The Apostle's Affection

Philippians 1:7-11

7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

NOTE 1:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

The Apostle’s Affection— Pastor Trey Russell
Philippians 1:7-11
Sermon Series: Stand Alone
August 15, 2021

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why is it significant that Paul’s affection toward the Philippians is the result of a resolved mindset? And why is this necessary to produce real, biblical fellowship?
2.   What language does Paul use to express the depth of his affection and how does this illustrate his “gushing Christology?”
3.   In what ways do you have this level of affection for other Christians? As you reflect, is Paul’s affection for the Philippians convicting? How?
4.   How does Paul and the Philippians’ relationship put them engaged in the gospel together? For us, what is the effect of gospel engagement on our relationships?
5.   In his prayer, why does Paul link knowledge and discernment with love? What happens when love is not rightly tethered in this way?
6.   How does the close of Paul’s prayer illustrate that both our horizontal (to one another) and vertical (to God) relationships are ultimately for God’s glory?

References: Phil. 2:12-13; 2:5; 3:19; 4:2; 4:10; Acts 1:18; Phil. 1:29-30; Rom. 10:2.

Praise the Lord!

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Psalm 148 - 150

PSALM 148 Praise the Name of the Lord
1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! 3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created. 6 And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, 8 fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! 9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! 10 Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! 11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! 12 Young men and maidens together, old men and children! 13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. 14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord!
PSALM 149 Sing to the Lord a new song
1 Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! 2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! 3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! 4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. 5 Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, 7 to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, 9 to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the Lord!
PSALM 150 Let Everything Praise the Lord
1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

NOTE 1:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Praise the Lord! — Pastor Trey Russell
Psalms 148 - 150
Sermon Series: Stand Alone
March 7, 2021

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1. Do you find your life to be more disoriented than it was this time last year?  In what way? To what ought we be oriented?
2. Does understanding the glory of God as the ultimate end of all things change the way you think about everyday life?  How?
3. How does knowing that God delights in his people help us to die to the law and live by the Spirit?
4. What hope does this text give to those who feel afflicted or lowly?
5. Are there parts of your life not clearly oriented toward the praise of God?  What does it look like to properly orient those areas?

The Peace-Making Lord of Hosts, God of Jacob

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Psalm 46:1-11

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

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NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

The Peace-Making Lord of Hosts, God of Jacob — Pastor Trey Russell
Psalm 46:1-11
Sermon Series: Stand Alone
July 12, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1) In what ways does this psalm show God as a peace-maker?
2) In your experience, how do you feel the groaning of creation? What is the nature of God that gives us hope in the face of this groaning creation?
3) How should we treat the exhortation to not fear when we live in a world that is often fear-inducing?
4) Discuss the title "Lord of hosts". Why and how does God make peace among the nations?
5) How does the title "God of Jacob" push us to think of the covenant and how does this help us see Jesus in the psalm?
6) Bonus Question: discuss the connections between Psalm 46 and Romans 8:18-39.