Friday First - A Deeper Love

During October we have for used on life after healing. And we’ve talked about the new reality the Spirit has and is creating for us. Now we operate from a spiritual perspective. We move with an appreciation for the magnitude of our salvation. Perspective leads to proclamation. When we get how good and great our Father is, we can’t help but tell everyone we meet. Proclamation leads to praise. These things define life after healing.

In Philippians, Paul demonstrates what it means to lead a life of joy. For him, life after healing was no longer determined by circumstance. Now, his life was defined by Christ and his affection for fellow believers. Paul had such great trust in God that he chose to look ahead and know, that in the end, God would work everything out.

Over the last few weeks we have examined Philippians 1.3-6 and discovered that Paul’s life was one of Spirit-produced joy. He found joy in the pleasant memories of his brethren. He experienced joy by praying on their behalf. He found joy in the fellowship he had with them. He also discovered joy by trusting in God to bring everything He had begun to completion.
This is such an exciting perspective and one that we must employ as we serve the Lord.

In Sunday’s lesson we will examine Philippians 1.7-8 to see one last element of joy: the joy of affection. We’ll:

• Look inside Paul’s heart
• See the supernatural love Paul had been given
• Make three important applications to close the lesson

As you prepare for worship on Sunday, please give consideration to these questions:

1. Why do you think Paul had such an affectionate love for the Philippians?
2. How had the Philippians demonstrated their love for Paul?
3. What makes relationships inside the church more special than a club or society?
4. What are some things you can do to be more inclusive with people inside our church family?
5. Why do you think our relationships with each other generate so much joy?

OPENING / WELCOME
Cain Atkinson

SONG LEADER
Dru McLaughlin

PRAYER OF PRAISE
Randy Mullins

LORD'S SUPPER
Boyd Hastings

SCRIPTURE READING
Bob Zehring
Philippians 1.3-8

PREACHING
Matthew Allen

CLOSING COMMENTS & PRAYER
Russ Robins

WELCOME CENTER
Pat Reeder / Kathi Stewart / Sadonna Schofield

USHERS (arrive @ 9)
Rich Jacobs / Eric Renegar

Closing the Building
Ben Baker