Joy for the Journey

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 4:4-7

Always be Joyful (It is Possible!)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

- Philippians 4:4

Be a peacemaker

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

- Philippians 4:5

Take anxiety captive

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

- Philippians 4:6

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

- James 1:8

Allow God make you whole

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

- Philippians 4:6

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 4:7

Surrender control to God

Adjusting for Joy

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God wants us to experience His joy.

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

- Philippians 3:1

The joy of Jesus exceeds expectations.

“...therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

- Hebrews 1:9

The joy of Jesus endures.

“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross...”

- Hebrews 12:2

Joy comes from more than just a religious routine.

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

- Philippians 3:2

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

- Ephesians 2:8-9

Joy comes from practicing the presence of God.

For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God…

- Philippians 3:3

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

- John 14:15-17

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

- Hebrews 11:6

Joy comes from living with God’s value system.

...and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh…

- Philippians 3:3

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.

- Philippians 3:7-8

Joy in Unity (Pastor Robert Hern)

1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

- Philippians 2:1 -4 (NIV)

Unity is possible because of our shared experience in Christ.

1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,

- Philippians 2:1 (NIV)

1 Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement he has brought us, the comfort of his love, our sharing in his Spirit, and the mercy and kindness he has shown us.

- Philippians 2:1 (ERV)

2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

- Philippians 2:2 (ERV)

Unity requires humility.

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 

- Philippians 2:3

4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

- Philippians 2:4

The ultimate example of humility is Jesus.

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…

- Philippians 2:5

(1) His Incarnation – He left heaven for earth.

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7abut made himself nothing…

- Philippians 2:6

(2) His life – He became a servant 

7 by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 

- Philippians 2:7

(3) His death – He died on the cross

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 

- Philippians 2:8

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

- Philippians 2:9-11

Unexpected Joy

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. 14 Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly. 15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. 16 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.

- Philippians 1:12-18

Joy is not centered on us, joy is centered in God

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.

- Galatians 5:22

The joy of the Lord is a witness to unbelievers

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ.

- Philippians 1:12-13

The joy of the Lord empowers other believers

14 Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly.

- Philippians 1:14

The joy of the Lord brings rejoicing to the persecuted

15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. 16 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.

- Philippians 1:15-18