Philippians
#10. Living Content
December 16, 2018 • John Carrano
In this week's message Lead Pastor John Carrano closes out our series on Philippians with teaching from Philippians 4:10-13 on living content. . . . Reflection - What has been your condition(s) for contentment? - What have you been trying to do in your own strength, and how is Christ inviting you to trust Him? Challenge - Make the choice to find contentment in Christ! Scripture - Philippians 4:10-13
#9. Rejoice, Always!
December 9, 2018 • Nick Seders
*** This week's message encourages a scriptural response to the sensitive topics of anxiety and depression. If you are within the ICB family and struggle with these issues, we welcome you to write http://pastoralcare@icbspain.com at any time for further guidance. If you are a part of a global audience and feel the need to meet with someone for biblical or professional counselling, we strongly encourage you to do so.*** In this week's message Discipleship pastor Nick Seders continues our series in Philippians with teaching from Philippians 4:4-9 on how to rejoice, always! . . . Reflection Questions - How do I usually handle worry and despair? - What keeps me from casting my cares on the Lord? - How has God already granted me peace? Challenge - Work through any worry that arises this week by taking it to God in prayer and leaving it there. Scripture - Philippians 4:4-9 Guide for Reflection - Reread Philippians 4:4-9. - How does Paul connect feelings, thoughts, and actions (lifestyle)? - What commands do you see here? What are the promises attached to those commands? - How does God handle our anxiety? - What happens when we replace anxiety with “whatever is…”? - Take out a journal or scrap of paper. For two minutes, write down the things that are causing worry, fear, or despair. Once the two minutes have passed, go back and write a prayer of supplication (“Help, Lord!”) for each of those concerns. - Identify one way to bring peace into your sphere of influence. What are the anxieties of your community, and how can you point others toward peace in Christ?
#8. Running with Purpose
November 25, 2018 • John Carrano
In this week's message Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from Philippians 3:12-21 on running with purpose. . . . Reflection Questions - What lies have you been listening to? - Where have your eyes been fixed? - How is Christ inviting you to run? Challenge - Run! - Look for an opportunity to intentionally shoe the love of Christ! Scripture - Philippians 3:12-14 - Philippians 3:17 - Philippians 3:20-21 - John 8:44 - 1 Corinthians 9:25-26 - Hebrews 12:1-2 Guide for Reflection - Reread Philippians 3:12-21. - How does the race metaphor help us understand life in Jesus Christ? - What is the prize at the end of this race? Hint: consider the context of the passage by reading verses 8-11. - Why does Paul contrast worldliness and Christlikeness in verses 19-20? - How does God keep us on track (v. 15)? - Think through the things you tend to run toward, considering how the everyday consequences of those pursuits might be drawing your attention away from Christ (even if they aren’t inherently bad). - Come up with at least one way to re-adjust your focus this week, to “press on toward the goal.”
#7. Our Identity in Christ
November 18, 2018 • John Carrano
In this week's message Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from Philippians 3:4-11 on our identity in Christ. . . . Reflection Questions - How have you been boasting? - How is Christ inviting you to live in light of the free gift of grace you have been given? Challenge - Look for one opportunity to boast in Christ this week! Scripture - Philippians 3:4-11 - Matthew 7:22-23 - John 10:27-28 - Galatians 2:20 - Ephesians 2:8-9 Guide for Reflection - Reread Philippians 3:4-11. - Why is it important to see that Paul considered his “achievements” loss? From where does righteousness come, and how is it received? (cf. Eph. 2:8-9) - What matters more to God – our work for him or our relationship with him? - Read Matthew 7:22-23. How might we be tempted to live for Jesus without actually knowing him? - How does a genuine relationship with Jesus affect our sense of identity? - Start boasting in Christ right now! Complete the following sentence, based on what you’ve seen him do: “I know Jesus is ______, because he _______.”
#6. Lights in the World
November 11, 2018 • Mark McKinstry
In this weeks message ICB Pastoral team member Mark McKinstry teaches from Philippians 2:12-16 on being lights in the world . . . Reflection Questions - What situations or difficulties are tempting you to complain? - Where is your light shining? Who is watching you? And how will trusting God in your present difficulties, rather than complaining, point the people around you to Jesus? Challenge - When you are tempted to complain, choose to trust God. - In challenging moments, Praise Him, Thank Him, and Ask Him. Scripture - Matthew 5:14-15 - Philippians 2:12-16 - Philippians 3:12 - Hebrews 13:20-21 - Psalms 143:4-5 - 1 Peter 5:7 Guide for Reflection - Reread Philippians 2:12-16. What is this “working out” of salvation? (cf. Hebrews 13:20-21) - Why is God working in us? - By what means does God shine light into the darkness? (cf. Matthew 5:14-16, John 8:12, 1 John 1:5-7) - How does grumbling and arguing obscure that light? - How does grumbling contrast “holding firm to the word of life”? - If we obey the commands in this passage, what will the result be? - Let’s apply the tool that Pastor Mark gave us: Praise God! Thank God! Ask God! Think of one situation about which you’ve been grumbling, then write a short response using those three steps.
#5. Live for Christ
October 28, 2018 • John Carrano
In this week's message Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from Philippians 1:27 on living for Christ. . . . Reflection Questions - Where in your life do you need to fight for unity? - How is Christ inviting you to value others above yourself ? - Reflect on what Christ has done for you! Challenge - Look for the opportunity to value one person above yourself this week! Scripture - Philippians 1:27 - 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Galatians 5:22-23 - Ephesians 5:1-2 - Philippians 2:1-3 - Ephesians 4:1-3 - Philippians 2:4
#4. I Live To...
October 21, 2018 • Nick Seders
In this week's message Discipleship Pastor Nick Seders continues our series with teaching from Philippians 1:20-26 on how "to live is Christ and to die is gain." . . . Reflection Questions - Could you honestly bring yourself to say that 'to live is Christ and to die is gain'? - What is the primary aim or goal of your life? If it is not to glorify and enjoy Christ, why? Challenge - Examine you life this week. Based on what you see, fill in the blank: - "I live to _____" Scripture - Philippians 1:20-26 - 2 Corinthians 5:8
#3. Abound in Love
October 14, 2018 • John Carrano
In this week's message, Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from Philippians 1:9-14 on abounding in love. . . . Reflection Question - What have you been allowing to abound in your life? - What is God wanting to do in and through your situation? Challenge - Let love abound! - Look for practical ways to show it this week. Scripture - Luke 6:45 - Philippians 1:9-11 - Galatians 5:19-23 - Philippians 1:12-14
#2. Choose Joy
October 7, 2018 • John Carrano
In this weeks message, Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from Philippians 1:3-8 and how we should choose joy. . . . Reflection Questions - What conditions have you been putting on joy? - What has been the incline of your heart? How is Christ inviting you to choose joy now? Challenge - Choose Joy! Scripture - Philippians 1:1-8 - Romans 14:17 - Galatians 3:3 - 2 Corinthians 8:1-2
#1. Introduction to Philippians
September 30, 2018 • Brandi Carrano
In this week's message, Brandi Carrano kicks off our series with teaching from Philippians 1 & Acts 16 with an introduction to the book of Philippians. . . . Reflection Questions - How did the gospel reach you? - What do you want Christ to do in you this fall and through this series? Challenge - Read Chapter 1 of Philippians this week. Scripture - Philippians 1:1-2 - Philippians 1:8 - Acts 16:13-18 - Acts 16:25-33