1 00:00:01,960 --> 00:00:04,519 Speaker 1: Hey, this is Stephen Ferdick. I'm the pastor of Elevation 2 00:00:04,760 --> 00:00:07,000 Speaker 1: Church and this is our podcast. I wanted to thank 3 00:00:07,040 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: you for joining us today. Hope this inspires you. Hope 4 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:12,400 Speaker 1: it builds your faith. Hope it gives your perspective to 5 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:18,000 Speaker 1: see God is moving in your life. Enjoy the message. Philippians, 6 00:00:18,079 --> 00:00:21,400 Speaker 1: Chapter one, verse fifteen, Paul speaking. It is true that 7 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:23,680 Speaker 1: some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others 8 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:26,760 Speaker 1: out of goodwill, and the latter do so out of love, 9 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:30,920 Speaker 1: knowing that I am put here. Remember, I'm where I'm 10 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:34,839 Speaker 1: supposed to be, regardless of how I got here, I 11 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:38,320 Speaker 1: was put here. That's a way of seeing life that 12 00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:41,239 Speaker 1: will set you free from the need to understand all 13 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:44,600 Speaker 1: of the events as they're happening, just to decide in 14 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 1: advance wherever I end up that must be where God 15 00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:52,199 Speaker 1: has me. Now, this can get dangerous because you can 16 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:56,280 Speaker 1: end up blaming God's sovereignty for your lack of responsibility. 17 00:00:57,080 --> 00:00:58,880 Speaker 1: You know, I lost the job. I guess God wanted 18 00:00:58,880 --> 00:01:00,880 Speaker 1: me to lose the job. God wanted you to show 19 00:01:00,920 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 1: up on time, and so let's don't get carried away. 20 00:01:04,760 --> 00:01:07,760 Speaker 1: But when the situation is out of my control. It's 21 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:11,760 Speaker 1: not out of God's hands. Amen. Yeah, I feel the 22 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:13,560 Speaker 1: spirit of God on that, because when he says I'm 23 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:16,800 Speaker 1: put here, that's one way of seeing it. He's positioned, 24 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:21,360 Speaker 1: and he sees himself as stationed rather than seeing himself 25 00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:26,240 Speaker 1: as stuck. So the location doesn't change, but the lens 26 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 1: he views his situation through is changing through the years. 27 00:01:30,319 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 1: And since he's old now he has this great perspective 28 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:36,039 Speaker 1: and we get in on it through this letter that 29 00:01:36,080 --> 00:01:38,959 Speaker 1: he wrote to the Philippian Church. So some people like 30 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:42,800 Speaker 1: me and some don't. But he says, the former preach 31 00:01:42,880 --> 00:01:47,400 Speaker 1: Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely supposing they can 32 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 1: stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 33 00:01:51,960 --> 00:01:55,280 Speaker 1: And this has been my mantra all week. What does 34 00:01:55,840 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 1: it I found a new radio station wd IM does 35 00:02:00,360 --> 00:02:03,080 Speaker 1: it matter? And when all this nonsense starts playing in 36 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 1: my head, I just I turned the dial and I 37 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:09,400 Speaker 1: try to find a different signal, the signal that lets 38 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:12,240 Speaker 1: me know. I can't think short term and I can't 39 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:17,000 Speaker 1: let little things, the little foxes, spoil the vine. I 40 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:19,920 Speaker 1: can't let the flies get into ointment and mess up 41 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:23,040 Speaker 1: something sweet. So I got to get my priority straight. 42 00:02:23,160 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 1: Now according to God's purpose for me? What does it matter? 43 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:31,280 Speaker 1: And I don't know if you if you want it 44 00:02:31,360 --> 00:02:35,840 Speaker 1: or not, but we made some bracelets that just say 45 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:39,680 Speaker 1: wd IM on them. I got mine. I said it 46 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:42,560 Speaker 1: as a joke, and the team liked it so much. 47 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:47,560 Speaker 1: They made twenty five thousand of these bracelets. And it's 48 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:49,400 Speaker 1: really helpful. You might want to put it on your 49 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:52,760 Speaker 1: husband's wrists every once in a while. What does it matter? 50 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:55,240 Speaker 1: Just a little reminder of be yours today until we 51 00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:58,800 Speaker 1: run out, and if we run out, what does it matter? 52 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:04,320 Speaker 1: You're not gonna be upset about that? What does it matter? 53 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:07,919 Speaker 1: It's not that I don't care about what people think, 54 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 1: it's that it no longer controls me. So what does 55 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:15,880 Speaker 1: it matter? The important thing is that in every way, 56 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:19,520 Speaker 1: whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And 57 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:25,240 Speaker 1: because of this I rejoice, Yes, yeah, yeah, and I 58 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 1: will continue to rejoice. What you're gonna do about it, devil? 59 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:30,680 Speaker 1: You hit me with your best shot, and I'm still 60 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:35,280 Speaker 1: in church. I will continue to rejoice. Now, you could 61 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 1: knock the smile off my face if you tried. I'm 62 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 1: still smiling, and my back hurts, but I'm still smiling. 63 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:46,760 Speaker 1: With my grain headaches, but I'm still smiling, and my 64 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:50,160 Speaker 1: kids are out of control, but I'm still smiling while 65 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 1: I yell through clenched teeth, for I know that through 66 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 1: your prayers, in God's provision of the spirit of Jesus Christ, 67 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 1: what has happened to me will turn out from my delivery. 68 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 1: Not eagerly expect and hope that I will in no 69 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 1: way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage. So oh, 70 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:12,240 Speaker 1: I'm not asking God to reduce the conflict. I'm asking 71 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:16,880 Speaker 1: him to increase my courage for the conflict, so that 72 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:22,200 Speaker 1: now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, 73 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:24,000 Speaker 1: whether by life or by death. For to me, to 74 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:26,279 Speaker 1: live is Christ and to die is Gain. I can't lose. 75 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:31,559 Speaker 1: If I am to go on living in the body, well, 76 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:37,800 Speaker 1: this will mean fruitful labor for me. And the next line, 77 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:42,240 Speaker 1: I just laughed because he's talking like he's choosing a 78 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:48,800 Speaker 1: show on Netflix. What shall I choose? Oh, And he's 79 00:04:48,839 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 1: talking about life and death. But he's come to the 80 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:55,760 Speaker 1: point in his life where he's like, well, either way, 81 00:04:55,800 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 1: I'm cool. I don't even know between the two. I 82 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:05,039 Speaker 1: kind of want to get out of here. This world 83 00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:07,360 Speaker 1: is a crazy place. And I'd like to see Jesus. 84 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:10,680 Speaker 1: I got a reward waiting with my name on it, 85 00:05:11,080 --> 00:05:12,839 Speaker 1: and I want to see the one who died for 86 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:15,520 Speaker 1: me and bled for me, and I want him to 87 00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:18,200 Speaker 1: wipe every tear from my eye. And I want to 88 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 1: be in his presence. And I kind of like to 89 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:23,599 Speaker 1: I'd kind of like to depart. I desire to depart 90 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:26,719 Speaker 1: and be with Christ, which is better by far, but 91 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:31,120 Speaker 1: it's more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 92 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:36,360 Speaker 1: So since you still need me, I probably can't leave. 93 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:40,680 Speaker 1: I'd like God to take me to heaven, but He's 94 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:44,560 Speaker 1: probably gonna make me stay. I know that I will 95 00:05:44,600 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 1: remain and I will continue with all of you for 96 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:52,920 Speaker 1: your progress and joy in the faith. So I asked God, 97 00:05:54,040 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 1: can I go to heaven? And so look at your 98 00:05:57,520 --> 00:06:00,200 Speaker 1: neighbor and give them my sermon title. It's a no. Oh. 99 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:09,080 Speaker 1: Now look at it from the perspective of the Philippian Church, 100 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 1: who would have been excited to receive this letter with 101 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:17,640 Speaker 1: news about their beloved Apostle Paul. I can almost hear 102 00:06:18,640 --> 00:06:21,960 Speaker 1: their feet stampeding through the streets. I can almost hear 103 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:25,039 Speaker 1: them knocking on the door of Lydia, who was the 104 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 1: first convert when Paul passed through Philippi and she opened 105 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 1: her heart and then her home, and that's how the 106 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:34,599 Speaker 1: whole church got started in Philippi in a sense, and 107 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:38,719 Speaker 1: so I can hear through the streets of Philippi. Hey, Lydia, 108 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 1: we got a letter from Paul because they couldn't follow 109 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 1: him on Instagram, and so they had been waiting for 110 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:48,800 Speaker 1: news of his release or his execution, or the date 111 00:06:48,839 --> 00:06:50,799 Speaker 1: of his release. But we need to know how Paul 112 00:06:50,920 --> 00:06:53,240 Speaker 1: is doing, and we really need him out of prison 113 00:06:53,320 --> 00:06:56,360 Speaker 1: so he can help us accomplish the purpose of God. Hey, 114 00:06:56,640 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 1: we got a letter from Paul. Come on, Lydia, and 115 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 1: maybe that Roman jailer was still around who locked Paul up, 116 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:08,000 Speaker 1: and then when Paul and Silas sang at midnight and 117 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 1: refused to leave the prison until they led that man 118 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:13,320 Speaker 1: to the lord because they were more concerned about him 119 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:17,440 Speaker 1: being free than them being free. And maybe he comes around, 120 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:19,640 Speaker 1: and maybe they all meet up at Lydia's house, if 121 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:22,040 Speaker 1: she's still living. And we got a letter from Paul. 122 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:24,680 Speaker 1: And you know when you get an urgent email and 123 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 1: you just skim past the polite stuff. Paul and Timothy 124 00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 1: service Jesus Christ, yea God's Holy people Christ, Jesus Philipia. 125 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:33,880 Speaker 1: Is he getting out? Paul? Do we need to get 126 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 1: the Welcome Home from Prison committee together? Are you coming 127 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 1: to see us? What did Caesar say? Do you have 128 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 1: a date set of you been able to defend yourself? 129 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 1: And they must have been surprised that Paul only gave 130 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:52,800 Speaker 1: a half of verse to his situation and the rest 131 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:57,480 Speaker 1: of the entire letter. Paul teaches them a lesson and 132 00:07:57,560 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 1: it's this, and I want to do my best to 133 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:02,960 Speaker 1: teach you today. God help me teach this today. He 134 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:10,440 Speaker 1: teaches them how to be released in reverse, how you 135 00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:15,280 Speaker 1: can still be in the same situation that you prayed 136 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 1: to get out of. But even though you're still in 137 00:08:19,080 --> 00:08:24,560 Speaker 1: that situation, you are free in your spirit. So we 138 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:25,880 Speaker 1: have to go quick. I don't have a lot of 139 00:08:25,880 --> 00:08:28,600 Speaker 1: time to tell you this. But God is more interested 140 00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:32,320 Speaker 1: about freeing you in your spirit than he is freeing 141 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:36,480 Speaker 1: you from your situation. This is a core teaching and 142 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 1: a core tenant not only from this pulpit, but it 143 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 1: is the essence of the gospel. Is that God is 144 00:08:43,160 --> 00:08:48,240 Speaker 1: more interested in delivering us on the inside, changing us 145 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 1: on the inside, and rearranging our internal condition than he 146 00:08:54,080 --> 00:08:58,400 Speaker 1: is about arranging our external affairs. This gospel is not 147 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:02,240 Speaker 1: popular to preach in an age that is so consumed 148 00:09:02,280 --> 00:09:07,640 Speaker 1: with changing scenery. We are more concerned with the scenery 149 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:11,840 Speaker 1: than we are with our spirits. And Paul is teaching 150 00:09:11,920 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 1: us a lesson. We'd be wise to listen to him. 151 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:25,280 Speaker 1: He says, I'm not out yet, but I'm free. I'm 152 00:09:25,320 --> 00:09:32,440 Speaker 1: still right here in this cell physically, but spiritually, I'm 153 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:41,120 Speaker 1: free free from what, Free from pain, No, no, I'm hurting, 154 00:09:42,679 --> 00:09:46,040 Speaker 1: Free from uncertainty, though I don't know what they're gonna 155 00:09:46,040 --> 00:09:50,160 Speaker 1: do to me, free from Have you ever asked God 156 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:54,760 Speaker 1: to set you free from certain people and He keeps 157 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:57,240 Speaker 1: trying and you keep texting them back. So work with 158 00:09:57,360 --> 00:10:04,439 Speaker 1: the Lord. That was a whole series right there, and 159 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:10,920 Speaker 1: Paul says, I'm free. Oh you're coming home. No, but 160 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:18,679 Speaker 1: I'm free. I'm I'm free, I'm I'm I'm free. Watch this. 161 00:10:18,679 --> 00:10:21,440 Speaker 1: This is what I've been praying lately. I stopped praying 162 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:26,280 Speaker 1: God set me free from it, whatever it is. You 163 00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:31,760 Speaker 1: know this imagination that if that got better, I would 164 00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:36,280 Speaker 1: be better, Because sometimes that got better and I got worse. 165 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 1: So I stopped praying God set me free from it, 166 00:10:42,360 --> 00:10:45,720 Speaker 1: because sometimes God set me free from the situation, and 167 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:50,400 Speaker 1: I took myself into a new situation, and I took 168 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 1: my same change from the last situation, the last relationship, 169 00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:59,040 Speaker 1: into the new relationship. So lately I've been praying, and 170 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:01,120 Speaker 1: if you want to pray it me repeat after me. 171 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:13,360 Speaker 1: God set me free from me. If you don't get that, 172 00:11:13,520 --> 00:11:17,000 Speaker 1: you haven't lived long enough, because you will get tired 173 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:21,480 Speaker 1: of yourself at some point, and you will get tired 174 00:11:21,559 --> 00:11:24,080 Speaker 1: of making your own movies of which you are the 175 00:11:24,120 --> 00:11:28,240 Speaker 1: star and everyone else is a prop and you will 176 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:32,480 Speaker 1: want something bigger in your life then how I feel 177 00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:35,920 Speaker 1: in this moment. You want something bigger in your life 178 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:39,600 Speaker 1: then what I am earning. You will want something bigger 179 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:45,800 Speaker 1: in your life then status. And so Paul said, I'm 180 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:52,280 Speaker 1: I'm free, Not not the freedom that you can see, 181 00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 1: but i am I'm free from the invisible prison. Yeah. 182 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 1: So I'm free because I'm releasing some things. And Paul says, 183 00:12:05,640 --> 00:12:12,120 Speaker 1: I'm I'm releasing myself from the prison of resentment. I'm 184 00:12:12,160 --> 00:12:16,839 Speaker 1: releasing myself from the need to know the reason why 185 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:20,320 Speaker 1: everything is the way it is. I'm releasing myself. And 186 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:24,640 Speaker 1: it's really beautiful because he could have waited around to 187 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:28,720 Speaker 1: be set free by somebody else, but he decided, I'm 188 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:30,760 Speaker 1: going to use the keys that God has given me. 189 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:37,680 Speaker 1: So I've got my own keys called faith and trust 190 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:43,320 Speaker 1: and praise and gratitude, and so I don't need you 191 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:48,080 Speaker 1: to free me. I am setting people free from my 192 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:53,040 Speaker 1: need for them to validate me. I found freedom when 193 00:12:53,080 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 1: I realized that I have all of the resources I 194 00:12:55,960 --> 00:12:59,160 Speaker 1: need through the spirit of God. And it is through 195 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:01,920 Speaker 1: the provision of His spirit, pau. It's just an intro, 196 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:05,920 Speaker 1: but it's so good because Paul's saying, I'm not out, 197 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:10,000 Speaker 1: but I'm free. Nothing has changed in my situation, but 198 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:14,120 Speaker 1: I don't need my situation to change. God has changed me. 199 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:18,040 Speaker 1: And whom the Son sets free is free. Indeed, I 200 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:23,200 Speaker 1: stop screaming I'm just When you get free, it makes 201 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:26,440 Speaker 1: you want to holler when you get free. It makes 202 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:28,920 Speaker 1: you want to clap. When you get free, it makes 203 00:13:28,960 --> 00:13:31,280 Speaker 1: you want to shout. It makes you want to throw 204 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:41,760 Speaker 1: off the change, shout up free. Look at the person 205 00:13:41,840 --> 00:13:45,040 Speaker 1: next to you and say, free from what you think 206 00:13:45,080 --> 00:14:01,120 Speaker 1: of me. I look mons and worship people to think 207 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:07,280 Speaker 1: I'm one of those weird Christians. I think it's kind 208 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:12,520 Speaker 1: of weird that somebody that didn't die for you would 209 00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:16,720 Speaker 1: dictate the level of your faith, and that you would 210 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:21,480 Speaker 1: ever be ashamed of the Gospel when you claim to 211 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:25,520 Speaker 1: be free. If He set you free, we don't have 212 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:29,560 Speaker 1: long Take ten seconds and praise him like you're free. 213 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:37,440 Speaker 1: That's good. Six five, four three two one Philippius, Chapter one. 214 00:14:38,120 --> 00:14:42,560 Speaker 1: Paul said, I'm free. I don't know whether I'll get 215 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:46,160 Speaker 1: out of this prison, but whether or not I get 216 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:50,360 Speaker 1: out of this prison is not the hinge on which 217 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:55,240 Speaker 1: my faith swings, because I made a decision to be free, 218 00:14:56,120 --> 00:15:02,800 Speaker 1: free of bitterness, free of blame, real freedom, freedom that 219 00:15:02,960 --> 00:15:07,120 Speaker 1: nobody can give you but Jesus, and freedom that nobody 220 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:11,720 Speaker 1: can take away. It's a different kind of freedom. It's 221 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:13,760 Speaker 1: not just the freedom to do whatever you want and 222 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:19,120 Speaker 1: say whatever you want that pretend freedom. It's a real freedom. 223 00:15:19,160 --> 00:15:21,960 Speaker 1: It's a deep freedom. It's a freedom that I hope 224 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:23,840 Speaker 1: to experience more and more in my life. And I 225 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 1: pray the same for you. Because Paul said, I want 226 00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 1: you to be free. Isn't it funny that he's he's 227 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:34,280 Speaker 1: praying for them, he's in prison, and he's the freest 228 00:15:34,320 --> 00:15:38,520 Speaker 1: one of them all. Some of the least free people 229 00:15:38,560 --> 00:15:40,280 Speaker 1: I ever met in my life had the most stuff, 230 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 1: And Paul is so free at this point. He's free 231 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:51,520 Speaker 1: from the need to know what happens next. He's free. 232 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:54,600 Speaker 1: He's free. Wouldn't it be good to be free like that? 233 00:15:57,120 --> 00:16:02,200 Speaker 1: And he sets himself free instead of waiting for someone 234 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:06,360 Speaker 1: else to And how he does it is kind of 235 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:10,160 Speaker 1: a cool I guess it's a psychological and theological lesson 236 00:16:10,200 --> 00:16:15,080 Speaker 1: all at once. He does it by remembering, because if 237 00:16:15,080 --> 00:16:17,800 Speaker 1: he dwells too much on what he's going through right now, 238 00:16:18,600 --> 00:16:21,680 Speaker 1: it will cause him to lose hope. If he dwells 239 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:24,360 Speaker 1: too much on what's going to happen next, it'll cause 240 00:16:24,440 --> 00:16:26,480 Speaker 1: him to be unstable, and he can't control that anyway. 241 00:16:27,520 --> 00:16:30,880 Speaker 1: So listen, Blataney, He says, give me my camera. He says, 242 00:16:31,240 --> 00:16:34,560 Speaker 1: I thank my God in every remembrance of you. This 243 00:16:34,680 --> 00:16:39,680 Speaker 1: is Philippians chapter one, in every prayer with joy, and 244 00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:44,360 Speaker 1: I thank him for your partnership in the Gospel from 245 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:49,640 Speaker 1: the first day until now. So he revisits in his 246 00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:54,760 Speaker 1: mind a time, maybe thirty years earlier, that he began 247 00:16:54,840 --> 00:16:58,840 Speaker 1: this work with these friends in Philippi and now he's 248 00:16:58,840 --> 00:17:01,440 Speaker 1: writing them a letter about his current situation. But the 249 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:03,920 Speaker 1: way that he deals with his anxiety, how many of 250 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:05,560 Speaker 1: you are dealing with anxiety in your life, and you 251 00:17:05,600 --> 00:17:07,320 Speaker 1: don't mind raising your hands so I can preach right 252 00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:15,680 Speaker 1: to you. He remembers, He remembers, and he concludes something 253 00:17:16,320 --> 00:17:20,959 Speaker 1: when he revisits his memory of God's faithfulness. Because there 254 00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:25,160 Speaker 1: is a way of remembering the past that will paralyze 255 00:17:25,560 --> 00:17:28,600 Speaker 1: the potential of today, but there is a way of 256 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:32,159 Speaker 1: remembering the past that can fuel your faith for tomorrow. 257 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:36,600 Speaker 1: Paul does the latter. He says, I thank my God 258 00:17:36,680 --> 00:17:40,160 Speaker 1: every time I remember you and I remember your partnership. 259 00:17:40,200 --> 00:17:43,119 Speaker 1: I'm not in this by myself, from the very first 260 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:47,560 Speaker 1: day until now. And I am confident of this that 261 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:52,160 Speaker 1: he who began a good work in you, who started it. 262 00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:55,800 Speaker 1: That's what they used to say in middle school when 263 00:17:55,840 --> 00:17:58,000 Speaker 1: there was a fight and you get dragged in the 264 00:17:58,040 --> 00:18:01,520 Speaker 1: principal's office, and so we used to have a say. 265 00:18:01,520 --> 00:18:04,280 Speaker 1: And I didn't start it, but I finished it. And 266 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:08,000 Speaker 1: so God does both. And when the devil starts picking 267 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:12,120 Speaker 1: on you, don't forget who started it. If God started 268 00:18:12,119 --> 00:18:14,280 Speaker 1: a good work in you, guess what he's gonna do. 269 00:18:15,040 --> 00:18:18,439 Speaker 1: He's gonna finish it. Now, you won't know all the 270 00:18:18,520 --> 00:18:22,159 Speaker 1: details when it starts. But God is not like you, 271 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:26,080 Speaker 1: and so he knows the end from the beginning. God 272 00:18:26,119 --> 00:18:28,880 Speaker 1: saw the last frame of the movie before he started 273 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:35,040 Speaker 1: casting or directing. So God reveals these things to us 274 00:18:35,040 --> 00:18:38,480 Speaker 1: in reverse. It's like Abraham, I'm gonna bless the whole 275 00:18:38,560 --> 00:18:41,320 Speaker 1: art through you. Okay, can you tell me how no 276 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:46,639 Speaker 1: go to the land. I will show you and the 277 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:57,640 Speaker 1: details will unfold as your obedience does. Yeah. And so 278 00:18:57,840 --> 00:19:02,159 Speaker 1: Paul says, I remember how that started, and I know 279 00:19:02,200 --> 00:19:05,320 Speaker 1: who started it. It was God because I wasn't even 280 00:19:05,359 --> 00:19:10,520 Speaker 1: trying to get to Philippi. Actually, when I think about 281 00:19:11,920 --> 00:19:16,480 Speaker 1: how I came to you, how we started, it was 282 00:19:16,520 --> 00:19:22,479 Speaker 1: almost an accidental miracle. I call it that, knowing that 283 00:19:22,600 --> 00:19:26,320 Speaker 1: nothing is an accident to God. But one day I'm 284 00:19:26,320 --> 00:19:27,879 Speaker 1: going to preach, when I ever get the courage to 285 00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:33,320 Speaker 1: do it, a whole sermon called miracles by mistake, just 286 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:37,680 Speaker 1: like what feels like the worst mistake of your life. 287 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:42,200 Speaker 1: And it was really God using human weakness to display 288 00:19:42,240 --> 00:19:48,840 Speaker 1: divide strength. My young people know what's a love it? 289 00:19:51,440 --> 00:19:55,719 Speaker 1: So Paul, he has like a faith flashback. David did 290 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:59,119 Speaker 1: the same thing. There's Goliath. He's big line was big, 291 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:07,680 Speaker 1: the bear was big. The bigger they come. So if 292 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:12,720 Speaker 1: the lion went and the bear went, Goliath is about 293 00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:19,760 Speaker 1: to go. This is called a faith flashback, and Paul says, 294 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:24,520 Speaker 1: I remember I'm released in reverse. It's kind of weird. 295 00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:26,359 Speaker 1: In order to go forward with faith, I got to 296 00:20:26,359 --> 00:20:33,240 Speaker 1: remember how I went out preaching, and I went to 297 00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:37,320 Speaker 1: the Jews first. But as I was preaching to the Jews, 298 00:20:37,920 --> 00:20:41,360 Speaker 1: the Gentiles wanted to hear it too, and the message 299 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:45,400 Speaker 1: was too big because God told Abraham, I'll bless all 300 00:20:45,440 --> 00:20:49,359 Speaker 1: people through you. And so God started using me to 301 00:20:49,359 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 1: do what he said he would do, and he chose me. 302 00:20:53,400 --> 00:20:57,080 Speaker 1: In fact, Acts nine calls Paul God's chosen vessel. We've 303 00:20:57,080 --> 00:21:03,480 Speaker 1: been talking about choices. Always remember you didn't choose God. 304 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:12,919 Speaker 1: He chose you. And if he started it, he's the 305 00:21:12,960 --> 00:21:18,240 Speaker 1: author and finisher of your faith. So I started preaching, 306 00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:25,800 Speaker 1: went on a little tour, started some churches Galatia, went 307 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:28,240 Speaker 1: really all around. I wanted to take the gospel further, 308 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:32,480 Speaker 1: and when I got home, the people who should have 309 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:39,240 Speaker 1: been celebrating were suspicious. Because sometimes we don't like, when 310 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:44,359 Speaker 1: God doesn't meet our rules of who he's supposed to 311 00:21:44,359 --> 00:21:46,959 Speaker 1: reach and who he's supposed to bless you were what 312 00:21:47,080 --> 00:21:54,080 Speaker 1: the church you listen to? What you come on? Man, 313 00:21:54,560 --> 00:21:57,000 Speaker 1: you can't you can't be a Christian. This is what 314 00:21:57,040 --> 00:21:59,840 Speaker 1: they thought. You know, you have to keep the Sabbath, 315 00:22:01,359 --> 00:22:03,480 Speaker 1: you have to be circumcised. Now let me tell you 316 00:22:03,480 --> 00:22:10,680 Speaker 1: what that did. That shut down the men's ministry. And 317 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:12,320 Speaker 1: Paul was like, no, I don't think so. I think 318 00:22:12,359 --> 00:22:14,640 Speaker 1: it's about the inside. I don't think it's about the outside. 319 00:22:14,840 --> 00:22:17,800 Speaker 1: I think that's what Jesus came for. So we could 320 00:22:17,880 --> 00:22:21,439 Speaker 1: stop fixing things up on the outside and smiling pretty 321 00:22:21,520 --> 00:22:24,240 Speaker 1: like our life is, be interest and get real and 322 00:22:24,320 --> 00:22:28,720 Speaker 1: come into the presence of God imperfect. I don't think 323 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:31,520 Speaker 1: it's really important what you wear or if you can 324 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:35,840 Speaker 1: say the right words. I don't think that matters. I 325 00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:40,240 Speaker 1: don't think that's the priority. And so he just he 326 00:22:40,320 --> 00:22:45,320 Speaker 1: shared the gospel freely, freely with everybody the grace of God. 327 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:49,040 Speaker 1: When we got home, had to have a little meeting 328 00:22:50,080 --> 00:22:53,320 Speaker 1: to decide could the gentiles come in to the church. 329 00:22:55,160 --> 00:23:00,840 Speaker 1: And it was a rowdy meeting, but ultimate they said, 330 00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:05,439 Speaker 1: you know, we probably should just we probably should just 331 00:23:05,480 --> 00:23:09,119 Speaker 1: go with God. Imagine that if God's doing something, we 332 00:23:09,119 --> 00:23:13,000 Speaker 1: should probably stay out of his way. So go ahead, Paul. 333 00:23:13,400 --> 00:23:16,439 Speaker 1: Not that we really like you anymore, but we're not 334 00:23:16,480 --> 00:23:20,640 Speaker 1: going to stop you. So go preaching. Now. Paul leaves 335 00:23:21,280 --> 00:23:23,200 Speaker 1: to go preach again, but this time he has an idea. 336 00:23:23,280 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 1: He's like, I need to go check on the churches 337 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:29,399 Speaker 1: that I started and see how they're doing. I need 338 00:23:29,440 --> 00:23:31,919 Speaker 1: to go back to some of the places where we 339 00:23:32,040 --> 00:23:36,719 Speaker 1: planted a church and see if the seeds have become trees. 340 00:23:37,720 --> 00:23:41,080 Speaker 1: I need to go strengthen people in the faith that 341 00:23:41,920 --> 00:23:45,240 Speaker 1: begin and I want to see if they're still moving. 342 00:23:45,520 --> 00:23:50,480 Speaker 1: I want to see if their choices are becoming habits 343 00:23:50,920 --> 00:24:00,119 Speaker 1: are becoming automatic. Can bring me that, Yeah, yeah, so 344 00:24:00,200 --> 00:24:02,159 Speaker 1: Paul perfect. Paul was like, oh, make sure there's no 345 00:24:02,200 --> 00:24:06,480 Speaker 1: missing pieces. I want to make sure that what God 346 00:24:06,560 --> 00:24:12,280 Speaker 1: started gets completed. Come here, Tyler, and so he goes 347 00:24:12,400 --> 00:24:16,880 Speaker 1: on this preaching tour. Hashtag Strengthened the Saints, hashtag check 348 00:24:17,080 --> 00:24:20,240 Speaker 1: check in on the church. Now you can't take Barnabas. 349 00:24:21,359 --> 00:24:24,359 Speaker 1: Barnabas was the first Christian that liked Paul. Most of 350 00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:26,840 Speaker 1: Christians didn't like Paul because Paul used to kill Christians. 351 00:24:29,160 --> 00:24:31,280 Speaker 1: It's kind of hard to apply for a senior pastor 352 00:24:31,400 --> 00:24:37,800 Speaker 1: job with that on your resume. Our guest speaker tonight, ah, 353 00:24:40,680 --> 00:24:45,280 Speaker 1: you know. But Barnabas was like, nah, he's cool. And 354 00:24:45,280 --> 00:24:47,920 Speaker 1: then Paul and Barnabas got in a fight about john Mark. 355 00:24:48,560 --> 00:24:51,440 Speaker 1: Because it doesn't matter how delivered you get, you never 356 00:24:51,480 --> 00:25:00,639 Speaker 1: fully get delivered from drama. How left the there was 357 00:25:00,680 --> 00:25:03,760 Speaker 1: too much drama. What church are you going to join? 358 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:12,000 Speaker 1: Because the moment you joined that one, we'll have drama too. Anyway, 359 00:25:12,560 --> 00:25:17,479 Speaker 1: So Paul goes preaching. Now I want to illustrate this 360 00:25:17,520 --> 00:25:22,240 Speaker 1: to you, how the grace of God was unleashed, and 361 00:25:22,280 --> 00:25:24,520 Speaker 1: really that's what the whole Book of Galatians is about. 362 00:25:25,680 --> 00:25:28,119 Speaker 1: One of the places Paul went to check on. He 363 00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:32,800 Speaker 1: went to Galatia and this this might be a little 364 00:25:32,840 --> 00:25:36,919 Speaker 1: complicated for just like a normal sermon, but maybe you 365 00:25:36,920 --> 00:25:39,359 Speaker 1: could study it on your own time. I try to 366 00:25:39,359 --> 00:25:41,480 Speaker 1: put enough in these messages that you can take home 367 00:25:41,560 --> 00:25:44,720 Speaker 1: some tupperware and then go back and visit things that 368 00:25:44,760 --> 00:25:48,480 Speaker 1: you want to look more into. But Paul had an 369 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:51,840 Speaker 1: idea to go check on the churches, and God didn't 370 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:56,080 Speaker 1: tell him to do it. In fact, Paul, in this 371 00:25:56,440 --> 00:26:01,439 Speaker 1: particular scenario, he's not so much being led by God 372 00:26:01,520 --> 00:26:04,160 Speaker 1: to do it as he is being led by his 373 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:07,200 Speaker 1: burden to do it. And the only reason I point 374 00:26:07,280 --> 00:26:08,959 Speaker 1: that out is because I think a lot of us 375 00:26:09,000 --> 00:26:12,760 Speaker 1: think that God leading us looks like this, you know, 376 00:26:13,680 --> 00:26:17,800 Speaker 1: and that's almost how we follow Christ, Like, okay, God, 377 00:26:19,240 --> 00:26:26,800 Speaker 1: come on, Tyler, make the face. Okay, God, you're not 378 00:26:26,800 --> 00:26:31,159 Speaker 1: making the face time, you look too happy? Okay. But 379 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:33,880 Speaker 1: actually it was more like this. Paul set out, go ahead, 380 00:26:33,920 --> 00:26:42,240 Speaker 1: and God went with him. So that's a simple principle. 381 00:26:44,040 --> 00:26:49,639 Speaker 1: Divine empowerment often awaits human initiative. And so Paul went 382 00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:52,280 Speaker 1: out and he went to check on the churches and 383 00:26:52,320 --> 00:26:55,360 Speaker 1: it was a very effective trip, a very effective preaching tour. 384 00:26:55,640 --> 00:26:57,840 Speaker 1: He couldn't take Barnabas, so he took Silas, which is 385 00:26:57,840 --> 00:27:01,280 Speaker 1: good because Silas liked to sing, and they needed to 386 00:27:01,320 --> 00:27:06,959 Speaker 1: sing at midnight when everyone's chains were so tight, so 387 00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:10,879 Speaker 1: that everyone's chains could come loose, because God will put 388 00:27:11,119 --> 00:27:14,479 Speaker 1: in your life who you need for the season that 389 00:27:14,520 --> 00:27:19,400 Speaker 1: you're in. Just because Barnabas left doesn't mean God did. 390 00:27:20,280 --> 00:27:23,480 Speaker 1: So pick up Silas and hit the road, and Paul said, 391 00:27:23,520 --> 00:27:29,399 Speaker 1: let's go. Let's go, and Acts sixteen four records what 392 00:27:29,440 --> 00:27:32,879 Speaker 1: happened next. They traveled from town to town, and they 393 00:27:32,920 --> 00:27:35,480 Speaker 1: told all the churches good news. We met with the 394 00:27:35,480 --> 00:27:39,720 Speaker 1: Council of Jerusalem. You don't have to be circumcised, and 395 00:27:39,800 --> 00:27:48,480 Speaker 1: all the men said so. So Paul's like, all right, 396 00:27:49,160 --> 00:27:52,879 Speaker 1: put down your knives. We're not doing that anymore. Just 397 00:27:53,520 --> 00:27:56,159 Speaker 1: here's what you do. Don't worship idols, don't eat food 398 00:27:56,960 --> 00:28:01,240 Speaker 1: with the blood still in it, strangled animals, and you 399 00:28:01,280 --> 00:28:04,080 Speaker 1: can come to the kingdom. And they went around delivering it. 400 00:28:04,119 --> 00:28:08,480 Speaker 1: And what would happen next verse The churches were strengthened 401 00:28:08,480 --> 00:28:11,639 Speaker 1: in the faith everywhere Paul went. God gave him the 402 00:28:11,680 --> 00:28:15,520 Speaker 1: grace to go, and God gave him the evidence, and 403 00:28:15,960 --> 00:28:21,280 Speaker 1: the church grew daily in numbers. And then verse six 404 00:28:21,359 --> 00:28:27,119 Speaker 1: happens verse success. Paul and his companions traveled, let's go 405 00:28:27,840 --> 00:28:33,879 Speaker 1: throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept 406 00:28:33,960 --> 00:28:38,040 Speaker 1: by the devil from preaching the word in the province. 407 00:28:39,200 --> 00:28:47,400 Speaker 1: Rick Parker, you signed upset. What's wrong? Did I mispronounce Phrygia? Rick? 408 00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:49,240 Speaker 1: You can't wear a pink Floyd T shirt in church? 409 00:28:49,240 --> 00:29:00,800 Speaker 1: What's wrong? With you, man, gentile, say the verse wrong, 410 00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:09,320 Speaker 1: having been kept by the Oh, the Holy Spirit, having 411 00:29:09,360 --> 00:29:16,360 Speaker 1: been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching. I understand 412 00:29:16,360 --> 00:29:20,520 Speaker 1: the Holy Spirit keeps me from doing certain things. Please 413 00:29:20,560 --> 00:29:22,080 Speaker 1: don't look at me like you've never had the Holy 414 00:29:22,120 --> 00:29:26,000 Speaker 1: Spirit have to restrain you. Please don't look at me 415 00:29:26,040 --> 00:29:28,360 Speaker 1: like there's never been cusswords coming out of your mouth. 416 00:29:29,120 --> 00:29:31,160 Speaker 1: And something that was God on the inside of you 417 00:29:31,240 --> 00:29:34,440 Speaker 1: yanked him back yet and it was like swallowing down 418 00:29:34,600 --> 00:29:37,000 Speaker 1: vomit to get it from coming out. It tasted bad. 419 00:29:39,040 --> 00:29:46,960 Speaker 1: Graphic illustration. I understand the Holy Spirit kept kept me 420 00:29:47,000 --> 00:29:50,200 Speaker 1: from going off, and I understand the Holy Spirit kept 421 00:29:50,240 --> 00:29:54,800 Speaker 1: me from certain parties, But I didn't know the Holy 422 00:29:54,880 --> 00:30:00,320 Speaker 1: Spirit would keep you from preaching having been kept. Isn't 423 00:30:00,320 --> 00:30:02,480 Speaker 1: that a weird verse? You've heard this sermon? This is 424 00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:08,080 Speaker 1: the third time you heard the sermon having been kept 425 00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:13,560 Speaker 1: by the I want to blame the devil here, because 426 00:30:13,600 --> 00:30:16,000 Speaker 1: everything that I want to happen in my life that 427 00:30:16,080 --> 00:30:20,640 Speaker 1: doesn't happen, I give the devil credit for it. Every 428 00:30:20,760 --> 00:30:23,440 Speaker 1: every dream that I have that doesn't come true, it's 429 00:30:23,440 --> 00:30:27,400 Speaker 1: the devil. It's the devil. The devil is more popular 430 00:30:27,440 --> 00:30:31,800 Speaker 1: than God. In most sermons, it's the devil. It's just 431 00:30:31,840 --> 00:30:35,280 Speaker 1: a it's a but the but the devil and the 432 00:30:35,320 --> 00:30:37,360 Speaker 1: Lord really spoke to me the last time I went 433 00:30:37,440 --> 00:30:42,800 Speaker 1: down that that that that line of logic and and 434 00:30:42,800 --> 00:30:44,520 Speaker 1: and the sense that I got is he was telling me, 435 00:30:44,600 --> 00:30:47,480 Speaker 1: stop giving the devil credit for stuff I'm trying to 436 00:30:47,480 --> 00:30:53,680 Speaker 1: do in your life, and particularly stop giving the devil 437 00:30:53,720 --> 00:30:59,040 Speaker 1: credit for the moments where I hold you back. Because 438 00:30:59,080 --> 00:31:01,480 Speaker 1: Paul was the most preacher that ever lived. There was 439 00:31:01,520 --> 00:31:05,240 Speaker 1: nobody better to preach in Asia than Paul. And wat's 440 00:31:05,280 --> 00:31:07,240 Speaker 1: what he says. He said, I wanted to do a 441 00:31:07,280 --> 00:31:11,040 Speaker 1: good thing. My desire was right. It wasn't out of 442 00:31:11,080 --> 00:31:14,959 Speaker 1: bad motives. I was trying to strengthen the church. I 443 00:31:15,080 --> 00:31:17,760 Speaker 1: was trying to build people up in their faith. I 444 00:31:17,800 --> 00:31:20,840 Speaker 1: was trying to do what I thought God told me 445 00:31:20,880 --> 00:31:23,280 Speaker 1: to do. And I went to Galatia and God let me. 446 00:31:23,440 --> 00:31:25,760 Speaker 1: And I went to Phrygia and God left me. But 447 00:31:25,840 --> 00:31:29,520 Speaker 1: when I tried to go to the border of Mysia 448 00:31:30,040 --> 00:31:33,080 Speaker 1: and Inner Bathnia, watch what says next, the spirit of 449 00:31:33,160 --> 00:31:37,560 Speaker 1: Jesus would not allow them to What's up with God 450 00:31:37,720 --> 00:31:43,280 Speaker 1: holding Paul back from preaching the gospel. Why would God 451 00:31:43,520 --> 00:31:48,080 Speaker 1: send his son and not spare his son. And then 452 00:31:48,160 --> 00:31:50,360 Speaker 1: Paul goes to try to preach, and God says no, 453 00:31:53,000 --> 00:31:55,920 Speaker 1: So Jesus go into all the world and preach the gospel. 454 00:31:55,920 --> 00:32:02,680 Speaker 1: Paul's like, okay, God says no, not there. I'm just 455 00:32:02,720 --> 00:32:06,440 Speaker 1: trying to do what you told me to do. Try again, 456 00:32:06,560 --> 00:32:08,840 Speaker 1: Maybe we can get in my sea. Go and my 457 00:32:08,920 --> 00:32:14,120 Speaker 1: sea got to the border. No, and most of us 458 00:32:14,200 --> 00:32:17,440 Speaker 1: right here, most of us would have gone back home 459 00:32:20,480 --> 00:32:23,280 Speaker 1: because the moment that we make progress and then the 460 00:32:23,320 --> 00:32:26,480 Speaker 1: progress stops. And I know your risk is starting to hurt, 461 00:32:26,480 --> 00:32:27,800 Speaker 1: and there will be a reward in heaven and a 462 00:32:27,840 --> 00:32:29,520 Speaker 1: crown with some big jewels in it when you get 463 00:32:29,520 --> 00:32:37,160 Speaker 1: done with this sermon and an ice pack. But see, 464 00:32:37,520 --> 00:32:39,960 Speaker 1: here's the thing about being a good parent. You really 465 00:32:40,040 --> 00:32:43,400 Speaker 1: don't know what kind of parent you are until you 466 00:32:43,400 --> 00:32:51,040 Speaker 1: have to tell your kid no. Yeah. True, Because I 467 00:32:51,080 --> 00:32:55,200 Speaker 1: play this game with the kids, and I know it's terrible, 468 00:32:55,240 --> 00:32:56,880 Speaker 1: but sometimes I ask them who would they choose to 469 00:32:56,880 --> 00:33:04,480 Speaker 1: live with. It's just a game, you look so disturbed, sweetheart. 470 00:33:04,600 --> 00:33:07,240 Speaker 1: Is just a game I'll never it's not realized. Yeah, 471 00:33:07,240 --> 00:33:10,200 Speaker 1: It's just a terrible, evil game that I play with 472 00:33:10,240 --> 00:33:13,640 Speaker 1: my kids. And I used to feel like it was 473 00:33:13,640 --> 00:33:21,040 Speaker 1: a compliment when they said me, until I realized that 474 00:33:21,120 --> 00:33:23,640 Speaker 1: the one they would choose to live with is usually 475 00:33:23,920 --> 00:33:32,400 Speaker 1: the parent who doesn't know how to say no. And 476 00:33:32,440 --> 00:33:40,480 Speaker 1: you say, God is a good, good father, So I 477 00:33:40,600 --> 00:33:44,480 Speaker 1: like the song too, But is he still good when 478 00:33:44,480 --> 00:33:47,360 Speaker 1: he says what every good parent has to say every 479 00:33:47,400 --> 00:33:52,120 Speaker 1: once in a while. No, No, I'm not going to 480 00:33:52,160 --> 00:33:55,520 Speaker 1: make it easier. No, I'm not going to bring them 481 00:33:55,560 --> 00:33:58,960 Speaker 1: back into your life. No, I'm not going to take 482 00:33:59,000 --> 00:34:03,240 Speaker 1: the thing away. See, Paul had experience with this, you understand, 483 00:34:03,880 --> 00:34:07,240 Speaker 1: because he had something that he called a thorn in 484 00:34:07,320 --> 00:34:11,400 Speaker 1: his flesh, something that he wanted God to take away 485 00:34:12,160 --> 00:34:14,200 Speaker 1: because he thought I could be so much more effective 486 00:34:14,200 --> 00:34:16,520 Speaker 1: if it wasn't for this thing that's holding me back. 487 00:34:16,680 --> 00:34:19,040 Speaker 1: And we all have that thing, and so Paul asked 488 00:34:19,040 --> 00:34:23,080 Speaker 1: God take it away, and God said no. And so 489 00:34:23,160 --> 00:34:26,200 Speaker 1: Paul came back a second time and he said pretty please, 490 00:34:26,560 --> 00:34:30,560 Speaker 1: and God said no. And he asked him a third 491 00:34:30,560 --> 00:34:32,520 Speaker 1: time with a cherry on top, and God said no. 492 00:34:34,520 --> 00:34:37,520 Speaker 1: The answer is still no. And this is my question, 493 00:34:38,719 --> 00:34:42,279 Speaker 1: is he still good when the answer is still no? 494 00:34:46,160 --> 00:34:52,600 Speaker 1: Or do you have a conditional faith that when God 495 00:34:52,680 --> 00:34:57,640 Speaker 1: says no, you go home. That when it doesn't happen overnight, 496 00:34:58,600 --> 00:35:00,719 Speaker 1: and that when you don't see results right away, not 497 00:35:00,760 --> 00:35:03,640 Speaker 1: only do you quit the gym, but you quit church 498 00:35:05,440 --> 00:35:08,920 Speaker 1: and you quit praying. And so we tried here and 499 00:35:08,960 --> 00:35:12,440 Speaker 1: we tried there, and God said no. So I guess 500 00:35:12,840 --> 00:35:15,879 Speaker 1: it must be God's will for us to go back home. 501 00:35:15,920 --> 00:35:19,360 Speaker 1: But Paul didn't see it that way. Paul knew that 502 00:35:19,520 --> 00:35:25,319 Speaker 1: just because God says no doesn't mean it's over. And 503 00:35:25,400 --> 00:35:29,959 Speaker 1: I prophetically proclaim that over someone's life today. I don't 504 00:35:29,960 --> 00:35:34,160 Speaker 1: know what no. You've been told by God, by life, 505 00:35:34,640 --> 00:35:38,239 Speaker 1: by the doctor, by another person. I don't know what 506 00:35:38,360 --> 00:35:40,200 Speaker 1: the no is, but I don't have to know what 507 00:35:40,280 --> 00:35:43,359 Speaker 1: the no is. Here's what I know, because He who 508 00:35:43,400 --> 00:35:47,920 Speaker 1: began a good work in you will be faithful to 509 00:35:48,120 --> 00:35:54,080 Speaker 1: complete it. It's not over. It's not over, show him 510 00:35:54,080 --> 00:35:58,080 Speaker 1: on the screen. It's not over. In fact, here's what 511 00:35:58,200 --> 00:36:01,640 Speaker 1: I learned about God. Some times when he says no, 512 00:36:02,239 --> 00:36:06,319 Speaker 1: is because there's a greater opportunity that I don't know 513 00:36:06,440 --> 00:36:10,279 Speaker 1: about yet. And God is so good help me preach. Now. 514 00:36:10,480 --> 00:36:14,000 Speaker 1: I'm closing the message, but this is for somebody who's 515 00:36:14,040 --> 00:36:18,120 Speaker 1: been told no, and the pain hasn't gone away, and 516 00:36:18,160 --> 00:36:21,760 Speaker 1: the memory hasn't gone away, and it hasn't gotten easier, 517 00:36:22,080 --> 00:36:25,600 Speaker 1: and the seas haven't gotten smoother, and it doesn't seem 518 00:36:25,600 --> 00:36:29,000 Speaker 1: to be changing in your situation. But God came to 519 00:36:29,000 --> 00:36:33,480 Speaker 1: give you strength in your spirit. It's not over. Just 520 00:36:33,520 --> 00:36:37,759 Speaker 1: because God said no doesn't mean he's left you alone. 521 00:36:37,880 --> 00:36:40,400 Speaker 1: He is with you in the no, like he was 522 00:36:40,480 --> 00:36:48,759 Speaker 1: with you in the yes. He's a good father. He 523 00:36:48,880 --> 00:36:56,319 Speaker 1: knows what's on the other side of no. So don't 524 00:36:56,320 --> 00:37:02,560 Speaker 1: go home. Don't go home just because God said no. 525 00:37:02,560 --> 00:37:06,799 Speaker 1: Oh but I'm trying so hard. And I asked God, 526 00:37:09,080 --> 00:37:14,480 Speaker 1: don't my e group leader. I guess, eh, I guess 527 00:37:14,520 --> 00:37:16,359 Speaker 1: it wasn't meant to be. I guess it wasn't meant 528 00:37:16,400 --> 00:37:22,399 Speaker 1: for me. Paul said, no, Let's go to Troe ass 529 00:37:23,239 --> 00:37:27,000 Speaker 1: is that verse A. And when they went to a 530 00:37:27,120 --> 00:37:30,959 Speaker 1: trow as they passed by my sea. That's where Paul 531 00:37:30,960 --> 00:37:33,960 Speaker 1: wanted to go go ahead, and God wouldn't let him, 532 00:37:34,200 --> 00:37:37,480 Speaker 1: so they had to pass by. Sometimes you have to 533 00:37:37,480 --> 00:37:47,839 Speaker 1: pass by your plans to get to God's purpose. Gar 534 00:37:47,920 --> 00:37:52,360 Speaker 1: me with spiritual ears. He passed by what he planned 535 00:37:53,520 --> 00:37:57,680 Speaker 1: to get to what God purposed. So he passes by 536 00:37:58,400 --> 00:38:06,080 Speaker 1: my sea see you, and goes to Troas, where he 537 00:38:06,120 --> 00:38:15,759 Speaker 1: waits in confusion. But he's chained to grace, and he 538 00:38:15,800 --> 00:38:23,719 Speaker 1: waits because he knows that if God says no, I 539 00:38:23,760 --> 00:38:28,479 Speaker 1: won't remove it, the obstacle, the thorn, I will give 540 00:38:28,520 --> 00:38:31,839 Speaker 1: you a grace that is greater, so that you can 541 00:38:31,880 --> 00:38:38,279 Speaker 1: overcome it. It's a no, God, it's not over. It's 542 00:38:38,280 --> 00:38:44,440 Speaker 1: a greater opportunity. Because while Paul was at Troass, not 543 00:38:44,520 --> 00:38:49,480 Speaker 1: the place he planned, the place God purposed, he saw 544 00:38:49,600 --> 00:38:52,960 Speaker 1: vision in the night. And this vision, it wasn't a 545 00:38:53,000 --> 00:38:55,960 Speaker 1: vision of God. It was a vision of a man 546 00:38:56,760 --> 00:39:02,239 Speaker 1: from Macedonia. And he was standing there begging Paul come 547 00:39:02,280 --> 00:39:07,680 Speaker 1: over to Macedonia and help us. And God didn't show 548 00:39:07,760 --> 00:39:10,880 Speaker 1: up looking like an angel. God showed up looking like 549 00:39:10,920 --> 00:39:16,680 Speaker 1: a need. And God might be speaking to you about 550 00:39:16,680 --> 00:39:20,719 Speaker 1: your next season in the context of the need that's 551 00:39:20,719 --> 00:39:25,640 Speaker 1: standing right in front of you. It feels so deep 552 00:39:25,640 --> 00:39:28,480 Speaker 1: for somebody man, because they're just about to go home. 553 00:39:29,520 --> 00:39:32,239 Speaker 1: Just go home, it's over. That's what the enemy has 554 00:39:32,239 --> 00:39:36,440 Speaker 1: been telling you. Just quit trying to be free, just 555 00:39:36,560 --> 00:39:40,799 Speaker 1: quit trying. Just give it this just who you are. No, 556 00:39:40,960 --> 00:39:44,920 Speaker 1: I'm I'm loved by God. That's who I am. And 557 00:39:45,000 --> 00:39:48,920 Speaker 1: he's a good father. And if he says no, there's 558 00:39:48,960 --> 00:39:52,120 Speaker 1: something that he knows that I don't know. And that's 559 00:39:52,160 --> 00:39:55,279 Speaker 1: what makes him God. And that's why I worship him, 560 00:39:55,520 --> 00:40:03,040 Speaker 1: and I serve him. He doesn't serve me. So Verse ten. 561 00:40:03,120 --> 00:40:07,320 Speaker 1: After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready, Luke says, 562 00:40:08,120 --> 00:40:13,200 Speaker 1: at once, and we left from Macedonia, concluding that God 563 00:40:13,239 --> 00:40:15,280 Speaker 1: had called us to preach the Gospel to them. Eleven 564 00:40:16,160 --> 00:40:18,480 Speaker 1: And from Troas, the place where we were uncertain, we 565 00:40:18,480 --> 00:40:21,680 Speaker 1: put out the sea and sailed straight for some Othrus, 566 00:40:21,680 --> 00:40:25,719 Speaker 1: and the next day we went to Neapolis, and from 567 00:40:25,760 --> 00:40:32,600 Speaker 1: there we traveled to Philippi. I thank my God in 568 00:40:32,640 --> 00:40:35,840 Speaker 1: every remembrance of you, in every prayer with joy for 569 00:40:35,920 --> 00:40:39,600 Speaker 1: your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now. 570 00:40:40,440 --> 00:40:45,160 Speaker 1: And we got to Philippi, the place we didn't plan for, 571 00:40:46,400 --> 00:40:49,919 Speaker 1: but the place God wanted us to be all along. See, 572 00:40:49,960 --> 00:40:53,920 Speaker 1: because Philippi was a Roman colony and the leading city 573 00:40:54,000 --> 00:40:59,520 Speaker 1: of that district of Macedonia, and Philippi was the first 574 00:40:59,560 --> 00:41:06,080 Speaker 1: place in Europe where Paul established a church. In fact, 575 00:41:07,120 --> 00:41:10,440 Speaker 1: it was the first place in the Western world that 576 00:41:10,520 --> 00:41:14,960 Speaker 1: Paul established a church, those of us in the western world. 577 00:41:15,000 --> 00:41:19,760 Speaker 1: We are a part of a church that started because 578 00:41:19,880 --> 00:41:32,439 Speaker 1: God told Paul no. And I just wonder today, what's 579 00:41:32,480 --> 00:41:35,319 Speaker 1: on the other side of your no that you will 580 00:41:35,360 --> 00:41:41,840 Speaker 1: miss if you go home because you're disappointed. If you 581 00:41:44,239 --> 00:41:49,799 Speaker 1: receive God's yes with praise, why not receive his no 582 00:41:50,080 --> 00:42:00,520 Speaker 1: with trust? I just want to minister men nowhere out 583 00:42:00,560 --> 00:42:04,040 Speaker 1: of time. But people are frustrated and hurting and disappointed 584 00:42:04,320 --> 00:42:07,279 Speaker 1: and been struggling with stuff for generations and generations. And 585 00:42:08,920 --> 00:42:10,920 Speaker 1: you keep thinking that because it didn't turn out the 586 00:42:10,920 --> 00:42:14,600 Speaker 1: way that you planned, that you must be outside of 587 00:42:14,600 --> 00:42:19,239 Speaker 1: God's will. You're where you're supposed to be. You're who 588 00:42:19,280 --> 00:42:23,320 Speaker 1: you're supposed to be. And it was Him all along. 589 00:42:24,600 --> 00:42:27,319 Speaker 1: It was him and the yess, it was him in 590 00:42:27,360 --> 00:42:30,880 Speaker 1: the nose. It was him on the mountaintop when you 591 00:42:30,960 --> 00:42:33,799 Speaker 1: had it, when you were succeeding, when you felt it, 592 00:42:34,000 --> 00:42:38,319 Speaker 1: And it's him in the valleys. He's the same God, yesterday, 593 00:42:38,760 --> 00:42:42,800 Speaker 1: today and forever. And would you praise him right now 594 00:42:43,200 --> 00:42:47,440 Speaker 1: for his purpose, that He who began a good work 595 00:42:47,480 --> 00:42:52,200 Speaker 1: in you will be faithful to complete it. A given 596 00:42:52,320 --> 00:42:57,480 Speaker 1: pray for the yes, given pray for the nose didn't 597 00:42:57,480 --> 00:43:02,760 Speaker 1: pray for the light, didn't pray shut up, get a place, 598 00:43:03,000 --> 00:43:08,120 Speaker 1: sir well. I hope you enjoyed the podcast today. If 599 00:43:08,160 --> 00:43:10,359 Speaker 1: you did, there are just a couple things I'd love 600 00:43:10,400 --> 00:43:13,520 Speaker 1: for you to do. Number One, subscribe to our show. 601 00:43:13,560 --> 00:43:16,600 Speaker 1: That way, the most recent episode will always be in 602 00:43:16,640 --> 00:43:20,719 Speaker 1: your feed, waiting for you ready when you are. And Secondly, 603 00:43:20,800 --> 00:43:23,239 Speaker 1: if this ministry has impacted you and you'd like to 604 00:43:23,239 --> 00:43:25,680 Speaker 1: help us continue to reach others, you can click the 605 00:43:25,719 --> 00:43:28,080 Speaker 1: link in the description and you can give now and 606 00:43:28,280 --> 00:43:31,640 Speaker 1: I'll see you next time on the Elevation Podcast.