7 Things that Give Us Joy

Anand Pillai draws out 7 things that give us joy from the book of Philippians.

7 Things that give us Joy!

Christian life

Ministry

Answered Prayer

Discipleship

Gentleness

Gods family

Contentment

What makes people happy?

Money as Motivation at the Lower Level

Apple to John Sculley (luring him from Pepsi): “Do you want to sell sugared water for the rest of your life? Or do you want to come with me and change the world?”

“You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity.” – Thomas Wolfe

Maslow's hierarchy

Rejoice in the Lord Always

How can you, in todays world?

 

What if a joyful prisoner could give us some advice?

How can we live with joy?

1. Obedient Christian Life

God helps us complete what He has started.

  • I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel  from the first day until now, 1:3-6
  • being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 1 John 3:1-3
  • continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 2: 12b-13

1. Obedient Christian Life

God empowers us and strengthens us.

  • I pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Eph 3: 16-19
  • So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2 : 6,7

1. Obedient Christian Life

God transforms us into His image.

  • We know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3
  • It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 3, 4.

1. Obedient Christian Life

“.. God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that’s not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.”

Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life

3. Ministry

Paul is joyful to serve God even in his chains

 ”Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 1:12- 14”

3. Ministry

 In ministry, competition is a plus point not a problem.

“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” 1:15-18

3. Ministry

The joy of ministry on earth are nothing compared to the future joy it will bring in heaven.

  • “Master,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.” Luke 9:49-50
  • However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven ” Luke 10:20

4. Discipleship

Discipleship was Paul’s reason for existance.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith. 1:21 –25.

4. Discipleship

Discipleship multiplies as disciples become disciple makers

  • Heb 13: 7, 17. Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
  • Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

5. Answered Prayer

Paul had the joy of knowing that God would answer the many prayers going out on his behalf.

“Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” 1: 18b -19

6. Belonging to God’s Family

Every follower of Christ belongs to one global family. What a joy!

  • 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. 4:10
  • May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 2 Timothy 1: 16-18.
  • Onesiphorus name means “bringing profit”

7. Contentment

Paul knew the secret of contentment in every situation!

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  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.” 4:11,12

7. Contentment

Contentment comes from sound knowledge of God‘s word.

  • “If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,  he is conceited and understands nothing. ..who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
  • But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” I Tim 6:3-8

7. Contentment

Contentment comes from not even asking of God more than what we need.

  • “Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Proverbs 30: 7 -9
  • “This, then, is how you should pray:… Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6 : 9-11

7. Contentment

Contentment comes from knowing God is in control even in the most adverse situations.

  • “Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;” Psalm 37: 16
  • “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household & everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks & herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” Job 1:10,11

7. Contentment

“I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act – the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you’re just coming out of one, or you’re getting ready to go into another one.”

Rick Warren – Purpose Driven Life

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