Sermons on Coat Of May Colors:

Winning Isn't Easy... But It's Still Winning! Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 11, 2021

Being Christians in this world isn't easy--Jesus told us so. And Satan's goal is to destroy us and his church. But Paul is going to unpack the promise from last week: "For me, to live is Christ; to die is gain."

I. Intro ??In his book Loving God, Charles Colson draws attention to an incident involving an Indiana judge named William Bontrager. Bontrager had to pass sentence on Fred Palmer, a decorated Vietnam veteran who was found guilty of burglary. The crime was caused partly by involvement with drugs ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

The Way Up Is Down Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 11, 2021

After all the nice things Pual has said about how good the Philippian church was doing, he wants them to remember where they came from, where they are now, how they got there, and who it is who brought them along.

I. Intro: A. Mohammad Ali, the great boxer, also was renowned for his cocky quick-wit, saying things like, “I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, and it is hard to be humble when you're as great as I am.” My favorite: “I should be a postage stamp. That's the only way I'll ever ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Turn On The Light! Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 14, 2021

What does it mean to "empty" oneself? Something will fill the vacuum! When we empty ourself for Jesus--who is the perfect example of emptying oneself--we will be filled with His nature... and shine like lights!

I. Intro A. My kids and I are reading a series of books of historical fiction entitled The American Adventure, which follow the lives of various children as the history of our nation unfolds around them. One of the things that has always been the case is that, the older we get, the less we like ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Two Examples Of Level 5 Faithfulness Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 14, 2021

How committed are we to being of service? In describing himself, Jesus said in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Paul describes for us two Level 5 leaders in today’s Scripture…

I. Introduction A. How committed are we to being of service? In describing himself, Jesus said in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” B. “It came down to one essential definition. The central dimension for Level 5 is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-30

Our Identity: Christ Alone! Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 14, 2021

Where does your joy come from? What are the kinds of things that rob you of your joy? Paul encourages the Philippians to keep the source of joy in proper perspective so that it's not stolen away or diminished.

I. Intro A. ?Two Australian sailors staggered out of a London pub into a dense fog and looked around for help. As they steadied themselves, they saw a man coming into the pub but evidently missed the military medals flashing on his dress uniform. One sailor blurted out, “Say, bloke, do you know ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-3

The Economics Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 14, 2021

Consider spending your whole life working for one cause, only to realize you were so wrong that you were willing to leave everything you'd achieved behind to promote a new one. That's Paul's story, and here he tells the Philippians how it pays off.

I. Intro: Fire Cleans Out Huxley’s Stuff? Years ago, one of Southern California's infamous wild fires destroyed the home of best-selling writer Aldous Huxley. He and his wife barely escaped with their lives. But Huxley's manuscripts, his collection of letters from "great" people ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-11

Forget The Past--Reach For What Lies Ahead Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 14, 2021

Credentials won't do. Status won't do. Nothing will suffice our deepest spiritual need: to know God and be known by Him. Paul says it's a constant pursuit.

I. Intro: Backstage at the circus, motivational speaker Jim Donovan noticed that the elephants were kept in place by nothing stronger than a thin rope that tied one leg to a stake in the ground. Puzzled, Donovan asked one of the trainers what prevented these powerful animals from just snapping the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Be A Copycat Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 14, 2021

What are the most tried and true teach methods? Imitation! Paul is a big advocate, if this passage is any indication. Let's use some children's games to help us learn how to live like Jesus--and cope with the consequences.

I. Introduction A. One of the more precious—and frustrating—parts of homeschooling (or educating young children in general) is teaching them how to write. Letter-forming does not come naturally to most of us, and it certainly doesn’t come by hearing a lecture on it. A child must see letters ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21

Get Along To Go Along Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 14, 2021

Remember how easy it was when we were little to make--and lose--friends? Paul is teaching us here that while we walk this path with each other, the purpose is not to "go along to get along," but much more importantly, to learn to "get along so we can go along."

I. Introduction A. Do you remember when you were younger, one of the first things you had to learn was to get along with siblings / cousins / classmates? With some, this was easy, even effortless most of the time. For others, the best you could do was just stay away from them… but that was often ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-3

Peace & Joy: Keeping It Real Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 14, 2021

We often hold inaccurate perspectives on things. Paul reminds us today of a few things: the importance of real joy, the power of real peace, and the disciple's mentality that secures these two.

I. Intro: Perspective A. Newsweek magazine recently made a side-by-side comparison of "threats" of which people have an inaccurate perspective: 1. Murders: 14,180 (2008)—Suicides: 33,289 (2006) 2. Children abducted by strangers: 115 (1999)—Children who drown in pools: 288 ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Evidence Of Spiritual Strength Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 14, 2021

Paul is wrapping up his encouragement letter to the Philippians by acknowledging their genuine concern for him, and by reminding them that circumstances have no power of his perspective--he knows that Christ in us is greater than any difficulty this world can produce.

I. Intro: GODZILLA MEAT! A. Want to be as strong as Godzilla?  Eat Godzilla Meat!  “Godzilla Meat—actually 3.5 ounces of corned beef from Tokyo toy maker Takara Company—is packaged with pictures of the stomping, fire-breathing, irradiated dinosaur made famous by movies that started ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13

You're Too Kind! Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 14, 2021

Paul ends this epistle with making sure the Philippians know that, regardless of how both contented and empowered he is in Christ, he is still very thankful to them for their remarkable kindness to him, and that it didn't go unnoticed.

I. Intro A. According to the WASHINGTON POST, a church ordered a pizza from Domino’s during a church service. What happened next drew national attention:? “The driver brought the $5.99 pizza to Sycamore Creek Church in Pickerington in suburban Columbus on Oct. 4. The Rev. Steve Markle brought ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:14-23

The River Of Living Water

Contributed by James May on Feb 16, 2022

The River of Living Water flows from within only if we allow the Presence of Christ to dwell within our hearts and let his love from through us.

The River of Living Water • What is the River of Living Water? • Where does it begin and where is it going? • What does it do and what is its purpose? • How can I be a part of it? There are numerous passages of scripture where the Living Water is spoken about and in every instance it is something ...read more

Scripture: John 4:10-11, Ezekiel 47:8-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Refining Fire

Contributed by James May on Feb 19, 2022

The church needs the indwelling power of the Holy Ghost to be a refining fire and prepare us for the great deception of the end times.

The Refining Fire We cannot survive as faithful Christians in the hours to come without the Fire of the Holy Ghost in our midst. The baptism in the Holy Ghost is so important that Jesus told his disciples, who were obviously Believers who were Born Again, to wait in the upper room until the Holy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Matthew 24:24, 1 Peter 1:17, Malachi 3:1-3, Acts 19:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Guard Your Heart And Your Mind

Contributed by James May on Mar 6, 2022

We live in a time when we must ever guard our hearts against doubt and fear, and we must always be aware of the lies and deceit of the devil, to keep our mind in tune with the Mind of Christ.

Guard Your Heart and Your Mind Sunday, March 6, 2022 One thing that we can certainly count on is the steady ticking of the clock. Regardless of what men do, time marches on. Whether it is the evil plans of the devil, often working through the minds and efforts of evil men and women; or if it is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-6, Luke 21:25-28, Luke 12:40

Denomination: Independent/Bible