What Do You Bring?

What do you bring?

I ask this because right now we’re in the midst of the religion battle. The disturbance between people who go to this church or that one. What I’m about to say may turn some people off, but Paul said something similar in Philippians 1…

It doesn’t matter where you go… I’ll wait for the outrage to cease…

Think about two places:

• The first is pristine, stained glass, crosses, images of Christ everywhere, decorated to the nines
• The second is bland, nothing fancy, possibly rundown, some bible verses on the wall just so it's not blank, but fanciness is minimal

You are already judging these two places, and you may even think I have two very specific places in mind or very specific denominations, but I don’t. This is the product of different representations from movies and such.

It matters what you bring! The thing you bring to the table is what matters!

Philippians 1:15-22 15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 

What does Paul Bring???

• fruit from his labor
• ashamed in nothing
• all boldness
• Christ will be magnified in his body

***Christ***