Sometimes we let our emotions dictate our life… and so when things are going good, we are good… but when things are a drain, we are not so good. The thing is… we get to choose how we will deal with our emotions.
What are some of the biggest “kill joys” you have dealt with?
Or put another way… What things try to steal your joy?
The book of Philippians is full of wisdom regarding how we can learn to rejoice in the Lord regardless of our circumstances.
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. 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. —Philippians 1:1-2 (NLT)
What do you notice about how Paul starts this letter?
The whole letter is just 104 verses and he is going to mention Jesus 51 times.
Jesus is my
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. —Philippians 1:12-13 (NIV)
Paul seemed to find a “Jesus purpose” in his difficult situation.
What situation was Paul in?
What if you found your joy not in what was easiest for you, but what was best for the Gospel… best for Jesus? What would that look like?
Jesus is my
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. —Philippians 2:3-7 (NIV)
What pattern of Jesus do you see here that we should follow?
How might serving others bring you joy?
Jesus is my
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:10-14 (NIV)
What is the difference between the idea that heaven is my prize and Christ is my prize?
Jesus is my
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. —Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV)
What lesson can we learn from Paul in this text?
Joy is your present possession when Christ is your constant obsession.