Philippians 1:27-30 - Living as Worthy Citizens

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel will be looking at Philippians 1:27-30 as we continue our sermon series in Paul's letter to the Philippian church. In this passage we see Paul calls us to consider our conduct, how we live as citizens of heaven here on earth. Our citizenship reflects the work of the Son, the unity of the Spirit and the grace of the Father. The grace that we have as believers entails not only the gift of faith in Christ, but also the call to suffering.



Read Online: Philippians 1:27-30

Philippians 1:18b-26 - Whether By Life or By Death

In this sermon, Rev. Ben Sinnard will be looking at Philippians 1:18b-26 as we continue our sermon series in Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. In this passage we see Paul continuing his thoughts from last week as he wrote about his imprisonment and the spread of the gospel message. Through this passage we see a beautiful vision for life, a motivating truth to cling to that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (v21). For Christians there is real, legitimate tension between living and dying, knowing that upon death we gain all, Christ. For Paul living unafraid to die (because in death is gain) frees him to live for Christ. Is Christ more precious to you then your life? Do you really believe that death is gain? Whether by life or by death Christ will be honored.



Read Online: Philippians 1:18b-26

Philippians 1:12-18a - Circumstances, Celebration, and the Powerful Message of Christ

In this sermon, Andrew Whitaker looks at Philippians 1:12-18a as we continue our sermon series in Paul's letter to the Philippian church. In this passage we see Paul as imprisoned and writing to the Philippian believers to let them know that God is very much at work amidst his circumstances and hardships. Through this passage we see a rich reminder that whenever we see the Gospel advancing that is cause for celebration. The message of Christ is powerful and is not bound by our limitations or notions of effectiveness. Do we rejoice when we see the Gospel at work among our church or other churches or we do we have a cynical or nearsighted view that finds it hard to rejoice? This the question this text helps us wrestle with.



Read Online: Philippians 1:12-18a

Philippians 1:3-11 - Partnership, Partaking, and Prayer

In this sermon, Rev. Ben Sinnard continues looking at Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi by focusing on chapter 1 verses 3-11. This section is described as one of Paul's most personal, affectionate pieces of Scripture. His love for the Philippians is without question and he gives thanks for their partnership in and partaking of the Gospel of grace. What do we thank God for and what are our prayers like? Are our affections moved toward God and others, those who partner and partake of the Gospel? A Gospel focus shapes our prayers, our thanksgiving, our partnerships, and our affections.



Read Online: Philippians 1:3-11

Philippians 1:1-2 - Servants, Saints and Salutations

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel looks at Philippians 1:1-2 where we delve into Paul's letter to the church in Philippi. A letter's salutation may seem perfunctory, but this glimpse into Philippians' authors, recipients and greeting helps us set the tone for the theme of joy in the face of tough circumstances.



Read Online: Philippians 1:1-2

Acts 16:22-40 - How Do You Respond?

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel begins a new series, looking at Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, asking the question, “Where is your joy?” Before we delve into Philippians, we will look at the background to that letter, Acts 16:22-40, where we see how Paul and Silas, after they were beaten for healing a slave girl in the city, demonstrated a response to suffering, sin and salvation with faith in Christ. A response of faith in Christ to life’s circumstances brings us into community with others, we call, the Church.



Read Online: Acts 16:22-40

Psalm 1 - Taking God's Advice

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel wraps up our summer series on wisdom. Having spent our time in Proverbs, we will conclude with a Wisdom Psalm, Psalm 1. This introduction to the psalter juxtaposes two individuals, the wise man and the wicked. Wisdom’s permanence is found in its foundation in God’s Word. The perennial question for us is: “what does it mean for us, who struggle with sin, to be the wise man or woman God desires?”



Read Online: Psalm 1

Proverbs 3:1-12 - The Wise Use of Wealth

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel looks at Proverbs 3:1-12. We are reminded that God’s blessings are designed for God’s glory and see that those blessings may come in the form of God bestowing wealth or hardship (3:9-12). With regarding to our finances, we are called to honor God with our wealth. When it comes to discipline, we are to see God’s kind, parental hand. We need wisdom to discern how to respond, knowing that we are in Christ, God calls us to rest in Him.



Read Online: Proverbs 3:1-12

Proverbs 22:1-9, 15 - Passing on Wisdom to the Next Generation

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel looks at Proverbs 22:1-9, 15. We see how some Proverbs have taken a life on their own, at times despite their context. Proverbs 22 focuses on the need for wisdom in handing wealth (the topic we’ll examine next week), but v6 gives the familiar wisdom: “train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. How should we think about this verse? What help does Proverbs give us in raising our children.



Read Online: Proverbs 22:1-9, 15

Proverbs 31:10-31 - Wisdom's Heroine

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel takes a look at Folly’s counterpart. In Proverbs, the father advises his son regarding wisdom and folly in the form of two women: the strange or adulterous woman (Proverbs 5-7) and the virtuous woman here in Proverbs 31:10-31. As Wisdom is embodied in the noble woman, we see the characteristics that should epitomize all, men and women, husbands and wives, who seek wisdom.



Read Online: Proverbs 31:10-31

Proverbs 18:4-21 - The Proper Foundation for Life-giving Words

In this sermon, Rev. Dan Quakkelaar continues in our Proverbs series. Our words can be life-giving or life-destroying, so we must be careful in building a proper foundation to guide what we say. Today we look at Proverbs 18:4-21, where we learn the problems of formulating our words around our own self-confidence, as opposed to careful concern about formulating our words around those things God holds dear. An important question, since life and death are in the power of the tongue.



Read Online: Proverbs 18:4-21

Proverbs 8:6-14, 15:1-4, 12:25, 19:1 & 26:4 - Lessons in Proverbs: Wise Speech

In this sermon, Rev. Ben Sinnard will look at several verses in Proverbs to see how speech and wisdom interact. What does wisdom have to say about how we speak to our spouses? What does wisdom have to say about gossip, slander, or harsh language? What does wisdom have to say about blessings, praises, prayers, etc.? As James 3:9-10a states, “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.” Our speech is an area that we all need wisdom from God to know when to speak, how to speak and what to speak.



Read Online: Proverbs 8:6-14, 15:1-4, 12:25, 19:1, 26:4