Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 8/26/07:
1. Paul is mindful of the day of Christ Jesus (the rapture-the return of Jesus for the church). He was consumed by the thought of Christ’s return and of being ready and unashamed at His return. Paul was also concerned for those he taught that they would be ready as well. The issue for the believer at Jesus’ return is not salvation (that’s already settled) but of rewards for faithful life and service.
2. Paul’s love for the Philippians found its source in Jesus Christ. Jesus was loving them through Paul. Who is it that Jesus wants to love through us?
3. Paul prays that they might act in love making right choices and not causing others to stumble.
4. Love is so important because it is greater than spiritual experiences, spiritual gifts, faith, service, and knowledge (I Corinthians 13:1-3; 8:1; source John Stott)
5. Love is evidenced by concern for others, willingness to yield to others, willingness to forgive, and sacrificial service.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
The Important Thing Is...
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Part 4 of the Philippians series.
Recap of 8/12/07 & 8/19/07:
1. Paul addresses the leaders of the church (the Overseers and Deacons) in his greeting.
2. His likely reason for addressing them specifically is because of his need to deal in the letter with issues that had arisen at the church, specifically: lack of unity and rivalry. Personal ambition (contending for their own way) had replaced their care for each other and the things of Jesus Christ.
He addressed the leadership because as the leadership of a church goes so go the people. The need was greater now than ever for the leadership to be
unified and an example of unselfishness.
“Partnership” (i.e.”fellowship, koinonia”) means “to have in common.” It is a bond that is deeper than friendship. It speaks of the bond we have together in the church because we are in Christ. It speaks of the salvation we share, our work together in getting out the gospel, our meeting each others needs, and the sufferings of Jesus.
5. When God begins a work in believers he finishes it. Whether the subject is salvation or the work God calls us to do, He doesn’t give up, He finishes what He begins.
Part 4 of the Philippians series.
Recap of 8/12/07 & 8/19/07:
1. Paul addresses the leaders of the church (the Overseers and Deacons) in his greeting.
2. His likely reason for addressing them specifically is because of his need to deal in the letter with issues that had arisen at the church, specifically: lack of unity and rivalry. Personal ambition (contending for their own way) had replaced their care for each other and the things of Jesus Christ.
He addressed the leadership because as the leadership of a church goes so go the people. The need was greater now than ever for the leadership to be
unified and an example of unselfishness.
“Partnership” (i.e.”fellowship, koinonia”) means “to have in common.” It is a bond that is deeper than friendship. It speaks of the bond we have together in the church because we are in Christ. It speaks of the salvation we share, our work together in getting out the gospel, our meeting each others needs, and the sufferings of Jesus.
5. When God begins a work in believers he finishes it. Whether the subject is salvation or the work God calls us to do, He doesn’t give up, He finishes what He begins.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Partners in a Great Venture
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Part 3 of the Philippians Series. References chapter 1:3-11
Recap of 8/12/07:
1. Paul addresses the leaders of the church(the Overseers and Deacons) in his greeting.
2. His likely reason for addressing them specifically is because of his need to deal in the letter with issues that had arisen at the church, specifically their lack of unity and rivalry. Personal ambition (contending for their own way) had replaced their care for each other and the things of Jesus Christ.
3. He addressed the leadership because as the leadership of a church goes so go the people. The need was greater now than ever for the leadership to be unified and an example of unselfishness.
Part 3 of the Philippians Series. References chapter 1:3-11
Recap of 8/12/07:
1. Paul addresses the leaders of the church(the Overseers and Deacons) in his greeting.
2. His likely reason for addressing them specifically is because of his need to deal in the letter with issues that had arisen at the church, specifically their lack of unity and rivalry. Personal ambition (contending for their own way) had replaced their care for each other and the things of Jesus Christ.
3. He addressed the leadership because as the leadership of a church goes so go the people. The need was greater now than ever for the leadership to be unified and an example of unselfishness.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Servants & Saints, Part 2
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Part 2 in the Philippians Series. Re-cap of August 5, 2007:
1. Christians are to respect church leaders for their works’ sake.
2. The biblical words Elder, Overseer (or Bishop), and Pastor (or Shepherd) all refer to the same church office or group of men.
3. Elders are qualified for the office on the basis of spiritual character, temperament, morality, ethics, reputation and service (things all believers should strive for), not on the basis of particular skills, status, or personality.
4. The duties of Elders include: general oversight of the church, monetary matters, feeding and leading, study and prayer, and warning and watching over the flock.5. Deacons are “servants” or “working helpers” who carry out specific ministry (especially in the area of material needs) under the direction of the Elders.
Part 2 in the Philippians Series. Re-cap of August 5, 2007:
1. Christians are to respect church leaders for their works’ sake.
2. The biblical words Elder, Overseer (or Bishop), and Pastor (or Shepherd) all refer to the same church office or group of men.
3. Elders are qualified for the office on the basis of spiritual character, temperament, morality, ethics, reputation and service (things all believers should strive for), not on the basis of particular skills, status, or personality.
4. The duties of Elders include: general oversight of the church, monetary matters, feeding and leading, study and prayer, and warning and watching over the flock.5. Deacons are “servants” or “working helpers” who carry out specific ministry (especially in the area of material needs) under the direction of the Elders.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Servants & Saints (Philippians Series) - July 29, 2007
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First in the Philippians Series, which continues through January 20, 2008.
Recap of July 29, 2007:
1. The church at Philippi was established by Paul on his Second Missionary Journey
(Acts 16:6-40) in about 51 A.D.
2. Some major themes of the book are:
-the possibility of living with joy in spite of difficult circumstances, people, things, the past, or worry.
-the necessity of thinking spiritually, Christianly: the way we live reflects what it is that occupies our thinking. Paul could have joy in the midst of trials because his thinking was consumed by Jesus Christ.
-the necessity of humility in our attitudes and actions towards others, deferring to others, not demanding our way-we are primarily citizens of Heaven and should live as such.
First in the Philippians Series, which continues through January 20, 2008.
Recap of July 29, 2007:
1. The church at Philippi was established by Paul on his Second Missionary Journey
(Acts 16:6-40) in about 51 A.D.
2. Some major themes of the book are:
-the possibility of living with joy in spite of difficult circumstances, people, things, the past, or worry.
-the necessity of thinking spiritually, Christianly: the way we live reflects what it is that occupies our thinking. Paul could have joy in the midst of trials because his thinking was consumed by Jesus Christ.
-the necessity of humility in our attitudes and actions towards others, deferring to others, not demanding our way-we are primarily citizens of Heaven and should live as such.
Monday, July 23, 2007
God's Design For Marriage, Part 13
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The final sermon in the series, God's Design For Marriage (this is part 13).
Recap of July 22, 2007:
1. The Biblical role of men in marriage
-Exercise loving, servant leadership (Ephesians 5:25-33).
-Build-up your wife, don’t tear her down by a surly, irritable attitude or by sharp, unfeeling words (Colossians 3:19)
-Treat you wife with consideration and respect (1 Peter 3:7)
-Be faithful in mind and body (Proverbs 5)
2. The Biblical role of women in marriage
-Respect and respond to your husband’s leadership (Ephesians 5:22,24; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1-6)
-Express appreciation/admiration to your husband (Ephesians 5:33)
-Provide a good home atmosphere (Proverbs 14:1; 12:4)
-Be positive and supportive, not argumentative (Proverbs 21:9; 25:24; 21:19; 27:15,16; 19:13)
The final sermon in the series, God's Design For Marriage (this is part 13).
Recap of July 22, 2007:
1. The Biblical role of men in marriage
-Exercise loving, servant leadership (Ephesians 5:25-33).
-Build-up your wife, don’t tear her down by a surly, irritable attitude or by sharp, unfeeling words (Colossians 3:19)
-Treat you wife with consideration and respect (1 Peter 3:7)
-Be faithful in mind and body (Proverbs 5)
2. The Biblical role of women in marriage
-Respect and respond to your husband’s leadership (Ephesians 5:22,24; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1-6)
-Express appreciation/admiration to your husband (Ephesians 5:33)
-Provide a good home atmosphere (Proverbs 14:1; 12:4)
-Be positive and supportive, not argumentative (Proverbs 21:9; 25:24; 21:19; 27:15,16; 19:13)
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
God's Design For Marriage, Part 12
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12th in the sermon series, God's Design for Marriage
Recap of July 15, 2007:
1. The Biblical role of men in marriage
-Exercise loving, servant leadership (Ephesians 5:25-33).
-Build-up your wife, don’t tear her down by a surly, irritable attitude or by sharp, unfeeling words (Colossians 3:19)
-Treat you wife with consideration and respect (1 Peter 3:7)
-Be faithful in mind and body (Proverbs 5)
2. The Biblical role of women in marriage
-Respect and respond to your husband’s leadership (Ephesians 5:22,24; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1-6)
-Express appreciation/admiration to your husband (Ephesians 5:33)
12th in the sermon series, God's Design for Marriage
Recap of July 15, 2007:
1. The Biblical role of men in marriage
-Exercise loving, servant leadership (Ephesians 5:25-33).
-Build-up your wife, don’t tear her down by a surly, irritable attitude or by sharp, unfeeling words (Colossians 3:19)
-Treat you wife with consideration and respect (1 Peter 3:7)
-Be faithful in mind and body (Proverbs 5)
2. The Biblical role of women in marriage
-Respect and respond to your husband’s leadership (Ephesians 5:22,24; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1-6)
-Express appreciation/admiration to your husband (Ephesians 5:33)
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
God's Design For Marriage, Part 11
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of July 8, 2007:
1. The Biblical role of men in marriage
-Exercise loving, servant leadership (Ephesians 5:25-33).
-Build-up your wife, don’t tear her down by a surly, irritable attitude or by sharp, unfeeling words (Colossians 3:19)
-Treat you wife with consideration and respect (1 Peter 3:7)
-Be faithful in mind and body (Proverbs 5)
2. The Biblical role of women in marriage-Respond to your husband’s leadership (Ephesians 5:22,24; Colossians 3:18)
Recap of July 8, 2007:
1. The Biblical role of men in marriage
-Exercise loving, servant leadership (Ephesians 5:25-33).
-Build-up your wife, don’t tear her down by a surly, irritable attitude or by sharp, unfeeling words (Colossians 3:19)
-Treat you wife with consideration and respect (1 Peter 3:7)
-Be faithful in mind and body (Proverbs 5)
2. The Biblical role of women in marriage-Respond to your husband’s leadership (Ephesians 5:22,24; Colossians 3:18)
God's Design For Marriage, Part 10
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of July 1, 2007:
The Biblical role of men in marriage
-Exercise loving, servant leadership (Ephesians 5:25-33). Leadership that is:
-sacrificial (not selfish)
-nurturing (seeking for our wife’s full development spiritual and as a person)
-caring (providing for and protecting)
-committed
-Build-up your wife, don’t tear her down by a surly, irritable attitude or by sharp, unfeeling words (Colossians 3:19)
Recap of July 1, 2007:
The Biblical role of men in marriage
-Exercise loving, servant leadership (Ephesians 5:25-33). Leadership that is:
-sacrificial (not selfish)
-nurturing (seeking for our wife’s full development spiritual and as a person)
-caring (providing for and protecting)
-committed
-Build-up your wife, don’t tear her down by a surly, irritable attitude or by sharp, unfeeling words (Colossians 3:19)
Monday, June 25, 2007
God's Design For Marriage, Part 9
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of June 24, 2007:
Basic assumptions to fulfilling God’s goal for marriage:
-our mate is God’s provision for our aloneness needs (Genesis 2:22-24), weaknesses and all. The Fall brought about blame instead of acceptance.
-God’s only agent for change is unconditional love, not pressuring or haranguing them to change. Marriage is not a “makeover project.”
-God uses our mate to perfect our character. Our mate’s weaknesses are an opportunity for us to grow.
-Our mate’s weaknesses are an opportunity for us to be needed. “Perfect” people are lonely people.
(Source: Meredith, Don. "Becoming One.")
Recap of June 24, 2007:
Basic assumptions to fulfilling God’s goal for marriage:
-our mate is God’s provision for our aloneness needs (Genesis 2:22-24), weaknesses and all. The Fall brought about blame instead of acceptance.
-God’s only agent for change is unconditional love, not pressuring or haranguing them to change. Marriage is not a “makeover project.”
-God uses our mate to perfect our character. Our mate’s weaknesses are an opportunity for us to grow.
-Our mate’s weaknesses are an opportunity for us to be needed. “Perfect” people are lonely people.
(Source: Meredith, Don. "Becoming One.")
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
God's Design For Marriage, Part 8
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of June 17, 2007:
1. Marriage Killer #11: Not recognizing or progressing through the stages of a relationship.
-Stage #1, Infatuation – tendency to see only the good in another person, to hide flaws, to please the other person without thought of return.
-Stage #2, Reality – beginning to see the other person’s faults, personality weaknesses and to let ours be seen. Should occur during courtship. Married couples have an obligation to get through this phase if they have not previously.
-Stage #3, Adjustment – Forgiveness, reconciliation, sacrifice, and conflict resolution are common.
2. Marriage Killer #12 – Confusion and changes in society regarding marriage and roles of men and women in marriage. Lack of familial and cultural support for marriage.
3. Marriage Killer #13 (a catch-all!) Finances, interfering in-laws, substance abuse, addictive behavior, career success at the expense of the marriage and family.
(Sources for the above: Roger & Becky Tirabassi, How to Live with Them Since You Can’t Live Without Them; Don Meredith, Becoming One; James Dobson)
Recap of June 17, 2007:
1. Marriage Killer #11: Not recognizing or progressing through the stages of a relationship.
-Stage #1, Infatuation – tendency to see only the good in another person, to hide flaws, to please the other person without thought of return.
-Stage #2, Reality – beginning to see the other person’s faults, personality weaknesses and to let ours be seen. Should occur during courtship. Married couples have an obligation to get through this phase if they have not previously.
-Stage #3, Adjustment – Forgiveness, reconciliation, sacrifice, and conflict resolution are common.
2. Marriage Killer #12 – Confusion and changes in society regarding marriage and roles of men and women in marriage. Lack of familial and cultural support for marriage.
3. Marriage Killer #13 (a catch-all!) Finances, interfering in-laws, substance abuse, addictive behavior, career success at the expense of the marriage and family.
(Sources for the above: Roger & Becky Tirabassi, How to Live with Them Since You Can’t Live Without Them; Don Meredith, Becoming One; James Dobson)
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
God's Design For Marriage, Part 7
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of June 10, 2007:
Staying pure in a sexually charged society:
1. Determine beforehand what your limits are and remind yourself often.
2. Don’t toy with immorality – be especially careful about your thought life and about what you look at.
3. Build God’s standard into your life through Bible reading and study, prayer, scripture meditation and memorization. Determine to have nothing but God’s best for your life.
4. If necessary, flee the situation. 1 Corinthians 6:12-18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Genesis 39:6-12 5. Make a list of the consequences if you fail.
6. If you have already failed morally confess your sin to God, receive His forgiveness, recommit your life to His way, ask for His power to stop, and remember that there are consequences even for forgiven sin.
Recap of June 10, 2007:
Staying pure in a sexually charged society:
1. Determine beforehand what your limits are and remind yourself often.
2. Don’t toy with immorality – be especially careful about your thought life and about what you look at.
3. Build God’s standard into your life through Bible reading and study, prayer, scripture meditation and memorization. Determine to have nothing but God’s best for your life.
4. If necessary, flee the situation. 1 Corinthians 6:12-18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Genesis 39:6-12 5. Make a list of the consequences if you fail.
6. If you have already failed morally confess your sin to God, receive His forgiveness, recommit your life to His way, ask for His power to stop, and remember that there are consequences even for forgiven sin.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
God's Design For Marriage, Part 6
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of June 3, 2007:
1. Marriage killer number ten: Conflict over the sexual relationship
2. God designed the physical relationship in marriage to build intimacy, instead it often builds distance.
3. In 1 Corinthians 7:1-5 Paul (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) warns married couples to not withhold their bodies from each other except in rare instances and then only for prayer. To violate this instruction is to invite Satan’s destructive work into a marriage.
4. A couple’s response to each other and growth in this area can be hindered by such things as not understanding the differences between men and women in this area, exhaustion, addictions (especially to pornography), and mental adultery (see Matthew 5:27,28).
5. For more in this area see Williard Harley, His Needs, Her Needs; Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus, Intimate Issues; Clifford and Joyce Penner, The Gift of Sex; Dr. Ed Wheat, Intended for Pleasure.
Recap of June 3, 2007:
1. Marriage killer number ten: Conflict over the sexual relationship
2. God designed the physical relationship in marriage to build intimacy, instead it often builds distance.
3. In 1 Corinthians 7:1-5 Paul (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) warns married couples to not withhold their bodies from each other except in rare instances and then only for prayer. To violate this instruction is to invite Satan’s destructive work into a marriage.
4. A couple’s response to each other and growth in this area can be hindered by such things as not understanding the differences between men and women in this area, exhaustion, addictions (especially to pornography), and mental adultery (see Matthew 5:27,28).
5. For more in this area see Williard Harley, His Needs, Her Needs; Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus, Intimate Issues; Clifford and Joyce Penner, The Gift of Sex; Dr. Ed Wheat, Intended for Pleasure.
God's Design For Marriage, Part 5
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 5/27/07
Threats to God's design for marriage ("Why Marriages Fail" by Kerby Anderson, Probe Ministries):
-Escalation ("Negative Interaction Spiral")-negative exchanges that become increasingly hostile, often begun over minor things. 1 Peter 3:9; Proverbs 12:18; James 1:26; 3:1ff
-Invalidation - subtly or overtly putting down your mate's thoughts, feelings, character, personality. Matthew 5:22; Proverbs 25:20
-Negative Interpretations - Consistently making negative assumptions about your mate's actions, words, motives (discounting positive things, magnifying negative things). 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
-Withdrawl & Avoidance - unwillingness to openly and honestly deal with uncomfortable issues. Ephesians 4:25-27
Recap of 5/27/07
Threats to God's design for marriage ("Why Marriages Fail" by Kerby Anderson, Probe Ministries):
-Escalation ("Negative Interaction Spiral")-negative exchanges that become increasingly hostile, often begun over minor things. 1 Peter 3:9; Proverbs 12:18; James 1:26; 3:1ff
-Invalidation - subtly or overtly putting down your mate's thoughts, feelings, character, personality. Matthew 5:22; Proverbs 25:20
-Negative Interpretations - Consistently making negative assumptions about your mate's actions, words, motives (discounting positive things, magnifying negative things). 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
-Withdrawl & Avoidance - unwillingness to openly and honestly deal with uncomfortable issues. Ephesians 4:25-27
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
God's Design For Marriage, Part 4
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 5/20/07
Threats to God’s design for marriage (partial sources: Becoming One by Don Meredith, Marriage Builder by Larry Crabb)
-selfishness/self-centeredness – capacity for inflicting hurt, destructive practices, failure to reign in the sin nature (Matthew 15:10-20; James 3)
-a fantasy view of love – viewing love as primarily a feeling rather that a commitment to the highest good of another person. God does give intense emotional feelings but they are the result of love, not the basis for love.
-emphasis on becoming happy and fulfilled rather than on a holy, obedient walk with God, abandoning God’s will when the going gets tough
-faithfulness to Scripture is made optional, needs and emotions trump Biblical injunctions, puts us in the spotlight and Christ on the sidelines of our lives
Recap of 5/20/07
Threats to God’s design for marriage (partial sources: Becoming One by Don Meredith, Marriage Builder by Larry Crabb)
-selfishness/self-centeredness – capacity for inflicting hurt, destructive practices, failure to reign in the sin nature (Matthew 15:10-20; James 3)
-a fantasy view of love – viewing love as primarily a feeling rather that a commitment to the highest good of another person. God does give intense emotional feelings but they are the result of love, not the basis for love.
-emphasis on becoming happy and fulfilled rather than on a holy, obedient walk with God, abandoning God’s will when the going gets tough
-faithfulness to Scripture is made optional, needs and emotions trump Biblical injunctions, puts us in the spotlight and Christ on the sidelines of our lives
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