ARCC Sermons

In our study of Philippians, we will see a church created by the sovereign grace of God, united in Christ, and participating together in the gospel. From the Lord opening Lydia’s heart in Acts 16 to Paul’s confidence that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion,” we will see that Christ is faithfully building His Church. As we walk through this letter, we will discover who we are in Christ, why we are His people, and therefore how we are to live—serving one another, striving together for the gospel, growing in love, rejoicing in the Lord, and learning with Paul to be content in whatever circumstances the Lord appoints. Together we will press on to know Christ and eagerly await the day of Christ, confident that the One who began His work in us will complete it, all to the glory and praise of God.

Discover

How would you describe a mature, Christlike disciple of Jesus?

Why might the selfless, sacrificial life of Jesus seem admirable but unrealistic for “ordinary” Christians?

Who have you known whose concern or sacrifice helped you see the character of Jesus more clearly? What about that persons life made Christ’s character especially visible to you?

Nurture

How does knowing that God is at work in “ordinary” Christians (Philippians 1:6, 2:12-13) change your expectations for Christian maturity in yourself and others?

When you compare Timothy’s “genuine concern” for the welfare of others with those who “seek their own interests”, how does caring for the children of God reveal a genuine love for Jesus?

Considering Paul’s description of Epaphroditus, what would it look like for a church to “honor such people”?

Act

Which quality Paul describes in Timothy and Epaphroditus most convicts or challenges you? What specific action will you take this week to practice that quality for the good of someone else?

What will you ask God to work within you this week and what step of willing obedience will you take in dependence on Him?

In our study of Philippians, we will see a church created by the sovereign grace of God, united in Christ, and participating together in the gospel. From the Lord opening Lydia’s heart in Acts 16 to Paul’s confidence that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion,” we will see that Christ is faithfully building His Church. As we walk through this letter, we will discover who we are in Christ, why we are His people, and therefore how we are to live—serving one another, striving together for the gospel, growing in love, rejoicing in the Lord, and learning with Paul to be content in whatever circumstances the Lord appoints. Together we will press on to know Christ and eagerly await the day of Christ, confident that the One who began His work in us will complete it, all to the glory and praise of God.

Discover

What distinguishes an authentic Christian life from one that is merely religious?

How would you describe the visible character of a person whose faith is genuinely rooted in Christ Jesus?

What should distinguish the shared life of our church from other organizations in the community?

Nurture

What thoughts and emotions does knowing that God is powerfully at work within His children stir within you?

How should recognizing that God is at work in other believers affect the way you think about, speak to and treat them?

Does living in a “crooked and twisted generation” challenge your commitment to “let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ? What helps you remain faithful?

Act

What specific decision will you make this week to embody the mind of Christ so that His light shines through you?

What will you do this week to hold fast to the word of life yourself, and to whom could you hold it forth?

Discover

What was Paul’s intentions in writing this letter to the Philippians?

Why is it important that grace comes before the commandment in scripture?

How do we see Christ’s humility in this section of scripture?

Nurture

In what ways have you been encouraged by being united in Christ, comforted in his love, or seen his tenderness or compassion?

What is something you do in selfish ambition or vain conceit. Is there anything that the world would see as good, but is also done in selfish ambition or vain conceit?

Why would verses 6-8 be an encouragement to us? Why would verses 9-11 an encouragement?

Act

After confessing areas of selfish ambition or vain conceit, how would our walk look different this upcoming week?

In our study of Philippians, we will see a church created by the sovereign grace of God, united in Christ, and participating together in the gospel. From the Lord opening Lydia’s heart in Acts 16 to Paul’s confidence that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion,” we will see that Christ is faithfully building His Church. As we walk through this letter, we will discover who we are in Christ, why we are His people, and therefore how we are to live—serving one another, striving together for the gospel, growing in love, rejoicing in the Lord, and learning with Paul to be content in whatever circumstances the Lord appoints. Together we will press on to know Christ and eagerly await the day of Christ, confident that the One who began His work in us will complete it, all to the glory and praise of God.

Discover

What makes Christ’s Church different from every other human organization?

How should this difference be seen in the way a local church lives together?

How does God use other believers to help you become more like Christ?

Nurture

What could tempt you to compromise the Gospel and how could other believers help you stand firm?

What would it look like to strive side by side for the gospel instead of merely attending church together?

How do the promises of Christ Jesus encourage you when opposition makes you hesitant to live or speak for Him?

Act

What one specific action could you take this week to help nurture the unity the Holy Spirit has created in your church?

Is there someone in your church whom the Lord may be prompting you to encourage, listen to, or serve this week?

In our study of Philippians, we will see a church created by the sovereign grace of God, united in Christ, and participating together in the gospel. From the Lord opening Lydia’s heart in Acts 16 to Paul’s confidence that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion,” we will see that Christ is faithfully building His Church. As we walk through this letter, we will discover who we are in Christ, why we are His people, and therefore how we are to live—serving one another, striving together for the gospel, growing in love, rejoicing in the Lord, and learning with Paul to be content in whatever circumstances the Lord appoints. Together we will press on to know Christ and eagerly await the day of Christ, confident that the One who began His work in us will complete it, all to the glory and praise of God.

Discover

What does a life well lived look like to you?

How do you think most people would define life?

How do you think most people would define death?

How does being a Christian change those perspectives?

Nurture

As you think about life and death, what gives you hope? Why?

Even when we have hope, what can make death difficult to talk about?

Act

What one change could you make this week so that your life bears more fruit for Christ and helps someone else grow in their faith?

How would the hope of being with Christ after death shape one decision you make this week?

In our study of Philippians, we will see a church created by the sovereign grace of God, united in Christ, and participating together in the gospel. From the Lord opening Lydia’s heart in Acts 16 to Paul’s confidence that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion,” we will see that Christ is faithfully building His Church. As we walk through this letter, we will discover who we are in Christ, why we are His people, and therefore how we are to live—serving one another, striving together for the gospel, growing in love, rejoicing in the Lord, and learning with Paul to be content in whatever circumstances the Lord appoints. Together we will press on to know Christ and eagerly await the day of Christ, confident that the One who began His work in us will complete it, all to the glory and praise of God.

Discover

When circumstances don’t fit your plan how do you usually respond? What does that “response” reveal about what you truly believe?  

What is your primary source of joy? In what do you rejoice? What role do current “circumstances” play in your answers? 

Nurture

Is there a situation or time in your life that appeared hopeless but you can now see how the Lord worked it out for His glory and your good? 

Has someone else’s faithfulness in difficult circumstances increased your confidence in the Lord and made you bolder to speak the good news? If so, who? How did their example affect you?  

Act 

What is currently happening in your life that provides an opportunity to display your trust in the Lord whatever the circumstances?  

In our study of Philippians, we will see a church created by the sovereign grace of God, united in Christ, and participating together in the gospel. From the Lord opening Lydia’s heart in Acts 16 to Paul’s confidence that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion,” we will see that Christ is faithfully building His Church. As we walk through this letter, we will discover who we are in Christ, why we are His people, and therefore how we are to live—serving one another, striving together for the gospel, growing in love, rejoicing in the Lord, and learning with Paul to be content in whatever circumstances the Lord appoints. Together we will press on to know Christ and eagerly await the day of Christ, confident that the One who began His work in us will complete it, all to the glory and praise of God.

Discover

How would you define and describe a Christian? Does Philippians 1:1-11 change your answer? Why?

What in your life are most sure of? Does Philippians 1:1-11 change your answer? How?

Nurture

What are you thankful for? How would thanking God for the people He has placed in your life change the way you pray for them? 

How are you “partnering” in the gospel with Christ’s Church? 

Act 

What would be necessary for your love to “abound more and more”? What would that look like to those around you? 

Would your life change if you knew “the day of the Christ” was a year from today? What does your answer reveal about the way you are living today? 

DNA Questions

Discover

• How does Psalm 105 connect praise and worship to remembering what the LORD has done?

• In what specific ways did the LORD provide for Abraham, Jacob, Jospeh, and Israel?

• Is there anything about God’s provision for His people that surprises you?

• What does God’s provision in the past have to do with us today?

Nurture

• Why is it important for us to consider the implications of being in the presence of the LORD? What are the implications of not being in the presence of the LORD?

• How does God’s provision for His people in Psalm 105 encourage you today?

Act

• How can you purposefully see God in His provision this week?

• How can you purposefully give thanks for His provision this week?

DNA Questions

Discover

Why might David have used the structure of Praise - Creation - Provision - The Heavenlies - Provision - Creation - Praise in this Psalm?

What new insights did you gain from the description of creation?

Why are creation and provision interconnected?

Nurture

Why is it important to see God’s glory connected to His creation and provision as we consider our culture today?

How does David’s description of creation encourage you?

What is David conveying to us when we speaks of the various types of birds and animals? Why do you suppose he chose the animals that he did?

Act

How can you more purposefully see God in His creation this week?

In what ways can you more actively seek His good and perfect provision in your life, and the life of your loved ones?

DNA Questions

Discover

Of the Lords Benefits, which one in this Psalm is most clearly seen by you? Why?

What in your life dictates how you view God?

In the Psalm, why would man fear God?

Nurture

Do you have the ability to Preach the Gospel to yourself? What hinders this ability? What in your walk with the Lord is he using to grown this area?

Where in your life can you see God’s mercy and grace overlap? Does this cause you to see Jesus in a clearer light?

How would you define “Fear of the Lord” and what in your life influences this definition? Does this match up with scripture?

Act

Would confession of Sin (the problem), change any ungodly behavior (symptom)? Can you identify the Sin (problem) or can you work backwards from ungodly behavior (symptom)?

Considering that Jesus has paid for Sin, would walking in the Lord's Justice change you this week? What

would change?