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

  Discipleship, Love, and the Glory of God Philippians 1:9-11 Introduction: “A little girl was sitting by her grandfather, studying his rough, wrinkled face. She felt her own face with her hand. And then reached over, and touched grandpa’s face. She asked, ‘Grandpa, did God make you?’ He replied, ‘Yes he did dear, a long time ago.’ Then she touched her own smooth face and asked, ‘Did God make me?’ The old man replied, ‘Yes dear, just a little while ago.’ She finally said, ‘He’s getting a lot better at it, isn’t he?’” We love children, and we are thankful for the families in our church who are seeking to raise their kids in the way of the Lord!   The apostles had that kind of love for the people under their care . Our series in Philippians today continues as Paul prays for his friends in Philippi. Paul at times called the believers he discipled his children in Christ . The Apostle John seemed to use that metaphor even more frequently. He wrote in his old age, in 3 John, ve...

  Joy and Fellowship in the L ord ! Philippians 1:3-8 Introduction : Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say it, rejoice! We’ve called our series in Philippians, “Joy in Serving Jesus!” In this passage Paul is continuing the greeting to the Philippians. Before we let the news reports discourage or depress us, let’s remember where Paul is as he writes. He is writing to his friends while he is under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial before Caesar. This is after he had been a prisoner for two years in Caesarea (see Acts 24:27)! Now in Rome, as he writes, he reflects joy in the Lord, and hope about the future . We’ve emphasized before that “ hope ” in the Bible is a confidant expectation, based on trust in the Lord of History. It isn’t wishful thinking; it is the joyful expectation of faith . You see how they go together? Because our hope is sure, we can have joy that goes beyond our circumstances. We may not see how God is working, but we trust Him.    ...

  “Serving with Joy!” Philippians 1:1,2; cf. Acts 16:7-40 Introduction : After our long study of Mark, we begin a new series today in a shorter book, a letter, sent by the Apostle Paul to the church in Philippi. Mark emphasized the Passion of Christ, and called us to follow Jesus, whatever the cost, in the light of who He is and what He did for us. We may not like the way things are going around us. Our country is as politically divided as ever. Some of us may be despondent over the options before us in the coming election (and the 4 months of political ads we must yet endure!). Still, we’ll stay informed and prayerful as we participate, knowing we are first and foremost citizens of heaven and children of the King! In this letter Paul calls us to serve the Lord with joy ! We know that God is in control, and that Jesus is building His church. When we see sin and evil in the world, we are reminded that this is why Jesus came… to save sinners. Today we begin the letter to the Phil...

  His Story Continues (… and it includes you! ) Mark 16:8-20 Introduction : Whatever else I say today I want to encourage your confidence in the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. The God who is has spoken . He has revealed Himself in His Word. As surely as Moses went up the mountain and received the Ten Commandments from God, “ All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable… ” (2 Tim 3:16). Or as Peter said, “ Holy men of God spoke as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit …” (2 Pet 1:21). As surely as God inspired the biblical writers to put down in writing the exact words He intended, He also supernaturally guided His people to recognize and preserve them as Scripture. It is through God’s Word that we know Him, and we learn what He expects of us (read Psalm 119!). We are going to take another look at what I believe is the original ending of Mark, 16:8, and also the “appendix” that has been preserved in verses 9-20.   The fact of the Resurrection, and the impl...