Philippians 3:7-11 Sometimes everything changes with a single word. In Philippians 3:7, Paul writes, “But whatever things were gain to me…” That word—but—marks a turning point not only in his argument, but in his life. Just before this, Paul laid out his religious résumé—heritage, discipline, zeal, public righteousness. If anyone could have trusted in spiritual… Read More

Philippians 3:1-6 Joy is one of the defining themes of Philippians. But Paul is careful to show us something crucial: joy is not most threatened by hardship—it is threatened by distortion of the gospel. Life can be hard, and joy can survive it.But when the gospel is compromised, joy quietly drains away. That’s why Paul… Read More

Philippians 2:12-18 One small word at the beginning of this passage carries enormous weight. “Therefore.” Paul never uses that word casually. It always reaches backward before it reaches forward. In Philippians 2:12, it points us back to the breathtaking picture of Christ we’ve just seen—His humility, obedience, and exaltation. Because Christ humbled Himself.Because Christ obeyed… Read More

Philippians 2:19-30 It’s one thing to talk about humility.It’s another thing to see it lived out. Throughout Philippians, Paul has been building a single, connected message. Joy is rooted in Christ, not circumstances. Unity grows through humility. The ultimate example is Jesus Himself, who emptied Himself and obeyed even to the point of death. And… Read More

Philippians 2:5-11 It’s easy to think of humility as optional—a personality trait some people have and others don’t. But Scripture presents humility as something far more central. It is the mindset that shapes the Christian life and transforms the way believers relate to God and one another. That’s why Paul introduces one of the most… Read More

Philippians 2:1-4 Unity doesn’t come naturally—especially under pressure. The church in Philippi knew that firsthand. They were facing opposition from outside, and Paul knew something else was just as dangerous: division from within. Even healthy, generous churches can be weakened when pride and self-interest quietly take root. So Paul pleads—not with commands first, but with… Read More

Philippians 1:27-30 After declaring, “For to me, to live is Christ,” Paul turns the spotlight outward. If Christ defines his life—even in chains—then the same gospel must shape how others live in freedom. That conviction leads to one clear call in Philippians 1:27: “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Paul… Read More

Philippians 1:18b-26 One sentence can reshape an entire life. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” When Paul wrote those words, he wasn’t reflecting from a peaceful retirement or speaking in abstract theology. He was imprisoned, uncertain whether he would live or die. Yet his joy remained steady—not because his… Read More

Philippians 1:12-18a One of the great temptations of the Christian life is to believe that God works around our hardships rather than through them. When circumstances feel restrictive—painful, unfair, or limiting—it’s easy to assume the gospel must be on hold. Paul thought otherwise. Writing from a Roman prison, Paul tells the church in Philippi something… Read More

Philippians 1:1-11 On November 2, 2025, I started serving as the Interim Pastor at Odum Baptist Church in Odum, GA. I started that week preaching through the book of Philippians. This post is a blog-level summary of the first message. Each week I plan to post a couple of these that align with the messages… Read More