As we walk through a very well-known passage in Scripture, Dylan leads us through how God's Word the common experience of anxiety. From Scripture, we learn that rejoicing needs to be a daily habit and that anxiety is real and in it, we must seek God, not the things of the world. Dylan emphasizes how peace only comes from God, not what we try to fix or numb. When processing anxiety and in general, Paul commands us to take control of our thoughts by thinking on the things that are true and honorable! How are you going to fight anxious thoughts with the power of the Spirit?

This week, Barrett Jones, a previous student, fills in as we wrap up chapter 3 of Philippians. As a believer, life is not going to be easy and yet, God encourages us to press on. Barrett explains that we must press on because Jesus made us His own, He gave us a call, and we get Jesus in the end! How are you pressing on when life is challenging and you feel discouraged?

Dylan brought the Word as he emphasized how we express our faith in Jesus! We express and live out our faith through worship, pursuit of God, and knowing Him and His Word. Jesus surpasses all worth and value in comparison to everything in the world! Praise God we can rest in the Truth that our life is fully dependent upon Jesus and His death and resurrection.

As we wrap up chapter 2 of Philippians, we are challenged to live a life of action. Paul, a follower of Jesus, intentionally multiples other followers of Jesus by building them up and sending them out. The text also teaches us that a life of action genuinely cares about those we are reaching and humbling sacrifices so that others may know and experience Jesus. Dylan wraps this up with one significant question: what is your relationship with Jesus costing you?

We had a special midweek where Pastor Connor answered some of your questions! Pastor Connor shares his testimony and encouragement for students. He addresses some pressing topics and questions revolving around Halloween, money, secular music, friendships, and ChatGPT. Theologically, He also answers questions concerning the validity of God's Word, Jesus' Second Coming, pride, demons, and God allowing bad things to happen. We are thankful for Pastor's wisdom and teaching!

Dylan leads us through this passage emphasizing how we should work out our faith, making it evident that we follow God out of delight. We should work out our faith with a holy fear to honor God, with a holy grip to shine, and with a holy outpouring to find joy. We must live out the gift of salvation that God has gracious given to us. We must cling to God's Word and exude a faithful obedience in following Him.

This is such a powerful passage of God's Word because if Jesus is real to you, there are ways that you must be living your life. Dylan shows us that we must be unified and of one spirit, humble and others-seeking, obedient to Jesus, and worshipping God in everything we do. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, will you be doing it with delight for eternal life or with fear for eternal punishment of death. How are you going to respond in light of this message?

We are called to live our life in a manner worthy of the Gospel, and yet, our lives tend not to back up what we say and believe. So, this presents us with the question, how do we live a life worthy of the Gospel? Philippians 1:27-30 directs us to living our lives with a Godly reputation while standing firm in the Spirit. It also teaches us to live our life with a captivated mind and a God-given confidence. Does your life back up what you say and believe?

In this sermon, Dylan emphasizes the importance of laying down our life so that Christ lives through us. It is evident that living for Christ is communal, costly, and changing. When people look at your life, what do you think they notice, your personality and achievements or Christ in you?

As we walk through these verses, we are challenged to share the Gospel as unified brothers and sisters in Christ, with a collective and joyful motive. We must not share the Gospel out of envy or rivalry or even for our own glory and recognition. What is your motive to sharing the Gospel and how can you celebrate, and not compete for, the Gospel being shared in your schools and communities?