In a Strait Betwixt Two

Mallory Mathias • June 1, 2022

Notes from Scott Sutton's message on Philippians 1:19-26.


Understanding Paul's joy can be found in the central statement of our text this week, "to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”


Paul's predicament is not that he is in prison for preaching the Gospel, it is that he has two possibilities in front of him: life or death. And “the straight betwixt two”, the reason that he is so hard pressed between those two options, is that both are incredibly good options to him!


One might think that the opposite of life is death, but this is wrong. In Paul’s mind, his deliverance from life is deliverance to Jesus. This is what he means when he says “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Paul is able to have this mindset because he has set his identity to be in Christ, and in Christ alone. Paul no longer sees life and death as opposites! Paul has placed his full satisfaction in Jesus Christ. 


SATISFACTION in Christ is better than anything that life can offer.


If this is true for us, then we should…


  • Always aim to honor, glorify, boast in, and magnify Christ.


  • Value the prayers of others. Satisfaction in Christ reveals our need for other people.


  • Fruitfully labor for others, for their progress and joy in the faith.

"The greatest need of all humanity is that God be acknowledged and worshiped as the Holy One of Israel. It takes the entire church to provide a vague imitation of the glory of God. that God be acknowledged and worshiped as the Holy One of Israel. It takes the entire church to provide a vague imitation of the glory of God. What do we really need? We need to be a corporate body smitten with the glory of God, committed to the unity of the church, deluged by His love, and faithful as we walk together in obedience to Him, even in our suffering. We need to need other people less and love other people more.”


- Edward T. Welch, "When People Are Big and God is Small"


“The world is too perilous, and the Gospel too glorious, for the church to be content with past achievements... [Helping other people in spiritual progress is done] through patient practice of familiar virtues of love and service to others." (ESV Commentary) and for Paul, the way of Jesus and the life of service were inseparable.


Christian Hedonism = God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.


SATISFACTION in Christ is better than anything that death can take away. 


If we truly believe this, it should change our view of death.


For Paul, the ultimate purpose of death was to usher him into the presence of Christ. Paul was not concerned about his current situation or status on this earth. He was concerned about spreading the good news of Christ and expanding the kingdom. 


This satisfaction in Christ helped to eliminate his fear of man and his need to control people and circumstances. We know there there are many of us who have been hurt in one way or another. It’s heartbreaking to hear the many stories of those that have been hurt within the church body. Some of these experiences can cause for us to be sad, and sorrowful. However this does not mean that there is no room for sorrow, but it does mean that you don't have to settle for sorrow without joy! Anyone who experiences any kind of  death or loss needs to see Jesus on display because Christ conquered death!


How can we be more like Paul? 


Paul took Jesus literally...


  • Jesus said in Luke 12:4 "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body..." So Paul said, "Ok, I won't fear those people who kill the body." And the result was boldness and joy as others found joy in Christ through the proclamation of the Gospel.


  • Jesus said, "And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before man, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God." (Luke 12:8) So Paul said, "Ok, I will acknowledge Jesus before all men."


  • Jesus said, "Guard against all covetousness, for life does not consist in the abundance of one's possessions." (Luke 12:15). So Paul said, "Ok. I will not covet... I won't spend my life on the accumulation of more stuff."


  • Jesus said, "Do not be anxious about your life." (Phil. 4:6) So Paul said, "Ok, I won't be anxious about my life. I'll trust Jesus and choose joy."


  • Jesus said, "It is better to give than to receive." So Paul said, "Ok, I will give."


  • Jesus said, "The Son of Man came, not to be served, but to serve." (Luke 22:27)  So Paul said, "Ok. I will serve."


None of us would even know Paul's name if he viewed Jesus' teachings as optional. 


Jesus changed Paul to be more like Jesus. (Sanctification)


So, when Paul was in jail, he looked at the guards and jailers and said, "Maybe Jesus died for them, I am going to share the Gospel." As he ministered to difficult and hard-hearted churches, Paul thought, "Maybe Jesus died for them, so I am going to serve them and share the Gospel... I am going to stay the course... finish the race... lay hold of the prize... fix my eyes on the upward call of Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same."


Let's be like Paul. Let's take Jesus at His Word. Let's share in the joy Paul has, knowing he can't lose —in life or in death—with the hope He has in Jesus.

Everything We Need

July 29, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:3-4 We have everything we need for a godly life. Sentence has: 68 words 9 prepositional phrases 5 dependent clauses God called us. “By His divine power” The word here is summon Like Lazarus, come forth. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. By revealing Christ to us. “Through the knowledge of Him” Side note, ambiguity: The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We need to note that this comes to us by grace, but also that we have a part to play here. Effort is not a 4 letter word. You have no excuse for: Pornography- You have everything you need. Substance Abuse- You have everything you need. Pride- You have everything you need Laziness- You have everything you need Anger- You have everything you need. Prayer and Scripture Reading- You have everything you need. Evangelism- You have everything you need. He’ll go on to mention supplementing He has given us what we need for godliness now, and He promises us even greater things to come. We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature 2 Pe 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature Unusual word… The “divine nature” (Theos) appears only here and in Acts where Paul addresses the Areopagus an odd work choice and would have appealed to his pagan readers. Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. Redefining what it means to become like God. Christ shared in our nature that we might share in His. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. In 1:3, it’s through the knowledge of Christ that we are called to Him. Here, we see that a fuller revelation of Christ will conform us even more fully into His likeness. How so? Purity Immortality Restoration to Eden Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, We have everything we need for a godly life. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. Purity Immortality Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable.’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. Discipleship Questions: 2 Peter 1:3 says we’ve been given everything we need for life and godliness… Do you find that verse encouraging, challenging or both? Are there any areas of your walk where you struggle to believe that you already have everything you need for success? Do you ever make excuses to yourself or others for a lack of godliness? If yes, explain. How much work does it take to live as a Christian? What does it mean that we will be “partakers in the divine nature”?

The Genuine Gospel

July 21, 2025
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:1-2  Peter is warning us about counterfeit teaching and false teachers The genuine gospel came from Jesus through His apostles —servant (humility and honor) —apostle (called, unique, sent) The genuine gospel is just as precious to us today —received and believed “How does someone become a Christian? One person might say, ‘Because I believe,’ and another, ‘Because God chose me.’ According to Peter, both ways of stating it are correct. On the one hand, we believe. It is a fundamental definition of a Christian that he or she is a ‘believe-er’; that he or she ‘has faith’ But Peter also knows that it is not our feeble faith that holds us close to God. It is God who does all the holding, and that is the reality behind the word received.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel is centered on the person and work of Jesus —God —Savior —Christ —Lord “This fourfold description of Jesus is important because it puts him at the focal point of human history. As God, he guarantees that his words and his works cannot be replaced or revoked; as Christ, he fulfills all the Old Testament promises; as Savior, he died on the cross for our salvation in the past, present and future; and as Lord he claims the right to our individual love and obedience—notice how Peter calls him our Lord.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel transforms us as we grow in knowledge of Jesus —grace and peace multiplied Discipleship Questions: Why is false teaching so dangerous? How does remembering and focusing on the true gospel help us stand against false teaching? In what ways is the gospel just as precious to us as it was to the apostles? How do you relate to Jesus as God, Savior, Christ, and Lord? What is the difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Him?

The God of All Grace

July 16, 2025
Notes from Zach Snow's sermon on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 5:8-14 Why is the lion roaring? Wouldn’t it be a better strategy to be quiet…subtle…sneaky, in an attempt to “devour” Christians? I think that Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, was very intentional with his description here of the devil being a roaring lion. Went into a rabbit hole on a lion's roar…there are some spiritual applications to these: Can reach up to 114 decibels…almost as loud as a jet engine taking off They roar for social reasons (territory, create bonds, locate other members of their pride) as well as for purposes of intimidation. One of the primary purposes of the lion's roar is to strike fear in the heart of their prey. The lion will always start with a psychological advantage Fear, anxiety, depression, anger, hatred - these things can absolutely paralyse you spiritually The lion is not necessarily trying to kill you, but to destroy your faith Prayer: Be sober-minded - Have a clear and self disciplined mind - Titus 2 Exercise self control in thoughts, words, and action this is the 3rd time Peter has said this to us in 1 Peter - 1:13, 4:7 - it’s a call to remain alert and focused Being sober-minded means waging war against the things that are detrimental to the mind: fear, hatred, anxiety, depression, anger I believe these are specific things the enemy uses to derail our mental health and cause us to take our guard down Be watchful - this is the same word that Jesus used in the garden before he was arrested and crucified - this is a call to pray Prayers for others - Eph. 6:18 - Ephesians 6:18 - [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Prayers for yourself - James 1:5 - 5 j If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. So here’s the question… Do you believe in prayer? How much do you trust that God can do the things that you are not able to do? Do you trust God with the big stuff AND the small stuff? Discipleship Questions: 1.) In your personal life, what does being sober minded and watchful look like to you? 2.) Who are the people who help you stand firm in your faith the most? 3.) As a CG look at each of the points of the Theology of Suffering and find Scripture to support each one of those statements: God is ALWAYS good God is ALWAYS enough God will ALWAYS love you 4.) Discuss ways that the God of all grace has restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established you.
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