Interactive Bible studies and fellowship on Sunday. Joy in Philippians (Part 3)

### THIS SUNDAY, December 21, 2025, 10:30 A.M. We will host a Fellowship & Time of Sharing in Person Service combined with an INTERACTIVE. WILL HOST INPERSON CHURCH SERVICES AT THE MANALAPAN SENIOR CENTER, 211 County Rd 522, Manalapan Township, New Jersey (next to the Manalapan Recycle Center)

### THE FORMAT OF THIS SERVICE WILL BE A COMBINATION OF A SERMON WITH INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION AND FELLOWSHIP. YOU ARE ALSO WELCOMED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SERVICE REMOTELY OVER ZOOM.

#### Zoom Meeting Podcast!

## TOPIC:

## Joyful Progress in the Faith

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#### CLICK HERE

#### Meeting ID: 856 8178 1850Passcode: 041731

Preview video: https://youtu.be/uM4AMIfpX04

The meeting of Grace Christian Church. We meet in person and stream services every Sunday at 10:30 AM EST in Manalapan, New Jersey.
Joyful Progress in the Faith (Philippians Series - Message 3)

• Theme of Philippians: Joy – a deep, enduring gladness and peace from the Spirit of Christ (word "joy" used 7 times in the book).
• Paul's Joy Source: His 10-year relationship with the Philippian church; their partnership in participating, defending, and confirming the Gospel; their spiritual growth through multiplication (believers sharing → more believers).

Core Gospel Truth

• Salvation is by belief in Christ alone (+ nothing): Christ died as substitute for sins (1 Cor 15:1-4).
• Christ + Nothing = Everything.
• Rejects false teachings like "Good Person Theology" (salvation by more good deeds than bad) or adding baptism/commitment/emotions to faith.

Main Message: Joyful Progress in the Faith (Philippians 1:12-30)Paul, despite imprisonment, highlights God's sovereign plan advancing the Church toward Christ's return. Three joyful spiritual progressions:

1. Salvations in Christ

• Paul's chains advanced the Gospel: Known throughout Praetorian Guard; many guards and others saved.
• Imprisonment emboldened brethren to speak the Word fearlessly (Phil 1:12-14).
• God's pattern: Turns harm into good for saving many lives (e.g., Joseph's story in Gen 50:20).
• Progress of Gospel/salvations continues in all circumstances (good or bad).

2. Living from Christ

• Paul's heart: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil 1:21; also "Christ is my life").
• Paraphrased as Living from Christ as source.
• "Die is gain" applies physically (with Lord) and spiritually (death of self-life via the cross).
• Way of the cross crucifies self-dependence, pride, flesh → enables deeper reliance on Christ (sanctification).
• In trials, seek revelation from God rather than self-effort; learn to live fully from Christ.

3. Striving Together with Christ

• Paul stays for their "progress and joy in the faith" (Phil 1:25-27).
• Exhortation: Conduct worthy of Gospel; stand firm in one spirit/mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel.
• True unity: Not fleshly opinions/agreement, but oneness in Christ via the Spirit's revelation (Eph 4:3-4).
• Strive with Christ (union: Christ in you, you in Christ) – not man's plans.

Key Takeaways

• Believers progress joyfully while awaiting the rapture.
• Discussion prompts: Share experiences of God turning harm to good; which progression brings most joy (salvations, living from Christ, striving together)?