<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Word of Grace Studies]]></title><description><![CDATA[Word of Grace Studies is a church in Monroe, WA, dedicated to changing the lives of believers through equipping them to live out who they are in Christ by edifying the body of the Christ (the Church).]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org</link><image><url>https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FBLy!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cfd9f09-28ae-4b54-b434-22d9ab58e8c8_1280x1280.png</url><title>Word of Grace Studies</title><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org</link></image><generator>Substack</generator><lastBuildDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2026 22:22:58 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><copyright><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><webMaster><![CDATA[pastor@wordofgracestudies.org]]></webMaster><itunes:owner><itunes:email><![CDATA[pastor@wordofgracestudies.org]]></itunes:email><itunes:name><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></itunes:author><googleplay:owner><![CDATA[pastor@wordofgracestudies.org]]></googleplay:owner><googleplay:email><![CDATA[pastor@wordofgracestudies.org]]></googleplay:email><googleplay:author><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></googleplay:author><itunes:block><![CDATA[Yes]]></itunes:block><item><title><![CDATA[Philippians 4: Contentment, Peace of God & Strength in Christ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Philippians]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/philippians-4-contentment-peace-of</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/philippians-4-contentment-peace-of</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 21:28:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/212462089/ff7242ccebc1066ddf380df28554beb7.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pastor Luther Walker resumes the study of Philippians with the intention of completing the letter. He notes that the next book under consideration is Matthew, which, though not predominantly for Christians today because it is under law, must still be understood. Returning to Philippians 4, he revisits the peace of God that surpasses the mind and guards the heart and the conclusions of the mind, producing an unruffled state even when others are stressed, because the believer knows who God is and what He will do. The terms &#8220;mind&#8221; and &#8220;understanding&#8221; share the same root. Believers are to reason upon whatever is true, noble (worthy of respect), just, pure (uncontaminated by guilt or defilement), lovely (related to fondness), of good report (having a good reputation), and praiseworthy. They are to practice the things learned, received, heard, and seen in Paul, so that the God of peace is generally associated with them. Anxiety is an attack from Satan; instead, requests are to be made known to God by worship and supplication after thanksgiving. Gentleness (sweet reasonableness) is to be known to all. Citizenship is in the heavens&#8212;the results of one&#8217;s politics&#8212;so the stresses of earthly politics should not dominate; the direction of the world system is already revealed, and prayer for leaders is for a peaceful life in which believers can manifest who they are in Christ. Those who walk according to the apostolic pattern are to be carefully noted, because many walk as enemies of the cross by adding works such as confessing sins or making Jesus Lord of one&#8217;s life in order to obtain salvation, contrary to the pure gospel of 1 Corinthians 15:1&#8211;4 that salvation is by believing that Christ died for our sins and was raised the third day. Living according to the level of maturity already attained, the believer presses according to the goal on the basis of the already-possessed prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, not in order to earn it. Righteousness is Christ&#8217;s, not one&#8217;s own from law; the believer acts rightly because of who he is in Christ. Working out one&#8217;s own salvation with fear (respect) and trembling means applying and living out the salvation already received, knowing that God is not mocked and that one reaps what is sown. The proper frame of mind sets the boundaries of thought so that one&#8217;s opinion of self aligns with God&#8217;s: the believer is a saint, not merely &#8220;a sinner saved by grace,&#8221; and therefore stops sinning and does God&#8217;s desirous will. Nothing is to be done from selfish ambition; in humility others are to be esteemed better, their interests scoped out, and love expressed, so that conduct is worthy of the gospel of Christ. Paul rejoices that the Philippians&#8217; care (frame of mind) for him has flourished again while he is in prison; he has learned to be content in whatever state he is&#8212;whether abased (humbled) or abounding, full or hungry&#8212;because God&#8217;s grace is sufficient and His strength is made mature in weakness, as illustrated in 2 Corinthians 12. Philippians 4:13 is correctly rendered as possessing potential strength by the one who strengthens in Christ; the one who strengthens is the Holy Spirit, who teaches the believer how to abide in Christ in all things through the internal desire to do what is right. Pastors supply the information for victory over the sin nature, Satan, and the world system; the Spirit enables personal application. Only the Philippians shared with Paul in giving and receiving at the beginning of the gospel after he left Macedonia, even sending aid while he was briefly in Thessalonica. The historical background includes the spirit of Pythia in Philippi (Acts 16), the illegal beating of the Roman citizens Paul and Silas, and the subsequent ministry in Thessalonica. Paul seeks not the gift itself but the fruit that abounds to the Philippians&#8217; account through their fellowship; the gift is a sweet-smelling sacrifice well-pleasing to God and part of priestly service. Giving is not a tithe but from what remains after one&#8217;s own household is cared for, and it is to be done cheerfully. God shall supply all needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Glory is a proper opinion of God. The letter closes with greetings to every saint in Christ Jesus, including those of Caesar&#8217;s household who believed through Paul&#8217;s bonds among the praetorian guard, and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ generally associated with all.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[1 John 2:18 Antichrists in the Last Hour & Your Anointing Explained]]></title><description><![CDATA[1 John]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/1-john-218-antichrists-in-the-last</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/1-john-218-antichrists-in-the-last</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 21:05:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/212458826/9426a5e4b653f8cee8155465e7f22428.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pastor Billy Myron continues the study of 1 John after addressing the world, beginning at 1 John 2:18. He reads the passage: Little children, it is the last hour; as you have heard that the Antichrist will come, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. They went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. You have an anointing from the Holy One and you know all things. I have not written because you do not know the truth, but because you know it and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; he who confesses the Son has the Father also. Let that which you heard from the beginning abide in you; if it abides, you will abide in the Son and in the Father. This is the promise He has promised us&#8212;eternal life.</p><p>The term antichrist appears only in John&#8217;s epistles. In 1 John 4:3 every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God; this is the spirit of antichrist already in the world. In 2 John 7 many deceivers who do not confess Jesus Christ come in the flesh are deceivers and antichrist. This includes early heresies that denied the physical incarnation of the Son of God and any denial of the Father and the Son. Unbelievers deny that Jesus is the Christ; some theologies claiming to be Christian have also denied these truths. The term is broader than the future man of lawlessness or first beast of Revelation, which many call the Antichrist though Scripture does not use that title for him.</p><p>These antichrists left the fellowship but were never truly of it. The language of continuing or remaining is the word for abiding&#8212;staying as one who is at home and at ease. One cannot abide in both light and darkness. Jesus stated in John 12 that He came as light so that whoever believes should not abide in darkness. John has already taught that the one who loves his brother abides in the light while the one who hates walks in darkness. Even while present among the believers, the antichrists were not abiding because that was not their true home.</p><p>In contrast, the readers possess an anointing from the Holy One and know all things. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1 that God establishes, anoints, seals, and gives the earnest of the Spirit. The knowledge here is intellectual perception, distinct from the experiential knowing used earlier in the chapter. They know the truth and that no lie belongs to the truth. Truth is central throughout 1 John: God is light and in Him is no darkness; claiming fellowship while walking in darkness is a lie; claiming to have no sin means the truth is not in us. The truth enables victory over sin. In 2 John the truth abides in believers forever. John addresses how the saved live: they are not to walk in darkness or deny the reality of sin, for denying the problem prevents its solution. The readers know that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, died for sins, was buried, and rose again, so that through their position in Christ they may live free from the sin nature&#8212;unlike the antichrists.</p><p>John&#8217;s reference to the last hour connects to warnings about the last times and last days. Romans 1 describes the ancient suppression of the knowledge of God that led to idolatry. 2 Timothy 3 describes perilous times in the last days marked by people having a form of godliness yet denying its power and ever learning yet never coming to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Peter 3 warns of scoffers in the last days who deny the promise of His coming and are willingly ignorant of creation and judgment. Jude likewise speaks of mockers. Written in the AD 90s, 1 John addresses the presence of such denials of the incarnation.</p><p>The Galatians illustrate the danger of failing to hold the truth. Despite knowing Christ was crucified, they turned to works of the law for righteousness. Paul insists that a person is not made righteous by works of the law but through the faith of Jesus Christ; if righteousness came by law then Christ died in vain. Believers are crucified with Christ and may live free from the sin nature. Understanding the truth of the incarnation and the cross is essential; denying that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh precludes the gospel itself. John stresses these fundamentals so that believers are not hindered from living in the truth they already know.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sunday Service Notes]]></title><description><![CDATA[August 23 2026]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-service-notes-98c</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-service-notes-98c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 17:51:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mykL!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F464eea9d-a7c3-4d78-ad13-0dbbafcb4a25_1168x784.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mykL!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F464eea9d-a7c3-4d78-ad13-0dbbafcb4a25_1168x784.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mykL!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F464eea9d-a7c3-4d78-ad13-0dbbafcb4a25_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mykL!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F464eea9d-a7c3-4d78-ad13-0dbbafcb4a25_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mykL!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F464eea9d-a7c3-4d78-ad13-0dbbafcb4a25_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mykL!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F464eea9d-a7c3-4d78-ad13-0dbbafcb4a25_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mykL!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F464eea9d-a7c3-4d78-ad13-0dbbafcb4a25_1168x784.jpeg" width="1168" height="784" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mykL!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F464eea9d-a7c3-4d78-ad13-0dbbafcb4a25_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mykL!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F464eea9d-a7c3-4d78-ad13-0dbbafcb4a25_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mykL!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F464eea9d-a7c3-4d78-ad13-0dbbafcb4a25_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mykL!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F464eea9d-a7c3-4d78-ad13-0dbbafcb4a25_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h1 style="text-align: center;">Philippians</h1><p style="text-align: center;">Be Content in Any Circumstance: Paul&#8217;s Secret from Philippians 4</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://wordofgracestudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Philippians-Contentment.pdf&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Download Notes&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://wordofgracestudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Philippians-Contentment.pdf"><span>Download Notes</span></a></p><p>Learn how the Apostle Paul discovered lasting contentment in every circumstance through the strengthening of the Holy Spirit. This verse-by-verse study of Philippians covers walking worthy of the gospel, having the mind of Christ, pressing toward the high calling, heavenly citizenship, and the unique fellowship of the Philippian church that supported Paul&#8217;s ministry when no other assembly did. Discover why fellowship matters more than the gift and how God&#8217;s grace is sufficient in every season.</p><div><hr></div><p>Join us in person at 811 W. Main Street in Monroe, WA 98272.</p><p>If you are unable to join in person, we will have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live">live broadcast</a> of our main service at 11:00 AM.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Live Broadcast&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live"><span>Live Broadcast</span></a></p><p>And let us consider one another in stirring up love and proper works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves, just as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as we see the day approaching (Hebrews chapter 10:24&#8211;25).</p><p>In a world that often pulls us toward isolation, coming together face-to-face provides encouragement, clarity, and spiritual strength. At <strong>Word of Grace Studies</strong>, we gather because we value the opportunity to build up one another in truth, to stir up love and proper works, and to grow together in the faith. Whether you can come and fellowship with us or at a local assembly in your area, do not forsake the assembling of the saints, your presence matters&#8212;for your benefit and for the encouragement of others.</p><p>You&#8217;re always welcome to join us and experience the encouragement and connection that come from gathering together.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sunday Morning Service Notes]]></title><description><![CDATA[August 23, 2026]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-morning-service-notes-8eb</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-morning-service-notes-8eb</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Billy Myron]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 16:35:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MvAf!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc3e0aa11-1e21-44d6-8ebd-e4f15a6e42ea_1168x784.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MvAf!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc3e0aa11-1e21-44d6-8ebd-e4f15a6e42ea_1168x784.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MvAf!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc3e0aa11-1e21-44d6-8ebd-e4f15a6e42ea_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MvAf!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc3e0aa11-1e21-44d6-8ebd-e4f15a6e42ea_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MvAf!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc3e0aa11-1e21-44d6-8ebd-e4f15a6e42ea_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MvAf!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc3e0aa11-1e21-44d6-8ebd-e4f15a6e42ea_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MvAf!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc3e0aa11-1e21-44d6-8ebd-e4f15a6e42ea_1168x784.jpeg" width="1168" height="784" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/c3e0aa11-1e21-44d6-8ebd-e4f15a6e42ea_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:784,&quot;width&quot;:1168,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:316723,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/i/212404882?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc3e0aa11-1e21-44d6-8ebd-e4f15a6e42ea_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MvAf!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc3e0aa11-1e21-44d6-8ebd-e4f15a6e42ea_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MvAf!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc3e0aa11-1e21-44d6-8ebd-e4f15a6e42ea_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MvAf!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc3e0aa11-1e21-44d6-8ebd-e4f15a6e42ea_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MvAf!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc3e0aa11-1e21-44d6-8ebd-e4f15a6e42ea_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h1 style="text-align: center;">The Antichrists and the Anointing</h1><p style="text-align: center;">1 John: Antichrists in the Last Hour &#8211; Abide &amp; the Anointing</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://growingingracefellowship.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/1-John-SS13.pdf&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Download Notes&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://growingingracefellowship.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/1-John-SS13.pdf"><span>Download Notes</span></a></p><p>Discover the clear teaching of 1 John on antichrists already present in the last hour, the necessity of abiding in the light, and the anointing from the Holy One that teaches believers the truth. Pastor Billy Myron walks through 1 John 2:18-27 and related passages, exposing denial of Christ in the flesh, the Father and the Son, and showing how the Spirit of truth abides in those who remain. Learn why ignorance of truth marks these times and how obedience to the truth is still possible.</p><div><hr></div><p>Join us in person at 811 W. Main Street in Monroe, WA 98272.</p><p>If you are unable to join in person, we will have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live">live broadcast</a> of our main service at 9:45 AM.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Live Broadcast&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live"><span>Live Broadcast</span></a></p><p>And let us consider one another in stirring up love and proper works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves, just as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as we see the day approaching (Hebrews chapter 10:24&#8211;25).</p><p>In a world that often pulls us toward isolation, coming together face-to-face provides encouragement, clarity, and spiritual strength. At <strong>Word of Grace Studies</strong>, we gather because we value the opportunity to build up one another in truth, to stir up love and proper works, and to grow together in the faith. Whether you can come and fellowship with us or at a local assembly in your area, do not forsake the assembling of the saints, your presence matters&#8212;for your benefit and for the encouragement of others.</p><p>You&#8217;re always welcome to join us and experience the encouragement and connection that come from gathering together.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Philippians 4:8 Think on These Things – Peace That Guards Your Mind]]></title><description><![CDATA[Philippians]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/philippians-48-think-on-these-things</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/philippians-48-think-on-these-things</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 21:30:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/211472322/513909d088b2e9277711481ba983390a.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pastor Luther Walker continues teaching from Philippians chapter 4, picking up from the call to unity, the same frame of mind among believers, and the repeated command to rejoice in the Lord because the Lord is at hand. Gentleness is to be known to all men. Believers are instructed to be anxious for nothing, understanding anxiety as a divided mind and an attack from Satan. Instead, in everything, with worship and thanksgiving first, followed by supplication, requests are to be made known to God with confidence according to His will.</p><p>This results in the peace of God that surpasses the mind, an unruffledness of mind that guards the heart (the center of the being and source of thoughts) and the conclusions of the mind through Jesus Christ. Peace is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. A mind framed on the things of the Spirit produces life and peace, while a mind framed on the flesh produces death. God is not the author of confusion but of peace. The conclusions of the mind can be veiled, as with those reading the Old Testament under hardness of heart or those perishing whose minds are blinded by the god of this age. Accurate presentation of the gospel is essential because God is the one who shines light into darkness. Christians are to bring every thought (the conclusions of the mind) into captivity to the obedience of the Christ, referring to the new man. False teachers corrupt these conclusions by complicating the simplicity that is in Christ and elevating themselves above the flock.</p><p>Philippians 4:8 then directs believers finally to focus on whatsoever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely (literally toward fondness), of good report, if there is any virtue and anything praiseworthy, and to reckon or put these things to account as a logical act rather than mere meditation. Truth is seeing things as they really are, including the new commandment, true statements, and the true grace of God that enables living out righteousness in Christ rather than license to sin. Noble refers to things worthy of respect and reverence in conduct. Just means righteous uprightness lived out from faith, not under law, since the law is not for the righteous person; suffering for doing right is an aspect of grace. Pure means uncontaminated and without mixed motives or defilement, applying to associations, the conduct of older women teaching younger women, the wisdom from above, and purifying oneself in light of the hope of Christ&#8217;s return. Lovely involves fondness: not for the world (which is enmity with God), but as friends of Christ who know what is coming (including the rapture as the next prophetic event for the church), kindly affection toward one another, fondness for a quiet life minding one&#8217;s own business, and hospitality to strangers. Good report relates to the gospel and things of good report. Virtue pertains to life and godliness given by divine power; believers are to add knowledge to virtue with diligence. These are the rational things mature believers reckon, putting away the reasoning of an inarticulate babbler. Additional resources are available at wordofgracestudies.org for verse-by-verse teachings and at thechristianlife.org for ongoing Bible teaching.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sunday Service Notes]]></title><description><![CDATA[August 16 2026]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-service-notes-38c</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-service-notes-38c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 17:50:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!EnCI!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4caeb267-4d87-46c1-aedb-3c56ee4d3991_1168x784.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!EnCI!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4caeb267-4d87-46c1-aedb-3c56ee4d3991_1168x784.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!EnCI!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4caeb267-4d87-46c1-aedb-3c56ee4d3991_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!EnCI!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4caeb267-4d87-46c1-aedb-3c56ee4d3991_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!EnCI!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4caeb267-4d87-46c1-aedb-3c56ee4d3991_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!EnCI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4caeb267-4d87-46c1-aedb-3c56ee4d3991_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!EnCI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4caeb267-4d87-46c1-aedb-3c56ee4d3991_1168x784.jpeg" width="1168" height="784" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/4caeb267-4d87-46c1-aedb-3c56ee4d3991_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:784,&quot;width&quot;:1168,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:284537,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/i/211367241?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4caeb267-4d87-46c1-aedb-3c56ee4d3991_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!EnCI!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4caeb267-4d87-46c1-aedb-3c56ee4d3991_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!EnCI!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4caeb267-4d87-46c1-aedb-3c56ee4d3991_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!EnCI!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4caeb267-4d87-46c1-aedb-3c56ee4d3991_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!EnCI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4caeb267-4d87-46c1-aedb-3c56ee4d3991_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h1 style="text-align: center;">Philippians</h1><p style="text-align: center;">Philippians 4:7-8 | God&#8217;s Peace Guards Your Heart &amp; What to Think On</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://wordofgracestudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Philippians-The-Things-We-are-to-Consider-.pdf&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Download Notes&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://wordofgracestudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Philippians-The-Things-We-are-to-Consider-.pdf"><span>Download Notes</span></a></p><p>Discover the peace of God that surpasses understanding and guards your heart in Philippians 4:7, then learn the eight categories of things Scripture commands us to meditate on in Philippians 4:8&#8212;whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, excellent, and praiseworthy. This study unpacks how an unruffled mind produces proper conclusions, how the Spirit&#8217;s fruit of peace works, and how believers take every thought captive while rejecting the blinding and corrupting influences of the enemy and false teaching. Practical, verse-by-verse insight for framing the mind on spiritual realities and living out mature Christian reasoning.</p><div><hr></div><p>Join us in person at 811 W. Main Street in Monroe, WA 98272.</p><p>If you are unable to join in person, we will have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live">live broadcast</a> of our main service at 11:00 AM.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Live Broadcast&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live"><span>Live Broadcast</span></a></p><p>And let us consider one another in stirring up love and proper works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves, just as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as we see the day approaching (Hebrews chapter 10:24&#8211;25).</p><p>In a world that often pulls us toward isolation, coming together face-to-face provides encouragement, clarity, and spiritual strength. At <strong>Word of Grace Studies</strong>, we gather because we value the opportunity to build up one another in truth, to stir up love and proper works, and to grow together in the faith. Whether you can come and fellowship with us or at a local assembly in your area, do not forsake the assembling of the saints, your presence matters&#8212;for your benefit and for the encouragement of others.</p><p>You&#8217;re always welcome to join us and experience the encouragement and connection that come from gathering together.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Philippians 4: Peace of God Guarding Your Heart & True Unity]]></title><description><![CDATA[Philippians]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/philippians-4-peace-of-god-guarding</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/philippians-4-peace-of-god-guarding</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 21:48:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/210520604/3ef0b3bb5e424e8b24290641e88e7f88.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pastor Luther Walker continues teaching from the book of Philippians, focusing on the peace of God that guards the hearts of believers. He reviews the previous discussion on carefully noting those who walk according to a proper pattern in the Christian life, contrasting them with those who walk as enemies of the cross. These individuals often present themselves as Christian teachers or pastors yet speak falsehoods, display lifestyles inconsistent with their words, pursue earthly desires with their belly as their god, and maintain minds fixed on earthly things. Believers instead hold citizenship in the heavens, a term connected to the concept of politics, and must therefore set their minds on heavenly realities and their identity in Christ.</p><p>In Philippians 4:2, Paul urges Euodia and Syntyche to share the same frame of mind in the Lord amid their disagreement. This call aligns with Colossians 3:2, which directs believers to set their minds on things above rather than earthly things, and with Philippians 3:16, which instructs mature believers to walk by the same rule and maintain the same frame of mind. Paul presses on according to the goal of maturity in Christ on the basis of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, already possessed rather than something to be earned. He then urges true companions to help these women who have labored with him in the gospel, along with Clement and other fellow workers whose names are written in the book of life. The book of life contains the names of the saved; once written, a name cannot be removed. Revelation 3:5 affirms that the overcomer&#8212;defined as the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God&#8212;will never have his name blotted from the book of life, expressed with the strongest possible negation.</p><p>Paul commands believers to rejoice in the Lord always, repeating the instruction. Rejoicing involves a favorable disposition that can be expressed even in suffering, as seen in Colossians 1:24 and Philippians 1:18, where Paul rejoices that Christ is proclaimed regardless of the motives of those preaching. Because the Lord is near, believers are to let their gentleness be known to all people. Gentleness consists of a reasonable aptitude of fairness and the willingness to yield personal rights for the benefit of others. It is distinct from the fruit of the Spirit; the term often translated as gentleness or meekness in Galatians 5:23 actually refers to objectivity of mind. This quality appears as a requirement for overseers in 1 Timothy 3:3 and for all believers in Titus 3:2. Romans 13:11&#8211;12 reminds believers that salvation is nearer than when they first believed, urging them to cast off works of darkness and walk properly as in the day.</p><p>Philippians 4:6&#8211;7 instructs believers to be anxious for nothing. Anxiety is excessive worry arising from concerns about unchangeable matters and produces a divided mind. Instead, in everything, by worship and supplication with thanksgiving, requests are to be made known to God. Scripture distinguishes multiple forms of communication with God: worship, which gives God credit for who He is and what He has done; praise, which confesses His name and character; thanksgiving, an attitude of gratitude; intercession on behalf of others; supplication, a cry for help; asking according to His will; confession, agreeing with God that an action is sin; and a vow. The peace of God, which surpasses the mind, then guards the hearts and the conclusions of the minds of believers in Christ Jesus.</p><p>Additional resources are available at WordofGraceStudies.org for verse-by-verse teachings and notes, and at thechristianlife.org for ongoing Bible teaching throughout the week.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Love Not the World: Why Agape Love Must Be Your Highest Priority]]></title><description><![CDATA[1 John]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/love-not-the-world-why-agape-love</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/love-not-the-world-why-agape-love</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Billy Myron]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 21:24:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/210518145/e9493e693b9c6d12d28f9c3f5223c179.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pastor Billy Myron continues the study of 1 John chapter 2, completing the examination of verses 15 through 17. The message centers on the essential place of agape love in the Christian life and the command not to love the world or the things in the world.</p><p>Love is not merely important; it is essential. In 1 Corinthians 13, spiritual gifts, all knowledge, mountain-moving faith, and even the most extreme acts of sacrifice profit nothing without love. Faith, hope, and love remain, yet the greatest of these is love. Agape is self-sacrificial love that deliberately places the good of another ahead of self, distinct from mere fondness or brotherly affection.</p><p>Believers are not left to discover this love on their own. They are God-taught to love one another, as Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:9. The church at Ephesus, though thoroughly instructed and rich in works, left its first love and was warned that its candlestick would be removed unless it repented, a judgment that ultimately came to pass (Revelation 2).</p><p>1 John 2:15 states plainly: &#8220;Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.&#8221; The world and the love of the Father are mutually exclusive. Demas forsook Paul because he loved this present age (2 Timothy 4:10). Friendship with the world is hostility toward God (James 4:4). The world system is driven by its own wisdom, which God has made foolish (1 Corinthians 1). Believers are therefore warned against being carried away by philosophy and empty deceit according to the tradition of men and the elementary principles of the world rather than according to Christ (Colossians 2:8). Having died with Christ from those elements, Christians are not to live as though still subject to the world&#8217;s ordinances but are to set their minds on things above, where Christ is seated (Colossians 2:20&#8211;3:3).</p><p>Jesus gave a new commandment: love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34). Those who love Him keep His commandments and abide in His love. Knowledge alone puffs up; love builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1). The body of Christ grows and is built up as the members speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15&#8211;16). Faith itself operates through love (Galatians 5:6).</p><p>Agape love must therefore be directed toward God and the brethren. Directing it toward the world system places a believer&#8217;s priorities and behavior in conflict with the Father&#8217;s agenda. The world and the Father do not share the same purpose.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sunday Service Notes]]></title><description><![CDATA[August 9 2026]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-service-notes-efe</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-service-notes-efe</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 17:51:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!h03l!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc2cf5a2e-68d3-4db3-8f38-e9be4551ba7f_1168x784.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!h03l!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc2cf5a2e-68d3-4db3-8f38-e9be4551ba7f_1168x784.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!h03l!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc2cf5a2e-68d3-4db3-8f38-e9be4551ba7f_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!h03l!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc2cf5a2e-68d3-4db3-8f38-e9be4551ba7f_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!h03l!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc2cf5a2e-68d3-4db3-8f38-e9be4551ba7f_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!h03l!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc2cf5a2e-68d3-4db3-8f38-e9be4551ba7f_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!h03l!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc2cf5a2e-68d3-4db3-8f38-e9be4551ba7f_1168x784.jpeg" width="1168" height="784" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!h03l!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc2cf5a2e-68d3-4db3-8f38-e9be4551ba7f_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!h03l!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc2cf5a2e-68d3-4db3-8f38-e9be4551ba7f_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!h03l!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc2cf5a2e-68d3-4db3-8f38-e9be4551ba7f_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!h03l!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc2cf5a2e-68d3-4db3-8f38-e9be4551ba7f_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h1 style="text-align: center;">Philippians</h1><p style="text-align: center;">Philippians 4: Peace of God Guards Your Heart | Overcome Anxiety &amp; Live in Unity</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://wordofgracestudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Philippians-The-Peace-of-God-Guarding-Our-Hearts.pdf&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Download Notes&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://wordofgracestudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Philippians-The-Peace-of-God-Guarding-Our-Hearts.pdf"><span>Download Notes</span></a></p><p>Discover how the peace of God guards your heart in Philippians 4. Learn the call to unity between Euodia and Syntyche, the power of rejoicing always, the nearness of the Lord, and the practice of true gentleness. Explore why anxiety changes nothing and how worship, thanksgiving, and supplication open the way for God&#8217;s surpassing peace to protect your mind and heart. Dive into Scripture that equips believers to live free from worry and walk in spiritual maturity.</p><div><hr></div><p>Join us in person at 811 W. Main Street in Monroe, WA 98272.</p><p>If you are unable to join in person, we will have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live">live broadcast</a> of our main service at 11:00 AM.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Live Broadcast&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live"><span>Live Broadcast</span></a></p><p>And let us consider one another in stirring up love and proper works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves, just as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as we see the day approaching (Hebrews chapter 10:24&#8211;25).</p><p>In a world that often pulls us toward isolation, coming together face-to-face provides encouragement, clarity, and spiritual strength. At <strong>Word of Grace Studies</strong>, we gather because we value the opportunity to build up one another in truth, to stir up love and proper works, and to grow together in the faith. Whether you can come and fellowship with us or at a local assembly in your area, do not forsake the assembling of the saints, your presence matters&#8212;for your benefit and for the encouragement of others.</p><p>You&#8217;re always welcome to join us and experience the encouragement and connection that come from gathering together.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sunday Morning Service Notes]]></title><description><![CDATA[August 9, 2026]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-morning-service-notes-f68</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-morning-service-notes-f68</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Billy Myron]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 16:36:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hnti!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd6de160-0ed5-42a6-8086-0dcc56be83cb_1168x784.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hnti!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd6de160-0ed5-42a6-8086-0dcc56be83cb_1168x784.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hnti!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd6de160-0ed5-42a6-8086-0dcc56be83cb_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hnti!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd6de160-0ed5-42a6-8086-0dcc56be83cb_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hnti!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd6de160-0ed5-42a6-8086-0dcc56be83cb_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hnti!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd6de160-0ed5-42a6-8086-0dcc56be83cb_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hnti!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd6de160-0ed5-42a6-8086-0dcc56be83cb_1168x784.jpeg" width="1168" height="784" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/bd6de160-0ed5-42a6-8086-0dcc56be83cb_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:784,&quot;width&quot;:1168,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:347340,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/i/210462563?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd6de160-0ed5-42a6-8086-0dcc56be83cb_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hnti!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd6de160-0ed5-42a6-8086-0dcc56be83cb_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hnti!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd6de160-0ed5-42a6-8086-0dcc56be83cb_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hnti!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd6de160-0ed5-42a6-8086-0dcc56be83cb_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hnti!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd6de160-0ed5-42a6-8086-0dcc56be83cb_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h1 style="text-align: center;">Love &amp; the World</h1><p style="text-align: center;">Love &amp; the World: The Bible&#8217;s Warning Against Misdirected Love</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://growingingracefellowship.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/1-John-SS12.pdf&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Download Notes&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://growingingracefellowship.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/1-John-SS12.pdf"><span>Download Notes</span></a></p><p>Discover why love stands at the center of the Christian life and why loving the world is a deadly danger. This teaching from 1 John unpacks the essential place of love, the ways love can be misdirected, the new commandment Jesus gave in the upper room, and the vital role love plays in faith, the body of Christ, and daily obedience. Key scriptures from 1 Corinthians, James, Colossians, John, and Romans are examined to show the difference between the world&#8217;s system and the life of true biblical love.</p><div><hr></div><p>Join us in person at 811 W. Main Street in Monroe, WA 98272.</p><p>If you are unable to join in person, we will have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live">live broadcast</a> of our main service at 9:45 AM.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Live Broadcast&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live"><span>Live Broadcast</span></a></p><p>And let us consider one another in stirring up love and proper works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves, just as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as we see the day approaching (Hebrews chapter 10:24&#8211;25).</p><p>In a world that often pulls us toward isolation, coming together face-to-face provides encouragement, clarity, and spiritual strength. At <strong>Word of Grace Studies</strong>, we gather because we value the opportunity to build up one another in truth, to stir up love and proper works, and to grow together in the faith. Whether you can come and fellowship with us or at a local assembly in your area, do not forsake the assembling of the saints, your presence matters&#8212;for your benefit and for the encouragement of others.</p><p>You&#8217;re always welcome to join us and experience the encouragement and connection that come from gathering together.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Our Citizenship Is in Heaven | Philippians 3 Verse-by-Verse]]></title><description><![CDATA[Philippians]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/our-citizenship-is-in-heaven-philippians</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/our-citizenship-is-in-heaven-philippians</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 20:16:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/209537955/9753db47886c24b42507272efb659914.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In Philippians 3 the apostle Paul turns from counting former gains as loss for the sake of Christ and the righteousness that comes through faith to the practical outworking of that truth. He urges the brethren to join in following his example and to carefully note those who walk according to the same pattern. The word &#8220;note&#8221; means to scope out and fix the eyes upon such lives. At the same time believers are to mark those who cause divisions and scandalize contrary to the doctrine they have learned and to separate from them.</p><p>Many walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction&#8212;complete ruin and a wasted life. Their god is their belly; they serve only what they can get out of the saints. Their glory is their shame, expressed in craftiness and deceitful handling of the Word of God. With smooth words and flattering speech they deceive the simple-hearted. Such teachers secretly introduce destructive heresies that deny the Lord who bought them, twist the Scriptures, and merchandise the people of God through covetousness. The fondness of money is a root of all things that lack character; those who determine to be rich fall into temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful desires that drown them in ruin. Godliness with contentment is great gain; having food and clothing, believers are to be content, for they brought nothing into the world and can carry nothing out.</p><p>Paul contrasts these earthly-minded lives with the true position of the church. Our citizenship is in the heavens, from which we eagerly await the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are sojourners and pilgrims on the earth, fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. We do not set our minds on the things that are seen, which are temporary, but on the things that are not seen, which are eternal. When Christ appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. He will transform our lowly body, the soulish body, into a spiritual body conformed to His glorious body. In that resurrection there is neither marriage nor the need for food; the life-source is no longer the soul but the spirit.</p><p>Therefore Paul exhorts the beloved to stand fast in the Lord, hold the traditions taught by the apostles, live out the freedom that is in Christ rather than return to law, and serve one another in love without imposing personal standards. The form of this world is passing away; believers are not to love the world or the things of the world. The primary debt remaining is to love one another of the same kind&#8212;fellow saints. Every day brings the return of Christ one day closer; readiness consists in living so that when He comes we are not ashamed.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sunday Service Notes]]></title><description><![CDATA[August 2 2026]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-service-notes-1c9</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-service-notes-1c9</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 17:51:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H2df!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03b82eb7-9fb3-4d98-ba8d-f8bbb4e7e474_1168x784.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H2df!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03b82eb7-9fb3-4d98-ba8d-f8bbb4e7e474_1168x784.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H2df!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03b82eb7-9fb3-4d98-ba8d-f8bbb4e7e474_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H2df!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03b82eb7-9fb3-4d98-ba8d-f8bbb4e7e474_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H2df!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03b82eb7-9fb3-4d98-ba8d-f8bbb4e7e474_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H2df!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03b82eb7-9fb3-4d98-ba8d-f8bbb4e7e474_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H2df!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03b82eb7-9fb3-4d98-ba8d-f8bbb4e7e474_1168x784.jpeg" width="1168" height="784" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/03b82eb7-9fb3-4d98-ba8d-f8bbb4e7e474_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:784,&quot;width&quot;:1168,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:213896,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/i/208837798?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03b82eb7-9fb3-4d98-ba8d-f8bbb4e7e474_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H2df!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03b82eb7-9fb3-4d98-ba8d-f8bbb4e7e474_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H2df!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03b82eb7-9fb3-4d98-ba8d-f8bbb4e7e474_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H2df!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03b82eb7-9fb3-4d98-ba8d-f8bbb4e7e474_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H2df!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03b82eb7-9fb3-4d98-ba8d-f8bbb4e7e474_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h1 style="text-align: center;">Philippians</h1><p style="text-align: center;">Our Citizenship is in Heaven | Philippians 3:17&#8211;4:1</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://wordofgracestudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Philippians-Our-Citizenship-is-in-Heaven.pdf&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Download Notes&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://wordofgracestudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Philippians-Our-Citizenship-is-in-Heaven.pdf"><span>Download Notes</span></a></p><p>Discover the profound truth that our citizenship is in heaven from Philippians 3:17&#8211;4:1. Learn to carefully follow the pattern of those who walk according to Paul&#8217;s example, recognize and avoid enemies of the cross whose god is their belly and whose end is destruction, and live as sojourners eagerly awaiting the Savior who will transform our bodies into conformity with His glory. Stand firm in the Lord with an eternal perspective. Clear, Scripture-rich teaching for every believer seeking to live with heavenly citizenship in view.</p><div><hr></div><p>Join us in person at 811 W. Main Street in Monroe, WA 98272.</p><p>If you are unable to join in person, we will have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live">live broadcast</a> of our main service at 11:00 AM.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Live Broadcast&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live"><span>Live Broadcast</span></a></p><p>And let us consider one another in stirring up love and proper works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves, just as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as we see the day approaching (Hebrews chapter 10:24&#8211;25).</p><p>In a world that often pulls us toward isolation, coming together face-to-face provides encouragement, clarity, and spiritual strength. At <strong>Word of Grace Studies</strong>, we gather because we value the opportunity to build up one another in truth, to stir up love and proper works, and to grow together in the faith. Whether you can come and fellowship with us or at a local assembly in your area, do not forsake the assembling of the saints, your presence matters&#8212;for your benefit and for the encouragement of others.</p><p>You&#8217;re always welcome to join us and experience the encouragement and connection that come from gathering together.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Count All as Loss for the Excellence of Knowing Christ | Philippians 3]]></title><description><![CDATA[Philippians]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/count-all-as-loss-for-the-excellence</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/count-all-as-loss-for-the-excellence</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 22:01:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/208609196/fa9b8161b95f9491621b1d68d989e790.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pastor Luther Walker resumes the Sunday morning service in Philippians, turning to the more excellent way. In Philippians 2:19-24 Paul notes that no one shared the same soul-level emotional concern for the Philippians that he possessed. In chapter 3 he issues a clear warning: beware of dogs&#8212;those who return to their former sins after being helped; beware of evil workers; and beware of the mutilation&#8212;those who insist on physical circumcision and life under the Mosaic Law. True circumcision is of the Spirit. Believers render religious service to God in spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and place no confidence in the flesh.</p><p>Paul then demonstrates that fleshly credentials hold no lasting value. If anyone could boast in the flesh, it would be him: circumcised on the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee concerning the law, zealous to the point of persecuting the church, and blameless in the righteousness that is from the law. He had been trained under Gamaliel, the teacher of Israel, and held authority sufficient to consent to Stephen&#8217;s death. Yet every earthly advantage&#8212;position, training, status, and zeal&#8212;he now counts as loss for the surpassing excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord. He regards them as rubbish so that he may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of his own derived from law, but the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith.</p><p>Living by faith means taking God at His word without requiring visible miracles, audible voices, or emotional experiences. The Holy Spirit indwells and teaches the believer how to abide in Christ. The power of Christ&#8217;s resurrection is the inherent ability given to every believer: freedom from the mastery of the sin nature, victory over Satan, and the capacity to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). This same resurrection produces a living hope&#8212;an expectant anticipation of God&#8217;s fulfilled promise that can be applied in the present (1 Peter 1:3).</p><p>Fellowship with Christ&#8217;s sufferings involves sharing the passions of one who has crucified the flesh with its desires (Galatians 5:24). It includes the intense pressure that arises when the believer refuses the sin nature, resists Satan, and continues in righteousness even when that choice brings grief or opposition (1 Peter 4:1; 5:8-9; 2:19-21). Believers are also being conformed to His death: the old man who belonged to Adam has been crucified so that the body of sin is rendered idle and no longer rules (Romans 6:6); the world system has been crucified to the believer and the believer to the world (Galatians 6:14); and a carnal mind that seeks emotional experience rather than truth produces death, while a spiritually minded life produces life and peace (Romans 8:6).</p><p>Paul&#8217;s aim is to attain the resurrection from the dead in the sense of fully living out his identity in Christ now&#8212;not earning eternal life, which is already possessed by everyone who has the Son (1 John 5:11-12), but laying hold of that life through the proper struggle of the faith (1 Timothy 6:12), working out salvation with respect for the consequences of sowing and reaping (Philippians 2:12), and practicing the armor of God. Christian life is not presented as ease; it involves suffering for righteousness, yet that suffering is itself a gracious gift.</p><p>Paul does not claim to have already reached full maturity or his intended end. He presses on&#8212;pursues with the intensity of a persecutor&#8212;so that he may lay hold of that for which Christ laid hold of him. He forgets what lies behind, including his former persecution of the church, and reaches forward to what lies ahead. He pursues according to the goal, on the basis of the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus&#8212;a prize he already possesses. The goal is Christ Himself and the consistent living out of identity in Him. Believers are to keep their eyes fixed on that mark, carefully scoping those who walk according to the same pattern, and refuse to be distracted by past failures or present fleshly credentials.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sunday Service Notes]]></title><description><![CDATA[July 26 2026]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-service-notes-1e5</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-service-notes-1e5</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 16:51:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!HbQ5!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a5bb158-c695-40d7-b2ab-3e8ee600f939_1168x784.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!HbQ5!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a5bb158-c695-40d7-b2ab-3e8ee600f939_1168x784.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!HbQ5!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a5bb158-c695-40d7-b2ab-3e8ee600f939_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!HbQ5!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a5bb158-c695-40d7-b2ab-3e8ee600f939_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!HbQ5!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a5bb158-c695-40d7-b2ab-3e8ee600f939_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!HbQ5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a5bb158-c695-40d7-b2ab-3e8ee600f939_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!HbQ5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a5bb158-c695-40d7-b2ab-3e8ee600f939_1168x784.jpeg" width="1168" height="784" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/1a5bb158-c695-40d7-b2ab-3e8ee600f939_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:784,&quot;width&quot;:1168,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:271758,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;The More Excellent Way (Philippians 3:7&#8211;16)&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/i/207773068?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a5bb158-c695-40d7-b2ab-3e8ee600f939_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="The More Excellent Way (Philippians 3:7&#8211;16)" title="The More Excellent Way (Philippians 3:7&#8211;16)" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!HbQ5!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a5bb158-c695-40d7-b2ab-3e8ee600f939_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!HbQ5!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a5bb158-c695-40d7-b2ab-3e8ee600f939_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!HbQ5!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a5bb158-c695-40d7-b2ab-3e8ee600f939_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!HbQ5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a5bb158-c695-40d7-b2ab-3e8ee600f939_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h1 style="text-align: center;">Philippians</h1><p style="text-align: center;">The More Excellent Way (Philippians 3:7&#8211;16)</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://wordofgracestudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Philippians-A-More-Excellent-Way.pdf&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Download Notes&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://wordofgracestudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Philippians-A-More-Excellent-Way.pdf"><span>Download Notes</span></a></p><p>Paul counted all his unparalleled fleshly achievements and position in Judaism as loss and dung for the surpassing knowledge of Christ. He pursued God&#8217;s righteousness through faith in Christ, knowing the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, and being conformed to His death to attain the resurrection from the dead. Believers are raised with Christ to newness of life and born again to a living hope. Maturity in Christ involves pressing forward, forgetting the past, reaching toward the goal of the high calling, and walking according to the same mindset of continual pursuit.</p><p>Discover powerful truths from Philippians 2:14-30 on living blamelessly in a corrupt world. Learn to do all things without grumbling or disputing, shine as luminaries holding fast the word of life, and follow examples of faithful servants like Timothy and Epaphroditus.</p><div><hr></div><p>Join us in person at 811 W. Main Street in Monroe, WA 98272.</p><p>If you are unable to join in person, we will have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live">live broadcast</a> of our main service at 11:00 AM.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Live Broadcast&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live"><span>Live Broadcast</span></a></p><p>And let us consider one another in stirring up love and proper works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves, just as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as we see the day approaching (Hebrews chapter 10:24&#8211;25).</p><p>In a world that often pulls us toward isolation, coming together face-to-face provides encouragement, clarity, and spiritual strength. At <strong>Word of Grace Studies</strong>, we gather because we value the opportunity to build up one another in truth, to stir up love and proper works, and to grow together in the faith. Whether you can come and fellowship with us or at a local assembly in your area, do not forsake the assembling of the saints, your presence matters&#8212;for your benefit and for the encouragement of others.</p><p>You&#8217;re always welcome to join us and experience the encouragement and connection that come from gathering together.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sunday Morning Service Notes]]></title><description><![CDATA[July 26, 2026]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-morning-service-notes-6b7</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/sunday-morning-service-notes-6b7</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Billy Myron]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 16:35:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uz5V!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F350d547f-9205-4850-828f-1634024995c6_1168x784.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uz5V!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F350d547f-9205-4850-828f-1634024995c6_1168x784.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uz5V!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F350d547f-9205-4850-828f-1634024995c6_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uz5V!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F350d547f-9205-4850-828f-1634024995c6_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uz5V!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F350d547f-9205-4850-828f-1634024995c6_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uz5V!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F350d547f-9205-4850-828f-1634024995c6_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uz5V!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F350d547f-9205-4850-828f-1634024995c6_1168x784.jpeg" width="1168" height="784" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/350d547f-9205-4850-828f-1634024995c6_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:784,&quot;width&quot;:1168,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:299970,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Satan &amp; the World&#8217;s Fate&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/i/208549495?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F350d547f-9205-4850-828f-1634024995c6_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="Satan &amp; the World&#8217;s Fate" title="Satan &amp; the World&#8217;s Fate" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uz5V!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F350d547f-9205-4850-828f-1634024995c6_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uz5V!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F350d547f-9205-4850-828f-1634024995c6_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uz5V!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F350d547f-9205-4850-828f-1634024995c6_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uz5V!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F350d547f-9205-4850-828f-1634024995c6_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span>Satan &amp; the World&#8217;s Fate</span></h1><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://growingingracefellowship.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-John-SS11.pdf&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Download Notes&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://growingingracefellowship.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-John-SS11.pdf"><span>Download Notes</span></a></p><p>Explore the biblical teaching on Satan as the ruler of this world system, the opposition of the world to God, the reality of antichrists, and the certain passing away of the present age according to 1 John. This study walks through key passages revealing Satan&#8217;s motives and authority, the enmity of the world system, the danger of loving the world, and the future judgment awaiting both the world and Satan as revealed in Revelation. Gain clear understanding of how Scripture portrays the temporary nature of the present world order and the ultimate triumph of God&#8217;s purposes.</p><div><hr></div><p>Join us in person at 811 W. Main Street in Monroe, WA 98272.</p><p>If you are unable to join in person, we will have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live">live broadcast</a> of our main service at 9:45 AM.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Live Broadcast&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live"><span>Live Broadcast</span></a></p><p>And let us consider one another in stirring up love and proper works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves, just as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as we see the day approaching (Hebrews chapter 10:24&#8211;25).</p><p>In a world that often pulls us toward isolation, coming together face-to-face provides encouragement, clarity, and spiritual strength. At <strong>Word of Grace Studies</strong>, we gather because we value the opportunity to build up one another in truth, to stir up love and proper works, and to grow together in the faith. Whether you can come and fellowship with us or at a local assembly in your area, do not forsake the assembling of the saints, your presence matters&#8212;for your benefit and for the encouragement of others.</p><p>You&#8217;re always welcome to join us and experience the encouragement and connection that come from gathering together.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Philippians 2: Working Out Salvation & Things Worth Gaining]]></title><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/philippians-2-working-out-salvation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/philippians-2-working-out-salvation</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:46:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/207698146/bf57282bd1499af47aa73f22d75172f0.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As we continue in Philippians, Paul addresses conduct in the world from chapter 2:14-18&#8212;do all things without complaining, becoming blameless and harmless (unmixed motives) children of God, shining as lights in a crooked generation while holding fast the Word of Life for rejoicing in the day of Christ.</p><p>Working out our own salvation (Philippians 2:12) with fear and trembling means living out the salvation we already possess, not earning it. It involves deep respect for what God has done&#8212;He saved us from sin, so we should not return to it. We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-8); sowing to the flesh brings corruption, while sowing to the Spirit produces eternal life in our experience. God disciplines His children (1 Corinthians 11:30-32) with weakness, sickness, or even death to train them and prevent condemnation with the world. Perfect (mature) love casts out fear of judgment (1 John 4:18), but we maintain reverent respect.</p><p>Paul, facing possible death in Rome, stands somewhat alone but plans to send Timothy, who genuinely cares for the Philippians&#8217; state like a son serving his father in the gospel. Everyone else seeks their own interests, not Christ&#8217;s. He also sends back Epaphroditus, their messenger and minister to Paul&#8217;s needs&#8212;his brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier&#8212;who nearly died in service. Such dedicated servants deserve honor.</p><p>In Philippians 3, Paul warns: beware of dogs (those who return to sin like a dog to vomit), evil workers (those lacking character who do wrong, often rooted in love of money), and the mutilation (those insisting on fleshly circumcision). True believers are the circumcision who serve God in spirit, rejoice in Christ, and have no confidence in the flesh. Paul lists his superior credentials&#8212;circumcised, tribe of Benjamin, Pharisee, zealous persecutor, blameless under the law&#8212;yet counts them all as loss and dung compared to knowing Christ. A more excellent way exists beyond the flesh.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Revelation Chapter 6: The First Four Seals of the Tribulation]]></title><description><![CDATA[Revelation]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/revelation-chapter-6-the-first-four</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/revelation-chapter-6-the-first-four</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 03:59:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/207377384/d29a3a8a89ef9b73d4b95b72dc43e12b.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pastor Luther Walker teaches through Revelation chapter 6, explaining the beginning of the Tribulation period after the Rapture and the signing of the seven-year peace treaty by the man of lawlessness. The 24 elders represent the redeemed Church. The seals depict escalating global judgments.</p><p>The first seal releases a white horse rider with a bow but no arrows, bringing false peace and conquest as Satan establishes one-world control through the ten kings and the harlot religious system. This connects to the man of lawlessness rising after the Church is removed.</p><p>The second seal brings a fiery red horse, removing peace from the earth and initiating wars, with a great sword given to the rider. This includes the man of lawlessness subduing three kings (Daniel 7), leading to nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom (Matthew 24). Israel remains protected initially.</p><p>The third seal releases a black horse with scales, signaling severe famine where a day&#8217;s wage buys minimal food (a quart of wheat or three quarts of barley). Oil and wine (medicinal) are spared.</p><p>The fourth seal unleashes a sickly pale (greenish) horse named Death, followed by Hades. Authority is given over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, hunger, death, and beasts. At this early Tribulation stage, no believers remain on earth post-Rapture; all who die go to Hades. This ties into dispensational failure, the restraint by the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2), and strong delusion for those rejecting truth.</p><p>The teaching covers Satan&#8217;s history from Ezekiel 28, his desire for one-world government, historical world systems, and distinctions like Sheol/Hades chambers, paradise&#8217;s relocation, and why the current age is perilous (2 Timothy 3).</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Christian Life Class Notes]]></title><description><![CDATA[July 16, 2026]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/christian-life-class-notes-239</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/christian-life-class-notes-239</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Billy Myron]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 01:55:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!riac!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6075ce98-4dfc-4aa6-a871-cd4b9df107eb_1168x784.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!riac!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6075ce98-4dfc-4aa6-a871-cd4b9df107eb_1168x784.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!riac!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6075ce98-4dfc-4aa6-a871-cd4b9df107eb_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!riac!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6075ce98-4dfc-4aa6-a871-cd4b9df107eb_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!riac!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6075ce98-4dfc-4aa6-a871-cd4b9df107eb_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!riac!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6075ce98-4dfc-4aa6-a871-cd4b9df107eb_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!riac!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6075ce98-4dfc-4aa6-a871-cd4b9df107eb_1168x784.jpeg" width="1168" height="784" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/6075ce98-4dfc-4aa6-a871-cd4b9df107eb_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:784,&quot;width&quot;:1168,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:263482,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Christian Life Class Notes&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/i/207355761?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6075ce98-4dfc-4aa6-a871-cd4b9df107eb_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="Christian Life Class Notes" title="Christian Life Class Notes" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!riac!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6075ce98-4dfc-4aa6-a871-cd4b9df107eb_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!riac!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6075ce98-4dfc-4aa6-a871-cd4b9df107eb_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!riac!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6075ce98-4dfc-4aa6-a871-cd4b9df107eb_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!riac!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6075ce98-4dfc-4aa6-a871-cd4b9df107eb_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><strong>CHRISTIAN LIFE &#8211; LESSON 15</strong></h1><p style="text-align: center;">Recap</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://growingingracefellowship.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/CL15.pdf&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Download Notes&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://growingingracefellowship.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/CL15.pdf"><span>Download Notes</span></a></p><p>Discover the transformative journey from the old walk in the soulish life and flesh to the new walk led by the Spirit and Holy Spirit in Christian Life Lesson 15. This teaching explores how salvation affects the soul, the contrast between soul and spirit, the works of the flesh versus the fruit of the Spirit, and the powerful truths of knowing, reckoning, and yielding to God. Learn practical steps for victorious Christian living through key Scriptures like Romans 6, Galatians 5, and Ephesians.</p><div><hr></div><p>If you are unable to join in person, we will have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live">live broadcast</a> of Evening School of the Bible at 7:05 PM.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Live Broadcast&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live"><span>Live Broadcast</span></a></p><p>And let us consider one another in stirring up love and proper works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves, just as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as we see the day approaching (Hebrews chapter 10:24&#8211;25).</p><p>In a world that often pulls us toward isolation, coming together face-to-face provides encouragement, clarity, and spiritual strength. At <strong>Word of Grace Studies and Growing in Grace Fellowship</strong>, we gather because we value the opportunity to build up one another in truth, to stir up love and proper works, and to grow together in the faith. Whether you can come and fellowship with us or at a local assembly in your area, do not forsake the assembling of the saints, your presence matters&#8212;for your benefit and for the encouragement of others.</p><p>You&#8217;re always welcome to join us and experience the encouragement and connection that come from gathering together.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Revelation Class Notes]]></title><description><![CDATA[July 16, 2026]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/revelation-class-notes-115</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/revelation-class-notes-115</guid><pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:50:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xAeO!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F449f694c-65f3-4be5-93df-5d23e1275a2e_1168x784.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xAeO!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F449f694c-65f3-4be5-93df-5d23e1275a2e_1168x784.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xAeO!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F449f694c-65f3-4be5-93df-5d23e1275a2e_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xAeO!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F449f694c-65f3-4be5-93df-5d23e1275a2e_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xAeO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F449f694c-65f3-4be5-93df-5d23e1275a2e_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xAeO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F449f694c-65f3-4be5-93df-5d23e1275a2e_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xAeO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F449f694c-65f3-4be5-93df-5d23e1275a2e_1168x784.jpeg" width="1168" height="784" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/449f694c-65f3-4be5-93df-5d23e1275a2e_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:784,&quot;width&quot;:1168,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:359925,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Revelation 6-8: Seven Seals, Four Horsemen &amp; Trumpets Unveiled!&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/i/207349208?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F449f694c-65f3-4be5-93df-5d23e1275a2e_1168x784.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="Revelation 6-8: Seven Seals, Four Horsemen &amp; Trumpets Unveiled!" title="Revelation 6-8: Seven Seals, Four Horsemen &amp; Trumpets Unveiled!" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xAeO!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F449f694c-65f3-4be5-93df-5d23e1275a2e_1168x784.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xAeO!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F449f694c-65f3-4be5-93df-5d23e1275a2e_1168x784.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xAeO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F449f694c-65f3-4be5-93df-5d23e1275a2e_1168x784.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xAeO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F449f694c-65f3-4be5-93df-5d23e1275a2e_1168x784.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h2 style="text-align: center;">Revelation: Given to Christ by God the Father to Show His Servants the Things that Must  Take Place</h2><p style="text-align: center;">Revelation 6-8: Seven Seals, Four Horsemen &amp; Trumpets Unveiled!</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://wordofgracestudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/The-Book-of-Revelation.pdf&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Download Notes&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://wordofgracestudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/The-Book-of-Revelation.pdf"><span>Download Notes</span></a></p><p>Dive into Revelation 6-8 Bible study: the Lamb opens the seven seals releasing the four horsemen of conquest war famine and death, Tribulation saints under the altar, mid-Tribulation cosmic signs and Gog-Magog war, then heavenly silence as the seventh seal begins the trumpets for Israel&#8217;s deliverance. Clear Scripture teaching on the start of the Tribulation false peace judgments and purging. Ideal for end times prophecy learners.</p><div><hr></div><p>Join us in person at 811 W. Main Street in Monroe, WA 98272.</p><p>If you are unable to join in person, we will have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live">live broadcast</a> of Evening School of the Bible at 6:00 PM.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Live Broadcast&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.youtube.com/@WordofGraceStudiesMonroe/live"><span>Live Broadcast</span></a></p><p>And let us consider one another in stirring up love and proper works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves, just as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as we see the day approaching (Hebrews chapter 10:24&#8211;25).</p><p>In a world that often pulls us toward isolation, coming together face-to-face provides encouragement, clarity, and spiritual strength. At <strong>Word of Grace Studies</strong>, we gather because we value the opportunity to build up one another in truth, to stir up love and proper works, and to grow together in the faith. Whether you can come and fellowship with us or at a local assembly in your area, do not forsake the assembling of the saints, your presence matters&#8212;for your benefit and for the encouragement of others.</p><p>You&#8217;re always welcome to join us and experience the encouragement and connection that come from gathering together.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Philippians 2: Conduct, Humility & Shining as Luminaries]]></title><description><![CDATA[Philippians]]></description><link>https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/philippians-2-conduct-humility-and</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/p/philippians-2-conduct-humility-and</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Pastor Luther Walker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 2026 22:21:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/206758207/d8883e8dcd5e8767ef1039f01942ad9b.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We pick up in Philippians chapter 2, focusing on our conduct among our own countrymen. Prior sections addressed our frame of mind in verses 1-4: since there is consolation in Christ, comfort, fellowship, affection, and compassion, we are to have the same frame of mind&#8212;loving other saints, unified in focus. This mirrors Christ&#8217;s frame of mind in verse 5: though in the form of God, He did not cling to equality with God but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant to fulfill God&#8217;s will. We must set aside our own reputation and credentials to serve one another.</p><p>In verses 12-13, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling&#8212;not to earn it, but to apply it&#8212;knowing God works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing. Grumbling involves secret muttering and complaining under the breath, seen in examples from John 7 and Acts 6. Disputing refers to negative reasonings that justify wrongdoing or manipulate outcomes, as in Romans 1 where people suppress truth about God through futile reasonings.</p><p>We are to be hospitable without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9), ministering spiritual gifts through love, the more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12-13). This leads to becoming blameless (innocent, guiltless) and harmless (unmixed, without ulterior motives) as children of God&#8212;born ones (technia) from incorruptible seed&#8212;without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom we shine as luminaries (Philippians 2:15).</p><p>As born ones of God, we imitate Him by walking in love, purifying ourselves, and practicing righteousness. We have victory over habitual sin through the indwelling seed and reckoning ourselves dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6). The world may be indifferent, but we hold fast the word of life so Paul (and we) may rejoice in the day of Christ, having not run in vain. Godliness profits in this life and the next; agonize in the good fight of faith, looking for the blessed hope of Christ&#8217;s appearing.Philippians 2: Conduct, Humility &amp; Shining as Lights</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://sermons.wordofgracestudies.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Word of Grace Studies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>