Sermon Central
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Philippians: An Epistle Of Joy
Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 11, 2021 (message contributor)
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1. You People Are Awesome!
Contributed on Sep 11, 2021
Most everyone likes looking at pictures in family photo albums, because there are always a couple that make us smile every time we look at them. Paul has similar feelings as he begins this letter to the church at Philippi.
I. Intro A. Who likes to look at pictures in family photo albums? Are there some photos that make you smile every time you look at them? What about every time you think about them? B. We enjoy singing here so much—whenever people ask us what we do, we tell them—but among all the things we’re part ...read more
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2. Bloom Where You're Planted
Contributed on Sep 11, 2021
It's not always easy to see your environment as part of God's mission... but, one way or another, whether you like it or not, it always is! This series was given to a group of believers in an assisted living facility.
I. Intro: A. Pandemic Panic? 1. In the early days of the COVID pandemic, we watched our ministry opportunities almost immediately and completely evaporate—no assisted living/nursing home concerts, no home concerts, no church concerts, NOTHING 2. Rather than respond in fear (but after a little ...read more
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3. The Gospel Always Wins
Contributed on Sep 11, 2021
Sometimes, in our zeal, we overthink--and overreact--to our worldly environments and how we should be salt and light in them. Paul helps us focus on right thinking when it comes to our witness and testimony.
I. Intro: “How Not to Fight Atheism” As reported by R. Albert Mohler, Jr. of the CHRISTIAN POST: “In December 2010, the Dallas-Fort Worth Coalition of Reason - a group dedicated to raising the profile of secularists, atheists, and agnostics - began running advertisements on Fort Worth public buses ...read more
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4. Find Joy In Service
Contributed on Sep 11, 2021
We spend a lot of time in this life chasing things that we cannot take with us when we die. Paul recognizes the value of eternal rewards, and it’s a good problem to have to be conflicted between continuing to earn more, or being in heaven to enjoy what’s been won.
I. Intro A. Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” B. We spend a lot of time in this life chasing things that we cannot take with us when we die C. Paul recognizes the value of eternal rewards, and it’s a good problem to have to be conflicted ...read more
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5. Winning Isn't Easy... But It's Still Winning!
Contributed on Sep 11, 2021
Being Christians in this world isn't easy--Jesus told us so. And Satan's goal is to destroy us and his church. But Paul is going to unpack the promise from last week: "For me, to live is Christ; to die is gain."
I. Intro ??In his book Loving God, Charles Colson draws attention to an incident involving an Indiana judge named William Bontrager. Bontrager had to pass sentence on Fred Palmer, a decorated Vietnam veteran who was found guilty of burglary. The crime was caused partly by involvement with drugs ...read more
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6. The Way Up Is Down
Contributed on Sep 11, 2021
After all the nice things Pual has said about how good the Philippian church was doing, he wants them to remember where they came from, where they are now, how they got there, and who it is who brought them along.
I. Intro: A. Mohammad Ali, the great boxer, also was renowned for his cocky quick-wit, saying things like, “I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, and it is hard to be humble when you're as great as I am.” My favorite: “I should be a postage stamp. That's the only way I'll ever ...read more
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7. Turn On The Light!
Contributed on Sep 14, 2021
What does it mean to "empty" oneself? Something will fill the vacuum! When we empty ourself for Jesus--who is the perfect example of emptying oneself--we will be filled with His nature... and shine like lights!
I. Intro A. My kids and I are reading a series of books of historical fiction entitled The American Adventure, which follow the lives of various children as the history of our nation unfolds around them. One of the things that has always been the case is that, the older we get, the less we like ...read more
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8. Two Examples Of Level 5 Faithfulness
Contributed on Sep 14, 2021
How committed are we to being of service? In describing himself, Jesus said in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Paul describes for us two Level 5 leaders in today’s Scripture…
I. Introduction A. How committed are we to being of service? In describing himself, Jesus said in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” B. “It came down to one essential definition. The central dimension for Level 5 is ...read more
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9. Our Identity: Christ Alone!
Contributed on Sep 14, 2021
Where does your joy come from? What are the kinds of things that rob you of your joy? Paul encourages the Philippians to keep the source of joy in proper perspective so that it's not stolen away or diminished.
I. Intro A. ?Two Australian sailors staggered out of a London pub into a dense fog and looked around for help. As they steadied themselves, they saw a man coming into the pub but evidently missed the military medals flashing on his dress uniform. One sailor blurted out, “Say, bloke, do you know ...read more
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10. The Economics Of Righteousness
Contributed on Sep 14, 2021
Consider spending your whole life working for one cause, only to realize you were so wrong that you were willing to leave everything you'd achieved behind to promote a new one. That's Paul's story, and here he tells the Philippians how it pays off.
I. Intro: Fire Cleans Out Huxley’s Stuff? Years ago, one of Southern California's infamous wild fires destroyed the home of best-selling writer Aldous Huxley. He and his wife barely escaped with their lives. But Huxley's manuscripts, his collection of letters from "great" people ...read more
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11. Forget The Past--Reach For What Lies Ahead
Contributed on Sep 14, 2021
Credentials won't do. Status won't do. Nothing will suffice our deepest spiritual need: to know God and be known by Him. Paul says it's a constant pursuit.
I. Intro: Backstage at the circus, motivational speaker Jim Donovan noticed that the elephants were kept in place by nothing stronger than a thin rope that tied one leg to a stake in the ground. Puzzled, Donovan asked one of the trainers what prevented these powerful animals from just snapping the ...read more
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12. Be A Copycat
Contributed on Sep 14, 2021
What are the most tried and true teach methods? Imitation! Paul is a big advocate, if this passage is any indication. Let's use some children's games to help us learn how to live like Jesus--and cope with the consequences.
I. Introduction A. One of the more precious—and frustrating—parts of homeschooling (or educating young children in general) is teaching them how to write. Letter-forming does not come naturally to most of us, and it certainly doesn’t come by hearing a lecture on it. A child must see letters ...read more
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13. Get Along To Go Along
Contributed on Sep 14, 2021
Remember how easy it was when we were little to make--and lose--friends? Paul is teaching us here that while we walk this path with each other, the purpose is not to "go along to get along," but much more importantly, to learn to "get along so we can go along."
I. Introduction A. Do you remember when you were younger, one of the first things you had to learn was to get along with siblings / cousins / classmates? With some, this was easy, even effortless most of the time. For others, the best you could do was just stay away from them… but that was often ...read more
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14. Peace & Joy: Keeping It Real
Contributed on Sep 14, 2021
We often hold inaccurate perspectives on things. Paul reminds us today of a few things: the importance of real joy, the power of real peace, and the disciple's mentality that secures these two.
I. Intro: Perspective A. Newsweek magazine recently made a side-by-side comparison of "threats" of which people have an inaccurate perspective: 1. Murders: 14,180 (2008)—Suicides: 33,289 (2006) 2. Children abducted by strangers: 115 (1999)—Children who drown in pools: 288 ...read more
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15. Evidence Of Spiritual Strength
Contributed on Sep 14, 2021
Paul is wrapping up his encouragement letter to the Philippians by acknowledging their genuine concern for him, and by reminding them that circumstances have no power of his perspective--he knows that Christ in us is greater than any difficulty this world can produce.
I. Intro: GODZILLA MEAT! A. Want to be as strong as Godzilla? Eat Godzilla Meat! “Godzilla Meat—actually 3.5 ounces of corned beef from Tokyo toy maker Takara Company—is packaged with pictures of the stomping, fire-breathing, irradiated dinosaur made famous by movies that started ...read more
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16. You're Too Kind!
Contributed on Sep 14, 2021
Paul ends this epistle with making sure the Philippians know that, regardless of how both contented and empowered he is in Christ, he is still very thankful to them for their remarkable kindness to him, and that it didn't go unnoticed.
I. Intro A. According to the WASHINGTON POST, a church ordered a pizza from Domino’s during a church service. What happened next drew national attention:? “The driver brought the $5.99 pizza to Sycamore Creek Church in Pickerington in suburban Columbus on Oct. 4. The Rev. Steve Markle brought ...read more