Philippians 4:10-13 Today we will get back to the book of Philippians and our “Bridges of Joy” series. In chapter 4 of the letter Paul makes a statement that has probably been quoted more than anything else Paul ever wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Many of the often...
Author: City of Refuge
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“Voting and the Heart of God”
Acts 13:20-22 Today I’m supposed to be talking about voting, and I’m going to, but probably not in the way that you are expecting because it is certainly not in the way I had originally planned. One of the things about election season is that you learn a lot, at least I do. You learn...
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“Government and the Gospel”
I Peter 2:11-17 It is often said that if you want to keep friends that you should never talk about religion or politics. One of my neighbors just recently told me that this was the rule in his house, that the only way to keep the peace is simply to avoid those two topics. The...
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Philippians Series: Bridges of Joy: “Conflict Resolution”
Philippians 4:2-9 Sin is the cause of a lot of what goes on in our lives. Recently we talked about the fact that all suffering is caused by sin. It might not be specific sin that causes specific suffering, but our lives were not created for suffering, we were not created to die, hell was...
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Hebrews Study: 10:11-31 “Encourage, Exhort, See the Day Approaching”
Our first few verses tonight close out the section of the letter that proclaims Jesus as our superior High Priest and superior Sacrifice of the new covenant. Christ’s death was once for all, His priestly offering was accepted and His priestly work was finished, so He sat down at the right hand of God to...
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Learning a New Language
This week I had a friend come and visit from out of town and he asked if I could take him to see some of historical sites in Philadelphia. I immediately agreed but didn’t have the heart to tell him that even though I have lived in the Philly area since 1991 I have never toured...
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Philippians Series: Bridges of Joy: “Enemies of the Cross or Citizens of Heaven?”
Philippians 3:17-4:1 When I left home for the first time it was to go to college. I was 17 years old when we packed the family car and drove from Richmond, VA to Baton Rouge, LA. I remember watching my parents drive off a day after they had gotten me set up in my dorm room,...
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Hebrews Study 9:15-10:10 “He has appeared to put away sin”
In this passage the author of Hebrews continues his focus on Jesus’ superiority by revealing the enormous and eternal power of Jesus’ blood. The blood of Jesus is something we sing about, pray over others and trust in but I’m not sure that we have fully understood it’s purpose and it’s power. “The blood of Jesus” does...
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October Prayer Focus Now Online
Each week at City of Refuge Fellowship we are given a prayer focus with specific needs to uphold but also with very focused points of prayer, fasting and lifestyle. The most important and productive part of this tool is that with each focus we are given Scriptures to use in prayer and in meditation. These...
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Philippians Series: Bridges of Joy: Taken Hold Of
Philippians 3:12-16 Last week we discussed Paul’s famous statement in Philippians 3, “what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.” There is an exchange that is essential for transformation; those things that were important, that made up my identity, my pride, my hope and strength, those things must become unimportant...