Authentic
Jan 7 - Feb 25, 2024
Prescription for Peace
February 18, 2024 • Andrea Messenger • Philippians 4:1–9
Paul begins by encouraging the Philippians to stand firm, not waver in their faith. He also exhorts two women who are bickering to make up. This passage is applicable to all of us as we tend to worry and fret---God gives us a very practical prescription for the problem of worry and anxiety. Verses 8-9 I think of as a filter---that whatever consumes our mind, whatever worry and anxiety we have, we run them through the filter of God's amazing faithfulness and goodness. For Study one way to go through this passage is to make a list of all of the commands and a list of the promises given.
The Born Again Identity
February 11, 2024 • Pastor Glyn Norman • Philippians 3:17–21
Our citizenship is in heaven: follow me as I follow Christ. What does it mean to have our primary identity as a citizen of heaven? What are the temptations that lure us to put other identities ahead of that? (political, national?). How does a future focus on the coming of Christ change our attitude? (this world and its attractions are temporary)
How to Find Your Purpose
January 14, 2024 • Pastor Mike Kenyon • Philippians 1:19–30
Paul encourages the Philippians to live in a manner worthy of the gospel, standing firm in unity and facing opposition with courage and faith. The key application for a Christian's life today is to embrace a mindset that values Christ above all else, persevering in faith despite challenges, and living in unity and steadfastness. We are encouraged to prioritize our relationship with Christ above worldly desires, knowing that our ultimate hope lies in Him. Just as Paul found purpose and joy in serving Christ amid hardship, modern-day believers can draw strength from this passage to face trials with resilience, knowing that our sufferings can be a testimony to our faith in Christ. God gives us the ability to “walk worthy” (1:27) of Christ, so others will see our example even (and, perhaps, especially...) in our struggles.
Inside Out
January 7, 2024 • Pastor Bryan Eckelmann • Philippians 1:1–11
How can we live an authentic Christian life – as 24-hour day Christians with integrity–? In saving us, Christ begins the good work of knitting together the parts of our life that feel divided and often broken, even feel incomplete. He will complete it by his Grace and Peace.