September 30, 2022
ARE YOU WORKING OUT WHAT GOD IS WORKING IN? Physically, we are born with the muscles that God gave us. Yet, it is up to us to work them out. As we learn to crawl, then walk, and ultimately to run, we work out the physical strength that God is “working in” us. If we
September 30, 2020
ARE YOU WORKING OUT WHAT GOD IS WORKING IN? Physically, we are born with the muscles that God gave us. Yet, it is up to us to work them out. As we learn to crawl, then walk, and ultimately to run, we “work out” the physical strength that God has “worked in” us. If we
October 1, 2019
HOW DO WE WELCOME OUR MISSIONARIES BACK HOME? The apostle Paul urged the believers in Phlippi to welcome their own Epaphroditus back as one who had “risked his life for the work of Christ” (Phil. 2:30). He urged them to give him the “honor” he deserved, for he had almost died while serving with Paul.
December 9, 2018 | Philippians 2:1-11 |
The first Christmas was a humble one. Jesus was not born in a royal palace, but in an animal pen. He was not born as a prince, but as a pauper. His birth was not announced before high society, but before lowly shepherds. He slept not on a bed with sheets, but a manger filled with straw. Jesus came not as a Sovereign, but as a Servant. Jesus came to save us. He came to be our Savior.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he described the humble mind of Christ which moved Him to come to us as Savior. We can understand the humble mind of Christ which moved Him to come to us as Savior.
October 1, 2018
THE FELLOWSHIP OF CARING FOR BELIEVERS FAR AWAY
Paul wrote this epistle to the believers in Philippi while imprisoned in Rome (See Phil. 1:13-14). The epistle is like a love letter, filled with affection and joy for the members of the church at Philippi. Paul was longing for an update on them, so he sent this letter to let them know that Timothy was coming on his behalf. He wanted them to know that in sending Timothy, he was sending one who was like his own son, who cared for them as he did.
Have you ever gone on a mission trip to some distant land? I have had the privilege of going on many short term trips and I always leave part of my heart in every place. When the mission team returns home, we give a report to our church, and hopefully our members are inspired. Yet, there is a certain frustration in trying to explain to them the depth of our experience. They see the photos and hear the stories, but they didn’t go with us, so they can’t fully share our “genuine care” for those we’ve visited. But those who have gone with us, share a special fellowship of love for those believers we have formed a bond with in lands far away.
January 17, 2016 | Philippians 2:1-5 |
It can be difficult to have good lifelong relationships with family, with co-workers, and even with friends. Many of our relationships end in quarrel or just dissolve in indifference. God shows us through the cross that His relationship to us is selfless, unconditionally loving, and full of mercy and grace. He commissions us to do the same with others.
In the apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, he taught them that they could experience the joy of right relationships through knowing Christ. This is the secret. We need Jesus to give us peace within, before we can have peace with others. We can experience the joy of right relationships with others through Christ.
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?
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.
October 28, 2012 | Philippians 2:1-11 |
Pastor Gary Combs continues the “Time to Thrive” sermon series with this message from Philippians about how Christ humbled himself and became a servant, considering others better than Himself. In this message entitled, “Time for Serving,” Pastor Gary describes how God has shaped us to have the same mind as Christ and to serve His purpose.