"Finding Hope Beyond Our Circumstances"

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"Finding Hope Beyond Our Circumstances"

"To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain"

November 10, 2024 • Daniel Kitchel • Philippians 1:12–26

Paul is in prison, chained for the Gospel of Christ. At this moment, he displays his deep love for the Philippian people and embraces his dire circumstances as an opportunity to bring Christ glory.

How do we get to the spiritual space like this? How can we suffer well?

Paul had hope beyond his circumstances. He knew that if he died, he would be with Christ forever, and if he lived, he would continue to serve Christ with his work.

His life was focused on two things: Making much of Jesus and knowing that this world was only temporary.

"Examples"

December 8, 2024 • Daniel Kitchel • Philippians 2:19–30

We need Christ-like friends. This means we need people around us willing to lay their lives down for us. In Philippians, Paul mentions two people by name, Epaphroditus and Timothy. He calls Timothy a son. He calls Epaphroditus a brother. These are deeply personal terms and give us a beautiful visual of a spiritual family. This type of family loves fiercely, has accountability, and looks to the best interests of others. Paul was invested in these two men. They, too, were invested in him. It was a partnership. Work was shared, and they had each other's backs. Friendship is a gift.

"Shine Like Stars"

December 1, 2024 • Daniel Kitchel • Philippians 2:12–18

If the church wants to be blameless and pure, Paul gives us simple instructions to get there: We must do everything without arguing, grumbling, or complaining. He taps into Old Testament history by reminding us how the Israelites acted towards God after being freed from slavery. Even though they had been unshackled from one of the most powerful empires the world has ever known, in a miraculous way, they failed to remember what God did when things got uncomfortable. Like them, Jesus has set us free from the power of sin and death. If we can see that, first and foremost, our complaining and grumbling will dissolve, and we will shine like stars.

"Thinking Like Jesus"

November 24, 2024 • Daniel Kitchel • Philippians 2:1–8

Two things can never be present for a church to be healthy. Paul says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit." In a practical sense, he says we are not allowed to strive for personal achievement in the church. It can never be about our own advancement. Seeking the good of others must be at the forefront of our minds. We are also called to set aside thoughts that we are better than others. Ambition and conceit have no place in God's house. We are to think like Jesus. He was humble and took the role of a servant. If we want to know how genuine our faith is, all we must do is examine how we treat others. The beauty of Christianity is that it works when we live it out as intended. It solves our greatest spiritual need and leads to a life of joy with others. The Gospel is true, and our lives should be lived like it is true.