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October 5 Worship

9/29/2014

I move on to Chapter 3 in my sermon series on Philippians. Here we find the apostle Paul making a stark evaluation of his life and writes how much he takes pride in coming to know Christ. Note how he states it:

"Yet, whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him..." Phil. 3:7-9

Paul had talked about his heritage as a Jew and now says that what he now prizes most highly is his new found faith in Christ. It changes everything in his life. It has given him a new direction. He has a new cause for which to rally all his strength.

I believe what the apostle writes about here is that we all like to look at our own achievements to see what we can hold high about ourselves. Maybe we pride ourselves on being of a certain nationality or achievements as a parent or in a career.

As a Christian each of us needs to evaluate what our faith means to us. It has us look at our commitment. It has us look at what we are willing to give up in order to be in service for our Lord.

In preparation for Sunday's worship, you might want to read through the entire Chapter 3. May God's blessing be upon your preparation for

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

Are there things about your life that you value more highly than knowing Christ?

Is there a noble cause that is calling for your attention? Does it relate to your faith in Christ?

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September 28, 2014

9/21/2014

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When people are working well together and concerned about each other, it is a plus for the group - whether it is a family, club, or church. The apostle Paul was concerned about having a stable, and one might say, happy community of believers in Philippi. This was a church that he helped to launch. Now, as he is writing to them from prison, he wants to make sure that they are living fully in Christ. He states in his letter to them how he wanted those believers to be concerned about one another. He wrote:

"If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete..." Philippians 2:1

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-5

We discover that his advice goes beyond some moral prescription for good relations. Paul draws directly on the life of Jesus. Jesus was one who looked after our interests as he came down from heaven to make it possible for us to be reconciled to God. Our living ought to be a participation in the very life of Christ.

We are to look after the interests of others. Therefore, as believers in the body of Christ, each of us is to have a genuine concern for others. It might be difficult at times, when we already are caught up in our own struggles and problems - and some of them can be overwhelming. However, if we do go that extra mile to care for others, it will be for the betterment of the community. We will be living out the life Christ desires for us; we will be having the mind of Christ.

This is the second part of my sermon series on Philippians. You may want to read Chapter 2 in your preparation for worship.

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

How do you think a congregation would be transformed in living out Paul's words here?

How much are you looking after the interests of others?

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September 21 Worship

9/15/2014

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I begin my sermon series this Sunday on Paul's letter to the Philippians. What I like about this letter is positive spin it puts on living the Christian life and on the process of aging - even to the time of one's death. The letter also exudes with the idea of rejoicing!

My message for this Sunday will focus on the first chapter. It would be helpful to read the entire first chapter in preparation for Sunday's worship. Paul lays out in this first chapter that there is a purpose to one's living and also to one's dying. The key verse is: "For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain." Philippians 1:21

Do you note the positive view that Paul puts on death? How much do you find it in our own culture? How often do you find people talking about death - let alone thinking about their own mortality? What Paul is saying here is that it is counter-cultural. He can put a positive spin on it because of his faith in Christ.

I believe that Paul's view represents a mature - if not healthy - view of life. When we come to grips with our own mortality, I believe, we can live better for the present. And in this present age, Paul states here in this letter: "Only live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,..." Philippians 1:27. Paul lays it out for us that there is a purpose to our living up until our dying day and beyond.

What I also observe in these words is how Paul sees the important of the next life: it is gain. We as believers do you have something to look forward to it.

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

How do you view your own death?

How much do you look forward to your life with Christ beyond the grave?

Do you find a purpose each day for your living?

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September 14 Worship

9/8/2014

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This coming Sunday is a special day in the year as it is Holy Cross Day. We would come to see that the cross stands as the central symbol of the Christian Church. Churches have used this symbol on the outside and inside of their buildings.

My message for Sunday will focus on the words of St. Paul to the Corinthians:

"For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.....For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." 1 Cor. 1:18, 22-24.

The cross was looked upon as weakness and defeat by many, and of course, foolishness. However, God can use it as an instrument of salvation. The proclamation of Christ crucified has had saving power through the centuries.

In another way, this Sunday would have us look at the cross and see it as showing us a God who suffers and is willing to enter into our suffering. Our world is filled with suffering and don't we all know such times? The cross helps us to see that God is with us whenever tragedy might strike, such as becoming afflicted with a serious illness. We do not stand alone.

I would invite you to reflect on this mysterious working of God and know that God is with you regardless of what might come your way.

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

Do you find yourself wanting to think more of Christ's victory and glory as opposed to his suffering?

Have you ever thought of looking at all your tribulations through the woundedness of Christ on the cross?

Do you wear any kind of jewelry that would remind you of the cross?

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September 7 Worship

9/1/2014

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The focus for our joint worship with Moraine Valley Community Church will be on God's creation. Do we really appreciate all that God has created? Do we realize that we are entrusted with a responsibility to care for the Earth?

Both pastors will be speaking. My emphasis will be on our being a new creation in Jesus Christ. We have the words of the apostle Paul:

"So if anyone is in Christ there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see everything has become new."
2 Corinthians 5:17.

Despite our sinfulness, God was willing to do a makeover with us. We now have the potential to live the kind of life that God desires for us. Yes, we do fight continually against our sinful self, the world, and the temptations of Satan. Nevertheless, with Jesus' help there is a "newness" that can come out from us. This newness in us can lead us to be a good caretaker of all that God has created.

In preparation for Sunday's worship, you may reflect on how you are caring for the Earth and what the church can do collectively to care for creation. Plan on attending worship so that we can together praise God for the work of creation!

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October 5 Worship

September 28, 2014

September 21 Worship

September 14 Worship

September 7 Worship

I invite you to reflect on these words of Scripture in preparing for worship.

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