_______ In Christ
June & July 2021 - Philippians
Content IN CHRIST (11AM)
July 25, 2021 • Dennis Whitcher • Philippians 4:10–23
On this fourth Sunday in July, we conclude our study of Paul's letter to the church in Philippi. Previously we learned about being Confident in Christ, Living in Christ, One in Christ, Obedient in Christ, Righteousness in Christ, Transformed in Christ, Joy- Filled in Christ. Today's message is, "Content in Christ." With all of those ways of being "in Christ" how can one not be content in Christ?. Can you be unhappy and still be content without passive resignation that your situation "is what it is"? Growing in contentment is not about feelings, it’s about faith. It’s not about what we do, it’s about how we think. What we know, what we practice, and what we prioritize shows up very clearly in our attitude towards what we are going through. Paul writes, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” and " And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Let's explore what Paul means by those versus.
Content IN CHRIST (9AM)
July 25, 2021 • Dennis Whitcher • Philippians 4:10–23
On this fourth Sunday in July, we conclude our study of Paul's letter to the church in Philippi. Previously we learned about being Confident in Christ, Living in Christ, One in Christ, Obedient in Christ, Righteousness in Christ, Transformed in Christ, Joy- Filled in Christ. Today's message is, "Content in Christ." With all of those ways of being "in Christ" how can one not be content in Christ?. Can you be unhappy and still be content without passive resignation that your situation "is what it is"? Growing in contentment is not about feelings, it’s about faith. It’s not about what we do, it’s about how we think. What we know, what we practice, and what we prioritize shows up very clearly in our attitude towards what we are going through. Paul writes, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” and " And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Let's explore what Paul means by those versus.
Joy Filled IN CHRIST (11AM)
July 18, 2021
In our summer series studying Paul’s letter to the Christians in Philippi (a Roman colony in the first century located at the north end of the Aegean Sea) we’ve arrived at chapter four. Paul has such genuine affection for this community of Christians, “whom I love and long for …”. Even as conflict arises Paul encourages the two women named to find common agreement in Jesus. Many have made it their life pursuit to find the “perfect” church. They land at one church for a while but when conflict or difficulty arises they move to another. Those who look for the perfect church will always be disappointed. God’s intention for each of us, and for His Church, is that we grow in our love for Him, and our love for others. Going through conflict, working out disagreements, developing patience, learning more about grace and forgiveness, are ALL necessary ingredients for our growth and maturity. Commitment to each other is the beautiful soil that makes friendships, marriages, families, churches places where love grows. Our common focus is Jesus … our future is secure (our names mercifully are included in His book of life!) … our life together real, genuine, challenging, difficult, wonderful, and joy-filled. We rejoice and give thanks. We are not anxious people. We begin trusting God more and more and as we do we discover amazing PEACE. His peace … even in the midst of conflict.
Joy Filled IN CHRIST (9AM)
July 18, 2021
In our summer series studying Paul’s letter to the Christians in Philippi (a Roman colony in the first century located at the north end of the Aegean Sea) we’ve arrived at chapter four. Paul has such genuine affection for this community of Christians, “whom I love and long for …”. Even as conflict arises Paul encourages the two women named to find common agreement in Jesus. Many have made it their life pursuit to find the “perfect” church. They land at one church for a while but when conflict or difficulty arises they move to another. Those who look for the perfect church will always be disappointed. God’s intention for each of us, and for His Church, is that we grow in our love for Him, and our love for others. Going through conflict, working out disagreements, developing patience, learning more about grace and forgiveness, are ALL necessary ingredients for our growth and maturity. Commitment to each other is the beautiful soil that makes friendships, marriages, families, churches places where love grows. Our common focus is Jesus … our future is secure (our names mercifully are included in His book of life!) … our life together real, genuine, challenging, difficult, wonderful, and joy-filled. We rejoice and give thanks. We are not anxious people. We begin trusting God more and more and as we do we discover amazing PEACE. His peace … even in the midst of conflict.
Forward Living IN CHRIST (11AM)
July 11, 2021 • Curt McFarland • Philippians 3:10–21
The book of Philippians is a personal, heartfelt, passionate, insightful letter that emphasizes central truths about Christian faith. This morning we are focusing on the second half of the third chapter in this letter. The writer, Paul, cares deeply about his friends in Philippi. He writes to encourage them. He writes to remind them of the freedom they have been given by Jesus. He writes to point them to the future not the past. Every one of us has a history of things we wish we had not said, things we wish we had not done. We are reminded of our past by those who wish to paralyze us, those who wish to render us ineffective, those who want us to doubt the promises God has made to us. Paul speaks in this passage of "forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead." He did not forget the lessons in his past ... but he was not ruled by them. He did not allow his past to destroy his future. He believed, and he wanted the Philippian Christians to believe (us too) that our past was not meant to control us. More than that, God has given us a new start and a new future, and no one can take from us what God has promised. As Christians we are mindful of our past, grateful for our present, confident for our future, as we keep pressing forward.
Forward Living IN CHRIST (9AM)
July 11, 2021 • Curt McFarland • Philippians 3:10–21
The book of Philippians is a personal, heartfelt, passionate, insightful letter that emphasizes central truths about Christian faith. This morning we are focusing on the second half of the third chapter in this letter. The writer, Paul, cares deeply about his friends in Philippi. He writes to encourage them. He writes to remind them of the freedom they have been given by Jesus. He writes to point them to the future not the past. Every one of us has a history of things we wish we had not said, things we wish we had not done. We are reminded of our past by those who wish to paralyze us, those who wish to render us ineffective, those who want us to doubt the promises God has made to us. Paul speaks in this passage of "forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead." He did not forget the lessons in his past ... but he was not ruled by them. He did not allow his past to destroy his future. He believed, and he wanted the Philippian Christians to believe (us too) that our past was not meant to control us. More than that, God has given us a new start and a new future, and no one can take from us what God has promised. As Christians we are mindful of our past, grateful for our present, confident for our future, as we keep pressing forward.
Identity IN CHRIST (9AM)
July 4, 2021
Over the course of our lives we fill out resumes, job applications, school forms, credit checks. We go through each process in order to prove who we are and why we are worth hiring, worth being admitted to a particular school, why we are a good investment for a financial advance. From our earliest years we are often defined, in the eyes of others and our eyes too, by the job we have, the school we attend, the car we drive and the home we live in (we are rarely asked about the outstanding mortgage or the ongoing car payments). Are we more than the sum of our diplomas, paychecks, zip code, and school pedigree? The word from above, from God Himself, is a resounding “Yes!” Paul spoke about this in the passage we are studying this morning. In the opening verses of Philippians Chapter 3 (the city of Philippi was at the north end of the Aegean Sea) Paul listed all of his accomplishments and then compared all of them collectively, all he had worked for, to knowing and loving Jesus. For him, me too, there was/is no comparison. If true it provides us with an identity that can never be taken from us. Jobs come and go. Schools change. Cars and houses rust and fall apart. Jesus does not. Who are we? God’s word for us today will provide an answer, a good, freeing, life-giving answer!
Identity IN CHRIST (11AM)
July 4, 2021
Over the course of our lives we fill out resumes, job applications, school forms, credit checks. We go through each process in order to prove who we are and why we are worth hiring, worth being admitted to a particular school, why we are a good investment for a financial advance. From our earliest years we are often defined, in the eyes of others and our eyes too, by the job we have, the school we attend, the car we drive and the home we live in (we are rarely asked about the outstanding mortgage or the ongoing car payments). Are we more than the sum of our diplomas, paychecks, zip code, and school pedigree? The word from above, from God Himself, is a resounding “Yes!” Paul spoke about this in the passage we are studying this morning. In the opening verses of Philippians Chapter 3 (the city of Philippi was at the north end of the Aegean Sea) Paul listed all of his accomplishments and then compared all of them collectively, all he had worked for, to knowing and loving Jesus. For him, me too, there was/is no comparison. If true it provides us with an identity that can never be taken from us. Jobs come and go. Schools change. Cars and houses rust and fall apart. Jesus does not. Who are we? God’s word for us today will provide an answer, a good, freeing, life-giving answer!
One IN CHRIST (11AM)
June 27, 2021 • Alex Rule • Philippians 1:27—2:11
This Sunday we will dig deeper into the great love that the Apostle Paul had for the Church and for all the saints. In Chapter 2 of his letter to the Philippians, Paul encourages the saints of God to live in unity with peace and joy, and to live with humility as "One in Christ" in His Kingdom. Paul’s purpose was to instruct and encourage the Church to have the mindset of Christ that brings Peace and Joy to the world. This mindset of love and humility is described as “He, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped." We read in verses 1-2, “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” Paul wanted the Church (everyone) to be humble of heart and to seek God, not only for their own interests, but also for the interests of others. God bless you today and always!
One IN CHRIST (9AM)
June 27, 2021 • Alex Rule • Philippians 1:27—2:11
This Sunday we will dig deeper into the great love that the Apostle Paul had for the Church and for all the saints. In Chapter 2 of his letter to the Philippians, Paul encourages the saints of God to live in unity with peace and joy, and to live with humility as "One in Christ" in His Kingdom. Paul’s purpose was to instruct and encourage the Church to have the mindset of Christ that brings Peace and Joy to the world. This mindset of love and humility is described as “He, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped." We read in verses 1-2, “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” Paul wanted the Church (everyone) to be humble of heart and to seek God, not only for their own interests, but also for the interests of others. God bless you today and always!
Obedience IN CHRIST (11AM)
June 20, 2021 • Dennis Whitcher • Philippians 2:12–30
This Sunday we begin chapter 2 of our study of Paul's letter the Philippian church. But, we are not going to begin at the beginning. We will be studying chapter 2:12-30. Next week, we will look at chapter 2 up through verse 11. Paul's primary purpose in writing this letter was to thank the Philippians for the gift they had sent him upon learning of his imprisonment at Rome. However, he makes use of this occasion to instruct them on several other concerns. In this morning's section, there are some amazing verses as Paul exhorts the people of Philippi, and us, to "work out our own salvation" and to do everything "without grumbling or complaining" so that we "can shine among others like stars in the sky." These exhortations lead to a life-style "worthy of the gospel of Christ." He concludes this section with additional illustrations of himself, Timothy, and Epaphroditus, selflessly serving the cause of the gospel.
Obedience IN CHRIST (9AM)
June 20, 2021 • Dennis Whitcher • Philippians 2:12–30
This Sunday we begin chapter 2 of our study of Paul's letter the Philippian church. But, we are not going to begin at the beginning. We will be studying chapter 2:12-30. Next week, we will look at chapter 2 up through verse 11. Paul's primary purpose in writing this letter was to thank the Philippians for the gift they had sent him upon learning of his imprisonment at Rome. However, he makes use of this occasion to instruct them on several other concerns. In this morning's section, there are some amazing verses as Paul exhorts the people of Philippi, and us, to "work out our own salvation" and to do everything "without grumbling or complaining" so that we "can shine among others like stars in the sky." These exhortations lead to a life-style "worthy of the gospel of Christ." He concludes this section with additional illustrations of himself, Timothy, and Epaphroditus, selflessly serving the cause of the gospel.
Courage IN CHRIST (11am)
June 13, 2021 • Curt McFarland • Philippians 1:12–30
Throughout June and July we are studying Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. Philippi was an important Roman colony north of the Aegean sea between Athens and Istanbul. In this morning’s section of the letter (chapter 1:12-30) Paul debated whether it would be better for him to live or to die. This was no morbid musing filled with self-doubt and despair. This was instead a beautiful and hopeful public discussion about Paul’s view of his present and future life. As he wrote this letter Paul was in prison because he was a Jesus follower. He knew his death was approaching, likely sooner rather than later. What would Paul do with the life God had given him and who would he trust when his life comes to an end? These are good and necessary questions for us too.
Courage IN CHRIST (9AM)
June 13, 2021 • Curt McFarland • Philippians 1:12–30
Throughout June and July we are studying Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. Philippi was an important Roman colony north of the Aegean sea between Athens and Istanbul. In this morning’s section of the letter (chapter 1:12-30) Paul debated whether it would be better for him to live or to die. This was no morbid musing filled with self-doubt and despair. This was instead a beautiful and hopeful public discussion about Paul’s view of his present and future life. As he wrote this letter Paul was in prison because he was a Jesus follower. He knew his death was approaching, likely sooner rather than later. What would Paul do with the life God had given him and who would he trust when his life comes to an end? These are good and necessary questions for us too.
Confidence IN CHRIST (11AM)
June 6, 2021 • Curt McFarland • Philippians 1:1–11
Have you ever received a personal letter in the mail but then forgot to open it until much later? You discover it under a pile of credit card offers. You open it and are instantly connected with the friend who wrote it. As the letter ends you feel refreshed, encouraged, ready for the struggles you know will come. You keep the letter in a safe place so that you can re-read it when times get tough. Each Sunday from now through July, we turn our attention to a 2000 year old letter. It was written by a Christ follower named Paul, addressed to his friends in the city of Philippi (an important Roman outpost north of the Aegean sea between Athens and Istanbul). What sets this letter apart is Paul’s obvious affection and appreciation for his friends in this Christian community. In this letter Paul pours out his heart, his faith, his prayers, his priorities. This morning we open this letter again, as we invite the Holy Spirit of God to meet us as we read, as we listen, asking Him for a deeper relationship with Him, a closer relationship with each other, and wider relationship with our community and world.