As we live our Christian life, God has placed one goal and focal point in front of us. This should guide us through various trials in life and will ultimately lead to joy in our lives. It’s important for all of us to realize that while we may not have fully reached our goal, we should still press on towards that central focal point of the Christian walk, Christ Jesus, as He is worth any striving we might consider.

This message is all about knowing Jesus not just knowing about Jesus. As many who have grown up in Christian culture can attest, it’s easy to confuse knowing about Jesus with having a personal, growing relationship with Him. Paul in Philippians 3:1-11 shares his personal experience with having a knowledge-based belief, but also shares how worthless it has all become to him as he has been struck with the love of Jesus and now understands His worth. May we all press into Jesus and seek His salvation by grace alone through faith alone!

Jesus is our ultimate role model, but he also gives us role models in the Bible in the persons of Timothy and Epaphroditus. Philippians 2:19-30 give us qualifications that make both Timothy and Epaphroditus fitting examples of role models. We are then encouraged in our lives to ponder on the lives of these men as we find the right role models in our life, as we become a role model to others, and as we recognize the opportunities for modeling godly living in the ordinariness of life.

If Jesus is the source of our joy, then living like him will bring joy to our lives and to those around us. While the life of Jesus is countercultural and often difficult to adopt, Paul encourages his hearers and us to see the value and joy that comes in being like Jesus and how our lives point to the exalted Son of God.

If Jesus is the source of our joy, then living like him will bring joy to our lives and to those around us. While the life of Jesus is countercultural and often difficult to adopt, Paul encourages his hearers and us to see the value and joy that comes in being like Jesus and how our lives point to the exalted Son of God.

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When we think of the tension that’s present within our world, it comes from the fights, quarrels and conflicts we and others bring into situations. In Philippians 2, Paul calls all of us to unity in all of our relationships through a countercultural posture of humility.

With one life to live, how should we live it? In this passage, we’re challenged by Paul to think of what Christ has done for us and to live a life worthy of the gospel. A life where we stand and strive together absent of any fear that could come upon us.

What are you living for? What is your purpose and direction? We continue our journey through Philippians seeing how the Apostle Paul was clear and focused on his purpose, direction and destination in life: a vision of exalting Jesus, a mission of living to Christ knowing death in Him is gain, and a strategy of engaging in fruitful ministry to the end.

How do we handle the moments of adversity that come in our lives? This text from Philippians 1:12-18 provides us with instruction and encouragement, in the midst of any adversity, to see the opportunity to glorify God.

As we continuing living our Fight for Joy, we are challenged in this message to examine how we’re fighting through another avenue. As we daily fight a spiritual battle that seeks to steal our joy, we look at the words of Paul to challenge and encourage us to maintain our joy though prayer.