Philippians 2:6-7 - The Emptying of Self

What does it mean to be a Christian? Is believing in Christ enough? (It's a trick question)

To be a Christian includes (but is not limited to) being in agreement with the Christian faith in what it has historically taught about Jesus.

To put it crassly: Herod believed in Jesus. Pilate believed in Jesus. Barabbas believed in Jesus. Judas Iscariot believed in Jesus.

But did they really?

What we believe about Jesus is vital. As Christians we believe in the Jesus of the gospels--the Jesus preached by the apostles. What this is, is in part defined by the "Hymn to Christ" found in Philippians 2:6-11. In this study we get further into the "Hymn to Christ" and learn more about the doctrine of Christ. We also see how that informs our view of God as Trinity and why we insist that a belief in the Trinity is necessary for Christian orthodoxy.

So the Hymn to Christ begins with the pre-existence of Christ as God. Then it says he emptied himself. What does that mean? Why does it matter to us? Why did Paul think it important to include in his letter to the Philippians? Can theology this deep possibly be practical? Take a listen to the next in our informal, verse-by-verse studies through Philippians. You will be blessed.

Click here to listen: Philippians 2:6-7 - The Emptying of Self

Philippians 2:1-6 - Jesus is God

Continuing our verse by verse exposition of the book of Philippians we come across one of the most widely known portions of the book, perhaps one of the most widely known passages in all of Paul's writings. It has been called "The Hymn to Christ." Most modern scholars think that Paul is quoting from an ancient hymn sung by Christians in the early church. The hymn starts in verse six of Philippians chapter two and goes down through verse eleven. It is poetically beautiful and theologically meaty.

Who is Jesus and what did the early church believe about him? Why is that important to us? And what does this passage say to the idea that some have proposed that the early church really did not believe in the deity of Christ, that this was an idea that came along later? We delve into this passage in this lesson, and though we don't get far, I believe it will be worth your time. Good theology both secures our faith through our mind and inspires awe and love of God in our hearts. Take a listen and be blessed.

Just click here:  Philippians 2:1-6 - Jesus Is God

Psalm 23 - The Shepherd Psalm

Psalm 23 contains one of the most well-known poems in all of literature. It is certainly one of the most famous passages in the Bible. It appears on the pamphlet of just about every funeral I attend, and I attend more than a few. Psalm. 23 is famous and beloved and for good reason. It tells of the care the great shepherd exercises over his sheep.

I preached a sermon from this psalm on Sunday, July 17, at the Winnsboro Reformed Church. In the sermon I talk about the Christian life and the Christian death and what this psalm has to say about them. I also point out how the psalm points to Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd of the sheep.

Click here to listen: Psalm 23 - The Shepherd Psalm

Philippians 2:1-4 - The Virtue of Humility

Humility used to be considered virtuous in our culture, but no longer. Today's western society promotes things like "self-esteem", "loving yourself", or even blatant pride. Promoting oneself has become a virtue and humility is shunned. The ancient Romans were like this as well. To them, humility equaled humiliation and humiliation was shameful.

But when Paul wrote to the Roman citizen-saints at Philippi he offered them the virtue of humility as a cure for the division and strife and self-promotion that was rampant in their church.

This is the audio from a Wednesday night bible study at the Winnsboro Reformed Church. The lessons are informal and the setting is a small group. There is some discussion and/or comments that take place. To listen in just click the link below. The link will take you to Soundcloud where you can stream the recording or download it for listening later. God bless.

Click here to listen: Humility - Philippians 2:1-4

Psalm 22 - The Psalm of the Forsaken

I preached two sermons from this psalm. Both are short. The first was twenty minutes, the second was twenty-two. The first sermon covered the first twenty-one verses and the second one covered the last ten. Both are linked below.

Psalm 22 is an amazing account of the crucifixion of Christ, written through David's experience of feeling forsaken of God. It starts out with Christ's famous first cry from the cross and ends with a proclamation of the world-wide future effects of what he accomplished there. I called the two sermons "The Agony of the Forsaken" and "The Victory of the Forsaken."

I hope that as you listen to the sermons the Spirit of God will work graciously in you, turning your heart toward him, and inspiring true worship. God bless you.

Sermon 1: The Agony of the Forsaken

Sermon 2: The Victory of the Forsaken

Living Worthy of the Gospel - Philippians 1:27-30

When Paul writes to the church at Philippi he writes as a Roman citizen to Roman citizens. While doing so he reminds them of their higher citizenship. They are citizens of a better country he tells them at the end of chapter three. Here at the end of chapter one he uses the same language, but in our English translations it is usually rendered as something like "manner of life" rather than citizenship.

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ,--Philippians 1:27a (ESV)

What does living out our heavenly citizenship in a way that is worthy of the gospel mean? What does it look like in practice? What will it cost? Are we ready to pay that cost?

In verse 29, Paul tells them of two gracious gifts they have been granted by God. The first is faith. They are believers because God graciously gave them that gift. The second is suffering for his name's sake. They are doubly blessed!

To hear the audio of the Bible study from this passage click here: Living Worthy of the Gospel - Philippians 1:27-30

May the Lord bless the hearing of his word.

Psalm 21 - Victory Is of the Lord

Psalm 21 is the sequel to Psalm 20. The twentieth psalm was the prayer prayed over David before he went out to battle. The twenty-first psalm was the praise sung to God upon the victorious return of the king.

O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices,

and in your salvation how greatly he exults!

While its historical usage is interesting, what does the psalm say to the people of God today? What may we learn about God from it and how does it point to Christ? These questions are answered in the sermon I preached from this text on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at the Winnsboro Reformed Church in Winnsboro, Texas. Just click on the link and have a listen.

Click here: Psalm 21 - Victory Is of the Lord

What Does Living For Christ Look Like?--Philippians 1:21-26

In Philippians 1:21 Paul gives his credo for life.

For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

But what does living for Christ really look like? What is the Christ-life, practically speaking? That's the topic Paul gives us in these six verses of Philippians chapter one,  and that's what we try to answer in this informal bible study in a small group setting.

The audio is found here: Philippians 1:21-26

Just click the link and it will take you to the page where you can listen. God bless.