Series: Action [#193]
HOW TO ENJOY LIFE- ENJOY PEOPLE
Philippians 1:1-11
Introduction:
Most Bible Scholars say that Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians at Acts 28:30.
Acts 28:30-31
While Paul was under house arrest in Rome, he wrote this letter to the persecuted Christians in Philippi. His main theme to them was to enjoy life. How do you enjoy life when people are trying to destroy you?
There are at least 3 barriers to enjoying life:
* Problems.
How can we be joyful while we are facing problems within our lives?
* People.
We allow people to rob us of our joy.
* Possessions.
We allow possessions to become a trap.
Today, I want us to answer the question, “What does it take to enjoy the people in my life instead of allowing them to be a barrier to my joy”?
Philippians 1:1-5
To enjoy people…
1. Be thankful for them.
From these verses you may think that Paul’s ministry and visit to Philippi was a pleasant one; but it was not. Acts 16 tells us when Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke were in Philippi; and they cast a demonic spirit from a slave girl. Her owners caused a huge stir and accused Paul and Silas of illegally promoting a foreign god. They were dragged to the marketplace to face the authorities. They were beaten with rods and thrown in jail.
What an awesome welcome. You can read on and see how God worked in a mighty way by saving the jailer and his family; but the magistrates asked Paul and Silas to leave. Although Paul had terrible things happen to him at Philippi, he was still thankful for the people. How did he do that?
He focused on the…
* Good things that had happened there.
Paul and Silas had went outside of the Roman colony of Philippi to find a house of prayer. They didn’t find one; but they sat and talked with some women that were gathered by the river. There, they met Lydia who was a business woman and her and her household were saved. Lydia also persuaded them to stay at her house while they were there. The jailer and his household were saved as well.
He focused on the…
* Fact that they sent Epaphroditus to check on him in prison.
When the Philippian Church heard about Paul’s imprisonment and how difficult it had become for him, they sent Epaphroditus to encourage him.
He focused on the…
* Financial sacrifice that the Philippian Church had made.
Although the Christians in Philippi were very poor, they were the only congregation that sent financial help to Paul for his ministry. For all of this, he was very thankful.
Philippians 1:4
To enjoy people…
2. Be in prayer for them.
It is hard to have a bad attitude about people when you are praying for them. Look at what Paul prayed for these people.
Philippians 1:9-11
He prayed that they would…
* Grow in love.
He prayed that they would…
* Make wise decisions.
He prayed that they would…
* Live Christlike lives.
He prayed that they would…
* Live for God’s glory.
The key here is, Paul is focused on others. Paul knew that the greatest thing he could do for these people is pray for them.
Philippians 1:6
To enjoy people…
3. Be patient with them.
You need to see the potential of what God is doing in people’s lives. Often, the things that agitate you the most about others are the same things that you are guilty of. You need to remember that God is not finished with you yet; and the same applies to others. We are told to bear with one another in love and the way we do that is by being patient with others knowing that God is doing a work in them. God is faithful to finish what He has started.
Philippians 1:9
To enjoy people…
4. Be loving to them.
When we have a sincere love in our hearts for people, we will want them to succeed. When we learn to love people like Jesus loves us, we will see a great change in our lives and theirs.
Conclusion:
Today, I am worn out and not feeling well. I have not felt well since Monday, and I have not wanted to be around people. So, what happened each day at work? I locked myself in the office and put my earbuds in and started working. It was a whole minute before someone was knocking on the door, needing to talk to me. “Lord, not today- Let me get my stuff done.”
You know what the Lord said? Be thankful for these people. Be in prayer for these people. Be patient with these people. Love these people. Enjoy these people- God put them in your life on purpose.
Philippians 1:7-8
