God has ordained three key social institutions for the purpose of relationships; these are marriage, family, and the local assembly of believers, called the church. The church, also called the body of Christ, is God's source of relationships in a scope broader than that of marriage and family. It's where we develop relationships that sustain us and strengthen us, that provide more than any single family can. The church is God's way for us to be part of something much larger than ourselves, to give us a sense of identity and security in a world not always friendly to followers of Christ.
The New Testament word for relationships and synergy is "koinonia". We usually translate it as "fellowship," but it literally means oneness or partnership. And while the word is not used, the idea is found in such great verses as Hebrews 3:13, "exhort one another daily" and Hebrews 10:24-25, "consider one another in order to stir up love and good works exhorting one another". The apostle Paul founded the Philippian church ten years before he wrote this letter to its members. But his deep relationship to them is evident. In this letter Paul pours out his heart to his beloved Philippian brothers, using personal pronouns like "I," "me," and "my" over 100 times. He is not writing about himself, but about his love for the Philippian believers.
The Joy of God's People
May 25, 2014 • Pastor Danny Lovett
The Joy of Contentment
September 14, 2014 • Pastor Danny Lovett
Contentment is a highly prized, but elusive virtue. Though it comes only from being rightly related to God and trusting His loving, purposeful, sovereign, providence. People nevertheless seek it where it is not found - in money, possessions, power, prestige, relationships, jobs, education, promotions, or freedom from difficulties. But by that definition, contentment is unattainable, for it is impossible in this fallen world to be completely free from problems. In sharp contrast to the world's understanding of contentment is the simple definition of spiritual contentment penned by the Puritan Jeremiah Burroughs: "Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition". The Bible has much to say about contentment.
The Joy of Right Thinking
September 7, 2014 • Pastor Danny Lovett
A doctor who conducted a long-term study of worry discovered the following: 40 percent of the people worried about things that never happened, 30 percent worried about things in the past over which they had no control, 12 percent worried about their health even though they had no illness, 10 percent worried about family or friends though without substantial reason, and 8 percent of those studied actually had a legitimate cause to worry or be concerned. So more than 90 percent of the worrying was for no reason. But Paul said, "Even when you have legitimate concerns, don't worry!" Fortunately, Paul didn't leave the Philippians or us wondering how to go through life without worrying. He wrote out the prescription in the book of Philippians.
The Joy of the Peace of God
August 31, 2014 • Pastor Danny Lovett
Here is a proven prescription for unhappiness: let little things bother you, lose your focus, worry, be a perfectionist, always be right, be suspicious, compare yourself unfavorably to others, take everything personally, don't commit to anyone or anything, refuse to take the bad along with the good. If that prescription doesn't appeal to you, and I hope it doesn't, you can look with me this Sunday at how we can have the Joy of The Peace of God in our lives regardless of what we are going through. This Sunday we will look at three things we must do to ensure our joy and peace in the midst of our trials. We will be looking at Philippians 4:1-7.