In this episode of the Village Church’s series on Philippians, Pastor Mark turns his gaze toward the opening verses of chapter three. He explores the call to rejoice, urging it not simply as an emotion but as a defense—a safeguard, standing firm against those who would reduce grace to mere rule-following. These verses are more than an appeal; they’re a resistance against any who would burden the Gentiles with the weight of old customs. Pastor Mark challenges us to recognize joy as not only a gift but a shield, one that defends the heart from subtle pressures to distort the Gospel’s freedom.
The Village Church’s sermon podcast is more than just a weekly message. It is an invitation into the great and ongoing story of God’s work in the world. Pastors Eric, Mark, Susan, Daniel, and other leaders open the Scriptures not as a collection of abstract ideas but as the living, breathing witness to God’s kingdom breaking into our midst. Each episode is a call—not merely to listen, but to take part, to step forward into the life of faith with renewed vision and purpose.
Week by week, the pastors and leaders explore the deep rhythms of Christian discipleship—prayer, fasting, generosity—not as isolated duties but as part of a larger, richer, and more beautiful whole. They unpack these ancient practices in light of Jesus himself, the one in whom heaven and earth have come together. But they also turn their attention to the realities of everyday life—relationships, finances, the struggles and joys of being human—demonstrating how the gospel is not merely about what we believe but about how we live as God's renewed people in the present age.
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