Wilderness Wanderings

For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a...

Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh… (Philippians 3:1-3). As Pastor Anthony...

Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! (Philippians 3:1a)   This sentence seems to conclude the first section of the letter, before we head on to other things.   Paul ends this long, opening discussion where he began: with joy.   The Philippians are invited to submit themselves and humble themselves as Jesus did, to trust God in life and in death, and to face the sufferings and fic...

Today at Immanuel, we worshipped with our Friendship Ministries. We encourage you to watch the entire service on our Youtube channel. Friendship Ministry Service

But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed, he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore, I am even...

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.   I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.   For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.   But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.  ...

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So, you too should be glad and rejoice with me (Philippians 2:17-18). We are still following Paul's reflections on 'working out your salvation with fear and trembling'. Or, as Pastor Anthony said yesterday, 'working out what Christ has worked in'. As w...

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky   as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. (Philippians 2:14-16)   Paul continues on with the "so what...

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose" (Philippians 2:12-13). As a pastor this is one of my most cherished texts in Scripture. There are three reasons for this. One, it does not p...

An extended Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings!  The text is Micah 6:1-8 from the New International Version of the Bible.   Dive In discussion questions are below for further reflection! To see this sermon in the context of the worship service it comes from, find it  here on YouTube .  Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC:  immanuelministries...

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)   The Gospel message is full of great, paradoxical reversals.   Kings are thrown down and the humble ar...

"Therefore, God exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name…" (Philippians 2:9). There are clearly undertones of our redemption in this hymn. However, as we have been suggesting, that is the counter melody. The major or dominate melody is the interaction between God and Christ Jesus. So, we continue to tread carefully, listening into the divine drama tha...

…rather, [Jesus] made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.   And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:7-8)   It strikes me that this hymn that Paul quotes doesn't really say that Jesus humbled himself for us.   It just says that Jesus humbled himself.   If his humb...

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage…" (Philippians 2:5,6). Today, we begin our reflections on what is believed to be one of the first songs composed by the early church. After Pentecost, the Christians in Jerusalem continued to worship with the Jew...

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus… (Philippians 2:5)   Jesus lays down for us the two greatest commandments: Love the Lord Your God with all you've got and love your neighbour as yourself.   Jesus himself then goes on to define the love he's talking about through his own life, by dying for us on the cross.   As he offers his life, he gives all his heart,...

A Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings!  The text is 1 Corinthians 12:31-14:1 from the New International Version of the Bible.  Dive In discussion questions are below for further reflection! To see this sermon in the context of the worship service it comes from, find it  here on YouTube .  Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC:  immanuelministri...

" Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others" (Philippians 2:3,4). Well, here it is. Both Pastor Anthony and I have more than hinted that this is the central message of the book. " Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value...

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. (Philippians 2:1-2)   Today is the completion of yesterday's phrase.  As Pastor Michael noted yesterday, the Philippians...

Our text is from Philippians 2: " Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion…" (Philippians 2:1). We now move into one of the great chapters of the New Testament. The poem about Jesus in verses 6-11, most likely a song already being sung in the church, is still well know...

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and...

" For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! (Philippians 1:21-22). Those of you keen on details will recognize that I reflected on this text last Friday. There is a pastoral matter that this text addresses which did not make it into my meditation. Rather than letting it go, I w...

An extended Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings!  The text is Luke 15 from the New International Version of the Bible.   Dive In discussion questions are below for further reflection! To see this sermon in the context of the worship service it comes from, find it here on YouTube .  Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC:  immanuelministries.ca D...

" For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body (Philippians 1:21-24). Pastor Anthony included the opening words of our text in his m...

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.   I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to d...

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.   The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false mo...