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Though we recently celebrated the Advent of the first coming of Christ, we mustn’t forget to long and anticipate His second coming. In this sermon, Nathan examines the story of Simeon blessing baby Jesus in the Temple and how Simeon’s expectancy for the Messiah should be the same as ours today as we await His return. • • • • • This message was preached at the Church at Ellerslie on December 18, 2022. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

Culturally, our identity is often wrapped up in our professions, abilities, or history. But as believers, our identity is to be IN Christ. As Paul begins his letter to Titus, he declares his identity, in turn reminding us that regardless of our past, profession, or talent, we need to come under the authority of and be a willing vessel for God’s use. • • • • • This message was preached at the Church at Ellerslie on December 4, 2022. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

Paul declares we are ambassadors for Christ. But what is an ambassador and how does that affect how we practically live? In this message, Nathan explores 2 Corinthians 5:20 and what it means to be an ambassador of the King, the cost to our lives, and why it is worth everything to have such a high honor. This message was preached at the Church at Ellerslie on May 22, 2022. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

I love Luke 15 and the picture of God's redemptive pursuit of that which is lost. Yet while we are familiar with the three parables Jesus shares (Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and the Lost Son), we often forget the cultural context in which they sit. Join me in exploring a cultural perspective of Luke 15 that gives fresh insight into the words of Jesus and offers a powerful glimpse into the nature and heart of God. This message was preached at the Church at Ellerslie on May 1, 2022. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

As Paul comes to a conclusion, he gives a final benediction and blessing for those who live and think according to His exhortation of Philippians 4:4-9. This blessing is nothing less than God’s promise to be with us. In this final message on the Christian mindset, Nathan Johnson expounds on Paul’s statement that “the God of peace will be with you” and gives three incredible realities of what it means for our lives practically. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

We are to be unlike the world around us—though we live in the world, we are not to be of the world. As Paul concludes his argument in Philippians 4:9, he declares “look at my life and watch how this is put into practice!” In this episode, Nathan exposes Paul’s heart from the passage and exhorts each of us to live lives worthy to be imitated. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

While God is the only one who is truly worthy of praise, it is fascinating that the word “praiseworthy” in Philippians 4:8 is used for both God and people. In this study, Nathan Johnson explores the biblical concept of praiseworthy and gives eight practical thoughts for how we can live lives of praise. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

Our culture is obsessed with “excellent” things—people, sports ability, careers, etc—but biblically, there is only one thing that is truly “excellent.” In this study of Philippians 4:8, Nathan Johnson talks about things culture deems as excellent and shows how the only truly excellent thing is Jesus Himself—and also discusses three ways to fill up your mind with “whatever is excellent.” For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

According to Paul, our minds are to have a “good reputation.” While many of us would fear if someone could see our thoughts for 24 hours, a Christian’s mind is to be full of honor and godliness. In this episode, Nathan examines the concept of “commendable” in Philippians 4:8 and four examples the Bible gives for such a thought life. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

“This study was not at all what I was expecting” was heard from Nathan’s mouth as he dived into what Paul calls “lovely.” As Christians, we often diminish or de-spiritualize anything that is delightful or pleasurable, yet Paul says that such things should be in our minds and filling up our lives. In this study from Philippians 4:8, Nathan explains three key areas that are lovely and why we should find great delight, joy, and pleasure in them. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

Purity is not a popular term these days. In a culture where “anything goes,” Christians are called to live set-apart, holiness, pure lives. Yet how can live pure in an impure world? In this episode, Nathan Johnson focuses on Paul’s call to purity in Philippians 4:8 and explains how this should not only affect every area of our lives but is only possible when we focus on Jesus and fill our minds with His Word. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

Biblically, justice is not based on preference or perspective, but upon God’s righteous character and Word. In Paul’s exhortation to the Church to “think on these things” in Philippians 4:8, he calls us to dwell upon that which is right (or just). In this episode, Nathan Johnson examines the concept of righteousness and justice and gives five practical ways to not only think about that which is just but to also live it out in our lives. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

Honor is greatly misunderstood in today’s culture. Yet Paul commands us to fill up our minds with that which is honorable. As Christians, how can we understand what “honorable” is and how do we keep a guard upon our mind that reflects this quality? In this episode, Nathan Johnson tackles this complex Greek word and describes three ways in which our minds can be honorable and noble no matter what goes on around us. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

Paul’s command to think on what is true is far more that something factual or informational — he refers embracing the Person of Jesus and being filled up with the Word of God. In this episode, Nathan Johnson examines Paul’s first command of things to think upon and discovers that truth is twofold, it expels all lies, and transforms our personal experience and reality. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

In Philippians 4:8, Paul gives a list of eight things we are to think, or meditate, upon. More than a mental grasp or understanding, Paul asserts that the meditation of the Christian mind should affect our lives in every way. As we “fill up our minds” with the things on his list, they in turn should radically transform how we behave, talk, and think. In this episode, Nathan Johnson unpacks the concept of “think” or “dwell” and how essential the word is to our understanding of the entire passage. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

When we think of boundaries, we often think of restrictions, limitations, and confinement. Yet boundaries actually give freedom. As we begin our study of Philippians 4:8, Nathan Johnson examines the beauty of boundaries and the blessing they are in our walk with Christ. Rather than imposing a limitation on what we can think upon, Paul gives us true freedom to think on Jesus Christ. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

As we continue our study on the mindset of a Christian from Philippians 4:4–9, we are taking the first two episodes to review what we’ve covered thus far.  In this episode, we examine Paul’s call to not allow anything to produce fear, anxiety, or worry and instead press us into intimacy with Jesus through prayer and thanksgiving—as such the peace of God will guard our inner lives. As we continue our study, this episode will give the context for the “think on these things” passage of Philippians 4:8. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

As we continue our study on the mindset of a Christian from Philippians 4:4–9, we are taking the first two episodes to review what we’ve covered thus far in the first twelve studies.  In this episode, we examine Paul’s command to rejoice always and to be known for your gentleness. This “impossible” living is only possible because the Lord is near.  As we continue our study, this episode will give the context for the “think on these things” passage of Philippians 4:8. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

We often think of the coming of Christ at Christmas, but do we remember and ponder His Second Coming? Or what about the purpose of His first? In this message, Nathan Johnson gives a "Christmas meditation" focused on the sign of sacrifice as foreshadowed by Abraham and Isaac and further illustrated in the sign the Bethlehem shepherds receive. We also talk about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and how this season should prepare us for His return. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com

Whatever. Paul uses this short but powerful word to talk about the endless richness of what our mind is to be set upon. Rather than a limitation, this word is all about freedom and possibilities. In this expositional message on the Christian Mindset, Nathan Johnson looks at Philippians 4:8 and the boundaries our minds are to stay within. For more Christ-Centered teaching and resources, visit deeperChristian.com