Philippians 2:9-11 Imagine two lines stretching endlessly into the distance.In one line stand kings, presidents, billionaires,celebrities, military commanders, scholars, and powerfulpeople from every century of history. In the other line stand ordinary people. Farmers.Teachers. Factory workers. Mothers. Children. Peoplewhose names never appeared in history books. At first, the two lines seem completely different.One is filled…
Philippians 2:5-8 Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest boxers who everlived. But he was also famous for his confidence. He oftentold people, “I am the greatest.” One day, Ali was on a commercial flight when the planebegan experiencing turbulence. The flight attendantwalked through the cabin and instructed everyone tofasten their seatbelts. As she came…
Philippians 1:1-4 A famous symphony conductor was once asked whichinstrument was the most difficult to play in an orchestra. People expected him to say the violin, the piano, orperhaps the French horn. Instead, he answered:“Second fiddle.”He explained that he could always find talented musicianswho wanted to play first chair. He could find people whowanted the…
Philippians 1:27-30 Several years ago, a quiet neighborhood startedexperiencing a string of break‐ins. Nothing dramatic atfirst — a stolen bike, a rummaged‐through car, a missingpackage. But over time, the tension grew. People werenervous. Parents kept their kids inside. Neighborsstopped talking as much. Everyone felt unsettled. One evening, an older gentleman named Mr. Harriswalked door to…
Philippians 1:12-26 There’s a hiking trail in the Ozarks where people oftenstop—not because the view is spectacular, but because ofa single, unusual tree. It’s not tall. It’s not especiallybeautiful. In fact, most hikers walk right past it unlesssomeone points it out. The tree is growing out of a boulder. Not beside it.Not between cracks in…
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…
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…