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Philippians 4:4-7 · Providence Baptist Church - Sermons

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Good morning.
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You know, I have to resist the urge not to say,
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! Good morning, Vietnam!
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This is Paul's command to rejoice always,
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to be anxious for nothing,
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and to pray for everything.
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We're going to see how God, as Lord,
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provides us with everything we need
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in order to fulfill these commands.
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And so if you would, go ahead and open your Bibles
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and we'll read our text.
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Philippians 4, 4-7 reads,
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Rejoice in the Lord always.
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Again, I will say, rejoice.
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Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.
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The Lord is at hand.
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Do not be anxious about anything,
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but in everything,
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by prayer and supplication,
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with thanksgiving,
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let your requests be made known to God,
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and the peace of God,
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which surpasses all understanding,
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will guard your hearts and your minds
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in Christ Jesus.
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Let's pray.
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Lord, we pray this morning
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that you would open the eyes of our hearts
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to your word,
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that you would give us understanding
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and spiritual sustenance in this, Lord.
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Father, help me to communicate clearly
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and help those in my hearing
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to be transformed,
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not by my wisdom or tact,
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but by your word.
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We pray that your word would be faithfully preached
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and that we would receive this peace
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that surpasses understanding.
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We pray all these things in Christ's name.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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All right.
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So,
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last week,
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we started a little break from John.
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We're popping into Philippians this week.
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Since we're just jumping in,
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I wanted to give a little bit of context first
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before we get into our passage.
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So,
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our passage this morning,
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it comes from Paul and Timothy's final remarks
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and their letter to all the saints
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who are at Philippi.
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This is a very personal
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and affectionate letter to the Philippians.
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Throughout the letter,
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he's informing them of his own circumstances
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and he is deeply encouraging them in Christ.
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He is so persuaded that Christ is our everything.
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He says to live is Christ,
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to die is gain.
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In regard to Paul's earthly accolades,
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he says that he counts everything as loss
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for the sake of Christ.
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He proclaims that Christ is the name above every name.
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So, all of his encouragement and exhortation to the Philippians
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is in Christ and for Christ
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and because of Christ.
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The whole letter is seeking to glorify Christ.
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He is our authority and purpose in all things
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and that's what we have in mind
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as we are coming to the end of this letter
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and these concluding remarks.
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So, as we look at these verses,
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we're going to consider how Christ is the foundation
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and the purpose of our text.
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These verses are broken into three pretty pronounced sections,
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which we've already mentioned,
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rejoicing, anxiety, and prayer.
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We're going to consider these three individually
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and see where and how the Lord's sovereignty informs each one,
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but they will also overlap each other in various ways.
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So, for the note takers this morning,
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the three headings I would outline are
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rejoice always,
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never be anxious,
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and pray for everything.
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All right, so to start,
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we are called and commanded
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to rejoice always.
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Rejoicing is a deep-rooted joy
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that is not controlled by mere circumstances.
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It is accompanied by gladness and delight.
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It is a joyful disposition,
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but it is deeper than surface-level happiness.
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It is a sense of continual rest and peace,
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knowing that all things are working out for God's glory
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and are good.
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It does not sway with momentary thrills
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like the word happiness might describe.
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For instance,
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it makes me happy
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when I hook up on a trout out in the river,
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but afterwards,
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as we spend the rest of the day
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getting hung up on trees,
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the excitement fades.
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And so it is a very temporary,
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very shifting momentary.
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So rejoicing is more constant
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and foundational
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than just that blip of happiness.
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It can be achieved even amidst hardship
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and even in sadness.
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Back in chapter 2, verse 17,
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Paul says that
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even if he is being poured out
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as a drink offering upon the sacrifice,
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he rejoices.
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Being physically, emotionally,
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and relationally spent,
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he still finds joy in the Lord.
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He may not like his suffering,
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it might not make him happy,
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but he does rejoice in his suffering.
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He is also writing this letter while imprisoned,
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and yet this whole letter is just saturated
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with joy and rejoicing.
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And this is all because
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true rejoicing,
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the kind that Paul exemplifies,
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is rejoicing in the Lord.
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Our text does not tell us
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to rejoice in creature comforts,
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in financial stability,
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in obedient children,
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or marriage,
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or singleness,
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fill in the blank.
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It says rejoice in the Lord.
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The title of Lord,
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I think,
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is really significant here.
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In chapter 2,
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back in chapter 2 again,
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Paul says
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This title,
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Lord,
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it can be used for
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master,
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or owner,
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king,
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and obviously as a name for God.
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But with all of that in mind,
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recognizing God as Lord,
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it gives us a little more specificity
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on what about God
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causes our rejoicing.
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Christ as Lord
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is presented as the sovereign one.
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He is the final authority
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and master
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over all things.
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He not only created the universe,
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but he upholds the universe
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by the word of his power.
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He is in a position
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of ruling
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and reigning
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over his creation
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like a king does.
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God is a king
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that has complete control
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over everything
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that conspires.
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It's all subject
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to God's counsel
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and wisdom.
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Being sovereign,
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he has already written history
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from beginning to end,
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and he decides
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what is allowed to occur
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and what is not.
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And praise God
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that he,
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the sovereign one,
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that he is good.
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This would not be
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a means of rejoicing
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if he was evil.
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God cannot be tempted
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with evil
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and he himself
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tempts no one.
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We rejoice in the Lord
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because our God
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is a good Lord.
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He rules with justice
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and mercy.
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He always does
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what is right.
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He is morally pure
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through and through.
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And that is who's sitting
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on the throne.
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Just this fact alone
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that a holy and good God
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is Lord
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is a means
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for rejoicing always.
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That's part of who he is
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which would cause us
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to rejoice.
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But there's also
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what the Lord
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has done
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and is doing
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that gives us
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reasons to rejoice.
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One of the things
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he has done
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is canceled
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our record of debt
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that stood against us
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with its legal demands.
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God, our Lord,
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is completely sufficient
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in and of himself.
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He has no need
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for anything.
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He has no obligation
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to appease anyone else.
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But when his own creation
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pridefully rebelled
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against him
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and acquired
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eternal debt,
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he did not just sit back
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and let us figure it out.
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In chapter 2,
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we read,
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Let each of you
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not look only
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to his own interests
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but also to the interests
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of others.
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Have this mind
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among yourselves
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which is yours
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in Christ Jesus
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who though he was
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in the form of God
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did not count equality
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with God
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a thing to be grasped
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but he emptied himself
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by taking the form
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of a servant
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being born in the likeness
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of men
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and being found
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in human form.
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He humbled himself
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by becoming obedient
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to the point of death,
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even death on a cross.
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The king
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took on a commoner's
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identity
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to serve his people.
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He did this
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to be the substitute
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in our place.
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Man deserved
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eternal wrath
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but God sent Christ
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to bear the punishment
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for us.
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With our eternal debt
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forgiven,
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what should prevent us
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from rejoicing?
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Yeah.
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If we don't find ourselves
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regularly rejoicing
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in this reality,
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it's probably because
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we don't understand
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how significant
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the weight of sin is.
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the doctrine
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of the depravity
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of man rightfully
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acknowledges that
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man is completely helpless
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of his own accord.
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Being depraved
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of the lawbreakers
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against an eternal
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and holy God
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means that the punishment
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is equally substantial
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and this is a really
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terrible punishment
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to pay.
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Eternal destruction
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is not to be taken lightly.
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And when you recognize
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how terrible
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being forsaken
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by God is,
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you will then realize
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the benevolence
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and the value
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of Christ's sacrifice.
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Jesus paid it all.
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If you've been forgiven
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of your sins,
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you have reason
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to rejoice always
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because otherwise
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we deserve death
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and hell.
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Another blessing
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he has given us
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is himself.
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We not only get
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our debt canceled,
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we also get Christ.
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He is our joy.
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Remember the parable
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of the hidden treasure.
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The kingdom of God
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is like treasure hidden
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in a field
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which a man found
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and covered up.
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Then in his joy
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he goes and sells
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all that he has
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and buys that field.
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The man is not worried
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about losing
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all his possessions
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because he knows
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that he has
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something greater.
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We don't have to cling
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to our earthly possessions
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to protect our joy
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because we too
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have something greater.
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These earthly possessions
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are not the source
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of our joy.
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And our heart's treasure
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is not just
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the secondary benefits
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that the Lord
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provides us
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but it is predominantly
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Christ himself.
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He is the grand treasure.
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Living and abiding
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in Christ
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should be our heart's
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deepest joy
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and treasure.
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This is a spiritual reality
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for us.
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We have the greatest friend.
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We have the best shepherd,
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the most loyal brother,
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the wisest father,
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the great paraclete,
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the comforter.
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He is our supreme joy
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and he is ours.
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I'm sure you've heard
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this question asked before
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but if Jesus were not in heaven
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would you still want to go?
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If you got to have
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all the grandeur of heaven,
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the streets of gold,
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the pearly gates,
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the tree of life
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but if Jesus was not there
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would your yearning
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be the same?
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You won't be able to
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fulfill this command
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to rejoice always
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if not.
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We rejoice in the Lord
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because he
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is all satisfying himself
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and he has given himself
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to us.
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Our text commands us
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to do this always.
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All the time.
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Because God is not bound
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by space
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or time
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or matter,
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the basis of our rejoicing
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is also not bound
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by space
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or time
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or matter
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either.
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This is why we can rejoice
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in the Lord
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always.
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The spirit offers himself
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to us
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all the time
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no matter where we are
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or what's going on.
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You cannot evade
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the presence of God.
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Behold,
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he is with us always
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to the end of the age.
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The text does not say
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rejoice always
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unless
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unless your house
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burns down,
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unless you lose your job,
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unless your child
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gets sick,
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unless your friend
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moves away.
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It doesn't say that.
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All these things
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are rightfully sad
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and cause us grief
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but it doesn't take away
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the eternal
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and forever joy
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we have
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in Christ Jesus
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our Lord.
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God promises
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that when we pass
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through the waters
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he will be
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with us.
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Paul is quick
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to not leave
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any room
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for contingencies here.
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He immediately
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doubles down
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on his command.
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Again,
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I will say
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rejoice.
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If God is giving us
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this command
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to rejoice always
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then that means
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it is achievable
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and he will help us
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to fulfill it.
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He is never
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changing
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and so our rejoicing
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always has a solid rock
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to base
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our joy.
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If we are abiding
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in this command
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it will be evident
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to others.
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Verse 5 says
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that we should let
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this reasonableness
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or some translations
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use gentleness
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be known
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to everyone.
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We are to be
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pointing others
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to Christ
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and we are to be
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so characterized
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by rejoicing
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all the time
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that it is plain
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to see
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by others.
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Not just to believers
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but to everyone.
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And so when you're
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daily clinging
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to Christ
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and you're submitting
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to him
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as Lord
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there is a
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regular joyful
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and gentle
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demeanor
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we have.
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We aren't
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getting all
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ruffled up
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by the stressors
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in our day
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and taking them
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out on one another.
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We are glad
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in his mercies
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which are new
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every morning
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remembering who he is
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what he has done
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and what his promises
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are.
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It should be
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noticeable
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that we aren't
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getting tossed
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to and fro
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by the world
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but rather
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we are joyfully
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submitting
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to the Lord
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who gives us
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all the spiritual
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blessings
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in the heavenly
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places
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and namely
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himself.
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We won't be
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perfect at this
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but we will be
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characterized
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by it.
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If we grasp
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the gravity
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of our hope
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in the things
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above
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not the things
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below
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we won't be
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able to keep
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our reasonableness
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on the inside.
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The spirit
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will do actual
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internal work
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that displays
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itself
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outwardly.
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So implicit
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to rejoice
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in the Lord
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always
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is our second
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command.
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Do not be
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anxious
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about
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anything.
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If we are
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rejoicing
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in the Lord
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always
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we will
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in turn
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not be
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anxious
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for anything
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but Paul
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goes on
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to say it
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out loud
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so that we
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can see
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more fully
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the implications
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of resting
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and trusting
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in the Lord.
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There may be
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a more
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robust
15:53
definition
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of anxiety
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but I think
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here
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it can
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mostly
15:59
be summed
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up
15:59
in being
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so
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overwhelmed
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by the
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unknown
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that we
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neglect
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trusting
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in God's
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providential
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sovereignty.
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When we
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see this
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word elsewhere
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in the New
16:13
Testament
16:13
it is those
16:15
texts that
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say do
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not worry
16:16
that word
16:17
worry right
16:18
there
16:18
do not
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worry about
16:19
what you
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will eat
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or drink
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or what
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you will
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wear for
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clothing
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do not
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worry about
16:25
tomorrow
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it is
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regularly
16:27
referring
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to the
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unreasonable
16:29
fear
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and giving
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too much
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concern
16:32
to things
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outside of
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our control
16:35
like the
16:36
future.
16:37
What if
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they fall
16:38
down?
16:39
What if
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this is
16:39
cancer?
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What if
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Russia
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attacks?
16:41
What if
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what if
16:42
what if
16:43
the natural
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disposition
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of humans
16:46
is a desire
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to guarantee
16:48
favorable
16:49
outcomes.
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Everything
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needs to go
16:50
the way
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we want
16:51
it to go.
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the thought
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of something
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not going
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well
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attacks our
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hearts
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such that
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we find
16:58
ourselves
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anxious.
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This anxiety
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lends itself
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to a lack
17:04
of self
17:05
control.
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We get
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irrational,
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we get
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worked up,
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we make
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spontaneous
17:10
overcorrections
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and we start
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placing our
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hope in our
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physical
17:14
circumstances
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rather than
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God.
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This anxiety
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can put us
17:20
in a really
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bad physical
17:21
and spiritual
17:23
place.
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Physically,
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we can lose
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sleep,
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we can
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undereat
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or overeat
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and our
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hormones can
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get out of
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whack.
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There's all
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kinds of
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physical effects
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that come
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from anxiety.
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Spiritually,
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we can get
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so far into
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our own
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worries and
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fears that
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there is no
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relating to
17:41
God in
17:42
any way.
17:43
It is all
17:43
earthly problems
17:44
with only
17:45
earthly solutions.
17:47
Modern
17:48
medicine will
17:48
just say you
17:49
need meds.
17:50
The news
17:51
tells us we
17:52
just need to
17:52
vote for
17:53
this person.
17:53
Get this
17:53
guy in
17:54
office and
17:54
it will
17:54
be okay.
17:56
The guys
17:56
say you
17:57
just need
17:57
to go
17:57
golfing
17:58
man.
17:59
Your
17:59
co-workers
18:00
will say
18:00
you just
18:00
need work
18:01
life
18:01
balance.
18:03
The
18:04
worldly
18:04
counsel to
18:05
the spiritual
18:05
problem will
18:07
be worldly
18:07
solutions and
18:09
obviously those
18:10
don't suffice.
18:11
That is a
18:12
strain from
18:13
the Lord.
18:13
That is
18:14
letting the
18:14
things of
18:15
the earth
18:15
be our
18:16
Lord.
18:17
God has
18:24
made us
18:24
in a way
18:24
that our
18:24
spiritual and
18:25
our physical
18:26
beings are
18:26
not separate
18:27
but they do
18:27
go hand
18:28
in hand.
18:29
Our text
18:29
just told us
18:30
that there
18:30
are outward
18:31
realities to
18:33
our inward
18:33
reasonableness.
18:35
So they are
18:36
linked.
18:37
Spiritually
18:38
fighting to
18:39
trust the Lord
18:40
can include
18:41
taking physical
18:42
measures.
18:43
If your
18:44
right hand
18:44
causes you
18:46
to sin
18:46
cut it
18:47
off.
18:48
If staying
18:49
up late
18:49
and drinking
18:50
ten cups of
18:50
coffee every
18:51
day keeps
18:51
you on
18:52
edge
18:52
then go
18:53
to bed
18:54
on time.
18:55
Turn from
18:56
trusting coffee
18:56
and turn to
18:57
the Lord
18:58
for your
18:58
sustenance.
18:59
It may
19:00
even be
19:01
wise to
19:01
take
19:02
medications
19:02
at times.
19:03
I would
19:03
be very
19:04
slow and
19:04
prayerful
19:05
to do so
19:06
but there
19:06
is a
19:06
time and
19:07
a place.
19:09
Part of
19:09
your spiritual
19:10
fight can
19:11
and should
19:12
include
19:13
caring for
19:15
yourself
19:15
but the
19:16
fight is
19:17
never just
19:17
a physical
19:18
one.
19:19
It always
19:19
involves
19:20
spiritual
19:20
matters.
19:22
Paul isn't
19:22
saying don't
19:23
have any
19:24
concern about
19:24
anything.
19:25
Complete
19:26
apathy is
19:26
not the
19:27
answer.
19:27
He is
19:28
saying don't
19:29
have an
19:29
anxious
19:30
concern
19:31
about
19:31
anything.
19:32
Don't
19:32
make your
19:33
physical
19:33
circumstances
19:34
your Lord.
19:36
In this
19:36
we are
19:37
committing the
19:37
sin of not
19:38
trusting God
19:39
but rather
19:39
trusting
19:40
ourselves or
19:41
the things
19:41
of this
19:42
world.
19:42
Don't
19:43
place your
19:43
hope where
19:45
it can't
19:45
be
19:46
sustained.
19:48
And I
19:48
know this
19:49
is all
19:49
easier said
19:50
than done.
19:52
I have
19:52
failed in
19:52
finding anxiety
19:53
at times.
19:55
But church
19:56
we have
19:56
good reason
19:57
to not be
19:57
anxious.
19:59
What does
19:59
the text
20:00
say?
20:00
The Lord
20:01
is at
20:02
hand.
20:05
Note that
20:06
Paul is
20:06
using this
20:06
title of
20:07
Lord again.
20:08
It is only
20:09
a means to
20:09
rest our
20:10
hearts because
20:11
it is the
20:11
Lord who
20:12
is at
20:12
hand.
20:14
Not a
20:14
job promotion,
20:15
not medical
20:16
care,
20:17
not retirement,
20:19
not a
20:19
good night's
20:21
sleep,
20:21
but it is
20:22
the Lord.
20:24
So this is
20:24
not just a
20:25
blind happiness
20:26
we throw
20:26
on.
20:27
It is
20:27
substantiated
20:28
by the
20:29
reality of
20:30
who God
20:30
is,
20:31
what he
20:32
has done,
20:33
and what
20:33
his promises
20:34
are.
20:35
The Lord
20:35
being at
20:36
hand could
20:36
be a
20:37
timeliness
20:37
or
20:38
proximity.
20:39
I lean
20:40
more into
20:41
the
20:41
proximity,
20:42
but both
20:43
lend themselves
20:44
to not
20:45
being anxious.
20:46
If the
20:46
day of
20:47
the Lord
20:47
is coming
20:49
soon,
20:50
then we
20:50
can rejoice
20:51
always and
20:52
endure knowing
20:53
that our
20:54
Lord is
20:55
coming.
20:55
The present
20:56
sufferings are
20:56
not worth
20:57
comparing to
20:58
the glory
20:58
that is
20:58
revealed to
20:59
us soon.
21:01
If the
21:02
sovereign
21:02
Lord is
21:03
near in
21:03
proximity,
21:05
then the
21:05
comfort here
21:06
is that he
21:06
sees,
21:07
he knows
21:08
and he
21:08
goes with
21:09
us.
21:10
Both of
21:10
these are
21:11
true and
21:11
both give
21:12
us a
21:12
foundation to
21:13
rest our
21:14
anxious hearts.
21:16
But again,
21:16
it is only good
21:17
news because
21:18
of who is
21:19
at hand.
21:21
The Lord
21:21
being sovereign
21:22
means that
21:22
everything we
21:23
might fear
21:24
will happen,
21:25
he knows
21:25
it already.
21:27
God being
21:28
a good and
21:29
holy Lord
21:30
means that
21:31
whatever the
21:31
outcome is,
21:33
we can rest
21:33
knowing that
21:34
it is for
21:35
our good and
21:35
for his
21:36
glory.
21:37
It may
21:38
not be
21:38
fun,
21:39
it may
21:40
hurt,
21:41
but it
21:42
is ultimately
21:42
how the
21:42
Lord is
21:43
using our
21:43
circumstances
21:44
to draw
21:45
us deeper
21:45
into
21:45
fellowship
21:46
with him.
21:48
Back in
21:49
chapter 1,
21:50
Paul is
21:50
sure that
21:51
he who
21:51
began a
21:52
good work
21:52
in you
21:52
will bring
21:53
it to
21:53
completion.
21:54
So if
21:54
these things
21:55
are under
21:55
God's
21:56
rule and
21:56
authority,
21:57
trust him.
21:59
God saying
22:00
he'll be
22:00
with us
22:01
through fire
22:01
and flood
22:01
is sufficient
22:03
enough for
22:03
us to trust
22:04
him,
22:04
but he
22:05
has also
22:05
proven his
22:06
reliability
22:07
time and
22:08
time again.
22:09
The Lord
22:10
has taken
22:10
every situation
22:11
from Genesis
22:12
to Revelation
22:13
and beyond
22:13
and used it
22:14
for our good
22:15
and his glory.
22:16
We may not
22:17
always understand
22:18
how,
22:20
but there is a
22:21
plethora of
22:21
instances where
22:22
we clearly get
22:23
to see how.
22:25
We can recall
22:26
so many Bible
22:27
stories where it
22:28
seemed that God
22:28
was at a loss,
22:29
but he shows
22:30
how he was
22:30
using these
22:31
situations
22:32
providentially.
22:33
The story of
22:34
Joseph sticks
22:35
out.
22:36
When he
22:36
confronts his
22:37
brothers who
22:37
sold him
22:37
into slavery,
22:39
he famously
22:40
declares what
22:41
you intended
22:41
for evil,
22:43
God intended
22:43
for good.
22:44
God used
22:45
the seemingly
22:45
hopeless situation
22:46
for Joseph
22:47
to then go
22:49
feed the
22:49
Israelites
22:50
during a
22:51
famine,
22:52
and so he
22:52
was providentially
22:53
working here,
22:54
and when that
22:55
in turn led
22:55
to the Israelites
22:56
captivity in
22:57
Egypt,
22:58
God used
22:58
the exodus
22:59
then to
23:00
display his
23:01
power through
23:01
deliverance,
23:02
and to
23:03
reveal his
23:03
love and
23:03
compassion for
23:04
his people.
23:05
When Jonah
23:06
got swallowed
23:07
up by a
23:07
big fish,
23:08
the reader
23:08
might think
23:09
this is the
23:09
end.
23:10
The fish
23:10
get supper
23:11
and the
23:11
Ninevites
23:11
don't get
23:12
their preacher.
23:13
But God
23:14
displays the
23:14
sovereignty by
23:16
having the
23:16
fish spit
23:16
them out in
23:17
Nineveh to
23:17
accomplish God's
23:18
task.
23:20
God time and
23:21
time again
23:21
shows us that
23:22
he is working
23:23
in and through
23:24
all things.
23:27
Let's take
23:27
the worst
23:28
thing that could
23:28
ever happen
23:29
in human
23:29
history.
23:30
glory.
23:31
Could God
23:32
use that for
23:32
his glory?
23:34
Yes.
23:36
Man put the
23:37
Lord Jesus
23:37
to death.
23:40
Being the
23:41
author of
23:41
life, the
23:41
grave had no
23:42
power over
23:43
him.
23:44
God very
23:45
clearly prophesied
23:46
this and
23:47
promised that
23:47
it would result
23:48
in God's good
23:48
providence, and
23:49
it did.
23:51
Jesus saves
23:51
his bride for
23:52
all eternity
23:53
to the praise
23:54
of his name.
23:56
Even in the
23:56
most vile and
23:57
evil time of
23:58
human history,
24:00
God displays
24:00
his sovereign
24:01
providence over
24:02
evil.
24:04
There are so
24:05
many instances
24:05
where it seems
24:06
like God is
24:07
losing the
24:07
battle, but in
24:08
turn it is a
24:09
grander way to
24:10
reveal his
24:11
power and his
24:12
providence.
24:13
We can rest
24:14
knowing that all
24:15
the little
24:15
details and
24:16
all the big
24:17
details are
24:18
being overseen
24:19
and used for
24:19
God's higher
24:20
purposes.
24:21
Evil might
24:21
seem to rule
24:22
the day at
24:23
times from our
24:24
perspective, but
24:25
God is doing
24:25
something grander
24:26
that we may not
24:27
be able to
24:27
fully see.
24:29
You and I
24:29
could probably
24:30
sit around the
24:30
fire and
24:31
recount all the
24:32
ways God used
24:33
particular, peculiar
24:34
situations in our
24:35
lives and did
24:36
something with
24:37
them that we
24:37
never thought
24:38
could happen.
24:40
So God's
24:41
track record
24:41
gives us good
24:43
reason to not
24:44
be anxious.
24:46
Knowing that the
24:46
Lord is on his
24:47
throne means we
24:48
can rejoice.
24:50
Let me never
24:50
forget, though the
24:52
wrong seems off so
24:52
strong, God is the
24:54
ruler yet.
24:55
This is my
24:55
father's world.
24:57
God has
24:58
proven himself.
25:00
So finally, what
25:01
does the Lord
25:02
promise us that
25:03
gives us rest when
25:04
tempted with
25:05
anxiety?
25:06
He's given us
25:07
many promises in
25:09
his word, so let's
25:10
look there.
25:11
Nearly everything
25:12
we are tempted to
25:14
be anxious about,
25:15
God has provided
25:17
some sort of
25:18
promise to his
25:19
children to
25:20
sustain our
25:21
rejoicing.
25:22
For instance, the
25:23
news may make it
25:25
seem like America
25:26
is coming to an
25:27
end.
25:29
I don't know if
25:29
you guys have
25:29
seen this.
25:30
Strayal law is
25:30
taking over and
25:31
we will not have
25:33
the Constitution
25:33
soon.
25:35
Our God reminds
25:36
us in Philippians
25:37
3.20 that our
25:38
true citizenship
25:39
is not here.
25:41
It is in heaven.
25:43
Do not be anxious
25:44
about your earthly
25:44
citizenship.
25:46
The Constitution
25:46
does not keep us
25:47
in eternal
25:48
security with God.
25:50
The climate
25:51
activists tell us
25:53
that our world is
25:54
going to perish in
25:54
2050 if we don't
25:56
stop driving gas
25:56
vehicles.
25:58
God has promised
25:59
in 2 Peter 3 that
26:00
he will actually
26:01
come and destroy
26:02
the earth.
26:04
There are going
26:05
to be a people
26:05
here and earth
26:06
present for him
26:07
to destroy.
26:08
Do not be anxious
26:09
about the vitality
26:10
of our earth.
26:11
God has promised
26:11
it will be here
26:12
until he comes.
26:14
We aren't sure
26:15
if our company is
26:15
going to keep
26:16
being profitable
26:17
or that millennials
26:18
aren't going to
26:18
have social security.
26:21
In Matthew 6,
26:22
God has promised
26:22
that he cares for
26:23
your physical provisions
26:24
and he will provide
26:26
as he sees fit.
26:28
He is our security,
26:30
not American tax
26:32
infrastructure
26:32
or the economy.
26:35
Do not be anxious
26:36
about what you will
26:37
eat or drink.
26:39
We get a rash
26:40
and WebMD says
26:41
we have cancer.
26:43
God says in Luke 12,
26:45
the hairs on your head
26:46
are numbered.
26:48
He knows if you
26:49
have rash or cancer.
26:51
Whichever the case,
26:52
he will go with you.
26:53
Which one of you
26:54
by worrying
26:55
can add a single hour
26:56
to his life?
26:58
Do not be anxious
26:59
about your health.
27:02
This does not mean
27:03
we should be careless.
27:05
We don't just sit around
27:07
twiddling our thumbs
27:07
and write it off
27:08
as trusting the Lord.
27:10
If anxiety is giving
27:11
too much concern
27:12
to our circumstances
27:13
to where we make them
27:15
our Lord,
27:16
complete apathy
27:17
is also not the answer.
27:19
the care given
27:21
needs to be calculated
27:22
but not worshipped.
27:24
We ought to steward
27:25
God's creation well
27:26
even though he is
27:28
going to come
27:28
and destroy it.
27:29
We ought to work hard
27:30
at our jobs
27:31
and have an exit plan
27:32
to feed our families
27:33
knowing that God
27:34
promises to provide.
27:36
We should take our kids
27:37
to the doctor
27:38
if there's a medical
27:38
concern.
27:40
The difference is
27:41
we rejoice in the Lord
27:43
all the while
27:44
knowing that he is
27:45
working through it all.
27:47
He cares for his children.
27:49
He cares for us better
27:49
than we care for ourselves.
27:51
And he commands us
27:52
to do these things.
27:53
He commands us
27:54
to provide for our families.
27:55
He tells us
27:56
to have some wine
27:57
if you have a stomach ache.
27:59
He tells us
28:00
that the wise man
28:01
builds his house
28:02
on a rock not sand.
28:04
We seek to be faithful
28:05
yet prudent
28:06
and we trust the Lord
28:09
and the outcomes.
28:10
If it ends
28:11
in physical blessing
28:11
praise God.
28:13
If it ends like Paul
28:15
in physical hardship
28:16
praise God.
28:18
These physical circumstances
28:20
are not our Lord.
28:23
Quite often
28:24
things aren't
28:25
really that peachy.
28:26
What if we really
28:27
do lose our jobs?
28:28
What if Russia
28:29
really does attack?
28:31
God does not promise
28:33
that everything
28:34
will be a bed of roses
28:35
here on earth.
28:37
In fact
28:37
he promises
28:38
that we are going
28:39
to be persecuted
28:40
and he promises
28:41
that work is going
28:42
to be difficult.
28:43
He promises
28:44
that in this world
28:44
we are going
28:45
to have tribulation.
28:46
But amidst
28:47
these things
28:48
he promises
28:49
spiritual respite.
28:51
God being Lord
28:52
gives us what we need
28:53
to not be overwhelmed
28:55
in fear.
28:57
When the world
28:57
fails us
28:58
we are not to be
28:59
surprised or anxious
29:00
but instead
29:02
we allow these things
29:03
to push us deeper
29:04
into trust
29:05
in the eternal
29:07
and never failing
29:08
God.
29:09
So turn from hope
29:10
in the world
29:11
and turn to hope
29:13
in God.
29:14
He is a good Lord.
29:16
He has done
29:16
great things
29:17
and he promises
29:18
great things.
29:20
You can find rest
29:21
for all the
29:22
red alarms
29:23
that the news
29:24
provides you
29:25
or that we make up
29:26
in our own minds
29:27
with the reliable
29:28
truths that God
29:29
has provided us
29:30
in his word.
29:32
Study them
29:32
know them
29:33
memorize them
29:34
cling to them
29:35
they are for your
29:37
soul's well-being
29:38
and for the glory
29:38
of God.
29:39
They are tools
29:40
for you
29:41
in the fight
29:41
against anxiety.
29:44
We have talked
29:44
at length
29:45
how God is Lord
29:46
and what that implies
29:47
for anxiety
29:48
and rejoicing.
29:50
Seeing what he has done
29:52
we know
29:52
that his word
29:53
is backed
29:55
with his omnipotence
29:56
knowing his reliability.
30:00
We can hope
30:00
in the promises
30:01
he gives
30:02
for the future.
30:04
These things
30:04
are not just
30:05
to be understood
30:06
from a theological
30:07
academic
30:08
perspective
30:09
our text
30:11
ends
30:11
with a command
30:12
to also be
30:13
in personal
30:13
relationship
30:14
with the Lord
30:15
not just to know
30:16
about him
30:17
but to know him
30:18
personally.
30:19
We are to commune
30:20
with him
30:20
and this is our
30:21
final point
30:22
pray for everything.
30:26
In our text
30:27
we have four
30:27
different words
30:28
used for how
30:29
we are to talk
30:30
to God.
30:30
There is prayer
30:31
supplication
30:32
thanksgiving
30:33
and requests.
30:35
the latter
30:36
three
30:37
supplication
30:38
thanksgiving
30:39
and requesting
30:39
are all
30:40
under the umbrella
30:41
of prayer.
30:42
Prayer includes
30:43
more than just
30:43
these three categories
30:45
but all of them
30:46
should be a part
30:46
of our regular
30:47
prayer life.
30:50
And let's note
30:51
that God
30:51
is commanding us
30:53
to pray to him
30:53
in everything.
30:56
So therefore
30:56
he wants us
30:57
to bear these things
30:58
with him.
30:59
we fool
31:01
ourselves
31:01
to think
31:02
that we can
31:03
or should
31:04
muster these
31:05
things by ourselves.
31:07
It is deception
31:08
to pretend
31:08
that the Lord
31:09
doesn't care
31:11
about your
31:11
little trivial
31:12
concerns
31:13
or that he's
31:14
too busy
31:15
to listen.
31:17
God wants us
31:17
to walk in step
31:18
with him
31:19
in everything.
31:20
Every experience
31:21
we have
31:21
every thought
31:22
that pops
31:22
into our minds
31:23
we are talking
31:24
and walking
31:25
with God.
31:26
God is omnipresent
31:27
and he is
31:28
omniscient.
31:30
He is everywhere
31:31
and all powerful.
31:34
He is never
31:35
too busy
31:36
to give you
31:38
his ear
31:38
or fulfill
31:39
his promises
31:40
to you.
31:41
He is a hospitable
31:43
and welcoming
31:44
father
31:45
comforting
31:46
his children.
31:48
He does not
31:49
scowl
31:50
at us
31:51
for asking
31:51
the wrong things
31:52
and he doesn't
31:53
expect us
31:53
to do everything
31:54
by ourselves.
31:56
But instead
31:56
he gives us
31:57
peace
31:58
and he guards
31:58
our hearts
31:59
and minds
31:59
in Christ
31:59
Jesus
32:00
through our
32:00
prayers.
32:02
So if we
32:03
need something
32:03
supplied
32:04
we go to
32:05
God
32:06
for that
32:06
supplication.
32:08
Our requests
32:08
are made
32:09
to God
32:09
because God
32:10
is the Lord.
32:11
He is the
32:12
sovereign one
32:12
over all
32:13
things that
32:13
can actually
32:14
do something
32:15
about it.
32:16
Being clothed
32:17
in Christ's
32:17
righteousness
32:18
we can draw
32:18
near his throne
32:19
with confidence
32:20
to make our
32:20
requests
32:21
hearts.
32:22
And God
32:22
in some
32:23
spiritual
32:23
economy
32:23
uses our
32:24
prayers
32:24
to accomplish
32:25
his works.
32:26
He knows
32:27
what we are
32:27
going to
32:28
pray for
32:28
before we
32:29
even ask.
32:30
He has
32:30
already
32:31
written
32:31
history
32:32
but part
32:33
of his
32:33
history
32:34
is using
32:34
our prayers
32:35
as a
32:35
means
32:35
to his
32:36
ends.
32:37
He desires
32:38
our relationship
32:39
dependency
32:40
and submission
32:41
to him
32:42
to carry
32:42
out these
32:43
things.
32:44
That doesn't
32:44
mean he does
32:45
everything we
32:46
ask him to
32:46
and it
32:47
doesn't
32:47
mean he's
32:48
dependent
32:48
upon our
32:49
prayers
32:49
to execute
32:50
his will.
32:51
It means
32:51
that he
32:51
uses our
32:52
prayers
32:52
and his
32:53
wisdom
32:53
to dictate
32:54
our
32:54
circumstances
32:55
as he
32:56
sees fit.
32:57
He is
32:58
Lord.
33:00
Because he
33:00
is Lord
33:01
he is also
33:02
the one
33:02
we are to
33:02
be thankful
33:03
to.
33:04
I think
33:04
the Lord
33:04
often uses
33:05
these prayers
33:06
of thanksgiving
33:06
in a very
33:07
real,
33:08
practical,
33:08
tangible
33:09
way to
33:10
help us
33:10
rejoice
33:10
always and
33:11
resist anxiety.
33:14
1 Thessalonians
33:14
says similarly
33:16
to our
33:17
text rejoice
33:17
always,
33:18
pray without
33:18
ceasing,
33:19
and give
33:20
thanks in
33:20
all circumstances.
33:22
So letting
33:22
yourself stop
33:23
and reflect
33:24
on your
33:24
circumstances
33:25
from a
33:25
broader lens
33:26
I think
33:27
will open
33:28
your eyes
33:28
to see
33:29
how much
33:29
you have
33:30
to be
33:30
thankful
33:30
for.
33:32
Instead
33:32
of letting
33:33
your flesh,
33:34
the world,
33:35
and Satan
33:35
convince you
33:36
of how
33:37
hopeless
33:37
this world
33:38
is,
33:39
you can
33:39
thank the
33:40
Lord for
33:41
all the
33:41
things he
33:41
has blessed
33:42
you with.
33:43
So find
33:44
ways to
33:44
recognize
33:45
God's
33:45
providence
33:46
in your
33:46
situations
33:47
and never
33:48
forget that
33:49
what we
33:49
deserve
33:50
is death
33:51
and hell
33:51
that Christ
33:52
saved,
33:53
that Christ
33:53
died for
33:54
us.
33:54
So giving
33:55
thanks turns
33:56
that outlook
33:56
from a
33:57
worldly and
33:58
emotionally
33:59
overwhelmed
34:00
disposition
34:00
to a
34:02
confidence
34:03
in the
34:03
Lord's
34:04
goodness
34:04
and
34:05
providence
34:05
over all
34:06
things.
34:08
And this
34:08
text ends
34:09
and tells
34:10
us that the
34:10
result is
34:12
the peace
34:12
of God
34:13
that surpasses
34:14
understanding.
34:16
I take
34:16
this to
34:16
mean that
34:17
it's not
34:17
just
34:17
known,
34:19
it surpasses
34:20
understanding,
34:21
it is also
34:22
felt,
34:23
it is
34:23
real,
34:24
the Lord
34:24
is actually
34:25
present in
34:26
us through
34:27
our prayer,
34:28
bringing us
34:29
peace inwardly.
34:30
It's part of
34:31
what makes the
34:32
relationship a
34:33
two-way street.
34:34
We aren't
34:34
just talking
34:35
with God
34:36
and shooting
34:37
our prayers
34:37
up aimlessly.
34:38
He is
34:40
giving us
34:41
peace as
34:41
we are
34:41
talking with
34:42
Him.
34:43
And this
34:43
kind of
34:44
peace protects
34:44
your hearts
34:45
and your
34:45
minds from
34:46
anxiety,
34:47
and it
34:47
provides you
34:47
with the
34:48
joy that
34:48
we have
34:49
in Christ.
34:49
We don't
34:49
just,
34:51
you know,
34:52
again,
34:53
we don't
34:53
just have
34:53
this one-way
34:54
street,
34:54
it's both.
34:56
The suggestion
34:57
box is not
34:58
just there
34:59
for our
34:59
taking.
35:01
So He
35:01
actually hears
35:02
our prayers,
35:03
and He
35:03
responds to
35:04
them.
35:05
So pray
35:06
to Him,
35:06
be in
35:08
fellowship
35:08
with Him,
35:09
tell Him
35:10
of the
35:10
things that
35:11
are sweet
35:11
to you,
35:12
tell Him
35:12
of the
35:13
things that
35:13
you are
35:13
struggling
35:14
with,
35:15
tell Him
35:16
of the
35:16
things you
35:16
need help
35:17
with.
35:18
One of
35:18
the things
35:19
that Christ
35:19
did for
35:19
us,
35:20
one of the
35:20
things He
35:20
accomplishes
35:21
for us,
35:23
is this
35:23
personal
35:24
relationship.
35:25
So walk
35:25
with your
35:26
Father in
35:26
a prayerful
35:27
way,
35:28
He is
35:28
with you,
35:29
and He
35:30
will go
35:30
with you.
35:32
So this
35:33
text has
35:34
three summary
35:35
thoughts.
35:36
first,
35:39
we rejoice,
35:40
we rest
35:41
our anxious
35:42
hearts,
35:42
and we
35:42
pray to
35:43
God,
35:44
all because
35:44
He is
35:45
Lord.
35:47
Worship
35:48
Him as
35:48
such.
35:49
Do not
35:49
neglect to
35:50
express that
35:50
horizontally to
35:51
everyone around
35:53
you, but
35:53
also express it
35:54
vertically to
35:55
God in
35:55
prayer.
35:57
Second,
35:58
don't
35:59
dissociate your
36:00
physical being
36:00
from your
36:01
spiritual.
36:02
I think when
36:03
the Scriptures
36:03
say to flee
36:04
temptations or
36:04
to gouge out
36:05
your eye,
36:06
that means we
36:06
should use
36:07
everything in
36:08
our arsenal to
36:08
help us against
36:09
the fight to
36:11
stop sinning or
36:12
to be tempted
36:12
by sin.
36:13
If watching the
36:14
news makes you
36:15
anxious, stop
36:17
watching it for a
36:18
while.
36:19
If you have a
36:20
weird mole, go
36:22
get it checked
36:22
out.
36:24
I've had a
36:24
couple of those.
36:27
But be
36:27
reasonable and
36:28
rest in God's
36:30
sovereignty over
36:30
your physical
36:31
circumstances.
36:32
anxiety is
36:33
never just a
36:34
physical fight.
36:36
And it's
36:36
very often
36:37
purely a
36:38
spiritual one.
36:39
Finally, read
36:40
your Bibles with
36:41
intentionality
36:42
more.
36:44
It will
36:44
produce more
36:45
rejoicing.
36:46
It will give
36:46
you godly
36:47
wisdom to
36:48
disarm the
36:49
lies that the
36:50
world and
36:51
Satan and
36:52
yourself engender.
36:54
It says,
36:54
man will not
36:55
live off bread
36:56
alone, but
36:57
from every word
36:57
that comes from
36:58
the mouth of
36:59
God.
36:59
With that,
37:02
let's pray.