“And a child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11:6 Our 7-year old, Peter Bjorn, made this precious cityscape that really caught my eye. It reminds me of a passage from Philippians. Followers of Jesus are called to cultivate a countercultural way of life that sets us apart from “a world of corrupt and sinful people.” Paul calls … More Peter Bjorn: Shining Like a Star (and van Gogh)
The guy must be nuts! Look at him sitting there on a hard dirt floor, the smell of human waste thick in the air, hands raised to the sky with big smile beaming from ear to ear as he prays to his god! I can’t make any sense of it. … More Sermon: Paul’s Secret
We’re celebrating that annual family tradition where I lie on the couch and watch cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies while Keri addresses and stamps Christmas cards to get in the mail. I’m embarrassed to admit how many of the Christmas letters people send never make it into my hands. (Keri reads them all and throws a … More Sermon: Paul’s Xmas Letter
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God … More Christ Hymn 3 (Phil 2:5-11)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God … More Christ Hymn 2 (Phil 2:5-11)
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…” or “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Phil. 2:5) Have you ever tried putting together a puzzle without having the box cover to show you what the finished product is supposed to look like? Without the cover picture we … More Christ Hymn 1 (Phil 2:5)
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Phil 4:23). Paul begins with “grace” (1:2), and ends with “grace.” The gracious love of the Lord Jesus was the joy of his heart. For Paul, grace was the name of his game. Grace was the blood running through his veins. Grace was the … More PHILIPPIANS 34: Evening Grace (4:23)
After pushing ‘pause’ for about 8 years, I finally concluded my reflections on the entire Book of Philippians recently. I’ll share the last few parts in the days ahead. See rest of the series here. “How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for … More PHILIPPIANS 33: The Secret (4:10-19)
Christianity Today (September ’16) featured the findings of a LifeWay Research survey that asked 2,000 people who do NOT attend church what would draw them to one. The results were revealing: Skye Jethani, on the Phil Vischer Podcast, insightfully asked the following question while discussing this survey: What does it say about our deepest concerns and highest … More A Non-Anxious Presence in an Anxious World
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Phil 4:8-9). … More PHILIPPIANS 32: Think On These Things (4:8-9)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds … More PHILIPPIANS 31: Don’t Worry, Be Happy (4:4-7)
“Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at … More PHILIPPIANS 30: I Plead with You Whom I Love (4:1-3)
“Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their … More PHILIPPIANS 29: Follow My Example (3:17-21)
“Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.” (Phil 3:16). There is a lot going on in this single verse. Paul is summing up a long, sustained … More PHILIPPIANS 28: Growing into Spiritual Adulthood (3:16)
“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my … More PHILIPPIANS 27: No Turning Back Now (3:12-15)
“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead. I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have … More PHILIPPIANS 26: My Interview with Apostle Paul (3:10-12)
“Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be … More PHILIPPIANS 25: Basketball and Dog Dung (3:8-9)
“We couldn’t carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it—even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree: a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God’s law; a fiery defender … More PHILIPPIANS 24: Religious Badges for Boasting (3:5-7)
“Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. For we who worship by the Spirit of God are … More PHILIPPIANS 23: Rely on Christ, Not Human Effort (3:1-4)
“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know … More PHILIPPIANS 22: Everything “in the Lord” (2:19-30)
“Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful … More PHILIPPIANS 21: Running in Vain (2:16-18)
Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights amidst a crooked and perverse generation. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in … More PHILIPPIANS 20: Shine Like Stars (2:14-16)
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Phil 2:12-13). I recently went whitewater rafting down the … More PHILIPPIANS 19: Row, Row, Row Your Boat (2:12-13)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God … More PHILIPPIANS 18: Christ Hymn 2 (Phil 2:5-11)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God … More PHILIPPIANS 17: Christ Hymn 1 (Phil 2:5-11)
Jeremy L. Berg 