Our lives are highly influenced by who we follow. Paul calls on all Christians to set their eyes on godly examples who will lead them to Christ. 

Though he seems that way to us, Paul was not perfect. He didn't have it all figured out, but he knew one thing: keep pressing on. The Christian life is lived in motion, moving toward the goal and finishing the race. In this passage, we find tremendous comfort and an inspiring challenge. We press on because Christ has made us his own. That precious truth sustains us through the race.

If you could use one word to describe the apostle Paul, what would it be? He might have picked "joyful." Here in the letter of joy, in the final chapters, Paul shows us how to have joy that can never be taken away.

The Bible is more than a list of what to do and not to do; it's filled with examples of people just like us following Jesus. Paul gives us two of these examples in Timothy and Epaphroditus. These men show us how to live in such a way that those who look at our lives will only be able to conclude that something massive has changed in our hearts.

What is our role in the Christian life, and what is God's? Paul puts it this way, "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling." But how does this work in practice? Growing requires us to know God's work, our work, and the attitude we should have as we grow. 

When Paul turns his attention to humility, he reaches for the greatest example of all time - Jesus's life, death, resurrection, and ascension. By looking to and imitating Christ, we can walk in humility and unity as a church.

Sitting in prison, how was it that Paul could say, "To live is Christ and to die is gain"? Paul made it his great ambition to make much of Jesus Christ and magnify him in every circumstance. He urges us to do the same. In this passage, we see a great ambition for our lives, a mission to adopt, and growth areas to focus our efforts.

Justin Whitmel Earley spoke at our first Marriage and Family Weekend, April 26-28, 2024. Justin is an attorney in Richmond, Virginia, an author, and a speaker. In this second message, he discusses the habits and liturgies for technology and media.

Get Justin's book Habits of the Household.

Justin Whitmel Earley spoke at our first Marriage and Family Weekend, April 26-28, 2024. Justin is an attorney in Richmond, Virginia, an author, and a speaker. In this first message, he discusses the habits and liturgies of the Christian home.

It was customary to give an update at the beginning of a letter. Paul gives the church a synopsis of his situation but adds a twist. He views his imprisonment not as a setback but as an advance of the Gospel. By seeing Paul's perspective, we too can view our sufferings as the work of God for us and through us.