Keys to Joy

1. Keys to Joy

2. Keys to Joy “Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, yourejoice with joyinexpressible and full of glory.”1 Peter 1:8

3. Keys to Joy “But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad withexceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:13

4. Keys to Joy “And these things we write to you that yourjoy may be full.”1 John 1:4

5. Keys to Joy Paul’s Letter of Joy Philippians 1:3-7 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for yourfellowship in the gospelfrom the first day until now…

6. Keys to Joy Paul’s Letter of Joy Philippians 1:3-7 “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, becauseI have you in my heart,inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all arepartakers with me of grace.”

7. Keys to Joy Paul’s Letter of Joy “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord…”(Philippians 3:1) “… rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”(Philippians 3:3) “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!(Philippians 4:4)

8. Keys to Joy We must: • Partake of the gospel of grace.(1:3-7) • Have optimistic faith.(1:19-30) • Be humble.(2:1-8) • Hold fast to Christ.(3:1-11) • Focus on the goal.(3:12-4:1) • Have peace.(4:4-9) • Be content.(4:10-13)

9. Partake of the Gospel of Grace • There is a DIRECT relationship between God’s grace (charis), His gift (charisma), and our joy (chara)—Ephesians 2:8,9; John 3:16 • Joy is the product of knowing we have been saved after being lost—Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Colossians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 15:58

10. Have Optimistic Faith, Not Doubt • Spiritual progress and joy both depend on faith.(1:25) • The opposite of faith is doubt, which robs us of our joy; but obedient faith produces joy.(1:27-30) • Consider Abraham’s faith (Romans 4:19-23)and how Paul connected FAITH and HOPE with JOY(Romans 5:1-5)

11. Be Humble, Not Proud and Selfish • Selfishness and pride destroy joy, BUT humility brings true blessings.(Acts 20:35; Matt. 5:3) • Selfishness and pride destroy relationships, BUT humility promotes unity, harmony, and love.(Philippians 2:1-4) • Selfishness and pride promote complaining and disputing, BUT humility promotes obedience and sacrifice.(Philippians 2:5-8, 15-18)

12. Hold Fast to Christ, Not the Doctrines of Men • Joy is found in truth, not in error.(John 8:32; Philippians 3:1-9) • Joy is found in Christ when we worship God in Spirit and truth, having no confidence in the flesh.(Philippians 3:1-6; John 4:24; 16:13; Romans 8:1,2)

13. Hold Fast to Christ, Not the Doctrines of Men • We find joy by turning from error to Christ.(Philippians 3:7-9) • We find joy in knowing Christ and suffering for Him because of the reward.(Philippians 3:10,11; Matthew 10:29,30; Matthew 5:10-12)

14. Focus on the Goal, Not Holding on to the World • Many do not have joy because they refuse to let go of “those things which are behind.”(Philippians 3:13,14) • Joy is found in pressing on (12) forgetting(13)reaching forward(13)pressing toward the goal(14)walking by the same rule(16,17) • NOT in earthly things(4:18,19) • BUT in heavenly things(3:20 - 4:1)

15. Have Peace, Not Anxiety • Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS…(Philippians 4:4) • Gentleness, forbearance, meekness in trials(Philippians 4:5; 1:28; 1 Peter 1:6,7) • “Be anxious for nothing.”(Philippians 4:6; Matthew 6:25-33; 10:28) • Peace, prayer, thanksgiving, and following Paul’s examples. (Philippians 4:6-9)

16. Learn to Be Content, Not Covetous “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:10-13)

17. Learn to Be Content, Not Covetous “Nowgodliness with contentment is great gain.For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these weshall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptationand a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.” (1 Timothy 6:6-9)

18. Learn to Be Content, Not Covetous “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty,nor to trust in uncertain richesbut in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works,ready to give, willing to share,storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

19. Learn to Be Content, Not Covetous “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5,6)

20. Keys to Joy We must: • Partake of the gospel of grace.(1:3-7) • Have optimistic faith.(1:19-30) • Be humble.(2:1-8) • Hold fast to Christ.(3:1-11) • Focus on the goal.(3:12-4:1) • Have peace.(4:4-9) • Be content.(4:10-13)

21. Dear Friend, are theKeys to Joyin your possession today? Maybe you’re locked out; why remain on the outside?