Paul's favorite athletic metaphor is that of a race. He declared to the Ephesians elders,"But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). Reminding the Corinthians of the dedicated athletes who competed in the games the apostle wrote "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win." Paul expressed his fear that he might be running, or had run, in vain in Galatians 2:2, but we know Paul didn't run in vain. At the end of his life he wrote "I have finished my course, I have kept the faith..." (II Timothy 4:7). This Sunday, it is that metaphor of the Christian Life as a race, expressed in the familiar fourteenth verse of Philippians 3 that we will be focusing on. The title of the message is The Joy of Winning the Prize. God wants us to finish our course that He has given to us with joy.
The Joy of Winning the Prize
August 17, 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.