Rejoice in the Lord

Pressing Toward the Prize

Introduction Sometimes we assume that the apostle Paul lived on a completely different spiritual level than the rest of us. We imagine him as a kind of spiritual giant who had already figured everything out. If anyone had “arrived,” surely it was Paul. But in Philippians 3 , Paul shatters that assumption.…

Joseph Part 5: Judah and Tamar

Judah and Tamar This story, for many people, when you read it, you're just like, "What is this doing here?" And that is on purpose. It's a riddle. And the more you meditate on it and the more you meditate on the relationship between the shared words and images with the narratives on either side, backwards…

Rejoice in the Lord

Introduction: A Command and a Warning As Paul turns into chapter 3 of Philippians, he writes, “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.” That word “finally” does not mean he is finished. It signals a shift. He is moving from the example of Christ’s humility in chapter 2 to a serious warning in chapter…

Joseph Part 4: Down into the Pit

Down Into the Pit The scene that we were just in was about how Joseph is betrayed by all the brothers, including Abraham's other sons, but especially Judah, that snake, and his really self-oriented betrayal of his brother. He's after a quick 20 shekels. We're gonna pick up in verse 29 and shift back…

The Mind of Christ in the Life of a Mother

Introduction Mother’s Day can stir up many emotions. For some, it is a day of gratitude and celebration. For others, it carries grief, loss, longing, or complicated memories. Some are exhausted in the middle of parenting. Some are praying for children who have wandered. Some are grieving children they…