Beginnings, Part 5 "Begin Content!"

SERMON NOTES:  

What have we learned about “Beginning” anything?

·         Beginning “IN CHRIST” means more Joy and Hope with less Fear and Anxiety!

·         THE SECRET SAUCE: Convert your anxieties into prayers, add thanksgiving, and then receive Peace!”

·         MY MIND is led by what it’s fed ……. So feed it well!

Philippians 4  For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 

The Secret of Being Content?           (…….. in any and every situation!)

“through HIM” -

“who gives me strength” -

“I can do all this” –

Our “through HIM” living is relentlessly dependent on God’s Word, my Prayers and His Spirit!

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Monday:  Philippians 4:10-13
Tuesday:  John 15:5-10
Wednesday:  Matthew 6:31-34
Thursday:  Romans 5:1-5
Friday:  Isaiah 26:1-4
Saturday:  Psalm 118:19-29

Beginnings, Part 4 "What's IN My Mind?"

SERMON NOTES:  

Philippians 4:6-7 “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The “Secret Sauce” – “Convert your anxieties into prayers, add thanksgiving, and then receive Peace!”

Next?

8 Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
think about such things. 

9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. 
And the God of peace will be with you.
 

My mind is led by what it’s fed! 

Romans 8 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 

 DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Monday:  Philippians 4:8-9
Tuesday:  John 8:31-32
Wednesday:  Romans 8:5-9
Thursday:  Ephesians 4:17-24
Friday:  Romans 12:1-2
Saturday:  Ephesians 6:13-18

Beginnings, Part 3 "The Secret Sauce"

SERMON NOTES:  

Beginning Well – Is there a secret?

“… the divorce rate in America is at a minimum one out of two marriages.  But the reported divorce rate among couples that pray together is about one in ten thousand!”     -     Dr. Phillip McGraw, “Relationship Rescue” pg. 292

Philippians 4:4-7
 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
 

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,

 by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God. 
 

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The Secret Sauce – “Convert your anxieties into prayers, add thanksgiving, and then receive Peace!”
 

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Monday:  Philippians 4:4-7
Tuesday:  John 14:25-27
Wednesday:  Jeremiah 29:11-14a
Thursday:  Matthew 11:28-30
Friday:  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Saturday:  Psalm 23

Beginnings, Part 2 "Salt and Light and Cocaine"

SERMON NOTES:  

Matthew 5 13 “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world…  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Interview Notes:
 

Philippians 3 … many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…

Philippians 3 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ9 and be found in him … … I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,

Takeaways:  (What is God saying to me?)

Awareness –                      What is God making me aware of today about my broken world as well as how the Kingdom of God is breaking through?

Encouragement –            How did God encourage me in my faith walk as I listened today?

      
Challenge –                        How is God challenging me in my faith today?

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Monday:  Philippians 3:17-21
Tuesday:  Philippians 2:1-11
Wednesday:  Philippians 3:7-16
Thursday:  Matthew 5:13-16
Friday:  Philippians 2:12-18
Saturday:  Psalm 67

Beginnings, Part 1

SERMON NOTES: 

We are always beginning…….again!

How well do we do “Beginnings”? 

Some help from Pastor Paul in Philippians!

Philippians 1:12-26

BEGINNING “in Christ” means more JOY and HOPE with less Fear and Anxiety!

Philippians 3:7-14 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ9 and be found in him…

With my “In Christ” perspective I get to:

-          admit the reality of the past  

-          but totally trust Jesus in the present for the future!     That’s how I BEGIN!
      

What do I believe about Jesus? 

o   His Redemption, Restoration, Resurrection

o   His presence with me and purpose for me!

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Monday:  Philippians 1:9-14
Tuesday:  Philippians 1:19-26
Wednesday:  Philippians 3:1, 4:11
Thursday:  Isaiah 25:8-9
Friday:  Philippians 3:12-16
Saturday:  Habakkuk 3:17-18