Joy For You Part 2

The Elements of Joy—Part 2

by

Rev. Irvin Mizell

Philippians 1:3-5

This morning it’s our privilege again to return to a new study for us,

The study of Joy in Paul’s epistle to the Philippians.

Open your Bible, if you will, to Philippians chapter 1.

Philippians 1:1

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.

Php 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

Php 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

Php 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Php 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

Php 1:8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

Verse 1 says, "To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons."

He includes the church leaders,

But he is writing, to the saints...

That is to all the believers in Christ….

You see…

"There’s only two kinds of people in the world...the saints and the aints."

Now the word "saint" means… separated,… unique,… different,… set apart.

Now how do you define a saint?

The saints are in Christ Jesus.

We are holy,… made holy by Christ’s salvation.

We have been made righteous.

We have been given the life of God.

We are made separate,

unique

and different from the rest of the world.

We are the saints.

We are saints in Christ Jesus.

Interesting to Note:

Only Christians say and affirm that they are “in Christ” empowered

“by Christ” and have salvation “threw Christ”

Not found with Buddha.. Or any other group.

THEN THE GREETING

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,"

I wish you grace, I wish you peace.

Grace is the gift of God,….. peace is the result.

Because of grace we have peace.

Now Paul filled with joy writes this letter to the beloved Philippians.

And as he thinks about them his joy overflows.

And that’s why in verse 4 he says that every remembrance of them produces joy.

Php 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

Php 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

The joy Paul in his heart, was there because of his relationship to the living God

Joy spilled out when he thought about the Philippians.

Fellow saints in Jesus Christ.

He says,

verse 3, "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you."

In other words “I rejoice over every memory that I have of you”

"Always offering prayer with joy,

Q… what is it that creates all the Joy in Paul’s heart ?

Lets Take a look at this amazing statement… Verse 23,

Php 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Php 1:24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

Php 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

Joy is increased by faith…

Paul says “I want to hang around to help you achieve maximum joy potential”

Paul had that kind of joy.

And

All we have to do is go to the Word of God.

Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God ….. Right!

The stronger our Faith, the greater our Joy…

And as he writes to these beloved people, he indicates the elements of his joy.

Let’s look at them, at least a couple of them.

“First“,…. there’s the joy of recollection,

verse 3, "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you."

The very thought of the Philippians brought him jubilant memories.

You see,

Paul had this inventory of memories.

And by the power of the Holy Spirit within him,

he focused on the positive ones.

He says, "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you."

Everything he could think about the Philippians gave him joy.

And he rejoiced… and thanks his God

Note: ….Joy prompts praise…

What prompts all this praise ?

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you."