In this sermon, we explore the life of Abraham, recognizing that like him, we often begin our spiritual journey with stumbles and uncertainties. We see how God's grace intervenes in our failures, restoring us and calling us back to our first love. As we learn from Abraham's need to set healthy boundaries with Lot, we understand the importance of doing the same in our relationships to foster peace and growth. Despite our shortcomings, we are reminded that God continually chooses us, reaffirming His promises and love. We are encouraged to embrace new seasons of growth by returning to the practices that once ignited our passion for God, trusting in His unwavering grace and mercy.

In today’s sermon, we begin a new series on the life of Abraham, recognizing him as the father of faith and the enduring blessing he represents for all of us. We are reminded that God's promises often require us to separate from our past, just as Abraham was called to leave his home in Ur, a city immersed in idol worship. Through Abraham's story, we reflect on the impact of our families on our lives and acknowledge our ability to change our "normal" through God's power. We are encouraged to confront and unlearn unhealthy patterns. Finally, we are reassured that while fear can lead us astray, God's mercy and second chances are always available, inviting us to grow through our mistakes.

In this message, we explore the concept of meekness through the example of Jesus Christ. Jesus, while fully God, took on human form and became a servant, demonstrating ultimate meekness. Meekness is not weakness but "strength under control." We examine biblical examples of meekness through Abraham, Joseph, and Moses, who had power but chose humility and restraint. True meekness is revealed when we have the power to retaliate but choose not to. We are encouraged to learn from Jesus' example of meekness, with the promise that by doing so, we will find rest for our souls.

Pastor Dave concludes this series on Philippians by exploring the theme of generosity, highlighting its power in both spiritual and practical terms. We examine Paul's experience in prison and the support he received from the Philippian Church, demonstrating that true generosity often comes from people in need rather than those who are prosperous. God uses people to meet needs and that generosity fosters deeper relationships, combats selfishness, and enriches lives.

Pastor Dave discusses the often-misunderstood verse Philippians 4:13, emphasizing its true context of contentment amidst challenging circumstances, as experienced by Paul in prison. Genuine contentment cannot be found in material wealth or possessions, but rather in a relationship with God. Pastor Dave encourages us in this message to reflect on our journey towards contentment and to cultivate gratitude for our blessings, especially in light of the upcoming holiday season.

Pastor Dave emphasizes the importance of addressing personal conflict as a barrier to experiencing God's peace, referencing Philippians 4:6-7. He reveals how Paul publicly called out two women, Euodia and Syntyche, to encourage reconciliation and highlights that conflict is a normal part of relationships. This message outlines four conflict resolution styles—prize fighters, pretenders, pacifiers, and peacemakers—advocating for a peacemaker approach to restore love and understanding. Ultimately, we're encouraged to utilize prayer, intentional conversations, and a positive thought life to cultivate lasting peace in our relationships.

We continue this study of Philippians by reflecting on Paul's journey and transformation. Despite Paul's dark past as a persecutor of Christians, God chose him for a significant purpose, demonstrating that no one is disqualified from God's calling due to their history. We're encouraged to focus on our future in Christ rather than dwelling on past mistakes, because we are all new creations in Him. Past struggles can be reminders of resilience rather than obstacles.

In this message, we focus on the sufficiency of Jesus Christ in the Gospel, cautioning against the temptation to add human efforts or traditions to His completed work. We highlight the dangers of false teachings, such as legalism and the prosperity gospel, and urge believers to rely solely on faith in Christ for true righteousness and salvation.