By Grace Alone

Last night I preached about preaching. Specifically from Philippians 1:15 where Paul says “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.” (ESV). Today I was reading a post from a fellow Oklahoma Pastor Wade Burelson who has been in the spotlight because of issues in the IMB. I have been quietly (though sometimes biting my tongue) following all that has happened to Wade because of the IMB issues.

I think that today’s post was an example of a man preaching not from envy or rivalry but from good will. I recommend all Pastor/Teachers everyone read and adopt the attitude of Wade Burleson’s latest post here: Grace and Truth to You: Warning: This Post Is Not for the Faint of Heart.

Also, we should rejoice as the Apostle Paul does in the fact that we have been called out for such a day as this. ”What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,” (Philippians 1:18, ESV). May we work togther to help and heal our wounded, expose those who are working for selfish gain, and rejoice that this amazing Gospel of the grace of our God is being proclaimed whether in pretense or in truth! 

 

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Christians are sometimes hindrances to the spread of the gospel. Paul says “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.” (Philippians 1:15, ESV). But he goes on and says “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,” (Philippians 1:18, ESV). May we all have this attitude that Paul had in the face of opposition.   

 

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All Sermons in the Series “Life of Joy in Christ”

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I normally don’t post video’s from NBC’s ER but this clip speaks volumes about deception of post-modernism. It shows the need for real Pastors to speak the real truth found only in our God and in His Word the Holy Bible. Watch it all the way to the end.

Photo Courtesy of Carol J. Phipps

I found this list in Willmington’s Book of Bible Lists when I was finishing up a sermon on Philippians 1:12. I found it to be right on. What do you think? Download the verses in the ESV here (Verses for 25 Reasons Christians Suffer).

25 Reasons Christians Suffer 

1. To produce the fruit of patience (Rom. 5:3; James 1:3-4; Heb. 10:36)

2. To produce the fruit of joy (Ps. 30:5; 126:5-6)

3. To produce the fruit of maturity (Eccles. 7:3; 1 Pet. 5:10)

4. To produce the fruit of righteousness (Heb. 12:11)

5. To silence the devil (Job 1:9, 10, 20-22)

6. To teach us (Ps. 119:67, 71)

7. To purify our lives (Job 23:10; Ps. 66:10-12; Isa. 1:25; 48:10; Prov. 17:3; 1 Pet. 1:7)

8. To make us like Christ (Heb. 12:9, 10; 1 Pet. 4:12-13; Phil. 3:10; 2 Cor. 4:7-10)

9. To glorify God (Ps. 50:15; John 9:1-3; 11:1-4; 21:18-19; Phil. 1:19-20)

10. To prevent us from sinning (2 Cor. 12:7, 9-10)

11. To make us confess when we do sin (Judg. 10:6-7, 15-16; Ps. 32:3-5; Hos. 5:15; 6:1)

12. To chasten us for our sin (1 Pet. 4:17)

13. To prove our sonship (Heb. 12:5-6)

14. To reveal ourselves to ourselves (Job 42:6; Luke 15:18)

15. To help our prayer life (Isa. 26:16)

16. To become an example to others (2 Cor. 6:4-5; 1 Thess. 1:6-7)

17. To qualify us as counselors (Rom. 12:15; Gal. 6:2; 2 Cor. 1:3-5)

18. To further the gospel witness (Acts 8:1-5; 16:25-34; Phil. 1:12-13; 2 Tim. 4:6-8, 16-17)

19. To make us more than conquerors (2 Cor. 2:14; Rom. 8:35, 37)

20. To give us insight into God?s nature (Job 42:5; Rom. 8:14-15, 18)

21. To drive us closer to God (1 Pet. 4:14; 2 Cor. 12:10)

22. To prepare us for a greater ministry (1 Kings 17-18; John 12:24)

23. To provide for us a reward (Matt. 5:10-12; 19:27-29; Rom. 8:16-17; 2 Cor. 4:17)

24. To prepare us for the kingdom (2 Thess. 1:5; 2 Tim. 2:12)

25. To show God’s sovereignty (Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 10:13; Ps. 66:10-12; Gen. 45:5-8; 50:20)

Willmington, H.L.: Willmington’s Book of Bible Lists. Wheaton, IL : Tyndale, 1987, S. 318

I ran across these messages from a 2004 Singles Conference. These are incredible and I am going to see about incorporating them into premarital counseling. If you haven’t heard them they are good for all to hear both single and married.

 http://www.narel.org/

Blessings
Jeff