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Caring Christmas Tree
From now until December 17th
The Bridge Church Reno
Help us provide for those in need in our community this Christmas by participating in our “Caring Christmas Tree.”  Take an ornament off the tree in the Welcome Center, then purchase the gifts for the person or family listed on the ornament.  Return the gifts by Sunday December 17th

Starting Point Class
Sunday December 10th @ 11:30a
The Bridge Church Reno – Learning Center
If you are new to The Bridge Church this is a great place to learn all about our mission and vision and why we believe God has placed us here in this neighborhood.  You will learn all about how we are reaching our community and world, you will also have the opportunity to become a member. Please go here (https://thebridgereno.com/startingpoint) to let us know you will be joining us.
 
Discovering My Ministry Class
Sunday December 10th at 11:30a
The Bridge Church Reno - Conference Room
If you have said yes to Jesus and have started a relationship with Him then you have been given at least one spiritual gift. This class focuses on discovering that gift as well as how you can use your talents, abilities, and past experiences all together to serve God.  In this class we will develop your personal ministry profile and work towards discovering how God has uniquely shaped you to further His Kingdom.  Please go here (https://thebridgereno.com/discover) to let us know you will be joining us.
 
Christmas Eve Services
Sunday December 24th @ 3:30p & 4:30p
The Bridge Church Reno
This year Christmas Eve falls on Sunday.  We will not have a morning service, instead we will have two Christmas Eve candlelight services in the evening at 3:00 and 4:30pm  This is a great opportunity to invite family and friends to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
 
Kids Kingdom News
What a great time we had in Kids Kingdom this week.  With our Christmas celebration coming up on December 3rd, the Shilling Store will be opened on December 10th.  This month we will be Christmas shopping,  They will be buying gifts for family and friends.  I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones.  I would love to see all of your shining faces on Sunday.

Message Notes

Guarded by Peace

We need God’s peace.

Today’s scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Paul is writing this wonderful “Thank You” letter to his favorite church in Philippi. He is wrapping things up when he tells there is a recipe for gaining God’s peace in our lives.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 
Philippians 4:4
The first ingredient is joy.  Not joy fleeting happiness that comes and goes bases on circumstances but pure Christian Joy. Joy that comes from knowing God.

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:5
The second thing Paul mentions is putting others first.  One of the keys to experiencing more of God’s peace is think of others needs first and not demand our way.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 
Philippians 4:6
The next thing Paul gives us in the recipe is to do away with being anxious.  Even though that is an incredibly difficult thing to even consider, Paul commands us to do it. But he also gives us a way to accomplish it.

Do not be anxious about anything, but [do this instead], by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Tell God About it.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
 Wow, what a promise! You can have peace no matter how bad things are.  

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 
Philippians 4:8
God’s word teaches that YOU are in control of what you choose to think about.  You decide.  You can choose to think about all the horrible possibilities of what might happen in the future.  Or you can choose to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 
Philippians 4:9
Paul is saying imitate what I am doing.  Paul is not just instructing he is modeling how we should do this.  He knows that if we begin to do live this out that the people around us who see it will want that peace too.

Anxious in nothing, prayerful in everything, and thankful for anything. That’s the recipe.   
Previous Messages Can Be Found Here

Small Groups Talk About It

Watch the latest Message Summary:

  1. How often do you write thank you letters?  When was the last time you wrote one?  What was it for?

  2. Share a story of a time you were really worried about something that you were sure would happen but never did.

  3. Read Philippians 4:4-5. What are some of the things that Paul had to rejoice over in his life? Why do you think he had to remind people to rejoice in the Lord? On a scale of 1-10 what is your “joy in the Lord” right now?  Why?

  4. What do you think “Let your gentleness be evident to all” means. How might someone know you were a gentle person?  Would you call yourself a gentle person?

  5. Read Philippians 4:6-7. Do you think it’s possible to never be anxious?  Why do you think people deal with so much anxiety these days?  What does Paul instruct us to do instead of worrying?

  6. Why would Paul tell us to pray with thanksgiving?  What is the promise he gives if we bring our requests to God with thanksgiving?  Have you ever experienced this?  Share the story.

  7. Read Philippians 4:8-9. Take some time to discuss what each of things we should be thinking about mean in verse 8.  How can we begin to train our minds to think about these things?  (Hint: build a new habit to replace an old one.)

  8. Why does Paul finish the thought by telling the readers to put into practice what they have learned from him?  When it comes to our oikos, why is it so important that we are practicing these things?

  9. This week how will you commit to letting go of anxiety and replace it with other thoughts?
Previous Messages Can Be Found Here