Pastor Ryan elaborates on Philippians 32:19-30, where Paul emphasizes, of all things, travel plans! Travel plans that encourages the importance of friends and colleagues, that in turn emulate Christ-like relationships rich in Christly investments, that in turn demonstrate Godly maturity in the Spirit.

In Phil. 2:12-18 (our text for today), we find Paul exhorting the church (and The Church) to 'work out our salvation with fear and trembling", Pastor Ryan leads us through a discussion on this very subject, focusing on how our maturity in Christ is demonstrated through NOT grumbling!

Pastor Ryan leads us through one of the most beautiful passages of Scripture, the "Christ Song" found in Phil. 2:1-11. Here we find Jesus, God in the flesh, demonstrating His Godliness through the complete humility of the cross. This ultimate demonstration and model of humility is for us to follow, tone mature, to be more like Jesus!

One of our own elders, Steve Snyder, preaches to our body today, showing how our passage in Philippians models the cardinal goal of maturity in Christ through unity. Philippians 2:1, 2 are the verses of focus today.

Pastor Symps looks closely at Philippians Chapter 1, verses 19-30.Our confidence is in Christ, our citizenship is with Hm! We are His sheep, and not sheep to the world's politics, and our conduct should be that of one who is citizen to the Kingdom of God!

We look intensely at chapter 1, vss. 12-18. Paul makes it clear of his state of suffering, a suffering we so many times must endure for the sake of Christ! We see in this passage how 1) Paul models maturity in his sufferings for Christ and 2) how suffering does produce maturity that glorifies God and furthers the Gospel.

A difficult reality for us to embrace, but that is not the ending of the story - resurrection is!

Pastor Symps continues our learning of Christly maturity by concentrating on the lesson of Philippians 1:9-11, that being our call to discerning love. Paul exhorts our love to be anchored n Christ's character, full of discernment, knowledge, integrity and of course its result: authentic, mature love.

Pastor Ryan introduces us to our new series on Philippians. He shares with us Paul's call to the Philippian church the call to a walk with Christ that models maturity, a walk priviledged to resemble Christ even in servanthood and suffering, yet abounding in joy. In their letter, Paul is able to share his obvious affection and love with his fellow children of God, this too modeling Christ's affection for us!

Phil. 1:1-8 is our passage for today.

Israel fails miserably in using the Ark of the Covenant as a means to manipulate the God of Israel. In chapters 7 and 8 of I Samuel, we see Samuel, as Israel's last judge, call and teach the people to take their regret and turn it into true repentance, into true worship, into grateful remembrance, and into total faithfulness of our One True God. A stark challenge: is God the author and main character of your story?

Pastor Ryan leads us through a panoramic view of Samuel's birth, his relationship with God, and his focus of ministry to Israel. A clear contrast of comparison can be drawn as we view Samuel and Samson (the last named judge in "Judges"); how did they treat their mother? God? The calling given to each? I Samuel, chap. 1-3 is our scripture for today.