Joy/Full Part 1

Intro:

Having a house full of girls I always have to be ready for things to change quickly

I mean one minute they might be quiet cute and cuddly and the next they are losing there mind and the world is ending

And it seems to be most volatile in the morning times

I kind of just walk around on eggshells all morning long

I use this like high pitched voice that I use nowhere else

and I’m completely out of my element

but there I am you know

And when things start off really bad in the mornings we have this tradition now where I’ll pull up my phone and play through our speakers in the house this song:

play “good day”

So, this has become normal

I walk around the house and try to keep the peace and really just keep everyone happy

And the longer that I’m a girl dad the more I realize how impossible that is

It’s literally impossible to keep everyone happy all the time

it’s impossible to keep ourselves happy all the time nevertheless someone else and especially 5 girls under one roof

But we sure try

And we go to great lengths to attempt the impossible

And we fall into the lie that if I can just have that one thing, then I’d be happy

Until we get that one thing and realize we need something else

And so what happens is the world becomes full of people who live their lives in their bubbles in the ultimate “pursuit of happiness.”

I mean that’s what being an American is, that’s what it means to be human to be happy

Just do what makes you happy

But what happens when you do all of that and you’re still not happy?

or yea maybe you experience moments of happiness but followed by moments of un-fulfillment, anxiety, depression, and let down

And what if God isn’t all that concerned with your happiness

Because what if happiness isn’t really what you need?

But rather, a deep sense of joy

And what if we could get to a place where that joy isn’t regulated by our circumstances?

What if, the God of the universe wants to give you that joy and not just a little bit but so that you are full of joy, or joy/full

During this series we are going to see a letter from a man whose circumstances did not create an enviroment for happiness but his heart learned the secret to joy

And maybe we can learn a thing or two from him and we can find a fullness of joy like never before

pray

Throughout this series we will be in the book of Philippians

Philippians is written by the apostle Paul and it is essentially a thank you letter to the church of Philippi

Paul was absolutely an evangelist and perhaps the greatest to ever live but he was also a church planter

And he would go into these sort of major cities and preach the gospel, plant churches and then allow the church to then spread the gospel

And so Paul plants a church in Philippi and later leaves and the Philippians send a gift to Paul and this is Paul’s response to them

And this letter that we have recorded in the NT is unlike any other

It’s the only letter of Paul’s where we don’t see him write to correct behavior of the church

It’s really one of the only glimpses we see of a group of mature believers

Now, it’s a fairly short letter but it’s packed full of what I would call coffee cup verses

Right? Like those verse a lot of us are familiar with and we love so much that we put them on our coffee cups and wear them on our shirts

Verses like:

Philippians 1:6 NIV

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:21 NIV

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 4:6–7 NIV

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.

Philippians 4:13 NIV

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

So, you can begin to see, although only 4 chapters, it’s a powerful letter and it’s full of beautiful imagery and encouragement for the church of Philippi and I’m believing and praying for Cornerstone as well.

So let’s dive in:

Paul is going to open the letter as he normally does with a greeting

Philippians 1:1–2 NIV

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

A beautiful greeting that sounds the theme of grace

Think about what is stated in just these opening verses

Paul and timothy servants of Christ Jesus

I don’t know how much you know about Paul, you’ll learn some more about him throughout this series, but he wasn’t a guy anyone would have expected to be writing this letter when the church started

he was persecuting the church

killing christians

a hater of Jesus

And now, here, calling himself a servant of Christ Jesus

How does that happen? only by grace

So, I can’t think of a better way to start this series than in the same way Paul starts this letter

I don’t know your story, I don’t know your past, I don’t know your struggles, I don’t know your opinions on church or Jesus, but I do know that God is gracious

And God has grace for you

And if he can take a man who used to kill christians and turn him into a servant of Christ who becomes the greatest evangelist and church planter the world has ever seen

Than he can forgive you and use you too!

The opening continues, look at the next line, to all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi?

Do you think the philippians were unlike the rest of humankind and were somehow born holy?

No! They were sinners just like you and me and yet, in Christ Jesus’ grace Paul can now boldy declare “holy people.”

God’s grace! As we talked about a lot last series, God doesn’t just want to save you, He wants to make you holy, He wants to make you like Him

Grace!

And then Paul finishes his greeting with a phrase that we probably don’t feel the full weight of

Philippians 1:2 NIV

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus Christ. In the first century a statement you could be killed for

To declare Jesus is Lord and not Caesar would have you killed.

Yet, that’s what Paul does, in a letter that could have easily been read by someone who could turn him in.

It’s what Christians of this time did

Jesus was Lord and there was no other

Nothing else could fear them out of it

So, Jesus is ready to extend grace to you, are you ready to declare Him Lord?

Not just buddy, not just moral compass, not just genie in a bottle wish granter, not just religious hobby

Is Jesus Lord of your life?

We have to start there. Because it all starts with that question.

And if you haven’t come to that conclusion yet then man keep coming and hanging out with us and God’s Word will convince you to submit to that

But if we are serious about following Jesus than this is where it starts.

Is Jesus Lord?

And again, your decision doesn’t dictate the truth of that statement, it only determines your eternity

You don’t get to decide if Jesus is Lord, you just get to decide if you want to live as if he is

the apostle Paul continues with…

Philippians 1:3–8 NIV

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

We see the first mention of joy in Philippians but it will resound through this section and letter.

Paul is seemingly the most joyful man on the planet

As we will continue to see throughout this letter he speaks of joy often

And if you didn't know any better you would assume that Paul must live a pretty easy life that things go his way

But the reality is, on top of the ship wrecks, snake bites, torturing and more that Paul went through

While Paul is writing this very letter, he sits in a jail cell!

Not knowing whether or not tomorrow might be his last he pens one the most joyful letters ever written!

How can a man who has nothing and whose life hangs in the balance have this much joy?

Because….

JOY IS FOUND IN CHRIST

Not in trouble-free life or in a life filled with stuff

But in Jesus

I’ve heard this kind of cheesy acronym before but it is helpful

Jesus Others Yourself

Joy!

As you scan this letter you see that Paul is all about Jesus!

And His mind is filled with concern for others, namely, the Philippian believers

And Paul doesn’t pretend he has no real needs, but the glory of Jesus and the needs of others occupy his heart and mind.

This was the pattern of Pauls life

He believed:

No Jesus - no joy

No gospel partners - you’ll lack joy

always focused on self - you’ll lack joy

There are four things here that Paul knew the joy of and we too need to learn the joy of

#1 Prayer

Philippians 1:3–4 NIV

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy

Paul prays for the Philippians, he is thankful, and his mind is filled with blessed memories. which leads to joyful intercession.

Kent Hughes says:

Exalting Jesus in Philippians Gratitude despite Internal Conflict

Paul rarely thanked God for things. Paul thanked God for people, who, despite whatever trouble they may have been to him, remained a source of joy and thanksgiving”

If you’re a super critical person, always focusing on what’s wrong, then you’ll struggle to be grateful.

Don’t look for perfection before you show gratitude, look for evidences of grace in people’s lives.

Be quick to pray prayers of thanksgiving for others and it will build up joy in you

#2 partnership

Philippians 1:5 NIV

5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

gospel partnership builds great joy

What does this mean: boiled down it’s friendship and mission

It’s a group of people who live life together relationally on mission

This is friendship based on commonality with missional mindsets

This is the church! We have Christ in common with the mission to spread his gospel.

The church should help build joy in you and you joy in it

It’s a joy to be a part of the church so be a joy to the church

Man, I know for me, it is with great joy that I get to be a part of Cornerstone

It brings me great joy to worship with you all, to serve alongside you, to reach people with the gospel with you, to walk with you and do life together

You guys are my family and you bring me joy! I don’t know where i’d be without this

And so I try to do all things in joy with you

In joy I…..worship, preach, listen, pass out hotdogs, etc

The church is meant to build joy, not happiness, I’m not saying we are here to make you happy all the time, but the church should be a source of joy and you a source of joy for the church

#3 anticipation

Confidence in God’s nature and purposes should bring you joy

Philippians 1:6 NIV

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Paul is sure that God will continue and complete what he starts

This is one of the greatest promises in all of Scripture for the believer

Golf mulligan - God doesn’t do mulligans with you

He loves you with an everlasting love

God starts the work, continues the work, and completes the work in you

You can be confident too

And this confidence should have us brimming with joy and praise!

#4 Affection

What a fitting way to end this morning

On the subject we’ve spent the last 4 weeks talking about

Affection

Paul says this

Philippians 1:7–8 NIV

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Paul has deep affection for the Philippians and the affection is right and it is of Christ Jesus

And so what does it mean to have the affection of Christ Jesus?

Here Paul is reminding them of Christ’s affection for them and how God is at work in him to love them that same way

Paul is united to Christ, and he shares Christ’s love for the church.

It’s a deep love that goes beyond sentiment.

You would do well to realize the love Christ has for you and for the church and resolve to share in that love.

Paul, in the midst of shackles finds joy in prayer, partnerships, assurance, and affection.

Exalting Jesus in Philippians (Conclusion)

So, we could say it this way, what will rob you of joy? If you are Christ-less, you won’t find joy. If you are prayer-less and ungrateful, you won’t find joy. If you don’t have gospel partnerships, you won’t find joy. If you don’t have assurance of salvation, you won’t have joy. If you don’t have affectionate relationships, you won’t have joy. So, let us look to Jesus, who went to the cross for us, bearing our sin and punishment, so that we may be reconciled to God and enjoy Him forever. That where we find joy!