Prairie View Christian Church

We are naturally selfish creatures, and everything in our society reinforces this me-first attitude. But Paul writes to the Colossians from a completely different perspective - a self-less perspective of giving and serving. How was Paul able to serve others over a lifetime? Because he learned about love from Jesus, who lived and died for sinners like us.

If the apocalypse was imminent and there was time for only one more sermon, what should it be? Perhaps it would have these key themes: God loves us, he knows everything about us, and his love for his people is eternal. Before time began, he knew his people would rebel and need a Savior; and for eternity future, he will be continuing to show his love to his people in new and wonderful ways, all thr...

With all the excitement about gifts and family gatherings, it can be easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas: not just that Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem, etc, but that he came for a purpose: to die on the cross, rise from the grave, and ascend in glory, all to accomplish the redemption of his people. This Christmas, we're celebrating not just the birth of Jesus, but his whole life.

When we give people gifts, are we giving for the right reasons? Giving a gift for selfish reasons or personal benefit isn't just rude - it's actually a betrayal of God's image in us. God is the great giver, and we reflect his character when we give like he does: for the benefit of others, to display his character, and as an expression of love.

In some corners of the church, faith is something that's irrational, superstitious, optional, and not very demanding - a nice component of spirituality, if you're into that kind of thing. But the faith that Jesus calls us to exercise is intellectually rigorous, completely reasonable, necessary for the Christian life, and always leads to a desire to know God, love God, and serve God in a richer and...

In the movie "Elf", Buddy must persuade people that Santa really exists and spread Christmas cheer. Does he accomplish anything of lasting value? Does keeping a moral code change who we are and what we've done? Can the Law of God save sinners? Even though the Law is a gift from God, it instead serves to point us to Jesus. Only faith in our Savior can save us from sin.

Congregational budget meeting to go over the proposed budget for 2013.

Jesus calls for his followers to bear fruit - so how are we to do that? He tells us in Matthew 12 that to bear spiritual fruit, we must be rooted in him as individuals and as a church. Placing our faith in him, with our hearts changed by the Holy Spirit, we will be able to hold each other accountable and support each other in our walk.

If you knew your death was imminent, would you be living your life differently? Even the secular world considers questions like this. But for the Christian, it's an even deeper question, because our actions today have an eternal impact - both in our own lives, and for those around us. Are you using your time as a gift from God to be used for his purposes? Are you pursuing the abundant life that co...

When Jesus healed 10 lepers, only 1 returned to give him thanks. Do we take the opportunity to give thanks for what he has given us, not just once a year, but daily? What about those around us who deserve our thanks - if we work hard on being grateful and thankful, we may discover we don't have the time for grumbling and complaining - or the desire!

Have you observed that each of us has within us a deep longing for satisfaction, that can never be quite satisfied? God put that there, so that we would be aware of our need - for him. Only when we hunger and thirst for righteousness, for Christ himself, can we find our appetites satisfied.

(The beginning of the message was not recorded, so manuscript also provided)... This morning we finish our study in Philippians. We've seen how God is at work to advance the Gospel in his people and in the world. In the final verses of the book, Paul thanks the Philippians for their partnership in this work, especially because their gift reveals God's work in their lives. Is your life bearing frui...

In every church, in every heart, there exists a lack of peace - a lack of peace that can only be conquered through knowing and trusting Jesus. For us to have joy in the Christian life, even in this present age, we must trust God, and know him near. That is the key to the gentleness, peace, and joy that is available through the Gospel of peace with God - trusting and obeying.

(Begins with a Senior Minister Search Team update.) After telling the Philippians to pursue just one thing - knowing God - he goes on to tell them that God will help them live out the citizenship they already have. As we come to know God better, we will behave more and more like his family. That includes recognizing that this world isn't our home, these bodies' appetites aren't our highest pursuit...

We can be frustrated in our pursuit of joy when we try to find it in too many places. We can also be frustrated by seeking it in the WRONG places. True joy can only be found in one place - in the Lord, pushing and striving and straining to know him and his resurrection and to attain the prize of an eternity with him.

Paul tells us that God is working in us, working both in our works and in our very wills. What is it he wants? For us to bring our salvation to its fulfillment: growing in Christ's, submitting to him without grumbling, holding forth the light of salvation to the lost, and rejoicing with our fellow Christians. This is how God works in us for his glory and pleasure.

In our study of Philippians, we've seen repeatedly that joy comes not through achievement, wealth, pleasure, or fame; instead, true, real, lasting, eternal joy comes only through the Gospel. Paul gives us the examples of Jesus, Timothy, and Epaphroditus to demonstrate his claim that joy comes only through loving, serving, and trusting God, and sacrificing our own interests for his kingdom and his...

Is your joy complete, or is something missing, leaking? It may be the joy that comes from unity, and humility is the key to unity. Since Christians all share an increasing love for Christ, we should be growing in unity of mind, mission, and heart, as we grow in the likeness of Christ - who humbled himself by becoming obedient, all the way through death.

Paul had joy, even though his future was dark, because he knew Christ would be glorified through his sufferings. Paul wanted the Philippians to share that joy of seeing God work through their faithfulness. When you are faced with opposition, are you more likely to be overly timid, overly hostile, or to speak and act with unity and courage?

Paul wrote a letter to his friends in Philippi, so that they might share his joy in the Gospel. In spite of the many reasons they had to be discouraged, and the danger and suffering they faced, Paul still rejoiced to know that they were partnering with him in advancing the Gospel. He did not want them to lose out on the joy that could be theirs, joy that can be found only through facing suffering...

This Labor Day Sunday, we consider and celebrate the gift of work. How is work a gift, you ask? Work was given to us by God in the Garden, before the fall; we were made to enjoy and find satisfaction in work. When we work and exert effort, whether at home or at a job or at school, we reflect aspects of God's character, and bring glory to him by the way we conduct ourselves.

Scripture tells us many times that creation exists to demonstrate and proclaim God's glory and nature. We can see that he is sovereign, powerful, and wise - and also that he is benevolent, loving, and gracious. Fortunately, he also gives us his word and his sin Jesus, so we can know him, love him, and be with him.

Has anything in your life gotten better simply by accident? Has anything improved in your soul, after you did nothing about it? If we want to be growing in Christ and putting sin to death, we must intentionally and purposefully take advantage of the opportunities God brings - whether that's through major life crises, or the mundane realities of everyday life.

Paul describes the Christian life like a race, a race for which we must train if we hope to win the prize. Jesus has secured the prize of eternal life, but how can we grow to know him and love him more? By studying his word, spending time with him in prayer, and even temporarily forsaking good things like food, entertainment, or whatever other activity that prevents us from pursuing him faithfully...

When God saved us, he wasn't just interested in our conversion - he also wants us to glorify him by growing in holiness. Sin is a great enemy in our souls, all of our lives. How can we put it to death? We stifle it and suppress it by intentionally cultivating our relationship with our Savior.