The Gospel and Integrity
Series: Gospel Life
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 3rd August 2025
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16
00:00:00 --> 00:00:01 Well, good morning, everyone.
00:00:02 --> 00:00:05 I've met you before, my name's Steve, lead pastor here at St Paul's,
00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 ! and we're continuing on in our series in Thessalonians.
00:00:10 --> 00:00:15 You may have heard a statement, you hear it in social media,
00:00:15 --> 00:00:16 in the media a little bit nowadays.
00:00:17 --> 00:00:21 The statement, the question is, where are all the leaders?
00:00:21 --> 00:00:22 Where have they gone?
00:00:22 --> 00:00:28 In fact, it's a statement which has been given a rise really since the 1990s
00:00:28 --> 00:00:33 as people, there's this perception as you look out in society,
00:00:33 --> 00:00:36 you look in business world, other things like that,
00:00:36 --> 00:00:40 is where are the leaders in a traditional sense, the leaders,
00:00:40 --> 00:00:43 people of integrity, people of vision,
00:00:44 --> 00:00:48 people who actually are not in the position of leadership,
00:00:48 --> 00:00:52 a personal gain, but for the overall good of society,
00:00:52 --> 00:00:53 where are those leaders?
00:00:54 --> 00:00:57 You look in the political realm, there's a great deal of distrust
00:00:57 --> 00:01:02 in institutions and the political realm because of the sense
00:01:02 --> 00:01:08 that we're in this role and the extent of our vision
00:01:08 --> 00:01:12 is the next election campaign to ensure that we stay in power.
00:01:12 --> 00:01:14 Where are the leaders?
00:01:14 --> 00:01:19 And that's certainly the case as well when you look at the Christian church.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:23 Where are the leaders in the Christian church?
00:01:23 --> 00:01:30 In fact, in recent weeks, a Christian pastor and his wife in Denver, Colorado,
00:01:30 --> 00:01:34 have been accused of a cryptocurrency scam
00:01:34 --> 00:01:40 and using the proceeds to pay for home renovations and vacations.
00:01:41 --> 00:01:48 The couple were indicted on 40 counts of theft, security fraud and racketeering.
00:01:48 --> 00:01:56 Prosecutors in Colorado say that the couple solicited $3.4 million, US dollars,
00:01:56 --> 00:02:00 from investors for a business venture that they'd set up,
00:02:01 --> 00:02:06 but only a very small amount of that money actually went to the business venture,
00:02:06 --> 00:02:07 which actually failed.
00:02:07 --> 00:02:16 Instead, they spent at least $1.3 million on personal expenses, home renovations,
00:02:17 --> 00:02:22 because in their words, to their defence, God told them to do it.
00:02:23 --> 00:02:30 They spent the money on airline tickets, hotel rooms, high-end merchandise
00:02:30 --> 00:02:33 and other personal expenses.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:36 Where are the leaders?
00:02:39 --> 00:02:42 You see, when Christians, let alone Christian leaders,
00:02:42 --> 00:02:47 when Christians live lives that is inconsistent with what they believe,
00:02:47 --> 00:02:52 they believe this great stuff and yet they behave in this particular way,
00:02:52 --> 00:02:57 what it does is it drags the credibility of not just the Christian church,
00:02:57 --> 00:03:00 but in particular the Christian faith, into the gutter.
00:03:01 --> 00:03:04 And it weakens the faith of so many people.
00:03:06 --> 00:03:08 So you may recall from last week,
00:03:08 --> 00:03:13 the Apostle Paul took the message of Christianity to the city of Thessalonica
00:03:13 --> 00:03:16 about 20 years after the crucifixion of Jesus.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:22 People became Christians and the city went into a riot.
00:03:22 --> 00:03:28 And so Paul and his team had to escape under the cover of darkness for their life.
00:03:29 --> 00:03:32 And so what this did was, Paul's gone,
00:03:32 --> 00:03:35 small church in Thessalonica is being hammered,
00:03:36 --> 00:03:40 and it gave Paul's opponents some ammunition.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:47 They attempted to undermine the faith of these new believers
00:03:47 --> 00:03:50 by discrediting Paul.
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 And so reading between the lines,
00:03:54 --> 00:03:56 you can imagine them saying something like,
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 Paul, really?
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 You want to believe what he'd said to you?
00:04:01 --> 00:04:02 He ran.
00:04:02 --> 00:04:04 Haven't heard from him since.
00:04:05 --> 00:04:06 He wasn't sincere.
00:04:06 --> 00:04:09 He was just one of those phony philosophers
00:04:09 --> 00:04:11 that come through Thessalonica
00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 as part of the empire,
00:04:14 --> 00:04:15 dropping in.
00:04:15 --> 00:04:16 He's a charlatan.
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 He's in it for what he gets out of it.
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 He was looking to raise funds from you.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:23 He was looking for sex,
00:04:24 --> 00:04:24 for prestige,
00:04:24 --> 00:04:25 for power,
00:04:25 --> 00:04:26 for money.
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 And at the first sign of trouble,
00:04:30 --> 00:04:31 he's gone.
00:04:31 --> 00:04:34 On to the next town to do exactly the same thing.
00:04:34 --> 00:04:36 He doesn't care about you at all.
00:04:36 --> 00:04:39 Why would you give yourselves to the message
00:04:39 --> 00:04:40 that he brought
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 when he himself is gone?
00:04:42 --> 00:04:47 And so what we have here
00:04:47 --> 00:04:50 is Paul's defence
00:04:50 --> 00:04:54 of his ministry and his gospel.
00:04:54 --> 00:04:56 So three points up there on the screen,
00:04:56 --> 00:04:57 Paul's argument,
00:04:57 --> 00:04:57 Paul's appeal,
00:04:58 --> 00:04:58 and Paul's approval.
00:04:59 --> 00:05:00 That's what we're going to journey through
00:05:00 --> 00:05:02 in the first 12 verses here.
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 So as Paul defends himself,
00:05:04 --> 00:05:07 and he's doing it really in chapters 2 and 3,
00:05:07 --> 00:05:10 what he's doing here,
00:05:10 --> 00:05:11 he's not just giving us
00:05:11 --> 00:05:14 a philosophy of Christian ministry
00:05:14 --> 00:05:16 and what might be expected
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 of those in Christian service,
00:05:18 --> 00:05:20 but he's also giving us
00:05:20 --> 00:05:23 a pattern for the Christian life.
00:05:24 --> 00:05:24 You know,
00:05:24 --> 00:05:25 as I go through this,
00:05:26 --> 00:05:27 and you know,
00:05:27 --> 00:05:28 I already feel
00:05:28 --> 00:05:31 this passage challenges me a lot
00:05:31 --> 00:05:34 and in the past week,
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 but it's not just about,
00:05:36 --> 00:05:37 ah,
00:05:37 --> 00:05:38 that's what we expect
00:05:38 --> 00:05:39 of our pastors.
00:05:40 --> 00:05:41 It's also a challenge
00:05:41 --> 00:05:43 for all Christians.
00:05:45 --> 00:05:46 They have a lot to say
00:05:46 --> 00:05:47 of what it means
00:05:47 --> 00:05:48 to live the Christian life.
00:05:49 --> 00:05:49 Now,
00:05:49 --> 00:05:51 the way he defends himself here,
00:05:51 --> 00:05:52 his argument
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 is simply by reminding
00:05:54 --> 00:05:55 the Thessalonians
00:05:55 --> 00:05:56 what they already know.
00:05:57 --> 00:05:57 Six times,
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 verses 1, 2, 5, 9, 10, and 11,
00:06:00 --> 00:06:01 Paul says,
00:06:02 --> 00:06:02 you know,
00:06:03 --> 00:06:03 you remember,
00:06:04 --> 00:06:05 you are witnesses.
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 He is simply reminding them
00:06:09 --> 00:06:11 of what they actually saw,
00:06:11 --> 00:06:12 what they heard,
00:06:12 --> 00:06:14 what they experienced from Paul.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:18 A life that was in fact consistent
00:06:18 --> 00:06:20 with the message
00:06:20 --> 00:06:21 that he proclaimed.
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 He is open,
00:06:25 --> 00:06:26 he's transparent.
00:06:28 --> 00:06:29 So,
00:06:29 --> 00:06:30 there's three things.
00:06:30 --> 00:06:30 So,
00:06:30 --> 00:06:31 the first thing we notice
00:06:31 --> 00:06:32 in terms of his argument,
00:06:32 --> 00:06:34 he really points to three things
00:06:34 --> 00:06:35 in terms of consistency.
00:06:36 --> 00:06:36 Number one,
00:06:36 --> 00:06:37 his courage.
00:06:38 --> 00:06:39 Verses 1 and 2,
00:06:39 --> 00:06:39 you know,
00:06:39 --> 00:06:40 brothers and sisters,
00:06:40 --> 00:06:41 that our visit to you
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 was not without results.
00:06:44 --> 00:06:45 We had previously suffered
00:06:45 --> 00:06:47 and been treated outrageously
00:06:47 --> 00:06:48 in Philippi.
00:06:48 --> 00:06:49 As you know,
00:06:49 --> 00:06:50 with the help of our God,
00:06:50 --> 00:06:52 we dared to tell you
00:06:52 --> 00:06:53 his gospel
00:06:53 --> 00:06:54 in the face
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 of strong opposition.
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 The word dared there
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 means that he spoke
00:07:00 --> 00:07:00 freely,
00:07:01 --> 00:07:02 openly,
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 and fearlessly.
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 It is to be outspoken.
00:07:08 --> 00:07:10 It is to be frank.
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 It is to use clarity
00:07:12 --> 00:07:13 in his speech.
00:07:14 --> 00:07:15 That is,
00:07:15 --> 00:07:16 it is to speak
00:07:16 --> 00:07:18 with courage
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 regardless of consequences.
00:07:20 --> 00:07:23 He courageously spoke
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 the gospel of Jesus Christ
00:07:25 --> 00:07:26 to them
00:07:26 --> 00:07:27 and he did it
00:07:27 --> 00:07:27 despite,
00:07:29 --> 00:07:30 in his words,
00:07:30 --> 00:07:32 previously suffered
00:07:32 --> 00:07:34 and being treated
00:07:34 --> 00:07:35 outrageously
00:07:35 --> 00:07:36 in Philippi.
00:07:36 --> 00:07:37 So,
00:07:37 --> 00:07:38 what he's saying here is,
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 when I turned up
00:07:41 --> 00:07:44 in Thessalonica,
00:07:44 --> 00:07:47 as you know,
00:07:47 --> 00:07:48 I was bruised,
00:07:48 --> 00:07:49 beaten.
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 He would have had
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 potentially broken bones.
00:07:54 --> 00:07:55 The bruises,
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 the damage to his body
00:07:56 --> 00:07:57 were obvious
00:07:57 --> 00:07:59 because he was humiliated.
00:07:59 --> 00:08:00 He was stripped naked.
00:08:00 --> 00:08:01 He was beaten.
00:08:01 --> 00:08:02 He was flogged.
00:08:02 --> 00:08:03 He was thrown into prison
00:08:03 --> 00:08:04 in Philippi.
00:08:04 --> 00:08:08 He would have turned up
00:08:08 --> 00:08:09 with the damage
00:08:09 --> 00:08:10 to his body
00:08:10 --> 00:08:11 and he preached
00:08:11 --> 00:08:13 the gospel to them
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 again and again.
00:08:14 --> 00:08:15 The thing that,
00:08:15 --> 00:08:16 that caused him
00:08:16 --> 00:08:18 so much pain
00:08:18 --> 00:08:19 and humiliation
00:08:19 --> 00:08:20 in Philippi,
00:08:20 --> 00:08:21 he turns up
00:08:21 --> 00:08:22 to Thessalonica
00:08:22 --> 00:08:23 and does it again.
00:08:25 --> 00:08:27 And when he left there,
00:08:27 --> 00:08:28 he did it again.
00:08:33 --> 00:08:34 There's his courage.
00:08:35 --> 00:08:37 That's against the accusation
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 that he's in it for himself
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 and as soon as trouble hits,
00:08:40 --> 00:08:40 he's gone.
00:08:43 --> 00:08:44 The second thing
00:08:44 --> 00:08:45 that Thessalonians
00:08:45 --> 00:08:46 know about Paul
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 is that he did not
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 exploit them
00:08:49 --> 00:08:51 for personal gain.
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 Verse 3,
00:08:52 --> 00:08:53 for the appeal we make
00:08:53 --> 00:08:54 does not spring
00:08:54 --> 00:08:55 from error
00:08:55 --> 00:08:57 or impure motives,
00:08:57 --> 00:08:58 nor are we trying
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 to trick you.
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 He did not call them
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 to faith in Jesus Christ
00:09:03 --> 00:09:06 to gain a following
00:09:06 --> 00:09:06 for himself,
00:09:07 --> 00:09:09 to mislead them,
00:09:09 --> 00:09:11 to get sexually involved,
00:09:11 --> 00:09:13 which is what impure motives
00:09:13 --> 00:09:13 means here,
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 to get sexually involved
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 with anyone
00:09:16 --> 00:09:17 or to try and deceive them
00:09:17 --> 00:09:18 in any way
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 to make him feel like
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 he's more powerful.
00:09:20 --> 00:09:23 He gave the truth
00:09:23 --> 00:09:26 and he kept himself pure.
00:09:27 --> 00:09:28 He wasn't driven
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 to please people.
00:09:29 --> 00:09:30 Verse 4,
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 we're not trying
00:09:31 --> 00:09:32 to please God
00:09:32 --> 00:09:33 who tests our hearts.
00:09:33 --> 00:09:34 Verse 6,
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 we were not looking
00:09:35 --> 00:09:35 for praise
00:09:35 --> 00:09:36 praise from people,
00:09:37 --> 00:09:37 not from you
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 or from anyone else.
00:09:41 --> 00:09:42 You see,
00:09:42 --> 00:09:42 people pleasing
00:09:42 --> 00:09:44 usually comes
00:09:44 --> 00:09:45 from a place
00:09:45 --> 00:09:47 of deep insecurity.
00:09:49 --> 00:09:50 A people pleaser
00:09:50 --> 00:09:54 won't give themselves
00:09:54 --> 00:09:56 freely to others.
00:09:56 --> 00:09:59 they only give
00:09:59 --> 00:09:59 an angle
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 of themselves
00:10:00 --> 00:10:03 in the hope
00:10:03 --> 00:10:03 that the angle
00:10:03 --> 00:10:04 that they give
00:10:04 --> 00:10:06 would result
00:10:06 --> 00:10:06 in them
00:10:06 --> 00:10:07 receiving
00:10:07 --> 00:10:08 some form
00:10:08 --> 00:10:09 of approval.
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 And therefore,
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 as a people pleaser,
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 you never really know them.
00:10:14 --> 00:10:15 You only know
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 what they want you
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 to know about them
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 in order to extract
00:10:18 --> 00:10:19 praise from them.
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 And a people pleaser
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 therefore uses people.
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 They exploit people
00:10:24 --> 00:10:26 so that they feel
00:10:26 --> 00:10:28 approved of themselves,
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 pleased with themselves.
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 And so Paul
00:10:33 --> 00:10:34 did not flatter
00:10:34 --> 00:10:36 or position himself
00:10:36 --> 00:10:37 for money.
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 Verse 5,
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 you know we never
00:10:39 --> 00:10:40 use flattery
00:10:40 --> 00:10:40 nor did we put
00:10:40 --> 00:10:41 on a mask
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 to cover up greed.
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 God is our witness.
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 Flattery is using language
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 not for the sake
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 of truth
00:10:49 --> 00:10:50 but for the sake
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 of manipulation.
00:10:53 --> 00:10:54 You want something
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 and in this case
00:10:55 --> 00:10:57 Paul's being accused
00:10:57 --> 00:10:59 of buttering up
00:10:59 --> 00:11:00 the Thessalonians
00:11:00 --> 00:11:02 in order to extract
00:11:02 --> 00:11:04 money from them.
00:11:07 --> 00:11:10 The accusation is
00:11:10 --> 00:11:11 that Paul wanted
00:11:11 --> 00:11:12 their money
00:11:12 --> 00:11:15 not their souls.
00:11:16 --> 00:11:18 And according to verse 9
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 that's not the case.
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 Surely you remember
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 brothers and sisters
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 our toil
00:11:22 --> 00:11:22 and our hardship
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 we work night
00:11:23 --> 00:11:24 and day
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 in order
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 not to be a burden
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 to anyone
00:11:27 --> 00:11:28 while we preach
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 the gospel
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 of God to you.
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 He was not
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 after their money.
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 He was after
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 their souls
00:11:35 --> 00:11:35 for their good.
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 So the Thessalonians
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 know of his courage.
00:11:40 --> 00:11:40 They know
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 that his pattern
00:11:41 --> 00:11:42 of life
00:11:42 --> 00:11:42 was not to
00:11:42 --> 00:11:43 exploit them.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 But thirdly
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 it wasn't just
00:11:46 --> 00:11:46 the things
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 that he did
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 not do.
00:11:48 --> 00:11:51 it's what
00:11:51 --> 00:11:51 he did
00:11:51 --> 00:11:52 do
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 in his
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 pattern
00:11:54 --> 00:11:54 of life.
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 He gave
00:11:56 --> 00:11:56 himself
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 in the
00:11:57 --> 00:11:57 service
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 of others.
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 Verses
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 6
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 to 8
00:12:04 --> 00:12:07 even though
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 as apostles
00:12:08 --> 00:12:08 of Christ
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 we could
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 have asserted
00:12:10 --> 00:12:10 our authority
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 instead
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 we were like
00:12:12 --> 00:12:13 young children
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 among you
00:12:14 --> 00:12:16 just as a nursing
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 mother cares
00:12:17 --> 00:12:17 for her children
00:12:17 --> 00:12:19 so we care
00:12:19 --> 00:12:20 for you
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 because we
00:12:21 --> 00:12:21 loved you
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 so much
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 we were delighted
00:12:23 --> 00:12:23 to share
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 with you
00:12:24 --> 00:12:24 not only
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 the gospel
00:12:25 --> 00:12:25 of God
00:12:25 --> 00:12:25 but our
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 lives
00:12:26 --> 00:12:28 as well.
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 What they
00:12:29 --> 00:12:29 knew of
00:12:29 --> 00:12:30 Paul
00:12:30 --> 00:12:31 is he
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 exchanged
00:12:32 --> 00:12:32 a
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 relationship
00:12:33 --> 00:12:33 of
00:12:33 --> 00:12:33 authority
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 and
00:12:34 --> 00:12:34 power
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 that is
00:12:35 --> 00:12:35 the
00:12:35 --> 00:12:35 apostle
00:12:35 --> 00:12:38 to
00:12:38 --> 00:12:38 a
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 relationship
00:12:39 --> 00:12:39 of
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 no
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 rights
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 surrendering
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 of rights
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 a relationship
00:12:44 --> 00:12:44 of gentle
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 tender
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 affection
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 and service
00:12:47 --> 00:12:49 instead of
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 wielding
00:12:50 --> 00:12:50 authority
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 he became
00:12:51 --> 00:12:51 like a
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 child in
00:12:52 --> 00:12:52 the first
00:12:52 --> 00:12:52 century
00:12:52 --> 00:12:53 without
00:12:53 --> 00:12:53 rights
00:12:53 --> 00:12:56 he didn't
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 just come
00:12:57 --> 00:12:57 to them
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 with a
00:12:58 --> 00:12:58 message
00:12:58 --> 00:12:59 but he
00:12:59 --> 00:12:59 also gave
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 himself
00:13:00 --> 00:13:00 to them
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 the
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 messenger
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 not just
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 words
00:13:04 --> 00:13:04 but a
00:13:04 --> 00:13:04 life
00:13:04 --> 00:13:06 not just
00:13:06 --> 00:13:06 doctrines
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 but a
00:13:07 --> 00:13:07 heart
00:13:07 --> 00:13:09 what he
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 says in
00:13:10 --> 00:13:10 verse
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 7
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 is quite
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 startling
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 just as a
00:13:14 --> 00:13:14 nursing mother
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 cares for her
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 children so
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 we cared
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 for you
00:13:18 --> 00:13:20 not just
00:13:20 --> 00:13:20 the reference
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 to any
00:13:21 --> 00:13:21 mother
00:13:21 --> 00:13:23 it's
00:13:23 --> 00:13:23 specifically
00:13:23 --> 00:13:25 nursing
00:13:25 --> 00:13:25 mother
00:13:25 --> 00:13:28 the breastfed
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00:13:32 --> 00:13:32 it's a
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00:13:34 --> 00:13:34 that Paul
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00:13:37 --> 00:13:37 but also
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00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 life
00:13:39 --> 00:13:42 the
00:13:42 --> 00:13:42 nursing
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00:13:51 --> 00:13:53 and
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00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 around
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00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 emotional
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00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 emotionally
00:14:22 --> 00:14:24 and so
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 what Paul
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00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 they know
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00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 Thessalonians
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00:14:30 --> 00:14:30 his
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00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 and his
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00:14:33 --> 00:14:33 for them
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00:14:35 --> 00:14:37 you see
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00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 Thessalonians
00:14:38 --> 00:14:38 are not
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00:14:41 --> 00:14:41 employees
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00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 disciples
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00:14:59 --> 00:15:02 and so
00:15:02 --> 00:15:02 verse 9
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 again
00:15:03 --> 00:15:03 surely you
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 remember
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 brothers and
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00:15:06 --> 00:15:06 our toil
00:15:06 --> 00:15:06 and our
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00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 we work
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00:15:09 --> 00:15:09 in order
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 not to
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00:15:10 --> 00:15:10 burdened
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00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 to you
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00:15:15 --> 00:15:15 in verse
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 10
00:15:16 --> 00:15:16 you are
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 witnesses
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 and so
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00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 holy
00:15:21 --> 00:15:21 righteous
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 and
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 blameless
00:15:23 --> 00:15:23 we were
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00:15:25 --> 00:15:27 and so
00:15:27 --> 00:15:27 with that
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00:15:28 --> 00:15:28 he raises
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 the bar
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 of
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00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 discipleship
00:15:32 --> 00:15:32 and ministry
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 don't balk at
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 this
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00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 he was
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00:15:35 --> 00:15:35 you know
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 Thessalonians
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 that I'm
00:15:37 --> 00:15:37 completely
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00:15:38 --> 00:15:38 that's not
00:15:38 --> 00:15:38 what he's
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 saying
00:15:39 --> 00:15:39 here at
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00:15:40 --> 00:15:40 not
00:15:40 --> 00:15:40 what he
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00:15:40 --> 00:15:40 what he
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00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 God
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00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 boldly
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00:15:51 --> 00:15:51 gospel
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00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 integrity
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 what we
00:16:01 --> 00:16:01 said
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 we
00:16:02 --> 00:16:02 believed
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 and the
00:16:03 --> 00:16:03 way
00:16:03 --> 00:16:03 it
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 enacted
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 and lived
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 out in
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 our life
00:16:06 --> 00:16:06 were
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 consistent
00:16:07 --> 00:16:09 he was
00:16:09 --> 00:16:09 above
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 reproach
00:16:10 --> 00:16:13 that's
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00:16:17 --> 00:16:17 us
00:16:17 --> 00:16:19 to
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00:16:19 --> 00:16:19 appeal
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00:16:24 --> 00:16:24 himself
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00:16:29 --> 00:16:29 are
00:16:29 --> 00:16:29 replied
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 when
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00:16:31 --> 00:16:31 commentators
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00:17:00 --> 00:17:00 but
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00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 motives
00:17:01 --> 00:17:01 of
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 Christian
00:17:02 --> 00:17:02 ministry
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 but
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 also
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00:17:04 --> 00:17:04 manner
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 and
00:17:05 --> 00:17:05 motive
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00:17:05 --> 00:17:05 of
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00:17:05 --> 00:17:05 Christian
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00:17:06 --> 00:17:08 you
00:17:08 --> 00:17:08 know
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00:17:09 --> 00:17:09 leaving
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 it
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00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 application
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00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 Paul
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00:17:20 --> 00:17:20 writing
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00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 words
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00:17:24 --> 00:17:24 new
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00:17:29 --> 00:17:29 in
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00:17:32 --> 00:17:32 they
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00:17:37 --> 00:17:39 and
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00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 believed
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00:18:02 --> 00:18:02 scandal
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00:18:03 --> 00:18:05 but
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00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 didn't
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00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 of
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00:18:21 --> 00:18:21 I
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00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 but
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00:24:02 --> 00:24:02 a
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00:24:05 --> 00:24:05 live
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00:24:21 --> 00:24:21 4
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00:24:30 --> 00:24:30 Jesus
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00:24:49 --> 00:24:49 Paul
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00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 all of
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00:25:09 --> 00:25:09 Christ
00:25:09 --> 00:25:11 that's
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00:25:13 --> 00:25:13 12
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00:26:23 --> 00:26:23 Abraham
00:26:23 --> 00:26:24 Abraham
00:26:24 --> 00:26:26 somersault
00:26:26 --> 00:26:26 before
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00:26:47 --> 00:26:49 walking
00:26:49 --> 00:26:50 is day
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00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 scriptures
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00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 obeying
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00:27:17 --> 00:27:17 rhythmic
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00:27:18 --> 00:27:18 on
00:27:18 --> 00:27:18 and
00:27:18 --> 00:27:19 on
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00:27:20 --> 00:27:20 walk
00:27:20 --> 00:27:20 with
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 God
00:27:21 --> 00:27:21 is
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00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 slow
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00:27:25 --> 00:27:27 progress
00:27:27 --> 00:27:31 walking
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00:27:32 --> 00:27:32 God
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00:27:39 --> 00:27:41 walking
00:27:41 --> 00:27:41 with you
00:27:41 --> 00:27:41 day
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00:27:50 --> 00:27:50 St.
00:27:50 --> 00:27:50 Paul's
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00:27:51 --> 00:27:52 Christian
00:27:52 --> 00:27:52 living
00:27:52 --> 00:27:52 to see
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00:27:54 --> 00:27:54 please
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00:28:01 --> 00:28:01 live
00:28:01 --> 00:28:01 lives
00:28:01 --> 00:28:01 worthy
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 of
00:28:02 --> 00:28:02 him
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00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 we
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00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 seven
00:28:06 --> 00:28:06 rhythms
00:28:06 --> 00:28:08 they
00:28:08 --> 00:28:08 both
00:28:08 --> 00:28:09 remind us
00:28:09 --> 00:28:09 of the
00:28:09 --> 00:28:10 gospel
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00:28:11 --> 00:28:12 cause
00:28:12 --> 00:28:12 us
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00:28:12 --> 00:28:13 with
00:28:13 --> 00:28:13 the
00:28:13 --> 00:28:13 God
00:28:13 --> 00:28:13 in
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 a
00:28:14 --> 00:28:14 gospel
00:28:14 --> 00:28:14 shaped
00:28:14 --> 00:28:15 life
00:28:15 --> 00:28:20 so
00:28:20 --> 00:28:20 God
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00:28:23 --> 00:28:23 Paul's
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00:28:24 --> 00:28:24 life
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 of
00:28:25 --> 00:28:25 courage
00:28:25 --> 00:28:27 of
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00:28:28 --> 00:28:30 and
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 service
00:28:31 --> 00:28:33 that
00:28:33 --> 00:28:33 Paul
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00:28:34 --> 00:28:35 you see
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00:28:36 --> 00:28:36
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00:28:37 --> 00:28:38 just
00:28:38 --> 00:28:38 in
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00:28:38 --> 00:28:38 courage
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 and
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 his
00:28:40 --> 00:28:40 life
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00:28:42 --> 00:28:42 in
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00:28:43 --> 00:28:43 he
00:28:43 --> 00:28:44 refused
00:28:44 --> 00:28:44 to
00:28:44 --> 00:28:45 do
00:28:45 --> 00:28:45 in
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00:28:45 --> 00:28:45 of
00:28:45 --> 00:28:46 he
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 didn't
00:28:47 --> 00:28:47 exploit
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00:28:50 --> 00:28:51 life
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00:28:51 --> 00:28:52 is
00:28:52 --> 00:28:53 also
00:28:53 --> 00:28:53 reflected
00:28:53 --> 00:28:54 in
00:28:54 --> 00:28:54 what
00:28:54 --> 00:28:54 he
00:28:54 --> 00:28:55 did
00:28:55 --> 00:28:57 in
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00:28:57 --> 00:28:58 with
00:28:58 --> 00:28:58 Christ
00:28:58 --> 00:29:00 a
00:29:00 --> 00:29:00 gospel
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 shaped
00:29:01 --> 00:29:01 rhythmic
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 life
00:29:02 --> 00:29:04 he's
00:29:04 --> 00:29:04 calling
00:29:04 --> 00:29:05 us
00:29:05 --> 00:29:05 here
00:29:05 --> 00:29:05 at
00:29:05 --> 00:29:05 St.
00:29:05 --> 00:29:05 Paul's
00:29:05 --> 00:29:06 into
00:29:06 --> 00:29:06 these
00:29:06 --> 00:29:06 kinds
00:29:06 --> 00:29:06 of
00:29:06 --> 00:29:07 relationships
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 not
00:29:08 --> 00:29:08 only
00:29:08 --> 00:29:08 because
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00:29:09 --> 00:29:09 need
00:29:09 --> 00:29:09 to
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00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 these
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 relationships
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 but
00:29:11 --> 00:29:12 also
00:29:12 --> 00:29:12 of
00:29:12 --> 00:29:12 our
00:29:12 --> 00:29:13 calling
00:29:13 --> 00:29:13 to
00:29:13 --> 00:29:13 give
00:29:13 --> 00:29:13 these
00:29:13 --> 00:29:14 relationships
00:29:14 --> 00:29:15 a
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 life
00:29:16 --> 00:29:16 of
00:29:16 --> 00:29:16 Christian
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 integrity
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 is
00:29:18 --> 00:29:18 to
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 give
00:29:19 --> 00:29:19 yourself
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 away
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 to
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 put
00:29:22 --> 00:29:22 away
00:29:22 --> 00:29:22 all
00:29:22 --> 00:29:23 deceit
00:29:23 --> 00:29:23 and
00:29:23 --> 00:29:23 exploitation
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 to
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 renounce
00:29:25 --> 00:29:25 people
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 pleasing
00:29:26 --> 00:29:28 to
00:29:28 --> 00:29:28 be
00:29:28 --> 00:29:28 done
00:29:28 --> 00:29:28 with
00:29:28 --> 00:29:29 flattery
00:29:29 --> 00:29:29 and
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 greed
00:29:30 --> 00:29:30 to
00:29:30 --> 00:29:30 be
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 radically
00:29:31 --> 00:29:31 generous
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 with
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 our
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 resources
00:29:32 --> 00:29:33 of
00:29:33 --> 00:29:33 money
00:29:33 --> 00:29:33 and
00:29:33 --> 00:29:33 time
00:29:33 --> 00:29:33 and
00:29:33 --> 00:29:34 energy
00:29:34 --> 00:29:34 to
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 express
00:29:35 --> 00:29:35 tender
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 mother-like
00:29:36 --> 00:29:37 affection
00:29:37 --> 00:29:37 and care
00:29:37 --> 00:29:38 for all
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 people
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 to be
00:29:38 --> 00:29:39 holy
00:29:39 --> 00:29:39 righteous
00:29:39 --> 00:29:39 and
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 blameless
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 in our
00:29:41 --> 00:29:41 conduct
00:29:41 --> 00:29:42 to
00:29:42 --> 00:29:42 take
00:29:42 --> 00:29:42 the
00:29:42 --> 00:29:43 risk
00:29:43 --> 00:29:43 of
00:29:43 --> 00:29:43 sharing
00:29:43 --> 00:29:44 our
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 souls
00:29:44 --> 00:29:45 with
00:29:45 --> 00:29:45 each
00:29:45 --> 00:29:45 other
00:29:45 --> 00:29:46 and
00:29:46 --> 00:29:46 to
00:29:46 --> 00:29:46 build
00:29:46 --> 00:29:47 spiritual
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 friends
00:29:47 --> 00:29:48 to
00:29:48 --> 00:29:48 encourage
00:29:48 --> 00:29:49 and
00:29:49 --> 00:29:49 comfort
00:29:49 --> 00:29:49 and
00:29:49 --> 00:29:50 urge
00:29:50 --> 00:29:50 each
00:29:50 --> 00:29:50 other
00:29:50 --> 00:29:50 to
00:29:50 --> 00:29:51 heed
00:29:51 --> 00:29:51 the
00:29:51 --> 00:29:51 call
00:29:51 --> 00:29:52 of
00:29:52 --> 00:29:52 God
00:29:52 --> 00:29:53 to
00:29:53 --> 00:29:53 walk
00:29:53 --> 00:29:53 worthy
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 of
00:29:55 --> 00:30:02 and
00:30:02 --> 00:30:03 so
00:30:03 --> 00:30:04 if
00:30:04 --> 00:30:04 you
00:30:04 --> 00:30:04 have
00:30:04 --> 00:30:05 a
00:30:05 --> 00:30:05 gospel
00:30:05 --> 00:30:05 of
00:30:05 --> 00:30:05 sin
00:30:05 --> 00:30:06 management
00:30:06 --> 00:30:08 you
00:30:08 --> 00:30:08 will
00:30:08 --> 00:30:08 say
00:30:08 --> 00:30:09 things
00:30:09 --> 00:30:10 like
00:30:10 --> 00:30:11 I
00:30:11 --> 00:30:11 don't
00:30:11 --> 00:30:11 rob
00:30:11 --> 00:30:11 anyone
00:30:11 --> 00:30:12 I
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 pay
00:30:13 --> 00:30:13 my
00:30:13 --> 00:30:13 taxes
00:30:13 --> 00:30:17 that's
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 not
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 Christian
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 integrity
00:30:18 --> 00:30:19 Christian
00:30:19 --> 00:30:20 integrity
00:30:20 --> 00:30:20 is
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 I
00:30:21 --> 00:30:21 don't
00:30:21 --> 00:30:21 rob
00:30:21 --> 00:30:21 anyone
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 I
00:30:22 --> 00:30:22 pay
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 my
00:30:23 --> 00:30:23 taxes
00:30:23 --> 00:30:25 and
00:30:25 --> 00:30:25 I
00:30:25 --> 00:30:25 give
00:30:25 --> 00:30:25 generously
00:30:25 --> 00:30:28 radically
00:30:28 --> 00:30:28 generously
00:30:28 --> 00:30:31 this
00:30:31 --> 00:30:31 brings me
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 to the
00:30:32 --> 00:30:32 final
00:30:32 --> 00:30:32 point
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 the
00:30:33 --> 00:30:33 picture
00:30:33 --> 00:30:33 we
00:30:33 --> 00:30:33 have
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 here
00:30:34 --> 00:30:34 of
00:30:34 --> 00:30:34 Paul's
00:30:34 --> 00:30:35 openness
00:30:35 --> 00:30:35 his
00:30:35 --> 00:30:36 tenderness
00:30:36 --> 00:30:36 his
00:30:36 --> 00:30:36 care
00:30:36 --> 00:30:36 his
00:30:36 --> 00:30:36 self
00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 sacrifice
00:30:37 --> 00:30:39 is
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 not
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 how
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 we
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 would
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 imagine
00:30:40 --> 00:30:40 the
00:30:40 --> 00:30:40 apostle
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 Paul
00:30:41 --> 00:30:41 to
00:30:41 --> 00:30:41 be
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 Paul
00:30:42 --> 00:30:42 was
00:30:42 --> 00:30:43 an
00:30:43 --> 00:30:43 extremely
00:30:43 --> 00:30:44 devout
00:30:44 --> 00:30:45 religious
00:30:45 --> 00:30:45 man
00:30:45 --> 00:30:46 whose
00:30:46 --> 00:30:46 zeal
00:30:46 --> 00:30:46 led
00:30:46 --> 00:30:47 him
00:30:47 --> 00:30:48 to
00:30:48 --> 00:30:49 savagely
00:30:49 --> 00:30:50 persecute
00:30:50 --> 00:30:50 Christians
00:30:50 --> 00:30:51 in the
00:30:51 --> 00:30:51 early
00:30:51 --> 00:30:51 church
00:30:51 --> 00:30:52 he
00:30:52 --> 00:30:52 was
00:30:52 --> 00:30:53 a
00:30:53 --> 00:30:54 religious
00:30:54 --> 00:30:54 man
00:30:54 --> 00:30:54 who
00:30:54 --> 00:30:55 destroyed
00:30:55 --> 00:30:55 lives
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 he's
00:30:56 --> 00:30:56 the
00:30:56 --> 00:30:57 great
00:30:57 --> 00:30:57 intellectual
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 and for
00:30:58 --> 00:30:58 many
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 in church
00:30:59 --> 00:30:59 history
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 regard
00:31:00 --> 00:31:00 Paul
00:31:00 --> 00:31:00 to be
00:31:00 --> 00:31:00 the
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 man
00:31:01 --> 00:31:01 who
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 was
00:31:02 --> 00:31:04 a
00:31:04 --> 00:31:04 great
00:31:04 --> 00:31:05 thinker
00:31:05 --> 00:31:05 but
00:31:05 --> 00:31:05 just
00:31:05 --> 00:31:05 a
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 hard
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 man
00:31:07 --> 00:31:07 a
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 hard
00:31:08 --> 00:31:08 man
00:31:08 --> 00:31:09 so
00:31:09 --> 00:31:10 what
00:31:10 --> 00:31:11 empowered
00:31:11 --> 00:31:12 Paul
00:31:12 --> 00:31:13 to live
00:31:13 --> 00:31:13 courageously
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 and
00:31:14 --> 00:31:14 sacrificially
00:31:14 --> 00:31:15 to give
00:31:15 --> 00:31:15 himself
00:31:15 --> 00:31:16 away
00:31:16 --> 00:31:16 for the
00:31:16 --> 00:31:16 sake
00:31:16 --> 00:31:17 of
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 others
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 to be
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 so
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 tender
00:31:18 --> 00:31:18 and
00:31:18 --> 00:31:18 open
00:31:18 --> 00:31:18 to
00:31:18 --> 00:31:19 others
00:31:19 --> 00:31:19 he
00:31:19 --> 00:31:20 tells
00:31:20 --> 00:31:20 us
00:31:20 --> 00:31:20 in
00:31:20 --> 00:31:20 verses
00:31:20 --> 00:31:21 1
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 8
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 and
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 9
00:31:21 --> 00:31:22 the
00:31:22 --> 00:31:22 gospel
00:31:22 --> 00:31:24 the
00:31:24 --> 00:31:24 gospel
00:31:24 --> 00:31:25 is
00:31:25 --> 00:31:25 the
00:31:25 --> 00:31:25 message
00:31:25 --> 00:31:25 as I
00:31:25 --> 00:31:26 said
00:31:26 --> 00:31:26 last
00:31:26 --> 00:31:26 week
00:31:26 --> 00:31:28 that
00:31:28 --> 00:31:28 God
00:31:28 --> 00:31:28 out
00:31:28 --> 00:31:28 of
00:31:28 --> 00:31:29 his
00:31:29 --> 00:31:30 unconditional
00:31:30 --> 00:31:31 choosing
00:31:31 --> 00:31:31 love
00:31:31 --> 00:31:32 has
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 given
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 his
00:31:32 --> 00:31:33 only
00:31:33 --> 00:31:33 son
00:31:33 --> 00:31:33 the
00:31:33 --> 00:31:34 Lord
00:31:34 --> 00:31:34 Jesus
00:31:34 --> 00:31:34 Christ
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 to be
00:31:35 --> 00:31:35 a
00:31:35 --> 00:31:36 substitute
00:31:36 --> 00:31:37 for
00:31:37 --> 00:31:37 all
00:31:37 --> 00:31:38 of
00:31:38 --> 00:31:38 humanity
00:31:38 --> 00:31:41 Jesus
00:31:41 --> 00:31:41 lived
00:31:41 --> 00:31:42 a life
00:31:42 --> 00:31:42 of
00:31:42 --> 00:31:43 absolute
00:31:43 --> 00:31:44 integrity
00:31:44 --> 00:31:46 sinless
00:31:46 --> 00:31:47 blameless
00:31:47 --> 00:31:48 perfect
00:31:48 --> 00:31:48 in
00:31:48 --> 00:31:48 every
00:31:48 --> 00:31:49 single
00:31:49 --> 00:31:49 way
00:31:49 --> 00:31:50 impeccable
00:31:50 --> 00:31:51 flawless
00:31:51 --> 00:31:52 one of
00:31:52 --> 00:31:53 the things
00:31:53 --> 00:31:53 that often
00:31:53 --> 00:31:53 brought
00:31:53 --> 00:31:54 people
00:31:54 --> 00:31:54 to the
00:31:54 --> 00:31:55 Christian
00:31:55 --> 00:31:55 faith
00:31:55 --> 00:31:55 and still
00:31:55 --> 00:31:55 does
00:31:55 --> 00:31:56 today
00:31:56 --> 00:31:56 is when
00:31:56 --> 00:31:56 you
00:31:56 --> 00:31:57 investigate
00:31:57 --> 00:31:57 the life
00:31:57 --> 00:31:58 of
00:31:58 --> 00:31:58 Jesus
00:31:58 --> 00:31:59 to try
00:31:59 --> 00:31:59 and pull
00:31:59 --> 00:32:00 his
00:32:00 --> 00:32:00 character
00:32:00 --> 00:32:01 apart
00:32:01 --> 00:32:01 is
00:32:01 --> 00:32:02 absolutely
00:32:02 --> 00:32:03 impossible
00:32:03 --> 00:32:09 and yet
00:32:09 --> 00:32:11 in his
00:32:11 --> 00:32:11 own
00:32:11 --> 00:32:12 time
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 he was
00:32:13 --> 00:32:13 considered
00:32:13 --> 00:32:14 mad
00:32:14 --> 00:32:14 by his
00:32:14 --> 00:32:15 family
00:32:15 --> 00:32:16 he was
00:32:16 --> 00:32:17 slandered
00:32:17 --> 00:32:18 as a
00:32:18 --> 00:32:19 lawbreaker
00:32:19 --> 00:32:20 by the
00:32:20 --> 00:32:20 religious
00:32:20 --> 00:32:21 elite
00:32:21 --> 00:32:23 accused
00:32:23 --> 00:32:23 of being
00:32:23 --> 00:32:24 in cahoots
00:32:24 --> 00:32:25 with Satan
00:32:25 --> 00:32:25 with evil
00:32:25 --> 00:32:27 charged
00:32:27 --> 00:32:28 with blasphemy
00:32:28 --> 00:32:28 !
00:32:29 --> 00:32:29 And he
00:32:29 --> 00:32:30 died in
00:32:30 --> 00:32:31 full public
00:32:31 --> 00:32:31 display of
00:32:31 --> 00:32:32 Jerusalem
00:32:32 --> 00:32:33 the death
00:32:33 --> 00:32:34 of crucifixion
00:32:34 --> 00:32:36 the worst
00:32:36 --> 00:32:37 death
00:32:37 --> 00:32:38 reserved
00:32:38 --> 00:32:39 for the worst
00:32:39 --> 00:32:39 of criminals
00:32:39 --> 00:32:43 humiliated
00:32:43 --> 00:32:43 in every
00:32:43 --> 00:32:44 way
00:32:44 --> 00:32:46 treated
00:32:46 --> 00:32:47 as if
00:32:47 --> 00:32:48 we
00:32:48 --> 00:32:49 as if
00:32:49 --> 00:32:49 he's
00:32:49 --> 00:32:50 us
00:32:50 --> 00:32:53 and it
00:32:53 --> 00:32:53 was the
00:32:53 --> 00:32:53 plan
00:32:53 --> 00:32:54 of God
00:32:54 --> 00:32:55 as 2
00:32:55 --> 00:32:55 Corinthians
00:32:55 --> 00:32:56 5 21
00:32:56 --> 00:32:56 tells us
00:32:56 --> 00:32:57 God made
00:32:57 --> 00:32:57 him who
00:32:57 --> 00:32:58 had no
00:32:58 --> 00:32:58 sin to
00:32:58 --> 00:32:59 be sin
00:32:59 --> 00:32:59 for us
00:32:59 --> 00:33:01 so that
00:33:01 --> 00:33:01 in him
00:33:01 --> 00:33:03 the sinner
00:33:03 --> 00:33:05 the flawed
00:33:05 --> 00:33:05 one
00:33:05 --> 00:33:06 the ones
00:33:06 --> 00:33:07 lacking
00:33:07 --> 00:33:08 every form
00:33:08 --> 00:33:08 of integrity
00:33:08 --> 00:33:10 might become
00:33:10 --> 00:33:10 the righteousness
00:33:10 --> 00:33:11 of God
00:33:11 --> 00:33:13 as if we
00:33:13 --> 00:33:14 are completely
00:33:14 --> 00:33:14 right
00:33:14 --> 00:33:17 Jesus
00:33:17 --> 00:33:18 was despised
00:33:18 --> 00:33:18 rejected
00:33:18 --> 00:33:19 so that
00:33:19 --> 00:33:20 we might
00:33:20 --> 00:33:20 be
00:33:20 --> 00:33:21 approved
00:33:21 --> 00:33:25 he left
00:33:25 --> 00:33:25 aside his
00:33:25 --> 00:33:26 glory that
00:33:26 --> 00:33:26 we might
00:33:26 --> 00:33:27 be made
00:33:27 --> 00:33:27 glorious
00:33:27 --> 00:33:29 Paul's
00:33:29 --> 00:33:30 pattern of
00:33:30 --> 00:33:30 life
00:33:30 --> 00:33:32 comes
00:33:32 --> 00:33:32 from a
00:33:32 --> 00:33:33 place of
00:33:33 --> 00:33:34 certainty
00:33:34 --> 00:33:35 and security
00:33:35 --> 00:33:36 in Jesus
00:33:36 --> 00:33:37 he tells us
00:33:37 --> 00:33:37 in verse 4
00:33:37 --> 00:33:38 where does
00:33:38 --> 00:33:39 his power
00:33:39 --> 00:33:39 come from
00:33:39 --> 00:33:41 he's
00:33:41 --> 00:33:41 approved
00:33:41 --> 00:33:42 by God
00:33:42 --> 00:33:43 that's
00:33:43 --> 00:33:44 his power
00:33:44 --> 00:33:46 the gospel
00:33:46 --> 00:33:46 means he's
00:33:46 --> 00:33:47 approved
00:33:47 --> 00:33:47 by God
00:33:47 --> 00:33:48 he is
00:33:48 --> 00:33:48 loved
00:33:48 --> 00:33:49 accepted
00:33:49 --> 00:33:50 approved
00:33:50 --> 00:33:51 by God
00:33:51 --> 00:33:52 in Jesus
00:33:52 --> 00:33:52 Christ
00:33:52 --> 00:33:53 the
00:33:53 --> 00:33:54 praiseworthy
00:33:54 --> 00:33:54 one
00:33:54 --> 00:33:57 Paul is
00:33:57 --> 00:33:57 approved
00:33:57 --> 00:33:58 he has
00:33:58 --> 00:33:59 received
00:33:59 --> 00:34:00 the praise
00:34:00 --> 00:34:01 of the
00:34:01 --> 00:34:01 praiseworthy
00:34:01 --> 00:34:03 the glory
00:34:03 --> 00:34:04 of the
00:34:04 --> 00:34:04 glorious
00:34:04 --> 00:34:04 one
00:34:04 --> 00:34:08 Jesus
00:34:08 --> 00:34:08 glory
00:34:08 --> 00:34:09 became
00:34:09 --> 00:34:09 Paul's
00:34:09 --> 00:34:09 glory
00:34:09 --> 00:34:10 he didn't
00:34:10 --> 00:34:10 need to
00:34:10 --> 00:34:11 build his
00:34:11 --> 00:34:11 reputation
00:34:11 --> 00:34:12 he didn't
00:34:12 --> 00:34:13 need to
00:34:13 --> 00:34:14 prove his
00:34:14 --> 00:34:14 worth
00:34:14 --> 00:34:15 he didn't
00:34:15 --> 00:34:15 need to
00:34:15 --> 00:34:16 exploit
00:34:16 --> 00:34:17 others
00:34:17 --> 00:34:17 in order
00:34:17 --> 00:34:18 to
00:34:18 --> 00:34:19 advance
00:34:19 --> 00:34:19 himself
00:34:19 --> 00:34:22 he already
00:34:22 --> 00:34:23 had it
00:34:23 --> 00:34:24 they couldn't
00:34:24 --> 00:34:24 give him
00:34:24 --> 00:34:25 anything
00:34:25 --> 00:34:27 he was
00:34:27 --> 00:34:27 settled
00:34:27 --> 00:34:27 he was
00:34:27 --> 00:34:28 secure
00:34:28 --> 00:34:28 he was
00:34:28 --> 00:34:29 loved
00:34:29 --> 00:34:30 and so
00:34:30 --> 00:34:31 he gave
00:34:31 --> 00:34:31 himself
00:34:31 --> 00:34:32 away
00:34:32 --> 00:34:32 because he
00:34:32 --> 00:34:33 was free
00:34:33 --> 00:34:33 to do
00:34:33 --> 00:34:34 so
00:34:34 --> 00:34:35 in
00:34:35 --> 00:34:35 Jesus
00:34:35 --> 00:34:36 he was
00:34:36 --> 00:34:36 free
00:34:36 --> 00:34:39 he gave
00:34:39 --> 00:34:39 himself
00:34:39 --> 00:34:39 away
00:34:39 --> 00:34:40 to
00:34:40 --> 00:34:40 please
00:34:40 --> 00:34:40 God
00:34:40 --> 00:34:41 in the
00:34:41 --> 00:34:41 service
00:34:41 --> 00:34:41 of the
00:34:41 --> 00:34:42 gospel
00:34:42 --> 00:34:42 and in
00:34:42 --> 00:34:43 sacrificial
00:34:43 --> 00:34:43 love
00:34:43 --> 00:34:43 for people
00:34:43 --> 00:34:48 and so
00:34:48 --> 00:34:48 Paul's
00:34:48 --> 00:34:49 call
00:34:49 --> 00:34:49 is our
00:34:49 --> 00:34:50 call
00:34:50 --> 00:34:52 to us
00:34:52 --> 00:34:55 heed the
00:34:55 --> 00:34:55 call of
00:34:55 --> 00:34:55 God
00:34:55 --> 00:34:56 in these
00:34:56 --> 00:34:56 verses
00:34:56 --> 00:34:57 to live
00:34:57 --> 00:34:57 lives
00:34:57 --> 00:34:58 worthy
00:34:58 --> 00:34:58 of the
00:34:58 --> 00:34:59 God
00:34:59 --> 00:34:59 who gave
00:34:59 --> 00:35:00 everything
00:35:00 --> 00:35:01 for you
00:35:01 --> 00:35:04 everything
00:35:04 --> 00:35:05 for you
00:35:05 --> 00:35:06 take your
00:35:06 --> 00:35:07 next step
00:35:07 --> 00:35:10 not to
00:35:10 --> 00:35:10 seek his
00:35:10 --> 00:35:11 approval
00:35:11 --> 00:35:12 but to
00:35:12 --> 00:35:13 enjoy his
00:35:13 --> 00:35:14 approval
00:35:14 --> 00:35:16 come under
00:35:16 --> 00:35:17 his rule
00:35:17 --> 00:35:18 and experience
00:35:18 --> 00:35:19 his glory
00:35:19 --> 00:35:20 more and more
00:35:20 --> 00:35:21 do what
00:35:21 --> 00:35:22 Paul did
00:35:22 --> 00:35:23 and the
00:35:23 --> 00:35:23 writer to
00:35:23 --> 00:35:24 the Hebrews
00:35:24 --> 00:35:24 calls us
00:35:24 --> 00:35:25 to and to
00:35:25 --> 00:35:25 fix our
00:35:25 --> 00:35:26 gaze on
00:35:26 --> 00:35:26 Jesus
00:35:26 --> 00:35:27 the
00:35:27 --> 00:35:28 pioneer
00:35:28 --> 00:35:29 that is
00:35:29 --> 00:35:29 the one
00:35:29 --> 00:35:30 who sets
00:35:30 --> 00:35:30 the pattern
00:35:30 --> 00:35:31 for us
00:35:31 --> 00:35:32 and the
00:35:32 --> 00:35:33 perfecter
00:35:33 --> 00:35:33 of the
00:35:33 --> 00:35:33 one who
00:35:33 --> 00:35:34 fulfilled
00:35:34 --> 00:35:35 our walk
00:35:35 --> 00:35:36 with God
00:35:36 --> 00:35:37 for the
00:35:37 --> 00:35:38 joy that
00:35:38 --> 00:35:38 was set
00:35:38 --> 00:35:39 before him
00:35:39 --> 00:35:39 Jesus
00:35:39 --> 00:35:40 endured
00:35:40 --> 00:35:40 the cross
00:35:40 --> 00:35:42 he scorned
00:35:42 --> 00:35:42 at shame
00:35:42 --> 00:35:43 and he
00:35:43 --> 00:35:44 sat down
00:35:44 --> 00:35:44 at the
00:35:44 --> 00:35:44 right hand
00:35:44 --> 00:35:45 of the
00:35:45 --> 00:35:45 throne
00:35:45 --> 00:35:46 of God
00:35:46 --> 00:35:46 consider
00:35:46 --> 00:35:47 him
00:35:47 --> 00:35:47 who
00:35:47 --> 00:35:47 endured
00:35:47 --> 00:35:48 such
00:35:48 --> 00:35:49 opposition
00:35:49 --> 00:35:50 from
00:35:50 --> 00:35:51 sinners
00:35:51 --> 00:35:52 so that
00:35:52 --> 00:35:52 you will
00:35:52 --> 00:35:53 not grow
00:35:53 --> 00:35:53 weary
00:35:53 --> 00:35:54 and lose
00:35:54 --> 00:35:56 so that
00:35:56 --> 00:35:56 you will
00:35:56 --> 00:35:57 continue
00:35:57 --> 00:35:58 your walk
00:35:58 --> 00:36:00 and to
00:36:00 --> 00:36:00 the degree
00:36:00 --> 00:36:02 that we
00:36:02 --> 00:36:02 look to
00:36:02 --> 00:36:03 Jesus
00:36:03 --> 00:36:04 and the
00:36:04 --> 00:36:05 gospel
00:36:05 --> 00:36:05 of Jesus
00:36:05 --> 00:36:06 Christ
00:36:06 --> 00:36:08 seeing him
00:36:08 --> 00:36:09 doing all
00:36:09 --> 00:36:09 of that
00:36:09 --> 00:36:10 for us
00:36:10 --> 00:36:11 is the
00:36:11 --> 00:36:11 degree
00:36:11 --> 00:36:12 that we
00:36:12 --> 00:36:13 will live
00:36:13 --> 00:36:14 lives
00:36:14 --> 00:36:15 worthy of
00:36:15 --> 00:36:15 him
00:36:15 --> 00:36:16 lives
00:36:16 --> 00:36:18 of gospel
00:36:18 --> 00:36:19 integrity