Welcome to NECF Sermons. Each message here is
designed to uplift and strengthen you in your
walk with God. Don't miss out. Stay with us until
the end for a rewarding experience. Let's dive
right in. But I'll do my best to just read as
much as I can as we go. Philippians chapter 1.
Paul and Timothy, born servants of Jesus Christ,
all the saints, Christ Jesus, who are in Philippi,
with the bishops and deacons. Grace to you and
peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance
of you, always in every prayer of mine, making
request of you. All we draw for your fellowship
in the gospel from the first day until now, being
confident of this very thing, that he who has
begun a good work in you will complete it until
the day of Jesus Christ. Just as it is right
for me to feel these of you all, because I have
been with my heart in as much as forth in my
chains and in the defense and the confirmation
of the gospel. you all are partakers in me of
grace for god is my witness how greatly i long
for you all with the affection of jesus christ
and this i pray and your love may abound still
more and more in knowledge and all the sad men
and this was our prayer hallelujah this was our
prayer this is still our prayer as pastors that
your love will abound in all knowledge and all
discernment, that you may approve the things
that are excellent in the result of abounding
in love, in knowledge and discernment. You will
be able to approve the things that are excellent,
that you may be sincere and without offense to
the day of Christ. Be filled with the fruit of
righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to
the glory and praise of God. Hallelujah. We stop
here. for that later on so this year by the grace
of god we have been on the topic manifesting
the kingdom of god and today i'm just going to
speak about living worthy of the kingdom for
the short time that we have you know i'll encourage
you to to read the entire book of leakers because
for the rest of this month we'll be looking at
chapter by chapter each sunday so i just want
you to have a time to study and i pray that as
we open the scriptures who have our eyes open
to truth in jesus name so living worthy of the
kingdom now we've said here in church that the
kingdom of god here we're talking about Is not
something that is physical. You know. We thought.
Even in the foundation. In the cell meetings.
And even. In Sunday services here. Trying to
describe what. The kingdom of God is. We say
that the word kingdom. Is from the word in Greek.
The noun in Greek. Which means dominion. It means
royal power. Or rule. So our role, the kingdom
of heaven, refers to authority of heaven and
it's not a place. Amen? We're not referring to
something that is physical. We're not referring
to something that is tangible. Or rather, a reign
of God, the authority of heaven on the earth.
Now the kingdom of God is not a physical location.
From Jesus' response in the text, he takes for
the year. Luke chapter 17 verse 20. This is just
to give us a recap. And then we. We continue.
Luke chapter 17 verse 20. Now when he was asked
by the Pharisees. When the kingdom of God will
come. He answered them and said. The kingdom
of God does not come with what? With observation.
Which means that. These people were hoping for
a kingdom. They have an understanding there is
a kingdom that should manifest, that will come.
A kingdom that will come to earth, not that we
are going to the kingdom, but a kingdom that
will come on earth. So the idea of us going somewhere
is not the reality. So they ask the question,
when will this kingdom come? Which means that
through scriptures they have an understanding
that the kingdom of God will come to men. But
the wrong understanding they have is that they
have the wrong perspective of what this kingdom
is. Now, when he was asked by the Pharisees,
verse 20 again, when, which means that there
is a time, when the kingdom of God will come,
he answered them and said, the kingdom of God
does not come with observation. Nor will they
say, see here, or see there, for indeed the kingdom
of God is where? It's within you. Obviously he
is referring to himself. He is referring to Christ
manifesting in their midst. Hallelujah. And Acts
chapter 1 verse 6. We see that even after Jesus
has died and was risen from the dead. They still
had a problem. They still have a misunderstanding
of the kind of kingdom that was promised. Therefore
when they had come together they asked him saying
Lord. Will you at this time restore the kingdom
to Israel? Their attention was on what was an
earthly kingdom. You are looking for a political
movement, particularly to the people of Israel.
Some of you will see the conversation in Luke
chapter 24, verse 21. Luke 24, 21. I'm right,
that text. Yes, from verse 20 there, where he
appeared to some of the disciples. From verse
20. Go back, go back, go back to verse 18. Go
back to verse 14, I think, from there. 14. Yes,
and they talked together of all these things
which had happened as the disciples were walking
on their way to the mountain. So it was while
they were conversing and reading that Jesus himself
drew near and went with them. But their eyes
were restrained so that they did not know him.
And he said to them, what kind of conversation
is this that you have with one another as you
walk on our side? Then one whose name was Cleopas
answered and said to him, are you the only stranger
in Jerusalem? And have you not known the things
which happen there in these days? And he said
to them, what things? So they said to him, the
things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was
a prophet, mighty indeed, and worked before God
and all the people, and how the chief priests
and our rulers delivered him to be condemned
to death and crucified him. But we were hoping
that it was he. Now this is their misconception.
First of all, they didn't have a proper understanding
of who Jesus was. They saw him as a prophet.
They saw him probably as the matiluda of their
time. They saw him as, you know, the political
emancipator of their time. But we were hoping
that it was he who was going to redeem Israel.
So this made, we were looking for a redemption.
And this redemption was something physical. Indeed,
besides all this, today is the third day since
these things happened. Yes, and certain women
of our company who arrived at the tomb, they
astonished us. When they did not find his body,
they came seeing that they had also seen a vision
of Andrew who said he was alive. And certain
of those who were with us went to the tomb and
found just as the women had said but him they
did not see. And they said to them, O foolish
ones! And slow of heart to do what? To believe.
So, their problem is not only ignorance, but
it's unbelief. To believe in all that the prophets
have spoken. So, all the prophets have been speaking
was meant to be believed upon concerning what
Christ will bring. A spiritual reality and not
something physical. So, we see in Jesus. you
know, cautioning them, rebuking them concerning
their unbelief and their lack of comprehension
of what reason he was bringing to the world.
So we say that the kingdom of God is not like
the kingdom of men. John chapter 18, verse 33
to 37. John 18, 33 to 37. Then Pilate entered
the praetorium again and called Jesus and said
to him, Are you the king of the Jews? Jesus answered
him, Are you speaking for yourself about this
or the others tell you this concerning me? Article
6. Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this
world. So Jesus was not speaking about or was
not bringing a kingdom that is earthly. If my
kingdom were of this world, my servants would
fight so that I should not be delivered to the
Jews. But now my kingdom is what? Is not from
here. Hallelujah. The kingdom is not from here.
And we're also taught that the kingdom of God
is a spiritual reality accessed by what? By the
spirit. It is a demonstration and a walkings
of the spirit of God in the life of the believer.
We see Jesus speaking to Nicodemus in John chapter
3. They explained to him how he will come into
this kingdom. When you read John chapter 3, verse
1 to 17, you see the conversation. It's a spiritual
reality. And we said also that the kingdom of
heaven or the kingdom of God which is ascended
is manifested through human activities here on
earth. It's manifested through human activities.
Through preaching of the gospel accompanied by
miraculous signs and wonders. And we also notify
clearly that we who are believers, who have received
the gospel, are members of God's kingdom. We
are not looking forward to a kingdom of God,
but we are already in the kingdom of God. So
if you are looking forward to a time where you
die, and then you will find yourself in the kingdom
of God. That you have a wrong understanding.
Because the moment you believe. There is a translation
that happens. There is a change of position that
you have. Colossians chapter 1 verse 13 speaks
about this. Colossians chapter 1 verse 17. Verse
13 rather. It says. He has delivered us. Who?
He is talking about Jesus. He has delivered us.
From the power of darkness. That is from the
kingdom of darkness. From the reign of darkness.
From the influence of darkness. And not only
delivered us. But he conveyed us into the kingdom.
Of his son. The son of his Lord. So a man and
a woman that believe the gospel. Has been transferred.
Has been delivered. Has been converted from the
kingdom of darkness. from the power and the dominion
the authority of godness into the power the authority
and the domain of god in whom we have redemption
through his blood even the forgiveness of our
sins we see similarly speaking about our citizenship
our identity He says, for our citizenship, who
are the hour, you and I who have believed the
gospel, our identity is in heaven. It's not utterly,
but it's in heaven. From which we also eagerly
wait for who? For a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Who will recall? Hallelujah. So since the manifestation
of the kingdom of God is done through preaching
of the gospel of Christ, We see Paul calling
on believers in Philippians 1 verse 27 to live.
Philippians 1 verse 27, it says, only let your
conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. Let
only that your conduct be worthy of what? Of
the gospel of Christ. so that when i come and
see you or absence i may hear of your of your
appears that you stand fast in one spirit with
one mind striving together for the faith of the
gospel hallelujah speaking to those who have
received and are part of god's kingdom to live
their life word worthy of the gospel through
which they have received The way by which we
receive the kingdom is through the preaching
of the gospel. It's called the gospel of the
kingdom. A message concerning the kingdom of
God. About what God intends to do in humanity.
And you and I have come into this reality when
we believe the gift will receive the gift. So
when we believe in Jesus Christ as a Messiah,
as the one that has come to die for our sins,
to forgive our sins, we receive the kingdom as
a gift. Every part of the kingdom is not by works.
There are some ugly kingdoms, some ugly nations.
You know, you have to stay there and work for
some years. You go through processes. And then
you become part of that kingdom. But the kingdom
we have is a gift without works. It's a gift
received through faith in the totality of what
God has done in Christ Jesus. And we say that
we are what? Our members of his kingdom. Therefore,
the challenge for us this day is to be worthy
of the kingdom we represent. It's for you and
I to live worthy of what? Of our citizens. So,
the book of Philippians, you know, let's look
at some historical backgrounds and concepts so
that we can move on. The book was, first of all,
is a letter written by Paul, right? While he
was in Rome. He wasn't on a holiday in Rome.
He wasn't just sitting on the beach. And he just
said, let me just send a WhatsApp message to
this church. In NACF. No. It was a book written
while he was in Rome. In prison. And he had been
in prison. It was not because he stole something
or he was accused of stealing something. But
the reason of his imprisonment was because of
what? It was because of the gospel. For the sake
of the gospel. And he was writing to the Christians.
The Christian church in Philippi. A Roman. Colony
in Macedonia. So Philippi is in northern Greece.
He was in prison in Italy. Rome. And he wrote
the letter to the Christians. In where? In Europe.
In northern Macedonia. In modern day northern
Greece. So Philippi. Was a major city in Macedonia.
It was a Roman colony. That means. an extension
of Rome, known for its patriotism and military
history. In fact, this was the first city in
Europe where Paul preached the gospel. We can
see that in Acts chapter 6, Acts chapter 16.
Let's look at it. Acts chapter 16. Acts 16 from
verse 6. Now when they had gone through Phrygia
and region of Galatia, they were forbidden by
the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After
they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into
Pythinia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
So passing by Mysia, they came down to Thrace,
and a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A
man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him,
saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. This
was how we got the direction to go to Macedonia.
Now, after he had seen the bishop, immediately
we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that
the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to
them. Therefore, setting from trust, we ran a
straight course to Samothrace, right? And the
next day we came to Neapolis, and from there
to Philippi, which is a former city of the part
of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in
that city for some days. And on a Sabbath day,
we went out on the city to the riverside, where
prayer was customarily made, and we sat down
and spoke to the women who we met there. Presumably,
this was the first place they were. And here
you go. Now, a certain woman named Lydia, so
the first person in this context that received
the gospel, who was in Europe, was a woman. Lydia
had us. She was a sailor from the city of Tyre,
from the city of Tyre, who worshipped God. The
Lord opened her heart. The Lord opened her heart
to hear the things spoken by Paul. And when she,
at her house, was baptized, she begged or said,
if you have touched me to be faithful to the
Lord, come to my house and stay. So she persuaded
us. And we were seeing on and on and on where,
you know, they preached. There was an instance
where they preached to the castle of the devils
after they saved a slave. They came to prison.
They converted the prisoners. And they jailed
out the people. So this is the context of this
city. So Paul founded the church during his second
missionary journey. And of course, a notable
group of what you can see here is Lydia. There
was a delivered slave girl, a Roman jailer, written
father. So this church was very dear to Paul.
And this is very essential. Understanding context
is very important. It's very, very important.
So the church was very dear to Paul. Because
they supported his ministry financially. Not
only that, you know, they believed the message,
they received the message, and they also partnered
with him in ministry. So the purpose of Paul's
writing of this letter to them was not for doctrine,
just as other, you know, what do you call, other
epistles. He wasn't teaching them some doctrinal
issues. Unlike other episodes such as Romans,
letters to the Corinthians, and so on, where
he was teaching or answering doctrinal questions.
But in this, you know, it wasn't the same. His
purpose was to fund the Philippians for what?
For their partnership with him in the ministry.
To encourage them to remain joyful and united.
Because there were some people that were disagreeing.
We'll look at it later on. To exhort them to
imitate Christ's humility. In chapter 2 they
are about, chapter 2, yes. And to warn them,
you know, against false teachers, especially
those who are Judaizers, legalist people. And
so on. So similarly, the goal of this sermon
or this teaching, just as false letters were
for the Philippians, is to admonish us to walk
worthy of our identity. Are we together? It's
to admonish us to do or to work worthy of our
identity. Of our citizenship. The letter, just
as any part of scripture, was documented for
our own learning. Alright? It was documented
for our own learning that we may live worthy
of our calling as citizens of God's kingdom.
Just as any part of scripture, as Romans chapter
15 verse 4 would say, This is what we are reading
forward for our learning. In Romans 15 verse
4, it says, for whatever things we have written
before, we are reading forward for our learning.
That we through patience and comfort of the scripture
will have hope. So as we read the letter that
he wrote to the Philippians, as we delve into
understanding his message to them, we ourselves
will learn. Hallelujah. And what I want us to
learn specifically is how we can work worthy
of our identity, even as he has emphasized today.
So primarily there are four things. In the short
time I have, I will try to be as fast as possible.
Four things, important things that I want us
to know. There are many things we can say, but
just four for now, that are important for us.
As we learn in this episode, it is essential
for us to work worthy. First of all, it's a character
for us to embody. It's a character we need to
embody before we walk worthy. Secondly, there's
a perspective we need to have concerning life,
concerning the things that happen in our lives
that we need to have in order for us to walk
worthy. Thirdly, there's a sense of focus we
need to have. I said first a character to embody.
A perspective to have about life. A focus to
have. And also a lifestyle to live. So from verse
3 to 11. From verse 3 to 11 again. Forgiving?
No. Philippians 3. 1 verse 3 to 11. Philippians
1. left this man in Rome. Alright. It says, I
thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Always
in every prayer of mine, making requests of you,
all with joy. For your fellowship in the gospel
from the first day until now. Be confident of
this very thing, that he who has begun a good
work in you. Will complete it until the day of
Jesus Christ. Just as it is right for me. To
think this of you all. Because I have. Because
I have you in my heart. In as much as. In as
much as work in my chains. And in the defense.
And confirmation of the gospel. You all are partakers
with me. Of. Of grace. For God is my witness.
How greatly I long for you. All with the affection
of Jesus Christ. And this I pray that your love
may abound still more and more in knowledge and
all discernment. That you may approve the things
that are excellent. That you may be sincere and
without offense till the day of Christ. Being
filled with the spirit of righteousness which
are by Jesus Christ to the glory. and the praise
of God. Hallelujah. It's a character in Paul
here, from Paul's perspective that we need to
learn. A character of prayer and gratitude. Especially
in this situation. When you read through this,
the book, you will not see an idea of someone
who is in pain. It doesn't look like someone
who is in chains. From Paul's perspective, regardless
of his imprisonment, he was full of praise given.
He was full of rejoicing. I think in the entire
Philippians, I counted, there were about 15 times
Paul kept emphasizing joy and rejoicing. In respect
of his experience being in prison, he was full
of joy. And the reason for his joy is not something
that is happening. It's not a function of his
circumstance. His joy, his rejoicing, is not
the influence of his immediate environment. He
was full of thanksgiving to God and his prayers
were more for spiritual development of the people
rather than his freedom from prison. Now imagine
if you were the one in prison. Maybe they arrested
you for residence permit issues. And maybe Pastor
Cousman goes to visit you. And then he asks,
what should we be praying for you? I doubt if
your prayer will be for the church to keep expanding.
Oh, when will I have, you know, myself out of
this place? Or maybe our concern will be about
our freedom. But we see here in the life of Paul's
life, it's very important for us to understand
this. His heart, Was where? Was in a way it's
supposed to be. His prayer. Was not for his own
freedom. Regardless of his experience. God begins
with thanks and prayers. Not for money or such.
Not for them to send him aid. To release him.
Not for them to look for a lawyer for him. But
for God's people. For God's people. His prayer
is not self -centered around his issue, his problem.
But his prayer is spiritually focused. Look at
verse 9. What was the content of his prayer?
The content of his prayer was the spiritual development
of the people of God. And this I pray that your
love may abound. Still more and more. In knowledge.
And all discernment. That you may approve. The
things that are excellent. That you may be sincere.
And without offense to the day of Christ. Be
free with fruits. Of righteousness. Which are
by Jesus Christ. The glory and the praise of
God. And some of us today. Little. What do you
call it? Discomfort. Changes the dynamics of
our spirituality. Little discomfort affects the
way we apportion things of God. Some of us, the
moment the semester begins, that's how we lost
focus. Our prayer life changes. Our commitment
to the fellowship changes. Our commitment to
the brethren changes. And what betides you if
your school fees is delayed? Then the focus of
your prayer shifts from praying for souls to
praying for money. Now we are not saying that
praying for needs is wrong. Hallelujah. We are
not saying that praying for needs is wrong. We
always teach you to pray for needs. We also pray
for needs. Are we together? For what consumes.
Your life. What is the most dominant prayer you
pray? What dominates your prayer life? Is it
your circumstance that dominates your prayer
life? Or the kingdom of God is what dominates
your prayer life? If you must live in this kingdom,
we must emulate the character of Paul. You see,
we have to learn from his experience, right?
The things that happen to them or their own experience
for us to learn from, especially Paul. Do we,
in the center of our life, experience these difficulties?
Listen, each and every one of us can be in one
thing or the other, one trial or the other. Amen?
Is it that you are in one right now or you will
soon enter one? Hallelujah. It's constant. In
fact, it was plain in scriptures, isn't it? It's
plain in scriptures. It's plain in scriptures
that we're going to face trials, we're going
to face challenges. So, what dominates your prayer
life? What do you pray for in the midst of the
experiences you have? Do we pray? If we do pray,
what is the focus of our prayers? Do we pray
for the advancement of God's kingdom, to see
the will of God, the kingdom of God expand, especially
in the heart of men, where our focus is based
on what? On our circumstance. So if we would
walk toward it, right? You see? What informs
Paul's disposition is in where is in his identity.
Understanding where he is from. The second point,
kingdom perspective. Philippians from verse 12,
you see, and even in the piece of trial, let's
look at his perspective concerning trial. Philippians
1, verse 12. It says, but I want you to know,
brethren, that the things which happened to me
have actually, look at his perspective concerning
his trials, have actually happened to me, happened
to me, have actually taught us for the forbearance
of the gospel, so that it has become evident
to all palace guards and to all the rest that
my chains are what? and in Christ, and most of
the brethren in the Lord, having become confident
by my chains, I am much more bold to speak the
word after. Some indeed preach Christ even from
the envy and strife and some also from goodwill.
The former preached Christ from selfish ambition,
not sincerely supposed to add affliction to my
days. By the latter, out of love, knowing that
I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
Verse 18. What then? Only that in every way,
whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached.
Meaning that his ambition is to see the expansion
of the kingdom of God on earth. And in this,
I what? That is what you. Rejoicing. That is
what informs him. You see, you keep telling them
rejoice. He says, in this I rejoice. And I will
rejoice. In chapter 3 verse 1. You see him emphasizing.
Finally my brain rejoices in the Lord. Intermediate.
Keep telling them to rejoice. And what informs
his rejoicing is what? It is perception about
the kingdom of God. It's full of joy because
of what? Because of his identity. Because of
his human, you know, experiencing the reign of
Christ in his life. Just expect that as believers,
our life should be full of rejoicing. See, rejoicing
is something you do. Hallelujah. Always. Joy
should be what? The status of the believer at
all times. It's not a function of external experience.
That is how we live worthy of the kingdom that
we are in. Our kingdom is full of joy. Hallelujah.
So our experiences do not influence our perception
of our identity. Do not influence what? The way
we live our lives. So we must have kingdom perspective
prior. that Paul had the kingdom perspective
for his imprisonment. He saw it as an opportunity
for what? For the advancement of God's kingdom.
He sees himself imprisoned as an opportunity
to do what? To expand the kingdom of God. So
we see him menstruating even to the jailers at
all times whenever he's imprisoned. It's time
you receive a prophecy that, you know, prison
awaits him somewhere. And for our context, we
have said, ah, the Lord has shown him something
to avoid what will happen, but in his prayer,
he saw the necessity for him to be in prison.
So sometimes, you know, the trials, listen, as
a believer, nothing happens to you. Anyhow without
a purpose. Amen. Nothing happened to the believer
without a purpose. Nothing happened to the believer
without a purpose. The outcome of his imprisonment
in verse 14. For this is boldness in order to
preach the gospel. Verse 14. And most of the
brethren in the Lord haven't become confident
by my change. And most of all, Paul to speak
without fear. When people look at your experience,
what did they? What did they believe in? Because
your story edifies people. Or your actions affect
others. So regardless of others' intentions towards
Paul, he had one perspective. The advancement
of the kingdom of God was 1782. How do we view
trials? How do you and I view trials? As I said
earlier on, if you're not presently in one, then
you're just coming out of one. Or you will soon
be in one. Or does that change your perspective?
Does that change your identity? How do you view
trials? Has God forsaken you? Some of us in the
midst of our trials, we are crying, Eli, Eli,
the master, I tell you. Instead of seeing an
opportunity for the advancement of God's kingdom.
Instead of seeing it as an opportunity for all
to be glorified. Trials can come in any form,
in any shape. Now, we're not talking about the
thing you've called yourself. It's a different
thing. In fact, the one you have created will
not give glory to God. But trials have a purpose
in the life of the believer. And they can come
in any form. In every shame, it could be even
in lack. It could be in the hardship of any form.
It could be in imprisonment. It could be in rejection.
The believer is not immune from a trial. So Paul
had this understanding that there's a coming
of what is happening in his life. If manifesting
the kingdom doesn't depend on perfect conditions,
It does not have to be all right. Your life doesn't
have to be all smooth and sweet before you now
have all. Now it's time for us to do the work
of ministry. It's time for us to preach the gospel.
You don't need to have your school is paid. All
you need to make before you have the opportunity
to do it. Expand all people. Propagate the gospel.
can happen in suffering. There's no perfect condition.
It can happen in your workplace. There's no perfect
condition. It happens in our homes, even in prisons,
in our classrooms, wherever we find ourselves.
It's an opportunity for the gospel, for the kingdom,
gospel of the kingdom to be preached. And for
you to live worthy of the kingdom, you must understand
this reality. You must have this perspective
to every experience that you pass through. Every
trial that you pass through. Because your experience.
Your prison experience. Can be a platform. By
which God will be glorified. When you allowed
it to be. A platform by which God will be glorified.
And the God set up. For someone's salvation.
And we see. If Paul didn't go to prison. but
can i show you that there are some people that
will not have the opportunity to hear the gospel
if you don't suffer that rejection there wouldn't
be an opportunity for someone to see talking
about to hear the hope that you have a crisis
Now you are deported. It's an opportunity to
do what? To share the gospel. They gave me a
free ticket to go and preach the gospel. I was
telling somebody, I said, see, they told us to
come right after, that we have 10 days. They
gave me a choice, a student. I either choose
between paying his ticket or departing back to
Nigeria in 10 days. I said, ah, ah, ah, to give
you free food for 10 days, accommodation, free
transport, right? I'm not going to give you the
money to keep in your pocket and to buy the ticket.
Sometimes our trials, our vehicles drive us towards
the will and the purpose of God. So you must
have a kingdom perspective to every experience
that happens in your life. Paul was not sitting
in that prison lamenting about his situation.
Paul was not sitting in that prison calling on
all heaven to deliver him from prison. He's a
man full of understanding of where he is from.
What is expected of the living, worthy of what?
Of the kingdom. His eyes are fixated on what
is appropriate and what is right. His pride is
right in the midst of his tire. He counted what
all joy. Will that be your experience? Will that
be our experience? And in all situations. See.
James chapter 1 verse 2. Let's look at James
chapter 1 verse 2. As we close. Because of time.
James chapter 1 verse 2. To forgive me. Amplified.
Amplified. Translation. I said earlier on. Every
trial has a purpose. In the life of the believer.
Nothing does happen to you without. Without a
purpose. It can serve a purpose. On the line
of the word, it can. You can make it not serve
a purpose, but it can serve a purpose. And that
purpose could be a purpose that will glorify
God. Just consider it nothing but what? But joy,
my brothers and my sisters. Whenever means what?
It means it's a constant factor. It will happen.
Whether you like it or not, it will happen. Hallelujah.
So when it happens, what do we do? We counted
all the joy. Not because we won a lottery. Not
because everything in your life is moving smoothly.
We counted all joy, brothers and sisters, whenever
I wish I can have the MPs in president of the
world, right? When you encounter trials, of any
thought of falling into various temptations.
May I show and understand that the trial and
the proving of your faith. So the target of the
trial is what? It's to test your faith. Now,
we've said this over and over and over again
that God does not try people. Amen. God is not
the author of trials. Because God does not tempt
and he himself is not tempted and he cannot tempt.
Amen? So we're not a source of trial, right?
Nevertheless, we are shown and understood that
the trial and the proving of your faith brings
outward endurance and steadfastness and patience.
Let endurance and steadfastness and patience
have full play and do a thorough work so that
you may be perfectly How fully developed. Lacking
in love. Paul himself counted it all joy. In
the midst of his experience. He counted it all
joy. In the midst of his difficulty. You know.
We see joy exuded from his letter. When you look
through the book you see. You know where his
heart lies. He shall see the people of God do
well. His prayer is full of goodwill for the
people to cross spiritually. That the Lord will
abound more and more. Later on, we'll see that
he has one focus. That focus is what? He said,
for me to live this world is Christ. And to die
is what? Some of us, what we're living for is
not Christ. Christ is secondary. We're living
for the next check. We're living for the next
grade. We're living for the next job. We're living
for the next visa. We're living for the next
and the next and the next. And God becomes what?
God becomes secondary. As a believer who is a
member of the kingdom, let the kingdom of God
dominate our mind and our thinking. And we're
going to see how later on as we go on in this
story. How we can arrive at a point where we
are kingdom minded. Regardless of all situations
and all experiences we face, we are kingdom minded.
And of course, cause them to live worthy the
kingdom lifestyle. Verse 27 to 30. admonishing
them to do what to exude the life of the kingdom
their conduct the way they conduct themselves
they don't conduct themselves worthy of the gospel
the gospel of the kingdom with which they have
received which means that the gospel or the kingdom
has a lifestyle that needs to be allowed to function
because where they are living they are living
in a gentle environment a place where there are
unbelievers around them So their conduct must
be worthy of the gospel of Christ which they
perceive. Where we are living, we live in an
environment of ungodliness. Let there be a distinction
between us and what are the people that are around
us. They will see something unique about us.
And of course, they will see Christ who I am
not. Why don't you just pray for yourself? And
say, Lord, help me to have this kind of character.
That in the midst of all my experiences, that
I will not lose focus. Because you see, the goal
that the devil wants to achieve is to distract
you from what is measured in your life. That
is the goal of Satan. But God is able to translate
that into a vehicle that will build your faith.
And not only build your faith, but you will build
others. With a comfort with which you are comforted.
You'll be a source of comfort to others. You'll
be a source of encouragement to others. As you
walk through the things that you are walking
through, it's a journey, it's a process. But
God will bring you out. In fact, when people
look at your experience, they will see God glorify
all around you. I want you to pray for yourself
and say, Lord, let this be my testimony. Let
this be my testimony. But no matter the trial,
I don't rely on my strength. Later on we will
see Paul talks about the grace of God. Paul talks
about the ability of God. Paul was not focusing
on his works to save you, to keep you, but he
was emphasizing the grace of God. Only the grace
of God can keep you, not your tactics, but your
skills to keep yourself. Listen, this admonition
is to every believer. None of us is immune to
trials. None of us is immune to temptation. But
even when it comes, we are ready. And the readiness,
Is to have an understanding of where we are from.
We are heavenly. And we are full of joy. And
we triumph amidst triumph. We triumph amidst
persecution. We triumph amidst any form of triumph
on the enemy. We rise above our circumstances.
Oh, I want to hear somebody. saying I choose
to rejoice in the midst of this challenge. Even
though it seems as though there's no salvation,
I choose to rejoice because I'm a saved man.
Even though the joy, you know, even though it
perishes, but I'm full of joy. Because I have
a heavenly mentality. My perspective is kingdom
perspective. My character is thankfulness. It's
prayerfulness. My faith is not conditioned to
my circumstances. My walk with God is not conditioned
to my external experience. Even if I have fallen,
I rise up by the grace of God. And I continue
to walk between us with Jesus. The one who has
called me. The one who has put me. The one who
has transferred me from the kingdom of darkness
into the kingdom of his answer in life. See yourself
thriving above your challenges. See yourself
victorious. The Bible says we are more than victorious.
We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.
Paul would say, for me to live is Christ and
to die is a gain. That this becomes my mantra
for life. That my living is to glorify God. And
even death is a gain. Whenever I found myself,
whenever I found myself in all situations, in
all conditions, that I'm kingdom minded. Living
worthy of my identity as a kingdom citizen. Thank
God for His grace being made manifest to you.
I pray in this house that we have multiplication
of grace. Grace upon grace leads unto us. In
all our experiences, we receive grace that stands
firm. In all our experiences, we receive the
ability to stand firm and strong. That we abound
in love. That we abound in love. In knowledge.
In the name of Jesus. In all wisdom. In the name
of Jesus. None of us will be defeated. In our
trying moments, we stand strong and tall in Christ.
And we manifest the kingdom regardless. We preach
the gospel regardless. We manifest Christ regardless.
Regardless of our luck. Regardless of our antecedents.
Regardless of our history. Father, we thank you.
Because what you've started in us, you're able
to bring it to completion. Thank you, Lord, that
only you can keep us and strengthen us. Be exalted,
Lord, and be glorified. In Jesus' gracious name
we pray. We appreciate you being here today.
We hope you carry this word with you throughout
your week. Don't forget to check the show notes
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stay blessed.