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I want us to turn the seat this morning to these verses that we've read together from Philippians chapter 4.
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! We'll be looking especially at the beginning of the fourth verse where Paul says,
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! Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again, rejoice!
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Let your gentleness be evident to all the Lord is near.
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Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
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present your requests to God.
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And the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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There's one thing that unites us in our humanity.
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It's the fact that no matter how much we may have or how little we may have,
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how well things are going or how badly things may be going,
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there is almost no one on this planet who is free from anxiety.
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And the fallout from being anxious or worrying about the issues of life.
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And that's true not just out there in the wider worlds for people who are not Christians,
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but it's also true within the family of God's people.
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To become a Christian is not to be delivered from the world and all its pressures and stresses.
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The Lord Jesus Christ told his disciples on the night before he was betrayed
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that he was not taking them out of the world, but they would be in the world,
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exposed to all the rigors of life in a fallen world, all the pressures that it brings to bear upon us.
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But because they were not of the world, they would have resources at their disposal
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that those who are not yet Christians do not have.
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And those resources that come ultimately from God in heaven are what will keep us,
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what will carry us, what will enable us to rise above the trials and tribulations of the world
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and of life in the world.
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If you're familiar with the book of Philippians, it's somewhat enigmatic
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in that even though at a superficial reading it seems to be a letter written to a church
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where everything was going wonderfully well.
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Because there's so much said about joy and about the need to rejoice in the letter to the Philippians
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that it was said by an older generation of commentators that this was the epistle of joy.
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It stood out as being different from so many of the other New Testament letters
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because there was no absolutely obvious problem that was troubling the Philippian congregation.
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But the strange thing about that is that if you use the argument or come with the premise
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that you only use the strongest medicine for the most serious ailments,
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then when you come to Philippians chapter 2 you find what is perhaps some of the strongest theological medicine
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that the Apostle Paul administers in any of the New Testament contexts to which he speaks.
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He reaches for language in what is sometimes called the Carmen Christi or the hymns of the Lord Jesus Christ
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where he speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ as the one who did not see equality with God
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as something to be grasped or held on to, but rather he humbled himself and made himself of no reputation
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and became obedient unto death, even death upon the cross.
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That extraordinary and eloquent and lyrical portrayal of unfathomable truths of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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And there are parts of the statement that Paul issues there that are almost impossible to fathom
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with the limits of a fallen human mind.
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But Paul reaches for that language.
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He dispenses that pastoral medicine in the context of relationships that were obviously struggling in that congregation
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and the implications for those struggling relationships in the lives of individual believers.
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And the fourth chapter bears testimony to that because he begins by pleading with two key women
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in that congregation, Euodia and Syntyche, to work well together.
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Presumably because they were not working well together.
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And that one disrupted relationship was having significant impact upon the whole church
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and its life and work and witness in the area where it was placed.
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But then Paul says this.
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You should rejoice in the midst of these struggles, in the midst of these troubles.
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You should rejoice.
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And he says emphatically, rejoice in the Lord always.
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I say it again, rejoice because the Lord is near.
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But then he goes on in the rest of that passage that we read together
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to make an extraordinary statement about how we respond to those things that
Load full transcript
disturb us in life.
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And he gives us, let me try and break it down into four component parts.
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In this passage Paul issues two commands
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to which he attaches one promise
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which he then backs up with a word of personal testimony
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and then presses home
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with one all-important key truth
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that is the key to everything that he is saying.
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Two commands, a promise, a testimony
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and one all-important key
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that holds them together.
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The commands are very obvious.
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They're there written in verses 6 and 7.
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He says,
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Do not be anxious for anything.
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That's the first of the two commands.
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Do not be anxious for anything.
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I may come across to us
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this fairly innocuous language
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in our English translation.
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It's the kind of thing that we might say to one another
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in the course of ordinary conversation.
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But in the language that Paul was using,
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the Greek language,
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he is able to inject greater emphasis,
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greater force to what he's saying
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and he uses words that were available to him
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to make this a very emphatic command that he was issued.
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Be anxious about absolutely nothing.
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There is no level of issue in life
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that we should allow to so get under our skin
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that it leads us to anxiety,
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to worry and fretfulness.
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That may well be that Paul was bearing in mind
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what Jesus himself had said
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in his teaching of the Sermon on the Mount.
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Because there the Lord Jesus Christ tells people,
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which of you by being anxious can add a single hour
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to the length of your life
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or a single cubit to the height of your stature
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depending on which way you read that statement
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in the Gospel of Matthew.
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But the Lord Jesus Christ speaks about the futility
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of anxiety.
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And even though
we face issues
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that do indeed perplex us in life,
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do indeed disturb us in life
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because they are not things that we would choose for ourselves,
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they have come uninvited into our lives,
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it's very easy to allow those things
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to loom so large on our horizons
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that they become overwhelming
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and undermining in our experience,
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that they disturb the tranquility,
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the peace, the equilibrium of our life.
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And Jesus is simply stating the obvious.
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Actually, being anxious about those things
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is only adding insult to injury.
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Far from solving any problems
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by fretting about them
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because they're beyond your control,
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by allowing them to consume your thinking time
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and consume your passions,
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actually, you're only making
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a bad situation even worse
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by worrying about those things
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and becoming consumed about those things
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for the very simple reason
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they belong to that category of things in life
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that are beyond our control.
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The very fact that they are disturbing us
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is because they are not issues necessarily
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of our own making.
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They have come to us
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as uninvited guests in our lives.
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And Paul was saying that to the Philippians.
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There will be those kind of issues
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and there are those kind of issues
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that are disturbing the peace
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in the congregation of Philippi
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because they're disturbing the peace
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of your lives.
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And Paul says, emphatically,
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do not allow them to loom so large
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on the horizon of your lives
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that they eclipse everything else,
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not least the sovereign hand
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of an all-controlling God
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and the promised grace
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that comes to us
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through a wonderful Savior,
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the Lord Jesus Christ.
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And almost immediately,
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without drawing a breath,
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he has the second command.
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If he has said,
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in such emphatic language,
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be anxious about absolutely nothing,
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he goes on to say about,
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by way of response,
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rather pray about absolutely everything.
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So with equal force,
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he counterbalances the negative statement
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that he has just made.
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Do not be anxious about anything.
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Rather, instead,
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you should pray about everything.
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And in issuing that command,
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he is echoing again
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what the Lord Jesus Christ said,
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that we are to pray at all times.
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But that doesn't mean to say
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that we are actively praying,
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consciously praying,
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every moment of every day,
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waking or sleeping.
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But rather,
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he is saying that as the children of God,
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we should have that prayerful spirit,
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that sense of our
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permanent,
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24-7 access
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to the throne of God in heaven,
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through the mediation of Jesus Christ,
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our great high priest,
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of whom we were reminded
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in Hebrews chapter 4,
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just a few moments ago,
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that we should be so
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utterly aware
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of that access that we have
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to the Father,
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that openness of communication
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to the Father in heaven,
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that we should take full advantage,
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of that line of communication.
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And it's such a relief
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in so many spheres of life,
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in a working environment,
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for example,
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where you are facing the challenges,
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perhaps of a new job,
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or the ongoing challenges
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of a job that always
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--> 00:10:41.860
has issues that need to be addressed,
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that if you were left
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merely to face them by yourselves,
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it would be an overwhelming
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and a daunting thing,
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but the fact that you know,
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because of your line management,
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you've got access
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to those who are more experienced,
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who've got greater wisdom,
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who've got a higher level
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of responsibility
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that you have,
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that you are able
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to go to them
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and bring your needs to them
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at any hour of the day
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if you so need to.
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Well, here is Paul reminding us
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that we have access
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access to the High King of Heaven,
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that we have a door
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that is never closed,
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that brings us into the very presence
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of God Himself,
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gives us the ear
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of the Lord of all the universe,
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the God who not only made
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all things visible and invisible,
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but the God who,
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through His mighty Word,
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is controlling and directing
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absolutely everything
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that there is,
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causing all things
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to work together
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ultimately for the good
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of those who are His children,
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called according to His purpose
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and who love Him,
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but also for the glory
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of His name.
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And to be reminded of that,
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that God is working
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all things for His own glory
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as well as for His people's good,
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means that even though
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there are 101 things
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and more in life,
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that we will never ever
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fathom in this life,
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when the story is finally
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told in all its fullness,
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when all the mysteries of life
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--> 00:12:14.500
are finally revealed,
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we will realize
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that those circumstances
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that descended upon us in life,
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that caused us such angst
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and grief
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in the providence of God,
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were used in an extraordinary way
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for the honor of His name.
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And for a greater appreciation
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of grace.
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If you want the ultimate proof of that,
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think of the cross
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of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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The cross
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at which Jesus did not balk,
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He became obedient unto death,
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even death upon a cross,
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but the cross over which
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Jesus agonized.
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You cannot fully understand
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what happened at Calvary
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without grasping something
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of what took place
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in Gethsemane,
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where the Lord Jesus Christ,
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confronted with the
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looming shadow
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of that Roman gibbet
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on which He would be
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immolated the next day,
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pleads with the Father,
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agonizes in prayer
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with the Father,
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if it be possible,
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let this cup
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pass from me.
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If there is another way,
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Father,
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then let it happen.
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And as far as
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the watching world
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was concerned
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and as far as
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His disciples were concerned,
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what unfolded
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when that prayer
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was not answered
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or so it seemed.
00:13:48.199 --> 00:13:49.860
And Jesus was handed over
00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:50.980
to the wicked men
00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:53.340
who crucified Him
00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:54.419
that next day.
00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:56.279
But even though
00:13:56.279 --> 00:13:57.299
His disciples thought
00:13:57.299 --> 00:13:58.120
this is the end,
00:13:58.219 --> 00:13:59.019
this is disaster,
00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:01.719
everything is collapsing
00:14:01.719 --> 00:14:03.599
in the worst imaginable way,
00:14:05.079 --> 00:14:05.839
that the cross,
00:14:06.519 --> 00:14:07.559
as Jesus Himself
00:14:07.559 --> 00:14:09.459
knew and prayed
00:14:09.459 --> 00:14:10.139
in anticipation
00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:11.039
of that event,
00:14:11.679 --> 00:14:12.740
was the pinnacle
00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.399
of glory.
00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:15.979
The place where
00:14:15.979 --> 00:14:17.659
He was glorified,
00:14:18.419 --> 00:14:19.179
the place where
00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:20.779
His Father was glorified,
00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:23.500
and where salvation
00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.459
was secured
00:14:24.459 --> 00:14:26.319
for His people
00:14:26.319 --> 00:14:28.559
and for a cosmos
00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:30.039
under the curse of sin.
00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.740
And if it was true
00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:33.360
that that
00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:36.339
was what unfolded
00:14:36.339 --> 00:14:37.539
through the darkness
00:14:37.539 --> 00:14:38.379
of the cross
00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:39.699
into the light
00:14:39.699 --> 00:14:40.519
of the resurrection
00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:42.600
and into the
00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:44.100
spread of that light
00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:44.740
through the preaching
00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.399
of the gospel
00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.220
through the ages,
00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:47.920
then how much more
00:14:47.920 --> 00:14:49.160
could we take comfort
00:14:49.160 --> 00:14:50.759
from this promise,
00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.540
this encouragement
00:14:52.540 --> 00:14:53.379
that we have
00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:55.019
that we are to go
00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.960
to God
00:14:55.960 --> 00:14:56.680
in prayer
00:14:56.680 --> 00:14:57.860
with the issues
00:14:57.860 --> 00:14:58.940
that we face in life
00:14:58.940 --> 00:15:00.980
rather than privately
00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:01.080
!
00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:01.160
and we are to
00:15:01.160 --> 00:15:02.879
seek to shoulder
00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.860
them ourselves
00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:05.080
in a way
00:15:05.080 --> 00:15:06.300
that will only crush us.
00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:07.720
There are the two commands
00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:08.340
but they are
00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:09.300
swiftly followed
00:15:09.300 --> 00:15:10.100
by a promise
00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:12.620
that when we do this,
00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:15.120
when we consciously
00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:15.940
and deliberately
00:15:15.940 --> 00:15:16.940
refuse
00:15:16.940 --> 00:15:18.759
to be agitated
00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:19.600
by anything
00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:21.039
and allow it
00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:21.779
to become oppressive
00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:22.120
to us,
00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:23.179
but instead pray
00:15:23.179 --> 00:15:24.320
about all the
00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:24.899
different issues
00:15:24.899 --> 00:15:25.940
that confront us
00:15:25.940 --> 00:15:26.960
in life.
00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:27.700
Then,
00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:28.419
he says,
00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:30.379
the peace of God
00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:33.620
which transcends
00:15:34.340 --> 00:15:36.240
all human understanding
00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:39.000
will guard,
00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:40.220
garrison
00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:41.759
your hearts
00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:42.840
and minds
00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:45.440
in Christ Jesus
00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:46.460
our Lord.
00:15:49.100 --> 00:15:49.800
There's a number
00:15:49.800 --> 00:15:50.620
of things about that
00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:52.019
that are worth
00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:52.899
teasing out.
00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:53.460
The first is,
00:15:53.540 --> 00:15:54.519
what does he mean
00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:55.480
when he talks about
00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:56.320
the peace of God
00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:56.960
which passes
00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:58.040
understanding?
00:15:58.960 --> 00:15:59.259
Well,
00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.740
it can't mean
00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:02.660
peace with God,
00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:03.500
the kind of peace
00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.420
that he speaks of
00:16:04.420 --> 00:16:05.620
in relation to
00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:06.120
what it means
00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:07.080
to be justified
00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:08.279
by grace
00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:08.820
through the Lord
00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:09.620
Jesus Christ.
00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:11.100
Romans chapter 5,
00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:12.000
Paul says,
00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:12.460
therefore,
00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.919
being justified
00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:14.700
by faith
00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:15.700
we have peace
00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:16.600
with God.
00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:18.379
The God
00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:20.299
who was against us
00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:20.940
because we were
00:16:20.940 --> 00:16:21.580
rebel sinners
00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:23.419
and we who were
00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:24.220
against God
00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.460
because we were
00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:26.360
rebels by nature
00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:27.519
and rebels by choice
00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:29.000
and because that
00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:29.600
relationship,
00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:31.060
the relationship
00:16:31.060 --> 00:16:32.000
for which we were
00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:32.299
made,
00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:33.580
but the relationship
00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:35.159
in which we find
00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:36.379
breach
00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:37.460
and ruptured
00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:38.080
relationship
00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:38.960
because of our
00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:39.520
sin and our
00:16:39.520 --> 00:16:39.920
guilt and
00:16:39.920 --> 00:16:40.620
disobedience,
00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.580
that there is
00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:42.740
a reconciliation
00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:45.300
between alienated
00:16:45.300
--> 00:16:46.500
parties in that
00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:47.020
relationship
00:16:47.020 --> 00:16:48.080
when we are
00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:48.560
justified.
00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:50.759
When our sins
00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:51.320
are forgiven
00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:53.900
because our sins
00:16:53.900 --> 00:16:54.420
have been
00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:56.139
reckoned to
00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:56.620
Christ
00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:57.379
and laid upon
00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:57.660
him
00:16:57.660 --> 00:16:59.620
and we are
00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.080
reckoned
00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:00.560
righteous
00:17:00.560 --> 00:17:01.580
in God's
00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:01.840
sight
00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:03.480
because the
00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:03.899
righteousness
00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:04.860
of Christ
00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:06.079
manifests
00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:06.860
through the
00:17:06.860 --> 00:17:07.759
life that
00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.920
fulfilled all
00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:09.460
righteousness
00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:10.519
by complete
00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.319
obedience to
00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:12.059
God's law
00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:12.900
was reckoned
00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:13.779
to be ours.
00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:14.900
So that great
00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.819
exchange that
00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:16.380
took place
00:17:16.380 --> 00:17:17.039
at Calvary
00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:18.620
where what was
00:17:18.620 --> 00:17:19.460
rightly ours
00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.180
became his
00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:20.680
and what was
00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:21.319
rightly his
00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.220
became ours,
00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.220
the effect of
00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:24.900
that was that
00:17:24.900 --> 00:17:25.460
God is no
00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.360
longer against
00:17:26.360 --> 00:17:26.960
us,
00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.720
but God is
00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.600
for us
00:17:29.600 --> 00:17:31.620
and God
00:17:31.620 --> 00:17:32.180
will never
00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:32.799
ever turn
00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.220
his back
00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:34.000
upon us.
00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:35.880
So the
00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:36.900
gospel does
00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:37.440
speak about
00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:38.160
peace with
00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:38.500
God,
00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:39.039
but that's
00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:40.720
not what
00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.900
Paul is
00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:43.640
speaking about
00:17:43.640 --> 00:17:43.880
here,
00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:44.360
he's speaking
00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:45.059
about something
00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:46.380
that's had
00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:47.180
its roots in
00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:48.019
Old Testament
00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:48.960
teaching,
00:17:49.420 --> 00:17:49.839
indeed so
00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.519
deeply rooted
00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.400
in Jewish
00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:52.000
culture that
00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:52.539
right down to
00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:52.960
the present
00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:53.519
time in the
00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:54.200
Jewish community
00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:55.380
whenever two
00:17:55.380 --> 00:17:56.319
Jewish people
00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:56.880
greet one
00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:57.400
another it's
00:17:57.400 --> 00:17:58.019
with the word
00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.680
Shalom.
00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:00.440
which is the
00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:00.920
Hebrew word
00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:01.539
for peace.
00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:03.799
My last
00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:04.539
church in
00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:05.039
Philadelphia,
00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:07.380
we had a
00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:08.220
Jewish believer
00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:09.000
on staff,
00:18:09.100 --> 00:18:09.460
he was one
00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.420
of my co-pastors,
00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:11.680
delightful man,
00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:13.180
come to faith
00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:13.819
early in life,
00:18:13.900 --> 00:18:14.339
his family
00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:16.019
had abandoned
00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:16.600
him because of
00:18:16.600 --> 00:18:17.000
his Christian
00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.380
faith,
00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.180
but he went
00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:18.700
on to serve
00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.079
God in
00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:19.980
remarkable ways,
00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:20.860
and I remember
00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:21.440
him giving me
00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:21.960
just this
00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.700
wonderful
00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:23.960
definition
00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:26.220
of what
00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:26.779
Shalom
00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:28.059
meant and
00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:28.600
means in
00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:28.959
the Jewish
00:18:28.959 --> 00:18:29.439
mind,
00:18:30.179 --> 00:18:30.779
nothing out
00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.459
of place,
00:18:32.459 --> 00:18:32.799
everything
00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.319
as it
00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:33.819
should be.
00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:35.559
Nothing
00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.000
out of
00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:36.459
place,
00:18:37.439 --> 00:18:37.779
everything
00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.279
as it
00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:38.779
should be.
00:18:40.879 --> 00:18:41.619
Of course
00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:42.579
the whole
00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:43.159
issue that
00:18:43.159 --> 00:18:43.539
Paul was
00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:44.019
addressing
00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:45.779
in the
00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:46.240
church in
00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:47.079
Philippi was
00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:48.439
that everything
00:18:48.439 --> 00:18:49.359
seemed to be
00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:50.000
out of place,
00:18:50.119 --> 00:18:51.119
nothing seemed
00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:51.759
to be as it
00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.259
should be.
00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:53.619
That from a
00:18:53.619 --> 00:18:54.379
human perspective
00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:55.059
there was no
00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:55.679
way in which
00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.039
you could
00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:57.600
engineer this
00:18:57.600 --> 00:18:58.900
situation to
00:18:58.900 --> 00:18:59.920
be orderly
00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:01.340
and to be
00:19:01.340 --> 00:19:02.440
peaceful in
00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:03.140
that sense.
00:19:04.860 --> 00:19:05.160
And yet
00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:06.000
Paul says
00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:07.000
in this
00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.279
wonderful promise
00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:08.779
that he gives
00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.360
from God
00:19:09.360 --> 00:19:10.600
that there is
00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:11.860
this peace
00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:13.200
that is
00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:15.680
of the very
00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:16.360
essence of
00:19:16.360 --> 00:19:17.039
God himself
00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:19.299
because the
00:19:19.299 --> 00:19:20.299
triune God,
00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:20.700
Father,
00:19:20.840 --> 00:19:21.019
Son,
00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:21.379
and Holy
00:19:21.379 --> 00:19:21.839
Spirit,
00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:23.539
in their
00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:24.839
divine unity
00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:25.940
yet diversity
00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:27.720
is the
00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:28.720
God throughout
00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.599
eternity for
00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:29.920
whom it
00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.180
can be
00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:30.559
said.
00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:31.619
Nothing
00:19:31.619 --> 00:19:32.119
has ever
00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:32.559
been out of
00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:33.299
place in
00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.759
him or
00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:35.420
in his
00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:36.500
actions.
00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.079
Everything
00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:38.980
has always
00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.900
been as
00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:40.279
it should
00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.599
be because
00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:42.079
he is the
00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:42.660
God who
00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:44.480
is and
00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:45.740
who does
00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.420
all things
00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:46.799
well.
00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.039
What about
00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.480
this piece?
00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:50.680
What does it
00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.320
do as it
00:19:51.320 --> 00:19:51.900
begins to
00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.580
take hold?
00:19:53.100 --> 00:19:53.660
This other
00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:54.560
worldly piece
00:19:54.560 --> 00:19:54.880
that he
00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:55.420
describes.
00:19:55.600 --> 00:19:56.480
Well, he
00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:56.980
speaks about
00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:57.600
it guarding.
00:19:58.900 --> 00:20:00.320
Guarding our
00:20:00.320 --> 00:20:02.519
minds and
00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.820
guarding our
00:20:03.820 --> 00:20:04.360
hearts.
00:20:05.560 --> 00:20:06.160
Guarding our
00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:07.380
minds because
00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:08.100
when things
00:20:08.100 --> 00:20:09.279
go wrong for
00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:09.759
us, things
00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.980
get disturbed
00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.539
for us in
00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:11.820
life.
00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:12.600
Our minds
00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:13.480
work overtime.
00:20:14.140 --> 00:20:14.759
Our minds
00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:16.340
run ahead of
00:20:16.340 --> 00:20:17.820
themselves.
00:20:17.819 --> 00:20:18.139
ourselves.
00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:20.740
And Paul
00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:21.099
is simply
00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:21.859
reminding us
00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.299
that when we
00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:22.839
begin to
00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:23.779
grasp that
00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:24.679
we are not
00:20:24.679 --> 00:20:25.419
in control,
00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:27.279
it is God
00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:27.700
who is in
00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:29.059
control that
00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:29.839
we can rightly
00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:31.559
accept his
00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:32.659
wise and
00:20:32.659 --> 00:20:33.619
loving supervision
00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:34.539
of our
00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:35.240
circumstances,
00:20:35.899 --> 00:20:36.500
his direction
00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.200
of our lives,
00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:37.859
saying this is
00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:38.579
not my problem
00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:39.839
Lord, this is
00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:40.419
your problem.
00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.839
I don't need
00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:43.259
to think
00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:44.159
myself silly
00:20:44.159 --> 00:20:44.819
over this
00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.099
issue.
00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:46.519
But of
00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.579
course, we
00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:47.839
are not
00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:50.179
just minds
00:20:50.179 --> 00:20:51.139
in terms of
00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:51.500
how we
00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.299
approach life.
00:20:52.459 --> 00:20:53.819
We have
00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:54.439
hearts as
00:20:54.439 --> 00:20:54.759
well.
00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:56.339
That we are
00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:56.719
affected
00:20:56.719 --> 00:20:57.299
emotionally.
00:20:58.119 --> 00:20:58.399
We are
00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.599
affected deeply
00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:00.519
in our
00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.399
inner self
00:21:01.399 --> 00:21:03.000
in terms of
00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.139
our circumstances.
00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:05.599
That even
00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:06.079
though our
00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:07.500
minds may
00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.519
be alert
00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.919
and clear,
00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.740
very often
00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.279
we can be
00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:12.159
disturbed and
00:21:12.159 --> 00:21:13.480
deeply unsettled
00:21:13.480 -->
00:21:15.140
in ourselves
00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:15.819
because of
00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.240
the issues
00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.539
that we
00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:16.960
face.
00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:18.180
And Paul
00:21:18.180 --> 00:21:19.160
uses the
00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:20.759
language of
00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:22.420
military
00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:23.140
protection.
00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.940
The effect
00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:26.279
of the
00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:26.720
peace of
00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.539
God is
00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.700
to shield
00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:29.740
our minds
00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:31.019
from
00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:32.160
disturbing
00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.779
angles on
00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:34.059
life,
00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:34.660
disturbing
00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:35.660
perspectives on
00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:36.059
life.
00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.319
To think
00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:38.559
not as the
00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:39.380
world thinks
00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.120
with no
00:21:40.120 --> 00:21:40.700
reference to
00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.160
God, but
00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:41.599
to think
00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:43.360
always with
00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.159
God in
00:21:44.159 --> 00:21:44.579
the center
00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.379
frame of
00:21:45.379 --> 00:21:45.519
our
00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.159
understanding
00:21:46.159 --> 00:21:47.119
of what's
00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:47.679
happening to
00:21:47.679 --> 00:21:48.019
us and
00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:48.399
what's going
00:21:48.399 --> 00:21:48.919
on around
00:21:48.919 --> 00:21:49.399
us.
00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:50.379
At the
00:21:50.379 --> 00:21:50.659
same with
00:21:50.659 --> 00:21:51.299
our hearts.
00:21:51.979 --> 00:21:52.240
That we
00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:52.779
don't allow
00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:54.259
our emotions
00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:54.899
to take
00:21:54.899 --> 00:21:55.419
control.
00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:56.519
We don't
00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.019
allow our
00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:57.839
emotions to
00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:58.559
run riot
00:21:58.559 --> 00:22:00.119
and to
00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:00.939
lead us
00:22:00.939 --> 00:22:02.259
into deep
00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:02.859
disturbance.
00:22:03.659 --> 00:22:04.159
But rather
00:22:04.159 --> 00:22:04.939
we are content
00:22:04.939 --> 00:22:05.479
to know
00:22:05.479 --> 00:22:07.399
as God
00:22:07.399 --> 00:22:07.959
says to
00:22:07.959 --> 00:22:09.000
Moses and
00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:09.579
through Moses
00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:09.899
to the
00:22:09.899 --> 00:22:10.819
Israelites in
00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:11.319
Deuteronomy
00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:12.119
chapter 29
00:22:12.119 --> 00:22:13.159
that the
00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:13.779
everlasting
00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:15.619
arms of
00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:16.339
the everlasting
00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:17.599
God are
00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:18.219
round about
00:22:18.219 --> 00:22:18.759
and underneath
00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.339
us.
00:22:20.439 --> 00:22:20.859
When we
00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:21.279
don't know
00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:21.779
what's going
00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.679
on, we
00:22:22.679 --> 00:22:23.079
know that
00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:23.519
the bottom
00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.039
is not
00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:24.419
going to
00:22:24.419 --> 00:22:24.799
fall out
00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:25.079
of our
00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:26.679
world because
00:22:26.679 --> 00:22:27.559
the arms
00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.099
of God
00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:28.779
are supporting
00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:30.059
us through
00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:30.599
the worst
00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:31.559
of situations.
00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:34.919
Paul's
00:22:34.919 --> 00:22:35.439
promise is
00:22:35.439 --> 00:22:36.019
backed up
00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:37.339
by a word
00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:37.879
of personal
00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:38.419
testimony.
00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:41.019
It's
00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.920
strange that
00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:43.060
for those
00:22:43.060 --> 00:22:43.759
in the
00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.060
Christian
00:22:44.060 --> 00:22:44.500
ministry
00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.039
through the
00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.500
ages
00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:48.300
that those
00:22:48.300 --> 00:22:48.840
who serve
00:22:48.840 --> 00:22:49.340
as ministers
00:22:49.340 --> 00:22:49.759
are not
00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.380
merely called
00:22:50.380 --> 00:22:51.039
to perform
00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:51.460
certain
00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:51.980
duties
00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:53.580
and fulfill
00:22:53.580 --> 00:22:54.080
certain
00:22:54.080 --> 00:22:54.720
tasks
00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:56.140
the most
00:22:56.140 --> 00:22:56.660
central of
00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:57.039
which is
00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.600
to proclaim
00:22:57.600 --> 00:22:58.000
the word
00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.519
of God
00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.259
and to
00:22:59.259 --> 00:22:59.680
seek to
00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:00.019
pastor
00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.519
the people
00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:01.100
of God
00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:02.519
but actually
00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.339
they are
00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:04.379
called
00:23:04.379 --> 00:23:05.740
to walk
00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.699
the path
00:23:06.699 --> 00:23:08.000
of the
00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.639
issues
00:23:08.639 --> 00:23:09.319
about which
00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:09.939
they preach
00:23:09.939 --> 00:23:10.579
themselves.
00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:13.019
So it is
00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:13.759
not unusual
00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:15.219
for pastors
00:23:15.219 --> 00:23:15.879
who will
00:23:15.879 --> 00:23:16.419
inevitably
00:23:16.419 --> 00:23:17.779
find themselves
00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.259
preaching
00:23:18.259
--> 00:23:19.159
about suffering
00:23:19.159 --> 00:23:21.000
to actually
00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:21.579
be called
00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.179
by God
00:23:22.179 --> 00:23:22.699
to walk
00:23:22.699 --> 00:23:23.419
the path
00:23:23.419 --> 00:23:24.059
of suffering
00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:25.099
in some
00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:25.599
shape or
00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:25.939
form.
00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.000
That almost
00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:30.279
inexplicably
00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:31.460
and in ways
00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:32.099
that often
00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:32.839
baffle us
00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:33.399
as ministers.
00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:34.740
We find
00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.299
ourselves
00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.039
walking
00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:37.099
roads
00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:37.599
that we
00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:38.160
have preached
00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:38.740
about to
00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.200
others
00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:41.819
that we
00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.379
suddenly have
00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:43.279
to experience
00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.259
for ourselves
00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:46.319
and under
00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:47.359
those circumstances
00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:48.740
our
00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.740
confidence
00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.440
in the
00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:50.839
message
00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.319
that God
00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:51.779
has given
00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.960
is put
00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.279
to the
00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:53.700
test.
00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.839
It is
00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.279
very easy
00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:56.740
to stand
00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.019
in a
00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.339
pulpit
00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:57.859
and to
00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:58.220
preach
00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.039
in abstraction
00:23:59.039 --> 00:23:59.619
about these
00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:00.119
things
00:24:00.119 --> 00:24:00.259
things.
00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:01.539
It is
00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:01.799
a very
00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:02.159
different
00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:02.519
thing
00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:03.159
to preach
00:24:03.159 --> 00:24:03.459
those
00:24:03.459 --> 00:24:03.859
same
00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:04.479
things
00:24:04.479 --> 00:24:05.099
to
00:24:05.099 --> 00:24:05.759
yourself
00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.619
and to
00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:06.779
your
00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.219
family
00:24:07.219 --> 00:24:08.399
when you
00:24:08.399 --> 00:24:08.859
are in
00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:09.799
the thick
00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.179
of it
00:24:10.179 --> 00:24:10.819
and going
00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.199
through the
00:24:11.199 --> 00:24:11.639
furnace.
00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:13.500
Yet it is
00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:14.019
only as
00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:15.099
God takes
00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:15.879
his servants
00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:16.819
through the
00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:17.279
furnace
00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:18.239
that he
00:24:18.239 --> 00:24:19.319
proves that
00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:19.799
his word
00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.159
is not
00:24:20.159 --> 00:24:20.479
true
00:24:20.479 --> 00:24:21.159
theoretically
00:24:21.159 --> 00:24:22.679
it is
00:24:22.679 --> 00:24:23.479
true in
00:24:23.479 --> 00:24:24.019
reality.
00:24:25.239 --> 00:24:25.419
And so
00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:26.019
for Paul
00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.939
Paul goes
00:24:26.939 --> 00:24:27.679
on to speak
00:24:27.679 --> 00:24:28.839
very candidly
00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.919
about his
00:24:29.919 --> 00:24:30.779
own personal
00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.480
experience
00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.079
of life
00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:33.359
because he
00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:34.299
goes on
00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:35.079
to speak
00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:35.759
in verses
00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:37.899
10 and
00:24:37.899 --> 00:24:38.480
11 about
00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:38.819
the way
00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:39.099
in which
00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:39.319
the
00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:39.759
Philippians
00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.759
were showing
00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.459
him their
00:24:41.459 --> 00:24:41.959
generosity
00:24:41.959 --> 00:24:42.639
and supporting
00:24:42.639 --> 00:24:43.059
him in his
00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:43.579
need and
00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.579
he responds
00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:45.500
by thanking
00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.079
them for that
00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.500
by saying
00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:46.839
I am not
00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.179
saying this
00:24:47.179 --> 00:24:47.639
because I
00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.139
am in need
00:24:48.139 --> 00:24:48.839
for I have
00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.480
learned to be
00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.319
content whatever
00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:51.159
the circumstances
00:24:51.159 --> 00:24:51.740
I know what
00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.539
it is to be
00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.220
in need and I
00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:53.759
know what it is
00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.359
to have plenty
00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:55.599
I have learned
00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:56.519
the secret
00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.319
of being
00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:57.979
content in
00:24:57.979 --> 00:24:58.559
any and
00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.419
every situation
00:24:59.419 --> 00:25:00.019
whether well
00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.699
fed or hungry
00:25:00.699 --> 00:25:01.539
whether living
00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:02.119
in plenty
00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:03.119
or in want
00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:07.059
he can put
00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:07.479
hand on
00:25:07.479 --> 00:25:08.339
heart before
00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:09.359
his listening
00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:10.019
congregation
00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.339
and say
00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:10.819
dear brothers
00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:11.399
and sisters
00:25:11.399 -->
00:25:14.399
I may not
00:25:14.399 --> 00:25:15.179
be experiencing
00:25:15.179 --> 00:25:16.039
exactly what
00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.240
you are
00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:16.779
experiencing
00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.299
but I have
00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:17.740
been there
00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.299
myself
00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:21.220
I have
00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:21.819
been there
00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:23.200
in the
00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:23.659
challenges
00:25:23.659 --> 00:25:24.399
that God
00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:25.599
has brought
00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:26.339
me through
00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:28.059
in a way
00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:28.319
that has
00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:28.740
put my
00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.200
faith to
00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:29.700
the test
00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:30.139
in the way
00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:30.500
that your
00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:30.919
faith has
00:25:30.919 --> 00:25:31.259
been put
00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:31.539
to the
00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:31.919
test
00:25:31.919 --> 00:25:34.220
in which
00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:34.619
I am
00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:35.059
being brought
00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:35.339
out of
00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:35.799
my depth
00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.159
in the way
00:25:36.159 --> 00:25:36.519
that you
00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:36.740
have been
00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.119
brought out
00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:37.359
of your
00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:37.639
depth
00:25:37.639 --> 00:25:38.319
to realise
00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:38.960
that we
00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:41.180
stay afloat
00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:41.980
not because
00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:42.740
we can swim
00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.319
through these
00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:43.759
difficulties
00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.480
but because
00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.299
God keeps
00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:46.000
us through
00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.720
these difficulties
00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.759
God makes
00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.220
a promise
00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:48.519
and he
00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:48.879
will not
00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:49.339
break it
00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:49.960
the only way
00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.240
that you
00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:51.019
can test
00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:51.700
that promise
00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.400
is if you
00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:53.240
find yourself
00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:54.980
in circumstances
00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.779
where it is
00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.460
put to the
00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.099
test
00:25:57.099 --> 00:26:00.900
that doesn't
00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:01.279
mean to say
00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:01.900
it's easy to
00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:02.279
go through
00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:02.819
these troubles
00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:03.140
it doesn't
00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.619
mean to say
00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:04.180
that Paul
00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:06.440
went through
00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:07.379
these trials
00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:08.079
that he speaks
00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:08.480
about
00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:10.359
extreme need
00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:11.960
as much as
00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:13.259
extreme provision
00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:15.259
doesn't mean to
00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:15.579
say that he
00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:15.940
went through
00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:16.440
them all
00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:16.879
with some
00:26:16.879 --> 00:26:17.299
kind of
00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:18.279
smiley face
00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:19.019
artificially
00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.500
stuck
00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:21.299
on his
00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:21.839
lapel
00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:23.700
but rather
00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:24.139
it was
00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:24.680
because
00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:26.879
he came
00:26:26.879 --> 00:26:27.159
to the
00:26:27.159 --> 00:26:27.759
other side
00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:29.240
and he
00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.740
knew that
00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.379
poverty
00:26:30.379 --> 00:26:30.940
had not
00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.460
sunken
00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:33.539
and wealth
00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.000
had not
00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.579
distracted
00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.139
him
00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:36.519
but he
00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:36.960
could literally
00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:37.460
go to
00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.419
either ends
00:26:38.419 --> 00:26:39.180
of the
00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:39.740
spectrum
00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:40.879
of the
00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:41.519
experience
00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.119
of life
00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:43.139
and be
00:26:43.139 --> 00:26:43.839
derailed
00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:44.139
by
00:26:44.139 --> 00:26:44.599
neither
00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:46.839
it's
00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:47.359
just as
00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:47.859
easy to
00:26:47.859 --> 00:26:48.759
be derailed
00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.179
in our
00:26:49.179 --> 00:26:49.619
faith
00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:50.539
when things
00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:50.919
are going
00:26:50.919 --> 00:26:51.419
well
00:26:51.419 --> 00:26:52.879
as when
00:26:52.879 --> 00:26:53.299
things are
00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:53.500
going
00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:53.959
badly
00:26:53.959 --> 00:26:55.740
and Paul
00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.119
was able
00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:56.859
to testify
00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:58.500
bear witness
00:26:58.500 --> 00:27:01.259
I've
00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:01.420
been
00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:01.839
through the
00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:02.240
worst
00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:03.279
and God
00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:03.700
has kept
00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:03.859
me
00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:05.700
I've
00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:05.839
been
00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:06.059
through
00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:06.240
the
00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:06.700
best
00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:08.619
and God
00:27:08.619 --> 00:27:09.119
is still
00:27:09.119
--> 00:27:09.460
kept
00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:09.819
me
00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:11.740
and it's
00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.160
good to be
00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:12.480
able to
00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.039
know that
00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.480
when you
00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.160
face these
00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:14.819
circumstances
00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.579
that we
00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.220
all face
00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:16.880
that we
00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:17.160
are not
00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:17.539
alone
00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.759
that's one
00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:18.960
of the
00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:19.480
first thoughts
00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:19.920
that crop
00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.259
into our
00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:20.440
mind
00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:20.759
nobody
00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:21.400
understands
00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.039
because nobody
00:27:22.039 --> 00:27:22.480
has walked
00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:22.859
this way
00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:23.259
before
00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.680
and again
00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.059
go back
00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:25.440
to that
00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:26.680
little passage
00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.140
that Paul
00:27:27.140 --> 00:27:27.559
read
00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:28.839
before our
00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.299
pastoral
00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:29.680
prayer
00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.680
that we
00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:31.000
have a
00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.500
great high
00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:31.900
priest
00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:32.519
who is
00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:32.859
not
00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:33.900
unable
00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:34.519
to
00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.200
sympathize
00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:35.660
with us
00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:35.940
in our
00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:36.279
weakness
00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:36.680
but who
00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.000
has been
00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.460
touched
00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:38.059
with the
00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.359
feeling
00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:38.700
of our
00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.379
infirmities
00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:40.039
has been
00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.980
tested
00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:42.059
in every
00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:42.660
way
00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:43.319
like as
00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:43.819
we are
00:27:43.819 --> 00:27:44.319
yet
00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:44.759
remained
00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.400
without sin
00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:47.839
that the
00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:48.220
ultimate
00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.819
proof
00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:50.400
the ultimate
00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.039
testimony
00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:52.400
that God
00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:53.039
keeps this
00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:53.579
glorious
00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.000
promise
00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.279
that he
00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:54.680
makes
00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.440
is the
00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:55.740
way that
00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.220
he kept
00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:56.539
it to
00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:56.920
his own
00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:57.259
son
00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:57.759
in human
00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.259
flesh
00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:59.039
during his
00:27:59.039 --> 00:27:59.619
time on
00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:00.159
this earth
00:28:00.159 --> 00:28:01.200
that the
00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:01.639
Lord Jesus
00:28:01.639 --> 00:28:02.180
Christ
00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:05.279
was never
00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:07.220
utterly
00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:07.759
abandoned
00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:09.559
but even
00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.299
in the cry
00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:11.019
of dereliction
00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.940
when he
00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:12.379
cried out
00:28:12.379 --> 00:28:13.000
my God
00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:13.720
my God
00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.079
I am
00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:14.639
forsaken
00:28:14.639 --> 00:28:15.480
why
00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:17.659
that was
00:28:17.659 --> 00:28:18.000
not
00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:18.899
the Lord
00:28:18.899 --> 00:28:19.159
Jesus
00:28:19.159 --> 00:28:19.700
Christ
00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.339
being
00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:20.819
swallowed
00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:21.180
up
00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.819
in despair
00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:24.220
because
00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:24.759
that same
00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:24.980
Lord
00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.240
Jesus
00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:25.639
Christ
00:28:25.639 --> 00:28:25.819
who
00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.099
uttered
00:28:26.099 --> 00:28:26.259
those
00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:26.519
very
00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:26.879
words
00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:27.139
knew
00:28:27.139 --> 00:28:27.439
full
00:28:27.439 --> 00:28:27.819
well
00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:29.039
that
00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:29.919
God
00:28:29.919 --> 00:28:30.099
had
00:28:30.099 --> 00:28:30.399
promised
00:28:30.399 --> 00:28:30.579
I
00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:30.720
will
00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:30.939
not
00:28:30.939 --> 00:28:31.159
leave
00:28:31.159 --> 00:28:31.740
let my
00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.000
Holy
00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:32.339
One
00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:33.740
see
00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.139
decay
00:28:34.139 --> 00:28:34.879
I
00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:35.019
will
00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.200
not
00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:35.599
abandon
00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:35.819
him
00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:36.079
to the
00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:36.539
grave
00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:37.539
!
00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:37.799
And that's
00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:37.899
why
00:28:37.899 --> 00:28:38.139
the Lord
00:28:38.139 --> 00:28:38.399
Jesus
00:28:38.399 --> 00:28:38.819
Christ
00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:39.200
was able
00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.579
to speak
00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.099
his last
00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:40.420
words
00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:40.700
on the
00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.059
cross
00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:41.980
as words
00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:42.720
of absolute
00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.460
confidence
00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:43.940
Father
00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:44.779
into your
00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:45.200
hands
00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:45.659
I commit
00:28:45.659 --> 00:28:46.299
my spirit
00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:47.440
because he
00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:48.099
was kept
00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:48.779
by the
00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.319
promise of
00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:49.700
God
00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:50.379
he was
00:28:50.379 --> 00:28:50.980
upheld
00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:52.779
and he
00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.500
in his
00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:53.960
own
00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:55.059
experience
00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:56.079
through the
00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:56.559
gates of
00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.019
death
00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:59.920
into the
00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.200
tomb
00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:00.460
where he
00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.119
was laid
00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:02.759
not merely
00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.059
for the
00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:03.559
resurrection
00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:04.359
he experienced
00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:04.879
but to the
00:29:04.879 --> 00:29:05.679
enthronement
00:29:05.679 --> 00:29:06.839
that is now
00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:07.419
his as he
00:29:07.419 --> 00:29:07.879
sits at the
00:29:07.879 --> 00:29:08.379
right hand
00:29:08.379 --> 00:29:08.899
of majesty
00:29:08.899 --> 00:29:09.339
on high
00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:10.339
he is
00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:10.919
literally
00:29:10.919 --> 00:29:12.240
living proof
00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:13.199
that God
00:29:13.199 --> 00:29:13.859
keeps his
00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.319
promise
00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:16.199
not just to
00:29:16.199 --> 00:29:16.719
his own
00:29:16.719 --> 00:29:17.399
incarnate
00:29:17.399 --> 00:29:17.719
son
00:29:17.719 --> 00:29:18.459
but to
00:29:18.459 --> 00:29:19.119
all his
00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:19.759
sons and
00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:20.219
daughters
00:29:20.219 --> 00:29:21.000
in the
00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.439
Lord Jesus
00:29:21.439 --> 00:29:21.939
Christ
00:29:21.939 --> 00:29:22.599
who have
00:29:22.599 --> 00:29:23.119
been adopted
00:29:23.119 --> 00:29:23.599
into his
00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:24.000
family
00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:26.339
which brings
00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:26.679
us to the
00:29:26.679 --> 00:29:27.199
last thing
00:29:27.199 --> 00:29:28.879
what is that
00:29:28.879 --> 00:29:29.959
one important
00:29:29.959 --> 00:29:30.259
key
00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:30.779
that all
00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.240
important
00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:31.639
key
00:29:31.639 --> 00:29:32.619
that Paul
00:29:32.619 --> 00:29:34.339
astutely
00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.379
inserts to
00:29:35.379 --> 00:29:35.679
everything
00:29:35.679 --> 00:29:35.959
that he
00:29:35.959 --> 00:29:36.500
says
00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.859
this is
00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:38.199
not an
00:29:38.199 --> 00:29:38.779
apostolic
00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.480
pep talk
00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:41.279
saying you
00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:41.659
really need
00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:42.039
to get your
00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.599
act together
00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:44.039
you need to
00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:44.279
get your
00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:44.619
thinking
00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:45.059
straight
00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:46.039
no he
00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.599
is saying
00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:47.559
that ultimately
00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:48.079
it's not
00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.759
merely about
00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.119
how we
00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:49.539
perceive
00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:50.079
things
00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:50.779
or how we
00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:51.159
approach
00:29:51.159 --> 00:29:51.599
things in
00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:51.939
life
00:29:51.939 --> 00:29:52.599
but we
00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:53.099
are told
00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:53.500
that this
00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:53.980
peace of
00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:54.339
God
00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:54.939
which
00:29:54.939 --> 00:29:55.559
passes
00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.179
understanding
00:29:56.179 --> 00:29:56.500
that will
00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.099
keep our
00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:57.480
hearts
00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.339
and minds
00:29:58.339 --> 00:29:59.459
is in
00:29:59.459 --> 00:29:59.980
Christ
00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:00.480
Jesus
00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:03.179
and again
00:30:03.179 --> 00:30:03.799
to drive the
00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:04.220
point home
00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:04.539
he says
00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:04.900
in verse
00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.299
19
00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:05.700
and my
00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:06.000
God
00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.360
will meet
00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:06.940
all your
00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.339
needs
00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:08.579
according to
00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.420
his glorious
00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:09.920
riches
00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:11.740
in Christ
00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.700
Jesus
00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:16.860
it's the
00:30:16.860 --> 00:30:17.519
one thing
00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:18.400
about Paul's
00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:18.839
teaching
00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:20.019
that is so
00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:20.900
glaringly
00:30:20.900 --> 00:30:21.519
obvious
00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:23.500
that is so
00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:24.319
amazingly
00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:24.900
missed
00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:26.559
by so many
00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.100
Christians
00:30:27.100 --> 00:30:28.259
in their
00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:28.920
understanding
00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:29.400
of what it
00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:29.880
means to be
00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:30.380
a Christian
00:30:30.380 --> 00:30:32.360
that the
00:30:32.360 --> 00:30:33.140
whole of
00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:33.880
Paul's
00:30:33.880 --> 00:30:34.380
writings
00:30:34.380 --> 00:30:34.980
about the
00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:35.320
Christian
00:30:35.320 --> 00:30:35.860
faith
00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:36.800
whether it
00:30:36.800 --> 00:30:37.140
be in his
00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:37.540
preaching
00:30:37.540 --> 00:30:38.040
as we have
00:30:38.040 --> 00:30:38.300
it in the
00:30:38.300 --> 00:30:38.580
book of
00:30:38.580 --> 00:30:38.820
Acts
00:30:38.820 --> 00:30:39.160
or whether
00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:39.540
it be
00:30:39.540 --> 00:30:40.140
in his
00:30:40.140 --> 00:30:40.460
letters
00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:41.040
as we have
00:30:41.040 --> 00:30:41.780
them to
00:30:41.780 --> 00:30:42.160
the different
00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:42.700
churches of
00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:42.960
the New
00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:43.400
Testament
00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:44.600
the number
00:30:44.600 --> 00:30:45.220
of times
00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:45.640
he either
00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:46.440
directly or
00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:46.980
indirectly
00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.780
says that
00:30:47.780 --> 00:30:48.500
being a
00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:48.820
Christian
00:30:48.820 --> 00:30:49.420
is all
00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.100
about being
00:30:50.100 --> 00:30:50.900
joined to
00:30:50.900 --> 00:30:51.240
Jesus
00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:52.160
being united
00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:52.820
to Christ
00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:55.359
because we
00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:55.859
are in
00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:56.139
him
00:30:56.139 --> 00:30:57.200
because there
00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:58.299
is a
00:30:58.299 --> 00:30:59.519
living
00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:00.740
and loving
00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:02.000
as well as
00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:03.059
legally binding
00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:03.759
bond
00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:05.419
that joins
00:31:05.419 --> 00:31:06.079
us to him
00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.899
in spiritual
00:31:06.899 --> 00:31:07.599
marriage
00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:09.259
what we
00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:09.960
are in
00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:10.460
him
00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:12.220
will for
00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:12.919
eternity
00:31:12.919 --> 00:31:13.939
make us
00:31:13.939 --> 00:31:15.019
different to
00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.379
what we
00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:16.059
were in
00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:16.960
ourselves
00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:20.179
those of you
00:31:20.179 --> 00:31:20.379
who are
00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:21.139
married will
00:31:21.139 --> 00:31:21.559
know what I
00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.000
mean when I
00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:22.379
say that
00:31:22.380 --> 00:31:22.760
marriage
00:31:22.760 --> 00:31:23.580
changes you
00:31:23.580 --> 00:31:26.800
marriage
00:31:26.800 --> 00:31:27.680
changes you
00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:29.780
the Paul
00:31:29.780 --> 00:31:30.280
Levy that I
00:31:30.280 --> 00:31:30.840
knew on that
00:31:30.840 --> 00:31:31.520
flight to
00:31:31.520 --> 00:31:32.600
Africa
00:31:32.600 --> 00:31:33.520
when he was
00:31:33.520 --> 00:31:34.200
19 was
00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:34.720
very different
00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:35.100
from the
00:31:35.100 --> 00:31:35.560
Paul Levy
00:31:35.560 --> 00:31:36.540
that was my
00:31:36.540 --> 00:31:37.200
neighbour when
00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:37.680
he was married
00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.160
to Claire
00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:39.900
marriage
00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:40.880
changes people
00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:42.900
but that's
00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:43.240
true at a
00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:43.880
human level
00:31:43.880 --> 00:31:44.820
that because
00:31:44.820 --> 00:31:45.500
the two
00:31:45.500 --> 00:31:46.260
become one
00:31:46.260 --> 00:31:48.020
and two
00:31:48.020 --> 00:31:49.080
lives in
00:31:49.080 --> 00:31:49.500
a most
00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.080
profound
00:31:50.080 --> 00:31:50.860
and extraordinary
00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:51.340
way
00:31:51.339 --> 00:31:53.899
change
00:31:53.899 --> 00:31:55.559
the two
00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:56.000
people who
00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.519
are involved
00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:56.819
in that
00:31:56.819 --> 00:31:57.240
life
00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:59.500
so in a
00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:00.500
more glorious
00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.259
way when
00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:01.759
there is a
00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.259
spiritual
00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:03.199
marriage between
00:32:03.199 --> 00:32:04.779
the Lord Jesus
00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:05.599
Christ and his
00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:06.199
people in the
00:32:06.199 --> 00:32:07.179
covenant bond
00:32:07.179 --> 00:32:08.079
that is established
00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:08.859
by God
00:32:08.859 --> 00:32:10.759
with each of
00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:11.779
us as
00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:12.220
Christians
00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:12.799
individually
00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:13.559
with all of
00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:14.099
us together
00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:14.799
corporately
00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:16.059
as his church
00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:16.839
unitedly
00:32:16.839 --> 00:32:19.019
it's not that
00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.639
we change
00:32:19.639 --> 00:32:20.379
God because
00:32:20.379 --> 00:32:21.079
God cannot
00:32:21.079 --> 00:32:21.720
be changed
00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.759
but that
00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.480
living and
00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:24.200
loving bond
00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:24.500
that he
00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.319
establishes with
00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:25.839
us in
00:32:25.839 --> 00:32:26.679
Christ Jesus
00:32:26.679 --> 00:32:27.559
forever
00:32:27.559 --> 00:32:28.619
changes us
00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:30.440
that we can
00:32:30.440 --> 00:32:31.139
never be what
00:32:31.139 --> 00:32:31.659
we used to
00:32:31.659 --> 00:32:32.619
be
00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:33.559
that what we
00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:34.159
are in
00:32:34.159 --> 00:32:34.940
union
and
00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.659
communion with
00:32:35.659 --> 00:32:36.299
Christ will
00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:37.039
transform
00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:38.599
what we are
00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:40.539
not merely in
00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:41.240
relationship to
00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:41.879
one another and
00:32:41.879 --> 00:32:42.319
to the world
00:32:42.319 --> 00:32:42.980
around us but
00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:43.839
how we face
00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:44.419
the issues
00:32:44.419 --> 00:32:45.659
of life that
00:32:45.659 --> 00:32:46.480
would otherwise
00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.679
unsettle us
00:32:47.679 --> 00:32:49.119
and so easily
00:32:49.119 --> 00:32:50.079
sink us
00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:51.220
were that not
00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:51.779
the case
00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:53.599
and the fact
00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:53.959
that the Lord
00:32:53.959 --> 00:32:54.879
Jesus Christ
00:32:54.879 --> 00:32:56.539
reminded his
00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:57.579
disciples before
00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:59.179
he ascended
00:32:59.179 --> 00:32:59.740
into heaven
00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:00.399
I will never
00:33:00.399 --> 00:33:00.980
leave you
00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:01.899
and I will
00:33:01.899 --> 00:33:02.699
never forsake
00:33:02.699 --> 00:33:03.359
you
00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:05.279
but through
00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:05.819
the darkest
00:33:05.819 --> 00:33:06.740
days as well
00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.039
as through
00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:07.559
the brightest
00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:08.740
through the
00:33:08.740 --> 00:33:09.480
darkest nights
00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:09.980
as well as
00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.240
through the
00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:11.099
brightest days
00:33:11.099 --> 00:33:12.619
I will be
00:33:12.619 --> 00:33:13.000
there
00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:15.259
and I
00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:15.519
will be
00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:15.859
keeping
00:33:15.859 --> 00:33:16.359
you
00:33:16.359 --> 00:33:20.859
how much
00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:21.200
we need
00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:21.619
that word
00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:22.279
today for
00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:23.000
all of us
00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:24.299
because my
00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:24.740
guess is
00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.079
there is no
00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:25.480
one in this
00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:26.000
building from
00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.359
the youngest
00:33:26.359 --> 00:33:26.720
right through
00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.200
to the oldest
00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:27.779
who in their
00:33:27.779 --> 00:33:28.980
own unique
00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.539
and personal
00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:31.140
way is
00:33:31.140 --> 00:33:31.640
wrestling
00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:32.259
is not
00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:32.880
wrestling with
00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:33.359
the issues
00:33:33.359 --> 00:33:33.960
that Paul is
00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:34.460
talking about
00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:34.759
here
00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:36.720
and even
00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:37.299
though our
00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:37.980
issues may
00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:38.279
differ
00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:39.720
the answer
00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:40.359
is the same
00:33:40.359 --> 00:33:40.920
for everyone
00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:41.259
in this
00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:41.579
building
00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.839
and even
00:33:42.839 --> 00:33:43.079
if you're
00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:43.419
here as
00:33:43.419 --> 00:33:43.779
someone who
00:33:43.779 --> 00:33:44.179
isn't yet
00:33:44.179 --> 00:33:44.639
a Christian
00:33:44.639 --> 00:33:45.619
and you're
00:33:45.619 --> 00:33:46.119
struggling with
00:33:46.119 --> 00:33:46.599
these issues
00:33:46.599 --> 00:33:47.099
and you don't
00:33:47.099 --> 00:33:47.539
quite know
00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:47.859
where to
00:33:47.859 --> 00:33:48.179
turn
00:33:48.179 --> 00:33:49.699
the answer
00:33:49.699 --> 00:33:50.059
is still
00:33:50.059 --> 00:33:50.500
the same
00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:52.240
I can do
00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:53.480
all things
00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.119
as well
00:33:54.119 --> 00:33:55.699
through Jesus
00:33:55.699 --> 00:33:56.199
Christ
00:33:56.199 --> 00:33:57.559
who gives me
00:33:57.559 --> 00:33:58.079
strength
00:33:58.079 --> 00:33:59.059
let's pray
00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:00.559
let's pray
00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:01.179
let's pray
00:34:01.179 --> 00:34:01.179
00:34:01.179 --> 00:34:01.179
00:34:01.179 --> 00:34:01.179
00:34:01.179 --> 00:34:01.179
00:34:01.179 --> 00:34:01.179
00:34:01.179 --> 00:34:01.579
let's pray
00:34:01.579 --> 00:34:02.019
let's pray
00:34:02.019 --> 00:34:02.299
let's pray
00:34:02.299 --> 00:34:03.359
let's pray
00:34:03.359 --> 00:34:03.980
let's pray
00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:03.980
00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:03.980
00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:04.720
let's pray
00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.079
let's pray
00:34:05.079 --> 00:34:05.679
let's pray
00:34:05.679 --> 00:34:05.679
00:34:05.679 --> 00:34:07.079
let's pray
00:34:07.079 --> 00:34:07.079
00:34:07.079 --> 00:34:08.159
let's pray
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159
00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.159