Love God and love others. This profound and simple foundation of Christian principle is boldly exclaimed by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Philippi, as he calls the church to unity through humility. Listen as Pastor John passionately proclaims that the gifts of mercy and love that Christ has provided for believers in turn commissions us to extend this same humility and grace to others. The world is thirsty for meaningful relationships, hungering for more than just small talk about the weather or for a number of clicks on social media. Loneliness is rampant in our broken world, and Pastor John builds a case this week for unity - where we are all in one mind and one accord, focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Counting others as more significant than ourselves provides an "anti-self" Bible concept that is foreign to the lost world, yet encourages believers to out-give, out-serve, and out-love those around us.

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The road to victory often goes through pain and suffering, as the Bible does not endorse the current worldview of happiness - that temporary, shallow emotional state based on external circumstances. The Apostle Paul calls for a genuine unity of believer's hearts and minds at the church of Philippi, reminding them that Jesus offers holiness, eternal joy, and a purpose-driven fulfillment that no earthly circumstances can provide. Listen now as Pastor John encourages each of us to enjoy the benefits of being granted belief in Jesus Christ, while compelling us to prepare for the upcoming suffering, where that fire forges strength in the believer's heart.  These rich narratives of the Old Testament invite us this week to examine our lives and to live worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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A unique form of radical extremism is demonstrated through the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians, as he wrestles with the tension of his soul's deep desire to be with Jesus and his heart's desire to strengthen the spiritual walk of the new believers.  This significantly personal and theological reflection views death as a personal gain and a deeper doorway to fellowship with Jesus, not as a loss to be feared or dreaded. Listen as Pastor John exposes the casual Christian through God's Word and warns believers against practicing a counterfeit, part-time faith. He reminds believers of the sacrifices needed when we choose to carry that cross, an instrument of death and pain. The "ALL IN" believer stands faithful, fearless, generous, and constantly striving for the mission of the gospel, with a rare and intense desire to fully trust in and surrender to God.

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The seeds of destruction are sown in churches across America when envy, rivalry, and selfish ambition enter in, sometimes disguised as a true ministry of the gospel. In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul acknowledges that people can sometimes do the right thing (preach the gospel) for the wrong reasons (approval of man, influence, power). Pastor John warns us today that if hearts are deceived and driven by a desperate need for recognition and validation, then the church will fail, as it cannot stand when rooted in self-righteousness. Listen now as he emboldens Christians to rejoice at the gospel message being spread, regardless of motives of the some holier-than-thou messengers. He also sets the biblical guidelines for a healthy church, one focused on the mission of kingdom advancement and founded on the gospel truth.

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Being imprisoned typically denotes disgrace and punishment upon the outcast who experiences social shame and failure. The Apostle Paul's message to the Philippians, however, completely flips the script on this prisoner stereotype, as he defied the worldly expectations of his confinement in a Roman prison.  He boldly proclaimed that his chains and his suffering were golden opportunities to lead others to freedom, as the imperial guards within the prison walls would be a captive audience for this strategic advancement of the gospel. Listen now as Pastor John delivers a compelling message regarding the Christian's radical perspective on suffering, along with a warning against the dire consequences of relying on worldly strategies to escape such suffering. As followers of Christ, we are called to choose courage over fear and to rejoice in the sanctifying pressure that deepens our spiritual growth and increases our reliance on our Lord Jesus Christ.

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The loneliness epidemic is sweeping across our nation at statistically alarming rates, and this modern day trend is in incredible contrast to the divine, biblical design that calls us to vibrant fellowship and love for our fellow man. The Apostle Paul demonstrates in Philippians that Christians are called to be radically different, yearning to be with each other, having affection toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, and sacrificing together for the sake of the gospel. Pastor John's powerful message today recalls the true "happy few", the Christian martyrs who have joyfully counted death as a worthy sacrifice to spread the gospel, singing songs of praise and showing joy at the guillotine scaffold. He outlines a plan to combat the alienation problems of our current culture, and it starts with knowing the founder of this movement we call Christianity, Jesus Christ. Listen now as he encourages us to cut the weight of sin and complacency, live joyfully for eternal purpose, and set free the Holy Spirit to run rampant in the hearts of His people. 

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An unrivaled passion for Jesus and the gospel message is fully demonstrated by the Apostle Paul,  as he pens a letter to the church of Philippi while imprisoned in a Roman jail. His message of the completed work of Jesus Christ offers believers a new perspective on some old beliefs, reiterating the promise of eternal security for those new Christians. Pastor John opens up a series on the book of Philippians this week with an exuberant message of our salvation plan, an unstoppable victory procession from election to glorification. When believers receive the gospel call away from this world, we undergo an amazing spiritual process of regeneration, where we receive a new heart, a new life, and a new desire to shift our time and our resources to building God's kingdom and serving others. The sanctification process is a challenging one for believers because the battle of the flesh rages there, but those biblical promises of eternity are worth this wild and joyful mission for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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Just outside the Garden of Eden Cain was the first man born into a world of sin, and through him,  the ancient texts of the Bible show mankind's first demonstration of refusal to fight against one's own sinful nature. God pronounces His sovereign and righteous judgement on those who let arrogance and pride rule over their heart, yet in His infinite mercy, He offers grace to those who humbly repent and seek forgiveness. Listen this week as Brett Gossett shares a passionate sermon on overcoming our own selfishness through the process of sanctification, while presenting some tough questions regarding the sins we choose to hold onto tightly. He encourages fellow believers, who are saved by grace and marked by love, to walk in humility and selflessness, knowing that our true value comes solely from our Savior, Jesus Christ.

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Highly valued women are viewed as essential to the early Christian church and are honored in the Bible for their obedience to their faith. In the Apostle Paul's heartfelt conclusion in his letter to the Romans, he commends the worthy efforts of the community of like-minded believers, who have shared their faith and their services while on a focused mission for the gospel. In stark contrast to the modern-day "Boss Babe" culture that encourages dominance, pride, and competition, the Bible clarifies a woman's role in the family, the church, and the community, encouraging a noble servanthood with godly attributes.  Listen as Pastor John acknowledges the benefits of women's leadership in building the ancient church and encourages us to celebrate the gifts and  contributions of today's women in our Christian communities.

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One of the most influential preachers and theologians of the 19th Century, Charles Spurgeon,  once asserted that "every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter".  Seemingly impossible missions, whose cause is Jesus Christ, have created some unlikely heroes in our Christian past. Pastor John's message this week celebrates these past champions of the Christian faith. He guides us through the scripture that shows the Apostle Paul's heart for mission work, as the apostle pioneered the biblical model for evangelism, and created a global impact for the gospel. He emphasizes the responsibility of every believer to actively share the gospel  - and then challenges us to examine our commitment to Christ's mission, whether in the local or the foreign mission fields. Let God's Word reveal the clarity of your mission for Christ!

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