Showing posts with label phillipians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label phillipians. Show all posts

Sunday, April 29, 2007

"Good News"

Phillipians 1:12-19

Good News is all about Jesus Christ-->The Gospel

*Bask in the glow of the Good News. Circumstances do not need to rob us of the inner joy of the goodness of God

1) DESPITE OUTSIDE OPPOSITION (vs. 12-14)
-All that has happened to Paul has helped spread/advance the Gospel/Good News.
-You can still have joy in the Good News no matter what happens on the outside.
-RESULT: CONVERSION - confinement/imprisonment did what circumstances outside couldn't do.
-RESULT: COURAGE -confidence to speak the Good News without fear in everyday conversation (not just a pastor's job). Courage is contageous.

2) DESPITE INSIDE COMPETITION (vs. 15-19)
-Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow JESUS daily.
-Motives: self-promotion, possessive of "turf," envy, jealousy = poor motives for ministry.
-REFOCUS: PRIORITIES - Who's the real enemy? (vs. 18), no need to attack those who are preaching the GOSPEL no matter what their motives and/or gains, GOD is the judge of those motives, not us. God will use the preaching of the GOSPEL for HIS BENEFIT no matter what.
-REFOCUS: PERSPECTIVE - Shift our focus from ourselves to our GOD!

Sunday, April 22, 2007

"Saints Alive!"

Phillipians 1:3-11

Saints = HOLY ONES
We are SAINTS made HOLY/RIGHTEOUS through the sacrifice of JESUS CHRIST.

JOY is the realization that a SOVEREIGN GOD is ACTIVELY at work in our PERSONAL LIVES.

4 RESPONSES we can have TOWARD GOD because he is ACTIVELY INVOLVED in out lives.

1st RESPONSE: GRATITUDE/THANKSGIVING (vs. 3-5)
-Paul expressed this even while in prison chained to a prison guard in Rome.
-Gratitude expressed in rememberance and fellowship in diversity but with the common denominator of Jesus Christ.

2nd RESPONSE: CONFIDENCE (vs. 6)
-Fully convinced of what GOD did, can do, and will do through our lives for HIS GLORY.
-From START to FINISH when Christ returns.

3rd RESPONSE: PASSION (vs. 7-8)
-Having a passion for GOD's people-not just a "mind-feeling" (i.e., Charlie Brown-"I love mankind, but I can't stand people.") It has to do with the depths of the heart.
-Compassionate about defending the truth of the GOOD NEWS, making disciples and building the body of Christ (every tongue, tribe, race, and nation), being an ambassador of Christ.

4th RESPONSE: GROWTH (vs. 9-11)
-Growing in knowledge and understanding
-NOT blind enthusiasm, but perseptive
-Sincerity and Integrity through a relationship with Jesus Christ