Joy in Perseverance
Philippians 3:12-21 Perseverance is essential for facing life’s challenges. It is much easier to quit than to persevere but in the long run the costs of quitting are much higher than the costs to persevere. Perseverance is about finishing strong. In this text Paul gives us a formula for finishing strong: Holy Discontent + Holy Ambition = Holy Life that Finishes Strong!
Joy in Righteousness
Philippians 3:1-11 Most people think the Christian message is an invitation to be religious (moralism: get your act together, do good works, obey the 10 commandments, etc.) rather than entering into the most soul satisfying and life liberating relationship you’ll ever know. Paul shows us in this text from his own life that there is a major difference between being…
Joy in Sacrifice
Philippians 2:19-30 Deep soul satisfaction can only be found in Christ which will lead to a life of Sacrifice. Sacrifice is giving up something that you love for something that you love more. Paul uses two men as examples of the kind of people who have been transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and are living lives of satisfaction and sacrifice.
Joy in Stuck Points
Philippians 2:12-18 Stuck points are those chronic hurts, habits and hang-ups that won’t go away but only seem to get worse through the years. If you don’t deal with your stuck points, then your stuck points will certainly deal with you. God doesn’t convict us (reveals our stuck points) to shame us but to satisfy us and set us free.
Joy in Conflict
Philippians 2:1-11 Conflict resolution skills are in short supply in our American Culture. Does the Bible offer any help for our relational conflict, divisiveness, hatefulness, and alienation that we see in our country, communities, homes, marriages, and even in churches? Yes, the joy in Conflict is found in Christ and the unity He brings.
Joy in Suffering
Philippians 1:18b-30 Paul was going through difficult suffering as he faced imprisonment, the threat of death, separation from believers, antagonism from fellow Christians and much more. Paul now waited to go before Caesar to find out if he was going to live or die. Paul had trusted, obeyed and rejoiced in the Lord through past (1:12) and current (1:13-18a) suffering. …
Joy in Frustration
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Joy in Loneliness
Philippians 1:3-11 Relationships are not a luxury but a necessity for our emotional and spiritual wellbeing (Gen2:18). Our sinful tendency is anonymity and individuality. Anonymity is not wanting anyone to know your struggles (Fear) and individuality is not wanting anyone’s help (Pride). Most people fight their battles alone and keep their interior world private, even in…
Joy in Every Situation
Phil 1:1-2 There is an unspeakable and glorious JOY in Christ that should be normal for every Christian! In Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi he not only personally demonstrates but also teaches us how we can have this JOY in every situation of life.
Unfinished- A Work in Progress
2 Peter 1:3-11 There is a difference between knowing about God and truly knowing God. One of the marks of truly knowing God is spiritual growth. The whole book of 2 Peter is all about spiritual growth.