Title: The Joy of Anticipation and Affection
Text: Philippians 1:6-8
Date: January 28, 2024

Introduction: The Apostle Paul writes a thank you note or prayer of Thanksgiving “with joy” (v4) to the Philippians or the church at Philippi. Its tone is spontaneous, warm and personal. Paul uses the word “joy” and “rejoice” fourteen times in 104 verses. One commentator calls it “an intimate diary” written by a great apostle of the Christian faith. This is indeed amazing because he is sitting in prison or jail. Yet, Paul is the happiest man in Rome. How can this be? Joy is found in Christ, not in a trouble free life or a life filled with stuff. The following acronym is helpful. The secret to joy is in keeping this order:

J-Jesus
O-Others
Y-Yourself

As we examine the letter to the Philippians, we notice that Paul is all about Jesus and his mind is filled with concern for others, namely, the Philippian believers. When contemplating the glory of death, he says, “I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:25).
So, Paul is overflowing with joy in thankfulness to God with love for the saints at Philippi. To know the joy that Paul possessed, we too need to know the joy of what? There are four truths.

In our last sermon from Philippians we addressed the first two:
— We need to know the joy of prayer (Philippians 1:3-4).
— We need to know the joy of partnership (Philippians 1:5).

In our text today, we will consider two more truths.

I. We need to know the joy of

II. We need to know the joy of

Larry Gipson
First Baptist Church-Oneonta