We cry out for peace of mind and heart—anything to soothe our anxieties in a world of chaos or in a life that’s spiraling out of control. And there’re answers—really good answers that are easily overlooked or forgotten in all the turbulence—answers that will bring peace like you’ve never known…
Category: Philippians
‘Be Anxious for Nothing—What-Ifs & Life’s Regrets’ (Phil. 4:6, Part 3)
Worried about relationships, regrets and tomorrow’s what-ifs? With a little help from King David, the Apostle Paul applies the perfect cure…
‘Be Anxious for Nothing—Going ‘All-In’ with God’ (Phil. 4:6, Part 2)
Jesus commanded His disciples to go ‘all-in’ with Him, and not to worry about the often devastating personal cost—God will take care of their every concern. Easier said than done—but nothing is impossible with God… A MUST-listen message…
‘Be Anxious for Nothing—Except…?’ (Phil. 4:6, Part 1)
Paul’s superb exhortation, ‘be anxious for nothing’ is a loaded statement, one that followers of Jesus can’t afford to ignore. When they do—the outcome plays right into the Enemy’s plans…
‘Stay on Target!’ (Phil. 4:2-5)
One of Pastor Jay’s most important messages: there are always people who don’t get along, and Christians are no exception—like Euodia and Syntyche. But with Christians, there’s a cure—one the devil wants us to forget. It’s time we remembered—because the Christian joy is also found there…
‘When Christians Disagree (and What to Do About It)’ (Phil. 4:2-3)
Euodia and Syntyche were popular among the Philippians, but they weren’t getting along—and it threatened the church. In fact, their conflict seems to be what prompted Paul to write to the Philippians in the first place. A BIG message for every church…
‘Standing Firm in Turbulent Times’ [Heb. 11, Ps. 85]
The horrendous events of the past week grip the soul with resolve to engage the enemies of truth and justice—but is this what God intends for His people? In fact, He gave us a list of the Bible’s greatest people of faith—and how they handled the horrible His way. It’s quite obvious—and at odds with how we’d like to handle life’s travesties…
‘How God Risked His Reputation’ (Phil. 3:20-4:1)
Why is the Christian witness in this world no longer plausible? Why doesn’t it seem to shine as true anymore? Paul told the Philippians that their citizenship was in Heaven—as is ours—and it seems many Christians have forgotten it…
‘Unconverted Christians’ (Phil. 3:18-19)
Paul called them ‘enemies of the cross of Christ’, and they made him weep—because sometimes the ‘unconverted’ are Christians…
‘You’re Being Watched…’ (Phil. 3:15-17)
Paul said so much in just a few words—especially about when Christians disagree with each other, and Christian examples they ought to follow—and be…
‘Running to Win or DNF?’ (Phil. 3:14-15)
Paul ran his Christian life to win both the race and the prize—but of his many companions in ministry, one served well and dropped out; another failed miserably, but finished well. Which are you…?
‘The Long Race to Victory’ (Phil. 3:12-15)
Here is the sum-total of why Paul followed Jesus—and why he suffered so much to provoke all Christians to do the same. This remains the game-changer of Paul’s entire ministry…
‘Sharing in Christ’s Sufferings? What’s That?’ (Phil. 3:10b)
Paul told the Philippians he wanted to know ‘the fellowship of sharing in Christ’s sufferings.’ Throughout his ministry he endured terrible sufferings—so why would he desire more of it, and to revel in it? It’s here that Paul declares the great and seemingly crazy yearning of Christians—one that’s been horrendously misunderstood for centuries…
‘Whatever Happened to the Resurrection of the Dead?’ (Phil. 3:10)
A literal Resurrection of the Dead was taught throughout the Bible—especially by Jesus and Paul. It was the ‘blessed hope’ of every believing Christian in the early church—but not so much by churches today. What changed? What are the consequences? And why should we care? A powerful provocation to remember where we’re going…
‘The Sight of Christ’ (Phil. 3:10)
The finish line of Paul’s entire life—that for which he sacrificed everything—country, kindred, credentials, honor, comfort, liberty and life itself—was that he might know Christ. This was the death knell of religion and ‘churchianity’; of self-centeredness and pride. It’s why we are Christians…
‘Guarding Your Dung’ (Phil. 3:2-9)
Paul’s warning to the Philippians was a caution to all followers of Jesus—that we’re destined to be like Him and with Him, and that all our earthly qualifications to do so are…dung. (Rated PG)
‘Let Me Remind You of Something’ (Phil. 3:1)
Paul told the Philippian church, ‘Rejoice!’—then reminded them, as God’s people, just how much they need reminding—and why. An unusually potent message that hits very close to home…
‘A Christian’s Resume’ (Phil. 2:19-30)
When Paul sang the praises of Timothy and Epaphroditus to the Philippians, he also defined what it meant to be a Christian. It became their resumes. Ours, too…
‘A Story of Two Messengers, Part 1’ (Phil. 2:19-30)
Paul was about to send two friends on a dangerous journey to Philippi. Not surprising. What qualified these men to be his messengers? Surprising! And their qualities challenge all Christians everywhere. A sermon that digs up a few hidden gems…
‘In Praise of Rotting Prison Straw’ (Phil. 2:16)
Paul wanted more than assurances that his ministry to the Philippians counted for something in Heaven—he hoped to boast about it, too. This begs a powerful question: how does God measure our successes and failures in eternity? The answer is bigger than the question…
“Quit Yer Bellyachin'” (a Sermon for Complainers)
Paul commanded the Philippians to ‘do everything without complaining or arguing’. It seems like a simple order, but it’s far more important than it sounds. The world is changed by our example, not our opinions…. (Philippians 2:14-15)
‘Fear and Trembling in Salvation’ (Phil. 2:12-18)
Paul told the Philippians to work out their salvation with ‘fear and trembling’—but what did he mean by that—what kind of fear could possibly be good? And what about that trembling? A must listen…
‘The Ultimate Christians’ (‘Christians with Attitude’ PART 3)
G.K. Chesterton wrote, ‘The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.’ But what is the ideal? The modern church seems to have taken a different path—and there’s a way back… (Phil. 2:8-11)
‘Working Out Your Salvation?’ (Phil. 2:12-18)
Sunday’s Sermon attacks one of the Bible’s great controversies: Paul commanded the Philippians to ‘work out your salvation with fear and trembling…’ But how can this be—especially in light of God’s indescribable grace? The answer is so simple—even offensive—especially for folks who follow Jesus on their own terms…
‘Christians with Attitude’ Part 3
Following Jesus—what does it really look like? Simply put, like a servant. So what did that look like? Here we go… (Part 3 of a deep dive into one the most epic passages in Scripture.)
‘Christians with Attitude’ PART 2
Following Jesus—what does that really look like? C.S. Lewis said, “The church exists for no other purpose but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs… God became man for no other purpose. It is even doubtful, you know, whether the whole universe was created for any other reason.” What Paul said and Jesus did more than prove it true… (Part 2 of a hard look at one of the most important passages in the Bible.)
“‘Christians with ‘Attitude'” Part 1
Following Jesus—what does that really look like? It starts here (and it will make your pastor really happy. (Part 1 of a hard look at one of the most important passages in the Bible.)
‘When Christians Face Opposition’ (Phil. 2:27-30)
Whether individually, in the church or in the world, Christians attract all kinds of opposition—and must face it like Christians. But what does that look like…?
‘Reality Check: A Life Worthy of the Gospel?’
Paul told the Philippians to conduct themselves ‘in a manner worthy of the Gospel’—a harmless-sounding appeal—until you understand what the Philippians actually heard him say… (Philippians 1:23-27)
‘Paul’s Startling Admission’ (Phil. 1:20-21)
Paul bared his soul to his beloved Philippian church—and showed them a stunning picture of Jesus and God’s ultimate purpose for all Christians…
‘Messing with the Ministry’ (Phil. 1:15-20)
Some preachers tried to poach Paul’s followers and make a name for themselves while he languished in prison. They were corrupt and self-seeking, but what Paul told the Philippians about them is a much-needed lesson for every church—and pastor…
‘God Never Wastes Your Suffering’ (Phil. 1:12-14)
…and He never will. He’s always working—and, according to Paul, does His best when we’re at our worst. Includes a very special Veteran’s Day tribute by Gen. Jan Johnson (Ret.). You will be blessed.
‘For Those Who are Bad at Doing Good’
Paul prayed that the Philippians would shine like Jesus. This is easy to pray, but for messed up, ordinary people, far harder to do. That’s when God steps in with a little grace and a lot of power…
‘Scrutinizing Jesus’ (Phil. 1:9-10)
Paul prayed for the Philippians to ABOUND in knowledge—but of what? The final answer is Jesus. But how do we really come to know Him—and to what end? (PART 1)
‘How Your Love ABOUNDS’ (Phil. 1:9)
Paul prayed that the Philippian Church’s love would ABOUND—more and more. It’s marvelous—but what does it look like and what’s the source of something so increasingly fantastic? Stay tuned…
‘How Jesus REALLY Feels About You’ (Phil. 1:8)
It’s what permeated Paul’s entire message and his life wherever he went—it made him tick and it saw him through all he suffered—even death. And it’s shockingly easy to miss. Paul, as he expressed his love for the Philippians, reminded them of an astonishing truth about Jesus—something they must never forget. Us, too…
‘The Real Meaning of ‘Joy”
The Bible mentions joy and rejoicing over 2000 times—and it means something very different than we presume—or what we’re sometimes led to believe…
‘Saints and Aints’ (Phil. 1:2)
Are there saints in your church? Are there any left in the world? The answer is a big ‘yes’—but it’s not because they’re just good people…
‘Why You Shouldn’t Go Into Ministry (and Why You Should)’ (Phil. 1:1-11)
People enter the ministry for many reasons—and all but one are bad…
‘Paul in Prison: The Worst of Times, The Best of Times’ (Philippians 1:1-13)
For the Philippians, Paul in prison was the worst that could happen; for Paul—and the Gospel—it was the best, and he told the Philippians so. He even told them to rejoice. But how do you do that…?
‘Introduction to Philippians: Who’s the Real Enemy?’ (Part 4)
In the final installment of his Philippians introduction, Pastor Jay tackles two baffling questions: why did Paul and Silas stay in prison when they could have escaped, and why didn’t they tell the men who beat and imprisoned them that they were Roman citizens? Hint—it saved and protected the Philippian church from disaster… (Acts 16:22-40)
‘Philippians Introduction: Confronting Demons and Superstitions’
In Part 3 of Pastor Jay’s introduction to Philippians, a powerful demon confronts Paul and his team—but when Paul casts it out of the fortune-teller, the real trouble began. Lots of lessons in this message that the devil will hate (and you may not like some of them either)… (Acts 16:16-19)
‘Philippians Introduction: No Small Works’
The great Apostle Paul—Pharisee, missionary, evangelist, agitator—was tasked by God to preach the gospel to Europe. His first audience? Less than ten women praying by a river. But as you read this, if you’re a Christian today, it’s proof that no ministry to anyone is too small… (Introduction, Part 2)
“Philippians Introduction: A Step in the Right Direction”
Pastor Jay begins an intimate look into Paul’s great letter to the Philippian church. This week: how Paul got there was amazing; what happened next seemed so small—and it changed the course of history…