Stand Firm

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 77

Psalm 77 ESV

To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I consider the days of old, the years long ago. I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search: “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 18:1-3

Psalm 18:1–3 ESV

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Sermon:

Once again and as always good morning church, I was glad when they said to me, let us go and worship. In the house of the Lord.

Before we dive into our passage for today, Philippians chapter 3:17 through chapter 4:1 I did my best to organize the sanctuary, a little yesterday when we were cleaning, if you don't have a Bible - In every row, except for the middle rows, but you can steal one from the side rows, there are Bibles. If you don't have your Bible, grab one of the Pew Bibles. If you do have your Bible Philippians chapter 3 verse 17. I don't often say this out loud, but I think it important that you have God’s word in front of you. so we should open your Bible Philippians chapter 3.

Paul is really ending the argumentation that he's been making for really all of chapter three. And as I sat down this week to sort of work my way through this text and think through this, I realized that what Paul's finishing here Is some of the easiest stuff to say in some of the hardest stuff to do.

We looked at the beginning of chapter three. And I said, ultimately, Paul's argumentation here is Know Christ. Two words. Everything else, All these worldly Treasures, all this other stuff. It's worthless, it's rubbish. Know Christ. It's easy to say. It's hard to do.

Last week... So not that I've already obtained all of this, I'm not perfect. Though, our goal is perfection. We're not there yet. So what do we do? Two words. Press on. So know Christ, press on. Again, easy to say hard to do. Because it gets difficult, I lack my own strength and might I must rest in the completed work of Christ. I press on towards the goal of the upward prize. Though, I have not achieved it yet, God will work in me. Know Christ press on and then this week as he finishes this sort of argumentation, it's again, very simple to say But very hard to do: stand firm.

We must stand firm in the Lord. Last week — Two weeks ago Now I guess — we got to go to the Clarus conference up in Albuquerque. If I may just encourage you, I know some people. You know, don't like conferences. It's hard to get up to Albuquerque for. I know there's reasons, but we're going to make plans to go next year. This is a a weekend that is worth your time. This last year was possibly Yeah, I don't want to oversell it, so let me I'll just say as plainly as I can. It was the best preaching I've heard in decades. Maybe my whole life. Honestly, again, I know I am prone to exaggerate, but here I am not trying to exaggerate, this is not hyperbole. I was so incredibly blessed to go here from these men preaching from first and second Samuel to see the glory of my savior in in their preaching, it was wonderful.

And so, one of the things that one of the preachers there, David Helm, the guy who literally wrote the book on preaching, like when I try to teach young men, how to preach, I go to his book to help train people how to preach. But one of the things he would do that, I appreciated, Was at the beginning of every sermon. He would basically say and this is what I'm going to preach to you today. He would just lay out the case for the whole sermon. And so in, in my Trying to imitate him which as we'll see in our text. I think it's a good thing to imitate. Those people that we love and respect and we see the work of Christ in their lives. So as I try to imitate him, I'm going to try to do the same thing this morning.

The short short version is stand firm. But here's going to be my goal. This is what I want you to see.

We must — Here's the thesis statement of the sermon you could say — we must Stand firm. And strive forward together. In the midst of dark and difficult times. That we may look more and more. Like our savior.

Say that again, this is what I'm going to try and preach to you this morning: We must Stand firm. And strive forward together. In the midst of dark and difficult times. To look more and more. Like our savior. I had a pastor friend Who would talk about his 3 A.M Sermon. What's a 3 A.M sermon? He said If it's Saturday night and Saturday Sunday morning really at 3 A.M, And your wife, wakes you up and says, what are you preaching on tomorrow? What's the thing you would say is you sort of turn around half groggy and it preach the whole sermon. What would you say this? Is it We must stand firm and strive forward together in the midst of dark, and difficult times to look more and more. Like our savior

Philippians chapter 3, starting in verse 17. This is what Paul writes

Philippians 3:17–4:1 ESV

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

These are the words of the Lord for us this morning. Let's open with the word of prayer.

Dear Lord. We thank you for today. Another day that you have made that we may Rejoice. And be glad in. We thank you for your grace and mercy for the kindness that you have shown to us. That you would call us out of darkness and into light that that these dead bones would come alive, through the work of your son and the power of your spirit. Thank you for these precious gifts. And we thank you especially this morning for the precious gift of the body of Christ, the church, the gift that you have given to us, that we might see and know you at work. May you encourage us to live lives, worthy of the Gospel, among each other, encouraging and lifting each other up. May we see clearly your work. In our lives and in the lives of those around us. It's in Jesus name that we pray. Amen

Ultimately, our call is to stand. But we are not called to stand firm. By ourselves. Contrary to sort of. American in particular, right? Like the west of, like be your own man, like, rugged, Cowboy, like we can do this. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps. We were never called to live the Christian Life. Alone. Instead, as we look around, we are given Examples.

Our EXAMPLES

This is where Paul first starts saying, may I just note, one of the most bold things. That ultimately our goal, all of our goal should be able to say this. Brothers, join in imitating. Me.

Paul has said I'm not perfect. I'm striving. I'm pressing on. So, press on, like I press on. I Endeavor to glorify Christ, so be like me as I serve Christ. That's how he says it elsewhere in First Corinthians. He says imitate me as I imitate Christ. If the goal of life is, the goal is perfection, and if you're feeling like, I can't make it to Perfection. Paul's like I haven't either, but if you feel that way, Okay. Well, I'm imitating Christ. So if you imitate me, Then as you imitate me, as I imitate Christ, we are both looking more and more like Jesus. That's the ultimate goal.

Paul, in fact, he invents a word here. When he says, join in, imitating me. He's saying like become fellow imitators. We all become people who are looking more and more like Christ. And keep your eyes. He says, on those who walk according to the example, you have in us

As you look around, right, especially Paul. If we remember, there's these, these Judaizers, these people who are seeking to warp, the gospel, who are trying to preach a workspace righteousness, who are trying to do, all sorts of things. Don't look there. Keep your eyes on us, who imitate Christ and imitate him. Keep your eyes on people like we've already had examples in Philippians, like Timothy Who is willing to put the cares of others first, who's willing to sacrifice for his love for Paul but also his love for the Philippian church. Keep your eyes on people like epaphroditus, who's willing to sacrifice everything, including his life for the sake of the Gospel.

Look to Paul who, as he's in Chains in Roman prison, chained to a Roman guard. Writing this very letter, Look to him. Look to the examples. We have.

This is the beauty of scripture. It's full of examples. This is the whole point of like Hebrews chapter 11, we call it the Hall of Fame of Where the writer of Hebrews goes through and he's like, Able by faith offered his sacrifice. Noah by faith built in Ark Abraham by faith did a whole host of things, including being willing to sacrifice everything to trust the promise of God. Moses did all of these things... They looked to all of these people who lived by faith. There are examples. Look to Paul and Paul's saying it's not just looking back, we can look to scripture and it's beautiful there. Look to the apostles, the disciple, when when Peter falls on his face But that is still willing to serve Christ. Look to his example. Look to the examples we have in scripture. Yes, but Paul's point is Look around.

We have a church filled with Saints of the most high God Keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example that we have in scripture. The goal is My Hope and prayer is that one day we can all say this. Imitate me.

For those of us who are parents, can we honestly say to our kids, right? And this is a real test because our kids know our lives even better than everyone around us. Right? We may be able to fool the whole church. You will not be able to fool your kids on this one. Can you say to your kids? Imitate me as I imitate Christ.

Do you have people in your life that you are taking under your wings and saying? Come with me. I will help you. You imitate me? I will imitate Christ together. We will grow in sanctification. Can we say that? We are called to have examples. Look around the church. There are many, we are called to be examples. How are you doing?

We must stand firm together. Here's my my argument. I'm trying to make to you. We need examples around us. You can't do this on your own. Stand firm together. Because we are in the midst of dark and difficult times, we are surrounded by Adversaries.

Our ADVERSARIES

Enemies. Paul says. Imitate me. Keep your eyes on those who follow the example, why? Because there are many There are many, who will lead you astray and cause destruction to your soul.

For many. Of who I'm often told you and I now tell you, even with tears, Walk as enemies. Of the Cross of Christ.

It's important to note that Paul here is, in fact, talking about people who are In the church. It's easy to look out, right? We can look at the world and be like, yeah, there's tons of people out there who are enemies of the Cross of Christ. They wear that title proudly. But that's not who Paul's crying about. Many of whom I often told you and now tell you, even with tears. Paul is weeping. Why? Because there are those in this church that Paul loves Who are destined for hell.

Coming to church does not save you. Knowing Christ does. Self-Righteousness doesn't save you, that's rubbish knowing him and pressing on is what saves you. There are many. Even among you all, Paul is saying, who walk as enemies of the Cross of Christ. Their end is destruction. Their God is their belly. They glory in their shame with mindset on Earthly things.

This is a stark. And Stern. And difficult.

To serve the Flesh Is to be destined For hell. Their end is destruction. How can we see and know them?

Paul gives sort of three things that that will highlight our adversaries, First: their God is their belly.

Now, this could be physical, they could be glutenous. I don't know exactly. I think what Paul is saying here is more sort of Metaphorical. To say, their God is their belly. They serve. Temporary Earthly Pleasures. They want things that taste good. And so they jump from temporary fleeting pleasure to temporary fleeting pleasure over and over again.

Cuz if you're God's your belly, This is how you have to think through this. How many of you have ever been just super hungry? We've all been hungry. I haven't.. It feels like... I haven't eaten in days. It's probably been 20 minutes. I haven't eaten in days. I'm so hungry. And you eat. You feel good? And then what happens hours later? Yeah, I'm hungry again.

To say, their God is, their belly means, they serve things that will not last are not Eternal and steadfast They serve things that are fleeting and they must keep offering things they must keep bringing sacrifice to this God. They have to keep eating these meals. The god, they serve will not last

Secondly: The glory in their shame. Many commentators think Paul here is writing about, right, these, these people who claim you have to be circumcised, that was the Judaizer stuff we dealt with a while back. And, and he's saying. They glory in the fact that they have to Get naked in front of other people. That's their shame, right? People getting circumcised. There's other people there and you have to be naked for that situation to occur. And I think that's what Paul has directly in mind. Probably But again, there's a deeper meaning to this. They glory in their shame. The thing that they should be ashamed of is what they are proud of.

For example, You look to the world. And I'm not surprised that they glory. In sacrificing children on the altar of sexual Freedom. let me be clear what I am saying here, i will not use coded language. We read the old testament and are shocked as people offer their children to Molech, and think we would never do such a ting, but in abortion centers around the country we are sacrificing our children on the altar of sexual freedom. And I am not surprised that the world feels that way, and sadly, I am also not surprised that there's Christians who glory in that position too... There's people who claim. Let me say this, a little more directly because I want to be clear here. There are people who claim the name of Christ. Whose end is destruction. Their God is their belly. and who glory in their shame.

How do I know they are glorying in their shame? as they celebrate Abortion. To call a spade, a spade. They glory, they are proud of the fact that they stand for something. That is an Abomination before God. One day, they will face accountability for every word they say, but do not look to them Who glory in their shame.

And finally the third sign or our adversaries. With their mindset on Earthly things. With their mindset on accumulating wealth. Treasure Fame, Fortune, whatever it is.

This is how we see and know these people. They are our enemies and we are in the midst of dark and difficult times, filled with dark and difficult people. So, what is our hope? You stand firm in the midst of these times. Looking for our savior. This is our hope.

Our HOPE

Philippians 3:20–21 ESV

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

My hope Is that I am not here Forever.

In fact. My hope Is that one day Christ will call me home. I will shed This temporary fleeting vessel and instead be given a new body. A new glorious body, that looks like his glorious body. Where I will praise him forever In heaven. My hope is that I look more and more like my savior — part of that is pushing forward and imitating. But know what Paul says here, part of looking more and more like your savior is getting a new body. That's like his body.

Again, we're to this point that we've been over and over and over again, in Philippians, My Hope Is Not here, my hope is in heaven.

I will look more and more like my savior to the point when I will get a new resurrected body, glorious body. How do I know my savior will do this? because he has all power and authority so much power that he will verse 21 subject all things to himself. Jesus Christ will rule and Reign he does rule and Reign one day. He will come again ruling with a rod of iron, he will trample out the winepress of the wrath of God Almighty. He will stand and every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess that he is Lord.

All things subjected to him— for from him and through him And to him are all things — He made all things, all things owe him, their Allegiance and devotion. That's the power and that's the power that will resurrect us and that is our hope.

We must strive forward together. We must stand firm together in the midst of dark and difficult times with adversaries All around us, looking more and more like our savior. Both, as we are Sanctified and look more and more like him as we imitate Christ as we imitate each other, but even more so when we receive our glorious resurrected body. That's the point of this passage.

I want to pause very quickly here. Because I have some other… we're going to finish this sermon, but Here's how my ADHD brain works. Quick commercial Interruption.

For the past, about two months, maybe longer, maybe four or five months. I've been praying and wondering: Yeah, what am I going to do About all this election stuff?

Tuesday's election day. Most of us, many of us. Maybe... I've already voted many of us have probably already voted

But here's my tension, my internal tension.

There's There's I call it a two kingdoms thing that's going on here.

I have been given power and authority in the church. It's not a job, a role. I take lightly. But this is the realm of my authority. I have not been given political Authority. God's established the government to wield the sword against those who do Injustice Ultimately, we all fall under the authority of God... But there's like two different kingdoms here. So that's one hand,

but on the other hand, I've been called to preach God's word, to bring it to bear in all of our lives and all times. And so it's not that I have nothing to say. About this situation. So this has been my internal terminal. What am I going to say? Am I gonna Pause our series through Philippians to preach a sermon on the election. What am I going to do?

And as usual, I just kicked the can down the street. I'm not going to deal with it.

And then about three weeks ago, I started looking ahead figure out what we're preaching each Sunday. And I realize, God is good.

So, here's your little quick, three-minute election, sermon in the middle of a bigger sermon. That I feel is actually much more important.

Our citizenship. Is in heaven. This is where I want to start.

It's critical that we vote. We have been blessed by God to live in. A nation where we are given power to use our voice. To hopefully. Offer some input in how we want our country and so as Christians, It is vital that we use our voice. And in this, I mean, particularly our vote. It is vital that we as Christians use our voice in the way that God has called us to, here's my second point. So one you should vote. You should use your, your voice. But two: You are a Christian Who votes. Note, what comes first? You are a Christian.

You must vote. In the way that the Holy Spirit leads and guides and directs you. Nowhere in scripture. Chapter and verse. I cannot give you where it says this person, you should vote for and this person, you shouldn't But over and over and over again. In scripture, we are called in Philippians. We could just go here, only let the manner of your life, be worthy of the gospel of Christ. Your vote must be worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How that goes. I will not tell you. What bubbles you fill out. When you fill out that form I cannot tell you But this, I can tell you: Serve the Lord, even as you vote.

But ultimately, here's my third point. Tuesday night. Around 11, probably I'll go to sleep after watching a little bit of the the coverage. I might try to. Not pay attention to that and watch a basketball game or something, but Tuesday around 11:00, I'm gonna go to sleep. And I am not a. Soothsayer prognosticator. But here's here's what I feel will happen: We won't know who won Tuesday night. And as they're counting all the hanging Chads and dealing with finding different boxes here and there and all the things that go on every year. I will go to sleep with peace.

Why? Because I already know who's going to win. On Tuesday.

I will sahre this with you. This is not a prophecy, but heres the point who will win? Whoever God wants.

I already know who's gonna win. It's whoever God has deemed will win. God is Sovereign over all things. We read this here before, there is a power that subjects all things to himself. And so nothing that occurs on this Earth is outside of the realm of God's Sovereign Authority. So, you know who's going to win, whoever God wants to win.

And for people on both sides of the aisles, here's the message, you need to hear often... The rulers of a Nation are God's judgment upon that Nation. So, whichever way it goes and whichever way you feel about. Whichever way it goes know this. God is Sovereign.

And, Though, I will vote as a citizen of the United States, that is not my ultimate Alliance or Allegiance. For I am a citizen of heaven And from it, I await My Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform my lowly body to be like his glorious Body by the power that enables him to subject all things unto himself.

Worst case scenario. This is how I think just to share with you how I think worst case scenario, you know what's going to happen on Tuesday World War III starts. And we all die in some crazy tragic nuclear war.

My citizenship is in heaven, from it. I await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform this lowly body to be like his glorious Body by the power, that enables him to subject. All things unto himself, they have fast forwarded, that process for me, praise the Lord.

Things may get difficult. That's okay, Paul's will deal with that later in Philippians… I can have much, I can be brought low, I can abound in any and every circumstance I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me? It will be okay.

So here's my little sermon-et on our role as Christians in the political climate of all the things that are happening, especially as it comes to voting on Tuesday.

one, if you have not already Christian vote, God has blessed you to live in a country where you are free to vote, do not waste. That blessing. Go vote point to, when you vote, know that you are first and foremost, a Christian, your ultimate Alliance is not to the little R or D after your name. Your ultimate alliance is to Christ and to him, you owe Allegiance, and for him, you must vote. And so vote as he guides and directs you by the leading of the Holy Spirit, but point three, Do not lose any sleep or do not fret or worry for ultimately you are a citizen of heaven. On Tuesday, do not worry or stress, for which one of you by stressing out about this Election can add even one moment to your life. Instead, trust The Sovereign hand of God. you are citizens of Heaven. That's my point.

I hope that was a slightly more uplifting political, ad than all the ones we've been hearing.

With this ad break is over.

So, back to my point, my goal is to show you, we must strive forward and stand firm together. We have examples. In the midst of dark and difficult times. Because our adversaries all around, we look more and more like our savior. This is our hope. That we look like him in our sanctification, but ultimately we will be given a glorious body. So finally, our call, it's what we've been saying over and over again. Stand firm.

Our CALL

The world will seek to shake you. The world will seek to Rip you from the The strong Mooring that you have in Jesus Christ, stand firm. Stand firm. When craziness abounds all around us stand firm, we have a glorious hope in Jesus Christ. Stand firm. Therefore, Paul says chapter 4 verse one. My brothers whom I love and long for My joy and my crown stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved

Paul's just said with tears, he has tears. When he thinks of these adversaries, I believe in verse chapter 4:1, he has more tears. These are tears of joy and love and hope. He's laid out this case: Know Christ, press on and stand firm. So, therefore, come on guys. Come on. I love you. I long to see you. You are those people I treasure and love. You are my joy and my crown. his beloved

What Paul's literally saying here is when I come When I come before, Jesus All my worth Is… Let me put it this way. Earlier in chapter three, he talked about all his good works. They were rubbished. They were garbage. Well then what is Paul treasure? This church.

He says, no, I don't have I don't have riches Because of my goodness. I don’t have riches Because of my self-righteousness. But his riches are the Philippian church.

Let me just say this as a pastor, if I may share with you My heart. What? I think Paul's heart is here. When pastors get around. A group of pastors we get around, start talking about our churches.

I'm sad to say there are many who Sort of glory in their own shame. It's it's a lot of talk about. Well, I'm doing this. I'm doing that. Church is doing this because I'm so great, whatever they say.

But then there's other pastors Who’s Glory — Whose crown — Is their congregation.

What does that look like? Hey, David. How's things going to the church? Let me tell you about what Judah is doing with Showers of Grace. I think this is the coolest ministry I've ever seen in my life. Hey David, how are things going at the church? Let me tell you about my elders because they are two of the most God-fearing wonderful, loving men. I've ever met. Hey, David, how are things going with the church? Let me tell you about Forest my Deacon. This man will serve and serve and serve. Hey David, how are things going to the church? Let me tell you. About our worship team. Let me tell you. About these people who are willing to sacrifice for the church, we are a small church. You know, we've never struggled. To meet budget, why? It's not because of me. It's because of you all's faithfulness.

When Paul talks to this church, he says Therefore, my brothers, whom I love, and long for my joy and my crown. I know exactly what he means because I see it in you all.

So, here's my call to you, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, Stand firm in the Lord.

We have to do this together. There are adversaries all around us but here church is our hope. God will save us. He has saved us. He will hold us. He will keep us if we stand firm to the end, so stand firm in him. That is our call.

Let's pray.