The Joy Of Believing

The Joy In Believing

Philippians 3

1) Intro:

i) Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court for 30 years. At one point in his life, Justice Holmes explained his choice of a career by saying: "I might have entered the ministry if certain clergymen I knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers." So where is the joy? Where is the "always" rejoicing in the Lord? Where is the "always" giving praise with joy in our hearts for the great things He has done?

ii) I believe that there are three different type of people in this world, those who see the glass as ½ empty, those that see it as ½ full, and those who wonder why we're not using bottled water.

iii) It always amazes me to think about how we all complain about all the problems that we face, and never seem to find time to rejoice and really be full of joy on a continual basis.

iv) We all experience pitfalls in our lives but why do we live in the pit when we have the means and the reason to climb out.

v) Well Preacher what is there to rejoice about?

vi) If you are a believer in Jesus Christ you have more to rejoice about than you can imagine.

vii) Read the text.- Philippians 3

2) Background:

i) Paul had founded the church at Philippi when he traveled there with Silas and Timothy around 50 A.D.

ii) This was his 2nd trip and Paul had intended to take the Gospel into Asia but a series of events hindered him from doing that.

(a) Don’t you know that every time we plan something there is always something else that comes along and gets in the way?

iii) Paul does something here that we all should do instead of getting irate at the hindrance Paul simply saw it as God directing his steps and leading him where He wants him to be.

iv) Over Paul’s lifetime he endured a lot for the cause of Christ yet he counted all joy.

v) Look what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:22-28

(a) 2 Corinthians 11:22-28 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ?--I speak as a fool--I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness-- 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.

vi) Paul endured it all and the thing that made it bearable was the promises of God.

3) We have come together today to celebrate Home Coming, also known as Decoration Day.

a) We have come to remember our loved ones who have stepped out of this life and stepped into eternity.

b) Today there will be tears, and smiles but the one thing we need to remember is that a time is coming when we will be with them again. Providing we have a relationship with Christ.

c) And as such there are promises that we can hold onto that should create in us a joy that cannot be extinguished.

i) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

d) This morning I want you to notice 3 JOYPOINTS that will help to live in the same manner Paul did.