What I Have Learned Amid a Pandemic
Notes
Transcript
Where have I been the last 15 months?
I was here preaching last February and spoke at youth camp last July. Taught another school year Which was probably the wildest one yet. Noah started martial arts and Tanner started high school.
We lost a friend to COVID complications, had friends have lasting complications and some hardly anything at all. Our family even got it in October. When we ask where is God in all this I am reminded of Jesus’ personal letter to Smyrna in the book of Revelation.
A Journey Through Philippians
A Journey Through Philippians
Key Themes from ESV Study Bible.
Christians need to keep making progress in their lives.
A proper spiritual outlook is critical for progress in the faith.
Christ is the ultimate model of loving and faithful service to God, and mature Christians also serve as role models in this regard.
Suffering will come, but through faith it can be met with joy.
Prayer is crucial for maintaining a joyful Christian life.
The gospel is not individualistic: Christians are to share in rich fellowship and be united together to promote the gospel.
What Was Said To Me.
What Was Said To Me.
There are just some things from the past year I hope never to do again or at least under similar circumstances.
If you’ve had multiple jobs, you’ll know what I mean. God has designed us to handle different stresses differently.
Some verses I wish applied less this year:
Some verses I wish applied less this year:
Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
Seriously. This year existed so I could complain. And we have all seen the disputing on TV too.
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
We use verse 13 and a way to do all the things we deem great; however, half the time (or more this year) this verse is for those going through the terrible times.
What I Wanted to Say Back.
What I Wanted to Say Back.
I’ve wanted to be bold and say things back as well. Sometimes out of frustration and others out of a desire for unity. Both, although sometimes correct, we’re still out of a selfish attitude.
There has been unrest at home (2 boys home for so long), work, sometimes church, and of course, our nation.
Some verses I wish were applied more this year:
Some verses I wish were applied more this year:
complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
But of course this has often times been birthed from my own selfish attitude.
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
Yes, this one is selfish too. I want to tell people to stop arguing and enjoy the fact that Jesus died for you. Yes, that comes from a selfish attitude too.
What God Says About You.
What God Says About You.
How God has united them both:
How God has united them both:
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Our spiritual growth is actually dependent upon what God has begun in us and what He will do to complete that work. We are the vessel in which God is able to accomplish his will. Will you be a willing vessel? It goes back to my first two points. Have we listened to what people have said to us or have we listened to only what we deem necessary? God wants both people groups and the individual to be united for his common goal. This is the beauty in the church. We are all different, yet have a common goal that God will accomplish in and through us.
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
What this is saying is the God has both the DESIRE (will) and ABILITY (work) to do this in you. When you feel like you can’t, don’t have enough energy or any other excuse, don’t worry because it is not up to you. Just be available to be used. Now read verse 2:14 in context.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
We need to be reminded to have a complete, world changing approach. In fact, it is not this world that should determine who we are. So how does this mentality alter our outlook? How can we act like citizens of heaven moving forward? We have seen the varying types of Americans this past year. Now the challenge becomes: How can Heavenly citizens be unique, but allow God to move in and through them for a common cause?
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Peace is a byproduct of personal choices in verses 4-6. We have something to offer God. It is not easy and that is why Paul is having to write this encouraging letter to the Philippians. We can’t do it on our own. We need God (that’s a given), but we also need each other. Now let’s read verses 8-9. We are to “think” and “practice” the items on this list. It will be different for each one of us, but unity should be present. When unity is lacking, we go back to what we have been reminded of today. God will work with you and through you because he has the desire and ability.
In closing, my prayer is that all of you may take these words and apply them appropriately in your life through the next year and beyond.