Bring the Joy: Joy? Really? Me? (Philippians 4:2-5)

Series: Bring the Joy

Sermon: Joy? Really? Me?

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-5

Date: February 3, 2019

I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.  And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentleness be known all men.  The Lord is at hand.  (Philippians 4: 2-5)

Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice!  (verse 4)

"Joy comes from knowing God is in control of our lives."  -Paul Sailhamer

"Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world."  -John Piper

"Joy is a matter of attitude that stems from one's confidence in God - that He is at work, that He is in full control, that He is in the midst of whatever has happened, is happening, and will happen."  -Charles Swindoll

"Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in all things."  -Kay Warren

 

Let's see three helps for rejoicing in the Lord:

1. Possible
   • The question is do we believe it is possible?  Is joy really possible in the crazy, mixed up, every day moments of life?
   • "The story of your life is the story of a long and brutal assault on your heart by the one who knows what you could be and fears it."  -John Eldredge
   • When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  (James 1:2, NLT)
   • Joy is fully rooted in the truth.
   • Did the Philippians have reason to believe Paul?
   • But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.  (Acts 16:25)
2. Personal
   • "Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in all things."  -Kay Warren
   • "You and I were created for joy, and if we miss it, we miss the reason for our existence!  Moreover, the reason Jesus Christ lived and died on earth was to restore us to the joy we have lost."  -Louis Smedes
   • "Joy is meant to be ours, a joy that is defiant in the face of this broken world."  -Staci Eldredge
3. Profitable
   • Joy is the heartbeat of the kingdom of God.  Joy is what sustains us; it is our strength.
   • "Joy is the serious business of heaven."  -C.S. Lewis
   • Why is joy so good for you and the people around you?
   • Why not set a reminder on your phone that says "Bring the joy"?
   • Who needs you to bring your A-game on joy?
   • Who needs you to show up with joy?