with perseverance in truth
Series: Breaking the Chains
Speaker: Sam Low
Date: 15th June 2014
Passage: 1 Corinthians 9:1-27
00:00:00 --> 00:00:03 I think I don't fit the image of the person who normally stands at the front of a wedding
00:00:03 --> 00:00:05 and I think there's a novelty in that for people.
00:00:06 --> 00:00:08 And so I seem to get a lot of phone calls from people saying,
00:00:08 --> 00:00:11 can you come and do our wedding because they think that I'll be fun.
00:00:11 --> 00:00:15 I don't know that that's actually true, but there's an assumption there
00:00:15 --> 00:00:19 that until my hair is entirely grey, and it is getting there,
00:00:19 --> 00:00:21 but until it's entirely grey, they just assume that I'll be fun.
00:00:22 --> 00:00:26 But it's also one of the most challenging things I do in my job
00:00:26 --> 00:00:28 because when it comes to weddings,
00:00:28 --> 00:00:30 there are a lot of different people involved
00:00:30 --> 00:00:33 with a lot of different ideas about how things should happen.
00:00:34 --> 00:00:37 If you've ever been to a wedding rehearsal, perhaps it was your own,
00:00:37 --> 00:00:40 perhaps it was that of your child or relative,
00:00:40 --> 00:00:43 it's amazing how you can be standing there
00:00:43 --> 00:00:47 and the idea that the bride and groom have for how their big day should go
00:00:47 --> 00:00:50 is not necessarily the same as the idea that the mother of the bride
00:00:50 --> 00:00:53 has about how the day should go
00:00:53 --> 00:00:56 or the mother of the groom or the grandparent of the bride.
00:00:56 --> 00:01:00 There could be 15 different expectations of what's supposed to happen.
00:01:00 --> 00:01:03 And deep down, I know that there's certain things that I have to do
00:01:03 --> 00:01:05 to make sure they get married by the end of the day.
00:01:05 --> 00:01:07 And so I've got people at the front telling me,
00:01:07 --> 00:01:08 be fun, be relaxed.
00:01:08 --> 00:01:10 We want it to be really enjoyable.
00:01:10 --> 00:01:12 And then I've got the person in the second row telling me,
00:01:12 --> 00:01:14 it's a serious occasion.
00:01:14 --> 00:01:14 You've got to focus.
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 Don't be so flippant about going through things.
00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 And there's all these different people telling me what to do.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 And so instead of being a joyful occasion,
00:01:22 --> 00:01:24 I'm so nervous about offending all these people
00:01:24 --> 00:01:25 that I end up just going into my shell
00:01:25 --> 00:01:26 and I don't really know what's going on.
00:01:26 --> 00:01:27 I'm just staring at the page,
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 getting my words out and signing the bit of paper.
00:01:30 --> 00:01:31 Weddings are supposed to be exciting,
00:01:32 --> 00:01:33 even for me when I'm standing at the front of it.
00:01:34 --> 00:01:36 But when there's so many different expectations,
00:01:37 --> 00:01:41 you can become so scared that you're not really sure what to do.
00:01:42 --> 00:01:46 And last week, Chris opened up 1 Corinthians 8 for us
00:01:46 --> 00:01:49 and encouraged us that the freedom we have in Christ
00:01:49 --> 00:01:51 should not be used lovelessly.
00:01:52 --> 00:01:55 We shouldn't use it in a way that bears on the conscience
00:01:55 --> 00:01:56 of our brothers and sisters.
00:01:56 --> 00:02:00 But there's a risk for us when we hear a message like that.
00:02:00 --> 00:02:01 The message isn't saying this,
00:02:01 --> 00:02:04 but there's a risk that what we suddenly do
00:02:04 --> 00:02:05 is instead of feeling free,
00:02:06 --> 00:02:10 we feel trapped by the consciences of everyone around us.
00:02:10 --> 00:02:12 We were having a conversation in our community group
00:02:12 --> 00:02:14 during the week and we're saying,
00:02:14 --> 00:02:16 well, what if one person thinks I should do this
00:02:16 --> 00:02:17 and then another person thinks I should do this?
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 And they're opposite things.
00:02:19 --> 00:02:20 How do I decide?
00:02:20 --> 00:02:23 And then you end up living your life not as somebody who's free,
00:02:23 --> 00:02:26 but as somebody who's scared and worried
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 about always doing what everybody else wants you to do.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:31 And so thankfully, chapter 8 isn't everything
00:02:31 --> 00:02:33 that Paul says about our freedom in Jesus.
00:02:34 --> 00:02:38 And so in chapter 9, Paul wants to point to his own example
00:02:38 --> 00:02:41 of rights that are his that the Corinthians don't have
00:02:41 --> 00:02:44 so that we might understand exactly what it looks like
00:02:44 --> 00:02:48 to use our freedom the correct way.
00:02:48 --> 00:02:51 Because the question that we need to ask is,
00:02:51 --> 00:02:52 we're free.
00:02:53 --> 00:02:56 Last week, we were encouraged to give up our rights,
00:02:57 --> 00:03:01 but sometimes we actually have to stand and claim our freedom.
00:03:02 --> 00:03:03 But when do you do which?
00:03:04 --> 00:03:07 When do you give up your right to serve your brother?
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 And when do you stand for something that is true
00:03:09 --> 00:03:11 because they need to learn this truth?
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 That's the question before us tonight,
00:03:13 --> 00:03:15 and so that is where Paul takes us in chapter 9.
00:03:16 --> 00:03:17 Paul opens up,
00:03:17 --> 00:03:18 am I not free?
00:03:18 --> 00:03:19 Am I not an apostle?
00:03:19 --> 00:03:20 Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?
00:03:20 --> 00:03:23 Paul has special rights because of the job that he does.
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 He's a preacher of God's words.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:28 He's the one who planted this community in Corinthians.
00:03:29 --> 00:03:31 It doesn't exist if Paul doesn't go there
00:03:31 --> 00:03:32 and teach them about Jesus.
00:03:33 --> 00:03:34 He's their spiritual father,
00:03:34 --> 00:03:38 and so he has a right to get financial support from them.
00:03:38 --> 00:03:40 That's not a weird thing.
00:03:40 --> 00:03:42 That's normal for people who plant churches
00:03:42 --> 00:03:46 or who are religious leaders in this age.
00:03:46 --> 00:03:50 And so Paul is entitled to take things from him,
00:03:50 --> 00:03:52 take things from the church, but he doesn't.
00:03:54 --> 00:03:57 But the reason he doesn't is what's important.
00:03:58 --> 00:04:01 He doesn't choose to go without their money
00:04:01 --> 00:04:04 because he's worried about what they think.
00:04:04 --> 00:04:07 He doesn't choose to go without their money
00:04:07 --> 00:04:09 because they're pressuring him
00:04:09 --> 00:04:11 that it's a bad idea to take money.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 In fact, there's a clue in here
00:04:13 --> 00:04:15 that some of the people thought he was a dodgy apostle
00:04:15 --> 00:04:16 because he wasn't taking money.
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 They are of the attitude that, you know,
00:04:19 --> 00:04:20 you get what you pay for,
00:04:20 --> 00:04:21 and so if we're not paying for this guy,
00:04:21 --> 00:04:23 maybe he's not so impressive after all.
00:04:23 --> 00:04:26 But Paul is really committed to denying something
00:04:26 --> 00:04:27 that he's entitled to.
00:04:27 --> 00:04:27 Why?
00:04:29 --> 00:04:31 Not because what they want.
00:04:32 --> 00:04:35 There's a principle that's dictating
00:04:35 --> 00:04:36 how Paul uses his freedom.
00:04:37 --> 00:04:40 There's a grid that he uses to answer that question,
00:04:40 --> 00:04:41 when do I hold on to my rights
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 and when do I deny them for the sake of my brother?
00:04:43 --> 00:04:46 Paul has a single agenda on display
00:04:46 --> 00:04:47 in these chapters here.
00:04:48 --> 00:04:51 His freedom is committed to a singular purpose,
00:04:51 --> 00:04:53 and it's there in verse 12.
00:04:55 --> 00:04:56 Second half.
00:04:58 --> 00:05:00 But we do not use this right.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:04 On the contrary, we put up with anything
00:05:04 --> 00:05:07 rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 We put up with anything
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
00:05:14 --> 00:05:16 Notice that that word there, hinder,
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 it's not obstacle, it's not barrier,
00:05:18 --> 00:05:20 it's the really general word
00:05:20 --> 00:05:21 that includes anything
00:05:21 --> 00:05:22 that might even slow down
00:05:22 --> 00:05:23 the progress of the gospel.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:26 If there's something that Paul could do
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 and still eventually it would work out for good,
00:05:28 --> 00:05:29 but it's the long way around,
00:05:29 --> 00:05:30 he doesn't want to do that.
00:05:31 --> 00:05:33 He's so committed to being effective
00:05:33 --> 00:05:34 with the gospel,
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 to being efficient with the gospel,
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 to reaching as many people as possible
00:05:38 --> 00:05:39 with the gospel,
00:05:39 --> 00:05:41 that he will put up with anything
00:05:41 --> 00:05:44 rather than be a hindrance
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 in any way, shape or form.
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 We know that there's no issue
00:05:48 --> 00:05:49 with Paul taking money.
00:05:50 --> 00:05:51 As a gospel worker.
00:05:52 --> 00:05:53 Here he says,
00:05:53 --> 00:05:54 it's my entitlement.
00:05:54 --> 00:05:55 The other apostles are doing it.
00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 He says that Peter is doing it.
00:05:57 --> 00:05:58 It's a normal thing.
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 In fact, in the letter to Philippians,
00:06:00 --> 00:06:01 which Paul writes to another church
00:06:01 --> 00:06:02 he's planted,
00:06:02 --> 00:06:03 he spends a bunch of time
00:06:03 --> 00:06:04 commending them
00:06:04 --> 00:06:05 for how generous they've been
00:06:05 --> 00:06:06 and how great it is
00:06:06 --> 00:06:07 and how encouraged he is
00:06:07 --> 00:06:08 that they're giving money.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:10 Money is not the problem.
00:06:10 --> 00:06:12 It's not an issue of right or wrong
00:06:12 --> 00:06:13 here when it comes to rights.
00:06:13 --> 00:06:14 The issue is,
00:06:15 --> 00:06:17 it's going to be a hindrance
00:06:17 --> 00:06:17 for the gospel.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 Paul would rather get a second job
00:06:21 --> 00:06:22 and work nights
00:06:22 --> 00:06:23 to make sure
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 that money doesn't complicate
00:06:25 --> 00:06:26 the relationship he has
00:06:26 --> 00:06:26 with the Corinthians.
00:06:28 --> 00:06:29 He would rather work harder
00:06:29 --> 00:06:31 than maybe he has to
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 to ensure that no one
00:06:33 --> 00:06:34 that he's preaching to
00:06:34 --> 00:06:35 feels like they have
00:06:35 --> 00:06:37 some sense of ownership.
00:06:37 --> 00:06:38 For the Corinthians,
00:06:38 --> 00:06:40 if they were giving money to Paul,
00:06:40 --> 00:06:40 it would have been like
00:06:40 --> 00:06:41 Paul was their employee.
00:06:42 --> 00:06:43 And so there might have been
00:06:43 --> 00:06:44 the temptation for them
00:06:44 --> 00:06:45 to try and tell him
00:06:45 --> 00:06:46 what he should be saying.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:46 There might have been
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 the temptation for Paul
00:06:48 --> 00:06:49 to not to say the hard words
00:06:49 --> 00:06:50 when he needed to say it.
00:06:51 --> 00:06:52 And so to make sure
00:06:52 --> 00:06:53 that the gospel gets heard,
00:06:53 --> 00:06:54 no strings attached,
00:06:55 --> 00:06:56 he's willing to take
00:06:56 --> 00:06:57 an extra job
00:06:57 --> 00:06:58 on top of caring
00:06:58 --> 00:06:59 for this group of people
00:06:59 --> 00:07:00 and being a missionary
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 and doing all these other things
00:07:02 --> 00:07:03 because he wants the gospel
00:07:03 --> 00:07:05 to be free of charge.
00:07:06 --> 00:07:07 So last week,
00:07:07 --> 00:07:09 our freedom is not to be misused.
00:07:10 --> 00:07:10 Last week,
00:07:10 --> 00:07:11 we need to be careful
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 that we don't cause others to sin
00:07:13 --> 00:07:14 with the freedom
00:07:14 --> 00:07:15 that we have in Jesus.
00:07:15 --> 00:07:16 But this week,
00:07:16 --> 00:07:17 Paul is showing us
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 that our freedom has a direction.
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 It has an offensive.
00:07:21 --> 00:07:22 It has a purpose
00:07:22 --> 00:07:24 that we can be committed to.
00:07:24 --> 00:07:24 It's in the positive.
00:07:25 --> 00:07:26 And in verse 19,
00:07:26 --> 00:07:27 he makes it explicit.
00:07:28 --> 00:07:29 Though I am free
00:07:29 --> 00:07:31 and belong to no man,
00:07:31 --> 00:07:34 I make myself a slave to everyone
00:07:34 --> 00:07:37 to win as many as possible.
00:07:38 --> 00:07:40 This is the consuming desire for Paul.
00:07:40 --> 00:07:41 This is what it means
00:07:41 --> 00:07:42 to live for the gospel
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 as the priority.
00:07:44 --> 00:07:45 He wants to see people
00:07:45 --> 00:07:46 come to know Jesus.
00:07:47 --> 00:07:48 And not just a few,
00:07:48 --> 00:07:50 he wants as many as possible
00:07:50 --> 00:07:52 to know the hope that he has.
00:07:52 --> 00:07:54 This trumps every other thing
00:07:54 --> 00:07:55 that matters in his life.
00:07:55 --> 00:07:57 Every other desire that he has,
00:07:57 --> 00:07:58 this comes first.
00:07:59 --> 00:08:01 Paul told us in chapter 7
00:08:01 --> 00:08:02 that marriage is good,
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 that a wife is good,
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 and yet he chooses not to have one
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 because he believes
00:08:08 --> 00:08:10 that he can be more effective
00:08:10 --> 00:08:11 for the gospel without one.
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 Chooses to give up something good
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 that he affirms
00:08:14 --> 00:08:16 because without a wife,
00:08:16 --> 00:08:18 he believes that he can be more effective
00:08:18 --> 00:08:20 to see more people saved.
00:08:21 --> 00:08:24 His agenda is this above all else,
00:08:24 --> 00:08:27 to win as many as possible.
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 The freedom that we have in Jesus
00:08:30 --> 00:08:31 has a purpose.
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 It's not a blank check
00:08:33 --> 00:08:34 for you to do whatever you want
00:08:34 --> 00:08:35 in your life.
00:08:36 --> 00:08:37 It is a gift from God
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 that is directed.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:40 And so I wonder,
00:08:40 --> 00:08:41 when you got up this morning
00:08:41 --> 00:08:42 and you were getting dressed,
00:08:43 --> 00:08:44 did you ask yourself the question,
00:08:45 --> 00:08:46 will these clothes
00:08:46 --> 00:08:49 help me win people to Jesus?
00:08:51 --> 00:08:53 When you were trying to decide
00:08:53 --> 00:08:54 what job you might get,
00:08:54 --> 00:08:55 maybe when you're choosing
00:08:55 --> 00:08:57 uni courses or school subjects,
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 did you ask the question,
00:08:59 --> 00:09:02 will this help me win people to Jesus?
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 When you were deciding
00:09:07 --> 00:09:08 who you would date,
00:09:08 --> 00:09:09 who you would marry,
00:09:09 --> 00:09:10 whether or not you would date,
00:09:10 --> 00:09:11 whether or not you would get married,
00:09:11 --> 00:09:12 did you ask the question,
00:09:13 --> 00:09:15 will this help me win people to Jesus?
00:09:16 --> 00:09:17 Now, it might sound like
00:09:17 --> 00:09:19 I'm being dramatic or excessive.
00:09:19 --> 00:09:21 Surely my clothes aren't that important.
00:09:21 --> 00:09:22 But you've got to understand,
00:09:23 --> 00:09:25 this is the only question.
00:09:25 --> 00:09:28 This is the first question.
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 The only earthly structure
00:09:31 --> 00:09:33 that will last for eternity
00:09:33 --> 00:09:35 is the church.
00:09:35 --> 00:09:37 The only thing that will last
00:09:37 --> 00:09:38 beyond this life
00:09:38 --> 00:09:40 is the community of God's people.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 It's Christ's bride.
00:09:42 --> 00:09:44 And so it is infinitely more valuable
00:09:44 --> 00:09:46 than will I look good in these clothes?
00:09:47 --> 00:09:48 It is infinitely more valuable
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 than will I be happy
00:09:49 --> 00:09:50 with this girlfriend,
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 boyfriend, husband, wife.
00:09:52 --> 00:09:54 It is infinitely more valuable
00:09:54 --> 00:09:56 than will this job pay me enough
00:09:56 --> 00:09:56 or satisfy me?
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 More important is,
00:10:00 --> 00:10:02 will this help me win
00:10:02 --> 00:10:03 as many as possible?
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 That is the purpose
00:10:05 --> 00:10:07 for which Christ has died and risen.
00:10:07 --> 00:10:08 It is the purpose
00:10:08 --> 00:10:10 for the freedom that we have.
00:10:11 --> 00:10:11 Paul's agenda,
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 personally,
00:10:13 --> 00:10:14 and his desire
00:10:14 --> 00:10:15 for the church in Corinth,
00:10:16 --> 00:10:18 and our desire here at St. Paul's
00:10:18 --> 00:10:20 is that we would be driven
00:10:20 --> 00:10:22 to live out
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 our freedom like this.
00:10:24 --> 00:10:25 That we would be marked
00:10:25 --> 00:10:26 as people who care
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 more than anything else,
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 that at the end of our lives
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 we will have been poured out
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 and won
00:10:31 --> 00:10:31 as many
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 as possible.
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 This section,
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 chapters 8 and 9 and 10,
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 culminate in chapter 11,
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 verse 1.
00:10:39 --> 00:10:40 If you've got your Bible open,
00:10:40 --> 00:10:40 have a quick look.
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 It says this.
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 Paul finishes this big rant
00:10:44 --> 00:10:45 about the freedom
00:10:45 --> 00:10:46 that he has in Jesus
00:10:46 --> 00:10:46 when he says,
00:10:46 --> 00:10:48 follow my example
00:10:48 --> 00:10:50 as I follow the example
00:10:50 --> 00:10:50 of Christ.
00:10:51 --> 00:10:52 Paul is leading the charge
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 for the Corinthians.
00:10:53 --> 00:10:53 He's saying,
00:10:53 --> 00:10:54 if you're not sure
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 what this looks like,
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 have a look at my life.
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 Look at what I do.
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 But more than that,
00:10:58 --> 00:11:00 this is what Jesus did
00:11:00 --> 00:11:00 with his life.
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 It's what Rob was praying
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 just a second ago.
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 Jesus was entitled
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 to so much more
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 than what he experienced
00:11:06 --> 00:11:07 in his earthly life.
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 But he made choices
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 to suffer
00:11:10 --> 00:11:11 and to sacrifice
00:11:11 --> 00:11:12 because his agenda
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 was to give his life
00:11:13 --> 00:11:15 so that some people
00:11:15 --> 00:11:15 would be saved.
00:11:15 --> 00:11:17 He spent time
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 with the people
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 that were controversial,
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 with the people
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 that we might have found
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 it difficult to love
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 because his agenda was
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 to save as many
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 as possible.
00:11:27 --> 00:11:28 It's his example
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 that we're called
00:11:29 --> 00:11:29 to follow.
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 We have been freed
00:11:31 --> 00:11:33 to live like Jesus.
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 Paul is unpacking
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 in this chapter
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 what it looks like
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 to embrace our freedom
00:11:38 --> 00:11:40 and to use it
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 the way that God
00:11:41 --> 00:11:42 designed for us.
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 So that's the answer
00:11:44 --> 00:11:44 to the question
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 we had at the beginning.
00:11:46 --> 00:11:48 When do I deny my rights
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 for the sake of my brother
00:11:49 --> 00:11:49 or sister
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 and when do I stand
00:11:50 --> 00:11:52 on my rights
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 because truth matters?
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 Well, you ask
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 which one will be
00:11:57 --> 00:11:57 more beneficial
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 for the gospel?
00:11:59 --> 00:12:01 Which one will help me more
00:12:01 --> 00:12:03 to win people to Jesus?
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 There will be times
00:12:04 --> 00:12:07 when denying your rights
00:12:07 --> 00:12:09 will be more beneficial
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 for your brother or sister
00:12:10 --> 00:12:10 to hear the gospel.
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 There will be times
00:12:12 --> 00:12:13 when it is good and right
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 for you to sacrifice
00:12:14 --> 00:12:15 so that others
00:12:15 --> 00:12:16 will come to know Jesus
00:12:16 --> 00:12:18 but there will also be times
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 where you need to stand up
00:12:19 --> 00:12:20 and say I am free
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 to do this in Jesus
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 so that the people around you
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 can come to understand
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 what it means
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 that Jesus has died
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 and washed you
00:12:26 --> 00:12:27 and made you clean
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 and that nothing can undo
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 what he's done on the cross.
00:12:31 --> 00:12:31 And the question
00:12:31 --> 00:12:33 you've got to be asking is
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 which of these
00:12:34 --> 00:12:36 will help me win people
00:12:36 --> 00:12:36 to Jesus?
00:12:37 --> 00:12:38 Whether you're getting dressed,
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 picking a job,
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 picking a suburb
00:12:41 --> 00:12:41 to live in,
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 whatever it is,
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 Jesus is the thing
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 that matters.
00:12:46 --> 00:12:48 Our freedom is ours
00:12:48 --> 00:12:50 but for the goal
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 that others would know
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 that freedom as well.
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 That's God's agenda.
00:12:55 --> 00:12:57 He has called you
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 and loved you
00:12:58 --> 00:12:59 and adopted you
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 and accepted you
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 and forgiven you
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 so that others
00:13:03 --> 00:13:03 might be called
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 and loved
00:13:04 --> 00:13:04 and adopted
00:13:04 --> 00:13:05 and forgiven.
00:13:05 --> 00:13:09 Jesus on the cross
00:13:09 --> 00:13:11 is the ultimate example
00:13:11 --> 00:13:11 of this.
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 He is God.
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 He has every right
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 and every authority
00:13:17 --> 00:13:19 to take himself down
00:13:19 --> 00:13:19 from the cross.
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 He has every right
00:13:21 --> 00:13:22 and every authority
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 to command angels
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 to come and lay waste
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 to the soldiers
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 that are in front of him
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 but he chooses
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 to stay there
00:13:28 --> 00:13:30 because that's necessary
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 for any to be saved.
00:13:31 --> 00:13:36 He sacrifices his own
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 because his goal,
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 his purpose
00:13:38 --> 00:13:40 shapes his action.
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 For us as a church
00:13:43 --> 00:13:45 our goal is
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 that we would save
00:13:46 --> 00:13:46 as many as possible.
00:13:48 --> 00:13:50 Our goal as individuals
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 needs to be
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 that we will save
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 as many as possible
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 and so the question
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 we need to wrestle with
00:13:55 --> 00:13:55 is,
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 is that goal
00:13:56 --> 00:13:58 shaping who we are?
00:13:58 --> 00:14:00 Is that goal shaping
00:14:00 --> 00:14:01 how we spend our time
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 and our energy?
00:14:03 --> 00:14:05 This is what our vision
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 statement is about.
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 Here at St Paul's
00:14:08 --> 00:14:08 we want to share
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 God's heart
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 to see lost people
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 come to know him,
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 to see dead people
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 come to life.
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 We want to know Jesus
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 and treasure Jesus
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 and represent Jesus
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 in such a way
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 that God gets glory
00:14:19 --> 00:14:21 and people find joy
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 as they find freedom
00:14:22 --> 00:14:25 and then they get
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 to know Jesus
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 and treasure Jesus
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 and represent Jesus
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 so that others
00:14:29 --> 00:14:31 will come to find joy
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 in him as well.
00:14:32 --> 00:14:34 Our goal as a church,
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 our goal as Christians
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 must dictate
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 what we do
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 and how we live
00:14:38 --> 00:14:40 and so I want to suggest
00:14:40 --> 00:14:42 two ways
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 that we need to
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 particularly work on
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 for us as a church
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 and I have to say
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 for me personally
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 and so maybe for you as well.
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 Have a look at verse 19
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 with me.
00:14:52 --> 00:14:54 Though I am free
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 and belong to no man,
00:14:55 --> 00:14:57 I make myself a slave
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 to everyone
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 to win as many as possible.
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 To the Jews
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 I became like a Jew
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 to win the Jews.
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 To those under the law
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 I became like one
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 under the law
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 though I myself
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 am not under the law
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 so as to win those
00:15:09 --> 00:15:09 under the law.
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 To those not having the law
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 I became like one
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 not having the law
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 though I am not free
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 from God's law
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 but I am under Christ's law
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 so as to win those
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 not having the law.
00:15:19 --> 00:15:19 To the weak
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 I became weak
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 to win the weak.
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 I have become all things
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 to all men
00:15:23 --> 00:15:25 so that by all possible means
00:15:25 --> 00:15:27 I might save some.
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 There's the agenda again.
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 By all possible means
00:15:30 --> 00:15:32 I might save some.
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 And how does he do it?
00:15:34 --> 00:15:36 By becoming all things
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 to all men.
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 Two things that are going
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 to help us begin
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 to even comprehend
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 what that might look like.
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 The first thing is
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 we need our identity
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 redefined.
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 I don't know if you noticed
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 there in verse 20
00:15:49 --> 00:15:51 Paul says to the Jews
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 I became like a Jew
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 to win the Jews.
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 Paul is a Jew.
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 Paul is a Pharisee.
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 Paul is the poster boy
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 for being Jewish.
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 If they wanted to advertise
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 to recruit Jews
00:16:04 --> 00:16:06 Paul would be on the poster.
00:16:06 --> 00:16:08 He ticks every box for them.
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 He's born in the right month.
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 He's circumcised
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 on the right day.
00:16:11 --> 00:16:12 He raves about this stuff
00:16:12 --> 00:16:14 in Philippians chapter 3.
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 But for him
00:16:16 --> 00:16:18 now that he knows Jesus
00:16:18 --> 00:16:20 his identity
00:16:20 --> 00:16:22 is so radically different
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 that his Jewish heritage
00:16:23 --> 00:16:25 is second at best.
00:16:26 --> 00:16:28 First and more importantly
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 he considers himself
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 a Christian.
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 He considers himself
00:16:32 --> 00:16:32 forgiven.
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 He considers himself
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 somebody who is defined
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 by the one
00:16:36 --> 00:16:38 who died on the cross
00:16:38 --> 00:16:38 for him.
00:16:40 --> 00:16:40 See until we know
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 who we are
00:16:41 --> 00:16:43 we won't be sure
00:16:43 --> 00:16:43 which bits
00:16:43 --> 00:16:45 we're supposed to hold on to
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 and which bits
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 we let go of.
00:16:47 --> 00:16:49 If we want to be able
00:16:49 --> 00:16:49 to be flexible
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 if we want to be able
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 to serve the community
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 around us
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 then the first part
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 is we need to soak
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 under God's word
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 and hear the gospel
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 over and over
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 and understand
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 that we are forgiven
00:16:59 --> 00:17:01 completely and irreversibly
00:17:01 --> 00:17:03 that everything
00:17:03 --> 00:17:03 that we brought
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 to the cross
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 has been left
00:17:05 --> 00:17:05 at the cross
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 and dealt with
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 and paid for
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 that there's nothing
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 that we can actually add
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 that will become
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 an extra barrier.
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 We are no longer
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 identified as Chinese
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 or Filipino
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 or Malaysian
00:17:16 --> 00:17:16 or Australian
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 or English
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 or whatever we might be.
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 We are no longer
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 defined by the job
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 that we have.
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 We are no longer
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 defined by the paycheck
00:17:23 --> 00:17:23 that we earn
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 by the suburb
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 that we live in
00:17:25 --> 00:17:25 by the marks
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 we get in our exams
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 by the language
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 that we speak.
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 That all comes
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 second and third
00:17:31 --> 00:17:31 and fifth
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 and thirtieth
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 and whatever else.
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 First and foremost
00:17:34 --> 00:17:37 Jesus has died
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 for us.
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 We are Christians.
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 If you are following
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 Jesus the thing
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 that defines you
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 is him.
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 He is the centre
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 of who you are.
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 He is the thing
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 that defines
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 your status
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 your position
00:17:53 --> 00:17:56 and so you need
00:17:56 --> 00:17:56 to be okay
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 to let go
00:17:57 --> 00:17:57 of some of the things
00:17:57 --> 00:17:59 that used to define you
00:17:59 --> 00:18:01 whether that be
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 your ethnic background
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 whether that be
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 your status
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 in the community
00:18:05 --> 00:18:05 because of the job
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 that you hold
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 or the title
00:18:07 --> 00:18:07 that you have
00:18:07 --> 00:18:10 you need to be willing
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 to let go of that
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 because the centre
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 the thing that matters
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 is the gospel
00:18:14 --> 00:18:16 is Jesus.
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 We live in Chatswood.
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 I am not Chinese.
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 I could not be
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 less Chinese
00:18:25 --> 00:18:27 but our suburb
00:18:27 --> 00:18:29 is full of Chinese people
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 who don't know Jesus
00:18:30 --> 00:18:32 and so I need to let go
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 of the fact
00:18:33 --> 00:18:33 that I'm Aussie
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 and Bogan.
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 I need to let go
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 of the fact
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 that my only food choice
00:18:38 --> 00:18:38 when I walk
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 into Westfield
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 is McDonald's
00:18:40 --> 00:18:42 and I need to be
00:18:42 --> 00:18:42 comfortable
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 to stretch myself
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 culturally
00:18:44 --> 00:18:46 because I'm not
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 Australian first
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 I'm Christian first
00:18:48 --> 00:18:48 and being Christian
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 and being free
00:18:49 --> 00:18:49 in Christ
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 means I'm defined
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 by a need
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 and a burning desire
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 to see people
00:18:53 --> 00:18:55 one to Christ
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 and I'm not going
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 to be able to do that
00:18:57 --> 00:18:57 if I'm not willing
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 to go where they are
00:18:58 --> 00:19:01 if I'm not willing
00:19:01 --> 00:19:01 to spend time
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 doing the things
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 that they want to do.
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 I was reading this week
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 about Hudson Taylor
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 who founded the China
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 Inland Mission
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 he was a missionary
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 and when he was there
00:19:12 --> 00:19:14 he'd spent time
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 reasonably ineffectively
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 trying to share the gospel
00:19:16 --> 00:19:18 and he decided
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 that a helpful step
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 would be for him
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 to grow his hair long
00:19:21 --> 00:19:21 and put it in a braid
00:19:21 --> 00:19:23 to wear the Chinese clothes
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 that the men around him
00:19:24 --> 00:19:24 were wearing
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 and to start eating
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 Chinese food.
00:19:27 --> 00:19:27 When he did that
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 the other missionaries
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 around him
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 made fun of him
00:19:30 --> 00:19:32 they basically thought
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 he'd lost the plot
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 he'd let go
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 of the gospel
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 he'd become too much
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 like these people
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 who are devil worshippers
00:19:38 --> 00:19:38 and he was going
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 to go to hell as well
00:19:39 --> 00:19:41 but he knew
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 what mattered
00:19:42 --> 00:19:44 he knew that the Bible
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 didn't tell him
00:19:45 --> 00:19:45 what clothes to wear
00:19:45 --> 00:19:47 or what haircut to have
00:19:47 --> 00:19:49 or what food to eat
00:19:49 --> 00:19:51 the Bible told him
00:19:51 --> 00:19:52 that Jesus had died
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 for him
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 that he was free
00:19:54 --> 00:19:54 in Christ
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 that obeying
00:19:55 --> 00:19:57 Jesus was what
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 what mattered
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 and so he could gladly
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 and willingly
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 and joyfully
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 sacrifice everything
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 that he'd known
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 culturally up to that
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 point in his life
00:20:05 --> 00:20:07 and adapt
00:20:07 --> 00:20:07 so that others
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 might come to know
00:20:08 --> 00:20:08 Jesus
00:20:08 --> 00:20:10 we need to know
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 what our identity is
00:20:11 --> 00:20:13 so that we have security
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 as we stretch ourselves
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 into places
00:20:15 --> 00:20:15 where we might be
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 uncomfortable
00:20:16 --> 00:20:18 because the second thing
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 we need to do
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 if we're going to be
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 all things to all men
00:20:21 --> 00:20:21 is we need to be
00:20:21 --> 00:20:23 culturally flexible
00:20:23 --> 00:20:26 one of the real strengths
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 that we have as a church
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 here is we're an
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 Anglican church
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 whether you know
00:20:29 --> 00:20:29 what that means or not
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 is kind of irrelevant
00:20:30 --> 00:20:32 the good news is
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 we've got a bunch of stuff
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 which makes us
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 really committed
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 to the gospel of Jesus
00:20:35 --> 00:20:37 but the danger for us
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 is because all those
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 things are there for us
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 and they've kind of
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 done a lot of the hard work
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 over the years of history
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 to make sure we're
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 committed to God's word
00:20:43 --> 00:20:45 it's easy for us
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 to add our own hoops
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 for people to jump through
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 when they come to church
00:20:48 --> 00:20:50 it's easy for us
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 to say when somebody
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 comes to Chatswood
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 walks into church
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 off the street
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 decides they want
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 to follow Jesus
00:20:55 --> 00:20:57 it's great to have you
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 let us now show you
00:20:58 --> 00:20:58 the rest of the things
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 that you need to do
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 to fit in with us
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 let us tell you
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 what clothes to wear
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 let us tell you
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 what music to listen to
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 let us tell you
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 what appropriate English is
00:21:06 --> 00:21:08 let us tell you
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 how to sharpen your vocab
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 so that you can belong
00:21:10 --> 00:21:10 with us here
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 on the North Shore
00:21:11 --> 00:21:14 it's really easy
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 for us to make people
00:21:15 --> 00:21:18 have to be like us
00:21:18 --> 00:21:20 have to do things
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 the way that we do them
00:21:21 --> 00:21:23 even if they're not
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 gospel issues
00:21:24 --> 00:21:26 we were talking about
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 on Friday night at youth
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 I wonder how comfortable
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 we would be
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 if somebody started
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 attending our church
00:21:31 --> 00:21:33 who wasn't big
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 on personal hygiene
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 and smelled a bit
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 would walk in
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 with bare foot
00:21:37 --> 00:21:37 every week
00:21:37 --> 00:21:40 had a massive mohawk
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 was covered in tattoos
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 and liked to smoke
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 would you be comfortable
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 with them coming
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 and sitting next to you
00:21:45 --> 00:21:47 they love Jesus
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 they're really excited
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 to be a part of his people
00:21:49 --> 00:21:51 is it okay for you
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 if they sit next to you
00:21:52 --> 00:21:52 every week
00:21:52 --> 00:21:54 or would you start
00:21:54 --> 00:21:54 letting them know
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 how they can adjust
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 their culture
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 to actually fit in
00:21:56 --> 00:21:59 to actually be a part
00:21:59 --> 00:21:59 of God's church
00:21:59 --> 00:22:03 the Bible doesn't tell them
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 they have to wear
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 certain clothes
00:22:05 --> 00:22:07 doesn't tell them
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 how regularly
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 they have to bathe
00:22:08 --> 00:22:10 doesn't tell them
00:22:10 --> 00:22:10 whether or not
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 to smoke cigarettes
00:22:11 --> 00:22:15 yet we add these hoops
00:22:15 --> 00:22:17 for people to jump through
00:22:17 --> 00:22:19 we take secondary things
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 that are our culture
00:22:20 --> 00:22:22 and we make that
00:22:22 --> 00:22:24 what it means
00:22:24 --> 00:22:24 to be a Christian
00:22:24 --> 00:22:28 we live in a place
00:22:28 --> 00:22:30 that is hugely
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 culturally diverse
00:22:31 --> 00:22:34 there are all sorts
00:22:34 --> 00:22:34 of people here
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 who don't get
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 how we work
00:22:36 --> 00:22:39 and so if we make
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 our church family
00:22:40 --> 00:22:43 if you in your life
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 expect people
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 to be like you
00:22:45 --> 00:22:47 then you're putting up
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 barriers
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 to winning people
00:22:49 --> 00:22:51 you're putting up
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 obstacles for people
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 coming to Jesus
00:22:53 --> 00:22:55 one of the joys
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 of being part
00:22:56 --> 00:22:56 of our church
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 is that we are
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 a diverse group
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 of people
00:22:59 --> 00:23:02 but I wonder
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 if sometimes
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 you find yourself
00:23:04 --> 00:23:04 sitting here
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 wishing that some
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 of those diverse
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 people were a bit
00:23:07 --> 00:23:07 more like you
00:23:07 --> 00:23:10 were more into
00:23:10 --> 00:23:10 doing church
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 the way you like it
00:23:11 --> 00:23:14 liked the same music
00:23:14 --> 00:23:14 that you do
00:23:14 --> 00:23:16 I had to confess
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 to our morning
00:23:17 --> 00:23:17 congregation
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 this morning
00:23:18 --> 00:23:21 that I have been
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 doing this
00:23:22 --> 00:23:22 in conversations
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 with people
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 in our church
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 that we've had
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 arguments about
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 how we do
00:23:27 --> 00:23:27 our gatherings
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 and when I say
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 arguments
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 I mean loving
00:23:29 --> 00:23:31 rigorous discussions
00:23:31 --> 00:23:33 there's been a few
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 of those
00:23:34 --> 00:23:34 over the last few
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 years
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 with godly
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 brothers and
00:23:37 --> 00:23:37 sisters
00:23:37 --> 00:23:39 but reality is
00:23:39 --> 00:23:39 there's been
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 points where
00:23:40 --> 00:23:42 I have called
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 my preference
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 the preference
00:23:44 --> 00:23:46 I have called
00:23:46 --> 00:23:48 my cultural idea
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 of what's good
00:23:49 --> 00:23:49 when we gather
00:23:49 --> 00:23:52 the biblical idea
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 of what's good
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 when we gather
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 and I wonder
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 if you ever
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 do the same
00:23:55 --> 00:23:57 if you think
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 certain songs
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 are more glorifying
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 to god
00:24:00 --> 00:24:03 if you think
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 a certain type
00:24:04 --> 00:24:04 of church
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 is more glorifying
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 to god
00:24:06 --> 00:24:09 we need to be
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 culturally flexible
00:24:10 --> 00:24:12 because we know
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 who we are
00:24:13 --> 00:24:13 in Jesus
00:24:13 --> 00:24:15 and so long
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 as we get
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 reminded as a
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 gathered community
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 that it's him
00:24:18 --> 00:24:18 alone
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 who has died
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 and risen
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 as long as we
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 get reminded
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 that it's his
00:24:23 --> 00:24:23 glory that we
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 live for
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 then maybe we
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 need to let go
00:24:26 --> 00:24:26 of some of the
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 other things
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 that make us
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 feel comfortable
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 here at church
00:24:29 --> 00:24:31 maybe we need
00:24:31 --> 00:24:31 to be okay
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 if the chairs
00:24:32 --> 00:24:32 are in a circle
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 next week
00:24:33 --> 00:24:33 when we get
00:24:33 --> 00:24:33 here
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 and not spend
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 the first hour
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 distracted by the
00:24:36 --> 00:24:36 fact that it's
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 not how we
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 normally do it
00:24:37 --> 00:24:43 now there is
00:24:43 --> 00:24:43 a warning for
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 us here
00:24:44 --> 00:24:46 because we're
00:24:46 --> 00:24:46 not supposed to
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 be flexible to
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 the point where
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 there's a sin
00:24:49 --> 00:24:49 involved
00:24:49 --> 00:24:52 Paul says
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 to the Jews
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 I became like
00:24:54 --> 00:24:54 a Jew
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 he doesn't say
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 to the adulterer
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 I became like
00:24:57 --> 00:24:57 an adulterer
00:24:57 --> 00:25:00 there are certain
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 things that are
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 cultural issues
00:25:02 --> 00:25:02 that can be
00:25:02 --> 00:25:04 given into
00:25:04 --> 00:25:06 and then of
00:25:06 --> 00:25:06 course there are
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 certain things
00:25:07 --> 00:25:07 which are sin
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 and out of
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 love for Jesus
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 we never bend
00:25:10 --> 00:25:10 on
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 that's why
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 it's important
00:25:12 --> 00:25:12 to know
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 our identity
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 to remember
00:25:14 --> 00:25:14 that when
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 Christ forgave
00:25:15 --> 00:25:15 us and gave
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 us freedom
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 he gave us
00:25:17 --> 00:25:17 a whole new
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 life
00:25:18 --> 00:25:18 he gave us
00:25:18 --> 00:25:18 a new
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 start
00:25:19 --> 00:25:19 he gave us
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 a new
00:25:20 --> 00:25:20 path
00:25:20 --> 00:25:22 this is
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 the only
00:25:23 --> 00:25:23 basis
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 on which
00:25:24 --> 00:25:24 you should
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 assess
00:25:25 --> 00:25:25 your life
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 personally
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 and our
00:25:27 --> 00:25:27 life
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 corporately
00:25:28 --> 00:25:30 I promise
00:25:30 --> 00:25:30 you
00:25:30 --> 00:25:32 that at
00:25:32 --> 00:25:32 some point
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 in the future
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 we as a
00:25:34 --> 00:25:34 church family
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 will do
00:25:35 --> 00:25:35 something that
00:25:35 --> 00:25:35 will make
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 you uncomfortable
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 I'm not
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 promising that
00:25:38 --> 00:25:38 as my
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 desire
00:25:39 --> 00:25:41 but in
00:25:41 --> 00:25:41 this room
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 we don't
00:25:42 --> 00:25:42 all like
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 exactly the
00:25:43 --> 00:25:43 same stuff
00:25:43 --> 00:25:45 but if
00:25:45 --> 00:25:45 you're willing
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 to ask
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 the question
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 is this
00:25:47 --> 00:25:47 good for
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 the gospel
00:25:48 --> 00:25:48 and if
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 so I'm
00:25:49 --> 00:25:49 going to
00:25:49 --> 00:25:49 suffer
00:25:49 --> 00:25:51 joyfully
00:25:51 --> 00:25:52 so that we
00:25:52 --> 00:25:53 might win
00:25:53 --> 00:25:53 some
00:25:53 --> 00:25:55 then we
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 will see
00:25:56 --> 00:25:56 God work
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 fantastically
00:25:57 --> 00:25:58 through us
00:25:58 --> 00:26:00 if we
00:26:00 --> 00:26:00 were willing
00:26:00 --> 00:26:01 to say
00:26:01 --> 00:26:01 my first
00:26:01 --> 00:26:02 priority
00:26:02 --> 00:26:02 when I
00:26:02 --> 00:26:02 gather
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 is not
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 comfort
00:26:03 --> 00:26:05 but the
00:26:05 --> 00:26:05 gospel
00:26:05 --> 00:26:06 going out
00:26:06 --> 00:26:06 and people
00:26:06 --> 00:26:07 being saved
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 this will
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 be a
00:26:08 --> 00:26:09 welcoming
00:26:09 --> 00:26:09 place for
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 anyone to
00:26:10 --> 00:26:10 walk into
00:26:10 --> 00:26:12 regardless of
00:26:12 --> 00:26:12 where they're
00:26:12 --> 00:26:13 from what
00:26:13 --> 00:26:13 their background
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 is if they've
00:26:14 --> 00:26:14 ever been to
00:26:14 --> 00:26:15 church before
00:26:15 --> 00:26:17 because we
00:26:17 --> 00:26:17 will be
00:26:17 --> 00:26:18 pursuing more
00:26:18 --> 00:26:18 than anything
00:26:18 --> 00:26:20 else that
00:26:20 --> 00:26:20 the gospel
00:26:20 --> 00:26:21 stays the
00:26:21 --> 00:26:21 main thing
00:26:21 --> 00:26:23 we'll be
00:26:23 --> 00:26:23 letting go of
00:26:23 --> 00:26:24 our preferences
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 and we'll be
00:26:25 --> 00:26:25 welcoming people
00:26:25 --> 00:26:26 like Jesus
00:26:26 --> 00:26:27 does exactly
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 how they
00:26:28 --> 00:26:31 are so
00:26:31 --> 00:26:31 that they
00:26:31 --> 00:26:31 can be
00:26:31 --> 00:26:32 forgiven and
00:26:32 --> 00:26:33 transformed and
00:26:33 --> 00:26:33 know the
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 freedom that
00:26:34 --> 00:26:34 we know
00:26:34 --> 00:26:38 we need to
00:26:38 --> 00:26:38 be consumed
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 by God's
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 desire we
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 need to let
00:26:41 --> 00:26:41 go of our
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 commitment to
00:26:42 --> 00:26:45 comfort and
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 we need to be
00:26:46 --> 00:26:46 willing to
00:26:46 --> 00:26:48 sacrifice our
00:26:48 --> 00:26:50 rights no
00:26:50 --> 00:26:50 matter how
00:26:50 --> 00:26:50 much it
00:26:50 --> 00:26:52 hurts so
00:26:52 --> 00:26:53 that others
00:26:53 --> 00:26:53 may come to
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 know Jesus
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 Paul gets
00:26:55 --> 00:26:56 really really
00:26:56 --> 00:26:57 visual here in
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 these last few
00:26:58 --> 00:26:58 verses in
00:26:58 --> 00:26:59 verse 24 he
00:26:59 --> 00:27:00 says do you
00:27:00 --> 00:27:00 not know that
00:27:00 --> 00:27:01 in a race all
00:27:01 --> 00:27:02 the runners run
00:27:02 --> 00:27:03 but only one
00:27:03 --> 00:27:04 gets the prize
00:27:04 --> 00:27:05 everyone who
00:27:05 --> 00:27:05 competes in the
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 games goes into
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 strict training
00:27:07 --> 00:27:08 they do it to
00:27:08 --> 00:27:08 get a crown that
00:27:08 --> 00:27:09 will not last
00:27:09 --> 00:27:10 but we do it to
00:27:10 --> 00:27:11 get a crown that
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 will last forever
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 therefore I do
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 not run like a
00:27:14 --> 00:27:14 man running
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 aimlessly I do
00:27:15 --> 00:27:16 not fight like a
00:27:16 --> 00:27:17 man beating the
00:27:17 --> 00:27:18 air no I beat
00:27:18 --> 00:27:19 my body and I
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 make it my slave
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 so that after I
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 have preached to
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 others I myself
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 will not be
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 disqualified for the
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 prize this will
00:27:26 --> 00:27:26 not happen
00:27:26 --> 00:27:29 accidentally if
00:27:29 --> 00:27:29 you're not
00:27:29 --> 00:27:30 consciously thinking
00:27:30 --> 00:27:31 how can I be
00:27:31 --> 00:27:32 flexible for the
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 sake of others
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 if you're not
00:27:34 --> 00:27:35 actively thinking
00:27:35 --> 00:27:36 how can I be
00:27:36 --> 00:27:37 more conscious
00:27:37 --> 00:27:38 of the cultures
00:27:38 --> 00:27:39 that surround me
00:27:39 --> 00:27:39 where I live
00:27:39 --> 00:27:40 where I work
00:27:40 --> 00:27:42 then you won't
00:27:42 --> 00:27:44 be you default
00:27:44 --> 00:27:45 to what is
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 comfortable you'll
00:27:46 --> 00:27:47 default to people
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 who are like you
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 and you'll miss
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 out on an
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 opportunity to
00:27:51 --> 00:27:51 share the gospel
00:27:51 --> 00:27:52 with a whole bunch
00:27:52 --> 00:27:53 of people who
00:27:53 --> 00:27:53 don't know life
00:27:53 --> 00:27:55 and don't know
00:27:55 --> 00:27:55 hope
00:27:55 --> 00:27:59 are you willing
00:27:59 --> 00:27:59 to beat your
00:27:59 --> 00:28:00 body and make
00:28:00 --> 00:28:01 it your slave
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 for the sake of
00:28:02 --> 00:28:03 the gospel
00:28:03 --> 00:28:05 are you willing
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 to give up some
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 really familiar
00:28:07 --> 00:28:09 habit so that
00:28:09 --> 00:28:10 someone can meet
00:28:10 --> 00:28:10 Jesus
00:28:10 --> 00:28:13 are you willing
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 to give up
00:28:14 --> 00:28:14 dressing a certain
00:28:14 --> 00:28:15 way
00:28:15 --> 00:28:17 are you willing
00:28:17 --> 00:28:17 to give up
00:28:17 --> 00:28:18 hanging out at a
00:28:18 --> 00:28:19 certain place
00:28:19 --> 00:28:21 are you willing
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 to give up a
00:28:22 --> 00:28:22 kind of music
00:28:22 --> 00:28:23 that you like
00:28:23 --> 00:28:26 if that's going
00:28:26 --> 00:28:26 to give you
00:28:26 --> 00:28:27 access to some
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 more people
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 who don't know
00:28:27 --> 00:28:28 Jesus
00:28:28 --> 00:28:30 are you willing
00:28:30 --> 00:28:30 to try some
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 food that
00:28:31 --> 00:28:32 disgusts you
00:28:32 --> 00:28:32 right now
00:28:32 --> 00:28:36 are you willing
00:28:36 --> 00:28:36 to go to some
00:28:36 --> 00:28:37 shops that you've
00:28:37 --> 00:28:38 never been
00:28:38 --> 00:28:38 interested in going
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 to before
00:28:39 --> 00:28:41 in order that
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 people may come
00:28:42 --> 00:28:43 to meet Jesus
00:28:43 --> 00:28:46 this will require
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 honest reflection
00:28:47 --> 00:28:48 for us
00:28:48 --> 00:28:50 none of us
00:28:50 --> 00:28:50 came in here
00:28:50 --> 00:28:51 tonight thinking
00:28:51 --> 00:28:51 that we were
00:28:51 --> 00:28:52 culturally narrow
00:28:52 --> 00:28:55 none of us
00:28:55 --> 00:28:55 came in here
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 thinking that we
00:28:56 --> 00:28:57 were not open
00:28:57 --> 00:28:57 to the people
00:28:57 --> 00:28:58 around us
00:28:58 --> 00:29:00 but the challenge
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 is there for all
00:29:01 --> 00:29:01 of us there
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 could be more
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 and so I wonder
00:29:03 --> 00:29:04 will you reflect
00:29:04 --> 00:29:05 honestly on
00:29:05 --> 00:29:07 where can I
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 remove some
00:29:08 --> 00:29:08 barriers to the
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 gospel
00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 where can I
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 fix my eyes
00:29:11 --> 00:29:12 on the prize
00:29:12 --> 00:29:14 so that more
00:29:14 --> 00:29:14 will be won
00:29:14 --> 00:29:15 to Christ
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 the question
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 is simple
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 it's not is this
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 right or wrong
00:29:19 --> 00:29:19 that's an easy
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 question to dodge
00:29:20 --> 00:29:22 the question
00:29:22 --> 00:29:22 is does this
00:29:22 --> 00:29:23 help the gospel
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 or does this
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 hinder the gospel
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 they're the only
00:29:26 --> 00:29:26 two categories
00:29:26 --> 00:29:27 there is no
00:29:27 --> 00:29:27 neutral
00:29:27 --> 00:29:29 if it doesn't
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 help
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 then by definition
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 it hinders
00:29:32 --> 00:29:33 because you're
00:29:33 --> 00:29:34 wasting energy
00:29:34 --> 00:29:34 on something
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 that's not
00:29:35 --> 00:29:35 helping
00:29:35 --> 00:29:37 the question
00:29:37 --> 00:29:38 is not right
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 or wrong
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 the question
00:29:38 --> 00:29:39 is does this
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 help the gospel
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 or does this
00:29:41 --> 00:29:42 hinder the gospel
00:29:42 --> 00:29:45 the great
00:29:45 --> 00:29:45 encouragement
00:29:45 --> 00:29:46 of this passage
00:29:46 --> 00:29:47 is that as
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 Paul slaps
00:29:47 --> 00:29:48 us in the
00:29:48 --> 00:29:48 face and
00:29:48 --> 00:29:49 says come
00:29:49 --> 00:29:49 on try
00:29:49 --> 00:29:49 harder and
00:29:49 --> 00:29:50 beat yourself
00:29:50 --> 00:29:51 beat your body
00:29:51 --> 00:29:52 into being a
00:29:52 --> 00:29:52 slave run
00:29:52 --> 00:29:54 at the prize
00:29:54 --> 00:29:55 there is this
00:29:55 --> 00:29:55 huge encouragement
00:29:55 --> 00:29:56 in verse 23
00:29:56 --> 00:29:58 Paul says I
00:29:58 --> 00:29:59 do all this
00:29:59 --> 00:29:59 for the sake
00:29:59 --> 00:30:00 of the gospel
00:30:00 --> 00:30:01 that I may
00:30:01 --> 00:30:02 share in its
00:30:02 --> 00:30:02 blessings
00:30:02 --> 00:30:04 did you get
00:30:04 --> 00:30:04 that
00:30:04 --> 00:30:06 Paul sacrifices
00:30:06 --> 00:30:07 Paul preaches
00:30:07 --> 00:30:08 Paul travels
00:30:08 --> 00:30:09 Paul tries as
00:30:09 --> 00:30:10 hard as he can
00:30:10 --> 00:30:10 to fit into
00:30:10 --> 00:30:11 whatever culture
00:30:11 --> 00:30:12 he is among
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 not so that
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 they share in
00:30:14 --> 00:30:14 the benefits
00:30:14 --> 00:30:16 he wants that
00:30:16 --> 00:30:16 to happen
00:30:16 --> 00:30:17 but he says
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 here that he
00:30:18 --> 00:30:19 does all of
00:30:19 --> 00:30:21 this that I
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 may share in
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 its blessings
00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 see for Paul
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 sharing the
00:30:25 --> 00:30:26 gospel and
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 experiencing the
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 gospel are one
00:30:28 --> 00:30:30 thing it's not
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 that we become
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 a Christian and
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 are forgiven and
00:30:33 --> 00:30:33 then a task
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 we're given is
00:30:34 --> 00:30:36 evangelism for
00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 Paul to hear the
00:30:37 --> 00:30:38 gospel is to
00:30:38 --> 00:30:39 share the gospel
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 there is no
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 separation for
00:30:41 --> 00:30:43 him he says
00:30:43 --> 00:30:43 it again in
00:30:43 --> 00:30:44 verse 27
00:30:44 --> 00:30:45 I beat my
00:30:45 --> 00:30:46 body I make
00:30:46 --> 00:30:46 it my slave so
00:30:46 --> 00:30:47 after I have
00:30:47 --> 00:30:47 preached to
00:30:47 --> 00:30:48 others I
00:30:48 --> 00:30:49 myself will not
00:30:49 --> 00:30:50 be disqualified
00:30:50 --> 00:30:51 for the prize
00:30:51 --> 00:30:52 for him the
00:30:52 --> 00:30:53 evidence of
00:30:53 --> 00:30:54 genuinely knowing
00:30:54 --> 00:30:55 the freedom that
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 is in Christ
00:30:56 --> 00:30:58 is having your
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 priorities so
00:30:59 --> 00:30:59 shaped that what
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 you care about
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 more than anything
00:31:01 --> 00:31:01 else is winning
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 as many as
00:31:02 --> 00:31:04 possible there's
00:31:04 --> 00:31:05 no separation
00:31:05 --> 00:31:05 for him and so
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 he finds great
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 joy in the
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 sacrifices that he
00:31:08 --> 00:31:09 makes
00:31:09 --> 00:31:10 in the sacrifice
00:31:10 --> 00:31:11 of financial gain
00:31:11 --> 00:31:12 in the sacrifice
00:31:12 --> 00:31:13 of having a wife
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 to travel with
00:31:14 --> 00:31:14 him he finds
00:31:14 --> 00:31:16 joy because in
00:31:16 --> 00:31:16 making those
00:31:16 --> 00:31:17 choices he grabs
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 hold of Jesus
00:31:18 --> 00:31:18 even tighter
00:31:18 --> 00:31:21 the things that
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 could have
00:31:21 --> 00:31:22 defined him he
00:31:22 --> 00:31:24 lets go and
00:31:24 --> 00:31:25 embraces all of
00:31:25 --> 00:31:26 Jesus with
00:31:26 --> 00:31:27 everything that he
00:31:27 --> 00:31:27 has
00:31:27 --> 00:31:31 the great
00:31:31 --> 00:31:32 blessing of
00:31:32 --> 00:31:33 being a follower
00:31:33 --> 00:31:34 of Jesus is
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 that as he
00:31:35 --> 00:31:35 calls us to
00:31:35 --> 00:31:37 sacrifice as he
00:31:37 --> 00:31:37 calls us to
00:31:37 --> 00:31:38 take up our
00:31:38 --> 00:31:39 cross as he
00:31:39 --> 00:31:39 calls us to
00:31:39 --> 00:31:40 live life in
00:31:40 --> 00:31:41 the footsteps
00:31:41 --> 00:31:42 of Jesus
00:31:42 --> 00:31:44 every cost that
00:31:44 --> 00:31:45 we pay is
00:31:45 --> 00:31:47 far surpassed in
00:31:47 --> 00:31:48 the blessing of
00:31:48 --> 00:31:49 knowing Jesus as
00:31:49 --> 00:31:49 our Lord
00:31:49 --> 00:31:52 everything that we
00:31:52 --> 00:31:53 give up is far
00:31:53 --> 00:31:54 surpassed in the
00:31:54 --> 00:31:55 gain of having
00:31:55 --> 00:31:56 the prize that
00:31:56 --> 00:31:57 waits for us at
00:31:57 --> 00:31:57 the end
00:31:57 --> 00:32:02 denying your
00:32:02 --> 00:32:03 rights is the
00:32:03 --> 00:32:04 gospel
00:32:04 --> 00:32:04 gospel
00:32:04 --> 00:32:06 that's who
00:32:06 --> 00:32:07 Jesus was
00:32:07 --> 00:32:08 that's who
00:32:08 --> 00:32:09 Paul was
00:32:09 --> 00:32:10 and until we
00:32:10 --> 00:32:10 are willing to
00:32:10 --> 00:32:11 let go of what
00:32:11 --> 00:32:12 is rightfully
00:32:12 --> 00:32:14 ours and take
00:32:14 --> 00:32:14 hold of this
00:32:14 --> 00:32:16 mission then
00:32:16 --> 00:32:17 we're following
00:32:17 --> 00:32:18 something other
00:32:18 --> 00:32:18 than the gospel
00:32:18 --> 00:32:19 of Jesus
00:32:19 --> 00:32:22 because this is
00:32:22 --> 00:32:22 who he is
00:32:22 --> 00:32:24 this is what
00:32:24 --> 00:32:25 he's called us
00:32:25 --> 00:32:25 to
00:32:25 --> 00:32:28 in Christ you
00:32:28 --> 00:32:28 are free
00:32:28 --> 00:32:30 you are
00:32:30 --> 00:32:30 forgiven
00:32:30 --> 00:32:34 but you are
00:32:34 --> 00:32:35 free for a
00:32:35 --> 00:32:36 purpose
00:32:36 --> 00:32:38 you are free
00:32:38 --> 00:32:39 that others
00:32:39 --> 00:32:40 may come to
00:32:40 --> 00:32:40 know that
00:32:40 --> 00:32:42 same freedom
00:32:42 --> 00:32:44 and so let me
00:32:44 --> 00:32:45 finish with the
00:32:45 --> 00:32:46 call of verse
00:32:46 --> 00:32:46 19
00:32:46 --> 00:32:49 though I am
00:32:49 --> 00:32:50 free and belong
00:32:50 --> 00:32:50 to no man
00:32:50 --> 00:32:52 I make myself
00:32:52 --> 00:32:53 a slave to
00:32:53 --> 00:32:54 everyone
00:32:54 --> 00:32:56 to win as
00:32:56 --> 00:32:57 many as
00:32:57 --> 00:32:57 possible
00:32:57 --> 00:33:00 that is God's
00:33:00 --> 00:33:01 design for your
00:33:01 --> 00:33:01 life
00:33:01 --> 00:33:03 that is God's
00:33:03 --> 00:33:04 desire for us
00:33:04 --> 00:33:05 as a church
00:33:05 --> 00:33:08 that as many
00:33:08 --> 00:33:09 as possible
00:33:09 --> 00:33:10 would come to
00:33:10 --> 00:33:11 know him
00:33:11 --> 00:33:12 because of the
00:33:12 --> 00:33:12 way that we
00:33:12 --> 00:33:12 live
00:33:12 --> 00:33:16 let's pray
00:33:16 --> 00:33:24 father God
00:33:24 --> 00:33:25 we want to
00:33:25 --> 00:33:25 confess that
00:33:25 --> 00:33:27 there are many
00:33:27 --> 00:33:27 things in our
00:33:27 --> 00:33:28 life that are
00:33:28 --> 00:33:29 there because
00:33:29 --> 00:33:30 they're comfortable
00:33:30 --> 00:33:32 they're there
00:33:32 --> 00:33:33 because we
00:33:33 --> 00:33:33 haven't even
00:33:33 --> 00:33:33 asked the
00:33:33 --> 00:33:34 question how
00:33:34 --> 00:33:34 does this
00:33:34 --> 00:33:35 impact on
00:33:35 --> 00:33:36 our gospel
00:33:36 --> 00:33:36 effectiveness
00:33:36 --> 00:33:39 we want to
00:33:39 --> 00:33:40 thank you that
00:33:40 --> 00:33:40 Jesus has
00:33:40 --> 00:33:41 died and
00:33:41 --> 00:33:41 Jesus is
00:33:41 --> 00:33:42 alive and
00:33:42 --> 00:33:43 our freedom
00:33:43 --> 00:33:43 has been
00:33:43 --> 00:33:43 bought at
00:33:43 --> 00:33:44 the highest
00:33:44 --> 00:33:44 price
00:33:44 --> 00:33:46 God help
00:33:46 --> 00:33:47 us not to
00:33:47 --> 00:33:47 take it for
00:33:47 --> 00:33:48 granted
00:33:48 --> 00:33:49 help us not
00:33:49 --> 00:33:50 to get
00:33:50 --> 00:33:50 distracted into
00:33:50 --> 00:33:51 thinking that
00:33:51 --> 00:33:52 forgiveness was
00:33:52 --> 00:33:52 the end game
00:33:52 --> 00:33:55 give us eyes to
00:33:55 --> 00:33:56 see the path that
00:33:56 --> 00:33:56 you are marking
00:33:56 --> 00:33:57 out in front of
00:33:57 --> 00:33:57 us
00:33:57 --> 00:33:59 give us hearts so
00:33:59 --> 00:34:00 consumed with
00:34:00 --> 00:34:01 love for you
00:34:01 --> 00:34:02 and desire to
00:34:02 --> 00:34:03 see people saved
00:34:03 --> 00:34:03 that we will
00:34:03 --> 00:34:04 joyfully do
00:34:04 --> 00:34:05 whatever it
00:34:05 --> 00:34:05 takes
00:34:05 --> 00:34:08 give us eyes to
00:34:08 --> 00:34:09 see the
00:34:09 --> 00:34:10 cultures around
00:34:10 --> 00:34:10 us
00:34:10 --> 00:34:11 give us love
00:34:11 --> 00:34:12 for them that
00:34:12 --> 00:34:13 we might adapt
00:34:13 --> 00:34:13 and be flexible
00:34:13 --> 00:34:14 that we might
00:34:14 --> 00:34:15 remove all
00:34:15 --> 00:34:16 human barriers
00:34:16 --> 00:34:17 from people
00:34:17 --> 00:34:17 hearing your
00:34:17 --> 00:34:18 message
00:34:18 --> 00:34:20 God give us
00:34:20 --> 00:34:21 words to say
00:34:21 --> 00:34:22 and use us
00:34:22 --> 00:34:24 to call people
00:34:24 --> 00:34:24 into your
00:34:24 --> 00:34:25 kingdom
00:34:25 --> 00:34:26 into your
00:34:26 --> 00:34:26 freedom
00:34:26 --> 00:34:27 into this
00:34:27 --> 00:34:27 hope
00:34:27 --> 00:34:30 Father thank
00:34:30 --> 00:34:31 you for
00:34:31 --> 00:34:31 Jesus
00:34:31 --> 00:34:33 our saviour
00:34:33 --> 00:34:35 and our
00:34:35 --> 00:34:35 king
00:34:35 --> 00:34:37 Amen