The Joy of Staying Strong in the Battle — Philippians 1:27-30 -- Feb 13

• We stand firm in the Holy Spirit.

• We strive hard and stay strong in the

battle for our faith.

• We stand against the devil and the evil

powers of darkness over this present

age.

• Jesus is never closer than when we face

the darkest night and the deepest

suffering of our soul.

Applcation -- Allow the Joy of the Lord be our Strength and our Song in the midst of the war.

The Joy of Staying Strong in the Battle — Philippians 1:27-30 -- Feb 13

• We stand firm in the Holy Spirit.

We strive hard and stay strong in the battle for our faith.

• We stand against the devil and the evil powers of darkness over this present age.

• Jesus is never closer than when we face the darkest night and the deepest suffering of our soul.

• Applcation -- Allow the Joy of the Lord be our Strength and our Song in the midst of the war.

Joy of Eternal Life —

Philippians 1:19-26 -- Feb 6

•Jesus came to redeem all of creation and the whole person — both physically and spiritually — which means Jesus is the source, purpose and pursuit of life itself. [Philippians 1:18-21]

•In Christ, to be absent from our mortal bodies is to be present with the Lord. [Philippians 1:22-23]

•As long as we have life and breath we will find the greatest joy is serving and glorifying Jesus. [Philippians 1:24-26]

•Application -- Live life to the fullest for Christ now, knowing the best is yet to come.

Gratitude of Fellowship

Philippians 1

Pastor Randy Lockley

1. Fellowship of SALVATION.

• Thinking of the Philippians v. 3

• Praying for the Philippians v. 4

• Joyful over the Philippians v. 4

• Confident about the Philippians v. 6

2. Fellowship of SERVANTHOOD.

• Sharing the Gospel v. 5

• Sharing the Grace v. 7

• Sharing the Great Affection v. 8

3. Fellowship of SINCERITY.

• Growing Love v. 9

• Godly Lifestyle v. 10

• Glorifying our Lord v. 11

Joy of Perseverance — Philippians 1:12-18

• We discover joy in our trials when we understand that obstacles are actually opportunities to be a gospel witness. [Philippians 1:12-14]

• Don’t let hypocrites steal your joy and stop you from serving Jesus.

[Philippians 1:15-18]

• We must always be prepared to give a defense not only for what we believe but more importantly why we believe it. [Philippians 1:16]

As We Go …

Consider it joy when you face various trials and always be ready to give an answer for the joy that you have.

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing[e] what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus[f] saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Unspeakable Joy — An Introduction

•Paul is remembering the extraordinary

beginning of God’s work in Philippi.

[Philippians 1:4]

•Paul is rejoicing in the privilege to

participate and partner in gospel

ministry. [Philippians 1:5]

•Paul is reassured in God’s promise to

always finish what He starts.

[ Philippians 1:6]

As We Go …

Rediscover the joy of serving the Lord Jesus in the most fulfilling work of all! Partnership in the Gospel!

Pressing In and Pressing On to the End — Philippians 3:10-16

* When faced with the uncertainty and difficulty of life, we must be willing to press in to God that much harder. [Philippians 3:10-12]

* The only way to overcome the pain and problems of our past is to press on in our daily pursuit of Christ Jesus. [Philippians 3:13-14]

* The only way to finish the race and persevere in the faith is to hold on to the eternal truth of God. [Philippians 3:15-16]

APPLICATION — As we approach a new year, let us press in harder to God, press on with our eyes fixed upon Jesus and finish well the race of faith!

The Five Languages of Christmas — Affirmation and Affection

I. Jesus came with transforming truth and words of affirmation for the world by telling sinners how to become sons of God. [John 1:1-14]

II. Jesus came near in the flesh full of compassion and showed loved to those who needed it most through physical affection. [Matthew 8]

III. We are called to be the heralds of truth and the hands of Christ in a lost and hurting world! [Matthew 25:31-40]

Putting the Word into Practice

Demonstrate God’s language of love this Christmas by speaking words of truth and by being the hands of Christ in a hurting world.

The 5 Love Languages of Christmas

i. God the Son entered space and time

as a man to demonstrate divine love

and initiate a personal relationship

with us. [Galatians 4:4-7, John 1:1-14]

ii. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be

present with us always and to pour

out an endless supply of His love into

our hearts. [John 14:15-24]

iii. Jesus provided the only way for us to

spend an infinite amount time in

eternity with Him. [John 3:16,

Revelation 21:1-7]

iv. When we obey Jesus by spending

quality time with Him and others, we

are speaking His love language the

loudest. [John 14:15-24]

Putting the Word into Practice

Show Jesus your love by setting aside quality time with Him each and every day and then allowing His love to pour over into the lives of others.