Many argue against God's existence or against God in general by arguing that He is not good. Isaiah, however, remembers God's goodness in his prayer for the restoration of the people of God. Remembering God's goodness even when we sin provides a basis for godly prayers. We remember what God did in His grace in the past and ask that God would do the same in the present according to His mercy and grace and for the sake of His own glory.

In Philippians 3:17-4:1 Paul urges the Philippians to be fellow imitators of Christ with him. There are many who walk as enemies of the cross of Christ, but we are to be heavenly minded, looking with eager anticipation to the return of the Savior.

In Isaiah 63:1-6 Isaiah gives the final of four messianic prophecies in chapters 59-63. Here the emphasis falls on Christ coming in judgment. How does this judgment relate to the other oracles of salvation? We see here that salvation comes through judgment. The judgment of sin on the cross is the surest guarantee of another future judgment which will destroy the wicked and bring vindication to the godly.

Christ's work as priest is not limited to his sacrifice on the cross. He continues to serve as priest having been raised from the dead. He is the priest forever after the order of Melchizedek and pleads the merits of his blood on behalf of his people.

Jesus is our great High Priest, through whom the way has been opened to God. How was this way opened? Through his death. Christ is both the priest and the sacrifice whereby we are cleansed from our sins and enabled to approach God without fear.

In Philippians 3:12-16 Paul exhorts the Philippians to strive for more in the Christian life. It can be so easy to be complacent in the Christian life, but Paul teaches us the Christian life is one that is always to be filled with striving for more.

In Isaiah 62:1-9 Isaiah speaks about the prayers that ought to be made to God in light of the coming of Christ. The passage actually starts out with an example of Christ's prayers for the restoration of the people of God. These prayers are made constantly to God. We do not have, however, only a prophecy of Christ's prayer, Isaiah also tells us that Christ will set watchman to pray unceasingly to God for the restoration of Zion. The instructions given to them is to "give Him no rest." Such is to be our perseverance in prayer for the Kingdom of God.

Philippians 3:1-11 is a major passage used by those who teach the New Perspective on Paul. Pastor Grasso shows that the historic Reformed position on justification is the teaching of the Bible.

In Isaiah 61:10-62:12 Isaiah gives three ways in which we are to respond to the good news of the coming Messiah: Rejoice, pray, and evangelize. We live in the days where all these things have been fulfilled, and therefore, we ought all the more to do these three things.

In Philippians 3:1-11 Paul is speaking about true versus false Christianity. What was it that enabled him to see through temptation of false Christianity? It was his rejoicing in Christ. Paul simply counted Christ as more valuable than anything that might be offered to him, and indeed, more valuable than life itself.