I plan on spending some weeks on the topic of the resurrection. Many people, such as myself, have heard about it since they were a kid, making it easy to lose the "wow" factor. Many also do not know how the resurrection is intrinsically connected to so many areas of theology and, hence, our Christian life. So, I want to 'ramp us up' for the new ministry year with a healthy dose of the resurrection. My focus in this message will be to establish that Jesus really did actually die - we need a resurrection. No resuscitation or substitution (i.e., Judas) option for us. As well, the unbelievably believable record before us of the resurrection.
August 5, 2018: That's a Wrap
Philippians series message 21
Text: Philippians 4:14-23
We'll wrap up Philippians this Sunday. I'm struck by how, in his personal remarks, Paul conveys remarkable kingdom principles - very important and highly applicable: church partnership, acceptable sacrifice, and God's rich and sufficient supply.
July 29, 2018: Take Up Your Cross
Text: Luke 9:23-27
Special guest speaker: Antonio Cyrus - Associate Pastor of the Interdenominational Church of God in Gaithersburg, MD.
July 22, 2018: Context Matters!
Philippians series message 20
Text: Philippians 4:8-13
"Finally...". Paul begins to wrap up his letter by giving specific instructions and promises in the Lord to help the Philippians (and, us) live victoriously and face challenges common to every believer and to every church. The God of peace is with us, and we should park our minds on that which edifies. We need each other and we should support each other, but contentment is found in Jesus Christ and we can do all things through Him. In our Christian culture we find that last statement adorning pictures, jewelry, and t-shirts but we would do well to understand its context and the Spirit's original intent with that statement.
July 15, 2018: "Singing in the Dark"
Philippians series message 19
Text: Philippians 4:4-7
In the hard times of life the question we often most want to ask is, "why?" Why are You allowing this God? Why is this happening? But consider for a minute if God answered and you understood the reasons behind the trials. How much comfort would that really bring? As we continue in Philippians this week, we will see in God's word that understanding it all might not live up to our expectations while God's peace will certainly exceed them.
July 8, 2018: This is Us
Supplemental - The mission and vision of DBC
July 1, 2018: "Your Message Matters!"
Philippians series message 18
Text: Philippians 4:2-3
What does pressing on look like? It's a lofty concept, but it's often expressed in the little things - like getting along with people who get under your skin or with people with whom you don't see eye to eye. It's preserving unity and taking the high road - knowing the mission is bigger than your ego or opinions. Euodia and Syntyche weren't rookies in kingdom service, but needed to come to agreement, put their differences aside, and keep laboring for the kingdom. The key to success is found in yet another occurrence of the phrase, 'in the Lord'. This phrase changes everything! I love this small 'real life in ministry' snap shot with Paul.
June 24, 2018: "That's how it's done, son"
Philippians series message 17
Text: Philippians 4:1
There's an aspect of the Christian life which is "pressing on" towards the goal and prize. There's also an aspect which is standing firm in the Lord. Even though it's placed in chapter four, it really is the ending to the thoughts given in chapter three. So what does it look like to stand firm in the Lord? Chapters 1-3 yield the answer: being confident of the Lord's work in your life, contending together for faith of the Gospel, being intentional about unity, knowing the Gospel, knowing Christ and His resurrection power, etc.
June 17, 2018: A Compelling Vision
Philippians series message 16
Text: Philippians 3:17-21
Paul leads by example by pressing on toward PRIZE. He reminds us, pointedly, that there are those who are enemies of the cross who will distract and pull us down. They are set on earthly things but we are citizens of HEAVEN, now. We are sojourners. This is not our home. It's not as if the prize is something completely future, as if it's tacked on to our current state. No, we live here as citizens of another kingdom - our hearts should be comforted by this and this is what should define our personal conduct.
June 10, 2018: How Does That Work?!
Philippians series message 15
Text: Philippians 3:14-16
Paul lived by the power of Christ's resurrection through a humble mindset, leaving his past behind, and pressing on toward the prize. How does one press on toward the prize? There is still applicable truth to be squeezed out of Philippians 3:14, so we will pick up there and also discuss how we should relate with one another as we press toward that prize.
June 3, 2018: Pressing in!
Philippians series message 14
Text: Philippians 3:12-14
Thus far, we've heard Paul affirm that we worship by the Spirit, put no confidence in the flesh, and boast in Christ. What a great personal example Paul gives- his intent is to truly know Christ experientially - the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made like Him in His death. What does this mean, and how do we 'press in' to this? A key question we posed last week, which we'll highlight in this message, is how do we live by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ? What does that look like and how can we help each other live in the joy and power of the resurrection?
May 27, 2018: Are YOU a Moralist? part 2
Philippians series message 13
Text: Philippians 3:1-11
The Gospel flies in the face of what most of us conceive our relationship to God to be predicated upon. Not my merits, but His. Jesus' finished work on Calvary. Grace. Even as believers, it's super easy to fall back into the old way of thinking - somehow, some way, I've got to bring something to the table to "pay the rent" and keep this good standing intact. So, here we find a passage dedicated to putting no confidence in the flesh and glorying in Christ. We'll take two or three weeks on this passage; it's important and very applicable to parenting. Raising moralists is not the same as raising a grace-filled and bold generation for Christ.
Three key concepts from last time: worship by the Spirt, no confidence in the flesh, boasting in Christ.
All of this still applies this week, but we'll develop three key concepts from the latter verses: what I lost (ditched), what I've embraced, and how that changes everything for me in the most glorious way possible.
May 20, 2018: Salt Sunday
Salt Sunday church-wide community service event. No sermon this week.
May 13, 2018: Are YOU a Moralist?
Philippians series message 12
Text: Philippians 3:1-11
The Gospel flies in the face of what most of us conceive our relationship to God to be predicated upon. Not my merits, but His. Jesus' finished work on Calvary. Grace. Even as believers, it's super-easy to fall back into the old way of thinking - somehow, some way, I've got to bring something to the table to "pay the rent" and keep this good standing intact. So here we find a passage dedicated to putting no confidence in the flesh, and glorying in Christ. We'll take two or three weeks on this passage; it's important and very applicable to parenting - raising moralists is not the same as raising a grace filled and bold generation for Christ.
May 6, 2018: Humility - A Test Case
Philippians series message 11
Text: Philippians 2:19-30
Paul told us to follow Christ's example and do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but, in humility, consider others better than yourselves. Now he'll flesh that out a bit and give two specific examples of what this looks like in ministry: Timothy & Epaphroditus. Want to know what it looks like on a personal level to be humble and serve each other? Look at these brothers.
April 29, 2018: Don't Just Stand There!
Philippians series message 10
Text: Philippians 2:12-18
So we've focused on unity the past two weeks. Paul urges the Philippians to collectively work out their salvation by doing everything without grumbling or complaining. Attention will be given to the past, present, and future aspects of salvation as well as our responsibility to cooperate with the Spirit's presence and work in our lives to forward Christian maturity (and, our responsibility to spur others on to maturity and good works) while not losing sight of the context of this passage, which has in mind a more corporate working out of the same.
April 22, 2018: Painting the Picture of Unity
Philippians series message 9
Text: Philippians 2:1-11
This week we will continue in Philippians with the unity that comes from our common faith in Jesus Christ. But let's be honest, while we have a concept of what unity is supposed to be, we often struggle with how to actually live it out. Our picture needs definition. It needs depth. It needs detail so we can see what unity really looks like. This week we will look at Paul's desire for unity in the church at Philippi to bring clarity to what God is calling us to at DBC.
April 15, 2018: Developing Humility
Philippians series message 8
Text: Philippians 2:1-11
From contending for the Gospel with those outside, Paul turns to in-house matters. Humility is the main theme, which drives how we interact with and treat one another. By developing unity in striving for the gospel, we must each first develop humility. Pastor Mike & I are going to tag team on this passage and reverse-engineer it. I'll set up the humility of Jesus, and he'll follow next week, making the specific application for each of us, in light of that example.
April 8, 2018: What We're Striving For
Philippians series message 7
Text: Philippians 1:27-30
The last few weeks we've seen the centrality of the gospel and, furthermore, the centrality of the death and resurrection of Christ within the gospel. Now what do we do with this? What are we aiming for? Three key directives: know your footing, cultivate unity, and develop boldness.
April 1, 2018: The Resurrection; Not a Sidebar
Resurrection Sunday message
Text: I Corinthians 15:3-8
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is of first importance: no resurrection, no hope. In this message we'll consider not only the importance of the resurrection and the implications of it, but the compelling evidence for this event in history - a man who was really and truly dead was raised to life!