“How to Be Joyful, No Matter What” Philippians 1:12-26 01/11/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles

“How to Be Joyful, No Matter What”Philippians 1:12-26

01/11/2009Dr. Dane Boyles



“How to Be Joyful, No Matter What”


11“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)

11“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)



12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. (Phil 1:12-13)

12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. (Phil 1:12-13)



14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. (Phil 1:14-15)

14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. (Phil 1:14-15)



16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. (Phil 1:16-17)

16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. (Phil 1:16-17)



18 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. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, (Phil 1:18)

18 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. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, (Phil 1:18)



19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance (Phil 1:18)

19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance (Phil 1:18)



20 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. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Phil 1:20-21)

20 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. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Phil 1:20-21)



22 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! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; (Phil 1:22-23)

22 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! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; (Phil 1:22-23)



24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 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, (Phil 1:24-25)

24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 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, (Phil 1:24-25)



26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. (Phil 1:26)

26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. (Phil 1:26)



– Too many people don’t enjoy life; they just endure it.

– “Happiness” comes from the word “happenstance” from which we get the word “circumstance.”

– Joy is internal. Happiness is external.

– Too many people don’t enjoy life; they just endure it.

– “Happiness” comes from the word “happenstance” from which we get the word “circumstance.”

– Joy is internal. Happiness is external.



– How do you have joy in spite of what is going on in your life?

18 “I rejoice and I will continue to rejoice.” (Philippians 1:18)

– Paul gives us three secrets.

– How do you have joy in spite of what is going on in your life?

18 “I rejoice and I will continue to rejoice.” (Philippians 1:18)

– Paul gives us three secrets.



• A PERSPECTIVE TO LIVE FROM.– Every one of us has problems.

• We’ve brought them in here with us.

• Our perspective makes the difference.

• A PERSPECTIVE TO LIVE FROM.– Every one of us has problems.

• We’ve brought them in here with us.

• Our perspective makes the difference.



12 “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” (Phil 1:12)

13 “As a result it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” (Phil 1:13)

12 “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” (Phil 1:12)

13 “As a result it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” (Phil 1:13)



– Paul had always wanted to go to Rome but not to be there in prison.

– God puts Paul in Rome, has Nero foot the bill while chaining a future leader of Rome to Paul every fours hours.

– Paul had a captive audience.

– Paul had always wanted to go to Rome but not to be there in prison.

– God puts Paul in Rome, has Nero foot the bill while chaining a future leader of Rome to Paul every fours hours.

– Paul had a captive audience.



14 Because of my chains most of the brothers and sisters have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. (Phil 1:14)

14 Because of my chains most of the brothers and sisters have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. (Phil 1:14)



– Courage is contagious. 28 And we know that in All

things God works for the good of those who love Him… (Romans 8:28)

– Lesson #1: God has a purpose behind every one of my problems.

– Courage is contagious. 28 And we know that in All

things God works for the good of those who love Him… (Romans 8:28)

– Lesson #1: God has a purpose behind every one of my problems.



• A POWER TO LIVE ON.– Every one of us has problems.

– Life can wear you out.

• A POWER TO LIVE ON.– Every one of us has problems.

– Life can wear you out.



19 I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by 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. (Phil 1:19)

19 I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by 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. (Phil 1:19)



• The prayers of other people.

• The help of God’s Spirit.

• The prayers of other people.

• The help of God’s Spirit.



– God’s answer to our personal energy crisis.

13 I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.” (Phil 4:13)

– God’s answer to our personal energy crisis.

13 I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.” (Phil 4:13)



– Lesson #2: With God’s power nothing can devastate me.

– Lesson #2: With God’s power nothing can devastate me.



• A PURPOSE TO LIVE FOR.– Paul is old and tired and has been in

prison for 4 years.

– A purpose to live for cannot be taken from you.

21 For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil 4:21)

• A PURPOSE TO LIVE FOR.– Paul is old and tired and has been in

prison for 4 years.

– A purpose to live for cannot be taken from you.

21 For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil 4:21)



– How would you fill in the blank?

– For me to live is ____________.

– How would you fill in the blank?

– For me to live is ____________.



– Based on advertising most Americans would fill in the blank in one of three ways:

• “For me to live is possessions.”

• “For me to live is pleasure.”

• “For me to live is power, position, prestige, popularity.”

– Based on advertising most Americans would fill in the blank in one of three ways:

• “For me to live is possessions.”

• “For me to live is pleasure.”

• “For me to live is power, position, prestige, popularity.”



– Why does God leave you on earth after you become a Christian?

• For the benefit of other people.

– Lesson #3: The secret of joy – Jesus first, Others second, Yourself third.

– Why does God leave you on earth after you become a Christian?

• For the benefit of other people.

– Lesson #3: The secret of joy – Jesus first, Others second, Yourself third.



Conclusion– God has a purpose bigger than my

problems.

• God wants you to enjoy the rest of your life.

• It starts with the foundational values we’ve been talking about this morning.

Conclusion– God has a purpose bigger than my

problems.

• God wants you to enjoy the rest of your life.

• It starts with the foundational values we’ve been talking about this morning.





Documents

“How to Be Joyful, No Matter What” Philippians 1:12-26 01/11/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles