When we often think of citizenship, our earthly home country is often what first comes to mind. However, this should always be viewed as secondary to our citizenship in heaven. As Christians we need to grow in our ability to embrace our heavenly citizenship and realize that there is no neutral ground when it comes to acknowledging that Jesus is Lord. We look to the coming reign of Jesus and until then we live in the light of his glory in the here and now.

What would you do if you showed up to gym to begin a new exercise regimen and your personal trainer, though knowledgable was out of shape with unhealthy lifestyle habits? Is that a trainer worth imitating? Of course not. We all intuitively know we want a trainer who has the knowledge and who believes in it to the degree that they put it into practice.

The way of faith is no different and Jesus intends all of his apprentices (or disciples) to be those who have the understanding and how to apply what we know—Faith and Practice.

We must know what we believe, practice what we believe, and surround ourselves with godly examples who do the same.

Be on the lookout for our Core Class on The Storyline of Scripture that will launch this Fall on September 11th. Registration will be available online.

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The disciple who is pursuing Jesus and the life of joy can't do so if they are constantly looking to what is behind. Some of us look behind us with a sense of nostalgia, remembering a fictional glory day that has passed. Others can't shake their past either because of wrongs committed or wrongs done to us.

The glory of Jesus Christ so filled Paul's heart and imagination that what lay ahead of him superseded what was behind and fueled him for his present mission and call.

For us, what do we need to forget so that we can better strive? This is not a call to forget everything or to minimize life experiences, but rather to put these things in their proper place so that we might faithfully pursue Jesus now.

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The temptation to put ourselves at the center of our lives lies heavy and at every turn. We can easily come to believe that a life of joy and flourishing depends on how hard we work and on the little empires we build for ourselves.

Formerly, this is how the Apostle Paul lived—trusting in his own pedigree instead of the goodness and grace of God. But that all changed after Paul met Jesus. As he writes to Philippians, he encourages them to consider every worldly advancement, every privilege, and every pedestal as loss. His language grows stronger from here. He says to consider it nothing more than dung.

True Joy comes by choosing to treasure Christ above our worldly resume.

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Consider people worth imitating and ask yourself, what is it about that man or woman that makes you want to be like them? The short answer is most likely that he or she is a person of high character.

As Paul has instructed the Philippians on the character of Christ in the beginning of Philippians, he now holds up two of his partners in ministry that he wants the Philippians to consider worth imitating—Timothy and Epaphroditus.

If you want to have godly character, then find joy in emulating those traits in other godly individuals.

What we know of Timothy and Epaphraditus is that they were men of high character. Timothy was a faithful partner to Paul and is mentioned many times throughout Paul's letters. He had compassionate faith (vs. 20) and he was dependable (v.22).

Likewise, Epaphraditus served Christ relentlessly, even to the point of death. He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the service to Christ and to Paul.

Paul's command to the Philippian church was to honor men and women like this and seek to emulate them.

Challenge: Consider the men and women of high character that you look up to and tell them this week that you look up to them. Honor them and begin to ask them questions about what has formed them to be that type of man or woman.

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So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Phil 2:12-13)

There are two equal but opposite errors we make when we think about our life in Christ and what it means to be transformed into his image. The first error is to believe that being transformed into the likeness of Christ requires nothing from us and and the second is that it is solely our effort and not a work of the Holy Spirit.

In this message, Pastor Todd walks through Paul’s tension and shows how ordinary, mundane obedience is a tool in the hands of God that the Spirit uses to transform us. One way of thinking of it comes from author Jerry Bridges in his book The Pursuit of Holiness. Bridges considers a farmer, noting that the farmer cannot do what only God can do, such as: send rain, cause seeds to germinate, and make the sunshine. At the same time, God will not do what the farmer should do: tilling the soil, sowing the seed, irrigating, and harvesting.

This simple illustration is a picture of what theologians call Sanctification, which is the process of the believer’s transformation into the likeness of Jesus. We are called to impose our will, affections, and actions towards obedience to Jesus, yet it is the Holy Spirit that actively transforms us.

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Happy Father's Day!

What does it mean to be a father worthy of honor? This week, Pastor Billy cash brings a message from Psalm 112 that will encourage and challenge fathers to be the type of dad that is life-giving to those in his care. Psalm 112 highlights 4 characteristics of this type of father:

1. He fears the Lord

2. He Delights in the Word

3. He is Generous with His Life & Possessions

4. He is Confident in Difficult Days.

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Jesus is the ultimate example of a humble attitude therefore as followers of Christ we should emulate that humility.

Emulating the humility of Christ begins with understanding that the mind of Christ is already ours. This is something already true of us because our lives are united to Christ. However, the mind and attitude of Christ must also be cultivated through daily practice.

Paul not only gives the exhortation to be like Christ in attitude, but he also tells us what Christ is like. Paul's encouragement is not to lookout first for our own self-interests, but also the interests of others. Jesus is the prime example of a life that empties itself of personal rights and pursues the good of another.

The question in Philippians 2 is often, "What did Christ empty himself of?" The short answer is his divine right as God the Son. There was nothing that demanded he live a life of humiliation. He was not coerced or forced in any way but emptied himself by becoming man.

This begs the question, what are we willing to empty ourselves of in order to see someone else thrive? Paul finally rounds out his discussion of the story of Jesus by noting his resurrection and heavenly exaltation.

Jesus is currently reigning as king. One day we will see his kingdom come in its fullness, but that doesn't mean he is not reigning now. Do we live as though he is currently king, or have we exalted ourselves as rival kings? There is no alternative to these two options. Scripture is clear that the lowly will be exalted and the proud brought low. If we imitate the way of Jesus, our Father in heaven will exalt us.

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Unity is impossible without humility. It takes very few in number to create a hole in the wall of unity. Any one of us can get distracted by a preference and start to grumble. Then, gossip starts and the next thing you know three or four people right in the middle of our shield-wall have lowered their shields, taken their eyes off the battle and division occurs.

The call to unity is achieved by way of humility, and each of us are called to walk in this path.

What is our motivation for unity?

1. Encouragement in Christ

2. Comfort of Love

3. Fellowship of the Spirit

4. Affection and Compassion

These things above are already ours in Christ. Now we must strive to show the marks of unity, which are:

1. Like-Mindedness

2. Having the Same Love

3. United in Spirit (one-souled)

4. Having One Purpose

To achieve this type of unity, we cannot be a people that are preference dominated. Humility looks to the interests of others before self.

If you'd like to respond to this message in any way, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. We pray the Lord uses this resource to stir your passion for the unity of God's people.