St Mary's Church Almondsbury
To know God, build up each other as Christians, and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord to our neighbours
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“A Life Worth Living” Sermon Series The theme of this series is that living the Christian life is a positive, life-enhancing experience. That is, how it is possible to live the Christian life positively, practically and joyfully.			Philippians 3: 10 ‘I want to know Christ’
Sermon 7: New Ambitions Ambition is working towards a defined goal. Vision is a picture of the future that gives inspiration in the present. We have a choice between earthly and heavenly ambition. I will make three comparisons between the two. 1. Eternal Destiny: Glory or destruction 'He will transform the body of our humiliation so it may be conformed to the body of his glory' (v21) Our faith and hope is real, tangible. Our current bodies infected by sin will give place to a new spiritual body. We will bear the image of the heavenly Christ, his resurrection not incarnation body. 'Their end is destruction' (v19) Destruction is not extinction, but ruin; not loosing being, but well-being. The decaying effects of sin continue. We know all earthly things turn to dust. 2. Ethos: Share suffering or self indulgence 'Sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death' (v10) The Christian is called to sacrifice and suffer like Christ Out this death comes life for others and us. 'Live as enemies of the cross of Christ...their god is the belly' (v18,19) The other option is to avoid suffering and live to meet personal material needs only. 3. Energy: Resurrection or earthly 'I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection' (v10) Paul relies on energy from God through the Holy Spirit. The power that changes lives, raised Jesus - the power that brings life. 'Their minds are set on earthly things' (v19) Our mind is our values, how we make decisions. Setting the life by only the power and ability found in this world, we miss out of God's spiritual power So a Christian with the ambition of heaven sacrifices earthly things by the power of God's spirit. 'A Life Worth Living' Sermons
Contact the Church Office Rev. Philip W. Rowe, Vicar of Almondsbury and Olveston with Aust The Vicarage, 3 Sundays Hill, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4DS 01454 613223		Email the Website Administrator