12-part series

A Letter From Captivity

This is a series on the biblical book of Philippians. Philippians is a letter from Paul to a congregation in a city named Philippi, written while Paul was in some kind of imprisonment. (He mentions his imprisonment or "chains" early on in the letter.) This letter contains some powerful teaching and instructions, some of which are even more remarkable considering what Paul was going through when he wrote it. For instance, this is the letter where Paul tells the people that he has learned how to be content in all circumstances. Wow. 

September 13, 2015
Mario Villella
Mario Villella
Part 1: Gratitude and Care While Imprisoned
Part 1 of the series, "A Letter From Captivity" Philippians 1:1-11. This is an introduction to the book of Philippians. It is also a reminder that thankfulness to God and concern for others can characterize our lives even during hard times.
September 20, 2015
Mario Villella
Mario Villella
Part 2: What Looks Messed Up In Your Life Right Now?
Part 2 of the series, "A Letter From Captivity" Philippians 1:12-18. As we continue in Philippians we find out that God uses even bad things for good, and sometimes he even uses bad people for good purposes.
September 27, 2015
Mario Villella
Mario Villella
Part 3: Life And Death In Christ
Part 3 of the series, "A Letter From Captivity" Philippians 1:18-26. As we work our way through the letter to Philippians we comes to Paul's comments about his life with Christ and his death with Christ.
October 4, 2015
Mario Villella
Mario Villella
Part 4: Live Your Life
Part 4 of the series, "A Letter From Captivity" Philippians 1:27-2:2. Here, Paul begins with his first bit of instruction. We should live for Christ with courage and unity.
October 11, 2015
Mario Villella
Mario Villella
Part 5: Being Like Jesus
Part 5 of the series, "A Letter From Captivity" Philippians 2:3-11. This section gives us instructions regarding pride and selfishness and shows how Jesus humbled Himself when He came to save us.
October 18, 2015
Mario Villella
Mario Villella
Part 6: Keep Up The Good Work
Part 6 of the series, "A Letter From Captivity" Philippians 2:12-13. For this sermon we zoom in to two verses that show us what work we are to do and what work God does in our lives.
October 25, 2015
Mario Villella
Mario Villella
Part 7: Do Everything Without Grumbling and Arguing
Part 7 of the series, "A Letter From Captivity" Philippians 2:14-18. In this sermon, we discover that living for God without arguing and complaining should be done for reasons that some of us may not have even thought of.
October 26, 2015
Mario Villella
Mario Villella
Portrait of Two Missionaries
In this stand-alone sermon, we learn about some things Paul said about Timothy and Epaphroditus and what those things mean for us.
November 1, 2015
Mario Villella
Mario Villella
Part 8: Whose Righteousness Do We Trust In?
Part 8 of the series, "A Letter From Captivity" Philippians 3:1-9. In this sermon, we discuss the two things you could trust in for salvation: your own abilities to follow rules and be righteous, or God's righteousness given to you through Jesus Christ.
November 15, 2015
Mario Villella
Mario Villella
Part 9: Reaching Forward To What Is Ahead
Part 9 of the series, "A Letter From Captivity" Philippians 3:10-21. In this sermon, we learn that we are to live our lives reaching forward toward God's ultimate goals rather than focusing on earthly things.
November 22, 2015
Mario Villella
Mario Villella
Part 10: Being At Peace
Part 10 of the series, "A Letter From Captivity" Philippians 4:1-9. In this sermon, we learn about a number of topics some of which are related to having peace with others and within ourselves. We also learn that God is the God of peace.
November 29, 2015
Mario Villella
Mario Villella
Part 11: A Kind of Thank You, a Couple Lessons, and a Closing
Part 11 of the series, "A Letter From Captivity" Philippians 4:10-23. In this sermon, we finish out the book of Philippians, with the topics of contentment and God's rewards.