As we wrap up the series in Philippians, the Apostle Paul encourages the Philippine church to be content. He also points out that he had to “learn” to be content no matter his circumstances and that is through the Lord who strengthens. He closes with the reminder that God indeed will supply for their every need “according to His riches in glory in Jesus Christ.”

These five verses in Philippians are popular memory verses for several reasons. First, Paul reminds the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord always, and then he repeats himself. Then he addresses how to deal with anxiety and letting the peace of God guard their hearts and minds instead of worry. Finally, he concludes with the reminder of where their thoughts should be and how with the practice of these things, God’s peace will reign.

As we look at Philippians chapter four, we will see how conflicts can cause division and why Paul encourages the Philippians to stand firm. We will look to see how conflicts in our own lives and churches can have a negative impact on how we labor for the gospel and help to build the next generation of believers.

In John 3:1-15 Jesus engages Nicodemus, a Pharisee and esteemed representative of the Jewish people. In this conversation, Jesus clearly communicates what is necessary for one to see and enter the kingdom of God: namely, a spiritual birth. Confused by Jesus’s answers, Nicodemus illustrates Jesus’s point. Jesus concludes this passage revealing his mission in life: to be lifted up so that all who believe in Him may be saved.

This week we look to the Gospel of Mark and the story of the demon-possessed man. We will see how the unclean spirit affected the man and how Jesus restored his humanity. Through this, we can see the supremacy of Christ and how much the Lord has accomplished for us.

How does a church relate to its leadership in the times of "celebrity pastors" which cause Christians to become skeptical of leadership to the point of leaving the church? The letter of Hebrews says to honor the ministers and authority the Lord has put over His church while remembering the true cornerstone, the only head of the Church. The author reminds us that the church is secure and safe, not because of those in leadership, but because Jesus Christ is her unchangeable ruler and guardian.

This week we will look at Philippians 3:17-4:1 and how discipleship affects our walk. What does Paul mean when he tells the Philippian church to imitate him, and how does this translate to us today? Are we discipling and are we being discipled? How do new reconcile our earthly existence in the flesh with the goal of our citizenship in heaven?

This week we will look at what the Apostle Paul means when he says he is “pressing on” and “forgetting what lies behind” and what gives him the strength. We will look at how sanctification brings us to the prize of the upward call of God through Jesus and how our mindset changes as we are sanctified and leave behind lesser things.

This week in part two of the sermon, “The Fight For Joy” we will look at the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus” and the difference between righteousness and self-righteousness through a joyful perspective, a joyful pillar, and a joyful passion which comes from further knowing Christ.

In chapter three, Paul warns of the evildoers; those who put confidence in the flesh. He counters with the reasons he is “qualified” through the flesh, but explains the futility of putting confidence in anything but the Lord. We will look at why it’s so easy to take confidence in the flesh and learn the benefits of putting our confidence in the Lord.