We talked last week about standing firm in our faith in Christ and his work of salvation, while pressing ahead to be all he wants us to be. We will part ways with you this week, but we all continue on in the journey of faith. And we encourage you to press ahead to be all God wants you to be.

Grady Nutt, a Christian preacher and humorist, said, “Openness is essentially the willingness to grow, a distaste for ruts, eagerly standing on [tip]-toe for a better view of what tomorrow brings. A man once bought a new radio, brought it home, placed it on the refrigerator, plugged it in, turned it to WSM in Nashville (home of the Grand Ole Opry), and then pulled all the knobs off! He had already tuned in all he ever wanted or expected to hear. Some marriages are “rutted” and rather dreary because either or both partners have yielded to the tyranny of the inevitable, “what has been will still be.” Stay open to newness. Stay open to change.” (Grady Nutt, in Homemade, July, 1990)

In the course of their conversation at a dinner party, Albert Einstein’s young neighbor asked the white-haired scientist, “What are you actually by profession?” “I devote myself to the study of physics,” Einstein replied. The girl looked at him in astonishment. “You mean to say you study physics at your age?” she exclaimed. “I finished [my study of physics] a year ago.” (Today in the Word, September 25, 1992). Whatever you do, whatever happens, don't stop learning and growing as a follower of Jesus Christ.

My dad has said, “Your life is not determined by the things you want, but by the choices you make.” Our futures from this day forward, whether we grow or stay the same or back up, our futures are not determined by our wishes and intentions, they will be determined by our choices and habits. As we face changing and sometimes trying circumstances, Paul, in the conclusion of his letter to the Philippians, offers us four key habits, that reflected the things he valued as a follower of Jesus. I offer these habits to you in the conclusion of my ministry here, as the things that we should value as we go forward in separate places.

To “agree in the Lord” has three implications: be unified by focusing on what we have in common through Christ; be unified with the Lord's help, and be unified by adjusting our minds to think like Jesus (let the Lord's will and agenda settle disputes in the church).

By the way, it helps us maintain unity when we have an attitude of joy, and when we practice gentleness and forbearance (vss. 3-4). And for accountability, keep in mind that the Lord is near, which means he is coming soon.

God began a good work in us and will complete it (1:6). He works in us to help us desire and practice his will (2:13). We can do all things through him who strengthens us (4:11-13). So you can trust him, and you don't have to worry – it doesn't help anything, anyway! Instead of worrying, tell God exactly what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then do what he wants you to do and let him take care of the rest.

If you want to press on to be all you can be as a follower of Christ, be serious about the kinds of ideas you think about, and the kinds of people you allow to be influencers and examples in your life.

Paul finished his letter by taking time to thank the Philippians for helping him financially in his ministry. He encouraged them and us to keep serving Christ and others generously and sacrificially. When we serve and give generously, God's promise is that he will provide for our needs (vs. 19); our task is to be content with our circumstances and with what we have (vss. 11-13).

It has been a privilege to serve Jesus Christ alongside you at Berean. You have blessed us and taught us so much. We will miss you, but we go to follow God's call on our lives. We will pray for you and we wish God's best for you, and we trust you will do the same for us.