Treasuring Scripture

On Sunday, we will return to the Embracing Our Mission series and consider another one of the priorities we must embrace as a church if we are going to fulfill our God-given mission. In preparation, it would be helpful if you read Ephesians 1:1-4:16 and consider why spiritual unity is so vital.

As we come to the final sections of Philippians, Paul continues his focus on this church being together for the gospel . This week we will consider two specific instructions in Philippians 4:4-5 . Take a few moments to consider these commands and ask God to help our church to continue to grow in these areas.

Our Membership Covenant states the following: We commit to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace by walking in humility, gentleness, and patience, and to walk together in love by putting away all bitterness, anger, and hurtful speech, always ready to pursue reconciliation and forgiveness. In Philippians 4, Paul draws our attention to the need for this type of commitment. Read Phili...

Is it possible for this world to influence professing believers so much that they would give up on following the Lord? The Apostle Paul seems to indicate that it is a danger. Take a few moments to read through Philippians 3:17-4:1 and consider the focus believers need in order to "stand firm in the Lord."

There is nothing passive about the Christian life. To maintain an eternal perspective and not get distracted by earthly values takes focus, effort, and commitment. Read through Philippians 3:12-16 and consider how Paul describes this. 

In Philippians 3:4-9, Paul trashed depending on his pedigree and performance to make him right with God for the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus by faith . In verses 10-11, he describes the benefits of knowing and being found in Christ. Take a few moments to read and think through Philippians 3:1-11 as we prepare for our time in the Word together this Sunday.

Last week we learned that when it comes to being made right with God, we can put no confidence in our flesh. In fact, if we were to compare the value of our own efforts to be made right with God and the value of knowing Jesus by faith, we would find that our efforts actually bankrupt us! No wonder Paul would say that knowing Jesus by faith is of surpassing value! Read through Philippians 3:4-9 in...

Since the fall, human beings have looked to their own performance and achievements to somehow make themselves worthy and gain access to God. But in the book of Philippians , the Apostle Paul gives very strong warnings regarding those who put their confidence in the flesh . Read through Philippians 3:1-6 in preparation for our time together this Sunday.

In the book of Philippians , Paul encourages the church to a unity that comes through sacrificial others-centered service. He has used examples of Jesus, himself, and Timothy. This week we will see the example of Epaphroditus. Read Philippians 2:25-30 as we prepare to meet together.

We look forward to a special time together this Sunday! Be sure to arrive early to mix and mingle at our breakfast fellowship. In our main gathering, we will consider the wonder of the incarnation and celebrate the hope that we have in Jesus!

We talk a lot about unity within the church. However, it's much more significant than people getting along and being nice to each other. In Philippians 2, the Apostle Paul reminds us that there is something much bigger at stake! Read through Philippians 2:12-18 to see the main concern for unity.

In the book of Philippians , Paul has been challenging the church to a gospel-centered unity . Last week we considered the mindset of Jesus , who did not exploit His position as God, instead, He took on human flesh and sacrificially served. This week we will see how Paul continues his challenge by describing the exaltation of Jesus . Meditate on Philippians 2:9-11 and consider what Jesus' exa...

In Philippians 2 , we were reminded that being together for the gospel requires church members to live in a focused, harmonious, loving, selfless, humble, others-centered mindset. In order for us to live that way, we must first consider Jesus. Take some time to meditate on Philippians 2:1-8 before this Sunday.

Recently in our series through Philippians , we were reminded of the necessity to s tand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel . Now, Paul is going to begin giving the way for us to present the g

Followers of Jesus 'go to church', right? But what's the point? Why not stay home and listen to a sermon online or stream worship music while you lay in bed? What's so essential about Christians assembling together as a body? This Sunday we will pick back up with the Embracing Our Mission series. In preparation, meditate on Hebrews 10:23-25 and consider why assembling together...

With a world that is growing more opposed to the gospel, how are we as followers of Jesus going to be able to stand firm and see the gospel advance? That's exactly what Paul addresses in the next section of our study in Philippians , read Philippians 1:27-30 and consider what Paul highlights as crucial for gospel-advance and what it would mean for us as a church today.

We will be studying Philippians 1:12-19 in our Sunday morning gathering. Take a few moments to read through the passage and consider what it is that enabled Paul to rejoice, even in the middle of a number of "unfavorable" circumstances.

Have you ever taken the time to evaluate how you pray and what you pray for? What kind of priorities tend to fill your prayers? This week, we will return to our series on the book of Philippians and look into the priorities of the Apostle Paul as he prays for the church at Philippi. In preparation for this Sunday, read through Philippians 1:3-11 .

Last week in our series on Embracing Our Mission we identified 7 vital signs for us to be able to evaluate our health as a church. This Sunday we will look more in-depth at our foundational core value, Biblical Truth. Read through Isaiah 55:6-13 and 2 Timothy 3:15-4:4 and consider both the necessity and the sufficiency of the Word for our church.

Doctors use a set of vital signs to evaluate the health of a body, but how do we determine the health of our church body? Is there a set of vital signs or are we just left up to our own ideas? This Sunday we will return to our series on Embracing Our Mission and consider the biblical objectives that help us evaluate the health of our church as we seek to fulfill the mission.

This Sunday, we continue to journey through Philippians in our sermon series Together for the Gospel . We will see evidence to the fact that Paul had a deep, enduring friendship and partnership with the Philippian church.  Read Philippians 1:3-8 and meditate on the deep affection that Paul felt toward this local church. What was the source of this commitment? I trust God will use this text to help...