The document provides an overview and themes of the book of Philippians. It discusses that though Paul was imprisoned, his letter to the Philippians is characterized by joy. Some major themes are: 1) Rejoice - Paul emphasizes joy that comes from commitment to Christ, not circumstances; 2) Fellowship - Paul discusses the sharing and partnership among believers; 3) Unity and Selflessness - Paul addresses divisions and selfishness arising in the church; 4) "In Christ" - Paul anchors the Christian life in one's relationship with Christ. The document examines passages to illustrate these themes of joy, fellowship, unity, and being in Christ.

1. The Life of Joy 1 – Introduction and
Themes
Studies in the Book of Phillipians

2. 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

3. Introduction
The Life of Joy
Philippians

4. Introduction
• Philippians, is one of the later letters written by the
apostle Paul while he was in prison, awaiting death
• In spite of his situation, we see the joyous attitude of
Paul
• Along with contagious joy, Paul’s gratitude toward and
commitment to the Lord is evident
• Paul’s matured faith in Christ enabled
him to endure and even rejoice in the
midst of great trials

5. Purpose of the Letter
Paul writes the letter to:
• Thank the Philippians for their past support and
present gift sent by Epaphroditus
• Express his joy and thanksgiving in his
imprisonment which God was using to spread
the gospel and encourage brethren
• Encourage them to rejoice and continue
progressing in the faith
• Reveal his peace, contentment and strength in
Christ

6. Major Themes:
1. Rejoice
For Paul, joy is a key component of the Christian
life.
– fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)
– joy in the faith" (Philippians 1:25).
"The kingdom of God is
... righteousness, peace
and joy in the Holy Spirit"
(Romans 14:17).

7. Fellowship is another keyword in Philippians
implying close association involving mutual interests
and sharing, association, communion, fellowship and
close relationships.
Major Themes:
2. Fellowship

8. Paul addresses the problem of divisions in the
Philippians in a thread weaving its way throughout the
short letter, sometimes subtly, by inference, and
sometimes head-on.
Major Themes:
3. Unity and Selflessness

9. We see this phrase again and again in Philippians: In
Christ" or "in the Lord," the common Greek
prepositional phrase en Christō or en kuriō. The
preposition en here means, "under the control of,
under the influence of, in close association with.‖ Paul
anchors all of the Christian life in one's
relationship to Christ.
Major Themes:
4. In Christ

10. The Pursuit of Happiness.. Everywhere
Shawn Achor is the winner of over
a dozen distinguished teaching
awards at Harvard University, where
he delivered lectures on positive
psychology in the most popular class
at Harvard. His research and lectures
on happiness and human potential
have received attention in The New
York Times, Boston Globe, The Wall
Street Journal, as well as on NPR and CNN Radio.
10

11. The Pursuit of Happiness.. Everywhere
• The concept of ―delivering
happiness‖ was introduced by
Zappos - co-founded by Jenn
Lim and Tony Tseih. Jenn Lim
plays the role of Chief
happiness officer!
• Happiness is a success
measure in Bhutan.

12. Models of Happiness
Work
Hard
Success
Be
Happy
Be
Happy
Work
hard
Success

13. Biblical Model for Joy
• So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,
continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in
him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,
• 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.
In Christ
Col 2:6.7
Phil 2:12,13
• ―I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I
in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do
nothing. ..You did not choose me, but I chose you and
appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that
will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father
will give you.
• I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Accomplished
work
John 15:6, 16
Phil 4:13
• ―As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain
in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my
love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in
his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and
that your joy may be complete.
• For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain
Lasting Joy
John 15:9-
11
Phil 1:21

14. Happiness Joy
External Internal
Dependent on circumstances Independent of circumstances
Emotional response Act of the will
Having what you want Wanting what you have
External Euphoria Inner Contentment
Effect Cause
Result Foundation
Inconsistent Consistent
Temporary Eternal
Happiness verses Joy

15. Jesus Lived in a Spirit of Joy!
The secret of Jesus’s joy was maintaining the eternal
perspective..
• So that through my being with you again your joy in Christ
Jesus will overflow on account of me - Phil. 1:26
• I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your
joy may be complete - John 15:11
• ―You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy‖- Heb. 1:9
• Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our
faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning
its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Heb. 12:2

17. Themes
The Life of Joy
Philippians

18. Theme 1. Rejoice
The joy that Paul writes about based on a deep
abiding commitment to and trust in the Lord, not
in external circumstances
• 1:4 " In all my prayers for all of you, I always
pray with joy…."
• 1:18 "The important thing is that in every way,
whether from false motives or true, Christ is
preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes,
and I will continue to rejoice…."

19. Theme 1. Rejoice (Cont’d..)
Joy is contagious and flows freely from one to another..
• 1:25-26 "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, so that through my being with you
again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account
of me."
• 2:2 "Make my joy complete by being
like-minded, having the same love,
being one in spirit and purpose."

20. Theme 1 Rejoice (Cont’d..)
Joy overflows even in times of suffering..
• 2:16-18 "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."
• 2:28-29 "Therefore I am all the more eager to
send him, so that when you see him again you
may be glad and I may have less anxiety.
Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and
honour men like him…."
• 3:1 "Finally, my brothers,
rejoice in the Lord!"

21. Theme 1 Rejoice (Cont’d..)
Joy is endless and Paul has no hesitation in
reiterating it over and over again..
• 4:1"Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love
and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you
should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!"
• 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it
again: Rejoice!"
• 4:10 " I rejoice greatly in the Lord
that at last you have renewed
your concern for me."

22. Theme 2 Fellowship
In times of joy,
• 1:5 "I always pray with joy because of your
partnership in the gospel from the first day until
now."
• 1:7 "... All of you share in God's grace with me."
• 2:1 "... if any fellowship with the Spirit...."

23. Theme 2 Fellowship (Cont’d..)
In times of adversity and need,
• 3:10 "I want to know Christ and the power of his
resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his
sufferings...."
• 4:14 "Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles."
• 4:15 "Not one church shared with me
in the matter of giving and receiving,
except you only."

24. Theme 3 Unity and Selflessness
Divisions were arising on the most flimsy
grounds..
• 1:15-17 Paul tells about Romans preaching with
envy and rivalry in order to speak to the
Philippians about the same issue in their midst.
• 1:27 Let your manner of life be worthy of the
gospel.
• 1:27 Stand firm in one spirit, with
one mind, striving side by side
for the faith of the gospel.

25. Theme 3 Unity and Selflessness (Cont’d..)
Selfishness was beginning to divide the church..
• 2:2-4 Be in full accord and of one mind, same
mind, same love. Do nothing from selfishness.
Care about the interests of others.
• 2:5-11 Jesus' self-humiliation and exaltation by the
Father used as an example of humility needed
within the church.
• 2:14 Do all things without grumbling
or questioning.
• 2:21 They all look after their own
interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

26. Theme 3 Unity and Selflessness (Cont’d..)
Religious practices were threatening genuine
transformation..
• 3:2-3 Judaizers trying to impose circumcision on
the Philippians.
• 3:3-8 Confidence in the flesh, one's pedigree,
holiness, and status.
• 3:17-19 Imitate me and those who live according to
my example. Earthly focus vs. heavenly one.
• 4:2 Exhorts Euodia and Syntyche
to agree in the Lord.
• 4:8-9 Honourable, upright
living, modelled by Paul.

27. Theme 4 ―In Christ‖
The focal point of everything is IN Christ.
Greeting, encouragement, joy is IN Christ.
• 1:1 "To all the saints in Christ Jesus at
Philippi…."
• 1:14 "Most of the brothers in the Lord have
been encouraged…."
• 1:26 "Your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow
on account of me"

28. Theme 4 ―In Christ‖ (Cont’d..)
Hope, confidence, welcome is IN Christ..
• 2:19 "I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy
to you soon…."
• 2:24 "And I am confident in the Lord that I
myself will come soon."
• 2:29 "Welcome him in the Lord with
great joy…."

29. Theme 4 ―In Christ‖ (Cont’d..)
Joy, glory, presence, faith, goal, steadfastness is IN Christ…
• 3:1 "Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!"
• 3:3 "For it is we who are the circumcision … who glory in Christ
Jesus…."
• 3:8-9 "That I may gain Christ and be found in him…."
• 3:9 "The righteousness … that which is through faith in
Christ…."
• 3:14 "I press on toward the goal to win
the prize for which God has called me
heavenward in Christ Jesus."
• 4:1 ―Stand firm in the Lord…."

30. Theme 4 ―In Christ‖ (Cont’d..)
Reconciliation, joy, peace, greeting is IN Christ…
• 4:2 "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to
agree with each other in the Lord."
• 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always."
• 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus."
• 4:10 "I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at
last you have renewed your concern for me."
• 4:21 "Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus."

31. Discussion Questions
• How does the world’s formula for happiness
differ from the biblical formula for joy?
• What are joy killers? How do we overcome
them?
• What are the other major themes in the
Phillipians? How do they relate to the main
theme of joy?

32. Are we pursuing?
• Happiness or Joy?
• Fellowship with His followers?
• A united & selfless life?
• A life rooted in CHRIST?
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