The Joy Resolution | Church Beyond the Building | Randy Frazee
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:3-8
Praying with joy by thanking God for the people in my life. (1:3-8)
Paul’s second principle to increase our joy in spite of our circumstances is…Learning how to love well. (1:9-11)
Love Languages:
Gifts – the giving of a thoughtful or even nice gift.
Service – doing something for me; taking something off my “to do” list
Words – words of encouragement, thoughtful words that tells me how you feel about me and how you appreciate me
Touch – Give a big bear hug; let me put my head in the crevice of your shoulder, hold my hand, give me a back rub.
Quality Time – hang with me; choose to spend time with me over something else you like to do, come with me, stay with me, waste the day away with me.
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Philippians 1:12-18
Seeing the glass as half full. (1:12-18a)
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Philippians 1:18-26
Embracing my “no lose” situation. (1:18b-26)
Let’s make living with more joy one of our New Year resolutions. So, a year from now, when we take the survey again, our joy quota is off the charts high.
“In Christ you can rise above your circumstances and live with joy.”