SO, YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY?
Philippians 4.10-23
S: Joy
Th: Toward the Goal
Pr: FIND JOY IN THE JOURNEY.
?: How? How do we find it?
KW: Source
TS: We will find in our study of Philippians 4 three sources that are key to finding joy in the journey of life.
CV: “We will passionately pursue full devotion to Jesus Christ.”
Type: Propositional
I. CONTENTMENT (10-12)
II. CHRIST (12-13)
III. COMMUNITY (14-23)
PA: How is the change to be observed?
• Relax in God’s providence.
• Refuse to let circumstances dictate your attitude.
• Rely on God’s strength.
• Release your resources.
• Rest in God’s provision.
Version: ESV
RMBC 10 August 08 AM
INTRODUCTION:
ILL Happiness (S)
“Feelin’ Groovy”
Slow down, you move too fast.
You got to make the morning last.
Just kicking down the cobble stones.
Looking for fun and feelin’ groovy.
Hello lamppost, What cha knowing?
I’ve come to watch your flowers growing.
Ain’t cha got no rhymes for me?
Doot-in’ doo-doo, Feelin’ groovy.
Got no deeds to do, No promises to keep.
I’m dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep.
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me.
Life, I love you, All is groovy.
Are you feeling groovy?
If you grew up in the 1960s and 70s you were probably at least humming along with that Simon and Garfunkel song.
It was a crazy time to be living, and there was so much change going on.
At the end of last year, this era was well illustrated by the film “Across the Universe,” which was an idealistic view of the Beatles culture.
During the 60s and 70s, people were looking for meaning in their lives in the midst of growing meaninglessness.
People were looking for love in the midst of growing hate.
And that was the Beatles’ solution, “All You Need Is Love.”
It was an influential time in our culture.
There is no denying it.
A lot of the moral standards that were unquestionable up until that point in time were challenged and changed.
Some of it needed to be challenged.
But not all of it needed to be changed.
And the problem is, forty years later, we are not better off.
The problems have changed.
And the pursuit of happiness is still bringing a lot of emptiness in people’s lives.
You see…
The search for happiness is an elusive one.
When you ask the typical person what they want, you know what they are going to say.
They want to be happy.
Interestingly, there seems to be a distinction in God’s Word about being happy and having joy.
Happy is our present condition.
If I state, “I am happy,” I am saying that the conditions that I am now living in cause me to feel pleasure.
I feel good about myself and the circumstances round about me.
Joy, however, is something deeper and more profound.
If I state, “I have joy,” I am saying that I am blessed.
I feel good regardless of the circumstances round about me.
Today is our last study in the letter Paul had written to the believers in Philippi.
Paul has been showing the Philippians about how to make the journey of life as a Christian.
It is a daily movement.
It is step by step moving toward Christlikeness.
Our task is to move toward that goal.
And here is the thing that Paul wants us to know:
As we move “Toward the Goal,” we will FIND JOY IN THE JOURNEY.
But the question is how?
How do we find the joy?
Well…
We will find in our study of Philippians 4 three sources that are key to finding joy in the journey of life.
OUR STUDY:
The first source is…
I. CONTENTMENT (10-12)
Paul writes…
(10) I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. (11) Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. (12) I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Context: Paul was greatly moved by the Philippians concern.
The Philippians had not been content to just pray for Paul while he was in Rome.
They put some feet to their prayers by sending Epaphroditus to him with a financial gift.
And this moved Paul.
He was very grateful, and it meant a lot.
But he wanted them to know, he was fine.
He knew how to live with contentment.
When Paul used the word contentment here, he was taking a word that was used in Greek philosophy and applied it to his own context as a Christian.
Contentment was a word that was used by the Stoics, and they understood it to mean “being entirely self-sufficient.”
The Stoics believed that it was the goal of man to be absolutely and entirely independent of all things and of all people.
They were to need nothing.
They were to need no one.
But Paul obviously understood that it meant something more.
It meant not worrying.
It meant trusting.
For God was in control.
That is true for us as well, for we are to…
Relax in God’s providence.
When we speak of God’s providence, it means that all events, words, acts, decisions, and elements of normal life are supernaturally woven together to fit His purpose.
Simply, God works things out.
Relaxing in God’s providence is foundational to contentment.
Think how much stomach acid you would avoid if you stopped trying to control people or manipulate circumstances.
Perhaps you know what it is like to wake up at night fretting about how you can convince someone to get your way, or how you can make things turn out the way you want them to.
Instead of doing those things, if we were to sit back, relax, and trust God’s providence, we would certainly live much more contented lives.
So…
Refuse to let circumstances dictate your attitude.
You know…
When our children were younger, I had a dislike for the ice cream truck that would come to our neighborhood.
Because when that truck came, it would make my slightly contented children into discontented whiners.
They needed ice cream!
I also want you to know that they are doing better, but ice cream continues to be a weakness for everyone at the Decker house.
Paul learned that circumstances did not need to control his joy.
Paul learned to get off the roller coaster of feeling content only when things were going well and then feeling lousy when things were not going well.
We all know what that roller coaster is like.
Paul knew…
• the joys and the cares
• prosperity and adversity
• good days and bad days.
But…
He did not let his circumstances drive him up and down spiritually.
He adjusted to his circumstances and kept right on serving God faithfully as ever.
Instead of letting his circumstances deprive him of opportunities, he used his circumstances to his advantage.
Paul was not a victim of his circumstances but became a victor over them.
The second source…
II. CHRIST (12-13)
(12) I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. (13) I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Context: Paul knows hardship.
Paul was beaten with whips and rods.
He was stoned and left for dead.
He was shipwrecked.
He knew what it was to be hungry, thirsty, and weary.
He knew living in danger from thieves.
But what he wants us to act on is to…
Rely on God’s strength.
Remember, Paul is comparing himself to the Stoics.
It was their philosophy…
“I will learn contentment by a deliberate act of my own will.”
But Paul sees it differently…
“I can do all things through Christ who infuses His strength into me.”
The Stoic was self-sufficient.
But Paul was God sufficient.
He knew that his power and his strength was not his own.
It was Christ that sustained him.
Any adequacy and sufficiency he possessed, it came from his union with the adequate and the sufficient Christ.
I like how William Barclay puts it:
“The man who walks with Christ and lives in Christ can cope with anything.”
So, is anything beyond you?
No, not if you are in Christ.
You are always in the majority if Christ is in you.
You can handle any situation that comes your way when Jesus is Lord of your life.
The third source is the…
III. COMMUNITY (14-23)
(14) Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. (15) And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. (16) Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. (17) Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. (18) I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. (19) And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (20) To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (21) Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. (22) All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. (23) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Context: The gifts of the Philippians connected them to Paul.
There was a tremendous relationship bond between the Philippians and Paul.
They loved their spiritual father.
So when Epaphroditus came with a gift, it was surely substantial.
Whether it was to provide his housing (which I think it was for) or it was to defray his expenses, we don’t know.
Regardless of how much or what it was used for, to Paul it was huge.
Here he was, imprisoned in Rome.
He is chained to an elite Roman soldier for 24/7.
While he is imprisoned, he is being bad-mouthed by competitors.
And he is waiting, in anticipation of a trial before Nero.
And note what he communicates.
He not only appreciates this gift, he is excited for them.
He knows that God is going to bless them in return, and this brings him even greater joy.
The challenge for us is…
Release your resources.
There is a very practical lesson for us in giving.
It is a discipline.
We break the hold money has on us when we give it away.
Not only that, it is an expression of love.
For, true love always gives.
You can give without love, but you cannot love without giving.
But the neat thing is that no gift ever made a man poorer.
You see, when we give, it opens up to us the gifts and riches of God, part of which is joy.
So…
Rest in God’s provision.
We live in culture where enough is never enough.
There is always a push for more.
As believers, we need to know and live that God will provide for every legitimate need that we have.
But, we need to recognize that we do not need all the things we think we need.
Note again what Paul says…
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
So, rest in God’s provision!
CHALLENGE:
ILL Materialism (S)
Matthew Sleeth is a medical doctor who wrote a provocative book called “Serve God Save the Planet.” Dr. Sleeth was a former emergency room doctor and chief of medical staff at a prominent hospital in the northeast.
He writes about a colleague named Todd. I think Todd represents the way many of us think — even though most of us may not be able to live it out quite like Todd.
After Todd began his medical residency, he and his wife began searching for the perfect home on the ocean. They looked for a year and a half, during which time Todd began to pick up more and more shifts. Sometimes he’d finish a 24-hour shift at one hospital before dashing off to work 24-hours at a second hospital. He did this so to ramp up his salary in order to qualify for a bigger mortgage.
Finally, they found their “perfect home” located at the end of a peninsula with a great ocean view and a deep water dock. There was only one problem, according to Todd: the house itself. It was a mess. So they consulted an architect who was able to salvage part of the garage, but otherwise designed a whole new dream house.
Todd worked more and more hours to offset the skyrocketing construction costs. In January, he was so exhausted and the family was arguing so frequently that they threw caution to the wind and went on a lavish tropical vacation, paid for on credit.
By spring the house was complete. But one day Todd came to work in a rage. His wife had gone on a shopping spree and spent $20,000 on curtains, rugs and furniture. They had built a home too big for their old furniture, she explained. In retaliation, Todd went to a boat dealer. “No sense in living right on the water if we don’t own a boat,” he reasoned. The boat dealer sold him not only a boat, but two Jet Skies as well. No payments were due until winter.
When Todd hauled his new boat home using his wife’s minivan, he burned out the transmission. So he bought a large SUV with a towing package and leather seats. When they arrived home, they were chagrined to realize that the one part of the old house they saved — the garage — wasn’t big enough to hold the new SUV. So the architect and builders returned and in a matter of weeks the garage was rebuilt.
Not long after that, Todd and his wife divorced.
Now the details may be different in your case, but that same basic story is repeated time and time again.
And, friends, listen to me, it is insanity to live like that.
You heard me right.
It is insanity to live beyond your means buying things you do not really need to impress people you do not really care about.
We live in a culture that says…
• more money
• more possessions
• more power
• more prestige
• more relationships
• a better job
…will make you happy.
We think that if we just have relief from difficulties, we will be happy.
But here is the truth that needs to be lived.
It is one of our values here at Randall, and it represents well what Paul is communicating in this letter.
“We will passionately pursue full devotion to Jesus Christ.”
You see…
It is all about Jesus.
It is all about following Jesus.
It is all about being like Jesus.
Let me remind you what Paul communicated to the Philippians:
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith — that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…
…forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
I press on toward the goal…
Are you pressing on toward the goal?
Let me share this with you.
God intends this Christian life to be one full of joy and adventure.
So…
FIND JOY IN THE JOURNEY.
Find the joy God intends to give you.
But there is a catch.
You need to follow Him.
We need to follow Him.
That is true of us as individuals and as a church.
But following Him – that’s where the joy is.
For Further Study: Genesis 50.20; Esther 4.14; Psalm 23.1; Proverbs 16.9; Malachi 3.10-12; Matthew 6.27; Romans 8.28; II Corinthians 11.22-33; Galatians 2.20
BENEDICTION:
Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
RESOURCES:
SermonCentral
Bond, Steve Got Joy?
Mims, Charles Becoming Content
Sirmans, Ken I Gave at the Office
Zeisler, Steve Rags, Riches, and Relationships
Other
Barclay, William. The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. The Daily Study Bible Series. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1959.
MacArthur, John, Jr. Philippians. The Macarthur New Testament Commentary. Chicago: Moody Press, 2001.
Muller, Jac. J. The Epistles of Paul to the Philippians and to Philemon. The New International Commentary on the New Testament, ed. F. F. Bruce. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1976.
