Philippians

Chapter One vs1-8

v7 – In My Chains – Paul was under house arrest for around 20-30% of his life
2 Corinthians 11:22-28 – many other things happened to Paul
-Paul did not sign up for this kind of life

REMEMBER:
1. being saved does not stop hard times from happening
2. we cannot predict or control what will happen to us or those close to us
3. disappointments in life will happen- this is the feeling that things should be better than they are….
***We must all face the death of what we thought our lives would look like…….and just surrender our lives to the Lord and move forward and rest in Him…

Bible Principles To Practice To Move Forward in Our Christian Walk

(1.) WE ARE GOING TO CHOOSE JOY
-the key word in Philippians is joy or a form of joy like rejoice
1:4, 1:18, 1:25; 1:26, 2:2, 2:16, 2:17, 2:18, 2:28, 2:29, 3:1, 3:3, 4:1, 4:4, 4:10…

-used around 16 times depending upon your Bible translation

THE DEFINITION OF JOY
-Joy is an inner gladness
-Joy is a deep seated strength & sense of well being that produces a cheerful heart
-Joy is not related to our situation, circumstance or feelings
-Joy is not a time of laughing and joking around
-Bible Joy – Jesus Joy is strength – Nehemiah 8:10

JOY GROWS
-Galatians 5:22
-as we spend time with Jesus every day, the fruit of joy grows and grows and grows and we become stronger and stronger and stronger…..
-you can then rest in the Lord

a. JOY IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE JOY IS A REPLACEMENT FRUIT – Isaiah 61:1-4
-as joy grows, issues leave and are replaced – fear, anxiety and worry have to go

Isaiah 61:3 – ashes (disappointment) are replaced with victory
v3 – sadness is replaced with joy
v3 – depression and weariness is replaced with praise and rejoicing

v4 – what was ruined will be rebuilt, restored, repaired and revived…….

b. JOY PRODUCES PERSEVERANCE – 2 COR 4:8-9
Joy is strength and we receive strength from joy to persevere and endure everything and anything that comes into our lives

Perseverance is possible
(1.) because the Lord is with us and sees us through…His grace is sufficient – Hebrews 12:1-3

(2.) because people are present to help us – Phil 1:5
-fellowship – koinonia – refers to having a close connection with people

-Isolation is very unhealthy for sheep

-King David in 2 Samuel 11 – He was not where he was supposed to be and was all alone and isolated………