North Main Street Church of God
Overflowing Love
1201 North Main Street Ext. Butler, PA 16001 11/19/2023
Locations & Times
North Main Street Church of God
1201 N Main St Ext, Butler, PA 16001, USA
Sunday 10:30 AM
Sunday Morning
Join us on Sunday Mornings online where you can Check-in/Connect, Give, and Watch along with us.
https://northmaincog.org/online/Know Christ intimately,
Grow in Christ continually, and
Go for Christ daily
Check-in Here
Thanks for joining us! If it's your first time here we'd love to connect with you! Fill out the form below. <br> For our regular attenders, please check in with your name and email, if you need to update information
https://northmaincog.org/online-connection-form/Joining us online?
Thank you for joining us today! Please check in here:
https://northmaincog.org/online-connection-form/
Newcomers to North Main
If you are a newcomer, we’re so glad you’ve joined us! If you’re here in person, make sure to stop by the Welcome Center where we have a gift bag for you with some information about us and some delicious homemade chocolate chip COOKIES. <br> For those online please visit the website below and make sure to click the COMMUNICATION CARD button and fill that out so we can send you a free gift!
https://northmaincog.org/onlineChurch Mobile App
Did you know North Main has a church mobile app? Access videos anytime from your device and never miss a sermon. Securely and easily give your tithes, offerings, and donations. Instantly register for upcoming events, and stay in the know of what's happening. Contact Us at any time with a simple message. Find others in the North Main directory. To download go to:
https://northmaincog.org/app/Bible Reading Plan
Join us in 2023 as we read through the Bible in a year and highlight evidence of “KINDNESS” throughout our daily Scripture readings. Reading Guides and GREEN highlighters, the color that represents KINDNESS, are available at the Welcome Center. You can also access the resources digitally on NORTHMAINCOG.ORG/BIBLE
https://northmaincog.org/bible/
Events
For more information about events at North Main such as our upcoming softball games, women’s hikes, classes, and groups, please make sure to stop by the Welcome Center or visit our website at
https://northmaincog.org/events
Sign up at https://northmaincog.org/baptisms
https://northmaincog.org/poinsettias/
Give
We thank you for your faithful gifts. You can give online and, of course, on Sundays by using the secure drop boxes located outside the doors of the Sanctuary. THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS.
https://northmaincog.org/give/
(Philippians 1:3-11)
Yearly Theme: “Kindness is… Appreciative”
Series Title: “Thankful Kindness”
November 19th, 2023
A story is told of a selfish person who inherited a rice field in India. The first season the irrigation water covered his property, making it very fruitful, and it also overflowed onto his neighbors' fields, bringing a great harvest to them as well. The next season he decided that he was too generous in sharing his wealth by letting this water escape to others so he stopped the water with a specially made dam. However, in doing so he spoiled his own crop. The irrigation water brought blessing when it flowed, but when it became stagnant, it turned the field into an unfruitful marsh.[1]
Overflowing love should be the clear marker and evidence of the Church. Sadly, however, this isn’t always the case. Now love, it must be noted, though not accepting of all things, is always loving in all things. No matter the situation, no matter the person, and no matter the time, love should be the marker of every believer in Christ.
We come to another passage of Scripture from one of Paul’s letters in the New Testament. The circumstances surrounding this letter are not great for Paul; he is writing from prison. However, in this short letter to the Church at Philippi, Paul encourages the believers to stay committed to Christ and overflow with love more and more as they continue to learn and grow in Him. Let’s take a closer look this morning:
[1]Source Unknown.
Key Point: “Overflowing love comes from a heart of thankfulness.”
What does Paul pray for the Philippian church? Let’s take a closer look:
Philippians 1:9a (NLT), I pray that your love will overflow more and more…
Philippians 1:9b (NLT), …that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.
Philippians 1:11 (NLT), May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
W. Stanley Mooneyham said, “Love talked about can be easily turned aside, but love demonstrated is irresistible.”
The church is called to a demonstrable love and active love, a love that never withers or fades, but presses into the darkness and conquers the hellish tortures of this world. As believers in Christ mature in their faith, the expression of GOD’s love through them becomes palpable and expansive.
If the defining characteristic of GOD is love, then the reflection of that characteristic should be so evident within the body of Christ that the world would not be able to deny who we are and what we stand for.
Jesus loved people into the Kingdom of GOD. Shouldn’t our love for GOD and others also love people into the Kingdom of GOD in relationship with the Father through faith in Christ Jesus? We love because He first loved us, and out of a thankful heart, our love for others reflects the glory of GOD.
Key Point: “Overflowing love comes from a heart of thankfulness.”
emotions does he express towards them? Paul says the Philippians are his partners in the gospel. What might he mean? What does Paul mean when he says God will complete the good work he began in them?
Paul insists his “feelings” toward the Philippians are right or appropriate. Why does he have to clarify this? Why might someone consider his perspective inappropriate?
What are you trying to communicate when you tell someone you “yearn” for them? What nuances does this communicate beyond just telling them you love them? Paul says he yearns for the Philippians “with the affection of Christ Jesus”. What does this reveal about Christ’s heart? How is this an explanation for Paul’s confidence God will complete his work in them? If you were in a situation like the Philippians, how would hearing Paul’s positive perspective affect you?
Paul desires the Philippians’ love to abound more and
more with knowledge and discernment. How might a lack of the hinder them from abounding in love?
What do we learn about Paul’s perspective on life from his prayer? From this whole passage, 1:1-11, How has Paul’s experience of Christ shaped his perspective on life?
In what ways do you see a lack of good perspective keeping you from abounding in love for God, or others? What does it look like for you to partake in God’s grace? Where or how do you experience God’s grace? In what ways can your small group point you to God’s grace? What aspects of God’s grace most encourage you to suffer for, defend, and confirm the gospel?
Past Sermons
To view past sermons, please visit our website below.
https://northmaincog.org/media-resources/sermons/Contact Us
If you would like to update your information or have a prayer request, please fill out the link below.
https://northmaincog.org/media-resources/contact-us/North Main Street Church of God
1201 North Main Street Ext.Butler, PA 16001 (724) 285-4214 info@northmaincog.org
http://www.northmaincog.org/Give
We thank you for your faithful gifts. You can give online at NORTHMAINCOG.ORG/GIVE, text "give" to (724) 313-2211, and, of course, on Sundays by using the secure drop boxes located outside the doors of the Sanctuary. THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS.
https://www.northmaincog.org/giveMonday - Thursday
9:00am - 4:00pm