Erin Coates Interview

Hello dear ones, my name is Justin Peters. I hope that you and your family are doing well today

I want to thank you very much for watching this video And this is a follow -up video of sorts

I suppose to the previous video that I posted entitled Romans 13 and pastor James Coates By now all of you know that James Coates the pastor of Grace Life Church in Edmonton, Alberta Canada has been arrested simply for holding church opening up his church and Worshipping God and fellowshipping with the

Saints and bearing one another's burdens and for this he has been arrested and as I Record this right now.

He is sitting in a prison cell and in God's kind Providence I was able to make contact with James wife

Erin and I asked her if she would be willing to come on to My youtube channel here do an interview because I would really like you to hear from her

I saw an interview that Erin did with a Canadian reporter and my wife

Kathy and I watched that and we're just so so impressed by her maturity and the depth of understanding that she has and the issues at stake here and So I really wanted to let you hear from her

And so for the next I don't have in front of me, but 45 -50 minutes or so You will hear from Erin Your heart undoubtedly will break but I think you will also be encouraged in the gospel in listening to Erin as well, so I'm gonna play this interview and that you might notice that this is a very long video and that's because I am posting again

Pastor James Coates sermon from Romans 13 that he preached on February 14th This was two days before he was arrested

And then also I've also included a sermon that was preached at his church of February 21st

Is preached by his associate pastor their associate pastor and elder Jacob Spence and he preaches a wonderful message from Philippians chapter 1 and So I want you to hear from Erin and I also want you to hear her sermon her husband's sermon again as Well as the sermon that was preached on the very first Sunday that Pastor James spent in in prison praying please pray for this precious family pray for this local body of believers

Grace Life Church in Edmonton and Pray that God and his kind Providence would use this as a powerful testimony already is

I'm already hearing that churches all across Canada are opening up because of the witness of Grace Life in Edmonton.

So pray that God would use this For the furtherance of his gospel as a powerful testimony to a watching world without any further delay

Here's Erin. Well Erin, I so want to thank you for joining me for my

YouTube channel and Found out that we have a mutual friend in Susan Heck so With Susan Hank for those watching has a website with the master calm and and Susan is married to a man named

Doug and Doug was our pastor Kathy and my pastor when we lived in Oklahoma about Eight or so years ago.

So how did how did you get connected with Susan? Well, I think I've heard

Susan's name for years and I ended up doing a conference with her last year online open hearts in a closed world so as I was obviously, you know, you want to know who you're doing a conference with and so I just started researching her and Listening to her content and I was like this woman is

Phenomenal. I need to call her And we've been friends ever since so she has just been a dear treasure to me.

She is one of those women who Dispersed me on to love Christ more.

I mean her conviction for memorizing scripture is just incredible So as a teacher to our what our women

She just really models well for me what that should look like So I always say to her, you know, you you have permission to say whatever you want in my life.

I've said something wrong She's just a sweet friend and so we meet every couple weeks.

Yeah. Well good well, well Susan is the one who connected us. I'm so grateful that she did and Yeah, I want to thank you for your time here and So I think everyone pretty much now knows kind of at least the gist of what?

Has been going on with your husband James and his arrest Of course all of this started for all of us about a year or so ago when

COVID started becoming a big news Issue and people begin to be really worried about it and in the spring just about all maybe not all but vast majority of the churches shut down before we really realized how serious this was going to be but then beginning in June Grace Life Church opened back up, right?

Can you just give us a bird's -eye view Erin of how you got from opening back up in June to To where you are now.

Yeah, sure so we opened back up obviously because there was so much conflicting information out there from a medical standpoint and We know people within the medical community that were giving us different ways of looking at the virus and So We opened back up just because it hit our church very hard when you have a true axe to church that is so involved in one another's lives and Loves one another the way our church does to separate us the way that they did was very hurtful to our church

It was almost like a mourning just the the messages you would get in the songs that were being said like people were really feeling the weight of being separated and Leadership just really looked at that and thought okay

We we have to open like what is what is obedience demand of us in an opening?

back up when the information is starting to roll out and So we've kind of always had restrictions on the church.

I think in the summer. It was about 30 % capacity I can't remember if there was masks and social distancing at that point.

I don't think we were allowed to sing And then at the end of November they were starting to really crack down on Like gatherings again, and then we went into another health emergency

In the in December in early December, and it seems like somebody had called a chest on us

Which is Alberta Health Services Alberta Health Services has essentially been given All authority to dictate how we are to live our lives in the church and outside of the church and so We're very restrictive on the church.

And we just thought like we we have to keep going and you know, we're getting Testimonies of suicides are going up abuse is going up depression is going up Actually had taught on First Thessalonians 4 1 through 8 there and I just did some research on what what what were the effects of the pandemic in regards?

to like pornography and Children and women it was skyrocketing during the pandemic and so you're watching all of these things happening and it's so heartbreaking and so our guys just kept going and and so HS started paying us visits and With the

RCMP and then about I think what's the for us for us down in the

States What's our CMP? Our CMP is Royal Mounted Canadian police. Okay, okay

So they would be not quite our city police, but they would be different districts

You usually you'd see them in there in shows in their red mounted gear on a horse. That's like ceremonial

Outfit but they dress like normal cops when when they're on duty, so they were coming to our gathering and They issued us an order to Follow the protocol and that we have to be abiding by the rules and we had not had any

COVID cases Transmitted or spread within our Sunday gathering now

We had some cases in the summer that were outside of the gathering and we actually shut down for two weeks

To make sure like did it actually get to the gathering and it didn't So we shut down for those two weeks and then we just resumed

But we have not contracted or spread COVID within our our Sunday gathering our people are Fairly intelligent people.

I think you know if they're really fatigued or they have a sore throat or the sniffles or a cough They don't come to church and they go back for two weeks and so When they gave us the the order to follow the restrictions, they also fined

James for Not following this the restrictions and then a couple weeks passed and in January AHS filed

I think a court a court appealed to to enforce greater Consequences for us

Continuing to gather and breaking the restrictions and I'm saying restrictions because everyone's like you're breaking the law

But it's like it's not it's not It's not the light. It hasn't got the law, right?

It's not it hasn't gone through the the democratic process So you have this health emergency? I'm not a professional

But it's really scary when you can have a health emergency But one person in power and then the whole society

Struggles from that and one thing that's really interesting to me is they're not Doing any studies on the effects of the lockdown and they have been petitioned by various doctors

To do that So we have a friend who is a doctor and she is grieved by what she's seeing in her own practice in regard to lockdowns

Yeah, I was talking to a gentleman yesterday and he says, you know, he says I don't know anyone who's died of kovat I know five people who committed suicide

Wow, and yeah, and then I was speaking to another woman and she's had seven people in her circle commit suicide and So the suicide rates are skyrocketing and we have nurses in the hospital saying like our concern isn't kovat anymore

It is the drug overdoses. We have an opioid Issue here people are drug overdose alcohol

Abuse all of that is coming into the hospital suicides Even speaking with police officers.

They're inundated with those kinds of phone calls. So That so they they they wanted to push us further

We didn't comply in obedience to the Lord and and our collective elders

Conscience on keeping our church open both to believers and unbelievers in such a difficult time and then on James's 41st birthday, which was the end of January They issued us a closure notice and they stuck it to the door and said this church is closed

So then we just kept going and we just like you you can't close down Christ's Church So and then on February 17th

James was Arrested it was a it was a catch -and -release. And so the

RCMP they didn't want to humiliate him They said, you know, you've really respected us and we want to respect you

I think they were really put between a rock and a hard place And so they arrested him, but they did it at the church.

They didn't cuff him, but they issued him an undertaking and James did not sign the undertaking because the undertaking was that he would not conduct service the way he had previously been doing so he

Said I can't sign that and so they left and then the following Sunday we had a service and The RCMP called and they said like you're under arrest again, we want you to turn yourself in and so that was

Tuesday the 16th and then so he was at the RCMP Station and then he went before to justice of the peace

They did they were like I do not want to make a martyr of this man and they washed their hands of him but they put a

Restriction in place for him to not conduct services as he had previously been doing so and that if he didn't abide by that He wasn't allowed on grace life property.

He wasn't allowed to conduct a worship service and so he said I can't sign that and so they detained him and He had a trial a bail hearing the next day and He he told me

After that trial that they had shackled him they had cuffed his wrists and his legs

We were trying to find out like where was when was his trial? I'm trying to like obviously get there to him

The the courthouse was telling us he was gone. It was already done and over he's left and so One of our guys was at the courthouse and he came around the back and he actually saw

James coming out in chains and He only had 15 seconds to say like we love you.

We're with you and then the officer pulled him away So then he went back to the

RCMP Station and I was trying to get to him at this point still and then he's like I'm trying

I'm at the RCMP station I'm still like I'm trying to see you Before they take me to jail because everything's kovat laws, right?

They're not zoom private And so when I had arrived at the

RCMP station, I said, can I see him and they're like, no, he's not here and It was only about a 15 -minute window and my friend had said

I didn't see anyone. She was sitting in the parking lot She said I didn't see anyone leave the parking lot.

So I had not Talked to him Probably I can't my timelines are a little bit fuzzy

Wednesday, maybe Thursday Just It was crazy

So we didn't even know if he was actually at The jail like what had happened and so his lawyer was able to get a hold of him and talk to him and tell me

No, he's there Because he wasn't in the system because he's he he can walk he can he can be a free man if he just You know if he just signs that piece of paper and he says yes,

I will refuse the gathering to Like two -fifths or six of our church

But he said he just can't he can't do it. So he's in there until his his trial

We are moving for an appeal to drop the conditions And at this point

HS has handed the baton to the RCMP. So No one wants to take responsibility

For what's happening? The RCMP is pointing the finger at HS HS is pointing the finger at the

RCMP people are pointing their fingers at our premiere premieres Like I don't have anything to do with this. So I'm like Yeah, no kidding.

So it's just you know and to hear that they have released like criminals into society because of kovat and they've arrested a man who is armed with the words of life and has made it his life to minister to people and help people

Is astonishing to me, but you know, where's gonna put him where he wants to put him.

Yeah. Yeah Aaron I was sharing with you before we started recording that We've seen one interview that you did and my wife

Kathy and I were just so so very impressed with your composure and the depth of the of the answers that you gave and My wife told me the other night she said that that you and your family are all she's been able to think about ever since this, you know became news and She's just uh,

I've seen her in tears, you know, and when we've been talking about you guys and maybe

I should have begun with this but Tell us a little bit more about your family. You have two sons.

Is that correct? Yeah. Yeah And we have a almost 18 year old on Thursday. He'll be 18

Wow, and then we have an 11 year old both both boys We've wanted to have more kids, but it just hasn't happened.

So Yeah, James is my best friend he is

Don't wanna cry He's a he's a he's a strong leader. So when you take that leader away,

I feel lost and I'm having to make Decisions I've never had to make before and that's a really that's a really hard thing, especially knowing him in his heart

So there's been nights where I've I've woken up crying and that's that's double -sided and Obviously concerned about him.

I'm concerned about the church. I'm concerned about how she's responded to this It is it is baffling to me that people are saying that you know

He just has a martyr complex or he wants to be a revolutionary and you're just thinking this man this is this is basic obedience to Christ opening the gathering is a thick obedience to Christ and he's being called a revolutionary and to me that is just so sad because that tells us where the church is and sleep and My greatest fear is that if the tide does not change

We will go down in the church history books as the generation that kissed sound ecclesiology

Goodbye, and just opted to live stream, you know, which is is very sad, right?

right and and speaking of that some of the Pushback that I've seen from people some of the criticisms and and I won

I don't know if you saw the video the first video I did but One one individual referred to your husband as a snowflake

Yeah, I was watching I saw your video yeah, that was a real test of my sanctification When I heard that as you said a minute ago this this is a man who he could have his freedom

Right now right? All he has to do is agree not to preach So What would you say to those who say?

Oh, well, it's no big deal. You know, just keep your capacity at 15 % If you can't sing, you know, it's okay you can you can zoom in you can do online, you know can watch

Livestream. So what's the big deal? What would you say to those folks? Yeah, I see probably a large portion of those people

Have not been called to pastoral ministry. They have not called they have not been called and qualified to take care of people and And have to stand before Christ and give an account for the souls that have been entrusted to them

So I think they just don't understand. I hope they don't that's that is what at the heart of it they don't understand the weight that a shepherd carries before Christ and Yes Seriousness of that call because people love to say, you know, you're allowed to have 15 % capacity but our people have have names and and feelings and and you know, they have a conscience that they have to Worship the

Lord according to his word. And so for us to turn away a large portion of the congregation every

Sunday We can't we can't do that those are Christ's people you

Christ would never do that to us So I would just say the probably a large portion of them would they just don't understand the responsibility

To those that are pastors. I want to be very careful. Obviously. I'm a woman. I would just say

You know go before the Lord and and check your heart and do some really deep study on You know the things that you're using to hide behind like I believe there are genuine men who are just confused

They've understood Romans 13 a certain way And they've never really had to think about this.

I mean, we've never had to think about this, right? So I know there will be men like that But I just say like please consider your people we have a very real enemy and His job is to seek kill destroy and and how does he do that?

Well in isolation, you can't live the Christian life by yourself, right? Unfortunately, what

I think the fruit of that is what is a lack of Preaching from the pulpit. I think It could be a lack of Relationship with your congregation.

So not only is James a shepherd of Grace Life Church. He's first and foremost a member of Grace Life Church Leading the church, but the people of Grace Life Church have gifts that James needs to be sanctified to be more like Christ So he is very intimately involved with the people and so much of our work happens on Sunday and I think we have a very poor theology of preaching and What's actually happening in the moment of preaching when the preacher is is had the book is open and he's mediating the presence of God Well, they're an accurate exposition of the word is happening and the

Holy Spirit is working in our hearts corporately and so I think we have a weak theology of preaching

And it could just be yeah, like they don't have that relationship with their people so they don't recognize the need is there

But for our church, you know Whoever is in the pulpit preaches a sermon and then we're at the church with each other probably until four o 'clock

It's later now of people just applying the sermon. What's this week gonna look like for your sanctification?

What was your what did your last week look like? So just a lot of one another's happening on a

Sunday and And again James needs to be able to speak with the people

So everyone's saying well, why can't you just do like six or seven services a Sunday? Well, first of all, you still can't sing

You can't converse with one another and James can't even converse with them because they have to leave immediately

So that leaves him in a place of like how are how are my sheep responding to God's Word?

So I think that would that's probably the fruit of what is Happening.

So I would just ask those men to consider before the Lord the people who have been entrusted to them and to not leave them for food for the enemy because When you fall asleep or you become lukewarm unfortunately, you don't know that that's happening to you and we had a testimony of a young lady come into our church and she hadn't been in the gathering for 11 months and She came in and she just wept because she didn't realize how cold her heart had become and so There it was just like whoa like I needed this and I've been having a lot of letters written to me since James has left and people's testimonies a

Lot of people have recently come to our church because of the pandemic their churches are closed Yeah, and and their testimony is we didn't even know how hungry we were.

We didn't even know how anemic we were one young guy Just this brought me to tears

He said pastor James keeping the church open saved my life because the sin in his life was so aggressive and the gathering for him where he sees all of these people who are

Sinners, but striving for holiness. He looked at that every Sunday and that helped him not be consumed by his sin so all of these stories are coming in and you're just like this is this is so Sad and and stories of people their churches are shut down and they're alone

Yeah, and the implications of that for somebody's sanctification Because if they're not making progress in sanctification, they're not glorifying

God to the fullest So we have stories like that rolling in and that's a huge encouragement.

So I think that's what's what's happening and zoom makes sheep

Hungry skinny Right, oh I you know,

I've Had vertigo a couple weeks back and I actually had a live stream our service because I was so dizzy

I couldn't walk and I didn't feel at all. Like I was a part of the body

I was just a spectator watching what was happening on the TV. I couldn't hear voices. I couldn't hear pages turning

Even to keep your your focus on the TV is really difficult. It's not as an as an engaging as when you're there.

So It's different it's not the same and I think why people say or are so quick to say

Why don't you just live stream to me? That's just so sad because they've probably never experienced true biblical exposition and That's really heartbreaking.

Yeah Yeah, it's just not the same I mean it's I'm grateful to to be able to go on to YouTube and watch sermons whenever I want to and that's that's great for You know a spiritual supplement if you will

But but it is not the same thing and never will be this it will never be a replacement

For gathering with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and seeing them seeing their faces

Sands a mask, you know, yeah, I mean, it's just such a it's it's a dehumanizing thing to to have your face covered and it's a

Yeah, so there's just no replacement. There's a reason that we that Christ commands us to gather

I'm so appreciative for what y 'all are doing and You know

Romans 8 28 off God works all things together for the good. It does not mean that all things are good and What has happened to your husband is is not in and of itself good

But I tell you Aaron, I really believe that that there's gonna be a lot of good fruit born from this

So your question did you ask me how do I handle how do I handle People saying things sometimes

I well, uh, yeah, I guess I did in a way as it Has how discouraging has it been to see that some people are or basically they're saying that James brought this on himself and Has it been a discouragement to you or To you and the boys and yeah,

I've had moments. Yes. I've had moments People just say the most awful thing they've they've judged the situation

I mean we're being accused of being rich white people that the reason why We he wasn't arrested earlier is because he's a rich white man and I'm kind of like just want to come over to our house and have dinner and get to know us and but for me

This is Christ's church at stake and You know, they have to answer before the

Lord every idle word that is both spoken and typed will come into an account and I Don't have to answer to them.

I have to answer to the Lord and it's my job to be obedient to him I can definitely lose sight of that and and when

I see comments come in See that that's for you're talking about dehumanizing What I think the pandemic has sought to facilitate is a dehumanizing of people where they can just fire things off on the internet that they wouldn't do face -to -face and In a biblical manner

So everyone is just talking and making a judgment on the situation But it's it at the end of the day.

It doesn't matter because they're not grace life I have not been called to minister to them to care for them.

Obviously if they contact me they need help I'll do my best to help them but All that matters to both

James and I is the health of the church that we've been called to minister to you That's that's the priority for us.

Yeah, indeed indeed Well, how are your boys doing? How are they?

Handling this area. Yeah Yesterday was really hard on my oldest.

He I Think he has a more accurate picture of what is happening

So it's hitting him a little bit harder my children are very I've guarded them from a lot.

So they don't know the negativity. I see Isaac knows like My oldest one

He knows there's heat and and he has a better idea of the picture of things and I think that's why it's him a little bit more but he you know since I What like I've been growing my babies with church history and missionary

Biographies and the cost of knowing Christ and this is hard and this is probably the hardest thing

Or maybe it's not the hardest thing Maybe this is just the the beginning of of what's happening in our world

But that he knows that God is doing this for his glory and that he needs to be refined my youngest though Because he's more sheltered from the situation

He has moments where he like misses his dad obviously and there there has been tears

But he just doesn't know all of the other stuff that's flying around so and he shouldn't he shouldn't have to carry that burden at this point

So there They're sorrowful, but but rejoicing. I mean our church family has taken such good care of us since this happened and writing the kids letters and telling them what what the

Lord has done through his ministry and That's encouraged them. But I think it's just you know, they've sat under their dad's ministry for 11 years he's trained them for this and So they're as prepared as they could be

Yeah, right, right. I mean who's really prepared for this. Yeah I think

I mentioned in my first video, you know, we've all had this as believers We've all had this kind of general understanding that at some point persecution is a possibility

But it's always been kind of a distant, you know that that happens in other countries in other parts of the world

Not here not in not in the West But here it is and And I tell you if you don't have a good doctrinal foundation

When this stuff comes you're not going to be prepared for it not that any of us are fully prepared for it, but you certainly won't be equipped to handle it and But boy, y 'all y 'all certainly have handled yourselves in such a wonderful magnificent Christ honoring way

I'm just like Lord. Don't don't let me blow this you've been training me Thank you showing me who you are don't let me

I need to see more of him though like my my life has been more loved to thee

Oh Christ, and so this is he's brought brought the knife and in his faithfulness he's afflicting us and I I know him, but I wanted to know him more and this

He's brought for us to love him more and to rip the sinfulness away from us to be more like him

It's painful and that is cut deep. Oh gosh. Yeah, I can't imagine.

I really can't Aaron I don't want to ask you to preach here's your husband's sermon, but I Thought his sermon on and I'm getting let me ask this first I guess when he preached on Sunday February 14th from Romans 13

And that's the text that deals with being in submission to the to the governing authorities

I'm guessing he preached that knowing that in all likelihood that was gonna be his last time in that pulpit for the you know

Foreseeable future correct. He kind of yeah, he didn't know he didn't know what the cons He didn't know like he knew that he was already under arrest.

He knew he was breaking the undertaking He knew that Arrest in jail was very real that we just didn't know

One way the other but it was definitely yeah, he knew every Sunday he preached

I think he was thinking is this my last sermon? Oh, yeah okay, and So what would you say to those who say?

The governing authorities were commanded to be in submission to them and The governing authorities have told us that we we've got a limit our church gatherings to 15 %

We've got to do this got to do that. So By going against that You're going against what

God says in Romans 13 for those who have not yet heard James sermons

What would be your kind of bird's -eye view? What has

James said about that yeah, I think well he goes back to the garden and just the

The role that God has given us as human beings created in his image to Have dominion over the earth and he's given us certain mandates and the government's responsibility is to Give us freedom to do the things that God has called us to do because so many people want to say like The government is right.

The government is right, but so much of what they're saying goes against God's Word Not only in worship you have people who are can't work.

Well God's Word says if you don't work you don't eat And so and so there's things that they're asking us in the mandate to do that are directly against God's Word and it may not

Be personal for somebody but when you have a health order in place That's keeping people from their

God -ordained means of providing for their family Worship and that's a serious thing.

So the government was never meant to They're God's ministers, they're there to Uphold the freedoms of people so that they are free to worship

God They're there to punish you the evildoer and and praise the person who's doing good

So when you start when you have a government that's reaching into the church

They they are not Upholding their role as lesser magistrates and There is a point in which people

Have to say like it's time to disobey the government And it's unfortunate that they haven't drawn the line.

And the reason why they haven't drawn the line is various reasons whether it's fear Whether it's just a misunderstanding of Romans 13, but again,

I think it just comes back to a low view of the gathering Which is fortunate so I would say just listen to James's sermon because he does so much better than We're just laying it out that there is a limit to government and that they're to uphold what

God has told them to uphold which is Not what they're doing. So yeah In fact just in listening to you

I think what I'm gonna do I'm gonna put the I'm gonna put James sermon at the end of this just so more people can be exposed to it, but Yeah, you're exactly right and the government is overstepping.

It's all authority is delegated, right? I mean it all Has its origin in God and God delegates authority and when a person or an entity

Oversteps that delegated authority then they've gone against the very one who gave them that authority in the first place and and The government doesn't have jurisdiction in the church, right?

That's one of the key things I appreciated about a sermon Well, Aaron, well, tell me tell me this

We're recording this on February 22nd Monday, so y 'all y 'all had church yesterday from what

I saw and from everything I've read It was to capacity and you even had what a hundred or so people

Sitting in their cars out in the parking lot that just couldn't get in because of the fire code, right? Yeah, I don't even think they were in their cars

We had tables outside with a speaker and we had some of our guys going out to serve Like tea and coffee and make sure those people who had come were we're being taken care of and I could hear the sermon

There was a lot of people outside From what I've been told but yes,

I have never Heard our church sing so loud in my life.

It was it was a truly bittersweet moment because Obviously James is not there

But grace life took a stand and she she's standing knowing that we don't we had

RCMP officers lining the street and they probably were doing that for our protection, but we don't know if we're gonna be arrested we don't know if we're

Our pastor Jake is gonna be arrested. We don't know if we're all gonna be fined. So we don't know what's happening

We're just gonna we're just gonna worship the Lord because he's worthy and then we're just gonna take the consequences of that so Just the

Lord blessed it The word went forth with power He preached

Philippians 1 27 through 30 and our role and how are we to respond to?

Everything that's happening and walking worthy of the gospel just proclaimed Christ. I think we had about a thousand viewers.

His sermon has already Reached I think five thousand in a day, which is not that's unheard of for our church.

So So What we care about is just the gospel and there was

Unbelievers at our church because a lot of people want to support us in in what we're doing for freedom, but that's not our primary

Purpose that's that's the secondary cause of just what

I believe is basic obedience to Christ So It was amazing it was amazing day it was bittersweet for sure

I Left I was so exhausted and I think I left at 430 and there it was still packed

Really? Yeah. Yeah, praise the Lord. What an encouragement that is

What an encouragement it's been for us for Kathy me just to see y 'all's witnessing What a courageous stand for Christ, you know

MacArthur has helped so many of us in taking the stand that he has Against the officials out there in California, but it hasn't escalated to the point where obviously that it that it has with y 'all

But So you alluded to it, but I guess at this point like you don't know and at any point they could maybe next

Sunday They'll come and and arrest your other elders. I mean, you just don't know at this point what's gonna happen

No, no, they could contact even during the week and arrest him Yeah, anything could happen we don't know every

Sunday we're just so thankful to be there because we don't know if it's gonna be our last so Yeah Yeah, well

Well, what can what can we do to help? What can I or our viewers anybody watching this video that wants to help?

I? Know you I've heard you say that your attorney is working pro bono But do you do you and your family have any?

Physical needs what what can what can folks do? As of right now, we don't have any physical needs our church has so that they have taking care of us

We are we are blessed. I think well, there's just Prayer is so massive in this maybe pray that we get a new building

Because we don't want to have to put people outside So we maybe a bigger facility, but I think the biggest thing is

Pray for men to really consider This issue this this is a defining moment in the life of the church and we need to be praying for men

I'm getting messages all the time from people. I wish my pastor would take a stand I wish my pastor would take a stand.

I wish my pastor would take a stand and they're all flowing in And so praying that men in Alberta and Canada will will take that stand for Christ and for his bride

We are great hearing of churches that are slowly opening And people are sending letters to their pastors and sending

James's sermon I think circulating the sermon is a really big thing For people to listen to it and just understand and have a sound theology of the role of government and And then

I think it's the the safety of our church that the Lord would protect them Never quite seen spiritual warfare like this and now they're starting to try to create various narratives like there was a

We had a peaceful protest outside of the jail on Saturday and it was beautiful. There was singing the gospel went out

And it was a really great day, but then there was another

Rally at our legislation legislator bill legislation building and a riot broke out and there was about a hundred cops from what

I understand and they were trying to blame us and So they're trying to pair us with like white national groups

So they're just trying to spin the narrative. It's absolutely evil and So I just I don't think

I've quite experienced The the spiritual battle on the level that we are and we just can't worry about that We just have to keep being faithful and that the

Lord deal with all of that But it's evil. This is an evil nation and when even when

I think about a chess this is a this is a health service that murders over a thousand babies a month

Far more than kovat ever could and so When we think about the fact that they're like we care about life.

We care about life. Okay. Well, why are you still? Murdering babies you've just put in place More access to assisted suicide for the elderly who are being isolated and don't want to live anymore because no one's coming to visit them you know, we just have a government that has given the

Nobel Peace Prize to a man who not only Made abortion possible in Canada, but made it free for all so there's no laws for abortion in Canada You can have an abortion even live abortion is a gray area from what

I've read So it is just it's dark I think like We knew

Alberta was a spiritually dry place But I think this has really shown us how dark this nation actually is and how corrupt it is.

So Yeah, just pray for protection for our church I think that's the biggest thing that people can do is just pray for us pray that we would be a light pray that the

Gospel would go forth And then pray for other men to really consider Their opening their churches because you know

Canada's starting to say well, there's new variants There's new variants and these variants are are worse than the than the first one and you're just going well

Is this gonna last for how long? I know No, I know exactly.

I mean Yeah, we heard from dr. Fauci. I think yesterday that we may be having to wear masks through 2022 and I Really think this has become more far more of a control issue than it is and we really care about your health and well -being

Issues. Yeah. Yeah, you yeah, it's it's so sad I think even when you think about the gathering and I think about young children,

I try to always connect with the babies in our church and the toddlers and making those relationships with kids so that they know that when they grow up like Auntie Erin is somebody that they can come to and Making sure that I'm dialoguing with them.

So when you're on livestream all of those opportunities To you know be a

Titus two woman or or a man that's leading younger men Those are are taken away because it's not only people who come to you with problems you're developing relationships with people on Sundays and I have all these little kids coming to me and telling me stories and So when we're not gathering that that stuff's not happening

And so that younger generation is gonna be starved if we don't like what all

I had the most The saddest letter that I read They were praising the

Lord that they found grace life They were so hungry, but in the process of the lockdowns and church being online

Their son walked away he doesn't want to come to the church because they just didn't take it seriously enough and so he just thought well

He doesn't have to he doesn't have to go so he doesn't Once in a while, but not so that's sad to like we start child because of the the live stream just not taking it seriously

It's a thing. Yeah. Yeah Well Erin, thank you so much for your time.

I tell people often that I'm not a pastor. I'm an evangelist.

I travel and preach and teach I I face challenges, but I don't face the kind of challenges that a pastor faces and I have so much

Appreciation and respect and love for all of our faithful Shepherds out there who are laboring away

The vast majority of them in anonymity. Nobody knows about them But they're they're doing the

Lord's work and I thank God. I truly thank God For the witness of your husband

James and now the other elders there at the church are stepping up to the plate I'm so grateful for them.

Please know that we are praying for y 'all and I know that many many others watching this video will be as well

Yeah, may God bless y 'all there, thank you, yeah, thank you

Thank you for your time with us and any any last parting thoughts that you'd like to leave us with It's open open your churches

Sing your heart out Okay, oh what what is

As best, you know, what is the next kind of what are you waiting on legally? What's the the next thing that the next step that you're hoping to in relation?

Oh Wednesday James has They'll set his trial date.

Our lawyer is pushing for the earliest date We can get which which is the first week of May, but the crown is attempting to move it to mid -june so And then we're trying to get our appeal heard to drop his conditions

Hopefully by the end of this week, so we hope that that goes through That's that's like the greatest thing that could happen is his appeal goes through but I don't know yeah, besides the trial, you know, he could be in there until mid -june and then

Depending on what the judge wants to do. There could be a sentence or they could It could just end this all

I mean the crown at any point can drop the conditions. So Oh, maybe another thing that you can do is

Like just write our government and say like, what are you doing? Yeah This is

I know our premier it has listened to James's sermon because he said this isn't

This isn't time for a libertarian sermon in the middle of a pandemic and you're thinking. Oh Missed it about being libertarian

Even know what that means. Yeah No The God of this age is blinded the minds of them which believe not it's yeah.

Yeah well, we will I don't know how much weight a letter from us an

American Its name is Jason Kinney, correct? You're facing Kenny. Yeah premier.

Yeah. Okay, which is not the Prime Minister, but premier of Alberta Alberta.

Yeah, okay And he's conservative We voted for him really yes

Thanks a lot Okay Well Aaron, thank you again so much.

May the Lord richly Bless you and your family James and your sons and may his

Grace sustain you. I know that His strength is made perfect in weakness.

His grace Will be sufficient easier said than done, but but we stand on that promise from Scripture.

Yeah Thanks, Justin. Thank God. Bless y 'all. Thank you Are you gonna end the recording or do we

Yeah, let me Yeah, I'll stop recording

Well, thank you so much Joe and team for leading us in song this morning. So faithfully and powerfully

It is a rich rich joy and pleasure to bring to you the

Word of God this morning And obviously we've been in John chapter 10 working through John's Gospel and there's a portion at the end of John 10 that we still haven't yet covered, but as I Anticipated this moment.

I I felt something else was needed and I wasn't entirely sure what that was but as the week progressed it began to kind of crystallize and Here we are

So we're gonna be a little bit off the map today not in John And I've got a bit of an introduction here to kind of set the table a little bit

I Think we can say this that this particular time in history has exposed some deficiencies in the broader evangelical church

For one it's exposed a deficient ecclesiology Ecclesiology is the study of the doctrines of the church and encompasses everything from what the church is to the essential elements of worship

And what's apparent at least to me is that the church today has a very low ecclesiology

Where virtual church is not only fine. It's a wonderful evolution of things and Related to that is to a deficient approach to Scripture That unless Scripture explicitly states certain things there's total freedom on how we fulfill its commands and so unless Scripture states quote

Thou shalt meet on Sunday in one gathering in person ensuring that all interaction takes place within six feet of the other person without a mask and with some kind of physical expression of affection whether it be a hug or a handshake end quote we're off the hook and It typically goes like this

Scripture doesn't explicitly say and And this is coming from pastors from the overseers of the corporate gathering

Scripture doesn't explicitly say and so the government isn't commanding us to sin and therefore we must obey and what that reveals is a deficient approach to Scripture and Ironically it might even betray a legalistic

Approach to Scripture that unless Scripture Explicitly says something

I'm under no obligation to do it So why is that deficient?

Because it fails to recognize that the God intended implications of a passage are binding it doesn't have to be explicitly said as students of Scripture were under obligation to heed its

Implications and that requires a much more careful and thoughtful reading of Scripture You see it's too much to ask that Scripture would speak explicitly to our current situation

Now it does speak to our current situation both implicitly and explicitly but given the unique setting we find ourselves in much is addressed by way of Implication and that requires again an intensely careful and thoughtful reading of Scripture third

I Believe our circumstances have exposed a deficient theology of persecution

We seem to have an incredibly narrow and historically ignorant view of what persecution actually is

We seem to think Persecution is only persecution when it's directed exclusively at the church and That unless the church is being persecuted it must obey government

Now developing a robust theology of persecution is beyond the scope of what I intend to do today But I think we need to understand that persecution often results from doing what the state forbids

That obedience to Christ is the catalyst for persecution and So you don't wait to be persecuted to obey

Christ. It's your it's your obedience to Christ that results in persecution

You see some give the impression that if we were being persecuted that only then would it be right for us to gather?

Which is a strange position Especially since all you need to do is is Obey the government comply with government to avoid persecution if you comply with the government you may never be persecuted and Really what that does to say that that only if we're being persecuted are we to gather as we currently are

You're basically saying that it's right to gather Implicitly you're saying it's right to gather

That that according to the Word of God if if Persecution were on the church, then we would have an obligation to gather.

So you're admitting that it's right to gather. I think that's amazing

Because now if you say well, we're not going to gather because we're not being persecuted You're not doing that out of biblical conviction at this point in time.

You're doing that out of some kind of pragmatism to to uphold your your testimony in the world

Which I hope isn't seeking the approval of men or avoiding the disapproval of men

But let me just say this Whether or not we're being persecuted makes

Absolutely, no difference to me I don't think that I could care any less about whether or not this meets the definition of persecution

That doesn't even factor into the equation for me, that's not the basis upon which

I'm doing anything I'm doing what I'm doing in obedience to Christ I am quite content to let the

Lord Jesus Christ himself decide whether or not this is persecution He promises that those who are persecuted for his namesake will be blessed

He's the one that blesses and I'm content to leave that in his court. My responsibility is to be is to obey

Christ, correct? Amen Doesn't matter whether this is persecution or not, that's irrelevant

Irrelevant doesn't even factor into the equation and connected to this deficient

Theology of persecution I believe is a deficient knowledge of history both church and secular

We are awful historians myself included and That makes us incredibly susceptible to deception both theological and political

Why do you think they want to rewrite history? Why do you think they want to change the curriculum in schools?

to make us stupid To make us more gullible That will fail to see what's really happening fail to be able to see what's what's really taking place in this day and So we need to become better historians

You as a congregation Need to get into history. You need to start reading history one book at a time

Exposing yourself to what has taken place centuries past to equip yourself for the present

But the deficiency that I want to address today it relates to the role of government

The historical time we're in has revealed both a deficient and inaccurate theology of government and It's deficient for at least two reasons one.

We've simply had it so good for so long We've simply had it so good for so long and therefore haven't had to think deeply about this aspect of theology

It's a muscle. We just simply haven't worked and To as I've already said

We're ignorant of historical theology Because theologians of the past thought deeply about these things and we haven't significantly enough and sufficiently enough exposed ourselves to their writings and So to begin a conversation today that seeks to address this deficiency.

I want to turn to Romans 13 Only I want to look at it from a different vantage point you see instead of Focusing primarily on our response to government.

I want to focus on the government's God -given duty What is the God -ordained role of government and can't we even ask that question?

And so there's a sense in which this sermon is addressed to the government The government needs to be informed of its

God -ordained purpose And if we the church don't inform them who will we are the pillar and support of the truth

We are the the priests of God to mediate his word to this earth this world

And therefore we have a responsibility of informing the government of their God -given duty

And so we'll certainly touch on aspects of our response to government but the main goal Is to highlight the

God -ordained role of government and so If you would open your

Bible to Romans 13 if you haven't already And let's go ahead and read Verses 1 to 7.

We're going to be only looking at verses 1 to 4, but let's read verses 1 to 7

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God and those which exist are established by him therefore

Whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God And they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves

For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil Do you want to have no fear of authority do what is good and you will have praise from the same

For it is a minister of God to you for good But if you do what is evil be afraid for does not bear the sword for nothing for it is a minister of God An avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil

Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection not only because of wrath but also for conscience sake

For because of this you also pay taxes for rulers are servants of God devoted themselves to this very thing

Render to all what is due them tax to whom taxes due custom to whom custom fear to whom fear honor to whom honor

So the goal of our time Is to further develop our theology of government to assist us in navigating our ever -changing world and lord willing

To even inform the government of its god -ordained role And so if you're taking notes jot down first the source of governmental authority the source

Of governmental authority this comes out in verse one Look at it.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities Now, what does it mean to be in subjection?

Just briefly it means that we're to arrange ourselves under the governing authorities to be submissive to them

Now does submission? demand obedience typically yes

But it's important to note paul doesn't write every person must be obedient to the governing authorities

There's certainly overlap between submissiveness and obedience But obedience almost demands more and obedience doesn't take into account that there are times when we simply cannot obey the government

And scripturally speaking we know there are times when we can't obey the government

For example, there's shadrach meshach and abednego daniel three who refused to bow the knee to the golden image

And we have the examples of the apostles that we just read about this morning who declared we must obey god rather than men

And so then is it possible to be submissively or rather simultaneously Submissive and disobedient to the government at the same time.

Can you be? Submissive to government while simultaneously practicing civil disobedience all at the same time and the answer is yes

We absolutely can we can practice civil disobedience while maintaining a submissive posture you say how by humbly?

Subjecting ourselves to the consequences of our civil disobedience Look, we recognize we're not the government

But we have a responsibility to christ and when that responsibility leads us into conflict with the government

We have to bear up under that conflict graciously humbly submissively

But nevertheless, we have to bear up under it They have the right before god to do whatever they believe is right

They will be held accountable for that and when they act unjustly god will settle the score at the end of the day

But nevertheless, we can absolutely practice civil disobedience while maintaining a submissive posture

How do we do that? By entrusting ourselves to him who judges righteously first peter 2 23

And it's important to note that practicing civil disobedience in one area Doesn't mean practicing civil disobedience in every area

And so it's only at a particular point that civil disobedience would need to be practiced

So, how do we decide when civil disobedience is necessary How do we decide when civil disobedience is necessary well, let me give you three categories

These are helpful one when the government forbids what god commands when the government forbids

What god commands for example forbidding the preaching of his word? Can't comply with that two

When the government commands what god forbids When the government commands what god forbids for example commanding worship of a golden image

Can't comply with that and three When the government commands what isn't theirs to command critical?

When the government commands what isn't theirs to command? for example the terms of worship for a local church

You can't comply with that not their jurisdiction They have no no jurisdiction at this juncture

So we cannot comply with that three categories that call for civil disobedience

But all of that of course is geared toward our response to the government and we want to home in on the god -ordained

Role of government and so we're going to do that in the next part of verse one where the reason For being subject to the governing authorities is given look at it next part of verse one

For there is no authority except from god and those which exist are Which exist are established by god?

So the reason we're to be subject to the governing authorities is because all authority is from god

That means all authority originates with god Which means all authority is delegated authority and that means the governing authorities are accountable to who?

to god In other words the governing authorities have a stewardship from god for which they will be judged they are not autonomous

They are not sovereign They are servants of god verse five deacons of god

And servants are always accountable to their masters And so what must they do to faithfully discharge their duty?

They must govern By the standard by which they will be judged They must govern by the standard by which they will be judged, which is what?

the word of god They're going to be judged by the word of god They're accountable to god and therefore they must govern in accord with the word of god

Now how many governments actually know they're accountable to god Do you think our government knows it's accountable to god

Not likely and if it does It is suppressing the truth in unrighteousness.

Romans 1 18 And whose role is it to inform them i've already said it whose role is it to inform the government of its god -given

Responsibility or to call them to repentance It's the church Why because we've been entrusted with the revelation that spells all this out

In fact if the church refuses to fulfill this role and function then it's walking in negligence

A negligence that's incredibly unloving Why because those who are walking in?

Governmental misconduct are actually storing up wrath for themselves for the day of judgment

By not informing the government of its god -ordained role and not pointing out when the government is at a step with that role

And by not pointing out that they are actually governing unjustly. We are not loving the government

These are individuals human beings who are accountable to god who need to be confronted

With their sin in order to realize they need to be reconciled to god through the son.

Jesus christ you see complying with unbiblical

And unjust government laws is neither faithful nor loving Affirming the government has an authority.

It doesn't actually have is neither faithful nor loving It doesn't demonstrate true love for those in authority.

It doesn't demonstrate true love for our neighbor It doesn't demonstrate true love for the church. It doesn't demonstrate true love primarily for the lord.

Jesus christ The church of all institutions has this obligation to call the government to its god -ordained duty

Now, how do we do that? And this is where things get a little more difficult Because there are many benign ways to call government to its duty.

You can write your MLA You can write your premier Maybe a little less benign you can do an open letter that gets some visibility

And there are more confrontational ways for example, you can take them to court

And enter into a legal dispute with them But you can also do what we're doing

By meeting we're testifying the government has no jurisdiction here Not with regard to our worship

And so by simply being open and by garnering the attention we have which is not our choice, but it has come

We're showing the government they've overstepped their authority Regardless of whether their excuse is a so -called pandemic or not

And so by obeying christ in this way, the government is being forced to consider what their authority actually is

And it's facilitating opportunities like this to testify against it Now it's important to understand that as we look at what we're doing as a local church

It's obedience to christ that's driving this it's theology that's driving this it's ecclesiology

That's driving this jesus Is the head of the church? He is the supreme authority over the church and he governs his church

By his word and our responsibility is to ensure that his word governs the church

But by doing what we're doing we are also loving our neighbor And that too obeys christ

And in addition we are loving our government because we are testifying that it's at a step with its god given rule

And that too is obedience to christ You see what this season really does and I think you'll see this as we keep going this morning is it it broadens the picture

You want to compartmentalize spiritual life and what it means to follow christ? And pull that back out of the public place the public sphere and live your personal walk with jesus christ all by yourself

You can't do that and be faithful This is our father's world

We're here as salt and light. We're his Representatives on the earth just for the record by the way, the media continues to talk about faith leaders

I haven't got the foggiest idea what a faith leader is Just please I am not a faith leader

I am an ambassador of the lord. Jesus christ. I'm a herald of the king of kings

I am here with a message from heaven. I am not a faith leader, whatever that is

I didn't intend to say that but nevertheless So listen it's theological

In the context of ecclesiology, it's theological in the context of loving our neighbor It's it's theological in the context of holding government accountable all of it is

Bound up in the word of god the whole thing Now I have to admit

That historically I haven't been very politically involved I've voted

I've certainly preached the word which has unavoidable political implications since the word addresses biblical morality

But that's about it And so you might be going well james what's changed? I mean you seem to have changed your position on this whole matter of your involvement in quote -unquote politics well for one i've got to Evaluate whether or not i've been negligent

It's possible that i've been negligent That I have not been fulfilling my god -given responsibility

I've got to evaluate that I've got to consider that But here's the fundamental difference

For the first time in my ministry the government is reaching into the life of the church

That's my domain That's the domain of the elders here at grace life church That's the lord jesus christ's domain

Attempting to dictate to us the terms of worship Is not the government's jurisdiction and I refuse to give the government what isn't theirs caesar has no jurisdiction here

So by recognizing that god is the source of governmental authority things begin to open up a bit

Government is accountable to god and will be judged by him and will be judged in accordance with god's word

And since we've been entrusted with his word we have a unique responsibility whereby we must call government to its god -ordained duty

And doing so can not only be done while maintaining a submissive posture. It's among the most loving things we can do

That's the source of governmental authority second If you're taking notes jot this down the limits of governmental authority the limits

Of governmental authority look at verse 2 therefore whoever resists

Authority has opposed the ordinance of god and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves

So here's the logic verses one and two Everyone is to be in subjection to the governing authorities

This is due to the fact that government authority finds its source in god and therefore Everyone who resists this authority opposes the ordinance of god and will receive earthly condemnation from the government

But there are some questions that need to be asked at this point. For example Is all resistance to the governing authorities opposition to the ordinance of god

Is all resistance to the governing authorities opposition to the ordinance of god we would have to say no

See the apostles See shadrach meshach and abednego we understand that but how about this?

Is every government law an ordinance of god? Is every government law an ordinance of god?

We would have to say no otherwise when government orders An evil unjust law god would be ordering evil

So no when the government orders an unjust law it is not an ordinance of god god does not order unjust laws

Or in a similar way this Do all government laws come with the authority of god?

Do all government laws come with the authority of god again? We would have to say what?

No Since their authority is delegated to them their laws must be consistent with the law of god right

Or how about this when the government says we can't meet as we always have does it come with the authority of god?

When the government says we can't meet as we always have does it come with the authority of god?

Are we opposing the ordinance of god? If you say we are then you're essentially pitting god against god

That god is currently contradicting himself And I realize at that point you might say but this is a pandemic

So these are extenuating circumstances and if you said that you would be wrong on two fronts one

It isn't a pandemic and two you have a deficient theology of government You don't understand the role and function of government

And I want to see if I can address that And this is going to dovetail with what we'll see next and what we'll see next is the purpose

Of governmental authority, but the the limits and purpose Of government authority go hand in hand

The god -ordained purpose of something limits it And therefore we're going to see in a moment the government has a particular lane

And to begin this discussion, I want you to turn to genesis 1 Genesis chapter 1

Verses 26 and following This describes the overarching kingdom mandate given to mankind at creation

And this transcends every Legal document that governs a land.

So this is this is this transcends the charter And in fact,

I would say this that the constitution I think according to its founders sought to actually uphold what we're going to see right now

Genesis 1 verse 26 and following then god said familiar passage

Let us make man in our image according to our likeness And let them note this rule

Over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky And over the cattle and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth

God creates man to rule over the creation Verse 27 god created man in his own image in the image of god.

He created him Male and female he created them Verse 28 god blessed them and god said to them be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it

And rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth

So god gives to man the unique responsibility To exercise dominion over the earth to rule and subdue the earth

What this is is an inalienable right given by god to man

It's an undeniable right and by right I mean authority god has given to man the authority to rule and subdue the earth and that comes with certain freedoms

The right to life that is the right to live the life that god has given to you up until he takes it away the right to work

Yes in giving to man The responsibility to rule over the earth work is a fundamental inalienable right man

The bible says you don't work. You don't eat Work is a right given to man by god the right to have a family the right to be with your family

The right to be with your family when they're dying That is a god -given right

An inalienable right the right to acquire property To possess property to own that property

That's part of ruling and and and and subduing the earth it's part of exercising dominion over the earth

Now to do that effectively what is absolutely critical if man is going to rule over the earth and exercise dominion

And carry out his his his inalienable god -given rights. What does he need?

Especially in a fallen world He needs government Why? Government is in place to protect those inalienable rights the purpose of government

Is to facilitate mankind exercising dominion over the earth

The government is fundamentally there to make sure that we can fulfill our mission to subdue the earth

To work to worship To to be fruitful and multiply

The government is a god -ordained institution Put in place to ensure law and order and to protect these god -given

Rights or this god -given authority And so government is actually vital

To man fulfilling this mission, especially in a fallen world now one of the earliest times if not the earliest time

That government is implied is in genesis 9. So turn there And it's implied in relationship to murder

Genesis 9 6 The consequence for murder is put forth and that implies government because someone would need to enforce

The consequence for committing murder Genesis 9 6 whoever sheds man's blood by man

And we could assume by way of implication government His blood shall be shed for in the image of god.

He made man So as clearly or as early as as as genesis 9

We have by way of implication a clear reference to government. The death penalty is set forth in genesis 9

Now fundamentally What is that protecting? If government is to institute exercise implement the death penalty

Against someone who commits murder What does that protect? See you might be thinking well, it protects life.

Well, it does but not the one who was murdered The one who was murdered Is already dead

So it's not protecting them but it does It does provide a a law that is to prevent and restrain murder from taking place

And so it's not primarily protecting life What's it protecting?

Rights the right to live Another human being does not have the right to take the rights of another individual through murder

See, this is really critical if you believe government has the responsibility to protect life

Then you are like buttoning up a shirt with the you know, the wrong button and you're going to get the whole thing wrong

Government's responsibility is to protect rights of which life is only one

But it's a package deal they have a responsibility of upholding all of the inalienable rights given to man by god again, the death penalty

Functions to prevent murder which in turn protects a person's god -given right to life

At least until god takes it away So again, this is critical to understanding the limits and purpose of government man is made in god's image

God has given to man the authority to exercise dominion over the earth and this invests him with Certain inalienable rights to accomplish that end

And to facilitate this god puts in place government and its responsibility is to protect these these inalienable rights

So that man can accomplish his mission in order that it would be a minister of god to you for your good romans 13 right

If government does its job To ensure that your god -given rights are protected.

Are you not going to delight in government? if government Facilitates you fulfilling your mission in life in exercising dominion over the earth

Through through employment and and provision for your family and having a family and all the rest of it

Are you not going to love and delight in government? Of course you are Government doesn't grant these rights instead government is obligated by god to recognize these rights

Government does not impart these things. They're already ours by god government

Must recognize them Now that sets clear limits on government authority

Because when government begins to get in the way of man accomplishing his god -given mission. It is no longer functioning as god intended

Instead of that it's facility instead of instead of instead of functioning that way It's failing to facilitate the kingdom mandate that we have and is oppressing it

And what that does? Is it sets the table? for the purpose of government

And really to critique whether or not government lockdowns are consistent with The god -ordained role and function of government

So if you're taking notes jot down third the purpose of government the purpose of government

Look at verse 3 of romans 13 back in romans 13 now It says therefore rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil

Do what? Do you want to have no fear of authority do what is good and you will have?

Praise from the same for it is not for it is a minister of god to you for good But if you do what is evil be afraid

For does not bear the sword for nothing for it is a minister of god An avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil

So as we would expect the purpose of government based on what we just saw is to praise good behavior

And avenge evil. What's the obvious question? Who gets to determine?

What's good and what's evil? Whose prerogative is that who defines? Good and evil and the answer should be obvious both from romans 13 1

And what we just saw in genesis god does god determines what is good and what is evil and he does that by his word

You see even if you take the 10 commandments alone The second half of the 10 commandments. It's easy to see how they relate to the kingdom mandate.

You shall not murder Which touches what the right to life? You shall not commit adultery

Which touches what the right to family you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor which can expose them to liabilities and even death

You shall not steal Which protects a person's property and possessions

And That paul has these things in mind Is evident in verse 8 and following look at it

Oh nothing to anyone except to love one another for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law

For this you shall not commit adultery. You should not murder. You should not steal You shall not covet and if there is any other commandment it is summed up in this saying you shall love your neighbor as yourself

As paul is setting forth romans 13 and the call to submit to government and even dealing with the issue of good and evil

He has the law of god in mind And so good and evil aren't defined by the ever -evolving whims of culture good and evil are defined by god and that Reinforces the obligation of government to govern in accord with god's will again

An obligation for which they will be judged And so the limits and purpose of government are clear

And unmistakable the role of government is to protect the undeniable rights given to man in the garden

And it fulfills this purpose by upholding law and order punishing evil and getting out of the way

Amen so with that let's place

Government lockdown measures under the microscope of god's word question

Is it the government's responsibility to protect us from a virus? Is it the government's responsibility to protect us from a virus many want to say yes

Believing it's their responsibility to protect life, but but that's not the government's responsibility

Especially given the fact that doing so actually infringes on undeniable god -given rights like the right to work the right to worship

Again the right to be with your family when they're dying In some cases the right to life

I would love to be wrong on this But with good credible information

If an individual in the hospital right now undergoes a cardiac arrest a nurse

Must put on full ppe prior to administering cpr So someone is having a heart attack

And they got to put on full ppe before they minister cpr to that person In some cases the right to life

And you might think but but what about war? I mean isn't the government to protect life in the context of war and and if it is

Doesn't that make the protection of life fundamental to its responsibility? But even then

The government's responsibility in the context of war is to protect rights

Of which life is one War ought to take place to protect inalienable rights see world war ii for example

And so to this question is the government's responsibility To protect us from a virus. No, we live in a fallen world

Viruses are inevitable in a fallen world and it isn't the government's responsibility to protect us from a virus

What's their responsibility to protect our god -given rights? in fact

When you listen to our government As they talk about these lockdown measures.

They talk about trying to balance the infringement On our civil liberties with the harms stemming from the lockdowns

That's pretty significant our government acknowledges publicly that there are harms

That are a result of the lockdown measures Let's let that stick in for a little bit

Now if they are trying to balance our civil liberties

Against the the harms stemming from lockdown measures. They are out of their god -ordained lane

They are they are stepping into a lane that is not theirs in effect

They are seeking to play the role of god Why Because implicitly they're deciding who gets to suffer

And what's its justification for doing so? That our health system could could become stressed might become overwhelmed

Can't say will Because it hasn't happened yet And there's no guarantee that it will could become overwhelmed might become stressed

And again, what's amazing is that our government actually acknowledges the harms

Of lockdown measures they recognize there are harms resulting from their actions and I want you to feel a weight of this

Is the virus the government's fault No to our knowledge

Our government has no responsibility No culpability with regard to the presence of the virus and so if someone should die from covid19

Is the government culpable? No We live in a fallen world viruses and death are inevitable

A virus is unleashed on the world. God is sovereign over that virus The effects of that virus are not the government's responsibility

They do not have the responsibility to protect us from the virus There's no culpability when someone dies from covid19

But what if someone dies as a result of government lockdown measures

Is there culpability then before god? I would say there is Why because they're out of their god -ordained role

They're no longer functioning in accordance with their god -intended purpose

And therefore the harms that result from their actions actually fall to them as their responsibility

Where they're going to have to give an account for those harms to god that's significant

We're just talking about alberta right now Broaden it to the whole world where most of the governments of this world are in lockstep in the way they're handling this

So -called pandemic And so what should the government have done?

at the beginning Should have equipped albertans

With the best information they have And protect their inalienable rights to work to worship

To be with family To live the risk of the virus falls to who

The individual The individual Gets to assume their level of risk with regard to the virus

Not the government. It's not their role It's not their function. It's not why god put them there

You say well what if the health care system ended up actually being overwhelmed well look that's

Incredibly difficult That that is no doubt a crisis That that is something surely to to look at soberly and consider soberly

But god is sovereign And government needs to stay in its god -ordained lane

And they're not going to like this answer But you trust the lord and you do everything you possibly can to meet the need when it arises

You take other steps To to account for that possibility

While still protecting the the god -given rights of mankind And and that might even require

Leaning on the general public To get involved in the health care system to serve their neighbors

In the event that that things got stressed Look, i'm willing to get in there

If our hospitals are going to go and burst the seams i'll get involved I'll serve our neighbors

I'll put myself in the in the line of fire on that wouldn't you? That is a much more humane

Honorable glorious Solution for mankind to really come together should we get to that point?

instead of this False sentimentality where we're all in this together now Now let's say you're the premier

And taking that approach is political suicide What do you do? I mean you survey it

If you are aware of your god -ordained role and function And you go if I do that i'm going to commit political suicide

What do you do You die a political death You have a responsibility

Before god and to the people of alberta who have elected you to put your foot down and stand

And protect their god -given rights Amen, that's what you need to do Now there are examples of this this kind of governance

You ever heard of governor christy noem south dakota She would be a breath of fresh air for you

I like to call her a rock star I'm saying christy noem for presidency 2024

Hey, if you can't find a man who's courageous enough to take the helm appropriately and rightly then i'll take a woman

Give me christy noem I'm gonna get myself in trouble here Now it's interesting our premier just recently wanted to Talk about the death rate and how the death rate is greater in south dakota than it is in in alberta

Jason, kenny's responsibility isn't to govern the death rate He's not responsible for the death rate

That's not his responsibility. God is responsible for the death rate He's responsible to to protect our god -given god -ordained inalienable rights

And so what does this mean for government? Our government needs to repent

Our government Needs to repent if there are believers in our government

They need to repent and they need to begin to stand up for what's right Believers everywhere need to start standing for righteousness

And and calling the people above them To the right standard

Even calling them to repentance and those who don't know christ in government They need to turn from their sin and believe on him

They are storing up wrath for themselves for the day of judgment There is a judgment coming

And it will be unleashed with the full fury of god's wrath And those who are in government right now have a responsibility a heightened accountability

They have a god -ordained function. They are a minister of god and they are going to be held accountable for the way they carry that out

And if they do not repent Of the way that they are currently conducting themselves. It is not going to go well for them

And it's not too late It's not too late put the politics aside

Forget about what's happened to this point in time deal honestly with the situation I would just appeal to the government

God is gracious and merciful slow to anger if you would just confess your sin

Acknowledge that you've come short of his glory look to his son the lord Jesus christ who went to the cross and suffered under the wrath of god for all who would ever believe on his name if they

Would just understand that god is merciful if he says come let us reason together That if they would understand that god is gracious and merciful that they would come unto christ

And be forgiven and cleansed and washed The whole record of any guilt against them totally taken out of the way then they're given a new heart born from above and they have everything they need to stand for righteousness and begin to Appeal to those who are with them above them to do the right thing

What about law enforcement? Law enforcement needs to stand for righteousness

Law enforcement needs to say to their that the people above them. No, i'm not going to do that No, i'm not going to write that ticket no i'm not going to arrest that pastor

No, i'm not going to put that person in jail If they have that responsibility they need to do that and by the way

They're out there We've been reached out to by rcmp and other provinces already

There are men that are willing to stand There are men that are in the rcmp that are trying to get their comrades to see things differently to wake up and smell the roses

We've got an edmonton police service officer in the building right now in this congregation

So Law enforcement needs to say no Needs to do the right thing

Needs to take a stand Well, I appreciate you sharing that.

Um for those of you tuning in online, we had a gentleman just stand and Uh just expressed that at this point in time though.

He was once a peace officer. He no longer is and um that um

That officers at present are currently violating the law by doing some of the things they're doing thank you for that.

I appreciate that You know, one of the challenges here is um

Many of our neighbors, I mean we can see it online this past week. For example, many of our neighbors

Uh hate us You know want us dead Um want us locked up And I would just say this that I'm putting my life on the line

And i'm doing that even for those who hate me There are people in our Precious province who can't stand me and want me dead

And i'm willing to put my neck on the line for them And I would hope that god might use that in some way to reach them for christ

Because what i'm doing here is is a a minuscule Fraction Of what christ did for me

When he died for me while I yet hated him While I was yet a sinner while I was in hostility to him

And so I would just say this To the public of alberta if you hate me That's okay

I'm gonna put my neck on the line believing that i'm doing the best thing I possibly can for you regardless of what you think About it

And that's love of my neighbor, which is exactly what the word of god commands me to do. Amen Amen So let's try and bring this home the source of government authority

Is from god The governing authorities are accountable to god and god will hold them accountable in accordance with his word.

There are limits on government authority And that's because government authority has a particular purpose a role and function that goes all the way back to the garden

Where government is in place to uphold and protect our inalienable rights

Given to us by god And therefore the government at present needs to cease with its attempt

To mitigate the spread of the virus through lockdown measures and begin To protect the rights and freedoms of the people of this province

And more importantly than that And what I would want even more than that Is that they would come to a saving knowledge of the lord jesus christ.

In fact if you're here today I need to proclaim to you the good news And the good news is only good news

Because there's bad news The bad news is you were born in sin You came into this world dead in trespasses and sins your heart

Came into this world hostile to god hostile to his righteousness hostile to his son truth be told

You hate god coming into this world And if you are outside of christ, then you hate god now your indifference

If that's where you're at is hatred toward god. It's hostility toward god You are being indifferent to your creator the one who gives you right now life and breath

And so what god did? Here's the good news. He sent his son to take upon himself human flesh to live a life under The law of god the law of his father and he obeyed that law in every respect

He was tempted in all things as we are yet without sin And in obedience to the father, not only did he live a perfect life

He went to the cross to offer himself as a sacrifice for sin, but you need to understand it wasn't the crucifixion

It wasn't the the physical suffering that made atonement for sin. That wasn't the issue that was horrific enough

It was that the father Treated the son On the cross as though the son had committed the sin of all who would ever believe in his name the perfect eternal unblemished obedient son

Was treated on that cross as though he were guilty of the sin of everyone for whom he died

After accomplishing that he gave up his last breath on his own authority Went into the grave and on his own authority rose from the grave came to life

And is now seated at the right hand of god and now The proclamation the message of christ given to you this day by an ambassador of christ is that if you would turn from your sin

If you would turn from your sin and believe on the lord, jesus christ if you would come to christ

If you would enter through the door that is christ if you would enter through the narrow gate You will be saved

You will be imputed with the righteousness of christ that means You will be clothed with his righteousness

Given a perfect record of righteousness to stand before god holy and blameless.

You'll be given eternal life Where you will begin even now to experience the life of god in your inner man as you're being

Transformed into the image of christ and that life will just carry you into Eternity when you die in this and leave this body and enter life to come

And you have hope everlasting joy everlasting You will be in the presence and glory of the savior for all of eternity

Which by the way is not merely a a spiritual existence It is a physical reality new heavens new earth new glorified bodies fit for eternity

Where you're going to get to work And and and have relationship and worship freely

Exercising all of your god -given rights In honor and glory to him and so if you don't know him believe on him this day

Receive the savior And be saved Let's pray Well father, we just commit this all into your hands

We thank you For the privilege That you've given to us to be here this day

Father we thank you for what you have given us by way of responsibility What you have given us by way of Obligation Even in calling the world to repentance our government to repentance

And father we pray that if it be pleasing in your sight and if this proclamation

Be faithful to your word That you would allow it to go forth and bear fruit

And accomplish a great work both in this province And this nation

So father we give you the glory We're here as willing servants We trust you

And we entrust ourselves to you For you are great And there is none greater

It's in jesus name. We pray Amen well, thank you music team

For leading us Oh Great is thy faithfulness

Never has there been a day in history when god has not been faithful And he continues

And he is faithful here And he is faithful with our brothers and sisters all around the world

We can be so thankful I uh,

I have to say that i'm very uncomfortable when people stand up and and clap and so I realized that that was an expression of your love for the lord.

Jesus christ And um, we can be so thankful that we can be here this morning

Tens of thousands of people Have been praying for us.

I have absolutely no doubt about that. We've heard from congregation after congregation across canada

Throughout this province. We know that many have decided that they're going to open their churches

And we pray that that would continue we pray that that The church would see its faithful response to open because of what the lord jesus christ has done for us

I want to also welcome those on live stream I realize that we probably have a number of uh of people tuning in not only from from grace life here

But also from across canada around alberta and and certainly around the world And you've tuned in to again

Support us, but you've also come to Come under the teaching of god's word this morning and this morning will be in philippians chapter one philippians chapter one

And specifically the last four verses of philippians chapter one now

I have to say that um Prior to attending seminary in los angeles

I had been watching the senior testimonials that the master seminary puts out So these are men in their graduating year and they testify to the faithfulness of god

God how god brought them to the master seminary from all around the world from virtually every nation around the world how god then took them and delivered them through their time in seminary

And then even as they would anticipate what the lord would have in store for them next they would testify to the goodness and faithfulness of god and it was in listening to these senior testimonies that There there was one thing and you may find this to be uh,

A little bit odd, but there was there was one thing that really resonated with me one

One One thing that several men said that I I really desired specifically in when

I was looking for a seminary and many of the men said that The lord had provided a brother in seminary to come to them and to rebuke them when they saw sin in their lives in seminary

And I thought this is remarkable That that they would be so thankful for that and I I sought that certainly

And that really appealed to me To to know that I would be among brothers

That would hold me accountable That would urge me to continue to live faithfully for Christ who is worthy

And so I desperately wanted to attend tms and the lord made that happen now

I say that Because I know that in scripture. The lord has commanded that exact action that we are to be

Teaching and admonishing one another and we read about that in colossians chapter 1 verse 28 where we see

We pre proclaim him Admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom so that we may present every man complete in christ

And this is the work Of the church. This is a part of our fellowship and it's a vital part of church life

It's it's certainly not an easy task, but it is a necessary one And the reason why

I bring that up is because just as pastor james addressed the government And laid out the duties of government last week

I want to shift the focus here a little bit because he he he pointed out several

Deficiencies in theology and he pointed out that he believed that there were churches that were missing

Implications that we find in the word of god And as a result, it's taking them in a in a different direction

And in a direction that we would say is is not faithful And so my purpose this morning is to shift the focus from government to the church to the local churches to the church

That has been purchased by the blood of christ acts 2028

And there's a truth That there are fundamental attitudes and behaviors characteristic to the christian and certainly evident in the christian church

Certainly these fundamental attitudes and behaviors must be present then among local churches

And I would say that If a church is not adorned with the gospel Then she is an unfaithful church

And she is in need of repentance And now

I know it's certainly true in our generation we've entered into a most difficult time

For those of us here I don't think that we know of a time when the church has faced a greater or more divisive issue than the one

That we've seen in her proper response what her proper response should be to government encroachment

And our beloved pastor Has clearly exegeted romans 13 to help us understand this government overreach

And those sermons and our position are posted on our website and you can certainly feel free to visit there um

The word of god has been clearly explained Our theological positions are are clear

As our As is our desire to be citizens here in in alberta certainly and be responsible with that And we feel a responsible response is to love our neighbors by Making sure that the gospel goes forward to make sure that those who are the ambassadors of jesus christ

Are constantly being fed so that they can go out continually week by week into the world and testify to christ

So as we've journeyed through these 11 months For me certainly and i'm sure for for you as well

God's word has consistently been bringing clarity to the stand that we've been taking

And affirmation after affirmation from god's word has come Certainly, it's not just one

Argument. It's not just based on the authority Of christ as head of his church, although that is prime our primary stand

But there are so many other details That have that have been made clear

And it's also been interesting to see some of the parallels that we can draw from scripture The church has seen many a pharaoh around the world reject god's messengers

And at the same time increase the burden on god's people to ensure That they would serve him and not god

And pharaoh has certainly sent his taskmasters we've had Ahs and rcmp officers in our in our building here virtually every sunday

We've been videotaped and shortly after each service, there's a there's a report that is issued to us, but it's also to equip the courts with a with Ammunition for an affidavit against us

And this has been in an effort to try to bring us into compliance With the burden that pharaoh wants to place on us

I would say that the the church has also seen ahab's and jezebel's as as As god's men have cowered

Right like elijah did in in scripture when he was threatened by jezebel And yet Certainly this week, but long before this week.

We also have been reminded that god has his 7 000 And they have remained faithful and they have not bowed their knee to another

And we can be thankful for that. We are strengthened by that. Certainly I've been reminded of of jesus's trial

And even the trials of the apostles as false charges were placed It in as evidence against them

And certainly we've seen that take place as well Hearing that our pastor just simply doing what he has done for faithfully for the last decade of his ministry

And now to be deemed as a danger to the public and to this province to be seen as a threat

For doing nothing different than he's done for 10 years plus It it it baffles the mind

We've seen our premier and a bureaucrat Behave like pilot and wash their hands of the injustice but most troubling for me

Has been the response of professing christians Who have handed over the headship of the church?

to the province's premiers and unelected chief medical officers

I've heard church leaders ask I've heard church leaders in this province ask our premier and the chief medical officer

Will you allow us to sing? Would you be willing to give us 30 percent?

Will you allow us to teach our children in sunday school? It's shocking to hear church leaders first praise these people

For what they're doing and then to ask allowances of them And perhaps it's more shocking to see that they have the audacity to answer those questions

That they think that they can give those allowances I'm reminded of acts chapter 12 and herod

God wasn't so patient with herod was he? And disunity and division in the church continues

And disunity and division in the church continues Many of us have experienced brother betray brother Many of us have been chastised by other professing believers

I've heard many a professing christian read this online as well. Say that pastor james is simply

Encountering some self -afflicted self -inflicted suffering And that this is certainly not persecution

And some of those same people i'm certain that if it was another political party in office in this province their tune would change

I'm here this morning to say christian. You need to check your allegiance And paul writing from prison in rome provides believers

He provides the church with the litmus test Now one of paul's reasons for writing the church in philippi is to exhort the body of a joyful To exhort the body to a joyful and unifies life in christ

And he does this He encourages this pursuit despite the threats of persecution as we see in the letter despite pride and ambition despite false teachers that are applying pressure against the church

And despite even their own material needs And so our text this morning in verses 27 through 30 of philippians chapter 1

This this appears as one long sentence really it's one imperative In the greek that paul is giving to us

And it's an imperative that he places on believers while explaining exactly what fulfilling that obligation should look like And so just to lead our way up to the text here.

Let me just give you just a simple and short outline of Of paul's letter here

We see in the first 26 verses That paul urges joy in persecution

And also he stresses that christ is our life Christ is our life and then in the next section

He He commands unity He commands unity in ministry

And he points to christ as our example and he does that from chapter 1 in verse 27 where we find ourselves all the way to chapter 2 and verse 30

And I would say at the same time that paul's command in this paragraph Results also in a sharp plea for unity among those who say they belong to christ

And so let's read the text here, please follow along in your bible Starting with verse 27 of philippians chapter 1

And paul writes Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of christ

So that whether I come and see you or remain absent I will hear of you That you are standing firm in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel

And in no way alarmed by your opponents Which is a sign of destruction for them

But of salvation for you and that too from god For to you it has been granted for christ's sake

Not only to believe in him But also to suffer for his sake

Experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me and now here to be in me in our text here paul using an imperative

Instructs christians to live in a certain way which will be clearly manifested in their attitudes and behaviors

And we shouldn't say in their individual attitudes and behaviors but in their collective attitude and behavior

And i've titled this sermon Are you living in a manner worthy of the gospel?

So my outline will be simple three parts First we'll see the demand of living

In a manner worthy of the gospel we'll see this in the first part of verse 27

There's one simple command there for us And then secondly We'll see the description of the manner worthy of the gospel of christ

And there we'll see the life characterized by certain traits And we'll see that in The latter part of verse 27 all the way through to the end of verse 29

And then finally we'll see the difficulty of gospel living And we'll see that in verse 30

Where we'll we'll see that this is while it's a gifted life that we've been given even to suffer

It's a life marked not marked with ease it's a life marked with hardship

And so first the demand of the living with of gospel living the demand of a gospel life

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of christ So that whether I come and see you or remain absent

I will hear of you And so paul is stressing something of singular importance here

Right, we see that in the word only he really wants us to focus on one thing in this paragraph

How are you as the one saved by the gospel of christ to conduct your life

How are you to lead the christian life? Well paul uses a the main verb here which the nasb renders as conduct yourselves, right?

This word is a derivative from the word polis meaning city it even can refer to One's citizenship within the polis within the city

And so literally he's saying here and the philippians would understand this he's saying live as a citizen

Live as a citizen Now paul is is calling the church to practice responsible and loyal citizenship

But there's more to to what he's implying here He understands that Those in philippi are closely connected to rome and there's even a bit of a pride

In them ingrained in them because they're roman citizens. It's a privileged status that they enjoy

And christians would be able to make this connection As they hear him say this

But also understanding what he has already instructed them and we

For our own sake we gain clarity to this in chapter 3 in verse 20 of philippians

Where we read for our citizenship is in heaven So there's a connection that we need to make here

We need to understand that he's really telling them that they need to apply the values the lifestyle

Even as they were proud of their roman citizenship that they need to View themselves as a citizen of heaven.

This is the imperative So you live as a citizen of heaven

And not only that but then live in a manner worthy in a worthwhile manner of that citizenship

Paul uses the same term in in his letters to the churches in colossus

Colossae and also in thessalonica And he he uses this term right in a manner worthy

He often is talking about the walk right the christian walk And so he uses it to describe the acceptable walk of the believer

And now we can we we need to understand that We are being commanded to conduct ourselves in a certain way

And so there's an implication here that there's actually Manners that would be unworthy of the gospel that we could walk in And that's what he's warning about here.

That's what he wants to bring to the surface How how does this life? a life

That is conducted in a manner worthy of the gospel. What does that look like? Well Paul certainly has an objective standard in his mind

And this is a this is a standard that cannot be tampered with We don't mess around with what paul is saying here.

We don't we don't change anything here we need to understand that Although he has referenced he's made reference of dogs and evildoers and those of the false circumcision

These are false teachers and pseudo shepherds that he describes early in chapter 3

These are these are those that are trying to encourage philip those in philippi to walk in that unworthy manner

But he's calling them to walk in the worthy manner And so for us it's critical to understand to fully comprehend

What is this worthy manner that paul? is talking about And it results from this worthy manner results from and is fashioned after the gospel of christ

He's telling us to live according to the good news found only in the lord.

Jesus christ only in the gospel A manner worthy of the gospel

So we need to take a moment here and just understand what is this gospel that he's talking about Right.

It's this gospel that has brought us here this morning. It's this gospel that fuels our soul

It's god's good news to man And we see this this gospel described even in jesus's ministry in luke chapter 4 and verse 18.

I invite you to turn there luke chapter 4 And verse 18 now jesus has entered into the synagogue

He's picked up a scroll And he's reading from the prophet isaiah

And he he reads these these words Which are found in isaiah 61 and isaiah 58 respectively

So starting in verse 17, we read and the book of the prophet isaiah was handed to him

And he opened the book and found the place where it was written The spirit of the lord is upon me

Because he appointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind to set free those who are oppressed to proclaim the favorable year of the lord

What a glorious passage this is describing jesus's ministry, this is the reason why he came

It's the fulfiller reading about what he is about to fulfill It's about christ's accomplished work

And it has everything to do with the father's redemptive plan Which is the greatest news?

You can go and click on any website that you want You will not find greater news

You can open up any newspaper. You will not find greater news You can turn to any media channel and listen to hours and hours

You will not hear greater news than the news that Jesus has just read from isaiah

And immediately we're confronted with some realities here Immediately we're confronted with a realization that man has a need

We see in these verses that there's poverty There's captivity there's blindness and there's oppression

And at the same time we see That the spirit has anointed the work of our lord.

Jesus christ to address each of these needs He is sent to preach

Sent to proclaim release to give recovery

To set free and to set free friends God sent his son to save sinners

Plain and simple Isn't it interesting that our pastor sits in captivity?

In a jail north of edmonton And yet he set free

And then those that are free Those that have placed restrictions on us are in essence those who remain in captivity

This is a wonderful truth that god would send his son to set the captives free

And we pray for those who remain in that captivity We desire that the lord would give us an opportunity to present the gospel even as I saw some of the pictures

Yesterday from the rally and seeing some of the brothers proclaiming the truth This is our desire that others would come to this realization

But they can only come to this realization If they hear the gospel proclaimed

They need to hear the gospel proclaimed This is a gospel about the spotless lamb of god the perfect sacrifice

To take away the sin of the world according to john 129 And yet we we know that This same lamb was despised and forsaken of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief according to isaiah 53 3

And so we see that god sent a suffering servant And yet He gave of himself

He was determined to give of himself Determined to give us his affection And he healed the sick

In fact, he came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many mark 10 45

And it's in our lord. Jesus christ that god demonstrates his love his own love toward us and that while we were yet sinners christ

Died for us So we see the needs of man being addressed in only one way and that is through sending the savior

To pay the penalty for sin a penalty that we could not pay This is a gospel that's sourced in god.

If we try and write it we would write a different gospel We would make it simpler. We would make it easier on us.

We might even make it fun But god hasn't done that This is his gospel

This is not our gospel and it's a gospel of grace. It's a gospel of unmerited favor

There's nothing that you could do to earn it your salvation You could walk a hundred old ladies across the street and it would count for nothing for nothing

It's by god's grace alone And it's a gospel of power

This is a gospel capable of regenerating the dead heart of man

For in it the power of god unto salvation to everyone who believes for in it is the power of god unto salvation

To everyone who believes is what paul writes to the romans in 1 and verse 16

It's an effectual gospel right it's powerful it's effectual

And it results in man's regeneration turn to ephesians chapter 2

Let's take a look at ephesians chapter 2 This is an effectual gospel

Ephesians 2 in verse 1 says and you were dead in your trespasses and sins

That does not sound good But take a look at verse 4 but god

You were dead But god did something right back to verse 2

In which you formerly walked according to the course of this world According to the prince of the power of the air the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience but god

God did something right To take us out of that We too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, but god saved us

But god made us alive together in with in christ We indulged in the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature children of wrath

But god God effectually Saved us

Ephesians 2 and verse 8 Indicates that this is a gift. He's gifted us faith

And not only has he gifted us faith But then second timothy 225 says he's gifted us with repentance as well faith leading to repentance

So this is a gospel sourced in god It's a it's an effectual gospel.

It's a gospel of grace Unmerited favor. It's a gospel of power. It's also an exclusive gospel.

Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life There's no other way

It's the biblical jesus that saves right Let's not get confused with the historical.

Jesus. The historical. Jesus is is has been manufactured to mean different things to different people

We believe in the biblical. Jesus And the biblical. Jesus is the jesus that saves

And he is the only one that saves He is the only way to the father

He is the only way to be reconciled to the father there's no other way And all of this has been accomplished

Through his death in his resurrection Galatians 2 and verse 20 reads I have been crucified with christ and it is no longer

I who live but christ lives in me And the life which I now live in the flesh.

I live by faith in the son of god who loved me and gave himself up for me

Now it baffles me why would any church Why would any church?

depart from this gospel Why would any church rather allow the government to dictate?

How you're going to conduct yourself? No conduct yourself in a worthy manner of the gospel

Why would you allow the government to? hinder the advancement of the gospel

We are obligated to proclaim this gospel Matthew 28 19 and 20 we we see that commission that's been given to us

It has to go out It's the only way man is saved Nothing should get in the way of that nothing should hinder that Nothing should hinder this gospel of love.

It's the grace of god. It's the mercy of god poured out on sinners and we know and hear clearly

Those of you here those of you on live stream If you confess with your mouth that jesus is lord and believe in your heart that god raised him from the dead

There's a promise You will be saved You will be saved But that's the only way

And we need to understand that It's this gospel that that Talks about the regeneration of heart

Where we're bought brought into union with christ We're justified our sin placed on him

And then there's an exchange that takes place Our sin is imputed on him, but his righteous life is imputed to our account.

It's credited to us Not only that but we're adopted and as we're adopted we're given an eternal inheritance

And From that moment on we are continually being sanctified And at the same time we're simultaneously being preserved ultimately heading toward final glorification

Why would we not want to preach that Why would we why would we try to hinder that in any way?

Why would we actually preach anything else? It's this gospel that saves

And it's no wonder then that paul says in verse 27 of philippians 1.

He says only conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel

And you can see Where the church might lose some steam if they interpret it this way

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of current ahs health restrictions That's going nowhere

That's not something that saves So let's let's not lose our focus here.

Let's not be found dancing around a golden calf let's

Conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of this gospel and let's proclaim it every opportunity that the lord presents to us

And paul tells us to live this way whether he's With the philippians or whether he's absent from them

He says it doesn't matter this is the way that you live as a citizen of heaven you live according to Conducting yourself in a manner worthy of this gospel

Now I know grace life delights in this gospel This is a gospel that's proclaimed here

Sunday after sunday lord's day after lord's day, but not only that it's a gospel that's proclaimed in our bible studies

It's a gospel that's heard in the fellowship even after we depart from this worship service we

We take such great delight in this gospel because we know what is done for us

And as we mature in our faith We only take greater delight. We only receive greater satisfaction from Sharing what the lord has done in our lives

But we do know that other churches there are churches that work towards other ends There is the preaching of themselves

There's not preaching christ and him crucified To them. It's not a matter of first importance

But we need to understand How paul viewed this? This was a matter of first importance to paul

In fact, he says in in for in philippians one a little bit earlier a little bit before our text

He says to live is christ And to die is gain his life revolved around christ

Around nothing else And so we should expect to see from someone living

In a manner worthy of the gospel. We should expect to see certain things and this brings us to our second point

So we've just seen The the demand that's been placed on us conduct yourselves worthy of the gospel of christ and now the second point is the description

Of living a manner worthy of the gospel. This is a life characterized by certain traits

But what are those traits? What are those characteristics? What are those qualities that we ought to be seeing? Now these are the these are the traits that paul was eagerly anticipating to hear from timothy as he sent them out

He's waiting for his report back He wants to hear is this going on in in the in the lives of the philippians in the collective life of the church

So follow with me in middle of verse 27. Let's let's take a look at The this description remember this is all one imperative, okay?

Conduct yourself now. He's going to describe what that looks like So that whether I come and see you or remain absent

I will hear of you That you are one standing firm in one spirit

That two with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel

And that three in no way alarmed by your opponents Which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you and that too from god

And then finally fourth For to you it has been granted for christ's sake not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake so we see four aspects of this life

Of a life conducted according in a manner according to the manner worthy of the gospel

So first paul describes this standing firm and we need to understand that the the term here that paul is

Is using is a plural term. Okay. It's plural. He's talking about he's not saying stand firm to one person

He's saying stand firm church stand firm people

Okay, this is a position. This is remaining firmly committed to one's convictions

This is being unwavering this is being very principled This isn't open -mindedness

Rather, this is a a tenacious Steadfastness that he's describing here and it's fueled by the gospel

Now paul's life most certainly exemplified exactly this manner of living right

And he wasn't he wasn't motivated by a pursuit of rights and freedoms No, he wanted to proclaim the gospel certainly

Certainly he appealed to his roman citizenship But that was only for the advancement of the gospel to give him another audience that he could proclaim it to right, so we need to understand this that this is this is

This is important and this is the the attitude That needs to be prevalent

And so it requires our conscious effort We and we see this in In first corinthians actually where paul after giving much correction to the corinthian church

He exhorts them to to exactly this listen to this in first corinthians 16 and verse 13

Be on the alert Stand firm in the faith Act like men that's a whole sermon unto itself right there

Be strong he finishes with right This is the conduct

This is what that conduct in a manner worthy of the gospel looks like but let's not miss the modifier here either

Right. He says stand firm, but there's more Stand firm in one spirit This is a collective attitude as i've already said and this is no doubt fostered by unity

That's only made possible through the holy spirit This is a gospel driven church it's unified in their stance because of christ's saving work

And they stand firm They're unanimous in their in their view why

Why are they unanimous in their view why are they Why would they conduct themselves in this way

Well, we already know we've heard the gospel It's because christ is worthy Because he's the he's the object of our faith

And he is worthy of exactly this conduct And isn't it true christian

That the fact that christ is worthy as i've already said increases The delight that we take in him the delight that we have in him as we mature you know

Now Ange and I made it Guess how many weeks it took us before we yearned fellowship so much

Back last march when when we were, you know, essentially told stay home.

You can't come to church So we went by first sunday seconds third sunday It was excruciating

It was over it was done. We we couldn't bear it any longer And so I don't

I don't have a clue why anyone Who's been saved by this gospel? Would remain content and say it's all right

We can wait until the church gathers again. We'll just continue on zoom.

We'll continue to meet virtually I I don't understand. I can't wrap my mind around that kind of thinking

I want to be with the people of god I want to be in corporate worship

I want to be rubbing elbows together with the brothers and sisters I want to be hearing the testimonies of the people

And I want to be proclaiming the good news lord. There's so many times That we encounter people even on a day -to -day basis

If we're not practicing this gospel Then how are we proclaiming this gospel?

And so we need to be unhindered in our corporate worship No restrictions placed on that God has never delegated the government to say your church can only be this size

They have no business there And also There should be

No restrictions placed in any way that would hinder the church from the great commission

Let's take a look back at the text here Notice Notice without I'd like you to notice this right so without standing firm in one spirit.

We actually can't do the three that follow that Okay track with me here How will you strive together?

How will you strive together If You're not standing firm in one spirit or how will you face opposition?

If you're not Standing firm In one spirit or how are you going to possibly endure the suffering?

If you're not standing firm in one spirit if you're not taking this on together

Corporately and so we see a second trait here that that paul is describing He says with one mind strive together for the faith of the gospel

And paul uses a compound word here. It's pronounced soon athleto

And it literally translated means competing together Okay competing together when we compete we usually think we're competing against people.

But here he's saying we're competing together So there's a a teamwork here and this again is a plural

Uh a plural word. So he's talking about a group obviously This is teamwork

This is this is a unified struggle that the church finds itself participating in And it's what the gospel requires

Now apathy is not something that characterizes the believer some might say

You don't really need to be with others to worship right you don't need to be with them

I Can worship god with my feet up on the coffee table This is what people say they're apathetic

But what does the writer of hebrews say in the context of worship does he say don't worry about forsaking your own

Assembling together. Is that what the writer of hebrews says? Not at all The bible says let us not forsake our own assembling together

So contending is necessary Stimulating one another to love and good deeds

Is necessary. There's no room for complacency. There's no room for lethargy.

There's no room for slumbering And certainly there's no room for any person that calls themselves a shepherd that would facilitate this

We need to think of paul's ministry We've been given so much of paul's ministry in the new testament

What did his ministry look like certainly it didn't look like anything that i've just described there

We need to be imitators of him He struggled for the gospel

He contended earnestly for the gospel He was constantly locked arms together with his brothers in ministry

This was the pattern. This is what he's describing exactly here Now given the implications placed on the local church globally

I'm, not sure that there's a more critical time in church history for the church to be striving together for the sake of the gospel

I've heard it I i've heard that it said that it's most difficult to evangelize somebody who professes to believe

Right, they think they're already saved And you see clearly there's no fruit being Being born in their life, right?

There's there's clear evidence that something is amiss And they're incredibly difficult to evangelize

Well, I think the same can be said for the church For a church that's gone wayward for a church that's no longer focused on the gospel

You know, we we read about these churches in revelations What did christ say regarding laodicea and its lukewarmness

He said he'd spit him out so we need to be

Heeding the words of scripture we need to not fall into just a complacency or even fall asleep

And we need to urge our brothers and sisters and that's what we've already done this morning and continue to do We want those churches opened

That's the only place where People are going to find salvation.

They need to hear the gospel proclaimed You need to be a gospel proclaiming church and so Paul really is stressing a unity here that revolves around that there is one resolve.

It's harmonious There's no one out of tune in this. Okay, you don't have one church.

That's off key Everybody together for the gospel

And and paul again to the corinthians he writes now I exhort you brethren by the name of our lord jesus christ that you all

Agree that there be no divisions among you and that you be made complete in the same mind and the same judgment first corinthians 1 10

Then in second corinthians when he's defending his ministry He tells that same group

Be like -minded Why is paul calling for harmony? Why is he so insistent on this?

well We see in ephesians 4 He he he wants this in order that we would walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you've been called

And that we would be then diligent to preserve that unity of the spirit in the bond of peace but but pastor jake but pastor jake

You're not being diligent to preserve the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace You're just not you're speaking against the church

You're speaking against local churches. I should say we need to pay attention here to the participle that Paul is using he's saying competing together

Competing together. What does that look like? Would the holy spirit lead the believer away from the practical aspects of fellowship for close to a year

Is that the work of the holy spirit? Would he urge you to stay away physically from your brothers and sisters in christ?

It makes no sense And I could find no satisfaction in that as a believer So we need to pay close attention to what paul is describing here

Let's take a look at the third trait here living in a manner worthy of the gospel now this is

Where this is where he's saying let's just pick up the verse here again let's go back to Verse 28 he says in no way alarmed by your opponents, which is a sign of destruction for them

But of salvation for you and that too from god so The christian's not alarmed

He's not alarmed by those who oppose him Paul here is describing a fortitude that's found in the collective of the church and they display courage amidst pain

They remain strong in the face of adversity They're not intimidated by their opponents

I've sometimes thought What would the apostles?

Say how what would their response be or what would the martyrs in church history say?

If they saw the western world And the christians that make up the western world

What would they say? You know, I I think they might say something like this

So let me get this straight You're not gathering because of a people a piece of paper

That's being threatened That you'll receive You're going to receive a piece of paper

That's what's keeping you from Really That's what's caused you to stop meeting the threat of government

But our church can't afford the fines. We'll have to close the doors Well, there's house churches there's there's very various ways that you can still continue to meet as a church

The point here that paul's making is that the believer's response is not controlled by fear, but rather by resolve

And we can we can say here open and honestly We are not afraid

We are not alarmed by our opponents. There is no fear in us Not in the least

And if they take one there will be another that will stand in his place And when he's gone another will stand in his place and will continue again and again and again.

Why? Because christ is worthy Because of this gospel

Has your life not been changed by this? Absolutely So we don't we don't suppress this in any way

But we have it go forward gospel proclamation Continues as long as the church isn't intimidated as soon as the church is intimidated

The gospel is hindered Not with us not with grace life and not with many other churches

And i'm thankful for all those words of encouragement that we've already received Many churches are standing and they continue to proclaim the good news of christ

And so this is a life that's aligned with gospel and it actually serves as a sign twofold right it should cause a warning to the opponents

To cause a warning that they are heading for destruction They need to open their eyes.

They need to Understand that there's a danger here. There's a warning being given to them And at the same time that strength in us

Is our assurance it's an assurance of our salvation. It's a clear evidence that christ is working powerfully in us and powerfully through us and so brothers and sisters friends churches

Let us not forsake the diamond that is salvation in christ

Let us not Let us not fear man But rather Let us proclaim this gospel

Now it would seem that Those protestant churches that have acquiesced to government

Actually betray church history and misplace their fear But jesus is clear

When he said in matthew 10 do not fear those who kill the body But are unable to kill the soul

But rather fear him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell

And so it's him that we fear It's him that we fear and as a result

We have no need to fear any other and then finally there's this fourth trait that we see and it's

This belief that's gifted to us. That's also then accompanied by suffering

And we read that in verse 29 where paul writes for to you It has been granted for christ's sake not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake paul's explanation here

Reaches all the way back to the imperative. How do we how are we to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel?

How are we to live as citizens of the gospel of christ? well We we do so by receiving these gracious gifts first We were given belief.

We believe on the lord. Jesus christ and here it's It's it's almost like it's assumed

Right the way it's written. It's not only to believe in him, but then there's an emphasis place but also to suffer for his sake

And so we need to pay close attention here It it allows the believer to identify here with the sufferings of christ

And peter writes exactly about this in first peter 4 And verses 12 and onward where he says beloved do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you

Which comes upon you for your testing as though some strange thing were happening to you But to the degree that you share in the sufferings of christ

Keep on rejoicing So that also at the revelation of his glory you may rejoice with exultation

If you're reviled for the name of christ you are blessed Because the spirit of glory and of god rests on you

Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer or a thief or evildoer or troublesome meddler

But if anyone suffers as a christian He is not to be ashamed But is to glorify god in his name

And so just as the grace of god abounded in christ's suffering

When believers suffer for his sake When believers suffer for his sake grace then abounds in them as well

And so suffering endured successfully then makes faith abundantly visibly obvious And it affirms one's salvation

Now the western world Doesn't know as i've been reading commentaries this week out of philippians

A number of commentaries say the western world knows nothing of suffering and persecution I think that they need to rewrite portions of Of those commentaries now,

I think the western world now is starting to see suffering starting to see the persecution

And so the western world hasn't really been prepared for what lies ahead

It hasn't been prepared to stand firm in the spirit To stand firm in one spirit collectively because we're in a very much an individualistic society right now

And so we need to um We need to address the deficiencies that exist in us on how to take a unified stance

What does unity in the church really look like? Unity Is not just getting along at all costs that that's not unity

Unity is being like -minded as a result of christ And so i'm thankful for the unity that we've had as elders and the unity that has been found in grace life

We are standing firm in one spirit, I believe But there's another Another exhortation that's poorly heated and that is to contend for the faith of the gospel as one person

Well We we find ourselves that in a in a time where the gospel is being watered down It's watered down by a liberalism.

It's watered down by a materialism and this is encroached into the church and Really when that happens it makes it a gospel that's no longer worth contending for right it's been altered so much

It's not really a message that we any longer would want to then the church would the local church would want to contend for or You know, sometimes there are churches that are so secluded.

They're so unto themselves that They they really can't contend earnestly for the gospel

They have no one else to walk arms with to help in the face of the pagan opposition that surrounds even their local church environment

And so these are all things that we need to take and pay close attention to so we've seen um the demand of the gospel

It demands us to conduct ourselves in a worthy manner of the gospel of christ We've seen the the it defined or described by these four things

And finally i'll just close here briefly We also need to understand that there's a difficulty that comes along with Living in the manner worthy of the gospel that difficulty is shown vividly in the life of paul

Paul We see him right as even as he's describing how he endured hardships

But how those served as a powerful example for the authenticity of his ministry He he writes in second corinthians this list of things that he endured through he says far more labors far more imprisonments

Beaten times without number often in danger of death five times I received from the jews 39 losses

Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned three times. I was shipwrecked a night and a day.

I've spent in the deep And i've been on frequent journeys In dangers from rivers dangers from robbers dangers from my countrymen dangers from gentiles dangers in the city dangers in the wilderness dangers on the sea dangers among false brethren

I've been in labor and hardship through many sleepless nights in hunger and thirst often without food and cold and exposure apart from such external things

There is the daily pressure on me of concern of all the churches

He even suffered out of a concern for the churches caused them to suffer It's incredible list

How many of those can we say we've participated in? I think we're entering into a season where that's going to become we may very well be checking off things on that list

But we can be Satisfied in that as well knowing that the lord has brought that about for a purpose in our lives in fact

The lord uses our suffering To save other people and we've seen that witnessed here again, even as grace life has been caused to suffer

People are being saved as they're coming under the proclamation of the word It's no different than the thief on the cross as he

Viewed christ's suffering and came to saving faith It's no different than the philippian jailer who saw paul and silas suffering in jail

And as a result of the testimony that they they gave He asked what must

I do to be saved? What must I do to be saved? Well, it's this gospel

It's this gospel that has caused paul in again in philippians To say that he counts all things as loss

Everything else is loss and this last week This last week for me and i'm sure for many of us

Has really been helpful And counting more things as loss than ever before It doesn't matter anymore.

It's rubbish as paul describes I count

All things to be lost in view of the surpassing value of knowing christ jesus my lord

For whom i've suffered the loss of all things and count them but rubbish So that I may gain christ

Let us have that attitude Let us have that exact attitude

Now I realize that there are people on live stream Tuning in maybe they were hoping to see a disaster today today

Maybe they're just curiosity, uh seekers, you know, they they wanted to see something

Maybe they're curious. What's this uh church doing in the news? Maybe there's some of you here that have come for that same reason maybe you want to Pound on your rights and freedoms and make sure that you're expressing that Maybe you've come here.

You haven't heard this gospel before I need to tell you you've been conceived in sin You have you right from the time you were born you waited to a moment when you could first sin when you could first Commit that first sin it was so ingrained in your in your being already your sin nature

And from that time on you've been self -seeking self -serving

And have continued in that way And it's an offense to god to live that way

Because he has created you and he Should be the object of your affection not yourself right

But he should be In fact coming to christ demands that we count the cost, right?

There's a there's a price to be paid We need to count all things as lost as paul has said

And so currently you're sitting here. You're online And you don't know this jesus.

You don't know the savior that god sent into the world to to go to the cross to have the sin of man placed on him because god's

God demanded a punishment for sin He demanded death and he's followed through on it

Death entered into the world And many people the majority of human history has gone to their demise

And few are saved But it's not too late for you

You can repent You can turn from your wicked ways. You can turn from your selfish desires

You can rid yourself of the pride But you need to come before the lord.

Jesus christ and say that he will be your lord. You need to surrender Everything to him

Your entire life And then you have to believe in him You have to believe in what he has accomplished on the cross

That it effectually dealt with your sin that god then has removed that sin from you

Your his righteous life has now been credited to your account And it's the only way

If you don't surrender your life to christ, you will die in your sin You will be eternally punished in hell

And god is faithful He's faithful to that plan, too Because he's faithful in everything

And so I would I would entreat you turn from your wicked ways Confess Jesus is lord

Believe in your heart that he raised him from the dead and You will be saved

You will be saved And if that's you I would love to talk to you

I would love for you to come and and talk to me. I would love to counsel you if you're burdened here this morning

And you need someone to talk to I would love to talk to you this morning Don't leave here if if if this morning you've heard the gospel and you're going my life is not right currently

Something is wrong and I look around here and I see the joy of these people And I see the strength of these people.

There's something about them. I'd like to tell you about that Don't leave Let's pray

Father, I thank you for the strength That you have given us I thank you for the resolve that you have placed in us and lord.

It's not of ourselves. It couldn't possibly be But we do know

That it's sourced in christ lord we are joyful We are joyful that you have saved us

It has become our delight And it's become our desire to proclaim

Christ crucified To proclaim that to the world and not only that but that he was raised from the dead three days later to defeat sin and death

And we too know that when we die We will enter into eternal life as a result of what christ has done for us

And we praise you god for that we exalt you for that redemptive plan

Father thank you for philippians 1 We pray for these churches that need to open we pray for these churches that need to return to the gospel

I pray that they would Father, I pray that you would place on the hearts of church leaders across this nation to realize that they need to return to what

The bible says They need to stop preaching themselves and start preaching christ

He is our only hope and that they Cannot have divided loyalties

Father I pray that they would That they would desire that today And that we would stand together strong Standing firm in one spirit

That we would be striving together with one mind That we would be able to not be frightened of whatever would come against us and certainly that we would

Believe and be able to endure the suffering as a result of that gracious gift that you've given us

Father thank you for These words we pray that you would help us to even this week

Conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of this great gospel this gospel of christ and it's in his name.