Three Truths About Joy
Happiness = reaction to external circumstances
Joy = reaction to the internal conditions
Three Truths That Create The Conditions For Joy In A Broken World.
- We don’t belong to ourselves
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
- God begins something new in those who belong to Him
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17
- God uses everything for something better.
16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16
And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28
What Is It That God Is Trying To Do?
9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ[a]—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:9-11
What really matters?
- That we love more and more
- Grow in what we know
- Live with understanding
Paul gives two thieves of joy in this life.
In Phil 2
- Jealousy/Rivalry – comparing myself to others.
- Stuff people do
If you are a follower of God, you have three advantages.
- You have Jesus
- You have suffering
- You have company – we are in this together
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.
29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it. Philippians 1:29-30
Next steps
Choose to live for more than happiness – Happiness comes and goes Joy stays
Remember who you belong to – you are not your own
Accept that life is hard – suffering is necessary so I am less dependent on stuff and more dependent on God.