FREE AT LAST Philippians 1:12-24. Philip. 1:12-24 (New Living Translation) And I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has.

FREE AT LAST

Philippians 1:12-24

Philip. 1:12-24 (New Living Translation) And I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. [13] For everyone here, including all the soldiers in the palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. [14] And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here have gained confidence and become more bold in telling others about Christ.

Philip. 1:12-24 (continued) [15] Some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. [16] They preach because they love me, for they know the Lord brought me here to defend the Good News. [17] Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me.

Philip. 1:12-24 (continued) [19] For I know that as you pray for me and as the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will all turn out for my deliverance. [20] For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die.

Philip. 1:12-24 (continued) [21] For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better. [22] Yet if I live, that means fruitful service for Christ. I really don't know which is better. [23] I'm torn between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I long to go and be with Christ. That would be far better for me, [24] but it is better for you that I live.

TAKE HOME

A solid faith in Heaven greatly lessens the fear of death.

A solid faith in Heaven greatly lessens the fear of death.

Such faith doesn't free me to be careless but courageous.

Such faith doesn't free me to be careless but courageous.

How I face tough times has an impact on lots of people, friends and foes.

How I face tough times has an impact on lots of people, friends and foes.

Lord Jesus, I admit that certain fears have me handcuffed, help me to

trust you more, starting today!

Lord Jesus, I admit that certain fears have me handcuffed, help me to

trust you more, starting today!

PRAYER & PRAISE

ANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTS

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Early Christians in the face of death

WHEN WE ARE FACING SUFFERING AND DEATH, PEOPLE ARE PAYING MORE ATTENTION

TO OUR TALK AND OUR WALK

WHEN WE ARE FACING SUFFERING AND DEATH, PEOPLE ARE PAYING MORE ATTENTION

TO OUR TALK AND OUR WALK

WHEN FAITH CROWDS OUT FEAR I AM TRULY FREE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

IN MY WORLD

WHEN FAITH CROWDS OUT FEAR I AM TRULY FREE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

IN MY WORLD

• Fear of rejection keeps my mouth shut and my message under wraps.

• When fear is vanquished I (and Paul, Peter, etc.) am free to face the lions.

• Frequent rehearsals of Romans 8: 35-39 are needed to keep us fearless.

• No Fear!

• Fear of rejection keeps my mouth shut and my message under wraps.

• When fear is vanquished I (and Paul, Peter, etc.) am free to face the lions.

• Frequent rehearsals of Romans 8: 35-39 are needed to keep us fearless.

• No Fear!

IS IT DEATH I FEAR OR THE TRANSITION,

DYING?

IS IT DEATH I FEAR OR THE TRANSITION,

DYING?

Jesus is our example for finding the courage to face dying. Hebrews 12: 1-3

Don't skip the suffering, it has immense power to persuade. God so loved.

Jesus is our example for finding the courage to face dying. Hebrews 12: 1-3

Don't skip the suffering, it has immense power to persuade. God so loved.

REHEARSING MY TIME OF DEATH

AND DEPARTURE

REHEARSING MY TIME OF DEATH

AND DEPARTURE

• Lord, may my manner of suffering for you send a message of hope and encouragement to others.

• May I, like Paul, seek the advancement of the Kingdom both in life and death.

• May my life be a witness to the power of faith and your loving arms of love.

• Lord, may my manner of suffering for you send a message of hope and encouragement to others.

• May I, like Paul, seek the advancement of the Kingdom both in life and death.

• May my life be a witness to the power of faith and your loving arms of love.

YOU ARE INVITED TO THE MOST CELEBRATED MEAL

EVER SERVED

Confession:Confession:I believe that I believe that Jesus is the Jesus is the Christ, the Son of Christ, the Son of the Living God. the Living God.

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OFFERING

Jesus paid it all.Jesus paid it all.All to Him I owe.All to Him I owe.Jesus paid it all.Jesus paid it all.All to Him I owe.All to Him I owe.

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

TAKE HOME

A solid faith in Heaven greatly lessens the fear of death.

A solid faith in Heaven greatly lessens the fear of death.

Such faith doesn't free me to be careless but courageous.

Such faith doesn't free me to be careless but courageous.

How I face tough times has an impact on lots of people, friends and foes.

How I face tough times has an impact on lots of people, friends and foes.

Lord Jesus, I admit that certain fears have me handcuffed, help me to

trust you more, starting today!

Lord Jesus, I admit that certain fears have me handcuffed, help me to

trust you more, starting today!

GO AND TOUCH THE WORLD