New Testament | Philippians 3:14-21 (with Jeff Sholar)

Opening Song:
Press On by Ben Shive and Kristyn Getty

Lyrics:
Where two or three are gathered
In the name of the Lord
He is here He is here in our midst
And we will sing together
Be renewed by the Word
When we part may we go in His peace

Press on all you saints
Press on till the end
Christ with us ever with us
Until He comes again
Press on all you saints
Run and run to win
Christ with us ever with us
Until He comes again

Now let the Word be scattered
Llike the seed on the soil
Day by day
Watch it grow in His care
And may you be a shelter
As you reach to the lost
Glad in hope calm in pain true in prayer

And may He find us waiting
With our lamps burning still
Keeping watch through the night
Til He comes
For soon it will be morning
And the sun will appear
Christ who brought us this far
Brings us home

Passage:
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
(Philippians 3:14–21 ESV)

Musical Reflection:
It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss

Reflection Notes:
A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God’s goodness. Spafford’s immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford’s children had died.

Prayer:
Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in continual godliness, that through your protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly serve you in good works, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.