I loved getting back into the rhythm of our first Sunday meals. We don’t get nearly as many opportunities to spend time together as we’d like. So, I relish those chances to sit down at a table together! They’re just a gift.
I was telling the deacons in our recent meeting that a repeated theme coming up in my morning devotions has been how God’s hand was with His people in their exile. And, as we’re discovering from Philippians, that same power is now with us through the Holy Spirit’s presence. So, as we heard last week, let me encourage us all to pray and specifically ask God to increase our faith in Him and in the glorious Gospel. That’s a prayer He is pleased to answer.
His work through us is always going to be shaped by His work in us. So, what a joy it’s going to be to see Him do what only He can do. The hand of our good God is with us!
The Promise of Jesus
As the news cycle continues to churn this week, I can’t help but be reminded of Jesus’ promise to His disciples shortly before His crucifixion. “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.” As believers in Him, everything hinges on that reassuring truth. Indeed, that’s exactly why we gather on Sundays and that’s what our Philippians series is all about. Please continue to pray for that peace to be supernaturally growing in our hearts week by week!
Also, don’t forget about the children’s ministry interest meeting today! (9/12/21) This will be an opportunity to talk about the strategic opportunity we have, the vision for passing the Gospel on to the next generation, and an overview of the plan. I’ll work to keep it short!
Pastor Bart on Philippians
God intends to do God size things as we open Philippians each week. And certainly, there is no greater miracle in the human soul than to experience genuine joy in the person and work and presence of Jesus Christ. That’s the greatest miracle that there is for a human soul — to rejoice in the person and work and presence of Jesus.
That’s the “Joy in Jesus.”
I ask you to be praying that the Holy Spirit would make Jesus more glorious in our eyes, that our bond together as those who are bound together in him would only deepen and strengthen and that our witness to an outside world that we belong to Jesus Christ would only be emboldened.
Our Thanks to Pastor Bart
How much better assurance can we, as believers, have than to be reminded of the joy we have in Jesus — even as we live through these tumultuous times of both worldwide and national crisis?
This sermon series on Philippians is the perfect, assuring antidote for these unusually challenging times.
Thank you for being a pastor who loves to preach the joys contained in the Word along with the guidance and assurances of Jesus Christ.
A Message From Pastor Bart
I loved getting to open up Philippians last Sunday! What a treasure this book’s going to be!
I mentioned on Sunday three prayer requests that I’d love for us to be praying for this series and said I’d get those out via email. So, here were the specific requests!
Please pray that the Holy Spirit would be making Jesus more glorious in our eyes, that our bond with one another would only deepen in Him and that our witness would be emboldened. Driving to church each Sunday is a great time to be lifting those things up for our gatherings.
Also, please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan. My heart is burdened for them these past few days. Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” And we want to be heeding that for Christians who are now suffering and dying for their faith in Jesus.
Prayer always makes a difference, but there are moments when we feel just how crucial that is. So, thank you for being a church that loves to pray.