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to get up to the front with the music is absolutely impeccable sometimes in the mornings I'm just joking just a few announcements before we begin worship this evening I repeated from this morning pastor Butler is preaching at at mic Kirkpatrick's Church at Surry Reformed Baptist Church Mike is preaching here and again I mark that that's a historic day in the history of the reformed Baptists and British Columbia Canada it's a it's a delight to be a to be part of that the fellowship luncheon for this month has been postponed to June I guess that's cancelled because there's a June fellowship luncheon anyway but we have the the church work day next Saturday so if anybody is able to come up please do so we we usually go from about 9:00 until 1:00 you don't have to stay that long and you don't have to come as early as 9:00 but if you'd like to come and chip in to polish up the church in to tidy up the area that would be terrific an email will be coming out on that well let's turn in our Bibles then to the book of Hebrews for our call to worship so we now move to sacred things the worship of the triune God we're going to read from Hebrews chapter 10 Hebrews 10 beginning in verse 19 to verse 25 our call to worship wonderful these wonderful benefits coming to believers by virtue of perfect New Covenant realities in their high priest Jesus Christ Hebrews 10 beginning in verse 19 therefore brethren having boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which he consecrated for us through the veil that is his flesh and having a high priest over the house of God let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful and let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works not forsaking the assembling of our Elves together as is the manner of some but exhorting one another and so much more as you see the Day approaching amen well if you'll stand with me and sing we're gonna sing him 81 in our Trinity hymnal that's him 81 let's stand and sing together [Music] please be seated let's go to our God in prayer let us pray Heavenly Father we thank you that we can gather together in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior and we rejoice that we can gather a second time on this year Lord's Day Sabbath and we do pray that you would and now fill our hearts with joy salvation and Jesus Christ our Savior we can reflect with cheerful Christian hearts upon the fact that you brought us forth from darkness to life in Jesus Christ and we do just pray that we would return that in the way of praise and honor to our thrice holy God Father Son and Holy Spirit we pray that you would once again be the recipient of high honor and high praise from this gathered assembly it's a delight to gather in the name of the triune God in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ for your worship and we do pray that that would once again be right and a biblical worship and that our hearts would be filled with that joy that Christian warmth and joy for a God who has brought us forth and we do pray that you would cause us to reflect with joy upon Christ's work as we come together as Christians in worship and that ought to be marked by a reflection upon the person in the work of Jesus Christ the Lord we thank you for his doing for his dying and his rising again and we rejoice that that has brought his people a perfect salvation and we thank you that he has ascended to your right hand and might this always be something that your that your saints reflect on that Jesus Christ has been exalted to the right hand of the Majesty on high that he there rules over his enemies that he their subdues the hearts of his elect and that he does from that blessed vantage point intercede on behalf of his people and we thank you for His perfect work in his current session at your right hand we do pray Lord that you'd be with those unable to join us we pray that you would watch over your dear people not only those from this church but throughout the world throughout the churches of Chilliwack British Columbia Canada we pray that you would watch over your people around the world strengthening them in most holy faith you would cause them to be lifted up to high thoughts of their Jesus Christ and they're trying God we pray God that throughout the world by spirit and word you would grow your saints in the grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord we pray that you would strengthen your church throughout the world we pray God that you'd be with Pastor Butler as he preaches at Surry Reformed Baptist Church once again we pray that you would bless their gathering that you would give him strength to preach well the things of Jesus and we do pray Lord God that the gathering there that the Saints at Surry Reformed Baptist Church would be nourished and strengthened by your word and for your Glory's sake we do pray here in this place God that you'd be with Mike as he preaches your word we pray that you would once again give him courage and strengthen this pulpit to open the word and preach to us we pray that he would know much comfort and in that pulpit and Lord that you would the triune God of heaven and earth strengthen him for the task of proclaiming your word and we once again pray for us who are the recipients of the word preached that you would help us to take well in the word proclaimed we pray that we would be nourished and strengthened and God equipped for our walk this upcoming week to live in light of so glorious a gospel and we do pray that the preaching of the word tonight would be unto the saving of souls we pray for any who entered in that you would concur their hearts and cause them to rejoice and so grated Jesus we do pray for our fellow brothers and sisters throughout the world who are persecuted for the cause of Christ and truth we pray that you'd be near to them Lord we pray that they would know the strength and the comfort that a triune God affords his afflicted Saints we do just pray that you would cause them in the midst of their opposition to in the midst of such hot opposition and angry persecution that they would be encouraged in the things of Jesus Christ and that they would by your grace remain steadfast hope that they would hold fast the confession of their hope without wavering we do pray God that you would just be with us now in worship and that we long to be those God who worship you are right worship you in spirit and in truth and we know we require that measure of the spirit that we end up might not be stolen away to thoughts of other things but that we might now be focused upon the worship of Father Son and Holy Spirit so we do pray God now that you would be honored that you would be glorified once again the reigning king Jesus Christ the Lord would be exalted upon the praises of this church and that all that we do would be done for your glory sake we pray in Jesus Christ our Lord amen let's stand again and sing this time in the red Trinity Salter Psalm 30:5 we'll stand and sing that now I am going to give you the verses to sing this time the verses that we're going to sing are 19 through 28 so that's Psalm 30:5 19 to 28 to a familiar tune let's stand and sing together [Music] please be seated you can turn in your old testaments with me to the book of Obadiah Obadiah having finished the Book of Amos we're now in Obadiah and we will read the entire book Obadiah beginning in verse 1 the Word of God the vision of Obadiah thus says the Lord God concerning Edom we have heard a report from the Lord and a messenger has been sent among the nation saying arise and let us rise up against her for battle behold I will make you small among the nations you shall be greatly despised the pride of your heart has deceived you you who dwell in the clefts of the rock whose habitation is high you who say in your heart who will bring me down to the ground though you ascend as high as the Eagle and though you set your nest among the stars from there I will bring you down and says the Lord if thieves had come to you if robbers by night oh how you will be cut off would they not have stolen till they had enough if grape gatherers had come to you would they not have left some gleanings oh how Esau shall be searched out how his hidden treasures shall be sought after all the men in your Confederacy shall force you to the border the men at peace with you shall deceive you and prevail against you those who eat your bread shall lay a trap for you no one is aware of it will I not in that day says the Lord even destroy the wise men from Edom and understanding from the mountains of Esau then your mighty men o teman shall be destroyed to the end that everyone from the mountains of Esau may be cut off by slaughter for violence against your brother Jacob shame shall cover you and you shall be cut off forever in the day that you stood on the other side in the day that strangers carried captive his forces when foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem even you were as one of them but you should not have gazed on the day of your brother in the day of his captivity nor should you have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction nor should you have spoken proudly in the day of distress you should not have entered the gate of my people in the day of their calamity indeed you should not have gazed on their affliction in the day of their calamity nor laid hands their substance in the day of their calamity you should not have stood at the crossroads to cut off those among them who escaped nor should you have delivered up those among them who remained in the day of distress for the day for the day of the Lord upon all the nations as near as you have done it shall be done to you your reprisal shall return upon your own head for as you drank on my holy mountain so shall all the nations drink continually yes they shall drink in swallow and they shall be as though they had never been but on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance and there shall be holiness the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions the house of Jacob shall be afire and the house of Joseph aflame but the house of Esau shall be stubble they shall Kindle them and devour them and no survivor shall remain of the house of Esau for the Lord has spoken the South shall possess the mountains of Esau and the lowland shall possess Philistia they shall possess the fields of Ephraim and the fields of Samaria Benjamin shall possess Gilead and the captives of this host of the children of Israel shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath the captives of Jerusalem who are in zeffer ad shall possess the cities of the South then saviours shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau and the kingdom shall be the Lord's Amen well it's a fearful sight to have the words of wholesome severity delivered to you from Yahweh the tribes of the south will lament the judgment that they will receive a by virtue of many things even that observing the judgment that came upon the north we see God here judging God promising you know one of the things perhaps that we don't appreciate enough of is the fact that God fulfills his promises with respect to judgment as well as his promises with respect to salvation rightly so we reflect on God's promises of salvation the hero born of woman will crush the serpent with his heel God will bring or that righteous one from from out of the midst of Israel Jesus Christ the righteous to affect the perfect salvation of a multitude which no man can number New Covenant promises being brought to perfect fulfillment by virtue of the Messiah the mediator between God and men I don't think we often reflect upon the the glory that is seen in God fulfilling his promises for divine judgment and wholesome severity he promised these people that were they to go a whoring after other gods were they to violate the Covenant that was made with them then he would bring judgment upon them and he promises that here and he sets forth the certainty of judgment but you see the the the prophetic account never ends there there was there is always held out to them the promise and the glory of Messiah notice after all of this language of judgment certain judgment to come upon them we have verse 17 but on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance you see this is always the promise given to Israel they're there they are shown the madness and the colossal folly of their own unfaithfulness and then they are given the certainty of judgment but yet held out before them is the certainty of salvation on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance and the kingdom shall be the lords the end of the book Jesus Christ is the hope Jesus Christ is the answer Jesus Christ is the surety of the better covenant and the only covenant keeper and all who are found in him have everlasting life let us pray God we thank you for your word we rejoice in your revelation to us we thank you and we honor you and we worship you for the certainty of divine judgment being brought forth we rejoice as well in the certainty of salvation that we have a deliverer we have that Lord Jesus Christ who has secured salvation for a multitude of sinners which no man can number we thank you that there is hope and only hope in our Savior Jesus Christ we pray that each and every tongue here would close this evening and confessing that bless of Jesus and might we go into this week living for his honors sake we pray in his name Amen our final him before the preaching and if you'll stand as a church with me again is 285 285 and the larger Trinity hymnal let's stand and sing together [Music] well good evening everyone it's good to see you once again you can turn with me in your Bibles to Philippians chapter 1 Sura formed our first book in the morning was the book of Philippians we're still going through it but well nonetheless tonight we'll look at Philippians chapter 1 verses what 27 through 30 Philippians chapter 1 verses 27 through 30 but I will begin reading at verse 19 all the way to chapter 2 verse 4 to set the context for us Philippians chapter 1 begin reading at verse 19 it says the word of the living and true God for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed but with all boldness as always so now also Christ will be magnified in my body whether by life or by death for me to live is Christ and to die is gain but if I live on in the flesh this will mean fruit from my labor yet what shall I choose I cannot tell for I'm hard pressed between two having a desire to depart and be with Christ which is far better nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you and being confident of this I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ so that whether I come and see you or I'm absent I may hear of your affairs that you stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel and not in any way terrified by your adversaries which is them a proof of perdition but to you of salvation and that from God for to you and has been granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him but also to suffer for his sake having the same conflict which you saw in me and now here is in me therefore if there is any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the Spirit if any affection and mercy fulfill my joy by being like-minded having the same love being of one Accord of one mind let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself let each of you look not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others amen well let us pray our great God again we thankful we are thankful we can come before you in your house today to hear your word O God we pray that you give us illumination by your spirit o God as we come to learn the language of heaven as we come to learn the language of our King as we come to learn what it is to be to look like our Lord to look like a heavenly citizen O God so God we pray that you'd help us thank you for your gospel thank you for your loving condescension in the gospel Oh God thank you for free and sovereign grace O God that you get and grant the gifts of faith and we print repentance O God but even as an assurance for us that you are with us and aid us and help us in our suffering even you when you grant us to suffer oh God we are thankful this is a sign that you are with us so god we pray that you'd help us to understand these things may your spirit go with us their spirit go forth may your spirit be pleased to edify those who are yours O God even now who professed faith in Christ and O God we pray that your spirit would be pleased to go forth and call forth those who are yours O God call them to saving knowledge in Christ call them and show them their need for the Lord Christ O God and we're thankful for the heavenly citizen citizenship that is offered in Christ so God help us now by your spirit may your spirit go forth we pray these things in the name of Christ amen well just a brief introduction to the book of Philippians or just a little bit of background to the book of Philippians we must remember or just be reminded that the book of Philippians Paul is writing to the Philippians for the purpose of giving them thanks and encouragement for their help and aid with respect to the gospel we must remember the Apostle Paul is in prison he's in prison for the faith most likely in Rome and in Philippians 1 verses 12 through 26 Paul gives us and a report concerning his attitude towards his situation and even further is circumstances with respect to a situation and that's the first part in verses 12 through 18 we see that Paul notices that even though he's in prison prison the gospel is still advancing and then Paul then gives us his attitude towards his situation he says whether I live or die it is for Christ and Christ alone and then we come to the main section really at the book of Philippians beginning in chapter 1 verse 27 all the way to chapter 2 verse 30 it is the focus of sanctification one of the Christian life one of exhortation and we see this specifically in verses 27 through 30 namely only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ so he's exhort the church concerning this brothers and sisters and this is our focus tonight and we will look at this under two headings first of all worthy conduct in verses 27 and 28 and then secondly worthwhile suffering in verses 29 and 30 so firstly worthy conduct and secondly worthwhile suffering notice then worthy conduct in verses 27 to N 28 notice he uses this word only here you see even in his report concerning his status and what's going on Paul is confident that he's going to be released from prison when he's writing to Timothy in 2nd Timothy chapter 4 he's very certain he will not be released he's going to his grave he's fought the good fight he's going to his end probably not so here in Philippi but that's not a certainty yet so there's a possibility he might not be able to come and see them he might not be released he might actually die for the faith at this time we know historically that does not happen but when he's writing to the Philippians he must give them instruction should he not be able to come so should he not be able to come he gives this instruction to them only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel now this word here is a charge it is a command your conduct lets your conduct what does this actually mean and what does this look like you see what he's saying here is live in a manner consistent with the gospel you see the gospel is a free and sovereign grace the gospel is proclaimed offering salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone but that doesn't mean Christians can live like heathens that doesn't mean we shouldn't stop by God's grace to turn from our sin to run from it to watch and pray and fight so there is sanctification in the Christian life and if we claim to be Christ's we should seek to live in a way that pleases him shouldn't we and even when we think about who Christ is Christ is a king and Christ has purchased a kingdom for his people and thus if you are Christ you are considered a citizen of heaven and this very language here of let your conduct is very much that language it's almost like saying be the citizen that you're supposed to be be the citizen of the country that you are a part of Paul so comes back to this although it's in the noun form in chapter 3 verse 20 when he says for our citizenship is in heaven from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior the Lord Jesus Christ who will transform our lowly body than it may be conformed his glorious body according to the working by which he is able even to subdue all things to himself and so we see here we have the noun or the verb form of that in verse 27 let your conduct be worthy of the gospel worthy of the citizenship for which you are a part of now one thing we need to see here I think is important sadly individualism still creeps its way even to the inter Reformed churches now I certainly think there is an individual application but who's he speaking to here they're plurals brothers and sisters he's talking to the church at Philippi only let your conduct as the church be becoming of the citizenship for which you are a part of and again the language again is language of citizenship and the implication is that you belong to the people of God and are joined then to the expression of that country on earth if you profess to be Christ why not be present on the Lord's Day the church is very much when we gather together it's very much like a colony very much like at a consulate very much like the idea of being gathered as what is a foretaste and glimpse of heaven at church on the Lord's Day why do you think we focus on church so much why do we think it's good for you to be at so much they might learn the language of heaven they might learn the language of the Lord Jesus Christ and come learn about him when we have when we when we enter into other countries when we move to other countries what do we have to do to be a citizen learn about that country learn the language of that country how much more so if we are part of the kingdom of heaven and so again he's expressing it here to the local church and really it's important as it's connected to the local church and really the church at Philippi would have understood this language because they were just that they were a colony they were a colony of Rome basically take Rome put them in Philippi and that's what they did so very similar churches are meant to be foretaste of heaven resembling and give us glimpses of what heaven will be like as we learned the language of heaven so let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ let it be suitable of the gospel of Jesus Christ and Paul uses similar language in Ephesians chapter 4 verse 1 he says I therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you to walk worthy of the calling which you were called with all lowliness and gentleness with long-suffering bearing with one another in love endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace you see we're united together we are citizens as we are connected to the Lord Jesus Christ we're not just citizens of heaven we are citizens of the King citizens of Christ again the focus is we are saved by the gospel now live in a way that pleases the gospel or pleases Christ and even when we think about this language of Kingdom citizenship perhaps see when we think about countries we use the language of Constitution or charter what's our Constitution brothers and sisters it is the scriptures as we come to study what it means to be a citizen it's found for us in the scriptures even more so that's why we again teach the importance of preaching and the Word of God not only is it the reading of the Word of God but especially the preaching of the word of God that is the means of grace by which we grow as John Gill says a Church of Christ is as a city and is often so called the members of it are citizens fellow citizens one with another and out the household of God and have laws and rules according to which they are to conduct themselves as such do who walk worthy of their calling and becoming the charter of the gospel by which they have and hold their freedom and privileges as citizens of the New Jerusalem that's what we're a part of brothers and sisters the New Jerusalem and so he says that let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ and notice what he says so that whether I come to come and see you or an absent I may hear of your affairs the hope is that they would grow in their citizenship grow in their love for Christ and more importantly grow in their love for the kingdom not just for Christ but for one another again whether I'm absent whether I see you or an absent I want to hear that good things are happening perhaps sometimes if our boss is near us we're working a little bit harder early and then perhaps they go away perhaps then it's a little bit easier to slack off a little bit what's he saying whether I come to see you or not let your conduct be worthy of this gospel that I might hear what's going on as then he goes on to further describe what this idea of worthy conduct looks like so he says he wants to whether he comes to them he might hear of their affairs and he explains this further that you scanned fast in one spirit now before Christ comes back there's gonna be sin still in the church isn't there there's gonna be tension there's gonna be battles there's gonna be trials that we face even within the church and the Church of Philippi was no exception we see in acts chapter sorry Philippians chapter 4 verse 2 he says I implore you I implore you Oh dia and I implore sin tacky to be of the same mind in the Lord and I urge you also true companion help these woman who have labored with me in the gospel with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the book of life so there's already some issues going on at Philippi now again the purpose is not so much to address issues it's more to give them encouragement but while he's writing he's going to address certain things and the things we see throughout this section is the idea of unity amongst the brethren but your conduct be worthy of the gospel even standing fast again the imagery of standing holding one's position not moving in one spirit what unites us together is brothers and sisters it is the gospel of Christ we may have differences of hobbies differences of background but when we come together we are united in the gospel of Jesus Christ and we are meant to be united as the church what we see here even the Church of Philippi I was having some unity issues and we must be careful to a good abstain or run from those unity issues even now there's still gonna be those instances but what's he saying be United and as he'll go on to say in Chapter two be united in humility what's the biggest unity breaker what's the biggest sower of discord pride we always have to say something we always have to speak out we can't bite our tongues anymore if we don't like something we don't just grin and bear it what he's saying here be United let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of mind but each esteem others better than himself be united brothers and sisters that I may hear that you stand fast in one spirit with one mind and he says that in chapter 4 verse 1 therefore my beloved and long for brethren my join crown stand fast in the Lord beloved so don't move so it's one spear and then he goes on to further amplify what this actually means how do we stand fast notice with one mind by striving together we could add that word in there indicating how we stand by striving together with one mind for the sake or for the advantage of the faith of the gospel of Christ perhaps some have highlighted that one spirit means similar views perhaps one mind or soul means unified heart it could mean that or it could mean those things but perhaps it be describing the same thing we are united together and is around the gospel it's for the advancement of the gospel of if we're quarreling and fighting is it really becoming of heaven is it becoming of a citizen of heaven or those who profess to be citizens of heaven but he says here strive together for the faith of the gospel contend struggle along fight at my side in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and he says that in 4-3 and I urge you again with Euodia and Sint aqui he says they were ones who labored with him they fought the fight with him for the sake of the gospel sadly we struggle with this sometimes don't we sadly we struggle with our own desires and our own advances even in the church sometimes we want to be recognized want to be noticed we want to be seen sadly even at seminary and I like to bring back those things those memories of seminary a lot of good memories but sadly sometimes when men preached and they were better than me or better than someone else I didn't go wow that's wonderful I said why are they better than me in reality we should be saying praise God that they're better shouldn't we that the kingdom might advance all the further and go forth and that the people might be saved and Saints might be edified pride really rears its ugly head always and it will always rear its ugly head but that doesn't mean we shouldn't strive by God's grace to put it away let us stand together by striving for the sake of the gospel by striving for the faith contending for the advancement of the gospel so this is the positive aspect of standing but he gives us a negative aspect of what that looks like verse 28 and not and by not in any way terrified by your adversaries which is an interesting kind of saying because perhaps bad guys come along perhaps there are wicked men that come along perhaps they are a little terrifying aren't they now he doesn't give us really indication of who these men are at this point who these adversaries are he will deal with what are called the Judaizers in chapter 3 verses 1 through 6 men who talk faith plus works men who hated the gospel of Christ men who hated free and sovereign grace men who were considered dogs who were considered evil workers who were considered the mutilation so it could be them it could be Rome it could be those the ones who are paganism who opposed to the truth as well perhaps it could be many others but I think the focus is anyone it's a general exhortation the ones who oppose you anyone that comes to oppose you stand fast together in the church don't be afraid of those adversaries that come don't be afraid of those ones that come because what's the point again they could be terrifying we must have courage and faith in those instances and perhaps those men could cause disunity sadly life is already difficult sin is already tough to deal with how much more so sometimes when men come from the outside to take down the church so he's saying stand fast and I think we'll draw this out in just a moment he's gonna know he's ahe's inoculating them I don't think Nessa these men have come just yet but he's warning them and protecting them that when they come they might strive together and stand fast and notice then he gives reasons for why they shouldn't be terrified and why they should stand together notice not being terrified of your adversaries which is to them a proof of perdition it's kind of interesting saying isn't it he says it's to them a proof of perdition but he says to you of salvation and that from God so it's the same instance going on here same circumstance they're standing fast against the adversary and in that instance it's assigned to the adversary of their perdition or proof to them of their perdition which governs both perdition and salvation so what does it describe the perdition actually mean here it really refers to the idea of destruction and that of eternal destruction eternal punishment of the wicked eternal punishment and those who oppose salvation those who are going to the grave not knowing Christ and why is that the case because you see as someone who's a human who is weak who typically would cave against adversaries what's happening there standing fast against it when humanly speaking it would be the case that most men would back away would concede if men are holding fast to the truth and the gospel and striving together for the sake of the gospel it's assigned to them of their perdition because they hear the truth they hear what's being said and they deny it in the midst of great persecution God's people don't back down and yet people don't believe we see this in the book of Acts quite often in Acts chapter 4 what happens they don't like the Peters preaching the gospel of Christ and what did they say you can't preach the gospel of Christ Christ you can't preach the name of Christ what does he say I don't know what you judge but I must obey then he says it again in Acts chapter 6 similar thing they say you can't preach Christ he says I must obey God rather than men and then in Acts chapter 7 with Stephen Stephen standing before again the Sanhedrin he preaches the beautiful and true tabernacle and beautiful and true Christ to them and yet they don't believe it's assigned to them of their perdition but also proof to those people that of their salvation it's a sign to them that they are unbelievers that they are going to the grade that they do not know Christ perhaps even when we think about this language of it's difficult to think through the language and in first John 5 about the sin unto death or even some of the warning passages in Hebrews but it's really talking about very hostile people against the truth and against the Church of Christ so whether one comes where the government comes against the church we are to stand fast it's assigned to them of their perdition or perhaps individuals are standing before the Sanhedrin like Peter it's assigned to them of perdition or perhaps even if mobs and various parts that will come against the church or against Christians it's a sign to them of perdition as Christians stand together but not only is it a sign of perdition to those who are adversaries but it's also to you of salvation now what does this actually mean this is kind of difficult to think through but I think what it refers to is assurance because again when someone is against you when Coase someone is coming against you typically we wish it back down shouldn't we if we stand fast hold fast together as the church it's an evidence that God is with us it's an assurance that God is with his people if we have boldness in the face of persecution it leads to the further confirmation that we are saved as Johnny says the courage of the sufferer is perf proof to the persecutor of his sin whether he will take it or not but it is also a witness to himself of his final bliss and safety there are many signs in life that God is with us many signs in life that God is with his people but in the face of persecution and threat and you still profess faith in Christ praise be to God Almighty who holds you and cares for you and protects you the one who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure who works all things according to his good counsel the one who works all things good for those who love him what man means for evil God means for good and even in persecution God is meaning that for good as well it's many signs that God is with you with you and even then when we think about the history of the church typically times the persecution was when doctor and held together it's times of peace when doctrine began to crumble we can trace that even throughout our Baptist history for some reasons around the 92 s we have the Baptist confession of 1689 89 actually written in 1677 but in 1689 was the General Assembly when persecution ceased and they can thus confess it and adopt it but then 1692 things begin to waver a little bit when there's no longer persecution the 1700s there's some good men in those eras are not saying they're not but that's the area of D confessional ization not a lot of good good things out of that era then in 1790 but bad things happen but then 1792 we have the formation of the Baptist missionary society persecution again even arise in those instances and what happens Baptists begin to increase up until the time of Spurgeon where Spurgeon dies in 1892 and then things go bad again well you trace throughout history not just in England but in in in the Netherlands in Germany when there was times of persecution people held fast together when their times of peace externally the churches began to fight with each other hate each other factions arose in those instances so persecution demonstrates I think the point demonstrates that God is with his people and noticed the source but - you have salvation in that from God because again what's the point it's not human innovation it's not human power it's not human might but it's God who works we even see examples of this today though we when brothers and sisters are persecuted for the faith around the world there's increase isn't there some of the fastest growing Christian nations are those where there's the most intense persecution it really shouldn't surprise us that in times of prosperity the church is declining because there's no external way to separate the men from the boys if you will persecution dare I say is actually good for the church we don't go seek it we're not meant to be masochists but it's actually a good thing I'll draw upon this in just a moment so brothers and sisters whether we have adversaries whether we have difficulties it's again general exhortation we must have demonstrate worthy conduct even in the midst of suffering as a church together even privately as well we must be a constant witness regardless of the circumstances that we face you see Peter draws upon this in first Peter doesn't he was correct what did Christ do when he was beaten and whipped didn't say anything what our believers supposed to do when they face persecution not say anything except the truth of the gospel aren't we so we see we must hold together even we think about this idea of the conduct of language of heaven is it okay to fill in the blank in heaven we think about our own personal lives is it okay to be prideful in heaven is it okay to be quarrelsome in heaven is it okay to complain in heaven is it okay to be ungrateful in heaven sadly brothers and sister I think one of the biggest signs of ungodliness he's ungrateful isn't it and the reason I draw upon those things because Paul has to exhort the Philippians concerning these things pride he deals with really throughout this section but especially especially in verses one through four and then he goes on to show that's the greatest example of humility in Christ in the gospel and that condescension who made himself of no reputation making him taking the form of a bondservant coming in the likeness of men then he goes on to describe how they must then be light bearers in verses 12 through 18 e draws upon some of these things verse 14 do all things without complaining and disputing that you may become blameless and harmless children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world holding fast to the words of life so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I may that I have not run in vain or labored in vain we must live in a way that pleases our God that is becoming of heaven and thankfully when we sin we go to our King and there's forgiveness found in him but nonetheless as God's people and our sanctification let us seek to live in a way that is becoming of the king so that's worthy conduct let's then look secondly at worthwhile suffering in verses 29 and 30 we give an expert he gives an explanation of verse 28 in verse 29 for to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him he gives us two gifts that are given to the people of God one I think we expect the other we really don't we expect and remember him when we reform people we believe in the doctrines of grace we believe in monitors in one way we believe that we could not save ourselves so the gift of faith makes sense what about the gift of suffering that's an interesting one but let's looked at the gift of faith first for to you has been granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him now perhaps again this idea of gift is just that is granted and given by God freely offered given graciously without anything within the width within the bestow the one who is receiving the gift and perhaps the idea of faith here it's some commentator different could refer to salvation that initial conversion you're saved by grace through faith and that initial conversion I think that's true but it could also mean continual trust in the context we need faith in the midst of our adversaries we need faith in the midst of trials so perhaps it could refer to both not only being granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Christ but even not only in that initial bleeding but also continually trust in Christ as well so perhaps it could refer to both and we'll all read a quote from Edie in just a moment who brings out some of these connections but let's look then at the gift of suffering the gift of faith again we see but the gift of suffering not only has been granted on behalf of Christ no sorry for you has been granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him but also to suffer for his sake that word suffer carries with it the idea of an unfavorable sense it isn't going to be fun it's going to be difficult it's going to perhaps be painful but notice the important thing as it's connected to suffering it's for Christ's sake it's on behalf of Christ that we suffer it's our connection to the king of heaven connection to the king of our heavenly country that we will suffer Paul our Matthew draws us our Jesus draws us out in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:11 we're not suffering for the sake of suffering but we're suffering for the cause of Christ and brothers and sisters we will face persecution for the cause of Christ won't we we will face it because you see when we think about the idea of countries once again countries typically wage war against one another don't they how much more the earthly country against the heavenly kind if they can't get to the king they're gonna get to the citizens as much as they can so there will be persecution but it is this idea of a gift but we see not only that or it is idea of a gift but Paul goes through this suffering verse 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now here is in me Paul is highlighting his struggle his conflict his conflict the word here of conflict probably has an athletic term to it the idea that we have to battle and fight and go through difficulties typically in a battle two teams against one another they don't like each other and they want to knock heads as much as they can so it's this idea of he's he's highlighting how he goes through these conflicts you've seen the suffering I'm suffering for the sake of Christ because Paul has suffered for the sake of Christ hasn't he he's been beaten he's been shipwrecked he's been put in prison for the sake of the gospel in Acts chapter 16 when he goes to Philippi what happens he's put in prison Orion Ryan Eve when he's writing in Rome he's put in prison and let's be honest prison isn't a fun place to be perhaps his legs would have been shackled he would have been sitting the whole time and perhaps even again they don't have Skype they don't have their phone call they don't have classes that they can take they just have to sit there and so the ID way in which he receives encouragement is through brothers and sisters and even nourishment brothers and sisters come and bring him things to eat and bring him encouragement but he's not gonna have those modern Ament and modern amenities that current prisons have so it's difficult for him he's gone through many things and again perhaps he's highlighting that he's not he's highlighting that that there's nothing new I go through these things you will go through these things I go through these battles you will go through these battles do not be intimidated but how can so you what you saw in me and now here is in me but how can this be a gift again we're not meant to be masochists we're not meant to go after suffering and find it for the sake of suffering but we must be prepared when it comes and I think suffering isn't just physical persecution well that is a very clear and devastating example but it can include not just that but not all but but the effects of sin in our lives as well when we are played when we go through battles and disunity that can be a struggle for people as well but I think suffering is connected perhaps in this tense drawing out that physical persecution aspect of it we're not meant to be monastic monks you go up to the Mount and beat ourselves because we sinned but at the same time we're not supposed to run from things when they come as to writers say suffering is not a good thing in and of itself and Moysey Silva goes on to say but we may indeed indeed we must thank him that he does not isolate us from evil expel experiences we are to praise him in his wisdom he uses them to strengthen us and thus to accomplish his saving purposes in us he sees suffering and your reaction and your conduct in suffering can be an assurance of your salvation can be assurance of your faith in Christ as Johnny D says faith in Christ is the means of salvation but suffering is the evident token of salvation the one secures it the other four shows it the martyr is not saved indeed because he suffers but his undaunted suffering betokens a present Savior and a near salvation we are connected to our Christ and if we suffer and we do not quarrel we do not murmur we do not complain in those things it's an assurance of God's people that Christ is with his people suffering can be an instance where God is with his people and even those instances perhaps God will give us a greater dose of grace in those times especially in persecution and not only that it can be an encouragement to other brothers and sisters as well when they suffer for the gospel and stand firm in it we read of brothers and sisters around the world who are imprisoned for the faith and they could get out of the prison if they just renounce Christ but they would rather die in prison and rather than rather than renounced the Lord Jesus Christ and when we read about them when we read about our brothers and we see them and hear about their stories it gives us encouragement to press on and stand fast in the faith and even perhaps rebuke us a little bit when we quarrel with one another over petty things we must hold fast to our Lord and be connected to our Lord and even the sufferings are an assurance and evidence of God's power and assurance an assurance of God's of God's presence and even encouragement to other brothers and sisters as well because you see we're all part of the kingdom of heaven those who are in Christ and really the blessed those blessed part of being part of the kingdom of heaven isn't really the kingdom of heaven it's the king isn't it it is Christ the Lord that we are united to Christ who is the ever-present Savior remember Christ says to Paul on that conversion day why are you persecuting me Christ is present with his people in Christ loves his people and Christ cares for his people and Christ is with his people in suffering and thankfully as we come to a close it really is not the end brothers and sisters just as Christ suffered and has been raised so too will we be raised as well with our Lord Jesus Christ it's suffering for a momentary affliction and then we will be with Christ in heaven so now as we live in this life we should let our conduct be worthy of the gospel let us love one another and be assured of God's presence with his people and if you do not know the Lord today you are not part of this kingdom and to be part of this kingdom it is through faith in Christ come to the king come and believe on the gospel of Christ come and know him come and find everlasting life in him yes there could be suffering and their most likely and there will be suffering in this life but the present suffering does not compare to the eternal weight of glory that awaits for those who are in Christ come and believe on Christ and you have everlasting life come and believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved well let us pray our God we are thankful for your goodness towards us when we suffer and go through trials we are thankful that you were ever present with us O God O God as a church as the Church of free grace and even sorry reformed in other local churches O God may we stand fast in the truth stand fast in the gospel against persecution as it comes may we strive together for the faith of the gospel O God and may we live in a way that is becoming of the king o God even our personal lives of God convict us working us cleanse us caused us to be more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that we might better share the gospel with others oh god help us O God to be loving and kind towards one another help us to be united together in the truth help us to consider others better than ourselves why are they puffing ourselves Oh God forgive us for this forgive us for being slow in this forgive us our being forgetful in these things Oh God but wash us afresh and the blood of Christ we confess that we have sinned against you O God and O God if there any here today who do not know you we pray that you would work in them and bring them into the kingdom of heaven O God we're thankful O God that the Kingdom of Heaven does advance through the preaching of the word we pray that it would advance today O God that your spirit would be pleased to move your peace fear would be pleased to work or a thankful with the salvation that is found in Christ and Christ alone and we're thankful O God that the greatest thing of heaven is not that we are citizens but that we are part of the king of heaven o God we pray that you would be with us now the name of Christ amen we'll close with a brief time meditation then you're dismissed you