Intro: (1) Paul’s imprisonment → an “advance” (2) learning to find encouragement in setbacksEvangelizing (13): (1) most likely writing from Rome → background from Acts 21-28 (2) house arrest, chained to Roman soldier, paying “rent” (3) “imperial guard” a force of 10,000 soldiers charged with protecting the emperor (4) six hour “chain shift” → captive audience (5) Paul’s life/ministry takes a diffe...  Read More

Intro: (1) series recap (2) practicing encouragement by praying for others (3) my current prayer practicePrayer for love (9a): (1) prayer for growing love → vertical and horizontal (2) fuzzy sentimentality (cf. Rom. 12:10) vs. sacrificial giving (cf. John 3:16, Rom. 5:8, Eph. 5:2) →only possible with Christ (3) wedding day vs. wedding vowsPrayer for wisdom (9b): (1) love grounded in Christ is wise...  Read More

Intro: (1) encouraged by faithfulness (2) life-giving dependability (cf. tuskegee airmen) (3) four traitsFaithful People (3-4): (1) “all” . . . “always” . . . “every” . . . “all” (2) Paul’s appreciation extendsthroughout their diversity (3) appreciating differences in personality and gifting (4) learning to be thankful for people more than things (cf. new shirt) (5) their faithfulness was happenin...  Read More

Intro: (1) read v.1-2 (2) triple use of Christ Jesus (cf. St. Patrick prayer) (3) four encouragements in ChristServants of Christ: (1) usually intros himself as “apostle” (i.e. authority) → “servant” here (i.e. UNDER authority) (3) doulos → one of many terms translated “servant” → only one which designates being property of owner (4) a negative term in Philippian culture but used of OT heroes like...  Read More

Intro: (1) overview of letter (2) foundations series → importance of hitting passages from different angles (3) overall theme of encouragement → series titleEncouraged by faithfulness (1:1-11): (1) read v.3-7 (2) “partnership in gospel” (cf. mission partner sharing) (3) “partakers of grace” (cf. “learning to not let enemy beat me up”)Encouraged in suffering (1:12-26): (1) v.12 → unexpected setback...  Read More

Intro: (1) recap of foundations, previous sermon (2) “worshipers in community engaged in ministry”Worshipers1. Corporate (2:9-11, 4:18): (1) one picture given of eternity is of a multitude worshiping the Lord (cf. Revelation 7, OT temple) (2) now happens when local congregations gather for corporate worship (3) different elements → greeting, scripture, prayer, singing, testimonials, giving (cf. 4:...  Read More