“God’s Invitation to Joy”
Philippians 4:1-9
It has been said many times that we have more things now than any other time in history. There are 195 countries in our world and the United States is ranked number one in economy. Aren’t you glad we live here? We are indeed fortunate people, yet for many of us, there is one critical thing that is missing… Contentment. As a result, we constantly want…
• More than we have
• Bigger and better things
As one bumper sticker says, in the end. he who has the most toys, wins. Malcolm Forbes made that statement. At the time of his death, his net worth was over $500 million. Elon Musk is now worth $191 billion. Most of us can’t even fathom a number of that magnitude. Lack of contentment is at an all-time high.
We complain about our finances…
• Our health
• Our job
• Our government
• Our family life
And the list goes on and on. Why? Because we lack contentment, we lack real joy in our lives. We’re just not happy people. One of the things that we need to understand is that there is a big difference in happiness and contentment. Between Happiness and real joy. And here it is.
Happiness is often based on things. We have. Contentment is a sense of peace regardless of how much we have.
Happiness is based on external conditions. Contentment Is an inner satisfaction.
• Happiness is having everything you want.
• Contentment is wanting everything you have.
• Contentment is the result of real joy.
The Apostle Paul spoke more about joy than any other writer. In his letter to the Philippians he has more to say about joy than in any other book in the Bible. In four brief chapters he speaks of joy 16 times. Here is the most thing amazing thing about joy. There is good news and bad news.
The good news is that joy is a choice.
The bad news is no one can make the choice for us. It is up to us.
Listen to what the apostle Paul has to say about this topic of joy, 16 times he speaks. Here are three.
• I will rejoice even if I lose my life.
• Whatever happens, I will rejoice in the Lord.
• We should always be full of joy in the Lord – I say it again – rejoice!
He also explains that people were jealous of his preaching. Wishing they could preach like the Great Apostle Paul – it was their intention to actually hurt Paul – Paul said well, as long as they are preaching the gospel – I don’t care – I will have joy! One more thing that really puts some perspective on all of this – Paul’s circumstances at the time. Paul was in prison when he wrote all of this.
He had been beaten with rods.
He was hungry and thirsty – often going without food.
He received the dreaded 39 lashes, five different times.
Once they even stoned him.
Paul says, but I will rejoice. All of this is about perspective. About the way that Paul looked at everything in life. It’s about how you and I look at everything in life. One way to illustrate this, is to look at this picture – this has been shown in many places on the Internet. Leadership meetings. Look at this with me. A picture of an old woman and a young woman. What do you see?
Again, it’s a matter of perspective.
https://www.google.com/search?q=old+woman+young+woman&rlz=1C1VDKB_enUS1086US1086&oq=old+woman+young+woman&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyDggAEEUYJxg5GIAEGIoFMgcIARAAGIAEMgcIAhAAGIAEMgcIAxAAGIAEMgcIBBAAGIAEMgcIBRAAGIAEMgcIBhAAGIAEMgcIBxAAGIAEMgcICBAAGIAEMgcICRAAGIAE0gEINTIwNGoxajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 (copy and paste to see this)
Perspective (spectacles) – is a way of thinking about and understanding something. A lot of this applies to life. Paul says in all things, no matter what, find some joy.
Here are some things Paul tells us ……
• Jesus is coming back.
• Even in our difficulty, find some joy.
• He prayed with joy; confident God would continue to work – until the work is finished when he returns.
Paul did all of this – but he then points to Jesus. Paul says we have to have the same attitude/perspective Jesus had. Look at Philippians 2: 6. We are to have this attitude, even in our pain and difficulty. All of us would do well to reach in and rediscover some of our joy.
v. 3. Don’t be selfish. Don’t try to impress others. Don’t just lookout for yourself take an interest in others too. The great psychiatrist, Doctor Karl Menninger said this: he was once asked what action he would recommend if a person were to feel a mental breakdown coming on. He said lock up your house, go across the railroad tracks and find someone in need and do something for them.
In other words, put your focus on someone else. Listen to what Dr. Chuck Swindoll says about attitude / perspective. Copy and paste to your browser to see this. I also included it in the congregations' notes pages.
https://www.google.com/search?q=attitude+by+charles+swidoll&rlz=1C1VDKB_enUS1086US1086&oq=attitude+by+charles+swidoll&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCjEyMTE5ajFqMTWoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8https://www.google.com/search?
So if you and I are in charge of our attitude, then we get to decide.
• Others don’t get to decide for you – people.
• Circumstances don’t get to decide for you.
• Your bank account doesn’t get to decide for you – you get to decide.
You see, other Things don’t get to be in charge of your life – of the people don’t get to be in charge of your life – circumstances don’t get to be in charge – only you and that all comes out of your relationship with Jesus Christ and the priorities he helps you set. You and Jesus have to work on your attitude together. When you do it will change absolutely everything.
In chapter four he describes how to do this. The setting for what he has to say is actually an argument. Ever had an argument with some one? Maybe in the last 7 days, right? This particular argument took place in a church of all places - - happens all the time - - wherever your trouble takes place - - it is time to get some perspective.
And here is what Paul says…… you’ve got to fix it. And here is how.
1. Settle your disagreements. Why? You belong to Jesus. Other individuals may not be as bad as you think. Everyone has positive characteristics if you look for them. People you may need to look at longer than others - - but you will find those good characteristics. If necessary, just agree to disagree. I don’t know which one of you is right but it shouldn’t get in the way of your marriage or your friendship. Settle your disagreements.
2. Practice joy. verse 4 – 5. All the time. Ask Yourself, what is it about this situation I find myself in now that has caused me to lose my joy? Then in all you do, let others see that you know how to be considerate of others. Consider these things.
• They may be going through a difficult time as well.
• They may not know Jesus. You can’t expect godly behavior from someone who does not know Christ.
• You may in fact be right. But think about this. They may be right as well. Least consider that option.
Why should we do all of this? Paul gives us the answer. The Lord is coming soon. For the sake of the spread of the gospel, be considerate.
3. Stop worrying. No, that’s not as easy as it sounds. Hard for many people to stop worrying about things that are wrong in our lives. More than just a bad habit – it is ingrained in many of us because it has been a way of life for much too long. Paul tells us that instead of worrying – we need to pray. Take your inward focus off yourself and place your focus on Jesus. Says that when we do that, God will grant us peace and peace will begin to rain in our hearts. That simply means that peace will be in charge. Here is how this looks in this passage to me.
Trouble can lead to divisiveness which causes us to worry and lose focus on the right things which lead to a lack of peace and joy.
On the other hand
Problem can lead to consideration of others and their feelings which leads to having fewer things to worry about which leads to more peace and joy.
So, as we have been saying, the ball is in your court. You are the one calling the plays. Does it if you do this you will have a piece that exceeds all of your understanding - - you can’t even imagine where this piece is coming from when you look at all you are facing. Doesn’t even make sense. God isn’t bound to our circumstances. He can change our circumstances or just operate outside of our circumstances, if he chooses to do so.
4. Fix your thoughts. In the English language the word fixed is used in several ways.
• It can be used as a verb which means to fix something. Hole in the wall. Fix it.. Eye wall mud on it…. Do this you’re restoring the wall to its original condition. You are fixing it
• Now when we fix our eyes on something, it means we are very focused. We don’t waver. Our eyes are in place and nothing can deter us.
Paul says focus / fix your eyes on these things. In Philippines chapter four and verse 8 Paul says fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the god of peace will be with you.
• The writer of Hebrews says that we are to fix our thoughts on Jesus. Hebrews 13:1.
• Isaiah says – you will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed / fixed on you.
It’s up to God to provide it. It’s up to us to keep our focus in the right place.
Dr. Bryant Kirkland, a pastor in NY was traveling to preach a series of sermons on the west coast. He needed time on that 3-hour flight to study and prepare, so he buckled down and let everyone near him feel the tension. His body language said, "Don't bother me, I'm a busy man with places to go and work to do." A young woman and a baby slipped into the seat next to him. He then knew it was going to be difficult, so he kept a straight face and tried to keep working. That lasted all of 6 minutes. Pretty soon this little boy began talking AND fussing a bit. He was trying to talk to the man and said “hey mister. Hey mister.” Making sounds babies make; just staring at him." He kept looking at Dr. Kirkland and finally the pastor couldn't resist. So, he put his sermon back into his briefcase, picked him up and just hugged him and talked to him and played with ……. all the way across the country. When we landed in LA the child’s mother said to him …. "Thank you for doing that. He lost his father not long ago. He hasn't had a man hold him; like that, and love him. Thank you so much." And Dr. Kirkland says he realized as he got off the plane and pushed into the crowd just how much joy and peace that little boy had brought into his own heart ……. when he was least prepared for it to happen. Sometimes a child can do that-- get into a heart that has been locked up tight for years and bring peace. In fact, this little child Jesus, if He gets into your heart/life, He can completely change you. This child who came into the world, 2000 years ago is still changing people … like you and me. Would you let him? When Mary and Joseph arrived at the inn, they were told, there is no room. Many people still, today, say “Jesus I just don’t have room in my life for you.” I’m too buy with all the things I have right now to make room for you. Don’ let that be your story. Open your heart today!
