08/20/2017
Philippians 3:1-16
Chris Breslin
“Faith in its decisive act is the collapse of every effort of our own capacity and will, and the recognition of the absolute necessity of that collapse.” –Karl Barth
“Disciples live with not only renouncing their own rights, but even renouncing their own righteousness. They get no credit themselves for what they do and sacrifice.
The only righteousness they can have is in hungering and thirsting for it. They will have neither their own righteousness nor God’s righteousness on earth. At all times they look forward to God’s future righteousness, but they cannot bring it about by themselves. Those who follow Jesus will be hungry and thirsty along the way. They are filled with longing for forgiveness of all sins and for complete renewal; they long for the renewal of the earth and for God’s perfect justice.” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer
From the place where we are right
flowers will never grow
in the Spring.
The place where we are right
is hard and trampled
like a yard.
But doubts and loves
dig up the world
like a mole, a plough.
And a whisper will be heard in the place
where the ruined
house once stood.
-“The Place Where We Are Right” by Yehuda Amichai
A Congregational Prayer for Churches after Charlottesville by Rich Villodas (Missio Alliance)
Scripture:
Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering:
Pressing On by Dylan
Heal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morgan
Higher Ground by Oatman/Gabriel
Christ, from Whom All Blessings Flow by Wesley/Gibbons
Softly and Tenderly by Thompson
I Shall Not Want by Assad/Brown
Doxology
This Week’s Memory Scripture: Philippians 3:10-11
Go further:
Epistle to the Philippians by Karl Barth
Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (NICNT) by Gordon Fee
Exploring a missional reading of Scripture: Philippians as a case study (article) by Dean Flemming
Celebration of Discipline, chapter “The Discipline of Celebration” by Richard Foster
Philippians (Two Horizons NT Commentary) by Stephen Fowl
Becoming the Gospel: Paul, Participation, & Mission by Michael Gorman
Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis
Theology and Joy by Jürgen Moltmann
Joy and Human Flourishing ed by Miroslav Volf and Justin Crisp
