The Foundation for a Joyful Life

Introduction:

A- Getting God’s perspective Life Is like a Football Game Have you ever watched a football game on television and seen players talking on the telephone? What are they doing? Talking to mom? Ordering a pizza? The quarterback throws an interception, goes off the field, picks up a phone, and starts talking to someone. Who in the world is he talking to? Of course, he’s talking to someone in the press box, usually an assistant coach. Why is he talking to a coach in the press box? Two words: vantage point. The coach in the press box is one hundred yards from the field. From there, way above the field, he can see the whole field at once. He can see the weaknesses in the opposition’s defense. He can see what each player is doing on each play. So, after an interception, the coach calls the quarterback on the sideline and says, “Let me tell you why that cornerback intercepted your pass and what to do differently the next time. Next time, run with the ball rather than pass it.” Now the quarterback may say, “That will never work in a million years.” How does the coach respond? He says, “Trust me. From up here I have a much better vantage point of the whole field than you can possibly have down there in the midst of play.” In the press box of life, God looks down on our circumstances. God is trying to do for us exactly what the assistant coach is trying to do for that quarterback—give us the big picture. The apostle Paul grasped the big picture very well. As he wrote Philippians 1, he was about to be tackled for a twenty-yard loss. Under Roman house arrest, chained to a big burly Roman guard, he was waiting trial on a capital offense before none other than the mad man himself—Nero. Yet we find Paul rejoicing. How can he be doing that? How can be full of joy in the midst of adversity? The answer? Vantage point! Like a master quarterback, he’s on the phone to God in the press box. He sees his circumstances from God’s perspective. Therefore, he has a clear understanding of what is going on on the field and why these things are happening to him. Getting God’s big picture, vantage point, on your problems and adversities can help give you a sense of joy and peace. Philippians 1 will challenge you to rejoice in the midst of adversity by seeing God’s perspective. Then like Paul you can rejoice in troubling circumstances.

B- Background

1- City Profile—Philippi

• A historically Greek city, named after Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great.

• Located in the northern part of what is modern Greece, near the coast of the Aegean Sea.

• In New Testament times, a Roman colony (in the Roman province of Macedonia) whose citizens had Roman citizenship.

• It was a fairly large and important gold-mining town.

• Home to many pagan religious influences.

The cultural scene was marked by moral decay, political corruption, and religious and philosophical confusion and disillusionment.

The key question of the age was “What is truth?”

The Gentile world in Philippi had been confronted with the Gospel of Christ, in which, the answer to their cultural question was answered.

Since the city had few Jewish residents (with no synagogue), the church was predominately Gentile.

The Church at Phillip had continue to reflect the light and life of Christ in a morally darkened society.

2- The Epistle:

Written about thirty years after the ascension of Christ and about 10 years after the Apostle Paul first preached the gospel in Philippi in AD 52. This places the writing of this letter at about AD 62.

C- it is God’s desire that his children experience a joyful relationship with him, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. He desires for us to live above our circumstances.

*If we are to live above our circumstances and experience the joy that God intends, we must lay the proper foundation in our lives.

I- We must see all of life as service to Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:1a).

Philippians 1:1 NLT

1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.

Παῦλος καὶ Τιμόθεος δοῦλοι Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ πᾶσιν τοῖς ἁγίοις ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τοῖς οὖσιν ἐν Φιλίπποις σὺν ἐπισκόποις καὶ διακόνοις·

A- The believer’s life is to be lived in service to Christ.

1- From Paul’s perspective, his life was lived in service for Christ.

a- He was the slave of Christ Jesus (Παῦλος καὶ Τιμόθεος δοῦλοι Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ).

b- He was a co-laborer and co-servant with Timothy.

2- As Christ followers, every aspect of our lives are to be lived in service of Christ. (2 Cor 5:15)

2 Corinthians 5:15 NLT

15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

a. Our work is for the Lord.

(Eph 6:7)

Ephesians 6:7 NLT

7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

(Col 3:23–24)

Colossians 3:23–24 NLT

23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

b. Even the “smallest” and “least-spiritual” things are done for the Lord.

(1 Cor 10:31)

1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT

31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

(Matt 10:42)

Matthew 10:42 NLT

42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”

B- Circumstances are under the Lord’s control.

1- From Paul’s perspective, his circumstances were directed by his lord and master.

a- The Lord had directed his circumstances for a purpose.

Even his imprisonment was of God. (Eph 3:1)

Ephesians 3:1 NLT

1 When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles …

b- Paul saw his purpose as fulfilling the mission of Christ in his circumstances. (Acts 20:24)

Acts 20:24 NLT

24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

2- For the believer, there are no accidental circumstances. (Ps 37:23)

Psalm 37:23 NLT

23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

a. The believer’s circumstances are used by God for our good. (Rom 8:28)

Romans 8:28 NLT

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

b. The Lord knows all of our circumstances and how they will work out. (Matt 10:29–30)

Matthew 10:29–30 NLT

29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.

II- We must see ourselves as being a part of something far bigger than ourselves. (Philippians 1:1 b).

Philippians 1:1 NLT

1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.

Παῦλος καὶ Τιμόθεος δοῦλοι Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ πᾶσιν τοῖς ἁγίοις ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τοῖς οὖσιν ἐν Φιλίπποις σὺν ἐπισκόποις καὶ διακόνοις·

A- We are part of God’s Church. (Philippians 1:1b)

Philippians 1:1 NLT

I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus,

πᾶσιν τοῖς ἁγίοις ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τοῖς οὖσιν ἐν Φιλίπποις

1- Paul was part of God’s holy people.

a. God’s people belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 Cor 6:19–20)

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NLT

19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

2- We are a part of God’s holy People.

(1 Pet 2:9–10)

1 Peter 2:9–10 NLT

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”

B- We are part of God’s work of winning and discipling others. (Philippians 1:1c)

Philippians 1:1 NLT

including the church leaders and deacons.

σὺν ἐπισκόποις καὶ διακόνοις·

1. Paul was involved in the work of discipleship and leadership development and partners with leaders.

(Acts 14:21–23)

Acts 14:21–23 NLT

21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

2- We are a part of the grand mission of leading others to follow Christ. (2 Cor 5:18–20)

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 NLT

18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

III- We must live in the conscious awareness of God’s gifts to us .(Philippians 1:2).

Philippians 1:2 NLT

2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

“χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.”

A- We must strive for the conscious awareness of God’s grace.

1- Paul is reminding the believers in Philippi to be consciously aware of God’s gift of grace.

a. Paul wanted the Philippians to realize that their relationship with God was a matter of Grace.

b. grace = χάρις - unmerited favor

2- We must remind ourselves that our salvation is a matter of grace.

(Eph 2:8–9)

Ephesians 2:8–9 NLT

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

(Titus 3:5–7)

Titus 3:5–7 NLT

5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

3- We must remember that our daily provisions are a matter of grace. (James 1:17)

James 1:17 NLT

17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

B- We must strive to be consciously aware of the source of our peace.

1. Paul is reminding the believers in Philippi to be consciously aware of God’s gift of peace.

2- We need to remind ourselves that the peace of God is a gift from God.

(John 14:27)

John 14:27 NLT

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

(2 Thess 3:16)

2 Thessalonians 3:16 NLT

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

Conclusion:

In order to overcome life’s circumstances, You and I need to lay the foundation for a joyful life. In order to accomplish this :

I- We must see all of life as service to Jesus Christ .

II- We must see ourselves as being a part of something far bigger than ourselves.

III- We must live in the conscious awareness of God’s gifts to us .