“We need a Passion for Winning the Lost” Proverbs 24:11-12

“Thinking and Living-Faithfully! Philippians 4:10-23 Bible Study 01/19/14

Phil 4:8-9 provides an appropriate and interesting bridge from the preceding verses to the verses that follow (the focus of our study this morning).Paul is driving home the essential truth that we must think Christianly in order to live faithfully. One commentator expressed it like this: “When we dwell on the right things, the church is unified, the Savior is magnified and believers are fortified.” As you reflect and rely upon the enabling power of Jesus, you can live with consistent contentment and confident generosity.

I. View contentment as a learned commodity (10-13)
-rejoicing in “revival”

-delicate appreciation

-the discipline of Jesus-sufficiency

-a learned “secret”

-empowerment for the assignment

II. Model the gracious character of God (14-20)
-exclusive partnership

-grace-centered commendation

-a fragrant offering

-fullness according to wealth

-directed doxology

III. Go forward in the grace of God (21-23)
-“trophies” in Caesar’s household

-grace: from focus to finish

IV. So what?
-“The power of Christ in Paul was not for the gratification of Paul’s whims but for the carrying out of Christ’s will.” (A.T. Robertson)

-“For Paul, contentment is not found in creating our own security but by abandoning our security to Jesus Christ.” (Sinclair Ferguson)

-Practice the balanced “blessing” of others.

-You can do what God assigns you to do because of the power He keeps pouring into you.

-“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, but sometimes I wonder what he can do through me. No great success to show, no glory on my own, yet in my weakness He is there to let me know…His strength is perfect when our strength is gone, He’ll carry us when we can’t carry on, raised in His power the weak become strong, His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect. We can only know the power that He holds, when we truly see how deep our weakness goes. His strength in us begins when ours comes to an end. He hears our humble cry and proves again…His strength is perfect… (Steven Curtis Chapman and Jerry Dean, Jr.)

“He Has You Covered” Philippians 4:2-7 Bible Study 01/12/14

Our passage this morning includes some of the most well-known verses in the letter to the Philippians. A proper understanding of it requires that we see the “big picture” contextually in terms of Paul’s circumstances and those of his recipients. In spite of less than ideal circumstances (Paul is in prison and Euodia and Syntyche are in conflict!), the experience of God’s surpassing peace remains a distinct possibility. With fatherly concern, Paul assists his readers in focusing on the “big picture” in order that they might persevere, having been “covered” with the peace of God. You can enjoy the protection of God’s surpassing peace when you take seriously the prerequisites for it.

I. Rejoice continually (4)
-inclusive command

-specific focus

II. Relate reasonably (2-3, 5)
-from observation to imitation

-imminent and intimate perspective

III. Request comprehensively (6)
-clear prohibition

-balanced perspective

-panorama of prayer

IV. Receive expectantly (7)
-with the result that…

-guaranteed covering

-the God of peace going, the peace of God guarding…

V. So what?
-Let Scripture sustain you in the “race”

-“Thy mighty name salvation is, and keeps my happy soul above: Comfort it brings, and power and peace and joy and everlasting love. Jesus, mine all in all thou art, my rest in toil, my ease in pain, the medicine of my broken heart. In war my peace, in loss my gain, my smile beneath the tyrant’s frown, in shame my glory and my crown.” (C. Wesley)

-Do we delight in Jesus? It is difficult to rejoice in someone with whom we have no relationship.

-The one who gives peace is our peace!

“Cross-Driven Living” Philippians 3:17-4:1 Bible Study 01/05/14

With 3:17, Paul, for the second time within a few verses, calls us to follow his example. In 3:15 we are called to share his determination to “press on” with a growing delight in Jesus, an exclusive reliance upon Him for salvation and a passion to be like Him. In 3:17 the call is for us to esteem the truth as Paul does. The “truth” in this case centers on the cross and coming again of Jesus. Such truth must direct the course of our lives in the “here and now.” In light of your heavenly citizenship and its transforming reality, stand firm in your commitment to the cross of Christ.

I. Two Exhortations (17)
-imitate the person

-focus on the pattern

II. An Important Explanation (18-19)
-enemies of the cross

-end…destruction

-god…belly

-glory…shame

-mindset…earthly

III. A Contrasting Reality (20-21)
-heavenly citizenship

-returning Savior

-transformed body

-subjecting power

IV. A Final Exhortation (1)
-therefore…

-stand firm

V. So What?
-“A God without wrath brought man without sin into a kingdom without judgment
through the ministration of a Christ without a cross.” (H. Richard Niebuhr describing
the message of the liberal social gospel)

-“I have often prayed that daily, and to the end, I may live as a tent pitched between
the cross and the grave of our Lord…the empty cross and the empty grave.”
(Handley Moule)

-“The winds of hell have blown, The world its hate hath shown, Yet it is not o’erthrown.
Hallelujah for the Cross! It shall never suffer loss. The Lord of hosts is with us, the God
of Jacob is our refuge.” (Spurgeon)

-“Near the cross I’ll watch and wait Hoping, trusting ever, Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.” (Fanny Crosby)

-Be a cross-clinger!

“But One Thing!” Philippians 3:9-16 Bible Study 12/29/13

Previously, in 3:1-8, Paul portrays Jesus as the believer’s all-sufficient and all-surpassing wealth. This morning’s text offers to us the biblically appropriate response to such a reality. If Jesus is the most valuable entity in the universe, what kind of people should we be and what kind of lives should we live? Our text offers concrete answers to these questions as we anticipate the arrival of a new year on Wednesday. Because of the surpassing worth of Jesus, press on in your relationship with Him. This means being a “one thing” person!

I. Embrace identity with Jesus completely (9-11)
-Paul’s permanent “address”

-the treasure of true righteousness

-the “fuel” of resurrection power

-the fellowship of His sufferings

-no destination “anxiety”

II. View yourself accurately (12-13a)
-estimation

-exertion

-explanation

-accounting

III. Pursue Jesus passionately (13b-16)
-But one thing…

-press on: forgetting…straining

-maturity: responding obediently to truth

IV. So What?
-Grace is opposed to earning, not to effort. (D. Willard)

-Sanctification does not permit spiritual abdication. (A. Motyer)

-Behold Him there! The risen Lamb! My perfect, spotless Righteousness! (C.L. Bancroft)

-Pressing on demands holy amnesia and holy sweat.

“Simeon’s Satisfaction” Luke 2:25-32 Bible Study 12/22/13
In our culture, satisfaction is a desperately sought after and fleeting commodity. The mantra of many today is captured in the words the Rolling Stones made famous: “…can’t get no satisfaction.” The concept even expresses itself in candy-bar marketing: “Snickers satisfies.” Yes, satisfaction has to do with hunger and longing. This morning we turn our attention to a man who found true satisfaction-deep, permanent soul-satisfaction. His name was Simeon and he discovered that only a sovereign God who keeps His promises can provide true satisfaction. Nearing the end of his life, he experienced the fulfillment of a promise that he would not see death before he had “seen the Lord’s Christ.” His “song”, or word of praise, traditionally is referred to as the “Nunc Dimittis” , a Latin designation meaning “now You are dismissing…” From Simeon we learn that real satisfaction is all about an appetite for the right things. Like Simeon, when you rely on the Lord’s own revelation of Himself and relish it for all that it is, you can know true satisfaction.

I. Introduction
-note the intentional old age/infancy contrast

-note the repeated emphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit

II. Rest completely assured
-foundation: Spirit and Word

-revelation: see the Lord’s Christ

-reception: a new era

III. Understand the mission
-global scope

-light to the nations

-glory of Israel

-set for falling and rising

IV. Yearn for fulfillment
-looking for consolation

-the other side

-shall we long for Him less?

V. So What?
-“He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found…” (I. Watts)

-“Bethlehem morning is more than just a memory, For the child that was born there
Is the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, And He will come again.” (M. Chapman)

-Recognize that the mission of Jesus is not sentimental but sacrificial

-Let the ground of your satisfaction center in the certainty that God has a perfect track
record of keeping His promises.

“The Ledger of Your Life” Philippians 3:4-8 Bible Study 12/01/13

As we come to 3:4-8, we find Paul driving home the significance of two previous commands (“rejoice” in v. 1 and “look out” in v. 2) by setting in opposition the ideas of “glory in Christ Jesus” and “confidence in the flesh”. In a direct response to those who would distort the gospel, he draws from his own experience to champion the absolute supremacy of Jesus and the “overtopping” worth of knowing Him. When you value knowing Jesus, you view all human assets as a liability in comparison to knowing Him.

I. Introduction (4)
-a continuing “clash”

-the facts about the “flesh”

-the key word “count”

II. Consider Paul’s pedigree (5a)
-conformity

-purity

-aristocracy

III. Consider Paul’s performance (5b-6)
-practitioner

-persecutor

-perfectionist

IV. Consider Paul’s assessment (7-8)
-assets=liability

-the “overtopping” value

-progression in knowing and suffering

-as desirable as “rubbish”

-the immense “betterness” of Jesus

V. So what?
-Repudiate do-it-yourself approaches to God.

-“ Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Stand in His strength alone; The arm of flesh will fail you, Ye
dare not trust your own.” (George Duffield, Jr.)

-What gives you confidence before the Almighty?

-Glorying in Jesus is not a static thing!

-“ I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause; I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause; I’d
rather have Jesus than worldwide fame; I’d rather be true to His holy name…”
(Rhea F. Miller)

“Before You Carve the Turkey: A Psalm for Thanksgiving” Psalm 107 11/24/13

This morning, in anticipation of Thanksgiving Day, we will turn our attention to Psalm 107. This psalm likely was composed as a praise song of regathering which followed the exile experience of Judah. It is part of a trilogy of praise psalms (105,106,107) which was used in ancient worship and was, obviously, “written for our instruction.” Structurally, we will want to note the utilization of the device of repetition in the emphases of verses 8/15/21/31 (steadfast love) and verses 6/13/19/28 (cried/delivered). This structure forms the foundation for a profound exposition of the concept of gratitude to God. Gratitude is a key component of biblical spirituality. Giving thanks to God is to be a distinctive practice of the people of God. At the top of our list should be gratitude for His mercy. This Thursday, before we carve the turkey, we must not forget to thank God. When we recognize God’s mercy as the greatest gift of all, our hearts will overflow with true thanksgiving.

I. Receive the instruction (1-3)
-summons to thanksgiving

-active acknowledgement

-of who God is: good and merciful

-of what God does: redeems and gathers

II. Trace the testimonies
-the restoration of the estranged (4-9)

-the release of the enslaved (10-16)

-the relief of the afflicted (17-22)

-the rescue of the endangered (23-32)

III. Observe the Lord’s administration (33-43)
-He uses adversity and prosperity

-the compelling constant

-the miracle of mercy

IV. So What?
-let the gift direct you to the Giver behind it

-humbly grateful or grumbly hateful?

-trace “the rainbow through the rain” (George Matheson)

-“O let the saints with joy record
The truth and goodness of the Lord.
How great His works! How kind His ways!
Let every tongue pronounce His praise. (Isaac Watts)

“It’s Worth Repeating!” Philippians 3:1-3 Bible Study 11/17/13

In this morning’s text we find Paul returning to the concept of joy that he previously had written about in 2:17-18. In 2:19-30, he has held up the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus as those who poured out themselves for the poured-out Lord. Beginning with 3:1, Paul again stresses the joy of the believer in Jesus in light of His exalted status (chapter 2) and surpassing value (chapter 3). Specifically, in 3:1-3, we may observe the connection between joy and right thinking about Jesus. Paul’s message here is one that includes both overflowing joy and explosive anger! There is a specific truth to apply and a serious threat to acknowledge. Because of the absolute sufficiency of Jesus, rejoice in Him and reject all that would detract from the honor He deserves.

I. Apply the truth (1)

-repeated command

-“…supernatural delight in God and God’s goodness.” -Boice

-not circumstantial

-a safeguard

II. Acknowledge the threat (2)

-look out!

-dogs

-evildoers

-mutilators

III. Affirm the connection (3)

-identification and the concept of circumcision

-worshiping…

-glorying…

-putting…

IV. So What?

-If Jesus is your treasure, He will be your pleasure.

-Understand who the real “dogs” are.

-Affirm the legitimacy of holy indignation.

-Give the “flesh” a vote of no confidence.

-“Legalism is always nailing a sign to the cross that says necessary but not enough.”
-MacGorman