Philippians - To Complain or Not to Complain

“Do all things without complaining or disputing.”

— Philippians 2:14

Can we just work on these the rest of our lives? I know I mentioned this last Sunday; but honestly, how many of you made it to Monday morning before you complained about something?

I seriously thought about calling everyone Monday morning to ask this question, but then just complained that not that many people would answer their phone.

But, there is another part to this verse; disputing. Disputing is arguing. If you are having trouble with complaining, maybe start with disputing. It takes two to argue and if you will not engage, then there is no dispute. If it’s some really important matter, ask someone else to step in and settle the matter. And be ready to accept the verdict.

But we shouldn’t get stuck on one verse, because Paul goes on to give us a great promise from God to be lights in this perverse generation. This world needs light. And we can be the reflectors of the one who makes the light. But it means giving up those things we need to let go of.

Paul is fine if he is poured out as a drink offering. An offering that no one enjoys any part of except the Lord. It is an act of sacrifice on many levels, but one that is primarily the Lords. Am I ready to never be noticed (so I think) except by God, to be the light He has made me to be? Time (and complaining) will tell.

Pastor Brent

Philippians - The Way to Live

Philippians 2 in a brief outline:

1 . Our attitude

2. Christ’s attitude

3. Our responsibilities

Paul relates what our attitude needs to be regarding ourselves and others. He reminds us of the immense burden we share as the representatives of Christ.

Do we have the right mind-set, can we think about someone other than ourselves, do the goals we have mesh with the future God has in mind for us?

Then, Paul paints the picture of Christ and His attitude, which plays perfectly with the goals that God had in mind for His son to save the world.

And Christ accepted and excelled in the mission, not thinking about His own glory but rather that of the Father. Jesus had no reason to give up what He did other than His love for the Father, and because of that, His love for the Father’s children.

Then, Paul goes back and places responsibility on those of us who would call Jesus our Lord. If it is our desire to be a child of God and an inheritor with Christ, we must do more than say things with our mouths. The world needs to know we are God’s workmanship by our deeds.

Pastor Brent

Phillippians - The Attitude of Paul

As we continue our study in Philippians, Paul is asserting a treatise on the preaching of the Gospel that I assume that many of us might have an issue with.

Paul wants the Gospel preached. I think that most of us would say the same. But we want sincere preachers, backed by the lifestyle choices and learning from prestigious seminaries. Not those that preach from selfish or insincere motives.

Paul, on the other hand, doesn’t care. And, in fact, says so in the 18th verse of the first chapter. In whatever way, as long as the Gospel of Christ is preached. Then he will rejoice.

Do I have such confidence in the Word of God that it can overcome any and all motivation and present Jesus as the Christ?

Paul is not saying you can present any form of the Gospel, but rather that as long as the true Gospel is preached it can overcome the motive behind the preaching. Conveying the resiliency and power of the spoken Word needs to be repeated to those of us in a struggle with children, family or friends who don’t seem to be getting it.

Faith in the Lord is faith in His Word. Believe in the Holy Spirit’s power through your presenting of God’s Word and we will all rest easier knowing He is at work.

Pastor Brent

Philippians

Our attitudes reflect the perception of others concerning Jesus Christ

Do you enter every conversation as if Jesus is speaking through your mouth no matter the situation you are now in?

Paul wrote to the church in Philippi from a prison. And as he was there he believed he would be set free, but he says that even if he isn’t, he gains, because he will be with Christ which is his goal in the first place.

As we go through this letter, as we did with the letter to the Ephesians, we will be noticing some things that pertain to our current circumstances.

All of the Bible is relevant to today’s hardships, but in all of scripture there is what is known as the Word of the Lord. The Word of the Lord is the relevant, “now” word known in the Greek as the Rhema.

When God says, “there is nothing new under the sun,” He is talking about the relevance of scripture in our lives currently, not as a history lesson.

Please pray with me about our journey through Philippians as we try and live like Christ would have us live.

Pastor Brent

Communion

Communion—the commemorating of the life and power we share as members of the body of Christ. Also the reverence and honor we show as we eat and drink those elements which represent His body and His blood.

Every first Sunday we do this in remembrance of Him. Are you able to keep the same level of honor and respect due the Lord? Hold Him high; there are not that many things that are worthy of our honor, make the ones that are much more meaningful.

Thank you,

Pastor Brent

Ephesians - Armor of God

Put on the whole armor of God because we never know what weapons we will be needing.

So many times the enemy will try and attack our weak points. But if we have the whole armor on, there are none.

When we actually recognize the armor, and what each piece is for, and how we practice and hone our skills; a lot of times we have been in a battle that could have been avoided because the enemy won’t attack us in a sure defeat.

Let’s learn about the armor, how to put it on, how to use it and why you’re so much more intimidating when you carry yourself as a warrior and not a victim.

Let’s also reset our brains to understand that we have the upper hand because of who is guiding our hands and the weapons that are in them.

Praise be to God that He is the one who leads us into battle and if the Lord is for us, who can be against us?

Pastor Brent

Ephesians - Marriage Continued

“For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. In the same way husband and wife should be one flesh and jointly fit together.

”

— Ephesians 5:30

We love ourselves, think most things are about us, can’t understand how everyone can go about their business when we are in crisis mode!

But, we are actually called to a higher calling. One in which we trust God to keep our place in line and give us gifts according to His purpose and the graceful nature that He has.

Knowing this, we should be patient and content people; I said, “knowing this we should be patient and content people.”

Maybe that should all be in Bold print and hung over, not just one door in the house, but every door in our house so we know how we should live.

But even if it was before our eyes 24 hours a day; without the Holy Spirit we have no shot at being content or living contently.

Ephesians is such a challenging book for us as Christians. We are told we are the apple of God’s eye, and then told what to do in order to not grow rotten. What an interesting journey God has laid out for us.

Pastor Brent

Ask Mandate: Ask God For Mercy

If you are vaccinated please don't come to our church because, obviously, you have embraced the fear and the lies, and you just don't trust God. If you are unvaccinated please don't come to our church because, obviously you don't have love in your heart for your fellow man like Jesus. If you are undecided on the vaccine please don't come to our church because, obviously, you are an individual who is driven with the wind and tossed, unstable in all your ways. If you agree with the abortion law passed in Texas please don't come to our church because, obviously, you don't care anything about the mother whose life might be in danger if she was to give birth. If you don't agree with the abortion law just passed in Texas please don't come to our church because, obviously, you are callous toward the life created by God when He shared some of His Spirit into the child as He was knitting them together in the womb. If you supported President Trump during his time in office please don't come to our church because, obviously you don't care that a flawed human being would have ever been chosen by God to lead this country. If you voted for President Biden please don't come to our church because, obviously, you don't care that he supports so many things that are anti-Christian while claiming to be one. In fact, unless you are perfect please don't come to our church. There was only one perfect person and He came to our church and, well, we put Him to death because He did not fit our guidelines and was trying to show us a better way to live and how to relate to the Father. So, maybe you should all come to His church and learn to fit together as He sees fit. See you there.

- Pastor Brent

Ephesians - Husbands & Wives & The Church

There’s so much happening in the world it is hard to focus on continuing to teach the Word of God as it unfolds.

But, truth is, we need the Word of God to speak to us; talk us down if you like, because we get all wrapped up in the distractions of this life.

As we enter this discussion of the roles of husband and wife and how it relates to our relationship with Christ; please do it carefully and with patience. Because our relationship to God is all that really matters.

I have done many, many weddings in the time I have been licensed to perform them. Over the time, there have been many times that, during our discussion about their future and the wedding vows; the bride to be will state, “I’m not saying obey!”

As we continue to talk I ask why she would want to marry a man who she thinks would ask her to do something she would not go along with?

It’s the same question for us and our relationship with Christ.

But the word in Ephesians is not obey, but submit. In fact, nowhere does the Word say, “wives obey your husbands.” It does say, “Children, obey your parents that it may go well with you and you will live long.”

Let us get into the roles we play in our relationship with the Lord and, as we submit, know that God has our best at heart.

Pastor Brent

Tongues or TONGUES?

We are going to look at a topic that even Christians are severely divided on this morning.

Speak in tongues or not speak in tongues? That is the question. As always, we need to let scripture determine or answer and our attitude.

I will try and lay out the arguments you hear, and some doctrinal positions, but most of all I want you to ask God what He would like you to do with today’s message.

And, we might as well make everyone mad and throw in the husband/wife relationship which Paul lays out as a prelude to our own relationship with Jesus Christ as our head.

If you don’t go away from the service intrigued, wondering, angry, or simply wondering at the sanity of the pastor; you must have been asleep.

God is always encouraging us to move closer and deeper in our relationship to Him. And often we ask how to do this—I believe this is one way to ask Him for things you don’t even know you need.

Interesting enough? I hope it piques your interest enough to study and look for yourself at a deeper relationship with God.

Pastor Brent