Last week, we finished up our sermon series through the Book of Philippians. May we continue Pressing On Toward the Goal of Christlikeness!

Today, we will begin a five-week series through the Book of Habakkuk. The overarching theme of this series is: Why? As we move through life, many of us have questions about problems that arise:Why do bad things happen to good people?Why do innocent people die?Why does evil seem to have an upper hand?

Habakkuk had similar questions for God. In the first two chapters, we will see the dialogue between Habakkuk and God, and then in the third chapter, we will see Habakkuk’s prayerful response.

The message title for today is: Why?

Our points for the message will be:

Main Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-4

Supporting Texts - Habakkuk 2:4, Habakkuk 3:19, Habakkuk 2:14, Isaiah 13:1, Isaiah 17:1, Jeremiah 14:9, Psalm 13:1-2, John 8:23, Exodus 2:23-24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Romans 3:10, Romans 5:12, Revelation 11:16-18

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Last week, we talked about “Strife” within the church. We saw Paul sharing that the key to keeping Strife out of the church is to remain focused on:

Today, we will finish our sermon series through the Book of Philippians. Our overarching theme has been Pressing on Toward the Goal, and that goal is Christlikeness. Our message title for today is Thanksgiving Isn’t Just for November. In this section of Scripture, we see Paul giving three ways that we can show thanksgiving to our Father in heaven each and every day.

Our points for the message will be:

Main Scripture: Philippians 4:10-23

Supporting Texts - 2 Corinthians 8:11-12, Mark 12:41-44, Galatians 2:20, Acts 20:35, Exodus 29:18, Isaiah 1:13, Luke 18:29-30, 1 Corinthians 12:26-27

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Last week, we were able to finish our two-part message titled: Pressing On Toward the Goal. We talked about this “Goal” being Christlikeness. As we press on, we should Be a Good Example as we seek to live the Christ life. We should Recognize Reality, and that is that in the church, some have an Earthly Mindset and others have a Heavenly Mindset. And finally, we should Stand Firm on the Rock that is Jesus Christ.

Our message title for today is Enough with the Strife.

Main Scripture: Philippians 4:2-9

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Three weeks ago, we looked at Part 1 of a message that bears the name of our sermon series through the Book of Philippians: Pressing On Toward the Goal. We talked about the confidence that comes from our faith producing Awareness, Motivation, and Consistency in our lives. The lost and dying world around us needs to see all of these exuding from the church. We should look radically different than society.

Today, we will see Paul closing out with the call to Stand Firm. I believe that the church has failed to do so for years. In years past, “Thus saith the Lord” was enough, but as we continue in the age of human secularism, being politically and socially correct has entered the equation. We don’t want to offend anyone, so, as the church, we keep to ourselves. If we are to Press on Toward the Goal of Christlikeness, we are going to have to Stand Firm on the Rock that is Christ Jesus!

Our points for the message today will be:

Main Scripture: Philippians 3:17-4:1

Supporting Texts - 1 Peter 2:21, Romans 10:14-15, 1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Timothy 2:15, Proverbs 22:7, Matthew 7:15, Hebrews 10:26-27, Matthew 25:46, Jude 1:4, 1 Corinthians 5:1-2, James 4:4, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, Philippians 2:12-13, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, John 15:4, Colossians 2:9-10, Colossians 3:2

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Last week, we made it about halfway through our message on where we find our Confidence. Today, we will finish up this message as we see the difference between finding our confidence in works versus faith. May we not forget that works are temporal, and faith in Christ is eternal.

We will then move on to the first part of a message called “Pressing On Toward the Goal.” As Christ-followers, we find our confidence in the faith that God freely gives us. Because of this, we should exude some attributes as we press on toward the goal.

The three points to our message today will be some of these attributes:

Main Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Supporting Texts - 1 Peter 2:1-3, Philippians 2:12-13, Romans 7:14-15, Luke 9:23, 2 Peter 1:3-4, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Philippians 3:20-21, 1 John 3:2, 1 John 2:6, Colossians 3:16, Titus 2:11-12

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Last week, we answered the question: “Can You be Trusted?” We looked specifically at leaders, normal everyday folks, and finally, we asked a very specific question: Can You be Trusted? I hope that each of us can be trusted to carry and share the Gospel of Christ in a worthy manner.

Today, as we continue our sermon series through the Book of Philippians, Pressing On Toward the Goal, we will try to answer the question: “Where is Your Confidence?”

As we move through the first part of Philippians 3, we will see two specific areas that Paul hones in on. Some find their confidence in their works, and others find their confidence in their faith in Christ. May we not miss that one of these areas is temporal and the other is eternal.

Our message title is “Where is Your Confidence?” and our points will be:

Main Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Supporting Texts - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Philippians 2:17, James 1:2-3, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 23:1-3, John 6:44, Isaiah 1:13, John 3:30, Romans 6:4-5, Ephesians 3:8

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Last week, we looked at the idea of “Shining Like Stars.” Pastor Chad and I would call this “Living the Christ Life.” Many people are saved, but those living the Christ Life are Shining God’s light everywhere they go.

Today, as we continue our sermon series through the Book of Philippians, we will try to answer the question: “Can I be Trusted?”

We will focus on two different individuals, Timothy and Epaphroditus. Paul and the church trusted both of these men with the responsibility of ministering to others. I pray that each and every one of us is living our lives in a manner that those around us see us as trustworthy.

Our message title is “Can You be Trusted,” and our points will be:

Main Scripture - Philippians 2:19-30

Supporting Texts - Philippians 2:3-4, 2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 Timothy 3:10, Philippians 1:21-26, 1 Corinthians 1:27-31, Romans 12:15, Romans 12:10

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Two weeks ago, we celebrated Resurrection Day. My prayer has been that we would celebrate Christ’s resurrection daily as we live out the “Christ life.” Living in this manner brings continual joy to our lives, and it provides hope to those around us.

Main Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Scripture - Matthew 8:1-4

Last week, we looked at the hard-to-apply idea of “Loving Others as Yourself.” This stems from Paul’s teaching in Philippians 1:27aWhatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

The idea is great, but the application is hard. The only way that we can love others as ourselves is through the power of the Holy Spirit. We can only receive the Spirit by receiving Christ.

Today is Resurrection Day! My prayer is that each and every one of us recognizes Christ for Who He is today: The Perfect Sacrifice for the sins of the world. As we celebrate this great day, may we seek to have the mind of Christ!

Our message title is “Having the Mind of Christ,” and our points will be:

Main Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 15:17, John 1:1, Titus 2:13, 2 Peter 1:1, John 8:58, Exodus 3:14, John 10:30, John 10:33, Philippians 1:27, Colossians 2:9, Matthew 26:53-54, Colossians 2:13-14, Matthew 20:28,2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 1:4, Isaiah 45:22-23, Luke 16:24, 2 Peter 3:9-10

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions: