West Greeley Baptist Church
July 21st 2002
Philippians 1: 1-2
“With Joy”
Pastor Mark Hensley
“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers[1] and deacons: 2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Introduction: If you’re like most folks, you probably pick up household supplies and sundries at the local super market, perhaps even on your way home from a harried day at the office. After Hearing Bill Porter’s story you may rethink these and other aspects of your life - aspects that many of us take for granted.
When introducing a segment on Bill Porter’s life, ABC’s 20/20 host Hugh Downs said, "This is a simple story about a simply remarkable man." Born with cerebral palsy, Bill was told by many that he was unemployable. With the continual support of a dedicated mother and the indomitable spirit that is his trademark, Bill Porter has supported himself for decades selling household products door to door for the Watkins Company. While the people on his route didn’t always need what Bill was selling, they grew to understand that we all need people like Bill Porter in the world.
Bill had refused to let cerebral palsy stop him from supporting himself financially or rob him of his dignity. Whether it is finding cooperative bellmen at the hotel down town to button his cuffs and tie his shoes or beaming a video to his speaking engagements because of ill-health, Bill gets the job done, and does it all with a smile and a wave and without one moment of doubt or self-pity. Bill Porter graduated from high school at the age of 22, having to first go through a special school for the disabled, even though his disabilities are physical, not mental. Rather than receive disability assistance from the state, he sought a job and eventually was hired by the Watkins Company, as a door to door salesman. He agreed to be compensated entirely on commission and took on a territory no one wanted in order to close the deal. Bill went on to become the top grossing salesman in Portland, the Northwest, and the U.S.
Transition: Bill’s story is a story of courage and a story of joy in spite of severe physical limitations. Many if not most people would pity Bill Porter, refusing to believe that in hardship you can live a life “With Joy.”
The Apostle Paul will teach us that a life “With Joy” is not only possible for a Christian it’s expected! Philippians 1: 1-3
“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers[1] and deacons: 2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
*The author, Paul, wrote while incarcerated. He’d been imprisoned on trumped up charges and was awaiting his trial before Caesar in Rome.
Get the image in your mind. Paul was chained, day and night, to a Roman soldier. The soldiers took turns being shackled to him, but Paul remained bound to somebody at all times. He had no privacy or privileges. This condition may have lasted as long as two years.
It was under these circumstances that Paul wrote a letter to the church he’d founded at Philippi. He addressed lots of issues to these believers. But his main concern seems to have been that these Christians experience the same joy he had, yet without the literal chains. *From the sermon: “Looking beyond Your Obstacles” Pastor Joel Smith Wellspring Community Church 01-24-01
You can live with joy if:
I. Your conscious of God’s grace
II. You drink deeply from the well of God’s peace
I. Your conscious of grace. “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers[1] and deacons: 2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Greek word for grace is caris. Its basic idea is simply “non-meritorious or unearned favor, an unearned gift, a favor or blessings bestowed as a gift, freely and never as merit for work performed.”
Expanded Definition—theological
Grace is “that which God does for mankind through His Son, which mankind cannot earn, does not deserve, and will never merit”1
Grace is all that God freely and non-meritoriously does for man and is free to do for man on the basis of Christ’s person and work on the cross. Grace, one might say, is the work of God for man and encompasses everything we receive from God. From the article “Grace and Peace” by J. Hampton Keathley III, Th.M.
Writing from prison, feeling the isolation and pressure of roman cruelty Paul reminds the believers then and believers now that even in life’s pressure times we have hope! The hope that comes from the love of God that reaches out to assure us that he is not absent or distant or unconcerned but near!
How much does God love you?
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, he’ll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and he chose your heart... Face it, friend. He’s crazy about you." (Lucado, 122)...
Paul’s reminding all of God’s people that even in adverse and harsh surroundings we must never forget God’s grace!
You can live with joy if:
I. Your conscious of God’s grace
II. You drink deeply from the well of God’s peace “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers[1] and deacons: 2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The word for peace is eirhnh. It apparently comes from eirw, which means, “to join.” It means a state of untroubled tranquility, a state without war or dividing factions or enmity. It refers to a state of harmony and well being. . From the article “Grace and Peace” by J. Hampton Keathley III, Th.M.
A. The Peace of Reconciliation, Peace with God
Peace with God refers to the peace of salvation wherein the barriers, like man’s sin and God’s holiness, which separate man from God are removed through faith in God’s gracious work in Christ.
In Ephesians 2, Christ is seen as the Peacemaker.
Ephesians 2:14-18
"For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
Romans 5:1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
B. The Peace of Fellowship, the Peace of a Conscience Void of Offense
This is the personal peace which God gives to the individual through fellowship with the Lord, or through walking in concord with God with all known sin confessed and turned over to God’s grace.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
1 Timothy 1:5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Acts 24:16 "In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.
C. The Peace of Assurance, the Peace of God
This is the peace or rest of soul that comes from being confident of God’s supply and that God is in control of all the affairs of life. This is the peace that settles our nerves, fills our minds, and allows us to relax even in the midst of the uproar around us.
Philippians 4:6-9
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.
Psalm 119:165 Those who love Thy law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.
Proverbs 3:13-17 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding. 14 For its profit is better than the profit of silver, And its gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, And all her paths are peace.
Duke University did a study on “peace of mind.” Factors found to contribute greatly to emotional and mental stability are:
1. The absence of suspicion and resentment. Nursing a grudge was a major factor in unhappiness.
2. Not living in the past. An unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression.
3. Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change. Cooperate with life, instead of trying to run away from it.
4. Force yourself to stay involved with the living world. Resist the temptation to withdraw and become reclusive during periods of emotional stress.
5. Refuse to indulge in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal. Accept the fact that nobody gets through life without some sorrow and misfortune.
6. Cultivate the old-fashioned virtues—love, humor, compassion and loyalty
7. Do not expect too much of yourself. When there is too wide a gap between self-expectation and your ability to meet the goals you have set, feelings of inadequacy are inevitable.
8. Find something bigger than yourself to believe in. Self-centered egotistical people score lowest in any test for measuring happiness. Source unknown
Appeal: You can live with joy if:
I. Your conscious of God’s grace
II. You drink deeply from the well of God’s peace. You can have peace in these areas: Reconciliation, fellowship and assurance. Do you have it?
