Philippians 2:19-30 "Better Than Facebook Friends"

Resound
August 14, 2011

Bryne Palmer

Better Than Facebook Friends

Philippians 2:19-30

-Proverbs 17:17- -Proverbs 18:24- -Proverbs 27:6- If we choose to follow Christ with everything we’ve got, that includes our friends. Friends have a major influence on your life.

1.       Fair-weather Friends Vs. 21

When you wanna know what a good friend looks like Paul will show what a bad friend looks like. Vs. 21 a fair-weather friend only sticks around when times are good. A true friend sticks by always. (Paul was in jail for two years and can speak from experience about friendship)What a good friend doesn’t look like: Me monster, fun in the moment when it’s what they want to do, they don’t care about others. A good friend is someone like Timothy who helps you in your walk. Fair-weather friends will draw you away and make your walk harder.

2.       A Faithful Friend VS 22-27

Surround yourself with these people.

a)      Genuine concern for you

Your wellbeing and your walk with Christ.

b)      Friends will serve with you VS 22

They go through stuff with you.

c)       They have a common goal with you

Your main goal should be Christ. Don’t disown the world but be careful what/who influences you.

d)      They will go the extra mile for you.

They will take time for you, they want to see good things for you.

               We want to influence the world and out worldly friends but we don’t want/need to influence us. The kinds of people Paul had in his life are the kinds of people we should have too.

3.       Fellowship Vs. 28-29

This should be a joyous thing, having a desire for fellowship and these people. Paul’s friendship blueprint is Jesus. 

Mark 8:22-30

Resound
August 12, 2011

Bryne Palmer

Mark 8:22-30

There are two Caesarea’s and this particular town Caesarea Philippi is another paganville town, they worshiped a lot of Greek gods. Who do you think this town thought Jesus was? What do you hear about Jesus from the people you’re around daily? The world says He’s a nice guy, crazy, liar, etc.  But who do you say He is? Who He said He was: the Savior. What different religions say about Jesus: Hindus – everything is God; Islam – Jesus was just a prophet; Buddhists – Jesus and Buddha are the same; Atheists – Jesus was just a crazy man.

Caesarea’s Philippi was just like our world today, they had all kinds of different beliefs, similar to our beliefs today. Who is Jesus? And what does that mean to you?

VS 22-27 They’re in Bethsaida, back in Churchville. He gives this man special attention, HE takes him by the hand and brings him outside the town and gives him special attention. VS 24 maybe He only heals him halfway at first to test his faith, to see is he’d stick around and pursue Him. He does stick around and VS 25 his vision is fully restored.

If you’re searching for Christ your vision is still blurry. Until you believe in Him and trust Him your vision won’t become clear.

Philippians 2:12-18 "Life Application"

Resound
August 7, 2011

Bryne Palmer

Life (App)lication

Philippians 2:12-18

Lemmings (like little hamsters) are known for following the crowd. We’re all lemmings. They are known for running and jumping off cliffs (when trying to migrate somewhere). That’s us,  we’re living in sin, running and jumping off a cliff. –Romans 3:23-

1.       iWork Vs 12-13

He’s encouraging them to continue to obey even though he’s not there with them. Don’t do the things that you do in secret. “Just because I (Paul) am not around doesn’t mean you should act any different.” We should be mindful and do the same, just because God isn’t physically here with us doesn’t mean we should act any different (plus He’s omnipresent so He’s always with you). He’s also telling them to work and grow in their salvation. You don’t have to work for your salvation because it has been given to you as a gift. But you need to work on your salvation with fear and trembling (work on being a better Christian, work with God’s strength).  When you receive salvation it’s like going from Morris Code to an iPhone. You’d spend time figuring out what your new phone would do, do the same thing with your salvation. Fear and trembling – He’s there with you working it out.

2.       iDifferent Vs 14-16

If you claim to be a follower and not a fan, you’re different, so act like it. We’re all lemmings running toward a cliff, PCs with viruses popping up every day, but Christ came to save us, we don’t have to run toward the cliff, we can be a Mac.

How can we be different?

a)      Don’t grumble or dispute

That’s what everyone does; it’s easy to do that, so don’t. Live for the glory of God, be different, turn the other cheek.

b)      Be blameless and innocent

Don’t cause trouble just because, stay out of it. Be above reproach, be different.

c)       Be God’s children

Be different, be a light amongst the dark world.

d)      Hold fast to God’s word

Trends and things change but God and His word is unchangeable. Verse 13 we are called to do this because out God is different. –Isaiah 44:6- -John 1:11-14- Our God wanted to hang out with us, what other God does that? Especially to come from Heaven to earth willingly. Our God is different so be different then everybody else, mirror Him. We are different so act like it.

3.       iRejoice Vs 17-18

People get excited about things of this world (and sometime line up for days for it, like a game or movie), we should have an excitement that is bigger than that!