Philippians 3:19

The Chapel Fort Wayne

Philippians 3:19

Dead End

July 6, 2023 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Philippians 3:19

I remember a time I was driving on the highway, and I got off one exit too early. The road I turned onto appeared to travel in the same direction as the highway, so I just continued on that road thinking it was leading the right direction. A few miles down the road, I realized the old county road actually led to a dead end. Sometimes we find ourselves following the wrong path in life, and it ends up in disappointment. Paul issued this warning in his letter to the Philippians, and he clarified for those who ignore their heavenly citizenship, their ways will lead to an eventual dead-end. When we focus solely on this life and submit to an earthly kingdom, we inevitably pursue a path of destruction — a dead end.

PRAY: God, I confess that I feel lost at times because I travel down paths that focus more on the earthly kingdom than our heavenly citizenship. Help me to follow your lead and live more like Christ every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Revelation 22:5

July 21, 2023 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Revelation 22:5

There have been many summer nights that we're out enjoying the evening, the kids are running around or riding their bikes, and the sunlight begins to fade. We call to the kids, "It's getting dark. Time to go inside" and it's immediately followed by cries of disappointment! Can you imagine the day we will be in God's presence, and there will never be darkness again! There will be no more disappointment, and there will be no end to the reign of Christ. In this life, we experience lesser examples of "ruling" like as parents calling our kids in at dark. But in Heaven, Christ has chosen US to rule WITH HIM! Our rule here on earth is often marked with disappointment, but as co-rulers with Christ we will experience pure joy in that responsibility. This concept of reigning with Christ forever should motivate us to live for him here and now, and to encourage others to remain faithful to Christ as we await his return. PRAY: Lord Jesus, we await your return and look forward to the day that we will reign with you forever in your light that never fades! We thank you for how good and merciful you are, and we thank you for choosing us to rule for eternity with you! Amen.

Revelation 22:4

July 20, 2023 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Revelation 22:4

In the story of Moses receiving the ten commandments from God, he interacts directly with God, but God tells him "you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live” (Exodus 33:20). But when we enter into Heaven, there is a radical transformation that takes place. We will see God face to face! How can this be? How can we, mere humans, be in the presence of a perfectly holy and righteous God? The transformation is not because of anything we have done, but because God has identified us as His own. By writing His name on us, He has imprinted His character on us to reflect His divine glory and righteousness. In our service and worship to Him, we will see God’s face and our face will reflect that we are HIS! PRAY: Lord God, it is hard for us to imagine now what it will be like to see you face to face. We fall so short of your glory, but in your infinite grace and mercy you have chosen us to be yours! Help us in this life to abide more with Jesus, to walk closer to you, to reflect more of your image while we are still in these imperfect bodies. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Revelation 22:3

July 19, 2023 • Pastor Mike Fanning • Revelation 22:3

I just don’t think we can fully grasp how beautiful and powerful and holy and worthy and amazing God is. Our sin distracts us--blurs our vision of Him. But when we literally see Him, Holy Trinity, with sin and curse removed, we are going to completely loose our minds in holy wonder! We are going to see instantly and completely that God is everything, that God is Life, that God is our satisfaction and our joy! We won’t be able to take our eyes off Him! We will have an all-consuming desire to worship and serve Him alone! He will be our obsession! We will need all of eternity to take Him in because the depths of His perfection and love and worthiness will require it. The Wonder of God will immediately consume us and all our earthly questions about what heaven will be like and what we will do there will be swallowed up in one instant when we see Him, worship Him, serve Him, face to face. PRAY: O Lord, I really do see you now “through a glass dimly.” I don’t get as passionate about You as I get about the superbowl or my favorite musician or artist. Forgive me. It’s only because my sin keeps me blind to the reality of all that You really are. But one day Jesus, that is going to change. Please enlarge my heart, even now, to begin to see You as You truly are. Help me to get my life properly and fully surrendered to You, as it will be forever in the new heavens and new earth! Amen.