Joy inspite of circumstances Phil 4_11_13 Outline

Title: Joy in spite of circumstances

Text: Phil. 4:11-13

Intro: As a rule, Man's a fool. When it's hot, He wants it cool. And when it's cool, He wants it hot. Always wanting What is not.

Orientate:

Joy -18 times in

CPS: Our Joy is not dependent on our circumstances but on our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Contentment is a not found in human circumstances. Vs. 11-12

Paul is quick to let his friends know that he is not complaining! His happiness does not depend on circumstances or things; his joy comes from something deeper, something apart from either poverty or prosperity.

The Process

Contentment

Learned

Revelation through experience

The Experience

A lot (Abound) Fat cat

Money

Respect

Education

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” Php 3:7.

Hardship

aa. 5 x 39 lashes

ab. 3 x Rod

ac. Stones

ad. Dangers from Jew and Gentile

ae. Sleepless nights

A little (Abase)

Money

Food

Health (+ thorn)

Prison

Application: Paul didn’t allow his circumstance rather good or bad to dictate his joy and peace. Rather through trial and testing, Paul was “initiated” into the wonderful secret of contentment in spite of poverty or prosperity.

Contentment is found in Christ Jesus Vs. 13

“I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power and find joy in it!”

The Providence of God

Providence

The working of God in advance to arrange circumstances and situations for the fulfilling of His purposes.

Romans 8:28

ILL. What if you knew the outcome of each day… Good!!! How would you live your life?

Paul’s purpose (1:21)

To live is Christ… to do what is commanded of Christ… to live in the likeness of Christ.

The sufficiency of Christ

If you are in God’s will He provides for all your needs and regardless of the circumstance you can find joy indescribable!

He was in the will of God. (divine appointment)

Paul had learned that the Lord’s commands are the Lord’s enablement’s

God’s grace was sufficient for Paul’s

Needs

aa. physical

ab. Spiritual (Salvation & Fellowship)

Joy (The Lord was His joy)

4:4

Paul had peace in God because He was at peace with God… This was his source of Joy!

Application: “It is not by trusting my own faithfulness, but by looking away to the Faithful One!”