Setting the Stage
Acts 16:6-34
The Partnership
September 17, 2017
Sermon Series: Philippians: Choosing Joy Under Pressure
Pastor Jeff Manion unpacks Paul’s three reminders and his prayer for this struggling church in Philippians 1:1-11. Paul reminds the young community of their past faithfulness, their certain future and Paul’s deep affection for them. These reminders are timely for us, as they were for the Philippians. Paul prays the Philippians would have a smart love, pursue what’s best and be filled with the right fruit. Jeff challenges us to consider what it means for us to pray these things for ourselves and for others.
Philippians 1:1-11
More in this Series
- Week 1
- Week 3
Stuck
Pastor Jeff Manion walks us through the section of Paul’s letter where he updates his friends in Philippi about his circumstances. He’s stuck waiting. His present situation is uncomfortable, and he face a fork in the road. How he describes his situation challenges us when we find ourselves stuck waiting. We often find ourselves stuck in a waiting room we didn’t choose and for an undetermined amount of time. Paul’s question helps reorient our approach to the waiting room. Philippians 1:12-26
- Week 4
The Power of Pulling Together
Paul’s letter to the Christians in Philippi reveals a church on the edge of disaster. The Apostle Paul has learned that this is a congregation in crisis and the spread of the gospel is at risk of stalling. Join us as we discuss the surprising way Paul coaches these young believers to set aside their differences and pull together for the sake of the gospel. Philippians 1:27-2:4
- Week 5
The Servant Mindset
This conversation centers around the person and work of Jesus. The solution for the church in crisis is humility. Jesus not only modeled humility but also revolutionized the way we consider humility. This week, our conversation revolves around what the example of Jesus means for our life and how a new song should stick with us. Philippians 2:4-11
- Week 6
Reputation
Our reputation can help advance or stifle the spread of the gospel. Writing from a Roman prison, Paul highlights the reputation of Timothy and Epaphroditus. Looking at their lives, plus this life of Paul, we learn four character traits important for us as we desire to see the gospel impact those around us. Philippians 2:19-30
- Week 7
Religious Resumes
The Philippian church is under pressure from the Roman culture, but also from a group trying to convince them they need to add religious rituals because Jesus isn’t enough. This week’s conversation looks at what Paul writes to remind the Jesus-followers that Jesus IS enough. Through his own story, he helps them see that a religious resume is worthless—the only thing of value is Jesus. Philippians 3:1-11
- Week 8
Pressing On
Paul describes what it means to “know Christ” and grow in his grace. Using the imagery of running a race, he urges the Philippian believers to move forward in their faith. Senior Pastor Jeff Manion asks four “disruptive” questions that help us see where we are at in the race: What do I want? How am I running? Who am I following? What am I waiting for? Philippians 3:10-4:1
- Week 9
More Joy, Less Anxiety
Paul writes Philippians to challenge and encourage a first-century church struggling with internal and external pressure. This week’s conversation revolves around Paul’s encouragement to rejoice always and not to worry. This seems like a wild idea coming from someone chained to a Roman guard writing to a church under all sorts of pressure. Paul gives the Philippians and us three heart decisions that help replace our anxiety with joy. Philippians 4:2-9
- Week 10
Shine
Guest speaker John Dickson unpacks Paul’s message to the believers in Philippi and what it means for us. Writing while chained to a Roman prison guard, Paul encourages the first-century Jesus followers with the motivation, power, character and impact of an obedient community. The Philippian church is at risk of losing its gospel effectiveness. Their obedience will cause them to shine the radical love of Jesus to the world around them. Philippians 2:12-18
- Week 11
Gratitude and Contentment
Philippians 4:10-23
Previous Sermon in Series
Setting the StageNext Sermon in Series
Stuck
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The stories Jesus told and what they mean for your life today . Why did Jesus teach in stories? Because the deepest truths about God are often found in the ordinary moments of life. In the parables, Jesus takes everyday things, a lost sheep, a dinner party, a farmer planting seeds and uses them to show us what God is really like and what it means to follow him. This summer, we’re spending seven weeks in the parables from Luke’s gospel. Whether you’ve heard these stories a hundred times or this is your first time, you’re invited to come and hear them fresh. June 27/28–August 8/9
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