Paul had said that we need to have the same attitude and make the same choices and take the same actions as Jesus. Which he knew a lot of folks would think might be too hard! So he gave us two examples of ordinary folks who lived that out so that we could know it wasn't just some kind of unreachable goal, but was actually something that is EXPECTED from each one of us.

Who were they and what was their witness to the world? And, more importantly, what is YOUR witness? Are you a testimony to Christ or do your choices suggest you are following a different commanding officer?

Look, I'm sure that your national pride, like that you might have for a favorite sports team, can be a fun component of your approach to life. However, Followers of the Way of Jesus need to make sure that Jesus is Lord!

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul lays out the requirements for being and keeping our citizenship in God's Kingdom. Those may start and end with rejoicing (they do!) but citizenship has both rights and responsibilities attached. If we refuse to live those out, then we aren't citizens of Christ and maybe we never were. But don't despair! Paul explained in some detail the attitude we need to have to be successful! So listen to today's message, then go live it out.

Does it seem that there is more reason for sorrow than for joy?
There's not.

Am I ignoring the pain and suffering which is so prevalent in life?
I'm not. It sucks. We should rely on our JOY as we combat those things.

How can there be anything to rejoice about when there is war, injustice, people being falsely accused and condemned, people taking advantage of others for their own benefit, people working to bring misery on others, people living in fear?
Because JOY is GREATER than that.

The reasons for joy are GREATER than the reasons for giving up. And the JOY that will sustain you comes from a source which is greater than any misery the world can muster. And you can count on it at all times and in every way.