Is there a goal you are working toward? Is there something that should motivate us to persevere and endure in the Christian life? This text gives us a glorious hope to strive for through difficulty and tribulation.

We consider that the foundation for our endurance is not in what we will merit through it, but as a response to what Jesus Christ has done for us. Then we consider three aspects of what it looks like to press on in the Christian faith.

May God use his word to keep us faithful and pressing on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

The call to follow Jesus is a call to see him as more valuable than anything else. Why would anyone do such a thing? What is so special about Jesus? In this sermon, we look to answer to important questions.

We look at the life of Paul and how he reordered the priorities of his life when he encountered the amazing person and work of Jesus. May God do the same in all those who look to Jesus.

Who are God's people? Are they his because of their ethnicity, actions, or beliefs?

God's people are those who have confidence in Christ. But what does that mean? How does one get this confidence? This sermon explores this theme that lies at the heart of the Christian life.

The Christian life should be a life of rejoice. In fact, we're commanded to rejoice. The key to this command is to understand what it means to rejoice in the Lord or have joy in Christ.

We're bombarded by promises of joy through a variety of things. This sermon explores some of those offers of joy that are so temporary or lead us into danger. Then we consider joy in Christ and why that joy is a solid, eternal, unshakable joy!

We're commanded to honor men like Timothy and Epaphroditus. What is so special about them worthy of honoring? And how exactly do you honor people like them? We explore these questions as we consider this text.

How do you have joy in suffering? How do you have joy in pouring yourself out for others? This sermon explores this topic and gives hope for joy in hard times.

We look together at the apostle Paul and his joy in God. Then we are called to imitate and behold God as our great treasure and infinite joy. Nothing can keep us from joy when our joy is in the infinite, unchanging God!

Following Jesus means that we imitate the character and qualities we see in Jesus. There is no room for complaining and arguing. In fact, we're called to do all things without grumbling or disputing.

This sermon explores that command and how we might, be God's grace, be forgiven, changed and transformed.

Obedience is not something that is held as a virtue today. Yet obedience is what we are called to do as followers of Christ. Here is a call to pursue righteousness, humility, love, and sacrifice. A call to put away bitterness, rivalry, pride, and grumbling.

Let us heed this call and see the grace that God has so wonderfully provided so that this work can be done in us.

Jesus left heaven came to earth as a servant who was obedient to the point of a humiliating death. His story was one of humility and sacrifice. What is your story? Are you a follower of Jesus unwilling to walk in humility and sacrifice??

If we are to follow Jesus then we must live as he lived. If our story is wrapped up in his story, then our lives should reflect his life. Here is a call to humility and sacrificing service to all around us. Let us look to Jesus and have the same mind as he.

Pride is one of the great dangers to the church. It's especially danger because it attacks the church from the inside. Here is a plea for humility!

In this sermon we examine the fruits of pride so we have a correct diagnosis of the problem. Then we consider the call to humility and the choice we must make to put off pride and put on humility. Lastly we consider the means of grace God has given us as he calls us to this better way.