“Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit
which increases to your account.”   
Philippians 4:17

Are you living the good life? People define it differently, but everybody wants to live the good life.

What if God provides clear guidelines for how to do this? What if it’s possible to live a life that not only pleases God but is truly best for your happiness and the good of others?

At the end of Philippians, Paul shares a secret — how to live the good life. It’s a simple secret; yet stunningly counterintuitive to what we might think the good life is. It’s an unexpected path to the REAL good life. 

"What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:9

Jesus' definition of PEACE is very different from ours.

On his way to the Cross, Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.” (Jn 14:27)

Most of us think of peace as the absence of conflict. But that’s incomplete. It causes us to aim for coexistence rather than community, and it pushes us towards isolation rather than intimacy.

God’s Peace (the Peace that Jesus promised) is totally different…

It’s the whole and complete harmony of God at work in our lives…

It’s the way things ought to be.

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”
Philippians 3:20

I think the best word in this verse is the word “IS”.

It re-frames the conversation around heaven, and it clears up some confusion along the way:
1. It changes how we think about our future. There’s no more, “will I be good enough to make the cut?” It tells us that, through Jesus, we have complete assurance of our salvation. Period.
2. It changes how we live in the present. Here and now, we walk as citizens of God’s Kingdom and ambassadors to this world.

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” Phil 3:7

Paul thought he had it all…
He looked the right way,
Came from the right place,
Had the right pedigree,
Spoke the right language,
Made the best grades,
Had the most drive,
And acted the right way.
…and in the end realized it was all a bunch of garbage in comparison to Jesus.

“For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” -
Philippians 2:21

So, what exactly are the interests of Jesus?

Most of us think (whether we admit it or not) the thing Jesus is most interested in is US. I mean, what’s more interesting than us, right?

The (shocking) truth is, we’re not at the center of Jesus’ universe. However, He should be at the center of ours.

Learn more this week as we dive into Philippians 2:19-30.

"Even if I am poured out like a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you." Phil. 2:17

Obedience. Every Christian's favorite word! In Philippians 2:12-18, Paul follows up his hymn of praise for the obedience of Christ on the cross (1:8), with the call for believers to live lives of obedience. The good news is that because Christ has led the way for us, and because he is with us, Obedience is not a painful duty or mindless obligation. Instead it is nothing less than the only path to Freedom and Joy.

“Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose”-

Philippians 2:2

JOY is a major theme in the book of Philippians. But joy can be a bit abstract. We know the basic idea behind it, but where do we find it? How do we hold onto it? How come it’s so easily misplaced?

This Sunday is all about joy…

its source,
its enemy
how it’s completed,
...and how it advances our lives.

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ” Phil.1:27a

The Gospel of Jesus Christ simultaneously brings two truths into clear focus:

1. We’re way worse than we every could have imagined and there’s nothing WE can do about it.

-but yet, at the very same time-

2. We’re way more loved that we could ever dream of and Jesus has done EVERYTHING for us.

It’s terribly offensive and yet completely wonderful all at the same time. AND IN RESPONSE, IT CHANGES EVERYTHING ABOUT HOW WE LIVE HERE AND NOW.

"I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel” Philippians 1:12

There's only one faith in the world that:

1. Places God at the center of life, rather than us.
2. Promises eternal salvation through God’s grace, rather than our own good works.
3. Provides the means by which our work can be long-lasting, fruit-filled, and joy-producing.

"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel“ -

Philippians 1:4-5a

Among people in the world there can be togetherness, cooperation, teamwork, and sometimes even harmony, but ONENESS is different. As we’ll see in Philippians, it’s a gift from God. It comes to us in the Gospel. It’s a real miracle. It’s part of the great adventure we were all made for. And when there’s oneness in the church, Jesus is made known, people take notice, and God is glorified.