Happiness In Purpose Series

Happiness In Purpose

Jeffery Anselmi / General

Be Happy / Vision; Happiness / Philippians 3:12–4:1

Paul made his goal to glorify God in all things, and he said he hadn’t even accomplished it yet.

INTRODUCTION

• What a WEEK! WOW!

• I will say two things about the events of this week.

• We do get what we vote for.

• God is still on the throne, and as Christians, we need to always place our faith and hope in that fact.

• We have been examining the thought be being Happy during this series through the book of Philippians.

• I know that after the election, there are many people who are happy with the results and apparently a few less who are not happy with the results.

• What can we do in order to be happy no matter what is happening around us?

• The Apostle Paul we offer us some insights into that seemingly impossible task today as we dig into our text together.

› One of the things that can bring us great joy in life is having a purpose for our life.

• Having a defined purpose for your life can make a great deal of difference in your life because from that purpose, flows the rest of your life.

• When I worked at Square D Company, one of the things they asked of each department was to develop a purpose statement.

• This purpose statement was to be the anchor on which all we did should flow.

• Have you thought about what the purpose of your life is right now?

• I know in ministry, I understand my purpose, and my purpose drives all I do. My purpose keeps me anchored even when things get difficult.

• This pandemic has been rough on EVERYONE (except, NetFlix, Amazon, Wal Mart, Liquor Stores).

• I know a number of guys in ministry who are ready to retire because of the stress, and that is understandable.

• Guiding a church through a pandemic is new for all of us (I missed Pandemic 1010 Class); however, as for me, I know why I am in ministry, I know my purpose and that helps me keep my sanity.

• Plus you all have been a blessing to serve with during this difficult time.

• The BIG IDEA today is one we should all strive to work toward, Paul made his goal to glorify God in all things, and he said he hadn’t even accomplished it yet.

• Let’s begin our journey this morning in Philippians 3:12 and 3:20-4:1

Philippians 3:12 CSB

12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:20–4:1 CSB

20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

21 He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.

1 So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

I. Know who you are.

• One of the ways we can learn to be happy is by knowing who you are.

• When you look you the mirror, what do you see, who do you see? What do you think about yourself?

• For many, the answer to that question is formed by the opinion of other people. The opinions of others can be a driving force in what we think about ourselves.

• If you do not know who you are, how can you possibly set any course for your life? It is like the person who goes off to college, and 12 years later, is still in college because they still do not know what they want to do if they grow up!

• When I was in Bible College, I saw a lot of folks goofing off, playing games on their computers in class instead of listening. Those kids did not realize how important their education would be for them if they were called into ministry.

• When started going full-time when I was 30, I KNEW why I was there because I KNEW who I was.

• In verse 12 of our passage, Paul speaks of reaching a goal, and reaching perfection, or completion.

• Paul knew he had yet to reach the completion of the work he was called to do, and then he says that he makes every effort the reach the goals before him.

• Paul also tells us what drives him to reach his goals and to put forth so much effort for the Lord!