Friends Church Sermons

John’s Gospel was the last to be written; Matthews was likely the first written within a few years of the resurrection of Christ (around 40AD). If John’s Gospel were the heart of the New Testament pouring out a passionate heart stirring message; Matthew’s Gospel might be considered it’s mind coaxing the doubting, struggling, seeking mind to consider the evidence and see Jesus as Messiah. Matthew draws extensively on the Old Testament to present his case for the Messiah – using nearly 150 direct or indirect quotes from the OT. Matthew is speaking to primarily a Jewish audience in 1st century Palestine but his words echo down through the ages to resonate with a questioning audience in the 21st century. I invite you to open your minds as well as your hearts as we dig deeply into this Gospel to discover more about Jesus the Messiah. As we begin our journey it’s important to know that Matthew does not construct his gospel to be a chronological narrative of the life and times of the Messiah. In fact Matthew divides

Last week we began hunting this illusive concept of contentment in a world of discontent. If you remember in these closing verses Paul shows us how right thinking brings us into close proximity with the God of peace with the result being a contented life. Peace at a deep and pervasive level. Last week we looked at the first 4 principles: trusting the provision of God, being satisfied with little, living independent of our circumstances, and finding supernatural strength. Today we close out the book of Philippians with one last principle of contentment and joyful living. Contented joyful people are givers not takers. Once again lets dig into this passage and see that this principle is practiced by the Philippians and applauded by the Apostle. You have done well – Kalōs – something noble and beautiful in character. This is not disconnected from what we saw just a few sentences before – V.8 – Right thinking has brought the church to right being. They have thought noble thoughts and they have lived noble lives th

Pastor Matt shares about unity and conflict resolution from the first three verses of Phil 4. He concludes with an exploration of partnering in the gospel and the book of life.

Paul begins this next thought with a word that you might miss – but it is vital to our understanding of what he is saying. The word is “brethren”. The next verses are not written to contrast Christians with the World. These words are written to express where joy is found within the journey of following Christ. On this journey of becoming disciples of Jesus Christ we find two paths laid out but only one of them brings true joy.

Ok it’s been two weeks since we have been in this passage of Philippians so let’s step back a moment and put this morning’s scripture in context. Paul has just described how joy is found in a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ defined by 4 characteristics: • Leaving the world behind – full focus on Christ not living in two worlds • Changed values – world is skubalon – surpassing value of Christ • Resting in Grace – not righteousness of our own – but in grace • Knowing Him – Power, suffering, conformity That is where we begin this morning.

If you remember two weeks ago, we left off in chapter 2 with the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus. Paul begins the next part of his letter with the word finally – sometimes this means he is concluding his letter in others (as here) it means he is beginning a new thought. He begins this new thought with a directive – rejoice (be joyful) in the Lord. Have you ever wondered why Christians are not more joyful than they are? After all we have found forgiveness and reconciliation with God. We live with a supernatural God active in our every moment. We know a Savior, Redeemer, and King. We are not alone. Why aren’t we more joyful people. Why do Christians still find themselves in angry disputes, disagreeable, despairing, and despondent? Why do Christians still grumble in corners, complain about everything, and murmur about each other? Could it be that we have missed something along the way? Paul says “Rejoice in the Lord”.

We left off a couple of weeks ago with verses 1-4 as Paul begins to address the joy of maintaining right relationships with each other. Read v.3-4. Paul begins to expand further on the idea of how we keep our relationships with each other right by laying out the path of discipleship.

Viktor Frankl – A Jewish psychologist living in Austria – spent 3 years in concentration Auschwitz and Dachau concentration camps wrote this: We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. And there were always choices to make. Every day, every hour, offered the opportunity to make a decision, a decision which determined whether you would or would not submit to those powers which threatened to rob you of your very self, your inner freedom; which determined whether or not you would become the plaything of circumstance, renouncing freedom and dignity to become moulded into the form of the typical inmate. Frankl spent his life teaching a theory of psychology based on finding meaning ev

Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ – v. 27a – We live in a world that wants to have a faith that makes no demands on our conduct. We want to have a faith that gives us all good and wonderful things with eternal benefits but makes no demands on our lives. Paul makes it clear that following Christ is no such idea. Following Christ above all things makes demands on who we are and what we do. If you want a belief system that leaves you free to do as you please and be who you are – you’ve come to the wrong place. In fact the art of joyful living is not living free of the demands of God but living in the glory of God. This takes me back to the words of my mother every time I left the house “remember who you are”. She reminded me that my father had established a name for himself in our small community and that everything I did reflected on Him. How I lived affected my father’s reputation. Solomon writes in Proverbs 22 “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is bett

We started last week in this letter of Paul to the church at Philippi. This church planted as the first Christian fellowship on the continent of Europe. The major theme of this letter is centered on the Joy that we find in Christ as we serve Him together. Joy is the major theme of the letter and so we are pursuing this letter with that in mind. As we pick up in verse 8 we find the prayer of Paul that he expressed for them generally in verse 4. Let’s read this prayer together: Paul prays for 4 things to happen in these people he holds in his heart – all of which lead to joy in our lives through our relationship with Jesus.

I am excited about beginning this letter for several reasons: First, it is my favorite letter of the Paul’s writings. I have studied every word of this letter many times over the years. It resounds with joy and passion and every time I read it my heart is uplifted. It is often referred to as Paul’s hymn of joy! Second, though it is a short letter, it is packed with profound meaning. As I think you will see Paul’s letter to Philippi is easily applied to our lives today. Paul concludes his letter by saying he has found the secret to being content in all circumstances and with his beloved statement “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Paul in these opening verses gives us a glimpse into how a person remains joyful in the midst of difficult circumstances.

If indeed preaching through the book of John was the most ambitious series I have ever attempted what we begin today is perhaps the most daunting. The book of Romans is the Mt. Everest of letters – the grandest proclamation ever written and perhaps the deepest revelation of the heart of God for His people. This book holds a great deal of personal history with me – as it does for many who have come to Christ. From the earliest days of my connection with Christ it has informed my understanding of salvation: Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:8; Romans 10:9 As I came to Christ in earnest as a follower in my early 20’s I began writing key verses in my Bible. This week when I looked at that page again I found that 25% of the verses came from one book – this book – Romans. It is a letter about salvation in Christ, about the fundamental knowledge of God, and about what it means to follow. Here are a few of the highlights we are going to discover along the way: But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s start where

We have a lot of ground to cover today. We left John’s narrative as Jesus spoke the words “It is Finished”. The climax of the story is past. The battle for mankind is won. The price has been paid. The lamb has been sacrificed. But the story isn’t over. It’s only just beginning. Thousands of men had died on crosses but only one was the Son of God. John tells us his story as only an eyewitness can tell it:

Once again this week I wrestled with this text. What could I say – how could I explain – what analysis could I share as John gives a play by play of the greatest battle in human history. I decided to do something that I havn’t done in exactly this way before. I want to simply let the scriptures speak for themselves. I am going to ask you to do one of two things – you pick. • Take your Bible out and turn to this passage and read with me – anything you find really important to you personally I want you to take a moment to underline it. • Second option is to close your eyes and carefully listen to the words – listen carefully enough that you can jot down a note on your note page about the things you find really important to you personally. As we play the tape of John’s recollection of that fateful day I will simply hit pause a few times to point out a particularly critical moment when Jesus speaks. It’s important that you find these moments that are important to you personally because I’m going to ask you to do

As we move into Chapter 18 the darkness of John’s Gospel becomes profound. The darkness of the night contextualizing the darkness of the content. We stand in the shadows of Gethsemane – a small olive grove just outside the city of Jerusalem. This is a place that scripture tells us that Jesus came often to pray. The solitude of this walled garden must have been a welcome retreat from the crowds that accompanied His every step. In bold contrast the theme of John’s Gospel comes into full relief as he describes the escalating conflict between two kingdoms. From the earliest lines of his Gospel John describes the two kingdoms that are in conflict.

Jesus and His disciples have made it to the edge of the city likely standing just outside the gates of Jerusalem in the gathering shadows of the cross. He is on His way to Gethsemane where He will pray alone – in words so fervent that his sweat will fall as drops of blood upon the ground. John gives no account of those moments in the garden where he sleeps while Jesus prays. He does however give us what no other Gospel writer does – a glimpse into the heart of Jesus prayers for His followers then and now. Contained in the 17th chapter of John is what is often called Jesus High Priestly Prayer. The prayer of the Rabbi for His disciples, the prayer of the Shepherd for His sheep, the Prayer of the Father for His children, the prayer of the master for His friends.

Jesus answers the "How" question that his disciples are wrestling with. "How" do we deal with the persecution to come to Christians? Jesus outlines three POWERFUL resurrection outcomes to combat persecution (Holy Spirit, Joy, & Prayer)

Jesus lovingly explains to his disciples why they are "guilty by association" and therefore they should expect persecution to come.

Leaving the upper room, eleven disciples and Jesus walk through the darkened streets of Jerusalem. As Jesus walks slowly down the dusty streets toward the eastern gate of the city, He knows that His time is at hand. Judas has gone for his silver. Eighteen hours from now Jesus will lay Himself on a cross and give Himself for us. Gethsemane awaits Him and apparently, as He walks he shares His heart with His disciples. Perhaps stopping along the way to teach as he passes a familiar spot. “You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit and that your fruit would remain…”

Have you ever been lost? What did it feel like? I remember vividly when I was just a small child getting lost at the State Fair. I remember running into the arms of my father. That’s what John 14 is all about. After spending a week meditating on this passage of scripture I am convinced that I could spend many weeks covering the details of each verse but in doing so I am afraid we would miss the forest for the trees. There are at least 7 or 8 possible sermons in this sequence of scriptures. I want today to look at this scripture as I believe John meant it – an answer to an honest and fearful question. Lord we do not know where you are going, how do we know the way? Thomas verbalizes what all the other disciples are feeling. For 3 years they have followed Jesus. Every day they have spent as He order them. Jesus was their leader – their Rabbi – their Lord. Now it’s obvious that He is going somewhere and everything is going to change. For 3 years they have known where to go and what to do because Jesus has been w