490 --> 00:27:33.730 And so it is choosing this path that I am now going to be a man who, yeah, I used to define my life by freedom, status, survival, whatever it is, those things have been put on the cross. 00:27:34.369 --> 00:27:36.049 Those things are no more. 00:27:38.289 --> 00:27:42.769 What remains is Christ in Christ alone. 00:27:44.369 --> 00:27:53.009 And so he says in 1 Corinthians 5, 17, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. 00:27:58.289 --> 00:28:05.730 Jesus tells us in John chapter 14, he's telling his disciples that he is in eternity and he's prepared a place, place for us. 00:28:05.889 --> 00:28:12.929 And so the value of what Jesus has done on earth for you cannot be measured by the things here on earth. 00:28:13.089 --> 00:28:16.049 It can't be measured by Elon Musk type money. 00:28:17.329 --> 00:28:21.089 It can't be measured by living till you're 120 years old. 00:28:22.369 --> 00:28:23.970 Who here really wants to do that? 00:28:25.490 --> 00:28:27.730 Have you met anyone that's that age? 00:28:28.210 --> 00:28:28.849 Mercy. 00:28:34.049 --> 00:28:35.490 Truly living. 00:28:35.809 --> 00:28:36.769 And this is the key. 00:28:36.929 --> 00:28:38.049 Truly living. 00:28:39.009 --> 00:28:43.409 And real fulfillment will only be found in doing the will of God. 00:28:44.129 --> 00:28:46.689 You can keep chasing and chasing and chasing. 00:28:46.929 --> 00:28:50.129 And church, this is where we desperately need the Holy Spirit. 00:28:50.369 --> 00:28:53.569 We desperately need the Holy Spirit that we wake up each and every day. 00:28:53.730 --> 00:28:55.329 We get the word of God every day. 00:28:55.490 --> 00:28:57.730 We spend some time on our knees every day. 00:28:57.809 --> 00:29:01.649 And we say, God, I want to do your will today. 00:29:02.049 --> 00:29:03.250 Today, whatever that is. 00:29:03.409 --> 00:29:05.329 God, I still got to go to work. 00:29:05.649 --> 00:29:08.609 I'm going to work, but I'm listening to your Holy Spirit. 00:29:08.689 --> 00:29:12.689 And whatever you direct, whatever you guide, I'm going to follow. 00:29:13.009 --> 00:29:16.529 And I'm going to dedicate my day to you. 00:29:21.809 --> 00:29:31.009 Paul determined that if I remain here on the earth, every moment in my life is defined by Christ. 00:29:32.609 --> 00:29:34.929 And it's for those he's called me to. 00:29:37.730 --> 00:29:39.089 Verse 22. 00:29:41.889 --> 00:29:45.169 He says, But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. 00:29:45.250 --> 00:29:46.929 So I really don't know which is better. 00:29:47.009 --> 00:29:48.689 I'm torn between two desires. 00:29:48.849 --> 00:29:52.210 I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 00:29:52.369 --> 00:29:58.129 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. 00:29:58.849 --> 00:30:09.009 Knowing this, I'm convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 00:30:09.569 --> 00:30:20.129 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me. 00:30:25.809 --> 00:30:30.049 Paul says every moment is an opportunity for fruitful labor. 00:30:33.970 --> 00:30:37.490 And so here's the thing we can learn. 00:30:37.809 --> 00:30:41.009 He refused to take that preferred option. 00:30:42.769 --> 00:30:44.609 Dying is even better. 00:30:45.089 --> 00:30:50.769 But the Lord has told me I'm not done yet. 00:30:51.009 --> 00:30:52.609 I'm not done yet. 00:30:53.329 --> 00:31:02.129 And so I'm going to use every opportunity that I have to bring you joy, to bring you closer to the Lord, to pray for you. 00:31:02.689 --> 00:31:04.529 I'm not going to give up. 00:31:05.009 --> 00:31:08.129 And just because I'm in chains, I'm not stopping. 00:31:21.970 --> 00:31:23.409 So many of us. 00:31:26.129 --> 00:31:30.609 We think about this moment that we can retire from actively doing anything for God. 00:31:31.089 --> 00:31:32.529 I guess I'm not useful anymore. 00:31:32.609 --> 00:31:33.809 I hear it all the time. 00:31:34.129 --> 00:31:36.769 Pastor, I guess I'm not useful anymore. 00:31:38.929 --> 00:31:39.569 Lord. 00:31:42.369 --> 00:31:45.009 You can't use me, I can barely move. 00:31:48.049 --> 00:31:50.849 You neglect your most powerful weapon. 00:31:52.769 --> 00:31:53.569 Prayer. 00:31:55.649 --> 00:31:57.409 Paul couldn't travel. 00:31:58.210 --> 00:31:59.409 He prayed. 00:32:00.449 --> 00:32:02.210 Paul couldn't travel. 00:32:03.009 --> 00:32:04.210 He wrote. 00:32:05.730 --> 00:32:07.409 Paul couldn't travel. 00:32:07.730 --> 00:32:11.329 So he preached to those in chains around him in the Imperial Guard. 00:32:12.289 --> 00:32:13.809 He didn't give up. 00:32:16.769 --> 00:32:20.769 You know, to live is Christ. 00:32:21.009 --> 00:32:22.129 That phrase. 00:32:22.609 --> 00:32:24.849 It's a job description. 00:32:25.809 --> 00:32:27.569 That's who I am. 00:32:28.049 --> 00:32:46.929 And so it's saying, Christ, I want you to be magnified in my body, and I'm going to keep preaching no matter what, and I'm going to use every day that I have so that others can advance the gospel and that I can see the gospel advance through my praise, through my words, through my joy. 00:32:48.289 --> 00:32:54.929 You see, if we're just hiring Jesus, if he's just a chaplain in your life, then he fits around the life that you want. 00:32:55.089 --> 00:32:57.329 And that life doesn't look toward eternity. 00:32:57.490 --> 00:33:00.049 That life looks toward vacation. 00:33:01.409 --> 00:33:04.210 That life looks towards the next pay raise. 00:33:04.929 --> 00:33:09.250 That life looks towards a better house, retirement. 00:33:09.649 --> 00:33:14.210 Those are the things that we just continually look toward, and those are the goals. 00:33:14.369 --> 00:33:20.049 It's not just living for Jesus Christ for today, which should be our ultimate goal. 00:33:25.649 --> 00:33:39.649 So I want you to ask yourself when you're around others in your life, do you take pride in what Jesus is doing in you no matter the circumstances? 00:33:41.089 --> 00:33:44.210 Do you look at what's going on no matter what it is? 00:33:44.849 --> 00:33:48.210 And say, let me tell you about what Jesus is doing to me right now. 00:33:50.449 --> 00:33:55.329 See, I want you to really reflect. 00:33:56.449 --> 00:33:59.569 What is your life defined by? 00:34:00.449 --> 00:34:02.529 What is my life defined by? 00:34:03.649 --> 00:34:09.570 Is it marked by a life dedicated to the things of God, or is it marked by a life dedicated to the things of the world? 00:34:10.530 --> 00:34:17.329 Is it a life that you invite Jesus in and you say, Jesus, I just want you to be along for the ride? 00:34:17.730 --> 00:34:22.210 I want you, I want you to be able to be a part of what I'm doing. 00:34:23.969 --> 00:34:31.409 Or do you want a life that says, Jesus, I'm along for the ride no matter where you take me. 00:34:32.289 --> 00:34:37.009 No matter where you go, that's where I want to be. 00:34:53.250 --> 00:34:54.849 I choose to praise. 00:34:56.690 --> 00:35:03.889 Paul said something pretty similar to what he said at the end of Philippians in 1 Corinthians chapter 11, verse 1. 00:35:04.849 --> 00:35:11.969 He said, Be imitators of me as I imitate Christ. 00:35:14.130 --> 00:35:17.009 And so this is what he's ultimately saying. 00:35:19.250 --> 00:35:24.529 Watch me live for him no matter what. 00:35:25.969 --> 00:35:35.889 And I'm asking you, just if you need an example right now, I'm not gonna dishonor the work of Jesus Christ in my life. 00:35:36.210 --> 00:35:42.289 Just watch me, watch me, and I'm gonna do everything I can to honor God. 00:35:43.489 --> 00:35:53.730 You see, he recognized my chains are advancing the word, and no contrary motive, nothing that is coming against me can stop me. 00:35:53.889 --> 00:35:59.090 No harm can come against him because the death is the gain and Christ is the reward. 00:35:59.250 --> 00:36:01.170 So let's ask this again. 00:36:01.569 --> 00:36:03.650 I want you to ask this to yourself again. 00:36:03.889 --> 00:36:07.170 Am I trying to fit Jesus into my old life? 00:36:08.130 --> 00:36:11.409 Or has God made me a new creation in Christ? 00:36:17.889 --> 00:36:25.730 See, that old man, sometimes we don't put it on the cross. 00:36:29.650 --> 00:36:32.289 Just like there's parts of that life I still like. 00:36:34.529 --> 00:36:43.730 And if that is something your heart really says, you don't understand the deep work of God through his Son Jesus Christ. 00:36:45.170 --> 00:36:52.690 Because God gave it all for you to rescue you from eternal damnation. 00:36:54.769 --> 00:36:57.250 And he's a God that he can't be mocked. 00:36:58.769 --> 00:37:04.690 He can't just accept that lives are gonna do whatever they want and still say, But I live for Jesus. 00:37:05.170 --> 00:37:05.809 Do we? 00:37:08.289 --> 00:37:12.210 We have to let the Holy Spirit settle that in our heart. 00:37:12.610 --> 00:37:15.329 Am I truly God's man or woman? 00:37:15.809 --> 00:37:19.090 Am I defined by the work of Jesus Christ? 00:37:20.289 --> 00:37:23.569 Or am I trying to be my own man or own woman? 00:37:26.130 --> 00:37:27.889 And here's the thing. 00:37:30.289 --> 00:37:33.809 You might say, well, plenty of people have tried to answer that for me. 00:37:33.969 --> 00:37:35.170 It's not about them. 00:37:35.409 --> 00:37:36.849 Paul recognized that. 00:37:37.009 --> 00:37:39.889 He said, There's tons of people that question who I am. 00:37:41.569 --> 00:37:48.769 Open yourself up to the Holy Spirit to truly examine what's in here. 00:37:50.610 --> 00:37:55.409 And choose that if he convicts you, Lord, root that out. 00:37:55.650 --> 00:37:56.369 Root that out. 00:37:56.529 --> 00:37:57.969 That doesn't belong here. 00:37:58.610 --> 00:38:01.250 And I gotta put that on the cross. 00:38:01.569 --> 00:38:02.929 Jesus died for that thing. 00:38:03.009 --> 00:38:04.529 I need to get rid of it. 00:38:05.650 --> 00:38:09.250 So what I want you to do right now is I want you to just bow your head and close your eyes. 00:38:09.569 --> 00:38:11.409 And this is really critical. 00:38:13.250 --> 00:38:15.170 We need the Holy Spirit. 00:38:15.650 --> 00:38:17.329 We need the Holy Spirit to minister. 00:38:17.409 --> 00:38:25.170 We need the Holy Spirit to speak and reveal if there are things that are in our lives that don't reflect anything that looks like His kingdom. 00:38:25.409 --> 00:38:30.369 Sometimes it's things that we completely miss that we don't even realize we're holding on to. 00:38:34.289 --> 00:38:39.730 And so we open that door and we say, God, examine me for who I am. 00:38:41.170 --> 00:38:43.969 Because I want my motives to be pure. 00:38:45.250 --> 00:38:47.090 I want to live for Him. 00:38:47.250 --> 00:38:52.369 I want to be like Paul and say, imitate me as I imitate Christ. 00:38:57.329 --> 00:39:04.449 But to get there, we must live a life of repentance. 00:39:05.569 --> 00:39:12.929 Where when the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, we turn away from it and we say, That's not who I want to be. 00:39:13.409 --> 00:39:20.690 I put that on the cross and I choose to follow the path of Jesus Christ and everything that He has for me. 00:39:23.009 --> 00:39:27.170 Mature believers in Jesus are quick to repent. 00:39:27.730 --> 00:39:32.289 Notice I didn't say they're sinless, they're quick to repent. 00:39:34.529 --> 00:39:43.409 And so what we do is we recognize when we need Jesus and we say, God, I surrender everything to you. 00:39:43.889 --> 00:39:45.730 God, I turn it over to you. 00:39:46.049 --> 00:39:48.529 God, take that sin, remove it from me. 00:39:48.769 --> 00:39:51.170 I don't want it in my life anymore. 00:39:52.769 --> 00:40:05.889 And if you are here today and you are recognizing there are things in my life that do not measure up to how I know I should live for Christ. 00:40:07.650 --> 00:40:09.730 Notice I'm not judging you. 00:40:10.210 --> 00:40:12.289 That's Jesus Christ's job. 00:40:15.009 --> 00:40:19.329 And we choose to say, Holy Spirit, examine me, reveal inside of me. 00:40:19.489 --> 00:40:32.130 And so when we're saying, I I I Lord, reveal it in me, it is giving him the opportunity to remove it that'll put us on that right path. 00:40:33.809 --> 00:40:45.409 And so again, if you are recognizing that there are things in my life that they do not measure up, and I want to completely surrender to God and I want to turn these things over to him. 00:40:46.929 --> 00:40:50.849 I see you just raise your hands and surrender where you're at right now. 00:40:51.889 --> 00:40:53.170 Is that you? 00:41:07.730 --> 00:41:09.889 We cry out to you, Father God. 00:41:14.049 --> 00:41:19.730