Sermons on Philippians 2:3-4:13:

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

Kingdom Thinking

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Sep 19, 2021

One of the greatest dangers in life is the misunderstanding of a concept. Because of misunderstandings we have many different belief systems, different religious ideas, people have been called heretic, crazy, looney, and many other names all because there is a misunderstanding of concept.

Kingdom Thinking By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: Now let me explain this before someone gets the wrong concept. One of the greatest dangers in life is the misunderstanding of a concept. Because of misunderstandings we have many different belief systems, different religious ideas, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Apostolic

Selling Out To God Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 20, 2021

Jesus's Parable of Hidden Treasure teaches all-out commitment to the kingdom of God. Christianity is not a little add-on to our busy, selfish life. It is a call to something so valuable that we would give up everything else to have it.

Last week we began a message entitled “Valuing the Valuable.” That teaching led us to the Parable of the Treasure in Matthew 13:44. That is our text for today. There Jesus said, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11, 2 Peter 1:3, Luke 12:1-22, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 6:19-34, Luke 14:25-33, Hebrews 4:2, Isaiah 12:3, Romans 8:1-23, Psalm 16:11, John 3:1-17, Proverbs 13:15, Psalm 90:1-17, Proverbs 4:1-27, Matthew 13:44-46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Faithful In All Things At All Times

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Sep 22, 2021

Words of encouragement can keep us moving forward in the right direction.

There was a young pastor who said he served alongside the senior pastor and he witnessed him writing 5 to 10 notes of encouragement every Monday. He sent these notes to different people in the church. At the time, he didn't really understand the importance of what he was doing. Why spend so ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13, Philippians 3:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Uniqueness Of Jesus - The Name Above All Names - Jesus Christ! (Sermon #4) Series

Contributed by Peter Naveen Saketi on Sep 24, 2021

The only Name which is exalted so high and at which Every Knee should bow and every tongue should confess is the Name of "JESUS"

The Name of Jesus is so unique, powerful and placed high above every other name. Let us study on what is so special about this Name! 1. THE MEANING OF JESUS CHRIST: - JESUS means SAVIOUR - Matthew 1:21 Many were called as saviours, they could only save a group of community from a physical enemy ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:9-11, Romans 5:8-21, Matthew 1:1, Matthew 1:21, Mark 16:17-18  (view more)  (view less)

Can We Lose Our Healing

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 26, 2021

You cannot lose what you did not have. If you have it, you cannot lose it.

There is a large church group who has healing rooms and that is fine, but they have a belief that a person can lose their healing because some who are claimed to be healed later “lost their healing,” because the symptoms returned. Thus it is their fault if it did not stick. As an ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1, Luke 9:38-42, Mark 9:28-29, 2 Timothy 4:20, Philippians 2:25-27, 1 Timothy 5:23, James 5:13-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Malachi Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Sep 26, 2021

The Refiner and Purifier of silver

September 25, 2021 We have arrived at the end of the Old Testament. We know nothing about the man, “Malachi” or the specific dates of his ministry. We do, however, get some clues from the text: The use of “governor” instead of “king” in Ch. 1:8 and references to the Temple being up and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8, Romans 5:3-5, 1 Peter 4:12-13, 2 Corinthians 3:18, James 1:2-4, Zechariah 13:8-9, Isaiah 48:10, Psalm 66:10, Romans 8:18, Malachi 3:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist