In Philippians chapter 1 verse 27 Paul instructs all believers to conduct their lives in a manner worthy of the gospel. In part four of this teaching, the living out is emphasized through the Bible passage, Philippians chapter 2 verses 12 and 13.

Three things highlighted in this passage are:

This is a sober message shared by Pam Luper. She found new perspective and picked new tools that helped her find hope in her struggles and in the dark places.

These are some of the powerful tools that God offers us and we are encouraged to faithfully use them:

Being of one mind and living in unity is Christ's desire for the church. Unity is not just harmony and people getting along but it is a reflection, a response and an indicator of our personal relationship with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Christians are unified by truth, truth is a person - Jesus. This unity is not from a shared emotion but a shared experience that we all have in Christ.

In movies like the Gladiator, we watch how fighters stood firm when they were in the battlefield, they had to stand together to remain strong and to live. Philippians chapter 1 verses 27-30 highlights these words:

Vs 27: “whatever happens” - “conduct” - “in a manner worthy” - “stand firm” - “in one spirit” - “contending” - “one man” - “for the faith of the gospel”

Vs 28: “without being frightened - “for it has been granted to you” - “to believe on Him” - “but also to suffer for him”

vs.30 – “since going through the same struggles”

These highlighted, important words and instructions are given by Paul to believers so as to content/stand firm for the faith when life brings trials and sufferings, and to conduct oneself in a worthy manner. In this short section of Philippians, the most effective way to win every spiritual battle is by living a life worthy of the gospel.

Have you heard yourself or other people say, " I just want to be happy?". Many people describe happiness as the primary goal of their lives. There’s nothing wrong with happiness, of course, but the book of Philippians challenges Christians to pursue something else: joy. There is a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is contingent on our circumstances...happiness is fickle. Joy is internal and based on our relationship with our Heavenly Father, his character and nature. He is the anchor that helps us navigate this life and its seasons. Joy comes from following the example of Jesus.

Just as we have thieves in the natural, we also have thieves in the spiritual realm that try to rob us of our joy - 1. Circumstances 2. People 3. Things 4. Worry

Joy is not just an individual choice—it’s something that we should practice with other believers. And when we rejoice together, we are a testimony to the world of the work of God in our lives. 

Edgar King expounds on who the church is, why it exists and what its purpose is. The church's main purpose is to point the world to Jesus. In Genesis 1:27-28, God appointed man to be "trustees of His estate" and in Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus passed on his passion and mission to his disciples/followers. We are called to be missional; to be outward in loving in our communities, cities and to be the non-anxious presence in an anxious world by participating in God's work... to bring God's Kingdom on earth.

This message encourages and challenges us to bring our lives back to the target, the focus, the center who is Jesus Christ. We are to focus on the center, aim for the center and practise at the center. Jesus is our all in all, from the book Genesis to Revelations, every testimony, every prophesy and every word points to Jesus. Randy Coates shares 4 ideas of Jesus as the center:

Psalm 73 was written by Asaph who was the music director of the tribe of Levi. Asaph was pouring out his heart to God and also struggling to see God’s justice as he saw the wicked prosper. In each verse of this Psalm we can relate to Asaph’s struggles and doubts, and also see the injustices of our societies. But like Asaph, when we choose to enter God’s presence (sanctuary) we get the big picture. When we go to God in prayer and worship, eternity breaks into our temporal perspective. Everything changed as Asaph entered the sanctuary; God became his focus, not his problems. We are reminded of God's attributes, character and power in this Psalm. In challenging times, be encouraged, stay faithful and trust God for the eternal wealth He has promised.

This teaching concludes the sermon series on "Four Pillars" and through this series we've learned what the true church of Christ looks like. God lives in a community of three we know as the Trinity (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The Bible says we are made in His image and thus we know God made us to live in community and it is part of our identity as believers and also a part of life of the Church. The Book of Acts chapter 2, verses 41-47 is the essence of what community is. This small group of people brought the Roman Empire to it's knees, and through the power of the Holy Spirit these men channelled the move of God it into community. Here's how this passage communicates the essence of community:

CONVERTED TO CHRIST - Acts 2, vs 41

DEVOTED TO BIBLICAL TRUTH - Acts 2, vs 42

DEVOTED TO ONE ANOTHER - Acts 2, vs 42

DEVOTED TO THE LORD’S TABLE - Acts 2, vs 42

DEEP REVERENCE FOR THE LORD - Acts 2, vs 43

EMBRACED DIVERSITY - Acts 2, vs 44