In this message, Barry Trim continues our series through the book of Philippians, focusing on the transformative power of knowing Christ and the clarity of our divine calling.

Key Highlights from the Sermon:

• Knowing Christ: Barry explores how intimacy with God shifts our focus from worldly achievements—such as wisdom, strength, or riches—to a deep, personal relationship with Jesus, which is the foundation of true eternal life.
• The Nature of Calling: Often, we compare our lives to dramatic testimonies of global missions, wondering if our local context matters. Barry reassures the congregation that if you are a follower of Jesus, you have been appointed to bear fruit right where you are.
• Progressive Obedience: Drawing from the lives of Joseph and Abraham, the sermon highlights how callings are revealed progressively. We don’t need the full map to start; we only need to take the first step in obedience.
• Irrevocable Gifts: Barry emphasizes that God’s gifts and callings are irrevocable. Unlike human opportunities with expiration dates, God equips us with everything we need to succeed in our role within the Kingdom.
• Pressing On: Reflection on Philippians 3:13-14, encouraging us to forget what lies behind and strain toward the future, trusting that God has not given up on us, even in the midst of trauma, illness, or distress.

Join us as we are reminded that our call is not just a job, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus, serving Him with our gifts, and pressing on toward the prize of our upward call in Christ Jesus.

In this message, we explore one of the most powerful and personal passages in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. From a place of deep conviction and lived experience, Paul declares that everything he once counted as gain is now loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord.

This sermon unpacks what it truly means to place our confidence in Christ alone—not in our background, achievements, morality, or religious performance. Paul’s testimony challenges us to re-evaluate where we find our identity and righteousness, and invites us into something far greater: a personal, transforming relationship with Jesus.

Key Themes:

• The danger of misplaced confidence (in the flesh)
• Paul’s radical re-evaluation of his former life and status
• What it means to “count everything as loss”
• Righteousness through faith vs self-righteousness
• The surpassing worth of knowing Christ personally

Key Passage: Philippians 3:1–9 (ESV)

This message from Chris Smith confronts us with a challenging truth: grumbling isn't just a minor character flaw, it's a spiritual poison that can destroy our witness and rob us of joy.

Drawing from Philippians 2:14-18 and the sobering example of the Israelites in Exodus 16, we're reminded that an entire generation died in the wilderness not because of their enemies, but because of their complaining hearts. The Israelites had been miraculously delivered from slavery, yet they grumbled about water, food, and every hardship they faced. Their ingratitude became a barrier between them and God's promises. For us today, this means examining our own hearts: Do we grumble about our jobs, our families, our circumstances? Or do we recognize these as gifts from God? The antidote is clear and beautifully simple: gratitude.

When we choose thanksgiving over complaining, we position ourselves to shine as stars in a dark world. We're called to be lights, not because of our own brilliance, but because Christ, the true Light of the World, lives in us. This isn't about perfecting our circumstances, it's about transforming our attitudes. When we hold fast to truth and refuse to grumble, we become beacons of hope in a crooked and twisted generation, pointing others to the One who is worthy of all praise.