WEBVTT 00:00:02.060 --> 00:00:07.580 Hi there, welcome to NECF. We're excited to share 00:00:07.580 --> 00:00:10.699 today's message with you. Don't go anywhere, 00:00:10.880 --> 00:00:14.500 stay with us till the end for some valuable resources 00:00:14.500 --> 00:00:18.359 to enrich your faith. Here's today's sermon. 00:00:24.760 --> 00:00:26.780 Philippians chapter 1, please be there and help 00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:30.670 me. Philippians chapter 1, verse 6. There's a 00:00:30.670 --> 00:00:34.310 word of comfort for somebody here. It says, being 00:00:34.310 --> 00:00:38.929 confident of this very thing. Being what? Confident 00:00:38.929 --> 00:00:43.549 of this very thing. That he who has begun a good 00:00:43.549 --> 00:00:46.109 work in you, what will he do? He has the capacity 00:00:46.109 --> 00:00:50.210 to do what? To complete it. Hallelujah. Until 00:00:50.210 --> 00:00:54.130 the day of Jesus Christ. Meaning that what God 00:00:54.130 --> 00:00:57.630 has established in you, his work in our lives, 00:00:57.850 --> 00:01:02.359 his commitment. You know, in our lives, he's 00:01:02.359 --> 00:01:04.879 able to uphold. He's faithful to his word. God 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:07.379 is faithful to his word. Hallelujah. God has 00:01:07.379 --> 00:01:09.079 never started something and then he stopped on 00:01:09.079 --> 00:01:11.959 the way. Now, God is not depending on your faithfulness 00:01:11.959 --> 00:01:14.819 to perform that which has begun. If it depends 00:01:14.819 --> 00:01:18.060 on you and I, then God will not be stable. Hallelujah. 00:01:18.640 --> 00:01:20.620 If it depends on you and I, what will happen? 00:01:20.680 --> 00:01:24.379 God will not be stable. Because we as men, sometimes 00:01:24.379 --> 00:01:28.319 we are like what we call the waves of the sea. 00:01:29.069 --> 00:01:31.269 We may not be consistent even in our walk with 00:01:31.269 --> 00:01:33.170 him. We may not be consistent even in our faith 00:01:33.170 --> 00:01:35.629 and our belief in what he has said in his word. 00:01:36.189 --> 00:01:40.549 But one thing we can be sure is that God is committed 00:01:40.549 --> 00:01:43.650 to his word. He's committed to his promises. 00:01:44.590 --> 00:01:48.370 He's committed to his word concerning the believer. 00:01:48.530 --> 00:01:50.870 And I want you to know that God is not just committed 00:01:50.870 --> 00:01:54.209 to your salvation, but he's committed to upholding 00:01:54.209 --> 00:01:56.010 you and keeping you as a believer. Hallelujah. 00:01:56.969 --> 00:02:00.189 So we see this in the epistle of Paul to the 00:02:00.189 --> 00:02:01.930 Philippian church, as we started looking at last 00:02:01.930 --> 00:02:06.549 week, in our quest to understand how we are to 00:02:06.549 --> 00:02:10.990 live worthy as members of God's kingdom. We say 00:02:10.990 --> 00:02:14.629 that Paul, you know, was writing the book of 00:02:14.629 --> 00:02:17.770 Philippians from prison. And he wrote the letter 00:02:17.770 --> 00:02:23.389 to the Philippians to express his gratitude for 00:02:23.389 --> 00:02:26.280 their generous support to him. And we mentioned 00:02:26.280 --> 00:02:31.039 that he also encourages them to remain joyful, 00:02:31.300 --> 00:02:34.060 united, you know, despite their experiences, 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:35.860 their persecutions or whatever they pass through, 00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:39.340 their trials. And he urged them to follow Christ's 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:41.740 example of humility. That is just the summary 00:02:41.740 --> 00:02:44.139 of the entire epistle to the Philippian church. 00:02:44.340 --> 00:02:47.759 He also warned them against false teachers because 00:02:47.759 --> 00:02:49.639 there were others that were coming to teach something 00:02:49.639 --> 00:02:52.539 that is contrary to the faith. And some in good 00:02:52.539 --> 00:02:55.520 conscience, some in good will, some... You know, 00:02:55.520 --> 00:02:57.800 even from a point that they were doing it to 00:02:57.800 --> 00:03:01.259 agitate Paul. He warned him against the legalists, 00:03:01.319 --> 00:03:04.000 those who emphasize works as a means of salvation, 00:03:04.180 --> 00:03:06.060 as a means of obtaining God's favor. And then 00:03:06.060 --> 00:03:08.340 he was also updating them about, you know, his 00:03:08.340 --> 00:03:11.479 imprisonment and commending Timothy and also 00:03:11.479 --> 00:03:14.060 Epaphroditus. So we mentioned very four things 00:03:14.060 --> 00:03:15.780 that we can learn from chapter one. We said the 00:03:15.780 --> 00:03:18.479 first thing is Paul's character of prayer and 00:03:18.479 --> 00:03:23.270 gratitude. Just as a recap. We saw Paul's character 00:03:23.270 --> 00:03:26.229 of prayer and gratitude that despite his imprisonment, 00:03:26.330 --> 00:03:30.789 Paul was not languishing in the reality of what 00:03:30.789 --> 00:03:33.849 he was passing through. But Paul was full of 00:03:33.849 --> 00:03:37.750 gratitude. He was full of joy. All over the epistle, 00:03:37.810 --> 00:03:40.150 we see about 15 times, Paul will be mentioned, 00:03:40.189 --> 00:03:44.090 rejoice, rejoice, rejoice. Rejoicing not that 00:03:44.090 --> 00:03:46.969 he has obtained his release, not that he has 00:03:46.969 --> 00:03:49.819 obtained something material. but his rejoicing 00:03:49.819 --> 00:03:52.840 is founded in the reality of the work of Christ. 00:03:53.080 --> 00:03:57.400 So his external does not confine his state of 00:03:57.400 --> 00:04:00.300 joy. And we see in Paul's prayer from verse 3 00:04:00.300 --> 00:04:03.860 to 11, he reflects deep gratitude and selfless 00:04:03.860 --> 00:04:06.900 focus on what? On spiritual growth of others, 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:09.879 rather his own needs. His emphasis was not on 00:04:09.879 --> 00:04:12.620 God releasing him from prison, but rather his 00:04:12.620 --> 00:04:15.180 emphasis was what? on the spiritual growth and 00:04:15.180 --> 00:04:17.519 development of the Philippian church, the needs 00:04:17.519 --> 00:04:22.500 of others. And then, you know, we saw a challenge 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:26.220 for us to examine our purpose and focus on our 00:04:26.220 --> 00:04:29.500 prayer life. What is the content and the emphasis 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:31.740 of our prayer life? Our prayer life should not 00:04:31.740 --> 00:04:34.240 be, you know, determined by only the circumstances 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:37.699 around us, but we must be consistent in our focus 00:04:37.699 --> 00:04:40.639 on the things that matter, which are eternal. 00:04:41.269 --> 00:04:43.430 Secondly, we look at Paul's kingdom perspective 00:04:43.430 --> 00:04:46.810 on trial. What was his perception about trial? 00:04:47.189 --> 00:04:50.430 And how should we, as men and women that are 00:04:50.430 --> 00:04:53.750 living, to express the kingdom of God? How should 00:04:53.750 --> 00:04:56.290 we also perceive and express, you know, what 00:04:56.290 --> 00:04:58.310 kind of attitude should we have towards trial? 00:04:58.550 --> 00:05:01.410 Paul viewed his imprisonment as a divine opportunity 00:05:01.410 --> 00:05:04.910 to advance God's kingdom. And we mentioned that 00:05:04.910 --> 00:05:07.769 nothing happened to the believer without God's 00:05:07.769 --> 00:05:11.660 knowledge. And there is no accidental experience 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:14.100 in the believer's life. So every single thing 00:05:14.100 --> 00:05:16.860 that happened to us, you know, is an opportunity 00:05:16.860 --> 00:05:20.300 for God to be glorified. Even the mistakes in 00:05:20.300 --> 00:05:23.540 our lives are things that God can utilize to 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:27.879 reach out to others. So as a child of God, we 00:05:27.879 --> 00:05:30.720 must have this understanding concerning trials. 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:34.720 He saw his imprisonment as a divine opportunity 00:05:34.720 --> 00:05:38.509 to advance God's kingdom. He encourages the believers 00:05:38.509 --> 00:05:42.089 to see trials as not an abandonment, but as a 00:05:42.089 --> 00:05:44.930 platform for God's glory and other salvation. 00:05:45.889 --> 00:05:49.089 And then reminding us of what? Of joy, even in 00:05:49.089 --> 00:05:53.170 suffering. So our joy is not a function of what 00:05:53.170 --> 00:05:57.050 happens in the physical, but our joy is a result 00:05:57.050 --> 00:06:00.730 of our identity. Our joy is a product of what 00:06:00.730 --> 00:06:03.889 Christ has eternally established in us. So we 00:06:03.889 --> 00:06:05.730 are not joyful because we have money in our pocket. 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:08.500 We are not joyful because our academics is moving 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:11.180 well. We are not joyful because that which we 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:13.160 are believing for in the physical has manifested. 00:06:13.560 --> 00:06:16.740 But we are full of joy regardless of our experiences. 00:06:17.019 --> 00:06:20.860 And we see this character fully expressed in 00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:23.620 the life of Paul in this letter to the Philippians. 00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:29.279 And we also learn of Paul's focus to honor Christ. 00:06:29.639 --> 00:06:32.819 He says for him to live is what? Is for Christ. 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:35.990 And to die is again. And we're asking ourselves, 00:06:36.069 --> 00:06:38.490 what is the focus we are living? What is the 00:06:38.490 --> 00:06:41.750 most important priority you have in life? As 00:06:41.750 --> 00:06:43.990 young people, we have, you know, the possibility 00:06:43.990 --> 00:06:47.930 of being distracted by life, building our lives, 00:06:47.990 --> 00:06:50.269 building our careers, building even ministry. 00:06:50.449 --> 00:06:52.930 Forget about the most important thing, which 00:06:52.930 --> 00:06:55.949 is to live, to honor God, to honor Christ. So 00:06:55.949 --> 00:06:59.250 Paul's focus we saw from chapter, verse 19 to 00:06:59.250 --> 00:07:03.589 26 of chapter 1. is to honor Christ in both life 00:07:03.589 --> 00:07:07.410 and death. Exemplifying a fully surrendered life, 00:07:07.610 --> 00:07:11.990 where life means serving Christ, and death to 00:07:11.990 --> 00:07:14.829 him is gain. We saw him in the scriptures, we 00:07:14.829 --> 00:07:17.730 will see rather, perplexing between being alive 00:07:17.730 --> 00:07:20.930 and going. For him to live is to the benefit 00:07:20.930 --> 00:07:24.629 of the brethren, and to go to the Lord for him 00:07:24.629 --> 00:07:27.370 is a gain. And I trust God that our focus, just 00:07:27.370 --> 00:07:30.870 as Paul's, will be to live to glorify God in 00:07:30.870 --> 00:07:33.069 every single area of our lives. And as young 00:07:33.069 --> 00:07:36.449 men, as young women, we will not be living for 00:07:36.449 --> 00:07:39.829 careers. We will not be living for things that 00:07:39.829 --> 00:07:42.110 are temporary. You see, when I was coming this 00:07:42.110 --> 00:07:44.649 morning, I was sharing with someone that we were 00:07:44.649 --> 00:07:48.089 coming together about a young man, very promising 00:07:48.089 --> 00:07:51.490 young man, very smart, very eloquent. He was 00:07:51.490 --> 00:07:53.939 a junior in high school. Day before yesterday 00:07:53.939 --> 00:07:56.339 was his birthday. Everybody was celebrating him. 00:07:56.420 --> 00:07:58.759 A lot of accolades praising him, how wonderful 00:07:58.759 --> 00:08:01.899 he is. The following day, he was crushed by a 00:08:01.899 --> 00:08:05.379 car and then he died. Exactly 31 years, one day. 00:08:06.060 --> 00:08:07.980 And then that was the end of his life. And I 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:09.899 was reflecting throughout yesterday and today. 00:08:09.980 --> 00:08:13.040 I said, okay, what? Imagine this guy, I know 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:15.620 him to be a very ambitious young man. So what 00:08:15.620 --> 00:08:18.139 happened to his ambitions? What happens to his 00:08:18.139 --> 00:08:23.310 goals? What happens to his plans and his... His 00:08:23.310 --> 00:08:26.189 dreams. And I discovered that life is not guaranteed. 00:08:27.269 --> 00:08:29.430 And what the most important thing for us is to 00:08:29.430 --> 00:08:33.049 live every day reflecting on why we are here 00:08:33.049 --> 00:08:34.990 on earth and doing that which God has called 00:08:34.990 --> 00:08:38.710 us to do. Because at any time, we can be normal. 00:08:38.870 --> 00:08:42.669 Hallelujah. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Amen? 00:08:43.250 --> 00:08:45.809 There's no guarantee. So we must be men and women 00:08:45.809 --> 00:08:48.710 of one focus. And that focus will be that we 00:08:48.710 --> 00:08:51.340 live in... To honor God, we're living to glorify 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:53.139 God with our lives. And then the fourth thing 00:08:53.139 --> 00:08:55.519 we saw was the kingdom lifestyle. Paul was calling 00:08:55.519 --> 00:09:01.039 these people in Philippi to live a life worthy 00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:04.860 of what? Of their identity as believers. They 00:09:04.860 --> 00:09:08.340 live in a Gentile community. So as they live, 00:09:08.539 --> 00:09:12.779 they should be able to reflect their identity 00:09:12.779 --> 00:09:15.360 as God's children. He calls believers to live 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:18.710 daily. In a manner worthy of the gospel. And 00:09:18.710 --> 00:09:20.649 that is a calling for us as we study this book 00:09:20.649 --> 00:09:22.750 of Philippians. As we go through this epistle. 00:09:23.009 --> 00:09:26.210 God's desire for you. God's desire for us. Is 00:09:26.210 --> 00:09:29.789 that we live worthy of our calling. We live worthy 00:09:29.789 --> 00:09:33.509 of the gospel. That our lives reflect what we 00:09:33.509 --> 00:09:36.470 have received. That our lives reflect the spirit 00:09:36.470 --> 00:09:39.230 of God that dwells inside of us. That we live 00:09:39.230 --> 00:09:41.629 worthy of the gospel that we have received. A 00:09:41.629 --> 00:09:45.039 life marked by unity. boldness and perseverance, 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:48.259 even in suffering, as true citizens of God's 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:50.659 kingdom. And I want us to also note one thing 00:09:50.659 --> 00:09:52.919 again that I couldn't emphasize last week about 00:09:52.919 --> 00:09:56.100 what we can learn from the church's generosity 00:09:56.100 --> 00:10:01.659 to Paul. Amen? As one of the ways to live worthy 00:10:01.659 --> 00:10:04.419 of God's kingdom, that we are responsible people 00:10:04.419 --> 00:10:06.940 in the kingdom. And one of the ways we express 00:10:06.940 --> 00:10:11.059 our responsibility as kingdom citizens is our 00:10:11.059 --> 00:10:14.649 engagement. in the work of ministry, especially 00:10:14.649 --> 00:10:17.269 when it comes to supporting the work of God in 00:10:17.269 --> 00:10:20.230 a practical sense. So from the church perspective, 00:10:20.570 --> 00:10:24.070 they partnered with Paul in ministry through 00:10:24.070 --> 00:10:27.070 giving to meet his needs and also in prayers. 00:10:27.389 --> 00:10:30.990 They don't only pray, right? But what did they 00:10:30.990 --> 00:10:35.029 do? They were able to meet his needs, practical 00:10:35.029 --> 00:10:38.870 needs as it comes to, you know, support. Philippians 00:10:38.870 --> 00:10:41.809 chapter 3 verse... 5, 1 verse, verse 3 rather. 00:10:41.870 --> 00:10:45.070 Let's look at chapter 1, verse 3. We see from 00:10:45.070 --> 00:10:48.750 verse 3, it says, I thank my God upon every remembrance 00:10:48.750 --> 00:10:52.450 of you. Verse 2, verse 4, 4, 4, 4, quickly. Always 00:10:52.450 --> 00:10:56.230 in every prayer of mine, making requests for 00:10:56.230 --> 00:10:59.470 you all with joy, for your fellowship in the 00:10:59.470 --> 00:11:01.730 gospel from the first day until now. You are 00:11:01.730 --> 00:11:03.809 sharing, this fellowship refers to what? You 00:11:03.809 --> 00:11:06.740 are sharing your participation. In the work of 00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:09.820 ministry. So every believer who is a citizen 00:11:09.820 --> 00:11:13.440 of this kingdom has a share in a participation 00:11:13.440 --> 00:11:17.200 in the work of ministry. As responsible citizens 00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:22.399 of a kingdom, we are what? We are participants 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:25.879 in the work of ministry. Verse 19, chapter 1, 00:11:25.940 --> 00:11:28.059 verse 19 says, For I know that this will turn 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:31.379 out for my deliverance through your prayer. Which 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:34.100 means that the church will pray earnestly for 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:37.450 who? For Paul. So you as a kingdom citizen has 00:11:37.450 --> 00:11:40.070 a responsibility of not just supporting with 00:11:40.070 --> 00:11:42.429 your finances, but you have a responsibility 00:11:42.429 --> 00:11:46.629 of doing what? Of dedicating time to pray, especially 00:11:46.629 --> 00:11:49.370 for the progress of God's work. It says, for 00:11:49.370 --> 00:11:52.190 I know that this will turn out for my deliverance 00:11:52.190 --> 00:11:56.029 through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit 00:11:56.029 --> 00:11:59.190 of Jesus Christ. Chapter 4, verse 10 to 20, we'll 00:11:59.190 --> 00:12:01.129 see. Let's just move forward and we'll come back. 00:12:01.370 --> 00:12:04.820 Chapter 4, verse 10. It says, but I rejoice in 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:09.639 the Lord greatly that now at last your care for 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:14.240 me has flourished again. Though you surely did 00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:17.559 care, but you lack opportunity. Know that I speak 00:12:17.559 --> 00:12:20.860 in regards to need, for I have learned in whatever 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:25.419 state I am to be content. I know how to be abased 00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:29.240 and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:32.570 things I have learned but to be fool. and to 00:12:32.570 --> 00:12:35.649 be hungry, but to abound and to suffer needs. 00:12:36.210 --> 00:12:39.309 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens 00:12:39.309 --> 00:12:42.269 me. And contextually, I can do all things is 00:12:42.269 --> 00:12:44.750 referring to what? Abounding and what? And living 00:12:44.750 --> 00:12:47.490 in luck. So let's not cut it out of context. 00:12:47.769 --> 00:12:50.289 You can't do all things though. Hope you know 00:12:50.289 --> 00:12:53.450 that. There are some things you cannot do. So 00:12:53.450 --> 00:12:56.669 contextually, you see, it's contextually. He's 00:12:56.669 --> 00:12:59.379 saying that I can live in plenty. And I can live 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:02.039 in luck. I'm contented. That is the context of 00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:05.419 the conversation here. Context is key. I can 00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:07.820 do all things through Christ who strengthens 00:13:07.820 --> 00:13:12.299 me. Nevertheless, you have done well that you 00:13:12.299 --> 00:13:15.399 shared in my distress. That I participated in 00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:18.559 his distress. Now, you Philippians know also 00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:21.600 that at the beginning of the gospel, when I departed 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:24.960 from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:27.799 giving and receiving but you only. Now, listen. 00:13:28.250 --> 00:13:30.549 Some people have interpreted this verse as they 00:13:30.549 --> 00:13:32.350 gave and they received something in return. No. 00:13:32.429 --> 00:13:34.909 They gave and Paul received. The giving and the 00:13:34.909 --> 00:13:36.990 receiving is that they gave to Paul. And what? 00:13:37.129 --> 00:13:40.570 And Paul received. Hallelujah. They have shared 00:13:40.570 --> 00:13:42.809 with him in giving and in what? In him receiving. 00:13:42.990 --> 00:13:45.909 For even in Thessalonica, you sent aid once again 00:13:45.909 --> 00:13:47.950 for my necessities. So this Philippian church 00:13:47.950 --> 00:13:50.509 has been consistent in supporting the work of 00:13:50.509 --> 00:13:53.710 ministry. And that is a kingdom lifestyle worthy 00:13:53.710 --> 00:13:55.990 of emulation. That we are responsible citizens. 00:13:56.750 --> 00:14:00.289 Of a responsible kingdom. Hallelujah. Not that 00:14:00.289 --> 00:14:03.450 I seek the gift. But I seek the fruit. That abounds 00:14:03.450 --> 00:14:08.029 your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I 00:14:08.029 --> 00:14:11.610 am full and received from Epaphroditus. The thing 00:14:11.610 --> 00:14:14.009 he sent from you. A sweet smelling aroma. An 00:14:14.009 --> 00:14:17.750 acceptable sacrifice. Well pleasing to God. And 00:14:17.750 --> 00:14:20.669 my God shall supply all your needs. According 00:14:20.669 --> 00:14:24.929 to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. and to 00:14:24.929 --> 00:14:27.009 our God and Father be glory forever and ever. 00:14:27.649 --> 00:14:31.669 Amen. That prayer of God's consumer supply is 00:14:31.669 --> 00:14:33.769 a response of an act of generosity of the believers. 00:14:33.950 --> 00:14:36.309 And as much as we make ourselves available to 00:14:36.309 --> 00:14:39.049 be a channel towards God's work, there's an assurance 00:14:39.049 --> 00:14:42.429 of more than enough, not just for your sustenance, 00:14:42.570 --> 00:14:44.730 but more than enough that you have the responsibility 00:14:44.730 --> 00:14:47.990 of what? Of committing to the work of ministry. 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:50.860 of ensuring the continuity of the work of God 00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:52.200 and the plan of God on the face of the earth. 00:14:52.340 --> 00:14:54.460 So if we're living worthy as kingdom citizens, 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:57.419 it means that we live responsibly as kingdom 00:14:57.419 --> 00:15:00.879 citizens. Hallelujah. Now, in continuation to 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:02.980 what he has said in chapter 1, all the things 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:05.120 that he has noted in chapter 1, let's move to 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:08.019 chapter 2. We will see Paul in chapter 2, from 00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:10.759 verse 1 to 11, calling the believers to follow 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:15.080 the example of Christ. For us to live worthy. 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:18.600 Living worthy of the kingdom, we must as well 00:15:18.600 --> 00:15:21.960 follow the example of Christ. Give me chapter 00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:25.799 2 verse 1 in Amplified Classic. Chapter 2 verse 00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:28.240 1, Philippians chapter 2 verse 1. It says, So 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:31.299 by whatever appeal to you there is in our mutual 00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:34.139 dwelling in Christ, by whatever strengthening 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:38.080 and consoling, encouraging our relationship in 00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:41.679 Him, by whatever persuasive incentive there is 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:44.519 in love. by whatever participation in the Holy 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:47.159 Spirit we share and by whatever depth of affection 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:51.399 and compassion and sympathy. Verse 2. Fill up 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:55.919 and complete my joy by what? By living in harmony 00:15:55.919 --> 00:16:00.039 and being of the same mind and one in purpose, 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:04.620 having the same love, being in full accord and 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:07.399 of harmonious mind and intention. Why will Paul 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:10.259 call them to live in unity? Why will Paul call 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:14.129 them to live in love? having the same mind, living 00:16:14.129 --> 00:16:17.250 in one accord. Verse 2 suggests that there is 00:16:17.250 --> 00:16:20.350 a bit of a conflict in this church. And the believers 00:16:20.350 --> 00:16:23.370 in this church, you know, have been called to 00:16:23.370 --> 00:16:25.629 live in unity. We can verify that from chapter 00:16:25.629 --> 00:16:29.629 4, verse 2, where Paul was telling two people, 00:16:29.690 --> 00:16:31.970 two specific people, two people in the church. 00:16:32.190 --> 00:16:37.649 He says, I implore it, who? Anyway, I don't know 00:16:37.649 --> 00:16:39.250 the spelling, but that's the name. I don't know 00:16:39.250 --> 00:16:51.639 the pronunciation. I entreat. Which means that 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:55.779 they have this discontention within the body. 00:16:56.519 --> 00:17:13.680 Amen? Verse 3. In spreading of the good news, 00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:17.099 the gospel, as have Clement and the rest of my 00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:20.500 fellow workers, whose names are in the book of 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:23.339 life. You know, being part of God's kingdom does 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:24.920 not mean that we will not face conflict within 00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:28.160 ourselves. Amen? Does not mean that sometimes 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:30.420 the relationship will get sour. Does not mean 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:32.380 that sometimes we will not march, we will not 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:35.880 have conflict. But we have a responsibility as 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:38.420 kingdom citizens to do what? To agree in the 00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:42.000 Lord. Amen? to agree in the Lord. If we must 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:45.859 manifest the kingdom, if we must live worthy 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:48.700 of the kingdom, then we have a responsibility 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:51.380 one to another to agree. As kingdom citizens, 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:54.880 we have to live in peace and harmony with one 00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:58.240 another. Having the same mind in full accord. 00:17:58.519 --> 00:18:01.599 Why? Because a kingdom that is divided against 00:18:01.599 --> 00:18:04.579 itself cannot fulfill God's purpose. Amen? A 00:18:04.579 --> 00:18:06.880 kingdom divided against itself. You know, in 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:08.740 Matthew chapter 12, verse 25, we see where Jesus 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:11.599 Christ was making reference to his... Give me 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:14.619 Matthew chapter 12, verse 25. And knowing their 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:16.579 thoughts, because he performed a miracle and 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:19.339 they were accusing Jesus of performing the miracle 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:23.500 by a demonic spirit, by whatever spirit. And 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:26.539 knowing their thoughts, he said to them, any 00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:29.900 kingdom that is divided against itself is being 00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:33.690 brought to desolation and laid waste. and no 00:18:33.690 --> 00:18:37.829 city or house divided against itself will last 00:18:37.829 --> 00:18:41.589 or continue to stand. Now we can extrapolate 00:18:41.589 --> 00:18:44.609 the principle about unity from this verse. A 00:18:44.609 --> 00:18:48.529 kingdom divided against itself will not stand 00:18:48.529 --> 00:18:50.750 a taste of time fulfilling the purpose of God 00:18:50.750 --> 00:18:53.329 upon the face of the earth. If we, because you 00:18:53.329 --> 00:18:56.869 see, doing the will of God on earth is not a 00:18:56.869 --> 00:18:59.990 responsibility of one person. Amen? You are not 00:18:59.990 --> 00:19:02.789 the body of Christ. Hallelujah. You as an individual 00:19:02.789 --> 00:19:06.750 cannot fulfill the mandate of God in the world, 00:19:06.809 --> 00:19:10.130 on the face of the earth. You need your brother, 00:19:10.250 --> 00:19:13.269 you need your sister. It's a collective responsibility. 00:19:13.549 --> 00:19:16.950 As much as there is no personal revelation of 00:19:16.950 --> 00:19:19.970 Christ, it's a common revelation of Christ. Amen? 00:19:20.130 --> 00:19:22.609 So we must understand that we must be committed 00:19:22.609 --> 00:19:25.089 to working together. Nevertheless, disagreement 00:19:25.089 --> 00:19:28.099 will rise as a family, as a church. As we live, 00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:30.299 as we work together, as we relate together, even 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:33.940 as housemates, as friends, disagreement may arise. 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:37.920 But if we want to live as kingdom citizens, we 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:42.440 must prioritize the purpose of God. Listen, the 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:45.279 reason why we must prioritize peace is because 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:47.019 of the purpose and the calling of God upon our 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:49.059 lives. I was counseling some people from the 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:51.640 U .S. When they had an issue, they had a problem, 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:55.289 I said, do you value doing the will of God? or 00:19:55.289 --> 00:19:57.769 you value the issue at hand. What is your focus? 00:19:57.849 --> 00:20:00.349 Is your focus on the offense that has been committed 00:20:00.349 --> 00:20:03.690 or your focus is on the calling of God upon your 00:20:03.690 --> 00:20:07.549 life? When your attention is pious towards knowing 00:20:07.549 --> 00:20:10.049 the will of God and doing the will of God, then 00:20:10.049 --> 00:20:12.970 whatever the offense becomes insignificant, you 00:20:12.970 --> 00:20:15.789 quickly want to trash the offense so that you 00:20:15.789 --> 00:20:17.430 can move on with doing the will of God. Because 00:20:17.430 --> 00:20:18.950 whether you like it or not, you need your brother 00:20:18.950 --> 00:20:21.210 and you need your sister. You are in an eternal 00:20:21.210 --> 00:20:23.789 family. If you don't like your brother in Christ 00:20:23.789 --> 00:20:25.970 right now that you have seen face to face, the 00:20:25.970 --> 00:20:27.630 good news or the bad news is that you will see 00:20:27.630 --> 00:20:30.750 him eternally. Amen? If you want to continue 00:20:30.750 --> 00:20:33.549 in bitterness with your brother in Christ, then 00:20:33.549 --> 00:20:36.730 I can assure you that even when he dies, or you 00:20:36.730 --> 00:20:40.630 die, you will meet again. Amen? So it's to your 00:20:40.630 --> 00:20:43.309 own advantage that you do what? That you love 00:20:43.309 --> 00:20:45.950 your brother, that you love your sister, that 00:20:45.950 --> 00:20:47.990 you live in harmony, that you live in peace. 00:20:48.309 --> 00:20:50.539 Hallelujah. And in verse 3, it says, let nothing 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:53.880 be done through selfish ambition or conceit, 00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:57.819 but in the loneliness of mind, let each esteem 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:59.720 others better than himself. This is a kingdom 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:05.759 lifestyle. We must live a life of honor to one 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:08.759 another. Listen, even people in the kingdom of 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:11.640 darkness, they are united. They cooperate. They 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:14.019 partner. They love. Have you ever been to Bia 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:15.940 Paulo and you see drunkards? Do you know how 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:18.970 supportive they are? Do you know how generous 00:21:18.970 --> 00:21:21.109 they are to themselves? Sometimes even believers, 00:21:21.130 --> 00:21:22.630 you need to learn from the kingdom of darkness. 00:21:23.630 --> 00:21:25.250 You know, Jesus mentioned this, that you should 00:21:25.250 --> 00:21:26.569 learn from the people of the world, right? In 00:21:26.569 --> 00:21:28.390 their own wisdom. That's a mockery, actually, 00:21:28.549 --> 00:21:31.509 to the believer. So we have to understand that 00:21:31.509 --> 00:21:33.869 we need each other. We must honor each other. 00:21:33.910 --> 00:21:37.190 We must love each other. And this love and honor 00:21:37.190 --> 00:21:40.470 is one to another. Let nothing be done in selfish 00:21:40.470 --> 00:21:50.180 ambition. You know, we live in a generation that 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:52.440 everybody is self -centered. Oh, you know, I'm 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:54.440 protecting my mental health. Oh, I'm protecting 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:58.059 my space, my peace of mind. I was telling somebody 00:21:58.059 --> 00:22:00.740 this week, the person is here, the person is 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:03.279 looking at me. I said the fact that you've been 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:05.700 avoiding conflict with people doesn't mean that 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:08.220 you've overcome the issue of, you've not treated 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:11.190 the matter well. Avoidance. It doesn't mean that 00:22:11.190 --> 00:22:13.690 something has happened. Until you face people 00:22:13.690 --> 00:22:16.410 face to face and you relate and then you discover 00:22:16.410 --> 00:22:18.609 that, oh, this person has offended you and you 00:22:18.609 --> 00:22:22.430 are able to forgive practically over and over 00:22:22.430 --> 00:22:24.369 and over again. That's when we know that you've 00:22:24.369 --> 00:22:27.269 grown. But when you avoid problem, when you see 00:22:27.269 --> 00:22:29.809 problem coming, you run away. We are not called 00:22:29.809 --> 00:22:33.750 to a life of being cowards. Are we together? 00:22:34.250 --> 00:22:37.009 In our relationship, we must create room for 00:22:37.009 --> 00:22:41.190 offenses before... In fact... We must be ready. 00:22:41.369 --> 00:22:44.670 Know this, that as we relate, there must be, 00:22:44.670 --> 00:22:48.009 must be offenses. Conflict will rise because 00:22:48.009 --> 00:22:50.190 we are humans. Are we together? So your brother 00:22:50.190 --> 00:22:53.230 is not, he's not an angel that does not have 00:22:53.230 --> 00:22:55.289 a will of his own that is controlled somewhere. 00:22:55.769 --> 00:22:58.930 He's a human. So having the room, giving the 00:22:58.930 --> 00:23:03.549 room for offense is very, very crucial to living 00:23:03.549 --> 00:23:06.190 the kingdom life because you see, it's governed 00:23:06.190 --> 00:23:09.920 by love. It's governed by... By love, the love 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:12.140 of God that is in us. We belong to a kingdom 00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:15.559 that honors one another. I see the way brothers 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:17.420 and sisters relate in church. Sometimes I wonder 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:22.660 whether you understand the complexity of what 00:23:22.660 --> 00:23:25.339 Christ has done for the two of you. And the brother 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:29.099 is a co -heir with you. Right? The sister is 00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:32.619 also equally a beneficiary of the same grace. 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:37.250 There's no rank in grace. The same grace. For 00:23:37.250 --> 00:23:39.690 the grace of God that has what? That brings salvation 00:23:39.690 --> 00:23:43.390 as on what? To some men alone, we have only one 00:23:43.390 --> 00:23:46.009 grace and that grace equalizes everybody. Are 00:23:46.009 --> 00:23:48.289 we together? Of course, we know there is order 00:23:48.289 --> 00:23:49.890 in the kingdom of God and there is a responsibility. 00:23:50.049 --> 00:23:52.190 We'll come to that later. But I want you to understand 00:23:52.190 --> 00:23:56.250 that you have a duty of honoring every one of 00:23:56.250 --> 00:24:00.250 us because that person is, God resides in that 00:24:00.250 --> 00:24:03.829 person. That is the reason. Amen? God resides 00:24:03.829 --> 00:24:06.049 in that person. So you have the responsibility 00:24:06.049 --> 00:24:08.450 of honoring God in that person's life. We honor 00:24:08.450 --> 00:24:12.049 our elders and those who serve us and one another, 00:24:12.190 --> 00:24:14.430 regardless of age, of status, whether economically. 00:24:14.789 --> 00:24:16.789 The person may not be economically buoyant as 00:24:16.789 --> 00:24:19.950 you are, but as a child of God, that person has 00:24:19.950 --> 00:24:22.849 something that money cannot buy. Amen? He has 00:24:22.849 --> 00:24:25.309 an eternal wealth that is beyond what money can 00:24:25.309 --> 00:24:27.190 buy, and it's the presence of the Spirit of God 00:24:27.190 --> 00:24:30.289 in him. How do you treat your fellow brothers 00:24:30.289 --> 00:24:32.849 and sisters in the faith? In honor or dishonor. 00:24:32.890 --> 00:24:35.910 Because this is not a character of a man or a 00:24:35.910 --> 00:24:37.630 woman that belongs to the kingdom of God. What 00:24:37.630 --> 00:24:40.589 is your attitude towards others? We see here 00:24:40.589 --> 00:24:42.970 Paul calling to the attention of this church. 00:24:43.029 --> 00:24:47.390 Let's see. Let nothing be done in conceit. In 00:24:47.390 --> 00:24:49.750 selfish ambition. Putting your own interests 00:24:49.750 --> 00:24:54.329 first. But do what? Uphold the interests of others. 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:58.480 than yourself. If every one of us is busy trying 00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:00.440 to put the other person first, I'm telling you, 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:03.940 we'll reduce 99 % of our problems because my 00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:06.200 goal is to honor you. My goal is to please you. 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:09.319 Your goal is to see there's room for competition 00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:12.619 in loving one another. The area we should compete 00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:15.240 is in showing love, how we can love ourselves 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:17.619 better. The Bible says, all know one nothing 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:22.259 but except what? Love is a legal debt to all 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:25.160 that you pay for the rest of your life. So we 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:28.200 have a duty, we have a responsibility to live 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:31.359 worthy of our calling as believers, as members 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:34.420 of God's kingdom. Verse 4 says, Let each of you 00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:39.660 look not only for his own interests, but also 00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:44.160 for the interests of others. Do you put yourself 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:47.500 first or the interests of others first? Sacrificial 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:51.460 living is what defines the culture of God's kingdom. 00:25:51.930 --> 00:25:54.529 We belong to God's kingdom and we must also exercise 00:25:54.529 --> 00:25:57.089 that culture. We must express that culture rather. 00:25:57.630 --> 00:25:59.529 We'll see this in the life of the early church. 00:26:00.009 --> 00:26:02.210 Acts chapter 2 verse 44. We'll see how they live 00:26:02.210 --> 00:26:05.289 sacrificially. Acts chapter 2 verse 44. Yes, 00:26:05.309 --> 00:26:08.490 44 and 45. It says, and now all who believe we're 00:26:08.490 --> 00:26:11.329 what? We're harmony. We're together. We're living 00:26:11.329 --> 00:26:14.410 together in harmony, in peace, in harmony. And 00:26:14.410 --> 00:26:19.410 all, and had all things in what? In common, which 00:26:19.410 --> 00:26:21.450 means that they were living a communal life. 00:26:21.789 --> 00:26:25.390 A communal life. And sold their possessions and 00:26:25.390 --> 00:26:29.049 goods and divided them among all as anyone had 00:26:29.049 --> 00:26:32.390 need. So what was operating in the early church 00:26:32.390 --> 00:26:37.450 was not capitalism, right? Greed was not the 00:26:37.450 --> 00:26:42.269 order of the day. And this is a product of the 00:26:42.269 --> 00:26:45.569 life of God in them. And if we are professional, 00:26:45.670 --> 00:26:48.210 we have the life of God in us, it should equally 00:26:48.210 --> 00:26:50.150 produce the same result. That you are looking 00:26:50.150 --> 00:26:51.849 out for your brother. That you are looking out 00:26:51.849 --> 00:26:53.849 for the needs of your sister. That you are ensuring 00:26:53.849 --> 00:26:57.809 that within the body of Christ, no one is ignored. 00:26:58.329 --> 00:26:59.910 You see brothers and sisters in the Lord tearing 00:26:59.910 --> 00:27:04.009 themselves apart because of basic needs. Everybody, 00:27:04.049 --> 00:27:07.470 you know, doesn't want to be taken advantage 00:27:07.470 --> 00:27:11.450 of. Everybody is protecting his own right. Everybody 00:27:11.450 --> 00:27:14.349 is putting his own interests ahead of others. 00:27:15.150 --> 00:27:19.309 Acts chapter 4 verse 32, 35. We see another way 00:27:19.309 --> 00:27:22.650 the early church exemplifies this culture. It 00:27:22.650 --> 00:27:25.109 says, now the multitude of those who believed 00:27:25.109 --> 00:27:27.670 were of one heart, which means that they were 00:27:27.670 --> 00:27:35.069 united. Unity, love, harmonious living, honor. 00:27:35.670 --> 00:27:39.130 This is the culture of the kingdom of God. Now 00:27:39.130 --> 00:27:41.009 the multitude of those who believed were of one 00:27:41.009 --> 00:27:44.869 heart and one soul. Neither did anyone say that 00:27:44.869 --> 00:27:48.569 any of the things he possessed was his own, but 00:27:48.569 --> 00:27:52.329 they had all things in common, which means they 00:27:52.329 --> 00:27:54.490 were living a life of sharing and giving within 00:27:54.490 --> 00:27:59.150 themselves. And with great power, the apostles 00:27:59.150 --> 00:28:01.309 gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord 00:28:01.309 --> 00:28:05.980 Jesus, and a great grace was upon them all. Now 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:08.880 was there anyone among them who lacked? For all 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:12.599 who were possessors of lands, of houses, sold 00:28:12.599 --> 00:28:14.519 them and brought the proceeds of things that 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:17.880 were sold was terrified and laid them at the 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:20.140 apostles' feet. Laying them at the apostles' 00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:22.359 feet. We've taught you here in church that laying 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:23.819 it at the apostles' feet doesn't mean that they 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:26.539 brought it and put it on their feet. It means 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:28.539 they are laying it at the what? The control. 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:32.390 The leadership. The what? The authority of the 00:28:32.390 --> 00:28:35.430 apostles. And the apostles identify who is in 00:28:35.430 --> 00:28:38.109 need and they meet the need. That's administration. 00:28:38.549 --> 00:28:40.589 Listen, we are not speaking theory here, right? 00:28:40.730 --> 00:28:44.049 If you have excess, it's an instruction. It's 00:28:44.049 --> 00:28:46.769 an instruction. Bring it that the needs of others 00:28:46.769 --> 00:28:49.630 will be met. If you have more than enough, there 00:28:49.630 --> 00:28:52.589 are those that can barely live. Some of us will 00:28:52.589 --> 00:28:55.789 open our drops. I wonder whether you sell clothes. 00:28:56.049 --> 00:28:57.930 You just be eating and adding weight, unnecessary 00:28:57.930 --> 00:29:00.910 weight, while others are fasting. Unwillingly. 00:29:00.910 --> 00:29:03.529 Where's the love we speak of? So believers, we 00:29:03.529 --> 00:29:06.029 must live worthy of our calling. What we are 00:29:06.029 --> 00:29:09.609 calling us to do is to live our identity as those 00:29:09.609 --> 00:29:12.470 who have experienced the love of God and expressing 00:29:12.470 --> 00:29:15.690 it, expressing it within. See, we're not talking 00:29:15.690 --> 00:29:17.309 about unbelievers. You know what we love in this 00:29:17.309 --> 00:29:19.910 generation is media attention. We want a situation 00:29:19.910 --> 00:29:21.750 where all the world will see us doing good works 00:29:21.750 --> 00:29:25.109 and our statuses is full of praises, pictures 00:29:25.109 --> 00:29:28.720 of doing charity. Listen. When you look through 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:30.240 the scriptures, I will say this and then you 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:33.039 think maybe I'm being biased. No way in the Bible 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:36.519 there was an emphasis, right, to give to unbelievers. 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:38.460 It's not a mistake. Now, we are not saying that 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.819 you shouldn't give to people that are not believers. 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:42.519 That's not what we are saying. But the emphasis 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:46.299 first is what? That they will see. That they 00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:47.980 will see. See, how will they know that you are 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:50.279 my disciples and you love one another? How will 00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:51.799 they know the love of God? It's through your 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:54.720 example, how you portray the love of God expressively. 00:29:55.349 --> 00:29:57.450 It's not in words. The kingdom of God is not 00:29:57.450 --> 00:30:00.250 about words. It's not in talking. It's in power. 00:30:00.630 --> 00:30:03.690 And this power is not healing the sick and making 00:30:03.690 --> 00:30:06.769 the cripple walk. It begins by what? An expression 00:30:06.769 --> 00:30:09.569 of love. That must be done from the point of 00:30:09.569 --> 00:30:13.369 love. It's a caution for somebody here. You must 00:30:13.369 --> 00:30:16.390 allow the love of God that is already in you 00:30:16.390 --> 00:30:19.450 to find expression. Amen? You must allow the 00:30:19.450 --> 00:30:21.170 love of God in you to what? To find expression. 00:30:21.529 --> 00:30:24.500 And then in verse 5, he brought in Christ. Let 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:27.700 this mind be in you which was also in Christ 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:31.539 Jesus. And we see calling the believers to emulate 00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:35.099 the life of Christ. How did Christ show us an 00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:37.339 example to follow? It says, let this mind be 00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:41.079 in which was also in Christ. Right? Now, the 00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:44.059 life of Christ is already in the believer. Now, 00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:45.420 we are not trying to tell you to manufacture 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:48.680 an ability from somewhere else. We are not trying 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:50.539 to tell you to produce a lifestyle that is not 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:54.200 within you. No. In Colossians 2 verse 6. We will 00:30:54.200 --> 00:30:56.299 see that the believer already has a life and 00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:59.619 the nature of Christ in him. Therefore, we must 00:30:59.619 --> 00:31:03.440 showcase it. Colossians 2 verse 6. It says, as 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:07.619 you therefore have received Christ Jesus, the 00:31:07.619 --> 00:31:12.259 Lord, so do what? So walk. Walk here means live 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:14.500 according to what you've received. Are we together? 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:18.079 So we are not calling you to live out a life 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:19.940 that you don't have the ability to. Christ has 00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:23.109 shown us an example and he lives in us. And it 00:31:23.109 --> 00:31:24.910 is through him that we're going to live. Let's 00:31:24.910 --> 00:31:27.569 see briefly and examine his humility. How he 00:31:27.569 --> 00:31:31.069 was, he gave us an example. He says he is, verse 00:31:31.069 --> 00:31:34.569 5, chapter 2, verse 5. Philippians chapter 2, 00:31:34.569 --> 00:31:38.369 verse 5. He said, let this mind be in you, which 00:31:38.369 --> 00:31:42.970 was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form 00:31:42.970 --> 00:31:46.829 of God, did not consider it robbery. To be equal 00:31:46.829 --> 00:31:48.890 with God. And I do say this always. I say there's 00:31:48.890 --> 00:31:51.369 nothing God has ever told men to do that he has 00:31:51.369 --> 00:31:54.950 not done it by example. If it's humility, Christ 00:31:54.950 --> 00:31:59.089 is a perfect example of humility. If it's love, 00:31:59.250 --> 00:32:01.950 he's the perfect expression of love. There's 00:32:01.950 --> 00:32:05.329 no instruction that God is a leader that leads 00:32:05.329 --> 00:32:08.789 by example. Hallelujah. God leads us by example. 00:32:09.069 --> 00:32:12.289 And we see that example in Christ. Because it 00:32:12.289 --> 00:32:13.789 is through Christ that we know the character 00:32:13.789 --> 00:32:17.359 of God. That we know who God is. So first of 00:32:17.359 --> 00:32:21.380 all, he is God. And he emptied himself by becoming 00:32:21.380 --> 00:32:25.259 a man. He became obedient to death on the cross. 00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:29.579 Then he was exalted. Hallelujah. I don't want 00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:31.319 to go into the details of the name that was given 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:32.460 to him. We know that the name that was given 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:35.839 to him was not J -E -S -U -S. Right? We sang 00:32:35.839 --> 00:32:37.799 a song about the name of Jesus. And the name 00:32:37.799 --> 00:32:43.079 is not J -E -S -U -S. Because Jesus was never 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:45.869 called Jesus in his time. Hope you know that. 00:32:45.890 --> 00:32:48.190 There was no English, so it cannot be Jesus. 00:32:49.309 --> 00:32:52.250 Name there refers to what? His accomplishment. 00:32:52.569 --> 00:32:55.190 The things he has accomplished. We have established 00:32:55.190 --> 00:32:56.710 this during our teachings in the cell meetings. 00:32:56.930 --> 00:33:00.150 And his exaltation is as a result of what he 00:33:00.150 --> 00:33:03.630 has portrayed in his humility. And him becoming 00:33:03.630 --> 00:33:08.549 man. It's humbly for God to become man. We see 00:33:08.549 --> 00:33:14.000 the sinless God suffering for sinful men. We 00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:17.880 see the just God suffering for unjust men. So 00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:19.420 you suffering for your brother is not because 00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:22.720 your brother deserves it. Right? You sacrificing 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:24.980 to be good to your brother is not because your 00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:27.720 brother deserves the goodness. Because in the 00:33:27.720 --> 00:33:29.559 first place, you never deserve the goodness of 00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:33.160 God. But nevertheless, God is good to you. How 00:33:33.160 --> 00:33:36.039 much loss are you willing to suffer for your 00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:38.559 brother or sister in Christ? How much are you 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:41.720 willing to let go for the sake of the love that 00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:43.970 you have towards your brother and sister? Romans 00:33:43.970 --> 00:33:48.009 chapter 5 verse 6 and 8 will see what Jesus did 00:33:48.009 --> 00:33:53.150 for us. Romans 5 verse 6 and 8. For when we are 00:33:53.150 --> 00:33:55.130 still without strength, which means when we are 00:33:55.130 --> 00:33:57.509 sinners, when we are helpless, when we are without 00:33:57.509 --> 00:34:01.390 the ability to help ourselves, in due time Christ 00:34:01.390 --> 00:34:05.130 died for the ungodly. So Jesus never died for 00:34:05.130 --> 00:34:09.389 godly men. Jesus never died for good men. It 00:34:09.389 --> 00:34:11.550 is in his death that we became good. Hallelujah. 00:34:12.279 --> 00:34:15.679 Verse 6, verse 7 rather. For scarcely for a righteous 00:34:15.679 --> 00:34:18.460 man will one die. Have you ever seen a man walk 00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:21.360 up and say, ah, this man was arrested because 00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:23.260 he stole this amount of money, especially where 00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:25.420 we come from in Africa. The part of Africa I 00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:27.480 come from, there's a lot of political, you know, 00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:30.840 manipulations of resources. And they usually 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:32.239 arrest people. Have you ever seen somebody to 00:34:32.239 --> 00:34:34.300 come and say, oh, I'm standing in for this person. 00:34:34.619 --> 00:34:36.599 I'm the one that I should be punished instead 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:39.219 of this person. No. We even say, let them deal 00:34:39.219 --> 00:34:42.300 with him. He serves him right. It says, for scarcely 00:34:42.300 --> 00:34:45.300 for a righteous man will one die, yet perhaps 00:34:45.300 --> 00:34:47.639 for even a good man, someone will even try to 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:51.119 die for. It's good. But look at Jesus in verse 00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:56.400 8. But God, what did he do? He demonstrates his 00:34:56.400 --> 00:34:59.559 own love towards us. In that while we were still 00:34:59.559 --> 00:35:03.360 in sin, we're enemies of the cross. We're enemies 00:35:03.360 --> 00:35:05.719 of God, rather. We're standing in opposition 00:35:05.719 --> 00:35:09.889 to God. What happened? He died for us. So your 00:35:09.889 --> 00:35:14.250 goodness towards others must be what you see 00:35:14.250 --> 00:35:17.309 in Christ demonstrated. He demonstrated love 00:35:17.309 --> 00:35:21.909 to an unjust people to justify us. So your goodness 00:35:21.909 --> 00:35:25.590 to others is not a product of their good behavior 00:35:25.590 --> 00:35:27.349 towards you. Do you know how many times I've 00:35:27.349 --> 00:35:29.389 forgiven him? Do you know how many times I've 00:35:29.389 --> 00:35:32.030 been supporting her? Enough is enough. The day 00:35:32.030 --> 00:35:33.590 that God will say enough is enough with you. 00:35:33.730 --> 00:35:36.530 It may sound funny, but we are indebted when 00:35:36.530 --> 00:35:39.920 it comes to love. Eternal debt. of showing love 00:35:39.920 --> 00:35:42.659 one to another. Hallelujah. So we must take up 00:35:42.659 --> 00:35:45.139 the challenge this week to do good to one another. 00:35:45.340 --> 00:35:48.519 Take up the challenge of living a sacrificial 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:52.079 life, life of honor. Decide that I'm going to 00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:54.519 be a blessing to my brother. I'm going to live 00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:57.500 up to the name. I'm going to live up to the name 00:35:57.500 --> 00:36:01.099 of Christ. I'm going to live up to the established 00:36:01.099 --> 00:36:04.539 works of Christ in me. I'm going to allow what 00:36:04.539 --> 00:36:06.900 Christ has accomplished in me to find expression. 00:36:07.639 --> 00:36:10.500 Let that be our determination this week. I must 00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:13.300 live worthy. Verse 27 of chapter 1, it says, 00:36:13.400 --> 00:36:17.340 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel 00:36:17.340 --> 00:36:20.400 of Christ, so that whether I come and see you 00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:23.820 or I'm absent, I may hear of your face, that 00:36:23.820 --> 00:36:27.119 you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, 00:36:27.219 --> 00:36:30.219 striving together for the faith of the gospel. 00:36:31.099 --> 00:36:33.489 Hallelujah. Now, do you have any... Discord with 00:36:33.489 --> 00:36:35.190 somebody in church? Do you have any disagreement 00:36:35.190 --> 00:36:38.429 with somebody in church? Do you have any unresolved 00:36:38.429 --> 00:36:42.550 issues? You can never, if you like, fast for 00:36:42.550 --> 00:36:45.570 30 days, 40 nights, right? You cannot fulfill 00:36:45.570 --> 00:36:49.269 the will of God in that condition. Because the 00:36:49.269 --> 00:36:50.829 same spirit that is in you is the same spirit 00:36:50.829 --> 00:36:52.590 that is in that believer. So we must resolve 00:36:52.590 --> 00:36:56.710 all our issues in love. We're not looking for 00:36:56.710 --> 00:36:59.230 blame. We're not looking for who is wrong or 00:36:59.230 --> 00:37:01.559 who is right. We're not looking for our own interests. 00:37:01.659 --> 00:37:03.099 We're not trying to clear our name because, see, 00:37:03.159 --> 00:37:05.840 sometimes we are funny as humans. We just want 00:37:05.840 --> 00:37:07.539 to clear our name so that we'll have good records. 00:37:07.760 --> 00:37:10.840 You know, I don't have any issue. I don't have 00:37:10.840 --> 00:37:13.420 any issue. But actually, there's an issue. And 00:37:13.420 --> 00:37:15.099 the reason why some of us come to apologize is 00:37:15.099 --> 00:37:17.960 not because we really want reconciliation, but 00:37:17.960 --> 00:37:19.719 simply because we want to have a good name before 00:37:19.719 --> 00:37:22.300 people or good reputation. But see, whatever 00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:26.440 we do must be grounded in love because love is 00:37:26.440 --> 00:37:29.449 a culture of the kingdom you belong to. So where 00:37:29.449 --> 00:37:31.590 have you been lacking? Or where are you struggling? 00:37:31.809 --> 00:37:33.769 Where are you struggling? Just pray. Open your 00:37:33.769 --> 00:37:36.329 mouth and speak to God. Later on we'll see. Paul 00:37:36.329 --> 00:37:38.210 will say, walk out your salvation with fear and 00:37:38.210 --> 00:37:40.230 trembling. Meaning that you should bring to fruition 00:37:40.230 --> 00:37:42.349 what is in you. And he didn't just leave it there. 00:37:42.389 --> 00:37:45.269 He says, for it is God who works in you to will 00:37:45.269 --> 00:37:47.090 and to do of his good pleasure. Which means that 00:37:47.090 --> 00:37:49.269 the ability to do the life that God has called 00:37:49.269 --> 00:37:52.619 you to do. It's by God himself working in you. 00:37:52.679 --> 00:37:54.340 What you do is you surrender and you allow the 00:37:54.340 --> 00:37:56.559 love of God to flow through your life. I just 00:37:56.559 --> 00:37:58.179 want you to say, Lord, I surrender to your will 00:37:58.179 --> 00:38:00.719 for my life. I surrender to your work in my life. 00:38:00.920 --> 00:38:03.739 I give expression to my identity. I give expression 00:38:03.739 --> 00:38:07.019 to my identity. Enter a commitment going forward. 00:38:07.500 --> 00:38:11.260 The commitment to honor God with my life. The 00:38:11.260 --> 00:38:15.860 commitment to live a sacrificial life. The commitment 00:38:15.860 --> 00:38:19.719 to honor the body of Christ, the believers. the 00:38:19.719 --> 00:38:22.500 commitment of putting the needs of others ahead 00:38:22.500 --> 00:38:26.119 of myself. Speak to God. This is practical Christianity. 00:38:26.360 --> 00:38:28.860 This is actually living and manifesting the kingdom 00:38:28.860 --> 00:38:31.380 of God. This is actually living, demonstrating 00:38:31.380 --> 00:38:34.099 your identity and your citizenship, expressing 00:38:34.099 --> 00:38:37.820 our identity, our citizenship as members of God's 00:38:37.820 --> 00:38:39.900 kingdom. The only way that men will know God 00:38:39.900 --> 00:38:42.739 or will understand the love of God is in us living 00:38:42.739 --> 00:38:45.639 in love one to another, expressing love towards 00:38:45.639 --> 00:38:48.969 one another. And I want you to pray for this 00:38:48.969 --> 00:38:51.710 church and say, Father, your love will be seen 00:38:51.710 --> 00:38:55.210 in expression in our church. And whatever we 00:38:55.210 --> 00:38:59.130 do, we don't do things out of love. We do things 00:38:59.130 --> 00:39:04.389 in love. Later on, we'll see Paul commending 00:39:04.389 --> 00:39:11.050 Timothy and Epaphroditus, who almost gave up 00:39:11.050 --> 00:39:13.619 his life for the work of ministry. And that was 00:39:13.619 --> 00:39:16.719 out of love for the church. See, everything we 00:39:16.719 --> 00:39:19.380 do in the kingdom must be done in love, must 00:39:19.380 --> 00:39:21.659 be done in honor. Say, Lord, help us to live 00:39:21.659 --> 00:39:25.920 as we ought to live. Let our conduct be worthy 00:39:25.920 --> 00:39:28.400 of our calling. Let our lives be lived worthy 00:39:28.400 --> 00:39:30.460 of the calling of God. I want you to pray for 00:39:30.460 --> 00:39:32.280 yourself areas of your struggle and say, Lord, 00:39:32.300 --> 00:39:35.920 help me in this area. I know expressly this is 00:39:35.920 --> 00:39:37.719 an area of my life that I'm struggling to allow 00:39:37.719 --> 00:39:39.599 your love to find expression. Lord, help me at 00:39:39.599 --> 00:39:42.070 this moment. Help me, Lord, to give expression 00:39:42.070 --> 00:39:45.690 to your love in me. Indeed, you've started something 00:39:45.690 --> 00:39:47.989 in me and you're committed to bringing it to 00:39:47.989 --> 00:39:53.090 the end. Lord, help me. Thank you for listening 00:39:53.090 --> 00:39:56.269 to today's sermon. Your journey matters to us. 00:39:56.750 --> 00:40:00.090 Let's keep walking together. Visit our website 00:40:00.090 --> 00:40:03.250 for more resources and follow us on social media 00:40:03.250 --> 00:40:06.789 to stay updated. Feel free to check the show 00:40:06.789 --> 00:40:10.300 notes for additional insights. If today's message 00:40:10.300 --> 00:40:13.659 was a blessing, share it with a friend. Till 00:40:13.659 --> 00:40:15.380 next time, be blessed.