The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ: A Study of Philippians

The apostle Paul was an extraordinary individual by any measure.From the moment he was introduced to Jesus by name in a blindingflash of light to his final days chained like an animal in a Romandungeon, he relentlessly pursued Christ and preached the gospelentrusted to him. Paul's fervor could not be starved, smothered nordrowned. No slander nor accusation could sideline him. No beatingwith rods could silence the melody of his midnight song. Thepower of the Holy Spirit that first came gently to Europe in a riversideprayer-gathering soon burgeoned into an earthquake beneath ajailhouse, loosing the chains of every prisoner and dousing a jailerand his household in the waters of baptism.What kind of mindset makes a person like Paul: unstoppable in love,faith and good works even in a steady flow of frustration, conflictand opposition? What keeps a person from becoming cynical whenpeople are notoriously exploiting the gospel and preaching Christout of selfish ambition? Paul's brief letter to the saints in Philippimay well capture the mindset that set him apart like no other pieceof correspondence from his pen. The book of Philippians isexhortation driven by unabashed affection, inviting the reader tojoin in imitating his joyful, single-minded pursuit of Jesus.Come along with Beth and Melissa in this four-week, five-sessionstudy of Philippians. By the power of the same Holy Spirit whotook the gospel to Europe by way of Philippi, discover what Paulmagnificently called, The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ.…