• Citizens of Heaven, Yet Residents of Earth
    Jun 23 2026

    This 6/7/26 sermon by Mike Gowens is based on Philippians 3:17-21 and is #26 in the "Exposition of Philippians" study. Using the fact that Philippi was a Roman colony although a distance of 800 miles separated the capital city from its Greek city-state, Paul reminds the saints of the need to think of our lives in this world in terms of our heavenly home, and to prioritize that ultimate, political reality in the way we think about the present life.

    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
  • Running for the Prize
    Jun 10 2026

    The 5/31/26 message by Mike Gowens is #25 in the "Exposition of Philippians" series, and is based on Philippians 3:8-14. Gowens develops Paul's metaphor of the athlete that strains for the goal as a metaphor of the Christian life. The entire passage emphasizes the importance of focus, self-discipline and strenuous effort in living the life of discipleship.

    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • Paul's Ambition to Know Jesus Christ
    Jun 1 2026

    This 5/24/26 sermon by Michael Gowens is #24 in the Philippian series. It is based on Phi. 3:7-10. Paul's language reveals his personal passion and ambition. Gowens elaborates on the impropriety of ambition if it is self-centered and self-promoting, but argues that when a deeper knowledge of Christ and conformity to Him is the goal, it is not only a proper, but essential personal trait.

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • Paul's Remarkable Conversion
    May 27 2026

    This 5/17/26 sermon by Michael Gowens is based on Philippians 3:4-8 and is #23 in the Exposition of Philippians series. In one of his characteristic autobiographical paragraphs, Paul draws from his own experience to describe a complete restructuring of his life perspective and outlook on the future. He employs the metaphor of an accountant that revalues his assets for liabilities and vice versa, in order to prompt the Philippians to reassess their priorities in living the Christian life.

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • The House that God Builds
    May 20 2026

    Brother Gowens sermon from 5/10/26 is based on Psalm 127-128, companion Psalms that paint a lovely portrait of home blessed by God. Before developing the thought of the godly family, however, Gowens considers two other "houses" that God builds: 1) The Entire Family of God; 2) The Household of Faith.

    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • Spiritual Israel & Its Defining Characteristics
    May 4 2026

    This sermon by Michael Gowens, delivered on 4/26/26, focuses on Philippians 3:3. Gowens first develops the New Testament emphasis on "spiritual" Israel, then proceeds to describe the three distinctive traits that mark true worshipers of God. This is message #22 in the expository series on Philippians.

    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • Christians: The True Circumcision
    Apr 27 2026

    This message from the Philippians study was delivered by Mike Gowens on 4/12/26. The text is Phi. 3:2-3. This is sermon #21 in the series.

    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • Legalism: A Thief of Joy
    Apr 21 2026

    This 4/12/26 sermon by Michael Gowens is #20 in the Exposition of Philippians series. It is based on Philippians 3:2, a text that introduces the challenge that false teaching in general, and legalism in particular, poses to Christian joy. Paul will continue to develop this contrast between an emphasis on righteousness by human works and righteousness by Christ's finished work in following verses.

    Show More Show Less
    47 mins