Reverberate: A Berean Bible Church Podcast | Knoxville, TN

Title: By Life or Death

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0:00 What Is the Good Life?

2:04 Philippians 1:18-26

3:45 I Will Rejoice

8:20 The Spirit and Our Prayers

14:48 Honor Christ in Your Body

23:12 To Live Is Christ

29:20 To Die Is Gain

30:56 Fruitful Labor for Others

36:28 Whether by Life or Death

41:40 Growing in Allegiance to Christ

43:11 Prayer and Reflection

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Philippians 1:18–26

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (ESV)

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Writing from prison, Paul declares that he will rejoice because his hope rests not in his circumstances but in the certainty of his salvation through Christ. He is confident that Christ will be honored in his body, whether he lives or dies. For Paul, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Life means fruitful labor for the spiritual growth and joy of others, while death means being with Christ, which is far better. In this sermon, Jed Gillis challenges us to reconsider what makes life good. Rather than organizing our lives around comfort, success, or security, we are called to treasure Christ above all else and live in joyful allegiance to Him, trusting that He will be honored in every circumstance.

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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.

Learn more at berean.church.

Title: When Christ Reigns

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0:00 - When Christ Reigns

2:09 - True Allegiance Changes Your Life

4:51 - Responding to Conviction with Humility

5:38 - Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:12–18

7:03 - 1. Gospel Advance over Personal Comfort

9:17 - The Gospel Advances in Us and through Us

12:11 - Paul and the Praetorian Guard

18:17 - The Fruit of Allegiance: Peace, Love, and Witness

22:27 - Ministry through Unchosen Circumstances

23:58 - 2. Spiritual Growth over Personal Freedom

25:43 - Encouraging Others through Hardship

27:56 - Serving the Body beyond Our Preferences

29:16 - 3. Christ's Glory over My Reputation

30:32 - Rivalry, Tribes, and Selfish Ambition

35:13 - Rejoicing When Christ Is Proclaimed

37:54 - Allegiance beyond Defensiveness and Hurt

40:19 - Conclusion: Three Tests of Allegiance

42:27 - Personal Response

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Philippians 1:12–18

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice. (ESV)

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In “When Christ Reigns,” Jed Gillis examines Philippians 1:12–18 to show how allegiance to Jesus transforms our priorities. Paul’s response to imprisonment and opposition demonstrates that the advance of the gospel matters more than personal comfort, the spiritual growth of fellow believers matters more than personal freedom, and Christ’s glory matters more than reputation or recognition. As the gospel changes us, it produces peace, love, and courage that strengthen our witness to others. Even circumstances we would never choose can become opportunities for ministry. Paul’s joy in Christ being proclaimed—even by those seeking to hurt him—challenges believers to surrender selfish ambition and defensiveness, treasure Jesus above themselves, and find joy in the work of their King.

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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.

Learn more at berean.church.

Title: Love that Knows
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0:00 - Introduction
2:50 - Opening Prayer
4:25 - Our Need for Relationships
8:47 - Paul's Prayer: Philippians 1:9–11
9:26 - Love That Abounds
18:43 - Knowledge and Discernment
25:31 - Knowing What Matters
26:44 - Pure and Blameless
28:23 - God's Work in Us
30:22 - A Fruitful Life
33:35 - For God's Glory
35:24 - Examining Our Love
40:00 - Obstacles to Loving Others
47:43 - Taking the Next Step
54:25 - Closing Prayer
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Philippians 1:9–11
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (ESV)
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In Philippians 1:9–11, Paul prays for believers to have a love that keeps growing in knowledge and discernment. In Love That Knows, Jed Gillis explains that Christian love is more than affection. It knows people deeply, understands what matters spiritually, and takes initiative for their good. This kind of love produces pure motives, helps others grow without causing them to stumble, and bears abundant fruit through Jesus Christ. Because we are limited, we cannot have deep relationships with everyone, but every believer can take the next step in loving others. As God grows this love in His people, their relationships become a visible display of His grace and bring glory and praise to Him.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: Should Christians Be Afraid of God?
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0:00 Introduction
0:27 What Is the Fear of God?
16:44 Fearing and Loving the Same Person
21:09 But the Bible Also Says Love Casts Out Fear?
25:30 Fear that Draws You In
29:53 What's Next?
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Ecclesiastes 12:13
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (ESV)
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Ecclesiastes ends with the command to “fear God and keep his commandments,” but what kind of fear should Christians have toward a God who loves them? Pastor Jed Gillis, Pastor Isaias Viñales, and Jason Harper discuss how the fear of God goes beyond simple respect or reverence. God’s holiness, power, and judgment should produce real awe and trembling, yet His goodness and grace mean that believers do not need to fear Him as a malicious or unpredictable threat. Instead, biblical fear draws us closer to God. Through Christ, the God whose power should make us tremble is also the God who welcomes us to find refuge in Him.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: From Start to Finish
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0:00 — Introduction
0:14 — The Drawing Analogy
2:22 — How Do We Live It Out?
3:51 — Paul's Greeting to the Philippians
5:23 — It Is Right to Feel This Way
7:19 — Paul's Mindset (Phroneo)
10:12 — You Hold Them in Your Heart
12:31 — Partakers of Grace
15:11 — Defense and Confirmation of the Gospel
16:55 — Longing with the Affection of Christ
20:31 — The Quality of Our Love
26:28 — God Finishes What He Starts
30:36 — Every Stage of Life
37:20 — Closing
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Philippians 1:6–7
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. (ESV)
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In Philippians 1:6-7, Paul’s love and confidence toward the Philippian believers are rooted in the grace of God at work in them. Though they were still imperfect, Paul could remember them with gratitude, pray for them with joy, and hold them in his heart because they shared in the Gospel and were being changed by God’s grace. Their partnership showed itself through sacrifice, defending the Gospel, and lives that confirmed its truth. Paul’s confidence was not based on their ability to reach spiritual maturity on their own. It rested in God’s faithfulness. The God who begins the work of salvation and transformation in His people will carry it through to completion. That truth gives believers hope in their own slow growth and patience toward brothers and sisters who are still growing. God finishes what He starts.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: If God Has a Purpose, Why Can’t We See It?

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0:00 Introduction

0:27 The Purpose is Christ-likeness, Not a Specific Benefit

5:25 Remembering We Live in a Fallen World Can Anchor Us

12:57 What's Next?

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Romans 8:18–25 and Ecclesiastes 11:5. We groan in a broken world while awaiting restoration, trusting God without understanding everything he is doing.

Supporting passages:

Ecclesiastes 7:2–4. Mourning helps us face the reality of death and consider how we live.

John 11:33–35. Jesus grieves and weeps at Lazarus’ tomb.

Ecclesiastes

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When something painful happens outside your control, it’s natural to ask why. What is God teaching you? What good could come from this? But can trying to identify a specific purpose make suffering harder?

Continuing our conversation about chance and God’s care, Jed Gillis, Isaias Viñales, and Jason Harper discuss the limits of our understanding and the comfort of trusting a good Father. We consider why a good outcome doesn’t erase the pain, why grief belongs in the Christian life, and how the promise of restoration gives us hope even when we don’t get an explanation.

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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.

Learn more at berean.church.

Title: One King, One People

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0:00 Editor's Note on Audio Quality

0:20 Introduction: Our Longing for Community

4:22  Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:3-11

5:47  What Is the Gospel?

12:53 What Is Fellowship?

18:42  Three Marks of Fellowship: Action, Allegiance, Treasure

21:49  An Illustration of Fellowship

28:42 How Paul Treats His Gospel Partners

38:03 Application 1: Examine Your Allegiance

42:19 Application 2: Let the Spirit Shape Your Relationships

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Philippians 1:3–5

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (ESV)

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In Philippians 1:3–5, Paul’s joy and gratitude for the Philippian church flow from their partnership in the gospel. Jed Gillis explains that true Christian fellowship is deeper than simply gathering together. It grows from a shared allegiance to King Jesus, a shared treasure in the gospel, and shared action in serving Christ. Because believers belong to the same King, they are partners rather than competitors. Paul models what this fellowship looks like as he remembers other believers with gratitude, prays for them often, and does so with joy. We are called to examine our own allegiance to Christ and ask the Holy Spirit to shape our relationships into this same kind of gospel-centered fellowship.

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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.

Learn more at berean.church.

Title: Saints Together
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0:00 – Starting a New Series
6:14 – Opening Prayer
8:08 – Reading Philippians 1:1-2
8:29 – These Were Real, Flesh-and-Blood People, Like Us
11:21 – Paul and Timothy's Global Vision of Christianity
13:31 – Establishing Overseers and Deacons
14:58 – Paul's and Timothy's Love for the Philippians
17:02 – A Mentoring Community
19:28 – A Serving Community
26:39 – Your Allegiance to Something Shapes You
27:31 – The Contrasts Emphasized in Philippians
30:40 – A Purposeful Community
35:11 – A Diverse Community
43:58 – Grace to You, and Peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
46:36 – Closing Prayer
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Philippians 1:1–2
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)
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Your allegiance shapes who you become and how you live with others. In “Saints Together,” Jed Gillis explores Philippians 1:1–2, showing how belonging to Christ forms a community marked by mentoring, service, shared purpose and diversity. Paul and Timothy’s greeting reflects their love for real people united in Jesus. Their words invite you to consider your place in the church as someone called to serve and grow alongside others. This shared life rests on the grace and peace that come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: Our Riches in Christ Part 2
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0:00 – Opening Prayer
0:52 – The Engagement Ring
1:57 – Reflection on Our Current Riches in Christ
4:07 – The Spirit as a Guarantee
8:17 – There Is a Future Promise
11:08 – Where Does God Live?
19:57 – God Is Transforming Us From Glory to Glory
27:51 – We Are Called to Prepare Ourselves
30:27 – Expect Groaning
34:34 – God Himself is Groaning
36:27 – God Intercedes For Us
39:53 – Our Bodies Will Be Raised
45:53 – The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth
50:08 – We Will Judge Angels
57:27 – Conclusion
59:21 – Closing Prayer
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* **2 Corinthians 1:20–22** – All of God's promises find their "Yes" in Christ, and the Holy Spirit is given in our hearts as a seal and guarantee (*arrabon*).
* **Matthew 1:20** – The binding, covenantal nature of ancient betrothal illustrated through Joseph and Mary.
* **2 Corinthians 11:2** – The church betrothed to Christ to be presented as a pure virgin.
* **Ephesians 1:13–14** – Believers sealed with the promised Holy Spirit as the pledge of their future inheritance.
* **Exodus 25:8** – God's command to build a sanctuary so He could dwell in the midst of His people.
* **Ezekiel 36:27** – The prophetic promise that God would place His Spirit *within* His people rather than residing solely in a physical building.
* **John 14:17** – Jesus foretelling the shift from the Spirit dwelling *with* disciples to being *in* them.
* **1 Corinthians 6:19** – The believer's body designated as the inner sanctuary (*naos*) and temple of the Holy Spirit.
* **Romans 8:9** – The presence of the Spirit of Christ as the defining mark of belonging to Him.
* **2 Corinthians 3:18** – The ongoing, passive transformation of believers from one degree of glory to another by the Spirit.
* **Philippians 1:6** – The promise that God will bring the good work He started in believers to complete realization.
* **Romans 8:13 & Philippians 2:12–13** – Active participation in sanctification by putting to death the deeds of the body through the Spirit.
* **Romans 8:20–23** – Creation and believers possessing the firstfruits of the Spirit while groaning for final bodily redemption.
* **Romans 8:26** – The Holy Spirit helping believers in their weakness and interceding for them with groanings too deep for words.
* **Hebrews 7:25 & Romans 8:34** – Christ’s ongoing intercession for believers at the Father's right hand.
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In "Our Riches in Christ Part 2," Isaias Viñales presents the Holy Spirit as the believer's secure pledge (*arrabon*) and living guarantee of God's future promises. Moving beyond Old Testament physical temples, God now resides directly within every Christian, transforming their bodies into His personal sanctuary. This indwelling Spirit actively sanctifies believers from one degree of glory to another while guaranteeing a far greater eternal inheritance to come. Though possessing these spiritual firstfruits produces a natural tension—manifested in inward groaning and longing for final redemption—believers do not wait alone; the Holy Spirit sympathetically groans alongside them in their weakness, continually interceding according to God’s perfect will.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Every marriage has room to grow.
Couples at Berean share how Grace Marriage has helped them communicate more openly, ask better questions, and make intentional time for their relationship. Through structured conversations and the encouragement of other couples, Grace Marriage creates a regular rhythm for strengthening marriages.
Whether you have been married for a few years or several decades, you can keep learning how to listen, connect, and work through challenges together.
Learn more about Grace Marriage at Berean: https://www.berean.church/grace-marriage