Feb. 8 Virtual Worship
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Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Scripture Lesson
Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026
Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:12-21
Sermon: Life in Christ, Pressing On
Philippians 3:12-21
12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to lay hold of that for which Christ has laid hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it, but one thing I have laid hold of: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us, then, who are mature think this way, and if you think differently about anything, this, too, God will reveal to you. 16 Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. 17 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
Key Idea of the Sermon
The ancient wisdom of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians is preparing us for whatever may come our way in 2026. The core of this wisdom is to open our hearts to the grace and peace of God made known in Christ Jesus, and then to share these life-renewing gifts with others. In today’s passage, Paul returns to the idea that it is God who is at work in you (2:13) as he discusses our heavenly calling (3:14). It is not surprising that Paul, imprisoned and awaiting judgment, is thinking about the resurrection from the dead (3:11). We cannot attain something so wonderful, but Christ can, who is able to lay hold of it for me and for you. Trusting Christ, we are liberated from insignificant earthly things and instead claim our citizenship in heaven and the promise of the transformation of our bodies of humiliation into bodies of Christ’s glory (3:20-21).
Questions for Reflection
• What are the earthly things that pull our attention away from our heavenly citizenship? Why do the earthly things have such appeal?
• How does it feel that Christ has laid hold of you and claimed you as his?
• What practical actions show that you are pressing on toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
Each morning this week make the following claim, I am a citizen of heaven. Pay attention to how that influences your decisions and relationships and give God thanks.
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com
