October 4, 2026

In this homily, Pastor Lesley reflects on Paul’s deep longing in Philippians to know Christ—not merely as information or doctrine, but as a living relationship that transforms everything. She points to Paul’s encounter with the risen Jesus on the dusty road as the turning point that changed his confidence, his values, and the direction of his entire life.

Rather than trusting in pedigree, morality, religious achievement, or effort, Paul came to see that the surpassing value of life is found in knowing Christ Jesus. Pastor Lesley connects this same truth to Martin Luther, who discovered that righteousness is not something we accomplish for ourselves, but a gift given through Christ’s grace, mercy, and saving love.

This message invites us to move beyond treating faith as mere knowledge and instead to receive it as trust, union, and relationship with the living Christ. Because Christ is enough—his cross, his resurrection, and his grace—our lives can be changed through truly knowing God.