Do You Got The Joy?

What is the secret of a joyful life?

• Fast cars 
• Big house 
• Beautiful wife 
• Everybody knows your name 
• The freedom to do about anything you want about anytime you want 

Kanye has all that, so why isn't he smiling?

Joy is NOT another word for happiness.  Happiness is temporary and changes based on circumstances.  True JOY and HAPPINESS are also both based on contentment.

The apostle Paul learned how to be content in any circumstance whether he had a little or a lot-- whether he had his freedom or shackles-- Paul found his joy in knowing Jesus and making Jesus known.

Paul preached in Philippi on his second missionary journey.  While there, he introduced Lydia to the gospel.  Lydia was a successful businesswoman who sold purple cloth.  He also cast a demon out of a fortune teller woman. She followed them around yelling, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”

Even though deliverance from demons was good for the woman, her slave owners were furious that she could no longer make money for them.  They got the crowd excited to the point that Paul and Silas were beaten with rods and thrown in jail.

While in jail, God caused an earthquake to happen that eventually led to Paul's guard and the guard's whole family being saved. From all these events, good and bad for Paul and Silas, a strong group of believers formed in Philippi.

Now Paul is in prison after appealing to have his case heard by Caesar.  From prison, Paul wrote the letter of Philippians.

Philippians 1:3-6: 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, 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.

Who are the people you are truly thankful for?  Do you pray for them with joy?  If not, what can you do to pray with joy?

Philippians 1:12-14: 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.

Have you every experienced a difficult or challenging situation that worked out for the best?  What about a hard experience that helped someone come to know Jesus?

I have a problem with pastors who preach a prosperity gospel when so many Christians around the world are living with so little.

Surprisingly, in Philippians 1:15-18, Paul commented that some preached Christ out of selfish ambition and to make trouble for him.  However, Paul rejoiced that people were hearing the good news of Jesus for whatever reason.

Since salvation is the greatest thing that can happen for a person, how do we balance the joy of seeing someone saved even if the messenger is not properly speaking the truths of God?


Paul said, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."

He went on to rejoice in his tough circumstances.  He actually believed that it would be better for him if he was killed, but he was willing to continue on in his life for the benefit of the churches he had started.

Philippians 1:22-24: 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.

What would you be willing to go through to see your friends know or grow in Christ?

Whatever happens, Paul urges us to live in a manner worthy of Christ.  A life of joy only comes through finding our contentment in Jesus.  The strange thing about he Gospel is that it actually thrives in adverse or difficult circumstances.

 Philippians 1:27-29: Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him