Advent devotional 2020 // Introduction

Reader: Sam Sharples

Acts 2:42-47 / Demetrius Hicks

In his inaugural sermon as a staff pastor at Iron City Church, Demetrius reminds us of the importance of the community of the Church as we seek to fulfill the mission of Christ. We must remain united, devoted to this fellowship no matter the circumstances around us.

Philippians 4:10-23 / Kam Pugh

The secret to true contentment, as Kam teaches us through the end of Philippians 4, can be found in Christ. Even for Christians, contentment is unnatural, but must be learned and pursued through trusting in Jesus to fulfill us and meet our needs.

Galatians 4:1-7 / Gavin King

Gavin King returns to Iron City to remind us the significance of our full spiritual adoption as God’s sons. As an adopted father of an orphan himself, Gavin encourages us to fulfill God’s commands to take care of the fatherless, and seek an active role in God’s plan to love orphans.

Philippians 4:4-9 / Kameron Pugh

In light of the chaos of the year and current political season, Kam points us to Paul’s admonition in Philippians 4 to rejoice in the Lord. Instead of dwelling in our anxiety, we should cast these cares on the Lord and embrace His peace through prayer.

Philippians 4:1-3 / Kameron Pugh

Beginning the final chapter of Philippians, Kam calls believers to unity in Christ, forsaking disagreements with other Christians and lovingly agreeing in the Lord.

Philippians 3:12-4:1 / Dustin Ratcliff

Dustin reminds us this week to take our eyes off of our past and to focus on following Jesus today. We should not ‘naval-gaze’, consumed by our own performance, but should place our hope in Jesus and rest in His finished work.

Phil 3:1-11 / Ben Crocker

Ben walks us through the first part of Philippians 3, pointing out how Paul’s love for Christ is so much that everything else pales in importance. Indeed, Paul’s priorities have been transformed by Christ and are reversed; what he used to consider valuable is now worthless.

Philippians 2:19-30

Justin Carter, an elder of Iron City, returns to the pulpit this week to discuss Paul’s two examples of ordinary Christians. Though this particular passage of scripture may not necessarily have direct teaching, Paul uses it to provide a glimpse of Godly characteristics in fellow believers. Justin unpacks these qualities of Timothy and Epaphroditus and challenges us to be like them, seeking after the standard of servitude Jesus set for us.

Philippians 2:12-18 / Kameron Pugh

This week, Kam discusses the meaning of "sanctification" in light of Paul's instruction to "work out your salvation."  Kam also addresses what it looks like, in the process of working out our salvation, to do all things without grumbling or disputing and to hold fast to Christ and His word.  Even though sanctification is a slow and messy process of long obedience in the same direction, the Lord is a good shepherd who will not lead His sheep astray.