Philippians 1:1-11 Today we are going to return to our series on Paul’s letterto the Philippians.Two weeks ago we talked about the book as a whole andthe theme of each chapter. We were reminded that joy isa constant theme throughout the letter. This morning I would like to start by giving somebackground information.We know that…
A few years ago, a small church in the Midwest held acommunity dinner every Thursday night. Nothingfancy—folding tables, crockpots, paper plates. But everyweek, people came: single moms, retirees, teenagers,folks who didn’t have much, and folks who had plenty. One particular Thursday, a man named Carl walked in. Hehad been absent for months. His wife had…
Philippians overview In 1940, during World War II, a Christian pastor namedDietrich Bonhoeffer was arrested by the Nazis andeventually placed in prison.You would expect the letters of a man sitting in a prisoncell, cut off from family and uncertain of his future, to befilled with bitterness, fear, and complaints. Most of uswould understand if they…
2 Samuel 24 Have you ever had a moment where you made a decisionthat felt completely harmless… until you realized later itexposed something in you that you didn’t want to see? Maybe it was a purchase you didn’t need.A conversation you shouldn’t have had.A shortcut you thought no one would notice.A choice that seemed small,…
Deut 6, Matt 7, Hebrews 12, Luke 15 A child was once asked to describe their dad in onesentence.Some said: “My dad is strong.”“My dad is funny.”“My dad works a lot.” But one child said something simple—and powerful:“My dad shows me what love looks like.”That’s really the question in front of all of us today.Not:…
2 Samuel 23:1-7 A renowned architect was nearing the end of his career.For decades, he had designed grandbuildings—cathedrals, civic halls, and beautiful homesthat stood as landmarks in cities around the world.As retirement approached, a wealthy patron came to himwith one final request:“Design one last structure for me—something that willendure.”The architect agreed.People expected him to create…
2 Samuel 22 During World War II, Corrie ten Boom and her sisterBetsie were arrested for hiding Jews and sent to theRavensbrück concentration camp—a place ofunimaginable suffering.When they arrived in their barracks, they found itovercrowded, filthy, and infested with fleas. Theconditions were so unbearable that Corrie could hardlystand it.But Betsie insisted on something that seemed…
2 Samuel 21:1-14 Years ago, a small town had a well that supplied water toeveryone. Generations depended on it.One day, a respected leader in the town secretly divertedwaste into the ground upstream from the well. At the time,no one noticed. Life went on. The leader eventually died, andthe decision was buried with him.Years later, something…
Proverbs 31:1-31 A young mother lived in Detroit, raising two boys on herown in a world that felt designed to see them fail. Sheworked three jobs—cleaning houses and doinglaundry—often leaving before dawn and returning longafter dark.One day, she noticed her sons’ grades were slipping. Shedidn’t just lecture them; she took action.She limited their television time…