The secret to being content, to finding satisfaction in every circumstance, to rejoicing in all situations is simple – It's Jesus Christ. He is your strength. When you can't in yourself, you can in his strength. Play the cards you've been dealt for his glory.
And, when you are in need, the body of Christ is here for you. No need to worry or fret, if you have a local church, you are never alone. In his strength and through the church, my God will supply your every need according to his riches in glory. If you find your strength in Christ... and you find supply in the body of Christ, the church, you will find contentment in Christ. When Christ is All You Got, Christ is All You Need
- Sep 6, 2020Philippians Part 8: The Secret to Being Content
Philippians Part 8: The Secret to Being Content
The secret to being content, to finding satisfaction in every circumstance, to rejoicing in all situations is simple – It's Jesus Christ. He is your strength. When you can't in yourself, you can in his strength. Play the cards you've been dealt for his glory.
And, when you are in need, the body of Christ is here for you. No need to worry or fret, if you have a local church, you are never alone. In his strength and through the church, my God will supply your every need according to his riches in glory. If you find your strength in Christ... and you find supply in the body of Christ, the church, you will find contentment in Christ. When Christ is All You Got, Christ is All You Need
- Aug 30, 2020Philippians Part 7: The Practice of Standing Firm While Running
Philippians Part 7: The Practice of Standing Firm While Running
How can we run and stand firm at the same time? They are pretty much opposite actions. If I run I can't stand firm, and if I stand firm I can't run. Is Paul confused? Have we finally found a contradiction here in the Word of God? Of is it possible that we can both run and stand firm at the same time?
As crazy as it sounds, this is actually not a paradox. This morning I want you to know that the Christian life is both a race to run and a rest to stand firm in. I want us this morning to learn how to practice running while standing firm. You see, there is a secret to the Christian's joy. And, it's this; Jesus lives in us, and in a way runs for us, and if we are to lay hold of his life it is necessary that we stop trying to run the race ourselves, but allow him to run it in our stead. So we stand firm in Christ who actually runs our race. The Secret to Running the Christian Race is Keeping a Firm Grip On Christ Within.
- Aug 23, 2020Philippians Part 6: A Prize Worth Pursuing
Philippians Part 6: A Prize Worth Pursuing
The Bible tells us time and time again that we are not running for the things of this world. Rather, we are running for a future kingdom, and all of our energy must be directed towards that purpose. 1 John 2:17 says that this world is passing away, but whoever lives for God lives forever. Matthew 6:19-20 reminds us that we aren't running for prizes of an earthly nature that are temporary, rather we run for a heavenly prize that can never be taken away. And even in our passage today, in Philippians 3:20 we see that our citizenship is not on earth, but in heaven and we live our lives here on earth eagerly awaiting the day when we receive our prize of going home. There is a race worth running and a prize worth running for, so run after the prize. In A World Full Of Worthless Trophies There Is One That Is Worth Pursuing
- Aug 16, 2020Philippians Part 5: The Best Resume Ever
Philippians Part 5: The Best Resume Ever
Your resume, Paul's resume, no resume is good enough. No resume will be accepted. No one measures up, except Jesus Christ. So you don't need a better resume... you need a recommendation from the one who has the only acceptable resume. You need a recommendation from Jesus to be saved. You need him to present you before the father and vouch for you.
- Aug 9, 2020Philippians Part 4: Shine
Philippians Part 4: Shine
If you want to be noticed on youtube you have to have Hollywood grade production value. You have to come up with the craziest gimmicks. And you have to do a lot of give aways. Thats what the world has to do to get noticed.But if we try that as Christians it will backfire. You see the world wants from Christians the exact opposite. From us they want authenticity. They want something real and not over produced. They want real relationships and real community.
And, so, how do we get noticed? If we want to be noticed then we must shine. We must strike their sight by shining brighter than we ever have before. So we discipline ourselves to be spiritually mature people who possess the best of qualities; positivity, unity, integrity, purity. So we selflessly serve in big ways and for the long haul. We engage in relational outreach with big displays of love. We open doors for conversations through giant acts of service. We engage in conversation and form relationships. And eventually we earn the right to share the Gospel. And we risk it all for Christ. When you do this... you will Shine So Bright That You Can't Be Ignored.
- Aug 2, 2020Philippians Part 3: Unity Through Humility
Philippians Part 3: Unity Through Humility
Humility is the idea that we understand we are not as great as we may be tempted to think we are, and in understanding this we live our lives without pride and arrogance while treating others with respect and dignity. Even in such a small sentence, we can see the power of humility to unite people and bring them joy.
Why do we have such racial, political, social, and physical division in our country right now? Why is the division we see when we turn on the television about as bad as we've ever seen it? You can point fingers, or you can look within, humble yourself, and try to be the change you want to see in the world. We will never win this culture war with arrogance. Humility brings unity! Especially in the church, where, without unity the church cannot stand.
- Jul 26, 2020Philippians Part 2: The Fight For The Faith
Philippians Part 2: The Fight For The Faith
As a Christian you have enlisted in the Lord's army to we fight the enemies of sin, secularism, and satan on a daily basis. We fight with a just and righteous cause, with the lives of every man woman and child hanging in the balance. Every moment we spend on this planet is spiritual warfare. Every place you go; you job, your neighborhood, your gym, your school, is a battlefield. And yet, so many so called Christians live life as if there is no immediate threat, and there is no need to fight. They've grown complacent to the cause, and they've put down their weapons, and they've allowed the enemy to advance, and this cannot be. Christian you are called to fight, until you take your last breath on this earth, you must never give up the fight.
- Jul 19, 2020Philippians Part 1: The Joy of Ministry
Philippians Part 1: The Joy of Ministry
Listen, joy isn't about being in a happy circumstance, joy is about finding contentment in the work of God; in your life and in the life of others. Paul was able to do ministry with joy, no matter his circumstances, and you can to. Put your focus on serving others with the Gospel and you will find long lasting joy. When You Engage In Ministry You Will Inevitably Be Ministered To More Than Those You Seek To Serve