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Comparison is not just a bad habit. It is a confidence problem. In Philippians 3:4-7, Paul lists seven things that made him look impressive and then moves every one of them into the loss column. We talk about why we compare, what it costs us, and the only comparison that gives you real confidence.

Free study guide for this episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ItSPfIlbyjDn8zYFAwAmnGoeeTUBXMyZ/view?usp=drivesdk

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Go out and be the church.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1. housechurchkauai.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego got thrown into a furnace heated seven times hotter than normal, and someone showed up in there with them. Your idols will not do that. When the heat gets turned up in your life, look around for the thing you have been trusting. If you can’t find it, you just found your idol.

In this message from 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, we walk through why Paul warns the Corinthian church with the failures of Israel in the wilderness, the four things that made them fall, and why you cannot kill an idol by trying harder. Idols do not get defeated. They get replaced. And the only One with the right to that throne is Christ.

We also deal with the verse everybody quotes wrong. God never promised He would not give you more than you can bear. He promised He would not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, and that with the temptation He would provide the way out. Those are two very different promises.

This is part of our Maturity series at House Church Kauai, verse by verse through 1 Corinthians.

housechurchkauai.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

Alex separated his AC joint racing the guys after church, and suddenly everything he took for granted with two working arms was gone. That’s the whole point of Philippians 3:1-3. Paul is writing to a church being pressured by Judaizers, people telling Gentile believers they had to become Jewish before they could become Christian. Paul calls it what it is: dogs, evildoers, mutilators of the flesh.

In this episode we walk through why confidence in the flesh grieves God and isn’t safe for you, five problems with trusting what you can do, and three ways to actually rely on God instead. Plus the line that ties it all together: joy comes from reliance, not restraint.

Alex and Lokelani also talk about how false teachers keep people locked in, why the “better version of yourself” message is not the gospel, and the very easy test for whether a Christian influencer is putting their confidence in the flesh or in Christ.

Part of the Stress Less series through Philippians.

CHAPTERS0:00 I broke my shoulder racing after church2:20 Who the Judaizers were (Acts 10, 11, 15)5:30 Reading Philippians 3:1-36:15 It grieves God13:00 It isn’t safe for you13:35 Dogs, evildoers, and those who mutilate the flesh17:00 Five problems with confidence in the flesh25:40 How to actually rely on God27:50 Joy comes from reliance, not restraint31:00 The physical can never reach the spiritual35:15 So what gives you confidence?37:40 After the Amen44:45 How false teachers keep people hooked48:50 The iPad I destroyed for no reason53:45 How to spot confidence in the flesh online

amenpodcast.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

Alex separated his AC joint racing the guys after church, and suddenly everything he took for granted with two working arms was gone. That’s the whole point of Philippians 3:1-3. Paul is writing to a church being pressured by Judaizers, people telling Gentile believers they had to become Jewish before they could become Christian. Paul calls it what it is: dogs, evildoers, mutilators of the flesh.

In this episode we walk through why confidence in the flesh grieves God and isn’t safe for you, five problems with trusting what you can do, and three ways to actually rely on God instead. Plus the line that ties it all together: joy comes from reliance, not restraint.

Alex and Lokelani also talk about how false teachers keep people locked in, why the “better version of yourself” message is not the gospel, and the very easy test for whether a Christian influencer is putting their confidence in the flesh or in Christ.

Part of the Stress Less series through Philippians.

CHAPTERS0:00 I broke my shoulder racing after church2:20 Who the Judaizers were (Acts 10, 11, 15)5:30 Reading Philippians 3:1-36:15 It grieves God13:00 It isn’t safe for you13:35 Dogs, evildoers, and those who mutilate the flesh17:00 Five problems with confidence in the flesh25:40 How to actually rely on God27:50 Joy comes from reliance, not restraint31:00 The physical can never reach the spiritual35:15 So what gives you confidence?37:40 After the Amen44:45 How false teachers keep people hooked48:50 The iPad I destroyed for no reason53:45 How to spot confidence in the flesh online

amenpodcast.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

Most churches teach that good Christians get extra crowns in heaven and lazy Christians barely make it in. That’s not in the Bible. And that teaching is quietly wrecking your walk with God.

In this sermon from our Maturity series, Alex breaks down 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and shows why the race Paul describes is not about earning rewards. It’s about certainty. Jesus already ran your race. He already set the score. It’s signed and sealed in blood. So why run with discipline at all?

That’s the question this whole sermon answers.

In this episode:

* The “extra crowns” theology and where it falls apart

* Two-tier Christianity: why carnal Christians don’t exist

* What Paul actually means by “disqualified” (warning, not verdict)

* The already and the not yet: what you’re actually running toward

* Mike Tyson, cross country, and why certainty changes how you run

* 3 systems to build so you actually finish

You will trip. You will fall. But God is not recording your time. He’s waiting for you at the finish line.

Links:Donate: amenpodcast.com/donate | Amen Podcast on Apple & Spotify | @amenpodcast and @housechurch808 on YouTube | House Church podcast on Apple & Spotify | housechurchkauai.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

Most of our stress comes from people online telling us what to be, what to wear, what to buy, and where to go. Jesus frees us from all of that.

In this episode of the Stress Less series through Philippians, Alex and Lokelani look at Epaphroditus, a man named after a pagan god who became one of Paul’s most trusted brothers in the ministry. Paul gives him five titles: brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, messenger, and minister. If the people influencing you don’t fit that list, they shouldn’t be influencing you.

In this episode:

* The 5 titles every godly influence in your life should have

* Why you should look for influences in places of suffering, not prosperity

* Why a screen pastor can never replace a physical one

* No, there is no “spirit of tardiness”

* How to be de-influenced: honor godly people, look at their life, think for yourself, and watch out for the vain

After the Amen question: How do you need Christ to influence you? Answer in the comments.

Support the podcast: amenpodcast.com/donate

Listen to the Amen Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify YouTube

House Church podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify housechurchkauai.com

#Philippians #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #StressLess #AmenPodcast

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

Most of our stress comes from people online telling us what to be, what to wear, what to buy, and where to go. Jesus frees us from all of that.

In this episode of the Stress Less series through Philippians, Alex and Lokelani look at Epaphroditus, a man named after a pagan god who became one of Paul’s most trusted brothers in the ministry. Paul gives him five titles: brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, messenger, and minister. If the people influencing you don’t fit that list, they shouldn’t be influencing you.

In this episode:

* The 5 titles every godly influence in your life should have

* Why you should look for influences in places of suffering, not prosperity

* Why a screen pastor can never replace a physical one

* No, there is no “spirit of tardiness”

* How to be de-influenced: honor godly people, look at their life, think for yourself, and watch out for the vain

After the Amen question: How do you need Christ to influence you? Answer in the comments.

Support the podcast: amenpodcast.com/donate

Listen to the Amen Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify YouTube

House Church podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify housechurchkauai.com

#Philippians #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #StressLess #AmenPodcast

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

Why do so many of our conversations about Jesus go nowhere? In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul says he became all things to all people so that by all means he might save some. But Paul was not a chameleon and he was not a compromiser. He followed the example of Christ, who confronted without condemning and connected without compromising.

In this message from our Maturity series at House Church Kauai, we look at how Jesus approached the woman at the well and Nicodemus, what it means to lay down your freedoms so others can see Christ clearly, and why the bruised reed and smoldering wick change everything about how God sees you when your faith feels weak.

Three practical takeaways: pull people up instead of letting them pull you down, know when to be silent and when to speak up, and stay fueled up so you have something to give.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 | Maturity Series

housechurchkauai.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

In Philippians 2:19-24, Paul couldn’t find anyone like Timothy to send to the Philippians. Why? Because Timothy stopped seeking his own interests and started seeking Christ’s kingdom instead.

In this message, we break down what made Timothy different and how you can become the kind of person God can use in your relationships, church, and calling.

We also unpack:

- Why you don’t jump into leadership too soon

- The cost of following Christ (and losing friends because of it)

- How to trust God when you don’t have the full picture

- Why who you marry can disqualify you from ministry

Sermon from Amen Podcast’s “Stress Less” Philippians series.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Opening story

2:10 Why Paul needed Timothy

5:20 The problem: seeking your own interests

7:10 The solution: be trained, be like a son

10:35 Trust God without the full picture

14:50 After the Amen discussion

20:20 Why people leave when you follow Christ

25:00 Who you marry matters

SUPPORT AMEN PODCAST:

Donate: amenpodcast.com/donate

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

In Philippians 2:19-24, Paul couldn’t find anyone like Timothy to send to the Philippians. Why? Because Timothy stopped seeking his own interests and started seeking Christ’s kingdom instead.

In this message, we break down what made Timothy different and how you can become the kind of person God can use in your relationships, church, and calling.

We also unpack:

- Why you don’t jump into leadership too soon

- The cost of following Christ (and losing friends because of it)

- How to trust God when you don’t have the full picture

- Why who you marry can disqualify you from ministry

Sermon from Amen Podcast’s “Stress Less” Philippians series.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Opening story

2:10 Why Paul needed Timothy

5:20 The problem: seeking your own interests

7:10 The solution: be trained, be like a son

10:35 Trust God without the full picture

14:50 After the Amen discussion

20:20 Why people leave when you follow Christ

25:00 Who you marry matters

SUPPORT AMEN PODCAST:

Donate: amenpodcast.com/donate

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com