Sermons from February 2018
Suffer Loss to Gain Christ
We humans love to make classes of people: economic, ethnic, intellectual, and social classes. Such classes attempt to make us better or worse than others, depending where we land. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that the way to God is not by any such heritage, accomplishment, or classification, but only by Christ. The pursuit of knowing Christ and living for him was Paul’s great passion. Rather than glorying in his own merit, Paul gloried in Christ. As we stand firm in such a message, our lives will be changed and God’s name will be held high.
Work Out Your Own Salvation: Going Down In Order To Go Up
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Striving Side By Side
We often enjoy hearing the message, “You deserve this good thing.” Politicians and advertising specialists trumpet this message. However, God’s Scriptures and the gospel message take us in another direction. Through God’s mercy and grace to us in the gospel of Christ, the question we must answer is, “What does God deserve? What is he worthy of?” In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reveals the surprising but beautiful answer.
To Die Is Gain
Think of a time when you were filled with joy. Cheerful. Happy. Deep down inside. I’m guessing it was a very exciting occasion. The day the Lord saved you. Graduation. A new job. Wedding day. Baby born. Your sports team won a championship. Did any of you think of your joy during a time of suffering? If you read in Acts 16, you can read the very beginning of a new church in a Roman city called Philippi. The Apostle…