FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Servants is the word for slave, and saint means “set apart ones.” The introduction to Philippians leads us to ask what should a Christian life look like (or what is a Christian). Many answers to that question tend to be very self-centered or works centered. The true answer is that we are saved by the sheer grace of God, we are Servants and Saints. People will use this phrase, “A Christian is a sinner saved by grace,” and while true, there isn’t a place in the Bible where we are told to first and foremost identify ourselves as a “sinner.” That is not our identity.

FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

As we start this series looking at the letter to the Philippian church, we have to start with Paul’s first encounter with the city as found in Acts 16. Philippi was known as “The Little Rome” and was a privileged Roman colony that prided itself on Roman culture and customs. They stylized their city after Rome, followed all Roman decrees, and wanted to be Rome. Part of their special privileges was that they were exempt from paying the heavy taxes that citizens in other cities paid. They were also excused from certain military service while receiving military protection, since Philippi was an outpost for Roman soldiers and many retired there.

FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

We know Christmas was last week, but we are still working through our series on “The Carols.” Today we will look at O Come, All Ye Faithful. In a world of uncertainty, Peter’s epistle reveals a profound message of joy rooted in Christ’s victory. Christians are “elect exiles” - chosen by God and living in a challenging world, yet called to rejoice with an “inexpressible joy” that transcends circumstances. God knows His people, sanctifies them through the Holy Spirit, redeems them through Jesus Christ, and provides an eternal inheritance. Unlike fleeting worldly happiness, this joy is anchored in Christ’s complete victory over sin and death. Believers are invited to place Jesus at the center of their worship, experiencing a joy that comes from God’s eternal grace.

FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION