October 1, 2014
Paul warned the Philippians against the Judaizers who would have the Christians live under the law of circumcision once again, rather than the law of the Spirit. He taught them to “rely” on Christ’s finished work on the cross, rather than their own human effort. When we have acknowledged and accepted the finished work of Christ, we are able to have the complete joy and freedom that we are fully accepted by God. Our confidence, and therefore our joy, is in Christ alone!
September 30, 2014
Paul taught the Philippians that they should live as “citizens of heaven,” remembering the gospel in their conduct. When we live as worldly, our message has no consistency and our gospel comes across hypocritical. Our lives should be consistent with the good news we believe. Our lifestyle should in fact cause people to ask about our faith, so that the gospel comes out easily. One cannot be excluded from the other. We are called to both live and share the Good News.
September 29, 2014
Paul prayed that the Philippians would understand what “really matters.” He prayed that their priorities would focus on becoming more and more like Jesus until the Day of completion when Christ returns. What are you focused on today? Will today’s concerns matter tomorrow? Lord, help us to focus on what “really matters” today.
June 1, 2014 | Philippians 4:4-13 |
Pastor Gary Combs concluded the sermon series “Diagnosing Your Spiritual Health” with this message from Philippians about the Christian’s contentment. As we trust Christ more and more we are able to find our contentment in Him and not in the ever changing circumstances of life.
October 2, 2013
Paul knew that he belonged to Christ, yet he pursued knowing all of Christ that belonged to him. We come to Christ saying, “I am His and He is mine.” Yet, we don’t fully understand either. Perhaps we partially grasp that we are His to some degree. But that Christ is ours, is mine? That all that Christ is and owns is now mine? His love, His wisdom, His relationship with the Father, His future in heaven, His resurrection, His … all mine? Like Paul, “I press on to make it my own.”
October 1, 2013
Paul commended Timothy to the Philippians, saying “I have no one like him.” Through the years of ministry together, Timothy had proven himself as one who really sought Jesus in all things. Paul had seen enough of those so-called ministers who were really in it for their own interests. I wonder what Paul would think of our ministry? More importantly, what does Jesus think? Are we seeking His interest in all things, … or our own?
September 30, 2013
We are born with muscles that God created for us to have. Yet, it is up to us to work them out. Spiritually, when we receive salvation, God begins a new work in us, so that we are born again. In this new birth we yield to God’s work in us by working it out. We can depend on God’s power not only to help us work it out, but even to give us the willpower (or “won’t-power”) to act. Are you working out what God is working in?
September 29, 2013
Paul told the Christians at Philippi that it was their “partnership in the gospel” that filled his prayers for them with thankfulness, joy and confidence. This seems a good definition for the church– a partnership (fellowship, communion, kononia) of persons who have heard, believed, been saved by and live to proclaim the gospel (good news about Jesus). Today’s church doesn’t need more church members. It needs more gospel partners! Are you a partner of the gospel?
January 27, 2013 | Philippians 2:12-18 |
Pastor Gary Combs continues the sermon series “Healthy for Life” with this message about how our behavior should grow to match our believing. In other words, following Christ and believing in Him should affect how we live and behave. This is part three in a five part series discussing the four areas that Jesus grew as found in Luke 2:52. How we behave doesn’t save us, but being saved should affect our behavior.
December 2, 2012 | Philippians 4:1-9 |
Pastor Gary Combs begins a new 4-part Christmas sermon series discussing the truly meaningful gifts that God offers us through Christ. This first message, taken from Philippians 4:1-9, reveals to us the necessary “right” conditions for living a life marked by Joy.