Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

1. What is the primary purpose of the church directory update mentioned at the beginning of the service? How is this information kept confidential from the survey results?
2. Describe the initial technical difficulties experienced during the worship service. How did the speaker respond to these challenges, and what message did they convey about God's presence?
3. The speaker asks for a show of hands for anyone who has experienced "chaos" in their life recently. How does the speaker suggest worship can help individuals cope with this chaos?
4. Beyond the initial prayer, what specific "announcement" does Judy make regarding the search for a new pastor? What action is requested of the congregation?
5. During the community sharing time, Jeff provides an update about Mary. What kind of assistance has the church family provided for Mary, and what ongoing needs are mentioned?
6. Identify two specific prayer requests made during the community sharing time related to physical health challenges. What is the overarching sentiment or desire expressed for those facing these difficulties?
7. What is the purpose of the grief group starting on Saturdays? What does the speaker emphasize about the nature of grief and how this group aims to help?
8. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, uses strong negative terms to describe those who oppose the true Christian faith. List three of these terms and briefly explain their negative connotations in that historical context.
9. Paul lists several impressive accomplishments and aspects of his "pedigree." Name at least three of these and explain why he ultimately considers them "loss" or "garbage."
10. According to the speaker, how does "rejoicing" act as a "safeguard" for believers? What is the core belief about Jesus that enables this safeguarding?

1. Analyze the role of community and shared experiences in the "Worship at Born" service. How does the structure of the service, particularly the community sharing time, foster a sense of family and mutual care among congregants?
2. Discuss the speaker's interpretation of "rejoicing in the Lord" as presented in the sermon. How does this concept connect to the idea of being "safeguarded," and what theological underpinnings are provided to support this connection?
3. Paul's transformation is a central theme in the sermon. Explain how Paul's shift in perspective regarding his "pedigree" illuminates the core message about salvation and righteousness. What is the significance of his willingness to consider his past accomplishments "garbage"?
4. Examine the speaker's use of metaphors and analogies to explain complex theological concepts. Discuss the effectiveness of the "wide-mouthed frog" story and the "dogs" metaphor in conveying the sermon's message about humility, false teaching, and discerning truth.
5. The sermon emphasizes the sufficiency of Jesus Christ for salvation and living a life of joy. How does the speaker use Paul's argument against the "Judaizers" to highlight the dangers of adding requirements to faith and to underscore the complete nature of God's grace?

This deep dive is different than most. We have an important church transition and we focused a bit more on the whole service rather than the just the sermon.

Key Concepts and Themes

1. The Nature of Worship:

• Conscious presence in God's presence, distinct from daily life.
• Giving praise and honor to Jesus.
• Emphasis on gratitude and remembering specific reasons to praise God ("10,000 Reasons" song).

1. Grace and Redemption:

• The concept of being "grace bought" – salvation is by grace, not by works.
• God's choice and the high price paid for believers.
• The idea of finding "beauty from ashes" and surrendering to God.

1. Community and Fellowship:

• Importance of sharing burdens and celebrations within the church community.
• The church as a place of belonging, love, and shared life.
• The strength derived from fellowship and mutual support.

1. The Power of Prayer:

• Centrality of prayer in the Born church, with numerous answered prayers cited.
• Belief in ongoing miracles through prayer.
• Encouragement for open and heartfelt communication with God.

1. Biblical Teachings from Philippians (Pastor Chuck's Sermon):

• Focus on Christ and Unity: Jesus as the true leader and center of the church.
• Rejoice Always: Joy as a powerful way to maintain strong faith despite difficulties (Philippians 4:4).
• Pray with Thanksgiving: Addressing anxiety through gratitude.
• Stand Firm in the Gospel: Understanding and living out the good news of Jesus Christ, including His humility, sacrifice, resurrection, and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
• Press On to the Goal: Perseverance through trials and hardships, maintaining love and compassion.
• Live Blameless: Acknowledging human fallibility but relying on God's grace and Jesus's righteousness for forgiveness.

1. The Philippian Church as a Model:

• Founded by Paul, rooted in faithfulness (Lydia's conversion).
• Characterized by a joyful, loving, supportive, and united community.
• Thriving spiritually, growing in faith despite challenges.
• Known for its strong witness and care for the community.
• Continued to thrive even after Paul's departure, demonstrating strong leadership and people-driven ministry.

1. Leadership Transition at Born:

• Pastor Chuck's announcement of his departure due to health issues and a desire not to hinder the church's growth.
• Emphasis on the church's strong existing leadership (small group leaders, freedom ministry, leadership team, Sunday school, worship leaders).
• The "season" metaphor for ministerial callings, acknowledging that some leaders move on.
• The search team's methodical, prayerful, and transparent process for finding a new pastor.
• Commitment to maintaining the church's foundational mission and vision: planting themselves in the community to proclaim the gospel and display Christ's love.

1. The Role of the Holy Spirit:

• Guidance in personal life and church leadership discernment.
• Empowerment, wisdom, and strength for believers.
• Ministering, caring for, strengthening, and building up individuals.
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Guest: Pastor Matthew

1. What is Matthew's stated natural disposition, and how does he contrast it with the opposite temperament?
2. Explain the significance of the passage from Philippians chapter 2 that Matthew focuses on, specifically the instruction regarding grumbling.
3. How does Matthew connect the Israelites' behavior in the wilderness, as described in Exodus and Deuteronomy, to the human tendency to grumble?
4. According to the sermon, what is the "toxic soil" that grumbling and complaining create in a person's soul? What "weeds" does it grow?
5. What is the practical exercise Matthew suggests for developing an "attitude of gratitude"? Provide an example.
6. How does Matthew define "thankfulness" in the sermon? What is the core idea behind this definition?
7. What is the "password" to the presence of God, according to Matthew, and what biblical passage does he cite to support this idea?
8. Explain the concept of "contentment" as defined in the sermon, and how it relates to thankfulness.
9. Why does Matthew argue against the "if I just had..." mindset when it comes to gratitude and contentment?
10. In situations of suffering (e.g., cancer, loss), Matthew states we are not to be grateful for the bad things themselves. What is the ultimate "rock" or reason he says we can always give thanks?
1. Analyze how Matthew uses biblical narratives (Philippians, Deuteronomy, Exodus) to build his argument about the prevalence and dangers of grumbling and the importance of gratitude. Discuss the specific parallels he draws between ancient Israel and contemporary human behavior.
2. Compare and contrast Matthew's definition of "thankfulness" and "contentment" with common societal understandings of these concepts. How does his theological perspective inform these definitions, and what are the practical implications for daily living?
3. Matthew discusses the "rewiring" effect of grumbling and the benefits of gratitude on a person's well-being (energy, optimism, social connections, etc.). Discuss the psychological and spiritual dimensions of these effects as presented in the sermon.
4. Explore the concept of "the mind of Christ" as it relates to gratitude in Matthew's sermon. How does Jesus' example, particularly his motivation for coming to Earth, serve as a model for cultivating a grateful disposition even in challenging circumstances?
5. Discuss the role of prayer and communal worship, as implied by the "Worship at Born" excerpts and explicitly stated in the sermon, in fostering an environment of gratitude. How do these practices contribute to moving "from grumbling to gratitude" within a faith community?
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Tony Casey's sermon, "The Humble Attitude of Christ," draws its core message from Philippians chapter 2, verses 5-11. The central imperative is that believers "must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had". Tony defines "attitude" as "a way of thinking." It is an outlook on life. It is a position I take as I approach people, as I approach problems, as I approach the everyday exchanges that life brings". He emphasizes that this attitude is not a suggestion but an imperative command for Christianity to work effectively and for unity within the body of Christ.Key aspects of Christ's attitude highlighted in the sermon include:•Jesus setting aside His divine rights: Though He "was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to" and "He had all the rights of godhood and yet he claimed none of that. He set it aside". Tony explains that this means there are times when believers must "lay aside what our particular right might be to something" for the sake of the gospel and the body of Christ. This deferral ultimately glorifies God.•Jesus willfully choosing humility: Tony stresses, "Jesus did not have a situation thrust upon him. Jesus chose humility". He notes that "Humility comes hard. Pride comes natural".A crucial action point from the sermon is to consciously choose humility. Tony explains that developing Christ's attitude is both a divine work through the Holy Spirit and a conscious exercise of one's will; "It's both". Ultimately, for Christ, "Humility in the end brought exaltation" and every tongue will confess Jesus is Lord "to the glory of God". This act of choosing humility reflects Christ's character and brings glory to God. The sermon also highlights that "Context is everything" to fully grasp and apply biblical truths.

1. What is the main passage of Scripture discussed in Tony's sermon, and what core principle does it emphasize regarding Christ's attitude?
2. Explain the concept of "context is everything" using the speaker's anecdote about Miracle Whip and Duke's mayonnaise.
3. Who was Virgil Mitchell, and what symbolic act did he perform annually? How does this connect to the sermon's theme of humility?
4. According to Dennis Kinlaw's research, why is the word "only" often inserted into Philippians 2:4 in modern Bible translations?
5. How does the speaker define "attitude" in the context of the sermon, and what significant statement does he make about its revelatory nature?
6. Explain the difference between a declarative and an imperative sentence as illustrated by the speaker. Which type of sentence does Paul use in Philippians 2:5, and what is its significance?
7. What "practical truth" does the speaker draw from Christ "setting aside His godhead" in Philippians 2:6?
8. How does the story of L.L. Gerard exemplify the concept of "give and take" within the body of Christ?
9. According to the sermon, what is the relationship between humility and exaltation for Christ, and what is the ultimate purpose of this dynamic?
10. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about his interaction with his wife regarding driving directions. What spiritual lesson does he draw from this experience about pride and humility?




Discussion Questions

1. Analyze the speaker's emphasis on "context" throughout the sermon. How does he use both the mundane (Miracle Whip) and the profound (Virgil Mitchell's cotton plant, Philippians 2:5-11) to illustrate the importance of understanding context for meaning and application?
2. Discuss the speaker's argument for why adopting "the attitude of Christ" (Philippians 2:5) is presented as an "imperative" rather than a mere suggestion. How does he connect this imperative to the unity and functioning of the Christian community?
3. Examine the tension between individual "rights" and the communal good within the body of Christ, as presented by the speaker. How does the example of L.L. Gerard illustrate a biblical response to this tension, and what broader implications does this have for Christian relationships (e.g., marriage)?
4. According to the sermon, how does Christ's choice of humility lead to His exaltation? Elaborate on the theological and practical implications of this principle for believers striving to live lives worthy of the gospel.
5. The speaker discusses how self-interest can manifest, from the insertion of "only" in scripture translations to personal struggles with pride. How does the sermon propose that believers can overcome self-interest and choose humility, considering both divine enablement and human will? This podcast was created with AI

This sermon, titled "The Humility of Christ: A Reflexive Faith," emphasizes the transformative power of humility and love in the life of a believer, drawing heavily from the book of Philippians. The speaker posits that truly embracing the mind of Christ leads to a life where Christ-like behavior becomes reflexive rather than a conscious effort. This includes a commitment to valuing others above oneself, fostering unity by being like-minded and one in spirit, and selflessly investing in raising others up, which ultimately brings personal blessing. The sermon concludes by highlighting that Christians are called to live with hearts that are humble, full of love and compassion, motivated by the immense sacrifice of Jesus, whose humility in leaving heaven and suffering on the cross made salvation possible.

Study Guide

Instructions: Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

1. What initial analogy does the speaker use to describe the congregation, and what is its intended effect?
2. How did the speaker's study of the Book of Philippians impact his personal faith journey and understanding of Christ?
3. Explain the concept of faith becoming "reflexive" rather than "forced behavior" as described in the sermon.
4. Why was the concept of "humility" foreign to the Greeks and Romans, and when is the word speculated to have been coined?
5. According to Paul, how should believers conduct themselves "whatever happens," and what is the outcome of standing firm in their belief?
6. List and briefly explain the four elements Paul mentions in Philippians 2:1 as encouragement for being united with Christ.
7. What does the sermon emphasize about community within the church, particularly regarding individual status or titles?
8. How does valuing others above oneself, as described in the sermon, create a "beautiful space of safety and of confidence" within the church community?
9. Beyond simply going to heaven, what are the immediate benefits of knowing Jesus Christ and having the Holy Spirit in one's life, according to the speaker?
10. How does Jesus model humility, and what does communion symbolize in relation to His sacrifice?

1. Discuss the speaker's personal testimony regarding his call to ministry and how his struggle with "running from God" ultimately led to a deeper understanding of humility and reflexivity in faith.
2. Analyze the sermon's argument for why humility is essential for Christian unity and community. How does the concept of "valuing others above yourself" counteract self-promotion and foster a healthy church environment?
3. Trace the progression of a believer's faith journey from "forced behavior" to "reflexive" action, as described in the sermon. What role do conscious effort, ongoing transformation ("peeling the onion back"), and the indwelling Holy Spirit play in this process?
4. Explain the historical context provided for the word "humility" and its significance within early Christian thought compared to Greek and Roman perspectives. How does this historical insight underscore the revolutionary nature of Christ's example?
5. Examine the relationship between suffering, standing firm in faith, and the growth of the gospel, as presented through Paul's experience in prison. How does the sermon connect this to the everyday experiences of believers?

Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

1. According to the sermon, what is the fundamental driving force for Christian living, described metaphorically as the fuel and engine?
2. How does the speaker define "depth of insight" in the context of the sermon?
3. What role does the speaker assign to the Holy Spirit in relation to "discernment"?
4. The speaker uses the analogy of an octopus to explain a concept in Paul's writing. What do the "head" and the "tentacles" represent in this analogy?
5. According to the speaker, how did Paul view his imprisonment, which many would consider a difficult circumstance?
6. Beyond advancing the gospel through his interactions with guards, what other positive outcome resulted from Paul's chains, according to the sermon?
7. What contrasting motivations for preaching the gospel does Paul observe in others, as highlighted by the speaker?
8. The speaker describes living a life that honors Christ as potentially creating "tension" with others. What is the underlying reason for this tension?
9. According to the passage discussed, what two things have been "granted" to believers on behalf of Christ?
10. How does the speaker connect the suffering experienced by believers to the suffering of Jesus?

1. Analyze the various metaphors and analogies used by the speaker (e.g., love as an engine, discernment as accelerator/brake, octopus analogy) to explain complex spiritual concepts. Discuss the effectiveness of these rhetorical devices in conveying the sermon's message.
2. Discuss the speaker's interpretation of Paul's perspective on suffering and imprisonment. How does Paul find purpose and opportunity in difficult circumstances, and how does the speaker apply this to the lives of contemporary believers?
3. Explore the speaker's emphasis on internal motivations versus external actions in Christian living. How does the concept of "purity and blamelessness" relate to the underlying heart attitude, and how does this distinguish genuine Christian behavior from behavior driven by other motives?
4. Examine the interconnectedness of the key concepts discussed in the sermon (love, knowledge, depth of insight, discernment, purity, blamelessness, righteousness, glorifying God). How does the speaker present these elements as working together to enable living "worthy of the gospel"?
5. Discuss the challenges and tensions believers may face when living a life that honors Christ, as described by the speaker. How does the sermon suggest believers can navigate opposition and maintain confidence in their faith?

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Based on the provided sermon excerpts, the speaker discusses living and suffering in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ . The sermon centers on concepts drawn from Paul's writings, presented using an analogy of an octopus where the "head" contains general ideas and the "tentacles" represent their real-life application. Key concepts include love, which is described as the "fuel," "ignition switch," and "engine" driving believers; knowledge and depth of insight, seen as the "steering wheel" guiding direction; and discernment, understood as awareness and understanding guided by the Holy Spirit, acting like the "accelerator and brake" to determine when to act. The sermon also emphasizes the importance of being pure and blameless, achievable through the righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, with the ultimate goal of glorifying God. Drawing on Paul's own experience in prison, the speaker highlights how discernment led Paul to see that his difficult circumstances actually served to advance the gospel, demonstrating that suffering is granted for Christ and does not mean an easy life, but can inspire others and aid in the spread of the message . Ultimately, the sermon encourages believers to live out these principles, stand firm in the spirit without fear of opposition , knowing that while living is for Christ, to die is gain , and that God himself will provide salvation and deliverance .