New Life Community Church, Atwater, CA

The Shining: Shining like Stars in the Sky Philippians 4:10-13 #7 The Secret to Shining

The world is dark, and our present circumstances can be hard, so how can we

shine like stars in the night sky? As we wrap up the letter to the Philippians today (and conclude the series), Paul reveals the “secret ingredient” for a life that exudes the light of Jesus shining through us.

The Shining: Shining like Stars in the Sky Philippians 4:4-7 #6 Anxiety, Peace and a Thankful Heart

There are a couple of facts that are unavoidable: #1 Life is filled with uncertainties and #2 uncertainty can cause anxiety. The world’s response to anxiety is to pursue certainty, but because of fact #1, those attempts will ultimately fail. Paul offers a different path in the fourth chapter of Philippians, one that will in fact lead to peace.

Philippians 3: 1-11 #5 The Heart of the Matter

Our ability to shine will always come down to how we allow Jesus to be seen in and through us. Still, it is tempting to want to be noticed, to have one’s worth affirmed, to have our accomplishments recognized by the world around us. Paul notes that despite all our many attempts at goodness, there is really only one thing that matters.

The Shining: Shining like Stars in the Sky Philippians 2: 12-18 #4 Grumblin’, Rumblin’ & Stumblin’

Our ability to shine will always come down to how we follow Jesus, allowing Him to be seen in and through us. Some of the more difficult barriers to overcome are a number of very common habits that are deeply ingrained in us.

The Shining: Shining like Stars in the Sky Philippians 2:1-11 #3 The (humble) way

Because of the law of gravity, we say “What goes up, must come down”. Paul describes a spiritual law of getting to where God wants you to be, via the path of humility. As we read the second chapter of Philippians today, let’s finish this together: “What goes down….”

The Shining: Shining like Stars in the Sky Philippians 1:12-21 & 27

We all have difficult times and deal with difficult people, yet we are invited to  "shine like the stars in the night sky".  Paul, writing from prison, to the church in Philippi about their struggles, noted how to navigate such times without losing our "shine".

The Shining: Shining like Stars in the Sky Philippians 1:1-11 #1 “First Impressions”

Paul’s letter to the Philippians (which we open today) was written to Jesus’ followers living in the dark world. Rather than to give in to despair, Paul invites the church to experience the Joy of life in Christ and to shine that light into the darkness.

Our world, so many years removed from Paul’s day, remains dark, but his invitation to us remains. Today we begin to explore this call to “shine like stars in the night sky”.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHURCH! I Chronicles 16: 31-34

Happy Birthday Church! Today we mark the 25th birthday of New Life Community Church!  Through it all, the ups and downs of life together, one thing remains certain: God is faithful! So today we offer thanks for His goodness to us, and for His hand that continues to guide us. We join with the ancients and proclaim: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”

Guest Pastor Kevin Borges Sermon Scriptures: John 21:12-19, Luke 22:31-33

Good morning Church,

Thank you for having me join you today. I've known Pastor John for many years now, and I'm sure he appreciates having the time off.  I pastor College and Young adults as well as small groups at Gateway Church in Merced.

I have been married for 32 years to my beautiful wife, Tammy.  We have three grown daughters, two sons-in-laws, and five grandchildren; all walking with God! God has been really so good to me.

Blessings,

Kevin Borges

Sermon Scriptures: John 21:12-19, Luke 22:31-33

Mathew 26: 31-35, & Mathew 26:69-75

Learning to Love First Things First. Part 3 Luke 10: 25-37

Jesus often spoke in parables:

practical stories intended to reveal spiritual truth. One of his most famous was the parable of the “Good Samaritan”. Loving your neighbor is the point of the parable, but we can have trouble with simple the simple command to “love your neighbor as yourself”.