United We Stand

Scott Risley
Philippians 1:27-2:4

As Christian's, we carry dual citizenship of both heaven and a hostile, earthly world. We are under fire here, while we wait for heaven. Paul calls the Philippians, and us, to stand firm, and strive together, remembering who we are and why we are here. We are united in faith in Christ, as we hold forth the Good News

Standing Firm Together

Chris Hearty
Philippians 1:27-2:4

Paul wants the Philippians to be standing together, striving together in the faith. As duel citizens of earth and heaven, Paul calls them to live out their lives on earth in such a way as to honor their heavenly citizenship. Do not substitute the truth of God for a lie. Stand firm in the truth of who they are in Christ.

Jesus and His Disciples

Ben Foust
John 1:35-50

People started out skeptical of the claims Jesus was the Messiah. But spending time with Jesus quickly changes people's opinion of him. Something about Jesus makes people want to show him to others. All we really have to do is share what we know with who we know.\r\nGod knows us as we are. Because of Jesus Christ, he accepts us before we even show up. He has a plan and a vision that perfectly fits our life. Our only role is to come and see.

How Is Your Worldview Working Out for You?

James Rochford
Philippians 1:12-26

Our circumstances are far less important than our view of them. Paul's circumstances were far from ideal by anyone's standards. He was under house-arrest, chained to a rotating crew of Praetorian guards for close to four years. And he was under a possible death sentence! Yet, Paul was not disturbed by these circumstances. Instead, he was overjoyed at how God was bringing good things out a bad situation. The Gospel was being preached fearlessly by those believers in Rome who watched Paul's example. No matter the result of the trial, Paul viewed it as a win-win. If he is ruled innocent, then he has more time for fruitful ministry. If he is found guilty, then instantly after his execution, he will be in the presence of his beloved Savior.

The Eternal Perspective

Dennis McCallum
Philippians 1:19-25

Paul's eternal perspective allowed him to view his potential impending death at the hands of the Roman court as an opportunity to exalt Christ in his body whether he lives or dies. If he lives, then he can continue to minister to believers, and witness to non-believers. If he dies, then he will go to his death without fear, proclaiming the Gospel before his judges. And upon his death, he will be in the presence of his Lord immediately. For him, to live is Christ, to die is gain.

To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain

Conrad Hilario
Philippians 1:12-25

Paul could face death squarely in the face without any fear because he had an eternal perspective. He could say, "To live is Christ, to die is gain" because he knew whether he lived or died, Jesus would be exalted. If he lived, Paul would continue to share the Gospel, and build up his fellow believers to the glory of God. If he died, then he would immediately enter into the presence of God where he would be able to worship him face to face.

Paul's Guide to Max Gains

Scott Risley
Philippians 1:12-26

Paul, the greatest Christian evangelist of all time, sits in prison, chained to guards day and night. What appears to be a devastating blow to the spread of the Gospel, is actually part of God's plan so he can do an even bigger work. Rather than being frustrated by his chains, by his loss of freedom, Paul lets God use him right where he is, in prison. His immobility actually allowed the Gospel to be spread to the far reaches of the Roman empire through those very guards chained to his wrists.

God's Efforts to Reach Us

Mike Sullivan
Revelation 14:6-7

During the Great Tribulation there will be tremendous judgments poured out upon the people of the earth for refusing to repent. But there will also be, at the same time, God going to great lengths to reach people who are far from him. God will send 144,000 bondservants to proclaim the Gospel; he will send two witnesses to Jerusalem for three and a half years to appeal to people to turn back to God; he will even send Jesus to appear in person after the two witnesses are taken up into heaven. And if that wasn't enough, a mighty angel will fly around the world making one final effort to exhort the remaining people to repent and turn to God before time is up.

Rome On Fire

Dennis McCallum
Philippians 1:12-18

Paul's vertical perspective enabled him to endure the frustrations and trials of being imprisoned in Rome while his heart's desire was to roam the far reaches of the world to spread the Gospel. Yet, while chained to Praetorian guards for four long years, God was accomplishing that very desire. God used Paul's "down time" to do far greater work than if Paul had been free to go about. The Guards he was chained to heard him preach the Gospel to his visitors. They in turn took the message to the outer regions of the Roman empire. Paul wrote four important epistles that reached across the centuries to reach millions of people. And finally, his imprisonment emboldened the believers in Rome to preach more boldly.