Athey Creek | Audio Podcast

A Bible teaching titled “The Secret to a Joyful Church” from Philippians 2:14-18 by Brett Meador.

Paul addresses our calling as Christians to love one another in Philippians 2:1-11, focusing on strife within the church, being like-minded despite our differences, and walking in humility. He then points to the example Jesus set through His earthly ministry and His willingness to die for our sins.

While the believers in Philippi lived as citizens of Rome, Paul reminded them in Philippians 1:27 and 3:20 that their true citizenship was in heaven and that their lives should reflect that reality. As we celebrate our nation's 250th birthday this Independence Day Weekend, we examine what it means to be heavenly-minded while faithfully serving the Lord on earth, and most importantly, how to ensure our citizenship is in heaven as well.

As Paul begins his letter to the Philippians, his deep love for them shines through as he shares how he remembers them, what he longs for them to know, and how faithfully he prays for them. Through Paul's example in Philippians 1, we learn how to abound in love for others, have true unity in the gospel, and rejoice in every circumstance.

As we begin our study through Philippians, we find Paul imprisoned in Rome, yet overflowing with joy as he writes to the church in Philippi. As we examine what brings Paul joy in Philippians 1, we discover that when our fellowship, trials, and faith are centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we too can experience great joy in every circumstance.

Though our victory has already been secured in Christ, we are still engaged in an ongoing spiritual battle and must arm ourselves against the enemy's tactics. In Ephesians 6:10-24, we learn to identify our enemy, understand the armor God has given us, and how to tap into the power of His Word as we stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Having established who we are in Christ, Paul begins to show us what it means to walk in love, light, and wisdom. As we study Ephesians 5:1–6:9, we learn how walking in these ways should be reflected in both our behavior and in relationships among husbands and wives, children and parents, and those entrusted with responsibility over others.

As each generation comes and goes, culture continues to redefine marriage, usually missing God's intent for it altogether. In Ephesians 5:22-33, Paul gives us God's design for husbands and wives – a design that points to the greater picture of Christ's love for the church.

As we continue looking at the hallmarks of church unity in Ephesians 4:11-32, we take a deep dive into the evidence of good growth and the pitfalls that will lead to serious problems. As we study, we examine the behaviors that reveal whether we are growing toward Christlikeness and identify the attitudes that damage unity and grieve the Lord.

In Ephesians 4:31-32, Paul addresses a serious sin that is often ignored, excused, or misunderstood among believers. As we unpack the difficult topic of forgiveness, we discover what it truly means, why God views it so seriously, and how we can forgive others as He has forgiven us.

One of Satan’s top tactics to wreak havoc within the church is to cause division among Christians. In Ephesians 4:1–14, Paul begins a discussion on unity, teaching us how to combat this threat by walking in God’s grace, building our foundation on the Trinity, and using our gifts to bless the body of Christ.

After explaining all that God has done for us through Christ, Paul begins to examine what the Christian life should look like when we walk in a manner worthy of this calling. As we study Ephesians 4:1-3, we learn the qualities that should define our lives as we faithfully live out the role God has placed before us.

Paul begins to unfold the mystery of God’s plan for humanity in Ephesians 3, revealing the players, the periods, and the purpose behind it all. Then, through Paul’s prayer, we are reminded that God also has a personal calling for our lives as we allow Him to dwell in our hearts and display His power through us.

In Ephesians 3:14-19, Paul makes an intriguing statement about Christ dwelling within our hearts. But what exactly was he talking about? As we explore what it means to invite Jesus to live within our hearts, we see that it involves surrendering everything to Him, and that as He makes His home in us, He prepares us for our eternal home with Him.

Paul gives a clear and powerful outline in Ephesians 2 that demonstrates what a Christian truly is and how God works in their life. As we follow the progression from our sinful state to God working in us and then through us, we see how He redeems and refines us, shaping us to fit together as His church.

After reminding us that we are all sinners who willfully disobey God and consistently miss the mark, Paul flips the script with two words that change everything. As we study Ephesians 2:1-5, we take a closer look at this glorious statement, see where it appears elsewhere in scripture, and discover how it leads us into the richness of God’s mercy and grace.

In Ephesians 1:15–23, we examine Paul’s prayer and are reminded that the Christian life is not just about knowing theology but about truly knowing God. As we walk through his prayer, we learn what our true riches are, how we are called to love one another, and why keeping Christ as the head of the church allows us to function as an effective body of believers.

Sitting in a prison cell, Paul had every reason to be sad, angry, or bitter, yet he chose to focus on Jesus and respond with joyful worship despite his crushing circumstances. In Ephesians 1:3–14, we see how Paul combines deep theology and worship as he praises God from prison, and we learn how to embrace that same mindset as we face our own trials.

We begin our study of Ephesians by examining the opulent yet morally distorted culture of its day and seeing how strikingly similar it is to our own. Then, as we walk through Paul’s extended, unbroken praise of Christ in Ephesians 1:1–14, we explore rich theological truths, including election, predestination, adoption, and inheritance.

In Ephesians 1:8–10, Paul reminds the believers in Ephesus that God has a plan and purpose that brings Him pleasure. As we unpack this mystery, we discover four things we know that show how God is working in our lives, how to walk in the assignment we’ve been given, and why we don’t need to worry as we live in His perfect peace.

We wrap up the book of Galatians with Paul’s final thoughts on love over legalism. As we study Galatians 6, we learn how he calls us to treat one another, let go of legalistic behavior, and keep our focus on Jesus Christ.

Paul continues to expand on the freedom Christ has given and warns against returning to the bondage of the law in Galatians 5. As we study, we see the contrasts between the flesh and the Spirit, and between love and the law, and how walking in the Spirit produces fruit rooted in love and a desire not to practice sin.

In Galatians 5:1, Paul addresses a major issue in the Galatian church: a failure to understand the true freedom Christ came to give. On Palm Sunday 2026, we look at how similar confusion happened when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to shouts of “Hosanna.” As we study, we see how Jesus has been misunderstood throughout history, why these misconceptions and fickleness are so dangerous to our faith, and the true freedom we find when we understand who He really is and why He came.

Galatians 4 is a chapter full of comparisons that help us understand our relationship with God, the law versus liberty, and the identification of truth in a world full of lies. As we study, we see how these contrasting themes show us how to live as heirs of God’s promise, avoid being dazzled by false teachers, and walk in freedom and faith.

The Galatian church had questions about the Levitical law, whether they should follow it, and how it applied to their lives. In Galatians 3, Paul provides a comprehensive answer, reminding them of the work God had already done in their lives, pointing to Scripture to explain the history and purpose of the law, and showing how it was fulfilled in Jesus while still serving to reveal sin.

Even as some influential leaders within the church drift toward requiring the law for salvation, Paul stands firm in Galatians 2. In his powerful defense, he explains the situation, shows how the law reveals sin but cannot remove it, and reminds us that salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

In Galatians 2:21, Paul states that he does not wish to frustrate the grace of God – that is, to reject God’s kindness toward us. To illustrate this, we examine two Old Testament stories: one shows a person who received grace, the other shows someone who refused it with disastrous consequences. As we reflect on these examples, we see why we should respond in acceptance rather than disregard.

Paul opens his letter to the church in Galatia by immediately confronting one of their main issues: their tendency to twist and add to the gospel message. As we study Galatians 1, we see a high-level overview of how the gospel encompasses the whole Bible, how we can know it is true, and why Paul speaks with such authority on the subject.

Paul issues a strong warning to the church at Galatia against following different gospels – regardless of the source – because there is only one path to salvation. As we study Galatians 1:1-10, we see how people are still tripped up by false teachers today, learn to recognize these perversions of the gospel, and, most importantly, ensure we understand that salvation comes only by grace through faith.

In 2 Corinthians 12–13, we hear Paul’s final words to the church at Corinth as he seeks to build them up, root out lingering sin and false teachers, and firmly establish his credentials as an apostle with God-given authority. As we reflect on his message, may we learn not to take correction as criticism, to align ourselves with the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and rejoice in the grace and love found in Him.

In 2 Corinthians 12:7–10, Paul shares a deeply personal struggle he calls “a thorn in the flesh” – a weakness he prayed would be removed, but the Lord chose to leave in place. Perhaps you can relate as you pray for relief from your own burdens but see no change. As we study this passage, we learn how God uses our struggles to display His strength and how He develops godly character in us when we allow Him to work through our weakness.

Some members of the Corinthian church treated Paul quite harshly, accusing him of weakness and questioning his authority. Paul responds in 2 Corinthians 10–11 by reminding them that the battle they face is spiritual, defending the divine source of his authority, exposing the danger of false apostles, and revealing the depth of his love as demonstrated through his suffering.

Paul confronts the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 10:7-12 concerning their emphasis on outward appearance and expectations of how an apostle should look and sound. Unfortunately, this tendency to judge by external expectations is common in both the Bible and our culture today. As we study, we see the danger of evaluating by appearance rather than by substance, learn what God looks at in our hearts, and discover how He wants to make us into people He can use, regardless of outward appearances.

In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul continues his instruction on giving by explaining how it not only blesses others but also brings blessing to the giver. As we examine how God calls us to give and the blessings we can expect as a result, we see how these principles take shape in our lives when we give with thankful, joyful hearts.

Paul makes a short statement of thanksgiving and rejoicing in 2 Corinthians 9:15 that carries profound eternal significance. As we consider God’s gift – so great that Paul can barely describe it – we learn who can receive it, how it must be accepted by faith, and how this gift changes everything, now and for eternity.

The church in Corinth began collecting funds for impoverished believers in Jerusalem but failed to finish what they started, leading Paul to address the issue of giving in 2 Corinthians 8. In studying his instruction, we see how God calls His people to give with the proper attitude, in proportion to what they have, and with responsible accountability.

The Corinthian church had good intentions, but when they failed to follow through, Paul was compelled to address the issue in 2 Corinthians 8:10-11. In much the same way, believers today often desire to obey what God has called them to do but struggle to carry it out. As we study, we learn to identify the root of this problem, see how our lack of follow-through affects us, and find out just how God desires for us to obey His commands.

In 2 Corinthians 6-7, Paul reminds the church of their role as ambassadors for Christ and shares how his own trials and troubles empowered him for his ministry. He goes on to explain that while speaking the truth in love through his previous letter was difficult, it ultimately produced genuine repentance and restoration, bringing Paul great joy as he received the good report from Titus.

In 2 Corinthians 7:8-10, Paul explains that while he regretted causing the Corinthians sorrow through a painful letter, he was also glad because it caused them to repent and change their behavior. So just what does repentance truly mean, and how does it differ from mere regret? As we look at examples from both the Old and New Testaments, we learn whose repentance was sincere, see the outcomes of their acknowledgment of sin, and discover why love is the key.

In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul presents a series of “we” statements that describe the confidence believers have in their future hope, their calling to good works that please the Lord, and the motivation they should have to share Christ with others. Compelled by his love for Christ, Paul encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective and faithfully carry the message of reconciliation to the world.

In 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, Paul warns the Corinthian church against allowing the values and narratives of the world to shape their theology. Sadly, this struggle remains as relevant today as it was then. As we study this passage, we see how Paul’s call to avoid mixing the world with the church echoes throughout Scripture, why this matters in God’s economy, and where believers are most vulnerable to allowing contrary worldviews to creep in.

In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul encourages the Corinthian church to faithfully shine the light of Jesus with sincerity and boldness so that the eyes of those living in spiritual blindness may be opened. Using his own suffering as an example, Paul shows how God brings life through affliction, provides inward renewal despite outward trouble, and calls believers to maintain an eternal perspective amid suffering.

Almost everyone will wonder at some point, “What makes me valuable?” In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul answers this as he reveals who we truly are apart from Christ, what God desires to do with our lives as we submit to His shaping, and how the light of Christ within us gives purpose, endurance, and lasting value in trials and tribulation.

In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul reminds the Corinthian church that his credentials for ministry come from God and the evidence is found in their transformed lives and spiritual fruit. He goes on to contrast the law with the Spirit, showing how their glory manifests differently over time and how the New Covenant brings life, freedom, and an ever-increasing radiance as believers are transformed into the likeness of Christ.

As Paul explains to the church at Corinth why he wrote a painful letter rather than visiting them in person in 2 Corinthians 2, we see that his defense reflects a loving and compassionate approach to ministry. Through his example, Paul teaches us how to speak truth in love, why forgiveness is essential when repentance is genuine, and how following God’s Word in faith leads to a triumphal victory in Christ.

As we begin Paul’s follow-up letter to the Corinthians, we find that not much has changed within their church, as they continue to question Paul’s authority, openly rebel, and level criticisms against him. Yet, he responds as lovingly as possible in 2 Corinthians 1 by reminding them of God’s love, demonstrating his own sincerity in writing to them, and explaining why their accusations lack substance.

When the Corinthian church accuses Paul of changing his travel plans, he seizes the opportunity to remind them of the faithfulness of God’s promises. As we study his teaching in 2 Corinthians 1:20, we learn about the conditions of God’s promises, how to tap into the fullness of their benefits, and why they are entirely trustworthy.

As we wrap up 2025, we also bring our study of Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church to a close by reflecting on his final words in 1 Corinthians 16. From guidance on giving and ministry to personal plans and final exhortations for Christian living, Paul leaves the church with a reminder of God’s grace and love that we can carry with us into the new year.

In one of the most theologically significant chapters in the Bible, Paul lays out the Gospel message by declaring that salvation is only possible through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection – a concept that the Corinthian church still struggled to grasp. As we study his message in 1 Corinthians 15, we learn about the power and absolute necessity of the resurrection, see why it is one of the most provable events in history, and discover what it means for us as we face our own death.

Paul introduces a new topic to the church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 15:50-53 by speaking of a future event known as the Rapture – a subject that continues to cause great debate, confusion, and controversy to this day. As we explore this topic, we clarify what the Rapture entails, address key questions and disagreements surrounding it, and examine how it is supported throughout Scripture.