First Baptist Church Franklin NC

Know Christ. Privilege with God does not come from anything one could achieve or inherit, but from knowing Christ.

True Christians rejoice in the lord, look out for a false gospel, worship by the Spirit, boast in Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.

Let’s learn from the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus, who were Christ-focused, others-focused, and self-sacrificial.Paul gave us two examples of men who demonstrated care for others’ needs above their own, and more importantly, care for the interests of Christ above their own.Timothy and Epaphroditus demonstrated the mind of Christ from 2:3-5 (in humility count the other more significant than yourselves, and look out not only for your own interests but also the interests of others, as Jesus did, who humbled himself to serve even to lay down his own life for us on the cross.)These two men demonstrate living a life worthy of the gospel of Christ, as Paul instructed in 1:27. We live worthy of the gospel of Christ by having concern for others and for Christ.

Shine as lights by living out your salvation, specifically by having harmonious relationships and rejoicing in God’s work. Paul exhorts the Philippian congregation to cling to the gospel and obey by living out the work God is doing in them, specifically by refusing to complain and argue, because their relational harmony will shine like lights to the dark world.

Humble yourselves and be unified in Jesus, the preexistent, humiliated, and exalted Lord of all creation. Paul calls the Philippian church to unity and humility in Christ, who, although he was God, humbled himself by becoming obedient even to death on a cross, and therefore God has exalted him above every name, that all people must worship him. [Easter 2026]Philippians 2:1–11 (ESV)1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Lord, whatever comes, I want Christ to be glorified.

Series: Live Worthy of the Gospel: PhilippiansPaul’s imprisonment surprisingly served to advance the gospel, and in that he rejoiced. Pray for, pursue, and rejoice in the advancement of the gospel.

Big Idea of Text: Paul expresses joy and gratitude for the Philippian church’s partnership in the gospel and confidence in the Lord’s work in their maturity.Big Idea of Sermon: God will complete His work in you.Series: Live Worthy of the Gospel: PhilippiansText: Php 1:1-11

Beware of hypocrisy that distorts God’s Word rather than reveals it: for leaders and all of us. In this story, Jesus confronts and condemns the leaders of Israel. The direct parallel is to the shepherds of God’s people today. But this message is for all of us – we all must guard ourselves from hypocrisy – from being clean on the outside but dirty on the inside.

Blessed and full of light are those who hear God’s Word and keep it. Read God’s Word every day and obey it, because God’s Word is the light of your life.

Jesus came to conquer evil and set men and women free. Jesus healed a demon-possessed man, allowing him to speak, then showed unbelievers that his power to set free comes from God, and finally, he warned them of moral reform without allegiance to and union with him.

Let's learn to pray like Jesus, from Jesus, with expectation, that he will not only meet our needs, but give us his own Spirit! After observing Jesus praying, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. He taught them how to pray, giving them a pattern, a parable, and a promise. God answers prayer.

This being a model by which the NT structures church leadership, deacons are spiritually qualified problem solvers, partnered with the pastor(s), for the benefit of the mission – the multiplication of disciples.The apostles responded to a complaint in the congregation by selecting spiritually qualified men to handle the problem, so that the Apostles could focus on their priority of prayer and the ministry of the Word, resulting in the multiplication of new disciples.

Scripture-Fed, Spirit-Led, Worship-Based Prayer from Psalm 101.

Learning from how Jesus responded to the Law expert skeptic, we can engage skeptics in gospel conversations by responding agreeably according to their expertise to move them closer to acceptance and obedience to God’s Word.

Martha and Mary, sisters, welcomed Jesus into their home. These ladies love Jesus. While Martha showed hospitality, she was distracted from hearing Jesus' teaching because of her desire to serve the Lord. But Mary sat at Jesus' feet, listening intently to Him. Martha became frustrated with Mary for not helping her prepare food. And Jesus responded tenderly to Martha not to be anxious about many things, that Mary has chosen the one necessary thing – listening to His Words – which will remain with her forever.