1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,569 Hello and welcome to the Middletown Baptist Church Podcast, 2 00:00:03,697 --> 00:00:06,593 where we are proclaiming the truth to the world. 3 00:00:06,689 --> 00:00:09,657 My name is Pastor Josh and I want to thank you for listening to 4 00:00:09,681 --> 00:00:10,685 this podcast. 5 00:00:10,985 --> 00:00:14,625 I hope that this podcast can be a blessing to you and strengthen 6 00:00:14,665 --> 00:00:16,245 you in the word of God. 7 00:00:16,745 --> 00:00:20,145 Now come along, let's look into the Bible and see what God has 8 00:00:20,185 --> 00:00:21,765 for us here today. 9 00:00:23,465 --> 00:00:25,345 We'll be in Philippians chapter four tonight. 10 00:00:25,385 --> 00:00:26,925 Philippians chapter four. 11 00:00:29,525 --> 00:00:33,373 If you ever been tied up, maybe not like physically you have 12 00:00:33,389 --> 00:00:35,705 been like bound down, you felt like you can't escape. 13 00:00:36,605 --> 00:00:40,597 And if anybody's ever been, I don't know, maybe one of those, like, 14 00:00:40,621 --> 00:00:43,597 you know, box tubs of water, we have to like, you know, figure 15 00:00:43,621 --> 00:00:46,141 out, watch one of the shows, how to untie this whole rope knot, 16 00:00:46,173 --> 00:00:47,185 whatever, and. 17 00:00:47,645 --> 00:00:50,677 But I remember when I was a child, we used to live in New York. 18 00:00:50,701 --> 00:00:53,107 I'm originally from New York, if you didn't know that. 19 00:00:53,301 --> 00:00:57,543 And our first house that we lived in New York, I had this horrible 20 00:00:57,599 --> 00:00:59,615 dream, this horrible dream. 21 00:00:59,655 --> 00:01:02,355 You know, those in Florida probably relate to this experience, 22 00:01:04,015 --> 00:01:06,855 but I had this horrible dream that this flood, the sweeping flood, 23 00:01:06,935 --> 00:01:10,719 came through the entire community and just completely like, 24 00:01:10,807 --> 00:01:15,271 washed us out of the house, lost everything, complete destruction. 25 00:01:15,463 --> 00:01:18,491 And I woke up terrified, crying for my dream. 26 00:01:18,583 --> 00:01:21,495 I went running to my parents room and I was like, mom and dad 27 00:01:22,955 --> 00:01:24,815 house with whole neighborhood and everything. 28 00:01:25,675 --> 00:01:27,315 And what did my dad do? 29 00:01:27,395 --> 00:01:31,387 Well, he came over, took you by the side, he walked me back to 30 00:01:31,411 --> 00:01:35,815 dad, talked to you for a few minutes, said, john, it's okay. 31 00:01:36,475 --> 00:01:40,735 It's trust the Lord, trust me, it's going to be fine. 32 00:01:41,475 --> 00:01:45,087 So then I would have that continual fear going to bed every 33 00:01:45,111 --> 00:01:45,675 night. 34 00:01:46,415 --> 00:01:50,551 So I remember a few nights later, right as I'm going, I'm being 35 00:01:50,583 --> 00:01:51,755 put down for bed. 36 00:01:52,135 --> 00:01:54,047 Mom, dad, mom and dad, I'm terrified. 37 00:01:54,111 --> 00:01:55,415 I can't fall asleep. 38 00:01:55,575 --> 00:01:57,983 There's a flood going to come across the entire community and take 39 00:01:57,999 --> 00:01:58,995 out our house. 40 00:02:00,215 --> 00:02:03,647 And my dad comes walking in graciously in the bedroom, along 41 00:02:03,711 --> 00:02:09,035 my bed there, looks at me in the eyes and he says, son, okay, 42 00:02:09,535 --> 00:02:11,635 trust the Lord, trust me. 43 00:02:12,735 --> 00:02:16,191 And I know telling that story, people have gone through some pretty 44 00:02:16,223 --> 00:02:18,551 traumatic experiences with floods in our country recently, right? 45 00:02:18,583 --> 00:02:21,151 So there are little, you know, little current events we can relate 46 00:02:21,183 --> 00:02:21,955 that to. 47 00:02:23,055 --> 00:02:26,975 But how many of us this year have found ourselves with thoughts 48 00:02:27,015 --> 00:02:30,583 of anxiety, thoughts of a loss of control? 49 00:02:30,759 --> 00:02:32,343 How do I handle this situation? 50 00:02:32,439 --> 00:02:33,487 I feel overwhelmed. 51 00:02:33,551 --> 00:02:35,395 I feel overburdened with something. 52 00:02:37,145 --> 00:02:39,617 And Paul is writing to the Philippians here, he's encouraging 53 00:02:39,641 --> 00:02:39,753 them. 54 00:02:39,769 --> 00:02:41,565 But where Is Paul writing this book from. 55 00:02:41,905 --> 00:02:46,353 Paul's not writing this book on the beaches of Pensacola, Florida, 56 00:02:46,449 --> 00:02:47,161 Right. 57 00:02:47,353 --> 00:02:49,825 He's not writing this down in Rehoboth beach, down in southern 58 00:02:49,865 --> 00:02:51,745 Delaware, drinking some lemonade? 59 00:02:51,825 --> 00:02:52,449 No. 60 00:02:52,617 --> 00:02:56,805 He is shackled up in prison for sharing the Gospel of Christ 61 00:02:57,785 --> 00:03:00,365 with a pagan society around him. 62 00:03:00,945 --> 00:03:02,965 And what is the focus of this book? 63 00:03:03,495 --> 00:03:07,839 The focus of this book is to remind the Philippians to have their 64 00:03:07,887 --> 00:03:09,115 joy in Christ. 65 00:03:10,175 --> 00:03:13,275 And who more could talk to that than Paul himself? 66 00:03:13,895 --> 00:03:17,351 Have he been imprisoned, focusing on the gospel, focusing 67 00:03:17,383 --> 00:03:18,235 on Christ. 68 00:03:20,295 --> 00:03:23,447 Now obviously the author of this book of Philippians is Paul, 69 00:03:23,511 --> 00:03:23,855 right? 70 00:03:23,935 --> 00:03:25,071 Paul the apostle of Jesus Christ. 71 00:03:25,103 --> 00:03:28,295 In Philippians chapter one it talks about that Paul's indication 72 00:03:28,335 --> 00:03:32,017 of his fate being decided in chapter one places his book's writing 73 00:03:32,081 --> 00:03:36,177 to around AD 61, which was towards the closing of the apostles 74 00:03:36,241 --> 00:03:37,765 two year Roman imprisonment. 75 00:03:38,265 --> 00:03:40,705 Key verse in the book of Philippians, Philippians 1, verse 76 00:03:40,745 --> 00:03:41,017 20. 77 00:03:41,081 --> 00:03:41,657 Paul writes this. 78 00:03:41,681 --> 00:03:45,977 He says, according to my earnest expectation and my hope that 79 00:03:46,001 --> 00:03:50,225 in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, 80 00:03:50,305 --> 00:03:55,033 so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it 81 00:03:55,049 --> 00:03:58,395 be by life or by death. 82 00:03:59,055 --> 00:04:01,799 As we're going to be digging into this book a little bit and getting 83 00:04:01,847 --> 00:04:05,647 working towards chapter four, I'm going to ask you, where has your 84 00:04:05,671 --> 00:04:06,795 heart been lately? 85 00:04:07,695 --> 00:04:09,303 There's been a lot going on this year, right? 86 00:04:09,319 --> 00:04:13,063 We had, we had major political days going on and major wars around 87 00:04:13,079 --> 00:04:17,679 the world and storms, personal life storms and health storms, tribulations 88 00:04:17,727 --> 00:04:19,315 going on in our personal lives. 89 00:04:20,335 --> 00:04:22,035 Has your heart been troubled? 90 00:04:22,364 --> 00:04:25,724 Has your heart been overburdened with cares in your life, 91 00:04:25,764 --> 00:04:27,144 the cares of this world? 92 00:04:29,164 --> 00:04:31,540 Well, let's echo with Paul here as we're looking at this, the 93 00:04:31,572 --> 00:04:34,748 Christ we magnified in our body, whether it's in our life now 94 00:04:34,796 --> 00:04:37,384 through all of our experiences, or whether it's by death. 95 00:04:37,844 --> 00:04:41,356 Paul says that he was ready, he was ready to give his life for 96 00:04:41,380 --> 00:04:43,424 Christ, if that's what God had called him to. 97 00:04:43,764 --> 00:04:45,548 So what was the book of Philippians written for? 98 00:04:45,636 --> 00:04:48,763 It was written to encourage the believers of Philippi to keep 99 00:04:48,819 --> 00:04:51,059 having their source of true joy and hope. 100 00:04:51,147 --> 00:04:55,467 In the purpose of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there may be terror 101 00:04:55,571 --> 00:04:59,131 and a temptation to fear, but there is a special and unique calling 102 00:04:59,163 --> 00:05:03,203 to embrace the power of the Gospel in one's regular day to day 103 00:05:03,219 --> 00:05:03,371 life. 104 00:05:03,403 --> 00:05:05,891 So what does the book of Philippians break down with chapter 105 00:05:05,923 --> 00:05:08,467 one we see that Paul, we see Paul's reading a testimony in the 106 00:05:08,491 --> 00:05:12,227 Gospel and indicated that with Philippians 1, 20, last part of Philippians 107 00:05:12,291 --> 00:05:16,623 128 through chapter 2 talking about Paul's exhortations standing 108 00:05:16,639 --> 00:05:21,015 firm persecution, being united in humility of mind, the humble mind 109 00:05:21,055 --> 00:05:24,807 of Christ, remembering Christ's example of humility, how 110 00:05:24,831 --> 00:05:29,255 he humbled himself for us the death of the cross whereby after 111 00:05:29,295 --> 00:05:33,095 he went through the process of humbling himself, being killed, being 112 00:05:33,135 --> 00:05:37,967 buried, rising again, being exalted at that name every knee will 113 00:05:37,991 --> 00:05:41,159 bow, every tummy will confess that Jesus Christ is God is just 114 00:05:41,207 --> 00:05:45,345 Lord, the glory of God the Father, that miraculous example of 115 00:05:45,385 --> 00:05:49,165 Christ's humility and submission to God the Father's purpose. 116 00:05:49,665 --> 00:05:52,065 And then in the last part of chapter two, it talks about how we're 117 00:05:52,105 --> 00:05:55,965 called to shine as lights in a dark world around us. 118 00:05:56,585 --> 00:05:59,801 Philippians chapter last part of Philippians 2 talks about Paul 119 00:05:59,833 --> 00:06:02,345 references a few partners in the Gospel people have been shining 120 00:06:02,385 --> 00:06:04,965 that light in that community around them. 121 00:06:06,065 --> 00:06:08,619 And then in chapter three there are some warnings that Paul 122 00:06:08,667 --> 00:06:12,459 gives about sticking true to knowing Christ. 123 00:06:12,547 --> 00:06:15,251 Philippians 3:10 that I may know him the power of his resurrection, 124 00:06:15,283 --> 00:06:17,651 the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable 125 00:06:17,683 --> 00:06:22,395 unto his death and then Paul's admonition in the first part of chapter 126 00:06:22,435 --> 00:06:24,775 four, his thankfulness and his farewell. 127 00:06:26,915 --> 00:06:31,187 So tonight we're going to focus on the idea of having a thankful 128 00:06:31,251 --> 00:06:32,655 heart of prayer. 129 00:06:33,165 --> 00:06:35,829 And In Philippians chapter 4, verses 1 through 7, we're going to 130 00:06:35,837 --> 00:06:40,309 see that God wants you to be faithful in life's circumstances. 131 00:06:40,397 --> 00:06:42,225 God wants you to be faithful. 132 00:06:43,045 --> 00:06:45,405 Don't throw in the towel, stick through with it. 133 00:06:45,445 --> 00:06:47,585 Be faithful what God has called you to be. 134 00:06:48,445 --> 00:06:49,557 And how are we going to see that tonight? 135 00:06:49,581 --> 00:06:52,549 We're going to see that through being faithful by observing 136 00:06:52,597 --> 00:06:54,701 two commands found here in Philippians chapter 4. 137 00:06:54,733 --> 00:06:55,653 The two commands are this. 138 00:06:55,709 --> 00:06:58,581 Number one, you must be steadfast in the Gospel work and 139 00:06:58,613 --> 00:07:01,685 number two, you must be steadfast in prayer. 140 00:07:02,025 --> 00:07:03,801 Let's look at Philippians chapter 4. 141 00:07:03,833 --> 00:07:05,045 Starting at verse 1. 142 00:07:06,065 --> 00:07:08,953 Paul writes, Therefore my brethren, dearly beloved, and long 143 00:07:09,009 --> 00:07:12,297 for my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord. 144 00:07:12,321 --> 00:07:16,313 My dearly beloved, I beseech Judeus and beseech Syntych, that 145 00:07:16,329 --> 00:07:19,601 they be of the same mind in the Lord and I entreat thee also 146 00:07:19,673 --> 00:07:22,881 true yoke fellow, help those women which labor with me in the 147 00:07:22,913 --> 00:07:26,457 Gospel, with Clement, also with other my fellow laborers, whose 148 00:07:26,481 --> 00:07:27,885 names are in the book of life. 149 00:07:28,495 --> 00:07:32,355 Rejoice in the Lord alway and again I say, rejoice. 150 00:07:33,215 --> 00:07:35,271 Let your moderation be known unto all men. 151 00:07:35,343 --> 00:07:36,755 The Lord is at hand. 152 00:07:37,455 --> 00:07:41,863 Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication 153 00:07:41,919 --> 00:07:46,447 with thanksgiving Let your request be known unto God and the 154 00:07:46,471 --> 00:07:50,359 peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your 155 00:07:50,407 --> 00:07:52,943 hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 156 00:07:53,119 --> 00:07:54,035 Let's pray. 157 00:07:54,565 --> 00:07:57,741 Dear Lord, I thank you for this encouraging reminder, Lord, 158 00:07:57,773 --> 00:08:01,965 for us to keep out to be faithful through life circumstances, 159 00:08:02,045 --> 00:08:04,213 Lord, being faithful to what you've called us to do, Lord, in 160 00:08:04,229 --> 00:08:07,573 the gospel, Lord, faithful to you've called us to be as your children, 161 00:08:07,629 --> 00:08:07,773 Lord. 162 00:08:07,789 --> 00:08:10,557 And I pray that you please help us tonight, Lord, to be reminded 163 00:08:10,581 --> 00:08:13,365 to be steadfast in your gospel work and be steadfast in prayer, 164 00:08:13,405 --> 00:08:14,117 Lord, be with this time. 165 00:08:14,141 --> 00:08:14,997 Let's look at your word. 166 00:08:15,061 --> 00:08:16,385 In Jesus name I pray. 167 00:08:16,965 --> 00:08:19,949 So the first point tonight, link faithful and life circumstances. 168 00:08:20,037 --> 00:08:22,815 First, be steadfast in the gospel. 169 00:08:22,855 --> 00:08:24,795 Philippians chapter 4, verse 1. 170 00:08:25,215 --> 00:08:29,407 It says, Therefore my dearly beloved, and long for my joy and 171 00:08:29,431 --> 00:08:29,591 crown. 172 00:08:29,623 --> 00:08:30,591 What's he referring to there? 173 00:08:30,623 --> 00:08:32,399 Right, that first word, therefore there. 174 00:08:32,487 --> 00:08:34,735 Pastor Josh has referenced his other sermons before. 175 00:08:34,815 --> 00:08:37,495 The word therefore there is referring to something in the previous 176 00:08:37,575 --> 00:08:38,167 context, right? 177 00:08:38,191 --> 00:08:39,055 It isn't just. 178 00:08:39,215 --> 00:08:40,151 Okay, here's his thoughts. 179 00:08:40,183 --> 00:08:41,755 Let's go back to chapter three. 180 00:08:42,255 --> 00:08:45,951 And Paul talks about the conversation or the lifestyle that 181 00:08:45,983 --> 00:08:47,383 we're called to live as Christians. 182 00:08:47,439 --> 00:08:52,045 Philippians 3:20 it says, For our conversation or our lifestyle 183 00:08:52,125 --> 00:08:53,749 is in heaven. 184 00:08:53,917 --> 00:08:56,805 See, I say the same ideas in Ephesians chapter two. 185 00:08:56,925 --> 00:08:57,853 We're called that. 186 00:08:57,869 --> 00:08:59,885 We're called in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. 187 00:08:59,925 --> 00:09:00,077 Right? 188 00:09:00,101 --> 00:09:01,389 We're focusing on Christ. 189 00:09:01,477 --> 00:09:05,277 We are focusing on his eternal plan for our life. 190 00:09:05,461 --> 00:09:08,093 We're focusing on his eternal purpose for what he has called us 191 00:09:08,109 --> 00:09:08,293 to do. 192 00:09:08,309 --> 00:09:09,905 And what is that ultimate purpose? 193 00:09:10,245 --> 00:09:10,901 Glad you asked. 194 00:09:10,933 --> 00:09:15,807 Verse 21 it says, who shall change our vile body, that it may 195 00:09:15,831 --> 00:09:18,863 be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working 196 00:09:18,919 --> 00:09:21,895 whereby he is able even to subdue all these unto himself. 197 00:09:21,975 --> 00:09:25,431 Colossians chapter one talks about this, how Christ is the originator. 198 00:09:25,503 --> 00:09:26,959 He is the creator of all things. 199 00:09:27,007 --> 00:09:28,855 He is the sustainer of all things. 200 00:09:28,975 --> 00:09:33,711 And it sums it up here in verse 21 that these ideas and it 201 00:09:33,743 --> 00:09:37,415 says of talking about Jesus Christ, who is even to subdue all 202 00:09:37,455 --> 00:09:38,423 things unto himself. 203 00:09:38,479 --> 00:09:42,127 So what does that mean, the situation that the Philippians are 204 00:09:42,151 --> 00:09:45,073 dealing with, the hardships they were going through, tribulation, 205 00:09:45,249 --> 00:09:50,993 persecution, pain, peril, even for Paul being in prison, being in 206 00:09:51,009 --> 00:09:54,365 prison for the Gospel, what does that mean for them? 207 00:09:54,745 --> 00:09:56,833 Jesus Christ has all things. 208 00:09:57,009 --> 00:09:58,249 He has the eternal purpose. 209 00:09:58,297 --> 00:10:01,817 Romans 8:28 we know that all things work together for good to 210 00:10:01,841 --> 00:10:04,673 them that are called, unto them that love God, to them who are 211 00:10:04,689 --> 00:10:07,525 the called according to his purpose, according to God's purpose 212 00:10:07,825 --> 00:10:11,315 And what is the ultimate purpose that were changed to become 213 00:10:11,395 --> 00:10:13,507 made like Jesus Christ. 214 00:10:13,691 --> 00:10:14,419 Isn't that exciting? 215 00:10:14,467 --> 00:10:15,415 That's awesome. 216 00:10:15,875 --> 00:10:17,427 But what does Paul say there in verse one? 217 00:10:17,451 --> 00:10:18,547 He says, so we're referring to this. 218 00:10:18,571 --> 00:10:21,443 He says, therefore my brethren. 219 00:10:21,579 --> 00:10:22,499 Now this is awesome. 220 00:10:22,547 --> 00:10:23,115 I love this. 221 00:10:23,155 --> 00:10:28,539 Because this isn't just, you know, okay, we're just, you know, 222 00:10:28,587 --> 00:10:28,867 going. 223 00:10:28,931 --> 00:10:30,899 And it's not like a blood relation. 224 00:10:30,987 --> 00:10:32,467 This is a spiritual relation. 225 00:10:32,531 --> 00:10:37,465 We are part of a family and specifically we are part of an ancestry. 226 00:10:38,045 --> 00:10:41,853 Paul knew that even though he may be separated by prison pars, 227 00:10:41,989 --> 00:10:45,905 even though he was miles and miles away from the city of Philippi, 228 00:10:46,525 --> 00:10:49,613 they were still a part of his spiritual family who are all a part 229 00:10:49,629 --> 00:10:52,917 of that spiritual family here in this building online. 230 00:10:52,981 --> 00:10:56,133 You're watching, you can't be here tonight, but you're a part of 231 00:10:56,149 --> 00:10:57,277 God's family also. 232 00:10:57,421 --> 00:10:59,517 We're all a part of God's family. 233 00:10:59,701 --> 00:11:02,991 And that brings unity, that brings that, that, that, that brings 234 00:11:03,023 --> 00:11:03,487 encouragement. 235 00:11:03,511 --> 00:11:07,383 Cuz we can rely on each other being a part of the body of Christ. 236 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:08,975 And that's what Paul was leading on. 237 00:11:09,015 --> 00:11:11,455 Paul had talked about that Philippians, you guys pulled through 238 00:11:11,495 --> 00:11:14,247 Philippians, you have been faithful to sending people to help 239 00:11:14,271 --> 00:11:15,835 me in my time of need. 240 00:11:16,535 --> 00:11:18,255 And that was reciprocated, right? 241 00:11:18,415 --> 00:11:18,975 That was that. 242 00:11:19,015 --> 00:11:19,751 That went both ways. 243 00:11:19,783 --> 00:11:22,247 Paul was supporting the Philippians, Philippians were supporting 244 00:11:22,271 --> 00:11:22,407 him. 245 00:11:22,431 --> 00:11:24,143 There's that relationship that was going on. 246 00:11:24,199 --> 00:11:25,795 We're a part of the spiritual. 247 00:11:27,065 --> 00:11:29,545 And so I mean, he says my brethren. 248 00:11:29,665 --> 00:11:32,433 But he goes on, how does he describe his brethren? 249 00:11:32,489 --> 00:11:34,925 He says, you are dearly beloved. 250 00:11:36,505 --> 00:11:41,641 A dearly beloved here means it is an esteemed or a favored or worthy 251 00:11:41,673 --> 00:11:42,445 of love. 252 00:11:44,785 --> 00:11:48,033 Now is everybody perfect? 253 00:11:48,129 --> 00:11:49,969 Those mistakes, right? 254 00:11:50,137 --> 00:11:52,849 There are mistakes in the different churches that Paul addressed 255 00:11:52,937 --> 00:11:54,115 during Paul's day. 256 00:11:54,265 --> 00:11:54,955 Right? 257 00:11:55,335 --> 00:11:57,919 But even though there is this, even though there is this disunity, 258 00:11:57,967 --> 00:12:00,143 even in chapter two he talks about that, how people. 259 00:12:00,239 --> 00:12:03,111 And he emphasizes this later on in verse two, where he says being 260 00:12:03,143 --> 00:12:04,983 of the same mind, he talks about it. 261 00:12:04,999 --> 00:12:08,271 They're indicating there's people of dissing or differing agreement, 262 00:12:08,383 --> 00:12:11,551 differing ideas here in the church of Philippi, right? 263 00:12:11,583 --> 00:12:15,351 But still be of the same mind, still be of the same focus in the 264 00:12:15,383 --> 00:12:16,111 Lord. 265 00:12:16,303 --> 00:12:19,839 And that brings this natural esteeming of building up each other. 266 00:12:19,887 --> 00:12:20,293 Right? 267 00:12:20,399 --> 00:12:22,065 Philippians chapter two talks about this. 268 00:12:22,105 --> 00:12:25,233 It says he calls us to esteem others better than ourselves. 269 00:12:25,289 --> 00:12:28,673 That word esteem there means to place a value on. 270 00:12:28,849 --> 00:12:31,225 And then he says to esteem others better than yourself. 271 00:12:31,265 --> 00:12:33,665 So it's saying to place a higher value on. 272 00:12:33,825 --> 00:12:36,605 Who said he set the ultimate example for that. 273 00:12:36,905 --> 00:12:40,825 What was the Lord Jesus Christ himself, because he came and he humbled 274 00:12:40,865 --> 00:12:44,765 himself and took on the form of a servant, was made in our likeness 275 00:12:45,465 --> 00:12:47,121 and was born literally in a manger. 276 00:12:47,153 --> 00:12:48,113 Everybody celebrate that here. 277 00:12:48,129 --> 00:12:50,253 In a month too, he humbled himself. 278 00:12:50,309 --> 00:12:51,985 The death of the cross for us. 279 00:12:52,285 --> 00:12:56,181 And God calls us to follow that same manner, to humble ourselves 280 00:12:56,253 --> 00:12:57,185 before him. 281 00:12:57,565 --> 00:12:59,997 But what made them highly favor, highly loved and favored of 282 00:13:00,021 --> 00:13:00,625 Paul. 283 00:13:01,005 --> 00:13:02,965 Verse 1, there, second part of verse 1. 284 00:13:03,005 --> 00:13:09,813 It says, My joy and crown now, Philippians 1:6. 285 00:13:09,869 --> 00:13:13,309 Paul having had told the Philippians, he said, being confident 286 00:13:13,357 --> 00:13:16,851 of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you 287 00:13:16,883 --> 00:13:18,763 will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. 288 00:13:18,859 --> 00:13:22,579 Paul knew that there was a good work that had been established 289 00:13:22,667 --> 00:13:23,115 in the. 290 00:13:23,155 --> 00:13:24,735 In the Church of Philippi. 291 00:13:25,435 --> 00:13:30,075 And God knew that that good work had not only started, but that 292 00:13:30,115 --> 00:13:31,971 God was going to continue it. 293 00:13:32,163 --> 00:13:35,411 God was going to be the one that would ultimately bring them 294 00:13:35,483 --> 00:13:36,603 through to that. 295 00:13:36,659 --> 00:13:37,995 That day of Jesus Christ, right? 296 00:13:38,035 --> 00:13:40,149 Going back to chapter three, verse 21, right? 297 00:13:40,267 --> 00:13:42,645 Being made like Jesus Christ. 298 00:13:43,265 --> 00:13:45,865 And so ultimately the focus all comes back to Christ. 299 00:13:45,905 --> 00:13:47,921 It all comes back to that purpose, right? 300 00:13:47,953 --> 00:13:52,761 Being steadfast in the Gospel work of redeeming, striving to seek 301 00:13:52,793 --> 00:13:55,841 out the people who lead Christ, living Christ, smiling Christ 302 00:13:55,873 --> 00:13:57,161 to those around us. 303 00:13:57,313 --> 00:13:58,121 That's what the Philip. 304 00:13:58,153 --> 00:14:00,009 That's what Paul was encouraging the Philippians with. 305 00:14:00,057 --> 00:14:03,793 Paul was going through difficult times, but he looked to 306 00:14:03,809 --> 00:14:06,925 the spiritual successes in his life and ministry. 307 00:14:07,685 --> 00:14:09,717 Maybe you're going through a discouraging time right now. 308 00:14:09,741 --> 00:14:14,221 Maybe you're going through an intense hardship, but how has God 309 00:14:14,253 --> 00:14:15,945 blessed you in your life this year? 310 00:14:16,605 --> 00:14:18,661 If you say, well, this year has been very difficult, think back 311 00:14:18,693 --> 00:14:19,665 in your past. 312 00:14:20,245 --> 00:14:21,865 How has God blessed you? 313 00:14:22,645 --> 00:14:25,425 How have you seen his goodness and provision in your time? 314 00:14:26,285 --> 00:14:30,237 Have you seen him just overflow his blessings upon you with 315 00:14:30,261 --> 00:14:31,105 his grace? 316 00:14:32,495 --> 00:14:34,875 Have you given him praise and gratitude for that? 317 00:14:35,655 --> 00:14:36,951 Have you recalled that the old. 318 00:14:36,983 --> 00:14:39,695 The old hymn, Count your many blessings right near them, one by 319 00:14:39,735 --> 00:14:42,991 one, and it will surprise you what the Lord have done. 320 00:14:43,023 --> 00:14:43,455 You know, it's. 321 00:14:43,495 --> 00:14:44,631 It's so easy. 322 00:14:44,823 --> 00:14:45,511 Um, I. 323 00:14:45,543 --> 00:14:46,671 I could find myself caught. 324 00:14:46,743 --> 00:14:48,143 I find myself getting. 325 00:14:48,319 --> 00:14:51,271 I get caught up with this, where I get all of this, these discouraging 326 00:14:51,303 --> 00:14:52,031 thoughts that come to mind. 327 00:14:52,063 --> 00:14:54,807 And I have to remind myself, God, you are good. 328 00:14:54,871 --> 00:14:55,903 God, you are faithful. 329 00:14:55,959 --> 00:14:57,463 God, your love endures forever. 330 00:14:57,519 --> 00:14:59,475 Your faithfulness reaches the skies. 331 00:15:01,515 --> 00:15:06,747 And you've done so much, truly in my life, all around me in the 332 00:15:06,771 --> 00:15:09,095 body of Christ and in my life personally. 333 00:15:09,555 --> 00:15:14,019 But it is through the difficult season as we fix our eyes 334 00:15:14,067 --> 00:15:16,699 on him, that he reminds us where we came from. 335 00:15:16,787 --> 00:15:17,575 And we. 336 00:15:18,995 --> 00:15:23,747 So the reason why we can remember these things is because 337 00:15:23,771 --> 00:15:25,947 it helps us to remind us, right, of the past, of what God has 338 00:15:25,971 --> 00:15:26,931 done in a good way. 339 00:15:27,003 --> 00:15:30,371 Am I saying to go back to be like, oh, I had this horrible cramp, 340 00:15:30,483 --> 00:15:32,643 you know, 20 years ago and I almost fell over dead. 341 00:15:32,699 --> 00:15:36,267 No, but afterwards, right, man, God, you healed me from that. 342 00:15:36,411 --> 00:15:37,475 You gave me the grace. 343 00:15:37,555 --> 00:15:39,027 You healed my body from that. 344 00:15:39,131 --> 00:15:40,163 I praise you for that. 345 00:15:40,219 --> 00:15:41,091 Thank you. 346 00:15:41,283 --> 00:15:42,819 And right now I'm going to trust you. 347 00:15:42,907 --> 00:15:44,931 And what I'm doing right now, I'm going to trust you, your purpose, 348 00:15:44,963 --> 00:15:46,495 and you plan for what you have for. 349 00:15:48,115 --> 00:15:51,971 But not only were they his crown and joy, but they also had 350 00:15:52,003 --> 00:15:53,699 this giving and receiving relationship. 351 00:15:53,747 --> 00:15:55,895 Look at Philippians 4, verse 15. 352 00:15:57,605 --> 00:16:01,141 Paul writes, he says, now you Philippians know also that in the 353 00:16:01,173 --> 00:16:07,149 beginning of the Gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church 354 00:16:07,197 --> 00:16:10,025 communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving. 355 00:16:10,485 --> 00:16:11,453 But ye only. 356 00:16:11,549 --> 00:16:12,557 What's Paul saying here? 357 00:16:12,581 --> 00:16:15,333 He's saying the other churches did not communicate with me as well 358 00:16:15,349 --> 00:16:16,341 as you did. 359 00:16:16,533 --> 00:16:18,045 You were communicating with me. 360 00:16:18,125 --> 00:16:21,405 You were supporting me as I was getting whipped, as I was being 361 00:16:21,445 --> 00:16:24,847 shipwrecked, as I was being bitten by snakes for the gospel, 362 00:16:24,991 --> 00:16:26,639 as I've been in prison here. 363 00:16:26,767 --> 00:16:29,395 The number one person who comes to mind is you guys. 364 00:16:31,335 --> 00:16:33,047 Is that how we feel about each other? 365 00:16:33,191 --> 00:16:34,075 Thank you. 366 00:16:35,135 --> 00:16:39,839 So thankful to be wonderful, wonderful body of Christ that God 367 00:16:39,887 --> 00:16:44,719 has here in our church by giving and receiving, relationship, 368 00:16:44,887 --> 00:16:45,607 reciprocating. 369 00:16:45,671 --> 00:16:47,195 Paul was thankful for them. 370 00:16:47,615 --> 00:16:50,167 Paul was thankful for that reciprocated relationship. 371 00:16:50,231 --> 00:16:55,217 Hey, you know, you still, you've been faithful in this fellowship 372 00:16:55,241 --> 00:16:56,325 in the Gospel. 373 00:16:56,825 --> 00:16:58,161 Have you been faithful this year? 374 00:16:58,193 --> 00:17:02,833 Have you been faithful in the last month or two, as maybe some, 375 00:17:02,929 --> 00:17:04,825 you know, some really difficult times have come on? 376 00:17:04,865 --> 00:17:07,441 Have you said, you know what, maybe I've forgotten that we get 377 00:17:07,473 --> 00:17:08,409 back on track. 378 00:17:08,577 --> 00:17:09,841 You can do that tonight. 379 00:17:09,993 --> 00:17:13,297 Do that tonight by reminding yourself of what God has done for 380 00:17:13,321 --> 00:17:13,913 you. 381 00:17:14,089 --> 00:17:17,085 But what caused Paul to long for the Philippians? 382 00:17:17,675 --> 00:17:20,643 He knew they had differing opinions, and he encourages them 383 00:17:20,659 --> 00:17:21,867 to be of the same mind. 384 00:17:22,011 --> 00:17:25,155 Verses two, two through three, and in the Lord, look at verse two 385 00:17:25,195 --> 00:17:25,371 again. 386 00:17:25,403 --> 00:17:28,867 It says, I beseech Judeus and beseech Chintzentik to be of the 387 00:17:28,891 --> 00:17:30,255 same mind in the Lord. 388 00:17:30,995 --> 00:17:36,227 And right here Paul is saying, these two people need to be on the 389 00:17:36,251 --> 00:17:38,451 same page about whatever it is in that church of Philippi. 390 00:17:38,483 --> 00:17:42,135 They have to be unified in that same mind in the Lord. 391 00:17:42,765 --> 00:17:43,317 Right? 392 00:17:43,421 --> 00:17:46,665 He longed for that he longed to be there to have that fellowship. 393 00:17:47,165 --> 00:17:48,157 But it was in the Lord. 394 00:17:48,181 --> 00:17:51,597 But also verse three, it says that they had worked alongside him 395 00:17:51,621 --> 00:17:52,189 for the gospel. 396 00:17:52,237 --> 00:17:52,701 Verse 3. 397 00:17:52,733 --> 00:17:57,285 I entreat the also true yoke fellow help those women which labored 398 00:17:57,325 --> 00:18:00,565 with me in the gospel, with Clement also, who with other my fellow 399 00:18:00,605 --> 00:18:02,825 laborers whose names are in the book of life. 400 00:18:03,165 --> 00:18:04,505 I can think about people. 401 00:18:05,205 --> 00:18:07,685 People have been faithful to serving God through the years. 402 00:18:07,725 --> 00:18:10,425 People who have passed on, who aren't here anymore. 403 00:18:11,125 --> 00:18:15,597 Their testimony shine as lights in this world because they 404 00:18:15,621 --> 00:18:17,225 were faithful to thee. 405 00:18:17,765 --> 00:18:20,613 Are you being faithful to the end with what God has called you 406 00:18:20,629 --> 00:18:21,465 to go through? 407 00:18:22,125 --> 00:18:25,781 Are you being faithful to living in the Gospel that no matter 408 00:18:25,813 --> 00:18:29,305 what happens, you're keeping your hope and your focus on God? 409 00:18:30,165 --> 00:18:31,985 So he knew they had differing opinions. 410 00:18:32,725 --> 00:18:35,623 He encouraged to be of the same mind of they had worked alongside 411 00:18:35,679 --> 00:18:36,835 him for the Gospel. 412 00:18:37,335 --> 00:18:40,991 Some were named, others were unnamed, by the way, but all of the 413 00:18:41,023 --> 00:18:42,435 names were in the book of life. 414 00:18:43,855 --> 00:18:45,663 Those who were known, those who are unknown. 415 00:18:45,799 --> 00:18:46,583 God knows. 416 00:18:46,679 --> 00:18:47,815 And God knows you. 417 00:18:47,935 --> 00:18:51,711 Maybe you're at home right now and you're like, has God forgotten 418 00:18:51,743 --> 00:18:52,103 me? 419 00:18:52,199 --> 00:18:53,395 No, he hasn't. 420 00:18:53,775 --> 00:18:54,863 God is still faithful. 421 00:18:54,919 --> 00:18:56,755 Keep being faithful with the gospel. 422 00:18:57,975 --> 00:19:00,195 Verse 4. 423 00:19:02,345 --> 00:19:03,153 It's my page here. 424 00:19:03,169 --> 00:19:04,201 Which one is on first? 425 00:19:04,273 --> 00:19:04,999 Philippians 4. 426 00:19:05,058 --> 00:19:05,321 4. 427 00:19:05,353 --> 00:19:07,017 It says, Rejoice in the Lord alway. 428 00:19:07,081 --> 00:19:09,085 And again I say rejoice. 429 00:19:09,665 --> 00:19:11,353 And what does this word rejoice here mean? 430 00:19:11,409 --> 00:19:12,681 Obviously they go, hey, what? 431 00:19:12,793 --> 00:19:13,505 Joyful, right? 432 00:19:13,545 --> 00:19:13,865 Joyful. 433 00:19:13,905 --> 00:19:14,145 Joyful. 434 00:19:14,185 --> 00:19:14,617 We adore. 435 00:19:14,641 --> 00:19:19,033 The chrysos is coming up being joyful for the Lord, but specifically 436 00:19:19,089 --> 00:19:23,489 to make happy, to lift someone's spirits, to fill them with 437 00:19:23,537 --> 00:19:23,785 joy. 438 00:19:23,825 --> 00:19:26,605 And I mean, this is not just an external thing. 439 00:19:27,585 --> 00:19:28,449 This is not just. 440 00:19:28,537 --> 00:19:29,697 You're walking by. 441 00:19:29,841 --> 00:19:30,977 Maybe you're going through the. 442 00:19:31,041 --> 00:19:31,385 Through the. 443 00:19:31,425 --> 00:19:32,457 To the grocery store. 444 00:19:32,481 --> 00:19:35,017 Maybe you're going through Walmart because decorations are up 445 00:19:35,041 --> 00:19:38,121 and you're like, it's nice, but I hate Christmas. 446 00:19:38,153 --> 00:19:38,481 I don't know. 447 00:19:38,513 --> 00:19:40,185 I'm just saying for an example, right? 448 00:19:40,305 --> 00:19:41,977 I've been there before a couple of days. 449 00:19:42,001 --> 00:19:42,705 I'm like miserable. 450 00:19:42,745 --> 00:19:45,345 And I'm like, no, you know, I'll walk by with me or whatever. 451 00:19:45,385 --> 00:19:46,809 Oh, yes, decorations. 452 00:19:46,857 --> 00:19:48,993 I'll walk out of the store like, oh, that's over with. 453 00:19:49,049 --> 00:19:50,125 My energy's done. 454 00:19:51,665 --> 00:19:54,737 But this is that true inward joy, right? 455 00:19:54,841 --> 00:19:56,385 It's like Buddy the elf, right? 456 00:19:56,425 --> 00:19:58,617 Someone like that where someone who's truly joyful, whereas 457 00:19:58,641 --> 00:20:01,657 it's coming out of your heart, you're just joyful in Christ. 458 00:20:01,721 --> 00:20:05,225 This is this inward reality that's not being Manufactured. 459 00:20:05,345 --> 00:20:06,561 It's not being fake. 460 00:20:06,673 --> 00:20:07,925 It's just real. 461 00:20:08,225 --> 00:20:13,121 The real deal between you and God and between others around you. 462 00:20:13,273 --> 00:20:15,193 Paul encourages the Philippians. 463 00:20:15,249 --> 00:20:18,775 He says, rejoice in the Lord always. 464 00:20:18,855 --> 00:20:20,155 Now let me ask you a question. 465 00:20:20,735 --> 00:20:24,247 When a guy is interested in the girl, does the guy just sit back 466 00:20:24,271 --> 00:20:28,391 and be like, oh, that's great, you know, she's a nice girl, she's 467 00:20:28,423 --> 00:20:29,075 cute. 468 00:20:29,855 --> 00:20:31,275 Is that how guys are? 469 00:20:31,695 --> 00:20:34,295 No, guys are like talking about it, right? 470 00:20:34,375 --> 00:20:36,327 They're calling their friends or texting their friends and they're 471 00:20:36,351 --> 00:20:40,407 like, oh, you know, you know, I'll give you an example, Joy, right? 472 00:20:40,471 --> 00:20:43,191 So I remember I was working construction down in Florida and 473 00:20:43,223 --> 00:20:43,991 Joy and I started. 474 00:20:44,063 --> 00:20:44,295 I. 475 00:20:44,335 --> 00:20:46,123 I had gone to um, her. 476 00:20:46,179 --> 00:20:49,347 To her brother's, my brother in law's wedding, your sister's weddings. 477 00:20:49,491 --> 00:20:52,491 And afterwards, I remember I was, I actually this time I kept 478 00:20:52,523 --> 00:20:53,171 the secret to myself. 479 00:20:53,203 --> 00:20:56,027 I wasn't sharing it too much at first, but I remember I was out 480 00:20:56,051 --> 00:20:58,347 there, you know, I was like, I was texting when I was, you know, 481 00:20:58,371 --> 00:20:58,555 trying. 482 00:20:58,595 --> 00:20:59,667 I was cutting concrete actually. 483 00:20:59,691 --> 00:21:00,819 It's a huge concrete saw. 484 00:21:00,907 --> 00:21:02,747 So I'm out here and I had these concrete lines. 485 00:21:02,771 --> 00:21:04,363 So this is on the campanile, by the way. 486 00:21:04,499 --> 00:21:06,691 They can't see if any crooked lines or anything. 487 00:21:06,723 --> 00:21:07,491 That's why. 488 00:21:07,643 --> 00:21:11,891 But, but I remember I was getting the concrete sauce it up 489 00:21:12,003 --> 00:21:16,443 and I was texting Joy and literally my mind just wandered and 490 00:21:16,499 --> 00:21:17,987 the psalm wandered with it. 491 00:21:18,171 --> 00:21:19,963 There was a horrible crooked line. 492 00:21:20,059 --> 00:21:22,851 I had to go and actually cut it straight and actually take out 493 00:21:22,883 --> 00:21:24,675 more concrete because I got distracted by it. 494 00:21:24,715 --> 00:21:25,155 Right. 495 00:21:25,275 --> 00:21:26,755 Maybe some of you guys can relate. 496 00:21:26,875 --> 00:21:28,427 Maybe some of you girls can relate. 497 00:21:28,531 --> 00:21:28,747 Right? 498 00:21:28,771 --> 00:21:29,971 And you're like, yes. 499 00:21:30,123 --> 00:21:33,563 You know, there's lights that shine as bells that ring. 500 00:21:33,619 --> 00:21:34,215 Right? 501 00:21:34,875 --> 00:21:35,235 Right. 502 00:21:35,275 --> 00:21:38,055 Potential life, mates, a friend for the rest of my life. 503 00:21:38,515 --> 00:21:39,255 Right. 504 00:21:39,835 --> 00:21:40,815 But why? 505 00:21:41,875 --> 00:21:44,603 Well, for a guy it brings, it brings a lot of excitement to think 506 00:21:44,619 --> 00:21:48,055 about the potential of having a lifelong partner and help me. 507 00:21:48,595 --> 00:21:51,643 I remember the first month I got married, guys, the first month 508 00:21:51,699 --> 00:21:52,347 I got married. 509 00:21:52,371 --> 00:21:53,019 Nazi. 510 00:21:53,147 --> 00:21:55,259 I was single until I was 26 years old. 511 00:21:55,387 --> 00:21:57,995 I was in Florida for about five years post college. 512 00:21:58,075 --> 00:22:02,347 Came out to Baltimore by myself, left all of my friends, came 513 00:22:02,371 --> 00:22:03,147 out to Baltimore. 514 00:22:03,211 --> 00:22:04,471 Dark city of Baltimore. 515 00:22:04,503 --> 00:22:04,967 Okay? 516 00:22:05,071 --> 00:22:07,919 For 18 months I had no friends around there. 517 00:22:07,967 --> 00:22:09,599 I tried, but it was. 518 00:22:09,727 --> 00:22:12,155 But who I had as a friend, Joy. 519 00:22:13,135 --> 00:22:16,455 And I remember the first month we were married, it was so weird 520 00:22:16,495 --> 00:22:19,279 because I walked, I walked through the living room and I'm like, 521 00:22:19,407 --> 00:22:20,735 oh, Joy's home. 522 00:22:20,895 --> 00:22:21,995 This is true. 523 00:22:22,415 --> 00:22:23,615 My best friend. 524 00:22:23,775 --> 00:22:26,103 My best friend I've been talking to you for three years, and 525 00:22:26,119 --> 00:22:30,617 it's like, wow, I know that sounds silly, but that's the fulfillment 526 00:22:30,641 --> 00:22:31,841 of that, you know? 527 00:22:31,913 --> 00:22:32,145 But. 528 00:22:32,185 --> 00:22:33,337 But what is. 529 00:22:33,481 --> 00:22:35,565 But what is that rejoicing for us? 530 00:22:35,865 --> 00:22:37,601 It's that longing with Christ. 531 00:22:37,793 --> 00:22:40,897 It's that longing with being with him for all eternity, thinking 532 00:22:40,921 --> 00:22:43,945 about how we're going to see him face to face to be able to behold 533 00:22:43,985 --> 00:22:45,241 him in all of his glory. 534 00:22:45,353 --> 00:22:48,525 The Lamb of God, which has taken away the sin of the world. 535 00:22:48,985 --> 00:22:50,081 My Redeemer. 536 00:22:50,193 --> 00:22:51,337 Your Redeemer. 537 00:22:51,481 --> 00:22:53,485 Being able to see him face to face. 538 00:22:53,985 --> 00:22:56,291 Being able to know, you know what. 539 00:22:56,403 --> 00:22:58,691 Yeah, there were two relations on earth, but now it's all passed 540 00:22:58,723 --> 00:22:59,131 away. 541 00:22:59,243 --> 00:23:02,575 No more tears, no more sorrow, no more pain. 542 00:23:03,155 --> 00:23:06,015 Able to rejoice in the presence of Christ Jesus. 543 00:23:06,675 --> 00:23:08,735 How is your relationship with God? 544 00:23:09,235 --> 00:23:11,595 When you have the opportunity to get a glimpse of God, how do you 545 00:23:11,635 --> 00:23:12,335 respond? 546 00:23:13,715 --> 00:23:14,843 Now we can fast forward. 547 00:23:14,899 --> 00:23:17,771 I think I mentioned this before in my previous message with 548 00:23:17,803 --> 00:23:19,099 spousal eye contact. 549 00:23:19,267 --> 00:23:22,381 I'm not sure if you heard of that before, and I've heard the thing. 550 00:23:22,453 --> 00:23:26,465 Maybe you can confirm or not, but spousal eye contact, basically, 551 00:23:26,925 --> 00:23:29,381 when a spouse is being intentional in the relationship, 552 00:23:29,413 --> 00:23:31,373 they're making direct eye contact, right? 553 00:23:31,549 --> 00:23:33,909 But if they're not being intentional, they're like intentionally, 554 00:23:33,957 --> 00:23:36,549 like, you know, kind of looking away, you know, and they're 555 00:23:36,557 --> 00:23:38,813 not making that intentional eye contact because, like, there's 556 00:23:38,829 --> 00:23:39,597 an issue going on. 557 00:23:39,621 --> 00:23:39,885 Whatever. 558 00:23:39,925 --> 00:23:40,845 I want to talk about it. 559 00:23:40,885 --> 00:23:41,465 Right. 560 00:23:41,965 --> 00:23:42,861 But is that how. 561 00:23:42,893 --> 00:23:48,303 How is that with us, with God, you know, and myself included in 562 00:23:48,319 --> 00:23:48,543 that? 563 00:23:48,599 --> 00:23:51,783 There's times where I have to watch myself, because a lot of times 564 00:23:51,839 --> 00:23:56,503 I can just be so down the grindstone that I can forget to look 565 00:23:56,519 --> 00:23:57,435 up at Christ. 566 00:23:57,775 --> 00:24:00,247 I can forget to remember my purpose. 567 00:24:00,391 --> 00:24:04,079 I get so caught up with the motions of my life that I forget 568 00:24:04,127 --> 00:24:06,355 to rely on him for help, for his strength. 569 00:24:07,455 --> 00:24:09,535 But when you have the opportunity to get a glimpse of God, 570 00:24:09,575 --> 00:24:10,735 how do you respond? 571 00:24:10,895 --> 00:24:15,425 Paul here encourages us to rejoice in the Lord always. 572 00:24:16,085 --> 00:24:19,865 And he says again in Ephesus, here again to rejoice. 573 00:24:20,605 --> 00:24:21,989 So let's go down to the next verse. 574 00:24:22,037 --> 00:24:22,869 Verse 5. 575 00:24:23,037 --> 00:24:25,509 Let your moderation be known unto all men. 576 00:24:25,597 --> 00:24:26,605 The Lord is at hand. 577 00:24:26,645 --> 00:24:28,533 And moderation here, I love this moderation. 578 00:24:28,589 --> 00:24:32,785 The word simply means this good, gentle or patient. 579 00:24:33,405 --> 00:24:34,341 Titus 3:2. 580 00:24:34,373 --> 00:24:38,141 This word is used to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, 581 00:24:38,173 --> 00:24:41,787 but gentle, showing all meekness unto all man. 582 00:24:41,811 --> 00:24:44,971 The word gentle there is the word for moderation, right? 583 00:24:45,003 --> 00:24:46,747 Be gentle to all those around us. 584 00:24:46,811 --> 00:24:48,067 James chapter 3, verse 17. 585 00:24:48,131 --> 00:24:50,627 Talking about God's wisdom, the wisdom that is from above is 586 00:24:50,651 --> 00:24:54,843 first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily being treated, full 587 00:24:54,859 --> 00:24:57,211 of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy. 588 00:24:57,243 --> 00:24:57,515 Gentle. 589 00:24:57,555 --> 00:25:00,771 There once again is mentioned first Peter 2:18, the last verse 590 00:25:00,803 --> 00:25:04,235 for this word for reference here, servants, be subject to your 591 00:25:04,275 --> 00:25:08,637 masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but 592 00:25:08,661 --> 00:25:09,477 also the fro word. 593 00:25:09,501 --> 00:25:10,853 So there is a natural inclination, right? 594 00:25:10,869 --> 00:25:12,941 We have a gentle master who we're working for. 595 00:25:13,053 --> 00:25:13,917 They have a gentle. 596 00:25:13,981 --> 00:25:14,965 They have that gentle nature. 597 00:25:15,005 --> 00:25:16,965 It's easy to follow them, right? 598 00:25:17,085 --> 00:25:20,373 And as, and as we are discovering we are knowing God, we 599 00:25:20,389 --> 00:25:22,149 are seeking that relationship with Him. 600 00:25:22,237 --> 00:25:25,197 We know of his gentleness and his natural overflow that comes in 601 00:25:25,221 --> 00:25:27,385 and through us as we have that relationship with Him. 602 00:25:28,565 --> 00:25:31,909 But by rejoicing in the Lord, we learn from his kindness and goodness 603 00:25:31,957 --> 00:25:33,807 and we learn to yield things to Him. 604 00:25:33,901 --> 00:25:37,179 Now here specifically, it is things related to within God's control 605 00:25:37,227 --> 00:25:39,251 and is not, is not supposed to be us. 606 00:25:39,403 --> 00:25:41,627 And this is why Paul writes unto all men, right? 607 00:25:41,651 --> 00:25:42,627 Not, not just a certain things. 608 00:25:42,651 --> 00:25:44,139 But this is written for everybody. 609 00:25:44,307 --> 00:25:46,755 But it says the Lord is at hand. 610 00:25:46,915 --> 00:25:50,611 Remembering the near coming of the Lord helps us to stir up within 611 00:25:50,643 --> 00:25:52,659 us the reality of his soon coming return. 612 00:25:52,707 --> 00:25:54,587 What does that mean, Christ's return? 613 00:25:54,651 --> 00:25:57,515 Everything's gonna be resolved eventually when we can relinquish 614 00:25:57,555 --> 00:25:59,695 any problem or struggle to God. 615 00:26:00,385 --> 00:26:03,697 By having this disposition of yielding this to God, it puts us 616 00:26:03,721 --> 00:26:06,405 into a focus of prayer towards him. 617 00:26:06,785 --> 00:26:10,005 We the last two verses give an explanation to be done. 618 00:26:10,425 --> 00:26:12,065 Philippians, chapter 4, verse 6. 619 00:26:12,105 --> 00:26:14,201 It says, Be careful for nothing. 620 00:26:14,393 --> 00:26:17,793 But in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, 621 00:26:17,969 --> 00:26:20,805 let your request be made known unto God. 622 00:26:21,225 --> 00:26:22,577 The first phrase there, be careful. 623 00:26:22,601 --> 00:26:24,889 I know Pastor Josh references before, be careful for nothing. 624 00:26:24,937 --> 00:26:25,965 Don't be anxious. 625 00:26:26,545 --> 00:26:30,385 Don't take things with the burden with a burden. 626 00:26:30,545 --> 00:26:32,849 God has not called us to carry the burden to ourselves. 627 00:26:32,897 --> 00:26:34,725 We're called to give it to Him. 628 00:26:35,105 --> 00:26:36,041 I love the reference. 629 00:26:36,073 --> 00:26:38,045 Matthew chapter 6, verse 25. 630 00:26:38,505 --> 00:26:41,361 Christ says, Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your 631 00:26:41,393 --> 00:26:44,753 life what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for 632 00:26:44,769 --> 00:26:47,065 your body what ye shall put on. 633 00:26:47,145 --> 00:26:50,793 Is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment? 634 00:26:50,889 --> 00:26:53,591 This is the exact same idea what he's talking about. 635 00:26:53,663 --> 00:26:55,275 Take no thought for your life. 636 00:26:55,655 --> 00:26:59,647 Maybe with how things have gotten more difficult, more difficult, 637 00:26:59,711 --> 00:27:02,975 more difficult to afford things like food, clothing, housing, 638 00:27:03,015 --> 00:27:05,047 maybe even different things like that. 639 00:27:05,191 --> 00:27:06,415 Christ says, don't. 640 00:27:06,495 --> 00:27:10,391 They don't take a one thought of anxiety about that. 641 00:27:10,543 --> 00:27:11,575 Give it to God. 642 00:27:11,695 --> 00:27:12,423 Give it to Him. 643 00:27:12,479 --> 00:27:14,355 Turn those struggles over to Him. 644 00:27:17,055 --> 00:27:18,447 But Jesus used the wording here. 645 00:27:18,471 --> 00:27:21,145 He says, be careful for nothing. 646 00:27:21,185 --> 00:27:21,977 Sorry, Paul says this. 647 00:27:22,001 --> 00:27:24,337 He says, but by saying this, though, he's saying, don't take no 648 00:27:24,361 --> 00:27:25,489 doubt for one's life. 649 00:27:25,617 --> 00:27:27,033 Don't get overworked, concerned, right? 650 00:27:27,049 --> 00:27:29,897 Maybe for the college bills, maybe for whatever burden there is 651 00:27:29,921 --> 00:27:30,481 in your life. 652 00:27:30,553 --> 00:27:31,777 Don't get overburdened with it. 653 00:27:31,801 --> 00:27:33,405 Don't get overworked about it. 654 00:27:33,745 --> 00:27:35,845 Don't you believe that God would take care of you? 655 00:27:36,465 --> 00:27:38,445 Isn't that what Christ told His disciples? 656 00:27:39,385 --> 00:27:39,777 You know? 657 00:27:39,801 --> 00:27:41,569 Don't you believe that God the Father will take care of you? 658 00:27:41,577 --> 00:27:44,049 If he cares for a small sparrow that falls out of a tree, 659 00:27:44,217 --> 00:27:45,721 how much more does he care about you? 660 00:27:45,753 --> 00:27:47,085 Does he care about Me? 661 00:27:47,715 --> 00:27:49,035 What's the cure for worry? 662 00:27:49,155 --> 00:27:50,775 The cure for worry will be done. 663 00:27:51,595 --> 00:27:53,723 Second part of verse six, it says, but in everything, by prayer 664 00:27:53,739 --> 00:27:56,163 and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be 665 00:27:56,179 --> 00:27:57,259 known unto God. 666 00:27:57,427 --> 00:27:59,787 And the peace of God that passeth all understanding should 667 00:27:59,811 --> 00:28:02,107 keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 668 00:28:02,251 --> 00:28:05,179 First word, there is prayer, disposition towards God. 669 00:28:05,267 --> 00:28:07,307 When we're praying to God, we are talking to him. 670 00:28:07,331 --> 00:28:08,339 We are looking at Him. 671 00:28:08,427 --> 00:28:10,627 The second word he uses there is supplications. 672 00:28:10,771 --> 00:28:14,087 These are petitions or earnest requests for bringing before him, 673 00:28:14,251 --> 00:28:14,551 right? 674 00:28:14,583 --> 00:28:15,103 So we're. 675 00:28:15,199 --> 00:28:17,295 We're praying, we're turning towards God. 676 00:28:17,375 --> 00:28:19,395 We're bringing these petitions before Him. 677 00:28:19,735 --> 00:28:22,503 But it says that it comes with thanksgiving. 678 00:28:22,639 --> 00:28:23,839 That's gratitude. 679 00:28:23,927 --> 00:28:27,095 And this is an active, grateful language. 680 00:28:27,255 --> 00:28:30,275 So as you're mentioning this, you are having gratitude. 681 00:28:30,895 --> 00:28:32,155 What does that mean? 682 00:28:33,375 --> 00:28:35,555 The result may not be what you want it to be. 683 00:28:36,095 --> 00:28:37,515 You thought about that before. 684 00:28:37,895 --> 00:28:40,207 Maybe you've had an issue that you've been praying about and you're 685 00:28:40,231 --> 00:28:42,647 like, lord, I really, really, really want this. 686 00:28:42,791 --> 00:28:43,071 Why? 687 00:28:43,103 --> 00:28:44,995 I really, really, really don't want this. 688 00:28:45,375 --> 00:28:47,487 I have situations like that in my now, in my life where I'm praying 689 00:28:47,511 --> 00:28:50,231 about and I'm like, lord, I really, really want this. 690 00:28:50,383 --> 00:28:51,755 But is that what you want? 691 00:28:52,095 --> 00:28:56,703 You know, and what it comes down to is yielding both situations, 692 00:28:56,759 --> 00:28:59,367 both results to whatever it is, and giving it to him, yielding 693 00:28:59,391 --> 00:29:00,183 it to Him. 694 00:29:00,319 --> 00:29:02,755 Because at the end of the day, who's really in control of it? 695 00:29:03,415 --> 00:29:04,327 God is. 696 00:29:04,471 --> 00:29:08,173 So let's give it to him and have that gratitude and that thankfulness 697 00:29:08,319 --> 00:29:09,805 by yielding it to Him. 698 00:29:10,185 --> 00:29:15,281 And then verse seven, the peace of God which passeth all understanding. 699 00:29:15,473 --> 00:29:17,805 The peace of God here is tranquility. 700 00:29:18,225 --> 00:29:20,925 Now we use the beach vibe in a good way, right? 701 00:29:21,625 --> 00:29:24,737 How many love going to the beach, love going mountain hiking 702 00:29:24,761 --> 00:29:25,777 in the mountains. 703 00:29:25,961 --> 00:29:28,017 Whatever your release is, maybe you just like, you know what, 704 00:29:28,041 --> 00:29:30,925 I'm sitting the couch and read a good book, right? 705 00:29:31,265 --> 00:29:33,953 Whatever it is, fill in the blank with, oh, you know what if 706 00:29:33,969 --> 00:29:36,321 I can just sit down and, and do nothing. 707 00:29:36,473 --> 00:29:37,137 Maybe the opposite. 708 00:29:37,161 --> 00:29:38,873 Maybe you're someone who has to go to something crazy like go 709 00:29:38,889 --> 00:29:40,321 on vacation or whatever, I don't know. 710 00:29:40,433 --> 00:29:41,881 Or whatever it is, right? 711 00:29:42,033 --> 00:29:45,805 Think about that moment where it's just like, oh, that's so nice. 712 00:29:46,705 --> 00:29:50,137 That's the peace of God, tranquility, that rest. 713 00:29:50,281 --> 00:29:53,401 And also it ties in with security and safety, right? 714 00:29:53,433 --> 00:29:57,565 If you're relaxing, are you fearful about getting hurt? 715 00:29:57,865 --> 00:29:58,605 No. 716 00:29:59,465 --> 00:29:59,945 And that's. 717 00:29:59,985 --> 00:30:02,105 But that's also tied in with this peace of God. 718 00:30:02,145 --> 00:30:05,415 Here it says, the peace of God's passage of understanding shall 719 00:30:05,455 --> 00:30:08,927 keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, God is going 720 00:30:08,951 --> 00:30:09,463 to protect you. 721 00:30:09,479 --> 00:30:14,911 That word keep their means to protect by a military guard so the 722 00:30:14,943 --> 00:30:17,727 power of God will sustain you and bring you through the tribulations 723 00:30:17,751 --> 00:30:18,635 in your life. 724 00:30:20,415 --> 00:30:21,799 So my last question is this. 725 00:30:21,847 --> 00:30:24,703 Will you be faithful in your life circumstances? 726 00:30:24,799 --> 00:30:27,679 Will you be faithful in living by the Gospel? 727 00:30:27,807 --> 00:30:31,119 Will you be faithful through living a prayer life of thankfulness 728 00:30:31,167 --> 00:30:32,075 before God? 729 00:30:33,285 --> 00:30:35,869 Thank you again for listening to the Middletown Baptist Church 730 00:30:35,917 --> 00:30:36,645 podcast. 731 00:30:36,805 --> 00:30:39,385 I hope that this sermon has been a blessing for you. 732 00:30:39,765 --> 00:30:42,021 If you would like to find out more information about our church 733 00:30:42,053 --> 00:30:45,701 or this sermon, you can find us at middletownbaptistchurch.org 734 00:30:45,853 --> 00:30:48,625 or find us on Facebook or YouTube. 735 00:30:49,085 --> 00:30:53,549 You can also email me directly at joshmasaroiddletownbaptistchurch 736 00:30:53,597 --> 00:30:58,029 dot com if you've enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and follow 737 00:30:58,077 --> 00:31:01,105 along for future podcast and updates. 738 00:31:01,445 --> 00:31:02,557 Thank you so much. 739 00:31:02,701 --> 00:31:03,533 God Bless. 740 00:31:03,669 --> 00:31:04,685 Have a wonderful day.