Philippians 4:4

The Chapel Fort Wayne

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord

October 24, 2023 • Pastor Mike Fanning • Philippians 4:4

The first thing to notice in 4:4 is that this is a command. We are literally commanded to “rejoice in the Lord always!” That must mean that this rejoicing in not merely a feeling to be felt but it is a moment by moment choice that we must make. Yes friend, no matter what is going on in your life, including trials and suffering and loss, we can choose to rejoice in the Lord. This does not mean we are rejoicing for the trial or suffering. But we are choosing to rejoice that God has saved us and that God is working in the midst of our difficulty to deepen us and transform us to be more like Jesus in the way we live and love. And we rejoice that He is walking with us through our painful path, giving us His strength and peace and eternal perspective. And we rejoice always because we know that this current difficulty will not have the last word. In the end, Jesus wins! And we win with Him!

PASSAGE: Philippians 4:4 - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

PAUSE: What a powerful verse to memorize and to meditate upon this week. Rejoicing is never in our circumstances; rejoicing is always in the Lord. When our thoughts are focused on our problems, we always lose the battle for the mind, but when our thoughts are focused on the Lord, we always rejoice.

PRAYER: Christ Jesus, I rejoice in you today. Help me to find my joy in you and you alone. Forgive me for taking my eyes off you and focusing on my problems.

Philippians 2:5

November 3, 2023 • Pastor Mike Fanning • Philippians 2:5

So, what was Jesus’ attitude toward the world? He set aside the glories of heaven and came to us on a radical rescue mission! He entered fully into our world and took on the entirety of our humanity. After a long season of hanging out with tax collectors and sinners, he humbled himself by giving himself over to the worst kind of death on our behalf – crucifixion. The attitude of Jesus that is to be in us is this: that we set aside our preferences and even die to our rights in order to love others sacrificially. Yes, friend, Christianity is about radical love! It starts with Jesus’ love for you and me, and then it extends outward as Jesus loves others through us. As we love others with His love. This is genuine humility on display, thinking of yourself less and others more! PASSAGE: Philippians 2:5 - "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus!" PAUSE: Our lives should model the life of Christ. Christ Jesus is our one example. Christ was humble, kind, and loving. He did not think of himself first but always thought of others first. Life is not about me; it is about others. PRAYER: Father, keep me humble. Help me to focus on Christ as my example. Forgive me for my selfish thoughts, and help me to love others well today.

Philippians 2:4

November 2, 2023 • Pastor Mike Fanning • Philippians 2:4

The essence of sin is selfishness! The rebellious spirit in each of us says to God, “I want to be in charge of my own life; I don’t want to follow you!” But then God saves us and sets us free from all that. He begins to turn us upward and outward, first toward Himself and then toward others. He sets us free in Christ to daily die to our old selves and old ways and to join Him in the new life of love. A sure sign that you are growing up in this new life is that you begin to develop a heart for the well-being and spiritual encouragement of others. Jesus creates in us a growing capacity to say “no” to me so that I can say “yes” to sacrificially serving and loving and blessing those around us. And let me tell you, you will never feel more alive and free than when God uses you as a conduit of His love to bless another person, especially one with significant needs! PASSAGE: Philippians 2:4 - "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." PAUSE: Life is so much better when we stop thinking about ourselves and start thinking about others. We need to take our eyes off ourselves and think more about our family and friends. Track the focus of your thoughts today. Are your thoughts more about you or about those who are around you? PRAYER: Father, help me to focus. Help me to take my eyes off myself and to focus my eyes on those you have placed before me. Focus my thoughts today.

Philippians 2:1-2

November 1, 2023 • Pastor Mike Fanning • Philippians 2:1–2

Often, it can be difficult for a larger church like The Chapel to feel like a family. But we must strive for it to be a family, our spiritual family. This can happen when we gather regularly with a smaller group within the larger Body and do life deeply together. Isolation is the enemy and a tool of the devil. But notice the beautiful attributes that characterize healthy church families. Harshness is replaced with tenderness, and indifference is replaced with compassion. The family members are close and actively choose to demonstrate love towards one another. No one gets left out or left behind. And we forget about our differences and unite around the call of God to build His kingdom together. Are you in a Life Group, Bible Study, or part of a service team? Who are those key people in your life that make up your spiritual family? PASSAGE: Philippians 2:1-2 - "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." PAUSE: Oneness breeds encouragement and comfort within my church family. A house divided quickly falls! We experience “one mind” when we embrace having the same thoughts, same love, and same humility for one another. What we think about each other and the church matters greatly! PRAYER: Father, thank you for the Chapel. Create within me the ability to embrace oneness in my thoughts and my love for the Chapel family.