Class Lesson January 29, 2017

Do you share your fries?

There's a story, here!

Our lesson's point this week is this:

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
My friend Joel led a church-planting program in Kiev, Ukraine, for over ten years. He used to have a map hanging in his office that was dotted with pictures of church planters leading churches all across the former Soviet Union. 

On a visit to Kiev, I showed a friend this map on Joel’s wall. I pointed to Immanuel from Lithuania, a massive guy with tattoos on every finger. Immanuel once described how, while in prison, he would rip out pages of the Bible, fill the paper with marijuana, and proceed to puff away. But now, Immanuel is no longer in prison, and he no longer “smokes the Bible.” Now, he preaches the Bible.

How in the world does a person go from smoking the Bible and living in opposition to the gospel to preaching the Bible and telling others about the good news of Jesus Christ? The answer is simple: Jesus changes lives. Immanuel found a far greater joy in knowing and sharing Jesus. 

In the same way, Paul, once a terrorist against the church, became a joyful evangelist within the church.

Two Questions to Think About

Can good things come from bad situations?

Can we have a sense of joy in the midst of difficulty?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? 

Philippians 1:12-14 

12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is in the cause of Christ. 14 Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message fearlessly. 

Paul was in prison because of his ministry. But as he wrote to the Philippians, he didn’t focus on his incarceration. He didn’t whine about his luck. Instead, he took a divine perspective on the whole situation, reminding the church that—even while he was in prison—God’s mission was being accomplished. People were being positively impacted by his imprisonment, and Christians were being emboldened. 

We can learn from Paul, because this divine perspective isn’t always easy to adopt. Circumstances can drain the joy right out of us. And frankly, ministry can also use up our joy. The key to maintaining joy in life and ministry is to hold onto the source of our joy. Stay focused on Jesus. 

The best news for Paul was that his trials had served to advance the gospel, particularly in the political center of the world: Rome. Not only were the guards and Roman officials hearing the good news, but Paul also had been placed in the great city where his witness was impacting many others. Because he cared about the gospel more than his own comfort or his personal ambitions, he could rejoice. 

Let’s pray for great courage as we joyfully make the gospel known to people. If you find yourself in a great trial, you certainly should pray and seek the support of others. But also be encouraged to see hardship as an opportunity. In adversity, we get to advertise the Savior’s grace. We get to testify to the gospel of Jesus!

Philippians 1:15-19 

15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and strife, but others out of good will. 16 These do so out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, seeking to cause me anxiety in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Just that in every way, whether out of false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my deliverance through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 

Paul mentioned two different motives driving two different types of evangelists: 

• Envious evangelists preached out of “strife” and “envy,” driven by selfish ambition. They looked at Paul’s imprisonment as an occasion to tear him down, to stir up trouble, and elevate their ministry over Paul’s. 

• Empathetic evangelists preached out of “good will,” driven by love. They cared about Paul and understood he was in prison by God’s sovereign will, and not as a result of Paul’s disobedience or unfaithfulness. 

In verse 18, we see the message mattered more to Paul than the messengers or their motives. Paul never tolerated those who preached a false gospel; in fact, he wrote his Letter to the Galatians to oppose any attempts at a false gospel. But if the true gospel was preached, then Paul could rejoice. Certainly, Paul would have preferred to have the right message for the right motives, but he placed the highest importance on the message itself. 

Such a strategy still works today—proclaiming the good news to people even as we live attractive and joyful lives before them. Let’s care about Jesus’ glory more than our own, and let’s rejoice continually until we see Him face to face.

Anyone who follows Christ should prepare for criticism. We should be ready to follow Paul’s example. He didn’t try to defend himself. He simply stayed focused on living his life for Christ and proclaiming the truth. He put the gospel first. You can’t control what others think of you; all you can do is finish your race with faithfulness. 

In verse 19, Paul revealed two things he relied on in his ministry—even while in prison. Those were the prayers of the church and the help of the Holy Spirit. May we rely on these each day! 

Like Paul, we can share the gospel with joy no matter our circumstances. To do that, we need to keep it simple and focus on Jesus. We need to put the gospel first. We need to care about other people and the glory of Christ more than our own glory. And we must persist when the haters hate.

Philippians 1:20-21 

20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 

Whatever you set out to do in life, in work, or in your family, make this your plan for the future: “Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by.” Talk about a mission statement!

But Paul didn’t stop there. He added in verse 21, “For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” Three things stand out about that declaration: 

• The public nature of the statement. Paul was public about his ambition to live for Christ. He gladly let others see it. We show what’s most important to us by how we live. Paul knew that if he continued to live, it would translate into “fruitful work” (v. 22). You can’t say you’re living for Christ if you’re not working for Him. So if you’re going to represent Him, go public! 

• The grace in this statement. Paul’s goal was to know Christ fully and live for Him. But as he stated in Philippians 3:12-15, he had not yet attained this goal. Paul didn’t achieve perfection, but God’s grace was with him. His life for Christ still resulted in “fruitful work.” As with Paul, our lives flow from our union with Christ. We need His grace to represent Him. Each day, we must saturate ourselves in His grace and then resolve to live faithfully for Him before a watching world. 

• The steadfast attitude in this statement. When we’re living in the grace of Jesus, empowered by His Spirit, we can share Paul’s unstoppable, joyful mentality. We can live courageously for Christ knowing that if we die, we will be with Him. We can’t lose! 

Do you see the power of this perspective? Kill me? I’ll be with Christ. Let me live? I’ll live for Christ. Make me suffer? I’ll experience joy and get rewarded by Christ. This is the unstoppable mentality of the apostle Paul. This can be our mentality, as well, but only when we treasure Christ above all things. 

How would you fill in this blank: “For to me to live is ________”? If you said “Christ,” then death is gain to you. If you put money, sex, power, or anything else in the blank, then it’s time to repent and make some serious changes. Nothing else satisfies, and nothing else will last. 

In Christ, we can have irrepressible joy in a life worth living and courage in a death worth dying. But in Christ alone.

LIVE IT OUT

We can experience great joy as we share Christ. Consider these suggestions for putting that truth into action this week: 

• Treasure Jesus above all. Take a few moments to repent of desiring other things more than your Savior. Ask the Father to wean you off the pleasures of sin and this world. 

• Pray for people you don’t ordinarily pray for. Think about your critics, attackers, or enemies. Think about people you envy. Think about people in other churches. Pray for each of them to know Christ and to make Christ known. 

• Reach out to people who need the gospel. Intentionally initiate a conversation with someone who needs Christ. Ask the Father to fill you with joy and confidence as you share the truth this week and beyond. 

There are lots of people in today’s world who would rather smoke the Bible than read it. That shouldn’t surprise us, nor should it take away our joy. Instead, it should motivate us to get to work.

Think about a time when the Lord used a difficult circumstance in your life as an opportunity to advance the gospel in your life or in the life of another person who observed you.

Share it with Joy

Oh, and you can share your fries too!

Have a blessed week and we'll look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Teacher Notes

What do you like so much that it's hard to share?

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What are you going to do when life doesn’t work out like you planned or wanted?

Even though God doesn’t owe you anything, He has given you everything.

What does this mean to you?

2 Corinthians 4:8, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t give up and quit” (TLB).

Some people are good at the immediate. They can jump right into anything, but they are not good at “keeping on keeping on.” And other people are good at lasting, but it takes them a long time to get there. To live a thriving, joyful life of faith that God has planned for you, you need to be good at both the immediate and the lasting. And both require that you keep on trusting.

Let’s see how Paul today, sees the good of God from the bad of life and shares his joy. 

Sharing with Joy

Philippians 1:12-21

I can share Christ with joy no matter what. 

Paul tells us today, that yes, we can share Christ with joy even in the midst of hardship.

I. Joy Despite Hardships – Unexpected Results Philippians 1:12-14

12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is in the cause of Christ. 14 Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message fearlessly.

Why was Paul was in prison? 

• Because of his ministry. What happened to him, what’s going on with him now, and how he sees the future.

How was Paul’s ministry affected by being in prison? 

• It served to advance the gospel, people throughout the whole palace guard knew about Christ. A new evangelistic effort sprang up in Rome as a result of Paul’s presence, witness, and pending case. They all knew his imprisonment had to do with what he preached. Fellow believers in Rome also preached more courageously and fearlessly.
• God was using what had happened to Paul for His purposes.
• Paul didn’t focus on his circumstance. He took a divine perspective, reminding the church that—even while he was in prison—God’s mission was being accomplished. People were being positively impacted by his imprisonment, and Christians were gaining confidence. 
• The main thing Paul wanted them to know was that everything he had faced had advanced the gospel, and that gave him great joy.

When we are going through a great hardship, we certainly should pray and seek the support of others. But we should also see our hardship as an opportunity. What opportunity? To share Christ. 

Why do we sometimes see our circumstances as a hindrance rather than an opportunity?

• We focus on the bad - all we can think of is the misery of the bad circumstance.
• When we think, we have things figured out as to how events in our lives should happen.
• When we are not willing to believe what the Scriptures tell us about God working out all things for good for those who love Him.
• When we have too small a concept of God…thinking, things are out of control even for Him.

How does God sometimes work bad for good in our lives (despite our doubts and confusion)?

• When we lose one job to be able to find a better one.
• Through tough times we learn better how to trust in God's provision and guidance in our lives.
• Events in our lives provide experiences by which we are better able to minister to others going through similar situations.
• Bad times teach us not to depend on ourselves, they draw us closer to Christ.

The greatest joy anyone can experience is an eternal relationship with Christ. 

• The presence of hardship or critics does not alter our relationship with Christ. And it shouldn’t alter our joy in Him. Joy in the midst of problems is a great testimony to Christ.

Point: God works in any, and all circumstances. Adversity advances the gospel. We get to testify to the Savior’s grace. The divine perspective is not always easy to adopt or to see. The advance of the gospel is more important than any personal achievement. 

Paul tells us today, that yes, we can share Christ with joy in spite of critics.

II. Joy Despite Critics – Motives: Sincere & Mixed Philippians 1:15-19

15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and strife, but others out of good will. 16 These do so out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, seeking to cause me anxiety in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Just that in every way, whether out of false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my deliverance through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Paul mentioned two different motives driving two different types of evangelists: 

1. Envious evangelists preached out of “strife” and “envy,” or selfish ambition. They looked at Paul’s imprisonment as an occasion to elevate themselves.

2. Empathetic evangelists preached out of “good will,” driven by love. They cared about Paul and understood he was in prison by God’s sovereign will, and not for any other reason. 

What was Paul’s response to these motives?

• When Paul said, “What does it matter?” We see that the message mattered more to Paul than the messengers or their motives. 
• Such a strategy still works today—proclaiming the good news to people even as we live attractive and joyful lives before them. Let’s care about Jesus’ glory more than our own, and let’s rejoice continually until we see Him face to face.
• Anyone who follows Christ should prepare for criticism. We should be ready to follow Paul’s example. He didn’t try to defend himself. He simply stayed focused on living his life for Christ and proclaiming the truth. He put the gospel first. You can’t control what others think of you; all you can do is finish your race with faithfulness. In verse 19, Paul revealed two things he relied on in his ministry—even while in prison. Those were the prayers of the church and the help of the Holy Spirit. May we rely on these each day! 

What do these verses teach us about sharing Christ?

• Share the Gospel, even though your motives may not be entirely right.
• Proud to speak or afraid to speak … keep sharing Jesus.
• We can be imperfect communicators, but God will still use the message.
• It is God that convicts/convinces people of their need for a Savior, not us.
• Like Paul, we can share the gospel with joy no matter our circumstances. To do that, we need to keep it simple and focus on Jesus. We need to put the gospel first. We need to care about other people and the glory of Christ more than our own glory. And we must persist when the haters hate.

What are the basic elements of the gospel message?

• God loves every person (John 3:16).
• Every person is a sinner (Romans 3:23), so we are separated from a relationship with God.
• Jesus has taken the judgment for our sinfulness (Romans 5:8, 6:23).
• We must confess our sinfulness, repent (turn away) from our sinful acts and attitudes.
• We must receive by faith (believe what God promises) that Jesus took upon Himself the judgment we deserve, leaving us forgiven and justified.

What two things did Paul rely on while in prison?

• The prayers of the church, and the Holy Spirit.

Point: ”It could be that one of the great hindrances to evangelism today is the poverty of our own experience.” – Billy Graham The joy of the Lord is greater than the criticism of any of our opponents. We are to be more concerned about the advancement of the gospel than uniformity of methodology, inconsequential elements of ideology, or complete harmony of individual personalities. Even people who appear strong and able need love, prayer support, and spiritual encouragement in times of need. God is greater than our problems and able to deliver us from evil to joyous victory. 

Paul tells us today, that our joy in Christ can be experienced and made known both in life and in death.

III. Joy in Life or in Death – Paul’s Dilemma & Confidence Philippians 1:20-21

20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

Whatever you set out to do in life, in work, or in your family, make this your plan for the future:

“Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Talk about a mission statement!

But Paul didn’t stop there. He added in verse 21, “For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” What does that mean?

Three things stand out about that declaration: 

1. The public nature of the statement. Paul was public about his ambition to live for Christ. He gladly let others see it. We show what’s most important to us by how we live. Paul knew that if he continued to live, it would translate into “fruitful work” (v. 22). You can’t say you’re living for Christ if you’re not working for Him. So if you’re going to represent Him, go public! 
2. The grace in this statement. Paul’s goal was to know Christ fully and live for Him. But as he stated in Philippians 3:12-15, he had not yet attained this goal. Paul didn’t achieve perfection, but God’s grace was with him. His life for Christ still resulted in “fruitful work.” As with Paul, our lives flow from our union with Christ. We need His grace to represent Him. Each day, we must saturate ourselves in His grace and then resolve to live faithfully for Him before a watching world. 
3. The steadfast attitude in this statement. When we’re living in the grace of Jesus, empowered by His Spirit, we can share Paul’s unstoppable, joyful mentality. We can live courageously for Christ knowing that if we die, we will be with Him. We can’t lose! 

Why do we sometimes reverse this attitude … “to live is to achieve gain, to die is to see Christ”? What is wrong with this?

• Our goal is to accumulate material things as long as we are alive and able.
• We seek after fame, fortune, power, and popularity.
• We figure we’ll only have to face the Lord when we die.
• We might think we only need to be spiritual at the end, meanwhile we’ll pursue our own goals.
• The implication of this reversed statement is that if living is achieving gain, then death is the end of achieving gain, thus it is loss … might as well go be with Jesus.

So, what do you think Paul meant when he said, “to live is Christ”?

• A daily relationship with Jesus.
• Paul lived and worked only in the strength of Christ at work in his life.
• Life was not worth living without that connection to Jesus.

How, then was death in any way “gain”?

• No longer struggling with sin (see Romans 7).
• Now free from the presence of sin.
• Now actually with the Lord … not a matter of faith.
• Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 
• No longer hoping for being in God’s presence, now you can see and experience it in reality.

Point: Our desire should be to magnify Christ before others no matter what we are facing. Our afflictions can actually lead to the advancement of the gospel. 

LIVE IT OUT

What a challenge this lesson presents!

Is such a thing as sharing the gospel with a sense of joy in the midst of suffering and difficulty actually possible for plain people like you and me? After all, Paul was a cut above most of us, wasn’t he? But if he was, it was only in the sense of his being willing to submit himself to the bonds of Christ. However, that was not a privilege given exclusively to him. We too can share Christ with joy no matter what if we give ourselves completely over to Him.

I don’t know why some people are diagnosed with terminal cancer. I don’t know why some children rebel so strongly against their parents. I don’t know why so many things happen that don’t make sense. So, it’s encouraging to hear Paul say, “I don’t know why things happen as they do, but I still choose to not give up.” God has a plan and I trust in that!

It’s good to know that we can trust God and that He knows things we don’t. He has promised that one day He will set everything right. One day He will bring together everyone who trusts in Him.

Until then there are two ways we can live our life. 

1. You can live feeling like God owes you an explanation or 
2. You can live realizing God has given you great gifts.

If you live life feeling like God owes you an explanation, you will only wind up in a constant state of bitterness, because God doesn’t owe you anything.

But even though He doesn’t owe you anything, He has given you everything. He gave you His Own Son. He gave you the gift of eternal life. He gave you the promise of being together with Him forever. Aren’t these joyful gifts?

Isn’t this something we can share with joy?

This is a devotion that a dear friend of mine share with me - he has been diagnosed with a brain cancer!

Ready, Set — Wait

When life seems to be falling apart, your most “spiritual” decision may be a surprise: Get alone with God, and wait.

The Bible tells us this in Lamentations 3:28, “When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face. The ‘worst’ is never the worst”.

Most of us don’t know how to “enter the silence.” We’re always anxious. We don’t like to wait on God because it stresses us out. We like to be in control.

What does it mean to wait on God? You sit down, close your mouth, and just listen to God. You may read your Bible. You may pray. But most all, you’re quiet in front of God.

Anxiety comes when we’re not “waiting for hope to appear,” as Jeremiah tells us. God wants to talk to us. He wants to give us the hope we crave. But we’re way too busy. All of our circuits are busy! When He calls, we’re on a different line.

If we want to listen to God and experience the hope He has for us, we have to get alone with Him. We must “enter the silence” and be ready to hear Him. (See Matthew 6:6)

Get honest with God, and your focus will shift from just seeing your problems — no matter how overwhelming they seem — to the grace of God.

Before you go out and try to solve your problem on your own, let God save you. It’s like in those war movies when the enemy is marching toward the hero’s army — which is usually an inferior, ragtag group. The hero tells his men to wait until he gives the order to shoot. Then, at the last possible moment, he yells, “Shoot!” Firing at the right moment means success.

The same is true for us. No matter what obstacle you’re facing, you’ve got to wait for God’s timing. He’ll time your next move perfectly. So, wait and listen.

In His Love, 

David & Susan 

NEW SERIES BEGINS January 22, 2017

About This Study

Don’t just survive. Thrive!

The Book of Philippians addresses many of our deepest questions.

• Where can we find full and lasting joy? Look and listen to Paul. He radiated a contagious joy throughout his letter. Indeed, the happiest man in Rome was the apostle in prison! Paul reminds us that we don’t derive ultimate joy from comfortable circumstances, but from a living, vibrant communion with Christ. Joy isn’t about attaining more stuff; it’s about treasuring Christ more.

• Where can we find meaning and purpose in life? Paul teaches us about a life worth living – and a death worth dying. He shows us the path to living this life by pointing us to Jesus, who provides the power and the example we need. 

The Christian life isn’t an easy life, but it’s full. It’s joyful. It’s the kind of life you’ve always been looking for and always wanted to lead.

Of course, Jesus never promised us that life would be easy. But He did promise He would always be with us. And if He is with us, we have everything we need for joy and peace.

We can do more than just live as we follow Christ. We can thrive!

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Lessons in the Series

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Our lesson this week says that...

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

A few years back, Pharrell Williams launched the song “Happy” as a global sensation. But I wonder if the people singing it then have remained happy over the years. These days, perhaps many of them would prefer U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” 

Such people wouldn’t be alone in history. 

King Solomon, who had an abundance of wealth and women, confessed: “Absolute futility. Everything is futile” (Eccl. 1:2). Alexander the Great is reported to have wept in his tent saying, “There are no more worlds to conquer.” Tom Brady, after his third NFL championship, remarked, “There’s got to be more than this.” 

Where can we go to find full and lasting joy?

If you’re interested in finding the answer to this question, welcome to the Book of Philippians! This is a letter full of joy—interestingly, one written by a man in prison.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Philippians 1:3-6 

3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

Paul began his Letter to the Philippians—his beloved partners in the gospel—with expressions of thanksgiving, joy, and affection. Joy runs throughout Paul’s letter, and the first time he used the term, he spoke of “praying with joy.” 

Since it’s such an important concept in Philippians, let’s ponder “joy” for a moment. Joy goes deeper than happiness. Our happiness is typically based on external things; it’s tied to our circumstances. Joy remains with us regardless of what we have or are experiencing. 

We can be having a bad day, but still have joy. We find joy in knowing Christ deeply. This may sound cheesy or elementary, but the secret to joy is in keeping our priorities arranged in this order: Jesus, Others, and Yourself. 

Paul exemplified a life of joy. He rejoiced in Christ despite hardship (see Rom. 5:3-5), and he lived to serve others before thinking about himself (see Phil. 2:3-4). At the core of Paul’s joy was a deep love for the Savior that spilled out into love for people. Christian joy is Christ-centered and others-oriented. 

Notice that we don’t find Paul giving God thanks for things; Paul gave thanks for people. Paul could see evidence of God’s grace in others and praised God for His work in them. In these verses, specifically, Paul was filled with joy over what God had done for the Philippians.

As part of his prayer, Paul expressed gratitude for the believers in Philippi whom he considered his partners in the gospel. This church had supported Paul and served as co-workers in the mission from the beginning of his time in Philippi. They were friends, united in Jesus and on mission together. 

In verse 6, Paul gave another reason for his gratitude to God: confidence in God’s nature and purposes. He was sure that God would continue—and complete—the work He had started in the Philippian believers. He based this upon his knowledge of God and his awareness of the Philippians’ faith. 

Don’t miss the fact that God is the One who starts His work in our lives—in His grace, He initiates our salvation. But that’s not the end. God always finishes what He starts in the lives of His people.

Philippians 1:7-8 

7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and establishment of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 

Here we see the great emotion and warmth Paul had for the church. It’s not enough to learn Paul’s theology and disciplines; we also need to see how the truths he taught were evident in his life. He obviously felt and demonstrated passion in what he believed. 

In verse 7, Paul said he held the Philippians in his heart. A heart deep relationship existed between Paul and these believers (see also 2 Cor. 7:3). In Philippians 2:17, Paul said he had poured out his life for the Philippians. In this way, Paul and the Philippian believers modeled for us what it means to have Christian friendships that are centered on the gospel.

Paul said, “It is right for me to think this way about all of you.” It was right because the Philippian believers were “all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and establishment of the gospel.” Being a partner in grace meant more than just receiving saving grace; the Philippians also had suffered for Christ and were sharing in the struggle for making the gospel known (see 1:29-30).

Paul rejoiced because the Philippians displayed their partnership in loyalty to Paul and the mission. They not only supported Paul as he shared the gospel, but they also supported him in prayer and with financial support during his imprisonment. They didn’t turn their back on Paul. They weren’t ashamed of him, even though imprisonment brought great shame in that time. The Philippians’ loyalty to Paul even while he was in prison made this relationship especially sweet.

As Paul pondered his relationship with the Philippians, he made a remarkable statement: “I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” He reminded them of Christ’s affection for them and how God was at work in him to love them in that same way. The Greek word translated as “affection” refers to the inward parts of the body; it conveys the idea of deep compassion. 

Paul was united to Christ, and because of this unity, he shared Christ’s love for the church. This is a deep love that goes far beyond sentiment. It’s a love we can experience, as well.

Philippians 1:9-11 

19 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. 

A Christ-centered love grows in “knowledge and every kind of discernment.” Knowledge asks the question, “What is right?” Discernment asks the question, “What is best?” Love leads us to live out what is both right and best. In short, a mature Christian is both biblically informed and deeply affectionate. 

Why did Paul desire for the Philippians to grow in this kind of love? 

• He desired for them to “approve the things that are superior.” Paul prayed for the Philippians to choose the things that are best in this life and in their relationships. He prayed for them to have discernment in order to properly distinguish between right and wrong, between better and best, and between things that matter and things that don’t. 

• He desired for them to “be pure and blameless in the day of Christ.” Jesus is coming, and we should live and pray in light of this fact. 

Paul expressed this life of purity in another way: “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.” The righteousness of God is given to the believer by faith alone (see Phil. 3:9). We are declared righteous and made acceptable to God through Christ—a righteousness that comes from outside ourselves. Just as important, out of this position of righteousness through Jesus, we are called to live righteously. 

Prayer is a key element of this righteous life. Paul experienced joy as he prayed for himself and for the people he loved. May the same be true of us.

LIVE IT OUT

How will you incorporate joy into your life and prayers this week? Consider the following suggestions: 

• Cultivate gratefulness. Take time each day to count your blessings. As you pray and thank God for all He’s done for you, let His joy fill your heart and be seen as you serve others. 

• Memorize Philippians 1:6. It’s hard to be joyful when praying about a difficult matter, but Philippians 1:6 is a reminder that God is at work even when we don’t yet see the result. 

• Partner with others. Join with others to pray about your lives and your opportunities to serve God and others. Emphasize the importance of joy each time you pray together. 

Don’t buy into the lie that joy depends on your present circumstances. Paul wrote his joyful letter to the Philippians (and prayed his joyful prayers) while being persecuted in a Roman prison. Choose today to seek the unshakable joy that is only available through Christ.

What are your thoughts?

____________________________

This is the beginning lesson to our new series on not just surviving in life, but Thriving!

And it begins with prayer!

Thrive: Living in Real Joy

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Video: Parenthood – Rollercoaster or Merry-Go-Round – Which one are you?

Our series’ tag line is “Don’t just survive. Thrive! What does that mean? Grow or develop well, prosper; flourish. – How? By Living in Real Joy. I think Paul looked at life like a “Rollercoaster” because regardless of his circumstances, he thrived, he grew, he flourished – how, by living in Joy - What does that mean? The Bible says that the secret of Paul’s joy was in his relationship with Christ. Joy isn’t about attaining more stuff, or the next experience; it’s about treasuring Christ more.


The Christian life isn’t an easy life, in fact, you could say just like in the clip that “life is messy,” but it’s full. People today desperately want to be happy but are tossed and turned by daily successes, failures, and circumstances. But the Bible tells us to be joyful in every circumstance, even when things are going badly. In the clip the grandmother said sometimes life can make you “so frightened, so scared, so excited, and so thrilled all together.” God didn’t create us merely to exists. He created us to thrive in a life of joy.



How would you describe the difference between happiness and joy?

• Joy goes deeper than happiness. Happiness is typically based on external things; it’s tied to our circumstances. Joy remains with us regardless of what we have or are experiencing. We can be having a bad day, but still have joy. We find joy in knowing Christ deeply. The secret to joy is in keeping our priorities arranged in this order: Jesus, Others, and Yourself. Paul exemplified a life of joy. He rejoiced in Christ despite hardship and he lived to serve others before thinking about himself. At the core of Paul’s joy was a deep love for the Savior that spilled out into love for people. Paul was filled with joy over what God had done for the Philippians. Christian joy is Christ-centered and others-oriented. Joy is the quiet, confident assurance of God’s love and work in our lives – that He will be there no matter what! Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Christ.

• Kay Warren — true joy that can only come from God. Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of the details of life, the quiet confidence that everything will be OK and the determined choice to praise Him. But when we choose joy over happiness, we discover God's hidden blessings in the good and bad of life — and in the differences between us. Joy is a choice, and we have learned to make that choice every day. – Kay Warren “Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn’t Enough” 

Having joy is very similar to having enthusiasm.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Nothing great is ever accomplished without enthusiasm.” You’ve got to have passion, you’ve got to have enthusiasm. Having enthusiasm is very similar to having joy amidst the day-to-day difficulties of life, you may say, “Well, how do you do that?” “Do I just have to think positively?” Positive thinking isn’t enough. Pulling yourself up by your psychological bootstraps isn’t enough. Talking yourself into optimism isn’t enough. The way you become and stay enthusiastic in life is found in the word “enthusiasm.” The word “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek phrase en theos. En is the Greek word for the English word “in.” Theos is the Greek word for “God.” So en theos means to be “in God.” When you get in God, you will be enthusiastic. This kind of enthusiasm, like joy isn’t affected by the economy or the weather or your circumstances. It’s eternal because you are tied to the eternal God. You are in Christ. Paul tells us how to do this in

Romans 12:11-12. He says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (NIV).

Where can we go to find full and lasting joy?

Welcome to the Book of Philippians! 

This is a letter full of joy—interestingly, one written by a man in prison.

Six lessons from Paul’s joy letter to the Philippian church on how we can Thrive by living in real joy and it begins with prayer.

Philippians 1:3-11

Prayer is an opportunity to experience joy.

Many times, our prayers are limited to asking God to do something, to intervene in a crisis, or to fix a problem. True? And this is fine, the Bible is full of invitations for us to call on God to work, but our prayers should also reflect the truth that God already has been at work and continues to work in our lives. When we recall His work in our lives and in the lives of others, in our prayers, we can experience real joy!



I. Pray with Joy for what God has done Philippians 1:3-6

3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
The church in Philippi consisted mostly of Gentile (non-Jewish) believers. The Philippians were remembered with joy and thanksgiving whenever Paul prayed.


What does gratitude have to do with joy?

• “It’s not joy that makes us grateful, it’s gratitude that makes us joyful.” – Jesuit Priest
• A practiced gratitude: For Paul, every time he remembered his Philippian brothers and sisters he gave thanks! Biblical joy is not conditioned on circumstances, as is happiness. No, for Paul, joy was in the Lord and being in the Lord. This joy is a product of faith in Him. Though Paul had personal reasons to be distressed and concerned for himself, he did not allow those circumstances to depress his joy in the Lord, and for those special friends whom he knew to be the Lord’s people.
• Gratitude: Brené Brown talks about how the practice of gratitude can lead to a joyful life and what, exactly, that practice looks like. It's not the "attitude of gratitude" you might think. So, what does a gratitude practice look like? It’s keeping gratitude journals, doing daily gratitude meditations or prayers, creating gratitude art, and even stopping during a stressful, busy day to actually say these words out loud: “I am grateful for . . .” It seems that gratitude without practice may be a little like faith without works—it’s not alive.

Giving thanks to God is a great way to experience joy in your prayers. Take a moment and list 5 blessings that have brightened your life this year.

1. My salvation, wife, family, friends, the losts.

2. My relationship with Christ. The change that will bring. What God is doing now.

3. The opportunity to serve. To play a part.


What had God done that caused Paul to pray with joy?

• He had started a good work in them. Paul’s second reason for gratitude and joy was not because of anything the Philippians had done themselves, but what God had done in them. What had God done? He had given them grace which made them who they were spiritually, and manifested in their commitment to be Paul’s partners in the gospel. The Philippians were willing to be used by God for whatever He wanted them to do. 
• Notice that we don’t find Paul giving God thanks for things; Paul gave thanks for people. Paul could see evidence of God’s grace in others and praised God for His work in them. In these verses, specifically, Paul was filled with joy over what God had done for the Philippians.
• His Philippian friends had shared the gospel through their own witness. They, for the most part, had lived out the gospel in unity. They understood that fellowship in the gospel was not a sentiment but an action. They had shared in Paul’s ministry by praying for him, loving him, and encouraging him. In addition, they had provided financial support to him personally as well as to other churches in need. By helping Paul, they were helping Christ’s cause.

6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

• God’s work for us began when Christ died on the cross in our place. 
• His work in us began when we first believed.
• Now the Holy Spirit lives in us, enabling us to be more like Christ every day. Paul is describing the process of Christian growth and maturity that began when we accepted Jesus and continues until Christ returns. 
• When you feel incomplete, unfinished, or distressed by your shortcomings, remember God’s promises and provision. Don’t let your present condition rob you of the joy of knowing Christ or keep you from growing closer to Him. 

Point: We can have joy in the fellowship we have with others in Christ.

We should rejoice (with gratitude) in the work of grace God has performed in our lives. We should rejoice (with gratitude) in knowing that God is moving us forward to the day of Christ’s return. We can know the joy of the Lord no matter the situation, for God is greater than any of life’s circumstances.



In verses 7-8 we see an example of what it looks like to pray with joy even when circumstances are not ideal.

II. Pray with Joy for what God is doing Philippians 1:7-8

7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and establishment of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Why did Paul say that it was right for him to think this way about all of the Philippians?

• It was right because the Philippian believers were “all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and establishment of the gospel.” Being a partner in grace meant more than just receiving saving grace; the Philippians also had suffered for Christ and were sharing in the struggle for making the gospel known (see 1:29-30).

How does serving God’s kingdom create a unique bond between people?

• Paul and the Philippian believers modeled for us what it means to have Christian friendships that are centered on the gospel. 
• Have you ever longed to see a friend with whom you shared fond memories? Paul had such a longing to see the Christians at Philippi. His love and affection for them was based not merely on past experiences, but also on the unity that comes when believers draw upon Christ’s love. All Christians are part of God’s family and thus share equally in the transforming power of His love. 
• Do you feel a deep love for fellow Christians, friends and strangers alike? Let Christ’s love motivate you to love other Christians and to express that love in your actions toward them.

Point: We can rejoice in that, as believers, we are bound together in the love of Christ.



We can rejoice in that even during difficult times fellow believers lovingly stand with us.


In verses 9-11 we will see an example of praying for the spiritual growth of others.

III. Pray with Joy for what God will continue to do Philippians 1:9-11

19 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

The Bible says that often the best way to influence someone is to pray for them. Paul’s prayer for the Philippians was that they would be unified in love. Their love was to result in greater knowledge of Christ and deeper insight (moral discernment). Their love was not based on feelings but on what Christ had done for them.

Why are both knowledge and discernment necessary ingredients for loving others?


A Christ-centered love grows in “knowledge and discernment.”

• Knowledge asks the question, “What is right?”
• Discernment asks the question, “What is best?”

A Christ-centered love leads us to live out what is both right and best.


Which is the greater struggle for you: to be biblically knowledgeable and discerning about the truth, or to love people deeply, with great affection?


Point: We thank God for what He has done in our lives, and we recognize He wants to do much more if we continue to submit ourselves to Him.


The character of our lives gives evidence that we are in right relationship to God through Jesus Christ. As Christians, all we do is to be to the end that God is glorified and praised.

LIVE IT OUT

Most of us have a friend or family member with whom we enjoy talking. The subject is not as important as the deep, personal feelings that bind us together. We can talk about the past, present, or future with delight unmatched by conversations with most others.



Transfer those feelings to time spent in prayer, an intimate conversation with God. How joy-filled are those moments for you? We should express gratitude with joy for what He has done, joyfully seek to join Him in what He is doing presently, and rejoice even now as we anticipate what He will continue to do in our future here and in eternity.

• Cultivate gratefulness. Take time each day to count your blessings. As you pray and thank God for all He’s done for you, let His joy fill your heart and be seen as you serve others.

• Memorize Philippians 1:6. It’s hard to be joyful when praying about a difficult matter, but Philippians 1:6 is a reminder that God is at work even when we don’t see the result.

• Partner with others. Join with others to pray about your lives and your opportunities to serve God and others. Emphasize the importance of joy each time you pray together.

Wrap it Up

Don’t buy into the lie that joy depends on your present circumstances. Paul wrote his joyful letter to the Philippians (and prayed his joyful prayers) while being persecuted in a Roman prison. Choose today to seek the unshakable joy that is only available through Christ.


Conclude by expressing joy at the privilege of connecting with God through prayer. Commit to taking advantage of that opportunity in the days to come.


Hope to see you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan