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Scripture: Philippians 4:10 – 23 Listen Link: www.lcepc.org then look for “sermons” tab. We have just finished reading the book of Philippians. We took ten Sundays to do it. Now at the very end, Paul really is wrapping things up and getting ready to say good-bye. I said at the beginning that Paul wrote this letter largely in the form of a thank you letter from a missionary being supported by this church at Philippi. In the first few verses of this last section we see it clearly, “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.” He means when Epaphroditus showed up with some gifts for supporting Paul in his work. And Paul apparently excuses them for what was probably a long time between Epaphroditus’ arrival and the gift they gave him before that. He said he understands that they wanted to but couldn’t when he said, “Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.” Paul also wanted to reassure them that God had also supplied, and h...

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-9 Listen link: www.lcepc.org then look for “sermons” tab. How would you like to have someone else air your dirty laundry in public? You’re all familiar with that phrase, right? It means to bring out into the open some actions or attitudes that make you look bad, or at least a little less than the congenial impression you hope to make in social settings. It’s embarrassing. I remember one time when I was a very new Christian, going to night school to make up some credits and demonstrate my readiness to return to college. I was in a class that was all about conflict management. We had an assignment to talk about a real conflict that we had experienced or were experiencing. As it happened, this was shortly after a class project that involved having us work together in small groups and I had experienced a little conflict with one of my classmates that I felt was unresolved. I’m sure I had read the gospel teaching about being a peacemaker. I wanted to re...

Scripture: Philippians 3:15-4:1 Listen Link: Listen link: www.lcepc.org then look for “sermons” tab. Are you living a life worth copying? Are you living a great life that people would admire? Are you living a great life? I know, humble people find it hard to answer these questions in the affirmative. We are aware of our faults and sins. So, we do not think of ourselves more highly than we ought. But if “more highly than you ought” is what you are not supposed to do, doesn’t that mean that you are supposed to think of yourself as highly as you ought to as highly as you realistically can? I think you are supposed to think of yourself as highly as is correct. And for most of you, you are underestimating your value in the kingdom of God. In clothing, one spot on the front of your shirt that you just can’t wash out can ruin that shirt for public appearances. And we tend to treat ourselves like that. One bad spot on your record and you tend to think you’re good for nothing. But th...