Sunday, 07 October 2012
Duration: 35 mins 10 secs
What have we learned from our study of Philippians? What have we actioned? How has God changed us? How will we hold ourselves accountable? Bible teaching is not just an intellectual exercise. We need to move what we have learnt from our heads to our hearts and our hands. As we begin a new series, let us not forget what God has already taught us.
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Duration: 31 mins 19 secs
What stops us from finding contentment in a world that is so affluent? The more we strive for the less we have. Paul concludes the letter to the Philippians by unlocking the the secret of contentment. It is not about detaching ourselves from this world but attaching ourselves to Jesus Christ. We have everything through Him.
Sunday, 23 September 2012
Duration: 33 mins 14 secs
Our citizenship is in heaven, but this life is more of a reflection of who we are at present. However we need to be moving in the direction of reconciliation. Firstly we need to have reconciliation with God. If we do not have peace, we need to change focus and find God’s desires not our own. And if we have conflict with others, we need to take the initiative to reconcile. When we move in God’s direction, that is when rejoicing comes because it is not bound by what happens in this world.
Sunday, 16 September 2012
Duration: 25 mins 47 secs
There are two ways you can walk in life: as one of the many enemies of the cross whose god is their own personal satisfaction, justify their undisciplined desires and set their minds on earthly things, or as imitators of Christ, allowing Him to set our direction and values. The answer is determined by where our mind is set.
Sunday, 09 September 2012
Duration: 36 mins 15 secs
Anything not of Christ is a loss and we need to give up all earthly things in order to obtain the heavenly treasure that Jesus offers. We are to carry our cross and this call to follow Jesus is not some things or sometimes, it is always and everything every day.
Sunday, 02 September 2012
Duration: 31 mins 28 secs
What does it mean to be a man? We see examples from this passage of Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus who had different gifts, different characteristics and different temperaments, but they all had come to resemble one person - that of Jesus Christ. These guys may have been examples of the model Christian, but Jesus is the Christian model that we need to reflect our lives upon.
Sunday, 26 August 2012
Paul tells us how we achieve a Christlike attitude. There is a balance between what we are to do and be and become, and what has already been done and is being done by God. The mark of a true Christian is obedience. We are to take responsibility for what God has placed in us. We need a self feeding program to grow in Christlike actions and character, not wait to be fed. We should view our salvation with healthy respect and fear to disappoint God. We are to be different from this world, as both our actions and words should reflect Christ. We are to commit ourselves to this, no matter what. We can not do it alone, but God enables us.
Sunday, 19 August 2012
Duration: 41 mins 29 secs
Like Paul, we too can be bound in chains, even though they may not be physical. Paul reminds us to keep our eyes on Jesus, because this brings the deepest quality and meaning to our lives. No matter what happens around us, Paul calls us to stand firm in Christ. It is when we can not do any more that Jesus comes in His mighty power and does what we can not. Our attitude is to be like Christ’s, who emptied Himself for us and did everything for God’s glory. As we seek Him and live in intimacy with Him, He will work amazing things in us and bring His plan to completion.
Sunday, 12 August 2012
Duration: 26 mins 36 secs
What do you stand for in life? Paul stood for one thing - the advancement of the gospel. What he stood for took priority over everything else. It determined where he went, and what he said and did. There are causes and injustices we need to stand against, but the gospel must be at the centre of all we do. This is a challenge for us as a church as we look to discern God’s vision for us among so many opportunities.
Sunday, 05 August 2012
Duration: 32 mins 17 secs
Philippians is a letter full of joy and doctrinal truths. It gives insight into Paul’s mind, Christ’s mind and what the Christian mind should be. Paul reminds us that as God began the good work in us, so He carries it on and will complete it. It is not up to us, but Paul tells us that we are to be ready when Christ appears. It is God’s grace that enables us to obey what we read in His Word and do what He has planned for us. We need to live in partnership with Him.
