Joy For You Part 1

Joy for you part 1

by

Rev. Irvin Mizell

Philippians 1:1-2

This morning we embark upon a wonderful new experience.

We will begin to examine Paul’s letter to the Philippians as we look for the secret to Joy.

Join me as we look at Philippians chapter 1:1-2

Let me read you verses 1 and 2 just as a starting point.

Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Php 1:2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

As we approach this epistle, I pray that God is going to shape our hearts and our lives and our attitudes through this experience.

The theme of these chapters is joy,

Paul mentions it at least 16 times in these four chapters.

He also mentions Christ 50 times.

And that is because his joy is found in Christ

and our joy found in Christ also.

Unfortunately,

We live in a somewhat sad world,

a world of despair,

depression,

unfulfillment,

dissatisfaction,

It’s kind of a sad reality with an even sadder future because we have a world of sadness with no hope that anything should necessarily change.

The long years of life inevitably become long years of sorrow punctuated by moments of happiness.

perhaps we ought to define happiness,

at least in a very simple way,

happiness is an attitude of satisfaction or delight based upon some present circumstance.

Happiness is related to happenings.

Happiness is that which you really can’t plan and program,

it may happen, it may not happen and it seems so elusive.

And the life long search for Happiness can leave you empty handed and hopelessly empty

And that’s the best that men can do.

On the other hand,

when we talk about joy we’re not talking about something that’s related to chance at all.

We’re not talking about something that’s related to circumstances at all.

We’re talking about a deep down confidence that all is well,

no matter what the circumstance,

no matter what the difficulty,

no matter what the problem.

Joy, to be understood in a biblical sense,

must be understood to be that which becomes yours in Christ.

It must be understood to be a permanent possession of every believer,

My favorite definition of joy is this...

joy is the flag that flies on the castle of the heart when the King is in residence there.

The verb "to rejoice" appears 74 times in the New Testament.

The noun "joy" appears 59 times in the New Testament.

I would like to give you some theology on joy.

And we will build it one piece at a time

First of all, Joy comes from God.

It is a gift of God.

In Psalm 4 verses 7 and 8 it says, "Thou hast put gladness in my heart for Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me dwell in safety."

And the psalmist is saying,

"You give me gladness, You give me joy because of my relationship of security with You."

Psalm 16:11 "In Thy presence is fullness of joy."

God is the source of joy.

So we begin our theology of joy by saying, “Joy is a gift from God “

Now let me add to that.

Joy is a gift from God to those who believe the gospel.

when the angel appeared to announce the arrival of the birth of a Savior, the angel said,

"Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people, for today in the city of David there has been born for you a savior who is Christ the Lord."

It is the gospel that brings that joy or that conveys that joy to the human heart.

In John’s gospel record in chapter 15 he says in verse 11, "These things I have spoken to you that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be made full."

So, joy is a gift from God to those who believe the gospel.

Let me add another part to that sentence.

Joy is a gift from God to those who believe the gospel and is being produced in them by the Holy Spirit...

In Romans chapter 14:17 there’s a great little phrase

Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost

And Galatians 5:22 says, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy..."

So joy is a gift from God to those who believe and is being produced in them by the Holy Spirit.

Let me add a little more to our sentence.

True joy is a gift from God that comes to those who believe the gospel and is being produced in them by the Holy Spirit as the believer receives and obeys the Word...