A study in the book of Philippians

1. The Life of Joy 2 - 7 Things That Give
us Joy
Studies in the Book of Philippians

2. 7 Things that give us Joy!
Christian life
Ministry
Answered Prayer
Discipleship
Gentleness
Gods family
Contentment

3. Introduction
& Themes
7 Things
that give us
JOY
7 Things
that rob our
Joy
7 Promises
for JOY,
Peace &
Fulfillment
7 Steps to
sustain Joy
The Book of Philippians – Life of Joy
A five part study
Introduction
& Themes
7 Things
that give us
JOY
7 Things
that rob our
JOY
7 Promises
for JOY,
Peace &
Fulfillment
7 Steps to
Sustain JOY
1. “IN Christ” :"under the control of, under the
influence of, in close association with.“
2. Joy IN Christ: Joy or some form of it 16 times
3. Fellowship IN Christ: Koinōnia (greek),
"Partnership" (NIV), "sharing" (NRSV), and
"fellowship" (KJV)
4. Unity IN Christ: Signs of bickering and dissension
were evident in the Philippians

4. What do most people
think it takes to be
happy?

5. MONEY
HOUSE
FREEDOM
FAMILY
FRIENDS
CLOTHES
CAR
LOOKS
HEALTH
TRAVEL
What do most people
think it takes to be
happy?

6. Money as Motivation at the Lower Level
Abraham Maslow, 1954
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

7. Rejoice in the Lord always!
How can you, in todays world?

8. What if a joyful
prisoner could
give us some
advice?

9. Rejoice in the Lord always! Here’s how!!
1. Joy of Obedient Christian life– 1:5-6; 2:12,13
2. Joy of Ministry– 1:12 -18a
3. Joy of Answered Prayer – 1:18b-19
4. Joy of Discipleship -1:26
5. Joy of Gentleness – 4:4
6. Joy of belonging to Gods family -4:10
7. Joy of contentment – 4:11-12

10. Joy of 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

11. Joy of Obedient Christian Life (Cont‟d..)
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

12. Joy of Obedient Christian Life (Cont‟d..)
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.

13. Joy of Obedient Christian Life (Cont‟d…)
“.. 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

14. 2. Joy of 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”

15. 2. Joy of Ministry (Cont‟d..)
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

16. 2. Joy of Ministry (Cont‟d..)
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

17. 3. Joy of 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

18. 4. Joy of 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.

19. 4. Joy of Discipleship (Cont‟d..)
Paul found the greatest sacrifice negligible
compared to the joy of discipleship
2:15-18 “And then I will be able to boast on the
day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But
even if I am being poured out like a drink offering
on the sacrifice and service coming from your
faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you
too should be glad and rejoice with me.”

20. 4. Joy of Discipleship (Cont‟d..)
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.

21. 5. Joy of Gentleness
With joy and strength comes
gentleness, a key differentiator.
• “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let
your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” 4:4
• “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in
times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes
come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the
oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the
waters surge! A river brings joy to the city of our God, “Be
still, and know that I am God! .. The Lord of Heaven‟s
Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress”.
Psalm 46

22. 6. Joy of 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”

23. 7. Joy of 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

24. 7. Joy of Contentment (Cont’d..)
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

25. 7. Joy of Contentment (Cont’d..)
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

26. 7. Joy of Contentment (Cont’d..)
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

27. 7. Joy of Contentment (Cont’d..)
Contentment comes from praising God even in the
most adverse situations
• “Naked I came from my mother‟s womb, & naked I will depart.
The Lord gave & the Lord has taken away; may the name of
the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God
with wrongdoing. Job 1:21,22
• “Though the fig tree does not bud & there are no grapes on
the vines, though the olive crop fails & the fields produce no
food, though there are no sheep in the pen & no cattle in the
stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
Habakkuk 3:17-18

28. Joy of Contentment (Cont’d..)
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

29. 29
Paul‟s Prison

30. 30
Paul‟s Prison
(Cont‟d…)

31. How can we live
with JOY?

32. Rejoice in the Lord always!here‟s how!
1. Joy of Christian life– 1:5-6; 2:12,13; – 2:17-18
2. Joy of Ministry– 1:12 -18a
3. Joy of Answered Prayer – 1:18b-19
4. Joy of Discipleship -1:26
5. Joy of Gentleness – 4:4
6. Joy of belonging to Gods family -4:10
7. Joy of contentment – 4:11-12

33. Discussion Questions
1. Discuss Thomas Wolfe‟s statement "You have
reached the pinnacle of success as soon as
you become uninterested in money,
compliments, or publicity. What practical steps
can we take to achieve this?
2. What in your experience out of the “seven
things” bring most joy. Share experiences.
3. We are told to “rejoice always”. In what
situations is it difficult to rejoice? How do we
rejoice even in those situations?

34. 34
7 Things
that give us joy
available at
bible transforms.com