Speaker: Pastor Neil Lindwall

Additional Resources: Additional reading can be found throughout this page indented like this.

Key Scripture (Phillipians 1:27) Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

What Would the Ideal Church Be Like? If you were to design “Church Awesome”; what would that look like? 

Philippians 1:12-27a Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ… 

Jesus Is Awesome, It’s His Church, & He Is What Makes Church Great.

Centered On Christ. One Love. 

He’s the Darling of the Church. Not Finances, Numbers, Programs, Buildings, Music, etc. A Church Centered on Christ is a Church Depending Upon Him in Prayer. 

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

One Lord. 

To Follow, Emulate, and Imitate. Some Churches are Built Upon Personalities, Pop Culture Fads, and Flashy Programs. Jesus Is Lord and He Leads by His Spirit. Yes, Churches Will Look Different, They’ll Have Different Styles In Different Contexts, But Christ Must Be The Standard!

Philipians 1:27-30 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Jesus Is The Lord and The Mission of the Church. 

Living On Mission 

Gospel Living: United in the Gospel, the Whole Gospel! 

Disciple Making: Beware the Tendency and Trap of Isolation. We’re On Mission Not Retreat. We Are to Reach Out Not Hold Up. GO, Therefore…

Philipians 2:1-4 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus Showed Us How to Be Awesome - He Came to Seek, Serve, and Save. 

Attention On Others 

Selfless: When Church Exists for God and Others, I Don’t Have to Get My Way. If The Creator of The Universe Humbled Himself, So Should We.

Service: Jesus Served Faithfully All the Way to the Cross. I Love to See You Get Blessed, the Lost Find a Home, the Hungry Fed, the Hurting Comforted, the Broken Restored…

Philipians 2:12-16 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

JESUS is The Purpose of The Church.

United On Purpose 

Live It: Faithful Obedience. We Can Know the Blessing and Power of God’s Word When We Go Beyond Hearing and Knowing to Doing and Experiencing.

Give It: God Wants His Church to Hold On the Word of Life! 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life.- NIV. He Also Wants Us to Hold Out the Word of Life. Holding out and offering to everyone the word of life,- AMP. Not Throw Out or Sell Out.

Strong’s Definitions  “Hold Firmly”, “Hold Forth” = ἐπέχω epéchō, ep-ekh'-o; from G1909 and G2192; to hold upon, i.e. (by implication) to retain; (by extension) to detain; (with implication, of G3563) to pay attention to:—give (take) heed unto, hold forth, mark, stay.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS G1907: ἐπέχω; imperfect ἐπεῖχον; 2 aorist ἐπέσχον;

1. to have or hold upon, apply: namely, τὸν νοῦν, to observe, attend to, followed by an indirect question, Luke 14:7; τινί, dative of person, to give attention to one, Acts 3:5; 1 Timothy 4:16, (with the dative of a thing, Sir. 31:2 (Sir. 34:2); 2 Macc. 9:25; Polybius 3, 43, 2, etc.; fully ὀφθαλμόν τινι, Lucian, dial. mar. 1, 2).

2. to hold toward, hold forth, present: λόγον ζωῆς, as a light, by which illumined ye are the lights of the world, Philippians 2:16 [others besides, cf. Meyer or Ellicott at the passage].

3. to check ([cf. English hold up], German anhalten): namely, ἐμαυτόν, to delay, stop, stay, Acts 19:22, and in Greek writings from Homer down; [cf. Winers Grammar § 38, 1; Buttmann, 144 (126); Fritzsche on Sir. 5:1].

THAYER’S GREEK LEXICON, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. BibleSoft.com

Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.

LET’S ASK GOD TO BUILD HIS DREAM IN US

What's Your Best Next Step?

• Recommit to Jesus
• Grow In Jesus
• Share the Gospel of Jesus

Extra readings and articles can be throughout this page and appear indented to the right.