According to our Statement of Faith, The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 (BF&M): Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in graceContinueContinue reading “Mature Enough to Know I’m Not Perfect (Philippians 3:12-16)”
Author Archives: First Baptist Church of Scott City, MO
The Ineffectiveness of Self-righteousness (Philippians 3:4-11)
Jesus was very clear when He said, “not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt 7:21). We are not saved by our good deeds, but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph 2:8-9). Born-again Christians doContinueContinue reading “The Ineffectiveness of Self-righteousness (Philippians 3:4-11)”
Beware and Be Well (Philippians 3:2-3)
After telling the Philippians to “rejoice in the Lord”, Paul cautioned them to “look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.” With this warning, Paul contrasts the opponents of the gospel and the true people of God (3:2–3). Specifically, Paul is warning the Philippians aboutContinueContinue reading “Beware and Be Well (Philippians 3:2-3)”
Rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 3:1)
There are some things that should go without saying, but often bear repeating. For example, it should be perfectly clear and self-evident that the Christian life is joyful. However, as we learn in the book of Philippians, Christians often need to be reminded that the Christian life is joyful. We need a continual reminder becauseContinueContinue reading “Rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 3:1)”
Timothy and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:19-30)
Photo by Ghost Patriot from Pexels The Philippians loved Paul. When they heard he was in prison, they sent one of their own members named Epaphroditus to deliver a gift to help meet his needs (4:18). Paul was greatly blessed by Epaphroditus and the Philippians’ kindness, so he decided to send Epaphroditus back to theContinueContinue reading “Timothy and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:19-30)”
The Second Sunday of Advent: The Son of the Most High! (Luke 1:26-45)
It is the Second Sunday of Advent and today we shall remember when “the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth to a virgin [whose] name was Mary” (Luke 1:26-27). The angel told her good news! His Name is Jesus Have you ever wondered why the angel told MaryContinueContinue reading “The Second Sunday of Advent: The Son of the Most High! (Luke 1:26-45)”
The First Sunday of Advent: Stay Awake! (Mark 13:33-37)
The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means arrival/coming. Even though it starts near the end of our calendar year, it is the start of the Christian calendar year. When we observe Advent, we celebrate the birth (arrival) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is a time to retell theContinueContinue reading “The First Sunday of Advent: Stay Awake! (Mark 13:33-37)”
Roses and Thorns (Philippians 2:14-18)
Alphonse Karr provided a helpful perspective on the difference between grumbling and gratitude when he said, “Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.” Are you in the habit of grumbling and complaining? It is almost impossible not to complain because there are so many opportunities toContinueContinue reading “Roses and Thorns (Philippians 2:14-18)”
Work Out Your Salvation (Philippians 2:12-13)
When a sentence begins with the word therefore, you need to know what the therefore is there for. Paul, having finished calling the Philippians to imitate Christ’s humility, wrote “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your ownContinueContinue reading “Work Out Your Salvation (Philippians 2:12-13)”
Jesus: Fully God & Fully Man (Philippians 2:5-11)
In Philippians 2:5-11, Paul used Jesus as the perfect example of humility. Jesus humbled Himself by entering our world and further humbled Himself by dying on the cross so that we may be reconciled to the Father. Before we go further into Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we shall dive deeper into what Paul meantContinueContinue reading “Jesus: Fully God & Fully Man (Philippians 2:5-11)”
First Baptist Scott City, MO 