Anthem Church

One of the greatest joys of following Jesus is that of the community that is formed along the way. What makes this community distinct from other groups? What does this distinction mean for us and for those around us?

Often seen by our culture as a phrase of hate or intolerance, we desire to reclaim and accurately frame the concept of repentance. Repentance is one of the keys to growth and freedom in Christ, but we must understand what we are turning from, who we are turning towards, and what this turning looks like.

The flip side of meditation is the self control that makes meditation both possible and useful long term. Discipline is difficult but necessary; and ultimately, praise God, worth it.  

One of the fundamental ways we tend to our growth as followers of Jesus is by meditating on the true seed of the word of God, Christ himself. We are all busy, hurried, and distracted - is it possible to be people who meditate on the things of God day and night? Is there any use in this, really? Why does it matter?

Some of the greatest hindrances to healthy growth are the thorns we experience: the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the pleasures of life. True growth comes when we understand that God is not the one keeping us from what is most important in life, but is the ultimate fulfillment of our deepest needs, desires, and longings.

We all desire to grow, but what is the nature and quality of this growth? The world yearns for growth that is quick and scaleable, but God desires growth that is enduring, strong, and sure.

Jesus begins his parable by outlining potential hindrances to our growth as believers. Not one to shy away from a tough subject, Jesus points out the first hindrance is Satan. Satan will try to prevent you from growing. Don't let him.  

We can have a vision and a desire to grow, but if the proper ingredients are not present and working, growth will never happen. To grow more like Jesus, we need the true seed, we need good soil, and we need ears to hear and receive what the Lord desires for us.

As we begin a series on growth, we examine this passage in Hosea, which provides principles for growth in Jesus. It is God's will that we would grow, and he is faithful to help us as we prepare the soil of our hearts for the seed of truth and love.

As the fall gets going in full swing, we take a moment to ask ourselves as a church: what is God doing right now? Where is he taking us? Though change is hard and life can be terribly confusing, as followers of Jesus we are confident that God is always working for the good of those who love him.

We are called, as individuals and as a community, to fan into flame the good things God has given us by his Spirit. This Spirit is not one of fear or cowardice, which causes us to shrink back - it is a Spirit of dynamic power, selfless love, and a disciplined, fruitful life.

Jesus wants your life to be filled with joy, the apostle Paul is going to give us insight on how we can find that. Join in as we close out the book of Philippians 

Does the God we worship fill all of our days? He invites us, in Jesus, to live in the joy, nearness, and peace that he freely gives. Will we walk with him?

When faced with difficulties we are able to stand firm in Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We stand firm for the joy of relational unity, for the joy of serving others, and for the joy of loving the things that God loves. 

Paul follows up with the lesson of doing more or following the law doesn’t bring about salvation with the warning of this salvation not giving us license to coast. Instead, Paul encourages us to pursue Christ relentlessly by patterning our life’s wisely with the purpose of prizing our true citizenship.

Joy sometimes feels elusive. Yet Paul commands us to rejoice. How do you make yourself feel something you just don't feel?

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, gives us a vision for a joyful community that includes sharing responsibility, living with Christ-like humility and expressing honor for sacrificial obedience to Christ.

God calls us to growth, not that we may be puffed up experts in piety, but that we may look more like Jesus, and therefore experience more of the fruit of the Spirit of God. He helps us with this; he loves us, and when we are satisfied in him, he is glorified.

This passage is one of the most powerful portraits of Jesus, the one who served us selflessly to the end. How do we find joy as a community? We build ourselves around his life, his example, and the power that comes from God himself when we posture ourselves rightly.

If we think of God as distant, uninterested, and uninvolved, then the words Paul writes in this book seem like nothing more than the ravings of an idealistic madman. If, however, God is indeed working, present, and involved in the lives of people, then what might these words mean for us?

The contents of the gospel are eternal, timeless and powerful. This message of what God has done for humanity in Jesus, however, is not meant to stay on the yellowed pages of a dusty book on a shelf. The message is supposed to move in our hearts and out from us, changing us and sharing the joy we have in Jesus.

Anything beautiful and sustainable that grows requires a blueprint. In this opening portion of his personal letter, Paul is praying and casting vision for a community of joy, centered around Jesus.

This summer we are going to be looking at the Bible's "book of joy"... but is this joy real? Is it credible? Does it matter?

Everyone everywhere has a tendency to compare: it is a struggle as old as time itself. Though it promises new beginnings and greener grasses, comparison always robs us of the contentment God has called us to cultivate in Jesus. How do we take our lives, let God fill them with purpose and joy, and then connect them to God's story, the greatest one ever told?