Pastor's Corner: WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?

  Willing, Working, and the Sovereignty of God Philippians 2:12-13 Introduction: There is a famous story about Earl Weaver when he managed the Baltimore Orioles… Outfielder Pat Kelley had come to faith in Christ and told Weaver that he had learned to walk with God.  Weaver replied, “I’d rather have you walk with the bases loaded!”  The Christian life is incomprehensible to those who don’t know the Lord (1 Cor 2:14). What does it mean to walk with God? It’s a lifelong process of learning and growth as we strive to do that!   For Paul theology is always practical – it should make a difference in how we live . What we have in our head, has to make its way to our heart, and then to our hands and our feet. In our context in Philippians, Paul has just pointed to Jesus in his self-humiliation and exaltation as our example: “ Have this attitude in yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus …” Jesus, the sinless, perfect Son of God, is our example of a humble spirit and the attitude of a ser

  “All Hail King Jesus!” Philippians 2:9-11; Psalm 2 Introduction: Election Day is just over seven weeks away, Americans will be making an important decision. By all means, be informed on the issues, and prayerfully vote consistently with your Christian values. But ultimately, the most important question we must all answer is “What will you do with Jesus?” Psalm 2 begins with a question that has echoed throughout the course of human history: “ Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing?   2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed…” Resistance against the rule of God and His Anointed is the essence of sin.   Contrast the scene that is pictured in Isaiah’s vision, recorded in Isaiah 6:1-4…   …I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.   2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered hi

  The Joy of Gospel-Centered Service Philippians 2:5-8 Introduction : As we return to Philippians 2, we’ll start where we left off last week, and especially because we are celebrating communion today, it will fit nicely to limit ourselves to Philippians 2:5-8.   Here we see the Lord Jesus Christ as the example of Gospel-centered service. This is one of the key texts in the New Testament on the person and work of Christ, and it has implications for how we should live in the light of our position in Christ. I’ve called the sermon today, “The Joy of Gospel-centered Service.” As I considered our text today, my mind went to Hebrews 12:1-2, “… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,   2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God .” He came as the Servant, to save sinners like us. And he calls us to follow Him. In John 1