Single Minded Joy
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Intro
Good evening guys, welcome to HS, My name is Junior and i’m the one of Pastors here at harvest. I’m happy that you are here! I pray that you’ve been enjoying your time here so far. We are going to spend some time in the bible right now because this is the most important book about the most important person, and it will teach you the most important things.
So raise your hand if you don’t have a bible and we will have one of our leaders get one to you.
Today we kick off our new series called “True Joy” right here in the book of Philippians. So turn there and let us jump in and eat some of this tasty spiritual food.
Philippians overview
The book of Philippians got its name from the City where this Church was located, the City was called Philippi or “city of Phillip” named after Phillip of macedon, that name may not ring any bells but he had a son by the name of “Alexander the great”, the book was written by Paul, as a matter of fact coupled with Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon they were called the “prison epistles”, and that should give you a hint as to where Paul was when He wrote them. Most bible scholars agree that this imprisonment was at Rome because verse 13 of chapter 1 speaks about the palace guards and 4:22 Paul talks about persons in Ceasar’s household. It is clear in the Bible that Paul went to prison a few times for preaching the gospel, in this imprisonment his circumstances were less severe; he was able to have visitors and preach the gospel, nevertheless prison is still prison and had hardships just by being there.
Now, hearing of Paul’s imprisonment, the Philippian Church sent contributions to him (4:10), and along with it Epaphroditus to minister to Paul’s needs. Unfortunately Epaphroditus suffered a near-fatal illness (2:26, 27), either while en route to Rome, or after he arrived. Accordingly, Paul decided to send Epaphroditus back to Philippi (2:25, 26) and wrote the letter to the Philippians to send back with him.
The MacArthur Bible Handbook Background and Setting
First, he wanted to express in writing his thanks for the Philippians’ gift (4:10–18). Second, he wanted the Philippians to know why he decided to return Epaphroditus to them, so they would not think his service to Paul had been unsatisfactory (2:25, 26). Third, he wanted to inform them about his circumstances at Rome (1:12–26). Fourth, he wrote to exhort them to unity (2:1, 2; 4:2). Finally, he wrote to warn them against false teachers (3:1–4:1).
Purpose:
First, he wanted to express in writing his thanks for the Philippians’ gift (4:10–18).
First, he wanted to express in writing his thanks for the Philippians’ gift (4:10–18). Second, he wanted the Philippians to know why he decided to return Epaphroditus to them, so they would not think his service to Paul had been unsatisfactory (2:25, 26). Third, he wanted to inform them about his circumstances at Rome (1:12–26). Fourth, he wrote to exhort them to unity (2:1, 2; 4:2). Finally, he wrote to warn them against false teachers (3:1–4:1).
Second, he wanted the Philippians to know why he decided to return Epaphroditus to them, so they would not think his service to Paul had been unsatisfactory (2:25, 26).
Third, he wanted to inform them about his circumstances at Rome (1:12–26).
Fourth, he wrote to exhort them to unity (2:1, 2; 4:2).
Fifth, he wrote to warn them against false teachers (3:1–4:1).
MacArthur, J. (2003). The MacArthur Bible handbook (p. 409). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
and so the overarching tone of this book is one of joy and rejoicing in spite of the circumstances.
Okay so that should give you some context to our study in this book.
Let’s read together:
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice,
As you can see on your outline the title of my message today comes from the title of the entire series “true joy”! In all that Paul is facing he still finds the time to write and encourage the Church at Philippi, so we will see some ways where he maintained a Joyful attitude and how as teens you can as well.
First we see in this passage that addressed the Philippians Joyfully!
We see greetings of Joy:
Share Greetings with Joy
Share Greetings with Joy
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sometimes when we are in a frustrating situation we have the tendency to be grouchy, and snap at people. But listen to how Paul speaks with humility and sensitivity here; to all the saints (acknowledging their God given identity), grace and peace to you (He is wishing upon them God’s undeserved favor, and harmonious relations with each other). So what are we seeing here? It isn’t a pretence, as we will see further in the book Paul gives his testimony pointing out what he was and how by Jesus work and example he indeed have been changed. Have you been changed? Have you seen the error of your ways and asked God to forgive you and change you? This is the only way to true joy, so make the call, don’t delay.
Here are some ways you can joyful person:
Become a christian. Recognize that you can’t have true Joy, without having Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.
Have daily devotions. Prioritize the time to read and study the bible, and prayer, these things are important for you to grow.
Have healthy relationships. With family, friends, neighbors, schoolmates etc. Always endeavor to show love, be quick to forgive, and give ppl the benefit of the doubt.
Ok so that’s our first point, we can learn a lot from Paul’s greeting of Joy.
Now secondly, let’s see Paul’s gratitude of Joy.
See Gratitude with Joy
See Gratitude with Joy
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
He is thanking God every time he remembers these ppl, he’s constantly praying for them, not like (oh boy I have to pray again!), but like yes! I have to pray again! And trust me you don’t get to that point without a scheduled prayer life, that’s how habits are developed you do it over and over again until it becomes second nature.
We normally say here at Harvest That:
Gratitude is the attitude that sets the altitude for living.
In other word, when you live with a thankful grateful attitude you add fuel to a life of Joy.
Sometimes you can look at some people’s appearance and you can tell that they have a attitude of gratitude.
They’re always joyful; they can still be joyful in the midst of the darkest situations, because their mentality isn’t about what they don’t have, it’s about what they do have.
If we were to have a gratitude tester, when we point it to you it goes yay for ppl who are grateful, and boo for ppl who are not, how will it respond to you?
So we see Paul’s Greeting of Joy, His Gratitude of Joy, and now His Gospel of Joy.
Speak Gospel with Joy
Speak Gospel with Joy
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice,
Phil 1:12-
Paul’s primary concern has always been the gospel of Jesus Christ, and so we see here after even envied and opposed that remains the center of his joy, making what Christ has done known to everyone so that if any believes they will have eternal life.
So what is the Gospel? The good news about who Jesus Christ is, and what he has done.
Put another way; the gospel in
4 words: Jesus in My Place
3 words: Christ for Me
2 words: Substitutional Atonement.
This is what saves sinners like us from death, hell, and a life of misery.
This is what fuels our growth in Christ.
This is what motivates our love to others
This is what motivates our future hope.
The gospel.
So here are 4 ways the gospel produces Joy:
1. Believe it.
2. Know it.
3. Share it.
4. Show it.
