Philippians & Joy
ONE OF THE MOST CONSTANT CRITICISMS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS THAT IT IS A DOUR AND RESTRICTIVE LIFE, NOT FUN, WAY TOO SERIOUS, & THAT YOU CAN SEE EVIDENCE OF THAT ON THE FACE OF THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE CHRISTIAN.
WE ALL HAVE HEARD OF THE SIMPLE ANAGRAM USED BY BAPTIST PREACHERS TO COUNTER THIS THOUGHT
J - O - Y
JESUS FIRST
OTHERS SECOND
YOURSELF THIRD
WE ALL KNOW THAT THE TRUTH IS THAT THE LIFE IN CHRIST IS FILLED WITH JOY & REJOICING & BRINGS SPIRITUAL FREEDOM INTO OUR HEARTS. BUT DO OUR FACES DISPLAY THAT JOY AS WE WORSHIP?
DOES OUR COUNTENANCE GIVE LIFE TO THE CRITICS OF THE LORD?
WHEN WE ENTER OUR WORSHIP HOUR DO WE SEE SHINING SMILING FACES ABOUNDING WITH JOY SEEKING & REJOICING THE TRUTH?
THE WORD OF GOD, OUR HOLY SCRIPTURES, GIVES US EXACTLY 24 EXAMPLES OF JOY IN EACH OF THE TESTAMENTS. LET'S SEE JUST A FEW:
JER 15:16 “ … thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart...”
MT 25:21 “... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord...”
LK 1:44 (ELIZABETH) “... the babe leaped in my womb for joy...”
JN 15:11 (JESUS) “ these things have I spoken to you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full...”
JN 16:22 “... your joy no man taketh from you...”
RO 14:17 “...the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost...”
AND FINALLY
IS 12:3 “... therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the well of salvation...”
WHAT WAS PAUL DOING TO EXPERIENCE THIS JOY?
HE WAS IN A ROMAN PRISON, FACING DEATH, AND YET WAS STRONGLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CHURCHES.
IN PHIL 2:5-11 HE WILL REVEAL TO US THE BASIS OF HIS JOY, WHICH IS HAVING AN ATTITUDE LIKE JESUS, OBEDIENT EVEN UNTO DEATH.
IN 2:3-4 HE TEACHES US TO DO NOTHING OUT OF RIVALRY BUT IN HUMILITY CONSIDER OTHERS MORE IMPROTANT THAN OURSELVES.