Seven Mile Road

As we continue to press in on the letter to the Philippians hearing about how Paul worked during his lockdown, we come to the concept of a citizen. More than mere civic responsibilities, Paul writes about Gospel Citizens. To a church distanced some 4600 miles, Paul explains this concept. We too a church distanced, not by so many miles but still feeling very dispersed, receive the same concept that shapes our understanding of what God is calling us to be in the world together –even during a pandemic.

Philippians 1:27-30

All of us come into Easter 2020 with heavy, heavy hearts. Sorrow, fear, and confusion abound, and rightfully so. Yet it's important to remember that the very first Easter began similarly. Jesus was dead, and everyone who loved and hoped in him thought all was lost. Into that space the Risen Christ showed up, speaking words of comfort and hope. In this sermon, we hear what a life shaped by the truth of His resurrection looks like.

Reference: Philippians 1:18b-26

In this update, we hit on the essentials of how we are going about our mission in this unusual Holy Week.

In this sermon, we continue allowing the words of the Biblical book of Philippians to shape our souls as we live through the Coronavirus crisis. Although Paul was on lockdown, the gospel wasn't, as all kinds of folks filled his shoes and preached gospel. What's odd is that some did it from pure motives, and some not-so-pure. What's even more odd is Paul's response, which will surprise, comfort, and challenge us.

Reference: Philippians 1:15-18 (edited) 

In this sermon, we hear a most paradoxical and encouraging word from the Spirit. "What has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel." This such an important axiom for us to pound into our souls: God is always at work accomplishing His gospel purposes ... even in apparent setbacks.

Reference: Philippians 1:12-14

Paul begins his letter to the Philippians with a note of thankful joy. Wait, what? How can he be joyful while on lockdown? He remembers their partnership in the gospel from the first day he met them ... and he anticipates their partnership in the gospel to the last day. And this because he knows the faithfulness of God.

Yes, John Lennon was a spectacularly gifted artist.

But the gospel he preached was false. And therefore bankrupt.

Now that a mashup of Lennon's Imagine is trending on social media, we thought we'd make available our track of the same name, yet with a strikingly different vision.

We wrote this in the early days of Seven Mile Road. 

John Frederick on vocals. 

In our first-ever "over Zoom" sermon*, we walked through the first two verses of Jesus's Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians, which was written during a time when he was "on lockdown" in a Roman jail cell. We are expecting Paul to be angry or depressed or paralyzed, but instead we see just the opposite! He is thankful and rejoicing and busy with whatever gospel work is before him. What would it look like for us to be this way in this unprecedented season of social distancing due to Coronavirus?

* This sermon was preached on March 15, the first Sunday on which large gatherings in Melrose, Massachusetts were suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The first few seconds are orienting people to the Zoom call reality.

Marriage is meant to not only display the gospel but to advance it. This means it’s essential for a husband and wife to be aligned in their love for God and devotion to His mission. And so it’s no surprise that one of the 3 big commitments we see the people make as they begin their new life together is that they will not “intermarry” with outsiders. In this sermon, we think on why this was important and what it means (and does not mean) for us.

Reference: Nehemiah 10:30