CrossPointe Church Austin Texas Sermons

Words Are Explosive

2012-02-08T20:55:30Z

First message in the series "Sticks and Stones?"

This morning we start a new series on the words we use and the ways that we speak. All of us know that words are important, but we don’t always realize how powerful they are. The Bible tells us that words have the power of “life and death.” Do we really believe that?

Scriptures:

James 3:1-12 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Mark 10:24-27 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Mark 10: 26-27 (the Message paraphrase) That set the disciples back on their heels. “Then who has any chance at all?” they asked. 27 Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.”

1 Peter 3:8-12 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Proverbs 6: 16-19 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

Proverbs 18: 21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Digging Deeper

1. Jerry talked about the power of our words. Do you agree with Proverbs 18:21? That they contain "life and death?" What about "sticks and stones my break my bones, but words will never hurt me?" Has there ever been a time in your life when someone said something that hurt you deeply? Proverbs 12:18 compares words to a sword. In what ways do we (or those we know) use words like weapons? Like healing instruments of healing?

2. Read Matthew 12:33-37, also Matthew 23:25-28. Do you agree that the things we say reveal the condition of our heart? Why would that be true? Can you change your speech habits without changing your heart? How would we go about changing our heart? (Hint: Read Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 36:25-27; 2 Corinthians 15:7). How hard is it do change the ways in which we speak? Can we control our speech? (see James 3:1-12)? What hope do we have? (Luke 1:37; Mark 10:26-27).

3. What can you do if you have wounded someone with your words? Can you take them back? Can you undo the hurt that your words may have caused? What CAN you do? (Hint: read Matthew 5:23-24; Luke 17:3-4; Colossians 3:13; Luke 19:8 – Zacchaeus made amends, how could we do so for the hurt caused by our words? Example: publicly apologize if the words were stated publicly; if we told a lie go back and tell the truth - can you think of others?)

What's Next?

2012-01-29T18:10:00Z

The Heart of Giving

2012-01-22T18:27:46Z

As we move toward next weekend’s P3 prayer and fasting weekend, we continue to consider how to best prepare our hearts to come into God’s presence. One of the themes that the Scriptures touch on consistently is that we belong to the Lord – we are His people. Not only is that true because He is the Creator, it is true because He is also our Savior.

(Hebrews 10:15-25 NIV) "The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." 17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." 18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

(2 Corinthians 5:14-17 NIV) "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

(Romans 12:1-2 NIV) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."

(Hebrews 13:15-16 NIV) "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

(Psalms 69:30-31 NIV) "I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. 31 This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs."

(2 Corinthians 8:1-7 NIV) "And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us --see that you also excel in this grace of giving."

(Psalms 100 NIV) "A psalm. For giving thanks. Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Digging Deeper

1. Read Romans 12:1-2 again. What does it mean for us to be “living sacrifices?” What does that look like in the “real world?” How might the following passages help shed some light on those questions? Mark 12:28-34; Psalm 40:5-10; Ephesians 5:1-2; Isaiah 58:1-10

2. Read Genesis 22:1-19. What was the purpose of God’s request of Abraham? What did God ask Him to do? Was there anything in Abraham’s life more important than Isaac (note verse 12)? What was the result of Abraham’s obedience? What lessons do you think Abraham learned that day? Do you think Abraham thought it was worth it? Why or why not?

3. What is the most important priority in your life? (Note that the question doesn’t ask what SHOULD be most important, but rather what IS most important). How do you know that is most important? Would the people who know you agree with you that _________ is the most important in your life? Does the way in which you live your life, the day-to-day decisions you make, reflect that reality? What, if anything, needs to change? Will it be worth it?

Just Pray!

2012-01-15T18:30:38Z

Just Pray!

As we approach P3, our weekend of prayer, fasting and sacrifice, we want to consider how we ought to pray. Our Lord Jesus calls us to do so, our Heavenly Father longs to hear from His children, and the Holy Spirit helps us when we can’t. So how are we to pray?

(Acts 12:1-20 NIV) "It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."

12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!" 15 "You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel." 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell James and the brothers about this," he said, and then he left for another place.

18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while.

(Luke 11:1 NIV) "One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

(Matthew 6:9-15 NIV) ""This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

(Matthew 6:26 NIV) "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

(Romans 8:26-28 NIV) "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Digging Deeper

This week’s digging deeper is more about action than knowledge. Take some time to pray, beyond your normal routine this week. Use the time to prepare your heart for our P3 weekend.

1. Pray these biblical prayers (or others that you like): 2 Samuel 7:18-29; Psalm 25:1-22; Philippians 1:3-11; Ephesians 3:14-12; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; John 17:1-12; 1 Kings 8:23-30; Colossians 1:9-18.

2. Pray in a new and different way. If you normally ask for things, spend the same amount of time (time it!) thanking God for things. OR Write/type out your prayer – while we normally pray spontaneously, writing out a prayer forces you to slow down and really consider how you are praying. OR Spend a significant amount of time simply sitting, kneeling or face down before the Lord in silence. Listen for His voice, His tugging on your heart. Then pray for that person or thing, or write down what you sense the Holy Spirit is asking of you. OR make an effort throughout one day to pray for anyone you notice (co-workers, grocery store clerk, woman in the minivan with kids, a name in your contacts list, etc).

3. Pray formal, daily prayers written by others. You can find some at the following web resources:

https://prayersandcreeds.wordpress.com/category/classic-prayers/ This is a list of prayers of various Godly folks who have gone before. You can pray them and make them your own.

http://www.salvationarmy.org/ (select “our faith, spiritual life, daily prayers” These are all portions of scripture to pray.

www.dailyprayer.us; This is a full daily devotional with, scripture, am and pm prayers, even music.

Building a Community

2012-01-08T18:00:00Z

For many of us church is the place we worship and serve. And that is correct. The danger in simply thinking of our church in those ways is that it makes our church experience localized and compartmentalized. The Church is not simply what we do or where we do it; the Church is the community of God. It is a living, breathing, caring community which Jesus is building as His temple. How exciting is that?!

(Hebrews 3:1-6 NIV) "Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. 3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast."

(Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV) "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."

(Romans 15:1-7 NIV) "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."

(Romans 12:1-6 NIV) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith."

Digging Deeper

1. Do you tend to think of the church as a place or a people? As you answer consider how often you equate the “church” with “people”. Do you feel like CrossPointe is a community to which you belong? Why or why not?

2. Consider the following passages and consider the following question: How is the church described in them? Then consider how you might need to change your thinking about how you “do” church. Isaiah 62:5, Ephesians 5:25-27 & Revelation 19:7-8; 1 Corinthians 12:27 & Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 2:19-22 & Hebrews 3:3-4; John 15:1-8; Psalm 95:6-7 & John 10:7-16; Ephesians 3:14-15 & Galatians 6:10; Revelation 1:4-6; 1 Peter 2:9-10 & Deuteronomy 7:6-8.

3. Which of the word pictures in question 2 do you “like” the most – which are you drawn to? What are you doing in and with the community of CrossPointe to help make that picture, or any of the others, a reality in our church family? What could you start doing? Will you?

Five Biblical Resolutions for 2012

2012-01-01T06:00:00Z

Five Biblical Resolutions for 2012

1. Commit to pray and read scripture, at least 4 days a week.

(Psalms 130 NIV) "A song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; 2 O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. 3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. 7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. 8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins”

(Psalms 119:9-11 NIV) "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.

(Psalms 5:1-3 NIV) "For the director of music. For flutes. A psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. 2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. 3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV) "Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

2. Intentionally reach out, via text message, facebook message or phone call to someone in your life 4 days a week. Make it a different person every month.

(1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 NIV) "He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

(Acts 20:2-3 NIV) "He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 3 where he stayed three months."

3. Fast at least one day a month, and commit that day to spiritual thinking and prayer.

(Matthew 6:16-18 NIV) ""When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

(Mark 2:18-20 NIV) "Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, "How is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?" 19 Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. 20 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast."

4. Give 3 hours a week to serve someone or something other than your family.

(Mark 10:42-45 NIV) "Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.""

(Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

5. Change your speech. Consider how often you complain, say something true (or not true) but not kind about someone else, or use the words “never, always, can’t” with respect to yourself or others.

(Jude 1:16-19NIV) "These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. 17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." 19 These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

(Proverbs 22:11 NIV) "He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend."

(Luke 4:22 NIV) "All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips.”Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked."

(2 Corinthians 8:7 NIV) "But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us --see that you also excel in this grace of giving."

(Jude 1:24-25) To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy-- 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."

Digging Deeper

1. Take a few minutes to evaluate your life with respect to the five habits we talked about this morning. Which of these are you already doing? Which might you consider? What would keep you from trying to implement at least one into your life this year?

2. Pick one of the five and ask God to help you make that an ongoing habit in your life. Memorize at least one of the verses that addresses that habit (or another verse that you know that relates to it.) Ask someone (a friend or family member) to ask you regularly how you are doing (weekly or so).

3. What will you do if you fail? How might Philippians 1:3-7 and Romans 8:28-30 encourage you to keep trying?

Be Anxious for Nothing

2011-10-16T18:00:00Z

If Faith Can Move Mountains

2011-09-18T16:48:00Z

Cloud of Witnesses

2011-09-11T18:00:00Z

Citizens of Heaven

2011-09-04T17:26:57Z

The Apostle Paul has challenged us in his letter to the church at Philippi that we should passionately pursue Jesus. The reason for his willingness to run the race with everything he has is because he knows that Jesus is everything - nothing else matters. He now challenges us to follow his example , and to stand firm as citizens of a heavenly kingdom.

Scriptures

Royal Race or Rat Race?

2011-08-28T17:27:10Z

Series Title: The Book of Philippians: Rejoice in the Lord!

This morning we see the driving life motivation for the Apostle Paul - his passion to know ever more intimately the person of Christ. He compared his quest to that of a runner in a race- running hard for the prize. The truth is all of us chase a prize- the question for today is, "Are we pursuing the right one?"

Scriptures:

Philippians 3:7-14

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in^[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3: 10-11 (The Message)

^10-11I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

Revelation 4:9-11

⁹ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

¹¹ “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
   to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
   and by your will they were created
   and have their being.”

Philippians 1:20-24

²⁰ I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²² If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; ²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

2 Corinthians 5:5-8

⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

⁶ Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

1 Corinthians 9:24

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Psalm 115:1

¹ Not to us, LORD, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.

Revelation 4:9-11

¹¹ “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
   to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
   and by your will they were created
   and have their being.”

Digging Deeper

What does Paul mean in Philippians 3:10 when he says "the power of the resurrection?" What is the power of the resurrection? Read 2 Corinthians 4:10-15; 1 Peter 1:3-6 and Colossians 3:1-5. Does that change your understanding of the power of the resurrection?
Does the phrase "somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead" make you anxious about whether or not you will go to heaven? Why or why not? Do you think Paul meant something like "I don't know if I will get to heaven, but I'm sure gonna work hard and try and get there"? Read the following passages, all written by Paul, with respect to this verse, 3:11. Philippians 1:20-24, Philippians 1:4-7, Romans 8:26-39, 2 Corinthians 5:7-8.
Can we know for sure that we are going to heaven? (See 1 John 5:11-13; John 3:16-18; Acts 16:30-31; Hebrews 7:20-28.)
Read Philippians 3:1-8. What did Paul give up to follow Christ? What have you given up? Don't try and be humble, there are things you gave up for Jesus. Why did Paul give those things up (Philippians 3:9-11)? Are there things you are unwilling to give up for the sake of knowing Him? (Don't think just in terms of "stuff" - think about things like time, people, dreams, etc.) What would happen if you give them up? Would it be worth it? Will you do that now?

Our Confidence

2011-08-28T15:25:02Z

Community

2011-08-14T17:21:00Z

Humility

2011-07-31T17:31:50Z

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Jesus the God-Man

2011-07-27T23:16:05Z

Many of us don’t think much about theology, and we usually don’t think it has much to do with real life in the real world. However the Apostle Paul makes it clear in His Letter to the church at Philippi that theology does matter, and it does have huge implications for the way we live our lives. He calls us to live our lives with humility, and he uses a very specific argument from theology to illustrate what that means.

(Philippians 2:1-11 NIV) If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(John 8:58-59 NIV) "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

(Exodus 3:13-14 NIV) Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" 14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

(John 10:30-33 NIV) 31 Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" 33 "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."

(Hebrews 2:14-18 NIV) Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

(John 1:29 NIV) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

(John 1:14 NIV) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

(Isaiah 7:14 NIV) Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Digging Deeper

1. What happened when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:1-24)? What does that mean – what were the ultimate consequences for them and their descendants (Romans 5:12-21; 8:20-22; Revelation 22:3)? Is it fair that we are held accountable for Adam’s failure? Why or why not? Consider Romans 3:9-20 and 23 as you answer.

2. Does it really matter if Jesus was man? Why or why not? (See Romans 5). Does it really matter if He was God? Again, why or why not? What are the implications for us if Jesus was only a man, perhaps a really enlightened one, but nonetheless only a man? (Hebrews 7:20-28; 1 Timothy 2:1-7).

3. Are there things in our world that we don’t understand? Does that make them not true? Can we understand the incarnation -- a fancy word for Jesus (God) becoming man “in the flesh”)? Does that mean it is not true? Would you be willing to die for this statement: “Jesus is fully God and fully man?” Or asking it another way should you be willing to die for that truth? Is it really that important? Why or why not?

Max from Ukrainian Church

2011-07-26T01:36:50Z

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One Purpose; One Lord

2011-07-10T17:24:43Z

Last week we examined how the Apostle Paul lived his life in prison (which was the same way that he lived his life outside of prison): proclaiming the gospel. This week he asks us to consider living our lives in light of that same gospel. His challenge to the church at Philippi, and by extension to us, is that we do the will of our Father just as he did. But his challenge goes even further when he calls us to live our lives doing the will of the Father just as Jesus did.

(2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV) May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

(1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NIV) For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

(1 Corinthians 10:16 NIV) Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

(New American Standard) Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?

(KJV) The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

(Romans 15:5-6 NIV) May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(John 6:37-40 NIV) All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

Digging Deeper

1. List the five things Paul bases his appeal upon in Philippians 2:1. Why these five? Are there others he could have named? Which of these is the hardest for you? Which comes easier? Are they optional?

2. What does encouragement look like? Define it. In what ways can we encourage one another (see Acts 11:22-23; 2 Chronicles 32:6-7; Acts 27:33-36 (think about the promise made to Paul); 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Philemon 1:6-7; Acts 29:14-15; Romans 1:11-12; Romans 15:4-5; Philippians 1:14)? Think about five people who are in your life; write down one thing you could say or do to/for them that would encourage them. Now do those five things sometime this week.

3. What are we challenged to do in Philippians 2:2-4? Which persons of the Trinity are involved in Paul’s appeal (verses 1,9)? What does that say about how important unity is? What happens when there is no unity? What happens when unity is present? Are you passionate about being “of one mind” with your fellow believers?

The Book of Philippians: Rejoice in the Lord!

2011-07-03T17:28:27Z

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Count it all joy

2011-06-30T01:22:11Z

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After the Storm

2011-06-24T00:09:00Z

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