United by the Gospel
Series: UNITED BY JOY
Speaker: James Barnett
Date: 18th September 2022
Passage: Philippians 1:1-30
00:00:00 --> 00:00:06 The great Japanese philosopher and house declutterer Marie Kondo
00:00:06 --> 00:00:12 called us to throw away things that don't spark joy.
00:00:13 --> 00:00:16 She made us ask that great question, does it spark joy?
00:00:17 --> 00:00:17 Do you remember this?
00:00:18 --> 00:00:19 It was a couple of years ago.
00:00:19 --> 00:00:23 We'd take something and think, how does this make me feel?
00:00:23 --> 00:00:24 Does it spark joy?
00:00:25 --> 00:00:27 I was tempted to pick up my children and ask that question.
00:00:27 --> 00:00:27 No, I didn't do that.
00:00:27 --> 00:00:28 That's okay.
00:00:28 --> 00:00:33 Joy, defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary,
00:00:33 --> 00:00:38 is a feeling of pleasure or happiness that comes from success,
00:00:39 --> 00:00:42 good fortune, or a sense of well-being.
00:00:43 --> 00:00:46 That seems to be the worldview of most of us.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:51 I am built for joy based on the things that I have,
00:00:51 --> 00:00:54 the things that I hold, the things that I can achieve,
00:00:54 --> 00:00:58 and I will pursue joy at the expense of other things.
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 I will hold some things, they will give me joy,
00:01:00 --> 00:01:04 I'll hold some things and I'll put them in the bin because they do not bring me joy.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:11 Joy, according to Marie Kondo, is about having the right stuff,
00:01:11 --> 00:01:14 or the right amount of the right stuff.
00:01:14 --> 00:01:20 And that dictionary definition of joy, well, I think we'd all like some of that.
00:01:21 --> 00:01:24 Joy from a sense of well-being and good fortune.
00:01:25 --> 00:01:29 And I think that's been pretty hard to have over the last couple of years.
00:01:30 --> 00:01:37 Can we depend on something so intangible as well-being or good fortune to find joy?
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 Here's another definition of joy.
00:01:40 --> 00:01:43 This is Pastor John Piper from the US, his definition of joy.
00:01:44 --> 00:01:49 Christian joy is a good feeling produced in the soul,
00:01:49 --> 00:01:51 feeling in the soul produced by the Holy Spirit,
00:01:52 --> 00:01:58 as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world.
00:01:58 --> 00:02:01 There's a little bit more going on there, so let me just unpack that briefly.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:03 Joy is a feeling.
00:02:03 --> 00:02:03 It's a feeling.
00:02:04 --> 00:02:11 It's a feeling found in the soul, not in the head, not in the mind.
00:02:12 --> 00:02:15 It is not just an idea, but it is something that comes upon us.
00:02:15 --> 00:02:17 It is a feeling that comes.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:20 It's produced by the Holy Spirit.
00:02:21 --> 00:02:23 It's not produced by things.
00:02:23 --> 00:02:27 There is no shortcut to real joy, but it is from God.
00:02:27 --> 00:02:36 And we find it in the beauty of Christ, as we see it in his word and in the world.
00:02:37 --> 00:02:43 So as we sit down and do, you know, as we seek to do four or more devotions,
00:02:43 --> 00:02:47 seek to read the Bible, or as we see the impact of God in the world,
00:02:47 --> 00:02:52 as we've heard briefly today about what God is doing in Japan and in Germany.
00:02:52 --> 00:03:02 So one view of joy says it's found in the things we have or the things that we chase in a temporary way.
00:03:02 --> 00:03:09 And the other says it is from God and it is not temporary because our God is not temporary.
00:03:09 --> 00:03:15 I wonder if we know where we are seeking our joy from,
00:03:16 --> 00:03:20 or if we end up getting stuck chasing fake joys.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:27 Looking at myself, I'm actually worried that I won't even chase joy in this season
00:03:27 --> 00:03:30 because it's too great of a risk.
00:03:30 --> 00:03:33 And so instead, I will just try to avoid pain.
00:03:34 --> 00:03:35 I'll avoid difficulties.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:38 And so I don't want to have real lows.
00:03:38 --> 00:03:43 So I'm not going to try and do real highs, try and work hard to get real highs instead.
00:03:43 --> 00:03:49 Because it has been a hard season, joy just seems far away.
00:03:50 --> 00:03:56 And so this week we are starting a short four-week season in the book of Philippians,
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 united by joy.
00:03:58 --> 00:04:07 Two weeks ago in chapter 15 of Romans, Paul spoke about how he longed to visit the church in Rome.
00:04:07 --> 00:04:09 And he's now achieved it.
00:04:09 --> 00:04:10 It's wonderful.
00:04:10 --> 00:04:11 It's just a slight problem.
00:04:12 --> 00:04:13 He's in prison.
00:04:14 --> 00:04:20 He wanted to go and visit the church, but he can't because he's under arrest.
00:04:20 --> 00:04:21 He's under lock and key.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:28 And so while he's in Rome, he writes this letter to encourage the Philippian church that he planted.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:35 And so today, as we see this letter that Paul writes to the church in Philippi,
00:04:36 --> 00:04:42 we're going to start building a picture of what real joy is, true and lasting joy.
00:04:42 --> 00:04:44 A joy that is deeply satisfying.
00:04:45 --> 00:04:49 Our one key aspect of that joy that we find is in relationship with others.
00:04:49 --> 00:04:52 And so today, there are three points for us.
00:04:52 --> 00:04:54 You can find them on the St. Paul's app.
00:04:54 --> 00:04:55 Have that open.
00:04:55 --> 00:04:57 Have your Bible open.
00:04:57 --> 00:04:58 Three points.
00:04:58 --> 00:04:59 Joy in relationships.
00:05:00 --> 00:05:01 Joyful ambition.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:02 And joyful sacrifice.
00:05:03 --> 00:05:05 Let me pray and we'll have a look.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:08 Heavenly Father, I thank you for your word to us.
00:05:09 --> 00:05:16 Father, I pray that today, as we read your word, we would see the beauty of Christ.
00:05:16 --> 00:05:22 That we would find joy in you, not in temporary things, Lord.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:24 We ask this in Jesus' name.
00:05:24 --> 00:05:25 Amen.
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 United by joy.
00:05:28 --> 00:05:31 And so first of all, we see some joyful relationships.
00:05:32 --> 00:05:39 When Paul starts writing his letters, he often writes about how much he has affection for a church.
00:05:39 --> 00:05:44 And Philippians, the letter to the Philippians, is just such a delightful start to a letter.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:48 He has such deep affection for these people.
00:05:49 --> 00:05:50 He loves them dearly.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:52 Chapter 1, verse 3.
00:05:52 --> 00:05:57 I thank my God every time I remember you.
00:05:58 --> 00:06:02 And he prays with joy in all of my prayers for all of you.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:11 I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
00:06:11 --> 00:06:15 Paul gets joy from this church partnership.
00:06:16 --> 00:06:17 He gets real joy.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:25 That definition from Piper, he is getting to see the impact of the beauty of Christ in the world.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:32 He is seeing how God is impacting this church and it is giving him joy.
00:06:33 --> 00:06:35 They are sharing the good news of Jesus.
00:06:35 --> 00:06:41 They are growing like Paul and they are growing in God confidence.
00:06:43 --> 00:06:46 The way Paul describes where he gets his joy, it's really helpful.
00:06:47 --> 00:06:48 It's really instructive for us.
00:06:49 --> 00:06:50 He gets it from a partnership with them.
00:06:52 --> 00:06:57 His joy is not just from the fact that these people are like him.
00:06:57 --> 00:07:03 He is not saying, I have great affection from you, Philippians church, because you are like me.
00:07:03 --> 00:07:04 We have a lot in common.
00:07:05 --> 00:07:07 We are doing similar kinds of things.
00:07:09 --> 00:07:14 He doesn't just have affection for them because they are easy to love.
00:07:14 --> 00:07:17 It's not just like, you know, those memes of cute puppies you see.
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 Oh, I have such affection for you.
00:07:20 --> 00:07:20 You're adorable.
00:07:21 --> 00:07:25 He doesn't just get joy sitting next to them in church singing the same songs.
00:07:25 --> 00:07:28 He doesn't get joy just from having a coffee over morning tea.
00:07:29 --> 00:07:33 He doesn't even get joy from having a meal with them after church.
00:07:33 --> 00:07:38 These are places to start a relationship or to continue to build.
00:07:38 --> 00:07:41 But he gets joy from partnership.
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 They are co-workers.
00:07:45 --> 00:07:48 They have the same drive, the same vision.
00:07:49 --> 00:07:52 Jesus is continuing the good work in them.
00:07:53 --> 00:07:57 They want to love Jesus more and they want to see more people love Jesus.
00:07:59 --> 00:08:02 The New Testament often uses this partnership word.
00:08:03 --> 00:08:07 And it's a bit strange when you read in the original language because it's a business term.
00:08:08 --> 00:08:11 It's a picture of two people getting into business together.
00:08:12 --> 00:08:16 It's like somebody buying a company, a bus company or something.
00:08:16 --> 00:08:16 You know, two people.
00:08:17 --> 00:08:20 We're both going to invest all of our life savings into this company.
00:08:20 --> 00:08:22 We are both invested.
00:08:22 --> 00:08:24 We both need this to work.
00:08:25 --> 00:08:28 This is the idea of Paul.
00:08:28 --> 00:08:31 We have both committed to this.
00:08:32 --> 00:08:34 We both love Jesus.
00:08:34 --> 00:08:38 We both want to see him known in the world.
00:08:38 --> 00:08:42 We both want to see Christianity flourish across the world.
00:08:44 --> 00:08:47 There is warmth and intimacy here.
00:08:47 --> 00:08:53 Because Paul has a shared vision with them.
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 These people are going in the same direction.
00:08:57 --> 00:09:00 And he is thanking these brothers and sisters that from the moment of conversion,
00:09:01 --> 00:09:05 they have rolled up their sleeves and they've gotten involved in the advancement of the gospel.
00:09:05 --> 00:09:06 They've served.
00:09:07 --> 00:09:08 They've shared the gospel.
00:09:08 --> 00:09:09 They've prayed for Paul.
00:09:09 --> 00:09:10 They've sent money.
00:09:10 --> 00:09:15 It is all a picture of what is important in church partnership.
00:09:17 --> 00:09:24 Back when I was in Moore College, many, many years ago now, it was a really unique time.
00:09:24 --> 00:09:31 It was, on the one hand, wonderful because I just had four years of studying theology and studying God's word.
00:09:31 --> 00:09:36 But one of the unique joys was that at the time we lived in Parramatta.
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 And there's just a unique joy from living in Parramatta.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:45 And we lived with 18 other families in the exact same situation.
00:09:47 --> 00:09:50 They were all studying and serving in church.
00:09:50 --> 00:09:53 And we were all going through the exact same things.
00:09:54 --> 00:10:03 And there was a joy to see each of us flourishing, to see them succeeding in what God was teaching them to do.
00:10:03 --> 00:10:06 And so there was a joy in church partnership going,
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 oh, look, you know, this person, he's the year ahead of me.
00:10:08 --> 00:10:09 They're going out to a church now.
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 They're serving in a church.
00:10:11 --> 00:10:13 Isn't that amazing that they're doing that now?
00:10:13 --> 00:10:21 Gospel ministry, when we deeply partner, there is joy to be found there.
00:10:22 --> 00:10:29 That definition from John Piper of joy, a feeling of joy.
00:10:29 --> 00:10:33 Paul is getting a feeling of joy, not brought from a success he has had,
00:10:33 --> 00:10:39 but from seeing the impact of Christ's work in someone else's life.
00:10:40 --> 00:10:41 They are going in the same direction.
00:10:41 --> 00:10:46 The Philippian church has been changed to be like Jesus.
00:10:46 --> 00:10:54 They have been so impacted by the beauty of Jesus that Paul gets joy from them as they're going in the same direction.
00:10:55 --> 00:11:00 Church, we as a church missed out on something last week.
00:11:01 --> 00:11:03 We missed out on something quite unique.
00:11:04 --> 00:11:08 We had a prayer afternoon on Zoom with our mission partners.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:11 And there was only a couple of us that attended.
00:11:11 --> 00:11:21 And we actually missed out on having an opportunity to encourage and hear from our missionaries directly over Zoom.
00:11:21 --> 00:11:24 It's one of the strange things that came out of COVID last year,
00:11:25 --> 00:11:30 being able to have our mission partners in the same online room as us.
00:11:30 --> 00:11:43 And we as a church missed out on being there and hearing from them directly and praying for them and getting the joy that comes from deep gospel partnership.
00:11:43 --> 00:11:46 So let me be encouraging you.
00:11:46 --> 00:11:48 Know what they're up to.
00:11:49 --> 00:11:55 Check the emails and be reading in the mission book about what our mission partners are doing.
00:11:55 --> 00:11:57 Be praying for them.
00:11:57 --> 00:12:04 Send them an email so that we can have joy from seeing Christ work across the world.
00:12:04 --> 00:12:16 Paul is so focused on seeing people saved and starting churches that he, in one sense, doesn't care how it happens.
00:12:17 --> 00:12:19 He has such a joyful ambition for the gospel.
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 It's our second point today.
00:12:21 --> 00:12:24 That, in one sense, he doesn't care about how it happens.
00:12:24 --> 00:12:27 And he talks about, let me go forward.
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 Thank you.
00:12:30 --> 00:12:31 Yes, thank you.
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 Verse 12.
00:12:32 --> 00:12:36 Paul continues by talking about the elephant in the room.
00:12:37 --> 00:12:39 He is in prison.
00:12:40 --> 00:12:44 I can imagine people in the church in Philippi going, oh, there's a letter from Paul.
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 He sent us a letter.
00:12:45 --> 00:12:47 He's the guy that's in prison.
00:12:47 --> 00:12:49 Should we really listen to him?
00:12:50 --> 00:12:54 Well, he can't be really spreading the gospel in Rome if he's stuck in prison, can he?
00:12:55 --> 00:12:57 If he's locked up, should we even listen to this letter being read out?
00:12:58 --> 00:13:05 And as he answers this question, it reveals his joyful ambitions.
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 Verse 12.
00:13:07 --> 00:13:12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me,
00:13:12 --> 00:13:17 the fact that he's been arrested and he's in prison, has actually served to advance the gospel.
00:13:17 --> 00:13:19 I wanted to come to Rome.
00:13:19 --> 00:13:21 I wanted to advance the gospel here.
00:13:22 --> 00:13:26 And even change to these soldiers, this has advanced the gospel.
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 It's happened in three ways.
00:13:28 --> 00:13:30 The first way, the palace guard.
00:13:31 --> 00:13:34 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard
00:13:34 --> 00:13:38 and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
00:13:40 --> 00:13:45 Historians tell us that the palace guard, the praetorian guard, was 9 soldiers.
00:13:47 --> 00:13:54 Paul is such an extraordinary prisoner who he has made it clear that he is there
00:13:54 --> 00:13:59 because of a dead Jewish rabbi who he claims has come back to life.
00:13:59 --> 00:14:07 Instead of protesting his innocence or trying to curry favor in the Roman court,
00:14:07 --> 00:14:10 he is talking about a man who has been raised to life.
00:14:10 --> 00:14:17 Paul was so unique that stories spread around about him,
00:14:18 --> 00:14:22 but also about Jesus because it was for Jesus that he was in chains.
00:14:23 --> 00:14:27 Paul wanted to go to Rome and have an impact for the gospel.
00:14:28 --> 00:14:33 He would never have dreamt of being able to impact 9 soldiers
00:14:33 --> 00:14:36 and the whole palace with the gospel.
00:14:37 --> 00:14:41 It's almost like he's infiltrated the palace as a spy,
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 but under lock and key.
00:14:45 --> 00:14:48 It is such a wonderful accidental turn of events.
00:14:49 --> 00:14:52 It's clearly only God at work.
00:14:53 --> 00:14:58 He has that feeling of joy seeing God at work in the world.
00:14:58 --> 00:15:06 The second impact of his confinement is in verse 14.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:11 Because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord
00:15:11 --> 00:15:15 and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 Oh, wow.
00:15:18 --> 00:15:21 Paul, he's in prison and he's still preaching the gospel.
00:15:21 --> 00:15:24 He can face persecution.
00:15:25 --> 00:15:28 And we'll get to the persecution that he's facing in chapter 4 later
00:15:28 --> 00:15:33 when he says that he can endure all of this because of God who strengthens him.
00:15:33 --> 00:15:35 But he is an encouragement to others.
00:15:37 --> 00:15:39 And I love Paul's descriptions here.
00:15:39 --> 00:15:42 These people have become confident in the Lord.
00:15:43 --> 00:15:43 Confident.
00:15:43 --> 00:15:45 That's what we want, isn't it?
00:15:45 --> 00:15:47 We want to have more and more confidence in the Lord.
00:15:47 --> 00:15:52 And they dare all the more to proclaim without fear.
00:15:54 --> 00:15:57 Now this really takes me back to my primary school years.
00:15:58 --> 00:16:01 When was the last time someone dared you to do something?
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 When was the last time someone said,
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 I dare you.
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 I double dare you.
00:16:07 --> 00:16:09 That was the language of me growing up.
00:16:09 --> 00:16:12 I think I had this moment.
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 Well, not I.
00:16:13 --> 00:16:16 My wife with the kids were out yesterday at the beach.
00:16:16 --> 00:16:23 I think my darling daughter was daring my son to climb up a rock wall.
00:16:23 --> 00:16:25 And he did because he doesn't have any fear.
00:16:26 --> 00:16:28 And then he fell down and sliced the bottom side of his toe.
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 He's fine.
00:16:31 --> 00:16:33 But this concept of dare.
00:16:33 --> 00:16:36 I dare you to go up to them and tell them about Jesus.
00:16:39 --> 00:16:43 I wonder if there, for me, there is similarities with language learning.
00:16:43 --> 00:16:49 Because for me, we need to be dared to do things because there's fear.
00:16:49 --> 00:16:52 I think this is why children and maybe young men do it.
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 I dare you.
00:16:53 --> 00:16:55 Because we want to show that we don't have fear.
00:16:55 --> 00:16:55 I don't have fear.
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 I'm not fearful.
00:16:57 --> 00:17:00 I'm a big kid.
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 I'm a man.
00:17:01 --> 00:17:01 So dare me.
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 Do whatever you like.
00:17:03 --> 00:17:06 And so for me, I see similarities with language learning.
00:17:06 --> 00:17:10 It's often described as being really hard for adults to learn another language.
00:17:10 --> 00:17:13 Children are better at language learning, I hear.
00:17:14 --> 00:17:16 And there's probably truth to that.
00:17:16 --> 00:17:20 But I've also heard that adults can learn language faster than children.
00:17:21 --> 00:17:23 But the problem is fear.
00:17:24 --> 00:17:30 You can compare a two-year-old and a 42-year-old in their language learning.
00:17:30 --> 00:17:33 A two-year-old does not have fear.
00:17:34 --> 00:17:36 So they stumble and they mumble.
00:17:36 --> 00:17:38 They say whatever they need to communicate.
00:17:38 --> 00:17:43 My three-year-old nephew, I cannot understand about 50% of what he says.
00:17:44 --> 00:17:46 But I get the rough enough gist of it.
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 That's how we learn language.
00:17:49 --> 00:17:53 But an adult will often not say anything unless it is perfect.
00:17:54 --> 00:17:57 Because they are fearful of getting it wrong.
00:17:58 --> 00:18:01 Being looked down on, I must say the perfect things.
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 I must have the perfect grammar.
00:18:02 --> 00:18:04 I must have the perfect tones.
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 I must know all of the words.
00:18:05 --> 00:18:08 I must know everything before I say anything.
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 Fear rules the adult.
00:18:13 --> 00:18:15 Isn't this the same when it comes to sharing the gospel?
00:18:16 --> 00:18:18 What if I don't know what I'm going to say?
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 What if I don't have all of the words?
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 What if I get it wrong?
00:18:23 --> 00:18:26 What if they say something back to me and I don't know how to answer it?
00:18:26 --> 00:18:31 I wonder if this is often why our kids are better evangelists.
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 Hey, come to my church.
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 Hey, come to youth group.
00:18:35 --> 00:18:37 Come to this lunchtime group at school.
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 There's food.
00:18:39 --> 00:18:42 And they're not as fearful of being knocked down.
00:18:43 --> 00:18:48 The Roman church, seeing Paul in chains, sharing the gospel,
00:18:49 --> 00:18:54 it grew their confidence in God and not in themselves.
00:18:54 --> 00:18:57 And so they were not controlled by fear.
00:18:58 --> 00:19:01 They dared to share the gospel.
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 Making mistakes.
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 Stumbling, I'm sure.
00:19:06 --> 00:19:10 But learning to speak the language of how good Jesus is.
00:19:11 --> 00:19:13 And so brothers and sisters, let me encourage you.
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 Share the gospel.
00:19:16 --> 00:19:18 Don't be motivated by fear.
00:19:19 --> 00:19:21 But by confidence in God.
00:19:21 --> 00:19:23 And do you know what?
00:19:23 --> 00:19:28 If the series throughout the book of Romans hasn't given us confidence in God,
00:19:28 --> 00:19:33 I don't know what will because that is wonderful truth about God
00:19:33 --> 00:19:37 and how he is sovereign and good and he is in control of all things
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 and he works in us.
00:19:38 --> 00:19:51 The third thing that Paul finds is that he is joyful and has joyful ambition
00:19:51 --> 00:19:55 despite how the gospel goes out.
00:19:56 --> 00:19:59 Paul was so motivated by seeing the gospel go out,
00:20:00 --> 00:20:02 he did not care how it went out.
00:20:02 --> 00:20:04 For him personally, in prison, didn't care.
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 I'll tell these people around me.
00:20:05 --> 00:20:08 They'll tell others and they'll come back to me and they'll find out more.
00:20:09 --> 00:20:12 He is so ambitious for people to know about Jesus.
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 He is so motivated by joy.
00:20:15 --> 00:20:17 He doesn't care if others have bad motives.
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 Verse 15.
00:20:19 --> 00:20:24 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry,
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 but others out of goodwill.
00:20:26 --> 00:20:28 The latter do so out of love,
00:20:28 --> 00:20:30 knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
00:20:31 --> 00:20:34 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 not sincerely,
00:20:36 --> 00:20:39 supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
00:20:40 --> 00:20:43 It seems that there are factions within the church,
00:20:43 --> 00:20:47 those who have good and those who have poor motives.
00:20:47 --> 00:20:51 It seems as if there were preachers and leaders within the church
00:20:51 --> 00:20:54 building up their own ministry while putting down Paul's.
00:20:55 --> 00:20:57 Paul must have deep character flaws.
00:20:57 --> 00:21:00 He must have all kinds of issues and that's why he's in prison.
00:21:00 --> 00:21:02 I'm not in prison.
00:21:02 --> 00:21:02 I'm blessed out here.
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 God is blessing me and my ministry.
00:21:06 --> 00:21:09 Now, I'm not sure how you'd respond in that situation.
00:21:09 --> 00:21:12 I'm not sure if you'd feel the need to defend yourself.
00:21:12 --> 00:21:15 But Paul's response in verse 18,
00:21:15 --> 00:21:17 what does it matter?
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 What does it matter?
00:21:19 --> 00:21:21 The important thing is that in every way,
00:21:21 --> 00:21:23 whether from false motives or from true,
00:21:23 --> 00:21:25 Christ is preached.
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 And because of this, I rejoice.
00:21:29 --> 00:21:29 What does it matter?
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 Christ is being preached.
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 I will rejoice.
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 Paul's example is clear.
00:21:35 --> 00:21:39 Put the advance of the gospel at the center of our ambitions,
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 our own comforts,
00:21:42 --> 00:21:44 our own bruised feelings,
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 our own reputations,
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 our misunderstood motives.
00:21:47 --> 00:21:49 All of these are insignificant compared to the glory,
00:21:50 --> 00:21:52 the beauty and the goodness of God.
00:21:52 --> 00:21:52 What do they matter?
00:21:55 --> 00:21:57 And so Paul says to rejoice.
00:21:59 --> 00:22:01 Paul has a singular vision in life.
00:22:01 --> 00:22:08 He can be joyful in prison because his ambition isn't about his situation.
00:22:10 --> 00:22:12 His joy is not found in his money,
00:22:12 --> 00:22:16 his marriage or in the size of his following.
00:22:16 --> 00:22:19 His joy isn't found in his desire to travel.
00:22:19 --> 00:22:22 His joy, that feeling in the soul given,
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 produced by the Holy Spirit,
00:22:25 --> 00:22:28 is because he is seeing the beauty of Christ at work in the world.
00:22:29 --> 00:22:31 People are hearing about Jesus.
00:22:31 --> 00:22:35 And the church is growing and spreading because of it.
00:22:36 --> 00:22:38 What are our ambitions for the future?
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 Is it to have a good name?
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 A good reputation?
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 A good house?
00:22:43 --> 00:22:43 A good job?
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 A good marriage?
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 To have children and grandchildren?
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 To retire early?
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 To have good health?
00:22:50 --> 00:22:52 All of these are good things.
00:22:53 --> 00:22:57 But the question is whether these ambitions become so devouring
00:22:57 --> 00:23:03 that the central ambition is squeezed to the side or choked entirely.
00:23:03 --> 00:23:09 I so care about my reputation that I'm fearful about telling this person about Jesus.
00:23:10 --> 00:23:14 This relationship is so important that I won't tell them I'm a Christian.
00:23:15 --> 00:23:20 And even though I'm dating them, it doesn't matter that they are not a Christian.
00:23:20 --> 00:23:27 This job, this money is so important that it cuts into my time worshipping God with my church
00:23:27 --> 00:23:29 or meeting with my community group.
00:23:29 --> 00:23:33 Well, it's worth it because this is my central ambition in life.
00:23:33 --> 00:23:37 We all have ambitions for the future.
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 And that's a good thing.
00:23:41 --> 00:23:44 But they can choke our chance to find true joy
00:23:44 --> 00:23:47 because those things will never satisfy.
00:23:48 --> 00:23:52 We think that holding them will spark joy and they might for a moment,
00:23:53 --> 00:23:56 but not compared to the joy found in the eternal God.
00:23:57 --> 00:24:00 Finally and briefly, joyful sacrifice.
00:24:00 --> 00:24:06 We see Paul struggling with his desire to be with Jesus
00:24:06 --> 00:24:08 and his desire to serve the church.
00:24:09 --> 00:24:11 I could preach a whole sermon on this part of Philippians.
00:24:11 --> 00:24:13 It is quite a famous part of Philippians, but I'm not going to today.
00:24:14 --> 00:24:17 It's a picture of joyful sacrifice.
00:24:17 --> 00:24:21 What he will give up so that others can have joy.
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 Verse 21.
00:24:24 --> 00:24:28 For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
00:24:28 --> 00:24:34 It's very similar to the construction in the language that Steve spoke about last week.
00:24:35 --> 00:24:38 For to me to live, Christ.
00:24:39 --> 00:24:41 And to die, gain.
00:24:42 --> 00:24:47 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me.
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 Yet what shall I choose?
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 I do not know.
00:24:50 --> 00:24:52 I am torn between the two.
00:24:52 --> 00:24:56 I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is by far better.
00:24:56 --> 00:24:59 Paul's experience is so like Jesus's.
00:24:59 --> 00:25:02 His well-being is so closely tied to other people.
00:25:04 --> 00:25:10 Jesus, out of joy for us, sacrificed himself.
00:25:11 --> 00:25:14 And Paul, even though he wants to go and be with Jesus,
00:25:15 --> 00:25:18 is choosing to stay for other people's well-being.
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 Verse 25.
00:25:19 --> 00:25:21 I know that I will remain.
00:25:21 --> 00:25:26 And I will continue with all of you for your progress and your joy in the faith.
00:25:28 --> 00:25:32 His decision about his future is what is best for other people's joy.
00:25:34 --> 00:25:36 He is so ambitious for the church to have joy.
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 He will stay.
00:25:39 --> 00:25:43 So that they too can have that feeling of joy produced by the Holy Spirit,
00:25:43 --> 00:25:46 seeing God at work in his word and in the world.
00:25:46 --> 00:25:54 Individually, we are faced with seeking our own personal joys and treasuring Jesus more.
00:25:55 --> 00:25:58 And so the challenge is about where we are finding our joy.
00:26:00 --> 00:26:05 Brothers and sisters, to be honest, I'm actually really tired and pretty weary at the moment.
00:26:06 --> 00:26:08 I'm looking forward to holidays coming up.
00:26:08 --> 00:26:12 And I know the trap that they are, that I'll find joy in those holidays.
00:26:12 --> 00:26:17 But at 7am this morning, as I stood and looked at my coffee machine,
00:26:17 --> 00:26:20 thinking about making my second coffee of the morning,
00:26:21 --> 00:26:22 I felt a fraud.
00:26:23 --> 00:26:27 I was thinking that I've got to get up and speak about joy.
00:26:28 --> 00:26:31 And I'm not feeling very joyful.
00:26:31 --> 00:26:41 And I'm tempted to have a false joy, tempted to have an excitableness produced by caffeine.
00:26:43 --> 00:26:45 And I took a moment just remembering,
00:26:46 --> 00:26:51 I'm not sure if it was me or if it was God reminding me of Cheney's video today,
00:26:51 --> 00:26:53 which I recorded a couple of weeks ago,
00:26:53 --> 00:26:57 how great it is to hear about how God is working.
00:26:58 --> 00:27:02 Just that moment of seeing real joy
00:27:02 --> 00:27:07 that God is seeing people come to know and love him.
00:27:09 --> 00:27:15 Real joy hearing about the beauty of Jesus being seen across the world.
00:27:16 --> 00:27:18 And here in us, so brothers and sisters,
00:27:18 --> 00:27:21 this morning, as we finish in a couple of moments
00:27:21 --> 00:27:23 and we go out and have caffeine,
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 and there's nothing wrong with caffeine,
00:27:27 --> 00:27:32 it is potential that we will miss out on seeing the impact of God in each of us.
00:27:34 --> 00:27:37 We can just go through the motions and talk about our days and our weeks
00:27:37 --> 00:27:38 and how good the weather is.
00:27:38 --> 00:27:39 And the weather is good.
00:27:40 --> 00:27:40 And it is lovely.
00:27:41 --> 00:27:42 And it does make us feel better.
00:27:42 --> 00:27:44 But it is not joy.
00:27:44 --> 00:27:53 We can get joy when we see how God is working in each other and in his word.
00:27:54 --> 00:27:56 So maybe even this morning, you grab a coffee,
00:27:56 --> 00:27:57 you sit down with someone and read some Bible.
00:27:59 --> 00:28:02 Or you ask them, how is God shaping you?
00:28:03 --> 00:28:04 What is God growing in you?
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 What is God doing in your life?
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 I want to know.
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 I want some joy.
00:28:08 --> 00:28:10 Let me tell you what God is doing in my life.
00:28:10 --> 00:28:12 Let me give you joy.
00:28:12 --> 00:28:14 I've been reading this in the Bible.
00:28:14 --> 00:28:16 This is wonderfully nourishing for me.
00:28:19 --> 00:28:22 Paul adds a wonderful element of finding joy
00:28:22 --> 00:28:28 where we see God working in the world and in other people.
00:28:28 --> 00:28:32 There is a joy that can be found in seeing what God is doing in others.
00:28:33 --> 00:28:36 Jesus has so blessed us and made us into a family,
00:28:36 --> 00:28:38 he calls us to be going in the same direction,
00:28:38 --> 00:28:44 to have true partnership so we can celebrate and rejoice like Paul
00:28:44 --> 00:28:48 in the impact of God's word and work in our lives.
00:28:49 --> 00:28:51 Let me pray that we would do that.
00:28:53 --> 00:28:59 Heavenly Father, I thank you for Paul's words here
00:28:59 --> 00:29:07 and to see the joy he gets from seeing the impact of you in their lives.
00:29:08 --> 00:29:12 Lord, thank you for reminders today from Chenny
00:29:12 --> 00:29:15 that you are working in the world.
00:29:17 --> 00:29:19 God, you are working far away from us
00:29:19 --> 00:29:22 and you are working deeply within us.
00:29:22 --> 00:29:28 Lord, help us not to be quick to miss out on that, Lord.
00:29:29 --> 00:29:34 Help us build deep partnerships in the gospel.
00:29:35 --> 00:29:38 Not just relationships of knowing one another,
00:29:38 --> 00:29:40 but of partnerships of loving each other
00:29:40 --> 00:29:43 and serving you together, Lord.
00:29:43 --> 00:29:47 Father, we ask that you would be giving us joy
00:29:47 --> 00:29:50 found only in you today.
00:29:51 --> 00:29:52 We ask this in your son's name.
00:29:53 --> 00:29:53 Amen.