Legalism: A Thief of Joy

The Joy of Brotherhood in the Church

This 7/5/26 sermon from Mike Gowens is based on Philippians 4:1 and is message #27 in the Exposition of Philippians series. The apostle's warm, pastoral heart is on full display as he writes to the church at Philippi, especially in this text. Gowens develops the holy fraternity that is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, a relationship unlike anything this world might duplicate.

Christian Fatherhood

On Sunday, 6/21/26, Elder Gowens considers two texts addressing the family "father" -- Ephesians 6:4 & Colossians 3:21. He insists that leading a family should be a distinctively "Christian" endeavor, that is, that fatherhood should be informed and shaped by the gospel message. Gowens offers a list of ways in which fathers might engender frustration and discouragement in a child, as well as practical helps to fulfill the calling to have a Christian influence on that child.

Citizens of Heaven, Yet Residents of Earth

This 6/7/26 sermon by Mike Gowens is based on Philippians 3:17-21 and is #26 in the "Exposition of Philippians" study. Using the fact that Philippi was a Roman colony although a distance of 800 miles separated the capital city from its Greek city-state, Paul reminds the saints of the need to think of our lives in this world in terms of our heavenly home, and to prioritize that ultimate, political reality in the way we think about the present life.

Running for the Prize

The 5/31/26 message by Mike Gowens is #25 in the "Exposition of Philippians" series, and is based on Philippians 3:8-14. Gowens develops Paul's metaphor of the athlete that strains for the goal as a metaphor of the Christian life. The entire passage emphasizes the importance of focus, self-discipline and strenuous effort in living the life of discipleship.

Paul's Ambition to Know Jesus Christ

This 5/24/26 sermon by Michael Gowens is #24 in the Philippian series. It is based on Phi. 3:7-10. Paul's language reveals his personal passion and ambition. Gowens elaborates on the impropriety of ambition if it is self-centered and self-promoting, but argues that when a deeper knowledge of Christ and conformity to Him is the goal, it is not only a proper, but essential personal trait.