Sermon Central
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Joy For The Journey
Contributed by David Owens on Oct 16, 2017 (message contributor)
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1. Joy For The Journey
Contributed on Oct 16, 2017
We can rejoice no matter what is going on around us or to us. Paul demonstrates this in the book of Philippians. This sermon is the introduction to a series on the letter to the Philippians.
A. I heard about a waitress who couldn’t get a smile out of her customer no matter how hard she tried. 1. The sad old woman sat there looking miserable, depressed and dejected all through dinner. 2. As the lady paid her bill and was leaving, the waitress warmly said, “Have a nice day!” ...read more
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2. Straight From The Heart
Contributed on Oct 23, 2017
In this sermon, we cover the first eleven verses of Philippians 1 and we learn about the importance of learning to communicate appropriately words of appreciation, love and encouragement.
Introduction: A. Once there was an old blacksmith who was nearing retirement and so he picked out a young man to train as his apprentice. 1. The old blacksmith was rather gruff and exacting – He said to the young man, “Don’t ask me a lot of questions, just do whatever I tell you to do.” 2. One ...read more
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3. Making Something Good From Something Bad
Contributed on Oct 30, 2017
We learn from Paul's experience with his Roman imprisonment that God can use bad things that happen to us for good.
Introduction: A. Today, we are continuing in our sermon series on Paul’s letter to the Philippians called “Joy for the Journey.” 1. I want us to continue to understand how attitude makes a difference in whether or not we experience joy for the journey. 2. But by attitude, I don’t mean a foolish ...read more
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4. Someone To Live And Die For
Contributed on Nov 6, 2017
In this sermon, we consider Paul's confidence, conviction and conflict that gave him someone to live and die for.
Introduction: A. Life can often be complicated and confusing! – How is that for an understatement? 1. In his famous “Peanuts” cartoon, Charles Shultz marvelously captured that reality of life. 2. In one cartoon, Lucy was front and center, delivering one of her characteristic lectures. 3. She ...read more
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5. Act Your Identity
Contributed on Nov 13, 2017
In order for us to live lives worthy of the gospel, we must remember our identity.
Introduction: A. One day a famous preacher visited a Nursing home where some patients with Alzheimer’s lived. 1. He went around and greeted the people who were very glad to see him. 2. He walked up to one lady and asked, “Do you know who I am?” 3. She said, “No, but if you go to the Front ...read more
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6. God's Prescription For Unity
Contributed on Nov 20, 2017
In Philippians 2:1-4, Paul gives God's prescription for unity which includes both the motivation and the method for unity.
Introduction: A. Welcome to Friend Day! 1. If this is your first time with us, then we want to extend a warm welcome to you! a. We hope you are inspired and encouraged, and will come back again. 2. If this is not your first visit, then we want to welcome you back! a. It is so good to see ...read more
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7. The Way Up Is Down
Contributed on Nov 28, 2017
Paul pointed to the example of Jesus' humble service as a way for the Philippians to live in harmony with each other and receive a blessing from God.
Introduction: A. A tv show I enjoyed watching in the seventies and eighties was the sitcom called The Jeffersons. 1. The show featured an African American family who became wealthy and moved out of a run-down area in Queens to a luxury apartment in Manhattan. 2. The theme song for the show was ...read more
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8. The Call To Completion
Contributed on Dec 11, 2017
Paul challenged the Philippians to move on toward maturity and to complete the Christian race through the power of God that is at work in us.
Introduction: A. The year was 1968, and TV producer Bud Greenspan was packing away his gear following the marathon at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. 1. It had been over an hour since he had preserved for posterity the elegance and poise of the iconic Ethioian runner Mamo Wolde as he cruised, ...read more
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9. A Priceless Pair
Contributed on Dec 18, 2017
Paul wrote some very encouraging things about Timothy and Epaphroditus that offer us excellent examples to follow.
Introduction: A. One day a man went to the doctor because he was concerned about his lessening level of energy. 1. He told his doctor that he wasn't able to do all the things around the house that he used to do. 2. When the examination was complete, the man said to the doctor, “Now, Doc, I can ...read more
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10. Learning What Counts (Part 2)
Contributed on Jan 22, 2018
In contrast to the works righteousness that Paul had been striving for before he became a Christian, Paul embraced the faith righteousness that comes through the grace of God by faith in Jesus.
Introduction: A. When life goes well for people who do not know the Lord they feel elated. 1. When hard times come they sink into despair. 2. But true joy enables us to rise above the rolling waves of circumstance. 3. Joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ. 4. When our ...read more
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11. Pressing Toward The Prize
Contributed on Jan 29, 2018
In this sermon, we discover how Paul was able to finish the Christian race.
Introduction: A. One day the devil gathered all his demons together to review their work. 1. The first demon reported, “I let loose the wild beasts of the desert on a caravan of Christians and their bones are now bleaching in the sand.” a. The devil replied, “What good was that? Now they are ...read more
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12. Where Is Your Citizenship?
Contributed on Feb 28, 2018
Are we more impacted by our earthly citizenship or our heavenly citizenship? God wants us to be dwellers on earth but controlled by heaven.
Introduction: A. I read the story of a senior citizen who was driving down the highway when his cellphone rang through his Bluetooth car audio system. 1. He pushed the button and answered the phone, it was his wife. 2. The elderly man’s wife urgently warned him, saying, “I just heard on the ...read more
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13. We Can Work It Out
Contributed on Mar 5, 2018
As we look at Paul's instructions for Euodia and Syntyche and how they can get along, we also can learn about how to get along with others and how to help others get along with each other.
Introduction: A. Let’s start today’s sermon with an old poem I really like called “The Perfect Church” I think that I shall never see, A Church that’s all it ought to be; A Church whose members never stray, Beyond the Strait and Narrow way; A Church that has no empty pews, Whose Preacher never ...read more
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14. Our Survival Kit
Contributed on Mar 12, 2018
In this section of Philippians, Paul points them toward three important Christ-like characteristics that are vital for us to survive and to thrive.
Introduction: A. Let’s imagine for a moment that your airplane has gone down in the middle of the ocean. 1. You find yourself floating in a life raft designed for survival. 2. You immediately and frantically search for the survival kit that is usually provided in a life raft, and you are ...read more
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15. What Are You Thinking?
Contributed on Mar 26, 2018
What we think about is so important, because what we think is what we become. Here in Philippians 4:8-9, Paul tells us what kinds of good things we should think about.
Introduction: A. Whenever I got into trouble as a boy, which happened once in a while, my mother would ask me: “What were you thinking?” 1. Can you guess what my favorite answer was? “I don’t know.” 2. Truth is: most of the time I wasn’t thinking, or at least I wasn’t thinking clearly ...read more
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16. The Secret Of Contentment
Contributed on Apr 9, 2018
In this last section of Philippians, Paul shared the secret of contentment that he discovered.
Introduction: A. The story is told of a wealthy Englishman who came downstairs one morning and heard his cook saying to herself, “Oh, if I only had a five-pound note, I would be so content with that!” 1. The wealthy Englishman, quickly considered the matter, and wanting to see the woman ...read more
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17. Learning What Counts (Part 1)
Contributed on Feb 8, 2019
Paul had been trying to be righteous through works, and learned that he needed to approach God in a different way.
Introduction: A. In April of 1988, the evening news told the story of a photographer who was a skydiver. 1. This skydiving photographer had jumped from a plane along with numerous other skydivers and filmed the group as they fell. 2. The film clip, taken by the skydiving photographer that was shown ...read more