Mark Twain, famed author and humorist, wrote that few things are harder to put up with "than the annoyance of a good example." Perhaps the thing most annoying about a good example is our inability to accomplish the same achievements. Admiration for a great person can inspire us, but it can't enable us. Unless the person can somehow enter into our lives and share his skills, we cannot attain to his heights of accomplishment. It takes more than an example on the outside; it takes power on the inside.
Paul in the second chapter of Philippians presents Jesus Christ as our great example in the exercise of the submissive mind. We read it, and we agree with it, but how do we go about practicing it? Paul sets before us the divine pattern for the submissive mind and the divine power to accomplish what God has commanded. Philippians 2:13 says, "It is God which worketh in you". It is not by imitation, but by incarnation; "Christ lives in me"(Galatians 2:20). The Christian life may seem like a series of ups and downs, but it is more accurately a process of ins and outs. God works in, and we work out. We cultivate the submissive mind by responding to the divine provisions God makes available to us. This Sunday we will be looking at these provisions which allow us to be all that God wants us to be.
Real Christian Faith
July 27, 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.