WEBVTT 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:12.480 This podcast is brought to you by Grand Parkway Baptist Church, helping people to know, enjoy, and glorify God. 00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:17.920 For more information about Grand Parkway, visit GrandProquay.org. 00:00:19.039 --> 00:00:19.359 Amen. 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:20.399 Let's pray. 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:24.879 Heavenly Father, indeed, there are some things that we just cannot fix. 00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:28.320 And so, Lord, we turn our eyes to you here this morning. 00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:38.240 And Father, I pray, Lord, that as we fix our gaze upon the glory of Jesus Christ, that we would behold you through the gospel that is ours in Him. 00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:44.479 And Father, help us to see that it is you, that you are a strong tower for us here today. 00:00:44.719 --> 00:00:55.359 So, Father, help us to switch our gaze from what's in front of us, the problems that are in front of us, to you and to behold you, that you are the God who is bigger than all things. 00:00:55.600 --> 00:01:03.119 So, Lord, help us to see and to believe and to uh take hold again of the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:07.120 And Father, we pray all this in the precious name of Christ. 00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:10.159 And God's people said, Amen. 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:11.120 Amen. 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:18.719 My name is Julian Silise, and I'm the spiritual formation pastor here at Grant Parkway Baptist Church. 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:23.760 And we are so glad that you are here to open God's with us here this morning. 00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:27.120 So if you have a Bible, you can turn to Philippians chapter one. 00:01:27.599 --> 00:01:29.120 Philippians chapter one. 00:01:29.760 --> 00:01:33.840 Today I want to look at having gospel perspective. 00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:41.439 We want to look at Philippians chapter one and we want to see God's word show us what it means to have gospel perspective. 00:01:41.680 --> 00:01:44.000 We're gonna begin in verse 3 shortly. 00:01:44.239 --> 00:01:54.560 And as you're making your way there, I was thinking back to last year when I met somebody that was new here at our church, and they were also new to the area. 00:01:54.719 --> 00:02:00.159 And I began to think, oh, you know, I wonder if there's anybody else that's new to the area as well. 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:07.599 And listen, if you're new here, you may not know this, but just a little over an hour away, there is a great beach town. 00:02:07.760 --> 00:02:09.360 There's a beach nearby. 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:12.800 Uh Galveston Island is a great beach town to visit. 00:02:12.879 --> 00:02:20.479 Now you need to bring your snorkel and your goggles because the white uh sand is beautiful and the clear water is wonderful. 00:02:20.800 --> 00:02:22.240 It's gonna be great. 00:02:22.639 --> 00:02:30.240 In fact, Charles Barclay, he's a famous NBA uh star, former star, he said that it's his favorite beach, and so you're gonna love it. 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:31.680 You're gonna love it. 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:38.960 But seriously, though, if if you live here long enough, you know that hurricanes often come our way. 00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:45.360 And there was one hurricane back in 2008 by the name of Hurricane Ike. 00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:48.080 And uh many of you may remember that day. 00:02:48.319 --> 00:02:55.520 The wind, the rain, the flood, it just caused so much devastation to uh the town of Galveston. 00:02:56.080 --> 00:03:09.520 There's these beautiful Victorian homes, neighborhoods, flowers, trees, and more importantly, lives were lost during that hurricane, which was no respecter of persons. 00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:14.560 And one of the things I think about is that sin is a lot like that, is it not? 00:03:15.199 --> 00:03:28.159 Sin, whether it's the sin that we commit or the sin that's committed against us, the devastation, the collateral damage can be overwhelming as it leaves much devastation in its wake. 00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:33.680 And friends, we are in need of divine rescue, are we not? 00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:38.719 But there is good news for us in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:48.719 There is a God who has worked to defeat sin, who has worked to defeat death, Satan, our greatest enemies, and he is making all things new. 00:03:49.520 --> 00:03:55.120 In fact, he is making all things new through that work of redemption through Christ our Lord. 00:03:55.360 --> 00:04:05.759 But sometimes, that good news, which is ours in Christ, sometimes it can be eclipsed by what's in front of us, the bad news that's in front of us. 00:04:05.919 --> 00:04:08.560 And we can forget what is ours in Him. 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:10.240 We can forget that good news. 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:17.439 We could not see it as we turn our eyes to something that's imminent or present in front of us. 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:28.399 And today we want to look at God's word together, and we want to lift our eyes from the source of our despair, and we want to set our eyes back upon the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:04:28.560 --> 00:04:36.160 Our main focus today is gonna be in Philippians chapter 1, verse 6, but I want to read with you verses 3 through 11 for some context. 00:04:36.399 --> 00:04:39.759 Look at God's word with me, beginning in verse 3. 00:04:40.720 --> 00:04:57.519 It says, I thank my God in all remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all, making uh of mine for you all, making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 00:04:57.759 --> 00:05:08.240 And here it is, verse six, and I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:22.319 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 00:05:22.720 --> 00:05:29.439 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:52.480 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. 00:05:53.040 --> 00:05:54.720 This is God's word. 00:05:55.279 --> 00:05:57.120 And here's our big idea for today. 00:05:57.199 --> 00:05:58.720 And this comes from verse six. 00:05:59.199 --> 00:06:01.439 And this is our call as well. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:10.959 Look up and see the good work that God began in you, he will be faithful to complete at the day of Christ Jesus. 00:06:11.199 --> 00:06:14.480 He will be faithful to complete at the day of Christ Jesus. 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:18.560 Here in verse six, we are able to gain gospel perspective. 00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:22.399 And we are able to get gain gospel perspective in three parts. 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:26.480 First, we see the surety of God's good work in us. 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:29.680 Second, we will see the completion of that work. 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:34.480 And third, we will see the day of that completion, which is the day of Christ Jesus. 00:06:34.639 --> 00:06:40.480 So, in order to get gospel perspective today, we need to see that God's work is sure and good. 00:06:40.720 --> 00:06:46.240 His work will be completed, and it will be complete on the day of Christ Jesus. 00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:49.040 Let's look at each of these and break them down together. 00:06:49.279 --> 00:06:50.959 But first, I want you to know this. 00:06:51.199 --> 00:07:01.519 If you are discouraged here today, if you're discouraged by what's in front of you, then maybe we need to step back and see things in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:07.040 And we begin to do that when we believe that God's good work is sure. 00:07:07.279 --> 00:07:08.879 When God's good work is sure. 00:07:09.040 --> 00:07:11.120 This is the first thing we want to see in verse six. 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:13.839 Look, God's good work is sure. 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:17.120 This is what Paul wanted the Philippian church to believe. 00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:18.639 He says, I'm sure of this. 00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:21.680 I know that God began a good work in you. 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:24.959 And this is what I believe God wants us to see here today. 00:07:25.120 --> 00:07:31.040 For those of us who are in Christ Jesus, God has begun a good work in us. 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:35.519 The church at Philippi, they were concerned about the Apostle Paul. 00:07:35.759 --> 00:07:40.240 Some of you saw it here in the text, and it's all throughout Philippians. 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:42.480 The Apostle Paul has been imprisoned. 00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:45.600 He's imprisoned, and they're concerned for him. 00:07:45.839 --> 00:07:53.199 And they're concerned that this great, the Apostle Paul, how can God use him when he's bound up in prison? 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:56.959 And this was a big blow to the morale of the church. 00:07:57.199 --> 00:07:59.680 This was the discouragement that was in front of them. 00:07:59.839 --> 00:08:02.560 This was the thing that was eclipsing their joy. 00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:05.279 And this is why Paul is writing to them. 00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:07.279 He wants to renew their perspective. 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:13.439 He wants to encourage them to see the truth of what God is doing through the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:23.519 In fact, he says this in the next verse in verse 12, when he says, I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:34.080 He further explains how others are becoming aware of his suffering, others are seeing his imprisonment, and how that's giving them confidence to go out and proclaim Christ. 00:08:34.240 --> 00:08:42.559 And so Paul is writing, he says, Hey, I know you're seeing what I'm going through, but I'm writing you this letter and I want you to know that God is still at work. 00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:44.240 And look at the bigger picture. 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:47.200 God has taken my imprisonment and he is using it. 00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:54.639 He is using it to bring about his will through his church as people are becoming more confident to go and proclaim Christ. 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:59.360 In other words, Paul may be bound, but God is not bound. 00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:06.559 God may be bound, sorry, Paul may be bound in chains, but God is unbounded and he is still working. 00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:13.840 You see, gospel perspective helps us to be aware of what God is doing in the bigger picture. 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:18.240 God can use Paul's chains and he can use Paul's pen. 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:23.120 He's writing to them with this letter and he's saying, Hey, I'm still praying for you. 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:24.639 I still want to minister you. 00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:29.440 Here's what you need to know, here's what you need to see, what God is doing, even through my chains. 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:36.799 And so the apostle Paul is using his pen to write them and to let you know, hey, I'm still alive and I'm still praying for you. 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:42.720 God is at work in me, God is at work in the world, and God's still at work in you. 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:48.240 Dear church, don't forget, God began a good work in you. 00:09:48.720 --> 00:09:51.919 Be sure of it, that God is working. 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:54.960 How many of you need to be reminded of that here today? 00:09:55.360 --> 00:09:57.039 That God is still working. 00:09:57.600 --> 00:10:00.240 How many of you with your limited vantage point? 00:10:00.399 --> 00:10:17.120 Maybe you're seeing only what's in front of you, but stepping back and having gospel perspective could be a great help to you to see that God is still at work in the grander scheme of things, that God is still at work in the world, God is still at work at Grand Parkway Baptist Church, and God's still at work in you. 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:19.360 This is God's word for us. 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:22.320 His work is good, his work is sure. 00:10:22.559 --> 00:10:26.559 But how do you know what is that good and sure work of God? 00:10:26.799 --> 00:10:34.000 God's work is sure and good because the sinless Son of God took away your sin at a cross outside of Jerusalem. 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:37.360 God's work is sure and good because Jesus rose from the dead. 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:40.639 And now that message has come to you by the power of the Spirit. 00:10:40.799 --> 00:10:47.679 God's work is sure and good because though you were dead in your trespasses and sins, God made you alive through Christ Jesus. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:51.679 God's work is sure and good, and he's at work in you. 00:10:51.840 --> 00:11:00.559 This is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it's yours, all of you who hold tightly to him and dear to him by grace through faith. 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:13.519 Paul knew that if the Philippians were focused on his imprisonment, or if they were focused on their disunity, or if they were focused on anything else that was taking their eyes off of Jesus, then they would have despair. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:19.440 But God's writing to them and he's telling them, hey, no longer despair, have hope. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:21.120 Have hope that God is at work. 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:28.320 Look and see, focus on what God is doing around the world through the gospel, the advancement of the gospel. 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:34.960 So he wrote to restore the perspective in the sure work of God in Jesus Christ. 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:38.320 You know, one of my favorite sports is uh basketball. 00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:45.919 And when you're playing basketball, um, sometimes when you're on offense or defense, you're just focused on maybe what you can do. 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:55.039 Sometimes you're focused on what others are doing, you're trying to maybe run a play, um, sometimes you're running zone, but still your perspective is uh limited. 00:11:55.840 --> 00:12:02.000 But you know, a coach who's on the sidelines, he can see the bigger picture. 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:07.360 He can see the clock, he can see the score, he can see all that's taking place. 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:16.240 And so when you take a timeout or in between corners, when the team gathers around, the token the coach is helping them see the bigger picture. 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:23.200 And what players have to do and what a team has to do is they have to begin to understand the perspective of the coach. 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:31.039 And there has to be trust there so that they can then go out and play the way that the coach is instructing them to. 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:39.360 Friends, I want to let you know that God's word provides for us the bigger picture that we need, it provides for us the perspective that we need. 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:46.159 And it's only with a gospel perspective can we look at what we're going through or what's in front of us and see the bigger picture. 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:53.919 The hope that the Lord wants us to have can only come to us through the lens of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:12:54.159 --> 00:13:00.240 His work is sure, his work is good, and God wants to encourage us with that here this morning. 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:02.080 He began a good work. 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:05.279 And second, we see this in verse six. 00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:07.600 He will bring it to completion. 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:09.519 This is the second thing we want to see today. 00:13:09.679 --> 00:13:14.159 Look, God will bring his work to completion. 00:13:14.320 --> 00:13:20.639 In verse six, Paul wanted them to see that what God began in them, he will be faithful to complete. 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:31.600 And this helps us to see that that Jesus Christ, who won our redemption at the cross, listen, he's gonna be faithful and complete that work and take us all the way home. 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:35.519 He's gonna take us all the way home to the eternal kingdom. 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:39.200 There is something so securing about that, is it not? 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:46.960 That this is something that God has done and that God is doing, something that God started with me and he's going to be faithful to complete it. 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:49.039 He's gonna finish what he started. 00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:50.879 That's incredibly securing. 00:13:51.039 --> 00:13:56.480 I know, I don't know about some of you, but I know going through a time where I thought it all depended upon me. 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:59.679 As if I had to do something to earn it and to keep it. 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:06.000 But I want to tell you the scriptures show us that we could do nothing to earn it nor to keep it. 00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:11.600 And here's the good news for us that God began it and he will be faithful to complete it. 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:15.120 That is incredibly good news for us here today. 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:17.120 That completion, what does it look like? 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:23.679 It concludes with a new and glorified body, a resurrection body like that of Jesus Christ. 00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:25.519 That is what we're looking forward to. 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:29.759 But between now and then, God's work is continuing in us. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:34.399 He's continuing to deliver us from sin and the power of sin. 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:41.519 He's continually changing us and transforming our lives to reflect that of our Savior Jesus Christ. 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:46.559 God is at work through what we call this work of sanctification. 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:50.000 The Lord is continually working in our lives. 00:14:50.080 --> 00:14:56.559 And the more that we learn about God's work, the more we discover that indeed I had no contribution there at the cross. 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:59.759 I had no contribution in God giving me new birth. 00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:05.919 And I won't have any contribution when the Lord raises my body to a new body when he returns. 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:08.720 It's going to be all the work of God. 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:16.000 Think of it this way: you have about as much involvement in your second birth as you did your first birth. 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:16.960 All right? 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:19.919 And the same will be true when the Lord returns. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:30.000 But Paul does want them to know that listen up, when it when it comes to your sanctification, God just didn't stop and say, okay, it's all on you now, get to work. 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:31.679 No, God is still at work. 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:37.200 God, by his grace, is still at work in your life to change you and to make you more like Jesus Christ. 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:39.360 God is not passive, he's active. 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:44.320 In the same way, this is the part where the Lord does call us to be active as well. 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:49.919 He doesn't require us to be passive, it's not just the complete work of God and we just kind of float along. 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:54.320 And the Lord calls us to work out what he is working within. 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:57.120 This is the language that Paul uses in chapter two. 00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:59.919 If you are in your Bibles, you can just turn, look at there. 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:01.840 Look at verses 12 through 13. 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:03.519 Paul says this. 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:15.440 He says, Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence, but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and tribbling. 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:22.799 For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:24.080 Did you catch that? 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:26.480 You see what God is doing in verse 13. 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:28.320 He is working in you. 00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:31.519 He is working his will and good pleasure. 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:36.320 And now he calls us to work out what he is working within. 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:40.639 In other words, we cooperate with God's sanctifying grace in our lives. 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:47.440 As the Lord gives us his word, he also gives us the strength to work out what he is working within. 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:51.840 You know, this reminded me a little bit of coloring with my oldest daughter. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:55.279 Uh, how many of you have ever colored with a three-year-old before? 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.240 Yeah. 00:16:56.799 --> 00:17:06.079 I remember uh she had this trolls coloring book, and we would open it up and put it on the floor, dump out some crayons, and uh we would get to work coloring. 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:10.559 You know, I'd be on one side coloring one side of the page, she'd be on the other, coloring the other side. 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:16.640 And uh she would get a color and she'd just go to town scribbling, you know, and uh she said, Look, dad, I color. 00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:18.720 I said, Oh, that's so pretty, that's great. 00:17:18.880 --> 00:17:25.440 You know, me on the other hand, I'm like outlining the shapes, I'm gonna color, color it carefully, and I'm thinking, oh man, this is gonna be a masterpiece. 00:17:25.680 --> 00:17:33.200 But uh, but I remember one day I thought, I want her to really enjoy what it means to truly color. 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:34.960 I want to teach her how to color. 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:38.880 I want her to know what it means to color in the lines. 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:44.960 I want her to see what it's like to complement colors and to create something beautiful. 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:49.359 And so I not only gave her my word, I also gave her my hand. 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:53.119 I gave her the word, say, Ivy, I want you to color into the line. 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:58.319 But if I only gave her that instruction, she would just look at me and say, Dad, I can't color in the lines. 00:17:58.960 --> 00:18:03.200 To which I would apply, I know you can't, but with my help, you can't. 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:09.039 So what I did is I I took her hand in mine and I say, Look, this is how you do. 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:12.079 This is how you were meant to color. 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:16.640 Friends, I want to share something with you today. 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:25.200 There's somebody here, you've been coloring the outside the lines with your lives, and God is saying to you, you don't have to do that alone. 00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:28.720 I want to give you my word, but I also want to give you my hand. 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:33.279 Put your hand in his and let him teach you the way you were meant to color. 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:41.200 This is God's sanctifying grace at work in you, and he's calling you to work out what he is working within. 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:47.519 And only gospel perspective can make clear the relationship of God's work and your work in his work. 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:52.559 God's work involves a new birth, it involves our glorification. 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:59.839 But God's work, it also involves his sanctification, his work in which he's completing in you now. 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:01.759 But when will that day be? 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:02.640 When will it come? 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:06.079 When when it when will it be finally completed? 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:09.599 It will be completed at the day of Christ Jesus. 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:12.640 This is our third and final move that we see in verse 6. 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:17.519 Dear church, look forward to the day of Jesus Christ. 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:19.519 Look forward to the day of Jesus Christ. 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:24.640 Paul, he has several three themes throughout this letter here in Philippians. 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:27.519 One of those themes is the day of the Lord. 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:34.240 And according to God's word here, uh and elsewhere as well, Jesus declares that he is going to return. 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:39.200 And when he does, he's gonna bring with him the consummation of the kingdom. 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:42.880 He's going to bring the new heavens and the new earth with him. 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:48.400 And so we look forward to that day because it's the day of our complete rescue. 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:58.319 It's the day of our complete redemption, it's a day that's to come where all things will be forever changed by the power and glory of Christ. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:01.279 Paul mentions this theme elsewhere throughout Philippians. 00:20:01.359 --> 00:20:05.920 And I just want to glance at these real quickly, just to kind of give you uh just some perspective. 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:10.960 We see this as we read in uh verses 9 through 10 in of chapter 1. 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:21.599 Paul says, It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless. 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:24.160 For here it is, the day of Christ. 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:32.720 Chapter 2, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:41.119 Chapter three, but our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:43.759 Chapter 4, rejoice in the Lord always. 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:49.519 Again I will say, rejoice, let your reasonableness be known to everyone. 00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:51.759 The Lord is at hand. 00:20:52.559 --> 00:21:02.319 As Paul is writing to them, he wants them to have this gospel perspective that involves the full and completion of his work, which is going to come at the Lord's return. 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:07.519 This is a day that is imminent, a day that is sure, a day that's going to come in the future. 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:10.640 And so he wants them to look forward to it. 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:14.079 It's gonna be a day where all wrongs will be made right. 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:18.000 It's gonna be a day where all that's sad will become untrue. 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:26.240 And in that day, it will be a day of ultimate justice, where the righteous are vindicated and where the unbeliever is judged. 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:39.200 In that day, God is gonna take all the havoc that the hurricane of sin has brought, and he will remake us, he will complete us, make us pure, make us whole, make us radiant with the glory of Jesus Christ. 00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:41.839 And so Paul says, look forward to that day. 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:43.680 Here's gospel perspective. 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:50.079 God began a good work in us, and he's going to complete it, and he's going to complete it at the day of Christ Jesus. 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:54.160 So let that day begin to inform your day today. 00:21:54.400 --> 00:22:09.039 If this is true of us now and in the future, should that not have influence on who we are today and how we are Act today, how we live today, how we hope today, that anticipation, it brings sanctifying grace in our lives as well. 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:15.839 Do y'all remember when the Portellos was being built over here off of 99 in West Airport? 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:17.680 The one that's in front of Costco there. 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:20.480 Some of you guys may have eaten there, you may have driven by that. 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:28.960 I remember when they started construction there, and uh, you know, when there's new construction going up, you drive by and you're like, hmm, I wonder what that's gonna be. 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:33.200 And then you see that gray building uh get set up. 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:37.359 And I remember talking to some friends, and they're saying, Oh yeah, that's gonna be a Portello's. 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:40.880 It's a chain that that uh began in Chicago, it's gonna be really good. 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:42.880 I was like, all right, that sounds good. 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:49.279 And then every time I drive by, you know, I'm looking and seeing their development and drive by and say, oh man, that looks good. 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:50.720 I can't wait, you know, try it out. 00:22:50.880 --> 00:22:51.839 I'm intrigued. 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:56.559 And the more that I drove by, the more I began to anticipate what was coming. 00:22:56.799 --> 00:23:05.599 And even though it was just a concrete building and and there was development taking place, that Portellos, it was already, but not yet. 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:08.880 It was here, but not yet complete. 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:15.039 But I kept anticipating what was to come because I was ready to enjoy what I kept looking at. 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:25.119 And friends, I want to tell you when you behold what's yet to come and you look forward to what you're about to enjoy, you anticipate it. 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.319 You look forward to it. 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:28.880 And we have something better than a new restaurant coming. 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:33.680 We have the glory of Christ that is surely ours in Christ Jesus. 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:41.920 We need to turn our eyes and see that there is a glorious day to come, and it's going to make all the difference. 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:46.720 And that difference uh begins even now with us as he continually works in us. 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:49.680 So, what is taking your eyes off of Christ here today? 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.519 That's a question I have for you. 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:55.920 What is stealing your attention from the glory of Jesus Christ? 00:23:56.720 --> 00:24:01.839 What is taking your eyes, what is eclipsing the good news that is yours in Christ Jesus here today? 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:04.960 Let me encourage you, friend, turn. 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:08.960 Turn your eyes and see the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:14.880 Look at what God began in you, and look that he will be faithful to complete what he began in you. 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:22.880 You see, he takes all that sin has destroyed, and all that has been broken. 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:38.880 He takes all that has been violated and he restores, he makes anew, he recreates and fashions anew, he brings true and lasting and beautiful change. 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:49.440 After Hurricane Ike came through Galveston in 2008, much of the city was damaged and it began to go through the rebuilding phase. 00:24:50.240 --> 00:25:03.680 One of the things that were damaged along with these homes were these beautiful trees in neighborhoods that uh began to uh be a spy of just uh a sore sight, basically. 00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:16.880 But there were some homeowners in the East End district and they thought, you know, what if we took these symbols of destruction, those trees that were half-torn in structure, and what if we made them symbols of renewal? 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:25.440 And so they began to commission artists to take these damaged trees and to make them into beautiful pieces of art. 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:32.079 And here we have uh on the screen here for you some trees to kind of show you a little bit uh of what they did. 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:39.680 By the way, you can take a self-guided tour in Galveston and see all these pieces of art, which was a fun thing to do with your family. 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:54.240 But as you you see these pieces of art from these damaged trees, you see that what was once damaged, what was once broken, what was taken and formed into something beautiful. 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:58.720 Isn't that what the gospel is for us? 00:25:59.119 --> 00:26:01.359 Isn't that what God is doing in and through us? 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:12.160 Taking all that sin has damaged and broken, and the Lord takes us and fashions us and makes us into something new and beautiful. 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:14.000 And he's not done yet. 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:19.599 But he will complete it, and he'll complete it at the day of his return. 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:21.920 Friends, what if we believe that here this morning? 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:32.799 What if we truly believed that the Lord is at work in us to take all that sin has devastated and took from us? 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:38.960 What if the Lord is taking us and using that somehow for his glory and his good? 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:42.960 That's the power of the gospel at work in us. 00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:48.480 So we no longer have to focus on the problems that are in in front of us. 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:51.759 We no longer have to be stuck in the swamp of despair. 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:57.839 We can take our eyes and we can look and see what God is doing and have gospel perspective here today. 00:26:58.880 --> 00:27:02.079 The Lord's at work, he began something in you. 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:08.160 And if you're here today and you're saying that's not me, I want to tell you he can begin a good work in you today. 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:11.119 And he'll be faithful to complete it. 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:15.920 And he will complete it at the day of Christ Jesus. 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:20.400 I want to allow the Lord just to continue just to minister to you here today. 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:26.079 And one of the ways we like to do that is to give you some space to have time for some mental worship. 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:34.880 And I love that the rain is coming in the background, but would you let these questions just minister to your heart here this morning? 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:38.960 Would you take some time to seriously answer these questions in your heart? 00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:41.119 Let's take a few moments to do that. 00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:46.319 Let's pray. 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:50.400 Heavenly Father, we thank you, Lord, for your word. 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:58.000 We would be lost without the good work of Jesus Christ and your word for us here today. 00:27:58.720 --> 00:28:06.400 But Father, today we take hold of the truth in the word that you've given to us and that is ours through Christ our Lord. 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:14.480 Lord, for those of us who who are faith this week here this morning, would you meet us in our weakness? 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:17.680 Would you help us with our lack of faith? 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:24.720 Father, we want to say that I do believe, but yet help me to believe. 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:31.599 Father, we look to the way that you have been at work. 00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:37.519 For those of us who've seen your hand, and Lord, we want to trust in you again today. 00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:40.640 We want to renew our hope in you again today. 00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:49.039 And Father, we pray, Lord, that though we may not see what's ahead of us, we don't have the perspective we need or the vantage point that we need, Lord. 00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:53.279 We want to trust that you can see all things, you know all things, you know best. 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:55.519 And so we want to trust in you, Lord. 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:59.279 We want to put our hands into your hands and say, Lord, here. 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:06.880 We take your word, we take your hand, and we ask that you lead and you guide and you strengthen in the way that only you can. 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:13.599 Father God, we give you all the things, all the praise and all the glory. 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.960 It's all yours. 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:16.799 It's in Christ's name I pray. 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:17.759 Amen. 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:18.799 Amen. 00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:26.079 To keep you informed on all that's going on in the life of our church, we'd like to provide for you uh some video announcements, and so we can turn our attention to the screen. 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:27.440 We can see that. 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:33.519 Here's what's happening at Grand Parkway Baptist Church. 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:56.799 The blood drive will be on campus today from 12:30 p.m. 00:30:56.960 --> 00:30:57.839 to 3:30 p.m. 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:59.039 inside of the student building. 00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:00.799 Every drop counts. 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:06.319 Are you looking to grow deeper in God's Word and build meaningful connections and community? 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:10.319 At Grand Parkway, we invite you to join a Sunday adult Bible study class. 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:14.480 Our classes are tailored by age and life stage and meet during both the 9 a.m. 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:15.599 and 10:30 a.m. 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.079 hours. 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:24.240 Each season, we journey through the grand narrative of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, retelling God's incredible rescue plan for his people. 00:31:26.079 --> 00:31:30.559 Finally, Pine Cove is bringing all their fun and amazing staff back to Grand Parkway. 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:38.079 Campers will encounter Jesus through Bible study, worship, and meaningful time with their counselors while enjoying plenty of exciting camp activities. 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:44.640 This program is designed for kids currently in kindergarten through fourth grade and will run from June 16th through the 20th from 9 a.m. 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:45.759 to 4 o'clock p.m. 00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:46.319 each day. 00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:51.839 For more information or to register for these events, please visit our website at grandparkway.org. 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:58.079 If you have any questions or want someone to pray for you, find one of our pastors at the front of the stage at the conclusion of our service. 00:32:00.799 --> 00:32:01.440 Amen. 00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:08.079 The sanctuary, the the those that are representative here, they're just out to my right here, your left. 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:09.759 And it's a great ministry. 00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:17.680 You know, not everyone may be called to foster, but we can all help to make a difference in the lives of children in our in our neighborhoods, in our county. 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:22.720 And so a great ministry that we can find out more about here outside uh the doors here. 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:26.720 Um also, if you're visiting with us, we want to say thank you for visiting with us. 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:32.480 If you can text the word welcome to that number there, we would love to have a record of your visit. 00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:37.200 For those of you that came to worship through tithes and offerings, there's some drop boxes there at the back. 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:39.920 Uh, feel free to worship that way as well. 00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:42.720 But at this time, will you please rise and stand? 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:45.039 Would you hold out your hands like this? 00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:48.480 We'd like to conclude our services with a spoken blessing. 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:57.759 Behold your God who finishes all that he starts. 00:32:59.039 --> 00:33:05.680 He is the potter, you are the clay, and he's fashioning you to look more like Jesus Christ in the day to day. 00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:11.279 Will you go now and live with that perspective in mind in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit?