Perpetual Joy
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4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
1. Have Harmony Despite Differences
1. Have Harmony Despite Differences
Differences are inevitable, but differences don't have to lead to division
In Philippi the problem involved two women—Euodia and Syntyche. We don't know what caused their quarrel
Do you think it was a major theological issue, or more likely some little thing that had been said or done?
God wants Christians to live in harmony
Be a peacemaker
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Agree in the Lord
We may not always see things alike, but we can treat one another as brothers or sisters.
2. Have Peace Despite Problems
2. Have Peace Despite Problems
Don’t worry about anything
Don’t Worry be Happy should be more than just a song title, it should be a Christian’s way of life
The assurance of God's presence and love can prevent anxiety over life's problems
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
Be prayerful; God still answers prayers
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Be thankful in all things
This is hard to do. It seems impossible to be thankful at all times. But even when bad things happen, there are good things for which we should be grateful
We can still rejoice in all things
Although Paul wrote this from a prison cell, after enduring years of hardship and difficulty, still he rejoiced
3. Have the right Thoughts Despite Trials
3. Have the right Thoughts Despite Trials
Satan is hard at work
Wrong thoughts lead to wrong action
That is why the believer needs to think on the right things (those listed in v. 8)
Someone said, "Thought is action in rehearsal"
Jesus said, "Out of the heart proceed the issues of life"
Right thoughts lead to right living
Follow good examples, like Paul's (v. 9).
4. Have Contentment Despite Circumstances
4. Have Contentment Despite Circumstances
Bless the people of God
Paul knew that those who blessed him would themselves be blessed
3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Whatever the circumstances, Paul learned to be content
Most are content after a great meal, a great conversation, a great vacation, an unexpected check (blessing)
But what about when we are in want?
The secret is that we can do everything through Christ who strengthens us
5. Have Joy Despite Struggles
5. Have Joy Despite Struggles
Stay in His presence
11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
He is our refuge and strength
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
He is for us and never against us
Remain in Him and He will be with you
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
Stay in Him and Rejoice
When you don’t have anything to Rejoice about, Rejoice anyways