Philippians 3 1 3 4 4 NKJV Chap

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Philippians 3: 1 -3; 4: 4 (NKJV) Chap 3 1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice

Philippians 3: 1 -3; 4: 4 (NKJV) Chap 3 1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, [a] rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, Chap 4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Abundance of Joy Philippians 3: 1 -3; 4: 4

Abundance of Joy Philippians 3: 1 -3; 4: 4

Abundance of Joy • It is time for us to once again pause and

Abundance of Joy • It is time for us to once again pause and consider our theme for 2014 • The Abundant Life theme derives from John 10: 10 • Jesus wants us to have an abundant life as we are here upon this earth, and has given us the tools to have it

Abundance of Joy • Our focus this year is on the things that God

Abundance of Joy • Our focus this year is on the things that God has blessed us with that will make our lives fuller • Many of the blessings we have, but we may often fail to notice them or appreciate them as we should • One such blessing is the blessing of joy

Abundance of Joy • Joy should be a word that characterizes all Christians (Gal.

Abundance of Joy • Joy should be a word that characterizes all Christians (Gal. 5: 22; I Thess. 5: 16) • However, some look at the world we live in and wonder how we can have joy • The question then becomes, “What determines our joy? ” as well as “What does God offer that produces joy? ”

Abundance of Joy • 1. God’s Blessings – One of the greatest sources of

Abundance of Joy • 1. God’s Blessings – One of the greatest sources of joy for God’s people are His blessings – Hannah rejoiced in the Lord after He blessed her with a child (I Sam. 2: 1) – The Israelites rejoiced on several occasions due to God’s goodness (II Chron. 7: 10; Ezra 6: 22; Neh. 12: 43)

Abundance of Joy • 1. God’s Blessings – God continues to bless us today

Abundance of Joy • 1. God’s Blessings – God continues to bless us today (Js. 1: 17) – We enjoy special blessings found only in Christ (Eph. 1: 3) – All of these blessings should give us joy in our Christian walk

Abundance of Joy • 2. Salvation – If we never received another good thing

Abundance of Joy • 2. Salvation – If we never received another good thing from God, this should be enough to cause joy in the Christian – “My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation” (Ps. 13: 5) – Many rejoiced in the salvation of God (Hab. 3: 18; Zeph. 3: 14 -15)

Abundance of Joy • 2. Salvation – Jesus told His disciples to rejoice “because

Abundance of Joy • 2. Salvation – Jesus told His disciples to rejoice “because your names are written in heaven” (Lk. 10: 20) – There was rejoicing following salvation in Acts 8: 39 & 16: 34 – Peter said the joy of our salvation is “inexpressible” (I Pet. 1: 8 -9)

Abundance of Joy • 3. Word of God – God’s own words should produce

Abundance of Joy • 3. Word of God – God’s own words should produce joy in our lives as well – “…Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jer. 15: 16) – Job declared that he treasured God’s word (Job 23: 12)

Abundance of Joy • 3. Word of God – The Psalms gladly declare how

Abundance of Joy • 3. Word of God – The Psalms gladly declare how wonderful God’s word is – Psalm 19: 10; 119: 72, 97, 111 – God’s word brings us joy because of the promises and salvation that are found within its pages

Abundance of Joy • 4. Persecution – That persecution would bring joy always seems

Abundance of Joy • 4. Persecution – That persecution would bring joy always seems like an odd thought – However, it is what persecution produces and its reward that brings joy – Jesus said “rejoice and be exceedingly glad” when persecuted because of the reward (Matt. 5: 12; Lk. 6: 23)

Abundance of Joy • 4. Persecution – The apostles rejoiced “that they were counted

Abundance of Joy • 4. Persecution – The apostles rejoiced “that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5: 41) – Hebrews 10: 34 speaks of those who “joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods” – We also think of James 1: 2

Abundance of Joy • 4. Persecution – Joy comes because there is a product

Abundance of Joy • 4. Persecution – Joy comes because there is a product that follows those trials – Peter said we should “rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings” (I Pet. 4: 13) – Yes, even persecution for the Lord’s sake can bring joy

Abundance of Joy • 5. Hope – The hope that goes along with our

Abundance of Joy • 5. Hope – The hope that goes along with our salvation (based on God’s promises) should also bring joy – Paul mentions that we rejoice in hope both in Romans 5: 2 and 12: 12 – Just as hope itself is a blessing, the joy it brings is a blessing too

Abundance of Joy • 6. Lost become found – The Bible also speaks of

Abundance of Joy • 6. Lost become found – The Bible also speaks of the joy that comes when the lost are found – There are 3 separate examples given in Luke 15 – There are many around us who are lost, and there is great joy in helping those lost to become found

Abundance of Joy • 7. God – As Christians, we should find joy simply

Abundance of Joy • 7. God – As Christians, we should find joy simply in God – Those who put their faith and trust in Him should rejoice (Ps. 5: 11) – The mere presence of God should bring about joy (Acts 2: 28)

Abundance of Joy • 7. God – Paul said we rejoice in God because

Abundance of Joy • 7. God – Paul said we rejoice in God because of what He has done for us (Rom. 5: 11) – Paul carried theme of joy in his letter to the Philippians – He reminds them repeatedly and says “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (4: 4)