The Life of Joy 1 – Introduction and Themes

Studies in the Book of Phillipians

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 JoyA 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

Introduction The Life of Joy

Phillipians

Introduction• Philippians reveals the joyous attitude of

the apostle Paul• Along with joy, we see Paul’s gratitude

toward and commitment to the Lord• Paul’s matured faith in Christ enabled him

to endure and even rejoice in the midst of great trials

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Introduction• Joy or some form of it mentioned 16

times in this letter• A letter also emphasizing thanksgiving• A letter that speaks of unity in Christ• A letter that speaks of peace of mind and

contentment even in midst of great trials

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What Were The Purposes of The Letter?• Thanks them for their past support and

present gift sent by Epaphroditus• Expressed his joy and thanksgiving in his

imprisonment which God was using to spread the gospel and encourage brethren

• Encouraged them to rejoice and continue progressing in the faith

• Reveals his peace, contentment and strength in Christ

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Philippians: Major Themes• 1. I Rejoice Therefore You Rejoice– For Paul, joy is a key component of the

Christian life -- a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and "joy in the faith" (Philippians 1:25). "The kingdom of God is ... righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

• 2. Fellowship– Koinōnia is another keyword in Philippians.

"Partnership" (NIV), "sharing" (NRSV), and "fellowship" (KJV) is the Greek noun koinōnia, "close association involving mutual interests and sharing, association, communion, fellowship, close relationship.“

Philippians: Major Themes• 3. Unity and selflessness– The Philippians, beloved as they are by Paul, have

some bickering and dissention going on. You can see this thread going throughout the short letter, sometimes subtly, by inference, and sometimes head-on. 

• 4. “In Christ”–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.

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.

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The Pursuit of happiness.. everywhere

• Delivering happiness – Zappos – Tony Tseih– Chief happiness officer!

• Happiness is a success measure in Bhutan.

Models of happinessWork hard = Success = HappinessBe happy = Work hard = Success

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Models of happiness

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Work Hard Success Be Happy

Be Happy

Work hard

Success

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 ChristCol 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 workJohn 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 JoyJohn 15:9-11

Phil 1:2112

Happiness JoyExternal Internal

Dependent on circumstances

Independent of circumstances

Emotional response Act of the will

Having what want Wanting what you have External Euphoria Inner Contentment

Effect CauseResult Foundation

Inconsistent ConsistentTemporary Eternal

Happiness verses Joy

Jesus lived in a spirit of joy!• 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

Themes The Life of Joy

Phillipians

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…."

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1. Rejoice…• 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."

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…and again I say, rejoice• 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!"19

…and again I say, rejoice• 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."

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1. Rejoice…• For Paul, joy is a key component of the

Christian life -- a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and "joy in the faith" (Philippians 1:25). "The kingdom of God is ... righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

• This is not just a present joy in the midst of trials, but a joy that will reach its completion in the future Kingdom of God.

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2. Fellowship, partnership, sharing…• 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...."

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2. Fellowship, partnership, sharing…• 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."

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3. Unity and selflessness• 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.

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3. Unity and selflessness• 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.

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3. Unity and selflessness• 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.

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4. “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"

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4. “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…."

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4. “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 "You should stand firm in the Lord…."29

4. “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."30

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?

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

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