Maranatha Baptist Church Sermon Podcast

Download a copy of the class notes here.

We all face circumstances in life where we just don’t know what to do. Maybe it’s related to a job, parenting, a relationship, finances, or another area. Whatever it might be, we find it challenging, hard, or even frightening, and we don’t know how to respond or what to do. Considering King Jehoshaphat from the Old Testament, we see what he did when he didn’t know what to do in 2 Chron. 20:1-30.

Download a copy of the class notes here.

Life offers a variety of endeavors that have the power to capture our attention and shape how we live. Sports teams, jobs, relationships, video games, outdoor activities, education, and the like can often become what orients a person's life. In the book of Titus, Paul suggests there is actually one thing that has appeared that should ultimately serve as the foundation for our lives. God’s grace!

Download a copy of the class notes here.

In Galatians 5:13–15, Paul reminds believers that Christian freedom isn’t a license for self-indulgence but a calling to love. Freedom from the burden of the law and the condemnation of sin, we’re not released into selfish living but Spirit-empowered service. True freedom fulfills the righteousness the law demanded but could never produce! When we walk in love, we reflect the heart of God.

After hard things, we often ask, “Was it worth it?” All through the book of Philippians, Paul has been explaining - and showing from his own example - that living for Jesus is worth it! It's the only way for a Christian to live. In closing, he encourages them specifically that their sacrificial giving was worth it. When we live for Jesus, we give sacrificially toward His work, and it's worth it!

Download a copy of the class notes here.

Is everything in your life exactly the way you want it? Most likely it’s not; therefore, discontentment indeed lurks around the corner. With so much wrong in the world, is it possible to be content? In Philippians 4:10-13, Paul explains not only that we should be content, but that we can be content in Christ. He has learned how to do it, and he explains the key to the Philippians, and to us.

Download a copy of the class notes here.

Peace can be hard to come by. Maybe you long for peace and quiet. Maybe you long to get rid of that unrest in your conscience. In this week's text, Paul tells the Philippians that they can cooperate with the presence of the God of peace in their lives by checking their thoughts and actions. Thinking on the right things and doing the right things, they will enjoy the presence of the God of peace.

Download a copy of the class notes here.

Worry and anxiety plague all of us. We don't have to try to worry; it just happens. We pile the pressures and burdens of life on our own shoulders, and our stress levels skyrocket. As Paul encourages the Philippians to "stand fast" in the Christian life, he tells them to replace anxiety with prayer and thus experience the peace of God. These practical, encouraging verses help us to battle anxiety.

Download a copy of the class notes here.

The ever-shifting landscape of global economics and politics can leave us feeling unstable. Where are things headed? What will tomorrow hold? How do we find stability amid change? Paul reminds the Philippians that as citizens of Heaven, they can stand fast in the Lord. He reminds them of some key truths about Christ that will help them live stable lives. Every Christian can stand fast in the Lord.

Download a copy of the class notes here.

We are all imitators. Children and adults alike pick up the traits of those around them. You don't have to travel far to notice the regional accents we develop. We adopt the patterns of others without even realizing it! Instead, Paul tells us to be intentional about the way we live. He encourages us to pattern our lives after those who pursue Christ above all. We are to walk as citizens of heaven.

Download a copy of the class notes here.

It's hard to boil your life down to one thing - but take a moment and try. If you were to summarize all your activities and efforts into one statement, how would it end? "There's one thing I do, I..." In Philippians 3:12-16, Paul says his “one thing” is pressing on toward knowing Jesus. However, he goes on to say that all Christians should share this same goal and live in the same way.

Download a copy of the class notes here.

As we start the New Year, you may be re-evaluating your priorities, habits, and goals for the year. What's most important? That can be a difficult question to answer! But for Paul, the answer was clear: his relationship with Jesus. In fact, he said he counts everything else garbage compared to knowing Jesus. In this week's passage, Paul talks about his desire for a growing relationship with Jesus.

This time of year, our eyes are drawn to all sorts of things. Look at those Christmas lights! Look at the present I got! Have you seen one of these before? In this week's Divine Birth Announcement, God uses Simeon and Anna to call our attention to something more important. We are to look at Jesus and see God's salvation for all people.

The most hope-filled moment of each 24-hour period is the dawn. After a long night, there's nothing as thrilling as the sun breaking its light over the horizon and across the sky! That's the metaphor the Holy Spirit uses to announce the arrival of baby Jesus. As the Rising Sun, Jesus brings light to our darkness and guides us to God's salvation. The dawn of God's merciful salvation has come!

Download a copy of the class notes here.

It can be hard to know exactly how to respond to the birth of Jesus Christ. In Luke 1:39-45, we have the unique opportunity to see Elizabeth's response to the presence of Jesus in the womb. The text tells us that she is "filled with the Holy Spirit" as she announces the great blessing of Jesus' presence. Considering her words, we learn three Spirit-filled responses to Jesus' arrival as a baby.