The Way of Joy

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Dwell on Good Things

Build Meaningful Relationships
Many people, even believers, never experience the joy possible in Christ.
Scott Smelser tells of a wife who wanted to divorce her husband. The husband tried everything to save the marriage but she did not want to. She also wanted to take the kids to live with her mother who was immoral in many ways. Scott went to see her and asked, “Why do you want to do this?” She said, “I’m just not happy.” He said, “Were you ever happy in your marriage?” “No.” “Have you ever been happy in your life?” “No.” He said, “Do you really think changing men or apartments will make you happy?” “No.”
2. Scott Smelser tells of a wife who wanted to divorce her husband. The husband tried everything to save the marriage but she did not want to. She also wanted to take the kids to live with her mother who was immoral in many ways. Scott went to see her and asked, “Why do you want to do this?” She said, “I’m just not happy.” He said, “Were you ever happy in your marriage?” “No.” “Have you ever been happy in your life?” “No.” He said, “Do you really think changing men or apartments will make you happy?” “No.”
I know a man who lost a high position, lost a lot of friends, sometimes went cold and hungry, became hated by many, was even beaten at times, and was wrongfully imprisoned. How do you think he felt?” “Miserable.” “Nope. His name was Paul and, while in jail, he wrote a letter to the Philippians telling them he was full of joy.”
I know a man who lost a high position, lost a lot of friends, sometimes went cold and hungry, became hated by many, was even beaten at times, and was wrongfully imprisoned. How do you think he felt?” “Miserable.” “Nope. His name was Paul and, while in jail, he wrote a letter to the Philippians telling them he was full of joy.”
3. Paul’s joy was not dependent on his circumstances. Do you want to be able to experience joy no matter what is going on in your life?
Paul’s joy was not dependent on his circumstances. Do you want to be able to experience joy no matter what is going on in your life?
Before we can go down the path of joy, we must first accept that it is a path, a choice.
4. Before we can go down the path of joy, we must first accept that it is a path, a choice.
Twice Paul commands the Phillipians to rejoice. Joy is a choice we can make.
a. Twice Paul commands the Phillipians to rejoice. Joy is a choice we can make.
b. Paul shows us that joy is a way of thinking and living that each of us must choose.
Paul shows us that joy is a way of thinking and living that each of us must choose.
Body –
Dwell on Good Things
Dwell on Good Things
A. Count Your Blessings
1. 1:3-4 – Paul thanked God for good memories and it brought him joy.
2. Later, in 4:6, Paul says thanksgiving should be a regular part of our prayers.
3. 1:5; 4:10 – Paul’s gratitude for the Philippians’ help also brought him joy.
B. 4:8-9 – How often do our conversations, the news, and entertainment dwell on the exact opposite of these things? No wonder we can be so negative!
C. If we want to follow the way of joy, we must dwell on good things!
II. Build Meaningful Relationships
A. Those good memories Paul had meant he had close, meaningful relationships (1:3).
B. 1:25 – Likewise, the Philippians experience joy through their relationship with Paul.
C. 2:25-30 – Did you notice that just seeing Epaphroditus would bring them joy? Do you think it would if their relationship was just superficial?
D. 1:8; 4:1 – Paul has joy while imprisoned because he always carried around deep affection for the Philippians.
E. We can fill our schedules with so many good things but if we don’t take time to build meaningful relationships, we will miss out on the way of joy.
III. Find Joy in Other’s Joy
A. Our desire to build meaningful relationships leads to being others focused.
B. 2:17-18 – Because the Philippians meant so much to Paul, he experienced joy through serving and sacrificing for them (He was persecuted in Philippi, ; ).
C. 2:1-2 – He said they would complete his joy by choosing to be united in love and purpose.
D. The way of joy is choosing to rejoice with those who rejoice ().
IV.Trusting God’s Power to Use the Bad for Good
A. Maybe your thinking, “But you don’t understand what has happened to me or how people are treating me. You don’t know what I am going through!”
1. I don’t want to be insensitive but if this worked for Paul, it will work in your life to.
2. No matter how bad it got, Paul knew God could take the bad and use it for good!
B. 1:12-18 – With Paul hindered, others started preaching. Some did it out of faith and love. Others did it because they wanted the attention and praise Paul was getting.
1. Paul could have complained. He could have thought about the bad attitudes or problems these envious men could have caused. Instead, he dwelt on the good.
2. Whether they are preaching from envy or not, at least people are hearing something about the gospel. God can use that to bring people to Him!
C. If we focus on God’s power to use bad for good, we can be joyful no matter what!
V. Rejoice in the Lord
A. Rejoice in what God is doing in our lives.
B. 3:1 – Rejoice in our transformation.
1. 3:4-9 – Paul rejoiced in the Lord because God led Paul out of a life of pride and evil to a life of righteousness in Christ.
2. 3:10-14 – Paul rejoiced that this transformation would ultimately result in eternal life with Christ.
3. 3:17-21 – Many people have a false joy in their status and possessions. Christians have eternal joy because Jesus is transforming us for eternity.
C. 4:4 – Rejoice in the peace of Christ.
1. 4:5 – Christians don’t live like everything depends on themselves.
2. 4:6-7 – No need to live in fear and worry. We do our best and trust the Lord will take care of all our concerns.
D. The way of joy is by surrendering your life to be transformed by the Lord and trusting in His loving care over your life.
Conclusion –
1. The way of joy: dwell on good things, build meaningful relationships, find joy in others’ joy, trusting in God’s power, and rejoicing in what the Lord is doing in our lives.
2. Like Paul, the Lord can lead us to indestructible joy! Have you given your life to Him?
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