A Joyful Reality

Philippians 4:4-7

Central Truth: My Focus / Faith Drives My Joy!

The Title:

God Defines ALLReality:

The Physical / Metaphysical – Albert Einstein

The Mind not the Matter – Jon Lennon

Genesis 1:1, 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26; Ezekiel 12:25; John 1:1, 14

Hebrews 11:3-6

3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. ……6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

BiblicalJoy is Substantive Reality

Joy Versus Happiness? The World sells Happiness and only we can have Joy?

Bible Speaks of Joy believers have

The Text: Philippians 4:4

Commanded to Rejoice! John 15:11-14

Psalm 32:10-11, Philippians 3:1, 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Connected to Trust! “In the Lord!” John 14:1-13

I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life

14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Matthew 5:1-12

The “Takeaways”: My Focus Drives My Joy

Enemies of Joy

Rejection of Truth

Focus on Self-Fulfillment

Forgetting God’s Promises

Failing to Worship– Thankfulness, Obedience, Prayerful Dependence