The pursuit of glory is often at the core of our motivations. Even if we don't dream of making it big and becoming a celebrity, we still pursue glory. Maybe it's the praise of your co-workers that you covet. Maybe it's the praise of your parents that you crave. Maybe it's a simple recognition that you are capable, competent, and mature. We often see glory and recognition a...

Wow, five weeks in and we're finally getting to chapter 2 of the Book of Philippians. This week we're looking at Philippians 2:1-4 and the topic of "Humble Significance." Humility is one of those things that we know is supposed to be part of the Christian life and yet, at the same time, it seems to be something that's near impossible to cultivate. I mean, as soon as you t...

Continuing our series through Paul's letter to the Philippians, this Sunday we will be looking at chapter 1, verses 27-30. Here Paul tells the Philippians "only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ." Now, what does it look like to live a life worthy of the gospel? What actions, words, or thoughts do you associate with that call, and what actions do yo...

This is the third week in our new series on the Book of Philippians entitled "Worthy of the Gospel." And this week we come to one of the Apostle Paul's most famous sayings, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). And that sounds really spiritual, but what does it mean, really? Is Paul saying this because he's imprisoned and facing execution? Is h...

This week we're continuing our new series on the Book of Philippians entitled "Worthy of the Gospel." As I said last week, the Apostle Paul is writing this book from prison in Rome and that certainly colors his perspective and his words. But instead of being down and depressed as you might expect, Paul seems to overflow with joy. And this joy is grounded in the good news o...

This week we begin our new series on the Book of Philippians which I've entitled "Worthy of the Gospel." This book has a lot about Jesus and a lot about joy. As the Apostle Paul is writing from prison, he teaches that our love of Christ and our joy in Christ are connected by the gospel of Christ. And so he's writing to encourage us to live lives "worthy of the gospel" (Phi...

Well, this week we wrap up our summer series on the One Another commands of the New Testament with 1 Thessalonians 5:11-18 and the command to "Build Up One Another." In many ways, this is the summary passage for all the rest of these commands. They should all have the effect of building up the church. Have you ever heard someone say that "Christianity is not a list of rul...

Well, I'd like to say that it's good to be back after two way-too-short weeks at the beach. But honestly, it was hard to leave the beach. Very little relaxes me more than getting a little sand in my sandwich, letting that cold Diet Coke get warm, and finding the spots I missed with the sunscreen. Not to mention how wonderful the twelve-and-a-half-hour drive home was. While...

This Sunday I will get to share the Word of God with you all again as your one and onlycurrentpastoral intern. And, as part of our summer One Another sermon series, the topic at hand will be "forgive one another." Forgiveness is one of those things that is at the same time difficult, costly, even scandalous, and also beautiful and life-changing. And it's a tricky topic to...

Well, we have the special privilege this week of hearing from my good friend Porter Harlow. I'm only sorry that I won't be with you to hear him bring God's Word to us today (don't feel bad for me, I'm off hiding from you on vacation). Porter is a graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington, the Founding Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Burke, VA, and the ...