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

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

IntroductionThe Life of Joy

Philippians

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

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Purpose of the LetterPaul 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

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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).

Fellowship is another keyword in Philippians implying close association involving mutual interests and sharing, association, communion, fellowship and close relationships.

Major Themes: 2. Fellowship

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

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'srelationship to Christ.

Major Themes: 4. In Christ

The Pursuit of Happiness.. EverywhereShawn 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• The concept of “delivering

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• Happiness is a success measure in Bhutan.

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Models of Happiness

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Work Hard

Success

Be Happ

yBe

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 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 1:2113

Happiness JoyExternal 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 CauseResult Foundation

Inconsistent ConsistentTemporary Eternal

Happiness verses Joy

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

ThemesThe Life of Joy

Philippians

Theme 1. RejoiceThe 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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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."

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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!"

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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."

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Theme 2 FellowshipIn 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...."

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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."

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Theme 3 Unity and SelflessnessDivisions 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. 24

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.

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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.

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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"

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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…."

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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…."

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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."

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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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